Tag Archives: BSNL

BSNL proposes to encash its land assets.

31 Friday Jan 2014

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It is reported that BSNL is proposing to monetise its land assets in Mumbai and Delhi and other parts of the country to make up for the loss of last four years and for development and expansion. Immediately the proposal is with regard to the 37 acres in Borivali, 6.63 acres in Santa Cruz, 25.5 acres in Deonar (all in Mumbai) and 1.48 acres in Sector -33, Noida and 0.84 acres in Sector-18 Noida (all in Delhi). BSNL projects to use these for housing and commercial purposes.
According to the reports, the assets of the BSNL land all over India comes to about Rs. 13,500 crores. (This can not in any way be correct. BSNL has land all over India, in all places in the centre of the towns/cities. The land value will be more than 10 times more than this at the least).
The question is how these lands will be used? Whether lease it or sell it? Or whether develop by BSNL and rent it?
We are of the strong opinion that these issues should be discussed with the recognised unions/Forum of BSNL Unions/Associations, before embarking on the project. The pros and cons of the entire project is to be decided and if it is to be implemented, it has also to be ensured that it has to be done in a very transparent way to avoid corrupt practices.

Teledensity increases to 73.69% in November 2013

31 Friday Jan 2014

Posted by in BSNL - Better Service to the Nation, BSNL News

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The TRAI has stated that the Teledensity in the country increased to 73.69% by the end of November 2013.
The mobile connections have increased from 875 million in October to 881 million in November 2013. Out of this BSNL and MTNL together hold only 11.57%. The private companies together have a market share of 88.43% with Bharti Airtel 22.31%, Vodafone 17.94 and Idea with 14.57%.
The neo-liberal policies of the government which promote and favour private corporates against the PSUs as also the inefficient BSNL Management are the causes for this down fall of the PSUs.

BSNL completes its network expansion in North East

28 Tuesday Jan 2014

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Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL) is likely to complete its Rs 1,500-crore 2G and 3G network expansion programme in the eastern and north-eastern states by mid-2014.

The development will boost the service quality of the state-owned telecom major in the region.”BSNL is investing around Rs 1,500 crore in expanding and improving the existing 2G and 3G network. We expect the expansion to get completed in the next few months,” BSNL CGM(Calcutta Telephones) Gautam Chakraborty told PTI.

“Work has already begun and we have received adequate equipment for the setup in our circle,” he said. He said once the project was implemented, service quality and capacity would get a boost in the eastern region of West Bengal, Bihar, Odisha, Jharkhand and the north eastern states.

BSNL was planning to expand GSM lines by over 4 million
lines for the region, the contract for which was bagged by
Chinese vendor ZTE Telecom India.BSNL is expanding its capacity by 10 million GSM lines (2G and 3G) to help increase its subscriber base countrywide.

“In Calcutta Telephones network we will install new 300 BTS for 2G and 3G,” Chakraborty said.

Meeting of EGoM on Revival of BSNL/MTNL on 27th January 2014

26 Sunday Jan 2014

Posted by in BSNL - Better Service to the Nation, BSNL News

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The EGoM on Revival of BSNL and MTNL is scheduled to meet tomorrow, 27th January. The Forum of BSNL Unions/Associations have written several times to the Chairman of the EGoM about the urgency of taking favourable decisions in this respect. The Declaration adopted at National Convention on Revival of BSNL/MTNL was forwarded with request to concede the important demands. Out of that some issues have been settled.The Rs. 1,500 crore from USOF is already paid; but the Rs.1,250crore from USOF is pending due to some report from BSNL is to be received by DOT/USOF.The mandating of BSNL/MTNL services for ll central/state establishments is reported to have been recommended for decision.
Now one important decision the EGoM has to take is changing the criterion for payment of pension contribution to the government by BSNL. At present it is on the basis of the maximum of the pay scale. This is unjust. It should only be on the basis of the actual pay. This is not settled so far. On the contrary, now when it has been decided that MTNL employees are also granted Pension as in the case of BSNL, the contribution on the basis of maximum is insisted.

The Forum has again written to the Finance minister that this injustice should be removed and the pension contribution should only on the basis of the actual pay. Copy of the letter is given below:

FORUM OF BSNL UNIONS/ASSOCIATIONS
D-7, TELEGRAPH PLACE, GOLE MARKET, NEW DELHI – 110001
——————————————————————————————————————-
Forum/GL 25th January 2014
To
Shri P.Chidambaram,
Finanace Minister & Chairman,
EGoM on Revival of BSNL/MTNL,
North Block Central Secretariat,
New Delhi – 110001
Sub: Revival of BSNL/MTNL – Pensionary Contribution from BSNL/MTNL to be on the basis of actual pay instead of maximum of the pay scale – requested
Respected Sir,
We are happy that the Government has considered the question of revival of BSNL and MTNL and the EGoM appointed under your chairmanship is examining the various aspects of reviving the two ailing PSUs. In this connection We would like to bring to your notice one most important issue, which if favourably onsiderd, will give much finanacial relief to both the PSUs, BSNL and MTNL.
The issue is about the payment of pensionary contribution that is to be paid to the government by the BSNL and MTNL for the DOT employees who have been absorbed in BSNL and MTNL. In the case of BSNL employees, it was part of the agreement that pension will be paid by the Govenment and that pension contribution for the employees will have to be paid by BSNL to Govenment. In the case of MTNL absorbed employees, the government has now decided the same method.
But the pension contribution to be paid by the BSNL and MTNL is caculated in an unjust manner. The BSNL and MTNL are directed to pay on the basis of the maximum of the payscale of the employee, instead of his/her actual pay. In the case of government employees on deputation, the government orders are that the pension contribution is to be paid on the basis of the actual pay. This should be the criteria for the payment of pension contribution by BSNL and MTNL also. By paying on the maximum of the payscale, the PSUs are compelled to pay many hundreds of crores of rupees from the loss making companies.
In order to reduce the loss of the companies and also as equalising the pension contribution as in the case of deputation of government employees, we request that the EGoM/Government may kindly take a decision to reduce the pension contribution by directing that it should be paid on the basis of the actual pay instead of the maximum of he pay scale.
An early favourable decision in the matter will be highly appreciated.
Thanking you,
Yours Faithfully,
sd/-
V.A.N.Namboodiri
Convener.

Form BSNLCCWF wherever not formed so far

23 Thursday Jan 2014

Posted by in BSNLCCWF - Casual and Contract workers

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The Central Executive Committee of BSNLCCWF held at Bhubaneswar held on 18-19 January 2014 has decided to form the Circle/District Branches of the union, wherever it is not formed so far. In the last CEC Meeting of the BSNL Employees Union it was decided to organise the same as early as possible, at least before the next CEC.
The Circle /SSA Secretaries are requested to take initiative and form the circle/SSA branches of the BSNLCCWF at the earliest.

Pension contribution by BSNL to DOT – It should be on actual pay and not on maximum pay.

22 Wednesday Jan 2014

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The BSNL Management is paying pension contribution for all the BSNL absorbed employees to the DOT on the basis of the maximum of the pay scale. This should be only on the basis of the actual pay, but the Government has so far not agreed to this. The Forum of BSNL Unions/Associations has strongly demanded that the pension contribution should be only on the basis of actual pay.

You know how much BSNL has paid to the Govt. in 2012 and 2013? In 2011-2012 it was Rs. 1179.65 crore and in 2012-13 it is 916.41 crore. The reduction in the payment may be due to the large number of retirements ( about 15,000, mostly non-executives) as pension contribution need not be paid after retirement. But if the contribution is paid on the actual, the amount will still be reduced. We have to continue our efforts on this issue.

Delay in NOFN can not be appreciated

22 Wednesday Jan 2014

Posted by in BSNL News, Telecom

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The media has reported that the National Optic Fibre Network is being delayed due to delay by BSNL,Power Grid and Railtel to lay the cables. This gives a wrong signal that even such an important programme is not being executed even after the funds have been allotted.
The plea that tender could not be finalised for laying cable so far can not be accepted. These are national projects for which BSNL will be getting some funds. It is reported that Rs. 2700 crores is already allotted to the three companies of which 70% comes to BSNL.
BSNL Has to be active and vibrant. It can not function as a government department.

Allot vacant quarters to Casual and Contract workers

20 Monday Jan 2014

Posted by in BSNL - Better Service to the Nation, BSNLCCWF - Casual and Contract workers

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In many places, BSNL Quarters are kept vacant for want of occupants. This is more with the officers’ quarters.these vacant quarters, due to non-use and non-cleaning quickly becomes damaged, dirty and a health risk.
BSNLEU and Forum of BSNL Unions/Associations had demanded that such vacant quarters can be bulk-allotted to other central governments /state governments /PSUs etc. after a making agreements with them. In some places, this system has already been implemented getting some money through rent and resulting in keeping the quarters in good condition.
We took up the ase for allotment of vacant quarters to retired officials. This has been agreed, although the rent is on the higher side and has to be reduced.
Now there is one more scope if the quarters are still vacant. A demand has come in the CEC meeting of the BSNL Casual and Contract Workers Federation meeting that vacant quarters be allotted to BSNL Casual/Contract workers. This demand is reasonable and can be agreed by the BSNL Management. These workers have been serving DOT/BSNL for the last 20 years or so.
We will take up the matter with the Management for a favourable decision.

Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs decides on 30% Quota to ITI

15 Wednesday Jan 2014

Posted by in BSNL News, PSU, Telecom

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The Cabinet Committee of Economic Affairs (CCEA) has approved the proposal of the DOT to continue allotment of 30% quota on telecom equipments for BSNL, MTNL to the ITI. The Press Statement issued by the Govt. in this connection is given below:

Procurement quota to M/s. Indian Telephone Industries Ltd. on procurements made by BSNL and MTNL

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has approved the following proposal of the Department of Telecommunications regarding continuation of reservation quota for M/s Indian Telephone Industries Limited (M/s. ITI Ltd.).

This will enable ITI to survive in the competitive environment of telecom manufacturing.

a) To continue the reservation quota policy for M/s ITI Ltd. by reserving 30 percent of procurement orders placed by BSNL and MTNL for M/s ITI Ltd., for products manufactured by ITI Ltd. and 20 percent of the network roll out orders for their turn key projects (like GSM network roll-out) of BSNL and MTNL.

b) ITI would accept orders under the reservation quota only after the price is known and it is commercially viable.

c) BSNL/MTNL will give 10 percent advance against the orders placed on ITI, subject to liquidation of advances outstanding against previous projects awarded to M/s ITI Ltd. by BSNL/MTNL., so that ITI does not face the problem of working capital for execution of orders, subject to adequate safeguards for proper utilization of these advances.

d) ITI shall exercise its option under the reservation quota within 15 days of the opening of bid.

e) The aforesaid policy measures shall remain in force for a period of one year with effect from 21.09.2013 and shall again be reviewed considering the financial health of ITl after the expiry of this period. However, the Government has introduced the Public Procurement Bill 2012 in Parliament, and under the provisions thereof, procuring entities, including CPSEs, would have to frame Rules for Public Procurement of Goods, Work and Services. Once such public procurement rules for CPSEs are framed after the enactment of the Public Procurement Act, these would also be applicable to CPSEs under the administrative control of the Department of Telecommunications.

BSNL and MTNL will be requested to extend the benefit of reservation quota to ITI Limited for a period of one year with effect from 21.09.2013.

The extension of the benefit of (i) 30 percent of procurement orders placed by BSNL / MTNL for M/s ITl Ltd. for products manufactured by it and (ii) 20 percent of the network roll out orders for turn key projects (like GSM network roll-out, etc.) of BSNL/ MTNL with 10 percent advance against the orders placed on M/s ITI Ltd., subject to liquidation of advances outstanding against previous projects awarded to M/s ITI Ltd. by BSNL/MTNL will ensure enough orders for ITl for production activities.

Private Telecom Companies oppose proposal to mandate government connections for BSNL, MTNL

14 Tuesday Jan 2014

Posted by in BSNL - Better Service to the Nation

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The Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI), the organisation of the private GSM Operators has opposed the proposal of the GoM on Revival of BSNL, MTNL to mandate the Central and State Governments and their PSUs to compulsorily use the PSU telephones.
There is no logic in their opposition. The private companies are continuously seeking all kinds of relaxation whether it is on tax, licence charges or revenue sharing. In addition, they manipulate the accounts to pay less to the government. A large number of cases are pending in this way. They want all benefits, but they oppose even a small benefit for the telecom PSUs.
The Government should immediately take decision on the proposal of the GoM and make it compulsory for all the Governments and PSUs compulsorily take the BSNL MTNL telephones and telecom services for their use.