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An Open Appeal to all the Executive and Non-Executive Unions/Associations in BSNL- COM. V.A.N.NAMBOODIRI

Dear Comrades, Colleagues and Brothers,

As a former Convener of the Joint Action Committee, Joint Forum and Forum of BSNL Unions/Associations, I wish to present the following appeal to all of you for a patient hearing and favourable consideration.

As all of us are fully aware, the formation of BSNL, corporatising the DOT services was the first step towards privatisation. Even before that, private telecom companies came in the scene. All the assistance, support etc. promised  by the government was an eye wash to make the employees get absorbed in the new corporation, BSNL.

Within a few years, all of us  experienced the move towards privatisation of BSNL by government through disinvestment and retrenchment. It was only through the united mighty struggles of the workers under the leadership of the JAC/Joint Forum/Forum that disinvestment and VRS/CRS could not be implemented in BSNL. It was a great achievement of the united struggle of the workers. It is to be noted here that almost all the PSUs stand disinvested and VRS/CRS implemented.

Privatisation not only means handing over this great government asset to the private for garnering huge profits, it also adversely affects the national security and results in loss of jobs to the employees.

The latest position of the government is to implement the recommendation of the NITI AYOG, to strategically sell BSNL and MTNL. When protests arose from the workers, NITI AYOG denied the report, but it is known to all that it is a ruse to confuse the workers from going on struggle. The present situation is very critical to the future of the PSU and the workers.

Through the initiative of the Forum and full co-operation from the Management, maximum efforts are made to improve the finance and better the services, which has borne fruit. This year, 2015-16, BSNL is in operational profit of about Rs. 3,000 crore. It is estimated that by 2017-18, BSNL will post profit.

It is, at this stage that the new danger of strategical sale is coming. At this crucial stage, we find the Forum, which has to take initiative, stands divided. BSNL Unions/Associations have always come together when there was any serious danger to the company and the workers.

This is the time for action. Any delay may result in untold hardship to the employees, sale of BSNL and retrenchment of tens of thousands of workers,  as was done in the case of ITDC Hotels, VSNL etc. Once there is no BSNL and MTNL, the charge for telecom services will rise many fold, as the experience of other countries have shown.

Action requires unity of all the workers/unions/associations. The JAC/Joint Forum/Forum has been the united force of the workers to defeat the anti-worker policy of the government. There have been differences between the unions/associations on demands or priority on demands etc. but all have stood together like a rock when any serious attack came on BSNL or the workers. This is the force that kept BSNL alive.

Therefore, my appeal to all the Unions/Associations is that at this crucial juncture let us join together under the leadership of the Forum as before and fight the menace of strategic sale and privatisation. The government move can be defeated only if we all are united and ready for struggle.

I hope that all unions/associations will ponder on these issues and will come together as before and unitedly fight for the survival of BSNL and the workers.

With Warm Regards,

Yours Comradely,

V.A.N.Namboodiri

Former Convener of JAC, Joint Forum and Forum of BSNL Unions/Associations

New Delhi, 06-102016

SECRETARY, DEPARTMENT OF PENSION CONTINUES HIS OPPOSITION TO OPTION 1

High Level Committee headed by Pension Secretary held its discussion today with JCM Staff Side Standing Committee leaders of NJCA. Comrades Shiv Gopal Mishra and KKN.Kutty NCCPA President and Secretary General attended. Official Side is not agreeable to Option Number 1 recommendation of 7th CPC! All are aware that Option Number 1 is for notionally taking into account the number of increments earned in the level before retirement before fixing 50% of the sum as revised pension from 1.1.2016!

Right from Day 1 the Pension Secretary is maintaining his objection on the grounds of non-feasibility on the grounds of non-availability of service records. Staff Side explained that there are many other records to clearly establish number of increments earned. But Pension Secretary, who is incidentally the Chairman of High Level Committee is firm on his objection in the meeting held today (6.10.2016). On the other hand, the Official Side stated that the Parity in Pension as recommended by 5th CPC may be acceptable!

5th CPC recommendations stated that all Pre-1996 Pensioners should be notionally brought on step by step to every pay scale of the same post or cadre by considering the pensioner as if he was on service to notionally fix his salary to determine his revised pension!

If this formula is properly applied, then all Pre-2006 should be notionally brought on to the pay scale of the post or cadre as though they continued in service to redetermine his basic pension from 1.1.2006 6th CPC level first; and secondly calculate in the same method to bring on to the pay scale of the same cadre to 7th CPC level to fix his revised pension from 1.1.2016!

The Govt was reminded that 5th CPC formula may cost the exchequer more than Option No.1! But High Level Committee said the Govt (Finance) can be convinced!

Next meeting of this High Level Committee is on 17.10.2016

A SPECIAL ADDRESS BY SOTH AFRICAN MINISTER IN 17th CONGRESS OF WFTU- AS REPORTED BY COM. P.ABHIMANYU, GENERAL SECRETARY, BSNLEU

Durban

06-10-2016.

South African Labour Minister, Nelisima Mildred Oliphant, addressed the WFTU Congress- Carried the House with her pro-worker speech.

Today, the South African Labour Minister, Nelisima Mildred Oliphant, addressed the ongoing WFTU Congress, being held at Durban. In her brief speech, she exposed how the capitalists are adopting newer methods to exploit the working class and to increase their profits. She also emphasised the working class to choose the right leadership and to struggle unitedly against the exploitation of the capitalist class. It was altogether a different experience to hear such a speech from a person holding a high position in the South African government. It made the delegates to think that it is necessary to have persons in the government, who will raise their voice in support of the working class.

ALAPPUZHA DISTRICT CONFERENCE HELD SUCCESSFULLY.

AIBDPA ALAPPUZHA DISTRICT CONFERENCE HAS BEEN HELD AT BSNLEU HALL, ALAPPUZHA ON 06-10-2016. OPEN SESSION WAS INAUGURATED BY COM.K.G.JAYARAJ, GENERAL SECRETARY.COM.K.P.KESAVAN NAIR, DISTRICT PRESIDENT PRESIDED. COMS.N.GURUPRASAD, CIRCLE SECRETARY, C.P.S.BABU(AIPRPA),P.R.SHAJIMON (BSNLEU), K.J.SANALKUMAR, CIRCLE TREASURER ADDRESSED. COM.P.SURENDRAN,DISTRICT SECRETARY WELCOMED AND COM.T.SOBHANAN, TREASURER THANKED.

In the subject session held after lunch, Com.P.Surndran and Com.T.Sobhanan presented the biennial report and audited accounts and were adopted after discussion.

Com.K.P.Kesavan Nair and Com.P.Surendran have been reelected as President and Secretary respectively and Com.V.Bhargavan was elected Treasurer.

ROUSING START TO 17th CONGRESS OF WFTU- REPORT FROM COM.P.ABHIMAYU, GENERAL SECRETARY, BSNLEU.

DURBAN;05-10-2016.

Com. Jacob Zuma, President of South Africa, addressed the 17th Congress of the World Federation of Trade Unions(WFTU), started at Durban, South Africa, this morning.

The 17th Congress of the World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU) started at Durban, South Africa at 09.00 am (local time) today. Delegates from 111 countries are participating in this Congress.Com.George Mavricos, General Secretary, WFTU, welcomed the delegates. Amidst thunderous applause, com. Jacob Zuma, the President of the South African Republic, addressed the Congress and greeted the delegates. In his address, the president elaborately spoke on the  heroic role of the South African working class, against the hateful apartheid. Com.Zuma paid rich tributes to the WFTU, for leading international struggle against the capitalist exploitation. He also severely criticised the the capitalist system, which is the basic reason for the ongoing world economic crisis. To this, he extensively quoted what Karl Marx has said about the capitalist economic crisis. It is a great honour, that the President of South Africa himself came and addressed the WFTU Congress. The Congress will go on till the evening of 8th October.

DELEGATES FROM INDIA.

KOLLAM DISTRICT CONFERENCE HELD WITH LARGE PARTICIPATION.

The 4th biennial Kollam District Conference has been held with massive participation of pensioners at K.G.Bose Centre, Kollam on 05-10-2016. Com.P.Rajendran, Ex MP inaugurating the open session  came down heavily on the NDA government for its anti-people and anti-worker policies. Com.K.G.Jayaraj, General Secretary delivered the keynote address and covered the recent developmentsof 78.2% settlement, abolition of 60:40 condition, unilateral implementation of the retrograde 7th Pay Commission recommendations etc. Com. M.D.Rajan, District President presided. Coms. N.Guruprasad, Circle Secretary, R.Aravindakshan Nair, CHQ trasurer & Circle President, C.Muraleedharan Pillai (DS,BSNLEU), K.N.Jyothilakshmi (ACS, BSNLEU), V.Saidharan (CGPA), A.Muraleeharan Nair (AIPRPA) and L.Krishnakumari (Circle Vice President) addressed.Coms. N.Sasidharan Nair, District Secretary welcomed the gathering and M.S.Thulaseedharan Pillai, ADS proposed vote of thanks.

In the subject committee session Coms.N.Sasidharan Nair and G.Sasidharan Pillai presented the biennial report and audited accounts respectively and were adopted after discussion.

Office bearers were elected unanimously with the following important functionaries.

Com.M.D.Rajan (President), Com.N.Sasidharan Nair (Secretary) and Com.G.Sasidharan Pillai (Tresurer)

KARNATAKA CIRCLE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING HELD AT HUBLI MOST SUCCESSFULLY.

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It was a very successful Circle Executive Committee meeting of Karnataka Circle held at Municipal Employees Hall, JC Nagar, Hubli on 23-09-2016.  Com. A. Monappa Poojari, Circle President was in chair. 260 comrades, 40 CEC members +220 local comrades participated in the open session held under the chairmanship of Com.Geetha Shivpooji. Shri. Vivek Jaiswalji, General Manager, BSNL , Hubli participating as the Chief Guest was honoured with a shawl and garland. The GM speaking on the occasion assured all the help for early payment of 78.2% IDA merger and other benefits due to the pensioners. Com. G. G. Patil, AGS spoke elaborately covering all the issues of the pensioners including 78.2% IDA settlement and abolition of 60:40 condition and the struggles waged by the employees and pensioners. Com.S.A.Bilagi, Circle Secretary welcoming the gathering appealed to strengthen AIBDPA at all levels. DGM (admn), DGM (Finance), Coms. R.Ravindranath (AIBSNLEA), Harish Doddmani & Shiv Shankarappa (BSNLEU) also addressed.

Mysore, Bangalore, Mercara and Mandya District Branches came out to hold the next Circle Conference and Central Executive Committee meeting at Mysore jointly.

The excellent arrangements made by the Hubli comrades were appreciated by all.

GENERALBODY MEETING HELD AT DAVENGERE.

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Davangere District Branch has conducted a well participated General body meeting on 01-10-2016 at BSNLEU hall, Davangere. Com. Sharmaji, Vice President presided over the meeting. Com. G.G.Patil, AGS delivered the keynote address covering settlement of 78.2% IDA merger and annulment of 60:40 condition and the herculean efforts made by AIBDPA CHQ for this great achievement. Com. Erranna also spoke. Com. B. S. Nadiger, District Secretary welcomed the gathering.

CONFEDERATION DECIDES FOR STRUGGLE TO ACHIEVE GENUINE DEMANDS.

Confederation of Central Government Employees have decided to conduct a phased programme of agitation culminating in strike to achieve the 19 point charter of demands including.

I). Honour the assurance given by the Group of Ministers to NJCA on 30th June 2016 and 6th July 2016, especially increase in minimum wage and fitment factor. Grant revised HRA at the existing percentage itself i.e. 30%, 20% and 10%. Accept the proposal of the staff side regarding Transport Allowance. Settle all anomalies arising out of implementation of 7th CPC recommendations, in a time bound manner.

2.      Implement option-I recommended by 7th CPC and accepted by the Government regarding parity in pension of pre-2016 pensioners, without any further delay. Settle the pension related issues raised by NJCA against item 13 of its memorandum submitted to Cabinet Secretary on 10th December 2015. (See Annexure-I).

3.      Scrap PFRDA Act and New Pension System (NPS) and grant pension and Family Pension to all Central Government employees recruited after 01.01.2004, under CCS (Pension) Rules 1972.

The program of agitation is given below;

1ST PHASE – 20TH OCTOBER 2016 – THURSDAY

Demonstration at all centres/all office gates and forwarding of resolutions adopted on charter of demands to Hon’ble Prime Minister of India (2) Hon’ble Home Minister (3) Hon’ble Finance Minister and all Departmental heads.

2ND PHASE – 7TH NOVEMBER 2016 – MONDAY

Mass dharna at all state capitals/important centres.

3RD PHASE – 15TH DECEMBER 2016 – THURSDAY

Massive Parliament March of not less than 20000 Central Government employees.

4TH PHASE – STRIKE JOINTLY WITH ALL LIKE MINDED ORGANISATIONS

Date will be decided in consultation with other organisations.

AIBDPA FULLY SUPPORTS THE PROGRAM AND CALLS UPON ALL THE UNITS TO PARTICIPATE IN THE STRUGGLE IN SOLIDARITY WHERE  EVER POSSIBLE.