Detroit City files for Bankruptcy

20 Saturday Jul 2013

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We have heard individuals and institutions filing bankruptcy. But on 18th July one of the big cities in US, Detroit, famous for its auto industry, has filed bankruptcy. Detroit became the biggest US city to file thus.

It is stated that this once populous city and centre of automobile production, was ravaged by recession and hollowed out by a long, slow decline in population and auto manufacturing.

The declaration of bankruptcy will mean reduction or complete stoppage of pension, job loss, austerity measures and so on. Already many people have left the city and the process will continue. It is reported that certain small cities in US had similarly become bankrupt earlier.

Capitalism can not even maintain the cities from collapsing. How can it save the world?

Wage Agreement for Contract Workers in Coal.

19 Friday Jul 2013

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For the first time in any industry, Coal India Limited (CIL) finally issued order on 18 February, 2013 for Payment of Minimum Wages and Implementation of Social Security Scheme for Contractors’ Workers as per agreement of 23 November, 2012.

Five central trade unions in coal, jointly and effectively, agitated the demands for contractors’ workers wages and social securities. After protracted negotiation, finally in a meeting of the unions with the minister of state for coal on 16 April 2010, it was agreed to constitute a high power committee with management’s and central trade unions’ representatives to examine and recommend the wages and social security measures for Contractors’ workers engaged in mining activities. A clause in wage agreement NCW-IX stated that the contractors’ workers’ wages and social security issues would be finalization separately. The recommendations of 23 August 2012 of the high power committee were finalized in the subsequent stadardization committee meeting and on that basis the implementation order was issued.

Basic Wage Structure of Contractors’ Workers

Categories of Employees Basic Rate (Per Day)

Unskilled Rs. 464.00
Semi- Skilled / Unskilled Supervisory Rs. 494.00
Skilled Rs. 525.00
HighlySkilled Rs. 554.00

The basic wages are effective retrospectively from 01.01.2013. In addition, variable dearness allowance (VDA) will be paid @, as notified by the central government in every April and October for non-coal mines workers, above 202.83 points, as was on 1.11.2012 (Base 2001).

Further, the contractors’ workers will get 10% of basic as underground allowance; PF as per CMPF Act; Bonus as per Bonus Act; Medical Facilities, both dispensary and OPD, like parmanent workers.(Courtesy: Working Class)

Nelson Mandela’s Birthday celebrated

19 Friday Jul 2013

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The 95th Birth day anniversary of anti-apartheid icon and former South African President Nelson Mandela was celebrated on 18th July in South Africa in a very big way. The people organised many programmes to celebrate the day and wished for the early recovery of Mandela who is in hospital for the last few weeks.
In many parts of the world, including in India, the day was observed and celebrated.

Govt. moves for Telecom Finance Corporation

19 Friday Jul 2013

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As stipulated in the National Telecom Policy 2012 (NTP-2012), the DOT has moved a memo for the approval of the Telecom Commission for the formation of a Telecom Finance Corporation (TFC), in order to mobilise funds and to facilitate the funding needs of the telecom sector. The sector ( meaning the private telecom companies) are in much need of funds and the DOT proposal is intended mainly for that purpose.
The target of TFC is to mop up about Rs.38,000 crores within the first five years. A 10 Member Board will be appointed to govern the TFC. Authorised capital will be Rs. 10,000 crore and the initial paid up equity of Rs. 1000 crore will be contributed by the government.

BSNL Loss – due to less revenue and not due to salary increase

19 Friday Jul 2013

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BSNL, DOT and Government continuously propagate that the loss to BSNL is due to the excess staff and one lakh surplus workers should be reduced through VRS. What are the facts?

There was 3.97 lakh employees when BSNL was formed in October 2000. As on 31st March 2012, the strength of employees was only 2.58 lakhs. Within 12 years, 1.39 lakhs have been reduced by retirement etc.
What about the profit/loss? When there were 3.97 lakhs BSNL was having profit. All the first 9 years from 2000-2001 to 2008-2009, when there was much staff then at present, mostly above 3 lakhs, there were good profits. Thus the argument of the management that the loss is due to salary of employees is completely devoid of facts. The % of salary to revenue/expenditure has been increased only because the revenue has gone down during the last 4 financial years. Who is responsible for the revenue loss? It is not the workers. It is due to the anti-PSU policies of the government and the lethargic BSNL management which utterly failed in expanding and developing the services. The cut-throat competition is also another reason.

The BSNL Management is continuously mentioning that the salary of the workers is the reason for loss of the company is only to cover up their mismanagement which resulted in the loss of revenue and hence the loss.

Nationalisation of Private banks in 1969

19 Friday Jul 2013

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It would seem unreal now in the era of liberalisation and privatisation. But it is a fact that 14 private banks were nationalised in 1969 by the then Central Government head by Prime minister Smt.Indira Gandhi. The date was 19th July 1969.
In 1955, State Bank of India was nationalised,SBI subsidiaries in 1959,14 private banks in 1969 and another 7 private banks nationalised in 1980. The private banks nationalised in 1969 980 are given below:
*Central Bank of India
•Bank of Baroda
•Union Bank
•Allahabad Bank
•United Bank of India
•UCO Bank
•Bank of India
*Indian Overseas bank
*Bank of Maharashtra
•Dena Bank
•Punjab National Bank
•Syndicate Bank
•Canara Bank
•Indian Bank

The nationalisation of the private banks were done since these banks were not performing good and also as part of the focus on public sector growth. But now the policy of the government has changed to liberalisation, globalisation and privatisation. Accordingly, the government want to marginalise the PSU banks and bring new private banks by giving licences to the corporates for starting new banks. The Bank workers and their unions are against this move and have strongly opposed it. We fully support them.

Revival of BSNL/MTNL – GoM to meet on 30th July

18 Thursday Jul 2013

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The Group of Ministers (GoM) on Revival of BSNL/MTNL will meet again on 30th July. The first meeting was held on 12th June.

In the last meeting the DOT has presented the position of both BSNL and MTNL and requested for grant of Rs. 22,964 crore on issues connected with spectrum, preference for MTNL and BSNL for providing services in government departments, PSUs etc. and and also for entry in to the broadcast segment.

MTNL has posted a loss of Rs 5,321.12 crore for 2012-13, compared to Rs 4,109.78 crore in 2011-12. BSNL posted loss of about Rs 8,198 crore for 2012-13, compared Rs 8,851 crore in 2011-12.

Forum of BSNL Unions/Associations had submitted a memorandum to the GoM with detailed suggestions for the revival of BSNL. It was also requested for a meeting to present the views. But so far no communication has been received from the GoM. As per the decision of the Forum many comrades have met the Members of Parliament in their areas and presented the Memorandum with the request to take up our demands with the GoM. A massive campaign among the BSNL workers and outside on the demands raised by the Forum is necessary to get support of the people.

Meeting of GoM on Revival of BSNL and MTNL on 30th July

18 Thursday Jul 2013

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The GoM on Revival of BSNL and MTNL will have its second meeting on 30th July 2013. The first meeting was held on 12th June 2013, in which the BSNL and MTNL management presented about the financial assistance required from the government. It is reported that a demand for Rs.22,964 crore was presented including for both the PSUs, especially connected with the spectrum issues, mandatory provisions for PSUs and government departments to take PSU connections, entry in to broadcast sector etc.

MTNL reported a net loss of Rs 5,321.12 crore for 2012-13, compared to Rs 4,109.78 crore in 2011-12. BSNL loss for 2012-13 is reported at Rs 8,198 crore, compared Rs 8,851 crore posted in 2011-12.

The Forum of BSNL Unions had given a detailed memorandum to the GoM and requested for a meeting to present its views. But so far, there is no communications from the GoM. However, copies of the Memorandum submitted by the Forum have been handed over to many Members of Parliament, who have written to the Chairman of the GoM P.Chidambaram to consider the view points of the Forum.

The Forum leaders at SSA / Circle level should take the initiative in meeting the Members of Parliament in their areas and handover the copy of memorandum requesting them support our cause and write to the Chairman, GoM. So far the Forum at national level has got information of only about meeting about 30 MPs.

Comrade Samar Mukherjee passed away

18 Thursday Jul 2013

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Sad News! Comrade Samar Mukherjee, patriarch of the Indian Left, former Member of Parliament, former PB Member CPI(M) and also former General Secretary, CITU passed away today morning at Kolkata. He was 101. His birth centenary was celebrated last year.
He was very simple in living and donated his entire earning to the party. While he was in Delhi, I had the opportunity to meet him several times to bring to notice certain issues of the employees. He was very sympathetic and took up the issues with sincerity and actively.

My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family, comrades and friends! My respectful homage to the great leader!

Nelson Mandela at 95 – Wish you early recovery

17 Wednesday Jul 2013

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Nelson Mandela the South African Leader, who has become a legend in his own life-time , is completing 95 years on 18th July 2013. The icon who fought against apartheid as also for freedom of South Africa from the British was in jail for about 27 years including in solitary confinement in the Robben Island. Mandela is in hospital for the past few weeks, but it is stated that there is indication of some light recovery.

On his 95th Birth Anniversary, I wish him an early recovery and many more years to live!