BSNL prepaid users will not be required to do mandatory recharges until at least April 2020, as the central government looks to help out millions of individuals, particularly those belonging to a financially lower strata of the society. The move aims to particularly help out members of the working class community of India who primarily earn on a daily wage basis, and as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, have been left without income avenues for the foreseeable future.

[Courtesy: News 18.com, dt. 31-03-2020]

The Indian Telecom Industry has witnessed a sharp fall in the customer base, in the months of March and April, 2020. Vodafone Idea and Bharati Airtel faced massive fall in it’s customer base. As per reports, 2.8 million customers are lost in March, 2020 while 8.2 million customers are lost in April, 2020. 

[Source: ET Telecom - 29-07-2020]

A meeting of the All Unions and Associations of BSNL was held at New Delhi today. Leaders of BSNLEU, NFTE, SNEA, AIBSNLEA, FNTO, BTEU, AIGETOA, SEWA BSNL, BSNL MS BSNL OA and BSNL ATM were present in the meeting. The meeting hailed the unprecedented success of the two day strike, and heartily congratulated the entire Non-Executives and Executives of BSNL, for whole heartedly joining the strike. It expressed it's gratitude to the leaders at various levels, for successfully organising the strike. The meeting also condemned the BSNL Management and the DoT, for not even inviting the leaders for talks. Strong resolve was expressed by all the leaders for further intensifying the struggle. Various proposals were given regarding the next course of action, and also for further mobilisation. It was decided to take a final decision in the next meeting to be held on 08-01-2018.

Com. P. Abhimanyu, GS, met Shri Ashutosh Gupta, GM(Restg.) today and demanded implementation of the decisions taken in the last meeting of the Designations Committee, held on 15-02-2018. Eventhough unanimous decisions were taken in that meeting, with regards to the Change of Designations of the left out cadres, they are not implemented till today. The GM (Restg.) replied that the new designations have got to be approved by the Management Committee. File has already been put up for the Management Committee, and these new designations are likely to be approved in the next meeting of the Management Committee, said the GM (Restg.).

In the 35th meeting of the National Council, Com.P.Abhimanyu, Secretary, Staff Side, demanded in his initial remarks that, the Rs.429/- mobile plan should be implemented for the BSNL Non-Executives, in the place of Rs.200/- SIM. This was immediately accepted by the Chairperson of the National Council. However, a letter was given to the GS, BSNLEU later on, by the Admn. Branch of the Corporate Office, stating that the Rs.429/- plan is not a permanent plan, and hence cannot be implemented for the Non-Executives. Thereafter, BSNLEU wrote to the Director (HR), demanding that a "tailor-made" plan, similar to that of the Rs.429/-, should be implemented for the Non-Executives. In continuation of this letter, BSNLEU continuously discussed this issue with the Director (HR) and the GM (Admn.). BSNL Management was unable to brush aside the logic of BSNLEU's demand and has finally issued letter today. According to this plan, BSNL Non-Executives will get Unlimited Free Voice Call Facility, as well as 1GB data per day, with 90 days validity. BSNLEU heartily thanks Ms. Sujata Ray, Director (HR), as well as the Chairperson of the National Council, for accepting and implementing BSNLEU's demand. BSNLEU also heartily congratulates all the Non-Executives, for getting this facility.

When the NDA government is claiming that, the Indian economy is very strong and healthy, disturbing news keeps coming that the Indian rupee keeps losing it's value fast against the US dollar. On 14^th August, Indian rupee hit a new low to Rs.71.10. However, soon it settled at Rs.69.90. Again, today the rupee hit another new low of Rs.70.32 against the US dollar. The strength of the currency of any country, against the US dollar, is an important parameter to assess the strength of the economy of that country. For example, rich countries have to pay less in their currencies to buy one US dollar. Whereas, poor countries have to pay more in their currencies to buy one US dollar. After India became independent in 1947, the value of Indian rupee has steadily declined against the US dollar.

The 3 day Central Working Committee (CWC) meeting of CITU, started today at Visakhapatnam. Com.K.Hemalata, President, CITU, is presiding, and delivered the presidential address. Com.Tapan Sen, General Secretary, CITU, presented the report on activities. In his detailed presentation, Com.Tapan Sen explained about the anti-PSU and pro-Corporate policies of the BJP rule. He called on the CWC meeting to make the 2 day General Strike, to be held on 8^th and 9^th, January, 2019, a great success. Com.P.Abhimanyu, GS, BSNLEU, who is a special invitee to this meeting, addressed and gave a detailed picture of developments taking place in BSNL, and also about the united struggles going on to save and strengthen BSNL.

The Indian Institute of Management – Ahmedabad has been asked to give a report on the revival of BSNL. Accordingly, the Institute has submitted it’s interim report. The report carries some good recommendations, as well as some recommendations which are unacceptable. Our comrades are requested to go through the report and to send their views to the CHQ, based on which the Union will take a final view of the report.

Com.P.Abhimanyu, GS and Com.Swapan Chakraborty, Dy.GS, met Shri P.C. Bhatt, GM(BFCI), yesterday, and discussed the following issues:-

1. Renewal of the MoUs with Canara Bank and Bank of India.

BSNLEU has already written to the GM(BFCI), demanding that the MoUs signed with Canara Bank and Bank of India should be renewed, since they have expired. In yesterday’s meeting, the GM(BFCI) was urged upon to expedite the renewal of the MoUs.

2. Releasing funds for payment of wages of contract workers.

It was taken to the notice of the GM(BFCI) that in all circles, contract workers are not paid wages for several months. Since, these workers are engaged in the maintenance of the networks, non-payment of wages would hamper the maintenance works. The GM(BFCI) was urged upon to release the funds at the earliest.  

It is a well known fact that the US imperialism is taking all out efforts to overthrow the elected government in Venezuela. The US imperialism has already imposed sanctions on Venezuela, to cripple it’s economy. The US has ordered that no country should import oil from Venezuela. Billions of dollars are being pumped into Venezuela, by the US imperialism, to oust Maduro, who is the democratically elected president of Venezuela. The whole game plan of the US imperialism is to topple the elected government of Venezuela, and to install it’s puppet government in that country, so as to loot the huge oil reserves that Venezuela is having. The World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU) and the Trade Union International (TUI Transports & Communications) have raised their voices against the blatant aggression of the US imperialism on Venezuela. The leaders of the TUI Transports & Communications, belonging to France, Britain, Russia, Turkey, etc., have gone to Venezuela now, to express their solidarity to the people of Venezuela, and against the aggression of US imperialism in that country. BSNLEU heartily congratulates all the leaders of the TUI Transports & Communications, who are participating in this programme and shares their spirit of solidarity with Venezuela.

Long live the elected government of Venezuela !

Down with aggressions of US imperialism !!

All out efforts are being made, to unite all the unions and associations of BSNL, to solve the issue of salary payment on time, as well as the revival of the BSNL. Now we wish to inform that the BTEU BSNL and TOA BSNL have informed that they support the 18^th October, hunger strike.

Unable to face the financial crisis created due to the non-payment of wages, many contract workers have committed suicide in BSNL. Com.Ramakrishnan, a physically challenged contract worker, working at Nilambur, Kerala circle, also committed suicide. Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) and BSNL Employees have collected relief fund to the family of Com.Ramakrishnan and same has been handed over to his family. Com.Elamaram Kareem, MP & General Secretary, CITU, Kerala, handed over Rs.7 lakh, to the family of Com.Ramakrishnan, in a largely attended meeting in Nilambur on 26.12.2019. The meeting was addressed by Com.Elamaram Kareem, MP and Com.V.A.N. Namboodiri, President, BSNLCCWF. Two days prior to this, Rs.5,61,200/- collected from BSNL employees, was handed over to the family of Com.Ramakrishnan.  BSNLEU appreciates and heartily congratulates the CITU and the comrades of BSNL for raising the funds to help the family of Com.Ramakrishnan.

ANNOUNCEMENT BY GOVT. OF INDIA REGARDING RETIREMENT OF STAFF ON SUPERANNUATION ON 31ST MARCH 2020

Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions

Retirement of Government Servants on 31st March, 2020

Posted On: 31 MAR 2020 5:32PM by PIB Delhi

In view of the unprecedented situation arising out of country-wide lockdown declared by the Government consequent to the outbreak of COVID-19, it is clarified that the central Government employees who are attaining the age of superannuation on 31st March, 2020 in terms of Fundamental Rule 56 and  due to retire, shall retire from Central Government service on 31st March, 2020, irrespective of whether they are working from home or working from office.

The Corporate Office issued letter on 08.05.2020, cutting down the ceiling for Outdoor Treatment expenditure from 23 days’ pay to 15 days’ pay. Immediately, BSNLEU wrote a strong letter to CMD BSNL, demanding to restore the ceiling back to 23 days’ pay. A copy of this letter was endorsed to the CLC. The CLC in turn, has sent an email to the CMD BSNL, advising him to take appropriate action on BSNLEU’s letter. Obviously, the action taken by the BSNL Management, cutting down the Outdoor Treatment ceiling, has not gone down well with the CLC, especially when the nation is faced with the crisis of the Coronoa Virus Disease.

Airtel has reported a net loss of Rs.15,933 crore in the first quarter, i.e., from April to June, 2020. Airtel’s loss for the same period in last year was at Rs.2,866 crore.

[Source: ET Telecom – 29.07.2020]

The strike, called on by the All Unions and Associations of BSNL was a historic success on the first day, i.e., yesterday. It was total, from Kashmir to Kanyakumari. The attempts made by the BSNL Management to break the strike, by creating confusions, got a befitting reply from the employees, who brought BSNL to a grinding halt. Today, the strike is taking place more vigorously. The employees have expressed their determination to get the demands settled.

A Joint Committee on PLI has already been formed to decide about the quantum of PLI to be paid to the employees for the year 2015-16. The last meeting of this Committee was held on 16.10.2017. Thereafter, no meeting has been called on. Com. P. Abhimanyu, GS, discussed this with Shri Ashutosh Gupta, GM(Restg.), today, and urged upon him to hold a meeting of the Joint Committee on PLI without further delay. The GM (Restg.) agreed to call on the meeting soon.

The two day Circle Executive Committee meeting of BSNLEU, WB Circle was held at Katwa, Burdwan, on 27th& 28th October, 2018.  The meeting started with the hoisting of the Union Red flag by Circle President Com. Nazes Nouroz. Homage was paid to the legendary leader, Com.K.G.Bose, by garlanding his statue.  Com. Anjan Chatterjee, President, CITU, Burdwan (East) district, inaugurated the Conference.

After the inaugural session, the subjects committee started. 20 districts Unions, 36 Branch unions and 14 circle office bearers participated. Asstt. Circle Secretary, Com. Amitava Chattopadhyay presented the report on activities. Com. Madhusudan Saha, Circle Treasurer placed the un-audited statement of accounts.

Com. Animesh Mitra, Circle Secretary, in his speech,  emphasised the need to join the  two day General Strike to be held on 8th and 9th January, 2019 and also the strike to be organised in BSNL, as per the call of the AUAB, for settling the 3rd PRC to the BSNL Employees. He appealed to the delegates that a powerful campaign should be organized at the grass root level to make the strikes successful.  Com. Banani Chattopadhyay, Joint Convener, Working Women Coordinating Committee, reported on the functioning of the Committee in the circle. Decisions were taken to organise the struggle programme called on by the AUAB very effectively, and also to organise trade union classes throughout the circle, to educate the cadres. As regards the betterment of services, it was decided to effectively implement the "BSNL at your door step" movement with all seriousness.  A rally and public meeting were also organised effectively, in connection with the meeting.