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PUNJAB COMRADES HAVE CONFIRMED PARTICIPATION.
It was a massive Conference of Tamilnadu Circle Unit of AIBSNLPWA held at Coimbatore on 23,24 August 2016. A big gathering of 674 delegates, including good number of ladies, attended the conference representing all the 18 SSA units.
The Conference commended with national flag hoisting by Shri Guruswamy, President of Coimbatore SSA unit and hoisting of association flag by Com. P S Ramankutty, President.
Comrades P S Ramankutty (President), D Gopalakrishnan (Vice President), G Babu (Vice President), G Natarajan (GS), T S Vittoban (Treasurer) and S Arunachalam (Org Secretary) participated the conference, representing CHQ. Com. K Mutyhiyalu (Org. Secretary) and Com. V Rama Rao (Asst Treasurer) were also present being the Circle President and Circle Secretary.Com. R Changappa, Circle Secretary of KarnatakaCircle also attended the conference. [Com. M Govinda Rajan, our Circle Secretary of Chennai TD Circle missed the conference as he was taking rest after heart operation recently.]
General Secretary spoke on the recent decisions on 78.2 and annulment of 60% stipulation. Com. D G spoke clearing the doubts created by some speakers.
Special guest like Com. D Balasubramanyam (SG of AIFPA, Chennai), Com. K Ragavendran (GS of AIPRPA), Com. Pattabiraman (Ex Circle Secretary of NFTE) too addressed the open session on 23rd Morning.
A unique feature of Tamilnadu Conference, true to its tradition is the threadbare discussion on important issues.
Com. K Muthiyalu, veteran trade union leader for decades and our first national President is elected as the new Circle Secretary. He is so active that he holds the District Secretary post of STR division which has 634 members including more than 300 retired Executives. Seven retired CGMs are members of the STR branch. Com. Muthiyalu is our All India Organising Secretary too.
Com. V Ramarao who has been functioning as Circle Secretary for the last seven years is the new Circle President. Com. Rama Rao is a well known popular social worker of South Chennai as Secretary General of a federation of more than 100 residents associations of the area.
Tamilnadu is the biggest Circle Unit of our association with more than 7000 members.
.. ... ... ... ... ... . P S Ramankutty
Dear Comrades.
[I am uploading this matter from another place, due to prolonged power failure in my residential area. I shall give details soon….PSR]
We will meet again in Bangalore city on 18, September 2016 to celebrate our historic victory in the matter of 78.2% benefit (DA merger). More significant gain is release of BSNL from sharing pension liability.
Shri Ananthakumar, Honourable minister for Chemicals, Fertilizers and PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS, will attend our function.
Ambedkar Bhavan, where we had our last AIC is not available on the day. Hence we are holding our special conference in Palace Grounds, that also is near to Bangalore Cantt Railway Station.
Central office-Bearers, Circle Secretaries and maximum comrades from all circles should attend it. CHQ shall pay TA to Central Office Bearers. For others the concerned Circle or District Unit has to make suitable arrangements, depending upon the financial position. If you intimate your arrival programme, Bangalore comrades will make arrangements for stay on 17, September night and for freshing up on 18,September morning. If you stay further, you have to make your own arrangements.
We shall launch our next movement to get a permanent system for revision of pension along with other central government pensioners in India.
We shall definitely get it. It is a challenge. We are meeting in Bangalore to start our fresh journey.
Com to Bangalore, join the movement.
All are aware that Shri Ananthakumar, Honourable Minister for Chemicals & Fertilizers and Parliamentary Affairs helped us a lot in getting the benefit of 78.2% and especially in annulment of 60:40 condition. While addressing our last AIC in Bangalore in November, 2015 Shri Ananthakumar asked us to hold a victory conference and he assured that he would attend the same.
We were waiting for the convenient date of Shri Ananthakumar. Today, our Karnataka leaders met Shri Ananthakumar in Bangalore. He has given the date.
It is Sunday; 18, September 2016.
The venue and detailed programme will be announced within 2-3 days.
BANGALORE CONVENTION: A GREAT LEAP
We call upon all comrades from all over the country to come and join the Bangalore convention. South Indian circles should send maximum comrades.
Make it a historic convention. It is the beginning of our next crucial journey to ensure periodic systematic pension revision.
Prepare for the Big Bangalore Convention. Prepare for the great journey.
ERNAKULAM
SALEM WEST- TN
JABALPUR 
SIRHIND-PUNJAB 
CALICUT KERALA 
BHUBANESWAR
BEFORE AIBSNLPWA STARTED FUNCTIONING IN 2009…..
IN 2004, 50% DA WAS MERGED TO THE BENEFIT OF CENTRAL GOVT PENSIONERS. IN 2005, IDA CROSSED 50%. BUT THERE WAS NOBODY TO DEMND DA MERGER FOR BSNL RETIREES.
IN FEBRUARY 2008, DPE GRANTED DA MERGER IN CPSUs. THERE WAS NOBODY TO DEMND IDA MERGER FOR BSNL RETIREES.
IN MAY 2008, BSNL STAFF WAS GIVEN BENEFIT OF 50% IDA MERGER. THERE WAS NOBODY TO DEMND IDA MERGER FOR BSNL RETIREES.
IN APRIL 2009, EXECUTIVES IN BSNL GOT PAY REVISION. BENEFIT OF 50% IDA MERGER WAS TAKEN AWAY. IT COULD NOT BE RETAINED.
IN MAY 2009, AGREEMENT WAS REACHED FOR PAY REVISION OF NON-EXECUTIVES. THEN ALSO, BENEFIT OF DA MERGER WAS TAKEN BACK. IT COULD NOT BE RESISTED.
ON 20th AUGUST 2009 AIBSNLPWA WAS FORMED. IMMEDIATELY WE DEMANDED DA MERGER FOR BSNL RETIREES. WE DEMANDED THAT GOVERNMENT IS PAYING PENSION AND HENCE GOVERNMENT NEED NOT DEPEND UPON THE FINANCIAL CONDITION OF BSNL.
ON 12-6-2012, AGREEMENT WAS REACHED FOR GRANTING THE BENEFIT OF 78.2 TO SERVING STAFF. WITHOUT ANY AUTHORITY IT WAS STATED THAT BSNL PENSIONERS WILL ALSO GET IT. DEPARTMENT OF TELECOM ASKED TO DELETE THAT SENTENCE CONCERNING PENSIONERS. BSNL MANAGEMENT DELETED IT. THERE WAS NO BODY TO RESIST IT. RATHER, THIS ACTION WAS KEPT AS A SECRET TILL OUR LATE COMRADE CHHIDU SINGH DISCLOSED IT.
ON 10-6-2013, ORDER WAS ISSUED GRANTING BENEFIT OF 50% IDA MERGER TO SERVING STAFF. PENSIONERS WERE DENIED THE BENEFIT. ARREARS FROM 1-1-2007 WERE DENIED TO SERVING STAFF ALSO BECAUSE OF THE AGREEMENT FOR PROSPECTIVE EFFECT.
AS A RESULT OF THE ABOVE, PENSIONERS ALSO LOST THE ARREARS FROM 1-1-2007 NOW.
TODAY, EVERYBODY IS TALKING ABOUT BSNL PENSIONERS. THERE ARE MANY A XAVIOURS. GREAT & SUPER!
NOBODY CAN IGNORE BSNL PENSIONERS NOW.
LET US NOT FORGET THE PAST, THE PERIOD BEFORE 20-8-2009. ============================== P S Ramankutty
We have already reported that the orders of CAT Ernakulam and High Court of Kerala were implemented only in the case of five pensioners who filed the case. First Applicant in the case was AIBSNLPWA, Kerala Circle. Therefore, we pleaded that all the affected members of AIBSNLPWA are entitled to get the benefit. DoT Cell did not accept our plea. Then our circle association filed a Contempt of Court petition. The CAT did not consider it as contempt as their order was implemented partially. Another reason is that DoT Cell can not find out all the affected members of the Association. However, the CAT ordered that affected members can approach the Tribunal again if their applications are not considered favourably by the DoT Cell. We have asked all affected members of Kerala Circle Unit to apply to DoT Cell. If not settled, we will go to CAT again.
The Court decision is given below. Click on the Link. extra_increment_contempt.pdf
BSNL Corporate Office has issued fresh instructions to Circles on implementation of the order granting 78.2% to Retirees. A proforma is also circulated which the SSA offices should fill up. The order can be seen by clicking on the link given below:
78.2-new-order-from-bsnl.pdf 78.2_rev_proformas_anx_2___3.pdf 78.2_rev_proformas_anx_iv.pdf
COM. G. BABU, CHQ VICE PRESIDENT SPEAKS AT KOLAR MEETING. COM. R. CHANGAPPA, CIRCLE SECRETARY, KARNATAKA AND COM. K GURURAJAN, CIRCLE TREASURER ALSO ADDRESSED THE MEETING.
BSNL pensioners of Gulbarga and Bidar met at Gulbarga on 14-8-2016 and celebrated victory in the cases of 78.2 and 60:40. Com. K G Deshpande (CHQ Org. Secretary), Com. R Changappa (CS, Karnataka and Com. K Gururajan (Circle Treasurer, Karnataka) addressed the meeting and explained significance of these gains.
We got Freedom seven decades ago, not because of one leader or one family or one Party. People of India fought for it. We, the present generation- old and young, enjoy the fruits of that great struggle. We are free to criticize the leaders, we can criticize the Rulers, we can fight against injustice, we can fight for the justice. Let us not forget the sacrifice of lakhs of Indians for this freedom.
Comrades of Jaipur (Rajasthan) celebrated the victory in the cases of 78.2 and 60:40 on 12-8-2016 in the office compound of PGM TD. Com. Gayn Singh (AGS), Circle Secretary and District Secretary addressed the gathering.
Campaign is started by the Executives organizations for the first membership verification to be conducted in last week of September 2016. It is the time of competition demanding the highest, anything under sun in pay revision etc. It is quite usual. Our Association is totally aloof from it. We are not part of any organization. We are not an appendage of any one. We maintain equal distance from all. We represent all retirees, irrespective of their earlier affiliation or affinity while service.
PENSIONER CAN CONTINUE IN SERVICE UNIONS ONLY FOR SIX MONTHS AFTER RETIREMENT
The first membership verification to identify and recognize majority union of BSNL Executives will be conducted in last week of September 2016. Ten organizations are in the list of applicants at present.
BSNL Management has issued an order stating that a retired employee can continue as office-bearer of any service union for maximum period of six months from his retirement. If the rule is violated, the particular union will be disqualified from participating in the membership verification.
Campaign is started by the Executives organization. Our Association is totally aloof from it. We are not part of any organization. We are not an appendage of any one. We maintain equal distance from all. We represent all retirees, irrespective of their earlier affiliation or affinity while service.
On 10-8-2016 the BSNL pensioners of Udaipur- Rajasthan celebrated victory in the cases of 78.2 and 60:40. Com. Gyan Singh (AGS), Com. Sampath Singh (Circle President) and other leaders explained the issues.
BSNL has announced an attractive scheme to its landline users.
From 15th August 2016 onwards free unlimited calls are allowed on all Sundays from BSNL Landlines.
The order .free-calls-on-sundays.pdf
BSNL has issued order granting benefit of 78.2% merger in HRA to serving BSNL staff only from 1-10-2016.
Increased pay with 78.2% IDA was given only from 10-6-2013. Now, HRA on the increased Pay is given only from 1-10-2016.
Some people wrote to Secretary, Telecom in 2015 that future pension revision in BSNL should be through seventh CPC. Thereafter, they changed their stand. They demanded PRC. Government did not accept their demand. Government did not change the Terms of Reference of third PRC. Pension Revision is not in the terms of reference. Still, these people went and submitted their memorandum to PRC on 8-8-2016 . Very next day, on 9-8-2016, they wrote another letter to Secretary, Telecom asking for benefits through CPC. We do not question anybody's wisdom. The Telecom Commission may be perplexed to see these over-turns.
Understand the realities:
There is no Defined Benefit Scheme in CPSEs and it is only Defined Contributory Scheme.
In CPSEs pension is constant and there is no pension revision.
There is a DPE guideline that the "superannuation benefits should not exceed 30% of Pay + DA". That is why PRCs are recommending the same.
Department of Public Enterprises conducted a workshop at Hyderabad on 19/11/2012 and the topic was "Pension Schemes in CPSEs". Nearly 15 CPSEs participated in that workshop and gave presentations.
Certain aspects from those presentations are:
Oil India was nationalised on 14/10/1981. Before that, there was a statutory guarantee for payment of pension. As on 31/3/2012, 1095 employees under this category are getting pension @ 40% of last 10 months average as pension. Those who were recruited after 14/10/1981 are covered under Defined Contributory System of pension.
Gas Authority of India (GAIL) employees contribute a fixed amount of Rs.29,172/- per year and it would increase by 5% each year. But the Management contributes only Rs.100/- per year. After 32 years of service, 50% of Last Pay Drawn (LPD) is given as pension. Minimum qualifying service required is 15 years and minimum pension is 20%.
In Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) Defined Benefit Scheme was introduced in November 1987 managed through Trust. As per DPE guidelines it was converted into Defined Contributory Scheme from 1/1/2007. Under Defined Benefit Scheme there were 13843 beneficiaries and under Defined Contributory Scheme there were 5595 beneficiaries as on 31/3/2012.
[ Nobody in the above CPSEs get pension from government. We are the only PSU retirees receiving pension from government.]
Superannuation benefit of 30% of Pay + DA is apportioned as follows in the following CPSEs:-
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . CPF ............ . . . . . Gratuity . . . . . . Pension. . . . . . . . Medical Benefits
Neyveli Lignite Corporation ......12% . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4.16% . . . . . . . . . .10% . . . . . . . . . . . .3.84%
Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd ... 12% . . . . . . . . . . . ... 4.81% . . . . . . . . . . 8.69% . . . . . . ... . .4.5%
Coal India . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12% . . . . . . . . . . . . ....4.16% . . . .... . . . . . 9.84% . . . . . . . . . 4%
Without knowing the details, leaders of some Unions/Associations and the management of DoT talk about referring to PRC.
BSNL Corporate Office has asked Circles to launch a web based programme to monitor the status of medical claims pending. It is a good suggestion. The only doubt is whether anyone in BSNL will take the instruction seriously and do it. bsnlmrs-web-based-programme.pdf