TDSAT cancels penalties on new entrants who did not roll out services

14 Saturday Jan 2012

Posted by in BSNL - Better Service to the Nation

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TDSAT has set aside the penalties imposed on the new telecom companies by the DOT for not rolling out services in time, as per the licence agreement. It also asked the DOT to refund the penalty amount collected from the companies. This order will benefit Sistema Shyam, Loop Telecom, Uninor, Etislat etc.

According to licence conditions the telecom companies have to cover 10% of the district headquarters  in a telecom circle within the first year after allotment of spectrum. If the roll out is not made even after one more year, the penalty can be imposed. The DOT had imposed the penalty and collected the same from these private telcos. Altogether an amount of Rs. 350 crore has been collected towards penalty.

As per the TDSAT order the licences can not be cancelled and the penalty already collected should be refunded to them.

17th January Postal Strike deferred – No closure of Post Offices, RMS Offices

14 Saturday Jan 2012

Posted by in General

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The proposed Indefinite Strike of Postal Employees w.e.f. 17th January 2012 stands deferred after discussion between Secretary Posts and the Union representatives and settlement on major issues. The proposal of the Department to close many RMS offices and Post Offices will not be implemented as per the agreement. The present Post  Offices and RMS offices will continue functioning as earlier.

My hearty congratulations to the NFPE and other unions which had been in full preparations for the strike and have now got settled the main issues.

42% children in India victims of malnurition, a National Shame – Prime Minister.

13 Friday Jan 2012

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Prime Minister Dr.  Manmohan Singh termed the high levels of malnutrition among the children in the country a ‘national shame’. The facts revealed in a latest study that 42% of children under five are severely or moderately malnourished and 59% of them suffer from moderate to severe stunting, are not only a ‘national shame’; they are also an ‘administrative shame’ he stated.

I appreciate the speech of the Prime Minister admitting the national shame. The Congress party has been ruling the country since 1947 except for brief periods when BJP or other parties were in power. As such the main responsibility lies with the Congress only, the Prime Minister of which is Dr. Manmohan Singh himself. Since Congress is the present ruling party also, what it is going to do to change the situation. Is there any clear plan to eradicate this national shame?

Of course, a government aggressively proceeding with neo-liberalisation and also favouring the corporates instead of the common people of the country  will not have such a plan. Or if there is any plan, there will be no commitment to implement the same.

The government policy should change in favour of the common people. Then only they will get justice. The people themselves should pressurize and struggle for the same.

 

Lal Bahadur Shastri ignored?

13 Friday Jan 2012

Posted by in Obituary, Tributes

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11th January was the 46th death anniversary of late Lal Bahadur Shastri, the second Prime Minister of the country who died in 1966. But it is reported that there was no official function, no public homage and connected functions usually organised by the Government of India on such occasions. What happened to the Government? Whether it has forgotten the event or it has purposely ignored, because he did not belong to the first family? If the report is correct, the government should apologise to the nation and the family of the late Prime Minister.

 

Bengaluru PSU Unions meet calls for a successful 28 February Strike.

13 Friday Jan 2012

Posted by in PSU

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The meeting of PSU Unions held at Bengaluru on 13th January 2012 by the Central Trade Unions was participated by many unions in the PSUs. The meeting was addressed by the central trade union leaders as well as PSU union leaders. Comrade P.Abhimanyu, GS, BSNLEU participated and addressed. The convention called upon all the PSU workers to make the 28th February strike on the workers 10 point demands a great success. BSNLEU and BSNLCCWF have already decided to participate in the strike. BSNLEU has already requested all the unions in BSNL to participate in the strike. The meeting of the Joint Action Committee to be held on 19th January will discuss the issue and it is expected that there will be a positive decision.

 

Coal India Unions demand another five year wage revision from 2011

13 Friday Jan 2012

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

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The more than 4 lakh coal workers got the last wage revision from 2006. It was a five-year wage revision. Now the unions have demanded for the next five-year  wage revision with effect from 2011. When BSNLEU demanded for a five-year wage revision it was ridiculed and opposed by certain unions stating that it will be against the interest of the pensioners. BSNLEU strongly  demanded for a five year period and at last the wage agreement was made without mentioning the period, either five years or ten years.  Now we have to think about demanding another wage revision, though the management may take a negative position due to the loss to the company.

It is stated in the media that an agreement is going to be signed in Coal India Limited with a 25% increase in the wages. Last time they got 24%  increase. We are waiting for further information.

President Hugo Chavez of Venezuela lashes at super powers led by US

10 Tuesday Jan 2012

Posted by in WORLD NEWS

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Venezuela’s President Hugo Chavez lashed out at the world powers’ hostile and aggressive policies towards the world nations, and described his country and Iran as “victims of superpowers’ greed”. “Unfortunately hegemonic powers are more aggressive than the past and show unprecedented movements foolishly,” Chavez said on the sidelines of ceremony to welcome his Iranian counterpart Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
The Venezuelan president underscored that the Iranian and Venezuelan nations are victims of the superpowers’ greed, but are introduced by hegemonic powers’ propaganda machine as warmongers.
Chavez noted that Tehran and Caracas have never invaded any country but some other arrogant states have killed thousands of thousands of peoples in their invasions and nuclear bombardments.
“Nations advocate peace and justice; Iranian and Venezuelan governments will do their best to support the human rights, their countries’ sovereignty as well as international peace,” he reiterated.
President Ahmadinejad, for his part, underlined that Tehran and Caracas are resolved to defend their rights against hegemonic powers.
“Tehran and Caracas will stand together against the hegemonic powers’ greed to dominate the world and would defend their rights,” Ahmadinejad said.
Ahmadinejad is in Caracas on the first leg of a tour of four Latin ( Courtsey: Ganashakti)

Com.K.K.Tiwari no more – A unionist till last

10 Tuesday Jan 2012

Posted by in Obituary, Tributes, P&T TU History

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Comrade K.K.Tiwari, former Financial Secretary of the AIRMS &MMS Union Class III and later working in the AKG Bhawan passed away yesterday ( 9th January). The cremation was also took place yesterday itself. Many old friends and comrades participated.

Comrade Tiwari was a committed and dedicated leader. It was Comrade N.J.Iyer, veteran P&T leader and then General Secretary of the AIRMS&MMS Union, who brought comrade Tiwari to the All India position in the All India Conference held at Allahabad in 1980. He continued in the post till his retirement. He fully deserved the same.

Only two days earlier, I met him at AKG Bhawan while taking food in the canteen. We exchanged greetings. I enquired about his health also. He was happy to hear that the BSNLEU has purchased a building of its own. I never thought that we will not be meeting again. Yesterday again when I had gone to the AKG Bhawan, there I got the sad news that comrade Tiwari is no more. As soon as I got the information, I sent SMS to our common friends intimating  the sad news.

My respectful homage to the departed leader. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family, friends and comrades.

Successful Lunch hour demonstrations! Congratulations!

10 Tuesday Jan 2012

Posted by in BSNL - Better Service to the Nation

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The reports received from all over India along with the photos indicate massive participation in the lunch hour demonstration called for   today ( 10 December ) by the JAC demanding immediate refund of the BWA Spectrum charges for the circles for which the spectrum has already been vacated by BSNL and action to be taken against the private telecom companies viz. Airtel, Vodafone, reliance etc. which have provided 3G services illegally in those circles where they don’t have 3G allocation. This has resulted in about Rs. 20,000 crore to the Government. Without succumbing to the pressure of the private companies, the government should take strict action against these companies.

In corporate office also a good demonstration took place. All India leaders of the JAC unions including the convener addressed.

 

Very Interesting! Comments without reading !

09 Monday Jan 2012

Posted by in Uncategorized

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I have seen a  comment in the website of one Pensioners Association with regard to my write up in the blog, regarding my talk with Com.V.A.Harsulkar,   a very respected leader of the P&T Trade Union movement, terming it as ‘mischievous’. I would only request the commentator to read my write-up and read it thoroughly and correctly.  The entire BSNLEU workers are very happy to have their own building at New Delhi, the HQ of the union. I am sure that Com.Harsulkar was also very happy and congratulated the BSNLEU for the same.