The Narendra Modi government has frozen the DA of the Central Government employees and pensioners for a period of 1 ½ years, under the pretext of managing the crisis that has been created by the Corona Virus. The government will say that, this money will be utilised to help the common man. But, the question is, why the government should grab the money from the pockets of Central Government employees and pensioners? In August, 2019, the Modi government transferred Rs.1.6 lakh crore from the Reserve Bank. Next month itself, out of this money, the government gave concessions to the big corporates to the tune of Rs.1.45 lakh crore, by cutting down the corporate tax. Not only this! From April, 2014 onwards, the Modi government has waived bad loans, to be paid by the big corporates, to the tune of Rs.5.55 lakh crore. This is how the Modi government has facilitated the big corporates to loot Rs.5.55 lakh crore of people’s money. So, when the  government wants to help the big corporates, it will have unlimited resources. But, when the question of helping the common man arises, the government will not have any source and it will grab money from workers' pockets. This is a classic example for the economic policy of Narendra Modi.

All the trade unions in the Coal sector, started a 3 day strike at 6 am yesterday, the 02.07.2020, against allowing commercial coal mining by Indian corporates and multinational companies. The strike is also against allowing 100% FDI in the Coal Sector, which is nothing but handing over the coal mines to multinational companies. Talks held between the trade unions and the Coal Minister, Shri Pralhad Joshi, on 01.07.2020 had failed. Production of 4 million tons of coal is expected to be affected by this strike. BSNLEU expresses it’s support and solidarity to the heroic strike of the Coal workers.

The Circle Executive Committee meeting of BSNLEU, Kerala circle, is being successfully held online today. Com.P.Manoharan, Circle President, is presiding over. Com.C. Santhosh Kumar, Circle Secretary, welcomed everyone. Com.P.Abhimanyu, GS and Com.John Verghese, AGS, are attending the meeting from the CHQ. Com.P.Abhimanyu, GS, inaugurated the meeting and spoke at length on the functioning of the CHQ, road-blocks being created in the revival of BSNL, Attacks being launched on the Public Sector, as well as on labour rights, etc. The GS also explained the status / action taken, on important issues of Wage Revision, Pension Revision, New Promotion Policy, Medical facility, etc.  He also answered the questions raised by comrades. Thereafter, deliberation by the Executive Committee members started.

All comrades are requested to kindly note that BSNLEU’s new website bsnleu.in alone will be available from 23.01.2018. The existing website bsnleuchq.com will be discontinued with effect from the above mentioned date.

The AUAB has already called on the BSNL employees, to organise a 3 day Relay Hunger Strike on 24^th, 25^th & 26^th July, 2018, demanding immediate implementation of the assurances given by the Hon’ble Minister of State for Communications, in the meeting held on 24.02.2018. This issue was discussed in the meeting held between the leaders of BSNLEU and NFTE today. It was decided to powerfully organise this 3 day Relay Hunger Strike at the BSNL Corporate Office, by making maximum mobilisation.

BSNLEU और NFTE ने 8वें सदस्यता सत्यापन को पोस्टपोन करने का विरोध किया और समय पर करने की मांग की...
BSNLEU और NFTE, नॉन एग्जीक्यूटिव्ज की दोनों मान्यता प्राप्त यूनियन्स, ने संयुक्त रूप से 8वें सदस्यता सत्यापन के आयोजन हेतु प्रक्रिया त्वरित रूप से शुरू करने की मांग करते हुए CMD BSNL को पत्र लिखा है। यह पत्र, प्रबंधन द्वारा 8वें सदस्यता सत्यापन को 6 माह के लिए पोस्टपोन करने की मंशा को भांप कर लिखा गया है। BSNLEU और NFTE, दोनों ही यूनियन्स ने सदस्यता सत्यापन को पोस्टपोन करने का विरोध किया है और मांग की है कि सत्यापन हेतु शीघ्र ही अधिसूचना जारी की जाए।

Polling for the 8th Membership Verification has been successfully completed yesterday. However, on the day of the polling, CHQ received two bad news also. Com.Victor, District Treasurer, BSNLEU, Davengere, passed away at 12.00 noon due to massive heart attack.  He had been a very sincere and dedicated comrade. Similarly, Com.Abhaya Kumar Sahoo of Dhenkanal SSA of Odisha circle has also passed away. On returning home immediately after casting his vote, Com.Abhaya Kumar Sahoo, suffered a massive heart attack and passed away. BSNLEU dips it’s banner and pays it’s respectful homage to both the comrades. CHQ also expresses it’s heartfelt condolences to the families of Com.Victor and Com.Abhaya Kumar Sahoo.

VRS ऑप्टीज के लिए पेंशन कम्युटेशन और 3rd PRC के मुद्दे पर सुरक्षा मुहैया करवाने हेतु न तो BSNL मैनेजमेंट और न ही DoT इच्छुक है- VRS ऑप्टीज से अनुरोध हैं कि वें पुनर्विचार करें और उचित निर्णय लेवें...

VRS विण्डोज 03.12.2019 को बंद होने जा रही है। इसमें कुछ ही दिन शेष हैं। VRS-2019 से जुड़ी कुछ महत्वपूर्ण अनिश्चितताओं को  BSNL मैनेजमेंट और DoT अभी तक स्पष्ट नही कर पाए हैं। इससे यह स्पष्ट प्रतीत हो रहा है कि यूनियन्स और एसोसिएशन्स की मांग अनुसार निम्न सुरक्षोपाय (safeguards) सुनिश्चित करने हेतु न तो BSNL मैनेजमेंट और न ही DoT तैयार है।

(1) पेंशन कम्युटेशन

VRS पर जा रहे कर्मचारियों के लिए सुरक्षा उपायों की सुनिश्चितता हेतु पेंशन कम्युटेशन नियम 1981 में संशोधन हो। यह मांग इसलिए की जा रही है कि, पेंशन कम्युटेशन नियम 1981 के अनुसार कर्मचारी को पेंशन कम्युटेशन हेतु अपने रिटायरमेंट के एक वर्ष के भीतर आवेदन देना होता है। जबकि VRS-2019 के अनुसार VRS ऑप्टीज को पेंशन कम्युटेशन उनकी आयु 60 वर्ष पूर्ण होने पर ही दिया जाएगा।

किन्तु, अभी विद्यमान नियमों के अनुसार  VRS पर जाने वाले उन सभी कर्मचारियों को, जो  1 वर्ष की समयावधि पश्चात पेंशन कम्युटेशन हेतु आवेदन देंगे,  मेडिकल जांच करवाना होगी, जिससे कर्मचारियों के एक बड़े वर्ग के लिए अनावश्यक पेचीदगियां और समस्याएं निर्मित होगी।

इसके अलावा, VRS ऑप्टी की VRS पर जाने की दिनांक से 60 वर्ष की आयु पूर्ण होने के मध्य यदि मृत्यु हो जाती है तो VRS ऑप्टी के परिवार को पेंशन कम्युटेशन का लाभ नही मिलेगा। फलस्वरूप, VRS ऑप्टी के परिवार को भारी नुकसान होगा। वर्तमान नियमों में इस प्रावधान का समावेश है। अतः, यूनियन्स व एसोसिएशन्स ने मांग की है कि, VRS ऑप्टीज को, उक्त क्लॉज़ से,  विशेष प्रकरण मान कर,

छूट दी जाए। उपर्युक्त दोनों ही छूट (relaxations) डिपार्टमेंट ऑफ पेंशन एंड पेंशनर्स वेलफेयर द्वारा पेंशन कम्युटेशन नियम 1981में संशोधन करने पर ही दी जा सकती है। इस संबंध में BSNL मैनेजमेंट या DoT द्वारा किसी भी प्रकार के मौखिक या लिखित आश्वासन देने से उद्देश्य पूर्ति नही होगी। लेकिन यह दुर्भाग्यपूर्ण है कि VRS ऑप्टीज के लिए इन मुद्दों पर आवश्यक सुरक्षा सुनिश्चित करने हेतु न तो BSNL मैनेजमेंट और न ही DoT ने कोई कदम उठाए हैं।

(2) 3rd PRC की पात्रता
माननीय सर्वोच्च न्यायालय का निर्णय (judgement) कहता है कि, जो कर्मचारी VRS पर जाता है, उसे कुछ समय पश्चात और पूर्व दिनांक से हुए पे रिवीजन की पात्रता नही होगी। VRS 2019 के प्रावधान अनुसार भी जो कर्मचारी VRS पर जाएंगे उन्हें 3rd PRC की पात्रता नही होगी। VRS 2019 के Para 8 (viii) में भी यह स्पष्ट रूप से कहा गया है कि

" इस योजना के अंतर्गत देय लाभ के रूप में ही, इस योजना में समाहित या अन्य, सभी प्रकार के क्लेम्स का पूर्ण रूप से अंतिम निपटान (full & final settlement) माना जाएगा।"

इसका मतलब यह है कि VRS ऑप्टीज को दिया जा रहा एक्सग्रेशिया फुल और फाइनल सेटलमेंट है और इसके पश्चात उन्हें कुछ समय बाद पूर्व दिनांक से लागू होने पर 3rd PRC की पात्रता नही होगी।

यूनियन्स और एसोसिएशन्स ने मांग की है कि BSNL मैनेजमेंट यह आश्वासित करे कि VRS ऑप्टीज को 3rd PRC की पात्रता होगी। किन्तु, इस तरह का आश्वासन देने हेतु BSNL मैनेजमेंट ने कोई पहल नही की है। इससे यह स्पष्ट हो जाता है कि VRS ऑप्टीज को 3rd PRC का लाभ नही मिलेगा।

ऊपर उल्लेखित परिप्रेक्ष्य में, जिन कर्मचारियों ने VRS का ऑप्शन दे दिया है, उनसे अनुरोध है कि वें पुनर्विचार करें और 03-12-2019 को VRS विंडो बंद होने के पूर्व उचित निर्णय लें।

BSNLEU and BSNL CCWF have given call to conduct a rally to Corporate Office on 3rd March, 2020, demanding settlement of issues of the contract workers like non-payment of wages, retrenchment, etc. However, the All India Centre meeting of BSNLEU held today, reviewed the programme. It has been decided to defer the rally, in view of the communal unrest prevailing in Delhi. At the same time, it is decided that, BSNLEU and BSNL CCWF shall meet the CMD BSNL on that day and to submit a memorandum, demanding settlement of the problems.

CHQ has given call for the collection of donations to the “Contract Workers Relief Fund”. Many circle unions have done a good job in collecting the donations. Collection of these donations is intended to extend immediate relief to the contract workers, who are suffering immensely due to the lock-down, as well as due to the non-payment of wages for many months. Hence, CHQ has already directed all the circle unions to immediately rush food materials to the contract workers, out of the donations collected. All the circle unions which have collected the donations are requested to urgently carry out this task. Report and photos may be sent to the CHQ.

A rumour is being spread by miscreants, regarding  the payment of June salary. The rumour quotes Com.P.Abhimanyu, GS, BSNLEU, as saying that fund is allotted by the Corporate Office, for the payment of June salary. This is a bogus news. Comrades are requested to ignore this bogus news.

The venue of the next meeting of the All Unions and Associations, to be held on 23.10.2017, may be read as SEWA BSNL office, near CTO Sabhagarh, Eastern Court.

As has already been intimated, the AUAB is organising a 3 day Relay Hunger Strike on 24^th, 25^th & 26^th July, 2018. This country wide programme is being organised, demanding immediate implementation of the assurances given by the Hon’ble Minister of State for Communications, to the AUAB leaders on 24.02.2018, with regards to 3^rd Pay Revision, Pension Revision, allotment of 4G spectrum to BSNL and Pension Contribution by BSNL as per government rule. CHQ calls upon all the circle and district secretaries to take the initiative to organise this programme in the most successful manner. Since this is a 3 day programme, sufficient efforts should be taken, in coordination with the other constituents of the AUAB, to muster sufficient strength on all the 3 days of the Relay Hunger Strike.

The 9^th All India Conference of BSNLEU, in session at Mysuru now, seriously discussed the decision of the AUAB, to defer the Indefinite Strike that was to start from 03^rd December, 2018. The Conference, after serious deliberation unanimously passed the resolution, hailing the decision of the AUAB to defer the Indefinite Strike. The Conference appreciated the settlement reached on allotment of 4G spectrum, payment of pension contribution on actual basic pay, pension revision and superannuation benefits of the Directly Recruited employees. The Conference also appreciated the decision of the DoT to form an Institutional Mechanism to monitor the implementation of the decisions in respect of various issues. It also acknowledged the improvement that has come on the Wage Revision issue. Further, the Conference has resolved to request the AUAB to go ahead with the strike, if the Wage Revision is not settled within a reasonable time. The resolution was moved by Com. Prakash Sharma, circle secretary, Madhya Pradesh and seconded by Com.M.K. Dave, AGS.

Leaders of the AUAB, UP(East), presented the memorandum to Shri Monoj Sinha ji, at Varanasi, on 23-02-2019. The Hon'ble Minister stated that the matters are being looked into. It is significant that the memorandum is presented to the Hon'ble MoS(C), in the aftermath of the 3 day strike. We appreciate the efforts taken by the comrades to present the memorandum to the Hon'ble Minister.

As per the call of BSNLEU, a nation wide “Save BSNL – Save Nation” campaign is launched from 13^th April, 2019 to 30^th April, 2019. Comrades of BSNLEU are meeting the people and are campaigning about the anti-BSNL policies of the government and also about the need to strengthen BSNL as a strong Public Sector Company. In between some difficulties were experienced in conducting the campaign, due to the intensive Parliament election campaign and also due to denial of police permission, etc. However, due to the intervention of the CHQ, the campaign is being carried out with full tempo throughout the country.

Com.P. Abhimanyu, GS, Com.Swapan Chakraborty, Dy.GS and Com.Gakul Borah, Treasurer, met Shri P.K. Purwar, CMD BSNL today and discussed the following issues.

Payment of wage arrears to contract workers.

The representatives explained about the hardships being faced by the contract workers, due to the non-payment of wages for the past 6 months. They pointed out that 5 contract workers have already committed suicide and the families of other workers are in starvation. The representatives requested the CMD BSNL to release funds for payment of the arrears. The CMD BSNL explained about the financial difficulties being faced by the Company. However, he assured to look into the demand of the Union.

Curtailment of trade union rights and interim stay of Hon’ble Madras High Court.

The representatives brought to the notice of the CMD BSNL, about the gag order dated 02.07.2019, issued by the SR Branch of the BSNL CO., banning all trade union activities till the 8^th Membership Verification. They apprised the CMD BSNL about the order of the Hon’ble Madras High Court, which has granted interim stay to the Corporate Office letter and requested the CMD BSNL to intervene in the matter and to take necessary remedial action.