BSNL started it's 4G service in Kerala yesterday. Initially the 4G service has been made available at five locations in the high range Idukki district. This service has been launched, with BSNL's existing spectrum. The first call was made to the CMD BSNL. CGM, Kerala, Shri P.T.Mathew said that, by the year end, 4G service would be made available to all its customers in all the districts by the end of the year. It may also be recollected that BSNL is making serious effort to 5 MHz 4G spectrum in the 2,100 MHz band. Once BSNL gets this spectrum allotment, it's 4G service will also be rolled out throughout the country.

The issue of issuing Presidential Orders to the Telecom Mechanics, in respect of whom TSM status was already conferred prior to 01.10.2000, was discussed in the National Council meeting. The Management has already agreed to send such cases to the DoT, for issuing Presidential Orders. However, it is understood that the case is lying pending due to non-receipt of inputs from the circles. Com.P. Abhimanyu, GS, met Shri Saurabh Tyagi, GM (Estt.), today, and discussed this issue. He demanded early action on this issue. The GM (Estt.) assured to look into this and to do the needful.

Com.P.Abhimanyu, General Secretary, addressed a largely attended contract workers meet at Cuddalore in Tamil Nadu circle, yesterday the 17-06-2018. It was organised by the Tamil Nadu Telecom Contact Workers Union (TNTCWU). The General Secretary explained about the various issues related to the revival of BSNL, the government's game-plan to weaken BSNL and the role of the contract workers in strengthening the Company. He also dealt with the various problems of the contract workers, and the efforts being taken by BSNLEU and the BSNLCCWF to settle them. The meeting was also addressed by Com.Vinod Kumar, General Secretary, TNTCWU, Com.P. Palanisamy, AGS, BSNCCWF, Com. K.T.Sambandam, DS, BSNLEU, and many others.

In the meeting of the Joint Committee on Wage Revision, held on 27-08-2018, the Staff Side expressed it’s unhappiness over the slow phase in which the Wage Negotiations are progressing. In order to speed up the negotiations, the Staff Side also suggested informal discussions also between the Staff Side members and the Management, apart from official meetings. This was accepted, and the meeting is taking place today.

BSNLEU, Chennai Telephones circle union conducted it’s executive committee meeting today. Com.E.Natarajan, circle president, presided over the meeting. Com.M.Kanniappan, circle secretary, welcomed everyone and presented his report on activities. Com.P.Abhimanyu, GS, addressed the meeting and spoke elaborately on the present condition of BSNL, the approach of the government towards the Company, status of the demands of the employees and the forthcoming 8th Membership Verification. Com.S.Chellappa, AGS, also addressed the meeting. Detailed deliberations were made by the executive committee members. Finally, the meeting took many decisions to effectively implement the decisions to be taken by the AUAB, as well as BSNLEU, to defend the future of the Company and that of the employees.

Com. John Verghees, AGS, addressed a verification campaign meeting at Bengaluru, today the 29.08.2019. More than 100 comrades participated in this meeting. Com. C. K. Gundanna, CS and  Com. Sudharshan, DS, Bengaluru, also addressed this meeting. Com.Irfan Pasha, Organising Secretary (CHQ), as well as all the district office bearers, were on the dias. The leaders explained about the Various issues connected with the 8th Membership Verification.

BSNLEU wishes a very happy and prosperous Diwali to all.

BSNLEU wishes a very happy and prosperous Diwali to all. May this festival of lamps bring happiness, peace and prosperity in the lives of all.

The CHQ has already written to the Circle Secretaries, requesting to furnish membership details of BSNLEU, as well as the membership of various other unions and associations, consequent to the implementation of VRS in BSNL. So far, only the six circle unions viz., Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Karnataka have furnished the details. Hence, CHQ calls upon the remaining circle unions are also to furnish the requisite details by 20.01.2020.

1)Com. Mahesh Kumar, friend of Com.H.V.Sudharshan,CS - Rs.20,000/-

2)Com. N. D. Patil, DS, Hubballi - Rs.5,000/-.

3)Com. Anil Kumar Madarkhandi, CWC member KTK - Rs. 1,100/-.

4)Com.S. R. Nayak . DS Vijayapura - Rs.2,500/-

5)Com.Srikanth Magi ACS KTK - Rs.2,500/-

6)Com.Lakshmi Nandakumar OS RTD BGTD - Rs. 2,000/-.

7)Com.Veena OS BGTD. - Rs.2,000/-

8 )Com. S.Biradar . OS BGTD - Rs. 2,010/-

9) Com. G.S. Nagraju OS BGTD - Rs.1,000/-

10) Com.Umeshaiah OS BGTD RTD. - Rs.1,000/-

11) Com.Sunil Kumar Madarkhandi CWC member KTK - Rs.1,100/-

On behalf of the Kolkata Telephones District Co-operative Society Staff Union, Rs.10,000/- has been donated to the contract Workers Relief Fund. On behalf of the Staff Union, Com.Munna Ram, handed over the amount to Com.Sisir Roy, CS. CHQ appreciates the large heartedness of the Co-operative Society Staff Union.

Com.P.Abhimanyu, GS, spoke to Shri Saurabh Tyagi, Sr.GM(Estt.), BSNL C.O., today and urged upon him to take an early decision on the period of absence of the officials who were held up in far-off places, due to the lock-down. BSNLEU has already written in this regard to the Corporate Office, enclosing copy of the DoP&T letter which states that, such period should be treated as on duty. The Sr.GM(Estt.) replied that the case is being processed and that Corporate Office would issue letter in this connection shortly. 

Com P.Abhimanyu, GS, com. Swapan Chakraborty, Dy.GS, com.S.Chelappa, AGS and com.Ramesh Chand,Organising Secretary(CHQ) met Ms. Anima Roy, GM(Estt & Rectt), BSNL CO today, and discussed the following issues:

(1) Wrong fixation of qualifying marks for SC/ST candidates in the forthcoming JE LICE under 50% quota to be held on 28.01.2018.

The union representatives pointed out to the GM  (Estt & Rectt ) that in the model notification,  it is mentioned that the qualifying marks for SC/ST candidates would be 20% in each section and 30% in aggregate. Whereas, according to the orders of the Corporate Office, the qualifying marks for SC/ST are prescribed as 20% in each section and there is no provision for aggregate marks. Therefore, the union urged that in the notification the minimum marks for SC/ST candidates should be fixed without any aggregate marks.

The GM informed that  the qualifying marks for SC/ST  candidates are not changed, and that,  the order  issued earlier is for review of the results of the failed SC/ST candidates. She further clarified that, while reviewing the results of the failed SC/ST candidates, no minimum aggregate marks would be required.

(2) Conducting off line examination for JE LICE.

The union has already written to the Management for conducting the LDCE/ LICE from Non-Executive to Non- Executive through off line. Since, the proposed JE LICE is from the Non-Executive to Non-Executive, it should be conducted off line  only.

The GM replied that the JE  is the highest Non- executive  technical cadre and SOP also framed based on the technical support, therefore, the Management has decided to conduct the said LICE on line. The GM  assured that necessary action would be taken to conduct mock tests to familiarise the candidates with the process of on line exams. The union representatives urged that necessary instructions should be issued from the Rectt. cell to the circles to conduct mock test  every week before the exam, for which the GM agreed.

(3) On the issue of changing the cut off date from 1st July 2016 to 1st July 2017, for the JE LICE, the GM informed that since the exam is being held for 2016 vacancies, the cut off date could not be extended to 1st July, 2017.

However, she assured that the Union's demand for counting training period for qualifying service is accepted, and necessary instructions would be issued soon.

BSNLEU, SNEA, BTEU, FNTO and BSNL ATM of Andhra Pradesh circle were conducting agitational programme, demanding cancellation of more than 220 transfers issued within a period of two months in Vijayawada SSA, and also demanding implementation of the Corporate Office order of posting Shri Raveendranath as the permanent GM of Vijayawada SSA. On 08.02.2018, Com.P.Abhimanyu,GS, raised this issue seriously with the Director (HR). Based on this, the Director (HR) spoke to Shri A.P.Rao, CGM, AP circle over phone and gave guidelines to settle the issue. Thereafter, the agitating unions and associations were called yesterday for discussion, by the CGM AP circle. In this talks, amicable settlement is reached on both the issues. Consequently, the agitation has been called off. BSNLEU heartily congratulates all the unions and associations of AP circle, which went on the agitation.

BSNLEU is demanding that the RMs who were conferred with TSM status prior to 01.10.2000 should be given first promotion under NEPP, on completion of four years. This position has been upheld by the Court also. The BSNL Management has already accepted to implement this issue. However, the same is lying pending due to non-receipt of inputs from the circles. Com.P.Abhimanyu, GS, met Shri Saurabh Tyagi, GM (Estt.), today, and discussed this issue. He demanded early action on this issue. The GM (Estt.) assured to look into this and to do the needful.

The Maharashtra police and Central Agencies have arrested human rights activists in Maharashtra and other parts of the country. Draconian rules have been invoked by the government, to detain them. They were accused of instigating the Bhima Koregaon unrest and of planning to kill the Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The Supreme Court of India has severely criticised the government and has directed that the human rights activists could be kept under house arrest. Democratic forces throughout the country have criticised the government, and have demanded the release of the detainees. BSNLEU joins them in condemning the government’s action and demanding the immediate release of the detainees.

As per the call of the AUAB, magnificent rallies were organised throughout the country yesterday the 14.11.2018. In almost all the places, the response for the rallies was magnificent, and the employees turned out massively in these rallies. The success of the rallies is a proof for the success of the historic indefinite strike, that is going to start from 3^rd December, 2018.

The AUAB meeting held today, has decided to organise a three day strike from 18.02.2019. The decisions of the AUAB meeting, and also the charter of demands are as below:-

Decisions

1. Considering various ground realities, the meeting decided to call on all the Executives and Non-Executives of BSNL to go on a three day strike from 18.02.2019.
2. Street corner meetings are to be organised throughout the country for 5 days from 11.02.2019, and mobilise the support of the general public for the strike demands.
3. Press meetings are to be organised at circle and district levels on 12 or 13 February.       
4. To meet all political parties, for mobilising their support for the demands especially, the revival of BSNL.

Demands

1. Implementation of 3^rd Pay Revision with 15% fitment.
2. Allotment of 4G spectrum to BSNL, as per the proposals submitted by the BSNL Management.
3. Revision of pension to BSNL retirees w.e.f. 01.01.2017.
4. Payment of pension contribution by BSNL as per the government rule.
5. Settlement of the left out issues of the 2^nd Pay Revision Committee.
6. a) Approval for BSNL’s Land Management Policy without any delay.

b) Expeditiously complete the mutation and the process of transferring of all assets to BSNL, as per the Cabinet decision taken on the eve of the formation of BSNL.

7. Extend financial support to BSNL, to ensure financial viability, as per the decision taken by the Group of Ministers, at the time of formation of BSNL. Issue letter of comfort for BSNL’s proposals for taking bank loans.
8. Scrap the proposal for outsourcing for the maintenance of BSNL’s mobile towers.

Com.P.Abhimanyu, GS, met the CMD BSNL today, and discussed about the serious condition of the contract workers, due to non-payment of salary for the past many months. The CMD BSNL responded positively and informed that, funds are already released by the Corporate Office, for payment of wages of contract workers. Circle secretaries are requested to discuss the matter with their circle administration and to give the feedback to the CHQ on the matter.