A meeting between the AUAB and all the Directors of BSNL Board, including the CMD BSNL, was held on 27-10-2021. The following are the highlights.

1. Launching of 4G. 

CMD BSNL and the Director (CM) reported that, TCS is taking hectic efforts to supply 4G equipments to BSNL and it looks promising. The 4G core is developed by the C-DOT, with which TCS has made tie-up. The equipments will be manufactured by Tejas, which has been taken over by the TCS.  Equipments are installed at Chandigarh and Ambala and testings are going on.

2. Payment of salary on the due date. 

After prolonged discussions, the following agreement is reached.

1. Salary for October, 2021 will be paid before Deepawali.
2. November, 2021 salary will be paid on the due date, i.e., 30.11.2021.
3. December, 2021 salary will be delayed a little.
4. From January, 2022 onwards, every month salary will be paid on the due date.

3. Wage Revision. 

For the Non-Executives, Management has already taken action to reconstitute the Wage Negotiation Committee. The first meeting of this Committee will be held after Deepawali. For the Pay Revision of the Executives, CMD BSNL advised to take up the issue with the DoT. He assured to arrange a meeting between the AUAB and the Secretary, Telecom.

4. Restructuring. 

The CMD BSNL informed that, Restructuring of BSNL’s Manpower is approved by the Board, with 12% increase in the existing strength. The new strength will be 36,000 Executives and 35,000 Non-Executives. Totally, 71,000.

5. Withdrawal of show cause notices. 

The pensionary benefits of Com.S. Sivakumar, GS, AIBSNLEA, Com.Kabir Das, GS, BSNL OA and Com.Goud, President, BSNL MS, is being settled. The pending cases of four serving General Secretaries / Presidents will be settled before New Year.

6. Holding of various LICEs of Non-Executives and LDCEs of Executives. 

Notifications will be issued before 30.11.2021.

7. Restrictions imposed on Temporary Transfers under Rule 9. 

A Committee will be formed with four Representatives from Unions / Associations and four Management Representatives. Based on the recommendations of the Committee, the restrictions will be relaxed.

8. Threatening letters against agitations. 

Threatening / harsh wordings will be avoided.

9. SAB contributions pending from April, 2020. 

CMD BSNL assured to clear the payment by March, 2022.

10. Regular interaction between the AUAB and the Management. 

The CMD BSNL assured that bi-monthly meetings will be held between the CMD BSNL and the AUAB for briefing on developmental activities.

After meeting the Management, the AUAB met and decided to defer the agitational programmes, in view of the improvements on issues. 

टीसीएस-TCS बीएसएनएल-BSNL को 4G उपकरणों की आपूर्ति करने के लिए पूर्णरूप से तैयार है  : प्रबंधन-management ने एयूएबी-AUAB को सूचित किया ।

बीएसएनएल की 4G सेवा की शुरुआत सुनिश्चित करने के लिए एयूएबी लगातार संघर्ष कर रही है। सरकार ने बीएसएनएल को विदेशी विक्रेताओं से उपकरण खरीदने पर रोक लगा दी है । सरकार ने बीएसएनएल को 4G सेवा प्रदान करने के लिए अपने बीटीएस-BTS को अपग्रेड करने की अनुमति भी नहीं दी । अब प्रबंधन ने सूचित किया है कि टीसीएस (टाटा कंसल्टेंसी सर्विस)-TCS ( Tata Consultancy Service ) बीएसएनएल को 4G उपकरणों की आपूर्ति करने के लिए तैयार है । टीसीएस ने कोर इक्विपमेंट-core equipment(स्विचिंग इक्विपमेंट-switching equipment) के लिए सी-डॉट-C DOT के साथ करार किया है। टीसीएस ने तेजस-Tejas नामक कंपनी को भी अपने अधिकार में ले लिया है, जो उपकरणों का निर्माण करेगी। प्रबंधन ने यह भी बताया कि चंडीगढ़ और अंबाला में उपकरण लगाए गए हैं और लगातार टेस्टिंग चल रही है। इसके अलावा, हमें सूचित किया गया है कि माननीय संचार मंत्री-Hon’ble Minister of Communications बीएसएनएल को यूएसओ फंड-USO Fund से धन उपलब्ध करवाने के लिए प्रयास कर रहे हैं। यह बताने की जरूरत नहीं है कि, एयूएबी-AUAB के बैनर तले यूनियनों और एसोसिएशन्स की एकता और बीएसएनएल के कर्मचारियों के लगातार संघर्षों ने इन सभी घटनाक्रमों का मार्ग प्रशस्त किया है । हालांकि एयूएबी-AUAB स्थिति पर नजर बनाए रखेगा। इसमें जरूरी हस्तक्षेप भी किए जाएंगे ताकि बीएसएनएल की 4G सेवा को जल्द शुरू किया जा सके ।

नॉन एक्ज़ीक्यूटिव कर्मचारियों-non executives के वेतन संशोधन-Wage Revision के मुद्दे में प्रगति : एक बड़ी उपलब्धि। 

नॉन एक्ज़ीक्यूटिव कर्मचारियों का वेतन संशोधन लगभग एक मृतप्राय: मुद्दा बन गया था । हालांकि, हमारे निरंतर प्रयासों ने इस अत्यंत महत्वपूर्ण मांगों को जीवन दिया है ।डीओटी-DOT ने बीएसएनएल प्रबंधन-BSNL Management को पहले ही स्पष्ट निर्देश दिया था कि नॉन एक्ज़ीक्यूटिव कर्मचारियों-non executives की मान्यता प्राप्त यूनियनों-Recognised Unions के साथ वेतन समझौते-wage agreement पर हस्ताक्षर करे और इसे डीओटी-DOT की मंजूरी के लिए भेजा जाए । हालांकि बीएसएनएल प्रबंधन इससे बचता रहा। अब, हम प्रबंधन को वेतन बातचीत समिति-Wage Negotiation Committee का पुनर्गठन करने और वेतन वार्ताओं-wage negotiations फिर से शुरू करने के लिए बाध्य करने में सफल रहे हैं । कल निदेशक मंडल-Board of Directors के साथ हुई एयूएबी-AUAB की मीटिंग में एयूएबी ने सीएमडी बीएसएनएल-CMD, BSNL से साफ कहा है कि, वेतन समझौते पर अविलंब हस्ताक्षर किए जाएं और डीओटी-DOT के अनुमोदन के लिए भेजा जाएं। (डीपीई-DPE के निर्देश अनुसार नॉन एक्ज़ीक्यूटिव का वेतनमान एक्ज़िक्यूटिव्स के वेतनमान से अधिक नहीं होना चाहिए) आदि जैसे मुद्दों का समाधान डीओटी-DOT द्वारा किया जाना चाहिए। एक्ज़िक्यूटिव्स के वेतन संशोधन का मामला डीओटी-DOT के साथ उठाया जाना चाहिए। एयूएबी-AUAB इस मामले के समाधान के बारे में भी कृत संकल्पित है । 

The AUAB has been continuously fighting to ensure the 4G launching of BSNL. Government prohibited BSNL from procuring equipments from foreign vendors. Government also did not allow BSNL to upgrade it’s BTSs for providing 4G service. Now, the Management has informed that, TCS (Tata Consultancy Service) is all set to supply 4G equipments to BSNL. TCS has made tie-up with the C-DOT for the core equipment (switching equipment). TCS has also taken over a company called Tejas, which will manufacture the equipments. Management also informed that, equipments have been installed at Chandigarh and Ambala and continuous testings are going on. Further, we are informed that, the Hon’ble Minister of Communications is taking efforts for BSNL to get funds from the USO Fund, for rolling out the 4G service. It is needless to state that, the unity of the unions and associations under the banner of the AUAB and the continuous struggles of the employees of BSNL have paved way for all these developments. However, the AUAB will continue to monitor the situation. It will also make necessary interventions so as to ensure the early launching of BSNL’s 4G service.

Wage Revision of the Non-Executives had almost become a dead issue. However, our continuous efforts has given life to this very important demands.  DoT had already given a clear direction to the BSNL Management, to sign the wage agreement with the Recognised Unions of the Non-Executives and send it for the approval of the DoT. However, BSNL Management had been avoiding this. Now, we have been able to compel the Management to reconstitute the Wage Negotiating Committee and to re-start the Wage Negotiations. In the AUAB meeting held with the Board of Directors yesterday, the AUAB has told the CMD BSNL categorically that, the Wage Agreement should be signed without delay and sent for the approval of the DoT. Issues like conflict (DPE’s direction that Non-Executive pay scale should not be higher than the pay scale of the Executive), etc., should be addressed by the DoT. Regarding the Pay Revision of the Executives, it has to be taken up with the DoT. The AUAB is determined to do this task also.

कोरपोरेट कार्यालय-Corporate Office ने दिनांक 01.10.2020 से 30.06.2021 तक की अवधि के लिए आईडीए के बकाया भुगतान-Payment of IDA Arrears के लिए पत्र जारी किया ।

मोदी सरकार ने दिनांक  01-10-2020 से 30-06-2021 तक की अवधि के लिए आईडीए स्थगन-Freezing of IDA की घोषणा की थी ।बीएसएनएलईयू-BSNLEU ने इस घोषणा के खिलाफ माननीय केरल उच्च न्यायालय-Hon’ble Kerala High Court में मामला दायर किया था। कोर्ट ने आदेश दिया कि बीएसएनएल के नॉन-एक्ज़ीक्यूटिवस-non executives के आईडीए को स्थगित न किया जाए। लंबे समय तक देरी के बाद बीएसएनएल कोरपोरेट कार्यालय ने आज पत्र जारी कर आईडीए के बकाया भुगतान-Payment of IDA Arrears के लिए पत्र जारी किया है । आईडीए का बकाया भुगतान-Payment of IDA Arrears इस प्रकार होगा।

01-10-2020 = 5.5% से

01-01-2021 = 11.8% से

01-04-2021 = 10.6% से

बीएसएनएल के सभी नॉन एक्ज़ीक्यूटिव-non executive साथियों को बधाई । हमारी कोशिश होगी कि आईडीए के इस बकाए का भुगतान जल्द से जल्द हो जाए ।

Modi government announced freezing of IDA increase for the period from 01-10-2020  to 30-06-2021. BSNLEU filed a case against this in the Hon’ble Kerala High Court. The Hon’ble Court ordered that, the IDA of BSNL Non-Executives should not be frozen. After delaying for a long time, the BSNL Corporate Office has finally issued the letter yesterday, for the payment of IDA arrears. The IDA arrears that will be paid will be as follows :-

From 01-10-2020 = 5.5%

From 01-01-2021   = 11.8%

From  01-04-2021  = 10.6%

Hearty congrats to all the Non-Executives of BSNL. We will try to get the payment of this IDA arrears as early as possible. 

दिनांक 01.07.2021 और 01.10.2021 से आईडीए वृद्धि-IDA increase के बारे में डीपीई-DPE ने पत्र जारी कर सूचित किया ।

केंद्रीय सार्वजनिक क्षेत्र के उद्यम (सीपीएसई)-Central Public Sector Enterprise के कर्मचारियों के लिए आईडीए वृद्धि की दो किस्तों का भुगतान दिनांक 01.07.2021 और 01.10.2021 से देय हो गया है। हालांकि डीपीई ने इस आईडीए बढ़ोतरी की सूचना नहीं दी थी । डीपीई द्वारा की गई देरी अभूतपूर्व है । बीएसएनएलईयू-BSNLEU ने दिनांक 14-10-2021 को डीपीई के सचिव-Secretary, DPE को पत्र लिखकर तत्काल अधिसूचना जारी करने की मांग की थी। काफी देरी के बाद डीपीई ने आज पत्र जारी कर आईडीए की बढ़ोतरी को अधिसूचित किया है। इसके अनुसार, _दिनांक 01.07.2021 (कुल 173.8%) और 01.10.2021 (कुल 179.3%) से 3.3% आईडीए बढ़ गया है।_ अर्थात, पूरी तरह से *8.8% आईडीए वृद्धि-IDA increase* का भुगतान बीएसएनएल प्रबंधन द्वारा कर्मचारियों को किया जाना है। 

साथी जॉन वर्गीज, एसिस्टंट जनरल सेक्रेटरी को खेल और सांस्कृतिक बोर्ड-Sports and Cultural Board के लिए नामित किया गया ।

बीएसएनएलईयू-BSNLEU द्वारा किए गए निरंतर प्रयासों के कारण, अंत में, कॉर्पोरेट कार्यालय-Corporate Office खेल और सांस्कृतिक बोर्ड-Sports and Cultural Board  के पुनर्गठन के लिए कदम उठा रहा है। निगम कार्यालय ने बीएसएनएलईयू को पत्र लिखकर इस बोर्ड में एक सदस्य मनोनीत करने को कहा है। बीएसएनएलईयू-BSNLEU के अखिल भारतीय केंद्र-All India Center ने खेल और सांस्कृतिक बोर्ड में साथी जॉन वर्गीज, एसिस्टंट जनरल सेक्रेटरी को नामित करने का फैसला किया है । इसी के अनुसार सीएचक्यू ने निगम कार्यालय को पत्र लिखा है।

जेएओ भर्ती नियमों-JAO Recruitment Rules में संशोधनों-amendments को  तत्काल शामिल करें : बीएसएनएलईयू-BSNLEU ने सीएमडी बीएसएनएल-CMD, BSNL को पत्र लिखा है।

बीएसएनएलईयू-BSNLEU 2016 से जेएओ भर्ती नियमों में संशोधन की मांग कर रहा है । इस संबंध में निदेशक (एचआर)-Director (HR) को पहले ही चार पत्र लिखे जा चुके हैं। लेकिन प्रबंधन ने अब तक कोई कदम नहीं उठाया है। इसलिए बीएसएनएलईयू ने आज सीएमडी बीएसएनएल को पत्र लिखकर जेएओ भर्ती नियमों में निम्नलिखित संशोधनों को तत्काल शामिल करने की मांग की है।

1. अपेक्षित योग्यता वाले सभी नॉन-एक्ज़ीक्यूटिव-non-executives को जेएओ एलआइसीई-JAO LICE के लिए अनुमति दी जानी चाहिए। (अब रु. 9020-17430 और उससे अधिक वेतनमान पाने वाले कर्मचारी ही उपस्थित हो सकते हैं )। 
2. परीक्षा में बैठने के लिए ऊपरी आयु सीमा 53 वर्ष से बढ़ाकर 55 वर्ष की जाए।
3. 5 साल की रेजीडेंसी अवधि-Residency Period की गणना के लिए कट ऑफ डेट 01 जुलाई होनी चाहिए न कि 01 जनवरी।

Payment of two instalments of IDA increase has become due for the Central Public Sector Enterprise (CPSEs) employees, w.e.f. 01.07.2021 and 01.10.2021. However, the DPE did not notify this IDA increase. The delay made by the DPE is unprecedented. BSNLEU wrote to the Secretary, DPE, on 14.10.2021, demanding to immediately issue the notification. After much delay, the DPE has issued letter today, notifying the IDA increase. According to this, 3.3% IDA has increased from 01.07.2021 (total 173.8%) and 5.5% from 01.10.2021 (total 179.3%). So, totally 8.8% IDA increase has to be paid by the BSNL Management to the employees.

BSNLEU has long been demanding that, the Wage Negotiations should resume to sign the wage agreement of the Non-Executives. The AUAB has also demanded that, the Wage Revision should be settled. Recently, BSNLEU wrote to the Management, demanding that the Wage Negotiating Committee for the Non-Executives, should be reconstituted. This is because the Shri H.C. Pant, Chairman of the Wage Revision Committee, as well as many members of the Committee, have already retired under VRS / Superannuation. The Management has accepted this demand. The Corporate Office has issued letter today, requesting the Recognised Unions to nominate the Staff Side members.

In the backdrop of the agitational programmes announced by the AUAB, a marathon meeting was held between the Board of Directors of BSNL and the AUAB on 06.10.2021. However, no settlement is reached with regards to the charter of demands of the AUAB. Thereafter, the AUAB leaders met the Director (HR) and informed that, they would be forced to go ahead with the agitations, if the important issues are not settled within a week. Again, the AUAB met online on 18.10.2021 and decided to organise the Twitter Campaign on 29.10.2021. In this background, one more meeting is taking place between Directors of BSNL Board and the AUAB at 05:00 pm tomorrow the 27.10.2021.

The prices of petrol and diesel are sky-rocketing in India. While the price of petrol is being sold at Rs.107/- per litre in New Delhi today, the price of diesel is being sold at Rs.95/-. This unprecedented rise in the price of diesel is pushing up the prices of all the essential commodities being carried by lorries and trains. The working masses are severely affected by this price increase. Government says that, the increase of price of crude oil in the international market, is the reason for this. The price of crude oil currently is $80 in the international market. It must be recollected that, the price of crude oil had crossed $100 in the international market at the time when UPA was ruling. However, even at that time, the price of petrol and diesel was not so high in India, as it is today. Even now, the price of petrol in the neighbouring countries is very less, compared to India. It is because of the high taxes imposed in India. As on 22.10.2021, petrol was sold at Rs.106/- at Delhi. On the same day, the price of petrol in India’s neighbouring countries was as follows: -

The Circle Conference of BSNLEU, UP (East) circle, is being held at Faizabad. The Conference started with the hoisting of the National Flag and the Union Flag. A presidium, consisting of all the Vice Presidents is presiding over the conference. Com.P.Abhimanyu, General Secretary, delivered the inaugural address of the conference. In his speech, the GS strongly criticised the National Monetisation Policy, privatisation of the Public Sector Undertakings and other pro-corporate steps being taken by the Modi government. He also explained in detail about the issues settled by the CHQ and also about the agitational programmes of the AUAB. The conference is also addressed by Shri Babu Ram, PGM (HR), UP (East) circle and Shri Prabhans Yadav, GM, Faizabad. After the lunch break, the delegates session started. Com.R.K. Mishra, Circle Secretary, presented the report on activities, on which debate by the delegates started.

A meeting of the Co-ordination Committee (CoC) of BSNLEU, AIBDPA and BSNLCCWF will take place at 18:00 hrs. on 26.10.2021. This meeting will review the implementation of the calls of the CoC viz., March to the SSA / BA offices held on 05.10.2021 and March to the CGM offices held on 22.10.2021. The meeting will also discuss about the “National Monetisation Pipeline” and the form of campaigns to oppose it.

The CHQ of BSNLEU, as well as the Co-ordination Committee (CoC) of BSNLEU, AIBDPA and BSNLCCWF, have already decided that circle and district level Co-ordination Committees should be formed. It is observed that, still the same has not been formed in some circles and districts. Hence, such of those circle and district unions of BSNLEU are called upon to immediately form the CoC, wherever it is not formed.

Employees of the Central Public Sector Undertakings (CPSUs) are entitled for payment of IDA increase four times in a year, i.e., from 01^st January, 01^st April, 01^st July and 01^st October. So far, the DPE has been announcing the percentage of IDA increase, within a few days of the above mentioned dates. The same had been promptly paid by the CPSUs also. However, the IDA increase that has become due w.e.f. 01^st July, 2021 (3.3%) and 01^st October, 2021(5.5%), were not announced so far. It is already four months since the IDA increase w.e.f. 01^st July, 2021 has become due. What is the reason for this delay? It is because, the DPE (Department of Public Enterprises), which announces the rates of IDA increase, was earlier under the Ministry of Heavy Industries. But, a few months ago, this DPE has been brought under the control of the Finance Ministry. We all know that Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman ji, is the Finance Minister of the country. Now, employees can understand why the IDA increase is being delayed.