VERY VERY HAPPY DIWALI

Tens of thousands of people marched through central London on 18th October, 2014 to protest against falling real wages and public spending cuts introduced to compensate the budget deficit in Britain.Trades Union Congress (TUC), a federation of the country’s main trade unions, which organised the protest action, estimated that around 80,000 supporters had gathered on the banks of the River Themes. Led by TUC chief Frances O’grady, other union leaders and a marching band, the mile-long train of demonstrators set off from Waterloo Bridge and culminated at Hyde Park. “Britain needs a Pay Rise” being the main slogan, the organisers demanded the government to take action to increase wages in both public and private sectors, as they have slumped by $80 a week since 2008. A recent study by the New Economic Foundation found that households had suffered a 15 per cent decline in their real income over the last year, while the Institute for Policy Research reported that wages had failed to keep pace with inflation since 2008.

RAILWAY STRIKE IN GERMANY: Biggest German rail strike on busy autumn weekend has hit the railway services badly. The rail drivers union began its largest strikes in recent years at 3 PM on 17th October and would continue up to 20th inst. The union accused national rail operator, Deutsche Bahn of stone-walling in talks over its demands for a five per cent wage hike and shorter working week of 37 hours. The magnitude of the industrial action was surprising in a country where warning strikes rarely last more than a day.                           (source:The Hindu)

The BJP government is resorting to more anti-people measures, absolutely,as if, it is the continuation of the UPA government.

The central government on 18th October, 2014 has deregulated the price of diesel which will enable the petroleum companies to hike the price at their will and pleasure. Of course, now the price of diesel is reduced by Rs.3.37 to make an impression that the deregulation will be beneficial to the people. But the real impact is soon to come, nothing but again the bitter pill!

GAS PRICE HIKED: The government also hiked the price of natural gas from $4.2 per mmBtu to $5.61, succumbing to the pressure of Reliance Industries Ltd. As a result of this the CNG prices to go up by Rs.4.25 per kg , piped cooking gas by Rs.2.60 and  the production cost of fertilizer will be increased by Rs.2720 per tonne.

The government has also decided to make cooking gas subsidy to be on per-kg basis and payment through adhar linked bank accounts.

The government has submitted in the Supreme court on 17th October that the names of those who stashed black money to foreign banks could not be revealed. This was the stand by the earlier UPA government which was severely criticized by BJP while in opposition. It is again proved beyond any doubt that both Congress and BJP are sailing in the same boat.

Circle and District Secretaries are requested to immediately furnish the list of comrades participating in the Sanchar Bhawan March on 20th November,2014. Details regarding arrival and departure with train number, time and date of both arrival and departure are required to arrange accommodation etc. As already informed through CHQ circular, accommodation is being arranged for 19th,20th and 21st. The participation of lady comrades may be intimated specifically. PLEASE TREAT IT AS MOST URGENT.

OBSERVE 6TH FOUNDATION DAY ON 21ST OCTOBER BEFITTINGLY

The mighty organization, All India BSNL DOT Pensioners Association is completing five years and all our units are requested to celebrate the 6th FOUNDATION DAY on 21-10-2014 in a befitting  manner by hoisting the flag, holding meetings, conducting blood/eye/body donation camps etc. Reports on observance, with photos, if any,  may kindly be sent to CHQ.

The District Conference of Vadodara, in Gujarat, was held on 12-10-2014 under the presidentship of Com. M. Z. Khan, District Secretary, BSNLEU. Com. M. B. Chaniyara, Circle Secretary formally inaugurated the conference and explained the decisions of the Coimbatore CEC , including the Sanchar Bhawan March on 20-11-2014 for the settlement of the 29 demands. Com. Gurucharan Kori, District President, ATD and Com. G. S. Rai, CWC member, BSNLEU offered felicitations. Shri. Anil Prajapati, AGM, Admn attended the meeting.

Following are the important office bearers elected unanimously. President: Com. H.J.Pal, District Secretary : Com. A. J. Gosai and Treasurer : Com. V.S.Saraiya.

COM.K.G.JAYARAJ, GENERAL SECRETARY HAS CONTACTED THE DIRECTOR, DEPARTMENT OF EXPENDITURE ON TODAY, THE 16TH OCTOBER,2014 .REGARDING THE 78.2% IDA MERGER,THE DIRECTOR STATED THAT THE FILE IS SENT TO THE UNDER SECRETARY, DOE, YESTERDAY, FOR RETURNING TO THE DOT. THEREFORE,GENERAL SECRETARY TALKED TO THE UNDER SECRETARY, WHO CONFIRMED THAT THE FILE WAS RECIEVED AND IS SENT BACK TO THE DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS. NOW, AS PER THE DIRECTIVES OF DOE, THE DOT HAS TO PREPARE CABINET NOTE FOR BOTH PRE 2007 AND POST 2007 BSNL RETIREES AND CIRCULATE TO THE CONCERNED DEPARTMENTS FOR THEIR CONSENT AND AFTER RECIEPT OF WHICH THE SAME WILL BE SUBMITTED FOR CABINET APPROVAL.

Hundreds of BSNL casual and contract workers conducted an impressive March to the BSNL Corporate Office on 15th October,2014 in protest against the negative approach of the BSNL management towards their genuine demands. The March started from the Eastern Court where a meeting was held. Com. V. A. N. Namboodiri presided over and Com. A. K. Padmanabhan, President, CITU inaugurated the March. Com. P. Abhimanyu, General Secretary, BSNLEU, Com. Tapas Ghosh, Secretary General, BSNL CCWF. Com. Animesh Mitra, Dy General Secretary, BSNLEU etc addressed. On reaching the Corporate Office, an effective and powerful demonstration was held after which a delegation of leaders met the CMD and discussed the issues.

KARNATAKA CIRCLE CONFERENCE HELD ENTHUSIASTICALLY.

The Reception Committee under the leadership of Com. B. Narayana Rao, District Secretary, Mangalore made fine arrangements to hold the 3rd biennial Circle Conference of Karnataka on 12th & 13th October, 2014 at Samruddhi Bhavan, Mangalore. The Circle Executive Committee Meeting was held on 12th October which was addressed by Com. V. A. N. Namboodiri, Advisor and Com. K. G. Jayaraj, General Secretary. Com.R. B. Patil, Circle President presided and Com. K. G. Deshpande, Circle Secretary briefed earlier the points for clarifications from CHQ.

The open session on 13th morning was inaugurated by the Chief Guests by lighting the lamp. Shri. Y. C. Mishra, General Manager, BSNL, Mangalore while addressing the open session wanted to settle the pensioners issues with out delay, once the the issue is brought to his notice. Com. V. A. N. Namboodiri gave a detailed accounts of the decisions of the Coimbatore CEC and the present pathetic condition of BSNL and exhorted for joint efforts to protect it with complete unity of the workers. Com. K. G. Jayaraj, in his address , explained the issues of the pensioners and the efforts being taken by AIBDPA to solve. Com.C. K. Gundanna, Circle Secretary, BSNLEU, Com. G. G. Patil, CHQ Organising Secretary and Com. K. G. Deshpande, Circle Secretary also spoke. Com. P. Harishchandra Rao, Veteran P&T union Leader was honoured. Com. M. Sureshchandra Shetty, Chairman, Reception Committee welcomed the gathering of about 350 pensioners.

In the delegates session the report and audited accounts presented by Com. K. G. Deshpande, Circle Secretary and Com. S. L. Hiremath, Treasurer, respectively, were adopted and all the District Secretaries participated in the discussion on the organaisational matters. There after Office bearers were elected with the following impotant functionaries.

President : Com. Monappa Poojari. Circle Secretary : Com. S. A. BILAGI and Treasurer: Com. C. G. Annigeri.