This is the last opportunity for the revival of BSNL - says Shri Ravi Shankar Prasad, Hon'ble Minister for Communications, to the leaders of the unions and associations.

A meeting has been arranged today, between Shri Ravi Shankar Prasad, Hon’ble Minister for Communications and the unions & associations of BSNL, at Sanchar Bhawan. Apart from the Hon’ble Minister, Shri Anshu Prakash, Secretary, Telecom, Shri Navneeth Gupta, Joint Secretary (Admn.), DoT and Shri Arvind Vadnerkar, Director (HR), BSNL, were also present. Com.P.Abhimanyu, GS and Com.Swapan Chakraborty, Dy.GS, represented BSNLEU in the meeting. A bouquet was presented to the Hon’ble Minister, on behalf of the AUAB. In his address, the Hon’ble Minister stated that the BSNL revival package, that has been approved by the Cabinet, is the last opportunity to revive the PSU and that everyone should ensure the early revival of BSNL. The Minister reiterated that he has consciously given a loud and clear message that, BSNL will not be closed down, disinvested or handed over to a third party. He also stated that BSNL is having vast assets which can be monetised. The Hon’ble Minister further stated that, the various departments would be requested to use BSNL’s services. As regards VRS, the Hon’ble Minister repeatedly told that it should be made a success. Com.P.Abhimanyu, GS, BSNLEU & Convenor, AUAB, thanked the Hon’ble Minister for his best efforts in getting BSNL’s revival package approved by the Cabinet. He pointed out that the unions & associations of BSNL have launched various movements in the past, like “Customer Delight Year”, “Service With A Smile” and “BSNL At Your Door Steps”, for strengthening BSNL. He assured that similar steps would be taken now also to revive BSNL. Com.P.Abhimanyu also pointed out the press statement made by the Hon’ble Minister, has clearly stated that, VRS would be purely voluntary. Whereas, fear is sought to be created among the employees by stating that, retirement age would be reduced to 58 years, after implementation of VRS, he complained.  Com.Chandeshwar Singh, GS, NFTE & Chairman, AUAB, Com.Sebastin, GS, SNEA, Com.S. Sivakumar, GS, AIBSNLEA and Com.Suresh Kumar, GS, BSNL MS, also raised various issues related to the revival of BSNL.

[Date : 17 - Sep - 2020]