Archives-News
Karnataka Comrades desired to hold victory meeting in the presence of Shri Ananthakumar. But, after getting elevated as the Minister for Parliamentary Affairs in the recent reshuffle, Shri Ananthakumar has become more busy and could not give a date to attend our meeting. Hence a general body meeting of Bangalore branch was held on 16-7-2016 in the PGMT Office auditorium.
The auditorium was jam packed; rather overflowed with our members who are jubilant over the victory and the success of efforts made by our leaders. All India leaders Com. Gangadhara Rao and Com. Babu addressed the meeting and also Com. R Changappa, our Karnataka Circle Secretary.
Com. G L Jogi, Chairman of SNEA was a special guest. In his speech Com. Jogi appreciated the efforts made by AIBSNLPWA to get 78.2% and annulment of 60:40 condition. Com. Jogi said that but for the efforts of AIBSNLPWA these cases could have been delayed further by years; notwithstanding the claims of others. He specially lauded the significant achievement of annulment of 60:40 condition after 12 years.
Com. T Ramachandran, addressing the comrades attending the monthly General Body meeting in Calicut on 14-7-2016. 
Com. K S Koteswara Rao, Circle Secretary speaks in the general body meeting held at Vijayawada on 14-7-2016 
View of audience attending the Chennai Traffic District conference on 9-7-2016
On 29/10/2014 one leader of an association wrote Secretary, Telecom stating
“for post-2007 pensioners, the revised pay be drawn and paid only for the month of retirement and the pensioners in turn will recharge their BSNL mobile with the exact amount paid. In reality there will be only paper transaction”.
WHAT A WONDERFUL HELP HE HAS GIVEN TO THE BSNL PENSIONERS. "Give month's arrears to the pensioner and the pensioner should give it back by recharging his BSNL mobile". What a wicked brain !!
NOW. THIS MAN ALSO CLAIMS HE HAS BROUGHT THE 78.2% BENEFIT.....
The AIBDPA has resorted to slanderous attack on our Association for achieving the 78.2% and annulment of 60:40. We can understand their anger.We can very well understand their disappointment; discontentment of impotent.
They claim that they achieved the demands because they met Communications Minister twice along with two MPs in May 2015 and March 2016.
Why not before? Order was issued on 10-6-2013 for granting 78.2 to serving staff. There was nothing for Pensioners in that order. But these Bluff Masters declared immediately in their website that; “…it is also a matter of great joy that the retired comrades will get their pension refixed based 78.2% IDA….” What a BLUFF?
Did any single pensioner get the benefit of 78.2 then as they declared? Why did they take MPs to meet the Minister if it was given to pensioners ?The BSNL pensioners understood the dirty game of these fellows.
Another wonderful bluffing: They say that pensioners retired after June 2013 also got the benefit of 78.2%! Is it their magnanimity? When the pay is revised with 78.2% the pension will naturally be on that basis.
In the Agreement it was stated that the benefit would be applicable to pensioners. But later DOT asked BSNL to delete that sentence. BSNL Management deleted it unilaterally. These people who signed that agreement did not open their mouth. That was their LOVE for the pensioners.
What about the people who retired between 1-1-2007 and 10-6-2013? They did not get this benefit till this date. About 60,000 people who retired during this period lost huge amount by way of arrears. BLUFF MASTERS are silent on that. It is because of the agreement they made allowing the Management impound the arrears. Subsequently when the orders were issued, that too after one year, making the date of issuance as the date of effect, these people who are signatories did not protest. Their own members lost huge amount. A pensioner who gets Rs 10000 as basic pension with 68.8% was to get Rs 100000 if arrears were to be given from 1-1-2007.But, because of the foolish agreement and the consequent order that pensioner gets only Rs 40,000 now. He lost Rs 70000. Who is responsible? People who agreed for impounding the arrears; these BLUFFMASTERS.
After their first meeting with the minister in May 2015 they reported that the Minister gave patient hearing. No assurance.
When they met the Minister on 9-3-2016 along with Com. M B Rajesh MP the Minister did not give any assurance.So they declared that “ In the absence of any categorical assurance from the Minister the dharna programme on 10-3-2016 stands…”
Now BLUFF MASTERS say they got 78.2% because of these meetings!!
BLA BLA BLA.
Not only that.Minister expressed concern on the financial condition of BSNL.BLUFF MASTER’s brain did not work at that time to tell the Minister that 78.2% was to be given by government, not by BSNL. Wisdom comes very late to some brains like the old Tube light.Electronic support is needed for them.Somebody should tell them.They can not think on their own.
The BLUFFMASTERS had no guts to open their mouth and tell the facts to the Minister.
They ridicule us for taking help of Shri Ananthakumar, pointing out his portfolio. He was an influential minister. Today he is holding the powerful portfolio of Parliamentary affairs. Shri Ananthakumar helped us more than anybody else.
Help from a Cabinet minister is bad!But, they can take help of MPs. The MPs can easily meet the ministers in the Parliament House.Somebody can accompany the MPs.Ministers do not object.
We met the Minister Shri Ravi Shankar Prasad at Ujjain, at Madurai and in Chennai also. Without help from Anantha kumar.
They accuse us for meeting Shri Nripendra Misraji, the Principal Secretary to Prime Minister of India. (They do not know the name of Principal Secretary.They write Nripesh Mishra). Nripendra Misraji was Secretary, Telecom earlier.At that time only he wrote a letter on 15-3-2015 to CMD BSNL about pension liability which turned out to be an important document. So we tried to bring the matter to his notice to ensure a quick decision on the file by the Cabinet. There was nothing wrong in meeting the Principal Secretary to Prime Minister. BLUFFMASTER did not get that idea. WE CANT HELP.
BLUFMASTER claims that 60:40 was annulled by their attempts. What a BLUFF again? Their report to their own All India conference held at Tirupathy in February 2016 is the proof against this claim. It says:
“……But linking this proposal with 78.2% IDA merger to BSNL pensioners has caused unnecessary delay in the settlement of 78.2% IDA merger.Therefore, we met Shri Rakesh Garg, Secretary, DoT and demanded delinking the issue.But he was of the opinion that delinking at this stage will have to follow all the procedures again which will be time consuming”.
When they met the Secretary, Telecom they did not talk at all about 60:40. Only after we met Secretary, Telecom in March 2015 and took up the matter, Shri Rakesh Garg had a discussion with top officers and decided to incorporate the item of annulment of 60:40 in the Cabinet Note. The recognized Union did not demand annulment of 60:40 till that time. For long 11 years!!
There is no use of asking these BLUFFMASTERS to maintain some standard. They can not. Minimum decency is required for that. Some Culture is required. We restrain ourselves from talking further about them. The BSNL pensioners understand the dirty game played by the BLUFFMASTERS. Hence the BSNL pensioners come to us. BLUFF MASTERS can not tolerate that. They must bear with the truth. No other way.YES. VICTORY HAS GOT MANY FATHERS, INCLUDING THE IMPOTENT!!
A NEW TABLE PREPARED BY SHRI SUNDARAMURTHY, RETD SDE, CHENNAI IS UPLOADED HERE FOR THE BENEFIT OF THOSE WHO RETIRED ON OR AFTER 1-1-2007. PLEASE TRY. new-table-for-post2007.xlsb
ANNULMENT OF 60:40 IS IMPORTANT
In 2000, when government started thinking of launching BSNL, Cabinet met on 24-6-2000 and formed a Group of Ministers. The GoM decided that pension should be paid by Government to the 3.63 lakh DoT employees moving to BSNL.
On 30th September 2000, one day before launching BSNL, the new Rule 37A was incorporated to CCS Pension Rules 1972. Sub rule 21 of Rule 37A said: “… pensionary benefits including family pension shall be paid the Government”. Sub rule 22 of Rule 37A said:“The Govt. shall specify the arrangements and manner including the rate of pensionary contributions to be made by BSNL…” It was not specified then in the Gazette Notification.
When Shri Yeshwant Sinha was the Finance Minister, in his Budget speech of 2001 it was shown that 100% of the pension liability was with BSNL! Some of us pointed out this to BSNL management. They were not aware of it. They took up the matter with Minister for Communications. He took up the matter with Finance Ministry.Correspondence went on for some time.
Cabinet met on 29-10-2004 and discussed the matter. Finance Minister and Communications Minister could not agree on the rate of pension liability to be shared by BSNL. A dispute arose.
Cabinet appointed a Committee of Secretaries. That committee was compelled to find out a solution. So, without any proper study or any serious thinking the committee submitted a strange, irrational formula:“the pension liability should not cross 60% of the revenue paid by BSNL/MTNL to the government every year. If it is more than 60%, then the BSNL has to bear the extra amount”.
Pension systems in BSNL and MTNL were different then. But Committee did not mind it. They were asked to submit a formula to escape from the Dispute.
The Cabinet meeting held on 27-11-2004, approved the above wonderful formula. Thus it became a Cabinet Decision, a Rule.
THAT RULE IS CANCELLED NOW, AFTER 12 YEARS.
Hereafter, there is no need of any consent from BSNL to grant any pensionary benefit to BSNL retirees. It is 100% liability of Government of India. As in the case of any other establishment, BSNL has to pay pension contribution under Fundamental Rule 116 to Government. Because Government has to pay pension to BSNL retirees. Pension Contribution is 11% of pay of the concerned employee for the period he/she worked in BSNL.
Future Pension revision of BSNL retirees need not depend upon the financial condition of BSNL Company. It is a permanent solution for a serious problem. We desired this decision.
Some people suggested delinking the 78.2 issue with 60:40 issue so that 78.2 could be achieved immediately. EVEN ONE ASSOCIATION OF PENSIONERS DEMANDED DELINKING OF 78:2 FROM 60:40 ISSUE. THEY PROUDLY MENTIONED THIS IN THE REPORT TO THEIR ALL INDIA CONFERENCE. LUCKILY DOT DID NOT ACCEPT THEIR DEMAND. THE 60:40 IS REMOVED NOW. THAT ASSOCIATION IS HAILING THE DECISION FORGETTING WHAT THEY DEMANDED EARLIER.
We did not agree to it because we have a far-sight. When the Department is willing to remove the 60% condition why should we oppose it?
Some people suggested to go to Court. We did not agree that also as we knew we have to fight upto Supreme Court and we have to spend our life in the Courts for next five years at least. Even after winning the case we have to approach the Government. So we approached the government direct.
We argued our case effectively. We took support from political leadership to intervene and influence the decision making process.
WE ARE SUCCESSFUL IN OUR EFFORTS. WE HAVE ACHIEVED IT. ANNULMENT OF 60:40 CONDITION IS THE MOST SIGNIFICANT GAIN.
I do not like to abuse or accuse any one. Individuals and organisations have taken certain stand depending upon their understanding of the matter. But, we should not forget the history. We should learn lesson from this and take correct decision in future.
THINK OF THE FUTURE. DANGER IS AT YOUR DOOR-STEP. STATUTORY PENSION SYSTEM IS NOT SAFE IN INDIA FOR EVER.....
.. P S Ramankutty, 10-7-2016
PALAKKAD
WITH GREAT REGRET, WE REPORT SAD DEMISE OF COM. R B RAMA, OUR FORMER VICE PRESIDENT IN HIS RESIDENCE AT ALLAHABAD UP TODAY MORNING AT 4 AM. HE WAS 79. COM. RAMA ATTENDED OUR FORMATION CONFERENCE IN CHENNAI IN 2009 WHERE HE WAS ELECTED AS VICE PRESIDENT. HE WAS NOT KEEPING WELL FOR SOME PAST AND HENCE COULD NOT ATTEND OUR MEETINGS. CHQ CONVEYS HEARTFELT CONDOLENCE TO THE BEREAVED FAMILY.
OUR CREDIBILITY ESTABLISHED
Dear Comrades,
1.Now people are busy in calculating assessing the monetary benefit out of 78.2. It is natural.
2.But let us recollect how it was achieved.
3. After our CWC meeting at Nagpur we were bit apprehensive what would happen to the demand. Because the top bureaucrats in Sanchar Bhavan sent the case to BSNL Corporate Office asking month-wise data of BSNL pensioners. As usual, Corporate Office sent it to Circles. The BSNL would give a reply after 2-3 years, after 10-15 reminders. We told member (F) that she can collect the above data from CCAs but she did not show any interest at that time.
4. We wanted to meet the Secretary, Telecom. His Personal staff was not arranging any meeting.
5.Then we thought of taking help from Shri Ananthakumar. He was quite different from other ministers we approached. He arranged a meeting with Shri Rakesh Garg, the then Secretary, Telecom. We had very purposeful meetings with Shri Rakesh Garg. He appreciated futility of waiting for data from BSNL. He understood the importance of annulment of 60:40 condition. Shri Garg promised quick action. On future pension revision applying the fitment benefit to be granted by seventh CPC also he promised that he would take clarification from all concerned.
6.That discussion changed the entire scenario. The file moved in right direction despite reluctance shown by some top officers in DoT.
7.Cabinet Note was prepared. Views of other nodal ministries were sought for.
8. When the file was shuttling between DOT and DOE etc. we sought the help of Shri Nripendra Mishra, the powerful Principal Secretary to Prime Minister. Mishraji was earlier Secretary, Telecom and aware of the entire case. Sri Anantha kumar himself arranged our meeting with Mishraji. Discussion with him also helped us.
9. Shri Garg was changed and Shri Deepak took over charge as Secretary, Telecom. He was not meeting anyone. Even then Shri Ananthakumar arranged a meeting with him for us.
10. We met Shri Deepak in Bangalore when there was some delay in sending the Cabinet Note to Cabinet Secretariat. He signed the Note immediately after coming back to Delhi. The file went to Member(S), Member (F) and DDG (Estt). Even after that, some organisations declared that the File was lying in the chamber of Shri Deepak. That was the reliability of their reporting.
11.They all reported where the File was lying. Some times, after enquiring; some time guessing.
12. We pushed and moved the File from one table to another; from one officer to another; from one ministry to another. That is our constructive work. Then we reported to the Pensioners the exact position. That established our credibility.
13. Cabinet considered our case on 29th June but deferred a decision. Immediately some people started the propaganda that Cabinet returned the file. It created some panic among the BSNL pensioners.
14. We approached Shri Anantha kumar once again in Bangalore. He was little annoyed on the misguiding news. He simply told us:”Go and relax. It is my case now. The case is under serious consideration of the Government.”
15. He was different from others. He intervened in our case very effectively with dedication.
16. He was correct. The Cabinet meeting on next Tuesday, immediately after the swearing in ceremony, took the significant decision.
17. BSNL pensioners have understood who has done the work. Let others claim anything.
18. We are entitled to get the arrears from January 2007.But we got it only from 10-6-2013 because of the Agreement for prospective effect. Many pensioners lost Rupees One lakh ore more. All those who made that agreement and declared that it was ‘historic’ should realise the folly. It is just like Finance Minister Shri Arun Jaitley declaring the gains of central government staff as ‘historic’ after giving the lowest gain ever in the history of Independent India.
19. Let me tell you again, The decision for removing 60:40 is the most important and significant achievement.I have put a brief posting in the whatsapp. I shall write about it again in this site. Now, I am too busy in attending the telephone calls.
P S Ramankutty, 8th July 2016.
It is difficult to prepare a Ready Reckoner to assess the benefit out of 78.2% for the BSNL pensioners retired after 1-1-2007. Some data like Increment etc. has to be posted.. However, Com. C Ravikumar, Treasurer of our Trivandrum District Unit has prepared a Ready Reckoner . Same is given here. Click on this link: post2007-table.xls
On a call from the Kerala Circle Association, the BSNL Pensioners in different parts of Kerala circle staged demonstrations expressing their happiness over the achievement with regard to 78.2% case. Few photos:
Com. P S Ramankutty speaks at Trivndrum
DS Smt. Annie Preman speaks at Calicut
Com. T Ramachandran, Circle VP speaks at Calicut
Circle Secretary Com. T P George addressing at Ernakulam
Ernakulam 
Malappuram SSA