MINUTES OF NCCPA NATIONAL EXECUTIVE HELD ONLINE ON 16-07-2020.

20 Monday Jul 2020

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NATIONAL CO-ORDINATION COMMITTEE

OF PENSIONERS ASSOCIATIONS.

13-C Feroze Shah Road, New Delhi. 110 001.

Website: nccpahq.blogspot.in.

E mail: nccpahq@gmail.com.

PRESIDENT: COM.SHIV GOPAL MISHRA.(97176 47594)

SECY. GENERAL: COM.K.K.N.KUTTY. (98110 483030)

Minutes of NCCPA National Executive meeting held on 16.7.2020

The meeting was attended by 23 comrades of the 35 invited. Due to some technical problem, the meeting could not commence at the appointed time. It was delayed by half an hour. There had been some problem in the conduct of the meeting. This is mentioned in order to avoid the repetition thereof in the subsequent meetings The participating members hereafter will have to learn to switch off the mike and switch on when they are asked to speak. This apart they must also ensure that no person is allowed to be with them when they are on video conferencing and no disturbance is created even inadvertently. This apart it was noticed that the participants were attending phone calls without switching off the mike. Either avoid taking a phone call during the meeting or go out to talk or switch off the mike.

The meeting was presided over by Com. Shiv Gopal Mishra. All the agenda items were taken together for discussion due to the time constraints. Almost all the participants spoke at the meeting. The meeting discussed the following agenda items:

Review of the programme chalked out against the DR freeze and DR denial.
CGHS – covid related matters.
Publication of the journal through electronic medium.
Subscription for 2019-20.
Sanction for the purchase of printer cum scanner.
Any other matter with the permission of the chair.

The meeting came to the conclusion that:

(i) The affiliates and State Units will send in report to the Secretary General of the number of persons who had sent the e mail to the PM by the end of July, 2020 The information will be compiled and will be placed for evaluation in the next meeting of the NE (Video Conference) which will be held by end of August, 2020. In that meeting further course of action will be chalked out. The question of filing case against the decision of the Government on DA/DP will be decided in consultation with other organizations.

(ii) The affiliates and State units will write to the Secretary General of the issues which are still to be taken up with the Government on CGHS related apart from what has already been discussed in respect of covid 19 pandemic.

(iii) The Secretary Generals of affiliates especially BSNL and PNB will personally take up the issues with the Secretary General of the issues they feel that should be raised from the platform of NCCPA.

(iv) The journal will be published through electronic medium. Steps will be taken by the Secretary General in this regard.

(v) All affiliates will be making payment of subscription due for the FY 2019-20 and 2020-21. The amount paid to litigation fund being adjusted to the subscription would be considered when final decision is taken to drop the idea of filing petition before the courts over option No. 1.

(vi) The question raised by Com. S.K. Sharma r in respect of registration under T.U. Act, i.e. amendments to constitution, other documents etc. was addressed . The Secretary General said that he would send back by speed post any requisite documents received by him immediately on receipt. The earlier meeting of the NE had already decided to make requisite changes n the constitution and therefore, Com. M.L. Gupta can make those changes.

(vii) The suggestion that NCCPA should take up all issues concerning the affiliates with the Government was raised by Com. S.K. Sharma. It was agreed that in cases where such intervention is required the Secretary General of NCCPA would do the needful.

(viii) Sanction would be accorded to the purchase of printer cum scanner. The Secretary General will circulate the details thereof.

(ix) The organizational issue concerning membership discussed at the Pre-conference NE meeting was again raised by Com. S.K.Sharma. The Secretary General, said that it could not be discussed through video conferencing. As and when the situation eases in respect of the pandemic, the same will be slated for discussion at a formal meeting of the National Executive.

The meeting was concluded at 5.30 PM.

Earlier post by AIBDPA.
NATIONAL EXECUTIVE MEETING OF NCCPA HELD ONLINE ON 16-07-2020.
The National Executive of NCCPA has been held through video conferencing on 16-07-2020. Com.Shiv Gopal Mishra, President presided over the meeting. Com.K K N Kutty, Secretary General briefed on the agenda items. Out of 32 invitees, 23 comrades participated. Coms.V A N Namboodiri (Patron), K G Jayaraj (Deputy Secretary General) and H S Thakur (Organising Secretary) participated from AIBDPA.

Com.K G Jayaraj raised the issues of pension revision of BSNL pensioners and denial of Medical facilities to BSNL retirees for the last two years and wanted to be taken up by NCCPA.

The email to Prime Minister demanding the order on freezing the DA/DR has to be sent by all units without further delay.

The detailed minutes/ circular of NCCPA wil be published.

Train Journeys 15 – Delhi to Calicut and return

20 Monday Jul 2020

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Train Journeys 15 – Delhi to Calicut and return
After the Bhopal All India Conference of AITEU Class III in October 1991 and my election as President, I had been staying at Delhi to look after union matters along with General Secretary Com. Moni Bose. My family was at Calicut, including my wife and two children. I had to come to Calicut now and then to attend family matters, at least once in a month. I adjusted the same with tours in A.P., T.Nadu, Karnataka etc. Sometimes directly to Kerala. The union had meager funds, and naturally train journey was the only option.
The journeys took about two days. First it was KK Express, then Kerala Express. Since the journeys can be utilised for supply of publications, journals, letters etc. it was usual to inform the union leaders of the cities, where the train will stop. It was a time for meeting the leaders. No cellular phones have been introduced and the information will be given from Delhi itself. The number of the railway compartment also will be informed.
The first stop is usually Agra. Com. R.S.Fauzdar, Circle Secretary, UP(W) with his comrades will be ready at the place in the platform where my compartment will stop. I will be standing at the door, with the journals etc in my hand. The moment the train stops, I will get down. With shouting of slogans and garlanding they will receive me. I will hand over the journals etc., discuss urgent matters with them, collect union quota if brought and get introduced to the new comrades. The stop will be for about two minutes, but usually the train will stop a little more than that. By that time one comrade might have brought tea for me. Signal and I board the train. At that time they will hand over me the food they have brought. It will usually be home made chappati, subji, sweets etc. Sweets always a must for them. Train moves. Again slogans and waving of hands.
This will repeat in Jhansi, Gwalior, Bhopal and other stations. The food brought at each station will be sufficient for two or more persons. I will share the same with my co-passengers, mostly Kerala bounded.
Once Com. J.Sampath Rao brought me lunch at Warangal Station in a big tiffin carrier. It was a feast. Handed over the tiffin carrier to Com.P.Asokababu, who came at Vijayawada.
What about the return journey from Calicut to Delhi? For some time, I took the food from the train canteen. Then there was a change for the better. I had chickenpox after I reached Delhi. My wife Pankajam came to Delhi, accompanied by co-worker Com. P.U.George, to be at my side when I was ill. After I was well, we went to visit Com.K.K.N.Kutty, then Secretary General ITEF at his residence. His wife Smt. Sreedevi told my wife about how to arrange food for train journey. Separate packets of iddli, dosa, curd rice, lemon rice etc. for at least one and half day, mark it on the packet and consume at the appropriate time. My wife was enthused. So my food in the return journey was ensured without depending much on the canteen. Of course, I did not reduce the number of my coffee and tea.
The train journey was the time to read. Purchase some good books from the Higginbothams book stall, complete reading by the time you reach the destination.

Train Journeys 14 – Luggage, Luggage -Erode, Guwahati AICs

19 Sunday Jul 2020

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1999 May – The All India Conference of AITE Union Class III N is going to be held at Erode, T.Nadu from 13 to 16 May. As usual all preparations for the AIC, both at Erode and at CHQ, New Delhi

A lot of luggage. About 2,500 copies of Annual Report and accounts ( coming to about 100 pages.) ( Present system of printing at the spot not started). CHQ publications separate.  The Annual reports received from  press in the last moment. No time to book in the goods compartment. There was another reason. Booking will be very costly which we can not afford,, with the union entangled in court cases and disputes created by the disruptors. Com.K.M.Pillai, CS MTNL Delhi, Com.T.A.Biju, Office Secretary, Typist Bijoy Chandran  somehow managed to bundle every thing. About 30 very big packets. In addition, our personal belongings. Delhi comrades led by Com. R.S.Chauhan and H.L.Makkar  helped.

But where to put them, if not in the luggage compartment ? Of course, many delegates from Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, U.P. etc. in the train. Biju and other comrades took the bundles and put them in the  compartments wherever our delegates were. It was very inconvenient, but every one took it as part of the game.  Of course, it created difficulties for other passengers. No other way. TTEs during the journey questioned, but our comrades managed.

When we reached Erode, there was another problem. The stop is only for two minutes. How to unload the luggage? Hundreds of comrades led by S.Mohan Dass, President Reception Committee, Com. S.Chellappa, Circle Secretary and Convener Reception Committee, P.Abhimanyu, AGS, P.Karunakaran, L.Parameswaran, M.Chandrasekharan, C.Mani, N.Sinniyan, S.Murugiah, D.Gopalakirishnan, Killivalavan, Babu Radhakrishnan and many other leaders were in the station platform with red banners and flags to receive us. I told them the matter of our luggage and volunteers rushed to take the bundles. It was not an easy matter and the train whistled for onward journey. But the leaders managed to stop the train for a few minutes more and everything was downloaded. I always was surprised about the enthusiasm and energy of T.Nadu comrades.

Garlands after garlands. Powerful slogans. It was memorable. All the difficulties in the train was forgotten.

It was a grand conference, both in the matter of discussion and also in the decisions taken. Apart from other things Com. Sharavanan Branch Secretary of a small Branch Harur,  presented an amount of Rs. 65,000 to purchase a new typewriter for CHQ. It was help in time. Our comrades know what is to be done at any particular moment.

It will be relevant here to mention how we lost of our bundles of Annual Report and many other records while going to the BSNLEU AIC held at Guwahati from 26th to 29th January 2006. All luggages were booked in the goods compartment. When the train reached at Guwahati Railway Station there was grand   reception as usual. They went to the goods compartment to take the luggage. The door of the compartment was not opening, probably jammed. About half an hour was tried, but it did not open. The train started after some time stating that the Rajadhani can not be delayed and have to run on schedule.
How to get the luggages before the start of the conference?
Com. Prabir Dutta, the energetic CHQ organising Secretary, found out the way. He engaged a taxi and moved to Dibrugarh where the Rajadhani will stop. The train reached there before Prabir reached. . But somehow he reached before the compartment was shunted from the platform to the yard and got the luggage and rushed back to Gauhati. The AIC was saved.

Train Journeys 13 – Joke or Fact ?

19 Sunday Jul 2020

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Train Journeys 13 – Joke or Fact ?

During 1977 to 1981, while I was Circle Secretary, E.III Union Kerala Circle, had to stay at headquarters Trivandrum. I had to visit home at Calicut, where my wife and young children stayed. I managed to come by night train on Fridays atleast twice in a month, if not weekly.

Many MLAs and other political leaders also return by Friday. They also travel by 3 tier sleeper only. They will discuss politics, make jokes etc. It was a time of relaxation for them.

Once I was in the same compartment with some CPI(M) leaders including veteran leader Com.E.K.Nayanar. They were discussing many things, myself a silent spectator. When it was time to sleep, Com.M.V.Raghavan spoke in a ‘serious’ tone. ‘Dont allow Com.Nayanar to sleep in his middle berth’. Others asked why? MVR continued “When we were going to attend a meeting, Com.Nayanar got a middle berth. All were sleeping, when there was a big ‘thud’ noise and every body woke up. Com.Nayanar was on the floor !” Everybody including Nayanar laughed heartily. Joke or fact ?
Anyhow Nayanar slept only on lower berth that night.

Remembering Nelson Mandela on his 102nd birth anniversary.

18 Saturday Jul 2020

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Today, 18th July 2020 is the 102nd Birth Anniversary of Nelson Mandela, the icon of South African freedom, anti-apartheid struggle and the undisputed leader of the African National Congress which fought for the liberation of the country from the British rulers. He was 27 years in jail punished in a conspiracy case against the state since 1962 most of the time in isolation  in very small room in the Robben Island. The militant struggle for freedom by the African National Congress for many decades, facing all repression by the white rulers is part of history. ‘uMkhonto We Sizwe’ (Spear of the Nation’) was their slogan.Mahatma Gandhi’s stay in South Africa and the struggle against the white rulers are well documented. Mandela was the first President of free South Africa from 1994 to 1999. His first wife Winnie Mandela was also a staunch fighter in the freedom struggle. Their daughter Zenani Mandela passed a few days back.

Nelson Mandela passed away on 5th December 2013 at the age of 95. Mandela’s life and  struggle is an epic itself. His burial ceremony was participated by most of the heads of states of the world.

During my visit to South Africa in connection with the Congress of the Trade Union International (Public Services) affiliated, I got the chance to know more about the legend. In the 1970s, while at Calicut,  I used to get copies of Sechaba, the journal of the South African Congress, regularly by post.  During the same period I was getting ‘Granma’, the journal of the Communist Party of Cuba also. After two- three years, both stopped. I am still not aware who was sending the journals and why it was stopped.

Red salute to Nelson Mandela!

 

 

AIBDPA writes to Hon’ble Prime Minister on denial of Medical facilities under BSNL Medical Reimbursement Scheme to BSNL retirees since 2018-

17 Friday Jul 2020

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

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AIBDPA writes to Hon’ble Prime Minister on denial of Medical facilities under BSNL Medical Reimbursement Scheme to BSNL retirees since 2018- measures initiated by BSNL management to make payment of medical reimbursement only to the BSNL employees ignoring the retirees – urgent intervention sought.
AIBDPA/ MED-PM/2020 16th July, 2020
To
Shri Narendra Modi Ji
Hon’ble Prime Minister,
Government of India,
South Block,
New Delhi – 110 001
Respected Sir,
Sub: Denial of Medical facilities under BSNL Medical Reimbursement Scheme to BSNL retirees since 2018- measures initiated by BSNL management to make payment of medical reimbursement only to the BSNL employees ignoring the retirees – urgent intervention sought- reg.
We may kindly be permitted to bring to your notice one of the genuine and burning issues of the BSNL retirees for early intervention and redressal by your kindself.
We have great appreciation of your concern for the welfare of the senior citizens which have been expressed on several occasions. We take this opportunity to quote one such statement by your goodself. “One of our key priorities is the welfare of senior citizens and ensuring a good quality of life for them.”
In sharp contrast to your clear vision on the welfare of the senior citizens, the BSNL management is putting the BSNL retirees to utter distress by denying payment of their due medical claims for the last two years. This Association has taken up the issue with the CMD, BSNL several times through bilateral discussions and letters, but of no avail.
The sufferings of the retirees are beyond imagination, particularly during this difficult period of Covid-19. Pension Revision, due from 01-01-2017 is denied to BSNL retirees while their counterparts in central government have got two pension revisions according to 7th Pay Commission recommendations. You may kindly think about the plight of the hapless BSNL retirees who find it absolutely unable to purchase life saving medicines with the meager pension.
Meanwhile, the BSNL management made another attack on the BSNL retirees by curtailing the eligibility ceiling drastically for outdoor medical facilities through an Office Order dated 08-05-2020. The ceiling limit was reduced from 23 days pay + DA as on 1st April of the year of claim to 15 days pay + DA at the time of retirement. Despite opposition from all the organizations, both serving and retirees, the BSNL management was not even prepared to accept reasonable modifications of the Office Order. The worst affected are the past pensioners, particularly, pre 2007 retirees, as their DA at the time of retirement only is taken which is very meager.
Now, BSNL management has given instructions to add reimbursement of medical claims upto September, 2019 of BSNL employees with salary of June, 2020. Accordingly, pay slips are prepared and may be paid on receipt of the fund. We wholeheartedly welcome this move by the BSNL management. But at the same time we are at a loss to understand as to why retirees are ignored. What mistake these elders have committed for such a harsh, cruel and discriminatory treatment.
Respected Sir, there are BSNL pensioners suffering from chronic diseases like cancer, kidney and heart ailments. So also pensioners with geriatric ailments. They have to take medicines regularly and some of them have already died due to discontinuation of medicines. We do not know whether the BSNL management wants more such tragic incidents.
Therefore, we request the intervention of your kindself, to cause necessary action for payment of all pending medical claims, both indoor and outdoor, pending medical allowances ,onetime payment made for CGHS membership and to rescind the anti-pensioner office order dated 08-05-2020 by BSNL so that the hardships of BSNL pensioners are mitigated to a certain extent.
Thanking you,
Yours sincerely
K G Jayaraj
General Secretary
CC: (1) Shri Ravi Shankar Prasad, Hon’ble Minister for Communications & IT, Sanchar Bhawan, New Delhi-110001
(2) Shri Anshu Prakash, Secretary, Department of Telecommunications, Sanchar Bhawan, New Delhi-110001.
(3) Shri Kshtrapati Shivaji, Secretary, Department of Pension and Pensioners Welfare, Janpath Bhawan, B Wing, 8th Floor,New Delhi-110001.
(4) Shri P.K. Purwar, CMD BSNL, Bharat Sanchar Bhawan, Janpath, New Delhi-110001.

Restore the cash gift of Rs.3,001/- to the retiring employees – BSNLEU writes to the CMD BSNL.

17 Friday Jul 2020

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Restore the cash gift of Rs.3,001/- to the retiring employees – BSNLEU writes to the CMD BSNL.
The BSNL Management had been giving a cash gift of Rs.3,001/-, to each and every retiring employee. However, this cash gift has been withdrawn through an order issued by the Corporate Office on 08.01.2020. BSNLEU has written to the CMD BSNL demanding that the practice of offering cash gift of Rs.3,001/-, to the retiring employees should be restored. (BSNLEU website)

The payment of cash gift to the retiring employees along with shawl, suit case, appreciation letter etc. as a parting appreciation of the long period of excellent service of those retiring was taken in the meeting of the BSNL Welfare Committee meeting held on 12-06-2002 presided over by Shri Tapan Sikdar, Minister of State, Communications as per the suggestion of then General Secretary of BSNLEU, Com.V.A.N.Namboodiri. Rs. 1001 was the amount of cash gift decided then. It was gradually increased to Rs. 3001 as per the demand of the union. It is not correct on the part of the BSNL management to change a decision taken by the Communication Minister of State as also by agreement. Further it is unethical to withdraw the benefit given at the farewell of the employee. BSNL management should restore it immediately as demanded by BSNLEU.

LUNCH HOUR BLACK FLAG DEMONSTRATION AT CORPORATE OFFICE, NEW DELHI. AIBDPA COMRADES PARTICIPATED.

17 Friday Jul 2020

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LUNCH HOUR BLACK FLAG DEMONSTRATION AT CORPORATE OFFICE, NEW DELHI. AIBDPA COMRADES UNDER THE LEADERSHIP OF COM.R S CHAUHAN, AGS PARTICIPATED.

The call of AUAB to hold Black Flag Lunch Hour Demonstration on 16-07-2020 demanding immediate implementation of BSNL Revival Package, including rolling out 4G services was carried out successfully throughout the country. Despite serious situation prevailing in the country due to the super spread of Covid.19, in many places AIBDPA comrades also participated as per the call of CHQ.

NATIONAL EXECUTIVE MEETING OF NCCPA HELD ONLINE ON 16-07-2020.

17 Friday Jul 2020

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NATIONAL EXECUTIVE MEETING OF NCCPA HELD ONLINE ON 16-07-2020.

The National Executive of NCCPA has been held through video conferencing on 16-07-2020. Com.Shiv Gopal Mishra, President presided over the meeting. Com.K K N Kutty, Secretary General briefed on the agenda items. Out of 32 invitees, 23 comrades participated. Coms.V A N Namboodiri (Patron), K G Jayaraj (Deputy Secretary General) and H S Thakur (Organising Secretary) participated from AIBDPA.

Com.K G Jayaraj raised the issues of pension revision of BSNL pensioners and denial of Medical facilities to BSNL retirees for the last two years and wanted to be taken up by NCCPA.

The email to Prime Minister demanding the order on freezing the DA/DR has to be sent by all units without further delay.

The detailed minutes/ circular of NCCPA wil be published. (from AIBDPA website)

Train Journey 12- Hazardous journey to Nepal

17 Friday Jul 2020

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Train Journey 12 – Train to Nepal
2003 March – Telecom Employees Association of Nepal (TEAN) has invited me as GS of BSNLEU to attend their TU class at Bharatpur on 12th March 2003. Since this is near India- Nepal border along UP – Bihar, I thought better to go by train. Started from Delhi on 10th by Saptagiri Express to Gorakhpur. Since I could not even enter the reserved 3-Tier compartment due to heavy rush by reserved and un-reserved passengers, I got in to II AC compartment and gave the extra amount to TTE. Such things happen. Reached Gorakhpur in the morning, where Com.K.D.M.Tripathi, Vice-President of Union was waiting. He was a sincere dedicated leader. He belonged to the priest family of famous Gorakhpur temple.
At 11.30 hours we started. On the way the train stopped in a small station due to some technical fault. We proceeded from there on a local train. It was fortunate that by the clever maneuvering of Tripathi, we got two side seats in an ordinary compartment. On both sides of the train, there were dozens and dozens of bi-cycles cleverly hung on the window bars, similar to milk cans hung on the Mumbai trains. Tripathi told me that passengers get down, unload the cycles and continue their journey to their villages. Very interesting. The train did not start for a long time and more and more passengers were getting in. Six – seven women boarded carrying big pieces of old wooden railway sleepers which were in the platform. In fact, they were stealing them. They put it under the seats. Many old jute bags were also with them. They were watching the station carefully. We had put our bags on the upper stand. Tripati told me, ‘always watch our bags, may disappear any time.’ I understood.
At last train started. It was stopping at all stations. After two – three stations, the women got down carrying the wooden sleepers. All of sudden, there was shouting by a young man clutching one of the bags taken away by them. It was his bag. The women told it is their bag. Others intervened, opened the bag and found out it was the boy’s bag only.
I wanted to have coffee or tea and Tripathi told that he will go outside in the next station and will bring tea, because if both of us go, our bags may ‘disappear’. He tried at two three stations, but no tea or coffee. Somehow he got two packets of roasted ground nuts, which we ate and drank water which we carried. We reached a station, may be 10 miles from the border by late evening. Went to a tea shop nearby, but came out quickly since the shop was most dirty and unhygienic.
We got in to a bus going to the border town Raxaul. We got seats. Though the bus seemed very old and worn, there was T.V. fitted and on. We were happy to watch the TV. Before start of the bus some persons boarded and stood very close to the TV blocking the view to all others behind. Nobody objected. When I wanted to protest, Tripathi signalled me,’danger’. I understood. The bus started. The road was so bad, that the bus was turning and tumbling this side and that side. We were afraid that it may fall or crash down. The speed was almost like that of a bullock cart moving on a rough patched road. Though the distance was about ten miles, it took about one and half hours to reach there.
We got down, engaged a tonga and crossed to Nepal. The Raxaul town was partly in India and partly in Nepal. TEAN leaders Com. Ashok Karn and others were waiting there. They took us to a hotel telling that we will move to Bharatpur next day to attend the TU meeting and class. We were so tired that we slept heavily.
Had Com.Tripathy was not there with me ?