As has already been intimated, the indefinite strike from 03.12.2018 has been deferred. The strike call has compelled the Hon’ble Minister of State for Communications to hold talks with the representatives of the AUAB and to settle the issues. Undoubtedly, the strike call has resolved many major demands of the AUAB, which are as follows:-

1. Allotment of 4G spectrum.

The non-allotment of 4G spectrum to BSNL has been a major handicap for BSNL. The assurance given by the Hon’ble MoS(C) in this regard in February, 2018, was not implemented. In yesterday’s meeting, the Hon’ble MoS(C) intimated that the Cabinet Note on the allotment of 4G spectrum to BSNL is already circulated to other ministries. He also assured to depute a senior officer of the DoT to those ministries to quicken the process. Once this process is completed, the Hon’ble MoS(C) assured to take up this issue in the next Cabinet meeting itself. It is assured now that BSNL is going to get 4G spectrum shortly. This is a major break through in the financial revival of BSNL, and undoubtedly a very big achievement of the AUAB.

2. Pension revision of the retirees.

So far, the DoT has been linking pension revision with the pay revision of the employees. They have taken a firm stand that pension revision could be done only when pay revision is done to the serving employees. However, in the meeting held with the Secretary, Telecom on 02.12.2018, and also in the meeting with the Hon’ble MoS(C) on 03.12.2018, the AUAB is informed that pension revision of the retirees is now delinked from the pay revision of the employees. This is a very big achievement of this strike call. AUAB will continue to take all out efforts to ensure that the revision of pension is done at the earliest.

3. Implementation of government rules in the payment of pension contribution by BSNL.

The Hon’ble MoS(C) categorically told that government rule will be implemented, according to which BSNL has to pay pension contribution, based on actual basic pay. A letter has already been gone to the finance ministry, with the recommendation of the DoT. Settlement of this issue, is also a boost for the financial revival of BSNL.    

4. Left out issues of the 2^nd PRC.

The BSNL Management has long been demanding that Management should fulfil the recommendation of the 2^nd PRC, that 30% of the pay should be contributed by the Management towards superannuation benefits of the Directly Recruited employees. On this issue, the CMD BSNL has assured, in the meeting held with him on 02.12.2018, that BSNL’s contribution towards pension contribution will be increased by another 3%, by March, 2019, and the remaining will be increased thereafter in one go. Thus, the non-implementation of the recommendation of the 2^nd PRC, in respect of superannuation benefits is also resolved.    

5. 3^rd Pay Revision of employees.

No final settlement is reached in respect of the 3^rd Pay Revision of the employees. It was told in the discussion by the Hon’ble MoS(C) as well as by the Secretary, Telecom, that pay revision of the employees would be done, but 15% fitment cannot be given. The AUAB representatives gave a detailed presentation to the Hon’ble MoS(C), justifying pay revision with 15% fitment. However, it was not accepted. The AUAB feels that this issue needs to be further persued with the DoT, for which some more time needs to be given.

The leaders of the AUAB, in the meeting held after talks with the Hon’ble MoS(C), appreciated the fact that the strike call has brought major gains to the employees, and that these gains have got to be consolidated, by way of implementation of the assurances / issuing of letters. As regards the wage revision is concerned, the AUAB has decided to give some more time to the DoT to sort out the matter. However, struggles become inevitable, if the persuasions of the AUAB fail.

0% फिटमेंट के साथ भी 3rd पे रिवीजन DoT को स्वीकार्य नही....

कल AUAB और बीएसएनएल मैनेजमेंट के मध्य हुई मीटिंग में DoT के पास वर्तमान में लंबित 3rd पे रिवीजन की स्थिति बाबद जानकारी चाही गई। प्रबंधन की ओर से प्राप्त जवाब से यह प्रतीत होता है कि DoT 0%फिटमेंट के साथ भी 3rd पे रिवीजन के लिए तैयार नही है। इससे DoT की बीएसएनएल विरोधी और कर्मचारी विरोधी सोच स्पष्ट रूप से परिलक्षित होती है। अतः, अब हमारे पास व्यापक रूप से हड़ताल करने के अलावा और कोई विकल्प शेष नही है।

The Ghaziabad CEC meeting decided that BSNLEU should organise a "Save BSNL - Save Nation" campaign, under it's own banner. According to the decision, BSNLEU should organise street corner meetings throughout the country, meet the people, and explain how BSNL is being systematically weakened by the government, to benefit Reliance Jio. BSNLEU should also seek the support of the people for the revival of BSNL. The Ghaziabad CEC meeting also decided that this movement should start on 13th April, 2019, which is the Centenary of the Jallianwala Bhagh massacre. CHQ is glad to note that the" Save BSNL - Save Nation" movement has started in right earnest in many parts of the country. CHQ heartily thanks all those circle unions and calls upon the other circles also to immediately launch the movement with full vigour.

In a question raised in the Lok Sabha on 26^th June, 2019, Shri Ravi Shankar Prasad, Hon’ble Minister  for Communications & IT, has replied that BSNL has provided 8,02,58,007 mobile connections in the financial year 2016-17, 2017-18, 2018-19 and upto 31^st May, 2019. The question and answer are enclosed.

The All India Centre meeting of BSNLEU, held on 11.02.2020, discussed about the functioning of the BSNL Working Women’s Co-ordination Committee. Already some of the Committee members have retired on superannuation. In addition to this, some more Committee members have availed the VRS. This has affected the functioning of the Committee. In view of this, the All India Centre has taken the decision to re-constitute this Committee. Accordingly, the All India Centre has directed the circle unions to drop all the retired Committee members (both on superannuation and on VRS) and to nominate serving woman employees in their place, to the Committee. As regards, Tamil Nadu and Chennai, the circle convenors of BSNL WWCC are inducted as members of the All India Committee. The next meeting of the BSNL WWCC is being held at Vadodara on 05.03.2020.

(1) Com. Gopika Ranjan Ray, D/S, Silchar – Rs.1,000/-

(2) Com. S.N. Sharma, C/S, AIBDPA - Rs.2,000/-

(3) Com. Prabod Taluker, Retd. - Rs.1,000/-

(4) Com. Bhumidhar Deka, ATT - Rs.1,000/-

(5) Com. Gobinda Barman, ATT - Rs.1,000/-

(6) Com. Janmi Ram Baishya, B/S - Rs.500/-

(7) Com. Ravi Kumar, TT - Rs.500/-

(8) Com. Amarjyoti Yang, TT - Rs.500/-

(9) Com. T.C. Brahma, TT - Rs.500/-

(10) Com. Chandan Sarkar, TT - Rs.500/-

(11) Com. Bhupen Deka, B/S - Rs.500/-

(12) Com. S.P. Rabha, ATT - Rs. 500/-

(13) Com. Dilip Basumataty,TT - Rs.500/-

(14) Com. K. Sharma, TT - Rs.500/-

The circle union of BSNLEU, Kerala circle, organised it’s Executive Committee meeting on 20.06.2020, through video conferencing. Com.P.Manoharan, Circle President, presided and Com.C. Santhosh Kumar, Circle Secretary, presented report on activities. Com.Vijayakumar, AGS and Com.P.Parameswaran, Org. Secretary (CHQ), briefed on the decisions of the Central Secretariat meeting on 15.06.2020. After detailed discussion, the meeting has taken important decisions which includes: -

1. Organising the dharna called on by the CHQ on 26.06.2020 at least in 5 stations in each SSA.
2. To successfully organise the demonstrations called on by the Central Trade Unions on 03.07.2020.
3. To organise lunch demonstrations on 23.06.2020, against the atrocious hiking of the prices of petrol and diesel.
4. To organise a dharna on 09.07.2020 against indiscriminate outsourcing of works.
5. To celebrate the birth centenary of Com.K.G. Bose on 07-07-2020, by donating gadgets at the cost of Rs. one lakh, to poor students, to enable them to participate in online classes.

CHQ heartily congratulates the Kerala circle union, for organising a productive Circle Executive Committee meeting on the digital platform. 

The Narendra Modi government is moving fast to hand over the wealths of the nation to Indian and Foreign corporates. In this direction, the government has decided to hand over 6 Airports viz., Lucknow, Ahmedabad, Jaipur, Mangaluru, Thiruvananthapuram and Guwahati to Adani Group.

 In this connection, Com.Pinarayi Vijayan, Chief Minister, Kerala, has urged upon the Prime Minister to intervene and reconsider the handing over of the management and operation of the Thiruvananthapuram airport to the Adani Group. The Chief Minister of Kerala has also stated that it would be difficult for the state government to co-operate in implementing the handing over Thiruvananthapuram airport to Adani Group. 

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) released guidelines yesterday, upholding ' net neutrality'. The TRAI has backed the basic principles of an open and free internet in its recommendations on net neutrality. The guidelines state that, no internet access service provider shall resort to any form of discrimination, restriction or interference in the treatment of content, including practices like blocking, degrading, slowing down or granting preferential speeds. “Nobody owns the internet. And, therefore, it is everybody’s property...and, therefore, it should be open and accessible to everybody,” the TRAI has stated.

The responsibility of making the arrangements for conducting the Himachal Pradesh circle conference, fell squarely on the shoulders of the CHQ, after the de-recognition of our Himachal Pradesh circle union. In this regard, CHQ sought the  help of the Himachal Pradesh State Committee of the CITU. Accepting our CHQ's request, CITU comrades had made excellent arrangements for holding the two day conference at Shimla. It is important to state that, the arrangements had been made with the least expenditure. All the delegates, who attended the circle conference, appreciated the excellent arrangements that had been made, in respect of conference hall, food, and staying arrangements. After the conference is over,  Com.P.Abhimanyu, GS, together with the newly elected circle president, circle secretary, circle treasurer and other circle office bearers, visited the CITU State Committee Office at Shimla, and heartily thanked Com. Prem Gautam, State Secretary, Com. Jagat Ram, State President and Com. Vijender Mehra, for all the helps that they had extended, to make the conference a resounding success.

50^th anniversary of the one day strike, held in 1968, has been observed in the following places.

सरकार बीएसएनएल को बंद करना चाहती है- आखिर सरकार का असली चेहरा सामने आ ही गया ... आओ इसका प्रतिकार करें और 3 दिवसीय हड़ताल को ऐतिहासिक रूप से सफल करें.

आज के टाइम्स ऑफ इंडिया अखबार में एक खबर छपी है जिसमें सरकार के बीएसएनएल के प्रति दृष्टिकोण को विस्तार से स्पष्ट किया गया है। इस संबंध में टाइम्स ऑफ इंडिया की रिपोर्ट कहती है कि सरकार के विचारणीय विकल्पों  में से एक विकल्प बीएसएनएल को बंद करना है। सरकार के पास एक और विकल्प है। वह यह है कि किसी भी एक कॉर्पोरेट को बीएसएनएल के शेयर बड़ी संख्या में सौंप कर उस कॉर्पोरेट को बीएसएनएल के पार्टनर के रूप में शामिल कर लिया जाए। इसे कहते हैं रणनितिक विक्रय (strategic sale)। मतलब, आखिर सरकार का असली मकसद सामने आ चुका है। सरकार ने बीएसएनएल को बंद करने या उसे किसी कॉर्पोरेट को सौंपने का प्रस्ताव स्पष्ट कर दिया है। अब निर्णय बीएसएनएल कर्मचारियों को करना है। किन्तु कॉमरेड्स, हम समर्पण नही करेंगे। हमने 18 वर्षों तक लगातार संघर्ष किया है, बीएसएनएल का 100% सरकारी कंपनी के रूप में अस्तित्व बनाए रखा है। हम बीएसएनएल की रक्षा करने के लिए अपना संघर्ष जारी रखेंगे। अतः, 18.02.2019 से होने वाली 3 दिवसीय हड़ताल में शामिल होवें। सरकार को हमें दिखाना है कि हमें बीएसएनएल को ध्वस्त और धराशायी होते देखना स्वीकार्य नही है। बीएसएनएल को कमजोर करने के कुटिल खेल के खिलाफ  हम अपनी पूरी ताकत के साथ लड़ेंगे। 

The 38th meeting of the National Council will be held on 29-04-2019. Notification for the meeting has already been issued. This meeting is being held at a short notice, since Ms.Sujata Ray, Director (HR), as well as the Chairperson of the National Council, is retiring on superannuation on 30-04-2019.

Representatives of the AUAB met Shri P.K. Purwar, CMD BSNL, yesterday, and had a very detailed discussion. General Secretaries of BSNLEU, NFTE, SNEA, AIBSNLEA, BSNL MS and representatives of AIGETOA, ATM and BSNL OA participated.

The representatives of AUAB conveyed to the CMD BSNL, the decision of the AUAB meeting held on 03.07.2019, to intensify the “BSNL At Your Door Steps” programme, to step up the revenue collections of BSNL. The CMD BSNL appreciated it and informed that the BSNL Corporate Office also would take steps to make this programme successful. Further, he advised that efforts should be taken to collect the outstanding dues. The outstanding amount in the EB Branch alone comes to Rs.3,000 crore, said the CMD BSNL. Further he also requested to ensure that scrap materials are disposed off, to collect money.

The representatives brought to the notice of the CMD BSNL that there is a great demand for BSNL’s FTTH connections, through which the Company can collect handsome revenue. However, they pointed out that needful equipments, stores and materials are not available, as result of which BSNL is not able to provide FTTH connections on demand. The CMD BSNL replied that needful action would be taken in this regard.

The representatives of the AUAB recorded their strong protest for the taking over of the ALTTC by the DoT and told that they would be compelled to launch struggles against this. The CMD BSNL told that this would be duly communicated to the DoT in the appropriate manner.

The representatives also told the CMD BSNL that a large number of BTSs are being shut down due to non-payment of electricity bills and also wages were not paid to the contract workers for the past 6 months. They pointed out that the quality of service is deteriorating rapidly and something needs to be done to stop it. The CMD BSNL replied that no bank is coming forward to give loan and still he is trying hard to get bank loan to improve the situation.

As regards, the taking away of maintenance works of BBNL, from BSNL, the CMD BSNL replied that the rate that BSNL is getting for this maintenance works is very less and that the BBNL is not willing to raise it. Hence, BSNL is also not interested to continue with the same, since it is not a gainful job. Further the CMD BSNL told that BSNL has claimed compensation from the government to run 17,000 loss making exchanges.

The BSNL Management is holding a two day Conference of the Heads of Circles (HOCC) today and tomorrow at New Delhi. This is the first HOCC, to be held after the implementation of VRS and the exodus of nearly 80,000 employees. Hence, this Conference is crucial, and is expected to discuss and take decisions with regards to the maintenance of services, management of manpower, etc., in the aftermath of the implementation of VRS. We hope, useful decisions would be taken for the early launching of 4G service and improvement of the financial position of the Company.

1) Com. Dipesh Rana (JE at KBG) Vadodara - Rs.1,000/-

2) Com. S.K. Ansari (TT-NZP) & Org. Secretary, BSNLEU, Vadodara - Rs.500/- 

3) Com. Sunilkumar Shah Retd.(OS), CSC-PNG, Vadodara - Rs.500/-

In the wake of BSNLEU having given call for organising countrywide dharna programme with social distancing, on 26^th June, 2020, the “newsclick” online news portal, has published an article on the Revival of BSNL. Recently the newsclick had an interview with Com.P.Abhimanyu, GS. and the article is based on it.