Tamil Nadu CEC meeting was held on 16th August 2025 at Coimbatore under the presidentship of Com. C. Gnanasekar, Circle President. After the welcome address by Com. T.K. Prasannan, ACS and Com. A. Kudiyarasu, DS, the inaugural address was delivered by GS Com. K.G. Jayaraj. In his detailed speech, he elaborated on the pension revision issue, validation of Pension Rules, the anti-worker policies of the Government, the prevailing national and international situation, the glorious legacy of AIBDPA, its democratic functioning and fighting spirit, and the tasks before the 5th AIC at Coimbatore.

Circle Secretary Com. R. Rajasekar explained the importance of forming an effective Reception Committee to host around 1,000 delegates from across the country. Accordingly, a Reception Committee was unanimously constituted with the following office bearers:•

Chairman: Com. T.K. Rangarajan,former Member of Parliament•

Working President: Com. V. Venkatraman, CHQ OS•

General Secretary: Com. R. Rajasekar, CS•

Treasurer: Com. A. Elangovan, CT

In addition, 12 Vice Presidents, 6 AGSs, 29 Secretaries, and 2 Assistant Treasurers were elected, representing BSNLEU, BSNLCCWF, CITU, AIPRPA, NCCPA, DRPU, ITPA, and other pensioners’ associations in Tamil Nadu and Coimbatore. All COBs and DSs will also be part of the Reception Committee. Various sub-committees were proposed and will be finalized shortly. The meeting was attended by over 70 comrades and was addressed by .Com. S. Mohandoss (CHQ VP), Com.V. Venkatraman (CHQ OS), .Com. K. Govindaraj (AGS, CHQ), .Com. C.K. Narasimhan (Circle Advisor), .Com. P. Indira (CVP & Women’s Committee Convenor ). 16 District Secretaries, 25 Circle Office Bearers, and leading comrades from many districts participated. Budget and donation estimates were presented and accepted unanimously. The house discussed several innovative ideas to make the 5th AIC a historic milestone ; grand flag-hoisting session with cultural programmes• Regional seminars on vital subjects• Simultaneous translation of conference proceedings in 5 regional languages. The CEC meeting concluded with a vote of thanks by Com. P.M. Natchimuthu, COS.*

RECEPTION COMMITTEE MEETING*The afternoon session was devoted to the Reception Committee meeting, attended by more than 170 enthusiastic comrades from all 16 branches of Coimbatore.and other sister organisations. The meeting was presided over by Com. V. Venkatraman, Working President of the Reception Committee. CS Com. R. Rajasekar briefed the house about the CEC decisions, and GS Com. K.G. Jayaraj congratulated the bold decision of Tamil Nadu Circle and Coimbatore District to host the All India Conference and assured full support from CHQ.

The meeting was addressed by:• Com. A. Babu Radhakrishnan, AGS BSNLCCWF• Com. Syed Idris, CS TNTCWU• Com. Maheswaran, CP BSNLEU• Com. Karunanidhi, DS NCCPA• Com. Sivaraj, DS AIPRPA• Com. Surendran, Convenor, Central–State Govt & PSU Pensioners’ Associations.

A generous donation of more than ₹5 lakhs was mobilized by comrades of Coimbatore during the meeting itself, giving great momentum for other districts to intensify fund collection for the Conference. The Reception Committee meeting concluded with a vote of thanks by Com. A. Elangovan, Treasurer.

Our great country is celebrating the 79th Independence Day on today, the 15th August, 2025. It was on this day in 1947 , India became free from the British imperialism. In the prolonged struggle for independence, thousands of freedom fighters had to sacrifice their life. So let us remember those brave hearts, the martyrs and pay our respectful homages to all of them.

During the 78 years of freedom , India has been able to make progress in many fields and has become as a force to reckon. At the same time, we are facing serious challenges, particularly in the living condition of the people. It is a worrisome fact that still 23.4 cr Indian people out of 140 cr are in extreme poverty. But we have 191 billionaires ( 26 added in 2024) and 85,698 super rich. These figures glaringly show the alarming inequality among the people. Employment opportunities have become a distinct possibility for the youth. Permanency is a dream of yester years with introduction of contract workers and outsourcing of even government jobs. So ,to suit the new situation, the hard won 29 labour laws are replaced with four labour codes. The super rich and the corporates are being given concession after concession while the PSUs are neglected and eliminated. These challenges are being resisted by the working class and the latest being the General Strike on 9th July, 2925 , 23rd after implementation of LPG.

Constitution and Secularism are facing serious threats and almost all the constitutional institutions have been made loyal to the ruling class. Concerted efforts are there to divide the people in the name of religion and caste. People belonging to the minorities and the Dalits are being attacked . These are the biggest challenges and have to be vigilant and cautious. So our prime duty is to safeguard the Constitution and Secularism.

Another attack is inflicted on the pensioners in the name of Validation of Pension Rules with the intention to divide the pensioners and deny the due benefits. It is being resisted organisationally and legally by forging unity of almost all Pensioners Organisations . The remaining phases of agitational programme of Forum of Civil Pensioners Associations have to be made most successful.

So, on the occasion of this Independence Day, let us renew the pledge to continue our fight against all the injustices and for the legitimate rights.

Lucknow District branch had become defunct for sometime long , has been revived in the meeting held on 13-08-2025. Com.K R Yadav, Circle Secretary attended the meeting and addressed. A new set of office bearers have been elected with the following important functionaries; Com. Rajendra Kumar Dwivedi (President) Com. Onkar Nath (District Secretary) Com. Chandrasekhar Singh (Treasurer)

The 5th biennial Circle Conference of UP(W) has been held successfully at Royal Palace hall, Meerut on 10-08-2025. Com.Mohamad Israle, Circle President presided. Com.Naresh Pal, Circle Secretary welcomed all .

Com.K G Jayaraj, General Secretary in his inaugural address gave a good accounts issues including Validation of Pension Rules and the agitation being launched by NCCPA and Forum of Civil Pensioners Associations, BSNL MRS, CGHS, Pension Revision growth of AIBDPA and the ensuing AIC at Coimbatore. He further appealed to strengthen the organisation more and stressed the importance of Meet the Pensioner program.

A host of leaders addressed the conference including Coms. R S Chauhan, AGS, Ashwin Kumar, AGS, BSNLEU, R S Sagar, Circle Secretary, ALTTC, Ramswaroop, CHQ Organsing Secretary, Ansar Ali, Circle President, BSNLEU, S S Maurya, Circle Vice President and Gurveer Singh former CHQ Organising Secretary, BSNLEU addressed the conference. Com.Naresh Pal presented the report and Com. Ganga Singh, Treasurer placed the audited accounts. Several comrades participated in the discussion on various issues and replied adequately by Circle Secretary and General Secretary.

In the unanimous election of office bearers, the following are the important functionaries; Com.S S Maurya (Patron) Com.Mohamad Israle (President) Com. Ganga Singh (Treasurer)

Com. K. G. Jayaraj, General Secretary has met Smt. Vandana Gupta, Controller General of Communication Accounts on 08-08-2025 and had a discussion on the following issues ;

1. Payment of arrears to the Organised Accounts Cadres for the upgraded pay scales from 01-01-1996 to 18-02-2003.

General Secretary handed over the detailed letter on the issue and requested early settlement. CGCA replied that she will look into the issue and do the needful.

2. Arbitrary deduction in pension by CCA, Tamil Nadu- case of Shri. T. Mahaliappan, STM (Retd), Pollachi. Tamil Nadu.

On seeing the letter, CGCA replied that the case had already been disposed of. General Secretary told CGCA that it was done based on the wrong report of the CCA and brought to her notice, the relevant points on which this Association wants to reconsider the issue. CGCA agreed to examine the case.

,The culmination of the phased program of Agitation by Forum of Civil Pensioners Associations demanding repeal of the draconian Validation of Pension Rules is the massive rally at Jantar Mantar, New Delhi from 11 to 13hrs on 10-10-2025. CHQ, in consultation with Secretary General, NCCPA has decided to participate 500 comrades in the rally.

Accordingly, quota is fixed as follows ;

NTR, Delhi-50, Haryana -30, UP(W)-30, UP(E)-20,Rajasthan -30, Punjab :30, Assam-10, NE-1-02, NE-2-02, J&K-02, Uttarakhand -02, Odisha -05, Bihar -05, MP-20, Gujarath -20, Maharashtra -50, Andhra -25, Telangana -20, West Bengal -30, Kolkata Telephones -30, Chhattisgarh -05, Jharkhand -02, Tamil Nadu -30, Chennai Telephones -20, Karnataka -20, Kerala -30CORTO -05, Ambala BSNL PWA-05.

One day accommodation will be arranged for 9/10, October, 2025 for those from far of Circles. CHQ was really burdened with so many complaints against hotel accommodation arranged by CHQ in the past. So Circle Secretaries may arrange accommodation for the respective comrades through online booking as per their choice. CHQ will pay @₹ 300 per person for such arrangements. In case of any difficulty , circles may contact the CHQ.

So Comrades, Let us make the Delhi Chalo program a grand success and defeat sinister move of the government.

*Com. K. G. Jayaraj, General Secretary has met Shri. Kalyan Sagar Nippani, Director (HR ), BSNL on 07-08-2025 and discussed the following issues.

1. Withdrawal of Chargesheets issued to ST VRS Retirees of Maharashtra.

At the outset General Secretary thanked Director (HR ) for fulfilling the assurance on payment of retirement benfits to ST VRS Retirees. But it could not be implemented due to the damaging clarification issued by DoT in reply to the letter of CCA, Maharashtra. General Secretary requested the Director to cause necessary action for withdrawal of chargesheets issued to ST VRS Retirees wrongly after retirement.

Director (HR ) replied that BSNL is sympathetic on the issue and wanted early settlement. However, withdrawal of chargesheets involves certain technical issues and asked General Secretary to meet the PGM( Estt ) and called the PGM (Estt ) to do the needful.

2. Option to change the old option in BSNL MRS for Family Pensioners.

General Secretary reminded Director (HR ) about the brief discussion he had on the issue based on the detailed letter and wanted an early solution.

Director (HR ) replied that he had marked the letter to PGM ( Admin ) for favourable action and told General Secretary to discuss this issue also with Shri. S. P. Singh, PGM (Estt ) who is holding the additional charge of PGM (Admin ).

Accordingly, General Secretary met Shri. S. P. Singh and had a detailed discussion.

Regarding withdrawing the charge sheets issued to ST VRS Retirees, PGM ( Estt) replied that, it can’t be done without any supporting orders. He further stated that BSNL is fully convinced of the issue and wanted an early settlement. But there should be some positive orders/ directives either from the authorities or from any court.

On Option to Family Pensioners in BSNL MRS, the PGM responded positively and assured to consider the issue.

Pension Revision- the need of the hour is a reasonable out of court settlement.

The Central Government employees from Department of Telecommunications and Department of Telecom Services were transferred enmasse on deputation to the new entity, Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited and later absorbed them with effect from 01-10-2000.During the formation of BSNL, the then Central Government led by Shri. A. B. Bajpaye had assured the erstwhile employees of Department of Telecommunications and Department of Telecom Services better prospects and government pension.Necessary amendment in the CCS( Pension) Rules, 1972 as Rule 37A was also made. Accordingly, pension to absorbed retirees of BSNL and MTNL is being paid from the Consolidated Fund by the Central Government.They were granted IDA Pay Scales and quarterly dearness allowance.

Pension Revision was also given from 01-01-2007 with 30% fitment, the maximum fitment recommended by the 2nd PRC for the CPSE Executives. The 3rd PRC has recommended a maximum fitment of 15% from 01-01-2017. Naturally, this has been our legitimate right and demand. But this has not been implemented in BSNL/ MTNL due to affordability conditions.

The government had initially taken a stand that pension revision is possible only after wage revision of BSNL MTNL employees. The government conveniently forget the fact that pension revision has nothing to do with wage revision as the full liability of pensionary benefits of absorbed BSNL MTNL pensioners is to be borne by the central government. Further, the pension contribution of the BSNL/ MTNL absorbed retirees have been paid to the government based on the maximum of their pay scales.

The Department of Telecommunications having been convinced of this fact had prepared an Internal Note proposing pension revision delinking wage revision and this was declared in the meeting with all the pensioners associations held on 17-10-2022 by the then Member ( Services ). The only disagreement in the meeting was the zero percent fitment proposed by DoT and after serious discussion, it was agreed to reconsider the fitment factor favourably. The file was processed accordingly and reached to near finality. Presumably due to the court cases filed by certain pensioners organizations and the subsequent PBCAT, Delhi order on pension revision, the settlement was eluded.

Though former Minister of Communications, Shri. Ashwini Vaishnav had assured a reasonable settlement even after the PBCAT order, nothing has happened thereafter. Also the goverment has gone back to its old stand, ” Pension Revision only after wage revision. ” Additionally, the government has got rather provided another excuse of ” subjudice “, thanks to the case filed by certain pensioners organizations seeking 7th CPC fitment.

At the same time government has decided to appoint 8th CPC for pay/ pension revision for the Central government employees and pensioners with effect from 01-01-2026. The unjust delay in their pension revision due from 01-01-2017 has naturally caused distress and unrest amongst the BSNL/ MTNL pensioners as there had been no pension revision for the last 181/2 years. During this period thousands of BSNL MTNL retirees have left this world without getting their legitimate right of pension revision.

Nobody can predict as to when the court case would come to a logical conclusion after the judgment by hon’ble High Court and thereafter the Supreme Court. And how many absorbed BSNL/ MTNL Pensioners would remain alive at that time to avail their legitimate right.

So there is absolutely no justification to deny the benefit of Pension Revision in the name of court case and the government should come forward for an out of court reasonable settlement at the earliest.

The 4th biennial Circle Conference of Haryana has been held successfully at Arya Samaj Hall, Ambala on 06-08-2025. Com.Ramkumar Kalsi, Circle President presided. Com.Kuldeep Singh, Circle Secretary welcomed and presented the report and accounts.

Com.K G Jayaraj, General Secretary inaugurated the conference . He explained the current developments , with particular reference to the enactment of the draconian Validation of Pension Rules as part of Finance Bill, 2025 and the initiative taken by NCCPA in organising massive protest actions on the auspices of Forum of Civil Pensioners Associations , culminating with a huge Delhi Chalo programme on 10-10-2025. The dangerous act is being challenged legally also in the Supreme Court. The inaugural address also touched other important issues like Pension Revision, Medical ,both BSNL MRS and CGHS, Meet the Pensioner etc.

8 comrades participated in the discussion after which the report and accounts were adopted. Office bearers were elected unanimously with the following important functionaries;

President: Com.Ramkumar Kalsi

Circle Secretary : Com.Kuldeep Singh