ITAT Pune Confirms Full Exemption on ex-gratia to BSNL VRS – CBDT Urged to Issue Uniform Clarification
Following ITAT Pune order (24.03.2026) holding BSNL VRS ex-gratia as fully exempt under Section 10(10B), AIBSNLPWA has urged CBDT to ensure uniform relief.
A significant and encouraging development has taken place today in our Pension Revision case before the Delhi High Court. The Hon’ble Bench expressed strong displeasure over repeated adjournment requests by the Union of India. Our counsel pointed out that similar grounds were taken earlier and opposed the adjournment. The Bench reprimanded the Junior Counsel of UOI and observed that such reasons are not acceptable. It has now clearly stated that no further adjournments will be granted. The matter is posted to 28.04.2026, with a direction that even if the Senior Counsel is unavailable, the Junior Counsel must proceed with arguments. This is an encouraging development, and the case is expected to proceed on the next date.
CBMPA Call of Demonstration on 16th April 2026
The call given by CBMPA for demonstrations on 16th April 2026 has been successfully implemented across the country. Members of AIBSNLPWA actively and enthusiastically participated in these demonstrations at various places.
AIBSNLPWA congratulates all pensioners of the constituent organizations of CBMPA for their united, determined, and successful participation in the nationwide demonstration.
BSNL and MTNL pensioners have expressed deep anguish and strong resentment over the callous and indifferent attitude of DoT authorities in failing to issue orders for payment of IDA/DR to BSNL and MTNL pensioners w.e.f. 01.01.2026, even as another instalment has already fallen due from 01.04.2026, further aggravating the injustice meted out to the pensioners.
The issue is being deliberately and unjustifiably delayed on one pretext or another, citing Para 5 of the DPE orders for IDA due from 01.01.2026. This is totally unacceptable. The inclusion of such a conditional provision by DPE, functioning under the Ministry of Finance, is highly objectionable and cannot be used as a ground to deny or defer legitimate dues. No conditions can be attached to the payment of IDA/DR to BSNL and MTNL pensioners. They are fully entitled to the immediate release of IDA/DR, and any further delay amounts to denial of justice to the pensioners.
CBMPA has decided to continue and intensify its protest actions. Accordingly, a nationwide one-day Dharna will be organized on 30th April 2026. In case the DoT fails to issue the IDA/DR orders without further delay, the agitation programmes will be further intensified.
All BSNL and MTNL pensioners are called upon to actively and unitedly participate in the one-day Dharna programme on 30th April 2026 to assert their legitimate rights and resist the unjust delay.
Dear Participant,
Thanks for submitting the Memorandum/Representation. The same has been received in the Commission.
The Commission may reach out to you at the email address or mobile number provided by you,
if any additional information or clarification is required.
Memo ID: Memo/2/AUP/170426/336112553
Date Submitted - 17/04/2026
Regards,
MyGov Team
Circle Conference of Jharkhand Circle held on 05-04-2026 at Jamshedpur.
The Circle Conference of Jharkhand Circle along with the District Conference of Jamshedpur was held on 05-04-2026 at Rajasthan Bhawan, Bistupur, Jamshedpur.
The conference was presided over by Circle President Com S. K. Sharma.
Shri Vipul Agarwal, Chief General Manager, Telecom, Jharkhand Circle, graced the occasion as the Chief Guest.
Com. V. Vara Prasad, General Secretary, Com H. N. Singh, Circle Secretary, Bihar Circle, Com V. D. Mishra, Organising Secretary (All India),addressed the gathering.
The following office bearers for Jharkhand Circle were elected unanimously:
President – Com Laliteshwar Prasad Singh
Circle Secretary – Com Naresh Lal
Circle Treasurer – Com Bharat Mishra
For Jamshedpur District, the following were elected unanimously:
President – Com V. K. Jaipuriar
District Secretary – Com Lal Bihari
District Treasurer – Com A. N. Gupta
Dear comrades,
Pensioners of BSNL/MTNL are very much worried about non-grant of increased Dearness Relief from 1/1/2026 and they suspect the mischief of the Government
.
AIBSNLPWA convened a Virtual Meeting today (3/4/26) inviting all the pensioners associations of BSNL and MTNL. The following associations and their leaders participated in the meeting which was presided over by Com D Gopalakrishnan.
1) AIBSNLPWA (Coms P S Ramankutty, D Gopalakrishnan, V Varaprasad, Anupam Kaul and T S Vittoban)
2) AIBDPA (Coms V A N Namboodiri, K G Jayaraj, M R Das and R. Muralidharan Nair)
3) BDPA (I) ( Com D D Mistry)
4) SNPWA ( Com G L Jogi)
5) AIRBSNLEWA ( Com Prahalad Rai)
6) RTOWA Delhi (Coms M K Bagchi and A K Kaushik)
7) RTOWA Mumbai (Coms Jawahar and J S Yadav)
8) Mahanagar PWA, Mumbai (Com Kishore Haldankar)
Due to some reason or other, Com Hariharan Nair (BDPA, Kerala) and Com R K Mudgal (MREWA, Delhi) could not attend the meeting but they have given their consent to the decision.
Though AIBSNLREA was invited, they did not respond.
After deliberations, the following decisions were taken unanimously:
Immediately a letter, jointly signed by all GS of the above pensioners associations, will be sent to, demanding immediate release of Dearness Relief to BSNL/MTNL pensioners due from 1/1/2026 and periodic release of Dearness Relief every three months without causing any delay
a) Cabinet Secretary
b) Telecom Secretary
c) Secretary, Department of Expenditure
d) Secretary, Department of Public Enterprises
e) Secretary, DoP&PW
The letter will be handed over in person by the leaders (M K Bagchi/G L Jogi/A K Kaushik etc) available in Delhi. In that letter itself it will be intimated about the following programme of action:
16/4/26 – Demonstration in front of CCA offices and before BSNL offices in other places throughout the country – Time may be decided jointly at local level. In Delhi, it will be held in Eastern Court.
30/4/2026 – One day Dharna throughout India.
We hope that the Government will respond positively to the demand of BSNL/MTNL pensioners. If not, the committee will again meet and decide further course of action.
3/4/2026
V Vara Prasad
General Secretary AIBSNLPWA
District / Branch conference of Patiala 02-04-2026
District Conference of Patiala along with Branch Conference was held successfully on 02-04-2026 at Parwana Bhawan, Baradari, Patiala.
The house unanimously elected the following office bearers:
District Body
President: Com. K C Dhiman
Secretary: Com. Sham Lal Sharma
Cashier: Com. Rishi
Branch Body
President: Com. S K Batra
Secretary: Com. Jung Raj Channa
Cashier: Com. Labh Singh
The meeting was witnessed by Com. Atma Ram, Vice President (All India), Com. R K Saini, Organising Secretary (All India), Com. Sant Singh, Circle President, Com. G S Bajwa, Circle Secretary, and Com. R K Sharma, Circle Cashier.
Prakasam District Conference on 31-03-2026
Prakasam (Ongole) District Conference was held at Ongole on 31-03-2026..
Circle Secretary Com. D. Venkateswara Rao and Circle President Com. V. Viswanatham addressed on Pension Revision, Validation Act, 8th CPC, Notional Increment, Commutation, IT and other issues. Com. K. Anjayya spoke on organisational matters. BSNL officials and NFTE leaders also participated.
New office bearers were elected unanimously: President Com. R. Nageswararao, Secretary Com. S. Abdul Rouf and Treasurer Com. B.V. Seshaiah.
Pension Revision Case Adjourned to 20 April 2026
Pension revision case in Delhi High Court was listed for hearing on 30-03-2026, and as DoT/Union of India sought adjournment in advance citing change of counsel, the case now stands adjourned to 20th April 2026.
In continuation of the judgment dated 07.02.2025 of the Hon’ble High Court of Kerala, an important development has taken place in the matter relating to pension based on Last Pay Drawn (LPD) for BSNL absorbed pensioners.
The issue pertains to the anomaly affecting employees who retired during the period 01.10.2000 to 31.12.2005, who were denied LPD-based pension, unlike those retiring prior to 01.10.2000 and after 01.01.2006.
The Hon’ble High Court, in its earlier judgment dated 07.02.2025, had set aside the order of CAT, Ernakulam Bench, and held that the affected pensioners are entitled to pension based on LPD.
Subsequently, the Government approached the Hon’ble Supreme Court through an SLP, which was withdrawn with liberty to file a Review Petition before the High Court. Accordingly, a Review Petition was filed.
The Hon’ble High Court, in its order dated 24.03.2026, has now dismissed the Review Petition, clearly holding that:
Review jurisdiction cannot be used to re-argue or reopen the caseNo error apparent on record existsThe earlier judgment does not warrant reconsiderationThe Court also noted that reliance on internal communications or departmental clarifications does not provide a valid ground for review of a judicial decision.
With this, the judgment dated 07.02.2025 stands reaffirmed, further strengthening the legal position on the issue.
24 12 2022
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