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WARNING BELL FOR BSNL MANAGEMENT AND WORKERS- CONNECTIONS DECREASED,MARKET SHARE DOWN.

While the BSNL Management and workers are unitedly trying to strengthen BSNL and also to provide more connections, the statistics as on 31-03-2015 by the TRAI give a non-positive picture. BSNL has gone down on the number of connections and market share. While other operators have increased their connections and market share, the actual connections of BSNL, both in landlines and wireless have gone down. The total market share has down below 10% and in wireless it is around 8% only and in the sixth position.

It is a real warning bell. The government, BSNL Management and employees have to jointly work with maximum effort and turn the trend and bring back BSNL to better position.

The statistics as on 31-03-2015 for BSNL is given below:

Total Wireless Connections: 970 million BSNL : 77 millions Market Share 8%

Total connections (Landline and Wireless) : 996.1 million BSNL : 93.24 million Market Share : 9.4%

Broad band connections : 15.54 Millions BSNL: 9.8 millions Market Share : 65%

EXPORTS SHRINK FOR 5TH MONTH IN A ROW; DIP 14% IN APRIL.

The Central Government, particularly the Finance Minister often claims of economics growth. But the following news item tells a different story.

Exporters’ body seeks cheap credit, calls for implementation of interest subsidy scheme

New Delhi, May 15:

Goods exports declined for the fifth straight month in April, falling 13.96 per cent to $22.05 billion as demand from key markets remained subdued.

The dip in merchandise exports, which account for about 16 per cent of India’s roughly $2-trillion economy, is likely to tell on the economic growth.

Painting a grim picture, exporters’ body FIEO said that the booking position of exporters has worsened compared to December 2014, when exports had first started falling.

This also raises questions on the feasibility of the Narendra Modi Government’s target of achieving over 8 per cent growth in 2015-16.

Imports during the month fell 7.48 per cent to $33.04 billion due to a sharp fall in the oil bill. But the trade gap widened to $10.99 billion from $10.1 billion in the previous fiscal year. “The interest subvention (subsidy) scheme should be reintroduced immediately and the liquidity crunch facing exporters addressed with timely release of export benefits,” FIEO President SC Ralhan said, stressing the need for cheaper credit to stay competitive in the global market.

While the Centre announced the reintroduction of the interest subsidy scheme in the Foreign Trade Policy last month for three years, it has not yet been implemented as the sectors to be covered are yet to be finalised.

Petroleum products, gems and jewellery, electronics, plastic goods, meat, marine products, coal and minerals and oil-meal were some of the export items that took a hit in April.

While country-specific export data are not yet available, a Commerce Ministry official said shipments to the EU, Japan, the Asean region and China were likely to be low. Exports to these markets fared badly in 2014-15.

Goods exports in 2014-15 were down 1.23 per cent from the previous year, at $310.5 billion. Oil imports in April, at $7.44 billion, were 42.65 per cent lower than last April. Non-oil imports were up 12.58 per cent at $25.6 billion.

Gold imports rose 78.33 per cent to $3.1 billion, while that of silver fell 31 per cent to $0.32 billion.

Import of project goods remained flat in April, while that of machine tools fell.

( courtesy: The Economic Times)

78.2% IDA MERGER- THE DOT SHOULD ACT QUICKLY.

There has already been undue delay in settling the 78.2% IDA pension fixation. DOT as well as Minister Communications has assured that the matter will be speeded up. But so far, even the Cabinet note has not been prepared.

We demand that the DOT and Government should immediately act. The Pensioners are eagerly waiting for getting the benefit of 78.2% Pension fixation implemented.

There should not be any further delay. The DOT should act.

BJP’S ANOTHER U TURN – SAYS THEY WILL FOLLOW UPA GOVT’S POLICY ON FDI IN RETAIL TRADE

The BJP while in opposition was opposing vociferously the UPA government’s attempt to allow Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in retail trading stating that it will doom the lives of lakhs of small retail traders in the country. Yes, it is the reality.

But now the BJP government has changed their earlier stand and says that it will follow the earlier UPA governments policy . What is the reason for this shift? It could be nothing else but the pressure of the foreign multi-nationals and their sponsors, the imperialist countries. This will happen in our country as the priority of the ruling class is always the corporates and not the common people of this country.

SUPREME COURT REJECTS PRIVATE TELCOS APPEAL FOR EXTENSION OF LICENCE.

The appeal of the private telecom companies Bharti Airtel, Vodafone, Idea Cellular, Reliance Telecom and some others for extension of their 20 years spectrum licence for 10 years more has been rejected by the Supreme Court. The SC stated that it is the prerogative of the executive to decide, whether the licence is to be extended or not and the court will not interfere.

RBI GOVERNOR EXPRESSES CONCERN OVER INCREASE IN NON PERFORMING LOANS(NPL)

Reserve Bank Governor, Raghuram Rajan ha sexpressed concern over the whopping increase in the Non Performing Loans of the banking sector.He added that there are concerns about the effect on banking system and on tax payers. A recent IMF report said the domestic banking sector was in trouble with a whopping 36.9 per cent of the country’s total debt being at risk.

According to Crisil Ratings report total bad loans or gross performing assets of Indian banks will rise by a Rs. 60,000 crore to Rs. 4 lakh crore in the financial year 2015-16.

supreme court upholds verdict of Kerala high court on full pension for 20 years service for pre 2006 pensioners.

Another Mile Stone Judgment in favour of Pre-2006 Pensioners

20 years’ Service enough for full pension

even for Pre-2006 Pensioners

Outcome of Supreme Court Judgment on this issue

Apex Court dismissed SLP No.C…/2014 CC No (s) , 20144/2014 on 20-02-2015. This SLP was arising out of final judgment of Kerala High Court at Ernakulam dated 07.01.2014 in OPCAT No.8/2014 viz., Union of India vs M.O.Inasu.

The Kerala High Court judgment under question was a judgment of Ernakulam Bench of CAT filed by Mr.M.O.Inasu and Mr.K.Ramachandran Unnithan made on re-hearing as directed by the Kerala High Court that ordered to implement the 6^th CPC recommendation of reducing the required 33 years of service into 20 years’ for grant of full qualifying pension of 50% of LPD or 10 months average whichever is greater to Pre-2006 Pensioners.

Kerala Comrades have supplied the judgment of CAT Ernakulam Bench viz., OA No.715 of 2012 with OA No.1051 of 2012. The OA No.715 of 2012 pertains to the case filed by Mr.M.O.Inasu and the OA No.1051 of 2012 pertains to the case filed by Mr. K.Ramachandran Unnithan . Both of them were retired Deputy office Superintendent in Excise Department. The above referred Kerala High Court judgment and the dismissal of SLP by the Apex Court have come as final outcome of both of their OAs in Ernakulam Bench of CAT.

The crux of the judgment of Ernakulam Bench of CAT upheld by Kerala High Court as well as by the Apex Court is as follows:

Both M.O.Inasu and K.Ramachandran Unnithan are Pre-2006 Pensioners. They were Ex-Servicemen and thereafter Deputy Superintendent in Excise Department before retirement. Their combined services were less than 33 years of service and therefore they were granted only pro-rata pension and not full pension @ 50% of 10 months average pay.
Both claimed for full pension @ 50% of their last pay drawn as recommended by the 6^th CPC for employees with 20 years of qualifying service instead of 33 years.
Tribunal initially considering as to whether the Pre-2006 Pensioners are eligible for 50% of the minimum pay in the relevant Pay Band plus GP even if they do not have put in 33 years of qualifying service came to the conclusion that they are not entitled to and dismissed the OAs as above.
The Pre-2006 Pensioners appealed in Kerala High Court against the order of the CAT Ernakulam.
Kerala High Court had set aside the order of the CAT Ernakulam Bench vide O.P.(CAT) Nos.898/2013 and 1409/2013 vide judgement dated 04.06.2013 and directed the CAT to re-hear the applications and consider entries at Sl. Nos. 2 and 12 of the Resolution No. 38/37/08-P&PW(A) dated 29.08.2008 of the Ministry of finance.
The Ernakulam Bench of CAT based on the observation made by the High Court thereafter had pointed out the para 4.2 of the OM dated 01.09.2008, that there is no stipulation of any minimum period of service for eligibility of pension @ 50% of the minimum of the pay in the Pay Band plus Grade Pay of the post from which the pensioner had retired. According to para 4.2, it is made clear that the pension should in no case shall be lower than 50% of the minimum of the pay in the Pay Band plus Grade Pay corresponding to the pre-revised pay scale from which the pensioner had retired. Therefore, denial of 50% f the pay as basic pension is illegal and arbitrary.
The Ernakulam Bench also pointed out the order of the Principal Bench of CAT Delhi that quashed the OM dated 03-10-2008 and 14-10-2008 and therefore the above two OMs are no more valid and no more in force. Therefore the decision of the CAT Delhi Principal Bench is also applicable to the applicants.
The Bench also referred to the Principal Bench judgment and ruled that the benefit of 50% of minimum of pay in the pay band plus relevant Grade Pay shall be paid to the Petitioners even though they did not render 33 years of qualifying service.

The judicial verdict is another blow to the Government’s mis-interpretation on the following two counts:

The minimum of Pay Band plus relevant GP instead of minimum of the pay in the Pay Band plus relevant Grade Pay of the Pre-2006 pensioners;
20 years Qualifying service instead of 33 years of qualifying service is applicable only for post-2006 retirees and not for Pre-2006 Pensioners.

In the background of this historic judgment all are requested to find out about such Pre-2006 pensioners who are denied full pension for not putting in 33 years service and make them represent for grant of full pension @ 50% of the minimum of pay in Pay Band plus Grade pay for the particular cadre in which they retired.

THANK YOU COMRADES FOR YOUR KIND WORDS AND LOVE- V. A. N. NAMBOODIRI.

Yesterday night and today, I have been getting a lot of SMSs, telephone calls and e-mails with regard to my decision to step down from the post of Convener of the Forum of BSNL Unions and Associations. Many comrades conveyed their disapproval stating that I should have continued, since the present situation require the leadership. Some others have asked why a personal decision has been taken without wider discussion in the organisation. Some comrades have appreciated the work done by the Forum for the last many years and also congratulated for having taken a decision for a generation change. Some comrades who contacted were emotional and very unhappy at my decision.

I express my sincere thanks to all these comrades who appreciated and wanted me to continue. Such opinions and pleading are all natural. Change is also natural and is necessary for the progress and advancement. This basic understanding is most important.

Why I wanted to be relieved from the post of Convener, Forum? First of all, I have been the Convener of the Joint Forum/JAC/Forum of BSNL Unions and Associations from its formation in 2004. Name of the organisation has changed, but I continued. It is more than 10 years and that is an adequate time to be in a post. Secondly and generally I have not continued in the important posts more than 4 terms, whether it was Branch Secretary, District Secretary, Circle Secretary, Asst. General Secretary or General Secretary. Every time, it has been on my insistence that a change has taken place, despite the fact that most comrades did not want a change. Then why a different criteria for this post?

Further, during this period almost all unions and associations have become part of the Forum and it has strengthened. The smooth functioning of the Forum is expected to continue. This is the time when there should be a change.

A very successful strike has taken place on 21-22 April 2015 on the demand of revival of BSNL and Better Service to the people. Though the demands are yet to be achieved, this is a special occasion after a good strike and naturally the time for a change.

The last 10 years have been a period of struggle and agitations of all sorts by the BSNL Employees,which was heralded by the JF/JAC/Forum. Ten strike calls were given out of which five fruitifIed in to complete successful strike, while the others were deferred after successful agreement. 5 Parliament Marches were organised with thousands of participants. Three All India Conventions were held in Delhi which were addressed by the veteran trade union leaders and Parliament members who supported our programme and agitations. Savingram, Telegram, Signature, Black Badge and Post Card campaigns were conducted effectively. During this period of 10 years about 80 dharnas, protest demonstrations were organised. Almost all these were for the cause of the telecom PSU, BSNL. For some period, joint programmes were organised with MTNL also. The JF/JAC/Forum met the Prime Minister, Communications Minister, Secretary DOT etc. several times to ensure that the workers demands are settled.

Because of the unity of the workers and united struggles, we were able to stop disinvestment, VRS, Unbundling of cables and privatisation. We have also been able to stop further attacks on the workers.

These 10 years was a period of continued struggle with the full support of the workers and leaders alike. All the unions/associations stood together to defend the workers and the company. I am really proud that we all together could do all these, which was an impossible task. Yes Comrades, we have done the impossible for the workers and the company.

Hence it is with full satisfaction that I have stepped down from the post of Convener. During this joint functioning many veteran leaders like Comrade O.P.Gupta were part of this joint movement. All the leaders of the various unions/associations have jointly built this umbrella organisation and the credit for the same goes to every body, not to the Convener or Chairman alone. If, during these activities or discussions, I have caused any displeasure or harm to any body, it may kindly be excused. I thank all of our comrades for the support and solidarity given to me in running the organisation.

The coming days are more difficult. There are many challenges which we have to face. Though I may not be Convener or office-bearer, I am always with all of you and any task allotted to me will be sincerely attended to.

I once again thank all of you for your appreciation and kind words. We shall march ahead with dedication and determination.

COM.P.ABHIMANYU ELECTED COVENOR,FORUM OF BSNL UNIONS/ASSOCIATIONS.

The meeting of the Forum of BSNL unions/Associations held on 13th May, 2015 in New Delhi under the presidentship of Com. Chandheswar Singh, Chairman has unanimously elected Com. P. Abhimanyu, General Secretary, BSNLEU as the Convenor. The proposal in this regard was made by Com.V.A.N.Namboodiri who had been the Convenor and architect of the joint movement ever since its inception in 2004.

AIBDPA wholeheartedly congratulate Com. P. Abhimanyu and wish him all success in the new role.

Com. K. Chandran passed away.

Kunhanandan MP's photo. Com.K.Chandran, veteran leader of AIBDPA, Kozhikode has passed away on 12th May, 2015. He was 83 but very active in analyzing the current socio, political developments and sharing it to his younger comrades. Ever since his entry in the P & T Department ,Com. Chandran became active in the union activities and served the organization in various capacities. AIBDPA pays respectful homage to the departed leader and conveys deep condolences to the bereaved family and comrades in Kozhikode.