Com. Animesh Mitra
[ President ]Com. P. Abhimanyu
[ General Secretary ]Com. John Verghese
[ Deputy General Secretary ]Com. Irfan Pasha
[ Treasurer ]Dada Ghosh Bhawan, 2151/1, New Patel Nagar, Opp. Shadipur Bus Depot, New Delhi- 110008
011-25705385(Office), 011-25894862(Fax)
bsnleuchq@gmail.comCom. Animesh Mitra
[ President ]Com. P. Abhimanyu
[ General Secretary ]Com. John Verghese
[ Deputy General Secretary ]Com. Irfan Pasha
[ Treasurer ]Dada Ghosh Bhawan, 2151/1, New Patel Nagar, Opp. Shadipur Bus Depot, New Delhi- 110008
011-25705385(Office), 011-25894862(Fax)
bsnleuchq@gmail.comBSNLEU will celebrate it’s 20th Foundation Day on 22nd March, 2021. The Central Executive Committee meeting held at Chennai has decided to launch “a week long campaign” on that day, among the general public, seeking their support, to safeguard and strengthen BSNL.
The Modi government has started slowly, but steadily, killing BSNL. Clever steps are being taken by the government, to deny 4G service to BSNL. After allotting 4G spectrum, the government is not allowing BSNL to procure 4G equipments. Without 4G technology, BSNL will be certainly closed down soon. Further, the government has recently announced it’s decision of monetising BSNL’s towers and optic fibre. This is nothing, but to handover BSNL to the private, stage by stage. The Modi government has also started dismantling the Public Sector.
Hence, the CHQ calls upon all the circle and district unions to celebrate BSNLEU’s 20th Foundation Day, by hoisting Union’s Red Flag and to launch the week long "Save BSNL Campaign". During this campaign, our comrades should organise street corner meetings in each and every part of their town / city. BSNLEU banners, flags should be carried during this street corner meetings. Flex banners should also be displayed, demanding immediate 4G service to BSNL, opposing monetisation of BSNL’s towers & optic fibre and to stop privatisation of the Public Sector.
LIC is the most prestigious public sector company of the Country. We can say, LIC lays golden eggs, since the company is providing lakhs of crores of rupees for the government’s developmental projects. However, it is a tragedy for the whole country, that the Modi government has decided to hand over LIC to the corporates. As a first step towards the privatisation of LIC, the government has decided to sell 20% of LIC’s shares, through IPO (Initial Public Offer). This decision of the government is a very big disaster for the country and the people.
The LIC employees are going on a one day strike tomorrow the 18.03.2021, against the disinvestment / privatisation of the LIC. The Chennai CEC meeting of BSNLEU has decided to organise solidarity demonstrations on 18.03.2021, in support of the strike of LIC employees. In accordance with this decision, the CHQ calls on the circle and district unions to organise lunch hour demonstrations tomorrow. Efforts may be taken to mobilise maximum number of employees in these demonstrations.
BSNLEU, AIGETOA, SNEA, AIBSNLEA, FNTO and TEPU organised a powerful protest demonstration today, at CGM office, Chennai Telephones. A few days back, a man was caught red handed, sabotaging BSNL's outdoor equipments. That person was identified as a staff member of Airtel. Despite police complaints given, no action has so far been taken on this issue. Through today’s demonstration, the unions and associations demanded immediate action against the culprits. A delegation of the leaders of the above mentioned unions and associations met Shri Sanjeevi, CGM, Chennai Telephones and demanded effective intervention by the BSNL Management. The CGM assured that needful action would be taken in this regard.
The Recruitment Branch of the Corporate Office has proposed to hold all the LICEs of the Non-Executives online. A letter in this connection has been written to the General Secretaries of both the Recognised Unions, calling for their views. BSNLEU has already taken a strong position that all LICEs, from Non-Executives to Non-Executive should not be conducted online. According to this decision, BSNLEU has already accepted online LICE from JE to JTO. However, most of the Non-Executives at the lower level, do not have access to computers. Hence, holding TT LICE, JE LICE, etc., is not acceptable to BSNLEU. The All India Centre of BSNLEU is being held today and it will once again discuss this issue and will communicate the decision to the Management.
In view of the continuous indisciplined activities of Com.Bashir Ahmad Khan, Circle Secretary, J&K circle, the All India Centre has already placed him under suspension for six months. Com.Bashir Ahmad Khan had appealed to the Central Executive Committee meeting. In it’s meeting, held at Chennai from 07th to 09th March, 2021, the Central Executive Committee looked into the appeal of Com.Bashir Ahmad Khan. Considering the gravity of his indisciplined activities the meeting has decided to completely remove Com.Bashir Ahmad Khan from the post of Circle Secretary. Further, the Central Executive Committee meeting has debarred him from taking up office bearer post at any level of the Union, for a period of one year. The Central Executive Committee meeting has also directed the Acting Circle Secretary to hold the J&K circle conference by 31.05.2021. The CHQ has written letter today, communicating the decision of the Central Executive Committee.
The entire employees and officers of the banking industry are on a two day strike, starting today. This strike is against the privatisation of the Public Sector Banks, by the Narendra Modi government. BSNLEU has organised countrywide demonstrations today, in support of the bank employees / officers’ strike. CHQ heartily congratulates all the circle and district unions which have organised the solidarity demonstrations.
The entire bank employees and officers are on a 2 day strike, today and tomorrow. This strike is against the privatisation policy of the Modi government. It is to save the Public Sector of the country. The strike is against the looting of the nation's wealth by the big corporates. Let us support this strike by organising Lunch Hour demonstrations throughout the country today.
The Public Sector banks have rendered immense service for the economic growth of this country and also to the common / downtrodden people. However, the Modi government is taking all out efforts to privatise the public sector banks. Further, the government has also decided to permit the big corporates to start banking service. This is nothing, but allowing the corporates to loot people’s money. The entire bank employees and officers are going on a two day strike on 15th & 16th March, 2021 (next Monday and Tuesday) against the privatisation of Public Sector banks. This strike is to save the Public Sector Banks from privatisation. The CEC meeting of BSNLEU, held at Chennai has called on the BSNL employees to organise demonstrations on 15.03.2021, in support of the strike of the bank employees. Hence, the CHQ calls upon the circle and district unions of BSNLEU to organise powerful lunch hour demonstrations.
This year, Indian billionaire, Gautam Adani, added more billions to his wealth than any other billionaire in the world. The net worth of Adani has jumped by $16.2 billion in 2021 to $50 billion, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index. This has made him the year's biggest wealth gainer, beating even Jeff Bezos and Elon Musk. Compared to Gautam Adani, the wealth added by Mukesh Ambani, the richest person in Asia is only $8.1 billion.
The Central Executive Committee meeting of BSNLEU, held at Chennai from 07th to 09th March, 2021, has decided to form Coordination Committees of BSNLEU, AIBDPA and BSNL CCWF. General Secretary has written to AIBDPA and BSNL CCWF to communicate this decision .
As per the call of the CHQ, International Women’s Day has been observed on 08.03.2021, in Kerala and Telangana circles. Seminars and special meetings have been organised in these circles. The CHQ heartily congratulates both these circle unions, as well as their district unions which organised the International Women’s Day.
The Modi government has decided to raise Rs.40,000 crore, by selling the mobile towers and optic fibre of BSNL and MTNL. The government has decided to raise Rs.2.5 lakh crore through Asset Monetisation. The Finance Minister, Ms. Nirmala Sitharaman, has announced this in the budget. In this, the government has decided to raise Rs.1.3 lakh crore, by selling the assets of Railways and BSNL. As per media reports, Rs.40,000 crore will be raised by the Government, by selling the telecom towers and optic fibre owned by BSNL and MTNL. The government may induct a strategic partner in the Subsidiary Tower Company of BSNL and can monetise the towers. The news item published in today’s Times of India is attached.
[Source: Times of India dated 12th March, 2021]
IDA भुगतान- DPE ने सेक्रेटरी, टेलीकॉम को, कोर्ट के निर्णय का अनुपालन करने हेतु पत्र लिखा...
माननीय केरल उच्च न्यायालय ने निर्देशित किया है कि 01.10.2020 से देय हो चुकी IDA की किश्त (5.5%) का भुगतान नॉन एग्जीक्यूटिव्ज को किया जाए। यह आदेश (judgement), BSNLEU द्वारा दायर रिट याचिका पर जारी किया गया। माननीय केरल उच्च न्यायालय द्वारा प्रसारित उक्त आदेश पश्चात, महासचिव, BSNLEU द्वारा, IDA भुगतान हेतु आदेश जारी कर माननीय न्यायालय के निर्णय के अनुपालन करने के अनुरोध के साथ सेक्रेटरी, DPE को पत्र लिखा गया था। सेक्रेटरी, DPE द्वारा महासचिव का पत्र, सेक्रेटरी, टेलीकॉम को फॉरवर्ड कर आवश्यक कार्यवाही करने हेतु निर्देशित किया गया है।
Merger of BSNL and MTNL was considered as one of the ways and means for the financial revival of BSNL. However, the government has now come to the conclusion that, merger of BSNL and MTNL is not possible, because of the critical financial condition of MTNL. As per the Hindu dated 10.3.2021, the Hon’ble Minister of Communications is reported to have told this to the Parliament.
The landmark Central Executive Committee meeting of BSNLEU, was held at Chennai on 7th, 8th and 9th March, 2021. The meeting made in depth discussions about the current problems being faced by BSNL and it’s employees and has chalked out the following programme of action.
(i) “Meet the members” drive.
The circle and district level leaders of BSNLEU shall conduct a month long “Meet the members” drive, from 01st April to 30th April, 2021. The leaders shall meet each and every member during this drive and explain about the decisions of the Chennai CEC meeting and also about the pro-corporate, anti-BSNL and anti-working people policies of the government.
(ii) Street Corner Meetings to observe the 20th anniversary of BSNLEU’s foundation.
22.03.2021 is the 20th anniversary of BSNLEU’s foundation. The day should be observed by hoisting flags in all work places. Further, BSNLEU will also launch a week long "Street Corner Meetings" starting on 22.03.2021. In these street corner meetings, campaign will be made among the general public against privatisation of the public sector, denial of 4G service to BSNL, road-blocks being created in BSNL's revival and the need to keep BSNL as a vibrant public sector company. A Press Meet will also be organised on 20.03.2021 in all districts and circles.
(iii) March to CGM and GM offices on 12.05.2021.
March to CGM offices and GM offices will be organised on 12.05.2021, demanding settlement of 3rd Wage Revision, payment of salary on the due date, immediate holding of LICEs, re-engaging the retrenched contract workers and payment of their wage arrears, immediate settlement of the medical claims of the serving and retired employees, removal of the ban on Compassionate Ground Appointments, etc. Memorandum, addressed to the CMD BSNL, demanding settlement of these burning issues, will be submitted to the CGMs and GMs.
(iv) “Sathyagraha”, demanding payment of salary on the due date.
On the demand of payment of salary on the due date, the CEC meeting has decided to organise a “sathyagraha” programme in CGM and GM offices. The date of this programme will be decided by the All India Centre.
(v) Hunger strikes / dharnas from 24th to 26th March, 2021 – call of the CTUs and the SKM.
The Joint platform of the Central Trade Unions and the Sanyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) have decided to organise hunger strikes / dharnas throughout the country from 24th to 26th March, 2021, demanding withdrawal of the pro-corporate Farm Acts, withdrawal of the anti-worker Labour Codes and stopping the privatisation of the Public Sector Units. The CEC meeting has decided that maximum number of members of BSNLEU should participate in this programme, being jointly organised by the Central Trade Unions and the Sanyukt Kisan Morcha.
(vi) Solidarity to Bank employees strike.
BSNLEU should organise demonstrations throughout the country on 15.03.2021, in support of the two day bank employees strike being held on 15th & 16th March, 2021, against the privatisation of the public sector banks.
(vii) Solidarity to LIC employees strike.
BSNLEU should organise country wide demonstrations on 18.03.2021, in support of the strike of the LIC employees on 18.03.2021, opposing disinvestment in LIC.
(viii) Formation of coordination committee of BSNLEU, AIBDPA and BSNL CCWF.
The CEC meeting has desired to form coordination committees of BSNLEU, AIBDPA and BSNL CCWF (BSNL Casual Contract Workers Federation), to powerfully organise agitational programmes on the revival of BSNL, including the early launching of 4G service and also on the issues of the serving and retired employees, as well as on the casual and contract workers.
As a part of it’s Central Executive Committee meeting, being held at Chennai, BSNLEU organised the K.G.Bose’s Birth Centenary memorial lecture. Apart from the CEC members, a good number of comrades of Chennai and Tamil Nadu circles participated in this seminar. Com.Animesh Mitra, President, presided over the programme. Com.Sridhara Subramanian, CS, Chennai circle, delivered the welcome address. Com. S.Chellappa,AGS, conducted the programme. Com.P.Abhimanyu, GS, delivered a brief introductory speech and explained about the role played by Com.K.G. Bose in the P&T / Central Government Trade Union movements. Com.P. Indira, Convenor, BSNL WWCC, briefly spoke on the International Women’s Day. Com.K. Hemalatha, President, CITU, delivered a lecture on “the present situation and the future tasks''. In her speech, the CITU President, explained in detail about the pro-corporate economic policies, the cruel attacks on the country's public sector, the ongoing farmers’ protests and the need to strengthen the worker peasant unity.
The Central Executive Committee meeting of BSNLEU is being held physically at Chennai. The venue is Asha Nivas, Thousand Lights, Chennai. The meeting started sharply at 10:00 am with the flag hoisting ceremony. Com.S. Chellappa, AGS, welcomed the CEC members. Com.Animesh Mitra, President, hoisted the National Flag. Com.P.Abhimanyu, GS, hoisted the Union red flag amidst slogans. Thereafter, the Inaugural Session of the CEC meeting took place. Com.Animesh Mitra, President, presided over. Com.P.Abhimanyu, GS, welcomed all and made the initial remarks. Thereafter, Com.A.K. Padmanabhan, Vice President, CITU, delivered the inaugural address. In his inspiring speech, Com.AKP, explained about the present economic situation, the privatisation drive of the Modi government, the spirited farmers’ protests, as well as the call of the joint platform of the Central Trade Unions and the Samyukt Kisan Morcha, to fight against the anti-farmer acts, anti-worker labour codes and the privatisation of the public sector. Thereafter, the subject committee started. Homage was paid to the martyrs. Com.Swapan Chakraborty, Dy.GS, moved the condolence resolution and the house paid homage to the departed leaders. Com.Animesh Mitra, delivered the presidential address. Thereafter, Com.P.Abhimanyu, GS, addressed the meeting, presenting the report on activities. Thereafter, the discussion by CEC members started.