The Director (HR) had invited General Secretaries of BSNLEU and NFTE for a discussion today, in connection with the call given for Sathyagraha and indefinite Work According to Rule. Accordingly, Com. P. Abhimanyu, GS, BSNLEU, and Com. Rajamouli, Treasurer, NFTE, attended the meeting. The Director (HR) appealed to the representatives not to do anything that would further deteriorate the already strained financial condition of the Company. Com.P.Abhimnayu, GS, told the Director (HR) that the employees are in a do or die situation, in view of formation of Subsidiary Tower Company and denial of wage revision to the employees. The Unions and Associations of BSNL are left with no other option, but to go ahead with the Sathyagraha and Work According to Rule struggles, as has already been announced, told the GS, BSNLEU. The Director (HR) informed that a similar meeting would be held with the Executive Associations on Monday.

BSNLEU conveys it’s best wishes and warm greetings to all, on the occasion of Vaisakhi / Vishu /Tamil New Year / Mesadi / Vaisakhadi / Bahag Bihu. May the new year bring peace and prosperity to all the people.

BSNLEU conveys it’s best wishes and warm greetings to all, on the occasion of the 72nd Independence Day of India. This is a great moment for all Indians. On this occasion, let us not forget that freedom was achieved by our forefathers, only through their unity and single minded ness to achieve freedom. They set aside their differences that arose from their religion, language, region, etc. However, today, these are the factors that divide we Indians, and retard our progress. On this occasion, let us recollect the sacrifices made by our forefathers for achieving freedom, and rededicate ourselves to the task of nation building.

Com.Irfan Pasha, Assistant Circle Secretary, BSNLEU, Karnataka circle, has donated Rs.40,000/-, which is his one month's take home salary, as his contribution for the 9^th All India Conference of BSNLEU, to be held at Mysuru, from 17th to 20th December, 2018. The cheque for Rs.40,000/- was handed  over to Com.J.V.Keshav, Treasurer of the 9th AIC Reception Committee today, in the presence of Com.C.K.Gundanna, circle secretary, Karnataka. CHQ heartily congratulates Com.Irfan Pasha, and hope that his generous contribution will set a good example for other comrades also to follow.

A meeting of the Committee for Periodic Interaction (Institutional Mechanism) was held on 10.01.2019. Details of the meeting are mentioned in the AUAB circular, which is also uploaded on CHQ website. Com.P. Abhimanyu, GS, BSNLEU & Convenor, Com. Chandeshwar Singh, GS, NFTE & Chairman, Com. K. Sebastin, GS, SNEA and Com.Prahlad Rai, GS, AIBSNLEA, represented the AUAB. Shri R.K. Khandelwal, Joint Secretary (Admn.) and Shri S.K. Jain, DDG (Estt.), attended from the DoT side. Overall, it is a useless meeting. The DoT officers were not able to give any useful information with regards to the implementation of the assurances given by the Hon’ble Minister, in the meeting held on 03.12.2018. Further, they are having totally a negative attitude towards the demands of the AUAB. The meeting ended without any fruitful outcome. It may be recollected that the AUAB strongly demanded that this Committee should be presided over by the Additional Secretary, which was not accepted by the DoT.

Wages of the contract workers is not paid for the past 4 months. Struggles are being organised in many circles, demanding immediate payment of the wage arrears. Together with the BSNLCCWF, BSNLEU is also fighting in many circles, demanding immediate payment of wage arrears to the contract workers. In this regard, the Kerala circle union of BSNLEU, as per the decision taken in it's circle executive committee meeting, has organised very successful dharnas in all the districts, on 29-05-2019, demanding immediate payment of wages to the contract workers. CHQ heartily congratulates the Kerala circle union of BSNLEU, for fighting for the cause of the contract workers.

Rajasthan circle union of BSNLEU organised it's Extended Circle Executive Committee meeting at Pushkar today. The meeting was very inspiring. Apart from the Circle Executive Committee members, a large number of Branch Secretaries also participated. Com.Kamal Singh Gohil, Circle President, presided. Com.Anand Singh, District Secretary, Ajmer, welcomed. Com.V.P.Sharma, veteran leader, Com.Ashok Pareek, Circle Secretary, Com. P.K.Jain, Organising Secretary (CHQ), Com.Vijay Singh, Circle Vice-President & Circle Secretary, BSNLCCWF and Com.Arun Nigam, Secretary, Staff Side, Circle Council addressed the meeting.  Finally, Com.P.Abhimanyu, GS, spoke in detail about the crisis being faced by BSNL, as well as the ways and means to overcome it. He explained about the issues settled/taken up by BSNLEU since the 7th Membership Verification.

We have come to know that a poster has been designed and publicised that, the call for hunger strike to be held by the AUAB on 18.10.2019, has been called on by AIBDPA, AUAB and CCWF. It is hereby informed to all that, neither BSNLEU nor AUAB has any connection with this unauthorised poster. It is also informed that such posters, knowingly or unknowingly, weaken the unity of unions and associations of BSNL, which has been forged after much patience and hard work. Whomsoever has designed and publicised this poster, are requested to desist from doing such a damage hereafter.

All are aware that the contract workers in BSNL are not paid wages for more than 10 months now. BSNLEU and BSNLCCWF are continuously pressurising the Corporate Management to release funds, for the payment of wage arrears of the contract workers. However, it has not materialised. Under these circumstances, a 21 day lock-down has been imposed by the government to stop the spread of Corona Virus. This lock-down has further increased the sufferings of the contract workers many folds. Immediate humanitarian help to the contract workers has become very essential. Hence, the CHQ of BSNLEU, in consultation with the circle secretaries and central office bearers, has decided to collect "Contract Workers Relief Fund" to help the contract workers. Circle, district and branch secretaries of BSNLEU are requested to immediately swing into action and collect donations from our members, as well as from well-wishers including retired employees and officers. In view of the lock-down, the donation can be collected by contacting everyone over telephone and getting the commitment for the donation. CHQ requests all the circle secretaries to take the initiative to collect the donations, by coordinating with the Central Office bearers, District secretaries and others. CHQ requests all the comrades to act on a war-foot basis and to swiftly collect the funds. Further guidelines in this regard, will be issued by the CHQ.

The AUAB leaders of Tamil Nadu and Chennai circles submitted memorandums to  four MPs in Chennai City today. Memorandum was submitted to Com.M.Shanmugam, Rajya Sabha member, as well as the General Secretary of the LPF. Besides, memorandums were also submitted to Shri R.S. Bharathi, MP, Shri T.K.S. Elangovan, MP and Dr.Kalanithi Veerasamy, MP. The CHQ of BSNLEU heartily congratulates the AUAB leaders for submitting the memorandums.

In the meeting held with the Director (HR) today, Com. P. Abhimanyu, GS, expressed his serious concern over the non-implementation / dilution of the decisions taken in the National Council meeting. The GS pointed out that decisions taken in respect of the items like stopping the illegal recovery of employees contribution of EPF arrears, granting Group ‘B’ status and pay scale to the Senior Accountants, violation of Corporate Office orders on contract workers, etc., are cited as examples. The GS told that he would give a note to the Management in this regard. The Director (HR) felt unhappy and assured that needful remedial action would be taken.

Tomorrow is the birth anniversary of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, the architect of Indian Constitution, as well as a great crusader for social justice to the downtrodden people. BSNLEU salutes and pays its respectful homage of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar. The secularism, embodied in the Indian Constitution, is under attack now from divisive forces. On this occasion, BSNLEU reaffirms it’s resolve to defend the secular fabric of the nation.

A Grievance Redressal Cell for the retired employees of BSNL has become operational under SR Cell of the Corporate Office. For redressal of their grievances, retired employees can fill up the form available at the *link* below:

https://goo.gl/forms/PI5OasDWWYsulgus2

The progress of the cases will be monitored by SR Cell, to ensure prompt redressal of the grievances. The SR Branch has informed that, those who have already sent their grievance in hard copy or through Email, may also submit once again through the *online link given above* for better monitoring. Retired employees are requested to avail this mechanism for redressal of their grievances.

Ms. Aruna Sundararajan, Secretary, Telecom has told media persons that the DoT has formed committees, including the one to look into the demand of the private telecom companies, for reduction of spectrum price and to reduce other taxes. It is relevant to mention that, in the India Mobile Congress, held a few days ago, Sunil Mittal Bharti, chief of Airtel, complained that the taxes and levies in the telecom sector is very high and Rs.37 out of every Rs.100 earned by the companies are being paid as tax. Now that the Secretary, Telecom, has stated that a committee would look into this complain. When the government pays so much attention to the grievances of the private companies, why can’t it look into the grievances of BSNL also?

The representatives of the AUAB met Shri Anshu Prakash, Additional Secretary, Telecom, on 10.01.2019 and bitterly complained about the manner in which the meeting of the Committee for Periodic Interaction was held. Further, they bitterly complained about the delay in implementing the assurances given by the Hon’ble Minister of State for Communications in the meeting held on 03.12.2018. A serious discussion took place between the AUAB and the Additional Secretary. The replies given by the Additional Secretary, are as follows:-

(1)     3^rd Pay Revision.

Cabinet and related Ministries will not accept to give 15% fitment, since BSNL’s financial position does not permit payment of such high salaries. The AUAB and BSNL Management should bring an acceptable proposal. Again meeting will take place, with the Additional Secretary, next week.  

(2)     Allotment of 4G spectrum to BSNL.

Niti Aayog and Department of Expenditure (DoE) have expressed their reservation for allotment of 4G spectrum to BSNL. However, DoT will try to get the approval of the Telecom Commission meeting, expected to take place in the first week of February.

(3)     Payment of Pension Contribution on actual basic pay.

The Department of Expenditure (DoE) has sought some clarifications, which have to be furnished by BSNL Management. The BSNL has assured to reply within a day or two.

(4)     Pension Revision.

Useful discussions were held on this issue. The Additional Secretary, Telecom, has sought for copies of the letters issued by the Government on pension issue, at the time of formation of BSNL. BSNL Management has assured to provide copies of those letters.

Again meeting between the AUAB and the

Additional Secretary, will be held next week.

Shri Ravi Shankar Prasad, an eminent lawyer and a seasoned politician, has once again taken over as the Hon’ble Minister of Communications. He had held the portfolio of Communications earlier also, from 2014, till Shri Manoj Sinha succeeded him. Shri Ravi Shankar Prasad was the first Communications Minister, who showed the courage to take on the private companies, on the call drop issue. Being a senior leader of the ruling BJP, Shri Ravi Shankar Prasad is known for boldly implementing his decisions. We hope that the Hon’ble Minister will certainly overcome the present roadblocks being created by the bureaucrats sitting in the DoT, in the matter of revival of BSNL. BSNLEU, heartily congratulates Shri Ravi Shankar Prasad, and assures it’s fullest cooperation to achieve the revival of BSNL.

CHQ is saddened to hear that, Com.R.K.Pathak, former Circle Treasurer and present Assistant Circle Secretary of BSNLEU,  UP(East) circle, passed away today. He has been ailing for some time and has been hospitalised. Com.R.K.Pathak was a senior comrade, who had worked with veterans like Com.R.S.Yadav. CHQ pays it's respectful homage to Com.R.S.Pathak and conveys heartfelt condolences to his family members, as well as to the comrades of UP(East) circle.

BSNLEU has sought a formal meeting with the Director (HR), to discuss certain important issues, including the issues related to the post-VRS scenario. This meeting was delayed since the Director (HR) had gone on leave. This meeting is now scheduled to be held on 13.01.2020.