Wish You All A Happy New Year

WISH YOU ALL A HAPPY NEW YEAR

                2012

LET US ALWAYS REMEMBER

ON THIS DAY

Calculate your Income Tax

Just three days for the  New Year to born and it is time to calculate your income tax and plan for necessary savings.

Please visit

http://www.gconnect.in/personal-income-tax/gconnect-income-tax-calculator-for-2011-12-a-year-2012-13.html

where every thing is as simple as possible.

Our sincere thanks to Sri D.D. Mistry for sharing the information.

ஞானோதயம்!

When we did not join the strike on 15/12, we told the issues related directly to the staff are not included and hence our decision not to strike. Now those who struck work now realise it. Read what NFTE Vellore says:

From www.nftevellore.org dated 27-12-2011

December 15th Strike: In Vellore SSA, over 750 BSNL employees have participated in the strike of which about 70 are Executives. More than 250 employees were on leave. Others were on duty.

From what had been discussed with the CMD on the day of strike by the JAC leaders and in the meeting with the CLC, one can very well understand that the only demand of the strike was repatriation of ITS officers. The other demands like No VRS, 78.2% IDA merger, Bonus, etc were given least or nil importance.

The JAC meets today and may again give a call for strike with the sole aim of achieving this single demand but camouflage it with many other attractive demands. Time for us to ponder whether to lose our salary by joining such a strike.

15 டிசம்பரில் வேலைநிறுத்தம் செய்த JAC ஊழியர் பிரச்சினைகளான 78.2% IDA Merger, VRS, போனஸ் போன்ற ஊழியர் பிரச்சினைகளைப் பற்றி, நிர்வாகத்திடம் பேவில்லையாம். ITS அதிகாரிகள் பிரச்சினை மட்டுமே பிஎஸ்என்எல் நிர்வாகம் மற்றும் லேபர் கமிஷனர் ஆகியோரிடம் பேசப்பட்டதாம். ஒரு நாள் ஊதியம் போனதுதான் மிச்சமாம். அதிகாரிகள் சங்கங்கள் ஊழியர்களைத் தங்களுக்கு சாதகமாக வேலைநிறுத்தம் செய்ய வைத்து தங்களுக்கு எது லாபமோ அதை நிறைவேற்றிக்கொள்ள மீண்டும் ஊழியர்களை வேலைநிறுத்தம் செய்யத் தூண்டலாமாம். வேலைநிறுத்தத்தில் பங்கேற்று சம்பளத்தை இழக்க வேண்டுமா?

கேட்பது வேலைநிறத்தத்தில் பங்கேற்ற என்எப்டீஈ வேலூர் மாவட்ட சங்கம்!

MOU with Canara Bank for extending various Loan schemes

BSNL Corporate Office signed  MOU with Canara Bank for extending various Loan schemes to BSNL employees. The details are furnished in the annexure.


BHARAT SANCTIAR NIGAM LIMITEI)
(A Govt. of India Enterprise)
CORPORATE OFFICE (Banking Finance Division)
5" 'Floor .B haratS ar rchaBr havan.H ar ishC handraM athur Lane
Janpath New Delhi -I 10001

No:-I -9lBBF/StafLf oanll0-I I

To
Dated:19-12-2011
All Circles' IFA

Sub: MOU Signed with Canara Bank for extending various Loan Schemes to BSNL
Employees.

MOu with Canara Bank for extending various loans to BSNL employees has
beens ignedo n 8t l 'Dec2 011.T he generatle rmsa ndc ondi t ionsa reg i veni n Annexure- l l
of MOU andt he rateso f i r r teresltb r thev ar iousl oansa reg iven in annexure- l l lo f MOU
A copy of the agreementh as been placedo n oLl ri nt ranets i te wr ,vw. int ranet .bsnl .co. in
underh eadD i rector( Fin) ands ub-headB Lrdee&t FinanceC ont rol .

E,ncl:C opy of agreernent

The Asstt. General Manager,
House, 6 Bhaewan Dass Road,
CanaraB ank,R etailA ssetsH ub,S arojini
New Delhi -1 I 0001, for informat iopnl ease.
Copy to:

BSNL rings in VRS, hoping to wipe out losses in three years

Expects the scheme to lead to Rs 2,400-cr savings annually

Hyderabad, Dec. 16: 

Faced with a severe financial crunch and stuck with losses of Rs 6,000 crore this financial year as well, Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) is pinning its hopes on a VRS (voluntary retirement scheme) plan to improve its balance-sheet, despite strong protests from employees.

While it will pay out Rs 4,000 crore towards the scheme, BSNL expects the Government to pay Rs 12,000 crore as one-time compensation payments under the VRS. The VRS is expected to result in savings of Rs 2,400 crore annually, ringing in savings of 16 per cent in the wage bill.

This is one of the strategies for BSNL to improve its financial position and wipe out losses in the next three years.

“We are confident that losses will be maintained at Rs 6,000 crore or less this financial year,” said Mr Rakesh K. Upadhyay, Chairman and Managing Director, BSNL. BSNL incurred a loss of Rs 6,000 crore in 2010-11.

Mr Upadhyay ruled out plans of going in for a public issue or a merger with MTNL. He was here on Friday to launch the ‘Choose Your Mobile Number' scheme that allows users to pick a number of choice by using the BSNL Web site, sending an SMS or going to a retailer. It pops up lots of 10 numbers each from a pool of one lakh numbers.

Seeks spectrum fee return

BSNL has asked the Government to return BWA (Broadband Wireless Access) spectrum fee of Rs 6,000 crore and compensation for operating in areas that are not commercially viable. It has also asked the Government to allow it to use its vast land-bank in prime areas (that it acquired from the pre-BSNL days) to start public-private partnerships earn get additional revenues. For now, it plans to start tapping the land it bought in the post-BSNL era.

BSNL's plan to offer VRS to about one-third (or one lakh) of its employees has triggered protests from employees, who allege that it was ITS (Indian Telecom Services) officers who were responsible for the decline in the organisation's fortunes.

Business Line 17/12/2011

VRS பற்றி AIBSNLOA

Thanks to Sri D.D. Mistry for sharing this

VRS – some facts

This is not the first time that talk of VRS in BSNL has hit the headlines. BSNL Management proposed VRS in the year 2004 itself, at a time when BSNL was financially quite healthy. The issue was even discussed with the staff side in National Council. But it did not progress further since a group of BSNL Unions had been opposing the same. Subsequently, the proposal was mooted time and again, but it was not pursued seriously by the BSNL Management. Then came the recommendations by Sam Pitroda Panel, advising reduction of staff strength by one third. However DoT and BSNL preferred to soft pedal on this issue. But things changed after BRPSE, after a meeting held on 21.12.2010, gave various recommendations to improve BSNL’s physical and financial performance. Vide its Recommendation No.3, BSNL was asked ‘to submit details about category-wise identification of surplus staff as well as broad financial implications of suggested

VRS options.’

Since then there have been flurry of activities on this issue.

On 19.5.2011, BSNL submitted its Action Taken Report on BRPSE recommendations, wherein it had proposed two options for VRS, one based on DPE guidelines (Gujarat Model) and the other – BSNL’s own proposal providing for notional increments for remaining period of service. The contents of the proposals were published in AIBSNLOA CHQ site on 24.6.2011. No other website had published this information.

On 27.7.2011, AIBSNLOA published the information in its website that, ‘DoT is understood to have conveyed its decision on the proposal indicating detailed action points on the issue.’ Again on 13.9.2011, AIBSNLOA posted the information in its website that, ‘DoT has written to CMD BSNL requesting "Action taken on VRS in BSNL as discussed during the meeting in DOT on 1st September, 2011 may also be approved."’ No other union/association published this information. The representative union and the Executive Associations enjoying the patronage and facilities from the Management kept a studied silence on the matter, like the proverbial ostrich burying its head in the sand.

Only after the contents of the BSNL presentation on VRS to Hon’ble Minister of Communications & IT were published in AIBSNLOA site on 15.9.2011, these associations and the union half-heartedly admitted that such a proposal existed, that too after pressure from their members.

Even one Executive Association which announced on 1-9-2011 that the CMD appreciated the Association for its foresight of cautioning its members well in time about the emergence of such a situation and advised to apprise its members that management would be compelled to take drastic measures in the days to come in view of continuously failing health of the Company, which included deferring of promotions across the board by one to two years, stopping of both All India LTC and

also leave encashment on LTC, along with stopping payment of medical reimbursement without vouchers for outdoor treatment, did not utter a word regarding

VRS which was in the offing.

So, it can be inferred that these unions/associations chose to remain silent, while all the developments mentioned above were happening on the VRS front. May be there was a tacit understanding between them and the BSNL Management on the issue. The Executives are quite aware of all these developments although they are not vocal enough to express their views. Therefore call for agitation by these unions and associations did not come as a surprise and was seen only as a token protest. As expected, the other major union without recognition has taken a stand to oppose VRS, mainly based on ideological difference.

Although the Government policies and the DoT & the BSNL Management both controlled by ITS officers are mainly to blame for the present financial health of BSNL, which was the No.2 Service Operator till 2004 in Mobile Service Sector, the representative union and the two associations enjoying the facilities and patronage of Management are also responsible for the present day situation, by remaining mute spectators all along. They shirked their responsibility, as the sole negotiators on behalf of the employees and officers of BSNL, in effectively settling the issues like, restoration of justified ADC charges, reimbursement of license fee, continuation of compensation for loss making rural services, pension contribution by BSNL to DoT on actual basic pay, settlement of the issue of 60% ceiling fixed by DoT on its responsibility of paying pension, etc., which have existed for many years now, on which these unions and associations pretend to show seriousness only now. In spite of a few strike calls, the issues were never negotiated seriously and hence the outcome of the strikes was practically zero.

AIBSNLOA called its members to join the strike on one occasion, although it was not a party to the strike decision, by way of showing its solidarity towards the issue. But the strike ended in a few hours, with an assurance from the Minister offering nothing. Other important issues like revision of tendering and procurement policy, physical transfer of assets from DoT to BSNL, changing over from commercial tariff to industrial tariff for power consumption, cancellation of all AMCs for exchanges etc. were either not taken up or were not pursued seriously to reach a conclusion. If a large group of Executives and many non-Executives are eagerly awaiting announcement of VRS today, it is because of the fear psychosis created by one Executive Association that ‘the BSNL employees and their family would start bleeding’ and its open approval of the Management’s decisions of withdrawal of leave encashment on LTC, withdrawal of medical facility without voucher and more drastic measures in the days to come. This particular association which refused to participate in the agitation called by its own group on the above issues a few days ago, is now found presiding over the agitation on the same issues which exposes its double game. Arguments put up by some unions against VRS that, post-VRS, the remaining employees will face extra work load and transfers, will only help in driving more employees towards opting for VRS.

AIBSNLOA felt that this time the Management is really serious about implementing VRS, mainly due to clear directions from the Minister. AIBSNLOA had already made known its stand on VRS during its presentation to DoT on the recommendations of Pitroda committee, that ‘trimming the size of the organization is important for its financial health, but implementation of any VRS scheme should be purely voluntary and no coercion or indirect pressures be exerted on the employees.’ Since the BSNL Board was to approve the proposals on VRS in its meeting on 29th September 2011, which was expected to be approved by the DoT agreeing to fund the scheme, again at the instance of the Minister, time was running out and hence AIBSNLOA submitted its views on VRS to the CMD BSNL in writing, taking a balanced and pragmatic stand on VRS and suggesting very important and crucial points for improving the scheme, before BSNL takes a final decision in its Board meeting. AIBSNLOA’s practical stand and suggestions have received wide appreciation from BSNL employees and officers alike, irrespective of affiliations. Due to modernization and introduction of new technology, staff have been rendered surplus ever since the 1980s. But the representative union of those days ensured that the staff rendered surplus was trained and retrained in the new technology through the Cadre Restructuring Scheme so that they did not become redundant. But technology has been changing in a fast pace than expected, leaving more employees surplus. Since no effort has been taken for further restructuring and retraining, many of them have become redundant. As a consequence, the wage bill has been rising disproportionate to the output. VRS is the only legitimate option available for the Management to reduce the redundant staff by providing adequate compensation. VRS at earlier stages when the company was financially healthy would have fetched more compensation for the VRS optees, since the DPE guidelines for VRS provides for lower compensation for marginally profit/loss making PSUs and much lower compensation for sick PSUs. Even at this stage, if the VRS proposals are dropped by the Management for any reason, it is bound to resurface some time later, but with further lesser compensation. Till now, VRS has mainly targeted the non-executive employees. It should also be noted that after introduction and stabilization of the ERP (Enterprises Resources Planning) Project in BSNL, staff in all cadres, including Group B and Group A level officers, would be further rendered surplus in very large numbers,. It is in this background that AIBSNLOA formed a considered opinion that “trimming the size of the organization is important for its financial health, but implementation of any VRS scheme should be purely voluntary and no coercion or indirect pressures be exerted on the employees.”

Any responsible trade union/association should analyze the proposal taking into account this background and all the relevant facts and should face the challenge squarely, instead of merely recording the protest and allowing things to flow out of their control, without benefiting anyone. The leadership should be bold enough to work out solutions without token opposition and should ensure that the VRS optees are not at the mercy of the Management and those remaining after VRS do not face undue hardship. Therefore, it is pertinent that all unions and associations which are really and honestly interested in the survival of BSNL as well as the employees, come together and concentrate on settling the core issues like continued Government support assured at the time of corporatization viz. reimbursement of licence fee paid by BSNL, continuation of compensation under USO fund for loss making rural services, pension contribution by BSNL to DoT on actual basic pay, settlement of the issue of 60% ceiling fixed by DoT on its responsibility of paying pension, proper tendering and procurement policy, physical transfer of all assets from DoT without further delay, bringing in professional managers at all levels, autonomy in decision making, restoration of curtailed benefits like leave encashment on LTC, medical allowance and approval of 78.2% for fixation in revised pay etc. The struggle to achieve all these cannot be impulsive and instantaneous, but shall be a prolonged one, which would include mobilizing public support on the necessity of BSNL to remain in the stage, to keep the prices affordable as are now and not allowing private operators to return to the old days when they charged exorbitant prices. Members of other unions and associations will also support such a movement in the course of time. Trade union movement can survive the onslaught of technology and government policies only by changing tactics and adopting new strategies in consonance with the changing times and changing environment, which is the need of the time.

“It is not the strongest of the species that survive, nor the most intelligent, but the one most responsive to change.” - Charles Darwin

******* (11-10-2011)

SOURCE: AIBSNLOA WEB.

Reduction in retirement age for all BSNL staff - FNTO opposes

11.12.2011: Copy of GS, FNTO letter addressed to Shri R.K. Upadhyay, CMD, BSNL New Delhi dated 10th December 2011from camp at Chennai.

Sub: Reduction in retirement age for all BSNL staff.

It is learnt that some quarters are negotiating with management for reduction in retirement age (60 to 58) in lieu of VRS. Reduction in retirement age is nothing but compulsory retirement for all staff at the age of 58 and the popular sentiment amongst the staff is against such proposal, management may be aware of.

Our union, NUBSNLW (FNTO) had already made it clear that we will not oppose VRS provided it is purely voluntary with a satisfactory package. If management imposes reduction in retirement age due to pressure from vested interest, our union will totally oppose it and organize prolonged trade union action. We hope management will not resort to reduction in retirement age to offset the loss.

With Regards,

Yours Sincerely,

K.Vallinayagam
General Secretary
NUBSNLW (FNTO)

ஓய்வு வயது 58 ஆக குறைப்பு – FNTO எதிர்ப்பு

      VRS  திட்டத்துக்கு மாற்றாக, ஓய்வு பெறும் வயதை 60-லிருந்து      58 ஆகக்  குறைப்பதற்கான யோசனையை முன்வைத்து ஒரு சாரார் நிர்வாகத்தோடு பேச்சுவார்த்தையில் இறங்கி யிருப்பதாகத் தகவல் கிடைத்திருக்கிறது. ஓய்வு பெறும் வயதைக்  குறைப்பதென்பது 58 வயதில் ஊழியர்கள் அனைவரையும் கட்டாய ஓய்வில் அனுப்புவது என்பதைத் தவிர வேறில்லை. மேலும், அனைத்து ஊழியர்களின் பொதுவான மனோபாவமும் அது போன்ற ஒரு திட்டத்துக்கு எதிரானதாகவே இருக்குமென்பதும் நிர்வாகத்திற்கு தெரிந்திருக்கும்.

தொழிலாளர்கள் மீது விருப்ப ஓய்வுத் திட்டத்தைத் திணிக்காமல், விருப்ப ஓய்வில் செல்ல முன்வரும் தொழிலாளர்களுக்கு அதிகபட்ச பயன்தரக் கூடிய நல்லதொரு திட்டத்தை வழங்க நிர்வாகம் முன்வரும் போது அதை தேவையின்றி எதிர்க்க வேண்டிய அவசியமில்லை என்ற FNTO-வின் நிலையை ஏற்கனவே தெளிவு படுத்தியிருக்கிறோம்.

இந்தச் சூழ்நிலையில், குறிப்பிட்ட சிலரின் தனிப்பட்ட சுயலாப நோக்கங்களுக்கு அடிபணிந்து, ஓய்வு பெறும் வயதைக்  குறைப்பதென்னும் முடிவை நிர்வாகம் எடுத்தால், அதை நாங்கள் முழுமையாக எதிர்த்து தொடர் போராட்டங்களில் ஈடுபடுவோம். நஷ்டத்தை ஈடுகட்டுவதற்காக இதுபோன்ற ஓய்வு வயதைக்  குறைக்கும் முயற்சிகளில் நிர்வாகம் இறங்காதென்று நம்புகிறோம்.

BSNL-ன் VRS திட்டத்துக்கு அரசு ஒப்புதல்

ஒரு லட்சம் ஊழியர்களை விருப்ப ஓய்வில் அனுப்புவதற்கான BSNL-ன் VRS திட்டத்தை  DOT கொள்கையளவில் ஏற்றுக் கொண்டுள்ளது. விரைவில், இதுபற்றிய குறிப்பு (cabinet note) மத்திய அமைச்சரவையின் ஒப்புதலுக்காக அனுப்பி வைக்கப்படும் என்று தெரிகிறது.

பயன்படா அலைக்கற்றைக்கான பணத்தை BSNL-க்கு திருப்பித்தர DOT சம்மதம்:

     4 மாநிலங்களைத் தவிர்த்து, 17 மாநிலங்களில் BSNL-க்கு பயன்படா அலைக்கற்றையை அரசிடமே ஒப்படைக்கும்    BSNL-ன் முடிவை DOT ஏற்றுக் கொண்டுள்ளது. ஆனால், அதற்கான கட்டணத்தை அடுத்த ஆண்டு மறுஏலம் முடிந்த பிறகே BSNL-க்கு திருப்பித்தர முடியும் என்று DOT தெரிவித்துள்ளது.

Govt. gives nod to BSNL’s VRS plan

Flash News

Govt. gives nod to BSNL’s VRS plan.

DOT has agreed in principle to approve the VRS proposal submitted by BSNL and a cabinet note for the same will be floated shortly, as it is learnt.

Refund of license fee for unused BWA:

DOT has written to BSNL that BSNL will be allowed to surrender the unused BWA spectrum in 17 circles but the refund of license fee will be made only after the 2^nd Auction to be held during next year.

மத்தியச் செயற்குழுக் கூட்டம் - சென்னை

தேசிய BSNL தொழிலாளர் சங்கம்-FNTO வின் அகில இந்தியச் செயற்குழுக் கூட்டம் டிசம்பர் 1, 2 தேதிகளில் சென்னையில் மிகச் சிறப்பாக நடைபெற்றது. இன்றைய சூழலில் BSNL மற்றும் தொழிலாளர்கள் எதிர்கொண்டுவரும் பல்வேறு பிரச்சினைகள் குறித்தும் விரிவான விவாதங்கள் நடைபெற்றன. செயற்குழுவில் காலியாக இருந்த பதவிகள் நிரப்பப் பட்டன. தமிழகத்தின் சார்பில், திருச்சி மாவட்டச் செயலரும் மூத்த தோழருமான அப்துல் வஹாப் உதவிப் பொதுச் செயலராக நியமிக்கப் பட்டார்.

டிசம்பர் 2-ம் தேதி முற்பகலில், BSNL-ன் சேவைகள் மற்றும் வாடிக்கையாளரின் தேவைகள் (BSNL Services and Customer orientation) என்ற தலைப்பில் கருத்தரங்கம் நடைபெற்றது. தேசியச் சங்கத்தின் அகில இந்தியத் தலைவர் தோழர் தாமஸ் ஜான் தலைமையேற்று கருத்தரங்கத்தைச் செழுமைப் படுத்தினார். திரு A.சுப்பிரமணியன், CGM, Chennai Telephones மற்றும்  திரு முகம்மது அஸ்ரப் கான், CGM, TN Circle ஆகியோர் கலந்துகொண்டு   BSNL-ன் புதிய சேவைகள் குறித்தும், தரமான சேவைகள் மூலம் BSNL-ஐ வலுப்படுத்த எடுக்கப்பட்டுள்ள நடவடிக்கைகள் குறித்தும் விளக்கினர்.

இறுதியாக, விரிவான விவாதங்களுக்குப் பிறகு எடுக்கப்பட்ட முடிவுகளின் அடிப்படையில் பல தீர்மானங்கள் நிறைவேற்றப்பட்டன.

டிசம்பர்-15 Strike - FNTO பங்கேற்காது

டிசம்பர் 1, 2 தேதிகளில் சென்னையில் நடைபெற்ற அகில இந்தியச் செயற்குழுக் கூட்டத்தில் விரிவான விவாதங்களுக்குப் பிறகு எடுக்கப்பட்ட முடிவின் படி,

டிசம்பர் 15 அன்று JAC மற்றும் BWA நடத்தும் வேலைநிறுத்தத்தில்

FNTO பங்கேற்கவில்லை.

Letter to Hon'ble Minister for Communications

                                                                                       Dated        -11-2011.

To

Sri. Kapil Sibal,

Hon’ble Minister for Communication,

Govt. of India,

New Delhi – 110 001.

Sir,

                    Sub:- Request for protecting the promotion of Telecom Mechanics of

                            

Tamil Nadu Circle

to the cadre of TTA in BSNL – reg.

                    It is reported that in BSNL the LDCE for promotion to TTA cadre under 40% quota for the recruitment year 2004 was held on 18-12-2005 throughout the country.  Many employees could not pass the examination as the question papers were very tough and even Engineering  Graduates could not answer.  So the service unions demanded grace marks to the employees who attended and failed in the examination.

                   

                   The BSNL Management rejected the demand for grace mark but suggested to hold a supplementary examination for the failed candidates for unfilled vacancies.  Even the grace marks given in

West Bengal Circle

was also cancelled by the BSNL corporate office.  Accordingly the supplementary examination was held on 28-10-2007 and 97 Telecom Mechanics have come out successful in Tamil Nadu circle.  One Telecom Mechanic who was denied permission to sit for the supplementary examination has filed a case in the Madras High Court and the court has declared the examination itself as illegal as there is no provision in the recruitment rules for holding supplementary examination for unfilled vacancies.  The Apex court also upheld the judgement of the High Court.  Because of this judgement, 97 Telecom Mechanics who have come out successful in that examination in

Tamil Nadu Circle

have now been affected as the employee who had gone to the court has challenged the orders of CGM, BSNL,

Tamil Nadu Circle

.  Had the orders of the BSNL CO is challenged about 3000 employees who have come out successful in the above examination throughout the country would have been affected.

                  To safeguard the interest of the 97 employees of

Tamil Nadu Circle

and also the employees promoted in other circles FNTO, the INTUC affiliated union in BSNL  has requested the BSNL Management to amend the R/Rs of TTA retrospectively making provision for a supplementary examination at least as one time measure for the 2004 year of vacancies.  This case was also referred to the then HM© by that union and the reply given to the union through the CGM, BSNL,

Tamil Nadu Circle

is enclosed for reference.

                  Now, the BSNL has issued orders to hold examination for 2008 year of vacancies with implication of carrying forward of the above 97 unfilled vacancies also.  This is nothing but denying promotion to the above 97 employees of Tamil Nadu Circle who have come out successful in the supplementary examination whereas their counterparts in other circles including those in Chennai  Telephones are enjoying the fruits of the promotion.

                  I feel the denial of promotion to these employees are discriminatory and their recruitment should be regularized by appropriately amending the R/Rs to which the BSNL Board  is competent.  It is most unfortunate that the BSNL is showing discrimination to the employees of

Tamil Nadu Circle

.

                     I am to submit  that it is not the fault of the employees who have written the examination in good faith.  The BSNL Management should have seen before ordering for supplementary examination, whether there is provision for the same in the R/Rs.  Having called for the examination and promoting the employees who have come out successful in the other circles denying the same to

Tamil Nadu Circle

employees alone is total injustice.  I therefore request the HM© to kindly intervene in the matter to render justice to Tamil Nadu Circle employees, by causing amendments to the R/Rs appropriately which will safeguard the interest of the employees promoted through this examination in other circles also.  Till such time the examination proposed for 2008 year of vacancies may be ordered to be held under abeyance or the 97 vacancies of 2004 be reserved for these employees pending amendment to R/Rs.

                    I hope that the HM© will bestow his personal attention in this regard at an early date to render justice to the innocent employees who have been denied the hard earned promotion through competitive examination.

                   Thanking you,

                                                                                   Yours sincerely,

                                                                              (C. GNANASEKARAN)

FNTO on VRS

Editorial of FNTO News

VRS - YES OR  NO?

As a Trade union FNTO opposes Voluntary Retirement Scheme (VRS) in principle because  it will reduce the workforce in a Company and there are chances that experi- enced employees may leave. As long as BSNL was in profit our union opposed VRS and have launched several struggles including Joint strike.

But the situation has changed now. Despite unions cry to reduce unproductive and extravagant expenses there is very little effort on the part of management towards this direc- tion. On our demand for compensation for rural services and Govt. Cooperation to keep BSNL viable by way of refunding ADC, License fee, spectrum charges etc. there is not much of a response from Govt. On the other hand DoT had earlier proposed to ease out BSNL employees on VRS by giving a few increments without any package.

Present CMD wanted to revive the Company by improving the revenue and rejuveniting the business to meet the competition. Though it is not the fault of the workers, one has to accept that the numerical strength of executives and non executives is high even without comparison to private operators. Expenditure on salaries has increased multifold. Last year loss of Rs.1500 cr has quadrupled this year and the loss is more than Rs.6000 cr.

So the management is compelled to consider VRS as an option and the CMD and BSNL Board has sent two proposals to Government. One among them as is offered to MTNL is better. It is also a question mark whether the Government will approve this proposal and allot necessary funds.

At this juncture it is neither advisable nor desirable to launch strike (either one day or indefinite) which will worsen the situation. Stoppage of work will bring disgrace to unions and irrepairable damage to BSNL and its future.

Service unions of both executives and non executives should sit accross the table to negotiate better VRS package without income tax for exgratia, merger of 78.2%. IDA merger for fixation benifit etc.

In case the management changes its mind and thrust an unsatisfactory package with a compulsory scheme then there is reason for us to choose a struggle path to save the workers. Let us hope the management will not resort to such an option.

விஷிஸ்ட் சன்ச்சார் சேவா பதக் அவார்டு - 2011

தமிழ் மாநில அளவில், தொழிலாளர் மற்றும் அதிகாரிகள் 17 பேர் விருதுக்காக தேர்ந்தெடுக்கப் பட்டுள்ளனர்.

காரைக்குடி தொலைத்தொடர்பு மாவட்டத்தில் பணிபுரிபவரும், தேசியச் சங்கத்தின் நெடுநாளைய உறுப்பினருமான தோழர் S.யோகேஸ்வரன், SR.TOA(G) அவர்களுக்கு 2011-ம் ஆண்டுக்கான விஷிஸ்ட் சன்ச்சார் சேவா பதக் அவார்டு வழங்கப் பட்டுள்ளது.

முன்னாள் இராணுவ வீரரும், இந்நாள் கடமை வீரருமான  தோழர் S.யோகேஸ்வரன், தேசியச் சங்கத்தின் பால் பற்றும் கொள்கைப் பிடிப்பும் கொண்ட, துடிப்பு மிக்க தோழர்.

அதே நேரத்தில், சங்க வேறுபாடின்றி அனைவருக்கும் உதவிடும் மனப்பாங்கு கொண்டவர். அதிகாரிகளை அனுசரித்துப் பணியாற்றிடும் வேளையில், தவறென மனதில் பட்டதைச் சுட்டிக்காட்டவும் தயங்காதவர். அதிகாரிகளுக்கு அலுவல் சம்பந்தமான ஆலோசனைகளை வழங்குபவர், ஆனால் ஜால்ரா போடத் தெரியாதவர்.

தனது தன்னிகரில்லா உழைப்பின் காரணமாக, தமிழ்மாநில அளவில் விருது பெற்றுள்ள தோழர் S.யோகேஸ்வரனை நாம் மனதார வாழ்த்துகிறோம். அவரது பணி மென்மேலும் சிறக்கட்டும்.

Happy Diwali - தீபாவளி வாழ்த்துகள்

தீபாவளி வாழ்த்துகள்

இல்லங்களில் மட்டுமல்ல உள்ளங்களிலும்

இருள் விலகட்டும், ஒளி பரவட்டும்.

இன்றும் மனித உருவில் உலவுகின்ற

அரக்கர்குலம் மாயட்டும்,

மனிதநேயம் மலரட்டும்.

அனைவருக்கும் இனிய

தீபாவளி நல்வாழ்த்துகள்.

25-10-2011                                            NUBSNLW/FNTO

BSNL will turn around in less than 2 years

Mr Rakesh Kumar Upadhyay, Chairman and Managing Director, Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd, has an uphill task of turning around the company. Apart from falling market share, mounting losses and controversies around its procurement, the telecom company is dealing with increasing cost of managing a large workforce of over 3 lakh people.


During a conversation with Business Line, Mr Upadhyay says that the window of opportunity for BSNL to turn around is less than two years, which can happen if a proposed voluntary retirement scheme takes off. Excerpts.


How do you plan to improve market share for BSNL?


BSNL is still a market leader in landline and broadband segments. In mobile segment only we rank fourth in terms of customer base. To translate our goodwill into market share, we are making efforts to give focused attention to improve our network availability, increased accessibility of products to the customers, launching innovative value added services, sustained operational focus on customer care, service delivery and service assurance, use of IT tools for monitoring performance.


What are the targets that you have set for yourself?


It has been decided to adopt two fold strategy: take new initiatives for increasing revenues and optimising CAPEX and OPEX through convergence. We are focusing to fortify stable revenue streams through concerted focus on broadband, NGN voice and enterprise business with major focus on Government projects. There is going to be focused monitoring on the performance of top 100 cities.


Why is BSNL lagging behind in terms of profit and market share?


BSNL is the market leader in landline and broadband business segments with 71.93 per cent and 63.49 per cent market shares respectively. BSNL also has prominent shares in mobile and leased circuit business segments. BSNL entered cellular business as a late entrant in October 2002 when private operators had already spread their arms for over 6 years. Our network expansion stumbled during the last few years for reasons beyond our control. However, we have initiated the process to increase our mobile capacity and hope to revive the growth process.


The entire telecom industry is presently witnessing pressures on its margins due to the price war in cellular segment and all operators are feeling the pinch of competition. BSNL is feeling a greater pinch due to increased manpower cost after the pay revision in public sector. In current situation even the operators with a lean workforce are witnessing shrinking margins. The products where we have dominant position are those where the costs of sustenance are high and margins are low.


We are making efforts to leverage technology for reducing cost and increasing productivity.


Do you think BSNL will become another Air India or do you think this company will turn around?


I do not see any link of Air India's experience with that of BSNL except for the fact that both are PSUs. They are operating in different industry segments and have dissimilar operational dynamics.


I am quite optimistic about BSNL improving its position. I also wish for improved fortunes of Air India.


What is the status of synergising operations with MTNL?


As a part of synergising the operations of BSNL and MTNL, we are taking various initiatives to ensure that both the companies are able to give a single window view to the end consumer and able to withstand the competition. These initiatives include procurement of international bandwidth by assessing the combined requirement of both BSNL and MTNL to take price advantage of large volume of bandwidth. Similar arrangement is also being explored for international voice traffic.


BSNL and MTNL are also working on a proposal wherein entire traffic of MTNL is carried by BSNL across the country at most competitive rates. Synergy about provisioning of leased line and MPLS VPN to the enterprises customers is being reviewed to resolve issues between the two companies.


Do you agree with the Government move to price 2G spectrum?


BSNL is a wholly owned Central Government PSU and it abides by the decisions of the Government in the matter. The spectrum obtained by BSNL is used for spreading telecommunication in far flung, remote, rural areas, hilly and difficult terrains which are non-remunerative areas, as a part of Government programme. Therefore, BSNL expects the Government to adequately compensate BSNL by giving the spectrum at subsidised rates instead of market rates.


Should BSNL be given more autonomy with less interference from political class?


We are governed by DPE guidelines and as part of it we have to sign MOU with Administrative Ministry or Department every year which specifies physical as well as financial targets to be pursued by us. Periodic review of targets vis-à-vis achievements are carried out by DOT. Hence their involvement in the business of the company cannot be ruled out.


There are suggestions of hiving of BSNL into various business, like what BT and AT&T did. What is your take?


This is a policy matter on which decision has to be taken by the Administrative Ministry or Department of the Government of India. However a dedicated business unit called New Business has been carved within BSNL to provide sustained focus on leveraging the huge infrastructure such as towers, land and buildings of BSNL. This unit is headed by an Executive Director.


The Government seems to be in a dilemma on giving BSNL the mandate to roll-out the National Optic Fibre. The fear being that BSNL will misuse its position and deny access to competition. Do you think BSNL should be given this project?


Yes, I feel that the project should be given to BSNL as BSNL is capable to execute this project in the shortest time at minimum cost. BSNL has countrywide OFC network of 6.8 lakh route km which is more than the optical fibre network of all other telecom service providers put together. The network is spread out in most of the 6500 blocks of the country and connected to 60,000 villages. The decision of awarding work to BSNL would be best utilisation of already existing fibre resources. The fear of misuse of its position by BSNL is unfounded as the operations of National Optical Fibre Network will be handled by an independent company under the Government of India which would provide non-discriminatory access to all.


How will you streamline procurement to make it faster and transparent?


To make the procurement process faster and more transparent, BSNL has recently started procuring through e-tendering method. Although our procurement is being done in accordance with a disclosed procurement policy, we implemented integrity pact whereby the complaints are settled expeditiously by IEMs (Independent External Monitors)


How will you deal with the issue of excess manpower?


At present, BSNL has nearly 2.76 lakh employees. Going by industry standards, BSNL does have a high staff-to-line ratio. We are considering downsizing the workforce by devising a suitable VRS scheme.

BSNL இன்னும் இரண்டு வருடங்களில் நல்ல நிலைக்குத் திரும்பும்

      BSNL இன்னும் இரண்டு வருடங்களில் நல்ல நிலைக்குத் திரும்பும் என்று BSNL-ன் தலைவர் மற்றும் நிர்வாக இயக்குநர் திரு ராகேஷ் குமார் உபாத்யாய் நம்பிக்கை தெரிவித்திருக்கிறார். பிசினஸ் லைன் என்ற பத்திரிகைக்கு அளித்த பேட்டியின் போது அவர் இவ்வாறு கூறியிருக்கிறார். தொலைத்தொடர்பு தொழிலில் கட்டண யுத்தம் (price war) காரணமாக, குறைவான எண்ணிக்கையிலான தொழிலாளர்களைக் கொண்டுள்ள தனியார் நிறுவனங்கள் கூட வருவாய் இழப்பைச் சந்திக்கின்ற இன்றைய சூழலில், BSNL நிறுவனத்தில் தொழிலாளர் – தொலைபேசி எண்ணிக்கை விகிதாச்சாரம் மிக அதிகமாக உள்ளதால் உற்பத்திச் செலவு அதிகரித்திருப்பதே நட்டத்திற்கான காரணம் எனவும் அவர் தெரிவித்திருக்கிறார். தொழிலாளர்  எண்ணிக்கையைக் குறைக்கும் நோக்கத்தில், தகுந்த விருப்ப ஓய்வுத் திட்டத்தை அமல்படுத்த உத்தேசித்துள்ளதாகவும், அது நல்லபடியாக நிறைவேறும் பட்சத்தில் BSNL இன்னும் இரண்டு வருடங்களில் நல்ல நிலைக்குத் திரும்பும் சாத்தியக்கூறுகள் உள்ளதாக அவர் கூறியிருக்கிறார்.

விருப்ப(மற்ற) ஓய்வு (VRS) – FNTO-வின் நிலை

நிர்வாகம் தொழிலாளர்கள் மீது விருப்ப ஓய்வுத் திட்டத்தை திணிக்க முற்படாத போதும், விருப்ப ஓய்வில் செல்ல விரும்பும் தொழிலாளர்களுக்கு பரஸ்பரம் பயன்தரக்கூடிய நல்லதொரு திட்டத்தை வழங்க நிர்வாகம் முன்வரும்  போதும் நாம் அதை தேவையின்றி எதிர்க்க வேண்டிய அவசியமில்லை என்பது FNTO-வின் நிலை.

மாறாக, தொழிலாளர்கள் மீது விருப்ப(மற்ற) ஓய்வுத் திட்டத்தை நிர்வாகம் திணிக்க முற்பட்டாலோ அல்லது  அத்திட்டமானது தொழிலாளர்களுக்கு பயன்தரக்கூடிய வகையில் இல்லையென்றாலோ  FNTO அதைக் கடுமையாக எதிர்க்கும்.

      நிர்வாகம் ஏற்கனவே இது சம்பந்தமாக தொழிற் சங்கங்களை கலந்தாலோசிக்க ஆரம்பித்துள்ள நிலையில், தற்போதைக்கு எந்தப் போராட்டத்தையும் FNTO அறிவிக்கவோ, கலந்துகொள்ளவோ இல்லை.

VRS – Stand of NUBSNLW/FNTO

If VRS is not thrusted by management on employees and if VRS is offered with a good and negotiated package, we will not oppose.

But, if VRS is compulsory and package is not suitable, FNTO will oppose it and will launch agitation.

Now, it is learnt that management has submitted a VRS proposal to Government and the same has not been approved so far. In the meanwhile management is consulting all the service unions on various options.

      So, FNTO is not announcing any program of action nor will participate in the agitations organized by other unions.

19-09-2011 – Meeting with Director (HR), BSNL Board

Director (HR) had invited FNTO for a discussion on current issues of important viz. VRS, etc.

The meeting was held on 19-09-2011 at 11.00 AM in BSNL Corporate office at New Delhi. Management was represented by the Director (HR), PGM (SR), GM (Restructuring) and GM (Personnel).

FNTO was represented by Com. K.Vallinayagam, General Secretary, Com. Bal Raj, Officiating CS, Delhi and Com. Mohinder, ACS, NTR.

There was a preliminary discussion on the management’s proposal for VRS scheme for BSNL Employees, which is already sent to Government for approval.

According to the scheme, VRS is proposed for employees above 45 years of age.

Ex-gratia lump sum amount will be paid as per DPE scheme – i.e. Salary (Basic Pay + DA) of 35 days for each completed year of service and 25 days for every year of service left until superannuation.

The compensation is subject to a minimum of Rs.25,000/- or 250 days salary whichever is higher.

However, the amount shall not exceed the sum of the salary that the employee would have drawn at the prevailing level for the balance of period left before superannuation and further it can not exceed 60 month’s salary.

The management stated that VRS is not COMPULSORY nor TARGETING any group of employees.

From union side, we informed to the management that we will be able to give our comments only after broad internal consultation within our body.

19-09-2011 – Meeting with Member (Services), DOT

Com. K.Vallinayagam, General Secretary, FNTO met Sri S.C.Mishra, Member (Services), DOT on             19-09-2011 and discussed pending absorption & disciplinary cases and also the case of Gujarat Telecom. Circle Surplus Workers deployed in lower scale in DOT period.

செப்டம்பர் 13ல் எழுச்சி மிகு ஆர்ப்பாட்டம்

ஊழல் அதிகாரிகளின் ஊதாரித்தனமான செலவுகளைக் குறைக்க வக்கற்ற நிர்வாகம், ஊழியர்களுக்குக் கிடைக்கின்ற சிறிய சலுகைகளையும், எழுத்து மூலம் உத்தரவாதம் அளிக்கப்பட்டு ஊழியர்கள் அனுபவித்து வரும் ஊழியர் நலத்திட்டங்களிலும், சிக்கன நடவடிக்கை என்று கைவைப்பதைக் கண்டித்து ஆர்ப்பரிக்க, அதன்மூலம் ஊழியர்களின் கொந்தளிப்பை நிர்வாகத்துக்கு உணர்த்திட, நமது தேசிய சங்கம் விடுத்த அறைகூவலை ஏற்று நாடெங்கும் செப்டம்பர் 13ம் நாள் எழுச்சி மிகு ஆர்ப்பாட்டங்கள் நடைபெற்றன. ஊழியர்கள் பெருந்திரளாய்க் கலந்துகொண்டு நிர்வாகம் பிறப்பித்துள்ள அநியாய உத்தரவுக்குத் தங்கள் எதிர்ப்பைத் தெரியப் படுத்தியுள்ளனர். தமிழ் மாநில சங்கம் சென்னை தொலைபேசி மாநில சங்கங்கள் இணைந்து சென்னையில் அண்ணா சாலை தமிழ்மாநிலப் பொதுமேலாளர் அலுவலகம் முன்பு நடத்திய இந்த ஆர்ப்பாட்டத்தில் NFTE தோழர்களும் பெருமளவில் கலந்து கொண்டர்.  இந்த ஆர்ப்பாட்டத்திற்கு சென்னை மாநில தலைவர் திரு இராதாகிருஷ்ணனும், தமிழ்மாநிலத் துணைத் தலைவர் திரு பார்த்தசாரதியும் கூட்டுத் தலைமை ஏற்றனர். சம்மேளன துணைச் செயலரும், சென்னை மாநிலச் செயலருமான திரு லிங்கமூர்த்தி, தமிழ்மாநிலச் செயலர் திரு சந்திரசேகரன், தமிழ்மாநிலப் பொருளாளர் திரு சாய்ராம், NFTE மாநிலச் செயலர் திரு பட்டாபி, BSNL DEU leader திரு குணசேகரன் ஆகியோர் கலந்து கொண்டு சிறப்புரை ஆற்றினர். சென்னை மாநில கௌரவத் தலைவர் திரு கிருஷ்ணமூர்த்தி நன்றி கூறினார்.

MTNL-ல் 20-30% சம்பள வெட்டு – தலைமை அதிகாரி எச்சரிக்கை அப்படியென்றால் BSNL-ன் கதி என்ன ???

MTNL chairman warns pay cut around 20-30% ! For BSNL???


Thursday, Sep 08, 2011 at 0041 hrs IST

MTNL

Mumbai: State-run telecom major Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Limited (MTNL) has taken a tough stand on the employees’ performance issue.

The company’s top management has warned employees that there may be a cut in pay in future if they fail to improve their performance as per the company’s expectations. “We have been warned by our chairman to work hard with a motivation to improve our performance, failing which we may face a pay cut of around 20-30 per cent in the future,” a senior official told The Indian Express.

MTNL chairman and managing director, Kuldip Singh, confirmed the move, but declined to comment on the percentage of pay cut. “The move is to bring out motivation among employees to work hard for the company and generate revenues. As far as pay cut is concerned, we don’t want to do until and unless there is compelling situation for us in the future,” Singh said.

In response to an issue raised by the MTNL Executive Association on managerial efforts to improve the financial position of the company, an emergency meeting was held on September 3, in New Delhi.

All senior officials of the company were present at the meeting and all issues related to the financial status of the company including employees’ performance were discussed.

The MTNL chief said at the meeting that all the stake holders should make some collective efforts to improve the financial position of the company which had worsened.

“There is still lot of potential in the company. Only thing required is thrust to rise to the occasion and commit to ourselves to turn around the company. We have been observing that the staff cost is almost equal to the total revenue of the company. Other expenses like licence fees, operation and administration expenses, revenue sharing charges, interest on loans etc are met through borrowings,” Singh said.

Keeping the poor financial health in mind, the company has also decided on a strategy to generate more revenue from 3G, Broadband Wireless Association (BWA) and outsourcing.

“The management is in the process to finalise the deals of franchises and outsourcing and expects around Rs 1,300 crore — Rs 500 crore through franchises of 3G, Rs 500 crore through franchises of BWA and Rs 300 crore through outsourcing of spare capacity,” Singh said.

BSNL

BSNL also is in same boat , It had suffered a major loss of Rs.2,725 crore on revenue of Rs.31,738 crore in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2011 compare to net loss of Rs.1,823 crore on revenue of Rs.32,046 crore in 2009-2010.

But BSNL is the leader in fixed line broadband thanks to its landline connections spread across the country. BSNL's broadband revenues stood at Rs 895.38 crore for the quarter ending June 2011. BSNL competes with Airtel (0.58 crore revenue), Aircel (Rs 20.87 crore), Sify (13.24 crore), Tata Internet Services (Rs 4.10 crore), Tulip Telecom (Rs 16.71 crore) and Vodafone Spacetel (Rs 5.53 crore).

It also has a huge salary bill which eats into 42% of its revenue. Every year, the salary bill rises by close to 10% and this year it is expected to pay Rs 15,000 crore as wages. On the other hand, the private operators pay just about 5-6% of their revenue as salary.

BSNL chairman & managing director RK Upadhayay had already directed all circle heads to go on a revenue maximisation drive, failing which fund allocations would be stand frozen. Each circle head was told to expand business on a war-footing and achieve a minimum 25% revenue growth this fiscal

In turn "Out of the 24 circles a few of the circles have already started showing good performance on gross revenue basis between the range of 14 per cent to 18 per cent. West Bengal is showing a growth of 18 per cent, Maharashtra is giving returns of 15.5 per cent, and Orissa and UP are showing growth of 14 per cent,"


"Still there are circles, including Uttaranchal, North East, Punjab and Haryana, which are still not performing well and they have to tighten up their belts”

FNTO ஆர்ப்பாட்டம் - 13-9-2011

நேற்று     நிதி நெருக்கடியைக் காரணம் காட்டி போனஸ் நிறுத்தப் பட்டது.

இன்று     அதே நிதி நெருக்கடியைக் காரணம் காட்டி மெடிக்கல் அலவன்ஸ், All India LTC மற்றும் EL Encashment போன்ற சலுகைகள் நிறுத்தப் பட்டுள்ளன.

நாளை     இதே நிதி நெருக்கடி தொடர்ந்தால் என்னவாகும் ?       இதர படிகளும் படிப்படியாக நிறுத்தப்படும் அபாயம் கண்ணெதிரே தோன்றுகிறது.

தொழிலாளர்களை ஊக்குவித்து, வருவாயைப் பெருக்குவதிலும் வராக்கடன்களை வசூலிப்பதிலும் முனைப்போடு செயலாற்றி BSNL நிறுவனத்தின் நிதிநிலையைச் சீராக்குவதற்கு மாறாக, நிதி நெருக்கடியைக் காரணம் காட்டி தொழிலாளர்களின் வயிற்றிலடிக்க எத்தனிக்கும் நிர்வாகத்தின் தவறான போக்கைக் கண்டித்து,  13-9-2011 அன்று அகில இந்திய அளவில் FNTO –வின் சார்பில் ஆர்ப்பாட்டம் நடத்த மத்திய சங்கம் அறைகூவல் விடுத்துள்ளது.

அனைத்து கிளைகளிலும் 13-9-2011 செவ்வாய்கிழமையன்று தவறாமல் ஆர்ப்பாட்டம் நடத்தி, போராட்டத்தை வெற்றிகரமாக்குவோம்.