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Dept of Pension issued orders on 4-8-2016 for revision of pension, implementing the seventh CPC report.
On 22-8-2016 the Department of Telecom has endorsed the said orders.
We are meeting once again in Bengaluru city in a jubilant mood. A special conference will be held from 10 AM to 5 PM on 18-9-2016, in the spacious Sheesh Mahal in Palace Grounds, near Cantt Railway Station, Bengaluru to celebrate the victory in the matter of IDA merger and freeing BSNL from sharing the pension liability. It is not just for celebration.The main purpose is to move further.We are not travelling back to the PAST; we have to move forward to the FUTURE.
FUTURE REVISION
Future Pension revision is most important. Every time, the exercise of preparing Cabinet Note, taking consent from four nodal ministries, then going to the Cabinet and waiting for 2-3 years may not be possible. Political situation may change and there may not be a minister to help us. There should be a system that ensures periodic revision of our pension in future.
TO BE NOT TO BE?
We do not want to quarrel with anybody. We represent all cadres of BSNL staff retired; from GM to RM. We can not and we shall not surrender interest of any section.We have no mentor to please.We discussed the matter in two CWC meetings; considered various options like approaching PRC and CPC, prepared a document and circulated it to other organizations representing BSNL pensioners and sought their cooperation. Then we took a decision. Once we take a stand consciously we are firm on that. Now everybody wants that future pension revision in BSNL should be delinked from the Pay revision in BSNL. After demanding it some people went and asked next Pension revision along with the pay revision. One organization went to PRC one day and demanded PRC benefit and very next day wrote to Secretary, Telecom demanding 7th CPC benefit. We shall not make such sudden changes in our stand.
100% GOVERNMENT LIABILITY
With annulment of 60% stipulation, the liability to pay pension to us is totally of the government of India. Government need not depend upon a PSU or a company working under it for taking decisions.
NO LINK WITH PAY
There is a wrong notion that pension revision is linked with pay revision. In 2015 Government granted One Rank One Pension to Ex-serviceman. There was no pay revision then. Now the orders are issued for pension revision for central pensioners. The Pension is multiplied by the factor of 2.57. Pay is not multiplied. Minimum pension in each grade is related to the minimum pay, no doubt. It benefits the senior pensioners who retired 2-3 decades ago. In our case, such seniors are DoT pensioners, not BSNL retirees and hence nothing to do with BSNL pay scales. In future, suppose BSNL is privatized. How can we link with the minimum pay in a private company?
WE SHOULD BE COVERED
Government of India has issued order on 4-8-2016 for revision of pension implementing the recommendation of seventh Central Pay Commission.It is endorsed by the Department of Telecom on 22-8-2016. The para 2.1 of DOP&PW order says;
“These orders shall apply to all pensioners/family pensioners who were drawing pension/family pension before 1.1.2016 under the Central Civil Services (Pension) Rules, 1972, Central Civil Services (Extraordinary Pension) Rules and the corresponding rules applicable to Railway pensioners and pensioners of All India Services, including officers of the Indian Civil Service retired from service on or after 1.1.1973. A pensioner/family pensioner, who became entitled to pension/family pension with effect from 01.01.2016 consequent on retirement/death of Government servant on 31.12.2015, would also be covered by these orders.”
We are receiving pension under the above CCS (Pension) Rules 1972. Hence, technically and legally we should be covered by the above orders endorsed by DOT. The order does not mention IDA pensioner or CDA pensioner at all. We can go to a court and get the favourable verdict. Then government will drag the matter with appeal, revision petition, review petition, Special Leave petition, Curative petition etc.4-5 years are to be wasted in court verandas. Finally it depends upon the government to take a decision and issue orders. This is the judiciary system in our country. So, instead of wasting our time on legal fights we want to approach the Government directly now itself and get the benefit.
WE ARE COVERED
The para 2.3 of the order dated 4-8-2016 from Pension Ministry further says;
“2.3 These orders also do not apply to retired High Court and Supreme Court Judges and other Constitutional/Statutory Authorities whose pension etc. is governed by separate rules/orders”.
We are not in the excluded category. It means we can be covered, we should be covered. We have clear locus standi to demand extension of the said order.
MOVEMENT ESSENTIAL
If we keep quiet no body will give any benefit. We should create a pressure. Please remember that the Ex-Servicemen fought for 45 years to get OROP. Very senior officers retired from Army came and sat on dharna. We should shout aloud. We should launch a movement for it. The decision making process should be influenced through some persons who matter.
Hence we meet in Bangalore. Please come and join this movement. Please come to Bangalore on 18, September 2016.
Let us jointly begin a new journey to ensure a definite, tension-free future for us.
With regards,
P S Ramankutty
AP CIRCLE SECRETARY COM. K S KOTESWARA RAO HAS INFORMED THAT MINIMUM 100 COMRADES WILL PARTICIPATE IN THE SPECIAL CONFERENCE IN BENGALURU ON 18-9-2016. THE NUMBER MAY INCREASE.
ORISSA COMRADES HAVE CONFIRMED PARTICIPATION
COM. M J PILLAY, CS MAHARASTRA INFORMS THAT FIVE COMRADES FROM NAGPUR WILL ATTEND.
COMRADES FROM LATUR, BHANDARA, MUMBAI, SOLAPUR AND AMRAVATI ALSO WILL ATTEND THE BANGALORE CONFERENCE.
JABALPUR COMRADES HAVE CONFIRMED THEIR PARTICIPATION
A view of the venue of our special conference. Karnataka comrades are making all arrangements. We expect minimum 1000 comrades from Bangalore itself and another 1000 comrades from other stations in India. Pan India should be present in Bangalore on the day. We can do it. We are the only organisation of BSNL retirees who can and who will organise it. Come and join .
CHHATISGARH COMRADES CONFIRM THEIR PARTICIPATION
TAMILNADU CIRCLE CONFERENCE HAS DECIDED TO SEND ABOUT 400 COMRADES TO BANGALORE CONFERENCE ON 18th SEPTEMBER 2016.
THE NATIONAL FESTIVAL OF MALAYALEES, ONAM, ENDS ONLY ON 16TH.
STILL, KERALA CIRCLE HAS DECIDED TO SEND AT LEAST 100 COMRADES TO THE CONFERENCE IN BANGALORE ON 18TH.
RAJASTHAN COMRADES CONFIRMED THEIR PARTICIPATION
PUNJAB COMRADES HAVE CONFIRMED PARTICIPATION.
It was a massive Conference of Tamilnadu Circle Unit of AIBSNLPWA held at Coimbatore on 23,24 August 2016. A big gathering of 674 delegates, including good number of ladies, attended the conference representing all the 18 SSA units.
The Conference commended with national flag hoisting by Shri Guruswamy, President of Coimbatore SSA unit and hoisting of association flag by Com. P S Ramankutty, President.
Comrades P S Ramankutty (President), D Gopalakrishnan (Vice President), G Babu (Vice President), G Natarajan (GS), T S Vittoban (Treasurer) and S Arunachalam (Org Secretary) participated the conference, representing CHQ. Com. K Mutyhiyalu (Org. Secretary) and Com. V Rama Rao (Asst Treasurer) were also present being the Circle President and Circle Secretary.Com. R Changappa, Circle Secretary of KarnatakaCircle also attended the conference. [Com. M Govinda Rajan, our Circle Secretary of Chennai TD Circle missed the conference as he was taking rest after heart operation recently.]
General Secretary spoke on the recent decisions on 78.2 and annulment of 60% stipulation. Com. D G spoke clearing the doubts created by some speakers.
Special guest like Com. D Balasubramanyam (SG of AIFPA, Chennai), Com. K Ragavendran (GS of AIPRPA), Com. Pattabiraman (Ex Circle Secretary of NFTE) too addressed the open session on 23rd Morning.
A unique feature of Tamilnadu Conference, true to its tradition is the threadbare discussion on important issues.
Com. K Muthiyalu, veteran trade union leader for decades and our first national President is elected as the new Circle Secretary. He is so active that he holds the District Secretary post of STR division which has 634 members including more than 300 retired Executives. Seven retired CGMs are members of the STR branch. Com. Muthiyalu is our All India Organising Secretary too.
Com. V Ramarao who has been functioning as Circle Secretary for the last seven years is the new Circle President. Com. Rama Rao is a well known popular social worker of South Chennai as Secretary General of a federation of more than 100 residents associations of the area.
Tamilnadu is the biggest Circle Unit of our association with more than 7000 members.
.. ... ... ... ... ... . P S Ramankutty
Dear Comrades.
[I am uploading this matter from another place, due to prolonged power failure in my residential area. I shall give details soon….PSR]
We will meet again in Bangalore city on 18, September 2016 to celebrate our historic victory in the matter of 78.2% benefit (DA merger). More significant gain is release of BSNL from sharing pension liability.
Shri Ananthakumar, Honourable minister for Chemicals, Fertilizers and PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS, will attend our function.
Ambedkar Bhavan, where we had our last AIC is not available on the day. Hence we are holding our special conference in Palace Grounds, that also is near to Bangalore Cantt Railway Station.
Central office-Bearers, Circle Secretaries and maximum comrades from all circles should attend it. CHQ shall pay TA to Central Office Bearers. For others the concerned Circle or District Unit has to make suitable arrangements, depending upon the financial position. If you intimate your arrival programme, Bangalore comrades will make arrangements for stay on 17, September night and for freshing up on 18,September morning. If you stay further, you have to make your own arrangements.
We shall launch our next movement to get a permanent system for revision of pension along with other central government pensioners in India.
We shall definitely get it. It is a challenge. We are meeting in Bangalore to start our fresh journey.
Com to Bangalore, join the movement.
All are aware that Shri Ananthakumar, Honourable Minister for Chemicals & Fertilizers and Parliamentary Affairs helped us a lot in getting the benefit of 78.2% and especially in annulment of 60:40 condition. While addressing our last AIC in Bangalore in November, 2015 Shri Ananthakumar asked us to hold a victory conference and he assured that he would attend the same.
We were waiting for the convenient date of Shri Ananthakumar. Today, our Karnataka leaders met Shri Ananthakumar in Bangalore. He has given the date.
It is Sunday; 18, September 2016.
The venue and detailed programme will be announced within 2-3 days.
BANGALORE CONVENTION: A GREAT LEAP
We call upon all comrades from all over the country to come and join the Bangalore convention. South Indian circles should send maximum comrades.
Make it a historic convention. It is the beginning of our next crucial journey to ensure periodic systematic pension revision.
Prepare for the Big Bangalore Convention. Prepare for the great journey.
ERNAKULAM
SALEM WEST- TN
JABALPUR 
SIRHIND-PUNJAB 
CALICUT KERALA 
BHUBANESWAR
BEFORE AIBSNLPWA STARTED FUNCTIONING IN 2009…..
IN 2004, 50% DA WAS MERGED TO THE BENEFIT OF CENTRAL GOVT PENSIONERS. IN 2005, IDA CROSSED 50%. BUT THERE WAS NOBODY TO DEMND DA MERGER FOR BSNL RETIREES.
IN FEBRUARY 2008, DPE GRANTED DA MERGER IN CPSUs. THERE WAS NOBODY TO DEMND IDA MERGER FOR BSNL RETIREES.
IN MAY 2008, BSNL STAFF WAS GIVEN BENEFIT OF 50% IDA MERGER. THERE WAS NOBODY TO DEMND IDA MERGER FOR BSNL RETIREES.
IN APRIL 2009, EXECUTIVES IN BSNL GOT PAY REVISION. BENEFIT OF 50% IDA MERGER WAS TAKEN AWAY. IT COULD NOT BE RETAINED.
IN MAY 2009, AGREEMENT WAS REACHED FOR PAY REVISION OF NON-EXECUTIVES. THEN ALSO, BENEFIT OF DA MERGER WAS TAKEN BACK. IT COULD NOT BE RESISTED.
ON 20th AUGUST 2009 AIBSNLPWA WAS FORMED. IMMEDIATELY WE DEMANDED DA MERGER FOR BSNL RETIREES. WE DEMANDED THAT GOVERNMENT IS PAYING PENSION AND HENCE GOVERNMENT NEED NOT DEPEND UPON THE FINANCIAL CONDITION OF BSNL.
ON 12-6-2012, AGREEMENT WAS REACHED FOR GRANTING THE BENEFIT OF 78.2 TO SERVING STAFF. WITHOUT ANY AUTHORITY IT WAS STATED THAT BSNL PENSIONERS WILL ALSO GET IT. DEPARTMENT OF TELECOM ASKED TO DELETE THAT SENTENCE CONCERNING PENSIONERS. BSNL MANAGEMENT DELETED IT. THERE WAS NO BODY TO RESIST IT. RATHER, THIS ACTION WAS KEPT AS A SECRET TILL OUR LATE COMRADE CHHIDU SINGH DISCLOSED IT.
ON 10-6-2013, ORDER WAS ISSUED GRANTING BENEFIT OF 50% IDA MERGER TO SERVING STAFF. PENSIONERS WERE DENIED THE BENEFIT. ARREARS FROM 1-1-2007 WERE DENIED TO SERVING STAFF ALSO BECAUSE OF THE AGREEMENT FOR PROSPECTIVE EFFECT.
AS A RESULT OF THE ABOVE, PENSIONERS ALSO LOST THE ARREARS FROM 1-1-2007 NOW.
TODAY, EVERYBODY IS TALKING ABOUT BSNL PENSIONERS. THERE ARE MANY A XAVIOURS. GREAT & SUPER!
NOBODY CAN IGNORE BSNL PENSIONERS NOW.
LET US NOT FORGET THE PAST, THE PERIOD BEFORE 20-8-2009. ============================== P S Ramankutty
We have already reported that the orders of CAT Ernakulam and High Court of Kerala were implemented only in the case of five pensioners who filed the case. First Applicant in the case was AIBSNLPWA, Kerala Circle. Therefore, we pleaded that all the affected members of AIBSNLPWA are entitled to get the benefit. DoT Cell did not accept our plea. Then our circle association filed a Contempt of Court petition. The CAT did not consider it as contempt as their order was implemented partially. Another reason is that DoT Cell can not find out all the affected members of the Association. However, the CAT ordered that affected members can approach the Tribunal again if their applications are not considered favourably by the DoT Cell. We have asked all affected members of Kerala Circle Unit to apply to DoT Cell. If not settled, we will go to CAT again.
The Court decision is given below. Click on the Link. extra_increment_contempt.pdf
BSNL Corporate Office has issued fresh instructions to Circles on implementation of the order granting 78.2% to Retirees. A proforma is also circulated which the SSA offices should fill up. The order can be seen by clicking on the link given below:
78.2-new-order-from-bsnl.pdf 78.2_rev_proformas_anx_2___3.pdf 78.2_rev_proformas_anx_iv.pdf
