A meeting of the Joint Wage Negotiating Committee is held today. All the representatives of BSNLEU and NFTE participated. Both the Unions strongly demanded that the pay scales mutually agreed to by both the Management Side, as well as the Unions in 2018 should be implemented. The Unions explained about the problems that would arise due to the implementation of shorter pay scales. However, the Management did not agree. Lengthy discussions took place. The next meeting of the Committee will be held on 22.03.2024. 

आज की वेतन पुनरीक्षण समिति की बैठक में कोई नतीजा नहीं - अगली बैठक 22.03.2024 को होगी.

संयुक्त वेतन वार्ता समिति की बैठक आज आयोजित हुई.  BSNLEU और एनएफटीई के सभी प्रतिनिधियों ने भाग लिया। दोनों यूनियनों ने पुरजोर मांग की कि 2018 में प्रबंधन पक्ष और यूनियन दोनों द्वारा पारस्परिक रूप से सहमत वेतनमान को लागू किया जाना चाहिए। यूनियनों ने छोटे वेतनमान लागू होने से उत्पन्न होने वाली समस्याओं के बारे में बताया। हालांकि, प्रबंधन इस पर सहमत नहीं हुआ. लंबी चर्चाएं हुईं. *समिति की अगली बैठक 22.03.2024 को होगी।

Com.P.Abhimanyu, GS and Com.C.K.Gundanna, AGS, met Shri P.K.Purwar,CMD BSNL yesterday and discussed some important issues of the employees and also that of the Company. The details of the discussion are as follows: –

1. Cancellation of the 3 JTO LICEs of Punjab circle, held for the vacancy years 2015–16, 2016–17 and 2017–18.

The details of the discussion held on this issue are already uploaded on the CHQ website yesterday itself.

2. Providing Fibre based Free Residential Landline Connections to the serving employees and pensioners.

Since the copper cable based landline connections are being abolished, BSNLEU has already demanded that, the serving employees and the pensioners should be provided with Fibre based Free Residential Landline Connections. However, the BSNL Management has offered two options to the employees. They are:-

1. FTTH connections with 40% concession.
2. Mobile SIM with ₹2000 as a onetime payment.

In yesterday‘s meeting, BSNLEU demanded that, both the serving employees and the pensioners should be given a third option also, as per which employees should be provided with fiber based Free Residential Landline Connections. The CMD BSNL agreed to look into this proposal of BSNLEU.

3. Payment of penal interest due to non-remittance of bank loan EMI.

In the past, the Management had failed to remit the bank loan EMI amount deducted from the salary of employees, to the banks on time. As a result, the banks are charging penal interest on the employees which is causing very big financial burden to them. BSNLEU demanded that, this penal interest should be borne only by the Company and not by the employees. The CMD BSNL told that the matter would be looked into.

4. Recovery of employee contribution of EPF from the salary of employees.

In respect of many BSNL recruited employees, GPF has been implemented for many years. Thereafter, due to change in policy, Management has implemented EPF, in the place of GPF. In such cases, the arrears of the employee contribution of the EPF is being recovered from the salary of the employees. This is causing a very big financial burden to such employees. BSNLEU pointed out that, as per orders of the EPF Organisation, the arrears of Employee contribution should be paid only by the Management. However, CMD BSNL did not accept this demand and told that Management would pay only the arrears of Management contribution and the arrears of the Employee contribution should be paid only by the employees. BSNLEU told that, this was violation of the order of the EPF Organisation.

5. Medical reimbursement should not be counted as perquisite for income tax.

BSNLEU has already taken up a case with the CMD BSNL, demanding to implement the order of the Income Tax Commissioner, which states that Medical Reimbursement should not be treated as perquisite for the purpose of payment of Income Tax. In yesterday’s meeting, BSNLEU demanded implementation of this order of the Income Tax Commissioner. CMD BSNL assured to look into it.

6. Problems in BSNL’s FTTH service.

Referring to the dharna organised by the BSNL‘s FTTH partners recently at Bangalore, it was pointed out to the CMD BSNL that, there are a lot of complaints in BSNL‘s FTTH service. The CMD BSNL stated that, needful actions are being taken and that the problems would be resolved within a period of three months.

7. BSNL Providing 4G service by sharing Vodafone idea’s network.

Commissioning of BSNL‘s 4G network by the TCS is getting inordinately delayed, as a result of which a large number of BSNL’s customers are migrating to private companies. Hence, BSNLEU has already written letter to the Hon’ble Minister of Communications, demanding that BSNL should be allowed to use Vodafone idea’s network, for providing 4G service. In yesterday‘s meeting this issue was raised by BSNLEU, with the CMD BSNL. The CMD BSNL replied that, there is no technical problem in BSNL‘s using Vodafone idea’s network for providing 4G service. However, he stated that, a decision to this effect should be taken only by the government.

Com.P.Abhimanyu,GS, BSNLEU and Com.C.K.Gundanna,AGS, met Shri P.K.Purwar, CMD BSNL today and discussed the issue of cancellation of 3 JTO LICEs held in Punjab circle, for the vacancy years 2015-16, 2016-17 and 2017-18.The leaders expressed their deep concern over the cancellation of the 3 LICEs and demanded that the Corporate Office letter, cancelling these 3 LICEs should be immediately withdrawn. The CMD BSNL told the leaders that, Punjab is a surplus circle in JTO cadre and there were no posts for promoting the candidates of these 3 JTO LICEs. The leaders questioned when the results of these 3 JTO LICEs conducted in other surplus circles like UP (East), UP(West), Bihar, West Bengal, etc., are declared and promotions are already given, why the 3 JTO LICES held in Punjab circle alone are cancelled? Further, the leaders told the CMD BSNL that, the problem of non-availability of posts can very well be overcome by administrative measures like diversion of posts, creation of supernumerary posts, etc. They appealed to the CMD BSNL to kindly review the entire issue. Finally, the CMD BSNL assured that the issue would be looked into.

पंजाब सर्कल में 3 जेटीओ एलआईसीई रद्द करना- BSNLEU ने सीएमडी बीएसएनएल के साथ चर्चा की।

साथी पी.अभिमन्यु, महासचिव, BSNLEU और साथी सी.के.गुंडन्ना, सहायक महासचिवने आज बीएसएनएल के सीएमडी श्री पी.के.पुरवार से मुलाकात की और वेकेन्सी वर्ष 2015-16, 2016-17 और 2017-18 के लिए पंजाब सर्कल में आयोजित 3 जेटीओ एलआईसीई को रद्द करने के मुद्दे पर चर्चा की। नेताओं ने 3 एलआईसीई को रद्द करने पर गहरी चिंता व्यक्त की और मांग की कि इन 3 एलआईसीई को रद्द करने वाले कॉर्पोरेट कार्यालय पत्र को तुरंत वापस लिया जाना चाहिए। सीएमडी बीएसएनएल ने नेताओं को बताया कि पंजाब जेटीओ कैडर में एक सरप्लस सर्कल है और इन 3 जेटीओ एलआईसीई के उम्मीदवारों को बढ़ावा देने के लिए कोई पद नहीं थे। नेताओं ने सवाल किया कि जब उत्तर प्रदेश (पूर्व),  उत्तर प्रदेश (पश्चिम),  बिहार, पश्चिम बंगाल आदि जैसे अन्य सरप्लस सर्कल में आयोजित इन 3 जेटीओ लाइसेंस के परिणाम घोषित किए जा चुके हैं और पदोन्नति पहले ही दी जा चुकी है, तो पंजाब सर्कल में आयोजित 3 जेटीओ लाइसेंस क्यों आयोजित किए गए ? पंजाब सर्कल के एलआईसीई अकेले रद्द कर दिए गए हैं ? इसके अलावा, नेताओं ने सीएमडी बीएसएनएल से कहा कि पदों की अनुपलब्धता की समस्या को पदों के डायवर्जन, अतिरिक्त पदों के निर्माण आदि जैसे प्रशासनिक उपायों से दूर किया जा सकता है। उन्होंने सीएमडी बीएसएनएल से पूरे मुद्दे की समीक्षा करने की अपील की। अंत में, सीएमडी बीएसएनएल ने आश्वासन दिया कि इस मुद्दे पर गौर किया जाएगा।

As all comrades are aware, since the copper cable based landline connections are being closed down, BSNLEU has demanded that the serving employees and pensioners should be provided with fibre based Free Residential Landline connections. As a response to BSNLEU’s demand, the Corporate Office has given two options to the serving employees. The first option is to avail FTTH connection with the prescribed concession. The second option is to avail a mobile SIM Card. Thus, BSNL Management has taken away the facility of Free Residential Landline connections given to the serving employees and pensioners, by the Government. Hence, BSNLEU has once again written letter to the CMD BSNL today, demanding to provide one more option through which the employees can avail fibre based Free Landline connection.   

कर्मचारियों और पेंशनरों को फाइबर आधारित मुफ्त रेशीडेंशियल लैंडलाइन कनेक्शन प्रदान करना - BSNLEU ने एक बार फिर सीएमडी बीएसएनएल को पत्र लिखा।

जैसा कि सभी साथियों को पता है,  कॉपर केबल आधारित लैंडलाइन कनेक्शन बंद हो रहे हैं, इसलिए BSNLEU ने मांग की है कि सेवारत कर्मचारियों और पेंशनरों को फाइबर आधारित मुफ्त रेसीडेंशियल लैंडलाइन कनेक्शन प्रदान किया जाना चाहिए। BSNLEU की मांग के जवाब में, कॉर्पोरेट कार्यालय ने सेवारत कर्मचारियों को दो विकल्प दिए हैं। पहला विकल्प निर्धारित रियायत के साथ एफटीटीएच कनेक्शन प्राप्त करना है। दूसरा विकल्प मोबाइल सिम कार्ड लेना है। इस प्रकार, बीएसएनएल प्रबंधन ने सरकार द्वारा सेवारत कर्मचारियों और पेंशनरों को दी जाने वाली मुफ्त रेसीडेंशियल लैंडलाइन कनेक्शन की सुविधा को छीन लिया है। इसलिए, BSNLEU ने आज एक बार फिर सीएमडी बीएसएनएल को पत्र लिखकर एक और विकल्प प्रदान करने की मांग की है जिसके माध्यम से कर्मचारी फाइबर आधारित मुफ्त लैंडलाइन कनेक्शन का लाभ उठा सकें।

Com. S. Ravi, one of the leaders of Chennai Telephones circle union of BSNLEU, who is presently the Circle Treasurer, has retired on superannuation on 29-02-2024. He has donated Rs.5,000/- to the CHQ. We heartily thank Com.S.Ravi for this donation and wish him a long and healthy retired life. 

As already informed, the Management has cancelled the JTO LICEs of Punjab circle held for the vacancy years 2014-15, 2015-16, 2016-17 and 2017-18. The All India Centre of BSNLEU has decided to organise protest demonstrations on 06.03.2024, demanding immediate declaration of the above mentioned JTO LICEs. CHQ has written letter to the CMD BSNL today, demanding to immediate declaration of the results of the JTO LICEs conducted in Punjab circle. 

JTO LICEs for the Vacancy Years of 2014-15, 2015-16, 2016-17 and 2017-18 were conducted in all the circles. The results of these examinations have already been declared in all the circles and the successful candidates have already become JTOs. However, all these have not happened in Punjab circle. The results of the JTO LICEs conducted in Punjab circle for the Vacancy Years of 2014-15, 2015-16, 2016-17 and 2017-18 were not declared due to the pendency of court case. Consequent to the withdrawal of the court case on 11.10.2023, the roadblocks created for the declaration of the results of the JTO LICEs were cleared. Thereafter, result of the JTO LICE conducted for the vacancy year 2014-15 was declared and the successful candidates have been sent for training. However, Management issued letter on 20.02.2024, cancelling the JTO LICEs conducted for the vacancy years 2015-16, 2016-17 and 2017-18. The reason given by the Corporate Office is that, there is excess manpower in JTO(T) cadre in Punjab circle.  In one stroke of pen, the CMD BSNL has ruined the future of more than a hundred young employees.

This is an atrocious and high-handed decision. In the same exams conducted in other circles, results are declared and successful candidates have already become JTOs. But in Punjab circle, the exams are cancelled after 8 years. The All India Centre of BSNLEU discussed this issue and has given call for holding protest demonstrations throughout the country on 06.03.2024, demanding withdrawal of the Corporate Office letter dated 20.02.2024 and immediate declaration of the results of the above mentioned exams. All the circle and district unions are requested to successfully organise this protest demonstration.  

On several occasions, the EMI amount deducted from the salary of the employees is not paid to the bank by the Management on time. Due to this, banks levy penal interest on employees.  BSNLEU has already written to the CMD BSNL on several occasions, demanding that the penal interest on account of late remittance of the EMI amount, should be paid only by the Management and not by the employees. Today, BSNLEU has once again written letter to the CMD BSNL, citing a specific case received from Karnataka circle. BSNLEU has also demanded that, the penal interest should be paid by the BSNL Management in similar cases also.

बैंकों को ईएमआई राशि का देर से भुगतान प्रबंधन द्वारा दंडात्मक ब्याज का भुगतान किया जाना चाहिए - BSNLEU ने सीएमडी बीएसएनएल को पत्र लिखा।

कई मौकों पर प्रबंधन द्वारा कर्मचारियों के वेतन से काटी गई ईएमआई राशि का भुगतान बैंक को समय पर नहीं किया जाता है। इसके चलते बैंक कर्मचारियों पर दंडात्मक ब्याज लगाते हैं।  BSNLEU ने पहले ही कई मौकों पर सीएमडी बीएसएनएल को पत्र लिखकर मांग की है कि ईएमआई राशि के देर से भुगतान के कारण दंडात्मक ब्याज का भुगतान केवल प्रबंधन द्वारा किया जाना चाहिए, न कि कर्मचारियों द्वारा। आज BSNLEU ने एक बार फिर कर्नाटक सर्कल से प्राप्त एक विशिष्ट मामले का हवाला देते हुए सीएमडी बीएसएनएल को पत्र लिखा है।  BSNLEU ने यह भी मांग की है कि ऐसे मामलों में भी दंडात्मक ब्याज का भुगतान बीएसएनएल प्रबंधन द्वारा किया जाना चाहिए।

The All India Centre meeting of BSNLEU held yesterday, has decided to hold a meeting of the Central Executive Committee on 21.03.2024. This meeting will review the one day strike that was organised by BSNLEU on 16.02.2024 and will also discuss about the future course of action for resolving the important issues of the employees viz., Wage Revision, BSNL’s 4G / 5G launching, etc. This CEC meeting will be held online. The notification for this meeting is issued yesterday by the CHQ for this CEC meeting.

BSNLEU की केंद्रीय कार्यकारी समिति (सीईसी) की बैठक 21.03.2024 को होगी।

कल हुई BSNLEU की अखिल भारतीय केंद्र बैठक में 21.03.2024 को केंद्रीय कार्यकारी समिति की बैठक आयोजित करने का निर्णय लिया गया है। यह बैठक 16.02.2024 को BSNLEU द्वारा आयोजित एक दिवसीय हड़ताल की समीक्षा करेगी और कर्मचारियों के महत्वपूर्ण मुद्दों जैसे वेतन संशोधन, बीएसएनएल की 4G/5G लॉन्चिंग आदि के समाधान के लिए भविष्य की कार्रवाई के बारे में भी चर्चा करेगी। सीईसी की बैठक ऑनलाइन होगी। इस सीईसी बैठक की अधिसूचना कल सीएचक्यू द्वारा जारी की गई है।

As reported in today’s Hindu, the Central Government employees including the Railwaymen and the State Government employees are to go on indefinite strike from 01^st May, 2024, demanding restoration of the Old Pension Scheme (OPS). The Steering Committee of the Joint Forum for Restoration of Old Pension Scheme (JFROPS) has unanimously decided to serve strike notices on March, 19 to the respective administrations. The Convenor of the JFROPS and General Secretary of All India Railwaymen’s Federation (AIRF), Shiv Gopal Mishra, has told that the strike decision was taken after discussions with the government have collapsed. 

केंद्र और राज्य सरकार के कर्मचारी 01 मई, 2024 से अनिश्चितकालीन हड़ताल पर जाएंगे।

जैसा कि आज के हिंदू में बताया गया है, रेलवे कर्मचारियों और राज्य सरकार के कर्मचारियों सहित केंद्र सरकार के कर्मचारी पुरानी पेंशन योजना (ओपीएस) की बहाली की मांग को लेकर 01 मई, 2024 से अनिश्चितकालीन हड़ताल पर जाने वाले हैं। पुरानी पेंशन योजना की बहाली के लिए संयुक्त मंच (जेएफआरओपीएस) की संचालन समिति ने सर्वसम्मति से संबंधित प्रशासनों को 19 मार्च को हड़ताल नोटिस देने का निर्णय लिया है। जेएफआरओपीएस के संयोजक और ऑल इंडिया रेलवेमेन्स फेडरेशन (एआईआरएफ) के महासचिव शिव गोपाल मिश्रा ने बताया है कि सरकार के साथ बातचीत विफल होने के बाद हड़ताल का फैसला लिया गया है।

Com.John Verghese, Dy.GS of BSNLEU is retiring on superannuation today the 29.02.2024. He entered the service in the erstwhile P&T department on 01^st June, 1983. Com.John Verghese is a sports person. Utilising this connection, he helped to strengthen our organisation in Maharashtra circle. He has held the posts of District President, Assistant Circle Secretary and Organising Secretary of the CHQ. Presently, Com.John Verghese is functioning as the Deputy General Secretary of BSNLEU. CHQ wishes a very long, healthy and happy retired life.

BSNLEU के उप महासचिव साथी जॉन वर्गीस सेवानिवृत्ति पर सेवानिवृत्त हो रहे हैं।

BSNLEU के उप महासचिव, साथी जॉन वर्गीस आज 29.02.2024 को सेवानिवृत्ति पर सेवानिवृत्त हो रहे हैं। उन्होंने 01 जून, 1983 को तत्कालीन पी एंड टी विभाग में सेवा में प्रवेश किया। साथी जॉन वर्गीस एक खिलाड़ी हैं। अपने संपर्कों का उपयोग करते हुए, उन्होंने महाराष्ट्र सर्कल में हमारे संगठन को मजबूत करने में मदद की। उन्होंने जिला अध्यक्ष, सहायक सर्कल सचिव और सीएचक्यु के आयोजन सचिव का पद संभाला है। वर्तमान में, साथी जॉन वर्गीस BSNLEU के उप महासचिव के रूप में कार्यरत हैं। सीएचक्यू साथी वर्गीस को लंबे, स्वस्थ और सुखी सेवानिवृत्त जीवन की कामना करता है।

At one point of time BSNL’s FTTH service was the choice of everyone. At that time, BSNL was providing better FTTH service, compared to any other private operators. During the Covid lockdown, all those who worked from home liked BSNL’s FTTH service. However, this is the story of the past. Lot of complaints are coming with regards to the speed and frequent disruption of BSNL’s FTTH service. On 27.02.2024, the FTTH vendors of Karnataka circle have organised dharna at Bangalore, demanding to find remedy to the complaints in BSNL’s FTTH service. In this background, BSNLEU has written a letter to the CMD BSNL today, demanding to take prompt action to improve BSNL’s FTTH service.

All comrades are aware that, the Hon’ble Supreme Court had given judgement on 26.07.2023, in respect of the employees recruited and sent for training by the DoT, before formation of BSNL. The Hon’ble Supreme Court upheld the order of the Hon’ble CAT, Chandigarh, wherein it is stated that these employees should be treated as DoT recruitees. However, the DoT did not take any action based on the order of the Hon’ble Supreme Court. BSNLEU has written many letters to the Secretary, DoT, demanding implementation of the decision of the Hon’ble Supreme Court. (BSNLEU’s letters dated 31.07.2023, 25.10.2023 and 15.02.2024). In this connection, the last letter was written by BSNLEU on 15.02.2024, addressed to the Secretary, DoT. On the next day itself, the DoT issued a letter to the CMD BSNL, regarding implementation of the Hon’ble Supreme Court order. In that letter, the DoT has stated that the Hon’ble CAT, Chandigarh judgement would be implemented only in respect of the parties who filed the case. The CHQ of BSNLEU is communicating this decision of the DoT to all the BSNL employees who were recruited and sent for training prior to the formation of BSNL. Copies of both the DoT letters mentioned above are enclosed. The affected comrades who are not covered by the Hon’ble CAT, Chandigarh, may take necessary legal action for getting the benefit of the order of the Hon’ble Supreme Court.