Agartala, Feb 26 (TIWN): Members of Forum of BSNL Unions and Associations (FBUA) state unit have decided to go on an indefinite strike from 17 March.They are demanding the Central government and the BSNL to take immediate steps for the revival of BSNL, which is said to be facing losses since last three years.

Speaking to TIWN at the BSNL office here on  Thursday,  K. Bhattacherjee executive member of  the  association , said the government and the BSNL are moving ahead towards closing BSNL and making it a private organisation, while, the employees want to retain it as a public sector undertaking.

 Telecom, banking and internet services in Tripura would be adversely affected  by BSNL  indefinite strike. Business, press, banking, trading and other service sectors  would also be badly affected  as the agitation  would disrupt mobile, STD and ISD services.
It may recalled  that the  members FBUA staged  a “Parliament March” on February 25, where they  put forth their demands before the prime minister and the Telecom Ministry. If their demands are not met then they would go on an indefinite strike from March 17.

The association has prepared a charter of 21 demands, which includes - compensation for loss on landlines for rural and remote service areas, drop merger of BSNL with MTNL, fresh recruitment of staff, free allotment of spectrum to BSNL, BSNL should start 4G services, provide financial assistance to BSNL to expand network and BSNL services be made mandatory in the Central government, State government and all the PSUs.