The 4th biennial District Conference of Kharagpur was held on 24-08-2019. The well attended conference was inaugurated by Com.Susanta Ghosh, CHQ Vice President and Circle President. The conference was presided over by Com.Anupam Saha, District President. Com.Pankaj Saha, Assistant Circle Secretary spoke in detail the issues confronting the people in general and pensioners in particular. He also called upon to strengthen the organisation and implement the Call Attention Day on 12-09-2019 successfully.

After adoption of the biennial report and accounts after discussion, office bearers were elected unanmously.

Com.Anupam Saha (President), Com.Madhup Sengupta (District Secretary) and Com.Gopal Chandra Mandal (Treasurer).

Ministry of Defence
Ordnance Factories strike called off

Continuing the process of dialogue which had started from 14 August 2019, the fourth meeting was held yesterday with the office bearers of AIDEF, INDWF, BPMS and CDRA under the Chairmanship of Secretary, DDP. While reaffirming that the proposed corporatisation of OFB is under examination of the Government, Secretary, DDP patiently listened to the concerns expressed by the Employees Federations regarding how the benefits/interests of employees in terms of wages, health facilities and other service matters may be affected due to corporatisation of OFB.

The Employees Federations inter-alia suggested that their views should be considered while preparing the roadmap for increasing the turnover of the proposed entity from the current levels. After detailed deliberations, it was agreed to recommend to the Government, the setting up of a High Level Official Committee to interact with Employees Federations to examine their concerns and other aspects of the proposed new entity. The Federations on their part have agreed to withdraw the ongoing strike and continue with the process of dialogue. With this, employees will now be resuming their duties with effect from Monday, 26th August, 2019.

Prominent BJP leader and former Finance Minister Arun Jaitley has passed away at 1207 noon on 24-08-2019 at AIIMS, New Delhi. He was suffering from kidney ailments for the last two years and had not contested the election in 2019. Arun Jaitley was known for his oratory skills and has served in various capacities in both the Vajpayee and Narendra Modi government. He was only 66.

AIBDPA pays respectful homage and conveys hearfelt condolences to the bereaved family.

Bharuch District Branch has held its biennial District Conference on 21-07-2019 under the presidentship of Com. J B Mangadia. Con.N S Vasava, District Secretary welcomed the gathering and presented the report. Com.D B Vasava presented the audited accounts which were adopted after discussion. Com. V H Haldaria, Circle Organising Secretary deliverd the inaugural address and dealt on the issues confronting the pensioners.

Office bearers were elected unanimously with Coms. J B Mangadia (President), N S Vasava (District Secretary) and D B Vasava (Treasurer)

The Joint Forum of Pensioners Organisatios of west Bengal successfully conducted  Protest Day throughout the state against anti-people policy of Narendra Modi government , viz, attacks on PSUs, reduction of retiremet age in BSNL and undue delay in pension revision of BSNL retirees.Huge rally was held at Kolkata on 21-08-2019 which was addressed by various leaders including Coms. Pijush Chakraborty, CHQ Vice President and Sanjib Banerjee, AGS and Joint Convenor, Joint Forum.

At Burdwan, the rally was held at Railway station and Com.S P Ray, District Secretary, AIBDPA also addressed.

A rousing reception was accorded to the General Secretary , Com.K G Jayaraj, on his first visit to Hubli by the District Branch on 22-08-2019. The conference hall of the GMT office, Hubli was jam packed with pensioners and a good number of lady comrades also participated. Com. S M Geetha, District President presided over the meeting. Delivering the keynote address, veteran leader and former AGS, Com.G G Patil who is the main architect of bulding AIBDPA in Karnataka, mentioned the importance of the meeting and welcomed General Secretary and other leaders. Com.A D Kulkarni, District Secretary presented the report of activities since the last meeting.

Com.K G Jayaraj, General Secretary in his address gave a good account of the recent developments in the country and highlighted the issue of pension revision. Much confusion has been created on the demand of pension revision and the detailed explanation by the General Secretary helped the comrades to have a clear clarity on the issue. He also appealed to successfully implement the Call Attention Day on 12-09-2019 demanding pension revision with 15% fitment, delinking wage revision. Regarding nonpayment of medical bills and allowance he explained the discussion had with CMD,BSNL and assured to continue the efforts.

Com.Muddaiah, Circle Secretary in his speech narrated the growth of our AIBDPA at the National level. Coms. Harish Doddamani, former District Secretary, BSNLEU and Com.N D Patil, District Secretary, BSNLEU also addressed the meeting.

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)