Organise National Pensioners Day on   17^th December.

 It was on 17^th December 1982 that the historic judgment on pension was delivered by the Five Member Bench of Supreme Court, consisting of Chief Justice Y.V.Chandrachud, Justice V.D.Tulzapurkar, Justice D.A.Desai, Justice O.Chinnappa Reddy and Justice Baharul Islam,which  is called  as the ‘Magna Carta’ of the  Pensioners. The judgment was delivered in the case filed by ShriD.S.Nakara, a civil servant, who retired as Financial Advisor in Defense Ministry.

Shri. D S Nakera was compelled to approach the court, as the liberal Pension System, comparatively beneficial to the pensioners,  implemented in 1979 was limited to those retired after 31-03-1979.

The judgment clearly stated that “the pensioners for  receiving Pension form a class and there is no criterion on which  classification of pensioners retiring prior to specified date and retiring subsequent to that date can provide a rational principle co-related to the object viz. object underlying payment of pensions…”

It also pointed out “(i) that Pension is neither a bounty nor a matter of grace depending upon the sweet will of the employer and that it creates a vested right subject to 1972 Rules which are statutory in character, because they are enacted in exercise of powers conferred by the Provisio to Art. 309 and Clause (5) of Art. 148 of the Constitution; (ii) that Pension is not an ex-gratia payment, but it is a payment for the past service rendered; and (iii) that it is a social welfare measure rendering socio-economic justice to those who in the heyday of their life ceaselessly toiled for the employer on an assurance that in their old age, they would not be left in lurch…”

It also mentioned that “…A Pension Scheme consistent with available resources must provide that the pensioner would be able to live (i) free from want and with decency, independence and self-respect (ii) at a standard equivalent at the pre-retirement level..”

A good number such forceful statements are part of the judgment. But despite the judgment, the central government has not yet done justice to the pensioners, including non-implementation of the one-rank-one pension, in its true spirit, for the Ex- Servicemen of the Armed Forces despite sustained struggle by them. Option 1, which would have ensured parity in pension to a certain extent, recommended by the VII CPC was also rejected by the Government on flimsy grounds.

When we observe the National Pensioners Day this time, the pensioners are subjected to new form of attacks. The Government under the cover of Covid-19 pandemic is curtailing the existing benefits of the pensioners. Pension Revision to BSNL pensioners due from 01-01-2017 is being denied without any justice. The increased D.R installments for 18 months from 1^st January 2020 for central pensioners are frozen. Increased IDA from 01-10-2020 is not paid to BSNL retirees. BSNL pensioners are also being harassed by denying their medical benefits.

AIBDPA calls upon all its units to observe Pensioners Day on 17^th December suitably, jointly with other pensioners’ organizations, as far as possible according to local conditions, high lighting the judgment as also focusing on the present day demands of the pensioners.

11^th December 2020 is the 66^th death anniversary of Comrade K.G.Bose, the great inspiration of the entire P and T workers and Central government employees. Com. K.G. entered the P and T Department in 1942 and within no time became very active in union activities. He, along with Dada Ghosh, founder General Secretary of NFPTE, led the successful Postal Strike of July 1946 in Bengal. He, along with other progressive leaders took initiative in the formation of Union of P and T Workers (UPTW) and later that of National Federation of P and T Employees (NFPTE) in 1954.

Com. K.G.Bose was arrested, jailed and dismissed from service in connection with the proposed strike of 1949 and was never reinstated. But he continued his service to the union. He was elected as the President of NFPTE in 1970 at the Vijayawada Federal Council to re-elected  next year at Calcutta Federal Council. Already he has been elected as the Circle Secretary of Postal Employees Union Class III  and Telecom Employees Union Class III of W.Bengal. Also elected as the All India President of the Postal Employees Union Class III. He was a charismatic leader with massive popularity. He encouraged young workers to take more interest in union activities.

He was elected to the W.Bengal Assembly as also appointed as a Member of the Pay Commission for the state government employees.

Continued tour and hectic activities resulted in deterioration of his health. He was found to be affected by Cancer and was sent to London for expert medical treatment. But he could not be saved. Com.K.G.Bose passed away on 11^th December 1974 leaving his family, friends and comrades in deep grief. He was only 54.

AIBDPA pays its respectful homage to the revolutionary leader Com.K.G.Bose!

Circle Executive Committee meeting of Telangana has been held at BSNL Bhawan, Hyderabad on 05-12-2020. Com. Veeraswami, Circle President controlled the proceedings. Com. Ramachandradu, Circle Secretary welcomed and presented the report.

Com. D Shankar, CHQ Vice President addressed the meeting and explained the issues of pensioners. BSNL management has now allotted funds to clear the medical bills, both indoor and outdoor, up to 31-03-2019. The struggles conducted and the continuous efforts of AIBDPA has finally yielded the result. But the success is partial, as medical allowance or without voucher is not being paid and also the payment after 31-03-2019 has to be acheived. So also pension revision.

Com. G. Sambasiva Rao, Asst Circle Secretary, BSNLEU also addressed and gave a gist of the situation prevailing in BSNL and the nefarious game of the central government to kill BSNL. Thereafter, the District Secretaries and most of the Circle Office Bearers participated in the discussion.

The CEC decided to strengthen AIBDPA and reconstitute Adilabad Branch.

HEARTY CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL THE PARTICIPANTS.

CHQ gave the call only on 2nd December for Solidarity Dharna/ Demonstration preferably on 4th December in support of the agitating farmers. In many places, our comrades had participated in the Solidarity programmes called by BSNLEU, CITU, Farmers Co-ordination Committee etc.

In Tamil Nadu and Kerala there was heavy rain and threat of Buravi cyclone. In Kerala nowadays the Corona Virus infection is increasing and restrictions are strictly imposed against gatherings. In spite of all these odds, our Comrades have shown their committment to the cause of the farmers. In most of the districts of Kerala, our comrades staged Dharna at their homes with family members.

Some of the photos received are published hereunder;

MAKE THE SOLIDARITY DHARNA/ DEMONSTRATION ON 04-12-2020 A GRAND SUCCESS.

POSTER BY COM.K.V.BALAKRISHNAN.

BSNL corporate Office had asked the circles to intimate the requiremnt of funds to clear the pending medical claims of retirees.

Kerala Circle has promptly sent the required details and allotment of fund is received for clearing the pending medical reimbursement bills, both indoor and outdoor, upto 31-03-2019.

However, no fund is allotted for payment of medical allowance. There are certain SSAs in circles like Maharashtra where not a sigle installment of medical allowance is paid after medical allowance was restored. We strongly protest against this discrimnation to those who opted the allowance.

Circle Secretaries are requested to contact their respective circle office and ascertain the poition and intimate CHQ for further action in the matter.

ORGANISE SOLIDARITY DHARNA / DEMONSTRATION

Dear Comrades,

The farmers in the country are in a do or die battle against the anti-farmer policy of Modi government. They are compelled to March to the National Capital against the three agrarian acts, adopted by the Parliament in a most undemocratic manner. Modi goverment is repeating the rhetoric that the these bills are intended to benefit the farmers as claimed in the cases of monetisation, GST and change in the base year of CPI. Modi government mercilessly rejected the demand of the farmers for Minimum Support Price for their products. The farmers are fully convinced of the dangerous impacts of the provisions of these new acts; The Multi national Corporations are given freedom to dictate terms of farming, purchase, processing,storage and marketing. They naturally apprehend that in effect it will finish freedom to do farming, will increase input burden, debts, losses, farm suicides and displcement of land.

As far as the people are concerned, they will have to suffer due to the hoarding, black marketing and increased price of food products and a freedom for the corporates to exploit the maximum. As you are aware repeal of farm laws was one of the main demands of the Cetral Trade Unions for the 26th November Strike.

The farmers struggle is being spearheaded by the All India Kisan Sangarsh Co-ordination Committee in which several organisations, irrespective of political affiliation are included. Modi government tried its level best to crush the struggle by preventing them from entering Delhi. Police and Army were deployed and barricades, concrete blocks, trucks, water cannons, teargas shells were used against the farmers. They braved all these repressions and stand determined. Finally, the government had to relent and called them for negoitiation but with condition that the farmers should move to a maidan. It was rejected by the struggling farmers and the discussion held with the government on 01-12-2020 failed as the government took an adament stand. The only offer from the government was that they will appoint a committee to examine the issue which was rejected by the farmers forum.

Meanwhile more and more farmers are coming to Delhi from various states and the five highways to Delhi are almost blocked by the farmers. So the government seems to be in a sticky wicket and has called for another discussion on 03-12-2020.

This is one of the biggest struggles, the country has witnessed and gaining huge support from almost all section of the society. Comrades, the farmers are the backbone of the country and they are feeding the entire people. So we cannot reamain a silent spectator to this great struggle.

AIBDPA calls upon all its units to organise Solidarity Dharna/ Demonstration with maximum participation, preferrably on 04-12-2020 according to local conditions and adhering to Covid-19 protocol.