Grant Pension Revision for BSNL pensioners wef 01-01-2017 –

22 Monday Jun 2020

Posted by in AIBDPA - BSNL DOT Pensioners, Pension

≈ 3 Comments

BSNL pensioners are eligible for pension revision w.e.f. 01-01-2017. The last revision was made in 2007, 13 years earlier. DOT is stating that pension revision can be granted only after the pay revision of the BSNL employees. This is great injustice. III Pay Revision Committee has recommended pay revision @ 15 %. BSNL management has sought approval of DOT for grant of 15% pay revision for executives. Non-executives unions have discussed wage revision with management. The matter is pending for years. But pensioners, who are aged and require the pension revision can not wait till pay revision orders are issued. They are aged and is in dire need of the increase in pension to manage things. Their medical allowance is also reduced. It is a crime to delay pension revision to these pensioners, who have served the nation for three – four decades, on the plea that pay revision is not granted. Pensioners are not responsible for the same.

AIBDPA leaders have met more than 100 Members of Parliament and many of them have raised the issue with the government, but no action. Email was sent in hundreds to the Prime Minister, but no action.

We demand that the BSNL, DOT and Central Government to take immediate action so that the BSNL pensioners are granted pension revision wef 01-01-2017 without further delay.

JUSTICE DELAYED IS JUSTICE DENIED.

BSNL issues orders extending date of option for BSNLMRS etc.

22 Monday Jun 2020

Posted by in AIBDPA - BSNL DOT Pensioners, Pension

≈ Leave a comment

AIBDPA has been pressing foe extending the date of submitting option for BSNLMRS to 30-09-2020 as also to exempt the persons from submitting options, who have already submitted option earlier, if they do not want to change the option. AIBDPA sent its letter to CMD on 13-06-2020. Now the BSNL management has issued clarifications on all the matters mentioned in the letter, extending the date as also exempting those who have given option earlier. It is also stated that the option for CGHS can be given at any time. The order is published in the AIBDPA website aibdpa.com

P and T TU Movement in India during II World War and thereafter (1939 – 1954) ( by B.N.Ghosh ) CHAPTER : X !946 STRIKE

21 Sunday Jun 2020

Posted by in Uncategorized

≈ Leave a comment

CHAPTER- 10
DISCONTENTMENT MOUNTS OR 1946 STRIKE

The all India Postman and Lower Grade staff Union being dissatisfied with the Adjudicator’s Award called a meeting of the Council on the 22nd of June, 1946, and took a decision for serving the Govt. with strike notice. Accordingly, Shri. V G Dalvi served the Govt. with a 14 days strike notice and members of the Postmen and Lower Grade Staff of India struck work with effect from the 11th July 1946.

The All India Postmen and Lower Grade staff Union from the organisational point of view, was weak. It had not within its fold at that time more than 30% of the total strength as its members. Of the remaining 70%, the All India Postal and RMS Union was commanding 35%, the Indian Posts and Telegraphs Union had barely 5% of the staff as members and the rest 30% were unorganized. Although the Postman Union was not very strong in 1946, yet I feel no hesitation to say that the decision of the Union to launch a strike was a timely one. As the bulk of the Postmen and Cl.IV employees in Bengal and Assam were members of the All India Postal and RMS Union, the others who were members of the Postmen Union in Calcutta became hesitant and could not take a decision to join the strike without getting an assurance help from the other unions. The Bengal Assam Postal and RMS Provincial Union had to give an assurance of active help and co-operation firstly to see that the strike does not fizzle out and secondly to arrest the desertion of the union by its Postmen members who were found to be restive at that time. As has already been stated above in the entire circle excepting in Calcutta, Dacca, Chittagong and Shillong most of the Postmen and Lower Grade staff were members of the All India Postal and RMS Union. Even in those cities, the membership was divided amongst the three unions, viz Postmen and Lower Grade Staff Union, Postal and RMS Union and the Indian Posts and Telegraph Union. The Postmen Union in Calcutta arranged a meeting on the eve of strike to decide as to whether it should abide by the decision of its central union and join the strike. This meeting was held in the Arya samaj Hall and was attended not only by the Postmen and Class IV workers, but also by the clerks. The hall was fully packed. The organizers of the Postmen Union had invited the leaders of other P&T unions but I was not one of those fortunate invitees and so could not be on the dais. As an employee of the department I could not wait for an invitation specially at this critical hour. It was with great difficulty that I could take my stand in a corner of the packed hall and found Shri. Birendra Nath Ghosh, M.A.B.L Hony Secretary All India Postal RMS Union , Calcutta Branch and Shri. K.D.Roy Choudhary ,M.A.B.L Hon’y secretary, all India Postal and RMS Union, RMS Branch were already on the dais by the side of Shri. Rohini Ray, Bar-at-Law, the General Secretary of All India Postmen and Lower grade staff Union, Bengal Provincial Union. I could not guess as to what would be the stand of those seated on the dais. I was eagerly waiting for a chance to address the meeting. Shri.Ray and other leaders of Postmen Union addressed the meeting. Most of the speakers were found to be shaky and could not give a correct lead to the gathering. The whole house was found to be agitated and waiting a clarion call to join the strike. For the time being there was great pandemonium and the house became uncontrollable. It is strange enough for me that just at the time there was a demand from all corners of the house that B.N.Ghosh (myself) should be invited to address the gathering if I was present there. I made my way to the dais, addressed the gathering for an hour and issued a clarion call to join the struggle to a man. I do not boast it is a fact that I was able to carry the entire house with me. They cast cent per cent vote in favour of strike. The Chairman of the meeting declared the strike decision amidst loud cheers.
I on behalf of the Postal and RMS Union of Bengal and Assam held out an assurance to them that we would stand by them and would shortly follow suit. The result of this assurance was marvellous. The vast gathering at least for the moment forgot the difference between class III and Class IV employees and the house dispersed with slogans of “Postal Class III and Class IV Zindabad”.

As this was a strike in post war period when there was all round labour unrest due to higher cost of living and demobilization of war service workers and Britishers were showing reluctant to quit India, the public support and sympathy were with the strikers. All the leftist political parties and the trade unions stood by the workers but it has to be kept on record that shortly after the strike commenced, Dewan Chaman Lal , President of the Posts and Telegraph Federation began his anti-trade union activities and, if I remember it right, he issued the first press statement depreciating the strike launched by the Postmen Union and had the “goodness” to say that the Federation had no sympathy for the strike which had been declared illegal by the Govt. Shortly after this, Dr.Noronah General Secretary of the Indian Telegraph Association issued a similar press statement and Com. M A Jabbar , General Secretary, All India Posts and Telegraph Union , followed suit and issued a statement in the press against the strike.

Such anti trade union activities of three great leaders of the P&T movement upset me altogether and no other way but to call a press conference in Calcutta and issue a statement which runs as follows: “The strike launched by the Postmen and Lower Grade Staff Union is quite legal and we have every sympathy for them and none of the members of the Postal and RMS Union should work as a strike breaker by working in place of the strikers”. This statement of mine created enthusiasm in the workers throughout India and our members also became jubilant and began showing their eagerness to fall in with those who were already on the march.

There were developments in quick succession. The Postmen of Shillong who were members of Postmen and Lower Grade staff Union had gone on strike. The Dy.Postmaster General , Shillong range issued order on twelve Postmen of Sylhet which is the neighbouring district of Shillong, to proceed there and work in place of strikers. On the strength of the directive issued by me, they refused to go to Shillong and boldly defied the order and told the authorities that they were not prepared to act as strike breakers. All these officials were placed under suspension. Order was thereafter issued on 12 Postmen of Dhubri to proceed to Shillong but they also refused to carry out the order and had to share the same fate. The matter did not rest here. The Postal authority of Shillong range in their zeal for keeping the work of Shillong in a smooth running condition, ordered another batch of 12 Postmen from Gauhati to proceed to Shillong. They not only refused to go but lay down in front of the office and took a vow not to move unless the orders were cancelled. This news spread like wild fire and the Posts and Telegraphs workers of Bengal and Assam became greatly agitated and strike minded. (To be continued)

Sustained Struggles to save BSNL -21 Towards Strike.

21 Sunday Jun 2020

Posted by in Uncategorized

≈ Leave a comment

Procurement of equipments

The Joint Forum of BSNL Unions and  Associations met on  1st January 2010 and discussed the latest situation with regard to the development and expansion of BSNL services and connected matters. The cancellation of the 45.5 million mobile tender by BSNL has created a serious situation for BSNL with no mobile lines to provide. The company which was in the first position had gone down to the third position  in the mobile sector, while keeping its first position in landlines. Total market share has gone down to 16.38% from the earlier 20%. More lines have to be purchased urgently. Under these circumstances, the JF decided to organise the following agitational programmes demanding immediate tender and purchase of 93 million mobile line for expansion.

1.Telegram Campaign: Circle / District / Branch secretaries to send the following telegram to the Prime Minister so as to reach before 6th January 2010. To Shri Manmohan Singh Prime Minister New Delhi. ” KINDLY INTERVENE TO SAVE BSNL BY IMMEDIATE FINALISATION OF 93 MILLION GSM LINES” – Name of Circle/District Branch Secretary.

Memorandum to the Prime Minister

A Memorandum  dated 5th January 2010 was submitted to the Prime Minister with the same demands. It was signed by Comrades V.A.N.Namboodiri (BSNLEU), Convener, G.L.Jogi(SNEA), Suresh Kumar (BSNLMS), V.Subburaman (TEPU), B.R.Jhakatia(SEWA BSNL), Hukam Singh (SNATTA), and Devi Prasad (AIBCTES).

The JF leaders met Communications Minister A.Raja on 4th January and requested the intervention of the Minister to speed up the 93 million GSM tender.

Retrograde recommendations of Sam Pitroda committee

The retrograde recommendations of the committee headed by Sam Pitroda, former secretary DOT and telecom expert, raised sharp reactions from the workers. It proposed 30% disinvestment in BSNL, retrenchment of one lakh workers, unbundling of the copper cables, outsourcing of works etc. The Joint Forum conducted a detailed study and submitted its suggestions. In its meeting on 10th and 15th March 2010, JF discussed the issue in detail and decided to strongly protest and go on agitation.  The following programmes were decided:

1.One Day Dharna on 26-03-2010  2. Indefinite strike from 20-04-2010.

In order to bring NFPTE back in to JF ( which has discontinued from the JF some time back), the name of the JF was changed in to Joint Action Committee and the new office bearers were elected with Com. M.B.Vichare (NFPTE) as Chairman and Com. V.A.N.Namboodiri (BSNLEU) as Convener. NFTE was keeping away from the JF after the membership verification and all wanted no embarrassment to them while joining back.

Strike Notice served.

Strike Notice with the following demands were served on the BSNL Management on 23-03-2010 after a massive demonstration participated by hundreds of workers at corporate office. All over India, the demonstrations were participated by thousands.

  1. Settle ITS Absorption issue.
  2. No disinvestment, no privatization of BSNL
  3. No retrenchment, No VRS
  4. No unbundling of last mile copper and other infrastructure
  5. No outsourcing
  6. Immediate procurement of mobile lines
  7. Ensure IDA Pension Revision to BSNL pensioners.
  9. The strike notice was signed by Comrades V.A.N.Namboodiri(BSNLEU) Convener, N.T.Sajwani (NFPTE) Chairman,  K.Vallinayagam (FNTO), V.Subburaman (TEPU), Suresh Kumar (BSNLMS), G.L.Jogi (SNEA), S.P.Sharma (BSNLWRU), K.Anil Kumar (ATM), Sathyanarayana (AIBSNLEA), N.D.Ram (SEWA BSNL), Hari Singh (BTU BSNL), D.P.Patwa (AIBCTES) and H.P.Singh (BSNLOA).  (To be continued)

61 years after Bank Nationalisation

20 Saturday Jun 2020

Posted by in privatisation

≈ Leave a comment

14 Private banks were nationalised on 19th July 1969 by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. All the banks grew in size and provided the back bone for the banking sector. More banks were nationalised later. It was these banks which helped  the country to tide over the 2007 world recession.

Modi government has merged many of these nationalised banks reducing them from 26 to 12. This is a step towards reprivatisation of the banks as in the case of many PSUs.

A mighty struggle of the workers and the political parties is required to stop the bank privatisation.

BSNLEU CALL FOR DHARNA ON 26-06-2020- AIBDPA EXTENDS SOLIDARITY AND SUPPORT.

20 Saturday Jun 2020

Posted by in AIBDPA - BSNL DOT Pensioners

≈ Leave a comment

BSNLEU has given a call to hold Dharna on 26-06-2020. The important demands put forward are;

Immediate implmentation of BSNL Revival Package declared by the government .Though VRS was implemented in a time bound maner, no sincere effors are seen in launching 4G, issuing sovreign bonds and monetisation of BSNL assets.
Timely payment of salary to BSNL employees
Payment of wage arrears to BSNL Contract workers
Resumption of negotiation for pay revision of BSNL Employees
Withdraw the order reducing the ceiling of outdoor treatment from 23 days pay to 15 days pay.

.AIBDPA extends solidarity and calls upon all its units to support the Dharna according to local condition in the wake of alarming spread of Covid-19 and the elders being most vulnerable. (Courtesy: AIBDPA website)

Employee who resigns on eve of retirement after rendering qualifying service does not forfeit his right to pension- Calcutta HC

19 Friday Jun 2020

Posted by in Pension

≈ Leave a comment

Employee who resigns on eve of retirement after rendering qualifying service does not forfeit his right to pension- Calcutta HC

Noting that the employee had resigned on account of mental depression, the Court observed that “This illness is serious and normally interferes with one’s ability to perform in the workplace.”

The Calcutta High Court recently directed a bank to constitute an authority to determine whether its employee, who had resigned four years before superannuation, could be treated as having voluntarily retired from service.

If found to have voluntarily retired, then an application made by him for availing the pension scheme should be processed by November 20, 2020, the Court further directed. (United Bank of India v Sri Swapan Kumar Mullick & Ors)

The Bench comprising of Justices IP Mukerji and Md. Nizamuddin relied on the Supreme Court judgment in the case of Shashikala Devi vs. Central Bank of India & Ors. wherein it was held that when an employee after rendering qualifying service resigned at a point when only a short time of service was left, a presumption had to be drawn that the employee did not intend to surrender the valuable right of receiving pension.

“Such resignation had to be treated as voluntary retirement. In the circumstances, the employee would be entitled to the pensionary benefits under the scheme. In that case, the employee had only a short period of service left as in our case.” Calcutta High Court

Noting that the employee had cited mental illness to design, and given that there was no aspersion cast against him with regard to his performance or his integrity, the Court opined that there was nothing on record to show that he expressly or impliedly relinquished or waived his right.

Furthermore, a circular of the Indian Banks Association dated June 30, 2015 was brought to the Court’s notice, which suggested that banks were to consider amendments to Regulation 22 of the Bank Employees (Pension Regulation), 1995 so that those employees who had rendered qualifying service, would not be divested of their pension by citing the said regulation.

The Board of Directors of the United Bank of India were, therefore, directed to consider amendment of Regulation 22 of the United Bank of India (Employees’) Pension Regulations, 1995 with or without retrospective effect within 3 months.

In the instant case, it was decided that if an employee resigns on the eve of his retirement after rendering qualifying service, citing mental depression as the cause, he does not forfeit his right to pension on the ground that he has resigned. Such a case would be treated as voluntary retirement, the Court said. (Courtesy: Vimala Vidya)

P and T TU Movement in India during II World War and thereafter (1939 – 1954) ( by B.N.Ghosh ) CHAPTER : IX ADJUDICATORS AWARD

19 Friday Jun 2020

Posted by in B.N.Ghosh Book

≈ Leave a comment

CHAPTER – IX
ADJUDICATOR’S AWARD

After I had made an exit from the Federation’s meeting, I got perplexed and could not fix up my mind as to my future programme of action. At the day’s end I tendered my resignation to the General Secretary, All India Postal and RMS Union which body had elected me as its representative to the P&T Federation. As I want to disassociate myself from the activities of Federation which was practically in the pocket of Dewan Chaman Lal whose bonafide of intention was considered doubtful by many , I had tendered my resignation . There were occasions to doubt whether Dewan Sahib and his associates were working for the benefit of the workers or their employers, but inspite he could manage everything in his own way and none could cope with him. The effects which I could detect in him in 1946, came to the notice of others after 8 years. The council of the All India Postal and RMS Union which met at night, refused to accept my resignation. There was only one vote recorded in favour of acceptance of resignation and that was my own vote. So I had no other way but to continue to serve in the Executive of the Federation.

Shortly after this, Shri.Raj Bahdur on his return to Mathura, his headquarters, issued a circular to all the Branch Unions in Uttar Pradesh, calling upon them to boycott the Adjudication, and copies thereof were circulated to other circle unions in India. This was encouraging. On behalf of Bengal and Assam Postal and RMS Union I also followed suit and issued such circular. All the Branch Unions endorsed my views but in spite Shri. Jathin Banerjee, the then Vice President of the All India Postal and RMS Union, Calcutta Branch, wanted to have his own way, proceeded to Delhi and appeared before the Adjudicator on the 26th of March, 1946 the day on which the Adjudicator commenced sitting. The Central Union called meeting of the executive for selection of three representatives to plead the case on behalf of the union before the adjudicator, and elected Sarbasree B.S.Kamble, Hari Narain and Raj Bahadur for the purpose and excluded Sri. Jathin Banerjee. It is interesting to note that Shri. Raj Bahadur who had advocated boycott of Adjudication, attended the Central Union meeting and got himself elected as one of the three representatives who would plead the case on behalf of the union. His playing of double game created discontentment amongst his members in Uttar Pradesh and some of them as well as Branch Unions in Bengal and Assam pressed that in view of the fact that the centre had taken a decision to take full advantage of the adjudication and in view of the fact that men like Shri.Raj Bahadur also changed his way, myself should also be present in the Adjudicator’s room during the days the Adjudication continue to examine the memorandum of the union and takes oral evidence of the post-31 employees who submitted their family budget pleading increase in their emoluments. Shri.Talpade, M.A.B.L , the then General Secretary of Bombay Provincial Union who was an eminent lawyer was elected to advocate the cause of the union.

The Adjudicator who held one day’s sitting at Delhi on the 26th March, 1946 again commenced sitting at Simla from the 24th April,1946, continued for more than a month and examined a large number of post -31 employees who had separately submitted memorandum together with family budget in support of their claim for interim relief and took their oral evidence. The budget submitted by Shri. K Ramamurti was perhaps the lowest.

Amongst those who took prominent part in preparing family budget and educating the employees to give oral evidence and pleading the cause of the workers, were Sarbasree V.G.Dalvi, Dewan Chaman Lal, Dr.G.Noronah, P.C Chatterjee, B.S.Kamble, Raj Bahadur, K.S Pitkar, M.A.Jabbar, K.Ramamurti, S.Banerjee, Jatin Banerjee, Basant Singh and others. I too had my share in the matter.

It was previously stated that the Govt. had appointed the adjudication to examine and report as to what extent interim relief could be given to the new entrants pending the proposed Pay Commission has functioned and submitted its recommendation regarding revision of pay scales of pay for them. The Adjudicator’s Award was not to the satisfaction of the employees. They could have pleaded and placed the case in a better way before the Adjudicator and satisfactory results achieved had not a section of the leaders and their ardent followers played a double game and had not the different unions placed contradictory demands in their respective memoranda. For obvious reasons their names are not mentioned there. But I shall be failing in my duty if I do not say with all emphasis at my command that some of the to-most leadership betrayed the cause of the employees. Undoubtedly, they came in the field for the purpose. That such a thing would happen was already foreseen by me in the article under caption “More light please” by “ploughman” which appeared in the March, 1946, issue of the Labour.
Adjudicator’s Award which was given with a ceiling of Rs.15/- only created dissatisfaction amongst the employees specially those who were low paid officials.
It was strange enough to find on the 3rd day of the sitting of the Adjudication, Dewan Chaman Lal suddenly got agitated and asked all to boycott the Adjudication and managed to walk out of the Adjudicator’s room along with the entire persons present. I had to follow them but in the meeting which met shortly after I held a different view and opposed the very idea of boycotting the adjudication and all present upheld my views. Next day as usual, all attended the Adjudicator’s Court. I could not believe that Chaman Lal would be actually for boycotting the adjudication. Many of us could not find out the real reason for his suddenly adopting such tactics. Perhaps, he wanted to create a crisis and then come to the rescue of the Govt. Next day, he was granted an interview by the Viceroy. We however could not as to why the interview took place. It will not be out of place to mention here with two days after this, Dewan Chaman Lal expressed a desire that I should accompany him for a little walk. I agreed. He took me to the big bungalow “Retreat” and produced me before Maulana Abdul Kalam Azad and Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, and suddenly introduced me by saying that he is Mr. Ghosh from Bengal who wants a strike. I could understand his game. Moulana Azad told me that it was not good to go on strike. I replied “We want bread from the Govt. If it does not come, we would have no other way but to adopt the course”. It is worth mentioning here however that on the 5th day the entire Postmen staff of Simla had struck work for an hour. The Postmen Union of entire Punjab was under the control of Com Suraj Prakash Anand and Com. Mukhtiar. (To be continued)

ONE INDIA ONE PENSION or ONE INDIA ONE INCOME ?

19 Friday Jun 2020

Posted by in General

≈ Leave a comment

For some time, there is a slogan being raised by some friends,” One India One Pension”. Probably it is being raised not to equalise the pension, but to create a hatred against the pensioners as a whole among the people. Those who do not have any income and those who have to work even in their old age for a living is being put against with the pensioners who get some money even after retiring.

What is the real picture we have to see? Why is it that there is a big difference in the income of a few crores in the country and the vast majority of the people who are not even able to make both ends meet. This is the major issue that is to be raised. Every body should at least get sufficient income for a simple living. At the same time the Indian government, as many developed countries, are moving to reduce the pension or completely withdraw it.

Hence what is to be demanded is ” One India One Income” and not ” One India One Pension”. If it is the same income, then the pension or whatever it is will be the same. But we know that except in socialism at its highest level, such a target is difficult to achieve. But at the same time, the gross difference in the income and assets can be reduced which will give solace to the downtrodden.In India, 1% of the people who are super rich are having income equal to 4 times the income of the 70% of the people.

Hence if a slogan is required, it should be “ONE INDIA, ONE INCOME”. Other things will follow.

Sustained Struggles to save BSNL -20 ITS Absorption, Anti-Disinvestment Agitation

17 Wednesday Jun 2020

Posted by in Sustained struggles

≈ Leave a comment

ITS Absorption, Anti-Disinvestment Agitation

The non-absorption of ITS Officers in BSNL is one of the major issues connected with the functioning of BSNL. As per the decision of the Joint Forum, demonstration and black badge wearing were organized on 24-02-2009 demanding immediate absorption of ITS officers in BSNL. This was followed by one day dharna on 17-03-2009. The strike call given for 25-03-2009 was deferred after discussion with CMD on 16-03-2009 in which the management assured to take necessary action for the absorption.
The joint Forum strongly protested against the government guide lines increasing the FDI in the telecom, Insurance, Defence sector etc.
Anti-Disinvestment / IPO agitation
During the period, the government was moving for disinvestment of BSNL through IPO route. The JF met on 8th June 2009 and decided to organize protest action against the same. A strong resolution against IPO/Disinvestment was adopted. An “Anti-Disinvestment Day” was organized on 22-07-2009 by holding rallies and sending telegrams by all the SSAs and Circles to the Prime Minister and Communications Minister. Tens of thousands of messages were sent. A meeting with the CMD was held on 16-07-2009 in which the absorption of ITS, opposition to IPO/disinvestment and other issues were discussed. (To be continued).