It is learnt that IDA increase by 0.8% from 01st July, 2018. With this the total IDA shall be 128% w.e.f. 01.07.2018.

In the Reception Committee meeting held at Mysuru on 08.09.2018, a lot of comrades came forward and announced their voluntary donations for the forthcoming AIC. During this process, everyone was enthused when Com.C.K. Gundanna, Circle Secretary, Karnataka, announced that he was donating his one month’s pension amount, i.e., Rs.28,500/-, as his contribution for the All India Conference. This was followed by Com.J.V. Keshav, Circle Treasurer, Karnataka, who came forward and announced that he was donating Rs.25,000/- as his donation for the AIC. Com.Shiva Sankarappa, District Secretary, Hubli, announced Rs.25,000/- as his donation for the AIC. Com. Durgad, a senior comrade from Hubli came forward and announced Rs.28,000/- as his donation for the AIC. These announcements came as a pleasant surprise for the comrades who had gathered in the meeting. They greeted these senior comrades with an uproarious applause. CHQ also heartily congratulates Com.C.K. Gundanna, CS, Com.J.V. Keshav, Treasurer, Com. Shiva Sankarappa, DS, Hubli and Com.Durgad, for setting an example for the collection of donations for the AIC.

The AUAB of Gujarat circle organised a huge strike preparatory meeting at Ahmedabad today. Com. P. Abhimanyu, GS, BSNLEU & Convenor, AUAB, Com. Chandeshwar Sigh, GS, NFTE & Chairman, AUAB, Com. Prahlad Rai, GS, AIBSNLEA, Com. Suresh Kumar, GS, BSNL MS and circle secretaries of  the constituents of the AUAB addressed. The leaders elaborately explained the strike demands, as well as the pro-private and anti-BSNL / anti-public sector policies of the Nrendra Modi government. The speeches of the leaders evoked tremendous response from the 500 and odd Non-Executives and Executives who had come from throughout Gujarat circle. The meeting was presided over by Com.N.J.Bhatia, CS, NFTE & Chairman, AUAB, Gujarat. Com. D.K. Bakutra, CS, BSNLEU & Convenor, AUAB, Gujarat, welcomed everyone and conducted the proceedings.

The extended circle executive committee meeting of BSNLEU, Telangana circle, was held at Hyderabad today. Com. Mohan Reddy, Circle President, presided over. Com.J. Sampath Rao, Circle Secretary & AGS, BSNLEU, welcomed everyone and explained about the purpose of the meeting. Apart from the district secretaires and circle office bearers a large number of branch secretaries and active comrades attended the meeting. All the district secretaires participated in the discussion and placed their views regarding the 3 day strike and that the charter of demands. Finally, Com.P.Abhimanyu, GS, elaborately addressed the meeting and explained about the developments that have taken place at New Delhi, after the deferment of the indefinite strike. He also explained about the charter of demands and requested the comrades to effectively organise the 5 days street corner meeting, as well as the 3 day strike. The extended circle executive committee meeting enthusiastically decided to make the fullest mobilisation for the strike.

बीएसएनएल के रिवाइवल को रोकने की सरकार की रणनीति है VRS...
यूनियन्स एवं एसोसिएशन्स ऑफ BSNL द्वारा बीएसएनएल की भूमि प्रबंधन नीति का अनुमोदन करने हेतु मांग की जा रही है, जिससे कि BSNL की रिक्त पड़ी भूमि से मुद्रीकरण (मोनेटाइजेशन) के माध्यम से अर्जित राशि कंपनी के विकास और रिवाइवल हेतु उपलब्ध कराई जा सके। किन्तु अब BSNL की रिक्त भूमि के मोनेटाइजेशन से प्राप्त राशि का उपयोग सरकार VRS के लिए धनराशि जुटाने के लिए घेराबंदी कर रही है। यह BSNL के विकास और वित्तीय उन्नयन के लिए आवश्यक फंड्स प्राप्ति से BSNL को वंचित करने की सरकार एक सोची समझी योजना है।

Today’s Economic Times has reported that June salaries would be paid to the employees on time, since BSNL is having sufficient cash flows. Together with this, the Economic Times has reported that, there is an outstanding amount of Rs.14,000 crores, to be paid by the DoT to BSNL. This includes refund of BWA spectrum amount, excess amount taken by the DoT from BSNL towards pension contribution and non-payment of amount in respect of various government projects. We are enclosing the news item.

In spite of holiday due to Ganesh Chaturthi on 2nd September,2019, BSNLEU,Mehsana district, Gujarat conducted a largely attended election campaign meeting.  It was presided over by com J.K.Solanki, District President of Mehsana. Com P.J.Patel, District Secretary, welcomed all. The meeting addressed by Coms. N.M.Patel, former District Secretary, D.K.Bakutra,CS, Com.M.K.Dave, Vice-president(CHQ) and Com. Swapan Chakraborty, Dy GS. All the leaders elobratedly spoke about the current position of BSNL, and role of BSNLEU in uniting all the employees in united struggles for improving the situation. The issue of non-payment of salary to the employees, VRS and reduction of retirement age from 60 to 58 etc. were also explained. Workers responded very enthusiastically to the speeches.

As per the decision of the AUAB meeting, held on 06.11.2019, leaders of the AUAB met Shri P.K. Purwar, CMD BSNL, yesterday the 07.11.2019. General Secretaries / representatives of BSNLEU, NFTE, SNEA, AIBSNLEA, FNTO, BSNL MS, SNATTA, ATM BSNL and BSNLOA, participated in this meeting. From the Management Side, Shri Arvind Vadnerkar, Director (HR), was also present. In the meeting, the AUAB representatives demanded that BSNL should start it’s 4G service without any delay. They pointed out that there was every possibility of Vodafone leaving it’s India business. In such an eventuality, BSNL should be in a better position to rope in a sizeable customers from Vodafone, demanded the AUAB. They also demanded that prompt steps should be taken to provide FTTH connections on demand. It was also pointed out by the AUAB leaders that the Company should be in a position to cope with the workload which is likely to arise after the implementation of VRS. The CMD BSNL explained about the steps being taken to roll out 4G service. He told that BSNL’s 4G would be started by March, 2020. However, he did not give any response about the other issues. The AUAB representatives strongly urged upon the CMD BSNL for the immediate payment of salary for the month of October, 2019, as well as early remittance of the recoveries made since May, 2019, to the concerned organisations. To this, the CMD BSNL said that he could not give any assurance on these issues. After this meeting, the AUAB leaders discussed and decided to hold the next AUAB meeting on 14-11-2019 to discuss about the future course of action.

It is shocking to know that 3.4 lakh persons have cheated income tax, payable on account of capital gains from shares and mutual funds. As per media reports, 3.4 lakh investors, dealing in shares and mutual funds, have evaded income tax, on account of capital gains. Data shows that in 2018-19 alone, 91,000 individuals and Hindu Undivided Families (HUFs) dealing in shares and mutual funds, exceeding Rs.20 lakh, did not file Income Tax returns. The value of the sales of these shares and mutual fund units is estimated at Rs.99,000 crores. The Income Tax department is taking stringent actions when salaried employees do not file income tax returns. At the same time, media reports reveal that lakhs of persons dealing with shares and mutual funds escape from paying income tax and they are being allowed to escape scot-free.

[Courtesy: Times of India dated 29.01.2020]

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the unions are unable to hold their committee meetings physically. This is due to the compulsion of maintaining social distance, restrictions in travelling, etc.  It is in this backdrop that BSNLEU is holding it’s Central Secretariat meeting on 15.06.2020, through video conferencing. Kerala circle union has reported that it’s Circle Secretariat meeting has been organised yesterday the 10.06.2020, through video conferencing. CHQ heartily congratulates the Kerala circle union for taking the initiative to hold it’s Secretariat meeting on the digital platform. Other circle unions are also requested to hold their committee meetings through video conferencing.

Protesting against the outbursts of Shri Anantkumar Hegde, MP, calling BSNL employees traitors, lunch hour demonstrations and Twitter Campaign are being organised today. Shri Anantkumar Hegde, MP, should withdraw his statement, remarking BSNL as the black mark of the country and branding BSNL employees as traitors and should apologise.

Com.M.K.Dave, AGS, joined the CHQ on 18.12.2017, and has worked devotedly, braving the chill weather condition prevailing in Delhi. Even though, CHQ desired him to continue in the CHQ for some more time, he had to leave Delhi yesterday the 03-01-2018, in view of pressing domestic works. CHQ heartily thanks com.M.K.Dave, AGS, for his contribution.

As per the decision of the Agartala CEC meeting, Call Attention Day is observed in Eastern Court today the 3rd May. It was organised by the Circle Union, BSNLEU, NTR. The meeting was presided over by com R.S.Chouhan,Vice-president of CHQ and Circle Secretary, NTR. The meeting is addressed by com Swapan Chakraborty, Dy.GS and com Animesh Mitra, Vice-president, CHQ. Both of them explained in details on the demands of the programme. A good number of serving and retired employees participated in the programme.

The All India BSNL Working Women’s Coordination Committee meeting is held at Bengaluru today. Com.Latha Kamalakar, Committee member from Karnataka, presided over the meeting. Com.C.K.Gundanna, Circle Secretary, BSNLEU, Karnataka, welcomed all the Committee members. The Committee stood in silence for a minute, to pay homage to Com.Jyotsana Mokashi, Committee member from Maharashtra, who passed away recently, and also to the leaders and comrades who passed away since the last meeting. Com.P.Indira, Convenor of the Committee, presented the report on activities. She briefed on the formation of circle level coordination committees, conferences conducted,etc. Com.P.Abhimanyu, GS, addressed the meeting and spoke on the need to make the functioning of the BSNL Working Women’s Coordination Committee more vibrant, need to bring the directly recruited employees and contract workers into the fold of the Committee, and to actively raise the voice against the problems of women employees. All the Committee members participated in the discussion. They reported on activities like celebration of International and Women’s Day, participation in the two day strike, street corner meetings & other programme of BSNLEU and AUAB, day to day issues of women employees taken up by the Committee in their respective circles,etc. Finally, Com.P.Indira summed up the discussions. The Committee has taken many important decisions.

The 4th meeting of the Joint Committee on wage revision of the Non-Executives took place today. Shri H.C. Pant, Chairman of the Joint Committee, presided over the meeting. All the members of the Staff Side were present. Surprisingly, the members of the Management Side started talking in a negative way, right form the beginning of the meeting. Members of the Management Side started telling that the DoT may not accept 15% fitment, and may agree for only 0% fitment or 5% fitment. To this, the entire Staff Side reacted and told that nothing short of 15% fitment would be accepted by them. In the last three meetings, the Staff Side leaders have already emphatically told the Management Side that, the gap between the minimum and maximum of the pay scales of the Non-Executives should be sufficiently long, so as to avoid stagnation to any one of the Non-Executives. However, in today’s meeting, the Management Side members started arguing that the gap between the minimum and the maximum should be kept as short as possible, so that the Management need not unnecessarily spend huge amount towards payment of pension contribution. The entire Staff Side opposed this view. The Staff Side opposed this vehemently and argued that, when the Management is prepared to pay huge amount as pension contribution for the Executives, why should they worry about the amount to be paid only in respect of the Non-Executives. The Staff Side strongly criticised the mindset of the Management Side, and told that they would be compelled to go to the workers and expose the double standards being adopted by the Management Side. Thereafter, Shri H.C. Pant, Chairman of the Joint Committee, intervened and assured that the interests of the Non-Executives would be protected in the wage revision. Further, he directed the GM(SR) to spell-out the proposals of the Management with regards to the new pay scales. The following are the new pay scales proposed in today’s meeting, by the Management Side.

A massive strike preparatory meeting was organised at Lucknow today, under the banner of the AUAB, UP(East) circle, at Kaiserbagh telephone exchange compound. Com.Sanjay Dhube, CS, NFTE & Chairman,AUAB, UP(East) circle, presided over the meeting. Com. R.K.Mishra, CS, BSNLEU & Convenor, AUAB, UP(East) circle, welcomed everyone and conducted the programme. Com.P.Abhimanyu, GS, BSNLEU & Convenor, AUAB, Com.Chandeswar Singh, GS,NFTE & Chairman, AUAB, Com.S.Sivakumar, President, AIBSNLEA, Com.Ajay Kumar, President, BSNL MS, A.K.Mishra, ACS, SNEA, Com.R.N.Mishra, CS, AIGETOA, Com.R.K.Gupta, CS, TEPU, Com.A.K.Verma, CS, AIBSNLEA and Com.Sanjay Dhube, CS, BSNL MS addressed the meeting and elaborately explained about the demands. The leaders also exposed the pro-corporate and anti-BSNL / anti- Public Sector policies of the government and called upon the Non-Executives and Executives to make the indefinite strike from 03-12-2018 a total success.

A meeting addressed by the AUAB leaders was organised at Hyderabad today. Office bearers and active members of the constituents of the AUAB attended. The meeting was addressed by Com.P.Abhimanyu, GS, BSNLEU, Com.J. Sampath Rao, CS & AGS, BSNLEU, Com.Rajamouli, CS & Treasurer, NFTE, Com.Ramesh, CS, SNEA, Com. Srinivasa Reddy, AGS, AIBSNLEA, Com. Sai Goudu, CS, AIBSNLEA, Com. Lakshman, President, AIGETOA, Com. Anil Kumar, President, ATM and Com.Kabeer Das, GS, AIBSNL OA, addressed the meeting and requested the participants to successfully organise the 3 day strike from 18.02.2019.

BSNL के निजीकरण का रोडमैप (योजना) है VRS...
VRS बीएसएनएल के वित्तीय संकट के लिए संजीवनी (रामबाण दवा) नही है। VRS को दो बार MTNL में लागू किया जा चूका है। इसके बावजूद MTNL आकंठ संकट में है। VRS, MTNL को संकट से उबारने के लिए कारगर क्यों साबित नही हुआ ? क्या सरकार इसका जवाब दे सकती है ? सरकार की VRS लागू करने के पीछे केवल कर्मचारियों की संख्या कम करने की मंशा है जिससे कि भविष्य में BSNL का निजीकरण करना आकर्षक प्रतीत हो। VRS का क्रियान्वयन और कुछ नही, वरन, BSNL के निजीकरण हेतु रोडमैप है। VRS का समर्थन कर रहे युवा कर्मचारियों को यह समझना चाहिए।