DENIAL OF IDA INSTALLMENTS TO BSNL PENSIONERS-
KERALA HIGH COURT ISSUES INTERIM ORDER ON WRIT PETITION FILED BY AIBDPA .
Dear Comrades,
As you are aware, AIBDPA is the only organization intervened on the DPE OM dated 19-11-2020 freezing three installments of IDA due from 01-10-2020-01-01-2021 and 01-04-2021 to the employees of CPSEs. We took up the issue with the hon’ble Minister of Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises, writing a detailed letter on 22-11-2020 stating that the DPE OM is not applicable to BSNL pensioners as it is specifically mentioned in the OM that the freezing is applicable to Executives and Non-Unionised Supervisors. We again wrote to the Minister when the Assistant Solicitor General deposed before the High Court of Kerala in a case filed by FACT Employees Association, that the OM is applicable only to the Executives and Non-Unionised Supervisors. DPE itself issued a clarificatory order dated 08-01-2021 based on the Kerala High Court order, stating that the freezing of IDA is applicable only to the Executives and Non-Unionised Supervisors of the CPSEs and it is not applicable to other employees including workmen.
AIBDPA wrote another letter on 09-01-2021 to the Minister quoting the DPE OM dated 08-01-2021 and demanding to cause necessary action for issuing formal orders for the payment of two installments of IDA due from 01-10-2020(5.5%) and 0-1-01-2021 (6.1%) to BSNL pensioners. DPE responded to this letter and forwarded our letter to DoT, being the administrative Department,for necessary action on 04-02-2021 with copy to AIBDPA. CHQ , then wrote to Secretary, DoT attaching the letter of DPE and demanded early action to issue necessary directives to the banks and post offices for disbursement of the two IDA installments to BSNL pensioners.
But having no positive response or action either from DPE or DoT, CHQ filed a writ petition in the High Court of Kerala on 26-02 2021 through Advocate V V Suresh. The Hon’ble High Court accepted the case and issued an interim order directing the respondents not to deny the IDA installments to BSNL pensioners. The counsel appearing for the government asked time for the counter affidavit/ reply and our advocate argued strongly that the stand of the government has already been stated by the Assistant Solicitor General in similar cases of this court to the effect that freezing is applicable only to Executives and Non-Unionised Supervisors and no time is necessary. However, the High Court allowed time and also issued an interim order in our favour on today itself. Details will be intimated after receipt of the certified copy of the judgment. It is significant to get an interim Order on the same date of admission of the case.
YES, COMRADES; WE ARE ALMOST TO THE ACHEIVEMENT.
With warm greetings,
K G Jayaraj
General Secretary