West Bengal circle union conducted a convention at Kolkata today, on issues related with improving quality of services, wage revision, Subsidiary Tower Company, attacks on BSNLEU in West Bengal circle and other issues. Around 350 comrades participated enthusiastically in this convention, from the various parts of West Bengal circle. Com.Nazes Nauroz, circle president, presided over. Com.Amitav Chattopadyay, ACS, welcomed every one and initiated the discussion. Com.P.Abhimanyu, GS and com.Animesh Mitra, circle secretary and vice-president (CHQ) addressed the convention. Both the comrades explained in detail about the various issues connected with the wage revision, unity and struggles, Subsidiary Tower Company, improving the quality of services, attacks being mounted on BSNLEU by Trinamool goons, etc., A good number of comrades participated in the discussion. The convention took many decisions on the subjects mentioned above. CHQ heartily congratulates the West Bengal circle union for conducting a very effective convention.

The Standing Committee on Information Technology has told the government to allot 4G spectrum to BSNL and MTNL at the earliest. The Committee has told in it’s report that allotment of 4G spectrum to BSNL and MTNL will help them to compete and survive in the market. The Committee is of the strong view that BSNL and MTNL will lose their data market, if they are not allotted 4G spectrum soon. However, the flip-side of the report is that, it has also told the government to consider the voluntary retirement scheme submitted by both the PSUs.

[Source: ET Telecom dated 14.03.2018]

In yet another incident, which shows that the government machinery will go to any extent to defend the interests of the big corporates and the multinational companies, 10 innocent people have been killed, and more than a hundred people are seriously injured in the police firing yesterday, at Tuticorin, in Tamil Nadu. The people in and around Tuticorin town have been conducting struggles, demanding closure of a copper smelter unit, belonging to the Sterlite company. This company is a part of the multinational Vedanta Group. This smelter unit has been causing serious health hazards to the people of Tuticorin city. Serious health problems like cancer, kidney ailments are being caused due to the pollution created by this smelter unit. This is yet another example which shows that big corporates have no care for the environment or the health of the people, but making big profits is only their ambition. BSNLEU strongly condemns the Tamil Nadu government for this brutal police firing. BSNLEU also strongly demands the immediate closure of Sterlite smelter unit at Tuticorin and appropriate compensation to the families of the victims and injured.

Those killed in the police firing at Tuticorin.

As per the news and photos being received from various parts of the country, we can understand that the second day of the Relay Hunger Strike is being observed throughout the country, with more response from the employees, who are massively participating in the hunger strike. BSNLEU heartily congratulates all the participants as well as the circle and district level AUAB’s, for the success of the second day programme.

A meeting of the AUAB was held yesterday. General Secretaries / representatives of BSNLEU, NFTE, SNEA, AIBSNLEA, AIGETOA, BSNL MS, ATM and BSNL OA participated in the meeting. The meeting reviewed the progress in the implementation of the assurances given by the Hon’ble Minister of State for Communications. 

The meeting expressed it’s severe disappointment that even after the lapse of 8 months, the DoT has not prepared the Cabinet Note, to get relaxation to BSNL, from the affordability clause of the 3rd PRC. Further, the meeting also observed that, the DoT has not taken any action for the implementation of the other assurances given by the Hon’ble Minister of State for Communications, such as Pension Revision, Allotment of 4G spectrum to BSNL and Payment of Pension Contribution on the actual basic pay. The meeting came to the unanimous conclusion to resume the agitational programme, including that of strike. Therefore, the meeting called upon the employees to successfully organise the following programme of action, with the view to mobilise the employees for a strike action.

1. Holding of press conferences at circle and district levels on 29-10-2018, and explaining the demands, especially the anti-BSNL and pro-private policies of the government.
2. Dharna at all levels on 30-10-2018.
3. Rallies at circle and districts levels on 14-11-2018.
4. Mobilise the employees for further serious struggles, including strike, if the demands are not settled early.

CHQ calls upon the circle and district unions to immediately get into touch with the other unions and associations, and organise the above mentioned programme effectively. Through the above mentioned agitational programme, employees should be prepared for the strike action.

The AUAB has already given call to conduct joint general body meetings, during the period from 26^th to 29^th December, 2018, and to explain about the decisions taken in the meeting held on 03-12-2018, between the AUAB and the Hon'ble MoS(C). The AUAB has issued a circular also, explaining the details. This circular is also translated into Hindi.  If required, it may be translated into regional languages also. All circle and district secretaries of BSNLEU are requested to take the initiative and to coordinate with other constituents of the AUAB for successfully holding the joint general body meetings.

It is very unfortunate that payment of salaries of the Executives and Non-Executives of BSNL, for the moth of February, 2019, is not made today.  All of us are aware that BSNL is not getting the permission of the DoT, for taking bank loans. The AUAB has already demanded that the DoT should immediately permit BSNL for taking bank loans, to tide over the crisis. However, so far, the DoT has not given the necessary approval. The AUAB has called on the employees to organise demonstrations tomorrow the 01-03-2019, protesting the non-payment of salary, and demanding the DoT, to immediately grant sanction to BSNL, for taking bank loans. All circle and district unions of BSNLEU are requested to coordinate with the other constituents of the AUAB, and to organise the demonstrations successfully.

मेम्बरशिप वेरिफिकेशन कैंपेन को लेकर BSNLEU ने महासचिव, NFTE को पत्र लिखा...

8वें मेम्बरशिप वेरिफिकेशन के लिए BSNLEU ने बेहद सैद्धांतिक तरीके से अभियान चलाया। पुणे एक्सटेंडेड सीईसी में लिए गए निर्णय अनुसार, BSNLEU लीडर्स ने प्रचार अभियान का उपयोग सरकार की पब्लिक सेक्टर और BSNL विरोधी नीतियों का पर्दाफाश करने के लिए किया। सम्पूर्ण अभियान का लक्ष्य कर्मचारियों में व्याप्त निराशा को दूर करने और उनमें विश्वास निर्मित करना था। इस कार्य को पूर्ण करने में BSNLEU काफी हद तक कामयाब भी रही है। किन्तु, इस अभियान के दौरान BSNLEU पर काफी कीचड़ उछाला गया है। इसी वजह से, BSNLEU के महासचिव ने NFTE महासचिव के साथ इस मुद्दे को लिया है।
 

The two day Central Executive Committee meeting of BSNLEU started at Vadodara today. The meeting kick-started with Com.P.Abhimanyu,GS, hoisting the Union’s red flag. Com.D.K.Bakutra,CS, Gujarat, welcomed everyone, on behalf of the Reception Committee. Com.Swapan Chakraborty,Dy.GS, delivered the welcome address on behalf of the CHQ. Com.K.Hemalata, President,CITU, delivered the inaugural address. In an hour long speech, Com.K.Hemalata explained about the roots of the ongoing Indian, as well as global economic crisis. She also explained how the working class is being divided in the name of religion, region, caste, etc. Thereafter, Com.P.Abhimanyu,GS, presented the report on activities. Thereafter, deliberations by the CEC members started. Resolutions opposing the CAA,NPR and NRC, as well as demanding immediate resumption of the wage negotiations of the Non-Executives. The meeting is continuing.

The Central Government has frozen the DA of it's employees and pensioners, for a period of one and half years, i.e., from 01.01.2020 to 01.07.2021.

The Kerala government has decided to defer 6 days’ pay of it's employees for 5 months, i.e., from April to August, 2020.

Whether, the actions of the Central government and the Kerala government are one and the same? Let us see.

1. As per the decision of the Central Government, the DA, payable to the employees and pensioners is frozen for a period of 1 ½ years, i.e., from 01.01.2020 to 01.07.2021. It means, this money is taken away once for all and will not be paid back to the employees and pensioners. It is nothing but grabbing money from the pockets of the employees and pensioners.

Whereas, the Kerala government has only deferred the payment. In it’s letter, dated 23.04.2020, the Kerala government has categorically mentioned that, this money will be repaid to the employees on a later date.

Thus, the actions taken by the Central Government and the Kerala Government, are not the same.

2. Pensioners survive only from the meagre pension that they are getting. However, Central Government did not show any mercy to the pensioners. Their pension is also reduced for one and half years. This is a very big injustice.

At the same time, the Kerala government did not touch the pensioners and thereby avoided causing any hardship to them.

3. Very importantly, before taking this decision, the Kerala government has consulted the trade unions. The NGO Union of Kerala, which is having 80% of the employees as it’s members, has given it's consent for the deferment of the pay. It is relevant to mention here that, in 2018 also, when Kerala was affected by the unprecedented floods, 80% of the Kerala State Government employees have donated one month's salary to the Chief Minister's Relief Fund. 

However, the Central Government did not bother at all, to consult the trade unions, before freezing the DA. It has arbitrarily frozen the DA for one and half years.

4. Further, as per the order of the Kerala government, the salary of the employees, who receive salary below Rs.20,000/- will not be deferred. But, the Central Government did not make any such distinction.

5. There is a big difference between the central government and the government of a small state, like Kerala. The central government is having unlimited resources, at it’s disposal. But, it spends lakhs of crores of rupees for giving concessions to the big corporates.  For example, from 2014 onwards, the Central Government has written off Rs. 5.5 lakh crore bank loans as bad debt. These loans are mostly taken by the big corporates. Further, in October, 2019, the Central Government has reduced the Corporate Tax, as a result of which, the big corporates were benefitted to the extent of Rs.1.45 lakh crore. At the same time, for fighting the Corona Virus Disease, it grabs money from the pockets of the employees and pensioners and hit them in their stomachs.

Kerala is a small state, with very limited resources. It is the first state, which was hit by the Corona Virus Disease. Still, it allotted Rs. 20,000 crore to tackle the disease. Especially, it took care of the poor people and provided all helps to them. The manner in which the   Corona Disease is kept under control in Kerala and how the government has taken care of the poor people affected due to the lockdown, are being appreciated by the whole world. 

Thus, action of the central government and the action of the Kerala state government are incomparable.

AUAB द्वारा 01.10.2020 को काला दिवस के रूप में मनाने का निर्णय.
BSNL के 4G टेंडर को निरस्त (कैंसिल) करना, कंपनी के रिवाइवल के लिए के एक बड़ा आघात है। अब यह पूर्ण रूप से स्पष्ट हो चुका है कि एक षड्यंत्र के तहत ही टेंडर निरस्त किया गया है।  BSNL को 4G से वंचित करने की यह एक सुनियोजित रणनीति है।  2006 से 2012 के बीच भी BSNL को उपकरण प्राप्ति से रोका गया था। वही स्थिति, सरकार द्वारा अब पुनः निर्मित की जा रही है। मैनेजमेंट, कंपनी के 4G कम्पेटिबल BTSs को अपग्रेड कर 4G सेवाएं शुरू करने में बुरी तरह से नाकाम रहा है। साथ ही, मैनेजमेंट सरकार के हाथ का हथियार (tool) बन चुका है, जो BSNL को एयर इंडिया की तरह खत्म करना चाहती है। सरकार चाहती है कि सम्पूर्ण टेलीकॉम सेक्टर पर जिओ काबिज हो जाए। इस प्रकार, BSNL और उसके कर्मचारियों का भविष्य अंधकारमय होता जा रहा है। अतः, AUAB ने निर्णय लिया है कि सरकार के इस योजनाबद्ध खेल (गेम प्लान) का आम जनता के समक्ष भंडाफोड़ किया जाए। इसलिए, AUAB द्वारा  01.10.2020 को काला दिवस के रूप में मनाने का निर्णय लिया गया है। BSNLEU , अपनी सर्किल और डिस्ट्रिक्ट यूनियन से अनुरोध करती है कि, AUAB के सभी घटकों से समन्वय कर,  कॉल इम्पलीमेंट करने के लिए तत्काल कार्यवाही करें।   

Nearly 97% of the demonetised Rs.500/- and Rs.1,000/- notes are deposited with banks, as on 31st December, 2016. Rs.15.44 lakh crore, representing 86% of all currency notes were declared invalid on November 8th. Out of these banned notes, Rs.14.97 currency notes are returned to the banks. Only 3% banned notes are not returned to the banks. This almost tallies with the estimation of economic experts that only 3% of black money is kept in the form of cash. This only shows that demonetisation of Rs.500/- and Rs.1,000/- notes has helped very little in abolishing black money.

[Source: Times of India dated 05.01.2017]

Shri Anupam Shrivastava, CMD BSNL, has told the media that BSNL is preparing for it’s pan-India level launch of 4G services. He told that, contracts have been given to Nokia and ZTE for setting up it’s 4G networks, and that BSNL would start the service by the end of the first quarter of the next financial year (June, 2018). The government is likely to infuse Rs.7,000 crore in the form of capital, while BSNL will make investment to the tune of Rs.5,500 crore, said the CMD BSNL.

[Source: ET Telecom dated 19.03.2018]

The Tamil Nadu circle union of BSNLEU, and Tamil Nadu Telecom Contract Workers Union (TNTCWU) have given call to conduct protest demonstrations throughout Tamil Nadu, today, condemning the brutal police firing in Tuticorin, in which 10 innocent people are killed and more than 100 people are seriously injured.

CHQ normally makes website updatings in English only. Requests are coming to the CHQ, for translating important updatings in Hindi also, so that a large section of the comrades of the Hindi speaking circles can directly access to the information being provided by the CHQ. In view of this, important updatings of CHQ website will be simultaneously made in Hindi also.

03.12.2018 को AUAB और माननीय संचार राज्य मंत्री के बीच हुए सेटलमेंट बाबद कर्मचारियों को विस्तार से जानकारी देने के लिए   26 से 29 दिसंबर 2018 की अवधि में संयुक्त साधारण सभाएं आयोजित करें......

AUAB  द्वारा 03.12.2018 को AUAB और माननीय संचार राज्य मंत्री के बीच हुए सेटलमेंट बाबद कर्मचारियों को विस्तार से जानकारी देने के लिए  संयुक्त साधारण सभा 26 से 29 दिसंबर 2018 की अवधि में आयोजित करने का आव्हान किया जा चुका है। AUAB द्वारा पूर्ण विवरण के साथ एक सर्क्युलर भी जारी किया जा चुका है। सर्क्युलर का हिंदी अनुवाद भी प्रेषित कर दिया गया है। आवश्यक हो तो इसे क्षेत्रीय भाषा में भी अनुदित किया जा सकता है। BSNLEU के सभी सर्किल और डिस्ट्रिक्ट सेक्रेटरीज से अनुरोध है कि वें AUAB के अन्य घटकों से संपर्क कर संयुक्त सभाएं सफलता पूर्वक आयोजित करने हेतु पहल करें।

Chinese telecom company, Huawei, is the global networks market leader. It is playing a major role in building the 5G technology. Under these circumstances, the United States has called on it’s European allies to boycott Huawei. In fact, the US officials have lobbied their European allies, to ban Huawei. It is evident that the US has given this call, because of the ongoing trade war between the US and China. However, the US has accused that, Huawei is very close to the Chinese government and that, the Company is involved in ‘cyber-spying’. Huawei has strongly rejected this allegation and has stated that no credible evidence has so far been produced, to prove that it is involved in ‘cyber-spying’. Major allies of the US, Germany and the UK, have rejected the call of the US to ban the Huawei. Further, the GSMA, a group of 300 telecom operators worldwide, has also rejected the call of the US. European industry leaders have told the US to substantiate it’s allegations. Vodafone CEO, Nick Read, has called for a fact-based and risk-assessed review. Thus, the US stands isolated, on the issue of imposing a ban on Huawei.

As has already been notified by the General Secretary, the circle conference of BSNLEU, BSNL Corporate Office, is being held tomorrow. It may be remembered that the Corporate Office circle union was derecognised by the All India Centre, for violation of Union discipline.