BSNLEU is continuously pressing the Corporate Management to re-constitute the National Council without further delay. The matter was discussed again with the GM(SR), BSNL CO, once again yesterday. Since we have been assured that the re-constitution of the National Council will be done immediately, the Staff Side has to promptly submit the agenda items to the Management, to ensure that the National Council meeting is not delayed because of the Staff Side. Hence, all the circle secretaries and central office bearers are requested to immediately send items to the CHQ, for the submission of agenda items.

With great pleasure, we wish to announce that, a Facebook account has been started for the CHQ of BSNLEU. This account will be used to propagate the stand/decisions of BSNLEU on various issues connected with the working class. The live address to be made by the General Secretary in Hindi on 12.09.2020, on the Birth Centenary of Com.K.G.Bose, will be made on this account. The link of this account has been already sent to the CHQ office bearers and circle secretaries. 

BSNLEU has strongly demanded payment of this year's PLI to the employees. It has written letters to the CMD BSNL, as well as to the Director ( HR & Fin.). The issue is discussed twice with the CMD BSNL. However, Management is not willing to pay PLI. As usual, the Company's financial position is being cited as the reason, for the Management's inability to pay PLI. BSNLEU does not agree with this. Hence, BSNLEU calls upon the employees to conduct demonstrations on 13-10-2017, demanding payment of PLI to BSNL employees. Due to certain unavoidable reasons, the call is being given at a very short notice. CHQ requests our circle and district unions to make the programme successful and also send reports and photos to the CHQ.

BSNLEU, Madhya Pradesh circle, organised an inspiring convention of the DR JEs at Indore yesterday. Totally, 110 comrades attended the convention, including 54 DR JEs. Com. M.K. Tavrech, District Secretary, BSNLEU, Indore, welcomed everyone. Com. B.S. Raghuvanshi, Circle President, presided over. Com. Prakash Sharma, CS, BSNLEU, Madhya Pradesh, delivered the introductory speech. Thereafter, Com. P. Abhimanyu, GS, spoke at length on the efforts taken by BSNLEU to get justice to the 2,700 DR JE selected candidates, the role played by BSNLEU in settling important issues of the JE (erstwhile TTA) cadre, efforts being taken for the revival of BSNL, struggle against formation of Subsidiary Tower Company, anti-worker and pro-corporate policies of the government, etc. Thereafter, 15 DR JEs participated in the discussion and elucidated their views brilliantly. It was heartening to note that many of the participants gave valid suggestions to improve the quality of services. Ultimately, Com. P. Abhimanyu, GS, summed up the discussion and replied to the various queries raised by the DR JEs. The General Secretary also assured that their suggestions for improvement of the services would be taken up with the highest level of BSNL Management. The meeting came to an end with rousing slogans. CHQ heartily congratulates the Madhya Pradesh circle union for successfully organising a very effective convention of the DR JEs.

In it’s latest India Development update, the World Bank has stated that GST in India is the highest in the world. The World Bank has described the GST as a key reform of the government. It has also appreciated the GST Council, for it’s smooth functioning. At the same time, the World Bank has compared the GST implemented in India, with the GST implemented in 115 other countries, and has said that the tax rates in the Indian GST system is one of the highest in the world. It has also stated that the 28% slab was the second highest in the world.

[source: Times of India dt. 19-03-2018]

BSNLEU is consistently demanding for holding of the JE LICE 50% through offline. The matter was discussed in the 36th National Council meeting. Thereafter, the matter was taken up by the union with the CMD, BSNL and the Director (HR), BSNL and both were agreed to consider our demand for conducting the said exam by offline. In between, the Rectt. Section has issued notification for conducting the exam on-line and later on postponed the process. In this regard, Com. Swapan Chakraborty, Dy.GS and Com. Prakash Sharma, AGS, met Ms. Samita Luthra, GM (Rectt.) on 27.02.2019, and requested for immediate announcement of the date for holding JE LICE 50% through offline. After detailed discussion, the GM (Rectt.) is agreed to do the needful at the earliest.

Com.P.Abhimanyu,GS, reached Kathmandu yesterday the 25-07-2019, on a 3 day visit to Nepal. He was warmly welcomed at the Corporate Office of Nepal Telecom, by the leaders of National Telecom Employees Association of Nepal (NTEAN). Thereafter, he participated in a joint meeting of the Nepal Telecom Management and the representatives of the trade union. From the Management Side, Shri D.R.Adhikari, Managing Director, as well as the Chief Technical Officer (CTO), Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and many top officers of the Company participated. Com.Yadav Prasad Paneru, President, NTEAN, welcomed every one. Com.P.Abhimanyu,GS, addressed the meeting and explained about the scenario prevailing in the Indian telecom industry. Finally Shri D.R.Adhikari, MD, Nepal Telecom addressed and explained about the activities and contributions of the Nepal Telecom, for the development of Nepal. On behalf of the Nepal Telecom, Shri D.R.Adhikari, MD, presented a memento to Com.P.Abhimanyu,GS.

We know that the Finance Ministry has already rejected the proposals for BSNL' s revival. It has refused to allot 4G spectrum to BSNL, citing the financial crisis being faced by the government. However, the same government has given a huge tax concession to the big corporates to the tune of Rs. 1.45 lakh crores. According to the announcement made by Ms. Nirmala Sitaraman, Finance Minister today, Corporate Tax is reduced from 30% to 22%. In case of companies started after 01-10-2019, the Corporate Tax will be only 15%. Government' revenue collection will go down by Rs.1.45 lakh crores due to this tax concession given to the big corporates.

The AUAB has called on the employees to organise country wide lunch hour demonstrations today the 04.12.2019, demanding immediate payment of the salary for the months of October & November, 2019. As per reports being received by the CHQ, these demonstrations have been organised effectively throughout the country. BSNLEU congratulates the AUAB and all it’s constituents for this successful programme.

The Industrial Relations Code, 2019, being introduced by the Narendra Modi government, is virtually taking away the right of the Trade Unions to go on strike. This Code states that, workers will not be allowed to go on strike, once the conciliation process is started. No strike can take place till the completion of the conciliation process. No one can tell, when the conciliation process will be completed. Thus, if the Industrial Relations Code, 2019, is passed in the Parliament, then all strikes in our country will remain banned. Hence, the Central Trade Unions have made petitions to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Labour, which is presently looking into the Industrial Relations Code, 2019.  

[Source: The Economic Times dated 03.03.2020]

In implementation of the call of the CHQ, the Sangli District Union of BSNLEU (Maharashtra), provided relief  to 12 Contract workers on 19-04-2020 , in the form of food materials.  Com. Narayan Bodas, District Secretary, supplied the materials to the workers. CHQ appreciates the Sangli District Union. 

The birth centenary of the revolutionary leader, Com.K.G. Bose, was observed enthusiastically throughout the country. Union flag was hoisted and Com.K.G.Bose’s portrait was garlanded in the circle and district union offices. CHQ heartily congratulates the circle and district unions for organising this programme successfully, even amidst difficulties experienced on account of the lock-down and related restrictions. BSNLEU has decided to observe the birth centenary for one full year, organising various programmes.

It has been recognised by the scientific community throughout the world that, Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution of man is scientifically correct. However, the Union Minister of State for Human Resource Development, Satyapal Singh has stirred a controversy by claiming that the theory of evolution of man was scientifically wrong and that, it should be removed from the school and college books. The minister has also claimed that the books written by our fore fathers did not say that, they saw an ape turning into a man. The Indian National Science Academy, The National Academy of Sciences and The Indian Academy of Science have criticised the statement made by the Minister. Scientists and students from institutions across the country have strongly condemned the statement of the Minister. The statement of the Minister is seen as a part of the larger agenda of the RSS, to change the text books, to suite it’s communal agenda.     

Only recently the bank scam involving Nirav Modi, shook the country. Now, another bank scam, running into Rs.4,000 crores, has been unearthed by the Mumbai police. This scam came to the fore when the private sector Axis bank approached the police, complaining that one ‘Parekh Alluminex Ltd. had cheated it to the tune of Rs.125 crores. Soon the police found out that the Axis bank is only part of a group of 20 banks, which are cheated to the tune of Rs.4,000 crores, using letters of credit. The police have arrested three directors of Parekh Alluminex Ltd.

[courtesy : Times of India dt. 19-03-2018]