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Com. R L Kapoor, New Delhi informs:
The case filed by us (OA No 2173/2014) was listed for hearing by the Double Bench of Principal CAT for 12th August 2015. But it was not heard on 12-8-2015 as the Department of Telecom has changed its advocate. New Advocate wanted time to study the case. The case is now posted to 8th October 2015.
This is another method to delay a court case.
Since the Hon’ble Minister of Communications Shri Ravi Shankar Prasad was busy in some other meeting, we could not meet him personally. However, we made over the invitation for our All India Conference to his office.
Com. P.S.Raman Kutty and Com. G.Natarajan met Shri Anupam Shrivatsava CMD BSNL personally and invited him to the All India Conference.
MEETING WITH MEMBER (FINANCE):
Com. D.Gopalakrishnan, Com. P.Gangadhara Rao, Com.S.Gunasekaran and Com. R.L.Kapoor met Smt. Annie Moraes Member (Fin) and had a detailed discussion for the second time. Member (Fin) informed that her office has not received query from Department of Expenditure on 78.2 IDA case. We appraised her on the need of holding a Pension Adalat at national level. Member (F) wanted data of cases pending at national level to be settled in co-ordination with BSNL authorities. We assured that we would supply the data very soon.
MEETING with UNDER SECRETARY (Admin): We met Smt. Anuradha Ganesh Under Secretary (Admn) in Department of Telecom and requested her to expedite the comments from Department of Telecom on our memorandum to the VII CPC. She assured that it would be sent very soon.
MEETING with DIRECTOR (Establishment): We met Shri P.Khanna Dir (Estt) and discussed the case of extra increment. Dir (Estt) assured that he would examine the case. Full Details will be supplied through the next circular.
MEETING WITH DIRECTOR (HR) BSNL Mrs. Sujatha Ray on 3-8-2015.
Our leaders G.Natarajan, P.Gangadhara Rao, S.Gunasekaran and Sisodia CS NTR met her discussed the following issues:
- 1.BSNL MRS: Dir (HR) told that we are working out a comprehensive medi-claim scheme for in-patient treatment. Pensioners’ interest will be taken care of while finalizing the scheme. The problem with ERP will be sorted out.
- 2.Quarters for Spouse: Will be examined
- 3.Rent free telephone in some circles: The concession is being limited to local calls only. We demanded that such restriction should be removed. She assured that a favourable note prepared already would be placed for BSNL Board approval
Today, on 5-8-2015, on behalf of our Association, Com. P.S.Raman Kutty, Com. D.Gopalakrishnan and Com. G.Natarajan met Secretary, Department of Pension and Pensioners’ Welfare Shri Devendra Chaudhary at his office. We invited him for the ensuing All India Conference at Bangalore and he has immediately accepted our invitation and agreed to attend our AIC. There were some probing questions about the future pension revision of BSNL pensioners. We explained our position in detail which was appreciated by him. He also wanted some brief note about the problem to be discussed in the All India Conference and our leaders assured to provide it shortly. On inclusion of our Association’s name in the list of identified Pensioners’ Associations, our leaders presented a letter and he agreed to consider the same.
We had a fruitful meeting for 45 minutes between 1745 and 1830 hours with Shri Rakesh Darg IAS, Secretary Telecom. Smt. Annie Moraes, Member (Fin) was also present. Our Association was represented by PSR President, DG Vice President, GN General Secretary, P.Gangadhara Rao AGS, S.Gunasekaran Treasurer,
Issues Discussed:
1.78.2 IDA: We conveyed our serious concern over the undue delay in sending the Cabinet Note to Cabinet even though Secretary assured to send it within 15 days on 26-3-2015. We pointed out the transaction of business rule which says that DOT can send the note to the cabinet even if the nodal ministries do not send their comments within 15 days. In the instant case, 45 days are already over. In response, Secretary Telecom appreciated the above point, but he said that if DOT sends the note without comments from DOE particularly, the cabinet may return the file causing further delay. However, DOT shall take all efforts to obtain the comments from DOE without further delay and send the final cabinet note soon.
We said that once the cabinet approves, the order along with Ready Reckoner should be circulated and the order should contain specific time frame for implementation. In this connection, we pointed out when the DOT issued the order on 15-3-2011, it was endorsed by
2.FUTURE PENSION REVISION:
A detailed discussion took place on this issue. We argued firmly that the PRC cannot suggest any Pension revision. We pointed out that first pension fixation is only linked with pay structure. Subsequent pension revision takes place based on existing pension/family pension plus DR at that point of time and a recommended fitment benefit and not linked with pay. PRC is only for the Executives. For non-executives, it is based on bargaining capacity and affordability of the organization.
We pointed out that our memorandum was forwarded by VII CPC to DOT for comments on 15-1-2015. But DOT has not yet offered its comments. Secretary after hearing our argument, finally said that DOT shall send its views on our memorandum to 7th CPC very soon. He also said that DOT will take up the next pension revision for BSNL pensioners with concerned department after the 7th CPC submits its report.
3.We requested the Secretary DOT to conduct Pension Adalat at National level at least once in 6 months because, there are certain policy issues involving both DOT and BSNL. Secretary agreed to the proposal.
Later, we met Member (Services) and as per his direction, we met DDG (Estt) Shri S.K.Jain and had a detailed discussion on 7th CPC also. In toto, the meeting was very fruitful and purposefulCentral DA will increase by 6% from 1-7-2015.
The Consumer Price Index for June 2015 has been declared today by the Labour bureau.
It is 261 points. 3 points increased from previous month.
As per calculations, the 12 monthly based increase is 6.779%.
But, fraction is always ignored for grant of CDA.
Only 6% increase will be granted.
Please see pages 21 and 22 of Patrika No 19 for details about venue, accommodation, food, Train, Volunteers etc. etc.
NEXT AIC WILL BE HELD ON 21st AND 22nd NOVEMBER 2015 IN DR. AMBEDKAR BHAVAN,VASANTH NAGAR, NEAR BANGALORE CANTT RAILWAY STATION
Accommodation: Accommodation is arranged in some Marriage halls near the AIC Venue itself.
They are available from 8 AM on 20th November 2015.
And up to 3 PM on 23-11-2015.
[Please see Patrika No 19 Page 21 for details.]
Delegate Fee: Rs 800 per head for each Delegate and visitor.
They can remit the amount in advanced directly to Reception Committee
by transferring the amount from their bank account.
[For details please see Paged 22 of Patrika No 19]
Contact Numbers:
GS, Rec. Committee: Com. R Changappa 9448353132, 9663999277
President:Com. G Babu, 9448040355
Vice President: Com. P Gangadhara Rao 9448088404
Transport Committee Convener: Com. P A Virupakshaiah9449005544
Accommodation Committee Convener: Com. V L Malenahalli9449008181
Please refer our earlier postings in this Website on the subject of MINIMUM PENSION.After dilly-dallying for years, after repeated defeats at every stage in the Court Case (CAT, HIGH COURT, and SUPREME COURT) the authorities are compelled to issue a new order today, granting the benefit from 1-1-2006, instead of 24-9-2012, as decided earlier.It is a great victory for the senior pensioners who steadfastly fought the battle in the Court.
The order is given in IMPORTANT ORDERS
When Dr A P J Abdul Kalam was the President of India, his elder brother and family members visited Delhi. Dr Kalam did not permit to treat them as the official guests. He arranged two busses to take them around Delhi. He paid the rent for the vehicles from his own pocket. They stayed in Rashtrapati Bhavan. He paid the room rent for their stay from his pocket. His elder brother - above 85 years old at that time - stayed with him in the same room. Dr Kalam wanted to pay rent for that also. But officials in Rashtrapati Bhavan told him that as per rules, it can not be accepted.
According to his then Personal Secretary Mr. Nair, he paid Rs 3.5 lakhs for the family's Delhi visit. That is Dr. Abdul Kalam.
And when the the entire nation is mourning the death of one of India's most loved and popular presidents APJ Abdul Kalam, his immediate successor and another former president Smt. Pratibha Patil is once again in the news.
According to media reports, she wants the Central government to foot her fuel bill, provide her an official vehicle and also allow her to use her private vehicle. The government rules clearly state that a former President can avail either fuel allowance if he or she uses own vehicle, or use a government vehicle.
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And, a former President gets Rs 75000 per month as Pension + DA + Rs 60,000 as office maintenance allowance. (Total Rs 2.24 lakhs per month at present)
Rent free Residence, Car, Telephone, Computer with broadband connections,
Personal staff paid by the government ......
96 YEAR OLD Marshal of the Indian Air Force Arjan Singh, who is wheelchair bound, was among the many dignitaries to lay a wreath at the base of the coffin carrying the mortal remains of former President APJ Abdul Kalam at the Palam Airport in New Delhi on Tuesday. It was indeed a poignant moment for citizens as well as personnel of the armed forces to see the highly decorated, aged and uniformed Singh rising out of his wheelchair and using a walking stick to slow-step march up to the podium to place a wreath of flowers at the base of the national flag-draped coffin, and offer a smart and dignified salute in tribute, of course with the assistance of an air warrior.
An informal meeting between former President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam and his physics professor Rev. Ladislaus Chinnadurai at Beschi College, Dindigul near Madurai in Tamilnadu, on Saturday,18th July 2015, was filled with emotions and unforgettable memories.
Sources said that Dr. Kalam recalled his college days and cherished the memories of the time he spent with his teacher. He used to take classes continuously for three hours. He would discuss any physics problem in detail in classroom and conclude the session without giving solution to it. But he would advise students to go to library and find a solution it. He corrected students’ mistakes with a smile, Dr. Kalam recalled. With tears rolling down his cheeks, former professor Rev. Chinnadurai said: “Even after 60 years, he remembered me and my teaching. I taught him light, sound and other physics subjects. I am so happy to see him again.”Earlier, the former professor received Dr. Kalam at the portico of the college along with inmates. In turn, Kalam held his hands firmly and took him to the first floor for talk.Beschi College Rector Tagore and inmates accorded a rousing welcome to him. While Chinnadurai gave a book on Memories of Mother Teresa written by Xavier Antony, Dr. Kalam presented a book, ‘Reignited: Scientific Pathways to a Brighter Future,’ written by him and Srijan Pal Singh to his professor.
The professor said even after 60 years, he remembered me and my teaching
AIBSNLPWA pays tributes to Dr. A P J Abdulkalam, the most popular President of India, the Great visionary with Great dreams of future, a permanent source of inspiration to the young generation, a most selfless Public Figure India produced.
We have written several times on this Website as well as in our Journal: PENSIONERS PATRIKA about the case concerning modified parity in minimum pension for the elder pensioners. CAT New Delhi had ordered that parity should be given to all pensioners applying the Concordance Table, prescribed by the sixth Pay Commission.
Government issued the order but giving the financial benefit only from 24-9-2012. The affected pensioners went to the Court demanding the benefit from 1-1-2006. CAT gave a judgement in their favour.
Government filed appeal in High court.Government was defeated in the High court.
Then Government filed a Special Leave Petition in Supreme Court. SLP was rejected.
Government filed an appeal against it.That too was dismissed.
Government filed a Review petition. Review petition was rejected.
Government filed Curative petition. That was also dismissed by the Supreme Court.
Then, then government issued orders giving the benefit only to the people who approached the court in the cases. That was also challenged. A contempt petition was filed against the Government by the senior pensioners.
Finally, it is now reported that, the Government has issued orders giving the befit from 1-1-2006 itself.
Bharat Pensioners Samaj has given the above information.We could not get a copy of the order.When we get the same we shall upload the order in this website.
Anyway, the elder pensioners have won the significant legal battle. We congratulate themToday, Com. R C Malhotra (our NTR Circle President) and Com. D P S Sisodia (Circle Secretary) met the Director (Estt) and Joint Secretary, Telecom and conveyed our serious concern over the undue delay in processing the Cabinet Note. The officers say that they tried their best to get the views from four nodal ministries. Department of Pension has given their views. Views of the Department of Expenditure (DOE) is important and essential. Jt Secretary assured that the would take up the matter again with DOE to avoid further delay.
It seems the delay is due to divergent views on removal of the 60:40 condition on sharing of Pension Liability.