The Jamnagar District Conference has been held with good participation of pensioners on 30-08-2017. Com.M.B.Chaniyara, CHQ Organising Secretary and Circle Secretary, Gujarat inaugurated the conference with an elaborate speech. Com.R.B.Patel, District President was in chair. The open session was later inaugurated by Shri. Prakash Goplani, General Manager, BSNL,Jamnagar. Coms.T.V.Geelani, Circle President, Shri.M.M.Kanani, DGM and Com.H.D.Jadeja, District Secretary, BSNLEU addressed. The report and accounts presented by Coms.M.U.Shaik, District Secretary and J.D.Kacha , Treasurer were adopted after discussion.

Office bearers were elected with Coms.I.K.Borkhtaria (President), N.N. Kaneria (District Secretary) and J.D.Kacha (Treasurer)

Joint Branch Conference of AIBDPA, BSNLEU & CMU Contai Branch was held on 27-08-2017 at Telecom Recreation Club Hall, Contai. Com.Pankaj Saha, Asst Circle Secretary, AIBDPA inaugurated. Coms. Deb Kumar Pal, District Secretary, BSNLEU, Kharagpur and Tarak Kunidu, ACS, CMU were the other speakers. Coms. Birendra Chandra Gayen, Swadesh Ranjan Pahari and Badal Malakar were elected unanimously as President, Secretary and Treasurer, respectively.

The Sainthia Joint Conference was also held on 27-08-2017 at Telecom Recreatiion Club hall, Sainthia under the president ship of Com.Devadas Chakraborty. After adoption of report and accounts office bearers were elected unanimously with Coms.Nandulal Mitra (President), Risak Kisku (Secretary) and Mahadev Bakshi (Treasurer).

Daily Pricing Mechanism or Daily Looting Mechanism?   

The biggest advantage being enjoyed by the Modi government is the steep fall in the price of crude oil, in the international market. The price of crude oil was more than 100 US dollars before 3 years. But, in the past 2 years, price of crude oil has steeply fallen and it is being sold at around 50 US dollars. For example, the price of crude oil in the international market was 54.10 US dollars in December, 2016, 50.41 US dollars in July, 2017 and 50.93 US dollars on 18^th August, 2017 (source: marketrealist.com). Thus, the Modi government has saved billions of US dollars, by way of importing crude oil from international market. However, in our country, the prices of petrol and diesel are continuously being increased by the government, and the people are being silently looted. For example, the Hindu dated 30.08.2017 has reported that in the past 2 months alone the price of petrol has increased by Rs.6.02 per litre and the price of diesel is increased by Rs.3.89 per litre. The price of petrol in Chennai on 30.08.2017 is Rs.71.62 per litre and price of diesel is Rs.60.02 per litre. Of course, the government has invented a novel method to loot the people, by introducing the “Daily Pricing Mechanism”. As a result of the introduction of this method, common people are unable to understand how much the price has changed. The steady increase in the prices of petroleum products, increases prices of all the essential items, and the common people are suffering. Where is the assurance given by the Modi government to control price rise?   

99% of the Rs.1,000/- and Rs.500/- notes came back into the banking system – says Reserve Bank report.

The Annual Report of the Reserve Bank of India, for 2016-17, says that 99% of the demonetised Rs.1,000/- and Rs.500/- notes have already come back into the banking system. The value of the demonetised Rs.1,000/- and Rs.500/- notes is Rs.15.44 lakh crore. Out of these, only Rs.16,000/- crore has not come back into the banking system. Ever since Demonetisation was made in 8^th November, 2016, the Modi government has been claiming that black money holders are given a severe blow. But, the report of the RBI which says that, 99% of the demonetised rupee notes have come back, only shows that the Demonetisation is a total failure in unearthing black money. However, in his Independence Day speech, Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, declared from the Red Fort that, through the Demonetisation, Rs.3 lakh crore black money has been caught. No one knows from where the Prime Minister has got this figure? 104 people have died due to the hardships caused by Demonetisation. (Source: The Hindu) 

Night Free Calling Facility extended to serving employees, due to continuous efforts of BSNLEU.

When Night Free Calling Facility was introduced to the subscribers, BSNLEU was the only union which demanded it’s extension to the employees and retirees. BSNLEU discussed it with the CMD BSNL and wrote letters several times. However, Management introduced the facility only to the retirees. Again BSNLEU continuously pressurised the CMD BSNL and other officers, for extension of the facility to the serving employees. The issue was raised in the 35^th meeting of the National Council, held on 11.05.2017. After continuous persuasion, Corporate Office has issued letter today, extending the Night Free Calling Facility to the serving employees. << View letter>>

(courtesy: BSNLEU website0

NCCPA Circular

NATIONAL CO-ORDINATION COMMITTEE

OF PENSIONERS ASSOCIATIONS..

Website: nccpahq.blogspot.in.

E mail: nccpahq@gmail.com.

13.c Feroze Shah Road,

 New Delhi. 110 001

PRESIDENT:       COM.SHIV GOPAL MISHRA.(97176 47594)

SECy. GENERAL:          COM.K.K.N.KUTTY. (98110 483030)

Dated 28^th August, 2017

Dear Comrades,

We write this in continuation of our circular letter dated 26^th August, 2017.  We have been in consultation with the members of the Sectt in finalising the quota for the 25^th October, programme.  We have taken note of the relative strength of the organisations in  respect of their membership as also their capacity to mobilise them to take part in the programme.  We have tried to keep a balance of the ground reality in finalising the quota.  But still there may be aberrations.  We would request you to kindly bear with us and co-operate so that the programme slated for 25^thOctober, 2017 must ultimately be a resounding success.  Please therefore, ensure that the quota is exceeded so that our precept and practice would be in complete sync. (please see annexure for the quota)  To compel the present Government to retrace their steps(howsoever erratic and wrong it was), we are aware is quite difficult, as their political mobilisation is not based on the common perception of welfare of the downtrodden. We must realise that the lessons from the history is that the ultimate victory is of vox populi.  We are beginning our struggle on Wednesday, 25^th October, 2017.confident of its final outcome howsoever prolonged it may be. 

We have prepared the charter of demands on the basis of the deliberations we had at the National Executive Committee meeting.  It has covered almost all the points that figures in the discussion.  Together it covers the aspiration, hope and anxiety of all pensioners.  We are confident that the movement will gather momentum over the years and those who still hope against hope that benevolence will usher in will realise the folly to give the requisite acceleration, for we believe in all earnestness that wider the platform, earlier the event of victory. 

Appealing to all of you once again for your utmost efforts and strenuous endeavour to make the programme on 25^th the most memorable and successful, and thanking you with greetings,

Yours fraternally,

Sd/-

K.KN. Kutty

Secretary General.

CHARTER OF DEMANDS.

1. Implement Option No. 1. Recommended by the 7^th CPC .
2. Revise the pension of all BSNL Pensioners on IDA pay scale with 15% fixation benefit.
3. Revise the pension of all pensioners of the Central Autonomous bodies.
4. (a) Notional fixation of pay under Option No. 3. Must be based on the pay scales/Pay levels of the cadre or grade from which an employee retired.

(b) Implement the judgements of the Courts in the case of all pre-2006 pensioners, whose notional pay for the purpose of pension must be on the basis of the pay level/Grade Pay or pay scale of the grade/cadre from which he/she has retired.

5. (a) Extend the benefit of the CCS(MA) Rules to all pensioners who are not covered by the CGHS (b) Do not discriminate the pensioners of the Union Territory; bring all pensioners  under the coverage of CGHS.
6. Increase the FMA  to Rs. 2000/- as has been granted to the PF pensioners w.e.f 1.1.2016
7. Raise the minimum pension to Rs. 12,000/- (2/3^rd of the minimum wage) and make pension net of income tax.
8. Restore the commutation loss of pension after 10 years
9. Provide increased rates of pension on attainment of the age of 70 years
10. Restore the Defined benefit  pension scheme as was in vogue prior to 1.1.2004 in respect of all Central Government employees by scrapping the Defined contributory pension scheme

Annexure:

All India Postal and RMS Pensioners Associations:                             400

All India BSNL DOT Pensioners Assn.       300

Income tax Pensioners Federation                                                          150

All India Audit and AccountsPensioners Association.                          50

All Central autonomous Pensioenrs Association                                 100

State Units:

Kerala-                                                                   10

AP-                                                                          25

Karnataka:                                                            20

W.Bengal:                                                             60

NE Region:                                                            05

Rajastan:                                                             40

MP –                                                                     10

UP –                                                                      10

Nagpur                                                                                 10

Mumbai                                                               20

Punjab –                                                              10

Bihar                                                                      05

Tamilnadu                                                           10

Gujarath                                                              10

North West Region:                                        10

Delhi.                                                                    15

The States for which separate quota is fixed will not include in their contingent, comrade pensioners of Postal, BSNL,  Incometax, Audit and Account and Autonomous organisations.

NATIONAL EXECUTIVE DECISIONS – MASSIVE DHARNA IN DELHI

NATIONAL CO-ORDINATION COMMITTEE

OF PENSIONERS ASSOCIATIONS..

Website: nccpahq.blogspot.in.

E mail: nccpahq@gmail.com.

13.c Feroze Shah Road,

New Delhi. 110 001

PRESIDENT:       COM.SHIV GOPAL MISHRA.(97176 47594)

SECy. GENERAL:          COM.K.K.N.KUTTY. (98110 483030)

Dated 26^th August, 2017

Dear Comrades,

National Executive Committee

meeting and decisions.

The National Executive Meeting of NCCPA was held at Nagpur on 19.08.2017 under the Chairmanship of Comrade Shiv Gopal Mishra.. Excellent arrangements were made by the Reception Committee headed by Comrades Dhaktod and Petekar.

Comrade Shiv Gopal Mishra elaborately dealt with the attitude of the Government and the official side on 7^th CPC related issues of both employees and pensioners. He also narrated that Option Number 1  has been taken up as an anomaly in the NAC for discussion. Several other issues including the NJCA meeting scheduled in September and the impending indefinite strike by the Central TUS and Federations of Central, State Government and PSUs were covered by him during his speech.

The subject session that commenced thereafter was chaired by Com. S.S.Roy, working president, NCCPA. The discussion on the items of agenda was initiated by the Deputy Secretary General Comrade Pavitra Ranjan Chakraborti ably supplemented by the other Deputy Secretary General Comrade K.Ragavendran. The Secretary General Comrade KKN Kutty could not attend the meeting due to his sudden illness. More than 90% of the Office Bearers and National Executive Members attended the meeting despite the situation of flood and torrential rains in different parts of the country. A lively discussion on the agenda items followed.  The following decisions were taken at the meeting Com. K. Raghavendran moved the resolution which contained the crux of discussions at the meeting and on the future course of NCCPA functioning.

Decisions and Resolution:

1. Option 3  being the belated acceptance of the demand of parity by pensioners is welcome. However, fixing the notional pay of Pre-2016 Pensioners in the replacement scales instead of actual pay scale provided for to the serving employees by successive pay commissions is an irritant and requires to be removed.
2. Option 1 as recommended by the 7^th CPC  being feasible to be implemented ought to have been retained as it would provide better pension for those who stagnated in the part for no fault of theirs. Rejection of option.1 as infeasible is not only unprecedented, untenable but unethical too especially viewed from the angle that the top bureaucracy had a personal axe to grind in its rejection. The meeting endorsed the correct stand taken by the Staff Side JCM National Council to treat the same as another option for pensioners. 
3. The continued adamancy of the Government in refusing to grant the benefit of fixing pension to Pre-2006 Pensioners from 1.1.2006 based on the pay scales implemented to the post or cadre in which the Pensioner had retired or dead is unjustified. The rejection by Department of Expenditure even after several courts decision in favour of higher pay scales instead of replacement scales and the acceptance and implementation of the judgment in the case of the litigants shows the double standard of the Government. This benefit should be granted to all Pre-2006 Pensioners.
4. While welcoming the orders for admission of P&T Pensioners in CGHS Scheme without any conditions by withdrawing the retrograde orders of the Health Ministry, it is found that the decision  that the beneficiaries must make the one time lump sum  payment @ post 7^th CPC rate is unjustified. The late admission in to CGHS belatedly after two decades delay should not result in penalizing the past Pensioners. The rate of subscription at the time of retirement should alone be the charges.
5. The discrimination against some other departmental pensioners who are continue to be denied entry into CGHS must be ended.
6. While ending discrimination to P&T Pensioners, the Directorate General of CGHS has issued another discriminating order to preclude the CG Employees and CG Pensioners in Union Territories from joining CGHS. This order also aims to send out those employees and pensioners wrongly admitted in to CGHS. This stand of the Government is totally unjust and should be withdrawn.
7. Many important positive recommendations of the 7^th CPC on health related issues like (1) Merger of existing Postal Dispensaries with CGHS; (2) Issue of Medi-insurance Cards to employees and pensioners to facilitate cashless medical treatment; (3) Merger of all existing different medical systems into one single large umbrella medical system for CG Employees and CG Pensioners; (4) Extending the benefit under CS MA Rules 1944 to Pensioners also to end the disparity between the employees and pensioners needs to be expedited for positive implementation.
8. While the doubling of the existing rate of Fixed Medical Allowance from 500/- to 1000/- is welcome, the fixing of FMA @ 1000/- after 7^th CPC while the employees of PF Department are being paid @ 2000/- per month even during 6^th CPC period is very less in comparison to the mounting medical costs. The FMA must be enhanced to 2000/- per month.
9. Many orders are not being implemented in a time-bound manner. Due to this the aging pensioners cannot get the benefits in time. The GO on extending full pension to Pre-2006 Pensioners who had retired without putting 33 years of qualifying service; the GO on fixation of pension on the basis of ‘pay in the pay band’ instead of ‘minimum of pay band’ w.e.f. 1.1.2006 for all Pre-2006 Pensioners;  the issue of revised PPOs to all Pre-2006 Pensioners etc were either inordinately delayed or still being delayed. The main reason for such non-implementation or slow implementation is due to staff shortage in accounting offices. Under such circumstances the recent 12^th May, 2017 orders also is likely to be delayed in many departments. Therefore drawing of the services of qualified retired officials to function as ‘implementation cells’ to speed up the work under the supervision of serving Accounts Officers in all accounting offices may be considered to facilitate completion of work of Refixation of pension to all Pre-2016 Pensioners before 30.09.2017.
10. The Pay Commission and also the Government have not come forward to consider the issues of rationalizing the additional pension and reducing the period of commutation of pension. The additional pension system should be improved and the period of commutation should be reduced to 10 years.
11. The grant of additional pension should be given on attaining the age of 80, 85,90,95,100 instead of waiting for the completion of the above ages as per the verdict of Bengaluru CAT.
12. The recovery of income-tax from Pensioners is most unjustified. The Government should immediately consider payment of pension net taxes. 
13. The National Executive has resolved to authorize the National Secretariat to chalk out appropriate Programme of Action on the above demands.

The under-mentioned organisational decisions are also taken unanimously:

1. NCCPA organization should be strengthened by approaching new organizations for affiliation; strengthening the existing affiliates with more membership; forming State COC of NCCPA in all States.
2. The State units of affiliates will get in touch with other Pensioners Associations operating in the State and get them associated with NCCPA.
3. This National Executive Committee meeting of NCCPA calls upon all its affiliates to take all possible steps to join the agitational programmes chalked out by all organisations of serving employees and the Central trade Unions.
4. Extending total solidarity to NFPE sponsored strike on 23.08.2017 for getting the GDS Committee recommendations immediately implemented.
5. NCCPA units and affiliates will take all possible steps to take part in the mass Dharna programme stated for 9,10,11 Nov. 2017 at Delhi under the auspices of the joint platform of Central Trade Unions.
6. NCCPA will organize an independent programme to project the CG pensioner related issues and most  prominently against NPS

Massive Dharna at the National Capital: DELHI.

In deference to  the decision of the National Executive, consultations were held amongst the Secretariat members about the feasibly of organizing an independent programme by NCCPA. The consensus is that the NCCPA must organize a massive Dharna at Janter-Manter, New Delhi on 25.10.2017 from 11.00 AM to 3.00 PM eliciting participation of members of all affiliates and from all states. To make the programme successful, a serious campaign will be undertaken by the National Leadership consisting of President, Working President, Vice President Secretary General, two Deputy Secretary Generals. Detailed circular will be issued shortly. Affiliates and unites are requested to convey the issues/ demands to be included in the Charter immediately on receipt of this letter.

 The Office bearers and the National Executive Members especially the Chief Executives of affiliated organizations and the State CGPA organizations are requested to mobilize and ensure the participation of the largest number of pensioners in the Programme to highlight our issues before the Government. The Charter of Demands will be circulated shortly after causing consultation with the members of the National Sectt. 

With Greetings,

Comradely Yours,

Sd/-

KKN Kutty

Secretary General