BSNL Forum objects to Minister's remarks

Chennai, July 17 (UNI) The Joint Forum of BSNL Unions today took exeception to Union Communication Minister A Raja ''attributing motive'' for the recent one-day strike undertaken by BSNL employees and unions, demanding issuance of Global Service Mobility (GSM) order by the Centre, which enables to purchase 45.5 million GSM lines.

In a statement here, the Joint Forum of Chennai Division alleged that ''the minister, instead of concentrating on settling the issue and taking measures to nurture the BSNL, was making discouraging statements.

The minister, is quoted to have said, 'the forces behind the decisions of the trade unions had resorted to strike despite my assurance to them'. The Forum, however, said there was ''no such assurance'' on the part of the Minister.

''The revealation of the former Communication Minister Dayanidhi Maran that a certain NRI businessman was trying to stall the tender process to ''facilitate undue growth'' of private cellular operators at the expense of BSNL and to stall 'Navaratna Status' to BSNL vindicates our position'', it added.

The statement also pointed out that attempts to unnecessarily politicising the issue, pushing the interests of BSNL to back doors, were further irking the entire employees and trade unions.

''We have a strong reason to believe that there is a conspiracy to pull down BSNL and support the private operators'', the statement added.

UNI