CHQ is quite aware of the preparations in all the circles to hold the Standing Dharna from 1100hrs to 1200 hrs on 19-08-2020. The protest Dharna is warranted due to the negative and discriminative stand of the BSNL managemnt by not making payment of medical allowance and medical reimbursement to the retirees since the last two years. CHQ has made all out efforts to settle the issue without any agitation; we discussed the matter seriously with the CMD and other top officers of BSNL several times, we wrote to the Secretary, DoT, Hon’ble Minister of Communications and finally brought the issue to the notice of Hon’ble Prime Minister but no positive response was received.

The CMD repeatedly took the stand that no payment could be made to the retirees due to poor finacial condition of BSNL . But this was contrary to his earlier assurance to the effect that once the VRS is implemented and the wage bill goes down more than 50%, BSNL will be in a better position and may be able to pay the pending medical bills and allowance. Unfortunately even after seven months of the VRS, the BSNL management has failed to implement the assurance. At the same time, the BSNL management had no hesitation to pay the medical bills of serving employees upto September, 2019 along with the salary of June,2020. This double standard of the BSNL management has exposed its negligence and discrimination towards the BSNL retirees who are put into utter distress due to non-payment of medical allowance and bills.

Under these compelling situation we had no other option other than to go for an agitation despite the Covid-19 pandemic. So,Comrades, let us hold it at maximum centres in each District, as the participation is limited to 5 to 10. Give maximum publicity of the programme through the media also, both print and visual. Please take photos and send to the CHQ with brief report.