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Com.M.Krishnan (66), former Secretary General, NFPE and Confederation of Central Government Employees and Workers has passed away.He was admitted in the PRS Hospital, Thiruvananthapuram on 22-02-2021, having tested positive for Covid-19 . His condition became critical on 28-02-2021 and was shifted to the Medical College hospital very late in the night; could not be saved. He breathed his last at early morning on 01-03-2021.Com. M.Krishnan was a great leader, orator and held several positions in the trade union movement. He belonged to Kasaragode in Kerala and started his union activities as Divisional Secretary, P 3 union of NFPTE and became the Convener, Local Co-Ordination Committee of P& T Unions. He rose to lime light very soon with his capabilities in leading the organisation in many struggles and oratory skills.Then he was elected as Circle Secretary of P3 and Convenor, Kerala Circle Co ordination Committee. Finally elevated to the post of General Secretary, P3 and Secretary General NFPE. He also took up the responsibility of Secretary General of Confederation and led several struggles during this period. His contributions to the Pensioners movement are also noteworthy.The unexpected and shocking passing away of Com.M.Krishnan is a great loss to the entire Trade Union and progressive movement in the country. AIBDPA dips it’s banner in respect of the departed beloved leader, Com.Krishnan and conveys heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family and Comrades.Red Salute Comrade M.Krishnan.!

The CEC decision to launch a two phased agitational programme demanding pension revision, clearance of medical benefits, settlement of the issues of VRS retirees, restoration of freezed DR to DoT pensioners and release of two IDA installments to BSNL pensioners has been responded positively. The first phase of Call Attention Day on 26-02-2021 has been held by sending emails to the Minister of Communications, Secretary, DoT and CMD, BSNL by all the units and most of the units also conducted demonstrations. CHQ heartily congratulate all the comrades who have made it a historic success.

Some of the photos received are appended below.

GADAG, KARNATAKA

TIRUVATHIPURAM, TAMIL NADU

BANKURA, WEST BENGAL

KOLLAM, KERALA

PALAKKAD, KERALA

ALTTC, GHAZIABAD

PANIPAT, HARYANA

AHMADNAGAR, MAHARASHTRA

VILLUPURAM, TAMIL NADU

Rohtak District branch in Haryana Circle was defunct for some time due to the prolonged illness of the incumbent District Secretary. A meeting of the district branch held on the initiative of Com.Kuldeep Singh, Circle Secretary on 24th February, 2021 has reconstituted the District Branch.

Com.K S Hooda presided over the meeting. Coms.M S Kadian, Crcle Patron and Kuldeep Singh, Circle Secretary addressed the meeting and gave a good accounts of the recent developments and the agitational programme dmanding settlement of important issues, including pension revision, early payment of medical benefits, issues of VRS retirees.

A new team of office bearers were elected unanimously for effective functioning of the branch.

President : Com. K S Hooda, District Secretary : Com.Sushil Kumar Punia and Treasurer : Com. Com.Ramkishan

DENIAL OF IDA INSTALLMENTS TO BSNL PENSIONERS-

KERALA HIGH COURT ISSUES INTERIM ORDER ON WRIT PETITION FILED BY AIBDPA .

Dear Comrades,

As you are aware, AIBDPA is the only organization intervened on the DPE OM dated 19-11-2020 freezing three installments of IDA due from 01-10-2020-01-01-2021 and 01-04-2021 to the employees of CPSEs. We took up the issue with the hon’ble Minister of Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises, writing a detailed letter on 22-11-2020 stating that the DPE OM is not applicable to BSNL pensioners as it is specifically mentioned in the OM that the freezing is applicable to Executives and Non-Unionised Supervisors. We again wrote to the Minister when the Assistant Solicitor General deposed before the High Court of Kerala  in a case filed by FACT Employees Association, that the OM is applicable only to the Executives and Non-Unionised Supervisors.  DPE itself issued a clarificatory order dated 08-01-2021 based on the Kerala High Court order, stating that the freezing of IDA is applicable only to the Executives and Non-Unionised Supervisors of the CPSEs and it is not applicable to other employees including workmen.

AIBDPA wrote another letter on 09-01-2021 to the Minister quoting the DPE OM dated 08-01-2021 and demanding to cause necessary action for issuing formal orders for the payment of two installments of IDA due from 01-10-2020(5.5%) and 0-1-01-2021 (6.1%) to BSNL pensioners. DPE responded to this letter and forwarded our letter to DoT, being the administrative Department,for necessary action on 04-02-2021 with copy to AIBDPA. CHQ , then wrote to Secretary, DoT attaching the letter of DPE and demanded early action to issue necessary directives to the banks and post offices for disbursement of the two IDA installments to BSNL pensioners.

But having no positive response or action either from DPE or DoT, CHQ filed a writ petition in the High Court of Kerala on 26-02 2021 through Advocate V V Suresh. The Hon’ble High Court accepted the case and issued an interim order directing the respondents not to deny the IDA installments to BSNL pensioners. The counsel appearing for the government asked time for the counter affidavit/ reply and our advocate argued strongly that the stand of the government has already been stated by the Assistant Solicitor General in similar cases of this court to the effect that freezing is applicable only to Executives and Non-Unionised Supervisors and no time is necessary. However, the High Court allowed time and also issued an interim order in our favour on today itself. Details will be intimated after receipt of the certified copy of the judgment.  It is significant to get an interim Order on the same date of admission of the case.

YES, COMRADES; WE ARE ALMOST TO THE ACHEIVEMENT.

With warm greetings,

K G Jayaraj

General Secretary

The first phase of agitation on important issues, the Call Attention Day , falls on 26-02-2020. It has to be observed by all the units of AIBDPA by holding demonstration and sending emails to the Minister of Communications, Secretary, DoT and CMD, BSNL. In case of any difficulty to conduct demonstration due to acute Covid-19 situation and lockdown in certain places, they may skip the demonstration but send the emails without fail. Report and photos may also be sent to CHQ for posting in our website.