Our earlier write up on the issue has been much appreciated both from BSNL workers and BSNL pensioners since it is the logical and correct stand. We are thankful for their appreciation. But some comrades want to confuse the issue. Let us look in to point after point.
1. “We request the respected leaders of service unions to fight for their pay revision and leave the issue of Pension Revision. Our task has become much more difficult now.” This is one main issue that has been raised in the website of one of the pensioners’ associations. It means that the unions/associations of the workers need not worry about the pension revision and that their intervention has made the pension revision much more difficult. This statement is far from truth and is an accusation against the workers and their unions / associations. This reveals a certain mindset against the unity of the workers and the pensioners. Do they think that the workers and pensioners are enemies? The fact is that it is with the constant and united struggles of the workers and pensioners that the issues of the pensioners have been settled. Let us go through some of the experiences:
a) In the first wage revision w.e.f. 01-10-2000, with conversion from CDA to IDA payscales with point to point fixation, there were two opinions amongst the unions about the wage revision for BSNL absorbed DOT employees. Com.O.P.Gupta suggested that the CDA scale pay existing in DOT should continue with Rs. 1,000/Rs.1,500 extra, which was the Federations’ agreement with government at the time of the corporatisation. He had also pointed out that many PSUs including FCI are continuing in the Central government pay scales. (They continue as such now also). But all other unions demanded for IDA scale. This was in accordance with the Rule 37A as well as the relevant orders. Such an agreement was reached after much discussion and IDA scale was agreed with point to point fixation and implemented which was far more beneficial than the existing CDA scales. The workers got increase in wages and those who retired afterwards got increased pension than those who retired before 01-10-2000. It cannot be technically termed as pension revision, but it was an increased pension for all the BSNL retirees. The argument that 2000 wage revision did not get any benefit for the pensioners is far from truth. This benefit to the pensioners was got by the hard wage negotiation and struggle by the workers’ unions. In fact, there was no major pensioners organization at that time in BSNL. Not a single person, employee or pensioner opposed the wage settlement and pension increase on IDA scale for those retired after 01-10-2000. It was unanimous.
b) The second wage revision was w.e.f. 01-01-2007 after the II PRC recommendations were released and approved. Even after the wage revision agreement, the pension revision for the pre 2007 BSNL retirees was not implemented. It was through the continuous struggle of the workers and pensioners organizations that the same was approved by the government and implemented. This time also, it was on the basis of the II PRC and on IDA scales.
c) In the case of 78.2% IDA fitment also, struggle had to be organized both by employees and pensioners. This time also it was on the basis of the wage revision of the employees.
d) For the present wage negotiation w.e.f. 01-01-2017 also the united struggle of the workers and pensioners is necessary. Once again we reiterate that “ Today’s pensioners were yesterday’s workers and that today’s workers are tomorrow’s pensioners”. We are sure that the entire workers and pensioners will accept this position.

2. We are glad that our friends, who wanted to have the CDA pension revision as per the VII CPC has now at least shifted to the position that they want pension revision in the IDA itself, but with the fitment recommended by the VII CPC. Without going in to the complicated calculations and intricacies, let us make the point clear. The fitment recommended by the VII CPC is based on the wages  on CDA scales. The pay scales in CDA as also the fitment is based on the 2016 CDA which is different from the IDA wages and IDA. The fitment is intended for CDA scales at 2016. The fitment recommended for IDA scales by II PRC is entirely different. The cost of living index calculated for IDA and CDA are different as also the period in which it is paid ie. Half yearly in the CDA and quarterly for the IDA. Pension revision for BSNL retirees in 2007 was made on the basis of the II PRC in IDA and not on the basis of the VI CPC recommendations with effect from 2006. Nobody at that time asked for CDA wage revision on the basis of VI CPC and w.e.f. 2016.  They demanded the pension revision on the basis of VII CPC on CDA scales, when they suspected that there may not be any wage revision in BSNL w.e.f. 01-01-2017. In fact these friends were cursing ” BSNL is sinking and even god cannot revive it.”  They put so many justifications to the point that there may not be wage revision and hence no pension revision also. When on an occasion, the CMD ,BSNL stated that there will not be wage revision until BSNL achieve profit, these friends got jubilant.  These friends have completely lost faith on workers and the struggles. Thus the basis of demanding CDA pension revision on the basis of VII CPC was understood by all.
3. The mighty two days struggle on 21st and 22nd May 2015 as also the discussion with the DOT Secretary on 1st May 2015 as well as further discussion by the Joint Forum of BSNL Unions and Associations, which resulted in the removal of 60:40 condition and grant of 78.2% IDA fixation is also ridiculed as of no consequence. Well, that is their tradition to ridicule and dismiss the workers’ struggles. These friends, instead of supporting the struggles, used to have conferences and inaugurations on the same day when the strike and struggles used to take place. Naturally they are not in support of struggles, but depend on submissions and supplications. They have forgotten the legacy of Com.K.G.Bose, ‘Unity for Struggle and Struggle for Unity’.
4. These friends correctly have stated that in many PSUs, pension revision is made on the basis of the CPCs. Correct. These are organisations like Door Darshan, FCI etc. which have opted for the CPC CDA scales from the initial stage itself
5. Let us assume that the government accepts pension revision of BSNL retirees on the basis of VII CPC CDA scales instead of III PRC IDA scales. From which date it will be implemented, from 2016 or 2017?
6. Any fixation on VII CPC fitment will result in further discrimination. Already there is discrimination between the DOT Pensioners and the BSNL Pensioners. Another anomaly will arise between those retired before 2016/2017 and those retired after. Those who retired before 2016/2017 will get CDA pension revision as per VII CPC, while those who retire after 2016/2017 will get pension on the basis of their salary in the IDA scales. This will be a very serious anomaly, which will divide the entire BSNL pensioners.
7. Have these friends ever thought that what will happen if pension revision on VII CPC CDA scale is implemented. Notional calculation of pension w.e.f. from 2000 onwards on the basis of the V, VI CPC and again on the VII CPC will seriously and adversely affect the existing pensioners.
8. The latest diversion these friends have made is that they are not demanding pension revision on CDA but only on IDA, but on the basis of VII CPC. VII CPC never recommended any pension revision on IDA. Now they say that it is only the fitment factor that they have demanded. How is the fitment calculated? It is on the basis of calculating the fitment factor based on the price index for the CDA. The fitment for the PSU workers is calculated on the price index for the IDA. The years are different, the percentage is different and the salaries are different. When the demand is raised on the basis of the pension revision on CPCs, what will happen to the pension increase in 2000 and pension revision in 2007, which have been much beneficial to the pensioners? The pension and pension revision is granted on the basis of CCS Pension Rules 1972 and for BSNL employees and pensioners amended Rule 37A is also to be considered. As per Rule 37A, recommendations 0f CPC like pension fixation formula, minimum pension, commutation, gratuity, additional pension after 80 years etc. are applicable, except pension and medical allowance. Before Rule 37 A Amendment, CG employees absorbed in PSUs had two options. They can opt for higher pay scales in PSU and opt for CDA Pension. In that case, for the pension purpose, they will be brought back to CDA scale notionally and fix pension accordingly. There is no provision for granting CDA fitment as per CPC to IDA scales.

9. When the massive  March to Sanchar Bhawan by the BSNL Unions and Associations which was participated by hundreds of pensioners of AIBDPA on 23rd February 2018 was going on these friends wrote: “In effect, the government has rejected both pay revision and pension revision”. They were under the impression that the government will never agree for wage revision in BSNL. But the situation has now changed. The sustained struggle by All Unions and Associations made compulsions and the Communications Minister has assured as follows as per the post of the Unions and Associations:
“3rd Pay Revision: So far, the DoT has been maintaining that BSNL employees are not eligible for 3rd Pay Revision. In today’s meeting the Hon’ble Minister agreed that the issue of 3rd Pay Revision of BSNL employees would be processed and would be taken for the approval of the DPE and the Cabinet.” On the pension Revision also the position is the same. It is not rejection now as these friends thought, but processing of the matter.
10. So the question of criticizing and attacking the workers and their organisations is fully unjustified.
11. Now coming to the demand. AIBDPA as well as National Co-ordination Committee of Pensioners Association (led by late Com.S.K.Vyasji and at present by Com.K.K.N.Kutty) has demanded that BSNL wage revision should take place, but the government should order pension revision of BSNL retirees on the basis of the recommendations of the III PRC on the IDA scale. What are the justifications? Consider the following points:
a) Pension increase was ordered in 2000 on the basis of the wage agreement on IDA scale
b) Pension Revision was made w.e.f. 2007 on the basis of the wage agreement on IDA( not on the basis of the fitment formula of VI CPC from 2006)
c) Later, after serious struggle, the 60:40 condition on payment of pension has been removed and the full responsibility for payment of pension to BSNL absorbed DOT retirees have been taken over by the government. Hence on the basis of the III PRC, Pension Revision should be ordered with 15% fitment, without waiting for the wage revision. Such a pension revision will be on the basis of IDA pattern, will be similar to the pension increase in 2000 and pension revision in 2007 and will not create the large number of serious anomalies.
d) The next point raised is that BSNL may be privatized and then what will happen? Whether there will be any wage revision? So far it has not been privatized and even disinvestment could be stopped by the united struggles of the workers. If at all, such a situation comes, it is not only pension issue but about loss of jobs and many other issues. The workers and pensioners will have to organize serious struggles to tide over the crisis.
“UNITY FOR STRUGGLE, STRUGGLE FOR UNITY AND UNITY and STRUGGLE FOR PROGRESS”

After the mighty and massive Sanchar Bhawan  March by the BSNL Workers and pensioners as per the call of the BSNL All Unions and Associations and also fully supported and participated by the AIBDPA (All India BSNL DOT Pensioners Association), the DOT as well as the Communications Minister have been compelled to meet the General Secretaries and discuss the issue in right earnest. It has been assured by the Minister that the issues will be taken up with the Government. So far, well  and good. The Ministry should recommend with full facts and figures furnished by the  BSNL management and Unions/Associations and recommend for wage revision as well as Pension revision. If the government does not settle the issues, further struggle will follow.

What should be the method of pension revision? Whether it should be based on the CDA scale of VII CPC or the IDA Scale of III PRC? Actually there need be no doubt about the same, but some confusion is being made by some comrades, which will complicate the whole issue and delay the pension revision. These comrades feel that since BSNL is already in loss and there will be no wage revision in future and hence no pension revision also. So their suggestion is that the demand should be pension revision on the basis of the VII CPC in the CDA scale.

Let us look in to the relevant facts:

1. Till October 2000, when BSNL was formed, all were government employees and they got Pay revision and Pension revision on the basis of the V CPC (1996).

2. BSNL employees retired from October 2000 onward got  pension in IDA scale based on the wage revision of BSNL employees in IDA scale in 2000. The DOT pensioners did not get this benefit. This was one advantage for the BSNL pensioners and their pension was fixed in the IDA scale ( and not CDA scale). This was beneficial to them..

3. DOT Pensioners got their pension revision on the basis of VI CPC in CDA scale from 01-01-2006. They got the pension revision after 6 years of the IDA pension revision which was in 2000.

4. BSNL pensioners once again got pension revision in IDA scale from 01-01-2007 on the basis of the wage revision of BSNL employees, increasing much higher than the DOT pensioners.

5. DOT Pensioners has got pension revision with effect from 2016 in CDA scale on the basis of the VII CPC

6. As per the convention and on the example of the 2000 and 2007 pension revisions, the present pension revision should be on the basis of of the III PRC on IDA scale. This is only logical and convincing. Since the government has already removed the 60:40 condition and is committed to pay the full pension, it need not wait for the wage revision of BSNL employees. It can implement 15% fitment as suggested by the III PRC, which is higher than that of VII CPC. This will benefit the BSNL pensioners.

7. The demand for pension revision of BSNL pensioners on the basis of VII CPC CDA scale, will create a lot of anomalies, will reduce the pension and also create serious dispute between those pensioners retired before 2017 and after 2017. Changing pension revision from IDA to CDA after two pension revisions made in 2000 and 2017 will have serious consequences for the pensioners.

8. The thinking that there will be no wage revision for BSNL employees now and in future is a negative thinking, which the government want to impress upon the workers. CPCs have also stated that in future, there need be no pay commission. What will be the result? The working class, whether in the government or in the PSUs will never allow such a situation. We have to be positive and not negative.

On the above and other many fully justified reasons, the best and logical demand is that the pension revision of the BSNL pensioners should be made from 01-01-2017 on 15% fitment which is recommended by the III PRC, and also with out waiting for the wage revision of employees, since the affordability clause and profit and loss conditions are not applicable to the government. We should not make any demand which will reduce the pension, make the issue complicate and bring many anomalies which will take years to settle or not settle at all. We should not divide the BSNL pensioners in to two camps, which will reduce our fighting power.