Protest Demonstration against merger of BSNL and MTNL

01 Saturday Mar 2014

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

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PTI Report

New Delhi, February 27: V.A.N.Namboodiri , Convener, Forum of BSNL Unions / Associations has issued the following statement:

BSNL Employees will hold Protest Demonstrations on 28th February 2014 at Corporate /CGM / SSA offices protesting against the proposal of the government for merger of BSNL and MTNL without settling the conflicting issues between the two PSUs. The pay-scales in the two PSUs are different, the Pension formula is different, and the promotions are also different, which may create lot of complications and agitations in the future as happened in the case of Air-India – Indian Airlines merger. While MTNL is disinvested to the tune of 46.5%, BSNL is not at all disinvested due to the strong protest of the unions.

It is also understood, that while merger proposal of BSNL and MTNL is on one side, on the otherside, BSNL is proposed to be bifurcated by forming new corporation for towers. This will adversely affect the revenue of BSNL which is already in loss.

On all these issues, Memorandum was submitted to the Prime Minister and all Ministers in the EGoM, but there has been no response from the government. It is reported in the press that the Cabinet which is meeting on 28th February may take certain decisions in these respects, which may be counter productive and adversely affecting the growth of BSNL and its employees.

In order to express their strong protest, the employees, as per the call of the Forum of BSNL Unions/Associations will be organising lunch hour demonstrations in front of all SSA/Circle offices on 28th February.

The Forum demands the government to discuss these issues with the Unions/Associations and refrain from taking any hasty decisions, which may adversely affect BSNL and its employees.(Courtesy: PTI)

Another Cabinet meeting on 2nd March 2014

01 Saturday Mar 2014

Posted by in General, General Elections 2014

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It was stated that the Cabinet meeting on 28th February 2014 will be the last meeting of the present cabinet. It was also reported that this meeting will decide on issue of ordinances on Anti-Corruption Bill etc. But this was deferred due to difference of opinion.

It seems that this stance of postponing these ordinances is being changed. Another Cabinet meeting is going to be held on 2nd March, Sunday as per media reports. But, of course, the UPA government is in panic and nobody can say, what it is going to do next.

Cabinet Committee clears assistance to ITI, HMT, Photo Films and Paper Corporations

01 Saturday Mar 2014

Posted by in PSU, Uncategorized

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The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) announced financial packages to four PSUs, ITI, HMT, Hindustan Paper Corporation and Cachar Paper Mill, which are facing serious financial crisis and declared sick.

ITI is having accumulated loss of Rs.4,527 crore and the salaries of the 7500 employees are not being paid regularly. Now a soft loan of Rs. 200 crore is allotted to pay the salary of the employees.

Likewise, HMT has been allotted financial assistance for payment of 1997 pay revision wages. The retirement age has been increased from 58 to 60. The total assistance for all these programmes is about Rs. 136.04 crore.

For the Paper Mills, an amount of Rs. 75 crore has been allotted as assistance.

This assistance is only a fraction of what is required for these PSUs. This belated assistance itself is only due to the coming general elections.

Cabinet approved Rs.1,000 as Minimum Pension

28 Friday Feb 2014

Posted by in AIBDPA - BSNL DOT Pensioners

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The meeting of the Cabinet held today, 28 February, has approved the proposal of the EPFO to fix the Minimum Pension as Rs. 1,000. This will benefit 28 lakh pensioners, who are at present getting less than Rs. 1,000 as pension. In certain cases, the pension is as low as Rs.10.These pensioners are part of the Employees Pension Scheme whose total number will be about 44 lakhs.
It is reported that the government will have to provide an additional grant of Rs. 1,217 crores to EPFO for implementation of the new decision.

BSNL increases Landline, Broadband charges.

28 Friday Feb 2014

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

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India’s largest state-owned telecommunications service provider Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited has decided to increase the landline and broadband monthly tariff from March 1 across the country.

“One India monthly plan for landline will be revised from Rs 180 to Rs 195,” BSNL CGM (Kolkata) Gautam Chakraborty told PTI.
(PTI)

Terms of Reference of VII CPC announced

28 Friday Feb 2014

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The Central Govt. today, 28-02-2014, announced the Terms of Reference to the VII Central Pay Commission. But the demand of the Confederation of Central Govt. Employees and Workers to include the Gramin Dak Sewak (GDS) in the terms of reference has not been done.

The VII CPC has been given 18 months to submit its report.

Comrade Umraomal Purohit passed away

28 Friday Feb 2014

Posted by in Obituary, Tributes

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Purohit ji

Comrade Umraomal Purohit, veteran leader of HMS, AIRF and Central Government Employees passed away at 04.15 hours on 27th February 2014 at a Mumbai Hospital. He was ailing for some time and was admitted in the hospital. He was 86.

He was the President of HMS and also All India Railwaymen’s Federation for a long period. He was also the Secretary, Staff Side of the National Council of Central Government Employees. He was one of the Patrons of the NCCPA, the Central Govt. Pensioners Organisation.

Despite serious old age ailments, he used to attend all the Central trade Unions programmes. Even in the 6th August 2013 Workers Convention at Mavlankar Hall and demonstrations, he was present.

The working class has lost a veteran leader, who was always in the forefront of the struggles.

On my own behalf and on behalf of BSNLEU and BSNL Workers, I convey my deep grief and heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family, Railway workers and friends.

Red Salute to Com.Umraomal Purohit!

‘Corruption wide-spread in India’ – US Report

28 Friday Feb 2014

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According to the Annual Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2013 released yesterday by US Secretary of State, John Kerry, there is widespread corruption in India.

According to the report, ‘though the law provides criminal penalties for official corruption, the Indian Government did not implement the law effectively, and officials frequently engaged in corrupt practices with impunity.’

The report in detail mentioned about the various forms of corruptive practices and the agitations and protests by voluntary organisations.

There is nothing new in this report for the people of India. They have experienced the corruption in their day to day life. They have also seen the ‘high level corruption’ of lakhs of crores of rupees like 2G Scam, Coalgate Scam also.
However, with the present report by US Secretary of State, the entire world has come to know about the large scale corruption in India, mainly by the ruling classes to amass wealth.
The General elections are coming. If the people, the voters, are able to defeat the corrupt contestants, at least this will some warning. Let us try for the same.

DA increased by 10%to reach 100% for Central government employees

28 Friday Feb 2014

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The Cabinet today decided to increase the DA of Central Government Employees by 10% w.e.f.January 2014. This will result in the total DA reaching 100% for the employees. The last increase was also 10% w.e.f. July 2013.
However, this increase is not commensurate with the high increase in the cost of living, of essential articles. The prices have been skyrocketing for the last two years or so. The employees will get something in lieu of increased cost of living, but what about the common people, who have to suffer the cost-increase, without any increase in their income.
The responsibility of the government is to ensure that the prices do not increase. DA is only a partial relief.
The Government has also to take decision to merge 100% DA with the pay getting the justified relief to employees.

Massive Demonstrations held on BSNL MTNL MERGER

28 Friday Feb 2014

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As per call of Forum of BSNL Unions Associations, massive demonstrations were organised in Circle/SSAs all over the country. Reports are still coming.

Com.VAN Namboodiri, Convener Forum , Com. C.Singh, Chairman, Forum, com. Saibal Sengupta, AGS BSNLEU, Com. RS Chauhan Org. Secretary BSNLEU, Com. Arvind Dahya, AGS SNEA, N.L.Sharma, AGS AIBSNLEA, Com. R.K.Kohli, GS, NFTBE, Com.Hari Singh ASG BTU and other leaders addressed the demonstration in Corporate office, New Delhi. Despite short notice and also heavy rains, many comrades participated in the demonstration in front of the Corporate Office.
Today’s massive demonstration is a warning to the government not to take a hasty decision on merger of BSNL and MTNL without resolving the HR , Disinvestment and other issues pointed out by the Forum.

Hearty Congratulations to all comrades for the massive participation in the demonstration called at short notice.