Tag Archives: DOT

Forum Meeting with Secretary, DOT

04 Tuesday Mar 2014

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

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A delegation of the Forum of BSNL Unions/Associations met Shri M.F.Farooqui, Secretary, DOT and discussed about the BSNL-MTNL Merger and other issues connected with the viability of BSNL. Coms. V.A.N.Namboodiri, Convener, Forum, Prahlad Rai, GS AIBSNLEA, G.L.Jogi, President, SNEA and K.Sebastin, GS SNEA were present.The meeting was held after a letter was submitted by the Forum opposing Merger of BSNL, without resolving the major issues connected with the same.

The Forum leaders expressed their great concern with regard to the proposed merger of BSNL and MTNL and formation of a tower company . There are serious issues to be resolved before the question of merger is to be considered. The difference in the payscales of BSNL and MTNL employees, MTNL disinvested about 465% while BSNL is a full govt. owned company, the huge liabilities etc. of MTNL are some of them. Bifurcation of BSNL and formation of a tower company will adversely affect BSNL.
The Secretary, DOT assured the leaders that before any merger decision is taken the unions will be taken in to confidence. A meeting with unions will be held by BSNL. The concerns of the unions will be taken in to consideration before any decision is taken. He also stated that immediate action may not be there.

The representatives wanted that the Rs.1,250 crores from USOF in lieu of ADC be released at the earliest which is pending with NIC. They also wanted that the pension contribution be only on the actual basic pay, instead of the maximum of the pay scale. Secretary DOT assured that these will be taken up with the concerned authorities.

The Secretary DOT stated that before taking any decision, the unions will be heard. The Secretary DOT expressed his concern about the BSNL services and wanted that it should improve much to the satisfaction of the subscribers. The union representatives shared the opinion and stated about the effort the Forum is making for a better service and efficiency.

The Secretary DOT patiently heard the unions and was very sympathetic with the issues raised by the unions.

Meeting with Member (Finance), DOT

20 Thursday Feb 2014

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Com.V.A.N.Namboodiri, President, BSNLEU and Advisor,AIBDPA met Smt. Annie Moraes, Member (Finance), DOT and discussed the issues of the pensioners.
1. 78.2% IDA for Pensioners: The resentment and restiveness of the pensioners due to the delay in issuing orders for 78.2% IDA was brought to the notice of the Member (Finance).She was requested to take up the matter at Secretary level so that early approval is received from the Department of Expenditure. She agreed to do the same and make efforts for early clearance from DoE.
2. Delay in payment of pension revision cases of pre-2007 and post-2007 pensioners: Advisor AIBDPA brought to the notice of the M(F), the undue delay taken place in fixation and payment of pension arrears and requested for early settlement. Member (F) stated that the matter is being monitored on weekly basis and the CCAs have been instructed for clearance of these settlements at the earliest. BSNL Management also have been directed for suitable action in the matter.
3. The views of the union in connection with the revival of BSNL, Merger proposal of BSNL and MTNL were also discussed.

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.

TRAI recommendation on Spectrum charges will cause loss of Rs.3,738 crore to Govt.

27 Friday Dec 2013

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NEW DELHI: The Department of Telecom has estimated that lowering annual spectrum fee as recommended by Trai will cause the national exchequer a minimum loss of Rs 3,738 crore on renewal of the three licences that are due to expire in 2014.

Airtel’s licences in Delhi and Kolkata, Vodafone’s in Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata and Loop Mobile’s in Mumbai are to expire in 2014.The TRAI has recommended 3% flat rate for the licences which is below the present rate. (Courtesy: ET)

Rs. 600 crore penalty on Idea for illegal merger

04 Wednesday Dec 2013

Posted by in Telecom

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DOT has imposed a penalty of Rs. 600 crore on telecom service provider idea for violating the licence conditions while acquiring Spice Communications, another telecom company.

Penalties are slammed for violations like this, but with their influence and money, later most of the Indian and MNC companies are able to get out of the charge and go scot free. Let us wait for what happens in the case of idea.

Group of Ministers on Telecom will finalise M&A Norms

29 Friday Nov 2013

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The meeting of the Group of Ministers (GoM) on Telecom, which is scheduled to meet on 3rd December 2013 is expected to finalise the norms for Mergers & Acquisitions for the telecom industry. Now that the telecom situation in the country, the spectrum auction etc. is almost normalised, the chance for M&A have increased.
The Telecom Commission may put certain conditions for the M&A in connection with the % of assets of the merging company, the charges for the spectrum allocation etc. so that there is no discrimination between the single technology operator and the double technology operator. The former company may have only GSM or CDMA, while the latter will have both GSM and CDMA.

Dial 1037 for Telecom Complaints – DOT

26 Tuesday Nov 2013

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DOT has issued a circular stating that a short code ‘1037’ has been allotted to the Public Grievances Cell in DOT as a telecom consumer helpline.
Subscribers of any telecom service provider can complaint to this number about the services and other complaints.

Solarisation of telecom towers – BSNL will be entrusted

13 Sunday Oct 2013

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It is reported that the Committee constituted by the DOT to examine the matter has recommended to entrust BSNL the task of solarisation of the telecom towers in the rural areas of the country, which are lacking in electricity. The process will be funded by the USOF. In recommending, the Committee has considered the vast infrastructure network of the BSNL through out the country. Abou 3.5 lakh towers are the immediate target.
The USOF is having more than Rs.27,500 crore in its kitty and it is no great problem for it to release the fund.
BSNL Management should immediately try to get the order so that it can utilise its infrastructure for the benefit of the people.

Telecom Commission approves Spectrum Trading and Sharing.

08 Tuesday Oct 2013

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In a new development, the Telecom Commission has accepted the recommendations of the TRAI to allow the telecom companies to trade and share the spectrum allotted to them. Existing licencing condition does not allow spectrum sharing or trading. In fact, DOT has proceeded earlier for action against the private companies for sharing their spectrum with other private companies. The present decision will benefit the private players in a big way.

3rd round of Spectrum Auction from 7 January

07 Monday Oct 2013

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The third round of spectrum auction is expected to start from January 7 as per the tentative timeline prepared by the inter-ministerial committee (IMC), which was set up by the Department of Telecom for the purpose.
The base price for the spectrum will be brought down. But to what extent will be known after the difference between DOT and TRAI is sorted out.