3,228 Farmer Suicides in Maharashtra in 2015 alone

14 Thursday Jan 2016

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‘India lives in villages’ is the saying. But it is in these villages that death is lurking. In Maharashtra alone 3,228 farmers have committed suicide due to poverty, crop failure, unable to pay loans etc. While the farmers are dying, the government is keeping silent. Most of these families of suicided farmers have not got any support from the government. While the corporates and big business concerns are given large subsidies, these poor families are ignored. Shame on the top politicians and the government.

 

Change of Residence

13 Wednesday Jan 2016

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Since Telegraph Place, where BSNLEU has been allotted quarters (D-7), has been sold to Jharkhand Government by Central Government, BSNLEU has been allotted T 18/C, Atul Grove, New Delhi- 110001. Hence, I have shifted to the new address. The new telephone number is 011-23352848. Thanks. VAN Namboodiri Patron BSNLEU

Payment of Bonus Act Notified

09 Saturday Jan 2016

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The Payment of Bonus (Amendment) Bill, 2015 was passed by the Parliament in the just concluded Winter Session of the Parliament. The Payment of Bonus (Amendment) Act, 2015 has been published in the Gazette of India, Extraordinary on 1st January, 2016 as Act No. 6 of 2016. The provisions of the Payment of Bonus (Amendment) Act, 2015 shall be deemed to have come into force on the 1st day of April, 2014.

          The Payment of Bonus (Amendment) Act, 2015 envisages enhancement of eligibility limit under section 2(13) from Rs.10,000/- per month to Rs.21,000/- per month and Calculation Ceiling under section 12 from Rs. 3500 to Rs.7000 or the minimum wage for the scheduled employment, as fixed by the appropriate Government, whichever is higher. The Payment of Bonus (Amendment) Act, 2015 also mandates previous publication of draft subordinate legislations, framed under the enabling provisions under the said Act, in the Official Gazette for inviting objections and suggestions before their final notification.

 

Refund Security Deposit within 60 days

09 Saturday Jan 2016

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TRAI has issued a new directive to service providers requiring them to refund security deposit to customers within 60 days of disconnection of service. Failing to refund within the stipulated time period, the service provider will have to pay an interest at rate of 10 percent per annum to the subscriber. (News Report)

VII Membership Verification in BSNL- Certain changes required

08 Friday Jan 2016

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VII Membership Verification of non-executive unions is going to take place in April 2016, probably on 26th April and the counting on 28th instant.  Meeting is called by the management to discuss the matter with the participating/applicant unions.

From the past experience and also from a democratic point of view, certain changes are required in the process, adopted from the last Membership Verification, when a new system was introduced with the recognition of two unions, instead of the earlier one. BSNL Employees Union, which was the lone recognised union in the earlier 4 verifications, need to be congratulated for pressurising the management to agree for recognising the first two unions and getting it approved. It was a correct decision and was in vogue in the government departments, including DOT. But some undue restrictions have been made arbitrarily by the management, which needs to be modified. They are:

  1. The calculation of the % of votes received by the unions should be on the basis of the total polled votes. This is the system in the general elections viz. Parliament and Assembly elections. At present in BSNL, the % is calculated on the basis of the total eligible voters, which is not correct.
  2. The election for the posts of Leader and Secretary for Councils at all levels should be by the democratic verdict of the total council members. At present, the posts of Leader and Secretary are arbitrarily fixed for BSNLEU and NFTE respectively. This should be changed.
  3. The Recognised Union/s should have the right to nominate any employee to the council, limited to the number in their quota. At present, only a member of the recognised union can be nominated. This restriction is fully unjustified.
  4. One post of Director in the Board of Directors of BSNL should be reserved for the recognised union/s. This is as part of the union’s representation in the Management. This will not only improve the functioning of the management, but also the co-ordination between the management and the unions. This system is functioning  in Nepal Telecom which has paid much dividend.
  5. Periodicity of the National Council and other councils should be strictly maintained as also that of the Standing Committee.
  6. On those items in the council for which no agreement could be reached, should be arbitrated.
  7. Periodic meeting with Secretary DOT and Communications Minister to be part of the Scheme.

Govt. Squeezes Profitable PSUs

08 Friday Jan 2016

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The central government has decided to ask the profitable PSUs to pay more dividends this year. It has told these PSUs to pay 30% dividend, instead of the usual 20%.

Whether UPA or NDA government, both of them want to squeeze the PSUs and make them loss making. But they will never help the PSUs in distress or loss.

The central government is the killer of the PSUs. It is only interested in the growth of the MNCs and private companies. Of course, it’s motto is “Business is not the business of the Government.” Expose this anti-people policy of the government.

United Forum of MTNL Unions/Associations organise rally

08 Friday Jan 2016

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Thousands of MTNL employees joined the demonstration programme at the MTNL C.O. premises in Eastern Court protesting against the delay in settling 78.2% IDA fixation, option for pro-rata pension, implementation of CGHS service etc. Com. Mange Ram Sharma, Chairman of the United Forum of MTNL Unions/Associations presided and Com. M.K.Bagchi, Convener welcomed all. The leaders of the Unions and Associations addressed.

Com. V.A.N.Namboodiri, former Convener of the BSNL/MTNL Joint Forum of Unions/Associations addressed the rally, spoke about the united action of the workers  and supported the struggle. He reminded about the workers about the united struggles organised by the United Forum earlier, including the Parliament March and strike. He fully supported the struggle of the MTNL workers. He also spoke about the need to improve the services.

Government orders Closure of HMT units

08 Friday Jan 2016

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The Government issued orders for closure of three units of HMT viz. HMT Watches Ltd. (HMTW), HMT Chinar Watches Ltd. (HMTCW) and HMT Bearings Ltd. (HMTB). These companies have been running on loss for some time. Thousands of workers will either be given VRS or retrenched.

These were all running on profit for a very long time. Only due to the anti-PSU policy of the government, they have become loss making. Now the workers are losing the jobs and the companies are being closed. This anti-PSU policy of the government has to be resisted and defeated.

Meeting with Director (HR) on Kerala CCLU issues

07 Thursday Jan 2016

Posted by in BSNLCCWF - Casual and Contract workers

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Com.V.A.N.Namboodiri, President, BSNLCCWF met Smt. Sujata Ray, Director (HR) BSNL and pointed out the delay in settlement of the issues of wages etc. of Contract workers in Kerala. The CGM has not so far discussed the matter with the Federation leaders although the Committee Report by ED (CN) has been sent to him.

Director (HR) assured that necessary action will be taken in the matter and that CGM will be directed for the same.

Government to hand over small airports to private

06 Wednesday Jan 2016

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Finance Minister Arun Jaitely has stated in the meeting of the India Infrastructure Finance Company(IIFCL) that the government is proposing to hand over management of small airports to the private sector for ‘improving efficiency.’ This is nothing but privatisation of airports.

The NDA government is handing over the government properties to the private sector in a big way. And the private companies will increase all the rates in the name of modernisation. The common people are the sufferers.