.Pension Revision – let us continue the fight until achieved.

AIBDPA has taken a clear stand on the issue of pension revision from the very beginning. Pension Revision due from 01-01-2017 has to be implemented with 15% fitment as per 3rd PRC, delinking wage revision

We have been taking all-out efforts for the settlement. We have taken up the issue with Secretary DoT, three Ministers of Communications and even Hon’ble Prime Minister directly and through several Members of Parliament including the Speaker and Union Ministers.

Series of struggles were launched by AIBDPA including three Sanchar Bhawan Marches, the latest being held on 24-08-2022. Struggles were also conducted by AUAB, Coordination Committee of BSNLEU AIBDPA & BSNLCCWF and NCCPA. The four phased agitational program of NCCPA culminating in the Parliament March on 21st July,2023 is underway. As a result, government had to retreat from it’s earlier negative stand and in the discussion held with 17 pensioners associations on 17th October,2022, the then Member (Services) emphatically stated that pension revision will be delinked from wage revision. However, his offer of zero percent fitment was stoutly rejected by all the pensioners organisations in single voice. Thereafter the Member (S) assured to reconsider the fitment factor.

Meanwhile we have been able to form the Joint Forum of BSNL-MTNL Pensioners Associations with eight pensioners organisations. JF also took earnest efforts to settle the issue amicably throgh discussions. But the bureaucracy in DoT is culpably delaying the settlement. It took four months to calculate the financial implications for fitment factor of 5,10 and 15 percent. It was reported by the Member (S) on 21st March,2023 that all the consultations in DoT is completed and the final decision on fitment will be taken in the meeting with the Hon’ ble Minister of Communications in the first week of April,2023. But nothing worthwhile has happened so far. On the contrary, fallacious attempts are being made by the DoT to deny the BSNL/ MTNL absorbed pensioners their rightful, irrefutable and genuine fitment of 15 percent

.It is under these compelling circumstances that the meeting of Joint Forum held on 15th June,2023 decided to launch a three phased program of action, viz (1) Black Day on 06-07-2023 – Demonstration at all levels with Mass Letter Campaign to the Minister of Communications. (2) Dharna at District level and. CCA offices on 31-07-2023. (3) Five Days Dharna at Jantar Mantar New Delhi on 21 to 25, August,2023.So, we have to make all these struggles succesful , Parliament March of NCCPA on 21-07-2023 and the JF program of action in the coming days.

We shall not rest until and unless the most burning issue of pension revision is achieved

.Let us march forward with determination and commitment

.Final victory shall be ours.

According to the Consumer Price Index Released by Labour Bureau of India ( at 9.37 PM) IDA Rate on 2007 Pay Scale & Pension is likely to increase by 3.3% from 01-07-2023. Therefore the total IDA will be 202.3%+ 3.3% – 205.6%. Payable only after DPE issues the order.

The DIstrict conference of Bikaner, Rajasthan has been held with good participation on 24-06-2023. A new set of office bearers were elected unanimously with Com. Kamal Singh Mohit (President), Com.Rashid Ahmad (District Secretary) and Com.Kailas Khetri (Treasurer).

A meeting of the Joint Forum of BSNL-MTNL Pensioners Associations was held virtually on 15-06-2023.15 representatives of the eight constituent associations participated in the meeting. Com. V A N Namboodiri, Advisor, AIBDPA presided.

The meeting dscussed the present status of pension revision of BSNL / MTNL Pensioners. Coms.K G Jayaraj General Secretary AIBDPA, G L Jogi General Secretary SNPWA, D D Mistry , General Secretary,BDPA(I), H F Chaudhari General Secretary, AICGPA HQ Pune, M R Das President, AIBDPA, R K Mudgil, General Secretary, MREWA, Rajender Prasad, General Secretary, MESA, D C Sharma, Vice President, SNPWA presented their views.

All the representatives felt that there has been no significant progress in processing the issue since the Joint Forum met the Member, (F ) and Member (S) on 21-03-2023. The crucial meeting , as stated by the Member(S), with the Minister of Communications by Secretary,DoT, Member (F) and Member (S) was to be held in the first week of April,2023 . But it has not yet taken place for reasons best known to themselves. Actually, Secretary DoT is sitting on the file idly for the last four months. The Hon’ble Minister of Communications, despite repeated assurances to various delegations that the issue will be settled shortly, is not intervening even after frequent requests.

In these circumstances all the constituent associations wanted to launch Agitational Program against the sheer neglect of the authorities in settling our most important and burning issue of pension revision.Finally the Joint Forum decided to conduct the following three phased agitational program demanding immediate action for settlement of pension revision of BSNL/MTNL Pensioners from 01-01-2017 with 15% fitment as per 3rd PRC, delinking wage revision .

1. BLACK DAY- 06-07-2023. Demonstration at all levels with Mass Letter Campaign to the Minister of Communications.

2. Dharna at SSA level and CCA offices – 31-07-2023

.3. 5 Days Dharna at Jantar Mantar, New Delhi – 21st to 25th August, 2023..

The meeting decided to serve notice for the Agitational Program to the MOC and Secretary,DoT. Meanwhile efforts will also be made by the Joint Forum to meet the MOC and Secretary DoT.

The detailed circular will follow.

The second phase of the agitation by the Joint Forum of Non-Executive Unions and Associations of BSNL demanding wage revision, immediate launching of 4G /5G and implementation of new promotion policy, is the Raj Bhavan March on 14th June,2023. We have to ensure maximum participation of pensioners from the capital district and nearby places. All the Circle Secretaries and the respective District Secretaries are requested to take necessary action in this regard

.DELHI CHALO ON 07-07-2023.As the AIBDPA comrades have to participate in the Parliament March on 21-07-2023 called by NCCPA, there will be limitation for the pensioners from far away circles to participate in the Delhi Chalo program on 07-07-2023. Therefore, it is requested to Delhi and nearby circles to mobilize maximum pensioners for the Delhi Chalo program on 07-07-2023 so that it is made a grand success.