Telecom Licence conditions changed

01 Wednesday Jun 2011

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The DOT has revised the norms for grant of licences to the telecom companies. One of the most important conditions stipulated is that Indian Nationals only should be appointed for managing the networks. This is part of the government’s security concerns. Another condition placed is that all documents should be in English.
At the same time, the Government does not insist on sharing the source code to favour the European companies who are not prepared to furnish the same as was done by the Chinese companies.

Idea gets maximum benefit from MNP. BSNL loses

01 Wednesday Jun 2011

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After 5 months of introduction of MNP (Mobile Number Portability ), the Idea Cellular has benefitted maximum with more than 6 lakh additional connections from other companies. Its port out is 8,83,369 and port in 15,22,429 thus having an advantage of 6,39,060 connections. Vodafone and Airtel are the second and third beneficiaries.
Reliance is the biggest loser with 11,29,228 connections lost. BSNL and MTNL is the second with a loss of 5,66,850 their port in being 3,05,634 and port out 8,72,484. Tata and Videocon are also on the losing side.

Income Tax Relief for salaried employees

01 Wednesday Jun 2011

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A good news for salaried employees!
The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) Chairman Sudhir Chandra has announced that it has been decided to exempt employees whose annual salaries are below Rs. 5 lakhs from submitting Income Tax Returns. This will be with effect for the financial year 2011-12. The notification on this will be issued by the first week of June 2011.

Dayanidhi Maran under corruption scan

31 Tuesday May 2011

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According to a report published in Tehelka Magazine, Textiles Minister Dayanidhi Maran, is alleged to have unduly benefitted from grant of licence to telecom firms during his tenure as Communications Minister. It is alleged that the Sun TV which belongs to Maran family has got crores of rupees as kickbacks. Dayanidhi Maran has filed a defamation suit against the Tehelka.
Further news expected.

1st June – International Childrens Day

31 Tuesday May 2011

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1st June is celebrated as the International Childrens Day all over the world. It coincides with the school opening day in many parts of the country. Lakhs of children will be joining the school for the first time. Those who are already in the schools will be coming back after the holidays. It is a day of joy for all of them.
But there are a large number of children in our country who could not afford to attend schools. Either there are no schools nearby, or due to their poverty they are not in a position to be in school. Lacks of children in their young ages are compelled to work to earn a living for them and their families.Even after six decades of independence, the situation has not improved much.
It should be the top most priority of the government to ensure that the child labour is completely stopped and all children get school education.

Greetings and Best Wishes to Comrade Mihir Dasgupta on retirement.

31 Tuesday May 2011

Posted by in AIBDPA - BSNL DOT Pensioners

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Comrade Mihir Dasgupta, former Asst. General Secretary and President Kolkatta Telephone Circle of BSNLEU retired from service today, 31st May 2011, on superannuation from BSNL. He was one of the top leaders of the BSNLEU and had served at the HQ many times. A good writer and speaker, Com. Dasgupta was the District Secretary of one of the Districts in Kolkatta for a very long time. His wife, Com. Swastika who is also a leader of BSNLEU and District Secretary of one of the big divisions in Kolkatta retired some time back. Comrade Dasgupta belonged to a family committed to Left.
I convey my Greetings and Best Wishes on his retirement. I hope that he will continue to be active in BSNLEU and working class movement.
VAN Namboodiri

One more mobile tender cancellation by BSNL?

31 Tuesday May 2011

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Since 2007, the BSNL has been cancelling mobile tenders one after another resulting in shortage of equipments to provide to the much needed customers. In 2007 the Minister directed to cancel the 45 million lines tender which the BSNL Board implemented loyally stopping the PSU from moving forward in the mobile sector. In 2010, the much publicised 95 million lines mega tender was cancelled after two years of court cases etc. Both these cancellations resulted the BSNL mobile market share going down to 12% and to the 4th position. In the 1-2 December 2010 strike agreement it was assured by the Minister that 5.5million lines will be made availble immediately and another tender for 15 million will be floated.
Now it is reported that the BSNL has decided to cancel the 5.5 million tender which is almost finalised. Assurance is given that 15 million lines tender will be floated. This is the third consecutive time that the tenders are cancelled. The 15 million tender is also being floated to cancel at the last minute.
The government is completely under the spell of the private telcos. It only wants to ensure that BSNL become weak so that the private companies can reap profit and grow. The simillarity with how Air India was destabilised is before us. The Govt. wants BSNL to have the same fate as Air India.
The workers and the JAC has to immediately move to ensure that the 5.5million lines are made available.

UPA II for Labour Reforms – for whose interests?

31 Tuesday May 2011

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After the state assembly elections, the UPA II government has started quick action to reform the labour laws in the country. It is reported that about 43 central labour laws are going to be examined and amended or modified. The industry captains have been continuously pressurising the government to modify labour laws to suit their requirements in the neo-liberalisation area. They are not satisfied with the government instructions banning trade union functioning in the Special Economic Zones. They want the trade union rights to be curbed every where. They want the right for hire and fire also. In short, the industry wants to take away even the minimum rights that have been won by the workers through sustained struggles. Another demand of the industrialists are to increase the working hours to 12 hours.
The Government has appointed a Working Group headed by Shri Prabhat Chaturvedi, Labour Secretary, to examine and repeal the laws which are not necessary and which are to be modified etc. in the new situation of neo-liberalisation. A few trade union representatives are also included. But it is well known from the past experience that the voices of the TU leaders were never favourably considered by such committees.
The Central Trade Unions are fully aware of the situation. One of the main demands of the Central Trade Unions in their joint agitations is that the anti-worker policy of the government should be changed.

CAG stands by his assessment of 1.76 lakh crore loss in 2G allottment

30 Monday May 2011

Posted by in 2G Scam Corruption

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Today, the CAG Shri Vinod Ray was examined by the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) on the assessment of the loss etc. CAG stood the ground and asserted that the loss to the Government is Rs.1.76 lakh crore assessed by him is correct. Now Director of CBI is also going to be examined.

JAC decides to extend ” Customer Delight Month” for June 2011

30 Monday May 2011

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The National Joint Action Committee meeting held on 30th May 2011 has decided to extend the observation of “Customer Delight Month” for one more month, June 2011. The committee discussed about the improvements in service and development this month and took the above decision. The details of the decisions will be put on Union Website.