BSNL Employees Union is completing 20 years of its fruitful existence on 22nd March 2021. It is BSNLEU’s 21st Foundation day.

BSNL Employees Union, the majority recognised union of the BSNL workers, was formed on 22nd March 2001, in the National Convention of eight telecom unions held at Visakhapatnam, in the presence of Com. E.Balanandan, President of CITU and one of the greatest working class leaders India has ever seen.Though started with about 50,000 – 60,000 workers, it grew to be the biggest union in BSNL with more than one lakh workers, despite the fact that there was no recruitment and thousands were retiring every year. This was a herculean task, but the united team of the BSNLEU leadership made the ‘impossible in to possible.

’BSNLEU, as the recognised union separately, and also jointly with other unions, both Executives and Non-executives, defeated the nefarious designs of the central government, both NDA and UPA, to disinvest BSNL, unbundle the precious copper cables and so on. BSNLEU took the initiative to form the Joint Forum of Unions and Associations, under which organisation, many battles were fought and anti-worker decisions of the government defeated.

BSNL and its workers are facing serious challenges to their existence. The neo-liberal policy initiated by the Congress government in 1991 and aggressively being implemented by the present BJP government is making it difficult for the PSUs to sustain and grow. In the name of Revival Plan, 78569 employees have been compelled to take VRS in BSNL. Their many problems are there. Though 4 G Spectrum is allotted, hurdles are created by government in launching it. Wage revision and Pension Revision are delayed, without any justification. DA /DR is frozen unauthorizedly. Workers salary is delayed.

The two associations, AIBDPA and BSNLCCWF formed at the initiative of BSNLEU has grown and strengthened. But the wages for the contract workers have not been paid for about one year. The demands of the workers, the pensioners and the casual contract labours are interconnected and inseparable. That is why united struggle is required. The proposal for formation of a Co-ordinating Committee of all the three sister unions is a welcome step for future struggles.

It is in this situation that the 21st Foundation Day of BSNLEU is arriving. This time, BSNLEU has called upon the workers to approach the people, the real masters and expose the anti-BSNL policy and decisions of the Modi Government. Revival of BSNL is most important.

Let us remember our past struggles and sacrifices so that we can advance with sustained struggles with more vigour, determination and strength. BSNL has to be saved and strengthened to provide better service to the Nation!

BSNLEU, AIBDPA AND BSNLCCWF ZINDABAD!

WORKERS UNITY ZINDABAD!

V.A.N.NAMBOODIRI

FOUNDER GENERAL SECRETARY, BSNLEU

ADVISOR AIBDPA

PRESIDENT BSNLCCW

PROTESTS GALORED AGAINST NEGLECT OF SERIOUS ISSUES OF THE SENIORS.

THOUSANDS OF PENSIONERS PARTICIPATED THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY BRAVING ALL ODDS INCLUDING COVID-19 PANDEMIC SITUATION.

YES, COMRADES, THE SECOND PHASE OF OUR AGITATIONAL PROGRAMME, THE MASS DHARNA ON 16-03-2021 TURNED TO BE A RESOUNDING SUCCESS ALL OVER THE COUNTRY.

ALL INDIA POSTAL AND RMS PENSIONERS ASSOCIATION (AIPRPA) EXTENDD SOLIDARITY. IN SOME CIRCLES BSNLEU & BSNL CCWF MEMBERS ALSO PARTICIPATED. CHQ EXPRESSES THANKS TO THESE ORGANISATIONS FOR THE SUPPORT.

THE PENSIONERS HAVE SENT A STRONG WARNING TO THE ARROGANT MODI GOVERNMENT AND BSNL MANAGEMENT AGAINST THE DENIAL OF PENSION REVISION TO BSNL PENSIONERS, MEDICAL BENEFITS, DR AND IDA AND ISSUES OF VRS RETIREES .

IT IS ALSO A GREAT VICTORY THAT TWO ISSUES , PAYMENT OF 8% EX-GRATIA AND ATTEMPTS TO LEVY INCOME TAX FOR LEAVE ENCASHMENT OF THE LEAVE EARNED IN GOVERNMENT SERVICE, ARE SETTLED.

CHQ is aware that preparations are going in full swing all over the country for the successful conduct of the second phase of our agitational programme, Mass Dharna at maximum centers on 16-03-2021. Let us mobilize maximum pensioners for the Dharna and the demands put forward are very important concerning all our pensioners. Among the demands only one demand , payment of balance 8% Ex-Gratia to VRS retirees has been settled now.

Pension Revision is being denied to the BSNL absorbed pensioners for the last four years without any justification. To add insult to the injury, IDA also being denied despite High Court order, when the prices of essential commodities are increasing like sky rocketing. The anti-pensioner Modi government has already snatched away Rs.37,530 crore by freezing the Dearness Relief of central government pensioners during these hard days of pandemic.

The arrogant BSNL mangement continues to be completely negative on payment of medical benefits to the BSNL pensioners in spite of repeated pursuals at all levels. We have conducted several struggles also on this vital issue. But management tuns a blind eye to the miseries of ailing and aged pensioners. CHQ has recently brought this buring issue to the Department of Pension & Pensioners Welfare. But the reply by BSNL management is on the same lines that medical bills with voucher and without voucher are pending due to paucity of fund. So it is very clear that the management is not willing give any priority to this vital issue of the seniors.

While processing the pension papers, the CCAs are unilaterally reducing the Last Pay Drawn digging out fixations made before 25-30 years ago. This is in violation of the standing instructions and clarification issued by Department of Pension and Pensioners Welfare to the effect that the verification of pay of the retiring official be limited to 24 months preceding to retirement. But some of the arrogant officers of DoT are not prepared to change this most unjustified system resulting in great loss in the pension of many retirees, particularly VRS retirees.

Ex_gratia and pensionary benefits are denied to 199 VRS retirees of Maharashtra for alleged non-validation of Caste certificates. This very issue has arisen due to the lapse on the part of the respective SSA administration, failing to verify the caste certificate during the initial period of appointment, as had been repeatedly instructed by DOPT,DOT and even BSNL. Further the Parliamentary Committee on the Welfare of Scheduled Castes and Tribes have issued clear instructions to the effect that pension and other retirement benefits should not be denied to pensioners belonging to Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribes for non-verification of caste certificates, even after 30-35 years. Also it has been instructed by the Parliamenray Committee , no verification of caste certificate be made for officials recruited before 1995. CHQ had brought all these facts to the CMD, BSNl and Secretary, DoT several times but to no avail. CHQ also wrote to the Chairman, Parliamentary Committee on Welfare of Scheduled Caste and Tribes seeking intervention.

The problem of unjustified and unwarranted notice by Income Tax Department to VRS retirees demanding tax for the leave encashment for the leave earned in government service was taken up with the Finance Minister and top officers of the Central Board of Direct Taxes. An officer from CPC, Bangalore has contacted General Secretary over phone on 4th March, 2021 and asked for certain clarification and was replied suitably. It seems that the Income Tax Department is reviewing the issue.

So Comrades, our fight is for the settlement of genuine issues and against the apathy and neglect of the government and authorities . Let us make it a stupendous success. Definitely, Victory shall be ours.

“The expenditure of BSNL has reduced from Rs. 34,400 crore per annum to Rs. 24,687 crore per annum (Annualized value of 9 months figures) mainly due to savings in employee benefits expense, due to VRS [Voluntary Retirement Scheme] as part of revival package,” the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Information Technology said in its report tabled in the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha on 10 March.

When there is so much savings as also when BSNL is in EBITDA positive, means profitable, there is no justification for the company to delay its salary to the employees as also starting wage negotiation.

DECISIONS OF THE BSNLEU CEC HELD AT CHENNAI ON 7-9 MARCH 2021

(i)    “Meet the members” drive.

The circle and district level leaders of BSNLEU shall conduct a month long “Meet the members” drive, from 01^st April to 30^th April, 2021. The leaders shall meet each and every member during this drive and explain about the decisions of the Chennai CEC meeting and also about the pro-corporate, anti-BSNL and anti-working people policies of the government.   

(ii)    Street Corner Meetings to observe the 20^th anniversary of BSNLEU’s foundation.

22.03.2021 is the 20^th anniversary of BSNLEU’s foundation. The day should be observed by hoisting flags in all work places. Further, BSNLEU will also launch a week long “Street Corner Meetings” starting on 22.03.2021. In these street corner meetings, campaign will be made among the general public against privatisation of the public sector, denial of 4G service to BSNL, road-blocks being created in BSNL’s revival and the need to keep BSNL as a vibrant public sector company. A Press Meet will also be organised on 20.03.2021 in all districts and circles.

(iii)   March to CGM and GM offices on 12.05.2021.

March to CGM offices and GM offices will be organised on 12.05.2021, demanding settlement of 3^rd Wage Revision, payment of salary on the due date, immediate holding of LICEs, re-engaging the retrenched contract workers and payment of their wage arrears, immediate settlement of the medical claims of the serving and retired employees, removal of the ban on Compassionate Ground Appointments, etc. Memorandum, addressed to the CMD BSNL, demanding settlement of these burning issues, will be submitted to the CGMs and GMs.

(iv)   “Sathyagraha”, demanding payment of salary on the due date.

On the demand of payment of salary on the due date, the CEC meeting has decided to organise a “sathyagraha” programme in CGM and GM offices. The date of this programme will be decided by the All India Centre.

 (v)  Hunger strikes / dharnas from 24^th to 26^th March, 2021 – call of the CTUs and the SKM.

The Joint platform of the Central Trade Unions and the Sanyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) have decided to organise hunger strikes / dharnas throughout the country from 24^th to 26^th March, 2021, demanding withdrawal of the pro-corporate Farm Acts, withdrawal of the anti-worker Labour Codes and stopping the privatisation of the Public Sector Units. The CEC meeting has decided that maximum number of members of BSNLEU should participate in this programme, being jointly organised by the Central Trade Unions and the Sanyukt Kisan Morcha.

(vi)   Solidarity to Bank employees strike.

 BSNLEU should organise demonstrations throughout the country on 15.03.2021, in support of the two day bank employees strike being held on 15^th & 16^th March, 2021, against the privatisation of the public sector banks.

(vii)  Solidarity to LIC employees strike.

BSNLEU should organise country wide demonstrations on 18.03.2021, in support of the strike of the LIC employees on 18.03.2021, opposing disinvestment in LIC.

(viii)  Formation of coordination committee of BSNLEU, AIBDPA and BSNL CCWF.     

The CEC meeting has desired to form coordination committees of BSNLEU, AIBDPA and BSNL CCWF (BSNL Casual Contract Workers Federation, to powerfully organise agitational programmes on the revival of BSNL, including the early launching of 4G service and also on the issues of the serving and retired employees, as well as on the casual and contract workers.

Central Government cheated Rs. 37,530.08 crore from the Central government employees and pensioners by freezing their three DA instalments due from 1st January 2020, 1st July 2020 and 1st January 2021, taking advantage of the Covid period. This will never be repaid to them. Shameful indeed to loot the pensioners and employees of their hard earned salary and pension.(This information is given in a written reply to Shri Naranbhai J. Rathwa, M.P.)

The Farmers struggle has completed 100 days. Thousands of farmers along with their families including children are on struggle on the border of the capital city, Delhi demanding withdrawal of the three anti-famer acts and also the electricity act, which will ruin the life of crores of farmers, who are the food growers of the country. Dharnas and demonstrations are going on all over the country in support of the farmers. But the Central government is sitting tight.

Open your eyes, Modi Government! Discuss with the farmers and concede their just demands.

Parliamentary Standing Committee on Rural Development has slammed central govt for not increasing the meagre pension of Rs.200, even after many years. Both Congress as well as BJP governments are responsible for this crime. The picture shows old aged and widows sitting on ground waiting for the pension in Bhubaneswar.

In contrast, senior citizens and widows in Kerala are paid Rs.1500 per month which is going to be increased to Rs. 1600 from April 2021. During last five years of LDF rule the pension is increased from Rs. 600 to Rs.1600. The pension will be paid at their home. ( based on report in Hindu)

It is being said that the senior citizens are the assets of the nation. But, what the central government is doing for them. Even after years of introducing old age pension, the Rs. 200/ has not been increased so far. Senior citizens and their orgnisations have been demanding to get it increased; but no action on the part of the central government.

During Covid period, the Centre withdrew the train ticket concession available to the aged people, above 58 for women and above 60 for men. Demand to restore the concession has not been agreed.

In comparison, Kerala and a few state governments have increased the old age pension. The Kerala LDF government has increased the pension from Rs. 600 to Rs.1600 and being paid at their homes. Two governments, two policies towards senior citizens.

It is one year since the railways withdrew the train ticket fare concessions extended to the senior citizens in the name of Corona. Seniors are compelled pay the full charges now, almost double what they have been paying earlier. This is quite injustice.

SCFWA demands that the concessions be restored.