The Central Executive Committee meeting of AIBDPA held at New Delhi on 12-11-2024 had taken a decision to observe Protest Day on 12-12-2024 against denial of regular pension and retirement benefits to the ST VRS Retirees of Maharashtra

.Thereafter Coms. K. G. Jayaraj, General Secretary, M G S Kurup, CHQ Treasurer and M I Jakati, Circle Secretary, Maharashtra had fruitful discussions on this issue with the Controller General of Communication Accounts on 13-11-2024 and CMD, BSNL on 14-11-2024. Both the CGCA and CMD, BSNL had assured early action for the settlement of the long pending burning issue.

Now, based on the instructions of the Corporate Office, Circle Office, Maharashtra vide letter dated 22-11-2024 has asked CCA, Maharashtra & Goa to release the retirement benefits of ST VRS retirees of Maharashtra withheld due to alleged fake caste certificate, strictly according to the DOP&PW OM dated 30-11-2021. In the wake of this positive development, CHQ has decided to defer the Protest Day on 12-12-2024.

Circle Executive Committee meeting of Kerala was held at P&T House, Thiruvanathapuram on 05-12-2024. Com.K Mohanan, Circle President chaired the meeting.Com.N Guruprasad, Circle Secretary welcomed all and presented the report on activities. Com.V A N Namboodiri, Advisor inaugurated with a spirited speech on National, International and organisational issues. Com.K G Jayaraj, General Secretary in his address dealt mainly the organisational issues and the decisions of the Central Executive Committee meeting held at New Delhi on 12-11-2024. The discussion had with CMD,BSNL on 14-11-2024 on medical card revalidation and denial of regular pension and retirement benefits to ST VRS retirees of Maharashtra and the positive orders on both the issue was also reported by General Secretary. Coms.R Muraleedharan Nair, AGS and Com.M G S Kurup, CHQ Treasurer also addressed. All the District Secretaries and the Circle office bearers participated seriously in the discussion. Thereafter, the CEC decided to implement the Meet the Pensioner campaign successfully throughout the Circle.

Com.Asis Das, Circle Secretary inaugurated the well attended district Conference of Krishnanagar at Telecom Recreation Club Hall on 01-12-2024. He narrated the agitations launched recently by Joint Forum, NCCPA and Coordination Committee demanding important demands including pension revision. Com.Sadhan Biswas, President presided. Com.Bidhan Pramanik, District Secretary presented the report, so also Com. Rabin Das, Treasurer submitted the audited accounts. Both the report and accounts were adopted after discussion. Thereafter, office bearers were elected unanimously with Com.Sadhan Biswas (President) Com.Bidhan Pramanik (District Secretary) and Com. Rabin Das (Treasurer).

The District Conference of Malda was held at Karmachari Bhawan, Malda on 28-11-2024. Com. Bhudev Mazumdar controlled the proceedings. Com.Omprakash Singh, CHQ Organising Secretary and Circle President inaugurated the conference explaining the recent developments on important issues and the agitations launched. Com.Sudip Roy Muhuri, District Secretary and Com. Ruma Bhattacharjee, Treasurer presented the report and accounts, respectively and were adopted after discussion. Election of office bearers were unanimous with Com. Bhuvam Samanta (President) Com.Sudip Roy Muhuri (District Secretary) and Com.Ruma Bhattacharjee (Treasurer).

Utilizing the opportunity of the visit of Comrade George Mavrikos, Honorary President, WFTU and Comrade Anda Anastasaki, Executive Secretary, WFTU and Deputy General Secretary, TUI(P&R) to Thiruvanathapuram on 06-12-2024, NCCPA,Kerala oragnised a Pensioners Convention at BTR Bhavan. Com.K G Jayaraj, General Secretary, AIBDPA and Vice Secretary (Organisation), TUI (P&R) presided . Com.R Muraleedharan Nair, AGS, CGPA, Kerala welcomed one and all. Com.Anda Anastasaki delivered the keynote address and exohorted to continue the united fight for a dignified life for the retirees and to extend the support and solidarity to all the struggles of the working class and pensioners globally. She further appealed to strengthen the TUI(P&R) for safeguarding the legitimate rights of the pensioners. Comrade Anda was presented a memento by Com.K G Jayaraj. Com.M G S Kurup, CHQ Treasurer presented the memento to Com.George Mavrikos. Com.N C Pillai, Circle President, AIPRPA proposed vote of thanks. Coms. N Guruprasad,Circle Secretary, AIBDPA, M Suresh, General Secretary, AKBRF, B Susobhanan, Joint General Secretary, DRPU, K Kamalasanan, President, AAPA and K V Jayaraj, General Secretary, NFAER were on the dais. More than 450 pensioners participated including 50 lady comrades.

The biennial conference of Mandya District was held on 01-12-2024 under the presidentship of Com.M C Balakrishna. Com.Muddaiah, Circle Secretary inaugurated the conference explaining the present status of pension revision and the struggles being launched. Com.H C Prakash, AGS also addressed and narrated the issues being faced by the pensioners in respect of CGHS and BSNL MRS.

The conference elected the office bearers unanimously and the following are the important functionaries; Com.Chickmude Gowda (President) Com.M C Balakrishna (District Secretary) Com. Varadhachary (Treasurer)

28 Nov 2024 by central wftu

The 29th of November is observed as the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian people.The World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU) expresses its unwavering solidarity with the heroic Palestinian people in their struggle for freedom, dignity, and justice.

This year marks more than a year since the beginning of the genocide against our brothers and sisters in Palestine, where over 43,000 lives have been lost, with numbers tragically increasing each day .The massacre of Palestinians in Gaza persists with the backing and encouragement of the USA, the EU, and their allies, highlighting the unchecked arrogance of the Israeli government. All efforts for a ceasefire in Gaza have been ignored, while Israel’s occupation forces continue their barbaric campaigns.

The invasion and bombardment of Lebanon, the destruction of infrastructure in Syria and Yemen, and other escalations serve as harrowing examples of the Israeli state’s intent to provoke a generalized regional war. This aggression is cynically justified under the guise of “Israel’s right to defend itself” by imperialist hypocrites.

The WFTU has consistently underscored the root cause of this violence and instability: the illegal occupation and settlement of Palestinian territories by Israel, coupled with continuous crimes and blockades against the Palestinian people. The occupation has denied generations of Palestinians their fundamental rights, while their daily lives are defined by suffering, imprisonment, and inhumane blockades. It is clear that the only way to secure and consolidate peace and security in the region, is to immediately end the Israeli occupation and settlement in the occupied Arab territories, as provided for in the UN resolutions, and to establish an independent Palestinian state on the borders of 1967 with East Jerusalem as its capital

.We salute the resilience and steadfastness of the Palestinian people, who endure these heinous crimes and bravely resist the ongoing genocide. The international class-oriented trade union movement has always stood in solidarity with Palestine. From militant mobilizations to actions of practical support, the cause of Palestine remains a priority. Under the WFTU flag, millions of workers in dozens of countries have taken a stand in solidarity, proving that internationalist solidarity is the most powerful weapon of the working class. The WFTU calls on its affiliates and friends to intensify their solidarity activities for Palestine

.Long live internationalist solidarity! Long live Palestine!