21-22 April 2015 Strike – Forum’s Meeting with CMD BSNL on 17th April 2015

18 Saturday Apr 2015

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FORUM OF BSNL UNIONS AND ASSOCIATIONS

21-22 April 2015 Strike – Meeting with CMD BSNL on 17th April 2015

Consequent to the notice issued for Two Days Strike on 21-22 April, the CMD BSNL held a meeting with the Forum of BSNL Unions/Associations at 04.00 PM on 17th April 2015 on the demands raised in the strike notice. Shri Anupam Shrivastava, CMD BSNL, Smt. Sujata Ray (ED Finance), Shri Shameem Akthar, Sr GM(SR), Ms. Madhu Arora, GM( Estt.), Shri  A.Sinha, GM(Admn) and Shri S.S.Agarwal, GM(Pers) attended from the Management.

The Forum was represented by Coms. C.Singh(NFTE), Chairman Forum, V.A.N.Namboodiri, Convener, Suresh Kumar (BSNLMS), Prahlad Rai (AIBSNLEA),Rashid Khan(TEPU), H.P.Singh (BSNLOA), Swapan Chakraborty (BSNLEU), K.Sebastin (SNEA), Rakesh Sethi (AIBSNLOA), Rana Pratap (BEA), Neeraj Kumar(FNTOBEA), R.Gunasekaran(BSNLDEU), Sunil Gautam(SNATTA), R.G.Pandey(BTEU), Satya Dev Sharma(ATM), Mohinder Singh (FNTO), Hari Singh(BTU), Prabodh Kumari (SEWA BSNL) and (NFTBE).

All the demands raised in the strike notice were discussed in detail. The discussion continued for about three hours. More than half of the issues were items on which decision is to be taken by the Government/DOT. On those issues, the Management was asked to take up the same with the DOT and fix a meeting of the Forum with DOT. The following is a brief gist of the discussion:

  1. Immediate procurement of adequate equipments: The management stated that some equipments have been purchased and tenders have been called for others. The Forum leaders stated that there is still acute shortage adversely affecting the service.
  2. Compensation for loss-making rural connections: Matter pertains to DOT/Government.
  3. Financial Assistance to BSNL from Government: The Forum demanded that the Management should take up with the DOT for getting the Refund of spectrum charges of Rs. 6,700 as also Rs.1,250 crore in lieu of ADC for the year 2012-13 at the earliest. Management stated that this will be done. It was also stated that the government has allowed BSNL to take loan of Rs. 7,000 from the Banks.
  4. No Merger of BSNL and MTNL : Pertains to Government/DOT
  5. Stop formation of Tower Company: Matter pertains to Government/DOT
  6. Reject TRAI recommendation to surrender 1.2 MHrz Spectrum: BSNL has taken up the matter with Government.
  7. Prompt filling up Directors Finance, HR and CM: Issue pertains to Govt./DOT
  8. Transfer of all assets including land to BSNL: Pertains to Govt. / DOT
  9. BSNL service to be made mandatory to Central/State government, PSU:  Pertains to Govt./DOT
  10. Immediate refund of BWA spectrum charges to BSNL: Matter pertains to Govt./DOT
  11. Spectrum liberalization by BSNL without any payment to Government: Issue taken up with the government.
  12. Reject anti-BSNL recommendations of M/s Deloitee Committee: The recommendations are being examined.
  13. Allot spectrum free of cost to BSNL: Pertains to Govt./DOT
  14. BSNL should start 4 G Services : Pertains to Govt./DOT
  15. No mandatory purchase of equipment from ITI: The Forum leaders pointed out that if ITI is able to provide equipment in time, they have no objection. Management stated that this pertains to Govt./DOT.
  16. Grant of 78.2% IDA merger fixation to pre-2007 and post 2007 Pensioners: The Forum expressed its serious unhappiness in the undue delay. The issue pertains to Govt. /DOT
  17. Pension Revision of BSNL Retirees: The case taken up with the DOT, who has to take action.
  18. Pension contribution on actual basic pay instead of on the maximum of the pay scale: The matter taken with the Government.
  19. Implement cabinet decision on 30% superannuation benefits to BSNL direct recruited employees: BSNL Board has decided for a Defined Contribution Superannuation Pension Scheme for all direct recruited employees and the same will be submitted to DOT for approval. The Forum insisted that this is not sufficient and the 30% superannuation benefit should be ensured for the BSNL recruited employees, as provided by DPE guidelines.
  20. Fresh Recruitment of staff: Need based recruitment will be continued in future.

On the issues connected with DOT/Government, the Forum demanded that these issues should be taken up by the Management with DOT. Management stated that efforts are being made for arranging a meeting of the Forum with DOT.

The meeting ended at about 06.30 hours. As indicated above, most of the items pertain to Government/DOT.  No development on the other issues also, except that the Forum leaders effectively presented the demands.

The Forum will meet at 11.00 AM on 20-04-2015 for last minute consultations. In the meantime, the Circle/SSA/Branch Secretaries are requested to fully mobilise the workers for the two days strike on 21-22 April 2015. New developments, if any, will be intimated.

V.A.N.Namboodiri

Convener, Forum.

 

USA’s earlier attempts to destabilse Cuba – ‘Bay of Pigs’

17 Friday Apr 2015

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It was only  two years after Cuban Revolution in 1959 and formation of Communist Government headed by Comrade Fidel Castro that US imperialists made a well planned attack at Bay of Pigs to defeat and destabilise the Communist government. However, the attack was defeated by the Cuban people and the government. It was on 17th April 1961, 54 years back.

Now both Cuban President Raul Castro and US President Barak Obama has agreed to restore diplomatic relations which has been withdrawn by both countries decades back. Let us hope that the relations will further improve.

Money Order Service continues – Department of Posts

17 Friday Apr 2015

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There were reports in the press that the the Money Order service is being closed. Now the department of Posts has issued a statement saying that the M.O. service continues with more speed and efficiency. The Statement  given below:

13-April-2015

Money Order Service of ‘India Post’ Made more Efficient

The Department of Posts has denied some media reports that its Money Order service has been discontinued. The Money Order service continues to be available to the common man at the same service charge with the same facility of the money being delivered at the door step of the addressee. The Department in a clarification further said that this service had been made more reliable and fast by communicating information about the money to be transferred electronically between the booking and delivery post office. Thus, the money reaches faster to the addressee. The nature of service remains the same and it is also being called an electronic Money Order or eMO. Department of Posts also has another service offering instant online Money transfer service called as Instant Money Order (iMO), where the receiver can receive payment in cash through Post Offices.

 

Government owes Rs. 600 crore to Air India

17 Friday Apr 2015

Posted by in General, PSU

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Air India is struggling to come out of the financial crisis created by the government. It is in loss for the last few years. The central government should support the PSU. But the fact is that even the amount due by the government for the travel of its Ministers, officers etc. are not being paid.  At present, the government is in arrears of payment of more than Rs. 600 crore to the Air India.

BJP government is continuously stating about good governance. It also speaks volumes about supporting Air India. But what is going on? Even what is due for months or years is not being paid to Air India by the same government.

Government should immediately act and pay the arrears / due to the ailing Air India without any delay.

Protest Demonstration by New York workers demanding increase in Minimum Wage.

17 Friday Apr 2015

Posted by in TU News - International, WORLD NEWS

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It was an unusual sight in the New York and other major cities of US. Thousands of low paid workers in fast food, airport, construction,child care educational institutions etc. participated in protest demonstrations demanding increase in minimum wage, pointing out that the present wages are completely insufficient.

At present the minimum wage is $ 8.75 in an hour. The workers are demanding $ 15 an hour to escape from poverty. The authorities are proposing to increase the minimum wage to $ 9, which is rejected by the workers.

BSNL Data Service on the Growth Path

16 Thursday Apr 2015

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

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As per BSNL, on 12th of April 2015 BSNL has handled a total of 200TB of data on its mobile network. BSNL also witnessed a steady growth of 65% year on basis. In south zone BSNL achieved 100% growth in mobile data volume. Out of the total revenue of BSNL, data constitute only 9% compared to industry average of 14-15%.

During the last 2 years, a series of steps have been initiated in BSNL Mobile Network for facilitating and capturing the ever-increasing data volumes. Above all, each one of us has been sensitized towards the importance of providing an enabling environment for data growth, said BSNL CMD, Anupam Shrivastava.

Other operators in the country haven’t released any reports on data handled till now. But 200TB mobile data is a mile stone for BSNL and will boost its effort to expand its data service. ( A press report)

Indian Railways complete 162 years of service to the Nation.

16 Thursday Apr 2015

Posted by in General, Neo-liberal policy

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It is a creditable record. Indian Railways is completing 162 years of glorious service. It was on 16th April 1853 that the first train started from Victoria Terminus (Bombay) to Thane. It has grown and grown.

Indian Railways is one of the largest railways in the world with 115,000 km of track over a route of 65,436 km and more than 7,200 stations. In 2014-15, IR carried 8.397 billion passengers annually or more than 23 million passengers a day (roughly half of whom were suburban passengers) and 1050.18 million tons of freight in the year. In 2014–2015 Indian Railways had a revenue of Rs.1634.50 billion which consists of Rs.1069.27 billion  from freight and Rs. 402.80 billion from passengers tickets.

It is also the biggest employer in the country with more than 13 lakh workers.

The move of the government to privatise the Indian Railways should be strongly opposed and defeated.

 

78% IDA fixation of BSNL Pensioners – Meeting with Member (Services) and Member (Finance)

16 Thursday Apr 2015

Posted by in AIBDPA - BSNL DOT Pensioners, General, Pension

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Com.V.A.N.Namboodiri, Advisor, AIBDPA met Shri N.K.Yadav, Member (Services) and Smt. Annie Moraes, Member (Finance) on the issue of 78.2% IDA fixation for BSNL Pensioners. Com.Namboodiri expressed serious unhappiness at the inordinate delay. Both agreed to speed up the preparation of the Cabinet Note. From the discussion it can be hoped that the Cabinet Note will be prepared by next week or so.

Meeting with Administrator, USO Fund

16 Thursday Apr 2015

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Com.V.A.N.Namboodiri, Convener, Forum of BSNL Unions and Associations met Smt. Aruna Sundararajan, Administrator,USOF, and discussed about the release of the Rs. 1,250 crores which is allotted to BSNL in lieu of ADC for the year 2012-13. Administrator USOF stated that the matter will be favourably considered.

This was recommended by the TRAI two years back. This amount is very much necessary for the financial viability of BSNL. Forum has been pressing for the release of the amount for the last two years. Unnecessary delay has already occurred. It is hoped that USOF will take immediate action.

Netaji Files should be decalssified and published.

16 Thursday Apr 2015

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The controversies and doubts regarding the death of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose have come up once again with the news that the family has been snooped for long 20 years by the Congress government.

It is utmost necessary that the classified files on Netaji should be declassified and released since a long period has elapsed after 1945 and the people of the country want to know what actually happened. The people has got a right to know the truth.