.Dear Comrades,

Hearty congratulations to all of you for the highly successful conduct of our Sanchar Bhawan March.

Now, many queries are being received by CHQ regarding different versions on the issue of pension revision.One organisation has claimed that DOT has approved their proposal for pension revision, that is CPC fitment, and sent to the DOP&PW for approval.Another organisation says they got information from reliable sources that the proposal approved by DoT is with zero percent fitment.So these are all contrasting claims in a hurry to create an impression among the pensioners that they are the only organisation for the achievement (?). There had been such claims earlier also and what happened later is known to all. The fact is that DOT has not divulged the real proposal reported to have approved. So we have to wait for the real and credible proposal and it’s final outcome.

One thing is very clear that the government cannot deny the pension revision any long. Our relentless struggles, particularly the historic and fantastic Sanchar Bhawan March have definitely made compulsions to the government.If the decision of the government on pension revision is not satisfactory we have to prepare for further struggles.

With warm Greetings.

K G Jayaraj

General Secretary,

CHQ has the gratification that the culmination of the three phased agitational programme, March to Sanchar Bhawan on 24-08-2022 has been made a stupendous success as in the case of the other two programmes. The participation, even from the comparitatively weaker circles was beyond expectations. The large premises of the BSNL/MTNL building complex, Eastern Court, New Delhi was jam packed with the struggle soldiers came from all parts of the country. They carried placards, flags and banners in good numbers which made the rally attractive. Before the March was taken out a meeting was held at Eastern Court at 1030AM. Com. V A N Namboodiri, Veteran leader and Advisor AIBDPA presided over the meeting. Com.R S Chouhan, AGS anchored the meeting. Com.Sanjib Banerjee, AGS welcomed one and all. Com.V A N Namboodiri in his presidential address explained the demands and the efforts and agitations conducted by AIBDPA.Com. A R Sindhu, National Secreatry, CITU and General Secretary, All India Federation of Angnawadi Workers and Helpers inaugurated with an inspiring speech thoroughly exposing the anti-people and anti-worker policies of Modi government and assured all the support to AIBDPA in its struggle for the settlement of the genuine issues of the pensioners. Coms. R N Parashar, Secretary General, Confederation of Central Government Employees & Workers, P Abhmanyu, General Secretary, BSNLEU, K K N Kutty, Secretary General , NCCPA, K Ragavendran, General Secretary, AIPRPA and Asia Regional Co-ordinator, TUI(P&R) and Com. Animesh Mitra, Secretary General, BSNLCCWF addressed. Com.R Muraleedharan Nair, AGS proposed vote of thanks.

The messages of Com.Ananta Kumar Bhattacharjee, President and Com.K G Jayaraj, General Secretary who could not participate due to health issues, were read out by Com.V A N Namboodiri.

After the meeting the March to Sanchar Bhawan started with thundering slogan shoutings demanding immediate pension revision, immediate clearnace of pending medical bills and allowance etc by the comrades. The March was led by Coms. V A N Namboodiri, Advisor, R Muraleedharan Nair, AGS, D Basu, AGS, M R Das,AGS and other leaders and Circle Secretaries. But the police blocked the March by locking all the gates to the road and large number of police under the command of Deputy Commissioner were at the road and stated that they cannot permit the March through the nerve centres of the capital city where 144 is already in force. Therefore the March had to be limited to the premises of the building complex. Memorandum listing out the demads and early settlement of the genuine issues was submitted by a delegation led by Com.V A N Nambbodiri to the Hon’ble Minister for Communications, Secretary, DoT and CMD, BSNL.

The memorable and highly successful event is another milestone in the history of not only AIBDPA but of the whole pensioners movemnt in the country. The inspiring Rally , participated by more than two thousand BSNL, Telecom pensioners , revealed the stregth of AIBDPA.. The participants were much enthusiastic and were proud of AIBDPA for its capability, advancement and the fighting potential. No doubt, it would help the organisation for the onward march to greater heights.

In the absence of General Secretary, Coms. R Muraleedharan Nair, AGS, T A Biju, Office Secretary, BSNLEU, R S Chouhan AGS, DPS Shishodia , Circle Secretary, Delhi effectively made all the arrangements for the successful conduct of the programme, guided by Com.V A N Namboodiri. CHQ thanks and Salute all the participants and the leaders of various organisations for their participation and inspiring and encouraging speeches.

*Hundreds of Comrades from far off circles have already reached New Delhi to participate in the March to Sanchar Bhawan on 24-08-2022. Some of them, including Com. M B Chaniyara, Circle Secretary, Gujarat & CHQ Organising Secretary, reached on 22nd inst itself. However, most of the participants are scheduled to reach on today, the 23rd. Some others are to reach in the morning of 24th including Comrades from nearby circles.

CHQ has arranged accommodation for those who have given advance intimation. Generally, our comrades are satisfied with the arrangements made by CHQ. As already been informed, there may be shortcomings which may please be brought to our notice in a matured manner. Let us maintain utmost discipline until the program is concluded.

As per the revised schedule, the meeting in connection with the March to Sanchar Bhawan will be held at Eastern Court at 10AM on 24th August, 2022. Com. V A N Namboodiri will preside over the meeting. Com. A R Sindhu, National Secretary, CITU and General Secretary, All India Federation of Anganvadi Workers & Helpers will deliver the inaugural address.Coms. R N Parashar, Secretary General, Confederation of Central Government Employees & Workers, P. Abhimanyu, General Secretary, BSNLEU, K K N Kutty, Secretary General NCCPA, K Raghavendran, General Secretary, AIPRPA and Animesh Mitra, Secretary General, BSNLCCWF etc will address.After the meeting, the rally will start and proceed until the police block. Memorandum on the issues will be submitted personally to the Hon’ble Minister of Communications, Secretary, Department of Telecommunications and CMD, BSNL.

A Press Conference was held today, the 23rd inst at the Press Club, New Delhi. Com. V A N Namboodiri, Advisor, Com. R S Chouhan, AGS and Com. D P S Shishodia, Circle Secretary, NTR, New Delhi participated and briefed the issues of the pensioners included in the six point chater of demands for the March to Sanchar Bhawan, to the media reporters, both print and visual.

Those who want to pay the CHQ quota may meet Com. K. Pankajavalli, Asst Treasurer, CHQ and get the receipts.

The three phased agitational programme on the six point charter of demands focusing Pension Revision and Denial of Medical benefits has evoked big response and enthusiasm among the telecom and BSNL pensioners throughout the country irrespective of union affiliation. The confidence and determination to fight against the continuing apathy to the genuine demands by the government and the BSNL management is very much visible in the pensioners and quite encouraging too. Now, CHQ is taking all out efforts to make the culminating programme, March to Sanchar Bhawan on 24-08-2022 memorable and a resounding success.

Arrangements are in final stage at New Delhi for the successful conduct of the Sanchar Bhawan March. Comrades from the far off circles have already started their onward journey to New Delhi and it is very much enthusuiastic that the participants are being given spectacular send off by the respective district branches, treating them as the warriors of the great struggle for the cause of the pensioners. Veteran Leader and our source of inspiration, Com. V A N Namboodiri has reached New Delhi on today, the 20th August and will supervise the preparations and guide us for the successful conduct of the Sanchar Bhawan March.

Com.Pijush Chakraborty, Circle Secretary inaugurated the district Conference of Telecom Stores, Kolkata on 16-08-2022 with an elaborate speech covering the important issues of the pensioners. After adoption of report and accounts, office bearers were elected unanimously. The important functionaries are Com. Didar Baksh (President) Dhiralal Karmokar (Secretary) and Tapan Kr Roy (Treasurer).

The country is celebrating the 75th anniversary of Independence in a befitting manner. Yes, we are really proud to be Indians. No doubt, the country has achieved much and progressed considerably in most of the sectors. We are indebted to the sacrifices of thousands of great warriors who fought against British imperialists for the independence of this great country. But we are also facing big challenges against secularism, unity in diversity and protection of national assets. It is also a disturbing fact that while there is steep increase in the number of billioniers ,the ineqality between the rich and poor is being widened alarmingly. BSNL, as in the case of other important Public Sector Enterprises, is all set to be sold out for a song. The workers and pensioners are aslo under severe attack. So, let us rededicate ourselves to continue our fight to protect this great country from the divisive forces and ensure a better life, particularly for the marginalised and downtrodden people.

A book on the historic 1946 P&T Strike written jointly by Coms. V A N Namboodiri, Advisor and P V Chandrasekharan, Patron was released by veteran trade union leader Com.K N Ravindranath by handing over the first copy to Com. C C Pillai, former Secretary General of NFPE and Confederation. The function in this regard was held at K G Bose Bhawan, Ernakulam on 13-08-2022. Com.N Guruprasad, Circle Secretary preseded over the impressive function. A host of leaders, including Coms. V Sreekumar, General Secretary, Confederation,Kerala, P K Muraleedharan, Convener, NFPE, M Vijayakumar, Circle Secretary, BSNLEU, K Ravikuttan (CGPA) and C G Gopinath(AIPRPA) addressed. Com.P S Peethambaran, Convener, Organising Committee welcomed and Com.Premkumar (BSNLEU) proposed vote of thanks.

BSNL EMPLOYEES UNION has given a call to organise countrywide Black Badge wearaing Demonstration on 17-08-2022 against the treacherous stand of the government and BSNL management to retrench 35000 employees more in the name of another VRS. It is also against the move to treat the employees as slaves by asking them to work 12hrs per day or face action on 56(J).This a very serious situation and nothing short of the intention of the government to hand over BSNL to the corporates. It has to be resisted with all out efforts and strong struggles. Therefore all the AIBDPA units are requested to join the Protest Action called by BSNLEU on 17-08-2022 in large numbers so as to give a strong warning to the government and the BSNL management.

The statement issued by Com.P Abhimanyu, General Secretary in this regard is reproduced below;

BSNLEU calls on the employees to organise Day-long Black Badge wearing and Lunch Hour Demonstrations on 17-08-2022.*It is shocking to know that, the Government and the BSNL Management are taking serious steps to retrench another 35,000 employees through VRS. The Government and the Management are also trying to convert BSNL employees into slaves, with threatenings to dismiss under Rule 56(J) and making them to work up to 12 hours per day. Under these circumstances, the All India Centre of BSNLEU has decided to organise the following agitational programmes on *17-08-2022. **(1) Day-long Black Badge Wearing.**(2) Lunch Hour Demonstrations. *The CHQ of BSNLEU calls upon all the circle and district unions to organise the above two programmes successfully by mobilising the maximum number of employees, pensioners and contract workers. Let us send our strongest protest to the Government and the Management.Regards.*-P.Abhimanyu,GS.*