The lockdown has set off a banking revolution. Irrespective of which bank you have an account with — in a city or a village without a branch—you can call the local post office and ask it to deliver cash. In as little as 10-15 minutes, the postman or postwoman will reach your home. For this, you need not have an account with the post office.

Between March 24 and April 23, post offices across India delivered Rs 412 crore in over 21 lakh such transactions, mostly in rural and unbanked areas, through a network of 1.36 lakh post offices which have been equipped with 1.86 lakh handheld AePS devices.

[Courtesy : Times of India.com dt. 25-04-2020]

AUAB की आज एक ऑनलाइन बैठक आयोजित की गई । जिसमे AUAB से जुड़े सभी प्रमुख संगठनों ने जैसे BSNLEU, NFTE, SNEA, AIBSNLEA, FNTO, BSNL MS, SNATTA, BSNL ATM, TEPU और BSNL OA के  प्रतिनिधियों ने भाग लिया।  इस बैठक में BSNL के 4 G टेंडर को रद्द करने पर सभीने अपनी नाराजगी जताई तथा रोष व्यक्त किया गया।  पुनर्जीवन (Revival) पैकेज में दिए गए आश्वासनों के कार्यान्वयन में देरी और BSNL की सेवाओं की गुणवत्ता में आई भारी गिरावट को भी गंभीरता से लिया गया।  निर्धारित तारीख पर वेतन का भुगतान न होना, साथ ही कर्मचारियों के लिए कैशलेस मेडिकल उपचार की व्यवस्था न होना, वह भी ऐसे समय में जब COVID ​​-19 तेजी से फैल रहा है, ऐसे लगता है कि यह जानबूझकर किया गया था।  आखिर में, सभीं ने मिलकर बैठक में एक आंदोलनकारी कार्यक्रम (Agitational Program) करने का निर्णय किया हैं।  इस संबध में AUAB द्वारा  एक विस्तृत परिपत्र (Circular) कल जारी किया जाएगा।

Sometime back, the Andhra Pradesh circle was bifurcated into Andhra Pradesh and Telangana circles. In continuation of this, employees were compulsorily transferred from Telangana circle, for manning the newly formed CGM office of Andhra Pradesh circle at Vijayawada. Now, again the Management wants to transfer more employees from Telangana circle to the CGM office at Vijayawada. BSNLEU, Telangana circle has strongly opposed this, because sufficient number of employees, from the neighbouring districts of Vijayawada, are willing to move and work in the CGM office. However, without considering the requests of such willing employees, the Management wants to transfer employees from Telangana to Vijayawada in AP circle. Hence, BSNLEU, Telangana circle, has warned the Telangana circle administration, that it would be compelled to launch serious agitations, if the Management goes ahead to transfer employees compulsorily.

Today’s Times of India has reported that the RSS is greatly annoyed with Virjesh Upadhyay, the General Secretary of BMS, and it is on the way of removing him from the post. The anti-BJP and anti-Modi government stand, being taken by Virjesh Upadhyay is said to be the reason, as per the report. However, fact remains that the BMS, which claims to be the biggest trade union in India, has dissociated with other Central Trade Unions. BMS did not join the last two General Strikes that had taken place in 2015 and 2016, opposing the anti-worker and pro-corporate policies of the Modi government. Further, the BMS also did not participate in the historic “Mahapadav” that shook Delhi on 09^th, 10^th & 11^th November, 2017. Both these struggles were organised by the entire Central Trade Unions. The BMS did not participate in these struggles, because both the BMS and the BJP belong to the RSS family. Despite this being the fact, even one or two speeches made by Virjesh Upadhyay, General Secretary of BMS, criticising the policies of the Modi government, are not acceptable to the RSS. RSS claims itself to be a “non-political”, “cultural” organisation. As such, why it should intervene in the functioning of a trade union?

India is one of the greatest civilisations of the world. The country has given birth to many great geniuses, who have made great achievements in the fields of astronomy, medicine, literature,etc. However, it is regrettable that the BJP ministers are continuously engaged in distorting our ancient history and achievements, to fulfil their political agenda. We have seen how one Central Minister said that, Darwin’s ‘Theory of Evolution’ was wrong. He had said that  our ancestors did not say anywhere that, man had come from apes. Again, Harsh Wardhan, the Union Minister of Science, has done a similar gimmick now. According to him, Stephen Hawking, the world renowned scientist who passed away recently, has stated that what was written in our Vedhas, are even superior to the theory of Albert Einstein. That particular equation of Einstein, which the Minister referred to, denotes the equivalence of mass and energy. Interestingly, when the media persons present in the event, asked the Minister to mention the source for Stephen Hawking’s claim, he was not able to give any reply. If the Minister wants to glorify the Vedhas, certainly he has the liberty to do that. But, he should not make statements, which are not true. This will make the world laugh at us.

The circle executive committee meeting of Andhra Pradesh circle is held in Vijayawada in a jubilantly.  More than 250 comrades, including 50 lady comrades, participated. The meeting was presided over by Com. K.Prabakar Rao, Circle President. Com.N.Ramarao, DS, Vijayawada, welcomed everyone. Com.S.Chellappa, AGS, addressed the meeting and reported on the decisions of the Agartala CEC meeting. He also explained about the government's Neo-Liberal Policies, Wage Revision and the Subsidiary Tower Company issues. Discussion took place on the report submitted by the Circle Secretary. A Seminar on "Revival of BSNL and Draft National Digital Communication Policy was held. Shri Y.Ravindrnath, GM(HR) and Com. P.Asoka Babu, Vice-President (CHQ) spoke on it. The CEC meeting was also addressed by Com.K.Dharmarao, CS, BSNLCCW, Com.Ramadevi, Member, BSNLWWCC and Com.K.S.C.Bose, CS,AIBDPA.

ऑल यूनियन्स एंड एसोसिएशन्स ऑफ बीएसएनएल (AUAB) वेज रिवीजन, पेंशन रिवीजन और बीएसएनएल के रिवाइवल से जुड़े अन्य महत्वपूर्ण मुद्दों के निराकरण हेतु सतत रूप से प्रयत्नशील है। *यह AUAB द्वारा किए गए संघर्षों का ही परिणाम है कि माननीय संचार राज्य मंत्री वेज रिवीजन का मुद्दा कैबिनेट से अनुमोदित करवाने के लिए सहमत हुए हैं। AUAB द्वारा किए गए निरंतर प्रयासों की वजह से ही नॉन एग्जीक्यूटिव्ज की वेज रिवीजन वार्ता लगभग अपने अंतिम चरण में पहुंच चुकी है।* AUAB द्वारा माननीय संचार राज्य मंत्री द्वारा दिए गए आश्वासनों को त्वरित इम्पलीमेंट कराने हेतु जुलाई 2018 में तीन दिवसीय क्रमिक भूख हड़ताल की गई थी। AUAB के लीडर्स ने 01.08.2018 को माननीय संचार राज्य मंत्री से पार्लियामेंट में मुलाकात कर त्वरित कार्यवाही की मांग भी की थी।

इस संबंध में आगामी कार्यक्रम की रूपरेखा तय करने हेतु AUAB की 08.10.2018 को मीटिंग होने जा रही है। इसी बीच कुछ दुष्प्रचारक तत्व कर्मचारियों को भ्रमित करने के लिए झूठ और अफवाहें प्रसारित कर रहे हैं। BSNLEU द्वारा लगातार अपनी वेबसाइट के माध्यम से वस्तुस्थिति (सच्चाई) से अवगत कराया जा रहा है। परिमंडल व जिला सचिवों से आग्रह है कि वें सभी कर्मचारियों को सत्य स्थिति से रूबरू कराएं।

Com.M.C.Balakrishna, Organising Secretary (CHQ), is retiring on superannuation today. He has earlier served as the AGS of the Union, and is currently the circle president of BSNLEU, Karnataka circle also. Com.M.C.Balakrishna had worked shoulder to shoulder with Com. Sadananda, the founder of BSNLEU in Karnataka, and has made big contribution to the growth of the Union. CHQ heartily congratulates Com.M.C.Balakrishna on his superannuation from service and wishes him a long, healthy and peaceful retired life.

BSNLEU conveys it's revolutionary May Day greetings to all the comrades. BSNLEU salutes the May Day martyrs, who laid down their lives in the gallows, to achieve the 8 Hour Working Day. The struggle to achieve the 8 hour working day is nothing, but the struggle to put an end to the exploitations of the working class. On this day, BSNLEU re-dedicates itself to the fight against exploitations and reaffirms it's faith in the slogan,

"Workers of all nations unite!

You have nothing to lose, but the chains of slavery.

You have a world to win."

As per media reports, Shri Anshu Prakash, presently serving as the Additional Secretary, Telecom, has been selected as the new Secretary, Telecom. According to reports, the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC), which met yesterday, has approved the name of Shri Anshu Prakash for the top post in the Department of Telecommunications. Reports appeared in the media yesterday, that the incumbent Secretary, Telecom, Ms.Aruna Sundararajan, who is retiring on superannuation on 31.07.2019, has been given an extension of 3 months. However, late in the evening, reports came that the ACC has approved the name of Shri Anshu Prakash.

The CHQ has decided to hold the Central Executive Committee meeting, to review the 8^th Membership Verification results and also to prepare the road map for future functioning. The meeting will take place on 12^th & 13^th October, 2019, at Delhi. All the circle secretaries and central office bearers are requested to attend the meeting without fail.

The AUAB has already called on the Executives and Non-Executives of BSNL to organise lunch hour demonstrations tomorrow the 04.12.2019, demanding immediate payment of salaries for the month of October & November, 2019. The CHQ of BSNLEU calls upon the circle and district secretaries to organise the lunch hour demonstration powerfully, by coordinating with the other constituents of the AUAB.

In their meeting with the CMD BSNL, Com.Animesh Mitra, President and Com.P.Abhimanyu, GS urged upon the CMD BSNL to ensure immediate payment of salary. They also pointed out that Holi festival is fast approaching, before which payment should be made. The CMD BSNL replied that he is taking all out efforts to make early payment of the salary.

As per the call of the CHQ, West Bengal circle union has collected Rs.11.60 lakh from 1264 comrades. This is a commendable job and CHQ salutes the West Bengal comrades. Now, distribution of food materials to the contract workers is being carried out in that circle. A brief report of the relief distribution work is as follows :-

20th April, 2020 : Food materials were distributed among 25 contract workers jointly by BSNLEU, BSNLCMU and AIBDPA, at Rampurhat, Bolpur and Sinthia under Suri District. In Ktwa Branch union under Burdwan district of BSNLEU and AIBDPA distributed food materials among the contract workers.

In Memary Tele. Exchange under Burdwan district food materials were distributed among contract workers jointly by BSNLEU, BSNLCMU and AIBDPA.

23-04-2020: Relief in the shape of food materials were distributed at Balurghat among the contract workers under the leadership of BSNLEU and BSNLCMU.

23-04-2020: Food materials were distributed jointly by BSNLEU and BSNLCMU to the security guards and contract workers at Fulia Tele exchanges under Ranaghat Branch of Krishnagar District. Similarly, on the same day, food materials were distributed to contract workers at Badkulla , Pairadanga and Birnagar under Ranaghat branch of Krishnagar district.

24th April, 2020: BSNLEU and BSNLCMU jointly distributed food materials among the 20 contract workers at Raiganj. Similarly, in Alipurduar, BSNLEU and BSNLCMU jointly distributed food materials among the 14 contract workers of that branch.

In Tamluk food materials were distributed among the contract workers. In Haldia, financial help was made to the contract workers. Both Tamluk and Haldia come under Kharagpur district.

Food materials were distributed among the contract workers and security guards at Jagatballavpur, Amta, Namkhana, Bangaon, Tarakeswar, Chanditala and Kalachara under Kolkata district. 

Today is the 100th birth anniversary of our great leader, Com. K.G.Bose, who had immensely contributed in transforming the Central Government Employees trade union movement in general and  the P&T trade union movement in particular. Through his struggles and sacrifices, Com.K.G. Bose awakened the P&T employees and showed a new path to their trade union movement.

At a very early age, Com. K.G.Bose lost his father and his elder brother. Therefore, he had to struggle hard to earn a livelyhood for the family. Soon after his appointment as a clerk in the office of the Divisional Engineer, Telegraph, Calcutta, in 1941, Com.K.G.Bose became a sincere trade union activist. He emerged as a leader in the historic stike of the P&T workers in July1946 strike, which is inscribed in the history of the freedom struggle.

He was arrested and dismissed from the service, in connection with the proposed strike in 1949. However, despite his dismissal from service, Com.K.G.Bose continued to serve the P&T trade union movement, till he breathed his last in 1974.

In 1954, Com.K.G.Bose played a pivotal role in forming the National Federation  of Postal & Telegraph Employees (NFPTE). Thereafter, he significantly contributed to the formation of the Confederation of Central Government Employees. Com.K.G.Bose played leading role in organising the Central Government employees' strikes in 1960 and 1968.

As a part of his trade union activities, Com.K.G.Bose gave much significance in educating the workers ideologically. In this process, Com.K.G.Bose inspired and created a large number of leaders. He attached much importance to the democratic functionig of trade union and in developing collective leadership. He emphasised that, a trade union worker should be morally clean and firm in ideology. They  must be sincere in their official duties and should love their fellow workers.

Com.K.G.Bose raised the popular slogan of " Unity for Struggle and Struggle for Unity". He concentrated much in building up united struggles.  This was manifested in the formation of the "12th July Committee", a platform consisting of the workers, employees and teachers in WestBengal, spearheading united struggles.

Today, when the country is facing the disastrous situation created by the anti-people, antiworker and pro- corporate policies of the Modi government, the teachings of Com.K.G.Bose, assume much significance. BSNLEU marches ahead in the path shown by Com.K.G.Bose, upholding his slogan of "Unity for Struggle and Struggle for Unity". BSNLEU has become a part and parcel of the struggles being organised by the mainstream trade union movement of the country.

The Central Secretariat of BSNLEU, which met on 15th June, 2020, has decided to observe the  Birth Centenary of Com.K.G.Bose, for one full year, starting from 7th July, 2020. During this period, various programmes will be organised, to educate the employees of the teachings of Com.K.G.Bose.

BSNLEU had a Formal online meeting with the Director (HR) on 28.8.2020, to discuss certain urgent staff problems. The Corporate Office has today issued the minutes of the meeting, carrying the decisions taken in the meeting. CHQ will take efforts to ensure the implementation of the decisions.

The issue of implementation of the Hon'ble Lucknow CAT judgement, on pay scale and for the conferment of Group B status to the Sr.Accountants, is being seriously taken up by BSNLEU. In the 35th meeting of the National Council, it was agreed that the BSNL Management would approach the DoT, for issuing fresh Presidential Orders, for the conferment of Group B status to these officials. After the National Council meeting also, BSNLEU continuously pursued this issue with the GM(FP) of the Corporate Office. Finance officers of the Corporate Office have also held meetings with the DoT officers, for the issuing of fresh POs. The issue was once again discussed with Shri Sunil Rajput,DGM(FP) yesterday, by Com.Swapan Chakraborty,Dy.GS. We are informed by the DGM that the CGM, UP(E) has obtained a stay order from the Hon'ble Allahabad High Court, against the order of the Hon'ble Lucknow CAT. This is surprising. When a decision is already taken by the National Council, to implement the Hon'ble Lucknow CAT order, we are at loss to understand how a circle administration can go against that decision. This issue will be taken up with the top Management of BSNL.

BSNLEU conveys best wishes and warm greetings to all the comrades on the occasion of Chitra Sukladi, Gudi Padava, Ugadi and Cheti Chand. Let the New Year bring peace, prosperity and happiness to all the people.

Com. Moni Bose memorial lectures on Neo-Liberal Policy & Communal Harmony were organised at CTO hall, Kolkata. It was organised by the four BSNLEU Circle Unions West Bengal, CTD, Stores & Factory.  Before deliberations started, the leadership of the four circles paid homage to our beloved leader Com. Moni Bose. Com. Asis Das, Asstt. Circle Secy., West Bengal Circle, Com. Sisir Roy, Circle Secy, CTD and Com. Om Prakash Singh, VP (CHQ) & Circle Secretary, Telecom Factory circle, spoke on the works, ideology and struggles of Com. Moni Bose in a packed auditorium. Com Nazez Nouroz, Com. Prabir Dutta and Com. Sekhar Bhattacharjee jointly presided over the meeting.