The call of AUAB to organise protest demonstration and gate meetings on 07-08-2019, demanding early steps to overcome the crisis in BSNL ,all over the country evoked good response from the employees. Pensioners also participated in large numbers everywhere and CHQ congratulates all the comrades.

The programme was held at Corporate office premises, New Delhi, challenging the threats from the arrogant buerocrats, security staff and the . Com.R S Chauhan, Convenor,AUAB, NTR Circle presided and was addressed by Coms. Swapan Chakraborty (Dy.General Secretary, BSNLEU), Islam Ahmed (President,NFTE), K Sebastin (General Secretary,SNEA) and K G Jayaraj (General Secretary,AIBDPA).

Ms.Sushama Swaraj, one of the rare humane faces in BJP, passed away at 1130 PM on 06-08-2019 at AIIMS, New Delhi. She had some health problems and had undegone kidney transplantation two years ago. However the end came after a massive cardiac arrest. She was only 67 and it is a great loss to the country.

She has held various coveted positions, starting as an MLA at an younger age of 25 and a Minister in the state of Haryana, Delhi Chief Minister, Central Communications Minister and finally, External Affairs Minister in the first Narendra Modi government and proved her brilliance as an able administrator. She was different from other leaders and ministers in BJP with her pleasant, kind and helping character.

AIBDPA pays respectful homage to the departed leader and conveys heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family.

It has appeared in some WhatsApp groups that certain pensioners associations of BSNL/MTNL have given a proposal for BSNL pension revision due from 01-01-2017 be done on CDA pay scales with effect from 01-01-2016. These organizations are reported to have sent letters to other pensioners organizations, including AIBDPA, for a unified stand. Though AIBDPA has so far not received any such letter, as it had been widely circulated, we think that it has to be responded.

As far as All India BSNL DOT Pensioners Association is concerned, it has taken a principled and rationale stand, beneficial to the pensioners, from the very beginning. We have put forward the demand of pension revision with 15% fitment from 01-01-2017, delinking pay revision. There is no doubt that BSNL pensioners are covered under CCS(Pension) Rules, 1972. But with the formulation of Rule 37A ,BSNL retirees  are ensured pension on IDA pay scales.. Accordingly we got our pension revised from 01-01-2007 on IDA scales with 30% fitment, recommended by the 2^nd PRC for the pay revision of executives in CPSUs. Thus, a precedence is created for future pension revision with the criteria of  maximum fitment recommended by the PRC.

Unfortunately, All India BSNL Pensioners Welfare Association had been demanding pension revision on 7^th Pay Commission fitment from 01-01-2017. What is the reality?  BSNL retirees are not eligible for 7^th CPC fitment as we are covered under Rule 37A of the CCS (Pension) Rules, 1972. They had stated that their serious concern on the future of BSNL has made them to raise such a demand. And they had also pointed out that if there is no pay revision in BSNl, how could there be pension revision.  Of course, it is a fact that BSNL is in a serious crisis due to pro-private policy of the government and also it is noteworthy that serious and united struggles are being waged by all the unions and associations of BSNL against such attacks. With the constant struggles, the employees organizations could resist the government from disinvesting a single share of BSNL.

We had apprehended the adverse impact of the demand of 7^th CPC fitment that ultimately, it will end in pension revision on CDA scales, if at all the government accept it. AIBPWA had strongly refuted it and had asserted that their demand is only on IDA scales. But, the revised/ modified proposal has revealed beyond any doubt that it is on the CDA scales with effect from 01-01-2016. And a conversion formula is also formulated to regulate the pension on CDA scales from 01-01-2016 with future dearness allowance on central DR.  It will be suicidal to raise such a demand, detrimental to the interests of the pensioners.

The main reason attributed for such a proposal by these friends is reported to be their concern about  the future pensioners. There can’t be any dispute on the fact that the main stake holders of the future pensioners are the serving unions. And the united body of these serving employees unions, both executives and non-executives, AUAB, has put forward in uncertain terms, that the pension revision should be with 15% fitment from 01-01-2017, delinking wage revision vide AUAB letter No.UA/2019/68 dated 31-01-2019 addressed to Secretary, DoT.  AUAB again through it’s letter No.UA/2019/89 dated 21-05-2019 has demanded the Secretary, DoT to send a concrete proposal to this effect , to the Department of Pension & Pensioners Welfare for pension revision.

Another argument for demanding CDA pension revision is stated to be that there may not be any PRC in future. It is true, that there is no guarantee either for PRC or for that matter CPC. And in the present political scenario, can anybody assure that pension will be safe and pension revision automatc, particularly in the wake of provision in the PFRDA that any pension system could be brought in the ambit of NPS. ?

It should be remembered that the involvement and the struggles by the serving unions is very crucial in the settlement of such a basic demand of pension revision. The continuous struggles including the three days strike by AUAB has compelled the government to delink pension revision from wage revision.

AIBDPA welcome united movement of the pensioners organizations for settlement of the genuine demands of pensioners issues. But it should be for a realistic and logical demand and not for a disastrous demand. Therefore we appeal all the pensioners organizations to join together for pension revision with 15% fitment from 01-01-2017, delinking wage revision, for which AUAB is on serious struggles. So let us join these struggles and achieve our genuine demand.

The General body meeting  held on 04-08-2019 under the presidentship of Com.Dipak Sarkar has revived the district branch of Raiganj which had been defunct for some time. Com.Pijush Chakraborty, Circle  Secretary, inaugurating the meeting, dealt with the current issues and the socio-political situation in the country.

Com. Susanta Ghosh, Circle President delivered a special address focusing on organisational issues. Other speakers were Coms. Mukulendu Chakraborty(Yuktamancha), Sisir Dasgupta (12th July Committee), Sandip Ghosh (CMU) and Satyananda Mondal.

Coms. Sudhanshu Das, Gautam Kanti Ghosh and Bikash Pradhan were unanimously elected as President, District Secretary and Treasurer, respectively.

The second biennial District Conference of Mandya has been held at BSNLEU Hall, Mandya on 05-08-2019. Com.B. Chinnaswamy, President was in chair. Com.Muddaiah, Circle secretary inaugurated the conference with a detailed speech on current issues which was supplemented by Com.H C Prakash, AGS. After the adoption of the report and accounts, office bearers were elected unanimously.

President : Com.B Chinnaswamy, District Secretary : Com.Chikkamude Gowda and Treasurer : Com. L N Gowda

3rd biennial circle conference of UP (West) circle was held at Musaffarnagar on 04-08-2019. Com.Uttam Chand Sharma, Circle President presided over the conference. Com.Mohd Israil of the host district welcomed one and all. Com.K G Jayaraj, General Secretary inaugurated the conference explaining the current issues of pension revision, medical bills/allowance, revival of BSNL and a brief history of the growth of AIBDPA through struggles. Coms.R S Chauhan, AGS and R V Singh, Circle Treasurer also addressed the conference. Com.Abdul Rashheed, Circle Secretary presented the biennial report so also the audited accounts by Com.R V Singh, Treasurer. That followed an active discussion and all the district Secretaries and some of the delegates participated which was replied by both the General Secretary and Circle Secretary.

The report and accounts were adopted by the conference unanimously. Com.Choudhary Indrapal Singh effectively controlled the proceedings.

The Office bearers were elected unanimously with the following important functionaries;

Advisor : Com.Abdul Rasheed, Patron : Com.Uttam Chand Sharma, President : Com.Mohd Israil, Circle Secretary : Com. S S Maurya and Treasurer : Com. R V Singh

A meeting of the AUAB was held on 01.08.2019, at NFTE’s office, New Delhi. The meeting was presided over by Com.S. Sivakumar, General Secretary, AIBSNLEA. General Secretaries / Representatives of BSNLEU, NFTE, SNEA, AIBSNLEA, AIGETOA, BSNL MS, BSNL ATM, TEPU and BSNLOA attended. The meeting expressed it’s extreme unhappiness that the unions and associations of BSNL are being completely kept in the dark, with regards to the so called revival package of BSNL. The meeting also expressed it’s deep concern about the deterioration of BSNL’s services due to lack of working capital. The meeting took serious exception to the repressive measures being taken by the BSNL Management, to deny legitimate trade union activities in BSNL. After serious discussions, the meeting decided to organise countrywide lunch hour demonstrations and gate meetings on 07.08.2019, on the following demands:-

Demands:

1. Honour the commitments given by the Union Cabinet in the year 2000, to ensure BSNL’s financial viability.

a.Extend immediate financial support to BSNL, for the maintenance of the services.

b.Extend soft loan to BSNL for it’s capital expenditures.

2. Remove the total ban imposed on capital expenditure by BSNL. Allow field units to carry out capital expenditure, where revenue is assured.
3. No retrenchment. Honour the commitment given on job security at the time of formation of BSNL.
4. Stop repressive actions for even legitimate trade union activities.

(BSNLEU Website)

AIBDPA FULLY ENDORSES THE DECISION AND CALLS UPON ALL ITS UNITS TO ORGANISE MAXIMUM PENSIONERS AND PARTICIPATE IN THE PROGRAMME.

According to the consumer price index released by the Labour Bureau, there will be a 5% hike in the DA/DR to the central government employees and pensioners,respectively, with effect from 01-07-2019 making the total DA/DR to 17%. The Central Cabinet has to take a decision to issue the orders.

The three days Extended Central Executive Committee meeting of BSNL Employees Union held at Pune from 29th July,2019 has concluded successfully on 31st July. There was a serious and fruitful discussion on the report presented by Com.P. Abhimanyu, General Secretary on the important issues, including, revival of BSNL, achievements of BSNLEU and the ensuing 8th Membership verification.  83 District Secretaries and other senior leaders enthusiastically participated in the discussion and agreed with the line spelt out by the General Secretary. The CEC helped to create great enthusiasm and confidence among the participants.

The attractive poster, both in English and Hindi, for the membership verification was also released in the Extended CEC meeting.