New Delhi: 3rd July 2015:

A parliamentary committee headed by firebrand BJP MP Yogi Adityanath has recommended 100 percent hike in the salary of parliamentarians, a newspaper report said on Thursday.

Besides proposing a 100 percent hike in salary, the panel has also recommended increasing the pension of elected representatives from Rs 20,000 to Rs 50,000.

The Yogi Adityanath-led panel has suggested to bring in a pay revision mechanism on the lines of pay commission, which is at present only meant for government employees.

As per the report, at least 60 recommendations have been put forward by the Adityanath-led panel.The panel has also advocated for raising the daily allowance of Rs 2,000 for MPs, which they get during Parliament sittings. Besides proposing 20-25 free air travels in a year, the panel has also said that an additional free AC first class ticket should be provided for their companion, such as their personal secretary. As per the report, the panel has also recommended extending the health benefits given to the MPs to their children and grandchildren as well.

The last revision of salaries of MPs took place in 2010.

The Parliamentary Affairs Ministry has rejected some of the proposals.

But, the proposals to double the salary and increase the pension are not rejected.

[Zee News]

WE HAVE WON THE CASE

Today, the Kerala High Court has dismissed the appeal petition filed by Department of Telecom against the CAT (Ernakulam) verdict on counting of extra increment for fixation of pension. Judgement is awaited within a week. Details will be given then. Adv. Sreeraj appeared for the four BSNL Retirees and Kerala circle Unit of AIBSNLPWA who had filed the case in CAT.

The Pensioners in Greece are in the street, protesting the cuts on pensions and austerity measures imposed on the people by the Government.

Athens, July 1st 2015

Protest of Pensioners’ Federation for the Payment of Pensions

The Pensioners’ Federation organized a protest at the Ministry of Finance and to the Bank of Greece to demand the immediate payment of the total amount of their pensions.

In his statement outside the Ministry, the President of the Federation of Pensioners and Member of the Executive Secretariat of PAME, cde Dimos Koubouris said:

“We demand the immediate payment of our pensions. Our pensions are our money and not of the banks. The pensions are not capital, to have Capital Control. The pensions are money we need for our medicines, for our families”

The Ministry of Finance and the Banks Union have imposed Capital Control to all withdrawals and especially for pensioners, whose pensions have frozen, and are only allowed the withdrawal of an extremely small sum.

The Pensioners’ Federation demanded the immediate payment of all pensions, in their whole amount.

You can retain your mobile number while changing cities with the national mobile number portability (MNP) becoming a reality. The much-awaited proposal will enable you to keep your existing phone number while shifting cities— say from Delhi to Mumbai or Chennai to Kolkata. Operators have already started rolling out full MNP plans and these include Airtel, Vodafone, Idea Cellular, R-Com and state-run BSNL and MTNL.

Currently, you have to pay roaming charges if you use your number outside your home city, except for BSNL. Also, you will be billed on STD rates for the calls. A full MNP will help you do away with these charges as your new city becomes your home base without any change in the phone number.

India, which currently has 22 circles or telecom zones, had allowed intra-circle number portability till now which meant that you could retain your number even if you shifted your mobile operator within the same city. Now this is allowed on a pan-India basis.

Central DA is granted once in six months, based on the average Index for the preceding 12 months.CDA from July 2015 will be determined calculating the average Index for the 12 months from July 2014 to June 2015. Index for June 2015 will be officially announced on 31st July 2015 only.

Eleven months Index is available. Based on that, it can be presumed that CDA will increase by a minimum of 6% from July 2015: From 113% to 119%. Increase of 1 point or 2 points in the Index for June will not change the position.

Same Index is taken for CDA and IDA. But, average is taken for 12 months and 3 months respectively. That is reflected in the rate of CDA and IDA.

The Labour Bureau of India has released the All India Consumer Price Index for May 2015.

It is 258 points. (March: 254 points&April: 256 points)

With the above, the IDA from July 2015 can be assessed as 102.6%

IDA from January 2015: 100.5%

Increase: 2.1%

DA rate from July 2015: 102.6%

THE MOUNTAIN DELIVERED A MOUSE !!!

It is like the 3000 years old story told by AESOP which said that "Then, slowly, and with hardly a whisper of sound... out of the huge cleft in the mountain peak there slowly emerged... a tiny little mouse."

"As ex-servicemen steadfastly press for the implementation of One Rank One Pension (OROP), top Ministry of Defence (MoD) sources have said that the main reason behind the delay is not funds, but the minuscule increase that jawans may get if OROP is implemented in its present form. Sources said that the concern within the government is that the jawans may get an increase of just about “few hundred” rupees per month — a raise that may not justify the decade long OROP agitation." ...Media report

A VERY SPECIAL AND NOVEL FUNCTION BY ERNAKULAM SSA UNIT OF AIBSNLPWA.

Shri. P. Raman, aged 94 is the senior most member of our Association in the Ernakulam SSA ,residing at Kumily- a hill station in the revenue District of Idukki. Shri. Raman became a family pensioner, on the sad demise of his unmarried son T. R. Mohanan Telecom Mechanic, Kumily on 30th March 2008.Our Circle Association took up the case of sanction of Family pension to Shri. Raman, with the CCA .An amount of more than Rupees four lakhs was sanctioned to him as pensionary benefits which was a surprise to the family folks and the rustic men alike . On 17th December 2014, the Pensioners' Day, the Ernakulam District Association had honoured our members above 80 years of age . But Shri. Raman could not travel such a long distance of about 200 Kms from Kumily to Ernakulam. Hence a team of more than 15 of our Association headed by Circle Secretary R.N.Pada Nair and Thodupuzha Branch secretary P.P.Velayudhan, including E. Madaswamy and Lalu from Kumily visited Shri. Raman's house. His three daughters and their family members, neighbours and well wishers gave a warm welcome to the visitors . Circle Secretary R. N. Padanair addressed the gathering and felicitated Shri. Raman. A memento arranged by the District Association was also presented to him. It was really a pleasant occasion and a previllege to the Association to felicitate the 94 year old veteran .

We have received a Write up from a friend in LIC about the new Pensions Scheme introduced for the senior citizens.

It is given below for the information of our viewers interested in the matter:

Varishta Pension Bima Yojana is an attractive pension scheme announced by the Govt.of India

for the welfare of the senior citizens of the country with LIC as the exclusive administrator.

Features:1.

One time Premium (Purchase price) &Immediate Annuity payable Yearly/Half yearly/Quarterly/Monthly.

2.Annuity starts as early as from the next month if the mode of annuity is monthly. Annuity amount is guaranteed throughout the life time.

3..Return of the purchase price (Amount invested) to the nominee/legal heirs on death of the pensioner.3.Pension payable by NEFT/ECS to pensioner’s bank account directly.

4.Eligibility : 60 years & above (No upper limit)

5.Surrender allowed in exceptional circumstances like critical illness treatment. Surrender value will be 98% (within 15 years).After 15 years no surrender charges.

6.Loan facility available after 3 years. Maximum loan available 75% of the amount.

7.Minimum Single Premium starts from 66,665 and maximum Premium allowed is Rs 6,66,665.(Per family).Premium can be paid in multiples of Re1/-.

SCHEME CLOSES ON 14TH AUGUST,2015.

Annuity payable under different modes for a single premium for Rs 1 lac is

:Monthly :Rs 750

Quarterly: Rs 2267

Half yearly:Rs 4585

Yearly: 9380

For more details,Please contact :Sreekumar.V.K,Dy.Manager,LICDirect,Divisionaloffice,M.G.Road,Ernakulam.Phone : 0484 2374023 / 9497406532 / 98950 43632Email :dm.ernakulam@licindia.com.Website: www.licindia.in

ALL INDIA ROAMING: Frequently asked Questions and Answers.

1..BSNL Free Roaming is a Permanent Offer or a Promotional Offer?

At present BSNL Roaming Free Offer (free incoming voice call facility while in national roaming) will be available as an offer for a period of one year one PAN India basis from 15.06.2015.

2.Is it applicable for Prepaid and Postpaid Mobile users too or Not.

Yes, BSNL Free Roaming will be available for all Prepaid and Postpaid customers.

3.Whether Free Roaming is applicable across India or in for some areas only.

It is applicable across all over India including Mumbai & Delhi (Service areas of MTNL).

4.What are the Outgoing Voice Call charges in Roaming? Can BSNL home area plans applicable or not?

In Roaming all outgoing call charges are charged at Rs.0.8 / Minute for local calls and Rs.1.15 / Minute for STD calls (No Change in Roaming Tariff).

5.Whether all STVs (Voice / SMS / Data / ISD) can work in Free Roaming across India.

No, Special Tariff Vouchers (STVs) will not work in Roaming areas except BSNL Data STVs / SMS STVs.

6.What are the BSNL Data Charges during Free Roaming across India?

The data charges are same for both Home area and for Roaming areas too, All BSNL Data STVs are also allowed in Free Roaming.

7.Will Mobile Users can recharge with any Special Tariff Voucher / Plan to avail Free Roaming? If yes how much?

No, Mobile Customers do not recharge with any BSNL Roam Free STV, it available as default feature. Free incoming voice calls while in national roaming will be implemented by creating Prepaid STV / Postpaid Add-on of Rs. 101 (+/-3) under BSNL mobile services. STVs/Add-on plans will be automatically added to all the BSNL mobile customers account notionally at Free of cost (without any additional charge) initially for a period of one year as a goodwill gesture.

8.Is there any Roaming charges for a customer, who receives ISD call in Roaming.

No Charges for a customer who receives ISD Call in Roaming.

9.Whether existing Roaming Free STVs / Plans are still in alive after 15.06.2015.

The existing BSNL Roaming Packs STV5, STV69, STV33 & STV90 under prepaid mobile services and Add-on plan with FMC of Rs. 61 under postpaid mobile services, which allows the BSNL Mobile customers to get the all incoming calls as FREE of charge to talk to their beloved ones while on travel in BSNL / MTNL network areas

across India are withdrawn from 15.06.2015.

10.If a customer already recharged with Roaming STV having certain validity, and after discontinuing roaming STVs from 15.06.2015, he is eligible for Free Roaming or Not.

Yes, he is eligible for Free Roaming.

11.After One Year, Can Subscribers will recharge with any Roaming STVs.

At present BSNL Offers Free Roaming for all Mobile Users for One Year, after that, this may be extended / discontinued according with Govt Decisions.

Finalisation of 7th Pay Commission Report is under Process – 7th CPC says it has completed interactions with all stake holders and finalisation of pay commission report is underway

7th Pay Commission has informed in its official website 7cpc.india.gov.in to the effect that it has completed all discussions with Organisations, Federations, and Groups which represent Central Government Employees and Defence Services. 7CPC has further reported that it is in the process of finalisation of 7th Pay Commission report.So, any future requests made by any organisation for interaction with 7th Pay Commission will not be allowed.

The 12th Annual Special G.B.Meeting attended by 350 pensioners (inclusive of about 75 lady pensioners) in and around Madurai was held 0n 21-06-2015 under the president ship of Sri. M.Raveendran, Dist. President. This meeting started with a prayer by Smt.G.Kalyani Sundaresan. Sri.G.R.Dharmarajan, Dist. Secretary welcomed the special invitees and all participants. Sri.S.Arunachalam, D/S, Tirunelveli greeted the spl. meeting. The chief guest Sri. K.Muthiyalu, Circle President and Organizing Secretary CHQ greeted and gave an excellent speech explaining our association activities and achievements of pensioners’ issues regarding pension revision, 78.2% IDA merger, pension anomaly and our 7th CPC Memorandum. In his address he pointed out that it was Sri.Dharmarajan, our D/S who sowed the seed for the formation of our association, amongst loud applause. Then 21 delegates and 31 visitors were elected for AIC at Bangalore. The meeting came to end with vote of thanks by Sri. V.Janarthanan, Dist, Treasurer.

In the meeting JCM Staff Side had with 7th Central Pay Commission on 9th June 2015, it was indicated that the Commission will recommend Pay Revision and Pension Revision in Central Government Services with effect from 1st January 2016.

[Not from 1-4-2016 as reported by media].

Staff side of JCM (National Council) had a meeting with 7th Central Pay Commission on 9-6-2015. In the said meeting the Staff Side raised an issue regarding parity in pension of past pensioners and new pensioners. the Report from Staff Side about the discussion is as:

".... e) Parity in Pension entitlement of the past and present pensioners –

The Commission is yet to make up its mind on the suggestion made by the staff side in the matter. They however said that almost all the Pensioners organizations which met the Commission had pleaded for this and the same is linked with the one rank one pension demand of the Armed forces personnel."

NO CLEAR PICTURE !

Shri R L Kapoor reports from New Delhi:

“I met Shri P Khanna, Director (Estt) in the Directorate yesterday.

It was told that the Draft Cabinet note has been delivered by hand to

all the four nodal ministries simultaneously.”

As we have already reported, the Honourable Minister for Communications Shri Ravi Shankar Prasad approved the Draft Cabinet Note on 78.2% on 9-6-2015.He took very quick action.

On 13-6-2015, the Draft Cabinet Note was circulated to four nodal ministries for their views/comments.

Cabinet Note is a top secret document.The contents of it shall not be disclosed till it is cleared by Cabinet meeting.But, some people are now giving information about the contents of this Cabinet Note. It is all speculations. Those who were sleeping can easily spread some rumours.

We do not give any rumours or speculation.

The long-pending ‘One Rank One Pension’ (OROP) scheme for ex-servicemen is likely to be rolled out ahead of the Assembly polls in Bihar later this year, top government sources indicated on Tuesday.

The government is working out the modalities for OROP and the announcement will be made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, they said.

“It (OROP) is being worked out. We will need to have a separate category so that it cannot be legally challenged later on and nor do others stake claim. This would be separate from other government pensions,” sources said.

On a request from our Nagpur comrades, Senior minister in Narendra Modi Government, Shri Nitin Gadkari (Former BJP President) wrote to Communications Minister on 11-4-2015 supporting our demand for 78.2%.

Shri Ravi Shankar Prasad, Communication minister promptly replied to Shri Gadkari on 7th May 2015 that he was examining the matter.

We are happy that four senior ministers in the cabinet have supported our demand. It became possible only because of the work done by our Circle Units.

Shri Gadkari's office has sent to us his letter and the reply received thereto.

.......................................................................................................................

AIBSNL PWA, Vellore District and CMC Shell Hospital Jointly conducted FREE EYE CAMP at Katpadi on 12-06-2015. More than 150 Pensioners including their relations and friends attended. After complete check up 35 members got selected for FREE CATRACT Surgery including FREE Lens Fixing. we have given on behalf of our Association opticals 10 Numbers to the Pensioners who cannot afford