As per Consumer Price Index numbers released by Labour Bureau on 10-07-2024, *IDA Rate on 2007-Pay-Scale & Pension is likely to INCREASE by 1.0% w.e.f. 1st July 2024* i.e. 216.8% (existing) + 1.0% (increase) = *217.8% (from July’24)*. Payable only after DPE issues necessary orders.

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CHQ is saddened to report the unexpected demise of Com. Chittar Lal JI Goswami, District Secretary, Kota, Rajasthan on 07-07-2024 due to massive heart attack. Com. Goswami was a sincere and efficient leader who took up the responsibility of District Secretary, Kota after the death of former district Secretary, Com. Pyare Lalji.
CHQ pays homages to the departed leader and conveys heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family and comrades of Rajasthan.

08th July, 2024.

A virtual meeting of the Joint Forum, as notified, was held on 08-07–2024. The following representaives participated in the meeting.

AIBDPA : V A N Namboodiri ( Advisor ) M R Das( President ) K G Jayaraj ( General Secretary

)BDPA(I): Thomas John ( President ) D D Mistry ( General Secretary ) M R Vasisht ( AGS)

AICGPA HQ PUNE : H F Chaudhari ( General Secretary ) K Raja ( AGS).

The meeting started at 4PM under the presidenship of Com. D D Mistry. Com. K. G. Jayaraj, Convenor welcomed all and initiated the discussion on the agenda items. The Demands Day on 02-07-2024 was a resounding success and there had been unprecedented participation throughout the country including riot sticken Manipur. He also reported the unfortunate indifference of Com. G. L. Jogi, General Secretary, SNPWA who is reported to have told some of his Circle Secretaries that SNPWA is not part of the Joint Forum. Repeated efforts to contact him over phone failed due to non-response. Com. D D Mistry also tried to contact him but got the same result. However SNPWA comrades have also participated in some circles like Maharashtra, Telengana, Chennai Telephones, Assam etc. MTNL organisations did not participate

Thereafter all the leaders participated in the discussion and gave valuable suggestions. It was generally felt that Com. G. L. Jogi may have his own reasons and we should continue the efforts to aasociate him with the Joint Forum. So also the MTNL organizations.

The meeting finally took the following decisions.

1. CCA Office March at all the Circle on 27-08-2024

.2. Chalo Delhi – Dharna at Jantar Mantar, New Delhi on 12-11-2024.

It was decided to participate 1000 pensioners and the quota was allocated, AIBDPA -750, BDPA(I)-200, AICGPA HQ PUNE -50.

3. Meeting local MPs seeking intervention for settlement of pension revision by handing over the memorandum during August, September, 2024.

With vote of thanks by the Convenor, the meeting was concluded at 5.45PM.

VIJAYAWADA

The call of the Joint Forum of BSNL/MTNL Pensioners Associations to observe Demands Day on 02-07-2024 by holding demonstration at all levels and submission of memorandum addressed to the Hon’ble Minister of Communications and Secretary, DoT through respective CGMs and GMs have been implemented with huge participation of pensioners throughout the country.

The only demand put forward was Pension Revision with 15% fitment from 01-01-2017, delinking wage revsion has become a burning issue of BSNL/MTNL pensioners due to the neglect and apathy by the government and the DoT bureaucracy for the last 90 months. Therefore they have utilized the opportunity to express their strong protest , anguish and resentment braving inclement weather including heavy rain in many parts of the country. On behalf of the Joint Forum , we salute and congratulate all the participants.

Of course, the Demands Day is the first programme and the Joint Forum will meet shortly and decide the dates of the second and third phase, CCA Office March and Chalo Delhi. Some of the photos received are appended below;

HYDERABAD

VARANASI

KOZHIKODE

ERNAKULAM

KANNUR

HIMATNAGAR

KUTCH BHUJ

The TUI (P&R) Executive Council has met virtually on 26-06-2024. The meeting discussed for 3 hours about the three reports of General Secretary, Secretary, Organization and Secretary, Study & Ideology and Propoganda circulated in advance. The Executive was presided by the President comrade Dimos Koumporis. Comrade Quim Boix GS TUI(P&R) anchored. 35 Comrades from different countries attended. From India comrade K.G.Jayaraj (Vice Secretary Organisation) and comrade K.Ragavendran (Asia coordinator) attended and presented our interventions in the meeting.

Com. K GJayaraj had sent his intervention (speech ) in advance. So also some other Comrades as per the directive of Com. Quim Boix, General Secretary. Com. K. G. Jayaraj in his speech hailed the participation and the excellent performance of TUI(P&R) leadership in the recent 112 ILC at Geneva. He also highlighted the Indian situation aftet the Parliament election and decision of AIBDPA and NCCPA to résumé the struggle on important issues of pensioners including Restoration of OPS, BSNL Pension Revision, Bank Pension Updation and CGHS.The initiative taken by Com. K. Ragavendran, Asia Coordinator to convene a meeting of pensioners organizations of Bangldesh in September, 2024 was also reported.

The Executive Council analysed the 3rd World Congress and noted all positive points. The Work Plan for advancement was also discussed actively.

There was some interruptions in getting the English translation.Comrade Quim Boix assured that from next meeting, there will be better translation arrangement. He assured his presence in all Regional meetings too.

The President comrade Dimos concluded with the assurance that all decisions of congress will be enthusiastically implemented. The attacks on rights of pensioners and young workers will be fought. He also reported that the Greece Pensioners have met at national level and decided to strengthen our movement.

Dear Comrades,

The first program of the three phased agitational program decided by the Joint Forum for pension revision is Demands Day on 02-07-2024.

The Demands Day is to be observed by organising demonstration at all levels and submission of memorandum to the GM/ CGM. Two copies of the memorandum ( one for the Minister and second for the Secretary, DoT) already circulated may be submitted with a covering letter addressed to the concerned GM/CGM.

Specimen of the covering letter.

Joint Forum of BSNL MTNL Pensioners Associations, ( place ).

2nd July, 2024.

To

Shri……
CGM / GM
( Place )

Sir,

Sub: Submission of Memorandum to the Hon’ble Minister of Communications and Secretary, Department of Telecommunications for early settlement of pension revision due from 01-01-2017- request for forwarding.

As per the call of the Joint Forum of BSNL MTNL Pensioners, New Delhi we are observing Demands Day on today,the 2nd July, 2024, expressing our strong protest and resentment against the unjust and huge delay in the settlement of our burning issue of pension revision with 15% fitment from 01-01-2017, delinking wage revision.

As part of the Demands Day, two copies of the memorandum are hereby submitted. We would therefore request you to kindly send the memorandum both to the Hon’ble Minister of Communications and Secretary, DoT please.

Thanking you,
Yours sincerly,

Names and signatures of District / Circle Secretaries.