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BSNL and MTNL declared as “Incipient Sick” – Communications Minister.

A report in the press on the above matter is reproduced below:

“The Government has entrusted state-run BSNL with various telecom network projects around Rs 25,000 crore in works, Parliament was informed today.

The big projects include laying of optical fibre based network dedicated for use by Defence worth Rs 13, 334 crore and Rs 6,500 crore for execution of second phase of BharatNet Project, as per details shared by Telecom Minister Manoj Sinha in Rajya Sabha today.

“Optical Fibre Cable based Network for Defence Services (NFS Project) has been given to BSNL on nomination basis at the cost of Rs 13,334 crore. For execution of BharatNet project, government has provided Rs 5,744 crore in Phase-I and has earmarked Rs 6,500 crore in Phase-II for BSNL,” Sinha said.

The state-run firm has been awarded rolling out mobile networks in uncovered villages in Arunachal Pradesh and two districts of Assam at an estimated project cost of Rs 1,975.38 crore, implementation of transmission-media plan for North Eastern Region at an estimated cost of Rs 295.97 crore, laying of submarine optical fiber cable project at the cost of Rs 1,900 crore for providing connectivity to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands (ANI) and augmenting of satellite bandwidth in ANI and Lakshadweep Islands at an estimated cost of Rs 120.49 crore.

“Work of setting up of 25000 Wi-Fi Hotspots at Rural Telephone Exchanges at the cost of Rs 940 crore has been given to BSNL on nomination basis,” Sinha said.

He was replying to question over revival of state-run telecom firm BSNL and MTNL
Both public sector telecom firms have been incurring losses continuously since Financial Year 2009-10 and as per Department of Public Enterprises (DPE) guidelines, both CPSEs (Central Public Sector Enterprises) have been declared as “Incipient Sick”, Sinha said.

“Consequent upon declaration of BSNL as “Incipient Sick”, action has been initiated by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) for preparation of a revival/restructuring plan for BSNL as per DPE guidelines. Three Indian Institutes of Management (IIM) have been requested to submit their willingness for undertaking a study and preparation of a revival/restructuring plan for BSNL,” the minister said.

An internal committee of DoT is examining the recommendations of the report prepared by the consultant to decide the path of financial, human resources and corporate restructuring for revival of MTNL.

The MTNL consultant has recommended reduction in retirement age from 60 to 58 years for employees, voluntary retirement scheme , debt restructuring and synergy in operations of MTNL and BSNL.

Besides this, the recommendation for MTNL should focus on customers and defend current revenue besides generating additional revenue through network capex investment, asset monetisation – ease, Sale of real estate, buildings, lease or sale of mobile tower, fiber, copper and active equipments, Sinha said.

BSNL Corporate Office letter regarding implementation of the Supreme Court order on recovery of excess payments

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The Hon’ble Supreme Court of India has directed that excess payments, wrongly made in the past, should not be recovered from the salaries of Non-Executive employees. BSNLEU has taken up this issue in the National Council, and has also written a number of letters to the Corporate Management, demanding implementation of the Supreme Court judgement. Now, the Corporate Office, in it’s letter addressed to the CGMs, has clarified that circles are authorised to take decision on excess payment due to wrong fixation of pay in case of Non-Executives which are done prior to 06.02.2014. In view of this circle unions are requested to take up such cases with their respective CGMs immediately.

View File

 (courtesy: BSNLEU website)

WFTU Statement on the International Women´s day, March 8th 2018

Athens, Greece – 6 March 2018

 

WFTU Statement on the International Women´s day, March 8th 2018

Since its foundation, on 3 of October 1945 until today, the WFTU has always stood on the side of women and female workers all around the globe. The big trade union family of the WFTU, since the very start of its long journey full of struggles and sacrifices, has included in its founding principles the fight for the equality between men and women as an integral part of the antiimperialist and anti-capitalist fight.

This way and on this occasion of the International Women’s Day, 161 years after the 8 March women’s uprising in New York, the WFTU keeps honoring this very symbolic date in memory of all female militants who fought for a world of social and gender equality, a world with no exploitation, imperialist wars and poverty. This year, the WFTU chose to pay tribute to every woman in struggle in every corner of the world, by celebrating its World Working Women Congress in Panama City, Panama, on 8,9 and 10 March. This Congress proves that the demands which were once written on the first banners and communications of the WFTU for women equality, for equal pay for equal work, for pregnancy and childbirth leave, for respect for the women personality are still a necessity of our times.

At the same time, the WFTU and its affiliated trade unions have been the first ones to appoint female cadres to important positions within the life and activity of Trade Unions, with a substantial and not a decorative role.  The WFTU was the first to call upon women and men for joint class-oriented struggles against capitalist exploitation and the aggression of monopolies and of cartels.

We are proud of our history and we continue this legacy. The slogan of the World Working Women Congress is clear: “we fight for the equality of rights at work, in society and in life”, especially in a time when capitalist forces attack the women’s rights and try to turn again workers into modern slaves of the 21st century. That’s why the WFTU underlines that the only way out are the joint struggles for a new society, for the emancipation of women from the capitalist slavery!

Also today, under the conditions of an acute capitalist crisis, we call upon every working woman to join the ranks of the WFTU, to stand up against  capitalist barbarity on the side of the class-oriented trade union movement. Furthermore, we reaffirm our solidarity with every woman persecuted for her militant activity; We struggle for the liberation of the Palestinian youngster Ahed Tamimi, for our women colleagues who suffer the anti-union terrorist action of the fascist groups in Colombia, for the women rural workers in India, for every militant who dares to stand up and fight against imperialism in every corner of the world.

This way, we call on all the WFTU national affiliates and friends to honor this special date and we salute every working woman who keeps fighting for her life and contemporary rights.

Long live the International Women’s Day!

The Secretariat

INTERNATIONAL WOMENS DAY CELEBRATION BY VELLORE DISTRICT BRANCH ON 08-03-2018

Image may contain: 2 people, people standing and indoorImage may contain: 5 people, crowd and indoor

Our Vellore District Branch in Tamil Nadu is unique in many respects, particularly for organising special programmes and welfare activities to the poor and physically disabled. The District Branch under the able leadership of Com.Jothisudanthiranathan, District Secretary supported by his team of comrades, this time has celebrated the International Womens Day on 08-03-2018 in a grand manner. Com.V.Elumalai, District President controlled the proceedings. Com.Jothisudanthiranathan welcomed the gathering of 200 comrades, including more than 50 women comrades.

Com.G.Praveena, eminent social activist inaugurated with an elaborate and effective speech. Com.C.Jnanasekharan, Assistant Circle  Secretary, Com.K.Krishnamoorthy, Circle Organising Secretary and Com.C.Thangavelu, District Secretary, BSNLEU also addressed the meeting.

CHQ heartily congratulates Vellore comrades.

 

BSNL HAS 66,857 TOWERS; 585 ARE NON-FUNCTIONAL DUE TO VARIOUS REASONS.

BSNL Now Operating With a Tally of 216 Towers in Goa, Expected to Launch 4G Services Soon

 

One of the leading telecommunications service provider owned by the government, BSNL (Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited) today announced that it had expanded mobile network coverage in Goa. As of January 2018, BSNL is providing services via 216 towers in Goa, up from the previous number. This news was revealed in the Lok Sabha earlier today. Union minister of communications, Manoj Sinha, answered to a question tabled by BJP leader and south Goa member of Parliament, Narendra Sawaikar. A statement from Lok Sabha, later on, read that the telco has a total of 66,857 BSNL towers as of January 2018.

bsnl-goa-towers

Out of the total number of towers, 585 towers are non-functional due to various issues. “Of the total 66,857 BSNL towers, as on date, 585 towers are non-functional due to non-availability of equipment, land issues and non-availability of power supply from the state electricity board,” the statement in the Lok Sabha read.

The statement also read that BSNL will make all these unfunctional towers functional during next financial year based on the “assessment of techno-commercial viability.”

However, the telco did not state how many towers are nonfunctional out of 216 towers in Goa. And BSNL is not yet offering 4G services in Goa, meaning customers will receive only 3G network at most, and in most areas, customers are plagued with 2G network.

However, BSNL has recently partnered with Nokia to roll out 4G services in 10 circles very soon, and Goa is one among them. Along with Nokia, BSNL has confirmed to relay 4G network in Maharashtra, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Chattisgarh, Goa, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala and Telangana circles.

Also, the Lok Sabha statement read that BSNL has finalised phase 8.4 global system for mobile communication (GSM), which will see the replacement of old equipment with new ones, but the operational cost is said to be a lot higher. “Similarly, the 3G capacity will be increased, and 4G services will also be introduced,” read the statement.

“BSNL is also hiring towers from other infrastructure providers to ensure better services to its customers. As of January 2018, BSNL uses 17,562 such hired towers across the country,” the statement read.

At the moment, there’s no update from BSNL on when it’s planning to roll out 4G services, but with private telecom services planning for the 5G rollout, it’s high time for BSNL to introduce high-speed 4G services.

(courtesy:Economic Times)

 

REVOLUTIONARY GREETINGS TO ALL COMRADES ON INTERNATIONAL WOMENS’ DAY ON 08-03-2018.

The atrocities against women is continuing globally, particularly in our country, it is alarmingly increasing. New resistance movements to fight against all types of attacks on women and to extend help to the victims are also coming up. “Me too” in USA is one among them. Empowerment of women in governance is a must to protect the rights of the women and it has to be ensured through the required legislation. The bill for 33% reservation in state assemblies and Parliament in our country is still in cold storage. The women workers and the poor, particularly Dailts are mostly  targeted.

So let us strive to fight against all types of atrocities, exploitation,discrimination and injustice against women and ensure them the protection.

Minutes of National Anomaly Committee Meeting

 

F.No.11/2/2016-JCA-I(Pt.)

Government of India

Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions

Department of Personnel Training

North Block, New Delhi

Dated: 16 February, 2018

To

            Shri Shiv Gopal Mishra

            Secretary, Staff-Side

            National Council (Staff Side)

            Joint Consultative Machinery for, Central Government Employees

            13-C, Ferozeshah Road, New Delhi-110001

Subject: Minutes of the Meeting held on 11.01.2018 to discuss the admissibility of the agenda items received from the Staff Side, NC (JCM) for discussion in the National Anomaly Committee (NAC) for the 7th Central Pay Commission.

Sir,

            Please find enclosed a copy of the Minutes of the meeting held under the Chairmanship of Joint Secretary (Establishment) on Thursday the 11th January, 2018 at 1500 hours in Room No. 190, conference Room, North Block, New Delhi with the representatives of Staff Side, NC(JCM) for information and necessary action.

  1.  As per discussion in the above meeting, Staff Side may please reconsider their views on Item No. 7. A copy of the recording during the meeting enclosed for perusual.

Yours faithfully,

(D.K. Sengupta)

Deputy Secretary to the Government of India

Tel. 23040255

MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 11.01.2018 TO DISCUSS THE ADMISSIBILITY OF THE AGENDA ITEMS RECEIVED FROM THE STAFF SIDE FOR DISCUSSION IN THE NATIONAL ANOMALY COMMITTEE (NAC) FOR THE 7th  CENTRAL PAY COMMISSION

            A meeting was held under the chairmanship of Shri G.D. Tripathi, Joint Secretary (Establishment), Department of Personnel & Training with the representatives of Staff Side of the National Anomaly Committee and senior officers from the other Ministries/Departments concerned at 3.00 p.m. on 11.01.2018 in Room No. 190, North Block, DoPT, New Delhi to consider the admissibility of the 18 itmes of anomaly forwarded by the Staff-Side of the National Council of JCM for settlement through discussion at the NAC constituted after the Seventh Central Pay Commission. The list of participants is at Annexure.

  1. The Chairman welcomed the representatives of the Staff-Side of the National Anomaly Committee and asked Deputy Secretary (JCA) to briefly inform the participants the purpose for convening this meeting.
  1. Deputy Secretary (JCA) informed that following the acceptance of the recommendations – to the extent they have been – of the 7th Central Pay Commission by the Government, the National Anomaly Committee has been constituted by DoPT. Subsequently, on receipt of a representation from the Staff Side, NC(JCM), the definition of what would constitute an anomaly has been revised and notified. Therefore, as per the revised scope of definition, anomaly will include the following cases;
  1. a) Where the Official-Side and the Staff-Side are of the opinion that any recommendation is in contravention of the principle or the policy enunciated by the Seventh Central Pay Commission itself without the Commission assigning any reason;
  1. b) Where the maximum of the Level in the Pay Matrix corresponding to the applicable Grade Pay in the Pay Band under the pre-revised structure as notified vide CCS(RP) Rules 2016, is less than the amount an employee is entitled to be fixed at, as per the formula for fixation of pay contained in the said Rules;
  1. c) Where the Official side and the Staff Side are of the opinion that the vertical and horizontal relativities have been disturbed as a result of the 7th Central Pay Commission to give rise to anomalous situation.
  1. Deputy Secretary (JCA) mentioned that a letter dated 16.08.2017 had been received from Secretary, Staff-Side proposing to discuss 15 items in the National Anomaly Committee (NAC). Subsequently, another letter dated 31.08.2017 was also received proposing 3 additional items. On examining these 18 items against the three (03) yardsticks as stated in para-3 above, it was felt that while some agenda items clearly fall within the definition of ‘anomaly’, there are a few which cannot be termed ‘anomaly’ as such, bordering more, as they are, on the side of ‘demands’. There are a few more which apparently by virtue of affecting the interests of one Department should rather be taken up at the Departmental Anomaly Committee. On sharing the findings of this Preliminary examination with the Secretary, Staff-Side, a communication was received from him suggesting inter-alia, besides giving their own reasons for retaining the same agenda – except one item – for the NAC deliberations, that a meeting be convened to discuss and finalize the items so as to to avoid delay in convening the NAC meeting.
  1. The Chairman then requested the leader of the Staff-Side and other members to put across their points of view on the issue.
  1. The Leader, Staff-Side, thanked the Chairman for convening the meeting at the suggestion of Secretary, Staff-Side and initiated the discussion by emphasising that the next meeting of the National Council under the Chairmanship of Cabinet Secretary should be held urgently as more than 7 years have passed since the last such meeting was held. He referred to the background against which the JCM scheme has been institutionalized and stressed that the purpose of JCM is to avoid confrontation between the Government and its employees. He requested that the sentiments of the Staff-Side may be conveyed to the Cabinet Secretary so that the meeting of the National Council, JCM may be held without any further delay. He also suggested that the Cabinet Secretary should meet the Standing Committee of the National Council, JCM soon after the Republic Day celebrations so that the deliberations can be be held on all pending issues. The Leader, Staff-Side further stated that there are many issues arising out of the 7th Central Pay Commission’s recommendations which are still to be settled to the satisfaction of the Staff-Side. He particularly mentioned about the recommendations relating to New Pension Scheme, Minimum Pay, Fitment Formula, etc.
  1. Secretary, Staff-Side also expressed similar views about lack of interaction between the Official-Side and the Staff-Side. He mentioned that the institutions of JCM machinery has become defunct and stated that the meetings of the Standing Committee and the National Council, JCM should be called without any further delay. He also mentioned that the Group of Ministers had met the staff representatives and given some assurances for favourable consideration regarding the Minimum Pay and Fitment Formula. But even after 1-1/2 years, no decision has been conveyed by the Government. He regretted that inspite of the report submitted by NPS Committee, nothing fruitful has been done for bringing new pensioners under defined and guaranteed pension scheme. He stated that based on the assurance given by the group of Ministers, the Staff Side had deferred the call for strike but now it is getting very difficult for them to control the resentments of the staff. He stressed the need for frequent interactions so that each side can appreciate the other’s views. He also mentioned that no decision has yet been conveyed on the 6th CPC related unresolved anomalies which, the Staff-Side feels, should be sent for arbitration as the Staff-Side has recorded its dissatisfaction on them.

(Action: D/o Pension & JCA Division, DoPT)

  1. The Staff-Side members representing M/o Defence stated that they are on a hunger fast joining with the 4 lakhs Defence Civilian Employees to protest against the various decisions taken by Ministry of Defence against their interest. They lodged their protest aginst what they called ‘arbitary’ policy decisions made by the Government about outsourcing of jobs hitherto done in the ordince factories, converting Army Base Workshops to GOCO Model, closure of Station Workshops, Military Farms and Depots under Army Headquarters thereby rendering 31,000 Employees surplus including 9000 employees of Military Engineer Service, granting Uniform Allowance to the soldiers by stopping the practice of getting them stitched through almost 12000 Employees in 5 Ordnance Factories etc. This is against the assurance given by the Defence Ministry in the past to the Staff Side that the jobs being perfomed by ordnance factories would be outsourced. They also protested against the violation of the direction of Cabinet Secretary by the Ministry of Defence in that the Staff Side has not been consulted before deciding on outsourcing, closure, merger, declaring manpower surplus etc. They demanded that MoD may be directed to immediately hold discussions with the Staff Side and settle the issues in the interst of the Defence Industry and its employees

(Action: M/o Defence)

  1. The Staff Side also raised the following issues:-
  2. a) The demand of the Staff Side for extension of the date of option for switching over to 7th CPC Pay Scales from a date on which the employee got promotion/MACP is not yet settled. Necessary instructions may be issued in this regard.

(Action: Establishment Division, DoPT)

  1. b) The Report of the NPS Committee even though submitted to the Government in August, 2017 the Staff Side is not yet given a copy of the same. The same may be given to the Staff Side and a meeting may also be held with the Staff Side by the Government before taking any decision on the recommendations of the NPS Committee.

(Action: D/o P & PW)

  1. c) The Staff Side also pointed out what they felt arbitrariness of the decision of the Government to close down the various printing presses without even holding any discussion with the Staff Side. The employees have been asked to immediately get themselves, relived and join at faraway places. They added that assurances were given by the Cabinet Secretary at the National Council that the Government would discuss the problems faced by the staff and resolve the same in all cases when the Government decides to wind up any of its functions.

(Action: M/o Urban Development)

  1. The Chairman stated that he has taken note of all the concerns expressed by the Leader, Staff-Side, Secretary Staff-Side and the other representatives of the Staff-Side. He stated that the work on finalizing the comments on the Agenda for the meeting with the National Council, JCM has been going on and another two weeks would be required to finalize the comments and thereafter the convenience of the Cabinet Secretary would be sought so that the meeting of the Standing Committee can be held in the month of February, 2018. He stated that the purpose of today’s meeting was to familiarize with the issues as well as to arrive at a mutually agreed decisions as to which of them should be taken up for discussion and settlement at the NAC so that the first meeting can be convened at the earliest. He further emphasised that the items on which the Government, has held a view different from that of the 7th CPC would not be taken up for discussion at the NAC since the Government decisions on them are well-thought-out and conscious ones. However, where there is a disagreement between what has been recommended and what the 7th CPC should have recommended as part of its policy/principles would figure in NAC discussion.
  1. It was seen that there are seven (7) proposed items which clearly fall within the definition of ‘Anomaly’. At the conclusion of the discussions, the following was agreed to in respect of the remaining eleven (11) items:
Item No. Description Decision
1 Anomaly in computation of minimum wage In view of the response of Secretary, Staff-Side, the JCA Division will re-examine.
2 3% Increment in all stages In view of the response of Secretary, Staff-Side, the JCA Divison will re-examine
6 Remove Anomaly due to index rationalization In view of the response of Secretary, Staff-Side, the JCA Divison will re-examine
7 Anomaly arising from the decision to reject option No.1 in pension fixation Sent back to Staff-Side for reconsideration of its views
10 Minimum Pension The Staff-Side will take up this issue with the Department of Pension & Pensioners Welfare separately. This will not be treated as an anomaly.
11 Date of effect of Allowances-HRA, Transport Allowance, CEA etc Thil will be taken up separately as an item in the Standing Committee meeting
12. Implement the recommendation on Parity in Pay Scale between Sr. Auditors / Sr. Accountant of 1A & AD and organized Accounts with Assistant Section Officer of CSS. As this was already under examination in the Department of Personnel & Training it would not be taken up for discussion in NAC at this stage. If it remains undecided at the later stage, it will be included for discussion in NAC.
13 Parity in pay scales between Assistants/ Stenographers in field/ subordinate offices and Assistant Section Offices and Stenographers in CSS The Staff-Side, NC (JCM) will provide additional details
15 Technical Supervisors of Railways The Staff-Side, NC(JCM) will take up this issue at the Departmental Anomaly Committee of Ministry of Railways.
16. Anomaly in the assignment of replacement of Levels of pay in the Ministry of Defence, Railways, Mines etc in the case of Store Keepers. The Staff-Side, NC (JCM) will take up this issue at the Departmental Anomaly Committee of Ministry of Defence. JCA Division will write to Ministry of Defence in this regard.
18. Anomaly in the grant of DA instalment w.e.f. 01.01.2016 In view of the response of Secretary, Staff-Side, the JCA Division will re-examine.
  1. The meeting concluded with a vote of thanks to the Chair.

LIST OF PARTICIPANTS IN THE PRE-NATIONAL ANOMALY COMMITTEE OF THE NATIONAL COUNCIL (JCM) HELD ON 11/01/2018

S.No. Staff-Side Official-Side
1 Shri Shiv Gopal Misra Shri G.D. Tripathi
2. Shri M. Raghavaiah, Shri Amar Nath Singh
Shri Rakhal Das Gupta Shri Harjit Singh
Shri J.R. Bhosle Ms. Sujasha Choudhury
Shri Guman Singh Ms. Nirmala Dev.
Shri C.Srikumar Shri Jaya Kumar.G.
Shri K.K.N. Kutty Shri A.K. Jain
Shri Sankara Rao Shri Charanjit Taneja
Shri R. Srinivasan Shri Rajeev Kumar Bahree
Shri R.P. Bhatnagar Shri Ram Gopal