There is no bigger crime than harassing the children and aged persons. Modi government is exactly doing this – harassing the BSNL – DOT pensioners, who have tirelessly served the nation and the people for about four decades. In their old age, they expected help and assistance or at least justice from the government. But the government is sleeping over the issue.

Pension Revision @ 15 % is due from 01.01.2017 as per recommendations of III Pay Revision Committee. The last Pension Revision was done with 30% fitment as recommended by II PRC. The hollow argument of the govt that since BSNL employees have not been granted wage revision due from 01.01.2017 due to loss of BSNL, has nothing to do with pension as the same is being paid by the government, for which sufficient and more funds are already available with the government through pension contribution collected.

The non- implementation of pension revision has neither logic, reason nor any justification. It is only harassment of the pensioners, reducing their capacity to live as before. This delay / refusal is against the spirit of the 1982 Supreme Court Judgment in ‘ Nakara case

‘.Thousands of pensioners, who were eligible for pension revision wef 01.01.2017 have passed away without getting their due benefits. Family pension is also reduced to that extent. Modi govt which has liberally reduced the tax burden of the corporates coming to lakhs of crores of rupees wants to rob the poor pensioners. This is unforgivable. Even the massive Parliament Marchs / Jantar Mantar Dharnas organised by AIBDPA, Joint Forum etc participated by thousands of pensioners from all parts of the country seem to have been ignored by Govt.

The governments’ another excuse about a pending court case filed by some associations for not ordering pension revision is despicable. Of course, if these associations have not gone to the court with a weak argument and joined with the mainstream of BSNL – MTNL Pensioners Associations and joined in the agitations, there was a chance for more compulsion on government for an early settlement.

We, AIBDPA and other Pensioners organisations of BSNL and MTNL, demand that Pension Revision from 01.01.2017 with 15% fitment be paid without any further delay, failing which the govt will have to face a tempest of agitations.

V A N Namboodiri, Advisor, AIBDPA.

Kolkata Telecom Stores Conference was held on 8th January 2025 at Chowrangee Palace office complex. President Com Didar Box presided. The Conference was inaugurated by Com Asis Das, Circle Secretary WB Circle. He in speech elaborately explained the present situation of the Country, Pension Revision issue and other problems. Com Dhiralal Karmakar and Com Tapan Kumar Roy placed the draft Annual report and Accounts of Income and Expenditure. The members took part in the discussion and adopted. Com Omprakash Singh Circle President focused on all India Campaign programme of “Meet the Pensioners “and the ensuing Circle Conference.  Lastly the house elected office bearers unanimously elected Com Didar Box, Com Dhiralal Karmakar and Com Tapan Kumar Roy as President, Secretary and Treasurer.

It is known to everybody that Manipur is still bleeding due to the ethnic violence broke out in May, 2023, still continuing unabated. However, the comitment of our comrades made the Circle Conference held successfully at Imphal on 24-12-2024. Com.M Mangle Singh, Manipur presided over the conference. Com.Kulla Singh, Circle Secretary welcomed and presented the report and accounts. He also reported the decisions of the Central Executive Committee Meeting held at New Delhi on 12-11-2024.The issues raised in the discussion were adequately replied by the Circle Secretary after which both the report and accounts were adopted. Office bearerswith Com. M B Singh (President) Com.Kulla Singh (Circle Secretary) Com. A Inaobi Devi (Treasurer). The conference decided to implement the “Meet the Pensioner ” campaign to strengthen the organisation.

Labour Bureau has released the consumer price index of November, 2024 only on 06-01-2025 instead of the last working day of December, 2024. However, as per the Consume Price Index, IDA for the employees and retirees of 2007 pay scales from 01-01-2025 is expected to be increased by 4.3%. Now, the total IDA will be 224.2% + 4.3% = 228.5%. It is payable after DPE issues the orders.

The 3rd biennial District Conference was held at Agricultural Univeresity Hall, Motibag on 17-12-2024 , with celebration of National Pensioners Day. The Open Session was held jointly with BSNLEU and Com. D R Vachhani, District President controlled the proceedings. A host of leaders including Coms. V P Prajapati, Circle Secretary, BSNLEU, Md Attaulla, ACS, AIBDPA, Amit Chauhan, Circle Treasurer, BSNLEU, Asha J Dave, District Secretary, Amreli, R P Koria, ACS, H D Chhatrala, Org Secretary ,Shri.P K Joshi, GM, BSNL, Shri.J D Bhatt, DGM(Finanace) addressed the conference. In the subject session, Com. K B Vyas, District Secretary and Com.N K Rathod, Treasurer presented the report and accounts, respectively and were adopted after discussion. Office Bearers were elected unanimously with Com. B K Bakutra (President) Com. H S Chugha (District Secretary) Com.N K Desai (Treasurer). Seniors above 80 were duly honoured in the conference. With vote of thanks by Com.B K Bakutra, the conference came to an end.

             All India BSNL DOT Pensioners Association ( AIBDPA ) has completed 15 years of glorious service. Nobody can deny the fact that it has grown as the biggest organization of the BSNL- DOT pensioners in the country. This has been possible only due to the sustained struggles it has organised for settlement of the genuine issues of the pensioners and also due to the full support of the BSNL – DOT Pensioners.

                AIBDPA is affiliated to the National Coordination Committee of Pensioners Associations (NCCPA), the apex body of the pensioners organizations in India. It is also affiliated to the Trade Union International (Pensioners & Retirees), the only global organization of the pensioners and retirees. AIBDPA always maintains good relations  with the employees’ organizations in BSNL. AIBDPA is the dominant constituent of the Coordination Committee of BSNLEU, AIBDPA and BSNL CCWF. So also of the Joint Forum of BSNL – MTNL Pensioners Associations.

Main Achievements.

               Since its inception, through several militant struggles and negotiations, AIBDPA  could achieve many important demands of the pensioners, a few of which are given below : 

1. Pension Revision from 01-01-2007 with 30% fitment, the maximum fitment recommended by the 2nd Pay Revision Committee.

2. 78.2% fitment revision.

3. Annulment of 60:40 condition for payment of Pension to BSNL DOT Pensioners.

4. Restoration of BSNL MRS.

                 Medical benefits of BSNL MRS, both with voucher bills and without voucher bills  were denied to BSNL- DOT retirees for long three years by the then CMD, BSNL, Shri. P. K. Purwar,  on the plea that BSNL has no funds to meet the medical expenditure of the retirees and  compelling pensioners to  switch over to CGHS. One of the pensioners organisations advised it’s members to switch over to CGHS as, according to them, there is no chance of getting a single paise from BSNL for Medical Reimbursement / Medical Allowancre which is all set to be closed down and even conducted camps for bulk migration to CGHS.

                    AIBDPA resorted to sustained struggles even during the period of Corona. The powerful and huge rally at Eastern Court New Delhi on 24-08-2022 compelled the BSNL Management to issue orders on 30-08-2022 granting sufficient funds to settle all pending claims of the retirees and also to treat retirees at par with employees in future. When certain officers denied payments for want of option etc, AIBDPA intervened and after a marathon discussion with PGM(Admin ), BSNL Corporate office issued a comprehensive order on 02-05-2023, covering clarifications on all the points.

5.Yearly Revalidation of Medical Cards.

                The hardships of the pensioners for yearly revalidation of medical cards were conveyed to the CMD, BSNL through a detailed letter and discussion in person was held with him on 14-11-2024,  resulting in issue of necessary orders on 21-11-2024, simplifying the procedure with acceptance of copy of DLC generated by Jeevan Praman portal.  The same is also sufficient for residential telephone of the retirees.

6. Denial of Regular Pension and other retirement benefits to ST VRS Retirees of Maharashtra.

               The ST VRS Retirees of Maharashtra were denied regular pension and retirement benefits illegally in the name of caste revalidation. AIBDPA took up the issue with the Parliamentary Standing Committee for the Welfare of Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe, Minister of State for Personnel, Public Grievances and Pension, Minister of Communications, Secretary, DoT, Secretary DoP&PW, CGCA, CMD, BSNL  and Prime Minister. A favourable order was got issued by DoP&PW on 30-11-2021 which was duly endorsed by DoT and BSNL. Still it was not implemented in the case of ST VRS Retirees of Maharashtra. So AIBDPA Circle branch was compelled to constitute a Joint Forum of almost all pensioners organisations and employees organizations as well and conducted a powerful Dharna before the CGMT Office, Mumbai. Further, Central Executive Committee meeting of AIBDPA held at New Delhi on 12-11-2024 took a decision to hold countrywide Protest Day on12-12-2024, solely on this particular issue. Fruitful discussions with CGCA and CMD, BSNL held on 13th and 14th November, 2024 resulted in a major breakthrough.Based on the BSNL Corporate Office letter dated 18-11-2024, CGMT, Maharashtra vide letter dated 30-11-2024,  has asked CCA, Maharashtra to release all the retirement benefits of ST VRS Retirees. Thus a very long pending and burning issue is favourably settled.

7. Free Sim with unlimited voice services in lieu of closure of residential phone.

Many small exchanges are being closed by BSNL resulting in the closure of concessional residential phones provided to retirees. AIBDPA took up the issue with BSNL Management and vide order dated 19-01-2024, free sim card under post 199 plan with unlimited voice services and ₹2000 for purchase of wireless phone are provided in lieu of closure of concessional residential telephone connections. 

8. BSNL staff quarters have been made available to the retirees.

9. Many individual cases, including three very old employee missing cases were taken up and settled with grant of family pension to the widows who got huge amount of arrears also.

Pension Revision due from 01-01-2017.

                      AIBDPA has taken a principled and justified stand on pension revision. It should be on IDA pay scales as per 3rd PRC with 15% fitment, delinking wage revision. It was after the strong and powerful agitations by AIBDPA that DoT prepared an Internal Note proposing pension revision without wage revision and also a welcome proposal to avoid anomalies in pension of the post 2017 retirees. These were presented before the meeting of all pensioners associations called by DoT on 17-10-2022. It was also clarified that 7th CPC fitment is not practical and can’t be agreed to. When there was complete opposition to the offer of DoT for zero percent fitment,  DoT had to agree for higher fitment and file was processed accordingly. The refusal of the main petitioner organization to move unitedly for higher fitment proved to be detrimental to the common cause of pension revision. And the CAT, New Delhi judgment on 20-09-2023, without any clear directive further complicated the issue. This has given another excuse of ” subjudice ” to the government for further delaying the settlement. AIBDPA is committed and determined to achieve the demand of pension revision w. e. f. from 01.01.2017 and to continue the struggle until the final settlement.

              On other important issues like Restoration of Commutation after 12 years, One Notional Increment for pension to those completed eligible service on the date of superannuation etc. are being vigorously pursued at the appropriate levels.

AIBDPA is committed to take up all the issues of the BSNL – DOT Pensioners.

                  AIBDPA is publishing a quarterly journal ‘Tele Pensioner’ regularly with important informations, articles and relevant government orders. The life subscription is only ₹500. Our website, aibdpa.com is also maintained with update news and orders.

                  So this is the organization taking care of all the issues of the pensioners and you can be proud of being part of this mighty organization. We request that those pensioners and family pensioners who have not joined the organisation so far may join its fold without delay.

With New Year Greetings, 

Yours Fraternally,

 K G Jayaraj 
General Secretary
All India BSNL DOT Pensioners Association.

The 7th Circle Conference of Karnataka was held in a befitting manner at Com.G G Patil Hall, Ranibennur on 27th December, 2024. The conference started with the flag hoisting by veteran leader, Com.V A N Namboodiri, Advisor at 0930 AM. The Open session held at 10AM was presided over by Com.R B Tatapati, Circle President. Com.H B Naik, Chairman, Reception Committee welcomed one and all. In his inaugural address, Com.K G Jayaraj, General Secretary explained as to how AIBDPA has grown to the present level as the biggest pensioners organisation of BSNL and DOT pensioners. He narrated the great tradition of the P&T Trdae Union movement and that legacy is being followed by AIBDPA also by conducting continuous struggles for the settlement of genuine demands of the pensioners. The present status of pension revision, BSNL MRS, CGHS , Commutation, Notional increment were also dealt by General Secretary. Com.V A N Namboodiri, Advisor delivered the keynote address and highlighted the main issues of the pensioners and the negative and retrograde stand of the central government. Coms. C K Gundnna, AGS, BSNLEU and H V Sudharshan, Circle Secretary, BSNLEU addressed and gave a good accounts of wage revision and revival of BSNL. The other speakers were Coms.H C Prakash, AGS and Eranna, CHQ Organising Secretary.

All the speakers remembered the great contributions of Com,G G Patil, Former AGS and his selfless ,and sincere services to the cause of the workers and pensioners. The family members of Com.G G Patil including his loving wife Smt. Usha Patil attended the conference and were honoured.

In the delegates session, Com.Muddaiah, Circle Secretary and Com.C G Annigeri, Treasurer presented the report and audited accounts , respectively. Thereafter, active and constructive discussion took place in which 35 comrades from all the districts participated. A new set of office bearers were elected unanimously with Com. L D Durgad (President) Com.Muddiah (Circle Secretary) and Com.C G Annigeri (Treasurer). The conference came to an end with vote of thanks by Com.B G Byatappanavar, Secretary , Reception Committee.

Dr. Manmohan Singh who served the country in many capacities including Chief Economic Advisor, Finance Secretary, Finance Minister and Prime Minister passed away after a brief illness at AIMS, New Delhi on 26th December, 2024 at the age of 92. It was Prime Minister Shri. P V Narasimha Rao who inducted Dr. Manmohan Singh as his Finance Minister in 1991 and that turned to be crucial for him and the country. He did not hesitate to open the Indian economy adopting the neoliberal policies as he believed that it is the right thing to tide over the crisis. The left parties who supported the UPA-1 government had to part ways when Dr. Manmohan Singh signed a nuclear deal with USA , a clear deviation from the foreign policy hitherto followed by India. Also it was at the fag end of his term in 2013, PFRDA was passed by Parliament supported by BJP. Dr. Manmohan Singh was a brilliant administrator and a clean and gentleman politician, respected by all. AIBDPA pays respectful homage to the departed leader and conveys heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family and friends.