May Day in Havana, Cuba – 73 countries participate

29 Monday Apr 2013

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As usual, this May Day also, a large number of delegates from many countries will be participating in the May Day celebrations in Havana, the capital of socialist Cuba. It is reported that 73 countries will be participating. The International Workers Day will be celebrated at Jose Marti Revolution Square in Havana. This will be a special occasion as the delegates will be paying special homage to late Comrade Hugo Chavez, the President of Venezuela, who fought against US imperialism and introduced many revolutionary decisions and strengthened the Latin American unity against imperialism.

BSNL must have a capable efficient management prepared to discuss with the workers

29 Monday Apr 2013

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

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BSNL is in loss for the last four years. While it is mainly the anti-PSU and pro-private policy of the government responsible for the present unhappy situation, the top management is also responsible. It has to be pondered as a company functioning in the fast growing telecom sector, whether the management, within its limitations of course, has been able to introduce and implement new projects, new areas of growth or expand its functioning in the heartlands of the country as required? Instead of motivating and utilising its experienced workforce effectively,by providing them training and retraining continuously on the new technologies and business methods, the management has been converting them ineffective. Many of the top management functionaries  feel that the non-executive workers are a nuisance than an effective and vibrant work-force. Maximum time of these top officers are spent on their own career prospects than the interests of the company.

Towns/cities are growing in every part of the country. Lakhs and crores of telephones/mobiles are required. In fact the people want BSNL connections compared to that of private companies. But what is the actual position? BSNL is providing 3 to 4 lakh of mobile connections, while each of the private companies on an average provides above 20 lakh connections monthly. Is there any dearth of staff here? Leave alone the non-executives, who are treated as a burden to the company. There are about 60 thousands of well-trained engineers including the 1400 ITS officers. Is there any mobile company having so much highly skilled engineers? The top management has utterly failed to utilise the executives and the non-executives.

BSNLEU after much persuasion made the BSNL Management to form Works Committees at all SSAs as a Forum for discussion between the Unions and the local management to improve and expand the services. After two-three years, almost all the GMs have arbitrarily stopped holding the meetings of the committees. They do not want to benefit from the long experiences of and suggestions from the local work-force to develop the services. The management has again utterly failed to contact with the public, understand their requirements and act accordingly. Of course, there are some good field level management officers, and the best results are there to see.

A good number of SSAs are not having any head ie.GM at present, while many GMs are kept idle in the Circle headquarters. What is the idea is known only to the BSNL Management. Is it purposely starving the SSAs of their heads? Of course, shortage may be there. The fact is well-known years back. Why no recruitment at the top-level posts have not been done? Why it has been postponed year after year? It is only complete negligence to look after matters of the company.

The decision-making has been at the lowest. It takes months and months to take any decision at both the field and top-level. It seems that nobody is interested in taking decisions. In a sector like telecom, where fast developments take place, this is to say the least, suicidal.

The Corporate office always say that the circles are not giving the inputs, particulars etc. that are called for by the former. Whose fault it is? Those who are not implementing the directions of the C.O. should certainly be pulled and fixed responsiblity. But nothing ever happens like that.

A complete overhaul of the top management is required. BSNL management always complains to the unions about the increasing % of salary bills of the employees compared to the private companies. It is not the increasing of the salary bill, but it is the reducing of the revenue that has increased the %. The business is completely managed by the top management, even the suggestions of the workers are ignored and hence the entire responsiblity for the very low growth of the company or rather the decline compared to the past is of the management.

Whether the  BSNL Management is prepared to discuss the entire matter with the Unions and the workers as demanded by the latter and find out methods to improve and expand the services to the people. Whether the top management is prepared to stand with the unions and staff to pressurize the government to change its anti-BSNL policies and fight for the revival of the company. If they are prepared, there is very good chance of reviving the company and bringing it to its formal glory. Of course, the Forum of BSNL Unions/Associations will make all out efforts for improving BSNL and its services, whether the management co-operates or not.

JPC – Questions to PM by Sitaram Yechury

28 Sunday Apr 2013

Posted by in 2G Scam Corruption

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Questions to the PM

Friday, April 26, 2013

April 26, 2013

Press Release

The following note has been sent by Sitaram Yechury, CPI(M) member of the Joint Parliamentary Committee on 2G Spectrum scam to other members of the JPC explaining why a conclusive report of the JPC cannot be prepared unless the following questions are answered by the Prime Minister and the Finance Minister.

************* Dear Hon’ble Colleague,

The Need for Answers from the Hon’ble Prime Minister on Certain Questions before the JPC

The Draft Report prepared by the Chairman of the JPC, Shri P.C. Chacko states in Section 10.45 the following: In view of the above, the Committee are inclined to conclude that  the Prime Minister was  misled about the procedure decided to be followed by the Department of Telecommunications in respect of issuance of UAS licences.   Further, the assurance given by the Minister of Communications and Information Technology in all his correspondence with the Prime Minister to maintain full transparency in following  established rules and procedures of the Department stood belied.

Shri A.Raja in his letter to Shri Chacko has stated that he had kept the Hon’ble PM informed at each step of the process and through personal meetings as well as during cabinet meetings. The Draft Report also shows that indeed he wrote 3 letters to the PM prior to the 10th January, 2008 when the LoI’s for the 120 licenses were issued. The Draft Report also states that the PM asked the PMO to prepare a Note on Shri Raja’s letter dated 26th November, 2008 wherein he details the various steps he was proposing to take.

Taking the above into account, it is not possible for JPC to come to any conclusion about the veracity of Shri Raja’s claim or the statement in the Draft Report that the PM was misled without the PM answering the following:

1. Is it true that Shri Raja had met him personally in the first week of January, 2008 as stated in his letter to brief the Hon’ble PM  about the procedure he was going to follow? In his submission, Shri Raja states, “Thereafter I met the Hon’ble PM in the first week of  January 2008 and this issue was again discussed and he agreed with  the proposed course of action of the DoT.” 2. If this meeting did take place, did the Hon’ble PM agree with Shri Raja on the proposed course of action as Shri Raja claims? 3. On what specific count can we hold that Shri Raja misled the Hon’ble PM? a) Is it about not auctioning/indexing license fees of 2001 for 2008? b) Is it about the change in First-come-first-served policy regarding grant of license by which the date of fulfilling LoI first was to be used for grant of licenses and not the date of application c) Is it about securing the consent of the Solicitor General to the procedure that was to be followed as stated by Shri Raja in his 26th November, 2008 letter? 4. On what count did Shri Raja not maintain transparency regarding procedures which Shri Raja was following in his communications with the Hon’ble PM as stated in the Draft Report 5. Even if the above is true – that Shri Raja misled the PM and did not maintain transparency as claimed by the Draft Report, the following issues still remain, which the Hon’ble PM needs to answer: a) Even after LoI’s were issued on 10th January, 2008, since the licenses had not been issued, the Government could have cancelled the LoI’s and followed a proper procedure. Why did the Hon’ble PM not take action  as he had himself asked that the Note prepared by Pulok Chatterjee, Secretary PM, dated 6th January, 2008 be modified to take into account the status after issuing of the LoI’s? b) The Hon’ble PM in October 29, 2011 had stated – in his meeting with TV editors – that the Finance Ministry and the DoT had agreed on keeping 2001 prices for entry and spectrum fees for 2008. Was this agreement between Finance Ministry and DOT reached before 10th January, 2008 or afterwards? c) On what basis did the Hon’ble PM drop the suggestion for auctioning of the licenses he himself had made to Shri Raja in his letter dated 2nd November, 2008? Keeping in mind the high office he occupies, the Hon’ble PM can give answers to the JPC orally or in writing. Without answers from the Hon’ble PM on the above, it is difficult to understand how the JPC can come to any conclusion regarding the Hon’ble PM being misled by Shri Raja. The Need for Answers from the Hon’ble Finance Minister on Certain Questions before the JPC The Draft Report prepared by Shri P.C. Chacko has made a number of observations regarding the Finance Ministry, and therefore of the Finance Minister’s handling of the 2G license issues.   It is not possible for JPC to come to any conclusion about the role of the Hon’ble Finance Minister without answers to the following questions. Specifically, the Draft Report mentions in Section 10.43 the following: The Ministry of Finance have informed the Committee that no communication was sent  by the Department of Economic Affairs in response to the letter dated 29 November, 2007 from the Department of Telecommunications. From the sequence of events, the Committee gather the impression that the Ministry of Finance was in agreement  with the position  explained by  the Department of Telecommunications in respect of cross-over fee  charged for  allowing  usage of Dual Spectrum Technology by the existing licensees. Does the Finance Minister agree with the Draft Report that by not responding to the position as explained by DoT regarding license fees, the Ministry of Finance had in effect given its consent? Why did the Finance Ministry not press the issue of entry and spectrum fee being pegged to 2001 prices in 2008, especially as the DoT had referred to the Cabinet note where it was mandatory to have such an agreement between the Finance Ministry and the DoT as per Section 2.1.2 (3)? As a formal consent is required from the Finance Ministry to fixing of license fees, did the Finance Ministry give such a consent? Shri A. Raja is his letter to Shri Chacko has also stated that his actions regarding license fees was with the concurrence of the Finance Ministry and the Finance Minister, whom he had met during the first week of January, 2008. Is it true that such a meeting took place and if so, is it correct that the Hon’ble FM had given his consent to license fee being kept at the 2001 level for the 2008 issuing of licenses? Why did the Hon’ble FM agree – as can be seen from his note to the PM on 15th January, 2008 – to treat the matter of entry and spectrum fees for LoI’s issued on 10th January, 2008 as a closed matter? Why did the Hon’ble agree on 30th January, 2008 in his meeting with Shri A. Raja to treat the entry and spectrum fees for LoI’s issued on 10th January, 2008 as a closed matter? As one of the most eminent lawyers of the country, the Hon’ble FM was undoubtedly aware that LoI’s could be cancelled before the formal grant of licenses and therefore his consent was essential for the entry and spectrum fees being kept at 2001 levels in 2008? Why did the Hon’ble FM not push for the Government of India (Transaction of Business) Rule-4, which makes such concurrence mandatory regardless of the Cabinet note? Why did the Hon’ble  Finance Minister not push for the Government of India (Transaction of Business) Rule-7, which specifies in the second schedule that in cases which involves financial implications on which the Finance Minister desires a decision of the Cabinet and if a difference of opinion arises between two or more ministries and a Cabinet decision is desired, the matter shall be brought before the Cabinet? Keeping in mind the high office he occupies, the Hon’ble FM can give answers to the JPC orally or in writing. Without answers from the Hon’ble FM on the above, it is difficult to understand how the JPC can come to any conclusion regarding the role of the Finance Ministry or the Hon’ble FM.

Red Salute to Chicago Martyrs !

28 Sunday Apr 2013

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HaymarketMartyrs127 years have passed  since the Hay Market (Chicago) massacre and hanging of trade union leaders August Spies, Adolph Fisher, Albert Parsons and George Engel. It was on 11th November 1887 that these comrades were hanged by the US colonialist rulers who wanted to protect the interests of the capitalists and exploiters. When they were being marched to the gallows they sang the Marseillaise, the international revolutionary anthem of the period. Before being hanged August Spies stated: “The time will come when our silence will be more powerful than the voices you strangle today”. How prophetic! (The above photo includes  those chargesheeted in the Hay Market massacre inluding the four comrades who were hanged)

1st May, the day of  Chicago massacre in 1886, is observed /celebrated as May Day, International Working Class Day, in memory of the workers struggle and the martyrdom.

The working class world over will ever remember their great sacrifice. My Red Salute to the Chicago Martyrs!

Forum of BSNL Unions/Assns meet on 2nd May 2013

27 Saturday Apr 2013

Posted by in BSNL - Better Service to the Nation

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Due to the VI Membership Verification for electing the recognised unions of the non-executives in BSNL, the Forum of BSNL Unions/Associations could not meet for a few weeks. Now the same will meet on 2nd May at 03.00 PM at the BSNLMS Office, New Delhi.

The meeting has got some serious issues to discuss and take decisions. The delay in issue of the orders on 78.2% IDA fixation is one. Even 10 months after the agreement between the management and the Forum, it has not been implemented. It is the responsibility of the BSNL management to ensure that the agreement is honoured. It has to pressurise the DOT to approve the same early.

BSNL is in loss for the fourth consecutive year. The efforts of the Forum to implement the “Subscriber Delight” programme has been partly successful. But the revenue has not increased as required. How to change the anti-PSU policy of the government, how to make the management to work and how to motivate the workers for better service to the people are issues which had to be discussed and decided. The present position, in any way, has to be improved.

Strengthening the Forum bringing all the unions/associations, still out of the Forum, is an important task. To plan and implement programmes for the growth of BSNL, this is necessary. FNTO is still keeping out. They should be part of the Forum. It is good that the AIGETOA has joined the Forum and has been participating in all the programmes effectively. SNATTA, though a cadre association, should not keep away from the common movement. AIGETOA and SNATTA consist of new recruits, whose future depends upon the continuation and strengthening of BSNL. Both of them have to take active part in the Forum.

Forum should be made stronger and its activities spread all over the country. The government has formed a panel of Ministers with P.Chidambaram, Finance Minister, as Chairman to ‘revive’ BSNL and MTNL. From the past experiences, such ‘revival’ means implementation of VRS, Disinvestment etc. and further weakening of the PSUs. This can not be allowed. The government should be compelled to honour its commitments made to BSNL at the time of corporatisation for its financial viability. The management should be efficient. The permanent deputation of ITS officers to BSNL is not the best option for improving BSNL. Through new recruits at the top management level and also promotion from the eligible executives, a capable management should be reconstructed. The workers should be given continued training to cope up with the latest technology and services.

These are some of the issues that will be discussed in the Forum. The Forum should be made an effective platform for effecting improvements for BSNL and its workers. All the unions/associations should co-ordinate and jointly work for the same.

National Confce, Confederation of CGE and Workers

27 Saturday Apr 2013

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The 24th National Conference of the Confederation of Central Govt. Employees and Workers will be held at Kolkata from 4th to 6th May 2013.

The Confederation of CGEW since its inception in 1957 has always been in the front of the struggle for improving the conditions of the Central government Employees. It played a pivotal role in the 5 days glorious strike of 1960, One Day Token Strike of 1968, Bonus Strike in 1974 and so on. And now, along with the AIRF and AIDEF it is on struggle path for the appointment of VII Central Pay Commission w.e.f. 01-01-2011 (5 years after the VI CPC in 2006), and for withdrawal of the anti-worker PFRDA Bill.

The oncoming National Conference of the Confederation is expected to take important decisions on the demands of the central government employees, which will have important bearing  on the demands of the PSUs and other sectors.

I have been invited to attend the Inaugural Session on 4th April. I will be attending the same. It will be an occasion to meet many of our old comrades in the CGE movement and share the experiences of struggles and achievements.

MAY DAY GREETINGS !

27 Saturday Apr 2013

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May Day Greetings!

 * Chicago showed us the way!

*  May Day Symbol of International Working Class!

*  Memory & Tribute to Martyrs.

*  Lesson for the New Generations!

*  May Day – The day of struggle!

Dear Comrade,

My May Day Revolutionary Greetings to all comrades, friends and well wishers!

May Day is the symbol of the International Working Class. It is a day to remember the struggles organized worldwide and also to remember the memory of those martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the emancipation of the toiling masses. We pay tribute to those comrades who taught to change the destinies of the future generation, as those Chicago Martyrs.

The past struggles and sacrifices are not only history but they are the lessons for the new generation of workers as to how to march forward with their youth and experiences of the past generations.

On this May Day, my Revolutionary Greetings to all our comrades, friends and well wishers. Let us continue our struggles for the emancipation of the toiling masses.

(Courtsey : WFTU May Day Greetings)

 

AIBDPA Conference Souvenir

26 Friday Apr 2013

Posted by in AIBDPA - BSNL DOT Pensioners

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I received a copy of the souvenir issued by the Reception Committee of the Triennial Conference of All India BSNL – DOT Pensioners Association (AIBDPA) held at Kannur on 6-7 February 2013, send by the Reception Committee.

I went through the articles, photos and other matters. It is worth reading and is full of helpful information.

My congratulations to the Reception Committee and the Editorial Board for the excellent Souvenir.

CITU’s May Day Manifesto

26 Friday Apr 2013

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On the occasion of May Day, 2013, the day of the international solidarity and unity of the working class, the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) extends warmest revolutionary greetings to the entire fraternity of the working class and the toiling people of the country and of the world. On this great occasion, CITU reiterates its commitment to scientific socialism and its resolve to fight for ending the regime of exploitation of man by man.

Fraternal Greetings

CITU conveys warm fraternal greetings and expresses solidarity with the struggles of agricultural workers, poor and middle peasantry for their right to better wages, employment, right to social security; right to land, remunerative prices, public procurement and marketing facilities, institutional loans etc and also against the severe fall out of the deep agrarian crisis in the country as a result of neoliberal economic policy regime. CITU aspires for a countrywide joint struggle of workers, peasants and agricultural workers for reversal of the neoliberal policy regime which calls for urgent initiative in that direction at all levels of the organizations.

CITU conveys its fraternal greetings and message of solidarity to the struggles of the youth and students organizations for the right to education and employment; against commercialization and privatization of education and their democratic rights to organize and act. CITU expresses solidarity to the struggles of women’s organizations against discrimination, against violence and for their right to appropriate representation and empowerment at all forums and levels, while extending fraternal greetings to them.

CITU salutes the working class and the democratic people of Tripura for their frontline role in re-electing the Left Front Government there in the last Assembly election in a more resounding manner. It is a resounding endorsement of the performance and people centred policies of the Left front government in the state.

CITU reaffirms its international solidarity with the working class of the Socialist countries for their struggles in defence of the socialist system there. CITU strongly desires and also firmly believes that all conspiracies of the counter revolutionary forces, backed by imperialism to weaken the socialist system and restore capitalism, will finally be defeated by the working class and people of the socialist countries.

CITU also greets the working class and toiling masses of the developed capitalist countries for their grim struggle including strikes and militant mobilizations against the atrocious onslaught on their rights and livelihood by the crisis-ridden neoliberal capitalist order in the name of so called austerity measures.  CITU upholds the spirit of the most appropriate slogan—”ninety nine per cent versus one per cent” raised from the struggles and mobilizations there and longs for the same to be voiced much louder throughout the world as the battle-cry of the working people against the most atrocious and inhuman face of the capitalist system under neoliberal format.

The CITU reasserts the bondage of solidarity with the working class of the developing countries for their bitter struggles simultaneously against imperialist machinations on their country’s socio-political and economic governance on the one hand and onslaughts on their rights and livelihood by their respective ruling polity on the other under the influence of the imperialist driven neoliberal order.

On this occasion of May Day 2013, CITU reiterates its solidarity and support to the ongoing struggles against imperialist aggressions and hegemonistic ploy, particularly by the US imperialists at various parts of the globe by the people of the respective countries.

CITU denounces the continuing illegitimate interventions and intimidating maneuvres against Syria and Iran which tantamount to shameless and arrogant infringement of sovereignty of other states and calls upon the peace and freedom loving people to raise their voice of condemnation against the same. The US imperialist clique with the support of their European allies has also been openly aiding and abetting the brutal suppression of the genuine up-surge of the people against the autocratic rulers of Bahrain, Yemen, Jordan, Morocco, and Saudi Arabia and so on with money and war weapons. CITU condemns US and its allies provocation building tension in Korean peninsula. The US also in violation of world opinion has been continuing with illegitimate sanctions against Cuba and Iran.

CITU strongly condemns the continuing Israeli onslaught on the Palestinian people and frequent bombing of West Bank and Gaza with the support of the US administration. Such politico-military intimidation, interventions, maneuvres by US and its allies with an aggressionist and hegemonic strategy has gained momentum during last one year along with deepening economic crisis worldwide. CITU reiterates its support to the struggle of the Palestinian people against US-backed Israeli onslaughts joins the working people worldwide in demanding recognition of an independent sovereign Palestinian State with the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital.

CITU firmly upholds that the fight against imperialism is an integral part of the class struggle against exploitation by the neoliberal capitalist order and undertakes with priority the task heightening the anti-imperialist consciousness of the working class movement as well as the consciousness for the international solidarity.

Liberating the people of the Arab world from the direct or indirect clutches of the imperialist forces and installation of genuine popular rule of democracy in the African and Middle

-:-

Recognition orders of BSNLEU & NFTE issued

26 Friday Apr 2013

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BSNL Management has issued orders granting recognition to BSNLEU as the Main Recognised  Representative Union and NFTE as Second Representative Union based on the % of votes. The order is put on BSNLEU website.