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.

Stepping up of pay of seniors getting less pay than their juniors on pay fixation – Orders of DOPT

28 Sunday Oct 2018

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The DOPT has issued an order dated 26th October 2018 consolidating the orders  on stepping up of pay at one place keeping in view the provisions of the Central Civil Services (Revised Pay) Rules, 2016. The same is given below. The scope for the applicability of the order in the case of  BSNL ( seniors getting less pay than juniors) has to be examined:

No.4/3/20 17-Estt(Pay-I)
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions
Department of Personnel and Training

North Block, New Delhi,
Dated the 26th October, 2018

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject:- Stepping up of pay-Consolidated guidelines-reg.

The undersigned is directed to say that the issue of anomaly relating to senior Government employees drawing less pay than their juniors due to application of provisions of FR 22(I)(a)(1) is considered on merits for allowing stepping up pay of the seniors so as to bring it at par with that of the junior in accordance with the guidelines scattered in various OMs noted in the margin. A need has been felt to consolidate guidelines on stepping up of pay at one place keeping in view the provisions of the Central Civil Services (Revised Pay) Rules, 2016, [in short CCS(RP)Rules, 2016] as the frequent references on such issues continue to be received in this Department.

2. Consequent upon implementation of CCS(RP)Rules, 2016, the President is pleased to decide the following:

(i) In order to remove the anomaly of a Government servant promoted or appointed to a higher post on or after 1-1-2016 drawing lower pay in that post than another Government servant junior to him in the lower grade and promoted or appointed subsequently to another identical post, the pay of the senior Government servant in the higher post should be stepped up to a figure equal to the pay as fixed for the junior Government servant in that higher post. The stepping up should be done with effect from the date of promotion or appointment of the junior Government servant and will be subject to the following conditions, namely:

(a) both the junior and the senior Government servants should belong to the same cadre and the posts in which they have been promoted are identical in the same cadre;

(b) the Level in the Pay Matrix of the lower and higher posts in which they are entitled to draw pay should be identical;

(c) the anomaly is directly as a result of the application of the provisions of Fundamental Rule 22(I)(a)(1) read with Rule 13 of CCS(RP)Rules, 2016. For example, if the junior officer was drawing more pay in the existing pay structure than the senior by virtue of any advance increments granted to him, the provisions of this subrule should not be invoked to step up the pay of the senior officer.

(ii) The order relating to re-fixation of the pay of the senior officer in accordance with clause (i) shall be issued under Fundamental Rule 27 and the senior officer shall be entitled to the next increment on completion of his required qualifying service with effect from the date of re-fixation of pay.

3. The following instances/events wherein juniors draw more pay than seniors, do not constitute anomaly and, therefore, stepping up of pay will not be admissible in such events:

(a) Where a senior proceeds on Extra Ordinary Leave which results in postponement of his Date of Next Increment in the lower post and consequently he starts drawing less pay than his junior in the lower grade itself. He, therefore, cannot claim pay parity on promotion even though he may be promoted earlier to the higher grade than his junior(s);

(b) If a senior forgoes/refuses promotion leading to his junior being promoted/appointed to the higher post earlier and the junior draws higher pay than the senior.

(c) If the senior is on deputation while junior avails of the ad-hoc promotion in the cadre, the increased pay drawn by the junior due to ad-hoc/officiating and/or regular promotion following such adhoc promotion in the higher posts vis-à-vis senior, is not an anomaly in strict sense of the term;

(d) If a senior joins the higher post later than the junior, for whatsoever reasons, whereby he starts drawing less pay than the junior. In such cases, senior cannot claim stepping up of pay at par with that of his junior.

(e) If a senior is appointed later than the junior in the lower post itself whereby he is in receipt of lesser pay than the junior, in such cases also the senior cannot claim pay parity in the higher post if he draws less pay than his junior though he may have been promoted earlier to the higher post.

(f) Where an employee is promoted from lower post to a higher post, his pay is fixed with reference to the pay drawn by him in the lower post under FR22(I)(a)(1) read with Rule 13 of CCS(RP)Rules, 2016 and due to his longer length of service in the lower grade, his pay may get fixed at a higher stage than that of a senior direct recruit appointed to the same higher grade and whose pay is fixed under different set of rules. For example a Senior Secretariat Assistant (SSA) on promotion to the post of Assistant Section Officer (ASO) gets his pay fixed under FR 22(I)(a)(1) with reference to the pay drawn in the post of SSA, whereas the pay of ASO(DR) is fixed under Rule 8 of CCS(RP)Rules, 2016 at the minimum pay or the first Cell in the Level, applicable to ASO to which he is appointed. In such a case, the senior ASO (DR) cannot claim pay parity with that of the promotee junior ASO.

(g) Where a senior is appointed in higher post on ad-hoc basis and is drawing less pay than his junior who is appointed in the same cadre and in same post on ad-hoc basis subsequently, the senior cannot claim pay parity with reference to the pay of that junior since the ad-hoc officiating service in higher post is reversible and also since full benefits of FR22(I)(a)(I) are not available on ad-hoc promotion but only on regular promotion following such ad-hoc promotion without break.

(h) Where a junior gets more pay due to additional increments earned on acquiring higher qualifications.

Note: The above instances/events are only illustrative and not exhaustive.

4. These orders shall be in supersession of D/o Expenditure’s OM No.F.2(78)-E.III(A)63 dated 2nd February, 1966 and DOP&T’s OM No.4/7/92-Estt(Pay-I) dated 4th November, 1993.

5. This OM is effective from 01.01.2016.

6 In so far as persons serving in the Indian Audit and Accounts Department are concerned, these orders have been issued after consultation with the Comptroller and Auditor General of India.

7 Hindi version will follow.

sd/-
(Rajeev Bahree)
Under Secretary to the Government of India.

Circle Executive Committee Meeting of AIBDPA Kerala

28 Sunday Oct 2018

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The Circle Executive Committee Meeting held at P&T House, Thiruvananthapuram on 26-10-2018 under the presidentship of Com.R.Aravindakshan Nair, Circle President was inaugurated by Com.V.A.N.Namboodiri, Advisor. Coms. K.G.Jayaraj, General Secretary, P.V.Chandrasekharan, Patron and C.Santhoshkumar, Circle Secretary, BSNLEU addressed.

Com.N.Guruprasad, Circle Secretary presented the draft report for the ensuing 5th biennial Circle Conference and Com.K.J.Sanalkumar, Treasurer submitted the audited accounts which were adopted after discussion.

The CEC reviewed the flood relief activities and felt that efforts should be continued to collect more relief fund considering the huge amount required to rebuild Kerala and the unhelpful stand of the central government.

The CEC decided to form a separate Circle Women’s Committee in the ensuing Circle Conference to be held at Kollam on 11-12, November, 2018.

CEC called up on all its units to participate in the agitations called by the AUAB against non implementation of assurances given by the Minister for Communications even after 8 months.

AIBDPA Kerala Circle Conference on 11-12th November at Kollam.

25 Thursday Oct 2018

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AIBDPA Kerala Circle is holding its Circle Conference at Kollam on 11th and 12th November 2018. All arrangements are being made by the Reception Committee for holding a successful conference.

AIBDPA Day observed all over the nation.

22 Monday Oct 2018

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21st October 2018, the 9th Foundation anniversary of All India BSNL DOT Pensioners Association (AIBDPA), was celebrated all over the country with massive rallies, meetings, speeches etc. The achievements of the organisation for the pensioners, the present demands, the present situation where even the settled issues of pensioners are not being implemented, Pension Revision and other issues were discussed in the meetings. The rallies demanded the central government to order Pension Revision with out any further delay.

CELEBRATE THE 10TH AIBDPA FOUNDATION DAY ON 21-10-2018.

13 Saturday Oct 2018

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The mighty organisation of the BSNL and DOT pensioners, All India BSNL DOT Pensioners Association is completing nine years on 21-10-2018. It was eventful and plenty of struggles since its inception on 21-10-2009; whether for the pension revision of pre 2007 BSNL retirees, timely payment of IDA, broadband concession, free night call facility, 78.2% IDA merger, quarters for the retirees, restoration of quarterly medical allowance and settlement of so many individual issues which were pending for years together. Yes, all these achievements were through various struggles not only by AIBDPA but also by the serving unions of BSNL under the leadership of BSNLEU. It is also a constitutional obligation that AIBDPA should move closer with the service unions in BSNL.

Our struggles did not confine to our own issues, but we actively participated in the struggles for the protection of BSNL called by All Unions and Associations of BSNL. We did not hesitate to participate in the struggles called by Confederation of Central Government Employees and workers and are in the forefront in the agitations of NCCPA to which we are affiliated. And also the struggles waged by the Central Trade Unions demanding settlement of genuine issues of the workers and the people at large.

When we celebrate the 10th Foundation Day, we are facing more serious challenges, viz attack on pension, crisis of BSNLdue to the anti-PSU policy of the government, pension revision and wage revision from 01-01-2017, non-payment of medical allowances and medical bills, rejection of Option 1 recommended by the 7th Pay Commission etc. We are continuing our onward March through further struggles for resolution of the vital issues. And that is the reason why AIBDPA has grown as the biggest pensioners organisation in BSNL.

CHQ requests all its units to celebrate the 10th Foundation Day befittingly by hoisting the Red Flag, Holding meetings, distribution of sweets and visits to the old age homes and orphanages for supply of food/ clothes to the needy. Let us pledge and reaffirm to continue our fight for reasonable settlement of the genuine issues of the pensioners , workers and people at large and to safeguard the country from the communal and divisive forces.

09 Tuesday Oct 2018

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Com.V.A.N.namboodiri, Advisor inaugurated the 5th biennial district conference of Malappuram on 09-10-2018. He explained the issues of the pensioners , especially, pension revision, medical issues and the anti-people policy of the Modi government and appealed to participate in all the agitations, called by AIBDPA<AUAB,Confederation and central Trade unions. Com.P.T.M.A.jaleel, District President controlled the proceedings. Com.M.N.Madhavan welcomed the gathering. Coms.N.Guruprasad, Circle Secretary, V.P.Abdulla, District Secretary, BSNLEU, Kamalraj (SNEA) , P.T.Kunhippayi, ACS and P.Kesavadas, District Secretary, CCLU addressed the conference.

The subject session held in the afternoon was inaugurated by Com.N.Guruprasad, Circle Secretary. The biennial report and audited accounts presented by the District Secretary and Treasurer were adopted after discussion.

In the unanimous election of office bearers Com.P.T.M.A.Jaleel, M.N.Madhavan and P.Ramachandran were reelected as President, Secretary and Treasurer, respectively.(Courtesy: AIBDPA Website)

OBSERVE PROTEST DAY ON 16-10-2018.NON PAYMENT OF MEDICAL ALLOWANCE AND WITH VOUCHER MEDICAL BILLS-

01 Monday Oct 2018

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In almost all circles BSNL retirees are put into much difficulties due to non payment of without voucher medical allowance and with voucher medical reimbursement bills for both outdoor and indoor treatment. The Circle administrations are pleading helplessness due to non allotment of sufficient fund. CHQ has brought the sufferings of pensioners to the notice of concerned authorities at the Corporate Office including CMD.

To put further pressure on the BSNL management on this vital and genuine issue, CHQ calls upon all its units to observe Protest Day on 16-10-2018 by holding demonstration before BSNL offices at all levels with particular mobilization at CGMT Offices. The following FAX message also should be sent to the CMD, BSNL ( FAX No. 011 23372444)

“Protest strongly against the non payment of without voucher medical allowance and unbearable delay in payment of with voucher medical bills for both outdoor and indoor treatment of BSNL pensioners. Seek your immediate intervention and early settlement to mitigate the sufferings of the pensioners. “

Signature

Name

Secretary

AIBDPA, ……………….Circle/ District (Courtesy: AIBDPA website)

Early Pension Revision of BSNL retirees a must

01 Monday Oct 2018

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The DOT is delaying decision on Pension Revision of the absorbed  BSNL retirees, even though they are eligible for the same from 01-01-2017. Since the government has taken the full responsibility of Pension of these absorbed workers and since the III PRC has recommended 15% fitment, there should not be any delay for taking a decision. But the DOT seems to be sitting tight despite BSNLEU, AUAB, AIBDPA, NCCPA and other organisations have been continuously pressing the government for the same. AIBDPA has already organised many programmes. The latest is the thousands of Post Cards being sent to the Prime Minister for immediate orders.

It was not an easy route for grant of Pension Revision of the above retirees. After the first wage revision in BSNL w.e.f. 01-10-2000, the stand taken by the government was that since government is paying pension, it can only be on the government pay scales(CDA), which was much lower than the BSNL wages. (Rs. 2400 was the minimum salary in DOT whereas due to wage revision it was Rs.4,000 in BSNL). After much struggle, pension was fixed on the basis of the BSNL  IDA wages, as per the demand of all the unions jointly.

In the  second wage revision and pension revision also, the same were fixed on the IDA scale as earlier. based on the recommendations of II PRC.  This further benefitted the BSNL employees/pensioners.

Now naturally and logically the wages and pension revisions are to be based on the IDA scales as recommended by the III PRC. But one of the pension associations seems to have demanded for wage and  pension revision based on VII CPC recommemdations which are on CDA scales. We need not point out that how it will adversely affect the wages as well as the  pension of the BSNL absorbed employees. Of course, these comrades might have been under the illusion that BSNL is finished, there will be no wage revision and no pension revision on IDA scales since the III PRC has mentioned about ‘affordability’. These comrades forget how the great P and T TU movement have fought and got many demands, which were continuously been rejected by the government. Even  the achievements in BSNL were through sustained struggles.

These comrades feel that BSNL will be privatised shortly and there is no future for its employees. Hence, at least the problems of the pensioners can be settled by opting for CDA pension as per the VII CPC recommendations. Some of the comrades  are so confused that they are telling that the pension revision of the existing pensioners, whose pension has been fixed on the IDA pattern on the basis of II PRC recommendations ( and wage negotiations) should now be revised as per the VII CPC recommendations ( which are based on CDA scales). The reason mentioned for this strange demand is that BSNL will not survive and there will not be any wage revision in future. It is based on negative thinking. At present BSNL is alive and the workers are fighting for its survival. Stating that BSNL will not survive is not only an insult to the workers, but also is a discouraging statement.  By the way, where is the assurance of any future Pay Commission, when the CPC itself has stated that there need not be any CPC in future. But CG employees will fight as in the past and ensure their pay revisions, CPC or not.

Due to continuous discussion, struggles and pesuation, it is reported that BSNL  has recommended to DOT for the wage revision of executives with 15% fitment on the basis of the recommendations of the III PRC on IDA scale. It is also reported that it is pending with the DOT. The wage negotiation of non-executives is continuing, certain pay scales have been proposed both by the management and the Unions and discussion is continuing, all based on the IDA pay scales. The agreement also will go to the DOT, though we feel that there is no requirement.

As such, the process of wage revision of both executives and non-executives is based on the IDA scales based on the recommendations of the III PRC. The pension  of the employees who retire after 01-01-2017 will be fixed on the basis of half of the wages on IDA scales. Pension being fixed on any other basis will create such utter confusion and complications, dividing the entire BSNL pensioners, those who retired before and after 01-01-2017.

Hence the logical and financially beneficial demand is that the pension revision w.e.f. 01-01-2017 should be made with 15% fitment as recommended by the III PRC with immediate effect, without waiting for the conclusion of the wage revision. This demand is raised on two premises that the full pension is being paid by the government and that the pensioners can not wait much. We could make the BSNL to take  a similar decision in the case of medical allowance which was restored first for the pensioners.

AIBDPA Kerala Circle Conference at Kollam

30 Sunday Sep 2018

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The next Kerala circle Conference of AIBDPA will be held at Kollam on 11-12 November 2018. The Reception Committee with Com.V.Rajendra Babu, Mayor Kollam Corporation as Chairman, Com. M.D.Rajan as Working Chairman and Com. N.Sasidharan Nair as General Convener is making all arrangements for the successful conduct of the Circle Conference.

Delegates are advised to book  to and fro tickets in advance to ensure reservation.

October 1 – International Day of Older Persons

30 Sunday Sep 2018

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October 1 – International Day of Older Persons

As per the decision of the United Nations General Assembly held on 14th December 1990, 1st October is observed as  ‘International Day of Older Persons’ throughout the world.  On the day, the contributions of the senior citizens / older persons are remembered and the problems faced by them and how to sort out the same are discussed.

The older persons have contributed their mite for the progress of the society in which they live, in the fields of education, agriculture, science, law, industry, medicine and so on. They have sacrificed their lives for the improvement of the living conditions of the people. They are still capable of contributing much through their wisdom and experience. This has to be utilised.

Ageing is a natural process.  The aged persons face a lot of problems including isolation, illness, humiliation and so on.   They part of the society and they cannot be isolated or humiliated.

As per statistics, the numbers of aged persons are increasing every year.  The average age has increased from 46 to 68 during the period from 1950 to 2010. Some experts have noted that the average age will increase above 80 by the end of the century. At present there are about 80 crores of people who are aged above 60 years.

In such a situation, the World Health Organisation(WHO) in its Madrid conference in 2002 has adopted certain guidelines how to improve the conditions of the aged persons and make their life better. The Madrid Declaration called upon the nations to ensure the human rights of the aged persons, end the discrimination, insult and crime against them, along with ensuring the right to work and right for a healthy living. They also have the right to be part of framing the policy of the government.

But the sad fact is that many of the countries have not taken any steps to implement the Madrid Declaration. In the name of austerity,  social security measures like pension, gratuity, allowances etc. are either reduced or completely taken away. Of course, the socialist countries like Cuba have taken many important steps for improving the status of the older persons.

The Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act 2007  passed by the Parliament ensures many safeguards and social security measures for the senior citizens, but it is seldom implemented in many parts of the country. The general situation is that the senior citizens mostly are being ignored and social security measures are not implemented. The conditions of the widows are most pathetic.

A different picture can be seen in Kerala, where the LDF government has implemented a lot of measures for the aged persons. Rs. 1,100 is paid to all those above 60 years as social security pension. Palliative care is ensured for those people who are not able to move.  Senior Citizens’ Councils are formed with representatives of the organisation of the aged persons to address the grievances. The demand has been raised for a separate Department for the senior citizens.

This year also, the International Day of Older Persons will be observed all over the world. Let us dedicate ourselves to ensure that the senior citizens have a respectful and healthy life. Let us remember that the senior  citizens are a great  asset of the society.