Tag Archives: BSNL

GoM on Revival of BSNL & MTNL Meets

13 Thursday Jun 2013

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The first meeting of the Group of Ministers (GoM) on ‘Revival of BSNL & MTNL’ met yesterday, 12th June 2013, and started discussion in the matter. DOT, BSNL and MTNL are reported to have submitted its presentations on the present situation of the two companies and the reasons for the decline of services and revenues.

It is reported that the DOT requested for the refund of the charges of Rs. 12,846 crore for the BWA spectrum which has been surrendered by the companies. The liability of MTNL for the pension coming to about Rs. 7500 crore was also pointed out. BSNL and MTNL Managements are also reported to have represented their case for financial support.

The Forum of BSNL Unions & Associations have already submitted a detailed Memorandum to the GoM on how the BSNL can be revived. Forum has also sought a meeting with the GoM and its  Chairman, Finance Minister P.Chidambaram.

Forum has called upon all the Circle / District Secretaries to meet the Member/s of Parliament in their area and furnish the Memorandum to them with the request to take up the matter with the government to ensure financial support and preference to the BSNL. This is to be taken seriously and with implemented effectively and reported to Forum General Secretaries.

Closure of Telegram Services opposed

12 Wednesday Jun 2013

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

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I express my strong protest against the decision of BSNL to close the telegram services. BSNL has issued orders stating that the telegram services will be closed with effect from 15th July 2013.

This decision has been taken by the management without discussing with the recognised unions. Telegraph Services were started in India by the British in 1850. On 5th November, the first message went between Diamond harbour and Calcutta.First  it was only for use of the government and later extended to the people. Telegraph was the fastest mode of communications till the telephones services started in the 1930s. Still telegraphs continued as a major method of communication.

The Central Telegraph Offices in Calcutta, Bombay, Delhi, Madras etc. employed hundreds of Telegraphists, Telegraph Clerks and Telgraphmen on duty round  the clock. It was not  much different in other cities. The cut-cut-cud-cut of the telegraph machines filled the Instrument Rooms. The traffic was so busy that sometimes the staff have to forego even tea-break.

Of course, everything has changed during the last two decades. 90% of the telegrams have been reduced. Now it is being used in the rural areas, by the military and military personnel, some banks, medical rpresentatives and by some others for legal and record purposes etc.

BSNL management might have issued the order  to reduce its losses being incurred for running the services. Nobody will deny that justification. BUt as in the case of loss making telephone services in the rural areas, the telegram service also has to be maintained. Further, before taking such a drastic action as closing the service completely, the recognised unions of the employees have not even been consulted. The Management also should have considered the people who are still using the telegram services. Telegraph is to be treated as a Heritage service and maintained at least in the District HQrs as at present.

I express my strong protest against this closure of one of the earliest service in the country. The BSNL Management should urgently discuss the matter with the unions/associations so that the issue is solved in an amicable way.

Congratulations to BSNL Workers! 78.2% IDA orders issued

11 Tuesday Jun 2013

Posted by in BSNL - Better Service to the Nation

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The long pending demand of the BSNL workers for 78.2% IDA fixation w.e.f. 01-01-2007, has been achieved after a long struggle. The BSNL Management has issued the orders on the same today, 11th June 2013.

Congratulations to all the workers for standing firm and determined behind the Forum of BSNL Unions & Associations and implementing effectively all the action programmes called by the Forum. It is only under the threat of an indefinite strike, that the issue could be settled.

Thanks are also due to the DOT and BSNL for realising the serious situation and have  fast-tracked  for issuing the orders, even though at the last moment.

BSNL and MTNL increase Market share

11 Tuesday Jun 2013

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As per the data released by the TRAI, during the three months from January to March 2013, BSNL & MTNL have increased their market share. At the same time, the market share of Bharti Airtel has reduced during the period. however, the market shares of Idea as also Vodafone have increased.

BSNL and MTNL have to put maximum efforts to continue the improvement and better performance.

BSNL Management has to move fast or face Indefinite Strike

08 Saturday Jun 2013

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After hectic negotiations  in this week with DOT, BRPSE etc. something has started moving in connection with the demand of the Forum of BSNL Unions & Associations for the implementation of the agreement signed between the BSNL Management and the Forum on grant of 78.2% IDA fixation for BSNL employees. BRPSE has stated that they do not have any role in the matter and the DOT can take its own decision. As per CMD’s telephonic talk yesterday, the Forum has been told that the DOT has approved 78.2% IDA fixation and that orders will be issued  soon.

This assurance is welcome. It is in the face of the struggle that both DOT and BSNL have started moving. Now there is not much time left since the entire workers are ready for a complete indefinite strike from 12th June onwards. The DOT and BSNL Management should not wait till that date to issue the necessary orders. Both the DOT and BSNL Management should ensure that the orders as assured are released on Monday itself. That will be the most appropriate step for the BSNL Management  to avoid a confrontation and also to show that they are sincere about honouring the assurance given to the Forum and workers.

5 year Wage Revision in CPSEs – Govt. Notification

06 Thursday Jun 2013

Posted by in BSNL News

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The Government of India has issued a Press Note on 4th June stating that  PSUs which had made wage agreement for 5 years can have the next wage revision for the non-executives with effect from 01-01-2012, with certain conditions. A copy of the same is given below:

Policy for wage negotiations for workmen in Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs)
“The Union Cabinet today approved the proposal for permitting the management of Central Public Service Enterprises (CPSEs) to initiate wage negotiations generally effective from 01.01.2012, subject to the condition that negotiated scales of pay would not come in conflict with existing scales of pay of executives / officers and non-unionized supervisors of the respective CPSEs.   This will benefit workmen of those CPSEs which opted for 5 years of wage settlement w.e.f. 01.01.2007 and they can now go for another wage negotiation for 5 years w.e.f. 01.01.2012.

Background :   There are 260 CPSEs in the country employing 13.98 lakh persons (2.74 lakh executives, 0.31 lakh non-unionized supervisors and 10.93 lakh unionized supervisors and workmen) as on 31.3.2012.”

This is an achievement due to the continued struggles of the PSU workers. In BSNL, BSNLEU,  the recognised union, insisted for a 5 years wage negotiation at the time of the last negotiation itself. It has raised the demand later also. In the Central Executive Committee to be held at Kolkata in July 7-9, both the Wage Revision from 01-01-2012 and Merger of 50% IDA are notified as main agendas. BSNLEU will insist that the 5 year period wage revision should be implemented in BSNL.

GoM on Revival of BSNL & MTNL to meet on 11th June

05 Wednesday Jun 2013

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The Group of Ministers (GoM) appointed to recommend on the revival of BSNL & MTNL and headed by Finance Minister P.Chidmbaram, is scheduled to meet on 11th June as per media reports.

The Forum of BSNL Unions & Associations have already submitted its memorandum to the GoM, as also to the Prime Minister, Communications Minister, DOT and CMD BSNL. Forum has approached the leaders of political parties as also many Members of Parliament to get support to the proposals.

Since the meeting of the GoM is now fixed for 11th June 2013, all the Circle and District Secretaries of BSNL Unions & Associations are reminded  to meet the MPs of their constituency, give a copy of the Memorandum and request to take up the issue with Finance Minister and the government for acceptance and implementation of the same. Our comrades should take this responsibility seriously.

 

 

Cabinet approves proposal to erect 2199 towers in naxal affected areas

05 Wednesday Jun 2013

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As we have pointed out a few days back, the Cabinet has expeditiously cleared the Communication Ministry proposal to erect 2199 mobile towers in the naxal affected areas in the nine states of Madhya Pradesh, Chattisgarh,  Andhra Pradesh,  Bihar,  Jharkhand, Maharashtra,  West Bengal, Odisha and Uttar Pradesh.

The project will be entrusted to BSNL for implementation within one year. An amount of Rs. 3,046.12 crore will be allotted for this project from the Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF).

BSNL should take this project as a challenge and ensure that it is completed within the stipulated period. BSNL has to show to the country that it and not the private telcos are there to defend the country, when it is in difficulty or when it is facing security risks.

Massive Dharnas in BSNL against injustice

05 Wednesday Jun 2013

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As per the call of the Forum of BSNL Unions & Associations, massive dharnas were organised in all the state capitals, District capitals and at the BSNL Corporate office premises demanding immediate orders on 78.2% IDA fixation benefit to  the employees by honouring the strike agreement between the BSNL Management and the Forum on 12th June 2012, one year earlier. The Department of Public Enterprises(DPE) had already issued the orders on the same much earlier and have been implemented in almost all other PSUs. For the Central Government employees also the fixation has been done, as per CDA. BSNL Management itself has implemented all the VI CPC recommendations to the ITS officers (Group A) who are on deputation to BSNL. Denying the same to the executives and non-executives in BSNL is complete injustice and can not be tolerated. It is on this issue, the massive dharnas were organised today. Tens of thousands of workers participated in the dharna all over India.

We demand the management to honour the agreement and implement 78.2% IDA fixation immediately before the workers go on an indefinite strike from 12th June 2013, as given notice of.

2199 towers in Naxal affected areas for mobile coverage – BSNL to do the work

31 Friday May 2013

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The central government has cleared the long pending proposal of erecting 2199  towers in the naxal affected areas in A.P., Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Maharashtra, M.P.,Odisha, UP and W.Bengal in order to cover the so far not-covered areas by mobile connections. The proposal has been pending for some years. The recent drastic attack by the naxalites and killing of senior leaders of Congress in Chattisgarh have woken up the sleeping ministry which took the decision now.

The 3,046.12 crore project will be funded from USOF and no tender need be floated. BSNL will be entrusted with the work. Of course, the government very well know that no private telco will take up this dangerous task in the naxalite areas.

BSNL is dedicated to the nation and it will take up the responsibility. The Government should remember that it is only BSNL which it can depend upon any emergency and security of the nation and the people.