Com. K G Jayaraj, General Secretary has met Shri. Ajay Kumar Sahu, Member (Services), Department of Telecommunications on 8th November, 2023 and discussed the issue of pension revision.

Member (Services) stated that now the DoT is finalising the appeal to be filed in High Court against the PBCAT, New Delhi judgment of 20-09-2023. He further stated that nothing is possible unless and until the final decision is made by the higher courts, may be the Supreme Court.

So we have missed the settlement between the lips and cup. Actually, DoT had almost completed the process of pension revision with higher fitment as per 3rd PRC as assured by the then Member (S) in the meeting with the pensioners Associations on 17-10-2022. The file based on the calculations made by the CGCA for financial implications for 5,10,15 percent fitment was expected to be cleared by the MOC in April, 2023. And the MOC is reported to have offered 10% fitment to the delegation led by Com. G L Jogi, General Secretary, SNPWA. But when the argument started in the PBCAT, New Delhi on the cases filed by certain pensioners Associations in which DoT (Estt) was actively involved, the decision on fitment was deferred. And after the judgment, the file itself has been put into the cold storage.

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1.Non payment of Medical Reimbursement bill of Com. Subrata Misra, Asansol, West Bengal.

Com. K G Jayaraj, General Secretary met DGM, Corporate Office on 06-11-2023 and discussed the issue of nonpayment medical bill of Com. Subrata Misra pending for a long time. General Secretary had intervened earlier in July and August, 2023 and payment was assured. But the payment is still not made. General Secretary expressed strong resentment and the DGM immediately asked the concerned section to examine. It was then revealed that West Bengal Circle had not sent repeat demand when payment was not made. DGM then asked West Bengal Circle to send a special fund demand for the case so that payment could be made early. Actually, I was not sure of such a repeat demand and today I got it verified with Kerala Circle and was confirmed.

2. Family Pension case of Laxman Sitaram Neware, Nagpur.

Got it verified from AGM (Estt) BSNL Corporate office that the case was sent to DoT for further action in August, 2023. Therefore visited Sanchar Bhawan on 6th November, 2023 and discussed the issue with the Under Secretary, TFS DoT and Director.. They assured that it is being processed and orders will be issued shortly.

3.Family Pension case of late Shri. Ramachandra Laxman Zamdade, Ex Telecom Mechanic, Satara, Maharashtra.

The Under Secretary was very much critical of the issue being submission of fake date of birth and drew salary for excess years. She stated that Secretary, DoT also made such comments in the file. General Secretary then discussed the issue with the Director, TFS and told him that Shri. Zamdade being an absorbed employee, BSNL has no power to dismiss him without the approval of the DoT and the issue has to be dealt accordingly. Then the Director agreed to put up the file again.

4. Non payment of retirement benefits to Shri. Madegowda, VRS 2019 retiree, Mysuru due to conviction in criminal case.

The case was discussed with the Director and Under Secretary. They replied that the issue is being examined.

5. Family Pension case of Smt. K. Vijayalakshmi, w/o Shri. Panduraju, missing Telegraphman, Vijayawada.

General Secretary met Shri. R Madhava Rao, Director (PSU) who was authorised to deal the case, and got the information that after reratification of dismissal , the file has been sent to BSNL CO for further necessary action. Now, it is learnt that Corporate Office has given the approval and the file has been sent to GMTD, Vijayawada

Bihar Circle has held its Executive Committee meeting at Darbhanga on 04-11-2023. Com. S P Azad, Vice President presided over the meeting. Com.S N Mishra, veteran leader inaugurated. Com. N K Shrivastava, Circle Secretary presented the report and accounts. He also explained the present status of pension revision, medical claims etc. 20 comrades participated in the discussion after which both the report and accounts were adopted. The CEC decided to hold the next circle conference at Katihar. The CEC constituted two committees for North Bihar and South Bihar for visiting the district branchs periodically and help in enrolling more members.

A meeting of the National Executive of NCCPA was held at AIRF office, New Delhi on 05-11-2023. Com.Shiva Gopal Mishra, President presided. Com.K Ragavendran welcomed all and presented the agenda items. He also informed the preparations being made by the Reception Committee for the NCCPA AIC being held on 13-14, December, 2023 at Chennai. The amendments to the constitution presented by Com.D K Debnath on behalf of the constitution Committee was approved after active discussion which will be presented in the ensuing AIC for approval.

AIBDPA was represented by Coms.K G Jayaraj, General Secretary and Deputy Secretary General , NCCPA and S Mohandoss, Vice President and Asst Secretary General, NCCPA. Com.K G Jayaraj brought to the notice of the National Executive about the standstill status of pension revision of BSNL MTNL pensioners consequent on the judgment of PBCAT,New Delhi in the case filed by certain pensioners associations demanding 7th CPC fitment. He requested Com.Shiva Gopal Mishra to take up the issue in the National JCM to tide over the stalemate and Com.Mishra assured to do whatever is possible.

The annual generalbody meetings of Dhenkanal and Cuttck, were held on 04-11-2023 and 05-11-2023, respectively . In Dhenkanal, Com.Rabinarayan Sahu, District President and at Cuttuck Com.Sreedhar Mallick, District President controlled the proceedings. Addressing the meetings, Com.A Dhupal, CHQ Vice President and Com.Pravanjan Kumar Panigrahy, Circle Secretary gave a good account of the important issues and the struggles conducted. District Secretaries , Coms.Pitamber Patra and Sk Hoshen presented the reports.

Gujarat Circle Branch has held its Circle Executive Cpmmittee meeting at Ahmedabad on 27-10-2023. om.N N Patel, Circle President was in chair. Initially, International Pensioners Day and 15th Foundation Day were celebrated by the Circle Branch and Com. J G Nayak, Circle Patron delivered the special address in the inaugural session. Coms. M B Chaniyara, CHQ Vice President and Circle Secretary gave a good account of the importance of the Foundation Day and other issues of pensioners, including pension revision and delay in medical payments. Leaders of BSNLEU, Coms. M K Dave (Circle President), V P Prajapati (Circle Secretary), Amit Chauhan (Circle Treasurer) and a host of leaders spoke. Com. M B Chaniyara presented the report and accounts. 15 comrades participated in the discussion after which both report and accounts were adopted. The CEC decided to hold the next biennial Circle Conference in April, 2024 at Mehasana District,

The 15th Foundation Day of AIBDPA has been celebrated throughout the country with great enthusiasm on 21-10-2023. Flags were hoisted with thunderous sloganeering, cakes cut, sweets distributed, meetings held where the great tradition of struggles, achievements, current situation explained, seniors honoured. In Kerala , the district wise release of the book on PVC was also done. In some district branches like Dharmapuri in Tamil Nadu food items were distributed to the children of the orphanage.

The central Cabinet has approved the 4% hike in DA/DR for the central government employees and pensioners from 01-07-2023. Now the total DA/DR will be 42+4= 46% from 1st July, 2023 and payable after issuing necessary orders.

The Coordination Committee of BSNLEU, AIBDPA & BSNLCCWF gave a call to organise protest action on 18-10-2023 in solidarity to the Palestinian people in their right for a sovereign country. In the name of war between Israel and Hamas thousands of innocent people are being killed. The real issue is illegal occupation of Palestinian territory by Israel and majority of the people being driven away and made refugees.In retaliation of regular attacks by Israel, Hamas in Gaza resorted to rocket attacks against Israel, killing innocent civilians which is condemnable. However, taking it as a cover, Israel has let loose attacks , bombing even hospitals and refugee camps in Gaza and several thousands are mercilessly killed. The imperialist forces led by USA is blindly supporting Israel of its atrocities and even vetoed a UN resolution calling for immediate ceasefire.

CHQ WHOLEHEARTEDLY CONGRATULATES ALL THE COMRADES WHO MADE THE PROTEST ACTION A RESOUNDING SUCCESS BY HOLDING THE PROGRAMME THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY.