strike postponed

United Forum decides to postpone the one day strike to 25.10.2013.
In view of the assurances given by the Management on certain issues in the talks held on 17.09.2013, and also in view of the talks to be held on 04.10.2013, the United Forum meeting held today has decided to defer the one day strike to 25.10.2013.

 

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In an open house discussion telecom minister Kapil Sibal has all but ruled out a refund for providers that paid inflated prices for spectrum in late 2012 and has criticised the Department of Telecommunication (DoT) for applying the maximum applicable fine for all infractions rather taking into consideration the severity of the case and adjusting the penalty appropriately. The Economic Times writes that the minister has blamed the DoT’s insistence on imposing maximum fines on concerns that failing to levy the maximum amount would draw accusations of corruption: ‘The officials fear that if they lessen the penalty, they might be held accountable.’ Sibal added that the problem has had harmful effects on the sector without benefiting the government, as the fines are usually blocked by the courts. On how to solve the problem, the minister threatened to withdraw the authority to issue fines from the DoT and hand the power to sister regulator the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI): ‘I hope officials in my ministry apply their mind on every infraction and impose penalty commensurate with the nature of the fault. If they don’t do that, and I don’t see any progress on that, I will have to give that power to TRA.’

12 09 13 - GoM meet on BSNL and MTNL-The Hindu Business line.

New Delhi, Sept 10:  

The Group of Ministers (GoM) on revival of state-owned telecom firms BSNL and MTNL that is headed by Finance Minister P Chidambaram is scheduled to meet on Thursday.

“GoM is on September 12...in the evening,” a government official told PTI.

The GoM had last met on August 1 where it discussed the issues pertaining to pensions at MTNL and BSNL.

The Department of Telecom (DoT) is believed to be in favour of a lumpsum payment of around Rs 5,925 crore as pension benefits to the MTNL staff.

It had proposed to implement the voluntary retirement scheme in both the PSUs for 1 lakh BSNL employees and 20,000 employees in MTNL.

MTNL sees pension as one of the three main issues —— besides refund of BWA spectrum and finance cost —— that needs to be resolved for company to become profitable by 2017—18.

It has been registering losses since 2008—09. In 2012—13, the company recorded a net loss of Rs 5,321.12 crore on annual revenue of Rs 3,428.6 crore.

BSNL losses, as per unaudited results, stood at Rs 8,198 crore for 2012—13, compared Rs 8,851 crore posted in 2011—12.

BSNL has been logging losses since 2009—10. The company’s profits started declining after 2004—05, when it had made net gains of Rs 10,183 crore.

The company expects its total income to grow to above Rs 44,000 crore by 2017—18, from Rs 26,396 crore it posted for last fiscal.

Both MTNL and BSNL have requested the government to refund the amount they paid for Broadband Wireless Access spectrum, used for providing 4G data services, in 2010 as well as financial support for one—time spectrum that has been levied on them for holding radio waves beyond the initial chunk allocated to them.

Spectrum related issues cumulatively involve about Rs 23,000 crore and are yet to be discussed by GoM.

Telecom-commission-broadly-approves-plan-to-give-free-tablets-and-mobiles-Economic times.

Telecom-commission-broadly-approves-plan-to-give-free-tablets-and-mobiles

DoT-secretary-shares-views-on-latest-telecom-policies-

DoT-secretary-shares-views-on-latest-telecom-policies-D

Hon'ble Kerala High Court gives favourable order, on nominations to councils. -from BSNLEU

Hon'ble Kerala High Court gives favourable order, on nominations to councils.

The order of the Hon'ble Kerala High Court,  on nominations to councils, has come. The Hon'ble Court has reiterated it's earlier order, which states that the union/association which has not secured a minimum of 7% votes cannot make nominations to the councils. At the same time, it has not put any restriction on the the Recognised Union to make nominations to councils.  In other words, the Recognised Union has the liberty to nominate whomever it wants to councils. The relevent portion of the order reads thus:-

"If the qualified Union gives any such nomination, it shall be open to BSNL to take appropriate decision in the matter".

Since the Recognition Rules which are in vogue in BSNL have not put any restriction in making nominations to councils, the Recognised Union Union is free to nominate whomever it wants. BSNLEU has taken a principled stand on the matter which has been vindicated by the Hon'ble Court

Truth has won!

Opportunism has bitten the dust!!

Nominations to councils.

Ernakulam HC order.

27 09 13 one day strike demands.

United Forum 27 09 13 Strike demands.

HC directions on nominations of member to council.

The directions of Hon’ble High Court, Kerala on nomination of members to council.

 

“This Court had while issuing the interim order directed the 2^nd respondent not to induct or grant membership to anyone of the Unions which has not secured the prescribed 7% votes in the referendum. Admittedly for a Union to nominate a member to the various councils acquiring 7% of the votes is the mandate. That being the position, I do not find anything wrong with the interim order, but in view of the doubt expressed by the learned counsel for the 3^rd respondent, I clarify that the direction to the 2^nd respondent is not to accept nomination of anyone of the Unions which has not secured 7% votes in the referendum. If the qualified Unions give any such nomination, it shall be open for BSNL to take appropriate decision in the matter.” The case posted after Onam vacation for hearing.

After air fare rise-Telecom to increase rate ?

Rupee-pain-after-airfares-rise-telecom-tariff-next-in-line-

Nominations to councils.From BSNLEU

Status of Court case on nominations to councils

Hearing took place today in the Hon'ble Kerala High Court, in the matter of making nominations to the councils.  Arguments of both sides were heard.Judgement is expected to be delivered tomorrow. Our arguement in the Hon'ble Court is that the Recognised Union has the right to nominate any one, including non-members, to the councils and no restrictions should be imposed for this. As per the information given by our advocate, we hope to get a positive judgement.