It is reported from many circles, including Gujarat, Haryana and Punjab that employees are not getting GPF payment. They are told that this is due to the non-remittance of employees’ GPF contribution to the DoT, by BSNL. The matter is taken to the notice of the Director (HR) and the GM (BFCI). The Director (HR) has assured BSNLEU that needful action would be taken.

As has already been reported, the DoT has already prepared a Cabinet Note, for the allotment of 4G spectrum to BSNL, and has sent it for Inter-ministerial consultation. Under these circumstances, some media has reported that the Niti Aayog has objected to the allotment of 4G spectrum to BSNL. This news is being extensively circulated in the social media. If this news is correct, the AUAB will definitely take the necessary steps for getting 4G spectrum to BSNL. Comrades are requested not to become panicky.

The AUAB is continuously demanding that the recommendations of the 2^nd PRC, in respect of the Superannuation Benefits of the DR employees of BSNL, should be totally implemented. This issue was discussed between the AUAB and the CMD BSNL on 02.12.2018. The CMD BSNL agreed to increase the Management’s contribution to the Pension Fund by 4% within March, 2019, and the remaining portion subsequently. However, no record of discussion was issued for this. The AUAB had been continuously pressing the Management to issue the record of discussion. The Corporate Office has issued letters today in this regard, and also regarding constitution of an internal committee to review the Employer’s contribution to the Pension Fund.

Defying deployment of heavy security personnels and Delhi Police as well as the cordoned off main gates of BSNL Corporate Office by the Management, the AUAB organised a lunch hour demonstration in the Corporate Office. A large number of both Executives and Non-Executives have participated in the gate meeting. The meeting was presided over by Com.R.S. Chauhan, CS, BSNLEU, NTR & Convenor of AUAB, NTR. The meeting was addressed by Coms.Swapan Chakraborty, Dy.GS, BSNLEU, Islam Ahmed, President, NFTE BSNL, K. Sebastin, GS, SNEA and Com.K.G. Jayaraj, GS, AIBDPA. The leaders explained in detail the present developments going on in BSNL and mis-propaganda from certain sections of media and government on BSNL Revival. They clarified the stand of AUAB on BSNL Revival and also explained 4 point demand of the AUAB, sent to the Secretary, DoT, as well as to the CMD BSNL for immediate actions, so that BSNL overcomes the present unprecedented crisis. They also appealed to the workers to make a total unity among the workers for further struggles on BSNL’s revival.

It is shocking to note that a case of sedition (deshdroh) has been booked against 49 intellectuals, including Aparna Sen, Mani Ratnam, Adoor Gopalakrishnan, Ramachandra Guha, etc. All these 49 intellectuals have signed a letter, sent to the Prime Minister, Naredra Modi, in July this year, expressing their deep concern about the mob lynchings taking place in various parts of the country. All these 49 intellectuals have now become deshdrohis, for the simple reason that, they wrote a letter to the Prime Minister, drawing his attention to an important issue. We do not no whether we are living in a democratic country or living under dictatorship. If a sedition case can be booked for writing a letter to the Prime Minister, then, where is the democracy in this country?

On the issue of improving efficiency and productivity in BSNL, a brief but significant discussion took place between BSNLEU and Shri P.K. Purwar, CMD BSNL, when the GS and Dy.GS of BSNLEU met the latter on 17.12.2019. In that meeting, CMD BSNL, sought the co-operation of BSNLEU for improving efficiency and productivity in BSNL, so that BSNL could become profit earning at the earliest. The representatives of BSNLEU told the CMD BSNL that, they are fully with him on the issue of improving efficiency and productivity of BSNL. In fact, the unions and associations of BSNL have already launched many movements like “Customer Delight Year”, “Service With A Smile (SWAS)”, etc., to improve the quality of service, customer satisfaction and work culture, they pointed out. It was emphatically conveyed to the CMD BSNL that efficiency and productivity of the employees could be improved only by motivating them. GS pointed out a popular saying in English:-

“a captain orders, but a leader inspires”.

It was told that the CMD BSNL, being the leader of the Company, should inspire the employees for improving efficiency and productivity. Thus, BSNLEU indirectly conveyed to the CMD BSNL that, the type of Deepawali speech, made by him, to the Corporate Office staff on 25^th October, 2019, would not help to improve efficiency and productivity in BSNL, rather he should inspire and motivate the employees for improving efficiency and productivity. In this context, BSNLEU also recollected the positive role played by the erstwhile CMD BSNL, Shri Anupam Shrivastava.  

On 4th May, 2020 BSNLEU and AIBDPA, Siliguri District distributed Food materials to 35 Contract Workers of Siliguri district. Com. Mukul Seal, DS, BSNLEU, Com. Amal Jana, ADS and Com. Ram Kedar Yadav(AIBDPA) along with other leaders, were present.  

BSNLEU, Telecom Factory, Kolkata, distributed relief to 21 Security Guards of Telecom Factory, Kolkata, yesterday the 8th May, 2020. This includes Alipur, Gopalpur and Kharagpur  factories. The security guards were paid Rs.2,000/- each. In this programme, Com. Animesh  Mitra, President, Com. Om Prakash Singh, Circle Secretary, Telecom Factory, Kolkata, along with other leaders were present in the programme.

While all other private operators have started 4G service, BSNL has not yet started the same. This is the age of data, and BSNL cannot sustain in the market without providing 4G service. For providing 4G service, spectrum is required. BSNL has requested the government to allot 700 MHz spectrum for this purpose. BSNLEU, in it’s 8th All India Conference held recently, has demanded that the government should allot 4G spectrum to BSNL, free of cost.  

Com. Barmeshwar Singh, elder brother of Com. Chandeswar Singh, GS, NFTE, passed away at Patna today. He had been unwell for quite some time. Com. Barmeshwar Singh retired as a TTA from BSNL in 2009. He was former CHQ Assistant Treasurer of E3 union. BSNLEU pays homage to Com.Barmeshwar Singh, and conveys heartfelt condolences to Com.Chandeswar Singh and his family.

The issue of allotment of 4G spectrum to BSNL, is also raised in the Parliament. The question raised by Shri Binoy Viswam, MP and the reply given by Shri Manoj Sinha, Hon’ble MoS(C) are enclosed for the information of our comrades. From the reply, it could be understood that the Hon’ble MoS(C) has avoided giving a direct reply to the question.

वेतन भुगतान नही होने के मुद्दे को ले कर आज AUAB की आकस्मिक मीटिंग होने जा रही है...

कल वेतन भुगतान नही किए जाने के मुद्दे को ले कर कॉम पी अभिमन्यु, GS, BSNLEU एवं कॉम चंदेश्वर सिंह, GS, NFTE ने CMD BSNL से मुलाकात की कोशिश की। किन्तु CMD BSNL का स्वास्थ्य ठीक नही होने से उनसे मिलना संभव नही हुआ। अतः दोनों महासचिव, डायरेक्टर (HR) श्रीमती सुजाता रे से मिले और उन्होंने वेतन भुगतान में हो रहे विलंब पर विस्तार से चर्चा की।  चर्चा के दौरान डायरेक्टर (HR) ने लीडर्स को बताया कि आज बोर्ड ऑफ डायरेक्टर्स की आकस्मिक मीटिंग होने जा रही है। चर्चा के दौरान यह भी महसूस किया गया कि फरवरी 2019 के  वेतन भुगतान की संभावनाएं क्षीण है। इस परिप्रेक्ष्य में  AUAB की एक आकस्मिक मीटिंग आज 14.00 बजे होने जा रही है।

The process of consolidation of SSAs into Business Areas is taking place in the remaining circles, where it is not completed so far. As a result of the consolidation of the SSAs into Business Areas, the accounting and planning activities will be centralised at the Head Quarters of the Business Area. Comrades of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka circles have brought certain issues to the notice of the CHQ, connected with this issue. Com.P.Abhimanyu, GS, held a detailed discussion today with Shri Manish Kumar, GM(Restg.) at the Corporate Office. In this discussion, the GM(Restg.) informed that, except in 7 or 8 circles, this work is already completed. The General Secretary has raised the following issues:-
 

1. It is reiterated that Non-Executives should not be transferred out of their present SSA, consequent to this consolidation into Business Areas.
2. Management should make suitable arrangements to handle the extra workload that arises out of the transferring of the accounts and planning activities to the Head Quarters of the Business Area.
3. The status of the district unions, as existing at present at the SSA levels, should continue.
4. The functioning of local councils as at present, at the SSA levels, should continue as it is.

The GM(Restg.) assured to look into the points.

The Department of Telecommunications is moving a Cabinet Note for the Revival of BSNL. One of the components envisaged in the Revival Package is to make BSNL a debt-free Company, through transfer of BSNL’s bank loans to a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV). Identified land parcels of BSNL will also be transferred to the SPV, to be sold by the latter, for the repayment of the loans. BSNL Management has already finalised a list of 63 land parcels, located in major cities and towns, to be transferred to the SPV. In this process BSNL has also fixed the value for these land parcels.

It is shocking to know that these land parcels are grossly undervalued. In the name of monetisation of lands, for the purpose of making BSNL a debt-free Company, BSNL’s lands are being transferred to the SPV at a “throw-away price”. It must be noted that BSNL’s vacant land parcels are mostly situated in the prime locations of India’s metro cities, as well as in other big towns. According to our information, the market value of these land parcels is very high. However, in the name of book value, these land parcels are going to be transferred to the SPV at dirt cheap price.

Despite all the setbacks being faced by BSNL, the Company has provided 13,54,090 connections in the month of September, 2019. Jammu & Kashmir circle has achieved 159% of it’s target, while Chennai circle has achieved 100% of it’s target. BSNLEU congratulates all for this achievement.

We have already updated on this website, how the private telecom companies had been paying a lesser licence fee amount to the government all these years, by giving a wrong definition to the AGR (Adjusted Gross Revenue). We have also reported how on 24-10-2019, the Supreme Court had directed the private telecom companies to pay the entire amount due on account of AGR. The Supreme Court had also pulled up the DoT, for being lenient to the private telecom companies, in collecting the outstanding AGR dues. Despite all these, after the last hearing, the DoT permitted the private telecom companies to make a "self-assessment" of the AGR dues to be paid by them. The DoT also filed a petition in the Court, stating that the private telecom companies should be permitted to pay their AGR dues over a period of 20 years and also they should be exempted from payment of penalties and interest. Under these circumstances, the case came up for hearing again on last Wednesday (18-03-2020). On that day, the Supreme Court once again lashed out at  the DoT, for seeking relief for telecom companies in paying the AGR dues. The Court refused to take up the Centre’s plea for allowing telecom companies to pay the AGR dues in 20 years, saying the application would be taken up only after two Weeks. The Court also severely criticised the DoT, for allowing the private telecom companies to make a self assessment of their AGR dues. If required, the managing directors of the telecom companies will be summoned and may even be sent to jail, the court observed. Airtel, Vodafone Idea and Tata Teleservices together have to pay Rs.1.02 lakh crore as AGR dues to the government, as per the Supreme Court order dated 24-10-2019.

Com. Swapan Chakraborty, Dy.GS and com. Ramesh Chand, Organising Secretary, met Ms. Anima Roy, GM (Estt. & Rectt.) on 6.12.2017 and discussed the following issues:-

Gratuity for casual labours.

The Union representatives enquired about the status of gratuity for casual labours pending in the BSNL Board for approval. The GM (Estt.), informed that the Establishment Cell of Corporate Office has written to the circles to give details of financial involvements in this case and even after many reminders, circles like NE-II and Punjab have not submitted the details. Further, following circles have given incomplete informations. Andhra Pradesh, NTR, Gujarat, Maharashtra and J&K. Another reminders to these circles issued on 27.11.2017. After receiving the informations, the issue will be re-submitted to the Board for it’s approval. Our circle secretaries of the above circles are requested to see that the informations are sent without further loss of time.

Special LICE for draughtsman to JTO (Civil/Electrical).

The Union representatives urged the GM (Estt.) to get approval of the Board for holding special LICE for draughtsman to JTO (Civil / Electrical) as assured in the adjourned meeting of the 35^th National Council held on 13^th November, 2017. The GM (Estt.) informed that the Establishment Cell has already processed the case and forwarded to the BW wing to prepare the Board Memo for delinking the LICE from HR issue and has requested the concerned cell to resubmit draft Board Memo at the earliest.

A meeting of the all unions and associations will be held at 3 pm on 06.02.2017. The venue of the meeting will be BSNL MS office. The next course of action on the Subsidiary Tower Company and also issues like PMO office letter on BSNL, facing challenges from Reliance Jio, and BSNL’s 4G service will be discussed in this meeting.

The three day Central Executive Committee meeting of BSNLEU started at Agartala, the capital of Tripura, today. The NE1 circle union and the Tripura district union have made excellent arrangements for the meeting. The meeting started with Flag hoisting. The National Flag was hoisted by Com.Balbir Singh, President. The Union Red Flag was hoisted by Com.P.Abhimanyu, GS. Floral tributes were paid in the martyr’s column. A brief, but impressive cultural programme marked the beginning of the CEC meeting. Com.Balbir Singh, President, is presiding over. Com.Mitun Ranjan Bhowmik,Chairman, Reception Committee, welcomed everyone. Com.P.Abhimanyu,GS, welcomed everyone, on behalf of the CHQ, and briefly spoke on the importance of the CEC meeting. Com.K.Hemalata, President, CITU, delivered the inaugural address and spoke elaborately on the anti-worker and pro-rich policies of the government. She praised BSNLEU for it’s role in the fight against the anti-BSNL policies of the government. Com.V.A.N Namboodiri, founder General Secretary of BSNLEU spoke and greeted the meeting. Shri Ashish Pathak, GM, Tripura also greeted the meeting. Finally, Com.Shankar Bhardan, Joint General Secretary of the Reception Committee, proposed vote of thanks. After the lunch break, Com.P.Abhimanyu, GS, presented the report on activities. Thereafter, deliberation by CEC members started and is going on.

बीएसएनएल ईयू की गाज़ियाबाद में सम्पन्न सीईसी में 8 और 9 जनवरी 2019 की आम हड़ताल को ले कर प्रस्ताव पारित

नई दिल्ली में 28.09.2018 को सम्पन्न मजदूर कर्मचारियों के राष्ट्रीय सम्मेलन ( नेशनल कन्वेंशन ऑफ वर्कर्स ) ने समस्त वर्किंग क्लास को 8 और 9 जनवरी 2019 की आम हड़ताल में शामिल होने का आव्हान किया है।

नरसिम्हा राव-मनमोहन सिंह द्वय द्वारा 1991 में शुरू की गई नव उदारवादी नीतियों को लागू हुए लगभग 27 वर्ष हो चुके हैं। तत्पश्चात, सत्तासीन होने वाली समस्त सरकारों ने इन नीतियों को बहुत ही सावधानी पूर्वक तरीके से जारी रखा है। इस दौरान, साल दर साल भारतीय और बहुराष्ट्रीय कॉर्पोरेट्स को बड़ी बड़ी रियायतें (कन्सेशन्स) दी गई। इसके साथ ही, कमजोर तबकों को खाद्यान, शिक्षा, स्वास्थ्य सुविधाओं में दी जा रही सब्सिडी में लगातार कटौती की गई। इसीलिए हम नव उदारवादी नीतियों को अमिरोन्मुखी (प्रो-रिच) व गरीब विरोधी (एन्टी-पुअर) नीतियां कहते हैं।

बड़े कॉर्पोरेट्स को पब्लिक सेक्टर बैंक्स में आम जनता की जमा राशि की लूट की छूट दी गई है। कॉर्पोरेट्स द्वारा ऋण के रूप में लिए गए करोड़ों रुपए लौटाए नही गए हैं। सरकार द्वारा इस राशि की वसूली हेतु कड़ी कार्यवाही करने की बजाय इसे डूबत कर्ज (बैड लोन) निरूपित कर समय समय पर ऋण माफ किया जा रहा है। इस तरह, अपने नीतिगत निर्णयों के तहत, आनेवाली सरकारों ने कॉर्पोरेट्स के लिए जनता की जमा पूंजी की लूट का मार्ग प्रशस्त किया है और दूसरी ओर पब्लिक सेक्टर बैंक्स को बीमार निकायों में तब्दील किया जा रहा है।

सरकार की गलत नीतियों की वजह से कृषि क्षेत्र भी बड़े संकट में है। सरकार के अपने आंकड़ों के अनुसार 1995 से 2014 के मध्य 2, 96, 438 किसान आत्महत्या कर चुके हैं। यह बेहद व्यथित करने वाली स्थिति है। प्रत्येक सरकार ने कृषि क्षेत्र की उपेक्षा की है। कर्ज का बोझ, मानसून की बेरुखी, सरकार द्वारा लागत मूल्य भुगतान सुनिश्चित न करना आदि इस दुखद स्थिति के कारण है। वर्तमान सरकार भी इन मुद्दों की ओर निरंतर रूप से आंख मूंदे हुए है। 

विगत 27 वर्षों में नव उदारवादी नीतियों को लागू करने की वजह से देश में व्यापक रूप से असमानता की स्थिति निर्मित हुई है। एक ओर देश के अलग अलग हिस्सों से भुखमरी से हुई मौतों की खबरें प्राप्त हो रही है, वहीं दूसरी ओर चंद मुट्ठी भर लोगों के हाथों में विशाल संपदा का संचयन है। ऑक्सफेम की रिपोर्ट के अनुसार 2017 में अर्जित 73% संपदा जनसंख्या के 1% उच्च वर्ग ने हासिल की है। जबकि निचले तबके के 67 करोड़ भारतीयों को इसका केवल 1% हिस्सा ही मिल पाया है। इसी प्रकार फ्रेंच टेक फर्म कैपगेमिनी के अनुसार 2017 में "हाई नेटवर्थ इंडिविज्यूअल्स (HNI)" की संख्या में 20% का इजाफ़ा हुआ है। HNI वह शख्स है जिसके पास एक मिलियन से अधिक विनिवेश योग्य संपत्ति (investible assets) है।

मोदी सरकार, जिसके पास लोकसभा में पूर्ण बहुमत है, ने पब्लिक सेक्टर पर अप्रत्याशित हमले किए हैं। भारतीय रेलवे और सुरक्षा उपकरणों का उत्पाद करने वाली पब्लिक सेक्टर फैक्ट्रीज भी निजीकरण की समस्या से जूझ रही है। सरकार ने 2017-18 में विनिवेश के रूप में 1 लाख करोड़ रुपए प्राप्त किए हैं जबकि विनिवेश का लक्ष्य रु 75,000 करोड़ ही था। यह नरेंद्र मोदी सरकार की सार्वजनिक उपक्रम विरोधी नीतियों के बारे में बताने के लिए पर्याप्त है।

रिलायंस जियो द्वारा प्रीडेटरी प्राइसिंग ( लागत से कम मूल्य) अपनाने की वजह से दूरसंचार उद्योग संकट के दौर से गुजर रहा है। मोदी सरकार मुकेश अम्बानी के स्वामित्व की रिलायंस जिओ को सम्पूर्ण रूप से बेझिझक हर संभव सहयोग कर रही है। इसका अनुपम उदाहरण है श्री जे एस दीपक, सेक्रेटरी डॉट की अनौपचारिक ढंग से डॉट से रवानगी, वह भी केवल इसलिए कि उन्होंने रिलायंस जियो की प्रिडेटरी प्राइसिंग का विरोध किया था। साथ ही, सरकार बीएसएनएल को खत्म करने का  हर संभव प्रयास कर रही है। सब्सिडियरी टॉवर कंपनी का निर्माण इसी दिशा में की गई एक कोशिश है। पेंशन कॉन्ट्रिब्यूशन के नाम पर बीएसएनएल से प्रचुर राशि ऐंठना, बीएसएनएल को 4G स्पेक्ट्रम के आवंटन में आनाकानी आदि सब कुछ बीएसएनएल को खत्म करने हेतु सरकार द्वारा खेले जा रहे खेल का हिस्सा है।

सेंट्रल ट्रेड यूनियन्स व बीएसएनएल ईयू सहित विभिन्न उद्योगों के स्वतंत्र फेडरेशन सरकार की अमीर समर्थक और गरीब विरोधी नीतियों के खिलाफ निरंतर संघर्ष कर रहे हैं। उनके द्वारा 12 सूत्रीय मांगपत्र में शामिल मुद्दों के निराकरण की मांग की जा रही है। 2015 की एक दिन की आम हड़ताल, 2016 में 2 दिवसीय हड़ताल, 2017 में हुआ महापड़ाव ये सब वे संघर्ष हैं जो मोदी सरकार की कॉर्पोरेट समर्थक और कर्मचारी विरोधी नीतियों के खिलाफ गए हैं। फिर भी, सरकार 12 सूत्रीय मांगपत्र पर विचार करने के मूड में दिखती प्रतीत नही हो रही है।

ऐसी परिस्थितियों में नई दिल्ली में 28.09.2018 को सम्पन्न मजदूर- कर्मचारियों के राष्ट्रीय सम्मेलन ने दो दिवसीय हड़ताल का आव्हान किया है। बीएसएनएल ईयू ने, अपने स्थापना वर्ष 2001 से इन सभी आम हड़तालों में शिरकत की है। बीएसएनएल ईयू की यह सेंट्रल एग्जीक्यूटिव कमेटी मीटिंग नेशनल कन्वेंशन ऑफ वर्कर्स के कॉल का समर्थन करती है। यह मीटिंग बीएसएनएल में हड़ताल की सफलता हेतु सीएचक्यू, सर्किल और डिस्ट्रिक्ट यूनियन्स का पूर्ण गंभीरता के साथ कैंपेन करने का आव्हान करती है।

The historic 18^th General Strike by the working class of India is starting from midnight tomorrow. The Strike is to defend the public sector of the country and to change the anti-worker and pro-corporate policies of the government. Without the united and militant struggles of the working class, these policies cannot be changed. The working class of France is showing us the right path. The struggles that are going on in France, in the name of “yellow vests”, are against the burdens being imposed on the working people, to ensure big profits to the corporates. Let the two day General Strike be a starting point for more militant struggles to come in the future. CHQ conveys it’s revolutionary greetings to all the leaders and comrades who are organising the Strike throughout the country.