It was truly inspiring! Hundreds and hundreds of BSNL DOT Pensioners from all parts of the country gathered at Eastern Court (formerly CTO Office), New Delhi for participating in the Sanchar Bhawan March  on 20th November 2014.

There were comrades from the far away Kerala, as well as the North Eastern States, including Assam. There were comrades from Gujarat as also from the Hindi belt. Comrades from far away came yesterday and stayed in the lodges/dharmasalas booked earlier. Comrades from nearby states  came directly to the Eastern Court. By 10.00 AM, the Eastern Court compound was full of delegates who have  come to participate in the March. The crowd was increasing every minute.

At 10.30 AM, Sanchar Bhawan March started. From the Eastern Court it went through Janpath and then turned left and marched towards Sanchar Bhawan. Just before Sanchar  Bhawan, the police stopped and the March was converted in to a massive Rally at Jantar Mantar. The March was led by Leaders of AIBDPA, Advisor Com. V.A.N.Namboodiri, President Com. Ananta Kumar Bhattacharjee, General Secretary K.G.Jayaraj, Treasurer Com. M.P.Kunhanandan, Balbir Singh, President, BSNLEU and other leaders.

The Rally was held in the specially arranged Pandal at Jantar Mantar. Com. Ananata Kr. Bhattacharjee, President, presided. Com.K.G.Jayaraj, General Secretary, welcomed all and explained why AIBDPA was compelled to organise the March. The DOT and the BSNL Management  were taking a negative attitude towards the problems of the pensioners. Pension itself is being attacked. 78.2% IDA merger is yet to be ordered by the government. He greeted all the comrades present. Com. S.K.Vyas, Secretary general, BCPC and NCCPA and veteran leader of the CG Employees inaugurated the Rally. He explained the issues of the Pensioners which has been presented to the VII Central Pay Commission. Coms. V.A.N.Namboodiri, Advisor AIBDPA, Balbir Singh, President BSNLEU, K.Sebastin, GS, SNEA, K.K.N.Kutty, Chairman, Confederation of the CG Employees and Workers, R.S.Chuhan, Circle secretary, BSNLEU, Delhi and other leaders addressed.

Coms. V.A.N.Namboodiri, Advisor, Ananta Kumar Bhattacharjee, President, and K.G.Jayaraj, General Secretary went to Sanchar Bhawan and gave the AIBDPA Memorandum to the Secretary, DOT. They also met Member (Finance) and discussed the demands of the Pensioners, who stated that the Cabinet Note for 78.2% is being prepared.

After returning from the Sanchar Bhawan and briefing about the same, the March was declared over by about 14.00 hours amidst shouting of slogans.

The Sanchar Bhawan March has been a big success and the workers and leaders returned with much enthusiasm and determination to continue their struggle for achieving the demands of the Pensioners. Thanks are due to the NTR Circle Comrades who made arrangements for the March, Rally etc.

Red salute to the leaders and workers of AIBDPA, who made the March and Rally a great success!

There is only about three weeks for the Sanchar Bhawan March called by the All India BSNL DOT Pensioners Association, to focus the demands of the BSNL and DOT Pensioners with the demand to the Government to settle them early. Hundreds of Pensioners from all part of the country will be participating. BSNL Management and the Government has favourably consider the demands and settle them early. Pensioners should be given special consideration.

Accommodation is being arranged by the AIBDPA CHQ for the delegates coming to attend the march. Kindly inform the General secretary AIBDPA Com. K.G.Jayaraj ( Mob: 09447455633),the number of delegates attending and also their arrival and departure to make suitable arrangements.