10 Wednesday Jun 2020
Posted in Uncategorized
With regard to the submission of BSNL MRS, clear instructions have to be issued at the all India level. Otherwise the pensioners are having a lot of difficulties. The dates also for option has to be extended. Online facility also should be allowed.
09 Tuesday Jun 2020
Posted in BSNL, Sustained struggles
50% Merger of IDA with pay- 3 Days dharna from 28-05-2008
The Central government issued orders for merger of 50% DA with pay to its employees from 01-04-2004. The merger of 50% IDA with pay for CPSUs was decided by the government wef 01-01-2007. Despite this decision, BSNL management did not issue orders merging IDA with pay for its own employees. A lunch hour demonstration was held on 13-05-2008 as per the call of the joint Forum demanding immediate orders. The management wanted the unions to agree for 10% disinvestment, VRS, delay in wage negotiation, Promotion policy etc. for issue of IDA merger orders, which is completely unjust and unfair. The meeting of the JF with CMD BSNL on 27-05-2008 could not settle the issue. Hence JF called for 3 days protest dharna from 28-05-2008 in Corporate Office, all circles and divisions.
The dharnas were well participated though called with short notice, which gave a strong message to the management that the workers will not surrender their rights or cow down before threats. In Delhi, in front of the Corporate Office, more than 500 comrades participated in the dharna. Com. Basudeb Acharya, M.P. and senior leader of the CPI(M), inaugurated. It was addressed by all leaders of the JF.
Meeting with Minister on29-05-2008
As a result of the massive dharnas, the Communications Minister Shri A.Raja called the Joint Forum for discussion. After discussion, he directed the CMD BSNL to issue the orders on IDA merger on that day itself. Accordingly, BSNL issued the orders on the same day. It was a great achievement.
The joint struggle of the workers has won victory on the spot. The dharna was called off accordingly.
A meeting was held with the Secretary DOT on the issue of VRS, Disinvestment proposal, granting of Navaratna status, 5 Promotions, allotment of 3 G Spectrum, fresh tender of 45.5 million and 93 million mobile lines etc. No satisfactory result could come out. Hence as per the decision of the JF, demonstrations were organized on 02-06-2008 along with wearing of badges while on duty with the demands printed on them.
Against merger of ITI with BSNL
In between, the government was proposing merger of ITI with BSNL. As per decision of JF, massive demonstrations were organized on 29-07-2008 at all levels against the proposed merger, since ITI was a manufacturing PSU, while BSNL was a service provider. Convener, JF met the ITI unions’ leaders and convinced them about the stand taken by the Joint Forum. JF sent a detailed strong letter to the Communications Minister on 16-07-2008 against the merger. The proposal was deferred after the protest.
Joint Forum strongly opposed the purchase of hundreds of vehicles for the ITS officers, when the company was facing financial crunch. It exposed the unnecessary expenditure and gave wide publicity, which put the management in bad light.
Since the ITS absorption was being delayed, the Joint Forum demanded repatriation of BSNL executives and non-executives back to DOT. The letter dated 17-09-2008 put it strongly that there cannot be any discrimination to the executives and non-executives.
The JF also demanded the DOT that the 93 million tender for mobile lines should be finalized and the equipment purchased without delay. (To be continued)
09 Tuesday Jun 2020
Posted in AIBDPA - BSNL DOT Pensioners, Pension
BSNL has issued orders on 2nd June 2020 allowing out door medical claims with the latest prescription available which are not older than 6 months, due to Covid 17 lock down. Concerned employees / pensioners can utilise the concession.
08 Monday Jun 2020
Posted in CTU
The Central Trade Unions (CTUs) in their meeting on 3rd June 2020 congratulated the workers for responding enthusiastically to the nation-wide protest call demanding immediate halt to changes in labour laws, abrogating the rights won over after a struggle of 150 years among other demands. The meeting took serious note of the continuous aggressive attack on the workers’ rights ignoring all the joint representations to the Government on the matter including the nationwide protest on 22nd May 2020.
The Government not only failed in getting its own orders and advisories implemented in regard to payment of wages to workers, no retrenchments to be carried during lockdown period. Instead, it withdrew its own decision in the face of the case in Supreme Court by the employers of some companies. The Government did not heed to the demand of cash transfer of Rs. 7500/- to all non income tax paying households including unorganised labour (registered or unregistered) for the months of April, May, June, neither the demand for Government support to pay the wages of workers of MSMEs for these three months. The ration to all working people for at least six months to be made available universally also did not find favour with the Government. Neither our demand for workers safe journey home paid attention to.
The Supreme Court had to take cognizance finally asking the Governments of Centre and States not to demand passenger fares from workers, give them proper shelter and food till they are transported to their homes. Nineteen High Courts had taken cognizance of workers, frontline fighters and hospital services etc during this period.
We re-iterate that the Central Government chose the cover of COVID-19 lockdown to push through its agenda of disinvestment and wholesale privatisation of Public Sector Enterprises, 100 percent FDI in core sectors – Indian railways, Defence, Port and Dock, Coal, Air India, Banks, Insurance etc., steps in favour Corporates of Indian & Foreign brands to usurp natural resources and business of the country while mouthing behind the slogan of Aatma-Nirbhar Bharat. The earlier decisions and those taken during COVID-19 lockdown on privatization/corporatization/commercialization in Defense, Coal, Space science, Atomic energy, Insurance, Banks and most of the PSUs are being pursued with vigour and arrogance. The decision of DA freeze of 48 lakh Central Government Employees and DR freeze of 68 lakh pensioners, which is also having impact on the state government employees, is not withdrawn despite vehement opposition from Government employees and CTUs.
In this back ground various sections are now in agitation mode. The electricity workers and engineers have jointly observed countrywide protest against Electricity Amendment Bill 2020 on 1st June 2020. While welcoming the sectoral struggles which are developing in various sectors, CTUs support the protest programmes taken up by Defence federations including “strike ballots” and those in the coal mine sector on 10-11 June 2020.
The scheme workers, ASHA, Anganwadi, MDM, 108 ambulance employees, etc and the nurses and doctors who are in the front ranks among the front line warriors working at the community level for combating Covid 19 Pandemic are agitated for their demands for safety measures not being addressed appropriately and neither they are provided proper health care on falling sick from COVID-19 infection, nor the social security and insurance coverage being extended to the families who are succumbing to the disease. The scheme workers are also being denied payment of honorarium for lockdown period.
ASHAs, anganwadi employees, Doctors, Nurses, Safai Karamcharis, have been in the protests now and then in various parts of the country on similar demands. The CTUs support all these agitations on their just demands.
The so-called 20 lakh crore package of the Government is nothing but a hoax and cruel joke on the suffering people; this mainly comprises of loan guarantee to various sectors and the actual relief package reaching people is not even 1 percent of GDP. Even, previously announced budgetary allocations and welfare schemes such as PM Kisan Samman Nidhi, Construction Workers Welfare Board and District Mineral Funds etc have been unscrupulously repackaged to befool the people.
08 Monday Jun 2020
Posted in AIBDPA - BSNL DOT Pensioners
The VRS in BSNL was implemented with so many promises by DOT and BSNL. But what is the condition. All payments, including Ex-gratia are delayed. It is requested that Communications minister should intervene and ensure that the payments to VRS retirees are made without further delay.
08 Monday Jun 2020
Posted in AIBDPA - BSNL DOT Pensioners
AIBDPA/ DOT-VRS/2020 8th June,2020
To,
Shri Anshu Prakash
Secretary,
Department of Telecommunications
Sanchar Bhawan
New Delhi-110001
Sir,
Sub: – Delay in payment of the of ex-gratia to the VRS retirees- reg.
We wish to bring the following issue for your kind intervention and necessary favourable action.
When VRS was implemented in BSNL, a large number of BSNL employees (78,569) opted it, attracted by financial benefits, mainly the ex-gratia. They hoped to settle the debit and do something with the balance. It was assured by the government that ex-gratia will be paid in two equal instalments; first in March,2020 and the second in June,2020.
But contrary to the assurance only 33.33% was paid in March,2020 instead of 50 per cent. And all the amounts of future instalments towards HBA, bank loans, society loan, car loan etc were recovered from 33.3 per cent of ex-gratia paid. Most of the VRS retirees got very meagre amount after the recoveries. There is still uncertainty as to when the balance will be paid though the second instalment also has become due. This situation has put the VRS retirees into much disappointment and distress.
Therefore, we request your intervention to cause necessary action for the payment of 66.67 per cent of ex-gratia at the earliest but before 30-06-2020.
Delay in issuing the PPOs to the VRS retirees.
While we appreciate the commendable job by some of the CCAs like Assam, Gujarat, NE, Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh and Kerala for having already issued the PPOs and sure to complete by 30-06-2020, we give below the CCAs lagging far behind.
Tamil Nadu & Chennai Telephones.
Tamil Nadu out of 8761 only 2750 PPOs issued.
Chennai Telephones- out of 2671,1300 issued.
Maharashtra – Only 4466 PPOs issued out of 9997.
UP (West) – Only 550 PPOs issued against 2227.
These figures warrant immediate intervention of the higher authorities with constant monitoring. As far as the retirees are concerned, PPO is the most important document and they will be worried until they get the PPO.
We sincerely hope that you will do the needful at the earliest.
Thanking you,
Yours sincerely,
K G Jayaraj
General Secretary.
CC: Shri P.K.Sinha, Member (Finance), Department of Telecommunications Sanchar Bhawan, New Delhi-110001.
08 Monday Jun 2020
Posted in Sustained struggles
Meeting with CMD BSNL on 27-05-2008 on future of BSNL
Com. V.A.N.Namboodiri Convener, JF along with representatives of 13 unions/associations in BSNL met CMD BSNL Kuldeep Goyal on 27-05-2008.
At the outset, the Convener expressed the JF’s grave concern over the undue delay in the supply of GSM equipment, due to which BSNL is unable to provide new connections and also the quality of services of BSNL is sharply coming down. Market share of BSNL has sharply declined from 47.69% to 24.74% from 31-03-2005 to 31-03-2008. Immediate purchase of GSM equipment is required.
CMD BSNL stated as follows: Total connections in the country are 310 million, out of which BSNL share is 76 million. BSNL share comes to 24%. 2.2 million landlines of BSNL were surrendered in the last financial year, which is 7.5% of its total landlines. BSNL has given 7.8 million mobile connections, 1 million WLL connections and more than 1 million Broadband connections in the last financial year. Out of the 3.8 million Broadband connections in the country 2 million are BSNL connections. Last year, BSNL has increased its market share In BB from 42% to more than 50%. As regards this year’s expansion of GSM lines, supply of equipment for 35 million lines has already started. Out of this North, West and East zones will get 10 million lines each and South zone will get 5 million. A new global tender is already floated to procure 93 million GSM lines. The tender bids will be opened on 15th July 2008. Out of this, North, West and South zones will get 25 million lines each and East zone will get 18 million. These 93 million lines will cater the requirement of BSNL for the next three years.
Surrender of Landlines
CMD BSNL also informed the JF leaders that 2.2 million landlines were surrendered in the last financial year, which comes to 7.5% of BSNL’s total landlines. He also pointed out that no landline is being surrendered in China which is having 10 times of connections that India has. Even in our country, in places like Kerala and Bangalore, no landline reduction is taking place. He further pointed out that in 45 SSAs, we have 1+ lakh capacity which should be utilized for our landline growth.
In response to the remarks of the CMD, the JF leaders made the following suggestions: 1. The tariff for our landline service should be revised. The present tariff of 3 minute per call can be revised to one minute per call. This will help to arrest the surrender to a great extent. For instance, the surrender of BSNL’s PCOs has been stopped with the change in tariffs, at par with the private companies. 2. The quality of our landline instruments is not good compared to the instruments of private operators. Hence, the present instruments should be replaced with good quality instruments. 3. The quality of our landline service is badly affected due to the damaging of our cables by the private operators. To tide over the problem, the CEO of the company which damages the cable should be sued against. 4. To boost up BSNL’s marketing, door to door canvassing should be done by BSNL employees. Such an aggressive marketing should be organized in every SSA by the local administration.
CMD BSNL appreciated the above proposals and assured that needful will be done. (To be continued).
07 Sunday Jun 2020
Posted in Uncategorized
Notice has been issued for holding an Extraordinary General Meeting of members of BSNL at New Delhi on 15.06.2020. This meeting is being held to accord power to the Board of Directors:-
(a) To monetise/ sell/transfer/dispose off identified land/ buildings. The sale proceeds will be utilised for the revival / restructuring of the Company including repayment of loans and for meeting Capital and Operational expenditures.
(b) To accord power to the Board of Directors to issue Government Guaranteed Bonds aggregating up to Rs.8,500 crores. (Courtesy: bsnleu website)
07 Sunday Jun 2020
Posted in Sustained struggles
Protest against abolition of ADC
The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has been continuously and arbitrarily reducing the Access Deficit Charge (ADC) which is the collection from the private telecom operators and to be given to BSNL for loss making connections in the villages as per the assurances of the government at the time of corporatization. Year after year the ADC was being reduced and the same was completely stopped from 01-04-2008 on the pressure from the private operators. This reduction was certain to seriously and adversely affect the financial viability of BSNL. Hence the Joint Forum strongly protested the TRAI decision and organized demonstration on 3rd April 2008 all over India, demanding restoration of ADC.
Merger of 50% IDA with pay – Lunch hour demonstrations
Even after the IDA crossed 50%, it was not merged with pay as required. As per the call of the Joint Forum, Lunch Hour demonstrations were held on 13-05-2008 at Circle, SSA levels and corporate office demanding immediate merger of IDA.
Meeting with Secretary DOT on 22-05-2008
The Joint Forum leaders met Secretary DOT Sidharth Behura on 22-05-2008 and discussed the following issues:
ITS Absorption: The delay in the absorption of ITS officers was pointed out by the JF leaders. Secretary DOT replied that the Cabinet Note on this issue has been returned with some queries. The matter will be seriously perused.
BSNL’s Pension Contribution (60% – 40% issue): DOT Secretary agreed with the Forum that such conditions are not necessary. He stated that a Cabinet Note on the same is approved by the minister and will be submitted to the cabinet.
Restoration of ADC: Secretary DOT stated that DOT is taking action for changing the guide lines of the USO Fund to give financial assistance to BSNL to the tune of Rs. 2,000 crore per annum, as has been recommended by the TRAI, in lieu of ADC.
Navaratna Status to BSNL: The JF leaders expressed their concerns on the extreme delay in awarding Navaratna status to BSNL. Secretary DOT stated that DPE has already recommended and the issue is waiting for the final decision of the apex body.
Allotment of 3G Spectrum to BSNL: Joint Forum demanded that BSNL should be allotted 3G Spectrum on priority basis as has already been stated by the Communications Minister. Secretary DOT stated that as per the assurance of the Minister, BSNL will be allotted with one slot in the 3G Spectrum.
Delay in 50% IDA Merger: The JF leaders drew the attention of the Secretary to the undue delay in issuing the orders on the IDA merger with pay by the BSNL even after the approval by DOT. Secretary DOT assured that he will speak to CMD BSNL. (To be continued)
06 Saturday Jun 2020
Posted in BSNL, P&T TU Movement
Com. B.N.Ghosh, who was respectfully called Dada Ghosh by the P and T Fraternity and the First Secretary General of National federation of P and T Employees (NFPTE) left us 59 years back on 7th June 1961.
Dada Ghosh was the Circle Secretary of the Postal and RMS Union, Bengal and Assam Circle during the II World War period and toured the conflict areas of Assam during the bombing by the Japanese and gave courage to the Postal workers to stick to their posts and continue duties. He lost his wife and son, while he was on the tour.
As the first Secretary General of NFPTE, which was formed on 24th November 1954, he took initiative in forming the Confederation of Central Government Employees and Workers which along with AIRF and AIDEF organised the historic 5 days strike in 1960 on the demand of Need Based Minimum Wage and DA according to cost of living index.
(He has written the history of the P and T Trade Union movement for the period 1939 to 1954 in a detailed manner, which I am posting in installments in this blog.).
Red salute to Com. Dada Ghosh on his death anniversary!
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