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FORUM OF BSNL UNIONS/ASSOCIATIONS MEETINGS 1. Forum meeting on 13.08.2015 with CMD BSNL on formation of separate subsidiary Tower Company: Today on 13-08-2015 detail meeting is held with CMD BSNL on formation of separate subsidiary Tower Company. What we understand through the detail discussion is that formation of subsidiary company is beneficial to improve the account book of BSNL subjected to certain conditions which is much needed in view of forthcoming pay revision in year 2017. These conditions are, BSNL Board must have full control on appointment of board, employees and the operation of Tower Company. Employees will be deputed from BSNL on volunteer basis and their HR and other benefits will be governed by the BSNL policies. There should not be any scope for joint venture in future. For this, BSNL board must be given full authority or there should be representation of BSNL board with veto power in inter-ministerial group which is not yet clear. Followed by the meeting with CMD, forum has conducted its own meeting and decided to have a detail meeting with DOT Secretary to know the detail of cabinet note then it will be decided for intensifying the struggle. BSNL Board must have been empowered for the formation of subsidiary company if at all it required but the decision is taken by the cabinet which itself is a matter of fear that in future there can be joint venture in Tower Company or can be sold to some private body. Meeting of Joint Forum is decided on 31st Aug, 2015 to decide the further course of actions after having meeting with DOT officers and study the cabinet note. On the issue of BWA spectrum Rs 4700 Crs to BSNL from Govt. CMD apprised that DOT has agreed to adjust this amount against license fee to be paid by BSNL. Rs 940 Cr. has been refunded out of Rs 1100 Cr. Payment against license fee paid by BSNL. Rs 160 Cr. yet to be received from DOT. For the interest payment BSNL will pursue with DOT. BSNL will also be receiving Rs 169 Cr. against surrendering of one slot of CDMA spectrum shortly. FORUM OF BSNL UNIONS/ASSOCIATIONS WRITES 1. Forum Convener Writes I wish to draw your kind attention to the following: (1) Demonstrations on 12.08.2015, protesting the decision of the Cabinet for the formation of a Subsidiary Tower Company. We have come to know through the media that, the Cabinet, in its meeting held on 05.08.2015, has given approval for the formation of a Subsidiary Tower Company. All the 65,000 mobile towers of BSNL, will be hived off to the Subsidiary Tower Company, through this decision. The entire Unions and Associations have been opposing right from the beginning, the idea of forming a Subsidiary Tower Company. It is one of the most important issue in the charter of demands on which the entire BSNL employees went on a two day strike on 21st & 22nd April, 2015. The decision of the Cabinet is detrimental to the future of BSNL. The Forum has decided to hold nationwide protest demonstrations on 12.08.2015, protesting the decision of the Cabinet for the formation of Subsidiary Tower Company. I request you to inform your circle and district units to effectively participate in this demonstration. (2) Massive post card campaign for the revival of BSNL In the Forum meeting held on 26.06.2015, it has been decided to conduct a massive “post card campaign” in the month of August. It is also decided that this campaign is to be conducted from 10th to 22nd August, 2015. The decision of the Forum is that one post card should go from each of the 2.25 lakh BSNL employees, to the Hon’ble Minister of Communications, demanding immediate steps for the revival of BSNL. The text of the post card shall be as follows:- “Hon’ble Minister of Communications & IT is requested to immediately settle the demands submitted by the Forum, for the revival of BSNL.” The post card should be signed by the individual employee, with his name, designation and the name of the SSA. If the task of sending the post cards is left to the individual employees, everyone may not send the post card. Hence, it is decided that the Forum at the SSA level should undertake the responsibility of purchasing the post cards in bulk, get the matter hand written on the post cards, obtain the signatures of the employees, and finally post the post cards. Let us arrange to send one post card from each of the 2.25 lakh BSNL employees. Let us make the Minister and the government to understand the determination of the BSNL employees to revive BSNL. Address of the Minister of Communications & IT: Shri Ravi Shankar Prasad, Minister of Communications & IT, Sanchar Bhawan, 20, Ashoka Road, New Delhi 110001 (3) Campaign for widening BSNL’s mobile and landline customer base. The Forum has already called upon the BSNL employees to conduct a massive campaign to popularise the “Night Free Call Scheme”, as well as the “Free Incoming on Roaming Scheme”, and thereby widen BSNL’s mobile and landline customer base. The impact of the implementation of TELEWAVE Page-59 AUGUST-2015