Inordinate delay in the payment of medical bills of the serving and retired employees – BSNLEU writes to the CMD BSNL, demanding immediate payment..

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There is inordinate delay in the payment of the medical bills of the serving and retired BSNL employees. The medical bills of the retired employees is not paid from April, 2019 onwards, which means there is a delay of two and half years. The medical bills of the serving employees is not paid from April, 2020. There is one and half years delay in respect of the serving employees. This issue has been raised a number of times with the CMD BSNL. Every time, the strained financial condition of the Company is being shown as the reason for the non-payment of the bills.   BSNLEU has written to the CMD BSNL today, demanding immediate payment of all the pending medical bills.

( BSNLEU Website)

.Dear Comrades,

The 13th Foundation Day of All India BSNL DOT Pensioners Association, the mighty and militant organisation falls on 21st October, 2021.

It was at Garhwal Bhawan, New Delhi AIBDPA was born in a Convention on 21-10-2009 participated by delegates from almost all the Circles. BSNL Employees Union, the largest and only recgnised Union of the Non-executives at that time took the decision to form a separate Pensioners Organisation in its Central Executive Committee Meeting held at Mysuru on 27th to 29th August, 2009. The decision was taken due to the galloping of Pensioners issues like Denial of benefits of 50% IDA merger to pre 2007 pensioners, Pension Revision to pre 2007 BSNL retirees in IDA Pay, Non- settlement of anomaly in Pension to those retired within ten months of formation of BSNL etc. These issues were included in the Charter of Demands of the United Forum of all unions in BSNLfor a phased program of Agitation culminated in the two day Strike on 19th and 20th August, 2009. Most importantly, the government was moving ahead for Parliamentary approval for the draconian Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) bill.

The Delhi Convention was historical for the participation of a galaxy of veterans and stalwarts like Com.M K Pandhe, then President, CITU and Vice President, WFTU, Com.S K Vyas, President, Confederation of Central Government Employees and Workers and Secretary General, NCCPA and our own leaders, Com.V A N Namboodiri, General Secretary, BSNLU , Com.Ananta Kumar Bhattacharjee ( Kolkata) and Com.P V Chandrasekharan ( Kerala).

The inaugural address of Com.M.K. Pandhe was simply great and enthusiastic. He declared in uncertain terms that Pensioners are part and parcel of the working class and a force to be reckoned. The Pensioners have the potential to fight and unity with workers is necessary to achieve the important demands. Yes, these were the guidelines for the Policy and Programme adopted by the Convention. The background paper presented by Com.V A N Namboodiri and draft Constitution by the sub committee headed by Com.P V Chandrasekharan were adopted after discussion and with certain modifications. A 25 point Charter of Demands were identified including Withdraw PFRDA and scrap NPS, Grant Pension Revision to pre 2007 BSNL retirees in IDA pay, Settle the Anomaly in Pension to those retired within ten months of formation of BSNL .Parity in Pension, Enhance the monthly medical allowance of DoT retirees to Rs.1000, No disinvestment in BSNL.

The salient features of the Policy and Programme adopted were (1) Organise struggles for settlement of the demands.(2) Cordial relation with serving unions of BSNL and joining their struggles (3) Support and Solidarity to the struggles and strikes of Central Trade Unions.

The Convention elected Office Bearers with Com.V A N Namboodiri (Advisor) Com. P V Chandrasekharan ( Patron) Ananta Kumar Bhattacharjee ( President) K G Jayaraj ( General Secretary).

An Office Bearers’ Meeting was held on 14-12-2009 and reviewed the outcome of the meeting with Shri.A Raja, Communications Minister on 17-11-2009. The representatives could convince the Minister about the justification for pension revision on IDA pay scales. However,as there was no progress in respect of other demads, the meeting decided to give a call for a nationwide Dharna at SSA level on 29-01-2010. Not a single Circle Branch was formed at that time but we had the confidence on the Pensioners in the country. And it proved to be absolutely right with good response from every nook and corner of the country. It was the beginning of a series of struggles including Parliament March , Sanchar Bhavan March etc. during the eventful 12 years

AIBDPA got affiliated with NCCPA and BCPC, the apex organisations of pensioners associations. When an international organisation of Pensioners, TUI(P&R), was formed by WFTU in 2013 at Barcelona, Com.V A N Namboodiri represented AIBDPA and got affiliated. Com.V A N was elected as Member of Technical Committee. Com.K G Jayaraj attended the 2nd Congress of TUI(P&R) held at Bogota, Colombia in 2019 and was elected as Executive Board Member.

We feel proud that we could achieve significant gains during this period. Pension Revision for the pre 2007 BSNL Pensioners in IDA pay scales, Benefits on 78.2% IDA fixation, Annulment of 60:40 condition. Quarters to DoT and BSNL retirees, 60% concession on broadband connection, 40% concession on FTTH, Timely payment of IDA instalments, Rs.1000 monthly medical allowance to DOT retirees, Option 3 benefits to DOT retirees etc are the important achievements. Of late DoT has issued the orders for settlement of anomaly of BSNL Pensioners retired within10 months of formation of BSNL based on Supreme Court order. In this regard, BSNL Employees Union and AIBDPA had made concerted efforts and conducted several struggles for early settlement. The DoT issued an order in 2011 granting 50% of the minimum of the corresponding revised pay. This has given partial relief to some of the affected pensioners. We protested against this unilateral order and demanded final settlement as in the case of anomaly after 5th CPC implementation. Thereafter, while pursuing the issue further, some of the affected pensioners and one of the Pensioners Organisations filed cases in CATs and DoT refused to discuss the issue pleading subjudice. And that is how such a huge delay occurred in the settlement of anomaly.

We have grown as a class concious biggest organisation of BSNL and DoT Pensioners and the credit goes to thousands of Pensioners all over the country for reposing their faith in AIBDPA and their active participation in the struggles called by AIBDPA, NCCPA and United Forum/ Joint Forum/ AUAB. We thankfully acknowledge the effective interventions, struggles and strikes of the serving employees unions, particularly BSNLEU, NCCPA and Confederation for these achievements.

We have taken care to join the Struggles of Central Trade Unions during this period as part of our declared policy. We have also supported the ongoing historical struggle of the farmers against the anti-farmer farm laws enacted undemocratically by the Modi government. A humble donation of Rs.5 lakh was given to the All India Kisan Sabha. As per CHQ call our Comrades have contributed liberally to the PM Care Fund and Chief Minister’s Distress Relief Fund through the Circle Branches.

Ensuring democratic functioning is very important for any progressive organization. AIBDPA have held three triennial All India Conferences in 2013, 2016 and 2019 at Kannur, Tirupathi and Kolkata, respectively. Central Executive Committee Meetings are also held at regular intervals as per constitutional provisions.

The formation of Coordination Committee of BSNLEU, AIBDPA and BSNL CCWF and the joint struggles being launched has given added vigour and confidence amongst the employees, Pensioners and contract workers.

Still, we have to go a long way. Many important issues are yet to be resolved. Denial of medical benefits to BSNL Pensioners by the arrogant BSNL management is the most burning issue. Pension Revision due from 2017 with 15% fitment delinking wage revision is being dragged unjustifiably by the government. DR/ IDA instalments are being delayed without issuing orders. AIBDPA have conducted many effective countrywide struggles on these demands as decided by our Guwahati CEC. 110 Parliament Members including Ministers and Speaker, Lok Sabha were met and memorandum given. The Parliament March scheduled to be held on 12-03-2020 had to be postponed due to the outbreak of Covid 19 pandemic.

Attempts are reported to be in the pipeline to scuttle the statutory defined Pension system by limiting the pension of older Pensioners of 70-75 to a fixed amount, Despite Revival Package for BSNL declared in October,2019, nothing except VRS is implemented. CHQ’ s timely intervention ensured Provisional Pension to the VRS retirees. The government and BSNL managementare are hand in glove to eliminate BSNL as part of anti- PSU policy being vigorously pursued by Modi government. These are the issues of paramount importance.

AIBDPA is the only Pensioners Association that intervened against freezing of three IDA instalments from 01-10-2020 to 30-06-2021. We took up the issue with the Minister of Public Enterprises stating that the freezing is not applicable to BSNL Pensioners. Though the Minister and DPE agreed to our argument, no further action was taken either by DoT or DPE. Thereafter AIBDPA filed a writ petition in the Honourable Kerala High Court and got a favourable Interim Order. But DoT has not implemented it and we are continuing the efforts for the final order.

So it is in this background ,we have to celebrate the 13th Foundation Day of our beloved AIBDPA on 21-10-2021. CHQ is organising a national level Webinar at 4 to 6 PM on this day. Details of the Webinar will be intimated in due course. Kindly ensure the silent participation of maximum Comrades,as there is no limit in the number of participants in the Webinar using Zoom technology. Circle/ District Secretaries are requested to celebrate the Foundation Day befittingly at all levels by hoisting AIBDPA flag, holding meetings, honouring super seniors, distributing sweets, distributing food/ clothes to the needy etc. Photos and reports be sent to CHQ.

Unity is our Motto.

Struggle is our Path.

Long live AIBDPA.

With warm Greetings,

K G Jayaraj

General Secretary

ANOMALY IN PENSION – DOT FINALLY ISSUED ORDERS.

Department of Telecommunications has issued the orders on 7th October,2021 settling the long pending anomaly in pension to those retired within ten months of formation of BSNL.

1st pay revision was implemented with effect from 01-10-2000, the date on which BSNL formed. There was a significant and advantageous change in the pay scales. IDA pay scales, comparetavily, higher than CDA pay scales were granted with quarterly dearness allowance to BSNL absorbed employees.This was achieved after marathon discussions with the government and the crucial role was taken by the progressive section of the Telecom Unions under the leadership of Com. V A N Namboodiri defeating the reformist proposals of Com.O.P.Gupta. OPG had argued for lesser pay scales and pension in CDA pay scales. The IDA pay, point to point fixation and Pension on IDA pay benefitted the BSNL absorbed employees much.

However, as in the cases of other pay revisions, anomaly was occurred. Pension was being given during the pre 2006 period on the basis of the average of the last ten month’s pay. Hence, those who retired between October,2000 to June 2001 were drawing less pension as they had not drawn IDA pay for ten months.

BSNL Employees Union took up the issue seriously with the BSNL management and Department of Telecommunications and put forward constructive and practical proposals for the settlement of the anomaly.

The anomaly occurred of similar nature after implementation of 5th Pay Commission recommendations was settled by giving revised pay notionally for the months of prerevised pay.

The issue was prominently included in the Charter of Demands of BSNL Employees Union and several agitations including strikes were conducted. After All India BSNL DOT Pensioners Association was formed on 21-10-2009, the Charter of Demands adopted by the formation Conference, this demand of anomaly was included. AIBDPA held serious discussion with the Minister of Communications and the concerned authorities. AIBDPA did not hesitate to launch agitations including Sanchar Bhavan March for the settlement.

But we have to understand the fundamental fact that we are dealing with a capitalist government with the class charector being pro- capitalist and anti- worker and the bureaucracy playing an active role to deny or delay even the legitimate rights of the workers and pensioners.

The 5th pay commission recommendations were implemented with effect from 01-01-1996. But the anomaly was settled after about four years. So also our Pension Revision due from 01-01-2007 could be settled only in 2011.

Seeking legal remedy should be the last resort for the following reasons;

(1) It is time consuming and nobody can predict the time limit.

(2) The Court case involves huge expenditure.

(3) Approaching the court is a double edged sword. The verdict may be favourable or against also.

(4) When somebody approaches the court, it gives the government and bureaucracy an opportunity to shunt the demand to the freezer pleading subjudice.

That is what exactly happened. The DoT had issued an order in 2011, granting 50% of the minimum of the revised pay scale as pension to the affected retirees after the original proposal was rejected by Department of Expenditure. AIBDPA strongly protested against this unilateral order and wrote to the Minister and pursued vigorously. However, DoT refused to discuss the issue after a court case was filed by one of the Pensioners Organisations.

Though the DoT issued the orders based on Honourable Supreme Court’s Order, the huge delay of 21 years is a big question mark.

Now our Circle Secretaries and District Secretaries have to see that the order is implemented at the earliest so that the benefit is paid to the affected Pensioners. If the Pensioner has expired, care should be taken to ensure payment of the benefit to the respective nominee/ legal heirs.

Adilabad District Conference has been held successfully on 03-10-2021. The inaugural session was held jointly with BSNLEU. A host of leaders including Coms. D Shankar, CHQ Vice President, Ramachandradu, Circle Secretary, Veeraswamy, Circle President, Sambasiva Rao, Circle Secretary, BSNLEU and Paripurnachary, Circle Secretary, BSNLCCWF addressed the conference and explained the issues.

A new set of office bearers were elected unanimously with Com.S Anjanagoud (President) Com.R Kumarbabu (District Secretary) and Com. Venkiteswarlu (Treasurer)

The second programme of agitation called by the Coordination Committee of AIBDPA, BSNLEU & BSNLCCWF, SSA/BA Office March on 05-10-2021 has been held with massive participation of pensioners, employees and contract workers braving the pandemic situation. The united action called by the COC, demanding settlement of the 15 point Charter of Demands including Stop Privatisation of Public Sector, Revival of BSNL, Pension Revision with 15% fitment, Wage Revision as per 3rd PRC, 30% SAB to BSNL recruited employees, Timely payment of salary, Immediate payment of pending medical benefits, Immediate payment of wage arrears to contract workers have naturally created great enthusiasm and confidence among all. Com.V A N Namboodiri, Advisor inaugurated the program at Kozhikode and Com.K G Jayaraj, General Secretary inaugurated at Alappuzha. Some of the photos received are appended below;

BERHAMPUR, ODISHA

THRISSUR

KALYAN

CHENNAI TELEPHONES

MUZAFFARNAGAR

PALAKKAD

DAVANGERE

PUNE

TIRUVALLA

KOLKATA TELEPHONES

CN TRANSMISSION, WEST BENGAL

HYDERABAD

VARANASI

KOZHIKODE

KADAPA

This entry was posted in Uncategorized on October 5, 2021 by admin.

NTR, DELHI Circle has formed a new District Branch of PGM CN TRANS(North), Lucnow on 01-10-2021. The meeting held in this connection at Lucknow was inauguarated by Com.R S Chauhan, AGS with a detailed speech covering the important issues including pension revision, denial of medical benefits for the last 4 years, roadblocks on revival of BSNL etc. Com.D P S Shishodia, Circle Secretary spoke on the organisational matters and the ongoing agitational programme. Office Bearers were elected unanimously with Com. Ram Kailash (President), Com,S B S Bhadauria (District Secreatary) and Com.S N Bajpayee (Treasurer)

The Circle Executive Comittee Meeting of Gujarat was held at Ahmedabad on 01-10-2021. Com. N N Patel,Circle President presided over the meeting. Com.M B Chaniyara Circle Secretary and CHQ Organising Secretary welcomed all and spoke on World Elders Day and the call of TUI(P&R) to observe the Day as Sixth Struggle Day. Com.D K Bakutra, Circle Secretary, BSNLEU addressed the meeting and explained the current critical situation in BSNL. Com.M K Dave, Circle Convener, COC of BSNLEU,AIBDPA& BSNL CCWF spoke on the importance of the agitational program of COC on the 15 point Charter of Demands.Com.A U Singh, CHQ BSNLEU Vice President also addressed the CEC,

Com.M B Chaniyara, Circle Secretary presented the report and Com. A U Anjariya, Circle Treasurer submitted the accounts for the years 2019-20 and 2020-21 and were adopted after discussion.

The CEC decided to hold the Circle Conference at Junagadh in January, 2022. After the meeting the leaders called on the new Chief General Manager and greeted him with gift and bouquet.