Organise AIBDPA Foundation Day on October 21 – AIBDPA Zindabad!

It was on 21st October 2009 that All India BSNL DOT Pensioners Association was formed in a massive convention held at Garhwal Bhawan Auditorium in New Delhi. Large number of BSNL and DOT pensioners from all parts of the country participated.

The Convention was presided over by Com.J.N.Mishra, then President of BSNL Employees Union and the Pensioners Convention Flag was hoisted by Com. Ananta Kumar Bhattacharjee, one of the senior most leaders of the P and T Trade Union movement. All the delegates paid homage to the Martyrs.

Com. M.K.Pandhe, then President of CITU and one of the tallest leaders of the trade union movement in the country and the Vice-President of WFTU inaugurated the Convention. He congratulated the organisers for holding the convention and the decision to form a Pensioners organisation for the DOT and BSNL Pensioners. Com.S.K.Vyas, the undisputed leader of the Central government employees and the Pensioners, addressed and spoke about the major issues of the pensioners. A back ground paper on the issues of the pensioners was presented by Com.V.A.N.Namboodiri, then GS BSNLEU,  for discussion of the delegates and decisions.

After discussion by a large number of delegates, it was unanimously decided to form All India BSNL DOT Pensioners Association to defend the interests of the BSNL DOT Pensioners and advance their cause. The Constitution presented by Com.P.V.Chandrasekharan, veteran leader, was unanimously adopted by the house. A comprehensive charter demands was also adopted, some of them later included in the common memorandum submitted to the 7th Pay Commission by the NCCPA. 

Office-bearers with Coms.V.A.N.Namboodiri (Advisor), P.V.Chanrasekharan (Patron, A.K.Bhattacharjee (President)  and K.G.Jayaraj ( General Secretary) were unanimously elected. A mighty movement for the DOT BSNL pensioners was born on that day, October 21, 2009.

During the last 8 years, the organisation has grown tremendously becoming the biggest Pensioners organisation in the Central government Pensioners movement as one of the senior leaders in the NCCPA (National Co-Ordination Committee of Pensioners Association) congratulated. It took up the issues of the pensioners with the central government, Ministers, DOT and BSNL and achieved some of the important demands. It fought along with BSNLEU and the Associations and Unions of BSNL in the interest of the BSNL and also its employees and pensioners. Massive Parliament / Sanchar Bhawan March was organised in Delhi. AIBDPA was represented through V.A.N.Namboodiri, Advisor, in the discussion with the VII Central Pay Commission, who focussed the pension and pension revision issues of the BSNL pensioners and gave a special Memorandum as required by the Commission.

Whether it is the Pension Revision w.e.f. 01-01-2007, 78.2% IDA fixation or restoration of medical allowance – on all issues facing the DOT and BSNL pensioners, AIBDPA was in the forefront. Now the main question before the BSNL pensioners is the pension revision w.e.f. 01-01-2017, on which it has demanded the government to grant 15% fitment as recommended for the executives by the III PRC, with full logic and precedence. The government is paying the pension and the affordability clause put by the III PRC is not applicable to the BSNL pensioners. The demand put by some pensioners associations on CDA pension revision will result in much loss, complication and anomalies and is against the existing practice on IDA scale which has largely benefitted the pensioners. The co-ordination of the workers and the pensioners is most important. Remember, “To day’s workers are tomorrow’s pensioners and to day’s pensioners were yesterday’s workers”. This bond should be strengthened.

AIBDPA has called upon the pensioners to celebrate the Foundation Day Anniversary on 21st October 2017 in a befitting manner by organising meetings, demonstrations, rallies etc. and preparing for the future struggles on the demands of the pensioners. This Foundation Day Celebration is being organised, when the entire CG pensioners movement in the country are preparing for massive struggles on the fully justified demands of the pensioners, including pension revision of BSNL retirees with 15% fitment. The massive Dharna in New Delhi on 25th October 2017 as per the call of NCCPA will be historic and AIBDPA will make all efforts for maximum participation.

On this 8th Foundation Anniversary of AIBDPA, Warm Greetings and Congratulations to all members and our well wishers!

DoPPW issued Order for Revision of Disability Pension

The long awaited order for Revision of Disability Pension is issued by Department of Pension and Pensioners welfare on12th October 2017

No.1/4/2016-P&PW (F)
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions
Department of Pension & Pensioners’ Welfare

3rd Floor, Lok Nayak Bhavan,
Khan Market, New Delhi-11 0003.
Dated the 12th October, 2017.

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject: Special benefits in cases of death and disability in service – Revision of Disability Pension/Family pension under CCS(EOP)Rules of Pre-2016 disability pensioners/ Family Pensioners in implementation of recommendations of 7th Central Pay Commission – regarding.

The undersigned is directed to say that orders were issued vide D/o. P&PW’s OM No.38/37/2016-P&P&W(A)(ii) dated 04.08.2016 for revision of pension/family pension of pre 2016 pensioners/family pensioners, including those drawing pension/family pension under CCS(EOP) Rules. In terms of the aforesaid OM, the revised disability pension/family pension under CCS(EOP) w.e.f. 01.01.2016 was required to be determined by multiplying the disability pension/family pension, as had been fixed at the time of implementation of the 6th Central Pay Commission recommendations, by 2.57.

2. Subsequently, vide this Department’s OM No.38/37/2016-P&PW(A) dated 11th May, 2017, it was decided that the revised pension/family pension w.e.f 01.01.2016 in respect of all Central civil pensioners/family pensioners, including CAPF’s who retired/died prior to 01.01.2016 and drawing pension/family pension under CCS(Pension) Rules may be revised by notionally fixing their pay in the pay matrix recommended by 7thCPC in the level Revision of Disability Pensioncorresponding to the pay in the pay scale/pay band and grade pay at which they retired/died. This will be done by notional pay fixation under each intervening Pay Commission based on the Formula for revision of pay. While fixing pay on notional basis, the pay fixation formulae approved by the Government and other relevant instructions on the subject in force at the relevant time shall be strictly followed.

3. The question of revision of disability pension/family pension under CCS(EOP)Rules by pay fixation method has been considered by the Government. It has been decided that the disability pension/family pension under CCS(EOP)Rules will also be revised by notionally fixing the pay in the pay matrix recommended by the 7th CPC in the aforesaid manner. Accordingly, disability pension/family pension under CCS(EOP)Rules w.e.f. 01.01.2016 will be revised in the following manner:-

I. Family Pension for Categories B & C

(a) Where the deceased Government servant was not holding a pensionable post: 40% of notional pay as on 01.01.2016 subject to a minimum of Rs.11 ,700/- per month.

(b) Where the deceased Government servant was holding a pensionable post: 60% of notional pay as on 01.01.2016 subject to a minimum of Rs.18,000/- per month.

In case where the widow dies or remarries, the children shall be paid family pension at the rates mentioned at (a) or (b) above, as applicable, and the same rate shall also apply to fatherless/motherless children. In both cases, family pension shall be paid to children for the period during which they would have been eligible for family pension under the CCS (Pension) Rules.Dependent parents/brothers/sisters etc. shall be paid family pension one-half the rate applicable to widows/fatherless or motherless children.

Read :   Disability Pension and Extra Ordinary Family Pension – DoPPW Order

II. Family Pension under Categories D & E

(a) Family pension to the widow shall be equal to the notional pay as on 01.01.2016

(b) If the Government servant is not survived by his widow but is survived by child/children only, all children together shall be eligible for family pension at the rate of 60% of the notional pay as on 01.01.2016 subject to a minimum of Rs. 18,000/-

(c) If the Government servant died as a bachelor or as a widower without children, family pension will be admissible to parents without reference to pecuniary circumstances, at the rate of 75% of the notional pay as on 01.01.2016, if both parents are alive, and at the rate of 60% if only one of them is alive.

III. Disability Pension for Categories B & C

(a) Disability pension would comprise of a service element equal to 50% of the notional pay as on 01.01.2016 plus disability element equal to 30% of the same notional pay, for 100% disability.

(b) For disability less than 100%, disability element shall be reduced proportionately subject to the provisions of Rule 8 of CCS(EOP)Rules and subject to minimum disability pension of Rs. 18,000/- per month.

IV. Disability Pension for category D:

(a)Disability pension would comprise of a service element equal to 50% of the notional pay as on 01.01.2016 and disability element equal in amount to normal family pension

(b) For lower percentage of the disability, the disability pension would be proportionately lower subject to the provisions of Rule 8 of CCS(EOP)Rules and subject to a minimum disability pension of Rs.18,000/- per month.

V. Disability Pension for Cases under Category E

(a) Disability pension would comprise of a service element equal to 50% of the notional pay as on 01.01.2016 and disability element equal to the same notional pay as on 01.01.2016 for 100% disability.

(b) For lower percentage of the disability, the disability element shall be proportionately lower subject to the provisions of Rule 8 of CCS(EOP)Rules.

Read : Recommendations of Seventh CPC in respect of disability pensions

4. It has also been decided that the higher of the two formulations, ie. the disability pension/family pension under CCS(EOP) Rules already revised in accordance with this Department’s OM No.38/37/2008-P&PW(A)(ii) dated 4.8.2016 or revised disability pension/family pension under CCS(EOP)Rules worked out in accordance with para 3 above, shall be granted to pre 2016 disability pensioners/family pensioners under CCS(EOP)Rules w.e.f. 01.01.2016. In cases, where disability pension/family pension being paid w.e.f. 01.01.2016 in accordance with this Department’s OM No.38/37/2008-P&PW(A)(ii) dated 4.8.2016 happens to be more than the disability pension/family pension as worked out in accordance with para 3 above, the disability pension/family pension already being paid shall be treated as revised disability pension/family pension under CCS(EOP)Rules with effect from 01.01.2016.

5. The limit of maximum pension and family pension under para 8 of Department of Pension and Pensioners’ Welfare OM dated 12.05.2017 would not be applicable for disability pension under CCS(EOP)Rules.

6. All other terms and conditions of OM No.38/37/2016-P&PW(A) dated 1ih May 2017, in so far as they are relevant in the case of disability pension and family pension under CCS(EOP)Rules would also be applicable for revision of disability pension and family pension under CCS(EOP) Rules with effect from 01.01.2016.

7. These orders shall apply to all pensioners/family pensioners who were drawing disability pension/family pension before 1.1.2016 under the CCS (EOP) Rules or the corresponding rules applicable to Railway pensioners and pensioners of All India Services and will also be applicable to those pensioners/family pensioners who were granted disability pension/family pension in terms of this Department’s OM No.38/41/06/-P&PW(A) dated 05.05.2009 on death/disability of Government Servant covered by the National Pension System.

8. This issues with the concurrence of Ministry of Finance, Department of Expenditure, vide their ID No.1 (11)/EV/2017 dated 11.09.2017

9. In so far as persons belonging to the Indian Audit & Accounts Department, these orders issue after consultation with the Comptroller & Auditor General of India.

10. All Ministries/Departments are requested to bring the contents of these orders to the notice of Controller of Accounts/Pay and Accounts Officers and Attached and subordinate Offices under them on a top priority basis. All pension disbursing officers are also advised to prominently display these orders on their notice boards for the benefits of disability pensioners/family pensioners.

11. Hindi version will follow.

(Sujasha Choudhury)
Director

BSNL BOARD FAILS TO TAKE ANY DECISION ON 3RD PRC.

It is reported that the BSNL Board meeting held on 12-10-2017 has not taken any decision on implementation of 3rd PRC with 15% fitment in BSNL. The Additional Secretary, DoT is stated to be opposed and wanted the issue to be postponed to the next meeting of the Board on 24-10-2017. So the agitation of the employees and pensioners has to be intensified with huge participation to exert pressure on the government to exempt BSNL from the affordability clause and implement the wage revision.

KARWAR DISTRICT CONFERENCE HELD WITH GOOD PARTICIPATION

Image may contain: 2 people, people sitting and food

Image may contain: 1 person, sitting and indoor

The 3rd biennial District Conference of Karwar in Karnataka was held befittingly at Sringeri Matt, Karwar on 12-10-2017. Com.S.T.Revankar, District President controlled the proceedings. Inaugurating the Conference, Com.G.G.Patil, AGS effectively placed before the house the current developments with regard to wage revision and pension revision in BSNL and the NCCPA Dharna being held at New Delhi.

Shri.Nazeer Shaik, DGM, BSNL and Shri.G.G.Bhatt, AO, BSNL,Karwar were the guests of honour. Coms. Muddaiah, Circle Secretary, R.G.Bhandari, Circle President, B.P.Narayan, Former Circle President, BSNLEU, M.M.Hegde, District Secretary, BSNLEU and Com.H.C.Prakash, District Secretary, Bangalore addressed. Com.G.G.Patil released the telephone directory brought out by the District Branch.

Coms. S.J.Revankar, C.R.Kalmane and S.M.Gaonkar have been elected unanimously as President, District Secretary and Treasurer

WFTU’S SOLIDARITY WITH THE STRIKING FRENCH WORKERS.

France:Solidarity with the French workers who called on strike

12 Oct 2017
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The World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU), representing more than 92 million workers in 126 countries worldwide, reiterates its internationalist solidarity with French civil servants and with all the workers who called for a strike on 10 October 2017.

As international class-orineted trade union movement, we support the protests and demands of all workers in France against the reform of the labor code, against the job cuts and the attack on their social rights and acquired rights.

We call the workers of France to join their voices with their striking colleagues and to coordinate their struggles to deal with the anti-labor measures of the EU and the French government.

The struggle continues!

The Secretariat

SUPPORT AND JOIN THE AGITATIONS OF ALL UNIONS AND ASSOCIATIONS OF BSNL.

All Unions and Associations of BSNL have served notice for the agitational programmes to both Secretary, DoT and CMD, BSNL on 11-10-2017 signed by 11 unions and associations.

The demands put forward are (1) Pay Revision from 01-01-2017 with 15% fitment benefit and (2) Drop the proposal to form a separate tower company.

The agitational programs are as follows;

  1. Demonstration at Corporate, Circle and SSA levels on 16-10-2017.
  2. Human Chain at Corporate, Circle and SSA levels on 16-11-2017
  3. Two Days Strike on December 12th and 13th, 2017
  4. Indefinite Strike if the issues are not settled, date of which will be announced in due course.

All the AIBDPA Units are requested to support the above agitational programs by participating in the Dharna and Human Chain and extend all help and co-operation for the strike.

AIBDPA will chalk out separate agitational programs for Pension Revision from 01-01-2017 with 15% fitment after the Mass Dharna called by NCCPA at New Delhi on 25-10-2017.

 

The WFTU – TUIs meeting concluded with the unanimous adoption of the “Kolkata Conclusion”

10 Oct 2017
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The 2-days WFTU – TUIs meeting concluded with grate successful today, 10 of October 2017 in kolkata, India. During the meeting delegates from all the sectors discussed for the situation and conditions that the workers face to the various sectors and how the international class oriented trade union movement be organized for its counter-attack in favor of the working class and the cover of the interests of the workers.

The WFTU – TUIs meeting concluded with the unanimous adoption of the “Kolkata Conclusion”:

KOLKATA (INDIA) CONCLUSION

This WFTU – TUI annual consultation meeting is being held around one year after the 17th World Trade Union Congress in Durban, South Africa and around five months after the meeting of the Presidential Council of WFTU in Havana, Cuba. It is being held in a situation when the systemic capitalist crisis is deepening and the capitalist class continues its attempt to protect and increase their profits by shifting the burdens of the crisis on to the working class and other sections of the toiling people. All the hard won rights and benefits of the working class are under attack.

This onslaught has to be fought nationally and internationally. TUIs have a big responsibility in leading this fight. They have to develop and strengthen sectoral and coordinated movements in their respective sectors throughout the world under the guidance and with the support of the WFTU.

The ideology of the WFTU, the understanding of the 17th Congress of the WFTU about the world situation and the role of the class oriented trade unions have to be taken to the grass root level workers in our respective sectors.360

TUIs are major bodies of class oriented trade union movement. They have the fundamental responsibility of defending the rights of the workers in their respective sectors including the trade union rights, of linking the workplace with the WFTU.

The basic principle of functioning enunciated by WFTU, of ‘open and democratic functioning’ should be duly reflected in the functioning of all our TUIs. Hence, whatever shortcomings in the functioning of the TUIs exist today have to be overcome with a sense of urgency.

To ensure this, we have to take up the following tasks:

• All TUIs to meet regularly, discuss the developments in their industries, the conditions of the workers in their industries and their struggles in various countries at the global level. Mechanism for regular sharing of information among all affiliated unions across the globe to be evolved and effectively implemented.
• Support the struggles of workers in their industries across the world, plan solidarity actions and implement them; inform WFTU Secretariat about these struggles for broader support and solidarity
• Plan activities that would help ideological development of the working class in their respective sectors
• Review implementation of decisions and progress in all meetings and formulate activities accordingly
• Strengthen coordination among the various affiliated unions of the TUIs and between the TUIs and the WFTU to develop effective global resistance to the global onslaught of the capitalists
• The 150th year of publication of ‘Das Capital’ to be observed to spread awareness about the inherent exploitative nature of the capitalist system and raise the consciousness of the workers on the need to change the system and the role of the working class in ending exploitation.
• TUI affiliates are to take up the day to day problems of workers, analyse objectively from working class angle the cause of problems and organise struggle to fulfil the demands of the workers.
• TUIs to work for developing unity with the farmers, students and self employed people.
• TUIs have the task of promoting international solidarity with workers from other sectors and countries.
• TUIs must pay attention to the diabolical developments of political refugees and economic migrants facing inhuman atrocities internationally which is directly linked to barbarity of imperialism and capitalist crisis.
• TUIs must act as powerful lever of struggle against capitalist barbarism pursued by monstrous multi-national corporations (MNCs).
• To take precise efforts to improve the functional position of the TUIs, with specific attention to strengthen the fund position of the TUIs in order to expand their function and activities.
• To undertake study at regular intervals to trace down the development in industries with facts and figures with a view to educate the cadres and masses internationally and send the reports to WFTU Secretariat.
• To establish co-ordination between the Regional Offices and TUIs in each Regions, so as to help each other and the implementation of collective programmes.
• TUIs must continuously promote the WFTU amongst the grass root level workers and unions and bring them into the WFTU family. This should be an important parameter to judge the organisational success of all the TUIs.
• TUIs must participate in the activities of the different forums of WFTU and implement the campaign and action programmes time to time decided by the WFTU including observation of the Action Day on 3rd October every year
• TUIs must democratically elect leaders in their Congress ensuring that the new cadres and leaders are active and effective in discharging the responsibility of the office they hold in the respective TUI.

This meeting held at Kolkata, India on 9-10 October, 2017 with representatives from Nine TUIs requests the WFTU Secretariat to concretise the various proposals and action programmes by the TUIs. The Secretariat of WFTU may ensure communication to the TUIs regularly and extend class oriented ideological and organisational support to the TUIs.

MTNL MOBILE SERVICES TO BE MERGED WITH BSNL- REPORTS FINANCIAL EXPRESS.

MTNL, BSNL Revival On Cards? This Is What Government Is Planning

For the revival of state-owned, loss-making telecom firms MTNL and BSNL, the government is now toying with the idea of merging the wireless business of the former with the latter.The wireless business of MTNL is very small — it provides services only in two circles, Delhi and Mumbai, and has a total subscriber base of just 0.36 million.

Though a merger of BSNL and MTNL has been on and off the government’s table for the last several years, this latest proposal of just merging the wireless unit of MTNL with BSNL is being discussed because it is simple to achieve. Since MTNL is a listed entity and BSNL is not, a proper merger between the two would entail a reverse merger process.

Second, transfer of staff is problematic because of seniority and different pay scale issues.

Simply merging the wireless businesses would not need to get into such complexities and would also achieve the purpose of a single governmententity having a pan-India mobile operations.

Currently, while MTNL provides mobile services in Delhi and Mumbai, BSNL is not present in these two circles. In the past, both the companies have sought government permission to branch out in areas where they are not present butwere not allowed.

While the government may be able to buy some time if the plan to merge the wireless business of MTNL with BSNL finally gets approved, analysts said that it would be a case of too little, too late. Both the companies are saddled with huge staff and stagnant revenues and have been making losses for more than five years now.

For instance, MTNL reported a consolidated net loss of Rs 2,396 crore in 2016-17 against a net loss of Rs1,946 crore in FY16. Its revenue was also lower in FY17 at Rs 3,655 crore against Rs 3,794 crore a year ago.

Similarly, BSNL reported a loss of Rs 7,019 crore in 2013-14 and Rs 8,234 crore in 2014-15. The loss fell by less than half to Rs 3,880 crore in 2015-16. Its revenue increased from Rs 26,153 crore in 2013-14 to `27,242 crore in 2014-15 and to Rs 28,449 crore in 2015-16. The company is yet to announce its FY17 earnings. It has a total mobile subscriber base of 104.55 million. – Financial Express 

WAGE AGREEMENT IN COAL INDIA LTD WITH 20% INCREASE AND 5 YEAR TERM.

It has been reported in the press that the management and unions in Coal India Ltd, a major PSU,have signed an agreement on 10-10-2017, The salient features of the wage pact are as follows;

  1. The net increase in the present wages will be 20%.  The 3rd PRC has recommended a maximum of 15% fitment.
  2.  The period of the agreement is to be 5 years where as in most of the PSUs including BSNL ,it is 10 years.
  3. .The management for the first time agreed for a medical allowance and Rs.18,000 will be paid to every worker per annum.
  4. A total of 2.98 lakh workers will be benefited and the annual expenditure is estimated to be Rs. 5,667 crore.
  5.  CITU, AITUC & BMS Unions signed the agreement representing the workers.

We whole heartily congratulate the workers and unions of Coal India Ltd for the significant agreement which is a product of their unity and the determination for united struggle. This will definitely inspire the unions in other PSUs , including BSNL to emulate the same approach by forging unity and waging joint struggle to achieve a reasonable wage revision.