FORUM OF BSNL UNIONS / ASSOCIATIONS OF NON-EXECUTIVES AND EXECUTIVES, NEW DELHI
10th November 2013
Dear Comrade Prahlad Rai,
I am very much thankful for your kind invitation to me to attend and address the IV All India Conference of AIBSNLEA to be held at Nashik from 10th to 12th November 2013. In fact, I have earlier intimated that I will be attending the opening session on 10th as required by you.
In between, I was hospitalised for viral fever and though discharged from the hospital, am not in a position yet to travel and attend your AIC. Hence, I may be excused for my inability to come and attend your August Conference. I am really missing meeting the delegates from all over the country and the function itself.
As all of us are aware, BSNL is in a big crisis, with posting of loss for the last four consecutive years. From the First Telecom Company position in India, it has now gone to the fourth/fifth position, though it still leads in Landlines and Broadband services. The downfall has come mainly due to the anti-PSU policies of the government and the non-professional top management. Of course, the executives and non-executives are also responsible to a certain extent. These issues have been discussed in the Forum several times. It was only through sustained struggles and demands by the Forum and the Unions/Associations that the management was compelled to procure at least some equipment and lines to continue with the service. We can take pride that the unions/associations in BSNL have risen to the occasion to defend the organisation and for a better service.
But this is not sufficient. A massive campaign among the workers as well as the people is required to convince them the necessity of the survival of BSNL for the benefit of the people and the nation. The private telecom companies, the corporate houses and the government itself with its neo-liberal policies have planned and are still on the move to privatise BSNL as has already been done in the case of case of VSNL (which is now Tata Telecommunications). Success of any such ill-motivated move will result in cartelization and high charges on the customers in addition to serious security risks for the country. All these have to be exposed to the people who are the real masters.
The massive National Convention on “Revival of BSNL” held at Mavlankar Hall, New Delhi on 3rd August 2013 and the Declaration adopted therein have given a clear strategy to be implemented for the survival of BSNL. Similar Conventions should be held at Circle/SSA levels and wide propaganda given to the issues and our decisions.
The Forum CHQ has already approached about 100 important Members of Parliament, belonging to various parties, including many Ministers for pressurizing for a policy change of the government and full support to BSNL. The Prime Minister, Finance Minister, Communications Minister, Secretary DOT and CMD BSNL have been specially approached for their support. All the Chief Ministers in the country have been addressed for their support by mandating that BSNL service should be ensured in all government departments and PSUs. All the CGMs of BSNL has been addressed for their full co-operation and co-ordination. Leaders of Unions/Associations in PSUs, Confederation of Central Government Employees and Workers, AIRF, NFIR, AIBEA, BEFI, AIIEA etc., in addition to leaders of Central Trade Unions like INTUC, AITUC, BMS, HMS, CITU etc. have also been approached. It is necessary that our campaign should make the revival of BSNL and providing a better service to the nation, an important national issue.
In this connection, the Associations of the Executives, who belong to the middle management, have a great responsibility. And I am glad to place in writing that the executive associations have really contributed much to the improvement of the services. AIBSNLEA has always in the forefront of the struggles to save BSNL.
On the occasion of the All India Conference of AIBSNLEA being held at Nashik, I convey my Best Wishes for the success of the Conference and fruitful decisions. Please convey my Warm Greetings to all the delegates and participants on my own behalf as also on behalf of the Forum.
Yours Fraternally,

V.A.N.Namboodiri
Convener, Forum.

To
Com. Prahlad Rai,
General Secretary, AIBSNLEA.