A meeting of the representatives belonging to the Working Women's Coordination Committees of CITU, CCGEW, AIIEA, BSNLEU, BEFI and FMRAI was held today, at CITU’s office in New Delhi. BSNL Working Women's Coordination Committee is represented by Com. Chandra Prabha Muchhal, member of the committee from Haryana. Com. Ramesh Chand, Org. Secretary (CHQ) also attended the meeting. The meeting has held discussions on holding joint campaign on women’s issues. Other issues discussed include sexual harassment against women in work places and observing international women’s day on 08^th March, 2018, to highlight women’s democratic rights. The meeting has also decided to plan a joint national campaign on violence against women, along with women’s organisations and other mass organisations.   

As per the call of the AUAB, a very enthusiastic demonstration was organised at BSNL Corporate Office today, demanding implementation of the assurances given by the Hon’ble MoS(C), on wage revision, 4G spectrum, pension contribution and pension revision issues. A large number of employees of the Corporate Office participated in this demonstration. This programme was conducted throughout the country yesterday. However, it is organised in the BSNL Corporate Office only today, in view of the Sanchar Shri award giving ceremony held at the Corporate Office yesterday. Both the GS,BSNLEU and the Dy.GS, BSNLEU are out of Delhi, and Com.Ramesh Chand, Organising Secretary(CHQ) participated.

It is learnt that IDA will increase from 128% to 135.6%, w.e.f.1^st October 2018. Thus, the net increase in IDA will be 7.6%.

BSNLEU condoles the death of around 290 people, who were killed in bomb blasts in Sri Lanka last night. Among the killed, 30 are foreigners. More than 500 people are also injured. Eight bombs went off in churches, hotels, etc. BSNLEU strongly condemns this brutal attacks on innocent people.

The Extended Circle Executive Committee meeting of Andhra Pradesh circle is held at Vijayawada today. Com.J. Sampath Rao, AGS, hoisted the National Flag and Com.P.Abhimanyu, GS, hoisted the Union’s red flag. The session started after paying homage to the departed leaders. Com. Prabakar Rao, Circle President, presided over the meeting. Com. P.Asoakababu, Circle Secretary, welcomed everyone. The Extended Circle Executive Committee meeting was inaugurated by Com.Gafur, General Secretary, CITU, Andhra Pradesh state. Com.P.Abhimanyu, General Secretary, addressed the meeting and explained at length about the ongoing developments connected with the revival of BSNL. He explained how the anti-BSNL measures taken by the government ruined BSNL and called on the employees to be prepared for united struggles, combined with massive campaigns among the public, to safeguard BSNL and to ensure it’s revival. The meeting was also addressed by Com.J. Sampath Rao, AGS and Com. Rama Devi, Vice President (CHQ).  The participants enthusiastically responded to the speeches of the leaders. The subjects committee meeting is taking place after the lunch.

BSNLEU, Haryana circle organised election campaign meetings at Rohtak and Hisar on 9th September 2019. The 1st meeting was at Rohtak, presided over by Com.Rajender Man, District President. Com.Swapan Chakraborty, Dy.GS and Com.M.S.Kadian,CS, spoke on issues related to verification. Com.Rajender Julka, District Secretary gave vote of thanks. At Hisar, the meeting was presided over by Com.Suresh Kumar, senior leader of BSNLEU. Com.Naresh Kumar, Circle President and District Secretary of  Hisar welcomed all. Com.Swapan Chakraborty, Dy.GS, in his speech explained elaborately about the struggles for Revival of BSNL and against the conspiracy of the government to kill the company. Com.M.S.Kadian,CS,BSNLEU and Com.Kuldeep Singh, CS, AIBDPA also address the meeting.

Talks were held yesterday the 22.11.2019, between Shri Arvind Vadnerkar, Director (HR) and the General Secretaries / Representatives of BSNLEU, BTEU, FNTO, BSNL MS, ATM and BSNL OA. The details of the discussions are as follows:-

1. Problems related to commutation of pension to VRS optees.

As per VRS-2019, commutation of pension to the VRS optees, will be allowed only when they attain 60 years of age. However, as per existing rules, a retiree has to apply for pension commutation within one year of his retirement. If not, he has to undergo medical examination, which may create many unwanted problems to the VRS optee. Further, if the VRS optee dies between the date of his going on VRS and the date of his attaining 60 years of age, the family of the VRS optee will not get the benefit of pension commutation. This will result in a huge loss to the family of the VRS optee. Hence, the unions demanded that necessary amendments to the Commutation of Pension Rules should be made, to avoid the above stated sufferings to the VRS optees. However, the Management Side could not give any concrete solution to this problem.

2. Eligibility of 3rd PRC to the VRS optees.

The Hon’ble Supreme Court judgement says that, an official who goes on VRS, is not entitled for Pay Revision implemented retrospectively. Further, it is also categorically stated in the VRS-2019 that “the benefits payable under this scheme shall be in full and final settlement of all claims of whatsoever nature, whether arising under the scheme or otherwise.” This provision in the VRS 2019 makes it very clear that the VRS optees will not be allowed the benefit of 3rd PRC. Hence, in view of the Supreme Court judgement and also the provision contained in VRS-2019, the unions demanded that BSNL Management should give a categorical commitment that the VRS optees will get 3^rd PRC, when implemented retrospectively. However, the Management could not give any commitment in this regard.

3. Implementation of commitment given at the time of formation of BSNL on the age of retirement.

BSNL Management vide it’s letter number BSNL/4/SR/2000 dated the 2nd January, 2001, has given an assurance that the age of retirement (superannuation) for the employees absorbed in BSNL will be regulated in accordance with government rules. However, contrary to this order, employees are being threatened that the retirement age of BSNL employees would be reduced to 58. Hence, the unions demanded that the Management should give a commitment that the assurance given in the above mentioned letter should be honoured. However, due to obvious reasons, the Management Side avoided giving any categorical commitment on this issue.

4. Transfers and roadmap to cop with the workload, in the post-VRS scenario.

The unions bitterly complained that the top officers of BSNL are involved in threatening the employees that they would be transferred if they do not go on VRS. The unions even mentioned the names of the top officers who involved in such threatenings and demanded a commitment from the Management that employees would not be transferred vindictively. On this issue, the response of the Management was positive.

5. Payment of salary, remittance of recoveries and contract workers wages.

The unions demanded that the October salary should be paid immediately, and also the recoveries made from the employees' salaries since May, 2019, should be remitted to the concerned organisations without delay. They also demanded that the 10 month wage arrears of the contract workers should be paid at once. However, on these issues the Management Side was not able to give any assurance.

6. 3^rd PRC and Pension Revision.

The unions demanded that these issues should be settled without further delay. However, the Management Side stated that these issues need to be discussed with the Secretary, Telecom, for which a meeting would be arranged by the BSNL Management at the earliest.

7. Launching of 4G service.

The unions demanded that 4G service should be launched immediately, utilising the spectrum that has been allotted by the government. On this issue the Management Side stated that BSNL’s 4G service would be launched before 31^st March, 2020. 

The discussion lasted for more than 2 hours. At the end of the meeting, the representatives who participated in the discussion reviewed the outcome of the meeting. All the representatives were of the unanimous opinion that the response of the Management Side was unsatisfactory and decided to organise the hunger strike as per schedule.

Wide spread protests are taking place throughout the country against the CAA (Citizenship Amendment Act), NPR (National Population Register) and the NRC (National Register for Citizens). However, many of us are thinking that we are not going to be affected. But, what has happened to a woman in Assam should open our eyes.

Jabeda Begum had submitted 14 documents, including her PAN Card, Ration Card, two bank passbooks, voter lists where her name, along with the names of her parents and grandparents are there. Still, the Tribunal and the Guwahati High Court have rejected her citizenship.

[Source: Times of India dated 20.02.2020]

1) Com. H. G. Kiran. ADS. Chikmaglur - Rs.1,000/-

2) Com. Manohar Ujalankar, Ex.DS, AIBDPA - Rs.1,000/-

3) Com. K. Sadasivan, BP, BGTD, Ulsoor - Rs.1,000/-

4) Com. Shivaprasad, AGM, Ulsoor, BGTD - Rs.1,000/-

5) Com. Udaykumar, SDE, Ulsoor, BGTD - Rs.1,000/-

6) Com. N. Kumareshan, Ex. CWC member - Rs.1,000/-

7) Com. Muniswamy, Retd. SSS, CGMT, KTK - Rs.1,000/-

8) Com. Gauramma, ACFS, AIBDPA - Rs.1,000/-

9) Com. Basappa. Retd. SS, Kalburgi - Rs.500/-

10) Com. Puttaraju, TT, Ulsoor - Rs.500/-

11) Com. Venkat prasad, TT, Ulsoor - Rs.500/-

The countrywide dharna programme, called on by BSNLEU, has been organised very successfully throughout the country. Despite strict restrictions imposed in most parts of the country, on account of the COVID-19 pandemic, the circle and district unions of BSNLEU, have taken the pains to organise the dharna in a very successful, but at the same time, in a very disciplined manner. The CHQ heartily congratulates the circle and district unions, for their dedicated efforts in this regard. 

The success of the dharna programme reveals the suffocation prevailing among the employees, due to the delay in the rolling out BSNL’s 4G network. At the same time,  it has also brought out the anger prevailing among the Non-Executives, since their genuine demands are being neglected by the Management for long. BSNLEU hopes that the top Management of BSNL would make note of this and will take suitable steps, to settle the burning problems of the Non-Executives. If the BSNL Management does not wake up, employees will be forced to resort to  more serious forms of struggles. 

It is very important, that we should understand why conspiracies are being hatched to deny 4G to BSNL.

As per the data released by the TRAI, Airtel and Vodafone Idea have lost around 47 lakh mobile customers each, in the month of May, 2020. Whereas, Reliance Jio has gained 36 lakh new customers in that month and BSNL has gained 2 lakh new mobile customers. 

It is important to note that  Airltel and Vodafone Idea have lost their customers heavily and BSNL has not lost it's customers, but has gained 2 lakh customers. The customers gained by BSNL may be minimal. But it must be remembered that BSNL, without 4G technology, has been able to increase it’s customer base by 2 lakh. 

Imagine, what will be BSNL’s position, if it is having 4G technology? Certainly it will give a tough fight to Jio. And exactly this is the reason, why conspiracies are being hatched to ensure that BSNL does not get 4G technology. It has become the duty of the unions and associations of BSNL to fight and get  4G for BSNL. 

[ Inputs from Times of India dt. 26-08-2020 ]

The CEC meeting of BSNLEU, held recently at New Delhi, has decided to collect advertisements, to the Souvenir to be released by the CITU, in connection with the inauguration of it's Trade Union School, named after com.P.Ramamurti. Tariff coupons are already distributed to the CEC members, at the time of the CEC meeting itself. It is needless to say that the funds raised through the collection of advertisements, will also be utilised for the construction of this Trade Union School. CHQ appeals to the circle unions to complete the collection of the advertisements immediately, since the inauguration of com.P.Ramamurti Bhawan is taking place on 15-12-2017. The details of the advertisements, so far collected by some of the circle unions are as follows:-

Maharashtra               - Rs.50,000/-

Andhra Pradesh          - Rs.25,000/-

Telengana                  - Rs. 25,000/-

Gujarat                     - Rs.25,000/-

The Delegates Session of the 8th All India Conference of BSNLEU started in the afternoon of 31st December, 2016. Com. Balbir Singh, presided over and com. P. Abhimanyu, GS, welcomed all. Com. A.K. Padmanabhan, Vice-President, CITU, inaugurated the session, vividly explaining the international and national developments in the trade union front. He exposed the pro-corporate policies of the Modi government. The session is also addressed by com. V.A.N. Namboodiri, Patron, com. Raj Bahadur Rawal, President, Telecom Employees Association of Nepal (TEAN), com. M. Krishnan, SG, Confederation, com. V. Ramesh, GS, AIIEA, com. K.G. Jayaraj, GS, AIBDPA and com. Animesh Mitra, SG, BSNLCCWF.

हड़ताल पूर्ण रूप से सफल- सभी कॉमरेड्स को लाल सलाम...
AUAB के आव्हान पर 3 दिवसीय हड़ताल आज मध्य रात्रि 00.00 hrs से शुरू हो चुकी है। सभी एग्जीक्यूटिव्ज और नॉन एग्जीक्यूटिव्ज का हड़ताल को अद्भुत प्रतिसाद मिला है। लगभग लगभग सभी सर्कल्स में हड़ताल पूर्ण रूप से सफल है। DoT के  दम्भ भरे और मनमाने पूर्ण रुख का मुंहतोड़ जवाब बीएसएनएल कर्मचारियों ने दिया है। BSNLEU उन सभी लीडर्स और कॉमरेड्स को सैल्यूट करती है जिनके प्रयासों से हड़ताल जबरदस्त रूप से सफल रही है। इस ऐतिहासिक हड़ताल के माध्यम से सभी एग्जीक्यूटिव्ज और नॉन एग्जीक्यूटिव्ज ने बता दिया है कि किसी भी सूरत में वें सरकार को रिलायंस जियो को लाभ पहुंचाने के लिए बीएसएनएल को खत्म नही होने देंगे। BSNLEU अनुरोध करती है कि यह जोश और उत्साह आगामी 2 दिनों तक बना रहे।

It is a good news for the Indian telecom industry that the ARPU of Reliance Jio is falling sharply. ARPU is the total revenue of the operator, divided by the number of customers that the company is having. So, a company will become more profitable, if it's ARPU increases, and vice-versa. . News has come that Reliance Jio's ARPU keeps falling. It's ARPU was Rs.154 in December 2017. Then, it fell to Rs.130 in December, 2018. It has fallen further to Rs.126.2 in March 2019. It is a known fact that all the telecom companies, including BSNL have gone into loss, because of the brutal tariff war unleashed by Jio. It wants to close down all other telecom companies, so that it can monopolise the telecom industry and thereafter loot the people. Already industry analysts have predicted that telecom tariffs will increase soon. Now, the sharp fall in Jio's ARPU indicates that Jio has to increase it's tariffs soon, which will be a good news for BSNL and other operators.

The open session of the All India Conference of AIBSNLEA was held at Vijayawada yesterday the 15.07.2019. Com.S. Sivakumar, President, AIBSNLEA, presided. Com.Prahlad Rai, GS, AIBSNLEA, delivered the key note address. The open session was addressed by Shri Sheetla Prasad, Director (CM & HR), Shri A.P. Rao, CGM, AP, Shri A.M. Gupta, GM(SR), BSNL C.O., Com.P.Abhimanyu, GS, BSNLEU, Com. Chandeshwar Singh, GS, NFTE, Com. K.Sebastin, GS, SNEA, Com. Suresh Kumar, GS, BSNL MS, Com. R.C. Pandey, GS, BTEU, Com.V. Subburaman, GS, TEPU, Com.Kabeer Das, GS, BSNL OA, etc. In his brief speech, Com.P.Abhimanyu, GS, explained the present financial position of BSNL and stressed that the government should immediately extend soft loan to BSNL to ensure it’s revival..

8th Membership Verification meeting at Kalyani Telephone Exchange, Barakpur Area in CTD Circle was conducted on 9th September, 2019. Com. Pradip Ghosh, DP, presided over the meeting. Com. Animesh Mitra, President (CHQ) and Com. Sisir Kumar Roy CS & Organising Secretary (CHQ), addressed the employees.  Revival of BSNL, 3rd wage revision, pension revision, allotment of 4G spectrum to BSNL, 58 years, VRS/CRS are also explained to the employees. Com. Ramsundar Basu, DS and Com. Bhajan Sarkar, AIBDPA also addressed the meeting and appealed to all non executive employees to cast their votes in favour of BSNLEU to protect BSNL as PSU and to achieve financial demands. President concluded the meeting with vote of thanks.

डायरेक्टर (HR) और 25-11-2019  को भूख हड़ताल हेतु नोटिस जारी करने वाली यूनियन्स के बीच हुई चर्चा का विवरण...

कल दिनांक 22.11.2019 को श्री अरविंद वडनेरकर, डायरेक्टर (HR) और BSNLEU, BTEU, FNTO, BSNL MS, ATM और BSNL OA के महासचिवों/प्रतिनिधियों के बीच चर्चा हुई। चर्चा का विवरण निम्नानुसार है:

(1) VRS ऑप्टीज के लिए पेंशन कम्युटेशन से जुड़ी समस्याएं...

VRS-2019 के अनुसार VRS ऑप्टीज को पेंशन के कम्युटेशन की पात्रता 60 वर्ष की उम्र पूर्ण करने पर ही होगी। किन्तु, अभी विद्यमान नियमों के अनुसार रिटायरी को उनके रिटायरमेंट पश्चात 1 वर्ष की समयावधि में ही पेंशन कम्युटेशन हेतु आवेदन देना होता है। ऐसा नही होने पर, उन्हें मेडिकल जांच करवाना जरूरी है, जिससे VRS ऑप्टीज के लिए अनावश्यक समस्याएं निर्मित होगी। इसके अलावा, VRS ऑप्टी की VRS पर जाने की दिनांक से 60 वर्ष की आयु पूर्ण होने के मध्य यदि मृत्यु हो जाती है तो VRS ऑप्टी के परिवार को पेंशन कम्युटेशन का लाभ नही मिलेगा। फलस्वरूप, VRS ऑप्टी के परिवार को भारी नुकसान होगा। अतः, यूनियन्स ने मांग की कि पेंशन कम्युटेशन के नियमों में आवश्यक परिवर्तन किए जाएं, जिससे कि VRS ऑप्टीज को ऊपर उल्लेखित समस्याओं का सामना न करना पड़े। किन्तु, मैनेजमेंट पक्ष द्वारा इस समस्या का कोई ठोस निदान प्रस्तुत नही किया गया।

(2) VRS ऑप्टीज को 3rd PRC की पात्रता...

माननीय सर्वोच्च न्यायालय का निर्णय (judgement) कहता है कि, जो कर्मचारी VRS पर जाता है, उसे पूर्व दिनांक से हुए पे रिवीजन की पात्रता नही होगी। साथ ही, VRS-2019 में भी यह स्पष्ट रूप से कहा गया है कि " इस योजना के अंतर्गत देय लाभ के रूप में ही, इस योजना में समाहित या अन्य, सभी प्रकार के क्लेम्स का पूर्ण रूप से अंतिम निपटान (full & final settlement) माना जाएगा। " VRS 2019 का यह प्रावधान, यह स्पष्ट  करता है कि VRS ऑप्टीज को पे रिवीजन का लाभ नही मिलेगा। अतः, माननीय सर्वोच्च न्यायालय के जजमेंट और VRS 2019 के प्रावधान के परिप्रेक्ष्य में यूनियन्स ने यह मांग की कि BSNL मैनेजमेंट यह स्पष्ट रूप से प्रतिबद्धता प्रदर्शित (commitment) करे कि VRS ऑप्टीज को, पूर्व दिनांक से कार्यान्वयन होने की स्थिति में , 3rd PRC का लाभ मिलेगा। किन्तु, प्रबंधन द्वारा इस संबंध में कोई वादा (commitment) नही किया गया।

(3) रिटायरमेंट की उम्र के संबंध में BSNL के निर्मिति के समय की गई प्रतिबद्धता (कमिटमेंट)का कार्यान्वयन...

BSNL मैनेजमेंट द्वारा उनके पत्र क्रमांक BSNL/4/SR/2000 दिनांक 02 जनवरी, 2001 द्वारा यह आश्वासन दिया गया था कि   BSNL में समाहित कर्मचारियों की सुपरएन्युएशन उम्र सरकार के नियमों के अनुसार नियंत्रित (regulate) की जाएगी। किन्तु, इस आदेश के विपरीत, कर्मचारियों को धमकाया जा रहा है कि BSNL कर्मचारियों की उम्र घटा कर 58 कर दी जाएगी। अतः, यूनियन्स ने मांग की कि मैनेजमेंट कमिटमेंट करे कि ऊपर उल्लेखित पत्र में किए गए आश्वासन का का सम्मान किया जाएगा। किन्तु, जैसा कि अपेक्षित था, मैनेजमेंट  इस मुद्दे पर किसी भी प्रकार का स्पष्ट कमिटमेंट करना टालता रहा।

(4) VRS पश्चात परिदृष्य में स्थानांतरण और कार्याधिकता से निपटने हेतु रणनीति (roadmap)...

यूनियन्स द्वारा कड़े शब्दों में शिकायत की गई कि BSNL के उच्च अधिकारी कर्मचारियों को धमकियां देने में लिप्त हैं, कि VRS पर नही जाने की स्थिति में उन्हें स्थानांतरित कर दिया जाएगा। यूनियन्स द्वारा, इस तरह की धमकियां देने में शामिल उच्च अधिकारियों के नाम भी बता दिए गए और मैनेजमेंट से यह कमिटमेंट की मांग की कि कर्मचारियों का दुर्भावनापूर्ण तरीके से स्थानांतरण नही किया जाएगा। इस मुद्दे पर मैनेजमेंट का रुख सकारात्मक रहा।

(5) वेतन का भुगतान, रिकवरीज का प्रेषण और कॉन्ट्रैक्ट वर्कर्स का भुगतान...

यूनियन्स ने मांग की कि अक्टूबर माह के वेतन का भुगतान शीघ्र किया जाए, साथ ही मई 2019 से कर्मचारियों के वेतन से की गई रिकवरीज भी संबंधित संस्थाओं को अविलंब प्रेषित की जाए। उन्होंने यह भी मांग रखी कि कॉन्ट्रैक्ट वर्कर्स के 10 माह के वेजेस के एरीअर्स का भी तत्काल भुगतान किया जाए। किन्तु, इन मुद्दों पर मैनेजमेंट पक्ष कोई आश्वासन नही दे सका।

(6) 3rd PRC और पेंशन रिवीजन...

यूनियन्स की ओर से मांग की गई कि इन मुद्दों का शीघ्र निराकरण किया जाए। किन्तु, मैनेजमेंट की ओर से कहा गया कि इन मुद्दों पर सेक्रेटरी, टेलीकॉम से चर्चा करना जरूरी है, जिसके लिए BSNL मैनेजमेंट द्वारा यथाशीघ्र मीटिंग आयोजित की जाएगी।

(7) 4G सेवाओं की शुरुआत...

यूनियन्स ने मांग की कि सरकार द्वारा आवंटित स्पेक्ट्रम का उपयोग कर 4G सेवा शीघ्र शुरू की जाए। इस मुद्दे पर मैनेजमेंट पक्ष की ओर से बताया गया कि BSNL की 4G सेवा 31 मार्च, 2020 के पूर्व शुरू कर दी जावेगी।

चर्चा 2 घंटे से अधिक समय तक चली। मीटिंग समाप्त होने के पश्चात, जिन प्रतिनिधियों ने चर्चाओं में शिरकत की थी, उन्होंने मीटिंग के परिणाम की समीक्षा की। सभी प्रतिनिधि इस मत (opinion) पर एकमत थे कि मैनेजमेंट पक्ष का रुख (response) असंतोषजनक था और भूख हड़ताल तय कार्यक्रम अनुसार करने का निर्णय लिया गया।