The Central Trade Unions organised a National Convention of Workers at Jantar Mantar on 11^th November, 2021. The Convention deliberated in detail about the pro-corporate, anti-people, anti-worker and anti-kisan policies of the Modi government. The Convention unanimously resolved to organise a two day General Strike in the budget session of the Parliament, opposing the wrong policies of the government and demanding settlement of the 12 point charter of demands of the Central Trade Unions. Thereafter, the Central Trade Unions have discussed and finalised the date of the General Strike. Yesterday, the Central Trade Unions have issued a statement, announcing that the two day General Strike would take place on 23^rd & 24^th February, 2022.

Charter of demands

1. Scrapping the Labour Codes; Scrapping of EDSA.
2. Accept 6-point charter of demands, post repeal of Farm Laws, of the Samyukta Kisan Morcha.
3. No to Privatisation in any form and scrap the NMP;
4. Food and Income Support of Rs 7500 per month to non-income tax paying households;
5. Increased allocation for MNREGA and extension of Employment guarantee Scheme to urban areas;
6. Universal social security for all informal sector workers;
7. Statutory Minimum wage and social security for Anganwadi, ASHA, Mid-day-meal and other Scheme workers;
8. Proper protection and insurance facilities for frontline workers serving the people in the midst of pandemic;
9. Increase in public investment in agriculture, education, health and other crucial public utilities by taxing the rich through wealth tax etc in order to revive and revamp the national economy;
10. Substantial reduction in Central Excise duty on petroleum product and concrete remedial measure to arrest price rise.
11. Regularisation of contract workers, scheme workers and equal pay for equal work for all.
12. Cancellation of NPS and restoration of old pension; substantial increase in minimum pension under Employees’ Pension Scheme.

(Courtesy : bsnleu website)

It was on 17th December,1982,the constitution Bench of the Supreme Court headed by the then Chief Justice Y V  Chandrachud delivered the historic judgment in the case filed by Shri.D.S.Nakara. The judgment being called as the Magna Carta of the pensioners declared in unequivocal terms that pension is not a bounty but a right of the pensioners and pensioners cannot be discriminated on the basis of date of retirement.

It is also a fact that the pensioners in the country started organising themselves after this important judgment and fought against many injustices and won many a battles. But the government continues the attacks on the genuine rights of the pensioners and the PFRDA Act is the  real challenge to the entire pension community. Attempts are also being reported to curtail the pension and to hand over the the pension fund to the private entities.

As far as BSNL and DoT pensioners are concerned many of the just demands, including pension revision, are still to be settled due to the negative stand of the government. So let us affirm to continue our fight against all injustices being meted out to the pensioners and the onslaught against the people.

Let us also remember the great man, D S Nakara for his heroic and relentless fight and observe the National Pensioners Day in a befitting manner. (AIBDPA Website)

The Central Government is paying only Rs. 200 as old age pension to the senior citizens ie. those who are above 60 years and are not having any income. No increase of the pension amount since it started about 10 years back.

Senior Citizens Friend Welfare Association, Kerala has demanded that the Old Age pension should be increased to Rs. 5,000 so that they will be able to manage their daily life.

Women above 58 years of age and men above 60 years of age were getting 50% and 40% concessions respectively in train ticket charges. This was withdrawn in 2020 during the Covid period on the plea that senior citizens are not expected to travel during Covid period. Now trains have started running. Senior citizens will have to travel for medical treatment, visiting their children working in other places etc as also visiting tourist places.

The Central Government should immediately restore the concession in train charges for senior citizens. Do not ignore the senior citizens.

BSNLEU CHQ has decided that the next All India Conference of BSNL Employees Union, the majority Recognised Union in BSNL, will be held at Guwahati from7th to 10th March 2022. The earlier AICs were held at Visakhapatnam, Lucknow, Guwahati, Mumbai, Thiruvananthapuram, Ludhiana, Kolkata, Chennai and Mysuru respectively.

Is nonpayment of salary to BSNL employees in time and non-payment of medical bills and reimbursement to pensioners deliberate on the part of Govt and BSNL Management? It seems so.

It is estimated that Govt / DOT is due to pay Rs.39,000 crore to BSNL on various counts including refund of payment for WIMAX & CDMA Spectrum, refund of leave encashment, compensation for BSNL for loss incurred for providing rural telephones and various other services rendered. Govt is not in short of funds. If the same is paid to BSNL, the claims of staff can be easily paid.

In not paying the dues to BSNL, govt is deliberately creating unrest among the employees and pensioners. It is not understood whether strong pressure is made by BSNL management or is it sitting idle and submissive waiting for kindness from govt. AUAB, BSNLEU, AIBDPA & BSNLCCWF have strongly protested and demanded for early payment of salary, medical bills/medical allowance and wages to contract workers. The DOT and BSNL Management should act without delay.

V.A.N.Namboodiri

When state PSUs are in financial difficulty, Kerala LDF Govt supports, grant financial assistance and take necessary action for their revival.

When PSUs are unable to pay pension to its retirees, Kerala LDF government gives assistance for payment of the same.

When central govt wants to disinvest / sell its PSU in the state, Kerala govt offers to take it over. Gradually it is made viable and workable.

While almost all of the state PSUs were made loss making by corrution and inefficient management under UDF rule, the LDF in Kerala during the last five years have strengthened and made almost all of them profitable.

This is the difference between BJP / UDF governments and Left governments. The Left always safeguard the interests of the people and the PSUs, asset of the people.

V.A.N.Namboodiri

By refusing to revise the pension by 15% as per the recommendations of the III Pay Revision Committee for PSUs, the Government is violating the assurances given at the time of corporatisation. The condition of affordability mentioned in the report is not applicable to the pensioners as the full pension is given by government as per Rule 37A of the CCS (Pension) Rules. BSNL has already paid pension contribution at the maximum of the scale. It is gross injustice not to grant pension revision to these pensioners.

AIBDPA has taken the issue with the government and is perusing the case strongly.

In a reply to a Parliament Question, Minister of State for Communications, Shri Devu Singh Chsuhan has stated that the assets of BSNL &MTNL are worth Rs. 1,33,952 crore and Rs. 3,556 crore respctively as on 30.09.2021. Net block of property, plant and equipment in respect of these companies are of Rs. 89,878 crore and Rs. 3252 crore respectively as on 31.03.2021.

These valuations are compltely undervalued and without correctly assessing the valuation. BSNL is having maximum land assets through out the country, including in central places in all cities and towns only next to Railways. In addition there are 7 Telecom Factories, 2 major Training Centres, about 30 minor traing centres having thousnds of acres of land. There are many heritage buildings, the value of which may be beyond description. ( Photoes of only CTO buildings at Mumbai and Kolkata as also BSNL HQ only are given here).

These most undervalued statistics are given only to justify their plan to sell the assets to private corporates, not only below market price, but also far below the average price which are shown in other land sale registrations.

The govt conspiracy should be exposed and defeated.