Nusrat Jahan, Trinamool Congress MP from West Bengal, has been criticised for her appearance in the Parliament, with sindoor on her forehead and also with mangalsutra. The chief cleric of Jamia-Sheikh-Ul-Hind Madrassa in Deoband, Uttar Pradesh, has criticised that the action of Nusrat Jahan is un-Islamic. In reply to the criticism, Nusrat Jahan has replied that she is a citizen of new progressive India, where all rituals and cultures need to be respected. She has asked why divide people in the name of religion. Further, she has asserted that she is a Muslim and also a citizen of a secular India.

An effective election campaign meeting was held at Dibrugarh on 04.09.2019. The meeting was presided over by Com.M.K. Bhawal, President. Com.Swarup Deb, District Secretary, welcomed. Com.Bijoy Deka, CS, Assam Circle, inaugurated the meeting.  Com. Animesh Mitra, President and Com.Gakul Borah, Treasurer(CHQ), addressed the meeting and explained about the financial revival of BSNL, 3rd PRC, Pensions Revision, VRS and reduction of retirement age to 58 years and other issues related to the Membership Verification.

BSNLEU conveys best wishes and warm greetings to all the comrades, on the occasion of the 550th  Jayanthi of Gurunanak.

A meeting of the AUAB was held today, presided over by Com.Chandeswar Singh, Chairman. All the constituents of the AUAB attended today's meeting. Com.P.Abhimanyu, Convenor, welcomed all and briefed on the agenda for discussion. The meeting held in-depth discussions and decided to launch agitational programme on the following Demands:-

1. Immediate payment of salary for the months of December, 2019 & January, 2020, as well as prompt payment of salary every month.
2. Immediate clearance of the dues, already deducted from the salaries of employees.
3. Immediate launching of BSNL’s 4G service.
4. Immediate granting of sovereign guarantee for issuing of bonds by BSNL.
5. Immediate withdrawal of notices issued under FR 17 (A).
6. No whimsical transfer of employees, consequent to the implementation of VRS.

Action Programme:

1. Lunch hour demonstrations on 11.02.2020.
2. Hunger strike at all levels on 24.02.2020.

1) Shri Santosh Nagesh, friend of Ms. Ayesha, d/o Com. Mehrunnisa Begum, SSS (Rtd.) CGMT office - Rs.5,000/-

2) Smt. Monica, d/o Com. S. Murali, circle treasurer, BSNLEU, Karnataka - Rs.3,500/-

3) Com. Kempegowda, DP, BGTD - Rs.2,000/-

4) Com. Parvathi, JE, Myrd., BGTD - Rs.2,000/-

5) Com. Venkatesh, JE, Myrd, BGTD. - Rs.2,000/-

6) Com. D.D. Shanwad, ACS, AIBDPA - Rs.1,500/-

7) Com. R. L. Gouri, Retd. TT, Belagavi – Rs.1,000/-

8) Com. Shiva, TT, Myrd, BGTD - Rs.1,000/-

9) Com. Puttabadava, TT, Myrd BGTD - Rs.1,000/-

10) Com. Thilaka, Retd. CGMT, KTK - Rs.1,000/-

11) Com. D.S. Balakkanavar , TT (Retd.) Belgaavi SSA - Rs.1,000/-

12) Com. Rajalakshmi Balasubrasubramanyam, SSS(Rtd.), CGMT office - Rs.1,000/-

13) Com. M.S. kambar, JE (Rtd.), Kalburgi - Rs.1,000/-

14) Com. Nasir Ahmed, Retd.TT, Shahabad - Rs.500/-

15) Shri Prabhu, Com. Mehrunnisa Begum's daughter's friend – Rs.500/-

The Central Secretariat meeting of BSNLEU held today, has decided to organise dharna programme, with social distancing, on 26.06.2020, on the following issues: -

1. Delay in rolling out BSNL’s 4G service.

The Central Government announced a revival plan for BSNL, on 23.10.2019. As per the plan, 79,000 employees have been retrenched under VRS. Except the VRS, other steps announced by the government, for the revival of BSNL, have not been implemented. Most importantly, BSNL has not rolled out it’s 4G service. Conspiracy has been hatched, to stop BSNL’s 4G service.  

2. Non-settlement of issues by BSNL Management.

The BSNL Management is insensitive to the sufferings of the employees. Salary of the employees is not being paid on time. Employees are not getting cashless treatment even during this COVId-19 crisis. Existing medical facilities are also being taken away. Employees are suffering due to the non-remittance of deductions on account of PLI premium and society dues. Contract workers are not paid wages for one year and they are being massively retrenched. Implementation of GTI (Group Term Insurance) and relaxation to JTO LICE are being inordinately delayed. In short, none of the issues of the Non-Executives, is being settled by the BSNL Management. The Management is remaining totally insensitive to the sufferings of the employees. 

In view of the above situation, the Central Secretariat decided to organise dharna programme, with social distancing, on 26.06.2020. The meeting decided that in view of the COVID-19, only 10 to 15 comrades should participate in the dharna in big stations. In all other places, only 5 comrades should participate. Display of placards and media coverage should be compulsorily arranged.

Nokia, the finnish telecom equipment supplier, has warned BSNL of terminating it’s employees working on BSNL project. BSNL has to pay Nokia an amount of Rs.910 crore, out of which Rs.600 crore is pending from January, 2020. Around 40% equipments in BSNL’s networks are supplied by Nokia. Nokia has stated that it has got written confirmation from BSNL, to release payment on a monthly basis from April, 2020, with all dues to be cleared by September, 2020. Nokia has added BSNL has defaulted in making any payment since March, 2020. Hence, it is considering terminating it’s employees on BSNL projects.

The All Unions and Associations of BSNL, Gujarat circle, conducted a well organised strike preparatory meeting at the Navrangpura telephone exchange, in Ahmedabad today. A large number of Non-Executives and Executives attended the meeting. Com.N.J.Bhatia, CS, NFTE, Gujarat, presided over the meeting. Com.D.K.Bakutra, CS, BSNLEU, welcomed all. The meeting was addressed by com.P.Abhimanyu,GS,BSNLEU, com.Suresh Kumar, GS, BSNL MS, com.M.K.Dave, AGS, BSNLEU, com.N.J.Bhatia, CS,NFTE, com.Nattu Bhat, SEWA BSNL, and many others. The demands of the strike were well explained by the leaders. The workers gathered in the meeting, resolved to make the strike a great success in Gujarat circle.

The Circle Executive Committee meeting of Haryana circle was held at Kurukshetra on 04th May, 2018. Com. Naresh, Circle President, presided over the meeting. At the outset, Com. M.S. Kadiyan, CS, explained the background for holding such a meeting, as per the decision the CEC meeting, held at Agartala. Com. Animesh Mitra, Vice President (CHQ), explained the decisions of the CEC meeting, held at Agartala. He called upon the district secretaries to effectively organise the Call Attention Day on 3^rd May, the Street Corner meetings from 7^th to 11^th May, 2018, as well as to implement the other decisions of the CEC. Com. Ramesh Chand, Org. Secretary (CHQ), also spoke on the subject.  In the morning the CGM, Haryana addressed and explained about the ongoing developmental activities in Haryana circle.

Kerala circle has earned a net profit in 2017-18. Income of the circle for the financial year 2017-18 is Rs.2,641 crores and expenditure is Rs.2,268 crores. Net profit for the year 2017-18 is Rs.373 crores. CHQ heartily congratulates the employees and Management of Kerala circle, for this great achievement.

The representatives of BSNLEU, who met shri Manish Kumar, GM(Restg.) today, requested him to take expeditious steps for the early completion of re-designation of the left out Non-Executive cadres. They told him that the proposal of the Joint Committee, for new designation in respect of certain left out Non-Executive cadres was not accepted by the Management Committee. The GM (Restg.), in response, stated that he would try to convene a meeting of the Joint Committee before the end of September, for finalising alternative new designation for the left out cadres.

All the Central Trade Unions of the country, including INTUC, AITUC, CITU, HMS, etc., have written letter to Shri Manoj Sinha, Hon'ble Minister of State for Communications, demanding his immediate intervention for the settlement of the demands raised in the notice for indefinite strike from 03-12-2018. AUAB heartily thanks the Central Trade Unions.

Assigning new designations to some of the Non-Executive cadres is still pending. The new designations suggested by the Joint Committee to these cadres, is not accepted by the Management Committee.  The MC has sent the file back, directing the officers to renegotiate the issue with the Staff Side and come back with new proposals. Due to our continuous agitational programme, this meeting could not take place. Now, we have informed the GM(Restg.) to hold the meeting on 26-04-2019. We hope to conduct the meeting on this date and the new designations of the left out cadres would be finalised.

Shri V. Muraleedharan, Minister of State for External Affairs, has answered to a question in the Lok Sabha that, India has given soft loan to 63 countries, amounting to $28 billion (Rs.1,93,200 crores). These loans have been extended to countries in Asia, Africa, Latin America, Caribbean, Oceania and Common Wealth of Independent states. At the time of the two day strike, which took place on 21^st & 22^nd April, 2015, the Forum demanded that BSNL should be extended soft loan, by the government of India, for the expansion of it’s networks. But, this demand was flatly rejected by the then Secretary, Telecom. When government of India can give away Rs.1,93,200 crores as soft loan to other countries, why can’t it extend soft loan for the revival of BSNL?

[Source: Economic Times – 01.07.2019]

BSNLEU Gujarat circle organised an inspiring election campaign meeting at Nadiad on 4th September 2019. Com Alauddin Ansari, president, presided over the meeting. Com T V Ghelani, District Secretary welcomed. Com Swapan Chakraborty, Dy.GS, Com M.K. Dave, Vice-President(CHQ) and Com D.K. Bakutra,CS, addressed the meeting and explained about the unprecedented financial crisis of the company, the conspiracy of the government to retrench employees through reduction of the retirement age from 60 to 58 years and non- payment of salary etc. They also spoke on the achievements of BSNLEU during last 3 years.

Kerala circle union held it's the Executive Committee meeting in Thiruvananthapuram on 7^th and 8^th November, 2019. Com P.Manoharan, Circle President, presided and Com.C.Santhosh Kumar, Circle Secretary, presented the report on activities. Central Office-bearers, Com.M.Vijayakumar AGS and Com P.R.Parameswaran, Org. Secretary, reported on the decisions of the Ghaziabad CEC meeting. The committee deliberated on BSNL's revival package, VRS, issues of the contract workers, All India General Strike on 8th January, 2020, district and branch conferences, etc. The meeting expressed it's concern over the delay in rolling out of the 4G service, providing the financial assistance etc. But as a prelude to privatisation the Government is keen to implement VRS. The meeting decided to organise a hectic campaign against VRS on 11th and 13th in all SSAs. As regards the strike against the retrograde policies of the Central Govt. on January 8^th, 2020, branch meetings attended by circle office bearers, will be held from 1^st December to 15 December. And then the public meetings should be conducted by December itself.

“ Consequent to the implementation of VRS in BSNL, the pensioners’ organisations have become active in enrolling new members to their organisations, from among the VRS optees. The meeting expressed it’s unhappiness that, certain pensioners organisations, in their anxiety to rope in new membership, are involved in belittling the unions and associations, directly or indirectly. The insinuation is that, the unions and associations are remaining dormant and have not done anything against the government. It must not be forgotten that it is only the unions and associations which have led heroic struggles during the past several years and have settled 78.2% IDA merger, removal of 60% ceiling laid down by the government for the payment of pension and stopped the Union Cabinet’s decision to form the Subsidiary Tower Company. Above all, it is the unions and associations, through their consistent struggles, have forced the government to allot 4G spectrum free of cost, to BSNL. Besides it is the unions and associations which are consistently fighting to settle the pension revision of BSNL retirees. Hence, the meeting requested the pensioners’ associations to maintain self-restrain and to desist from making insinuations, belittling the unions and associations.”

1) Com. M.Rajyalakshmi, OS (Retd-VRS), Vijayawada, Krishna SSA – Rs.3,116/-

2) Com. A.Upendra Rao, OS(G) ( retired-VRS), Vijayawada, Krishna SSA – Rs.2,000/-

3) Com. M.Venkata Reddy, Dist. Secretary, Nellore – Rs.2,000/-

4) Com. B.Anjaneyulu, Circle Organising Secretary, Nellore – Rs.2,000/-

5) Com. J.Sudhakara Rao, Circle Coordinator, Nellore – Rs.2,000/-

6) Com. K.Narsimha Rao, Circle coordinator, Nellore – Rs.2,000/-

7) Com. Sk.Habibullah Dist. Treasurer, Nellore – Rs.2,000/-

8) Com. J.Sarma, OS (Retd-VRS),  Tiruvuru, Krishna SSA  – Rs.1,234/-

9) Com. G.Balakrishna. Retd TT (VRS), Machilipatnam, Krishna SSA – Rs.1,116/-

10) Com. S.V.G.Krishna, JE, Circle Organizing Secretary, East Godavari SSA – Rs.1,000/-

11) Com. T.Rajasekhara Reddy, JE, Tiruvuru, Krishna SSA – Rs.1,000/-

12) Com. R.V.D.Prasad, Circle Asst. Treasurer, Tirupathi – Rs.1,000/-

13) Com. K.Haranath, Telegraph Master (Retd VRS), Machilipatnam, Krishna SSA – Rs.1,000/-

14) Com. D.S.Deekshitulu. Circle Organising Secretary, Tenali, Guntur SSA – Rs.1,000/-

15) Com. N.Samrajyam, Circle Coordiantor, Nellore – Rs.1,000/-

16) Com. A.V.Chalapathi, Circle Organizing Secretary, Nellore – Rs.1,000/-

17) Com. B.N.Prasad, Nellore – Rs.1,000/-

18) Com. C.J.Shanmugam, Nellore  – Rs.1,000/-

19) Com T.Nageswara Rao, DS, AIBDPA, Nellore  – Rs.1,000/-

सोशल डिस्टनसिंग का पालन करते हुए 26.06.2020 को धरना प्रोग्राम आयोजित किया जाए.

आज (15.06.2020) सम्पन्न BSNLEU की सेंट्रल सेक्रेटेरिएट की मीटिंग में निम्न मुद्दों को लेकर, 26.06.2020 को, सोशल डिस्टनसिंग के साथ,धरना प्रोग्राम आयोजित करने का निर्णय लिया गया।

(1) 4G सर्विस की शुरुआत में देरी :

केंद्र सरकार द्वारा 23.10.2019 को BSNL के लिए रिवाइवल प्लान घोषित किया गया। इस प्लान के अनुसार, 79,000 कर्मचारियों की VRS के तहत छंटनी की जा चुकी है। VRS के अलावा BSNL के रिवाइवल के लिए सरकार द्वारा घोषित अन्य किसी भी कदम पर कार्यवाही नहीं की गई है। BSNL द्वारा 4G सर्विस की शुरुआत न करना, इसमें प्रमुख है। BSNL की 4G सर्विस को रोकने के लिए षड्यंत्र रचा गया है। 

(2) BSNL मैनेजमेंट द्वारा विभिन्न मुद्दों का निराकरण नही किए जाना:

BSNL मैनेजमेंट कर्मचारियों की परेशानियों के प्रति असंवेदनशील है। कर्मचारियों को वेतन भुगतान समय पर नहीं किया जा रहा है। कोविड-19 की इस विभीषिका के दौरान भी कर्मचारियों के लिए कैशलेस ट्रीटमेंट उपलब्ध नही है। वर्तमान में उपलब्ध मेडिकल सुविधाएं भी छीनी जा रही है। LIC/PLI प्रीमियम और सोसाइटी के डिडक्शन्स का प्रेषण नही होने से भी कर्मचारी परेशान हो रहे हैं। कॉन्ट्रैक्ट वर्कर्स को एक वर्ष से वेजेस का भुगतान नही किया गया है और उनकी वृहद रूप से छंटनी भी की जा रही है। GTI (Group Term Insurance) लागू करने और JTO LICE में छूट (relaxation) में अप्रत्याशित देरी की जा रही है। संक्षेप में यह कि, नॉन एग्जीक्यूटिव्ज के किसी भी  मुद्दे का निराकरण BSNL मैनेजमेंट द्वारा नही किया जा रहा है। मैनेजमेंट, पूर्णरूपेण, कर्मचारियों की परेशानियों के प्रति असंवेदनशील है।

उपरोक्त परिस्थिति के परिप्रेक्ष्य में, सेंट्रल सेक्रेटेरिएट द्वारा, सोशल डिस्टनसिंग के साथ, 26.06.2020 को धरना प्रोग्राम आयोजित करने का निर्णय लिया गया है। कोविड-19 के चलते, मीटिंग ने निर्णय लिया कि बड़े स्थानों पर केवल 10 से 15 साथी धरना में शामिल हों। अन्य जगह, केवल 5 साथी शिरकत करें। तख्तियों के प्रदर्शन (Display of placards) और मीडिया में प्रचार की व्यवस्था आवश्यक रूप से करें। 

भारत को 2 विश्वकप दिलाने वाले एम एस धोनी ने रिटायरमेंट की घोषणा की- BSNLEU इस हीरो को सलाम करता है..

भारतीय क्रिकेट टीम को नई ऊंचाइयों पर ले जाने वाले डायनामिक क्रिकेटर महेंद्र सिंह धोनी ने अंतर्राष्ट्रीय क्रिकेट से अपने रिटायरमेंट की घोषणा की।

इस "कैप्टन कूल" के कुशल नेतृत्व में भारत ने 2 वर्ल्ड कप जीते हैं। धोनी का रिटायरमेंट अवश्यम्भावी था, क्योंकि वे अब 39 वर्ष के हो चुके हैं। किन्तु फिर भी जिस तरीके से बगैर किसी बिदाई के वे रिटायर हुए हैं, वह काफी निराशाजनक है।  

एम एस धोनी ने अपना अंतिम मैच जुलाई 2019 में वर्ल्ड कप के सेमी फाइनल में खेला था। उसके बाद उन्हें दरकिनार कर दिया गया। उन्हें, उसके बाद, खेलने का कोई मौका नही दिया गया। इसकी वजह क्या है ? 

जुलाई, 2019 के आसपास झारखंड विधान सभा का चुनाव अभियान अपने चरम पर था। भाजपा, जो कि राज्य में सत्ता में थी, बेहद अलोकप्रिय हो चुकी थी और उसके चुनाव जीतने की कोई संभावनाएं नही थी। ऐसे में, अपनी जीत के लिए, BJP ने झारखंड की माटी के लाल (“the son of the soil”) एम एस धोनी को साधने की कोशिश की। उन्होंने झारखंड चुनाव में BJP के पक्ष में प्रचार करने के लिए एम एस धोनी को मनाने की हर तरह से कोशिश की।

दिनांक 07.07.2019 के अंक में डेक्कन क्रॉनिकल ने खबर प्रकाशित की, कि BJP अध्यक्ष अमित शाह ने मंत्री पीयूष गोयल, BJP के राष्ट्रीय महासचिव सरोज पांडेय और दिल्ली BJP के अध्यक्ष मनोज तिवारी के साथ एम एस धोनी से उनके घर पर मुलाकात की। जाहिर है, यह मुलाकात, एम एस धोनी को झारखंड चुनाव अभियान के लिए मनाने के लिए की गई थी। 

अक्टूबर, 2019 में अमित शाह के बेटे जय शाह BCCI के सेक्रेटरी के रूप में नियुक्त किए गए। इसके बावजूद भी, एम एस धोनी, क्रिकेट जगत में अपनी मेहनत के बूते हासिल प्रतिष्ठा को झारखंड विधान सभा के चुनाव में जीत के लिए BJP द्वारा भुनाए जाने हेतु सहमत नही हुए। अंततः, BJP की चुनाव में पराजय हुई और उसे सत्ता से बेदखल कर दिया गया।

यह वजह है, जिसकी वजह से भारतीय क्रिकेट के महान कप्तान, एम एस धोनी की उपेक्षा की जाती रही और उन्हें उस गरिमा के साथ बिदाई नही दी गई जिसके वें हकदार हैं। बहरहाल, भारत के लोग, भारतीय क्रिकेट में रोमांच निर्मित करने के लिए, इस महान खिलाड़ी और कप्तान के सदैव शुक्रगुजार रहेंगे।