BSNL services hit by 2-day strike

Special Correspondent  

SILCHAR, April 21: The Forum of BSNL unions and associations of non executives and executives are on 2 day strike from today on their 20 point charter of demands. The strike is being observed across the country. One of the demands is that the government and BSNL magement should take immediate steps for its revival and ensuring fincial viability of the company. The notice in this respect was given to the CMD BSNL, secretary DoT and Ministry of Communications as well as IT on last March 12 after holding massive lunch hour demonstrations all over the country.

The demands among others include immediate procurement of equipments, compensation to BSNL for loss making rural services, fincial assistance to BSNL to expand services, no merger of BSNL and MTNL, no subsidiary tower company – merge BBNL with BSNL, reject TRAI recommendation to surrender 1.2 MHz spectrum, fill up posts of directors in BSNL, transfer its assets to BSNL, immediate refund of spectrum charges of Rs.6,700 crore and BSNL services to be mandatory to Central/ State government as well as PSUs.

 Besides, the unions and associations are also pressing for spectrum liberalization by BSNL, rejection of anti BSNL and anti worker recommendations of Deloittee Committee, allotment of spectrum free to BSNL, start of 4G services by BSNL, no mandatory purchase of equipments from ITI, regular pension revision of retirees, pension contribution as actual basic pay, 30% superannuation benefits to direct recruits and fresh recruitment of staff.

 A spokesman of the unions said a “save BSNL campaign” was organized by holding circle level conventions in support of their demands. A march participated by thousands of employees was organized and a memorandum signed by more than 25 lakh people was submitted to the Prime Minister for early action. He pointed out the annual revenue of BSNL is continuously going down and it is running on loss for the last 5 years.

 Significantly, as he stated 3 circles of Kerala, Jammu and Kashmir as well as Odisha have made profits. The market share has gone down to 8.62% in March. BSNL is not able to carry on developmental activities due to non procurement of equipments. Thousands of land lines and even mobile lines are surrendered. The services are not up to the mark. If the situation continues, it is apprehended in no time BSNL like MTNL may be declared sick.

 The spokesman further said the Central Government is bent on implementing neo-liberal policies and PSUs are not the priority. It is because of the sustained campaign by the Forum that the government has to desist from implementing VRS and disinvestment. The present struggle is for the revival of BSNL and for that the cooperation of general people is necessary.