25 Wednesday Nov 2015
At last, as per reports, DOT has released the Rs. 1,250 crore USOF subsidy allotted for BSNL for the year 2012-13. This is in lieu of ADC, which was stopped earlier. Although the amount was allotted by the USOF two years back, it was not paid to BSNL on flimsy grounds.
Forum of BSNL Unions/Associations has been continuously demanding release of the same, since BSNL in big financial problem. At last, now the same has been released. BSNL can utilise the same for procurement of equipment.
11 Thursday Jun 2015
Posted in BSNL - Better Service to the Nation, Telecom
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It is known to every body that PSUs are not a priority to the central government. It is more worried about the private enterprises than its own companies.
Today’s press reports state that the NDA government is allotting Rs. 6,000 crore loan to Sugar Mills to clear dues to the farmers. We are not against the same, since it may benefit the farmers also in addition to the sugar barons.
But what about the amount of Rs. 1,250 crores already allotted to BSNL from USOF towards losses sustained by providing services in rural areas as per the policy of the government for the year 2012-13. Why not it is being paid, when BSNL is in difficulty to purchase equipment due to lack of funds?
Why not refund the BWA Spectrum Charges coming to about Rs. 6,000 Crores after surrender of the spectrum to government by BSNL three years back? Even if Rs. 2,000 crore has been adjusted towards payment of licence fee as claimed by the government, why not the balance Rs. 4,000 crore paid?
The central government should immediately act and pay BSNL its due with out any further delay.
09 Tuesday Jun 2015
Posted in BSNL - Better Service to the Nation
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Com. V.A.N.Namboodiri, former Convener, Forum of BSNL Unions/Associations and Patron BSNLEU met Smt. Aruna Sunderarajan, Administrator, USOF today, 9th June 2015 and requested that the Rs. 1,250 crore allotted for BSNL for 2012-13 be paid at the earliest. Administrator told that USOF had cleared the same and it is for the DOT to pay. Com. Namboodiri met Smt. Annie Moraes, Member (Finance) and Shri V.Umashanker, Joint Secretary(T) and pointed out the urgency of payment of both the above, since BSNL is having no funds to purchase equipments, when a large number of applications for landlines are being generated due to the new schemes announced by the BSNL like free roaming, free night calls etc.
Joint Secretary (T) stated that the DOT is fully aware of the requirement. After the meeting of the Secretary, DOT with the Forum on 1st May 2015, process for the same has started. He expressed the hope that a decision in the matter will be taken soon.
16 Thursday Apr 2015
Posted in BSNL - Better Service to the Nation, Forum
Com.V.A.N.Namboodiri, Convener, Forum of BSNL Unions and Associations met Smt. Aruna Sundararajan, Administrator,USOF, and discussed about the release of the Rs. 1,250 crores which is allotted to BSNL in lieu of ADC for the year 2012-13. Administrator USOF stated that the matter will be favourably considered.
This was recommended by the TRAI two years back. This amount is very much necessary for the financial viability of BSNL. Forum has been pressing for the release of the amount for the last two years. Unnecessary delay has already occurred. It is hoped that USOF will take immediate action.
04 Saturday Apr 2015
Posted in BSNL - Better Service to the Nation, BSNL News, Forum, Telecom
Shri Ravi Shankar Prasad, Communications Minister has stated that he will not allow BSNL to die and all support will be given for its revival. He can do one thing immediately.
It is the refund of the amount of BWA spectrum which BSNL has surrendered to DOT two years back. BSNL had paid a total of Rs. 18,500 crore to the Government for both 2G and BWA spectrum. Out of this BWA spectrum worth about Rs. 6,700 crores has been returned back and it was assured by the government that this amount will be refunded. Though it is more than two years, the government is keeping the money with them without refund.
In the same way, an amount of Rs. 1,250 crore has already been allotted to BSNL for 2012-13 from USOF in lieu of ADC, but that also has not been paid for no reason at all.
BSNL is in financial difficulty to purchase equipment urgently required for expansion and development. The Government should immediately disburse these amounts to BSNL for the above purposes.
As stated above, Communications Minister can ensure that these amounts are paid to the BSNL immediately so that it can purchase equipment.
27 Friday Jun 2014
The project for providing broadband connectivity to one lakh Panchayats in the country through NOFN will not be fulfilled by 2014-15 as declared earlier. There has been much delay in implementing the project. Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF), which is funding the project which is to be implemented by BSNL, Railtel and Powergrid , has informed the Communications Minister that only 50,000 Panchayats can be covered during the period as most of the cable-laying , trenching and ducting work is incomplete.
This raises important questions. Whether it is the BSNL etc. which is delaying the matter or whether there is delay in sanctioning the funds by USOF or whether there are problems in the tenders, or whether there is no co-ordination between BSNL, Railtel and Powergrid etc. But one thing is clear. Neither the DOT, USOF, BSNL or others connected with the project have not taken the matter seriously. There may be some delay but the fact that only 50% can be completed during the period is completely unacceptable.
25 Tuesday Feb 2014
Posted in BSNL - Better Service to the Nation, Telecom
Com.V.A.N.Namboodiri, Convener, Forum, today (25-02-2010) met Shri N.Ravi Shankar, Administrator, Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF) and discussed about the assistance to be provided to BSNL from the Fund. Com. Namboodiri asked the Administrator to release the Rs. 1,250 crore which is approved for BSNL for 2012-13 in lieu of ADC at the earliest. He stated that there was much delay from BSNL for getting reply to certain clarifications. After getting the clarifications, they have been forwarded NIC for approval. Once the approval comes, the amount will be released.
The Administrator also stated that the NOFN, installation of 2200 towers in the naxalite area, the network for the defence for release of spectrum etc. are being delayed and require urgent attention by BSNL, for which funds are being allotted by the USOF.
07 Thursday Nov 2013
Posted in Telecom
It is reported that the DoT has already recommended to widen the scope of functioning of the Bharat Broadband Network Limited (BBNL) to make it a full fledged telecom service company. BBNL was formed for the purpose of operation of the NOFN project. According to the reports, the DOT has recommended that the CAPEX (Capital Expenditure) of BBNL coming to Rs. 3750 crore will be from the USO Fund while the Opex (Operational Expenditure) will be borne by the Rural Development Ministry. If the Telecom Commission accepts the proposal, then it will be submitted to the Cabinet.
01 Tuesday Oct 2013
Posted in BSNL - Better Service to the Nation
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Com. VAN Namboodiri, President, BSNLEU met Shri A.N.Rai Director(HR) and discussed about the agitation going on in W.Bengal on the basis of urgent demands and demanded early settlement of the same. Many demands are connected with the improvement of services. He assured that all these will be looked into.
Com.Namboodiri met Shri KCGK Pillai,Director (Finance) and discussed about the issue of USOF subsidy of Rs. 1,250 crore to BSNL for the year 2012-13 and the queries by the INCF. He told that the quiries are being replied. Com.Namboodiri also pointed out the delay in getting GPF advances at field level. Director (F) told that though there is lack of funds, maximum efforts will be made to release funds for the GPF advances.
30 Monday Sep 2013
Posted in BSNL - Better Service to the Nation
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Today, Com.V.A.N.Namboodiri, Convener, Forum of BSNL Unions/Associations along with Com.K.G.Jayaraj, General Secretary, AIBDPA met Shri N.Ravi Shankar, Administrator, USO Fund and requested for early disbursement of Rs. 1,250 crore to BSNL which has been recommended / approved for the present financial year, in continuation of the Rs.1,500 crore paid for the last financial year. Administrator stated that certain inquiries have been sought from BSNL, which is to be furnished to the National Institute of Communication Finance (NICF) before the final clearance of the subsidy. The union leaders pointed out about the weak financial position of the BSNL and sought for early release of the subsidy.
