Coms. G.G. Patil, CHQ Organising Secretary and S. A. Bilagi, Circle Secretary, Karnataka addressed a well attended special general body meeting at Raichur on 28th December,2014. The leaders gave a good account of the issues of the pensioners and the current developments taking place in the country with particular reference to BSNL. They appealed to make the agitational programmes of Forum of BSNL Unions/Associations culminating with the indefinite strike from 17th March, 2015, a grand success. Com.C.Annigeri, Circle Treasurer and  Com. Basavraj, District Secretary, BSNLEU also spoke.

A meeting of the central trade unions held at BMS office, New Delhi on 26th December, 2014 has condemned the anti-democratic action of the central government to promulgate ordinances on increasing the cap of FDI in insurance from 26 per cent to 49 per cent and also for e-auction of coal blocks, bypassing the parliament. Besides BMS, leaders of  central trade unions including INTUC,AITUC,CITU, HMS, UTUC, AICTU etc also participated in the meeting. The meeting adopted a resolution which flayed the government for the anti-people measures being taken by the government which are detrimental to national interest.

The President of India, despite strong protest by the opposition parties, especially the left parties has signed both the ordinances.

The intention of the government is to weaken the public sector insurance companies, Life Insurance Corporation of India and the 4 general insurance companies which are functioning effectively in spite of allowing private insurance companies in the sector. The argument of the government for increasing  FDI cap in insurance is that it will only strengthen the sector is far from the reality. On the contrary, the government wants to bring in American Insurance companies which were collasped during the last economic recession in 2008-09 and bailed out by the US government giving money from the treasury. Also these companies are far behind LIC in settlement of the claims.

LIC on the other hand, not only serve the customers to their satisfaction but also contributing largely to the development of the country. It has deposited a whooping sum of Rs.10,69,769  crore in the government securities. In the first two years of the 12th five year plan alone, LIC has deposited Rs. 4,52,460 crore for the infrastructural development. On the basis of these facts the Parliamentary Standing Committee, appointed by the earlier UPA government which was headed by none other than Sri.Yasvant Sinha, BJP leader and former Finance Minister in the Vajpaye government, had unanimously reported against increase in FDI cap in the insurance sector. But BJP, after coming to power has reversed shamelessly its earlier stand and is acting on the dictat of the US imperialists, even endangering national interest. 

As part of the Digital India Initiative, the telecom department plans to take mobile network by December, 2016 to nearly 10 per cent of Indian villages that are still unconnected. Out of 6 lakh villages, 55,000 are still awaiting mobile connectivity. These villages fall under the red corridor- a vast swathe affected by leftwing extremism and in the North East. Arunachal Pradesh has the highest coverage gap at nearly 56 per cent followed by Meghalaya 38 per cent and Manipur 24 per cent. In September this year the cabinet had approved spending Rs.5300 crore for installation of 6673 towers across 8621 villages. This work would be completed by September, 2015, according to Telecom Secretary, Shri. Rakesh Garg.           (source: The Economic Times)

How far it is going to be implemented and what would be the role of BSNL is the million dollar question!     

Bharti Airtel Ltd, the largest telecom company in the mobile segment has decided to charge extra money for using services such as Skype with the only aim to boost revenues. According to the company website, Internet or data plans that give customers discounted rates will only be valid for Internet browsing and will exclude Voice  over IP services include those such as Skype, Line and Viber that typically let users make free calls through the Internet. Airtel customers will now have to pay more on 2G network for making calls on Skype, Viber or other apps.

 No doubt this will be followed by other private telecom companies also sooner than later. India Infosec Consortium (IIC) which deals into cyber security and Internet governance related issues has severely criticized the telecom major. It has stated ” The telecom operators plans of segregating VoIP calls data and charging exponentially higher rates on them smells of SHEER GREED in its concepts itself. This will be against basic concepts of net neutrality. The very essence of technology and low cost Internet telephony needs to be cherished and protected”.

(source: The Hindu)

The BJP government is reported to be going for the ordinance route, bypassing the Parliament, to get the cap of FDI in insurance increased to 49% from 26%. As per the media reports the cabinet has approved the ordinance in this respect and will be sent for approval of the President of India. The Narendra Modi government could not get it passed by the Parliament before the winter session was concluded.  Both houses of the Parliament was rather paralysed  for several days due to the stubborn stand of the government on the issues of serious incidents inciting communal violence  by BJP MPs. The intention of the Modi government is very clear that they want to appease the US President, Barack Obama when he visits India during the Republic Day celebrations exposing their commitment to the imperialists than the people of this country.

Pensioners Day was observed in a befitting manner at Kollam, Kerala on 17th December, 2014 by the district committees of AIBDPA & CGPA. The meeting held at K.G.Bose Centre, Kollam was Inaugurated by Com. C. C. Pillai, All India Patron, AIPRPA who explained in detail the importance of the Day and the challenges being faced by the pensioners. Com. Com. P. C. Angel, District President, CGPA presided and Com. N. Sasidharan Nair, District Secretary, AIBDPA welcomed the gathering. Com. R. Aravindakshan Nair, Circle President, AIBDPA, Com. Veleppan Pillai. Com. K. V. Pushpangadan and Com. K. V. Sasidharan (CGPA) addressed the meeting. Com. L. Krishnakumari, Circle Vice President, AIBDPA proposed vote of thanks.

Pensioners Day was observed at Vatakara on 17-12-2014 jointly by AIBDPA & CGPA. Com. E. Mohandas (BEFI) inaugurated the meeting and family get together held on the occasion  giving a detailed account of  the  political and economical scenario in the country. Com.E. T. Michel, President, AIBDPA presided. Coms. K.P.Prakashan, Secretary, BSNLEU, P.K.Preman, Secretary, AIPEU and Com. K. Kunhikrishnan, District Vice President, AIBDPA addressed . Com. P. R. Namboodiri presented a useful lecture on ‘Aque Pressure Treatment’. Com.G.V.Guruckal, Senior most pensioner was honoured with a shawl. Com. K. Ramachandran, Secretary, CGPA welcomed the gathering and Com. K. V. Balakrishnan, Secretary, AIBDPA proposed vote of thanks.

As part of the second phase of agitation,  3daya dharna will be organized at SSA/Circle levels from January 6-8, 2014 demanding revival of BSNL considering the alternate proposals put forward by the Forum of BSNL Unions/Associations. It has also been decided to collect 1 crore signatures from the people which will be submitted to the Prime Minister during the Parliament March on 25th February, 2015.

AIBDPA units are requested to participate in the dharna enmasse and  help to collect maximum signatures from the public.