Disturbing news has appeared in the media that, the office of Newsclick, as well as the residences of it's Editor-in-chief and the Editor, are being raided by the Enforcement Directorate(ED). This is nothing but an attack on the freedom of press. As known to everyone, Newsclick is making extensive coverages on the issues of workers and other marginalised sections of the society. It is consistently exposing the anti-BSNL policies of the Modi government and extending it's support to the struggles being launched by the unions and associations, for safeguarding and strengthening BSNL. The ongoing agitations of the peasants are also being highlighted by the Newsclick in a big way. Undoubtedly, the government wants to stifle the voice of the Newclick. The government has already filed FIRs against many journalists, for supporting the farmers’ struggle and criticising the policies of the government.  All these steps of the government remind us of the dark days of Emergency.  The ruling BJP is re-enacting  the autocratic measures taken during Emergency. All these are attacks on our democracy and BSNLEU strongly condemns these autocratic steps. 

Chennai Telephones circle union held it's executive committee meeting physically today, in the Union office at Flowerbazaar telephone exchange. The meeting was presided over by Com. E. Natarajan, circle president. Out of the 30 circle executive committee members, 25 comrades participated in the meeting. Com.Sridhara Subramanian, circle secretary, welcomed all the comrades and presented the report on activities. Com.S.Chellappa, AGS, addressed the meeting and explained about the issues being taken by the CHQ and the need to successfully organise the hunger strike on 18-02-2021. He also explained about the steps taken by BSNLEU to implement the GTI and also about the case filed in the Hon’ble Kerala High Court, challenging the IDA freezing. After lively deliberations by the executive committee members, the meeting resolved to conduct the forthcoming CEC meeting at Chennai, together with the Tamil Nadu circle union. The meeting also resolved to successfully organise the hunger strike on 18.02.2021. The meeting also reconstituted the Working Women’s Coordination Committee.

The breaking down of a glacier in Uttarakhand, has caused sudden floods in the Alaknanda, Dhauli Ganga and Rishi Ganga rivers last Sunday. More than 100 people are believed to have died in the flash floods. Hydroelectric Power Stations in these rivers have also collapsed.  Many workers have got trapped in the tunnels of these power stations.  However, 12 workers trapped in one such collapsed tunnel, have miraculously escaped, because of BSNL’s mobile service. Vinod Singh, aged 33 is a welder. He got trapped in one of the tunnels, together with 11 other workers. However, even inside the collapsed tunnel, Vinod Singh was receiving signal on his mobile phone. This enabled him to contact the rescue team. As a result, all the 12 workers were safely rescued. Once again BSNL has come to the rescue of the calamity struck citizens of the country. We attach herewith media reports on this.

The BSNL Management is harassing the employees for the past one year, by not disbursing salary on the due date. Further, the Management is also adopting a total negative attitude on the settlement of the HR issues of the Non-Executives. BSNLEU has already organised lunch hour demonstrations on 05.02.2021. The All India Centre of BSNLEU has decided to organise hunger strike throughout the country on 18.02.2021, demanding disbursement of salary on the due date and also demanding settlement of certain burning issues. Circle and District secretaries are requested to immediately take all out efforts to  successfully organise the hunger strike.

BSNLEU is observing year long Birth Centenary of Com.K.G. Bose. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic situation, no physical meetings could be organised so far. Now, the All India Centre has decided to organise a lecture by Com.K. Hemalata, National President, CITU, at the time of BSNLEU’s CEC meeting being held at Chennai. This lecture will be organised on 08.03.2021.

The Central Executive Committee meeting of BSNLEU is being held at Chennai on 07th, 08th and 09th March, 2021. The All India Centre has decided that Com.A.K.Padmanabhan, Vice-President, CITU will deliver the inaugural address of this meeting. The All India centre has also decided that, a lecture is to be organised during this CEC meeting, in observance of the Birth Anniversary of Com.K.G. Bose. Com.K.Hemalata, National President of CITU, has kindly consented to deliver the address. The CEC meeting will start sharply at 10:00 AM on 07.03.2021 and will conclude at 17:00 hrs. on 09.03.2021. All the CEC members are requested to book their return tickets, so as to leave the venue only at 17: 00 hours on 09.03.2021.

The Modi government, which claims itself to be a democratic government, is adopting fascist methods to suppress the peaceful farmers’ agitation. Blocking roads, using barricades with barbed-wires, dumping stones behind the barricades (obviously to be used for hitting the farmers), fixing “iron nails” on roads to stop the movement of the farmers, etc., are some of the democratic steps being carried out by the government to end the farmers' agitation. Journalists and intellectuals, who support the farmers’ struggle are being jailed. These inhuman actions of the "democratic" government, are drawing worldwide condemnations. 

Under these circumstances, the farmers are teaching a lesson to the government. They are planting colourful flower plants near the iron nails, fixed by the government. This is indeed, a wonderful response by the farmers. This response of the farmers should really shame the government and it’s police.  

BSNLEU is determined to ensure on time payment of salary to BSNL employees. Repeated representations and protest demonstrations have fallen in the deaf ears of the BSNL Management. Hence, BSNLEU has decided to organise agitational programmes to pressurise the Management. Today’s demonstrations are successfully organised throughout the country. Compared to the previous demonstrations, more number of employees have turned up in today’s demonstrations. The CHQ heartily congratulates all the circle and district unions of BSNLEU for successfully implementing today's call. The All India Centre of BSNLEU is meeting again tomorrow, to decide about the future course of action. All the circle and district unions are requested to remain alert and to implement the calls successfully.

BSNLEU has protested the incorporation of the Rule 55(A), by deleting Rule 55(ii)(b), as per which any employee, who has attained 50/55 years of age, or who has completed 30 years of service can be compulsorily retired. The Corporate Office has sent it's reply to BSNLEU on this matter, which is attached herewith.

The Circle Executive Committee meeting of Andhra Pradesh circle has unanimously elected Com.K. Rama Devi as the Circle Secretary of Andhra Pradesh circle, in the place of Com.P.Asokababu. Com.K. Rama Devi is a senior leader of BSNLEU, presently holding the post of Vice-President (CHQ) of the Union. She is also an all India Committee member of the BSNL Working Womens’ Coordination Committee (BSNL WWCC). Com.K. Rama Devi has got the credit of becoming the first woman circle secretary of BSNLEU. The CHQ heartily congratulates her and wishes her all success.  

Com.P.Asokababu has relinquished the post of Circle Secretary, Andhra Pradesh circle, in view of his health condition. In fact, he has expressed his intention to relinquish, many months ago. However, the CHQ had requested him to continue for some more time, in view of the extraordinary situation created by the COVID-19. Com.P.Asokababu, was elected as the Assistant General Secretary of the E-III union, in the All India Conference held at Thiruvananthapuram in 1994. In the foundation conference of BSNLEU at Visakhapatnam, he was elected as AGS of BSNLEU. In 2010, he was elected as Deputy General Secretary in the Thiruvananthapuram All India Conference. He was elected as Vice-President in the Ludhiana All India Conference and continued till the Mysuru All India Conference held in December, 2018. After bifurcation of the Andhra Pradesh circle, he was elected as the Circle Secretary of Andhra Pradesh circle. Com.P.Asokababu has immensely contributed for the growth of BSNLEU. The CHQ wishes him good health. The CHQ also expects that Com.P.Asokababu will continue to contribute for the growth of BSNLEU, in whichever manner possible. 

श्रीरामजी के भारत में पेट्रोल की कीमत रु 93/- है और रावण की श्रीलंका में रु 51/- - यह कहना है BJP लीडर डॉ सुब्रमण्यम स्वामी का.

पेट्रोल और डीजल की कीमतों में सरकार द्वारा लगातार वृद्धि की जा रही है। डीजल की कीमतों में वृद्धि के परिणाम स्वरूप सभी आवश्यक वस्तुओं की कीमतों में भी वृद्धि होती है। इस वजह से आम व्यक्ति बुरी तरह से प्रभावित होता है। सरकार लोगों के साथ यह कह कर धोखा करती है कि अंतर्राष्ट्रीय बाजारों में कच्चे तेल की कीमतों में वृद्धि हो रही है, जिसके प्रभाव से पेट्रोल और डीजल में भी मूल्य वृद्धि हो रही है। अगर ऐसा ही है, तो हमारे पड़ोसी देशों में पेट्रोल और डीजल सस्ता क्यों है ?  डॉ सुब्रमण्यम स्वामी, जो कि सत्ताधारी BJP के सांसद हैं, ने भी अपने अंदाज में सरकार की आलोचना की है। उन्होंने व्यंगात्मक लहज़े में टिप्पणी करते हुए कहा है कि श्रीरामजी के भारत में पेट्रोल की कीमत रु 93/- है और वहीं रावण की श्रीलंका में रु 51/-। उन्होंने यह भी कहा है कि सीताजी के नेपाल में पेट्रोल की कीमत रु 51/- प्रति लीटर मात्र है। डॉ सुब्रमण्यम स्वामी ने मोदी के नेतृत्व वाली BJP सरकार की पोल खोल कर रख दी है कि किस तरह सरकार, पेट्रोल और डीजल पर टैक्स बढ़ा कर लोगों को लूट रही है।  

नॉन-एग्जीक्यूटिव्ज को IDA की दो किश्तों (5.5% + 6.1%) का भुगतान- BSNLEU का श्री प्रकाश जावड़ेकर, माननीय भारी उद्योग मंत्री को पत्र.

DPE द्वारा बार बार यह स्पष्ट किया जा रहा है कि IDA फ्रीजिंग नॉन-एग्जीक्यूटिव्ज  के लिए लागू नही है।। लेकिन इसके साथ ही, नॉन-एग्जीक्यूटिव्ज को IDA की दो किश्तों (5.5% + 6.1%) के भुगतान आदेश भी DPE द्वारा जारी नही किए जा रहे हैं।  BSNLEU द्वारा माननीय केरल उच्च न्यायालय में दायर रिट याचिका पर शीघ्र सुनवाई की संभावना है। इसी बीच,  BSNLEU ने नॉन-एग्जीक्यूटिव्ज को IDA की दो किश्तों के भुगतान आदेश DPE द्वारा शीघ्र जारी करने हेतु , श्री प्रकाश जावड़ेकर, माननीय भारी उद्योग मंत्री को, उनके हस्तक्षेप के अनुरोध के साथ, पत्र लिखा है।   

कल का प्रदर्शन सफलतापूर्वक  आयोजित करने के लिए अधिक से अधिक प्रयास करें....

प्रबंधन द्वारा, निर्धारित तिथि पर वेतन भुगतान न कर कर्मचारियों के साथ अन्यायपूर्ण व्यवहार किया जा रहा है। इसे स्वीकार नही किया जा सकता है। BSNLEU द्वारा, कल दिनांक 05-02-2021 को भोजन अवकाश में प्रदर्शन करने का कॉल दिया गया है।  BSNLEU द्वारा, प्रबंधन पर हर माह निर्धारित तिथि पर वेतन भुगतान हेतु दबाव निर्मित करने के लिए और अधिक कड़े स्वरूप में संघर्ष करने की योजना भी बनाई जा रही है। अतः, CHQ, सभी सर्किल और डिस्ट्रिक्ट यूनियन्स से आव्हान करता है कि कल भोजन अवकाश प्रदर्शन में अधिक से अधिक साथियों को शामिल करें।   

The Management continues to hit the employees below the belt, by not paying the salary on the due date. This cannot be allowed. BSNLEU has given call for lunch hour demonstrations to be organised tomorrow the 05-02-2021. BSNLEU is also planning to organise more serious forms of struggles, to compel the Management, to pay the salary on the due date of every month. Hence, the CHQ calls on all the circle and district unions to mobilise maximum number of comrades in tomorrow's lunch hour demonstrations. 

The prices of petrol and diesel are being continuously raised by the government. The increase in the price of diesel results in the increase in the prices of all essential commodities. The common man is thus, badly affected by this. The government cheats the people, by saying that, the price of crude oil is increasing in the international market, which is resulting in the hike of petrol and diesel prices. In that case, how petrol and diesel are cheaper in all our neighbouring countries? Dr.Subramanian Swamy, an MP of the ruling BJP has also criticised the government in his own way. He has made a sarcastic comment, by stating that, petrol price is Rs.93/- in Ram's India, and the same is Rs.51/- in Ravan's Sri Lanka. He has also stated that the price of petrol in Sita's Nepal is only Rs. 51/- per litre. Dr. Subramanian Swamy has exposed how the Modi led BJP government is looting the people, by increasing taxes on petrol and diesel.

In a letter addressed to Shri P.K Purwar, CMD BSNL, on 28-01-2021, BSNLEU had openly accused that, the BSNL Management had totally failed to take steps to improve the financial health of the Company, by utilising the opportunities provided by the government. Now, SNEA, the association of the Executives, has accused that, the BSNL Management lacks the professionalism in reviving the Company. In a letter addressed to Shri P.K Purwar, CMD BSNL, the SNEA has accused that, the BSNL Management has failed to roll out 4G, through the upgradation of existing networks, without further investment. The SNEA has also stated that, this failure has put a question mark on the company’s progress, even a year after implementing the VRS. The Business Line dated 03^rd February, 2021 has published this news, and we have attached it for the benefit of our viewers.