The 2nd National Convention of Jan Ekta Jan Adhikar Andolan (JEJAA), the National Platform of Class, Mass and Social Movements, and Progressive Individuals was held at New Delhi on 27th February, 2019. The Convention was attended by representatives of more than eighty organisations including BSNLEU. BSNLEU was represented by Com.Swapan Chakraborty, Dy.GS and Com. Prakash Sharma, AGS. The draft resolution presented by Com.Hanan Mollah, Joint Convenor of the JEJAA, was discussed by the representatives of various organisations. All the representatives noted that the five years rule of BJP led NDA government has devastated the nation’s economy. Severely damaged democratic institutions and has witnessed the worst form of divisive casteist communal agenda being implemented with the active connivance of the ruling party. Therefore, the convention decided to defeat of the Neo-Liberal and communal agenda of BJP and it’s allies. It will campaign to ensure strengthening of the left and democratic forces in the 17th Lok Sabha and also to ensure for formation of a pro-people and secular government at the centre.

डिजिटल कम्युनिकेशन्स कमीशन ने एयरटेल और वोडाफोन आईडिया पर लगाई गई रु 3,050 करोड़ की पेनल्टी को सही ठहराया...
डिजिटल कम्युनिकेशन्स कमीशन ने बुधवार को एक वर्ष पूर्व जियो द्वारा अपनी सेवाएं शुरू करते समय एयरटेल और वोडाफोन आईडिया द्वारा रिलायंस जियो को इंटरकनेक्शन पोर्ट्स हेतु इंकार की वजह से ट्राई द्वारा लगाई गई रु 3,050 करोड़ की पेनल्टी के निर्णय को कायम रखा है। यह जानकारी कल दिनांक 24.07.2019 को टेलीकॉम सेक्रेटरी अरुणा सुंदराराजन द्वारा पत्रकारों को दी गई। डिजिटल कम्युनिकेशन्स कमीशन का यह निर्णय पहले से ही कर्ज के बोझ तले दबे और घाटे में चल रहे एयरटेल और वोडाफोन आईडिया के लिए एक बड़ा आघात है।

 

BSNLEU, बीएसएनएल में " प्रमुख मान्यता प्राप्त प्रतिनिधि यूनियन" बनी रहेगी...
यह अफवाह फैलाई जा रही है कि NFTE को भी 35% मत प्राप्त होने की वजह से BSNLEU को "प्रमुख मान्यता प्राप्त प्रतिनिधि यूनियन" का दर्जा प्राप्त नही होगा। यह पूर्णतः गलत है। मान्यता के नियमो के तहत एक बार पुनः BSNLEU को "प्रमुख मान्यता प्राप्त प्रतिनिधि यूनियन" का दर्जा मिलेगा और NFTE को केवल "द्वितीय मान्यता प्राप्त यूनियन" का। साथ ही, दोनों यूनियन द्वारा प्राप्त मतों के आधार पर BSNLEU को कौंसिल में 8 सीट्स और NFTE को 6 सीट्स मिलेगी। इस बार BSNLEU की एक सीट कम रहेगी। 

The ET Telecom, in it’s edition today, has reported that Shri Arvind Vadnerkar, Director (HR), has written to the DoT, demanding for the deployment of 200 additional ITS officers in BSNL, in addition to the existing 550 ITS officers, already working in the Company, to man important senior managerial posts. It is also reported that the Director (HR) has informed the DoT that, there is a growing tendency of indiscipline among the deployed (read ITS) officers. It must be noted that the ITS Association had questioned the wisdom of the BSNL Management, which has offered VRS to the Group A officers who are already working in BSNL and simultaneously demanding the DoT to send more ITS officers to BSNL.  The ITSA has also sought repatriation back to the DoT, of all the ITS officers working in BSNL, which will help the Company to save money.

Com.Animesh Mitra, President and Com.P.Abhimanyu, GS, met Shri A.M. Gupta, GM (SR) today and urged upon him for the immediate reconstitution of the National Council. Both the Recognised Unions have already submitted their lists of Staff Side nominees. The GM(SR) assured that letter for the reconstitution will be issued in a day or two.

The AUAB meeting held yesterday the 06.07.2020 has decided to call on the BSNL employees to organise lunch hour black flag demonstrations on 16.07.2020. It is also decided that the employees should wear black badge on that day. The following are the agitational programme and charter of demands, as decided in yesterday’s meeting.

Agitational programme.

1. All the employees are called upon to wear black badge on 16.07.2020. Black flag demonstrations are to be organised by the employees during lunch hour on 16.07.2020, against the cancellation of BSNL's 4G tender and against the road blocks being created in the rolling out of BSNL's 4G services.
2. A memorandum is to be submitted to all the MPs during the period from 13.07.2020 to 31.07.2020, urging upon them to intervene in favour of BSNL’s expeditious rolling out of 4G network, as well as the early revival of BSNL.
3. Twitter campaign is to be organised on 05.08.2020, demanding immediate rolling out of 4G network by BSNL and implementation of the assurances given in the Revival Package. 

Demands:

1. BSNL should immediately be allowed to roll out it’s 4G Services.

1. BSNL should take immediate actions to upgrade the 4G compatible BTSs.
2. Add on order for 4G equipments as per Phase VIII.4 tender should be issued immediately.
3. In the matter of procuring new equipments and upgrdation, there should not be any discrimination, between BSNL and other private telecom service providers.

2. The Government should immediately implement the decisions contained in BSNL’s Revival Package, like extension of Sovereign Guarantee for the issuing of Bonds.  
3. Urgent measures should be undertaken by the BSNL Management for immediately improving the quality of service.
4. The Management should ensure that the salary payment of the employees is made on the last working of every month.
5. The Management should immediately take steps to ensure that the employees get cashless treatment from empanelled hospitals during Covid 19 pandemic. The Management should pay Rs.10 lakh to the family of the employees who die due to COVID-19. Based on the instructions issued by the DoT, the Postal Department has already introduced such a scheme to it’s employees.

All the circle and district unions are requested to coordinate with the other constituents of the AUAB and to make the agitational programme a total success. Circle and district secretaries are requested to go through the AUAB circular for full details.

The Circle Executive Committee meeting of BSNLEU, Punjab circle, was held online today. Com.P.Abhimanyu, GS and Com.R.S. Chauhan, VP(CHQ), attended this meeting from the All India Centre. Com.Sanjiv Kumar, President, presided over the meeting. Com.H.S. Dhillon, Circle Secretary, welcomed everyone and placed the report on activities. Com.P.Abhimanyu, GS, inaugurated the meeting and spoke at length on the situation prevailing in the country, caused due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the economic crisis. He explained in detail about the attempts being made to deny 4G service to BSNL and also to torpedo it’s revival. While explaining the functioning of the CHQ, the GS told the need to strengthen unity and to fight against the unprecedented attacks of the government, on the public sector and on workers' right. Com.R.S. Chauhan, VP (CHQ), addressed and greeted the meeting. Thereafter, detailed deliberations by the Executive Committee members took place. Com.P.Abhimanyu, GS, replied to the All India level issues raised in the meeting. Finally, Com.H.S. Dhillon summed up the discussions.

The MoU with Union Bank of India has already expired. BSNLEU has already taken up this item with the Corporate Office, demanding early renewal of the MoU. However, the same is not done, as a result of which our employees are not able to get loan from Union Bank of India. Com. P. Abhimanyu, GS, telephonically discussed this item with Shri Yashwanth Nath Singh, GM (BFCI), today, and insisted for early renewal of the MoU. The GM (BFCI) assured to do the needful.   

A massive gathering marked the beginning of the 3 day Relay Hunger Strike at BSNL Corporate Office, demanding implementation of the assurances given by the Hon'ble Minister of State for Communications. Com.Suresh Kumar, GS, BSNL MS, presided over the hunger strike. It was addressed by Com.P.Abhimanyu,GS, BSNLEU, Com.Chandeswar Singh,GS, NFTE BSNL, Com.K.Sebastin, GS, SNEA, Com.Prahlad Rai, GS, AIBSNLEA,  Com.Swapan Chakraborty, Dy.GS, BSNLEU, Com. Sheshadri, Dy.GS, NFTE  BSNL, Com.Sivakumar, President, AIBSNLEA, Com.Rajamouli, Treasurer, NFTE BSNL, Com. Samad, Dy.GS, TEPU and Com.Rashid Khan, AGS, TEPU addressed the Relay Hunger Strike.

As per the report of the Economic Times, the US research and brokerage firm Bernstein has stated that the potential loss of Jio, for the financial year 2018-19 will be Rs.15,000 crores. This loss of Jio, is far worse than the losses being incurred by Vodafone Idea and Airtel. Bernstein has also stated that Jio is "managing" it's accounts to show a profit. For example, Jio has incurred Rs.7,500 crore as Handset Subsidies" to it's customers. Had this expenditure been shown in Jio's profit and loss account, the Company would have incurred a loss of Rs.3,800 crore, in the October to December quarter of 2018-19. But, this expenditure was shown in the accounts of Reliance Retail. As a result this, Jio is shown to have made a profit of Rs.831 crore net profit in the October to December quarter of 2018-19. The Economic Times reports that Reliance Jio did not respond to it's query, on the report of Bernstein. Economic Times has also stated, quoting market analysts, that Jio will start increasing it's tariffs, once it reaches the market share of 30%.

[ Source: Economic Times dt. 27-02-2019 ]

The CHQ of BSNLEU is saddened to know that Com.R.C.Dawka, of Assam, has passed away yesterday the 25-07-2019, at 12:45 pm. Com.R.C.Dawka was one of the pioneers who built up our movement in Assam and in the North East. He had functioned as the circle secretary of the E3 union. BSNLEU dips it's banner and pays respectful homage to Com. R.C.Dawka.

The one day strike of the Central Government employees, held on 19^th September, 1968, is an important landmark of the history of the Indian trade union movement. The 51^st anniversary of this strike was observed yesterday. Special meetings were organised in Kerala yesterday, at Tiruvananthapuram, Ernakulam, Kozhikode and Kannur, to mark this anniversary. The sacrifices made in the strike, the anti- worker measures taken by the government, etc., were high- lighted by the speakers. CHQ congratulates the Kerala comrades for observing this important landmark of the Indian trade union movement.

As per the VRS scheme implemented by the Management, the window for giving option was opened on 04.11.2019. The window was closed yesterday the 03.12.2019. It is learnt that, totally 78,569 employees have opted for VRS. As per the VRS-2019, the total number of employees eligible for going on VRS is 1,04,471. Thus, 75.2% of the employees who are eligible to go on VRS, have opted for it. It is also learnt that 5,237 employees, after submitting their option for VRS, have withdrawn the same.

BSNLEU is continuously pressing the Corporate Management to re-constitute the National Council without further delay. The matter was discussed again with the GM(SR), BSNL CO, once again yesterday. Since we have been assured that the re-constitution of the National Council will be done immediately, the Staff Side has to promptly submit the agenda items to the Management, to ensure that the National Council meeting is not delayed because of the Staff Side. Hence, all the circle secretaries and central office bearers are requested to immediately send items to the CHQ, for the submission of agenda items.