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.

Review of the JTO LICE 50% exam for the vacancy year 2017-18, held on 26.05.2019, and to award full marks for the wrong/multiple/ambiguous answers or out of syllabus questions.

The GM (Rectt.) informed that the Management had already set up an experts committee, to review the grievances in respect of the JTO LICE for 2017-18 as per the SOP (Standard Operating Procedure). She further informed that the documents given by BSNLEU would be referred to the experts committee, for consideration. The whole process will be completed within a short time.

Withdrawal of the decision to levy fee for the TT LICE.

As regards the withdrawal of the decision of the Management for levying exam fee for the Telecom Technician LICE, to be held on 08.09.2019, the Dy.GS informed the GM (Rectt.) that, no exam fee for TT LICE was imposed in the earlier exams and it should not be imposed this time also. The GM (Rectt.) assured to look into the matter.

Announcement of the date for the JE LICE off line exam.

The BSNL Management has already accepted BSNLEU's proposal to hold the TT LICE as an offline exam. However, the date for the exam is yet to be finalised by the Corporate Office. This issue was also discussed yesterday. The GM (Rectt.) informed that the process is in the final stage and hopefully the exam may be tentatively held in August, 2019.

Election campaign meetings were conducted at Goa and Margaon of Maharashtra Circle,  addressed by Com.Animesh Mitra, President, Com.N.K.Nalawade, Vice-President (CHQ) & CS, and Com.John Varghese, AGS. The leaders explained about the present issues of BSNL including financial crisis, revival plans, VRS, Reduction of retirement age, Non executive employees issues, present position of wage revision, our achievements after the last verification. These meetings were also addressed by Com. Ganesh Hinge, Circle Treasurer, Com Atul Vatve, ACS, Com Kautik Baste, DS Kalyan, Com Vijay Belgaonkar, District Secretary, Goa.

The Hyderabad district conference of BSNLEU was held on 25.10.2019. The venue of the Conference was named as Com.Nagamanyam nagar, who was the founding district secretary of BSNLEU, Hyderabad district. Com.Nagamanyam passed away after the last district conference. Com.M.N.Reddy, veteran trade union leader, who was also the former Assistant General Secretary of the AITEU Class lll, elected in the Bhopal All India Conference, hoisted the National Flag, amidst thunderous slogans. Com.K.Yadaiah, Circle President and Com.Ramachandrudu, district president jointly presided over the Conference. Com.J.Sampath Rao, circle secretary welcomed everyone. Com.M.N.Reddy delivered the inaugural speech of the Conference. Com.P.Abhimanyu,GS, addressed the Conference. He spoke in detail about BSNL’s Revival Package, as approved by the Cabinet. The General Secretary also explained about the CEC decisions in respect of the 8th Membership Verification and the forthcoming General Strike to be held on 8th January,2020. He called on the employees to come forward and work for the revival of BSNL, by utilising the new measures announced by the Cabinet. Com.J.Venkatesh, Secretary,CITU, Telengana State, greeted the Conference. The Conference unanimously elected Com.D.Nagaraj, Com.M.Susheel Kumar, Com.D.Srinivas Reddy as the new President, District Secretary and Treasurer respectively.

It is known to the entire world that, the BJP governments at the centre and in the states are using brutal force against the citizens who are peacefully protesting against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), and the National Register of Citizens (NRC). Violence by any protester cannot be allowed. At the same time, action should be taken against them as per the law of the land. However, in states like Uttar Pradesh and Assam, where the BJP is the ruling party, protesters are being mercilessly shot down. The BJP President of West Bengal, Dilip Gosh, has taken pride in stating that the BJP governments have shot down the protesters like dogs. The mindset of the ruling BJP is well revealed by Dilip Gosh, who is a senior leader of that party.

1) BSNL EU Anantapuram District Branch - Rs.10,000/-

2) Com. L.Ramesh Babu, ACS, Vijayawada (Krishna SSA) - Rs 3,000/-          

3) Com.G.V.Bhaskara Reddy, Dist. President, Kurnool - Rs.2,000/-

4) Com.KVRR Prasad JTO & DS STP Vijayawada - Rs.2,000/-

5) Com. P.Venkatarao, DS, Srikakulam - Rs 3,000/-

6) Com. T.Atcheswara Rao, Nuzvidu (Krishna SSA) – Rs.1,000/-

7) Com.B.L.Narayana B.S GM TD Office Branch, Vijayawada (Krishna SSA) – Rs.1,005/-

8) Com. M.Govardhana Rao, ACS, Srikakulam SSA – Rs.1,000/-

9) Com.G.Aruna Sree ATT, Srikakulam - Rs.1,000/-

10) Com. T.Satyasai, JE, Vijayawada (Krishna SSA) – Rs.500/-

The AUAB leaders of Cuddalore district, met Shri Ravikumar, Lok Sabha Member, from Villupuram, Tamil Nadu circle, and submitted the memorandum today. The AUAB leaders explained about the road-blocks being created in BSNL’s 4G launching and also about the delay in it’s revival. Shri Ravikumar, MP, assured to do his best to help BSNL.