*Com.K G Jayaraj General Secretary , AIBDPA has met Shri.V L Kantha Rao, Additional Secretary, Department of Telecommunications on 14-11-2022.At the outset, General Secretary conveyed our profound thanks for his effective intervention for the early settlement of the family pension case of Smt.A. Rajeswari, w/o the missing Regular Mazdoor BSNL Visakhapatnam, Shri.A. Joga Rao.

General Secretary then handed over the CHQ letter written with reference to the DoT file proposing pension revision with Nil fitment delinking wage revision . General Secretary explained the justification for 15% fitment and requested his intervention. Additional Secretary assured to examine the issue.Additional Secretary was invited to participate and address our 4th Triennial All India Conference in Mysuru on 20th& 21st December,2022.

General Secretary also met Dr.Mahesh Shukla Member( Services ) and discussed the issue of pension revision. He requested the Member (Services) to send fresh proposal with 15% fitment at the earliest and reminded him of his assurance in this regard in the meeting held on 17-10-2022. Member (Services) assured to send a fresh proposal with fitment benefit between zero percent and 15 % .

tCom.K G Jayaraj ,General Secretary met Dr.Mahesh Shukla Member (Services) and Smt.Roshni Sohni , DDG ( Estt) at Sanchar Bhawan on 09-11-2022.

The meeting was in the backdrop of the meeting held by Member(S) with the representatives of BSNL/MTNL Pensioners organisations on 17-10-2022 on pension revision and release of record of discussion.

The following points were clarified by Members ( Services) as sought by the General Secretary.

1 Pension revision is possible only as per 3rd PRC and the proposal of the DoT is based on it.

2. Pension revision will be delinked from wage revision.

3. Necessary approval of the nodal ministry for suitable amendment in the CCS(Pension)Rules, 2021 for delinking and notional fixation is being sought.

Member( S) also stated that pay scales of non -executives are required for further necessary action. General Secretary pointed out that along with the memorandum submitted by AIBDPA pay scales of Non-Executives of BSNL approved by the Joint Committee of both BSNL management and representatives of recognised unions was enclosed. But Member (S) stated the pay scales are to be approved by the BSNL Board.

General Secretary demanded that the new proposal should be for 15% fitment as entire liability is of the Central Government . Further the government has already collected pension contributions at the maximum of the payscales.

General Secretary also had a separate meeting with Shri.Manish Sinha, Member (Finance). The issue of reduction in pension due to arbittrary cut of LPDs by CCAs was discussed and the letter in this regard was handed over to him. He assured to do the needful in consultation with the Controller General of Communication Accounts.

All the three officers were invited to our AIC being held at Mysuru on 20th and 21st December,2022.

Shri. K S Lakshman Rao, MLC inaugurated the Guntur biennial Conference at Jasua Vignanana Kendram, Guntur on 09-11-2022. He gave a good account of the national situation and the need to fight against the attacks on common people and workers. The report and accounts presented by Com. Enoch, District Secretary were adopted after discussion. Then, Com.K S C Bose, Circle Secretary spoke elaborately on the functioning of the organisation, the struggles being waged for the settlement of the genuine issues. A new set of office bearers were elected unanimously with Com. D Mariadas( President) Com.K Nageswara Rao (District Secretary) and Com. P Sambasiva Rao (Treasurer).

There have been several complaints from many pensioners that Family Pensioners are denied the option facility in BSNL MRS. CHQ has taken up the issue with CMD, BSNL for extending Option facility to Family Pensioners as a one time measure.

Despite allotment of sufficient funds to clear the medical benefits of BSNL retirees upto 31-03-2022, some of the retirees are left out in many BAs of various Circles. And struggles are being conducted in some circles. Therefore CHQ has again written to CMD BSNL for a lenient view and proper utilisation of the fund.

The 5th biennial Circle Conference of West Bengal was held at the Town Hall Burdwan on 5th & 6th November, 2022. Com.K G Jayaraj, General Secretary inaugurated the conference . In his inaugural address, General Secretary vividly explained the issues confronting the pensioners with particular emphasis to medical benefits and pension revision. The historic Sanchar Bhawan March and its positive impacts were also focused. A host of leaders including Coms. D Basu (AGS & Secretary,CORTO), Animesh Mitra (President, BSNLEU) Pijush Chakraborty (Circle Secretary) addressed the open session. Com. Shyama Pada Ray, General Secretary, Reception Committee & District Secretary, Burdwan welcomed one and all. A presidium of Coms.Susanta Ghosh and Dilip Das controlled the proceedings. Seven veteran leaders who have crossed 80 were honoured with memento and shawl.

In the subject session held thereafter , Com. Pijush Chakraborty presented the report on activities and the Treasurer presented the audited accounts. The delegates actively participated in the discussion that followed. After the summing up of Com.Pijush Chakraborty, Circle Secretary, both the report and accounts were adopted. Some resolutions on important issues were also adopted by the conference. Office Bearers were elected unanimously with Com.Omprakash Singh (President) Com.Asis Das (Circle Secretary) and Com. Debasish Khan (Treasurer). The Reception Committee made excellent arrangements for the successful conduct of the conference.

The Circle Conference of NE_I was held at Shillong on 19-10-2022. Com.M C Bhowmik, CHQ Organising Secretary represented CHQ and spoke elaborately on the important issues. The report and accounts presented by Com.Gopaldas, Circle Secretary were adopted after active discussion. A new set of Office Bearers were elected with Com.Swapan Chakraborty (President) Com. Satyajit Deb (Circle Secretary) and Com. Tridip Das (Treasurer).

5th biennial Kamrup District Conference has been held on 06-11-2022 with very good participation of pensioners. Com. P C Das, veteran leader hosted the conference at his house in Solakuchi Textile City. Com.M R Das, AGS inaugurated the conference explaining the militant functioning of the organisation, the struggles and the achievemnts. The report and accounts presented by Com. A Rahman were adopted after discussion. Office bearers were elected unanimously with Com. K C Medhi (President), Com.A Rahman (District Secretary) and Com. M C Gayari (Treasurer).

It is reported with grief, the sad demise of Com.Shahabuddin Siddiqui, veteran leader and founder Circle Secretary AIBDPA Telecom Factory & Stores, Kolkata at 730AM on 07-11-2022 at Kolkata. The life of Com.S Siddiqui was entirely devoted to the cause of telecom workers and pensioners. He was a sincere and militant leader and took up responsibilities in various capacities including Circle Secretary, AITEEU Line Staff & Cl IV, BSNLEU, TF, Kolkata. He took the initiative to form AIBDPA Circle Branch of TF& Stores, Kolkata and was Circle Secretary till he relinquished on health grounds. He was 79 and was ailing for sometime long.

AIBDPA pays respectful homage to Com.S. Siddique and conveys heartfelt Condolences to the bereaved family and friends and comrades.
Red Salute to Com. Siddiqui

CHQ is happy to report that the family pension case of Smt.A Rajeswari, widow of Shri.A. Joga Rao, Regular Mazdoor, BSNL, Visakhapatnam has been settled. Family Pension is granted with effect from 03-05-2009, date on which FIR was filed for the missing of Shri.Joga Rao.The PPO has been issued to Smt.A. Rajeswari on 31-10-2022.

The issue was brought to our notice by our Circle Secretary, Andhra Pradesh,Com.K S C Bose with all the relevant documents in April,2022. We wrote immediately to both Secretary, DoT and CMD BSNL on 19th April,2022, having been convinced of the genuineness of the issue and the sufferings of the poor family of the missing Regular Mazdoor. We met the top officers of both DoT and BSNL and presented the case in detail.

CRUCIAL INTERVENTION BY ADDITIONAL SECRETARY,DOT.

We have all the appreciation for the sincere and effective intervention of Shri.V L Kantha Rao, Additional Secretary, DoT after we met him on 29th June,2022. He convened a meeting of the concerned DoT officers and asked them to settle the issue at the earliest and Shri R.Madhava Rao, Deputy Secretary was authorised to coordinate with all the concerned, particularly with BSNL. We have fully cooperated and provided all the required documents and pursued continuously. So finally the issue is settled within a period of six months.

Congratulations to Smt.A Rajeswari and her children who suffered a lot,running pillar to post for the last 150 months.Our profound thanks to Shri.V L Kantha Rao IAS, Additional Secretary, R M Rao, Deputy Secretary, Shri.Saurab Tyagi, PGM ( Estt), BSNL and all other officers who helped for the early settlement.