The entire employees and officers of the banking industry are on a two day strike, starting today. This strike is against the privatisation of the Public Sector Banks, by the Narendra Modi government. BSNLEU has organised countrywide demonstrations today, in support of the bank employees / officers’ strike. CHQ heartily congratulates all the circle and district unions which have organised the solidarity demonstrations.

The entire bank employees and officers are on a 2 day strike, today and tomorrow. This strike is against the privatisation policy of the Modi government. It is to save the Public Sector of the country. The strike is against the looting of the nation's wealth by the big corporates. Let us support this strike by organising Lunch Hour demonstrations throughout the country today. 

The Public Sector banks have rendered immense service for the economic growth of this country and also to the common / downtrodden people. However, the Modi government is taking all out efforts to privatise the public sector banks. Further, the government has also decided to permit the big corporates to start banking service. This is nothing, but allowing the corporates to loot people’s money. The entire bank employees and officers are going on a two day strike on 15^th & 16^th March, 2021 (next Monday and Tuesday) against the privatisation of Public Sector banks. This strike is to save the Public Sector Banks from privatisation. The CEC meeting of BSNLEU, held at Chennai has called on the BSNL employees to organise demonstrations on 15.03.2021, in support of the strike of the bank employees. Hence, the CHQ calls upon the circle and district unions of BSNLEU to organise powerful lunch hour demonstrations.

This year, Indian billionaire, Gautam Adani, added more billions to his wealth than any other billionaire in the world. The net worth of Adani has jumped by $16.2 billion in 2021 to $50 billion, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index. This has made him the year's biggest wealth gainer, beating even Jeff Bezos and Elon Musk. Compared to Gautam Adani, the wealth added by Mukesh Ambani, the richest person in Asia is only $8.1 billion. 

The Central Executive Committee meeting of BSNLEU, held at Chennai from 07^th to 09^th March, 2021, has decided to form Coordination Committees of BSNLEU, AIBDPA and BSNL CCWF. General Secretary has written to AIBDPA and BSNL CCWF to communicate this decision .

As per the call of the CHQ, International Women’s Day has been observed on 08.03.2021, in Kerala and Telangana circles. Seminars and special meetings have been organised in these circles. The CHQ heartily congratulates both these circle unions, as well as their district unions which organised the International Women’s Day. 

The Modi government has decided to raise Rs.40,000 crore, by selling the mobile towers and optic fibre of BSNL and MTNL. The government has decided to raise Rs.2.5 lakh crore through Asset Monetisation. The Finance Minister, Ms. Nirmala Sitharaman, has announced this in the budget. In this, the government has decided to raise Rs.1.3 lakh crore, by selling the assets of Railways and BSNL. As per media reports, Rs.40,000 crore will be raised by the Government, by selling the telecom towers and optic fibre owned by BSNL and MTNL. The government may induct a strategic partner in the Subsidiary Tower Company of BSNL and can monetise the towers. The news item published in today’s Times of India is attached. 

[Source: Times of India dated 12^th March, 2021]

IDA भुगतान- DPE ने सेक्रेटरी, टेलीकॉम को, कोर्ट के निर्णय का अनुपालन करने हेतु पत्र लिखा...

माननीय केरल उच्च न्यायालय ने निर्देशित किया है कि 01.10.2020 से देय हो चुकी  IDA की किश्त (5.5%) का भुगतान नॉन एग्जीक्यूटिव्ज को किया जाए। यह आदेश (judgement), BSNLEU द्वारा दायर रिट याचिका पर जारी किया गया। माननीय केरल उच्च न्यायालय द्वारा प्रसारित उक्त आदेश पश्चात, महासचिव, BSNLEU द्वारा, IDA भुगतान हेतु आदेश जारी कर माननीय न्यायालय के निर्णय के अनुपालन करने के अनुरोध के साथ सेक्रेटरी, DPE को पत्र लिखा गया था। सेक्रेटरी, DPE द्वारा महासचिव का पत्र, सेक्रेटरी, टेलीकॉम को फॉरवर्ड कर आवश्यक कार्यवाही करने हेतु निर्देशित किया गया है।  

Merger of BSNL and MTNL was considered as one of the ways and means for the financial revival of BSNL. However, the government has now come to the conclusion that, merger of BSNL and MTNL is not possible, because of the critical financial condition of MTNL. As per the Hindu dated 10.3.2021, the Hon’ble Minister of Communications is reported to have told this to the Parliament.

The landmark Central Executive Committee meeting of BSNLEU, was held at Chennai on 7th, 8th and 9th March, 2021. The meeting made in depth discussions about the current problems being faced by BSNL and it’s employees and has chalked out the following programme of action.

(i)    “Meet the members” drive.

The circle and district level leaders of BSNLEU shall conduct a month long “Meet the members” drive, from 01^st April to 30^th April, 2021. The leaders shall meet each and every member during this drive and explain about the decisions of the Chennai CEC meeting and also about the pro-corporate, anti-BSNL and anti-working people policies of the government.   

(ii)    Street Corner Meetings to observe the 20^th anniversary of BSNLEU’s foundation.

22.03.2021 is the 20^th anniversary of BSNLEU’s foundation. The day should be observed by hoisting flags in all work places. Further, BSNLEU will also launch a week long "Street Corner Meetings" starting on 22.03.2021. In these street corner meetings, campaign will be made among the general public against privatisation of the public sector, denial of 4G service to BSNL, road-blocks being created in BSNL's revival and the need to keep BSNL as a vibrant public sector company. A Press Meet will also be organised on 20.03.2021 in all districts and circles.

(iii)   March to CGM and GM offices on 12.05.2021.

March to CGM offices and GM offices will be organised on 12.05.2021, demanding settlement of 3^rd Wage Revision, payment of salary on the due date, immediate holding of LICEs, re-engaging the retrenched contract workers and payment of their wage arrears, immediate settlement of the medical claims of the serving and retired employees, removal of the ban on Compassionate Ground Appointments, etc. Memorandum, addressed to the CMD BSNL, demanding settlement of these burning issues, will be submitted to the CGMs and GMs.

(iv)   “Sathyagraha”, demanding payment of salary on the due date.

On the demand of payment of salary on the due date, the CEC meeting has decided to organise a “sathyagraha” programme in CGM and GM offices. The date of this programme will be decided by the All India Centre.

 (v)  Hunger strikes / dharnas from 24^th to 26^th March, 2021 – call of the CTUs and the SKM.

The Joint platform of the Central Trade Unions and the Sanyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) have decided to organise hunger strikes / dharnas throughout the country from 24^th to 26^th March, 2021, demanding withdrawal of the pro-corporate Farm Acts, withdrawal of the anti-worker Labour Codes and stopping the privatisation of the Public Sector Units. The CEC meeting has decided that maximum number of members of BSNLEU should participate in this programme, being jointly organised by the Central Trade Unions and the Sanyukt Kisan Morcha.

(vi)   Solidarity to Bank employees strike.

 BSNLEU should organise demonstrations throughout the country on 15.03.2021, in support of the two day bank employees strike being held on 15^th & 16^th March, 2021, against the privatisation of the public sector banks.

(vii)  Solidarity to LIC employees strike.

BSNLEU should organise country wide demonstrations on 18.03.2021, in support of the strike of the LIC employees on 18.03.2021, opposing disinvestment in LIC.

(viii)  Formation of coordination committee of BSNLEU, AIBDPA and BSNL CCWF.     

The CEC meeting has desired to form coordination committees of BSNLEU, AIBDPA and BSNL CCWF (BSNL Casual Contract Workers Federation), to powerfully organise agitational programmes on the revival of BSNL, including the early launching of 4G service and also on the issues of the serving and retired employees, as well as on the casual and contract workers.

As a part of it’s Central Executive Committee meeting, being held at Chennai, BSNLEU organised the K.G.Bose’s Birth Centenary memorial lecture. Apart from the CEC members, a good number of comrades of Chennai and Tamil Nadu circles participated in this seminar. Com.Animesh Mitra, President, presided over the programme. Com.Sridhara Subramanian, CS, Chennai circle, delivered the welcome address. Com. S.Chellappa,AGS, conducted the programme. Com.P.Abhimanyu, GS, delivered a brief introductory speech and explained about the role played by Com.K.G. Bose in the P&T / Central Government Trade Union movements. Com.P. Indira, Convenor, BSNL WWCC, briefly spoke on the International Women’s Day. Com.K. Hemalatha, President, CITU, delivered a lecture on “the present situation and the future tasks''. In her speech, the CITU President, explained in detail about the pro-corporate economic policies, the cruel attacks on the country's public sector, the ongoing farmers’ protests and the need to strengthen the worker peasant unity. 

The Central Executive Committee meeting of BSNLEU is being held physically at Chennai. The venue is Asha Nivas, Thousand Lights, Chennai. The meeting started sharply at 10:00 am with the flag hoisting ceremony. Com.S. Chellappa, AGS, welcomed the CEC members. Com.Animesh Mitra, President, hoisted the National Flag. Com.P.Abhimanyu, GS, hoisted the Union red flag amidst slogans. Thereafter, the Inaugural Session of the CEC meeting took place. Com.Animesh Mitra, President, presided over. Com.P.Abhimanyu, GS, welcomed all and made the initial remarks. Thereafter, Com.A.K. Padmanabhan, Vice President, CITU, delivered the inaugural address. In his inspiring speech, Com.AKP, explained about the present economic situation, the privatisation drive of the Modi government, the spirited farmers’ protests, as well as the call of the joint platform of the Central Trade Unions and the Samyukt Kisan Morcha, to fight against the anti-farmer acts, anti-worker labour codes and the privatisation of the public sector. Thereafter, the subject committee started. Homage was paid to the martyrs. Com.Swapan Chakraborty, Dy.GS, moved the condolence resolution and the house paid homage to the departed leaders. Com.Animesh Mitra, delivered the presidential address. Thereafter, Com.P.Abhimanyu, GS, addressed the meeting, presenting the report on activities. Thereafter, the discussion by CEC members started. 

The Central Trade Unions have given call to observe the following calls. 

(1)  15th March, 2021             - Anti-Privatisation, Anti-Corporatisation Day. 

This programme is to be observed by way of holding joint demonstrations before the railway stations /establishments. The Samyukta Kisan Morcha has also supported this call, calling on the farmers to join this programme.

(2)   Three days Dharna/Relay Hunger Strike on 24-26 March 2021 at district/block/workplace levels through effective mobilisation.

Solidarity demonstrations with:-

a)   Bank Employees two days’ strike action on 15-16 March 2021. 

b)   General Insurance Employees strike on 17th March 2021. 

c)   LIC employees/Officers strike on 18th March 2021

The demands and issues to be focused are:-

(1)   Scrapping of Labour Codes.

(2)   Repeal of Farm Laws and Electricity Bill 2020. 

(3)   Stop Privatisation and Corporatization. 

(4)   Food and Income Support to all non-income tax-paying households and other demands.

BSNL Working Women’s Coordination Committee (BSNL WWCC) organised an online seminar on 04.03.2021, to mark the International Women’s Day. 135 comrades participated in this online seminar. Com. P. Indira, Convenor, BSNL WWCC, presided over this programme.Com. Baghyalakshmi, Joint Convenor, BSNL WWCC, welcomed everyone. Com.P.Abhimanyu, GS, delivered a brief inaugural address. Com.A.R. Sindhu, National Secretary, CITU, delivered an inspiring speech on International Women’s Day. Com.Amita Naik, delivered the vote of thanks. BSNLEU congratulates the BSNL WWCC for taking the initiative to organise this programme.

The Supreme Court has ruled that, expressing views which are dissent and different from government opinion cannot be termed as seditious. Article 370, granting special status to Jammu and Kashmir was scrapped in August, 2019. Farooq Abdullah, MP, as well as former Chief Minister of J&K, opposed this.  Two persons, Rajat Sharma and Neh Srivastava, filed a petition in the Supreme Court, stating that Farooq Abdullah should be disqualified as an MP. The petitioners have stated that, Farooq Abdullah is anti-national, since he had opposed the removal of Article 370. Hearing this petition, the Supreme Court has stated that, expressing views that are different from government opinion, cannot be termed as “sedition”. Further, the Supreme Court imposed a fine of Rs.50,000/- on the petitioners.

[ Courtesy :  NDTV. Com dt. 03-03-2021] 

BSNLEU has written letters to the CMD BSNL on15-09-2020 and 12-11-2020, strongly opposing the increase in the rental rates of the staff quarters, implemented by the Management. BSNLEU has also demanded in these letters that, the BSNL retirees, both under VRS and on superannuation, should be allowed to continue in the staff quarters, in view of the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic situation. Now, the BSNL Management has written letter to the General Secretary, BSNLEU, on 03-03-2021, wherein replies are given to the issues raised by the General Secretary, BSNLEU. 

As has already been informed earlier, the BSNL Working Women's Coordination Committee [BSNL WWCC] is organising a seminar tomorrow the 04-03-2021, in connection with the International Women’s Day. Com.A.R.Sindhu, National Secretary of CITU will address this Seminar. She will address both in English and Hindi. The Seminar will start at 19:00 hrs. Circle Secretaries are requested to mobilise maximum number of comrades in this seminar.