Surendranagar district branch has held its biennial conference at Brahma Smajvadi on 31-12-2023. Com.J N Sanaliya, Retd DE presided over the conference. Com.M K Parejiya, District President welcomed the gathering. Com. Com. M B Chaniyara, Circle Secretary and CHQ Vice President inaugurated the conference explaining the issues confronting the pensioners , particularly pension revision and medical benefits.Coms.R U Anjariya, Circle Treasurer, M V Patel, Md Attatulla, ACS, Zala, District Secretary, BSNLEU addressed the conference. Shri.Jadav, DGM and Shri.Zala, JAO greeted the conference on behalf of BSNL.

Com.A P Sabhani, District Secretary and Com. H N Pacholi, Treasurer presented the biennial report and audited accounts, respectively and were adopted after discussion. Seniors in the age group of 70,80 and 90 were honoured by the District branch. Coms. J N Sanaliya,K C Patel,K G Jograna, H N Pacholi, J V Dhanesa, P C Kordiya, S P Sabhani, M K Parejiya, M V Patel and Md Attatulla were honoured with mementos by the Circle Branch.

Office bearers were elected unanimously and the following are the important functionaries. Com.M K Parejiya (President) A P Sabhani (District Secretary) and Com.G S HIngaladiya (Treasurer).

Let the new year 2014 bring peace, happiness and prosperity to all of you. We are entering to the new year 2024 with lot of hopes and also with caution due to the prevailing threatening situation in the country and at the global level. We cannot shut our eyea and ears to the cries of dying chlidren and women at Gaza and other war affected places. In 2023, we have witnessed so many instances wherein many of our women mercilessly subjected to atrocities, including rape and murder. Though the womens reservation bill was passed by the Parliament, uncertainty looms large in its implementation. The functioning of both the houses of Parliament during 2023 has been nominal mainly due to the undemocratic actions resorted to by the government including suspension of huge number of MPs belonging to the opposition parties. Concerted efforts are made by the vested interests to divide the people in the name of religion and caste.

Struggles galored in 2023 by the central trade unions, Kisan movements, Independent federations of central and state governments and PSUs against anti-worker, anti-peasant, pro-corporate and anti-people policies of the central government. AIBDPA under the banner of Joint Forum of BSNL MTNL Pensioners Associations launched a three phased agitational programme culminated in the two days Mass Dharna at Jantar Mantar on 24-25 August,2023 for pension revision. NCCPA also waged a series of agitations culminated in the Parliament March on 21-07-2023 demanding settlement of the 15 point charter of demands including restoration of Old Pension Scheme, pension revision of BSNL/MTNL retirees, updation of bank pension . We have successfully held the Asia Regional Conference of TUI(P&R) at Thiruvananthapuram on 01-10-2023. The Coordination Committee of BSNLEU, AIBDPA & BSNLCCWF organised agitational programmes , including Mass Dharna and Human Chain demanding immediate launching of 4G/5G, wage revision of BSNL employees, New Promotion Policy etc. The Central Executive Committee meeting held at Pune on 19-20 November, 2023 decided to continue the struggle for pension revision , missed between the cup and lips due to the court cases filed by certain pensioners organisations and the PBCAT order.NCCPA All India Conference was also held on 13-14 December, 2023.

So let us strengthen the organisation to face the challenges heroically. Though there are many genuine issues, including pension revision, still to be acheived, STRUGGLE IS THE HOPE and let us march forward through the correct path of struggle.

As per the Consumer Price Index released by the Labour Bureau, the IDA rate on 2007 pay scales and pension is likely to decrease by 0.2% with effect from 01-01-2024. Thus the total IDA will be 215.4% (Existing 215.6% – 0.2% = 215.4%). DPE may issue the orders in this regard shortly.

CHQ is very much saddened to report that Com. G G Patil, veteran leader and former AGS has passed away at 2PM on 29-12-2023.

Com. Patil was under treatment for the last few months and had undergone surgery in a Bangalore Hospital. Yesterday the doctors had told him that he will be discharged on today. But by 0930PM on yesterday he suddenly fell unconscious due to bleeding in brain. Though another emergency surgery was done in the night itself, his life could not be saved.

Com. G G Patil was a very sincere, hard working and committed leader respected and loved by one and all..And above all he was a perfect gentleman and always soft tempered. He was one of our founder leaders and was elected AGS. Though he relinquished the post in our Kolkata AIC, he continued to serve the organisation as before and played a pivotal role in organising our AIC at Mysuru most successfully.

He was only 80. We have lost a sincere and dependable leader. Com. G. G. Patil was one of the pioneers in the telecom trade union movement in Karnataka

AIBDPA dips its banner and pays respectful homages to Com. G G Patil and conveys heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family and comrades of Karnataka.

Red Salute Com.G G Patil.

Com.P Karunakaran, former MP and Chairman, NFPE Kerala inaugurated the Kannur SSA biennial conference at Neeleswaram on 22-12-2023. In the inaugural address, Com. P Karunakaran severely criticised Modi government for its anti-people and anti-worker policies and attacks let loose by the sangh parivars on minority communities and dalits. Com.K Santhakumar, SSA President was in chair. Com.V A N Namboodiri released the book, ” Sivayogi” written by Com.M S Nair. Com.K G Jayaraj, General Secretary delivered the keynote address and explained the issues of medical benefits and pension revision. Leaders of the sister organisations greeted the conference.

In the subject session, Com.Com.K Mohanan, District Secretary and Com.N P Giridharan , Treasurer presented the biennial report and audited accounts respectively. Com.N Guruprasad, Circle Secretary spoke on organisational issues. A number of comrades participated actively in the discussion on organisational issues. Both the Circle Secretary and District Secretary replied to the points raised. A new set of office bearers with Com.K Santhakumar (President) Com.K Mohanan (District Secretary) and Com.N P Giridharan (Treasurer) were elected unanimously.

The 6th biennial district conference of Karwar was held on 21-12-2023 at Kumta. Com. C E Gungai, District President controlled the proceedings. Com.Muddiah, Circle Secretary inaugurated the conference with a detailed speech on all the important issues. Coms.H C Prakash, AGS, Earanna, CHQ Organsing Secretary, R B Tatapati, Circle President and Com.B P Narayan, CIrcle Vice President addressed the conference. A pensioners directory was released by the Chief Guest, Shri.Shanbagh, Administrator, English School, Kumta.

Following are the important functionaries elected unanimously by the conference; Com. C E Gungai (President) Com. C R Kalmane (District Secretary) and Com.N D Patil (Treasurer)

The District Conference of Erode was held on 17-12-2023 . The open session was inaugurated by Com.R Rajasekar , Circle Secretary and presided over by Com. Manickam, District President. Com.Chinnasamy, District Secretary welcomed one and all. Com. Elangovan, President, DRPU delivered the keynote address. Shri. Sam Gunalan, PGM and Com.N Kuppusamy, Circle Vice President also addressed. Leaders of the sister associations greeted the conference. Those who crossed 75 were honoured in the conference.

Com.V Venkataraman, CHQ Organising Secretary inaugurated the delegates session. The biennial report and audited accounts were presented by the District Secretary and Treasurer, respectively and adopted after discussion. Finally Com.R Rajasekar , Circle Secretary addressed and explaind all the issues in detail. Office bearers were elected unanimously with Com. P Chinnasamy (President) Com.N Kuppusamy (District Secretary) and Com. V Maniyan (Treasurer). 220 comrades participated with good number of women delegates.

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The 7th biennial district conference of Kollam was held befittingly with good participation at Com.R Aravindakshan Nair Nagar (Saraswathy hall), Kollam on 18-12-2023. Com.K Mohanan Pillai, District President controlled the proceedings. Com.K Sukumaran Nair, District Secretary welcomed the gathering. Inaugurating the conference, Com,K G Jayaraj, General Secretary explained the issues in detail. Com.N Guruprasad, Circle Secretary delivered the keynote address. Coms. T P Radhakrishna Kumar (CGPA), A Muraleedharan Nair (AIPRPA), R Mahesan (BSNLEU), M D Rajan, Circle Org Secretary greeted the conference. Com.N Pushpavally, Convenor, Womens Committee proposed vote of thanks. In the subject session, Com.K Sukumaran Nair and Com.Murali Mohan Das presented the report and accounts, respectively. 15 comrades actively participated in the discussion. Office bearers were elected unanimously with Com.K Mohanan Pillai (President) K Sukumaran Nair (District Secretary) and Com. Murali Mohan Das (Treasurer)

Mysuru District Conference has been held successfully on 17-12-2023. Com.C Gopalakrishnan, District President presided. Com.Basavaraju, District Secretary welcomed and presented the report. Com.Muddiah, Circle Secretary inaugurated the conference with a detailed speech explaininig the current status of pension revision, medical benefits, CGHS issues and implementation of Parliamentary Standing Committee recommendations etc. Coms. H C Prakash, AGS, Earanna, CHQ Organising Secreatry , R B Tatapati, Circle President and C G Annegiri also addressed. Com.C Gopalakrishnan (President) Com.Basavaraju (District Secretary) and Com.N Subramanya (Treasurer) were elected unanimously for the next term.