We once again reiterate that we are not interested in polemics and we
are not against the unity of workers and pensioners.Everyone knows that the
demands and interest of workers and pensioners are different.The seasoned
leader avoided answers to some of our points and the pensioners and leaders who
read both the postings would understand them.So, we are not willing to raise
any controversy between the organizations.
But, the core issue for DoT
absorbed BSNL pensioners is revision of pension from 1/1/2017.Let us
concentrate on this issue.The doubts raised by the seasoned leader and our
reply:
Doubt - Point 5 – Let us assume that the Govt.
accepts pension revision of BSNL retirees on the basis of VII CPC CDA scales
instead of III PRC IDA scales. From which date it will be implemented from 2016
or 2017?
Reply – (i) Pension revision is not on
the basis of CDA or IDA scales.It is determined on the basis of existing
pension plus DR plus weightage benefit.(ii) Our simple demand is that the
pension plus DR plus weightage suggested by 7th CPC should be
given to BSNL IDA pensioners.(iii) Since last pension revision was given in
2007 we demand it from 2017.
Doubt – Point 6 – Discrimination/Anomaly –
Reply - It is on the wrong presumption
or understanding that we demand CDA pension revision and they demand IDA
pension revision and hence there is confusion of discrimination, anomaly etc. However
if our demand is conceded and if the pay revision is not commensurate with that
pension revision, anomaly may arise but to solve that anomaly we have some
ideas.
Doubt – Point 7 – Again unnecessary doubt -
Either our demand is not understood correctly or with a view to confuse the
pensioners.
Reply – After the 6th CPC
recommendations, the department had its own confusion about its applicability
to BSNL pensioners. There was OM issued by DoP&PW on 19/9/2003 which says
notional conversion from IDA to CDA and then implement the recommendation.DoT
wanted to implement it and another agency also agreed with that. But DoP&PW
which issued that OM differed because of the Apex court judgement, we referred
earlier.So, there is no possibility of notional conversion from IDA to CDA as
threatened by the seasoned leader.
Doubt – Point 8 – Now they say that it is only
the fitment factor that they have demanded. How is the fitment calculated?It is
on the basis of calculating the fitment factor based on the price index for the
CDA.
Reply – From the beginning our demand
was “Implement Same fitment formula suggested by 7th CPC” and
it is not our latest demand. We are surprised to know that fitment factor is
based on price index for the CDA. 7th CPC has gone into the
concept of minimum wage and arrived at a figure.One of its recommendations was
multiply the existing pay/pension by 2.57. That was arrived at with pay plus
DA/DR plus 32% of basic pay/pension. We are aware the index and methodology of
CDA & IDA are different but the fact remains that Central Dearness
Allowance is more beneficial than Industrial Dearness Allowance.Because of that
factor, FCI/VSNL pensioners wanted pension on IDA and DR on CDA which was
rejected by the Supreme Court which said that both can only be on IDA.We are
aware about CCS (Pension) Rules 1972 and particularly 37-A.It is a statutory
one.Sub-rule 10 speaks about industrial DA only. We want that statutory
protection should remain.With the existing frame of mind, bureaucracy on its
own may not take a positive decision and we are trying our best to interpret
the rules and orders in favour of pensioners. We want other organizations also
to join for pushing it fast and if that is not possible let them not play
atleast spoiling game.
According to the seasoned leader’s posting on 2/3/2018
their demand is “on the basis of III PRC, pension revision should be
ordered with 15% fitment, without waiting for the wage revision…….will not
create the large number of serious anomalies”.
i)
No
terms of reference for III PRC for pension revision and naturally no
recommendation also. The recommendation is for pay revision with 3 fitment
formula depending upon the profit of concerned PSU.
ii)
For argument-sake if that demand is conceded by the Govt. will not create anomaly between pre-2017 retirees and
post-2017 retirees? Because the demand
is without waiting for wage revision.