Tag Archives: Forum

Don’t close telegram services – Forum of BSNL Unions/Associations

13 Saturday Jul 2013

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A report in ” Hindu ” reproduced below:

“Even as the Union government gears to give the iconic telegram service a grand farewell on July 15, BSNL employees have condemned the move, arguing that it is still being used by government departments and organisations and those in rural and remote areas.

Rejecting BSNL’s contention that mounting losses made the service unsustainable, unions have urged Telecom Minister Kapil Sibal to try to make it profitable. “It is a valued service and should be kept as a skeleton service and preserved as a heritage,” says the Forum of BSNL Unions/Associations, which represents more than 2.5 lakh employees of the state telecom major.

‘Most authentic’

“Even after the introduction of… Internet, STD and e-mail, telegrams are still used by military personnel for official use and also for contacting their families from remote locations… Many banks and State governments are still utilising the service. Telegrams are also treated as most authentic… in legal matters and official records. At least, minimum service should be maintained in the interests of the people who are still using it,” Forum convener V.A.N. Namboodiri has said. He urged Mr. Sibal to hold discussions with unions before taking a final decision.

Mr. Sibal has said the telegram service will get a “ceremonial farewell.” “We will bid it a very warm farewell, and maybe the last telegram sent should be a museum piece. That is the way in which we can bid it a warm farewell,” he said on Thursday.

In India, the first telegraph message was transmitted live between Calcutta (now Kolkata) and Diamond Harbour, a distance of 50 km, on November 5, 1850; and the service was opened for the public in February 1855. Over the years, BSNL made several upgrades, the latest being the web-based messaging system introduced in 2010.”

 

National Convention on ” Revival of BSNL” on 3rd August 2013

12 Friday Jul 2013

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A National Convention of BSNL Employees will be held at Mavalankar Hall on 3rd August 2013 under the auspices of the Forum of BSNL Unions / Associations, the umbrella organisation of the unions and associations of Non-Executives and Executives in BSNL. About 1,000 delegates from the unions/associations from all parts of the country will participate.

Senior Members of Parliament, Trade Union leaders and other important personalities will participate and address the convention. On the basis of the Memorandum given by the Forum to the Prime Minister and Finance Minister who is also the Chairman of the GoM constituted for the purpose of revival of BSNL, further programmes, including action programmes, will be finalised  by the Convention.

After the National convention is held similar conventions will be organised at Circle and District levels.

BSNL FOR BETTER SERVICE !

Meeting with Secretary,DOT

03 Wednesday Jul 2013

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Meeting with Secretary, DOT

Com. V.A.N.Namboodiri, Convener, Forum  & Advisor AIBDPA and Com.K.G.Jayaraj, General Secretary, AIBDPA had a fruitful discussion with Shri M.F.Farooqui, Secretary, DOT today, 3rd July 2013. They mainly brought to his notice the issue of 78.2% IDA fixation for pensioners, both pre-2007 and post-2007, acute shortage of staff in CCA units, Grant of Minimum Pension of Rs. 3,880 (instead of Rs. 3,500), Undue delay in settlement of Anomaly in Pension for those retired within 10 months of formation of BSNL and Extension of Concession for Broad band connection to the DOT Retirees. The Secretary, DOT had a patient and positive hearing and assured that he will examine the issues and do the needful.

The representatives also pointed out about the move of the management to close the telegram services with effect from 15th July 2013 and requested his intervention.  The delay in the release of Rs. 1,500 crore from USOF to BSNL was also raised. (Later it was informed that Gazette Notification has already been issued to release the Fund). Com. Namboodiri  requested that the Memorandum given by the Forum on the revival of  BSNL to the GoM (with copy to Secretary, DOT) be given due priority.

 

Protest against 100% FDI in Telecom – Forum Press Release

03 Wednesday Jul 2013

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The following Press Release has been issued by Forum of BSNL Unions/Associations against the decision of the Telecom Commission to introduce 100% FDI in Telecom:

FORUM OF  BSNL UNIONS / ASSOCIATIONS

Press Release                                                                                                                                   3rd July 2013

BSNL Unions Oppose 100% FDI in Telecom

The decision of the Telecom Commission to increase the FDI in telecom sector from the present 74 % to 100% is totally opposed by the BSNL workers. This decision of the government not only raises serious security concerns, but also will result in the Indian private telecom companies being taken over by the foreign companies and adversely affect the growth of BSNL and MTNL in the fierce competitive atmosphere.

Telecom Sector has always been considered as the second line of defence. Whether in the First War of Independence or in the II World War or in any major wars afterwards, telecommunications always played an important role.  The communications system in the country cannot be under the control of foreign companies, whose interests are based only on profit. Any nation has to be extra careful about its defences, which also require control on the telecommunications systems. In this connection, it is to be pointed out that the unverified mobile connections found out in the hands of the terrorists, belonged to companies with Foreign Direct Investment. If the full control is with the foreign companies who do not have any concern for the security of India, what will happen at times of crises need not be elaborated.

Already 100% FDI is allowed in telecom equipment manufacturing for the last two decades. For the first time, 49% FDI was introduced in telecom services in the 1990s. In 2005, it was increased to 74%. Now the full circle is reaching with 100% FDI, if the central government approves of the same.

It is interesting that as usual, this decision is taken just before the scheduled tours of the Finance Minister and Communications Minister to US, in the second week of July. It is to be noted that the US as also the telecom MNCs have been putting much pressure on the government of India to increase the FDI in telecom services, which is one of fast growing sectors in the country.

The Forum of BSNL Unions / Associations strongly oppose the decision to increase the FDI to 100% in Telecom Sector and demand the government to desist from this dangerous move.

V.A.N.Namboodiri

Convener, Forum

Mob: 09868231431

Massive Meeting of BSNL Unioins/Assns at Mysore

22 Saturday Jun 2013

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.A meeting of the BSNL employees was organised under the platform of BSNL Unions/Associations at Mysore GM office premises on 21st June. More than three hundred workers were present. The meeting was presided over by the Chairman of the Forum Com.B.S.Venkatesh, Circle President SNEA. Coms. Krishna Gowde, Circle Vice-President, AIBSNLEA, M.C.Balakrishna, All India org. Secretary, BSNLEU, M.Mahadevappa, Dist. Secretary, BSNLEU, Lingaraju, DS SEWA BSNL, B.V.Ramachandra,DS AIBSNLEA, Mahadeve Gowda, DS NFTE, Basavaraju DS AIBDPA and other leaders were present in the dais.  Com. Ganesh, Convener, Forum welcomed all.  Shri K.L. Jayaram, Sr.GM,  addressed the meeting and appreciated the work being done by the Forum to improve the services. He assured that he will make maximum efforts  for improving BSNL.

Myself as the main speaker spoke mainly on the need to strengthen BSNL and the proposals given by the Forum to the Group of Ministers looking in to the revival of BSNL. The action taken by the Forum in this connection was briefed. He congratulated the workers for the excellent support in the recent proposed strike due to which the DOT / Management was compelled to issue orders on 78.2% IDA fixation.

My visit on 21st June at was an opportunity to meet a lot of old comrades. Com.R.G.Bhandari, Mukundan (both retired) , Prasanna, Subramaniam and many other comrades who were very active in organising the AITEU Class III (Namboodiri) and later BSNLEU came and met me. We spoke about the old times and also the need to continue the same in the future.

BSNL for Better Service

14 Friday Jun 2013

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The Core committee of the Forum of BSNL Unions / Associations in its meeting on 14th June elaborately discussed about holding of an All India Convention as already decided by the Forum. Tentatively, the Convention will be held on 3rd August. Trade Union leaders and Members of Parliament will address the Convention. The main intention of the convention is to propagate our demands and suggestions on the ‘Revival of BSNL’, get maximum support from the people and also to educate the employees to provide better service to the people.

Within the next three months such conventions will be held at Circle and District levels.

The Forum has called upon all workers to make these conventions a big success by participation and providing valuable suggestions.

Forum plans to revitalise BSNL for better service

13 Thursday Jun 2013

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The Forum of BSNL Unions/Associations which met today, 13 June 2013, called upon the entire BSNL employees to unitedly face the crisis and determinedly to make all efforts to revive BSNL, both financially and also in providing a better service to the people. The Forum sought meetings with the Finance Minister, who is the Chairman of the Group of Ministers on  Revival of BSNL and MTNL as also Communications Minister to present its view points included in the Memorandum submitted to them.

The meeting also decided to organise an All India Convention at New Delhi in August 2013 to be followed by Circle and State Conventions in the next three months to propagate its views and suggestions and get maximum support from the people for the revival of BSNL.

 

Forum Meets Parliament Members

19 Sunday May 2013

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After the Memorandum by the Forum of BSNL Unions/Associations has been submitted to the Finance Minister, Chairman of the Group of Ministers on Revival of BSNL and MTNL and other members of the Group, the Forum leaders have been meeting the Members of Parliament of various parties and requesting them to take up our case with the government and the Group of Ministers.

The Forum has already submitted to / met and discussed the Memorandum with Com. Sitaram Yechury, Basudeb Acharya, P.Karunakaran, Tapan Sen ( all CPI(M), Dr. Sanjeeva Reddy (Cong.), Gurudas Dasgupta (CPI), Sushama Swaraj, Arun Jaitely (BJP) and all Members of Parliament from Delhi State. Forum has asked the Circle/District leaders of the Forum to meet the MPs of their area, submit the memorandum to them and request them to take up the matter with thew GoM and also with the government.

The Press statement issued by the Convener has been published in some dailies. Peoples’ Democracy, Weekly Organ of the CPI(M), has published a good write-up on the Memorandum. Forum leaders at all levels are requested to give maximum publicity to the issues of BSNL and the demands raised in the Memorandum.

Joint Appeal by Forum Unions on 12th June strike

11 Saturday May 2013

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The BSNL Unions/Associations of the Forum have jointly issued an appeal to all the BSNL employees to actively participate in the agitational programmes chalked out demanding implementation of the agreement on 78.2% IDA fixation. Demonstrations on 22nd May, Dharnas on 5th June and Indefinite strike from 12th June are the programmes. We have to make the strike 100% strike literally ensuring that all the BSNL offices/exchanges are completely closed on the strike days.

The Joint Appeal is published in the BSNLEU website.

Support BSNL to come up – Forum asks Government

10 Friday May 2013

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

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FORUM OF BSNL UNIONS / ASSOCIATIONS

D-7, Telegraph Place, Gole Market, New Delhi – 110 001.

PressRelease                                                                                                                                                                             10th May, 2013

 On Revival of BSNL

 The Forum of BSNL Unions / Associations has submitted a Memorandum to the Group of Ministers appointed to look in to the revival of BSNL & MTNL, the Public Sector Telecom Companies.

Considering the fact that BSNL is a 100% govt. owned company, that the transition from a govt. department to a PSU where cut throat competition exists from the private operators resulting in financial difficulty as also that BSNL is the only telecom company providing the land lines and also majority of mobile lines in the lakhs of villages and remote areas which are loss making, as part of the govt. policy of providing universal services, the following proposals / demands have been included in the Memorandum.

The top management, which mainly belongs to the ITS officers are at present on deputation to BSNL. They should either be absorbed in BSNL or repatriated back to DoT to ensure efficient and committed leadership. Recruitment of capable management personnel as also promotion of efficient officers are required.

Compensation for loss-making rural services should be ensured. For this purpose, the ADC which was stopped some years back should be restored and liberal assistance from USO Fund should be provided.

The main reason for the loss for the last four years for BSNL is the equipment crunch. The cancellation of the 45.5 million mobile lines in 2007 was the starting point. Further, cancellation of 95 million lines, twice cancellation of 5 million lines etc. crippled BSNL in providing new connections. Had the mobile lines made available, BSNL could have well competed with private companies as it was doing well till 2007. Hence, it is necessary that a mechanism for procurement of equipment should be evolved enabling quick purchases, of course, ensuring accountability.

BSNL should be reimbursed the Rs.18,500 crore of licence fee charges for 3G and BWA spectrum, since it was imposed on BSNL without giving any opportunity to select the circles etc. It has already offered return of the BWA spectrum. The govt. should not wait for the re-auction for refunding the amount.

A very huge amount is collected by govt. for BSNL towards pension contribution. While the govt. had already issued orders to collect pension contribution based on the actual basic pay of the employee, pension contribution from BSNL is collected on the maximum of the payscale, which is unfair causing a huge burden on BSNL. This should be rectified and contribution on the actual basic pay only should be collected.

The govt. has collected interest at the high rate of 14.5% and penalty from BSNL towards a notional loan of Rs.7,500 crores (which was never given to BSNL). This should be refunded to BSNL and the injustice undone.

BSNL should be exempted from payment for the additional spectrum already granted. It should be mandatory for all Central, State govt. departments and PSU to take telecom services from the PSUs BSNL & MTNL as was directed in case of Air India. This will address the security concerns also.

The 7 telecom factories under BSNL should be modernised to manufacture telephone instruments modems, batteries, cables, optic fibre cables etc. so that the huge prices being paid to private companies can be reduced and the available staff in these factories can be fully utilised.

The Forum has also demanded that the Telecom Advisory Committee (TAC) at all levels be disbanded which has outlived its utility in the present competitive situation and is only causing huge expenditure to BSNL.

The Forum has expressed its strong protest against any proposal for disinvestment or for VRS, which will only destabilise the BSNL, as is clear from the experience of MTNL, where VRS and disinvestment have taken place more than once.

Many other suggestions for reviving the BSNL, improving its service and restoring its earlier position have been included in the memorandum. Copies of the memorandum has also been submitted to Prime Minister, all members of the committee including Communication Minister, Secretary DoT and CMD BSNL.

Forum of BSNL Unions / Association requests the Group of Ministers and the govt. to consider the above suggestions and take positive decisions so that BSNL will be revived and strengthened.

V.A.N.Namboodiri Convener

Mob: 9868231431