Supreme Court judge, justice Deepak Gupta said on Monday that, Indian citizens have the right to criticise the government, and dissenters cannot be labelled as anti-nationals for holding contrary views. He was delivering a lecture on “Democracy and Dissent”, organised by the Supreme Court Bar Association in the national Capital. The judge emphasised on an individual’s right to dissent, saying it is not just a principle enshrined in the Constitution but also a basic human right. “Criticism of any institution is to be protected — the executive, legislature, judiciary, and even the armed forces. There is no holy cow when it comes to dissent,” Gupta said. “If we stifle criticism of these institutions, we shall become a police state instead of a democracy.”

[Source: The Hindu dated 24.02.2020]

CMD BSNL और AUAB के बीच आज सम्पन्न वार्ता का विवरण...

AUAB के लीडर्स को आज CMD BSNL द्वारा चर्चाओं के लिए आमंत्रित किया गया। कॉम पी अभिमन्यु, GS, BSNLEU और कन्वेनर, कॉम चंदेश्वर सिंह, GS, NFTE और चेयरमैन, कॉम के सेबेस्टिन, GS, SNEA, कॉम सिवकुमार, GS, AIBSNLEA, कॉम बी सी पाठक, कोषाध्यक्ष, FNTO, कॉम सुरेश कुमार, GS, BSNL MS और कॉम एच पी सिंह, GS, BSNLOA, चर्चाओं में शामिल हुए। श्री अरविंद वडनेरकर, डायरेक्टर (HR) और श्री ए एम गुप्ता, GM (SR) भी उपस्थित थे। श्री पी के पुरवार, CMD BSNL ने  प्रबंधन द्वारा VRS पश्चात सेवाओं के रखरखाव हेतु उठाए जा रहे कदम और संपत्ति के मुद्रीकरण (monetisation) हेतु किए जा रहे प्रयासों बाबद विस्तार से बताया। BSNL की 4G सेवाओं की शुरुआत की निश्चित समयावधि वें नही बात सके। उन्होंने आश्वासित किया कि कार्यरत कर्मियों की समस्याओं के निदान हेतु हर संभव प्रयास किए जा रहे हैं। AUAB के लीडर्स ने 4G सेवाओं की शुरुआत में हो रही देरी पर गंभीर चिंता व्यक्त की। उन्होंने CMD BSNL से वेतन और कॉन्ट्रैक्ट वर्कर्स के वेजेस के त्वरित भुगतान और कर्मचारियों के वेतन से काटी जा चुकी कटौतियां संबंधित संस्थाओं को प्रेषित करने का अनुरोध किया। उन्होंने AUAB और मैनेजमेंट के मध्य सेवाओं में सुधार के मुद्दे पर तालमेल (liasion) के अभाव की ओर भी इशारा किया। अंत मे, AUAB के लीडर्स ने CMD BSNL से यह भी कहा कि मैनेजमेंट को धरना, भूख हड़ताल आदि जैसे शांतिपूर्ण आंदोलनों के प्रति असहिष्णुता पूर्ण रवैये का त्याग करना चाहिए। CMD BSNL ने आश्वस्त किया कि  AUAB की चिंताओं का ध्यान रखा जाएगा।

Ever since entering into the telecom market in September, 2016, Reliance Jio has been adding the maximum number of customers every month. However, in December, 2019, BSNL has beaten Reliance Jio. BSNL has added 4,27,089 customers in December, 2019, while Reliance Jio has added only 82,000 new customers. Vodafone has lost a whopping 35 lakh of it’s existing customers and Airtel has lost 11,000 customers, during the same period. This is the impact of all the private companies raising their tariff by 40% in December, 2019. BSNL has not raised it’s tariffs.

From May, 2019 onwards, the Union subscription money deducted from the salaries of employees, has not been remitted to the unions and associations. As a result, it has become difficult for us to function without getting remittance of subscription money from the Management.  BSNLEU has been continuously pressing upon the Management to remit the subscription money, that has been deducted from the salaries of our members. Now, the Management has cleared all the dues of the employees who have retired under VRS. As a result of this, the subscription money, deducted from their salaries, is also being remitted to the Union. This will give some relief in our functioning. Wherever this remittance is not made, the circle and district secretaries are requested to approach their respective level Management and demand the same.

The CHQ has received intimation that Com.Mukesh Kumar, contract worker, manning the Rajatalab BTS, in Varanasi SSA, was killed in a road accident today, while going for the duty. Com.Mukesh Kumar is a young worker and has met an untimely death. The CHQ of BSNLEU pays homage to Com.Mukesh Kumar and conveys it’s heartfelt condolences to his family members and friends.

The CEC meeting of BSNLEU is being held at Vadodara on 06th & 07th March, 2020. All the CEC members are requested to inform their time and date of their arrival as well as departure, to the Reception Committee immediately. Communication in this regard may please be made with Com.D.K. Bakutra, Circle Secretary, Gujarat, on his mobile number 9426435999. 

BSNLEU and BSNL CCWF have given call to conduct a rally to Corporate Office on 3rd March, 2020, demanding settlement of issues of the contract workers like non-payment of wages, retrenchment, etc. However, the All India Centre meeting of BSNLEU held today, reviewed the programme. It has been decided to defer the rally, in view of the communal unrest prevailing in Delhi. At the same time, it is decided that, BSNLEU and BSNL CCWF shall meet the CMD BSNL on that day and to submit a memorandum, demanding settlement of the problems.

कॉन्ट्रैक्ट वर्कर्स की 3 मार्च की रैली स्थगित....
BSNLEU और BSNL CCWF ने, कॉन्ट्रैक्ट वर्कर्स के वेजेस का भुगतान, छंटनी आदि मुद्दों के निराकरण की मांग करते हुए 3 मार्च, 2020 को कॉर्पोरेट ऑफिस तक रैली निकालने का आव्हान किया था। किंतु, BSNLEU के आल इंडिया सेन्टर की मीटिंग में प्रोग्राम की समीक्षा की गई। नई दिल्ली में व्याप्त सांप्रदायिक अशांति के चलते रैली स्थगित (defer) करने का निर्णय लिया गया। साथ ही, यह भी तय किया गया कि BSNLEU और BSNL CCWF, समस्याओं के निराकरण की मांग करते हुए CMD BSNL से उसी दिन ज्ञापन देने हेतु मुलाकात करेंगे। 

CEC मीटिंग वडोदरा (बड़ौदा) में आयोजित होगी- CEC मेंबर्स कृपया नोट करें...
BSNLEU की CEC मीटिंग 06 और 07 मार्च, 2020 को वडोदरा (बड़ौदा) में आयोजित होने जा रही है। सभी CEC मेंबर्स से अनुरोध है कि वें अपने आगमन प्रस्थान का समय व दिनांक स्वागत समिति को तत्काल सूचित करें। इस संबंध में कॉम डी के बाकुत्रा, सर्किल सेक्रेटरी, गुजरात से उनके मोबाइल नंबर 9426435999 पर सम्पर्क किया जा सकता हैं।

The right minded people are shocked at the manner in which a midnight transfer order has been issued to Justice Muralidhar, transferring him from the Delhi High Court to the High Court of Punjab and Haryana. On 26.02.2020, Justice Muralidhar severely criticised the Delhi Police for not filing FIR against the BJP leaders, including Anurag Thakur and Kapil Mishra, who had made hate speeches and had instigated riots. This has annoyed the government and the transfer order of Justice Muralidhar was issued at 11:00 in the night on 26.02.2020. The law ministry justifies that on 12.02.2020 itself, the Supreme Court collegium had recommended Justice Muralidhar’s transfer. It is ok. But, why the transfer order was issued at 11:00 in the night? The judges who praise the government and the ministers will be benefited and the judges who criticise the government will be punished. Is this the rule of the present day government?

West Bengal and Kolkata circle unions of BSNLEU, Contract workers unions and the AIBDPA have organised a 48 hour dharna, demanding payment of 10 months’ wages to contract workers, stop retrenchment, payment of salary to employees, remittance of deductions made from employees salaries, allotment of 4G spectrum, etc. This 48 hour dharna started yesterday the 27.02.2020. Com.Animesh Mitra, CS, West Bengal & President, BSNLEU, Com.Sisir Kumar, CS, Kolkata & Org. Secretary (CHQ) and many others addressed.

India's quarterly GDP growth in the October to December period of 2019-20, slowed down to a 7 year low. According to the data released by the National Statistical Office (NSO) yesterday, GDP grew by 4.7% in the October - December quarter. It is reported that the GDP growth is due to the contraction in the manufacturing and electricity sectors.

The recent media reports on the performance of Indian economy are disturbing. The economy is not showing any sign of improvement, but is deteriorating further. India’s crude steel production has fallen by 3% in January, 2020. Automobile sales continue to decline, with Maruti Susuki sales falling by 2% in February, 2020. Suresh Pal, eminent agricultural economist and director of ICAR has told that, India’s growth in agriculture has declined from 5% to 3%. All these are happening despite Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, gifting Rs.2.15 lakh crores, as tax concessions to the big corporates.

The BSNL employees, pensioners and contract workers carried out a vehicle rally at Pondicherry on 28^th February, 2020. The rally was intended to impress upon the general public that BSNL is emerging as a vibrant service provider. The General Manager of BSNL, Pondicherry, flagged off the rally from the BSNL Office. The rally went through the important streets and showcased the entire range of products of BSNL, from landline, mobile, broadband and fibre-to-home high-speed internet. BSNLEU appreciates the initiative taken by the employees and Management of Pondicherry. This type of programme needs to be conducted throughout the country to strengthen BSNL.

[Source: The Hindu - Pondicherry, March 02, 2020]

Shri S.K. Mishra, CGM, Karnataka circle, is already selected for the post of Director (CM). It is learnt that the Cabinet Committee on Appointments has given it’s approval for the selection of Shri S.K. Mishra. He is expected to join in his new post soon.

Com.Animesh Mitra, Secretary General, BSNL CCW and Com.P.Abhimanyu, GS, BSNLEU met Shri P.K. Purwar, CMD BSNL, today and presented a memorandum on the issues of the contract workers. Both the representatives urged upon the CMD BSNL to release funds for payment of wages of the contract workers. They also requested the CMD BSNL to review the retrenchment of contract workers. They demanded that the BSNL Management should continue with the present Labour Contract System, instead of switching over to the Job Contract System. The CMD BSNL replied that he would look into the issues.

In their meeting with the CMD BSNL, Com.Animesh Mitra, President and Com.P.Abhimanyu, GS urged upon the CMD BSNL to ensure immediate payment of salary. They also pointed out that Holi festival is fast approaching, before which payment should be made. The CMD BSNL replied that he is taking all out efforts to make early payment of the salary.

Com.Animesh Mitra, President and Com.P.Abhimanyu, GS, met Shri A.M. Gupta, GM (SR) today and urged upon him for the immediate reconstitution of the National Council. Both the Recognised Unions have already submitted their lists of Staff Side nominees. The GM(SR) assured that letter for the reconstitution will be issued in a day or two.

BSNLEU is continuously pressing the Corporate Management to re-constitute the National Council without further delay. The matter was discussed again with the GM(SR), BSNL CO, once again yesterday. Since we have been assured that the re-constitution of the National Council will be done immediately, the Staff Side has to promptly submit the agenda items to the Management, to ensure that the National Council meeting is not delayed because of the Staff Side. Hence, all the circle secretaries and central office bearers are requested to immediately send items to the CHQ, for the submission of agenda items.

The Industrial Relations Code, 2019, being introduced by the Narendra Modi government, is virtually taking away the right of the Trade Unions to go on strike. This Code states that, workers will not be allowed to go on strike, once the conciliation process is started. No strike can take place till the completion of the conciliation process. No one can tell, when the conciliation process will be completed. Thus, if the Industrial Relations Code, 2019, is passed in the Parliament, then all strikes in our country will remain banned. Hence, the Central Trade Unions have made petitions to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Labour, which is presently looking into the Industrial Relations Code, 2019.  

[Source: The Economic Times dated 03.03.2020]