07 Wednesday Aug 2013
Posted in BSNL - Better Service to the Nation
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It is reported in the press that DOT has suggested to GoM that the debt of MTNL and BSNL can be taken care of by the government, instead of refunding the charges paid by BSNL and NTNL for the broadband spectrum which has been surrendered. The amount paid by BSNL and MTNL for the spectrum is Rs. 8,300 crore and Rs. 4,500 crore respectively.
But this news could not be got confirmed from the DOT.
29 Saturday Jun 2013
Posted in Telecom
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It has been reported in the press that the Defence Forces are having difficulty due to the non-roll-out of the OFC network, which has been entrusted to DOT, who in turn has allotted the project to BSNL. It was to have been completed by now, for compensating for the release of important spectrum by the Defence to DOT.
BSNL is reported to have floated tender for the OFC in 2010 which was cancelled. Another tender in 2012 was also cancelled. The result is that the network is not rolled out so far.
It is necessary to find out why this important work is not done and who is responsible. The report puts the blame on BSNL. But what is the reason is to be found out. Further the BSNL Management should take immediate action for finalising the same, since it is concerned with Defence.
Forum of BSNL Unions/Associations has written to CMD BSNL with copy to Secretary DOT in the matter.
27 Thursday Jun 2013
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The CAG has blamed DOT for the 3G Auction mess and low auction bids. It points that the loss occurred due to the special clause included in 2008 to permit intra-circle roaming without taking the views of the TRAI.
Let us what the government has to say about the report of CAG?
25 Tuesday Jun 2013
Posted in BSNL - Better Service to the Nation
Meeting with Additional Secretary, DOT
Com.V.A.N.Namboodiri, Convener, Forum & Advisor AIBDPA and K.G.Jayaraj, General Secretary, AIBDPA met Smt. Rita Teotia, Additional Secretary, DOT and discussed the issue of orders on 78.2% IDA fixation for the BSNL pensioners retired before 01-01-2007. They urged for issue of early orders. The issue of early payment of Rs. 1,500 crore from USOF was also pointed out for which the Addl. Secretary assured early action and stated that only the Gazette Notification is further required in the matter.
Meeting with Member (Services) and Member (Finance)
The AIBDPA leaders met Shri S.C.Misra, Member (Services) and Smt. Sadhana Dixit, Member (Finance) and urged for necessary action for issue of necessary orders on the payment of 78.2% IDA fixation for the pre-2007 pensioners. Copy of the letter addressed to Secretary, DOT in the matter was handed over.
Meeting with Director, Finance (BSNL)
Coms. V.A.N.Namboodiri and K.G.Jayaraj met Sri KGCK Pillai, Director (Finance), BSNL and discussed about the implementation of the orders on the payment of 78.2% IDA pay fixation. Shri R.K.Goyal, GM (Estt.) was also present. The union leaders requested that the method of fixation and connected matters be clearly directed so that there will be no confusion at the field level. Director(F) assured that this will be done.
Meeting with CMD BSNL
Coms. V.A.N.Namboodiri and K.G.Jayaraj, General Secretary AIBDPA met Shri R.K.Upadhyay, CMD BSNL and discussed about the restoration of the services in the flood and landslide ravaged Uttarakhand and HP and offered maximum support from the workers and pensioners. CMD stated that most of the towers and other infrastructure have been restored, but again due to the heavy rain, cables have been destroyed. They are also being restored. He appealed for maximum donations from the staff.
The Association leaders requested for extension of provision of concessional Broad band connections to the DOT retirees. He assured that the issue will be positively considered.
14 Friday Jun 2013
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The move to disinvest at least 10% stake in Telecommunications Consultants India Limited (TCIL) has strengthened with the DOT starting initial preparations for the same. TCIL is 100% government-owned and is a profitable PSU. Its net worth is assumed at Rs. 1331.11 crores and is having operations in 58 countries. Many of the DOT / BSNL officials are working in TCIL on deputation basis. A small % of shares will be open for employees under ESOP scheme.
We are opposed to the disinvestment. It has to be seen how the employees of the TCIL react to the new development.
08 Saturday Jun 2013
Posted in BSNL - Better Service to the Nation
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.
06 Thursday Jun 2013
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The leaders of the Forum of BSNL Unions & Associations met the Secretary, DOT and presented the copy of the Memorandum submitted to the Finance Minister, Chairman of the Group of Ministers ‘On Revival of BSNL & MTNL’ and demanded for favourable consideration of the points raised by the Forum.
The leaders also raised the issue of 78.2% IDA fitment and requested for issue of early approval and orders.
Secretary, DOT agreed to look in to the matter expeditiously. His attitude was positive. He stated that he may be contacted again by tomorrow.
BSNL workers are requested to fully prepare for the Indefinite strike from 12th June 2013. If the issue is not settled before 12th, the management and DOT will have to face the wrath of the 2,55,000 BSNL workers who are going to hit back.
05 Wednesday Jun 2013
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The massive dharnas in all the SSAs (Districts) and Circle HQs(State capitals) and Corporate Office of BSNL have been actively participated by thousands of employees giving a clear signal to the DOT and BSNL Management that if the issue of 78.2% IDA fixation issue is not settled as already agreed one year back on 12th June 2012 in the face of the indefinite strike by workers, another Indefinite Strike is going to take place from 12th June 2013, exactly after one year of the agreement. The full responsibility for the confrontation and the adverse effect on the company will lie with the BSNL Management and DOT. BSNL workers and the Forum of BSNL Unions & Associations, which gave the call for the strike, have very patiently waited for one year to get the agreement implemented. But there is a limit to patience also. It is to be pointed out here that the DOT as well as the BSNL Management took extra interest in implementing the government orders on the recommendations of the VI Central Pay Commission (CPC) in the case of ITS officers who are on deputation to BSNL, but with regard to its own workers, the orders on 78.2% IDA fixation stand not implemented. This is nothing but complete indifference, discrimination and an insult to the BSNL workers. This is intolerable and untenable.
Naturally, the employees are agitated. If the issue is not settled before 12th June, the BSNL management is going to face a complete strike and anger of the workers.
On behalf of the Forum of BSNL Unions & Associations, we demand the management to honour its committment and ensure issue of orders on 78.2% IDA fixation immediately.
05 Wednesday Jun 2013
Posted in Telecom
The penalties being imposed on the private telcos for various violations of rules and regulations as well as cheating of the government are going to be softened after the complaints by the telcos to the government and specially to the Communications Minister. This was only expected from the government who wants to bestow all favours on the private companies in the name of bringing in more investment. The Idea Cellular, Vodafone, Airtel, Tata etc. are going to benefit from the relaxed position of the DOT. Further it will encourage them to continue the malpractices, well knowing that they can get out of it.
15 Wednesday May 2013
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What the unions and sensible persons have been telling all along, the National Security Council have also taken the same stand now. It has supported the position taken by the DOT, that local manufacturing of telecom equipment should be given priority compared to im[port of the same.
Lakhs of crores of rupees had already gone to the foreign companies towards import of telecom gear. But it is not the reason for the present sand of the NSC and DOT. It is the security concern. They are worried about the equipments imported by Chinese companies, Huawei and ZTE. Since the Chinese equipments are cheap, most of the private companies have been importing the same. But it was when BSNL planned to purchase equipment from these Chines companies that the security alert became stronger.
Any way, the decision to focus on local manufacturing is a wise decision. We have got C-DOT, ITI, Telecom Factories etc. which can a play a big role in R&D and also manufacturing. Whether DOT and BSNL will utilise the opportunity and start manufacturing in a sizable way? It has got to be seen.
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