DOT may charge one-time charge for extra spectrum

17 Friday Feb 2012

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It is reported by PTI that the additional spectrum with the old telecom companies may be charged a one-time fee. One of the recommendations was that the spectrum already allotted from 4.4 to 6.2 MHz and from 2.5 to 5 MHz in GSM and CDMA bands, respectively, may be charged prospectively.

Spectrum already allotted beyond 6.2 MHz/5 MHz in GSM/ CDMA bands may be charged prospectively, it added.

Earlier, the government was looking at charging a one-time fee for the extra spectrum beyond the contracted limit of 6.2 MHz from the date of allocation. This would have put a huge financial burden on the old GSM operators.

Leading telecom operators, including Bharti, Vodafone and Idea, have been opposing this saying there was no such clause in the telecom licences under which this type of levy can be imposed.

Moreover, the operators have claimed that allotment of spectrum to them was as per the policy of the day.

The one-time fee was recommended by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) and the amount was computed by experts, the presentation said.

The regulator had recommended that each MHz of additional spectrum, after the 6.2 MHz limit held by operators should cost a one-time Rs 4,571.87 crore (all-India).

44th Session of ILC -Unions demand Minimum Wage of Rs. 10,000, Minimum PF Pension of Rs. 1,000

16 Thursday Feb 2012

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The second day of the 44th session of the Indian Labour Conference on 15th February saw the trade union leaders strongly presenting their demands. There was a consensus that the minimum wage should be decided. The unions pointed out that even according to the decisions of the 15th Indian Labour Conference of 1957, the minimum wage will come to Rs. 9730 and the present minimum wage should be fixed at Rs.10,000. DA also should be paid. It was also demanded that the PF Pension should be at least a minimum of Rs.1,000. At present many PF pensioners are getting Rs. 200/ 300 etc.). It was also demanded that the maternity leave should be increased from 12 weeks to 24 weeks.  Provident Fund should be implemented in all organisations where there are a minimum of 10 workers instead of 20. Com. A.K.Padmanabhan, President, CITU spoke on second day on behalf of CITU.

Shri Mallikarjun Kharge, Minister of Labour and Employment in his concluding remarks stated that the demands of the workers will be examined favourably before taking any decision.

It can be stated that the central trade union leaders have emphatically placed their demands. It is for the government now to take the decisions.  The 28th February strike will be a warning to the government.

20th CPI(M) Party Congress – Calicut city prepares for the Congress

16 Thursday Feb 2012

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Though there are still more than 45 days for the CPI(M) Party Congress to be held at Calicut on 4-9 April 2012, the city is  almost ready for the same. In preparation for the Congress, the city is fully decorated. The Reception Committee is accommodated in a 6 storied new building with separate rooms for each committee like Reception, Media, Exhibition, Food, Accommodation, Propaganda, seminars etc.  A series of seminars on various important subjects are being organised in several centres in the district, participated by eminent personalities. A grand exhibition of the cultural, historical  and political past of the nation, with special reference to the glorious past of the party is being arranged which may be in place for about two months at a central place in the city. Huge cut-outs of the programmes and with the photos of leaders of the party are already in place.

The city is in a celebrating mood.  There is no doubt that this will be one of the most important Congress of the CPI(M) and naturally many important decisions are going to be taken with regard to the policies and programmes for the progress of the nation,the common people and the working class.

Attack on Mayor of Calicut Corporation – Widespread protest

16 Thursday Feb 2012

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The unusual and unbelievable has happened. The Mayor of Calicut Corporation, Prof: A.K.Premajam was attacked by some UDF Councillors in the Council Hall, when she was coming out after the council meeting was over on 15th February. A glass was thrown at her by another UDF councillor which missed her due to  turning her head and broke on the wall behind.

The Mayors of Corporations/cities are highly  respected all over the world as the first citizen of the city and given an honourable position everywhere. Smt.A.K.Premajam, Mayor of Calicut,  is a  former Principal/Professor  of several government colleges and have a large number of students who have immense respect for her. She is also a former Member of Parliament of the CPI(M) from Kozhikode Lok Sabha constituency.

This is the first time that such a shameful incident has happened in the Calicut Corporation which has a shining past of 46 years.Except for 4 years, the CPI(M)/ LDF was in  power.  Council discussions might have been stormy, the ruling and opposition parties expressing their opinions strongly, but there was not even a single goondaism like this earlier. Both sides respected each other. The corporation led by the Left and Democratic Front (LDF) has implemented many projects making the city beautiful, neat  as also many other conveniences to the citizens which have been much appreciated and hence have been continuously elected to power.

This assault on the Mayor was a rude shock to the entire city. Leaders of  all political parties (except the UDF led by Congress), Trade Unions, cultural organisations, well-known citizens, students  –  all strongly reacted and protested the attack. A huge protest demonstration was held in the city on 15th February going through the main streets of the city. I also got the opportunity to be a participant. During the demonstration and the protest rally, I could meet a lot comrades and friends with whom I have worked and organised trade unions in the city including the central government employees, trade union leaders, leaders of political parties and many important persons.

Today, 16th February, a complete Bandh is organised in the city protesting against the assault on the Mayor. The bandh was a severe indictment of the hooliganism and goondaism shown by the UDF councillors. No such incidents should happen again.

28th February Strike – BSNL Non-Executives Convention at Calicut (Kerala)

16 Thursday Feb 2012

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As per the call of the BSNL Non-executive unions, joint conventions of BSNL unions are being held all over India to prepare for the Nation Wide Strike on 28th February 2012 on the genuine demands of the working class and the common people. State wide conventions have been held at Bangalore, Chennai and Cochin already participated by All India leaders of the unions. Conventions are being held at other centres also.

A SSA level Convention was held on 15th February at Kozhikode (Calicut) attended by a large number of workers. Com. T.K.Surendran, DS, NFTE presided. In my inaugural speech, I explained the charter of demands of the strike notice and also the background of the united actions by the working class in India against the anti-worker neo-liberal policies being persued by the government. I also impressed upon the workers the need for unitedly fighting against the attacks on the workers. Coms. Jayaraj, DS, BSNLEU, M.K.Beeran, FNTO, Venugopal. BMS, Vijayakumar, BSNLEU and other leaders addressed and assured the All India leadership that there will be full strike in Calicut as usual. A good number of women workers also participated.

Prime Minister speaks at 44th session of Indial Labour Conference

16 Thursday Feb 2012

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Prime minister Dr. Manmohan Singh, while inaugurating the 44th Session of the Indian Labour Conference on 15th February focussed mainly on two issues, the need to suitably change the Labour Laws and on the equal provision for women workers.

On the change of labour laws he stated as follows: “The view among investors and industry that the existing policies unduly protected the interests of the currently employed and hindered the creation of the new jobs.”   The  meaning of the above is very clear. The Prime Minister wants to restrict and reduce the rights of the workers won  through sustained struggles should be reduced to suit the interests of the employers and corporates on the number of working days and working hours, social security measures, wages etc. The Prime Minister by new employment is hinding at recruiting more contract workers instead of regular workers. The statement is only the continuation of implementation of the neo-liberal policies of the government. It is completely anti-worker and has to be resisted.

Second point the PM focussed was on women workers. He stated, “We would need to make provision for part-time work (for women) which would have the same characteristics as in full-time employment (for women). If this requires legislative changes, we should be prepared to do so and begin working on a blueprint for making this a reality.” What the PM stated is understandable. But what is happening in the country? Not only it is very difficult for the women to get a job, but even those who got jobs are being denied their genuine rights. Though the government has declared child care leave etc. for women employees, it is mostly not implemented. In BSNL, the management has denied this right to the women workers. Even after taking the issue in the Parliament and to the Communications Minister, nothing is done. In the privatised public sector companies, ladies are being retrenched on the plea that women workers takes more leave etc. Even the basic amenities like rest room, toilets etc. are not separately provided to the women workers in many institutions. It is not the job of the prime minister to preach, but he has to implement the things. He has got the power as Prime Minister. Why he is not doing this responsibility?

Further, the main agenda of the 44th session of ILO were (i) Minimum Wages, (ii) Social Security and (iii) Employability and Employment etc. But the Prme Minister did not give any assurance on these matters. All the representatives of the Central Trade Unions like INTUC, BMS, AITUC, CITU etc. strongly demanded that the minimum wages should be increased to Rs.10,000 but there was no positive response from the government or the employers. In the same way with the social security measures. Comrade Tapan Sen, General Secretary, CITU lambasted the employers and the government for not implementing even the existing minimum wages and also non-implementation of the labour laws.

It is for the working class to struggle and win the demands pending for a very long time. The 28th December Strike is an opportunity to show the government that the workers are determined to get achieved their genuine demands. We shopuld foil the attempts of the government and employers to encroach upon our rights.

NTP 2012 announced

15 Wednesday Feb 2012

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A report from Hindu, 15th February on the New Telecom Policy (NTP) is given below. We will study the report and give our comments later. We had given a our comments on the draft NTP earlier, and now after full studying the matter we will publish our comments:

“The government on Wednesday announced the new telecom policy (NTP) allowing operators to hold higher spectrum, pay uniform license fee across services besides permitting liberal merger and acquisition, with a view to provide quality services at affordable prices.

Announcing a part of policy, Telecom Minister Kapil Sibal told a press conference that “the prescribed limit on spectrum assigned to a service provider will be 2×8 MHz (paired spectrum) for GSM technology for all service areas other than Delhi and Mumbai where it will be 2×10 MHz (paired spectrum).”

Current prescribed limit is 6.2 MHz of GSM spectrum.

However, players would be free to acquire additional frequency beyond the prescribed limit, in the open market, should there be an auction of spectrum subject to the limits prescribed for merger of licences.

When asked about the impact of new norms announced today on subscribers, he said users should get better services and at affordable rates due to more efficient usage of spectrum.

All spectrum would be delinked from the licence from now, he said, adding that a decision on pricing of spectrum or one-time charge for extra spectrum held by some incumbent operators would be taken later in view of the Supreme Court judgement that cancelled 122 2G licences issued in 2008.

He also announced a uniform licence fee of eight per cent of Adjusted Gross Revenue (AGR) across services and circles as compared to range of 6-8 per cent now. Licence fee is a levy paid by all operators as the annual fee.

On renewal of licenses, Mr. Sibal said the renewal of licence would be done for 10 years.”

Wait at for our comments.

Besides, he also announced a liberal merger and acquisition regime in the sector allowing up to 35 per cent market share for the merged entity while taking note of TRAI’s recommendation to consider market share up to 60 per cent.

He said a decision would be taken soon in this regard.

We remember Comrade N.J.Iyer

15 Wednesday Feb 2012

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Comrade N.J. Iyer was one of the stalwart leaders of the P and T Trade Union movement and the General Secretary of the All India RMS and MMS Union Class III for  long period. He continuously fought against the revisionist line of Com. Om Prakash Gupta  and was the leader of the progressive section of the P&T workers along with Comrades KG Bose, Adinarayana and others. He converted the RMS union a militant union and gave leadership to many valiant struggles of the Central Government employees. His simple life, high ideals and no compromise with the reformists and vacillators  was appreciated much. I had very close contact with him for more than 40 years. He vacated the post of General Secretary for the next generation and lived at Nagpur, his original place after vacating the union post. Till his death, he continued close contact with the organisation. He passed away on 13th February in 2000.

On his death anniversary, I pay my respectful homage to him. Red Salute to Com.N.J.Iyer!

 

28 February Strike, Non-Executives Unions Convention at Ernakulam.

14 Tuesday Feb 2012

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

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A well attended Circle Convention of BSNL Non-Executive employees unions was held today, 14th February  at Ernakulam. I was given the privilege of inaugurating the same. All the non-executive unions present in Kerala attended.e

The Convention was presided over by Shri K.V.Jose, Circle Secretary, FNTO. Com. K.Mohanan, Circle secretary, BSNLEU welcomed all and briefly mentioned about the need for a united strike on 28th February participated by all the workers. I was invited to inaugurate the Conference. In my speech, I explained the demands raised in the strike notice including the three demands raised by BSNL Unions. Circle Secretaries of all the unions addressed  and called upon the workers to fully participate in the strike. Com. R.Muralidharan Nair, All India Asst. General Secretary, A.V.Kuriakose, Circle President and other leaders of BSNLEU were present.

The Convention decided to make all efforts for the success of the strike.

Indians are leading Black Money hoarders in Swiss banks.

14 Tuesday Feb 2012

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It is official now.The CBI has admitted that the Indians are top in the list of black money hoarders putting their ill-gotten money in the tax havens in Switzerland a few other countries to avoid tax and hide the money. CBI Director Shri A.P.Singh has given the above information to the media. The black money in these tax havens is stated to be about Rs. 24.5 lakh crore!

But still, neither the government nor the CBI is disclosing the names of these offenders cheating the government of its tax and violating the laws of the land. In fact the offenders are being protected. This should be strongly protested and the offenders should be got  punished.