Kalyan district union organised a huge election campaign meeting today, addressed by Com.P.Abhimanyu, GS. Despite intermittent rains, a large number of comrades attended the meeting. Com. Bhangre, district president, presided over. Com. Baste, district secretary, welcomed all. The meeting was also addressed by Com.N.K.Nalawade, CS, Maharashtra, and Com. B.Mane, ACS. The General Secretary, in his speech, declared that, BSNL is not a sinking ship and that, it would once again become a profit making company, through the united struggles of the employees. He exposed that VRS and Rolling back of the Retirement Age are nothing but stepping stones for the privatisation of BSNL. The General Secretary also highlighted the achievements of BSNLEU, since the last Membership Verification. The huge gathering enthusiastically responded to the speech of the General Secretary.

As has already been announced, BSNLEU, BTEU, FNTO, BSNL MS, BSNL ATM and BSNL OA have decided to organise a one day hunger strike on 25.11.2019. On issues related to VRS-2019 and other burning issues of the employees. This programme is being organised at a very short notice. Hence, circle and district unions of BSNLEU are requested to swing into action for mobilising the hunger strike massively throughout the country, together with the other organisations which have given the call.

Karnataka 

1) Com. Rajalakshmi Desikan, RTD SSS, CGMT - Rs.1,000/-

2) Com. Loganathan, Retd.OS, BGTD - Rs.1,000/-

3. Com. Yogesh, Retd.OS, BGTD - Rs.1,000/-

4. Com. Sudharshan. M.N., TT, BGTD - Rs.1,000/-

5. Com. Sharanapoa, DS, AIBDPA, Kalburgi - Rs.1,000/-

6. Com. Shashikala, Retd. JAO, Mangalore TD - Rs.1,000/-

7. Com. Marigowda - Rs.500/-

Haryana

1) Com. Kishan Chand, Ex District President - Rs.2,500/-

2) Com. Subhash Chand, Ex Member LCM - Rs.2,100/-

3) Com. Sourabh Singh, JE Ateli (Narnaul) - Rs.1,000/-

4) Com. Sube Singh Yadav, Br.President (Narnaul) - Rs.500/-

5) Com. Deewan Ji, JE (Narnaul) - Rs. 500/-

The AUAB leaders of Kottayam, Kerala Circle, submitted a memorandum to Shri Thomas Chazhikadan, MP, Kottayam, about the inordinate delay in the launching of BSNL’s 4G service, as well as delay in the implementation of the Revival Package.

Leaders of BSNL unions and associations, submitted memorandum to Hon’ble MPs shri Tamradhwaj Sahu, Durg and smt. Chhaya Verma & shri Bhushan Lal Jangde, Raipur.

Manik Sarkar, who has been the chief minister of Tripura for 20 years, is homeless, and has shifted to CPM's state party headquarters in Agartala, after vacating his official accommodation. Sarkar has refused the official perks for an outgoing chief minister, which include government accommodation, personal staff, multi-purpose worker and a house guard besides Y-category security, The Hindu reported. "Mr. Sarkar is unlikely to avail himself of such facilities and will continue to live in the party office’s one-room guest house," a party member told the paper. “He moved in with his personal belongings and a few books. Only a TV set was added to the room for him to be updated with events across the world,” he added.

(Source: The Times of India & The Hindu)

It is a matter of pride for every one of us that, the BSNL has launched the country’s first Internet Telephony Service yesterday. It was inaugurated by Shri Manoj Sinha, Hon’ble Minister of State for Communications at New Delhi. According to this facility, a customer, using BSNL’s mobile app called “Wings”, can dial any number in India, using internet service or Wifi of any telecom operator. To avail this service, the customer has to pay an annual fee of Rs.1,099. The Hon’ble MoS(C) appreciated the BSNL for enabling a customer, to make calls without a SIM. He also appreciated BSNL for increasing it’s market share, in the present competitive environment.

The Central Trade Unions of the country, together with the Federations and Associations of Workers and Employees, organised a National Convention of the Workers in Mavlankar Hall at New Delhi today. INTUC, AITUC, HMS, CITU, AIUTUC, TUCC, SEWA, AICCTU, LPF and UTUC organised this convention. BSNLEU participated in his convention, with a good number of delegates. The Convention reviewed the situation, with regards to the ongoing struggles against the anti-worker and pro-corporate Neo-Liberal policies of the government. Privatisation of the Public Sector Undertakings, changing of the labour laws of the country in favour of the big corporates, are the important components of the Neo-Liberal policies, being implemented by the governments. It was recollected that a massive three day Mahapadav, participated in by lakhs of workers, was organised against these policies in last November. The Convention is of the considered opinion that, not even the slightest change has come in the thinking of the government, with regards to the demands off the working class. After serious deliberations, the Convention unanimously called upon the working masses of this country to go on a two day strike on 8th and 9th January,2019.

As regards the killing of Subodh Kumar Singh, a police inspector, by a mob at Bulandshashar on 03^rd December, 2018, the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister, Yogi Adityanath has stated that it was an accident and at not a mob lynching. A mob of 300 to 400 people have attacked the police station and have killed the police inspector. If this is not mob lynching, then what mob lynching means? Media reports, as well as police investigation state that, Yogesh Raj, a Bajrang Dal activist, is the main conspirator for the violence. It is important to note that it was inspector Subodh Kumar Singh, who investigated the mob lynching of Mohd. Aqlakh, near Dadri. A mob killed Mohd. Aqlakh, alleging that he had killed a cow and had stored the meat in refrigerator in his house. After detailed investigation, it was proved that, what kept in Mohd. Aqlakh’s refrigerator was only mutton and not cow meat. It is also important to note that inspector Subodh Kumar Singh was transferred, to ensure that, he does not continue to be part of the investigation. Hence, it is alleged now that, inspector Subodh Kumar Singh was killed for his role in the investigation of Mohd. Aqlakh’s killing. However, only an unbiased investigation can bring the truth out. At this stage, the Chief Minister of the state has stated that the killing of inspector Subodh Kumar Singh is only an accident and not a mob lynching. Certainly, this statement of the Chief Minister is given with a view to divert the investigation. It is a clear message of the Chief Minister, to the police, what should be the result of the investigation.

According to the data released by the TRAI, only Reliance Jio and BSNL have added new customers in February,2019. Vodafone Idea and Airtel have lost their customers. Reliance Jio has added 77.93 lakh new customers in February, 2019. BSNL has added 8.99 lakh new customers during this period. Vodafone Idea has lost 57.87 lakh customers. Airtel has lost 49,896 customers.

The 5th All India Conference of AIGETOA is taking place at New Delhi. The open session of this Conference was held in the Mavlankar Hall today. Com.Lakshman Banoth, President, AIGETOA, presided over. Com.Ravi Shil Verma, GS, AIGETOA, delivered the key note address. Com.P.Abhimanyu,GS, BSNLEU, Com.Chandeswar Singh, GS, NFTE, Com.K.Sebastin,GS, SNEA, Com.R.C Pandey, GS, BTEU, Com.Deepak Sharma, Dy.GS, SNATTA and Com.Anil Tiwari, GS,TOA addressed the Conference. Com.P.Abhimanyu,GS, explained about the reasons for BSNL's  downfall and demanded that the government should provide the Company with soft loan, to overcome the ongoing financial stress. He also explained to the delegates, about the real motive behind the government's move to implement VRS and reduction of retirement age from 60 to 58. The GS warned the young workers that, days will not be far away for the government to implement CRS for the young employees, if retrenchment is not fought against. He called upon AIGETOA to come forward to unitedly fight against retrenchment in BSNL, in the name of VRS and reduction of retirement age. The open session was also addressed by Shri B.L.Varshney, Director (EB), Shri Muneendranath, CGM, BBNW and Shri A.M.Gupta, GM(SR).

A well attended election campaign meeting  was organised on 09-09-2019, on  in connection with the 8th Membership Verification, at Nagaon, addressed by Com. Gakul Borah, Treasurer(CHQ). Com. Sushil Kumar Ray presided. Com. Debashish Mazumdar, DS, inaugurated the meeting. The meeting was also addressed by Com Jayanta Choudhury ACS, Com HS Raja, ex President Assam Circle, Com Bijoy Deka, CS, on 8th Membership Verification, finalcial revival of BSNL, 3rd PRC/ Pension Revision, VRS/CRS, and down gradation of the retirement age from 60 to 58.

Talks were held today, between the Director (HR) and the General Secretaries / representatives of BSNLEU, BTEU, FNTO, BSNL MS, ATM and BSNL OA, on the notification issued for the Hunger Strike. GM(Estt.) and GM(SR) were also present. No settlement is reached on important issues. Especially, Management could not give any assurance on the problems connected with the commutation of pension and 3rd Pay Revision benefit to the VRS optees. Management also could not give any commitment on the payment of October salary, remittance of recoveries and contract workers' wages. Hence it is decided to go ahead with the hunger strike programme on 25-11-2019. Detailed note on the talks will be updated on the website tomorrow. Circle and district secretaries are requested to take all out efforts to make the Hunger Strike a massive success.

As per the directions of the CHQ of BSNLEU, various branches of Salem district union collected donations from employees. Distribution of relief materials have taken place on 15th and 16th April, 2020, at Paramathivelur, Attur, Rasipuram and Namakkal. Relief materials in the form of food grains and groceries were supplied to the contract workers. CHQ heartily congratulates the Salem district union and it’s branches.

The day long dharna programme, called on by BSNLEU, as per the decision of the Central Secretariat meeting, is being successfully organised throughout the country. Comrades are  participating enthusiastically in this dharna, by maintaining social distancing and wearing masks, as per the directive of the CHQ. The dharna programme is being organised, demanding the government to immediately allow BSNL to procure 4G equipments from the tender that has been floated, speedy implementation of BSNL’s revival package, payment of salary on time, stopping retrenchment and payment of wage arrears to contract workers, funds for payment of medical bills, cashless treatment under BSNL MRS, immediate remittance of society dues and LIC premium, immediate holding of LICEs, relaxation for the JTO LICE held on 26.05.2019, etc. 

The online Formal meeting, to be held between the Director (HR) and BSNLEU,  could not be held today, due to the unforeseen pre-occupation of the Director (HR). Shri A.M. Gupta, Sr.GM(SR), spoke to Com.P.Abhimanyu, GS, and informed that the Formal meeting is rescheduled and will be held at 16:00 hrs. tomorrow the 28.08.2020.

The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has imposed fine on three private airline companies for forming a cartel and raising freight charges. The CCI has alleged that these three airline companies have raised the ‘Fuel Surcharge’ in a concerted manner, and raised the freight charges. The CCI has fined Rs.39.8 crores on Jet Airways, Rs.9.5 crores on IndiGo and Rs.5.1 crores on Spice Jet, based on the complaint lodged by the Express Industry Council of India. It is not new that private companies form cartels among themselves, and raise prices and tariffs and thereby loot the public. This is the reason, why we are fighting for a strong and vibrant BSNL, so as to stop the looting by private telecom companies.

(Source : Times of India - 08-03-2018 )