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.

The AUAB meeting, scheduled for 30-10-2019, has been postponed, due to the non-availability of some of the General Secretaries at Delhi. The next date of holding the AUAB meeting will be informed shortly.

Consequent to the decision taken by the Cabinet on 23.10.2019, to implement VRS in BSNL and MTNL, the DoT has constituted a committee, for finalising general conditions, rules and by-laws for the Voluntarily Retirement Scheme. Apart from officers of the DoT, the Director (HR) of BSNL and the Director (HR) of MTNL are also members of the Committee. It has been also decided that the Committee should submit it’s report by 30th October, 2019 itself.

During General Secretary, Com.P.Abhimanyu’s visit to Hyderabad on 25.10.2019, a Press Conference was addressed by him, wherein the General Secretary has explained about the various aspects of the revival package, approved by the Cabinet, such as allotment of 4G spectrum, implementation of VRS, monetisation of assets, etc.

The Ghaziabad CEC meeting, held on 12th & 13th October, 2019, has decided that all circle unions should hold their Executive Committee meetings during the period from 01^st to 15th November, 2019. The decisions of the Ghaziabad CEC meeting, with regards to the review of the 8th Membership Verification, organising the campaign for the 8th January, 2020 General Strike, etc., should be reported by the Central Office bearers in these Circle Executive Committee meetings. Many of the circle unions have already issued notification to hold their Executive Committee meetings. CHQ requests that the remaining circles should also complete their Executive Committee meetings within the stipulated time. In any case, all the Circle Executive Committee meetings should be completed by 15th November, 2019. Thereafter, all the District Executive Committee meetings should be conducted during the period from 16^th to 30^th November, 2019. In those meetings also, the decisions of the Ghaziabad CEC meeting should be reported.

BSNLEU is extremely saddened to know that, Com.Gurudas Dasgupta, the former General Secretary of AITUC, as well as an outstanding Parliamentarian, has passed away. He was one of the top most leaders of the Communist Party of India also. Com.Gurudas Dasgupta has immensely contributed to the cause of the Indian working class movement. As a member of the Parliament for long years, he has effectively voiced the issues of the working class in the Parliament. He has also greatly contributed to the united struggles, organised by the Central Trade Unions. BSNLEU dips it’s banner and salutes Com.Gurudas Dasgupta. BSNLEU also conveys it’s heartfelt condolences to his bereaved family and friends.

It has been decided to hold a meeting of the K.G.Bose Memorial Trust at New Delhi, on 26.11.2019. The meeting will be held at K.G.Bose Bhawan and will start sharply at 10:00 am. All members of the Trust are requested to attend the meeting without fail. Separate intimation letters are being sent to the Trust members.

BSNLEU met Shri Arvind Vadnerkar, Director (HR), yesterday and discussed the following issues. Com.Animesh Mitra, President, Com.P.Abhimanyu, GS and Com.Swapan Chakraborty, Dy.GS, participated in this discussion. The details of the discussion are given below:-

Announcement of results of the JTO LICE, held on 26.05.2019.

The results of the JTO LICE, held on 26.05.2019, has not been announced so far, despite the repeated attempts made by BSNLEU, to get it done expeditiously. Hence, the matter was once again discussed with the Director (HR), yesterday. It is learnt that, the file has already been sent by the Recruitment Branch, for necessary approval. The Union demanded that the results should be declared without further delay. The Director (HR) assured to look into it and to do the needful speedily.

Implementation of DoP&T orders in the validation of caste certificates of 857 ST officials of Maharashtra circle.

BSNLEU is continuously demanding implementation of the DoP&T orders in the matter of validation of caste certificates of 857 ST officials of Maharashtra circle. Despite our efforts, the Maharashtra circle administration is not implementing the orders. In yesterday’s meeting, BSNLEU demanded that, BSNL Management should take up the issue of validation of the caste certificates of 857 ST officials, only with the District Magistrates / District Collectors, etc., as per the DoP&T orders. This demand is being raised by BSNLEU because, our officials will be harassed by the state government officials, if the validation matter is taken up with lower level officials. After detailed discussion, the Director (HR) agreed that the validation matter will be taken up with the District Magistrates / District Collectors, etc.  

Transferring the Non-Executives out of the SSAs.

Recently, the Restructuring Branch of the Corporate Office has issued a letter to the CGMs, wherein it is stated that the Non-Executives could be transferred out of the SSA. BSNLEU has already strongly objected to this, by writing to the Management. In yesterday’s meeting, this issue was discussed in detail. The Director (HR) replied that the entire organisational structure may undergo a change, after the implementation of VRS. He assured that the views of the Recognised Unions will certainly be taken into account, when the matter is reviewed.  

Delay in remitting the LIC premium amount – BSNLEU demands the CMD BSNL should write to the Chairman of LIC.  

BSNLEU has already written to the CMD BSNL, demanding that he should write to the Chairman of LIC, requesting to condone the delay in remitting premium amount of the LIC policies, already deducted from the salaries of the employees. BSNLEU informed the Director (HR) that, on it’s part BSNLEU will also make attempts through AIIEA. The Director (HR) accepted the proposal and assured that the needful would be done.

Taking back the retrenched contract workers and payment of their wage arrears.

BSNLEU, together with the AUAB and BSNL CCWF, has been demanding that the retrenched contract workers should be taken back for duty and that their wage arrears should be paid immediately. The issue was once again discussed with the Director (HR) yesterday. The Union pointed out that extreme shortage of staff will arise after the implementation of VRS and to cope with that situation, the contract workers who are already retrenched, should be taken back. The Union also demanded that the 10 month wage arrears of the contract workers should be paid expeditiously. The Director (HR) replied that these issues would be looked into.

Payment of salary for the month of October.

In yesterday’s meeting, the Union enquired about the payment of October salary to the employees. The Director (HR) replied that there will be delay, but the Management is taking efforts on this issue.

A meeting has been arranged by the DoT, wherein Shri Ravi Shankar Prasad, Hon’ble Minister for Communications, will be meeting the unions and associations of BSNL at 03:00 pm on 04.11.2019. It is expected that, the revival package of BSNL, recently approved by the Cabinet, will figure in the discussion. The details will be communicated to the members soon after the meeting is over.

Implementation of VRS in BSNL and MTNL is one of the aspects of the revival package approved by the Cabinet on 23.10.2019. Shri Ravi Shankar Prasad, Hon’ble Minister for Communications, informed the media persons on the same day that, implementation of VRS in BSNL & MTNL will be purely voluntary, which means no one will be forced to go on VRS. However, efforts are being made by the BSNL Management to create panic among the employees and force them to go on VRS. The speech delivered by Shri P.K. Purwar, CMD BSNL, on 25.10.2019, at the BSNL Corporate Office is aimed at creating panic among the employees. Shri P.K. Purwar has made that reckless speech, without knowing the dedication and work culture of the BSNL Executives and Non-Executives who have voluntarily implemented schemes like “Customer Delight Movement”, “Service With A Smile” and “BSNL At Your Door Steps”, to improve BSNL’s quality of service, revenue collections and customer satisfaction. Hence, Shri P.K.Purwar’s speech has received all-round condemnation. Further, we wish to point out that in the revival package approved by the Cabinet on 23.10.2019, which was published in the Press Information Bureau (PIB), there is no mention about reduction of retirement age from 60 to 58. However, efforts are being made to create panic among the employees, by spreading rumours that 58 years will also be implemented in BSNL. We have already made it clear that at the time of formation of BSNL, the Cabinet has given categorical commitment about retirement age of BSNL employees, which will be as per government rules. Hence, employees need not become panicky. We will also not allow the Management to compel any employee to go on VRS, by creating panic.

श्री रवि शंकर प्रसाद, माननीय संचार मंत्री 04.11.2019 को यूनियन्स और एसोसिएशन्स से मुलाकात करेंगे...
डॉट के द्वारा एक मीटिंग आयोजित की गई है, जिसमें 04.11.2019 को दोपहर 3.00 बजे श्री रवि शंकर प्रसाद, माननीय संचार मंत्री BSNL की यूनियन्स और एसोसिएशन्स से मुलाकात करेंगे। ऐसी संभावना है कि कैबिनेट द्वारा हाल ही में अनुमोदित BSNL रिवाइवल पैकेज चर्चाओं में शामिल रहेगा। मीटिंग समाप्ति के तुरंत पश्चात विस्तृत जानकारी सदस्यों को दी जाएगी।

VRS पूर्ण रूपेण स्वैच्छिक है- हम मैनेजमेंट को कर्मचारियों को VRS लेने हेतु दबाव नही बनाने देंगे....
BSNL और MTNL में VRS का क्रियान्वयन कैबिनेट द्वारा 23.10.2019 को अनुमोदित रिवाइवल पैकेज का एक पहलू है। श्री रवि शंकर प्रसाद, माननीय संचार मंत्री ने उसी दिन मीडिया को संबोधित करते हुए सूचित किया था कि BSNL और MTNL में VRS का क्रियान्वयन पूर्ण रूपेण स्वैच्छिक रहेगा, जिसका आशय है कि किसी को भी VRS के लिए बाध्य नही किया जाएगा। किन्तु, BSNL मैनेजमेंट द्वारा कर्मचारियों में भय का वातावरण निर्मित कर उन्हें VRS पर जाने के लिए दबाव बनाया जा रहा है। श्री पी के पुरवार, CMD BSNL द्वारा 25.10.2019 को कॉर्पोरेट ऑफिस में दिए गए उद्बोधन का उद्देश्य भी कर्मचारियों को आतंकित करना ही है। श्री पी के पुरवार ने वह गैर जिम्मेदाराना उद्बोधन, BSNL के एग्जीक्यूटिव्ज व नॉन एग्जीक्यूटिव्ज के समर्पण और कार्य संस्कृति को जाने बगैर दिया, जिन्होंने BSNL द्वारा प्रदत्त सेवाओं को उन्नत बनाने के लिए " कस्टमर डिलाइट मूवमेंट", "सर्विस विथ स्माइल" और  "BSNL एट योर डोर स्टेप" जैसे कार्यक्रमों के साथ साथ राजस्व वसूली और उपभोक्ता संतुष्टि के कार्य किए। इसी वजह से श्री पी के पुरवार के उद्बोधन की सर्वत्र भर्त्सना हुई। इसके अलावा हम यह भी बताना चाहेंगे कि 23.10.2019 को कैबिनेट द्वारा अनुमोदित रिवाइवल पैकेज, जो कि प्रेस इन्फॉर्मेशन ब्यूरो द्वारा प्रकाशित किया गया था, में कहीं भी रिटायरमेंट की आयु सीमा 60 से घटा कर 58 किए जाने का उल्लेख नही है। फिर भी, BSNL में 58 वर्ष का क्रियान्वयन करने की अफवाह फैला कर कर्मचारियों में आतंक का माहौल निर्मित करने के प्रयास किए जा रहे हैं। हम पूर्व में यह स्पष्ट कर चुके हैं कि BSNL के गठन के समय कैबिनेट द्वारा स्पष्टता के साथ यह कमिटमेंट किया गया था कि BSNL कर्मियों के लिए रिटायरमेंट की उम्र सीमा हेतु सरकार के नियम लागू होंगे। अतः कर्मचारियों को भयभीत होने की आवश्यकता नही है। हम भी मैनेजमेंट को कर्मचारियों को आतंकित कर VRS लेने के लिए बाध्य करने की इजाजत नही देंगे।

As per the decision of the Ghaziabad Central Executive Committee meeting, all the circle unions have to hold their Executive Committee meetings during the period from 01.11.2019 to 15.11.2019. According to this decision, Kolkata Telephones circle union has held it’s Extended Executive Committee meeting on 02.11.2019. Com.Sisir Roy, Circle Secretary and Organising Secretary (CHQ), made a reporting regarding the decisions of the Ghaziabad CEC meeting. After thorough discussion, the meeting has taken many important decisions, including the one to effectively organise the One Day General Strike on 08^th January, 2019.

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.

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.

BSNL के रिवाइवल के लिए यह अंतिम अवसर है... कहा श्री रविशंकर प्रसाद, माननीय संचार मंत्री ने यूनियन्स और एसोसिएशन्स के लीडर्स से....
आज संचार भवन में श्री रविशंकर प्रसाद, माननीय संचार मंत्री और BSNL की यूनियन्स और एसोसिएशन्स के बीच मीटिंग आयोजित की गई। माननीय मंत्री महोदय के अलावा श्री अंशु प्रसाद, सेक्रेटरी टेलीकॉम, श्री नवनीत गुप्ता, जॉइंट सेक्रेटरी (Admn), श्री अरविंद वडनेरकर, डायरेक्टर (एच आर), BSNL भी उपस्थित थे। मीटिंग में कॉम पी अभिमन्यु, जीएस और कॉम स्वपन चक्रबोर्ती, डिप्टी जीएस ने BSNLEU का प्रतिनिधित्व किया। AUAB की ओरसे माननीय मंत्री महोदय को पुष्पगुच्छ (bouquet) दिया गया। अपने उद्बोधन में, माननीय मंत्री महोदय ने कहा कि कैबिनेट द्वारा अनुमोदित BSNL रिवाइवल पैकेज, PSU के पुनरुद्धार हेतु अंतिम अवसर है और सभी को BSNL का जल्द से जल्द रिवाइवल सुनिश्चित करना चाहिए। मंत्रीजी ने पुनः दोहराया कि उन्होंने काफी सोच समझ कर स्पष्ट रूप से कहा है कि BSNL बंद नही होगा, विनिवेश नही होगा और किसी भी थर्ड पार्टी को सौंपा नही जाएगा। उन्होंने यह भी कहा कि BSNL के पास अथाह संपदा है जिसका मुद्रीकरण किया जा सकता है।  माननीय मंत्री महोदय ने आगे यह भी कहा कि विभिन्न विभागों को BSNL की सेवाओं का उपयोग करने हेतु अनुरोध किया जाएगा। VRS के संबंध में उन्होंने बार बार यही कहा कि इसे सफल बनाना चाहिए। कॉम पी अभिमन्यु, जीएस, BSNLEU और कन्वेनर AUAB ने माननीय मंत्रीजी को उनके द्वारा  BSNL के रिवाइवल पैकेज को कैबिनेट से अनुमोदित कराने हेतु किए गए भरसक प्रयासों के लिए धन्यवाद दिया। उन्होंने यह संज्ञान में लाया कि BSNL की सुदृढ़ता के लिए पूर्व में BSNL की यूनियन्स और एसोसिएशन्स द्वारा "कस्टमर डिलाइट ईयर", "सर्विस विथ ए स्माइल", और "बीएसएनएल एट योर डोर स्टेप" जैसे कई कार्यक्रम शुरू किए गए थे। उन्होंने आश्वस्त किया कि BSNL के पुनरुत्थान हेतु अब भी ऐसे ही कदम उठाए जाएंगे। कॉम पी अभिमन्यु ने यह भी संज्ञान में लाया कि माननीय मंत्री महोदय द्वारा जारी प्रेस विज्ञप्ति में यह स्पष्ट रूप से कहा गया है कि VRS पूर्ण रूपेण स्वैच्छिक होगा। जबकि, कर्मचारियों में यह कह कर भय निर्मित करने की कोशिश की जा रही है कि VRS के क्रियान्वयन पश्चात रिटायरमेंट की आयु सीमा घटा कर 58 वर्ष कर दी जाएगी, उन्होंने शिकायत दर्ज की। कॉम चंदेश्वर सिंह, GS, NFTE और चेयरमैन, कॉम सेबेस्टियन,GS, SNEA, कॉम एस सिवकुमार,GS, AIBSNLEA और कॉम सुरेश कुमार,GS, BSNL MS ने भी BSNL के रिवाइवल के संबंध में विभिन्न मुद्दों को उठाया।

The Circle Executive Committee meeting of UP(East) circle is being held at Lucknow today. Com.D.N.Tripati, Circle President is presiding. Com.Premnath Rai, General Secretary, CITU, inaugurated the meeting and spoke in detail about the anti-worker policies of the Modi government and also about the decision of the Central Trade Unions to organise a one day General Strike on 8^th January,2020. Com.P.Abhimanyu,GS, addressed the meeting and explained about the decisions of the Ghaziabad CEC meeting, various aspects of the Revival Package of BSNL, approved by the Cabinet, VRS and the need to make the 8^th January,2020 General Strike a success in BSNL. The meeting was greeted by Com.K.R.Yadav, Circle Secretary, AIBDPA. The report on activities was placed by Com.R.K.Mishra, Circle Secretary. Deliberations by the Committee members started after the lunch break and is continuing.

Some employees are raising the doubt, whether employees who go on VRS are entitled for Pay Revision. A judgement delivered by the Delhi High Court on 26^th February, 2017, in the Sanjay Behari vs. IFCI Ltd. case, has said that employees who go on VRS are not entitled for any Pay Revision given retrospectively, for the period when they were in service. The relevant portion of the judgements says as follows:-

It is (VRS) a package deal of give and take. That is why in business world it is known as "Golden Handshake". The main purpose of paying this amount is to bring about a complete cessation of the jural relationship between the employer and the employee. After the amount is paid and the employee ceases to be under the employment of the company or the undertaking, he leaves with all his rights and there is no question of his again agitating for any kind of his past rights, with his erstwhile employer including making any claim with regard to enhancement of pay scale for an earlier period.