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Telcos add 37.4 lakh mobile users in August: Trai; BSNL adds 2.14 lakh mobile customers.

Wireless subscribers in the country increased to 114.7 crore at the end of August, with addition of 37.44 lakh users, according to the latest data from telecom regulator Trai. The overall telecom subscriber base (wireless and wireline) increased marginally .

Telcos add 37.4 lakh mobile users in August: TraiNew Delhi: Wireless subscribers in the country increased to 114.7 crore at the end of August, with addition of 37.44 lakh users, according to the latest data from telecom regulator Trai. The overall telecom subscriber base (wireless and wireline) increased marginally to 116.7 crore in August from 116.4 crore in July, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) said on Tuesday.

The total wireless subscriber base grew from 114.4 crore at the end of July to 114.7 crore at the end of August, registering a monthly growth rate of 0.33 per cent.

Wireless subscription in urban areas rose to 62.4 crore at the end of August, while the same in rural areas decreased to 52.2 crore, it added.

Bharti Airtel added 28.99 lakh users, the highest among the players in August, to take its subscriber base to 32.28 crore. Reliance Jio saw its userbase touching 40.26 crore with the addition of 18.64 lakh users in August.

Vodafone Idea lost 12.28 lakh users to take its subscriber base to 30.01 crore at the end of August, the data showed.

State-owned MTNL also lost 6,081 mobile service customers, while BSNL added 2.14 lakh mobile customers.

“Out of the total wireless subscribers (1,147.92 million), 957.43 million were active on the date of peak VLR (visitor location register) in August 2020. The proportion of active wireless subscribers was about 83.41 per cent of the total wireless subscriber base,” Trai said.

Active subscribers are calculated based on reported VLR, a key metric reflecting the number of active users on a mobile network.

Bharti Airtel had the maximum proportion (96.85 per cent) of its active wireless subscribers (VLR), compared with its total wireless subscribers (HLR) on the date of peak VLR in August, it said. HLR stands for home location register.

MTNL had the minimum proportion of VLR (18.39 per cent) of its HLR during the same period, Trai said.

Fixed-line connections increased marginally to 1.989 crore in August from 1.982 crore in July, it added.

The number of broadband subscribers increased to 71.61 crore in August, from 70.54 crore in the preceding month. The top-five service providers constituted 98.89 per cent market share of the total broadband subscriber base.

These include Reliance Jio Infocomm (40.39 crore), Bharti Airtel (15.89 crore), Vodafone Idea (11.99 crore), BSNL (2.37 crore) and Atria Convergence (about 17 lakh)

(Courtesy: Economic Times)

KOLKATA TELECOM FACTORY & STORES MEETING HELD ON 10-11-2020.

The meeting of Kolkata Telecom Factory & Stores has been held physically on 10-11-2020 at the BSNLEU Circle Union Office in Telecom Factory, Kolkata.

Inaugurating the meeting, Com.Adhir Kr Sen, CHQ Vice President and Circle Secretary explained the issues confronting the pensioners including present position of pension revision, non-payment of medical bills, change of base year of CPI, revival of BSNL and the General Strke on 26-11-2020 by Central Trade Unions and Independent Federations.

The meeting decided to participate in the strike campaign and in the Solidarity Dharana called by NCCPA on 25-11-2020.

MAHARASHTRA CIRCLE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING HELD ONLINE ON 10-11-2020.

Maharashtra Circle has held the Circle Executive Committee Meeting online on 10-11-2020. Com.B G Suryavanshi, Circle President presided over the meeting. Com.R N Patil, Circle Secretary welcomed all and presented a brief report.

Com.K G Jayaraj, General Secretary inaugurated the meeting . He congratulated the Circle Branch for earnest efforts to widen our membership and formation of new district branches. General Secretary explained the recent developments covering the issues of VRS retirees, particularly ST category and the efforts of CHQ for settlement. He also reported the present position with regard to pension revision and non-payment of medical bills and allowances. The decision of the National Secretariat of NCCPA to hold Solidarity Dharna on 25-11-2020 in support of the General Strike on 26-11-2020, in which Pensioners issues like pension revision, non-payment of medical bills and allowance, DR freezing, change in the base year of Consumer Price Index are included, was also reported. Email also to be sent to the Finance Minister by all units on 25-11-2020.

Com.A S Chaudhary, CHQ Organising Secretary spoke on organisational issues and appealed to further strengthen the organisation.

NEW AREA BRANCH FORMED AT EDAPPADI UNDER SALEM DISTRICT.

 

A new Area Branch has been formed at Edappadi  under Salem District in Tamil Nadu Circle. The meeting held for this purpose on 08-11-2020 was presided over by Com. P Shanmugam and inaugurated by Com. S Tamilmani, Circle Vice President, BSNLEU. Com.N Kuppusamy, Circle Secretary delivered the special address.

Office Bearers were elected unanimously with the following important functionaries;

President : Com.S Vijay Sundaram,  Secretary : Com. P Shanmugam and Treasurer : Com. D Saravanan.

 

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KERALA CIRCLE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING HELD ONLINE ON 07-11-2020 DECIDES TO HOLD SOLIDARITY DHARNA IN SUPPORT OF THE NATIONAL STRIKE ON 26-11-2020.

Com. V A N Namboodiri, Advisor inaugurated the Kerala Circle Executive Committee Meeting held online on 07-11-2020. He started his inaugural address reminding the importance of the day, 103th Anniversary of the great October Revolution and its impact on world countries. Com. V A N briefly spoke on the important issues confronting the workers, pensioners and the people at large and appealed to extend solidarity to the general Strike on 26-11-2020 called by the central trade unions and independent federations.

Coms. K R R Varma and E P Unnikannan, Vice Presidents controlled the proceedings. Com. N Guruprasad, Circle Secretary welcomed all the participants and presented the report for the intervening period.

Com.P V Chandrasekharan, Patron in his address highlighted the struggles conducted by AIBDPA for the settlement of important demands like pension revision and non-payment of medical bills and allowance. He streesed for further agitation despite some of the pensioners organisations seeking legal remedy for pension revision.

Speaking on organisational issues, Com.K G Jayaraj, General Secretary dealt on the serious national situation, general strike on 26-11-2020 and decision of National Secretariat of NCCPA to hold solidarity Dharna on 25-11-2020 in which pensioners issues like DR freezing, Option 1, pension revision of BSNL pensioners, denial of medical facilities to BSNL retirees, restoration of Railway concession are also included. He also appealed to strengthen the organisation by enrolling more retirees despite the Covid-19 pandemic situation. General Secretary also congratulated the Kerala Circle Branch for ideal and systematic functioning, taking up the issues of the pensioners with right earnest and settlement through continuous efforts. The relief fund collection to the Chief Minister’s distrees relief fund is also praiseworthy.

Coms.S Mohandoss, CHQ Vice President, R Muraleedharan Nair, AGS, R. Aravindakshan Nair, CHQ Treasurer, C Santhoshkumar, Circle Secretary, BSNLEU and Lucy Isac, Convenor, Circle Womens Sub Committee also addressed the meeting. Thereafter, all the District Secretaries and most of the Circle Office bearers participated in the discussion. The discussion mainly centered on non-payment of medical bills and allowance, CGHS issues and pension revision. General Secretary and Circle Secretary replied to the queries raised in the meeting.

The meeting decided to conduct Solidarity Dharna on 25-11-2020 in maximum centres in support of the General Strike on 26-11-2020, adhering to Covid-19 protocol . 40 comrades participated in the meeting and concluded with vote of thanks by Com.K J Sanalkumar, Circle Treasurer. 

AP CIRCLE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING HELD ONLINE SUCCESSFULLY ON 05-11-2020.

As directed by the CHQ the online meeting of AIBDPA AP CIRCLE CEC held on 05/11/2020

.Com.KG Jayaraj , General Secretary in his inaugural address explained the present national situation, Pension revision and medical bills payment.He congratulated AP Comrades for successfully conducting the programmes and directed to observe NCCPA programme of standing Dharna on 25/11/2020  on pensioners demands and to actively support the general strike on 26/11/2020 called by the central trade unions.

Com.P.Asokababu Vice-President CHQ explained in detail the present position of BSNL and demands of the pensioners and requested the pensioner community to participate in strike call given by BSNL Unions on 26/11/2020.

Com.K.Ramadevi Vice-President CHQ BSNLEU thanked the pensioners for participating in all programmes of AUAB and requested to extend the same co-operation on26/11/2020

.Com.K.S.C.Bose CS congratulated all DSs for making the calls of the CHQ successful and gave brief report on the organisational position in AP Circle.Com.MSNReddy, Treasurer submitted financial report.7 circle office bearers and 7 DSs participated in discussion on organisation and problems.2 DSs could not join due to connectivity problems.CS replied on the points raised during discussion and requested the members to make NCCPA programme on 25/11/2020 and to support the general strike on 26/11.The CEC concluded after Com.T.Nageswararao proposed Vote of thanks.

SOLIDARITY DHARNA ON 25-11-2020 IN SUPPORT OF NATIONAL STRIKE ON 26-11-2020- NCCPA CIRCULAR.

The National Secretariat Meeting of NCCPA was held online on 02-11-2020. Representing AIBDPA, Coms. V A N Namboodiri (Patron), K G Jayaraj (Deputy Secretary General), S Mohandoss (Asst. Secretary General) and S S Maurya (Organising Secretary) participated. Participating in the discussion, Com.K G Jayaraj wanted to include the genuine issues of the pensioners, viz, impounding of DA/DR, Change in base year of Consumer Price Index, Suspension of Railway Concession to elders, Denial of Pension Revision to BSNL pensioners due from 01-01-2017 and Non-payment of medical bills and medical allowance to BSNL pensioners since 2018-19. He also suggested one hour Standing Dharna on 25-11-2020 as the Solidarity in support of the general Strike on 26-11-2020. Com.S Mohandoss also participated in the discussion and proposed half day Dharna as Solidarity.

Considering all the suggestions , the Secretariat decided for Dharna/ Demonstration as the Solidarity action and to include the genuine demands of the pensioners.

Accordingly NCCPA has issued the following circular and all our units are requested to implement the decisions in its true spirit.

 
 
NATIONAL COORDINATION COMMITTEE OF PENSIONERS ASSOCIATIONS
13-C Feroze Shah Road, New Delhi.110 001
: www.nccpahq.blogspot.com Email. nccpahq@gmail.com             Dated: 03/11/2020
President: Com. Shiv Gopal Misra, 9717647594
Secretary General:Com. K.K.N. K utty 9811048303
Dear comrades,
The National Sectt. of the NCCPA met on 2nd November, 2020 through video network at 3.00PM. The meeting was presided over by the National President, Com. Shiv Gopa Misra,. The meeting was convened to discuss the following agenda:
1. Support and solidarity action for the one day general strike call of the Working class;
2. Anyother issue of importance with the permission of the President.
The members who participated in the discussions were unanimous of the opinion that the NCCPA must support the strike action as the anti-worker policy of the Government was resonsibile for the decision to deny the dearness relief to pensioners for 18 months and the recent one to change the base year for the computation of the Consumer price index. The meeting noted with concern that there had been no consultation with the trade unions or the employees representatives, when the government takes decision concerning the service matters of the workers.
The meeting also inter alia took note of the serious and unabated spread of corona virus covid 19 in the country and the difficulties to be encountered by the senior citizens. The consequent decision of the Government to restrict mobility especially of senior citizens have made them to be virtually under house arrest. Despite the intense desire to be a participant in the struggles, the meeting noted that the imposed restrictions and the non- availability of public transport in certain areas will constrict them from participating in assembly of people. The genuine apprehension of being a victim of the deadly pandemic was also expressed at the meeting. Taking all those into account, the meeting decided to call upon its affiliate and state units:
(a) To organise sit in dharna or demonstration programme on 25.11.2020 with as many number of comrades as could be mobilised in all important urban agglomerations and State capitals and at the end of the programme send the following message to Ms. Nrmala Seetaraman, Finance Minister, Government of India, North Block, New Delhi through e mail.
Her e mail address is given hereunder:- fmo@nic.in
Text of the message:
Dear Madam,
We support the one day general strike of the working class in the country and request you to settle the issues they had projected. We also request you to kindly concede the following important demands of the pensioners urgently;
(a) Release the Dearness Relief impounded;
(b) Implement Option No. 1 of pension fitment formula as third option.
(c) Reimburse the medical expenses of all pensioners and clear the pending medical bills of BSNL pensioners
(d)Implment the pension revision from 1.1.2017 to BSNL pensioners;
e) Revise the pension of PNB employees without further delay;
(f) Restore the rail travel facilities to senior citizens.
(g) Sanction festival gant of 20,000 to pensioners/family pensioners.
Those who could not attend the dharma programme due to difficulty of travel etc, may send the above message by e mail to the finance minister on 25th November 2020
(b) Ensure that the wall posters, play card etc. are exhibited at the dharma venue depicting that NCCPA support for the one day general strike on 26th November, 2020
(c) It was also decided that the NCCPA CHQ will issue a press Statement in support of the strike. The same will be placed on our website as also conveyed to all affiliates and State Committees through whatsaps.
The demand for festival grant or advance was raised and the President was requested to take up the issue with the Finance Secretary. Com. President said that the workers have not appreciated the conditions imposed by the Government for the festival advance. Demanding the advance will amount to acceptance of the same conditions, which would make it worthless. However, he agreed to take up the issue of festival grant for the pensioners as a special case in view of the pandemic.
Com. V.A. N. Namboodiri, who had to leave the meeting halfway due to technical problems wanted the NCCPA to ask the Railways to rescind their decision to withdraw the Senior Citizen Facilities. The NCCPA will forward a resolution in the matter to the Railway Board Chairman. The copy of the Press Statement and the resolution demanding restoration of the senior citizen facilities will be sent to you separately.
With greetings,
Yours fraternally,
K.K.N Kutty
Secretary General.

 

Conspiracy deepens to kill BSNL.

Conspiracy deepens to kill BSNL.

The committee that has been formed by the government, in the aftermath of the cancellation of BSNL’s 4G tender, for suggesting the roadmap for BSNL’s 4G service launching, has reportedly submitted it’s recommendations. The suggestions of the Committee clearly indicate the government wants to convert BSNL into a sick company, by delaying it’s 4G launching.

As per media reports, the DoT Committee has recommended that a system integrator will build and manage BSNL’s 4G network. The “system integrator” will be an Indian Company, which will be given the responsibility of procuring the hardware and software from different vendors and to assemble them.

It is important to note that, all the private telecom operators have built their networks by a single vendor, through turnkey contracts. According to the “turnkey contract”, a single vendor will manage the networks, under Managed Services Agreement. However, in the “system integrator” model, multiple vendors will be involved, which will lead to technical problems. 

As regards the “system integrator model”, the ET Telecom has published the following news item on 12th October, 2020:-

“Any move to adopt the system integrator model, with a preference to home-grown vendors, for building BSNL’s 4G network, will result in cost inefficiencies, hurting the telco’s capability to compete in the market, industry experts and analysts said. They said that the System Integrator (SI) model and expertise of local players in building a 4G network, including both radio and core products, are largely unproven.

All these only shows that the conspiracy to kill BSNL, is deepening. All the unions and associations have to come together, to stop it

( Courtesy: BSNLEU website)