The 2nd day strike of the Executives and Non-Executives in BSNL is going on as successfully as it was held on the 1st Day. Encouraging reports are coming from throughout the country. Demonstrations are being organised in each and every place, condemning the government for not allotting 4G spectrum to BSNL, for creating road-blocks in the financial revival of BSNL and also for not settling the 3rd Pay Revision. BSNLEU heartily congratulates all the comrades and requests to organise tomorrow’s strike also in the same intensity. 

Jet Airways has shut down it's operations. Even before that, salary was not paid to the employees for months together. Now, the Jet Airways employees have appealed to the President and Prime Minister, to rescue them. We sympathise with the employees and support their demand. At the same time, we want to point out the role played by the Corporate Media, in the case of BSNL. Salary payment of BSNL employees was delayed only for 15 days in the month of February. However, the Corporate Media utilised the opportunity to tarnish the image of BSNL.  It told the people that BSNL could not even pay salary to it's employees and thus, was going to be finished. BSNL's crisis was utilised by the Corporate Media, to attack the Public Sector system. But, what happened to the Jet Airways? It is not a government company! It is a private sector giant!! Still, why it got doomed? Has the Corporate Media any answer to this question? On the contrary, we can cite a number of Indian and multinational gigantic private companies, which got doomed, due to corporate greed. At least hereafter the Corporate Media should stop it's vilifying campaign against the Public Sector.

As per media report, the Group of Ministers, under the Chairmanship of Shri Amit Shah, Hon’ble Home Minister, to take decision on the revival of BSNL and MTNL, met yesterday and the meeting continued for 2 hours. However, the meeting has ended without taking any decision.

As per the call of the BSNL Working Women’s Coordination Committee (BSNLWWCC) a special meeting of the working women was held at CGMT Office, Kolkata on 11.09.2019. A good number of women employees, belong to CGMT office and Kolkata SSA (Engg Br.) attended the meeting. Com.Chattopadhyay and Com.Sibani Das, jointly presided. Com.Animesh Mitra, President, BSNLEU & CS and Com.Banani Chattopadhyay, Jt. Convener, BSNLWWCC, addressed. They explained about the issues related to BSNL’s revival, 8^th Membership Verification, etc. Com.Jhumur Banerjee, Joint Convenor, BSNLWWCC, West Bengal, Com.Sujoy Sarkar, ACS, also addressed. 

A meeting of the Circle Executive Committee of BSNLEU, NTR circle was held at Union Office, Eastern Court, New Delhi on 23.11.2019. The meeting was arranged to discuss the decisions of the Ghaziabad CEC meeting on General Strike on 8th January, 2020 and 8th Membership Verification. Com.T.C. Nagar, Circle President, presided over the meeting. Com.R.S. Chauhan, Circle Secretary and VP (CHQ) welcomed all and briefed on activities of the circle union. Addressing the meeting Com.Swapan Chakraborty, Dy.General Secretary, explained about the General Strike to be held on 8th January, 2020, issues of BSNL’s revival package and VRS etc. The queries raised by the delegates on VRS and the outcome of the meeting held with Director (HR) with the unions on 22nd November, 2019 also clarified by him. Finally, he appealed to all to make the hunger strike called by unions including BSNLEU on 25th November, 2019, a very successful at Corporate Office. The meeting also addressed by Com.Malhotra, Circle President, AIBDPA and Com. Sisodia, Circle Secretary, AIBDPA of NTR. District Secretaries and circle office-bearers participated in the discussion.

A dead-lock is prevailing due to the order issued by the Hon’ble CAT, Chandigarh, as a result of which, the results of the JTO LICEs have not been declared in Punjab circle. This issue is already discussed by BSNLEU, in the meeting held on 21.01.2020. The Director (HR) has assured that needful legal action would be taken, to find a way out from the dead-lock. Since, no action appears to have been taken by the Management, BSNLEU once again raised this issue in it’s meeting held with the Director (HR) yesterday. The representatives pointed out the non-declaration of results in Punjab circle is causing extreme hardship and loss to the candidates and requested early intervention by the Management. The Director (HR) assured to take the needful action.

Food materials were distributed to contract workers in Tirunelveli, Virudhunagar and Madurai districts of Tamil Nadu circle on 17.04.2020. At Palayamkotai (Tirunelveli SSA) food materials worth Rs.1,000/- were distributed to each of the 50 contract workers. Com.V.Seethalakshmi, COS, BSNLEU, Com.D. Gopalan, DS, AIBDPA and Com.P.Rajagopal, DS, TNTCWU, were present. In Madurai, food materials worth Rs.700/- were distributed to each of the 30 contract workers. Com.C. Selvin Sathyaraj, DS, BSNLEU, Com.Manuel Palraj, DS, AIBDPA and Com.Sonaimuthu, DS, TNTCWU, were present. In Sivakasi (Virudhunagar SSA), relief materials worth Rs.1,000/- each were distributed to the contract workers. Com.A. Samuthrakani, DS, BSNLEU, Com.M.Ayyasami, DS, AIBDPA and Com.M.Muthusami, DS, TNTCWU, participated in the programme.    CHQ heartily congratulates all these district unions.

It may be remembered that, the AUAB demanded soft loan from the government, for the Revival of BSNL. However, the DoT rejected this demand. Now, the Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI), which is representing Reliance Jio, Airtel and Vodafone Idea, has demanded soft loan to the private telecom companies. In it’s letter dated 26.06.2020, the COAI has demanded soft loan at “Marginal Cost Lending Rate” (MCLR). The COAI has also demanded that the government should cut down of the Spectrum Usage Charge (SUC) to 3% of the telecom company's AGR and also reduction of Licence Fee from 8% to 3% of the revenue. The COAI has told the government that, these measures viz., soft loan and the reduction of SUC and Licence Fee are necessary for the survival of private telecom companies. 

When the AUAB demanded soft loan for the revival of BSNL, the government rejected. Now, let us see what the government is going to do with the demand of extending soft loan to private telecom companies.

Non-payment of the medical bills of the employees, as well as non-clearance of the outstanding bills of the empanelled hospitals, are creating a lot of problems for the employees. In it’s Formal meeting held online with the Director(HR) yesterday, BSNLEU has taken up the non-availability of cashless treatment in empanelled hospitals, as one of the agenda items. The Director(HR) replied the Management is taking efforts to clear 25%to 30% outstanding bills of the empanelled hospitals soon. While stating this, the Director(HR) also stated that, the Corporate Office has taken the steps for paying the medical bills of the serving employees up to March, 2020. On verification, we have found that payment of the medical bills of the employees, up to the month of March, 2020, is getting included in the salary for the month of August, 2020. 

In reply to a question raised in the Rajya Sabha yesterday, with regards to the revival of BSNL, the Minister of State for Communications has replied that BSNL has been provided with government projects worth Rs.25,000 crores. This news is widely covered by the media also. It gives an impression to the general public that the government is spending Rs.25,000 crores for the revival of BSNL. Whereas, most of these projects give BSNL, the job of laying optic fibre cable, for which BSNL will be getting only a marginal amount as gain. These projects are really not going to help for the revival of BSNL. What the government needs to do for the revival of BSNL is, the immediate allotment of 4G spectrum to BSNL, as per the proposal already submitted by BSNL to the DoT. It may be noted that, in the meeting held with the All Unions and Associations of BSNL on 24-02-2018, the Hon'ble Mos (C) has assured that BSNL will be allotted with 4G spectrum soon.

The merger of Telenor with Airtel is completed. The DoT gave it’s approval for this merger yesterday. Many small telecom companies, including Telenor are compelled to “shut down their shops”, due to the predatory pricing being adopted by Reliance Jio. This forced Telenor to get merged with Airtel. As a result of this merger, the customers of Telenor in the 7 circles of Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Maharashtra, Gujarat, UP (East), UP (West) and Assam, will get integrated with Airtel. With this transaction, Airtel will increase it’s customer base to 330 million.

On the occasion of BSNL's Foundation Day, BSNLEU conveys it's best wishes and warm greetings to the entire Non-Executives and Executives. On this day, let us rededicate ourselves for improving the quality of BSNL's services and thereby increase customer satisfaction. On this day, let us also resolve to strengthen the unity of the employees, to fight against the retrograde policies of the government, so as to safeguard and strengthen BSNL.

In it’s meeting held yesterday the 11.12.2018, the AUAB has decided to seek a meeting with the Additional Secretary (Telecom), to discuss about the status of the issues of allotment of 4G spectrum to BSNL, implementation of government rule on Payment of Pension Contribution by BSNL and Pension Revision to BSNL retirees. Accordingly, a requisition letter is already sent to the Additional Secretary (Telecom). As regards this request, the Assistant Secretary, (Telecom)’s Office informed that file has already been moved for the formation of the “Institutional Mechanism”, as was directed by the Hon’ble Minister of State for Communications (IC), in the meeting held on 03.12.2018. It is further informed that this meeting is going to take place soon, wherein review will be made with regards to the status of the issues.

हड़ताल का प्रभाव...
AUAB द्वारा आहूत 3 दिवसीय हड़ताल जबरदस्त रूप से सफल रही है। BSNL के आम कर्मचारी AUAB द्वारा प्रस्तुत वाजिब मांगों के समर्थन में कंधे से कंधा मिला कर AUAB के साथ खड़े हैं। हड़ताल तोड़ू तत्वों और कुछ धोखेबाजों द्वारा प्रसारित कई तरह के झूठ और अफवाहें भी BSNL की वित्तीय सुनिश्चितता व BSNL कर्मियों के भविष्य के प्रति दृढ़ संकल्पित कर्मियों को अपने लक्ष्य से डिगा नही पा रही है। अंडमान निकोबार द्वीप के कैम्पबेल एक्सचेंज के कर्मचारी साथी इसका अनुपम उदाहरण है। यह एक्सचेंज नई दिल्ली से 2400 km की दूरी पर है, किन्तु यह दूरी कोई माने नही रखती है। इस एक्सचेंज के कर्मचारी संख्या में भले ही कम हो, किन्तु AUAB के कॉल पर ये सभी हड़ताल पर हैं। यह है हड़ताल का वास्तविक प्रभाव।

जेट एयरवेज धराशायी क्यों हुआ ? क्या कॉर्पोरेट मीडिया के पास इसका कोई जवाब है ?
जेट एयरवेज ने अपना संचालन बंद कर दिया है। और इसके पूर्व, महीनों से कर्मचारियों को वेतन भुगतान तक नही किया गया। अब, जेट एयरवेज के कर्मचारियों ने राष्ट्रपति और प्रधानमंत्री के पास उन्हें बचाने हेतु गुहार लगाई है। हमारी कर्मचारियों के साथ पूर्ण सहानुभूति है और हम उनकी मांगों का समर्थन भी करते हैं। साथ ही साथ, हम BSNL को लेकर मीडिया की भूमिका का भी जिक्र करना चाहेंगे। BSNL कर्मियों के माह फरवरी, 2019 के वेतन भुगतान में महज 15 दिनों का विलंब हुआ था। किंतु कॉर्पोरेट मीडिया ने इस अवसर को BSNL की छवि धूमिल करने हेतु भुनाया। उन्होंने आम जनता को बताया कि BSNL , कर्मचारियों को उनके वेतन का भुगतान करने की स्थिति में भी नही और शीघ्र ही खत्म होने की कगार पर है। BSNL में उपजे संकट का कॉर्पोरेट मीडिया ने पब्लिक सेक्टर सिस्टम पर हमला करने हेतु उपयोग किया। किन्तु, जेट एयरवेज को क्या हुआ ? यह तो सरकारी कंपनी नही है। यह तो निजी क्षेत्र की विशालकाय कंपनी है। बावजूद इसके, वह जमींदोस्त क्यों हुआ? कॉर्पोरेट मीडिया के पास इस सवाल का है कोई जवाब ? विपरीत इसके, हम ऐसी निजी क्षेत्र की अनगिनत भारतीय और बहुराष्ट्रीय विशाल कंपनियों की संख्या बता सकते हैं जो कॉर्पोरेट लालसा/लालच (greed) की वजह से नेस्तनाबूत हुई हैं। कम से कम अब तो कॉर्पोरेट मीडिया को पब्लिक सेक्टर को बदनाम करने का अभियान बंद कर देना चाहिए।

News keeps coming in from various circles, about the dharna programme conducted on 16.07.2019, as per the call of the BSNLEU and BSNLCCWF. The demand was immediate payment of 6 months’ wage arrears to contract workers and also opposing the move of the Management to retrench contract workers. CHQ of BSNLEU heartily congratulates all the circle unions which have organised the dharna programme. It is also requested that those circles which have not sent the photos so far, may please send them immediately.

Indore District Union in MP Circle organised two graceful election campaign meetings at Indore on 12.09.2019. Com.Subhash Pathak, DP, presided over. Meeting was addressed by two Assistant General Secretaries, Com. John Verghese and Com Prakash Sharma. Owing to incessant rain, meeting was organised in two different exchanges. In the beginning floral tributes were paid to Dr. B.R. Ambedkar. Com.John Verghese, in his address, submitted many facts and figures to prove as to how Governments anti BSNL policies are responsible for existing crisis in BSNL. He explained the necessity of strengthening the BSNLEU which is fighting unitedly for revival of BSNL. Com.Prakash Sharma, AGS, in his speech, vehemently attacked on the elements and factors which ruined the BSNL. Both AGS, apprised the gathering about the consequences and hidden agenda behind introduction of CRS in disguise of VRS.

Wild rumours have been spread by mischievous elements that the government is going to fix the retirement age as 60 years of age, or 33 years of service, whichever is earlier. This rumour is also one of the threatening which made a large number of employees to opt for VRS. However, Shri Anurag Singh Thakur, Minister of State in the Ministry of Finance has informed the Parliament yesterday that the government has no proposal to fix the retirement age of government employees as 60 year or 33 years of service, whichever is earlier.

1. Retention of the Head Quarters of the Core Network South at Chennai.

BSNLEU has already strongly taken up this issue. The CMD BSNL replied that decision is already taken to retain the Head Quarters of the Core Network South at Chennai. The representatives thanked the CMD BSNL, for the positive decision.

2. Consulting the Unions on structural changes that will have impact on employees.

The Management is issuing many orders, making structural changes in the Company. However, the Unions are not being consulted in this regard. The representatives strongly demanded that the views of the Union should also be taken into consideration, before implementing changes that will have impact on the employees.

3. Non-remittance of deductions made from employees salaries.

Deductions made from the salaries of employees are not remitted to the concerned organisations, since April, 2019. The representatives urged upon the CMD BSNL to immediately arrange to remit this deduction money. They also pointed out that the Union is suffering at all levels, due to the non-receipt of Union subscription money from the Management. The CMD BSNL explained about the acute cash crunch being faced by BSNL. However, he assured that the best possible action would be taken in this regard.