During the last week and this week, I met two senior officers in the BSNL Corporate Office and discussed in detail about the issues of the casual and contract labour.

I met Shri R.K.Goyal, GM(Estt.) and discussed with him on the issues of regularisation of the left-out casual labour. As per the answer given in the Parliament by the Minister, there are 3348 left out casual labour. In addition there are some more in certain states whose name has not been forwarded to the corporate office. Most of these casual labour, especially in W.Bengal where there are 2270 casual labour, are being paid the minimum of the CDA scale instead of the IDA scale. This is already unduly delayed. I told the GM that these houd be done without any further delay.

Secondly, all the existing and left out TSM and casual labour are to be regularised as has been done in the central services as also in the PSUs, despite the judgement in the Umadevi case. Already the workers have suffered a lot. Justice should be given to them.

Thirdly, I demanded that in the ensuing examination for promotion to TM, all the casual labour having the requisite qualification should be allowed to appear so that they can get promotion.

GM(Estt.) explained the position taken by the management on the above issues, which means nothing could be done immediately. We are continuing to take up the matter for getting favourable results.

Yesterday, I discussed with Shri A.K.Sanghi, GM(Admn) about the issues of the contract workers.It was brought to his notice about the non-implementation of the social security measures like EPF, ESI etc. and also non-payment of the minimum wage stipulated by the government of India and the BSNL corporate office. I also brought to his notice the many agitations going on due to non-implementation of orders.He assured that he will instruct the field officers to ensure that all the orders on contract workers are got implemented.