The Supreme Court has directed that, police and authorities should immediately and suo motu file FIR against those who make hate speeches. “Any “hesitation” to implement this order, would attract the proceedings for contempt of the Supreme Court and action would be taken against the erring officers”, says the Supreme Court order. The order of the Supreme Court is primarily given to the police of Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand. The Supreme Court has issued notices to the police chiefs of these three states and has directed them to submit reports on action taken on hate speeches.  

BSNLEU heartily welcomes this order of the Supreme Court because, communal riots are being created mainly due to hate speeches. Mostly, the hate speeches are being made by the leaders of the ruling party. Hence, the police and other authorities don’t take any action against them. Now, the Supreme Court has clearly told that, action would be taken against the police and other authorities, who do not take action due to political pressure. In this order, it is important to note that, justice Hrishikesh Roy has observed that, “ours is a religion-neutral country.” 

Com.S. Hemavathi, All India Committee member of BSNL Working Women’s Coordination Committee (BSNLWWCC), passed away at Chennai today. She has played a leading role in organising the women employees in Chennai Telephones. The CHQ of BSNLEU pays it’s respectful homage to Com.S.Hemavathi. CHQ also conveys it’s heartfelt condolences to the family members, friends and comrades of S.Hemavathi.

BSNL employees posted in the Kashmir Valley are entitled for payment of Special Concessions / Incentives at par with the Central Government employees. The DoP&T has given extension for the payment of these Special Concessions / Incentives for three more years, w.e.f. 01.08.2021. This order of the DoP&T requires endorsement of the Corporate Office. Hence, BSNLEU has written letter to the PGM(Estt.), Corporate Office, requesting for early endorsement of this letter of the DoP&T.  

CHQ requests the leaders and comrades to be aware of fake messages being sent by miscreants. Recently, a fake message was circulated in the name of Com.P.Abhimanyu, GS, stating that the Corporate Office has issued order for payment of the IDA arrears. Actually, no such letter has been issued by the Corporate Office. The intention of the miscreants in circulating such fake messages is to spoil the image of BSNLEU and General Secretary, Com.P.Abhimanyu. Hence, comrades at the field level are requested to trust only the messages sent by the concerned Circle Secretary / District Secretary. Messages come from other sources / groups should be ignored.

The CHQ has already issued notification on 15.10.2022, for holding the CEC meeting online on 31.10.2022. However, due to unavoidable circumstances this date of the CEC meeting is changed. Now, the CEC meeting will be held online on 01.11.2022. The agenda and other aspects of the notice issued on 15.10.2022 remain unchanged.

Com.P.Abhimanyu, GS and Com.John Verghese, Dy.GS, met Shri P.K. Purwar, CMD BSNL, today and discussed the following issues:-

1. Issues of the Sports Personnel.

BSNLEU is continuously taking up the issue of Career Progression of the sports personnel. BSNLEU has already written many letters on this issue. Today Com.P.Abhimanyu, General Secretary, and Com. John Verghese, Dy.GS, discussed this issue with Shri P.K. Purwar, CMD, BSNL CO., and demanded speedy implementation of the Career Progression for the sports personnel.

Cases which were rejected by the committee, and the left-out cases of career progression which was duly recommended by the CGM but was not put up to the committee. BSNLEU submitted that the left-out cases should be settled as per the earlier rules on the subject till the final report of the committee is framed. BSNLEU also requested CMD to hold the Sports Board meeting at the earliest and also to conduct the much delayed BSNL All India Sports and Cultural meet. The CMD replied that necessary action is being taken on this issue and that it will be settled soon.

2. Removing the harsh condition of the Special JTO LICE.

In the notification issued for holding Special JTO LICE, a condition has been imposed that, those qualified candidates who refuse to join the opted circles, will be debarred for a period of one year, for appearing in the next JTO LICE. In the meeting held with the CMD BSNL today, this issue was raised by BSNLEU. It was demanded that, this is a harsh condition and hence should be removed. After discussion, the CMD BSNL agreed that some time limit would be given (say 10 or 15 days) for the candidates to opt out. Those who are unwilling can opt out during this period.

3. Rule 8 transfers to DR JEs – non-implementation of the instructions of the Corporate Office.

BSNLEU pointed out that, the Corporate Office has issued instructions stating that, Rule 8 transfer of DR JEs can be considered from surplus circle to deficient circles. The Union complained to the CMD BSNL that, this instruction of the Corporate Office is not being implemented many circles including NE-I and NE-II circles. This is causing extreme difficulties to the DR JEs who have become eligible for Rule 8 transfers and who are also badly in need of them. The CMD BSNL assured to look into this issue.

This issue was discussed with Shri Saurabh Tyagi, PGM(Estt.) today. BSNLEU pointed out that, 95 JTO posts belonging to ST category are lying vacant for the past so many years. These vacancies are not filled up, even though they are carried forward for more than 3 Recruitment Years, due to the non-availability of ST candidates in Punjab circle. BSNLEU demanded that, the Management should initiate the process for dereserving these posts, as per the Government Rules. The PGM(Estt.) stated that needful action would be taken.

The BSNL Management, vide letter no.BSNL/20-2/SR/2022 dated 18.07.2022, gave the draft policy for the allotment of accommodation to unions and associations. BSNLEU, vide it’s letter no.BSNLEU/516(QRTS) dated 22.07.2022, submitted it’s views, opposing some of the clauses and seeking modification to many of the clauses. Finally, the Corporate Office has issued the “Policy for allotment of accommodation to unions and associations of BSNL 2022”.