Shri Manoj Sinha is the new Minister of State for Communications with independent charge as per the latest cabinet reshuffle. It seems that this is the first time that Communications have been given charge to a MoS. Shri Ravi Shankar Prasad, present Communications Minister is the new Law Minister.

Shri Manoj Sinha is the 65th Communications Minister in independent India. Almost all the Prime Ministers have been in charge of Communications for brief periods. This is the first time that there is no Cabinet Minister for the important portfolio of Communications.

We welcome Shri Manoj Sinha and hope that he will try to improve the BSNL and the telecom services! Wish him all success!

Com. V.A.N.Namboodiri, Advisor, AIBDPA today, 5th June 2016, met Shri Anupam Shrivstava, CMD BSNL and discussed the following issues raised with regard to the BSNL Pensioners:

1. Restoration of quarterly medical allowance to the BSNL pensioners.

2. Reducing of rent for the quarters allotted to the retirees.

3. Extension of broadband concession to DoT pensioners.

4. Anomaly in pension due to point to point fixation; seniors drawing less than juniors.

Com.Namboodiri pointed out the hardships being suffered by the BSNL Pensioners due to the non-settlement of these demands and demanded that these issues be settled at the earliest. CMD agreed to consider favourably.

Com. Namboodiri suggested to the CMD BSNL that all the state governments and PSUs be approached intimating  the present improvement of the BSNL services requesting them to take BSNL services, if they have not already taken. CMD stated that this is a good suggestion.

It is a very very Glad News!The Cabinet meeting held today has approved the long pending demand of the BSNL pensioners for grant of 78.2% IDA Pension fixation for those retired before 10-06-2013. Since tomorrow is Ramdan, the cabinet meeting was held today.
Shri Anupam Shrivastava, CMD BSNL informed Com.V.A.N.Namboodiri, Advisor AIBDPA that the Hon. Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad had called him yesterday and had discussion on this issue for more than half an hour. CMD informed the present position of the BSNL, the financial position, improving etc. and the excellent role of the workers in improving BSNL. The Minister, he told, took keen interest in the matter.Immediately after the decision was taken by the Cabinet, the Minister contacted the CMD BSNL and conveyed the good news which was conveyed to Com. Namboodiri by the CMD. He thanked the CMD for his best efforts.

The issue has been pending for the last two – three years. Immediately after the 78.2% IDA fixation was granted for the BSNL employees after two strike notices and discussion in June 2012 and June 2013 by the Forum of BSNL Unions/Associations, BSNLEU, AIBDPA, Forum of BSNL Unions and Associations and others took up the case of granting the same to the pensioners who retired before 10-06-2013, the date of issue of the orders.

Continuously meetings were held with the CMD BSNL and Secretary DOT and other officers for getting it approved, but the DOT took the stand it has got to be approved by the Cabinet. In 2015 the entire BSNL workers went on strike for two days on 21-22 April 2015 on issues including 78.2% IDA Pension fixation and in the meeting after the strike the Secretary DOT agreed to process the same for forwarding to the Cabinet.

AIBDPA organised dharnas and demonstrations for getting the demand achieved. A massive Parliament March was organised under the auspices of the AIBDPA and a Memorandum submitted to the Prime Minister for early settlement of the issue.

Com.V.A.N.Namboodiri Advisor and K.G.Jayaraj, General Secretary AIBDPA met the Communications Minister Shri Ravi Shankar Prasad who agreed to recommend the same. After that the process took speed. There was objections from the Department of Expenditure but suitable replies were given by DOT. After meeting the new DOT Secretary twice by Com. V.A.N.Namboodiri Advisor and K.G.Jayaraj, General Secretary AIBDPA, at last the cabinet note was prepared and forwarded. But as usual in government, the same came back with some quiries. This was also replied and send to Cabinet two weeks back.

It was to come back in the meeting of the Cabinet held on 29th June, but though it was  in the agenda could not be discussed as most of the time was taken for discussing other important agenda including VII CPC recommendations. The next cabinet meeting was held today, 5th July, probably since tomorrow was holiday for Ramdan. Yesterday itself CMD BSNL was called by the Minister so that the matter could be presented with full details. And fortunately, the Cabinet approved this fully justified demand in its meeting today. The Press Information Bureau has also issued a statement with full details (Please visit AIBDPA website, aibdpa.com).

The Cabinet Note prepared by the DOT has also recommended the withdrawal of the 60:40 condition for payment of pension. This has also been approved as can be seen from the Press Statement that “In respect of BSNL employees, who are absorbed in BSNL, the liability on account of pensionary benefits  shall be fully borne by Government while BSNL will continue to discharge pension liability by way of pension contribution in accordance with FR-116 for the period they so work/worked.” Thus the 60:40 ratio on pension is also gone. It is also a great achievement.

We thank the Forum of BSNL Unions/Associations, BSNLEU, AIBDPA and other organisations, workers and pensioners who heroically fought for getting the demand. We also thank the CMD BSNL, Shri Anupam Shrivastava, former Secretary DOT Shri Rakesh Garg, present DOT Secretary Shri J.S.Deepak, Member (Finance) Smt. Annie Moraes and the Communications Minister Shri Ravi Shankar Prasad for helping in the settlement. We thank all those who supported and helped in settling the issue.

This is the victory of the workers and pensioners of BSNL! Unity for Struggle, Struggle for Unity and Unity and Struggle for Progress!

Good News! It has been informed that 78.2% IDA Pension Fixation has been approved by Cabinet. Press statement is also issued by Minister.
Our continued effort has seen results! The details will be informed. We thank all who supported in our efforts. It is a great achievement.

Not only the employees are opposing merger of SBT with SBI, but the customers also have started opposition on the ground that customer service and customer relation existing will suffer. This is fully true.

The government should retract from the anti-worker, anti-customer move to merge the banks.

It is reported that an Interministerial committee will shortlist the loss making  PSUs mentioned by NITI Ayog for closure / strategic disinvestment. It is also reported that the committee will recommend only noncontentious PSUs for closure/  disinvestment.
A serious struggle will have to be organised for defending the PSUs.

The central government has told the Supreme Court that the ban on SUVs and big/ luxury cars of more than 2000 CC diesel should be lifted since they are better equipped against pollution and the ban will compel the foerign companies  to go away which are investing huge funds in India. The  Attorney General for the government also asked the SC what authority it has
to impose tax on these vehicles which is in the domain of the government.

The central govt.is too sensitive when big business and foerign investers are involved.  Pollution and health of the people are of no interest to it.

NFTE and FNTO have not been attending the meetings of the  Forum for some time. The reason is not known. The Forum is the joint platform of BSNL Unions / Associations for fighting against the  anti worker policies of the government and for strengthening BSNL and its services. It is the joint struggles and  agitation by  Forum which sustained BSNL all  these years.
Taking all these in to consideration, NFTE and FNTO  should reconsider and  come  back to Forum. Forum has also  requested these unions for coming back.