With profound grief we report the passing away of Com.Fidel Castro, the great revolutionary leader of the century and former President of Cuba, at Havana on 26-11-2016. He was 90 and was not in good health for the last 10 years. It was Coms. Fidel Castro and Che guevara who led the revolution to liberate Cuba from the anarchist and oppressive Batista regime in 1959. He successfully transformed Cuba to a Socialist country uplifting the common people to decent living conditions during his tenure stretched about half a century. He boldly resisted the sanctions imposed by the US imperialism and withstood many attempts on his life by the CIA. Com.Fidel Castro was a source of inspiration for many progressive countries in the world in general and Latin American countries in particular. The passing away of this great revolutionary leader is a great loss to all the progressive and socialist people of the world.

AIBDPA dips its banner and pays respectful homage to Com.Fidel Castro.

RED SALUTE TO COM.FIDEL CASTRO.

RBI/2016-17/154

DCM (Plg) No.1384/10.27.00/2016-17

November 24, 2016

The Chairman / Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer,
Public Sector Banks / Private Sector Banks / Foreign Banks / Regional Rural Banks /Urban Co-operative Banks / State Co-operative Banks/ District Central Co-operative Banks

Dear Sir,

Withdrawal of Specified Banknotes : Cash requirements of pensioners and Armed Forces Personnel

In view of the withdrawal of legal tender character of the Specified Banknotes (SBN) demand for cash is expected from Government officials and pensioners after the electronic payment of their salary/pension.

2. Banks are therefore advised to take appropriate steps in order to meet this likely demand for cash by:

(i) Ensuring adequate cash availability for taking care of the requirements of pensioners

(ii) Ensuring adequate supply at the military outposts for the cash requirements of the Armed Forces personnel.

Yours faithfully,
(P Vijaya Kumar)

Chief General Manager.

In continuation of the discussion held with Shri.J.S.Deepak, Secretary and Shri. Prahlad Singh, Member (Finanace), DoT on alternate arrangemant for pension payment to BSNL and DoT pensioners in the wake of cancellation of currencies of Rs.1000 and Rs.500, Com.V.A.N.Namboodiri , Advisor and Com.K.G.Jayaraj, General Secretary met Shri. R.K.Mishra, Member (Service) on 25-11-2016 and asked the progress. He stated that the issue was taken up with the Department of Pension & Pensioners Welfare and Department of Expenditure. They are making some arrangement through Reserve Bank of India for cash payment to the pensioners.

The dharna, called on by the unions and associations of BSNL, against the formation of Subsidiary Tower Company today, 25th November, 2016 is a massive success. The Non-Executives and Executives of BSNL throughout the country have participated in large numbers in the dharna. In almost all circles AIBDPA members also participated in large numbers in  solidarity as called by the CHQ. In the dharna held at BSNL Corporate Office, leaders of the all unions and associations addressed. Com. Chandeswar Singh, GS, NFTE, presided. Com. P. Abhimanyu, GS, BSNLEU, com. Arvind Dahiya, Joint Secretary, SNEA, Dr. V.P. Singh, Circle Secretary, AIBSNLEA, com. Suresh Kumar, GS, BSNL MS, com. N.D. Ram, GS, SEWA BSNL, com. Sharma, VP, BTEU, com. K.G. Jayaraj, GS, AIBDPA, com. Sunil Gautam, Dy.GS, SNATTA, com. Hari Singh, Dy.GS, BTU, com. H.P. Singh, Dy.GS, BSNLOA, etc., addressed. All the leaders declared that the one day strike on 15.12.2016 will be a total success

Com.V.A.N.Namboodiri, Advisor and Com.K.G.Jayaraj, General Secretary has met Shri.Prahlad Singh, Member (Finance) on 24-11-2016 and brought to his notice the slow process of the work related to the 78.2% IDA fixation to BSNL pensioners retired before 10-06-2013 in almost all circles and therefore payment of arrears is likely to be delayed. They pointed out though  in most of the circles BSNL, barring a few circles, has completed the work but held up at the CCA offices and the reason cited is shortage of staff. The representatives suggested to seek feed back from all circles and remedial action taken , retired officials could be utilized, so that the arrears are paid before the stipulated date in the order, 31-12-2016.  The Member (Finance) assured to do the needful.<<view letter>>

As already been reported  had written a letter to Shri.J.S.Deepak, Secretary, Department of Telecom demanding alternate arrangement for pension payment to DoT and BSNL pensioners in the wake of demonetetisation of the currencies of Rs.1000 and Rs.500. Though General Secretary went to Sanchar Bhawan to meet the Secretary on 18-11-2016 he was not available. However General Secretary had a meeting with Shri Prahlad Singh, Member (Finance) on the issue who had assured possible action.

Today, 24th November, 2016 Com.V.A.N.Namboodiri, Advisor and Com.K.G.Jayaraj, General Secretary has met Shri. J.S.Deepak, Secretary, DoT and discussed the issue in detail. The representatives pointed out the ordeal and distress being experienced by the people to get cash from banks and post offices. They also brought to his notice the tragic incident at Kollam District in which one of our active workers, Shri.Chandrasekharan standing in the bank queue for three hours collapsed and died.  The Secretary responded positively and sympathetically and assured to make some arrangement in consultation with the Secretary , Department of Pension and Pensioners’ Welfare.

The representatives also discussed the issue with Shri.S.K.Jain, DDG (Estt), DOT who stated that action has already been initiated by Memeber (Finance) may be on the basis of our letter and discussion on 18-11-2016.