BSNL workers hold dharna seeking better wages,Navratna status

Chandigarh, Oct 11 (UNI) Hundreds of Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) employees organised a dharna in front of the Chief General Manager Telephone Office here today to press for their demands for better wages, modernisation and Navratna status.

The Joint Forum of BSNL Associations spearheading the agitation is demanding supply of 2G, 3G GSM mobile lines, grant Navratna status to BSNL, ensure financial viability, withdrawal of unjustified conditions on pension, immediate absorption of group A/ITS officers, no voluntary retirement/compulsory retirement scheme, wage negotiations and merger of 50 per cent DA with pay with effect from January 1, 2004.

Addressing the employees, Balbir Singh, circle Secretary BSNL Employees Union, Punjab, demanded immediate implementation of the assurance given by the Minister of Communications and BSNL Board for early supply of 2G and 3G GSM mobile lines without any further delay.

He also demanded immediate grant of Navratna status to BSNL, claiming that it was the largest public sector in telecom with revenue and profit earnings exceeding those of many other Navratna-status PSUs.

Other speakers wanted withdrawal of increase in FDI to 74 per cent from 49 per cent in telecom sector and condemned the efforts of the government to render 20,000 BSNL employees jobless through VRS/CRS.

UNI