OUR NEXT CENTRAL WORKING COMMITTEE MEETING WILL BE HELD ON 11-12, NOVEMBER, 2017 AT PATNA, BIHAR. ALL CWC MEMBERS (CENTRAL OFFICE BEARERS AND CIRCLE SECRETARIES) ARE REQUESTED TO RESERVE THEIR TICKETS TO AND FRO WELL IN TIME. FORMAL NOTICES WILL BE ISSUED BY GS.

The Hindu Business Line quoting PTI reports that the Cabinet chaired by PM Shri Narendra Modi, yesterday approved the Third PRC report for wage revision of serving Executives in PSEs. We do not doubt the credibility of Hindu or the PTI. The report says that 15% hike in salary is proposed. There, the doubts arise. Because PRC has recommended 15%, 10% and 5% hike depending upon the affordability of PSUs. Hence, we were waiting for the official Press Release.

Normally, after Cabinet Meetings the Press Information Bureau releases Press Communiqués. After yesterday’s meeting also the PIB has given eight Press Releases. In that there is nothing about the PRC Report and Pay hike in CPSEs.

The Procedure:

There are certain procedures for implementing PRC report like; 1) The Cabinet approves it based on the Cabinet Note submitted by Department of Public Enterprises. 2) DPE issues the Office Memorandum based on the Cabinet approval. 3) DOT endorses the DPE OM to BSNL. 4) BSNL Board meets and considers the affordability and then takes a decision.

Even if the Media report is correct, we have to wait for the further procedures.Let us wait and see. Let us not jump into any hasty conclusion. And, after all, it is only for serving Executives. Not for retired people.

FIXED MEDICAL ALLOWANCE FOR DOT PENSIONERS LIVING IN AREAS NOT COVERED BY CGHS

Dept. of Expenditure, Central Pension Accounting OfficeOM

No. CPAO/IT&Tech/Revision(7^th CPC/19.Vol-III/2017-18/68 dated 14-07-2017

Attention is invited to Ministry of Finance, Department of Expenditure Resolution No.11-1/2016-IC dated-6th July, 2017 on the above subject whereby it has been decided to revise the existing rates of following allowances for Pensioners:

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1. Fixed Medical Allowance: Existing Rates: Rs 500/- .... Revised Rates: Rs 1000/-

2. Constant Medical Allowance on 100% disablement: Existing: Rs 4500/- .... Revised Rs 6750/-

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These revised rates are payable w.e.f. 01.07.2017.

In view of the above, Heads of CPPCs/Government Business Departments of all the banks are requested to arrange to credit the pensions/family pensions to the bank accounts from the month of July, 2017 onwards, for the respective pensioners who are already being paid above allowances, with the revised rates without waiting for any specific/separate authority from CPAO for such Pensioners.

This issues with the approval of the competent authority.

Hundreds of BSNL PENSIONERS from Chennai Telephone District and Chennai Traffic Division, Chennai STR Division and a large number of PENSIONERS from adjacent SSAs from CUDDALORE, PONDICHERRY & VELLORE participated in the MASS DHARNA on 19-7-17 in front of CCA OFFICE, Chennai protesting against the unhelpful attitude of the Pr.CCA Office towards the settlement of the pending problems of pensioners in 78.2% pension revision arrears and also to protest against the disrespectful attitude of the CCA OFFICE Officials, Ethiraj Salai showing towards our leaders and pensioners when they visit CCA OFFICE for genuine enquiries.

Few Photographs of the Event are given below:

Contempt of Court petition filed by our Association in the pension anomaly case came up before the Principal bench of CAT today. Court issued notice to all the Respondents by name, as the usual procedure. Next date is 16-8-2017.

As all of you know, we had filed a case in Principal Bench of CAT,New Delhi to get removed the anomaly in pension of those who retired during the period from October 2000 to July 2001. On 16-12-2016 CAT pronounced its judgement in our favour. 90 days’ time was given to the Respondents (Dept of Telecom, Dept of Pension, Dept of Expenditure etc.) to implement the court order. 180 days have passed since. The Court order is not honoured.

DOT officers say that they have asked the Government advocate to file Appeal in High Court against the CAT decision. We immediately filed a Caveat Petition in Delhi High Court to ensure that we are heard before the High Court gives any decision in the Appeal. Another 90 days have passed since then. Still no Appeal is filed in High Court.

CONTEMPT

Therefore, finding no other way, we have filed a Contempt of Court Petition on 13-7-2017 in Principal Bench of CAT.

IMMEDIATE EFFECT

I anticipate that the Government Advocate will file the appeal petition immediately in High Court. Administrative reasons will be shown for the delay. In most of the cases the Court condones such delay on the part of Government Departments. Then we have to fight the case in High Court.We are prepared for it. We are prepared to fight in the Supreme Court even...... P S RAMANKUTTY

We have already published 23101 names of Life Members of AIBSNLPWA in our magazine, PENSIONERS PATRIKA till its July 2017 Issue.

As on today, 13-7-2017, we have a waiting list of 1964 names to be published. We devote 4 or 5 pages in every Issue for publishing the LM lists. Maximum of 800-900 can be given in one Issue. So, pages of September-October and November-December Issues are full. Names being received now are kept for January-February 2018 Issue. We print names on the basis of first-come-first.

Many branch Secretaries are enquiring over phone. No doubt, all are anxious to see that his/her name is included in the list. But, we have page constraints.

I request all to appreciate it and bear with us.

We are marching ahead.

25000 life members in a period of just six years.!

…… P S Ramankutty, Editor