A meeting of the Joint Forum of BSNL-MTNL Pensioners Associations was held virtually on 13-05-2023. Com.D D Mistry , General Secretary, BDPA(I) presided over the meeting.Com.K G Jayaraj, General Secretary, AIBDPA welcomed all and briefed on the circumstances under which the meeting is convened. Coms. H F Chaudhari, General Secretary, AICGPA HQ Pune, V A N Namboodiri Advisor, AIBDPA, G L Jogi, General Secretary SNPWA, Dinesh Sharma, Vice President, SNPWA and D D Mistry actively participated in the discussion that followed.

The meeting finally decided to write to the MOC expressing strong protest against the undue and unjustified delay in processing the pension revision at DoT level and seeking his immediate intervention. It was also decided to hold another meeting of the Joint Forum on 27-05-2023 to review the progress,if any, and to take appropriate decision on the issue.14 representatives of the 8 constituent organisations participated in the meeting.

Kottayam District Branch organised a convention with good participation at Tarapada Bhawan, Kottayam on 10-05-2023. Com.P R Ajayakumar, District President controlled the proceedings. Com.P S Nandappan, District Secretary welcomed one and all. Com.K G Jayaraj, General Secretary inaugurated the convention and explained the current status on important issues and the agitational programme being launched by the NCCPA on the 15 point charter of demands. Thereafter, a rousing reception was accorded to the General Secretary and Com.M G S Kurup, CHQ Treasurer. Com.M G S Kurup spoke briefly and thanked for the reception. Com. N Guruprasad, Circle Secretary spoke on the threatening situation prevailing in the country and appealed to strengthen the organisation. A host of leaders, including Coms. P N Sojan, District Secretary, BSNLEU, V S Thankappan (CGPA) N S S Nair, K P Pankajakshan, K E Abraham, Circle Vice President, V Karthikeyan, ACS, Purushothaman (AIPRPA) etc addressed. Com.Mohan Panicker proposed vote of thanks.

Odisha Circle Conference was held at Conference Hall of GMTD, Bhubaneswar on 07-05-2023. The conference was held in the absence of Com.Sahdeb Biiswal, Circle President and Com. S R Das, Circle Secretary both being ill for sometime long. Com.A Dhupal, veteran leader and CHQ Vice President took all out efforts to convene the conference and organised it in a befitting manner. Com.Sk Hoshen, Working President controlled the proceedings. Com.K G Jayaraj, General Secretary inaugurated the conference and explained the issues of the pensioners including the status of pension revision, medical benefits and the efforts taken by CHQ to get a good clarification from the Corporate office on submission of option, CGHS issues and the agitational programme of NCCPA. General Secretary cautioned the delegates against the concerted attempts of sanghparivars to divide the people in the name of caste and religion and the attacks against the minorities and dalits. Com.A Dhupal presented a brief report orally and well prepared accounts for the period under review. 13 comrades participated in the discussion and the iuues raised were replied appropriately by Com.A Dhupal and General Secretary.

Com. Santosh Kumar Ray, Assistant Circle Secretary, BSNLEU greeted the conference. Shri. P K Mohapatra, General Manager (HR) who participated on behalf of the CGMT assured all the cooperation in settling the issues of the pensioners. Thereafter a new set of 25 office bearers were elected unanimously with Com. P K Nayak (President) Com. P K Panigrahy (Circle Secretary) and Dhaneswar Nayak (Treasurer). 110 delegates from all the districts enthusiastically participated in the conference and decided to strengthen the organisation further.

Com.K G Jayaraj General Secretary and Com.A Dhupal, CHQ Vice President visited ComSahdeb Biswal, veteran leader of the Telecom Union of Odisha and founder Circle Secretary, AIBDPA , Odisha on 7th May, 2023 at his residence in Telecom Colony, Bhubaneswar. Com.S.Biswal is unwell for sometime long and confined to his home. General Secretary honoured him with a bouquet and shawl. We shared the latest status of pension revision and the proceedings of the Circle Conference held today.

GUWAHATI.

CHQ had written to GM(Admn) on 27-03-2023 about the difficulties being experienced by the BSNL retirees due to wrong interpretation of the Office Order dated 19-06-2020 issued by the BSNL Corporate Office by certain Circles/BAs resulting in denial of without voucher medical allowance to many retirees. The issue was discussed in person by the General Secretary with GM(Admn) on 06-04-2023 and the GM had agreed to issue necessary clarifications in this regard. When it was delayed CHQ once again wrote to the GM(Admn) on 26-04-2023 urging early action. CHQ is thankful to the GM(Admn) that necessary clarifications have been issued vide office order dated 02-05-2023. It is also asked to make immediate payment to those pensioners who were denied medical allowance due to non-submission of option every year.