With May 1st, the call of the JAC to observe one month as Customer Delight Month has started. Some reports have already received from Kerala, Punjab etc. about the excellent propaganda, holding of Committee meetings, meetings with management etc. for implementing the programme in right earnest. We hope to receive similar reports of activities from other circles also.

This is the time we have to decide. It is either Perform or Perish. We want not only to perform but also to shine in the pleasure of giving a good service to the people and strengthening the BSNL. The three lakh workers can certainly do.

The terrorist and fundamentalist Osama Bin Laden is killed in Pakistan by the US army. Pakistan’s stand that it is not supporting terrorism stands exposed.
The world can have relief that one more scourge is finished.

On this May Day, my thoughts go to the pathetic condition of the contract workers engaged in BSNL for day to day activities. Their number comes to about one lakh.
These contract workers are engaged to attend certain regular works for which posts are available but no recruitment is made. They are also engaged for other works.
The Contract Labour (Regulation and Abolition) Act 1970 has clearly stipulated about the conditions under which the contract labour are to be employed, about wages, social security etc. After much persuasion from the Union, BSNL management has also issued orders fixing the minimum wages and other conditions of payment, implementation of social securities like EPF, ESI etc.
But unfortunately, except in very few circles like W.Bengal, Kolkatta, T.Nadu, Kerala etc., where the Contract Workers Unions are strong, neither the minimum wages are paid nor the social security measures are implemented. When struggles take place demanding minimum wages, the management-contractor alliance ensures that the leading workers are retrenched. In many places, a large number of workers have been retrenched. The argument of the management that there is no work has no meaning. There were work all these ten to twenty years when only meagre wages were paid, and there is no work all of a sudden when the minimum wages are to be paid! How much these workers have been exploited all these years by not giving them the due wages while the BSNL has spent the entire money . Where all these money have gone?

The contract workers organisation is weak today and requires the assistance of the unions of the regular workers. In almost each and every SSA, the struggle for minimum wages and social security measures are going to happen. It is the responsibility of the unions to support and lead the struggles of these unorganised workers in BSNL who are cheated of their rights and wages.

This May Day is very important for the BSNL workers. Their Unions jointly under the banner of Joint Action Committee have given a call to organise, observe the month as Customer Delight Month by making all efforts, in fact extra efforts, for settling the issues of the customers, for a better service and for the development of the company.
The JAC has approached the BSNL Management and the latter has assured full co-operation and issued directions to the field officers to co-ordinate with the workers and do whatever is possible to improve the services. The JAC Circular and the targets indicated have already been published by the unions in their websites etc.
The NFTE which has not participated in the JAC meeting has also now agreed and had given call to its members to observe the month as Customer Care Month. This is an appropriate decision.
I had made a note on the important issues to be tackled for the strengthening and development of the company which has not been discussed in detail in the JAC. However, I would like to get the valuable opinions of the viewers of this blog in this matter. A draft copy of the same is given below:

SAVE BSNL TO SERVE THE PEOPLE BETTER
BSNL is facing a serious crisis and is gradually moving towards downfall. The anti-PSU policy of the government, the lacklustre management, the deterioration in the customer care as also the cut-throat competition has resulted in the present unenviable situation. But BSNL is not beyond revitalisation. It has got infrastructure, committed workforce and the support of the people. A well planned strategy, effective implementation, support of the government and full commitment and determination on the part of the workforce from the top executive to the lowest level worker can certainly bring BSNL to its original stature and strength.
What is to be done?
1. Government should give financial assistance by restoring ADC, additional grant from USOF, refund the spectrum charges to BSNL as also exemption from the Licence Fee/reimbursement of Licence Fee.
2. Necessary rules/policy to be implemented making it mandatory for the Central/State governments and PSUs making it mandatory to take services from BSNL.
3. Change the present cumbersome procurement process of equipments. Equipments to be of high quality.
4. At least 60% of the staff at all levels to be utilised for sales & marketing. Special training to be given to them. Incentives be provided for motivation.
5. Timely availability of high quality materials including phones, cables, drop wire, tools, modem etc.
6. Accountability and necessary check at all levels.
7. Zero toleration against corruption. BSNL to be made corruption free.
8. Modernise Telecom Factories. New and modern products to be manufactured. High technical engineers to be recruited.
9. Improve quality of service and customer care. Human touch required in dealing with customers. One window system to be introduced.
10. Unnecessary expenditure to be strictly curtailed. Rented buildings to be vacated by accommodating all offices in BSNL buildings. Vehicles on rent to be reduced to the minimum requirement. Sharing of vehicles.
11. Tour to be reduced by arranging video-conferences etc. Air journeys in ordinary class only.
12. Vacant quarters and buildings to be effectively used by renting out to Central/State governments as also PSUs. Retired DOT/BSNL pensioners be given quarters on rent/lease.
13. Works Committee to be effectively used for interaction between management and improvement of services. This should be geld regularly, say once in a week.
14. Ensure quick settlement of staff grievances.
15. Continued training to all staff to upgrade their level of knowledge for better efficiency and customer care.
16. Better staff relations. More involvement of unions/associations in development,expansion, customer service etc.

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The Air India Pilots’ strike has entered the 5th day.Thousands of people who have plans to travel are affected and are having a very difficult time.Hundreds of passengers are stranded in the air-ports. Both the Air India Management as also the Union have taken strong position and so far there is no effective discussion.

The Union has brought serious charges against the management is scuttling the development of Air India/Indian airlines. Merger, demerger and remerger drama of Air India/Indian Air Lines have been disasters. Private carriers were favoured by granting better routes, better schedule etc. Large number of planes were purchased at heavy costs when there was no urgency to purchase so much planes. The Unions allege a lot of corruption by the management which has adversely affected the finances of the company.

The management is not responding on these matters. It has started victimising the leaders by suspension etc. They have approached the Court against the strike. They have refused to talk with the Unions. The Delhi High Court has banned the strike.

The Civil Aviation Minister has given a free hand to the management to do whatever they want. In a democracy, the workers have got the right to strike. It is the responsibility of the Government to discuss the issues with the striking workers and come to an understanding to end the travails of the people and travellers.

Vayalar Ravi, Civil Aviation Minister, himself a trade unionist, should take initiative, discuss the matter with the Central Trade Unions and settle the strike.

May Day, the International Solidarity of the working class has been celebrated globally. The workers celebrated the day by organising meetings, processions, seminars etc.
In Delhi a large gathering was held at AKG Bhawan, which was addressed by the senior most Trade union leader in the country, Comrade M.K.Pandhe, Vice-President of the Centre of Indian Trade Unions. He called upon the workers to continue sustained struggles against the neo-liberal policies which is creating havoc with the peoples’ lives.
In Kerala massive joint rallies were held in all districts participated by unions including INTUC. In Delhi various trade unions, jointly and separately held meetings.
I had the opportunity of participating and addressing the May Day Celebrations held at the Kerala Bhawan in Delhi jointly organised by the Kerala NGO Union, Joint Council, Secretariat Staff Association etc. I spoke briefly on the historic meeting at Haymarket Square in Chicago on 4th May 1886, the conspiracy of the employers and the government in foisting false cases against the union leaders and the hanging of the workers’ leaders, who were the Chicago Martyrs. I also spoke about the need to fight the neo-liberal policies of the India Government which is making rich, richer and poor, poorer. I added that the struggles led by the national trade unions centres should be made more and more successful.
May Day and homage to martyrs, remind us about the past struggles and sacrifices and inspire us for sustained struggles to get justice for the downtrodden.
Tomorrow, the BSNL workers will celebrate May Day by holding a meeting at the CTO premises at 1300 hours.

My Heartiest May Day Greetings to one and all!
1st May is observed as the International Solidarity Day of the Working Class since 1890 in memory of the sacrifice of the Chicago Martyrs who were hanged for fighting for 8 hours work and other demands.
World over the working is now fighting against the neo-liberal policies brought by the capitalist rulers which has brought more and more miseries to the toiling people and the working class.
On this May Day let us pledge to continue our fight against the ruling class to protect the interests of the working class and for socialism.
May Day Greetings to all!

R.K.Upadhyaya, former TCIL chief has been appointed as CMD BSNL as per PTI reports. The post has been vacant for about one year since Kuldeep Goyal has retired. Gopal Das Director (HR) who was looking after has also retired. S.C.Misra, Member (Services ), DOT was looking after the job of CMD BSNL for the last few months. And now at last the Government has appointed the new CMD.

I welcome the new CMD, RK Upadhyay and hope that he will make all efforts to strengthen BSNL in co-ordination with the workers.

The first three- four months of 1945 were very crucial for the entire people of the world. It was during these months that the tide of the II World War changed and the fascist forces under Hitler, Mussolini and Tojo were utterly defeated. For long three years the war continued started by the agressive and fascist Hitler attacking neibhouring countries and annexing them. Countries after countries collapsed before the mighty military of the German Reicht. Crores of military and civil people perished. Emperor Tojo from Japan and Mussolini from Italy completed the dangerous axis. Nazi forces captured many parts of the Soviet Union and reached up to Moscow. But in a pitched heroic battle from street to street that followed, the mighty Nazi army of Hitler was stopped and defeated. Nobody ever thought that the young Soviet Union could defeat the invincible military machinery of Hitler. But history has shown that the will of the people can do wonders, and this was one such.
And the Soviet Red Army started marching to Berlin, the capital of Hitler’s empire. The allied forces under Britain, USA etc. started moving from the western side towards Germany. Hitler realised the hopeless situation and committed suicide on 30th April 1945. The Soviet Red army captured Berlin on 2nd May and raised the Red Flag over the German Parliament. The II world war was won and fascism defeated.
The world situation changed. Countries after countries of the British empire, which were agitating for freedom could get their independance including India. A new era started for a better future.
But after the collapse of the USSR. the imperialist and capitalist forces are on the offensive. The neo-liberal policies being implemented has resulted in misery to the people. The Nato has become stronger. Independent countries are being attacked and ravaged by the Nato forces in the name of restoring peace and order. It is time that the toiling people and the democratic and peaceloving people to join together and defeat the capitalist and imperialist offensive.

It is victory for the people who had been agitating demanding ban of Endosulfan, the dangerous pesticide, the use of which has resulted in many death and chronic diseases in the area the pesticide was used, places like Kasargode. Many children are born with deformities and incurable diseases and suffer till their death.
The Kerala Government and people irrespective of political affiliations have been continuously demanding ban on Endosulfan. The state government had already banned it. But since not banned in other states, it is brought through secret routes and used in Kerala. The demand of the Kerala Government to the Central Government to ban Endosufan has been rejected by the centre to support the Endosulfan lobby.
India also tried to stop banning Endosulfan at the International Convention at Stockholm. The huge majority wanted to ban the same for its ill affects and India could not stop the decision to ban. However, India got some respite of five years as a concession.
However, this is agreat victory for the people. Now the struggle has to continue to make the Indian Government to strictly implement the ban in India. The ban decision was known in India when Kerala was on a Bandh and the Chief Minister, other ministers and all political leaders were on hunger strike.
Good news indeed!