The Central Cabinet meeting held on 29-09-2022 has approved 4% increase in Dear Allowance to Central Government Employees and 4% Dearness Relief to Central Government Pensioners from 01-07-2022. The total DA/DR will be 34%+4% = 38%. It is payable on issuance of orders by Department of Expenditure for the employees and Department of Pension&Pensioners Welfare for the pensioners.

As per Consumer Price Index released by Labour Bureau on 30-09-2022, IDA rates on 2007 Pay Scales and Pension is expected to increase by 5% with effect from 01-10-2022. Now, the total IDA will be 190.8%+5%= 195.8%.. It is payable only after issue of orders by DPE.

When the 3 recognised Federations in DOT, ie. NFTE, FNTO and BTEF agreed for corporatisation of telecom services, against which the employees were fighting tooth and nail, one of the conditions was that all employees being absorbed in BSNL will be granted a lumpsum of Rs. 1000/- along with pay, which will not be counted for any other purpose, with the payscales being the same as in government.

Once BSNL was formed, these unions took the position that since BSNL is a public sector, PSU wages in IDA scales should be given from 01.10.2000, the date on which the PSU was formed. The full justification of the suggestion compelled the three federations to join the demand and the higher IDA payscales were achieved after tough negotiations.

But once recognition was received after the first membership verification and NFTE became the recognised union, it agreed in the National Council for imposition of VRS/CRS and reduction of 10% workforce. Agreement was reached in National Council to change the higher IDA scales in to lower CDA scales. It was only through the strong protest of BSNLEU after it became the recognised union, that the agreement reached with NFTE on VRS/CRS and change over from IDA to CDA scales was stopped.

Had NFTE had continued as recognised union, 10% of staff would have been reduced, VRS/CRS and CDA scales re-introduced. What would have been the payscales, increments, allowances etc, if NFTE continued as the recognised union ? What would be the pension of the retirees ? Majority of BSNL Pensioners, compared to their counter parts in government who already got pension revision in 2016, are getting higher pension even without pension revision in 2017 due to the correct stand taken by BSNLEU in restoring the IDA scale as also achieving the historic wage revision wef 01.01.2007, despite the financial loss to the company.

In fact, NFTE and FNTO addressed letters to the BSNL management at the time of wage negotiations of II PRC, accepting the lower scale and lower span of payscales proposed by the management. The clever move was to compel the recognised union for a lesser agreement and then accuse the BSNLEU so that in the next verification, they can get recognition. It was only due to the sustained struggles and extremely strong bargaining by BSNLEU, that management was compelled to accept the best scales and higher span of the payscales.

Workers Participation in Management was another point raised by BSNLEU. As part of this , many Joint Committees of management and recognised union were formed to discuss and decide about major issues, including 4 promotions, increasing of perks, loan from Banks, Gift of HMT watch, Modernisation of Telecom Factories instead of their closure, Works Committees at Circle and District levels, the biggest Group Insurance through LIC etc etc.

A new culture was brought , instead of meekly submitting to the proposals of the management. BSNL Employees Union from the start till now is continuing this approach. Save BSNL, Save Nation has been another motto of the union, well realising that to achieve even their own demands, workers have to ensure a better service to the nation, at the same time ensuring the viability of the company. The union took initiative for united platform like Forum/Joint Forum/AUAB etc. to fight for the demands of the workers and for saving BSNL.

Another correct approach was about the recognition of unions. Three federations were recognised in DOT, two of them NFTE and FNTO, participants in the JCM. In the first verification in BSNL, when NFTE became first and BSNLEU second, both with more than 15 % votes, the DOT and management were prepared to recognise both unions as was done in DOT. But it was dropped and only the first union was recognised on the threat of SG NFTE, that they will go to court if the second union is recognised. This unjustified stand resulted in non-recognition of NFTE from the second membership verification, when it lost to BSNLEU and became the second union. Had NFTE agreed for recognition of the second union earlier, they could have continued with recognition, even when they were in the second position.

It was only through the correct demand of BSNLEU that the second union also should be given recognition that NFTE started getting recognition later. Thus it can be seen that BSNLEU always took the correct and justified stand. Now the 9th verification is going to take place on 12th October 2022. I am sure that the BSNL workers will certainly ensure that BSNLEU is voted as the first recognised union.

VOTE FOR BSNLEU.

V.A.N. Namboodiri

Tamil Nadu Circle Executive Committee Meeting was held at Madurai on 22-09-2022. Com. S Mohandoss, CHQ & Circle Vice Prsident presided over the meeting. Com. R Rajasekar, Ciorcle Secretary welcomed one and all and presented a brief reportof activities during the intervening period. Com. R Muraleedharan Nair, AGS inaugurated the CEC with an elaborate and impressive speech. He narrated the activities and struggles of CHQ during the period, especially the just concluded three phased agitational programme culminating in the Sanchar Bhawan March on 24-08-2022 for the settlement of important issues of pension revision and timely payment of medical benefits. He also appealed to ensure a resounding success to BSNLEU in the 9th Membership Verification on 12-10-2022. and make the ensuing AIC at Mysure on 20-21 December a grand success. Com.K Pankajavalli, CHQ Asst Treasurer also addressed CEC. All the District Secretaries and some of the office bearers actively participated in the discussion that followed. The queries raised were replied by both the Circle Secretary and AGS.

NATIONAL CO-ORDINATION COMMITTEE

OF PENSIONERS ASSOCIATIONS.

(Registered under the

T.U. Act.No. RTU01/2021.Dated.7.01.2021

PAN No.  AAEAN8586F

Website: nccpahq.blogspot.in.                                 President:  Com. Shiv Gopal Mishra. (97176 47594)

E mail: nccpahq@gmail.com.                                  Secretary General: Com. K.K.N. Kutty. (98110 48303)

13.c Feroze Shah Road,

New Delhi. 110 001

Dated: 23.09.2022

JCM STANDING COMMITTEE MEETING HELD ON 22.09.2022 – GIST OF DECISIONS

Dear Comrades,

The meeting of the standing committee of National Council JCM was held today (22.9.22) under the Chairmanship of Secretary Personnel. There were many issues pertaining to the Pensioners in the agenda. The undersigned as a member of the Standing Committee participated in the discussions. The outcome of the discussions on each item is mentioned hereunder:-

1. FMA to Pensioners of National Institute of Ayurveda: The official side said that only after the Supreme Court directive they will be able to do anything in this matter.

2. Restoration of Senior Citizen Facility in Railways: The matter is under consideration.

3. Treating the Pensioners on par with the officials on duty for Guest House: Orders have been issued. Copy will be provided.

4. Pension to be exempted from Income Tax: The matter will be reconsidered in the light of discussions.

5. Disability Pension of War Heroes to be exempted from Income Tax: Will be reconsidered.

6. Pension revision in the case of Personnel Compulsorily retired: Orders issued.

7. Grant of enhanced pension on completion of 79 years: Not accepted.

8. Grievance redressal mechanism for Pensioners: The staff side wanted Pension Adalats to be held at Departmental levels. The issue will be further discussed.

9. Restoration of Commuted value of Pension after 12 years: Will be further discussed.

10. CGHS Related Issues:

i. Ward Entitlement.

ii. Lifetime CGHS facility for dependent disabled children.

iii. Health Insurance to Pensioners.

iv. To have Dispensary/Wellness Centres at all 108 Stations.

v. Enhancing FMA.

vi. Reimbursement of Medical Expenses for those who are not covered by CGHS.

vii. Increase the number of empanelled hospitals.

viii. Provision of sufficient staff in the dispensaries taken over from Postal Department.

ix. CGHS entitlement for Pensioners of Andaman and Lakshadweep Islands.

x. CGHS related Problems of Kerala.

xi. Online consultation facility.

xii. Cashless medical facilities to CGHS beneficiaries to be extended to all cities.

All the above items are to be discussed with Secretary Health. The date of the meeting will be indicated soon.

11. Board of Arbitration Awards: The matter will be discussed with the Staff Side.

12. MACP to be effective from 1.1.2006: The matter will be further discussed.

13. Notional Increment for those who retired on 30th June: Matter is subjudice.

14. Time limit to complete disciplinary proceedings of retired personnel: The staff side demanded that in case proceedings cannot be finalised within 3 years, he should be deemed to have been exonerated. The matter will be discussed further.

With fraternal Greetings.

KKN Kutty

Secretary General

So many rumours are being circulated, particularly in the social media, regarding the reported proposals of DoT on pension revision. Nobody knows the actual position, but contrasting running commentaries are being made on a regular basis by certain pensioners organisations even quoting the top DoT officers.In these circumstances, CHQ has written to the MOC with copy to Secretary, DoT and other concerned officers reiterating our demand and to clear the confusion among the pensioners.

54 years are over after the historical One Day Token Strike of the Central Government employees which took place on 19th September 1968.

It was not a simple strike, but a strike which shook the foundations of the central government and ruling class. More than 30 lakhs CG employees participated in the strike putting the country to a standstill. The CG employees with their strategical position in the Communications, Defence, and Railways ensured that the entire machinery of the central government was paralysed.

It was a struggle for the dignity of labour and right of the workers for a reasonable wage. The 15th Indian Labour Conference had approved the Need Based Minimum Wage on the basis of Dr.Akroyd Formula in 1957, but the government did not implement it. Prices of essential commodities were rising sky high, but full neutralisation through Dearness Allowance was denied. The II Central Pay Commission was completely retrograde and the central government employees were compelled to go on an Indefinite Strike in July 1960 which continued for five days. Then Prime Minister Shri Jawaharlal Nehru suppressed the strike using Essential Service Maintenance Ordinance (ESMO) and other draconic measures. Tens of thousands were arrested jailed, suspended, terminated and punished mercilessly.

It took years to heal the wounds inflicted on the workers. The government introduced Joint Consultative Machinery (JCM) with the assurance that issues will be discussed and settled. There was a condition that the unions should abjure strike if JCM is to be introduced. The unions bluntly refused and the government was compelled to withdraw the anti-worker condition.

The JCM was a failure from the start. The Staff Side in the National Council raised the demands of need based minimum Wage and DA according to the cost of living index. The government not only did not agree to concede the demands, but refused to refer the issues to compulsory arbitration as per the JCM rules.

There was no other course before the workers, but to adopt the struggle path. The Confederation of Central Government Employees and Workers, National Federation of  P and T Employees, All India Railwaymen’s Federation and All India Defence Employees Federation, Central Secretariat Association and other organisations met in a  National Convention on 13^th July 1968 and issued a call for a one day strike on 19^th September 1968 on the following main demands;

1. Need Based Minimum Wage.
2. DA according to increase in cost of living
3. Merger of DA in Pay.
4. No Reduction in Retirement Age
5. Vacationof Victimisation.
6. End Casual and Contract Exploitive System

The leaders went on tour throughout the country for organising the strike successfully. The central government was not sitting idle. Not only no fruitful discussion was held, but all repressive machinery of the government was made ready to suppress the strike.

The strike started at the midnight of 18^th / 19^th of September 1968. The entire central services came to a halt. Trains did not run. Communications service stopped completely. The central secretariat, the nerve centre of the government, was deserted. Strike was a complete success.

Indira Gandhi Government used the hated Essential Service Maintenance Act and other such anti-worker ordinances to suppress the struggle, instead of conceding the just demands of the workers. The workers did not flinch; they had the bitter experience of the 1960 strike which was treated as ‘Civil Rebellion’ and tried to be suppressed by then Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru. The workers had understood the real policy of the government, which was only to support the rich and ignore the justified demands of the workers

In Pathankot, 4 Railway workers and the son of a railway worker became martyrs in police firing. In Bikaner another railway worker was shot dead and 25 workers including family members seriously injured. In Assam, where the strike was almost 100%, police firing took place at Mariyani, Bongaigaon and Lumding and 2 railway workers killed on the spot. Many, including family members of railway workers were brutally lathicharged. Firing and lathi  charge took place in many more places. In IndraprasthaBhawan, Delhi, a worker was beaten to death by police. Although it is reported that 17 persons have been killed.

The main demand of the Strike, Need based Minimum Wage ,still remains unresolved. Not only that, the attacks on workers , their wages and pension have become more severe in the current scenario of neo-liberal policies. We are facing a situation where the rights of the workers are curtailed , peasants are being subjected to utter exploitation by the corporates, national assets are handed over to the corporates. And it is time to raise to the occasion and fight against these onslaughts.

On this 54th Anniversary of the strike, the entire CG employees and pensioners salute these martyrs who gave their precious life on the altar of the workers’ demands .