Monthly Archives: January 2019

US wants to capture our oil and mineral resources – Nicolas Maduro, President, Venezuela

31 Thursday Jan 2019

Posted by in General, WORLD NEWS

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Caracas, January 30 : Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro assured Wednesday that the main reason for the growing pressure exerted by the United States against his government is the desire to seize its oil and mineral resources.
In an exclusive interview with the Russian outlet Sputnik, the president made reference to the mineral and natural wealth of his country as the reason behind Washington supporting coup efforts against his country.
“The direct reason is seizing the oil of Venezuela, because we have the largest oil reserves certified, we certify what will be the largest reserves of gold in the world, we have the fourth record of the world’s largest gas, and we have large reserves of coltan, diamonds, aluminum, iron, we have drinking water reserves throughout the national territory, we are an energy and natural resources powerhouse,” said the Venezuelan president.
President Nicolas Maduro reiterated that his country is a sovereign and independent nation and that it is not part of the U.S. backyard. “They (the United States) consider us their ‘backyard’ and we say that we are not anyone’s backyard, we are an independent republic.”
Given the possibilities of a dialogue with the opposition political sectors, the Venezuelan head of state reported that there are reserved contacts between authorities of several countries to try a new approach that puts an end to the situation in Venezuela.
“At the moment it is in the stage of private conversations, telephone conversations, among presidents, foreign ministers, our foreign minister Jorge Arreaza is very active, and we hope that there will be good results in the next few hours,” said the Venezuelan president.
He indicated that it is “several governments, several instances” that “have launched the idea of a dialogue supported by the governments of Mexico, Uruguay, Bolivia, Russia and other European countries.
The United States imposed sanctions on the Venezuelan oil company PDVSA Monday, blocking US$7 billion in company assets and warning that the payment of any purchase of crude oil made by local companies would go to blocked accounts.
However, the Bolivarian government responded that no vessel with crude oil will be landed in the United States, until payments are made to the Venezuelan government.(Courtesy: Ganashakti)

Pension Revision – Detailed letter of AUAB to Secretary DOT

31 Thursday Jan 2019

Posted by in AIBDPA - BSNL DOT Pensioners, AUAB, BSNL, BSNLEU, Pension

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The letter written by AUAB to Secretary DOT on Pension Revision is given below. The detailed letter put the demand very clearly for pension revision on the basis of IDA scales.

ALL UNIONS AND ASSOCIATIONS OF BSNL (AUAB)
No: UA/2019/ 31.01.2019
To
The Secretary (Telecom),
Department of Telecommunications,
Ministry of Communications,
Sanchar Bhavan, 20, Ashoka Road,
New Delhi-110 001.
Sub: Delinking of Pension Revision for the Pre-2017 BSNL retirees from the Pay
Revision of BSNL employees reg:
Ref: Assurance given by the Hon Minister and Secretary, DoT in the meetings held on
02.12.2018 and 03.12.2018 that Govt decided to delink the pension revision of
BSNL pensioners from the pay revision.
Respected Madam / Sir,
On the formation of BSNL, the employees working in DoT were absorbed in BSNL w.e.f
01.10.2000 with the assurance of better career prospects and payment of pension by the
Government of India. Accordingly Rule-37A was incorporated in CCS Pension Rules, 1972 to
ensure payment of pension on the combined service rendered in DoT and BSNL, on IDA
scales. On absorption, the employees were granted IDA pay scales w.e.f 01.10.2000.
Sub-rule 10 of Rule 37A of CCS (Pension) Rules, 1972, provides that “in addition to pension or
family pension, as the case may be, the employee who opts for pension on the basis of
combined service shall also be eligible to dearness relief as per Industrial Dearness Allowance
pattern”. Again as per Sub-rule 22 of Rule 37A of CCS (Pension) Rules, 1972, the pensionary
benefits, including family pension shall be paid by the Government.
In accordance with the above provisions, DoT revised the pension of pre-2007
pensioners/family pensioners of BSNL on 15.03.2011, who retired during 01.10.2000 to
31.12.2006. The pension revision followed the pay revision in BSNL as pay revision
implemented immediately after the DPE guidelines issued on 26.11.2008. Pension revision
implemented through Cabinet decision with 30% fitment, which took time with the fitment
allowed by the DPE for CPSUs.
The pension/family pension of the pre-2007 BSNL pensioners were revised w.e.f. 01.01.2007
as follows by adding together:
i) The existing pension /family pension, including commuted portion of pension, if any.
ii) IDA 78.2% as on 31.12.2006.iii) Fitment of 30%, as per DPE guidelines.
On 03.08.2017, DPE issued guidelines for 3rd Pay revision with 15% fitment. Para 3 of the OM
under the heading Affordability provides that the revised pay scales would be implemented by
the CPSEs subject to the affordability of CPSE. BSNL and MTNL are unique CPSUs where
the retirees are paid pension by the Govt of India as per Rule 37A of CCS (Pension) Rules,
1972. In BSNL, the pay revision is not implemented due to the affordability clause.
The pension Revision of Govt pensioners retired from BSNL cannot be linked with the
pay revision of the serving employees due to the following reasons:
1. All the BSNL retirees were Govt servants, recruited by DoT and absorbed in BSNL. Their
pension is covered by CCS Pension Rules, 1972 as in the case of Central Govt employees.
2. Pension revision for Central Govt pensioners already implemented.

3. As per the terms and condition for absorption, BSNL absorbed employees would continue to
get pension from DoT irrespective of the status of BSNL. As per para 2(b) of DoT order No:
40-13/2013-Pen(T) dated 20.07.2016, it has been clarified that “The liability towards
pensionary benefits including family pension to the BSNL employees (except those
recruited after 01.10.2000), as per sub rule 22 of Rule 37A of CCS (pension) Rules, 1972,
lies with the Government of India”.
4. The Affordability clause mentioned in DPE guidelines is applicable only for the pay revision
of the serving employees, not for the Pension Revision.
5. Pension revision has to happen even in the cases of:
i) If BSNL is not there?
ii) If BSNL is not profitable and No Pay Revision is implemented in BSNL?
iv) 3rd PRC given different fitment for the serving employees depends on its affordability. This
fitment will be reviewed after every 3 years. If the fitment varies, it will create anomaly
among pensioners.
v) Non-Executives are not covered by the fitment and the pay scales notified by DPE vide
OM dated 03.08.2017. Non-Executives wage revision is as per the negotiated settlement.
In Coal India, Non-Executives signed wage revision agreement with 20% fitment for 5
years period where as DPE guidelines stipulates that if 5 year wage settlement is made,
the fitment has to be proportionately reduced. However for the purpose of uniformity, Non
Executives as well as Executives in BSNL are extended the same fitment from 2nd PRC
period onwards. BSNL is a unique CPSU in that respect also.
6. BSNL retirees are no way connected with the affordability or paying capacity of BSNL. Their
pension is to be paid by the Govt of India, not by BSNL.
7. BSNL has already paid the pension contribution in full to the Govt of India, for their entire
service period in BSNL.
Since the matter of pay revision of BSNL employees pursuant to 3rd PRC recommendation is
yet to be settled, the issue of revision of pension for the pre-2017 BSNL pensioners is required
to be delinked from the pay revision of BSNL serving employees. It is already assured and
announced by Hon MoSC and Secretary, DoT in the meetings held on 02.12.2018 and
03.12.2018 that Govt decided to delink the pension revision of BSNL pensioners from the pay
revision.
However DoT letter to DoP&PW does not reflect this decision and lack recommendation or
proposal of DoT for delinking pension revision from pay revision. Without a proposal from DoT,
DoP&PW is unlikely to give any opinion in this regard. As per DoP&PW, the methodology is to
be worked out and suggested by DoT.
The methodology may be recommended to DoP&PW for giving its approval on the
subject. To avoid an anomaly between serving and the retired employees prior to
01.01.2017, the following method suggested.
a) The pension/family pension of the pre-2017 BSNL pensioners will be revised w.e.f
01.01.2017 as follows by adding together:
i) The existing pension /family pension, including commuted portion of pension, if
any
ii) IDA as on 31.12.2016.
iii) Fitment of 15%.
b) For the serving employees, fitment will be calculated as 15% w.e.f. 01.01.2017 itself
and pension contribution will be paid accordingly by BSNL. However, payment of pay,
allowances and perks will be made by BSNL depending upon its affordability. In the
month of retirement, the payment will be made based on full 15% fitment (Atleast in the
last month, payment will be made based on full 15% fitment).
Anomaly which may arise if pension revision is done with 15% fixation and pay revision
is done with lesser fitment.
A pensioner retired on Oct 2016 with Rs 50,000 last basic pay is getting Rs 25,000 as basic
pension as on 1-1-2017. Now if his basic pension is revised as per PRC with 15% the revised
basic pension will be Rs 63,100 [ i.e. Basic Pension+119.5% DA as on 1-1-07 + 15% fitment]
His batch mate retired on March 2017. His basic pay was also Rs 50,000 on 1-1-17 and last
basic pay on March was also Rs 50,000. Now his pay on 1-1-17 is revised as per PRC with
10% (say) fitment. So his revised pay on 1-1-17 will be Rs 1,20,700. Accordingly his last basic
pay on March would also be Rs 1,20,700 and pension will be 50% of Rs 1,20,700 i.e. Rs
60,350. Thus he will be getting Rs 63,100 – Rs 60,350 = Rs 2750/- less pension compared to
his batch mate retired before 1-1-17 whose pension is revised to Rs 63,100 as per 15%
fixation.
How to solve this anomaly:
Method 1
Fix the pay of 2nd person notionally with 15% fitment but actually with fitment of 10% (say) till
last month of his retirement. The Basic Pay of the last month of his retirement may be restored
as per 15% fixation and pension will be paid on last pay drawn actually. Hence for January and
February his basic pay will be Rs1,20,700 and for March it will be Rs 1,26,200 and accordingly
pension fixed at Rs 63,100 which is equal to his batch mate retired before 1-1-2017.
Method 2:
Fix the pay of 2nd person notionally with 15% fitment but actually with fitment 10%(say).
Hence at the time of retirement his actual Basic Pay will be Rs 1,20,700 and notional Basic
Pay will be 1,26,200. Now calculate his Pension as per his last drawn notional pay and his
pension will be 50% of 1,26,200 i.e Rs 63,100/- which is equal to his batch mate retired before
1-1-2017.
NOTE: This system of fixing pension on notional last pay drawn is already in vogue for BSNL
pensioners retired between 1-1-2007 and 9-06-2013 while extending the benefit of 78.2 IDA
Merger. Their Pay has been notionally revised by merging 78.2% IDA from 1-1-2007 and
Revised pension is being paid on revised notional last pay drawn from 10-06-2013.
Yours Sincerely,

Sd/- P.Abhimanyu (Convener) C.Singh (Chairman)

Copy to: (1) The PS to Hon Minister of State for Communications, New Delhi – 01
(2) Member (Fin), Telecom Commission, DoT, New Delhi – 110001
(3) Additional secretary, DoT, New Delhi – 110001.
(4) The Chairman & Managing Director, BSNL, New Delhi – 110001.
(5) The Director (HR), BSNL Board, New Delhi – 110001
(6) The GM (SR), BSNL Corporate Office, New Delhi – 110001

AUAB demands honouring of assurance on delinking of pension revision

31 Thursday Jan 2019

Posted by in AIBDPA - BSNL DOT Pensioners, AUAB, BSNL, BSNLEU

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AUAB protests deviation from the assurance given by the Hon’ble MoS(C) on delinking Pension Revision from Pay Revision.
In the meeting held on 03.12.2018, between the Hon’ble Minister of State for Communications and AUAB, it was assured that pension revision would be de-linked from pay revision. However, the officers sitting in DoT are trying to deviate from the assurance given by the Hon’ble MoS(C). For example, in the letter written by the DoT, to the Department of Pension and Pensioners Welfare, the decision of Hon’ble MoS(C) was diluted. In that letter, the DoT had asked the DoP&PW, whether pension revision can be de-linked from pay revision. In yesterday’s meeting with the Additional Secretary also, the DDG(Estt.), DoT, was arguing that pension revision would be done only after pay revision is done. The representatives of the AUAB strongly protested this dilution and demanded that the assurance given by the Hon’ble MoS(C) should be implemented. On hearing both the arguments, the AS(T) directed that the AUAB and the DDG(Estt.) DoT, should hold further discussion on this issue. Accordingly, further discussion took place yesterday, between the representatives of the AUAB and Shri S.K. Jain, DDG(Estt.), DoT. The AUAB categorically told that the decision of the Hon’ble MoS(C) that pension revision would be de-linked from pay revision should be implemented. After observing the stiff resistance against dilution of the Hon’ble MoS(C)’s decision, the DDG(Estt.) assured that the issue would be further discussed with the AS(T). (Courtesy: BSNLEU Website)

Kerala Budget – Senior Citizen Pension increased to Rs.1,200

31 Thursday Jan 2019

Posted by in General, Pension

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In the Kerala Budget presented today by Finance Minister Dr. Thomas Issac, the Senior Citizen Pension which at present is Rs.1,000 will be increased by Rs.100 and fixed at Rs.1,200. During the next three  years, it will be increased by Rs.100 every year reaching to Rs. 1500. The demand raised by the Senior Citizens Friends Welfare Association was that it should be increased Rs.500 every years so as to reach Rs. 3,000 gradually.

Heart Congratulations to the Kerala LDF Government.

CCWF struggles for payment of wages.

30 Wednesday Jan 2019

Posted by in BSNL, BSNLCCWF - Casual and Contract workers

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As reported earlier, the wages of the contract workers are not paid for two months or more in all the circles. Despite taking up the matter with the CMD, the issue is not settled.

Hence struggles and strikes have started in many circles. While supporting the struggles, we demand that the BSNL Management take immediate action to make the payment to the contract workers with arrears.

Shri P.K.Purwar present CMD BSNL selected as the next CMD BSNL

30 Wednesday Jan 2019

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The Public Enterprises Selection Board (PESB), in it’s meeting held on 29th Januaery 2019  has recommended the name of Shri P.K. Purwar, as the next CMD of BSNL. Shri P.K. Purwar is presently CMD MTNL. Before becoming CMD MTNL, Shri P.K. Purwar worked as  GM(CA), BSNL. Heartily congratulations to Shri P.K. Purwar.

Com. George Fernandez passed away

29 Tuesday Jan 2019

Posted by in General, Obituary, Tributes, Uncategorized

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Comrade George Fernandez, former Defence as also Communications Minister and the militant leader of the 1974 Railways Strike passed away today morning (29-01-2019) at a New Delhi Hospital. He was 88. He was bedridden for a long time and was under treatment for Alzheimer illness.

George Fernandez, was a Socialist and was a fiery speaker. He was jailed several times, including at the time of the railways strike in 1974 which he led and during the National Emergency of 1975. The Railway Strike in May 1974 demanding Bonus for railway employees continued for about three weeks and thousands of workers were arrested and jailed. ESMA and other black rules were used to suppress the workers. But after the Janatha Government came in to power, Bonus was first granted to Railways workers and then to CG employees etc. During National Emergency’ Fernandez was handcuffed and jailed till Emergency was over. He contested the elections from jail and was released only after the victory of Janatha party. For some time he was Minister of Communications also, during which period I met him and discussed about victimisation cases. He was most considerate.

His speech was inspiring. I still remember his speech at Mudalakkulam Maidan, Kozhikode, which was being translated in equally fiery tone by Com. M.P.Veerendrakumar, both of whom were in the Socialist party at that time.

He later joined NDA and was Defence Minister in Vajpayee government. For the last few years he was ill and under treatment.Now the end has come.

A great working class leader has passed away. Heartfelt condolences!

What is happening to BSNL Circle administration?

28 Monday Jan 2019

Posted by in BSNL, BSNLEU

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On many issues on which the BSNLEU or other  unions take up some cases, the BSNL corporate office wants  the concerned details from the circles and direct them to provide the required information. But the direction from the corporate office is simply ignored by most of the circles or the information is not received in the C.O. and the issue  is not settled. In this way, the settlement is delayed for months and sometimes years, for no other reason.

The latest in this series is the details about the Telecom Mechanics promoted from the casual labour. Abut half of the circles have not given the information and some of the circles have given incorrect information. The delay causes undue difficulties to the concerned employee.

The Circle offices should supply the information without delay and the corporate office has to ensure that the information are got urgently.

Fight climate change – 70,000 protest in Brussels

28 Monday Jan 2019

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At least 70,000 people braved cold and rain in Brussels on Sunday to demand the Belgian government and the European Union increase their efforts to fight climate change, the Belgian capital’s fourth climate rally in two months to attract at least 10,000 participants.

The event was described as Belgium’s biggest climate march ever, with police estimating slightly bigger crowds than a similar demonstration last month. Trains from across the nation were so clogged that thousands of people didn’t make the march in time.

Some 35,000 students in Belgium skipped classes Thursday to take their demands for urgent action to prevent global warming to the streets.

“Young people have set a good example,” protester Henny Claassen said amid raised banners urging better renewable energy use and improved air quality. “This is for our children, for our grandchildren, and to send a message to politicians.”

Even though the direct impact on Belgian politics was likely to be small since the country currently is led by a caretaker government, the demonstrations have pushed the issue of climate change up the agenda as parties prepare for national and European Union elections in May.

The march ended at the headquarters of the European Union. The 28-nation bloc has been at the vanguard of global efforts to counter climate change but still came in for the protesters’ criticism.

Human Chain in W.Bengal on Republic Day for Constitution and Secularism

28 Monday Jan 2019

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Lakhs of determined Left activists enacted human chain all over W.Bengal to observe the 70th Republic Day of the country and took oath for the upkeepment of the values of India’s constitution and for secularism , National Unity and sovereignty of the country . Left Front Chairman Biman Basu , CPI(M) West Bengal State committee Secretary Suryakanta Mishra , CPI State Secretary Swapan Banerjee, RSP leader Manoj Bhattacharya, Forward Block leader Hafiz Ali Sairani and other leaders of Left Front constituent parties were present in the Human Chain enacted in Central Kolkata. Human chains were enacted on behalf of Left Activists in all the 20 districts of the state . The Left Front activist also also took oath to protect Sovereignty and National Unity during the enactment of the Human Chain.