It is already informed through this website that this issue was discussed in the last National Council meeting, as an outside agenda item, and that the Director (HR) agreed for the same. However, this decision was not mentioned in the minutes of the National Council meeting. Hence, BSNLEU has already written to the GM (SR) for the implementation of the decision. The status of this issue was discussed with GM (SR) by the representatives of BSNLEU today. The GM (SR) replied that necessary instruction has already been given in writing to the Admin. Branch, for the implementation of the decision.

BSNLEU has already urged upon the BSNL Management to immediately form the Joint Committee for negotiating the wage revision. BSNLEU has also demanded that wage negotiation should start without further delay, in view of the fact that notification has already been issued by the DPE. Com. P. Abhimanyu, GS, com. Swapan Chakraborty, Dy.GS, com. Animesh Mitra, Vice President (CHQ) and com. M.K. Dave, AGS, met shri A.M. Gupta, GM(SR), and enquired about the status of this issue. The GM (SR) replied that the Corporate Office has already written to the DoT, seeking necessary permission for starting wage negotiation.

Com. P. Abhimanyu, GS, met Ms. Sujata T. Ray, Director (HR) today, and expressed that BSNLEU is experiencing undue delay in getting appointments with her, for the discussion of staff issues. The GS explained about the details of such delays experienced so far. After discussion, the Director (HR) gave instruction to the PS that, meeting should be normally arranged within three days of receiving the requisition letter, in respect of issues which are already discussed. However, in case of emergency issues, no such procedure would be required, assured the Director (HR).  

CHQ office bearers, com. P. Abhimanyu, GS, com. Swapan Chakraborty, Dy.GS, com. Animesh Mitra, Vice President and com. M.K. Dave, AGS, met shri Keshav Rao, GM (Estt.) today, and discussed the following, with regards to the implementation of the decisions taken on certain issues, in the 35^th meeting of the National Council:-

1. One time relaxation in the eligibility conditions for appearing the Telecom Technician LDCE.

BSNLEU is continuously pressing upon the Management that a one time relaxation should be given for the 10^th std. qualification, for appearing the Telecom Technician LDCE. In this regard, the Union representatives pointed out that the Management Side had agreed in the National Council meeting, to examine this issue after assessing the TT vacancies in the circles. They pointed out that so far no action is taken in this regard.

2. Revision of wages of the casual labourers.

With regards to the implementation of the 7^th CPC recommended CDA pay scale to the casual labourers of BSNL, it was pointed out that the Management Side agreed in the National Council meeting to take a re-look of the issue, within the shortest possible time. It was also pointed out that there is no progress in this case.     

3. Payment of Medical Allowance on the basis of 78.2% IDA fixation benefit.

It was pointed out that the Management Side informed the National Council meeting that the issue was being examined and that, a decision would be taken within one month time. However, no progress is made in this issue, pointed out the Union representatives.

4. One more opportunity to the draughtsmen for appearing JTO (Civil & Electrical).

It was pointed out that the Management Side has assured that the Establishment Branch would take appropriate action to hold the exam, and that no progress is made, pointed out the Union representatives.

5. Restructuring of Industrial Cadres.

The Union representatives pointed out that in the National Council meeting, Management Side assured to re-examine the Cadre Restructuring of Non-Executives in Telecom Factories, whereas no action has so far been taken.

Since, shri Keshav Rao, has taken over the charge of GM (Estt.) only a few days back, the Union representatives explained him about the complete details of the above mentioned issues, as well as the discussions taken place in the last National Council meeting on these issues. The GM (Estt.) keenly listened to the Union representatives and assured that needful action would be taken for the speedy implementation of the decisions taken in the National Council meeting.

CHQ is saddened to hear that Smt. Bhagawati Devi, aged 85, mother of Com. Ramesh Chand, Organising Secretary, CHQ, has passed away today. CHQ conveys it’s heartfelt condolences to Com. Ramesh Chand, Org. Secretary (CHQ) and to all his family members.

BSNLEU has been insisting upon the Management to reconstitute the Standing Committee of the National Council. The issue was once again discussed with Shri A.M. Gupta, GM (SR), yesterday, by the representatives of BSNLEU, consisting of Com. P. Abhimanyu, GS, Com. Swapan Chakraborty, Dy.GS, Com. Animesh Mitra, Vice President and Com. M.K. Dave, AGS. During the discussion the GM (SR) agreed to conduct the meeting of the reconstituted Standing Committee in the 3^rd week of January, tentatively on 18.01.2018.

The unions and associations of BSNL are continuously opposing the formation of a Subsidiary Tower Company. A one day strike on 15.12.2016 and a two day strike on 12^th & 13^th December, 2017, have already been organised against the formation of Subsidiary Tower Company. Despite the stiff opposition from the entire BSNL employees, the government has appointed the CMD of the Subsidiary Tower Company. Further, it is shocking that an IAS officer is appointed as the CMD. This clearly shows that the Subsidiary Tower Company will remain under the control of the government and not under the control of BSNL. Hence, it is proved that through the Subsidiary Tower Company, the government is snatching away the entire mobile towers of BSNL. To express our immediate protest, “The All Unions and Associations of BSNL” have decided to organise protest lunch hour demonstrations on 08.01.2018, at the Corporate Office, Circle and District levels. Memorandum, addressed to the Secretary, DoT, shall also be submitted to the CGM’s on that day. The All Unions and Associations of BSNL is holding it’s meeting at 15:30 hrs. on 08.01.2018, to decide about the next course of action. Circle and district secretaries of BSNLEU are requested to effectively organise the lunch hour demonstrations, in coordination with the other constituents of “The All Unions and Associations of BSNL”.

BSNL Corporate Office has released the figures related to the achievement of targets in the mobile segment for the month of December, 2017. Some circles have performed extremely well were as many circles have not done so. We heartily congratulate the Kolkata circle which has achieved 279% of the target. The other circles which have done well are Chhattisgarh – 142% : Assam – 123% : Madhya Pradesh – 119% : Himachal Pradesh – 118% : A&N circle – 116% : Jharkhand – 114% : West Bengal – 105 %  and J&K – 104%.

Contract workers unions of Kerala circle had issued notification for going on indefinite strike from 05.01.2018, on the issues of wage revision as per the Labour Ministry order, recategorisation of works, payment of bonus, etc. Consequent to the agreement reached between the unions and the circle administration, this struggle has been deferred.

In Tamil Nadu circle, BSNLEU and TNTCWU conducted massive “Day and Night Dharnas” at the SSA level, on 27^th and 28^th December. Subsequently, indefinite hunger strike was started by BSNLEU and TNTCWU at the CGM Office from 02^nd January, 2018. TMTCLU union also joined this struggle on 03^rd January, 2018, onwards. Talks were held with Shri Y.N. Singh, GM (BFCI), who returned from leave today the 04.01.2018. Com. Swapan Chakraborty, Dy.GS and Com. Animesh Mitra, Vice President (CHQ), Com. Rajamouli, Treasurer (NFTE) and Com. K.S. Kulkarni, AGS (NFTE), participated. The GM (BFCI) agreed to release the requisite funds tomorrow. At the circle level also, the CGM, Tamil Nadu circle held discussion with the leaders. Following this, the struggle has been deferred.

The new website of the CHQ, bsnleu.in was inaugurated on 08.11.2017, in the CEC meeting of BSNLEU, held at New Delhi. Presently, both the new website, as well as the old website are being operated simultaneously. However, from 22.01.2018 onwards, only the new website, viz., bsnleu.in will be operated. The old website, viz., bsnleuchq.com will be discarded. All comrades are requested to kindly make note of this.

Com.M.K.Dave, AGS, joined the CHQ on 18.12.2017, and has worked devotedly, braving the chill weather condition prevailing in Delhi. Even though, CHQ desired him to continue in the CHQ for some more time, he had to leave Delhi yesterday the 03-01-2018, in view of pressing domestic works. CHQ heartily thanks com.M.K.Dave, AGS, for his contribution.

BSNLEU is continuously taking up the issue of anomalies with the BSNL Management, as well as with the DoT. However, the matter is stuck-up in the DoT. BSNLEU has requested the Director (HR) to take needful action for the early resolution of the problem.

The “All Unions and Associations of BSNL” has already given call to hold protest lunch hour demonstrations on 08.01.2018, against the appointment of an IAS officer as the CMD of the Subsidiary Tower Company. AIBDPA has called upon the pensioners to join these protest demonstrations. Circle and district secretaries are requested to note this and coordinate with the circle and district secretaries of AIBDPA, for the effective mobilisation of the pensioners in the protest demonstration.

BSNLEU has sought for a formal meeting with the Director (HR), for which letter was given in the last week of December. Since, no date was fixed, Com. P. Abihmanyu, GS, met the Director (HR) on 03.01.2018, and discussed about the delay. Consequently, the date for the formal meeting has been fixed as 08.01.2018.

The “All Unions and Associations of BSNL” is meeting at New Delhi on 08.01.2018. The meeting will take place in the office of FNTO. Next course of action to be taken in the wage revisions issue will be decided in this meeting. Importantly, this meeting is taking place after the appointment of an IAS officer as the CMD of the Subsidiary Tower Company. The meeting is expected to chalk out suitable action programme on this issue also.

As per the decision of the last CEC meeting, the next CEC meeting of BSNLEU is to be held at Agartala, Tripura state. The All India Centre has finalised the date of the Agartala CEC meeting as 03^rd, 04^th and 05^th April, 2018. Notice for this meeting will be issued shortly. All circle secretaries and central office bearers are requested to immediately book their journey tickets. It is also to be noted that, other than CEC members, no one else would be allowed in the CEC meeting.  

BSNLEU has been continuously insisting upon the BSNL Management to reconstitute the Standing Committee of the National Council, and also to convene it’s meeting at the earliest, so that the implementation of the decisions taken in the National Council meeting could be reviewed. Earlier, the SR Branch tentatively agreed to conduct this meeting on 18.01.2018. However, in view of the GM (HR)s’ Conference to be held at BSNL Corporate Office on 22.01.2018, the SR Branch sought for a change of date. In yesterday’s discussion with the representatives of BSNLEU and the GM (SR), it was decided to hold the meeting on 24.01.2018.

The Tamil Nadu circle union of BSNLEU has taken the initiative to organise a convention of the DR JEs. This convention is being held at Pondicherry on 07.01.2018. DR JEs from all over Tamil Nadu circle are participating in this convention. Com. P. Abhimanyu, General Secretary, is addressing this convention. The current problems is being faced by the recently appointed DR JEs, as well as their future promotional prospects will be discussed with focus in this convention. CHQ heartily congratulates the Tamil Nadu circle union for taking this excellent initiative. 

The representatives of BSNLEU who met Shri Keshav Rao, GM (Estt.), explained in detail to him about how the settlement of anomalies has been put into cold storage by the DoT, due to the inaction of BSNL Management. The issue is lying pending with the DoT for a very long period, since the BSNL Management has not sent the necessary inputs sought by the DoT. The BSNL Corporate Office had already written to all the CGM’s, calling for the number of affected employees in each circle. However, this feedback has not been given by the circles. Hence, BSNL is not able to reply to the DoT, and the settlement of anomalies issue is hanging fire. The GM (Estt.) assured that this issue would be discussed in the ‘GM (HR)s’ Conference’, to be held at BSNL Corporate Office on 22.01.2018.

Com. P. Abhimanyu, GS, Com. Swapan Chakraborty, Dy.GS and Com. Animesh Mitra, Vice President (CHQ), met Shri Keshav Rao, GM (Estt.), yesterday and expressed BSNLEU’s objection over the arbitrary reduction of the ceiling for outdoor medical claim without voucher, from 25 days to 23 days. The representatives recorded their strong protest that the Management had arbitrarily curtailed the medical facility of the employees, without discussing the issue with the Recognised Union. They pointed out that the reduction in the ceiling might save a few crore rupees to the Company, but it would deprive the needy employees of getting their outdoor medical expenditure sufficiently reimbursed. The GM (Estt.) assured that the objection and protest of BSNLEU would be taken to the “appropriate authority” of the Management for redressal.