It was on 21st October 2009 that All India BSNL DOT Pensioners Association was formed in a massive convention held at Garhwal Bhawan Auditorium in New Delhi. Large number of BSNL and DOT pensioners from all parts of the country participated.

The Convention was presided over by Com.J.N.Mishra, then President of BSNL Employees Union and the Pensioners Convention Flag was hoisted by Com. Ananta Kumar Bhattacharjee, one of the senior most leaders of the P and T Trade Union movement. All the delegates paid homage to the Martyrs.

Com. M.K.Pandhe, then President of CITU and one of the tallest leaders of the trade union movement in the country and the Vice-President of WFTU inaugurated the Convention. He congratulated the organisers for holding the convention and the decision to form a Pensioners organisation for the DOT and BSNL Pensioners. Com.S.K.Vyas, the undisputed leader of the Central government employees and the Pensioners, addressed and spoke about the major issues of the pensioners. A back ground paper on the issues of the pensioners was presented by Com.V.A.N.Namboodiri, then GS BSNLEU,  for discussion of the delegates and decisions.

After discussion by a large number of delegates, it was unanimously decided to form All India BSNL DOT Pensioners Association to defend the interests of the BSNL DOT Pensioners and advance their cause. The Constitution presented by Com.P.V.Chandrasekharan, veteran leader, was unanimously adopted by the house.

Office-bearers with Coms. A.K.Bhattacharjee as President and K.G.Jayaraj as General Secretary was unanimously elected. A mighty movement for the DOT BSNL pensioners was born on that day, October 21, 2009.

During the last 8 years, the organisation has grown tremendously becoming the biggest Pensioners organisation in the Central government Pensioners movement as one of the senior leaders in the NCCPA (National Co-Ordination Committee of Pensioners Association) congratulated. It took up the issues of the pensioners with the central government, Ministers, DOT and BSNL and achieved good advancements. It fought along with BSNLEU and the Associations and Unions of BSNL in the interest of the BSNL and also its employees and pensioners. Massive Parliament / Sanchar Bhawan March was organised in Delhi. AIBDPA was represented through V.A.N.Namboodiri, Advisor, in the discussion with the VII Central Pay Commission, who focussed the pension and pension revision issues of the BSNL pensioners and gave a special Memorandum as required by the Commission.

Whether it is the Pension Revision w.e.f. 01-01-2007, 78.2% IDA fixation or restoration of medical allowance – on all issues facing the DOT and BSNL pensioners, AIBDPA was in the forefront. Now the main question before the BSNL pensioners is the pension revision w.e.f. 01-01-2017, on which it has demanded the government to grant 15% IDA fitment as recommended for the executives by the III PRC, with full logic and precedence. The government is paying the pension and the affordability clause put by the III PRC is not applicable to the BSNL pensioners. The demand put by some pensioners associations on CDA pension revision will result in much loss, complication and anomalies and is against the existing practice on IDA scale which has largely benefitted the pensioners. The co-ordination of the workers and the pensioners is most important. Remember, “To day’s workers are tomorrow’s pensioners and to day’s pensioners were yesterday’s workers”. This bond should be strengthened.

AIBDPA has called upon the pensioners to celebrate the Foundation Day Anniversary on 21st October 2017 in a befitting manner by organising meetings, demonstrations, rallies etc. and preparing for the future struggles on the demands of the pensioners. This Foundation Day Celebration is being organised, when the entire CG pensioners movement in the country are preparing for massive struggles on the fully justified demands of the workers. The massive Parliament March on 25th October 2017 as per the call of NCCPA will be historic and AIBDPA will make all efforts for maximum participation.

On this 8th Foundation Anniversary of AIBDPA, Warm Greetings and Congratulations to all members and our well wishers!

DPE has issued orders increasing 5.3% IDA for PSU employees with effect from 01-10-2017. The total IDA now is 124.3%.

‘The Tata Group has informed the government that it plans to shut down its wireless business, bringing an end to its 21-year-old phone services venture.’ (The Hindu).

Yes, the huge profit in running the telecom services has come down and many telcos are in loss. The entry of Reliance Jio with deep pockets has made the competition, a question of life and death to many companies. BSNL is fighting a big battle to run the services with the full support of the workers and is the main challenger to Reliance.

Mamata Banerjee government in W.Bengal has crossed all limits of decency, tradition and convention by removing the name plaque of the Salt Lake Stadium with the name of Jyoti Basu, former Chief Minister, who inaugurated the same in 1984, while he was the CM. This is the third instance of the removal of the name of Jyoti Basu from the plaques and memorials.

Most shameful to your government Ms. Mamata!

Two reports published in today’s The Hindu are given below:

1. The U.P. government headed by Yogi Adityanath has removed Taj Mahal, one of the seven wonders of the world, from its tourist map.
2. A temple is being built at Meerut, U.P., for Narendra Modi, Prime Minister, so that his admirers can worship him.

Naturally the question arises: Whether the murthy(idol) of Yogi Adityanath will be installed in Gorakhpur temple, where he is the high priest?

World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU), the major trade union federation in the world,, is celebrating its 72nd Foundation Day Anniversary. It was formed on 3rd October 1945 in Paris after the II World War was almost over. First meeting of  WFTU was attended by delegates representing 67 million workers from 56 national organizations from 55 countries and 20 international organizations. Many more Trade Union organisations have joined since. WFTU had in the past and is safeguarding the interests of the world working class. Let us further strengthen the WFTU.

BSNL is 17 years young. It was formed on 1st October 2000 against the wishes of the workers. But once formed, they made all efforts to strengthen it, despite all attacks from government and private corporates. 

The 2 lakh BSNL Workers will continue their struggles for saving and strengthen it and give a better service to the people 

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1st October every year is observed as International Day of the Older Persons since 1991 as per the decision of United Nations. This year also it is being observed with rallies, meetings etc.

AIBDPA, AIPRPA and NCCPA has called for observing the same.

Observe the day with massive participation.

BSNL absorbed DOT Pensioners were recruited by DOT/Government and their pension is to be paid by Government. Pension revision is also the responsibility of the government.

The III PRC report is accepted by BSNL Management and is awaiting approval of BSNL Board. But in the case of Pensioners, the government can directly make the payment with 15% fitment from 01-01-2017.

Do not delay payment to Pensioners!