Monthly Archives: June 2020

An Extraordinary General Meeting of BSNL to be held on 15.06.2020.

07 Sunday Jun 2020

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Notice has been issued for holding an Extraordinary General Meeting of members of BSNL at New Delhi on 15.06.2020. This meeting is being held to accord power to the Board of Directors:-

(a) To monetise/ sell/transfer/dispose off identified land/ buildings. The sale proceeds will be utilised for the revival / restructuring of the Company including repayment of loans and for meeting Capital and Operational expenditures.

(b) To accord power to the Board of Directors to issue Government Guaranteed Bonds aggregating up to Rs.8,500 crores. (Courtesy: bsnleu website)

Sustained Struggles to save BSNL -17 Protest against abolition of ADC

07 Sunday Jun 2020

Posted by in Sustained struggles

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Protest against abolition of ADC

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has been continuously and arbitrarily reducing the Access Deficit Charge (ADC) which is the collection from the private telecom operators and to be given to BSNL for loss making connections in the villages as per the assurances of the government at the time of corporatization. Year after year the ADC was being reduced and the same was completely stopped from 01-04-2008 on the pressure from the private operators. This reduction was certain to seriously and adversely affect the financial viability of BSNL. Hence the Joint Forum strongly protested the TRAI decision and organized demonstration on 3rd April 2008 all over India, demanding restoration of ADC.

Merger of 50% IDA with pay – Lunch hour demonstrations

Even after the IDA crossed 50%, it was not merged with pay as required. As per the call of the Joint Forum, Lunch Hour demonstrations were held on 13-05-2008 at Circle, SSA levels and corporate office demanding immediate merger of IDA.

Meeting with Secretary DOT on 22-05-2008

The Joint Forum leaders met Secretary DOT Sidharth Behura on 22-05-2008 and discussed the following issues:
ITS Absorption: The delay in the absorption of ITS officers was pointed out by the JF leaders. Secretary DOT replied that the Cabinet Note on this issue has been returned with some queries. The matter will be seriously perused.
BSNL’s Pension Contribution (60% – 40% issue): DOT Secretary agreed with the Forum that such conditions are not necessary. He stated that a Cabinet Note on the same is approved by the minister and will be submitted to the cabinet.
Restoration of ADC: Secretary DOT stated that DOT is taking action for changing the guide lines of the USO Fund to give financial assistance to BSNL to the tune of Rs. 2,000 crore per annum, as has been recommended by the TRAI, in lieu of ADC.
Navaratna Status to BSNL: The JF leaders expressed their concerns on the extreme delay in awarding Navaratna status to BSNL. Secretary DOT stated that DPE has already recommended and the issue is waiting for the final decision of the apex body.
Allotment of 3G Spectrum to BSNL: Joint Forum demanded that BSNL should be allotted 3G Spectrum on priority basis as has already been stated by the Communications Minister. Secretary DOT stated that as per the assurance of the Minister, BSNL will be allotted with one slot in the 3G Spectrum.
Delay in 50% IDA Merger: The JF leaders drew the attention of the Secretary to the undue delay in issuing the orders on the IDA merger with pay by the BSNL even after the approval by DOT. Secretary DOT assured that he will speak to CMD BSNL. (To be continued)

Homage to Dada Ghosh on his 59th Death Anniversary.

06 Saturday Jun 2020

Posted by in BSNL, P&T TU Movement

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Com. B.N.Ghosh, who was respectfully called Dada Ghosh by the P and T Fraternity and the First Secretary General of National federation of P and T Employees (NFPTE) left us 59 years back on 7th June 1961.

Dada Ghosh was the Circle Secretary of the Postal and RMS Union, Bengal and Assam Circle during the II World War period and toured the conflict areas of Assam during the bombing by the Japanese and gave courage to the Postal workers to stick to their posts and continue duties. He lost his wife and son, while he was on the tour.

As the first Secretary General of NFPTE, which was formed on 24th November 1954, he took initiative in forming the Confederation of Central Government Employees and Workers which along with AIRF and  AIDEF organised the historic 5 days strike in 1960 on the demand of Need Based Minimum Wage and DA according to cost of living index.

(He has written the history of the P and T Trade Union movement for the period 1939 to 1954 in a detailed manner, which I am posting in installments in this blog.).

Red salute to Com. Dada Ghosh on his death anniversary!

 

Covid package – Senior Citizens ignored by Central Government

06 Saturday Jun 2020

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The Prime Minister has stated that the senior citizens, old aged are more vulnerable to Covid 19. But there is nothing for them in the Central economic package. Sad, very sad. We express strong protest.

Old Pension for those recruited before 01-01-2004 but appointed after the date – Union Minister(S) for Pension

05 Friday Jun 2020

Posted by in AIBDPA - BSNL DOT Pensioners

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Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions Dr. Jitendra Singh has issued a press statement in which he has stated that old Pension Scheme will be extended to those employees who joined on or after 01.01.2004 but whose result for recruitment had been declared before 01.01.2004. He also stated that this was a long standing demand of employees covered under the National Pension System (NPS) and was the cause of several court cases and anxiety among such employees.

(copy of press statement enclosed)

UNION MINISTER DR. JITENDRA SINGH ON ONE YEAR ACHIEVEMENTS ON PENSION

05 Friday Jun 2020

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

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PRESS NEWS

Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions
UNION MINISTER DR. JITENDRA SINGH LAUNCHES E-BOOKLET ON ONE YEAR ACHIEVEMENTS OF DOPPW UNDER MODI GOVERNMENT 2.0

PENSION REFORMS HUGELY BENEFITTED THE LIVES OF THE PENSIONERS: DR JITENDRA SINGH

Posted On: 04 JUN 2020 7:18PM by PIB Delhi

Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh today launched an e-Booklet on one year achievements of the Department of Pension and Pensioners’ Welfare (DoPPW)” through Video Conferencing (VC).
Dr. Jitendra Singh, while addressing all the officers of the Department congratulated the team for carrying out a series of reforms which not only high-lighted the sensitivity of the Modi Government but also the dedication of the team during the trying times of the Pandemic. He stated that the department went outside its call of duty to organize a webinar on Covid by bringing in leading doctors to address the anxiety and fears of the Pensioners. He stated that the Department is blessed with the unique opportunity of being able to serve the elderly and retired which no other department has
Among a series of reforms in Pension policy, the most notable was the Amendment of Rule 54 of CCS Pension Rules, 1972 to provide enhanced Family Pension in the event of unfortunate death of Government servant even before completion of 7 years of service.
Earlier only those families were eligible for enhanced family Pension (@50% of last pay drawn) wherein the deceased government servant had completed 7 years of service.
Another landmark OM in the recent year was extending the Old Pension scheme to those employees who joined on or after 01.01.2004 but whose result for recruitment had been declared before 01.01.2004. This was a long standing demand of employees covered under the National Pension System (NPS) and was the cause of several court cases and anxiety among such employees.
Soon after the formation of the new government a series of welfare measures for the Pensioners were also carried out such as opening of an “Integrated Grievance Cell & Call Centre with Toll free number 1800-11-1960 ” to facilitate elderly pensioners in registering their grievances and get information of pending grievances, holding of “All India Pension Adalat” wherein more than 50 locations were connected through live interactive video conferencing which resulted in resolution of more than 4000 grievances by a single event.
The other welfare activities carried out in the last one year include facilitating doorstep service for submission of life certificate with the help of Pension Disbursing Banks, DLC from home campaign by involving Pensioners’ Associations in 24 cities, organizing the First Regional Adalat at Jammu, and issuance of consolidated instructions to banks in order to ensure ease of living for pensioners.
The Department also organized a tele-consultation for pensioners on Covid 19 with renowned Pulmonologist & Director AIIMS, Dr Randeep Guleria & Dr Prasun Chatterjee, Associate Professor AIIMS.
Dr Kshatrapati Shivaji, Secretary (P&PW), thanked the Union Minister for consistently guiding DoPPW to make Pension reforms which hugely affected the lives of the Pensioners. He stated that this is one of the few Departments which even prior to Covid pandemic was 100% on e-office and therefore the transition to work from home at the height of the pandemic was easy to implement. All officials have been provided with a VPN which enables them to work from wherever they are and therefore the working of this Department remained unaffected during the pandemic.
Joint Secretary, Shri Sanjiv Narain Mathur conducted the proceedings which were completely online with all senior officers of the Department present through VC. Shri Ruchir Mittal, DS gave the vote of thanks. (Press Release)

Post Offices to normal functioning in Unlock-1

04 Thursday Jun 2020

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Department of Posts has issued instructions to restore the functioning of the Post Offices to almost normalcy in view of the Unlock-1 orders of the Central Government. Counters will be open for the usual business.

3 PSU Banks to be privatised?

04 Thursday Jun 2020

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Reports have appeared in certain news papers that the Central Government is proposing to privatise three PSU Banks viz. Bank of Punjab and Sind, Bank of Maharashtra and Indian Overseas bank. Already the more than two dozen PSU Banks have been reduced to 12 by merger. Now privatisation of three banks. Mody government is trying weaken and privatise PSU banks on the interest of the corporates and private banks.

EPFO PENSIONERS TO GET ENHANCED PENSION – MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT

04 Thursday Jun 2020

Posted by in AIBDPA - BSNL DOT Pensioners

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Ministry of Labour and Employment
EPFO Pensioners to Get Enhanced Pension

Posted On: 01 JUN 2020 3:42PM by PIB Delhi

EPFO released Rs 868 crore pension along with Rs 105 crore arrear on account of restoration of commuted value of pension.

On the recommendation of Central Board of Trustees (EPFO), the Government of India accepted one of the long standing demands of workers to allow restoration of commuted value of pension after 15 years. Earlier there was no provision for restoration of commuted pension and the pensioners continued to receive reduced pension on account of commutation lifelong.This is a historical step for the benefit of pensioners under EPS-95.

EPFO has more than 65 lakhs pensioners catered through its 135 regional offices. EPFO officers and staff battled all odds during this Covid-19 lockdown period and processed pension payment for May,2020 to ensure credit of pension in the bank account of pensioners on schedule.
RCJ/SKP/IA (Release ID: 1628293)