Crucial issues related to the revival of BSNL

BSNL EMPLOYEES UNION

Centred Head Quarter

Main Recognised Representation Union,
Dada Ghosh Bhawan, 215/1, new patel Nagar,
Opp. Shadipur Bus Depot, New Delhi-110001

BSNLEU/ 604 (DEV)

06.06.2019

To,
Shn Ravi Shankar Prasad Ji,
Hon'ble Minister of Communications,
Sanchar Bhawan,
20, Ashoka Road,
New Delhi- 110001

Sir,
Sub: Crucial issues related to the revival of BSNL - reg.

At the outset, BSNLEU, the main recognised representative union In BSNL, heartily welcomes you, on your assuming change as the Hon'ble Minister of Telecommunications and IT. On this occasion, BSNLEU welcomes and also highly appreciates your statement that, BSNL and MTNL should remain healthy in the nation's interest. BSNLEU also approves your view that BSNL and MTNL need to become professional and adopt the competitive, attitude. In this connection, we also recollect the statement made by you, in your earlier tenure as the Honb'le Minister of Communications and IT, that BSNL was not allowed to grow for 10 years from 2004. BSNLEU assures to strengthen your hands, in all your endeavours to strengthen BSNL.

It is not out of context to point out here that, the entire telecom sector is stressed due to the predatory pricing being adopted by Reliance Jio. Due to this, all the telecom service providers. including Airtel and Vodafone Idea, have gone into loss. However, even under such a stressed situation, it is only BSNL, apart from Reliance Jio, which is consistently expanding its Mobile Customer bass every month. Under these circumstances, we wish to reiterate that, an early allotment of 4G spectrum to BSNL, by the government, will go a long way In speedily restoring the financial health of BSNL.
At this juncture, it is our duty to bring to your kind notice that, two Important decisions of the Union cabinet, taken in September, 2000, i.e. on the eve of the formation of BSNL, are yet to be implemented. Both these decisions are very crucial for the financial revival of BSNL The first decision is that, the government would do everything possible to keep BSNL financially viable. It is needless to state that this decision needs to be implemented in letter and spirit. The second decision is that. alt the asset and liabilities of the department would be transferred to BSNL While the liabilities stand transferred to BSNL, the assets are not transferred to BSNL. We request you to kindly look into these and to do the needful.

At this juncture, we also like to draw your kind attention to the moves presently being, made by the DoT and BSNL Management, to implement VRS, is well as the rolling back of the retirement at from 60 to 58 years, in the name of reviving BSNL's financial health. When 79,295 employees, from the present strength of 1,65,657, are going to retire In the next 4 years, ie., by April,2024, we do not understand the logic behind the urgency to implement VRS in BSNL. Similarly, as per the assurance given by the government in 2000, to the erstwhile recognised federations, only the government rules with regards to retirement age, are applicable to BSNL employees. We request you to kindly look into these aspects.

Another important aspect, connected with the revival of BSNL is that the Company is having vacant lands throughout the country, whose value is pegged at more than Rs.1 lakh crore. BSNL Management has estimated to earn Rs. 5000 crore to Rs. 10,000 crore per annum, by renting / leasing out those vacant lands. However, the DoT is yet to accord necessary approval to BSNL, for the monetization of the vacant lands. Similarly, the government of India Rule, in respect of payment of Pension Contribution, is yet to be implemented in the case of BSNL, as a result of which a huge amount is being collected in excess every year from BSNL, in the name of Pension Contribution. An early decision by the DoT in these issues, will go a long way to ensure the financial revival of BSNL.
Finally, the issues of implementation of 3rd Pay Revision to the BSNL employees, and also the issue of Revision of Pension to the BSNL retirees are, agitating the minds of the employees and the pensioners, An early, as well as positive decisions on these two issues, will greatly motivate the Executives and Non-Executives of BSNL, to contribute their mite for the Revival of BSNL.

We request you to kindly look into these issues and to ensure a positive settlement of the same.

Thanking you,

Yours sincerely,
P. Abhimanyu
General Secretary

Source: BSNL Employees Union