BSNL strike-What SNEA says.

What prompted Central JAC to decide to defer strike- A very positive and confidence building meeting with Secy/DOT.

Central JAC had a meeting lasting about two hours with Secy/DOT, M(S)/DOT, CMD/BSNL and other senior officers of BSNL and DOT on the issues contained in the notice on 2^nd December 2010.

At the very outset of the meeting, Secy/DOT, speaking directly from his heart and in an extremely frank and crisp manner, very strongly expressed his deep commitment and resolve and of the government as well in addressing key policy issues that help to strengthen BSNL since he firmly holds the opinion that continued viability of BSNL is not only in the interest of the Company and its employees but more significantly in greater National interests. Having expressed his resolution very strongly to expeditiously address key issues that help growth of BSNL, in terms of the policies of the government, Secy/DOT switched over to express his opinion, very frankly and clearly, on some of the following issues.

A) Absorption of ITS; on this important issue, Secy/DOT clearly indicated that concrete action is being taken to expeditiously resolve this issue. Secy/DOT further mentioned that he has identified this issue as a priority issue and is accordingly taking appropriate action to conclusively resolve this issue. Comments from the concerned ministers on the Cabinet note of DOT are expected to be received very soon after which the note shall finally go to the Union Cabinet for consideration. DOT is monitoring the progress of the issue.

B) Revision of IDA pension: The note which was returned by the Cabinet Secretariat seeking some clarifications from DOT is being sent back for consideration of the Union Cabinet, Secy/DOT informed. The views of the nodal ministries have already been obtained and are incorporated in the cabinet note. The issue is expected to get resolved soon.

C) Policy commitments of the government from time to time to compensate BSNL for meeting social obligations of the government: Secy/DOT fully assured to examine the commitments of the government with regard to compensating BSNL for providing telecom services in unprofitable and unremunerative inaccessible areas and take action accordingly. In fact, Secy/DOT clearly mentioned that in future DOT is not going to coerce BSNL to get involved in commercially unviable projects. In fact, Secy/DOT, clearly indicated that, in terms of ensuring a level playing field, BSNL will not discriminated against as far as implementation of telecom policies is concerned. Secy/DOT suggested to CMD/BSNL that it should list all the commercially unviable projects where BSNL is   discriminated against and needs to be compensated, particularly with regard to massive rural basic services expansion projects it has undertaken with huge investments. Secy/DOT categorically assured that he is fully prepared to examine all such cases. BSNL has to act now and highlight projects it has executed to meet social obligations and not been compensated.

D) Refund of 3G/BWA spectrum charges: Secy/DOT mentioned that despite DOT taking up the issue, the government is not inclined to concede this concession to BSNL since it would amount to violation of level playing field and create problems for the government.

F) Procurement of equipment: Secy/DOT said that DOT would make it sure that BSNL board takes expeditious decisions for procurement of equipment to meet the operational requirements of BSNL and that the government would not generally interfere in the policy decisions of the Company relating to its business and commercial growth. BSNL management is the appropriate policy making body to decide commercial policies of BSNL.

G) Payment of 78.2% IDA wef 1.1.2007: Secy/DOT mentioned that BSNL management has to decide on this issue after which the final call would be taken by DOT.

Secy/DOT was quite enthusiastic in expressing rather reiterating that issues need to be and would be addressed in a time bound manner and that he will very shortly be convening a meeting to discuss the issues in a very congenial and healthy environment. All efforts would be made to resolve the issues within timelines, Secy/DOT optimistically stated. Even in the midst of severe turmoil that telecom sector is presently experiencing, he is devoting every day almost one to two hours towards resolution of issues of BSNL, Secy/DOT informed. 

Leaders of Central JAC were so much motivated and impressed by highly positive, confidence building and loud and clear message of Secy/DOT that he means serious, urgent and honest business to address and resolve legitimate issues of viability of BSNL that they decided to give him good time and a proper environment to take on the issues of BSNL. Besides, the sense of urgency, prioritization of issues and eagerness on the part of Secy/DOT to address vital issues like ITS absorption, examining policy commitments of the government to compensate BSNL for its rural expansion of landline services etc.etc, revision of IDA pension, and other key issues that help faster growth of BSNL and promote its viability was the turning point for Central JAC to decide to defer its ongoing strike so as to give reasonable time to and create conducive atmosphere and conditions for Secy/DOT to take a fresh and expeditious call on these issues of viability of BSNL.

After all, Comrades, we have to always bear fundamental fact in mind that struggle from the platform of JAC is only to strengthen BSNL and make it viable and this should   continue to be the basic and central objective of JAC.

Struggle, as Comrades of SNEA(I) understand more than anyone else, is an endless journey, leading one from one destination to another and final destination is never really defined, since newer challenges and situations keep on emerging after every struggle. We struggled continuously and consistently for more than seven years (1981 to 1987) to achieve our historical demand of revision of pay scale (1640-2900). Even today, after more than seven years of our absorption in BSNL, we are still struggling to put in place a sound promotion policy. And young and ambitious generations in BSNL shall continue to strive to accomplish further radical improvements in the existing executive promotion policy in the days to come.

Every struggle leaves its mark and defines future path. Say, strike of SNEA(I) in Dec 2006 on merger of 50% IDA with basic finally resulted in a a huge breakthrough, strike of JAC in 2007 enabled us to at least 18 m GSM equipment, strike of April 2010 has resulted in near settlement of very important issue of pension revision (from Union Cabinet) and given a real head start to contentious ITS absorption issue, strike of Dec,10 has pushed ITS absorption issue closer to settlement, in addition to providing an excellent opportunity to further push issues of viability of BSNL as far as policies of government and procurement of GSM equipment are concerned.

Every strike surely and unquestionably leaves its indelible mark and that is how caravan keeps moving and that is what we have to keep in mind for future. Struggle should not be seen as something of an electric switch which just on being switched on emits light instantaneously - no, not at all.

 
 Struggle means consolidation of unity. This struggle has achieved consolidation by a stunning official participation of 60% (which actually would be more than 80%) in the strike. This consolidation of forces of unity has to be further strengthened since a consolidated and united platform alone can take on very formidable challenges of viability of BSNL in the days to come. In that context, JAC has emerged as a potent and powerful platform to effectively and successfully deal with issues of continued viability of BSNL. As progressive forces, let us all work tirelessly towards strengthening of JAC to safeguard our beloved Company from getting perished.