Com.V.A.N.Namboodiri, Advisor and Com.K.G.Jayaraj, General Secretary along with Com. M.B.Rajesh MP have met Shri.Ravi Shankar Prasad, Hon’ble Minister for Communications & IT on 09-03-2016 at his office in Parliament. The delegation brought to his notice the inordinate delay in extending the benfit of 78.2% IDA merger to BSNL pensioners retired before 10-06-2013 and a detailed letter in this regard was handed over to him. The Minister had a patient hearing and stated that his concern is the financial implication involved. However he further stated that he would examine as to what could be done.
The Minister further stated that he is trying his best to revive BSNL and some positive results have started coming by way of an operative profit of Rs.672 crore after incurring heavy losses during the last five years. The delegation pointed out that the unions are also doing their mite in the revival of BSNL by co-operating fully with the management in marketing BSNL products and the launching of successful “SWAS” is initiated by the Forum of BSNL Unions/ Associations.
In the absence of a categorical assurance from the Minister on the long pending issue of 78.2% IDA merger, the decision for country wide Dharna on 10-03-2016 stands.
Comrades, it is our tradition to fight for the genuine demands. We shall continue our efforts at all levels to resolve the issue. But remember, struggle is our strength and let us mobilize maximum pensioners for the Mass Dharna on 10-03-2016 and definitely we shall win.
VAN Namboodiri's Blog 
Dear Com. Namboodiriji, This is incontinuation of my earlier comments. MTNL was not covered by Rule-37A or CCS(Pensio) Rules-1972. Even Gazette notification is issued still amendment to pension rules to be issued to make an enactment. Govt. can take the issue of 78.2% when pension issue for them fully finalised deling now with BSNL issue. A seperate Cabinet Note can be preferred to Cabinet when 3rd PRC submits its report on regularisation of MTNL scales on par with BSNL.-KGD
Unions should meet Shri Modi sahib and
say to him he many times instruct to the
All heads of the departments that redressing
Of grievances of people by three months to
Six months is unacceptable..He asked all
Depts.heads to put their system in place
Setting a deadline of 60 days to redress
Any grievances.but in bsnl pensioners DA
Case is unsettled for the last three years.It
Should also settle in 60days.
Dear Comrade,
Assurances and declarations are one thing and implementation is something else. That is what is happening in the country. When elections come, assurances are given in plenty. But they are not implemented, This is the case with the Prime Minister’s assurance also. It is only through struggles and struggles along with discussions that the the issue can be settled. AIBDPA,BSNLEU and Forum are moving on this line.