BSNL management is reported to have agreed that there will not be stagnation and reduction in pay after implementation of wage revision of BSNL Non-Executives. This was assured in the resumed meeting of the Wage Negotiation Committee of Non-Executives held on 18-11-2021. Representatives of the two recognised Unions, BSNLEU and NFTE participated in the meeting.

A host of leaders participated and addressed the well attended Mahbubnagar District Conference on 13-11-2021. Coms. D Shankar, CHQ Vice President and Ramachandradu, Circle Secretary explained the issues of pension revision, denial of medical benefits, formation of Co-ordination Committee of BSNLEU, AIBDPA & BSNL CCWF and the agitations being launched for settlement of various issues. Coms. C P Veeraswamy, Circle President, Narasimharao, Circle Treasurer, Sekhar, Circle Organising Secretary also addressed the conference. Senior Citizens above 75 years were honoured in the conference.

New set of office bearers were elected with Com. G Rangiah (President), Com.B Chinna Saheb (District Secretary) and Com. C Krishnaiah (Treasurer)

The National Convention of Central Trade Unions and Independent Federations held at Jantar Mantar, New Delhi on 11-11-2021 has called for a series of struggles culminating in a two days Strike in February, 2022. The presedium consisting of all the Presidents of the ten Central Trade Unions controlled the proceedings. The General Secretaries and leaders of the Central Trade Unions including Com.Ashok Singh (INTUC), Com. Tapan Sen (CITU) Com.Amarjeet Kaur (AITUC) Com.H S Sidhu (HMS) came down heavily on the Modi government for its naked privatisation drive, sales of national assets in the name of National Monetisation Pipeline, Anti-farmer Farm Acts, anti-worker Labour codes, attacks on civil rights and attempts to divide the people.

The Convention decided to hold countrywide Demonstrations on 26-11-2021, the anniversary day of the Farmers Struggle, in support and solidarity of the historic Agrarian Struggle.

The Declaration adopted by the National Convention called for intensive and extensive campaign for oraganising the National Strike successfully . State level conventions and joint meetings of Public Sector Unions are to be held.

AIBDPA fully endorse the decisions and calls upon all its units to participate in the Demonstrations on 26-11-2021 and other programs of campaign and extend whole hearted support to the two day strike.

The Co-ordination Committee of BSNLEU, AIBDPA & BSNL CCWF rightly gave a call to organise countrywide Demonstration on 09-11-2021 to protest against the move of Modi government to hand over the national assets to the corporates in the name of National Monetisation Pipeline. It has been responded well and the program held very successfully all over the country with good participation of BSNL employees, pensioners and workers. CHQ heartily congratulate all the participants. Some of the photos received are given below;

Com. V Subburaman, General Secretary, TEPU has passed away at Chennai on 08-11-2021. He was 76 and had to succumb to the draconian cancer. Com.V Subburaman was a pleasing and sincere leader who dedicated his entire life to the trade union movement. AIBDPA pays respectful homage to the departed leader and conveys heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family, colleagues and friends.

The Co-ordination Committee meeting of BSNLEU, AIBDPA & BSNLCCWF held on 26-10 2021 has decided to fight against the large scale sales of national assets at throw away prices to the corporates by the Modi government in the name of National Monetisation Pipeline. The meeting has therefore called upon its units to launch an extensive campaign against the sinister move of the government among the employees , workers and pensioners by holding demonstaration on 09-11-2021 and Circle and District level conventions, Signature campaign among employees, workers , pensioners and the people etc. So let us start with the Demonstartion at all levels with maximum participation on 09-11-2021.

.It is understood from the minutes of the meeting between AUAB leaders and BSNL Board of Directors on 27-10-2021, released by BSNL on 29-10-2021, that AUAB is agreeable for 0% fitment for wage revision to avoid stagnation.In this connection, queries are being raised by several pensioners about the impact in Pension Revision of BSNL absorbed pensioners.AIBDPA had taken a principled stand that Pension Revision should be from 01-01-2017 with 15% fitment delinking wage revision. And we firmly assert that there is absolutely no change in our stand. Of course AUAB also has the same stand.The liability of wage revision is to be borne by BSNL whereas the entire liability of payment of pensionary benefits to BSNL absorbed pensioners lies with the Central Government by virtue of Rule 37 A amendment of CCS ( Pension) Rules, 1972. BSNL has paid Pension Contribution to the government at the rate of maximum of the pay scales of each BSNL absorbed employee. Therefore, pension revision of BSNL absorbed pensioners is no way connected with wage revision of BSNL employees. Also pension revision has nothing to do with the affordability condition of 3rd PRC, particularly in the wake of annulment of 60:40 condition by the Central Government in 2016. AIBDPA will continue our efforts and struggles to achieve the just and reasonable demand of pension revision with 15% fitment from 01-01-2017, delinking wage revision. We also welcome other Pensioners’ organisations who agree with the above demand for a joint struggle.