BSNL/MTNL Union Leaders Meet PM

THE executive and non executive unions in BSNL and MTNL requested the  prime minister Manmohan Singh not to implement the hike in foreign direct investment (FDI) in telecom sector.

Meeting the prime minister in New Delhi on March 2, the union leadership submitted a memorandum on the FDI hike in telecom and other issues. The unions wanted that the FDI hike from 49 per cent to 74 per cent must not be implemented; Access Deficit Charge (ADC) should be strictly implemented; Universal Service Obligation Fund should be reimbursed to BSNL/MTNL and also that outsourcing of BSNL services should be immediately stopped.  The union leaders thanked the prime minister for taking a positive decision on the issue of government pension to BSNL employees.

The prime minister explained the necessity for FDI hike since telecom sector required inflow of funds. He informed that necessary steps are taken to safeguard security concerns of the nation and also interests of the employees.

On the issue of Access Deficit Charge, it was pointed out to the prime minister that the private companies were escaping without paying even the ADC fixed by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI). Dr Manmohan Singh gave a patient hearing and assured the union leaders that the concerns stated by them would be positively considered. It was also assured that the order on the pension contribution from BSNL to government is being processed.

The union leaders who met the prime minister included VAN Namboodiri, P Abhimanyu, Pabitro Chakraborty (BSNLEU), O P Gupta (NFTE), K Vallinayagam, Thomas Jhon (FNTO), G L Jogi (SNEA), Vrijesh Upadhyaya (BMS) and others. Basudev Acharia and Nilotpal Basu, leaders of CPI(M) in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha respectively, accompanied the delegation. (INN)