The Mazdoor Kisan Sangarsh Rally organised by the All India Kisan Sabha, CITU, All India Agricultural Workers Union and joined by several other organisations including Central Government, State Government and PSU held on 5th April, 2023. has been made mammoth and historic.Lakhs of workers thronged to the large Ramlila Maidan, New Delhi since early morning and by 11AM it became a Red Ocean of workers. They all came with flags and banners from all parts of the country making the Rally colourful and beautiful.There were a large number of women comrades also. They raised slogans in support of the 14 point charter of demands and condemning the anti -worker, anti- people and divisive policies of Modi government.

Com K Hemalatha, President,CITU, Ashok Dhawle, President, AIKS and A Vijayaraghavan, President, AIAWU were in the presidium. A galaxy of leaders, including Coms. Tapan Sen , General Secretary,CITU, Viju Krishnan, General Secretary, AIKS, B Venkat, General Secretary, AIAWU P Abhimanyu, General Secretary, BSNLEU, R N Parashar, Secretary General Confederation of Central Government Employees and Workers addressed.

As per the decision of the Coordination Committee of BSNLEU, AIBDPA & BSNLCCWF,, AIBDPA also participated. According to initial reports, about 500 comrades from various circles,have participated and CHQ heartily congratulate all of them. It is encouraging to note that in certain places like Coimbatore, Alappuzha etc solidarity demonstration were held on 05-04-2023.

*Com. K G Jayaraj General Secretary had a successful meeting with Shri.Dhlip Padhye, Controller General of Communication Accounts on 03rd April,2023 at his office at UIDAI Building, Gole Market, New Delhi.Actually General Secretary had gone to his office on 31-03-2023 but he was not available. So the three letters already sent on email were handed over to his PS. Today, General Secretary spoke to CGCA over the telephone and sought an appointment. He was kind enough to fix the meeting at 4PM on today itself.

The difficulties being experienced by the pensioners were brought to his notice during the discussion. Mainly delay in the commencement of family pension, different guidelines for submission of application by the CCAs, non- updation of life certificate and resultant non-drawal of pension etc were the issues.The CGCA was in a very relaxed mood and listened to the General Secretary very patiently. He assured early necessary action in all the issues.

General Secretary specifically requested to issue a uniform guidelines for submission of application for family pension so as to simplify the proceedure and early commencement of family pension. CGCA agreed to examine it.Our suggestion on submission of life certificate by SAMPANN Pensioners on group wise and in different months was welcomed by the CGCA and assured to look into it.

CGCA also shared the information that migration of pensioners drawing pension from Post Offices to SAMPANN has started and expected to be completed within six months.

NATIONAL PENSION ADALAT.

General Secretary then drew his attention to the National Pension Adalat held hurriedly on 29-03-2023 without giving sufficient time for sending the grievances. The negative stand of the CCA , Tamil Nadu in disallowing Pensioners Associations to present the issues of pensioners in the Adalat was also brought to his notice. CGCA replied that he has already sought report on the National Pension Adalat and assured that corrective steps will be taken. The meeting lasted for 45 minutes.

Com.K G Jayaraj General Secretary has met Shri. Uma Shankar Pandey, Member (Services) at Sanchar Bhawan on 3rd April,2023 and discussed the issue of reinstatement of Shri. J H Agashe Ex Telecom Mechanic, Gondia Bhandara, Maharashtra. Shri.J H Agashe was dismissed from service after he was convicted by the Additional Sessions Court, Gondia in the CBI case of alleged accepatance of Rs.200 from an applicant of new telephone connection . However, the Nagpur Bench of the Mumbai High Court has set aside the conviction and he was acquitted of the offences on 06.03.2020.Though the dismissed official represented repeatedly for reinstatement, there was no response

. The issue was brought to the notice of CHQ by District Branch, Bhandara recently.So a detailed letter was written with all the relevant documents and handed over to the Member ( Services) and he had a patient hearing. He also assured early necessary action.General Secretary discussed the issue with Smt. Roshni Sohni , DDG( Estt)also by handing over the copy of the letter. She stated that preliminary action is to be taken by the DDG ( Pers) and adviced to meet him also. Accordingly, General Secretary tried to meet Shri. Sunil Purohit,DDG( Pers) but he was not available. So the copy of the letter was given to his PS who assured to bring it to the notice of DDG( Pers).

As already been intimated the Coordination Committee of BSNLEU AIBDPA and BSNLCCWF has decided to participate in the Mazdoor Kisan Sangarsh Rally being organised at New Delhi on 5th April,2023. In this connection, the CoC has completed the four phased campaign programmes successfully.

Now, we have to make the Mazdoor Kisan Sangarsh Rally historic by participating in large numbers. AIBDPA is mobilising pensioners mainly from the Delhi and nearby circles. Still reports are received that our comrades from West Bengal, Kolkata Telephones, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Chennai Telephones etc are also participating. So the Circle Secretaries of these circles are requested to make all out efforts for maximum participation and arrange the participants to reach Ramlila Maidan , near Chawri Bazar Metro station, New Delhi at 10AM. Please bring the banners and maximum flags.

The second biennial district conference of Meerut was held on 31-03-2023. Com.Ansar Ali, Asst. Circle Secretary presided over the meeting and explained the issues of the pensioners, Mazddor- Kisan Sangarsg Rally at New Delhi and the need to make it successful. Com. Ashwin Kumar, Com. Upender Singh Tiotia, District Secretary, Ghaziabad also addressed the conference. Coms. Sathishkumar Sharma, Ram Swaroop and Sri Chand were elected President, District Secretary and Treasurer, respectively.

CHENNAI TELEPHONES.

As per the Consumer Price Index released by Labour Bureau on 31-03-2023, the IDA is likely to be increased by 1.1% from 01-04-2023. So the total IDA will be 201.2% (existing) + 1.1% = 202.3%. Payable after DPE issues order.