Time and again, it was reiterated by the erstwhile Hon'ble Communications Minister, shri Ravi Shankar Prasad, that BSNL was not allowed by the government to expand it's networks for ten years. This statement was made by shri Prasad, in view of the fact that, all the tenders floated by BSNL, between 2006 to 2012, were cancelled by the then government. This is the real reason behind BSNL's going into loss. However, the present Hon'ble Minister for Communications, shri Manoj Sinha, has given a totally misleading reply in this regard, on the floor of the Parliament. Replying to a question raised in the Lok Sabha on 02-08-2017, shri Manoj Sinha has stated that the inability of BSNL and MTNL to make timely investment for upgradation of their networks, as one the important reasons for their going into loss. This is nothing but, a misrepresentation of fact.

Valsad comrades (Gujarat circle) started the Satyagraha programme in a novel way. Before starting the Satyagraha, the comrades of All Unions and Associations of BSNL, went in a two wheeler procession to Dandi. All of us know that Mahatma Gandhi started his world famous "Salt Satyagraha" at Dandi, as a symbol of disobedience and challenging the authority of the brutal British imperialism. At Dandi, the Valsad SSA Comrades paid homage to the Mahatma, by garlanding his statue. Thereafter, the Satyagraha programme is started. CHQ heartily congratulates Com. M.K.Dave,AGS, BSNLEU, as well as all the Valsad Comrades, for implementing the Satyagraha programme in a lively manner. 

The following is the copy of the memorandum, to be submitted to the Governor, on 19-04-2018. The memorandum is to be duly signed by the circle secretaries of the AUAB, and to be submitted to the Governor.

On 04-06-2018, BSNLEU has written to the Director(HR), demanding to hold the JTO LICE. Today, BSNLEU has submitted a corrigendum to that letter, specifically demanding that the JTO LICE should be held for the vacancies of 2016-17 and 2017-18

कॉम चंदेश्वर सिंह,GS, NFTE, AUAB के चेयरमैन और कॉम पी अभिमन्यु, GS, BSNLEU, AUAB के कन्वेनर बने

ऑल यूनियन्स एंड एसोसिएशन्स ऑफ बीएसएनएल (AUAB) का गठन अक्टूबर 2017 में हुआ था। तब से ही AUAB ने दिसंबर 2017 में  दो दिवसीय हड़ताल व 23.02.2018 को संचार भवन पर विशाल मार्च सहित कई संघर्षपूर्ण कार्यक्रम किए हैं। जबकि अब तक AUAB बगैर कन्वेनर व चेयरमैन के कार्य कर रहा था। इस बाबद AUAB की पूर्व में हुई कई मीटिंग्स में चर्चा की गई थी। 02.11.2018 को सम्पन्न मीटिंग में इस मुद्दे पर सर्वानुमति से निर्णय लिया गया। कॉम चंदेश्वर सिंह,GS, NFTE, का चेयरमैन और कॉम पी अभिमन्यु, GS, BSNLEU, का कन्वेनर के रूप में चयन किया गया। मीटिंग में यह भी निर्णय लिया गया कि सभी सर्किल व जिलों में तत्काल AUAB का गठन किया जाए और चेयरमैन और कन्वेनर के चयन में ऑल इंडिया लेवल पर अपनाए गए पैटर्न का अनुसरण किया जाए।

CMD BSNL और AUAB के बीच 3rd पे रिवीजन के मुद्दे पर मीटिंग...

10.01.2019 को सम्पन्न मीटिंग में एडिशनल सेक्रेटरी, टेलीकॉम ने AUAB को निर्देशित किया था कि वह 3rd पे रिवीजन के मुद्दे पर BSNL मैनेजमेंट से चर्चा कर अगले सप्ताह पुनः उनसे मीटिंग हेतु  मिलें। तदनुसार CMD BSNL और AUAB के बीच आज मीटिंग हुई। मीटिंग में डायरेक्टर (HR) भी उपस्थित थीं। AUAB की ओरसे कॉम पी अभिमन्यु, GS/BSNLEU व कन्वेनर, कॉम चंदेश्वर सिंह,GS/NFTE व चेयरमैन, कॉम सेबेस्टिन,GS/SNEA, कॉम प्रह्लाद राय,GS/AIBSNLEA, कॉम रविशिल वर्मा,GS/AIGETOA, कॉम सुरेश कुमार, GS/BSNL MS, कॉम रेवती प्रसाद,AGS/BSNL ATM, एवं कॉम एच पी सिंह,Dy GS/BSNL OA मौजूद थे। 3rd पे रिवीजन के मुद्दे पर चर्चा हुई। AUAB के प्रतिनिधियों ने जोरदार तरीके से मांग की कि 3rd पे रिवीजन का निराकरण 15% फिटमेंट के साथ ही हो। CMD BSNL ने भी कहा कि BSNL मैनेजमेंट भी अपने पूर्व प्रस्ताव पर अडिग है, जिसके अनुसार 3rd पे रिवीजन का सेटलमेंट 15%फिटमेंट के साथ ही होना चाहिए। AUAB ने ध्यान दिलाया कि पार्लियामेंट इलेक्शन हेतु अधिसूचना मार्च के महीने में कभी भी जारी हो सकती है और ऐसी स्थिति में 3rd पे रिवीजन के निराकरण के लिए बहुत ही कम समय उपलब्ध रहेगा। AUAB के प्रतिनिधियों ने स्पष्ट रूप से यह भी चेताया कि समय रहते आशानुरूप सेटलमेंट न होने की स्थिति में AUAB को पुनः आंदोलन शुरू करने के लिए विवश होना पड़ेगा।

CHQ is saddened to inform that, Com.M.Murugaiah, Assistant Circle Secretary of BSNLEU, Tamil Nadu circle, passed away yesterday. He had been unwell for quite some time. Com.M. Murugaiah has immensely contributed to strengthen BSNLEU in Tamil Nadu circle. He served as the General Secretary of the Tamil Nadu Telecom Contract Workers Union for long years and had played a pioneering role in creating a strong contract workers movement in Tamil Nadu circle. He had been suffering from lung related problems for long years. Despite his ill health, he had been busily engaging himself in the movement. CHQ salutes  and pays it's respectful homage to Com.M.Murugaiah and conveys it's heartfelt condolences to his family members, relatives and friends.

Only yesterday the AUAB came to know that the BSNL Board of Directors are moving in the direction of passing resolution, approving reduction of the retirement age of BSNL employees, from 60 to 58. Immediately the AUAB gave call for lunch hour demonstrations today. Even though, the call was given at a very short notice, the demonstrations were organised in a big way throughout the country. BSNL Executives and Non-Executives have spontaneously participated in the demonstrations in huge number. Today’s demonstrations are a warning signal to the BSNL Management and the DoT who want to kill BSNL by implementing Compulsory Retirement Scheme (CRS), through reducing the retirement age from 60 to 58. If the Management and the DoT do not read the writing on the wall, they will have to face militant struggles in the near future.

India is ranked 102, out of the 117 countries in the Global Hunger Index 2019. It is a matter of shame that our neighbouring countries, Nepal, Pakistan and Bangladesh are all placed above India, in the Global Hunger Index 2019.  In 2000, India was ranked 83 out of the 113 countries.

[Source: The Hindu dated 17.10.2019]

Com.Animesh Mitra, President (CHQ)  - Rs.10,000/-.

Airtel has lost 5.26 million customers in April, 2020. Vodafone Idea Ltd., has lost 4.51 million customers in the same month. Reliance Jio has added 1.57 million customers in April, 2020, whereas it had added 4.7 million customers in March, 2020.

[Courtesy : ET Telecom dt. 24-07-2020]

There are around 40 lakh employees working in the IT sector throughout the country. Like the workers of other sectors, the workers of IT sector are also facing serious problems like, heavy work load, insecurity of job, etc. However, forming of trade union has been totally prohibited in the IT sector. Under these circumstances, the IT employees of Karnataka State have finally succeeded in forming a trade union, and also getting certificate from the Labour Commission. Karnataka State IT / ITES Employees Union has got the certificate from the Labour Commission of Karnataka, under the Trade Union Act 1926, and Karnataka Trade Unions Regulations, 1958. It is significant to note that, Karnataka State is the largest IT hub of the country, with 15 lakh employees. The KITU is presently having only 250 members. But it is for sure that, in future, the trade union movement in the IT sector will grow from strength to strength, because of the existence of high a degree of exploitation in the IT sector. BSNLEU heartily congratulates the KITU.

[Inputs from the Economic Times]

Com. P. Abhimanyu, GS and com. M.K. Dave, AGS, met shri Y.N. Singh, GM (BFCI), and pointed out that funds are so far not allotted for payment of wages of contract workers in Tamil Nadu circle. The GM (BFCI) assured that the funds would be released shortly.

BSNLEU is saddened to know that Com.G.L.Dhar has passed away. He had been one of the dedicated leaders of the Central Government employees trade union movement. Subsequently, Com.G.L.Dhar got elected as the Secretary of the AITUC and served the working class movement. In the death of Com.G.L.Dhar, the trade union movement has lost a dedicated leader. BSNLEU pays it's respectful homage to Com.G.L.Dhar, and conveys it's heartfelt condolences to his family members.

The BSNL Casual Contract Workers Federation has given call to organise hunger strike programme throughout the country on 20th November, 2018, on the issues of implementation of Rs.18,000/- as the minimum wage ; non-implementation of minimum wages, belated payment of wages, non-implementation of EPF, ESI and retrenchment of contract workers. The Ghaziabad CEC meeting of BSNLEU has called on the circle and district unions of BSNLEU to actively support and participate in this programme. CHQ calls upon the circle and district unions to actively involve BSNLEU members in this programme.

Com.M.Murugaiah's funeral is taking place in his native village near Saathur ( near Madurai ). The departed leader had worked shoulder to shoulder with Com.P.Abhimanyu, GS, for nearly 35 years. The General Secretary is participating in Com.M.Murugaiah's funeral, to pay his last respects.

BSNLEU conveys best wishes and warm greetings to all, on the occasion of Eid ul-Fitr. Let the

festival bring peace and prosperity to all.

Chennai circle union of BSNLEU organised a huge election campaign meeting in  Chennai Telephones yesterday. The meeting was held in  the flower Bazar BSNL complex. Com. E. Natarajan, president, presided over. Com. M. Kanniappan, circle secretary, briefly addressed and explained about the issues. Com. P. Abhimanyu, GS, addressed the meeting and spoke at length. He explained about the attacks being made on  BSNL, the so called revival package of the government, the united struggles and alternative proposals of the AUAB for the revival of BSNL and the achievements of BSNLEU after the 7th Membership Verification and other issues. A big upsurge is observed among the employees and this will certainly reflected in the result of the 7th Membership Verification.

The Commerce Minister, Piyush Goyal, has thundered that the government is probing the predatory pricing of Amazon and Flipkart and that, appropriate action would be taken on violation if any. Piyush Goyal has added that, his ministry has received complaints from CAIT, a traders’ body. Well and good. However, when the Commerce Minister says that predatory pricing would not be allowed in the e-commerce segment, how is that predatory pricing was allowed in the telecom sector? Many private operators including Airtel, Idea and Vodafone had complained that Reliance Jio was practising predatory pricing. But, the Modi government did not listen to all these complaints. At the same time, the government unceremoniously sacked J.S. Deepak from the post of Secretary, Telecom, when he wrote letter to the TRAI, demanding action against the predatory pricing of Reliance Jio. How is that the government says that it would not allow predatory pricing in the e-commerce segment while allowing it in the telecom sector. Is this not a double standard of Modi government?

[Inputs from Economic Times dated 18.10.2019]