The Jan Ekta Jan Adhikar Andolan (JEJAA), an umbrella organisation of trade unions, kisan and other mass organisations, has given call to conduct demonstrations at state capitals and at Delhi on 23.05.2018, against the anti-people pro-rich policies of the Modi government. CHQ calls upon the circle and district unions to actively take part in this programme.

Representatives of BSNLEU and NFTE met the CMD BSNL today and discussed certain important issues. Com.P. Abhimanyu, GS, BSNLEU, Com. Chandeshwar Singh, GS, NFTE, Com. Swapan Chakraborty, Dy.GS, BSNLEU and Com.K.S. Sheshadri, Dy.GS, NFTE, took part in the discussion. The following issues were discussed:-

1. Inordinate delay in seeking relaxation from the Affordability Clause.

The representatives expressed their extreme unhappiness over the delay in seeking relaxation from the Affordability Clause of the recommendations of the 3rd PRC. They pointed out that despite their best efforts, neither the Hon’ble MoS(C) nor the Secretary, DoT, has cared to meet the representatives of the AUAB. Under these circumstances, they told that, they are left with no other option, but to take some hard decision for settling the demands.

2. Handing over of the Kerala Flood Relief Amount.

The AUAB has already requested the CMD BSNL that, the amount collected from BSNL employees, for Kerala Flood Relief, should be handed over to the Chief Minister of Kerala, by the CMD BSNL himself, and have pointed out that such a development will boost the image of BSNL.  In today’s meeting, the representatives enquired what decision has been taken on this issue. The CMD BSNL replied that, the matter has been referred to the DoT, together with the demand of the unions and associations that the amount should be handed over to the Kerala CM by the CMD BSNL. He has said that BSNL is waiting for the decision of the DoT.

3. Settlement of wage revision of the Non-Executives.

The representatives informed the CMD BSNL that, the agreement on new pay scales is almost reached, and that the issue of revision of allowances and perks has to be taken up for discussion shortly, by the Wage Revision Committee. The representatives strongly demanded that the allowances and perks of the employees should be revised and that, the same should not be denied, citing the financial condition of the Company. In the last meeting of the Staff Side members of the Wage Revision Committee, participated in by the representatives of BSNLEU and NFTE, it has been decided that, the issue of revision of allowances and perks should be discussed with the CMD BSNL in advance. This decision was taken, in view of the fact that, the BSNL Board has already informed the DoT that, the HRA of Executives would be frozen as on 31.12.2016.

The decisions taken by the TRAI, during the past two years, have hurt all the operators, except Reliance Jio, said Nick Read, Vodafone Group CEO. Talking on the sidelines of the Mobile World Congress at Barcelona yesterday, Nick Read accused that the new definition given by the TRAI, to identify Predatory Pricing, was helpful to Reliance Jio. Similarly, the decision of the TRAI to cut down the Inter User connect Charge (IUC) by 57% also helped Reliance Jio, said Nick Read. He further stated that the telecom tariffs in India are "artificially low". Nick Read has demanded that "Level Playing Field" should be ensured in the Indian telecom sector. The views of the Vodafone Group CEO reflect the ground reality prevailing in the Indian telecom industry. Will the government pay heed?

Ms. Sujata T. Ray, Director (HR), as well as the Chairperson of the National Council, is retiring tomorrow on superannuation. With the view to thank her for the positive role that she had played during her tenure as the Chairperson of the National Council, the Staff Side of the National Council, conducted a felicitation in the National Council meeting held today. Com.Chandeshwar Singh, Leader, National Council, presided over the meeting and addressed. Com.P.Abhimanyu, Secretary, Staff Side, recollected some of the settlements given by Ms. Sujata T. Ray, like appointment to the wards of the officials killed in accident, while on duty, mobile tariff plan to the Non-Executives, with unlimited free calls and 1 GB data per day, implementation of government of India orders on SC/ST reservation, etc. Com.Swapan Chakraborty, Dy.GS, BSNLEU and Com.Islam Ahmed, President, NFTE, also felicitated. The Staff Side honoured Ms. Sujata T. Ray, by offering bouque, shawl and memento.

As has been already assured by the CMD BSNL, Corporate Office has allotted funds to the circles today, for the payment of August salary. Earlier, the CMD BSNL had assured that, funds for payment of August salary would be allotted between 18th & 20th September, 2019.

Certain miscreants in BSNL are continuously spreading obnoxious WhatsApp messages, to damage the image of BSNLEU and it’s leaders in particular and that of other unions and associations in general. BSNLEU and the AUAB are continuously fighting to protect the interests of BSNL employees and the Company. Inspite of this, certain mischievous elements continue to spread WhatsApp messages, abusing the trade unions and it’s leaders. The whole intention of spreading such messages is to weaken the trade unions and to create an anarchic situation in BSNL. Yesterday, a WhatsApp message has been sent, abusing unions and associations in an intemperate language and telling the leaders to commit suicide, by jumping into the Yamuna River in Delhi. There is a limit to tolerate such nonsense. Hence, BSNLEU has decided to take action against this obnoxious WhatsApp messages. Accordingly, Com.P.Abhimanyu, General Secretary has lodged a complaint today, to the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Cyber Crimes Cell of the Delhi Police. Similarly, Com.J.Sampath Rao, AGS, has lodged a complaint in the Cyber Crimes Cell of Hyderabad Police. In addition to this, Com.S. Chellappa, AGS, has lodged a complaint in the Cyber Crimes Cell of Chennai Police. Hereafter, BSNLEU will teach a proper lesson to each and every miscreant who abuse BSNLEU and it’s leaders, through the social media platforms.

West Bengal and Kolkata circle unions of BSNLEU, Contract workers unions and the AIBDPA have organised a 48 hour dharna, demanding payment of 10 months’ wages to contract workers, stop retrenchment, payment of salary to employees, remittance of deductions made from employees salaries, allotment of 4G spectrum, etc. This 48 hour dharna started yesterday the 27.02.2020. Com.Animesh Mitra, CS, West Bengal & President, BSNLEU, Com.Sisir Kumar, CS, Kolkata & Org. Secretary (CHQ) and many others addressed.

We have recently reported that BSNL has rolled out a tender for the procurement of 50,000 4G sites. However, the ET Telecom dated 23.04.2020, has reported that, this tender has hit road-blocks. According to the report, “the Telecom Equipment Promotional Council (TEPC)”, a lobby group that represents home grown telecom equipment companies, has complained to the Ministry of Commerce that the tendering procedure has violated the Public Procurement Policy of 2017, by ignoring the Government of India’s “Make in India” policy. According to the report, the Ministry of Commerce has written to the DoT, calling for a report and also warning of disciplinary action against the erring officers.

The AUAB has decided to hold it’s next online meeting at 03:00 pm on 07.09.2020. The next course of action to ensure BSNL’s 4G launching, observance of the 20^th anniversary of BSNL’s foundation and other issues would be discussed in this meeting.

BSNLEU is organising a seminar on Great October Revolution at New Delhi on 23.10.2017. Com. Tapan Sen, MP & General Secretary, CITU and com. P. Abhimanyu, GS, will address the seminar. The All India Centre meeting held on 07.09.2017, has decided that the neighbouring circles should mobilise comrades for the seminar as per the following allotment:-

UP (West) – 50 ; Haryana – 50  ; Rajasthan  - 50  ; Punjab – 50 ; NTR – 50 ; UP (East) – 20 ; Corporate Office  - 20 ; Uttarakhand – 20 ; Himachal Pradesh  - 10 ; J&K – 5  ; ALTTC  - 5.

The venue of the seminar is Garhwal Bhawan, near Jhandewalan Metro Station, New Delhi – 01. The seminar will start sharply at 3:00 PM. All circle secretaries are requested to mobilise comrades and cooperate for the success of the seminar.

The All Unions and Associations of BSNL (AUAB) has called on the BSNL employees to organise a powerful 3 day Relay Hunger Strike, starting from tomorrow. The circle and district secretaries of BSNLEU are requested to organise the Relay Hunger Strike effectively, with massive participation of the employee, by making necessary coordination with the other constituents of the AUAB. Report and photos of the programme may be sent to the CHQ on bsnleuchq@gmail.com. Demands of the programme are as follows:-

1. The Department of Telecommunications will move a Cabinet Note, seeking approval for the settlement of wage revision of BSNL employees.
2. Steps will be taken for the revision of pension of the BSNL retirees.
3. Pension contribution will be collected from BSNL, by the DoT, only as per the Government of India Rule.

BSNL will be allotted 4G spectrum, as per the terms and conditions submitted to the government, by the BSNL Management.

The All Unions and Associations of BSNL (AUAB) is continuously taking actions to settle the wage revision, pension revision and other important issues connected with the revival of BSNL. Only because of the struggles conducted by the AUAB, the Hon’ble MoS(C) has agreed to take the matter of wage revision for the approval of the Cabinet. Only because of the efforts taken by the AUAB, negotiations for wage revision of the Non-Executives have reached the final stage. The AUAB organised three day relay hunger strike in July, 2018, demanding speedy implementation of the assurances given by the Hon’ble MoS(C). The leaders of the AUAB also met the Hon’ble MoS(C) in the Parliament on 01.08.2018 and have demanded speedy action. The AUAB is meeting on 08.10.2018, to decide the future course of action. In the meanwhile, some mischief-makers are spreading lies and rumours to confuse the workers. BSNLEU is continuously updating the true status on it’s website. Circle and district secretaries are requested to take these updatings to the workers.

The 9^th All India Conference of BSNLEU came to an end jubilantly today, with unanimous elections. Com. Animesh Mitra, Com. P. Abhimanyu, Com. Swapan Chakraborty and Com. Gakul Borah are elected as President, General Secretary, Deputy General Secretary and Treasurer, respectively. The Conference undertook intensive discussions with regards to the future course of actions to settle the Wage Revision and to ensure BSNL’s revival. Many important resolutions have been passed on issues affecting the employees and the Company. CHQ heartily congratulates the Karnataka circle union and the Mysuru district union for successfully organising the Conference.

The last date for filing Income Tax returns is 31^st July, 2019. However, the Central Board for Direct Taxation has extended this time limit for a month. Accordingly, the last date for filing Income Tax returns is 31^st August, 2019. All concerned comrades are requested to take note of this and to do the needful in respect of their filing IT returns.