Rethink about selling AI, BSNL and MTNL; Strategic assets must remain in Indian hands….The mounting debts of three of the countries state-owned enterprises — two in telecommunications and one in civil aviation — are a matter of great concern. There have been several plans since 2017 on how to reduce the government’s financial liability in these enterprises.

Two public sector telecom companies — BSNL and MTNL — appear to be in a debt trap. Their future business prospect looks rather dim due to lack of 4G spectrum. They have few new customers. Many of the existing customers are changing to private sector Vodafone, Reliance Jio and Airtel.

Yet, the fact is: BSNL and MTNL have the lowest debt among all telecom operators. BSNL, which has a debt of ₹14,000 crore, has sought 4G spectrum across India through equity infusion of ₹7,000 crore. The total cost of the spectrum will be ₹14,000 crore. Both firms have asked for a VRS for employees similar to the Gujarat model. The VRS scheme for BSNL and MTNL will have a respective revenue impact of ₹6,365 crore and ₹ 2,120 crore. A news from National Hearld.

Please click here for link to news.

Corporate Office issued a letter to Delhi and Mumbai unit for   calling of APAR of eligible executives who have completed 4 years  of regular services for regular promotion from CAO/Sr. Manager (Finance) to DGM.

Please click here for copy of letter.

 Ravi Shankar Prasad becomes new Telecom Minister….Prasad, 64, served as Law and IT minister in his previous term with the Modi government, and was Minister of Communications from May 2014 to July 2016, before Manoj Sinha took over the telecom portfolio. A News from Economic Times telecom.

Please click here for link to news.

 Arvind Sawant: from MTNL officer to Union Minister : Senior Shiv Sena and veteran trade union leader, Arvind Sawant was sworn in as Union Minister on Thursday. It has been a long journey for the former MTNL officer, but he has finally reached the Union government.In 1995, Sawant started his journey as president of MTNL workers’ union and went on become an MLC in 1996. He also climbed the ranks of the party, and being a close confidant of Sena Chief Uddhav Thackery, he was given the opportunity to fight Lok Sabha elections for the first time in 2014. In the recent elections from the South Mumbai constituency, Sawant defeated Former Union Minister Milind Deora from the Congress for the second time by a margin of 1,28,564.

A former MTNL engineer told BusinessLine that Sawant’s main contribution to the union was getting the service and pension benefits to employees who had entered MTNL as a lateral entry from Department of Telecom (DoT). When mobile services were introduced in the country, MTNL started losing money from the landline business, but Sawant ensured that the employees got their benefits, the engineer said….. A News from Business Line.

Please click here for link to news.

 MTNL Q4 loss narrows to Rs 755.5 crore:The crisis-ridden company had posted loss of over Rs 900 crore in the corresponding period last year.A News from Money Control…

please click here for link to news

Share market update: Telecom shares gain; MTNL zooms 10% : Most telecom shares were trading in the positive zone in Monday’s afternoon session. 

Shares of Mahanagar Telephone Nigam (up 9.93 per cent), Vindhya TelelinksNSE 0.54 % (up 5.29 per cent), ITI (up 5.18 per cent) and Himachal Futuristic Communications (up 2.86 per cent) were the top performers in the telecom pack. A News from Economic Times Telecom…

Please click here for link to news.  

Telecom sector: Reviving BSNL and MTNL on top of the new govt’s agenda:  Reviving two sick companies — Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd and Mahanagar Telephone Ltd — will be top of the agenda for the new government, besides preparing for the 5G spectrum auctions. The Department of Telecommunications is ready with a revival package worth Rs 18,000 crore for the two sick public sector units to be taken to the Cabinet for its approval. “The restoration of MTNL and BSNL is our priority and we are focused on that.

The package is ready and we will take it to the Cabinet once the new government takes charge,” a senior DoT official said. A News from Business Standard…

Please click here for link to news.

 NoticeIt is for information to all Divisional Secretary, Area Secretary, CEC members, CWC Members and CHQ  members present in Delhi that a CEC meeting has been scheduled on 27.05.2019 at 14 hrs. in room no.756 of Kidwai Bhawan ND to discuss the various matters pertaining to Ensuing CHQ Conference to be held in New Delhi.

Therefore it is requested to all above office bearers to attend the meeting with each active members of your area for wide discussion and guidelines.

Notice

It is for information to all Divisional Secretary, Area Secretary, CEC members, CWC Members and CHQ  members present in Delhi that a CEC meeting has been scheduled on 20.05.2019 at 14 hrs. in room no.756 of Kidwai Bhawan ND to discuss the various matters pertaining to Ensuing CHQ Conference to be held in New Delhi.

Therefore it is requested to all above office bearers to attend the meeting with each active members of your area for wide discussion and guidelines.

 State-run telecom company BSNL to deploy 5G Corridor ...state-controlled Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) is planning to come up with a novel ‘5G Corridor’ starting from Delhi’s Lutyens’ area as one of the use cases for newer technology which is likely to make inroads by 2020 in India. 

“In Delhi, we are planning a 5G Corridor to showcase the possible use of new technology with the optimum data speed at 5G levels” BSNL chairman Anupam Shrivastava told ETT, adding that the telco is also putting up an in-house test centre. 

5G-LTE, . A news from Economic Times Telecom…

Please click here for link to news.

Cash-strapped BSNL expects liquidity position to improve……

After facing cash crunch for some months, state-run Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) is expecting normalcy in cash flows in the second quarter (July-September) of FY20, according to the BSNL Director (Finance) who blamed the “predatory pricing” for the current crisis in the sector and in the BSNL.

“The liquidity position of the company may start improving and normalcy could be restored in the next quarter,” S K Gupta, BSNL Director (Finance), has stated in a 16 May letter to the chief general managers and financial advisors of all its telecom circle heads and district maintenance regions. A news from Live Mint.

Please click here for link to news.

 ED Delhi Office issued LA promotion orders for 24 Executives from DE /Sr. Manager (Telecom) to Dy. General Manager .

Please click here for copy of the letter.

• DPC for AM to DM for Technical Executives: Screening report from both the circles have been received and DPC is scheduled very shortly.
• DPC for AM to DM for Finance Executives: Regarding the pending dispute it has been proposed that eligible candidates prior to 30-05-2016 will be cent percent departmental whereas after 30-05-2016 75 % Departmental and 25 % will be outsiders.
• DPC for SDE/Dy. Manager to DE/Sr. Manager for Technical Executives:It has been communicated that after completing the DPC for DGM Telecom the case will be processed. 
• DPC for AO/Dy. Manager to CAO/Sr. Manager for Finance Executives: :It has been communicated that after completing the DPC for DGM Finance the case will be processed.
• Senior Manager to Dy. GM for Technical Executives: The case has been processed and put for approval of CMD.
• Senior Manager to Dy. GM for Finance Executives: The case has been processed and put for approval of CMD.
• With regards to one time relaxation for promotion from Sr. Manager to DY. General Manager ,it has been advised that Delhi and Mumbai  unit  may send the proposal if shortage of the same is being felt.

 ED Delhi Office issued LA promotion orders for 2 Executives from SDE (civil) to XEN (civil)/Sr. Manager (civil)

Please click here for the copy of  orders.

 MTNL corporate office issued DPC calendar for 2019 for regular promotion to different cadres.

Please click here for the copy of letter.

 BSNL, MTNL crisis: Next government to take up revival plan…The Ministry of Finance has requested the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) to re-examine the revival proposals for Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) and Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Limited (MTNL). The ministry has asked the telecom department to submit reworked proposals to the new government, which will take charge after the Lok Sabha elections.

According to a senior official, this indicates that there is no immediate move to revive the central public sector enterprises (CPSEs) until a new government settles down. A News from Business Line….

Please click here for link to news.

 VRS package may save Rs 1,080 cr in annual salary tab: MTNL chief …….. MTNL Chairman and Managing Director PK Purwar told recently that the telecom corporation expects annual salary expenses to reduce by Rs 1,080 crore, from the current about Rs 2,500 crore – bringing it to far more managable levels of 40-50 per cent of revenue. A News from ET Telecom.

Please click here for link to news.

 DoT floats draft proposal on 4G spectrum to BSNL, MTNL…BSNL is among the two telecom companies that have been consistently gaining customers. All competitors of BSNL have 4G spectrum and invested heavily in building their network while the PSU has only 3G network. A News from Money control..

Please click here for link to news.

MTNL Offers Double Data Benefits on Its Broadband Plans…… A News from Gadgets 360…

Please click her for link to news.

 MTNL remains relevant for telecom, its sustainability important for customers, market: CMD…… A News from Money Control.

Please click here for link to news.

 BSNL may lease out Rs 50,000 crore worth of fibre assets to turn a corner…….. A news from ET Telecom.

Please click here for link to news.

 See no challenge in payment of April salaries to staff: MTNL CMD... A news from ET Telecom

Please click here for link to news.

See no challenge in payment of April salaries to 22,000 employees: MTNL CMD…… A News from Business Standard..

Please click here for link to news.

AITUC condemns ‘deliberate’ attempts to wind up BSNL..:  The All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC) Saturday alleged that a deliberate attempt is being made to wind up BSNL and a bleak picture of its financial health has been painted. The trade union in a statement said that a deliberate leak seems to be doing the rounds of the media, painting a bleak picture of the financial health of BSNL. 
It further said that Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) was ‘unable to pay’ recently even the salaries of the employees for two months, and it is made to look as if overstaffing is the key problem that needs to be corrected through voluntary retirement scheme (VRS), compulsory retirement scheme (CRS), reducing the age of retirement etc. 
The AITUC condemns the “deliberate and slow killing of various branches of public sector, BSNL being only one instance”, the union alleged. A News from ET Telecom…

Please click here for link to news. 

टीम आप सभी के लिए और आपके परिवार के लिए कल से प्रारम्भ होने वाले हिन्दू नव वर्ष पर अनेकों शुभकामनायें देती है। ईश्वर आप सभी के सभी कार्यों को सिद्ध करे।

Govt agrees to bail out BSNL and MTNL; PMO seeks revival plan: Report…… A news from Business Standard.

Please click here for link to news.

Government plans lucrative VRS, 4G waves, debt reduction to revive BSNL, MTNL: The Narendra Modi government is actively considering revival of the two state-owned telcos – Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited and Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Limited (MTNL) — through a voluntary retirement scheme (VRS), allocation of 4G spectrum and reduction of debt, according to a senior official, who also denied reports of any plans to lay off employees.

“The government in close coordination with the BSNL Board is actively engaged in working out the voluntary retirement scheme (VRS) with attractive benefits,” the official said, adding that the entire scheme would be optional and those attaining 50 years of age can voluntary opt for it. A news from ET Telecom……

Please click here for link to news. 

Share market update: Telecom shares mixed; MTNL jumps 5% ……………... A News from ET Telecom.

Please click here for link to news.

 MTNL will stay afloat even after service licence expires on April 6: DoT…………... A News from Business Standard.

Please click here for link to news.

 GS issued notification for the 5th CHQ conference to be held at New Delhi on 06th June and 7th June 2019.

Please click here for copy of Notification.

 BSNL-MTNL merger to create a financially stronger entity; employees to benefit: Frost & Sullivan………The merger of state-run PSUs BSNL and MTNL has the potential to increase the overall valuation and make the merged entity financially stronger to compete with private telcos in the country, Frost & Sullivan said in a note. It added that a successful merger will be good for everyone, including employees of both the PSUs.

“I see BSNL and MTNL merger as an inevitable outcome of this rapid transformation in the Indian telecom industry…the merger will increase the overall valuation and make the merged entity financially stronger, thereby receive a better credit term, which is an essential component of capital intensive businesses,” Benoy CS, Director, Digital Transformation Practice, Frost & Sullivan said.  A News from ET Telecom..

Please click here for link to news.

 PSU telcos: Dinosaurs in the digital age?…...If most private sector telecom companies are bleeding, state-owned MTNL and BSNL are dying. Not that the disease that is killing them has no cure. Rather, the treatment is like that at a village health centre where the doctor and the medical supplies arrive only intermittently and not always at the same time.

This must change. That BSNL delayed February salaries, and the DoT had to give MTNL funds to pay salaries are symptoms. Legacy issues, fierce competition and rock-bottom tariffs have led to the sharp decline in the fortunes of the two telcos, despite their early-mover advantage in 3G service. The large payout for 3G spectrum, even as the companies made losses, was a fatal blow. A News from ET Telecom.

Please click here for link to news..

 1) Trai receives DoT reference, to start consultation on 4G spectrum allocation to BSNL, MTNL soon...….. A news from Economic Times Telecom..

Please click here for link to news..

2) Trai to hold consultation with BSNL, MTNL on 4G spectrum allocation: Govt. : Telecom regulator Trai will hold a consultation on spectrum allocation with state-owned firms BSNL and MTNL soon, a top official said Tuesday.

“We have received a reference from the DoT couple of days back on the allocation of spectrum for 4G services to BSNL and MTNL. We will issue a consultation paper and hold open house discussion on it,” Trai Chairman R S Sharma told reporters on sidelines of an ICEA event.

Both the telecom firms have asked the government to allot them spectrum for 4G services in lieu of equity. BSNL, which has the lowest debt of Rs 14,000 crore among all telecom operators, has sought 4G spectrum across India through equity infusion of Rs 7,000 crore to help it compete in the market. A News from Business Standard..

Please click here for link to news. 

 BSNL-MTNL merger likely to solve their problems, say telecom experts : Merging the two ailing state-run telcos — Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd and Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Ltd — can solve their problems, say experts. MTNL’s merger with BSNL means the former will be able to expand operations in India on the basis of network utilisation.

Its debt is less than that of private entities and it also has assets. In a competitive market, driven by Mukesh Ambani-led Reliance Jio, along with Bharti Airtel and Vodafone-Idea, the consolidation of the two telcos might help them stay afloat, say experts A news from Business standard..

Please click here for link to news.

PMO steps in to defuse BSNL & MTNL pay crises…... A news of Indian Express….

Please click here for copy of clip of news.

 Telecom subscriber base crosses 120 cr; Jio, BSNL, Airtel add customers. A news from Business Standard…..

Please click here for link to news…

 To address its financial crisis, BSNL needs to increase its customer base or cut staff :Government-backed telecom companies — Mahanagar Telephone Nigam (MTNL) and Bharat Sanchar Nigam (BSNL) — will have to attract more customers towards their services or cut staff to address the growing financial crisis at the companies. BSNL failed to pay the salaries of its 1.76 lakh employees in February due to lack of funds. A similar situation has arisen at MTNL. A News from Money Control..

Please click here for link to news…

BSNL workforce to get salary before Holi, government releases Rs 171 crore to MTNL : The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has released Rs 171 crore to pay outstanding salaries to 23,000 employees of Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Ltd (MTNL), and has reached an understanding with Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL) management and employee unions to release Rs 850 crore before Holi.
While the Rs 171-crore funding to MTNL was part of an internal settlement, Rs 850 crore to BSNL will come from the telco’s internal accurals. 
“We have released Rs 171 crore on Tuesday for MTNL to pay salaries and arrears to its employees. The BSNL management and employee unions have been convinced that their salaries will be paid before Holi,” a senior official said requesting anonymity. A news from ET Telecom…

Please click here for link to news.

DoT releasing Rs 1,021 crore towards salary dues of MTNL, BSNL staff . A news from Economic Times.

Please click here for link to news

Consequent upon the development of disbursement of salary on 14.03.2019 (conveyed through letter of DGM banking MTNL) and appeal made by Administration for deferment of protest action programme which was scheduled on 14.03.2019, TEAM decided in emergency office bearer meeting to withdraw the same. The letter of same spirit has been communicated to Administration by TEAM and UFOM.Please click here for copy of letter from Corporate Office.

Letter from Administration.

Letter from TEAM

Letter from UFOM

 UFOM Delhi served notice to Secy. DOT and CMD MTNL for holding lunch hour demonstration on 14.03.2019 at office of CMD MTNLat CGO COmplex ND.

Please click her for copy of notice.

 GS wrote a letter to Secy. DOT and CMD MTNL for regular abnormal delay in salary and served notice to hold lunch hour demonstration in-front of CMD Office CGO complex at ND and at Prbha Devi Telephone exchange Mumbai on 14.03.2019.

Please click here for copy of Notice served.

 ED Delhi office issued a letter for calling of APAR of 40 Telecom Executives for look after promotion for the post of DGM.

Please click here for copy of letter.

1. Meetings of every Division/ Area will be organised so as to apprised members  of current agitation programmes and to collect up to date subscription along with CHQ conference fees Rs. 200 /- from every member and Rs. 1000/- as delegation fee as per norms of delegates. GS informed that CHQ conference is to be organised in Mumbai within very short time. Exact date will be conveyed to members / MTNL management at earliest.
2. Every member of TEAM will fill up a request form addressed to Secy. DOT and copy to other addresses for repatriation to DOT from MTNL with immediate effect. The said form is being filled by TEAM so as to register our protest as MTNL failed to safeguard our financial security.
3. In protest to the matter of delay in salary in every month it has been decided to hold lunch hour  demonstration in front of CMD office CGO complex Please click here for the copy  of letter to be submitted to Secy. DOT.

 GS wrote a letter to CMD wherein he asked CMD to withdraw the letter issued by Corporate Management with regards to “large Uncalled for gathering on 5 th floor during MTNL Board meeting on 14.02.2019′”

Please click here for copy of the letter.

 GS wrote a letter to CMD MTNL wherein he conveyed that as paying of salary  is being delayed every month therefore to express the anger and frustration of the employees TEAM will arrange protest action programmes for which this letter may be treated as NOTICE.

Please click here for the copy of letter.

Notice

It is for information to all Divisional Secretary, Area Secretary, CEC members, CWC Members and CHQ  members present in Delhi that an extended CEC has been scheduled on 02.03.2019 at 14 hrs. in room no.756 of Kidwai Bhawan ND to discuss the Ensuing Protest Action Programme for achieving our long pending  issues.

Therefore it is requested to all above office bearers to attend the meeting with each active members of your area for wide discussion and guidelines.

 ED Delhi Office issued a letter for calling of APAR of 100 eligible Telecom  executives for look after promotion from DM to SM (SDE to DE). All area secretaries are requested to make sure that the APAR of eligible executives of their respective areas are completed in all respect and sent to ED office well before in time.

Please click here for copy to letter.

The government is not letting us compete with private operators. The decision to not award us 4G technology is part of a systemic design to kill off both the PSUs, say MTNL and BSNL employees. A news from National Herald…..

Please click here for link to news..

Telecom department plans to revive BSNL and MTNL: 

The Department of Telecommunications (DoT), in a meeting on Thursday, deliberated on revival of two of its struggling PSUs – Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) and Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Limited (MTNL) – to ensure survival amid intense competition.

During the meeting, the Digital Communications Commission (DCC), the apex decision-making body of DoT, asked the two companies to elaborate on their turnaround strategy — how they would come back to profitability and foresee achieving revenue goals.

“What was impressed upon the DCC was that DoT believes that both the ailing firms operate in the strategic sector, and have a large legacy of staff and a strong asset base. So, restructuring will be essential for the revival being planned,” said sources. A news from Indian Express..

Please click here for link to news.

 Govt plans Rs 8,500 crore VRS for MTNL, BSNL ….. A news from Times of India…

Please click here for link to news.

 DoT commission seeks revenue assurance from BSNL, MTNL for revival support ..… A news from Economic Times….

Please click here for link to news.

 MTNL surges 19% on revival plan news : Shares of Mahanagar Telephone Nigam (MTNL) jumped 19 per cent in Thursday’s session after reports emerged that the Digital Communications Commission (DCC) discussed the revival plan for state-owned BSNL and MTNLNSE -2.16 %. 

An ETNow report said that the members of DCC discussed the revival plan of the two telecom companies along with time needed for them to come back to health and plan to achieve higher revenue. 

Separately, a TRAI data on Wednesday showed that MTNL mobile cust ..  A News from Economic Times……

 MTNL seeks approval of Rs 4,130 crore refund, monetisation plan:  NEW DELHI: State-controlled telco Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Limited (MTNL) is expecting the government to soon allow Rs 4,130 crore worth of refund it sought for the return of Broadband Wireless Access (BWA) spectrum in 2010 and a monetisation scheme that could draw as much as Rs 20,000 crore.

“We hope to get somewhere around Rs 20,000 from the monetisation of 49 assets, and clearance for a refund of Rs 4,130 crore which is under active consideration,” MTNL chairman PK Purwar told ETT, adding that the fund would help in cash flow and investments in networks. A News from economic times telecom……

Please click here for link to news.

Debt-laden MTNL seeks DoT bailout to stay afloat, submits plan to govt:

Reeling from debt of Rs 20,000 crore, Mahanagar Telephone Nigam (MTNL) has submitted a plan to the government to ensure its survival. This includes converting its loans into sovereign guarantee, giving up 3G spectrum, revision of employees’ pay, and introducing a voluntary retirement scheme (VRS).

If all else fails, the company said, the government should take over MTNL or dissolve, with the only condition that all its employees should be absorbed by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT).

Bharat Sanchar Nigam, the other government-owned telecom company, has also made a bailout plea…… A news from  Business Standard .

Please click here for link to news.

Very impressive and laudable demonstration was held by TEAM  & supported by UFOM at Sanchar Bhawan ND, and Prbha Devi Telephone house Mumbai on 18.02.2019 during lunch hours. Thousands of executives and employees from all corners of Delhi and Mumbai participated whole heartedly in the demonstration in respective cities.

The frustration and anger of the employees could be seen from their faces because of non-disbursement of salary of January -2019 even after passing 18 days of February-2019. The sound of slogans was too high and was of sufficient level for sensible officers of DOT /management of MTNL to awake them.  

At the end of demonstration the gathering were addressed by all most all leaders of all constituent union and association of UFOM in Delhi and Mumbai. The Demonstration was led by Sh. A.K.Kaushik ji GS, Sh. Rajeeb Kumar Acting GS, Sh. K.R.yadav.CP, Sh. S.P.S.Yadav CS from TEAM and other prominent leaders viz. Sh. M.K.Bagchi convener of UFOM Delhi, Sh. Mange Ram President UFOM etc . in Delhi. Whereas The demonstration was led by Sh. Kulkarni CS, Sh. Chaubey CP & some other leaders of TEAM , Sh. J.S. Yadav  convener of UFOM Mumbai  under dynamic presence of Bhai Jagtap Hon’ble MLC of Maharashtra and convener of UFOM of Delhi and Mumbai.

TEAM has assured each and every employee of MTNL that this agitation is not going to be abandon with this demonstration, but there will be further Protest action programmes  which will be well communicated to management as well as to all employees if Management do not fulfill our all long pending demands.

NoticeIt is for information to all Divisional Secretary, Area Secretary, CEC members, CWC Members and CHQ  members present in Delhi that an extended CEC has been scheduled on 16.02.2019 at 14 hrs. in room no.756 of Kidwai Bhawan ND to discuss

*the Ensuing Protest Action Programme for achieving our long pending following issues

1. irregular Payment of salary
2.  9.4 % IDA neutralization w.e.f. 01.01.2007
3.  Immediate repatriation of MTNL employees to DOT
4.  No age reduction on superannuation from 60 years to 58 years
5. Immediate implementation of 3^rd PRC with 15 % Fitment
6.  one time option to Pro- Rata optees for combined pension from Govt.
7. and revival of MTNL.                 * Organisational Matters   * any other point with  the permission of chair. Therefore it is requested to all above office bearers to attend the meeting with each active members of your area for wide discussion and guidelines.

 MTNL employees stage protests under the banner of TEAM against uncertainty arisen out of non-payment of salary. As a sequel to the series of programs of demonstrative actions, TEAM has held Lunch Hour Demonstration in front of  MTNL HQ  at CGO today (14/2/2018). Later the demonstration has been converted into a SIT-IN DHARNA as soon as the notified MTNL Board Meeting is started in MTNL CO. The entire programs have been supported by United Forum along with all of its associates including pensioners.Thousands of employees and pensioners gather at the venue of agitation and hold Lunch Hour Demonstration. The agitating employees have vented their anger and frustration against the MTNL management and DOT. The gathering is so big that  ultimately it overflows on to the adjoining road.

The roaring slogans reverberating the entire area effectively convey the anguish of the employees for nonpayment of salary even after almost a fortnight. Speakers after speakers criticize MTNL management, DOT and Ministry of Communication for their negligent attitude that has precipitated the crisis in the present magnitude in  once cash-rich MTNL. The unequivocal message conveyed is that this is a part of a greater conspiracy to defame MTNL and its employees so that the Govt. can create a favorable public opinion to sell MTNL to a chosen private entity. The CMD/MTNL and the Board of  Directors are the pawn in this heinous game. The gathering crowd take vow to defeat this conspiracy at any cost.

Among others who address the demonstration are S/Shri Mange Ram Sharma, President/UF, M.K.Bagchi, Convenor/UF, A.K.Kaushik, GS/TEAM & Asstt. Convenor/UF, Suresh Kumar, Secretary UF & SG,BTEF(BSNL) …

The demonstration was converted in to a sit-in dharna as soon as MTNL Board Meeting was started. Huge number of participants went up to the 5^th.Floor and sit peacefully near the Committee Room without hindering the passage and entry. One after another Directors pass by the area in  full view of sit-in dharna. The entire lot of the employees of MTNL Corporate Office join the sit-in dharna.

The police was called in and attempt to create pressure through law enforcing authority was taken in vein. Seemingly moved, the DOT’s nominees to MTNL Board and CMD left for DOT. At the intervention Police it is decided that Director (HR) and Dircetor (F) will come before the agitating employees and explain the status of salary payment.

Accordingly the participants move to Committee Room where Director (HR), Director (F), ED and other officers meet the agitating employees. It is informed that DOT has already sanctioned the dues in consultation with MOF. Director (HR) states that DOT & Minister are very much up to the problem and they are on the way solve  this within next few days. The employees may expect salary in the early part of next week.

He also informs that DOT is scheduled to take up the issue of revival of MTNL in the meeting of Digital Commission to be held on 21/2/2019. The proposal sans item of lowering retirement age to 58 years. Director (HR) requests all to hold some more patience at this time of difficulty. We assure him to   discontinue today’s program but clearly convey that movements will continue as notified till there is a sustained solution.

We also pleaded the issue of the widow of  our late colleague Manish who died on duty out of electrocution. She was incidentally present there along with her small son to plead before the Board of directors about her employment and suitable compensation. We have requested Director (HR) for her full and regular employment and release the donations made by the executives for her. TEAM has assured her of full supports and help   whenever she needs and approaches.

TEAM HQ Decided to hold Lunch Hour Demonstration to be held tomorrow  (14.02.2019) at CMD office CGO complex ND and on 18^th February 2019 in lunch hour at Sanchar Bhawan ND & Telephone House Prabha Devi Mumbai.

It is appealed to each employee/executive of MTNL to participate whole heartedly in demonstration. Please come  with full enthusiasm to raise voice against the following :

• irregular Payment of salary
• 4 % IDA neutralization w.e.f. 01.01.2007
• Immediate repatriation of MTNL employees to DOT
• No age reduction on superannuation from 60 years to 58 years
• Immediate implementation of 3^rd PRC with 15 % Fitment
• one time option to Pro- Rata optees for combined pension from Govt. and revival of MTNL.

MTNL Seeks Rs. 500 Crore From Telecom Department To Pay January Salary:

Unable to pay salaries to its employees for a third consecutive month in January, state-run MTNL has raised pending dues of Rs. 500 crore from the Department of Telecom (DoT) for the period 2000-13.

The Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Ltd (MTNL) seeks reimbursement of pension and GPF totalling Rs. 488 crore paid to employees absorbed from DoT in MTNL and also for rendering telephone services to DoT employees. 

The DoT had leased the lands and buildings of MTNL during this period for which the public sector undertaking wants Rs. 12 crore in rentals.

An amount of Rs. 200 crore from this is meant to settle the wage bill of MTNL employees for January, DoT sources said. A news from NDTV Profit….

Please click here for link to news.. 

MTNL seeks claims of up to Rs 500 crore from DoT: Cash-strapped MTNLNSE 0.41 %has approached the Telecom Department seeking claims of about Rs 500 crore, under multiple heads, including rendering of communications services and reimbursement of employees-related payments made, according to a source. 

A source in Department of Telecom (DoT) said that the claims are spread over the last many years and that the request is currently under examination. 

“MTNL has raised claims dating back to the year 2000-01 onwards. In all, it has sought about Rs 500 crore on various grounds,” the official with knowledge of the matter said. 

The claims by Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Ltd (MTNL) pertain to telecom facilities provided to the DoT, compensation for retirement benefits given to employees who were originally from the DoT (along with interest), and buildings of the state-owned corporation leased to Telecom Department, amongst others.  A news from Economic Times…

Please click here for link to news..

TEAM representatives Sh. S.P.S.Yadav CS Delhi, Sh. K.R.Yadav CP Delhi and Sh. Ajay Kumar CFS under leadership of Sh. Rajeeb Kumar Acting GS  met with Sh. Khandelwal Joint Secy. Admin at DOT on 11.02.2019 at Sanchar Bhawan ND.

The anger and distress of executives /employees of MTNL were communicated to him over non-payment of salary for the month of January-2019. We asked him what action DOT is taking at this need of hour for saving MTNL. He preciously described that the revival plan submitted by MTNL is in active consideration of DOT and after finalization it will be sent to Government for final decision.

As far as salary disbursement is concerned, he told that dues of DOT are being cleared by its concerned wing and sanction is likely to be cleared very shortly. Furthermore, he asked us that MTNL may ask Govt. for returning its money which was given to M/S ITI along with its interest and likewise the payment of dues from various Govt. Departments so that the expenditure of salary may be done until the revival plan is being sanctioned.

We have communicated him that executives/employees of MTNL will not sit tight and silent if DOT is not taking proper care of them as we have been recruited by DOT only and DOT cannot be just silent looker of this situation. 

There was a massive lunch hour demonstration at CMD office, CGO complex ND and at Prabha Devi telephone exchange in Mumbai. Huge number of executives and employees participated in the demonstration. After continuous demonstration and raising slogans for two and half hour the meeting at both demonstration places was addressed by leaders of UFOM.

There after various office bearers of TEAM accompanied by Senior leaders of UFOM met with CMD . CMD was asked a pointed question: what is the way forward for sustained solution? It is not acceptable that salary will not be paid in time.

CMD explained in details that efforts have been taken by him to enable salary disbursement. He hinted that matter may be sorted out by next Monday/Tuesday.

CMD has been informed that we shall not leave the matter like that . We will be mobilizing our executives/employees till the time the matter is being resolved. We further urged him that he should insist DOT to take over the entire ‘liability; of employees of MTNL. And suggested him that he should tell DOT that as CMD cannot meet the employees until the salary is being timely paid.

CMD has agreed with our suggestion and requested us to wait for some time, till he is  exploring all options. 

 UFOM wrote a letter to Secy. DOT and CMD MTNL for over delay in salary payment every month.

Please click here for the copy of letter.

Today representatives of TEAM met with Dir. HR and Dir. Finance for getting updates for non-disbursement of salary of January -2019 even after passing 6 days. The attitude in which these responsible replied, was very lenient and totally irresponsible. They have communicated to all employees and executives that they neither have any fund to release salary nor any specific time when it will be released. After very hot deliberations it was concluded that this management is adamant to spread a terror among all employees by not providing salary and hence need to start protest action programme immediately.

As per first programme a massive demonstration has been called on 07.02.2019 during lunch hours at CMD office i.e . CGO complex in Delhi and at same date and time at Prabha Devi Telephone Exchange In Mumbai.

The management has been conveyed the decision of TEAM HQ by a letter .

Please click here for copy of letter.  

A news from Times Of India….

Please click here for link to news.

 ED Delhi office issued a letter to call for APAR of AM for regular promotion to the cadre of DM (Technical).

Please click here for copy of list. 

Public Enterprises Selection Board announced recommendation of Sh. P.K.Purwar CMD MTNL for the post of CMD BSNL..

Please click here for copy of recommendation.

 Corporate office a letter wherein it has been communicated to ED Delhi, Mumbai and PGM WS units that processing date of salary will be 01 st of Every month w.e.f. Jan-2019, whereas the disbursement date and actual payment date will be communicated in each respective month.

Please click here for copy of letter. 

Corporate Office issued a provisional list of seniority of SDEs /Dy. Manager (Technical).

Please click here for covering letter.
Please click here for the list.

 ED Delhi Office issued LA orders for promotion from AO ( Manager Finance) to  CAO/ Sr. Manager (Finance)  for 19 executives.

Please click here for the letter. 

DPE issued a letter for increase in IDA of CPSUs  w.e.f. 01 Jan2019.

Please click here for the copy of letter.

GS along with convener of UFOM Sh. M.K.Bagchi, Convener of UFOM Mumbai Sh. J.S.Yadav, Acting GS Sh. Rajeeb Kumar,  CP Delhi Sh.K.R.Yadav, Senior Vice President Sh. P.C.Sarswat, CS Sh. S.P.S.Yadav, CFS Sh. Ajay Kumar and ACS Sh. S.S.Asija met today  with Additional Secy. DOT , Member Services, Joint Secy. (Admn) and Joint Secy. (PSU) and other officers in DOT . While there have been exchange of New Year Greetings, effective discussions were also held in respect of revival of MTNL. The ground realities prevailing in the field and ineffective management at top level were focused.  It was communicated from our side that VRS is not the end option for revival of MTNL. There is need of effective and adequate investment for strengthening the network of MTNL is the need of time. The  present management of MTNL lacks of vision and will for MTNL’s effective revival. There is need of merger of MTNL & BSNL to ensure PAN India Services

TEAM is requested to submit a memorandum on the aspects of improvement of services and revenue of MTNL by Joint Secy. (PSU).

TEAM has expressed its serious concern and anguish that MTNL is interrupting the payment of salary which is transmitting wrong messages in the market and demoralizing the employees.  

Corporate  office issued a letter wherein  the seniority list of JAO has been communicated to ED Delhi/Mumbai. 

Please click here for the copy of letter and seniority list

MTNL revival plan on, DoT panel meeting tomorrow: DOT panel will be meeting tomorrow to discuss the revival options for the ailing state-owned firm MTNL. A news from Zee news. 

Please click here for link to news.  

Telecom shares surge; MTNL, Tata Communications among top gainers:  The S&P BSE Telecom index was trading up 1.98 per cent at 1011.8 on Wednesday with most of its components trading in the green.

Shares of Tata Teleservices (Maharashtra) (up 11.69 per cent), Bharti Infratel (up 4.68 per cent), Himachal Futuristic Communications (up 4.04 per cent) and OnMobile Global (up 3.77 per cent) were the top gainers in the index. 

Mahanagar Telephone Nigam (up 3.05 per cent), Tata Communications (up 2.24 per cent) and Tejas Networks (up 1.78 per cent) too were trading higher. A news from ET Telecom.

Please click here for link to news.  

MTNL to offer 60 days unlimited mobile data for new prepaid users: If you don’t have a 4G mobile and wish to have unlimited access for two months then this could be a good time to be an MTNL subscriber. Available only in Delhi and Mumbai telecom circles, new MTNL prepaid users will get unlimited mobile data for 60 days if you buy a new SIM card and activate it before January 31. However, note that MTNL offers only 2G and 3G speeds in both Delhi and Mumbai. This means you can get a maximum download speed of around 256 Kbps.
There is no minimum recharge plan to avail the data offer, however, there is no voice call or SMS message benefits. To buy a new MTNL prepaid SIM, you will have to visit any Sanchar Haat or an MTNL retailer. The data offer is valid only till January 31. Recently, MTNL had announced five unlimited voice and data plans for Rs 171, Rs 197, Rs 231, Rs 365 and Rs 421 respectively for prepaid subscribers in Delhi/NCR only.A News from ET Telecom….

Please click here for link to news.   

TEAM WISHES YOU AND YOUR FAMILY

A VERY

HAPPY AND PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR 2019