The landmark 3rd All India Convention of BSNL Working Women's Coordination Committee (BSNLWWCC), was held in Mumbai on 28th March, 2026, with zeal and enthusiasm. The venue of this All India Convention was Andhra Mahasabha & Gymkhana, Dadar, Mumbai. The Maharashtra Circle Union and Mumbai CGM Office District Union of BSNLEU, together with the Maharashtra Circle BSNLWWCC, had made excellent arrangements for the success of this Convention. 117 delegates participated in this Convention from various circles.

 The proceedings of the Convention got kick- started at 09:30 am, with the hoisting of the Union flag by Com.K.Ramadevi, Vice-President (CHQ), BSNLEU. The enchanting slogans raised in various regional languages added charm to the flag-hoisting ceremony. Floral tributes were paid at the martyrs' column. Before the start of the Convention, all the leaders were honoured with bouquets by the Reception Committee. A joint presidium, consisting of Com.K.Ramadevi, Vice-President (CHQ) and Com.M. Vijayakumar, President, BSNLEU, presided over the Convention. Com.Ganesh Hinge, Dy.GS, delivered the welcome address and cordially invited everyone.

Com.Amita Naik, Joint Convenor of the BSNLWWCC conducted the proceedings elegantly. Before the commencement of speeches by the leaders, the BSNLWWCC, Maharashtra, organised the display of a documentary, ashighlighting the functioning of the BSNLWWCC at the All India level and in various circles, right from the 1st All India Convention held at Hyderabad.

The Convention was inaugurated by Com.K.Hemalata, Vice-President, CITU, with an enlightening speech. In her speech,  Com.K.Hemalata highlighted how the women are being discriminated against in the Indian society and also how their lives are being deeply impacted by the Neo- Liberal Economic Policies implemented by the Government. This was followed by the speeches of Com.M. Vijayakumar, President, Com.Animesh Mitra, General Secretary, Com.K.Ramadevi, Vice-President (CHQ), Com.P.Abhimanyu, Vice-President (CHQ), Com.M.H.Sheikh, General Secretary, CITU, Maharashtra, Com.N.K.Nalawade, CP, Maharashtra, Com.Irfan Pasha, Treasurer(CHQ), Com.John Verghese, AGS, Com.Vittal Parmar, Vice-President (CHQ) and Com.K.S.Baste, CS, Maharashtra.

Since Com.K.N.Jyothilakshmi, Convenor, BSNLWWCC, was unable to attend this Convention due to the untimely demise of her younger brother, the report on activities was presented by Com.Amita Naik, Joint Convenor. 18 delegates participated in the deliberations and placed their views on various issues of the women employees and on the functioning of the BSNLWWCC. Finally, Com.Animesh Mitra, delivered the summing up address. Many resolutions were passed in the convention. The following 11 member new All India Committee of the BSNLWWCC was unanimously elected in the convention.

Convenor: Com.Sulagna Basu (Kolkata)

 Joint Convenors:

1) Com.Amita Nayak (Maharashtra)

2) Com.Rekha.K. (Kerala)

Com.Manjusha Lachke (Maharashtra)

Com.Alagu Nachiyar (Tamil Nadu)

 Com.Bharathi  (Karnataka)

Com. Srilakshmi  (Andhra Pradesh)

 Com.Nandita Dutta  (West Bengal)

 Com.Kiran Thakur  (Madhya Pradesh)

 Com.Manju Vishwakarma  (Chhattisgarh)

 Com.Pasha Begam  (Chennai)

BSNLEU has strongly raised the demand for a New Promotion Policy for Non-Executives during the meeting with the Director (HR) on 23.03.2026. The Union highlighted the continuing disparity between EPP and NEPP and urged early resolution as decided in the 40th National Council Meeting held on 13.01.2025. The Management informed that an Anomaly Committee has already been constituted which had already notified by the Corporate Office vide letter No. BSNLCO-A/14(12)/4/2022-ESTAB dated 09.07.2025. However, BSNLEU has strongly objected to the fact that no meeting has been held even after 8 months. All Circle and District Secretaries are requested to send their proposals immediately to CHQ. BSNLEU will press for an early meeting of the Committee with union representatives to settle the issue without further delay.

It is well known that Vodafone Idea is currently facing serious financial challenges and the Government of India holds a significant stake in the company. Recent reports suggest that BSNL and Vodafone Idea are exploring infrastructure and spectrum sharing arrangements to reduce costs and accelerate the rollout of 5G services. While such collaboration may appear beneficial in terms of cost efficiency and faster deployment, certain critical questions arise. Given Vodafone Idea’s present crisis, it is understandable that the company may seek support through such partnerships. However, what strategic advantage does BSNL gain by depending on Vodafone Idea for its 5G rollout? BSNL has consistently taken pride in its commitment to the “Atmanirbhar” policy. With nearly one lakh 4G towers recently installed to strengthen its network and attract more customers, the necessity of entering into such a tie-up becomes a matter of concern. In this evolving scenario, who stands to gain and who stands to lose remains an open question. The real impact of this arrangement will only become clear in the near future.

The BSNL Coordination Committee dharna programme was held on 23rd March 2026 with massive participation of regular employees, pensioners, and casual contract workers across BSNL offices nationwide. The programme was organised to highlight the burning issues faced by BSNL employees and pensioners and to protest the attacks from the central government. The Coordination Committee of BSNLEU, AIBDPA, and BSNLCCWF gave a call for this nationwide dharna to demand pay revision, pension revision, repeal of the four Labour Codes, and protection of contract workers from retrenchment. BSNLEU conveys red salute and greetings to all members for making the programme a grand success.

In Bihar, 16 officials in the ATT and TM cadres were converted from GPF to EPF about 10 months ago, following the Corporate Office’s directive for such conversion. While the CNTX(E) Circle and Bihar Circle carried out the conversion, the BSNL management has not deposited their EPF contributions from the date of their joining in ATT/TM cadre. The issue was raised during a formal meeting with the Director (HR), but the matter remains pending at the Corporate Office. The CHQ discussed the issue with PGM (Estt.) and CGM (ETR) and the Circle Secretary also took up the matter with the CGM of Bihar Circle. On 23^rd March, 2026, the CHQ met the Director (HR) and submitted a formal letter regarding this issue. The Director (HR) assured that necessary action would be taken in consultation with the Circle administration and the concerned officer at the Corporate Office.  Letter addressed to the Director (HR) is enclosed herewith.

BSNLCCWF has given a call to observe the Call Attention Day on 25th March 2026 to highlight the burning issues faced by casual and contract labourers in BSNL. This programme was announced at the National Convention held in New Delhi on 7th March 2026. A pamphlet has been published for wide circulation among casual and contract labourers in all BAs across the country. All CEC members of BSNLEU are requested to take appropriate action to mobilise our members to actively participate in the Call Attention Day programme organised by BSNLCCWF. Copy of the pamphlet enclosed herewith.