BSNLEU conveys it’s Best Wishes and Warm Greetings to all women comrades, on the occasion of International Women’s Day, which falls tomorrow. Women constitute 50% of the population. However, the same is not reflected, so far as their role in the society is concerned. Gender discrimination and atrocities against women are increasing day by day. BSNLEU calls upon it’s leaders and cadres to fight against all forms of injustices against women. The CHQ has already called upon the circle and district unions to observe the International Women’s Day in a befitting manner tomorrow.

The deal of the Indian government, to purchase 36 Rafale fighter jets from Dassault Aviation of France, has raged a very big controversy. In this deal, Dassault Aviation has tied up with Anil Ambani’s Reliance Defence. It is a well known fact that Anil Ambani has no background of any defence manufacturing. Further, it is also a well known fact that, Anil Ambani is almost in a bankrupt situation. Under these circumstances, it is being widely believed that, the Modi government has helped Anil Ambani to become the Indian partner of Dassault Aviation. The former French President, Francois Hollande confirmed few days back that, it was as per the direction of the Indian government that, Anil Ambani’s Reliance Defence is made the Indian partner of the Rafale jet manufacturer. The French government has not denied this. It has only stated that it was the decision of Dassault Aviation to induct Reliance Defence as it’s partner. But, the question arises, why the Dassault Aviation should select the bankrupt and inexperienced Reliance Defence as it’s partner? Further, it should also be noted that the Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd., the public sector aircraft manufacturer of India, was not made the partner, in the purchase of Rafale fighter jets. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is maintaining a big silence. He should give a reply to the nation.

As already reported by the CHQ of BSNLEU, a meeting of the Redesignation Committee, will be held on 26-04-2019. The Restructuring Branch of the Corporate Office has issued the notification for the meeting today. 

It is a sad news for BSNL that, ultimately, Kerala circle has also gone into loss. Kerala circle had been consistently earning profit, ever since the formation of BSNL. In the financial year 2017-18 also, Kerala circle earned a net profit of Rs.373 crore. Alas, in 2018-19, Kerala circle has ran into a loss of Rs.260 crore.

BSNLEU has already expressed it’s unhappiness over the withdrawal of the 3 day hunger strike, which was to be held from 20.11.2019. Since there was no unanimity among all the constituents of the AUAB, to go ahead with the hunger strike, the programme had to be dropped. Still, BSNLEU strongly felt the need of an agitational programme to ensure settlement of the crucial issues related to VRS, as well as other burning issues of the employees. For the past two days, BSNLEU approached all the trade unions of the Non-Executives for organising a struggle. As a result of this, various organisations agreed to organise a one day hunger strike on 25.11.2019 at the Corporate Office, Circle and District levels. The BSNLEU has no intention to exclude any trade union from this hunger strike. All the organisations willing to raise their voice against the injustices in the matter of VRS and other issues have joined together for organising the hunger strike on 25.11.2019. All the circle and district unions are requested to immediately contact the other participant organisations for massively organising the one day hunger strike on 25.11.2019.

The Supreme Court has pulled up the government of India for not implementing it’s order dated 24.10.2019 on payment of dues by the telecom companies. In it’s order dated 24.10.2019, the Supreme Court laid down the definition for the Adjusted Gross Revenue (AGR). According to this order, the telecom companies should pay licence fee, spectrum charges, etc., calculated on their total income, and not only on income from core business. According to this order of the Supreme Court, Vodafone Idea has to pay Rs.53,000 crore and Airtel has to pay Rs.35,000 crore. As per the Supreme Court order, the dues from the telecom companies should be paid within 3 months. However, even 4 months after this judgement, the private companies have not paid even a single naya paisa. It has also come to the light that the government has sent an advisory to the concerned officers stating that “no coercive action should be taken until further orders, to collect the dues from telecom companies.” The Supreme Court severely criticised the government for issuing such an advisory.

1) Com.Kum Singh Rawat, Retd. JE, Romnagar, Nainital – Rs.5,100/-

2) Com.Ram Ratan, Retd. TT, Gularbhoj, Nainital – Rs.2,100/-

3) Com. Kailash Pandey, Retd. TT, Dehradun – Rs.2,100/-

4) Com.Puran Singh Bhandari, Retd.TT, Chamba, New Tehri – Rs.2,000/-

5) Com. Jayendra Mohan Pandey, TT, New Tehri – Rs.1,100/-

6) Com. Narayan Singh Bohra, TT, Khatima, Nainital – Rs.1,100/-

7) Com. Kailash Adhikari, JE, Ranikhet, Almora – Rs.1,100/-

8) Com. Vishawakarma, DS, Retd. JE, Bazpur, Nainital – Rs.1,100/-

9) Com. Bhajan Lal, Retd.TT, Bazpur, Nainital – Rs.1,100/-

10) Com. Hari Lal, Retd. TT, Bazpur, Nainital – Rs.1,100/-

11) Com. Udai Singh, Ghugatiyal, DS, Retd. TT, Bazpur, Nainital – Rs.1,100/-

12) Com. Sanjeev Molfo, JTO, Nainital – Rs.1,100/-

13) Com. Jeewan  Singh Khati, Retd. JE, Nainital – Rs.1,100/-

14) Com. Bhagwan Das, Retd. TT, Bazpur, Nainital – Rs.1,100/-

15) Com. Pyar Singh Rawat, Retd. TT, New Tehri – Rs.1,100/-

16) Com. Kirti Dutt Uniyal, Retd. JE, New Tehri – Rs.1,100/-

17) Com. Deep Kumar, Retd. TT, Nainital – Rs.1,100/-

18) Com. Jai Shiv Kumar Chopra, Retd. PA, Haridwar – Rs.1,100/-

19) Com. Deepa Joshi, Circle Vice President, Retd. OS, Almora – Rs.1,100/-

20) Com. Bhagwan Singh Aswal, Retd. OS, Khatima, Nainital – Rs.500/-

The CHQ has prepared matters, to be used for making the placards / posters. Circle and District unions are requested to ensure that the placards / posters are sufficiently displayed during tomorrow’s dharna.

"पीएम केयर्स" फण्ड लौह आवरण से आच्छादित क्यों ?....

राष्ट्र को बताया गया है कि "पीएम केयर्स"  फण्ड कोविड-19 महामारी से लड़ने के लिए बनाया गया है।  बहरहाल, इस फण्ड को लेकर कई तरह के विवाद सामने आ रहे हैं। यह भी चिंतनीय तथ्य है कि "पीएम केयर्स" फण्ड का ऑडिट करने का अधिकार CAG को भी नही है। साथ ही, "पीएम केयर्स" फण्ड के एकाउंट्स के संबंध में RTI प्रश्न भी नही किया जा सकता है। इसका आशय यह है कि "पीएम केयर्स" फण्ड पूर्ण रूप से लौह आवरण से आच्छादित है और इसकी गतिविधियां बेहद गोपनीय हैं। क्यों ?

यह एक जाहिर रहस्य (open secret) है कि सरकार द्वारा सभी PSUs को  "पीएम केयर्स" फण्ड में डोनेशन देने के लिए दबाव बनाया गया है। प्राप्त जानकारी अनुसार 55 PSUs पर, "पीएम केयर्स" फण्ड में  धनराशि का योगदान देने हेतु दबाव निर्मित किया गया है। इनमें से अकेले 38 PSUs द्वारा दिया गया डोनेशन ही रु 2,105 करोड़ बनता है। केंद्रीय मंत्रियों ने अपने आफिशियल प्रभाव का उपयोग करते हुए "पीएम केयर्स" फण्ड में डोनेशन देने के लिए PSUs को बाध्य किया है। BSNL में भी इस फण्ड के लिए कर्मचारियों के वेतन से एक दिन के वेतन की कटौती की गई थी। कुछ PSUs द्वारा दिए गए डोनेशन्स का विवरण निम्नानुसार है।

1. ONGC           – Rs.300 crore
2.   NTPC          – Rs.250 crore
3.   Indian Oil     – Rs.225 crore
4.   Power Grid  – Rs.200 crore
5.   Power Fin    – Rs.200 crore
6.   NMDC         – Rs.155 crore
7.   REC             – Rs.150 crore
8.   BPCL           – Rs.125 crore
9.   HPCL           – Rs.120 crore
10.   Coal India  – Rs.100 crore

"पीएम केयर्स" फण्ड के लौह आवरण (अति गोपनीयता) से हमें केवल निम्न मुहावरा याद आता है।

"सत्ता भ्रष्टाचार पनपाती है और निरंकुश सत्ता, पूर्ण रूप से दूषित कर देती है।"
 

(" Power corrupts and 
absolute power corrupts absolutely".)

Leaders of BSNL unions and associations, submitted memorandum to Hon’ble MPs shri Lakhan Lal Sahu, Bilaspur and shri Dinesh Kashyap, Jagdalpur (Bastar).

BSNL Corporate Office initiated action in August, 2017, to outsource BSNL’s Customer Service Centres. This was strongly opposed by BSNLEU. Based on this, one round of discussion was held between BSNLEU and the Management, represented by Shri N.K. Mehta, Director (EB) and Shri A.K. Jain, CGM NC NGN. In continuation of that, a meeting was held between the two Recognised Unions and the Management today. Com. P. Abhimanyu, GS and Com. Swapan Chakraborty, Dy.GS, represented BSNLEU. Management Side was represented by Shri A.K. Jain, CGM NC NGN. In his presentation, the CGM NC NGN told that there was an urgent necessity to upgrade BSNL’s 3,000 CSCs, through outsourcing, in view of the fact that only 5% of BSNL’s products are sold through the CSCs. The Staff Side as a whole, opposed the Management’s proposal to outsource the CSCs. At the same time, the representatives of BSNLEU pointed out that, the Management has so far not provided inputs related to the number of staff presently deployed in the CSCs and their age profile, as has been agreed in the last meeting. They also told that further discussion could be held only on the basis of these inputs. Management Side agreed to provide the information at the earliest. Finally, it was agreed that next round of discussion would be held on 26.03.2018.

“BSNL at your door steps” was inaugurated yesterday in the BSNL Corporate Office, by Mary Kome, the Brand Ambassador of BSNL. Leaders of the Unions and Associations, including Com.P. Abhimanyu, GS, BSNLEU, Com. Chandeshwar Singh, GS, NFTE, Com. K. Sebastin, GS, SNEA, Com. Prahlad Rai, GS, AIBSNLEA and Com. Ravi Shil Verma, GS, AIGETOA were present on the occasion. From the Management Side, Shri Anupam Shrivastava, CMD BSNL, other Directors of BSNL Board and Chief General Managers of all the circles were present.

“BSNL at your door steps” is the brain child of the AUAB. It has been planned to increase the revenue collection of the Company, which has started sinking, due to the ongoing price-war. According to the decision of AUAB, each and every Non-Executive and Executive should participate in sales and marketing activities, by going to the door steps of the public.

"BSNL At Your Doorstep" being inaugurated by BSNL's Brand Ambassador, Ms.Mary Kome.

A meeting of the AUAB was held today. General Secretaries and senior office bearers of BSNLEU, NFTE , SNEA, AIBSNLEA, AIGETOA, BSNL MS, ATM, TEPU and BSNL OA participated.  The meeting paid homage to the 40 CRPF personnel martyred in terror attack at Pulwama. The preparations that have been made in various circles, to make the strike successful, was reviewed. The meeting expressed it's concern that, the DoT has not even come forward to hold any discussion with the AUAB so far.  After detailed review, the meeting unanimously decided to go ahead with the strike. The meeting decided to call upon the circle and district organisations of the constituents, to make the last minute preparations for the success of the strike. The meeting also decided to call upon the employees to hold condolence meetings outside office premises at 10:00 am on 18-02-2019, and pay homage to the 40 CRPF personnel martyred in terror attack at Pulwama.

It is shocking to know that 5 million Indians have lost their jobs between 2016 and 2018. This is mentioned in the State of Working India (SWI) 2019 Report, released yesterday by the Bengaluru based Azim Premji University. It may be recollected that the Demonetisation was implemented in November,2016. This report of Azim Premji University confirms the accusations of economists that lakhs of jobs were lost due to Demonetisation. Unemployment is one of the biggest problems being faced by the nation. Prime Minister, Narendra Modi came to power, by assuring to create 2 crore jobs per year. He miserably failed in fulfilling this promise.

Without knowing the pit falls in the VRS 2019, a large number of employees have opted for VRS. Without settling many issues related to the VRS, the BSNL Management is forcing the employees to go on VRS. Commutation of pension, eligibility for 3rd PRC retrospectively, honouring the commitment given in 2000, about retirement age, threats of transfers and workload, are some of the important issues need to be sorted out. Those who go on VRS will face heavy loss if pension commutation and eligibility to 3^rd PRC issues are not settled. The one day hunger strike on 25.11.2019, has been called on by BSNLEU, BTEU, FNTO, BSNL MS, BSNL ATM and BSNL OA, demanding to sort out the issues urgently. These organisations have written to the Secretary, Telecom and to the CMD BSNL that the employees will be called on to withdraw their VRS options, if these issues are not settled.

Punjab circle union of BSNLEU, held it’s Executive Committee meeting at Sangrur on 15.02.2020. The meeting was presided over by Com.Balwinder Singh, Vice President. Com.H.S. Dhillon, Circle Secretary, welcomed everyone and submitted the report on activities. All the members of the Executive Committee participated in the deliberations. The meeting reviewed the situation that has arisen out of the implementation of the VRS and took decisions to strengthen the Union in Punjab circle.

1) KALBURGI, 20 Comrades donated – Rs.10,000/-

2) SEWA BSNL, Chikmaglur - Rs.3,000/-

3) Com. Satish Kallannavar, DS, SEWA, Belgavi - Rs.2,000/-

4) Com. Anandaram, Retd. ATM, CGMT, KTK - Rs.1,000/-

5) Com. A.D. Kulkarni, DS, AIBDPA, Hubballi - Rs.1,000/-

6) Com. A.G. Sajjan, Retd. SDE, Kalburgi – Rs.1,000/-

7) Com. P.R. Patil, Retd, Hubballi - Rs.500/-

Based on the press statement issued by BSNLEU, the “National Herald” has written a detailed story on BSNL’s 4G issue and it’s Revival. We reproduce the article hereunder.

BSNLEU is extremely saddened to know that, Com.Mallikarjun, former Secretary General of BTEF and one of the senior most leaders of the Telecom / BSNL trade union movement, has passed away, due to illness. Com.Mallikarjun was a leader who always carried a smile on his face. He was very affable, knowledgeable and honest to the cause of the working class. Com.Mallikarjun is presently President of the BTEF and his death has created a very big loss to the BSNL trade union movement. BSNLEU pays it’s respectful homage to Com.Mallikarjun and conveys it’s deep condolences to his family members, friends and comrades.