All the trade unions of the Coal Sector have given call for a 3 day strike, starting from tomorrow, against the privatisation of coal mines and against handing them over to the big corporates and multinational companies. BSNLEU   extends it’s solidarity and support to the strike of the coal workers.

The AUAB has already expressed it's genuine apprehension that, BSNL’s 4G tender has been cancelled by the government, only as a part of a larger conspiracy, to deny 4G technology to  BSNL. This conspiracy has been hatched, to ensure that BSNL does not offer stiff competition to Reliance Jio, by way of getting 4G technology. 

 Now, the ET Telecom has reported that, the DoT is going to tell BSNL to try Indian made 4G equipments first. Accordingly, BSNL may be told to set up  at least 10 to 20 towers, using locally made 4G equipments and connect them to the core.

 It is very important to note that, one of the officers of the DoT has reportedly told that, Indian manufacturers at present do not have a "turn-key setup" in place.  "A turn-key setup offers an end-to-end network, including both radio and core requirements that are consolidated at a central level by a single operator.” 

This only shows that no Indian company is having the potential to supply 4G equipments to BSNL and fulfill the requirements of this telecom PSU. Then why all these drama is going on? Undoubtedly, it is only to deny 4G technology to BSNL.

[ Source: ET Telecom dt. 28-08-2020] 

As a follow-up to the discussion that took place in the formal meeting, held between BSNLEU and the Director (HR) on 08.01.2018, Com. P. Abhimanyu, GS, met Shri Keshav Rao, GM (Estt.) today, and reviewed the implementation of the agreed items. Shri A.K. Singh, DGM (Estt.) was also present. Details of the discussion are as follows:-

1. Restoration of the 25 day pay ceiling, for outdoor medical reimbursement.

The GM (Estt.) replied that in accordance with the decision taken in the meeting held with the Director (HR), file is already moved for the restoration of the 25 day pay ceiling for outdoor medical reimbursement.

2. Group B status and upgraded pay scale for Sr. Accountants, in accordance with the DoT letter.

Regarding this issue, the GM (Estt.) replied that file has already been received from the SEA Branch and that the matter is being processed.

3. Settlement of anomalies issue.

The GS explained that the issue is lying pending for in the DoT for a very long time, since BSNL has not provided the requisite information to the DoT. After discussion, the GM (Estt.) assured that, communication in this regard would be sent to the DoT shortly, based on whatever inputs that have been received from the circles.

4. Restoration of 7100 pay scale to the Sr.TOAs, who are downgraded to 6550 pay scale.

In the meeting held with the Director (HR), it was decided that the matter was to be discussed with the GM (Estt.). In today’s meeting, the GS explained briefly about this issue. The GM (Estt.) listened to the version of the Union, and assured that the matter would be looked into appropriately.

5. One time relaxation to the qualification prescribed to appear in the TT LDCE.

The GM (Estt.) informed the GS that a final decision on this issue would be taken only after receiving the requisite inputs from the circles. He also assured that this matter would be raised in the GM (HRs) conference to be held on 22.01.2018 and that the GM(HRs) would be told to send the details expeditiously.

6. Recovery of employees’ contribution of EPF arrears.

As per the decision taken in the meeting held with the Director (HR), BSNLEU has already provided a copy of the letter of the EPF Commissioner, Bhopal, wherein clear-cut direction has been given that, employees’ contribution of EPF arrears should not be recovered from the salary of the employees. On this issue, the GM (Estt.) replied that the requisite input is being collected from the circles. The GS requested him to expeditiously process the case.

At Jhansi in Uttar Pradesh, the conductor of a school bus lost his leg in an accident. His leg got cut-off in the accident. He was taken to the Jhansi Medical College Hospital. There, he was made to lie down on a stretcher. His severed leg was used as pillow for him. Subsequently, the doctors found that the severed leg could not be stitched back, since the tissue was already dead. The patient’s family got him discharged and took him to a private hospital. Who is the culprit? It is the government and it’s neo-liberal policies. Year after year, the Central Government, as well as the State Governments, have cut down the fund allotments for health care, as per the dictates of the World Bank. As a result, government hospitals are being run with acute shortage of doctors, medicines, equipments, materials, etc. Whether Congress Party rules or the BJP rules, situation is the same.

[Source Times of India dated 11.03.2018]

The Circle Executive Committee meeting of NE-II circle was held at Dimapur on 08/05/2018. Com. Pradip Deb Presided the meeting. Com. K. Saheb Singh, CS, inaugurated the meeting. Com. S. Sema, Chairman, AUAB, Com. Gakul Borah and Com. M.B. Singh, were the main speakers. Com. Gakul Borah, Treasurer (CHQ), BSNLEU, gives the house a detail on 3rd PRC, Subsidiary Tower Company, Pension Revision, Issue of 4G spectrum, on retirement age, on observance of Call Attention Day, on observance of week long propaganda campaign and agitational programme from 7th to 11th of May, 2018, and decisions on remittance of CHQ quota. 

The BSNL Working Women’s Coordination Committee(BSNL WWCC) conducted it’s Tamil Nadu circle conference inspiringly at Pondicherry yesterday the 15-07-2018. The Conference Hall was named after Com.Jyotsana Mokashi, Member of the All India BSNL WWCC from Maharashtra, who passed away recently. Com.V.Bhagyalakshmi, All India Joint Convenor, hoisted BSNLEU flag amidst thundering slogans. Com. Vatsala of the Reception Committee, welcomed all. The house stood in a minute’s silence, paying homage to the departed leaders. Com.U.Vasuki, All India Vice-President of All India Democratic Women’s Association(AIDWA), inaugurated the Conference, narrating the atrocities being committed against women in India, the retrograde New-Liberal policies that worsen the condition, and the need to organise working women to fight against these menace. Com.P.Abhimanyu, GS, BSNLEU, addressed and explained about the issues of the women employees of BSNL, as well as on the status of important issues such as, Wage Revision, Pension Revision, Subsidiary Tower Company, Allotment of 4G spectrum, viability of BSNL and contract workers. Com.S.Chellappa, AGS & CP, TN, Com.Bhagyalakshmi, All India Joint Convenor of BSNL WWCC, Com.Babu Radhakrishnan, circle secretary,BSNLEU and Com.Vinodh, circle secretary, BSNL CCWF greeted the Conference. A very lively debate by delegates, ensued. Finally, Com.P.Indira, summed up the discussions.Com.P.Abhimanyu,GS, replied to the All India level issues. Totally, 165 delegates attended this Conference. A 17 member state committee, with Com.Berlin Alice Mary, as the Convenor, was elected. The Conference came to a conclusion with inspiring slogans. CHQ heartily congratulates the BSNL WWCC, Tamil Nadu, for the successful conference.

BSNLEU is continuously taking up this issue with the BSNL Management. In the discussion held with BSNLEU on 10.07.2018, the CMD BSNL agreed to look into it. Thereafter, a series of discussions have been held in the Corporate Office on this issue. This issue is once again discussed by Com. P. Abhimanyu, GS with Shri Sourabh Tyagi, Sr.GM (Estt.), yesterday. The Sr.GM(Estt.) agreed to solve this problem, by offering one more opportunity to the employees, for exercising a fresh option. This problem is related to the Sr.TOAs who were granted 1^st promotion under OTBP, in 2008 / 2009. According to para 6.4 of the NEPP order, the promotion already granted to the Sr.TOAs, under OTBP, can be treated as 1^st promotion under NEPP. Alternatively, such officials can switch over to NEPP, w.e.f. 01.10.2000, by foregoing the promotion already granted under OTBP. Each and every official has to make calculation to decide as to which option is beneficial to them. If some one has given a wrong option, as a result of which they have faced loss, they can change their option now. With the calling for of new options by the Corporate Office, this problem will be solved.

A meeting of the AUAB was held today to review the 3 day strike and also to chalk out the future course of action. General Secretaries / Senior officer bearers of all the constituents of the AUAB participated. The meeting whole heartedly thanked the entire Executives and Non-Executives who made the 3 day strike a historic success. The meeting also congratulated the circle and district level AUAB, for effectively organising the strike. With the view to carry forward the movement further to settle the charter of demands, the following programme of action is finalised.

1. Conducting March to PMO on 06.03.2019, by mobilising the employees from the surrounding circles.
2. Memorandum to be submitted to all the MPs, latest by 28.02.2019.
3. To send messages to the Hon’ble Prime Minister and Hon’ble Minister of State for Communications on Twitter.
4. Meeting the Hon'ble Minister of State for Communications wherever possible by our comrades.

The Management has already issued show cause notice, for imposing break-in-service under FR 17A, to the General Secretaries of the Executives’ Associations, for their participation in the 3 day strike held in February, 2019. The AUAB had already requested the CMD BSNL and Director (HR) to drop the Management’s proposal to impose break-in-service under FR 17A. Com.P.Abhimanyu, Convenor, AUAB, met Ms. Sujata T. Ray, Director (HR), today, and once again insisted upon the demand, to drop the proposal to impose break-in-service under FR 17A. Com. Kabir Das, GS, BSNL OA, was also present during the discussion. The Director (HR) assured to look into the demand positively.

Dharna programme has been organised on 16.07.2019, on the contract workers issues, as per the call of BSNLEU and BSNLCCWF. The programme has been observed successfully throughout the country. Circle Secretaries are requested to send a report on the programme to the CHQ immediately. Details such as, number of regular employees and the number of contract workers participated in the dharna, as well  as the leaders who addressed the dharna, etc., may be send to the CHQ. Implementation of this programme will be reviewed in the next CEC meeting.

An inspiring election campaign meeting was held at Rajkot in the evening hours of 12.09.2019. A good number of employees attended the meeting. Com.C.S. Tanna, Vice-President, Rajkot District, presided over the meeting. Com.A.K. Hindocha, former president of BSNLEU Gujarat circle, attended meeting. Com.N.B. Solanki, District Secretary, welcomed all. Com.M.K. Dave, Vice-President (CHQ) and Com.D.K. Bakutra, Circle Secretary, Gujarat Circle attended and addressed the meeting. Both the speakers explained about the present status of BSNL, challenges before BSNL employees and the best efforts put in by BSNLEU for survival of BSNL. Com.Dave assured that BSNLEU will take all out efforts to defend the interests of BSNL and it's employees, through united struggles in the time to come. Rajkot Telecom District Comrades also showed their commitment to BSNLEU and promised to register victory in Rajkot Telecom District in 8th Membership Verification. Meeting concluded with vote of thanks from Com.P.D. Mehta, District President, WTR.  It was an inspiring meeting at Rajkot.

The CHQ of BSNLEU is extremely saddened to know that, veteran leader of the P&T trade union movement, Com.V.A. Harsulkar, has passed away day before yesterday. Com.V.A.Harsulkar, had been the long time General Secretary of AITTEU, Class-III (popularly known as T-III Union). He was also one of the stalwarts of the NFPTE and immensely contributed for the P&T trade union movement. Com.V.A.Harsulkar played a very constructive role in the formation of BSNLEU. He was physically present in the foundation conference of BSNLEU, held at Vishakapatnam, in March, 2001. We also came to know that his wife has also passed away yesterday. She had been unwell for some time. BSNLEU will ever remember the contributions of Com.V.A.Harsulkar. BSNLEU dips it’s banner and pays it’s respectful homage to Com.V.A.Harsulkar. BSNLEU also pays it’s heartfelt condolences on the death of Mrs.V.A.Harsulkar.

निर्धारित तिथि पर कर्मचारियों के मासिक वेतन का भुगतान नही किया जाना।  - BSNLEU द्वारा CMD BSNL को सख्त संदेश भेजा जाता है। 

BSNLEU लगातार मांग कर रहा है कि, निर्धारित तिथि पर मासिक वेतन का भुगतान किया जाना चाहिए।  निरंतर संघर्ष, अर्थात, २१.०५.२०२० को प्रदर्शन करना और २६.०६.२०२० को धरना का आयोजन, जैसे संघर्ष पहले ही यूनियन के माध्यम से आयोजित किए जा चुके हैं।  हालांकि, फिर से, जून माह का वेतन तय तारीख पर नहीं किया गया है। 

 इसलिए, BSNLEU ने CMD, BSNL को एक पत्र लिखा है, जिसके द्वारा मैनेजमेंट को एक सख्त संदेश दिया गया है कि, यदि BSNL में औद्योगिक शांति भंग हो जाएगी, अगर BSNL प्रबंधन समय पर वेतन करने के अपने नैतिक जिम्मेदारियो के बारे मे टालमटोल भूमिका जैसी गलत हरकतों को जारी रखता है तो ।

BSNLEU conveys it's best wishes and warm greetings to all, on the occasion of Onam, the harvest festival of Kerala. Let this festival bring peace, prosperity and joy into the lives of all. 

Private telecom operators Bharati Airtel and Idea Cellular have challenged the TRAI’s decision to cut down the Inter Connect Usage Charge (IUC) by 57%, in the Mumbai High Court. Recently, the TRAI has cut down the IUC from 60 paise to 14 paise. Airtel, Vodafone and Idea put together have 60% of the customer base. Hence, these companies will face a combined loss of Rs.5,000 crore per annum. Reliance Jio, the new comer will stand to gain most, due to the reduction of IUC. Hearing the argument of the petitioners, the Mumbai High Court refused to grant stay.

Posters are being printed, both in English and Hindi, by the All Unions and Associations of BSNL. These posters are being despatched. Circle and District Secretaries are requested to make use of these posters as models, for printing posters in the regional languages.

As per the report submitted in the Lok Sabha, by the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, the number of people employed in the Khadi sector has come down from 11.6 lakh in 2015–16 to 4.6 lakh in 2016–17. Interestingly, between 2015–16 and 2016–17 the production of Khadi has increased by 31.6% and sales have grown by 33%. Still 7 lakh jobs are gone.     

[Source Times of India dated 11.03.2018]