*AIBDPA had been continuously taking efforts to mitigate the difficulties being faced by the pensioners due to the yearly revalidation of BSNL medical card. CHQ had demanded to dispense with the yearly revalidation by limiting the revalidation only when there is a change in beneficiary as being done in the case of CGHS card. However, the former PGM( Admin )Shri. S. P. Singh had assured that a provision will be made in the BSNL Portal to revalidate the medical card. But when this was not done even after an year, General Secretary had a discussion with the incumbent PGM( Admin ), Shri. Sanjeev Tyagi on 30-09-2024 who flatly told that provision in BSNL Portal not made intentionally which was strongly protested by the General Secretary.
A detailed lettet in this regard was sent to the new CMD, BSNL, Shri. A. Robert Jerard Ravi and discussed in person on 14-11-2024. CMD was very positive and asked Director (HR ), Shri. Kalyan Sagar Nippani to make the provision immediately to revalidate the medical card.
So, now the BSNL Portal which was not operative for some time long has been made perfect with provision to Revalidate the BSNL Medical Card.
CHQ heartly thank CMD, BSNL and Director ( HR) for the swift action
.*The CEC Meeting was held at K G Bose Bhawan, New Delhi from 3PM to 9.30PM on 12-11-2024. Com. M R Das, President presided. After paying homage to the martyrs, Com. R. Muraleedharan Nair, AGS presented the condolence resolution. Com. K G Jayaraj, General Secretary welcomed one and all.
Com. V A N Namboodiri, Advisor inaugurated with a brief but encouraging speech.Thereafter Com. K. G. Jayaraj , general Secretary presented the report on activities since Pune CEC . General Secretary focused on the organisational issues and the weaknesses seen in democratic functioning, remitting quota to Circle and CHQ, Subscription to Tele Pensioner etc. Com. M G S Kurup, Treasurer submitted the unaudited accounts for the year 2023-24 and the interim accounts upto 30-09-2024.
18 Circle Secretaries and 12 CHQ Office bearers participted in the active discussion that followed. General Secretary replied to the points raised in the discussion after which the report and accounts were adopted.
Then, CEC took the following decisions ;
1. “Meet the Pensioner” ” campaign in January, 2025.
During the campaign sincere and effective efforts are to be made to enroll maximum pensioners as life subscribers of Tele Pensioner by collecting ₹500. The opportunity should also be utilized to enroll more life members to our mighty organization, AIBDPA.
2. A Protest Day be observed on 12-12-2024 against denial of regular pension to ST VRS retirees of Maharashtra in the name of caste revalidation.
Demonstration be organised at district level and the following email be sent to Secretary, DoT,( secy_dot@nic.in) Secretary, DoP&PW(secy_arpg@nic.in )and CMD, BSNL (cmdbsnl@bsnl.co.in )by all Circle and District Secretaries
.” Demand immediate payment of regular pension and other retirement benefits to the ST VRS Retirees of Maharashtra by implementing DoP&PW OM dated 30-11-2021 duly endorsed by DoT and BSNL.
Name
Circle / District Secretary
.3. All the Circle Conferences which have become over due should be held without further delay under intimation to CHQ
.4. A committee with Coms. S C Bhattacharjee, AGS and M B Chaniyara, Vice President was formed to look into the organisational weaknesses in Madhya Pradesh and scrutinise the accounts presented in the Circle Conference held on 06-11-2024. The committee should furnish it’s report by 20th December, 2024
.5. Venue of next AIC.
Kerala Circle Secretary, Com. N. Guruprasad expressed willingness to hold the next All India Conference if no other circle takes up the responsibility. Later Tamil Nadu Circle Secretary, Com. R. Rajasekhar also agreed to explore the possibility in consultation with other comrades of his circle and sought time up to 20th December, 2024. So the final decision in this regard will be taken later.
6. Observe National Pensioners Day on 17-12-2024.
The National Pensioners Day be observed befittingly and jointly with all like minded pensioners organisations, particularly affiliates of NCCPA.
Coms. N K Srivastava, Circle Secretary, Bihar, Balvinder Singh, CS, Punjab, S C Bhattacharjee, AGS Omprakash Singh, Organising Secretary, Hari Narain, Org Secretary, Nizar Ahamad, CS, J&K, Nareshpal, CS, UP(W), P Asokababu, Vice President have sought leave.
Coms.Susanta Ghosh, Vice President, Pushpa Pharate, AGS, Santosh A Soni, Organising Secretary, Sunil Kr Dutta, Org Secretary,, R P Atmapoojya, CS, Chhattisgarh, Uniyal, CS, Uttarakhand, M K Nagpal, CS, Rajasthan and Ramswaroop, Org Secretary were absent.
The CEC expressed gratitide to BSNLEU CHQ for consenting to hold the CEC at K G Bose Bhawan and thanked Com. T A Biju for making all the arrangements for the successful conduct of the CEC meeting.
Coms . K. G. Jayaraj, General Secretary, M G S Kurup, Treasurer, M I Jakati, Circle Secretary, Maharashtra and Sudhakar Khadke, Circle Org Secretary, Maharashtra had a nice meeting with Shri. A Robert Jerard Ravi, CMD, BSNL on 14-11-2024. Shri. Kalyan Sagar Nippani, Director ( HR) was also present
.The delegation discussed the following issues
.1. Yearly Medical Card Revalidation.
The detailed letter was handed over to both CMD and Director ( HR). The delegation brought to their notice about the difficulties being faced by the aged and ailing retirees to travel from far off places to the respective BAs to revaliidate the medical card every year. It was also pointed out that the earlier assurance of providing provsion in the BSNL Portal also not implemented.
CMD asked the Director (HR ) to do the needful to provide provision to revalidate medical card in the BSNL Portal immediately
.2. Denial of Regular Pension to the ST VRS retirees of Maharashtra.
The detailed letter in this regard was handed over to the CMD and the delegation requested for early resolution of the cases pending for a very long time causing much hardships to the affected retirees.C
CMD replied that he is aware of the issue and assured to process the genuine cases and at the same time those who have committed fraud will not be spared.
Actually we had gone to meet the CMD without prior appointment. He was having meeting with other officers. Still he was kind enough to meet the delegation and also responded positively. We thanked him for the kind gesture.
*Coms. K G Jayaraj, General Secretary, M G S Kurup, Treasurer and M I Jakati, Circle Secretary, Maharashtra have met Shri. Md Shabhaz Ali, Controller General of Communication Accounts at his office at MTNL Bldg, New Delhi on 13-11-2024
.At the outset, General Secretary congratulated the CGCA for the continuing efforts in bringing down the DLC cases significantly. Then the following issues were discussed.
1. Denial of regular pension to ST VRS retirees of Maharashtra.
The detailed letter in this regard was handed over to the CGCA. The delegation pointed out that though BSNL has the major role on this issue, continuing with provisional pension for such a long period is violation of Rule 62 of CCS ( Pension ) Rules.
CGCA replied that the number of cases have come down to 181.The vigilance clearance in respect of the ST VRS retirees are found to be conditional with the remark that “caste validation pending.” He also stated that the issue has already been discussed with the CMD, BSNL for early resolution
.2. Non- settlement of several 2nd level Family Pension cases at CCA, Maharashtra & Goa and negative stand of Principal CCA.
The delegation gave a list of family pension cases, certain cases pending for years together and brought to his notice the sorry state of affairs in CCA office mainly due to the don’t care attitude of the Principal CCA.
CGCA stated that there had been cases of granting family pension to ineligible persons and CCA offices have to take care that only genuine cases are cosidered and processed. However he assured to seek a report on the pending cases from CCA, Maharashtra and do the needful.
The delegation stated that scrutiny is very much needed and only genuine cases be considered. But we take up cases wherein genuiness is satisfied. The CCA office, Maharashtra is actually harassing the applicants by asking for documents in piece meal manner repeatedly and cited a particular case as example wherein after submitting the death certificate of the husband, asking for the marriage certificate.
CGCA agreed to look into such cases.
3 Arrogant and unhelpful approach of Principal CCA, Maharashtra.
The delegation narrated certain incidents after which we were compelled to prefer a complaint to the Secretary, DoT.
CGCA replied that he will do the needful after hearing the explanation of the CCA.
4. Delay and discrimination in granting Fixed Medical Allowance to pensioners in Goa.
The delegation gave a list of retirees of Goa who have applied for FMA to CCA, Maharashtra & Goa . But there have been undue delay in granting FMA to those BSNL absorbed retirees who have surrendered the BSNL MRS Card. However it is noticed that the Executives among the applicants have been granted FMA. The delegation strongly protested against such discrimination and requested the CGCA early necessary action.
CGCA agreed to examine the case and do the needful.
5. Delay in transfer of PPOs from the parent circle to present staying circle.Two identical cases were brought to the notice of the CGCA, one from Maharashtra to Tamil Nadu and the other from Tamil Nadu to Kerala. The copies of application of Ms. R Rajeswary, Retd OS(P) Pune to Tamil Nadu was readily handed over to the CGCA .
CGCA assured intervention for early settlement.
6. Delay in supply of ID Cards to pensioners.General Secretary asked CGCA whether any financial crunch for preparation of ID cards.
CGCA replied that there is no financial cruch but it is being done from the office expenditure. There is a shortfall in the budgetary allocation.
Over all the meeting was effective and the CGCA was very positive.
.National Coordination Committeeof Pensioners Associatins held a spectacular Dharna at Jantar Mantar on 13-11-2024 demanding settlement of 28 important issues including restoration of OPS, BSNL Pension Revision, restoration of commutation after 12 years, bank pension updation, restoration of Railway concession, strengthen CGHS, appoint 8th CPC.
The massive Dharna was organised against the negative stand of Modi government on these demands.Com. S K Sharma presided. Com.K Ragavendran presented the charter of demands. Veteran leader, Com. V A N Namboodiri inaugurated. Dr. V. Sivadasan MP, Coms. K G Jayaraj, Sreedhar, D K Debnath, R Elangovan T N Venkiteswaran and M Suresh addressed.
More than 2000 pensioners who came from all parts of the country protested by shouting slogans deploring the anti-pensioner policy of Modi government.
Joint Forum of BSNL MTNL Pensioners Associations has organised a spectacular rally at Jantar Mantar, New Delhi on 12-11-2024 demanding immediate Pension Revision of BSNL MTNL absorbed pensioners with 15% fitment from 01-01-2017, delinking wage revision. More than 2000 pensioners who came from every nook and corner of the country, including the riots hit Manipur, eager to exibit their anger and aungish enthusiastically participated from 10AM to 1 PM
.Com. VA N Namboodiri, Advisor, AIBDPA presided. Com. K. G. Jayaraj, Convenor delivered the welcome address.Com. K. Ragavendran, Secretary General, NCCPA inaugurated the rally.Coms. D. K. Debnath, General Secretary, AIPRPA, Thomas John, President, BDPA (I), G L Jogi, General Secretary, SNPWA, H F Chaudhari, General Secretary, CGPA HQ Pune, R K Mudgal, General Secretary, MREWA Delhi,D D Mistry, General Secretary, BDPA (I) and V K Gangwar, General Secretary, MREWA, Mumbai addressed. Com. M. R. Das, President, AIBDPA proposed vote of thanks.All the speakers came down heavily against the Modi goverment and the DoT bureaucracy for unjustly denying the legitimate and unrefutable right of pension revision for the last eight years and vowed to continue the struggle until the demand is achieved .
The Joint Forum of BSNL MTNL Pensioners Associations had a meeting at 3PM on 11-11-2024. Com.D D Mistry, General Secretary, BDPA(I) presided over the meeting. Com.K G Jayaraj, Convenor reported on the arrangements made for the successful conduct of the Mass Dharna at 10AM on 12-11-2024 demanding immediate settleemnt of pension revision due from 01-01-2017. Active discussion took place in which Coms. Thomas John ,BDPA(I), H F Chaudhari and Kulkarni, AICGPA HQ Pune, R K Mudgal,MREWA and M G S Kurup, AIBDPA participated.
The Mass Dharna will be inaugurated by Com.K Ragavendran, Secretary General, NCCPA. Com.V A N Namboodiri, Advisor will preside. Com.K G Jayaraj, General Secretary, AIBDPA & Convenor,Joint Forum will deliver the welcome address. Coms.D K Debnath, General Secretary, AIPRPA, V K Tomar, General Secretary, MTNL Executives Association, D D Mistry, General Secreatry, BDPA(I), G L Jogi, General Secretary, SNPWA, H F Chaudhari, General Secretary , AICGPA HQ Pune, M R Das, President,AIBDPA, Thomas John,President ,BDPA(I) etc will address.
The meeting also finalized the memorandum to be submitted to the hon”ble Minister of Communications and Secretary, DoT after the Dharna.
The culmination of the three phased agitational programme by Joint Forum of BSNL MTNL Pensioners Associations demanding immediate Pension Revision with 15% fitment, delinking wage revsion is the Dharna at Jantar Mantar, New Delhi on 12-11-2024. All the preparations to hold the Dharna are already made. Comrades have started their jouney from every nook and corner of the country with great spirit and enthusiasm to participate in the Dharna to exibit their strong resentment and protest against the Central Government for denying their legitimate right of pension revision for the last eight years. No doubt, the reports received so far indicate that the Protest Action against the injustice is going to be massive and unprecedented in participation of pensioners.
