WE SYMPATHISE –

The contents of the circular issued in connection with the 13 th Foundation Day of AIBDPA seems to have irked certain leaders of one of the Pensioners Organisations.These people in the name of putting the records straight is trying to create confusion and misunderstanding about the anomaly among the Pensioners.

We are reproducing the DoT order/letter of 2011. The first para of the order says that the proposal to settle the issue of anomaly was examined in consultation with the DoP&PW and Department of Expenditure and not agreed to. The proposal for rectification of anomaly put forward by BSNLEU, after a series of discussions including in JCM National Council and struggles conducted had to be accepted by the BSNL management. That is how the proposal to grant IDA pay notionally for the months in which CDA pay was drawn was sent to DoT for approval by BSNL.

The first para of this order itself is the answer for the question what BSNLEU has done

. It is specifically mentioned in the order that it is based on the clarification issued by DOP&PW and implemented with effect from 01-01-1996 to extend full minimum pension to all retirees irrespective of their date of retirement 50% of minimum of the revised corresponding revised pay scale. The same formula is directed to be extended to the absorbed BSNL retirees retired within ten months of formation of BSNL,having combined service and covered under Rule 37A of CCS(Pension) Rules,1972.

So it is nothing new that this benefit was available with effect from 1996 for the central government retirees.But the astonishing fact is that these people has nothing against the government for rejecting the proposal beneficial to the affected pensioners. Instead, baseless allegations are made against BSNLEU and AIBDPA. They also conveniently forget the fact that they were also part of BSNLEU, occupying the posts of Deputy General Secretary and Assistant General Secretary.

They are advocating a new perspective that only a good calculator and a brilliant advocate are enough to settle the issues of pensioners.

Actually, they are deeply frustrated due to the isolation from Pensioners movement, nationally and globally. They claim free from affiliation to any apex organisations and completely independent as their best qualification. Of course, they have every right for it.

The continuous struggles of AIBDPA on important issues and it’s close association with the serving unions and national and international pensioners organisations and the united struggles have naturally embarrassed them.

They have also the record of failed attempts to appease certain ministers and get the demand conceded by giving huge amount collected, rather exploited from poor pensioners. And they never hesitate to utilise every opportunity for such collection of huge funds. Of late, even before the order of settlement of anomaly was issued, the unending hunger for money is evident from their call for another collection. This time fortunately, collection on the basis of per cent of benefit is not mentioned.

When pension revision of pre 2007 retirees was settled after much discussion and agitation by BSNLEU, United Forum & AIBDPA, they claimed that it was made possible due to the aqaintance of their Deputy General Secretary’s relative had with one of the personal staff of the then Minister of Communications, Shri. Kapil Sibal.

When orders extending the benefit of 78.2% IDA fixation and Annulment of 60:40 condition were issued after sustained struggles, full credit was given to the then Minister of Fertilizers & Chemicals, late Shri. Ananta Kumar. He was given a reception and lot of presentations in a specially arranged convention.

In the case of pension revision from 2017, they collected Rs 1cr + from the Pensioners giving the illusion of easy settlement and gave to Shri. Prahlad Joshi, Minister of Parliamentary Affairs. The Minister reciprocated by arranging a meeting with Shri.Ravi Shankar Prasad, then Minister of Communications. However, Shri.Ravi Shankar Prasad shut the door at their face. This was the provocation for these people to approach the PCAT, New Delhi for pension revision.

All these show their lack of faith in organisation and the struggles by workers and pensioners.We have only sympathy for them. (Courtesy: AIBDPA Website)

Heavy rain lashed many districts in Kerala resulting in overflowing of rivers, submerging of roads and towns. Many people had to leave their houses and shift to shelter homes arranged by the government. Shutters of many dams had to be raised to allow extra water to be released. 8 persons also died due to drowning.

The climate, monsoon, summer everything is being changed, probably due to change in global warming.

The 39th Conference of NFPE, Kerala Circle was held at Kozhikode from 11th to 14th October 2021, keeping the Covid restrictions and directions. Instead of holding the same with many seminars, open sessions etc., it was limited to holding of only subject sessions, that too separate delegate sessions of P.III, P.IV, RMS and EDA unions on separate days.

As an office-bearer of the Reception Committee, I was present except on one day. The conference was a big success in discussion and decisions taken.

Best Wishes and Greetings to all on Dussehra / Vijaya Dasami !

October 9 – World Post Day. Nostalgic memories – letters, greetings, stamps, pen friends, appointment orders, transfers, books, union matters, journals and what not? Posts were always an integral part of life. Will continue also for generations.

Che Guevara ( 14-06-1928 – 09-10-1967)Red Salute to Comrade Che Guevara, the young Revolutionary who fought for a better world and was murdered in the battle field. He will continue as an icon of youth. His shining memory will guide future generations. Today, 9th October 2021 is the 51st death anniversary of Che. Red Salute to Comrade Che Guevara !

ANOMALY IN PENSION – DOT FINALLY ISSUED ORDERS.

Department of Telecommunications has issued the orders on 7th October,2021 settling the long pending anomaly in pension to those retired within ten months of formation of BSNL.

1st pay revision was implemented with effect from 01-10-2000, the date on which BSNL formed. There was a significant and advantageous change in the pay scales. IDA pay scales, comparetavily, higher than CDA pay scales were granted with quarterly dearness allowance to BSNL absorbed employees.This was achieved after marathon discussions with the government and the crucial role was taken by the progressive section of the Telecom Unions under the leadership of Com. V A N Namboodiri defeating the reformist proposals of Com.O.P.Gupta. OPG had argued for lesser pay scales and pension in CDA pay scales. The IDA pay, point to point fixation and Pension on IDA pay benefitted the BSNL absorbed employees much.

However, as in the cases of other pay revisions, anomaly was occurred. Pension was being given during the pre 2006 period on the basis of the average of the last ten month’s pay. Hence, those who retired between October,2000 to June 2001 were drawing less pension as they had not drawn IDA pay for ten months.

BSNL Employees Union took up the issue seriously with the BSNL management and Department of Telecommunications and put forward constructive and practical proposals for the settlement of the anomaly.

The anomaly occurred of similar nature after implementation of 5th Pay Commission recommendations was settled by giving revised pay notionally for the months of prerevised pay.

The issue was prominently included in the Charter of Demands of BSNL Employees Union and several agitations including strikes were conducted. After All India BSNL DOT Pensioners Association was formed on 21-10-2009, the Charter of Demands adopted by the formation Conference, this demand of anomaly was included. AIBDPA held serious discussion with the Minister of Communications and the concerned authorities. AIBDPA did not hesitate to launch agitations including Sanchar Bhavan March for the settlement.

But we have to understand the fundamental fact that we are dealing with a capitalist government with the class charector being pro- capitalist and anti- worker and the bureaucracy playing an active role to deny or delay even the legitimate rights of the workers and pensioners.

The 5th pay commission recommendations were implemented with effect from 01-01-1996. But the anomaly was settled after about four years. So also our Pension Revision due from 01-01-2007 could be settled only in 2011.

Seeking legal remedy should be the last resort for the following reasons;

(1) It is time consuming and nobody can predict the time limit.

(2) The Court case involves huge expenditure.

(3) Approaching the court is a double edged sword. The verdict may be favourable or against also.

(4) When somebody approaches the court, it gives the government and bureaucracy an opportunity to shunt the demand to the freezer pleading subjudice.

That is what exactly happened. The DoT had issued an order in 2011, granting 50% of the minimum of the revised pay scale as pension to the affected retirees after the original proposal was rejected by Department of Expenditure. AIBDPA strongly protested against this unilateral order and wrote to the Minister and pursued vigorously. However, DoT refused to discuss the issue after a court case was filed by one of the Pensioners Organisations.

Though the DoT issued the orders based on Honourable Supreme Court’s Order, the huge delay of 21 years is a big question mark. (aibdpa website)

SSA/BA OFFICE MARCH ON 05-10-2021 BY COC OF BSNLEU,AIBDPA & BSNLCCWF A STUPENDOUS SUCCESS- HEARTY CONGRATULATIONS.

The second programme of agitation called by the Coordination Committee of AIBDPA, BSNLEU & BSNLCCWF, SSA/BA Office March on 05-10-2021 has been held with massive participation of pensioners, employees and contract workers braving the pandemic situation. The united action called by the COC, demanding settlement of the 15 point Charter of Demands including Stop Privatisation of Public Sector, Revival of BSNL, Pension Revision with 15% fitment, Wage Revision as per 3rd PRC, 30% SAB to BSNL recruited employees, Timely payment of salary, Immediate payment of pending medical benefits, Immediate payment of wage arrears to contract workers have naturally created great enthusiasm and confidence among all. Com.V A N Namboodiri, Advisor inaugurated the program at Kozhikode and Com.K G Jayaraj, General Secretary inaugurated at Alappuzha.