07 Nov 2023 

The World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU) honours the 106^th anniversary of the Great October Socialist Revolution.

One hundred and six years ago, the world witnessed a seismic shift that forever altered the course of human progress. The October Revolution, led by the courageous and visionary leaders of the working class, brought forth a new dawn for the oppressed and downtrodden. It was a resounding call for equality, an end to exploitation, and the empowerment of the workers. It also laid the foundations for the creation of the world’s first workers’ state.

The principles of the October Revolution, remain relevant to today’s situation all around the world. In this crucial period as the capitalist crises follow one another, those who produce everything are striving every day for survival, while those who are reaping the profits, are hoarding reckless wealth. Over the years, as well as nowadays, the attack on wages and other labor and social rights of workers comes with a great intensification of repression.

The WFTU continues the daily struggle for the emancipation of the working class, we work to build a world where people will be free of exploitation, and where workers will not be forced to wage slavery, barely surviving daily difficulties, while the capitalists sow all the fruits that workers planted. We fight for a world free of imperialist wars and antagonism resulting in chaos, destruction, and death all over the world.

The international class-oriented trade union movement will continue struggling for a world where workers meet their contemporary needs, and where they will have full rights in labor, social justice, education, and health care. This is one of the greatest achievements of the Great October Socialist Revolution: That even 106 years later, there are still millions of militant workers, fighting for the same principles!

**Com. K G Jayaraj, General Secretary had a meeting with Shri. P C Bhatt, PGM, CBB, BSNL Corporate office on 9th November, 2023.General Secretary brought to his notice that medical bills of retirees were being paid at par with the employees every month as per the orders dated 30.08.2022. But in the recent past some change in payment schedule is experienced. For example there had been no payment during the months of September and October 2023.

The PGM replied that the medical payment schedule is being rearranged to once in every three months. Accordingly, all the pending bills will be paid in December, 2023.

STEPPING UP CASE OF SHRI. D C PAUL, RETD DE, BONGAIGAON, ASSAM.

CHQ had taken up the issue and a detailed letter was written to the then PGM(Estt), BSNL Corporate office and General Secretary also discussed in person on 22nd August, 2023.It is reported by Com. D C Paul, who is our District Secretary also that there is no progress on the issue. Therefore General Secretary has met Shri. S P Singh, present PGM(Estt) on 09-11 – 2023 and discussed the issue by giving a copy of the CHQ letter on the same . The PGM assured to do the needful

**Com. K G Jayaraj, General Secretary has met Smt. Anuradha Joshi Durgapal, CGCA, Department of Telecommunications at her office in New Delhi on 8th November, 2023 and discussed the following issues.

1. Non payment of retirement benefits and regular pension to ST VRS retirees of Maharashtra.

At the outset, General Secretary thanked the CGCA for holding a meeting of all the stake holders at Mumbai on 29th September, 2023. He handed over a copy of the letter forwarding the letter of the Joint Forum of Maharashtra. She replied that it was an effective meeting and good and even heated discussion took place. She wanted to know whether such cases are settled in other central government sectors

.General Secretary replied that the real issue is non implementation of orders of DOP&PW, DOT and BSNL Corporate Office by CGMT, Maharashtra and CCA. While agreeing to she stated the issue is not that simple to be settled and would continue the efforts. General Secretary conveyed the decision of the Joint Forum to meet the CGCA by all the General Secretaries of the constituent organisations of the Joint Forum after the Diwali.

.2. Reduction in pension by CCA, Chennai in violation of the CCS(Pension) Rules and ignoring the instructions / clarification issued by DoT – case of Shri. T. Mahaliappan, Retd Senior Telegraph Master, Tamil Nadu.

General Secretary handed over the CHQ letter forwarding the copy of the representation with all the supporting documents on the issue and sought urgent action to settle the issue early.She had a patient hearing and assured necessary action after getting the report from the CCA, Chennai.

3. Remigration of Pensioners to parent circle of already migrated to living circle.

General Secretary brought to the notice of the CGCA that certain cases are reported from Kerala that those drawing pension from Kerala after migration from parent circle are remigrated to the parent circle. This has happened after change over to SAMPANN.CGCA agreed to examine the issue and asked for any specific case. General Secretary assured to furnish the same.

Com. K G Jayaraj, General Secretary met Shri. Khagse Garg, Director (Staff), Department of Telecommunications on 8th November, 2023 and discussed the issue.

Shri. J H Agashe was dismissed in 2010 due to his conviction by the Additional Sessions Judge in the case filed by the CBI for the alleged illegal gratification of Rs. 200. However, on appeal, the High Court of Nagpur had set aside the conviction on 06-03-2020. Meanwhile, the official had retired on 30-11-2015.Several representations were sent by the official for cancellation of the dismissal based on the High Court order but of no avail.

The issue was brought to the notice of CHQ in August, 2022 and immediately took up the issue by writing a detailed letter to the Member (Services) and General Secretary discussed the issue in person. Thereafter the issue started moving and in May, 2023 the order setting aside the dismissal and allowing 75% of the substitance allowance for the period from the date of dismissal to the date of superannuation was issued . But the same order was withdrawn on technical ground on the same date.

When enquired with the District Secretary, Bhandara, it was reported that the case is still to be settled and also the sad demise of Shri. J H Agashe on 18th October, 2023

.The Director stated that the order withdrawn initially was subsequently issued afresh and sent to the official through BSNL, Maharashtra and was waiting for his response. As he has expired, the Director advised that his wife may send a representation along with the death certificate for further necessary action

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.