AI CPI (IW) for the month of August is 285. Therefore IDA from October 2017 will be 124.3 i.e an increase of 5.3%.

PENSION ANOMALY CASE

As reported earlier, we had won the case in Principal bench of CAT. The Judgement was delivered on 16-12-2016 with a direction to implement it within three months. We waited for 6 months. No order was issued. Nor any Appeal was filed. Then we filed a Contempt of Court petition in CAT. It was taken up last month. Advocate for the respondents wanted time. Again, the case was taken up today by a double Bench consisting of Justice Mr. Permod Kohli, Chairman and Justice Mr. K N Srivasatava.

Advocate for CMD BSNL stated that they are filing their reply today. Advocate for the Government wanted further time of four weeks. Our Advocate wanted personal appearance of the Respondents. The Court told that this may be considered subsequently.

Next date is 17-11-2017.         (from : CHQ site)

DELHI VISIT BY OUR CHQ LEADERS

Dear Comrades,

Due to continuous and consistent efforts by Com P.Gangadhara Rao, Dy.GS, he could meet Shri Ananthkumar, Hon.Minister for Chemicals & Fertilizers on 10/9/2017 morning at his residence in Bengaluru.  

Hon.Minister said that two of our leaders should come to Delhi the next day and meet him there.  GS was on his way back from Bilaspur.  

President could not get ticket from Trivandrum.  Though our V.P Com DG was not well he was forced to go along with Dy. GS to Delhi.  Both of them were in Delhi from 11/9/17 to 14/9/17 and met Shri Ananthkumar, our Minister Shri Manojsinha, Member (F) Ms. Anuradha Mitra, DDG (Estt.) Shri S.K.Jain, Director (Pension) Shri Sanjay Agarwal, Director (PSU I) Shri Pawan Gupta & Under Secretary (Pension) in Sanchar Bhavan.  

The outcome is given below for your information.

Future Pension Revision

Our leaders could meet Shri Ananthkumar on 11^th around 7 PM only.  When we informed about our above demand, to understand the issue, he raised several questions and all of them were answered.  He particularly asked 

1) why BSNL retirees alone is covered under CCS (Pension) Rules 1972 and not other CPSE retirees? 

2) Whether this demand was raised before the officers and what is the response from the department? 

3)  How many pensioners would be benefitted? 

4) What would be the expenditure? etc.  

All of them were answered and our leaders clearly told that a policy decision is required to settle this demand and without political intervention it is not possible.  He asked his PA to contact Hon. Minister for Communication Shri Manojsinha and Secretary (T) Ms. Aruna Sundararajan.  But they were not available at that time.  So, he asked our leaders to come and meet him on 12^th at 1000 hrs.  Accordingly they met him the next day at about 1215 hrs at his office.  Our leaders were informed by Shri Ananthkumar that he has spoken to Hon. MoC and asked us to meet him at Sanchar Bhavan immediately and explain the demand and he would understand.  He also told that Secretary (T) is not available and she has gone to Kochi.

As per Shri Ananthkumar’s direction, our leaders met Shri Manojsinha at about 1305 hrs for ten minutes.  A memorandum was submitted along with Annexures.  He went through that and wrote something on our memorandum.  Our leaders explained our demand in 5 to 7 minutes and the Minister heard patiently and said that “I shall see to that”.  Later we came to know that he has asked Secretary (T) to come and discuss this issue with him. 

Our leaders could gather the information that as of now, there is no possibility for wage revision in BSNL because of the affordability clause recommended by III PRC, accepted by the Govt. 

Member (F) told that the subject comes under Member (S) and she would forward to him.  During the discussion she told that there should be consistency in the demand and one cannot shift their stand every now and then and no one should try to catch the train which goes fast.  She also told that she does not mean our Association. 

Comrades, all of us should understand that this demand is not like our previous demands and we have to overcome many a hurdles because it is a question of laying a new policy with far reaching consequences.  But nothing is impossible. 

Pension Revision to DoT Pensioners in accordance with DoP&PW OM dated 12/5/2017 (Pension on Notional LPD)

As per this above OM, it is the responsibility of the Head of the office from which the official retired to send the proposal to CCA.  Our leaders pointed out the difficulties to Member (F).  She told that it is the responsibility of BSNL to send the sanction to CCA.  But she has got a vision for the future.  She asked our leaders to take up with BSNL to transfer all service records of DoT pensioners to CCAs and also provide the required space for preservation.  Our leaders told her that the service records of BSNL IDA pensioners also should be transferred to CCAs and all records should be digitalized.  She not only agreed with the suggession but also said that after 10 to 15 years, only BSNL direct recruits would be working in BSNL and they will not attend to pensioners’ issues because they are not covered under this pension scheme.  CHQ requests the circle secretaries to take up this issue seriously with respective CGMs at the earliest.  Let us strike the iron when it is hot. 

National-level Pension Adalat

Member (F) is not averse to the proposal but asked whether there is a need for the senior citizens to come from far-off places to attend this adalat.  She wanted to know whether there is any such requirement which needs systemic correction at this level.  Our leaders pointed out the via-media suggested by former Secretary (T) Shri J.S.Deepak in which meeting Ms. Lynda (DDG, Accts) was also present.  Member (F) told that can also be tried.  She told that if there is any problem which remains unsettled for a long time then bring it to her notice through ‘E-mail’ and she would do the needful and give the feedback also.  She also told that she would be tough on policy matters but she would take to task the officers on implementation.  She appears to be ‘pensioner-friendly’ officer. 

Extra increment case

Asper the direction of CAT, Chennai Bench dated 8/8/2017 DoT has issued guidelines to CCA, Tamilnadu on 31/8/2017.  Our leaders understood (though there is some ambiguity) that there shall not be any recovery and the extra increment granted before 23/3/2010 shall not be reduced.  We have to wait for the decision of PCCA, TN which he may communicate to Tamilnadu Circle Union before this month end. 

Pension on Notional LPD for BSNL IDA Pensioners also who retired between October 2000 & December 2005

According to DoP&PW OM dated 12/5/2017 CDA pensioners got 50% of LPD as pension irrespective of date of retirement.  By this order, the discrimination between post-2006 & pre-2006 is eliminated and pro-rata pension (for those who had less than 33 years of qualifying service) is done away with.  Our leaders discussed this issue with DDG (Estt.).  Our leaders insisted that the same benefit should be extended to BSNL IDA pensioners also and it is in accordance with sub-rule 8 of Rule 37-A of CCS (Pension) Rules 1972.  DDG (Estt.) agreed to positively consider the proposal.  Accordingly our CHQ is writing a letter to Secretary (T) in this regard.

Comrades, CHQ sought the information and sent a proforma to all Circle Secretaries.  But unfortunately none of the circle secretaries sent the particulars so far.  Please don’t wait for the details of all members but send to the extent possible as a first installment.  Remaining can be sent later.  Only after receipt of the proforma from all the circles we can file the case in CAT for arrears of 78.2 from 1/1/2007.  Circle Secretaries are once again requested to compile the particulars in ‘Excel’ sheet and send to CHQ at the earliest. 

With greetings

Yours fraternally,

(G.Natarajan)

General Secretary.                        

Com DG's Visit to Vijayawada and Eluru 17/18-09-17

Special Meeting of PWA is held in Vijayawada on 17-09-2017. Good number of members have attended. Com D Gopalakrishnan spoke on various issues being dealt at CHQ level. Comrades V. Vara Prasad , Mallisetti Janardhana Rao , T Sriram , N.S.Sarma are on the dias. 

Ist CEC of AP Circle is held in Eluru on 18-09-2017 . Com Y.Subbarao Vice-President AP Circle has presided. CS Report and Account statement for the period of review have been adopted. Excepting few , all Districts have participated with brief reports.  Com D.GopalaKrishnan , Com V.V.S. Murthy AGS, Com N.Adinarayana Org.Secretary CHQ , Com K.S.koteswara Rao CS Telangana have attended and spoken .  

Com D.Gopalakrishnan Vice-President CHQ  spoke on  recent developments in Delhi of meetings with Hon Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Sri Ananta Kumar and Hon.Minister for Communications Sri Manoj Sinha  and on submission of memorandum on pension revision for BSNL retirees w.e.f 01-01-2017. He also elaborated on issues requiring legal battle and efforts being made on those issues of Full Pension to  Pre 2006 pensioners, Arrears of 78.2 merger from 01-01-2007 , Pension anomaly in pension of BSNL retirees between Oct 2000 to Jun 2001 etc. Com VVS Murthy reminded about 1968 strike etc, necessity to improve the membership in all districts etc. Com N.Adinarayana  also emphasised the need of organisational strength. Com K.S.Koteswara Rao has breifed the house about the various efforts made to solve the problems at CCA level  and explained on further steps to be taken.  Com RSN Murthy Retd JTO RMY & Senior leader has joined our association and we look forward for further growth of organsiation.  The arrangements made by West Godavari Branch for the meeting are excellent.  Few Glimpses of 17-09-17 and 18-09-17 meetings. 

Pension revision for BSNL retirees

IMPORTANT NEWS from CHQ - Pension revision for BSNL retirees


Com. D Gopalakrishnan (our Vice President) and Com. P Gangadhara Rao (Dy GS) met Shri Ananthkumarji, Minister for Parliamentary Affairs today (12-9-2017) morning in his office in New Delhi. Thereafter, as directed by him, our leaders met Shri Manoj Sinha, Minister for Communications and submitted a memorandum on Pension Revision with fitment formula recommended by Seventh CPC.

Sri Manoj Sinha went through the memorandum carefully and gave a patient hearing to the arguments advanced by Com. DG and Com. Rao. Finally, the Minister said; “ I WILL SEE TO IT.”

We expect early action by the Minister.⁠⁠⁠⁠

New company for Towers - BSNL into TWO

Cabinet approves hiving off mobile tower assets of Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited into a separate company, fully owned by BSNL

The Union Cabinet has given its approval for hiving off mobile tower assets of Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) into a separate company, fully owned by BSNL.

This approval authorizes BSNL to monetize its telecom tower infrastructure with the formation of a separate subsidiary company.

There are around 4,42,000 mobile towers in the country out of which more than 66,000 mobile tower are of BSNL. An independent, dedicated tower company of BSNL with a focused approach will lead to increasing of external tenancies and consequentially higher revenue for the new company.

Background:

The telecom tower industry has emerged as an independent business to harness the potential for sharing of infrastructure. The business model arose from the need to achieve economies of scale and to reduce capital investment costs for providing mobile services. The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) policy allows sharing of passive infrastructure i.e. the tower structure, Diesel Generator sets, battery units, power interface unit, air-conditioning etc., which has facilitated the growth of the telecom infrastructure industry. A tower infrastructure company essentially owns the passive infrastructure asset and leases it to telecom service providers enabling them to minimize duplication of investments and economize on costs of Operation and Maintenance (O&M), thereby improving profitability.

Besides the captive model in BSNL and MTNL where the service provider owns their passive infrastructure also, there are three different business models within the telecom tower industry:- companies created by hiving off the tower assets portfolios of service providers into subsidiaries, companies established as independent joint venture entities by service providers jointly and companies promoted by specific service providers but established as independent entities with the promoter being the anchor tenant for the tower company.

1% DA to CG Employees and DR to Pensioners w.e.f 01-07-2017

Cabinet approves release of additional 1% Dearness Allowance to Central Government employees and Dearness Relief to pensioners w.e.f. 01.07.2017

The Union Cabinet has given its approval for release of additional 1% Dearness Allowance (DA) to Central Government employees and Dearness Relief (DR) to pensioners. It will be applicable from 01.07.2017.

The release of the additional instalment of DA represents an increase of 1% over the existing rate of 4% of the Basic Pay/Pension, to compensate for price rise. This increase is in accordance with the accepted formula, which is based on the recommendations of the 7th Central Pay Commission.

The combined impact on the exchequer on account of both DA and DR would be Rs.3068.26 crore per annum and Rs.2045.50 crore in the financial year 2017-18 (for a period of 8 months from July, 2017 to February, 2018). This will benefit about 49.26 lakh Central Government employees and 61.17 lakh pensioners.

Circle Executive Committee Meeting will be at Held at ELURU on 18-09-2017.
Com D.Gopalakrishnan Vice-President CHQ will address the CEC.
ALL CHQ office-bearers, Circle Office bearers and Distirct Secretaries are requested to attend.
Com K.S.Koteswara Rao CS Telangana, Com VVS Murthy AGS CHQ are requested to attend as Special invitees.