The Parliamentary Committee on Information Technology has criticised that, India is set to miss the 5G Bus, due to poor planning and execution. In the report, placed before the Parliament on 08^th February, 2021, the report has stated that so far certain bands within 5G spectrum, have not even been identified and no spectrum allocation has taken place. The DoT has informed this Parliamentary Committee on IT that, by the end of 2021 or in early 2022, 5G will be rolled out for some specific use cases. The DoT has also informed the Committee that 4G should continue in India for at least another 5 to 6 years.

[Source: Forbes Magazine, published on 9^th February, 2021]

BSNLEU has written to the Director (HR) BSNL, explaining about the difficulties and pains being suffered by the DR JEs, in getting their legitimate transfers, after completing the stipulated period of service in their recruited circles. On seeing BSNLEU’s letter, the DR JEs posted in the distant Mizoram SSA, NE-I circle, have written to the General Secretary, BSNLEU, detailing the sufferings being experienced  by them, due to the non-getting of transfers, even after completing 7 years in the circle bordering Burma. It really pains to note that, the sufferings of these DR JEs are not being looked into and redressed by the concerned authorities. BSNLEU will take up this issue vigorously to find an early solution. A portion of the letter of the aggrieved DR JEs, sent to BSNLEU, is reproduced herein below.

The standing counsel of BSNL has filed his affidavit in the Hon’ble Kerala High Court on 09.02.2021, wherein he has stated that, as per the Wage Revision Agreement, signed between the BSNL Management and the representatives of the Recognised Union of the Non-Executives, the increase in the IDA is to be paid only when the IDA rates are circulated by the DPE from time to time. It is further stated that, the DPE has not declared revised rates of IDA w.e.f. 01.10.2020. The advocate engaged by BSNLEU has informed that, he is taking steps for the early hearing of the case. 

The CHQ has issued circular no.02/2021, carrying the decisions taken in the All India Centre meeting held online on 06.02.2021. Circle and District Secretaries are requested to fully implement the decisions of the All India Centre. The Circle Secretaries of the Non-Hindi speaking circles are requested to translate the circular in the regional languages and to forward it to the district secretaries, so that the contents of the circular could be understood and fully implemented by the district unions. Hindi version of this circular is being despatched shortly. 

बीएसएनएल के नॉन एग्जीक्यूटिव को आईडीए का भुगतान - डीपीई ने सचिव, दूरसंचार को बीएसएनएलईयू के पत्रों के आधार पर आवश्यक कार्रवाई करने के निर्देश दिए। 

बीएसएनएलईयू लगातार बीएसएनएल के  नॉन एग्जीक्यूटिवको आईडीए की ठंड के खिलाफ कदम उठा रहा है। बीएसएनएलईयू इस मामले पर केरल हाईकोर्ट में केस दायर कर चुकी है। बीएसएनएलईयू  लगातार डीपीई को पत्र लिख रहा है, जिसमें आईडीए की दो किश्तों का तत्काल भुगतान करने की मांग की जा रही है। अब डीपीई ने बीएसएनएलईयू के पत्रों को DoT पर भेज दिया है और आवश्यक कार्रवाई करने का निर्देश दिया है। 

The Non-Executives of BSNL are being wrongly denied payment of IDA instalments. BSNLEU has filed a case in the Hon’ble Kerala High Court, demanding immediate payment of the IDAs to the Non-Executives. At the same time, BSNLEU is continuously writing letters to the Secretary of DPE, as well as to the Minister of Heavy Industries (DPE comes under this Minister). Now, the DPE, vide it’s letter no.W-02/0045/2020-DPE(WC) dated 04^th February, 2021, has forwarded BSNLEU’s letters dated 04.01.2021 and 15.01.2021 to Shri Anshu Prakash, Secretary, DoT, with the direction to take necessary action. Copy of the letter is attached herewith.

Disturbing news has appeared in the media that, the office of Newsclick, as well as the residences of it's Editor-in-chief and the Editor, are being raided by the Enforcement Directorate(ED). This is nothing but an attack on the freedom of press. As known to everyone, Newsclick is making extensive coverages on the issues of workers and other marginalised sections of the society. It is consistently exposing the anti-BSNL policies of the Modi government and extending it's support to the struggles being launched by the unions and associations, for safeguarding and strengthening BSNL. The ongoing agitations of the peasants are also being highlighted by the Newsclick in a big way. Undoubtedly, the government wants to stifle the voice of the Newclick. The government has already filed FIRs against many journalists, for supporting the farmers’ struggle and criticising the policies of the government.  All these steps of the government remind us of the dark days of Emergency.  The ruling BJP is re-enacting  the autocratic measures taken during Emergency. All these are attacks on our democracy and BSNLEU strongly condemns these autocratic steps. 

Chennai Telephones circle union held it's executive committee meeting physically today, in the Union office at Flowerbazaar telephone exchange. The meeting was presided over by Com. E. Natarajan, circle president. Out of the 30 circle executive committee members, 25 comrades participated in the meeting. Com.Sridhara Subramanian, circle secretary, welcomed all the comrades and presented the report on activities. Com.S.Chellappa, AGS, addressed the meeting and explained about the issues being taken by the CHQ and the need to successfully organise the hunger strike on 18-02-2021. He also explained about the steps taken by BSNLEU to implement the GTI and also about the case filed in the Hon’ble Kerala High Court, challenging the IDA freezing. After lively deliberations by the executive committee members, the meeting resolved to conduct the forthcoming CEC meeting at Chennai, together with the Tamil Nadu circle union. The meeting also resolved to successfully organise the hunger strike on 18.02.2021. The meeting also reconstituted the Working Women’s Coordination Committee.

The breaking down of a glacier in Uttarakhand, has caused sudden floods in the Alaknanda, Dhauli Ganga and Rishi Ganga rivers last Sunday. More than 100 people are believed to have died in the flash floods. Hydroelectric Power Stations in these rivers have also collapsed.  Many workers have got trapped in the tunnels of these power stations.  However, 12 workers trapped in one such collapsed tunnel, have miraculously escaped, because of BSNL’s mobile service. Vinod Singh, aged 33 is a welder. He got trapped in one of the tunnels, together with 11 other workers. However, even inside the collapsed tunnel, Vinod Singh was receiving signal on his mobile phone. This enabled him to contact the rescue team. As a result, all the 12 workers were safely rescued. Once again BSNL has come to the rescue of the calamity struck citizens of the country. We attach herewith media reports on this.

The BSNL Management is harassing the employees for the past one year, by not disbursing salary on the due date. Further, the Management is also adopting a total negative attitude on the settlement of the HR issues of the Non-Executives. BSNLEU has already organised lunch hour demonstrations on 05.02.2021. The All India Centre of BSNLEU has decided to organise hunger strike throughout the country on 18.02.2021, demanding disbursement of salary on the due date and also demanding settlement of certain burning issues. Circle and District secretaries are requested to immediately take all out efforts to  successfully organise the hunger strike.

BSNLEU is observing year long Birth Centenary of Com.K.G. Bose. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic situation, no physical meetings could be organised so far. Now, the All India Centre has decided to organise a lecture by Com.K. Hemalata, National President, CITU, at the time of BSNLEU’s CEC meeting being held at Chennai. This lecture will be organised on 08.03.2021.

The Central Executive Committee meeting of BSNLEU is being held at Chennai on 07th, 08th and 09th March, 2021. The All India Centre has decided that Com.A.K.Padmanabhan, Vice-President, CITU will deliver the inaugural address of this meeting. The All India centre has also decided that, a lecture is to be organised during this CEC meeting, in observance of the Birth Anniversary of Com.K.G. Bose. Com.K.Hemalata, National President of CITU, has kindly consented to deliver the address. The CEC meeting will start sharply at 10:00 AM on 07.03.2021 and will conclude at 17:00 hrs. on 09.03.2021. All the CEC members are requested to book their return tickets, so as to leave the venue only at 17: 00 hours on 09.03.2021.

The Modi government, which claims itself to be a democratic government, is adopting fascist methods to suppress the peaceful farmers’ agitation. Blocking roads, using barricades with barbed-wires, dumping stones behind the barricades (obviously to be used for hitting the farmers), fixing “iron nails” on roads to stop the movement of the farmers, etc., are some of the democratic steps being carried out by the government to end the farmers' agitation. Journalists and intellectuals, who support the farmers’ struggle are being jailed. These inhuman actions of the "democratic" government, are drawing worldwide condemnations. 

Under these circumstances, the farmers are teaching a lesson to the government. They are planting colourful flower plants near the iron nails, fixed by the government. This is indeed, a wonderful response by the farmers. This response of the farmers should really shame the government and it’s police.  

BSNLEU is determined to ensure on time payment of salary to BSNL employees. Repeated representations and protest demonstrations have fallen in the deaf ears of the BSNL Management. Hence, BSNLEU has decided to organise agitational programmes to pressurise the Management. Today’s demonstrations are successfully organised throughout the country. Compared to the previous demonstrations, more number of employees have turned up in today’s demonstrations. The CHQ heartily congratulates all the circle and district unions of BSNLEU for successfully implementing today's call. The All India Centre of BSNLEU is meeting again tomorrow, to decide about the future course of action. All the circle and district unions are requested to remain alert and to implement the calls successfully.

BSNLEU has protested the incorporation of the Rule 55(A), by deleting Rule 55(ii)(b), as per which any employee, who has attained 50/55 years of age, or who has completed 30 years of service can be compulsorily retired. The Corporate Office has sent it's reply to BSNLEU on this matter, which is attached herewith.

The Circle Executive Committee meeting of Andhra Pradesh circle has unanimously elected Com.K. Rama Devi as the Circle Secretary of Andhra Pradesh circle, in the place of Com.P.Asokababu. Com.K. Rama Devi is a senior leader of BSNLEU, presently holding the post of Vice-President (CHQ) of the Union. She is also an all India Committee member of the BSNL Working Womens’ Coordination Committee (BSNL WWCC). Com.K. Rama Devi has got the credit of becoming the first woman circle secretary of BSNLEU. The CHQ heartily congratulates her and wishes her all success.  

Com.P.Asokababu has relinquished the post of Circle Secretary, Andhra Pradesh circle, in view of his health condition. In fact, he has expressed his intention to relinquish, many months ago. However, the CHQ had requested him to continue for some more time, in view of the extraordinary situation created by the COVID-19. Com.P.Asokababu, was elected as the Assistant General Secretary of the E-III union, in the All India Conference held at Thiruvananthapuram in 1994. In the foundation conference of BSNLEU at Visakhapatnam, he was elected as AGS of BSNLEU. In 2010, he was elected as Deputy General Secretary in the Thiruvananthapuram All India Conference. He was elected as Vice-President in the Ludhiana All India Conference and continued till the Mysuru All India Conference held in December, 2018. After bifurcation of the Andhra Pradesh circle, he was elected as the Circle Secretary of Andhra Pradesh circle. Com.P.Asokababu has immensely contributed for the growth of BSNLEU. The CHQ wishes him good health. The CHQ also expects that Com.P.Asokababu will continue to contribute for the growth of BSNLEU, in whichever manner possible.