Com.Animesh Mitra, President and Com.Swapan Chakraborty, Dy.GS, met Ms.Samitha Luthra, GM(Rectt.) today the 03.01.2020. They raised the issue of granting relaxation to the failed JTO LICE candidates, with Ms. Samita Lutra, GM(Rectt.), today. They expressed the disappointment of BSNLEU, since the issues raised by the Union, regarding the review of the results of the JTO LICE, held on 26-05-2019, were not properly looked into, by the Management. In this connection, BSNLEU has also written to the CMD BSNL, on 26-05-2019, they pointed out. They told the GM(Rectt.) that, after implementation of VRS, a lot of young and energetic JTO’s are required  to run the network, and in this background the Management should take a review of the whole situation. They appealed to the GM(Rectt.) that the demand made by BSNLEU for granting relaxation, should be considered in the right perspective. They further requested the GM(Rectt.) to  hold the JTO LICE for the VY-2018-19 without further delay. The GM(Rectt.) assured to look into the matter.

AUAB Gwalior submitted memorandum to Member of Parliament of their constituency Shri Vivek Shejwalkar. AUAB informed, in detail, about inordinate delay in rolling out BSNL 4G services and non implementation of assurances given by Hon'ble MoC, while announcing Revival Package for BSNL. The Member, Parliament assured to address our issues at appropriate platform. CHQ congratulates AUAB Gwalior for submission of memorandum.

Leaders of All Unions and Associations of BSNL met yesterday, the 31^st January, 2018 at New Delhi and reviewed the Satyagraha, as well as the "Indefinite Work According to Rule" struggles. The meeting expressed it's satisfaction over the determined manner in which the struggles are being organised in various circles. The meeting decided that the struggles should be conducted more effectively, in the days to come. Hence, all circle and district secretaries are requested to intensify the struggles, in close coordination with the other constituents.

In almost all the circles, GPF payment is already taken over by the DoT cell. Whereas, the CCA, Himachal Pradesh, is wantonly not taking over this, since his demand for allotment of more office space is not accepted by the BSNL circle administration. BSNLEU has written to the Director (Finance) demanding appropriate action.

BSNLEU के स्थापना दिवस के अवसर पर क्रांतिकारी अभिनंदन...
BSNLEU के स्थापना दिवस के अवसर पर सीएचक्यू सभी साथियों का क्रांतिकारी अभिनंदन करता है। विगत 19 वर्षों के अपने अस्तित्व के दौरान BSNLEU ने BSNL की एक जीवंत (vibrant) पब्लिक सेक्टर कंपनी के रूप में रक्षा के लिए और कर्मचारियों के अधिकारों की सुरक्षा के लिए, निरंतर रूप से संयुक्त संघर्ष का नेतृत्व किया है। आज मोदी सरकार की जिओ समर्थक और बीएसएनएल विरोधी नीतियों की वजह से BSNL एक भीषण संकट के दौर से गुजर रहा है। निश्चित रूप से, हम इस संकट से उबर जाएंगे। केवल संयुक्त संघर्ष से ही यह संभव है। आओ, हमारी एकता को मजबूत करें। कर्मचारियों को व्यापक रूप से संगठित करें। संयुक्त संघर्ष ही एक मात्र रास्ता है। आओ, संयुक्त संघर्ष के लिए कर्मचारियों की एकता को सुदृढ करें।

Karnataka circle union of BSNLEU organised it's Extended Circle Executive Committee meeting at Bengaluru today. Apart from the Executive Committee members, a large number of active comrades also participated in the meeting. A presidium, consisting of Com.M.C.Balakrishna, CP & Organising (CHQ), and the Vice Presidents, presided over the meeting. Com.C.K. Gundanna, CS, welcomed everyone and initiated the discussion. Com.Irfan Pasha, Organising Secretary (CHQ) and Com.H.V. Sudharshan, DS, BGTD, were also on the dias. Com.P.Abhimanyu, GS, spoke on the revival of BSNL. In his speech, the GS explained about the road blocks created by the government, for the growth of BSNL, as well as about the united struggles and movements of the employees, organised for the revival of BSNL. He also explained about the achievements of the Union after the 7th Membership Verification. The comrades who attended today’s meeting massively responded to the call of the General Secretary to unitedly fight for the financial revival of BSNL.

Com.Animesh Mitra, President and Com.Swapan Chakraborty, Dy.GS, in their meeting with Ms.Samitha Luthra, GM(Rectt.) today, expressed their strong resentment regarding the non-holding of JE LICE. The exam was postponed in March, 2019, and thereafter the Management has not taken any effort to hold the exam. The Union representatives demanded that the JE LICE should be held immediately. The GM(Rectt.), informed, that the Management will do the needful for holding the exam, in consultation with Establishment Branch of the Corporate Office.

1) Com. N. Soosai Maria Antony, DS, BSNLEU, Tirunelveli - Rs.3,333/-
2) Com. John Seril JE, Sankar Nagar, Tirunelveli - Rs.3,000/-
3) Com. Alagu Nachiar, JE, ADS, BSNLEU, Tirunelveli - Rs.3,000/-
4) Com. K.Srinivasan, Circle Treasurer, BSNLEU Chennai - Rs.2,500/-
5) Com S.Tamilmani, Circle VP BSNLEU, Salem - Rs.2,500/- 
6) Com. Maria Sundharam BS BSNLEU, GM(O), Tirunelveli - Rs.2,000/-

Ms. Aruna Sundararajan is a 1982 batch IAS officer. She became the Secretary, Telecom, in 2017 and superannuated in July, 2019. Now, she has been appointed as a Board of Director of the LNT Infotech, which is an IT solutions Company. The DoP&T has given the necessary clearance for her joining the LNT- Infotech.

The AUAB leaders of Salem district, Tamil Nadu circle, met Shri S.R.Parthiban, at his residence in Salem today and submitted the memorandum. The AUAB delegation explained the problems being faced by BSNL in starting 4G service and also matters related to the revival of the Company. The Member Parliament gave a patient hearing and assured to do the needful.

The three day Kerala circle conference of BSNLEU, started at Ernakulam today, with great enthusiasm. Com.A.V.Kuriakose, circle president hoisted the Union Red flag. Floral tributes were paid at the martyrs’ column. This was followed by a brief, but rich cultural programme. Thereafter, Com.K.Mohanan, CS, and Com.Peethamabaran, DS, Ernakulam, welcomed the delegates and the invitees. Com. Elamaram Kareem, General Secretary, CITU, Kerala, inaugurated the Conference. He spoke at length, explaining the national and international developments. The Conference was also addressed by Dr.P.T. Mathews, CGM, Kerala, Com..V.A.N.Namboodiri, former General Secretary of BSNLEU, Com.M.Krishnan, Secretary General of Confederation, com.Kunnikrishnan, vice-president,AIIEA, com. Nandakumar,president,BEFI, Com.Santosh Kumar, CS,SNEA and Com.Guruprasad, CS,AIBDPA. Veteran leader, Com.P.V.Chandrasekaran, Com.Pratap Kumar, AGS and Com.Vijayakumar, Organising Secretary(CHQ) were present in the dias. Com.P.Abhimanyu, GS, inaugurated the Subjects Committee, that started after the lunch. In his speech, the General Secretary explained in detail, the issues connected with the ongoing Satyagraha and Indefinite Work According to Rule struggles. He also spoke on the action taken by the CHQ, on various issues of the Non-Executives.

Com. P. Abhimanyu, GS and com. Swapan Chakraborty, Dy. GS, met shri Anupam Shrivastava, CMD BSNL today and discussed in detail, certain important issues. The details are as follows:-

1. Delay in constitution the Joint Committee for Wage Negotiation.

The Union pointed out that, there is undue delay in constituting the Joint Committee for Wage Negotiation, even after the necessary clearance is given by the DoT. The Union urged upon the CMD BSNL to ensure the immediate constitution of the Committee.

2. HR issues of the Non- Executives, lying pending with the BSNL Board of Directors.

The three HR issues, viz., promotion to the Non- Executives in E1 pay scale, One Extra increment to the Sr. TOAs and other left out Non- Executives, at par with the JEs (erstwhile TTAs), who suffered wage loss and implementation of Gratuity to the casual labourers, are lying pending with BSNL Board of Directors for a long time. The Union urged upon the CMD BSNL to ensure early approval for these issues, by the Board.

3. Relaxation for the recently held JE LICE.

The Union pointed out to the CMD BSNL that, out of the 1800 candidates who appeared in the JE LICE held on 28.01.2018, only 111 candidates got qualified. The CMD BSNL is told that, the question paper was of very high standard. Further, the Corporate Office did not accept the demand of BSNLEU that the exam should not be “Online”, the Union told. The Union further demanded that, the Management should grant relaxation to the candidates who appeared in this JE LICE, as was given in the DR TTA Exam, held in 2008.

4. Implementation of 7^th CPC pay scale to the casual labourers.

The Union pointed out to the CMD BSNL, that the casual labourers in BSNL are being paid wages, based on the lowest of the CDA pay scales, and that their wages were not revised based on the lowest CDA pay scale recommended by the 7^th CPC. The Union urged upon the CMD BSNL to revise the wages, based on 7^th CPC pay scale.

5. Appropriate action on BSNLEU’s suggestions for curtailment of wasteful expenditures.

BSNLEU has already submitted it’s views for the curtailment of wasteful expenditures. A meeting between the unions / associations and the GM BFCI & GM (SR) has been held. In today’s meeting, BSNLEU demanded appropriate action, on the suggestions given by it.

The CMD BSNL listened to the presentation of the GS and Dy. GS attentively and responded positively. He assured that needful actions would be taken on these issues.

CHQ has already informed about the discussion held with the CMD BSNL, on the long pending issues of the Non-Executives, such as promotion to E-1 pay scale for Non-Executives, downgradation of the Sr.TOAs from 7100-6550 scale, one additional increment to the left out Non-Executives and implementation of gratuity to the casual labourers. CHQ has also informed that, after discussion held with CMD BSNL, prompt actions were being taken by the various Branches of the Corporate Office, for the resolution of these long pending issues.

Today, Com. P. Abhimanyu, GS, Com. Swapan Chakraborty, Dy.GS and Com. S. Chellappa, AGS, met Shri Sourabh Tyagi, Sr.GM(Estt.), and enquired about the status of these issues. It was informed by the Sr.GM(Estt.) that Board Memos have already been sent on the issues of one additional increment to the left out Non-Executives and implementation of gratuity to the casual labourers, for the approval of the Board. As regards, promotion in E-1 pay scale to the Non-Executives, it was informed by the Sr.GM(Estt.)that, Board Memo is being prepared on this issue, to be sent for the approval of the Board of Directors. The meeting of the Board of Directors is taking place at the end of this month.

As regards the problem of downgradation of the Sr.TOAs from 7100 pay scale to 6550 pay scale, further discussion took place today between the BSNLEU representatives and the Sr.GM(Estt.). It was strongly demanded by the Union that the promotion given to the Sr.TOAs, under OTBP, before the implementation of the NEPP, should be treated as first promotion under NEPP, with a view to avert the downgradation. The Sr.GM(Estt.) responded positively. Further discussion in this connection will be taking place within the next few days. The Union representatives demanded that a settlement of this issue should also be sent for the approval of the forthcoming meeting of the Board of Directors.

As per the decision taken in the AUAB meeting held yesterday, representatives of the AUAB, viz., Com. Com.P.Abhimanyu, GS, BSNLEU & Convenor, Com.Chandeshwar Singh, GS, NFTE & Chairman, Com. K. Sebastin, GS, SNEA and Com. Prahlad Rai, GS, AIBSNLEA, met Shri Anshu Prakash, Additional Secretary, Telecom, today. The representatives conveyed him the decision of the AUAB meeting held yesterday. They told the Additional Secretary, Telecom, in no uncertain terms that, the employees are unhappy that not much progress is made in the 3rd Pay Revision issue. They also informed him that the AUAB will be compelled to give call for the strike, since not much time is left for the Parliament elections. The Additional Secretary, Telecom, informed that he would hold a meeting with the AUAB next week in which crucial discussion would be held in respect of the issue of 3rd Pay Revision.

As per the earlier conciliation, held on 26.07.2019, the Regional Labour Commissioner (Central) conducted one more conciliation today the 22.08.2019, on the issue of non-payment of wages to contract workers in BSNL. The RLC(C) informed the union representatives that, as per his earlier decision, he personally met Shri P.K.Purwar,CMD,BSNL on 6^th August,2019 and persuaded for payment of wages to contract workers in BSNL. The CMD,BSNL assured him for some payment. Thereafter, the CLC(C), Shri Ranjan Verma wrote D.O. letter to CMD,BSNL on 16.08.2019 for payment of wages. According to the RLC, at this stage, the union can file case under MW act with the central labour authority in respective areas to take legal action. BSNLEU was represented by Com.Swapan Chakraborty,Dy.GS and Com. M. Vijayakumar,AGS. No body from Management Side attended the conciliation.

Going back from it’s promise of providing unlimited free talks time, a few days back, Reliance Jio has announced that it will charge outgoing calls to the networks of other operators, at the rate of 6 paisa per minutes. This is nothing but the starting of a new trend, wherein tariffs are likely to be increased. Following this, once again Reliance Jio, has revised it’s tariff. This time, it has withdrawn it’s low value prepaid plan of Rs.19/- and Rs.52/-. Hereafter, the minimum prepaid plan will be Rs.98/- only. It is obvious that the Reliance Jio has started revising it’s tariffs, in one way or the other, to increase it’s Average Revenue Per User (ARPU).