BSNLEU conveys it’s Best Wishes and Warm Greetings to all women comrades, on the occasion of International Women’s Day, which falls tomorrow. Women constitute 50% of the population. However, the same is not reflected, so far as their role in the society is concerned. Gender discrimination and atrocities against women are increasing day by day. BSNLEU calls upon it’s leaders and cadres to fight against all forms of injustices against women. The CHQ has already called upon the circle and district unions to observe the International Women’s Day in a befitting manner tomorrow.

BSNL Corporate Office initiated action in August, 2017, to outsource BSNL’s Customer Service Centres. This was strongly opposed by BSNLEU. Based on this, one round of discussion was held between BSNLEU and the Management, represented by Shri N.K. Mehta, Director (EB) and Shri A.K. Jain, CGM NC NGN. In continuation of that, a meeting was held between the two Recognised Unions and the Management today. Com. P. Abhimanyu, GS and Com. Swapan Chakraborty, Dy.GS, represented BSNLEU. Management Side was represented by Shri A.K. Jain, CGM NC NGN. In his presentation, the CGM NC NGN told that there was an urgent necessity to upgrade BSNL’s 3,000 CSCs, through outsourcing, in view of the fact that only 5% of BSNL’s products are sold through the CSCs. The Staff Side as a whole, opposed the Management’s proposal to outsource the CSCs. At the same time, the representatives of BSNLEU pointed out that, the Management has so far not provided inputs related to the number of staff presently deployed in the CSCs and their age profile, as has been agreed in the last meeting. They also told that further discussion could be held only on the basis of these inputs. Management Side agreed to provide the information at the earliest. Finally, it was agreed that next round of discussion would be held on 26.03.2018.

Com. P. Abhimanyu, GS and Com. Swapan Chakraborty, Dy.GS, met Shri A.M. Gupta, GM(SR), yesterday, and handed over the Union’s letters regarding the non-implementation of the Corporate Office letters on deduction of enhanced monthly Union subscription, as well as remittance of CHQ quota. The representatives expressed their serious concern that still some of the circle administrations are not implementing the Corporate Office letters on the above mentioned subjects. The GM (SR) assured that the Corporate Office would take care of those issues. The representatives also insisted that the SR Branch should immediately finalise the date for the 36^th meeting of the National Council. The GM (SR) assured that the date of the NC meeting would be finalised soon after the Director (HR)’s return from abroad.

The Joint Committee on PLI was scheduled to meet tomorrow the 09-03-2018. However, the same has been postponed, since Shri Saurabh Tyagi, GM (Estt.), who is the chairman of the Joint Committee, has gone on leave.

Manik Sarkar, who has been the chief minister of Tripura for 20 years, is homeless, and has shifted to CPM's state party headquarters in Agartala, after vacating his official accommodation. Sarkar has refused the official perks for an outgoing chief minister, which include government accommodation, personal staff, multi-purpose worker and a house guard besides Y-category security, The Hindu reported. "Mr. Sarkar is unlikely to avail himself of such facilities and will continue to live in the party office’s one-room guest house," a party member told the paper. “He moved in with his personal belongings and a few books. Only a TV set was added to the room for him to be updated with events across the world,” he added.

(Source: The Times of India & The Hindu)

The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has imposed fine on three private airline companies for forming a cartel and raising freight charges. The CCI has alleged that these three airline companies have raised the ‘Fuel Surcharge’ in a concerted manner, and raised the freight charges. The CCI has fined Rs.39.8 crores on Jet Airways, Rs.9.5 crores on IndiGo and Rs.5.1 crores on Spice Jet, based on the complaint lodged by the Express Industry Council of India. It is not new that private companies form cartels among themselves, and raise prices and tariffs and thereby loot the public. This is the reason, why we are fighting for a strong and vibrant BSNL, so as to stop the looting by private telecom companies.

(Source : Times of India - 08-03-2018 )

As per the reply given by the Hon'ble Minister of State for Communications in the Rajya Sabha yesterday, the consultant appointed by MTNL, for it's financial revival, has recommended the reduction of retirement age from 60 to 58. This recommendation is presently under the consideration of the DoT. At the same time, the Hon'ble Minister of State for Communications has told the All Unions and Associations of BSNL, in the meeting held on 24-02-2018, that there is no proposal to reduce the retirement age of BSNL employees from 60 to 58. It may be noted that only because of the severe protest of the All Unions and Associations of BSNL, combined with massive struggles, has pushed back the government's proposal to reduce the retirement age of BSNL employees.

In reply to a question raised in the Rajya Sabha yesterday, with regards to the revival of BSNL, the Minister of State for Communications has replied that BSNL has been provided with government projects worth Rs.25,000 crores. This news is widely covered by the media also. It gives an impression to the general public that the government is spending Rs.25,000 crores for the revival of BSNL. Whereas, most of these projects give BSNL, the job of laying optic fibre cable, for which BSNL will be getting only a marginal amount as gain. These projects are really not going to help for the revival of BSNL. What the government needs to do for the revival of BSNL is, the immediate allotment of 4G spectrum to BSNL, as per the proposal already submitted by BSNL to the DoT. It may be noted that, in the meeting held with the All Unions and Associations of BSNL on 24-02-2018, the Hon'ble Mos (C) has assured that BSNL will be allotted with 4G spectrum soon.

A rally of 50,000 farmers of Maharashtra, has reached Mumbai. NDTV described that it looked as if a red sea has entered Mumbai. Their rally started from Nashik, and the farmers walked all the way for six days in blazing sun and reached the outskirts of Mumbai yesterday. They were to March to the state assembly today. But, considering the school public exam that is going on now, and not to cause any inconvenience to the students, the farmers continued their March last night itself and reached Azad Maidan. The rally was absolutely peaceful, without causing any disturbance to the general public. It is appreciated by all. They demand farm loan waiver, remunerative price to their products, land to the Adivasis, etc. Many political parties have expressed their support to these farmers. BSNLEU heartily congratulates the farmers and urges upon the Maharashtra government to settle their reasonable demands.

At Jhansi in Uttar Pradesh, the conductor of a school bus lost his leg in an accident. His leg got cut-off in the accident. He was taken to the Jhansi Medical College Hospital. There, he was made to lie down on a stretcher. His severed leg was used as pillow for him. Subsequently, the doctors found that the severed leg could not be stitched back, since the tissue was already dead. The patient’s family got him discharged and took him to a private hospital. Who is the culprit? It is the government and it’s neo-liberal policies. Year after year, the Central Government, as well as the State Governments, have cut down the fund allotments for health care, as per the dictates of the World Bank. As a result, government hospitals are being run with acute shortage of doctors, medicines, equipments, materials, etc. Whether Congress Party rules or the BJP rules, situation is the same.

[Source Times of India dated 11.03.2018]

As per the report submitted in the Lok Sabha, by the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, the number of people employed in the Khadi sector has come down from 11.6 lakh in 2015–16 to 4.6 lakh in 2016–17. Interestingly, between 2015–16 and 2016–17 the production of Khadi has increased by 31.6% and sales have grown by 33%. Still 7 lakh jobs are gone.     

[Source Times of India dated 11.03.2018]

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.

The Central Public Sector Trade Unions (CPSTU), which is the umbrella organisation of the major public sector trade unions, is holding it’s National Convention at Ernakulam on 08.04.2018. The major issues to be discussed in this convention is the mad drive of the government, to disinvest and to privatise the public sector undertakings. Together with this, the wage revision issue of the public sector employees will also figure prominently in the discussions. Com. P. Abhimanyu, GS, will be representing BSNLEU in this Convention.

The Supreme Court has ordered yesterday that, the deadline for linking mobile phones with Aadhar is extended indefinitely. This applies to the linking bank accounts also, to Aadhar. Earlier the government has set 31^st March, 2018 as the deadline for linking bank accounts, mobile phones, etc., to Aadhar. This judgement is delivered by a five judge Constitution Bench, headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra. However, this order of the Supreme Court does not apply to the disbursing of subsidies by the Central and State governments.    

Stephan Hawking, one of the brightest stars in the field of science, as well as a progressive intellectual, has passed away. He was 76. Stephen Hawking has immensely contributed to the science of cosmology. Even though he was crippled with a neuro disease at the age of 21, he continued to do researches in cosmology, sitting in a wheel chair. His fighting spirit is to be emulated by all those who wish to make achievements. The world has lost a great scientist. BSNLEU dips it’s banner and pay homage to Stephen Hawking.

BSNLEU, the vanguard of the united struggles in BSNL, will observe it’s Foundation Day on 22nd March,2018. This year’s Foundation Day should be celebrated with extra enthusiasm, in view of the fact that the united struggles of the employees have made a major achievement, by breaking the deadlock that prevailed not only on wage revision and pension revision issues, but also on important issues related to the revival of BSNL. Hence, CHQ calls upon the circle and district unions to celebrate this year’s Foundation Day in a befitting manner, with the hoisting of the Union Red Flag in all the places, combined with other special programme like blood-donation camp,etc.

The greatest hero of the Indian Freedom Movement, Bhagat Singh, together with Sukhdev and Rajguru, was sent to the gallows by the British imperialists on 23-03-1931. It is already 87 years since these great heroes attained martyrdom. However, still they continue to inspire all those who fight against exploitation and injustices. Despite the “Goebal’s lies” unleashed by the corporate media, the working class continues to launch heroic struggles against capitalist exploitations. It is also relevant to mention here that, Bhagat Singh was inspired by the Great October Revolution and the teachings of Lenin. BSNLEU has inherited the revolutionary spirit of these great heroes. As per the decisions of it’s CEC meetings, BSNLEU is observing the martyrdom of Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev and Rajguru every year. Accordingly, CHQ calls upon the circle and district unions to observe this day, by conducting special meetings and other programme.