For the last three days, we, me and wife, are  in Varanasi and are leaving for Delhi now. The 3  days have been fully utilised.
On 21st, the day we arrived at Varanasi was utilised to visit Saranath, the heritage site of Budha’s first sermon,Ramnagar Fort, the palace of Kashi Raja on the banks of Ganges and also a few old temples.
The circle conference of BSNLCCWF was on the second day, 22 November, fully covering the day.
On the third day, we visited the Banares Hindu University and the Ghat in Ganges in the morning. Attended and addressed the AIBDPA and Pensioners meeting in the afternoon.
In between these engagements met office bearers, leaders and  workers of BSNLEU, BSNLCCWF and AIBDPA.
All the comrades were very helpful and appreciated our visit.
Our thanks to all comrades including Coms. RS Chauhan, KR Yadav, RK Mishra, Haridwar Yadav, Jeet Lal Maurya, Ashish Bhattacharjee, Santhosh Kumar, SP Tiwari, BN Singh, Rameswar Lal and many others. If we have forgotten to mention some other comrades, please excuse us.
Once again, thank you all. Your love and affection for us have been beyond our imagination.

A well attended meeting  of AIBDPA and other pensioners’ associations was held at CTO premises, Varanasi, on 23 November 2014, utilising the presence of Com.VAN Namboodiri, who had come to attend the Circle Conference of BSNLCCWF UP(E).
Com.B.N.Singh, senior leader, presided over the meeting. Coms.Hari Om, Yad Ali, B.N.Singh, R.S.Viswakarma, Rameswarlal, Ram Samuj, Prem Kumar, Haridwar Yadav, Jeet Lal Maurya and other leaders addressed and pointed out certain issues facing the workers.
Com.V.A.N.Namboodiri, in his speech explained the present position of the demand of 78.2 per cent IDA fixation, demands placed before VII CPC, discussion with CPC, other demands of pensioners, TUI(Pensioners and Retirees), issues of casual and contract labour, one day strike on 27 November by JAC and by BSNLCCWF, Indefinite Strike from 3 February 2015 called by Forum on Revival of BSNL etc. Questions raised by participants were answered and explained by Namboodiri.
The house decided to strenghthen AIBDPA as also BSNLCCWF.
Pensioners are enthused by the discussion and decisions.

It is reported that maximum car accidents and consequent deaths are in India. One reason pointed out is that the car manufacturers are not much interested in ensuring car safety. They feel that if safety equipments are installed as in the case of developed countries, the cost will rise which will csuse reduction in sale.
Whether safety is more important or profit to car companies?

Despite One Day Strike Notice for 27 November 2014 has been served by the BSNLCCWF weeks back, BSNL Management has neither settled the demands nor called BSNLCCWF for discussion.
The BSNL Management very well know that it is through the hard work of the casual contract workers numbering about one lakh that many of the fault repair, cable, house keeping, battery, towers etc are being managed. It is also well known that they are being brutally being exploited by both the contractor and field level officers resulting in payment to them less than even half of their due wages. Ignoring the genuine demands of these exploited workers is nothing but condoning the exploitation and corruption by field level officers and contractors. This is nothing but being party to the exploitation.
The strike will take place with added strength since the BSNL management has added insult to injury.
Towards strike on 27 November.

The Central Govt. has issued orders on 19 November 2014 increasing the Fixed Medical Allowance for Central Government Pensioners from Rs. 300 to Rs.500. This is applicable from the date of orders.
NCCPA and AIBDPA has been demanding thst FMA should be increased to Rs. 2000 considering the special need of the old aged people who are victims of many ailments. This demand was also raised before the VII Central Pay Commission, when NCCPA, BCPC and AIBDPA presented the case.
The increase is very meagre and needs to be further increased.