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.

F

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)

In the 9th Membership Verification held on 12th October,2022 and the results declared late on 14th October, BSNLEU has secured a fantastic victory. Despite all the odds and slanderous campaigns, the BSNL employees have reposed their firm faith on the fighting organisation overwhelmingly. Though the number of employees have come down drastically after the VRS, BSNLEU got 15,311 votes (48.62%) and retained the status of main recognised union. NFTE came second with 11,201 votes ( 35.57%). BTEU managed to get 1,634 votes ( 5.19%) NUBSNLW (FNTO) got only 573 votes (1.82%). All other unions got only nominal votes.

BSNL Employees Union has now won a record eight times consecutively and could be proud of the great achievement. AIBDPA heartily congratulate all the leaders and other comrades of BSNLEU for the glorious victory.CHQ also congratulate all the AIBDPA Comrades who worked shoulder to shoulder with the BSNLEU Comrades for the victory of BSNLEU.

Com. P V Chandrasekharan, fondly called PVC, the legendary leader of the P&T Trade Union Movement and later Pensioners and Elders movement, has passed away. He was 78 and was suffering from multiple ailments for the last few months and was admitted in the hospital at Ernakulam. He fought valiantly against the fatal ailments till he breathed his last at 1130 PM on 09-10-2022.

Com.PVC was functioning as the founder Patron of AIBDPA, effectively guiding all its the activities. He was also serving in the capacity of Working President, CGPA, Kerala and Vice President of Senior Citizens Friends Welfare Association.

Com.PVC was born at Kalliassery, Kannur in 1944 and started his public activities when he was a student and was closely associated with the Students Federation. He entered the P&T Department as a Telephone Operator in Alappuzha and started his union activities as the Branch Secretary of AITEEU Class III. After two years he got transferred to his native place Kannur and was elected as Branch Secretary. The leadership qualities of Com.PVC came to the fore during the famous Valapattanam local agitation and thereafter he led many struggles including the historic strikes of 1968 and 1974. Several of our comrades were terminated in 1968 and all these comrades were given relief equal to their pay with the significant initiative of Com.PVC. He was victimised several times in the form of suspensions from service, chargesheets and resultant punishments and tranfer to distant places. He was elected as Circle Secretary in 1981 and naturally he moved to Thiruvanathapuram. He was successful in settling many local issues either throgh effective negotiation or through struggles.

Com.PVC was always accesible to anybody and was pleasent and affectionate in dealing with the workers which made him dear to all. He was later elected as Vice Chairman of the Kerala Coordinating Committee of P&T Unions and played a pivotal role in the construction of P&T House, Thiruvananthapuram. He also held responsible posts of Federal Councillor of NFPTE, Staff side leader of the Regional Joint Consultative Machinery. He was always in the forefront in the fight against the revisionism in the organisation. When BSNL was formed , Com.PVC played a significant role in unifying the telecom unions and forming BSNL Employees Union. He served as the founder Circle President of BSNLEU, Kerala and always keen in strengthening it.

Com.PVC was very much involved in the joint functioning of all the service unions and was a familiar face in all the struggles of various organisations. Com.PVC retired as Chief Telephone Supervisor , Thiruvananthapuram in 2004 and thereafter started serving the pensioners and elders organisations. He also played a key role in the formation of AIBDPA and formulating its policy and programmme. He took up the responsibility of Patron of AIBDPA and was effectively guiding its activities till he breathed his last.

The passing away of Com.PVC is unbearable and no words to explain the great loss. His life was completely devoted to our organisations and the commitment and sicerity are beyond words. Com.PVC had lost his loving wife Padmam Sekhar a few years ago and leaves behind son Naveen Sekhar, and daughters Shiny Sekhar and Sindhu Sekhar.

The cremation is decided to be held at Thiruvananthapuram on 11-10-2022.

AIBDPA pays respectful homages to Com.PVC and conveys heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family , friends and comrades.

RED SALUTE DEAR COMRADE PVC.