West Bengal comrades, the Circle Branches of Kolkata Telephones, West Bangal, Telecom Factory & Stores, Kolkata and our strong affiliate, CORTO took up the responsibility of holding the 3rd triennial All India Conference at Kolkata braving the peculiar, rather adverse conditions prevailed in West Bengal. There were serious concerns about the successfull conduct of the conference and the Reception Committee faced certain challenges in the form of denial of accommodation in the last minute. However, our comrades rose to the occasion and overcame all these challenges and made the AIC a historic success.

Now, the Reception Committee has finalised the accounts and has donated Rs. 2,00,000 to the CHQ from the surplus on 29-03-2021. CHQ heartily congratulates and thanks the Reception Committee for completing the accounts and donating Rs.2 lakh to CHQ.

It is good news- A Pensioners’ Guest House has been opened at CTO Compound, Panbazar, Guwahati, a prime location in the capital city of Assam. It may be the first in the country, a separate Guest House for the pensioners. AIBDPA, Assam Circle Branch had been pursuing the issue for the last nine years; hearty congratulations to Assam Circle Branch for this ideal acheivement.

Shri.G K Chin, Additional Controller General of Communication Accounts, DoT, New Delhi formally inaugurated the Pensioners’ Guest House on 19-03-2021. Ms. B B Shabang, CCA, Assam presided over the function. Coms. M R Das (AGS), S N Sarma (Circle Secretary) Rahman (District Secretary, Guwahati) etc participated on behalf of AIBDPA.

CHQ is saddened to report the unexpected demise of Com.B P Petkar, founder Circle Secretary and presently Circle Patron, Maharashtra at 11PM on 24-03-2021. He had earlier some heart related health problems and recently tested positive for Corona and was admitted in a Nagpur hospital. His condition became critical on 24th March and breathed his last in the night.

Com.B P Petkar was a sincere and dedicated leader who served the movement in several capacities, including District Secretary, AIBDPA , Nagpur, District Secretary, CGPA, Nagpur, General Secretary, Co-Ordination Committe of Pensioners organisations of Vidarbha, Nagpur. He was a regular participant in all the meetings and conferences.

AIBDPA dips its banner in respect of the departed leader and conveys hearfelt condolences to the bereaved family and colleagues.

The second biennial District Conference was held successfully on 21-03-2021 at IMA Hall, Simlagate, Palanpur. Com.N M Parmar, District President was in chair. Com.Sitara Bai Kiri, Assistant District Secretary welcomed one and all. Com.N N Patel, Circle President inaugurated the Open Session and covered almost all the issues and the struggles being held for the settlement. A host of leaders, including Coms. V K Pandya, Circle Organising Secretary, G B Darji, DS, Mahesana, B S Rajput, Circle Vice President, A Y Ghori, District Secretary, BSNLEU etc addressed the conference.

The message of Com.M B Chaniyara, Circle Secretary & CHQ Organising Secretary was presented by Com.V M Darji, Assistant Circle Secretary.

The report and accounts presented by Com. Sitram Kiri, Asst. District Secretary and V M Darji, Treasurer, respectively were approved after discussion.

Office bearers were elected unanimously with Com. N M Parmar (President) Com. V M Darji (District Secretary) and Com. R P Khasetia (Treasurer)

Veteran Leader and founder General Secretary of BSNL Employees Union has penned his autobiography, My Life, Struggles. The book contains an interesting life story of Com. V A N Namboodiri filled with numerous struggles during a span of six decades and still continuing. Actually, it is the history of P&T Trade Union movement and Central Govt.Employees movement mixed with the glimpses of personal and family life of Com.V A N.

Karnataka Circle Branch headed by Coms.C K Gundanna (Circle President) and H V Sudarshan( Circle Secretary) has taken the initiative to publish the book and befittigly chose to release on 22-03-2021, the 20th Anniversary of BSNLEU at Bangalore, a fitting honour indeed.

Com Amanullah Khan, former President, AIIEA formally released the book in the jampacked hall of PGMT Office, Bangalore in the presence of a galaxy of leaders, including Coms. C K Gundanna, H V Sudarshan, Geetha, Muddaiah (Circle Secretary, AIBDPA), H C Prakash (AGS, AIBDPA), G G Patil (Former AGS, AIBDPA) N.Kuppusamy (Circle Secretary, AIBDPA, Tamil Nadu) .

The 4th Distrct Conference of Khammam , Telangana Circle has been held in a befitting manner on 22-03-2021. 20th Anniversary of BSNLEU, the mighty organisation was also celebrated on the occasion. Com.J Sampath Rao, AGS & Circle Secretary inaugurated the conference explaining the formation of BSNLEU at Visakhapatnam on 21-03-2001, its growth as the main recognised union, the sustained struggles conducted for the settlement of genuine demands of the workers and protection of BSNL from privatisation. He aslo reminded that AIBDPA & BSNLCCWF were formed by BSNLEU and appealed for srengthening these organisations to face the serious challenges ahead.

Coms.D Shankar, CHQ Vice President and Ramachandradu, Circle Secretary explained the issues of the pensioners and the recent struggles conducted for pension revision, medical benefits, DR and IDA and issues of VRS retirees.

A host of leaders, including, Coms. G.sambasiva Rao, ACS, BSNLEU, B S Veeraswamy, Circle President, Srinivas, District Secretary, SNPWA and Jaganmohan Reddy addressed the conference.

Office bearers were elected unanimously with Coms. Rajaiah (President) Thirumalachary (District Secretary) and Kiran Kumar (Treasurer)