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.

World Elders day on 1st October has been organised and celebrated befittingly by NCCPA, AIBDPA, SCFWA an many other organisations in a befitting way. A report from the website of AIBDPA is given below;

WORLD ELDERS DAY HELD BEFITTINGLY ALL OVER THE COUNTRY.

As already been intimated , we have to observe the World Elders Day at all levels in a befitting manner. The call for the observance was given well in advance by the TUI(P&R) to highlight the genuine demands of the elderly people; DECENT AND DIGNIFIED LIFE TO ALL THE ELDERS. Ensure decent pension, Medical Care, Housing, Potable water and Transport Facilities, Entertainment and Ensure Old Age pension to all the senior citizens.

NCCPA has organised a National Webinar at 4PM on 01-10-2021. Com.A K Padmanabhan, Vice President, CITU will present the keynote address. Coms. Shiv Gopal Mishra, V A N Namboodiri, K K N Kutty, K G Jayaraj, K Ragavendran etc will also address. All the CHQ Office Bearers, Circle Secretaries and District Secretaries are requested to join the programme. The link will be sent later.

District Branches are requested to observe the programme according to local conditions, jointly with other pensioners organisations as far as possible, by holding demonstration, meetings etc exhibiting placards, flags and banners. The photos be sent to CHQ and ensure media coverage also. (AIBDPA website)

29th September 2021 is the 94th birth anniversary of Com.K.T.Mohammed, Bhishmapithamaha or Nataka Kulapathy of drama writers / artists of Kerala. The day is being observed every year by organising various programmes in his memory and on his contributions. This year the day is being observed by a webinar organised by the Purogamana Kala Sahithya Sangham. K.T. has written about 40 dramas, including ‘Ithu Bhumiyanu’ (‘This is the earth’), ‘Kandam Becha Kottu'(‘Coat with stitched parts’)etc. He has also written screen plays for a lot of Films. He had his own drama team and club. He was honoured with many awards including Kerala State Film Award for best screen play.K.T. Mohammed was an employee of the Posts and Telegraphs Department. He first worked as an ED Packer and after passing examinations was promoted to Postmen and then to Postal Clerk. He was very active in NFPTE and participated in all the strikes and struggles organised in P and T. He was suspended for his leading role in the Token Strike of 19th September 1968. He resigned protesting against the anti-worker victimization imposed on the strikers by the Central government and fully engaged himself in writing drama and attending other cultural activities. Of course, he continued his connection with the P and T Movement and his erstwhile comrades till the last. Attended many meetings and conferences of the union.I had the fortune to work in the union along with him. Many times visited his drama club. Even while functioning at Delhi, when visiting Kozhikode, I met him more than once at his residence along with late Com. K.Rajan, who was the Convener of the Co-ordinating Committee of NFPTE Kozhikode at that time. Once I gave K.T. a copy of the one page article about him published in the journal of the NFPTE in 1952 at the time when he was given an International Short Story Award award for his short story ” Kannukal ” (‘The Eyes’). He was very happy to receive the old copy.There is a big fine Statue of Com. K.T.Mohammed installed in his honour in the centre of the Kozhikode Town by the Corporation. But by oversight or so, the name and other particulars are not noted on the statue. The new Mayor of the Kozhikode Corporation, Smt. Beena Philip, has assured when we approached her, that the Corporation will certainly fulfill its responsibility in maintaining and placing a suitable name plate at the earliest.

Justice Ramana, Chief Justice of India, have expressed his opinion that at least 50% posts of judges be filled up by women. This is an admirable suggestion. Congratulations to the Chief Justice for his excellent suggestion.

Central Government with Shri Narendra Modi as Prime Minister is moving ahead to sell and hand over all the Central Public Sector Units like Air India, Airports, Railways, BSNL, LIC, Banks, Oil companies etc. to the corporate houses for nominal price. Even the large profitable PSUs are made loss making by creating hurdles in their functioning and development. Crony capitalism indeed.

On the other hand, the Kerala LDF government with Com.Pinarayi Vijayan as Chief Minister is making all the state PSUs profitable with good support from the government both on policy and development. It has offered the central government that it is prepared to take over the Central PSUs in the state, but the Modi government is bent upon handing over them to the Ambanis and Adanis.

Two governments, two approaches.

The Bharat Bandh and Hartal called by the farmers’ organisations and central trade unions on 27th September against the anti-worker and anti-kisan policies and actions of the Modi government are going to be the biggest agitation in the recent past. The entire country is preparing for the same. It is going to create history in the country. Congratulations in advance to all those comrades and friends who are marching ahead with the action programme.

Trade Union International(Pensioners & Retirees) an affiliate of the WFTU has given call to observe 1st October as International Elders’ Day, as is usually being observed. Many organizations of the pensioners as well as Senior Citizens also have given call. There is no doubt that the day will be observed befittingly.