Distribution of food materials to the contract workers, by BSNLEU, AIBDPA, AIBSNLEA and AIGETOA in Ludhiana district of Punjab circle, is going on in full swing. Already two rounds of distributions have taken place. The third round of distribution of food materials took place yesterday the 09.06.2020 at Sahnewal, Meharban, Kohara and Bhattian areas of Sahnewal Sub Division and also in Samrala, Khamanno and Machhiwara areas of Samrala Sub Division. Totally, 45 contract workers received the food materials. Com.Avtar Singh Jhande, DS, BSNLEU, Com.Balvinder Singh, CS, AIBDPA, Com.Rajender Singh, AIBSNLEA and Com.Jaspreet Singh, DS, AIGETOA, distributed the relief materials.

The 2,300 km long Submarine Optic Fibre Cable, between Chennai and Port Blair, was commissioned and dedicated to the nation by Shri Narendra Modi, Hon’ble Prime Minister of India on 10.08.2020. Consequent to this, BSNL acquired high speed internet connectivity. As a result, it is reported that people are standing in a long queue, in front of BSNL Office at Port Blair, to avail BSNL’s connection. This is a sample to prove that BSNL will flourish and serve the nation, if it is provided with the right technology. BSNL needs technology. Not lip-service.

At the time when shri M S.S.Rao was the CGM of Kerala circle, a bogus and fabricated allegation of sexual harassment was levelled against our leaders, including com.K.Mohanan, circle secretary. Finally, our leaders were imposed with punishment for misconduct. Now, in total violation and disregard of rules, charge sheet is being issued to our comrades, especially to com.K.Mohanan, circle secretary, who is retiring this month. The charge sheet is being issued by the chairperson of the Internal Complaints Committee, who absolutely has no power to issue a charge sheet. Power to issue charge sheet vests only with the concerned disciplinary authority. This is nothing but, witch hunting. Com.P.Abhimanyu,GS and com.S.Chellappa,AGS met Ms.Sujata Ray, Director (HR) yesterday and discussed the issue. The Director (HR) assured that no violation of rules would be permitted and also assured to take needful action.

Contract workers unions of Kerala circle had issued notification for going on indefinite strike from 05.01.2018, on the issues of wage revision as per the Labour Ministry order, recategorisation of works, payment of bonus, etc. Consequent to the agreement reached between the unions and the circle administration, this struggle has been deferred.

In Tamil Nadu circle, BSNLEU and TNTCWU conducted massive “Day and Night Dharnas” at the SSA level, on 27^th and 28^th December. Subsequently, indefinite hunger strike was started by BSNLEU and TNTCWU at the CGM Office from 02^nd January, 2018. TMTCLU union also joined this struggle on 03^rd January, 2018, onwards. Talks were held with Shri Y.N. Singh, GM (BFCI), who returned from leave today the 04.01.2018. Com. Swapan Chakraborty, Dy.GS and Com. Animesh Mitra, Vice President (CHQ), Com. Rajamouli, Treasurer (NFTE) and Com. K.S. Kulkarni, AGS (NFTE), participated. The GM (BFCI) agreed to release the requisite funds tomorrow. At the circle level also, the CGM, Tamil Nadu circle held discussion with the leaders. Following this, the struggle has been deferred.

Open Signal, a mobile analytics company, has reported that the 4G download speed in India is the slowest among the 88 countries of the world, where 4G service is being provided. The Government of India is making big noises about Digital India. However, it is a matter of shame to know that even countries like Pakistan, Algeria, Kazakhstan and Tunisia are providing faster download speed than India. The mobile customers of Singapore get the fastest download speed on 4G at 44 mbps, followed by Netherlands at 42 mbps and Norway 41 mbps. But, on an average, the 4G speed in India, has been measured as 6 mbps. It is also reported that, the actual speed can be much lower.

[Curtesy: Times of India dated 22.02.2018]

BSNLEU conducted Call Attention Day throughout the country today. Lunch Hour demonstrations were conducted by employees, wearing black badges. Slogans were raised, demanding immediate action by the BSNL Management, to stop indiscriminate outsourcing of BSNL’s works, curtailment of wasteful expenditures, to stop curtailment of existing medical facilities, to stop retrenchment of contract workers and demanding fresh recruitment in the cadre of Sr.TOA. The CHQ of BSNLEU heartily congratulates the circle and district unions for effectively organising the programme.

The banner of the 9^th All India Conference of BSNLEU, to be held on 08th, 09th, 10th & 11th January, 2019, at Mysuru, was released by the General Secretary in the meeting held on 08.09.2018, amidst thunderous slogans raised by the participants. Thereafter, the receipt books, printed by the Reception Committee, for collection of voluntary donations from members of BSNLEU, was released. A lot comrades enthusiastically came forward and announced their donations for the 9^th AIC. They also assured their fullest involvement in raising the funds for the All India Conference.

The extended circle executive committee meeting of BSNLEU, Karnataka circle, was held today at Bengaluru. The meeting started at 10:30 hrs. Com.M.C.Balakrishna, circle president, presided over. Com.C.K.Gundanna, circle secretary, welcomed all. All the district secretaries, circle office bearers, branch secretaries, as well as a good number of activists, participated in the meeting. Com.P.Abhimanyu, GS, participated and addressed the meeting in detail. He explained about the demands of the 3 day strike, called on by the AUAB, from 18-02-2019. He also briefed on the talks held between the AUAB and the DoT on 3^rd Pay Revision, 4G spectrum, Payment of Pension Contribution, Pension Revision and other issues. The meeting unanimously resolved to massively organise the street corner meetings from 11-02-2019 and the three day strike from 18-02-2019.

The letter written by the Unions and Associations yesterday, addressed to the Secretary, Telecom, and the CMD BSNL, against VRS, is an important document. It contains valid reasons for our opposing the VRS. This message has to be taken to each and every BSNL employee. Hence, the CHQ requests the circle secretaries to translate the matter of this letter in all the regional languages and take same to the employees in a big way, through website and social media.

A well attended election campaign meeting was held at Gwalior yesterday. Com. Hotam Singh, District President presided and senior comrade, B. N Kaushik, conducted the proceedings of the meeting. Com.Santhosh Ahirwal, District Secretary, BSNLEU, Gwalior, welcomed all. Com. Balbir Singh, Vice President (CHQ) explained about the ongoing situation in BSNL, the anti BSNL and Public Sector policies of the successive governments, denial of 4-G spectrum to BSNL,  and efforts made by AUAB for the revival of BSNL. He also explained the VRS, age reduction issues and consistent fight by BSNLEU to safeguard the interest of BSNL and its workers. He made an appeal to the workers to make BSNLEU victorious with increased margin in the ensuing membership verification. Com. Prakash Sharma CS & AGS, and Com. B.S. Raghuvanshi, CP, too addressed the meeting. All the leaders appealed to vote enmasse for BSNLEU. Veteran trade union leaders Com. Ati Ram Singh, gave vote of thanks. 

The wages of the contract workers are not paid by BSNL for the past 10 months. Despite BSNLEU and BSNLCCWF organising struggles, the issue remains unsettled. In the mean time, many contract workers have committed suicide because of the financial strain caused due to the non-payment of wages. It is extremely disturbing to note that, one more contract worker has committed suicide in Kerala circle yesterday. Com. Ramakrishnan, who was also a physically challenged person, committed suicide inside MDF room at Nilambur Exchange in Malappuram district. BSNLEU expresses it’s heartfelt condolences to the family members of Com.Ramakrishnan.

The CMD BSNL has assured that payment of salary for the month of December, 2019 would be paid by 31-01-2020. However, this payment is not taking place by 31-01-2020. The reason is, BSNL is not able to get the anticipated bank loans. Decision regarding protest action will be taken shortly, in consultation with other organisations.

1) Com.Ashok Kumar Yadav, OS, Barkot, – Rs.5,000/-

2) Com.Jogeshwar Prasad Nautiyal, Retd. TT, Barkot, Uttarkashi – Rs.3,300/-

3) Shri Chatar Singh Chauhan, SDE, Barkot, Uttarkashi – Rs.3,000/-

4) Com.K.S. Soun, Retd.OS, Circle Secretary, Uttarakhand – Rs.2,500/-

5) Shri Shiv Shankar Jhapliyal, Retd. JE – Rs.2,100/-

6) Com.Narendra Kumar, Retd.TT – Rs.2,100/-

7) Com.M.P. Uniyal, Retd., ACS & DS, New Tehri – Rs.2,000/-

8) Com.Ganesh Prasad Kala, Retd., Circle President, Sri Nagar – Rs.1,500/-

9) Com. P.S. Bisht, Retd.OS, Treasurer – Rs.1,100/-

10) Com.J.P. Kothari, Retd., Patron – Rs.1,100/-

11) Com.Ram Bhagat Singh, Retd., District Secretary, Sri Nagar – Rs.1,000/-

12) Com.S.C.Kala, Retd., DS, Haridwar – Rs.1,100/-

13) Com.Madhan Singh Negi, Retd.JE, Branch Secretary, Haridwar – Rs.1,100/-

14) Com.R.C.S. Garihiya, Retd.OS, District Secretary, Nainital – Rs.1,100/-

15) Com.Mahendra Singh Bisht, Retd.OS, Haldwani – Rs.1,100/-

16) Com.Om Prakash, Retd.TT, ACS, Kashipur, USN – Rs.1,100/-

17) Com.K.L. Chamoli, Retd.TT, Dehradun, – Rs.1,100/-

18) Com.Hukam Singh, Retd.TT – Rs.1,100/-

19) Com.Amar Nath Dutta, Retd., Organising Secretary – Rs.1,100/-

20) Com.Anand Singh Negi, Retd.OS, New Tehri, – Rs.1,100/-

21) Com.Ram Chandra Singh Rawat, Retd.TT, Dehradun – Rs.2,000/-

22) Com.Sri Kishan Pawar, Retd.TT, Uttarkashi, – Rs.1,100/-

23) Shri Rishimohan Negi, JTO, New Tehri, – Rs.1,100/-

The AUAB of Tamil Nadu circle, organised protest demonstrations throughout the circle, to condemn the atrocious outburst of Shri Anantkumar Hegde, MP, branding BSNL as a black mark of the nation and calling it’s employees traitors. At a very short notice, the protest demonstrations were orgnaised very powerfully in all the SSAs in Tamil Nadu circle. The CHQ of BSNLEU heartily congratulates the AUAB of Tamil Nadu circle for organising this struggle spontaneously.

The new website of the CHQ, bsnleu.in was inaugurated on 08.11.2017, in the CEC meeting of BSNLEU, held at New Delhi. Presently, both the new website, as well as the old website are being operated simultaneously. However, from 22.01.2018 onwards, only the new website, viz., bsnleu.in will be operated. The old website, viz., bsnleuchq.com will be discarded. All comrades are requested to kindly make note of this.

The nation is still not able to understand how the Punjab National Bank is looted by the Indian corporates, to the tune of Rs.11,500 crores. The loot has been done in a very systematic manner. The looters have comfortably escaped out of India. More shockingly, Nirav Modi, the brain behind this great looting has even taken a group photo with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, at Davos. After having done all these, now the Indian corporates have demanded that the Public Sector banks should be privatised. Adi Godrej, of the Godrej group, has stated that private banks are better managed and big scams do not take place there. Hence, Public Sector banks should be privatised.  The tragedy is that, the government facilitates looting of Public Sector banks, by the corporates. After doing this, the same corporates demand that the Public Sector banks should be privatised, since they are inefficient. The claim of Adi Goderj is totally wrong. The world has not forgotten that the great world economic crisis that started in 2008, was created only by the bankruptcy of the great multinational banks of America, belonging to the private sector.

It is learnt that IDA increase by 0.8% from 01st July, 2018. With this the total IDA shall be 128% w.e.f. 01.07.2018.

In the Reception Committee meeting held at Mysuru on 08.09.2018, a lot of comrades came forward and announced their voluntary donations for the forthcoming AIC. During this process, everyone was enthused when Com.C.K. Gundanna, Circle Secretary, Karnataka, announced that he was donating his one month’s pension amount, i.e., Rs.28,500/-, as his contribution for the All India Conference. This was followed by Com.J.V. Keshav, Circle Treasurer, Karnataka, who came forward and announced that he was donating Rs.25,000/- as his donation for the AIC. Com.Shiva Sankarappa, District Secretary, Hubli, announced Rs.25,000/- as his donation for the AIC. Com. Durgad, a senior comrade from Hubli came forward and announced Rs.28,000/- as his donation for the AIC. These announcements came as a pleasant surprise for the comrades who had gathered in the meeting. They greeted these senior comrades with an uproarious applause. CHQ also heartily congratulates Com.C.K. Gundanna, CS, Com.J.V. Keshav, Treasurer, Com. Shiva Sankarappa, DS, Hubli and Com.Durgad, for setting an example for the collection of donations for the AIC.

The AUAB of Gujarat circle organised a huge strike preparatory meeting at Ahmedabad today. Com. P. Abhimanyu, GS, BSNLEU & Convenor, AUAB, Com. Chandeshwar Sigh, GS, NFTE & Chairman, AUAB, Com. Prahlad Rai, GS, AIBSNLEA, Com. Suresh Kumar, GS, BSNL MS and circle secretaries of  the constituents of the AUAB addressed. The leaders elaborately explained the strike demands, as well as the pro-private and anti-BSNL / anti-public sector policies of the Nrendra Modi government. The speeches of the leaders evoked tremendous response from the 500 and odd Non-Executives and Executives who had come from throughout Gujarat circle. The meeting was presided over by Com.N.J.Bhatia, CS, NFTE & Chairman, AUAB, Gujarat. Com. D.K. Bakutra, CS, BSNLEU & Convenor, AUAB, Gujarat, welcomed everyone and conducted the proceedings.

The extended circle executive committee meeting of BSNLEU, Telangana circle, was held at Hyderabad today. Com. Mohan Reddy, Circle President, presided over. Com.J. Sampath Rao, Circle Secretary & AGS, BSNLEU, welcomed everyone and explained about the purpose of the meeting. Apart from the district secretaires and circle office bearers a large number of branch secretaries and active comrades attended the meeting. All the district secretaires participated in the discussion and placed their views regarding the 3 day strike and that the charter of demands. Finally, Com.P.Abhimanyu, GS, elaborately addressed the meeting and explained about the developments that have taken place at New Delhi, after the deferment of the indefinite strike. He also explained about the charter of demands and requested the comrades to effectively organise the 5 days street corner meeting, as well as the 3 day strike. The extended circle executive committee meeting enthusiastically decided to make the fullest mobilisation for the strike.