A joint Convention of AIBDPA, BSNLEU & BSNLCCLU was held at NGO Union hall, Kannur on 4th September, 2014. Com. P. V. Unnikrishnan , District President, AIBDPA presided over the meeting. Com. P. V. Rajan, District Secretary, BSNLEU welcomed the gathering. Inaugurating the convention, Com. V.A.N. Namboodiri, Advisor, AIBDPA and President, BSNLEU & BSNLCCWF spoke at length on almost all the issues of the pensioners, including latest position of 78.2% IDA merger, current developments in BSNL and the issues confronting the casual and contract workers. He also appealed to make the agitational programs called by the CHQs of AIBDPA and BSNLCCWF grand success by which only the genuine demands could be achieved. Com. P. Manoharan, Assistant Circle Secretary, BSNLEU, Com. R.R. Varma, Assistant Circle Secretary, AIBDPA and Com. P. V. Krishnan, District Secretary, BSNLCCLU also addressed the convention. 

CHQ Circular No.4 – Make the Sanchar Bhawan/Bharat Sanchar Bhawan march a historic success.<<click here>>

It is reported in the press that the Central Government has started processing to issue orders on the enhancement of 7% DA to the Central Government employees and pensioners with effect from 1st July, 2014. The total DA thereafter will be 107%.

GM KOLKATA UNIT.

The Special General body Meeting of GM Kolkata Unit under Kolkata District Branch was held on 25th August, 2014 at CTO Union Room under the presidentship of Com. D. Dasbakshi. Com.Dilip Das, Circle Vice President spoke on “Tasks on present Situation”. Other speakers on the subject were Com.P. K. Nandi, Circle Treasurer & District Secretary, Kolkata, Com. Ajit Nandan, Circle Organising Secretary, Susanta Chattopadhyay and Robin Mitra.

BANKURA DISTRICT.

The Special Convention of Bankura Distict has been held at TRC Hall, Bankura on 31-08-2014. Com. K. K. Sardar, District President was in the chair. Com. Susanta Ghosh, CHQ Vice President and Circle Secretary spoke elaborately covering all the important issues of the pensioners, including latest position of 78.2% IDA merger. He also explained the present situation in the country, West Bengal and Bankura and the tasks to be undertaken. Com. Shyamapada Ghosh, Circle Vice President, BSNLEU, Com. Dilip Pal, District Secretary, BSNLEU, Com. S. Mondal, District Secretary, CORTO and Com. D. K. Lai, District Secretary, AIBDPA also addressed the convention.

Corporate Office letter on release of pensionary benefits in view of judgment of Honble Supreme Court in CA No.6770 of 2013.<<<view letter>>>

BJP has come to power at the Centre with the lofty slogan, “Good Days are coming”- one of the important component of which was reduction of prices of essential commodities. However, the real face of the corporate-friendly government has once again revealed on 29th August, 2014 by one of its own ministry itself- the Labour Bureau under Ministry of Labour.

As usual, on 29th August, 2014, the Labour Bureau released the Consumer Price Index for Industrial Workers for the month of July, 2014. The All India Index rose by as high as 6 points in a single month, from 246 in June to 252 (Base 2001=100) in July, 2014 ie 2.44% in one month. This is the steepest single month price rise in 5 years since July, 2009, the rise was more than 4.5% in a single month.

It is well known that there are serious flaws in computation of CPI to the disadvantage of the common people. Even then, this steep rise recorded by the government itself throws open the pathetic condition of the toiling masses all over the country. Good Days ought not to come merely by changing a government by another with more anti-people policies. It is the mass struggle against these policies which only can ameliorate the agony of the common people. Let us march ahead with determination.

Prof. Bipan Chandra, a legendary teacher, scholar, historian and activist passed away on 30th August, 2014 after a prolonged illness at the age of  86. He was deeply committed to secularism and anti-imperialism. He was an ardent fighter for social change in a progressive direction.

AIBDPA PAYS RESPECTFUL HOMAGE TO THE GREAT HISTORIAN.

The District Conference of Ernakulam, Kerala was held today, the 30th August, 2014 at Mahakavi G Auditorium, Ernakulam in an enthusiastic atmosphere. Com. P. A. Kumaran, District President presided over the conference. Com. N. M. Abdul Kareem, District Secretary welcomed all the participants. Com. K. G. Jayaraj, General Secretary inaugurated the conference, explaining in details all the issues confronting the pensioners with particular reference to the 78.2% IDA merger. Com. Hassan Rauther, District Secretary, CGPA, Com. K. V. Premkumar, District Secretary, BSNLEU, Com. O. C. Joy, Convenor, NFPE and Com. N. Ramesan, Circle Secretary also addressed the conference.

Com. N.M. Abdul Kareem presented the biennial report and Com. N. P. Peter, Treasurer presented the audited accounts and were adopted after discussion. The resolutions on important issues moved by Com. K. Padmanabhan, Assistant Secretary were adopted.

In the unanimous election of office bearers, Com. P. A. Kumaran, Com. N.M. Abdul Kareem and Com. N. P. Peter were reelected as President, District Secretary and Treasurer, respectively

The conference came to an end with vote of thanks by Com. C. K. Gopinatathn, Asst. Secretary.

Shri. K. K. Jalan, Central Provident Fund Commission has stated that the government has notified enhancement of wage ceiling to Rs.15000 per month, fixed minimum monthly pension at Rs.1000 under EPS-95 and enhanced the maximum sum assured under the Employees’ Deposit Linked Insurance Scheme to Rs.3 lakh. Mr. Jalan said the notification regarding minimum pension, wage ceiling and EDLI Would be effected from September 1.

The decision to this effect was taken about an year ago by the UPA government but no orders were issued. The EPF pensioners waged several agitations including Massive Dharna at Jantar Mantar, New Delhi on 24-02-2014 to get the decisions implemented.      (source: The Hindu )

Com. P. Asokababu, CHQ Vice President, who reached New Delhi today, the 28th August, 2014 made it to the Department of Expenditure to pursue the issue of 78.2% IDA Merger. He met Shri. Vijay Kumar Singh, Director (Administration) and urged for early decision in the matter. The Director has stated that they have taken decision to seek cabinet approval for extending the benefit to those retired between 01-01-2007 and 09-06-2013 also because of the 60-40 issue. The DOT had already decided to seek cabinet approval for the pre 2007 retirees. Now, the Department  of Expenditure will send the file back to the DOT to prepare the cabinet note in this regard.