A meeting of “All Unions and Associations of BSNL” was held at New Delhi today. Com. Suresh Kumar, GS, BSNL MS, presided over the meeting. General Secretaries / Representatives of BSNLEU, NFTE, SNEA, AIBSNLEA, FNTO, SEWA BSNL, BSNL MS, BSNL ATM and BSNL OA, participated in the meeting. The following decisions are taken:-

1. The meeting decided to effectively organise the Indefinite Work According to Rule from 30.01.2018. This programme is to be effectively organised in all circles.

2. Full day Sathyagraha agitation is to be effectively organised for 5 days from 30.01.2018 at Corporate Office, circle and district levels.

3. Steering Committees (consisting of BSNLEU, NFTE, SNEA and AIBSNLEA) are to be formed in all circles and districts to effectively plan and organise the struggles. The Steering Committees will meet as and when required for giving necessary guidance.

4. Poster will be designed and uploaded on the websites of the Unions and Associations. These posters shall be printed by the circle unions (in the regional languages if necessary) and distributed to all the stations.

5. Next meeting of the All Unions and Associations will be held at BSNL MS office, at 15:00 hrs. on 06.02.2018.    

The United States has conducted many wars in the West Asia. It includes it’s notorious invasions on Iraq, Afghanistan and the ongoing aggression in Syria. The entire West Asia is devastated by these aggressions of the US. Tens of thousands of innocent people have been killed. After committing all these atrocities, the US President, Donald Trump now says that, the West Asian wars have costed the US, 7 trillion dollars. Even now, the US is worried only about its monetary loss, and not about the loss of precious human lives.

BSNLEU is the biggest contingent which participated in the yesterday’s All India Convention of Central Public Sector Workers, held New Delhi. Apart from the CHQ leaders, circle secretaries of Jammu &Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, UP(West), UP(East), Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Chennai, Odisha, West Bengal, Kolkata, Bihar, Jharkhand, Assam, NE I and  NE II took part in the Convention. Many Central Office bearers also attended the Convention. Apart from this UP(West), Haryana, Rajasthan and Punjab circles mobilised a good number of active comrades. CHQ heartily congratulates all the comrades, who tremendously participated to the call of the CHQ. After, the Convention was over, a group photo of the participants was taken, even though a good number of comrades have already left by that time.

In his meeting with Shri Anupam Shrivastava, CMD BSNL, Com. P. Abhimanyu, GS, insisted arrangement of an early meeting between the Hon’ble Minister of State for Communications and the AUAB. He also pointed out to the CMD BSNL that the meeting predicted to be taking place on 18.10.2018 also did not materialise. In reply to this, the CMD BSNL told the General Secretary that, he was taking serious efforts to arrange a meeting between the Hon’ble Minister of State for Communications and the AUAB, and it may probably take place on 29.10.2018.

कल गेट मीटिंग और भोजन अवकाश प्रदर्शन प्रभावशाली रूप से आयोजित करें...

BSNLEU, NFTE, BSNL MS और TEPU  द्वारा दिनांक 05.01.2019 को भोजन अवकाश के दौरान मीटिंग आयोजित कर प्रदर्शन करने का सभी बीएसएनएल कर्मियों को आव्हान किया जा चुका है। यह कार्यक्रम सरकार की कर्मचारी विरोधी, जन विरोधी नीतियों के विरोध में 08 और 09 जनवरी 2019 को होने जा रही दो दिवसीय आम हड़ताल में कर्मचारियों को शामिल होने के लिए संगठित करने के उद्देश्य से किया जा रहा है। सीएचक्यू का सभी सर्किल और डिस्ट्रिक्ट सेक्रेटरीज से, NFTE, BSNL MS और TEPU से समन्वय कर प्रदर्शन और गेट मीटिंग के कार्यक्रम को प्रभावी रूप से आयोजित करने का आग्रह है।

The TSMs regularised on or after 01.10.2000, are issued with Presidential Orders. However, for the purpose of NEPP, these officials are treated as BSNL recruitees and their 1^st promotion under NEPP is granted on completion of 8 years, instead of 4 years. Consequent to court judgement, BSNLEU strongly took up this issue with the BSNL Management and demanded that all the TSMs regularised on or after 01.10.2000, should be given 1^st promotion under NEPP, on completion of 4 years. The BSNL Management agreed to the demand of BSNLEU. The case was processed and was sent for the approval of the DoT. However, the DoT has rejected this demand. Further, the DoT has also directed the BSNL to go on appeal against the court judgement. This was informed by Shri Saurabh Tyagi, Sr.GM(Estt.) to Com.P.Abhimanyu,GS, in the discussion held yesterday.

Protesting against the harassment of pensioners, by the administration, an impressive dharna was held at BSNL Bhawan, Hyderabad, on 17.05.2019. Together with AIBDPA, BSNLEU, Telangana circle union organised the agitation. More than 300 pensioners and employees participated. BSNLEU, Telangana circle union wrote to the CGM, Telangana, demanding his intervention. As per the direction of the CGM, leaders of the agitation were called for talks by the PGM, Hyderabad. Assurances have been given for the redressal of the grievances. Com.J.Sampath Rao, Circle Secretary, BSNLEU, Com.M.N. Reddy, All Pensioners Association, Telangana and many other leaders participated in the agitation. CHQ of BSNLEU heartily congratulates the AIBDPA and BSNLEU for the success of the struggle.

The Extended Circle Executive Committee meeting of BSNLEU, Chennai Circle, was held at Chennai yesterday the 06.08.2019. Com.E.Natarajan, President, presided over the meeting. Com.S. Lakshmanan, Circle Organising Secretary, delivered the welcome address. Com.M. Kanniappan, Circle Secretary, submitted his report on activities and initiated the discussion. Com.S. Chellppa, AGS, briefly addressed the meeting and explained about the lootings of workers' money, that is taking place in the Chennai Telecom Employees Co-operative Society. Addressing the meeting, Com.P.Abhimanyu, GS, spoke elaborately about the crisis being faced by BSNL today, the root causes for the crisis, as well as the alternative road map for the revival of BSNL. In this regard, Com.P. Abhimanyu, also explained about the decision taken in the AUAB meeting held on 01.08.2019. He declared with confidence that the unions and associations will ensure the financial revival of BSNL through mass movements.

BSNLEU and the BSNL Casual Contract Workers Federation (BSNL CCWF) are continuously fighting for the payment of wage arrears of the contract workers. Of late, the unions and associations of BSNL have also taken up this issue. This was an important demand in the protest day demonstrations held on 01^st October, 2019. Despite all these, the BSNL Management has not paid the wage arrears of the contract workers. Now, the payment of wages to the contract workers is being taken up in the Parliament. A Parliament Question has been raised about the payment of wages of contract workers. Undoubtedly, BSNL is in a severe financial crisis. However, no Management can close it’s eyes and remain silent, without paying wages to the contract workers for 8 months.

With as many as 78,569 of its employees opting for the voluntary retirement scheme (VRS), State-run telco BSNL expects to save about ₹1,300 crore in wage bills during the current financial year.

    “Our goal is that people who have applied for VRS, their application should be considered and approved… VRS will take place from January 31, 2020. So, there will be two months — February and March, where the savings will come to us… BSNL is likely to save ₹1,300 crore in this financial year,” Chairman and Managing Director P.K. Purwar said on Tuesday. He added that about 70,000 employees would still remain with the telco, “which is a reasonable number.” “As on date, BSNL will not make any recruitment, except where it is required as per current policy,” he said.

   Asked about the headway made in merger of BSNL and MTNL, Mr. Purwar said, “The discussion for merger has started. Both the boards have met on a common platform to take stock on how to move forward”.

[Courtesy: The Hindu dated 18.12.2019]

BSNL always remains in the forefront, to serve the people, when the nation is faced natural calamities. When cyclones, floods, etc. occurred, BSNL and it’s employees have selflessly served the people. In line with this, presently, when the nation is faced with the threat of Corona Virus and when professionals and employees are compelled to work from home, BSNL has come forward to offer free broadband connection for a month. Under this scheme, 5 GB data every day, with 10mbps speed, is offered free of cost. With this scheme, BSNL is contributing it's mite, to curtail the spread of corona virus infection, which spreads through social interaction.

CHQ is getting a lot of queries from comrades, regarding the payment of salary for the month of June, 2020. In the countrywide black-flag demonstrations organised on 16^th July, 2020, payment of salary on the due date was one of the import demands. Despite united agitation on this vital issue, by the employees, the BSNL Management does not bother to pay the salary on time. 

Com.P.Abhimanyu, GS, spoke to Shri S.K. Gupta, Director (Finance) today and discussed this issue. It was replied by the Director (Finance) that, even though around Rs.1,300 crore is being collected by the Company every month, the monthly expenditure of the Company is much more, due to which salary is not being paid on time.  The General Secretary expressed his deep anguish that, the Management does not care to take the unions and associations into confidence, so far as increasing the revenue, through stepping up marketing activities. At the end of the discussion, the Director (Finance) told that they would try to pay the salary in the next week. 

Shri Bharat Singh Kadian, father of com. M.S.Kadian, circle secretary, BSNLEU, Haryana, passed away yesterday. He was 95 years old, and had been unwell for some time. CHQ conveys it's heartfelt condolences to com.M.S.Kadian, as well as to all his family members.

The 3 day CEC meeting of BSNLEU starts at Agartala tomorrow. The meeting is being inaugurated by Com.K.Hemalata, President, CITU. Wage Revision, fight against the Subsidiary Tower Company issues will be key issues to be discussed in this CEC meeting. Besides, the meeting will also make a mid-term review of the functioning of the Union. Venue of the CEC meeting is Shaheed Bhagat Singh Yuva Awas, Kehjurbagan, Agartala.

Shri Vivek Banzal has joined as the new Director (CFA) of BSNL. The Corporate Office has mentioned in his posting order that, his appointment is subject to the outcome of the case filed in the Hon’ble CAT, Jabalpur Bench, by Dr.Mahesh Shukla, CGM, Madhya Pradesh. BSNLEU heartily welcomes Shri Vivek Banzal, the new Director (CFA) and wishes him all success.

With the view to mobilise the employees for the two day General Strike to be organised on 08^th & 09^th January, 2019, BSNLEU, NFTE, BSNL MS and TEPU had given call for organising lunch hour demonstrations and gate meetings today. Accordingly, the programme is observed throughout the country today. CHQ requests the circle and district unions to continue to campaign among the employees, for making the two day General Strike successful.

Com.P.Abhimanyu, GS, BSNLEU and Com.Chandeswar Singh, GS, NFTE, tried to meet the CMD BSNL yesterday, regarding the issues of non-payment of salary to the employees. It was told that the CMD BSNL was indisposed and hence, they could not meet him. However, both the General Secretaries met Ms. Sujata T. Ray, Director (HR) and discussed the issue in detail. During the discussion, the Director (HR) informed the leaders that an emergent meeting of the BSNL Board is taking place today. However, from the discussion that took place, it is understood that chances for immediate payment of salary to the employees, for the month of February, 2019, is very less. In view of this an emergent meeting of the AUAB is convened at 14:00 hrs. today.

Com.P.Abhimanyu,GS, who was in Chennai to attend the Extended Circle Executive Committee meeting, visited the Harbour Telecom Exchange today. The exchange was burnt down in a massive fire, in the intervening night of 31.07.2019, and 01.08.2019. Com.P.Abhimanyu, GS, was accompanied by Com.M.Kanniappan, Circle Secretary, Com.Ramachandran, District Secretary, North East, Com.Bharathy, District Secretary, Development, Com.Sri Ganesh, District Secretary, South East, Com.Madhivanan, Circle Organising Secretary, Com.Thulukkanam, Assistant Circle Secretary and Com.Murali, Branch Secretary, Flower Bazaar. The delegation visited the affected areas of the Harbour Telephone Exchange building and enquired about the restoration work being carried out. It is a matter of pride that within a short time, services have been restored to a great extent by the BSNL team.