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Early Pension Revision of BSNL retirees a must- V.A.N.Namboodiri

The DOT is delaying decision on Pension Revision of the absorbed  BSNL retirees, even though they are eligible for the same from 01-01-2017. Since the government has taken the full responsibility of Pension of these absorbed workers and since the III PRC has recommended 15% fitment, there should not be any delay for taking a decision. But the DOT seems to be sitting tight despite BSNLEU, AUAB, AIBDPA, NCCPA and other organisations have been continuously pressing the government for the same. AIBDPA has already organised many programmes. The latest is the thousands of Post Cards being sent to the Prime Minister for immediate orders.

It was not an easy route for grant of Pension Revision of the above retirees. After the first wage revision in BSNL w.e.f. 01-10-2000, the stand taken by the government was that since government is paying pension, it can only be on the government pay scales(CDA), which was much lower than the BSNL wages. (Rs. 2400 was the minimum salary in DOT whereas due to wage revision it was Rs.4,000 in BSNL). After much struggle, pension was fixed on the basis of the BSNL  IDA wages, as per the demand of all the unions jointly.

In the  second wage revision and pension revision also, the same were fixed on the IDA scale as earlier. based on the recommendations of II PRC.  This further benefitted the BSNL employees/pensioners.

Now naturally and logically the wages and pension revisions are to be based on the IDA scales as recommended by the III PRC. But one of the pension associations seems to have demanded for wage and  pension revision based on VII CPC recommemdations which are on CDA scales. We need not point out that how it will adversely affect the wages as well as the  pension of the BSNL absorbed employees. Of course, these comrades might have been under the illusion that BSNL is finished, there will be no wage revision and no pension revision on IDA scales since the III PRC has mentioned about ‘affordability’. These comrades forget how the great P and T TU movement have fought and got many demands, which were continuously been rejected by the government. Even  the achievements in BSNL were through sustained struggles.

These comrades feel that BSNL will be privatised shortly and there is no future for its employees. Hence, at least the problems of the pensioners can be settled by opting for CDA pension as per the VII CPC recommendations. Some of the comrades  are so confused that they are telling that the pension revision of the existing pensioners, whose pension has been fixed on the IDA pattern on the basis of II PRC recommendations ( and wage negotiations) should now be revised as per the VII CPC recommendations ( which are based on CDA scales). The reason mentioned for this strange demand is that BSNL will not survive and there will not be any wage revision in future. It is based on negative thinking. At present BSNL is alive and the workers are fighting for its survival. Stating that BSNL will not survive is not only an insult to the workers, but also is a discouraging statement.  By the way, where is the assurance of any future Pay Commission, when the CPC itself has stated that there need not be any CPC in future. But CG employees will fight as in the past and ensure their pay revisions, CPC or not.

Due to continuous discussion, struggles and pesuation, it is reported that BSNL  has recommended to DOT for the wage revision of executives with 15% fitment on the basis of the recommendations of the III PRC on IDA scale. It is also reported that it is pending with the DOT. The wage negotiation of non-executives is continuing, certain pay scales have been proposed both by the management and the Unions and discussion is continuing, all based on the IDA pay scales. The agreement also will go to the DOT, though we feel that there is no requirement.

As such, the process of wage revision of both executives and non-executives is based on the IDA scales based on the recommendations of the III PRC. The pension  of the employees who retire after 01-01-2017 will be fixed on the basis of half of the wages on IDA scales. Pension being fixed on any other basis will create such utter confusion and complications, dividing the entire BSNL pensioners, those who retired before and after 01-01-2017.

Hence the logical and financially beneficial demand is that the pension revision w.e.f. 01-01-2017 should be made with 15% fitment as recommended by the III PRC with immediate effect, without waiting for the conclusion of the wage revision. This demand is raised on two premises that the full pension is being paid by the government and that the pensioners can not wait much. We could make the BSNL to take  a similar decision in the case of medical allowance which was restored first for the pensioners.

RAIPUR DISTRICT CONFERENCE HELD WITH GOOD PARTICIPATION

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The 3rd biennial District Conference of Raipur has been held successfully at BSNLEU office on 26-09-2018. Com.S.S.Neware, District President controlled the proceedings. Delivering the inaugural address, Com.R.P.Atmapoojya, Circle Secretary gave a good account of developments with regard to pension revision, wage revision, medical issues and the struggles by AIBDPA, BSNLEU and AUAB. Coms.S.C.Bhattacharya, Circle Advisor and Com.R.K.Nagarchi, District Secretary, BSNLEU also addressed.

The report and audited accounts were presented by Coms. Abdul Aziz Khan, District Secretary and A.M.Qureshi, Treasurer and adopted after discussion. Office bearers with Com.Abdul Aziz Khan (President) Hariram Pal (District Secretary) and A.K.Dewaangan (Treasurer) were elected unanimously.

The conference also decided to donate Rs.10,000 to the Kerala Chief Minister’s Distress Releif Fund.

OBSERVE PROTEST DAY ON 16-10-2018.NON PAYMENT OF MEDICAL ALLWANCE AND WITH VOUCHER MEDICAL BILLS-

In almost all circles BSNL retirees are put into much difficulties due to non payment of without voucher medical allowance and with voucher medical reimbursement bills for both outdoor and indoor treatment. The Circle administrations are pleading helplessness due to non allotment of sufficient fund. CHQ has brought the sufferings of pensioners to the notice of concerned authorities at the Corporate Office including CMD.

To put further pressure on the BSNL management on this vital and genuine issue, CHQ calls upon all its units to observe Protest Day on 16-10-2018 by holding demonstration before BSNL offices at all levels with particular mobilization at CGMT Offices. The following FAX message also should be sent to the CMD, BSNL ( FAX No. 011 23372444)

“Protest strongly against the non payment of without voucher medical allowance and unbearable delay in payment of with voucher medical bills for both outdoor and indoor treatment of BSNL pensioners. Seek your immediate intervention and early settlement to mitigate the sufferings of the pensioners. “

Signature

Name

Secretary

AIBDPA, ……………….Circle/ District

KOTTAYAM DISTRICT CONFERENCE HELD BEFITTINGLY

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The 5th biennial District Conference of Kottayam was held at Com.M.K.Lalaji Nagar ( Babu Tarapada Mukharjee Hall), Kottayam on 29-09-2018. Com.K.P.Pankajakshan, District President presided over the conference. Com.K.R.Parameswaran Nair, District Secretary welcomed one and all. Com.K.G.Jayaraj, General Secretary inaugurated the open session and dealt on the current issues with particular focus on pension revision and wage revision , revival of BSNL and BSNL MRS issues. Coms.P.D.Johny, District Secretary, BSNLEU, V.S.Thankappan, District Secretary, CGPA, B.Sureshkumar, District Secretary, CCLU, M.K.Jacob, Veteran Leader and District Patron, B.Purushothaman, District Secretary, AIPRPA and M.N.Vinod, District Secretary, BSNL Security Staff Union greeted the conference.

The subject session held in the afternoon was inaugurated by Com.N.Guruprasad , Circle Secretary who exhorted to strengthen the organization and adding more subscribers to Tele Pensioner and BSNL Crusader. He also appealed to make the ensuing circle conference and All India Conference a big success. Coms. K.R.Parameswaran Nair and P.N.Sukumaran , District Secretary and Treasurer presented the biennial report and audited accounts which were adopted after discussion. Coms.P.R.Moanan, Assistant Circle Secretary and V.C.Lukose, Circle Organising Secretary also addressed the conference.

Office bearers were elected unanimously with Com.K.E.Abraham (President), Com.C.R. Ponnappan (District Secretary) and Com.C.N.Rajendran Nair (Treasurer)

COM.SAIBALSEN GUPTA, AGS, BSNLEU BEREAVED

CHQ regrets to report the sad demise of the mother of Com.Saibalsen Gupta, Assistant General Secretary, BSNLEU on 30-09-2018. She was 90 and was ailing for sometime and the end came at an hospital in Kolkata. AIBDPA shares the grief of the family and conveys heartfelt condolences to Com.Saibalsen Gupta and all the family members.

POST CARD CAMPAIGN A GRAND SUCCESS- HEARTY CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL.

The undue and unjustified delay in pension revision of BSNL retirees with 15% fitment from 01-01-2017, delinking the wage revision , warranted the Jalgaon CEC to chalk out a two phased programme of agitation. The first phase, Pension Revision Day on 30-08-2018, was observed with much enthusiasm and large participation of pensioners.

Reports from most of the circles indicate that the post card campaign to hon’ble Prime Minister in the last week of September, 2018 was also responded massively. CHQ heartily congratulates all the pensioners, particularly AIBDPA functionaries, who made the programme a historic success.

Let us march forward on the path of struggle.. Victory is ours…

October 1 – International Day of Older Persons                                             V.A.N.Nambbodiri

 

As per the decision of the United Nations General Assembly held on 14th December 1990, 1st October is observed as  ‘International Day of Older Persons’ throughout the world.  On the day, the contributions of the senior citizens / older persons are remembered and the problems faced by them and how to sort out the same are discussed.

The older persons have contributed their mite for the progress of the society in which they live, in the fields of education, agriculture, science, law, industry, medicine and so on. They have sacrificed their lives for the improvement of the living conditions of the people. They are still capable of contributing much through their wisdom and experience. This has to be utilised.

Ageing is a natural process. The aged persons face a lot of problems including isolation, illness, humiliation and so on.They are part of the society and they cannot be isolated or humiliated.

As per statistics, the number of aged persons are increasing every year.  The average age has increased from 46 to 68 during the period from 1950 to 2010. Some experts have noted that the average age will increase above 80 by the end of the century. At present there are about 80 crores of people who are aged above 60 years. 

In such a situation, the World Health Organisation (WHO) in its Madrid conference in 2002 has adopted certain guidelines how to improve the conditions of the aged persons and make their life better. The Madrid Declaration called upon the nations to ensure the human rights of the aged persons, end the discrimination, insult and crime against them, along with ensuring the right to work and right for a healthy living. They also have the right to be part of framing the policy of the government.

But the sad fact is that many of the countries have not taken any steps to implement the Madrid Declaration. In the name of austerity,  social security measures like pension, gratuity, allowances etc. are either reduced or completely taken away. Of course, the socialist countries like Cuba have taken many important steps for improving the status of the older persons.

The Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act 2007  passed by the Indian Parliament ensures many safeguards and social security measures for the senior citizens, but it is seldom implemented in many parts of the country. The general situation is that the senior citizens mostly are being ignored and social security measures are not implemented. The conditions of the widows are most pathetic.

The Indian constitution which guarantees the fundamental rights also promises our citizens, particularly senior citizens, a life with dignity and justice. According to a pension report published in 2018, there are 8 crore senior citizens in the BPL (Below Poverty Line) category in India. But only  2.23 crores are provided with an old age pension of Rs.200 by the Government of India as part National Social Assistance programme. Most of the state governments like Bihar also are paying only Rs.200 as old age pensions. How can the government ensure a life with dignity to the senior citizens with such a paltry monthly pension.?  Prominent social experts have brought out a report that the central government is spending only 0.04% of the GDP for the pension scheme of senior citizens in the BPL category. If the Government of India is ready to allocate 1.6% of the GDP for the old age pension scheme, 90% of them will get Rs.2500 per month. The government should also implement a comprehensive Insurance scheme for the benefit of senior citizens in the lower income group with exemption of premium.

A different picture can be seen in Kerala, where the LDF government has implemented a lot of measures for the aged persons. Rs. 1,100 is paid to all those above 60 years as social security pension. Palliative care is ensured for those people who are not able to move.  Senior Citizens’ Councils are formed with representatives of the organisation of the aged persons to address the grievances. The demand has been raised for a separate Department for the senior citizens.

This year also, the International Day of Older Persons will be observed all over the world. Let us dedicate ourselves to ensure that the senior citizens have a respectful and healthy life. Let us remember that the senior  citizens are a great  asset of the society.

BSNL PAY SCALES ALMOST FINALISED- NEXT MEETING ON 09-10-2018

The 6th meeting of the Joint Committee on wage negotiation of the Non-Executives.

The 6th meeting of the Joint Committee on wage negotiation of the Non-Executives, was held today. All the members of the Staff Side, as well as the Management Side, were present. Discussion continued on finalising the pay scales. Based on the live cases received by the Staff Side, demand was raised in today’s meeting, that the maximum of the NE-4 and NE-5 should be modified, so as to give the provision for one more increment. This is necessary to avoid stagnation. The Management Side accepted to examine the demand of the Staff Side. Further, the Staff Side demanded that, the agreement on pay scales can be signed and sent immediately, for the approval of the DoT. To this, the Management Side replied that, the inputs regarding the financial implication for revision of allowances and perks also has to sent to the DoT, along with the proposal of revision of pay scales. In view of this, it is decided to discuss the revision of allowances and perks in the next meeting to be held on 09.10.2018.

(BSNLEU Website)