Category Archives: AIBDPA – BSNL DOT Pensioners

AIBDPA (All India BSNL-DOT Pensioners Association ) is the organisation of the Pensioners retired from DOT and BSNL. The posting in this category are connected with their issues as also that of other pensioners. It is affiliated to NCCPA and BCPC, umbrella organisations of pensioners.

AIBDPA Call – STANDING DHARNA ON 19-08-2020- A STUPENDOUS SUCCESS-

20 Thursday Aug 2020

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STANDING DHARNA ON 19-08-2020- A STUPENDOUS SUCCESS- CONGRATULATIONS AND THANKS TO ALL LEADERS AND PARTICIPANTS..
Dear Comrades,

The resounding response to the CHQ call for Standing Dharna on 19-08-2020 was simply unprecedented and historic. The programme has been held in almost all circles barring Jammu and Kashmir and NE-II, the reports received so far indicate. CHQ had many concerns about holding such a programme during the period of rapid spreading of the Covid-19 pandemic. Many parts of the coutry were locked down and some states were hit with heavy rains and flash floods. Inspite of all these odds, our comrades took the risk boldly and made the programme a grand success. Naturally, their anger and anguish against the injustice and discrimination meted out to them by the BSNL manangement in denying the medical facilities for the last two years have reflected in their participation.

The performance of some of the circles like Maharashtra, UP[East] and Tamil Nadu has been beyond expectation. Madhya Pradesh also rose to the occasion. In Kerala, there is a ban on any struggle by the Kerala High Court. So the Circle Branch could not organise the Standing Dharna and decided to send emails to Hon’ble Prime Minister and Communications Minister by all units and individuals. Still, some of our comrades, including Com.V A N Namboodiri participated from their houses. Thiruvananthapuram comrades held the programme at P&T House. In Odisha due to heavy rain and triple lockdown, the programme could not be held in all the districts. So also in NE_II, triple lockdown is enforced in Imphal.

The programme has also reflected the growth of our organisation after a vast number of VRS retirees joined AIBDPA.

CHQ heartily congratulate and salute all the leaders and pensioners who created a new history in our struggles.

CHQ also acknowledge with thanks the support and solidarity extended by TUI[P&R], NCCPA and AIPRPA.

We hope that the BSNL management and Central Government will take the message of the struggle in good spirit and cause necessarry action for immediate payment of medical allowance and medical bills.

STRUGGLE IS OUR PATH FOR ONWARD MARCH.

UNITY FOR STRUGGLE AND STRUGGLE FOR ADVANCEMENT.

With revolutionary Greetings,

K G Jayaraj

General Secretary.
(Courtesy: AIBDPA website)

Com.K.K.Ragesh M.P. Kerala writes to Shri Ravi Shankar Prasad, Communications Minister on Medical Allowance, Medical Reimbursements to BSNL Pensioners.

12 Wednesday Aug 2020

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 Com.K.K.Ragesh, M.P. Kerala has written a detailed letter to the Communications Minister Shri Ravi Shankar Prasad, on the difficulties faced by the BSNL pensioners due  to non-receipt of Medical reimbursement and medical allowance. He has demanded that the payment be made at the earliest. Copy of letter given below. 

AIBDPA CONDEMNS AND STRONGLY PROTEST THE IRRESPONSIBLE AND BASELESS ALLEGATIONS OF SHRI. ANANTHAKUMAR HEGDE MP AGAINST BSNL EMPLOYEES

12 Wednesday Aug 2020

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AIBDPA CONDEMNS AND STRONGLY PROTEST THE IRRESPONSIBLE AND BASELESS ALLEGATIONS OF SHRI. ANANTHAKUMAR HEGDE MP AGAINST BSNL EMPLOYEES.
BJP MP, Shri. Ananthakumar Hegde from Karnataka has made some most condemnable and baseless allegations against BSNL and its employees. It is reported that while participating in a public function at Uttara Kannada, Shri.Ananthakumar Hegde has stated that all BSNL employees are Desh Dhrohis and BSNL has become a black mark for the entire country and the government will finish it. He continued his utterances and further stated that despite Prime Minister providing fund and technology, the employees are not willing to work. So the government has decided to fire the entire employees and privatise BSNL.

It is well known to the people of the country that it is BSNL alone for their rescue by restoring communication facilities swiftly when natural calamities hit and how selflessly the BSNL employees rise to the occasion. The government has always tried to weaken BSNL by promoting the private telecom companies unduely. The revival package declared by the government in October, 2019 is yet to be implemented barring the retrenchement of 78,569 BSNL employees in the name of VRS. Starting of 4G service by BSNL has become uncertain with the cancellation of tender by BSNL on the intervention of the government. Inspite of all these attacks and hurdles, it is the commitment of the employees that BSNL is still sustaining.

AIBDPA STRONGLY CONDEMNS AND PROTESTS THE BASELESS AND IRRESPONSIBLE STATEMENT OF SHRI. ANANTHAKUMAR HEGDE MP. (AIBDPA Website)

Sustained Struggles to save BSNL – 27 One Day Strike on 15th December 2011.

04 Tuesday Aug 2020

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JAC decides for One Day Strike on 10th October 2011

The meeting of the JAC held on 21st September 2011 discussed all the above issues and decided to organise agitational programmes including strike for settlement of the present issues. The following  programmes were decided:

  1. One Day Fast on 29-09-2011  2. One Day Strike on 10-10-2011

It was also proposed to meet as many members of Parliament as possible and seek their support for the demands and agitation. The strike noticee was issued on 22-09-2011 with the following demands:

1.No VRS  2. Immediate payment of Bonus (PLI)  3. Restoration of Medical Allowance, Leave encashment and LTC  4. Immediate conclusion of the process of ITS absorption 5. 78.2% IDA fixation   6. Immediate procurement and supply of equipment including GSM, BB Modem, Cables, Trans SMS, MLLN etc and implementation of important business projects like ERP, NGN and transmission NMS. 7. Government policy issues: a) Compensation for loss making rural services according to policy commitments. b) Pension Contribution to DOT only on actual basic pay  instead of maximum of the pay scale.  c) Refund of Rs. 8,313 crore paid towards non-standard BWA spectrum band  d) Grant of flexibility in selecting circles choice for 3 G spectrum  e) Access Deficit Charge (ADC) should be quantified through adequate and appropriate mechanism and paid to BSNL  f) Reimbursement of Licence Fee as assured at the time of corporatisation  g) Refund of “Notional Loan” of rs. 7,500 crore with interest to BSNL collected by DOT h) Discontinue all telecom Advisory Committees.

The Strike notice was signed  by Comrades V.A.N.Namboodiri, Convener, JAC, P.Abhimanyu (BSNLEU), G.L.Jogi (SNEA), P.Venugopal (AIBSNLEA), V.Subburaman (TEPU), Suresh Kumar (BSNL MS), R.K.Ram (BTU BSNL), Gajendra Kumar (BTEU), S.C.Gaur ( BSNLOA), N.D.Ram (SEWA BSNL), and R.K.Kohli (NFTBE).

As per the decision, massive dharnas were held on 27th September 2011 at SSA/Circle /C.O levels successfully.

Strike postponed for broader unity

The JAC contacted NFTE and FNTO leaders who were keeping away from the JAC for some time and requested that they may join JAC and also participate in the one day strike proposed on 10th October. Both unions agreed to join the strike. It was postponed so that they will get the time to prepare. Accordingly the strike was postponed to 15th  December. The fresh Strike Notice was issued on 17-11-2011 signed by Comrades V.A.N.Namboodiri, Convener JAC, P.Abhimanyu (BSNLEU), G.L.Jogi (SNEA), Prahlad Rai (AIBSNLEA), V.Subburaman (TEPU), Suresh Kumar (BSNL MS), R.K.Kohli (NFTBE), Kanchilal (SEWA BSNL), R.K.Ram (BTU BSNL) and G.S.Gaur (BSNLOA). NFTE and a few other unions will issue separate notice and participate in the strike.

Outsourcing / leasing of tower, Optical Fibre opposed.
JAC in its meeting on 04-10-201 strongly opposed the above outsourcing and addressed a letter to the CMD BSNL and also a Press release issued.

Strike preparation in full swing
The preparation fr the strike was in full swing. JAC issued a circular signed by all the unions. Press releases were issued. Many M.P.s were contacted and their support sought.An appeal was prepared and sent to all M.P.s. Wall posters were printed and circulated. Campaign meetings were held in all places to make the strike successful. In this context, BSNL Management under the Chairmanship of Shri A.K.Garg Director (HR) held discussion with JAC leaders.All the issues in the strike notice were discussed but no satisfactory decision was taken by the management. JAC leaders informed that since no agreement has been reached the strike will take place as decided. Rallies in preparation of the one day strike was organised at SSA/Circle/CO levels on 8th December 2011 with good participation. A conciliation meeting held by the CLC on 15-12-2011 could not resolve the issue.

One Day Strike on 15th December 2011
The strike on 15th December was a great success. Though FNTO did not participate and also issued statement opposing the strike, it did not have any effect. The strike was completely participated by the workers. The reports from all places indicated that the workers were aware of the serious situation and had come forward to participate in the strike and save BSNL and the workers. Many Federations / Unions supported and extended solidarity to the struggle of the BSNL employees.

This was the end of 2011. In this year alone 25 meetings of the JAC were held and important decisions taken. (to be continued)

AIBDPA Kerala donated Rs. 42,19,928 to Chief Ministers Relief Fund – Congratulations!

04 Tuesday Aug 2020

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During his daily press conference on 03-08-2020, Shri.Pinarayi Vijayan, Chief Minister of Kerala has stated as follows;

“ All India BSNL DOT Pensioners Association, Kerala Circle has donated Rs. 19,16,699 as its second installment to the Chief Minister’s Distress Releif Fund. They had earlir made a contribution of Rs.23,03,229 and thus the total contribution is Rs. 42,19,928.”

Com. N.Guruprasad, Circle Secretary, Kerala has furnished the breakup figures of each district.

Thiruvananthapuram Rs.5,06,000
Kollam Rs. 3,33,500
Pathanamthitta Rs. 96,500
Alappuzha Rs. 3,28,234
Kottayam Rs. 1,66,850
Ernakulam Rs. 4,23,477
Thrissur Rs. 2,21,812
Palakkad Rs. 2,17,611
Malappuram Rs. 1,29,834
Kozhikode Rs. 6,61,840
Kannur Rs.11,34,270
Total Rs.42,19,928.

CHQ heartily Congratulate all the comrades of Kerala, especially Com.N.Guruprasad for his relentless efforts, who made it possible (courtesy: Website AIBDPA)

Train Journey 26 – Com. Basudeb Acharia, Patron of Railways.

03 Monday Aug 2020

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When writing about train journeys, a prominent name always comes to my mind, that of Com. Basudeb Acharia, veteran leader of CPI(M) and 7 times Member of Parliament from W.Bengal. One of the best parliamentarians, he was Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Railways for a good number of years. Took up many issues of the railway workers and settled. He was always very helpful in taking up the issues of the P and T workers, BSNL and others. It was through his efforts that BSNLEU could meet the Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh and many Ministers of Communications several times. Whenever I went to his official quarters he was kind enough to meet immediately and do the needful. That was his usual method with everybody. Several times I approached him for getting VIP quota for train tickets since it was impossible to get reservation at short notice. Never the railways Ministry refused his recommendation.

Coming to the point. Com. Basudeb Acharia was not only the Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee of Railways, but was also a person who used Railways as his journey mode, most of the time. He used to travel by train, instead of air travel which he is entitled to, when going to Delhi to attend Parliament and returning. Of course, it was also convenient to him since his constituency Bankura was on the way. I still remember the way how he reached Kannur to attend the All India Conference of All India BSNL DOT Pensioners Association on 6th February 2013. He came from W.Bengal to Chennai by train, then came to Kannur by Chennai – Mangalore Mail which reached a bit late at about 10.30. He inaugurated the Conference, had a hasty meal and off to Chennai by Mangalore – Chennai Mail at 15.30 hours or so. That was Com. Basudev Acharia. He had arranged a meeting with the then Chief Minister of U.P. Shri Akhilesh Yadav to discuss about immediate action to be taken against the culprits in the gruesome murder of Com. Sukhpal Singh, our District Secretary Ghaziabad. When we went to receive Basudev Acharya at the Lucknow Railway station, we could see a large number of railway employees crowding near him and making all arrangements for him. He was so close to them.

Trains are the prime mode of travel in the country. It is comparatively cheap with even tickets for Rs. 10 which is the charge for platform tickets also. The move by the Modi government to privatise railways will be a disaster for the common man. All political parties and the nation as a whole has to come forward to stop this since, it adversely affects 95% of the population who use it mostly for their travels.

Sustained Struggles to save BSNL – 27 “Customer Delight Year 2011 – 12”

02 Sunday Aug 2020

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The meeting of the JAC held on 13th July 2011 discussed in detail about the implementation of the “Customer Delight Month”. The reports received from the General Secretaries showed that while in some centres, the observation has been effective, in many places the workers have not started the programme seriously. However, there have been improvement in almost all places. It was decided to extend the programme and convert it to “Customer Delight year 2011 – 12″. A Circular was issued in the mater signed by the Convener and all the General Secretaries.
The Director (HR) BSNL, Shri A.K.Garg issued a letter on 20th July 2011 to all the CGMs intimating that the JAC has decided to observe ” Customer Delight Year” and to ensure that all actions are taken to make the programme a success.

NFTE and FNTO requested to come back to JAC
As per the decision of the JAC, letters were addressed to NFTE and FNTO to come back to JAC. Discussion also took place. They stated that they will put the issue before their respective working committees.

JAC meeting with Secretary DOT on 04-08-2011
The JAC leaders met Shri Chandrasekhar, Secretary DOT on 04-08-2011 and discussed some of the issues raised by the JAC. Shri S.C.Misra, Member (Services) was also present. The following issues were discussed.
1. Absorption of ITS officers. 2. Against retaining of BSNL buildings with DOT. 3. National Broadband Network to be entrusted to BSNL. 4. Cancellation of licence of errant companies 5. Delay in payment of Revision of Pension from 01-01-2007 and its arrears. 6. BSNL’s pension contribution to be on the actual basic pay instead of on the maximum of the payscale.
Secretary DOT assured to consider all the matters positively.

Withdrawal of Medical Allowance, LTC, Leave encashment etc.
BSNL started posting loss from 2009 – 10. It was more loss in 2010 – 11. In this circumstance, instead of expanding the business, the BSNL management in the name of reducing expenditure issued orders withdrawing Medical Allowance without voucher , restrictions on LTC, curtailing leave encashment at the time of availing LTC etc. Further, the management did not take any action to pay bonus. This was done while the employees under the leadership of JAC were making all out efforts to improve the services and to make BSNL financially viable.

Dharna on 14th September 2011
The meeting of the JAC held on 7th September 2011 discussed the matter and decided to organise dharna on 14th September in SSA/Circle/Corporate office. A meeting was called by PGM(SR) to discuss the above issues. But there was no result. The dharna programme as decided was organised effectively with massive participation in all centres. This was a warning call to the government. (To be continued)

AIBDPA CALLS FOR COUNTRYWIDE PROTEST STANDING DHARNA ON 19-08-2020 AGAINST NON-PAYMENT OF MEDICAL BILLS & ALLOWANCES

02 Sunday Aug 2020

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COUNTRYWIDE PROTEST STANDING DHARNA ON 19-08-2020 AGAINST NON-PAYMENT OF MEDICAL BILLS & ALLOWANCES.

BSNL pensioners are suffering a lot due to non-payment of medical bills, both indoor & outdoor and medical allowance since 2018-19. CHQ has taken up the issue with the BSNL management several times, we wrote to the Hon’ble Minister for Communications and Hon’ble Prime Minister but of no avail. Meanwhile the BSNL management made payment of medical bills upto September, 2019 to the employees along with the June, 2020 salary. This is the first time that retirees are completely neglected and rather discriminated. In the past, the retirees were given priority in medical bill payments. We deserve to be treated at par , the least. This development has naturally created much anger and anguish among the pensioners. On 30-07-2020, Com.V A N Namboodiri, Advisor has brought the issue to the notice of the CMD, BSNL over telephone. But the CMD was not prepared to give any concrete assurance. So Comrades, we have no other alternative other than an agitation against this gross injustice and discrimination.

We are quite aware that the situation in the country is not conducive for conducting an agitation, particularly by the elders. Unfortunately, we are compelled and pushed to the streets by the BSNL management.

The Protest Action should be from 1100 to 1200 on 19-08-2020 by standing with placards before the BSNL offices by all our units. The programme should be held strictly to the Covid-19 protocol, keeping social distance and wearing masks. The participation be limited to 5 to 7 comrades in each centre. Only nearby comrades be organized and those staying far away should not be disturbed. Exemption may be given to areas where prohibitory orders are in force, triple lockdown declared etc. Detailed report and photos be sent to CHQ.

AIBDPA writes to CMD BSNL on provision of FTTH at the residences of retired BSNL employees with concession.

22 Wednesday Jul 2020

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AIBDPA/ BSNL-FTTH/2020 22nd July, 2020

To

Shri P.K. Purwar,

CMD, BSNL,

Bharat Sanchar Bhawan,

Janpath,

New Delhi -110 001

Sir,

Sub: – Provision of FTTH at the residences of retired BSNL employees with concession – reg.

Ref: (1) BSNL CO No.2-7/2007-PHA dated 20-07-2007.

(2) BSNL CO No.2-6/2005 dated 03-06-2011.

We wish to bring to your kind notice the following issue for favourable consideration.

BSNL Retirees have been provided with rent free residential land line connection and granted broadband with concession vide orders referred to above.

You may be aware of the fact that in many places landline phones are not being maintained due to shortage of staff and lack of accessories. As such the services are virtually denied to the retirees. In the case of broadband, the assured speed of a particular plan opted is not at all available in the sub premises.

Now, BSNL is concentrating on FTTH and many broadband subscribers, including pensioners are switching over to FTTH. So, we request you to kindly grant concession to Retirees in FTTH, as in the case of broadband.

It is regretted to point out that our repeated requests to grant concession in broadband to DOT Retirees are yet to be considered. We would request you once again to extend the same concession being given to BSNL retirees to the DoT Retirees also.

Awaiting early positive action and

Thanking you,

Yours sincerely

K.G. Jayaraj

General Secretary

CC: (1) Shri Arvind Vadnerkar, Director (HR), BSNL, Bharat Sanchar Bhawan, Janpath, New Delhi-110 001

(2) Shri S.K. Gupta, Director (Finance), BSNL, Bharat Sanchar Bhawan, New Delhi – 110001

(3) Shri Vivek Banzal, Director (CFA), BSNL, Bharat Sanchar Bhawan, Janpath, New Delhi – 110 001

(4) Shri Ashutosh Gupta, GM (Admn.), BSNL CO., Bharat Sanchar Bhawan, Janpath, New Delhi – 110 001

(from AIBDPA Website aibdpa.com)