Shri. K S Lakshman Rao, MLC inaugurated the Guntur biennial Conference at Jasua Vignanana Kendram, Guntur on 09-11-2022. He gave a good account of the national situation and the need to fight against the attacks on common people and workers. The report and accounts presented by Com. Enoch, District Secretary were adopted after discussion. Then, Com.K S C Bose, Circle Secretary spoke elaborately on the functioning of the organisation, the struggles being waged for the settlement of the genuine issues. A new set of office bearers were elected unanimously with Com. D Mariadas( President) Com.K Nageswara Rao (District Secretary) and Com. P Sambasiva Rao (Treasurer).

There have been several complaints from many pensioners that Family Pensioners are denied the option facility in BSNL MRS. CHQ has taken up the issue with CMD, BSNL for extending Option facility to Family Pensioners as a one time measure.

Despite allotment of sufficient funds to clear the medical benefits of BSNL retirees upto 31-03-2022, some of the retirees are left out in many BAs of various Circles. And struggles are being conducted in some circles. Therefore CHQ has again written to CMD BSNL for a lenient view and proper utilisation of the fund.

The 5th biennial Circle Conference of West Bengal was held at the Town Hall Burdwan on 5th & 6th November, 2022. Com.K G Jayaraj, General Secretary inaugurated the conference . In his inaugural address, General Secretary vividly explained the issues confronting the pensioners with particular emphasis to medical benefits and pension revision. The historic Sanchar Bhawan March and its positive impacts were also focused. A host of leaders including Coms. D Basu (AGS & Secretary,CORTO), Animesh Mitra (President, BSNLEU) Pijush Chakraborty (Circle Secretary) addressed the open session. Com. Shyama Pada Ray, General Secretary, Reception Committee & District Secretary, Burdwan welcomed one and all. A presidium of Coms.Susanta Ghosh and Dilip Das controlled the proceedings. Seven veteran leaders who have crossed 80 were honoured with memento and shawl.

In the subject session held thereafter , Com. Pijush Chakraborty presented the report on activities and the Treasurer presented the audited accounts. The delegates actively participated in the discussion that followed. After the summing up of Com.Pijush Chakraborty, Circle Secretary, both the report and accounts were adopted. Some resolutions on important issues were also adopted by the conference. Office Bearers were elected unanimously with Com.Omprakash Singh (President) Com.Asis Das (Circle Secretary) and Com. Debasish Khan (Treasurer). The Reception Committee made excellent arrangements for the successful conduct of the conference.

The Circle Conference of NE_I was held at Shillong on 19-10-2022. Com.M C Bhowmik, CHQ Organising Secretary represented CHQ and spoke elaborately on the important issues. The report and accounts presented by Com.Gopaldas, Circle Secretary were adopted after active discussion. A new set of Office Bearers were elected with Com.Swapan Chakraborty (President) Com. Satyajit Deb (Circle Secretary) and Com. Tridip Das (Treasurer).

5th biennial Kamrup District Conference has been held on 06-11-2022 with very good participation of pensioners. Com. P C Das, veteran leader hosted the conference at his house in Solakuchi Textile City. Com.M R Das, AGS inaugurated the conference explaining the militant functioning of the organisation, the struggles and the achievemnts. The report and accounts presented by Com. A Rahman were adopted after discussion. Office bearers were elected unanimously with Com. K C Medhi (President), Com.A Rahman (District Secretary) and Com. M C Gayari (Treasurer).

It is reported with grief, the sad demise of Com.Shahabuddin Siddiqui, veteran leader and founder Circle Secretary AIBDPA Telecom Factory & Stores, Kolkata at 730AM on 07-11-2022 at Kolkata. The life of Com.S Siddiqui was entirely devoted to the cause of telecom workers and pensioners. He was a sincere and militant leader and took up responsibilities in various capacities including Circle Secretary, AITEEU Line Staff & Cl IV, BSNLEU, TF, Kolkata. He took the initiative to form AIBDPA Circle Branch of TF& Stores, Kolkata and was Circle Secretary till he relinquished on health grounds. He was 79 and was ailing for sometime long.

AIBDPA pays respectful homage to Com.S. Siddique and conveys heartfelt Condolences to the bereaved family and friends and comrades.
Red Salute to Com. Siddiqui

CHQ is happy to report that the family pension case of Smt.A Rajeswari, widow of Shri.A. Joga Rao, Regular Mazdoor, BSNL, Visakhapatnam has been settled. Family Pension is granted with effect from 03-05-2009, date on which FIR was filed for the missing of Shri.Joga Rao.The PPO has been issued to Smt.A. Rajeswari on 31-10-2022.

The issue was brought to our notice by our Circle Secretary, Andhra Pradesh,Com.K S C Bose with all the relevant documents in April,2022. We wrote immediately to both Secretary, DoT and CMD BSNL on 19th April,2022, having been convinced of the genuineness of the issue and the sufferings of the poor family of the missing Regular Mazdoor. We met the top officers of both DoT and BSNL and presented the case in detail.

CRUCIAL INTERVENTION BY ADDITIONAL SECRETARY,DOT.

We have all the appreciation for the sincere and effective intervention of Shri.V L Kantha Rao, Additional Secretary, DoT after we met him on 29th June,2022. He convened a meeting of the concerned DoT officers and asked them to settle the issue at the earliest and Shri R.Madhava Rao, Deputy Secretary was authorised to coordinate with all the concerned, particularly with BSNL. We have fully cooperated and provided all the required documents and pursued continuously. So finally the issue is settled within a period of six months.

Congratulations to Smt.A Rajeswari and her children who suffered a lot,running pillar to post for the last 150 months.Our profound thanks to Shri.V L Kantha Rao IAS, Additional Secretary, R M Rao, Deputy Secretary, Shri.Saurab Tyagi, PGM ( Estt), BSNL and all other officers who helped for the early settlement.

One of the Pensioners organisations widely campaigns that BSNL absorbee Pensioners are central government Pensioners and therefore eligible to get CPC fitment in pension revision.

BSNL Pensioners have retired from a CPSE, registered under Company Act .So we are PSU retirees but with Special Status of getting pension from the Central Government.

Whether BSNL pensioners are covered under CCS( Pension) Rules.

Yes, we are covered under CCS (Pension) Rules but with certain conditions.

Why the conditions and why not consider at par with central government Pensioners?

Because we have retired from a CPSE with combined service of both government and PSU. We are at par with central government Pensioners by virtue of Rule 37A of CCS(Pension)Rules,1972 barring pension and dearness allowance. We are getting higher pension due to IDA pay scales. Also we are having dearness allowance based on IDA being granted quarterly, that is four times in an year which is more beneficial. Whereas central government Pensioners are getting Dearness Relief based on CDA and only twice in an year.

These are the basic differences between central government Pensioners and BSNL pensioners.

Whether any provision in PRC for pension revision?

No, but we got our pension based on IDA pay scales from 01-10-2000 and again got our pension revision from 01-01-2007 as per 2nd PRC fitment. We also got the benefits of 78.2% IDA fixation only based on PRC.

Apart from the above benefits non-executives are also getting IDA instalments though there is no mention about them in the orders being issued by DPE.

Whether BSNL pensioners associations demanded 7th CPC for recommendations for BSNL pensioners pension revision.?

AIBDPA submitted a memorandum and had a discussion with 7th Pay Commission along with Com.S K Vyas, Secretary General, NCCPA on all the issues other than pension, dearness allowance and medical benefits.

Why?

We had a definite understanding of the issue that we are better placed on these three issues.

Is there any recommedation of pension revision of BSNL pensioners by the the 7th CPC?

No.

Then, is there any chance of government agreeing for CPC fitment.?

No. This point was elaborately clarified by the government in the discussion Member (Service) had with various Pensioners organisations on 17-10-2022 despite tall claims of acceptance of the demand of CPC fitment by one of the Pensioners organisations.

We can dream big and lavishly. But reality will be different and hard. But certain people refuse to come out of the world of dreams and illusions only to delay the settlement.

Thousands of our fellow pensioners have already expired without getting the benefits and it is continuing every day. So let us think practically and strive for early achievable settlement unitedly.