All India BSNL Pensioners' Welfare Association.

Archives-News

14/11

"DOT is determined to complicate the case of BSNL Employees Pay revision in all possible ways. AUAB is likely to intensify its struggle in future. AIBSNLPWA extends its solidarity with all the programms of employees. We call upon all our Units to actively support wherever possible and feasible".

.................................. P Gangadhara Rao, General Secretary.



bsnleu website ways:

DoT virtually rejects the key demands - now there is no other option, but to go on strike.

In the meeting held between the AUAB and the Secretary, Telecom, on 02.11.2018, it was informed that, the DoT would raise certain queries from BSNL. Further it was also assured that the DoT would finalise the Cabinet Note on the 3rd pay revision issue, on receipt of reply from BSNL. Now it is learnt that the DoT has written letter to BSNL, raising certain queries. It is also learnt that, in that letter, the DoT has virtually rejected the demands for 3rd pay revision, allotment of 4G spectrum to BSNL and payment of pension contribution on actual basic pay.

The DoT has not taken any action for the last 8 months, to implement the assurances given by the Hon’ble MoS(C). Now, they have virtually rejected all the important demands. Hence, CHQ would like to inform the circle and district unions that now we are left with no other option, but to go on strike, including an indefinite one. Circle and district unions are requested to give vide publicity to the employees on this development, and take all out efforts to mobilise the employees for strike action.


14/11

PROMISES, DECLARATIONS, CLAIMS, ILLUSIONS ARE OVER.

REALITY IS THAT DEPARTMENT OF TELECOM IS NOT PREPARED TO IMPLEMENT THE PRC REPORT FOR PAY REVISION. THE WORKING STAFF OF BSNL HAS NO ALTERNATIVE BUT TO GO ON ACTION.

WE SUPPORT THEIR JOINT PROGRAMMES.

12/11

HON Union minister HN Ananth Kumar, 59, passes away in Bengaluru in the wee hours on Monday
He was undergoing treatment for cancer at at Shankara Cancer Hospital in Bengaluru.

SRI ANANTHKUMAR WAS A LEADER WITH DIFFERENCE. He never talked politics to us. He helped us knowing that our Association had members of diverse political views. He was practical in approach. Quick in action. Polite and Positive.
IT IS A GREAT LOSS TO US.

HE WAS INSTRUMENTAL IN ENSURING TO BSNL PENSIONERS THAT OUR PENSION IS PAID BY GOVT. BY REMOVING 60:40 AND SETTLING 78.2 PENSION REVISION.

Our heartfelt condelonces to the brave Heart of Sri Ananthakumar.

30/10


The AUAB is holding protest demonstrations today. One of the demands placed by AUAB is Pension Revision. In its letter the AUAB has pointed out that last time, after implementation of Wage Revision of serving staff in BSNL, there was undue delay in pension revision. It should not happen this time. Hence AUAB demands immediate pension revision for BSNL absorbees. AUAB did not demand CPC fitment benefit. Immediate pension revision means; there should not be much delay after wage revision. So, I feel that the pension revision is indirectly linked with pay revision of serving staff.

At the same time, the BSNLEU CEC meeting of BSNLEU held at Ghaziabad on 22-23 October 2018 adopted a clear resolution on Pension revision.The resolution says:

“As regards the pension revision of the absorbed BSNL retirees, the DoT has always maintained that it is linked with the wage revision of BSNL employees, which is totally unacceptable. At par with the pension revision given to the other pensioners covered under CCS Pension Rule 1972, the absorbed BSNL pensioners should also be given pension revision immediately and without waiting for the wage revision of the serving employees to get completed…..”

It is a clear and correct stand. I welcome the stand taken by BSNLEU. I hope AUAB will also come out with such a clear unambiguous demand on pension revision. Pension revision and pay revision are two different issues to be decided by two authorities. Do not link the both. Grant the pension revision to BSNL retirees immediately at par with other central service pensioners. Already two years are over. Do not wait further.

….P S RAMANKUTTY…

23/10

Hereunder we reproduce the posting in the website of AIBSNLOA:

22-10-2018 Meeting with Director (PSU), DoT:

Today GS along with Shri S.P. Sharma GS BSNL WRU met Shri Pawan Gupta Director (PSU) DoT and enquired about the status of cabinet note for relaxation of affordability clause for implementation of 3rd PRC recommendation in BSNL. Director (PSU) DoT informed us that DoT Finance had earlier raised some points and DoT had written to BSNL for clarifying the points raised by DoT Finance. The clarification submitted by BSNL is being examined by DoT Finance. After clearance by DoT Finance, the cabinet note will be sent to all the concerned Ministries for their comments. Director (PSU), DoT assured us that all efforts are being taken for implementing 3rd pay revision in the coming months, but the main concern is the 22% fall in revenue in 2017-18 when compared to the revenue of 2016-17. In the present financial year also BSNL revenue has been coming down and this may be a stumbling block in getting cabinet approval.

22/10

APPEAL FILED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF TELECOM AGAINST THE JUDGEMENT OF CAT PRINCIPAL BENCH IN THE CASE OF PENSION ANOMALY, FILED BY OUR ASSOCIATION AND WON BY US, CAME UP FOR HEARING IN DELHI HIGH COURT TODAY. IT CAME UP AFTER LONG TEN MONTHS. EVEN THEN, THE DEPARTMENT DID NOT COMPLY WITH THE COURT ORDERS. ADVOCATE FOR DEPARTMENT SOUGHT FURTHER TIME. A SHORT POSTPONMENT IS ALLOWED. NEXT DATE OF HEARING IS 8-2-2019.

When justice is denied by the Government we are compelled to approach the court. It is the last resort for people like pensioners. Even at that stage the Government departments can play games and delay the justice further. Latest instance is the Pension Anomaly Case that came up before Delhi high court. Last time, the high court gave a long period of ten months to the Department of Telecom to file their counter. But after ten months, when the case was taken up the Department lawyer wants more time. Of course, this time it is only 4 months’ time is given. But there is no guarantee that Department will file their counter before that date.

THE TWO OTHER CASES

Our Association has filed two cases in Ernakulam CAT.

1. For getting arrears on account of 78.2% IDA revision from 1-1-2007 instead of 10.6.2013.

2. To get pension re-fixed @ 50% of last pay drawn to all BSNL retirees who retired before 1-1-2006.

CAT admitted both the cases. But, a date for hearing is not yet given by the CAT.

Reason?

There is only Judge in CAT Ernakulam bench. Only when two judges are available the case will be heard.

Government is responsible for this situation. A judge had retired in December 2017. 10 months have gone. The vacancy is not yet filled up. This is the case with Chennai bench of CAT also. It is the case with many other benches of CAT.

CAT was introduced to ensure justice as quickly as possible to the central government employees and pensioners.The very purpose is defeated by not posting sufficient number of judges.

The government, the bureaucracy, the authorities can deny justice; they can delay the justice also. The ordinary people are helpless.

Most of the people affected by the pension anomaly have left this world. But, justice is a distant cry for their families…..


EVEN THE COURT OF JUSTICE DOES NOT OPEN ITS EYES.

16/10

As on 30-9-2018, there are 1,74,216 staff in BSNL. Out of them 1,26,534 will retire from service during next ten years. So, there will be hardly 50,000 people after ten years.

16/10

Shri V A Harsulkar was General Secretary of T III Union for two decades. In 1987, I took over from him only. From 1987 to 2001, till the T III merged in BSNLEU, Harsulakr continued as President. He is now 92 years old and living in Noida, near New Delhi.

On 14th October 2018, he lost his SON, Vivek Harsulkar.

Vivek retired as a senior engineer from Central Electronics Ltd New Delhi. All along he was active in the RSS. On 14th Vivek brought milk and prepared coffee for his father Shri V A Harsulkar. After serving coffee to the father, Vivek felt severe chest pain. Immediately a doctor was called. On his advice Vivek was taken to nearby Dharamsila Hospital. The doctor declared that he was brought dead. It was a massive heart attack.

I spoke to younger brother of Shri V A Harsulkar. I did not want to disturb the 92 years old gentleman. I conveyed my condolences through his brother who came down from Nagpur.

Vivek Harsulkar (65) was an affectionate son, proud father of two children and a disciplined man in all spheres. ......P S Ramankutty

15/10

EACH SSA HAS TO NOMINATE AN OFFICER AS ASSISTANT COORDINATING OFFICER FOR CPMS

cpms-oct.pdf

15/10

BSNL corporate office has issued the following order. Please read it carefully.

mrs-strange-order.pdf

I do not know what the order means. Does it mean that parents shall not be treated as dependents? Somebody may explain the position.

04/10

DEPT OF PUBLIC ENTERPRISES HAS ISSUED ORDERS ON IDA FROM OCTOBER 2018

To see the orders click here ids-oct-18..1.pdf

ida-oct-18-2.pdf


30/09

Almost 700 million people are now over the age of 60. By 2050, 2 billion people, over 20 per cent of the world’s population, will be 60 or older. The increase in the number of older people will be the greatest and the most rapid in the developing world, with Asia as the region with the largest number of older persons, and Africa facing the largest proportionate growth. With this in mind, enhanced attention to the particular needs and challenges faced by many older people is clearly required. Just as important, however, is the essential contribution the majority of older men and women can continue to make to the functioning of society if adequate guarantees are in place. Human rights lie at the core of all efforts in this regard

28/09


The Consumer Price Index for august 2018 is 301.

For July also it was 301.

For June it was 291.

So, average for the three months is 297.66.

Based on that the IDA will increase from existing 128% to 135.6% from October 2018.

..............................

MESSAGE FROM SMT SUJATA T RAY, DIRECTOR (HR), BSNL

28/09

THE LETTER IS GIVEN HERE. Please click on the following

hr-ltr.jpg


27/09

PDF VERSION OF PATRIKA OF SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2018

pp-september-october-2018.pdf

27/09

Com. P. Gangadhara Rao joined the Telecom Department as Technician in 1970 in Bangalore Telecom District. He became Phone Inspector in 1973. Junior Engineer in 1976.

Assistant Engineer in 1992 and finally retired as Divisional Engineer On 31-03-2008.


He was active in NFPTE while working as Technician
and in FNPTO while working as Phone Inspector.

He was the Circle Secretary of JETA, TESA & BSNLEA;
founder Circle President of SNEA before retirement.


In AIBSNLPWA , he was elected as AGS in Formation Conference in 2009

and continued till 2015. In Bangalore AIC he was elected as Dy. General Secretary.


Now at Puri he is elected as our GS.


26/09

Click on this link to see List of new office bearers, elected by Puri AIC

new-chq-office-bearers-new.pdf

27/09

PURI AIC NEWS

ODISHSA, a small circle in size, but high in spirit, hosted our big All India Conference at a small place, Puri.

Ø Red Alert warning about a cyclone on coastal Odisha gave added burden to the hosts. With that fear and apprehension only we started the conference.But, the cyclone simply crossed over Odisha and got weakened. here were some showers and strong wind on 20,September.

Ø 1228 Delegates from 22 circles registered and participated in the conference. In addition, about 450 comrades from Odisha branches also attended the AIC.

Ø The conference adopted the Report and accounts unanimously. 49 delegates and some of the Central officers participated in the debate.

MAIN CONCERN

The delegates from every circle expressed serious concern over non-allotment of funds by BSNL for paying medical allowance and reimbursement under BSNLMRS, practically negating the order for restoration of allowance for pensioners.

GENERAL APPROVAL

All the delegates who participated in the Debate approved and supported the right demand for Pension Revision with fitment factor suggested by seventh CPC.


MAIN DECISION OF AIC

... AIC decided to organize mass hunger strike for one day in October/November 2018, at all SSA headquarters demanding Pension Revision with CPC fitment factor.

... AIC decided to hold a national convention in New Delhi to draw attention of authorities on our major demand for pension revision with CPC fitment factor. We will approach other Pensioners’ organizations who agree with our demand.

... CHQ will announce the date and venue of the Convention in consultation with other organizations.

... Our members from Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan, UP East and UP West Circles should participate in the Delhi convention in largest number.Other Circles may send representatives.

... Cost for the participation will be borne by concerned SSA/Circle Units.

... CHQ will issue detailed instructions after finalizing the date, venue etc.


AMENDMENTS TO THE CONSTITUTION

CWC considered all proposals but recommended only two amendments.AIC approved those amendments about Branches and Quota thereon. After the amendments the position shall be as;

(i) Name of our association remains same as AIBSNLPWA. There is no change for the time being.

(ii) The District units are free to form branches below SSA Units for better and effective functioning.

(iii) If branches are formed as above, the SSA Unit shall decide jurisdiction of such branches, as already provided in the constitution.

(iv) District conference of such SSA Unit, having branches, shall comprise of delegates elected by the branches at the ratio of One Delegate for every Ten members or part thereof.

[for example: for 5-14 members one delegate to District conference, for 15-24 members 2 Delegates, for25-34 members 3 Delegates, for 35-44 members 4 Delegates, so on so forth.]

(v) The branch shall remit quota as

20% to CHQ

20% to Circle

20% to District and retain remaining 40%.

(vi) If there is no branch under a SSA Unit, the Quota will be as

20% to CHQ, 20% to Circle and 60% will be retained by the SSA Unit.

(vii) For AIC and Circle Conference, the SSA Unit shall remain as the Base unit, as now.