vannamboodiri.com completes 6,000 blog posts

08 Tuesday Sep 2015

Posted by in General

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During the past few years since 2010,  when this blog vannamboodiri.com started, I have been trying to post blogs which are of interest to the BSNL workers, PSUs, to the employees and workers at large and also on general subjects. This includes strong criticism of the anti-people neo-liberal policy being implemented by the government. Sometimes, educational material were also put. A series of articles on the BSNL and P and T Trade Union Movement also have been posted. One series is being published now also.

I am happy that I have been getting full support and encouragement from many comrades, friends and well wishers in this respect. I had tried to reply to the comments made by our readers to the extent possible.

While putting this 6000 post, once again I convey my Best Wishes and Greetings to you all and request continued support in my effort!

8th September – International Literacy Day

08 Tuesday Sep 2015

Posted by in General, WORLD NEWS

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Today, 8th September 2015, is the International Literacy Day. The theme for this International Literacy Day is “Literacy and Sustainable Societies” as per UNESCO.

India has got the maximum number of illiterates in the world. Despite almost 7 decades after India got independence, the literacy has not improved much. While declarations and assurances from the central government is galore in this matter, not much effort is not made. Even the allotment for elementary education in the budget is coming down. The governments are not interested in increasing literacy due to their own vested interests. Maximum literacy is in Tripura and Kerala, which have reached the position during the Left Party Rule.

A great movement for full literacy in the country should come up with the support of the government, the institutions and the people.

Contract workers should not be more than 50% of regular employees – new proposal?

08 Tuesday Sep 2015

Posted by in BSNLCCWF - Casual and Contract workers, General

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The great success of the 2nd September 2015 National One Day Strike participated by more than 15 crore workers on their 12 point demands, has made the government to think. The withdrawal of the BMS on dictate from the RSS, did not had much impact on the strike. Many BMS units have gone on strike, despite the decision of the leaders.

Now, it is reported that the government is thinking about reducing  the  engagement of contract workers. At present, in many PSUs as well as in private sector, contract workers are engaged much more than the regular employees, that too at far below the wages of the regular employees. This has created much tension and anger.

The government,it is stated, is thinking of limiting the contract workers at 50% of the regular workforce and pay them minimum wage. But the demand of the trade unions are that the contract workers should be regularised and till that time, they should be given equal wages – Equal wage for equal work. The proposal of the government will not solve the problem. Neither will it end the exploitation of the contract workers.

“BSNL should have frequent interface with customers” – Communications Minister

08 Tuesday Sep 2015

Posted by in BSNL - Better Service to the Nation, BSNL News

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Communications Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad has advised that BSNL should have frequent interface with customers which will help BSNL to grow.

This is true. Instead of being only in the offices, not only during the time of fault repair etc., but on other times also, the BSNL officers and employees should meet the subscribers at their places and interact on their issues and concerns and  solve the same, at the same time improving and increasing the business.

LIC has got about 10 lakh agents to spread the message and meet the people. Department of Posts has got Postmen, GDS and SB Agents etc. What we require is  such a committed section of employees, vendors, Agents etc. who will be able to reach the entire public and give the message of BSNL and its services.

BSNL March Ahead – Revenue increased, Loss Reduced – CMD BSNL

08 Tuesday Sep 2015

Posted by in BSNL - Better Service to the Nation, BSNL News

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According to Anupam Shrivastava, CMD BSNL, has stated that the company is managing its operational maintenance expenses and salary of employees from its own resources. It is self sufficient on as at present. The losses have come down during the last few years, from Rs.8,851 crores in 2011-12 to Rs. 7,884 crores in 2012-13, Rs. 7,019 in 2013-14 and Rs. 7,265 in 2014-15. The revenue has increased from Rs. 27,128 crore in 2013-14 to Rs. 27,996 in 2014-15.

According to CMD BSNL, the Revenue is expected to increase to Rs. 42,000 crores by 2018-19.

The continuous effort of the workers to improve the services and the new schemes have helped in improvement.But that is not sufficient. Even now, the annual loss is more than Rs.7,000. This has got to be reduced and the revenue has got to be increased much more.

The government should change its anti-BSNL policy and assist the PSU to come back to its past glory.

BSNL to provide minimum 2Mbps speed for broadband from 1st October – CMD

08 Tuesday Sep 2015

Posted by in BSNL - Better Service to the Nation, BSNL News

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BSNL is upgrading its services. According to Anupam Shrivastava, CMD BSNL, the telecom PSU will be providing a minimum speed of 2Mbps for its broadband connections with effect from  1st Ocober 2015, the 15th formation anniversary of the company.

At present BSNL offering a minimum speed of 512Kbps, which is going to be increased to 2Mbps. This will attract more subscribers as has been the case after the introduction of the “Free Night Calling” and “Free Roaming” Schemes introduced some months earlier.

Six Left Parties jointly will contest Bihar Elections

07 Monday Sep 2015

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Patna, Sept 7 : Six major Left parties today joined hands to contest the forthcoming Bihar Assembly elections and vowed to fight the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and Chief Minister Nitish Kumar-led JD(U)-RJD-Congress grand alliance.

Asserting that they were starting an “agitation” for the state, which would “defeat feudal, communal and corporate forces”, the Left parties said they have come together to provide an option to the public to provide “people’s rule” in the true sense.

The six Left parties which joined hands today include the Communist Party of India (CPI), CPI(M), CPI(ML), Socialist Unity Centre of India (SUCI)(Communist), All India Forward Bloc and Revolutionary Socialist Party (RSP) and were currently in the process of finalising the seat-sharing for the 243-member Assembly. (PTI)

 

Meeting with GM(Admn) on Contract labour issues

07 Monday Sep 2015

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Today, 7th September 2015, Com. V.A.N.Namboodiri, President, BSNLCCWF, met Shri S.K.Sinha, GM(Admn), and discussed about the critical issue of  non-payment of wages to contract workers for about ten months in most of the SSAs in UP(East). The fact that only about Rs. 1500- 2500 is being paid monthly, whenever payment was made, was also brought to his notice. GM(Admn) was requested to take immediate steps so that the payments are fully made and the arrears for the last 10 months are also paid. The GM(Admn) asured that necessary action will be taken in the matter.

T

LIC Group Insurance Scheme for BSNL employees – Changes required

07 Monday Sep 2015

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The LIC Group Insurance Scheme for BSNL employees was started in August 2005. It is the biggest Group Insurance Scheme in the world. The Scheme has benefited the BSNL employees as also the LIC, since its market share has increased due to this scheme. The scheme was brought in to operation after detailed discussion between LIC, BSNL and BSNL Employees Union. All India Insurance Employees Association(AIIEA) also helped in clinching the agreement. The double accident benefit with 7.5% extra premium etc. were specially added.

The scheme in 2005 includes three level Insurance, the non-executives for one lakh, the lower executives for Rs.3 lakh and the next higher level for Rs. 5 lakh. Ten years are over now and after the wage revision w.e.f. 2007, the wages have increased and the present wages are substantially higher. In such a case, there is full justification for increasing the insurance amount and the premium accordingly. This was taken up earlier, but the LIC had its reservation due to the high risk and increased % of death rate in BSNL. However, that can not be a reason not to increase the insurance amount.

At least the insurance amount should be increased from Rs. 0ne lakh, three lakh and five lakh to Rs. 3 lakh, 5 lakh and 7 lakh respectively, if not more. The premium also can be raised accordingly.

In this connection, it is also to be noted that the single largest leave encashment scheme of LIC with  2,81,000 BSNL employees were implemented in 2010. BSNL  has  transferred  the Liability of Leave encashment of Rs 4,852.91 crore to LIC under LIC’s Group Leave Encashment Cash Accumulation Scheme (GLES). 

BSNL is the biggest customer of LIC. Hence LIC should not shrink away from increasing the insurance amount for the BSNL employees. The issue need to be taken with the  BSNL Management for re-negotiating with the LIC.

EPFO raises insurance cover from Rs. 3.6 lakhs to Rs. 5.5 Lakhs

07 Monday Sep 2015

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The Employees Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) is proposing  to increase the maximum amount assured for its Employees’ Linked Insurance Scheme from Rs. 3.6 lakhs to Rs. 5.5 lakhs. This is a much needed change since the earlier amount was fixed years back.