The All India BSNL Working Women’s Coordination Committee (BSNLWWCC) convened a very inspiring seminar of the women employees at Bengaluru on 30.06.2018. The Karnataka circle union of BSNL has made excellent arrangements for the seminar, which was held in the Karnataka Government Secretariat Hall. Com. P. Indira, Convenor, BSNLWWCC, presided over the seminar. Challenges before the Indian Working Women was the topic. Com. C.K. Gundanna, CS, BSNLEU, Karnataka, welcomed everyone. Com. Sudha Sundararaman, Vice President, All India Democratic Women’s Association (AIDWA), delivered a very educative speech, explaining the present condition of Indian women. In his address, Com. P. Abhimanyu, GS, explained about the important issues being faced by the BSNL employees. Com. H.V. Sudarshan, Organising Secretary (CHQ), was present on the dias. Com. Latha Kamlakar, Member, BSNLWWCC, proposed vote of thanks. The CHQ of BSNLEU heartily congratulates the BSNLWWCC, as well as the Karnataka circle union of BSNLEU, for successfully conducting this seminar.

जॉइंट कमिटी ऑन वेज रिवीजन ऑफ द नॉन एग्जीक्यूटिव्ज की चतुर्थ मीटिंग आज सम्पन्न हुई। आश्चर्यजनक रूप से मैनेजमेंट साइड ने मीटिंग की शुरुआत से ही नकारात्मक तरीके से बातचीत शुरू की। उन्होंने कहना शुरू कर दिया कि DoT शायद 15% फिटमेंट को न स्वीकारे और संभवतः 0% या 5% फिटमेंट पर सहमत हो। इस पर स्टाफ साइड ने स्पष्ट रूप से प्रतिक्रिया व्यक्त करते हुए कहा कि 15% फिटमेंट से कम हमें किसी भी सूरत में स्वीकार नही होगा। विगत तीन मीटिंग्स में स्टाफ साइड के लीडर्स ने मैनेजमेंट साइड को स्पष्ट रूप से बता दिया है कि किसी भी नॉन एग्जीक्यूटिव कर्मी के प्रकरण में स्टेग्नेशन की स्थिति निर्मित न  हो इस हेतु नॉन एग्जीक्यूटिव के पे स्केल के न्यूनतम और अधिकतम में माकूल अंतर होना चाहिए। इसके बावजूद, आज की मीटिंग में मैनेजमेंट साइड ने यह तर्क दिया कि न्यूनतम और अधिकतम में जितना संभव हो सके अंतर कम से कम रखा जाना चाहिए जिससे कि मैनेजमेंट को अनावश्यक रूप से पेंशन कॉन्ट्रिब्यूशन के भुगतान में अधिक खर्च न करना पड़े। इसका स्टाफ साइड ने विरोध किया। पुरजोर विरोध करते हुए स्टाफ साइड ने तर्क प्रस्तुत किया कि जब मैनेजमेंट एग्जीक्यूटिव के लिए पेंशन कॉन्ट्रिब्यूशन हेतु बड़ी राशि के भुगतान हेतु तैयार है तो उन्हें केवल नॉन एग्जीक्यूटिव के भुगतान की ही चिंता क्यों है। स्टाफ साइड ने मैनेजमेंट की मानसिकता की निंदा की और कहा कि वे इस बात को कर्मचारियों के समक्ष रखेंगे और मैनेजमेंट साइड द्वारा अपनाए जा रहे दोहरे मापदंड को एक्सपोज़ करेंगे। इसके बाद जॉइंट कमिटी के चेयरमैन श्री एच सी पंत ने हस्तक्षेप कर आश्वस्त किया कि वेज रिवीजन में नॉन एग्जीक्यूटिव के हितों का ध्यान रखा जाएगा। तत्पश्चात उन्होंने GM (SR) को नए पे स्केल से सम्बंधित मैनेजमेंट के प्रस्तावों को प्रस्तुत करने के निर्देश दिए। आज की मीटिंग में मैनेजमेंट साइड द्वारा प्रस्तावित नए पे स्केल्स निम्नानुसार है।

Vodafone Idea’s loss is widening day by day. It has incurred a loss of Rs.5,005.7 crore in the 3^rd quarter (October to December) of 2018 – 19. The company’s loss during the 2^nd quarter (July to September) of 2018-19 remained at Rs.4,950.5 crore. Further, Vodafone Idea has lost 3.5 crore customers in the 3^rd quarter (October to December) of 2018. The financial position of Vodafone Idea only indicates that the entire telecom sector is in a serious crisis.

VRS के विरोध में पत्र- सर्किल और डिस्ट्रिक्ट सेक्रेटरीज द्वारा की जाने वाली कार्यवाही...
कल यूनियन्स और एसोसिएशन्स द्वारा सेक्रेटरी, टेलीकॉम और CMD BSNL को  संबोधित करते हुए VRS के विरोध में लिखा गया पत्र बेहद महत्वपूर्ण दस्तावेज है। इसमें हमारे द्वारा किए जा रहे  VRS के विरोध के संबंध में वाजिब कारणों का उल्लेख है। यह संदेश BSNL के प्रत्येक कर्मचारी तक पहुंचना चाहिए। अतः, CHQ का सभी सर्किल सेक्रेटरीज से अनुरोध है कि इसका प्रादेशिक भाषा में अनुवाद कर इसे वेबसाइट व सोशल मीडिया के माध्यम से व्यापक स्तर पर कर्मचारियों के मध्य प्रसारित करें।

Rousing demonstrations have been organised throughout the country yesterday, protesting the non-payment of salary for the month of August, 2019. BSNLEU has single handedly given call for this protest demonstrations. The employees have responded to the call of BSNLEU in a befitting manner, by raising thundering slogans, demanding immediate payment of salary. The CHQ of BSNLEU salutes all the circle and district unions, for organising inspiring demonstrations, within a short period of time. 

AUAB और CMD BSNL के बीच 07-11-2019 को मीटिंग सम्पन्न....
06.11.2019 को सम्पन्न AUAB की मीटिंग में लिए गए निर्णय अनुसार कल, 07-11-2019 को AUAB के लीडर्स ने श्री पी के पुरवार, CMD BSNL से मुलाकात की। इस मीटिंग में BSNLEU, NFTE, SNEA, AIBSNLEA, FNTO, BSNL MS, SNATTA, ATM BSNL और BSNLOA के महासचिवों/ प्रतिनिधियों ने शिरकत की। मैनेजमेंट की ओर से श्री अरविंद वडनेरकर, डायरेक्टर (HR) भी उपस्थित रहे। मीटिंग में AUAB के प्रतिनिधियों ने मांग की कि BSNL को अपनी 4G सेवाएं अविलंब शुरू करना चाहिए। उन्होंने संज्ञान में लाया कि वोडाफोन द्वारा भारत से अपना व्यवसाय समाप्त करने की पूर्ण संभावना है। ऐसे अवसर पर BSNL को इतनी बेहतर स्थिति में होना चाहिए कि वह वोडाफोन से बड़ी संख्या में ग्राहकों को खींच सके, AUAB ने मांग की। उन्होंने यह भी मांग की कि उपभोक्ता की मांग पर FTTH कनेक्शन की उपलब्धता हेतु तत्परता के साथ कदम उठाए जाएं। AUAB लीडर्स द्वारा यह भी ध्यान में लाया गया कि  कंपनी की इतनी तैयारी होना चाहिए कि VRS के क्रियान्वयन पश्चात उपजी कार्याधिकता, जिसकी पूर्ण संभावना है, से निपटा जा सके। CMD BSNL द्वारा 4G सेवा शुरू करने हेतु किए जा रहे प्रयासों बाबद जानकारी दी गई। उन्होंने कहा कि BSNL की 4G सेवा मार्च 2020 तक शुरू होगी। लेकिन उन्होंने अन्य मुद्दों को ले कर कोई रिस्पांस नही दिया। AUAB के प्रतिनिधियों ने CMD BSNL से अक्टूबर 2019 के वेतन के त्वरित भुगतान और साथ ही कर्मचारियों के वेतन से किए गए कटौत्रे की राशि संबंधित संस्थाओं को प्रेषित करने हेतु पुरजोर तरीके से अनुरोध किया। इस पर, CMD BSNL ने कहा कि वें इस संबंध में कोई आश्वासन नही दे सकते हैं। इस मीटिंग पश्चात AUAB लीडर्स ने चर्चा की और 14.11.2019 को आगामी रणनीति तय करने हेतु  अगली मीटिंग करने का निर्णय लिया।

Today, the 31st January, 2020, is the Black Day in the history of BSNL. 78,459 employees are retrenched and are being sent home today, under Voluntary Retirement Scheme. This is being done in the name of "Revival of BSNL." It was tom-tommed that the VRS will bring a turn around for BSNL. However, BSNL is still unable to launch it’s 4G service, 3 months after the announcement of the Revival Package. Still, BSNL is not having money to pay salary, even to those who are going home under VRS. Despite the Hon’ble Minister's claim that BSNL is a strategic asset of the nation, there is no doubt that, everything is being done to privatise BSNL, as is being done in the case of other PSUs. It is our duty to ensure that, BSNL is converted into a profit making PSU once again and the attempts of the government to privatise BSNL are frustrated.

(1) Com. V.S. Chubey, DS, Kamrup - Rs.1,000/- 

(2) Com. Subrata Debnath,President, CGMT - Rs.1,000/-

(3)  Com.S.R. Sargiary,Retd. - Rs.1,000/-

(4) Com.Nareswar Nath, BS - Rs.500/-

(5) Com. S. Debnath, T.T - Rs.500/-

(6) Com.Hormohan Barman, T.T. - Rs.500/-

(7) Com. Harish Ray, BS - Rs.500/-

(8) Com. Promod Das, T.T. - Rs.500/-

(9) Com. Sanjib Singh, A., T.T. - Rs.500/-

(10) Com. S.N. Sharma, CS, AIBDPA ASSAM Circle - Rs.500/-

The “All Unions and Associations of BSNL” has already given call to hold protest lunch hour demonstrations on 08.01.2018, against the appointment of an IAS officer as the CMD of the Subsidiary Tower Company. AIBDPA has called upon the pensioners to join these protest demonstrations. Circle and district secretaries are requested to note this and coordinate with the circle and district secretaries of AIBDPA, for the effective mobilisation of the pensioners in the protest demonstration.

The March to Sanchar Bhawan, conducted today, by the All Unions and Associations of BSNL, became a tremendous success. Thousands of Non-Executives and Executives came from the nooks and corners of the country, and conducted a colourful March to Sanchar Bhawan. The March started from the BSNL Office at Eastern Court, went through Janpath, Tolstoy Marg and Parliament Street. It is estimated that more than 5,000 comrades participated in today’s March, which culminated near the Parliament Street police station. A meeting was held there, and leaders of All Unions and Associations of BSNL addressed the huge gathering. Com. P. Abhimanyu, GS, BSNLEU, Com. Chandeswar Singh, GS, NFTE, Com. K. Sebastin, GS, SNEA, Com. Prahlad Rai, GS, AIBSNLEA, Com. K. Jayprakash, GS, FNTO, Com. N.D. Ram, GS, SEWA BSNL, Com. Ravi Shil Verma, GS, AIGETOA, Com. Mallikarjuna, President, BSNL MS and Com. S.D. Sharma, GS, BSNL ATM, addressed the meeting. It was also addressed by veteran leaders Com. V.A.N. Namboodiri and Com. G.L. Jogi. The leaders called on the employees to intensify the struggles, including the Work According to Rule, if the issues are not settled. BSNLEU heartily congratulates all those circle and district unions which took efforts to make the programme a grand success.

Com.M. Mani, Telecom Technician and Branch Secretary of BSNLEU, posted at Coimbatore airport, retired on 30.04.2018 from service.  He was working as TT in the Coimbatore Airport for last twelve years. During his service, Com.M.Mani provided exemplary service to the airport. The quality of service, provided by Com.M.Mani can be understood from the fact that, 110 BSNL connections are working in the Coimbatore airport, while only two connections of the private operators are working there, and that too as standby connections. On the day of his retirement, Com.Mani is honoured by the Airports Authority of India, with a shield. In the Tamil Nadu circle executive committee meeting of BSNLEU, held at Coimbatore on 28th and 29th April, 2018, Com.P.Abhimanyu, GS, felicitated Com.M.Mani. BSNLEU is proud of comrades like M.Mani.

BSNLEU Karnataka circle union, organised a very enthusiastic circle level convention of the young workers, at Bengaluru on 01.07.2018. It was inspiring to note that a large number of young workers attended the convention enthusiastically, from various parts of the circle. The convention is held in the PGM Office, auditorium. Com. M.C. Balakrishna, Circle President, presided over. Com. C.K. Gundanna, CS, delivered the introductory speech. Com. P. Abhimanyu, GS, BSNLEU, addressed the seminar and explained about BSNL’s present condition, it’s background details, efforts of the trade union to improve BSNL’s quality of services, the role of the young workers in strengthening BSNL and the trade union, their problems, etc. Com. H.V. Sudarshan, Org. Secretary (CHQ), also addressed the convention. Thereafter, a good number of young workers participated in the deliberations. It was heartening to note that most of them concentrated on the issues related to the improvement of services. Finally, Com.P.Abhimanyu, GS, delivered the summing up address, and replied to the various issues raised by the young workers. CHQ heartily congratulates the Karnataka circle union for effectively organising the enthusiastic convention.

The Staff Side members of the Joint Committee on wage revision for the Non-Executives, are meeting today. The meeting will take place in NFTE’s office at 15:00 hrs. The meeting will discuss about the new pay scales proposed by the Management Side, in the meeting held yesterday.

The representatives of the AUAB once again met Shri Anshu Prakash, Additional Secretary, Telecom, yesterday. They expressed their disappointment and agony over the non-implementation of the assurances given by the Hon’ble MoS(C) on 3^rd Pay Revision, allotment of 4G spectrum, payment of pension contribution of actual basic pay and pension revision. They pointed out how hurdles and road-blocks are being created by the DoT, in the settlement of 3^rd Pay Revision and other demands of the employees, as well as in the issues related to the financial revival of BSNL. They expressed their serious disappointment that the DoT has still not sent the Cabinet Note, for getting relaxation from the Affordability Clause of 3^rd PRC, on the issue of pay revision of the employees. On the important issue of Pay Revision, the AS(T) avoided stating anything. However, on the issue of allotment of 4G spectrum to BSNL, he stated that it came up for discussion in the Digital Commission meeting held on 05.02.2019, and that the Commission has decided to refer the matter to the TRAI.

VRS का विरोध कीजिए- 12-04-2019 को प्रभावशाली प्रदर्शन आयोजित करें...
BSNL के रिवाइवल के नाम पर सरकार BSNL में VRS क्रियान्वित करने की दिशा में तीव्र गति से बढ़ रही है। DoT ने  BSNL के तथाकथित रिवाइवल के प्लान पर यूनियन्स और एसोसिएशन्स, जो BSNL के प्रमुख हित धारक (stake holders) हैं, से चर्चा करना भी उचित नही समझा है। साथ ही, सरकार द्वारा एकतरफा निर्णय लेते हुए BSNL की रिक्त जमीन के मुद्रीकरण (monetisation) से प्राप्त राशि, VRS हेतु फण्ड उपलब्ध कराने हेतु डाइवर्ट करने का निर्णय लिया जा रहा है। यह और कुछ नही, बल्कि, BSNL के विकास और वित्तीय उन्नयन के लिए आवश्यक फंड्स प्राप्ति से BSNL को वंचित करने की सरकार एक सोची समझी योजना है। साथ ही, VRS, सरकार की BSNL कर्मचारियों की संख्या कम करने की रणनीति है, जिससे कि इसे निजीकरण के लिए आकर्षक बनाया जा सके। VRS का विरोध कर रही यूनियन्स और एसोसिएशन्स ने 12.04.2019 को देश भर में कर्मचारियों को प्रदर्शन करने का आव्हान किया है। हमारा सभी सर्किल और जिला यूनियन्स से अनुरोध है कि अधिक से अधिक कर्मचारियों को संगठित कर प्रदर्शन सफल बनावें।

The long selloff list of PSUs, reported in the media include all best performers in the strategic sectors – both physically and financially viz., Indian Oil Corporation, NTPC, Powergrid, Oil India Limited , GAIL, NALCO, BPCL, EIL, BEML etc. As a consequence of previous tranches of divestment, presently, government equity holding in these CPSUs are around 52% plus or little less. Therefore the ugly game plan is convert these CPSUs into private enterprises only by way of transfer of very small dose of shares to private hands. Country’s wealth will be transferred for private gains on a platter.

CHQ is receiving a lot of queries with regards to the strong rumours going on in the social media, about the reduction of the retirement age. According to these rumours, the Central Government is planning to retire Central Government officials after completion of 33 years of service or at 60 years, whichever is earlier. These rumours are undoubtedly being created by vested interests to create panic among the employees, at a time when BSNL Management is implementing the VRS scheme. These rumours are not only false, but are totally baseless. In this connection, the Times of India, dated 24^th September, 2019, has published news, wherein it is clarified that, the Central Government is not having any such proposal to reduce the retirement age. We are reproducing the news, for the benefit of our comrades.

Due to the implementation of VRS, a very chaotic situation has been created in BSNL. Utilising this situation, some self-seekers are trying to project themselves as heroes. We don’t have any issue in it. However, these self-seekers are trying to damage the trade union movement. A person, who has already been given farewell from the trade union movement, has sent a very militant (???) message in the social media. The crux of the message is that, the unions and associations have not even moved their little finger, against the government. Is it correct?

• The last 5 years have seen militant struggles organised by the unions and associations of BSNL and massively participated in by the Executives and Non-Executives. The two day strike organised on 21^st & 22^nd April, 2015, demolished the government’s 60% ceiling, intended to deny payment of pension to BSNL employees. This struggle guaranteed payment of government pension to all BSNL retirees without any limitation. 

• The one day strike organised on 15.12.2016, exclusively against formation of Subsidiary Tower Company, gave a blow to the government's plan to fragment BSNL into pieces. 

• The two day strike held on 12th & 13th December, 2017, the indefinite strike, that was to start from 03.12.2018, but was deferred based on talks held with the Hon’ble MoS(C) and the assurances given by him, the three day strike organised on 18th, 19th & 20th February, 2019, demanded not only pay revision and pension revision, but also raised important demands for the revival of BSNL. 

• Together with the above mentioned three strikes, the unions and associations also organised two massive rallies at New Delhi on 19^th April, 2018 and 05^th April, 2019 and told the government in no uncertain terms that BSNL cannot be written off. 

• During the past 5 years, the unions and associations massively mobilised public opinion in favour of the revival of BSNL, by organising massive movements, viz., Human Chain, March to Rajbawan, Submitting memorandum to the MPs, Street Corner Meetings, etc.

• As a result of the above mentioned militant struggles and massive movements, organised by the unions and associations, and massively participated in by the Executives and Non-Executives, the government shelved it’s proposal to form the Subsidiary Tower Company. This is a Himalayan achievement.

• Due to the continuous struggles launched by the BSNL unions and associations, the government has been compelled to allot 4G spectrum to BSNL without any payment. This is a historic achievement, since it has also set a precedence for the allotment of 5G spectrum to BSNL in future.

• When the unions and associations of BSNL have achieved so much through their relentless struggles, it is ridiculous that self-seekers say that the unions and associations have not even moved their little finger against the government.

At a time when the BSNL contract workers are suffering from non-payment wages, as well as from the difficult situation created by the COVID-19, the All India Insurance Employees Association (AIIEA), Salem Division, Tamil Nadu, has extended it's helping hand. In a function held in the AIIEA office at Salem, food materials worth Rs.1,500/- has been provided to each of the 40 contract workers of BSNL.  Com.Narasimhan, Divisional President, AIIEA, Com. Dharmalingam, Divisional Secretary, AIIEA, Com.E.Gopal, District Secretary, BSNLEU and many other leaders were present during the occasion. BSNLEU heartily thanks the AIIEA comrades of Salem Division.