Endorsement of the DoP&T letter, by the BSNL Corporate Office, for the extension of special Concessions and facilities, to the BSNL staff working in Kashmir valley, is being inordinately delayed. Com.P.Abhimanyu, GS, discussed this issue with Shri Saurabh Tyagi, GM(Estt.) over phone today. The GM(Estt.) assured to release the endorsement letter within a day or two.

BSNLEU is continuously taking efforts to ensure that the MoU between BSNL and the Canara Bank and the Union Bank of India are renewed at the earliest. The General Secretary was assured by the Banking Branch of the Corporate Office last week that the MoU with both the banks would be renewed within a week. However, this did not happen. Hence, Com.P.Abhimanyu,GS, once again met the concerned officers in the Corporate Office today and discussed this issue seriously. The officers replied that the Managements of Canara Bank and Union Bank of India are demanding higher rates of interests. They also told that a new condition is being imposed that, in respect of employees who have taken loan, the terminal benefits should be paid only after getting clearance from the banks. This is not acceptable to us and the Management. The General Secretary is assured that expeditious efforts would be taken to renew the MoUs.

BSNLEU ने CMD BSNL को पत्र लिख कर कर्मचारियों के वेतन से काटी गई राशि संबंधित संस्था को जमा करने की मांग की...
BSNLEU द्वारा पूर्व में CMD BSNL को लिखा जा चुका है कि कर्मचारियों के वेतन से काटी गई राशि संबंधित संस्था को जमा की जानी चाहिए। इस संबंध में एक बार पुनः BSNLEU ने CMD BSNL को  पत्र लिखा है। पत्र में उल्लेखित किया गया है कि बैंक की EMI, LIC प्रीमियम, कोआपरेटिव सोसाइटी की किश्तें, यूनियन सब्सक्रिप्शन आदि जमा नही किए जाने से कर्मचारियों को परेशानी हो रही है। यूनियन ने मांग की है कि कर्मचारियों के वेतन से काटी गई राशि संबंधित संस्था को तुरंत जमा करवाएं और इस हेतु कॉर्पोरेट ऑफिस द्वारा सर्किल को आवश्यक फंड्स भी उपलब्ध करवाएं।

As a result of the ongoing "tariff war", triggered by Reliance Jio's predatory pricing, the revenue collections of telecom companies have fallen further. According to the TRAI report, the Adjusted Gross  Revenue (AGR), earned by the telecom companies has dropped over 10 per cent, i.e., to Rs.1,44,446 crore during 2018 from Rs.1,60,814 crore in 2017. AGR is the revenue collected by telecom companies from sale of telecom services. Spectrum Usage Charges and Licence Fee, payable to the government, are being calculated on the basis of AGR. Since the AGR of telecom companies has fallen, the Spectrum Usage Charges and Licence Fee, received by the government, has also fallen. Spectrum usage charges (SUC) has fallen by 17.74 per cent to Rs.4,186 crore in 2018, while licence fee collections has fallen by 10.2 per cent to Rs 11,641 crore.

[ Source : ET Telecom dated 26-09-2019]

Com.P.Abhimanyu,GS and Com.Swapan Chakraborty, Dy.GS held discussions with Shri A.M. Gupta, GM(SR) today and discussed the following issues:-

1. Changing the union of choice through the ERP.

BSNLEU has already written to the Director (HR), opposing the proposal contained in the BSNL Corporate Office letter dated 06^th December, 2019, regarding the changing of the union of choice through ERP, by the Non-Executives. Today, the GS and Dy.GS explained to the GM(SR) that, a good number of the Non-Executives are not conversant with computer operations, and thus changing the union of choice through the ERP should not be implemented in respect of the Non-Executives. This was agreed to by the GM(SR).

2. Holding of formal meeting.

BSNLEU has already sought a formal meeting with the Director (HR) to discuss about certain issues arising in the post VRS scenario. In today’s meeting, the GS and Dy.GS insisted upon the GM(SR) to arrange the formal meeting at the earliest. The GM(SR) assured to do the needful.

Red salutes to the martyrs - Revolutionary May Day greetings to all the comrades. 

Red salutes to the martyrs who laid down their lives at Chicago and elsewhere in the world, fighting against the exploitation of the working class. Revolutionary May Day greetings to all the comrades. On this day, let us resolve to march ahead to create a new world, which will be free of exploitation of man by man. 

As per the call of the AUAB, the programme of submitting memorandum to all the MPs, is to be organised during the period from 13.07.2020 to 31.07.2020. Accordingly, this programme should have already started. However, we regret to inform that, there is some delay in finalising the memorandum to be submitted to the MPs. The finalised memorandum will be despatched / uploaded on website by today evening. All the circle and district unions are requested to coordinate with the other constituents of the AUAB and to successfully organise the programme of submitting memorandum to the MPs.

लॉक डाउन के दौरान अनुपस्थिति अवधि के संबंध में DoP&T के निर्देशों की तस्दीक कॉर्पोरेट ऑफिस द्वारा भी की गई - BSNLEU की मांग मान्य..
लॉक डाउन की वजह से  दूरस्थ स्थानों पर फंसे कुछ कर्मचारियों की अनुपस्थिति अवधि को 'ड्यूटी' मानने की मांग BSNL एम्प्लॉईज यूनियन द्वारा की जाती रही है। अपने इस दावे के समर्थन में BSNLEU द्वारा DoP&T द्वारा जारी निर्देशों का हवाला दिया गया था। इस मुद्दे पर डायरेक्टर (HR) से भी कई बार चर्चा की गई थी। अब, कॉर्पोरेट ऑफिस द्वारा सभी CGMs को निर्देशित किया गया है कि लॉक डाउन के दौरान अनुपस्थिति अवधि को DoP&T के निर्देशों के अनुसार नियमित किया जाए।

The CHQ of BSNLEU is extremely shocked and pained to hear that Com. Kallappa, District Secretary of the Contract Workers Union, Bidar, Karnataka, died in an accident that took place today morning. He was a very active and dedicated functionary of the Contract Workers Union. A few years back, Com. Kallappa was retrenched from work. Due to the efforts taken by the CHQ of BSNLEU, he was taken back. He attended the Mahapadav, held at Delhi from 09^th to 11^th November, 2017. At that time another contract worker from Bidar, Mustafa by name, died due to heart attack. Com. Kallappa remained at Delhi for the next two days, and helped the CHQs of BSNLEU and the BSNLCCWF, for getting the post-mortem and other formalities completed. In the death of Com. Kallappa, the contract workers union has lost a dedicated comrade. BSNLEU pays homage to Com. Kallappa and conveys it’s heartfelt condolences to his family members.  

The All Unions and Associations of BSNL (AUAB) is consistently conducting struggles, demanding the rolling back of the Subsidiary Tower Company. The question of taking recourse to legal action, against the Subsidiary Tower Company, was discussed in the meetings of the AUAB. Finally, in the meeting held on 08.05.2018, after threadbare discussion, the AUAB decided to file a case in the Hon’ble Delhi High Court. Due to certain tactical reasons, it was decided that the case shall be filed in the name of the Executive Associations, and that all the constituents of the AUAB shall extend financial support. Accordingly, the case has been filed, and it came up for hearing today in the Hon’ble Delhi High Court. The Hon’ble Court admitted the case, and it also stated that the operation of the Subsidiary Tower Company shall be subject to the out come of this case. The next hearing of the case will take place on 25.09.2018.

The CHQ has already requested the circle unions to send district wise quota particulars, for the years 2016 and 2017. These quota particulars are essential for the allotment of delegates for the forthcoming All India Conference. Most of the circles have so far not sent these quota particulars. CHQ has written to such of the circle unions, to send the district wise quota particulars, latest by 16.08.2018.

BSNLEU wishes to convey this message to the employees, with regards to the financial condition of BSNL. It is true that BSNL is in the midst of a severe financial problem. The Company is managing to pay salary to it’s employees every month only with much difficulties. The Corporate Office is unable to allot funds for payment of medical bills and other bills. Payment of contract workers wages is being terribly delayed, due to non-allotment of funds by the Corporate Office.

At the same time, utilising the financial problems of the Company, some mischief makers are trying to create panic among the employees. Due to the various rumours being spread by the mischief makers, employees are terribly confused and are worried about their future. Hence, it is the duty of BSNLEU to give a clear picture about what is going on. We wish to make it clear that BSNL’s financial position was severely affected only due to the tariff war started by Reliance Jio from September, 2016.

Not only BSNL, but also Airtel, Vodafone and Idea, have gone into loss. In fact, the entire telecom industry has become “stressed”. However, BSNL’s condition is much better then the condition of Airtel, Vodafone and Idea. All the private companies are having huge debts. For example, Airtel’s debt is Rs. 95,000 crores. The total debt of the Vodafone-Idea is Rs.1,20,000 crores. Comparatively, it is a good news that BSNL’s debt is only a few thousand crores.

Moreover, even under severe competition from Reliance Jio, BSNL’s customers’ growth continues to be remarkable. In fact, in 2017, BSNL’s mobile customer growth was higher than the growth of Airtel, Vodafone and Idea. In 2017, BSNL’s mobile customer growth was 11.50%, whereas Airtel’s customer growth was only 9.13%. Vodafone’s growth was only 3.83% and Idea’s growth was only 3.14%.

The only problem of BSNL is that, it’s revenue collection has gone down drastically. However, Telecom Industry Experts are of the opinion that the present tariff war will not continue for long, but may go only upto March, 2019. According to them, thereafter, the tariffs will start rising. It means, the revenue of the telecom companies, including that of BSNL will start increasing. As a result, BSNL’s present cash problem will slowly go away.

Further, because of the continuous struggles of the AUAB, BSNL is going to get 4G spectrum soon. Within 6 months of the allotment of 4G spectrum, BSNL will start providing 4G service in all the circles. The AUAB has already launched the movement called “BSNL At Your Door Steps”, requesting the employees to massively involve in sales and marketing activities. Further, the AUAB has demanded the BSNL Management to curtail wasteful expenditures. The AUAB has also demanded that austerity measures should be imposed for the top officers, for cutting down their luxurious / lavish expenditures. The AUAB will continue to fight to implement this.

Hence, BSNLEU wishes to inform all that the financial problems of BSNL is going to end soon. BSNL is having a very bright future. Let us not believe rumours and the stories being spreaded by mischief makers. Let us confidently march ahead for a better future. Undoubtedly, the future is ours.

A largely attended meeting was organised by the AUAB, Chennai circle yesterday the 28.12.2018. Com.C.K.Madhivanan, CS, NFTE & Chairman, AUAB, Chennai circle, presided over the meeting, which was held in the Flower Bazaar Telephone Exchange. Com.M. Kanniappan, CS, BSNLEU & Convenor, AUAB, Chennai circle, welcomed the gathering. Com.P.Abhimanyu,GS, BSNLEU & Convenor AUAB, Com. Chandeshwar Singh, CS, NFTE & Chairman, AUAB, Com.S. Sivakumar, President, AIBSNLEA, Com.Rajan, Treasurer (CHQ), SNEA and Com.V. Subburaman, GS, TEPU, addressed the meeting. The AUAB leaders explained the details of the talks held between the Hon’ble MoS(C) and the AUAB, on 03-12-2018. Com. P. Abhimanyu, GS, BSNLEU & Convenor AUAB, in his address explained in detail how the AUAB would uncompromisingly fight for the settlement of the wage revision. At the same time, he told that, getting 4G spectrum for BSNL and settling payment of pension contribution on actual basic pay are also important for the survival of BSNL. Further, he pointed out BSNL would get Rs.2,100 crore from the government, if the payment of pension contribution on actual basic pay is settled. This will help in a big way to settle the wage revision, for which the estimated expenditure is Rs.2,900 crore, he explained. He also made it very clear that the struggle for settlement of wage revision will start if our efforts to settle it through discussion with the DoT fails.

The AUAB representatives could not meet the CMD BSNL, since he was on leave today. Hence, they have met Shri Vivek Banzal, Director (Finance), and discussed the salary payment issue. However, he could not give any concrete reply, since he had taken over charge recently. Hence, the AUAB will have to meet the CMD BSNL tomorrow, to discuss this issue.

A meeting of the AUAB will be held at 15:00 hrs. on 16.05.2019, at NFTE’s office. The meeting will review the March to Sanchar Bhawan, status of the demands raised by the AUAB, as well as the future strategy.

A meeting of the AUAB was held yesterday the 01.08.2019, at NFTE’s office, New Delhi. The meeting was presided over by Com.S. Sivakumar, General Secretary, AIBSNLEA. General Secretaries / Representatives of BSNLEU, NFTE, SNEA, AIBSNLEA, AIGETOA, BSNL MS, BSNL ATM, TEPU and BSNLOA attended. The meeting expressed it’s extreme unhappiness that the unions and associations of BSNL are being completely kept in the dark, with regards to the so called revival package of BSNL. The meeting also expressed it’s deep concern about the deterioration of BSNL’s services due to lack of working capital. The meeting took serious exception to the repressive measures being taken by the BSNL Management, to deny legitimate trade union activities in BSNL. After serious discussions, the meeting decided to organise countrywide lunch hour demonstrations and gate meetings on 07.08.2019, on the following demands:-

Demands:

1. Honour the commitments given by the Union Cabinet in the year 2000, to ensure BSNL’s financial viability.

1. Extend immediate financial support to BSNL, for the maintenance of the services.
2. Extend soft loan to BSNL for it’s capital expenditures.

2. Remove the total ban imposed on capital expenditure by BSNL. Allow field units to carry out capital expenditure, where revenue is assured.
3. No retrenchment. Honour the commitment given on job security at the time of formation of BSNL.
4. Stop repressive actions for even legitimate trade union activities.

All the circle and district unions are requested to effectively organise the lunch hour demonstration and gate meeting, by coordinating with the other constituents of the AUAB. 

There was a lot of media publicity about the meeting held in the PMO yesterday, regarding the revival of BSNL and MTNL. The meeting has taken place and the new Cabinet Secretary, Shri P.K. Mishra, has presided over it. According to informed sources, nothing positive has emerged in yesterday’s PMO meeting. In fact, questions have been raised in that meeting, whether the revival of BSNL is necessary and if so, whether it is possible to revive BSNL? Similar negative questions have been raised in yesterday’s meeting and no meaningful decision has been taken. We have come to know that yesterday’s PMO meeting has appointed a Committee consisting of 4 / 5 Secretaries. This Committee will advise whether revival of BSNL is necessary, and if so, whether it is possible?

Auto Immune Disease is a disorder, wherein the immune system of the body attacks tissues of it’s own body. Times of India yesterday, has published a very meaningful cartoon, wherein the Auto Immune Disease is compared to the political situation prevailing in the country, wherein the government of the country attacks it’s own people based on religious discrimination. This cartoon is published in the wake of the “Citizenship Amendment Bill” was passed in the Lok Sabha.

It seems the conspiracies to kill BSNL never end. In the past, BSNL’s equipment procurements have been stalled many times, which had greatly affected it's network expansion. A similar attempt is being made now also.

An industry body called TEPC (Telecom Equipment and Services Export Promotion Council) is the latest villain. As a result of it's complaint, the tender floated by BSNL on 23rd March, 2020, for procuring 50,000 4G mobile sites, has it roadblocks. The TEPC has objected that BSNL's tender conditions have made it impossible for the domestic vendors to participate in the tender. One such condition is that, the previous experience of having set up 20 million subscriber mobile network. The TEPC has also objected that procuring equipments from MNCs will pose a danger to “National Security”. Further, the TEPC has argued that, BSNL should give opportunity to the domestic producers, since public money is involved in the Company's revival. All these objections raised by the TEPC are untenable due to the following reasons. 

1. BSNL is procuring 4G equipments utilising it’s own money and not using public money. 
2. Even now, Airtel has entered into a one billion dollar contract with Nokia, for procuring 4G equipments. No objection was raised by TEPC on that contract. Why BSNL alone should be targeted? 
3. Why BSNL should be compelled to use low quality 4G equipments of local vendors, when private companies like Jio, Airtel and Vodafone Idea are using world class equipments supplied by multinational vendors like Nokia, ZTE, Ericsson, etc.?
4. 100% equipments of the private telecom companies have been supplied by MNCs. If there is no threat for national security in that, then why the threat of national security is being raised in BSNL’s case alone?