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.

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

04 Thursday Jun 2020

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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)

AIBDPA writes to CMD BSNL on submission of option for outdoor medical facilities by the retirees – extending the last date for submission.

04 Thursday Jun 2020

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Letter written by Com. K.G.Jayaraj, General Secretary AIBDPA to CMD BSNL with regard to option to medical facilities by retirees is given below:

AIBDPA/ BSNL MRS/2020 4th June, 2020

To,

Shri P.K. Purwar

CMD, BSNL

Bharat Sanchar Bhawan,

Janpath, New Delhi – 110 001

Sir,

Sub: – Submission of option for outdoor medical facilities by the retirees – extending the last date for submission – reg.

Ref: (1) BSNL CO No.BSNL /Admn-1/15-12/18 dated 08-05-2020.

(2) This Association letter No.AIBDPA/BSNL MRS/2020 dated 13-05-2020.

(3) This Association letter No. AIBDPA/BSNL MRS/ 2020 dated 19-05-2020.

(4) Telephonic discussion had with you by Shri V.A.N. Namboodiri, our Advisor on 29-05-2020.

It is reported that in the discussion you had with our advisor, Shri V.A.N. Namboodiri, you have taken a strong stand against review of the above referred order. The unilateral and arbitrary order was issued curtailing the limited outdoor medical facilities.

All the serving unions and pensioners associations have opposed the new order and demanded reversal/ modifications. It is pertinent to point out that neglecting the all-out opposition is not desirable in a democratic country.

The Hon’ble Prime Minister, in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, has repeatedly stated that senior citizens need special care and facilities as they are the most vulnerable section to the pandemic. And as such curtailing the existing facilities tantamount to breaching the promise of the Prime Minister.

While we appreciate your efforts to reduce the unwarranted and unnecessary expenditure of BSNL, we may be permitted to point out that there are other areas of largesse which are to be dealt with strongly.

In view of the foregoing, it is once again requested that a judicial and reasonable review be made in the matter so that justice is extended to the elders.

In the case of submission of Option for outdoor medical facilities by the retirees. We are thankful to you for agreeing to extend the last date to 30-06-2020 during the discussion with Shri V.A.N. Namboodiri. However, no order is so far issued by the Corporate Office in this regard.

But you may be aware of the fact that though the central government has relaxed lockdown as on 31-05-2020, five state governments have extended the lockdown to 30-06-200 and two state governments to 15-06-2020. And there is every chance of further extension considering the alarming spread of Covid-19 in many places in the country. To add fuel to fury, West Bengal, Odisha and Maharashtra are facing unimaginable miseries after the devastation of cyclone. Communication and road traffic are the worst affected and it may take months, particularly in West Bengal, to restore normalcy.

It is absolutely impossible for the retirees to travel from far off and remote villages to the concerned BSNL office and submit the option in the absence of transportation. It will be also difficult for them to submit the option by email or WhatsApp, as internet is not available in many places.

Therefore we request you to kindly consider our suggestion to exempt from submission of Option to those who do not want change from the option submitted last year. In the case of others who want change from the earlier option may be given extension flexibility as per the local conditions.

Also in the case of medical cards revalidation may be limited only in cases where change of beneficiaries. Thus, we feel that unnecessary expenditure could be avoided.

VRS retirees who are yet to receive the PPO are not being issued the BSNL MRS cards. In such cases MRS cards may please be issued quoting the HR number.

Finally, the most burning issue of BSNL pensioners, non payment of medical bills both with voucher and without voucher, for the last two years and onetime payment made to CGHS, continue to be neglected by BSNL management. We have repeatedly explained the sufferings of the hapless pensioners in our discussions and through several letters, but of no avail. Sir, kindly do something to mitigate the miseries of the seniors without further delay.

Awaiting your positive response and favourable action.

Thanking you,

Yours sincerely,

K G Jayaraj

General Secretary.

Copy to: (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 A.M. Gupta, GM (SR), BSNL CO., Bharat Sanchar Bhawan, Janpath, New Delhi – 110 001

Option for BSNL MRS – Date of option up to 30th June 2020.

29 Friday May 2020

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Com.V.A.N.Namboodiri, Advisor, AIBDPA today contacted Shri P.K.Purwar, CMD BSNL and requested him to reconsider the issue of restoring BSNLMRS to the earlier position without reducing the same. CMD stated that there is no other way but to implement the present order due to the difficult financial position of the company.

Com.VAN placed the difficulties in giving option in a short time due to covid situation as also the different dates stipulated by different circle administrations and requested that the last date of option be fixed as 30th June 2020 uniformly so that all pensioners get the time and convenience to submit the option. CMD agreed to the same. (from AIBDPA website)

Send emails to Secretary DOT and CMD BSNL on the major demands of the AIBDPA, BSNL employees and Contract workers.

22 Friday May 2020

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AIBDPA CHQ calls upon all the Circle, District and Branch units to send the following e-mail to Secretary DOT and CMD BSNL.
Secretary DOT email: secy-dot@nic.in : CMD BSNL email: cmdbsnl@bsnl.co.in
The Secretary, DOT, Sanchar Bhawan, New Delhi
The CMD BSNL, Bharat Sanchar Bhawan, New Delhi

Honour the ILO decision. Do not increase working hours from 8 to 12 per day.
Immediately disburse salary of BSNL employees for April, 2020.
Immediately pay the wage arrears of contract workers. Do not retrench contract workers
through outsourcing of works.
Withdraw the decision to reduce Outdoor Treatment ceiling from 23 days to 15 days’ pay.
Name of Circle / District / Branch _________________________
Comrades, make the programme a full success. Send reports to the CHQ AIBDPA.( from AIBDPA Website)

Restore Medical Allowance and Medical Reimbursement to BSNL Pensioners

14 Thursday May 2020

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The order issued by BSNL on 8th May 2020 curtailing existing provisions for medical reimbursement and Medical allowance for BSNL employees and pensioners are nothing but grave injustice. BSNL Management should issue orders restoring the earlier position.

AIBDPA writes to CMD BSNL against curtailment of outdoor medical benefits.

13 Wednesday May 2020

Posted by in AIBDPA - BSNL DOT Pensioners, BSNL - Better Service to the Nation, BSNL News

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AIBDPA/BSNLMRS/2020 May 13, 2020

To

Shri P. K. Purwar,

CMD, BSNL

Bharat Sanchar Bhawan

Janpath, New Delhi-110 001.

Sir,

Sub: – Curtailment of outdoor medical benefits- modification sought- – reg.

Ref: – BSNL CO Office Order No.BSNL/Admn-1/15-12/18 dated 08-05-2020 on procedure for outdoor medical claim for BSNL Employees (Serving / Retired).

Medical benefits, outdoor, of BSNL employees and retirees are curtailed drastically vide office order referred to above.

Of course, you had given some hints during our discussion with you on 16-12-2019 that BSNL can’t afford the BSNL MRS in the present form. You had suggested switching over to CGHS and uniform monthly allowance.

We had responded with our reservations on CGHS as the dispensary/ wellness centers are available in limited cities only. However we assured you that maximum pensioners belonging to places where CGHS facilities are available, would be advised to switch over, provided that onetime payment for CGHS membership be reimbursed by BSNL timely. You were quick to reply that those joining CGHS, the amount being paid by the pensioner will be reimbursed next month itself. We are sorry to point out that this assurance is yet to be implemented.

Regarding monthly flat medical allowance, we had demanded Rs.2,000. But as per the above mentioned office order, the monthly allowance of Rs.1000 is quite insufficient to meet the requirements in the wake of higher consultation fee of the doctor and exorbitant prices of the medicines.

Regarding with voucher, the present calculation of 23 day’s pay at the time of retirement is drastically reduced to 15 and worse, the IDA of every corresponding April is changed to IDA at the time of retirement. This amounts to a double blow and gross injustice to the pensioners.

Therefore we seek your kind intervention for necessary modifications in the office order as follows;

Option.

2) With voucher it should be same as before. No change should be made.

3) Without voucher monthly medical allowance flat Rs.2,000.

Further, we are constrained to point out that any order would be meaningless, if not implemented in its true sense. We have brought to your notice in person and through a number of letters about the sufferings and distress of the Pensioners due to non payment of medical bills, both indoor and outdoor, quarterly medical allowance and amount paid for CGHS membership for the last two years. You had assured that fund could be allocated once the financial position improve during the post VRS scenario. But to our dismay, even after three months of VRS, no fund is allotted to mitigate the miseries of the Pensioners. A few of our fellow Pensioners have already lost their lives due to non consumption of life saving medicines. And we are afraid that more lives may be lost particularly during this period of Covid-19 unless relief is extended in the form allocation of sufficient funds to clear the pending medical claims.

Awaiting early positive response and action.

Thanking you,

Yours sincerely,

K G Jayaraj

General Secretary

April salary yet to be paid by BSNL Management

11 Monday May 2020

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

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Despite the assurance of the DOT and BSNL Management that the payment of salary etc. will be normalised once VRS is implemented, the payment of salary to employees is still a question mark. The April salary has not been paid, though it is 11th May today. The society dues deducted from the ex-gratia and leave encashment from the VRS pensioners are yet to be paid to the co-operative societies causing much financial difficulties to the societies as well as the pensioners.

BSNL should take immediate action to settle the above issues.

Prime Minister should intervene to save BSNL

09 Saturday May 2020

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

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Despite many assurance about the Revival of BSNL, the government is trying to scuttle the efforts of BSNL to purchase 4 G equipment and start services. Objections raised by the private companies are being considered and tender being frozen. AUAB has strongly opposed and wide publicity is given in the press also.

If the government is sincere about the Revival of BSNL, then immediate action is to be taken to purchase equipment on the basis of the tenders floated and start 4 G services.

The Prime minister should intervene and set right the matter.

Visakhapatnam Gas leak tragedy – 11 precious lives lost

07 Thursday May 2020

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Gas leak from a chemical company at Visakhapatnam has resulted in loss of 11 precious lives and more than 5000 people are in hospital as per reports. It is also reported that serious lapses were there in safety and security level. The sad memory of the ghastly Bhopal tragedy is still in our minds, which took away precious lives of hundreds and made life miserable for many more.

Heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families! Let us hope that there will not be further toll of valuable human lives.

Conspiracy to deny 4G equipment supply to BSNL – AUAB writes to the Prime Minister, seeking his intervention..

07 Thursday May 2020

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

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The TEPC (Telecom Equipment and Services Export Promotion Council), an association of the Indian Telecom Equipment Manufactures, has complained to the government that, BSNL has violated the “Make in India” policy, in the procurement of 4G equipments. In the 4G tender floated by BSNL on 20.03.2020, the BSNL is laid down the following two conditions.

The bidding company should have the previous experience of providing 20 million 4G line network.
The bidding company should have Rs.8,000 crore turn over in the previous two financial years.

Both these conditions are very much required to ensure the quality of 4G equipments and also their prompt supply. Based on the complaint of the TEPC, the Commerce Department and the DoT have objected to BSNL’s tender. The whole intention of the TEPC is to see BSNL does not start it’s 4G service. If BSNL does not launch it’s 4G service expeditiously, naturally it is the private companies like Jio, Airtel and Vodafone Idea which are going to get benefitted. So, we can understand whose hands are there behind the complaint of TEPC. Similar conspiracies have been hatched earlier also, to kill BSNL. Now, it has become the duty of the unions and associations of BSNL to ensure that BSNL gets 4G equipments from this tender. As a first step, the AUAB has written to the Prime Minister, seeking his intervention. If necessary, the AUAB has to take more serious steps to ensure that, BSNL gets 4G equipments. (courtesy: bsnleu website.)