People's Democracy

 Three-Day Strike of BSNL Workers from Oct 19-21

THE national convention of BSNL workers held at Mavalankar Hall in New Delhi on  July 19, 2010 has called upon the BSNL workers throughout the country to organise a three-day strike from October 19-21, 2010 demanding procurement of mobile lines, re-imbursement of spectrum charges of Rs 18,500 crore paid by BSNL and also protesting against disinvestment and retrenchment of one lakh workers as recommended by Sam Pitroda committee. It also demanded the government to restore licence fee reimbursement, payment of ADC etc. to restore the financial viability of BSNL. The convention also called upon the workers to dedicatedly perform, so that better service could be provided to the customers. The injustice done to the BSNL pensioners should be undone by ordering pension revision for pre 2007 BSNL retirees. The convention also demanded early settlement of ITS absorption issue and grant of 78.2 per cent IDA.

The national convention was presided over by N T Sajwani, chairman of joint action committee. Basudeb Acharya, MP, inaugurated the convention. M K Pandhe (CITU), Sanjeeva Reddy, MP (INTUC), G L Dhar (AITUC), Prabir Purkayastha (Delhi Science Forum) and leaders of BSNL unions addressed. V A N Namboodiri, convenor, joint action committee moved the declaration of the convention, which was unanimously adopted. More than 1500 delegates participated in the convention.