A meeting of BSNL and DoT pensioners of Chhapra held on 18-03-2017 has formed new district branch of AIBDPA, Chhapra.  Com. N.K. Shrivastava , Circle Secretary attended and addressed the meeting.

Office bearers have been elected unanimouly with Com. Sabapati Baitha (President) Com.Yogendra Prasad (District Secretary) and Com.Ramita Rai (Treasurer)

BSNL corporate office has issued many a orders/directives for timely settlement of medical claims preferred by BSNL retirees on pressure from the pensioners organisations and employees organsiations as well. But the fact remains that there is undue delay in settlement of medical claims of retirees in almost all circles for various reasons. The order of corporate office vide No.BSNL/Admn 1/15-18/16(i) dated 10-08-2016 clearty states;

1 All claims of retired employees are settled within one month from the date of receipt of the claim .

CHQ has demanded BSNL management for effective monitoring for strict implementation of the corporate office directives by all the concerned inferior offices.

Another issue also is settled. As assured by the DDG (Estt), DoT to Com.K.G.Jayaraj, General Secretary on 14-03-2017, orders raising the ceiling for gratuity to Rs.20 lakhs has been issued on 16-03-2017.  view order>.gratuity-20-lakhs

13 lakh central government employees have struck work on 16-03-2017 as per the call of Confederation of central government employees and workers. The strike was total in most of the states and the employees have shown their anger and protest against the betrayal of the government by not honouring the assurances given by the Group of Ministers on modifications sought by the unions on unilateral implementation of 7th pay commission recommendations.

The pensioners all over the country organised solidarity dharna and demonstration called by NCCPA, AIBDPA and AIPRPA.

SOLIDARITY DEMONSTRATION IN CHENNAI – COM.C.K.NARASIMHAN, CIRCLE SECRETARY, TAMILNADU ADDRESSING.

The meeting of All Unions and Associations of BSNL held at BSNLMS office, New Delhi on 15-03-2017 has decided to conduct Gate Meetings all over the country wearing badges on 5th April, 2017 for wage revision.

The meeting also decided to submit a memorandum to the government demanding.

(1) Wage revision be implemented in BSNL exempting the affordability clause of 3rd PRC.

(2) The period of wage revision be 5 years.

(3) Pension revision for BSNL pensioners.

(4)30% superannuation benefit for direct BSNL recruited employees.

AIBDPA fully endorses the decision and calls upon all its units to make the program on 05-04-2017 a grand success by participating enmasse.

The one day strike of the central government employees called by Confederation of central government employees & workers on 16-03-2017 is all set to make another mile stone in the history of the struggles of central government employees.

The strike is against the treacherous and negative stand of the central government on modifications sought by the staff side of the JCM on the unilateral implementation of 7th Pay Commission recommendations. The assurances given by the group of ministers in this regard are not honoured. 

AIBDPA as well as NCCPA have already decided and called to organise solidarity Dharna/Demonstrations in support of the strike on 16-03-2017.

Com.K.G.Jayaraj, General Secretary met Shri.S.K.Jain, DDG (Estt), DoT on 14-03-2017 and discussed the following important issues.

(1) Extending pensionary benefits to BSNL pensioners based on implementation of 7th Pay Commission recommendation and subsequent amendments in the CCS Pension Rules, 1972, as in the case of 6th Pay Commission recommendations.

General Secretary pointed out that the issue is being unnecessarily dragged despite assurance of early extension,including increased gratuity limit of Rs.20 lakhs, as had been done during the implementation of 6th Pay Commission recommendations.  The DDG stated that orders in this regard will be issued within one week.

(2) Mandatory Pension Revision from 01-01-2017 to BSNL Pensioners.

General Secretary reminded the DDG, the bitter experience in respect of pension revision for the pre 2007 pensioners and the order in this regard was issued after a long period of  four years and wanted mandatory pension revision once the pay revision is implemented to BSNL employees with effect from 01-01-2017. The DDG stated that in 2007 the delay was mainly because there was no provision in Rule 37 A for pension revision and had to go for many a procedures and approval of the government. However, this time -, he is hopeful, to get the issue settled without much delay.

CHQ has again written to Member (Finance) for early settlement of pension revision on 78.2% IDA merger. In the letter, it has been pointed out that despite assurance by the Member(Finance) in the discussions we had with him, the situation continues to be unsatisfactory in most of the circles and warrants immediate action so that the arrears are paid without further delay.

Com.K.G.Jayaraj, General Secretary wanted him to meet the Member (Finance) on 14-03-2017 but the Member (Finance) happened to be in a meeting.<<view letter>>

The Central government on March 9 had unceremoniously shifted Shri.J.S.Deepak, Secretary Telecom presumably due to his firm stand on Reliance Jio freebies even beyond permissible period resulting in revenue loss to the government. In his place, Shri.Pradip Kumar Poojari, Power Secretary is given additional charge. But he is to retire in June, 2017 and it is unlikely that he may  take any  decision on key issues, the telecom sector is faced with.

As part of the Phase – 8 Expansion, BSNL will replace all the 2G base stations and install 28,000 new 3G and 4G Base stations in the country. This will be completed by 2017-18. At the same time BSNL has demanded the government for allotment of 4G Spectrum free to BSNL. This is most necessary not only to provide 4G but also to update to 5G services.

CMD BSNL, Shri Anupam Shrivastava stated that the new base stations will be completed by the end of this financial year.