Shri Ravi A Robert Jerard, CMD BSNL, visited ITPC, Pune, yesterday the 30^th July, 2024. BSNLEU and AIBDPA leaders including, Com. Nagesh Kumar Nalawade, Vice President (CHQ), BSNLEU, Com. Mohammad Jakati, CS, AIBDPA, Com. Vikas Kadam, Com. Khadke, Com. Sunil Sonawane and Com. Dilip Bhagat met the CMD BSNL and discussed the burning issues of the employees and the Company. The leaders insisted immediate rolling out of BSNL’s 4G / 5G services and settlement of Wage Revision. They also insisted settlement of problems connected with caste validation of Maharashtra ST employees. Further, the leaders demanded improved FTTH service, retrieval of BSNL's copper cables and Compassionate Ground Appointment. The CMD BSNL assured to look into the issues. CHQ congratulates the Pune leaders for the initiative they have taken.

The private telecom companies steeply increased their tariffs. Consequent to this, a large number of customers are migrating to BSNL from private companies. It is learnt that several lakhs of customers have already migrated to BSNL. Now, it is the duty of the BSNL to cater to the needs of these customers. BSNL’s tariffs are certainly cheaper. But this is not sufficient. BSNL has to provide high-speed data service to the customers without further delay. Otherwise, it will be difficult for BSNL to retain the customers. It is the responsibility of BSNL Management and the government to ensure the immediate roll out of BSNL’s 4G service. In June, 2023, BSNL placed purchase order to TCS and ITI for the supply of 1 lakh 4G BTSs. Earlier, Shri P.K. Purwar, CMD BSNL had announced that BSNL’s 4G network would be commissioned by October, 2024. Thereafter, he shifted this deadline to December, 2024. In the meanwhile, Shri Neeraj Mittal, Secretary, Telecom, has told the media that “major part of BSNL’s 4G roll out would be completed in this Financial Year, i.e., by March, 2025”. It means, complete roll out of BSNL’s 4G network is not going to take place even by March, 2025. It will be a big blow to BSNL if it’s 4G network roll out is not completed even by March, 2025. The government should stop giving lip-service to BSNL and should prove in practice that BSNL’s 4G network roll out is completed immediately. If necessary, the government should enable BSNL to share Vodafone Idea’s 4G network and immediately provide 4G service to it’s customers. 

The General Secretaries of BSNLEU and NFTE have written a detailed joint letter to the new CMD BSNL today, on the issue of Wage Revision. It is pointed out in this letter that, agreement was reached between the Recognised Unions and the Management on the new pay scales of the Non-Executives, in the Joint Wage Negotiating Committee meeting held on 27-07-2018. However, it is pointed out that, the Management has violated this agreement and is trying to impose shorter pay scales on the Non-Executives, which will perpetuate the problem of stagnation and will also create problems in future Wage Revisions. It is also pointed out that Shri Manoj Sinha ji, Hon’ble Minister of State for Communications and Ms.Aruna Sundararajan, Secretary Telecom, have given commitments for an early settlement of the Wage Revision of the Non-Executives. BSNLEU and NFTE have demanded in the letter that, these commitments should be honoured, by implementing the Wage Revision immediately. Both the unions have also pointed out that, the allowances of BSNL employees are not revised for almost quarter of a century and requested the CMD BSNL that revision of allowances should also be considered.

Com.P.Abhimanyu, General Secretary, went on leave for 4 months. During his absence, Com.John Verghese, Deputy GS, functioned as the Acting General Secretary. Also, Com. Animesh Mitra, President and Com.C.K.Gundanna, AGS, worked from the CHQ at New Delhi during this period and efficiently managed the functioning of the All India Union. Now, on expiry of his leave, Com. P.Abhimanyu resumed duty as the General Secretary of the Union w.e.f today the 29-07-2024. CHQ heartily thanks Com. Animesh Mitra, President, Com.John Verghese, Dy.GS and Com. C.K.Gundanna,AGS, for their contributions in running the All India Union. The CHQ also heartily thanks all the Circle Secretaries, as well as the CHQ office bearers for their kind cooperation.