The 14th Foundation Day of the mighty organisation, AIBDPA has been observed befittingly throughout the country on 21-10-2022. The 13 years of militant functioning with numerous struggles and achievements were well explained in the meetings held. Flag hoistings , distribution of sweets etc were also marked the day.

A meeting of pensioners associations of BSNL/MTNL was held at Kidwai Bhawan, New Delhi on 18-10-2022. An invitation to this meeting was extended to AIBDPA by Com.Prahlad Rai, General Secretary, AIRBSNLEA in the night of 17-10-2022, which was reported to be to decide on future course of action on pension revision issue jointly. We readily agreed and Com.K G Jayaraj, General Secretary and Com.R S Chouhan, AGS participated. However, some of the constituent unions of 9 organisations, including Com.G L Jogi, General Secretary, SNPWA did not participate. The meeting started with the introductory speech of Com.D Gopalakrishnan, Vice President, AIBSNLPWA who presided the meeting. Then, Com.K G Jayaraj was invited to speak. He stated that in the meeting held with DoT on 17-10-2022, it has been made clear that the demand of 7th CPC fitment is rejected according to the slides shown as part of observations/stand of DoT and DOP&PW. Therefore we have to move forward jointly for 15% fitment and pressure has to be exerted in the form of a protest action. Com.H F Chaudhary, General Secretary, All India Central Government Pensioners Association H Q Pune, Com.D D Mistry, General Secretary, BDPA(I), Com.Thomas John and Chandrasekhar also said that the only practical solution is 3rd PRC fitment.

But, Com.D Gopalakrishnan stated that they still stick on their demand of 7th CPC fitment and he does not think that DoT and DOP&PW have rejected their demand. Com.Prahlad Rai also aired the same views. So even after much discussion of both sides, no unanimity could be reached and finally Com.Gopalakrishnan stated that let us agree to disagree and disperse. Then Com.Thomas John intervened to say that let all the associations think over for a few days and meet later. Thus the meeting was concluded.

We are reproducing below the slide exihibited by the DoT in the meeting held on 17-10-2022 based on which Com.K G Jayaraj spoke in the meeting.

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Com.K G JayarajGeneral Secretary visited Sanchar Bhawan on 18th October,2022 and discussed the issue of grant of family pension to Ms Urmila Laxman Neware widow of late Shri. Sitaram Laxman Neware, Ex RM, Nagpur,pending for the last several years, with DDG(Estt), Director (Staff), Under Secretary (Staff) and Under Secretary (Pension). Finally it was intimated that the necessary documents for processing the family pension case is yet to be received from BSNL. Meanwhile Ms.Urmila Laxman Neware also has expired without getting the family pension. General Secretary handed over the death certificate and legal heir certificates to the DDG( Estt) for one time arrears of pensionary benefits to her children. The DDG assured necessary action once the family pension case is finalised.

MEETING WITH SR.GM( CA/ERP-FICO), BSNL.

General Secretary along with Com.R S. Chouhan, AGS had a fruitful meeting with Shri. Surajit Mandol, Sr GM, ( CA/ERP-FICCO) on 18-10-2022 on effective utilisation of allotted fund for settlement of medical benefits to the BSNL retirees. The Sr.GM was very positive and read the detailed Letter of CHQ in this regard. He contacted some of the concerned officers in certain circles including Maharashtra and urged early positive action in the distribution of medical benefits to the BSNL retirees in full utilisation of the allotted fund. He also assured that necessary extension of time limit will be given.However,the delegation could not meet the CMD, BSNL as he was having the Board meeting

The much awaited meeting convened by the Member(S), DoT with representatives of BSNL/ MTNL Pensioners Organisations was held at Sanchar Bhawan at 4PM on today,the 17th October,2022.

Com.K.G. Jayaraj, General Secretary and Com.Sanjib Banerjee,AGS participted and presented a detailed note demanding early settlement of the most important issue.Initiating the proceedings,the Member (S) stated that to break the bottleneck pending for the last five years DoT had sent a proposal to DOP&PW for zero percent fitment delinking wage revision with notional fixation for the post 2017 retirees. However, DOP&PW has returned the file with some observations which were shown on the screen.

All the associations stoutly protested against the zero percent fitment which is not based on any rules or precedence and demanded a fitment not lower than given to the Central Government pensioners.In the concluding remarks, the Member (S) stated he has heard all the organisations and take further action . The representatives wanted minutes of the meeting but the official side remained non-committal. The date for further meeting was also not decided.\The note presented by the General Secretary in the meeting is given above.

5Kainakari Shibu and 4 others

Keonjhar District Conference has been held befittingly on 16-10-2022 at BSNL Bhawan, Keonjhar. Com.S R Samal, Asst Circle Secretary presided. Com.A Dhupal, CHQ Vice President inaugurated the conference and explained the functioning of the organisation at CHQ and Circle level and the struggles being conducted for the settlement of our demands. Com. Akhaya Mohanta, District Secretary welcomed the gatheing and presented the report on activities and accounts which were adopted after discussion.Com. Ananda Ch Jena , Asst Circle Secretary, and Com.Saktidar Pradhan, Asst.District Secretary, BSNLEU also addressed. Office bearers were elected with Com. A K Mohanta (President), Ananda Ch Jena (District Secretary) and Com.Sachindra Prasad Behra (Treasurer) .

The Modi government is often making tall claims of allround development of the country and an emerging economic power of the world. The GDP of the current fiscal is reported to be 6.8%. Whether it has any impact on the living conditions of the poor people.? Absolutely, No. The latest Global Hunger Index released indicates that India ranks 107 out of the 121 countries. Yes, surprisingly India ranks below even the poor African countries like Rwanda (102) Nigeria (103) Ethiopia (104) Congo(105) and Sudan(106).

Our neibhours are in far better position; Sri Lanka (64), Nepal (81), Bangladesh (84) and Pakistan (99). China’s rank is among the countries ranked collectively between 1 and 17, having a score of less than 5. (courtesy: The Hindu)