Media reported that the Cabinet meeting held on 19-7-2017 presided over by PM Shri Narendra Modi approved the third Pay Revision Committee report. But, so far no official communication on this decision has come out.

Some organizations of the BSNL Executives claim that Cabinet has approved the PRC report and DPE will issue notification this week. Good. Some other organizations feel that even if DPE issues notification, the BSNL Board may not revise the wages of Executives in BSNL since the Company did not earn profit during the last three consecutive years. So they have decided to go on one day’s strike on 27-7-2017. Some other organizations do not join this strike for their own reasons.

All of them want PRC report should be implemented and wage of serving staff in BSNL should be revised.

But, there is no unity in action. That is the tragedy

The United Forum which organizes the strike admits now that there is no chance of wage revision in BSNL. They are the same people who demanded pension revision along with this wage revision. Along with the NONE!

We anticipated this situation three years ago. Hence we demanded pension revision with CPC fitment formula.

We wish the serving staff all success in their efforts to get wage revision. All should realize that unity is the prerequisite for any such struggle.

YES, THIS IS THE GOVERNMENT WAY!

Honouring the Court judgement after 12 years:

Punishing the people for going to the Court!

In 2003 or so the CGHS authorities refused to enroll retired P&T employees as beneficiaries of the CGHS. Pensioners in different Circles approached the government. No Result. Finally the Central Government Pensioners Association (Kerala), Trichur filed a case in CAT, Ernakulam bench. The CAT gave judgement in favour of the pensioners on 12, July 2005. 12 years ago.

CGHS cards were issued to the applicant pensioners. Pensioners of other Circles were refused it. Government went on Appeals. In the name of appeals and other cases pending in other CAT benches, no common order was issued.

Now, after long 12 years, the Department of Health and Family Welfare has issued an Office Memorandum on 19, July 2017 honouring the CAT judgement .

Many pensioners have departed this world during the last 12 years without getting proper medical care. Who are responsible for that? What action is taken against such officers who refused to honour the verdicts of Courts of Law? What action will the Government take against such officers who wasted the government money for unwanted Appeals. The OM dated 19-7-2017 is reproduced hereunder..

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Dept. of Health & family Welfare OM
No. S-11016/2/2015-CGHS(P)/EHS
dated 19th July 2017.
Sub: Extension of CGHS facilities to the pensioners of Post and Telegraph Department.

With reference to the above subject, the undersigned is directed to draw attention to the Office Memorandum No S-11011/46/95-CGHS D-II/CGHS(P) dated 1, August 1996 and to state that it has now been decided to revoke the OM dated 1-8-1996 in compliance of the Orders of Hon’ble Central Administrative Tribunal, Ernakulam Bench dated 12th July 2005 in OA No 563/2004 and 590/2004 and Order dated 01-06-2017 in OP 180/21/2017 arising out of OA No 180/563/2004 between Central Government Pensioners’ Association (Kerala) and Ors Vs UOI & others.

2. The retired employees of Post and Telegraph Department shall hereafter be entitled to the CGHS facility, irrespective of whether they were members of CGHS prior to retirement or not, subject to the payment of prevalent subscription for availing themselves of this facility as per rules as in the case of other Central Government pensioners.

3. This issues with the approval of the Competent Authority.

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Guntur branch (AP Circle) held its extended Executive Committee meeting on 21-7-2017.

Comardes M R S Prakasa Rao (Circle Pres.), Varaprasad (CS), Ch. Ramakrishna Rao (ACS), G Venkateswara Rao (DS), Laxminarayana (DP), Balakoteswara Rao (Tenali Br. Secy) and others spoke on various issues.

2 Photos:

FROM KANPUR DEHAT TO RAISINA HILLS – A GREAT JOURNEY

We, the BSNL retirees of India and their mighty organization AIBSNLPWA, join the people of India in welcoming Shri Ramnath Kovind to the highest position of our great Nation. His journey from the Village near Kanpur to the Raisina Hills in New Delhi where the Rashtrapati Bhavan is located is quite inspiring.He will be occupying the prestigious Chair of President of India on next Tuesday - a Chair occupied by great personalities like
Dr. Rajendra Prasad,
Dr. Radhakrishnan,
Dr. Zakir Hussain,
Dr. K R Narayanan and
Dr. A P J Abdul Kalam….

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

We are thankful to Com. S C Mahewari,Secretary General of Bharat Pensioners Samaj for taking up the case of correction to the Concordance Table. We are thankful to him for the prompt response and immediate action.

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Bharat Pensioners Samaj Letter No. SG/BPS/17/pe-nrev/ 1

Dated 10.07.2017

To

Joint Secretary,G.O.I M/O Personnel, PG & Pensions-DOP &PW

(For the Kind Attention of Sh Sanjiv Narain Mathur)

Dear Sir,

Subject: Revision of pension of pre-2016 pensioners / family pensioners - implementation ofGovernment’s decision on the recommendations of the 7th Central Pay Commission- Concordancetables- regarding. Table Nos. 24 & 25

Reference: i) DOP&PW OM F.No.38/37/2016-P&PW(A) Dated 6th July,2017 & 12th May,2017.

ii) MOF (DOE) OM. 1/1/2008-IC dated 13th November, 2009

‘Bharat Pensioners Samaj’ the largest Federation of Pensioners Associations, while welcoming yourposting as J S DOP & PW, assure you of its co-operation and support. Indian Railway-men have a culture of to be always on the beck & call of its stake holders. We are sure that the Central Civil Pensioners will be looked after very well during your tenure.

Sir, we are also thankful to you and your team for helping the Pensioners Community by publishing Concordance Tables for the revision of pension of pre-2016 pensioners / family pensioners.

However, we invite your attention to Concordance Tables No. 24 & 25 issued vide DOPPW OM Dated 6-7-2017, wherein the orders issued vide MOF (DOE) OM. 1/1/2008-IC dated 13th November,2009 have not been taken care of, while finalizing the Concordance Table Nos. 24 & 25.

2. The posts which were in Pre-revised scale of Rs.6500-10500 as on 1.1.2006 were granted Grade Pay of 4600 corresponding to Pre-revised scale of Rs.7450-11500 w.e.f. 1-1-2006 vide Para 3 of MOF (DOE) OM dated 13-11-2009 cited above.

As such, for the purpose of working out Notional Pay all Pre-2016 Pensioners who retired from the pre-revised Scale of 6500-10500, are entitled to Grade Pay Rs.4600/ . But, the Concordance Table Nos. 24 & 25 show the scale of Rs.6500-10500 with GP 4200/-

3. In terms of DOP&PW OM dated 12-5-2017, the Notional Pay of all Pre-2016 Pensioners is required to be arrived at as if they were in service on 1-1-2016.

4. BPS, therefore, request that Concordance Tables Nos. 24 and 25 be revised taking into consideration the revised Grade Pay of Rs.4600

Thanking you in anticipation

Yours faithfully,

Er S.C. Maheshwari

Former DEN C.Rly

Secy. Genl. Bharat Pensioners Samaj

On 6-7-2017, the Department of Pension & Pensioners Welfare has released one Ready Reckoner Table to help central government pensioners to revise their pension under the latest formulation approved by Cabinet.It is a very useful Table; no doubt.

But, unfortunately there is a mistake.

For those who retired before 1996 from the then Pay Scale of Rs 2000-3200 (JTOs, ASTTs, Grade IV etc.) the replacement scale from 1-1-1996 was Rs 6500-200-10500. From 1-1-2006 their replacement pay scale was 9300-34800. The sixth CPC bunched pay scales of 5000-8000, 5500-9000 and 6500-10500 together and gave a single pay band of 9300-34800. Those who got promotion and those who did not get promotion, all got same pay band and same grade pay of Rs 4200.

Later on, to undo the anomaly, the Finance Ministry vide their Office Memorandum dated 13-11-2009, raised the Grade Pay for 6500-10500 from Rs 4200 to Rs 4600. Now, DoP&PW has prepared the Concordance Table without noticing the above change.Those who retired from the said pay scale of 6500-10500 will lose a good amount in their re-fixation of pension.

I sent Email to leaders of more than 50 central government pensioners’ organizations supplying a copy of the said OM dated 13-11-2009 and requested them to take up the matter. I sent an email pointing out the mistake to the concerned officer in Pension Department also.

It has to be rectified. Else it will be a gross injustice to the senior Class III officials retired.