M.B. Vichare, secretary general of of NFTE BSNL inaugurated the opening session and discussed the problems being faced by BSNL workers. While re-iterating federation’s resolve to protect and develop this government company, he called upon the telecom workers to get ready for confrontation with government if any move was made for disinvestment in BSNL.

Wage revision w.e.f. January 1, 2007 and 50% DA merger w.e.f. January 1, 2005 and pension were the other major demands mentioned by the leader. R.K. Kohli, Islam Ahmad (All India Secretaries of NFTE BSNL) and S.K. Verma, All India Vice-president, also addressed the opening session.

Bant Brar, general secretary, AITUC, Punjab, and Sudesh Kumar, Chairman, Bank Employees Federation, Punjab, while addressing the opening session lamented that the present UPA government was following the economic policies of NDA government, which, he said, were widening the gulf between the haves and have-nots.

Baltej Singh, Circle Secretary, BTEF Punjab, Amarjit Singh Chauhan, Circle Secretary, SNEA Punjab, A.K. Khanna, Circle Secretary, AIBSNLEA Punjab, were also present.