Com. P. Abhimanyu, GS, met Ms. Sujata T. Ray, Director (HR) today, and discussed about the proposal made by the SR Branch of the BSNL Corporate Office, to hold the next Membership Verification, under the Check Off System. The GS told that the Check Off System is prone to manoeuvrings and malpractices, and will create undesirable atmosphere in BSNL. He strongly demanded that the next Membership Verification also should be conducted under the secret ballot system only. The GS also handed over the letter written to her on the subject. The Director (HR) gave a patient hearing to the views of the GS and assured that BSNLEU’s views would be looked into.

Com. P. Abhimanyu, GS, Com. Swapan Chakraborty, Dy. GS and Com. Animesh Mitra, Vice- President (CHQ) met Shri S.K. Sinha, GM (Admn.) today and discussed about the Management’s proposal to curtail the existing medical facilities. The Union strongly demanded that the Corporate Office should immediately issue letter, to extend the payment of cash without voucher to the retired employees beyond the initial 6 month period. The GM (Admn.) agreed to look into it. The Union also demanded that the ceiling for outdoor treatment should be restored from 23 days to the earlier limit of 25 days. The GM (Admn.) replied that this issue needs to be discussed with the top management.

As has already been announced, the AUAB has given call for agitational programme, demanding implementation of the assurances given by the Hon’ble Minister of State for Communications, in the meeting held with the AUAB on 24.02.2018. Accordingly, the following agitational programme should be organised effectively.

Press meets.

Press meetings have to be organised on 29.10.2018 at districts and circle levels. Non-implementation of the assurances given by the Hon’ble MoS(C) should be highlighted to the media persons. Especially, issues related to the financial revival of BSNL, the pro-private and anti-BSNL policies of the government should also be explained. Since, we get very good response from the media persons at the district and circle levels, which results in effective focus of our issues in the media, this opportunity should be effectively utilised.

Dharna on 30.10.2018.

As per the call of the AUAB, dharnas should be organised at the district and circle levels very effectively on 30.10.2018. Especially, at a juncture when the AUAB is going to organise strike action on the demands, much seriousness should be shown by our circle and district unions, in involving the Executives and Non-Executives massively in this dharna programme.

Rallies on 14.11.2018.

The AUAB has decided that massive rallies should be organised at SSA and circle levels on 14.11.2018. Since organising rallies is a very good opportunity to focus our issues to the public, the same should be done very effectively. Displaying of play cards, banners, etc., conveying our demands, should be done effectively.

Circle and Districts secretaries of BSNLEU are requested to take the lead for organising the above mentioned programme of action, by suitably coordinating with the other constituents of the AUAB.

Explain the demands of the General Strike to be held on 08th and 9thJanuary, 2019.

BSNLEU, NFTE, BSNL MS and TEPU have called on the BSNL employees to join the two day General Strike, that is taking place on 08th and 9th January, 2019. With a view to mobilise the BSNL employees for the General Strike, and also to explain the charter of demands, it has been decided to organise Lunch Hour Demonstrations and Gate Meetings on 05.01.2019. Circle and district unions are requested to coordinate with NFTE, BSNL MS and TEPU, and to effectively organise the Lunch Hour Demonstrations and Gate Meetings. Reports and photos of the programme may be sent to the CHQ.

The AUAB conducted it's emergent meeting today the 07.03.2019. General Secretaries /Representatives of BSNLEU, NFTE BSNL, SNEA, AIBSNLEA, AIGETOA, TEPU, BSNL MS, BSNLOA attended. Meeting discussed the following.

1. Non-payment of salary to the BSNL Employees for the month of February 2019.
2. Vindictive actions against AUAB Leaders, particularly leaders of Executive Associations.
3. Issues in the charter of demands submitted by AUAB.

After discussion at length on the above issues, following decisions were taken unanimously.

1. To meet CMD BSNL, immediately after the meeting, on the issue of non payment of salary of Feb 2019 and vindictive actions.
2. To organise Relay Hunger Strike from 12th March 2019 at Corporate Office.
3. If issues are not settled, hunger strike is to be organised at circle and SSA levels.
4. To organise the March to PMO in April,2019.

CHQ is extremely saddened to inform that Com.Nagarchi, District Secretary, BSNLEU, Raipur, Chhattisgarh, passed away at 05:30 pm yesterday. Com.Nagarchi suffered heart attack while attending the Extended CEC meeting at Pune and was admitted to the Lokmanya hospital. He passed away despite best efforts taken by the doctors. Com.N.K.Nalawade, CS, Maharashtra and CHQ Vice-President and his team extended their fullest cooperation for the treatment of Com.Nagarchi. CHQ pays it's respectful homage to the departed comrade and also offers heartfelt condolences to his family members.

As per the call given by BSNLEU, SNEA, AIBSNLEA, BSNL MS, BSNL ATM and BSNL OA, Protest Day was observed at the BSNL Corporate Office. A massive lunch hour demonstration was held, which was attended by a large number of Executives and Non-Executives of NTR circle and BSNL Corporate Office. The meeting was addressed by Com.P.Abhimanyu,GS, BSNLEU, Com.K. Sebastin, GS, SNEA, Com.S. Sivakumar, GS, AIBSNLEA and Com.Suresh Kumar, GS, BSNL MS. Com.H.P.Singh, GS, BSNL OA and Com.Revti Prasad, AGS, BSNL ATM, were also present. The leaders explained about the anti-BSNL steps being taken by the government and called upon the employees to be prepared for protracted struggles for the revival of BSNL.

Some serious organisational problems are going on in Chennai Telephones Circle, for quite some time. Instances of indiscipline and unruly behaviours in the circle executive committee meetings were brought to the notice of the CHQ. With the view to improve the situation, the General Secretary himself attended four to five Circle Executive Committee meetings of Chennai circle, together with Com.S.Chellappa, AGS. However, the situation did not improve. Once again, CHQ received reports of unruly and indisciplined beahaviour by some comrades, in the last two circle executive committee meetings. The matter was discussed several times in the All India Centre meetings. Ultimately, in accordance with article 10(b)(ii) of the Union Constitution, the All India Centre has removed one of the Circle Organising Secretaries from that post and has also debarred him from becoming office bearer at any level, for a period of one year. This action has become unavoidable to ensure democratic functioning of our Union in Chennai Telephones Circle.

All the Executives and Non-Executives, as well as their organisations should unite, to ensure BSNL’s 4G launching and it's revival. BSNL's revival is unimaginable without it's 4G launching.

BSNL launched a new scheme called Bharat phone with unlimited calling and a data plan for Rs 97 a month in partnership with Micromax. The phone is priced at Rs 2,200. It will support 3G connection as well. "I am glad that BSNL has come with 2 new schemes. This will not only increase BSNL's subscribers, but also strengthen their financial position. I believe that BSNL will get a special spot in the ongoing competition in the sector", said shri Manoj Sinha, Minister of State for Communications, while launching the service.

Com. Swapan Chakraborty, Dy.GS and com. Animesh Mitra, VP (CHQ), met shri Sheo Sankar Prasad, DGM (Estt.), on 05.12.2017 and discussed the following issues:-

(1) Payment of revised wages to the casual labours as per 7^th CPC.

The Union representatives pointed out that in the adjourned meeting of the 35^th National Council meeting held on 13^th November, 2017, it was assured by the Chairman that the demand of the Staff Side for payment of revise wages to the casual labours as per 7^th CPC shall be re-looked by the Management. Since, the minutes have already been issued, whether any development in the matter, representatives enquired. To this, the DGM (Estt.), informed that the Committee which was constituted earlier is seeing all possible way to reconsider the demand of the Staff Side and necessary decision would be taken soon.

(2) Issues of P.O. to those TMs who were directly appointed after 01.10.2000 from TSM to TM.

The Union representatives stated that the Corporate Office have written several letters / reminders to the circle offices to send the informations on number of TSMs who were directly appointed to TM after 01.10.2000, i.e., after formation of BSNL and were not provided with P.O. But even after many years, a good number of circles have not sent the information to the Corporate Office. In the meantime, one such employee from West Bengal circle is expired. His family has not received any pensionary benefits. Hence, it is requested to settle at least these cases first and let the family to get the benefits. The DGM (Estt.), assured to do the needful.

A meeting of the “All Unions and Associations of BSNL” will be held at New Delhi tomorrow. The meeting will take place at BSNL MS office, Atul Grove Road. The meeting will discuss and decide about the details, as per which the Satyagraha (from 30.01.2018 to 03.02.2018) and the Work According to Rule struggles are to be conducted.

In today’s meeting with Ms. Sujata T. Ray, Director (HR), Com. P. Abhimanyu, GS, expressed his concern about the BSNL Management’s trend of curtailing the existing facilities of the employees, with a view to reduce the expenditure of the Company. The GS told the Director (HR) that, the Director (Finance) should call a meeting with all the unions and associations to find out the ways and means of curtail the wasteful expenditure. The GS expressed the hope that such a meeting will really bring out valuable suggestions to reduce the expenditure. The Director (HR) appreciated the suggestion of the GS and directed Shri Yashwanth Nath Singh, GM (BFCI) to take the initiative to organise such a meeting.

It has already been announced that the 9^th All India Conference of BSNLEU is being conducted at Mysuru, Karnataka circle. The Karnataka circle union has formed the Reception Committee for conducting the All India Conference. The office-bearers of the Reception Committee are as follows:-

President                  : Com. M.C. Balakrishna

Working President : Com. H.V. Sudharshan

General Secretary  : Com. C.K. Gundanna

Treasurer                 : Com. J.V. Keshav

It has also been decided that all the Karnataka circle office-bearers and district secretaries of Karnataka circle union of BSNLEU, shall be the members of the Reception Committee.

Dussehara marks the victory of the goodness over the evil. On this occasion BSNLEU conveys it’s warm greetings to one and all.

Com.P.Abhimanyu, being the General Secretary of the biggest trade union in BSNL, is playing a leading role, in organising continuous struggles, to safeguard BSNL and the employees. Ever since becoming the General Secretary of BSNLEU in 2010, Com.P.Abhimanyu, has played a leading role in organising many strikes. He has played a prominent role in organising the 3 day strike also, demanding settlement of 3rd Pay Revision and revival of BSNL. On 1st and 2nd March, 2019, Com.P.Abhimanyu attended the 14th Congress of the WFTU- TUI (Transport and Communications) at Istanbul.  He has made an inspiring speech in this 14th Congress, about the telecommunications sector in India and globally.  It is also a matter of pride for all of us that, the WFTU-TUI, (Transport and Communications) has elected Com.P.Abhimanyu as the Convenor of the Trade Unions of Communications Sector.

However, some cowards are spreading a poster through Whatsapp, maligning Com.P. Abhimanyu’s Istanbul trip, stating that, the General Secretary of BSNLEU is going on foreign tour, when the employees are not being paid salary. The cowards who spread this poster, are only trying to divert the attention of the employees from the real problem. BSNL is unable to pay salary to the employees, and the government is solely responsible for creating such a miserable situation for BSNL. But, the cowards link non-payment of salary to Com.P.Abbhimanyu’s Istanbul trip. This attempt is mischievous and condemnable.  It is reliably learnt that a member of NFTE from Jabalpur is behind this mischief. This miscreant is continuously making postings on his face book, and sending WhatsApp messages, maligning BSNLEU and it's General Secretary. This miscreant had spread a similar poster on a previous occasion also. BSNLEU has taken this matter to the notice of the General Secretary, NFTE. We hope that needful action will be taken against this miscreant, by the NFTE leadership.

Airtel has reported a net loss of Rs.2,866 crore for the first quarter (April to June) of the 2019-20 financial year. The Company had posted a net profit of Rs.97 crore in the corresponding period of the last financial year. This is the first time in it’s 14 years of existence, that Airtel has posted net loss.

BSNL has completed 19 years of it’s existence and has entered into the 20^th year today. It is a misfortune that the Executives and Non-Executives of BSNL are compelled to observe a protest day on this very foundation day of BSNL. As per the call of BSNLEU, SNEA, AIBSNLEA, BSNL MS, BSNL ATM and BSNL OA, protest day was observed throughout the country and powerful lunch hour demonstrations were organised, demanding immediate allotment of 4G spectrum, payment of salary, financial assistance to BSNL in the form of soft loan, opposition to the rolling back of retirement age from 60 to 58, etc. A large number of Executives and Non-Executives have participated in these demonstrations.