The condition of the migrant workers is most pitiful during the Covid 19 period, with most of them trying to get back to their own states and unable to do so due to various reasons. It is estimated that there are about 2 crore migrant workers in India. After the start of the pandemic and lock down declaration, they do not have work. The employers are not paying them wages. Their day to day life itself is in difficulty. Their families are in their villages and they want to be with their families. The sudden declaration of Lock Down by the Central government without advance preparation has put everything in disarray. Had sufficient time been given, many could have reached home before the declaration.

These migrant workers are travelling to their native states mostly by walk, on cycles etc. covering hundreds of miles. Many have died due to lack of food, exhaustion, accidents etc. Some have died due to trains running over them, while sleeping on the tracks due to extreme exhaustion. This is the biggest migration in India, after the partition of the country in 1947.

In this connection we appreciate the action taken by the Kerala Left Front government which has ensured free south / north Indian food, accommodation, treatment etc. to the Guest Workers ( as migrant workers are called in Kerala) and are trying to send the workers to their native states according to the non-stop trains allotted by the central government. The food for the journey is also provided.

The Central and state governments in co-ordination should ensure for their speedy and safe journey to their native places. They are also citizens of this great country as well as Ambanis and Adanis, to  whom big economic packages have been announced by the government.

AIBDPA CHQ calls upon all the Circle, District and Branch units to send the following e-mail to Secretary DOT and CMD BSNL.

Secretary DOT email: secy-dot@nic.in : CMD BSNL email: cmdbsnl@bsnl.co.in

The Secretary, DOT, Sanchar Bhawan, New Delhi
The CMD BSNL, Bharat Sanchar Bhawan, New Delhi

1. Honour the ILO decision. Do not increase working hours from 8 to 12 per day.
2. Immediately disburse salary of BSNL employees for April, 2020.
3. Immediately pay the wage arrears of contract workers. Do not retrench contract workers
   through outsourcing of works.
4. Withdraw the decision to reduce Outdoor Treatment ceiling from 23 days to 15 days’ pay.

Name of Circle / District / Branch _________________________

Comrades, make the programme a full success. Send reports to the CHQ AIBDPA.

AIBDPA/ BSNL MRS/2020                                                                                                                             May 19, 2020 

To

 Shri P. K. Purwar,

CMD, BSNL

Bharat Sanchar Bhawan

Janpath, New Delhi-110 001.

 Sir, 

Sub: – Submission of option for outdoor medical facilities by pensioners – extending the last date – reg. 

Ref: – (1) BSNL CO Office Order No.BSNL/Admn-1/15-12/18 dated 08-05-2020 

(2) AIBDPA letter No. AIBDPA/BSNL MRS/2020 dated 13-05-2020.

It has been brought to our notice that some of the SSAs have initiated action for asking pensioners to submit option for availing outdoor medical facilities based on the office order referred to above and last date is stipulated as 31-05-2020.

We have already raised our objections to the above office order issued by the Corporate Office and sought modifications vide our letter cited (2) above. Further, most of the Pensioners Organisations and Serving Unions as well have objected the office order. So we naturally expect a review of the issue by your goodself.

You may please appreciate the fact that the lockout in the country has again been extended upto 31-05-2020 and it will not be possible for the pensioners to submit the option during the lockout period.

Therefore considering the above it is requested to cause necessary action to extend the last date for submission of option to 30-06-2020, provided the lockout is not extended further.

Thanking you, 

Yours sincerely,

K G Jayaraj

General Secretary. 

Copy to: (1) Shri Aravind Vadnerkar, Director (HR), BSNL, Janpath, New Delhi – 110 001.

 (2) Shri S.K. Gupta, Director (Finance), BSNL, Janpath, New Delhi – 110 001.

 (3) Shri S.K. Sinha, Sr.GM (Admin), BSNL CO, Janpath, New Delhi – 110 001.

<<letter to CMD BSNL>>

19^th May 2020 is the 16^th death anniversary of Com.E.K.Nayanar, three times Chief Minister of Kerala and veteran CPI(M) leader.  From his student days, he was connected with the freedom movement. He was jailed several times. He was a close friend of the P and T movement and had addressed union conferences several times.  He was liked by all, including his political adversaries, due to his humour and pleasant behavior.

In this Covid 19 situation, we have special memory of him, because of his special interest in improving the health services, Kudumbashree etc. in Kerala, which helped in fighting Corona.

Red Salute to Com. E.K.Nayanar!

It will be 10 years on this 19th May, after Com.Moni Bose, veteran leader of telecom and P and T workers passed away. His life was full of struggles for the sake of workers and for the upliftment of the society. Though appointed in the Post and Telegraph Department as a clerk in the DET office Calcutta on 25th August 1945, he was terminated from service in connection with the 1949 strike of P and T workers. He was never reinstated. But he continued to work for the advancement of the workers and their organisation. Com. Moni is the younger brother of Com.K.G.Bose, the most loved leader of the Central and P and T workers.

He has served in many capacities in unions affiliated to NFPTE in West Bengal, including as Circle Secretary. He was elected as General Secretary of the All India Telecom Employees Union Class III in the 1991 Bhopal All India Conference defeating Com.O.P.Gupta, who was its General Secretary for long 37 years and who gradually shifted to the revisionist line supporting the government anti-worker policies. He led the struggle for the correct policies in the union. When BSNL Employees Union was formed in 2001, he was elected as one of the Patrons. Later he was appointed as a Member of the W.Bengal State govt employees’ Pay Commission. Co. Moni was a guide and teacher to the workers.

Red Salute to Com.Moni Bose

Com. K Varadarajan, former Politburo Member of the CPI (M) has passed away on 16-07-2020 at Karur, Tamil Nadu. Com.K Varadarajan was a popular leader and served the people in various capacities. He was the General Secretary of All India Kisan Sabha for a long time and was its present Vice President and a special invitee to the Central Committee of the CPI(M). He was 73 and ailing for some time.

AIBDPA pays respectful homage to Com.K.Varadarajan and conveys heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family and comrades.

AIBDPA/ Circular No.3 /2020                                             16^th April, 2020

To,

All CHQ Office Bearers, Circle Secretaries

District Secretaries and Affiliates.

Dear Comrade,

Continue to be cautious.

I sincerely hope that all of you and your family members are fine and congratulate for overcoming the third phase of lockout in the country. World Health Organisation has warned that the Corona Virus will never go away. Needless to add that we have to be still vigilant against the pandemic, particularly when elders are vulnerable to the dreaded pandemic. Therefore let us continue to be inside the house for some more time to ensure our safety. If at all in unavoidable circumstances you go out, please wear the mask and keep social distance.

PM Cares / CMDRF and Contract Workers Relief Fund.

CHQ had given a call to collect fund from our members towards Prime Minister’s Relief fund or Chief Ministers Relief fund to help the people in distress due to the Covid-19. The amount collected was directed to be sent directly to the PM CARES or CMDRF with intimation to CHQ. In Kerala, the Circle Branch asked the members to make online payment to CMDRF with intimation to the Circle Branch. With the active involvement and initiative of the District Secretaries, about Rs.32 lakhs has already been contributed and still continuing. Tamil Nadu Circle donated Rs.1,22,740 to PM CARES. Karnataka Circle has donated Rs.1,18,500 to PM CARES and Rs.12,500 to CM Relief Fund. Assam Circle Branch has donated Rs.50,000 from it’s own fund to National Health Mission, Assam. Other Circles are requested to send the details. Being senior citizens, it is our bounden duty to help our fellow citizens at this time of  distress.

It was also requested to help the BSNL contract workers who are not being paid their wages for the last one year, by collecting donations and to distribute locally. Tamil Nadu Circle Branch has done extremely well by collecting about Rs.11,04,660 and distributed to the contract workers. Kolkata Telephones Circle has donated Rs. 2,45,000 as on 22-04-2020. Kolkata TF & Stores has donated Rs.25,000 as the first installment. West Bengal Circle has collected about Rs.6,50,000. Karnataka Circle has donated Rs.1,08,602 Consolidated figure of collection made in NE-1 Circle is also to be received. In Andhra Pradesh Circle also has collected Rs.1,15,900. Details of collection from other circles are yet to be furnished. Kindly therefore intimate CHQ the exact position and the circles where no collection is made so far are urged to do it without further delay with due intimation to CHQ.

Filing of Income Tax return.

Finance Ministry has extended the date of filing of income tax return from 31-07-2020 to 30-11-2020.

With warm greetings,

K.G.Jayaraj

General Secretary.

<<view circular>>>

<<View letter>>

AIBDPA/ Circular No.2 /2020                                            15^th May,2020

To,

All CHQ Office Bearers, Circle Secretaries

District Secretaries and Affiliates.

Dear Comrade,

During the Covid-19 situation, BSNL management has issued orders curtailing medical reimbursement and medical allowance to pensioners and employees. April 2020 salary for BSNL employees is not paid till date. Contract workers have not been paid wages for about one year. The central government and certain state governments are in the process of increasing working hours from 8 to 12, trampling upon the hard won rights of the workers.

On these issues, BSNL Employees Union has given call to organise Lunch Hour Demonstrations on 21^st May, 2020.

AIBDPA CHQ expresses it full support and solidarity to the progamme.

AIBDPA CHQ calls upon all the Circle, District and Branch units to send the following e-mail to Secretary DOT and CMD BSNL during the week starting with 24th May 2020. Secretary DOT email: secy-dot@nic.in : CMD BSNL email: cmdbsnl@bsnl.co.in

To

The Secretary, DOT, Sanchar Bhawan, New Delhi

The CMD BSNL, Bharat Sanchar Bhawan, New Delhi

1. Honour the ILO decision. Do not increase working hours from 8 to 12 per day.
2. Immediately disburse salary of BSNL employees for April, 2020.
3. Immediately pay the wage arrears of contract workers. Do not retrench contract workers through outsourcing of works.
4. Withdraw the decision to reduce Outdoor Treatment ceiling from 23 days to 15 days’ pay.

Name of Circle / District / Branch _________________________

Comrades, make the programme a full success.

Yours Fraternally,

K.G.Jayaraj

General Secretary.

AIBDPA/BSNLMRS/2020                                                     May 13, 2020

 To

Shri P. K. Purwar,

CMD, BSNL

Bharat Sanchar Bhawan

Janpath, New Delhi-110 001.

 Sir, 

Sub: – Curtailment of outdoor medical benefits- modification sought- – reg. 

Ref: – BSNL CO Office Order No.BSNL/Admn-1/15-12/18 dated 08-05-2020 on procedure for outdoor medical claim for BSNL Employees (Serving / Retired). 

Medical benefits, outdoor, of BSNL employees and retirees are curtailed drastically vide office order referred to above.

Of course, you had given some hints during our discussion with you on 16-12-2019 that BSNL can’t afford the BSNL MRS in the present form. You had suggested switching over to CGHS and uniform monthly allowance.

We had responded with our reservations on CGHS as the dispensary/ wellness centers are available in limited cities only. However we assured you that maximum pensioners belonging to places where CGHS facilities are available, would be advised to switch over, provided that onetime payment for CGHS membership be reimbursed by BSNL timely. You were quick to reply that those joining CGHS, the amount being paid by the pensioner will be reimbursed next month itself. We are sorry to point out that this assurance is yet to be implemented.

Regarding monthly flat medical allowance, we had demanded Rs.2,000. But as per the above mentioned office order, the monthly allowance of Rs.1000 is quite insufficient to meet the requirements in the wake of higher consultation fee of the doctor and exorbitant prices of the medicines.

Regarding with voucher, the present calculation of 23 day’s pay at the time of retirement is drastically reduced to 15 and worse, the IDA of every corresponding April is changed to IDA at the time of retirement. This amounts to a double blow and gross injustice to the pensioners.

Therefore we seek your kind intervention for necessary modifications in the office order as follows;

Option.

2)  With voucher it should be same as before. No change should be made.

3)  Without voucher monthly medical allowance flat Rs.2,000.

Further, we are constrained to point out that any order would be meaningless, if not implemented in its true sense. We have brought to your notice in person and through a number of letters about the sufferings and distress of the Pensioners due to non payment of medical bills, both indoor and outdoor, quarterly medical allowance  and amount paid for CGHS membership for the last two years. You had assured that fund could be allocated once the financial position improve during the post VRS scenario. But to our dismay, even after three months of VRS, no fund is allotted to mitigate the miseries of the Pensioners. A few of our fellow Pensioners have already lost their lives due to non consumption of life saving medicines. And we are afraid that more lives may be lost particularly during this period of Covid-19 unless relief is extended in the form allocation of sufficient funds to clear the pending medical claims.

Awaiting early positive response and action.

Thanking you,

Yours sincerely,

K G Jayaraj

General Secretary