The All India BSNL Pensioners Welfare Association (AIBSNLPWA), in a circular issued in the name of one S.G.Panicker, had passed sarcastic remarks about the AUAB’s demand of wage revision with 0% fitment. Hence, BSNLEU, was compelled to give reply. 

Due to the pressure created by the mighty struggles organised by the AUAB, the former Minister of State for Communications, Shri Manoj Sinha, was compelled to meet the AUAB twice. Whether the AIBSNLPWA can say, that the Minister of Communications met them, because of the pressure created by their struggles? Absolutely not. It is purely a back-door entry. That is why, AIBSNLPWA was compelled to praise the Minister as a “cultured person”. Of course, most of the ministers are highly educated and are highly cultured. But the question is, whether they are sympathetic to the demands of the working class? Hence there is nothing wrong in our terming the act of the AIBSNLPWA as “chamchagiri”.

It was the mighty two day strike organised by the AUAB on 21^st & 22^nd April, 2015, that forced the then Secretary Telecom to come to the negotiating table. It is only because of that struggle, the DoT was forced to send a Cabinet Note, to remove the 60% ceiling imposed by the government, on it’s limit to pay pension to BSNL retirees. This was 100% an achievement of the AUAB. Does the AIBSNLPWA has any role in this settlement ? Let the AIBSNLPWA not poke it’s nose into issues which are beyond their competence and comprehension.

The BSNL management has already taken steps to implement a Group Health Insurance Policy for BSNL employees, which will be implemented from 01-05-2022. As per the Corporate Office letter issued earlier, the last date for submitting option to join this scheme was 18-04-2022. Under these circumstances, the Corporate Office has issued letter yesterday the 18-04-2022, extending the last date for submitting option upto 23-04-2022. The last date for withdrawing the option is also extended up to 25-04-2022. 

मंत्रियों को चमचागिरी करने से कामकाजी वर्ग के मुद्दों का निपटारा नहीं किया जा सकता।   

यह बताया गया है कि पेंशनभोगियों के एक संघ ने पिछले महीने माननीय संचार मंत्री श्री अश्विनी वैष्णव से मुलाकात की है और पेंशन संशोधन के मुद्दे पर चर्चा की है।  एक संदेश देर से हमारे ध्यान में लाया गया है, जिसमें मंत्री जी के साथ इस बैठक को पेंशन संशोधन के निपटारे में एक बड़ी सफलता बताया गया है। यह भी बताया गया है कि, पेंशन पुनःनिरीक्षण की फाइल अब संचार भवन में चलने लगी है, जिसके लिए मंत्री जी की जमकर तारीफ की गई है। उसी संदेश में, AUAB के बारे में व्यंग्यात्मक टिप्पणियां की गई हैं, शून्य प्रतिशत फिटमेंट के साथ वेतन संशोधन की मांग करने के लिए। हम जानते हैं कि इस परिपत्र के पीछे कौन है।

यह सभी जानते हैं कि, AUAB ने कम से कम 3 हड़तालों और कई अन्य संघर्षों का आयोजन किया है, जिसमें संचार भवन पर किये गये दो बड़े पैमाने पर आयोजित मार्च शामिल हैं, जिसमें पेंशन संशोधन एक प्रमुख मांग के रूप में था । AUAB ने मांग की है कि पेंशन संशोधन को वेतन संशोधन से अलग किया जाना चाहिए। यह भी उल्लेख करना महत्वपूर्ण है कि, दिनांक 03-12-2018 को AUAB के साथ हुई बैठक में, तत्कालीन संचार राज्य मंत्री, श्री मनोज सिन्हा ने घोषणा की थी कि, सरकार ने पेंशन संशोधन को वेतन संशोधन से अलग करने का निर्णय लिया है। हालांकि, इसे लागू नहीं किया गया था।

इसके अलावा, यह भी उल्लेख करना महत्वपूर्ण है कि, यह AUAB है जिसने सरकार द्वारा निर्धारित 60% की सीमा को तोड़ दिया, क्योंकि बीएसएनएल पेंशनभोगियों को पेंशन का भुगतान करने की जिम्मेदारी है। यह 60% की सीमा पेंशनभोगियों के सिर पर तलवार के रूप में लटकी हुई थी। यह AUAB द्वारा मई 2016 में दो दिवसीय हड़ताल पर जाकर हासिल किया गया था। AUAB के बैनर तले बीएसएनएल के पूरे सेवारत कर्मचारियों ने बहादुरी से अपने सेवानिवृत्त साथियों की पेंशन के लिए लड़ाई लड़ी है।

जिन मित्रों ने यह संदेश जारी किया है, उन्होंने इन सभी तथ्यों को छिपाया है और AUAB का उपहास किया है। इन मित्रों को मंत्री जी के साथ अपने नए संरक्षण में खुशी महसूस करने दें। उसी समय, उन्हें AUAB के महत्व को कम नहीं करने दें और यह बहादुर संघर्ष है, जो पेंशन के मुद्दे पर छेड़ा गया है। उन्हें यह भी समझना चाहिए कि, श्रमिक वर्ग के मुद्दों को मंत्रियों को "चमचागिरी" करके हल नहीं किया जा सकता है।

It is reported that, one of the Pensioners’ Associations has met Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, Hon’ble Minister of Communications, last month and has discussed about the pension revision issue.  A message has belatedly been brought to our notice, wherein this meeting with the Minister has been described as a major break-through in the settlement of pension revision. It is also reported that, the pension revision file has now started moving in the Sanchar Bhawan, for which the Minister has been praised lavishly. In the same message, sarcastic remarks have been made about the AUAB, for demanding Wage Revision with zero percent fitment. We know who is behind this circular.

It is known to all that, the AUAB  has organised at least 3 strikes and many other  struggles, including two massive marches to the Sanchar Bhawan, wherein the pension revision has figured as a major demand. The AUAB has demanded that, pension revision should be delinked from pay revision. It is also important to mention that, in the meeting held with the AUAB on 03-12-2018, the then Minister of State for Communications, Shri Manoj Sinha, declared that, the government has decided to de-link Pension Revision from Pay Revision. However, this was not implemented.

Further, it is also important to mention that, it is the AUAB which broke the 60% ceiling set by the government, as it’s liability to pay pension to BSNL pensioners. This 60% ceiling was hanging as a sword on the heads of the pensioners. This was achieved by the AUAB, by going on a two-day strike in May 2016. Under the banner of the AUAB, the entire serving employees of BSNL have valiantly fought for the pension of their retired comrades.  

The friends who have issued this message have hidden all these facts and have ridiculed the AUAB. Let these friends find pleasure in their newfound patronage with the Minister. At the same time, let them not belittle the AUAB and it’s valiant struggles, waged on the pension issue. Let them also understand that, issues of the working class cannot be settled by doing “chamchagiri” to the ministers.

A meeting of the AUAB will be held at New Delhi on 27.04.2022. This meeting, which is being held after a long gap, will discuss the very important issues of BSNL’s 4G & 5G launching, non-implementation of the assurances  given by the CMD BSNL in the meeting held on 27.10.2021, other issues related with the Revival of BSNL, proposed merger of BSNL with BBNL & MTNL and other issues. All the General Secretaries have been requested to attend this important meeting. 

लेह एसएसए में श्रीनगर-लेह ओएफसी में बार-बार रुकावट की वजह से बीएसएनएल सेवाए गंभीर रूप से प्रभावित हो रही है : BSNLEU ने एक बार फिर सीएमडी बीएसएनएल को पत्र लिखकर तत्काल कार्रवाई करने की मांग की है। 

लेह जिले में बीएसएनएल की सेवाएं श्रीनगर-लेह ओएफसी में बार-बार रुकावट के कारण गंभीर रूप से प्रभावित हो रही हैं। BSNLEU बार-बार इस मुद्दे को बीएसएनएल प्रबंधन के समक्ष उठा रहा हैं। BSNLEU के महासचिव ने दिनांक 27-10-2021 को सीएमडी बीएसएनएल और एयूएबी के बीच हुई बैठक में इस मुद्दे को गंभीरता से उठाया था। उस बैठक में यह उत्तर दिया गया था कि बीएसएनएल इस मुद्दे को हल करने के लिए लीज के आधार पर पावर ग्रिड कारपोरेशन लिमिटेड से ओएफसी लेगा। किंतु, बीएसएनएल प्रबंधन द्वारा अभी तक कोई कार्रवाई नहीं की गई है। BSNLEU के CHQ ने आज एक बार फिर सीएमडी बीएसएनएल को पत्र लिखकर इस समस्या का तत्काल समाधान खोजने का अनुरोध किया है।

The All India Conference of SNEA was held at Visakhapatnam on 13^th & 14^th instant. A new team of office bearers are unanimously elected in this Conference, with Com.Manish Samadiya as President, Com.M.S. Adsul as General Secretary and Com.Tatababu as Treasurer. BSNLEU heartily congratulates the newly elected All India office bearers of SNEA. 

BSNLEU pays it's respectful homage to Dr.B.R.Ambedkar, on the occasion of his 131st birth anniversary. Dr.B.R.Ambedkar is the architect of the Indian Constitution. Secularism is one of the basic principles of Indian Constitution. Today, the secular fabric of our Constitution is under very big attack from communal forces. While paying respectful homage to Dr.B.R.Ambedkar, let us resolve to preserve the secular principle of our Constitution and to carry forward Dr.B.R.Ambedkar's struggle against caste oppressions, gender inequality and for social justice.

The All India Conference of SNEA started at Visakhapatnam today. Com.A.A.Khan, President, is presiding over. Com.K.Sebastin, GS, delivered the key note address. Com.P.Abhimanyu,GS, addressed this conference and spoke at length on the anti-BSNL and anti-Public Sector policies of the Modi government, National Monetisation Pipeline and the anti-employee attitude of the BSNL Management. He insisted for united struggles under the banner of the AUAB, to safeguard and strengthen BSNL. The Conference is addressed by Com.G.L.Jogi, former GS,SNEA, Com.Chandeswar Singh, GS,NFTE, Shri V.K.Thomar,SG, NCOA, Com.Veerabadhra Rao, President, AIGETOA, Shri P.Paul William, PGM, Visakhapatnam, Shri B. Suresh Krishna, PGM, AP circle, Com.V.Shaaji, GS, AIBSNLEA, Com.Suresh Kumar, GS, BSNL MS and Com.Suresh Kumar, GS, SNATTA. 

It was on this day in 1919, the Jallianwala Bagh massacre has taken place. The Jallianwala Bagh massacre is the darkest chapter of our freedom movement. On 13th April, 1919, nearly 10,000 people had gathered in the Jallianwala Bagh at Amritsar, to express their peaceful protest for the repressive Rowlatt Act and the arresting of prominent leaders of the freedom struggle, under this law. The Jallianwala Bagh is a park closed on all three sides, with a narrow passage on one side. All of a sudden, the British troops entered the Jallianwala Bagh and started firing on the armless gathering. To escape the firing, many people jumped into the well located inside the Jallianwala Bagh. The army kept on firing, till their ammunitions were exhausted. Thousands were killed and a large number of people were injured. However, the British government maintained that only 397 were killed. Till today, the British government has not apologised for the atrocities committed by them at Jallianwala Bagh. On this day, BSNLEU pays it’s respectful homage to the Martyrs of Jallianwala Bagh and promises to carry forward the “anti-imperialist spirit “of the martyrs of Jallianwala Bagh.

The 10^th All India Conference of BSNLEU, held at Guwahati, discussed various crucial issues and has passed resolutions. The Telangana circle union conducted press meets at the district level on 09.04.2022. The decisions taken and resolutions passed in the 10^th All India Conference were reported to the media persons in these meetings. As a result, these decisions of BSNLEU All India Conference are reported in the media in Telangana circle. The CHQ of BSNLEU heartily congratulates Telangana circle union, as well as the district unions for conducting this press meets.

On 07.04.2022, the General Secretary of the Trade Union International (Transports, Ports, Fisheries and Communications) wrote to Com.P.Abhimanyu, General Secretary, congratulating for the success of the 10^th All India Conference of BSNLEU. The General Secretary, TUI(TPFC), has also wished great success for BSNLEU in it’s future struggles. Thanking for the greetings sent by the TUI(TPFC), Com.P.Abhimanyu, GS, has written a letter today, to the General Secretary, TUI(TPFC).

As a result of the efforts taken by BSNLEU, the Group Health Insurance Policy for the willing BSNL employees, will be implemented from 01-05-2022. The Oriental Insurance Company Limited will be the Insurer.  The Corporate Office has issued letter yesterday, informing the terms and conditions for this Group Health Insurance Policy. Accordingly, the pop up window in ERP/ESS portal will open on 12-04-2022 for submitting options. Last date for submitting options is 18-04-2022. Last date for withdrawal of the options is 21-04-2022. The letter of the Corporate Office is enclosed.

Consequent to the letter issued by the Director (HR) today, regarding the implementation of the Health Insurance Policy for the BSNL employees, Com.P.Abhimanyu,GS, discussed the issue with Shri S.P.Singh, GM(Admn.), BSNL CO, today. The GM(Admn) stated that, the Health Insurance Policy would be implemented w.e.f 01-05-2022 and that the process of calling for options etc., would start soon.  As regards the premium for various categories, the following details are given by the GM(Admn).

BSNLEU had taken the initiative for the implementation of a Health Insurance Scheme. The MoU signed between BSNL and the New India Assurance did not take off. Again, quotations were called for and the quotations submitted by Oriental Insurance Company Ltd. is the lowest. The Director (HR) has issued a letter today stating that, the Health Insurance Scheme with Oriental Insurance Company Ltd. is getting implemented and details of the same would be informed by the Admin Branch of the Corporate Office. 

Com.Ali Riza Kucukosmanoglu, General Secretary of the Trade Union International (Transports, Ports, Fisheries and Communications) has written letter to Com.P.Abhimanyu, GS, expressing his thanks for the hospitality extended to Com. Erdem Ilhami, a leader of the Trade Union International (TPFC), who came from Istanbul, Turkey, to attend the 10^th All India Conference of BSNLEU. Com.Ali Riza has congratulated Com.P.Abhimanyu, for his re-election as the General Secretary of BSNLEU. He has also conveyed his red salutes to all the members of BSNLEU, wishing the Union great success in it’s militant and class oriented struggles. Com.Ali Riza has also expressed his thanks to BSNLEU for paying 700 US dollars as fee to the Trade Union International (TPFC). The letter of the General Secretary, TUI (TPFC), is enclosed.

Shri Devusinh Chauhan, Hon’ble Minister of State for Communications, has told the Rajya Sabha that, the government has deferred the merger of BSNL and MTNL. The Hon’ble Minister has also told the Parliament that, this decision has been taken due to financial reasons. It is important to note that, BSNLEU has already written letter to the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India, strongly protesting against the merger of BSNL and MTNL. BSNLEU has demanded that, the government should take over the debt of MTNL amounting Rs.26,000 crore, if at all the government wants to proceed with the merger of BSNL and MTNL. Without that, the merger of MTNL will do irreparable damage to BSNL, stated BSNLEU in it’s letter to the Prime Minister. BSNLEU's letter against the merger of BSNL and MTNL was widely been reported in the media.   

[Source: timesofindia.com dated April 6, 2022]