Category Archives: Pension

Modi government takes major step to privatise the Indian Railways.

02 Thursday Jul 2020

Posted by in Pension

≈ Leave a comment

 

Modi government takes major step to privatise the Indian Railways.
The Modi government has taken a major step in privatising the Indian Railways. It has invited “Request For Qualification (RFQ)” from Indian and foreign corporates for operating 109 pairs of high-speed passenger trains. These 109 pairs of high-speed trains have been formed into 12 clusters to run across the Indian Railway network. The drivers and guards of these trains will be from the Indian Railways. The other employees will be of the private operators. It may be remembered that the Modi government has already allowed 100% FDI in the Indian Railways.(Courtesy: BSNLEU website)

BSNL Pensioners are restive. Do not ignore them.

01 Wednesday Jul 2020

Posted by in AIBDPA - BSNL DOT Pensioners, Pension

≈ Leave a comment

The lakhs of BSNL pensioners are unhappy and restive since their most important issues are being delayed by the BSNL management and central government. Neither medical reimbursement nor medical allowance has been paid for the last one and half years.  15% Pension revision due from 01-01-2017 is not settled, though three and half years are over.

VRS Pensioners are not fully paid their due Ex-Gratia amount.

This injustice is being done against the the sincere and committed workers who have provided yeomen service to the people of this great  country during their service of 35 to 40 years under all difficult and different situations. They were part of the great Posts and Telegraphs Department earlier, before they were forcibly converted in to the BSNL corporation. Had  they  continued in the government service, just like the ITS officers, there would have been no difficulty in the pension revision and medical bills / allowance.

The BSNL Management and Centre is doing great injustice. They should immediately rethink the matter and ensure that the medical allowance / reimbursements are paid as also the Pension revision is made.

In the same way, the claims of the VRS retirees like Ex-Gratia should be paid without any further delay.

AIBDPA , the Biggest pension association in BSNL, has taken up all these issues with the government and is making all out efforts to get the same settled.

CHQ writes to Shri Ravi Shankar Prasad, Hon’ble MoC & IT on breach of assurance in the payment of Ex-Gratia to BSNL VRS Retirees and Revival of BSNL.

01 Wednesday Jul 2020

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

≈ Leave a comment

CHQ writes to Shri Ravi Shankar Prasad, Hon’ble MoC & IT on breach of assurance in the payment of ex-gratia to BSNL VRS Retirees and Revival of BSNL.

AIBDPA/MIN-VRS & BSNL/2020 July 1, 2020

To,

Shri Ravi Shankar Prasad,

Hon’ble Minister of Communication& IT and Law,

Sanchar Bhawan, 20, Asoka Road,

New Delhi -110 001.

Respected Sir,

Sub: – Breach of assurance in the payment of ex-gratia to BSNL VRS Retirees and Revival of BSNL- reg.

We are constrained to bring to your kind notice the following issues of utmost importance for your kind consideration and favourable action.

VRS was declared for BSNL employees as part of the Revival Package of BSNL in October, 2019. There was an unprecedented response from the BSNL employees to the VRS, mainly due to the comparatively attractive ex-gratia. Accordingly, as many as 78,569 employees availed the VRS. It was assured by the government that the ex-gratia will be paid in two equal instalments, 1st in March and 2nd in June, 2020.
Many of the employees availed the VRS in the hope that they could utilise the ex-gratia amount for the marriage of their daughter, to purchase a house etc. But all these hopes stand shattered due to the breach of assurance in the payment of ex-gratia. Contrary to the assurance, the first instalment paid in March,2020 was only 31.3% instead of 50%. This Association, through a letter dated 08-06-2020 had brought this issue to the notice of Secretary, DoT and demanded the balance of 68.7% ex-gratia should be paid in June,2020. But to our dismay, only 22.5% is paid in June,2020, putting uncertainty in the payment of the balance 46.2% ex-gratia. This has naturally caused widespread disappointment and mental agony to the VRS retirees. Therefore, we request your kind intervention to cause necessary action for immediate payment of 46.2% ex-gratia to the BSNL VRS retirees.
Sir, we are equally concerned about the future of BSNL. Many people appreciated your personal efforts in bringing out a comprehensive Revival Package for BSNL and believed in early revival of BSNL. The main components of the Revival Package were; (1) Immediate grant of 4G spectrum to BSNL (2) Sovereign Bond of Rs.15,000 crore (3) Monetisation of BSNL assets and (4) VRS to the employees.
But the fact remains that the government and the top officers of DoT and BSNL were enthusiastic in implementing only the VRS to their full satisfaction. And the Revival of BSNL is put into the cold storage. The late initiative of BSNL for the 4G service has been stalled by the PMO on flimsy grounds, presumably at the behest of Reliance Jio. The intention of the government is exposed with awarding the work of installation of 51 towers in Ladakh to Reliance Jio, neglecting BSNL. The other components of the Revival Package also remain as nonstarter. The apprehension of a section of the people that the Revival Package is only a ploy to retrench the employees in the name of VRS is proved to be correct.
When the Revival Package was declared, BSNL was supported by oxygen cylinder and now, after 8 months, BSNL is on ventilator. Salary of employees are in arrears for two months, contract workers are not being paid their wages for the last two years, unable to provide the most attractive FTTH to the customers due to paucity of funds to procure necessary accessories etc.
Most importantly, BSNL Retirees are not being paid their medical bills, medical allowance since 2018. One time payment made to CGHS is also not being reimbursed. The abnormal delay in payment of medical bills and allowance is causing much difficulty and disarray to the Pensioners. This burning issue was brought to the notice of CMD, BSNL several times and also Hon’ble Prime Minister and your good self. We once again request you to do something to mitigate the sufferings of the poor Pensioners considering the Covid-19 pandemic situation.
We also make a fervent request to your good self to kindly do the needful for the Revival of BSNL in the best interest of the people and the country and to keep up the credibility and sincerity of the government.
Awaiting an early positive response and

Thanking you,

Yours sincerely

K G Jayaraj

General Secretary

Copy to: (1) Shri Anshu Prakash, Secretary, (Telecom), Department of Telecom., Sanchar Bhawan, New Delhi- 110 001

(2) Shri P.K. Purwar, CMD BSNL, Bharat Sanchar Bhawan, Janpath, New Delhi -110 001

VRS RETIREES SHOULD GIVE APPLICATION FOR COMMUTATION OF PENSION.

30 Tuesday Jun 2020

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

≈ 2 Comments

VRS retirees ,retired under BSNL VRS-2019, who have attained the age of 60 should give application for commutation of pension.

Application is to be submitted to the BA from where they retired in the prescribed form 1(a).

In case, pensioners submit their application after one year of attaining the age of 60, they should have to give the application in Form.2 along with medical certificate from a medical officer of grade as prescribed under Rule 22 of CCS Commutation Rules,1981.

The Head of BA shall verify the application of commutation and sign in the space provided in the form and forward the application to the concerned CCA.

It has been brought to our notice that a vast majority of the eligible VRS retirees who have attained the age of 60, have not submitted the application. So Circle/ District Secretaries may please take necessary action to bring it to the notice of VRS retirees and ensure that the applications are submitted early. (Courtesy: AIBDPA website)

VRS RETIREES SHOULD GIVE APPLICATION FOR COMMUTATION OF PENSION.

29 Monday Jun 2020

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

≈ Leave a comment

VRS RETIREES SHOULD GIVE APPLICATION FOR COMMUTATION OF PENSION.
VRS retirees ,retired under BSNL VRS-2019, who have attained the age of 60 should give application for commutation of pension.

Application is to be submitted to the BA from where they retired in the prescribed form 1(a).

In case, pensioners submit their application after one year of attaining the age of 60, they should have to give the application in Form.2 along with medical certificate from a medical officer of grade as prescribed under Rule 22 of CCS Commutation Rules,1981.

The Head of BA shall verify the application of commutation and sign in the space provided in the form and forward the application to the concerned CCA.

It has been brought to our notice that a vast majority of the eligible VRS retirees who have attained the age of 60, have not submitted the application. So Circle/ District Secretaries may please take necessary action to bring it to the notice of VRS retirees and ensure that the applications are submitted early. (AIBDPA website)

DOT Sanctions Rs. 3021 crore for payment of Ex-gratia to BSNL VRS retirees – But this is only about 50%

26 Friday Jun 2020

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

≈ 2 Comments

DOT Sanctions Rs. 3021 crore for payment of Ex-gratia to BSNL VRS retirees.

DoT has issued orders allotting Rs. 3,021 crores for the payment of ex-gratia to the BSNL VRS retirees. AIBDPA has been continuously pressing for the same and letters were sent to the Communications Minister and DOT. This order has been issued today, 26-06-2020. This amount should be paid to the retirees before 30th June 2020.
But this will be only about 50% of the requirement of Rs. 6,000 crores, which is necessary for payment of ex-gratia. The balance also should be allotted without any further delay.

Unethical to delay Ex-gratia payment to the VRS retirees

23 Tuesday Jun 2020

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

≈ Leave a comment

About 80,000 BSNL employees had taken VRS, through compulsion and pressure from the BSNL management as also with the offer of immediate payment of ex-gratia etc. 5 months are almost over after retirement. Only a portion of the VRS Ex gratia is paid. It is unethical on the part of the DOT to delay the payment since the government is already committed to it.

Grant Pension Revision for BSNL pensioners wef 01-01-2017 –

22 Monday Jun 2020

Posted by in AIBDPA - BSNL DOT Pensioners, Pension

≈ 3 Comments

BSNL pensioners are eligible for pension revision w.e.f. 01-01-2017. The last revision was made in 2007, 13 years earlier. DOT is stating that pension revision can be granted only after the pay revision of the BSNL employees. This is great injustice. III Pay Revision Committee has recommended pay revision @ 15 %. BSNL management has sought approval of DOT for grant of 15% pay revision for executives. Non-executives unions have discussed wage revision with management. The matter is pending for years. But pensioners, who are aged and require the pension revision can not wait till pay revision orders are issued. They are aged and is in dire need of the increase in pension to manage things. Their medical allowance is also reduced. It is a crime to delay pension revision to these pensioners, who have served the nation for three – four decades, on the plea that pay revision is not granted. Pensioners are not responsible for the same.

AIBDPA leaders have met more than 100 Members of Parliament and many of them have raised the issue with the government, but no action. Email was sent in hundreds to the Prime Minister, but no action.

We demand that the BSNL, DOT and Central Government to take immediate action so that the BSNL pensioners are granted pension revision wef 01-01-2017 without further delay.

JUSTICE DELAYED IS JUSTICE DENIED.

BSNL issues orders extending date of option for BSNLMRS etc.

22 Monday Jun 2020

Posted by in AIBDPA - BSNL DOT Pensioners, Pension

≈ Leave a comment

AIBDPA has been pressing foe extending the date of submitting option for BSNLMRS to 30-09-2020 as also to exempt the persons from submitting options, who have already submitted option earlier, if they do not want to change the option. AIBDPA sent its letter to CMD on 13-06-2020. Now the BSNL management has issued clarifications on all the matters mentioned in the letter, extending the date as also exempting those who have given option earlier. It is also stated that the option for CGHS can be given at any time. The order is published in the AIBDPA website aibdpa.com

Employee who resigns on eve of retirement after rendering qualifying service does not forfeit his right to pension- Calcutta HC

19 Friday Jun 2020

Posted by in Pension

≈ Leave a comment

Employee who resigns on eve of retirement after rendering qualifying service does not forfeit his right to pension- Calcutta HC

Noting that the employee had resigned on account of mental depression, the Court observed that “This illness is serious and normally interferes with one’s ability to perform in the workplace.”

The Calcutta High Court recently directed a bank to constitute an authority to determine whether its employee, who had resigned four years before superannuation, could be treated as having voluntarily retired from service.

If found to have voluntarily retired, then an application made by him for availing the pension scheme should be processed by November 20, 2020, the Court further directed. (United Bank of India v Sri Swapan Kumar Mullick & Ors)

The Bench comprising of Justices IP Mukerji and Md. Nizamuddin relied on the Supreme Court judgment in the case of Shashikala Devi vs. Central Bank of India & Ors. wherein it was held that when an employee after rendering qualifying service resigned at a point when only a short time of service was left, a presumption had to be drawn that the employee did not intend to surrender the valuable right of receiving pension.

“Such resignation had to be treated as voluntary retirement. In the circumstances, the employee would be entitled to the pensionary benefits under the scheme. In that case, the employee had only a short period of service left as in our case.” Calcutta High Court

Noting that the employee had cited mental illness to design, and given that there was no aspersion cast against him with regard to his performance or his integrity, the Court opined that there was nothing on record to show that he expressly or impliedly relinquished or waived his right.

Furthermore, a circular of the Indian Banks Association dated June 30, 2015 was brought to the Court’s notice, which suggested that banks were to consider amendments to Regulation 22 of the Bank Employees (Pension Regulation), 1995 so that those employees who had rendered qualifying service, would not be divested of their pension by citing the said regulation.

The Board of Directors of the United Bank of India were, therefore, directed to consider amendment of Regulation 22 of the United Bank of India (Employees’) Pension Regulations, 1995 with or without retrospective effect within 3 months.

In the instant case, it was decided that if an employee resigns on the eve of his retirement after rendering qualifying service, citing mental depression as the cause, he does not forfeit his right to pension on the ground that he has resigned. Such a case would be treated as voluntary retirement, the Court said. (Courtesy: Vimala Vidya)