CHQ's LETTER TO CMD ON MEDICAL CARE

Letter dated 26-04-2021 to CMD BSNL New Delhi 

letter on medical care

PP MAY 2021 E Journal

 PP MAY 2021 E Journal  

  PP MAY 2021

BSNLMRS CARD VALIDITY

 BSNL CO has issued an order on 8-4-2021 extending validity of all existing BSNLMRS Cards upto 30-9-2021 in view of present covid situation all over the country.

Please click here ORDER

Pension Anomaly Case

DOT Secretary on Pension Anomaly for implementation of CAT/Court pronouncements  

Lr to Secretary

Letter to AO CCA

AO CCA AP is addressed on pending individual grievances for early settlement. 

Letter to AO

CEC on 27-03-2021

CIRCLE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE VIRTUAL MEETING 

CEC is held virtually via webex online on 27-03-2021. It started at 1500 hours presided by Com K S Koteswara Rao. 

Participants 

CHQ Leaders 

1. P S Ramankutty  President
2. P Gangadhara Rao General Secretary
3. D Gopalakrishnan Vice-President
4. R S N Murthy  OS Rajahmundry

 AP Circle Office-bearers

1. M R S Prakasa Rao Chief Advisor
2. K S Koteswara Rao  Circle President
3. V Vara Prasad Circle Secretary
4. S V S N Murthy Visakhapatnam
5. S Venkatappaiah Treasurer
6. T S Prakasa Rao Vizianagaram
7. G Ramachandriah Tirupati
8. T D Aseervadam  Vijayawada
9. K Venkateswarlu East Godavari
10. D Venkateswara Rao Chirala
11. Boddu Narasaiah Nellore
12. S Apparao West Godavari
13. P Purnacharyulu West Godavari
14. C. Balagovindappa Kadapa
15. GSNPrasad Anantapur

  District Secretaries  

1. K Kameswara Rao Srikakulam
2. Ch Rama Sekhar Vizianagaram
3. K Soma Sundara Rao Visakhapatnam
4. K Bhaskara Rao East Godavari
5. K Bala Koteswara Rao Guntur
6. R Nageswara Rao Ongole
7. A Soundara Rajan Tirupati
8. K Padmanabhachari Anantapur
9. A  Ramanjaneyulu Kurnool
10. B  Subramanyam Kadapa

 Branch Secretaries , Invitees & others

1. M Appalacharyulu TKU
2. B Viswanadhachary ELR
3. M Lakshmi Narayana GTR
4. KPV Prasad RAP
5. K  Anjaiah ONG
6. G Nageswara Rao GTR
7. P Babu RAO  VM
8. K Raja Gopal Naidu ATP
9. K V Rao VJ
10. D Haribabuprasad VJ
11. Ch.Satyarao VZM
12. D Subba Rao GTR
13. S.Durga Rao WG
14. Ch Sivarama krishniah GTR
15. B Appa Rao
16. Ch Venkateswarlu
17. J Hasritha
18. Satyanarayana Kalyanam
19. Chinnodu Mellimi
20. Adinarayana Nidamanuri
21. Abdul Saleem Shaik MRP
22. S Purnanandam
23. Umamaheswara Gupta 
24. V Manikyala Rao 

CEC meeting started at 15.00 hours as scheduled on 27-03-2021 virtual thro webex meetings under the Presidentship of Com K.S.Koteswara Rao.

Circle Secretary briefly presented  report on the activities of the association for the period between 10-11-2019 to 26-03-2021. Circle Treasurer submitted the accounts for the same period. Report and Accounts are duly approved.CHQ President Com PSR , CHQ Vice-president Com D Gopalakrishnan, General Secretary Com P Gangadhara Rao addressed the meeting. Videos of their speeches are shared separately.

PSR Speech :  We are unable to continue our normal activities in the present covid situation.

Pension revision with CPC formula in PB CAT NEW DELHI is posted to 08-05-2021. Ernakulam CAT has disposed off the case, filed by us,denying  pension fixation @ 50% of LPD to all BSNL pensioners retired between Oct 2000 and Dec 2005.  We filed an appeal in High Court of Kerala. Another case filed in Ernakulam CAT was for 78.2 arrears from 01-01-2007 instead of from 10-06-2013. This case is posted to 6th April 2021.

We won Pension Anomaly case in Dec 2016 in CAT. Govt did not implement and we went for contempt petition and this was disposed in our favour. We went for appeal in High Court and is ordered in our favour.  We are told that Pension Department approved to honour the judgement.  The matter has been referred to Law ministry. Law ministry told that this was not a fit case for appeal. The file has gone to Department of Expenditure for their approval. 

Some cases have come from Andhra. Income Tax has been levied on the entire amount of leave encashment including the encashment of leave earned during DOT period. We have taken up with CBDT, CPC IT Bangalore. The notices are now settled allowing full exemption for leave earned during DOT period.  Another case mainly from Tamilnadu that family pensioners were not allowed to migrate to CGHS. In Some circles, Family pensioners were allowed to migrate to CGHS and reimbursement of one time contribution amount is not allowed. We have taken up with BSNL and BSNL has now issued clarification to allow migration and reimbursement also.

Medical bills and medical allowance are still pending from 2019 onwards and every time when we pursued with authorities, they assure that they are going to arrange funds and they are not allotting.

Though VRS is effectively implemented, salary is not being paid. Tower corporation is formed and though Minister told that BSNL is not being privitised but it is being done in effect.  Next All India Conference is to be held in end of 2022 and some discussions are held to hold the AIC in Andhra. During lockdown period also, Andhra has given an impressive growth in the life membership.  

 DG Speech : Congratulate Andhra Pradesh leadership for very good increase in membership . Particularly during the pandemic period of 2020-21, increase of 1625 membership is highly laudable.  Similarly during this pandemic period , six new branches have been formed in Andhra. 1058 members from 13 SSAs have contributed donations of more than 13 lakhs in response to CHQ call for COVID fund which is really appreciable. Increase in membership is due to effective functioning, particularly taking up the problems of individual family pensioners.  In Central Secretariat meeting in January 2020, We took a decision to file the case for pension revision because there was no chance to settle the demand through negotiation Since Political boss has rejected our demand. We filed a case in PB CAT New Delhi.  Our Association is first applicant. Petitioners are one retired executive and two  retired non-executives. These includes those retired prior to 2007, post 2007 retiree and  VRS 2019 retiree also.   Even VRS 2019 retirees did not get pay revision and they are also identically placed. 1989 OM of Dept of Pension gave 3 options – to retain Govt Pension, 100% Commutation, Prorata Pension for Govt service . Before formation of BSNL , Govt moved a cabinet note . All employees are entitled to Govt Pension/Family pension even after absorption and payment of pension would be made by Govt.  Rule 37A is incorporated.  We have quoted nakara judgement 1982. Dept of Pension gave a clarification that pension will be calculated on IDA basic pay. Most of 6^th CPC recommendations are made applicable to BSNL IDA pensioners as per the clarification of DOP P&W.  In the past also for pension revision We have been continuously pressing for revision from 2007 and to undo the anomaly after pay revision as per 2^nd PRC in 2009/2010, DOT moved a cabinet note for pension revision for pre 2006 BSNL retirees. Now for 2017, DOT argued that BSNL retirees are getting more pension than CG pensioners. Govt says without pay revision, there is no pension revision. We have countered that argument and told that the minimum pension for BSNL pensioners is much less than CG pensioners after 7^th CPC. Some more examples are also given where BSNL retirees are getting less pension. Retirement benefits of Gratuity and Commutation are given to BSNL retirees and 3^rd benefit of Pension revision is denied. They have filed a counter in Nov 2020. The counter filed by DOT is on weak points.  We have given our rejoinder replying with facts. Another point in their counter that Sub rule (4) of Rule 37 A  says absorbed employees cease to be Govt Employees.   We have quoted one SC judgement that para 4 was struck down. 3 rd was likelyhood of anomaly if pension is revised without pay revision.  7^th CPC applicable to CDA pensioners not to BSNL IDA pensioners.  IDA is only legal requirement under sub rule 9 of Rule 37A. We are hopeful of winning the case.

Pension Anomaly – we have pursued the issue from 2010 onwards. Filed in 2014 judgement in 2016. Contempt petition and appeal of DOT in High court dismissed in our favour. Time limited of February is over. DOT is inclined to implement the Judgement. Dept Of Pension agreed with proposal of DOT and suggested to get approval of Expenditure Dept and  to seek clearance of Legal Deptl. Legal Department observed that this case is not fit for appeal.    DOT has to issue the order after approval of Expenditure Dept.  4000 pensioners have to get the benefit. 

District Secretaries – Circle Office-bearers

District Secretaries and other speakers have briefly reported on the activities of their branches and raised the issues concerning CGHS & MRS bills etc. All the district secretaries have intimated that more and more pensioners are migrating to CGHS and hence the need for revamp of CGHS facilities in all the districts. All of them wanted atleast one Welness center in their District. They have urged for empanelment of new hospitals for CGHS beneficiaries in all towns, to the available Welness centre.

Com Rajagopal Naidu, Anantapur felt happy for guidance given to them from Circle regarding CGHS migration.

DS Srikakulam intimated that members have migrated to CGHS, 60 VRS retirees are about to join our association.

DS Kadapa said he could not conduct meetings due to carona. He wants FMA to be granted to CGHS card holders residing beyond 5 KM from CGHS centre.

BS ELuru said quotas have paid in full in the district and expressed satisfaction about settlement of problems of members.

DS Kurnool said that pensioners day celebrated at Adoni and senior members were felicitated. Monthly meetings could not be conducted. Mentioned about pending individual problems.

Com Narasaiah Nellore said payment of 7 members made in Banks for CGHS is held up in the process,  is to be resolved. Pending medical bills to be cleared. Vacant post of Chemist is to be filled up. Vaccination in CGHS centre is to be done.

DS Ongole said quotas are paid, Pensioners day and formation day were observed in the district. New branches at Markapuram and Podili are formed. Medical bills are pending from Oct 2018. Empanelment of a hospital in Ongole under MRS is required. 2 Family pension cases are pending. During Carona period, Contract labour in BSNL Ongole are helped by raising donations from our members. Thanked for settlement of some pending cases thro Adalat.

DS Tirupati told that membership has increased after VRS in the District. Functioning of Madanapalli branch will be revived. Pensioners day is celebrated. Medical allowance for the last two years is pending.

DS Visakhapatnam intimated that problem of ward allotment incorrectly. Space in Daba gardens Welness Center is very congested. This requires to be shifted to new premises. He wants another wellness center in Gazuvaka side. Pension settlement of A Venkata Rao retired 9 months back is still pending. SSA has replied to CCAs objection on Excess increment in his case. CGHS empanelled hospitals are rejecting Cashless treatment since the CGHS approved rates of 2014 are very less. He wants CGHS rates are to be revised to avoid this problem. MRS bills with voucher or without voucher are pending in SSA.

Com Ch Satya Rao Vizianagaram intimated that membership has increased phenomenally after VRS Retirement. Payment of medical bills pertaining to 2017-18 has not been done though IT is deducted. He thanked for the settlement of many problems thro Adalat. 3 issues of Refund of recovered amount of commutation amount after death of pensioner, Counting of TSM Service, Sanction of FP to Disabled unmarried daughter after death of FP needs settlement. Variation in CGHS ward entitlement between those retired pre 2006 and post 2006 retirees in reference to 4200/4600 grade pay / pay scales is to be resolved. 

DS Guntur told that we are disappointed that Circle Executive to held physically today in Guntur could not be conducted due to increase of covid although all the necessary arrangements are made completely. 10 branches are functioning in Guntur. Pensioners day is celebrated in Guntur and CS has attended and addressed. Covid fund of Rs 3.04 lakhs , the highest in the circle, has been sent by our members under the guidance of CP. Medical bills pertaining to 2018-19, 2019-2020 are pending for payment. Final receipts   for Payments made for CGHS contributions in respect of some cases are not generated. To avoid this type of problems, acceptance of DDs may be considered. FMA for CGHS card holders in non-CGHS areas is to be paid. VC clearance for Ch Yedukondalu is pending and his pension case is not settled. Hard copies of sanction letters for payment of commutation and gratuity for VRS retirees on their superannuation are to arranged by CCA office. Upgrading CGHS infrastructure in the district is required. Sanction letters to Family pensioners are required to apply for MRS card and Telephone facility. FMA for Suhashini FP is pending for sanction.

Com GSN Prasad Anantapur wanted a wellness centre in Anantapur.

Com  P Purnacharyulu Tanuku There is no CGHS empanelled (multi speciality) hospital either in Rajahmundry or in Eluru. He wants an empanelment of multi - speciality hospital. He thanked CHQ for the clarification on eligibility of Family Pensioners to become CGHS beneficiaries.

Com T D Aseervadam Vijayawada has briefed about activities of Vijayawada. Membership enrolment is being taken up by giving all necessary help to VRS retirees. He informed that revival of functioning of branch at Gudivada is also being planned.

Com G Nageswara Rao Guntur also spoke on need of improvement of CGHS facilities in the District and Circle. He is the member of advisory committee for CGHS wellness center.

Circle Secretary  clarified that if opted to FMA in lieu of CGHS one time contribution , they will not be able to change the option once exercised. FMA in non-CGHS areas is to be paid. When applying for new card, this option is to be mentioned in the application forgoing out-door treatment. After issue of card without OD facility, CCA office will issue sanction for FMA. As per norms, there has to be minimum 6000 card holders for extension of new CGHS in a city. Empanelment of new hospitals, it is to be initiated from Hospital side to CGHS. We have already addressed for posting of AD CGHS for AP and for upgrading of CGHS facilities in all the wellness centers.   CGHS payments problems in Nellore, Rajahmundry, Guntur are reported to concerned authorities in CGHS, Banks. The issue has been brought to the notice of GS, GS has, thro STR Chennai, enquired in PAO CGHS Chennai. PAO Chennai suggested that payment details may be given by individual applicants and the applicants will be replied thro mail after investigation by PAO Chennai.     Regarding pending MRS payments, CHQ has been pursuing with the Corp. Office for allotment of funds. Corporate Office has been assuring fund allotment giving preference to pensioners but it is not happening.   CS requested circle office to give necessary instructions to all SSAs to enter data fully for both options before projecting further requirement and payment. The problem of IT notices to some of our members for AY 19-20 has also been brought to the notice of GS/DG and GS taken up the issue with IT CPC / CBDT also. IT has issued notices not considering the EL earned during DOT service  and restricted the exemption to Rs 3 lakhs only. Members are guided properly for complying with IT notices and matter is now settled allowing full eligible exemption. CHQ/Circle have been proactively taking up all the issues during Carona period also like life certificate, due dates for options etc. Family pension cases in Sampann are to be expedited for sanction. .  Four adalats are held during 2019, 2020 and many issues were taken up and settled. Thanked CHQ, Circle, District leaders for making the Virtual CEC successful.   Meeting ended at 20 hours.      

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