Three and half years ago, Narendra Modi became the Prime Minister of India. He told the people of this country that he had come from poor, family and that, he would take every effort to help the poor. However, let us see, who is benefited from the policies and efforts of the Narendra Modi government. Ahead of the World Economic Forum meeting being held at Davos, the Oxfam has released it’s report. According to this report, 73% of the total wealth generated in our country in 2017, has gone to the richest 1% Indians. At the same time, the bottom 67 crore Indians have got only 1% of the wealth increase. The wealth of these richest 1% Indians has increased by Rs.20,913 billion in last year. Further, in 2017 alone, 17 new dollar billionaires have come up in India. Now the total number of dollar billionaires in India is 101. Internationally, 82% of the new wealth created in 2017 has gone to the richest 1% people. Everyday two new dollar billionaires have come up in the world. Now, let the ruling BJP and it’s Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, tell the people of this country, how their economic policy is different from the economic policy of the Congress Party. Whatever pro-corporate and anti-worker policy that was followed by the Manmohan Singh government from 2004 to 2010, is being followed with more vigour by the Narendra Modi government.

[Inputs from Times of India – 23.01.2018]

Com. P. Abhimanyu, GS, Com. Swapan Chakraborty, Dy. GS and Com. Animesh Mitra, Vice- President (CHQ) met shri Saurab Tyagi, GM (Estt.) today, and reviewed the status of certain important pending issues. The details are as follows:-

1. Wage revision

The Establishment Branch of the Corporate Office is the nodal branch in the matter of Wage Revision. The Union enquired about the status of formation of the joint committee for negotiating wage settlement. The GM (Estt.) replied that file in this regard has already been moved to the CMD BSNL. Further, he wished to know about the procedure adopted for revision of wages w.e.f. 01.01.2007. The Union representatives shared their experiences with him. They also solicited the best co-operation of the Establishment Branch for the forthcoming wage revision, which he assured.

2. Granting 1^st promotion under NEPP, to the RMs who were conferred with Ty. Status.

The GM (Estt.) replied that inputs are still awaited and requested the Union to help in getting the inputs from left out circles.

3. Issuing of POs to the TSMs, who directly became Telecom Technicians:-

For this issue also the GM (Estt.) replied that the cases could not be forwarded to the DoT, for the issuing of POs, since inputs are yet to be received from some circles.

Regarding the above two items, the Union demanded the names of those circles which have not sent the requisite information, so that action could be taken through the circle unions, for making the CGMs to send the inputs to the Corporate Office. The GM (Estt.) accepted this proposal.

4. Stoping illegal recovery of arrears of employees contribution of EPF.

As regards the case of com. Omprakash Jaiswal OS, CGM office, Hyderabad, the GM (Estt.) stated that the Corporate Office has not received any representation. The Union assured that the related papers would be handed over soon.

5. Downgradation of Sr. TOAs from 7100 to 6550 pay scale.

This case has already been rejected by the GM (Estt.) in the earlier discussion. In today’s meeting, the Union informed that some of the affected officials have expressed their willingness to forego any arrears, that will become accrued on account of settlement of this issue. The Union asked why can’t such cases be considered, when the Company need not spend any money. The GM (Estt.) once again replied that to settle this issue, approval of the BSNL’s Board of Directors, as well as the DoT is required, which is not possible.

The AUAB, in it’s notice served today, to the Secretary, DoT and the CMD BSNL, has informed that the AUAB will call on the employees to go on strike, if the issues are not settled by 30th November, 2018. This is also an advance intimation to the circle and district units of the AUAB. During the press meets, dharnas and rallies, the employees should be appropriately told to get ready for the strike action, if the issues are not settled by 30th November, 2018.

Karnataka circle is organising the Circle level Joint General body meeting of the AUAB today, the 02.01.2019 at CGM Office Auditorium, Halasur, Bengaluru. Circle Secretaries, Dist. Secretaries, Presidents, CEC Members, All India Office bearers, as well as the general members of BSNLEU, NFTE BSNL, SNEA, AIBSNLEA, AIGETOA, BSNL MS, TEPU & ATM, are participating in this meeting.  In all, around 400 comrades are expected to take part in the meeting, to be addressed by Circle Secretaries and All India Office bearers of all the unions and associations. The details of the talks held between the Hon'ble MoS (C) and the AUAB on 03-12-2018, which resulted in the deferment of the Indefinite Strike will be explained in this meeting. CHQ of BSNLEU heartily congratulates the Karnataka circle AUAB for taking this initiative.

[Courtesy: Times of India dt. 7th March, 2019.

Com.P.Abhimanyu, GS, once again met Shri Ram Krishna, DGM(CBB), BSNL CO., today and discussed about the renewal of BSNL’s MoUs with the Canara Bank and the Union Bank of India. The DGM(CBB) replied that progress is taking place and that the MoUs are likely to be signed soon.

दिनांक 02.07.2019 को  कॉर्पोरेट ऑफिस की एस आर ब्रांच द्वारा 8वें मेम्बरशिप वेरिफिकेशन की प्रक्रिया पूर्ण होने तक धरना, प्रदर्शन आदि पर प्रतिबंध के आदेश के साथ पत्र जारी किया गया था। यह पत्र BSNLEU और BSNLCCWF द्वारा  16.07.2019 को कॉन्ट्रैक्ट वर्कर्स को वेजेस के एरीअर्स के भुगतान की मांग को ले कर किए जाने वाले प्रदर्शन को रोकने के लिए जारी किया गया था। BSNLEU ने माननीय मद्रास हाइकोर्ट में पिटीशन दायर कर न्यायसम्मत ट्रेड यूनियन गतिविधियों को प्रतिबंधित करने के एस आर ब्रांच द्वारा जारी मनमानीपूर्ण आदेश के मामले में माननीय हाइकोर्ट के हस्तक्षेप का अनुरोध किया था। माननीय मद्रास हाइकोर्ट ने 22.07.2019 को  एस आर ब्रांच द्वारा प्रदर्शन, धरना आदि पर प्रतिबंध के पत्र पर अंतरिम स्थगन आदेश जारी किए। इसके बावजूद एस आर ब्रांच ने तानाशाही पूर्ण तरीके से 24.07.2019 को एक और पत्र जारी किया जिसके तहत सभी CGMs को निर्देशित किया गया कि 16.07.2019 के धरने में शामिल होने वाले सभी कर्मचारियों के खिलाफ अनुशासनात्मक कार्यवाही, वेतन कटौती की जाए। इस पर BSNLEU ने CMD BSNL, DGM(SR), AGM(SR) को  माननीय हाइकोर्ट के आदेश की अवमानना के लिए मानहानि की कार्यवाही किए जाने बाबद नोटिस दिया। आज एस आर ब्रांच ने सभी CGMs को पत्र लिख कर सूचित किया कि माननीय मद्रास हाइकोर्ट ने पत्र दिनांक 02.07.2019 पर स्थगन आदेश दिए हैं। इस प्रकार, देर से ही सही, एस आर ब्रांच को समझ तो आई।

Based on the results of the 8^th Membership Verification, Corporate Office has issued letters, granting the Main Recognised Representative Union status to BSNLEU and also instructions for the formation of councils at various levels. Accordingly, BSNLEU is entitled to nominate 8 members to the National, Circle and Local Councils. The post of Secretary, Staff Side, will continue to be with BSNLEU. CHQ requests all the circle secretaries to immediately take action for sending nominations to the circle and local councils.

BSNL has sold  only 2,29,839 post paid and prepaid SIMs in April, 2020. This is against the target of 14,16,300 SIMs, fixed by the Management, for the month of April. Thus, BSNL has achieved only 16% of it’s target. This is due to the lockdown imposed by the government, to contain the spread of the Corona Virus infection. As regards the month of May, 2020, Management has fixed a target of 14,00,300.

Com. Swapan Chakraborty, Dy.GS and com. Animesh Mitra, VP (CHQ), discussed with the GM (BFCI&Tax) on 05.12.2017, for release of fund from the Corporate Office for payment of wages to the contract workers in West Bengal. The Management assured to release the fund within this week.

The first meeting of the re-constituted Standing Committee of the National Council, will be meeting tomorrow. This meeting will review the implementation of the decisions of the 35^th meeting of the National Council, held on 11.05.2017 & 13.11.2017.

Com. P. Abhimanyu, GS, met Ms. Sujata T. Ray, Director (HR) today, and discussed about the proposal made by the SR Branch of the BSNL Corporate Office, to hold the next Membership Verification, under the Check Off System. The GS told that the Check Off System is prone to manoeuvrings and malpractices, and will create undesirable atmosphere in BSNL. He strongly demanded that the next Membership Verification also should be conducted under the secret ballot system only. The GS also handed over the letter written to her on the subject. The Director (HR) gave a patient hearing to the views of the GS and assured that BSNLEU’s views would be looked into.

Com. P. Abhimanyu, GS, Com. Swapan Chakraborty, Dy. GS and Com. Animesh Mitra, Vice- President (CHQ) met Shri S.K. Sinha, GM (Admn.) today and discussed about the Management’s proposal to curtail the existing medical facilities. The Union strongly demanded that the Corporate Office should immediately issue letter, to extend the payment of cash without voucher to the retired employees beyond the initial 6 month period. The GM (Admn.) agreed to look into it. The Union also demanded that the ceiling for outdoor treatment should be restored from 23 days to the earlier limit of 25 days. The GM (Admn.) replied that this issue needs to be discussed with the top management.

As has already been announced, the AUAB has given call for agitational programme, demanding implementation of the assurances given by the Hon’ble Minister of State for Communications, in the meeting held with the AUAB on 24.02.2018. Accordingly, the following agitational programme should be organised effectively.

Press meets.

Press meetings have to be organised on 29.10.2018 at districts and circle levels. Non-implementation of the assurances given by the Hon’ble MoS(C) should be highlighted to the media persons. Especially, issues related to the financial revival of BSNL, the pro-private and anti-BSNL policies of the government should also be explained. Since, we get very good response from the media persons at the district and circle levels, which results in effective focus of our issues in the media, this opportunity should be effectively utilised.

Dharna on 30.10.2018.

As per the call of the AUAB, dharnas should be organised at the district and circle levels very effectively on 30.10.2018. Especially, at a juncture when the AUAB is going to organise strike action on the demands, much seriousness should be shown by our circle and district unions, in involving the Executives and Non-Executives massively in this dharna programme.

Rallies on 14.11.2018.

The AUAB has decided that massive rallies should be organised at SSA and circle levels on 14.11.2018. Since organising rallies is a very good opportunity to focus our issues to the public, the same should be done very effectively. Displaying of play cards, banners, etc., conveying our demands, should be done effectively.

Circle and Districts secretaries of BSNLEU are requested to take the lead for organising the above mentioned programme of action, by suitably coordinating with the other constituents of the AUAB.

Explain the demands of the General Strike to be held on 08th and 9thJanuary, 2019.

BSNLEU, NFTE, BSNL MS and TEPU have called on the BSNL employees to join the two day General Strike, that is taking place on 08th and 9th January, 2019. With a view to mobilise the BSNL employees for the General Strike, and also to explain the charter of demands, it has been decided to organise Lunch Hour Demonstrations and Gate Meetings on 05.01.2019. Circle and district unions are requested to coordinate with NFTE, BSNL MS and TEPU, and to effectively organise the Lunch Hour Demonstrations and Gate Meetings. Reports and photos of the programme may be sent to the CHQ.

The AUAB conducted it's emergent meeting today the 07.03.2019. General Secretaries /Representatives of BSNLEU, NFTE BSNL, SNEA, AIBSNLEA, AIGETOA, TEPU, BSNL MS, BSNLOA attended. Meeting discussed the following.

1. Non-payment of salary to the BSNL Employees for the month of February 2019.
2. Vindictive actions against AUAB Leaders, particularly leaders of Executive Associations.
3. Issues in the charter of demands submitted by AUAB.

After discussion at length on the above issues, following decisions were taken unanimously.

1. To meet CMD BSNL, immediately after the meeting, on the issue of non payment of salary of Feb 2019 and vindictive actions.
2. To organise Relay Hunger Strike from 12th March 2019 at Corporate Office.
3. If issues are not settled, hunger strike is to be organised at circle and SSA levels.
4. To organise the March to PMO in April,2019.