FEW PHOTOS

DS Com. Ramalingam speaks

Com. Natarajan, GS speaks

Dr. Niranjana, Pr. CCA addressing

Guntur branch held a general body meeting on 25-10-2016.

Com. M R S Prakasa Rao (Circle President) and Com. K S Koteswara Rao (Circle Secretary)

attended and spoke on the current issues.

SAD NEWS

Com. R V Ramaiah, our Assistant Circle Secretary of AP Circle breathed his last today early morning at Vijayawada. He was 78. Com. Ramaiah was an active, dedicated comrade of our Association.

We convey our heartfelt condolences on the demise of Com. Ramaiah.

Karim Nagar branch in AP Circle organsied a victory celebration meeting on 23-10-2016.

Com. T P George, Circle Secretary reports:

Kerala Circle Adalat was conducted by CCA at Tiruvalla today.Circle President (Com. Pada Nair), Circle Secretary (T P George), District Secretary (Com. PMG Menon) and others represented our Association. Out of 19 items taken up, 16 were settled. Some information of general nature of the discussion is:

1.78.2% Cases: There are 8000 cases in total in circle.2500 cases have been received by DoT Cell from SSAs so far. 825 cases have been settled and authorization issued. The SSA-wise figures will be uploaded in the Website of Kerala CCA shortly. Priority is given to pre-2007 cases. Remedial action will be taken to avoid delay in the ‘dispatch section of DoT Cell’.

2.CCA will take up with concerned Postal authorities to avoid delay in grant of enhanced rate of IDA by post offices.

3.Extra increment cases: action is being taken to give the benefits to those pensioners placed in similar situation.Service books are required from the SSAS. Reminder will be sent to SSAs on the matter.

4. Action will be taken to improve the Website of CCA.

Com. R L Kapoor reports from New Delhi that the Anomaly Case was posted for today. But, as expected, it was once again postponed to 16-12-2016. This will be repeated again and again till our turn comes.

Dept of Telecom has issued fresh instructions that the corresponding Pay Scales and Grade Pay should be recorded in the PPO so that there should not be any problem in determining the rate of premium to be paid by the willing officials who want to avail the CGHS Facilities.

To see the order click here:cghs..ppo.pdf

It is observed that in many Circles the process of payment of arrears on account of 78.2% benefit is very very slow. Many SSAs have not sent the cases in full to the DOT Cell. Processing the cases of pre-2007 retirees is simple and easy. Readymade Tables are available. Some SSAs have not completed that work even. It tells a lot about the efficiency of BSNL.

We know that processing the Post-2007 cases may take little more time. For that also, we have prepared a very useful Table. It is up to the BSNL authorities to use it.

CHANGES

I personally feel that all organizations representing BSNL retirees should take up the matter for some significant changes in the present system for payment of pension to the BSNL retirees. The ‘Pension sanctioning authority” should be transferred from BSNL to respective CCAs since 100 % liability lies with Government. Similarly the pension amount can be directly remitted/credited in the Accounts of pensioners by CCA offices. Since Department of Posts has started their own Bank, it is not difficult. What is required is a change of mindset. If we think in the traditional way it may be difficult; one can find so many obstacles, hurdles and pitfalls. We must change our way of thinking when the time changes.

Anything can be changed, if there is a will.

.... ... ... P S Ramankutty

Given below are few photos of the recently held 17th World Trade Union Congress in Durban, South Africa on 5-8, October 2016. The Congress was organised by World Federation of Trade Unions. The photos were sent by our AGS Com. V V S Murthy, who participated in the Congress.

Inaugural Session... ... ... ... ... Com. George Mavrikos, GS, WFTU

Com. Quim Boix, GS, TUI(P&R).... ... ... Jacob Zuma, President of South Africa

Com. Murthy with Com. Bahadur KC of Nepal... .... Com. Murthy, with Com. P Abhimanyu

Today, the PA to Shri Ananthkumar, Honourable Minister for Parliamentary Affairs informed our Karntaka leaders that ANANTHKUMARJI is likely to attend Open Session to be organised in Sheesh Mahal, Palace Grounds, Bangalore on 12-11-2016 in connection with our ensuing Central Working Committee meeting.

The Minister is going abroad for a week. On his return, the programme will be finalised and intimated to all.

....................................... P_ S Ramankutty

HAPPY GREETINGS TO ALL OUR READERS ON THE DAY OF DUSSEHRA, VIJAYADASAMI.

PEOPLE CELEBRATE THE FESTIVAL IN DIFFERENT WAYS IN DIFFERENT PARTS OF INDIA, BANGALDESH AND NEPAL.

Finance Ministry has issued orders granting 30 days salary as Ad-hoc Bonus to central government staff, not covered by Productivity Linked Bonus scheme. In other words, one employee shall get Rs 7000 as Ad hoc bonus.

It is reported that CMD of BSNL has agreed to grant Rs 3000 as Productivity Linked Incentive to BSNL staff.

We in Department Telecom used to receive maximum bonus under PLB scheme earlier.Those days are gone…..

DPE ORDERS DATED 4-10-2016: BOTH THE ORDERS ARE GIVEN IN IMPORTANT ORDERS.

Com. V V S Murthy, our Asst. General Secretary, is leaving for Durban on 4-10-2016 to participate in the 17th World Trade Union Congress . The said conference is being organized by WFTU (World Federation of Trade Unions) in Durban, South Africa from 5th to 8th, October 2016. Com. Murthy is a member of AITUC Delegation from India.

It is understood that Com. P Abhimanyu, GS of BSNLEU is also attending the above Conference, as member of CITU Delegation.

IDA INCREASE FROM TOMORROW:5.5

Labour Bureau of India has officially announced the Consumer Price Index for August 2016.

It is 278 points.

Index for June:277

Index for July:280

Index for August: 278

Average for 3 months: 278.33

Increase over 126.33: 152.00

Percentage of Increase: 120.3%

Rate of IDA from October 2016:120.3%

Existing rate: 114.8%

Increase in IDA:120.3 - 114.8= 5.5%

WHAT IS THE IDA RATE FROM TOMORROW?

As usual, rumours and speculations are plenty.

Labour Bureau of India, with headquarters at Shimla, is the authority to declare the All India Consumer Price Index (AICPI) for Industrial Workers. Our IDA is determined based on the official announcement of Labour Bureau. There is a system for them to do it. Last months’ Index is announced officially around 4 PM today, the last working day of this month.

Our IDA rate is fixed on the basis of average for three months’ indices. Index for June was 277 points. For July it was 280 points. What will be Index for August… 281 or 282 or 283? We have to wait till 4 PM or 4.30 PM.

IDA up to 126.33 points was merged in pay. Find out the average for June, July and August; find out the percentage of increase of this average over 126.33. Then you will get the rate of IDA effective from October 2016. It is a simple calculation. But, Index for August should be announced officially.

Please wait up to 4.30 PM.

SURGERY TO SAVE.

The entire nation supports the action by Indian soldiers in conducting a successful surgical operations on the terror launch pads of Pakistan. We, the BSNL retirees in India, join the masses and salute the soldiers.

CWC OF AIBSNLPWA WILL BE HELD IN BANGALORE. (INSTEAD OF RAJPURA AS NOTIFIED EARLIER).

DATE: 12,13 NOVEMBER 2016

VENUE AND PROGRAMME: WILL BE INTIMATED TO ALL CWC MEMBERS LATER ON.

ALL CENTRAL OFFICE-BEARERS AND CIRCLE SECRETARIES ARE REQUESTED TO BOOK TICKETS TO AND FRO.

Please reserve tickets so that you reach Bangalore on 11-11-2016 evening or 12-11-2016 morning.

You can return on 13th night or 14th morning.

Com. A K Singh, Circle Secretary, Bihar writes:

“With regret, it is reported the sad, untimely demise of Shri R A Manuj, Circle President of our Bihar Unit on 16-9-2016. He is a retired DGM, finance. A Very popular officer, efficient administrator, sincere trade unionist, social worker and an expert in pension matters Shri Manuj commanded respect from all his seniors as well as his subordinates alike. He was 64. While in hospital only he heard the happy news about 78.2%. With clear vision he told us that annulment of 60% limit is the real gain beneficial to the BSNL company as well as the pensioners. He congratulated our CHQ team for the great achievement. Circle Association organized a condolence meeting immediately on hearing the sad news about the demise of our Circle President.”

CHQ conveys its heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family and comrades of Shri Manuj.