The Civil Wing of Assam Circle is undergoing a severe manpower crisis. Out of the 24 sanctioned Executive posts, only 6 Executives are currently available to manage the entire workload. This acute shortage has resulted in excessive burden on the existing staff and has adversely affected the overall performance of BSNL’s services in the Circle. It has also reported to us that due to this acute shortage of Executives in Assam Civil Zone, most of the Civil and L&B activities are being badly hampered. Although the Circle Union has repeatedly taken up the issue with the Circle Management, no effective action has been initiated so far by the Corporate Office. In view of the seriousness of the situation, CHQ has intervened and addressed a detailed letter to the Director (HR), demanding immediate action to resolve the shortage and restore normal functioning of the Civil Wing in Assam Circle.

The Corporate Office has issued a notification for Direct Recruitment to the cadre of Senior Executive Trainee (SET), exclusively for external candidates possessing Graduate Engineering qualifications. However, the Management has not taken any decision regarding the Departmental LICE for Junior Engineers (JEs) for the same SET cadre. Today, BSNLEU has written a letter to the Director (HR) demanding immediate action to conduct the LICE for the post of Senior Executive Trainee, so that the Graduate Engineers working in the JE cadre are also given the rightful opportunity to become Senior Executive Trainees within BSNL. BSNLEU has firmly asserted that denying internal candidates their promotional avenue, while opening recruitment only for outsiders, is unjust and demotivating. The union has urged the Management to release the notification for LICE without delay.

The Corporate Office has issued a corrigendum on 11.11.2025 regarding the implementation of the Hon’ble Supreme Court judgement on the recovery of excess or wrongful payments made to employees in BSNL. As per this corrigendum, the Corporate Office has clearly clarified that the Supreme Court judgement provides relief only to the Group ‘C’ and Group ‘D’ employees of BSNL. It is noteworthy that, during several rounds of discussions and meetings with the Management, we had consistently placed this very argument. Now, the Corporate Office has formally acknowledged this position by issuing the corrigendum.

The online Central Executive Committee (CEC) meeting of BSNLEU was held successfully on 13.11.2025 with the active presence of 50 CEC members. This was the second CEC meeting after the All India Conference held at Coimbatore.

Com. Vijaya Kumar presided over the meeting and in his inaugural address, explained the current political and organisational situation. Thereafter, Com. Animesh Mitra, General Secretary, placed the agenda and elaborated on the key issues, including the background and progress of the Wage Agreement, the Government’s new proposal of Shram Shakti Niti 2025, BSNL Management’s proposal for holding the next Membership Verification (MV) and several important organisational matters requiring immediate attention.

This was a lengthy and lively meeting, in which 50 members took part in the deliberations. The participants appreciated the efforts and role of the leadership in achieving the wage agreement and stressed the need for continuous monitoring to secure the approval of the BSNL Board and the DoT.  The meeting also emphasised the need to further strengthen the Coordination Committee in the coming days. Additionally, it was decided to organise an online Trade Union (TU) Class to educate workers on the harmful impact of the Shram Shakti Bill 2025.

The Gujarat Circle Conference has been successfully concluded with remarkable participation and enthusiasm. After the presentation of the Report by Com. V. Prajapati, Circle Secretary, a good number of delegates and District Secretaries actively took part in the discussions, highlighting important organisational issues and the pressing demands of the workers. Com.V. Prajapati, Circle Secretary, replied the questionnaires raised by the delegates. Com.Animesh Mitra, General Secretary, deliberated the important issues on the present scenario and also the future roadmap of the working class movement in BSNL. The Conference unanimously elected the new Circle Office Bearers, with Com. Milind Raval as Circle President, Com. Nirav Kumar Parmar as Circle Secretary, and Com. Vishal Parmar as Treasurer. The CHQ conveys its red salute to the Gujarat comrades for successfully organising and concluding the Circle Conference in a united and disciplined manner.

The 8^th Circle Conference of BSNLEU, Gujarat Circle, is being held at the Gujarat State Cooperative Bank, Ahmedabad, on 14^th and 15^th November, 2025. The conference is being graced by Com. Animesh Mitra, General Secretary, BSNLEU and Com. V.R. Parmar, Vice President (CHQ). Com. M.K. Dave, Circle President, Gujarat Circle, is presiding over the conference. Com.V.P. Prajapati, Circle Secretary, welcomed everyone and presented the report on activities. The Open House Session was held this morning under the chairmanship of Com. M.K. Dave. Senior leaders including Com. D.K. Bakutra, former Circle Secretary, BSNLEU; Com. M.B. Chaniyara, Circle Secretary, AIBDPA, Gujarat Circle; Com. N.N. Patel, Circle President, AIBDPA, Gujarat Circle, Com.K.P.Parmar, Circle Secretary, NFTE and several other veteran leaders of BSNLEU participated in the session. In his presidential address, Com. M.K. Dave emphasised the importance of effective communication and coordination with the management and staff at all levels. He stressed the need to strengthen organisational unity and ensure collective functioning across the Circle. Addressing the house, Com. Animesh Mitra, General Secretary, elaborated in detail on the wage revision agreement, its implications, and the latest developments. He also briefed the delegates on the management’s approach towards 4G launching, steps related to revenue improvement, the functioning of the CHQ team, and updates regarding the forthcoming membership verification. He responded to queries raised by members with clarity and depth. Senior leaders Com. D.K. Bakutra and Com. M.B. Chaniyara also addressed the gathering. They appealed to all members to uphold unity, discipline and harmonious functioning at all levels. The conference deliberations are continuing and discussions on various organisational matters are presently underway.

Shri Khandve Shivaji Gulab, TT of Maharashtra circle, has got the PO letter in 2008 and retired from service in the month of May, 2025. But still the pension case has not yet settled by the CCA. Yesterday, Com.Animesh Mitra, GS, met Shri S.P. Singh, PGM(Estt.), BSNL CO. and discussed on the subject. The GM (Estt.) assured to take necessary action with the DoT for the correction of PO letter. In this connection, Circle Office, Maharashtra, has sent a letter to PGM(SR) for early action at Corporate Office. The GS has also discussed the matter with Shri Rajeev Kaushik, PGM(SR) and handed over the letter to PGM(SR). He also assured to take a needful action at the earliest.

It has come to the notice of the CHQ that a section of Telecom Mechanics who had duly received their Presidential Order (PO) from the department in the past, are now facing serious difficulties in obtaining pensionary benefits from the CCA after retirement. BSNLEU had already taken up this matter in the National Council meeting. However, the DoT had then stated that only those TSMs, who were on the roles as on 30^th September, 2000 and were subsequently regularised as RMs in BSNL, are eligible for issuance of Presidential Orders. Due to this stand, the cases of Telecom Mechanics who were promoted from the TSMs are being denied consideration, despite the fact that PO letters had already been issued to some of them earlier by the DoT. In view of this injustice, BSNLEU has today written to the PGM(Estt.), BSNL CO., urging that all such cases must be proceed favourably – particularly in respect of employees who had already been issued Presidential Order and have now retired. Denial of pensionary benefits to these employees is unfair and totally unjustified. BSNLEU will continue to pursue this matter until a satisfactory settlement.

The CHQ has published the November issue of Tele-Crusader, in which we have clearly expressed our views and strong protest against the ‘Shram Shakti Niti–2025’, released by the Central Government. All our comrades are requested to carefully study the Editorial of this issue. The Editorial explains, in detail, the seriousness and depth of the attack being mounted by the Modi Government on the rights of the working class through this new national labour policy, officially published on 8th November 2025. Further, a detailed analysis of this policy, written by Com. K.N. Umesh, Secretary, CITU, has been published in the November issue of “Working Class”. This article clearly exposes the implications of the policy, particularly its impact on job security, trade union rights, and the future of collective bargaining. All Circle and District Secretaries are requested to collect and circulate both the Tele-Crusader (November issue) and the relevant article of Working Class among the members, employees, and activists. These materials must be discussed widely in office meetings, branch meetings, and campaign gatherings, so that our entire membership becomes aware and prepared for united resistance. This campaign must reach every employee. Let us expose and oppose this new attack on labour rights, social security, and democratic trade union functioning.