The Indian economy, which is  already in shambles, due to the wrong policies of the government, is further getting battered by the COVID-19 pandemic. Study shows that the GDP growth for the current year may be in the negative area. This is revealed by the latest round of economic survey, carried out by the FICCI. The survey indicates that, the median GDP growth of India, for the current financial year of 2020-21, will be at (-)4.5%. The survey has put the minimum GDP growth at (-)6.4% and the maximum at 1.5%. 

[Source: Economic Times dated 12.07.2020]

The All India Committee meeting of BSNL Working Women's Coordination Committee was held enthusiastically yesterday the 13.09.2020. Out of the 14 members of the Committee, 12 members participated in the meeting. Com. Banani Chattopadyay, Joint Convener, presided over the meeting. Com.Amita Naik, (Goa, Maharashtra), moved the condolence resolution. Com.V. Bhagyalakshmi, Joint Convener, welcomed everyone. Com.P.Abhimanyu, General Secretary, inaugurated the meeting. The meeting was greeted by Com.Animesh Mitra, President, Com.Swapan Chakraborty, Dy.GS and Com.Gakul Borah, Treasurer. Com.P. Indira, Convener, presented the report on activities. A very good discussion took place. Many decisions, to strengthen the BSNL WWCC, as well on the issues related to BSNL and the employees, were taken in the meeting.  A detailed report on the meeting is enclosed.

Demonetisation has brought sufferings to millions of people. Unorganised workers have lost their jobs massively. Those who continue with their jobs do not get their wages. Agriculturalists have suffered in a big way. But, the Prime Minister and the Home Minister continue to make tall claims about the benefits to the economy, brought by demonetisation. Now, news has started coming, how badly the economy is hit. Today’s Economic Times has reported that sales of automobiles have fallen 18.66% in the month of December. In this, sales of two wheelers got reduced by 22.04% and sales of three wheelers have got reduced by 36.23%. The paper reports that this is the steepest fall since 2000 in the automobile industry. The paper has also reported that home sales has got reduced by 23% during the period from July to December, 2016. Only Prime Minister Narendra Modi has to say why the nation is made to suffer so much due to demonetisation?  

The Circle Executive Committee meeting of BSNLEU, Karnataka, was held at Bangalore today. The programme started with the hoisting of Union flag by Com.P.Abhimanyu,GS. Sweets were distributed to all, on account of the Foundation Day of BSNLEU. Com.C.K.Gundanna, circle secretary, welcomed every one. Com.M.C.Balakrishna, circle president, presided over. Com.P.Abhimanyu, GS, inaugurated the meeting. In his speech, the General Secretary explained about the present status of the important issues of wage revision, pension revision, allotment of 4G spectrum, pension contribution, etc. He further made a detailed analysis of the economic policies being pursued by the government, which results in the accumulation of wealth in the hands of corporates, and pauperisation of the working masses. He also cautioned about the efforts being taken to divide the working class on communal lines. Com.C.K.Gundanna, CS, presented report on activities, based on which deliberations were made by the members. The meeting unanimously resolved to request the All India Union to permit Karnataka circle to host the next All India Conference.

The AUAB served notice on the Secretary,DoT and the CMD BSNL, for organising the Walk-Out, Rallies, etc., on 28-05-2018, demanding the rolling back of the Subsidiary Tower Company. Com.P.Abhimanyu, GS, BSNLEU, Com.Swapan Chakraborty,Dy.GS, BSNLEU, Com.Mahabir Singh, Secretary,NFTE, Com.Rajmouli, Treasurer,NFTE, Com.GL.Jogi, Chairman, SNEA, Com.A.A.Khan, President,SNEA, Com.Prahalad Rai, GS,AIBSNLEA, Com.Sivakumar, President, AIBSNLEA, Com.N.D.Ram, GS, SEWA BSNL, Com.Madhu Trivedi, Vice-President (CHQ), FNTO, and Com.Mohinder,CS, FNTO, NTR were present in the team of the leaders of the AUAB, who delivered the Notice for the agitation.

Based on the memorandum received from the AUAB, Karim Nagar, Telengana, Shri Vinod Kumar, MP, has written to Shri Narendra Modi, Hon'ble  Prime Minister, demanding immediate allotment of 4G spectrum to BSNL, and settlement of the other demands, raised by the AUAB. Especially, the MP has brought to the notice of the Hon'ble Primer Minister that the DoT is not implementing the assurances given by the Hon'ble Minister of State for Communications. BSNLEU heartily thanks Shri Vinod Kumar, MP.

Com.P.Abhimanyu,GS, Com.Animesh Mitra, President and Com.Swapan Chakraborty, Dy.GS, met Shri K.K. Thakur, CGM, Jharkhand, today. They were accompanied by the newly elected President, Circle Secretary and Treasurer of Jharkhand circle. Com.P.Abhimanyu,GS, introduced the newly elected officer bearers to the CGM, Jharkhand. The CHQ office bearers sought the cooperation of the circle administration of Jharkhand for the smooth functioning of the Jharkhand circle union. The CGM, Jharkhand, assured his cooperation.

Posters for the campaign for the 8th Membership Verification were released in the Extended CEC meeting of BSNLEU, held at Pune today. The attractive posters are printed in Hind and English. Senior leaders of the Union released the posters today, amidst thundering slogans.

Shri P.K. Purwar, CMD BSNL, has written a letter to all the General Secretaries of the applicant unions, thanking them for their constructive role in successfully completing the 8th Membership Verification, as well as soliciting their cooperation for the betterment of the Company.

Based on the approval given by the DoT, the BSNL Management started Wage Negotiations for the Non-Executives, with the Recognised Unions. The Wage Negotiations have reached an advanced stage when the BSNL Management abruptly stopped it. Thereafter, the Management informed that Wage Negotiations would resume after Membership Verification. It is already 6 months since the Membership Verification is held. However, the Management has not resumed the Wage Negotiations. The CEC meeting of BSNLEU held at Vadodara has passed resolution demanding immediate resumption of the Wage Negotiations.

Com.S.Chellappa, Assistant General Secretary of BSNLEU is retiring on superannuation today. CHQ conveys best wishes and warm greetings to him. Initially, Com.S.Chellappa, worked as the District Secretary of the AITEU Class-III of Coonoor District in Tamil Nadu circle. Later on he became the Circle Secretary of the AITEU Class-III(N). He has worked as the Circle Secretary of BSNLEU of Tamil Nadu circle for long years. Currently, he is the Assistant General Secretary of BSNLEU, as well as the circle president of Tamil Nadu circle. Com.S. Chellappa, is a versatile orator and a skilful organiser. He has also immensely contributed in organising the contract workers. CHQ wishes Com. S. Chellappa a long healthy and active retired life.

Very recently, Mukesh Ambani gate crashed into the club of the top ten richest men in the world. Now, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, Mukesh Ambani has become the 8^th richest man in the world, by pushing back the 89 year old Warren Buffett. Mukesh Ambani’s net worth now stands at $68.3 billion, whereas, the net worth of Warren Buffett stands at $67.9 billion. Now it appears that, days are not far away, when Mukesh Ambani will be crowned as the richest man in the world. Long live government of India's economic policies !!!

A Facebook live programme was organised on 12th September, 2020, in observance of the birth centenary of Com.K.G. Bose. Com.P.Abhimanyu, GS, delivered the address in Hindi. The contributions and sacrifices of Com.K.G. Bose were explained by the General Secretary. He also dwelt on the current issues faced by the BSNL employees in particular and the working class in general and explained how the issues are to be dealt with in the light of the path shown by Com.K.G. Bose. 

The Facebook link to view the live address is attached herewith.

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=274549490385159&id=100034903297857&sfnsn=wiwspwa&extid=cniZ2OhltjAKa5C6

India has a ‘serious’ hunger problem. The country has slipped from the 97th place to 100th place, among 119 countries, on the Global Hunger Index (GHI), 2017. Now India is worse than countries like North Korea, Bangladesh, and Iraq, as far as the problem of hunger is concerned. Not only that, over a period of three years' duration, India has gone down by 45 positions in the Global Hunger Index. India was in the 55th place in 2014. But, in 2017, India's position is 100. However, media report says that the rankings are not strictly comparable, as the current formula was introduced in 2015. The earlier formula was used to calculate GHI scores from 2006 to 2014. The primary difference is that the new formula standardises indicator values, and the ‘child underweight’ parameter has been replaced by ‘child stunting’ and ‘child wasting’.

[Business Standard 12-10-2017]

CHQ is getting enquiries from various quarters, with regards to the Direct Recruitment of JTOs in BSNL. Till recently, BSNL was conducting examinations for the Direct Recruitment of JTOs. However, decision has been taken by the BSNL Management, to make the Direct Recruitment of JTOs through the GATE Examination. This is the method being presently followed by various Public Sector Undertakings, for the recruitment of their Engineers. Hence, those who aspire to become JTOs in BSNL, through the Direct Recruitment, have to appear the GATE Examination. BSNL is likely to start it’s registration for the Direct Recruitment of JTOs, through the GATE Examination, shortly.

This is the day in 1931, freedom fighters Bhagat Singh, Sikhdev and Rajguru, attained martyrdom. They were hanged to death by the British imperialists, for demanding freedom for India. Bhagat Singh, who remains as the source of inspiration to tens of thousands of youngsters even today, wanted to form a Socialist government in India. While paying our respectful homage to these three martyrs, let us resolve to accomplish their unfulfilled ambitions.

Inquilab zindabad.

The leaders of the All Unions and Associations have given a joint appeal to the Non-Executives and Executives of BSNL to make the walk-out and rallies a grand success. In the appeal, the leaders have regretted that, the BSNL Management is holding the Board meeting at Hyderabad, to give approval for the decision of the DoT, to make the Subsidiary Tower Company operational. The leaders have called upon the employees to make the struggles a total success.

The Extended Circle Executive Committee meeting of UP (East) circle is being held at Lucknow today. Com.D.N. Tripati, Circle President, is presiding over. Com. R.K. Mishra, Circle Secretary, welcomed every one. Com. Prem Nath Rai, General Secretary, CITU, Uttar Pradesh, inaugurated the meeting. Addressing the meeting, Com. P. Abhimanyu, GS, apprised the house about the latest developments on the issues of wage revision, pension revision, allotment of 4G spectrum, pension contribution and also about the issues related to the revival of BSNL. The General Secretary exposed the anti-poor and pro-rich economic policies of the government and called upon the house to mobilise maximum number of comrades, from UP (East) circle, for the 5th September, Mazdoor Kisan Sangarsh Rally. Com. K.R. Yadav, Vice President (CHQ), greeted the meeting. Com. R.K. Mishra, CS, presented the report on activities and serious discussions were made by the Executive Committee members.