In view of the denial of permission to continue the Dharna on 25th August 2023 at Jantar Mantar, the Joint Forum of BSNL MTNL Pensioners Associations had planned to hold Protest Demonstration before the Sanchar Bhawan at 1130AM on 25th inst. Plenty of Police were deployed to prevent the demonstration and some of our comrades from Tamil Nadu, Chennai Telephones, Kerala, Gujarat, West Bengal, Rajasthan etc were removed in the police vehicle to Jantar Mantar. The leaders reached at the spot at 1130AM and had a tough time dealing the police. But unmindful of the consequences, they started shouting slogans loudly and spiritedly and all other comrades who were in the near vicinity rushed and joined together and staged a powerful demonstration for 15 minutes resisting the police to remove them to the police vehicle. Then the police informed that Joint Forum can continue the Dharna at Jantar Mantar. Thereafter, hundreds of pensioners moved to Jantar Mantar in a procession and held the Dharna.

Coms. V A N Namboodiri, K G Jayaraj, G L Jogi, H F Chaudhari, M K Mudgal, M R Das and D D Mistri addressed the Dharna participated by hundreds of comrades who came from almost all parts of the country with great commitment and determination to fight for the genuine cause. All the speakers delivered spirited and encouraging speeches exposing the lethargic attitude of the government and affirmed to continue the struggle until the pension revision is achieved.

Then the police took the leaders in their vehicle to Sanchar Bhawan and the Joint Secretary received the memorandum.

.The third phase of the agitational programme of Joint Forum of BSNL MTNL Pensioners Associations, against the apathy of the government and bureaucracy in the most burning issue of pension revision was the 5 days Dharna from 21 – 25 August 2023. But the Delhi Police gave permission for only one day on 24th August, 2023, that also from 10am to 1pm.

The pensioners that came from all parts of the country exhibited their anger and anguish against the unjustifiable stalemate on the issue of pension revision after completing almost all the formalities. They raised slogans against the continuing injustice on their legitimate demand and affirmed the determination and commitment to fight it out until achieved.

Veteran leader and Advisor of AIBDPA, Com. V A N Namboodiri presided. Com. K G Jayaraj, General Secretary, AIBDPA and Convener, Joint Forum welcomed all and explained the demand. Com. Shiva Gopal Mishra, General Secretary, AIRF, Secretary, N JCM (Staff Side) and President, NCCPA inaugurated the Dharna. He came down heavily on the anti worker, anti pensioner policies of the government and assured all the support in achieving the genuine demand of pension revision of BSNL and MTNL absorbed retirees. Coms. Thomas John & D D Mistry, BDPA(I), G L Jogi, GS, SNPWA, H F Chaudhari, GS, AICGPA HQ Pune, V K Thomar, Secretary General NCOA and Chairman, Joint Forum of MTNL Associations and Unions , R K Mudgal, General Secretary, MREWA spoke criticising the negative stand of the government.More than 1000 pensioners participated.

CHQ heartily congratulate all the comrades for their valuable participation in the most important struggle.

*Com. K G Jayaraj, General Secretary and Com. M G S Kurup, Treasurer had a detailed meeting with Smt. Anuradha Joshi Durgapal, Controller General of Communication Accounts, Department of Telecommunications on 22nd August, 2023.The representatives brought to her notice the letters already sent to her on the issues being faced by the pensioners. Still for ready reference, copies of the letters were also given.

Provision of a simple App, Know Your LC status.

The suggestion of AIBDPA to minimise the number of defaulters of life certificate was discussed in detail. CGCA stated that the Department while checking the personal details, it is found that the important information like PAN, Mobile number etc are missing in the records, particularly that of super seniors and wanted AIBDPA to extend maximum cooperation to collect these. The delegation readily agreed and told that AIBDPA branches are already doing it. CGCA doubted that many of the seniors are not using smart phones and how far the App may benifit these section. The representatives replied that if the App is simple, as suggested, they could utilise it if not independently but with some help. CGCA further stated that the number of defaulters of LC is monitored on a daily basis and the number is far less nowadays

Lack of provisions in the SAMPANN module.

The representatives pointed out the hardships of the pensioners for which reasons attributed are lack of provision in the SAMPANN module. CGCA replied that though it is not fully correct, the issue is being examined and SAMPANN module is expected to be made foolproof by December, 2023. She also asked for certain specific cases which were furnished then and there.

Delay in the payment of first family pension.

CGCA stated that the Department wanted speedy payment and assured to examine the issue.

Distribution of ID cards.

CGCA asked the delegation about the camps organised by CCAs for distribution of Pensioner ID Card. The delegation replied that in some circles camps are held and good progress also achieved in the distribution. But in certain circles like Kerala, though the details were collected before one year, the distribution of ID cards is yet to start. CGCA immediately called CCA, Kerala and urged early action.

Finally, the delegation drew her attention on the issue of ST VRS retirees of Maharashtra, drawing provisional pension indefinitely and certain cases of regular pension converted to provional pension in violation of CCS(Pension) Rules. In the last meeting CGCA had assured that report will be sought from the CCA Maharashtra. CGCA stated that the report is received from the CCA, Maharashtra which is in contrast to the report furnished in the letter of AIBDPA. Furthermore, CGCA stated that in certain cases the Vigilance Clearances are withdrawn by the BSNL and CCA had to take action based on it. She also said that the issue is very complex and the CMD, BSNL was also contacted in this regard. The delegation brought to her attention that the organisation which filed the court case against the ST VRS retirees for availing undue benefits by submitting fake caste certificate, have since been withdrawn. They also reiterated the stand that the orders of DOP&PW, DoT and BSNL Corporate office are floated by the Maharashtra CGMT by denying the retirement benefits.

The meeting started at 2.30pm was concluded at 4.10pm.

THE LAST PHASE OF THE THREE PHASED AGITATIONAL PROGRAMME OF JOINT FORUM OF BSNL MTNL PENSIONERS ASSOCIATIONS IS THE TWO DAYS DHARNA AT JANTAR MANTAR, NEW DELHI ON 24-25, AUGUST, 2023.

IT IS A DO OR DIE BATTLE FOR OUR ONLY ONE AND LEGITIMATE DEMAND OF PENSION REVISION WITH 15% FITMENT AS PER 3RD PRC FROM 01-01-2017, DELINKING WAGE REVISION.

PARTICIPATE MASSIVELY AND LET US SHOW THE GOVERNMENT AND THE BUREAUCRACY OUR COMMITMENT AND DETERMINATION TO FIGHT UNTIL THE UNREFUTABLE DEMAND IS ACHIEVED.

THE DHARNA IS PERMITTED FROM 10AM TO 1PM. SO PLEASE JOIN IN TIME.

COMRADES, WE SHALL FIGHT AND MARCH FORWARD.

VICTORY SHALL BE OURS.

Com. K G Jayaraj, General Secretary and Com. M G S Kurup, Treasurer have met Shri. S P Singh, PGM( Admn), BSNL Corporate Office on 21st August. The representatives handed over the letter addressed to the CMD, BSNL on waiving of upper ceiling limit for outdoor treatment in respect of Ms. Neha Banik, daughter of Shri. Gautam Banik, Retd JE, Telecom Project, Kolkata. Unfortunately, CMD was busy with some important meeting. So the delegation requested the PGM to reconsider the case on highly humanitarian grounds. The PGM asked the delegation to advise the retiree to migrate to CGHS which will be more beneficial to him and agreed to examine the case.

.*Com. K G Jayaraj, General Secretary has met Shri. Saurab Tyagi, PGM ( Estt) BSNL Corporate office on 18th August, 2023 and discussed in detail the issue of denial of retirement benefits to ST VRS retirees of Maharashtra.

Actually, General Secretary along with Com. M I Jakati, Circle Secretary, Maharashtra had tried to meet him in the last week of July to furnish the list of the VRS retirees, still denied the retirement benefits, as required by the PGM. Unfortunately on both the occasions the PGM happened to be in meetings. Therefore the list of 219 ST VRS retirees was sent to him by email and registered post. General Secretary handed over him the copy of the letter dated 24-07-2019 and sought his response. He agreed to have received the letter and may be the first time, contested our contention and stated that only the ex-gratia remains to be paid. General Secretary strongly disagreed and stated that PGM is depending on the wrong report of CGMT, Maharashtra. He also brought to his notice some cases of denial of gratuity and even leave encashment. CAT judgments in favour of the retirees are not being implemented. PGM replied that almost all the court orders are implemented. He also asked the General Secretary why some of the VRS retirees have not applied for the caste revalidation as others have done. General Secretary argued that the caste certificate verification is not to be done after the retirement and clear rules and procedures are already in force issued by the DOPT and DOP&PW. He also stated that if at all the official has produced a fake caste certificate, it is the responsibility of the administration to get it revalidated. PGM then clarified that in Maharashtra the rule is different and only the individual is entitled to apply.So now we have to collect the exact position with each ST VRS retiree as what are the benefits still to be paid in each case.

Medical Payment by end of the month.

There are many complaints from certain circles regarding nonpayment of Medical benefits. The concerned GM was not available and the section officer has stated that no payment was made in July, 2023 and probably the pending bills will be paid by the end of August, 2023.

General Secretary at CHQ

.*Com. K G Jayaraj, General Secretary has joined CHQ on 16th August, 2023. He will be available at New Delhi up to 27-08-2023. Please note the contact number, 99467 15983.

The urgent task was to arrange accommodation for the Comrades coming from the far away circles to participate in the two days Dharna on 24-25, August, 2023 at Jantar Mantar, New Delhi demanding pension revision. This is the third and last phase of the agitation called by the Joint Forum of BSNL MTNL Pensioners Associations. The job is almost completed and the details of the accommodation arranged for each circle will be intimated to respective Circle Secretaries shortly

.VISIT TO SANCHAR BHAWAN.

General Secretary has visited Sanchar Bhawan in the evening on 17th August, 2023. Shri. Apurva Chandra, who is posted with additional charge of Secretary, DoT is yet to resume duty. Member (Services) on leave and will be available on 21st inst. Member (Finance) and DDG (Accounts) happened to be in a meeting. General Secretary then contacted CGCA on phone and she is at Bhubaneswar and will be back on 21st.

General Secretary had a nice meeting with Director (Finance), Shri. GP Capt Atul Pokhiriyal. The issue discussed was advance payment of pension for August, 2023 to the BSNL pensioners of Kerala in view of Onam and pension for the month of September, 2023 to BSNL pensioners of Maharashtra in view Ganapathy Festival. General Secretary brought to his notice that the Department of Expenditure has already issued the orders in this regard and necessary endorsement is to be issued by DoT. The Director (Finance) responded very positively and quickly downloaded the DoE orders and assured early action.

Meeting with Shri. R M Rao, Deputy Secretary.

General Secretary met Shri. R M Rao, Deputy Secretary, DoT and discussed the family pension case of Smt.K Vijayalakshmi, widow of missing Telecom Mechanic Shri, Panduraju, Vijayawada. The Deputy Secretary stated that the annulment of the dismissal order is being processed .

Meeting with DDG( Rectt), DoT.

General Secretary also met Shri Surya Prakash, DDG ( Recruitment), DoT to ascertain the progress on the annulment of dismissal imposed illegally on Shri. ( late) Ramachandra Laxman Zamdade, Ex Telecom Mechanic, Satara, Maharashtra. The DDG ( Rectt) replied that BSNL has been asked for the report after receipt of which further action will be taken.

All reactions:1Pardeep Kumar