Comrades,

The International Women’s Day 2026 is to be celebrated on March 8 befittingly. The Trade Union International (Pensioners & Retirees) of WFTU has also given a call to celebrate it. The official theme for 2026 International Women’s Day is “Rights, Justice, Action” for all women and girls focusing on dismantling barriers to equal rights and justice for women and girls worldwide. Apart from this theme, United Nations is also focusing on “Give to Gain” campaign highlighting the power of giving support, opportunities, knowledge and resources to advance women’s empowerment. All CHQ Office bearers and Circle Secretaries may please take initiative to observe the Day in a befitting manner. The Day can be observed jointly with other like minded organisations according to the local conditions.

R. Muraleedharan Nair, General Secretary

A state level convention and a meeting with political parties and central trade unions were held at Guwahati ,  BSNL MP HALL. CPI (M), CPI, CITU and AITUC were present in the meeting. They assured to extend all cooperation in repealing the Validation clause of CCS Pension Rules and inclusion of revision of pension in TOR of 8^th CPC. Other political parties could not attend due to election issue.

A State Level Convention was held at Kolkata on 23rd February at Krishna pada Ghosh Memorial Hall, Sealdah as per the call of FCPA, followed by NCCPA West Bengal. Central Govt, BSNL, Railway, Defence, Punjab National Bank and other Pensioners from Kolkata and nearby districts joined here. Com. Manab Sen Sharma of CCCGPA was presided over the meeting. Com. Puranjoy Lahiri NCCPA Convenor elaborated the demands in detail. Other speakers were Com. Nikhilesh Mitra Secretary FCGPO, Com. Dilip Saha SNPWA, Com. Dipankar Mukherjee of PNB, Com. Sisir Roy President AIBDPA Kolkata Telephone Circle, Com. Ashok Kanti Ghosh NCCPA National Leader, Com. Omprakash Singh President AIBDPA WB Circle. The last speaker was Com. Asis Das NCCPA Convenor and Circle Secretary AIBDPA WB. He informed the house about the attack of Central Govt. and our task in the coming days. Eminent Lawyer Com. Bikash Ranjan Bhattacharya was invited here but unable to join here due to ill health. It was an overcrowded house and a grand success.

As part of agitational program called by FCPA, a mammoth rally and Mass Dharna was organised at Thiruvananthapuram (Kerala), demanding repealing of Validation Act and modification of TOR of 8th CPC, on 19-02-2026. Com. VAN Namboothiri, Advisor, AIBDPA presided over the Mass DHARNA. Com. K.S.Sunil Kumar, State Secretary, CITU, inaugurated the program. Com. George Mathew (AITUC), Com. V. R.Prathapan (INTUC), also addressed. Com. T.N .Venkiteswaran Stare Convener, FCPA welcomed the gathering . Com. K.G.Jayaraj, Patron (AIBDPA ), Com. R. Muraleedharan Nair, General Secretary (AIBDPA), Com. Reghunathan Nair (Kerala State Service Pensioner’s Union), Com. N .Chandrasekhara Pillai (AIPRPA), Com. P. S. Ramankutty (AIBSNLP WA), Com. N.A.Abraham (SNPWA) ,Com. Syam Kumar (AIRBEPWA), Com.G.Hariharan Nair (DOTBPA), Com. M.Suresh (All Kerala Bank Retirees Forum), Com. Padmakumar (DRPU) and many other leaders representing various organisations addressed the Dharna. The agitation concluded with vote of thanks by Com. S.Asok Kumar, District Convener, FCPA, Thiruvananthapuram.

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2026 February 12th is a historical day in the history of modern India. Today reminds us that the journey from darkness to sunshine is not a herculean task.25 crore people working physically and intellectually struck work pushing the country to a standstill. This one day nationwide strike established that the future of INDIA is safe in the hands of workers and the peasants. We salute and congratulate all the participants of the great strike.

DOWN WITH CORPORATE MONOPOLIES AND THEIR SUPPORTERS!

WORKERS UNITY ZINDABAD!

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Comrades,

The struggle against the retrograde Act on Pension and the anti-pensioner Terms of Reference of 8 th CPC is attaining high voltage. As per available information, hectic preparations in almost all the states are complete to conduct the MASS DHARNA ON 13^th FEBRUARY 2026. Press conferences are conducted in certain states with full participation of media persons. Please take initiative and ensure that the press conference is conducted in all states. AIBDPA leaders are once again requested to ensure formation of FCPA COMMITTEES up to District level in all states. Circle Secretaries, District Secretaries and all functionaries of AIBDPA are once again requested to meet each and every pensioner, make them understand the dirty moves of the government and ensure their participation in the MASS DHARNA ON 13^th February 2026 at state capitals.

R.MURALEEDHARAN NAIR, GENERAL SECRETARY, AIBDPA

Dear Comrades,

Many of our Comrades including some Circle Secretaries are having no clarity on the IDA order and the payment. So I think it is necessary to give necessary clarification.

1.Dearness Relief to BSNL absorbed retirees are being paid in the form of IDA at every three months based on increase/ decrease in the consumer price index released by Labour Bureau of India.

2.The order for release of IDA is being issued by the Department of Public Enterprises (DPE). The order of DPE will cover only the Executives and Non-Unionised Supervisors of CPSEs. But Non- Executives and Pensioners are also being paid the IDA based on the same order.

3. Payment of IDA instalments to BSNL absorbed retirees is being paid by the Central Government through Department of Telecommunications. Therefore BSNL has no role in the payment of IDA instalments to BSNL absorbed retirees.

4. Some of our Comrades are having a wrong understanding that BSNL endorsement of DPE order with copy marked to pension disbursing authorities is necessary for payment from Banks and Post Offices. It is absolutely wrong.

5. There was a period during which payment of IDA instalments were indefinitely delayed due to unwarranted formalities/ procedures. After formation of AIBDPA ,we took up the issue with DoT and after continuous persuasion, DoT issued an order on 24-11-2010. Accordingly, the procedure has been made simple and once the order appears in the website of DPE , the respective pension disbursing authority can download it and make the payment.

Hope this will clear the confusion in this regard.

With warm greetings,

K G Jayaraj
General Secretary