The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) released guidelines yesterday, upholding ' net neutrality'. The TRAI has backed the basic principles of an open and free internet in its recommendations on net neutrality. The guidelines state that, no internet access service provider shall resort to any form of discrimination, restriction or interference in the treatment of content, including practices like blocking, degrading, slowing down or granting preferential speeds. “Nobody owns the internet. And, therefore, it is everybody’s property...and, therefore, it should be open and accessible to everybody,” the TRAI has stated.

The responsibility of making the arrangements for conducting the Himachal Pradesh circle conference, fell squarely on the shoulders of the CHQ, after the de-recognition of our Himachal Pradesh circle union. In this regard, CHQ sought the  help of the Himachal Pradesh State Committee of the CITU. Accepting our CHQ's request, CITU comrades had made excellent arrangements for holding the two day conference at Shimla. It is important to state that, the arrangements had been made with the least expenditure. All the delegates, who attended the circle conference, appreciated the excellent arrangements that had been made, in respect of conference hall, food, and staying arrangements. After the conference is over,  Com.P.Abhimanyu, GS, together with the newly elected circle president, circle secretary, circle treasurer and other circle office bearers, visited the CITU State Committee Office at Shimla, and heartily thanked Com. Prem Gautam, State Secretary, Com. Jagat Ram, State President and Com. Vijender Mehra, for all the helps that they had extended, to make the conference a resounding success.

50^th anniversary of the one day strike, held in 1968, has been observed in the following places.

सरकार बीएसएनएल को बंद करना चाहती है- आखिर सरकार का असली चेहरा सामने आ ही गया ... आओ इसका प्रतिकार करें और 3 दिवसीय हड़ताल को ऐतिहासिक रूप से सफल करें.

आज के टाइम्स ऑफ इंडिया अखबार में एक खबर छपी है जिसमें सरकार के बीएसएनएल के प्रति दृष्टिकोण को विस्तार से स्पष्ट किया गया है। इस संबंध में टाइम्स ऑफ इंडिया की रिपोर्ट कहती है कि सरकार के विचारणीय विकल्पों  में से एक विकल्प बीएसएनएल को बंद करना है। सरकार के पास एक और विकल्प है। वह यह है कि किसी भी एक कॉर्पोरेट को बीएसएनएल के शेयर बड़ी संख्या में सौंप कर उस कॉर्पोरेट को बीएसएनएल के पार्टनर के रूप में शामिल कर लिया जाए। इसे कहते हैं रणनितिक विक्रय (strategic sale)। मतलब, आखिर सरकार का असली मकसद सामने आ चुका है। सरकार ने बीएसएनएल को बंद करने या उसे किसी कॉर्पोरेट को सौंपने का प्रस्ताव स्पष्ट कर दिया है। अब निर्णय बीएसएनएल कर्मचारियों को करना है। किन्तु कॉमरेड्स, हम समर्पण नही करेंगे। हमने 18 वर्षों तक लगातार संघर्ष किया है, बीएसएनएल का 100% सरकारी कंपनी के रूप में अस्तित्व बनाए रखा है। हम बीएसएनएल की रक्षा करने के लिए अपना संघर्ष जारी रखेंगे। अतः, 18.02.2019 से होने वाली 3 दिवसीय हड़ताल में शामिल होवें। सरकार को हमें दिखाना है कि हमें बीएसएनएल को ध्वस्त और धराशायी होते देखना स्वीकार्य नही है। बीएसएनएल को कमजोर करने के कुटिल खेल के खिलाफ  हम अपनी पूरी ताकत के साथ लड़ेंगे। 

The 38th meeting of the National Council will be held on 29-04-2019. Notification for the meeting has already been issued. This meeting is being held at a short notice, since Ms.Sujata Ray, Director (HR), as well as the Chairperson of the National Council, is retiring on superannuation on 30-04-2019.

Representatives of the AUAB met Shri P.K. Purwar, CMD BSNL, yesterday, and had a very detailed discussion. General Secretaries of BSNLEU, NFTE, SNEA, AIBSNLEA, BSNL MS and representatives of AIGETOA, ATM and BSNL OA participated.

The representatives of AUAB conveyed to the CMD BSNL, the decision of the AUAB meeting held on 03.07.2019, to intensify the “BSNL At Your Door Steps” programme, to step up the revenue collections of BSNL. The CMD BSNL appreciated it and informed that the BSNL Corporate Office also would take steps to make this programme successful. Further, he advised that efforts should be taken to collect the outstanding dues. The outstanding amount in the EB Branch alone comes to Rs.3,000 crore, said the CMD BSNL. Further he also requested to ensure that scrap materials are disposed off, to collect money.

The representatives brought to the notice of the CMD BSNL that there is a great demand for BSNL’s FTTH connections, through which the Company can collect handsome revenue. However, they pointed out that needful equipments, stores and materials are not available, as result of which BSNL is not able to provide FTTH connections on demand. The CMD BSNL replied that needful action would be taken in this regard.

The representatives of the AUAB recorded their strong protest for the taking over of the ALTTC by the DoT and told that they would be compelled to launch struggles against this. The CMD BSNL told that this would be duly communicated to the DoT in the appropriate manner.

The representatives also told the CMD BSNL that a large number of BTSs are being shut down due to non-payment of electricity bills and also wages were not paid to the contract workers for the past 6 months. They pointed out that the quality of service is deteriorating rapidly and something needs to be done to stop it. The CMD BSNL replied that no bank is coming forward to give loan and still he is trying hard to get bank loan to improve the situation.

As regards, the taking away of maintenance works of BBNL, from BSNL, the CMD BSNL replied that the rate that BSNL is getting for this maintenance works is very less and that the BBNL is not willing to raise it. Hence, BSNL is also not interested to continue with the same, since it is not a gainful job. Further the CMD BSNL told that BSNL has claimed compensation from the government to run 17,000 loss making exchanges.

The BSNL Management is holding a two day Conference of the Heads of Circles (HOCC) today and tomorrow at New Delhi. This is the first HOCC, to be held after the implementation of VRS and the exodus of nearly 80,000 employees. Hence, this Conference is crucial, and is expected to discuss and take decisions with regards to the maintenance of services, management of manpower, etc., in the aftermath of the implementation of VRS. We hope, useful decisions would be taken for the early launching of 4G service and improvement of the financial position of the Company.

1) Com. Dipesh Rana (JE at KBG) Vadodara - Rs.1,000/-

2) Com. S.K. Ansari (TT-NZP) & Org. Secretary, BSNLEU, Vadodara - Rs.500/- 

3) Com. Sunilkumar Shah Retd.(OS), CSC-PNG, Vadodara - Rs.500/-

In the wake of BSNLEU having given call for organising countrywide dharna programme with social distancing, on 26^th June, 2020, the “newsclick” online news portal, has published an article on the Revival of BSNL. Recently the newsclick had an interview with Com.P.Abhimanyu, GS. and the article is based on it.

Com. Swapan Chakraborty, Dy.GS and Com. Animesh Mitra, VP (CHQ), met Shri Keshav Rao, GM (Trag. & Estt.), BSNL CO on 10.01.2018 and discussed the following items:-

1. To give necessary approval for change of Holiday on 15^th January, 2018 from 14^th January, 2018, as “Makar Sankranti” for Andhra Pradesh and Telangana circle.

The State Government of both Andhra Pradesh and Telangana state has declared “Makar Sankranti” as holiday on 15^th January, 2018. Earlier, the Circle Heads of both the circles had notified “Makar Sankranti” as holiday on 14^th January, 2018, in view of the recommendations of the Central Government Employees Co-ordination Committee. Since, the State Government have now decided to change of the date of the holiday of “Makar Sankranti” from 14^th January, 2018 to 15^th January, 2018, and the Central Government Employees Co-ordination Committee has also recommended to change of the date, the Circle Management forwarded the proposal to the BSNL CO for approval under clause 4 of the Corporate Office letter. The GM (Trg. & Estt.) assured to look into the matter.

2. Arrangement for phase-I JAO training of departmental candidates against LICE of J&K circle.

The J&K circle has requested the CGM, NATFM, Hyderabad to arrange phase-I JAO training of the departmental candidates against LICE. Since, the CGM, NATFM has not allotted any seats to the circle, the union representatives requested the GM (Trg.) to intervene. The GM (Trg.) assured to take necessary steps in this regard.

3. Continuation of GPF to the TSMs in West Bengal circle.

The TSMs are governed by GPF rule and they were contributing their GPF in West Bengal circle before formation of BSNL and till introduction of ERP. The circle administration of West Bengal discontinued to recover GPF for TSMs, stating that no instructions are available with them after ERP introduction in the circle. The circle has forwarded the matter to BSNL CO for clarification. The union representatives request the GM (Estt.) to give necessary clarification immediately. The GM (Estt.) assured to look into the matter.

The BSNL Management has already taken steps for the constitution of the Joint Committee for wage negotiations. BSNLEU has been directed to nominates it’s five representatives to the Joint Committee for wage negotiations. BSNLEU has already sent it’s nominations. Today’s Com.P. Abhimanyu, GS and Com. Animesh Mitra, Vice President (CHQ), met Shri A.M. Gupta, GM(SR), and demanded that the meeting of the Joint Committee should be conducted immediately, desirably in the 3^rd week of July itself. The GM(SR) assured to take the needful action.

The District Conference of BSNLEU, Bangalore Telecom District was held on 21^st & 22^nd September, 2018. Com. Kempegowda, District President, presided over the meeting. Com. H.V. Sudharshan, District Secretary, welcomed every one. Com. P. Abhimanyu, GS, inaugurated the delegates session on 21.09.2018 and explained about 3^rd wage revision, issues connected with the financial revival of BSNL, Subsidiary Tower Company and the settlement of long pending issues of the Non-Executives. The delegates session was also addressed by Com. C.K. Gundanna, CS, Com. M.C. Balakrishna, CP and many others. A very impressive open session was held on 22.09.2018, addressed by Com. P. Abhimanyu, GS and Shri Janardhan Rao, PGM, BGTD and Com. Prakash, CITU, greeted the conference.

All circle secretaries & CHQ office bearers are requested to ensure that the SAVE BSNL - SAVE NATION campaign is  organised effectively, by way of conducting street corner meetings. The climate is very hot. Hence, the street corner meetings can be conducted during evening hours. Print as many handbills as possible and distribute among the public and employees. Try to conduct as many street corner meetings as possible, within the stipulated time,ie., 30th April, 2019. Please send report and photos to the CHQ. Regards.

-P. Abhimanyu,GS.

In their meeting with Shri Arvind Vadnerkar, Director (HR), BSNL, yesterday, Com.Animesh Mitra, President and Com.P.Abhimanyu, GS, raised the issue of verification of caste certificates of the ST employees of Maharashtra circle. They pointed out that, clear cut decision was given by the Director (HR), in the Formal meeting held with BSNLEU on 14.01.2020, that the DoP&T orders would be implemented on the matter. However, the Maharashtra Circle Administration is sticking on to their earlier decision of getting the caste certificates verified through the scrutiny committees, complained the leaders. The Director (HR) assured that the needful would be done. 

1) Staff Union, CTD Co-Op - Rs.10,000.00

2) Com. Com. Karabi Bandyopadhyay SMP - Rs.5000.00

3) BSNLEU BZ Division - Rs.5000.00

4) BSNLEU ENTL Division - Rs.5000.00

5) Com.Heramba Biswas, CT - Rs.1000.00

6) Com. Judhistir Halder CT  - Rs. 1000.00

7) Com. Kaustab Chakraborty CT - Rs. 1000.00

8) Com. Pradip Chakraborty CT - Rs. 1000.00

9) Com. Manawar Ali CT - Rs. 1000.00

10) Com. Santosh Raha CT - Rs. 1000.00

11) Com. Pradeep Chaudhary CT - Rs. 1000.00

12) Com. Samaresh Saha CNTL - Rs. 1000.00

13) Com. Swapan Kumar Mishra CNTL - Rs. 1000.00

14) Com. Susanta Ghosh Dastidar CT Rs. 1000.00

15) Com. Pradeep Biswas CT - Rs. 1000.00

16) Com. Subhash Ghosh BDN - Rs. 1000.00

17) Com. Asit Chanda BDN - Rs. 1000.00

18) Com. Gopal Mitra STH - Rs. 500.00

19) Com. Prasun Mukherjee, CNTL - Rs. 1000.00

20) Com. Sibji Mahato CNTL - Rs. 1000.00

21) Com. Prabir Kumar Roy CNTL - Rs. 500.00

22) Com. Bijoy Sardar CNTL - Rs. 500.00