Shri K.K. Ragesh, the CPI(M)  MP from Kerala, raised the issue of the contract workers in the Rajya Sabha yesterday, during the zero hour. He pointed out that the contract workers were not paid wages for the past many months, as a result of which many contract workers had already committed suicide. He also pointed out that the contract workers who had worked in BSNL for the past many years are being retrenched. He demanded that the contract workers should be paid wages immediately. It is notable to mention that Com.K.K. Raghesh is the President of the BSNL CCWF, Kerala circle.

BSNLEU ने सभी BSNL कर्मियों के लिए एक दिन का वेतन स्वीकृत करने की मांग की...

दूरसंचार एक आवश्यक सेवा होने की वजह से BSNL के कर्मचारी राष्ट्रव्यापी लॉकडाउन लागू किए जाने के बावजूद लोगों को संचार सेवाएं उपलब्ध करा रहे हैं। कोरोना वायरस के संक्रमण से अपने बचाव को सुनिश्चित करने के लिए BSNL कर्मचारियों को प्रतिदिन मास्क्स, ग्लव्स, सेनिटाइजर, लिक्विड सोप आदि का उपयोग करना पड़ रहा है। इस हेतु वें अपनी जेब से पैसा खर्च कर रहे हैं। BSNLEU ने उपर्युक्त आइटम्स खरीदने के लिए व्यय की जा रही राशि की पूर्ति हेतु सभी कर्मचारियों को एक दिन का वेतन (Basic Pay +DA) तत्काल स्वीकृत किए जाने की मैनेजमेंट से मांग की है। BSNLEU ने मैनेजमेंट को सूचित किया है कि अन्य पब्लिक सेक्टर उपक्रमों, जैसे भारतीय जीवन बीमा निगम, स्टेट बैंक ऑफ इंडिया और यूनियन बैंक ऑफ इंडिया इस तरह की एकमुश्त ग्रांट स्वीकृत कर चुके हैं।

आत्मनिर्भर भारत पर प्रधानमंत्री नरेंद्र मोदी की दोहरी बात।  

प्रधानमंत्री नरेंद्र मोदी ने आत्मनिर्भर भारत की स्थापना का आह्वान किया है। लेकिन, यह केवल दोहरी बात है। व्यावहारिक रूप से वह हमारे अमूल्य सार्वजनिक क्षेत्र के उपक्रमों को विदेशी बहुराष्ट्रीय कंपनियों को बेचने के लिए सब कुछ कर रहे हैं ।  भारतीय रेलवे, दूरसंचार, बैंक, इंश्योरेंस, एयर इंडिया,बंदरगाहों और नाव, रक्षा उत्पादन कारखानों में 100% एफडीआई की अनुमति दी गई है l इसका अर्थ है कि अभी या बाद में हमारे सार्वजनिक क्षेत्र के उपक्रमों की अमूल्य परिसंपत्तियों को विदेशी बहुराष्ट्रीय कंपनियों द्वारा अपने कब्जे में ले लिया जाएगा । क्या यह आत्मनिर्भर भारत के निर्माण का तरीका है?

A very enthusiastic meeting of all unions and associations of Gorakhpur, Faijabad, Devria, Ballia and Basti district held at Gorakhpur on 1st December, 2017. Com.Manoj Verma ADS, SNEA, presided over. Com.Nitya Nand Mishra , DS, BSNLEU, Gorakhpur, conducted the proceedings of the meeting. Com.Balbir Singh, President, BSNLEU, Com. R.P.Shahi,AGS, BSNL, MS, R.K.Mishra, CS, BSNLEU UP(E). Sanjay Dube, CS, NFTE address the meeting. The leaders explained the 12& 13, December, 2017, strike issues. The meeting unanimously resolved to make the strike call a grand success. Rajesh Singh, DS, NFTE, Gorakhpur, offered vote of thanks.

The greatest hero of the Indian Freedom Movement, Bhagat Singh, together with Sukhdev and Rajguru, was sent to the gallows by the British imperialists on 23-03-1931. It is already 87 years since these great heroes attained martyrdom. However, still they continue to inspire all those who fight against exploitation and injustices. Despite the “Goebal’s lies” unleashed by the corporate media, the working class continues to launch heroic struggles against capitalist exploitations. It is also relevant to mention here that, Bhagat Singh was inspired by the Great October Revolution and the teachings of Lenin. BSNLEU has inherited the revolutionary spirit of these great heroes. As per the decisions of it’s CEC meetings, BSNLEU is observing the martyrdom of Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev and Rajguru every year. Accordingly, CHQ calls upon the circle and district unions to observe this day, by conducting special meetings and other programme.

The 9th All India Conference of BSNLEU is starting at Mysuru tomorrow the 17th December, 2018. It is a 4 day Conference, which will get concluded on 20th December, 2018. Com.Tapan Sen, General Secretary, CITU, is delivering the Inaugural Address of the Conference. Leaders of fraternal organisations are greeting. A colourful rally will be organised tomorrow afternoon. This will be followed by a seminar, on the revival of BSNL. This All India Conference will be discussing very serious issues including the 3rd Wage Revision, Revival of BSNL, etc., and will also draw the road map for achieving them.

The 3rd triennial conference of AIBDPA started enthusiastically at Kolkata today. The Conference was inaugurated by Com. Hanan Mollah, General Secretary, All India Kisan Sabha. Com. Anantha Bhattacharjee, is presiding over. Com. P. Abhimanyu, GS, addressed the Conference and spoke on the recently held 3 day strike, issues related to the financial viability of BSNL, 3rd Pay Revision, Pension Revision, etc. Com. V.A.N.Namboodiri, Advisor, AIBDPA, Com. K.G.Jayaraj, GS,AIBDPA, Com.S.S.Ray,Working President, NCCPA, Com. Animesh Mitra, SG, BSNL CCWF, and Com.R.N.Dhal, AGS, AIPRPA addressed the inaugural session.

नॉन एग्जीक्यूटिव्ज के वेज रिवीजन हेतु वार्ता (negotiations) की पुनः शुरुआत...
BSNLEU द्वारा प्रबंधन पर नॉन एग्जीक्यूटिव्ज के वेज रिवीजन हेतु वार्ता (negotiations) की पुनः शुरुआत हेतु दबाव बनाया जा रहा है। 08.04.2019 को डायरेक्टर  (HR) के साथ संपन्न औपचारिक मीटिंग में इस मुद्दे पर चर्चा की गई थी। डायरेक्टर  (HR) ने GM(SR) को निर्देशित किया था कि वें DoT को पत्र लिख कर सूचित करें कि प्रबंधन, वार्ता (negotiations) की पुनः शुरुआत करना चाहता है। कॉम पी अभिमन्यु, जीएस ने श्री ए एम गुप्ता, GM(SR) से चर्चा कर प्रकरण में प्रगति बाबद जानकारी ली। ऐसा प्रतीत होता है कि कॉर्पोरेट ऑफिस की एसआर ब्रान्च ने DoT से इस संबंध में किसी भी प्रकार का पत्राचार नही किया है। महासचिव ने GM(SR) से कार्यवाही शीघ्र पूर्ण करने का अनुरोध किया जिससे कि वेज रिवीजन हेतु वार्ता शीघ्र शुरु की जा सके।

मेम्बरशिप वेरिफिकेशन तक ट्रेड यूनियन कार्यवाही पर प्रतिबंध लगाने के कॉर्पोरेट ऑफिस के आदेश पर माननीय मद्रास उच्च न्यायालय का स्थगन.....
यह एक बड़ी खबर है कि माननीय मद्रास उच्च न्यायालय द्वारा कॉर्पोरेट ऑफिस के पत्र दिनांक 02.07.2019, जिसके तहत 8वें मेम्बरशिप वेरिफिकेशन की प्रक्रिया पूर्ण होने तक प्रदर्शन, धरना आदि पर प्रतिबंध लगाया गया था, पर अंतरिम स्थगन आदेश प्रदान किए गए हैं। कॉर्पोरेट ऑफिस के पत्र दिनांक 02.07.2019 पर स्थगन हेतु कॉम बाबू राधाकृष्णन, सर्किल सेक्रेटरी, तमिलनाडु द्वारा माननीय मद्रास उच्च न्यायालय में पिटीशन दायर की गई थी। उक्त पत्र के माध्यम से धमकी दी गई थी कि किसी भी यूनियन द्वारा धरना, प्रदर्शन आदि किए जाने पर उस यूनियन को 8वें मेम्बरशिप वेरिफिकेशन में शामिल होने पर रोक लगा दी जाएगी। कॉर्पोरेट ऑफिस द्वारा जारी यह पत्र पूर्ण रूप से मनमानीपूर्ण, स्वेच्छाचारी व संविधान में उल्लेखित मूलभूत अधिकारों का उल्लंघन करने वाला था। इसी वजह से BSNLEU ने इस आदेश को न्यायालय में चुनौती देने का निर्णय लिया। SR ब्रांच को इससे सबक लेना चाहिए और ट्रेड यूनियन के मूलभूत अधिकारों को कुचलने की कोशिश नही करनी चाहिए। कॉर्पोरेट मैनेजमेंट में संबंधित अथॉरिटीज को यह सुनिश्चित करना चाहिए कि भविष्य में SR ब्रांच इस तरह की औद्योगिक शांति भंग करने वाली पराक्रमी (?) गतिविधियों से दूर ही रहे। इस जीत पर CHQ की ओरसे तमिलनाडु यूनियन को  बधाई।

As India is gripped in an economic crisis, it’s GDP continues to tumble. In the July-September quarter, the GDP growth has fallen to 4.5%. This is the lowest GDP growth since March, 2013, i.e., during the past 6 ½ years. It may be noted that the GDP growth during the previous quarter, i.e., during April to June 2019, remained at 5%. It is for sure that the GDP growth may plunge to 4% in the next quarter. It is a matter of serious concern that India, which was the fastest growing economy a few years ago, is in shatters now. Rightly, it is being said by some political critics that, India’s economy is in an ICU today.

BSNLEU and BSNL CCWF are continuously pressing the CMD BSNL hard, for releasing funds for the payment of wages of the contract workers. Com. P. Abhimanyu, GS, discussed this matter with Shri P.C. Bhatt, Sr.GM(CBB), Corporate Office, today. The Sr.GM(CBB) informed that the Corporate Office has released funds to the circles today, for the payment of approximately one month’s wages of the contract workers. This fund is allotted to all the circles.

All the Central Trade Unions, except the BMS, which is pro-BJP, are organising countrywide protest action today, opposing the anti-worker policies of the Modi government. At the behest of the Central Government, many state governments have increased the workload from 8 hrs. to 12 hrs. a day. The Labour Laws are being drastically changed in favour of the corporates. Speedy and large scale measures are being taken to privatise the Public Sector Undertakings, including the Indian Railways. The CTUs have already demanded that the government should give financial assistance of Rs.7,500/- per month, for the months of April, May and June, to all the non-income tax paying households.  

BSNLEU has already given call to organise lunch hour demonstrations throughout the country today, demanding settlement of the issues raised by the CTUs. 

BSNLEU is repeatedly writing to the Management that, the period of absence of certain employees, who are held up in their native places / far off places, due to the lock-down, should be treated as on duty. BSNLEU has also cited  the guidelines that have been issued by the DoP&T on this matter. 

However, the Corporate Office has not issued any letter in this regard so far. Com.P.Abhimanyu, GS, spoke to Shri Saurabh Tyagi, Sr.GM(Estt.) once again today and urged upon him to take prompt action on this matter. The Sr.GM(Estt.) assured that needful action would be taken shortly. 

Accommodation has been arranged by the CHQ for the comrades who are coming from far away circles (not nearby circles) to participate in the March to Sanchar Bhawan on 23.02.2018. The accommodation is arranged for 22^nd & 23^rd February, 2018. However, CHQ has been able to book accommodation only for 750 comrades. Circle Secretaries are requested to immediately inform the CHQ about their requirement for accommodation. It is also informed that accommodation will be allotted on “first come - first served” basis. So, only those who inform the CHQ first, will get the accommodation.

Former Telecom Minister Dayanidhi Maran and his elder brother Kalanidhi Maran were discharged by a CBI Special Court yesterday, from the “illegal telephone exchange” case. Together with them, former chief general managers of Chennai Telephones, K. Brahmmanathan and M.P.Velusamy, were also discharged from the case. The accusation against Dayanidhi Maran is that, he got an unauthorised telephone exchange installed at his residence at Chennai, and misused the BSNL lines for the Sun TV, owned by the Maran brothers, in collusion with the top BSNL officers of Chennai Telephones. The CBI Special Court judge Natarajan stated that, the CBI did not produce sufficient evidence, to prove the charges. Further, the judge also pointed out that the CBI did not even hand over to the Court, the CD containing the call records of the telephone lines that worked at Dayanidhi Maran’s residence. The CBI has to be given award for handling high profile cases so “seriously” !!!

The Circle Executive Committee meeting of Odisha was held at Bhubaneswar on 16.05.2018. Com.S.C.Bhatacharjee, Circle President, presided over the meeting. Com. Saroj Ranjan Das, Circle Secretary, welcomed everyone and placed the report on activities. Com.John Verghese, (AGS), reported in detail on the decisions of the Agartala CEC meeting. He explained about the decision to conduct street corner meetings for creating public awareness about the ill effects of the Subsidiary Tower Company. He also spoke on important current issues, such as wage revision, revival of BSNL, wasteful expenditures, etc. Com. P.K. Naik, Asst. Treasurer (CHQ), Com. Sahdev Biswal, Patron and Com. A. Dhupal, Patron, also addressed the meeting.

BSNLEU heartily congratulates the entire BSNL employees, their unions and associations. Yes comrades. We are nearing the achievement of the impossible. 3rd Pay Revision Committee said that BSNL employees are not eligible for Wage Revision w.e.f 01-01-2017. The Union Cabinet also approved it. The DoT issued letter on 21-02-2018, stating that BSNL employees are not eligible for Wage Revision and it's pensioners are not eligible for Pension Revision. Still, our consistent struggles, efforts and wise strategies have started giving results. The one day strike on 27-07-2017, two days strike on 12th & 13th December, 2017, the massive March to Sanchar Bhawan on 23-02-2018, submission of memorandums to around 200 MPs, and numerous other struggles have made the Wage Revision of BSNL employees a reality today. Yes comrades, the negotiations for the settlement of Wage Revision of the Non-Executives is starting today. Still we have a long way to go to complete the Wage Revision. Still, the commencement of the Wage Revision itself is a great achievement. We have done it. Our unity and united struggles have made it possible. Congratulations to all.

The 9th All India Conference of BSNLEU started enthusiastically today at Mysuru. The flag hoisting programme started exactly at 10:00 am. Com.Balbir Singh, President, hoisted the Tricolour National Flag. The Union Red Flag was hoisted by Com.P.Abhimanyu, GS, amidst inspiring slogans. Com.C.K.Gundanna, General Secretary, Reception Committee, welcomed everyone. On behalf of the CHQ, Com.P.Abhimanyu, GS, welcomed everyone and gave a brief picture of the situation, in which this AIC is taking place. Com.Tapan Sen, General Secretary, CITU, inaugurated the Conference and spoke elaborately about the challenges being faced by the Indian working class in general, and the BSNL employees in particular. He called on the BSNL trade union movement to join the 2 day General Strike, called on by the Central Trade Unions, to be organised on 8th and 9th January,2018. The Inaugural Session was also addressed by Com. Amanullah Khan, President, AIIEA, Com. Seethalakshmi, Vice-President, Confederation of Central Government Employees, Com.V.A.N.Namboodiri, former General Secretary, Com.K.G.Jayaraj, GS, AIBDPA, Com.Animesh Mitra, SG, BSNLCCWF, Com.Swapan Chakraborty, Dy.GS, Com. .M.C.Balakrishna, Chairman, Reception Committee, Com.H.V.Sudharshan, Working Chairman,Reception Committee.

The 14th Congress of the Trade Union International of Transport and Communications Unions, affiliated to the WFTU, is being held at Istanbul, the capital of Turkey, on 1st and 2nd March, 2019. Com. P.Abhimanyu, General Secretary, BSNLEU, is attending this Congress, as a delegate.