COM.V.A.N.NAMBOODIRI,ADVISOR,AIBDPA HAS MET SHRI.M.F.FAROOQUI,SECRETARY,DOT ON 22ND APRIL,2014 AND EXPRESSED STRONG PROTEST ON THE UNDUE DELAY IN ISSUING THE ORDERS FOR EXTENDING THE BENEFITS OF 78.2% IDA MERGER TO BOTH PRE AND POST 2007 BSNL PENSIONERS.HE ALSO DREW THE ATTENTION OF THE SECRETARY THAT THE CLARIFICATIONS SOUGHT BY THE DEPARTMENT OF EXPENDITURE HAS NOT YET BEEN GIVEN BY THE DOT EVEN AFTER ONE MONTH.THE SECRETARY STATED THAT HE IS ALWAYS SYMPATHETIC TO THE ISSUES OF PENSIONERS AND IMMEDIATELY SPOKE TO THE MEMBER (FINANCE) , WHERE THE FILE IS PENDING, TO DO THE NEEDFUL URGENTLY.

THEREAFTER COM.NAMBOODIRI ALSO MET MS.ANNIE MOREAS,MEMBER(FINANCE),DOT  WHO TOO ASSURED EARLY ACTION ON THE ISSUE.

    Nobel Laureate Gabriel Gracia Marques has passed away at the age of 87 at his home in Mexicocity,Columbia on 17th April,2014.His great contribution to the world literature will be remembered for ever.

In a landmark judgement the supreme court has upheld the order of the Delhi high court that the CAG can audit the accounts of the telecom companies that share natural resources such as spectrum with the government.

A bench of Justice K.S.Radhakrishnan and Vikramjit Sen,dismissing an appeal filed by the Association of Unified Telecom Services Providers,has stated that CAG has the powers to conduct revenue audit of all accounts drawn by the Unified Service Agreement licensees and the accounts of the licensee, in relation to the revenue receipts,can be said to the accounts of the Central government and thus subject to revenue audit.

Despite our continuous efforts the reply to the clarifications sought by the Department of Expenditure is not yet finalized and the file is still pending with the DOT Finance. This information is given by the Director (Esst),  DOT,Shri.Prachish Khanna  to Com.K.G.Jayaraj, General Secretary on today, the 17th April,2014.

The buerocracy, and the government as well ,it seems , are determined to prolong the issue unnecessarily until the new government is sworn in at the center. This is most deplorable and clear example of apathy of the government towards the pensioners issues. 

Com.V.A.N.Namboodiri,Convenor,Forum of BSNL Unions and Advisor,AIBDPA has given a detailed letter to the Secretary,DOT  regarding extension of benefits of 78.2% IDA merger to the BSNL pensioners.The Secretary, however could not discuss the issue with Com.V.A.N.Namboodiri as he was very busy with some urgent matters.

Therefore Com.Namboodiri met Shri.Umashankar,Joint Secretary as advised by the Secretary and discussed the issue.Com.Namboodiri pointed out that much delay is being caused to send the clarifications sought by the Department of Expenditure.The Joint Secretary was sympathetic and assured early action. 

A well organized family get together was held at Chalakudy in Thrissur District on 06-04-2014.The function was presided over by Com.M.R.Chandran, District President and was inaugurated by Com.P.V.Chandrasekharan,All India Patron and Circle President.Com.S.K.Gopalan,Circle Organising Secretary,Com.P.M.Gopalakrishnan,District Secretary,Com.Venu Mullappally,Area Secretary,Chalakudy and Com.Rajalakshmi,Circle Womens Committee Member,BSNLEU addressed.