The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Transport, headed by Derek O’Brien, MP, has given it’s recommendation against the privatisation of Air India. The report of the Committee has pointed out that Air India’s market share has gone down mainly due to the anti-Air India measures taken by the government like allotment of lucrative routes to private airways. The Committee has also has recollected the service rendered by the Air India, during times of natural calamities and in evacuating Indian’s from war zones. The Committee has recommended that Air India’s massive debts should be written off, and the Company should be given a five years’ time for it’s revival.        

[Source: Times of India 06.09.2018]

The price of petrol is sky-rocketing every day. At Mumbai, today’s petrol price is Rs.87.39. Similarly, the price of diesel is also galloping, as a result of which the prices of essential commodities are shooting up. The Hindu dated 06.09.2018 has published the following cartoon on this.

The value of Indian Rupee has fallen down into unprecedented depths. Consequent to this, the prices of petrol and diesel are galloping to new heights. As a result of this, the prices of essential commodities are skyrocketing. The Times of India, in a cartoon published yesterday, states that the Central Government, is raising the issue of 'Urban Naxalisim', only to divert the attention of the people from these burning problems.

Workers and peasants, who came from the nooks and corners of the country, participated in lakhs in the Mazdoor Kisan Sangarsh Rally, held at New Delhi yesterday the 05.09.2018. The rally culminated in to a massive meeting in the Parliament Street. Leaders of Trade Unions, Kisan Sabha and Agricultural workers, addressed the meeting. Com. P. Abhimanyu, General Secretary, BSNLEU, addressed the meeting and exposed the governments pro-private and anti-BSNL policies.

CHQ is extremely happy to inform that more than 3,000 BSNL employees and their leaders participated in yesterday’s Mazdoor Kisan Sangarsh Rally. The BSNL employees, first gathered at the Eastern Court. From there, the colourful rally of BSNL employees started and went through Janpath and Tolstoy Marg and converged in the main rally.  Thousands of BSNL employees took part in this spirited rally, with the banners and flags of BSNLEU. They also carried play-cards, highlighting the demands of the Mazdoor Kisan Sangarsh Rally. BSNL employees from the nearby circles of UP(West), UP(East), Haryana, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Punjab participated in large numbers. From other circles also, sizable number of comrades participated. CHQ conveys it’s heartfelt thanks to all the circle unions, as well as to the participants.

1. The meeting decided that the 50th anniversary of the one day strike held in 1968, should be observed throughout the country, by organising special meetings / seminars etc., and by explaining the sacrifices made by the leaders and front line functionaries, as well as about the repression let loose by the government.
2. The meeting appreciated the All Unions and Associations of BSNL (AUAB), as well as BSNLEU, for the timely decision taken for launching agitational programme against making the Subsidiary Tower Company operational.
3. The meeting appreciated the CHQ of BSNLEU for successfully introducing the Rs.600 Special Mobile Plan tariff for the Non-Executives, and also for making the break through in the settlement of long pending issues of the Non-Executives.
4. The meeting appreciated the circle unions for taking steps for massively mobilising our comrades to the Mazdoor Kisan Sangarsh Rally, being organised at New Delhi on 05th September, 2018.
5. The meeting decided that the number of delegates eligible for each district union, for the forthcoming All India Conference, should be immediately announced by the CHQ, in respect of the circles which have already provided the district wise CHQ quota particulars for the year 2016 & 2017.

The glorious one day strike, organised by the Central Government Employees on 19^th September, 1968, has found a prominent place in the history of the working class movement in India. The P&T trade unions have played a significant role in that strike. Severe repression was let loose on the employees, by the then government. We thankfully acknowledge that, many of the fruits being enjoyed by the Central Government Employees today, are the result of the sacrifices done by many leaders and front line functionaries in that one day strike. It is the duty of our trade union to explain about that heroic struggle and the sacrifices of our fore fathers, to the present day generation. Hence, the Central Secretariat meeting of BSNLEU, has called on the circle and district unions to organise special meetings and seminars throughout the country on 19^th September, 2018, to observe the 50^th anniversary of the glorious one day strike of 1968. CHQ requests all the circle and district unions to effectively implement this decision.

The Central Secretariat meeting of BSNLEU is taking place at New Delhi today. The meeting, is taking place at K.G.Bose Bhawan. Com.P.Abhimanyu, GS, hoisted the Union’s Red Flag. Com.Swapan Chakraborty, moved the condolence resolution. The house stood in silence for a minute and paid homage. Com.Balbir Singh delivered the Presidential address. Com.P.Abhimanyu, GS, presented the note for discussion. In his speech, the General Secretary explained the developments on Wage Revision, Subsidiary Tower Company, assurances given by the Hon’ble MoS(C) on Pension Revision, Pension Contribution on actual basic pay, allotment of 4G spectrum and settlement of the long pending issues of the Non-Executives. The Central Office bearers are participating in the deliberations.

As has already been announced, the Mazdoor Kisan Sangarsh Rally will be held at New Delhi on 05.09.2018. BSNLEU is taking part in this rally. Leaders and members of BSNLEU are coming from all parts of the country to participate in this rally. On 05-09-2018, the main rally will start from the Ramlila Maidan and will reach the Parliament Street police station. As regards the participation of BSNLEU is concerned, it is decided that BSNLEU’s rally will start from the Eastern Court and will join the Main Rally at the Parliament Street. Hence, the leaders and comrades of BSNLEU, coming from various circles are requested to assemble at the Eastern Court, sharply at 09:30 hrs. Circle and district secretaries are requested to make note of this and guide their members accordingly. CHQ has arranged for the banners, flags and play cards, which will be distributed at Eastern Court.

The CHQ BSNLEU informs with deep sorrow and grief that, Com.R.S.Yadav, a veteran leader of our movement, has passed away yesterday, at Lucknow. He was the circle secretary of the E3 union (AITEU CLIII) of the undivided Uttar Pradesh circle, consisting of UP(West), UP(East) and Uttarakhand circles for long years. He worked shoulder to shoulder with Com.K.G.Bose and other senior leaders of our movement. Com.R.S.Yadav selflessly dedicated his entire life for strengthening the trade union movement, with the correct working class orientation. The CHQ of BSNLEU dips it's banner and pays it's respectful homage to the departed leader. It also conveys it's heartfelt condolences to his family members, friends and relatives.

The BSNL Board of Director’s meeting was scheduled to be held today. However, the same has been postponed, due to unavoidable reasons. We reliably know that, two issues of the Non-Executives, viz., One extra increment to the left out Non-Executives and Promotion to the Non-Executives in E1 pay scale, and also the issue of Gratuity to the casual labourers, are in the agenda of this Board meeting. We are hopeful that these issues would be duly considered, when the Board meeting takes place next.

The Tamil Nadu circle union enthusiastically conducted it’s executive committee meeting at Madurai today. Com.S.Chellappa, circle president and AGS, delivered the presidential address. Com.Babu Radhakrishnan, CS, welcomed everyone and presented the report on activities. Com.P.Abhimanyu, GS, elaborately addressed the executive committee meeting, and explained about the issues on which the 5th September ‘Mazdoor Kisan Sangarsh Rally’ is taking place at New Delhi. He also explained about the current issues of wage revision, pension revision, subsidiary tower company, pension contribution on actual basic pay and allotment of 4G spectrum. The issues of the Non-Executives, which are currently under settlement, were also explained by the GS. Thereafter, the circle executive committee members participated in the deliberations. It is revealed from the deliberations that 260 comrades are attending the 5th September Delhi rally from Tamil Nadu. The meeting also resolved to send 30 comrades for the All India Young Workers Convention, to be held at Bhopal.

BSNL Corporate Office issued letter yesterday, for deduction of one day’s basic pay from employees, as contribution to Kerala’s flood relief, from the salary for the month of August. However, again letter is issued, stating that due to operational difficulties, the deduction would be made in the salary for the month of September. In the meanwhile, we have informed the CMD BSNL and the Director(HR), that the amount deducted from the salary of the employees should be sent directly to the Kerala Chief Minister’s Disaster Relief Fund, so that the relief amount will instantaneously reach the food-affected people of Kerala, without any delay. We hope that the Management will take the right decision in this regard.

In the meeting of the Joint Committee on Wage Revision, held on 27-08-2018, the Staff Side expressed it’s unhappiness over the slow phase in which the Wage Negotiations are progressing. In order to speed up the negotiations, the Staff Side also suggested informal discussions also between the Staff Side members and the Management, apart from official meetings. This was accepted, and the meeting is taking place today.

The Maharashtra police and Central Agencies have arrested human rights activists in Maharashtra and other parts of the country. Draconian rules have been invoked by the government, to detain them. They were accused of instigating the Bhima Koregaon unrest and of planning to kill the Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The Supreme Court of India has severely criticised the government and has directed that the human rights activists could be kept under house arrest. Democratic forces throughout the country have criticised the government, and have demanded the release of the detainees. BSNLEU joins them in condemning the government’s action and demanding the immediate release of the detainees.

BSNLEU has been consistently demanding relaxation in the qualifying marks for the candidates of JE LICE 50% exam held on 28.01.2018, in view of the poor results. BSNLEU demanded that the Management should give relaxation in qualifying marks, as was given for the DR TTA exam held in 2008.  An order was issued on 01.06.2009 by the Corporate Office, granting the relaxation of 10% marks for each part and 10% marks for the aggregate. Our demand is that, when relaxation was given for DR TTA exam in 2008, similar relaxation should be given to the candidates of the JE LICE held on 28.01.2018 also. This issue was prominently discussed in the meeting held with the CMD BSNL on 10-07-2018. BSNLEU told the CMD BSNL that 1800 candidates appeared the JE LICE for 9185 vacancies, but only 111 candidates got qualified. The CMD BSNL responded positively to our demand and assured to do the needful. Thereafter, BSNLEU continuously followed up the issue with the Director (HR) and the GM(Rectt.). Finally, the Management has accepted our demand. The revised results will be announced soon. We express our sincere thanks to the Management for settlement of our just demand.

An amount of Rs.2.15 crore was handed over to Shri Pinarayi Vijayan, chief minister of Kerala, today, by the AUAB leaders and Dr. P.T.Mathew,CGM, Kerala, towards flood relief. This amount is deducted from the salary of BSNL employees, Kerala circle. BSNLEU heartily congratulates the employees and the AUAB of Kerala circle.

The 3rd meeting of the Joint Committee on Wage Revision of the Non-Executives took place yesterday the 27-08-2018. Shri H.C.Pant, Chairman of the Committee presided. All the Committee members, both from the Staff Side and the Management Side, were present. The Staff Side has already submitted it’s note on the structures of the new pay scales before the last meeting of the Committee. In yesterday’s meeting, the Management Side spelt out their proposals regarding the new pay scales.

Management Side proposed that, the minimum of the new pay scales should be arrived at, by multiplying the minimum of the existing pay scales by 2.4. Accordingly, they proposed the minimum of the new NE 1 pay scale as RS.18,600. However, the Staff Side did not accept this. They demanded that the multiplication factor should be 2.44. Accordingly, the minimum of the new NE1 pay scale comes to Rs.18,934 and that it should be rounded off to Rs.19,000. They also demanded that the 2.44 multiplication factor should be applied to arrive at the minimum of all the new pay scales. The Management Side agreed to examine these proposals of the Staff Side.

As regards the maximum of the new pay scales, the Staff Side has already proposed that they should be arrived at, by providing 43 years of span. But, the Management Side stated that this would result in heavy expenditure on account of payment of Pension Contribution. The Staff Side demanded that the spans of the pay scales should be provided in sufficient numbers, so that no Non-Executive would suffer from the problem of stagnation after the Wage Revision. It is decided to continue with the discussion in the next meeting, to be held on 10-09-2018.

The Staff Side members expressed their unhappiness that the talks are going on very slowly. They also stated that at this speed, the talks could not be completed expeditiously. They demanded that the meetings of the Committee should take place more frequently.

BSNLEU, West Bengal Circle, organised an impressive Young Workers' Convention on 25.08.2018 at Kolkata. 120 young workers participated enthusiastically from all over West Bengal. The young comrades were greeted with Red Rose by the circle leadership. Com. Sujoy Sarkar, Asstt. Circle Secretary welcomed every one. Com. Subrata Misra, Asstt. Circle Secretary initiated the proceedings and delivered the introductory speech. 13 young comrades, from different SSAs, deliberated inspiringly and delivered their speeches. They expressed their views in different angles regarding the the revival of BSNL, Wage Revision, etc. In the recess period Com. Sudeshna Chakraborty entertained the audience with her song. Com. Saibal Sengupta, Asstt. General Secretary, BSNLEU (CHQ) and Com. Om Prakash Singh, Organising Secretary, BSNLEU (CHQ) delivered inspiring speeches. Finally, Com. Animesh Mitra, Circle Secretary &Vice-President(CHQ) addressed the Convention and explained about the various issues raised by the comrades. He thanked the young comrades for taking part in the convention in a good number. He expressed his happiness and gratitude to the young comrades for their deliberations. He declared that the convention was a great success, since the young comrades showed the positive attitude towards all the issues. The convention was conducted by Com. Amitava Chattopadhyay, Assistant Circle Secretary.