Due to unavoidable circumstances, the dates of the forthcoming All India Conference, to be held at Mysuru, have been changed. The new dates are 8^th, 9^th, 10^th & 11^th January, 2019. All comrades are requested to kindly make note of the change in dates. As usual, the pre-All India Conference CEC meeting will be held on 07^th January, 2019. CEC members are requested to book their journey tickets accordingly.

As per the study of the French Tech Firm, Capgemini, the number of High Networth Individuals (HNI) in India has increased by 20% in the year 2017. An High Networth Individual is defined as the one who is having investable assets of over 1 million US Dollars. According to this report, the number of such Dollar Millionaires in India comes to 2.6 lakh people. Their asset worth is a whopping 1 trillion US Dollars! It is also worth mentioning here that, the International Rights Group, Oxfam, has reported that in India, 73% of the wealth created in 2017, has reached the hands of the top 1% of the population, whereas the bottom 67 crore Indians have got only 1% of this wealth. This is how the Narendra Modi government is serving the poor people of this country.

(Source: Times of India dated 20.06.2018)

Accusing that the United Nations Human Rights Council is biased against Israel, the US has left the Council. The US Ambassador to the United Nations, Nikki Haley has also criticised that the UN Human Rights Council is a ‘cesspool of political bias’. The United Nations Human Rights Council is continuously criticising Israel for it’s forcible occupation of Palestine territories, and also for violation of human rights in those territories. By quitting the UN Human Rights Council, the real face of the US has been exposed. This has also strengthened the criticism that US is the worst violator of human rights. It may also be recollected that the US, under Donald Trump, has also left the Paris Agreement on Climate Change.

Com. P. Abhimanyu, GS and Com. Swapan Chakraborty, Dy. GS, met Shri Saurabh Tyagi, GM (Estt.) today and discussed the following outstanding issues.

1. Issue of those Sr. TOAs reverted from 7100 to 6550 pay scale.

This issue had already been discussed with the Director (HR) and the GM (Estt.) a number of times. However, settlement of this issue has already been rejected by the Management. Under these circumstances, suggestion has come to the CHQ, from some of the affected Sr. TOAs. They have stated that they are prepared to forego any arrears that will accrue, due to the settlement of this problem. The GM (Estt.) was requested to consider settlement of the problem, with this condition. He assured to look into.

2. One time relaxation in the qualification for appearing TT LDCE.

This issue was also discussed with the Management a number of times, but was rejected. In today’s meeting, the GM (Estt.) was once again requested to consider the demand, to help the candidates of backward circles like Assam and the North East, where vacancies are existing, but qualified officials are not available. The GM (Estt.) agreed to revisit the issue.  

3. Endorsement of government orders on Child Care Leave, by BSNL.

From time to time, the government of India is issuing various modifications / guidelines to the Child Care Leave. But, these government orders are not being endorsed by BSNL promptly. BSNLEU has already taken up this issue with the Management. In today’s meeting, with the GM (Estt.), BSNLEU once again raised the issue. After discussion the GM (Estt.) agreed to issue an instruction that all government orders on Child Care Leave, should be suo moto followed in BSNL.

The issue of BSNL’s buildings and office spaces being taken over by the DoT, is already taken up by BSNLEU, with the CMD BSNL. In continuation of this, com. P. Abhimanyu, GS and com. Swapan Chakraborty, Dy. GS, met Shri H.C. Pant, Company Secretary today, and discussed the issue. The legal position on this issue was explained by the Company Secretary. Necessary inputs were also taken. BSNLEU will now take up this issue with the higher level of the government.

BSNLEU is vigorously pressurising the BSNL Management, to form the Joint Committee for Wage Negotiations. The issue is already discussed with the CMD BSNL and Director (HR). Further, this issue was raised in the recently held 36^th meeting of the National Council also. Under these circumstances, the BSNLEU representatives who met Shri A.M. Gupta, GM (SR) today, once again insisted for early constitution of the Joint Committee. Finally, the GM (SR) assured that the Committee would be constituted, latest by next week.

BSNLEU has already urged upon the CMD BSNL to hold the Welfare Board meeting. However, so far, no notification has been issued for the meeting. The BSNLEU representatives who met Shri S.K. Sinha, GM (Admn.) today, once again insisted to issue notification for the meeting. The GM (Admn.) assured to do the needful at the earliest.

Com.P.Abhimanyu, General Secretary, addressed a largely attended contract workers meet at Cuddalore in Tamil Nadu circle, yesterday the 17-06-2018. It was organised by the Tamil Nadu Telecom Contact Workers Union (TNTCWU). The General Secretary explained about the various issues related to the revival of BSNL, the government's game-plan to weaken BSNL and the role of the contract workers in strengthening the Company. He also dealt with the various problems of the contract workers, and the efforts being taken by BSNLEU and the BSNLCCWF to settle them. The meeting was also addressed by Com.Vinod Kumar, General Secretary, TNTCWU, Com.P. Palanisamy, AGS, BSNCCWF, Com. K.T.Sambandam, DS, BSNLEU, and many others.

CHQ is saddened to know that Com. Triveni Pandey, district secretary, BSNLEU, Saharsa, Bihar, has passed away on 13.06.2018. CHQ pays it’s respectful homage to com. Triveni Pandey. CHQ also conveys it’s heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of the departed leader.

BSNLEU conveys best wishes and warm greetings to all, on the occasion of Eid ul-Fitr. Let the festival bring peace and prosperity to all.

BSNLEU is trying it’s best to get justice to the candidates of the JE LICE. The issue was raised vociferously in the 36th meeting of the National Council, held on 12-06-2018. Thereafter, BSNLEU has submitted an expert opinion to the Management, provided by an academician, explaining how many of the questions are flawed. In continuation of this, Com. Swapan Chakraborty, Dy.GS and Com. Animesh Mitra, Vice-President(CHQ) met Ms. Samita Luthra, GM (Rect.) today and discussed the issue. The representatives emphatically demanded that the injustice can be done away with, only by granting relaxation, as demanded by the Union.

Senior journalist, Shujaat Bukhari, was gunned down by terrorists at Srinagar yesterday. Shri Bukhari was 49 years old, and was the editor-in-chief of the english daily, Rising Kashmir. This killing, which is an act of cowardice, has taken place even when the cease fire announced by the government was in force. BSNLEU strongly condemns this murder and conveys it’s heartfelt condolences to the family members of the slain journalist.

Com.P.Abhimanyu, GS, Com. Swapan Chakraborty, Dy.GS and Com.Animesh Mitra, Vice-president (CHQ) met Ms.Smithi Chowdhari GM (FP) today, and insisted for the early conducting of the JAO LICE. The representatives pointed out that the last JAO LICE was held in July, 2016, for the vacancies upto the period January, 2016. The GM(FP) accepted the demand and assured to do the needful.

The government’s attempt to privatise Air India, by selling 76% of it’s shares had failed. There was no one to buy Air India. So, now, the government is trying to some how sell out Air India, by giving more concessions to the buyers. In tune with this, the government is proposing to sell all the 100% shares, instead of the earlier proposal to sell only 76% shares. It is needless to say that the government may come forward to give more and more concessions to the private companies, to ensure Air India’s privatisation.

[Source: Times of India dt. 12.06.2018]

Former Telecom Minister, Dayanidhi Maran was earlier let off by a special court, in the case of installing of an illegal telephone exchange at his residence and misusing it for the benefit of Sun TV. Now, the CBI has filed a criminal revision petition in the Chennai High Court, against the discharge of Dayanidhi Maran and his brother Kalanidhi Maran, from this case.

[Source: Times of India dt. 13.06.2018]

Former Finance Minister, P. Chidambaram was interrogated for the second time, by the Enforcement Directorate. This interrogation is being made in connection with the charge of money – laundering, related to the Aircel – maxis case. Media reports say that P. Chidambaram’s son, Karthi, may be charge – sheeted in this case.

[Source: TOI dt. 13.06.2018]

The CEC meeting of BSNLEU, held at Agartala, has decided that the next All India Conference of the Union, shall be held at Mysuru, in Karnataka circle. The All India Centre has finalised the dates of the AIC as 4^th to 7^th January, 2019. In view of this, it is informed that all the circle and district conferences which have become due / or will becoming due before the AIC, should be conducted, to ensure the participation of their delegates in the Conference.