SOME BENEFITS OF OLD PENSION SCHEME EXTENDED TO NPS- REPLY BY MINISTER IN PARLIAMENT.

Benefits of Old Pension Scheme to NPS

Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions

Withdrawal of Pension Facility

Information regarding the number of Central Government employees in the country is not maintained centrally in this Ministry. As per information provided by Department of Expenditure, the total number of Central Government civilian employees, as on 01.03.2016, was 32, 21,183

Total number of Central Government civil pensioners, as on 31.03.2018, is 37, 02,882.

Central Government employees (except Armed Forces personnel) appointed on or after 01.01.2004 are covered under the National Pension System (NPS) notified vide Ministry of Finance (Department of Economic Affair’s) Notification No. 5/7/2003-ECB & PR dated 22.12.2003 and Section 20 of PFRDA Act, 2013. Such employees are, therefore, not covered by the Central Civil Services (Pension) Rule, 1972, which are allocable to Central Government civil employees appointed on or before 31.12.2003.

Under NPS a monthly contribution of 10 percent of basic pay plus dearness allowance is required to be made by the employees and a matching contribution is made by the Government. It has since been decided to increase the Government contribution to 14 percent of basic pay and dearness allowance.

On superannuation/retirement, at least 40% of the accumulated pension wealth of such subscriber is mandatorily utilized for purchase of annuity providing for a monthly or any other periodical pension and the balance of the accumulated pension wealth after such utilization is paid to the subscriber in lump sum.

In the event of death of a Government servant of his discharge from service on account of disability or invalidation on medical grounds, the benefit of Central Civil Services (Pension) Rules, 1972 are available to the Government employees of his family members.

Central Government employees covered under NPS are eligible for the benefit of retirement gratuity and death gratuity on the same terms and conditions as are applicable under Central Civil Services (Pension) Rules, 1972.

NPS employees are also eligible for other post-retirement benefits such as leave encashment, group insurance, medical facility, etc., as are applicable to employees appointed before 01.01.2014.

This information was provided by the Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Development of North-Eastern Region (DoNER), MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh in written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha today.

KERALA CIRCLE PAYS 2 INSTALLMENTS OF WITHOUT VOUCHER MEDICAL ALLOWANCE.

BSNL Corporate office had allotted fund to the circles for payment of medical bills with voucher, both indoor and outdoor on 28-12-2018, Kerala Circle after paying the medical bills, two installments of without voucher medical allowance have been paid to the BSNL retirees .

Circle Secretaries of other circles are requested to intervene and ensure similar measure for payment of without voucher medical allowance, if there is surplus fund after payment of medical bills with voucher.

ICONIC FILM MAKER MRINAL SEN PASSED AWAY.

Iconic Filmmaker Mrinal Sen Dies At 95

The legendary film maker and one of the founders of parallel cinema, Mrinal Sen (95) has passed away at his Kolkata home on 30-12-2018. He has contributed immensely to the Indian and world cinema with classic films like Bhuvan Shome, Mrigaya etc. He was a progressive film maker and the films he made were of realism with social criticism.

AIBDPA pays respectful homage to Shri.Mrinal Sen and conveys heartfelt condolences to his bereaved family.

IT IS GOOD NEWS- BSNL INCREASES ITS MARKET SHARE- KUDOS TO THE BSNL MANAGEMENT AND WORKERS.

Despite cut throat competition and government favour to private telcos and discriminating BSNL, the latter has increased its market share both in total connections ( mobile + Land line) and also in mobiles. There is a slight decrease in the land lines.

From 9.66 % market share in mobiles in 2016 BSNL has increased it to 12.64 % in 2018. In the total it is 9.59% in 2016 to 10.48% in 2018. The loss in land lines is from 58.63% to 52.64%, which is mainly due to the change over from landlines to mobile.

This increase in the market share is mainly due to extra effort made by the BSNL management and BSNL workers under the leadership of AUAB. Hearty Congratulations!

But unfortunately the total loss has increased  to Rs.4844 crore. While there were five circles ie. Andaman – Nicobar, J and K, Karnataka, Kerala, and Odisha in profit last time, it has been reduced to two circles ie. Andaman and Kerala only this year. Kerala’s profit has also been reduced from R. 584 crore to 373 crores.

The main reasons for this downfall are demonetisation, GST, favouring of Reliane Jio and other telcos by the government, discrimination and ignoring its own company, BSNL, by not allotting 4G Spectrum, not allowing to take loans for expansion etc.

The government should allot 4 G spectrum immediately, allow BSNL to take loans, reduce the pension contribution to be paid by the BSNL on the basis of actual pay instead of maximum of the pay scale, The various payments to the government should be allowed in more installments as allowed to private telcoms etc. The government should also direct all the central, state governments as well as central/state PSUs only to avail the services of BSNL and MTNL. The vacant buildings and quarters should be rented to the state government/PSUs etc. Various departments of the government will be able to have training classes etc. in the ALTTC, BRAITT, RTTCs  etc. Monetisation   of unused plots also can be made made, of course, taking in to consideration future developments.

Prime Minister is reported to have stated ‘ PSUs are born to die’. We don’t agree. BSNL is born to live and improve and become a mighty and efficient service.

THRISSUR DISTRICT WOMEN’S COMMITTEE FORMED.

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The district women’s convention held at P&T Society Hall on 28-12-2018 was inaugurated by Dr.Sheela Viswanathan, State Committee Member, Progressive Art & Literature Organization. Com.N.Guruprasad, Circle Secretary delivered the keynote address. Com.P.G.Vasudevan, District President controlled the proceedings. Coms.Lusy Isac (Circle Womemn’s Committee Convenor), Maheswari (BSNLEU), P.R.Sankaranarayanan (District Secretary ,BSNLEU) addressed. The resolution on participation in the women’s wall on 01-01-2019 was presented by Com.P.M.Parvathy and was adopted unanimously, Com.T.Ramakrishnan, District Secretary welcomed and Com.TV.Kumary proposed vote of thanks.

A 15 member District Women’s Committee was formed with Com.P.M.Parvathy (Chairperson) and Com. T.V.Kumary (Convenor)

MEDICAL BILLS UPTO 31-10-2018 TO BE CLEARED

BSNL Corporate office has allotted funds for payment of medical bills both indoor and outdoor of retirees and employees for the period up to 31-10-2018. 

CHQ has been pursuing the issue repeatedly and vigorously with CMD.BSNL, Director (HR) amd PGM (Admn) ever since the allotment of fund was stopped and Protest Day was observed on 16-10-2018 throughout the country and FAX/email sent to CMD,BSNL.

While it will give some relief to the retirees, fund for  payment of medical allowance is yet to be made and CHQ will continue to pursue the issue.