The Corporate Office has issued letter yesterday, granting trade union facilities to the unions and associations which are participating in the 8^th Membership Verification. The facilities include notice board, telephone, immunity from transfers, special casual leave and grant of meetings. BSNLEU has already submitted it’s application for participating in the 8^th Membership Verification. Hence, BSNLEU is eligible for all the facilities mentioned in the letter. These facilities will be available till 18.09.2019.

An inspiring election campaign meeting of BSNLEU, Gaya district, Bihar circle was held on 30th August,2019. The meeting was presided over by Com.Suresh Kumar. Addressing the meeting, Com. Swapan Chakraborty, Dy.GS, explained about the issues related to financial crisis of BSNL, proposed VRS, reduction of retirement age from 60 to 58 etc. The meeting was also addressed by Com.B.P.Singh, CS, Com.Lakshman Kumar, ACS, Com.Dhirender Kumar, Circle Organising Secretary and com.Ravinder Kumar, District Secretary, Gaya. A good number of employees attended the meeting. 

It has been decided that a meeting of the AUAB would be held at 11:00 am on 06.11.2019. The meeting will be held in BSNL MS office. The meeting will discuss about the implementation of BSNL's revival package, non-payment of salary for the month of October, 2019, non-remittance of deductions made from employees’ salaries from May, 2019 onwards, and other issues.

Assam circle:-
(1) Com. Gokul Borah,Treasure CHQ - Rs.5000/-

(2) Com. Sankar kr. Das, Patron - Rs.5,000/- 

(3) Com. Bhabesh Kakoti, V.P.  - Rs.1,000/-
(4) Com.Diganta Das,Br. Secy. - Rs.1,000/-

(5) Com.Niranjan Kalita,Br. Secy  - Rs.1,000/-

(6) Com.Muktar Ray,TT - Rs.1,000/-

(7) Com. Swarup Deb, ACS - Rs.1,000/-

(8)  Com. Dharmeswar Boro, D.S, Telecom District - Rs.1,000/-

(9) Com. Prasanta Baruah, ACS - Rs.500/- 

(10) Com. Hormohan Das,TT - Rs.500/-

Karnataka circle:- 
(1) Com. B. G. Kabbur, CWC member, KTK - Rs.2,000/-
(2) Com. Gururaj Bhima Rao Khasanis, OS, Vijaypura - Rs.2,000/-

(3) Com. Mudduraj, AOS, BGTD - Rs.1,000/-

Gujarat circle:- 

1) Com. G B Maurya, Retd. (OS) & Treasurer, BSNLEU Vadodara - Rs.1,000/- 

2) Com. G.S. Rai, Rrtd. (OS) & District President, BSNLEU Vadodara - Rs.1,000/- 

3) Com. D.R. Dave (OS) & ADS BSNLEU Vadodara - Rs.1,000/- 

4) Com. K. R. Shah, Retd. (OS), Vadodara - Rs.500/- 

5) Com. V.L. Sharma, (TT), Sankheda - Rs.500/-

6) Com. S.C. Upadhyay, (TT), Sankheda - Rs.500/-

7) Ms. J.H. RAO (OS), FTG-CSC - Rs.500/- 

8) Com. Bhargav Pandya, (JAO), KBG - Rs.500/-

9) Com. D.P. Prajapati, (JE-MKP) - Rs.500/-

On behalf of the AUAB, it’s memorandum was submitted to former Central Minister, as well as presently Lok Sabha member from Sultanpur, Ms.Menaka Gandhi. The details regarding the road-blocks being caused in BSNL’s 4G roll out as well as delay in the implementation of the Revival Package were explained to Ms. Menaka Gandhi. She has assured to do the needful intervention.

When 78.2% IDA merger was settled in 2013, Management issued order, stating that allowances would be continued to be paid on basis of 68.8% IDA merger only. However, unions and associations have time and again demanded that all the allowances should be paid on the basis of 78.2% IDA merger. Yesterday, the Management has issued letter, stating that 78.2% IDA merger should be taken into account, for calculating the ceiling for reimbursement of outdoor treatment bills. However, while doing so, the Management has arbitrarily reduced the number of days, from 25 to 23, for calculating the ceiling. Recognised trade union was not consulted in this respect. BSNLEU condemns this arbitrary decision.

The Steering Committee of the Public Sector Trade Unions (CITU) is meeting at Visakhapatnam on 19.02.2018. Com. P. Abhimanyu, GS, BSNLEU, who is a member of this Steering Committee, is participating in this meeting. The meeting will be discussing important issues being faced by the Public Sector trade unions, including Wage Revision, and the steps being taken by the BJP government to kill the Public Sector.

As per the decisions of the Agartala CEC meeting, the circle union of BSNLEU, Kolkata Telephones, conducted circle executive committee meeting on 26th April 2018. The meeting was presided over by com Prabir Dutta, circle president. After submission of the draft activities report by com  Sisir Roy,Circle Secretary,  all district secretaries and circle office bearers  participated in the discussion. Finally, com Swapan Chakraborty Dy GS, elobratedly explained the mid term review of the union activities from Chennai AIC and  the decisions of the Agartala CEC meeting, including the issues of struggles against formation of subsidiary tower company, pay revision, fight against neo-liberal policies and to maintain communal harmony. The meeting ended with the decisions to implement those decisions  of the Agartala CEC meeting.
 

The 37th meeting of the National Council was held today. Ms.Sujata Tapan Ray, Director(HR) presided over the meeting. Discussions took place in a cordial atmosphere. Highlights of the meeting are given here under. A detailed note, covering all the issues discussed, will be given later on.

• Wage negotiation of the Non-Executives.

Staff Side pointed out that the wage revision of Non-Executives have come to a halt, due to the reason that the Management Side is insisting for freezing of the HRA. The Staff Side have not accepted it. In today’s meeting, Staff Side forcefully demanded that, the wage revision talks should once again start and agreement should be signed without delay, by considering HRA revision. The Chairperson replied that, she has not seen the file and assured to do the needful.

• Conducting of JE LICE as offline-line exam.

The Chairperson accepted the logic of the Staff Side that, all “Non-Executive to Non-Executive examinations” should be conducted as offline-line exam. She assured to discuss it with the GM (Rectt.).

• Voluntary Term Insurance for Non-Executives.

At present, this is being implemented only for the Executives. The demand of the Staff Side that, it should be implemented for the willing Non-Executives also, is accepted. The GM (Rectt.) assured that it can be implemented for the Non-Executives by March, 2019.

• Wage Revision of casual labourers.

The Chairperson accepted the argument of the Staff Side that, wage revision of the casual labourers should not be linked with the pay revision of the regular employees, is accepted by the Director (HR) and assurance was given that it would be looked into expeditiously.

• Superannuation benefits to the DR employees.

The Staff Side seriously complained that the implementation of the assurance already given by the CMD BSNL and Director (HR), for raising the quantum of pension contribution by Management, is not implemented, and is being inordinately delayed. The Chairperson replied that it would be seriously looked into.

• Relaxation for TT LDCE.

Once again the Staff Side strongly demanded that one time relaxation, to the officials who are not possessing 10th std. qualification, should be given for appearing in the TT LDCE. The Director (HR) assured to examin it.

• Regularisation of casual labourers.

The Staff Side demanded that regularisation of the left out casual labourers should be taken up by the BSNL Management, in view of the recent Supreme Court judgement. The Chairperson assured that legal opinion would be taken.

• Conducting Senior Hindi Translator and Rajbasha Adhikari Internal Examination.

Management Side replied that the restructuring of these cadres is completed only recently and that the Internal Examination would be conducted shortly after calculation of vacancies.

AUAB और CMD BSNL के बीच मीटिंग....

कल एडिशनल सेक्रेटरी, टेलीकॉम के साथ संपन्न मीटिंग पश्चात AUAB के प्रतिनिधियों ने CMD BSNL से चर्चा की। डायरेक्टर (HR) भी उपस्थित थीं। CMD BSNL, बीएसएनएल के रिवाइवल के संबंध में DoT को प्रेजेंटेशन देने वाले हैं। इस पृष्ठभूमि में, AUAB के प्रतिनिधियों ने CMD BSNL को कहा कि AS(T) द्वारा प्रस्तावित 5% फिटमेंट के साथ पे रिवीजन स्वीकार योग्य नही है। उन्होंने CMD BSNL को जोर दे कर कहा कि कर्मचारियों को 15% फिटमेंट के साथ ही 3rd पे रिवीजन दिया जाए।

News has appeared in the media, stating that the DoT will move the Election Commission, for seeking an approval of the Union Cabinet, for the implementation of VRS in BSNL. Opposing this move of the DoT, BSNLEU has issued the following press statement.

The Corporate Office has issued letter yesterday the 21.06.2019, stating the following:-

1. No association, having Executives as it’s members, should influence the Non- Executives to vote for a particular union.

2. The association which is having Executives as it’s members, should not form any alliance with the union participating in the Membership Verification.

3. Unions should not form alliance with other unions.

Salary for the month of August is not paid. It is not known when will it be paid.  This is the 3rd time in this year that, the salary payment of the employees is delayed. The government/DoT and the BSNL Management are intentionally creating a hostile atmosphere for harassing the BSNL employees. We have every reason to believe that non-payment of salary to the BSNL employees on time, is a part of the conspiracy, to compel the employees to accept and to go on VRS. Hence, BSNLEU calls upon the employees to hold protest demonstrations throughout the country on 03-09-2019, demanding immediate payment of the August salary. Circle and District unions of BSNLEU are requested to organise the demonstration effectively.

A meeting has been arranged today, between Shri Ravi Shankar Prasad, Hon’ble Minister for Communications and the unions & associations of BSNL, at Sanchar Bhawan. Apart from the Hon’ble Minister, Shri Anshu Prakash, Secretary, Telecom, Shri Navneeth Gupta, Joint Secretary (Admn.), DoT and Shri Arvind Vadnerkar, Director (HR), BSNL, were also present. Com.P.Abhimanyu, GS and Com.Swapan Chakraborty, Dy.GS, represented BSNLEU in the meeting. A bouquet was presented to the Hon’ble Minister, on behalf of the AUAB. In his address, the Hon’ble Minister stated that the BSNL revival package, that has been approved by the Cabinet, is the last opportunity to revive the PSU and that everyone should ensure the early revival of BSNL. The Minister reiterated that he has consciously given a loud and clear message that, BSNL will not be closed down, disinvested or handed over to a third party. He also stated that BSNL is having vast assets which can be monetised. The Hon’ble Minister further stated that, the various departments would be requested to use BSNL’s services. As regards VRS, the Hon’ble Minister repeatedly told that it should be made a success. Com.P.Abhimanyu, GS, BSNLEU & Convenor, AUAB, thanked the Hon’ble Minister for his best efforts in getting BSNL’s revival package approved by the Cabinet. He pointed out that the unions & associations of BSNL have launched various movements in the past, like “Customer Delight Year”, “Service With A Smile” and “BSNL At Your Door Steps”, for strengthening BSNL. He assured that similar steps would be taken now also to revive BSNL. Com.P.Abhimanyu also pointed out the press statement made by the Hon’ble Minister, has clearly stated that, VRS would be purely voluntary. Whereas, fear is sought to be created among the employees by stating that, retirement age would be reduced to 58 years, after implementation of VRS, he complained.  Com.Chandeshwar Singh, GS, NFTE & Chairman, AUAB, Com.Sebastin, GS, SNEA, Com.S. Sivakumar, GS, AIBSNLEA and Com.Suresh Kumar, GS, BSNL MS, also raised various issues related to the revival of BSNL.

A meeting was held between BSNLEU and Shri Arvind Vadnerkar, Director (HR), to discuss the results of the JTO LICE. Shri Sourabh Tyagi, Sr.GM (Estt.), Ms. Samita Luthra, GM (Rectt.) and Shri A.K. Sinha, DGM (SR) were also present from the Management side . Com.P.Abhimanyu, GS and Com.Swapan Chakraborty, Dy.GS, represented BSNLEU. In addition to this, Com.Suresh Kumar, GS, SNATTA, Com.Vikram Kumar, District President, BSNLEU, Amirtsar and Com.Maharishi, SNATTA, Gujarat, were also present.
 
Poor results of the JTO LICE held on 26.05.2019.
The Union Side pointed out that, the results of the JTO LICE held on 26.05.2019, were extremely poor, since only 14.95% of the candidates appeared in the exam had qualified. It was pointed out to the Director (HR) that, the standard of the questions was very high. In addition to that, there were 10 questions with multiple correct answers and 22 out of syllabus questions. The Union Representatives strongly pleaded that the results should be reviewed, by granting full marks to the 10 questions with multiple correct answers or by granting grace marks. The Director (HR) fully heard the presentation of the Union Side with rapt attention and stated that the demand of the Union would be looked into sympathetically and needful decision would be taken.
 

Finding solution to the Punjab Court cases on JTO LICE.
The Union representatives pointed out that a deadlock has been created, through court cases, in the matter of JTO LICEs held in Punjab circle. Multiple court cases are going on, as a result of which the candidates qualified in the JTO LICE held in September, 2016, have not been sent for training. In addition to this, the results of the JTO LICEs held December, 2016 and in May, 2019 have not been declared so far. The Union Side pointed out that, the litigants have already assured to the Punjab Circle Administration that they are prepared to withdraw their court cases, provided results of the JTO LICE held in September, 2016, are revised, by carrying forward the unfilled vacancies of the Recruitment Year 2013-14. The Director (HR) told that various court cases are going on and assured that the Management will try to find a way out to break the deadlock in the issue, through suitable legal action. Com.Anil Kumar, (DR JE, Chandigarh), Com.Harmesh Singh, (DR JE, Patiala) and Com.Chander Shekar, (DR JE, Chandigarh) had also come over to the Corporate Office in connection with this discussion.
 

December,2019, salary to be paid on 31.01.2020.
Com.P.Abhimanyu, GS met Shri P.K.Purwar, CMD BSNL, and discussed about the payment of salary of the employees. In reply, the CMD BSNL informed that the salary for the month of December, 2019, would be paid on 31.01.2020.

The AUAB leaders of Ernakulam district met Shri Hibi Eden, Lok Sabha member from Ernakulam, on 08.08.2020 and submitted the memorandum. The representatives of the AUAB explained about the inordinate delay being caused in the launching of BSNL’s 4G service, as well as in the implementation of BSNL’s Revival Package. Shri Hibi Eden, MP, assured to make intervention on this issue.

After the introduction of ERP, CHQ quota is being remitted in bulk by the CGM offices, without giving the break-up figures of quota related to each district union. The last CEC meeting of BSNLEU, held at New Delhi in November, 2017, has directed the circle secretaries to provide information to the CHQ, about the district wise quota remitted from their respective circles, in the year 2016 and 2017. So far, these particulars have been provided only by Odisha, Gujarat and NE-II circles. Hence, it is reminded that all the remaining circle unions should immediately send the requisite particulars without further delay.

The circle executive committee meeting of UP(West) circle was held at Ghaziabad on 26.04.2018. Com.Ansar Ali, Circle President, presided over the meeting. Com. Upendar Singh Teotia, Circle Secretary, welcomed everyone and placed the report on activities. Com.Animesh Mitra, Vice-President(CHQ), addressed the meeting and spoke on important current issues, such as wage revision, Subsidiary Tower Company, revival of BSNL, etc. He also explained in detail on the decisions of the Agartala CEC meeting. The house was also addressed by Com.Sukvir Singh, Organising Secretary(CHQ) and Com.Naresh Pal, Circle Secretary, BSNL CCWF. After detailed deliberations by the executive committee members, important decisions are taken to strengthen the Organisation, and also to effectively implement the calls of the AUAB and BSNLEU.

A Meeting of the All Unions and Associations of BSNL (AUAB) will be held at 14:30 hrs., at BSNL MS office. The meeting is expected to discuss many serious issues, including the one to improve the sales and marketing of the Company.