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We are happy that the AUAB (All Unions and Associations of BSNL staff) had some discussion with Communications Minister yesterday and during the talks they raised the demand for Pension Revision also. The Note released by AUAB after the discussion says:
“ the representatives of AUAB strongly argued that the pension revision should be done to the BSNL pensioners. It was pointed out that the BSNL pensioners and the Central Government pensioners are covered by same rules.They argued that when pension revision is settled for central Govt pensioners, the same should not be denied to the BSNL pensioners. The Hon’ble Minister assured that needful action would be taken to settle this issue, and directed the Secretary to take necessary action.”
Question is what demand they placed on methodology for pension revision? Some of these leaders were asking fitment formula suggested by PRC.Somebody else wanted CPC formula.Some others did not specify.However, it is a welcome feature that all of them want delinking pension revision from pay revision.
We think of future. What will happen after ten years? By that time all the absorbee members of these Unions will retire from service. They should also get pension revision in 2026 or 2027. Tower Company has already come.Government may not roll it back.What will be fate of BSNL during the next ten years? Will it be possible to look at pay revision in BSNL or Tower Company at that time?
So, reading the writings on the wall, we took a conscious stand and demanded pension revision along with central government pensioners with the same methodology, based on formula suggested by Central Pay Commissions in future. That only will ensure a guaranteed system for pension revision for us, for the members of these service unions in BSNL also.
We shall continue our efforts.
On 21-2-2018 the DOT sent a letter to CMD of BSNL rejecting the demands for Pay Revision and pension Revision.
Today, on 23-2-2018, the DoT has withdrawn that letter. Good.
The Minister for Communications will meet leaders of BSNL staff Unions tomorrow, 24-2-2018.
We congratulate the Staff Unions. United action has compelled the government to come down.
We hope that the Staff Union leaders will tell the honourable Minister that pension revision of BSNL retirees is the sole responsibility of the Government of India and it should not be linked with affordability of BSNL Company. We wish them success.
Such a strong stand by staff unions will help the elders.
DoT has clarified that it is not implementing any 13 digit numbering system for public mobiles.
THEY GOT PAY REVISION AND PENSION REVISION BOTH REJECTED....
As you know, the Staff Unions earlier demanded Pension Revision in BSNL with the same fitment benefit as being granted to the serving staff without considering the fact that pension has to be revised by the Government and pay has to be revised by BSNL company. Some of them changed their stand later on. Such leaders demanded de-linking pay revision and pension revision. It was a welcome change. But, at the same time they wanted pension revision with 15% fitment benefit proposed by PRC. These leaders have been creating confusion time and again.
Now, when these unions are organising a March to Sanchar Bhavan tomorrow, the DoT has rejected their demands.
Pension Revision:: DoT says that it can be taken up as and when Third PRC Report is implemented in BSNL.
PRC REPORT on Pay Revision: DoT says that as per PRC report BSNL is not covered for the fitment benefits due to heavy loss the company incurs.
Loss: DoT points out the loss as:
2013-2014: Rs. 7124 crore
2014-2015: Rs. 8843 crore
2015-2016: Rs. 4169 crore
2016-2017: Rs. 4793 crore
IN EFFECT, THE GOVERNMENT HAS REJECTED BOTH PAY REVISION AND PENSION REVISION.
We request the respected leaders of Service Unions to fight for their pay Revision and leave the issue of Pension Revision. Our task has become much for difficult now. But, we are determined to continue our efforts vigorously.
Our Demand is crystal clear. Government should revise our pension independently and delinking from the affordability of BSNL company. DoT should take a decision about Pension Revision.
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13 DIGIT MOBILE NUMBERS
All these times, people were worried when they received calls from 13 digit mobile numbers. Many thought it was fake calls. Some countries had already introduced 13 digit mobile numbering system.
Now, DoT has decided, as reported, to introduce 13 digit mobile numbering in India from July 2018. I feel that some private companies like Reliance may get advantage. Such companies are taking policy decisions. Let us wait and see.
BSNL letter on 13 digit numbering
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BANGALORE EMERGING
BANGALORE DISTRICT BRANCH HAS MORE THAN 2000 LIFE MEMBERS NOW. THE DISTRICT UNIT HAS EMERGED AS THE BIGGEST DISTRICT UNIT OF OUR ASSOCIATION IN THE COUNTRY.
IT IS BECAUSE OF THE SYSTEMATIC, HOUSE-TO- HOUSE CAMPAIGN CONDUCTED BY OUR TEAM LEADERS IN BENGALURU.
CONGRATULATIONS.
Karnataka Circle Conference was held in RTTC auditorium, Mysore on 11-2-2018 in a grand manner. More than 400 comrades from all parts of the Circle attended it.
Comrades P S Ramankutty, D Gopalakrishnan, G Natarajan, T S Vittoban and V Rama Rao participated in the conference on behalf of CHQ in addition to Com. G Babu (VP), Com. P Gangadhara Rao (DGS) and Com. K G Deshpande (OS) who hail from Karnataka Circle. Com. Varaprasad, Circle Secretary of AP circle also attended it. Shri K L Jairam, PGMT, Mysore addressed the Open Session.
Com. P Gangadhara Rao and Com. R Changappa are re elected as
Circle President and Circle Secretary.
Com. S Ganeshan is the new Treasurer.
IT HAS BEEN REPORTED THAT COM R.K.SRIVASTAVA , PRESIDENT, AIRBSNLPWA
HAD PASSED AWAY ON 8-2-18 AT FARIDABAD. HE WAS OUR GOOD FRIEND
WE EXPRESS OUR HEARTFELT CONDOLENCES TO THE FAMILY AND FRIENDS WHO HAVE LOST HIM
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FOR SOME TIME PAST, ALL UNIONS OF BSNL STAFF HAVE BEEN JOINTLY TRYING TO MEET THE MINISTER FOR COMMUNICATIONS, SHRI MANOJ SINHA TO BRING THE SERIOUS ISSUE OF PAY REVISION TO HIS NOTICE. BUT, IT SEEMS THE MINISTER IS NOT INCLINED TO MEET THE STAFF LEADERS.
FINALLY, THE UNIONS WERE ASSURED A MEETING WITH SHRI MANOJ SINHA ON 5-2-2018 EVENING THROUGH SHRI JUAL ORA, THE MINISTER FOR TRIBAL AFFAIRS. UNFORTUNATELY, IT HAS NOT TAKEN PLACE.
The Chandigarh bench of CAT has ordered on 5-2-02018, that Extra Increment should be reckoned as pay for grant of Pension. Accordingly the Department of Telecom is directed to re-fix pension of those who were not given the benefit of said Ex Increment.
The Judgement is attached here.extra-incr.-chandigarh-cat.pdf
Our Ajmer District Secretary (Rajasthan) reports that Com. S L Azad, a devoted comrade of Ajmer expired on 3-2-2018. We convey our heartfelt condolence on his demise.
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Reacting to our posting of yesterday and day before, regarding life membership in Bangalore etc, Com. Narasimhan, District Secretary of Hyderabad intimated us that the life membership in Hyderabad District is now 1595 and it will cross 1600 very soon. It is another inspiring news. We have Madurai in Tamilnadu with the highest membership in the entire country. Madurai, Bangalore, Hyderabad and Ernakulam are the four major branches with more than 1500 membership.
It is not just competition. The growth reflects dedicated work by our active leaders and the confidence of BSNL pensioners in a vibrant organization, vigorously pursing the issues of pensioners.
Today, I have received a list of 64 life members from Bangalore. So far I received 1606 names of life Members from Bangalore city itself. Bangalore stands first in the country with highest number of Life members. Congratulations.
There is great improvement of Life membership in Bijapur, Hubli, Kolar, Mangalore, Shimoga and Tumkur Districts also.
... ... ... P S Ramankutty, 5-2-2018
I am quite excited to note very commendable increase in the life membership of some branches during the last 6-9 months. I have already mentioned few instances earlier. Now, I wish to mention the following also
Sambalpur: Nine months back, It was 220. Now it is increased to 300. 100% Life membership.
Pondicherry: It is increased from 140 to 266.
Meerut: It is increased from 193 to 353.
Hyderabad: There is wonderful increase from 733 to 1344.
UP West Circle has marked increase from 268 to 762.
Congratulations to the leaders
. ......
.... ... P S Ramankutty
COM. C SURYANARAYANA, A LONG TIME LEADER OF TELECOM WORKERS IN ANDHRA, FORMER CIRCLE SECRETARY OF NFTE, EXPIRED ON 2-2-2018 AT 1900 HOURS. FUNERAL WILL TAKE PLACE ON 4-2-2018 IN HYDERABAD.
WE CONVEY OUR HEARTFELT CONDOLENCE ON THE DEMISE OF COM. CS.
With great grief we report sad demise of Com. D Hariharan, a very devoted comrade of Chennai on 1-2-2018 at 4 PM. Funeral will take place in Chennai on 2-2-2018. Com. Hariharan was a very close friend of our GS Com. Natarajan for many years. Hariharan was present in Patna CWC meeting, held in November 2017. There, immediately after Com. J K Tripathy presented an estimate for our ensuing AIC, Com. Hariharan announced his personal donation of Rs 5000 to the Reception Committee. But, Com. Hariharan will not attend the Puri AIC. Death has appeared as an uninvited clown and taken him away from our midst. We convey our heartfelt condolence to the comrades of Hariharan. Com. Hariharan was a chronic bachelor spent his life for the trade union movement and the pensioners movement..... P S Ramankutty
All India Consumer Price Index for December 2017 is announced today .
It is 286 points. 2 Points down from November Index of 288 points.
CDA may increase by 2% from existing 5% to 7% from January 2018.
In the past, on many occasions, the Index had reduced in December.
Today, all Unions and Associations of BSNL staff start their 5 days programme of Satyagraha.
BSNL, Management, in return, has absolved itself from all responsibilities to settle the issues raised by staff.
1) Regarding the demand for PAY Revision: BSNL says it has sent its recommendations. Means BSNL can not do anything further.
2) Regarding demand for Pension Revision: BSNL says DoT has to take a decision on pension revision with third PRC formula. It is easy now for DOT to reject the demand because Third PRC has not suggested any pension revision. There is no PRC formula for Pension Revision.
3) Subsidiary Tower Company: BSNL says that it is Government decision.
4) Reduction of retirement age from 60 to 58: BSNL says that at present there is no such proposal before it.
70 YEARS AGO.....
On 30-1-1948, in the evening Mr. Nathuram Vinayak Godse went to Gandhiji with folded hands. Not for taking blessings from the great man. But, to fix the distance as directed. Then he pulled out his pistol and fired three shots. One of the finest human beings, mankind ever seen, fell down. Thus, Independent India started its journey with the most heinous crime committed by a fanatic.
Many noble men had fallen in our country. Their supreme sacrifice never go in vain.
Let us pay homage to the martyrs ..
Guntur branch in AP conducted its annual general body meeting today, 28-1-2018. Com. M R S Prakasa Rao (AP Circle President), Com. Varaprasad (CS, AP) and other leaders addressed the meeting. More than 110 members participated. The branch has 450 members now marking a notable improvement recently.
