Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has recommended that the tower companies be brought under the Revenue Sharing Scheme. Naturally this will be opposed by the tower companies who have invested in infrastructure and now it is to be shared by other companies. The details are yet to be released. TRAI has also recommended for 6% revenue to the government.

Delhi International Aiport Limited (DIAL) has been asked by the Consumer Afairs Ministry to remit the Rs. 1481.72 crore illegally collected by it towards Development  Fee to the Consumer Welfare Fund. Even before any proper decision was taken by the government, the private company started collecting Development Fee at the rate of Rs. 1300 for International passenger and Rs. 200 for domestic. It was questioned in the court. Although the High Court rejected the petition, the Supreme Court ordered that the fee collected was not correct.

The matter was raised in the Parliament by Com. Balagopal, M.P. from Kerala. Now the  Ministry has asked the amount collected by DIAL to be remitted to the Consumer Welfare Board, on the plea that it will be practically difficult to refund it to the passenger.

This is an example of how the private operators/ firms collect fees like toll / Development etc. from the people. The government usually keep silent thus helping them. The people are exploited.

The representatives of  BSNLEU and BSNL Casual and Contract Workers Federation    will be meeting the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Labour tomorrow,  2nd January to present the issues of the Casual and Contract workers. The meeting is being held at Kolkata. Coms. Animesh Mitra, Circle Secretary, BSNLEU W.B.,  Saibal SenGupta, AGS and Circle Sectretary Kolkata,Tapas Ghosh, Secretary General, BSNLCCWF and other leaders will represent the unions. Last year I had presented the case before the Standing Committee and action was taken by the committee calling the departmental and BSNL officers. Hope further developments will take place in the new year.

A good number of SMSs and telephone calls were received by me today from comrades, relatives  and friends wishing  “Happy New Year!”. I wanted to send all of them My Greetings and Thanks, but due to some connectivity problem, I could speak or send SMSs only to some of them. Through this media, I express my sincere thanks for their Best Wishes.  My Greetings to them. I think, the same difficulty might have been experienced by many others. When there are a large number of SMSs, probably the lines/instruments are getting congested. After all it is New Year Day and everybody wants to speak/SMSs to their dear and near ones.

Most people might have taken some decisions etc. to be implemented in the new year. The first day is practically over. Just review whether the things planned for today have been completed. If every day one reviews his/her activities and plan for the next day, he/she will be able to reach the targets.

After a tumultuous 365 days, 2011 is passing away. It has its ups and downs and a lot of developments national and international. The rise of the people and workers in many countries against injustice and inequality has been most important. In India, it was a year in exposing corruption and fighting against it. This was a period of recession due to the capitalist path of growth, which created endless price rise, unemployment  and misery to the people.

The New Year 2012 will arrive from tomorrow. We welcome it and hope that it may give a better time and future for one and all.

Welcome to New Year 2012 ! Best Wishes to comrades, friends and all Well Wishers for the New Year 2012.

It is reported that MTNL is planning for revenue sharing with private companies  for some its business. It is stated that this will improve its revenue position. There are proposals to move for leasing of land assets to private companies. It proposes to launch its BWA scheme with private partners.  In addition, a VRS scheme for retrenching 15,000 employees are also on the anvil. This will be about one-third of the existing employees in MTNL. Already 2-3 VRS have already been implemented.

The developments are a clear picture of how the path to privatisation is being cleared. More than 45% shares are already sold, making privatisation nearer by selling about 10% more. The staff has already been reduced considerably and the present VRS will make the staff less making it suitable for privatisation. Citing the loss, the government can justify the privatisation process. By increasing the outsourcing and revenue sharing the private companies gradually can claim for strategic position. All these are only the methods of privatisation of this once prestigious telecom company.

UPA government has already stated that it will aggressively pursue neo-liberal policies and reform in the new year 2012. Whether MTNL is its target this year? The MTNL Workers have to seriously think and decide how to stop this attack, if not already planned.

After a lot of delay, the Recruitment Rules for the DGM, PGM, CGM etc. is issued. This is to allow the repatriate ITS and other officers to come back to BSNL through direct recruitment. The RR is in the DOT site and also in the BSNLEU website: www.bsnleuchq.com