Utilising the visit of Com.P.Abhimanyu, GS, to Chennai, to attend the All India Conference of the CITU, a lunch hour meeting was organised by the District Union of BSNLEU, at the CGM, STP office. Almost the entire Executives and Non-Executives of that office attended the meeting. Com.Valayapathi, District President, BSNLEU, presided over. Com. Purushothaman, DS, welcomed everyone. In his brief speech, the General Secretary explained how the shifting of the CGM office of the Core Network, South, to Bengaluru is totally unjustified and also about the details his discussion of this issue with the CMD BSNL. He assured that BSNLEU would try it's best to retain the headquarters at Chennai itself. The General Secretary also briefly dwelt on the issues of  VRS, structural changes in the Company consequent to the implementation of the VRS, reduction of the retirement age from 60 to 58, 3rd PRC, etc. The details of the Formal Meeting held by BSNLEU with the Director (HR), on apprehensions regarding  transfers and increased workload, were also explained by the General Secretary. The meeting was also addressed by Com.S.Chellappa, AGS.

The whole world was horrified to watch the brutal killing of George Floyd, an African American, at Minneapolis, United States, on 25th May, 2020. Floyd's brutal killing by Derek Chauhin, a White police man, is the testimony for the raging racism in the United States. Protest actions are going on throughout the United States and in other countries, demanding justice for Floyd and also demanding an end to racism. A rally was organised at Kolkata today, demanding justice to George Floyd. Central Trade Unions and Independent Federations had given call for this rally. Members of BSNLEU from West Bengal and Kolkata Telephones circles participated in this rally, under the leadership of Com.Animesh Mitra, President, Com.Sisir Roy, Organising Secretary(CHQ) and Com.Om Prakash Singh, Circle Secretary, Telecom Factory.

A massive state level joint meeting of the BSNL Unions and Associations of West Bengal was held at Kolkata yesterday the 22nd November, in the Institute Hall, CTO, Kolkata. Very good mobilisation has been made by all unions and associations. A presidium of circle secretaries of all major unions and associations in Kolkata Telephones circle conducted the meeting. It was addressed by Com.Swapan Chakraborty, Dy.GS,BSNLEU, Com. C.Singh, GS,NFTE- BSNL, Com.Tapas Ghosh, CS, SNEA,West Bengal, Com.Prasun Mukherjee, Organising Secretary, AIBSNEA, Com. Alok Nandi,Dy.GS, FNTO,Com.Ashok Acharaya,Jt.Secretary, AIGETOA, Com.Ajay Singh, President, BSNLMS, Com.Jitendra Balmiki,CS,SEWA BSNL, Com.Praveen Kumar,SNATTA and Com. Soumya Basak, CS,AIBSNLOA addressed the convention. Com. Animesh Mitra,VP(CHQ) BSNLEU proposed vote of thanks.

Com. P. Abhimanyu, GS, met Ms. Sujata T. Ray, Director (HR) today, and expressed that BSNLEU is experiencing undue delay in getting appointments with her, for the discussion of staff issues. The GS explained about the details of such delays experienced so far. After discussion, the Director (HR) gave instruction to the PS that, meeting should be normally arranged within three days of receiving the requisition letter, in respect of issues which are already discussed. However, in case of emergency issues, no such procedure would be required, assured the Director (HR).  

A meeting of the All Unions and Associations of BSNL was held today. Com. K. Sebastin, GS, SNEA, presided over. Details connected with the March to Sanchar Bhawan, to be held on 23.02.2018, were discussed. After discussion it is decided that March to Sanchar Bhawan will start from Eastern Court, Janpath, at 11:00 AM. It is also decided to invite leaders of the Central Trade Union, to address the rally.

The circle executive committee meeting of BSNLEU, West Bengal circle was held on 30^th April 2018, in K.G.Bose Smriti Bhawan at Kolkata. The meeting was presided over by com Nazesh Nouroz, Circle President. Com. Animesh Mitra, CS of West Bengal circle and vice president of CHQ presented the draft report on activities. Com Swapan Chakraborty, Dy.GS, in his inaugural address, reported on the decisions of the Agartala CEC meeting. He also addressed the house on important issues such as the subsidiary tower company, wage revision, fight against neo liberal policies, communal harmony, etc. The meeting was also addressed by Com.Om Prakash Singh, Organising Secretary(CHQ) and Com.Biplab Das, Convenor, Coordination Committee. After detailed discussion, decisions were taken to successfully implement the Call Attention Day on 03-05-2018 and Street Corner meetings from 7th to 11th May, 2018.

Com. P. Abhimanyu, GS, Com. Swapan Chakraborty, Dy.GS and Com. Animesh Mitra, Vice President (CHQ), met Shri H.C. Pant, CGM(Legal) & Chairman of the Joint Committee on Wage Negotiations of the Non-Executives yesterday. The representatives expressed their unhappiness at the slow phase in which the wage negotiations are proceeding. They pointed out that in view of the impending Lok Sabha election, there is an urgent need to conclude the Wage Revision within the shortest possible time. The Chairman gave a patient hearing to the views of the Union representatives and assured to expedite the talks on wage revision.

In the name of revival of BSNL, the government is moving fast to implement VRS in BSNL. The DoT has not bothered to discuss it's so called revival plan of BSNL with the unions and associations, which are important stake-holders of BSNL. Further, the government has unilaterally decided to divert the income to be generated through the monetisation of BSNL's lands, to fund the VRS. This is nothing, but a well thought of plan, to deprive BSNL of the funds needed for it’s development and financial revival. Further, VRS is the government's strategy to cut down the size of BSNL's employees, so as to make it attractive for privatisation. The unions and associations which are opposing VRS have called on the employees to organise protest demonstrations throughout the country on 12-04-2019. We request all the circle and district unions to mobilise maximum number of employees and to make the demonstration a huge success.

The BSNL Working Women’s Coordination Committee meeting, Kerala circle, was held on 22.06.2019, at Trivandrum. Com.K.N. Jyothilakshmi presided. Com. V. Bhagyalakshmi, Convenor, presented the report on activities.  Com. C. Santhoshkumar CS, Com.M.Vijayakumar, AGS, Com. P.R Parameswaran, Organising Secretary (CHQ), Com. P. Manoharan, CP, addressed on important Issues. The meeting decided to organise district level women’s conventions and to campaign for the Membership verification.

A well attended election campaign meeting was addressed by Com.P.Abhimanyu, GS, today, at the CGM Office, Tamil Nadu circle at Chennai. Com.A Babu Radhakrishnan, CS, Tamil Nadu circle, presided over. Com. D.Ramalingam, DS, welcomed everyone. Com. M.Kanniappan, CS, Chennai, was on the dias. The meeting was addressed by Com.P.Abhimanyu, GS and Com.S. Chellappa, AGS. Various doubts and confusions prevailing in the minds of the employees, in respect of BSNL’s future, were amply explained by the speakers. They asserted that BSNL would come out of the crisis and would emerge as a viable PSU in the days to come. Apart from members of BSNLEU, a good number of employees belonging to other organisations also attended the meeting.

Kerala state organised a massive 620 kilometre long human chain yesterday, against the CAA(Citizenship Amendment Act). The Left and Democratic Front organised this human chain. According to media reports, 60 to 70 lakh people participated in this historic event. The human chain was formed from Kasargod in North Kerala and up to Kaliyakkavilai in the southernmost part of the state. Chief Minister of Kerala, Com.Pinarayi Vijayan and many prominent personalities from all walks of life took part in the human chain. The preamble of the Constitution was read out at the beginning and later on oath was taken to protect the Constitution from the "attempts of the Central government" to destroy it.

The CHQ regrets to inform that, Com.K. Marimuthu, one of the founding leaders of BSNLEU, Tamil Nadu circle, passed away at Coimbatore, early in the morning today. He has been ailing for some time. Com.K. Marimuthu was  the former president of BSNLEU, Tamil Nadu circle and was the circle Vice-President, when he breathed his last. He was a very dedicated comrade and has immensely contributed in strengthening BSNLEU among the line staff workers in Tamil Nadu circle. He has devoted his entire life to the working class movement and  was respected by all sections of the workers. CHQ pays it's respectful homage to the departed leader and conveys it's heartfelt condolences to his family members, comrades and friends.

As regards the provocative speech of Shri Anantkumar Hegde, MP, the AUAB has given call for holding protest demonstrations and Twitter Campaign, to be organised tomorrow the 13-08-2020. At the same time, some spontaneous protest actions are already being organised in the country. BSNLEU, Telangana circle, has organised protest demonstrations throughout the state today. Employees have participated in large numbers and have condemned Shri Anantkumar Hedge, MP, severely, for calling BSNL employees "traitors" (Desh drohis). CHQ heartily congratulates Telengana circle for this spontaneous protest.

CHQ office bearers, com. P. Abhimanyu, GS, com. Swapan Chakraborty, Dy.GS, com. Animesh Mitra, Vice President and com. M.K. Dave, AGS, met shri Keshav Rao, GM (Estt.) today, and discussed the following, with regards to the implementation of the decisions taken on certain issues, in the 35^th meeting of the National Council:-

1. One time relaxation in the eligibility conditions for appearing the Telecom Technician LDCE.

BSNLEU is continuously pressing upon the Management that a one time relaxation should be given for the 10^th std. qualification, for appearing the Telecom Technician LDCE. In this regard, the Union representatives pointed out that the Management Side had agreed in the National Council meeting, to examine this issue after assessing the TT vacancies in the circles. They pointed out that so far no action is taken in this regard.

2. Revision of wages of the casual labourers.

With regards to the implementation of the 7^th CPC recommended CDA pay scale to the casual labourers of BSNL, it was pointed out that the Management Side agreed in the National Council meeting to take a re-look of the issue, within the shortest possible time. It was also pointed out that there is no progress in this case.     

3. Payment of Medical Allowance on the basis of 78.2% IDA fixation benefit.

It was pointed out that the Management Side informed the National Council meeting that the issue was being examined and that, a decision would be taken within one month time. However, no progress is made in this issue, pointed out the Union representatives.

4. One more opportunity to the draughtsmen for appearing JTO (Civil & Electrical).

It was pointed out that the Management Side has assured that the Establishment Branch would take appropriate action to hold the exam, and that no progress is made, pointed out the Union representatives.

5. Restructuring of Industrial Cadres.

The Union representatives pointed out that in the National Council meeting, Management Side assured to re-examine the Cadre Restructuring of Non-Executives in Telecom Factories, whereas no action has so far been taken.

Since, shri Keshav Rao, has taken over the charge of GM (Estt.) only a few days back, the Union representatives explained him about the complete details of the above mentioned issues, as well as the discussions taken place in the last National Council meeting on these issues. The GM (Estt.) keenly listened to the Union representatives and assured that needful action would be taken for the speedy implementation of the decisions taken in the National Council meeting.

At a time when thousands of BSNL employees are gearing up to participate in the March to Sanchar Bhawan, the DoT has written to the BSNL Management, conveying their stand on the various demands raised by the All Unions and Associations of BSNL. In this letter, the DoT has mentioned that, since BSNL is continuously running into loss, it’s employees are not eligible for wage revision. As regards pension revision, the DoT has stated that pension revision would be done only if wage revision is implemented. On the issue of Subsidiary Tower Company, the DoT has stated that the Tower Company has already started functioning. The reply of the DoT only shows it’s high handedness as well as anti-BSNL stand. Under these circumstances, we are left with no other option, but to intensify our struggles further.

The Circle Executive Committee Meeting of Gujarat was held at Mehsana, on 29th April, 2018. Com.  Deepak. H. Trivedi Presided over. Com.D.K.Bakutra presented the report on activities and also on the implementation of decisions of AIC and the CEC meetings in Gujarat Circle. Com.Balbir Singh, President, addressed the meeting and reported on the decisions of the Agartala CEC meeting. He also spoke on the issues of Subsidiary Tower Company, wage revision and other struggles conducted by the AUAB. Com. M.K Dave, Assistant General Secretary also addressed the meeting and spoke on the current issues. The Circle Executive Committee meeting decided to conduct young workers Convention and to form the All India Working Women's Coordination Committee in the Month of May, 2018. Com.H.D. Rana, ADS, Mehsana, gave vote of thanks.