Author Archives: admin

PRIVATE TELECOM COMPANIES MOUNT PRESSURE TO HIKE THE TARIFFS.

 

The private telecom companies are continuously pressing for increasing  telecom tatiffs, stating that India’ s tariff is the lowest, high amount paid for recent spectrum has to be compensated and even now companies are under loss.
These are not fully correct. These private companies are not in loss. There are 82 countries in the world which are having lower tariffs. And the present bid money is to be paid in instalments of a number of years.
This pressure for increase for tariff is to maximise profit only.

 

FEW FACTS ABOUT BSNL—V.A.N.NAMBOODIRI.

 

A few important facts about BSNL for information is given below:

1. BSNL is the 10th biggest company in the country on the basis of assets.  BSNL assets are worth Rs.89,333.44 crore

2. Income in 2013-14  –  Rs. 27,996.35 crore

3. BSNL Landlines – 1.68 crore  ( First position – 63.13% market share)

4. Mobile lines – 8.01 crore ( 5th Position)(Market Share 8.01%)

5. Towers – 97,000.

6. Telephone Exchanges and Offices – More than 30,000

7. Public Call Office – 57,606

8. Optical Fibre Cable (OFC) – 6,86,444 Route Km.

9. Micro Wave Network – 50,430 Route Km.

10.No. of employees  – 2,26,000 ( 3,50,000 in 2000)

(a) Executives – 46,000

(b) Non-executives – 1,80,000

11.Average age of employees – 51 years

12. Casual contract workers – about one lakh

13. Telecom Factories – 7

14. Telecom Training Centres : 50

15. Total Profit for 9 years from 2000-01 – Rs.44,993 crore

16. Total Loss for 5 years  from 2009-10 – Rs.31,961 crore

The MNCs and Indian Corporates want BSNL to be privatised to capture all the assets. This can not be allowed. The telecom PSU, BSNL has to be strengthened for a better service to the nation.

 

RESERVE BANK OF INDIA TO REDUCE THE CAP OF BANK LOAN TO CORPORATES.

Alarmingly growing NPAs ( Non- Performance Assets) ,that is, bad loans in the banking sector, has made Reserve Bank of India to moot proposals for reducing the cap of a single loan to 25 per cent of the core capital of a single corporate group. At present the corporate groups are granted loans up to 55 per cent of the eligible capital.

The apex bank has proposed that the revised lower ceiling could come into effect from 1st January, 2019. The RBI wants to align its lending caps to companies with the 25 per cent norm set by the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision. The RBI has sought feedback from the stake holders on the discussion paper by April 30.

The corporates in India continue to predominantly depend on banks for their financial needs,instead of accessing the market. It is important to have alternate sources of funding for the corporate sector.

What is really happening?  The corporates manage to avail huge amount of loans from the banks even without submission of sufficient  surety with the undue  political influence and never care to repay. This is how bad loans (NPAs) are created which eat into the profits of the banks to a great extent. So any attempts to curb the same is certain to be opposed by the corporates and the government ,as usual, may succumb to their pressure. 

 

 

 

NETWORK PROBLEMS MAY CONTINUE FOR ANOTHER 6 MONTHS TO 1 YEAR-SAYS TELECOM SECRETARY.

Spectrum auctions are over, but the consumers  may have network issues like call drops for another six moths more. Telecom Secretary, Shri. Rakesh Garg has stated that the mobile users will benefit in the form of improved services from the recently concluded auction after about six months to one year. He added that new spectrum can be used in liberalized fashion which will make it more efficient. India ,being a very competitive market ,the operators will make use of it as fast as possible.

Mobile subscribers have been complaining about rising number of frequent call drops. Operators have cited lack of spectrum as one of the reasons for network related issues along with hurdles in installing mobile towers due to radiation issues.

GREECE SENDS ANOTHER LIST OF REFORMS TO ITS INTERNATIONAL CREDITORS.

The Greek government has sent its international creditors a list of the reforms it wants to enact, and has promised to produce a small budget surplus this year.

The list had been demanded as proof of good intention and will be discussed before approval by the so-called Brussels Group, and then validated by European finance ministers before Greece is given
more aid.

Athens previously submitted a list of seven reforms that failed to win approval, but the government has already said it will not contain any new “recessionary” measures like cuts.

Other policies include measures to improve investor sentiment,
boost tax revenues, and judicial reform. The government is also 
expected to address some form of pension reform.

                                                                                                                                                          ( SOURCE: BUSUNESS LINE)

BSNL TO PROVIDE E-HEALTH, E-EDUCATION AND E-GOVERNANCE

 

Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) has initiated a scheme to disseminate information regarding e-health, e-education and e-governance facilities in rural areas. BSNL officials said as the pilot project, the scheme had been launched in 1,284 villages of Amritsar and Tarn Taran districts.Addressing mediapersons during a press conference here today, Rajesh Kumar, General Manager, BSNL, said to make the service effective, BSNL would lay cables in 3,000 kms.“The work has been divided in two phases. Under the first phase, the BSNL would cover seven blocks out of the total 19 in two districts,” added Rajesh.He said that work in seven blocks would be completed by July and the work in Bhikhiwind and Naushera Pannuan blocks of Tarn Taran district had already been started.

JCM STAFF SIDE CIRCULATION ON MEETING WITH 7 TH PAY COMMISSION.

 

 
Print allThe JCM Staff Side Circular issued by Com. Shiv Gopal Mishra, Secretary Staff Side is reproduced below:
 
The 7th CPC had asked the JCM Staff Side to present their case before the Commission for wage revision on 23rd and 24th March 2015. Accordingly, the Standing Committee of the Staff Side met on 22nd March and again 23rd March 2015. The presentation was made on 23rd and 24th March 2015 before the Commission.
 
We have discussed the memorandum, chapter wise and the Commission made a very patient hearing and interacted with us seeking clarifications on certain matters. It is not possible to provide a detailed account of the discussions. However, we are to inform you that we came out of the discussion with a very good impression and satisfaction.
 
1. The Commission will adopt Minimum Wage Concept(Dr. Aykhrod Formula) as the principle of wage determination. They will however, collect the retail rates of the commodities that go into the basket.
2. We have pleaded for the adoption of the best international practices while fixing the highest salary.
 
3. On the demands for Interim Relief and Merger of DA, the Commission finally said that those can only be considered if Terms of Reference are amended.
 
4. The Commission agreed that there had been reduction in the sanctioned strength and working strength over the years despite the increased workload.
 
5. They have also noted that there was substantial reduction in percentage terms of the expenses on salary and wages over the years.
 
6. The Commission enquired, as to how multiplication factor of 3.7 was arrived at. The same was explained in detail.
 
7. Fitment Formula and the demand on Fixation of Pay on Promotion, were appreciated as the rationale was explained.
 
8. Date of effect: No commitment or comment was made by the Commission. The Staff Side explained, as to how they compromised by shifting the date from. 01.01.2011 to 01.01.2014.
 
9. The institution of Special Pay, especially in the wake of de-layering was explained.
 
10. Common Categories: We have requested the upgradation and amalgamation of the cadres of LDC with UDC and the need for bringing about parity in pay scales of the Subordinate Offices with the Central Secretariat. The problems of Staff Car Drivers were also elaborated. The contractorisation and casualisation at lower level positions and the consequent exploitation of the labour were discussed at length. The Commission has made a proposal to do away with the contractorisation/casualisation. Staff side will discuss the proposal and will send its views to the Commission in due course.
 
11. Classification of Posts: Our proposal has not been found favour.
 
12. GDS: While sympathizing with the Staff Side, the Commission wanted them to approach the Government with a view to amend the Terms of Reference.
 
13. Allowances and Advances: Detailed discussions were held on HRA, CCA, Transport Allowance, CEA and Special Allowance for personnel posted at North East Region. Chapters dealing with the facilities was also discussed at length, including compassionate appointment. On holidays, we have requested to include May Day in the list of holidays. The background of observance of May Day was enquired by the Commission and explained.
 
14. Pension and Retirement Benefit – NPS: Commission stated categorically that NPS being an Act of Parliament, they will not make any comment thereon.
 
Pension Computation: The rationale of 67% was explained and appreciated.
 
Minimum Pension: our demand for 2/3rd of the Minimum Wage was also explained.
 
Parity in pension of past and present pensioners was fully explained, linked with one rank -one pension scheme for Defence Personnel. We have pleaded that Civilian Pensioners should not be discriminated against. Demand for Additional Pension for both Pensioners and Family Pensioners was explained. All matters concerning Family Pension were also discussed. So also, gratuity to be computed in accordance with the Gratuity Act.
 
There was good response for the demands from the Commission.
 
Restoration of commuted value of pension: The Commission will enquire the views of the Government as to what is their objection to the demand.
 
Medical facilities for pensioners and discrimination between Pensioners in CGHS area and CCS(MA) Area as also the Postal Pensioners was brought home including the higher Fixed Medical Allowance for ESI persons.
 
Certain clarifications/elucidations have been asked for by the Commission. To provide such clarifications, another meeting with the Commission might be held after the Commission’s interaction with other organizations. The Staff Side may meet the Commission after their interaction with the other organizations are over.
With greetings,

(Shiva Gopal Mishra)
Secretary/Staff Side NC JCM
 

18 TAX DEFAULTERS; 11 FROM GUJARAT-TOTAL DUES MORE THAN Rs.500 CRORE.

The Central Board of Direct Taxes has made public the list of 18 tax defaulters who owe more than Rs.500 crore to the exchequer. Of the 18 defaulters, 11 are from Gujarat.

This is the first time that the department has put in public the list of willful tax defaulters who have a tax liability of Rs.10 crore and above and in many cases the assesses were not ‘traceable’.

The names of the companies and their tax liabilities are given below;

SomanI Cement- Rs. 27.47 crore, Blue Information Technology- Rs.75.11 crore, Appletech Solutions- Rs.27.07 crore, Jupiter Business- Rs.21.31 crore, Hirak Biotech-18.54 crore, Icon Bio Pharma & Healthcare- Rs.17.69 crore, Banyan & Berry Alloys- Rs.17.48 crore, Laxminarayan T Thakkar- Rs.12.49 crore, Virag Dyeing & Printing- Rs.18.57 crore, Poonam Industries- Rs.18.54 crore, Kunvar Ajay Food Pvt Ltd- Rs.15 crore ( All from Gujarat)

Goldsukh Trade India- Rs.75.47 crore, (Jaipur), Victor Credit & Construction Rs.13.81 crore(Kolkata,), Noble Merchandise-Rs.11.93 crore (Mumbai) are also in the list.

‘INCREASE IN TARIFF IS NOT A PROBLEM’-SAYS THE COMMUNICATIONS MINISTER.

After the spectrum auction, the private telecom companies have hinted about a possible tariff hike in the wake of larger bid amount they have to pay for the spectrum. This demand of the greedy private telecom companies has been endorsed by none other than Shri. Ravi Shankar Prasad, Minister for Communications. He has made the following statement;

‘According to TRAI estimates, each mobile user talks for 350 minutes per month on an average. With about 97 crore mobile connections, we get a figure of 4,07,400 minutes of calls a year. If you divide this by yearly payout of Rs. 5,300 crore, the load on every consumer will come to about 1.3 paise per minute. Therfore increase in tariffs is not a problem.’

Now, the hike in tariff is a forgone conclusion, the question is whether the government will be able to restrict the hike only according to the TRAI estimates.