The government through its three Secretaries, Telecommunications, DoP &PW and Department of Expenditure, has filed a writ petition in Delhi High Court on 21-03-2024. The voluminous writ petition under provision 226 and 227 of the Constitution of India seeks to scrap the order of the PBCAT, New Delhi judgment dated 20-09-2023 on pension revision of BSNL / MTNL absorbed pensioners.

Some of the leaders of the petitioner organisations have commented out of frustration, even going to the extent of calling the MOC, a cheat. Some say the government has stabbed from the back. These are all nothing but failure of the leadership in assessing the ruling class and particularly the Modi government. Remember, that these leaders even tried to appease the government by collecting huge amounts from the poor pensioners and donating to the PM Cares fund. These are reflection of their lack of faith in their own organization and the fighting capacity of the members.

As far as AIBDPA is concerned, we had reported after meeting the Member (S) on 08-11-023 that DoT is preparing to file the appeal against the PBCAT judgment. Shri. Prahlad Rai General Secretary, AIRBSNLEWA and one of the petitioner organizations, also confirmed the same to the General Secretary when met at Sanchar Bhawan on 08-11-2023. Later, of course, may be due to the intervention of the MOC, the DoT bureaucracy adopted a cautious approach, rather tight lipped to the delegations of pensioners associations . Still, later the MOC is reported to have categorically ruled out implementation of PBCAT order to a delegation of SNPWA at Bhubneswar. Secretary, DoT also stated the same to Shri. Prahlad Rai after a few days.

It was only the leaders of AIBSNPWA, as usual, continuously propagating that all the authorities including MOC, have assured implementation of PBCAT judgment. One of their senior national leaders from Kerala, through a voice message recently had assured that things are moving in expected lines and one senior most bureaucrat who has immense influence at PMO is earnestly trying, even harder than the association, for early settlement of pension revision as per the PBCAT judgment. It is the usual practice of AIBSLPWA to issue false and fake statements only to misguide the pensioners.

Now, what next is the million dollar question?

Unfortunately, we missed to resolve the issue capitalising the opportunity given by the DoT during the meeting held on 17-10-2022. It is a known fact that the court proceedings and the subsequent CAT order have spoiled the chance. The government is certain to deny the settlement citing the appeal in Delhi High Court.

So we have to expose the anti -pensioners stand of Modi government and continue the struggle for achieving our genuine demand.