Soul Palliative Care Centre has been providing specialised palliative care since 2018 across four districts of Tamil Nadu, serving over 2000 patients in more than 30 villages, mainly from underprivileged sections. Their services include home visits by doctors and nurses, physiotherapy, medicines, assistive devices, food kits, educational and rehabilitation support. Ms. Preeta Mahesh, Founder, attended our Traffic District Women’s Day programme on March 7th, and her emotional address inspired members to contribute.
Responding to the appeal, members donated Rs. 67,502/- within two weeks, which was handed over on March 22nd (World Water Day) by our CHQ President Com. D. Gopalakrishnan during a visit to the Centre. The day also marked the 85th birthday of Shri V. Ramarao. Further, Com. S. Killi Valavan donated an Oxygen Concentrator, strengthening the Centre’s services.

The District Conference of AIBSNLPWA, Ferozepur District, was successfully held on 18-03-2026.
The conference was addressed by leaders:
Com. G.S. Bajwa, Circle Secretary, Punjab
Com. Sant Singh, Circle President
Com. R.K. Sharma, Circle Cashier
Com. R.K. Saini, Organising Secretary (All India)
Com. Atma Ram, Vice President (All India)
The newly elected District body was unanimously chosen as follows:
President: Com. Hans Raj Sveta
District Secretary: Com. Inderjit Singh
District Cashier: Com. Bhagwan Dass 

Adobe Scan 15-Mar-2026 (1).pdf
 

Extremely sad news.

 It is with profound sorrow that we inform the sudden demise of our beloved and respected Comrade B. P. Singh Chauhan, Circle Secretary, Chhattisgarh, at the age of about 72 years.

He passed away today on 21-03-2026 at around 1:00 AM following a heart attack.

Com. Chauhan was a dedicated leader and his services will always be remembered with deep respect and gratitude.

We convey our heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family. 

Our delegation met Ms. Shivani Maheshwari, Joint Director in the Department of Public Enterprises, today.
She informed that the order regarding IDA revision due from January 2026, which was issued on 27.02.2026, has already been circulated to all Ministries/Departments.
She further confirmed that the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has contacted the Department of Public Enterprises regarding this issue. It was indicated that DoT is now required to endorse the order for implementation in respect of BSNL pensioners.

Today our delegation consisting of Com. V. Vara Prasad, General Secretary; Com. P. Gangadhara Rao, Vice President; and Com. R. S. N. Murthy, Vice President met Shri Ananda Kumar Jha, Central Registrar of Cooperative Societies (CRCS) under the Ministry of Cooperation, on 13.03.2026.
During the meeting, the delegation discussed the long-pending issue of non-settlement of dues to the members of the Government Telecom Employees Cooperative Society Chennai. The delegation pointed out that some members have expired, causing financial distress to their families, and requested the CRCS to issue appropriate directions to the society management for early settlement of the long-pending dues.
Shri Ananda Kumar Jha expressed the view that since the Government has no financial stake in the society, it cannot directly intervene in its affairs and the management of the society itself is the competent authority to take appropriate decisions in this regard. He also stated that as the Government has no stake in the society, the appointment of a Special Officer is not within the powers of the CRCS. General body of society is supreme to take decision required.

Our delegation consisting of Com. V. Vara Prasad, General Secretary; Com. P. Gangadhara Rao, Vice President; Com. R. S. N. Murthy, Vice President; and Com. J. S. Dahiya, Assistant General Secretary met Shri Sandeep Goud, Joint CGCA, New Delhi, on 12.03.2026.
The delegation discussed the issue relating to the Industrial Dearness Allowance (IDA)  due from 01.01.2026, based on the Office Memorandum issued by the Department of Public Enterprises (DPE).
Shri Sandeep Goud informed that though the DPE has notified the revised IDA rates, their implementation in respect of BSNL pensioners requires necessary orders from the Department of Telecommunications (DoT). For this purpose, DoT is interacting with DPE to ascertain the modalities for implementation.
He further stated that the matter has to be examined by the Establishment and Finance Sections of DoT, since as per the DPE Office Memorandum, the extension and implementation of the orders, including the financial implications, rest with the concerned Administrative Ministry/Department.
After DoT issues the necessary orders, the Office of the Controller General of Communication Accounts will incorporate the enhanced IDA in   the pension of BSNL pensioners.

Our delegation consisting of Com. V. Vara Prasad, General Secretary; Com. P. Gangadhara Rao, Vice President; Com. R. S. N. Murthy, Vice President; and Com. J. S. Dahiya, Assistant General Secretary met Shiva Gopal Mishra at the All India Railwaymen's Federation office in New Delhi on 12-03-2026.
During the meeting, detailed discussions were held on important issues concerning pensioners, particularly:
• Terms of Reference (TOR) of the 8th Central Pay Commission
• Pension revision of BSNL absorbed pensioners w.e.f. 01.01.2017 based on the 7th CPC fitment factor
Com. Shiva Gopal Mishra extended his support and facilitated Com. V. Vara Prasad, General Secretary, to participate in the Virtual Meeting of the Forum  of Civil Pensioners Associations (FCPA) held today. As President of FCPA, he enabled our GS to join the meeting along with him and present our concerns.
The participation in the FCPA virtual meeting provided an opportunity to highlight the issues of BSNL pensioners at the national level, particularly the long-pending demand for pension revision.

The delegation also met Shri Manish Sinha, Member (Finance), Department of Telecommunications, and apprised him of the concerns of BSNL absorbed pensioners regarding the long pending issue of pension revision from 01.01.2017. He appreciated the concerns raised by the delegation.

Comrades V. Vara Prasad, General Secretary, along with Comrades P. Gangadhara Rao (Vice President), R. S. N. Murthy (Vice President), Anupam Kaur (Deputy General Secretary) and J. S. Dahiya (AGS) met Shri Amit Agrawal, Secretary (Telecom) at Sanchar Bhawan, New Delhi on 11-03-2026.

At the outset, the delegation welcomed Shri Amit Agrawal on assuming charge as Secretary, Department of Telecommunications, and conveyed best wishes for his successful tenure.

During the meeting, the delegation discussed the long pending issue of revision of pension of BSNL absorbed pensioners with effect from 01.01.2017 based on the 7th Central Pay Commission fitment factor.

It was briefly explained that the DoT Note to Cabinet dated 25.09.2000 assured continuation of the Government pension scheme even after absorption in BSNL.

The delegation explained that the pension of BSNL absorbed employees is regulated under Rule 37-A of CCS (Pension) Rules and paid by the Government of India, though calculated based on the IDA pay drawn in BSNL.

It was also pointed out that BSNL absorbed pensioners are not covered under either Pay Revision Committees (PRC) or Central Pay Commissions (CPC) for pension revision, resulting in the present anomaly.

The delegation informed the Secretary (Telecom) that the Principal Bench of the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT), New Delhi, in OA No.1329/2000, delivered its judgment in September 2023, directing the respondents to revise the pension of BSNL absorbees on par with Central Government pensioners.

It was also brought to his notice that the Hon’ble High Court of Kerala, in WP(C) No.16360/2023, in its judgment dated 06.02.2026, observed that absorbed employees are required to be extended the pension applicable to a Central Government servant, and that their service and retirement are to be treated as retirement from Central Government service.

In view of these facts, the delegation requested the Secretary (Telecom) to take a positive decision on this long pending issue of pension revision with effect from 01.01.2017. The Association also expressed its willingness for constructive discussions with the Department to resolve the matter.

The Secretary (Telecom) stated that the matter is presently sub judice and informed that it would be examined after the High Court proceedings are finalized. He listened to the submissions made by the delegation.

letter to secretary telecom 0903.pdf
 

The 35th meeting of the Standing Committee of Voluntary Agencies (SCOVA) was chaired by Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State, on 10th March 2026. Ms. Rachna Shah, Secretary, Department of Pension & Pensioners’ Welfare (DoPPW), briefed the members about various initiatives taken by the Government for bringing ease in the life of pensioners.
Senior officers including Shri Dhruba Jyoti Sen Gupta, Joint Secretary (DoPPW) and Ms. Roshni Sohni, Sr. DDG, Department of Telecommunications were present along with representatives from various Ministries/Departments.
SCOVA consists of 15 non-official members representing Pensioners’ Welfare Associations and official members from different Ministries/Departments of Government of India. It provides an institutional forum for Pensioners’ Associations to raise issues concerning pensioners directly before the concerned Ministries/Departments through constructive deliberations.
From AIBSNLPWA, the following representatives participated:
• Com. V. Vara Prasad – General Secretary
• Com. P. Gangadhara Rao – Vice President
• Com. R. S. N. Murty – Vice President
During the meeting, issues relating to CGHS, Railways, Department of Pension & Pensioners’ Welfare, Civil Defence and Telecom were discussed.