Archives-News
1. Case No. 346/2018: seeking pension revision (78.2) arrears from 1-1-2007, bundled with another case filed by some retired officers of Kerala is now posted to 7-11-2019. It was posted like this several times. One day before the date the case was being postponed by notification. So even now, it is not sure if the case will be heard on 7-11-2019.
Case 2. No 338/2018: Seeking pension fixation at 50% of Last Pay Drawn for all those who retired prior to 1-1-2006. After several postponement it is now posted to 23-10-2019 for final disposal.
We are waiting.
The fifth Kerala Circle Conference was held on 15-10-2019 at Palakkad.The Palakkad SSA Unit is comparatively a smaller district unit of Kerala Circle. However, the unit could host the massive conference in an excellent manner. 425 delegates representing all the 11 SSA units and CEC members attended the conference. Com. P Gangadhara Rao, GS inaugurated the conference at 10 AM. He explained status of various issues and problems.
Shri D Manoj, the CCA Kerala was the Chief Guest. He addressed the conference in his inimitable style and shared valuable information with the audience.
Central trade Union leaders like Shri Vijayan Kunisseri (AITUC), K Sudhakaran (BMS), A Prabhakaran (CITU) and K Appu (INTUC) and Shri G N Hariharan Nair (CS of DoT&BSNL Pensioners Association, Kerala) greeted the conference. Thereafter Com. P S Ramankutty (CHQ President), R N Pada Nair (AGS) and Smt A P Saraswathy (Org. Secy) also addressed the inaugural session. Com. V S Ramachandran (Chairman, Reception Committee) welcomed and Com. K T Ramanarayanan (GS, Rec. Committee) proposed vote of thanks.
In the afternoon, the Delegate Session met. It was addressed by Com. B Arunachalam, veteran leader of Tamilnadu circle who hails from the nearby station, Coimbatore. All district secretaries and few delegates participated in the debate on Report, Account and resolutions. The conference decided to launch a campaign to project the demands for pension revision, grant of funds for BSNLMRS and our views on the present crisis of BSNL in particular and Telecom Industry in general.
Comrades P Narayanan Moosad, T P George and C G Daniel have been unanimously re-elected as Circle President, Circle Secretary and Treasurer respectively.Comrades T Ramachandran, R N Pada Nair and P K Gopala Pillai are patrons.
The conference concluded at 5.30 PM on time. The Palakkad comrades could make very conformable arrangements for conference, CWC meeting, stay and food of all delegates to fullest of their satisfaction. It was a well arranged, disciplined conference in all respects.
to the complete list of office bearers, Kerala please click here: kla-ob.pdf
..................
DPE has issued orders raising the rate of IDA effective from 1-10-2019 to 152%. We have forwarded the order to 42 CPPCs of banks.
to see the order click here; ida-oct-19.pdf
We are happy to note that two Circles – Haryana and Karnataka – have responded very positively to the call from our CHQ for donations towards PMNRF. CHQ fixed a nominal target of Rs 100 per member to each Circle based on their membership.Both Haryana and Karnataka have exceeded their targets. Hubli and Mangalore have contributed much to bring the Karnataka Circle to the top. Some District Units in other Circles also have exceeded their targets, details of which will be published later on.
CONGRATULATIONS, KARNATAKA COMRADES
Comrades of Karnataka circle have done a great job. The membership of Karnataka circle Unit is
5212. As such, CHQ fixed a target of Rs 521200 as its donation towards PMNRF. Amazingly, the
Circle has so far remitted Rs 630501 exceeding the target. It is a remarkable achievement. The
dedication, enthusiasm, commitment and hard work of our active comrades in different branches
like Mangalore and Hubli have brought the Circle to the top. CHQ congratulates comrades of
Karnataka circle for the spectacular achievement.
GREAT, GREAT, HUBLI COMRADES
We note with great admiration the determination, dedication and Enthusiastic initiative taken by leaders of our Hubli Unit in collecting donation from members. Seeing the plight of the people of North Karnataka, where there were unprecedented floods this time, our Hubli leaders started collecting donations towards CMDRF of Karnataka, even before CHQ issued the Call. Hubli (Hubballi) unit has 330 members. About 130 of them gave the donations; 70% of them remitted on-line. Hubli Unit has remitted Rs 50,000 to CMDRF and Rs 82,500 to CHQ. Total Rs. 1,32,500.
400% OF THE TARGET.
Hubli comrades are the pioneers in the movement. Well-done, Comrades; WELL-DONE.
AWESOME, MANGALORE COMRADES
Mangalore comrades have contributed a great for the amazing achievement of Karnataka circle in crossing targeted amount of donations towards PMNRF. Mangalore District Unit has 517 members. So, the target fixed was Rs. 51700. They have already remitted Rs 1,28,000 to CHQ. Still, every day, donation is being received by the District Unit. Mangalore comrades may cross Rs 1,50,000. 300% of the Target.
90% of the Members paid donations on-line. That is the wonderful enthusiasm shown by our comrades in Mangalore SSA. CHQ appreciates the awesome work done by Mangalore Comrades.
HEARTY CONGRATULATIONS, HARYANA
We report with great happiness that our Haryana Circle Unit has exceeded the target fixed towards PMNRF.
Haryana is comparatively a smaller Circle Unit having only 275 members. So, CHQ fixed a target of Rs 27500 for the Circle. But, as on date, Haryana has remitted Rs 34500. CHQ congratulates Com. J S Dahiya our AGS and Com. J S Mallick, our CS of Haryana and other leaders of the Circle for the spectacular achievement.
WE WISH ALL OUR READERS A VERY HAPPY DUSSEHRA.
Directorate of CGHS has issued two orders recently.
1. Empaneled Hospitals should not refuse treatment in emergency cases insisting formalities.
2. Revised guidelines for settling the pending medical claims from pensioners.
Click here to see the orders: cghs-order-on-emergency.pdf cghs-guidelinbes-on-claims.pdf
...
WORLD LEADERS ON MAHATMAJI
The light has gone out, I said, and yet I was wrong. For the light that shone in this country was no ordinary light. The light that has illumined this country for these many years will illumine this country for many more years, and a thousand years later, that light will be seen in this country and the world will see it and it will give solace to innumerable hearts.
Jawaharlal Nehru, 1948
............................................
Generations to come will scarce believe that such a man as this walked the earth in flesh and blood.
Albert Einstein, 1948
..............................................
If humanity is to progress, Gandhi is inescapable. He lived, thought, and acted, inspired by the vision of humanity evolving toward a world of peace and harmony. We may ignore him at our own risk.
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr
..................................................
“Gandhi’s ideas have played a vital role in South Africa’s transformation and with the help of Gandhi’s teaching, apartheid has been overcome.”
Nelson Mandela
.......................................................
“Mahatma Gandhi came and stood at the door of India’s destitute millions…who else has so unreservedly accepted the vast masses of the Indian people as his flesh and blood…Truth awakened Truth…
Rabindra Nath Tagore
.................................................
“He was right, he knew he was right, we all knew he was right. The man who killed him knew he was right. However long the follies of the violent continue, they but prove that Gandhi was right. ‘Resist to the very end’, he said, ‘but without violence.’ Oh, India, dare to be worthy of your Gandhi...
Pearl S Buck
please click here:
October 1
October 1 is the International Day for older people; not for you.
You are yet to reach that position.
There are older people around you. Today, just visit two or three older people, convey a few words of compassion to them. Fill their mind with hope and happiness.
Because, you will be older very soon.
The All India Consumer Price Index for August 2019 is declared by Labour Bureau of India today. It is 320 points.1 point increase from previous month.
Based on this, the rate of IDA can be assessed as 152% from October 2019.
An increase of 5.3% from existing 146.7%
Dear Comrades,
You are aware that CHQ issued a Call to all of you to collect donation from our members towards the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund to help victims of the unprecedented widespread rains and devastating floods. We consciously issued the Call because AIBSNLPWA is an organization of matured senior citizens of the country committed to launch struggles to achieve our demands and also committed to the society in general.
1) I am happy to note that many of our branches, though bit late, started responding positively to the Call. But, on this deadline of 30,September 2019, we have not achieved even 40% of the targeted collections. The momentum has picked up just few days back only. The Statement given below reveals the actual position as on date.
2) Some Secretaries have requested extension of the date so that they can collect some more amount after September Pension is received by our members.
3) Due to elections in different assembly segments, most of the Cabinet Ministers will be busy in October 2019.
4) There are number of holidays in the month also.
Hence, considering all the above facts, it is decided to extend the date to Saturday, 26,October 2019. I earnestly call upon all Circle/District/Branch Secretaries to intensify collections in first week of October 2019 and complete the task before 26, October 2019 itself. Please make over the amount so collected to CHQ Treasurer on regular intervals. That will enable us to assess the situation from time to time. Once the total collection reaches the Target we will fix the programme to make over our contributions, with due intimation to all of you.
Immediately after remitting your contribution to CHQ account online, please intimate invariably the details to Treasurer to help him issue Receipts properly. Where intimation is not received we have no alternative but to issue receipt to ‘Unidentified’.
Yours fraternally,
General Secretary, 30-9-2019
To see the statement of Receipts please click here:
THE ECONOMIC TIMES HAS REPORTED THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT BY A TOP OFFICIAL OF FINANCE MINISTRY ABOUT PRIVATISATION OF PSUs:
"MUMBAI: Terming privatisation as the top-most priority, a senior finance ministry official Thursday said the government will sell "whatever is saleable", and is also planning to breach the minimum 51 percent ownership level in select entities.
Getting down the government stake below 51 percent will require amendments in the laws and will also ensure that these companies move beyond the remit of oversight agencies like the Central Vigilance Commission and the Comptroller & Auditor General"..
//economictimes.indiatimes.com/articleshow/71315197.cms?utm_source=contentofinterest&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=cppst
THEY MET AND DECIDED
NOT TO DECIDE FOR TIME BEING
"A meeting convened by PK Mishra, principal secretary to the Prime Minister, on the revival of Bharat Sanchar Nigam (BSNL) on Thursday ended without any conclusion, mainly on the question of whether the revival is possible or not.
It is learnt that the group of secretaries has been asked to study that matter in four-five days. According to a source, “If the meeting of secretaries decides for revival, then method of funding like creating a special purpose vehicle will be discussed and decided.”
The meeting was held to find a solution to the financial woes of the beleaguered PSU, which is awaiting the central government's fund infusion to stay afloat amid cut throat competition in the telecom sector...."
[Business Standard 27-9-2019]
Today it is in Pune
Sudden rains have created havoc in the city of Pune today. Nature is showing its fury at one place or the other. Picture above shows that the sudden flood water has piled up vehicles in Pune city. At least 17 people lost lives, according to media reports.
REVIVAL OF BSNL AND MTNL
According to media reports, the proposal for revival of BSNL and MTNL is before the Cabinet to take a final call. Earlier, it was reported that Finance Ministry has raised some objections to pumping in huge amount to the companies.
The Group of Ministers headed by all powerful Home Minister Shri Amit Shah and attended by Finance Minister Smt. Nirmala Sitaraman cleared the proposal. Still, the officials in Finance Ministry have recorded their objections.
Now, it is understood that DoT has submitted the Cabinet Note containing the proposal and the objections from finance ministry. In the meantime, the new principal secretary to PM is meeting top officers of various departments and CMD of BSNL today to discuss the matter.
....
Centre has notified amendments to grant enhanced pension to families of government employees dying after serving less than seven years. The amended pension rules will apply to families of all government employees, including those of Central Armed Police Forces personnel.
The amendments to the Rule 54 of the Central Civil Services (Pension) Rules, 1972 will come into effect from October 1, 2019. The families of government servants who died before completion of service of seven years within 10 years before October 1, 2019, will also be eligible for family pension at enhanced rates.
The amendment mandates that families of government employees who passed away before completing seven years of service will receive 50 per cent of last pay drawn for 10 years as pension. Earlier in case of their deaths, families of government employees who rendered at least seven years of service received 50 per cent of the last pay drawn as pension. For those, who had served less than seven years were eligible to receive 30 per cent of the last pay drawn.
......
Note: above amendment mainly helps the armed forces. In central civil services cases of dying in harness before completing seven years are very less. But, in armed forces, especially where our Jawans working in areas affected by extremists activities or in the border areas, there are many cases of such deaths. The new amendment helps the families of such Jawans who lost their lives in the service of nation....PSR
A report in Economic times on 19-9-2019 says:
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has asked all government pension paying banks to compensate pensioners, at a fixed rate of 8 percent per annum for delay in credit of their pension, revised pension or pension arrears for the delay after the due date of payment.
The above advisory forms part of RBI's master circular on disbursement of government pension by banks. The advisory was issued following complaints from pensioners claiming unreasonable delay in disbursement of pension and arrears.
The RBI circular states:
- Pension paying banks should compensate the pensioner for delay in crediting pension/ arrears thereof at a fixed interest rate of 8 per cent per annum for the delay after the due date of payment and the compensation shall be credited to the pensioner's account automatically without any claim from the pensioner on the same day when the bank affords credit for revised pension/ pension arrears, in respect of all delayed pension payments made..
Today, it is 19 September. 51 years ago on 19-9-1968, central government employees went on a token strike for one day demanding Need Based Minimum wage etc.They did not attend the work for one day. The government led by late Smt. Indira Gandhi suppressed the agitation with all forces at its command. 17 comrades were killed in firing, lathcharge etc. Thousands were suspended from service. Thousands more were terminated. Thousands were transferred from one place to another. Some leaders also betrayed the workers. It is history now.
Just for not attending the office for a day. Now, despite employees attended and worked for 31 days, Management delayed their wages for 19 days. Management struck work for 19 days in BSNL and for 50 days in MTNL !!!
All forgot the Need Based Minimum wage.
All forgot the Martyrs of that struggle.
But, no struggle goes in vain. Many of us are products of that struggle. We were made stronger like steel due to the sufferings of those days. Our direction was changed. Our approach to life was changed.
On this day, let us pay homage to those comrades who did the extreme sacrifice.
Let us not forget history. We enjoy the decent pension now and a decent life because of the struggles …. PSR
.....
In the eighth membership Verification to recognize unions of non-executive staff in BSNL, BSNLEU has once again emerged as the biggest organization securing 48127 Votes out of total 110973 votes. Their voting share is reduced; may be because no alliance was permitted this time. BSNLEU leads in 21 Circles out of 36.
NFTE BSNL has emerged as the second biggest organization, eligible to be recognized again with 39132 votes. There is an increase in their voting share.
Thus two organizations are qualified with more than 35% votes.
(We regret that some inadeartent mistakes occured in our posting yesterday, which was given based on earlier figures.)
The results have exposed the real strength of all the organizations participated in the verification.
Ten organizations could not cross the figure of 1 percent.
WE CONGRATULATE LEADERS OF BSNLEU AND NFTE.
........
An article appeared in the Website of Financial Express at 8 PM on 16-9-2019 is given here for the benefit of our readers. Those who are well versed with IT rules may please point out if there is any mistake in it. ....PSR
To see the Article please click here: it-rebate-for-senior-citizens1.pdf