The meeting of the Central Secretariat of BSNLEU, the main recognised union of Non-Executives in BSNL, is scheduled to take place on 12-13 November 2016 at Chennai. The main discussion will be on the conduct of the All India Conference to be held at Chennai on 31st December 2016 to 3rd January 2017. Another important or most important matter is about resisting the anti-BSNL move of the government like formation of Tower Company bifurcating BSNL and the Revival and strengthening of BSNL.

BSNLEU since its formation and especially after getting the recognised status have been continuously putting all efforts as also pressuring the government and BSNL Management for taking immediate action for the revival of BSNL. The JAC/Joint Forum/Forum has been initiating moves one after another in this respect and going on struggle, whenever required. The latest attack on BSNL through formation of Tower Company is a serious threat to the existence of BSNL.

Another issue is the fast reduction in the number of workers. During the last 16 years since formation of BSNL in 2000, the workforce have been reduced to about 2.05 lakhs from the earlier 3.5 lakhs. About 1.85 lakhs workers have retired during this period with only about 40,000 new recruitment. The next few years will be critical with about 10,000 to 15,000 retirements each year. Recruitment has become an important part of the revival plan.

There is no doubt that these  and other important issues will be discussed with due seriousness and strategy finalised to face the present challenging situation.

A meeting of the active workers of AIBDPA was held at BSNLEU office at CTO, Bengaluru, with short notice to discuss about the various issues facing the DOT/BSNL Pensioners.Com. B.T.M.Giri, Dist. President, BGTD presided. Coms.H.C.Prakash DS welcomed. Com.C.K.Gundanna, CS BSNLEU, Com.Manjunath, Advocate, Com.Munilingappa, Com. V.Girish Chandra, Dt. Treasurer, Com.V.Doraiswamy, Asst. Circle Secretary and others addressed. Com. V.A.N.Namboodiri, Advisor, AIBDPA spoke in detail about the issues of the DOT/BSNL Pensioners, the recommendations of the VII CPC, the proposed struggles by the CG Employees and Pensioners etc. He pointed out the various struggles organised by BSNLEU, Forum and AIBDPA for the settlement of 60:40 issue, 78.2% etc. The issue of Pension Revision of BSNL absorbed pensioners has already been taken with the new Minister, Secretary DOT and others concerned. The need to organise the entire pensioners against the neo-liberal policy of the government and to get the PFRDA scrapped etc.was stressed. The participants pointed out certain issues to the notice of the leaders which have to be settled.

In the afternoon, Com.V.A.N.Namboodiri along with Com. H.C.Prakash and other comrades met Shri R.Satheesh, Jt.CCA (CCA was away in connection with BRICS meeting) and discussed certain issues of the pensioners including delay in pension orders. The Jt. CCA assured to settle the cases early.

Rejecting all  earlier predictions of a Ms. Hillary victory, the people of US has elected Donald Trump with convincing majority. We have to understand how the mind of the US people works to evaluate the results. Probably, Trump might have been able to rouse the Americans about their future and also the issue of unemployment.

The coming days will show, whether the election of Donald trump is going to make any major change.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced today, 8th November 2016, in his ‘Man Ki Bath’ that the currency notes of Rs. 1,000 and Rs. 500 will be scrapped forthwith,from midnight of 8th -9th November in the fight against corruption, black-money and terrorism. These notes can be surrendered to the Banks. He says there is a black money running to Rs. 1,25,000 crores.

In the place of the old notes. new Rs.2,000 and Rs.500 notes will be issued. 9th November 2016 will be holiday for Banks and the ATMs will not function, probably to make the changes.

WHAT ARE THE IMPACTS?  HOW IT WILL AFFECT THE FIGHT AGAINST BLACK MONEY AND CORRUPTION?  THE COMING DAYS WILL SHOW.

A meeting of the Executive Committee of BSNLCCWF was held at Kozhikode on 07-11-2016 presided over by Com. Jayarajan, District President. Com. T.T.Asokan, District Secretary welcomed all. Com.V.A.N.Namboodiri, President, BSNLCCWF  in his inaugural speech explained the decisions of the Central Secretariat meeting held on 26-10-2016, including the Parliament March on 22-02-2017 and the meetings with the CLC, CMD BSNL etc. He also explained the Charter of demands presented by the CCWF. He congratulated the kerala contract workers for the historic strike and achievement. Com.M.Vijaya Kumar, All India Org. Secretary BSNLEU addressed the meeting.