In the India Mobile Congress held on 08.12.2020, Mukesh Ambani has declared that 5G is ready. He stated that, Jio will launch it’s 5G service in the second half of 2021. Further, Mukesh Ambani  also asserted that Jio will use Indian technology and equipments for this 5G service.

In the AUAB meeting held on 05.12.2020, certain demands are finalised regarding BSNL’s 4G launching. The same is communicated through AUAB’s circular no.15. In this regard, certain clarifications have been sought by our comrades. Hence, the following clarification is given regarding BSNL’s 4G launching.

Demand No.1

The DoT has decided that BSNL should procure it’s core 4G equipments only from Indian manufacturers. As everybody knows, the 4G technology of Indian manufactures is still untested and unproven. Hence, the AUAB is demanding that, the government   should permit BSNL also to procure equipments from multinational companies, as is being done by private telecom companies.

Demand No.2

BSNL is having 49,300 2G and 3G BTSs, which can be upgraded to 4G BTSs. Out of these, 13,300 BTSs are purchased from Nokia and 36,000  BTSs are purchased from ZTE.

Government has already banned purchasing of equipments from Chinese companies. At the same time, the equipments already purchased from Chinese companies like ZTE, continue to function in the networks of BSNL and also in the networks of private companies. Government has not decided to remove those equipments.  

Under these circumstances, the AUAB has decided to demand that, government should permit BSNL to upgrade the 36,000 2G and 3G BTSs purchased from ZTE, into 4G BTSs.

Demand No.3

Through the tender floated for phase of equipments for the 8.4 expansion, BSNL has already procured equipments from Nokia. Nokia was the L1 bidder in that tender. As per the tender conditions, BSNL can purchase additional equipments also, through this tender.

Now, AUAB wants the government to permit BSNL to make additional procurement of equipments, by placing Ad on purchasing order with Nokia. For this, BSNL has to get the approval of the government, because the DoT has already taken a stand that BSNL should procure it's 4G core equipments only from Indian manufactures. 

CHQ requests the circle and district unions, to make our comrades understand about the above mentioned demands. 

Countrywide lunch hour demonstrations are organised today by BSNLEU, in support of the Farmers’ agitation and the Bharat Bandh. Responding to the call of the CHQ of BSNLEU, spirited demonstrations are organised in various circles, demanding the withdrawal of the anti-farmer and pro-corporate Farm Acts, as well as the Electrify Bill (2020). CHQ heartily congratulates all those circle and district unions, which have organised the demonstrations today.

The Assistant Labour Commissioner (Central) conducted a conciliation meeting yesterday the 07-12-2020, on the strike notice issued for organising the General Strike on 26.11.2020.  Com.John Verghese, AGS, represented BSNLEU in this meeting.  BSNL Management is represented by Shri A.K. Sinha, DGM(SR). Detailed discussion took place on the charter of demands. In the course of the meeting, the DGM(SR) informed that, the Management is convening a meeting of the Wage Negotiation Committee, shortly. Action is being taken to implement the Group Term Insurance (GTI) shortly.  Minutes of this conciliation meeting is attached.

The launching of BSNL’s 4G service is getting further delayed, due to the complications being created by the government. As a result, BSNL has started sinking further. The BSNL Management and the Government have started operationalising the Subsidiary Tower Company. Due to the total mismanagement of the Company, like massive retrenchment of contract workers and mindless outsourcing of works, the landline and broadband services are menacingly affected. Under these circumstances, the AUAB held it’s meeting online on 05.12.2020. The discussions and the decisions taken in the meeting, are contained in the attached circular of the AUAB. Circle and district secretaries are requested to take this circular up to the grass-root level, by translating wherever it is necessary.

‘Bharat Bandh’ is being observed throughout the country today, in support of the Farmers’ agitation. The Central Trade Unions have extended their support to this 'Bharat Bandh'. As per media reports, the call for ‘Bharat Bandh’ has received very good support from the people.  It is appropriate that, the people of the country have risen in support of the farmers, who are providing food for the entire nation. BSNLEU supports this ‘Bharat Bandh’ and has called on it’s members to organise solidarity demonstrations today, as well as wearing of badges, in support of the farmers' agitation. 

BSNLEU is supporting tomorrow’s Bharat Bandh, called on by the Farmers’ Organisations. BSNLEU has given call for organising lunch hour demonstrations tomorrow the 08.12.2020. CHQ has prepared the above badge to be worn by the employees tomorrow. The badges can be printed wherever possible. In other places, computer print-outs can be taken and worn by the employees.

The Farmers’ Organisations, which are agitating for the repealing of the Farms Act and withdrawal of the Electricity Bill 2020, are organising a Bharat Bandh tomorrow. BSNLEU has already organised demonstrations in support of the farmers' struggle on 03.12.2020. Still, the All India Centre of BSNLEU calls upon our circle and district unions to support tomorrow’s Bharat Bandh and organise lunch hour demonstrations and gate meetings. CHQ is issuing a badge. Comrades are requested to wear this badge tomorrow. 

The Assistant Labour Commissioner (Central) has already started conciliation meetings with the unions and associations, to discuss the demands of the General Strike held on 26.11.2020. Separate notices have been issued by various unions and associations for this strike. Hence, the ALC(C) started holding separate conciliation meetings with each union / association. BSNLEU has demanded that all the unions and associations which served the strike notice should be collectively invited for the conciliation, since the charter of demands is one and the same. This demand has been accepted by the ALC(C) and accordingly a conciliation meeting has been called on 07.12.2020.  In the meanwhile, BSNLEU has written to the Chief Labour Commissioner of India, requesting that the conciliation meetings involving BSNL should be conducted at least at the level of the Deputy Chief Labour Commissioner (Central).

A Janata Curfew / Bharat Bandh has been called on 08^th December, 2020. The call has been given by the “Delhi Chalo Samyukta Kisan Morcha”. The Janata Curfew / Bharat Bandh is being organised demanding the repealing of  all the three anti-farmer and pro-corporate Farm Laws, as well as the withdrawal of the Electricity Bill 2020. 

The Samyukta Kisan Morcha has made an appeal to all sections of the people including workers, traders, petty producers, students, youth and women to extend solidarity and come shoulder to shoulder in support of the Janata Curfew / Bharat Bandh and make it a historic success. We have attached herewith a press statement of the All India Kisan Sabha dated 04.12.2020. 

A meeting of the AUAB is being held at 15:00 hrs today. It will be an online meeting, for which intimation has already been sent to all the General Secretaries on 29.11.2020 itself. Problems being created in BSNL’s 4G launching, efforts of the government to keep the Subsidiary Tower Company operational and outsourcing of works and the worsening of the landline and broadband services, will be discussed in this meeting.

It is a matter of great concern that Lakshmi Vilas Bank, a 94 year old Tamil Nadu based private sector bank, has collapsed. For 90 years, this bank had been making profits. However, in the last 4 years, it went into a big crisis. The reason is the big loans taken by corporates like Jet Airways, Reliance Housing Finance, Nirav Modi Group, Cox and Kings, Religare, etc. These loans were not repaid. The government also did not take steps to these sharks to repay the loans. As a result, the Lakshmi Vilas Bank collapsed. This is a clear case of corporates looting people’s money. When this being the case, the Modi government has taken a decision to allow the corporates themselves to start banks. This is nothing but handing over the keys to the thieves.  

The Maharashtra State Cabinet has taken the decision to change the caste-based names of localities in Maharashtra. Names of localities like Brahman-wada, Mahar-wada, Bouddh-wada, etc., will now be changed. This is really a progressive step, being taken by the Maharashtra government. BSNLEU welcomes the decision and appreciates the Maharashtra government. 

The fourth round of talks between the agitating farmers’ representatives and three Union Ministers were held in the Vigyan Bhawan at New Delhi, yesterday. The representatives of the farmers refused to take even tea during the meeting. Further, when lunch break came, the farmers’ representatives refused to accept the lunch offered by the Ministers. Rather, they told that they had brought their own lunch and ate their rotis in meeting venue itself.  Certainly, the farmers representatives have set an example for all of us. 

BSNLEU had given call to organise demonstrations in support of the lakhs of farmers, who are agitating on the borders of Delhi, demanding withdrawal of the recently passed Anti-Farmer Acts. Accepting the call of the CHQ of BSNLEU, lunch hour demonstrations have been effectively organised in many parts of the country. CHQ heartily thanks all the comrades. BSNLEU will continue to stand with the agitating farmers and will extend support to their justified struggles.

सीएचक्यू ने टेलीक्रूसेडर और बीएसएनएल स्वर की छपाई फिर से शुरू कर दी है।   

बीएसएनएलयू के सीएचक्यू ने लॉकडाउन के चलते टेलीक्रूसेडर और बीएसएनएल स्वरा की छपाई बंद कर दी है। पिछली बार टेलीक्रूसेडर और बीएसएनएल स्वर मार्च, 2020 में छपा था। अब स्थिति में सुधार होने के बाद से सीएचक्यू ने टेलीक्रूसेडर और बीएसएनएल स्वर की छपाई फिर से शुरू कर दी है। दिसंबर, 2020 के महीने के लिए टेलीक्रूसेडर की छपाई अभी चल रही है। इसे 05-12-2020 को भेजा जाएगा। बीएसएनएल स्वर भी प्रिंट कर अगले कुछ दिनों के भीतर भेजा जाएगा।