Saturday 30 September 2017

RETIREMENT SEPTEMBER 2017


WISH U A PEACEFUL,HEALTHY,HAPPY RETIRED LIFE.

LIST OF RETIREES ON 30/09/2017

S/S
V.JEYARAMAN  TT MELUR
A. SUNDARESAN TT MADURAI.





CHQ NEWS

LATEST NEWS

30/09
WITH GREAT GRIEF WE REPORT THAT COM. SAMPATH SINGH, RAJASTHAN CIRCLE PRESIDENT OF OUR ASSOCIATION BREATHED LAST YESTERDAY, 29-9-2017, AT AJMER. HE WAS 70+. COM. SAMPATH WAS NOT WELL FOR 2-3 WEEKS. HE WAS ONE OF THE LEADING TRADE UNION LEADERS OF TELECOM WORKERS IN RAJASTHAN.
CHQ CONVEYS ITS DEEPEST CONDOLENCES TO THE FAMILY MEMBERS OF LATE COM. SAMPATH SINGH. 
29/09

The All India Consumer Price Index (Ind. Workers) for the month of August 2017 is announced today. It is 285 points. For the previous month of July also it was 285.Based on the above, the rate of IDA from 1-10-2017 can be assessed as 124.27%. We can expect 124.3%. An increase of 5.3% from the existing rate of 119%.

28/09
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.
28/09

PENSIONERS ARE EXEMPTED FROM THE MONTHLY AVERAGE BALANCE STIPULATION

The State Bank of India has issued revised instructions regarding maintenance of Monthly Average Balance (MAB) in SB Accounts and charges to be levied if the MAB is not maintained.
Significant aspect is that some categories of Account holders are exempted from the said charges. 
Pensioners are one category exempted from the MAB charges.
27/09
Com. G Natarajan (GS) and Com. T S Vittoban (Treasurer) reached Kolkata on 25-9-2017 evening. They attended the Kolkata Civil Wing District Conference on 26-9-2017. Since other branches representatives were not present it was decided to hold the West Bengal Circle conference on a later date ensuring participation by all. 
Both GS and Treasurer met the PGM (Finance) and discussed cases of many medical claim bills pending. It is revealed that HR number is not fed in the ERP and hence the delay. PGM (F) assured prompt action to settle some pending cases pointed out.
For the purpose of MRS, the retirees of erstwhile Telegraph Traffic in Kolkata are clubbed with Circle Office. Due to Durga puja holidays, the GM (HR) of Circle Office who was in charge of the medical cases was not available and hence our leaders could not meet her. 
26/09
With great grief, we report the sad news on demise of Com.M. Amirthalingam of Salem, our Former Assistant Circle Secretary of Tamilnadu Circle, who breathed his last at 03-55 PM yesrteday, 25th September 2017 at Coimbatore. His last rites will be performed today.
He was the President of our Association in Salem West district Branch. He is one among the top leaders of Salem and was instrumental in the merger process of Salem West division into AIBSNLPWA. His Contribution to TESA is also remembered by all.
Com. Amrithalingam was also associated with the Progressive Writers movement in Tamil. 
CHQ of AIBSNLPWA conveys heart felt condolences to the bereaved family 

Saturday 23 September 2017

CIRCLE NEWS.

Friday, 22 September 2017


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 ShriManojsinha, 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 11th 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 12th 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.
-4-
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.                        

Date: 19/9/2017


Pension Adalat at Chennai on 22/9/2017
(Report by D.Gopalakrishnan)

As notified earlier, it was held in Hall of Inspiration under the chairmanship of Dr Niranjana, PCCA, TN between 1030 & 1230.

Dy.CCA Shri C.Sankarapandi informed that 226 grievances were received for this adalat out of which 217 are settled (almost all about non-receipt of 78.2 arrears or change of address).

From our Association Coms D.Gopalakrishnan, V.Ramarao, D.Anbalagan (Puducherry), S.Thangaraj (Vellore), R.Thiruvenkadasamy (Coimbatore), D.S.Ramalingam, S.Narasimhan, N.Mohan, Sundarakrishnan (STR) attended. From Chennai Telephone District side, Coms.M.Govindarajan, Moorthy etc attended the adalath.

It was informed that till date authority was issued for 16,845 pensioners for 78.2 pension arrears.  On our request in Thanjavur Adalat O/o PCCA exhibited the names of the beneficiaries and we thanked them.  But we pointed out that since it is asper date of dispatch, it is difficult to find out the name and we suggested that it can be either according to PPO number in ascending order or name of the pensioner alphabetically.  It was agreed to put alphabetically. 

We wanted to discuss the issue of due pension of Com G.Palani (Vellore SSA) whose pension was not fixed asper para 4.2 of DoT OM dated 15/3/2011.  We also wanted to discuss the issue of pension revision of CDA pensioners on the basis of ‘Notional LPD’ asper DoP&PW OM dated 12/5/2017.  It was informed that these two cases can be discussed in the next monthly meeting with Jt.CCA (Pension). 

We also pointed out that though the pensioners are intimating the change of address it is corrected only in the system and not in the files.  We were informed that now that mistake is rectified and now corrections are carried out in the files also. 

We told that PCCA should convene a meeting of Bank representatives without further delay because there is undue delay on the part of banks and we should also be invited for the meeting for necessary interaction. 
On behalf of our Circle we gave 8 cases for this Adalat and the outcome is given below:-
      1. P Namachivayam – change of name of spouse – Letter was sent to CGM, STR on 5/9/2017 for necessary action
     2.  R Narayana – Non payment of revision of pension arrears by CPPC, Canara Bank – CPPC, Canara Bank instructed to effect payment and mail sent on 6/9/2017 
   3. Azeema W/o Late P Adhi Basha – Grant of dual family pension – PPO authorizing dual family pension issued on 8/9/2017
     4.  Sundaram – Payment of additional commuted value of pension based on revised pay fixation (3% increment) w.e.f. 1/1/2007 – LPC called for from Pondicherry SSA not received.  On receipt of LPC, the case will be processed
      5. Silvia D/o Late M Reeta – Re-authorisation of family pension – Service book called for from Pondicherry SSA on 5/9/2017
      6.  Lakshmi W/o M Muthulingam – Grant of pension revision and authorization of dual family pension – Wanted documents were called for on 1/7/2016 itself.  Com Anbalagan informed that it was sent on 2/8/2016 itself.  Dy.CCA agreed to look into it.
     7.    P Lakshmanan – Delinking of 33 years of service and payment of pension – The pensioner is drawing more than 50% of the minimum of scale of pay corresponding to the pre-revised scale.  Hence further revision does not arise.
      8.   Kathirvelu – Revision of Pension – Authority was issued on 21/4/2017

While thanking all, Com DG told that the next Adalat may be held early and it should be centralized one as before.
  

Tuesday 19 September 2017

NEED BASE MINIMUM WAGE- SLOGAN ON 19 TH SEPTEMBER 1968


CHQ ON 1968 STRIKE

Image result for strike by employees

19 SEPTEMBER 

19/09
Today, we observe the 49th anniversary of the historic one day strike by the central government employees of India on 19, September 1968. Next year it will be the 50th anniversary! After half a century, when I look back many vivid pictures come to my mind. I am really a product of that one day’s strike.
The main demand for the strike was “Need Based Minimum Wage.” Nobody talks about that demand now.13 working people – mainly from Railways – were brutally murdered on that day.Nobody talks about them now.
More than 50,000 workers were dismissed or terminated.It was the dress rehearsal for Emergency declared seven years later. For political reasons, Kerala became the major target of attack.Maximum employees were dismissed, terminated, suspended and transferred to far away places in Kerala.We struggled for three years facing all types of victimization.
Some leaders surrendered, not the workers. We became stronger like steel.
On this day, I can not resist recollecting those experiences. But I do not want to narrate everything here. Time has passed. Time has solved many problems.
STILL, ONE THOUGHT.
IF A WORKER REFUSES TO WORK FOR A DAY SAYING THE WAGES YOU GIVE HIM IS NOT SUFFICIENT CAN YOU CALL THE POLICE AND GET HIM ARRESTED? NO. NO RULES PERMIT THAT.
BUT IF THE GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES REFUSE TO WORK FOR A DAY SAYING THE WAGES ARE NOT SATISFACTORY THEY CAN BE ARRESTED, TERMINATED, MURDERED EVEN. THEY ARE BOUND BY RULES AND REGULATIONS.
THIS IS OUR INDIA.