GoM on Revival of BSNL & MTNL Meets

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The first meeting of the Group of Ministers (GoM) on ‘Revival of BSNL & MTNL’ met yesterday, 12th June 2013, and started discussion in the matter. DOT, BSNL and MTNL are reported to have submitted its presentations on the present situation of the two companies and the reasons for the decline of services and revenues.

It is reported that the DOT requested for the refund of the charges of Rs. 12,846 crore for the BWA spectrum which has been surrendered by the companies. The liability of MTNL for the pension coming to about Rs. 7500 crore was also pointed out. BSNL and MTNL Managements are also reported to have represented their case for financial support.

The Forum of BSNL Unions & Associations have already submitted a detailed Memorandum to the GoM on how the BSNL can be revived. Forum has also sought a meeting with the GoM and its  Chairman, Finance Minister P.Chidambaram.

Forum has called upon all the Circle / District Secretaries to meet the Member/s of Parliament in their area and furnish the Memorandum to them with the request to take up the matter with the government to ensure financial support and preference to the BSNL. This is to be taken seriously and with implemented effectively and reported to Forum General Secretaries.

A very important meeting of Forum on 13th June

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A very important meeting of the Forum of BSNL Unions / Associations is scheduled to be held at 03.00 PM tomorrow ( 13th June 2013)at the FNTO office. The meeting was fixed in the Forum meeting held yesterday for calling off the strike after the issue of the 78.2% IDA pay fixation. It was unanimously agreed that the next immediate priority should be the revival of BSNL, for which the Forum can take a pivotal role. A detailed memorandum has already been submitted to the Group of ministers (GoM) appointed for the purpose. The intention of the govt. may be to introduce VRS, start disinvestment etc. This challenge has to be accepted and the crisis should be made an opportunity for improving the services and revitalising. We can never agree to VRS or disinvestment. We have given specific suggestions for making BSNL viable and improve services.

All these issues will be seriously discussed in the meeting tomorrow and suitable decisions taken.  Suggestions in this connection are welcome.

Closure of Telegram Services opposed

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I express my strong protest against the decision of BSNL to close the telegram services. BSNL has issued orders stating that the telegram services will be closed with effect from 15th July 2013.

This decision has been taken by the management without discussing with the recognised unions. Telegraph Services were started in India by the British in 1850. On 5th November, the first message went between Diamond harbour and Calcutta.First  it was only for use of the government and later extended to the people. Telegraph was the fastest mode of communications till the telephones services started in the 1930s. Still telegraphs continued as a major method of communication.

The Central Telegraph Offices in Calcutta, Bombay, Delhi, Madras etc. employed hundreds of Telegraphists, Telegraph Clerks and Telgraphmen on duty round  the clock. It was not  much different in other cities. The cut-cut-cud-cut of the telegraph machines filled the Instrument Rooms. The traffic was so busy that sometimes the staff have to forego even tea-break.

Of course, everything has changed during the last two decades. 90% of the telegrams have been reduced. Now it is being used in the rural areas, by the military and military personnel, some banks, medical rpresentatives and by some others for legal and record purposes etc.

BSNL management might have issued the order  to reduce its losses being incurred for running the services. Nobody will deny that justification. BUt as in the case of loss making telephone services in the rural areas, the telegram service also has to be maintained. Further, before taking such a drastic action as closing the service completely, the recognised unions of the employees have not even been consulted. The Management also should have considered the people who are still using the telegram services. Telegraph is to be treated as a Heritage service and maintained at least in the District HQrs as at present.

I express my strong protest against this closure of one of the earliest service in the country. The BSNL Management should urgently discuss the matter with the unions/associations so that the issue is solved in an amicable way.

‘India, one of the most violent nation’ – Global Peace Index

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India has always been mentioned as the country of the most peaceful people. Outsiders attacked and conquered it several times. The peaceful and calm life of the lakhs of villages were the real base of the nation.

But it seems every thing has changed. According to the Global Peace Index, a study on the global levels peacefulness, India is ranking 141 among 162 nations in the world. Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, Sri Lanka are all above India, but Pakistan and Afghanistan are at 157 and 162, below India.

Maoist violence, communal carnage, sexual assaults, road rage, terrorist attacks, political murders etc. have been on the increase in India. Many countries have started advising their citizens about risks in touring India.

It is most important that this dangerous situation needs to be changed for the better. How to do it and what actions are required is the moot point.

Nelson Mandela still in critical condition

Nelsn Mandela, the icon against apartheid and former President of South Africa is still in hospital and in serious condition. Not only people of South Africa, but the entire world is wishing for restoration of his health.

It was on 12th June 1964 that Nelson Mandela was put in  prison  for leading the Freedom struggle for the independence of South Africa from the British. He was put in solitary confinement in Robben Island for long  24 years.

After getting freedom he was unanimously elected as the first President of the free South Africa.

BSNL Strike called off

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The proposed strike by BSNL workers from 12th June 2013 has been called off by the Forum of BSNL Unions / Associations consequent to the orders issued on 78.2% IDA fixation by the BSNL Management.

Hearty Congratulation to the workers and leaders in their victory!

Congratulations to BSNL Workers! 78.2% IDA orders issued

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The long pending demand of the BSNL workers for 78.2% IDA fixation w.e.f. 01-01-2007, has been achieved after a long struggle. The BSNL Management has issued the orders on the same today, 11th June 2013.

Congratulations to all the workers for standing firm and determined behind the Forum of BSNL Unions & Associations and implementing effectively all the action programmes called by the Forum. It is only under the threat of an indefinite strike, that the issue could be settled.

Thanks are also due to the DOT and BSNL for realising the serious situation and have  fast-tracked  for issuing the orders, even though at the last moment.

SBI spends Rs.141 crore on CSR activity

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The SBI will be spending Rs. 141 crore on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activity this year. All PSUs are expected to allot 1% of its net profit for CSR.

As part of CSR, the Mysore unit of the SBI has donated an Ambulance to Sneha kiran Society of Mysore and a Braille Printer to  Divya Jyoti Charitable trust.It has also conduced 24 medical and health awreness camps and 12 cultural programmes and will also sponsor world cup tournament for the blind. Similar activities will be organised in other units of SBI also.

What about the Corporate Social responsibilities of the private sector corporates?

BSNL and MTNL increase Market share

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As per the data released by the TRAI, during the three months from January to March 2013, BSNL & MTNL have increased their market share. At the same time, the market share of Bharti Airtel has reduced during the period. however, the market shares of Idea as also Vodafone have increased.

BSNL and MTNL have to put maximum efforts to continue the improvement and better performance.

Good News! Air India increases its revenues.

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It is estimated that the annual revenue of Air India, the air-line PSU, may increase its revenue of Rs. 16,130 crore in 2012-13 to Rs. 19,393 crore in 2013-14. This is good news indeed. This information was given by the Civil Aviation Minister Ajit Singh in the 65th anniversary celebration of its London Route.

The improvement can be seen in Air-India passenger increase itself. Compared to earlier, most of the seats are full. Further the Dreamliner aircraft has also started being operated. Congratulations to the workers who have risen to the occasion and with the management has been able to improve.

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