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2013

• 31.12.2013: IDA INCREASE W.E.F. 1.1.2014:According to calculations based on All India Consumer Price Index, IDA is to be increased w.e.f. 1.1.2014 by 5% for CPSEs where last pay revision was implemented w.e.f. 1.1.2007 and by 8.4% where last pay revision was implemented w.e.f. 1.1.1997.

• 26.12.2013: ABSORBED MTNL EMPLOYEES TO GET PENSION FROM GOVERNMENT:Cabinet has approved a proposal today for payment of pension by the Government to all absorbed MTNL employees who had been receiving the same only from MTNL, since no trust as prescribed in Rule 37A of CCS (Pension) Rules 1972 was formed. However, the pay-scales of the employees in future will be brought down to the level of BSNL employees. This implies that the MTNL employees will not get the pay revision or pension revision with reference to the 3rd Pay Revision Committee recommendations as and when formed and recommended.

• 26.12.2013: GB MEETING OF KOLHAPUR BRANCH OF AIBSNLREA:The quarterly meeting of Kolhapur Branch of AIBSNLREA was held on 22nd December 2013 in Telephone Bhavan Conference Hall. 52 members attended the meeting and 3 more new members joined the Association. President, welcomed all the members and meeting started with the Prayer “Itani Shakti Hame Deen Daata…”. Secretary informed the House the about sad demise of three Members of the Branch Association i.e. S/Shri S R Gharge, on 30-9-2013, LB Durgai on 14.11.2013 and R P Kulkarni, the Branch President on 6.12.2013. The House observed 2 minutes silence in respect of departed Members and paid homage. Then Secretary informed the house the Latest development of issue of 78.2% IDA merger and revision of Pension of both pre and post 2007 BSNL retirees, he explained the CHQs efforts in the direction and also the other Pensioners Associations. He replied the queries of members and further said on other issues regarding Medical claims, BSNL’s proposal of CGHS facility to employees and pensioners, Sanchay Post at doorstep of Pensioners scheme to be launched by India Post, SBI’s appeal to all Pensioners to enroll their spouse’s DOB in PPO with application and proof of DOB and DOP&PW order for payment of retirement benefits at the earliest to pensioners etc. Then Senior Members S/Shri SG Kanade and HRV Rao, addressed the house and gave health Tips and guidelines on of daily health exercises, foods intakes and persuasion of Adhyatmic path etc. for peaceful retired life. Other members also narrated their experiences. Then Guest Lecturer Shri Dinesh Dange ,retired Professor from Shahu College, was introduced by Shri. PS Kulkarni, Astt. Secretary and requested him to deliver his lecture on “Hasanya saathi Janma Aapala” i.e. “Our life for Laugh” for about one hour. He was felicitated with a small Gift with bouquet on behalf the Association by the President. The Branch Secretary then requested all the Members to be in touch with the retiring Officers and make them members so as to strengthen the Association. The members were requested to generously donate to the Association for its effective functioning both at local and CHQ level. The members gave very positive response. Shri SM Vaidya, Executive Member of the Branch, gave vote of thanks to the visiting Guests and all the participants. The meeting ended with lunch at 02 00PM offered by Shri. SV Patil, Members from Sangli. [Click here to view photos ....]

• 25.12.2013: GENERAL BODY MEETING OF AMBALA BRANCH:A General Body Meeting of Ambala Branch was held on 23.12.2013 under the chairmanship of Sh. P.C.Chauhan President of the Branch. Sh.J.C Gupta Branch Secretary welcomed all the participants and briefed about the issues particularly fitment benefit of pay/pension fixation with 78.2% DA as on 1.1.2007. He also appreciated the efforts of our veteran member Sh. R. C. Khurana in getting the representation from our Association forwarded through Kum. Selja Hon'ble Minister of Social Justice to Hon'ble MOC Sh. Kapil Sibal. Branch Secretary also wished Happy New Year 2014 to all the members and their families for prosperous and healthy future life. On this occasion a lunch party was also organised. Four new members were also enrolled as life members taking the membership of Ambala Branch to 37.

• 23.12.2013: WEST BENGAL STATE BRANCH OF AIBSNLREA HELD ITS GB MEETING:The General Body Meeting of AIBSNLREA, West Bengal State Branch was held on Tuesday the 17th December, 2013 In Telegraph Institute Hall, CTO Kolkata with a record gathering of 230 members. The State Secretary Com. N.H.Siddique released the News Letter- 9th Issue. He presented the latest development on 78.2% fitment benefit and other issues pending at state level. He further informed the house that due to persuasion of the State Branch, it became possible to empanel the Tata Medical Centre, Kolkata for specialized cancer treatment for BSNL Employees and retirees as well. Shri S.R.Palit, Asstt. Secretary discussed in detail on 78.2% fitment issue and appraised the House about the positive role being played by the CHQ leadership. 19 retired executives enrolled their membership in the meeting. Shri S. Sengupta, Financial Secy. Placed the Accounts for the year 2012-13 which was duly approved by the house. Shri A.K Basuroy President in his concluding speech appealed the members to further strengthen the Association.

• 20.12.2013: TCIL NEEDS RETIRED BSNL EXECUTIVES FOR THEIR DEFENCE PROJECTS IN RAJASTHAN AND UTTARAKHAND:TCIL is in need of retired BSNL Executives in the cadres of SDEs and DEs for their upcoming Defence Projects in Rajasthan and Uttarakhand available locally. Interested BSNL Executives who have recently retired from BSNL may contact Ms Neha Gupta, Dy Manager (HRD), TCIL for further details [Phone No. 011-26202224/011-26202205/011-26202202, e-mail: neha.bansal@tcil-india.com or Deepak.sain@tcil-india.com]

• 18.12.2013: GUJARAT STATE BRANCH OF AIBSNLREA HELD ITS GENERAL BODY MEETING CUM GET TOGETHER MEETING:Gujarat State Branch of AIBSNLREA held its General Body cum Get together meeting on 17th December 2013 in the Conference Hall of Government Circuit House, Shahi Baug, Ahmedabad. Shri R C Sharma, CWC Member, welcomed the gathering which was followed by the prayer song by Shri B C Chauhan. Shri B M Bhavsar, State President, in his presidential address welcomed all members and briefed about the activities carried out in solving the problems of pensioners at the state level. AIBSNLREA NEWS, GUJARAT published by the State Branch was also released on the occasion. State Secretary Shri A.B.Patel placed his report before the house explaining in detail the efforts made by CHQ in getting 78.2% fitment benefit to those who retired after 1.1.2007 but before 10.6.2013, as well as further revision of pension of pre-2007 pensioners. He also explained the efforts made by CHQ in resolving the problem of pension anomaly of those pensioners who retired between 1-10-2000 and 31-7-2001 and other problems pertaining to our members. 210 members attended the meeting. Thirty new members have also joined the Association. Thus, total membership of Gujarat State Branch reached to 620. The meeting ended with Vote of Thanks presented by Shri R S Agrawal, the State Vice-President.[Click here to view photos ....]

• 16.12.2013: PALAKKAD BRANCH OF AIBSNLREA HOLDS GB MEETING:A General Body meeting of Palakkad Branch of AIBSNLREA was convened at Hotel Indraprastha Auditorium, Palakkad on 10th of this month at 1030 AM. 33 members attended. 6 new members also joined the Association. Sri Bhaskaran, delivered his presidential address. Sri Prabhakaran, Secretary submitted the minutes of last meeting. There were discussions regarding the present crucial issue of un settled 78.2% ida merger. The Secretary of the Branch also informed the House that some other associations have initiated to form local coordination committee in which AIBSNLREA’s participation has been sought. Meeting concluded at 13.00 hrs and a lunch was arranged and all disbursed at 1345 hrs.

• 13.12.2013: ANNUAL GENERAL BODY MEETING OF AIBSNLREA CHENNAI BRANCH HELD:The Annual General Body Meeting of AIBSNLREA Chennai Branch was held on 11.12.2013 under the Presidentship of Com.V.Chinnapappiah, at the Lecture Hall of Institution of Electronics and Telecommunication Engineers – IETE Chennai Centre. Com.S.Ratnasubramanian, Joint Secretary (South) CHQ addressed the gathering explaining in detail the achievements of AIBSNLREA since its formation, its role in getting pension revision approved from 1.1.2007, its continuing efforts in getting 78.2% fitment benefit to those who retired after 1.1.2007 but before 10.6.2013, the confusing activities of other associations etc. Com.B.S.Sanjeevan, Secretary placed the Report on the activities of Chennai Branch and Com.N.Devanna, Finance Secretary placed the Statement of Income and Expenditure before the House, which were duly approved. Com.V.Sivasamy, Com.B.Jayaraman and Com.S.Ashokkumar have been elected unanimously as President, Secretary and Finance Secretary in the new body. The meeting ended with Vote of Thanks by Com.B.Jayaraman, the new Secretary. [Click Here for the list of office-bearers and photos of the meeting… ....]

• 12.12.2013: GENERAL BODY MEETING OF WEST BENGAL STATE BRANCH OF AIBSNLREA: General Body Meeting of AIBSNLREA, West Bengal State Branch will be held on Tuesday, the 17th December 2013 at 12.30hrs in Telegraph Institute Hall, CTO, Kolkata to discuss about the problems of the BSNL Pensioners and also the relevant current issues. A seminar on ‘JYOGA’ dealing with old age ailment will also take place. All members of the association are requested to attend the meeting punctually.

• 12.12.2013: GENERAL BODY MEETING OF AIBSNLREA, GUJARAT STATE BRANCH: General Body cum Get together Meeting of the members of Gujarat State Branch of AIBSNLREA will be held at 10.30 AM on 17th December 2013 i.e. on Pensioners’ Day at the Conference Hall of Government Circuit House, ShahiBaug , Ahmedabad to discuss current affairs and various items concerning the pensioners. This will be followed by the lunch. All the members of the AIBSNLREA, Gujarat State Branch and others are requested to attend the meeting.

• 10.12.2013: REPRESENTATION AGAINST WILLFUL VIOLATION OF THE DPE OM NO. 2(70)/08-DPE(WC)-GL-VII/0 DATED 02.04.2009 BY DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATION REGARDING MERGER OF 50% DA, EFFECTIVELY AMOUNTING TO 78.2%, AS ON 01.01.2007 FOR FITMENT IN THE REVISED IDA SCALES AS RECOMMENDED BY THE GoM CONSTITUTED BY PRIME MINISTER OF INDIA - CASE OF THE EMPLOYEES OF BHARAT SANCHAR NIGAM LIMITED:Kumari Selja, Minister of Social Justice & Empowerment, Government of India forwards copy of our representation dated 07.10.2013 addressed to Shri Praful, Patel, Minister of Heavy Industries & Public Enterprises and others on the above subject [posted in this website on 07.10.2013] to Shri Kapil Sibal, Minister of Communication & IT “for necessary and appropriate action and getting the representation examined”. The Minister of Social Justice & Empowerment was requested by our Ambala Branch (Haryana State) to take up the matter at her level. [Click here to view the letter ....]

• 08.12.2013: ANNUAL GENERAL BODY MEETING OF AIBSNLREA, CHENNAI BRANCH: The Annual General Body Meeting of AIBSNLREA, Chennai Branch will be held at 17.30 Hours on 11th December, 2013 at the Lecture Hall of Institute of Electronics and Telecommunication Engineers - IETE Chennai Centre, 37, Conron Smith Road, near Sathyam Theatre Complex, Gopalapuram, Chennai-600086 to discuss various items as already notified in the agenda. All the members of the Chennai Branch and others are requested to attend the meeting.

• 27.11.2013: DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC ENTERPRISES FORWARDS THE COPY OF AIBSNLREA’S LETTER ADDRESSED TO SECRETARY, DOP&PW IN THE MATTER OF SERIOUS ANOMALIES WITH LEGAL IMPLICATIONS IN RESPECT OF STAND OF DOT REGARDING MERGER OF 78.2% IDA WITH BASIC PENSION BENEFIT TO THE ABSORBED BSNL PENSIONERS TO THE DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATION FOR EXAMINATION AND NECESSARY ACTION:Department of Public Enterprises has since forwarded our letter No. AIBSNLREA/CHQ/2013/45 dated 16.09.2013 [view posting dated 19.09.2013 in this website] on the above issue which was addressed to Secretary, DoP&PW with copy endorsed to the Secretaries of other concerned Departments to the Department of Telecommunications for examination and necessary action. [Click here to view the DPE letter ....]

• 25.11.2013: STREAMLINING THE PROCEDURES FOR SETTLING THE CLAIMS FOR REIMBURSEMENT OF MEDICAL BILLS FOR OUTDOOR/INDOOR TREATMENT OF RETIRED BSNL EMPLOYEES TO MITIGATE THEIR HARDSHIPS:AIBSNLREA again writes to CMD, BSNL requesting early decision on its letter No. AIBSNLREA/CHQ/2013/35 dated 22.07.2013 [view the posting dated 22.07.2013 inthis website] suggesting various measures to streamline the procedures for settling the claims for reimbursement of medical bills for outdoor/indoor treatment of retired BSNL Employees and other related issues to mitigate the hardships and difficulties being faced by them. [Click here to view the letter ....]

• 13.11.2013: DOP&PW FORWARDS AIBSNLREA’S REPRESENTATION ON PROPOSAL OF DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATION FOR REVISION OF PENSION OF THE ABSORBED BSNL PENSIONERS FOLLOWING FAULTY IMPLEMENTATION OF DPE OM NO. 2(70)/08-DPE(WC)-GL-VII/09 DATED 02.04.2009 FOR ALLOWING THE BENEFIT OF MERGER OF 50% DA WITH BASIC PAY W.E.F. 01.01.2007, EFFECTIVELY AMOUNTING TO 78.2%, FOR THE PURPOSE OF FITMENT AND PAY FIXATION IN THE REVISED PAY SCALES TO DOT:Department of Pension & Pensioners’ Welfare has forwarded copy of our representation dated 08.10.2013 [to read this representation, posting dated 11.10.2013 in this website may be viewed] on the above issue to Department of Telecommunication for considering the grievances raised therein expeditiously in accordance with the extant rules/instructions. [Click here to view the DoP&PW letter ....]

• 09.11.2013: GENERAL BODY MEETING OF AMBALA BRANCH OF AIBSNLREA HELD:A General Body meeting of Ambala Branch of AIBSNLREA was held on 30th October, 2013 on the eve of Diwali. The meeting was presided over by Shri R.L Duggal Vice president of Ambala Branch. Shri R.C.Kalia Asstt Secretary briefed the members on the various issues concerning members. Diwali greetings were also exchanged amongst the members. 29 members out of total 33 members of the Branch attended the meeting. This includes 12 new life members who were enrolled recently.

• 04.11.2013: GENERAL BODY MEETING OF EAST GODAVARY DISTRICT BRANCH OF AIBSNLREA HELD:The General body meeting of East Godavari District branch of AIBSNLREA was held at Rajahmundry on 1.11.2013 under the president ship of Shri S. Satyanarayana, President of the branch at SURYA hotel. Sixty (60) members attended the meeting. Members discussed regarding the willful violation of the DPE OM NO: 2(70)/08-DPE(WC)-GL-V11/0 dated 02-04-2009 by DoT for merger of 50% DA, effectively amounting to 78.2%, for fitment and pay fixation w.e.f. 1.1.2007. S/Shri Ch Gandhi, P.D.Arunkumar, KBS Naidu, CB Sarma, GSVSS Vara Prasad explained the developments in the BSNL in general and revision of pre and post 2007 pension fixations in particular. The GB also unanimously appreciated the efforts made by the GS and expressed its solidarity with the CHQ of AIBSNLREA. The lunch was arranged in hotel Surya. A cultural program was also arranged in which many members enthusiastically participated . Seven (7) new life members joined the Association. Thus, the total life membership of the Branch went up to 122. The meeting concluded with vote of thanks by Shri KSS Bhavachari. [Click here to view the photographs of the meeting ....]

• 30.10.2013: BENEFIT OF MERGER OF 50% DA EFFECTIVELY AMOUNTING TO 78.2% AS ON 01.01.2007 FOR THE PURPOSE OF FITMENT IN THE REVISED IDA PAY SCALES OF BSNL EMPLOYEES- PAYMENT OF ARREARS OF PAY TO THE BSNL EMPLOYEES FOR THE PERIOD BETWEEN 01.01.2007 AND 09.06.2013 ON APPLICATION OF REVISED FITMENT BENEFIT – AIBSNLREA AGAIN WRITES TO SECRETARY (T) REFERING TO CMD, BSNL’S DO LETTER ON THE ISSUE:In the backdrop of CMD, BSNL’s DO letter dated 21.10.2013 to Secretary (T) which supports the contention of AIBSNLREA on the above issue (posting dated 26.10.2013 in this site), AIBSNLREA has again taken up the matter with Secretary (Telecom) and others. It urges in its letter “……. we once again earnestly request you to kindly revisit to the whole issue afresh and modify the DOT OM No. 61-01/2012-SU dated 10.06.2013 allowing the benefit of fitment and pay fixation in terms of DPE OM dated 02.04.2009 also to all those BSNL employees who were in service on 01.01.2007 and received the benefit of revised IDA pay scales w.e.f. 01.01.2007. The arrears thereof may be paid as and when the financial position of BSNL improves”. [Click here to view the letter ....]

• 26.10.2013: ORDERS ON MERGER OF 78.2% DA FOR FITMENT AND FIXATION OF PAY IN THE REVISED PAY SCALES OF THE BSNL EMPLOYEES W.E.F 01.01.2007 AND PAYMENT OF ARREARS THEREOF- OUR STAND VINDICATED:Ever since the Presidential Directive dated 10.06.2013 on the above issue was issued by DOT, opposing the views being expressed by many unions and associations of serving BSNL employees and BSNL Pensioners’ Associations, AIBSNLREA had taken a constant view that the said Presidential Directive does not refer to any notional pay scale or notional pay fixation benefit and the BSNL employees who had been in service on 1.1.2007 and received the benefit of revised pay scales with merger of 68.8% DA for fitment and fixation of pay in the revised pay scales are entitled to get the benefit of 78.2% DA merger for the same purpose in terms of DPE OM dated 02.04.2009 with effect from 01.01.2007. We also took the stand that DOT has no authority to postpone the date of actual benefit. Subsequently, this was even got confirmed by DPE through the RTI route. Accordingly, AIBSNLREA has been relentlessly fighting to get the pay of those BSNL Employees who retired between 1.1.2007 and 09.06.2013 fixed in the revised IDA scales w.e.f. 1.1.2007 and make payment of arrears thereof to all BSNL employees including those who retired after 1.1.2007 but before 10.06.2013. Now CMD, BSNL has addressed a letter to Secretary, Department of Telecommunication virtually endorsing our views. This will be an added strength to fight out the case to its logical conclusion. [Click here to view the letter of CMD BSNL....]

• 23.10.2013: UP STATE BRANCH OF AIBSNLREA HOLDS ITS STATE EXECUTIVE MEETING:The Uttar Pradesh State Branch of AIBSNLREA held its fourth State Executive Committee meeting on 19.10.2013 at Indira Nagar, Lucknow. The meeting was presided over by Shri S N Shukla, State President. S/Shri S P Singh, Branch Secretary, Lucknow, Khajanji Prasad, Branch Secretary, Gorakhpur and S R Yadav, Organizing Secretary, Kanpur Branch also attended the meeting. Shri R S Arora, State Secretary submitted his report on the activities at the State level and Shri Ambika Singh, State Financial Secretary presented his Financial Account. Shri P D Shukla, President, AIBSNLREA also addressed the members.

• 17.10.2013: INTRODUCTION OF A SPECIAL AND EFFECTIVE MECHANISM FOR SPEEDY AND TIME BOUND DISPOSAL OF PENDING DISCIPLINARY/VIGILANCE CASES AGAINST THE PENSIONERS:AIBSNLREA had been requesting the Government from time to time for introduction of a special mechanism for speedy and time bound disposal of the disciplinary/vigilance cases against the pensioners. The issue was also discussed in one of the meetings of the SCOVA in which the Government had assured that Hota Committee is looking into the issue for expediting the disciplinary/vigilance cases against the Government Employees. The MOS(PP), who chaired the meeting, had also told that not only the pensioners but also the serving employees cases are to be expeditiously settled. In this regard our postings dated 20.02.2013, dated 06.03.2013, dated 05.08.2013 and dated 12.09.2013 in this website may be viewed. Now Government has accepted some of the recommendations of the Hota Committee to reduce the delay in processing and completing the disciplinary/vigilance cases against the employees. These, when implemented in right earnest, might help to get some relief to the affected retiring employees also. [Click here to view some of the orders issued by DoP&T....]

• 11.10.2013: PROPOSAL OF DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATION FOR REVISION OF PENSION OF THE ABSORBED BSNL PENSIONERS FOLLOWING FAULTY IMPLEMENTATION OF DPE OM NO. 2(70)/08-DPE(WC)-GL-VII/09 DATED 02.04.2009 FOR ALLOWING THE BENEFIT OF MERGER OF 50% DA WITH BASIC PAY W.E.F. 01.01.2007, EFFECTIVELY AMOUNTING TO 78.2%, FOR THE PURPOSE OF FITMENT AND PAY FIXATION IN THE REVISED PAY SCALES – AIBSNLREA TAKES UP THE ISSUE WITH SECRETARY, DOP&PW AND OTHERS:In the background that BSNL is all set to propose revision of pension of pre-2007 absorbed BSNL pensioners and also those absorbed employees who retired between 1.1.2007 and 9.6.2013 w.e.f. 10.06.2013 and obtain its approval from different Ministries, AIBSNLREA now takes up the matter with Secretary, DOP&PW and others citing irregularities in the proposal in view of the confirmation received from DPE that no CPSE has been given option to implement its OM dated 02.04.2009 from a prospective date. AIBSNLREA writes “…... 5. In view of the above stated information as at Para 4 above, received under RTI Act 2005, from the Ministry of Heavy Industries & Public Enterprises, Government of India, the Department of Telecommunication’s Order, vide its OM No. 61-01/2012-SU dated 10.06.2013, implementing the DPE OM dated 02.04.2009 with effect from a prospective date i.e. 10.06.2013 is illegal and unfair. This Order of DOT needs to be either withdrawn or modified to allow the benefit of merger of 50% DA with Basic Pay w.e.f. 01.01.2007, effectively amounting to 78.2%, for the purpose of fitment and pay fixation in the revised pay scales with effect from 01.01.2007 only as stipulated in the DPE OM dated 02.04.2009.
  
  6. We would, therefore, request you to kindly advise Department of Telecommunication to follow the DPE OM dated 02.04.2009 in its letter and spirit and also allow revision of pension of the absorbed BSNL pensioners w.e.f 01.01.2007 only. [Click here to view the letter....]

• 08.10.2013: DECISIONS RECORDED IN THE MINUTES OF THE 23rd MEETING OF SCOVA MEETING HELD ON 20.09.2013 IN REGARD TO MERGER OF 78.2% IDA WITH BASIC PENSION BENEFIT TO THE ABSORBED BSNL PENSIONERS AND ANOMALY IN FAXATION OF PENSION TO DOT EMPLOYEES ABSORBED IN BSNL, WHO RETIRED BETWEEN 1.10.2000 AND 31.7.2001:Department of Pension & Pensioners’ Welfare has since released the minutes of 23rd Meeting of SCOVA held on 20.09.2013 which was being eagerly awaited. In this minutes of the meeting the above two items concerning the absorbed BSNL pensioners were discussed and the minutes in both the cases records that “The representative of Department of Telecommunications informed the matter has been re-examined by them and a fresh proposal will be sent to D/o P&PW for consideration before 30.09.2013”. The minutes does not give any further details. Even the language of the Item regarding merger of 78.2% IDA with basic pension is a different one from the one that was discussed in the earlier meeting. Earlier, it was specifically mentioned that the proposal was in respect of pre-2007 pensioners. Now this is missing. It appears that DOT is still considering to propose revision of pension of pre-2007 absorbed BSNL pensioners w.e.f. 10.06.2013 along the case of those who retired between 1.1.2007 and 9.6.2013. The decision recorded in the Minutes in respect of the above two items are available at Item No. 16(x) Sl No. 11 of ATR and No. 16(ix) SL No 10 of ATR respectively. AIBSNLREA will continue to follow up its demand to allow benefit of merger of 78.2% IDA with basic pension to pre-2007 absorbed BSNL pensioners w.e.f 1.1.2007 and also allow benefit of merger of 78.2% IDA with basic pay for fitment and fixation of pay in the revised pay scales with effect from 1.1.2007 to the absorbed BSNL employees who retired between 1.1.2007 and 09.06.2013. [Click here to view the Minutes....]

• 07.10.2013: REVISION OF IDA W.E.F. 1.10.2013:DPE has issued orders revising IDA w.e.f 1.10.2013 from 202% to 213.2% for CPSEs where last pay revision was implemented w.e.f. 1.1.1997 [Click here to view the order....]

• 07.10.2013: REVISION OF IDA W.E.F. 1.10.2013:DPE has issued orders revising IDA w.e.f 1.10.2013 from 78.9% to 85.5% for CPSEs where last pay revision was implemented w.e.f. 1.1.2007 [Click here to view the order....]

• 07.10.2013: REPRESENTATION AGAINST WILLFUL VIOLATION OF THE DPE OM NO. 2(70)/08-DPE(WC)-GL-VII/0 dated 02.04.2009 BY DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATION REGARDING MERGER OF 50% DA, EFFECTIVELY AMOUNTING TO 78.2%, AS ON 01.01.2007 FOR FITMENT IN THE REVISED IDA SCALES AS RECOMMENDED BY THE GoM CONSTITUTED BY PRIME MINISTER OF INDIA - CASE OF THE EMPLOYEES OF BHARAT SANCHAR NIGAM LIMITED: Based on the confirmation received from Department of Public Enterprises under the RTI Act 2005, in regard to the option available to the CPSEs to implement the DPE OM dated 02.04.2009 from a prospective date, that “no approval has been given to the CPSEs to have an option to decide on its own the effective date for such purpose, which was clearly clarified in the OM dated 02.04.2009” and the other available inputs, AIBSNLREA now makes a representation to the Minister of Heavy Industries & Public Enterprises on the above issue. The Association writes that “…… In view of our above submissions, we would like to earnestly appeal to you to kindly advise Department of Telecommunication to amend its OM dated 10.06.2013 and allow the modified fitment benefit of 78.2% for fitment and fixation of pay in the revised IDA pay scales with effect from 01.01.2007 itself as stipulated in the DPE OM dated 02.04.2009 which has been unilaterally Ordered to be implemented by Department of Telecommunication with effect from 10.06.2013. We also appeal that BSNL, which has implemented the DOT OM dated 10.06.2013 with effect from 01.01.2007, but only for the employees who received their revised IDA pay scales on that date and were still in service on or after 10.06.2013 be also advised to extend the same benefit to its employees who were in service as on 01.01.2007 and received their revised pay scales with effect from 01.01.2007 but retired between 01.01.2007 and 09.06.2013 in order to avoid discrimination and correct implementation of the DPE OM dated 02.04.2009. The pay arrears, if need be, can be paid afterwards in multiple installments.” [Click here to view the letter....]

• 07.10.2013: NEW BRANCH OF AIBSNLREA FORMED AT AMBALA (HARYANA STATE): A new Branch of AIBSNLREA was formed at Ambala on 06.10.2013. This is the second Branch in the State after formation of its first Branch at Kurukshetra on 24.09.2013. The retired Executives of Ambala conducted a meeting in Hotel Clove99 Ambala Cantt which was attended by 21 retired BSNL executives. Shri P C Chauhan, Retired GM, who also worked as CGMT, Rajasthan for some period and absorbed in BSNL from ITS cadre, presided over the meeting. Shri M K Kalra, Organising Secretary (North), CHQ attended the meeting. [Click here to view the list office bearers....]

• 03.10.2013: NON-RELEASE OF GRATUITY, SETTLEMENT OF PENSION AND COMMUTED VALUE OF PENSION AND THEIR PAYMENT THEREOF- CASE OF SHRI R K HIRKANEY, RETIRED DE, KALYAN DISTRICT – AIBSNLREA TAKES UP THE ISSUE WITH CGMT, MAHARASHTRA CIRCLE: Kalyan Telecom District, Maharashtra Circle of BSNL acknowledges receipt of our letter No. AIBSNLREA/CHQ/2013/43 dated 31.08.2013 [view the posting dated 08.09.2013 in this website) regarding the above case and informs that “the case for restoring pension is under process”. [Click here to view the letter....]

• 03.10.2013: NEW BRANCH OF AIBSNLREA FORMED AT PARBHANI (MAHARASHTRA STATE): In a meeting of the retired BSNL Executives at Parbhani held on 02.10.2013, a new Branch of AIBSNLREA was formed. The meeting held at the residence of Shri Pradip K Hamdapurkar, Retired JTO was presided over by Shri B L Desmukh, Retired DE. This is the first branch of AIBSNLREA in the Marathwada region of Maharashtra State which was formed at the initiative of Shri P R Bhujbal, Secretary, East Vidarbha Branch (Nagpur). Later, the Branch was formed with unanimous election of a Branch Committee headed by Shri B. L. Desmukh as President, Shri A J Jawale as Secretary and Shri P.K. Hamdapurkar as the Financial Secretary. [Click here to view the list office bearers....]

• 02.10.2013: GENERAL BODY MEETING OF KOLHAPUR BRANCH OF AIBSNLREA: Quarterly General Body Meeting Kolhapur Branch of AIBSNLREA was held on 29th of September 2013 in Telephone Bhavan Conference Hall in Kolhapur with Shri R P Kulkarni, President in the Chair. 50 members attended the meeting and 3 more new members joined the Association. The President welcomed all the members. The Guest Lecturer Shri Bandopant Yajnopaveet, Sangli was welcomed with Bouquet and Shawl who was introduced to the House by the Assistant Branch Secretary. Secretary Shri D K Joshi presented the detailed account of the various issues taken up by CHQ and their status. He also gave detailed status of the issue regarding re-fixation of Pay of BSNL retirees from 1.1.2007 consequent to the issue of BSNL’s recent order for merging 78.2% IDA with basic pay as on 1-1-2007 and re fixation pay for the working employees. He gave an account of the action taken by the CHQ and by other Pensioners/Working employees Associations. He informed the house about other important news in respect of BSNL-MTNL financial status and their recent pact on all India mobile Service. He also highlighted growing popularity of AIBNSNLREA’s Web-site among the viewers because of its posting of latest information and genuine urge for solution of the problems of retired BSNL employees. He concluded by informing the house about the determined action by AIBSNLREA CHQ to get the problem of 78.2% IDA merger issue for all pensioners redressed. Then Shri U R Gaikwad, Member, who sponsored the lunch, spoke on the issue of present days’ family structure and its problems and the efforts to be taken by both the elders and young ones to resolve them. Thereafter, Shri Yajnopaveet, Guest Lecturer was requested to deliver his talk on various Sanskars on the children & young ones in the Society in the day to day incidents of life. He also narrated his experience in meeting various big personalities in Maharashtra and the Cine Actors, Poets, Novelists etc. during the cases of both personal tragedy and happier moments. Shri P S Kulkarni, Asst. Branch Secretary, gave vote of thanks to the visiting Guest and all the members present. [Click here to view the photographs....]

• 01.10.2013: GENERAL BODY MEEETING OF AKOLA BRANCH (MAHARASTHRA STATE):A General body meeting of the retired BSNL Executives of Akola SSA, Presided by Shri V.V. Bhagat Rtd. DE, was held on 22.09.2013. Additional 12 life time members were enrolled and thus the total membership strength of the branch went up to 23. All members attended the meeting. Shri A.G. Nema, Branch Secretary apprised the members about the latest status of application of DOT OM dated 10.06.2013 on merger of 78.2% DA for fitment benefit in revised IDA pay scales w.e.f. 01.01.2007 to the BSNL employees who retired earlier to 09.06.2013. The meeting ended after discussions on some other important issues.

• 30.09.2013: IDA INCREASE W.E.F. 1.10.2013:According to calculations based on All India Consumer Price Index, IDA is to be increased w.e.f. 1.10.2013 by 6.6% for CPSEs where last pay revision was implemented w.e.f. 1.1.2007 and by 11.2% where last pay revision was implemented w.e.f. 1.1.1997.

• 30.09.2013: NEW BRANCH OF AIBSNLREA FORMED IN SHIMLA (HIMACHAL PRADESH STATE): A Meeting of retired BSNL Executives of Shimla (Himachal Pradesh State) was held on 06.05.2013. Ten retired Executives attended the meeting. After some discussions AIBSNLREA Shimla Branch was formed with Shri S.R.Sharma as President, Shri Hari Kishan as Secretary and Shri Satinder Thakur as Finance Secretary.

• 29.09.2013: NEW BRANCH OF AIBSNLREA FORMED AT KURUKSHETRA (HARYANA STATE): A general body meeting of the Retired BSNL Executives of Kurukshetra was held on 24.09.2013 at Hotel Saffron in the presence of Shri M K Kalra Organizing Secretary (North), AIBSNLREA. Out of total 27 retired executives, stationed at Kurukshetra, 20 attended the meeting and all these executives were enrolled as the Life Members of the branch. Shri M K Kalra Organizing Secretary (North) briefed the members about latest developments at CHQ level and emphasized on the need for a strong platform in the form of AIBSNLREA to take care of the welfare of the retirees. After some discussions, a 14 member Executive Committee of the Branch was formed with Shri D S Sandhu as President, Shri Jogi Ram, Secretary and Shri Ashok Sharma-II, Financial Secretary. [Click here to view the list of office-bearers....]

• 29.09.2013: GENERAL BODY MEETING OF BAREILLY BRANCH OF AIBSNLREA: A General Body Meeting of Bareilly Branch (UP State) of AIBSNLREA was held on 19.09.2013 under the president ship of Shri Ramesh Chandra, Branch President. S/Shri A C Maheswari, Branch Secretary and Krishna Murari, Branch Financial Secretary attended the meeting along with other members. Shri R S Arora, State Secretary apprised the members about the latest status of application of DOT OM dated 10.06.2013 on merger of 78.2% DA for fitment benefit in revised IDA pay scales w.e.f. 01.01.2007 to the BSNL employees who retired after 09.06.2013 and revision of pension of the pre-2007 BSNL pensioners.

• 27.09.2013: DEPARTMENT OF PENSION & PENSIONERS’ WELFARE ISSUES ORDER WITHDRAWING THE NEED TO SUBMIT FORM-14 TO COMMENCE FAMILY PENSION IN CASES WHERE PENSION IS CREDITED IN THE JOINT BANK ACCOUNT OF THE PENSIONER AND HIS/HER SPOUSE: DOP&PW has issued Order, vide its OM No. 1/27/2011-P&PW(E) dated 20.09.2013, dispensing with the need to apply family pension in Form-14 in the cases where the pensioner and his/her spouse are holding a joint Bank Account in which the pension is being credited. The spouse has to intimate the Bank of death of the pensioner and request the concerned Bank to commence payment of family pension, through a simple letter enclosing the copy of the death certificate of the pensioner, PPO, proof of his/her age/date of birth and an undertaking for recovery of excess payment. In cases, where the pension is not being credited in joint Bank Account of the pensioner and his/her spouse, Form-14 will be required to be submitted, as before, to the Bank. The condition for attestation of Form-14, however, has been dispensed with and witnessing by two persons is sufficient. [Click here to view the order....]

• 25.09.2013: FITMENT BENEFIT OF MERGER OF 50% DA EFFECTIVELY AMOUNTING TO 78.2% AS ON 01.01.2007 FOR THE PURPOSE OF FITMENT IN THE REVISED IDA PAY SCALES OF BSNL EMPLOYEES- PAYMENT OF ARREARS OF PAY TO THE BSNL EMPLOYEES FOR THE PERIOD BETWEEN 01.01.2007 AND 09.06.2013 ON APPLICATION OF REVISED FITMENT BENEFIT – AIBSNLREA PROVIDES FRESH INPUT: In continuation to its earlier letter No. AIBSNLREA/CHQ/2013/42 dated 30.08.20213 [posted in this website on 31.08.2013] on the above issue and requesting to issue a speaking Order on the subject, AIBSNLREA has since sent another letter highlighting the glaring contradictions in the official Minutes of the meeting chaired by Secretary (T) and attended by Joint Secretary (T), CMD, BSNL, Addl Secretary(T), Member (Finance) and Member (Services) to discuss the issue regarding implementation of DPE OM dated 2/4/2009 regarding merger of 50% DA effectively amounting to 78.2% for the purpose of fitment in the revised IDA pay scales. AIBSNLREA points out to the contradictory observations recorded in the minutes in regard to the contents of the agreement between BSNL and its Unions on the same matter. With this fresh input, AIBSNLREA requests Secretary (T) to revisit the DOT OM dated 10.06.2013 and issue a speaking Order immediately. [Click here to view the letter....]

• 24.09.2013: GENERAL BODY MEETING OF AIBSNLREA, DHARWAD DISTRICT (HUBLI) BRANCH: The General Body Meeting of All India Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited Retired Executives’ Association, Dharwad District (Hubli) Branch was held on Sunday the 22nd September, 2013 at the Conference Hall, BSNL Sadan in the premises of GMTD, Hubli. Shri R R Joshi, President and Shri K K Kulkarni, Vice President chaired the meeting. Shri H.S.Parwati, Executive member welcomed the members. Shri A. S. Parwatikar, Branch Secretary addressed the gathering. There were discussions mainly on merger of 50% of DA effectively amounting to 78.2% for fitment benefit in the revised IDA pay scales and other issues. Members expressed their unhappiness on the manner in which Department is handling the issue and delaying fixation of pension of pre-01-01-2007 and pre 10-06-2013 retired BSNL employees. Branch Secretary highlighted the current issues taken up by CHQ in the interest of pensioners. Various correspondences made by Shri Basu the General Secretary, CHQ AIBSNLREA on merger of 50% of DA effectively amounting to 78.2% for fitment benefit in the revised IDA pay scales , pension/family pension revision and discrepancies in revised PPO, restoration of medical facilities without vouchers, etc were mainly highlighted. About 55 members participated in the meeting. Members expressed their appreciations as regards the efforts being made by the CHQ in respect of resolving the grievances of the members. Shri V.V.Katti, Financial Secretary read out the finance statement. Shri R.R.Joshi, President addressed the members and highlighted the recent developments as regards to the retired BSNL officers and merger of 50% of DA effectively amounting to 78.2%. Five new retired officers were enrolled in the meeting and were extended warm welcome by all other members of the association, Hubli Branch. The meeting ended with vote of thanks to the chair and members by Shri G.G.Wajpey, Executive Member, followed by light refreshment.

• 22.09.2013: BENEFIT OF MERGER OF 50% DA EFFECTIVELY AMOUNTING TO 78.2% AS ON 01.01.2007 FOR THE PURPOSE OF FITMENT IN THE REVISED PAY SCALES OF BSNL EMPLOYEES- PAYMENT OF ARREARS OF PAY TO THE BSNL EMPLOYEES FOR THE PERIOD BETWEEN 01/01/2007 AND 09/06/2013 ON APPLICATION OF REVISED FITMENT- TELECOM ACCOUNTS SECTION-1 OF DOT SENDS OUR LETTER DATED 30.08.2013 ON THE ABOVE SUBJECT TO DIRECTOR (PSU-I), DOT HQs FOR ISSUING CLARIFICATION TO THAT SECTION FOR FURTHER COMMUNICATION TO AIBSNLREA AND ANOTHER ASSOCIATION W.R.T. THEIR LETTER: Telecom Accounts-1 (TA-I) Section of Department of Telecommunication has since sent our letter No. AIBSNLREA/CHQ/2013/42 dated 30.08.2013 on the above subject, vide their U.O. No. 4-47/2011/TA-1/4551 to 4553 dated 10/13.09.2013, to Director (PSU-I), DOT Headquarters for issuing necessary clarification to that section to enable the section to reply the Associations. Our above referred letter was posted in this website on 31.08.2013 and can be viewed there. In this context, we are to state that the DOT OM dated 10.06.2013 allowing benefit of merger of 50% DA effectively amounting to 78.2% is not regarding pay revision as contented by DOT which appeared in the ATR issued by DOP&PW and also by many others. We have already contested this point in our letter to DOP&PW and others. [Click here to view the UO Note of TA-I section of DoT....]

• 21.09.2013: GENERAL BODY MEETING OF AIBSNLREA UDAIPUR BRANCH HELD: A General Body meeting of Udaipur Branch of AIBSNLREA was held on 14th September 2013 at 10.30 hrs in the Town Hall Garden. The meeting was presided by J M Awasthi, President of the Branch. Thirty members attended the meeting and two more new members were registered for Life member ship. All members were welcomed by the Branch Secretary Gaffar Mohammed by garlanding the new members and also the members whose date of birth were in the month of August and September. CHQ letter dated 29.08.2013, 30.08.2013 and 09.09.2013 to Administration were discussed in detail. Members expressed their unhappiness on the manner in which Department is handling the issue and delaying fixation of pension of pre-01-01-2007 and pre 10-06-2013 retired BSNL employees. Meeting was concluded with presentation of vote of thanks followed by the lunch in Natraj Palace Hotel.

• 21.09.2013: KANPUR BRANCH OF AIBSNLREA HELD ITS GB MEETING: Kanpur Branch of AIBSNLREA held its GB Meeting on 16.09.2013. The meeting was presided over by Shri Dharam Das, President of the Branch. The Branch Secretary Shri S B Saini in his report said that 36 new life members have been enrolled after the last Branch Election. He requested all members to ensure that by the end December 2013, the life membership strength of the branch is taken much beyond 92. The members desired that the issue regarding revision of pension and fixation benefit of 78.2% DA to the BSNL pensioners who retired before 10.06.2013 should be settled early. The President reminded the members that 16th is Ozone Day and one is need to plant and protect trees. S/Shri N K Dwivedi, B K Shukla and R K Gautam spoke on art of living and health related issues. The meeting concluded with presentation of vote of thanks by the Branch secretary.

• 19.09.2013: AIBSNLREA TAKES THE FIGHT FOR THE CAUSE OF REVISION OF PENSION OF PRE-2007 BSNL PENSIONERS W.E.F. 01.01.2007 AND THE FIXATION OF REVISED IDA PAY SCALES WITH BENEFIT OF MERGER OF 78.2% DA W.E.F. 01.01.2007 FOR THE BSNL RETIREES RETIRED BETWEEN 01.01.2007 AND 09.06.2013 TO THE COURT OF SCOVA MEETING BEING HELD BY DOP&PW: AIBSNLREA has since sent a detailed letter to DOP&PW and others exposing several flaws in DOT’s Presidential Directive dated 10.06.2013 regarding the benefit of 50% DA effectively amounting to 78.2% as on 01.01.2007 for the purpose of fitment in the revised IDA pay scales which were implemented on 01.01.2007 in BSNL. AIBSNLREA pleads “We would therefore earnestly urge you to kindly advise DOT to end the discrimination and allow the fitment benefit of 50% DA merger effectively amounting to 78.2% w.e.f. 1.1.2007 to all the pre-2007 BSNL Pensioners while re-fixation of their pension and also allow the revised fitment benefit of 50% DA effectively amounting to 78.2% for re-fixation of the pay in the revised IDA pay scales to the BSNL Employees who retired after 1.1.2007 but before 10.6.2013 and re-fix their pension accordingly during the ensuing SCOVA meeting which is scheduled to be held on 20th September 2013.” [Click here to view the letter....]

• 15.09.2013: DEPARTMENT OF PENSION & PENSIONERS’ WELFARE FORWARDS OUR REPRESENTATION DATED 12.07.2013 ON “REMOVAL OF ANOMALY IN FIXATION OF PENSION OF DOT EMPLOYEES ABSORBED IN BSNL WHO RETIRED BETWEEN 1.10.2000 AND 31.07.2001” AND ALSO THE REPREENTATION DATED 29.07.2013 ON “DENIAL OF BENEFIT OF MERGER OF 50% DA EFFECTIVELY AMOUNTING TO 78.2% AS ON 01.01.2007 FOR THE PURPOSE OF FITMENT IN THE REVISED IDA PAY SCALES TO THE BSNL EMPLOYEES WHO WERE IN SERVICE ON 1.1.2007 BUT RETIRED BEFORE 10.06.2013” TO DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATION FOR CONSIDERING THE GRIEVANCES EXPEDITIOUSLY: Department of Pension & Pensioners’ Welfare, vide their letter No. 4/5/2013-P&PW(D) dated 26.08.2013, forwards our representations on the above two issues taken up vide our letter No. AIBSNLREA/CHQ/2013/32 dated 12.07.2013 and No. AIBSNLREA/CHQ/2013/32 dated 29.07.2013 respectively to the Department of Telecommunications for considering the grievances raised therein expeditiously. Our said representations are posted on 12.07.2013 and 29.07.2013 respectively in this website. [Click here to view the DOP&PW letter....]

• 13.09.2013: DOT IS ALL SET TO DENY REVISION OF PENSION DUE ON ACCOUNT OF MERGER OF 78.2% DA FOR THE PURPOSE OF FITMENT IN THE REVISED IDA PAY SCALES W.E.F. 01.01.2007 TO THE PRE-2007 BSNL PENSIONERS AND ALSO THE BENEFIT OF PAY FIXATION W.E.F. 01.01.2007 TO THE BSNL EMPLOYEES WHO RETIRED AFTER 01.01.2007 BUT BEFORE 10.06.2013: Now it is official. In a most unethical and illegal move, Department of Telecommunication has decided to deny the benefit of revision of pension to the pre-2007 BSNL pensioners on the basis of merger of 78.2% DA for the purpose of fitment in the revised IDA scales w.e.f. 01.01.2007 which is otherwise due from 01.01.2007 itself. Similarly, it has also decided not to extend the benefit of pay fixation with 78.2% DA in their revised IDA scales which were introduced on 01.01.2007 to those BSNL Employees who retired after 01.01.2007 but before 10.06.2013. DOT is now proposing to order revision of pension of all the BSNL Employees who retired after 01.01.2007 but before 10.06.2013 with effect only from 10.06.2013. DOT has since revealed their plan in a report submitted to Department of Pension & Pensioners’ Welfare. AIBSNLREA strongly disapproves the move and will contest the same at every available forum till the benefit is allowed only with effect from 01.01.2007. [[Click here to view the ATR for the purpose of discussions in the 23nd meeting of SCOVA released by DOP&PW ....]

• 12.09.2013: 23RD MEETING OF SCOVA TO BE HELD ON 20.09.2013 - PENDING UNRESOLVED ITEMS CONCERNING BSNL PENSIONERS: AIBSNLREA takes up with DOP&PW the cases of three important unresolved items for discussions in the 23rd meeting of SCOVA proposed to be held on 20.09.2013. AIBSNLREA informs DOP&PW about the status of these cases and request for their settlement in the ensuing meeting. The items taken up are (i) Anomaly in fixation of pension of DOT Employees absorbed in BSNL, who retired between 01.10.2000 and 31.07.2001, (ii) Disposal of disciplinary cases against Retired Officers, and (iii) Merger of 78.2% IDA with basic pension benefit to the absorbed BSNL Pensioners. [Click here to view the letter....]

• 10.09.2013: WIDE VIEWERSHIP FOR AIBSNLREA WEBSITE: Regular visitors to our site would have noticed that this site was not available for a few hours on 29th August 2013. It was learnt from the webhosting company that the bandwidth usage for August 2013 had exceeded 150% of the monthly permissible bandwidth usage of 5 GB and the site automatically went off the web. The site was restored by upgrading to the next hosting plan. Details provided by the webhoster shows that the average daily hits during August 2013 was 6103 and the average daily bandwidth usage was 293 MB. The figures strengthen our resolve in sincerely pursuing the problems of BSNL retired Executives in general and in settling the issue of extending the benefit of 50% IDA merger effectively amounting to 78.2% to all the BSNL employees who were in service on 01.01.2007 but retired before 10.06.2013 and further revision of pension of pre-2007 BSNL pensioners/family pensioners, in particular.[Click here to view the statistics....]

• 09.09.2013: FURTHER REVISION OF PENSION OF PRE-2007 BSNL PENSIONERS/ FAMILY PENSIONERS IN VIEW OF THE PRESIDENTIAL DIRECTIVE DATED 10.06.2013 ISSUED BY DOT FOR MERGER OF 78.2% OF IDA FOR PAY FIXATION BENEFIT TO BSNL EMPLOYEES AND THE CASE EXTENSION OF THE PAY FIXATION BENEFT WITH MERGER OF 78.2% DA W.E.F. 01.01.2007 TO THE BSNL EMPLOYEES WHO WERE IN SERVICE ON 01.01.2007 BUT RETIRED BEFORE 10.06.2013: Ever since DOT issued a Presidential Directive vide its OM No 61-01/2012-SU dated 10.06.2013 for merger of 78.2% IDA with basic pay for pay fixation in the revised IDA scales with effect from 01.01.2007 to the BSNL Employees, AIBSNLREA has been demanding immediate solution of three connected issues which are still unresolved. In regard to extending the benefit of merger of 78.2% IDA for fixation of revised pension to the pre-2007 BSNL pensioners, Department had decided during the process of the case for implementation of DPE OM dated 02.04.2009 for merger of 78.2% DA for pay fixation in revised IDA Scales that it would seek the approval of cabinet for this purpose. It had also decided to consult Department of Pension & Pensioners’ Welfare, Department of Expenditure, Department of Public Enterprises etc before seeking cabinet approval to the proposal. Thus, the Order on the subject will be issued but delayed. In regard to another issue regarding extending the benefit of merger of 78.2% DA for fixation of pay in the revised pay scales to the employees who were in service on 01.01.2007 but retired before 10.06.2013, the matter is under examination in DOT. We are following up the case. The third connected issue is related to payment of arrears for the period of 01.01.2007 and 09.06.2013, we have since taken up the matter. We have got a few more important inputs based on which we are going to confront with DoT. This is a very important issue having impact even on other two connected issues. Therefore, we cannot leave it as it is.

• 08.09.2013: NON-RELEASE OF GRATUITY, SETTLEMENT OF PENSION AND COMMUTED VALUE OF PENSION AND THEIR PAYMENT THEREOF - CASE OF SHRI R K HIRKANEY, RETIRED DE, KALYAN DISTRICT – AIBSNLREA TAKES UP THE ISSUE WITH CGMT, MAHARASHTRA CIRCLE: [Click here to view the letter....]

• 05.09.2013: GB MEETING OF PALAKKAD BRANCH OF AIBSNLREA: Palakkad Branch (Kerala) of AIBSNLREA conducted a General Body Meeting on 29th August 2013 at Hotel Indraprastha, Palakkad, Kerala. 29 members attended the meeting. Shri P Prabhakaran, Branch Secretary presented the minutes of last meeting. There were discussions mainly on merger of 50% of DA effectively amounting to 78.2% for fitment benefit in the revised IDA pay scales and other issues. Two more new members joined the Association. A Telephone Directory of the members of the Branch was distributed among the members present. The Meeting ended at 13.15 hours which was followed by a lunch arranged in the hall.

• 04.09.2013: QUARTERLY GB MEETING OF LUCKNOW BRANCH OF AIBSNLREA: The quarterly General Body meeting of Lucknow Branch of AIBSNLREA was held on 17.08.2013 in the Committee Hall of La Place, Lucknow. Shri Murli Dhar Ram, Vice- President presided over the meeting. Seventy members attended the meeting and 18 new life members also joined the Association. Branch Secretary Shri S P Singh submitted a brief account of the activities of the Association during the period. The members, who received the benefit of merger of 50% DA while in service, were requested to apply to the CCA for payment of the additional amount of commutation of pension following issue of the clarification by DOT on the subject. State Organization Secretary Shri Radhesyam infomed the house regarding the efforts being made by CHQ to get the orders issued on merger of 78.2% DA for fitment benefit to the BSNL employees who retired between 01.01.2007 and 09.06.2013. The members expressed their satisfaction for quick implementation of the latest orders on revised DA by Postal Authorities due to the efforts made by the Association.

• 02.09.2013: DENIAL OF BENEFIT OF MERGER OF 50% DA EFFECTIVELY AMOUNTING TO 78.2% AS ON 01.01.2007 FOR THE PURPOSE OF FITMENT IN THE REVISED IDA PAY SCALES TO THE BSNL EMPLOYEES WHO WERE IN SERVICE ON 01.01.2007 BUT RETIRED BEFORE 10.06.2013 – DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC ENTERPRISES FORWARDS OUR LETTER DATED 29.07.2013 ON THE MATTER TO DOT: Department of Public Enterprises, vide its File No. 1(1)/2013-DPE-(WC) dated 12.08.2013, has since forwarded our letter No. AIBSNLREA/CHQ/2013/36 dated 29.07.2013 on the above subject where in we requested to advise DOT to extend the benefit of fitment of merger of 78.2% DA as on 01.01.2007 to all the BSNL employees who received the revised IDA scales on that date irrespective the date of their retirement [view the posting dated 29.07.2013 in this website to read the letter] to the Department of Telecommunication to ‘take necessary action at their end’. [Click here to view the DPE letter....]

• 31.08.2013: ORDERS FOR EXTENDING THE BENEFIT OF 50% DA EFFECTIVELY AMOUNTING TO 78.2% AS ON 01.01.2007 TO THE BSNL EMPLOYEES– AIBSNLREA CONTESTS THE DECISION NOT TO PAY THE ARREARS FOR THE PERIOD 01.01.2007 AND 09.06.2013 CITING CONTRADICTIONS IN DOT’S PRESIDENTIAL DIRECTIVE DATED 10.06.2013 AND BSNL’S LETTER DATED 08.08.2013 TO DOT AND ALSO DEAMANDS ISSUE OF SPEAKING ORDERS: AIBSNLREA contests the decision of the DOT and BSNL to deny payment of pay arrears to the BSNL employees for the period from 01.01.2007 to 09.06.2013, which is otherwise due, on implementation of DPE OM dated 02.04.2009 issued in modification of its earlier OM dated 26.11.2008 allowing the fitment benefit of merger of 50% DA effectively amounting to 78.2% in the revised IDA pay scales w.e.f. 01.01.2007. It cites the contradictions in the contents of the orders issued by DOT on 10.06.2013 and the BSNL’s reply dated 08.08.2013 to DOT. AIBSNLREA has demanded DOT to issue a speaking order on the subject. [Click here to view the letter....]

• 30.08.2013: DENIAL TO EXTEND BENEFIT OF CONCESSIONAL BROAD BAND FACILITY TO THE RETIRED BSNL PENSIONERS HAVING PROVIDED CONCESSIONAL TELEPHONE FACILITY ON WLL – CASE OF AHMEDABADS TELEPHONE DISTRICT: AIBSNLREA takes up the above issue with CMD, BSNL. It writes “……we seek for your kind personal intervention so that Ahmedabad Telephone District and Gujarat Telecom Circle take immediate step to resolve the issue of shortage of cable pairs and simultaneously take action to provide the concessional broad band facility to the BSNL pensioners having concessional telephone connection on WLL.” [Click here to view the letter....]

• 29.08.2013: NON-IMPLEMENTATION OF THE DECISION OF THE 22nd MEETING OF SCOVA HELD ON 19.02.2013 BY DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATION REGARDING EXTENSION OF BENEFIT OF MERGER OF 78.2% DA TO THE ABSORBEE PENSIONERS OF BSNL: AIBSNLREA takes up the above issue again with DOP&PW with a request to intervene since DOT has so far not extended the benefit of merger of 78.2% DA to the absorbee pensioners as committed by them in the 22nd Meeting of SCOVA held on 19.02.2013. This is in connection with the letter No. 4/31/2010-P&PW(D) dated 10.07.2013 from DOP&PW [view the posting dated 20.07.2013 in this website] wherein DOT was asked to send comments on our representation, vide our No. AIBSNLREA/CHQ/2013/28 dated 17.06.2013 pertaining to pre-2007 absorbed BSNL pensioners and also in view of the decision taken in the said meeting of SCOVA to extend this benefit to the absorbee pensioners of BSNL. [Click here to view our letter....]

• 28.08.2013: GENERAL BODY MEETING OF WB STATE BRANCH OF AIBSNLREA: A General Body Meeting of West Bengal State Branch of AIBSNLREA was held on 22nd August, 2013 with the participation of a huge gathering of 237 members at Central Telegraph Institute Hall, BBD Bagh, Kolkata. The Meeting was presided over by State President Shri A K Basu Roy. Shri N S Siddique, State Secretary presented a brief report on the activities of the Association and also on the latest development on issues concerning the BSNL pensioners. . The members participated in the deliberation with keen interest. They were eager to get latest development about implementation of benefit of effective merger of 78.2% DA for the pay-fixation and pension benefit of the absorbed BSNL pensioners. The house also expressed its displeasure and was critical of the activity of a particular association which put forth some ill-conceived and controversial suggestions to DOT creating unnecessary confusion that helped the DOT to make this issue much complicated and delay its settlement. The house also unanimously demanded restoration of outdoor medical allowance at least for the pensioners as reimbursement of medical bills from office has become almost impossible. A new edition of Telephone Directory comprising of Names, Addresses, DOR, Last Designation, Unit/Circle, Land Line & Mobile Numbers of the members was released and distributed amongst the members. One eminent Geriatrician Dr. K. Chakraborty addressed the gathering and gave a presentation on the old age related problems with suggestions for their prevention. Members listened to this presentation with rapt attention. [Click here to view photos....]

• 24.08.2013: PROVISION OF CONCESSIONAL TELEPHONE FACILITY TO THE RETIRING EMPLOYEES OF BSNL WHILE UNDER SUSPENSION AND FOR WHOM NO PPO HAS BEEN ISSUED: Since BSNL has turned down our above request on the ground that “PPO is an important document which helps as an aid to check misuse of concessional telephone facility”, AIBSNLREA has now again pointed out that BSNL, vide its No. BSNL/Admn.I/15-10/13 dated 15.04.2013, has allowed the extension of medical facilities under BSNLMRS to the retiring employees facing disciplinary proceedings and for whom no PPO has been issued but granted provisional pension and requested CMD, BSNL to allow concessional telephone facility to the similarly placed retiring BSNL employees at least under the same condition as in the case of granting medical facilities. [Click here to view the BSNL letter....] [Click here to view our letter....]

• 21.08.2013: BENEFIT OF MERGER OF 50% DA EFFECTIVELY AMOUNTING TO 78.2% AS ON 01.01.2007 FOR THE PURPOSE OF FITMENT IN THE REVISED PAY SCALES OF THE BSNL EMPLOYEES IN RESPECT OF THOSE WHO WERE IN SERVICE ON 01.01.2007 BUT RETIRED BEFORE 10.06.2013: In the backdrop of DoT’s letter No. 40-13/2013-Pen (T) dated 28.06.2013 asking BSNL for some specific inputs and BSNL’s response, vide its No. 1-19/2012-PAT(BSNL) DATED 08.08.2013, AIBSNLREA again writes to Secretary, DOT and others empathizing that the DOT’s OM No. 61-01/2012-SU dated 10.06.2013 ordering benefit of merger of 50% DA effectively amounting to 78.2% as on 01.01.2007 for the purpose of fitment in the revised IDA pay scales has to be implemented in respect of all the employees of BSNL who had been in service on 01.01.2007 and received the benefit of revised IDA pay scales from the same date. It urges DOT that since “….the present case is not a case for fresh revision of pay scales and is a case exclusively for implementation of DPE Orders regarding fitment benefit in the revised IDA scales to one and all who received the benefit of revised IDA scales w.e.f. 01.01.2007, it is requested that BSNL be advised to extend the modified fitment benefit of merger of 50% DA effectively amounting to 78.2% to all its employees who were the recipients of the revised IDA pay scales w.e.f. 01.01.2007 irrespective of their date of retirement subsequent to 01.01.2007.” [Click here to view the letter....]

• 20.08.2013: A PERSON CANNOT BE DEPRIVED OF HIS PENSION WITHOUT AUTHORITY OF LAW” - RULES SUPREME COURT: In a judgment delivered last week, which may have far reaching effect, the Supreme Court has ruled that “ a person cannot be deprived of this pension without the authority of law, which is the Constitutional mandate enshrined in Article 300 A of the Constitution. It follows that attempt of the appellant to take away a part of pension or gratuity or even leave encashment without any statutory provision and under the umbrage of administrative instruction cannot be countenanced." [Click here to view the SC Judgment....]

• 18.08.2013: FORMATION OF NEW BRANCH OF AIBSNLREA AT AKOLA (MAHARASHTRA): In a General body meeting of the retired BSNL Executives of Akola (Maharashtra), Presided over by Shri V.V. Bhagat Rtd. DE, held on 28th July 2013 at the residence of Shri A.G. Nema Rtd. DGM Akola, a new Branch of AIBSNLREA was formed. All the 11 members present in the meeting were enrolled as life members. It was decided to hold the next meeting of the Branch at the residence of newly elected President Shri V V Bhagat. The following is the list of newly elected office bearers of the branch: President – Shri V.V. Bhagat. Rtd DE Akola, Vice President – Shri N.N. Ambatkar Rtd. DE Washim, Secretary – Shri A.G. Nema Rtd. DGM Akola, Organizing Secretary – S/Shri S.L. Kate Rtd. DE Akola & D.R. Parankar Rtd. SDE Akola, Financial Secretary – Shri V.B. Deshmukh Rtd. SDE Karanja and Asistant Financial Secretary - Shri A.N. Amrutkar Rtd. AGM Khamgaon.

• 16.08.2013: GENERAL BODY MEETING OF AIBSNLREA, WEST BENGAL STATE BRANCH: The General Body Meeting of AIBSNLREA, West Bengal State Branch will be held at 13.00 Hours on 22nd August, 2013 at Telegraph Institute Hall, BBD Bagh, Kolkata to discuss various items as already notified in the agenda. All the members of the State Branch and others are requested to attend the meeting.

• 14.08.2013: RE-FIXATION OF PAY OF THE BSNL EMPLOYEES WHO WERE IN SERVICE ON 01.01.2007 BUT RETIRED AFTER 09.06.2013 FOLLOWING ISSUE OF ORDERS FOR MERGER OF 50% OF DA EFFECTIVELY AMOUNTING TO 78.2% AS ON 01.01.2007: The viewers of this website may refer to our posting dated 08.08.2013 on the above issue. We had commented that DoT seems to be completely indecisive and confused on the above matter and had asked BSNL to furnish some inputs. Though DOT is the Administrative Ministry and issues all Presidential Directives and Orders for pay revision of the employees of its PSUs, it has asked BSNL, ironically which has to follow its directives and orders, to clarify whether the pay of the BSNL absorbees who retired from 01.01.2007 to 09.06.2013 will be affected by the Orders for pay-fixation with benefit of merger of 78.2% DA and their pay to be revised notionally. Now BSNL has given the reply. The reply from BSNL confirms that it has given the benefit of pay fixation with fitment benefit of 78.2% DA w.e.f. 01.01.2007 to the employees who were in service on 10.06.2013, though the pay benefit has been allowed w.e.f. 10.06.2013 only. In regard to the employees who retired between 01.01.2007 and 09.06.2013, BSNL has stated that since the revised pay fixation Orders are effective only from 10.06.2013, the issue of pay revision, notionally or otherwise, of these employees does not arise. Our stand on the matter is very clear from the very beginning that since the DPE’s OM dated 02.04.2009 modifying its earlier OM dated 26.11.2008 to allow fitment benefit with 78.2% DA in the revised IDA pay scales is effective from 01.01.2007 and it has not given any option to the CPSEs to implement the modified OM on fitment benefit from a later date, all the BSNL Employees who were granted revision of pay w.e.f. 01.01.2007 with fitment benefit of 68.8% DA are to be given the benefit of modified fitment from the same date i.e. 01.01.2007 irrespective of the date of their retirement after 01.01.2007. BSNL has now admitted that they have given the revised pay fixation benefit with 78.2% DA w.e.f. 01.01.2007, but only to those employees who were in service on 10.06.2013. This is where, BSNL has made the discrimination by not extending the similar pay fixation benefit to those who retired between 01.01.2007 and 09.06.2013. We shall have to fight out this discrimination.
  AIBSNLREA is determined to take the necessary recourses to get the case settled favourably as it did in the case of revision of pension in IDA scale of the pre-2007 absorbed BSNL pensioners against the joint action by a number of Unions/Executives’ Associations of BSNL and MTNL who had been collectively pleading revision of pension in CDA pay scale. Unfortunately for us, we find that now also one Association in BSNL has given long rope to DOT to delay and deny the pay fixation benefit with 78.2% DA to the absorbed BSNL employees who retired between 01.01.2007 and 09.06.2013 by proposing to give them this fitment benefit one month before their retirement or at least on the last day of their retirement. They are unmindful of the fact that the employees who retired between 01.01.2007 and 09.06.2013 cannot allow BSNL and DOT to deny their right to get their pay re-fixed in the revised IDA pay scales w.e.f. 01.01.2007 with fitment benefit of 78.2% DA as per DPE OM dated 02.04.2009 which would automatically settle the question of their revision of pension, payment of additional commutation, benefit of additional DCRG and leave encashment etc. This issue has also got a relevance to the case of revision of pension of pre-2007 absorbed BSNL pensioners. These people are, therefore, only creating hurdles in our way.

• 14.08.2013: NEW BRANCH OF AIBSNLREA AT VARANASI (UP STATE): We have reported in this website on 15.06.2013 that a new Branch of AIBSNLREA with 50 life members was formed at Varanasi. The membership of the Branch has since increased to 65. We now upload some of the photographs of the meeting sent by the Branch [Click here to view the Photographs....]

• 12.08.2013: SPECIAL GENERAL BODY MEETING OF EAST VIDARBHA BRANCH, NAGPUR (MAHARASHTRA) OF AIBSNLREA HELD: The Special General Body Meeting of All India BSNL Retired Executives’ Association, East Vidarbha Branch (Nagpur) was held at ‘PMG Staff Society Madhav Nagar Sabhagruha’, Nagpur on 30-07-2013. The meeting was presided over by Shri V W Patil, President, AIBSNLREA Nagpur. The meeting started with the lightening of traditional lamp by the chief Guest Mrs P T Ghosh CAO (Pension) in CCA Office, Shri S Basu GS CHQ and others. In the beginning of the meeting, homage was paid to the departed members of Nagpur Branch and thousands of pilgrims who lost their lives in Uttarakhand mishap in the middle of June, 2013. [Click here to view the Report of the Meeting....] [Click here to view the Photos of the Meeting....]

• 08.08.2013: REFIXATION OF PENSION OF PRE-2007 BSNL PENSIONERS AND THE CASE OF RE-FIXATION OF PAY OF THE BSNL EMPLOYEES WHO WERE IN SERVICE ON 01.01.2007 BUT RETIRED BEFORE 10.06.2013 FOLLOWING ISSUE OF ORDERS FOR MERGER OF 50% OF DA EFFECTIVELY AMOUNTING TO 78.2% AS ON 01.01.2007:Department of Telecommunication is yet to make up its mind in regard to the approach that it should adopt in resolving the above issues. It had asked BSNL to furnish some inputs. BSNL, in its turn, has taken action to respond to DOT’s queries. The way the issues are being handled, we are afraid that DOT seems to be completely indecisive in the matter and even confused. Surprisingly, being the administrative Ministry, it has even asked BSNL to clarify whether the pay of the BSNL absorbees who retired from 01.01.2007 to 09.06.2013 will be affected by the Orders for pay-fixation with benefit of merger of 78.2% DA and their pay to be revised notionally. This at least confirms that DOT has not, so far, declared the pay fixation order as notional. But confusion in the matter has already been allowed to be got created. We feel that the issues are getting complicated and may not be so easy to resolve the same in the way that they should be. This might, in the long run, lead to a long term battle to get the issues resolved.

• 05.08.2013: SPECIAL AND EFFECTIVE MECHANISM FOR SPEEDY DISPOSAL OF PENDING DISCIPLINARY/VIGILANCE CASES AGAINST THE PENSIONERS - REQUEST FOR INTRODUCTION REG.: AIBSNLREA again writes to Prime Minister of India seeking his intervention on the above issue which was last discussed on 19.02.2013 in the 22nd Meeting of SCOVA with Shri V Narayanasamy, MOS (PP) on the chair and conducted by Department of Pension & Pensioners’ Welfare. [Click here to view the letter....]

• 31.07.2013: QUARTERLY GB MEETING OF KANPUR BRANCH:Quarterly GB Meeting of Kanpur Branch of AIBSNLREA was held on 17.07.2013 in the Recreation Club, Telephone Exchange Campus, Mall Road, Kanpur. Fifty members attended the meeting which was presided by Shri Dharm Dass, Branch President. S/Shri S B Saini, Branch Secretary and Lal Singh Tomar, Financial Secretary of the Branch apprised the members about the various activities at Branch level. Shri R S Arora, UP State Secretary discussed various issues concerning the BSNL pensioners. He also gave detailed account of the Orders issued by BSNL regarding merger of 78.2% DA and the DoT Orders on payment of commutation to the post-2007 BSNL pensioners who received 50% merger of DA with basic pay while in service.

• 31.07.2013: GB MEETING OF GORAKHPUR BRANCH: A General Body Meeting of Gorakhpur Branch of AIBSNLREA was held on 07.07.2013 in the Recreation Club, Telephone Exchange Campus of Gorakhpur. Thirty members attended the meeting presided which was over by Shri R.Z.A. Khan. Shri Khanjanchi Prasad, Branch Secretary spoke about the organizational activities in the Branch. The Financial Secretary of the Branch, Md. Habib apprised the members about the financial position. UP State Secretary Shri R.S.Arora apprised the gathering about the orders issued for merger of 78.2% DA for pay fixation and also the DOT orders issued on commutation difference for 50% merger of DA with basic pay for the post-2007 retirees. Six new life members were enrolled during the meeting, thus taking the number of total life membership of the Branch to twenty six.

• 29.07.2013: DENIAL OF BENEFIT OF MERGER OF 50% DA EFFECTIVELY AMOUNTING TO 78.2% AS ON 01.01.2007 FOR THE PURPOSE OF FITMENT IN THE REVISED IDA PAY SCALES TO THE BSNL EMPLOYEES WHO WERE IN SERVICE ON 01.01.2007 BUT RETIRED BEFORE 10.06.2013: AIBSNLREA takes up the above issue with Secretary, Department of Public Enterprises with a request to intervene. The Association writes “…..In view of the above, we earnestly request for your kind intervention and to advise DOT and BSNL authorities to allow fitment benefit of merger of 50% DA with basic pay w.e.f. 01.01.2007 effectively amounting to 78.2% for fitment and pay fixation in the revised IDA pay scales to the BSNL employees, who were in service as on 01.01.2007 but retired before 10.06.2013 also, for the sake of justice and avoiding discrimination in the matter of allowing the same fitment benefit in the revised IDA pay scales w.e.f. 01.01.2007 to all the employees who were in service as on 01.01.2007, as ordered by the DPE.” [Click here to view the letter....]

• 26.07.2013: SPECIAL GENERAL BODY MEETING OF EAST VIDARBHA BRANCH (NAGPUR) OF AIBSNLREA: EAST VIDARBHA BRANCH, NAGPUR (MAHARASHTRA) IS HOLDING ITS SPECIAL GENERAL BODY MEETING AT 1500 HRS ON 30TH JULY, 2013 (TUESDAY) AT "THE PMG STAFF SOCIETY, MADHAV NAGAR SABAGRUHA", MADHAV NAGAR, NAGPUR-440010. SHRI S. BASU, GENERAL SECRETARY, AIBSNLREA WILL BE ADDRESSING THE MEETING. ALL MEMBERS AND OTHERS ARE INVITED TO ATTEND THE MEETING [FOR FURTHER DETAILS, PLEASE CONTACT: SHRI P R BHUJBAL, BRANCH SECRETARY ON (M) 9422810810 OR SHRI B P MAZUMDAR, FINANCIAL SECRETARY ON (M) 9422804037.]

• 25.07.2013: NON-IMPLEMENTATION OF THE INSTRUCTIONS REGARDING TIME LIMIT FOR REDRESSAL OF GRIEVANCES – CASE OF DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATION: Department of Pension & Pensioners’ Welfare has responded to our letter No. AIBSNLREA/CHQ/2013/25 dated 03.05.2013 wherein we had pointed out to Secretary, DoP&PW about non-implementation of the instructions issued from time to time regarding the time limit for redressal of grievances by Deptt of Telecommunication citing specific cases wherein DoP&PW had forwarded some of our representations to DoT for actions. This letter of the Association was posted in our website on 03.05.2013. Now the DOP&PW, in its letter No. 4/5/2013-P&PW-(D) dated 15.07.2013, has asked Department of Telecommunication to intimate the action taken on the statement of DOP&PW which was enclosed to Department of Telecommunication for considering the grievances raised therein. [Click here to view the letter of DoP&PW....]

• 23.07.2013: GENERAL BODY MEETING OF UDAIPUR BRANCH OF AIBSNLREA HELD: A General Body meeting of Udaipur Branch (Rajasthan State) was held on 13.07.2013 in Town Hall, Udaipur. Twenty five (25) members of the Association attended the meeting which was presided by Shri J M Avasthi, Branch President. Shri Garffar Mohammad, Branch Secretary briefed the house on all the current issues concerning the BSNL pensioners. Two new life members were enrolled during the meeting, thus taking the total life membership strength of the Branch to thirty nine (39). A lunch was arranged for the members at Hotel Natraj after the meeting.

• 22.07.2013: STREAMLINING THE PROCEDURES FOR SETTLING THE CLAIMS FOR REIMBURSEMENT OF MEDICAL BILLS FOR OUTDOOR/INDOOR TREATMENT OF RETIRED BSNL EMPLOYEES TO MITIGATE THEIR HARDSHIPS: AIBSNLREA writes to CMD, BSNL suggesting various measures to streamline the procedures for settling the claims for reimbursement of medical bills for outdoor/indoor treatment of retired BSNL Employees and other related issues to mitigate the hardships and difficulties being faced by them. [Click here to view the letter....]

• 20.07.2013: DOP&PW SEEKS COMMENTS FROM DOT ON THE LETTER OF AIBSNLREA WHEREIN REQUEST WAS MADE TO SECRETARY, TELECOM FOR ISSUE OF ORDERS ALLOWING MERGER OF 50% DA EFFECTIVELY AMOUNTING TO 78.2%, AS HAS BEEN ALLOWED TO THE BSNL EMPLOYEES W.E.F. 01.01.2007, TO THE PRE-2007 ABSORBED BSNL PENSIONERS ALSO FOR THE PURPOSE OF FIXATION BENEFIT FOR REVISION OF THEIR PENSION: Department of Pension & Pensioners’ Welfare has since sent our letter No. AIBSNLREA/CHQ/2013/28 dated 17.06.2013 [to read this letter, posting dated 17.06.2013 in this website may be viewed] to Shri S.C.Sharma, Deputy Director General (C&A), Department of Telecommunication who represented the Department in the meeting of SCOVA held on 19.2.2013 in which the issue regarding extending the benefit of merger of 78.2% IDA with basic pension to the pre-2007 BSNL pensioners was discussed. In its letter No. 4/31/2010-P&PW(D) dated 10.07.2013, forwarding our above mentioned letter, DOP&PW has quoted the relevant recordings in the Minutes of the said meeting on the issue and asked for the comments of DoT on our letter. [Click here to view the letter of DoP&PW....]

• 18.07.2013: REQUEST FOR GRANT OF INTERVIEW TO DISCUSS FEW IMPROBLEM PROBLEMS OF THE ABSORBED BSNL PENSIONERS IN GENERAL AND THE RETIRED EXECUTIVES IN PARTICULAR: AIBSNLREA writes to Secretary (T) to consider its earlier request for grant of interview to discuss some specific issues as briefed in its earlier letter No. AIBSNLREA/CHQ/2013/26 dated 14.05.2013 which was posted in this website on 14.05.2013. [Click here to view the letter....]

• 16.07.2013: BENEFIT OF MERGER OF 50% DA EFFECTIVELY AMOUNTING TO 78.2% AS ON 01.01.2007 FOR THE PURPOSE OF FITMENT IN THE REVISED PAY SCALES OF BSNL EMPLOYEES – CASES OF THE BSNL EMPLOYEES WHO WERE IN SERVICE ON 01.01.2007 BUT RETIRED BEFORE 10.06.2013: In continuation of its earlier letter dated 01.07.2013 on the above issue (posted in this website on 01.07.2013), AIBSNLREA again writes to Secretary(T) and others quoting the BSNL Orders No. 1-50/2008-PAT(BSNL) dated 8.7.2013 and No. 1-16/2010-PAT(BSNL) dated 8.7.2013 circulating the “Revised pay fixation tables for fixation of pay as on 1.1.2007…” for the Executives and Non-Executives respectively. AIBSNLREA has made a request to “…. advise the BSNL authorities to allow fitment benefit with merger of 50% DA with basic pay w.e.f. 01.01.2007 effectively amounting to 78.2% for fitment and pay fixation in the revised IDA pay scales to the BSNL employees who were in service as on 01.01.2007 but retired before 10.06.2013.” [Click here to view the letter....]

• 15.07.2013: REVISION OF PROVISIONAL PENSION SANCTIONED UNDER RULE 69 OF CCS (PENSION) RULES, 1972 IN RESPECT OF PRE-2007 BSNL PENSIONERS:Department of Telecommunication has since issued clarification vide its OM F.No. 40-3/2009-Pen(T) dated 11.07.2013 stating that provisional pension sanctioned to the pre-2007 BSNL pensioners under Rule 69 of CCS (Pension) Rules, 1972 will be revised in terms of DOT’s OM F.No 40-17/2008-Pen(T)-Vol.III dated 15.03.2011. [Click here to view the DoT's O.M.....]

• 14.07.2013: REMOVAL OF ANOMALY IN FIXATION OF PENSION OF DOT EMPLOYEES ABSORBED IN BSNL WHO RETIRED BETWEEN 01.10.2000 AND 31.07.2001:Quoting the Action Taken Report of 21st Meeting of SCOVA and also the Minutes of its 22nd Meeting held on 19.02.2013, AIBSNLREA writes to Secretary, DOP&PW for early settlement of the above issue. [Click here to view the letter....]

• 13.07.2013: VARODARA BRANCH OF AIBSNLREA HELD ITS GB MEETING:Vadodara Branch of AIBSNLREA held its GB Meeting on 09.07.2013 at Gayatri Chetana Kendra, Vadodara. Shri J.C.Parmar presided over the meeting in absence of the Branch President who was indisposed. Forty five (45) members of the Branch attended meeting. During the meeting, eight (8) more new life members were enrolled. Shri A B Patel, State Secretary attended the meeting . He addressed the house and discussed the current developments like pay fixation with merger of 78.2% IDA, reversion cases, write up given in AIBSNLREA website regarding the confusion that has been created about the applicability of the Orders issued by DOT and BSNL for revised pay fixation benefit etc. He also replied the queries raised by the members on various issues.

• 12.07.2013: ORDERS ON WITHHOLDING OF 10% GRATUITY FROM THE RETIRING GOVERNMENT SERVANTS – CLARIFCATION ISSUED BY DOP&PW:Department of Pension & Pensioners’ Welfare has since issued clarification vide its No. 20/16/1998-P&PW(F) dated 11.07.2013 that “….. the Pay and Accounts Officer shall not withhold any gratuity unless the Head of Office (a) encloses instruction received from Directorate of State for withholding 10% of gratuity for outstanding license fee or (b) informs of ongoing disciplinary proceedings…..” [Click here to view the complete order....]

• 11.07.2013: BSNL MODIFIES ITS EARLIER POLICY REGARDING ALLOTMENT OF VACANT QUARTERS TO RETIRED EMPLOYEES OF BSNL/DOT:BSNL has issued Orders vide its No. 482-16/2007-BG dated 10.07.2013 modifying its earlier Order regarding allotment of vacant quarters to the retired employees of BSNL/DOT for their self use. Only immediate family members will be allowed to stay with the retired employee having allotted the quarter. The scheme is not available to the family pensioners. [Click here to view the order....]

• 10.07.2013: POLICY DECISION RELATED TO MECHANISM FOR FIXATION OF PAY IN RESPECT OF ALL CATEGORY OF ABSORBED EMPLOYEES OF BSNL WHO OPTED IDA SCALE AS PER PARA 4 OF DOP&PW OM NO. 4/18/87-P&PWD DATED 05.07.1989:AIBSNLREA is pursuing the above issue since long and had sent many representations from time to time to all concerned for early settlement of the issue. BSNL has now informed that “the representations were examined in file and awaiting policy decision on the issue related to mechanism for fixation of pay in respect of all category of absorbed employees of BSNL who opted IDA pay scale as per para 4 of DOP&PW OM No. 4/18/87-P&PWD dated 05.07.1989. Issue to extend provisional benefit to absorbed Group C & D Employees of BSNL as extended to Group B employees is also under consideration.”

• 09.07.2013: REVISED PAY FIXATION TABLES FOR FIXATION OF PAY AS ON 01.01.2007 FOR THE BSNL EMPLOYEES:Following issue of Orders allowing the benefit of merger of 50% DA effectively amounting to 78.2% as on 01.01.2007, BSNL has issued Orders circulating revised pay fixation tables for fixation of pay as on 01.01.2007 of its Executives and non-Executives. [Click here to view the order for Executives....][Click here to view the order for Non-Executives....]

• 05.07.2013: REVISION OF IDA W.E.F. 1.7.2013:DPE has issued orders revising IDA w.e.f 1.7.2013 from 195.2% to 202% for CPSEs where last pay revision was implemented w.e.f. 1.1.1997 [Click here to view the order....]

• 05.07.2013: REVISION OF IDA W.E.F. 1.7.2013:DPE has issued orders revising IDA w.e.f 1.7.2013 from 74.9% to 78.9% for CPSEs where last pay revision was implemented w.e.f. 1.1.2007 [Click here to view the order....]

• 05.07.2013: PROVISION OF CONCESSIONAL TELEPHONE FACILITY TO THE RETIRING EMPLOYEES OF BSNL WHILE UNDER SUSPENSION AND FOR WHOM NO PPO HAS BEEN ISSUED - AIBSNLREA WRITES TO BSNL TO TAKE AN INDEPENDENT DECISION ON THE MATTER SINCE DOT HAS FORWARDED ITS REQUEST TO REVIEW DOT’S PRESENT GUIDELINES IN THE MATTER AND REPLY THE ASSOICIATION ON THE ACTION TAKEN:In the background that Department of Telecommunication has forwarded the representation of AIBSNLREA, wherein a request was made to DoT to review its existing guidelines which denies concessional telephone facility to the retiring employees while under suspension and to whom no PPO has been issued, to the CMD, BSNL to take action on AIBSNLREA’s request and also send a reply to the Association on the action taken (view postings dated 20.06.2013 and 22.06.2013 in this website), AIBSNLREA now writes to BSNL that “….. we shall request you to reconsider our request and take an independent decision on the matter in the same lines as you have already taken in respect of extension of medical facilities under BSNLMRS to the retiring employees facing disciplinary proceedings at the time of retirement and non-release of PPOs due to pending disciplinary proceedings but granted provisional pension vide your Office letter No. BSNL/Admn.I/15-10/13 dated 15.04.2013.” [Click here to view the letter..........]

• 03.07.2013: IMPLEMENTATION OF THE ORDERS OF DOT AND BSNL FOR REVISED FITMENT BENEFIT OF EFFECTIVE MERGER OF 78.2% DA AS ON 1.1.2007:Ever since the DOT and BSNL have issued Orders regarding allowing benefit of merger of 50% of DA effectively amounting to 78.2% as on 1.1.2007, doubts are being raised about its implementation from some quarters. Some are calling this benefit even as notional, overlooking the fact that neither DoT nor BSNL has termed this in their respective Orders as notional. Moreover, the DPE Order also does not give any scope to the PSUs to term the fitment benefit in the revised pay scales which were implemented w.e.f. 1.1.2007 as notional. Parallels are being drawn with some Orders issued in respect of few Government Servants in the past, though these are not relevant in our case. We are publishing herewith a write up dealing with few important aspects of the issue which is written by Shri S Ratnasubramanian, Joint Secretary (South), AIBSNLREA. “[Click here to read the write-up..........]

• 01.07.2013: BENEFIT OF MERGER OF 50% DA EFFECTIVELY AMOUNTING TO 78.2% AS ON 01.01.2007 FOR THE PURPOSE OF FITMENT AND PAY FIXATION IN THE REVISED PAY SCALES OF BSNL EMPLOYEES – CASES OF THE BSNL EMPLOYEES WHO WERE IN SERVICE ON 01.01.2007 BUT RETIRED BEFORE 10.06.2013 – AIBSNLREA TAKES UP THE ISSUE WITH SECRETARY (TELECOM):In the background of the confusion that has been created in some quarters including the field unit officials, AIBSNLREA takes up the issue with Secretary (Telecom) and urges for advising BSNL for uniform application of the Orders for allowing benefit of merger of 50% DA effectively amounting to 78.2% as on 01.01.2007 (in place of 68.8% as ordered earlier) for the purpose of fitment in the revised IDA pay scales of BSNL employees who were granted the revised IDA scales from the same date i.e. 01.01.2007. AIBSNLREA writes “………. In view of the above, we earnestly request for your kind intervention and also for advising the BSNL authorities to take immediate action to allow fitment benefit of merger of 50% DA with basic pay w.e.f. 01.01.2007 effectively amounting to 78.2% for fitment and pay fixation in the revised IDA pay scales also to the BSNL employees who were in service as on 01.01.2007 but retired before 10.06.2013 for the sake of justice and to avoid discrimination in the matter of allowing the same fitment benefit in the revised IDA pay scales w.e.f. 01.01.2007. Further, the Presidential Directive issued by DoT vide its OM No. 61-01/2012-SU dated 10.06.2013 also does not order such discrimination. “[Click here to view the letter..........]

• 30.06.2013: BHOPAL BRANCH OF AIBSNLREA SUBMITS MEMORANDUM TO SECRETARY (TELECOM) FOR REVISION OF PENSION OF PRE-2007 ABSORBED BSNL PENSIONERS:Shri M.F. Farooqui, Secretary, DOT, had been on official visit at Bhopal on 21.06. 2013. The representatives of our Bhopal Branch, comprising of S/Shri K N Nagarajan Branch Secretary, Shri M.P. Tiwari and others, met Secretary (T) and presented a memorandum requesting for early issue of orders for revision of pension of Pre-2007 pensioners/family pensioners of BSNL allowing the same fixation benefit of effective merger of 78.2% of DA as has now been allowed to BSNL employees w.e.f. 01.01.2007. He gave a patient hearing and promised to look into the case. S/Shri N.K. Yadav, CGMT, MP Circle, S.L. Bhalotia, CCA and Satishkumar, Jt. CCA were also present. The Association requested for early issue of orders as it takes quite a long time for the units to revise the pension, calculate the arrears and further issue of revised PPOs by the concerned CCAs. Secretary(T) enquired about the detailed procedure for payment of pension to BSNL absorbees. Joint CCA, MP Circle explained the same to him.[Click here to view a Photograph..........]

• 29.06.2013: DOP&PW ISSUES CONSOLIDATED INSTRUCTIONS REGARDING GRANT OF FAMILY PENSION AND GRATUITY TO THE ELIGIBLE MEMBER OF THE FAMILY OF AN EMPLOYEE/PENSIONER/FAMILY PENSIONER REPORTED MISSING:Department of Pension & Pensioners' Welfare has since issued a consolidated instructions regarding grant of family pension and gratuity to the eligible member of the family of an employee/pensioner/family pensioner reported missing. [Click here to view the DoP&PW O.M..........]

• 28.06.2013: IDA INCREASE W.E.F. 1.7.2013:According to calculations based on All India Consumer Price Index, IDA is to be increased w.e.f. 1.7.2013 by 4% for CPSEs where last pay revision was implemented w.e.f. 1.1.2007 and by 6.8% where last pay revision was implemented w.e.f. 1.1.1997.

• 28.06.2013: WITHHOLDING OF 10% GRATUITY FROM RETIRING GOVERNMENT SERVANTS - CLARIFICATIONS:: BSNL has forwarded to all Circles, the DoP&PW letter dated 19-2-2013 which emphasises that there is no provision for withholding any part of gratuity for the purpose of recovering outstanding government dues other than those pertaining to government accommodation.[Click here view the BSNL letter....]

• 26.06.2013: TIME FRAME FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF BSNL’S ORDER DATED 10.06.2013 ON BENEFIT OF MERGER OF 50% OF DA EFFECTIVELY AMOUNTING TO 78.2% AS ON 01.01.2007 FOR FITMENT PURPOSE - AIBSNLREA WRITES TO CMD, BSNL REQUESTING TO FIX A TIME FRAME FOR ITS IMPLEMENTATION:: AIBSNLREA has since requested CMD, BSNL to fix a time frame for implementation of the above Order so as to avoid delay. It writes “….3. We find that BSNL has not stipulated any time frame for implementation of its said Order dated 10.06.2013. This will certainly cause delay in the implementation of the Order, since there is no target date. We have already noticed that many field units are not taking the matter seriously and taking their own time to process the cases.
  4. We shall, therefore, be extremely thankful if the field units of BSNL are advised to complete the implementation of its Order dated 10.06.2013 latest by 31.07.2013 [Click here view the letter....]

• 22.06.2013: PROVISION OF CONCESSIONAL TELEPHONE FACILITY TO THE RETIRING EMPLOYEES OF BSNL WHILE UNDER SUSPENSION AND FOR WHOM NO PPO HAS BEEN ISSUED- DOT WITHDRAWS ITS EARLIER LETTER DATED 05.06.2013 AND WRITES ANOTHER LETTER TO CMD, BSNL FOR TAKING ACTION ON AIBSNLREA’S REQEST TO DOT TO REVIEW ITS PRESENT GUIDELINES IN THE MATTER AND REPLY THE ASSOICIATION ON THE ACTION TAKEN:: Department of Telecommunication has withdrawn its earlier letter dated 05.06.2013 to CMD, BSNL (view posting dated 20.06.2013 in this website) and issued a fresh letter to take action on AIBSNLREA’s request to DoT to review its existing guidelines which denies concessional telephone facility to the retiring employees while under suspension and to whom no PPO has been issued and also send a reply to the Association on the action taken. [Click here view the DoT letter....]

• 21.06.2013: KOLHAPUR BRANCH OF AIBSNLREA HOLDS ITS QUARTERLY GENERAL BODY MEETING:: Kolhapur Branch (Maharashtra) held its quarterly General Body meeting at Telephone Bhavan, Kolhapur on 16.06.2013 under the chairmanship of Shri RP Kulkarni, Branch President. Fifty five members of the Branch including two new members attended the meeting. As such, life membership strength of the Branch reached to 96. The President welcomed the members including new members and specially the Guest lecturer Shri M D Bandiwadkar, Principal, KDCA Institute of Pharmacy, Kolhapur. Shri D K Joshi, Branch Secretary gave detailed account of the latest order on 78.2% DA merger and fixation of pay with effect from 1.1.2007. He then gave brief of the issues that CHQ has taken up with DOP, DOT and BSNL and their results and responses from concerned Departments. He also reported on other important issues and developments including formation of Regional Office of CCA, Nagpur and Pension Adalat held at Kolhapur on 17th May 2013 etc. Thereafter, the Assistant Branch Secretary introduced the Guest lecturer, and requested him to give his presentation. Shri Bandiwadkar, gave a very informative lecture on Medicines, their formulation, prescription and the administration. He also advised about the precautions to be taken while taking the Medicines and the role of the Pharmacists. He gave brief account of Generic medicines and explained why these are cheap and the Branded Medicines costly. Thereafter, lively interaction with the members followed. Then Shri S G Mahajan, a life Member from Sangli narrated his experience of his European tour. At the end, Shri P Y Patil, Sr. Member gave vote of thanks to the Guest and all members. The meeting ended with Lunch sponsored by Shri L M Godi who recently retired as DGM, Kolhapur. [View Photos....]

• 20.06.2013: PROVISION OF CONCESSIONAL TELEPHONE FACILITY TO THE RETIRING EMPLOYEES OF BSNL WHILE UNDER SUSPENSION AND FOR WHOM NO PPO HAS BEEN ISSUED- DOT WRITES TO CMD, BSNL TO REPLY AIBSNLREA ON ITS REQUEST TO DOT TO REVIEW ITS PRESENT GUIDELINES IN THE MATTER:: Department of Telecommunication has written to CMD, BSNL to reply AIBSNLREA on its request to DoT to review its existing guidelines which denies concessional telephone facility to the retiring employees while under suspension and to whom no PPO has been issued. In this regard, posting dated 24.04.2013 in this website may be viewed.[Click here to view DoT letter ....] [Click here to view AIBSNLREA letter....][Click here to view earlier BSNL letter....]

• 19.06.2013: REGRETS:: An attempt has been made by some unidentified source during night hours of 17th June 2013, to hack our website. As a result AIBSNLREA site was not available for more than 24 hours. We regret for the inconvenience caused to members.

• 17.06.2013: AIBSNLREA WRITES TO SECRETARY, TELECOM FOR ISSUE OF ORDERS ALLOWING MERGER OF 50% DA EFFECTIVELY AMOUNTING TO 78.2%, AS HAS BEEN ALLOWED TO THE BSNL EMPLOYEES W.E.F. 01.01.2007, TO THE PRE-2007 ABSORBED BSNL PENSIONERS ALSO FOR THE PURPOSE OF FIXATION BENEFIT FOR REVISION OF THEIR PENSION:: AIBSNLREA has since taken up the above issue with Secretary, Telecom and others citing the principle followed for granting same percentage of DA as fixation benefit to both serving BSNL employees and pre-2007 absorbed BSNL pensioners and also the decision as conveyed in the minutes of the 22nd Meeting of Standing Committee of Voluntary Agencies held on 19.02.2013 under the chairmanship of the Hon’ble Minister of State for (PP) and circulated by Department of Pension & Pensioners’ Welfare. It writes ” …. In view of the above, we would like to request for early issue of an order in partial modification of DoT OM No. F. 40-17/2008-Pen(T) dated 15.03.2011 granting revision of pension of pre-2007 pensioners/family pensioners of BSNL to allow the same fixation benefit of effective merger of 78.2% of DA as has now been allowed to BSNL Employees w.e.f. 01.01.2007 as was already agreed to by DoT.[View full text of the letter....]

• 16.06.2013: DOT ISSUES CLARIFICATION REGARDING CALCULATION OF COMMUTED VALUE OF PENSION BY APPLYING OLD OR NEW COMMUTATION TABLE IN RESPECT OF BSNL IDA PAY SCALE FOR POST-2007 BSNL PENSIONERS:: Department of Telecommunication has, at last, issued the much awaited clarification regarding calculation of commuted value of Pension by applying old or new commutation table in respect of BSNL IDA pay scale for post-2007 BSNL Pensioners vide its Order F.No. 40-16/2012-Pen(T) dated 10.06.2013. This will remove the doubts raised by many CCAs and also resolve the cases for payment of less amount of commutation due to non-consideration of Dearness Pay on account of 50% merger of IDA w.e.f. 01.01.2007 to many post-2007 BSNL Pensioners. This case was taken up by AIBSNLREA alone and also followed up. In this regard, the postings dated 01.04.2013, 03.05.2013 and 30.05.2013 appearing in this website may be viewed. [Click here to view DoT order....]

• 15.06.2013: NEW BRANCH OF AIBSNLREA FORMED AT VARANASI (UP STATE):: In a District Conference held at Hotel Vaibhav, Varanasi on 13.06.2013, a new Branch of AIBSNLREA was formed at Varanasi (UP State). Over seventy retired BSNL Executives from Varanasi and nearby areas like Jaunpur, Ghazipur, Bhadoi attended the meeting which was presided over by Shri U S Singh. S/Shri S Basu. General Secretary and D N Singh, Retd DGM attended the meeting as Chief Guest and Special Guest respectively. S/Shri S N Shukla and R S Arora, UP State President and UP State Secretary were also present. The Branch was constituted with initial life membership strength of 50. At the end of the meeting, the life membership strength rose to 64. The news of the conference was widely reported in local print and electronic media. The Conference elected S/Shri B N Singh, Yad Ali and R K Sinha as the President, Secretary and financial Secretary of the Branch respectively. A detailed report will follow.

• 12.06.2013: PENSIONERY BENEFITS TO THE PRE-2007 AND POST-2007 ABSORBED BSNL PENSIONERS CONSEQUENT TO ISSUE OF ORDERS FOR MERGER OF 78.2% OF IDA WITH BASIC PAY FOR FIXATION OF PAY IN REVISED IDA SCALE W.E.F. 01.01.2007:: Following DoT’s approval of BSNL’s proposal to allow merger of 78.2% of IDA (instead 68.8% of IDA as allowed earlier) with basic pay to its employees with effect from 01.01.2007 for the purpose of fixation of their pay in the revised IDA pay scale, BSNL has subsequently issued the necessary Orders yesterday for implementation of the decision. Deviating from June 2012 agreement between unions/associations and the BSNL, both the Presidential Order of DOT issued on 10.06.2013 and the BSNL order issued on 11.06.2013 say that “No arrears will be paid” implying that arrears for the period 01.01.2007 and 09.06.2013 which are otherwise admissible on account of revision of pay with the new pay fixation formula will not be paid even in future when the financial position of BSNL improves.
  Now in regard to the case for payment of additional pensionery benefits to the post-2007 absorbed BSNL pensioners is concerned, no separate order on the matter is actually required. Since their pay will have to be re-fixed w.e.f. 01.01.2007, their last pay drawn will automatically get changed. They will, therefore, be entitled to get additional benefit on account of leave encashment on revised last pay drawn which is to be paid by BSNL. The BSNL units will also have to process their cases for revision of pension and payment of gratuity based on the revised last pay drawn and send the documents to the CCA concerned for revision of pension, payment of enhanced commutation of pension and gratuity. These will be paid by DoT. All those absorbed BSNL pensioners, who retired after 01.01.2007 but before 10.06.2013, are now requested first to get their pay revised w.e.f. 01.01.2007 in accordance with the BSNL Order dated 11.06.2013.
  As regards the case of the pre-2007 absorbed BSNL pensioners is concerned, DoT will have to issue an order modifying the pension fixation formula as contained in its earlier Order No. 40-17/2008-Pen(T)-Vol.III dated 15.03.2011 granting revision of pension/family pension. Thereafter, papers for further revision of their individual pension will move.

• 11.06.2013: BSNL issues orders on MERGER OF 78.2% IDA WITH BASIC PAY FOR PAY FIXATION IN REVISED IDA PAY SCALE WITH EFFECT FROM 01.01.2007 TO THE BSNL EMPLOIYEES:: BSNL has issued orders allowing the benefit of merger of 50% DA effectively amounting to 78.2% for the purpose of fitment in revised IDA scales w.e.f.1.1.2007 and payment with prospective effect only. No arrears will be paid.[Click here to view BSNL orders....]

• 10.06.2013: DOT APPROVES MERGER OF 78.2% IDA WITH BASIC PAY FOR PAY FIXATION IN REVISED IDA PAY SCALE WITH EFFECT FROM 01.01.2007 TO THE BSNL EMPLOIYEES:: DoT has today conveyed its approval for BSNL proposal to allow the benefit of merger of 50% DA effectively amounting to 78.2% for the purpose of fitment in revised IDA scales w.e.f.1.1.2007 and payment with prospective effect only. BSNL will now issue detailed orders in this regard.[Click here to view DoT letter....]

• 08.06.2013: MERGER OF 78.2% IDA WITH BASIC PAY FOR PAY FIXATION IN REVISED IDA PAY SCALE WITH EFFECT FROM 01.01.2007 TO THE BSNL EMPLOIYEES:: Department of Telecommunication is stated to have given the much awaited nod on the BSNL’s proposal for allowing merger of 78.2% of IDA (in place 68.8% of IDA allowed earlier) with basic pay for pay fixation in the revised IDA pay scales w.e.f. 01.01.2007 to the BSNL employees without payment of any arrears to be accrued between 01.01.2007 and the date of issue of the Order on the subject and also continuation of payment of allowances and perks on the basic pay fixed with 68.8% of IDA till the financial position of BSNL improves. As regards the revision of pension of pre-2007 and post-2007 pensioners is concerned, Department of Telecommunication had earlier announced in an important forum of the Government of India (which is recorded) that “… if in any stage the benefit of merger of 78.2% IDA with pay of serving employees is given, this benefit would also be extended to absorbed pensioners of BSNL” (Please refer to the posting dated 06.03.2013 in this website). Otherwise also, revision of pension cannot be denied once the basic pay is revised with new formula. Anyhow, the Order on the above stated subject is still awaited. We can, therefore, comment further only on receipt of the same. However, the viewers may view the posting dated 24.06.2012 in this website for some more details.

• 07.06.2013: ISSUE OF PHOTO IDENTITY CARD TO THE BSNL PENSIONERS:: Department of Pension & Pensioners’ Welfare, vide its No. 41/21/2000-P&PW(D) dated 30.4.2013, had issued Orders for issue of Identity Cards to the Central Government Pensioners in terms of its earlier Order No. 41/21/2000-P&PW(D) dated 16.11.2000. Now BSNL Corporate Office has also issued Orders in the same lines, vide its No. 40-35/2011-Pen(B) dated 13.05.2013, for issue of Identity Cards to the BSNL pensioners who wish to have the same against payment for lamination cost and the photographs. Format for the Identity Card is the same as prescribed by DOP&PW for the Identity Cards of Central Government Pensioners. BSNL has also been earlier issuing the Identity Cards to the BSNL pensioners and was following the Government Orders on the subject. [Click here to view BSNL order....]

• 30.05.2013: AIBSNLREA REQUESTS DDG(ESTT), DOT TO ISSUE THE NECESSARY CLARIFICATIONS AT THE EARLIEST TO CCA, UP-EAST CIRCLE AND CCA, KERALA CIRCLE REGARDING LESS PAYMENT OF COMMUTATION DUE TO NON-CONSIDERATION OF DEARNESS PAY ON ACCOUNT OF 50% MERGER OF DA WEF 01.01.2007:: AIBSNLREA again takes up the above matter and writes to DDG (Estt), DoT to issue the necessary clarifications as requested earlier by the Association which was duly forwarded to him by TA-I Section of DoT. The Association now writes “……that the Director (Accounts-I) of TA-I Section of Department of Telecommunications, vide his UO No. 7-47/2011/TA-I/1571 dated 11.4.2013, had forwarded our above quoted letter along with another case from Kerala Telecom Circle to you with a request to issue suitable clarification/reply to CCA, UP-E Circle and CCA, Kerala Circle. Since the issue is still not resolved, we would like to request you to kindly issue suitable clarification to the concerned CCAs at the earliest for settlement of this long pending matter.” (Earlier references are available in this website posted on 1.4.2013 and 8.5.2013.) [Click here to view the letter....]

• 27.05.2013: DEPARTMENT OF PERSONNEL & TRAINING RESPONDS TO THE REQUEST OF AIBSNLREA REGARDING SANCTION OF LEAVE ENCASHMENT TO A GOVERNMENT SERVANT ON HIS SUPERANNUATION WHILE UNDER SUSPENSION- REVIEW OF RULE 39(3) OF CCS (LEAVE) RULES, 1972:: Department of Personnel & Training (DoP&T) has since responded to the request made by AIBSNLREA, vide its No. AIBSNLREA/CHQ/ 2013/24 dated 26.4.2013, to review and withdraw Rule 39(3) of CCS (Leave) Rules, 1972 which allows discretionary powers to the authorities to withhold the leave encashment to the Government servants on their superannuation while under suspension. DoP&T replies that “……… your request for review of provisions of Rule 39(3) of CCS (Leave) Rules, 1972 for withdrawal of the same has been considered in this Department. In this regard, it is stated that the said provision safeguards the financial interests of the Government and can be invoked only in cases where there is a “Possibility” of any amount likely to be recovered from a Government servant. ……” [Click here to view the DoP&T letter....]

• 24.05.2013: REVISION OF PROVISIONAL PENSION SANCTIONED UNDER RULE 69 OF CCS (PENSION) RULES, 1972--- DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATION ENDORSES DEPARTMENT OF PENSION & PENSIONERS’ WELFARE OM DATED 18.03.2013 TO ALL CONCERNED:: In a major relief to the pensioners who are receiving provisional pension sanctioned under Rule 69 of CCS (Pension) Rules, 1972 from the CCAs (DoT Cells) through Banks/Post Offices etc, the Department of Telecommunication, vide its Office letter No. 36-01/2011-Pen (T) dated 14.05.2013, has since endorsed the DoP&PW OM No. 38/6/2010-P&PW (A)(Pt) dated 18.03.2013 on the subject to all concerned for taking necessary action. [Click here to view the DoT letter....]

• 18.05.2013: INAUGURAL FUNCTION OF THE REGIONAL OFFICE OF PRINCIPAL CCA, MAHARSHTRA CIRCLE AT NAGPUR:: Smt. Sadhana Dikshit, Member (Finance), Telecom Commission inaugurated the regional office of CCA Maharashtra Circle at Nagpur under the control and jurisdiction of Principal CCA, Maharashtra Circle on 11th May, 2013. Shri J K Ghai, Principal CCA, Maharashtra Circle and PGMT Nagpur, CCA, Maharashtra Circle and other senior Officers graced the occasion. AIBSNLREA, Nagpur Branch was formally invited by CCA Maharashtra Circle to attend the said inaugural function. S/Shri V W Patil, Vice President, P R Bhujbal, Branch Secretary, N R Rachkondawar and M S Bagde, Asst Branch Secretaries, B M Majumdar, Financial Secretary and R R Gadpal, Member of the Branch attended the function. The representatives of the Association welcomed Member (Finance) by presenting a bouquet to her. Shri P R Bhujbal, Branch Secretary welcomed the guests and other dignitaries and thanked Member (Finance) and the Principal CCA, Maharashtra Circle for fulfilling a long pending demand of BSNL pensioners of Vidarbha Region to set up a separate Regional office at Nagpur. In response to the appeal made by CCA Maharashtra, he also assured full support and cooperation of the Association to the officers and staff of the newly formed CCA office at Nagpur for its effective functioning. Important issues like updating of official website of Principal CCA, Maharashtra, up loading of quarterly revised IDA orders, holding of Pension Adalat at Nagpur, holding of workshop etc were informally discussed with the Principal CCA, Maharashtra Circle. He assured to look into the issues raised. This newly formed office of Controller of Communication Accounts is now functioning at Garoba Maidan, Near Itwari Telephone Exchange Bldg, Central Avenue Road, Nagpur-440008. [Click here to view a photograph showing S/Sh V W Patil, Vice President and P R Bhujbal, Branch Secretary of AIBSNLREA, Nagpur presenting a bouquet to Smt Sadhana Dikshit, Member (F)....]

• 16.05.2013: AIBSNLREA REQUESTS SECRETARY (TELECOM) TO GRANT INTERVIEW TO DISCUSS A FEW IMPORTANT PROBLEMS OF THE ABSORBED BSNL PENSIONERS IN GENERAL AND THE RETIRED EXECUTIVES IN PARTICULAR:: AIBSNLREA writes to Secretary (Telecom) requesting to grant an interview to discuss a few important problems of the absorbed BSNL pensioners in general and the retired BSNL Executives in particular. AIBSNLREA has since taken up six important issues for discussion and settlement. [Click here to view the letter....]

• 14.05.2013: SENIOR OFFICERS OF STATE BANK OF INDIA (SBI), GUJARAT DISCUSS PROBLEMS OF THE BSNL PENSIONERS WITH AIBSNLREA, GUJARAT STATE BRANCH:Ms Anju Bansal, CM, CPPC, SBI, Gandhinagar along with Shri Samit S. Shah, Assistant Manager, CPPC, SBI, Gandhinagar made a courtesy visit at the residence of Shri B M Bhavsar, State President of AIBSNLREA, Gujarat at Ahmadabad on 08.05.2013 to discuss about the problems of the BSNL pensioners in regard to the services offered by the Bank. Shri A B Patel, State Secretary, Gujarat was also present during the discussion which lasted for about 30 minutes. The SBI Officers agreed to sort out the problems received by them even on phone. They also agreed to transfer pension account to the spouse in case of death of the main pensioner without insisting on opening of another pension account as is being done now. They further agreed to issue instructions to all the branches under their control to co-operate with the pensioners to reduce their grievances.

• 12.05.2013: DISALLOWING THE BENEFIT OF FIXATION OF PAY/ PENSION TO THE ABSORBED BSNL EMPLOYEES WHO OPTED TO RETAIN CDA PAY SCALE TILL THEIR PROMOTION OR RETIREMENT WHICHEVER IS EARLIER AS OFFERED IN THE GENERAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE FOR ABSORPTION BY DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATION– CASES OF THE GROUP C & D EMPLOYEES:Department of Pension & Pensioners’ Welfare has since forwarded our letter No. AIBSNLREA/CHQ/2013/21 dated 17.04.2013 on the above subject [since uploaded in this website on 17.04.2013] to the Department of Telecommunication, vide their No. 4/5/2013-P&PW(D) dated 02.05.2013, for considering the grievances raised therein expeditiously in accordance with the extant rules/instructions. [Click here to view the DoP&PW letter....]

• 11.05.2013: ALL INDIA BSNL RETIRED EXECUTIVES’ ASSOCIATION, GUJARAT STATE BRANCH--- A BRIEF REPORT OF THE 5th ANNUAL GENERAL BODY–CUM-GET TOGETHER MEETING:The 5th Annual General Body-cum–Get together Meeting of All India BSNL Retired Executives’ Association, Gujarat State Branch was held on Sunday, April 28, 2013 at Ahmedabad Medical Association Hall, Ashram Road, Ahmedabad.
  The meeting was presided over by Shri B.M.Bhavsar, President, AIBSNLREA, Gujarat State Branch and started with the prayer. Lamps were lighted by the Hon’ble Guests on the dais including Shri S.Basu, General Secretary. The House then paid homage in memory of the departed members and some of the family members. The President, in his introductory speech, welcomed all the Guests, members, new members and others. He also gave a brief history on the formation of our separate Association for the BSNL Executives and its rapid growth in these four years. ………..” [Click here to view the complete Report....][Click here to view the photos....]

• 08.05.2013: QUARTERLY GB MEETING OF LUCKNOW BRANCH OF AIBSNLREA:The quarterly General Body Meeting of Lucknow Branch of UP State was held on 29-04-2013 in the Committee Hall of Sanchar Sadan Laplace, Lucknow. The meeting was presided over by Shri M.K.Shukla, Vice President of U.P State Branch. Shri S.P.Singh, Branch Secretary gave a brief account of the activities of the Association during the last four months. Queries raised by some members with respect to different issues were also duly clarified. State Secretary Shri R.S.Arora addressed the House and informed that the issue regarding merger of 78.2% of IDA is expected to be settled favourably but it may take some more time. The case for payment of revised commutation to the retirees w.e.f 1-1-2007 to 31-08-2008 was also discussed and it was informed by the State Secretary that the case has already been taken up by the C.H.Q for settlement. About 50 members attended the meeting and 7 new Life Members were enrolled during the meeting. The meeting concluded with vote of thanks presented by the Chair.

• 05.05.2013: INSTRUCTIONS REGARDING TIME LIMIT FOR REDRESSAL OF GRIEVANCES:AIBSNLREA writes to Secretary, DoP&PW regarding non-implementation of the instructions regarding time limit for redressal of grievances by Deptt of Telecommunication citing specific cases wherein DoP&PW had forwarded some representations of AIBSNLREA to DoT for actions. [Click here to view the letter....]

• 03.05.2013: RELEASE OF RETIREMENT AND SERVICE BENEFITS TO SHRI N M JADAV, EX-SDE, GUJARAT TELECOM CIRCLE:BSNL Corporate Office has since issued the much needed retirement order for Shri N M Jadav, Ex-SDE, Gujarat Telecom Circle retiring him w.e.f. 30.04.2005 vide its No. 17-145/2007-Pers.II dated 01.05.2013 and also instructing CGMT Gujarat Telecom Circle to regulate his pension and release other retirement benefits as per the rules on the subject. This issue was being pursued by this Association (posting dated 18.3.2013 in this website may be viewed). [Click here to view the order....]

• 03.05.2013: PAYMENT OF LESS AMOUNT OF COMMUTATION DUE TO NON-CONSIDERATION OF DEARNESS PAY ON ACCOUNT OF 50% MEREGER OF IDA w.e.f. 01.01.2007- CASE OF SHRI R K TANDON, Ex-AGM, LUCKNOW, UP (E) :TA-I Section of Department of Telecommunication has since sent our letter No. AIBSNLREA/CHQ/2013/18 dated 01.04.2013 (posted in this website on 01.04.2013) along with another similar case of Shri C P Varghese, Ex-DGM(F) received from CCA, Kerala Telecom Circle to DDG(Estt), DoT for issue of suitable clarification to office of CCA, UP(E), Lucknow and CCA Kerala for settlement of the cases.[Click here to view the letter from TA-I Section of DoT....]

• 26.04.2013: SANCTION OF LEAVE ENCASHMENT TO A GOVERNMENT SERVANT ON HIS SUPERANNUATION WHILE UNDER SUSPENSION:AIBSNLREA requests for withdrawal of provision in Rule 39(3) of CCS (Leave) Rules giving discretionary power to the authorities to with hold leave encashment to a Government servant on his superannuation while under suspension. It writes to Secretary, Deptt of Personnel & Training that “…. we would like to earnestly request the Government to withdraw the provision of Rule 39(3) of CCS (Leave) Rules 1972 allowing the authorities to with hold the leave-encashment to the Government servants on their superannuation while under suspension so that these Government servants having their pensionary benefits already blocked at least get a little amount out of their dues to discharge their social and family commitments.” [Click here to view the letter....]

• 24.04.2013: PROVISION OF CONCESSIONAL TELEPHONE FACILITY TO THE RETIRING EMPLOYEES OF BSNL WHILE UNDER SUSPENSION AND FOR WHOM NO PPO HAS BEEN ISSUED:In the background of BSNL’s assertion that its policy for non-provision of concessional telephone facility to a retiring employee of BSNL while under suspension and to whom no PPO has been issued is based on the guidelines issued by DoT vide No. 2-79/94-PHA dated 30.12.1999 [please view the posting dated 18.03.2013 in this website], AIBSNLREA takes up the matter with Secretary, DoT and request him “to kindly review the DoT’s above stated policy guidelines issued vide DoT No. 2-79/94-PHA dated 30.12.1999 and allow the concessional telephone facility to the retiring employees while under suspension and to whom no PPO has been issued, since non-provision of telephone facility is no way to ensure recovery of any money due to alleged loss.” [Click here to view the letter....]

• 23.04.2013: GUJARAT STATE BRANCH OF AIBSNLREA HOLDS ITS FIFTH AGM ON 28-04-2013:Gujarat State Branch of AIBSNLREA is holding its Fifth Annual General Body Meeting at 15.00 Hrs on 28-04-2013 (Sunday) at the Ahmedabad Medical Association Hall, Near Natraj Cinema, Behind Handloom House, Ashram Road, Ahmedabad. Shri S. Basu, General Secretary, AIBSNLREA will be addressing the meeting. All the members of the Associations and others are invited to attend the meeting. [For further details please contact S/Shri B.M.Bhavsar, Gujarat State President, AIBSNLREA on Mobile No. 09327002491, A B Patel, Gujarat State Secretary, AIBSNLREA on Mobile No. 09427608474].

• 22.04.2013: PROCEDURE FOR REIMBURSEMENT OF MEDICAL CLAIMS FOR THE RETIRED EMPLOYEES OF BSNL UNDER BSNLMRS:AIBSNLREA requests BSNL to issue clarification “whether the claims for reimbursement for outdoor treatment with voucher against the treatment taken in the previous financial year, say 2012-13 and received in the next financial year i.e. 2013-14 can be reimbursed against the ceiling limit of the next year i.e. 2013-14, if received within the stipulated 6 months period.” [Click here to view the letter....]

• 20.04.2013: REVISION OF PROVISIONAL PENSION OF PRE-2007/POST 2007 PENSIONERS/FAMILY PENSIONERS of BSNL AGAINST WHOM DEPARTMENTAL PROCEEDINGS/VIGILANCE CASES ARE PENDING:TA-I Section of Department of Telecommunication forwards our letter No. AIBSNLREA/CHQ/2013/15 dated 19.03.2003 [To read this letter, posting dated 20.3.2013 in this website may be viewed] to DDG(Estt), DoT requesting to issue necessary clarification/guidelines for revision of provisional pension of pre-2007 pensioners/family pensioners. [Click here to view the DoT letter....]

• 17.04.2013: DISALLOWING THE BENEFIT OF FIXATION OF PAY/ PENSION TO THE ABSORBED BSNL EMPLOYEES WHO OPTED TO RETAIN CDA PAY SCALE TILL THEIR PROMOTION OR RETIREMENT WHICHEVER IS EARLIER AS OFFERED IN THE GENERAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE FOR ABSORPTION BY DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATION:AIBSNLREA takes up the issue with Shri M F Farooqui, Secretary, Deptt of Telecommunication who has assumed the charge of the Department as its Secretary on April 01, 2013. In our letter, we have pointed out to the discrimination meted out to the absorbed Group C & D employees who have so far not been extended the benefit as offered in the general terms and conditions for absorption in BSNL. As reported earlier, DoP&PW has already asked Department of Telecommunication for considering the grievance expeditiously. [Click here to view the letter....]

• 15.04.2013: EXTENSION OF MEDICAL FACILITIES UNDER BSNL MRS TO THE RETIRING EMPLOYEES FACING DISCIPLINARY PROCEEDINGS:BSNL Corporate Office, vide its No. BSNL/Admn.I/15-10/13 dated 15.03.2013, has clarified to CGM, Gujarat Circle with copy endorsed to all CGMs that medical facilities under BSNL MRS can be extended to the officers facing disciplinary proceedings at the time of retirement and who retired on superannuation with provisional pension sanctioned but no PPO issued to them. AIBSNLREA was constantly following up the case, ever since Gujarat Circle referred the matter to Corporate Office (postings dated 09.09.2012 and 25.03.2013 in this website may be referred). [Click here to view the BSNLorder....]

• 15.04.2013: CONCESSIONAL BROAD BAND CONNECTION PROVIDED AT THE RESIDENCES OF THE RETIRED BSNL EMPLOYEES – CASES OF THOSE RESIDING IN MTNL SERVICE AREA:AIBSNLREA again draws attention of the Chairman & Managing Director, Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited about the discrimination meted out to the retired BSNL Employees residing in MTNL service area who have not been extended the concessional broad band facility. It writes, “… We would, therefore, request for your kind intervention in the matter so that the in pursuant to the above stated policy decision of the BSNL Management, the retired BSNL employees residing in MTNL service area are also allowed at least similar concession as has already been allowed to the serving employees residing in MTNL service area.” [Click here to view the letter....]

• 12.04.2013: REVISION OF PENSION OF PRE-2007 PENSIONERS/FAMILY PENSIONERS OF BSNL- CASES OF WRONG FIXATION OF FAMILY PENSION DUE TO NON-APPLICATION OF THE PROVISION THAT REVISED FAMILY PENSION, IN NO CASE, SHALL BE LOWER THAN 30% OF THE MINIMUM PAY IN THE REVISED PAY SCALE CORRESPONDING TO THE PRE-REVISED SCALE IN WHICH THE PENSIONER/DECEASED EMPLOYEE LAST WORKED:Department of Telecommunication has now informed that the matter is under consideration of the Department and Government decision will be informed in due course.

• 10.04.2013: EAST VIDARBHA BRANCH OF AIBSNLREA HELD ITS BI-ANNUAL GENERAL BODY MEETING:The biannual General Body Meeting of All India BSNL Retired Executive’s Association, East Vidarbha Branch Nagpur was held at Amenity Block, CTO Compound Nagpur on 7-4-2013. The meeting was presided over by Shri N.G.Talewar, President AIBSNLREA Nagpur. In the beginning of the meeting, homage was paid to the departed members and their family members. The President, in his introductory speech welcomed the new members and others. Shri P R Bhujbal, Secretary briefed the members on the current status of all major issues concerning the BSNL pensioners. In his speech, he mainly focused on the main important issues of BSNL pensioners taken up by GS CHQ viz. (1) Expeditious settlement of disciplinary cases against the retired BSNL officers, (2) Revision of provisional pension under Rule-69 of CCS Pension Rules 1972 of pre 2007 BSNL pensioners, (3) Implementation of DOP&PW OM dated 28-1-2013 for revision of family pension of the pre 2007 BSNL pensioners, (4) Anomaly in fixation of pension to the DOT employees absorbed in BSNL and retired during 1-10-2000 to 31-07-2001, (5) Merger of 78.2% IDA with basic pension wef 1-01-2007, (6) Removal of wide disparity in ceiling limit of medical reimbursement of outdoor treatment with vouchers between Pre-2007 and post 2007 retired BSNL employees. He also gave clarifications on issues like withholding of Leave encashment on retirement while under suspension, concessional broad band facility to retired JAG and above level BSNL executives, revision of reimbursement of cost of hearing aids to the BSNL employees etc. 121 members of the Branch participated in the meeting. Shri Arun Deshpande, Asst. Branch Secretary addressed the gathering and made appeal to increase the membership of Nagpur Branch. S/Shri U B Nikose, DGM (Distt Secretary, AIBSNLEA Nagpur) and Bhola Kamble, JTO (CWC AIBSNLEA NP) joined the Association as its Associate members and also addressed the House. Twenty Eight (28) new life members were enrolled on the day, thereby the total life membership of Nagpur Branch reached to 270 from its earlier strength of 242. S/Shri B P Majumdar and N R Rachkondawar made special efforts for the grand success of the meeting. The meeting ended with vote of thanks presented to the chair and participants by Shri V W Patil, Vice President of the Branch.

• 09.04.2013: REVISION OF IDA W.E.F. 1.4.2013:DPE has issued orders revising IDA w.e.f 1.4.2013 from 189.5% to 195.2% for CPSEs where last pay revision was implemented w.e.f. 1.1.1997 [Click here to view the order....]

• 09.04.2013: REVISION OF IDA W.E.F. 1.4.2013:DPE has issued orders revising IDA w.e.f 1.4.2013 from 71.5% to 74.9% for CPSEs where last pay revision was implemented w.e.f. 1.1.2007 [Click here to view the order....]

• 09.04.2013: REVISION OF PENSION OF PRE-2007 PENSIONERS/FAMILY PENSIONERS OF BSNL– NON-MENTION OF THE PROVISION REGARDING INCREASE IN QUANTUM OF PENSION/FAMILY PENSION AVAILABLE TO THE OLD PENSIONERS/FAMILY PENSIONERS OF 80 YEARS AND ABOVE YEARS IN AGE IN THE REVISED PENSION PAYMENT ORDERS (PPOs) ISSUED BY SOME CONTROLLERS OF COMMUNICATION ACCOUNTS::Department of Pension & Pensioners’ Welfare has since forwarded our letter No. AIBSNLREA/CHQ/2013/13 dated 15.03.2013 on the above mentioned subject for considering the grievances raised in the letter (posting dated 17.03.2013 in this website may be viewed to read this letter) in accordance with the extant rules/instructions under intimation to the Association.[Click here to view the DoP&PW letter...]

• 04.04.2013: REMOVAL OF EXISTING WIDE DISPARARITY IN THE CEILING LIMIT FOR REIMBURSEMENT OF MEDICAL CLAIMS WITH VOUCHER UNDER BSNL MRS BETWEEN THE PRE-2007 AND POST-2007 BSNL PENSIONERS WITH SAME PAYAIBSNLREA points out to the case of wide disparity in the ceiling limit for reimbursement of medical claims with voucher for outdoor treatment under BSNLMRS between the pre-2007 and post-2007 BSNL pensioners with same pay. In order to remove the existing wide disparity, it writes to CMD, BSNL suggesting “….that the annual ceiling limit for reimbursement with voucher for outdoor treatment for the pre-2007 pensioners be calculated first by notionally fixing their pay in the corresponding revised pay scale with the same fitment formula as has been allowed to the serving employees. Thereafter, 25 days notional pay so fixed plus corresponding DA on the revised DA rates as on April of every year may be taken into account for the purpose calculation of annual ceiling limit.”[View full text of the letter...]View the enclosures...]

• 02.04.2013: EAST VIDARBHA (NAGPUR) BRANCH OF AIBSNLREA TO HOLD ITS QUARTERLY GB MEETING:East Vidarbha (Nagpur) Branch of AIBSNLREA is holding its Quarterly General Body Meeting on 7th April 2013 at 16.00 hours in the Amenity Hall in Nagpur CTO compound. All members and other retired BSNL Executives in Nagpur and other areas have been invited to attend the meeting. For further details, Shri P R Bhujbal, Branch Secretary may be contacted on Mobile No. 9422810810.

• 01.04.2013: PAYMENT OF LESS AMOUNT OF COMMUTATION DUE TO NON-CONSIDERATION OF DEARNESS PAY ON ACCOUNT OF 50% D.A. MERGER W.E.F. 1.1.2007 – CASE OF SHRI R K TANDON, EX-AGM, LUCKNOW, UP (EAST CIRCLE):AIBSNLREA takes up the above case with Member(Services), Telecom Commission and others for intervention and issue of suitable guidelines/advice to CCA, UP East Circle for early settlement of the matter.[Click here to view the letter...]

• 30.03.2013: GENERAL BODY MEETING OF KANPUR BRANCH (UP STATE) OF AIBSNLREA:Kanpur Branch of AIBSNLREA held a General Body meeting on 19.03.2013 under the chairmanship of Shri Dharam Das, Branch President. Shri S B Saini, Branch Secretary welcomed the members and presented a brief report. Membership of the Branch has been increased from 40 to 72 and it was decided to raise it to 100 by April 2013. The members exchanged holi greetings and participated in a religious discourse session in which S/Shri N K Dwivedi, R C Misra, Dharam Das and S B Saini were the main speakers. It was decided in the meeting to organize a pilgrimage tour to Chitrakoot in the month of October 2013. The meeting ended with a happy note.

• 29.03.2013: WITH HOLDING OF LEAVE ENCASHMENT ON RETIREMENT WHILE UNDER SUSPENSION:Department of Personnel & Training has since issued a clarification in the form of FAQ that leave encashment of an employee on his retirement while under suspension or against whom disciplinary, criminal proceedings are pending can be with held, if in the opinion of the authority there is a possibility of some money becoming recoverable from him on conclusion of the proceedings against him. On conclusion of the proceedings he/she will become eligible to the amount so withheld after adjustment of Government dues, if any. [View the relevant extract from the FAQ issued by DoPT...]

• 28.03.2013: IDA INCREASE W.E.F. 1.4.2013:According to calculations based on All India Consumer Price Index, IDA is to be increased w.e.f. 1.4.2013 by 3.4% for CPSEs where last pay revision was implemented w.e.f. 1.1.2007 and by 5.8% where last pay revision was implemented w.e.f. 1.1.1997.

• 28.03.2013: NON SETTLEMENT OF THE CASE FOR GRANTING FIRST TIME BOUND PROMOTION TO SHRI R N GUPTA, EX-AGM, LUCKNOW CIRCLE OFFICE, BSNL:AIBSNLREA, CHQ writes to CGMT, UP (East) Telecom Circle, BSNL to settle the case for granting first Time Bound Promotion w.e.f. 1.10.2004 to Shri R N Gupta, Ex-AGM, Lucknow Circle Office, UP (East ) Telecom Circle whose case is said to be pending due to non-availability of one ACR. The Association requests to complete the requirement of CRs by considering the CR/CRs of the preceding years as per the guidelines issued by Department of Personnel & Training [Click here to view the letter...]

• 26.03.2013: PROVISION OF CONCESSIONAL BROAD BAND CONNECTION AT THE RESIDENCE OF RETIRED JAG AND ABOVE LEVEL BSNL OFFICERS RESIDING IN BSNL AREA - ORDERS RELEASED:BSNL has issued the much awaited Orders extending the facility of concessional broadband connection at the residences of the retired BSNL JAG and above level Officers residing in BSNL areas. AIBSNLREA has been pursuing the case ever since the Order for allowing the benefit to retired below JAG level Officers was issued. In this context, the posting dated 01.03.2013 in this website on this issue may be viewed. [Click here to view the BSNL order...]

• 25.03.2013: DENIAL TO EXTEND MEDICAL FACILITIES UNDER BSNL MRS TO THE PENSIONERS DUE TO PENDENCY OF DISCIPLINARY CASE- CASES OF GUJARAT TELECOM CIRCLE:AIBSNLREA again writes to CMD, BSNL on the above issue and requests “….that Gujarat Telecom Circle is advised not to deny medical facilities to the absorbed BSNL pensioners during the pendency of any disciplinary case.” [Click here to view the letter...]

• 22.03.2013: DISALLOWING THE BENEFIT OF FIXATION OF PAY/ PENSION TO THE ABSORBED BSNL EMPLOYEES WHO OPTED TO RETAIN CDA PAY SCALE TILL THEIR PROMOTION OR RETIREMENT WHICHEVER IS EARLIER AS OFFERED IN THE GENERAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE FOR ABSORPTION BY DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATION:AIBSNLREA had taken up the case regarding denial of the benefit of fixation of pay/pension to the absorbed Group C & D Employees of BSNL who had opted to retain CDA pay scale till their promotion or retirement whichever is earlier as offered by Department of Telecommunication in the General Terms and Conditions of Service for absorption in BSNL with Minister of State for (PP) and others [For details, posting dated 16.2.2013 in this website may be viewed]. Now DoP&PW has forwarded our representation to Department of Telecommunication for considering the grievance expeditiously.[Click here to view the letter of DoP&PW....]

• 20.03.2013: REVISION OF PROVISIONAL PENSION SANCTIONED UNDER RULE 69 OF CCS (PENSION) RULES 1972 - CASES OF ABSORBED BSNL PENSIONERS:AIBSNLREA takes up above issue with Secretary, Deptt of Telecommunication and request for issue of Orders for revision of provisional pension of those BSNL pensioners who were sanctioned only provisional pension.[Click here to view the letter of AIBSNLREA....][Click here to view the order of DoP&PW....]

• 19.03.2013: G B MEETING OF KOLHAPUR BRANCH OF AIBSNLREA:Quarterly General Body meeting of Kolhapur Branch (Maharashtra State) of AIBSNLREA was held on 17th March, 2013 in BSNL Telephone Bhavan Conference Hall at Kolhapur with Shri G L Joshi, Vice President in the Chair. Fifty ( 50) members attended the meeting and 5 more new members joined the Association. President, welcomed all the members including the new members and other Guests. Guest Lecturer, Dr. Prof. Vijay Kakade, Head of the Department of Economics, Shivaji University was welcomed with Bouquet. He was introduced to the House by the Branch Assistant Secretary. Shri D K Joshi, Branch Secretary informed the house about the sad demise of veteran Indian Trade Union Leader Com. Om Prakash Gupta on 6th January 2013 and paid rich tributes. Members observed 2 minutes’ silence and paid homage to the departed soul. The Guest Lecturer then delivered his lecture on “ Present Indian Economy and Budget 2013, and on the role of the SEBI in protection of Investors”. Members showed keen interest in the SEBI’s role and lively discussions followed. Thereafter, the Branch Secretary reported the activities of the Association and its growth in other states. The issues taken up by CHQ with various administrative Departments were also discussed. Members were especially concerned with the issue regarding the benefit of the option to retain the CDA scale up to next promotion of JTOs etc. and thanked CHQ for taking up the case very effectively. Shri NC Jain, an active member of the Branch presented his two poems highlighting how the life after retirement should be and on Vasant Rutu. Other members also shared their interesting experiences in life with the audience. Thereafter, Vote of Thanks was proposed by Secretary to the Guest Lecturer, GMT Kolhapur and all the other members present. The meeting ended with a grand Lunch sponsored by Shri. R P Sapre, a Member from Kolhapur.

• 19.03.2013: G B MEETING OF UDAIPUR BRANCH OF AIBSNLREA:Udaipur (Rajasthan State) Branch of AIBSNLREA held a General Body meeting on 09.03.2013. Shri Jagmohan Awasthy, Branch President presided over the meeting. Twenty five members attended the meeting and one new member also joined the Association. Shri Gaffar Mohammad, Branch Secretary apprised the members about the activities of the Association and status of various issues concerning the pensioners. The members also participated in the discussions. The meeting was followed by a Lunch served to all the participants.

• 18.03.2013: POLICY REGARDING PROVISION OF CONCESSIONAL TELEPHONE FACILITY TO A BSNL EMPLOYEE WHO RETIRE WHILE UNDER SUSPENSION -REQUEST TO REMOVE A GENUINE HARDSHIP TO A SECTIOIN OF RETIRED BSNL EMPLOYEES:BSNL has since informed that our request to modify its existing policy for provision of concessional telephone facility to the retired BSNL Employees for allowing the benefit even to the Employees who retire while under suspension has been examined, but the same has not been acceded to.[Click here to view the letter from BSNL Corporate Office....]

• 18.03.2013: RELEASE OF RETIREMENT AND SERVICE BENEFITS TO SHRI N M JADAV, EX-SDE, GUJARAT TELECOM CIRCLE:AIBSNLREA takes up the issue with Sr. GM (Pers), BSNL Corporate Office. It writes “…It would be seen from the above that Shri N M Jadav, Ex-SDE suffered mentally, socially and financially for the last long nine years for no fault on his part. It is, therefore, requested that an early communication of the approval of the competent authority to retire Shri Jadav, Ex-SDE from service be sent to Gujarat Telecom Circle to enable the Circle administration to release his retirement and service benefits etc.” [Click here to view the letter]

• 17.03.2013: NON-MENTION OF THE PROVISION REGARDING INCREASE IN QUANTUM OF PENSION/FAMILY PENSION TO BE AVAILABLE TO THE OLD PENSIONERS OF 80 AND ABOVE YEARS IN AGE IN THE REVISED PENSION PAYMENT ORDERS ISSUED BY SOME CONTROLLERS OF COMMUNICATION ACCOUNTS:In continuation to its earlier representation dated 14.08.2012 (uploaded in this website on 15.08.2012), AIBSNLREA again takes up the above issue with Secretary, Department of Telecommunication. It writes “……We would, therefore, once again request you to kindly intervene in the matter so that suitable instructions are issued to all the Controllers of Communication Accounts/DoT Cells to issue suitable addendum/corrigendum in respect of such revised PPOs, for both pre-2007 and post-2007 absorbed BSNL pensioners, where the provision of Para 4.5 of DoT Order No. 40-17/2008-Pen(T) Vol. III dated 15.03.2011 regarding revision of pension on their reaching the age of 80/85/90/95/100 years has not been mentioned.”[Click here to view the letter]

• 15.03.2013: GB MEETING OF AIBSNLREA JABALPUR BRANCH HELD:A General Body cum family get together meeting of AIBSNLREA, Jabalpur Branch was held on 22nd February, 2013 at 6 P.M. at J.K.Celebration Banquet Hall, Sadar, Jabalpur. Sixty eight (68) members including their family joined the function which started with lighting of lamp and garlanding of Goddess Saraswatiji followed by Vandana. Branch Secretary Shri A.N.Bhargava welcomed all the participants. He also submitted a brief account of activities of the Branch. This was followed by a cultural program in which melodious songs were presented by S/Shri C.D.Khadse, D.K.Beohar, K.N.Baharani, A.N.Bhargava, M. K. Pandey, Smt. Beohar, Smt. Manju Dave, Smt. Baharani and Smt. Dravid. An entertaining game of Tambola was conducted by Smt. Madhu Bhargava, Shri S.S.Rajwar and Shri S.K.Bhatia. Everyone actively participated and enjoyed the entire program. Vote of thanks was proposed by Shri R.D.Tiwari. This was followed by dinner served to all the participants.

• 13.03.2013: WITHDRAWAL OF REVISED TIME BOUND PROMOTION ORDERS OF 2nd IDA SCALE UPGRADATION FROM RS. 29100-54500 (E--4) TO RS. 32900-58500 (E-5) IN RESPECT OF AGMs/DEs – ISSUE OF CLARIFICATION THEREOF TO CGM, GUJARAT TELECOM CIRCLE:AIBSNLREA takes up the above issue with General Manager (Estt), BSNL Corporate Office to issue suitable guidance to CGM, Gujarat Telecom Circle, as requested by his Office, so that in the background of the decision in the Pension Adalat, the provision of Rule 70 of CCS (Pension) Rules 1972 is invoked in respect of the affected retired Executives.[Click here to view the letter]

• 13.03.2013: NON-SETTLEMENT OF THE PRAYER OF SHRI ARABINDA CHOUDHURY, RETIRED EXECUTIVE ENGINEER, TELECOM CIVIL DIVISION, SILIGURI (WEST BENGAL) REGARDING WRONG REVISED FIXATION OF PAY ON GETTING 2nd ACP AND ABSORPTION IN BSNL:AIBSNLREA takes up the issue with GM(Estt), BSNL Corporate Office and request to issue clarifications as asked for by West Bengal Circle to settle the case. [Click here to view the letter]

• 12.03.2013: G B MEETING OF SURAT BRANCH (GUJARAT STATE) ::A General Body cum get together Meeting of Surat Branch of AIBSNLREA was held on 6th March 2013 in the conference Hall of Textile Market Telephone Exchange Building, Surat under the chairmanship of Shri G S Prajapati, Retd D E, Surat. Shri N J Nakawala, Branch Secretary & Retd DE welcomed the Office Bearers of State Branch and other members by presenting bouquet to them. 25 members including 10 new members attended the meeting.
  
  President welcomed the members and requested the House to observe two minutes’ silence in memory of the departed members and also their family members. After the self introduction by the participants, Shri B M Bhavsar, State President, gave a brief account of the present activities of the association and importance of forming a strong Pensioners’ Association of the Executives. Shri A.B.Patel, State Secretary, briefed the house about the activities of the Association and status of the issues since taken up by the Association. He also informed that the State Branch took up the issue regarding delayed payment of revised IDAs with CPMG and DPA as well as CCA Ahmedabad. As a result, the pensioners got the IDA due from 1.10.2012 and 01.01.2013 along with the pension for the month of October and January respectively. Recently DOT has entered into MOUs with all Public Sector Banks, excluding Bank of India, for introduction of single window system of pension disbursement through their CPPCs. Due to our persistent efforts, the problem regarding entry of DOB of spouse of the pensioners in PPOs have been resolved. He stated that to receive pension through pension accounts in Bank or Post offices, it should be opened in the joint name with spouse. Nomination should also be made by Pensioner / Family pensioners and registered with the pension paying bank or post offices, as the case may be, for receiving balance pension amount to avoid problems in case of unfortunate demise of pensioner/family pensioner. A case against reversion of officers due to wrong interpretation of rules regarding TBP was taken up with Gujarat Circle, BSNL HQ and the Pension Adalat held at Vadodara and at present the recovery has been withheld. Shri A B Patel also appealed to the members for donation whose pension revision cases settled at the earliest possible time in Gujarat compared to the rest of the parts of India where the pension revision for 2nd PRC was considerably delayed. Shri D S Prajapati presented Vote of thanks and thereafter the participants were served with Lunch.

• 09.03.2013: BENEFIT OF FIXATION OF PAY/PENSION TO THE ABSORBED BSNL EMPLOYEES WHO HAD OPTED TO RETAIN CDA PAY SCALE TILL THEIR PROMOTION OR RETIREMENT WHICHEVER IS EARLIER – CASES OF THE GROUP C & D EMPLOYEES:DoT has again informed that the above “matter is still under examination” in the Department. AIBSNLREA is following up the above case for quite some time. Apart from DoT, the matter has recently been taken up with Minister of State (PP) who is holding the charge of DOP&T. Our last posting dated 16.02.2013 on this issue may be viewed.

• 09.03.2013: REVISION OF PENSION OF PRE-2007 PENSIONERS/FAMILY PENSIONERS OF BSNL – APPLICATION OF THE PROVISION IN DOP&PW OM F.No. 38/37/08-P&PW(A)-Pt.I DATED 3.10.2008, No. 1/3/2011-P&PW(E) DATED 25.5.2012 AND ALSO NO. 38/37/08-P&PW(A) DATED 28.01.2013 STIPULATING THAT REVISED FAMILY PENSION, IN NO CASE, SHALL BE LOWER THAN 30% OF THE MINIMUM PAY IN THE PAY SCALE CORRESPONDING TO THE PRE-REVISED SCALE IN WHICH THE PENSIONER/DECEASED EMPLOYEE LAST WORKED:AIBSNLREA has been vigorously pursuing with DoT and DoP&PW for implementation of the above quoted OMs to give the intended benefit to the concerned pre-2007 absorbed BSNL pensioners. At last,, DoT has now informed that the issue is under examination.

• 08.03.2013: INCOME TAX RATES:We have opened a new Section titled INCOME TAX RATES in the main page of this website and uploaded the Income Tax Rates for the assessment year 2013-14 (Financial year 2012-13). [Click here to view the IT rates]

• 08.03.2013: ELIGIBILITY OF A PENSIONER DRAWING PENSION UNDER CCS (PENSION) RULES 1972 TO DRAW PENSION AFTER TAKING CITIZENSHIP OF OTHER COUNTRY:AIBSNLREA writes to DoP&PW seeking clarification on the eligibility of a pensioner drawing pension under CCS (Pension) Rules 1972 to receive his/her pension in India and credited to his/her bank account in India if he/she gets a green card or citizenship of a foreign country. [Click here to view the letter]

• 06.03.2013: NEWS ON SOME CURRENT ISSUES CONCERNING THE ABSORBED BSNL PENSIONERS:We have following information to share with our members/viewers on some current issues concerning the absorbed BSNL pensioners also which we have been pursuing with the concerned authorities:
  
  (1) Anomaly in fixation of pension to the DoT employees absorbed in BSNL who retired between 1.10.2000 and 31.07.2001:- The matter is under examination in DoT which will take final decision in the matter by 31.03.2013. [Our comment: In fact, DoT has to send a proposal to resolve the issue to DoP&PW for examination and decision. It is now expected that the proposal could be send by DoT to DoP&PW anytime after March 31, 2013. In this context, the posting dated 08.02.2013 in this website may be viewed.]
  
  (2) Same benefit of pre-2006 pensioners as recommended and implemented in respect serving employees by VI CPC:- This issue is still under discussion in the National Anomaly Committee and its decision is awaited. [Our comment: This matter is also related to the demand to allow the revised fixation of pension Orders on the average of last 10 months of pay or last pay drawn whichever is beneficial to the employee to the pre-2006 pensioners also, which has since been implemented only to the post-2006 pensioners. In this context, posting dated 04.05.2012, 13.10.2011 and few others on the matter in this website may be viewed for further details.]
  
  (3) Expeditious conclusion of the disciplinary cases against the retired employees:- On this issue, a Committee of Secretaries is examining some recommendations of Hota Committee Report. The Minister of State (PP) has also taken up the matter on priority for both serving employees and pensioners. [Our comment: In this matter, the posting dated 20.02.2013 in this website may be viewed wherein a representation of AIBSNLREA to Prime Minister of India, Minister of State (PP) and others requesting for introduction of a special and effective mechanism and monitoring system for speedy and time bound disposal of pending disciplinary/vigilance cases against the retiring/retired employees was uploaded.]
  
  (4) Merger of 78.2% IDA with basic pension to the absorbed BSNL pensioners:-DoT has taken a stand that if in any stage the benefit of merger of 78.2% IDA with pay of serving employees is given, this benefit would also be extended to absorbed pensioners of BSNL. The matter is currently under examination in DoT. [Our comment: This should remove the apprehension in the minds of few that the pensioners may be left out, even if the benefit is allowed to the serving employees. On this issue, the postings dated 04.05.2012, 13.10.2011 and others on the subject in this website may be viewed.]

• 05.03.2013: WRONG INTERPRETATION OF RULES REG. CALCULATION OF SPECIAL ALLOWANCE IN CASE OF GROUP A OFFICERS OF DOT ABSORBED IN BSNL- CASES IN BSNL, AP TELECOM CIRCLE:Telecom Accounts-I Section of Department of Telecommunication has transferred our representation dated 28.01.2013 on the above subject (uploaded in this website on 29.01.2013) to the Under Secretary, Absorption Cell of DoT HQs, endorsing a copy of their UO Note to this Association, for taking necessary action on the matter. [Click here to view the U.O.Note]

• 04.03.2013: (1) REVISION OF PENSION OF PRE-2007 PENSIONERS/FAMILY PENSIONERS OF BSNL – CASES OF WRONG FIXATION OF FAMILY PENSION DUE TO NON-APPLICATION OF THE PROVISION THAT REVISED FAMILY PENSION, IN NO CASE, SHALL BE LOWER THAN 30% OF THE MINIMUM PAY IN THE PAY SCALE CORRESPONDING TO THE PRE-REVISED SCALE IN WHICH THE PENSIONER/DECEASED EMPLOYEE LAST WORKED.
  
  (2) WRONG INTERPRETATION OF RULES REG. CALCULATION OF SPECIAL ALLOWANCE IN CASE OF GROUP A OFFICERS OF DOT ABSORBED IN BSNL- CASES IN BSNL, AP TELECOM CIRCLE:Department of Pension & Pensioners’ Welfare forwards our representation dated 19.09.2012 and 28.01.2013 on the above two different issues (uploaded in this website on 20.09.2012 and 29.01.2013 respectively) to Department of Telecommunication for considering the grievances raised therein expeditiously in accordance with the extant rules/instructions. [Click here to view the DoP&PW letter]

• 02.03.2013: TCIL INVITES CVs FROM LOCAL RETIRED BSNL EXECUTIVES FOR ITS NATIONAL OPTICAL FIBER NETWORK (NOFN) PROJECT EXCLUSIVELY FOR MUMBAI REGION:Dy Manager (HRD), TCIL has requested to “send urgently the CVs of local candidates exclusively for Mumbai region of retired BSNL executives for our upcoming project.” This is in continuation of the text published on the same issue in our website on 06.12.2012. Interested BSNL retired Executives of local area may send their Curriculum Vitae (CV) directly to mail id (1) neha.bansal@tcil-india.com and (2) deepak.sain@tcil-india.com. For further details, please contact :
  Neha Gupta
  Deputy Manager (HRD),
  Telecommunications Consultants India Ltd.,
  New Delhi - 110048
  Ph. No. 011-26202224/011-26202205/011-26202202
  

• 01.03.2013: FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FROM DEPTT. OF TELECOMMUNICATION AS COMPENSATION TOWARDS PROVIDING TELECOM SERVICES TO DOT OFFICES AND OFFICERS:AIBSNLREA writes to CMD, BSNL for asking Department of Telecommunication to pay compensation for the telecom services being provided by BSNL to the various offices and officers of DoT. It writes that “Though DoT is the administrative Ministry, but it cannot claim for free service, since DoT itself is charging BSNL for License Fee, Spectrum charges etc.” [Click here to view the letter]

• 01.03.2013: PROVISION OF CONCESSIONAL BROAD BAND CONNECTION AT THE RESIDENCES OF THE RETIRED BSNL EXECUTIVES OF THE LEVEL OF JAG AND SAG – PRESENT STATUS OF OUR REQUEST:We had represented to CMD, BSNL vide our letter dated 07.07.2012 (uploaded in our website on 10.07.2012) followed by another reminder dated 21.11.2012 (uploaded in our website on 25.11.2012) for extending the facility of concessional Broad Band connection at the residences of the JAG and SAG level retired BSNL executives residing in BSNL and MTNL area. The proposal is now pending as an agenda item before the Management Committee of BSNL for over a month. It is likely to be through with the same terms and conditions as available in the orders issued by BSNL Corporate Office on 27.06.2012 allowing the benefit to below JAG level retired BSNL Employees.

• 28.02.2013: UNION BUDGET 2013-14 - NO RELIEF FOR INCOME TAX PAYERS:The Union Budget 2013-14 presented in Parliament today did not propose any relief to the income tax payers except that a tax credit of Rs 2000 for all in the income group of Rs 2 lakhs to Rs 5 lakhs has been proposed. Existing tax slabs to continue in the coming year also. Those having income of more than 1 crore will be charged 10% surcharge. The woos of the pensioners continue.

• 28.02.2013: IMMEDIATE RELEASE OF FUNDS TO MARKETING & SALES UNITS OF BSNL:AIBSNLREA suggests to CMD, BSNL for immediate release of fund to the Marketing & Sales units for aggressive marketing of its products. It writes “…..some service providers are winding up/curtailing their business- thus forcing their customers to search for new service providers. BSNL can certainly take advantage of the present scenario and attract new customers – specially under MNP. No customer will come of his own unless being invited. The other service providers get more customers to their fold in the backdrop of their continued marketing activities followed by better after sales service. BSNL should now step up its marketing & sales activities through publicity of the specialty of its services/products to draw the attention of the prospective customers.” [Click here to view the letter]

• 28.02.2013: GB MEETING OF PALAKKAD BRANCH OF AIBSNLREA:Palakkad Branch (Kerala State) of AIBSNLREA held its General Body meeting on 12.02.2013 and discussed the problems being encountered by the members. Ten new members joined the Association as Life Members raising the total membership strength of the Branch from its present strength of 42 to 52.

• 27.02.2013: WITHHOLDING OF 10% GRATUITY FROM THE RETIRING GOVERNMENT SERVANTS:DOP&PW, vide its OM No. 20/16/1998-P&PW(F) dated 19.02.2013, has clarified that “…..There is no provision for withholding any part of gratuity for the purpose of recovery of outstanding Government dues other than those pertains to government accommodation.” [Click here for detailed clarification by DOP&PW]

• 25.02.2013: AIBSNLREA, TAMILNADU STATE BRANCH HELD A SPECIAL GB MEETING:Tamilnadu State Branch of AIBSNLREA organized a Special General Body Meeting on 21.02.2013 at Chennai. The meeting held at the Lecture Hall of Institution of Electronics & Telecommunication Engineers, Gopalapuram, Chennai was presided over by the State President Shri V Chinnapappaiah. Shri S Basu, General Secretary, AIBSNLREA addressed the members. In his speech, he reminded the members about the big role played by AIBSNLREA in respect of revision of pension/family pension of pre-2007 BSNL pensioners on IDA scale in the backdrop of the strong lobby made by ITSA, other serving employees and executives’ associations in BSNL and MTNL under the banner of Joint Forum demanding revision of pension in CDA scale, extending the benefits of fixation of pension on last pay drawn and higher ceiling limit of DCRG w.e.f. 1.1.2006 to the absorbed BSNL pensioners. He cleared the doubts regarding the stated impact of new Pension Scheme on absorbed BSNL Employees which has been implemented in case of new employees joining Government service on or after 1.1.2004. He also spoke on the anomaly in fixation of pension of those who retired within 10 months of their absorption, merger of 78.2% of IDA in the fitment formula, BSNL MRS etc.

• 25.02.2013: CHANDIGARH BRANCH HELD ITS GB MEETING & ELECTION:A general body meeting of AIBSNLREA Chandigarh branch was held on dated 09-02-2013 in GPO Building, Sector-17 Chandigarh to elect a new body for the period from 2013 – 2015. The election meeting was conducted by Sh. K.C. Bhagat Retd DGM Chandigarh SSA and the unanimously elected a new body. [Click here to view the list

• 20.02.2013: INTRODUCTION OF A SPECIAL AND EFFECTIVE MECHANISM FOR SPEEDY AND TIME BOUND DISPOSAL OF PENDING DISCIPLINARY/VIGILANCE CASES AGAINST THE PENSIONERS:AIBSNLREA requests Dr Manmohan Singh, Prime Minister of India for introduction of a special and effective mechanism and monitoring system for speedy and time bound disposal of pending disciplinary/vigilance cases against the retiring/retired employees. [Click here to view the letter]

• 18.02.2013: APPLICABILITY AND IMPACT OF DOP&PW OM No. 38/37/08-P&PW(A) DATED 28.01.2013 ON REVISION OF PENSION/FAMILY PENSION OF ABSORBED BSNL PENSIONERS:Ever since the above stated DOP&PW OM was uploaded in our website on 01.02.2013, many queries are being received regarding its applicability and impact on the revision of pension/family pension of the absorbed pre-2007 BSNL pensioners. In order to explain its applicability and impact, Shri S Ratnasubramanian, our Joint Secretary(South) has prepared a short write up. This is now uploaded in our website for the information of the visitors of this website.[Click here to view the write-up]

• 17.02.2013: SPECIAL GENERAL BODY MEETING OF AIBSNLREA, TIMALNADU STATE BRANCH:A Special General Body Meeting of AIBSNLREA, Tamilnadu State Branch will be held at 17.30 Hrs on 21-02-2013 at the LECTURE HALL of Institution of Electronics and Communication Engineers, 37,Conran Smith Road (Near Sathyam Theater Complex), Gopalapuram, CHENNAI 600086. Shri S. Basu, General Secretary, AIBSNLREA will be addressing the meeting. All the members of the Associations and others are invited to attend the meeting.

• 16.02.2013: DISALLOWING THE BENEFIT OF FIXATION OF PAY/PENSION TO THE ABSORBED BSNL EMPLOYEES WHO HAD OPTED TO RETAIN CDA PAY SCALE TILL THEIR PROMOTION OR RETIREMENT WHICHEVER IS EARLIER:AIBSNLREA takes up with Minister of State for (PP) the case regarding denial of the benefit of fixation of pay/pension to the absorbed Group C & D Employees of BSNL who had opted to retain CDA pay scale till their promotion or retirement whichever is earlier as offered in the General Terms and Conditions of Service for absorption as offered by Department of Telecommunication. [Click here to view the letter....]

• 08.02.2013: REDUCTION IN PENSION AMOUNT OF DOT EMPLOYEES ABSORBED IN BSNL AFTER RE-FIXATION OF THEIR PENSION IN IDA SCALE- CASES OF THE ABSORBED BSNL PENSIONERS RETIRED AFTER 01.10.2000 BUT BEFORE 31.07.2001:We reported in our posting dated 29.11.2012 in this website on the above issue that following a decision in the meeting of SCOVA held on 27.09.2012 that “Department of Telecommunication may re-examine the issue”, AIBSNLREA had sent another proposal to DoT for resolving the issue. Now the Action Taken Report of the Minutes of the said meeting circulated by Deptt of Pension & Pensioners’ Welfare states that “…. since the grievance has not been settled in most of the cases, several representations were received from the pensioners/ Pensioners Associations of BSNL etc. The case is under Examination in Department of Telecommunication.” It further states that “DoP&PW will examine the matter as and when any proposal is referred by Department of Telecommunication …...”. [Click here to view the relevant extract of Action Taken Report on the Minutes of the SCOVA meeting....]

• 05.02.2013: REVISION OF CEILING RATES AND GUIDELINES FOR CORONARY/VASCULAR STENTS UNDER CGHS:BSNL has circulated Dept. of Health & Family Welfare O.M. on revision of rates and guidelines for coronary/vascular stents under CGHS for settling claims under BSNLMRS. [Click here to view the circular....]    [Click here to view the O.M.....]

• 01.02.2013: REVISION OF PENSION OF PRE-2007 PENSIONERS/FAMILY PENSIONERS OF BSNL- CASES OF WRONG FIXATION OF FAMILY PENSION DUE TO NON-APPLICATION OF THE PROVISION THAT REVISED FAMILY PENSION, IN NO CASE, SHALL BE LOWER THAN 30% OF THE MINIMUM PAY IN THE REVISED PAY SCALE CORRESPONDING TO THE PRE-REVISED SCALE IN WHICH THE PENSIONER/DECEASED EMPLOYEE LAST WORKED:In the background of the latest OM issued by DoP&PW vide its OM No.38/37/08-P&PW(A) dated 28.01.2013 circulating a detailed instruction regarding revision of pension/family pension of pre-2006 C.G. pensioners in terms of its earlier OMs for implementation of 6th CPC recommendations, AIBSNLREA, in continuation to its earlier representations, writes to Secretary, DoT that “……. In case of the absorbed pre-2007 BSNL pensioners also, whose pension/family pension were ordered to be revised as per Govt pension rules vide DoT No. 40-17/2008-Pen(T)-Vol.III dated 15.03.2011, the principle laid down in the above quoted Orders issued by DoP&PW for revision of pension/family pension are required to be implemented in its letter and spirit”. The Association further writes “……. we would request you to kindly cause issue of an Order in the line of the DoP&PW OM No.38/37/08-P&PW(A) dated 28.01.2013, if need be by circulating a detailed consolidated table, for implementation of the principle laid down therein for revision of pension/family pension of pre-2007 absorbed BSNL pensioners”. [Click here to view the letter....]    [Click here to view the OM dated 28.1.2013....]

• 31.01.2013: RULE 37A OF CCS (PENSION) RULES, 1972 AMENDED:Department of Pension & Pensioners’ Welfare, Government of India has amended the Rule-37A of CCS(Pension Rules),1972 and few other rules, through Central Civil Services (Pension) Amendment Rules 2012 by a Gazette Notification issued on 21st December 2012. The salient features of the amended Rule 37A are as follows:- (i) Conditions for payment of pension on absorption consequent upon conversion of a Government Department into a Central Autonomous Body are now taken out of the provisions in Rule-37A and have been provided under a separate and new Rule 37B, (ii) In Sub-rule 8, a clarity has been provided in regard to eligible pensionary benefits for the absorbed employee and his family by including the words (including commutation of pension, gratuity, family pension or extra-ordinary pension), (iii) provision for an option to receive benefits for the service rendered under the Central Government, as was earlier provided at sub-rule 8, is also retained, but the word “pro-rata” stands omitted, (iv) Sub Rule (9) now says that pension shall be calculated on fifty percent of emoluments or average emoluments whichever is more beneficial. This benefit was already implemented following 6 CPC recommendations, (v) Sub-rule (12) has now the provision for eligibility regarding seeking voluntary retirement after completing ten years qualifying service with the Government and the PSU taken together. This benefit was already available through a separate Order, (vi) Old Sub-rule (12) and subsequent Sub-rules in Rule-37A have been re-named as Sub-rule (13) and so on. [Click here to view the complete Gazette Notification....]

• 29.01.2013: REVISION OF PENSION OF PRE-2007 PENSIONERS/FAMILY PENSIONERS OF BSNL- CASES OF WRONG FIXATION OF FAMILY PENSION DUE TO NON-APPLICATION OF THE PROVISION THAT REVISED FAMILY PENSION, IN NO CASE, SHALL BE LOWER THAN 30% OF THE MINIMUM PAY IN THE REVISED PAY SCALE CORRESPONDING TO THE PRE-REVISED SCALE IN WHICH THE PENSIONER/DECEASED EMPLOYEE LAST WORKED:AIBSNLREA again represents to Secretary, DoT for implementation of the provision at Para 4.2 of the DOP&PW O.M. F.No 38/37/08 P&PW(A).Pt.I dated 3.10.2008 and also at Para 2 of DOP&PW F.No 1/3/2011-P&PW(E) dated 25.05.2012 which say that revised family pension not to be lower than 30% of the minimum pay in the pay scale corresponding to the pre-revised scale in which the pensioner/ deceased employee last worked- while revising the pension/family pension of the absorbed pre-2007 BSNL Pensioners. It writes “….. We shall, therefore, request you to kindly intervene in the matter and cause issue of necessary instructions at the earliest to remove a genuine grievance of the pre-2007 pensioners in BSNL.” [Click here to view the letter....]

• 29.01.2013: WRONG INTERPRETATION OF RULES REG. CALCULATION OF SPECIAL ALLOWANCE IN CASE OF GROUP A OFFICERS OF DOT ABSORBED IN BSNL- CASES IN BSNL, AP TELECOM CIRCLE:AIBSNLREA again takes up the issue which was first taken up on 8.11.2012 [for details view the posting dated 9.11.2012 in this website]. It writes: “ ………………Unfortunately, the Order seems to have been misinterpreted by some Circles including AP Telecom Circle and as a result the Group A Officers who took absorption in BSNL are being differently treated in regard to the procedure to calculate the quantum of Special Allowance payable to the absorbed Group A Officers. In the above background, we had requested that the concerned Section of DoT issue a circular clarifying the position in regard to calculation of Special Allowance and its commutation with an illustrative calculation sheet so that the problem is sorted out once for all. Unfortunately, the issue is still not resolved. We, therefore, again request you to kindly intervene in the matter, so that this issue gets resolved at the earliest.” [Click here to view the letter....]

• 27.01.2013: ORDERS FOR WITHDRAWAL OF STD/ISD FACILITY FROM THE CONCESSIONAL TELEPHONE OF THE RETIRED/RETIRING EMPLOYEES OF BSNL/DOT- CALCUTTA TELEPHONES KEEPS ITS ORDER IN ABEYANCE:West Bengal State Branch of AIBSNLREA, represented by by S/Shri N H Siddique, State Secretary, N C Maji and S R Palit, both Assistant State Secretaries met CGM, Calcutta Telephones on 21.01.2013 and first raised the issue regarding the order issued to disconnect the STD/ISD facility from the concessional telephones of the retired/retiring BSNL/DoT employees. CGM informed that he had taken note of the objections raised and ordered for keeping the earlier Order held in abeyance. They thanked the CGM and discussed a few other pending grievances of the members including the deferred option cases. CGM gave them assurance to expedite settlement.[Click here to view the order issued by CTD....]

• 21.01.2013: AIBSNLREA TAKES UP THE ISSUE REGARDING DISCONNECTION OF STD/ISD FACILITY FROM THE CONCESSIONAL TELEPOHONE CONNECTIONS OF RETIRED/RETIRING BSNL/DOT EMPLOYEES AS ORDERED BY CALCUTTA TELEPHONES WITH CMD, BSNL:AIBSNLREA has since taken up the above with CMD, BSNL. The Association writes – “We strongly feel aggrieved by the above orders since this is not the way an organization should treat its retired employees on whose hard work and dedication the organization has been built and developed over so many years. Moreover, BSNL’s financial position is no way to improve by withdrawing the STD/ISD facility from the concessional telephone connection of the retired/retiring employees. We earnestly request you to kindly intervene immediately and to cause withdrawal of the orders referred to above.” [Click here to view the letter....]

• 21.01.2013: AIBSNLREA REQUESTS UNION FINANCE MINISTER TO ENHANCE THE EXEMPTION LIMIT OF INCOME TAX FOR THE SENIOR CITIZENS:AIBSNLREA has written a letter to Union Finance Minister requesting to enhance the existing exemption limit of Income Tax for the senior citizens during presentation of Budget in the Parliament. [Click here to view the letter....]

• 20.01.2013: UDAIPUR BRANCH OF AIBSNLREA HOLDS AGB MEETING:Udaipur Branch (Rajasthan State) of AIBSNLREA held its Annual General Body Meeting on 12.01.2013. After discussions on the activities of the Association and the issues concerning the members, election of new office bearers was also held. S/Shri Jagmohan Awasthi, Gaffar Mohammed and Rakish Chand Jain were elected unanimously as the President, Secretary and Financial Secretary respectively. Three new life members were enrolled in the meeting taking the total life members of the Branch to thirty six.

• 15.01.2013: AIBSNLREA, JABALPUR BRANCH CONDUCTS GB MEETING:Jabalpur Branch of AIBSNLREA conducted a general body meeting at Sadar coffee House Jabalpur on 14.01.2013 The GBM started at 4.00 PM with Shri R.D.Tiwari, Vice President on the chair. 22 members attended the meeting and a new member was also enrolled as Life Member. Shri A N Bhargava, Secretary of the Branch submitted his brief report of the activities during the year 2012. Shri Bhanu Prakash, Financial Secretary presented his report on financial matters. Birthday of S/Shri S S Rajwar, S K Dave, V K Kapoor, S K Nema, A C Kar and A N Bhargava was celebrated by presenting greeting cards and wishing them a very happy birthday. Many members participated in songs, jokes etc. It was also decided to conduct a family picnic in the next month. Election of New Office Bearers was conducted by Shri M K Nema and following office bearers were elected unanimously for the next term:- President- Shri R D Tiwary, Vice President- Shri C D Khadse, Secretary- Shri A N Bhargava, Organising Secretary- Shri S K Nema, Joint Secretary- Shri T D Dravid, Financial Secretary- Shri Bhanu Prakash, Executive Members- S/Shri K N Bahrani, K L Choubey, T G Saha, M K Pandey and R P Rajak. The meeting ended by presentation of vote of thanks Shri S S Rajwar followed by light refreshment.

• 13.01.2013: CCA AHMEDABAD CONDUCTS PENSION ADALAT:Controller & Communication Accounts, Ahmedabad conducted a Pension Adalat covering the cases of the pensioners of Godhra, Varodara, Bharuch, Surat and Valsad SSAs of Gujarat Circle at Varodara on 21.12.2012. S/Shri B M Bhavsar, Gujarat State President and A B Patel, Gujarat State Secretary of AIBSNLREA represented the Association. [Click here to view the Minutes of the meeting....]

• 10.01.2013: REVISION OF IDA W.E.F. 1.1.2013:DPE has issued orders revising IDA w.e.f 1.1.2013 from 182.5% to 189.5% for CPSEs where last pay revision was implemented w.e.f. 1.1.1997 [Click here to view the order....]

• 09.01.2013: REVISION OF IDA W.E.F. 1.1.2013:DPE has issued orders revising IDA w.e.f 1.1.2013 from 67.3% to 71.5% for CPSEs where last pay revision was implemented w.e.f. 1.1.2007 [Click here to view the order....]

• 07.01.2013: COM.O.P.GUPTA PASSES AWAY:We are deeply saddened to hear the news that Veteran TU Leader, Champion of the cause of P&T and Telecom workers and former Secretary General of NFTE Com.O.P.Gupta has passed away yesterday at 8 PM. He has an unparalleled record of more than 60 years service in the Postal and Telecom workers' Movement, leading them from strength to strength. He was behind every struggle which brought the benefits enjoyed today by the BSNL employees, irrespective of cadres. As retired Executives we cannot forget the fact that it is because of his foresightedness that we are enjoyng the Government Pension although we are in a PSU, through amendment 37A to the CCS (Pension) Rules. Demise of a Leader of such a great stature is undoubtedely a great loss to BSNL and its workers. We join the mourning by thousands and thousands of BSNL employees.

• 06.01.2013: GUJARAT STATE BRANCH REGISTERS 500 LIFE MEMBERSHIP:Gujarat State Branch of AIBSNLREA becomes the first State Branch among all the State Branches of AIBSNLREA to achieve the five hundred (500) Life Membership mark. Congratulations!

• 01.01.2013: GET TOGETHER AND GB MEETING OF AIBSNLREA, GUJARAT STATE BRANCH:The get together cum General Body meeting of GUJARAT State Branch of AIBSNLREA was held on 30th December, 2012 in the Conference Hall of H.L.Commerce College, Commerce Six Roads, Navrangpura, Ahmedabad under the chairmanship of Shri B.M.Bhavsar, State President. 160 members attended the meeting including 25 new members who recently joined the Association. President welcomed the members and requested the House to observe two minutes’ silence in memory of the departed members and also their family members. After the self introduction by the participants, Shri A.B.Patel, State Secretary, briefed the house about the activities of the Association and status of the issues since taken up by the Association. He reported that all pending cases of revision of pension have been settled including those of WTR & WTP. With the cooperation of Circle Administration and CCA Ahmedabad, the Gujarat Telecom Circle became the first Circle in India where pre-2007 cases were settled within the time schedule prescribed by the DOT New Delhi. He also informed that the State Branch took up the issue regarding delayed payment of revised IDAs with CPMG and DPA as well as CCA Ahmedabad. As a result, the pensioners got the IDA due from 1.10.2012 on 31.10.2012 itself. Recently DOT has entered into MOUs with all Public Sector Banks, excluding Bank of India, for introduction of single window system of pension disbursement through their CPPCs. Due to our persistent efforts the problem regarding entry of DOB of spouse in PPOs have been resolved, since the DPA and CCA Ahmedabad have issued the orders in this regard. Reversion of officers due to wrong interpretation of rules was taken up with Gujarat Circle, BSNL HQ and pension Adalat held at Vadodara and the issue is almost settled. Shri Patel also appealed to the members for donation who could get their pension revision cases settled at the earliest possible time in Gujarat compared to the other pensioners in other parts of India where the settlement was considerably delayed. Shri R.N.Mangukia, Joint Secretary then proposed Vote of Thanks and thereafter Lunch was served to the members.

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