India's quarterly GDP growth in the October to December period of 2019-20, slowed down to a 7 year low. According to the data released by the National Statistical Office (NSO) yesterday, GDP grew by 4.7% in the October - December quarter. It is reported that the GDP growth is due to the contraction in the manufacturing and electricity sectors.

BSNLEU has issued the following press statement today, against the freezing of the DA of the Central Government employees and pensioners, for the period from 01.01.2020 to 01.07.2020. BSNLEU has stated categorically in the press statement that, when the government can make available lakhs of crores of rupees to pamper the big corporates of the country, there is absolutely no justification to freeze the DA of the Central Government employees and pensioners. BSNLEU has demanded the government to immediately withdraw it’s decision to freeze the DA.

The Central Secretariat meeting of BSNLEU has decided to observe the birth centenary of Com.K.G.Bose, which falls on 07.07.2020, in a befitting manner. The meeting has decided to observe the birth centenary of Com.K.G. Bose, for one full year, by organising various programmes to educate the working class.  The CHQ calls upon the circle and district unions to organise flag-hoisting in all places. The portrait of Com.K.G. Bose may also be garlanded in all the circle and district union offices on the same day. CHQ calls upon all the circle and district unions to organise this programme enthusiastically on 07.07.2020. 

Some DR JE comrades have expressed their unhappiness that, BSNLEU's demand for the relaxation for the JTO LICE, held on 26.05.2019, is not settled. Hence, BSNLEU wishes to make certain points clear. 

(i)    Full marks for questions with multiple right answers.

BSNLEU rightly demanded that, full marks should be granted to the questions with multiple correct answers. BSNLEU demanded that full mark should be granted to a candidate, who had given the correct answer. However, the review of the results was done based on the old SOP, according to which questions with multiple correct answers will be removed.  The persistent demand of BSNLEU was finally accepted in the Formal Meeting held with the Director (HR) on 28.08.2020.  However, it was told by the Director (HR) that the amended SOP, i.e., giving full marks to the questions with multiple correct answers, will be made applicable only for the future examinations. Implementing the amended SOP retrospectively for the exam held on 26.05.2019, will only lead to court cases. It is true that some one may go to court which will create unnecessary complications. Hence, the decision of the Director(HR) is accepted by BSNLEU. Certainly, the union has succeeded on this demand, since full marks will be given to the questions with multiple correct answers for the future examinations.

(ii)   Granting of relaxation.

BSNLEU has been demanding that, Management should grant relaxation to the failed candidates, if the demand for granting full marks to the multiple correct answers is not accepted. BSNLEU cited that Management has granted grace marks for the JE LICE held in 2018. For this, the Director (HR) replied that the pass percentage of the JE LICE held in 2018 is only 15%, whereas the pass percentage of the JTO LICE held on 26.05.2019 is around 35%. Management also told that, relaxation has not been given to some other LICEs, where the pass percentage is less than 35%. Hence, the Director (HR) expressed his inability to grant relaxation.

(iii)   Holding the next JTO LICE.

All are aware that BSNLEU had been trying it’s best to get either full marks for the questions with multiple correct answers or relaxation. When both could not be settled, despite our best efforts, then it is wise to demand to hold the next JTO LICE immediately. It is already one year and three months since the last JTO LICE was held. A lot of comrades are anxiously  waiting for the next JTO LICE. Under such circumstances, it is not at all advisable to drag on with the demands which are not being accepted by the Management and thereby delaying the JTO LICE. All comrades should realise that, BSNLEU tried sincerely to settle the demand. When we realise that Management is not going to accept the demand, then the best choice will be holding the next JTO LICE immediately.  Director (HR) has assured that he would personally take efforts for holding the next JTO LICE at the earliest. BSNLEU will take all out efforts to hold the next JTO LICE without further delay.

As per the call of the Central Trade Unions, a massive 3 day dharna will be held at New Delhi, from 09^th to 11^th November, 2017. The dharna is being organised, demanding settlement of the 12 point charter of demands of the Central Trade Unions, as well as to express opposition to the anti-worker and pro-corporate policies of the NDA government. The All India Centre meeting held today has decided to massively mobilise our comrades from the neighbouring circles. Accordingly, the following quota has been allotted to the neighbouring circles, for mobilising our comrades for the dharna:-

UP (West) – 300 ; Haryana – 200  ; Rajasthan  - 100  ; Punjab – 100 ; UP (East) – 100 ; NTR – 75 ; Uttarakhand – 50 ; Corporate Office  - 25 ; Himachal Pradesh  - 20 ; J&K – 5  ; ALTTC  - 10.

CHQ earnestly requests the circle unions of all the above mentioned circles, to fulfil the quota allotted to their circles.

One rumour, being spreaded by a mischief-maker is that, Shri Manoj Sinha, Hon’ble Minister of State for Communications has directed the DoT, not to prepare the Cabinet Note for the wage revision of BSNL employees. This is totally a wrong information, intended to confuse the workers. It is confirmed by the Director (PSU) of the DoT, to the General Secretary, BSNLEU, that no such instruction has been issued by the Hon’ble MoS(C) to the DoT. The Director (PSU), DoT, also confirmed that preparation of the Cabinet Note is in the final stage. The AUAB is extremely unhappy over the delay in sending the Cabinet Note, for which meeting is convened to decide programme of action.

The arrangements made by the Reception Committee of the All India Conference were greatly appreciated by all. The Conference hall, food and transport arrangements, accommodation for staying, etc., etc., were done wonderfully. The Reception Committee, under the leadership of Com. C.K. Gundanna, com. H.V. Sundharshan, com. M.C. Balakrishna, com. J.V. Keshav, com. Subramanya and com. Mahatma Swamy, with their outstanding contributions, have made the Mysuru All India Conference a memorable one. CHQ heartily congratulates the leaders of Karnataka circle union, Mysuru district union and the entire BSNLEU members of Karnataka circle, as well as the well – wishers, for making the Mysuru All India Conference memorable for a long time to come.

The BSNL Management has introduced Group Term Insurance (GTI) for the Executives working in BSNL. In the 37th meeting of the National Council, held on 20th November, 2018, the Staff Side demanded the Management to extend the GTI to the Non-Executives also, on par with the Executives. The Chairman of the National Council agreed with the demand and assured that the same would be implemented. Com.Swapan Chakraborty, Dy.GS, BSNLEU and Com.Prakash Sharma, AGS, BSNLEU, met Shri A.M. Gupta, GM(SR) yesterday and discussed this issue and enquired about the implementation of the GTI for the Non-executives. The GM(SR) informed the Union representatives that the process of implementing the GTI to the Executives is almost complete and  stated that now the Management would arrange a meeting of the Staff Side, Management and the SBI Life Insurance, to finalise the terms and conditions for the Non-Executives. He further requested the Staff Side to discuss the matter with the GM(Trg.) BSNL, Shri Ashutosh Gupta, for arrangement of the said meeting at the earliest.

Circle and district secretaries are requested to take last minute efforts to organise tomorrow's May Day rallies as "SAVE BSNL - SAVE NATION" rallies. Maximum efforts should be taken to organise the rallies successfully. Wherever possible, try to involve contract, casual workers and retired employees also in the rally. Please email the photos and report on bsnleuchq@gmail.com.

BSNLEU has once again created history, by recording 7^th consecutive victory in the elections held for granting recognition. This is a great victory, considering the attacks launched against BSNLEU, as well as conspiracies and betrayals against it. Vast majority of the BSNL employees have once again reposed faith on BSNLEU that, it is the only organisation which can protect BSNL and to safeguard the employees and their future. The leaders and cadres of BSNLEU, throughout the length and breadth of the country have, toiled for nearly 2 months to ensure BSNLEU’s victory. CHQ heartily congratulates all those comrades. Above all, BSNLEU sincerely thanks the employees for continuing to repose faith and confidence in the leadership of BSNLEU.

Airtel and Vodafone Idea have increased their call charge and data charge upto 45%. Similarly, Jio has announced increase in it’s tariffs by 40%. The increase in tariffs announced by all the three private operators is certainly a huge one. Now, BSNL should also increase it’s tariffs to match with the private operators tariffs. This will help BSNL to come out of the crisis. It may be recollected that on many occasions in the past, BSNLEU has forecasted that tariffs will increase in the near future and thereby BSNL’s financial condition will also greatly improve.

At this juncture, BSNLEU wishes to inform all that, with the allotment of 4G spectrum and drastic increase in call and data charges, BSNL is likely to come out of it’s financial crisis soon. Hence, those employees who have opted for VRS, fearing about the future financial condition of BSNL, can very well withdraw their VRS options.  

The recent media reports on the performance of Indian economy are disturbing. The economy is not showing any sign of improvement, but is deteriorating further. India’s crude steel production has fallen by 3% in January, 2020. Automobile sales continue to decline, with Maruti Susuki sales falling by 2% in February, 2020. Suresh Pal, eminent agricultural economist and director of ICAR has told that, India’s growth in agriculture has declined from 5% to 3%. All these are happening despite Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, gifting Rs.2.15 lakh crores, as tax concessions to the big corporates.

Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has said he believed that it was not necessary to impose hardships on government employees and armed forces by freezing Dearness Allowance and Dearness Relief hike till July 2021. “I sincerely believe it is not necessary at this stage to impose hardships on government servants and also on the armed forces people,” news agency ANI quoted former PM Dr Manmohan Singh as saying on the Centre’s decision to freeze Dearness Allowance and Dearness Relief hike till July 2021.

[ Courtesy : Financial Express online dt. 25-04-2020]

Com.K.G. Bose is the revolutionary leader, who changed the course of the entire Postal and Telecommunications trade union movements.  He changed the concept that, trade unions should only fight for the economic demands of the employees and should not fight against the policies of the government. Com.K.G.Bose showed the path that, if the policies of the government are against the interests of the working class, then those policies should be fought against tooth and nail and should be defeated.  Com.Moni Bose, Com.V.A.N. Namboodiri and the thousands of leaders who gave birth to BSNLEU are the comrades, greatly inspired by the revolutionary ideas of Com.K.G. Bose. BSNLEU is marching ahead in the path shown by Com.K.G.Bose and is relentlessly fighting against the  pro-corporate and anti-worker policies of the government.

Corporate Office issues letter, authrising the Chief General Managers to ensure the sanctioning of Special Casual Leave to the Central Executive Committee members of BSNLEU, for the online CEC meeting to be held on 10th & 11th September, 2020.

Kolkata is hosting the two day Annual Meeting of the World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU) and the ten Trade Union Internationals(TUIs) affiliated to the WFTU. The venue of this International Meet is Hotel "Pride Plaza". Office bearers of the WFTU, as well as that of all the ten TUIs, who have come from various parts of the world, are participating in a this session. Com.K.Hemalata, President,CITU and Member of the Presidential Council of the WFTU, welcomed all on behalf of the Reception Committee. Com.George Mavricos, General Secretary,WFTU, delivered an inspiring inaugural speech. This session will continue today and tomorrow. An open session will be held tomorrow, which will be addressed by Com.George Mavricos,GS,WFTU and Com.Tapan Sen,GS,CITU. It is a privilege for BSNLEU that, the Union is a part of the Reception Committee of this International Event. Com.P.Abhimanyu,GS and com.Animesh Mitra, vice-president (CHQ) are attending this session as observers.

Com. P. Abhimanyu, GS and Com. Ramesh Chand, Org. Secretary (CHQ), had meeting with Shri Anupam Shrivastava, CMD BSNL, yesterday and discussed the following issues:-

1. On damaging of BSNL’s cables.

The Union representatives urged upon the CMD BSNL to take necessary steps to stop the extensive damages being caused to BSNL’s optic fibre cables, as well as copper cables. They pointed out that the cables of private operators are not being damaged the way in which BSNL’s cables are being damaged. It was also pointed out that the authorities at the circle and district levels should take sufficient precautionary steps, to stop our cables being damaged, and also immediate criminal proceedings should be initiated whenever our cables are damaged. The CMD BSNL assured that needful action would be taken.  

2. Short supply in FTTH equipments / materials.

The Union representatives pointed out that there is very good demand for BSNL’s FTTH connections from the public, whereas BSNL is not able to provide the connections on time, due to acute short supply of equipments, such as 12 volt battery, UPS, Splitters (1×2) and (1×4), etc. The CMD BSNL assured that needful action would be taken to overcome the short supply.

3.  Representation for BSNLEU in Pension and Gratuity Fund Trusts.

The Union representatives regretfully pointed out that BSNLEU, which is the largest trade union organisation of the employees in BSNL, has not been provided with representation in the Pension and Gratuity Fund Trusts. They also told that no action has been taken, even after the attention of the Management has already been drawn in this regard, many months ago. The CMD BSNL assured to look into this and to take necessary steps.