The DoT, vide it’s letter dated 12^th October, 2020, has communicated the decision of the Government of India, as per which the mandatory utilisation of BSNL’s & MTNL’s network for internet / broadband, landline and leased line requirements by all Ministries / Departments of Government of India / CPSEs and Central Autonomous Bodies, has been decided. We welcome this decision, even though it is a much delayed step. BSNLEU and the joint platforms of unions and associations of BSNL have raised this demand more than a decade ago. We have to get satisfied that, it is “Better delayed then Never”. 

It is important to note that most of the Government Departments and the CPSEs are already using only BSNL's landlines, broadbands and leased circuits. Whereas, they are using mostly mobile service from private operators. Now, the government has not mandated that BSNL’s / MTNL’s mobile service should also be availed by government departments, CPSEs, etc. This is the era of mobile service and not including the same in the above mentioned order, has been done with the ulterior motive of benefiting Jio. Because, many ministries like the Railways, have already adopted Jio’s mobile service. Hence, BSNLEU demands that, mobile service should also be brought within the ambit of the above mentioned decision of the Government of India.  

Consequent to the re-classification of Mathura-Vrindavan Municipal Corporation, BSNLEU has taken up the issue of revised ‘Y’ Class city HRA to be paid to the employees posted in the Mathura-Vrindavan Municipal Corporation. CHQ vigorously pursued the order with the Establishment Branch of the Corporate Office. The Corporate Office has now issued the necessary letter to pay ‘Y’ Class city HRA for the BSNL employees posted in Mathura and Vrindavan Municipal Corporation.

Polling for the second Membership Verification, for granting recognition to the Executives’ Associations, was held on 18^th &19^th August, 2020. Counting was completed on 22^nd August, 2020. Based on this, the Corporate Office has declared the results. AIGETOA has secured 11,930 votes (40.23%) and has secured the first position. SNEA has got 11,158 votes (37.6%) and has secured second position. BSNLEU heartily congratulates AIGETOA and SNEA for this victory. 

The Ministry of Home Affairs has issued fresh guidelines on 29^th July, 2020, to be implemented w.e.f. 01^st August, 2020. The letter contains guidelines regarding activities which are permitted, as well as not permitted, inside the Containment Zone and outside the Containment Zone.

The BSNL Corporate Office has issued fresh instructions to be followed w.e.f. 01^st August, 2020, in the context of COVID-19 pandemic situation. This letter stipulates that, all Circle Offices shall work with full attendance w.e.f. 01.08.2020. The employees residing in Containment Zones will be permitted to work from home.

The Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance, has issued a letter yesterday the 08^th July, 2020, extending Sovereign Guarantee to BSNL and MTNL, for issuing long term bonds. The Sovereign Guarantee is for Rs.15,000 crore, out of which BSNL’s share is Rs.8,500 crore. In this letter, the following is stated in para no. iii :-

“Guarantee given by Government of India shall be non-transferrable and would cease to exist in case the ownership of the entity is transferred from Government of India….”

From the above clause included in the letter for Sovereign Guarantee, it becomes very clear that the Government of India is open to the option of transferring the ownership of BSNL and MTNL. In other words, this clause of the letter indicates that, the Government of India is having the option of privatising BSNL and MTNL.

वित्त मंत्रालय ने पत्र जारी किया, अब सरकार लंबी अवधि के बांड जारी करने के लिए BSNL और MTNL को सर्वोच्च (सोवेरिन) गारंटी प्रदान करेगा ।

वित्त मंत्रालय के आर्थिक मामलों के विभाग ने लंबी अवधि के बांड जारी करने के लिए BSNL और MTNL को सर्वोच्च (सॉवरिन) गारंटी प्रदान करते हुए कल 08 जुलाई, 2020 को एक पत्र जारी किया है।  सर्वोच्च (सॉवरेन) गारंटी 15,000 करोड़ रुपये की है, जिसमें से BSNL का शेयर 8,500 करोड़ रुपये है।  इस पत्र में, निम्नलिखित में पैरा नं।  iii: -

 "भारत सरकार द्वारा दी गई गारंटी गैर-हस्तांतरणीय होगी और  इन इकाई का स्वामित्व भारत सरकार से  हस्तांतरित होने की स्थिति में मौजूद रहेगा।" 

 सर्वोच्च (सॉवरेन) गारंटी के लिए पत्र में शामिल उपरोक्त खंड से, यह बहुत स्पष्ट हो जाता है कि भारत सरकार BSNL और MTNL के स्वामित्व (मालकाना अधिकार) को स्थानांतरित (ट्रांसफर) करने के विकल्प के लिए खुला रहेगा।  दूसरे शब्दों में, पत्र का यह खंड दर्शित करता है कि, भारत सरकार के पास BSNL और MTNL के निजीकरण करने का विकल्प खुला होगा।