At a time when the announcements of the government on the revival of BSNL remain on paper, and at a time when the employees are facing extreme hardship due to non-payment of salary and non-remittance of deductions made from their salaries, the AUAB has organised a very successful hunger strike throughout the country yesterday, drawing the attention of the government and the BSNL Management. Executives and Non-Executives have massively responded to the call of the AUAB and have made the programme successful. Here are some of the views of hunger strike.

1) Com. N.P. Patange, rtd OS, Belgavi TD - Rs.2,000/-

2) Com. C. D. Kolkar, Belgavi - Rs.2,000/-

3) Com. A.Y. Nayak, OS rtd, Belgavi - Rs.1,000/-

4) Com. B.A. Beesako, OS, Belgavi - Rs.1000/-

5) Com. A.S.Koulge, OS, Belgavi - Rs. 1,000/-

6) Com. Naresh Reddy, CWC member - Rs.1,000/-

7) Com. Shivanna, JE, BGTD - Rs.1,000/-

8) Com. Meenakshi, TT, BGTD  - RS.1,000/-.

9) Com. C. G. Prashanth, Belgavi - Rs.500/-

10) Com. B. M. Kamble, TT, Belgavi - Rs.500/-

11) Com. Ashok Kamble, Belgavi - Rs.500/-

12) Com. S. B. Kamble, OS, Belgavi - Rs.500/-

13) Com. Y. N. Patil, TT, Belgavi - Rs.500/-

BSNL’s 4G tender has ultimately been cancelled today. The BSNL Corporate Office has issued the notification for this. Vested interests have been trying for cancellation of BSNL’s 4G tender, on the plea that it has violated government’s “Make in India” policy. Based on it, the government put BSNL’s 4G tender on hold. Ultimately it has been cancelled today. Once again, the private lobby has succeeded in blocking BSNL’s 4G network roll out, with the blessings of the Modi government.

It is alarming that India’s GDP growth has steeply fallen during the 1^st quarter of the current financial year (from April to June, 2020). The GDP growth has declined by 23.9%.  Ms. Nirmala Sitharaman, Finance Minister, has already declared that the country’s economy is suffering due to the act of god. She has referred the COVID-19 as an act of god.

But the Finance Minister and the Modi government should accept that Indian economy was seriously affected even before COVID-19 came. The mindless demonetisation done by the government, as well as the introduction of the GST, have seriously affected the micro, small and medium industries (MSM sector). To come out of this situation, the Modi government gave Rs.1.4 lakh crore to the Indian corporates, by cutting down the wealth tax. However, this did not work at all. Even before India was attacked by the COVID-19, the economy of the country was badly affected by the mismanagement of the Modi government, as a result of which domestic demand shrunk and millions of jobs were lost. The government should not hide behind the COVID-19, but should take appropriate steps to increase the purchasing power of the working people. The Central Trade Unions have demanded a cash  payment of Rs.7,500/- every month, for 6 months, to all the families which are not paying income tax. Only such meaningful steps will bring the Indian economy back on the track, by increasing the purchasing power of the working masses.

The original date for the March to Sanchar Bhawan was fixed as 28-02-2018. Subsequently, it is changed to 23-02-2018, in view of the Holi festival. This is already intimated through our website updating. Since the notice for the agitation was prepared before the change of date and many General Secretaries had already signed it. That is why date of the March to Sanchar Bhawan is mentioned as 28.02.2018 in the notice. Necessary correction in this regard has already been made. March to Sanchar Bhawan will be held only on 23-02-2018. Circle Secretaries are requested to immediately inform CHQ, the number of comrades coming from each circle.

The kisan rally that ended in Mumbai yesterday, is unique in many ways. It was a grand success. The Maharashtra government agreed in writing, to settle their important demands, like giving lands pattas to the adivasis. But, the most important feature is that the kisans won over the hearts of Mumbaikars. On Sunday evening, the kisans reached the outskirts of Mumbai, after walking 180 Kms for 6 days in scorching Sun. They were completely exhausted. Still, they walked 20 Kms in the same night, and reached the Azad Maidan. This was to avoid any problem to the students on Monday, the day on which school public exam started. The kisans behaved in a very disciplined manner, which surprised the Mumbaikars. As a result, the people of Mumbai came out in support of the kisans. They offered food, water, medical treatment, and even chappals to those who were wearing torn chappals. This is a new experience. We, the working class, have to learn how the kisans won over the hearts of Mumbaikars and to follow it.

As per the decision of the Agartala CEC meeting, Com. Moni Bose Memorial Lecture is being organised on 19.05.2018, which is the 8^th death anniversary of our beloved leader Com. Moni Bose. Two lectures are being organised on that day. The lecture on Neo-liberal policies will be delivered by Dr. Satyaki Roy. The lecture on Communal harmony will be delivered by noted social activist, Com. Prabhir Purkayasta. This programme will be held in Com. K.G. Bose Bhawan, New Delhi. Comrades from the Northern circles are participating in this programme.

The Extended Circle Executive Committee meeting of NE-II circle was held on 28.09.2018, at the Dimapur. The union red flag was hoisted by Com.Pradip Deb and floral tributes were paid at the martyrs column. A minute’s silence was observed to the departed leaders. Com.K. Sahib Singh, Circle Secretary, welcomed everyone. He presented the report on activities and initiated the discussion of the subjects committee. Com. Gakul Borah, Treasurer (CHQ), addressed the meeting and explained the recent struggles on the issues of wage revision, Subsidiary Tower Company, pension revision, allotment of 4G spectrum and payment of pension on actual basic pay. He called upon the Executive Committee members to actively participate in the “BSNL At Your Doorstep” movement, called on by the AUAB. The meeting seriously deliberated on the agenda items and took decisions to strengthen the organisation and to successfully implement the call of the AUAB.

BSNLEU has been accusing the TRAI (Telecom Regulatory Authority of India) of showing favouritism to Reliance Jio. The order given by the TDSAT(Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal) yesterday,  has proved that what we have been alleging is true. The TRAI had not only stopped the predatory pricing (offering services below cost) of  Reliance Jio, but also issued a new regulation to help Jio. According to the regulation issued by the TRAI, any company, which is not having 30% market share, can adopt predatory pricing. This order was issued by the TRAI, only to help Reliance Jio. However, the TDSAT has struck down this order.

06.03.2019 को पीएमओ (प्रधानमंत्री कार्यालय) पर मार्च...

AUAB की कल सम्पन्न मीटिंग में 06.03.2019 को प्रधानमंत्री कार्यालय (PMO) तक मार्च निकालने का निर्णय लिया गया है। मीटिंग में यह भी निर्णय लिया गया है कि यह मार्च नई दिल्ली के करीबी सर्कल्स के एग्जीक्यूटिव्ज व नॉन एग्जीक्यूटिव्ज को संगठित कर निकाला जाए। CHQ, BSNLEU का यूपी (वेस्ट), यूपी (ईस्ट), हरियाणा, राजस्थान और पंजाब के कॉमरेड्स से अनुरोध है कि इस मार्च में अधिक से अधिक संख्या में शामिल हों। हमारे पास उपलब्ध समय बेहद कम है, अतः इन सर्किल यूनियन्स के सर्किल सेक्रेटरीज से निवेदन है कि वें मोबिलाइज करने व मार्च को सफल बनाने के लिए तत्काल आवश्यक कदम उठाएं।

The All India Centre meeting of BSNLEU, held today, discussed about the Management’s proposal to postpone the 8^th Membership Verification. The meeting came to the conclusion that, the 8^th Membership Verification should be conducted immediately after the conclusion of the Parliament elections. Postponement of the Membership Verification, citing the financial condition of the Company, cannot be accepted. Union Recognition is very essential to forcefully take up the issues of wage revision, pension revision and financial revival of BSNL, with the new government. At the same time, the All India Centre also decided to seek the opinion of the circle secretaries and central office bearers on this issue, before writing letter to the Management. Hence, all CEC members are requested to convey their views immediately to the General Secretary through Whatsapp and e-mail.

Com.P.Abhimanyu, GS, addressed the circle executive committee meeting of BSNLEU at Srinagar yesterday. Today, he addressed a meeting of the active workers in the Union office at Srinagar. A good number of workers attended the meeting. The General Secretary spoke on financial condition of BSNL, the government's approach towards the revival of BSNL and the role to be played by the trade union movement.

A DO letter, sent by the Director (CM) on 03rd September, 2019, addressed to all the CGM’s of the territorial circles, has created a furore in the entire BSNL. The wordings of the letter have undoubtedly deeply hurted the employees. The letter says that, the employees are sleeping while on duty. Further, the letter has also directed to cut one week's salary of the under-performing Heads of SSAs. Certainly, this letter is a step in the wrong direction. The Executives and Non-Executives of BSNL are known for their positive role, in improving the financial condition of the Company. Without any request or direction from the top Management, the Executives and Non-Executives of BSNL, on their own, have organised many movements, like “Customer Delight Year” and “Service With A Smile”, to improve the quality of BSNL's services. Voluntarily, the employees have involved themselves in marketing activities, which have greatly improved BSNL's financial position. However, the actions being taken by the DoT and the Management, have greatly demoralised and demotivated the Executives and Non-Executives of BSNL. Denial of 3rd Pay Revision, threat to roll back the retirement age from 60 to 58, etc., have totally frustrated the employees. Apart from these, the employees are facing adverse working conditions at the field level. At this juncture, threatenings and penal actions by the top Management, will further deteriorate the situation. The earlier top Management used to meet the representatives of the unions and associations frequently, and had productive interactions. However, the present top Management is not keen to do that. BSNLEU demands that, the above mentioned letter of the Director (CM) needs to be withdrawn. The top Management should immediately hold discussions with the unions and associations to ensure ways and means to improve the situation.

Com.P.Shanmugam, Hon'ble MP and General Secretary of the LPF has raised in the Parliament yesterday, the issue of Wage Revision to BSNL employees w.e.f 01-01-2017. The Hon'ble Minister of Communications has replied that Wage Revision is an available option and that it would be explored once BSNL is revived. It is needless to say that this is a positive response from the Hon'ble Minister of Communications on the issue of Wage Revision to BSNL employees.

Organise Lunch Hour demonstrations tomorrow, as per the call of the Central Trade Unions, against changing the Labour Laws in favour of the Corporates, against Modi government's brutal attacks on the Public Sector, demanding Rs. 7,500/- per month to all the non-income tax paying households and other demands. Organise the demonstrations effectively to save the Public Sector, including BSNL.

केंद्रीय श्रमिक संघों के आह्वान के अनुसार कल दोपहर के भोजन के समय प्रदर्शन का आयोजन करें

केंद्रीय श्रमिक संघों के आह्वान के अनुसार कल 03-07-2020 को दोपहर के भोजन के समय प्रदर्शन का आयोजन करें । यह संघर्ष कॉरपोरेट के पक्ष में श्रम कानूनों को बदलने, सार्वजनिक क्षेत्र पर मोदी सरकार के क्रूर हमलों के खिलाफ, सभी गैर आयकर भुगतान करने वाले परिवारों को 7,500 रुपये प्रतिमाह की मांग करने और अन्य मांगों पर आयोजित किया जा रहा है। बीएसएनएल सहित सार्वजनिक क्षेत्र को बचाने के लिए प्रदर्शनों को प्रभावी ढंग से आयोजित करें। 

CHQ is extremely glad to inform that historic decision is taken in the all union/association meeting, held at New Delhi today, to settle the Wage Revision issue and to stop the Subsidiary Tower Company. General Secretaries/Representatives of BSNLEU, NFTE, SNEA, AIBSNLEA, FNTO, AIGETOA, SEWA BSNL, BSNL MS, BSNL OA, ATM and TOA BSNL participated in the meeting. Marathon discussion took place, on the ways and means to strengthen unity. It was felt by all that unity should be strengthened to settle Wage Revision and also to stop the formation of Subsidiary Tower Company. Finally, unanimous decision was taken to function under the single banner of “All Unions and Associations of BSNL”. Other decisions taken in today's meeting are as follows.

The CHQ of BSNLEU is extremely glad to note that very serious attempts are being made by our comrades, in presenting memoranda to the Members of the Parliament, as per the decision of the All Unions and Associations of BSNL. In fact, BSNLEU started motivating the comrades, by publishing the photos on the CHQ website. It really worked. Encouraged by the updating of photos of CHQ website, memoranda are being presented to the MPs in a big way. CHQ heartily congratulates all the comrades. CHQ requests that, the task of presenting the memorandum should be completed immediately, in whichever place the same is not done.

The Israel Prime Minister, Netanyahu has come to India. The Narendra Modi government is making a very big “pomp and show” for this visit. In reality, Israel is a rogue state, which has made aggressions and has occupied Palestinian lands. It is not showing any respect to a number of resolutions passed in the United Nations General Assembly, with overwhelming majority. Due to this reason, up to certain point of time, Israel was treated as an ‘untouchable’ by most of the nations of the world. However, due to the continuous pressure of the United States, many countries have started treating Israel with respect now. The UPA government under the Congress party, normalised India’s ties with Israel. After Narendra Modi becoming Prime Minister, India has gone very close to Israel. In this process, Israel’s arms producing corporates are the biggest gainers. Reports say that 41% of Israel’s arms exports are being made to India. Even during the present visit of Netanyahu, very big deals on arms, are going to be clinched. This is not good for the sovereignty of our country. It is a tragedy that, the ‘pseudo-patriots’ who raise a very big hue and cry about China, are silent about India’s undesirable closeness to Israel. Prime Minister Narendra Modi should keep in mind that Israel is a country which does not respect the United Nations.

Inflation at wholesale level has reached a 4 year high. This is according to the official data released by the government last Monday. The real upward push in the wholesale inflation has taken place in the crude petroleum and natural gas segments. It is interesting to note that, internationally, the price of crude oil fell steeply, after the present government came to power in May, 2015. However, in India, the price of petrol and diesel kept on rising due to the frequent and huge taxes imposed by the government on petrol and diesel.

[Courtesy: The Hindu dt. 17-07-2018]

It may be recollected that, after assuming charge as the President of the United States, Donald Trump has dishonoured the agreement signed between the US and Iran. He has also imposed inhuman sanctions on Iran. The International Court of Justice, which is the highest court of the United Nations has ordered today that the United States should lift it’s sanctions on Iran, which are affecting the import of humanitarian goods and also products and services connected to the safety of Civil Aviation. It is a matter to be observed, whether Trump will implement this order or not.