Meeting with Communications Minister on BSNL pensioners issues

Today, 13th May 2015, along with Com. Sankar Prasad Datta, Member of Parliament, Com. V.A.N.Namboodiri, Advisor, AIBDPA met Shri Ravi Shankar Prasad, Communications Minister in his office in the Parliament House and discussed in detail about certain major issues of the BSNL/DOT Pensioners. Letters were handed over  by MP as also AIBDPA  on these demands.

With regard to 78.2% IDA pension fixation, the issue was explained and it was requested that the Cabinet Note and further actions be speeded up so that the pensioners will get the relief with out further delay. The background was also explained.  It was also requested that Pension Revision should be automatic along with wage revision. Minister agreed to favourably consider both the points. Then he stated that he is getting a large number of SMS from pensioners on these issues and is it a planned action. We told that no such decision has been taken by our union, but it proves that the pensioners are restless and decision should be taken urgently.

With regard to restoration of Medical Allowance to BSNL pensioners and allotment of staff quarters at reduced rate instead of market rate, he agreed to consider the same.

The Minister stated that he has got the letter from the Forum for a meeting with him and that such a meeting will be arranged along with the DOT officers. The Minister stated that government is making all out efforts to improve the financial position of BSNL and MTNL. We pointed out that the Forum is on a Save BSNL Campaign and the unions are taking all actions for the revival. Com.Namboodiri requested that such a meeting be held early. He agreed.

The meeting was very cordial and the Minister patiently heard all our points. Thanks to Com. Sankar Prasad Datta, MP, for arranging the meeting.

BSNL mobile market share declining - but increase in AP, Kerala, Haryana circles

MoC Sri Ravisankar Prasad informed Rajyasabha on 13.3.2015 that BSNL's mobile services market share declined overall from 10.72% in March 2012 to 8.62% in March 2014. But it's market share increased in AP-Telangana circle from 13.5 to 14.08%, in Haryana circle from 13.29 to 14.11% and in Kerala circle from 20.91 to 21.67% during this period. The reasons given by him are heavy competition, aggressive marketing by private operators and inadequate investment in expansion/ modernisation of its network over the period 2008-12 leading to network coverage issues. He further told that now phase-VII expansion of BSNL's mobile network is taking place at a cost of Rs 4804.77 crores adding 14421 2G sites and 10605 2G sites across the country. 

Thus the poor performance is not due to the employees, but due to the failure of the Government and management in procuring the required equipment for expanding mobile network.

That is why the Forum of BSNL Unions/Associations is demanding immediate procurement of equipment required for expanding/ modernising mobile network and for providing the required capital as loan with nominal interest.