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COUNTRYWIDE PROTEST STANDING DHARNA ON 19-08-2020 AGAINST NON-PAYMENT OF MEDICAL BILLS & ALLOWANCES.

 

BSNL pensioners are suffering a lot due to non-payment of medical bills, both indoor & outdoor and medical allowance since 2018-19. CHQ has taken up the issue with the BSNL management several times, we wrote to the Hon’ble Minister for Communications and Hon’ble Prime Minister but of no avail. Meanwhile the BSNL management made payment of medical bills upto September, 2019 to the employees along with the June, 2020 salary. This is the first time that retirees are completely neglected and rather discriminated. In the past, the retirees were given priority in medical bill payments. We deserve to be treated at par , the least. This development has naturally created much anger and anguish among the pensioners. On 30-07-2020, Com.V A N Namboodiri, Advisor has brought the issue to the notice of the CMD, BSNL over telephone. But the CMD was not prepared to give any concrete assurance. So Comrades, we have no other alternative other than an agitation against this gross injustice and discrimination.

We are quite aware that the situation in the country is not conducive for conducting an agitation, particularly by the elders. Unfortunately, we are compelled and pushed to the streets by the BSNL management.

The Protest Action should be from 1100 to 1200 on 19-08-2020 by standing with placards before the BSNL offices by all our units. The programme should be held strictly to the Covid-19 protocol, keeping social distance and wearing masks. The participation be limited to 5 to 7 comrades in each centre. Only nearby comrades be organized and those staying far away should not be disturbed. Exemption may be given to areas where prohibitory orders are in force, triple lockdown declared etc. Detailed report and photos be sent to CHQ.

Sanction of Provisional Family Pension immediately after sudden demise of Government servant

The DoPPW order providing Relaxation of Rule for payment of Family Pension is really big relief for families of deceased Govt Servants. Head of Office may now sanction family pension on provisional basis immediately to provide financial relief to the family after sudden demise of Government servant

 

No. 1/11/2020-P&PW (E)
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, P.G. & Pensions
Department of Pension & Pensioners’ Welfare

3rd Floor, Lok Nayak Bhawan,
Khan Market, New Delhi,
Dated 29th July, 2020

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Relaxation of Rule 80-A for payment of provisional Family Pension on death of a Government Servant during service.

The undersigned is directed to say that in accordance with Rule 80-A of the CCS (Pension) Rules 1972, on death of a Government servant during service, Head of Office shall sanction and draw provisional family pension and death gratuity in favour of claimant or claimants, after the family pension case, including Form 18 and other documents referred to in Rule 80, has been forwarded by the Head of Office to the Pay & Accounts Office. It has been brought to the notice of this Department that the process of forwarding the family pension case to Pay & Accounts Office along with requisite documents itself takes a long time. It is also understood that, in a large number of cases, provisional family pension and gratuity are not being sanctioned on death of a Government servant. The delay in finalization of family pension and gratuity results in hardship to the family of the deceased Government servant.

Family pension is payable to the family of deceased Government servant irrespective of the length of service of the Government servant before his death

2.The matter has been examined in this Department. In accordance with Rule 54 (2) (ii) of the CCS (Pension) Rules, on death of Government servant during service, the family of a deceased Government Servant becomes entitled to family pension even in cases where a government servant dies before completion of one year of continuous service, provided the deceased government servant concerned, immediately prior to his/ her appointment to the service or post, was examined by appropriate medical authority and declared fit by that authority. Thus family pension is payable to the family of deceased Government servant irrespective of the length of service of the Government servant before his death. Therefore,verification of the entire service is not relevant for determining the amount of family pension.The amount of death gratuity, however, depends on the length of qualifying service of the deceased Government servant. Any Government dues in respect of the deceased Government servant are also required to be recovered from the amount of death gratuity.

Head of Office shall sanction provisional family pension immediately after death of Govt Servant

3.Keeping in view the position mentioned in para 2 above and in order to avoid any hardship to the family of the deceased Government servant, it has been decided to relax the provisions of rule 80-A of the CCS (Pension) Rules, 1972 to the extent that if a claim for family pension in Form 14 along with death certificate and bank account details of the claimant has been received and the Head of Office is satisfied about the bonafide of that claim, he shall sanction provisional family pension immediately. The Head of Office shall not wait for forwarding of the family pension case (including Form-14, Form-18 and other relevant documents mentioned in Rule 80) to Pay & Accounts Office before sanctioning the provisional family pension.

Family Pension under Rule 54 of CCS Pension Rules 1972

The amount of provisional family pension shall not exceed the maximum family pension as admissible under Rule 54 of CCS Pension Rules, 1972.

 

In Central Armed Police Forces related cases, where death of an employee occurs, initially provisional family pension may be sanctioned without waiting for the final Operation Casualty Report.

The Pay & Accounts Office shall release the provisional family pension on the basis of sanction order issued by the Head of Office without insisting for any other documents including service book. The provisional family pension shall be paid in the same manner as Pay and Allowances of the establishment are paid.

A format for sanctioning the provisional family pension by the Head of Department is enclosed.

No change in the Procedure for Death Gratuity

There will be no change in regard to the provisions for sanction of provisional gratuity under Rule 80-A. Action for sanction of death gratuity under rule 80-A may be taken by the Head of Office after forwarding Form-18 and other relevant documents to Pay & Accounts Office. In case the amount of provisional family pension is later found to be in excess of the final family pension, the same may be adjusted from the amount of death gratuity, failing which, it may be recovered in instalments from the family pension payable in future.

The payment of provisional family pension sanctioned as per Para 3 above may initially continue for a period of six months from the date, following the date of death of employee. The period of such provisional family pension sanctioned may be further extended, for not more than six months at a time, on the advice of Pay & Accounts Office and with the approval of Head of Department (HOD).

Recording in PPO regarding Provisional Family Pension

The provisional family pension may continue to be paid for two months succeeding the month in which the Pension Payment Order for final family pension is issued by the Pay & Accounts Office, keeping in view the time likely to be taken by Central Pension Accounting Office (CPAO) and Central Pension Processing Centre (CPPC) for processing the case. While authorizing final family pension after receipt of complete family pension case, the Pay & Account office shall indicate the date from which the family pension authorized in the Pension Payment Order is to be paid by the Pension Disbursing Authority. Accordingly, the Office of Pay & Account may record a note in the Pension Payment Order, as mentioned below, while authorizing the final family pension:

“Provisional family pension has been/shall be paid for the period from ——- to ——— @ Rs.————– plus Dearness Relief. The payment of final family pension may be commenced by the bank w.e.f. ————.”

The Administrative Divisions of all Ministries/Department and attached/ subordinate offices are requested to bring these instructions to the notice of all concerned for compliance.

The issues with the approval of Competent Authority

(Sanjoy Shankar)
Under Secretary to the Government of India

Payment of ex gratia, pension and other retirement benefits to 199 VRS retirees in Maharashtra.

Com.V.A.N.Namboodiri, Advisor, AIBDPA spoke to Shri P.K.Purwar, CMD BSNL  on 30-07-2020 and brought to his notice about non-payment of ex-gratia, pension and retirement benefits to 199 VRS retirees in Maharashtra despite the fact that they have retired six months back and requested for early payment. CMD stated there were about 300 similar cases and the retires were required to get confirmation of caste from the state govt of Maharashtra through online application in its website. Accordingly about 100 cases have been settled and assured that  other cases  also could be settled  similarly.

Medical reimbursement and medical allowance for BSNL pensioners.

Com.V.A.N.Namboodiri, Advisor, AIBDPA, spoke to Shri P.K.Purwar, CMD BSNL, today regarding the hardships of the BSNL pensioners due to non-payment of medical reimbursement and medical allowance and requested that the same be paid early. CMD stated that BSNL is still facing financial problems, but has decided that employees will be paid the medical reimbursement etc. now and within one – two months retirees will also be paid. Com.Namboodiri requested that payment be made as early as possible.

COM.S R SWARGIARY, FOUNDER DISTRICT SECRETARY, GUWAHATI PASSED AWAY- Com. M R Das, AGS has reported that Com. S R Swargiary, founder District Secretary and presently District Treasurer has breathed his last on 27-07-2020. He was a very sincere and committed leader and held several positions during his service , including Secretary, P&T Local Co-ordination Committee, Guwahati. CHQ pays respectful homage to Com.Swargiary and conveys heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family and comrades.

MAHARASHTRA SURGES AHEAD- TWO MORE DISTRICT BRANCES FORMED.

In Maharashtra two more district brances have been formed in Solapur and Nanded.

In Solapur, the meeting of retirees, including VRS retirees was held on 13-07-2020 and the District Branch formed with the folowing important functionaries;

Com. Y D Sangitrao (President) , Com. S V Dussal (District Secretary) and Com. A K Koli (Treasurer).

The meeting of pensioners was held at Nanded on 25-07-2020 under the presidenship of Com. V D Nilawad. The meeting elected the office bearers unanimously with;

Com. V D Nilawad (President), Com. B N Totod (District Secretary) and M R Rayalwad (Treasurer)

WITHDRAW THE THE PROPOSED DANGEROUS AMENDMENTS TO THE ENVIRONMENT RULES- NCCPA CIRCULAR

NATIONAL CO-ORDINATION COMMITTEE

OF PENSIONERS  ASSOCIATIONS.

13-C Feroze Shah Road, New Delhi. 110 001.

Website: nccpahq.blogspot.in.

E mail: nccpahq@gmail.com.

PRESIDENT:       COM.SHIV GOPAL MISHRA.(97176 47594)

SECY. GENERAL:          COM.K.K.N.KUTTY. (98110 483030)

26th July, 2020.

Environment and People are dispensable at the whims of International Corporates!

Indian People and Environment is dispensable to the economic interests of International Corporates!
 
The proposed amendment to Environment Rules by Central Government is dangerous to us! The lives and environment is more precious than the unquestioned entry of FDI!
 
Let us voice our opinion to the Government to stop the intended Act in Parliament!
All our Affiliates and Individuals are requested to send the following email to the Secretary of Forest  and Climate Change, Government of India in the Email ID: secy-moef@nic.in
TEXT OF EMAIL
To
The Secretary,
Forest and Climate Change,
Union Government of India,
New Delhi.
Respected Sir,
The Central Ministry has proposed a change in existing Environment Impact Assessment processes (EIA Notification, 2006) through a draft EIA Notification, 2020. The proposed notification will destroy the process of environmental protection and affecting the environment irreversibly, also making it easier for the corporates to get environmental clearances for their projects. Hence, We the people oppose the draft Environment Impact Assessment Notification, 2020, and request you to withdraw the same.
Amidst the pandemic situation, it is improper to take decisions that will have an irreversible impact on the environment. However, the Union Ministry is keen on making changes in Environment rules and granting clearances. It is evident from the fact that over 30 projects, located in some of India’s most biodiverse forests have been urgently cleared or taken up for clearance in online meetings during the lockdown (April 23). Site inspections are a crucial component of project evaluation and are difficult during a pandemic. Ministry appears to be relying only on digital documents uploaded by the project developers. Even more surprisingly these projects have been cleared at a time when Covid-19 has revealed dramatically how seriously the loss of forest land and biodiversity can increase zoonotic diseases.
Environmentalists also have raised their voice and wrote to Environment Minister regarding how forest and environment clearances were being granted across India during the lockdown. On that note, shockingly, the Ministry has put out a draft notification for public comments amidst global economic and public health emergency when there is restricted public movement.
Major Issues:
• The new amendment poses a serious threat to the environment and there are some areas of concern like granting post-facto clearances to Industries and leaving aside them with Fine alone in case of any violations. For several projects, the whole process of EIA is made simpler and fails to meet the standards of basic environmental protections. However, in an order on April 1, the Supreme Court held that “ex post facto environmental clearances” are contrary to law. It said: “Environment law cannot countenance the notion of an ex post facto clearance. This would be contrary to both the precautionary principle as well as the need for sustainable development”.
• A public hearing has been exempted to many industries (those producing acids, paints, fertilizers, pesticides, etc.) located in Notified Industrial Zone, this will create serious problems in areas that depend entirely on ground and river water for agricultural usage. Public consultation has also been exempted from a list of linear projects. Projects such as roads and pipelines in border areas will not require any public hearing. The ‘border area’ is defined as “area falling within 100 kilometers aerial distance from the Line of Actual Control with bordering countries of India.” That would cover much of the Northeast, the region with the country’s richest biodiversity. Exemption from public hearing goes against International environmental law and agreements.
• Increased validity of the environment clearance for mining projects and river valley projects from 30 years currently to 50 years and, 10 years currently to 15 years respectively, thus increasing the risk of irreversible environmental, social, and health consequences on account of the project remaining unnoticed for long.
• Through the draft, it is enough for the industries to provide an annual environmental compliance report rather than half-yearly reports. Past experiences show that industries have continued to provide data that are false and inaccurate. Seeking an annual report provides an opportunity for the industries to further underestimate any socio-environmental issues arising in their projects.
• The Public consultation process is diluted. The period for the public to submit their views and responses during a public hearing for any application seeking Environment clearance has been reduced from 30 days to 20 days. It is aimed at denying the proper opportunity to record the objections of the people of the region.
The various provisions of the draft are aimed at facilitating the government’s doctrine of “ease of doing business”. Hence, we would like to reiterate that it is our generation that will be a victim of the devastating effects of these twisted and diluted laws like the new EIA draft. In this age of high pollution levels in our cities, we need to strengthen the EIA 2006 instead of allowing amendments that will dilute the rules and encourage environmental violations.
The current draft lacks understanding of the adverse effects of activities like disturbances in eco-sensitive zones, extensive minings. The notification was released on 23rd March 2020, surprisingly right before the day of nationwide lockdown. There has been no wide publicity given to the same except being uploaded on the website. The Covid-19 pandemic has been a time to stay safe and protect oneself. Hence, the government must understand it is not the right time to make amendments in EIA Notification for its aspiration of doing business. We sincerely hope that the Environment Ministry will encourage informed public participation as committed through Principle 10 of the Rio Declaration and the principle of Natural Justice. The EIA can be used to bring India out of the Covid-19 pandemic as an environmentally aware country through a green recovery that strengthens the role of environmental and social protection of all people and nature instead of justifying the present forms of harmful development.
So, we request you to kindly withdraw the Draft EIA Notification – 2020, right now.
Thanking you,
Signature:
 
Name:
 
Organisation:
 
District/ State: 
ALL AIBDPA UNITS ARE REQUESTED TO SEND THE EMAIL URGENTLY AND REPORT BE SENT TO CHQ.

PETITION TO THE HON’BLE PRESIDENT OF INDIA BY THE CENTRAL TRADE UNIONS.

24th July, 2020
Shri Ram Nath Kovind
Hon’ble President of India,
Rashtrapati Bhawan,
President’s Estate, New Delhi,
Delhi 110004
Respected Sir,
We hopefully place on record the following few facts which are agitating the toiling people of the country.
1. The sudden, unplanned national lockdown imposed by the Government of India and its administration, statedly on account of COVID – 19 pandemic, catastrophically affected the working people, the migrant workers amongst them being the worst hit. That they simply had no life support became clear as the days passed. Even the “advisories” issued belatedly by the Ministry of Labour, the Ministry of Home Affairs did not help, in fact they were withdrawn by the government without being implemented.
2. The health system was exposed to be woefully inadequate-the private hospitals either simply refused to cap the rates, as appealed by the government, for treatment of Covid patients, stating they were uneconomical or simply closed doors. The ventilators, PPEs, sanitizer required were in extreme short supply. Only the public health system-the public hospitals, their doctors, their staff, the health scheme workers(ASHA Workers), anganwadi workers, the municipal sanitation workers worked tirelessly, risking their own lives including being affected and even lost lives and won everyone’s admiration and gratitude. It were the Ordnance Factory workers who swung into action to produce the much needed ventilators and PPEs. The much touted private enterprise failed completely.
3. Then the attention turned towards putting the wheels of the economy back on rails. The steps taken in this regard by the government defy all logic and the past experience as well as the advice of renowned Indian economists. The economy was already in recession from prior to the onset of the pandemic and was due to majority of Indian people lacking even the minimum purchasing power. It was necessary to put money in their hands. The sudden lockdown compounded the problem.
Yet what is being done? The increase in DA of government employees and DR of pensioners is withheld, Labour laws, including many of Hon’ble Supreme Court’s judgments on Equal Pay for Equor 1000 or more days through executive orders/Ordinances in many states, (The ILO had to remind the government of its commitment to various ILO Conventions), a slew of public sector enterprises were opened for privatisation, 100% FDI, ranging from blue chip companies such as the BPCL, LIC, Coal India, Electricity Sector, Ordnance Factories, the Railways, train routes as well as their manufacturing/repair workshops, airports, all during the continuing lockdown. Migrant Workers were al Work, are flouted mostly, with inspection being curtailed in the name of “ease of doing business”. Now even the Labour Laws, in whatever form they exist, were sought to be suspended factually sought to be prevented from going back to their villages by vested interests in the private sector. Their helpless crowding of stations was treated as law and order issue! The Hon’ble Supreme Court had to intervene to direct the government to handle the issue humanely and with top priority. Agriculture is pushed to corporatization through Ordinances. The Rs.20 lac crore package announced is once again Supply-side move rather than the necessary Demand-side push. Repeated Demands by the entire trade union movement for direct income-support and adequate food-support to all poor and non-income-tax-paying households is being arrogantly ignored.
4. Now it is coming to light that the ASHA Workers, who did the crucial Corona surveys, have not been paid at all! State governments have not been paid their share of GST. The income tax paying social strata has not been roped in to share the burden, but the non-income tax paying people are further burdened with relentless price increase of petrol and diesel. While GDP figures are bandied about as a measure of “national progress”, the question of equitable distribution is plainly ignored.
5. The entire trade union movement of the country has time and again raised these issues with the concerned ministries, through representations, demonstrations and even sectoral strikes. But the government is totally unresponsive. It has not even convened the Indian Labour Conference, the top most tripartite body in the country, in spite of repeated requests, since 2015.
In view of above points and issues, we the undersigned, urge you, as the Constitutional Head of the Government of India for the following reliefs:-
To direct Central and State Governments:-
1. To adequately compensate the dependents of those migrant workers, who lost their lives due to sudden lockdown effected from 12 Midnight of 25th March, 2020;
2. To provide free ration to all non-income- tax-paying people for the next six months, irrespective of whether they hold any ration card;
3. To pay every non-income- tax-paying person Rs.7500/- pm for the next six months; and pension of Rs.3000/-pm linked to cost of living to all above 60 years of age;
4. To issue Smart Id Card to all the workers with their Aadhar card number valid throughout India which should be useful for social security benefits;
5. To provide a corpus of Rs.10000 crores – a revolving annual FUND for the purpose of implementing Social Security Schemes under the provisions of Un-organised Sector Workers’ Social Security Act, 2008;
6. To withdraw the proposed move of the Government to convert the 41 Ordnance Factories into a corporation and then to privatise the same and to convert the Army Base Workshops to GOCO Model by handing over these Workshops to Private Sector;
7. To withdraw move for Corporatisation of Railway Production Units and handing over 109 Railway routes to private Sector and privatization of railway stations;
8. To cancel the Privatisation of Public Sector enterprises and Services including State Transport, LIC, Banks, Insurance, Coal, BPCL, Air India, Airports, Telecom, Ports & Dock and Municipal services etc.
9. To put on hold any labour law amendments through codification of all labour laws in to four codes and to convene Indian Labour Conference immediately; scrap all the Ordinances and executive orders altering and/or suspending operation of labour laws in many states.
10. To Invest in and expand health, education and agriculture; scrap all the three Ordinances on Agriculture including on amendment of Essential Commodities Act.
11. To increase budgetary allocation for effective implementation of National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, 2005, increasing the job allocation for 200 days per annum and extend the similar scheme for urban areas also to address the issue of unemployment on war footing. The daily wage should be enhanced from Rs. 202/- to Rs. 500/-.
12. To launch drive to recover loans from Willful Defaulters, by using criminal prosecution.
Yours sincerely,
INTUC, AITUC, HMS, CITU, AIUTUC, TUCC, SEWA, AICCTU, LPF, UTUC

THE FENCE IS EATING THE CROPS IN BSNL EVEN DURING THE PERIOD OF FINANCIAL CONSTRAINTS.

BSNL is in serious financial crisis that paymant of medical bills and allowances to the retirees are pending since 2018; salaries are not being paid in time, contract workers are not being paid their wages for months togethert.  And the CMD always talk about implementing strict austerity measures and curtailed drastically the ceiling for outdoor medical facilities.  But we are surprised to note that austerity measures are not applicable to the top officers of BSNL. We give hereunder a complaint lodged with the Chief Vigilance Commissioner against the extravagance indulged in by the Chief Vigilance Officer.  

(Courtesy: BSNLEU Website)

 

Sr.No. Subject Details Facility equivalent To
(1) Leased vehicles (CRs) Availing petrol and drivers expenses Directors of BSNL Board
(2) Mobile Handset (Two) (1) Rs.88,000/ on 09.06.2018 against his entitlement.

(2) One more handset taken without entitlement.

 Directors of BSNL Board
(3) Sofa cum Bed at his Residence Cost Rs.43,799/ – Date 27.07.2019 Directors of BSNL Board
(4) Double Bed at his Residence Cost Rs.43,158/ – Date 27.07.2019 Directors of BSNL Board
(5) 2 Air conditioners at Residence Approx. Rs.1 lakh (taken from the inventory of BSNL electrical wing) Directors of BSNL Board
(6) One (01) i-pad Cost Rs.1 .59 lakh on 22.07.2019 Directors of BSNL Board
(7) One (01) laptop Cost Rs.1.11 lakh on 26.08.2019 Directors of BSNL Board
(8) India Habitat Centre (IHC) for himself and his wife. For Rs.23,500/- on 25.08.2019 Directors of BSNL Board