Shri K. Rajaraman, has been appointed as the new Secretary, Telecom. The present Secretary, Telecom, Shri Anshu Prakash, is retiring on 30^th September, 2021. Based on the Appointment Committee of the Cabinet (ACC), the government has appointed Shri K. Rajaraman, as the new Secretary, Telecom. Presently, he is working as the Additional Secretary, in the Department of Expenditure, Ministry of Finance. Shri K. Rajaraman, is a 1989 batch IAS officer of Tamil Nadu cadre.

The AUAB has launched a 3 day dharna programme at Jantar Mantar, New Delhi, demanding settlement of important demands relating to the revival of BSNL, as well as that of the employees. Jantar Mantar witnessed a very enthusiastic dharna on the first day, yesterday. Today, even more number of comrades have enthusiastically gathered at Jantar Mantar, especially from the nearby circles. Leaders addressing the dharna, declared confidently that they would ensure the revival of BSNL, by achieving the demands put forth by the AUAB. 

The  AUAB launched it's 3 day dharna at Jantar Mantar, New Delhi, today, demanding immediate launching of 4G by BSNL, payment of Rs. 39,000 crore outstanding dues by the DoT, timely disbursement of salary, settlement of 3^rd wage revision and other demands. A large number of employees are participating in this dharna. Com.Chandeswar Singh, Chairman, AUAB, delivered the presidential address. Com.P.Abhimanyu, Convenor, AUAB and Com. K. Sebastin, GS, SNEA, have so far addressed the dharna and explained about the demands. Address by other leaders is continuing. 

Charter of demands

The 53^rd anniversary of the historical one day strike of the Central Government employees, held on 19^th September, 1968, was observed as "Martyrs Day" at Calicut, Kerala circle, yesterday. A good number of employees participated in this programme, which was addressed by Com.V.A.N. Namboodiri, former General Secretary, BSNLEU, Com.P. Manoharan, Circle President, Com.C. Santoshkumar, Circle Secretary, and Com.M. Vijayakumar, AGS. The speakers vividly recollected the glorious 1968 strike, the sacrifices made by a large number of leaders, as well as the supreme sacrifice made by the martyrs. Homage was paid to the martyrs at the martyrs column.

BSNLEU organised a very impressive online Convention of young employees, yesterday the 19^th September, 2021. BSNLEU organised this Convention to educate the young employees about the wrong policies of the present-day government and the role of the trade union in safeguarding in the interests of the employees, as well as that of the Company.  575 young employees, mostly JEs, participated in the Convention. Com.Animesh Mitra, President, BSNLEU, presided over. Com.Swapan Chakraborty, Dy.GS, delivered the welcome address. Shri Arvind Vadnerkar, Director (HR), BSNL, graced the Convention, by delivering the inaugural address. In his address, the Director (HR), explained about the present crisis being faced by the Company and the role to be played by the young employees in this situation. Com.Suresh Kumar, General Secretary, SNATTA, delivered a spirited special address. Com.P.Abhimanyu, GS, BSNLEU, delivered the key-note address. He explained about the issues of the young employees being taken by BSNLEU and also the issues settled so far. He explained how the policies of the successive governments have pushed BSNL into a crisis. He recollected the role played by the trade union movement, in safeguarding BSNL and called upon the young employees to play an active role in strengthening the trade union. 28 young employees participated in the interactive session. They gave very good suggestions for the improvement of the services and in strengthening BSNL. Finally, Com.P.Abhimanyu, GS, replied to the issues raised by the employees. Com.John Verghese, AGS, delivered vote of thanks and with that the Convention came to an end. The CHQ of BSNLEU heartly thanks all the young employees who participated and cooperated for conducting the Convention in a disciplined manner.

The Corporate Office has sent authorisation to the circles, for the payment of August, 2021, salary. Com.P.Abhimanyu, GS, spoke to the Sr.GM (CBB), BSNL CO., who informed that the funds for the payment of salary would be sent tomorrow. 

यह लोगों की सरकार है या कंपनियों की सरकार है ?

सरकार ने राहत पैकेज-Relief Package के जरिए वोडाफोन आइडिया-Vodafone Idea को बचाया है। *”दूरसंचार सुधार-Telecom Reforms”* के नाम पर सरकार ने 1.31 लाख करोड़ रुपये का भुगतान चार साल के लिए स्थगित कर दिया है। इस रकम का भुगतान एयरटेल, वोडाफोन आइडिया और जियो को करना है। यह भारत के सुप्रीम कोर्ट के आदेश के खिलाफ है।इस भुगतान को स्थगित करने की प्रार्थना सुप्रीम कोर्ट ने पहले ही ख़ारिज कर दो थी जो निजी टेलीकॉम कंपनियों-Private Telecom Companies ने दिया था । इस तरह सरकार सुप्रीम कोर्ट के आदेश को दरकिनार करने, निजी टेलीकॉम कंपनियों की मदद करने की हद तक जा रही है। 

हालांकि, वही सरकार बीएसएनएल-BSNL को 4जी-4G सेवा शुरू करने की अनुमति नहीं दे रही है । इसके अलावा सरकार ने बीएसएनएल-BSNL और एमटीएनएल-MTNL के 14,197 मोबाइल टावरों-mobile towers को भी बेचने का फैसला किया है। सरकार ने ये कदम सिर्फ बीएसएनएल को कमजोर करने के लिए उठाया है। स्वाभाविक रूप से सवाल यह उठता है कि यह किसकी सरकार है ? क्या यह कारपोरेट की सरकार है या जनता की सरकार ? 

कहां है आत्मनिर्भर भारत ???  

एक तरफ सरकार कहती है कि वह "आत्मनिर्भर भारत" बनाना चाहते है। इसका अर्थ है, "आत्मनिर्भर भारत" का निर्माण करना। इसका मतलब है, भारत को विदेशों पर निर्भर किए बिना अपने पैरों पर खड़ा करना ।  

दूसरी ओर, सरकार विदेशी कंपनियों के लिए मार्ग प्रशस्त कर रही है जिससे विदेशी कम्पनियाँ पूरे दूरसंचार क्षेत्र पर क़ब्ज़ा कर लें । हाल ही में घोषित "दूरसंचार सुधार" में सरकार ने स्वचालित मार्ग के माध्यम से 100% प्रत्यक्ष विदेशी निवेश (FDI) की अनुमति दी है। इसका अर्थ है, दूरसंचार क्षेत्र में 100% एफडीआई की अनुमति देने के लिए मौजूदा प्रतिबंधों को हटाना। प्रतिबंधों को हटाकर सरकार ने विदेशी बहुराष्ट्रीय कंपनियों-multinational companies को भविष्य में भारतीय निजी टेलीकॉम कंपनियों-Indian Private Telecom Companies को अपने कब्जे में लेने का मार्ग प्रशस्त किया है। इसके साथ ही सरकार बीएसएनएल-BSNL और एमटीएनएल-MTNL को बंद करने के लिए हर कदम उठा रही है। यह कुछ भी नहीं है, लेकिन विदेशी कंपनियों को पूरी तरह से भारतीय दूरसंचार उद्योग-Indian Telecom Industry को अपने हाथ में लेने में मदद कर रहा है ।   हम सिर्फ सरकार से एक सवाल पूछना चाहते हैं, कहां है आत्मनिर्भर भारत ? 

On the one hand, the government says that it wants to create an “Atmanirbhar Bharat”. It means, creating a “Self-Reliant India”. It means, making India to stand on it’s own legs, without depending on foreign countries.  

On the other hand, the government is paving the way for the foreign companies, to take over the entire telecom sector. In the recently announced “Telecom Reforms”, the government has allowed 100% Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), through the Automatic Route. It means, removing even the existing restrictions for allowing 100% FDI in the telecom sector. By removing the restrictions, the government has paved the way for the foreign multinational companies to take over the Indian private telecom companies in future. Simultaneously, the government is taking every step to close down BSNL and MTNL. This is nothing but, helping the foreign companies to take over the Indian telecom industry. We just want to ask the government, where is the Atmanirbhar Bharat?