On 11-02-2023, the joint forum of the Non-Executive unions and associations, wrote a letter to Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw ji, Hon’ble Minister of Communications, requesting to grant a meeting, for discussing the wage revision issue. The meeting of the Joint Forum has also decided not to organise any agitational programme until the meeting with the Hon’ble Minister takes place. However, it is already two months, since that letter was written. So far the Joint Forum has not received any reply from the office of the Hon’ble Minister of Communications. Hence, the Joint Forum has once again written a letter to the Hon’ble Minister of Communications today, seeking to grant an appointment for discussing the Wage Revision issue.

संयुक्त फोरम ने एक बार फिर श्री अश्विनी वैष्णव, माननीय संचार मंत्री को आज पत्र लिखा, वेतन संशोधन मुद्दे पर चर्चा करने के लिए मिलने का समय मांगा।

11-02-2023 को नोन एक्ज़िक्यूटिव्स यूनियनों और एसोसिएशनों के संयुक्त मंच ने श्री अश्विनी वैष्णव जी, माननीय संचार मंत्री को पत्र लिखकर वेतन संशोधन मुद्दे पर चर्चा के लिए एक बैठक आयोजित करने का अनुरोध किया था ।  संयुक्त मंच की बैठक में यह भी निर्णय लिया गया है कि जब तक माननीय मंत्री जी के साथ बैठक नहीं हो जाती तब तक कोई भी आंदोलनात्मक कार्यक्रम आयोजित नहीं किया जाएगा।  हालाँकि, उस पत्र को लिखे हुए दो महीने हो चुके हैं। अभी तक संयुक्त मंच को माननीय संचार मंत्री के कार्यालय से कोई जवाब नहीं मिला है।  इसलिए, संयुक्त फोरम ने आज एक बार फिर माननीय संचार मंत्री को पत्र लिखकर वेतन संशोधन मुद्दे पर चर्चा करने के लिए समय देने की मांग की है।

The office bearers of the Recognised Trade Unions of the Non-Executives are having the facility of ‘Immunity from Transfers’. This facility is available since the days of the DoT. However, recently, the Corporate Office has issued letter stating that, this facility will be available only for the first term and not for the subsequent terms. This is nothing but curtailment of a facility of the trade union, that has been existing since the DoT times. Today, the CHQ has once again written a detailed letter to the Director (HR), requesting to review their decision. Immunity from Transfers is a basic facility being availed by the Recognised Trade Unions. We cannot allow the Management to curtail this facility. 

A meeting is held in the Corporate Office today, to finalise the premium amount of the Group Health Insurance Scheme. Com. Animesh Mitra, President, represented BSNLEU. The Oriental Insurance Company has increased the premium amount by 60%. The union representatives pointed out that this is a steep increase and demanded to review the same. Union representatives also demanded that a part of the premium amount should be borne by the Management. After detailed discussion, the representatives of Oriental insurance Company are requested to discuss with their higher-ups, for reducing the premium amount. Next meeting will take place at 11:00 am on 13-04-2023.

The All India Centre of BSNLEU has already called on the circle and district unions to celebrate Dr. B.R. Ambedkar’s Birth Anniversary on 14.04.2023, by organising seminars, garlanding of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar’s photo in all union offices and also by donating bags, books and other school materials to the SC/ST students. The CHQ requests the circle and district unions to implement the programme effectively and send report and photos to the CHQ. 

14^th April, 2023 (Friday) will be a closed holiday on account of the birth anniversary of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar. Order to this effect is issued today by the DoP&T.  

The Admn. Branch of the Corporate Office hurriedly conducted a meeting on 05.04.2023, to discuss renewal of the Group Health Insurance. The intimation for this meeting was given only on 03.04.2023. Both BSNLEU and NFTE requested the Management to conduct the meeting after a few days, since both the General Secretaries were not in Delhi. However, the meeting was conducted ignoring the Recognised Unions of the Non-Executives.  Hence, both BSNLEU and NFTE made a complaint to the CMD BSNL stating that, the Recognised Unions of the Non-Executives are being neglected by the GM (Admn.), by way of conducting hurried meetings, without giving sufficient notice. Today the DGM(Admn.) contacted the General Secretary, BSNLEU, and suggested to once again hold the meeting for the renewal of the Group Health Insurance Scheme on 12.04.2023. Following this, notification is issued for holding the meeting at 15:00 hrs on 12-04-2023. Com.Animesh Mitra, President, will represent BSNLEU in this meeting. 

The BSNL Management has drastically cut down the strength of various cadres in the name of Restructuring. As a result of this, acute shortage is being experienced at the field level. BSNLEU has already raised the issue with the Director (HR), demanding immediate review of the norms fixed for sanctioning of posts for various cadres. Com.P.Abhimanyu, GS, met Ms. Anita Johri, PGM(Restg.) on 06.04.2023 and insisted for a discussion on this issue. The PGM(Restg.) agreed that a discussion on this issue would be held soon. 

The CHQ of BSNLEU has already demanded that, the penal interest deducted from the gratuity payment of 17 VRS retirees of Sultanpur SSA in UP (East) circle, on the plea that they had not taken insurance coverage for their HBA loan, should be refunded. The CHQ of BSNLEU had argued that, there is no point in deducting penal interest after completion of repayment of the entire HBA amount. Based on this, the Corporate Office had called for certain details from the UP (East) CGM Office. The reply belatedly sent by the CGM Office, UP (East) circle, was handed over by Com.Abhimanyu,GS, to the PGM(Estt.) on 06.04.2023. The GS, BSNLEU has demanded immediate settlement of the issue.