As per Consumer Price Index released by Labour Bureau on 30-06-2022, IDA rate on 2007 pay scales & Pension is to increase by 5.5% with effect from 01-07-2022 and the total IDA will be 190.8% (185.3% + 5.5%). Department Public Enterprises has to issue the order in this regard.

Com. V.A.N.Namboodiri, Advisor, AIBDPA, who was at New Delhi in connection with the National Executive Committee Meeting of NCCPA, met officers of DOT and BSNL on 29th June 2022 and discussed important issues, including Pension Revision, Payment of Medical Reimbursement, Fixed Medical Allowance etc.

Meeting with CMD BSNL: Com. V.A.N.Namboodiri, Advisor, AIBDPA, along with Comrades R.S.Chauhan, AGS, AIBDPA and D P S Shisodiya, Circle Secretary, NTR Delhi met Shri P K Purwar, CMD, BSNL on 29.06.2022 and discussed about the extreme delay in payment of Medical Reimbursement and Fixed Medical Allowance. They pointed out that the amount allotted as per the assurance given in the last meeting was insufficient, including Delhi and more funds are required to be allotted. CMD stated that it will be difficult to immediately allot funds but the same will be done when funds will become available. CMD further suggested that employees be encouraged to shift to CGHS. Association leaders stated that many have already converted to CGHS. But they also pointed out that CGHS hospitals / Wellness Centres are available only in very few cities as also that empannelled hospitals are very less. The migration will depend on these and other relevant issues.

Meeting with Shri Saurab Thyagi, PGM (Estt), BSNL: The AIBDPA representatives brought to the notice of the PGM that despite bringing to his notice earlier and assurance to that effect, the pension cases and denial of retirement benefits of VRS retirees of ST Maharashtra Circle have not been settled so far. The concerned pensioners and their families are suffering without getting pension and other benefits. There is absolutely no justification in dragging the issue indefinitely and expressed strong protest against the continuing injustice being meted out to these retirees. PGM stated that necessary instructions have already been issued for immediate settlement. The delay in sanction of family pension to the widow of Shri Joga Rao, RM, Visakhapatnam, who is missing for last 13 years or so was also pointed out. He assured necessary action to settle the issue.

Meeting with Additional Secretary, DOT and Joint Secretary, DOT. Com. V.A.N.Namboodiri, Advisor, AIBDPA met Shri Sunil Kumar, Joint Secretary DOT and discussed about the delay in Pension Revision to BSNL pensioners wef 01.01.2017. He explained in detail about full justification of the case. Joint Secretary stated that DOT is fully aware of the case and two proposals in this connection are being considered. What exactly are the proposals were not elaborated.Meeting with Additional Secretary, DOT: In continuation of the discussion held last time, Com. V.A.N.Namboodiri, Advisor, AIBDPA, met Shri V.L.Kantha Rao, Additional Secretary, DOT and brought to his notice about the great dissatisfaction and unrest due to the non- implemntation of Pension Revision. He mentioned that two proposals are being considered. He also did not elaborate.When it was pointed out about extreme delay in sanction of pension to widow of Shri Joga Rao, RM Vizakhapatanam, he stated that he has already directed for immediate settlement of the case.In all the above meetings Com. Pankajam N.Namboodiri was also present.

.ENGLISH TRANSLATION OF THE STATEMENT IN SPANISH.

SALUTE TO ALL INDIA BSNL DOT PENSIONERS ASSOCIATION

Comrade K G Jayaraj

General secretary

All India BSNL DOT Pensioners Association, has planned the implementation of a Program of Three-phase agitation:

1. Claims Day- Demonstration at all levels in front of the BSNL / DOT offices on 06-22-2022.

2. Mass Dharna at the district level before the BSNL/DOT offices on 07-20-2022.

. March to Sanchar Bhawan, Delhi on 24-08-2022.

This Agitation Program aims to demand the review of pensions and the solution of other problems that have been dragging on for a long time, BSNL pensioners.This contains 6 specific demands, all of them aimed at defending the claims and rights of pensioners and retirees, including the need to review the pensions since 2007, medical benefits since 2017, the payment of frozen fees and othersBenefits.

All India BSNL DOT Pensioners Association, is one of the most active organizations in Union of Pensioners and Retirees Trade Unions of the Trade Union Federation World and constitute an example in the struggle of older people in defense of their Rights.

On this occasion we salute your Agitation Program, whose first activity will take place this June 22 and we express our solidarity and support both in it, and in the actions scheduled for July 20 and August 24.

Your struggles and successes are part of the struggles and the successes of pensioners and retirees from all over the world

.FOR A DECENT LIFE FOR PENSIONERS AND RETIRED.

06/21/2022

Quim Boix

General secretary, International Union of Trade Unions (UIS) of Pensioners and Retirees (PyJ) of the World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU)

Lysimaco Velasco

Propaganda Secretary, International Union of Trade Unions (UIS) of Pensioners and Retirees (PyJ) of the World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU)

The Coordination Committee of BSNLEU, AIBDPA & BSNLCCWF, in its meeting held on 04-06-2022 had decided to organise Human Chain program against National Monetisation Pipeline and Privatisation spree of the central government. The program stands postponed due to the trade union class of BSNLEU being held on 6-7, July, 2022. The next date of human chain will be decided in due course and intimated. The inconvenience caused in this regard is regretted.

National Coordination Committee of Pensioners Associations

Thursday, June 23, 2022

NCCPA Circular on the meeting held with the Additional Secretary of Health Department!

NATIONAL CO-ORDINATION COMMITTEE

 OF PENSIONERS ASSOCIATIONS

(Registrd under the Trade Union Act,RTU/01/2021 DATED 7.01.2021.PAN No. AAEAN8586F)

13-c Feroze Shah Road,

New Delhi. 110 001.

Website: nccpa.ha.blogspot.in

E mail:nccpahq@gmail.com.

Dated: 22.06.2022

Dear Comrades,

The NCCPA CHQ had been receiving innumerable messages, communications and phone calls over the functioning of CGHS in many towns and Cities. Most of the Pensioners had been complaining of the non-availability of cashless treatment from the hospitals empanelled by CGHS. The hospitals had stopped these facilities because of the huge arrear dues accumulated on account of   the non-payment  of their bills by the Government.  The other constant complaint had been the exclusion of reputed hospitals from the empanelled list as the Government through the tendering system has gone in for cheap hospitals which had no facilities worth the name.  Since the deteriorating set up of CGHS had been giving room for similar complaints amongst the working employees, it was decided that the Secretary Generals of Confederation and NCCPA must call on the Additional Secretary, CGHS in the Health Ministry.  Accordingly Com. R.N. Parashar, Secretary General, Confederation  and  Com. K.K.N. Kutty, Secretary General NCCPA met Shri Alok Saxena, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Health  on 21.06.2022.  The following issues were brought to his notice.

(a)    Delay in payment due to empanelled hospitals, consequent upon which the withdrawal of these hospitals from the CGHS.

(b)    The need to revise the rates of procedures, which was fixed in 2014;

(c)     The non-availability of reputed hospitals in many towns in the list of empanelled hospitals of CGHS.

(d)    The need to have an expeditious decision over the health insurance scheme especially for the pensioners who stay in non-CGHS areas;

(e)    Extension of CCS(MA) Rules to pensioners who are not covered by CGHS.

(f)      Need to increase FMA.

(g)    Delay in the reimbursement of expenses incurred by the pensioners in private hospitals on emergency.

(h)    Holding meeting of the National Council JCM committee on health related demands.

Shri Saxena said that the delay in the payment to hospitals empanelled had been due to a hitch in the system that has come about on account of the change in the vendors.  The issue is being addressed and the same would be sorted out in a month’s time, he added.   He also said that instructions have been issued to the CGHS authorities, (spread over the country) to settle the bills of the private hospitals where the beneficiaries have gone for treatment on emergency restricting the entitlement to CGHS rates.  He said that the beneficiaries’ complaints are over the restriction on rates. He explained that some of the rates charged by the Private Hospitals are exorbitant and would be difficult to accept.  Regarding revision of rates, the technical committee of Health Ministry had been periodically reviewing these rates and wherever they had suggested for revisions, the same had been done. In respect of other issues discussed, he assured the delegation that on receipt of the request from the secretary Staff Side the meeting of the committee would be convened as quickly as possible.

The last meeting of the Committee of NC JCM was held in 2019 and even in that meeting, eleven items included in the agenda could not be discussed.  This apart, several agenda items had been sent to the Health Ministry by the Staff Side.  In 2020, a meeting was held only to discuss the corona related issues. Thereafter no meeting had been held and the issues remain unresolved.  The NCCPA National Executive is expected to meet by the end of the month. Most of the affiliates are of the opinion that unless programmes of actions are mounted the resolution would not come about.  The National Executive of Confederation which met on 14^th has also come to the conclusion.  However, the Secretary, Staff Side National Council , who is also our President will make efforts to have another round of  discussion with the health Ministry authorities. 

With greetings,

Yours fraternally,

Sd/- 

K.K.N. KUTTY

Secretary General.

WFTU solidarity statement with the British railworkers

20 Jun 2022

The World Federation of Trade Union, which represents 105 million members in 135 countries, expresses its support for the strike action by almost all British rail companies for 3 days from 21 June, the first time this has happened since the privatisation of British rail in 1994.

We stand in solidarity with the struggle of the WFTU-affiliated RMT, which has succeeded in building this historic strike through a months-long internal democratic process among its affiliates in each company.

The WFTU supports the legitimate demands of British railway workers for more public service jobs, better wages and pensions, and better collective agreements for railway workers, as well as the re-nationalisation of British railways to serve the needs of users before the profits of private companies.

Long live the British rail workers’ strike, Victory to the RMT!

CHQ is very saddened to report the untimely and unexpected demise of Com. Rajkumar Raut on 22-06-2022. He was a very active and influential leader who took up the responsibility of the District Secretary, AIBDPA and made it a vibrant and strong unit within a short time. He was also functioning as the District President of BSNL Employees Union, Amravati.
AIBDPA pays respectful Homage to the departed leader and conveys heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family and friends

The declaration of the three phased agitation for settlement of pension revision, immediate payment of pending medical claims, payment of frozen IDA instalments, implementation of Parliamentary standing committee recommendations etc by AIBDPA has created great enthusiasm among the BSNL pensioners. This has reflected in the first program,Demands Day on 22-06-2022, there has been massive response throughout the country. CHQ heartily congratulate all the participants. Some of the photos of the program are given hereunder;

HYDERABAD.

The day long Dharna called by AUAB on 21-06-2022 has been held successfully all over the country. The demands put forward were upgradation of certain pay scales, 30% superannuation benefits to BSNL recruited employees, timely holding of promotional tests etc. The Dharna held at Eastern Court , New Delhi a large number of employees participated and addressed by AUAB leaders including Coms. P Abhimanyu, Convenor, AUAB and General Secretary, BSNLEU, Chandeswar Singh, Chairman, AUAB and General Secretary, NFTE.

AIBDPA members participated in the Dharna in almost all the places as directed by CHQ and also as per the decision of COC.