An enthusiastic election campaign meeting was held at CGM office, Vijayawada, on 12-09-2019. Before starting the meeting Com.S.Chellappa,AGS garlanded Dr.Baba Saheb Ambedkar's statue and Circle secretary Com.P.Asokababu and others paid homage. More than 400 comrades attended the meeting. It was presided over by Com.Balaji, District President and Com.Ramarao, District secretary, welcomed the gathering. Com.S.Chellappa,AGS addressed the meeting and explained the Govt's pro-Jio policies which affect BSNL and assured that BSNL is not a sinking ship and it will be revived through our united struggles. Moreover, VRS and reduction of retirement age from 60 to 58 are nothing but stepping stones of privataisation and it has to be fought tooth and nail. Com.Asokababu, Circle Secretary, Com.Ramadevi, Vice President (CHQ) and Com.Prabhakar Rao, Circle President, also addressed the meeting. Com.Ramesh Babu, ACS, delivered vote of thanks. The meeting assured that the victory in Vijayawada and Andhra Pradesh circle is confirmed.

*रिटायरमेंट की आयु कम नही की जाएगी- माननीय मंत्रियों ने पार्लियामेंट को सूचित किया - इस भय से जिन कर्मचारियों ने VRS ऑप्ट किया था, वें अपना ऑप्शन वापिस ले सकते हैं...*

रिटायरमेंट की आयु 60 से घटा कर 58 वर्ष करना, एक ऐसी धमकी रही है, जिसकी वजह से बड़ी संख्या में कर्मचारियों ने VRS ऑप्ट किया। 

अफवाह फैलाने वालों ने अतिरिक्त प्रयास कर इस षड्यंत्रपूर्ण अफवाह को प्रसारित किया, जिससे कि बड़ी संख्या में कर्मचारियों पर VRS ऑप्ट करने का दबाव बन सके।

किन्तु, अब प्रधानमंत्री कार्यालय में राज्य मंत्री डॉ जितेंद्र सिंह ने 27.11.2019 को पार्लियामेंट में घोषित कर दिया है  कि सरकार के पास अपने कर्मचारियों की रिटायरमेंट आयु 60 से 58 वर्ष करने का कोई प्रस्ताव नही है। मंत्री महोदय द्वारा पार्लियामेंट में दिए गए इस जवाब से षड्यंत्रकारी तत्वों द्वारा परोसे जा रहे एक बड़े झूठ का पटाक्षेप हो गया है।

BSNLEU द्वारा पूर्व में सभी के संज्ञान में यह लाया जा चुका है कि, BSNL मैनेजमेंट द्वारा उनके पत्र क्रमांक BSNL/4/SR/2000 दिनांक 02 जनवरी, 2001 द्वारा यह आश्वासन दिया गया था कि  BSNL के सभी नॉन बोर्ड लेवल के कर्मचारियों की सुपरएन्युएशन उम्र सरकार के नियमों के अनुसार नियंत्रित (regulate) की जाएगी।

श्री अनुराग सिंह ठाकुर, वित्त मंत्रालय में राज्य मंत्री 25.11.2019 को पार्लियामेंट में यह जानकारी दे ही चुके हैं कि सरकार के पास सरकारी कर्मचारियों की सेवानिवृत्ति आयु 60 वर्ष या 33 वर्ष की सेवा, जो भी पहले हो, निर्धारित करने का कोई प्रस्ताव नही है।

अतः, सभी कर्मचारी जिन्होंने रिटायरमेंट की आयु कम किए जाने के भय से VRS ऑप्ट किया था, अब आसानी से अपना ऑप्शन वापिस ले सकते हैं।

The AUAB leaders were invited for talks by the CMD BSNL today. Com.P.Abhimanyu, GS, BSNLEU & Convenor, Com.Chandeswar Singh, GS, NFTE & Chairman, Com.K.Sebastin, GS, SNEA, Com.S. Sivakuamar, GS, AIBSNLEA, Com.B.C. Pathak, Treasurer, FNTO, Com.Suresh Kumar, GS, BSNL MS and Com.H.P. Singh, GS, BSNLOA, participated in the discussion.  Shri Arvind Vadnerkar, Director (HR) and Shri A.M.Gupta, GM (SR) were also present. Shri P.K. Purwar, CMD BSNL explained about the steps being taken by the Management for the maintenance of services after VRS and the efforts being taken for the monetisation of assets. As regards the launching of BSNL's 4G service, he was not able to give any time line. He assured that all efforts are being taken to redress the grievances of the serving employees. The AUAB leaders expressed their serious concern over the delay in the launching of 4G service. They urged upon the CMD BSNL for immediate payment of the salary, contract workers wages and remittance of the deductions made from the salaries of the employees, to the concerned organisations. They also pointed out the lack of liaison between the AUAB and the Management on the question of improvement of services. Finally, the AUAB leaders also told the CMD BSNL that the Management should give up it’s intolerance even for peaceful agitations like dharna, hunger strike, etc. The CMD BSNL assured that the concerns of the AUAB would be taken care of.

In Thiruvettipuram of  Velore SSA, relief materilas worth Rs.1,600/- each were distributed to Contract workers by BSNLEU and AIBDPA of Vellore SSA. Com. Sivalingam, District President, BSNLEU, made arraangements in coordination with AIBDPA Comrades.

In Surandai of Tirunelveli SSA, relief materials  of rice and groceries worth Rs.1,200/- each to all the contract workers of all the exchanges in and around Surandai.  Com. N.Soosai Maria Antony, DS, BSNLEU, Com Ganesan DVP, BSNLEU, Com M.Naserdheen, BS, Tenkasi, Com. Muthukaruppan and Com. Murugiah of AIBDPA participated.

In Tindivanam of Cuddalore SSA, relief materials were given to the contract workers, by BSNLEU and TNTCWU of Cuddalore SSA. Com D.Manoharan, DOS, BSNLEU, Com S.Palani, ADS, BSNLEU, Com N.Kathirkama Durai, DVP, BSNLEU, Com. Sarangapani, BS, BSNLEU, Com. S.Joseph, Com. Harikrishnan of AIBDPA, Com. G.Jagadeesan, JTO and Com. Parimalam, JTO participated in that event.  

Relief materials were also distributed to contract workers in Omalur and Sankagiri exchanges of Salem SSA.

The Supreme Court has delivered it’s judgement in the payment of AGR dues by the private telecom companies. A three judge bench, consisting of Justice Arun Mishra, Justice S. Abdul Nazeer and Justice M.R. Shah, has directed that the AGR dues, amounting to Rs.1.6 lakh crore, should be paid within the next 10 years. The Court has also directed that the private telecom companies should make an upfront payment of 10% of the amount. The Private telecom companies have also been directed that the annual instalment of the AGR dues should be paid by 7^th February every year, so as to complete the entire payment by 31^st March, 2031. It may be noted that the DoT has suggested to the Supreme Court that, the AGR dues could be paid by the private telecom companies over a period of 20 years. But, the Supreme Court did not accept this proposal.

As per the decision of the “All Unions and Associations of BSNL”, 5 day Satyagraha and Indefinite Work According to Rule is being launched from 31.01.2018. The notice for this agitational programme is served on CMD BSNL today.

The meeting of the Joint Committee on PLI is held today. Com. P. Abhimanyu, GS, Com. Balbir Singh, President and Com. Swapan Chakraborty, Dy.GS, participated. From the Management Side, details related to staff strength, number of connections and revenue collections for the financial years 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018 (upto 3^rd quarter) were provided. The staff strength has come down from 2,25,512 (as on 31.03.2015) to 1,83,963 (as on 01.02.2018). Compared to 2017, mobile connections have increased by 7.2%, FTTH BB connections increased by 42.3% and leased lines have increased by 20.9% in 2018. Whereas, landline, WLL and ADSL Broadband have decreased by 10%, 19.7% and 7.1% respectively. Total income of the Company remained at Rs.31,533 crores in 2016 - 17, while it has come down to Rs.16,268 crore in 2017 – 18 (upto 3^rd quarter). The Management Side stated that, considering the drastic fall in the income of the Company, only a token amount could be given as PLI. However, the Staff Side unanimously rejected this proposal. They demanded that more than what was paid last time, should be paid as PLI to the employees.

सीनियर TOAs के 7100 से 6550 पे स्केल में डाउनग्रेडेशन की समस्या का निराकरण- BSNL कॉर्पोरेट ऑफिस एक और ऑप्शन देने हेतु सहमत....

BSNLEU द्वारा इस मुद्दे को लगातार BSNL मैनेजमेंट के साथ लिया जा रहा है। BSNLEU के साथ 10.07.2018 को हुई चर्चा के दौरान CMD BSNL  इस प्रकरण पर विचार हेतु सहमत हुए थे। उसके बाद कॉर्पोरेट ऑफिस में इस मुद्दे पर कई बार चर्चा की जाती रही। दिनांक 12.12.2018 को पुनः इस प्रकरण को ले कर कॉम पी. अभिमन्यु, जीएस द्वारा श्री सौरभ त्यागी, Snr GM (Estt) से चर्चा की गई। Snr GM (Estt) इस बात पर सहमत हुए कि कर्मचारियों को एक बार पुनः फ्रेश ऑप्शन देने का मौका दे कर इस मुद्दे का निराकरण किया जा सकता है। यह समस्या उन Snr TOAs से संबंधित है जिन्हें 2008- 2009 में OTBP के अंतर्गत पहला प्रमोशन दिया गया था। NEPP आदेश के पैरा 6.4 के अनुसार Snr TOAs को OTBP अंतर्गत दिया जा चुका प्रमोशन, NEPP के अंतर्गत पहला प्रमोशन माना जाएगा। इसके विकल्प स्वरूप, ऐसे कर्मचारी अगर चाहें तो OTBP अंतर्गत प्रमोशन को त्याग कर NEPP में जा सकते हैं। ऐसे प्रत्येक कर्मचारी को गणना कर यह देखना होगा कि उनके लिए कौनसा ऑप्शन देना लाभप्रद होगा। यदि पूर्व में किसी कर्मचारी ने गलत ऑप्शन दे दिया हो और उस ऑप्शन से उनका नुकसान हुआ हो, तो वें अब अपना ऑप्शन परिवर्तित कर सकते हैं। कॉर्पोरेट ऑफिस द्वारा नए ऑप्शन मांगे जाने पर इस समस्या का निदान हो जाएगा।

The Central Trade Unions are continuously fighting against the Neo-Liberal Policies, being adopted by the governments at the Centre. A two day General Strike was organised throughout the country on 08^th & 09^th January, 2019. Now, the Central Trade Unions have prepared a workers’ charter, containing the burning problems of the workers and the society as a whole, and have circulated them to all the political parties, urging them to commit and adopt the demands of the workers in their election manifesto. Under these circumstances, a National Convention of Trade Unions is being organised at New Delhi on 05.03.2019. The venue of the Convention is Constitution Club Annexe, Rafi Marg, New Delhi.

The Madurai Bench of the Chennai High Court has issued notice to the DoT, questioning why BSNL has still not started it’s 4G service. One Venkatesh of Virudhunagar district in Tamil Nadu, has filed a petition in this connection. He has stated that all the private telecom companies have already started 4G service, while BSNL is yet to start the same. The petitioner has alleged that private telecom companies are being benefited due to the delay in starting of 4G service, by BSNL. He has prayed that the Court should order the Central Government and BSNL, for the early commencement of 4G service by BSNL. We appreciate the initiative taken by the petitioner.

The circle executive committee meeting of Jammu & Kashmir is being held at Srinagar. Com. Krishan Lal, circle president, is presiding over. Com. Rauf, ADS, welcomed. Com.Basheer Ahmed Khan, circle secretary, presented the report on activities. Com.P.Abhimanyu,GS, addressed the conference and spoke in detail about the issues connected with the revival of BSNL.  He explained the circumstances under which BSNL went into crisis and also outlined the roadmap for it's revival. In-depth deliberations were made by the members for improving the services in J&K circle. The subjects committee is continuing.

A well attended election campaign meeting was held yesterday the 13.09.2019, at Panbazar, Gawahati. Com. Bijoy Deka, CS, initiated the discussion and Com.Animesh Mitra, president, spoke in detail and explained about all issues related to BSNL's financial condition, the anti-BSNL policies of the government, and the 8th Membership Verification.  He called upon the employees to be prepared for united struggles to strengthen BSNL.

Reduction of the retirement age from 60 to 58 years, is one of the threatenings that has made a large number of BSNL employees to opt for VRS. Rumour mongers did over time to spread this mischievous rumour, to force a large number of employees to opt for VRS.

But, now the State Minister in the Prime Minister's Office, Dr. Jitendra Singh, has declared in the Parliament on 27-11-2019, that the Government has no proposal to reduce the retirement age of it’s employees, from 60 to 58 years. This reply of the Minister, given in the Parliament, has nailed down a very big lie, spread by mischievous elements.

BSNLEU has already made it known that the BSNL Management, vide it's letter no. BSNL /4/SR/2000 dated 2nd January, 2001 has given the assurance that, "Age of superannuation for all the Non-Board level employees in BSNL will be regulated in accordance with Government rules."

Already, Shri Anurag Singh Thakur, Minister of State in the Ministry of Finance has informed the Parliament on 25-11-2019 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.

Hence, all the employees who have opted for VRS, due to the fear, that retirement age will be reduced, can now withdraw their option.

In connection with the hunger strike organised on 24.02.2020, the AUAB has issued a press statement on 22.02.2020, wherein the present scenario prevailing in BSNL, the non-implementation of the revival package announced by the government, sufferings of the employees due to non-payment of salary, etc., have been explained in nut-shell. This press statement of the AUAB has been widely published in the national, as well as the regional media.

Based on the demand raised by BSNLEU, the BSNL Corporate Office has issued online training for the 116 candidates, who are awaiting JTO Phase-I training. However, the CGM, ALTTC, did not issue any letter, implementing the decision of the Corporate Office. Hence, once again, BSNLEU wrote to the Director (HR) on this issue. Following this, the CGM, ALTTC, has issued letter for online JTO Phase-1 training, which will start on 06.07.2020.

Union Minister for Civil Aviation, Shri Hardeep Singh Puri has said that running airways and airports is not the job of the government. The Minister told that he is telling this from his heart. According to the Minister, handing over of the natural wealths of this country is the only job of the government. Running banks, telecommunications, insurance, railways, etc., are not the jobs of the government.     

[Source: Times of India: dated 30.08.2020]

A meeting is held today between the CMD BSNL and the Core Committee today. Com.P.Abhimanyu,GS, BSNLEU, Com. K. Sebastin, GS, SNEA, Com. Prahlad Rai, GS, AIBSNLEA and Com.K.S. Kulkarni, AGS, NFTE, attended today’s meeting. In the meeting, the following information is given by the CMD BSNL.

Financial results of BSNL for 2016 - 17.

The CMD BSNL shared some information with regards to BSNL’s financial results for the year 2016 – 17, which are encouraging. Operating profit (EBIDTA) is estimated to be Rs.1,684 crore and the net loss of the Company is estimated at Rs.4,700 crore. The CMD BSNL also informed that according to the new valuation mechanism, the net worth of BSNL is valued at Rs.34,319 crore and that, the net asset worth of the Company is estimated at Rs.91,684 crore.

BSNL to roll-out 4G service on 31.01.2018.

The CMD BSNL informed that BSNL will announce the rolling-out of it’s 4G service on 31^st January, 2018. He told that BSNL has demanded from the government, the allocation of 5MHz of 4G spectrum, in the 2100MHz bandwidth. The price of this 4G spectrum comes to Rs.16,000 crore. BSNL has demanded that 50% of this amount should be adjusted through capital infusion by the government, and the remaining 50% would be paid by BSNL in 10 equal instalments, said the CMD. He also told that the DoT is positive to the demand of BSNL, and that a final decision is expected to be taken soon. After allotment of 4G spectrum by the government, BSNL would install 10,000 BTSs for rolling-out 4G service.

Core Committee members raised serious issues with the CMD.

In today’s meeting the members of the Core Committee raised certain serious issues with the CMD BSNL. They told that the issues of non-settlement of 3^rd Pay Revision and formation of the Subsidiary Tower Company with an IAS officer as it’s CMD are seriously agitating the minds of the employees. Cancellation of the free calling from landlines on Sundays, as well as change in the timing of the night free calling, acute shortage of equipments for providing FTTH connections, frequent and large scale damaging of BSNL’s cables were taken to the notice of the CMD.