AGARTALA, September 8 (TIWN): The 6th joint circle conference of BSNL employees union, Assam, NE-I and NE-II at Agartala commenced from 6th to 8th September. On the concluding day today of employees union conference, a mass rally which encircled the entire city and ended up at Rabindra Satavarshikli Bhavan. Chief Minister Manik Sarkar, General Secretary (BSNLEU) P. Abhimanyu,CGM NE-I Circle, Shillong D.P Singha along with Unions General Secratary Swapan Chakraborty and other important delegates werepresent. Speaking on the occasion at Rabinra Shatabarshiki Bhavan Swapan Chakraborty said that the conference is holding at a time when the entire public sector telecom company, BSNL is under sever attack due to the negative attitude of the government in the Neo-Liberal economic policies.

Chief Minister of Tripura Manik Sarkar said BSNL is not only the service provider in the rural areas but also the largest in the Country. Mr Sarkar in a sorrowful tone added that new recruitments are completely stopped now, income of BSNL is going down and running into losses, whether the other service providers get severe hikes in their balance sheets. He also added that whether the Central Government do help them or not the State Government will support them ‘till the communication system of the entire NE get properly done.

Unions General Secretary Swapan Chakraborty said that throughout the country, BSNL is providing land line services in the rural areas, as a measure of social obligation. No other private company is under taking this responsibility. However, the huge loss being incurred by BSNL on this count is not being adequately compensated by the government, as had been assured by the cabinet at the time of formation of BSNL. He mentioned, the successive governments at the center had been taken a number of measures in support of private service providers. However, those companies vehemently oppose any support being given to BSNL by the government. Thus, BSNL is virtually denied of a level playing ground, he added.

He also added that, now the Tripura State Government has helped them to crafted this 6^th Joint Circle Conference a successful one.On the other hand he blamed the Central Govrnment that, they are not providing any help neither do have any intention to do so.