JAO results -review of SC/ST in Tamil Nadu circle.

JAO_Review of SC/ST

Public Sector units disinvestment.

To take an example is an investor of market leader ONGC. Despite being the largest oil producer in the country, a retail investor will perhaps be better off holding shares in private competitors like Cairn India or Reliance Industries . Why so? ONGC operates in a fully regulated regime where almost 30-40 % of its profits are shaved off bearing subsidy burdens for its brethren in the refining and marketing space. Also, the subsidy sharing is totally ad hoc, where the company or the investor is left to guess how much of the company's earnings will go towards subsidies.

As per the policy ONGC like every other oil producer is permitted to sell crude oil benchmarked to the internal oil price. Thanks to the government's skewed pricing policy ONGC ends up selling oil at a discounted price anywhere between 20% and 30%, if not more. Even this could be acceptable as oil producing companies, in other countries as well, chip in to share the subsidy given to consumers at abnormal times (when crude oil prices are abysmally high) through special profit petroleum tax. To know more........

Psu-divestment-clear-the-mess

From 01 04 2010   

IDA due for non executives : 6.5%  ( totally77.5%)  

IDA for executives              :  3.9%  (totally 34.8%)                                                             :  

Strike and Dies non.

Q. Comparatively executive associations are organizing the joint agitations more effectively?

A. That is true. However it does not mean that your SDE/DE will not serve memo or Diesnon if you go on strike. Knowing this fact, non-executives should organize the strike effectively.

Q. Whether Pitroda committee recommendations are good or bad?

A. It should be an expert committee otherwise how Shri Pitroda can offer such recommendations sitting in U.S. and also without consulting the major stakeholders of BSNL i.e., its workforce.

K. Vallinayagam
G.S.   FNTO

BSNL MRS order on cataract clarification.

BSNLMRS%20Clarification.pdf

DOT JAC meeting.

DOT-JAC meeting to discuss strike demands is advanced to 01 04 2010 at New Delhi.

http://www.bsnleuchq.com/JAC%20meeting.pdf 

Tamil nadu JAC.

Circle Level Joint Action Committee met recently Chennai.  FNTO Circle Jt. Secretary P.Andiappan  participated in the meeting.  
President: NFTE Com. Pattabhiraman,Convenor: BSNLEU Com.Chellappa 
Treasurer: Com Veerapandian.

It has been decided to jointly mobilise for the Indefinite Strike from 20th April 2010.  Joint Action Committees are to be formed in all SSAs comprising all unions and associations.  Preparatory meetings are to be conducted in all SSAs.  During 15th, 16th and 17th April 2010,  Joint Meetings will be conducted in Coimbatore, Trichy, Madurai and Salem and addressed by nominated Office-bearers of all unions/associations.  In Chennai efforts will be made to hold a Joint Press Meet on 19th April 2010.
In Cuddalore JAC has been formed already and successfully conducted dharna.
Tamil Nadu circle JAC meets at Chennai on 01 04 2010.

Mobile Number Portability to be delayed.

 NEW DELHI: The implementation of mobile number portability (MNP) — which allows customers to retain their cellphone numbers, but change operators — has been postponed by three months to June 30, the government said in a statement. ET first reported the possibility of missing the deadline in the edition dated March 12.

This will be the third time that the country will miss the deadline for implementing this facility. The earlier date for introducing MNP was December 2009 in the metros and the category A circles, while March 31 was set as the launch date for the rest of the country. To know more......

Market share of operators.

 The operators share is very much explained in this article. Landline share is going down. But the market share of cellular subscribers is being debated very well. Actually many operators have started to distribute free sim cards to boost their market share. After the talk value is over, it is simply thrown. But that is shown as market share. A comment has been made that market share can be very well determined by outgoing calls made from a sim.
 To read more....
Market share of variious operators.

9 companies for 3 G

All 9 companies applied for 3 G will participate in the auction. Government is planning to get in crores through this auction. To know more please click...

All-9-telecom-companies-qualify-for-3G-spectrum-auction/articleshow/5743200.cms

    
     Dharna organised jointly  by FNTO  NFTE BSNLEU SNEA AIBSNLEA AIBCTES BSNLPEWA
         ON 26 03 10. AT Cuddalore.

26 03 2010 Dharna-speech by F NTO Dist. Secretary and Circle Treasurer

Dharna at Cuddalore 26 03 10

                  Dharna at Cuddalore 26 03 10

BSNL CMD's plans .

BSNL CMD's plans to improve BSNL. In his interview he has explained many things. 

 To know more please read:
BSNL CMD's plans .

05 04 2010 meeting

DOT and Joint Action committee leaders meet to discuss our demands  on 05 04 2010. Be prepared for strike if our demands  fail to materialise.

Indian Airlines-Air India -political intervention?

Air India and Indian Airlines is going red.  Due to political intervention , they are not able to make profit. A comparison has been made with Singapore airlines which is making profit. The Prime Minister of that nation is also flying like others. To read more...http://www.business-standard.com/india/storypage.php?autono=389981 

Profits made by BSNL- Due to wage bill profits decrease

It also plans to contain costs by making a fundamental shift in its procurement policy. Instead of following the decades-old system of ordering and buying a fixed number of mobile lines, BSNL recently floated a request for proposal (RFP) for a “managed capacity” model, which means outsourcing its network operations and management like private competitors do. The new contracts will be for a duration of two to three years.
The change has been prompted by recommendations from the Sam Pitroda committee to scrap a 93 million line GSM order due to various controversies.
The BSNL board has accepted the recommendation.
Ahead of the new contract, the company has also prepared a contingency plan to meet its immediate need for new capacity. It will issue an additional order of 5-10 million lines to Ericsson, its current vendor, which has supplied equipment in the north and east. In the south and west, the company has 20 million lines under installation, which is considered sufficient to meet demand for the next 12 months.
Goel admitted, however, that the company might slip into the red this year on account of arrears on wages that have been raised. “We had a net profit of Rs 175 crore for the half-year ended December this year and were expecting profits of Rs 200 crore to Rs 300 crore at the end of the financial year. If we have to pay arrears on wages, which comes to around Rs 3,700 crore, we will surely make a loss this year.”
He also admitted that profits have been impacted by a drop in wireline revenues.
To read further ...

In America 41 banks closed Report from Dina malar Tamil daily

அமெரிக்காவில் திவாலான வங்கிகளின் எண்ணிக்கை 41 ஆக உயர்வு

மார்ச் 28,2010,16:07

நியூயார்க் : அமெரிக்காவில் இன்று மேலும் 3 வங்கிகள் மூடப்பட்டுள்ளன. இதன் மூலம் அமெரிக்காவில் திவாலானதால் மூடப்பட்ட வங்கிகளின் எண்ணிக்கை 41 ஆக அதிகரித்துள்ளது. மார்ச் மாதத்தில் மட்டும் 19 வங்கிகள் மூடப்பட்டுள்ளது குறிப்பிடத்தக்கது. பெடரல் டெபாஷிட் இன்சூரன்ஸ் கார்ப்பரேஷன் நிறுவனம் 8000 வங்கிகளில் முதலீடு செய்துள்ளது. அதில் 4ஐ மார்ச் 26ம் தேதியன்று மூடியது. இதற்காக 320 அமெரிக்க டாலர்களை எஃப்டிஐசி., நிறுவனம் செலவிட்டுள்ளது. இதனால் வேலையிழந்தவர்களின் எண்ணிக்கையும் 9 சதவீதத்தை தாண்டி உள்ளது. ஆனால் 2009ம் ஆண்டின் கடைசி 3 மாதங்களில் அமெரிக்க பொருளாதாரம் 5.6 சதவீதம் உயர்ந்துள்ளது.

Corporate -ethics -PSUs.

Corporate-ethics-rules-must-for-PSUs

New companies bill

New-companies-bill-to-facilitate-guide-gen-next-joining-family-biz-Khurshid

TTA upgradation. court case

TTA%20upgradation

BSNL -Loss

BSNL-likely-to-net-Rs-3641cr-loss 

From Dinamalar about BSNL employees dharna

கடலூர்: பி.எஸ்.என்.எல்., அதிகாரிகள் - ஊழியர்கள் சங்கங்களின் கூட்டமைப்பு சார்பில் கடலூரில் தர்ணா நடந்தது.
ஒரு லட்சம் ஊழியர் களை குறைக்கும் திட் டத்தை உடனே நிறுத்த வேண்டும். அவுட் சோர் சிங் திட்டத்தை கைவிட வேண்டும் உள்ளிட்ட பல்வேறு கோரிக்கைகளை வலியுறுத்தி பி.எஸ்.என்.எல்., பொதுமேலாளர் அலுவலகம் முன் தர்ணா நடந்தது. இதில் எம்ப்ளாயீஸ் யூனியன் மாவட்ட செயலாளர் சம்பந்தம், சுந்தரமூர்த்தி, ஜெயராமன், பாண்டுரங்கன், வாசுதேவன் உள்ளிட்டோர் பங்கேற்றனர்.

மதுரை

3.பி.எஸ்.என்.எல்., பணிகள் பாதிப்பு : அதிகாரிகள், ஊழியர்கள் தர்ணா

மதுரை : மதுரை மாவட்டத்தில் பி.எஸ்.என்.எல்., அதிகாரிகள் மற்றும் ஊழியர்கள் சங்கங்களின் கூட்டமைப்பு சார்பில் நடந்த போராட்டத்தால், நேற்று பணிகள் பாதிக்கப்பட்டன. பி.எஸ்.என்.எல்., பொது மேலாளர் அலுவலகம் முன் நடந்த தர்ணாவிற்கு ஊழியர் சங்க மாவட்ட தலைவர் வேலுச் சாமி தலைமை வகித்தார்.
கூட்டமைப்பின் கன்வீனர் சூரியன் பேசியதாவது: பி.எல்.என்.எல்., வளர்ச்சியை உயர்த்துவதாக, பிரதமர் மன்மோகன்சிங் சாம்பிட்ரோடா தலைமையில் அமைத்த குழு, தனது பரிந்துரைகளை மார்ச் 5ல் வழங்கியது. அது பி.எல்.என்.எல்., நிறுவனத்தை சீரழிப்பதற்கான பரிந்துரையாகவே உள்ளது. குறிப்பாக பி.எஸ்.என்.எல்., பங்குகளை முப்பது சதவீதம் விற்பது, ஒரு லட்சம் ஊழியர்களை வி.ஆர்.எஸ்., மூலம் அனுப்புவது போன்ற பரிந்துரைகள் இடம் பெற்றுள்ளன. இதனை மத்திய அரசு ஏற்ககூடாது. இதனை வலியுறுத்தி அனைத்து தொழிற் சங்கங்களும் பங்கேற்கும் காலவரையற்ற வேலை நிறுத்தம் ஏப்., 20ல் நடைபெறும், என்றார்.
என்.எப்.டி.இ., மாநில அமைப்பு செயலாளர் லட்சம், பி.எஸ்.என்.எல்.இ.யு., மாநில அமைப்பு செயலாளர் செல்வின் சத்தியராஜ், டபிள்யு.ஆர்.யு., மாநில செயலர் பாஸ்கரன் உட்பட பல தொழிற்சங்க நிர்வாகிகள் பங்கேற்றனர். மதுரை மாவட்டத்தில் பி.எஸ்.என்.எல்., ஊழியர்கள் 2600 பேர் பணிபுரிகின்றனர். இவர்களில் 700 க்கும் மேற்பட்டோர், தர்ணா போராட்டத்தில் பங்கேற்றதால், அனைத்து பி.எல்.என்.எல்., அலுவலக பணிகளில் பாதிப்புகள் ஏற்பட்டன.

பி.எஸ்.என்.எல். ஊழியர்கள் ஆர்ப்பாட்டம்

திருவண்ணாமலை:தி.மலையில் பின்.எஸ். என்.எல். அதிகாரிகள் மற் றும் ஊழியர் சங்கங்களின் கூட்டமைப்பு சார்பில் ஆர்ப்பாட்டம் நடந்தது.பி.எஸ்.என்.எல். நிறுவனத்தின் 30 சதவீத பங்குகளை விற்பனை செய்யும் திட்டத்தை கைவிட வேண்டும். விருப்பு ஓய்வு திட்டத்தின் கீழ் ஒரு லட்சம் ஊழியர்களை வெளியேற்றும் திட்டத்தை நடைமுறைப்படுத்த கூடாது. 9 கோடி செல்போன் இணைப்புகளுக்காக புதிய கருவிகளை வாங்கும் டெண்டரை உடனே அமல்படுத்த வேண்டும் என்பது உட்பட பல கோரிக்கைகளை வலியுறுத்தி தி.மலையில் துணை பொதுமேலாளர் அலுவலகம் முன்பாக ஆர்ப்பாட்டம் நடந்தது.


பிஎஸ்என்எல்., அதிகாரிகள் ஊழியர்கள் நெல்லையில் தர்ணா திருநெல்வேலி

திருநெல்வேலி : நெல்லையில் பல்வேறு கோரிக்கைகளை வலியுறுத்தி பிஎஸ்என்எல்., அதிகாரிகள் மற்றும் ஊழியர்கள் தர்ணா போராட்டத்தில் ஈடுபட்டனர்.
பிஎஸ்என்எல்., 30 சதவீத பங்குகளை விற்கும் திட்டத்தை கைவிட வேண்டும். ஒரு லட்சத்திற்கும் மேற்பட்ட ஊழியர்கள், அதிகாரிகளுக்கு விருப்ப ஓய்வு கொடுக்கும் திட்டத்தை கைவிட வேண்டும். பிஎஸ்என்எல்., காப்பர் கேபிளை தனியாருக்கு தாரைவார்க்கும் திட்டத்தை கைவிட வேண்டும். அந்தஸ்து பெற்ற அதிகாரிகள் என்ற முறையில் பிஎஸ்என்எல்., நிறுவனத்தில் பணிபுரிந்து வரும் ஐ.டி.எஸ்., அதிகாரிகளை பிஎஸ்என்எல்., நிரந்த அதிகாரிகளாக மாற்ற வேண்டும் உட்பட பல்வேறு கோரிக்கைகளை வலியுறுத்தி பிஎஸ்என்எல்., அதிகாரிகள் மற்றும் ஊழியர்கள் நேற்று தர்ணா பேராட்டத்தில் ஈடுபட்டனர்.
நெல்லை வண்ணார்பேட்டை பிஎஸ்என்எல்., பொதுமேலாளர் அலுவலகம் முன் நடந்த தர்ணா போராட்டத்திற்கு எஸ்என்இஏ., மாவட்ட தலைவர் சிவாஜி, பிஎஸ்என்எல்., ஊழியர்கள் சங்க மாவட்ட தலைவர் கோபாலன், அகில இந்திய பிஎஸ்என்எல்., ஊழியர்கள் சங்க மாவட்ட தலைவர் ஈகையா, என்எப்டிஇ., ராஜ்குமார் தலைமை வகித்தனர். தர்ணாவில் பல்வேறு சங்கங்களை சேர்ந்த ஸ்ரீதர், மரிய அந்தோணி, ராமகிருஷ்ணன், கார்த்திகேயன், பெருமாள்ராஜ் உட்பட ஏராளமானோர் கலந்து கொண்டனர்.

பி.எஸ்.என்.எல்., ஊழியர்கள் தர்ணா போராட்டம் 

சேலம்:



சேலம்: பி.எஸ்.என்.எல்., அதிகாரிகள், ஊழியர்கள் கூட்டு நடவடிக்கை குழு சார்பில் பல்வேறு கோரிக்கைகளை வலியுறுத்தி தர்ணா போராட்டம் நடந்தது. சேலம் பி.எஸ்.என்.எல்., அதிகாரிகள், ஊழியர்கள் கூட்டு நடவடிக்கை குழு சார்பில் நேற்று பல்வேறு கோரிக்கைகளை வலியுறுத்தி சீரங்கபாளையம் பி.எஸ்.என்.எல்., பொது மேலாளர் அலுவலகம் முன் தர்ணா போராட்டம் நடந்தது. கூட்டு நடவடிக்கை குழு தலைவர் நூருல்லா தலைமை வகித்தார். கன்வீனர் கோபால் முன்னிலை வகித்தார்.

சாம் பிட்ரோடா தலைமையில் அமைக்கப்பட்ட கமிட்டியின் பிற்போக்கான மக்கள் மற்றும் ஊழியர் விரோத பரிந்துரைகள் அமல்படுத்த கூடாது. 30 சதவீத பி.எஸ்.என்.எல்., பங்குகளை விற்பனை செய்யக்கூடாது. காப்பர் கேபிள்களை தனியார் வசம் விடக்கூடாது. பி.எஸ்.என்.எல்., வேலைகளை தனியாருக்கு ஒப்படைக்கக்கூடாது என்பது உள்ளிட்ட கோரிக்கையை வலியுறுத்தி கூட்டு நடவடிக்கை குழுவினர் தர்ணா போராட்டத்தில் ஈடுபட்டனர்.

.பி.எஸ்.என்.எல்., ஊழியர் சங்க கூட்டமைப்பினர் போராட்டம்


தஞ்சாவூர் : தஞ்சையில் பி.எஸ்.என்.எல். அனைத்து ஊழியர் சங்க கூட்டமைப்பு சார்பில் தர்ணா போராட்டம் நடந்தது.பி.எஸ்.என்.எல். நிறுவனத்தின் 30 சதவீத பங்கு விற்பனையை கைவிடக்கோரியும், ஒரு லட்சம் ஊழியர்களை விருப்ப ஓய்வுத் திட்டத்தில் வீட்டுக்கு அனுப்பக்கூடாது என்பது உட்பட பல்வேறு கோரிக்கைகளை வலியுறுத்தி இந்த போராட்டம் நடந்தது.ஏ.ஐ.டி.யூ.சி. மாவட்ட செயலாளர் சந்திரகுமார் தர்ணா போராட்டத்தை தொடங்கி வைத்தார். பல்வேறு சங்க நிர்வாகிகள் நடராஜா, சிவசிதம்பரம், சவுந்தர்ராஜன், ரவிச்சந்திரன், கார்த்திகேயன் மற்றும் பலர் பங்கேற்றனர். சி.ஐ.டி.யூ. மாவட்ட செயலாளர் மனோகரன் தர்ணா போராட்டத்தை முடித்து வைத்து பேசினார்.

வேலூர்:வேலூர் டெலிபோன் பவன் முன்பு மாவட்ட பி.எஸ்.என்.எல்., அலுவலர்கள் மற்றும் ஊழியர்கள் சங்கங்களின் கூட்டமைப்பு சார்பில் பல கோரிக்கைகளை வலியுறுத்தி தர்ணா நடந்தது. மாவட்ட செயலாளர் ஞானசேகரன் தலைமை வகித்தார். கோட்ட தலைவர் தசரதன் தொடங்கி வைத்தார்.நிர்வாகத்தை பன்னாட் டுக்கு தாரை வார்க்கும் 'சாம் பிட் ரோடா' கமிட்டி பரிந்துரையை கண்டித்து கோஷங்கள் எழுப்பப்பட்டது.மாலையில் மாவட்ட தலைவர் ராஜாராம், போராட்டத்தை முடித்து வைத்தார்.

BSNL staff stage dharna at various places  Coimbatore The Hindu
Staff Reporter Coimbatore: The Joint Forum of BSNL Unions and Associations staged dharna at various places in Coimbatore, Pollachi and Tirupur on Friday urging the government to take steps for stopping the declining profit graph.
The associations said that since 2006, the profit margins had been consistently coming down and the committee led by Sam Pitroda, formed by the Prime Minister, had given some recommendations. Some of the recommendations were not employee-friendly and objective-oriented.
The forum sought procurement of equipment without delay, increasing cellular service, waiving of charges due from BSNL, insulating BSNL from government interference and bringing ITS officers under the BSNL fold.
The forum has decided to go in for an indefinite strike from April 20.

BSNL staff protest Sam Pitroda panel report
Special Correspondent. HYDERABAD: Members of the Joint Action Committee of BSNL non-executive and executive unions and associations staged a day-long dharna here on Friday to protest against the report of the committee headed by Sam Pitroda recommending disinvestment and outsourcing.
JAC chairman Rajamouli and convenor Sampath Kumar, while addressing the gathering, said the Committee's report would lead to removal of one lakh out of the three lakh BSNL employees either by retrenchment or by enforcing VRS.
They demanded purchase of GSM (Global Standards for Mobile Communication) equipment to handle 9 crore additional connections and absorption of Indian Telecom Service officers into the BSNL as permanent employees. P. Ashok Babu, assistant general secretary of the BSNL Employees Association alleged that tax rebates to the tune of Rs. 60,000 crore were given to big investors and private operators in 2008-09 and Rs. 30,000 crore in the current fiscal. The JAC includes BSNL Employees Union, National Federation of Telecom Employees, All-India BSNL Employees Union, All-India BSNL Executives Association and Sanchar Nigam Employees Union.

Delhi CHQ news

All India Dharna Programme – A Grand Success.

Dharna Programme today all over India was a Grand Success, reports our Circle Secretaries and organizers. We congratulate all the workers participated in the agitation.

Dharna in front of Delhi BSNL Bhavan

Large gathering attended in Dharna Programme held at Delhi today in the lawns of BSNL Bhavan. Shri VAN Namboothiri, Convener, inaugurated the agitation by 10 am. S/Shri Suresh GS BSNL MS, Prahalad Rai GS AIBSNLEA, SP Sharma President RTEU, V Subburaman GS TEPU, JL Jogi GS SNEA and other leaders addressed the gathering. K Vallinayagam GS FNTO in his address elaborated the outcome of the meetings with Shri Gurudhas Kamath HMOSC & IT. He also stressed the need of organizing the agitation effectively while negotiating with Management and Govt.


CHQ office bearers BC Pathak Finance Secretary, BD Sharma Publication Secretary, Madhu Trivedi Vice President and Circle Union Leaders, Balraj, Mohinder and others participated in the Dharna.

Meeting with Shri SC Misra Member Services DOT:

A delegation of FNTO leaders comprising of Shri K Vallinayagam GS, BC Pathak FS, BD Sharma PS and Mohinder DS Delhi met Shri S.C. Misra, Member Services DOT as a courtesy call and conveyed FNTO greeting on his elevation as member of Telecom Commission


K. Vallinayagam
GS FNTO

Dharna at Delhi 26 03 10.

JOINT ACTION COMMITTEE OF

BSNL ASSOCIATIONS / UNIONS

           

NEW DELHI

                                                                             

Press Release                                                                                    26^th  March 2010

More than 2 lakh BSNL workers participated in the Dharna organized in about 400 centres in the country protesting against the proposals to disinvest 30% shares, retrench one lakh workers through VRS, as also settlement of ITS Officers absorption in BSNL, procurement of sufficient mobile lines and pension revision of BSNL absorbed DOT employees. Massive Dharna participated by thousands of employees were hold at Kolkata, Chennai, Bangalore, Hyderabad etc.

In Delhi, thousands of workers sat in dharna before Bharat Sanchar Bhawan, Corporate Office of BSNL, which has inaugurated by V.A.N. Namboodiri, convener, Joint Council of Action. Shri Prahlad Rai (AIBSNLEA), G.L. Jogi (SNEA), V.Subburaman (TEPU), R.K. Kohli (NFTE), K. Vallinayagam (FNTO), S.P. Sharma (BSNLWRU), Suresh Kumar (BSNLMS), N.D. Ram (SEWA BSNL), D.P. Patwa (AIBCTES), Hari Singh (BTU BSNL), R.S. Yadav (ATM BSNL), P. Abhimanyu (BSNLEU), H.P. Singh (BSNLOA) and other leaders addressed.

The Joint Action Committee of the BSNL Association/Unions have already given notice for indefinite strike from 20^th April 2010 on the above demands.    

                                                                 

                                                                                        

Dharna at various places in Tamil Nadu Circle.

At Chennai : Before Tamil Nadu CGM office

The dharna was presided by FNTO P.Andiappan, NFTE Tamizhmani,AIBSNLEA Chandrasekaran and BSNLEU Com Prema

Leaders who spoke on the occasion were: FNTO D.Chandransekaran,
NFTE Pattabhi, BSNLEU Chellappa, SNEA Asokan,AIBSNLEA Veerapandian
Sewa BSNL Perumal , OBC Prasad,& AIBSNLOA members participated

BSNLEU Bargunan delivered vote of thanks.

At Cuddalore before GM office:

NFTE P.Sundaramoorthy presided the dharna.
Speakers:
NFTE G. Jayaraman,Anbalagan, Sridhar,Loganathan
FNTO C.A.Doss and R..V.Jayaraman
BSNLEU : K.T.Sambandam,Meganathan,Muthuvel & Muthukumarasamy
SNEA : Balakrishnan,Pandurangan,Radhakrishnan DE,Senthilkumaran,Ilangovan
AIBCTES: Velayutham and Vetrivel
BSNL PEWA: K.Shanmugam and Harikrishnan
AIBSNLEA: S.Rajanayakam and P.K.Periasamy

At Vellore:

BSNLEU Gnanasekaran presided the meeting.
Those who spoke :
FNTO: Mohanaevel,Velayutham
NFTE Chennakesavan,Pannerselvam and Mathiazagan
Sewa BSNL: Venkatesan,Sargunam,D.Ravi and Bharathithasan
BSNLEU: Elumalai and Thangavel
TEPu: Thangaraj and P.Mani

At Salem

NFTE Noorulla presided the dharna.
Speakers: FNTO C.Kamalakoothan,BSNLEU Tamilmani,SNEA
M.R.Thiagarajan,AIBSNLEA Ganapathy, Sewa BSNL Kaliappan,Mohan
BSNLEU Gopal T.Palani.& WRU Venkatraman


At Madurai:

NFTE Vijayarangan,FNTO Mahalingam,TEPU Swaminathan,BSNLEU Velusamy jointly presided the dharna.

Speakers: FNTO Muthukumar,Bargunan,Manoharan,NFTE Rajendran,Madurai Sethu,BSNLEU Sooriyan,Srinivan,SNEA Alagarsami and other lead

At Nagercoil
Dharna at NGC under the chairmanship of Mr S.Arumugam FNTO. Inagurated by K.George DS BSNLEU;Speakers Shri. R.Selvasubramonian DS NFTE;S.Titus Sam, DS SC/ST Welfare Assn;R.Rajendran ADS AIBSNLOA;G.Atchdanand Circle Organising Secy FNTO;C.Palanisamy Asst Circle Secy BSNLEU;Rajasekaran CS AIBSNLOA & RR Balasubramanian ACS AIBSNLOA. Shri. C Gopalakrishnan DS SNEA concluded the Dharna.
More than 250 members participated in Dharna.

JAO OFFICIATING -Tamil Nadu circle.

JAO OFFICIATING. FNTO congratulates all who were instrumental for promotion of officials to JAOs.

26 03 10 JAC met Minister.

Meeting with Shri Gurudas Kamath, MOSC & IT

As per schedule, the staff side had a meeting with Shri Gurudas Kamath,  MOSC & IT at 11.00 hours to-day at Sanchar Bhavan. All Executives and Non-Executives Unions participated in the meeting. Shri K. Vallinayagam, GS represented FNTO.

Shri Gurudas Kamath, MOSC & IT extended a warm well come to all Unions and Associations. At the outset informed us that Govt. will consult the staff side on various issues raised by JAC.  He also assured that the meetings will be held at CMD/Secy DoT levels to sort out the issues. He also mentioned there is no reason to panic.

The staff side members insisted that the demands notified by them have to be taken seriously.  Especially ITS Absorption, ensuring supply of GM equipments, no disinvestment, VRS, Pension Revision   etc should be given serious consideration. The JAC also pointed out the inordinate delay in respect of wage revision for non executives.

It was a sort of preliminary meeting and Hon Minister availed the opportunity to convey the govt. message that the staff interests will be kept in mind to avoid a strike.

K. Vallinayagam
GS FNTO

26 03 10. Dharna

Make today 26 03 10 dharna successful one to achieve our demands-to stop disinvestment,VRS,outsourcing etc.

Videocon sub 1 paise

CHENNAI: The $4-billion Videocon Group is set to invest Rs 14,000 crore in its mobile service division over the next three years. Pegging itself
as a service provider for ‘everyone’, the company is targeting new users to begin with, but is also betting on migration, once number portability comes in place, Videocon Group chairman Venugopal Dhoot told reporters during the national launch of its GSM mobile service in Chennai on Thursday.

Videocon, which is the latest entrant in the mobile service arena, which has seen the likes of other new players like Tata Docomo, MTS and Uninor marking their entry last year, is marketing its service with a “sub 1 paise effective tariff” to attract customers.

“We are targeting 100 million users in three years and hope to break even in two years,” Mr Dhoot said, confident of turning profitable by being a volume player. To begin with, Videocon will launch its service across 100 cities in the Haryana, Gujarat, Kerala, Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Mumbai circles in 100 days. It hopes to be operational at the pan-India level by September end.

Mr Dhoot said he was also confident of bagging 3G licences, which Videocon has bid for in all circles, barring Delhi and Mumbai. The Videocon Group reported revenues of $4 billion in fiscal year ending March 31, 2009. It hopes to touch the $10-billion mark by 2013, out of which close to $4 billion would come from its mobile service operations. Of the total investment of Rs 14,000 crore in the new business over a three-year period, Rs 7,000 crore has been tied up with SBI.

The company has tied up a network of 70,000 base stations across the country. In Tamil Nadu, the same stands at 3,000. Videocon Mobile Services is envisaging an investment of around Rs 1,500 crore in the state with presence across 50,000 retail outlets by the year-end.

The group went in for an image makeover, reinventing itself with a new logo in 2008. Last year, it hopped on to the mobile handset bandwagon and also launched its direct-to-home service.

JAC for talks.

Shri Gurudas Kamat Hon. Minister of State-Communications has invited Joint Action Committee for talks on 26 03 2010.  Our programme of dharna continues.

promotion policy

Promotion policy -better quality for viewing and to  print- source nfte vellore

BSNL workers plan strike to protest retrenchment

BSNL workers plan strike to protest retrenchment
Our Bureau
New Delhi, March 24  Business line
Over three lakh employees of Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd plan to go on indefinite strike from April 20 to protest against the proposals of a committee headed by Mr Sam Pitroda.
The committee had suggested a 15-point turnaround plan including downsizing the company by one lakh workers and 30 per cent stake sale through an Initial Public Offering or to a strategic partner.
“The employees are completely against the proposed disinvestment of BSNL which is neither necessary for growth nor in the interest of the nation and the workers. The recommendation of Sam Pitroda Committee to retrench one lakh workers through VRS route is unwarranted. More than one lakh employees have retired after formation of BSNL and within the next 5 years about 60,000 employees will retire. The 6 lakh workers in Department of Telecom in 1986 has now been reduced to three lakhs,” said Mr V A N Namboodiri, Convenor of the Joint Action Committee of BSNL Unions / Associations.
“Outsourcing and unbundling of copper cables will only help private companies at the cost of BSNL. In fact, the immediate requirement of BSNL is to procure required mobile lines since the 93 million lines tender has been scrapped by BSNL Board,” he added.
Another demand of the union is that the Government should ensure pension revision to the retired BSNL employees absorbed from DoT.
“Despite these concerns have been brought to the notice of the management several times, not even a meeting had been held by the management. Such important decisions of disinvestment, tender issues, development etc, are taken by management without any consultation with the employees who have big stakes in the future of the company,” said a press statement.
If the Government does not step in time to resolve the imbroglio, over 60 million subscribers and about 29 million fixed line users could expect disrupted telecom services.
  :

Not able to toe

Govt recalls Deepak from BSNL board

Press Trust of India / New Delhi March 19, 2010, 15:30 IST

The government today replaced J S Deepak, its second nominee on the BSNL Board.

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Deepak was a government nominee Director on the board of the state-run telco along with R N Jha.
The moves comes within months of the government deciding to remove an earlier Director P K Mittal from the Board. Jha, who is the DDG (IR) of DoT had succeeded Mittal.

According to sources, a decision on this regard had been taken on March 16. However, the person declined to state the reason for the replacement.

The two government directors Deepak and Mittal had earlier dissented with the board on the award of the tender for 93 million GSM lines.

They were not in favour of the huge tender, which was later scrapped following the recommendations of a Prime Ministerial panel.

The committee headed by Sam Pitroda, advisor to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, had suggested BSNL to scrap its controversial 93-million GSM lines tender.

BSNL Workers to go on indefinite strike from April 20

Corporate
BSNL Workers to go on indefinite strike from April 20
TT Correspondent |  New Delhi |  24 Mar 2010
BSNL’s employees including of Executive cadre as well as Non-Executive cadre totaling more than 3 lakh have announced that they will go on indefinite strike from April 20, 2010. The Unions demand include Settlement of  ITS Absorption issue, No Disinvestment / No Privatisation of BSNL, No Retrenchment / No VRS, No Unbundling of Last Mile Copper & Other Infrastructure, No Outsourcing, Immediate Procurement of Mobile Lines and Ensure IDA Pension Revision to BSNL Retirees. “The non-settlement of absorption of ITS officers in BSNL and the continued deputation for more than 9 years have resulted in utter confusion causing irreparable damage to the development and expansion of BSNL,” said a joint statement issued by the Unions. The Unions have also demanded greater role of the employees in the decision-making process of the company. The Unions will hold a massive dharna on march 26, 2010 at Corporate Office Delhi Circle and SSA Head Quarters.

Pitroda's effect?

BSNL-opts-for-small-tender-equipment-buy-model/articleshow/5720823.cms

Dot wants to improve wireless broadband.

DoT-wants-govt-cos-to-drive-wireless-broadband-play/articleshow/5720844.cms

Promotion orders released

The New Promotion orders have been released. To get the orders CLICK HERE

Tenure stations other than Tamil Nadu

Review of tenure stations in other circles. source AIBSNLOA site

PPF -income tax purposes.

Public provident fund-income tax purposes.

NUBSNLW(FNTO) meeting at Villupuram - Dharna on 26 03 10.

Villlupuram FNTO branch is conducting  a meeting today 26 03 10 at Villupuram to know about ill effects of Pitroda report.

Com Anthonysamy presides the meeting. Com Ramalingam Branch Secretary welcomes the gathering.

FNTO Dist. Secretary R.V.Jayaraman, Asst.Circle Secretary C.A.Doss,NFTE Dist Secretary

Sundaramoorthy ,NFTE Circle Treasurer G.Jayaraman  and FNTO Circle Secretary D.Chandrasekaran speak about dharna on 26 03 10. Branch Treasurer S.Baskar II proposes vote of thanks.

HRA taken to income tax purposes.

How HRA is taken to calculation for income tax purposes. This is useful for all. Be patient to go through.

Cuddalore dharna on 26 03 10.

The Joint Action Committee at Cuddalore SSA met today . NFTE Dist.Secretary Sundaramoorthy was chosen as President,BSNLEU Dist.Secretary K.T.Sambandam –Convenor and SNEA Dist.Secretary Pandurangan –Treasurer respectively and other dist. Secretaries will be the members of the JAC.

It was decided to conduct dharna before GM office on 26 03 10.

All unions in Cuddalore SSA will be coordinated to JAC to make dharna a big success. On behalf of FNTO, R.V.Jayaraman DS, and Com R.Jayaraj, president Cuddalore Telephones branch took part in the meeting.

Leaders Rajendran NFTE,Sivakumar SNEA,Muthukumarasamy BSNLEU,Vetrivel AITEBCES took part in the deliberations.

Discussions on VRS and Disinvestment 23 03 10

Strike notice was served to the management by all unions/associations today.  Leaders of various unions met Chief Managing Director today . Pressing issues of Disinvestment and VRS was discussed by all unions with CMD. CMD,BSNL told the union leaders that sentiments of all unions/associations will be conveyed to the government.- information received from _Circle Secretary T.N.Circle.

Promotion orders.

Promotion policy orders issued today. 
Letter No. 27-7/2008 -TE- dt 23 03 10 as per information from GS,FNTO,New Delhi. Orders will be placed at the earliest.

Strike notice and demands.

http://www.bsnleuchq.com/JAC%20strike%20notice%20&%20demands.pdf  Click this line and bsnleu site will give the link.

UNI News.

Victory in Cameroon following France Telecom global alliance meeting
03/22/2010
All countries
	The UNI-France Telecom global alliance unions met with management, leading to the resolution of a disupute in Cameroon
In late February, union leaders with the UNI-France Telecom global alliance met with management of France Telecom in Paris. This was the annual meeting during which the global social partners come together to discuss the implementation of the global agreement which has been in place since 2006. This year, a key issue for discussion was a dispute in Cameroon, following the dismissal of a group of Orange Cameroon workers in early 2010. In mid-December 2009, Orange Cameroon workers and their union, SYNACOM, took strike action. On 10 January 2010, the company took retaliatory action against workers and trade union delegates who had participated in the strike, through dismissal of employment, withholding wages, demanding explanations for workers' actions and formal disciplinary procedures. SYNACOM said that the company's actions contravened national laws and the union leaders of the UNI-France Telecom global alliance made clear their view that the action contravened the terms of the global agreement. Following the global alliance meeting a few weeks ago, the company has agreed to reinstate dismissed workers and the French unions have sent solidarity funds to cover costs incurred by workers, including lost wages.

From Tepu site.

In the Joint Forum meeting held  at Delhi on 22.3.2010, all the BSNL Unions and Associations participated. After exchange of views the meeting unanimously decided to oppose in total the recommendations of Pitroda Committee and to have indefinite strike from 20.4.2010 instead of the one stay strike call decided earlier. The Unions in BWA were invited to return back to the Joint Forum. They agreed to consider the request of their re-entry in Joint Forum.

Joint Action Council Formed

With a view to successfully implement the programme of action on 26.3.2010 and the following indefinite strike, the Joint Forum has formed JOINT ACTION COUNCIL. Sri.N.T.Sajwani, SG, NFTE BSNL will be the Chairman of JAC and Sri.V.A.N.Namboodiri, GS,BSNLEU will be the Convenor.

Stay on JTO LICE

After hearing the case filed by members of JTO(O) Association, Ernakulam CAT has issued orders of Stay on all Notifications for whole of India against the JTO LICE recently notified by the BSNL Management.  Hope the BSNL Management will understand the true reason behind the case and come forward to resolve the long pending demand of Officiating JTOs and settle their claim immediately as agreed in the National Council meeting held on 16.3.2010.

Optical Mark Reader

BSNL Corporate Office has called for Limited Tender for Printing, Scanning and Evaluation of Optical Mark Reader Answer sheets considering the system as trasnparent, extremely accurate and coft effective. This system is for introduction in all Competitive / Qualifying Examinations of BSNL.

Encashment of EL for 10 days along withLTC

Encashment of EL upto 10 days at the time of availing LTC without any linkage to the number and nature of leave availed while proceeding on LTC is now permitted. Orders to this effect is issued. Visit orders page for order.

 

 

 

Disinvestment in BSNL-compared to China

Disinvestment-as-portfolio-shuffle in BSNL compared to China

Telecom industry capital expenditure to increase.

Global-telecom-industry-capital expenditure-to-cross-224-bn-by-2015

3g auctions.

3G auction may spur mergers and buys.

Opinion leaders meeting at Salem.

Opinion Leaders meeting was convened by Salem Management on 20 03 10. From FNTO, Dist. Secretary C.Kamalakoothan,Com.Veeraraghavan and P.K.Prakasam took part. All the unions took part in the meeting.
By forming cable teams in Salem urban, it was decided to reduce cable maintenance expenses.
Options will be called for Network maintenance –towers and to work as security guards in telephone exchange
to reduce expenses on Security.

Joint Action Committee

22 03 2010 அன்று டெல்லியில் அனைத்து சங்கங்கள் மற்றும் அசோசியேசன்கள் கூட்டம் நடந்தது. Joint Action Committee அமைக்கப்பட்டது. அதில் அனைத்து சங்கங்கள் மற்றும் அசோசியேசன்கள் பொதுச் செயலாளர்கள் பங்கு பெறுவர்.  பிட்ரோடா அறிக்கையை எதிர்த்தும், IDA யில் ஓய்வுதியம் பெறுபவர்களுக்கு ஓய்வுதியம் ரிவிசன் செய்ய வேண்டும் என்ற கோரிக்கைகளை முன் வைத்து

26 03 2010 தர்ணாவும். 20 04 2010 முதல் காலவரையற்ற வேலை நிறுத்தம் செய்வதாக திட்டமிட்டுள்ளப்பட்டது.

இந்த JAC க்கு  தோழர் Sajwani தலைவராகவும். தோழர் Namboodri  அமைப்பாளராக செயல்படுவர்.

Joint Action Committee மாவட்ட அளவிலும்.

சர்க்கிள் அளவிலும் விரைவில் அமைக்கப்படும்.

Joint Action Committee

All BSNL Unions and Associations meeting held to-day (22.3.2010), Joint Action Committee ( JAC) was formed to effectively implementing the agitational  programme against Pitroda  Committee Report and also demanding Pension Revision on  IDA for BSNL Pensioners. All the General Secretaries will be part of JAC at central level with Shri N.T. Sajwani, as Chairman and Shri VAN Namboodiri as Convener. JAC at Circle/SSA level may also be formed early. In the meeting, it was unanimously decided to observe Dharna on 26.03.2010 and indefinite strike from 20th April, 2010 onwards jointly and effectively. K. Vallinayagam GS FNTO.

From BTEU BSNL site_why not in the forum.

Why we are not in joint forum?WHY BTEU BSNL is out of the forum-Their views.

**

Joint forum is a conglomerate of all unions and associations of Executives and non executives in the BSNL.  The concept is good but the method of its working is suspect.  In the initial stages all the unions and associations working in the BSNL were part of the joint forum and wholeheartedly worked for the success of the forum.  However, over a period of time the convenor of the joint forum has started behaving in a dictatorial manner.  Meetings of the joint forum are convened at his whims and fancies and proper notice is not issued to the constituents of the forum. Decisions are taken and then intimated to the constituents over phone. 

The dharma of consensus is not followed. The executive associations are inimical to the other executive associations working in the BSNL and they are never allowed to participate in the joint forum meetings.  The recognised union of the non executives thinks that they are the super men of the joint forum. At one level the workers of the other unions and associations are harassed and victimized by way of transfers and other vindictive actions and they want the members of these associations and unions to participate in the joint forum agitations. How is this possible ?  There is an element called self respect. How can we set it aside.

          In February 2009 the joint forum served a notice for strike on the demand of absorption of ITS officers.  What transpired between the management and the joint forum no one knows, the strike call was withdrawn 2 days prior to the strike on the reported assurance of the CMD that he would ensure that the ITS officers seek absorption by 31.12.2009.  The CMD has no locus standi in this matter. He is not the competent authority to decide about this, yet the joint forum gave in to his mere assurance and forget about the ITS officers absorption for a full one year. This is how the forum works. He promotion policy and wage revision of the non executives is yet to see the light of the day. What has the joint forum done for this?

          The BTEU BSNL is in touch with all other unions and associations which are not part of the joint forum and would like to forge a front of such of these unions and associations to effectively counter the actions of the Government and the BSNL management. The BTEU BSNL has already held nation wise protest demonstrations and dharna on 10^th and 11^th of March 2010 on the issue of recommendations of the Sam Pitroda Committee and other pressing demands of the non executive employees such as wage revision and promotion policy. We shall continue to protest against the anti worker policies of the Government and the BSNL management.

FNTO 's efforts to reduce qualifying marks JAO exam.

 தேசிய முரசிலிருந்து

Circle Secretary Sri D.Chandrasekaran congratulates all those who have come out successfully in the JAO Examinations. He adds that 13 S/C candidates have done meritoriously and found places in the general pool which is remarkable and extends his wishes to them. Out of total 240 posts lying vacant only 160 have passed. The posting process has already been started, it is learnt reliably learnt and orders in this regard may be released at any time.
Our circle secretary has requested the CHQ and GS to negotiate with BSNL management to reduce the qualifying marks since this is the last chance in the old pattern ,as was done in the case of JTOs examination for the years 1999 and 2000. Our GS has also taken initiative in this regard. If BSNL management agrees, this may help so many who might have missed the chance by a few marks. Since vacancies are greater than available candidates for posting, let us hope for the best.

Final list of 3 G auction

3 g auction

PAN number

From the new financial year, assessees will have to pay a higher income tax at source if they do not have a Permanent Account Number (PAN). Tax at higher of the prescribed rate or 20 percent will be deducted on all transactions liable to tax deduction at source (TDS), if the person liable to the tax does not possess a PAN.

The new provisions related to TDS under the Income Tax Act will become applicable with effect from April 1, 2010.

All those liable to pay the tax, including non-residents, need to obtain a PAN by March 31, 2010. This number has to be communicated to those liable to deduct tax before the tax is actually deducted on transactions after that date.

Project Udaan.

Project Udaan.

Rajamundhry of Andhra tops in Project Udaan scheme.

Cuddalore SSA ranks 11^th out of 20 in the All India rankings.

Cuddalore SDE Sales Team Leader Com. Jayaraman ranks second and Chidambaram

SDE Sales Team Leader Ms. Geetha ranks fourth for whole India in this Project Udaan scheme.

NUBSNLW(FNTO) participates in the dharna on 26 03 2010. All unions/associations are taking part it. Dharna against Pitroda Report. We must take all out efforts to throw Pitroda report.

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Ntiy epWj;jk; Fwpj;J gpd;dh; mwpf;if tUk;.

Vg;uy; 20 -2010.

 

Indian army to promote an officer in a wheelchair-first time.

Fri, Mar 19 02:45 PM

New Delhi, March 19 -- In a historic first, the Indian Army is set to promote an officer in a wheelchair - Brigadier S.K. Razdan (55) - to the rank of major general.

Razdan suffered a spinal injury during a gunfight in Kashmir 15 years ago on October 8, his birthday. It left the paratrooper paralyzed from the waist downwards.

But his daring effort on that day won him the Kirti Chakra, India's second highest peacetime gallantry award. Taking on terrorists, he saved the lives of 14 women in that 16-hour operation at Damal Kunzipur.

Col (retd) S.M. Sud, Razdan's senior from 7 Para, said: "He can neither stand nor walk, but Razdan is a soldier's soldier."

Razdan would often tell his friends about how he had cheated death, but sometimes he regretted not being a martyr.

Army Base Hospital Commandant Maj Gen B.K. Chopra, who has treated Razdan, said, "His disability hasn't dulled his soldierly instincts."

Razdan will officially pick up the two-star rank as soon as there is a vacancy. Amputee officers have been made generals before but not wheelchair-bound soldiers.

3 G auctions

 click   3G-auctions-going-online-security-a-concern

CDA increased by 8% From D.D.Mistry Gujarat

20.03.2010 : CDA Increased by 8% w.e.f. 01.01.2010 (27% to 35%) : On Friday, 19.03.2010, the Cabinet Okayed increasing Dearness Allowance for central government employees and pensioners by 8% to compensate for price rise. The increase is in accordance with the accepted formula based on the recommendations of the Sixth Central Pay Commission.

The hike would be over the existing rate of 27% of basic pay or pension and the additional installment of DA would be released with effect from January this year. The combined impact on the exchequer on account of both Dearness Allowance and Dearness Relief would be to the tune of Rs 6,969.36 crores per annum and Rs 8,131.20 crores in the financial year 2010-2011. 19.03.2010; In to-day’s Cabinet Meeting a decision to increase CDA from 27 to 35% will is likely to be taken which will benefit more than 50 lac C.G. employees and pensioners.

AI BSNL PWA ND Dy.GS Met Director HRD BSNL on 19.03.2010.Click.

Dharna on 26 03 2010

BSNL Workers Alliance has endorsed the plan of dharna against implementation of Pitroda report on 26 03 2010. So all out efforts may be taken to organise dharna on that day.

Wage revision proposals to DOT

Wage revision proposals sent to DOT by BSNL on 19 03 2010.

Meeting Pitroda ?

  
 
When all the unions plan for dharna on 26 03 2010, why other unions/associations were not present  while meeting Pitroda? 
Whether any invitation was extended to other unions?
What was the reply from other unions?
Some only wrote to the PM that outside talents is necessary for revitalising BSNL.  BSNL is having immense talent and their talents can be used for upliftment of BSNL.  Here all experts are available. Due to constraints one way or other, all the talents present are not tapped properly.  
Who plans things in BSNL?

The matter is from SNEA site. 

Association met Sam Pitroda on 17th March: 

Association had a very free and forthright exchange of views with Sam Pitroda for about 45 minutes on wide ranging issues covering very complex and virtually irretrievable situation that BSNL is in today, the recommendations of the committee, the implementation part of the acceptable recommendations of the committee, the broad disagreements that Association has vis-a vis certain recommendations, so on and so forth.

 Association, while expressing its total unanimity on the issue of complete transformation of the present process of leadership induction through redundant mechanism of PESB, structure and composition of the Company, suggested by the committee and other positive recommendations, also candidly conveyed its disagreement on disinvestment, VRS, outsourcing etc.

Association conveyed that inordinate and deliberate delay by the Govt. in not resolving the critical issue of absorption of ITS in BSNL has adversely and irreversibly affected the growth of BSNL and the total mismanagement and anarchy that the Company finds itself in today is largely because of non resolution of this key issue. Mr Pitroda was in agreement with our opinion on this crucial issue. 

Sam Pitroda strongly felt that the recommendations of the committee have not to be seen and analyzed in an isolated and limited but in a holistic manner. All the recommendations read together only convey tangible meaning in terms of achieving the broad objectives for which the committee was constituted by Hon’ble PM. Massive and sweeping reforms on all the fronts like inducting quality high grade talent from the open market to lead the Company at the top, procurement policy, strategies for optimum and effective exploitation and utilization of the huge workforce, introducing innovative processes in the Company, HR policies, prudent investment policies, keeping political and bureaucratic interference at bay, giving the Company a new direction etc etc. were the need of the hour to keep the Company alive, Pitroda felt. He was of the opinion that labour in BSNL is a great asset but how much of it is needed is an issue. He does not want to see the labour on the streets but a very discreet and attractive package to reduce the numbers can always be considered. 

Pitroda said that he has completed the job of defining future blueprint for BSNL in the stipulated time frame after intense consultations with top BSNL Management, bankers, investors, industry analysts keeping a close and consistent watch over rapid sector developments, leading consultants, some imminent officers having retired from DOT and BSNL. Now it is left to the PM to take a final call on the recommendations of the Committee and recommendations need to be meticulously analyzed by talented professionals. Present BSNL board, Pitroda is of the firm view, by any standard is not really equipped to evaluate and decide on the recommendations.  

To begin with, the Govt. should go ahead with appointing about 50 quality telecom professionals from outside, pay them salaries comparable to the top class executives of the leading telecom companies, utilize some of them as heads of Circles and others in the Corporate office handling key policy matters. An imminent and outstanding person capable of withstanding political and bureaucratic interference should take over as Chairman etc etc. On all these issues, Govt. has to finally decide. On being asked whether he has in mind any specific person to lead the Company, Pitroda said that enough high quality talent is available in telecom sector at the moment and it is only a question of spotting and deciding. 

Pitroda underlined the great need of trade unions playing a key and leading role in getting involved to enforce the whole set of reforms in the Company which alone will save the Company from completely collapsing. At the moment, the Company is plagued by total mismanagement and operating inefficiency, does not have a direction and a vision, lacks professionalism and is virtually in a mess. Trade unions must aggressively step in to play a pragmatic role in drastically transforming the Company and defining its new direction.

Association clearly and firmly spelt out the grounds on which it feels that VRS, disinvestment, outsourcing etc will not improve the performance of the Company and thus need to be opposed.

Sam Pitroda was extremely cordial and frank in expressing his opinion on wide ranging issues and wished BSNL all the success and good luck. He also while concluding impressed upon us (associations and trade unions) to continue our efforts relentlessly to bring BSNL out of the imbroglio in which it is caught at the moment.    

We thank Com Jayati Ghosh, member knowledge commission, and Comrades of our Gujarat circle for helping us to meet Sh Pitroda