The greatest hero of the Indian Freedom Movement, Bhagat Singh, together with Sukhdev and Rajguru, was sent to the gallows by the British imperialists on 23-03-1931. It is already 87 years since these great heroes attained martyrdom. However, still they continue to inspire all those who fight against exploitation and injustices. Despite the “Goebal’s lies” unleashed by the corporate media, the working class continues to launch heroic struggles against capitalist exploitations. It is also relevant to mention here that, Bhagat Singh was inspired by the Great October Revolution and the teachings of Lenin. BSNLEU has inherited the revolutionary spirit of these great heroes. As per the decisions of it’s CEC meetings, BSNLEU is observing the martyrdom of Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev and Rajguru every year. Accordingly, CHQ calls upon the circle and district unions to observe this day, by conducting special meetings and other programme.

The 9th All India Conference of BSNLEU is starting at Mysuru tomorrow the 17th December, 2018. It is a 4 day Conference, which will get concluded on 20th December, 2018. Com.Tapan Sen, General Secretary, CITU, is delivering the Inaugural Address of the Conference. Leaders of fraternal organisations are greeting. A colourful rally will be organised tomorrow afternoon. This will be followed by a seminar, on the revival of BSNL. This All India Conference will be discussing very serious issues including the 3rd Wage Revision, Revival of BSNL, etc., and will also draw the road map for achieving them.

The 3rd triennial conference of AIBDPA started enthusiastically at Kolkata today. The Conference was inaugurated by Com. Hanan Mollah, General Secretary, All India Kisan Sabha. Com. Anantha Bhattacharjee, is presiding over. Com. P. Abhimanyu, GS, addressed the Conference and spoke on the recently held 3 day strike, issues related to the financial viability of BSNL, 3rd Pay Revision, Pension Revision, etc. Com. V.A.N.Namboodiri, Advisor, AIBDPA, Com. K.G.Jayaraj, GS,AIBDPA, Com.S.S.Ray,Working President, NCCPA, Com. Animesh Mitra, SG, BSNL CCWF, and Com.R.N.Dhal, AGS, AIPRPA addressed the inaugural session.

नॉन एग्जीक्यूटिव्ज के वेज रिवीजन हेतु वार्ता (negotiations) की पुनः शुरुआत...
BSNLEU द्वारा प्रबंधन पर नॉन एग्जीक्यूटिव्ज के वेज रिवीजन हेतु वार्ता (negotiations) की पुनः शुरुआत हेतु दबाव बनाया जा रहा है। 08.04.2019 को डायरेक्टर  (HR) के साथ संपन्न औपचारिक मीटिंग में इस मुद्दे पर चर्चा की गई थी। डायरेक्टर  (HR) ने GM(SR) को निर्देशित किया था कि वें DoT को पत्र लिख कर सूचित करें कि प्रबंधन, वार्ता (negotiations) की पुनः शुरुआत करना चाहता है। कॉम पी अभिमन्यु, जीएस ने श्री ए एम गुप्ता, GM(SR) से चर्चा कर प्रकरण में प्रगति बाबद जानकारी ली। ऐसा प्रतीत होता है कि कॉर्पोरेट ऑफिस की एसआर ब्रान्च ने DoT से इस संबंध में किसी भी प्रकार का पत्राचार नही किया है। महासचिव ने GM(SR) से कार्यवाही शीघ्र पूर्ण करने का अनुरोध किया जिससे कि वेज रिवीजन हेतु वार्ता शीघ्र शुरु की जा सके।

मेम्बरशिप वेरिफिकेशन तक ट्रेड यूनियन कार्यवाही पर प्रतिबंध लगाने के कॉर्पोरेट ऑफिस के आदेश पर माननीय मद्रास उच्च न्यायालय का स्थगन.....
यह एक बड़ी खबर है कि माननीय मद्रास उच्च न्यायालय द्वारा कॉर्पोरेट ऑफिस के पत्र दिनांक 02.07.2019, जिसके तहत 8वें मेम्बरशिप वेरिफिकेशन की प्रक्रिया पूर्ण होने तक प्रदर्शन, धरना आदि पर प्रतिबंध लगाया गया था, पर अंतरिम स्थगन आदेश प्रदान किए गए हैं। कॉर्पोरेट ऑफिस के पत्र दिनांक 02.07.2019 पर स्थगन हेतु कॉम बाबू राधाकृष्णन, सर्किल सेक्रेटरी, तमिलनाडु द्वारा माननीय मद्रास उच्च न्यायालय में पिटीशन दायर की गई थी। उक्त पत्र के माध्यम से धमकी दी गई थी कि किसी भी यूनियन द्वारा धरना, प्रदर्शन आदि किए जाने पर उस यूनियन को 8वें मेम्बरशिप वेरिफिकेशन में शामिल होने पर रोक लगा दी जाएगी। कॉर्पोरेट ऑफिस द्वारा जारी यह पत्र पूर्ण रूप से मनमानीपूर्ण, स्वेच्छाचारी व संविधान में उल्लेखित मूलभूत अधिकारों का उल्लंघन करने वाला था। इसी वजह से BSNLEU ने इस आदेश को न्यायालय में चुनौती देने का निर्णय लिया। SR ब्रांच को इससे सबक लेना चाहिए और ट्रेड यूनियन के मूलभूत अधिकारों को कुचलने की कोशिश नही करनी चाहिए। कॉर्पोरेट मैनेजमेंट में संबंधित अथॉरिटीज को यह सुनिश्चित करना चाहिए कि भविष्य में SR ब्रांच इस तरह की औद्योगिक शांति भंग करने वाली पराक्रमी (?) गतिविधियों से दूर ही रहे। इस जीत पर CHQ की ओरसे तमिलनाडु यूनियन को  बधाई।

As India is gripped in an economic crisis, it’s GDP continues to tumble. In the July-September quarter, the GDP growth has fallen to 4.5%. This is the lowest GDP growth since March, 2013, i.e., during the past 6 ½ years. It may be noted that the GDP growth during the previous quarter, i.e., during April to June 2019, remained at 5%. It is for sure that the GDP growth may plunge to 4% in the next quarter. It is a matter of serious concern that India, which was the fastest growing economy a few years ago, is in shatters now. Rightly, it is being said by some political critics that, India’s economy is in an ICU today.

BSNLEU and BSNL CCWF are continuously pressing the CMD BSNL hard, for releasing funds for the payment of wages of the contract workers. Com. P. Abhimanyu, GS, discussed this matter with Shri P.C. Bhatt, Sr.GM(CBB), Corporate Office, today. The Sr.GM(CBB) informed that the Corporate Office has released funds to the circles today, for the payment of approximately one month’s wages of the contract workers. This fund is allotted to all the circles.

All the Central Trade Unions, except the BMS, which is pro-BJP, are organising countrywide protest action today, opposing the anti-worker policies of the Modi government. At the behest of the Central Government, many state governments have increased the workload from 8 hrs. to 12 hrs. a day. The Labour Laws are being drastically changed in favour of the corporates. Speedy and large scale measures are being taken to privatise the Public Sector Undertakings, including the Indian Railways. The CTUs have already demanded that the government should give financial assistance of Rs.7,500/- per month, for the months of April, May and June, to all the non-income tax paying households.  

BSNLEU has already given call to organise lunch hour demonstrations throughout the country today, demanding settlement of the issues raised by the CTUs. 

BSNLEU is repeatedly writing to the Management that, the period of absence of certain employees, who are held up in their native places / far off places, due to the lock-down, should be treated as on duty. BSNLEU has also cited  the guidelines that have been issued by the DoP&T on this matter. 

However, the Corporate Office has not issued any letter in this regard so far. Com.P.Abhimanyu, GS, spoke to Shri Saurabh Tyagi, Sr.GM(Estt.) once again today and urged upon him to take prompt action on this matter. The Sr.GM(Estt.) assured that needful action would be taken shortly. 

Accommodation has been arranged by the CHQ for the comrades who are coming from far away circles (not nearby circles) to participate in the March to Sanchar Bhawan on 23.02.2018. The accommodation is arranged for 22^nd & 23^rd February, 2018. However, CHQ has been able to book accommodation only for 750 comrades. Circle Secretaries are requested to immediately inform the CHQ about their requirement for accommodation. It is also informed that accommodation will be allotted on “first come - first served” basis. So, only those who inform the CHQ first, will get the accommodation.

Former Telecom Minister Dayanidhi Maran and his elder brother Kalanidhi Maran were discharged by a CBI Special Court yesterday, from the “illegal telephone exchange” case. Together with them, former chief general managers of Chennai Telephones, K. Brahmmanathan and M.P.Velusamy, were also discharged from the case. The accusation against Dayanidhi Maran is that, he got an unauthorised telephone exchange installed at his residence at Chennai, and misused the BSNL lines for the Sun TV, owned by the Maran brothers, in collusion with the top BSNL officers of Chennai Telephones. The CBI Special Court judge Natarajan stated that, the CBI did not produce sufficient evidence, to prove the charges. Further, the judge also pointed out that the CBI did not even hand over to the Court, the CD containing the call records of the telephone lines that worked at Dayanidhi Maran’s residence. The CBI has to be given award for handling high profile cases so “seriously” !!!

The Circle Executive Committee meeting of Odisha was held at Bhubaneswar on 16.05.2018. Com.S.C.Bhatacharjee, Circle President, presided over the meeting. Com. Saroj Ranjan Das, Circle Secretary, welcomed everyone and placed the report on activities. Com.John Verghese, (AGS), reported in detail on the decisions of the Agartala CEC meeting. He explained about the decision to conduct street corner meetings for creating public awareness about the ill effects of the Subsidiary Tower Company. He also spoke on important current issues, such as wage revision, revival of BSNL, wasteful expenditures, etc. Com. P.K. Naik, Asst. Treasurer (CHQ), Com. Sahdev Biswal, Patron and Com. A. Dhupal, Patron, also addressed the meeting.

BSNLEU heartily congratulates the entire BSNL employees, their unions and associations. Yes comrades. We are nearing the achievement of the impossible. 3rd Pay Revision Committee said that BSNL employees are not eligible for Wage Revision w.e.f 01-01-2017. The Union Cabinet also approved it. The DoT issued letter on 21-02-2018, stating that BSNL employees are not eligible for Wage Revision and it's pensioners are not eligible for Pension Revision. Still, our consistent struggles, efforts and wise strategies have started giving results. The one day strike on 27-07-2017, two days strike on 12th & 13th December, 2017, the massive March to Sanchar Bhawan on 23-02-2018, submission of memorandums to around 200 MPs, and numerous other struggles have made the Wage Revision of BSNL employees a reality today. Yes comrades, the negotiations for the settlement of Wage Revision of the Non-Executives is starting today. Still we have a long way to go to complete the Wage Revision. Still, the commencement of the Wage Revision itself is a great achievement. We have done it. Our unity and united struggles have made it possible. Congratulations to all.

The 9th All India Conference of BSNLEU started enthusiastically today at Mysuru. The flag hoisting programme started exactly at 10:00 am. Com.Balbir Singh, President, hoisted the Tricolour National Flag. The Union Red Flag was hoisted by Com.P.Abhimanyu, GS, amidst inspiring slogans. Com.C.K.Gundanna, General Secretary, Reception Committee, welcomed everyone. On behalf of the CHQ, Com.P.Abhimanyu, GS, welcomed everyone and gave a brief picture of the situation, in which this AIC is taking place. Com.Tapan Sen, General Secretary, CITU, inaugurated the Conference and spoke elaborately about the challenges being faced by the Indian working class in general, and the BSNL employees in particular. He called on the BSNL trade union movement to join the 2 day General Strike, called on by the Central Trade Unions, to be organised on 8th and 9th January,2018. The Inaugural Session was also addressed by Com. Amanullah Khan, President, AIIEA, Com. Seethalakshmi, Vice-President, Confederation of Central Government Employees, Com.V.A.N.Namboodiri, former General Secretary, Com.K.G.Jayaraj, GS, AIBDPA, Com.Animesh Mitra, SG, BSNLCCWF, Com.Swapan Chakraborty, Dy.GS, Com. .M.C.Balakrishna, Chairman, Reception Committee, Com.H.V.Sudharshan, Working Chairman,Reception Committee.

The 14th Congress of the Trade Union International of Transport and Communications Unions, affiliated to the WFTU, is being held at Istanbul, the capital of Turkey, on 1st and 2nd March, 2019. Com. P.Abhimanyu, General Secretary, BSNLEU, is attending this Congress, as a delegate.

BSNLEU and NFTE, the two recognised unions of the Non-Executives in BSNL, have jointly written to the CMD BSNL, demanding to immediately start the process for holding the 8^th Membership Verification. This letter is given in the backdrop of the Management’s purported move to postpone the 8^th Membership Verification, for a period of 6 months. Both, BSNLEU and NFTE, have opposed any postponement of the Membership Verification and have demanded that the notification for holding the same should be issued immediately.

Requests are being received from some circles, for bringing visitors to the Extended CEC meeting, to be held at Pune, from 29^th to 31^st July, 2019. As per the Union Constitution, only circle secretaries, central office bearers and district secretaries are eligible to attend the Extended CEC meeting. Hence, circle secretaries are once again requested to ensure that only district secretaries attend the Extended CEC meeting, apart from circle secretaries and central office bearers. If any district secretary is not able to attend, then the assistant district secretary should attend.

The Narendra Modi government has already taken decision to privatise the Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd. (BPCL), which is a huge profit earning PSU. Absolutely there is no need or justification to privatise it. Prior to 1971, BPCL was a multinational oil company. After the 1971 Indo- Pakistan war, this company was nationalised by the then Prime Minister, Smt. Indira Gandhi, because the Company refused to fuel Indian Air force's fighter jets, during India's war with Pakistan. It is unfortunate that the Modi government is reversing the history today and wants to hand over this Public Sector oil behemoth to some Indian or multinational corporates. This act of the government to privatise BPCL is nothing but anti- national. Those who preach about "Nationalism" from roof tops should make a self introspection and think how India's "national interests" are being compromised by the Narendra Modi government. The Central Trade Unions have called for a one day General Strike on 8th January, 2020, against the privatisation of the Public Sector by the Modi government. BSNLEU has also decided to join this General Strike. We call upon the BSNL employees to join this General Strike enmasse. If we remain as silent spectators any more, days will not be far away, when BSNL will also be handed over to Ambani or Adani.

In the meeting held on 24.02.2018, between Hon’ble Minister of State for Communications and the All Unions and Associations of BSNL, it was agreed that the wage revision issue of BSNL employees would be taken to the approval of the Cabinet. It is nearly three weeks, since the meeting has taken place. Hence, with a view to ascertain the progress on the issue, Com.P.Abhimanyu, GS and Com. Ramesh Chand, Org. Secretary (CHQ), met Shri Pawan Gupta, Director (PSU), DoT, today, and discussed the issue. It is learnt that the matter is being processed for the approval of the DPE. Many more procedures are involved, before the file is sent for the final approval of the Cabinet. Hence, the Union representatives urged upon the Director (PSU) to get the processings done expeditiously.