I am happy that the BSNL management has now strictly instructed the circles to reduce unnecessary expenditure by vacating the rented buildings and shift to BSNL’s own buildings. Certainly, there will be good savings.
In fact,this was one of the issues BSNLEU took in the National Council about 4-5 yearsback to reduce expenditure. We told the management that if the Statesman House is not vacated ( about Rs. 2 crore was the rent and connected expenditure) and Corporate office shifted to its own new building, we will start agitation. It had its effect and the office was shifted to Bharat Sanchar Bhawan. Again we pressed for shifting of the offices from rented buildings in Delhi including Chandralok Bldg and the same also was implemented.
Along with that we demanded all the rental buildings in the country should be vacated and shifted to our own offices. There has been good results. But the present circular by Corporate office reveals that there are many more rented buildings to be vacated. Our Circle/District unions should pressure the CGM/GMs to immediately vacate all rented buildings and shift to our own buildings. In some places, there may be a little inconveniences, but we have to accept the position.
BSNLEU, as mentioned earlier, has suggested many more items where expenditure can be reduced. One was holding all official meetings like Circle Heads meetings etc. to be in BSNL office only instead of in three star and five star buildings. Now the Corporate office has shifted such meetings to Bharat Sanchar Bhawan. Another is reducing the electricity expenses by putting off the lights and fans when they are not required. Another is reducing the expenditure on vehicles and petrol and the misuse of the same. This will result in a big saving. We also have suggested that instead of holding meetings now and then and calling the CGMs at Delhi, GMs at Circle HQ etc. can be reduced by holding Video Conferences which will reduce TA/DA as also save much time. Foreign trips causing expenditure of crores of rupees can be reduced to the minimum required. High level club membership for Directors, CGMs etc. can be stopped saving lakhs of rupees. Scraps in Telecom Factories and all SSAs should be sold at the earliest which will make more space available and get good money. Our training centres, ALTTC, CTTC, RTTC etc. can be rented to Central Government, other PSUs etc. for training when they are not required for us. The Staff Quarters can be rented in the same way, which will ensure that these are used and not kept idle.
There are many more suggestions to reduce the expenditure. I hope that the management at least at this late stage will consider all these and take immediate action.
Our Circle/ SSA Secretaries should take up these issues at their respective levels, which will benefit the company in a large way.
