Member (Finance), DOT has issued strict instructions to the BSNL as also CCAs to settle the pension cases urgently and without delay. The BSNL C.O. has also issued strict instructions accordingly.
We are happy that the efforts of BSNLEU and AIBDPA on this issue has been seriously taken by Member (Finance). During my meetings with Ms. Annie Moraes, Member (Finance) the long delay in some circles for settlement of the pension cases were pointed out and she has assured that these will be taken care of. She has immediately issued the orders for immediate action at BSNL/CCA Levels. Circle Secretaries of BSNLEU and AIBDPA should contact the CGMs and CCAs and ensure that the orders are implemented.

Com.S.K.Vyas, Secretary General, National Co-Ordination Committee of Pensioners Association has intimated that a meeting of the National Executive will be held at D-7, Telegraph Place, Gole Market, New Delhi at 11.00 PM on 25th July 2014 to discuss about the Memorandum to the VII CPC.
Com.V.A.N.Namboodiri, Advisor, AIBDPA and Patron NCCPA will attend the meeting.

7th Pay Commission begins preliminary interaction with Pensioners Organisations
7th CPC INVITES BCPC SECRETARY GENERAL & BPS SECRETARY GENERAL FOR PRELIMINARY INTERACTION

The 7th CPC has invited Comrade S.K.Vyas Secretary General BCPC and Comrade S.C.Maheswari Secretary General BPS for a preliminary interaction on 23rd July, 2014, as the Pay Commission has commenced the exercise of seeking views of various stakeholders on its terms of reference.

Com.V.A.N.Namboodiri, Dy.Secretary General (HQ) will also be participating in the meeting.

As per the invitation of the VII Central Pay Commission, the leaders of the Bharat Central Pensioners Confederation (BCPC), Coms. Maheswari, President, S.K.Vyas, Secretary General, V.A.N.Namboodiri, DY.SG(HQ), R.L.Bhattacharjee and others met the VII CPC today, 23rd July and presented in detail the demands of the Central and BSNL Pensioners. They demanded the abolition of the NPS and to include all new employees in the old pension scheme, 67% of pay as Pension, the minimum pay scale as minimum pension, merger of DA with pay, Interim Relief, CGHS to be available to the Postal employees etc. which are all included in the memorandum. Com.V.A.N.Namboodiri brought to the notice of the CPC about the difficulties experienced by the BSNL absorbed DOT employees with regard to Pension Revision and demanded that the Government should grant Pension Revision on the the basis of the BSNL wages without any hindrance. The issue of 78.2% IDA pension revision and the need for early resolving were also mentioned.

The  VII Central Pay Commission Members with Chairman Justice Shri Ashok Kumar Mathur and all other members were present. Though the meeting was scheduled for 45 minutes, discussion took place for about one and half hours. The Commission heard the delegation keenly and put many questions which were answered effectively.

NCCPA NATIONAL EXECUTIVE MEETING HELD IN NEW DELHI

NATIONAL COORDINATION COMMITTEE OF PENSIONERS ASSOCIATIONS

National Executive Meeting

New Delhi – 25.07.2014

The National Executive meeting of NCCPA was held at D-7 Telegraph Place, New Delhi – 110001 at 11.00 Hrs under the Presidentship of Comrade R.L.Bhattacharyya the Chairman NCCPA. More than 20 members of the Executive attended.

The meeting commenced with paying condolence to all the departed leaders since our last meeting.

Comrade VAN.Namboodiri Patron of NCCPA inaugurated the National Executive and he narrated the growing unity of pensioners internationally and explained the proceedings of the international conference of pensioners and senior citizens at Barcelona in Spain. The formation of Trade Union International – Pensioners and Senior Citizens at the behest of WFTU in Barcelona in Spain marks the beginning of international unification of all pensioners in different countries. He also referred to the change of Government in India and the dangers of division amongst the working people and pensioners due to divisive policies. He touched the task before the 7th CPC and inaugurated the Executive.

Comrade S.K.Vyas the Secretary General NCCPA briefed the executive about the preliminary interaction between the Chairman 7th CPC and BCPC led by Comrade S.C.Maheswari and S.K.Vyas. He explained all the issues discussed with the Chairman as follows:

1.NPS: We have categorically told that it should be rescinded and scrapped. The Chairman asked us as to why the NPS was not challenged in court of law during the past 10 years after its implementation? He also questioned as to what the Pay Commission can do in this matter? We requested that the CPC can intervene as 6th CPC had given recommendations that Defined Pension Scheme is better than NPS. We requested that the recommendation of 6th CPC should be applied to all entrants since 1.1.2004. The Chairman desired all relevant materials be submitted to him for study and we have agreed to supply.

2.Parity in Pension:We cited the Boothalingam Committee recommendations that had proposed for periodical pension revision and also the 4th and 5th CPC recommendations in this account. We also cited how the VI CPC did not extend this parity but only granted Modified Parity with reference to the minimum of the revised pay. The Government had however now accepted to implement One Rank One Pension in respect of Ex-Servicemen. Therefore the 7th CPC should grant full parity of past and future pensioners. The Chairman agreed to look into this.

3. Rate of Pension: We pointed out the absence of any rationale in fixing 50% of LPD as pension. The Supreme Court had held that Pension should be adequate to enable the pensioners to live maintaining the same standard which he was having while in service. To ensure this the pension should be 2/3rd of LPD as because the family on retirement is reduced to two units.

4. Minmum Pension: Minimum Pension should not be below the minimum wage in Central Services as because otherwise the pension would be below the subsistence level. This will benefit most the family pensioners only because the family pension is only 30% of LPD at present.

5. Additional Pension: The Pay Commission was requested to recommend additional pension each five years after retirement. The Chairman stated that the rate of pension, Minimum Pension and the Additional Pension issues would be considered keeping in view of the total economy.

6. Anomalies: On anomalies the Chairman said that they should be given details of all the unresolved anomalies so that similar anomalies are not repeated by 7th CPC.

7. CGHS: The Parliamentary Standing Committee of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare had submitted a detailed report on functioning of the CGHS and improvement therein. We requested the Chairman to call for the Action Taken report by the Government on the recommendations of the Standing Committee and then suggest appropriate action to be taken for improving the CGHS.

8. P&T Pensioners: We pointed out the existing discrimination against the P&T Pensioners who are denied entry into CGHS after retirement on the plea that they were not subscribing to CGHS while in service. The Chairman felt that there should be no discrimination and that he would look into the matter.

Comrade Vyas then narrated the details about the Chennai Meeting of BCPC which finalised the common memorandum. The common memorandum so finalised had been submitted to CPC and covered many points in that memorandum with the Chairman of the Pay Commission during the preliminary interaction.

The issue of finalising the NCCPA memorandum was discussed in the meeting. The following decision was taken:

1.NCCPA will endorse the BCPC memorandum .

2. Some left out issues will be covered in Part-I of NCCPA Memorandum by way of supplementing the BCPC memorandum.

3. Part-II of NCCPA memorandum will contain sectional issues of various departments.

4.NCCPA Memorandum will be submitted before 31st July, 2014.

The All india BSNL DOT Pensioners Association (AIBDPA) has decided to continue its efforts to settle the issues amicably failing which it may resort to agitational path.
The CEC was continuing its deliberations today. Com. Ananta Bhattacharjee, All India President, presided.`The CEC members discussed on the report submitted by the General Secretary, Com K.G Jayaraj. The discussion was businesslike and the representatives spoke on all issues concerning the workers.The GS effectively replied and summed up the discussion and the same was passed unanimously.
The house discussed about the Memorandum to be submitted to the VII CPC. The same was adopted after discussion and was then sent to the CPC immediately.
It was decided to organise a Convention by the end of September the date of which will be decided later.
The House congratulated the Coimbatore comrades for the excellent arrangements.
The CEC was a great success and it has given great enthusiasm and motivation to the Pensioners.

I am reproducing below the portion of the NCCPA Memorandum on the BSNL Penioners issue:

NCCPA MEMORANDUM TO VIICPC – PORTION RELATING TO BSNL

Chapter X
BSNL / MTNL Pensioners
10.1 DoT employees who had been absorbed in MTNL / BSNL are being given the benefit of defined benefit pension scheme by amending the CCS (Pension) Rules – 1972 providing an amended rule as 37 A. But this facility is denied to the new recruits who are recruited after 1.10.2000. They are being governed by Employees Pension Scheme. This is discriminatory and in violation of the Article 14 of the Constitution of India.
We, therefore, propose scrapping of EPS and that all the BSNL recruits be brought under the CCS (Pension) Rules-1972. In many of the Public Sector Undertakings like Tea Board Corporation, Damoder Valley Corporation, Steel Authority of India, Coal India, Airport Authority of India, Port and Dock workers are all under the purview of CCS (Pension) Rules – 1972. Hence, justification to BSNL new recruits is quite valid.
10.2 Pension Revision of BSNL Pensioners CCS (Pension) Rules – 1972 to ensure pension to the BSNL absorbed DOT employees from the consolidated fund of Government of India. Subsequently this position was ratified by the Secretary, Department of Telecom vide his D.O. letter dated 15.5.2005, that in respect of employees who have been absorbed in BSNL, BSNL is liable to pay the pension contribution in accordance with FR-116 and liability on amount of pension payable will be that of Government of India. Surprisingly DOT issued another letter on 15.6.2006 reversing its earlier decision and linked payment of pension with receipt of revenues from BSNL, this being most dangerous and certain to create problems in future for payment of pension. The Union took up the issue seriously and the DOP was compelled to issue another letter stating that the contents of the letter dated 15.6.2006 will not be insisted. But in the absence of cancellation / nullification of the controversial letter of dated 15.6.2006, whenever the pension revision issue of BSNL pensioners is initiated hindrances / roadblocks are raised not only by DOT, but also by other departments like Expenditure, Law and Public Enterprises on the basis of the above letter. This has happened when pension revision of pre 2007 BSNL pensioners was initiated and now for pension revision on 78.2% IDA merger. This position should not be allowed to continue and the BSNL pensioners should be treated at par with central government pensioners as they are covered under the 37 A of CCS (Pension) Rule – 1972.
10.3. Department of Telecommunications vide their OM No.4-12(11) 2012-PAT dated 20.2.2014 have extended CGHS facilities to retired BSNL employees who are in receipt of Central Civil Pension / Pro rata pension from Central Civil Estimates in consultation with the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare. BSNL retirees have been given an option to choose either CGHS or BSNL – MRS as per their convenience.
BSNL also vide its letter No. BSNL / Admn/14-15.09 (pt) dated 2nd April, 2014 addressed to all the Chief General Managers, has asked them to give wide publicity and to assist the willing retired employees by forwarding their applications to the respective CGHS units for admission to CGHS.
But the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare does not seem to have issued any clear order in this connection. Hence in the absence of necessary order from the nodal Ministry, the facility is not being extended to BSNL retirees. Hence immediate necessary action in the matter needs to be taken by MOH & FW.
Further, since the DoT O.M. dated 20.2.2014 stipulates that the retired BSNL employees who opt for CGHS “would have to pay the requisite fee to CGHS as applicable to Government retirees”. DoT must now fix the rate of monthly contribution payable by the pensioner. It is to be noted that the contribution payable by the Government retirees is fixed on the basis of the Grade Pay that they would have drawn had they been in service whereas in BSNL there is no element of Grade Pay to fix the rate of contribution on par with government retirees. The ward entitlement of Government retirees is also determined on the notional pay in pay Band. Hence, BSNL will have to evolve a new dispensation on contribution and ward entitlement in respect of BSNL retirees which must be in conformity with the rates applicable to CGHS beneficiaries.

BSNLEU, AIBDPA and BSNLCCWF jointly organised a massive meeting attended by more than 250 comrades at vellore on 31st July 2014. The meeting venue was decorated with banners and festoons of all the three unions. The Meeting was presided over by Com.V.Elumalai, District President of AIBDPA. District Secretary, Com.Jothi Sudanthiranathan welcomed the participants who have from all parts of the District. All the leaders on the dais were honoured by offering shawls. AIBDPA All India Organising Secretary Com. R.Arumugham, Circle Secretary, AIBDPA Com. C.K.Narasimhan and District Secretary BSNLEU Com.C.Gnanasekharan addressed. Com. Palani, District President, BSNLCCWF and other leaders were present.
Com.V.A.N.Namboodiri, President BSNLEU & BSNLCCWF and Advisor AIBDPA in his address spoke in detail about the demands raised by the three unions as also the struggles that have been organised in the past. The necessity of unity and strong organisation was stressed.
Com. R.Anbazhagan, Dist. Org. Secretary proposed vote of thanks.

The strong protest and opposition from the opposition parties had its effect. The Insurance Bill proposing to increase FDI from 25% to 49% in the Insurance Sector, which was proposed to be taken today in the Rajya Sabha, is not in the list of bills for today. The NDA Government could not get sufficient numbers to support in Rajya Sabha where it is in minority.
The All India Insurance Employees Association has called for strike on the day on which the Insurance Bill will be taken for discussion. BSNLEU, AIBDPA and BSNLCCWF have given full support to the decision and will organise support actions.

The JAC of Non-Executives in BSNL has given call to organise massive lunch hour demonstrations on 7th August 2014 at C.O., Circle and SSA levels as also Badge Campaign on the 30 Points Charter of demands submitted by JAC. It is most important that the programmes should be massive and no employee should miss it. It is crucial that each and every body attends and make the BSNL Management realise that the workers will not any more tolerate the neglect of the workers’ issues by the management.

At Corporate Office, the demonstration will be at Lunch Hour.

Utilising the opportunity of the presence of Com. V.A.N.Namboodiri, Advisor, AIBDPA in connection with the observation of the death anniversary of Com. S.R.Nayak at Jabalpur, a meeting of the AIBDPA was held at the BSNLEU Office in the afternoon of 8th August 2014. Com.S.V.Malviya, SSA President, presided. Com.S.N.S.Chauhan, Dist. Secretary, welcomed. Com.S.C.Shrivastava, Circle Vic-President, AIBDPA, Com. Jagdish Singh, All India Org. Secretary and other leaders addressed. Com.V.A.N.Namboodiri, Advisor, AIBDPA spoke about the details of the Common Memorandum submitted to the VII Central Pay Commission by the BCPC and the special memorandum on the DOT-BSNL Pensioners issues by the AIBDPA etc. The present position of the 78.2% IDA pension fixation for BSNL Pensioners was also briefed . He called upon the members to ensure that all the BSNL-DOT retirees are brought to the Association, for fighting for the common cause of the pensioners. Com. Namboodiri also reported about the International Conference of Pensioners and retirees held at Barcelona in February 2014 and the decisions. Many members subscribed to the Association journal ‘Telepensioner’ on the spot.

Greeting to the XIIIth congress
of the TUI of the transport workers of the WFTU
Comrades,
In the name of the millions of members it represents, the TUI of the P&R (Pensioners and
Retired) of the WFTU greets the XIIIth congress of the transport workers and wishes you a lot
of success in your work, your debates and resolutions.

Quim Boix, General Secretary TUI (P and R).

AIBDPA leaders Com. V.A.N.Namboodiri, Advisor, K.G.Jayaraj, General Secretary, M.P.Kunhanandan, Treasurer and J.N.Mishra former president BSNLEU met Shri A.N.Rai, CMD BSNL and discussed about the problems of the DOT/BSNL pensioners. They requested that the rent for the staff quarters be reduced, Concession on Broadband connection be extended to the DOT retirees, Early settlement of pensionary benefits to the retirees, restoration of medical allowance without voucher to the pensioners etc. CMD assured that the issues will be favourably considered.

The International Action day falls on 3rd October, the Foundation Day of World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU), which was formed on 3rd October 1945. Since 3rd October this year was on Dusserah, the Day was observed on 4th October in Delhi.
A well participated procession was organised from the AITUC office to BTR Bhawan, the office of the CITU, where the meeting was held in the Conference Hall. Representatives of Central Trade Unions and Independent federations were present. On behalf of BSNLEU and AIBDPA, Coms. V.A.N.Namboodiri, K.G.Jayaraj, and staff from BSNLEU Office participated.

The presidium consisted of Coms. Amarjit Kaur (AITUC), Hemalatha (CITU) and leaders UTUC, AIUTUC, AICCTU etc.Coms. A.K.Padmanabhan (CITU), Dhar (AITUC) and other leaders addressed and focused on the history of WFTU, the demands placed by it and the theme for this year’s Action Day, ‘Unemployment’. Sustained struggle is required to compel the government to provide more jobs and reduce unemployment. The government was also criticised for not accepting the ILO Conventions 87 and 98 which provides the right to organise, strike etc.

Similar observation of the ‘International Action Day’ have been received from many parts of the country, where BSNLEU, AIBDPA and BSNLCCWF have participated actively.

Kerala Circle conference of All India BSNL DOT Pensioners Association (AIBDPA) will be held at Thiruvananthapuram on 7th and 8th October 2014. Kerala is one of the strongest units of AIBDPA and is on the forefront of the agitations and activities. It is a pleasure for me to attend the Conference, since it will be an opportunity to meet a lot of senior comrades who have been with me earlier during NFPTE / BSNLEU days.

The fifth Foundation day anniversary of AIBDPA falls on 21st October 2014. It was on 21st October 2009, 5 years back, that the Foundation Convention was held at Garwal Bhawan Conference Hall, New Delhi. Hundreds of BSNL-DOT Pensioners attended the Convention, which was inaugurated by Com. M.K.Pandhe, President, CITU and the leading light of the working class. The initiative to form AIBDPA was taken by BSNLEU, the recognised union of workers in BSNL.

Within the last five years, AIBDPA has grown and has spread all over the country. Through the energetic leadership of Coms. Ananta Bhattacharjee (President) and K.G.Jayaraj (General Secretary), it has become one of the mighty organisations of the Pensioners.

It is affiliated to NCCPA and BCPC both of which are umbrella organisation of the Central Pensioners. It is also connected with the Trade Union International ( Pensioners and Retirees ), which is affiliated to World Federation of Trade Unions(WFTU).It has participated in the discussion with the VII CPC on the issues of the Central Govt. Pensioners, where the issues of the BSNL-DOT Pensioners were also raised.

AIBDPA continues the great heritage of the P and T Trade Union Movement. It believes in the slogan ‘Struggle for unity and Unity for struggle’ and tries to implement the same. It works in close co-ordination with the unions of the regular employees.

The CHQ of AIBDPA has given call to its members to observe the AIBDPA Day in a successful way.

Revolutionary Greetings to all the members of the AIBDPA on this happy occasion!

All India BSNL DOT Pensioners Association Zindabad !

AIBDPA has been demanding the government that retired BSNL absorbees should be allowed the CGHS facilities, since they were government servants and their pension is being paid by the Government. The AIBDPA All India Conference at Kannur passed a resolution also on this matter.

Now the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Department of Health & Family Welfare, New Delhi vie their letter No. Z.15025/36/2006-CGHS III (Part) dated 9/1/2014 has issued orders in this regard.

As per the orders, ” The erstwhile Central govt. Employees who got absorbed in BSNL/MTNL and retired from there and currently in receipt of central civil pension from Central Civil estimates under Major Head – 2071 are eligible to join CGHS. Their subscription rate and ward entitlement may be determined as per their PPO.”

This order will benefit those retirees who want to avail the facility of CGHS.

Com. V.A.N.Namboodiri, Convener, Forum of BSNL Unions and Associations, met Secretary DOT, Sri Rakesh Garg today and discussed about the Revival of BSNL and connected matters.

Com. Namboodiri pointed out the need for urgent financial assistance to BSNL from the government so that it can purchase equipment and develop and expand the services. He stated that it was because of the equipment crunch from 2006 onward, due to the cancellation of the 45 million mobile tender, that BSNL started down sliding. He requested that the refund of spectrum charges coming to more than Rs. 6,000 crores and also the USOF allotment of Rs. 1,250 crores in lieu of ADC may be paid at the earliest. Secretary DOT stated that the government will certainly help BSNL for its revival and the issues stated will be taken care of. At the same time, he also mentioned that there are several complaints about the services to the public, which have to be improved a lot. He mentioned his own experience while in UP as also in Delhi. He appreciated the workers of Kerala for better service and profit. Com. Namboodiri explained in brief about the action and propaganda being made among the workers by the Forum for improving the services through which the services are improving.

Com. Namboodiri placed before the Secretary DOT about the hardship of the BSNL pensioners due to delay on settlement of the 78.2% IDA fixation for pre-2007 as also post-2007 pensioners. He requested that the Cabinet Note as required by the Department of Expenditure be prepared early and submitted to the cabinet for taking a decision. Secretary agreed to look in to the matter and expedite the same.
Com. Namboodiri thanked the Secretary DOT for the meeting and requested that such meetings may be granted in future also.

There is only about three weeks for the Sanchar Bhawan March called by the All India BSNL DOT Pensioners Association, to focus the demands of the BSNL and DOT Pensioners with the demand to the Government to settle them early. Hundreds of Pensioners from all part of the country will be participating. BSNL Management and the Government has favourably consider the demands and settle them early. Pensioners should be given special consideration.

Accommodation is being arranged by the AIBDPA CHQ for the delegates coming to attend the march. Kindly inform the General secretary AIBDPA Com. K.G.Jayaraj ( Mob: 09447455633),the number of delegates attending and also their arrival and departure to make suitable arrangements.

Com.V.A.N.Namboodiri, Advisor, AIBDPA, today met Ms. Annie Moraes, Member (Finance), DOT and discussed on the pensioners issue. He requested Member(F) to speed up the Cabinet Note on the 78.2% IDA pension fixation of pre-2007 as well as post-2007 BSNL pensioners to be prepared early and forwarded. Member (F) assured that there will be no delay in the matter.
Com. Namboodiri met Shri Rajeev Agrawal, Member (Services ) also on the same issue. He stated that the letter from Dept. Of Expenditure has been received last week only. He called DDG (Estt.) and asked him to prepare the note at the earliest.
Com. Namboodiri had met Shri Rakesh Garg, Secretary, DOT on 24th and explained the necessity to send the Cabinet Note without delay, since the pensioners are waiting for the fixation for a long time.