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Of course all of you may be aware that All India BSNL DOT Pensioners Association is all set to organise yet another agitational programme culminating in the March to Sanchar Bhawan on 24th August, 2022. The first of the three phased programme, Demands Day on 22nd June, 2022 was held all over the country by holding powerful demonstration at all levels. The second programme, Mass Dharna at SSA level is being held on 20th July 2022.

It is a known fact that AIBDPA has conducted numerous agitations in the past, not only for pension revision from 01-01-2017, but also on pension revision for the pre 2007 BSNL pensioners, 78.2% IDA fitment, annulment of 60:40 condition etc.It may be in your memory that when the earlier Minister of Communications, Shri. Ravi Shankar Prasad took a tough stand in 2019 that pension revision is possible only after wage revision, most of the pensioners organisations opted for legal recourse. But AIBDPA had no hesitation to continue the struggle to achieve the demand as in the past.

Accordingly, our Central Executive Committee meeting held at Guwahati in November, 2019 decided a phased programme of agitation culminating in a Parliament March. The CEC also authorised CHQ to explore the possibility of a joint agitation of all the pensioners organisations and therefore didn’t decide the dates. We wrote to all the pensioners organisations requesting to join the agitation in the best interests of BSNL retirees and they may suggest any changes / modifications for the struggle. Unfortunately, we got response from only three organisations and that too were not for joining the struggle. In these circumstances, AIBDPA was compelled to go it alone.

Firstly, an extensive campaign among the pensioners was held in December 2019 and signatures of pensioners in the memorandum to Hon ‘ble Prime Minister were collected during SSA level conventions. Another important program was meeting the Parliament Members in January, 2020. Our comrades could meet 112 MP, including Lok Sabha Speaker, two Cabinet Ministers and five State Ministers and submitted detailed memorandum on pension revision for taking up with government.

Then the next program was day long fasting Mass Dharna at CCA Offfices on 12th February, 2020 which happened to be a stupendous success. We had made all the preparations for the culminating Parliament March on 12th March, 2020. Unfortunately, we had to postpone the most important agitation due to the break out of Corona pandemic in Delhi and other parts of the country.Even during the period of pandemic, we have continued our efforts on pension revision and the issue again came to limelight after an effective intervention made through Shri. John Brittas MP. Some other MPs also wrote to the Minister on pension revision which was followed by meeting the Minister and top officers of the DoT by certain pensioners organizationns. The wide propaganda made on these developments created an impression among the pensioners that the issue is going to be settled shortly.

Meanwhile AIBDPA held its Central Executive Committee meeting on 5th March, 2022 and after reviewing the developments decided for another agiitational program on pension revision, denial of medical benefits, nonpayment of frozen IDA installments etc. The CEC authorized CHQ to decide the form of agitation at the appropriate time. It was under these circumstances that AIBDPA delegation comprising Com. V A N Namboodiri, Advisor and K G Jayaraj, General Secretary held discussions with the top officers of the DoT, including Secretary, Additional Secretary, Joint Secretary, Member (Finance), Member (Services) DDG(Estt). The delegation also held discussions with the officers in DOPPW What the delegation could understand from these discussions was that DoT still has no definite idea/proposal for pension revision. Here one thing is very clear that it is the central government to take a decision on pension revision. And considering the class character of the present government, nothing will be conceded without struggle.

So, only under this compelling situation AIBDPA CHQ has given shape for the three phased agiitational programmers as follows,

1. Demands Day on 22-06-2022- Demonstration at all levels

2 Mass Dharna at SSA level on 20th July, 20223.

March to Sanchez Bhawan on 24th August, 2022

Our stand is further vindicated with the latest information that Internal Finance of DoT has rejected the “proposal /proposals”of DoT (Estt) and has reiterated the stand of the government that pension revision is possible only after wage revision.

The 5th biennial District Conference of Kolkata Telecom District under West Bengal Circle has been held befittingly on 15-07-2022 at CTO, Kolkata. Com.Govinda Das presided over the conference. Com.Ajitkumar Nandan, District Secretary welcomed and placed the report and accounts. Inaugurating the conference, Com.Pijush Chakraborty, Circle Secretary spoke in detail , particularly the agitational programme being launched for settlement of important demands. Thereafter active discussion took place on the report and the issues of the pensioners. Circle Secretary and District Secretary replied to the queries raised by the delegates after which the report and accounts were adopted. A new set of office bearers were elected unanimously with Com.D Dasbakshi (President) Com.Niranjan Sarkar (District Secretary) and Com. Ashis Gupta (Treasurer).

A joint meeting of Pensioners organisations of Hyderabad including All Pensioners & Retirees Association of Telanagana and Andhra, AIBDPA, Defense etc was held at BSNL Bhawan, Hyderabad on 12-07-2022 in connection with the visit of Com.K K N Kutty, Secretary General , NCCPA. Com.K K N Kutty in his elaborate address, gave a good account of developments in respect of the important issues confronting the pensioners. Coms.M N Reddy, Veteran leader and General Secretary, All Pensioners& Retirees Association, Somayya, Vice President, NCCPA, Ramachandradu, Circle Secretary, AIBDPA, D Shankar, CHQ Vice President, AIBDPA etc addressed the meeting.

CHQ is saddened to report that Smt. Kaliammal (82) mother of Com. R Rajasekar, Circle Secreatry, Tamil Nadu has passed away at Chennai on 12-07-2022. The cremation was held on 13-07-2022. AIBDPA pays homage to the departed mother and convey heartfelt condolences to Com.R Rajasekar and other family members.

To
All CHQ Office bearers, Circle Secretaries, District Secretaries and Affiliates.

Dear Comrade,

MASS DHARNA ON 20-07-2022- LET US MAKE IT A GRAND SUCCESS.

                We have to organise the 2nd phase of our Agitation, Mass Dharna on 20th July 2022 at SSA/BA level mobilising maximum pensioners. There should be banners, flags and good number of placards in the Dharna to popularise the demands including pension revision . Care should be taken to give wide publicity of the programme in the media both print and visual.

    MARCH TO SANCHAR BHAWAN ON 24-08-2022- HELP CHQ TO ARRANGE ACCOMMODATION.

                    CHQ is making all out efforts to make the Sanchar Bhawan March historic. In the last circular it was specifically requested to send the exact number of participants from the far of circles by 15-07-2022. It is once again requested to send the following details in this regard.
1. Number of total participants.
2. Number of participants who require accommodation.
3. Number of lady comrades participating.
4. Date and time of arrival and departure.
5. Mobile numbers of two leaders accompanying the participants.
It is a herculean task to arrange accommodation for such a large number of participants at New Delhi and unless CHQ is provided with the above details by 15-07-2022, it will be difficult. As already been intimated, CHQ will pay only one day’s rent, ie 23rd to 24th morning. Also journey tickets are to be booked well in advance to get confirmed berths for the to and fro journey. So please take it seriously and do the needful at the earliest.

MEETING WITH OFFICERS OF DOT AND BSNL.

Com. V.A.N.Namboodiri, Advisor, AIBDPA, who was at New Delhi in connection with the National Executive Committee Meeting of NCCPA, met officers of DOT and BSNL on 29th June 2022 and discussed important issues, including Pension Revision, Payment of Medical Reimbursement, Fixed Medical Allowance.

Com. V.A.N.Namboodiri, Advisor, AIBDPA, along with Comrades R.S.Chauhan, AGS, AIBDPA and D P S Shisodiya, Circle Secretary, NTR Delhi met Shri .P K.Purwar, CMD, BSNL on 29.06.2022 and discussed about the extreme delay in payment of Medical Reimbursement and Fixed Medical Allowance. They pointed out that the amount allotted as per the assurance given in the last meeting was insufficient, including Delhi and more funds are required to be allotted. CMD stated that it will be difficult to immediately allot funds but the same will be done when funds will become available. CMD further reiterated that employees be encouraged to shift to CGHS. Association leaders stated that many have already converted to CGHS. But they also pointed out that CGHS hospitals / Wellness Centres are available only in very few cities as also that empannelled hospitals are very less. The migration will depend on these and other relevant issues.

Meeting with Shri Saurab Thyagi, PGM (Estt), BSNL:
The AIBDPA representatives brought to the notice of the PGM that despite bringing to his notice earlier and assurance to that effect, the pension cases and denial of retirement benefits of VRS retirees of ST Maharashtra Circle have not been settled so far. The concerned pensioners and their families are suffering without getting pension and other benefits. There is absolutely no justification in dragging the issue indefinitely and expressed strong protest against the continuing injustice being meted out to these retirees. PGM stated that necessary instructions have already been issued for immediate settlement.

Com. V.A.N.Namboodiri, Advisor, AIBDPA also met Shri. Dilip Pandhye, Member ( Finance) Shri V L Kantha Rao, Additional Secretary and
Shri Sunil Kumar, Joint Secretary at Sanchar Bhawan, DOT and discussed about the delay in Pension Revision to BSNL pensioners wef 01.01.2017. He explained in detail about full justification of the case. They stated that DOT is fully aware of the case and two proposals in this connection are being considered.

When it was pointed out about extreme delay in sanction of family pension to widow of Shri Joga Rao, RM Vizakhapatanam, Additional Secretary assured that he has already directed for immediate settlement of the case.

NATIONAL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING OF NCCPA.

     The National Executive Committee meeting was held at AIRF Office, New Delhi on 28-06-2022 under the presidentship of Com. Shiv Gopal Mishra. Com. K K N Kutty, Secretary General presented the agenda items. Serious discussion took place. Representing AIBDPA, Coms. V A N Namboodiri, Advisor and S Mohandoss, Vice President attended physically and Com. K G Jayaraj, General Secretary virtually and presented the important issues of pension revision, denial of Medical benefits to BSNL pensioners, CGHS issues and Recommendations of Parliamentary Standing Committee. They also explained the three phased agitational programme including March to Sanchar Bhawan being launched by AIBDPA and sought the support and solidarity of NCCPA.

TELE PENSIONER.

All of you are aware that Tele Pensioner could not be printed during the Corona pandemic period and digital copies were sent through WhatsApp. Now, Tele Pensioner October- December 2021 and January – March, 2022 issues were combined, got printed and sent to all by post. Complaints of non-receipt are aplenty. There has been some lapses in updating the mailing address with new subscribers received during the pandemic period and these are being made complete.Of course there are complaints from the old subscribers also which are also being looked into. The next issue of April – June, 2022 will be brought out shortly.

ALL INDIA CONFERENCE AT MYSURU IN DECEMBER, 2022.

         CHQ is happy to announce that Karnataka Circle has responded positively to the request of CHQ to host the AIC.
A formal decision in this regard has been taken in the Circle Executive Committee meeting held at Hubli on 07-07-2022 to hold the 4th triennial All India Conference at Mysuru on 20th & 21st December, 2022.

Most of the Circle branches are reluctant to take up the responsibility of hosting the AIC presumably due to the huge expenditure. So it is necessary to extend financial assistance to the hosting circle by other circles. CHQ calls upon all our units to collect a minimum of Rs. 100 from each member as AIC Fund and send 50% of the total fund collected to the Reception Committee and balance 50% may be utilised towards expenditure for sending delegates to the AIC. Please complete this fund collection at the earliest and the bank account details of the Reception Committee will be intimated in due course.

           Comrades, it is needless to mention that the days ahead are full of activities. Let us take it up in right earnest for the onward March of our mighty organisation.

With warm Greetings,

K G Jayaraj
General Secretary

A circle level convention was held on the present serious situation prevailing in respect of BSNL MRS and the sufferings of BSNL pensioners at Kolkata on 05-07-2022. Com. Susanta Ghosh, Circle President presided over the convention. Com.Animesh Mitra, President, BSNLEU inaugurated the convention. He was also felicitated for his retirement on 30-06-2022. Coms. Sanjib Banerjee, AGS, Adhir Kr Sen, CHQ Vice President, Dilip Das, Circle Vice President and Amitava Chattopadhyay addressed. Com. Susanta Ghosh, CHQ Vice President delivered the keynote address. Com. Com.Pankaj Saha, ACS presented the report.Almost all the District Secretaries participated in the discussion and severely crticised the cruel attitude of the BSNL managemnt in allotting necessary fund to clear the medical claims of the retirees. The short comings of CGHS were also deliberated thoroughly. Com. Pijush Chakraborty, Circle Secretary summed up the discussion. The convention also decided to make the remaining two phases of agitation called by CHQ, Mass Dharana on 20-07-2022 and March to Sanchar Bhawan on 24-08-2022, a grand success.