.Shri. Ashwini Vaishnaw, Minister for Information & Broadcasting has stated on 16th January, 2025 that the Central Cabinet has approved the constitution of 8th Central Pay Commission.

Actually, the constitution of the 8th Pay commission had become overdue as the 7th Pay Commission was appointed in February, 2014 and the report was submitted only in November, 2016. That is the reason for the demand of appointment of 8th Pay Commission by almost all the organisations of central government employees and pensioners. But Modi government had been ignoring the demand warranting launch of struggles by Confederation of Central Government Employees & Workers, Railway Federations and pensioners under the banner of NCCPA. The six phased agitation waged by NCCPA was culminated in the Massive Dharna held at Jantar Mantar, New Delhi on 13-11-2024. Several Members of Parliament also raised the issue in Parliament. Thus the government was put under tremendous pressure.

Another pressure is the Delhi elections in which BJP is fighting a tough battle against AAP to regain power in the capital state. Certainly, central government employees and pensioners numbering several lakhs are a vote bank.

Though Modi government was actually compelled to take the decision of constitution of 8th Central Pay Commission, all have welcomed the decision and wait for the constitution of the Pay Commission and eager to know about the terms of reference. So the need of the hour is to have a united stand on demands by the central government employees and pensioners organisations.

An extended Circle Executive Committee meeting of Maharashtra was held most successfully on 10th &11th January, 2025 at Sawantawadi, Goa. Com. R N Patil, Circle President preisided over the meeting. Com.Ramachandra Pal, District Secretary of the host Goa District welcomed one and all. Com.Nagesh Kumar Nalawade, CHQ Vice President, BSNLEU inaugurated the Open Session with an enthusiastic speech. He came down heavily on the Modi government for the step motherly attitude towards BSNL and the burning issues of the employees and pensioners including wage revision and pension revision. Coms,Yusuf Hussain, AGS, BSNL CCWF, Ganesh Hinge, Circle Vice President, BSNLEU, M I Jakati, Circle Secretary, Santosh A Soni, CHQ Organising Secretary also addressed.

Com.M I Jakati presented the report and spoke elaborately on all the issues in the subject session. Com.Arun Ingle, Treasurer submitted the accounts. District Secretaries and most of the Circle Office bearers participated in the discussion that followed. The issues raised were adequately replied by the Circle Secretary. Com.Anil Patil, Nashik was nominated as one of the Circle Organising Secretaries. The CEC also unanimously adopted five resolutions on important issues including pension revision , negative stand of CCA, Maharashtra on positive directive of BSNL on ST VRS retirees etc. The birthday of Com.R N Patil was celebrated in a festive mood by cutting cake and felicitating Com. R N Patil and his wife. All the participants appreciated the excellent arrangements made by our AIBDPA Goa District Comrades and BSNLEU Comrades of Sindhudurg District. Actually, Com.V A N Namboodiri , Advisor was expected to participate in the Extended CEC meeting but could not attend due to the hospitalisation of his wife, Com.Pankajam Namboodiri.

The 5th biennial District Conference of Raipur was held on 12-01-2025 with good participation. Com. Abdul Aziz Khan, District President controlled the proceedings. Com.Hari Ram Pal , District Secretary welcomed and presented the report and accounts. Com.R P Atmapoojya, Circle Secretary formally inaugurated the conference focusing mainly on organisational issues. Com.S C Bhattacharjee, AGS delivered the keynote address and explained the recent developments on the main issues of pension revision and medical benefits. After discussion, both the report and accounts were adopted. Office bearers were elected unanimously with Com.Abdul Aziz Khan (Advisor) Com. Hari Ram Pal (President) Com. J N Naskar (District Secretary) Com.Damle (Treasurer).

There is no bigger crime than harassing the children and aged persons. Modi government is exactly doing this – harassing the BSNL – DOT pensioners, who have tirelessly served the nation and the people for about four decades. In their old age, they expected help and assistance or at least justice from the government. But the government is sleeping over the issue.

Pension Revision @ 15 % is due from 01.01.2017 as per recommendations of III Pay Revision Committee. The last Pension Revision was done with 30% fitment as recommended by II PRC. The hollow argument of the govt that since BSNL employees have not been granted wage revision due from 01.01.2017 due to loss of BSNL, has nothing to do with pension as the same is being paid by the government, for which sufficient and more funds are already available with the government through pension contribution collected.

The non- implementation of pension revision has neither logic, reason nor any justification. It is only harassment of the pensioners, reducing their capacity to live as before. This delay / refusal is against the spirit of the 1982 Supreme Court Judgment in ‘ Nakara case

‘.Thousands of pensioners, who were eligible for pension revision wef 01.01.2017 have passed away without getting their due benefits. Family pension is also reduced to that extent. Modi govt which has liberally reduced the tax burden of the corporates coming to lakhs of crores of rupees wants to rob the poor pensioners. This is unforgivable. Even the massive Parliament Marchs / Jantar Mantar Dharnas organised by AIBDPA, Joint Forum etc participated by thousands of pensioners from all parts of the country seem to have been ignored by Govt.

The governments’ another excuse about a pending court case filed by some associations for not ordering pension revision is despicable. Of course, if these associations have not gone to the court with a weak argument and joined with the mainstream of BSNL – MTNL Pensioners Associations and joined in the agitations, there was a chance for more compulsion on government for an early settlement.

We, AIBDPA and other Pensioners organisations of BSNL and MTNL, demand that Pension Revision from 01.01.2017 with 15% fitment be paid without any further delay, failing which the govt will have to face a tempest of agitations.

V A N Namboodiri, Advisor, AIBDPA.

Kolkata Telecom Stores Conference was held on 8th January 2025 at Chowrangee Palace office complex. President Com Didar Box presided. The Conference was inaugurated by Com Asis Das, Circle Secretary WB Circle. He in speech elaborately explained the present situation of the Country, Pension Revision issue and other problems. Com Dhiralal Karmakar and Com Tapan Kumar Roy placed the draft Annual report and Accounts of Income and Expenditure. The members took part in the discussion and adopted. Com Omprakash Singh Circle President focused on all India Campaign programme of “Meet the Pensioners “and the ensuing Circle Conference.  Lastly the house elected office bearers unanimously elected Com Didar Box, Com Dhiralal Karmakar and Com Tapan Kumar Roy as President, Secretary and Treasurer.

It is known to everybody that Manipur is still bleeding due to the ethnic violence broke out in May, 2023, still continuing unabated. However, the comitment of our comrades made the Circle Conference held successfully at Imphal on 24-12-2024. Com.M Mangle Singh, Manipur presided over the conference. Com.Kulla Singh, Circle Secretary welcomed and presented the report and accounts. He also reported the decisions of the Central Executive Committee Meeting held at New Delhi on 12-11-2024.The issues raised in the discussion were adequately replied by the Circle Secretary after which both the report and accounts were adopted. Office bearerswith Com. M B Singh (President) Com.Kulla Singh (Circle Secretary) Com. A Inaobi Devi (Treasurer). The conference decided to implement the “Meet the Pensioner ” campaign to strengthen the organisation.