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Very enthusiastic reports are coming in on the preparation of the National Strike on 26-11-2020 from almost all sections of the workers and the people at large. No doubt the strike will create a new history and milestone in the struggles of the nation. 

The call of NCCPA to organise Solidarity Dharna on 25-11-2020 in support of the General Strike has already been communicated to all the units. Let us extend all support to the striking unions in BSNL including CCWF.

All AIBDPA units are once again requested to organise the Dharna on 25-11-2020 jointly with other NCCPA constituents, wherever possible, and independently according to local conditions.

Please also note that all the units have to send the following email to the Finance Minister on 25-11-2020.

It is also requested to send brief report and photos to CHQ. 

A new District Branch has been formed in Mainpuri on 18-11-2020. The meeting of pensioners held for this purpose was held at Old Telephone Exchange, Mainpuri. 

The meeting elected the office bearers unanimously and the following are the important functionaries;

President : Com. Ahibaran Singh

District Secretary : Com. Shiva Prasad

Treasurer : Com. Ravindra Singh Pal

SOLIDARITY WITH NATIONAL STRIKE IN INDIA
In January of this year, 250 million workers in India demonstrated in a great strike, and as is customary in capitalist countries, the demands were not heard by the government authorities, so it is necessary to return to the de facto measures, in defense of our rights. The demands of our fellow Indian workers are:
1.- Cash transfer of Rs 7,500 per month for all families who do not pay income tax

2.- 10 Kg of free ration of food per person per month for all those in need.

3.- Expansion of MGNREGA to provide 200 days of work a year in rural areas with better wages: extension of the employment guarantee to urban areas.

4.- Withdraw all anti-peasant laws and anti-worker labor codes.

5.- Stop the privatization of the public sector, including the financial sector, and stop the corporatization of government-run manufacturing and service entities such as railways, ordinance factories, ports, etc.

6.- Withdraw the draconian circular on forced premature retirement of government and PSU employees.

7.- Provide pension to all, eliminate the NPS and restore the previous pension, improve EPS-95.
With these demands, the National Strike is being prepared for this November 26, where the rights of workers are raised, both in the city and in the countryside, as well as pensioners and retired people, and also the defense of the public sector and against privatizations. The International Union of Trade Unions of Pensioners and Retired People of the World Trade Union Federation (TUI of P&R of the WFTU), as we did in January, once again united and in solidarity with the trade union organizations and with each of their managers and fellow militants, who make common cause, in the world struggle, against exploitation, capitalism and imperialism.
FOR A LONG AND WORTHY LIFE
19/11/2020

(Sd)
Quim Boix General Secretary Trade Unions International (TUI) of Pensioners and Retired People (P&R) World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU)

(Sd)
Lisímaco Velasco Propaganda Secretary Trade Unions International (TUI) of Pensioners and Retired People (P&R) World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU)

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BSNLEU has written to the CMD BSNL, pointing out the discrimination in the settlement of medical bills of the retired employees. BSNLEU has also pointed out that the BSNL retired employees are life-long covered by the BSNL MRS and that, the Management is liable to settle their medical bills on an equal footing with the serving employees.

(Courtesy: BSNLEU website)

Shri. Soumitra Chatterjee, great actor and cultural activist is no more. He was admitted in a Kolkata Hospital on 6th October after tested positive for Corona Virus. Though there were reports of improvement in his health condition, he was struggling for the last few days. Finally he breathed his last on 15th November, 2020.

Shri.Soumitra Chatterjee came in to prominence acting in the lead roles of the films of renowned director Shri. Satyajit Ray. He has acted in 14 films of Satyajit Ray and also in some other films of famous directors, Mrinal Sen and Tapan Sinha. He was recepient of India’s highest film award, Dada Saheb Falke award and the coveted French award. The country honoured him with Padma Bhusan. He was a progressive artist and staunh supporter of the Left Front in West Bengal. He was 85 and the passing away of such a brilliant artist is great loss to the country.

AIBDPA pays respectful homage to Soumitra Chatterjee and conveys heartfelt condolences to his family and friends.

The issuing of orders by the DPE for the 5.5% hike in IDA from 01-10-2020 is being delayed causing anxiety and concerns among the pensioners. Last time, when there was a reduction of 0.8% IDA from 01-07-2020, the order was delayed and issued only on 19-08-2020. The pensioners are also worried due to the change in the base year of Consumer Price Index from 2001:100 to 2016: 100 , as this will adversely affect the IDA from 01-10-2020. But the new series of CPI is effective only from September, 2020 whereas the IDA from 01-10-2020 is based on the average rise in CPI up to August, 2020.

Deepavali, the biggest festival of the country, is fast approaching and workers and employees have been paid bonus to celebrate the fesival. But for the pensioners, there is no bonus or Festival Allowance and many of them are expecting to get the increased IDA before Deepavali.

It is in this background that Com.K G Jayaraj, General Secretary contacted the Department of Public Enterprises to ascertain the exact position. Unfortunately, Secretary, DPE was not available and the his Private Secretary advised General Secretary to contact the concerned Director and his mobile number also given. Accordingly, General Secretary had a discussion with Shri.P K Saha, Director on the issue on 12-11-2020. The Director stated that the orders  are not issued and offered no reason for the delay.