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.

As per Consumer Price Index released by Labour Bureau on 30-06-2022, IDA rate on 2007 pay scales & Pension is to increase by 5.5% with effect from 01-07-2022 and the total IDA will be 190.8% (185.3% + 5.5%). Department Public Enterprises has to issue the order in this regard.

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 etc.

Meeting with CMD BSNL: 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 suggested 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. The delay in sanction of family pension to the widow of Shri Joga Rao, RM, Visakhapatnam, who is missing for last 13 years or so was also pointed out. He assured necessary action to settle the issue.

Meeting with Additional Secretary, DOT and Joint Secretary, DOT. Com. V.A.N.Namboodiri, Advisor, AIBDPA met Shri Sunil Kumar, Joint Secretary 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. Joint Secretary stated that DOT is fully aware of the case and two proposals in this connection are being considered. What exactly are the proposals were not elaborated.Meeting with Additional Secretary, DOT: In continuation of the discussion held last time, Com. V.A.N.Namboodiri, Advisor, AIBDPA, met Shri V.L.Kantha Rao, Additional Secretary, DOT and brought to his notice about the great dissatisfaction and unrest due to the non- implemntation of Pension Revision. He mentioned that two proposals are being considered. He also did not elaborate.When it was pointed out about extreme delay in sanction of pension to widow of Shri Joga Rao, RM Vizakhapatanam, he stated that he has already directed for immediate settlement of the case.In all the above meetings Com. Pankajam N.Namboodiri was also present.

.ENGLISH TRANSLATION OF THE STATEMENT IN SPANISH.

SALUTE TO ALL INDIA BSNL DOT PENSIONERS ASSOCIATION

Comrade K G Jayaraj

General secretary

All India BSNL DOT Pensioners Association, has planned the implementation of a Program of Three-phase agitation:

1. Claims Day- Demonstration at all levels in front of the BSNL / DOT offices on 06-22-2022.

2. Mass Dharna at the district level before the BSNL/DOT offices on 07-20-2022.

. March to Sanchar Bhawan, Delhi on 24-08-2022.

This Agitation Program aims to demand the review of pensions and the solution of other problems that have been dragging on for a long time, BSNL pensioners.This contains 6 specific demands, all of them aimed at defending the claims and rights of pensioners and retirees, including the need to review the pensions since 2007, medical benefits since 2017, the payment of frozen fees and othersBenefits.

All India BSNL DOT Pensioners Association, is one of the most active organizations in Union of Pensioners and Retirees Trade Unions of the Trade Union Federation World and constitute an example in the struggle of older people in defense of their Rights.

On this occasion we salute your Agitation Program, whose first activity will take place this June 22 and we express our solidarity and support both in it, and in the actions scheduled for July 20 and August 24.

Your struggles and successes are part of the struggles and the successes of pensioners and retirees from all over the world

.FOR A DECENT LIFE FOR PENSIONERS AND RETIRED.

06/21/2022

Quim Boix

General secretary, International Union of Trade Unions (UIS) of Pensioners and Retirees (PyJ) of the World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU)

Lysimaco Velasco

Propaganda Secretary, International Union of Trade Unions (UIS) of Pensioners and Retirees (PyJ) of the World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU)

The Coordination Committee of BSNLEU, AIBDPA & BSNLCCWF, in its meeting held on 04-06-2022 had decided to organise Human Chain program against National Monetisation Pipeline and Privatisation spree of the central government. The program stands postponed due to the trade union class of BSNLEU being held on 6-7, July, 2022. The next date of human chain will be decided in due course and intimated. The inconvenience caused in this regard is regretted.