14 Dec 2018

CBMPA WRITES TO

NEW ADDL. SECRETARY, TELECOM

COMMITTEE OF BSNL/MTNL PENSIONERS ASSOCIATIONS HAS WRITTEN THE FOLLOWING LETTER TO THE NEW ADDITIONAL SECRETARY, TELECOM ON PENSION REVISION IN BSNL AND MTNL.

Click here to read the letter

PENSIONERS' DAY 2018

On 17.12.1982, the Supreme Court of India pronounced its landmark judgement in D S Nakara vs. GOI case. A Bench of SCI headed by the then Chief Justice Y V Chandrachud, J.D A Desai, J. O Chinnappa Reddy, J. V D Tulzapurkar and J. Bahrul Islam gave the classic judgement which is relevant even today. The judgement tells a lot beyond the particular issue,because Late Shri H D Shourie raised many basic issues concerning pension in their Affidavit.The Judgement said:

1) Pension is neither a bounty nor a grace

2) Pension is not an ex gratia payment

3) Pension is a social welfare measure

4) It creates a vested right subject to 1972 rules which is statutory in character

5) A pension scheme must enable the pensioner live from want and with decency and self respect…

EFFECT OF THE CASE:

a) Till then there was no pension revision in central services. From 1986 onwards the pension revision came into effect.

b) While Sri Rajiv Gandhi was the prime minister (1984-89) a new Ministry of Personnel was created to take care of pensioners.
c) A new Department of Pension and Pensioners’ Welfare was created

d) Standing Committing of Voluntary Agencies was introduced to discuss the pension related issues of central service staff. Now SCOVA is not effective.

e) Pension Adalat was introduced.

f) Administrative Tribunals were started to quickly hear and dispose the cases of central govt employees and pensioners, though it failed in recent time.

g) Fifth CPC gave ‘complete parity’ and ‘modified parity’ in pension fixation.

h) Sixth CPC and Seventh CPC also granted parity to the old pensioners.

Let us remember these while observing Pensioners Day on 17-12-2018. Let us pay our homage to late Shri D S Nakara and late Shri H D Shourie and also to the eminent Judges.

….. PSR

4 Dec 2018

MAINTAIN UNITY AND MOVE AHEAD CAUTIOUSLY

Dept of Telecom issued the official minutes on the talks held between the Minister Shri Manoj Sinha and the AUAB leaders on 3-12-2018. Regarding Pension Revision to BSNL retirees w.e.f 1-1-2017 the Minutes says:

“Minister emphasized that follow up action should be expeditiously taken…”

There is no commitment on the fitment formula or anything related to that. However,
We can confidently say that there is a positive shift in the attitude of Minister and DOT towards our pension revision. This is most welcome.

Pay Revision in BSNL may take some more time. But, before that, the DoT may move the file for pension revision. So, DoT admits that pension revision can be done without Pay Revision.
In effect, Pension revision is delinked from Pay revision. This is the victory of pensioners.

I have no doubt that it is the result of mass FAST all over the country on 22-11-2018 and the unity of BSNL/MTNL pensioners and formation of Committee of BSNL/MTNL Pensioners’ Associations (CBMPA).

Even if DoT proposes delinking pension revision from pay revision the DoPW has to approve it. Then the proposal has to be approved by other nodal ministries/departments also. Then only the DOT will prepare the cabinet note and submit to the Cabinet. These procedures cannot be avoided. It should happen before Lok Sabha elections are announced.

Elections are in May 2019. Code of Conduct may be imposed in March or April 2019. Code of conduct should not come in our way.

We must continue our efforts to get Pension revision with CPC fitment benefits; not only for BSNL but for the MTNL pensioners also.

We should not criticize anybody for posting their views/understandings in the whatsapp groups. Understanding may differ sometimes. We are all human beings.

We are thankful to AUAB for raising the issue of de-linking of pension revision from Pay Revision.

Same time, we should strengthen our unity and organize further programmes under the banner of the new united forum- CBMPA.

We have placed a new unique demand. It is a new concept; it is a new path. It is not that easy to get something new approved by the authorities.

We have to cross many a hurdles. We have to cross many bridges.

Who started first and who joined later is not an issue. Destination is important.

We want a permanent solution to the problem. Most significant is that the File has started moving. We shall get pension revision. That will be the VICTORY of all BSNL/MTNL pensioners.
.............PS Ramankutty

29 Nov 2018

BHARAT PENSIONERS' SAMAJ AGM on 29-11-2018

General Secretary Com P Gangadhara Rao addressed 63rd AGM of Bharat Pension Samaj on 29-11-2018 at Visakhapatnam. GS narrated efforts made on the demand of Pension revision as per 7th CPC to BSNL retirees and informed that " Committee of BSNL/MTNL Pensioners' Associations" has been formed . He also sought the help of BPS for pension revision.

Audience of BPS AGM

GS being felicitated by Com S C Maheswari Secretary General BPS

GS addressing BPS AGM

28 Nov 2018

General Body Meeting of Visakhapatnam

General Body Meeting of Visakhapatnam District is held on 28-11-2018 and presided by Com M Srimannarayana. The meeting condoled the demise of Hon Minister Sri Anant Kumar and paid tributes in his memory. The meeting is well attended as Com P Gangadhara Rao is visiting the city for the first time after his election as GS at Puri AIC. GS has elaborately spoken at length for more than 1.30 hours on all current issues. He told that Com P Gangadhara Rao,Com D Gopalakrishnan, Com Anupam Kaul have met DDG (Estt), Director (Estt) and discussed the issue of pension revision. They met Director(HR) BSNL and raised the issue of non-payment of MRS to retirees for want of funds. Member (F) and DDG (Accts) were also met and discussed on Direct payment by CCAs. He informed about the status of Pension revision, formation of Committee of BSNL/MTNL pensioners Associations, MRS pending payments, implementation of Direct payment of pensions by CCA etc,.

Circle Secretary & Dy GS congratulated all for observing Hunger Fast on 22-11-2018 throughout the AP Circle in a most successful manner. He intimated that attached CCA offices being formed at Visakhapatnam and Tirupathi shortly. He informed that number of the issues got settled through recent adalats held in September 2018 and November 2018.

Com P Somasundara Rao, SVSN Murthy, P Babu Rao, S Ramprasad have organised. Comrades P Manikyala Rao (VZM), TS Prakasa Rao (DS-VZM) , Kameswara Rao (DS-Srikakulam) have also attended. Visakha and Vizianagaram Districts have felicitated the General Secretary.