The 3rd triennial conference of AIBDPA started enthusiastically at Kolkata today. The Conference was inaugurated by Com. Hanan Mollah, General Secretary, All India Kisan Sabha. Com. Anantha Bhattacharjee, is presiding over. Com. P. Abhimanyu, GS, addressed the Conference and spoke on the recently held 3 day strike, issues related to the financial viability of BSNL, 3rd Pay Revision, Pension Revision, etc. Com. V.A.N.Namboodiri, Advisor, AIBDPA, Com. K.G.Jayaraj, GS,AIBDPA, Com.S.S.Ray,Working President, NCCPA, Com. Animesh Mitra, SG, BSNL CCWF, and Com.R.N.Dhal, AGS, AIPRPA addressed the inaugural session.

The 14th Congress of the Trade Union International of Transport and Communications Unions, affiliated to the WFTU, is being held at Istanbul, the capital of Turkey, on 1st and 2nd March, 2019. Com. P.Abhimanyu, General Secretary, BSNLEU, is attending this Congress, as a delegate.

The AUAB has given the call for submitting memorandums to the MPs. Copy of the memorandum to be submitted is uploaded on CHQ website and also already sent to the CEC members. According to the decision of the AUAB, submission of the memorandums is to be completed by 28-02-2019. So far, memorandums are submitted only to a few MPs. CHQ calls upon the circle and district unions to coordinate with the other constituents of the AUAB and to complete the task of submitting the memorandum immediately, and before 28-02-2019.

Leaders of the AUAB, UP(East), presented the memorandum to Shri Monoj Sinha ji, at Varanasi, on 23-02-2019. The Hon'ble Minister stated that the matters are being looked into. It is significant that the memorandum is presented to the Hon'ble MoS(C), in the aftermath of the 3 day strike. We appreciate the efforts taken by the comrades to present the memorandum to the Hon'ble Minister.

सांसदों को ज्ञापन- 28.02.2019 तक यह कार्य पूर्ण करें...

AUAB ने सभी संसद सदस्यों (MPs) को ज्ञापन देने का आव्हान किया है। सांसदों को दिए जाने वाले ज्ञापन का प्रारूप CHQ वेबसाइट पर उपलब्ध है और सभी सीईसी मेंबर्स को प्रेषित भी किया गया है। AUAB के निर्णय अनुसार सांसदों को ज्ञापन सौंपनें का कार्य 28-02-2019 तक पूर्ण किया जाना है।अभी तक कुछ ही सांसदों को ज्ञापन दिए गए हैं। सभी सर्किल और डिस्ट्रिक्ट सेक्रेटरीज से अनुरोध है कि AUAB के अन्य घटकों के साथ समन्वय स्थापित कर सांसदों को ज्ञापन देने का कार्य जल्द से जल्द और 28-02-2019 तक पूर्ण करें।

The decisions taken by the TRAI, during the past two years, have hurt all the operators, except Reliance Jio, said Nick Read, Vodafone Group CEO. Talking on the sidelines of the Mobile World Congress at Barcelona yesterday, Nick Read accused that the new definition given by the TRAI, to identify Predatory Pricing, was helpful to Reliance Jio. Similarly, the decision of the TRAI to cut down the Inter User connect Charge (IUC) by 57% also helped Reliance Jio, said Nick Read. He further stated that the telecom tariffs in India are "artificially low". Nick Read has demanded that "Level Playing Field" should be ensured in the Indian telecom sector. The views of the Vodafone Group CEO reflect the ground reality prevailing in the Indian telecom industry. Will the government pay heed?

The BSNL Management has introduced Group Term Insurance (GTI) for the Executives working in BSNL. In the 37th meeting of the National Council, held on 20th November, 2018, the Staff Side demanded the Management to extend the GTI to the Non-Executives also, on par with the Executives. The Chairman of the National Council agreed with the demand and assured that the same would be implemented. Com.Swapan Chakraborty, Dy.GS, BSNLEU and Com.Prakash Sharma, AGS, BSNLEU, met Shri A.M. Gupta, GM(SR) yesterday and discussed this issue and enquired about the implementation of the GTI for the Non-executives. The GM(SR) informed the Union representatives that the process of implementing the GTI to the Executives is almost complete and  stated that now the Management would arrange a meeting of the Staff Side, Management and the SBI Life Insurance, to finalise the terms and conditions for the Non-Executives. He further requested the Staff Side to discuss the matter with the GM(Trg.) BSNL, Shri Ashutosh Gupta, for arrangement of the said meeting at the earliest.

Leaders of the AUAB, Gulbarga, Karnataka circle met Shri Mallikarjuna Kharge, Leader of the Opposition in the Parliament and have presented the memorandum. The leaders have explained the demands contained in the Memorandum to Shri Kharge. Thanks and hearty congrats to the AUAB, Gulbarga.

The AUAB, Meerut, submitted memorandum to Shri Rajendra Agarwal, Hon'ble MP from Meerut. Thanks and congrats to the AUAB, Meerut.

The AUAB, Andhra Pradesh circle, has submitted memorandum to Shri Kesineni Nani Garu, Hon’ble MP, from Vijayawada. Details of the charter of demands contained in the memorandum were explained to the Hon'ble MP. Thanks and congrats to the AUAB of Andhra Pradesh circle.

Com.M.C.Balakrishna, Organising Secretary (CHQ), is retiring on superannuation today. He has earlier served as the AGS of the Union, and is currently the circle president of BSNLEU, Karnataka circle also. Com.M.C.Balakrishna had worked shoulder to shoulder with Com. Sadananda, the founder of BSNLEU in Karnataka, and has made big contribution to the growth of the Union. CHQ heartily congratulates Com.M.C.Balakrishna on his superannuation from service and wishes him a long, healthy and peaceful retired life.

The 2nd National Convention of Jan Ekta Jan Adhikar Andolan (JEJAA), the National Platform of Class, Mass and Social Movements, and Progressive Individuals was held at New Delhi on 27th February, 2019. The Convention was attended by representatives of more than eighty organisations including BSNLEU. BSNLEU was represented by Com.Swapan Chakraborty, Dy.GS and Com. Prakash Sharma, AGS. The draft resolution presented by Com.Hanan Mollah, Joint Convenor of the JEJAA, was discussed by the representatives of various organisations. All the representatives noted that the five years rule of BJP led NDA government has devastated the nation’s economy. Severely damaged democratic institutions and has witnessed the worst form of divisive casteist communal agenda being implemented with the active connivance of the ruling party. Therefore, the convention decided to defeat of the Neo-Liberal and communal agenda of BJP and it’s allies. It will campaign to ensure strengthening of the left and democratic forces in the 17th Lok Sabha and also to ensure for formation of a pro-people and secular government at the centre.

As per the report of the Economic Times, the US research and brokerage firm Bernstein has stated that the potential loss of Jio, for the financial year 2018-19 will be Rs.15,000 crores. This loss of Jio, is far worse than the losses being incurred by Vodafone Idea and Airtel. Bernstein has also stated that Jio is "managing" it's accounts to show a profit. For example, Jio has incurred Rs.7,500 crore as Handset Subsidies" to it's customers. Had this expenditure been shown in Jio's profit and loss account, the Company would have incurred a loss of Rs.3,800 crore, in the October to December quarter of 2018-19. But, this expenditure was shown in the accounts of Reliance Retail. As a result this, Jio is shown to have made a profit of Rs.831 crore net profit in the October to December quarter of 2018-19. The Economic Times reports that Reliance Jio did not respond to it's query, on the report of Bernstein. Economic Times has also stated, quoting market analysts, that Jio will start increasing it's tariffs, once it reaches the market share of 30%.

[ Source: Economic Times dt. 27-02-2019 ]

BSNLEU is consistently demanding for holding of the JE LICE 50% through offline. The matter was discussed in the 36th National Council meeting. Thereafter, the matter was taken up by the union with the CMD, BSNL and the Director (HR), BSNL and both were agreed to consider our demand for conducting the said exam by offline. In between, the Rectt. Section has issued notification for conducting the exam on-line and later on postponed the process. In this regard, Com. Swapan Chakraborty, Dy.GS and Com. Prakash Sharma, AGS, met Ms. Samita Luthra, GM (Rectt.) on 27.02.2019, and requested for immediate announcement of the date for holding JE LICE 50% through offline. After detailed discussion, the GM (Rectt.) is agreed to do the needful at the earliest.

वित्तीय वर्ष 2018-19 में जिओ का संभावित घाटा रु 15,000 करोड़ रहेगा- US की रिसर्च फर्म बर्नस्टीन का कथन...
इकोनॉमिक टाइम्स में प्रकाशित रिपोर्ट के अनुसार, US की रिसर्च और ब्रोकरेज फर्म बर्नस्टीन ने कहा है कि वित्तीय वर्ष 2018-19 में जिओ का संभावित घाटा रु 15,000 करोड़ रहेगा। जिओ का घाटा वोडाफोन आईडिया और एयरटेल के घाटे से कहीं अधिक भयावह होगा। बर्नस्टीन ने यह भी कहा है कि अपने एकाउंट्स में मुनाफा दिखाने के लिए जिओ एकाउंट्स "मैनेज" कर रहा है। उदाहरण के लिए, जिओ ने रु 7,500 करोड़ अपने ग्राहकों को हैंडसेट सब्सिडी के रूप में व्यय होना दर्शाया है। यदि यह खर्च जिओ के प्रॉफिट एंड लॉस एकाउंट में दर्शाया जाता तो 2018-19 में अक्टूबर से दिसंबर की तिमाही के दौरान ही जिओ का घाटा रु 3,800 करोड़ हो जाता। लेकिन इस खर्च को रिलायंस रिटेल के एकाउंट में दर्शाया गया। इसके परिणाम स्वरूप, 2018-19 की अक्टूबर से दिसंबर की तिमाही में जिओ का रु 831 करोड़ का शुद्ध लाभ दर्शाया गया। इकोनॉमिक टाइम्स की रिपोर्ट कहती है कि बर्नस्टीन की रिपोर्ट पर रिलायंस जिओ ने उनके सवाल पर कोई प्रतिक्रिया व्यक्त नही की है। इकोनॉमिक टाइम्स ने मार्केट के विश्लेषकों का उल्लेख करते हुए यह भी कहा है कि रिलायंस जिओ का मार्केट शेयर 30% तक पहुंचते ही वह टैरिफ बढ़ाना शुरू कर देगा।

[ स्त्रोत: Economic Times dt. 27-02-2019 ]

In continuation of the 3 day strike, the AUAB had given call to organise a March to the PMO on 06.03.2019, for pressing the settlement of the demands. However, tension is building up in the India Pakistan border. In view of this situation, the AUAB has decided to postpone the March to the PMO. Next date of the March will be announced in due course.

सीमा पर व्याप्त तनाव के मद्दे नज़र " मार्च टू पीएमओ " स्थगित...
3 दिवसीय हड़ताल के क्रम में, AUAB ने अपनी डिमांड्स के निराकरण हेतु दबाव निर्मित करने के लिए 06.03.2019 को " मार्च टू पीएमओ " आयोजित करने का निर्णय लिया था। किंतु, भारत पाकिस्तान की सीमाओं पर तनाव बढ़ता जा रहा है। ऐसी परिस्थिति में AUAB ने " मार्च टू पीएमओ " स्थगित करने का निर्णय लिया है। मार्च की आगामी तारीख कुछ समय पश्चात सूचित की जाएगी।