Sambalpur District Conference (Odisha) hasbeen held with good participation at GMTD conference hall on 24-11-2024. Com. Uttam Kumar Chhatar presided over the conference. Com.A Dhupal, Circle Vice President inauguratedand explained the status of pension revision and the struggles being launched. Com.J Kameswar Rao, Circle Secretary, BSNLEU, Com.N C Tarai, District Secretary, BSNLEU and Com.B Behera, Circle President, BSNL CCWF greeted the conference. The report and accounts presented by Com. Narendra Kumar Nayak, District Secretary were adopted after discussion.Office bearers were elected unanimously with Com. Nakul Charan Tarai (President) Com.Uttam Kumar Chhatar (district Secretary) and Com.Beg (Treasurer).
The 5th District Conference of Aligarh was held on 23-11-2024. Com.Vijay Kumar presided. Com.Ram Vir Singh, Circle Vice President welcomed one and all. A host of leaders including Coms.Sukhvir Singh, CHQ Organising Secretary, BSNLEU, Ram Swaroop Singh, CHQ Organising Secretary, Com.Nareshpal, Circle Secretary, Mohd Israel, Circle President, Ansar Ali, ACS etc addressed the conference. A new set of office bearers were elected with Com.R V Singh (Patron) Com. Rajendra Prasad (President) Com. R S Varma (District Secretary) and Com. K K Singh (Treasurer).
Women have been struggling for centuries, with the burden of inequality and violence since the era of the division of society into classes, to serve the interests of exploiting slave owners, feudal lords, capitalists, who, over time, manage the production from the labor of slaves and workers.
The radical women’s movement reveals, on the occasion of the establishment by the UN in December 1999 of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women on November 25, the generative cause of women’s inequality and violence, which is class exploitation and illuminates the path of the collective popular struggle against the economic, political, social factors that devalue human life and sow havoc.
The women’s issue of inequality and violence is shaped according to the capitalist needs of each period for the profits of businesses and does not stem from the rivalry between the two sexes, as it serves to be presented in order to hide the real causes, which are the class exploitation of men and women.
In the political-economic-social system that governs the planet, violent behaviors develop among people who have the same social problems and practice physical and mental violence in forms of cyberbullying, sexual harassment and abuse, murder, prostitution rings and human trafficking. In this society, competition, selfishness, individualism are cultivated from childhood, which predisposes to vulnerability to the services of the system of barbarity.
It is the breath of capitalism that poisons human relationships. But multifaceted violence is also the deaths of our fellow human beings, children, siblings, parents, relatives, friends from hunger and imperialist wars, poverty, destitution, unemployment, insecurity, starvation wages and pensions that cannot ensure basic social needs, exhausting working hours, the extension of the pensionable age in old age, punctuality, predatory taxation of the popular strata, the lack of time for entertainment, for sports, for cultural cultivation and for social participation, the commercialization of state social structures supporting the family, Health, Education, Welfare, the elderly, people with special needs, motherhood, natural resources and the food chain, the lack of protection from natural disasters, terrorism and the repression of assertive struggles for popular rights, the failure to find work due to gender or maternity, dismissal due to union membership, the barbarity of anachronistic perceptions and traditions, the threat of imperialist wars, the refugee crisis, the illegal trafficking of migrants and the hellish detention centers for migrants, the thousands of uprooted people drowned at sea, victims of imperialist wars seeking a better life. Legislative adjustments to capitalism for female equality do not exempt women and men workers from the exploitation of the entrepreneur, nor from ideological and political manipulation and do not ensure the same opportunities for popular needs. They have also not taken into account women’s need for reproduction and care for the family. Formal equality promotes increased participation of women in paid employment and in the sharing of paternity and maternity, and at the same time greater exploitation of workers, such as by equalizing retirement ages upwards. The presence of women in leadership positions in civic bodies has been used in the name of “equality”, but also to promote anti-people measures, anti-labor laws and imperialist wars.
In a recent directive from a leading body of capitalism, the European Union, to combat violence against women, the financial, advisory and legal support of abused women and children is oriented towards the economic interests of the member states, with the prospect of assigning them to Non-Governmental Organizations and private structures at an “affordable price”.
100 years ago in the country of socialist construction, the Soviet Union, women had the same rights as men and children, regardless of whether they were from a simple relationship or legal marriage.
Social and racial discrimination, anachronistic barbaric perceptions of the female gender, which were not eradicated, unscientific theories about the fluidity of gender, categorize people, breed coercion and disorient the popular fabric from the class claim of its rights.
Also, feminist movements that attribute the women’s issue and violence against women to “patriarchy”, detached from class exploitation, exonerate the capitalist system and weaken the collective struggle against the cause that gives rise to inequality and violence.
The stamp of the hypocritical exploitation of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women by the supportive governments and parties of the system of barbarity is put by the anti-popular, anti-worker and anti-pension measures, the repressive mechanisms, the privatization of state structures for the protection of human life, the imperialist wars and deaths from hunger.
We fight collectively against all forms of violence and demand free social shelter structures with counseling and legal support, fully staffed with specialized personnel, to meet the needs of abused women and their children.
The massive participation of women themselves in the collective struggle to eliminate the multifaceted violence against the system of exploitation of man by man is of crucial importance.
*AIBDPA had been continuously taking efforts to mitigate the difficulties being faced by the pensioners due to the yearly revalidation of BSNL medical card. CHQ had demanded to dispense with the yearly revalidation by limiting the revalidation only when there is a change in beneficiary as being done in the case of CGHS card. However, the former PGM( Admin )Shri. S. P. Singh had assured that a provision will be made in the BSNL Portal to revalidate the medical card. But when this was not done even after an year, General Secretary had a discussion with the incumbent PGM( Admin ), Shri. Sanjeev Tyagi on 30-09-2024 who flatly told that provision in BSNL Portal not made intentionally which was strongly protested by the General Secretary.
A detailed lettet in this regard was sent to the new CMD, BSNL, Shri. A. Robert Jerard Ravi and discussed in person on 14-11-2024. CMD was very positive and asked Director (HR ), Shri. Kalyan Sagar Nippani to make the provision immediately to revalidate the medical card.
So, now the BSNL Portal which was not operative for some time long has been made perfect with provision to Revalidate the BSNL Medical Card.
CHQ heartly thank CMD, BSNL and Director ( HR) for the swift action
.*The CEC Meeting was held at K G Bose Bhawan, New Delhi from 3PM to 9.30PM on 12-11-2024. Com. M R Das, President presided. After paying homage to the martyrs, Com. R. Muraleedharan Nair, AGS presented the condolence resolution. Com. K G Jayaraj, General Secretary welcomed one and all.
Com. V A N Namboodiri, Advisor inaugurated with a brief but encouraging speech.Thereafter Com. K. G. Jayaraj , general Secretary presented the report on activities since Pune CEC . General Secretary focused on the organisational issues and the weaknesses seen in democratic functioning, remitting quota to Circle and CHQ, Subscription to Tele Pensioner etc. Com. M G S Kurup, Treasurer submitted the unaudited accounts for the year 2023-24 and the interim accounts upto 30-09-2024.
18 Circle Secretaries and 12 CHQ Office bearers participted in the active discussion that followed. General Secretary replied to the points raised in the discussion after which the report and accounts were adopted.
Then, CEC took the following decisions ;
1. “Meet the Pensioner” ” campaign in January, 2025.
During the campaign sincere and effective efforts are to be made to enroll maximum pensioners as life subscribers of Tele Pensioner by collecting ₹500. The opportunity should also be utilized to enroll more life members to our mighty organization, AIBDPA.
2. A Protest Day be observed on 12-12-2024 against denial of regular pension to ST VRS retirees of Maharashtra in the name of caste revalidation.
Demonstration be organised at district level and the following email be sent to Secretary, DoT,( secy_dot@nic.in) Secretary, DoP&PW(secy_arpg@nic.in )and CMD, BSNL (cmdbsnl@bsnl.co.in )by all Circle and District Secretaries
.” Demand immediate payment of regular pension and other retirement benefits to the ST VRS Retirees of Maharashtra by implementing DoP&PW OM dated 30-11-2021 duly endorsed by DoT and BSNL.
Name
Circle / District Secretary
.3. All the Circle Conferences which have become over due should be held without further delay under intimation to CHQ
.4. A committee with Coms. S C Bhattacharjee, AGS and M B Chaniyara, Vice President was formed to look into the organisational weaknesses in Madhya Pradesh and scrutinise the accounts presented in the Circle Conference held on 06-11-2024. The committee should furnish it’s report by 20th December, 2024
.5. Venue of next AIC.
Kerala Circle Secretary, Com. N. Guruprasad expressed willingness to hold the next All India Conference if no other circle takes up the responsibility. Later Tamil Nadu Circle Secretary, Com. R. Rajasekhar also agreed to explore the possibility in consultation with other comrades of his circle and sought time up to 20th December, 2024. So the final decision in this regard will be taken later.
6. Observe National Pensioners Day on 17-12-2024.
The National Pensioners Day be observed befittingly and jointly with all like minded pensioners organisations, particularly affiliates of NCCPA.
Coms. N K Srivastava, Circle Secretary, Bihar, Balvinder Singh, CS, Punjab, S C Bhattacharjee, AGS Omprakash Singh, Organising Secretary, Hari Narain, Org Secretary, Nizar Ahamad, CS, J&K, Nareshpal, CS, UP(W), P Asokababu, Vice President have sought leave.
Coms.Susanta Ghosh, Vice President, Pushpa Pharate, AGS, Santosh A Soni, Organising Secretary, Sunil Kr Dutta, Org Secretary,, R P Atmapoojya, CS, Chhattisgarh, Uniyal, CS, Uttarakhand, M K Nagpal, CS, Rajasthan and Ramswaroop, Org Secretary were absent.
The CEC expressed gratitide to BSNLEU CHQ for consenting to hold the CEC at K G Bose Bhawan and thanked Com. T A Biju for making all the arrangements for the successful conduct of the CEC meeting.
Coms . K. G. Jayaraj, General Secretary, M G S Kurup, Treasurer, M I Jakati, Circle Secretary, Maharashtra and Sudhakar Khadke, Circle Org Secretary, Maharashtra had a nice meeting with Shri. A Robert Jerard Ravi, CMD, BSNL on 14-11-2024. Shri. Kalyan Sagar Nippani, Director ( HR) was also present
.The delegation discussed the following issues
.1. Yearly Medical Card Revalidation.
The detailed letter was handed over to both CMD and Director ( HR). The delegation brought to their notice about the difficulties being faced by the aged and ailing retirees to travel from far off places to the respective BAs to revaliidate the medical card every year. It was also pointed out that the earlier assurance of providing provsion in the BSNL Portal also not implemented.
CMD asked the Director (HR ) to do the needful to provide provision to revalidate medical card in the BSNL Portal immediately
.2. Denial of Regular Pension to the ST VRS retirees of Maharashtra.
The detailed letter in this regard was handed over to the CMD and the delegation requested for early resolution of the cases pending for a very long time causing much hardships to the affected retirees.C
CMD replied that he is aware of the issue and assured to process the genuine cases and at the same time those who have committed fraud will not be spared.
Actually we had gone to meet the CMD without prior appointment. He was having meeting with other officers. Still he was kind enough to meet the delegation and also responded positively. We thanked him for the kind gesture.
*Coms. K G Jayaraj, General Secretary, M G S Kurup, Treasurer and M I Jakati, Circle Secretary, Maharashtra have met Shri. Md Shabhaz Ali, Controller General of Communication Accounts at his office at MTNL Bldg, New Delhi on 13-11-2024
.At the outset, General Secretary congratulated the CGCA for the continuing efforts in bringing down the DLC cases significantly. Then the following issues were discussed.
1. Denial of regular pension to ST VRS retirees of Maharashtra.
The detailed letter in this regard was handed over to the CGCA. The delegation pointed out that though BSNL has the major role on this issue, continuing with provisional pension for such a long period is violation of Rule 62 of CCS ( Pension ) Rules.
CGCA replied that the number of cases have come down to 181.The vigilance clearance in respect of the ST VRS retirees are found to be conditional with the remark that “caste validation pending.” He also stated that the issue has already been discussed with the CMD, BSNL for early resolution
.2. Non- settlement of several 2nd level Family Pension cases at CCA, Maharashtra & Goa and negative stand of Principal CCA.
The delegation gave a list of family pension cases, certain cases pending for years together and brought to his notice the sorry state of affairs in CCA office mainly due to the don’t care attitude of the Principal CCA.
CGCA stated that there had been cases of granting family pension to ineligible persons and CCA offices have to take care that only genuine cases are cosidered and processed. However he assured to seek a report on the pending cases from CCA, Maharashtra and do the needful.
The delegation stated that scrutiny is very much needed and only genuine cases be considered. But we take up cases wherein genuiness is satisfied. The CCA office, Maharashtra is actually harassing the applicants by asking for documents in piece meal manner repeatedly and cited a particular case as example wherein after submitting the death certificate of the husband, asking for the marriage certificate.
CGCA agreed to look into such cases.
3 Arrogant and unhelpful approach of Principal CCA, Maharashtra.
The delegation narrated certain incidents after which we were compelled to prefer a complaint to the Secretary, DoT.
CGCA replied that he will do the needful after hearing the explanation of the CCA.
4. Delay and discrimination in granting Fixed Medical Allowance to pensioners in Goa.
The delegation gave a list of retirees of Goa who have applied for FMA to CCA, Maharashtra & Goa . But there have been undue delay in granting FMA to those BSNL absorbed retirees who have surrendered the BSNL MRS Card. However it is noticed that the Executives among the applicants have been granted FMA. The delegation strongly protested against such discrimination and requested the CGCA early necessary action.
CGCA agreed to examine the case and do the needful.
5. Delay in transfer of PPOs from the parent circle to present staying circle.Two identical cases were brought to the notice of the CGCA, one from Maharashtra to Tamil Nadu and the other from Tamil Nadu to Kerala. The copies of application of Ms. R Rajeswary, Retd OS(P) Pune to Tamil Nadu was readily handed over to the CGCA .
CGCA assured intervention for early settlement.
6. Delay in supply of ID Cards to pensioners.General Secretary asked CGCA whether any financial crunch for preparation of ID cards.
CGCA replied that there is no financial cruch but it is being done from the office expenditure. There is a shortfall in the budgetary allocation.
Over all the meeting was effective and the CGCA was very positive.
.National Coordination Committeeof Pensioners Associatins held a spectacular Dharna at Jantar Mantar on 13-11-2024 demanding settlement of 28 important issues including restoration of OPS, BSNL Pension Revision, restoration of commutation after 12 years, bank pension updation, restoration of Railway concession, strengthen CGHS, appoint 8th CPC.
The massive Dharna was organised against the negative stand of Modi government on these demands.Com. S K Sharma presided. Com.K Ragavendran presented the charter of demands. Veteran leader, Com. V A N Namboodiri inaugurated. Dr. V. Sivadasan MP, Coms. K G Jayaraj, Sreedhar, D K Debnath, R Elangovan T N Venkiteswaran and M Suresh addressed.
More than 2000 pensioners who came from all parts of the country protested by shouting slogans deploring the anti-pensioner policy of Modi government.
