The Circle Executive Committee meeting of Odisha was held at Cuttack. Com.P R Das, veteran leader and advisor presided . Com.A Dhupal, CHQ Vice President inaugurated and gave a detailed accounts of the current issues including pension revision and non-payment of medical bills and allowance. He appealed to make the Call Attention Day on 12-09-2019, demanding settlement of pension revision, a grand success .Com.S R Das, Circle Secretary, BSNLEU spoke on the financial crisis being faced by BSNL and the ensuing membership verification.

Com.A C Mohanty, Circle Secretary presented the work report and most of the district Secretaries and circle office bearers participated in the discussion.

30 new members were enrolled in the meeting and the CEC decided to strngthen the organisation by enrolling more members.

There have been large participation every where in the country in the Lunch Hour Demonstration on 21-08-2019, called by AUAB,  in protest against move to approve the proposal for reductin of retirement age from 60 to 58, by the BSNL Board meeting held on 21-08-2019. Though the decision was taken only on 20-08-2019 the workers responded spontaneously and made the programme a grand success.

AIBDPA units also joined in almost all places, though the call was issued late in the night of 20-08-2019 and CHQ congratulates all the comrades for  rising to the occasion.

Reduction of retirement age from 60 to 58 – hold protest lunch hour demonstrations throughout the country tomorrow the 21.08.2019.

The AUAB has learnt reliably that the BSNL Board of Directors meeting is going to be held tomorrow the 21.08.2019, in which they are going to give approval for reducing the retirement age of BSNL employees from 60 to 58. We have been hearing for the past few months, about the proposal of the government to reduce the retirement age from 60 to 58. This is totally against the commitment given by the Union Cabinet in the year 2000, that government rule will be applicable so far as the retirement of BSNL employees is concerned. In view of this, we have to strongly protest the move of the BSNL Board to reduce the retirement age from 60 to 58. Hence, the AUAB calls upon the entire Executives and Non-Executives of BSNL to hold lunch hour demonstrations tomorrow to protest against the proposed move of the BSNL Board to reduce the retirement age from 60 to 58.

( BSNLEU Website)

The 5th biennial Circle Conference of Karnataka has been held in an enthusiastic atmosphere at  Mothi Channabasamma Veerappa Kalyana Mantapa on 20-08-2019. The conference kickstarted with flag hoisting by veteral leader and former AGS, Com. G. G . Patil. The subject session started at 10AM was presided over by Com. R G Bhandari, Circle President. The biennial report on activities as well as audited accounts were presented by Com.Muddaiah, Circle Secretary and C G Annigeri,Treasurer, respectively. Most of the district Secretaries participated in the discussion that followed. The session was adjourned at 1130 for the Open Session. The formal inauguration of the conference was done by lighting of lamp by the leadres and Guests. Then Com.K G Jayaraj, General Secretary delivered the inaugural address. He explained the organisational position at the national level and it is a matter of proud that AIBDPA has grown as a powerful pensioners organisation. Regarding the burning issue of pension revision , the clairity and justification of our demand is appreciated by a large section of pensioners and is endorsed by all the serving unions and associations in BSNL( AUAB) on which AUAB has written two letters to the Secretary, DoT. CHQ has already taken up the issue of non payment of medical bills/ medical allowance putting the pensioners in to much hardship with the new CMD, BSNL, Shri. P.K  Purwar and the efforts will be continued for allotment of fund to clear the pending bills.

Com.C K Gundannna, Circle Secretary, BSNLEU delivered a spirited speech and assured all the cooperation from BSNLEU in settling the pensioners issues . He also explained the present precarious situation in BSNL due to the anti- PSU policy of the government. A host of leadres including Coms.G G Patil, H C Prakash, AGS, Muddaiah, Circle Secretary and from BSNL Shri.Padaki Srinivasa M(IFA, Davengere), Mohan..V (DGM), Dasar.M A (DGM) and Madivalar G F (AGM_Adm) addressed. Com.Earanna, on behalf of the hosting branch honoured the leaders and guests in traditional Karnataka style.

The resumed subject session completed the discussion with the remaining district Secretaries and Circle Office bearers and was summed up by the Circle Secretary, Com.Muddaiah. The report and accounts were duly adopted by the conference. Resolutions on important issues presented by Com. Tatapati were also adopted.

A 21 member new set of office bearers were elected unanimously with Com.Earanna (President), Muddaiah (Circle Secretary) and C G Annigeri (Treasurer

Davangere comrades under the able leadership of Com.Earanna, District Secretary made excellent arrangements for the success of the conference and was appreciated by all the participants.

The Circle Executive Committee Meeting prior to the 5th biennial Circle Conference has been held successfully on 19-08-2019 at Davangere. Com.R G Bhandari, Circle President presided over the meeting. On behalf of the hosting Distrct Branch , Com. Earanna , District Secretary, Davangere welcomed one and all. Com. Muddaiah, Circle Secretary and C. G Annegiri, Circle Treasurer presented the biennial report and audited accopunts, respectively. Com.K G Jayaraj, General Secretary spoke on the important issues of pension revision, medical bills/allowance and revival of BSNL. He also appealed to iimplement the Call Attention Day on 12-09-2019 , successfully , demanding pension revision. After discussion both report and the accounts were adopted. The circle conference is being he;ld on 20-09-2019.

CHQ is saddened to report the unexpected demise of Com.A R Patil, District President, Jalgaon on 18-08-2019. Com.A.R Patil was a sincere and influential leader who played a significant role along with Com.R N Patil  in building Jalgaon District Branch to its present strength. His contribution was more in the successful conduct of Central Executive Committee meeting at Jalgaon and was honoured in the CEC.

CHQ pays rich tribute to Com.A R Patil and conveys heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family members, colleagues and comrades.

VIEW THE CIRCULAR>AIBDPA circular

Com.Lakshmi Kanta Bhattacharjee, Vice President, CORTO has passed away on 12-08-2019. He was a militant organiser of struggles starting with the glorious strike of 1960, followed with 19th September, 1968 strike and 1974 strike. He joined Calcutta Telephones in February, 1960 and had no hesitation to join the strike of July ,1960 strike. He has held several positions in the organisation , initially with AITEU cl III and after promotion  active in  executives’ association. After retirement , he was with CORTO and AIBDPA.

AIBDPA pays respectful homage to the departed leader and conveys heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family, colleagues and comrades.