The unified trade union movement of BSNL, under the single banner of “The Unions and Associations of BSNL”, is taking on the government today, demanding settlement the 3rd wage revision and to stop the formation of Subsidiary Tower Company. Today's demonstration is only a wake up call to the government. It has to ensure peaceful settlement of the issues, by accepting the justified demands. Otherwise, the employees of BSNL will be left with no other option, but to intensify the struggles. Settlement of both the demands, is a must for the future of the employees, and for the prosperity of the BSNL. Hence, CHQ calls upon our leaders and active comrades to leave no stone unturned, for the total success of the struggles. Unity is the only weapon in our hands, while the government has many weapons. Hence, all our comrades are requested to take utmost care and efforts to strengthen unity.

BSNLEU has given notice to the Management demanding payment of PLI for the year 2015-16 and observed nationwide demonstrations on 13th October 2017. As such the Director(HR) called both the recognised unions,i.e. BSNLEU and NFTE on 16th October and discussed the issue. Com Swapan Chakraborty, Dy.GS and com R.S.Chouhan, Vice President attended the meeting,since ,com P.Abhimanyu, GS is out of station. After detailed discussion, the Director (HR ) instructed the GM(SR) to hold the meeting of the PLI committee and to finalise the permanent formula for the payment of PLI including the pending PLI for the year 2015-16.

All Unions and Associations in BSNL in the meeting held on 4^th October, 2017 decided agitational programmes demanding 3^rd PRC with 15% fitment benefit from 21.01.2017 and to stop formation of Subsidiary Tower Company. The programme is begin with lunch hour demonstrations at Corporate Office, Circle and SSA HQs on 16^th October, 2017. A powerful demonstration is held at BSNL Corporate Office at lunch hour on 16^th October, 2017. The meeting is presided over by Com. R.S. Chauhan, Vice-President (CHQ) and Circle Secretary in NTR of BSNLEU. The meeting is addressed by Coms. Swapan Chakraborty, Dy.GS, BSNLEU, C. Singh, GS, NFTE, K. Sebastin, GS, SNEA, Prahlad Rai, GS, AIBSNLEA, N.D. Ram, GS, SEWA BSNL, Mohindar Singh, CS, FNTO, Badri, AIGETOA and S.P. Singh, Dy.GS, BSNLOA. All the leaders appealed to the workers to be united to intensify the struggles in the coming days on both the issues and to be ready for 2 days strike on 12^th & 13^th December, 2017 and also for Indefinite Strike till the wage revision is settled.

As per the call of the " All Unions and Associations, powerful demonstrations were conducted throughout the length and breadth of the country by BSNL employees, demanding settlement of wage revision and opposing the formation of Subsidiary Tower Company. BSNLEU heartily congratulates the entire employees. If the government remains adamant, and refuses to settle the demands, then the employees will be forced to intensify the struggles, as per the decisions of the All Unions and Associations of BSNL.

BSNL launched a new scheme called Bharat phone with unlimited calling and a data plan for Rs 97 a month in partnership with Micromax. The phone is priced at Rs 2,200. It will support 3G connection as well. "I am glad that BSNL has come with 2 new schemes. This will not only increase BSNL's subscribers, but also strengthen their financial position. I believe that BSNL will get a special spot in the ongoing competition in the sector", said shri Manoj Sinha, Minister of State for Communications, while launching the service.

After the entry of Reliance Jio on 5^th September last year, the incumbent telecom companies took a beating. All of them suffered drastic fall in their revenues. Even major telecom giants like Vodafone and Idea went into loss. BSNL also seriously suffered. Through it's tariff war, Reliance Jio wanted other telecom companies to close down their business, so that it would become a monopoly in the telecom sector and loot the people.

It is in pursuance of this strategy that, Reliance Jio continued with it's promotional offers, even beyond the prescribed 90 days period, of course with the tacit support of the TRAI and the government. But, the question is, how long Reliance Jio can continue with it's very low tariffs? We know that the management of Jio is answerable to it's share holders, regarding the mounting losses to the Company, and hence cannot continue with low tariffs for a long time. What we foresaw has proved to be correct. News has come now that, Reliance Jio has raised the tariff of it's most popular plan.

So far the plan was available for Rs.399 for 84 days. But, now the tariff will now be available only for Rs.459. Those subscribers who want to continue with the same rate will get the pack for 70 days instead. This change is effective from October 19th. This is a clear indication that, Jio cannot continue for long, with it's predatory pricings.

As per the decision of the last All India Conference of BSNLEU, the Tamil Nadu circle union, is organising a seminar on the Centenary of the Great October Revolution. The seminar is being held at Madurai tomorrow the 21-10-2017. Com.S.Chellappa, AGS & Tamil Nadu circle president, is presiding. Com. Babu Radhakrishnan, circle secretary is welcoming. Veteran trade union leader, Com.A.K.Padmanabhan, vice-president,CITU and com.P.Abhimanyu, General Secretary, BSNLEU are addressing the seminar.

The Central Trade Unions, including INTUC, AITUC, HMS, CITU, AICCTU, LPF, etc., are organising a work-shop at Hyderabad on 22-10-2017, on the issue of Wage Revision. The common strategy to be adopted, against the anti-worker recommendations of the 3rd PRC, are expected to be prominently discussed in this work-shop. All the top leaders of the Central Trade Unions are taking part. Com.P.Abhimanyu, General Secretary is representing BSNLEU.

As has already been informed, the CHQ of BSNLEU is organising a seminar on the Centenary of Great October Revolution at New Delhi on 23-10-2017. Comrades from UP(West), Haryana, Rajasthan, Punjab, UP(East), Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, J&K, NTR circle, Corporate Office and ALTTC, Gazhiabad are participating in this seminar. Com. Balbir Singh, President, will be presiding over and com. Swapan Chakraborty, Dy. General Secretary, will welcoming. Com. Tapan Sen, MP & General Secretary, CITU and com. P. Abhimanyu, General Secretary are addressing the seminar. Com. R.S.Chauhan, Vice-president(CHQ) & circle secretary, NTR circle will be proposing vote of thanks. Garhwlal Bhawan, near Jandewalan metro station is the venue. The CHQ is making elaborate arrangements for the success of this seminar.

The Tamil Nadu circle union of BSNLEU conducted an Extended Circle Executive Committee meeting today at Madurai, addressed by com.P.Abhimanyu,GS. Com.S.Chellappa, circle president & AGS presided over the meeting and addressed. Com.Babu Radhakrishnan, circle secretary, welcomed everyone and initiated the discussion. Addressing the meeting, the General Secretary spoke in detail on the current issues, such as 3rd wage revision, pension revision, formation of Subsidiary Tower Company, attacks on trade union rights in BSNL, PLI, revival of BSNL, contract workers issues, etc. The meeting resolved to successfully organise the agitational programme, called on by the "All Unions and Associations of BSNL".

As per the decision of the last All India Conference, the Tami Nadu circle union of BSNLEU conducted a very inspiring seminar on the Centenary of the Great October Revolution at Madurai on 21.10.2017. Com.S.Chellappa,CP & AGS presided over the seminar. Com.Babu Radhakrishnan, CS, welcomed all. The seminar was addressed by com.A.K.Padmanabhan, vice-president,CITU and com.P.Abhimanyu,GS. Both the leaders explained at length, the achievements made under the leadership of working class, in the Soviet Union, after the Great October Revolution. They also explained how the working masses are being exploited today, under the capitalist system, and said that Socialism is the only alternative to put an end to the exploitation of man by man. A large number of comrades attended the seminar and the Madurai district union had made excellent arrangements.

A National workshop, on wage revision in the Central Public Sector Undertakings, was held in the Sundaraiya Vigyan Kendra at Hyderabad, on 22-10-2017. It was jointly organised by INTUC, AITUC, HMS, CITU, LPF, JAF of the Bengaluru based Public Sector trade unions and the Coordination Committee of the Hyderabad based Public Sector trade unions. Independent trade unions / federations of various sectors, including BSNLEU, also participated. Dr. Sanjeeva Reddy, president, INTUC, inaugurated the Seminar. Com.Tapan Sen, MP, General Secretary, CITU, com.H.Mahadevan(AITUC), com. Ellaiah(HMS) and com. Shanmugam(LPF) addressed. This was followed by deliberations by the delegates.

The main focus of the discussion was wage revision. However, serious concerns were expressed about the mad drive of the Narendra Modi government, for disinvestment and privatisation of the Public Sector, increasing contractualisation of permanent jobs, need for fresh recruitment, wage revision of the contract workers, etc. It was also strongly insisted that the trade unions should not accept 10 year wage agreement and should fight for 5 year settlement.

Participating in the debate, com.P.Abhimanyu, GS, highlighted the one day strike held in BSNL on 27-07-2017, on wage revision issue and the decision of the entire unions and associations of BSNL to go on a two day strike in December, demanding wage settlement and opposing formation of the Subsidiary Tower Company. He also explained how successfully the BSNL employees are facing the cut throat competition of Reliance Jio. Com.Ramanandan, Secretary, CITU, explained the wage settlement reached in the Coal India Ltd. The Seminar decided that the Public Sector trade unions should closely coordinate among themselves to successfully settle the wage revision and against disinvestment and privatisation.

BSNLEU is seriously pursuing payment of this year's PLI. It has conducted country wide demonstrations on 13-10-2017, demanding immediate payment of PLI. Thereafter, in the meeting held between the Recognised Unions and Director(HR), it has been decided to discuss the issue in the PLI Committee meeting. This decision, to discuss the issue in the Committee, should not become a method of delaying the matter. Hence, com. P. Abhimanyu, GS, met shri A.M.Gupta, GM(SR) today, and demanded immediate constitution of a Joint Committee, consisting both the Management Side and Staff Side representatives. The GM(SR) assured prompt action in this regard.

Citing the case going on in the Hon'ble Kerala High Court, BSNL Management was not accepting nomination of non-members to the councils. However, the court case has already come to an end. Thereafter, BSNLEU nominated com. Suresh Kumar, GS, BSNL MS, to the National Council. Recently, Management has rejected this nomination, stating that com. Suresh Kumar's union has not obtained 7% votes in the last membership verification. Com.P.Abhimanyu,GS, met shri A.M.Gupta, GM(SR) today, and discussed this issue. The GS pointed out that the Management has rejected BSNLEU's nomination by giving a wrong interpretation. 7% vote criteria does not apply to this case, told the GS. He further told that, from the time of the first membership verification onwards, Management had been accepting nomination of non-members, and the problem was created only after an interim order given by the Court. Now that the court case has already come to an end, Management should accept BSNLEU's nomination, argued the GS. Finally, the GS demanded a full-fledged discussion on this issue with the Director(HR), in the presence of GM(Legal) and GM(SR). BSNLEU will further seriously pursue this issue.

As a part of the own going programme of BSNLEU, to celebrate the Centenary of the Great October Revolution, an inspiring seminar was organised by the CHQ at New Delhi on 23.10.2017. Comrades from UP (West), Haryana, Rajasthan, Punjab, UP (East), Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, J&K, NTR and Corporate Office participated in this seminar. Com. Balbir Singh, President, presided over. Com. Swapan Chakraborty, Dy.GS, welcomed everyone. Addressing the seminar, com. Tapan Sen, MP and General Secretary, CITU, gave an account of the developments that led to the Great October Revolution in Russia, under the leadership of the working class. He also explained in great detail about the achievements made by the socialist government of the Soviet Union in various fields. Com. P. Abhimanyu, GS, addressed the seminar and also spoke on the achievements made in the Soviet Union. Finally, com. R.S. Chauhan, Vice President (CHQ), delivered vote of thanks.

National Coordination Committee of Pensioners’ Association of Central Government Employees in which AIBDPA is also a constituent has arranged a Mass Dharna on 25.10.2017 at Delhi on 10 point Charter of Demands of the Central Government Pensioners. Since, permission was not given to hold the Dharna at Jantar Mantar, it was shifted to Meghdoot Bhawan, Jhandewalan. The meeting was presided over by Com. Shiv Gopal Mishra, President of NCCPA. Com. K.K.N. Kutty, General Secretary, NCCPA welcome all. The dharna was inaugurated by com. Tapan Sen, MP & General Secretary, CITU. The meeting was addressed by com. V.A.N. Namboodiri, Advisor, NCCPA, M.S. Raja, President, Confederation of Central Government Employees and others. On be half of the BSNLEU, com. Swapan Chakraborty, Dy.GS, addressed the meeting and briefed about the wage revision of BSNL employees and on revision of pension from 1^st January, 2017.

Com. Swapan Chakraborty, Dy.GS and Com. Ramesh Chand Sharma, Org. Secretary, met Ms. Anima Roy, GM (Estt. & Rectt.), BSNL CO on 25.10.2017 and discussed on the following issues:-

1. Change of cut off date from 1^st July, 2016 to 1^st July, 2017 for eligibility of 5 years service for the JE LICE 50% to be held on 28.01.2018. 

The union representative handed over the letter from the union addressed to the Management for change of cut off date from 1^st July, 2016 to 1^st July, 2017 to determine 5 years service eligibility condition to appear the JE LICE 50% to be held on 28.01.2018 and demanded that since the vacancies upto 31^st March, 2017 are taken into account for the aforesaid examination, the cut off date should also be changed to allow candidates who are completing 5 years service on 1^st July, 2017 to appear the exam. The GM informed that as per provisions cut off date would be 1^st July of the particular financial year for determining the service conditions and as such 1^st July, 2016 is fixed for the said exam. The union representatives informed the GM that since the TM exams in earlier days were not conducted in time, a good number of candidates are not having 5 years of service conditions as on 1^st July, 2016 but would be eligible if the cut off date is changed to 1^st July, 2017. Considering that a large number of vacancies are available in the departmental quota for JE, where as a very few officials are available to appear the exam. After a detailed discussion, the GM assured to look into the matter.

2. To modify the condition of qualifying marks for SC/ST candidates from 20% to 20% for SC and 15% for ST and to delete 30% aggregate marks for the forthcoming JE LICE 50% notification.

The union representatives informed the GM that the earlier conditions of qualifying marks for SC/ST candidates 20% and 30% in aggregate is modified in 2016 where the aggregate marks condition is withdrawn and after the 35^th National Council, the conditions for qualifying marks are further reduced to 20% for SC and 15% for ST candidates, hence the notification should be modified. The GM is assured to examine the matter.

3. Settlement of pay aberrations of the seniors to that of the juniors in Non-Executive cadres consequence to conversion of CDA to IDA pay scale from 1.10.2000.

The union representatives informed the GM (Estt.) that they have informed from the Establishment Section of DoT that the issue of pay aberrations of the seniors with the juniors in Non-Executive cadres due to conversion of CDA to IDA pay from 01.10.2000, which was forwarded to DoT by BSNL is returned to BSNL to give the details of financial implications in this matter. The GM confirmed that the matter and informed the union representatives that the Establishment Section would collect informations from the circles on financial implications in that matter and will reply to DoT. The union representatives made request to the GM that since the is lingering for last 16 years and most of the affected seniors are already retired, the Management should not merely writes to the circle to give the above cited informations, which may further delay in settlement of the long pending issue. Therefore, the BSNL Management may take up the issue with the DoT alongwith informations available with BSNL Corporate Office instead of waiting for informations from the circles. The GM (Estt.), after hearing the details from the union representatives, assured that she will personally discuss the matter with the DDG (Estt.), DoT and will see what best can be done at the earliest.