IDA likely to increase - may be 5% and above

IDA is likely to increase--- i.e.-5% and above

We have to get the figure for August. It will be released on 28 09 12


Consumer Price Index Numbers for Industrial Workers (CPI-IW) July 2012
The All-India CPI-IW rose by 4 points and pegged at 212 (two hundred and twelve).


On 1-month percentage change, it increased by 1.92 per cent between June and July compared with 2.12 per cent between the same two months a year ago.
The largest upward contributions to the change in current index came from food prices which rose by 2.38 per cent, contributing 2.44 percentage points to the total change. The largest upward pressure came from Rice, Arhar Dal, Green-chilly, Onion, vegetables, mainly Potato and Tomato, and Sugar. This was, however, partially offset by downward contributions from French Bean, Brinjal, and Poultry (Chicken).
House rent which increased by 2.96 per cent, contributed 1.05 percentage points to the overall change. The change was reported during the 21st round of Repeat House Rent Survey conducted from January to June, 2012 to capture the change in expenditure incurred on rent by industrial workers. The increase in the current round was mainly on account of annual increment awarded to the salaried persons under centre/state sphere as well as the rise in rent reported from private dwellings.
The largest downward contributions to the change in current index came from Transport and Communication with a decline of 0.99 per cent, contributing 0.09 percentage points to the total change. The main downward pressure came from Petrol as an effect of fall in price notified w.e.f. July 24, 2012.
The year-on-year inflation measured by monthly CPI-IW stood at 9.84 per cent for July, 2012 (over July, 2011) as compared to 10.05 per cent for the previous month and 8.43 per cent during the corresponding month of the previous year. Similarly, the Food inflation stood at 11.27 per cent against 10.45 per cent of the previous month and 6.25 per cent during the corresponding month of the previous year.
At centre level, largest increase of 18 points has been recorded in Durgapur followed by Ranchi-Hatia (10 points), Vijaywada and Jabalpur (9 points each), Goa and Faridabad (8 points each), Bhilai (7 points) and Hubli-Dharwar, H.P., Tiruchirapally and Delhi (6 points each). Among others, 18 centres have recorded rise of 5 points followed by 4 points in 15 centres, 3 points in 13 centres, 2 points in another 13 centres and 1 point in 4 centres. Howrah was the only centre which reported decline in index of 1 point. Rest of 3 centre’s indices remained stationary.
There are in all 26 centres whose indices are at par or above All-India Index and rest of 52 centres have indices lower than national average.
The next index of CPI-IW for the month of August, 2012 will be released on Friday, September 28, 2012.

3 G roaming pact-govt. to penalise.-media reports.

govt-to-penalise-3g-intra-circle-roaming-pacts-sources_-money control

BSNL _ Oriental Bank of Commerce-Loans- 05 04 13

BSNL has entered into an agreement with Oriental Bank of Commerce for giving loans to our employees.
 Agreement upto 05 04 2013.Pl.go the forwarding letter,MoU and
 rate of interest etc.


http://www.scribd.com/doc/104267790/Forwarding-Letter


http://www.scribd.com/doc/104268643/Mou-Obc-Bank



http://www.scribd.com/doc/104268268/MOU-Annexure

78.2% IDA merger. & NE 12 pay scale.

28 08 12.

BSNL Board has approved 78.2% IDA merger today. It will be sent to DoT for issue of Presidential directive.

BSNL Board has also approved NE- 12 pay scale.to non executives.

Minutes of the meeting Management,unions and CLC on 26 08 12

Minutes of the meeting Management,unions and CLC on 26 08 12


https://docs.google.com/document/d/1gk1abNxVvOp0nLFAsxTmyHOKqgmRx2Uh6uKmb1--ctk/edit

27 08 12 CLC meeting.

As per the direction of the Kerala High Court, a meeting consisting of all unions as well as the BSNL management was convened today the 27.08.2012, by the CLC. The purpose of the meeting is to find out whether consensus is there for making changes to the COD (Code of Discipline) for recognizing more than one union. 

The meeting was attended by Shri N.K. Prasad, Chief Labour Commissioner, Dy.CLC and the ALC.

 BSNLEU GS. Com. P. Abhimanyu, stated that changes to Code of Discipline should be made to recognize more than one union, based on proportionate representation. He also demanded that minimum trade union facilities should also be granted to the Applicant Unions. He also demanded that in case Code of Dscipline can’t be modified, than BSNL should frame its own Recognition Rules based on Proportionate Representation. 

 However, no consensus was reached in the meeting, to recognize more than one union by changing the Code of Discipline..Some unions objected for recognising more than one union.

 At the same time, considering the demand made by majority of the unions, the CLC suggested to the BSNL Management, to initiate steps to frame its own Recognition Rules, based on consensus of all the unions.

Staff Side members walk out from Designation Committee meeting

The Joint Committee for change of Designations of Non-Executives met today, the 24.08.2012. It is unfortunate that there is no progress in the discussions that took place in the last two or three meetings. The dead lock continued in today’s meeting also. Management side is going back even from whatever consensus is reached in the earlier meetings. Hence, the Staff Side members of the Committee walked out of today’s meeting. Thereafter, they met the Director (HR) and held a discussion. Director (HR) assured that he would look into the matter and do the needful.

Telecom factories in BSNL.

Telecom Factories under BSNL There are seven telecom factories functioning under BSNL at present. These are located at Mumbai, Jabalpur, Richhai, Bhilai, Kolkata, Gopalpur (Kolkata) & Kharagpur.

The main products which are presently being manufactured in these factories are Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) Card, Optical Fibre Cable Accessories, Fibre Distribution Management System (FDMS), Cable Termination Box, Distribution Point Box, Digital distribution Frame, Integrated Protection Module, Joint Kits, Cellular & Microwave Towers, Drop wire, Jumper wire Transient Safety device etc.

BSNL has taken a number of initiatives to introduce new items in the production line of Telecom Factories by upgrading and modernizing the infrastructural facilities. As a result, various new products have been started in different Telecom Factories. Further efforts are being made to setup manufacturing facilities for various State of Art Telecom/Electronic Equipment and other related products in collaboration/Partnership/ Strategic alliance with renowned Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) in different Telecom Factories.

This information was given by the Minister of State for Communications & Information Technology Shri Milind Deora in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today.

About VRS and BWA specturm charges.-No decision-request under consideration.

Revenue Generation Measures BSNL

BSNL has proposed to develop 10 parcels of land for revenue generation as pilot project. Expression of Interest (EOI) has been called by BSNL for appointment of consultant for this purpose. Revenue likely to be generated by developing the lands is to be assessed after the submission of report by the consultant.

BSNL has requested Department of Telecommunications (DoT) for surrender of Broadband Wireless Access (BWA) Spectrum in few Licensed Service Areas (Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kolkata, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh & Gujarat) and to refund Rs. 6724.51 crores for one time upfront BWA Spectrum charges paid for the same.

DoT has received from BSNL a Voluntary Retirement Scheme (VRS) aimed at reducing its workforce by 1,00,000. Likely expenditure on ex- gratia is estimated to be about Rs. 12,371 Crores. In addition, there will be expenditure on normal retirement benefits viz Gratuity, Pension, leave encashment and transfer grant.

MTNL

MTNL is working on developing and leasing out its land bank and monetising infrastructure through creation of bank ATMs in its premises, leasing out of spare space, sharing of towers etc. The earning potentials of these activities is around Rs.100 crore per annum.

MTNL has also requested DoT for surrender of Broadband Wireless Access (BWA) Spectrum in Delhi and Mumbai Licensed Service Areas and to refund Rs. 4533.97 crores for one time upfront BWA Spectrum charges paid for the same.

MTNL has also prepared a Voluntary Retirement Scheme (VRS) aimed at reducing its workforce by 21,000. The estimated expenditure likely to be incurred on VRS is about Rs. 5074 crores. MTNL has estimated that VRS will reduce pressure on MTNL’s wage and salary pay out to the tune of Rs.1130 crore per annum

BSNL and MTNL have requested DoT to finance their Voluntary Retirement Schemes and refund the BWA spectrum charges paid by them.
The requests of BSNL and MTNL are under examination in the Department of Telecommunications.

This was stated by Shri Milind Deora, the Minister of State in the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology in response to a written question in Lok Sabha today.


******

No special status to BSNL.

Special Status to States by BSNL Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) has not accorded special status to any state in view of the frequent natural calamities. However, in case of natural calamity, necessary resources required to restore/provide telecom services are arranged on priority to affected areas /state including Rajasthan.
The mobile spill over signals are observed and reported in some border areas including Rajasthan. The spillover of mobile signals from foreign countries enable the use of the mobile communication of corresponding countries from within the territory of India without having to pass through Indian Telecom Network Infrastructure.

The radio signal propagation from Mobile Tower is a natural phenomenon and it could be only minimized but cannot be completely eliminated. The Department of Telecommunication (DoT) has taken it as an agenda item to control cross Border penetration of Mobile Radio Signals and applicable technical solution to sort out and to minimize the interference.

This was stated by Shri Milind Deora, the Minister of State in the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology in response to a written question in Lok Sabha today.


******

BSNL orders-Project Shikar implementation--Project Vijay,Udan upto 31 03 13

BSNL orders-Project Shikar implementation--Project Vijay,Udan upto 31 03 13

About VRS in BSNL-Minister's statement-Rajya Sabha

                                                  GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
                    MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATION AND INFORMATI ON
                                                    TECHNOLOGY

RAJYA SABHA
QUESTION NO 850
ANSWERED ON 17.08.2012

                                                                  VRS in BSNL

850 SHRI PRASANTA CHATTERJEE

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATION AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY be pleased to
state :-
(a) whether Government is going to introduce VRS in BSNL;
(b) if so, the terms and conditions thereof; and
(c) the reaction of Unions thereon functioning in BSNL?

ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION
TECHNOLOGY (SHRI MILIND DEORA)

(a) & (b) Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has received a proposal of Voluntary
Retirement Scheme (VRS) from BSNL. The main features of the proposed VRS Scheme are as
follows:

Eligibility:

The scheme will apply to employees who have completed the age of 45 years and have served
BSNL as regular employee for 15 years.

Financial benefits:
Ex-gratia amount of 60 days salary (Basic+DA) for each completed year of service or salary for
number of months of service left, whichever is less. However, the compensation would be subject to
maximum of 60 months salary.

The ex-gratia amount will be in addition to the normal retirement benefits. Likely expenditure on
ex- gratia for approximately 1 Lac employees is estimated to be about Rs. 12,371 Crores. In
addition, there will be expenditure on normal retirement benefits viz Gratuity, Pension, leave
encashment and transfer grant.

(c) BSNL had consultations with its Executive Associations and Staff Unions. BSNL has reported
that majority of Associations / Unions have opposed the scheme or expressed their reservations.
***************

FIR against people who forge documents to get SIM.

According to the guidelines issued by the telecom department on verification of new mobile subscribers, “In cases where forged documents are submitted by the subscriber and originals are also forged, police complaint or FIR shall be lodged by the PoS (Point of Sale) or Franchisee against the subscriber within 15 days of bringing it to the notice of Licensee (telecom operator).
Under the new rules, which will be applicable from the second week of November, the authorised person selling SIM will have to mention that he has seen the subscriber and matched the photograph attached on the application form with the subscriber.



firstpost.com-FIR-against-users-who-forge-documents-to-get-sim-cards-

BSNL plans- Tower business-separate company-Deccan Herald 19 08 12

Telecom PSU BSNL is considering hiving off its telecom tower infrastructure into a separate company and will float a tender this week for appointment of a consultant to suggest the business roadmap.

"We are exploring opportunity to bring our tower business under separate company for optimum utilisation. In this regard, BSNL will issue expression of interest this week to appoint consultant that will suggest us the roadmap," BSNL Chairman and Managing Director R K Upadhyay told PTI.

He added that company has around 70,000 towers and it will explore various business models that can realise value of its infrastructure.


Deccanherald.com-Bsnl-hive-off-telecom-biz.

Telecom firms ARPU declines in quarter 1-The Hindu Business Line 17 08 12

The average revenue per user (ARPU) for telecom companies fell in the first quarter of the current financial year, hit by a fall in user additions and tariffs.

Migration of low ARPU users to existing operators and social media taking over voice calls were the other reasons.

The ARPUs for GSM operators fell by about 2-2.5 per cent and that of rival CDMA players were lower by about 1-1.3 per cent in the quarter ended June 30, 2012. The blended ARPUs for GSM players hovered at Rs 95 during the quarter under review and that of CDMA was at Rs 74, industry analysts told Business Line.

Telecom firms ARPU declines in quarter 1-The Hindu Business Line 17 08 12

BSNL loss Rs. 8851 crores. -2011-12- The hindu Business line. 17 08 12

New Delhi, Aug 17: 

The financial loss of state-run telecom firm, BSNL, touched Rs 8,851 crore during 2011—12, Parliament was informed on Friday.

The figures presented by Minister of State for Communications and IT, Milind Deora, in a written reply in Rajya Sabha shows losses by BSNL during the last three financial years starting 2009—10 when it reported loss of Rs 1,823 crore.

BSNL’s profit had started declining continuously from Rs 10,183 crore in 2004—05 before showing a loss in 2009—10.

During 2010—11, BSNL losses rose to Rs 6,384 crore mainly due to hefty outgo on employees’ salary and expenses borne by the PSU for procuring 3G and BWA spectrum.

BSNL officials had attributed widening of the losses mainly on account of payment made to the government to procure 3G and BWA licenses for which it paid a total of Rs 18,500 crore.

BSNL has proposed to surrender some spectrum and seeking refund for the same but no decision has yet been taken by Department of Telecommunications.

The total revenues of the company at the end of FY’11 were Rs 28,876 crore.

BSNL has submitted a proposal of Voluntary Retirement Scheme as part of its efforts to revive the loss—making company. The government is yet to approve it.

AP BSNL grows.-The Hindu Business Line.

Visakhapatnam, Aug. 16: 

The AP telecom circle of BSNL is investing Rs 600 crore on expanding mobile network and adding 2 million lines in addition to the existing 9 million, according to V. Srinivasan, Chief General Manager of AP circle.

At a press meet here on Thursday, he said the equipment for the mobile network expansion would be received from ZTE by the end of September and work would begin in October. He said BSNL was in the third position in the mobile segment in Andhra Pradesh, with Airtel and Idea in first and second positions.

AP BSNL grows.-The Hindu Business Line.

BSNL CMD message 15 08 12.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1PZX7kH8EO3URtq_SgeV219Aqb29T-PcyF_Twed_0aA4/edit

Lower-tower-radiation-levels-Then-pay-more-Times of India.

Kumar said health problems occur after 15 years if the power is .1 watts, but with .45 watts (or 450 milliwatts), it takes few years. "With 10 watts, it's a matter of one or two years," he said. But Rajan Mathews, director-general, Cellular Operators Association of India), said levels were in compliance with international standards., thus achieving safest levels
The survey was by several institutes, including the wireless communication laboratory of IIT Madras and was sponsored by COAI and the Association of Unified Telecom Service Providers of India, Mathews said.



Lower-tower-radiation-levels-Then-pay-more-Times of India.

Happy Independence day

CLC meeting 27 08 12

As per Kerala High court judgement, CLC is convening a meeting of all unions in BSNL on 27 08 12 at 15-00 hrs to discuss  about changes in code of discipline.


https://docs.google.com/document/d/1gi06YPaKG1_tkvn0xVowswzX_yBNwMoUrQsawIN8lbw/edit

BSNL Trivandrum- new services-free of cost. 14 08 12

BSNL Thiruvananthapuram Telecom District has introduced six eleven-digit toll-free numbers, for various services of customers. This facility is being introduced for the first time in the country with unique all-India numbers, which enable the public to contact these service numbers of Thiruvananthapuram district free of cost, from any fixed/mobile BSNL number. These six numbers will be be operational from 10 am to 5 pm on all working days. The call charges are borne by BSNL.


http://newindianexpress.com/cities/thiruvananthapuram/article585755.ece

Finance opposes free mobile scheme-times of india.

Finance-ministry-major-empowerment-initiative-crore-scheme

K.R.100th birthday celebration function at Mayiladuthurai 11 08 12

FNTOBEA  Kumbakonam organises 100th year birthday celebrations to the great leader K.R. at Mayiladuthurai , Telephone exchange, 10 am.

Comrades R..Rajarajan presides,V.Kesavan welcomes in the presence of T.Mahendran .

FNTOBEA GS P..Andiappan,Tamil Nadu President G.K.Soundararajan,CS R.V.Jayaraman, Treasuer N.Soundararajan,G.Murugan ,CS,Chennai Telephnes,felicitate. Com R.Velumani proposes vote of thanks.

National council 08 08 12- A brief note.

http://www.bsnleuchq.comA brief note on the discussions on the natinal council meeting on 08 08 12.

BSNL MTNL losing subscribers not due to poor service.

bsnl-mtnl-not-losing-users-due-to-poor-service-network-milind-deora-Economic times.

BSNL Forum of Unions/Associations 08 08 12

A Meeting of the Forum of BSNL Unions/Associations was held on 8^th August 2012 at the BSNLMS office presided over by Com. C. Singh, GS, NFTE. Com. V.A.N.Namboodiri, Convener, welcomed everybody and briefed about the latest developments. Com. GS and President along with the representatives of almost all unions participated.

After discussion, the following decisions were taken:

 

1. Review of 12 June Strike agreement: The BSNL Management has approved the 78.2% IDA fixation and now will take it to the BSNL Board. Regarding granting of Child care leave and superannuation etc. of BSNL recruited workers, no action seems to have been taken by the management.  CMD should be met to expedite the matters. It was also decided to strongly protest the DOT letter denying BSNL Unions access and taking up of issues with DOT directly.

 

2. Victimization of SNEA All India leaders: The transfers of Coms. G.L.Jogi, President, K.Sebastin, GS and A.A.Khan leaders of SNEA(I) have been transferred from Delhi to outside stations and issued charge sheets without any justification. The Forum expressed its strong protest against the victimization of top leaders of SNEA(I) which it considers as an attack on the Forum itself. It demanded immediate vacation of the victimization. It was decided to meet the CMD urgently in the matter. 

 

3.  NTP, subsidy by Government etc.: The Forum demanded the government to urgently finalise the grant of Rs. 1,500 crore this year and Rs. 1,250 crore next year from USOF which has been recommended by the TRAI and DOT. It expressed happiness in the BSNL being awarded the Rs. 12,000 crore project for the vacation of the spectrum by Defence.

 

4. 'Customer Delight Year' -  procurement of equipment  etc : The meeting expressed anxiety in the undue delay in the procurement of equipment like Cable, CLIP, GSM lines, Broadband Modem etc. and demanded for early supply and decentralization of powers in this respect.  Circle Secretaries may be contacted and find out the equipment position in the circles.

The meeting decided to extend the 'Customer Delight Year' for one year from August 2012. It called upon the workers to strive hard to improve the efficiency and better service to the subscribers.

 

5. ITS Absorption: After discussion about the present situation, the meeting decided to meet the CMD to expedite the process of repatriation of ITS officers opted for DOT.

 

6.  Election of Forum Office-bearers : It was decided to discuss the issue later.

Cat judgement-Chandigarh judgement.BSNL instructions.

BCR Grade III to Grade IV - 10% -CAT Chandigarh judgement -

GSM revenue performance June 12

GSM revenue performance June 12

UF met at Delhi on 06 08 12

                      United Forum meeting held on 06.08.2012

 

A meeting of the United Forum was held at New Delhi yesterday, the 06.08.2012. Leaders of all the constituents of the United Forum attended the meeting, which was presided over by Com. Suresh Kumar, Chairman of the United Forum. 

On behalf of FNTOBEA, Com P.Andiappan GS attended the meeting. 

The meeting discussed various issues connected with the organization, staff issues etc. The following decisions were taken unanimously. 

 

i) On pending staff issues, it was decided to have a discussion with the Director (HR).

 It was decided to give call for agitational programmes, if improvement is not there. 

ii) It was also decided that within one month, circle level Steering Committing meetings of the United Forum should be conducted in all circles and discuss matters connected with coordination by alliance partners and other issues. A report on this should be sent by the circle secretaries to the CHQ.

CBI iniates probe

NEW DELHI: The Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), India's overseas intelligence agency, has told the Central Bureau of Investigation and the Enforcement Directorate that it has unearthed hawala transactions allegedly linked to former telecom minister A Raja.

RAW has written to the investigative agencies - the communication was sent at the end of July - asking them to take "necessary action", a top government official told ET on condition of anonymity.

The note from RAW alleges that one of the promoters of the Chennai-based JG Group, Rajesh Jain, is associated with "hawala dealings" of Raja and his "other associates".



economictimes.indiatimes.com-nation/research-and-analysis-wing-alleges-a-raja-had-hawala-links-cbi-initiates-probe

High reserve-minimal impact-economic times.

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/opinion/interviews/high-reserve-price-is-to-ensure-minimal-impact-on-consumers-r-chandrasekhar-telecom-secretary

Radiation from cell phone towers-economic times.

http://economictimes.-telecom/radiation-from-cell-phone-towers-devices-to-mitigate-effect-of-hazardous-emissions-getting-market

Auctioning -spectrum-cost-will not affect BSNL now.

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/news-by-industry/telecom/base-price-set-for-auctioning-spectrum-will-not-affect-bsnl-chairman-and-managing-director-r-k-upadhyay

Regularise-workers-with-480-days-of-service-in-2-years-Court

"A workman, who has rendered a continuous service of 480 days in a period of 24 calendar months, should be conferred with the permanent status in an establishment. A reading of the Section 3 (1) of the Tamil Nadu Industrial Establishments (conferment of permanent status to workmen) Act, 1981, unerringly points out that it is the duty of an employer to confer permanent status on a workman, who has completed 480 days of service in a period of 24 months," the bench said.

The judges said such an employee would automatically become a permanent employee even if the employer had not conferred them with the permanent status or even if no direction was issued by the competent authority under the Act. 


http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/Regularise-workers-with-480-days-of-service-in-2-years-Court/

Indias-telecom-subscriber-base-reaches-965.52-mn-in-june

Indias-telecom-subscriber-base-reaches-965.52-mn-in-june

Telecom sector too could face a black out-COAI-Economic times.

economictimes.-telecom-sector-too-could-face-a-blackout-coai

Consumer price index June 2012-208

http://labourbureau.nic.in/MIL_JUN_2012.pdf-consumer price index for June 2012-stands 208

DoT to ask-gsm-telcos-like-bharti-vodafone-and-idea-to-stop-3g-roaming-services

he law ministry has said the telecom department can initiate action, including terminating mobile permits of Bharti, Vodafone and Idea, for allegedly violating licence conditions and entering into bilateral roaming agreements in areas where they did not have 3G permits.

Responding to a telecom department (DoT) query, the Additional Solicitor General has said the DoT was 'well within its rights to claim the amounts earned by companies by providing 3G services for which they did not have any authorisation, permission or license from the DoT'.

"It will be based on the doctrine of unjust enrichment' and this would be distinct from the termination of licences, the ASG's July 14 communication to the DoT added.

At the same time, the law ministry has also said the government cannot impose financial penalties on mobile phone companies for entering into 3G roaming agreements.
 



DoT to ask-gsm-telcos-like-bharti-vodafone-and-idea-to-stop-3g-roaming-services-economic times