The government has decided to increase the GPF interest rate to 8.8% from the present 8.6% for the Central  Government employees for the year 2012-13. The Public Provident Fund was raised 8.6% from 8.5% recently.

The bank interest has been steadily going up for the last few years and is about 12% at present. The trade unions have been demanding that the interest rate on Provident Fund should be raised to 9.5%. But the government after a long period has raised the %, but only to 8.8%, far below the existing loan rates by the banks. The government should do justice to the workers by increasing the interest rate on the longterm provident fund deposits.

The demand raised by the Central trade Unions in its strike on 28th February 2012 that the minimum pension under Employees Pension Scheme should be raised to Rs. 1000 has not yet been agreed to by the government. Out of the 35 lakh pensioners at present more than 14 lakh are getting pension amount less than Rs. 500 as per the statistics on the matter for the financial year 2009-10.

The government is considering certain proposals to cut the bonus of the employees and garner the additional Rs. 539 crores required for payment of a minimum pension of Rs. 1000. This is not at all acceptable to the workers. Universl Pension is a responsibility of the government and for paying pension to the workers, the government wants that it should be borne by the worker himself. This is nothing but robbery.

The Central Trade Unions should strongly oppose the proposal and demand that without any condition, the minimum Rs. 1000 pension should be paid to all those subscribing to the EPS.

Circle Conference of AIBDPA was held at Kochi on 19th May. It was presided over by Com. P.V.Chandrasekharan, the beloved leader of P&T employees unions in Kerala. More than 500 delegates from all over the state participated. In addition, some of the central Executive committee members who have come to attend the CEC meeting of AIBDPA also attended. The Conference was inaugurated by Com.P.Rajeeve M.P. who lambasted the anti-worker policies of the central government and the move of the government in taking away the statutory pension to the state and central government employees. Coms.V.A.N.Namboodiri, All India President, BSNLEU, A.K.Bhattacharjee, All India President, AIBDPA and  leaders of various sister organisations addressed the session.

The delegates session was inaugurated by Com. K.G.Jayaraj, General Secretary, AIBDPA. The report presented by Circle Secretary, Com. N.Ramesh was approved after discussion by the  delegates. The new office-bearers were re-elected with Com. P.V.Chandrasekharan as President and Com. N.Ramesh as Circle Secretary.

My congratulations to the comrades of Kerala who have organised the AIBDPA in to a very strong and effective organisation. They have increased the membership substantially. I could meet a lost of senior comrades who were fighters in the early period as regular employees.

The Central Executive Committee meeting of the All India BSNL DOT Pensioners Association will be held at Kochi on 18th May. The meeting is expected to discuss about the various issues of the BSNL and DOT Pensioners including the anomaly of those retired in the first 10 months after corporatisation, restoration of medical allowance without voucher, restoration of 30 days instead of the present 25 days, increase of fixed medical allowance for DOT pensioners from Rs. 300 toRs. 1200, 78.2% IDR fixation, merger of 50% DR with pension etc. Com.A.K.Bhattacharjee, All India President, will preside over the meeting.

Kerala Circle Conference of AIBDPA will also held on 19th May. Com.P.V.Chandrasekharan, President of the Kerala Unit will preside.

Myself and Com.K.G.Jayaraj, General Secretary have already reached Kochi to participate in the CEC and Circle Conference.

The plight of the aged in the country is a painful story. In many cases, they are not looked after by their children, they are sick and/or they don’t have any income. The senior citizens, those aged above 60, should be looked after by the state. At least they should be paid reasonable pension,  if they are not getting any other pension.

In many developed countries Old Aged Homes are maintained to look after the aged. In many countries all those above 60 are paid pension. In India, Kerala and a few other states are paying a small amount as pension. But in most of the states it is not done.

The Central and state governments should discuss and decide the issue so that each and every senior citizen in the country should get  pension so that he/she can manage their old age without much difficulty.

BSNL/DOT Pensioners are joining All India BSNL-DOT Pensioners Association (AIBDPA) every month in large numbers. The sincere and excellent work being done by the Association have been much appreciated by the BSNL workers and pensioners. Most of the retiring BSNL workers are happy to become the AIBDPA members since they know from their  own experience that BSNLEU and AIBDPA are the organisations safeguarding their interests.

Please join AIBDPA to protect and enhance the interests of the Pensioners!

The All India Conference of the NCCPA at Ratlam ended successfully today with unanimous election of office-bearers and adoption of agitational programmes for settlement of the urgent demands. The demands also have been formulated. Coms.  Umraomal Purohit and V.A.N.Namboodiri have been re-elected as Patrons. Coms. R.L.Bhattacharjee and S.K.Vyas have been re-elected as President and Secretary General. From AIBDPA, General Secretary Com. K.G.Jayaraj has been re-elected as Organising Secretary.

The two-day All India Conference of National Co-ordination Committee of Pensioners Association (NCCPA)  has started at Ratlam (M.P) today. Hundreds of delegates from all over India has reached by yesterday and today morning. All India BSNL DOT Pensioners Association (AIBDPA) is represented by Com.K.G.Jayaraj, General Secretary and delegates including Coms. Mohandoss (T.Nadu), Supriya Mitra( Kolkatta) N.Ramesh (Kerala), H.S.Thakur (M.P) and others. As the Patron of the NCCPA, I was to attend the AIC, but due to the Sunami threat in Kerala etc. yesterday, I had to cancel the journey and the railway ticket. It is fortunate that no Sunami hit the Indian coast, but at that time, nothing was sure and the sunami alert was existing.

The Central Working Committee was held yesterday, presided over by Com. R.L.Bhattacharjee, President. Com. S.K.Vyas Secretary General presented the report which was adopted after slight modification by the CWC. Com.KG Jayaraj, General Secretary and Mohan Doss spoke from AIBDPA.( to be continued)

The Annual General Body meeting of the National Co-ordination Committee of  Pensioners Association (NCCPA) is going to meet at Ratlam on 12th and 13th April 2012. NCCPA is the umbrella organisation of all the Pensioners Association in Central Services as also BSNL. Com.S.K.Vyas, the veteran leader of the Central Government employees is the Secretary General of NCCPA. I happen to be one of the Patrons of the same.

The AGB has got a very important agenda to be discussed. The fight against the anti-worker PFRDA bill, better medical facilities and many other issues will come up for discussion. It will also review the Parliament March organised, the mass memorandum to President etc. The strategy to expand the organisation also will be discussed and decision taken.

Best wishes for the success of the Annual General Body meeting!

The General Body meeting ( or All India Conference ) of the National Coordination Committee of Pensioners Association (NCCPA) will be held t Ratlam (M.P) on 12-13 April 2012. Com. S.K.Vyas, Secretary General has already notified the same. The Reception Committee with Com. Joshi has started all preparations for the successful conduct of the GB.

In addition to.V.A.N.Namboodiri, Patron and K.G.Jayaraj, Org. Secretary, NCCPA,  four other comrades will be participating from AIBDPA – Coms. Mohandoss (TN), Supriyo Mitro (Kolkata), N.Ramesh (kerala) and H.S.Thakur (M.P).

The GB is expected to discuss and take important decisions including agitational programmes on the pensioners’ issues.