Com. V Subburaman, General Secretary, TEPU has passed away at Chennai on 08-11-2021. He was 76 and had to succumb to the draconian cancer. Com.V Subburaman was a pleasing and sincere leader who dedicated his entire life to the trade union movement. AIBDPA pays respectful homage to the departed leader and conveys heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family, colleagues and friends.

The Co-ordination Committee meeting of BSNLEU, AIBDPA & BSNLCCWF held on 26-10 2021 has decided to fight against the large scale sales of national assets at throw away prices to the corporates by the Modi government in the name of National Monetisation Pipeline. The meeting has therefore called upon its units to launch an extensive campaign against the sinister move of the government among the employees , workers and pensioners by holding demonstaration on 09-11-2021 and Circle and District level conventions, Signature campaign among employees, workers , pensioners and the people etc. So let us start with the Demonstartion at all levels with maximum participation on 09-11-2021.

.It is understood from the minutes of the meeting between AUAB leaders and BSNL Board of Directors on 27-10-2021, released by BSNL on 29-10-2021, that AUAB is agreeable for 0% fitment for wage revision to avoid stagnation.In this connection, queries are being raised by several pensioners about the impact in Pension Revision of BSNL absorbed pensioners.AIBDPA had taken a principled stand that Pension Revision should be from 01-01-2017 with 15% fitment delinking wage revision. And we firmly assert that there is absolutely no change in our stand. Of course AUAB also has the same stand.The liability of wage revision is to be borne by BSNL whereas the entire liability of payment of pensionary benefits to BSNL absorbed pensioners lies with the Central Government by virtue of Rule 37 A amendment of CCS ( Pension) Rules, 1972. BSNL has paid Pension Contribution to the government at the rate of maximum of the pay scales of each BSNL absorbed employee. Therefore, pension revision of BSNL absorbed pensioners is no way connected with wage revision of BSNL employees. Also pension revision has nothing to do with the affordability condition of 3rd PRC, particularly in the wake of annulment of 60:40 condition by the Central Government in 2016. AIBDPA will continue our efforts and struggles to achieve the just and reasonable demand of pension revision with 15% fitment from 01-01-2017, delinking wage revision. We also welcome other Pensioners’ organisations who agree with the above demand for a joint struggle.

.As you are aware, AIBDPA had filed a writ petition in the High Court of Kerala against freezing of IDA instalments of BSNL absorbed pensioners from 01-10-2020 to 30-06-2021. The Hon’ble High Court issued an Interim Order on the same date of filing the case. However, the Government/DoT didn’t care to implement the interim order. Therefore our Advocate was trying to get the final order. The pandemic situation forced the courts to only limited and online functioning . The sustained efforts of our Advocate by moving an urgent petition has succeeded and the case was taken up for arguments on today, the 2nd November,2021. Though our Advocate completed the arguments, the junior counsel appeared for DoT/ Government prayed for adjournment for two weeks to enable the senior counsel to appear and present the arguments, if any. So the Court has posted the case to 11th November,2021.

BSNL has issued the order for payment of IDA instalments of 01-10-2020, 01-01-2021 and 01-04-2021 which were frozen by the Modi government for a period from 01-10-2020 to 30-06-2021. BSNL Employees Union had filed a writ petition in the High Court of Kerala against the freezing of IDA instalments and got a favourable order. However , BSNL management was delaying its implementation on flimsy grounds. After much pressure exerted and struggle by BSNLEU has finally yielded the result. Hearty Congratulations to CHQ BSNLEU and all the beneficiaries.

AIBDPA had taken a clear stand that the freezing of IDA instalments is not applicable to BSNL absorbed pensioners and took up the issue with the Minister of Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises, DPE and DOT. When there was no positive action from the authorities, CHQ filed a writ petition in the Kerala High Court and the Hon’ble High Court was pleased to issue an interim order in our favour on the same day of filing the case. However, both the DPE and DOT have not cared to implement the order. So , we are continuing our efforts to get a definite and final order from the High Court.