Year 2014
31.12.2014:
INCREASE IN IDA W.E.F. 1.1.2015:
According to calculations based on All India Consumer Price Index for Industrial Workers, IDA is to be increased w.e.f. 1.1.2015 by 2.2% for CPSEs where last pay revision was implemented w.e.f. 1.1.2007 and by 3.5% where last pay revision was implemented w.e.f. 1.1.1997.23.12.2014:
HOLDING OF 26TH MEETING OF SCOVA - REVIEW OF OLD ITEMS:
The date, time and venue of holding of next meeting of SCOVA, scheduled in January 2015, is yet to be announced by DOP&PW. The agenda for the meeting along with Action Taken Report on items are also not yet circulated. However, two important old items of interest for the BSNL pensioners i.e. “(1) Anomaly in fixation of pension of DOT Employees absorbed in BSNL who retired between 1.10.2000 and 31.07.2001 and (2) Merger of 78.2% IDA with basic pension benefit to the absorbed BSNL pensioners” are to find place in the ATR of old items.17.12.2014:
PRIME MINISTER’S OFFICE FORWARDS AIBSNLREA’S REPRESENTATION ON INORDINATE DELAY IN INTER-MINISTERIAL CONSULTATION DEPRIVING THE ABSORBED BSNL PENSIONERS OF THEIR REVISED PENSION BY ALLOWING FITMENT BENEFIT WITH MERGER OF 78.2% DA TO THE SECRETARY, DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATION:
AIBSNLREA had represented to Prime Minister of India, vide its No. AIBSNLREA/CHQ/2014/22 dated 14.10.2014, regarding inordinate delay in inter-ministerial consultation on the proposal for allowing revision of pension by allowing fitment benefit with merger of 78.2% DA to the absorbed BSNL pensioners and sought for his kind intervention [Posting dated 15.10.2014 in this website may be viewed to read the representation]. Prime Minister’s Office has forwarded the said representation to the Secretary, Department of Telecommunication, vide their No. PMO ID No. PMO/PMP/14/00032948 dated 28.11.2014, for appropriate action.15.12.2014:
ANNUAL GENERAL BODY MEETING OF CHENNAI BRANCH (TAMILNADU STATE) HELD:
Annual General Body Meeting of AIBSNLREA Chennai Branch (Tamilnadu State) was held on Wednesday, the 10th December 2014 at 1700 Hrs., in the Lecture Hall of The Institution of Electronics & Telecommunication Engineers - IETE Chennai Centre, 37, Conran Smith Road, [Near Satyam Theatre] Gopalapuram, Chennai - 600086.Shri V. Sivaswamy Branch President presided over the meeting. After welcome address, Shri B Jayaraman Branch Secretary presented the minutes of the previous General Body Meeting held on 11.06.2014 which was approved by the House. Secretary then placed the Annual Report before the House detailing the activities of the Branch during the period under review. After its approval by the House, Financial Report was presented by Shri S. Ashok Kumar, Finance Secretary of the Branch. President pointed out that Cash balance on hand is very meagre and urged the members to donate liberally. Shri N.Devanna reminded that our earlier appeal for donations on the occasion of Pension revision has not been fully honoured by our members and requested that efforts must be taken to collect from all who are yet to pay and complete the process. House also directed to increase the Membership by taking all efforts. President requested everybody to help in this regard.
Shri V.Chinna Pappiah, AGS CHQ explained the actions taken by CHQ in 78.2% IDA merger issue and in Anomaly case of those who retired between 1-10-2000 to 31-07-2001. He appreciated the services of Shri R.R.Balasubramanian in maintaining our Web site.
Shri R.R .Balasubramanian, in his address, detailed elaborately the confusion created by other Associations in IDA Merger Issue. He opined that the issue would have been settled long back if such unwarranted interpretation had been avoided.
With the permission from Chair, Shri Raghunathan informed the House that, in the cases of prolonged medical treatment, in the earlier occasion, on the basis of the same prescription issued by the doctor for a period of one year, the cost of medicines purchased for every three months was reimbursed. But now based on the instructions received from BSNL H/Q, Administration refuses to reimburse the cost of the Medicines purchased, once in three months, as per the first prescription issued by the doctor and also insists to get fresh prescription from the Doctor, on every occasion and to attach with every claims submitted once in every three months. This will involve additional expenditure both for the Pensioner and Administration since the Doctor is to be paid for every consultation made once in every three months. So It was decided to take up this common issue with BSNL H/Q through CHQ.
Shri Dhakshiknamurthy suggested that CHQ should initiate action for getting representation in SCOVA. Taking into account the representation from all the members of the House, it was also decided to have our further meetings in the morning hours as LUNCH MEETINGS
After this, Election process started and the following were elected as Office Bearers: S/Shri V.Sivaswamy, R.R.Balasubramanian and R.Kasiviswanathan were elected as the President, Vice President and Secretary respectively of the Branch. S/Shri K.Selvarajan and C.R. Rajasekaran were also elected as the Assistant Secretary and Financial Secretary respectively of the Branch .
Shri R.Kasiviswanathan, newly elected Secretary addressed the House. He sought the cooperation of every one in strengthening AIBSNLREA. He also informed the members that through E Mail he will be communicating and also sharing vital information on different subject of importance in addition. With Vote of thanks by Shri B.Jayaraman, the meeting came to an end.
14.12.2014:
NEW BRANCH OF AIBSNLREA FORMED IN ERODE OF TAMILNADU STATE:
A new Branch of AIBSNLREA in Erode (Tamilnadu State) was formed in the inaugural meeting of the Branch held on 13.12.2014. Shri Govindasamy, AGM Admn Erode, who will be retiring shortly, presided over the meeting. S/Shri S.Mali and V.Selvarajan of All India Central Government Pensioners’ Association, Erode and Shri R.R.Balasubramanian, Vice President of Chennai Branch of AIBSNLREA addressed the gathering. Shri R.Chinnathambi, Retd. DE, Shri K.Sivanandham, Retd.SDE and Shri S.Komaraswamy, Retd.DE have been elected as President, Secretary and Finance Secretary respectively. View the list of office bearers06.12.2014:
E-JOURNAL DECEMBER 2014 ISSUE:
December 2014 issue of AIBSNLREA E-journal has been uploaded and is available under the link "E-Journal" in the left column.04.12.2014:
GOVERNMENT RAISES THE LIMIT OF PAYMENT OF THE PORTION OF THE DEATH GRATUITY TO THE GUARDIAN, IN ABSENCE OF NATURAL GUARDIAN, OF THE MINOR:
Government of India (Department of Pension & Pensioners’ Welfare) has issued orders, vide No. 7/3/2013-P&PW(E) dated 02.12.2014 raising the limit of the amount of the portion of the Death Gratuity to be paid in favour of the minor to his guardian in absence of his/her natural guardian. As per the existing orders an amount of Rs 10,000/- (or the first Rs 10000/- where amount exceeds Rs. 10000/-) in favour of the minor could be paid to his/her guardian, in absence of natural guardian, without production of a formal guardianship certificate but subject to production of an indemnity bond. Now, the Government has decided that payment of death gratuity of a minor to the extent of 20% or Rs 1.5 lakh, whichever is less, may be paid to his/her guardian, in the absence of natural guardian, without production of formal guardianship certificate but subject to production of indemnity bond with sureties. View the DoP&PW order03.12.2014:
AIBSNLREA RAISES THE ISSUE OF DISCRIMINATION METED OUT TO THE ABSORBED BSNL EMPLOYEES FOLLOWING THE GOVERNMENT’S DECISION TO ALLOW PAYMENT OF PENSION TO THE MTNL ABSORBED EMPLOYEES BY THE GOVERNMENT WITHOUT RAISING THE LEVEL OF PAY SCALES OF THE BSNL ABSORBED EMPLOYEES AT THE SAME LEVEL OF MTNL EMPLOYEES:
Government had issued orders in April 2014 to allow payment of pension to the MTNL absorbed employees by the Government as in BSNL on the condition that the level of pay scales in MTNL will be lowered to the same level as that of BSNL employees during next wage revision. This decision allows the MTNL employees to continue to have their higher pay scale for over long 17 years in addition to the newly granted benefit of payment of pension by the Government. It may be recalled that BSNL absorbed employees were granted one stage lower pay scales than those granted to the MTNL employees on the plea that BSNL absorbed employees enjoy the benefit of payment of pension by the Government but it was not the case with the MTNL absorbed employees. AIBSNLREA has now taken up the issue with MOC&IT and demanded that “the pay scales in BSNL be also brought at the same level as that in MTNL w.e.f. 01.10.2000 and the pension of retired absorbed employees of BSNL be revised accordingly.” View the letter02.12.2014:
EXTENSION OF BENEFIT OF DEFERRED OPTION UNDER PARA 4 OF DOP&PW NO. 4/18/87-P&PW(D) DATED 05.07.1989 TO THE ABSORBED GROUP C & D EMPLOYEES IN BSNL– DOT SEEKS ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FROM BSNL:
It was reported in this website, vide posting dated 13.11.2014 , that in order to take a decision on this long pending issue DOT had sought for some specific information from BSNL. Accordingly, BSNL Corporate Office had also asked, vide its letter No. 1-15/2011-PAT (BSNL) dated 12.11.2014, all its CGMs to furnish those information so as to compile them and forward the same to DOT. Now DOT has asked one additional information for which BSNL has sought the help of its CGMs. View the BSNL letter01.12.2014:
AADHAR BASED DIGITAL LIFE CERTIFICATE FOR THE PENSIONERS – GOVERNMENT CONTINUES EFFORTS TO IMPROVE UPON THE SYSTEM:
AIBSNLREA had earlier reported that Government has introduced Aadhar based Digital Life Certificate system for the Pensioners from this November. Government is now working on improving the system and concerned Departments are on the job. At present the pensioners drawing pension from Post Offices and from Cash Counters , banking treasuries and DPDOs (Defence) stand left out. Moreover, the drop-down menus of application does not contain the names of all pension disbursing banks and banking treasuries. These and other deficiencies are now being removed. DOP&PW had already held a meeting of all the concerned stake-holders on this issue on 24th November, 2014. Another meeting has now been proposed on 5th December 2014. View the minutes of the last meeting30.11.2014:
CABINET NOTE FOR THE PROPOSAL TO ALLOW FITMENT BENEFIT OF MERGER OF 78.2% DA TO PRE-2007 AND POST-2007 (RETIRED BETWEEN 1.1.2007 AND 09.06.2013) BSNL PENSIONERS:
DOT is expected shortly to send its draft Cabinet Note on the above issue to all concerned Ministries to seek their comments/views. These Ministries will be required to examine the same and get approval of their respective Ministers to the comments/views that they wish to offer on the Note and send the same to the DOT. This process always consumes some time. Afterwards, on receipt of these comments/views, the Cabinet Note will be finalized in DOT by incorporating them in the Note. Thereafter, this will be submitted through the prescribed channel to the MOC&IT for his approval. This final Cabinet Note will then go to the Cabinet Secretariat. If the Cabinet Secretariat finds the Cabinet Note in order, the same will be put up by them to the Cabinet Meeting for consideration and approval. We can say that the process for obtaining the approval of the above proposal through a Cabinet Note has just begun. Still, there is a long way to go.30.11.2014:
MINISTRY OF FINANCE FORWARDS COPY OF AIBSNLREA’S REPRESENTATION TO PRIME MINISTER WHICH WAS ENDORSED TO MINISTER OF FINANCE IN THE MATTER OF INORIDINATE DELAY IN INTER MINISTERIAL CONSULTATION ON THE DOT’S PROPOSAL FOR ALLOWING THE FITMENT BENEFIT OF 50% DA EFFECTIVELY AMOUNTING TO 78.2%:
Ministry of Finance has forwarded the copy of AIBSNLREA’s representation dated 14.10.2014 addressed to the Prime Minister, which was endorsed to Union Finance Minister, on the above matter vide their No. 632/E-V/2014 dated 17.11.2014 to the Department of Telecommunication for redressal of the grievance and with a request to inform the petitioner suitably.28.11.2014:
GENERAL BODY MEETING OF AIBSNLREA EAST GODAVARI DISTRICT BRANCH HELD:
Quarterly General Body meeting of AIBSNLREA, East Godavari District Branch was held on 26-11-2014 at the Conference Hall, Sanchar Bhavan, Rajahmundry at 10.00 hrs under the presidentship of Shri S Satya Narayana. The General Body first paid homage to the departed leaders of the Branch. Shri GSVSS Vara Prasad, District Secretary welcomed the members . Branch Secretary then invited Sr GMTD Shri KVV Satyanarayana as Chief Guest, Joint GM A Srinivasa Rao, DGM ( Admin) Ramesh Babu and Special Chief Guest Shri N Kamaraju on the dias. Shri CB Sarma spoke on the need of a separate association for the retired BSNL executives. Sr GMTD expressed his surprise for such a huge gathering of retired executives in the district and expressed his happiness to be present in the retired executives’ meeting. All the members were introduced to Sr GMTD. Sr GMTD, in his speech, shared his feelings with the members about the affairs in BSNL including its financial position and other related issues. The members gave suggestions to improve the revenue. During the discussion, the Branch Secretary pointed out that there are no prepaid micro SIMs in the entire AP Circle. Sr GMTD agreed that there is heavy shortage and said that he is pursuing the issue. The Branch Secretary also expressed his sincere thanks to the Sr GMTD in resolving the issue submitted in Association’s earlier representation dated 18-03-2014 regarding payment of commutation arrears to those who retired during 01-01-2007 to 02-09-2008 by applying old commutation table. He thanked all the members for their collective contribution of Rs 60,000/- towards the AP CM Cyclone relief fund. He also expressed his special thanks to S/Shri Ch Gandhi, G Ramakrishna, KBS Naidu, A Kodanda Rao, G Ammiraju, A Rajagopala Rao, M Naga Bhushanam, G Sundara Rao, P Trimurtulu, KS Prakasa Rao and KSS Bhavachari for their immense support in the day to day organizational activities. He also apprised the gathering about current affairs such as problem of revision of pension with fitment benefit of merger of 78.2% IDA, pension anomaly of BSNL pensioners who retired between 1-10-2000 to 31-7-2001, payment of medical claims which are held up due to introduction of centralized payment from Circle Office. Sr GMTD and all the members of AIBSNLREA East Godavari Branch honored Shri Nedunuri Kama Raju a legend who is taking full pension (Retired as DE in 1990). Shri BSVS Sarma another legend (Retired as CAO in 1990 ) could not attend the meeting due to his illness but conveyed his best wishes. The branch also decided to send a delegation to his residence to honor him. Special chief guest Shri N Kamaraju expressed his warm greetings and shared his feelings with the members by recollecting his memories with many of our association members.The meeting was attended by 73 members. 14 new life members joined the Branch taking the total strength to 140. The meeting ended with vote of thanks. This was followed by a lunch at hotel SURYA along with Special Chief guest, Sr GMTD, Joint GM, and DGM (admin) and others. View a few Photographs27.11.2014:
BSNL REPLIES TO OUR REPRESENTATION TO PRIME MINISTER WITH COPY ENDORSED TO OTHER CONCERNED MINISTERS IN THE MATTER OF INORIDINATE DELAY IN INTER MINISTERIAL CONSULTATION ON THE DOT’S PROPOSAL FOR ALLOWING THE FITMENT BENEFIT OF 50% DA EFFECTIVELY AMOUNTING TO 78.2%:
As was reported earlier, a copy of our representation dated 14.10.2014 on the above issue to the Hon’ble Prime Minister with copies endorsed to other concerned Ministers (to read the representation, posting dated 15.10.2014 in this website may be viewed) was forwarded by DOP&PW to DOT for examining the matter and inform us. Now BSNL has sent a reply stating that a decision on the matter “is still awaited from the Government/DOT. As soon a decision is taken it will be communicated to all concerned”. View the letter26.11.2014:
BIENNIAL STATE CONFERENCE OF AIBSNLREA, WEST BENGAL STATE BRANCH:
West Bengal State Branch of AIBSNLREA held its 3rd Biennial State Conference at CTO Building, Kolkata on 22nd November 2014. The Conference was attended by 260 members and presided over by Sri A.K.Basuroy, State President. The conference observed one minute’s silence in memory of the departed members and those who lost their lives in the devastating flood in Jammu & Kashmir. The State secretary of All India BSNL Officers’ Association, Shri Sukumar Ghosh addressed the conference and assured all the assistance from their side. Shri N.H. Siddique, State Secretary of West Bengal State Branch of AIBSNLREA placed the State Secretary’s Report highlighting all the news and activities of the State Branch including the present status of 78.2% DA merger. State Finance Secretary placed the audited accounts for the preceding two years. Five members from the house took part in the discussions and expressed their concern for the inordinate delay for settlement of 78.2% merger issue and also on various constraints for Indoor medical treatment due to non-availability of cashless facility. Assistant State Secretary, Shri S.R.Palit in his reply discussed those issues elaborately. Finally, the house passed the report. A new set of State Office bearers were elected with S/Shri Sanat Kumar Maitra as the State President, Shri S R Palit as State Secretary and P N Basak as the State Financial Secretary. View the list of new office bearers25.11.2014:
26th MEETING OF STANDING COMMITTEE OF VOLUNTARY AGENCIES (SCOVA) TO BE HELD IN JANUARY 2015:
Department of Pension & Pensioners’ Welfare (DOP&PW) has since announced that the 26th Meeting of Standing Committee of Voluntary Agencies (SCOVA) will be held in January 2015 under the chairmanship of Minister of State for (PP).24.11.2014:
GENERAL BODY MEETING OF GUJARAT STATE BRANCH HELD:
Gujarat State Branch of AIBSNLREA held its General Body and Get-together Meeting on Sunday, the 23rd November, 2014 at 03.00 P.M. at Ahmedabad Medical Association Hall, Ahmedabad. The meeting started with lighting of lamps by the Guests & executive members of the Branch which was followed by a prayer song by Shri B.C.Chauhan and observance of two minutes silence in memory of departed members and their family members. The meeting was attended by 250 members including 30 new members. Chief Guest Shri Bharatbhai Shah, founder and chairman of “Aadarsh Amdavad” delivered a lecture on how to maintain health without medicine and also to help the society with our skill. He also briefed about the various activities of Aadarsh Amdavad for upliftment of life of people free of cost. Another Guest, Shri Shailesh Shah from “ Aadarsh Amdavad” and a well known advocate delivered lecture on the requirement of execution of “will” for senior citizens and gave a narration how to prepare the same. He also offered his free of cost service to the members for preparing “will” for them including their registration. Shri A.B. Patel, State Secretary apprised the gathering about current affairs such as problem of revision of pension with fitment benefit of merger of 78.2% IDA, pension anomaly of BSNL pensioners who retired between 1-10-2000 to 31-7-2001, payment of medical claims which are held up due to introduction of centralized payment from Circle Office and also about the action taken by the State Branch for resolving the individual and common problems of the members. The meeting ended by presentation of vote of thanks by Shri R.M.Nayi, Asstt. Financial Secretary. This was followed by a dinner.22.11.2014:
AMOUNT OF FIXED MEDICAL ALLOWANCE FOR THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT PENSIONERS/FAMILY PENSIONERS RESIDING IN AREAS NOT COVERED UNDER CGHS ENHANCED:
Government of India (Department of Pension & Pensioners’ Welfare) has issued Orders, vide its No. 4/25/2008-P&PW(D) dated 19.11.2014, enhancing the amount of Fixed Medical Allowance from the present Rs 300/- to Rs 500/- per month for the Central Government pensioners/family pensioners residing in areas not covered under the Central Government Health Scheme for meeting expenditure on their medical expenses which do not require hospitalization. View the DoP&PW order21.11.2014:
GENERAL BODY MEETING BY PUNE BRANCH OF AIBSNLREA HELD:
A General Body meeting of Pune Branch of AIBSNLREA was held on 8th November 2014. Branch Secretary Shri B B Controllu briefed the members regarding the progress made in respect of the proposal for allowing fitment benefit of merger of 78.2% DA for the pensioners. The members also raised their concern on free calls being allowed in residential telephone connection. Two new life members joined the association.20.11.2014:
EAST GODAVARI BRANCH OF AIBSNLREA TO HOLD ITS GENERAL BODY MEETING:
East Godavari Branch (AP State) will hold a General Body meeting on 26-11-2014 at the Conference Hall, Sanchar Bhavan, Rajahmundry at 1000 hrs sharp. Sr GMTD Rajahmundry has accepted the invitation of the Association to attend the meeting. A few legends, who are now getting full pension, will be felicitated in the meeting. All members are requested to attend the meeting. Other retired BSNL Executives, who are yet to take membership, are also welcome.19.11.2014:
PUNE BRANCH OF AIBSNLREA MEETS SHRI PRAKASH JAVADEKAR, MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR ENVIRONMENT, FOREST & CLIMATE CHANGE:
A delegation of Pune Branch of AIBSNLREA comprising of S/Shri S N Mupid, President, B Controllu, Secretary and P C Dubey, Organizing Secretary of the Branch met Shri Prakash Javadekar, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Environment, Forest & Climate Change on 17.11.2014. They requested the intervention of the Minister for early settlement of the case to allow the benefit of merger of fitment benefit of 50% DA effectively amounting to 78.2% DA to the BSNL pensioners. They also handed over him a few earlier communication on the issue. The Minister assured them to get the issue settled at the earliest.19.11.2014:
GUJARAT STATE BRANCH OF AIBSNLREA TO HOLD GENERAL BODY MEETING:
Gujarat State Branch of AIBSNLREA is holding a General Body and Get- together Meeting on Sunday, the 23rd November, 2014 at 03.00 P.M. at Ahmedabad Medical Association Hall, near Natraj Cinema, Ashram Road, Ahmedabad . All members of the State Branch and other retired BSNL Executives are invited to attend the meeting. For further details, please contact Shri A.B. Patel, State Secretary on his mobile No 09427608474.18.11.2014:
AIBSNLREA WRITES TO CGM, TAMILNADU CIRCLE REGARDING THE LETTER ISSUED BY HIS OFFICE CIRCULATING THE OLD ANNUAL LIMIT FOR OUTDOOR TREATMENT WITH VOUCHER FOR THE RETIRED EMPLOYEES:
Tamilnadu Circle has issued a letter to its Head of SSAs authorizing the DGMs of the SSAs to sign permission letter to take treatment in nearby SSAs in absence of the GMs/PGMs to avoid delay. It has also reproduced in its office letter one particular Para of one BSNLMRS Order issued by Corporate Office in 2003. While, the revised annual limit for outdoor treatment with voucher for the serving employees has also been mentioned alongside the old provision by the Circle in its letter, this has not been done in case of the retired employees. AIBSNLREA has drawn the attention of the CGMT about this omission and requested to issue a corrigendum circulating the revised annual limit for the retired employees that was issued by BSNL Corporate Office in 2010. View the letter View the BSNL C.O. letter View TN Circle letter18.11.2014:
GENERAL BODY MEETING OF AIBSNLREA, AKOLA BRANCH:
AIBSNLREA Akola (Maharashtra State) Branch held its bimonthly General Body meeting on 15-11-2014 at the residence of Shri D.N. Amritkar Ex JTO Akola. Thirty Two (32) members were present in the meeting and three new Life Members were also enrolled in the Branch. The membership of Akola branch has now increased to 47 members. Shri A.G. Nema, Branch Secretary welcomed all the members including the new members. Branch Secretary apprised about the latest information regarding the case of merger of 50% I.D.A. effectively amounting to 78.2%. The house was informed regarding the meeting held with CAO, o/o GMT Akola in case of settlement of medical reimbursement claims of few retired executives. CAO assured that the claims will be settled soon after compiling the requisite data in ERP. All members were informed to submit life certificate to respective Bank/Post Office as early as possible. The house was also informed regarding Aadhar based Digital Life Certificate scheme which is recently launched by Hon. PM on dated 10-11-2014.. President Shri V.V. Bhagat highlighted the importance of the Association and urged the house to help in enrollment of new retired executives. The meeting was adjourned with vote of thanks by Branch Secretary.16.11.2014:
WEST BENGAL STATE BRANCH OF AIBSNLREA TO HOLD GENERAL BODY MEETING:
West Bengal State Branch of AIBSNLREA is holding a General Body Meeting at Central Telegraph Office, Kolkata on 22.11.2014. All members of the State Branch and other retired BSNL Executives are invited to attend the meeting. For further details, please contact Shri N S Siddique, State Secretary on mobile No 9474755030.13.11.2014:
EXTENSION OF BENEFIT OF DEFERRED OPTION UNDER PARA 4 OF DOP&PW NO. 4/18/87-P&PW(D) DATED 05.07.1989 TO THE ABSORBED GROUP C & D EMPLOYEES IN BSNL– BSNL CORPORATE OFFICE NOW TO FURNISH SOME INFORMATION AS WANTED BY DOT:
AIBSNLREA has been relentlessly pursuing the above issue with all concerned since long. The Prime Minister’s Office had also intervened on our representation and forwarded the same to Secretary DOT on 09.07.2014 (view posting dated 12.09.2014 in this website]. DOT seems to have now moved in to take a decision on this long pending issue and has sought for some specific information from BSNL. The later in turn has now asked, vide its letter No. 1-15/2011-PAT (BSNL) dated 12.11.2014, all its CGMs to furnish those information so as to compile them and forward to DOT. View the BSNL letter12.11.2014:
REPRESENTATION BY AIBSNLREA ON NON-SETTLEMENT OF THE CASE FOR REMOVAL OF ANOMALY IN PENSION OF ABSORBED BSNL PENSIONERS WHO RETIRED BETWEEN 1.10.2000 AND 31.07.2001 – DOP&PW ACKNOWLEDGES RECEIPT OF THE LETTER AND FORWARDS TO DOT:
AIBSNLREA had earlier taken up the above issue, now under discussion in the meetings of SCOVA, with Minister of State for (PP) expressing its concern that DoP&PW is examining the case from the financial implication angle instead of as a case of principle for fixation of basic pension. The Association also requested to resolve this issue considering it as a case for deciding the principle for fixation of pension and not on financial implication angle” [To read the letter, posting dated 18.10.2014 in this website may be viewed]. Department of Pension & Pensioners’ Welfare has since acknowledged the receipt of letter and forwarded it to Department of Telecommunication for examining ‘the issues as per extant rules/orders and inform suitably’. View the letter11.11.2014:
PRIME MINISTER NARENDRA MODI LAUNCHES AADHAR BASED DIGITAL LIFE CERTIFICATE FOR PENSIONERS:
In a move aimed at benefitting over a crore pensioners, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday (10.11.2014) launched 'Jeevan Pramaan - Digital Life Certificate for Pensioners'. Jeevan Pramaan, which is an Aadhar-based Digital Life Certificate, will be an enabling mechanism which would benefit the common man. The proposed digital certification will do away with the requirement of a pensioner having to submit a physical Life Certificate in November each year, in order to ensure continuity of pension being credited into his account. The Department of Electronics and IT has developed a software application which will enable the recording of the pensioner's Aadhar number and biometric details from his mobile device or computer, by plugging in a biometric reading device. The software application system will be made available to pensioners and other stakeholders on a large scale at no extra cost. It can be operated on a personal computer or a smartphone, along with an inexpensive biometric reading device. This facility will also be made available at Common Service Centres being operated under the National e-Governance Plan, for the benefit of pensioners residing in remote and inaccessible areas.AIBSNLREA thanks the Government for giving relief to the pensioners who would no longer be required to visit Banks/Post Offices every year to submit their Life Certificates.
11.11.2014:
AIBSNLREA’S REPRESENTATION IN THE MATTER OF INORDINATE DELAY IN INTER MINISTERIAL CONSULTATION ON THE PROPOSAL FOR ALLOWING FITMENT BENEFIT OF MERGER OF 50% DA EFFECTIVELY AMOUNTING TO 78.2% IN THE BASIC PENSION OF ABSORBED BSNL PENSIONERS – DOP&PW ACKNOWLEDGES THE RECEIPT OF THE LETTER AND FORWARDS THE SAME TO DOT:
AIBSNLREA had represented to the Prime Minister of India with copy endorsed to Minister of State for (PP) vide its letter No. AIBSNLREA/CHQ/2014/22 dated 14.10.2014 on the above issue [View posting dated 15.10.2014 to read the letter]. Department of Pension & Pensioners’ Welfare has since forwarded the copy of the letter endorsed to Minister of State for (PP) to Department of Telecommunication for examining ‘the issues as per extant rules/orders and inform suitably..' View the letter10.11.2014:
PGMT, NAGPUR RESPONDS TO THE REPRESENTATION OF AIBSNLREA, EAST VIDARBHA BRANCH (NAGPUR):
We had earlier reported that the representatives of East Vidarbha Branch, Nagpur (Maharashtra State) of AIBSNLREA had submitted a representation to PGMT, BSNL, Nagpur on 24.06.2014 and also held a meeting with him to discuss certain problems being faced by the retired employees of the Nagpur SSA [view posting dated 25.06.2014 in this website]. Now the office of PGMT, Nagpur has responded to that representation and given a status report on each and every item mentioned in the representation of the Branch Association. View the letter09.11.2014:
GENERAL BODY MEETING OF LUCKNOW BRANCH OF AIBSNLREA HELD:
Quarterly General Body meeting meeting of Lucknow Branch (UP State) was held on 18.10.2014 in the Recreation Club at Kaiserbagh Telephone Exchange compound, Lucknow. Sixty one (61) members were present in the meeting and three new Life Members were also enrolled in the Branch. Shri S.P.Singh, Branch Secretary informed the house that 66 individual memorandum were sent on 04.06.2014 to Shri Narendra Modi, PM with copies endorsed to all concerned Ministers as per the call given by the CHQ. The house was informed that the registration certificate has been issued to the Association. State Financial Secretary Shri Ambika Singh also addressed the house. S/Shri B.P.Tripathi and R.K.Tandon apprised the house about the status of allowing benefit of merger of 78.2% DA issue to the pensioners. Shri Radhey Shyam, Org. Secretary read out the letter dated 14.10.2014 from CHQ to PM and informed about the steps being taken by CHQ in resolving the issue. The house decided to co-opt Shri Jagdish Prasad, Vice President of the Branch to work as President till next election due to sad demise of Shri Y.S.Tripathi, President on 26.09.2014 after prolonged illness. Another member Shri Virendra Prasad, retired SDE had also expired on 03.04.2014. The house observed two minutes silence to pay homage to the departed members and then the meeting was adjourned.08.11.2014:
REMOVAL OF ANOMALY IN PENSION OF ABSORBED BSNL PENSIONERS WHO RETIRED BETWEEN 1.10.2000 AND 31.07.2001:
In continuation to its earlier representation dated 15.10.2014 (view posting dated 18.10.2014 in this website) on the above issue, AIBSNLREA again addresses Minister of State for (PP) on the same issue citing two specific cases where DOP&PW had earlier resolved similar problem and also seeking his personal intervention to resolve the issue at the earliest. View the letter07.11.2014:
RENEWAL OF MRS CARD FOR THE BSNL RETIRED/SERVING EMPLOYEES OF NAGPUR SSA:
PGMT, Nagpur has issued instruction asking all BSNL retired/serving employees from Nagpur SSA to renew their existing MRS card which are of more than 5 years old or if there is any change of dependency members vide his order dated 30-10-2014. View the letter06.11.2014:
NEW BRANCH OF AIBSNLREA FORMED AT ALLAHABAD, UP STATE:
In a meeting of the retired BSNL Executives held on 28.10.2014, a new Branch of AIBSNLREA has been formed at Allahabad in Uttar Pradesh. The meeting was presided over by Shri A K Bhatnagar, Retired SDE. Shri R S Arora, State Secretary of UP State Branch apprised the members about the latest status of all important issues pertaining to the BSNL pensioners. 23 retired Executives attended the meeting and all of them applied for Life Membership of the Association. Later, all the office bearers of the Branch were elected unanimously with S/Shri R S Gupta as President and Rajendra Prasad as the Secretary of the Branch. View the list of office bearers06.11.2014:
E-JOURNAL NOVEMBER 2014 ISSUE:
November 2014 issue of AIBSNLREA E-journal has been uploaded and is available under the link "E-Journal" in the left column.05.11.2014:
EAST GODAVARI BRANCH OF AIBSNLREA DONATES RUPEES SIXTY THOUSAND TO AP CM RELIEF FUND:
AIBSNLREA, East Godavary Branch (AP State) has donated Rs 60,000/- by raising the fund from its own members to AP CM RELIEF FUND (Cyclone relief) through CCC channel. The representatives of the Branch Association met the CMD, CCC Channel, Rajahmundry and handed over the cheque. The Cyclone HUD_HUD hit North Coastal Andhra Pradesh on 12-10-2014 and the loss estimated to be Rs 70,000/- crores. The green city Visakhapatnam has totally changed to brown. Millions of trees were uprooted. Electrical and communication systems totally collapsed in the three districts of Visakhapatnam, Vizayanagram and Srikakulam. East Godavary and West Godavary Districts were also partially affected. Government did respond very quickly and the PM also visited Visakhapatnam immediately to take stock of the situation. On its part, BSNL restored 60% of its land lines within 48hrs and 80% in 72hrs. This is widely recognized by the people of Visakhapatnam where no other service operators could do it even after 4 weeks. View the glimpse of handing over of the cheque02.11.2014:
PRINCIPAL CCA, MAHARASHTRA RESPONDS TO OUR LETTER ON NON-PAYMENT OF PENSION AND OTHER PENSIONARY BENEFITS TO THE BSNL PENSIONERS WHO RETIRED BETWEEN 10.06.2013 AND 31.12.2013 ON THEIR LAST PAY DRAWN FIXED WITH THE BENEFIT OF MERGER OF 78.2% DA BY PRINCIPAL CCA, MAHARASHTRA CIRCLE, MUMBAI:
It may be recalled that AIBSNLREA had taken up the above issue with Member (Finance), Telecom Commission stating that “the Principal CCA, Maharashtra Circle, Mumbai has not re-fixed the pension of the absorbed BSNL Pensioners who retired between 10.06.2013 and 31.12.2013 under his jurisdiction and who were wrongly and deliberately fixed their pension on the basis of presumed last pay drawn calculated with the benefit of effective merger of 68.8% DA, though all of them got the benefit of merger of 78.2% DA as per the Presidential Directive issued vide DOT OM No. 61-01/2012-SU dated 10.06.2013” [view posting dated 29.7.2014 in this website to read the letter]. The Telecom Accounts Branch of Department of Telecommunication, in turn, had called for a report from the Principal CCA, Maharashtra vide their No. 6-24/2013/TA-i/Mah/3337 dated 12.08.2014. Now the Joint Controller of Communication Accounts, o/o Pr. Controller of Communication Accounts, Maharashtra has replied to the Director (Accounts-I), DOT with copy endorsed to AIBSNLREA stating that “ … the work of revision of pension and payment of difference of pensionary benefits has been taken up. The cases are likely to be settled within 2 months i.e. upto the end of December 2014”. View the letter from O/o Pr.CCA, Maharashtra24.10.2014:
CCA, KARNATAKA TO HOLD PENSION ADALAT:
Controller of Communication Accounts, Karnataka Circle is going to hold a Pension Adalat. It has accordingly issued a Notice requesting the DOT/BSNL Pensioners to submit their representations on the grievances so that these reach them on or before 22.11.2014. View the Notice22.10.2014:
REVISION OF PENSION/FAMILY PENSION OF PRE-2007 AND POST 2007 BSNL PENSIONERS WHO RETIRED BETWEEN 1.1.2007 AND 9.6.2013 BY ALLOWING THE BENEFIT OF MERGER OF 50% DA EFFECTIVELY AMOUNTING TO 78.2% AS ON 1.1.2007:
In continuation to the news item appearing in this website on 20.10.2014 on the above issue, it is clarified that according to the DOT’s proposal the pre-2007 BSNL Pensioners/Family pensioners are also to get actual benefit of pension revision with effect from 10.06.2013. Further, DOT will now have to draft a Cabinet Note in which they are to include the comments received from various concerned Ministries. However, comments from DOE is already available. DOP&PW had earlier conveyed its ‘no objection” to the original proposal. But in view of the modifications suggested to this proposal by DOE, it is not known whether DOT would again seek the views from DOP&PW. Other important Ministries which are likely to be approached by DOT to give their comments on the proposal in the draft cabinet note may also include Ministry of Law & Justice and Ministry of Heavy Industries & Public Enterprises. Given the style of functioning in Government Offices and the formalities that are to be followed to finalize the Cabinet Note, it is expected that the said Note could be presented to the Cabinet only in the first quarter of next year i.e. 2015.22.10.2014:
AMBALA BRANCH OF AIBSNLREA HOLD GENERAL BODY MEETING:
A General Body meeting of Ambala Branch (Haryana State) of AIBSNLREA was held on 18th Oct.2014 under the chairmanship of Shri P.C. Chauhan, President of the Branch. Shri J.C. Gupta, Branch Secretary addressed the members and gave information on the latest position of merger of 78.2% DA with basic pay/pension. The President greeted all the members and their families on the happy occasion of Diwali and wished all happiness and good wishes for them. 4 new life members were enrolled making the total strength of the Branch to 46.20.10.2014:
REVISION OF PENSION/FAMILY PENSION OF PRE-2007 AND POST 2007 BSNL PENSIONERS WHO RETIRED BETWEEN 1.1.2007 AND 9.6.2013 BY ALLOWING THE BENEFIT OF MERGER OF 50% DA EFFECTIVELY AMOUNTING TO 78.2% - DOE PARTIALLY CLEARS THE DOT’S PROPOSAL:
Department of Expenditure has since partially cleared the DOT’s proposal on the above issue. DOE has agreed to the proposal to revise the pension of pre-2007 BSNL pensioners/family pensioners by allowing the benefit of merger of 50% DA effectively amounting to 78.2% w.e.f. 1.1.2007. DOE has also agreed to allow notional fixation of pay with fitment benefit of merger of 78.2% DA w.e.f. 01.01.2007 to those BSNL pensioners who retired between 01.01.2007 and 09.06.2013. Their pension will accordingly be revised based on revised notional last pay, but pension revision will be w.e.f.10.6.2013 only. DOE has not agreed to the proposal of DOT to pay enhanced DCRG, Commutation Value of Pension, Leave encashment etc to these pensioners based on revised notionally fixed pay. DOE has also not agreed to DOT’s proposal for fixation of pension on revised last pay drawn on its own in accordance with the existing procedures to this section of the pensioners. DOE has further asked DOT to seek approval of the cabinet on the entire proposal.20.10.2014:
AIBSNLREA’S REPRESENTATION AGAINST NON-PAYMENT OF PENSION AND OTHER PENSIONARY BENEFITS TO THE BSNL PENSIONERS WHO RETIRED BETWEEN 10.06.2013 and 31.12.2013 ON THEIR LAST PAY DRAWN FIXED WITH THE BENEFIT OF MERGER OF 78.2% DA – CASE OF PRINCIPAL CCA, MAHARASHTRA CIRCLE, MUMBAI - DOP&PW SEEKS COMMENTS/ACTION TAKEN ON IT FROM DOT:
AIBSNLREA had earlier brought to the notice of Member (Finance), DOT and Director (PP), DOP&PW, vide its No. AIBSNLREA/CHQ/2014/19 dated 28.07.2014, that the Principal CCA, Mumbai was drawing the pension of BSNL pensioners who retired between 10.06.2013 to 31.12.2013 on their last pay drawn wrongly fixed with merger of 68.8% DA, though the same office of Principal CCA is fixed/fixing the pension of those who retired/retiring on or after 1.1.2014 based on their last pay drawn fixed with the benefit of merger of 78.2% DA. The Association also pleaded “…. we earnestly request you to kindly intervene in the matter so that the BSNL Pensioners under the jurisdiction of Principal CCA, Maharashtra Circle, Mumbai who retired between 10.06.2013 and 31.12.2013 get their pension re-fixed on the last pay drawn fixed with benefit of merger of 78.2% DA and also all the pension arrears for the above period including the differences in DCRG, Commutation Value of Pension are paid to them immediately. Interest on delayed payment of DCRG, as per rule, may also kindly be ensured.” [To read the letter of the AIBSNLREA, posting dated 29.07.2014 in this website may be viewed]. Now, Department of Pension & Pensioners’ Welfare, vide their No. 4/5/2014-P&PW(D) dated 07.10.2014, has forwarded the said representation to DOT asking “to send the comments/action taken”.20.10.2014:
PENSION LIABILITY IN RESPECT OF THE DOT EMPLOYEES RETIRED PRIOR TO 1.10.2000 IN CDA SCALE - UNJUST DECISION OF DOT TO TRANSFER THE LIABILITY ON THE SHOULDER OF BSNL:
It may be recalled that AIBSNLREA had taken up the above issue with Minister of Communications & IT with copies endorsed to the Secretary, DOP&PW, Secretary, DOT and others. The Association had pointed out that the Government has now allowed payment of pension/family pension by the Government to the absorbed Employees of Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Limited w.e.f 01.10.2000 and also has exempted MTNL from the liability of payment of pension contribution in respect of DOT Employees retired prior to 1.10.2000. On the other hand, BSNL has unjustifiably been ordered to make the contribution for the same set of retired DOT employees. AIBSNLREA had submitted to MOC&IT “…….. we earnestly appeal to your kind self to intervene in the matter so that Department of Telecommunication review its existing order No. 1-45/2003-B dated 15.06.2006 and No. 40-12/2007-Pen(T) dated 05.01.2009 and exempt Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited from shouldering the pension liability of the DOT employees retired prior to 1.10.2000 in CDA scale as has been done in the case of Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Limited” [To read this letter, view the posting dated 30.07.2014 in this website]. In response to our representation, now Department of Pension & Pensioners’ Welfare, GOI, vide their No. 4/5/2014-P&PW-(D) dated 7th October, 2014, has forwarded our said representation dated 30.7.2014 to Department of Telecommunications and has asked to apprise it of the action taken in the matter. View the DoP&PW letter18.10.2014:
NON-SETTLEMENT OF THE CASE FOR REMOVAL OF ANOMALY IN PENSION OF ABSORBED BSNL PENSIONERS WHO RETIRED BETWEEN 1.10.2000 AND 31.07.2001 - AIBSNLREA TAKES UP THE ISSUE WITH MINISTER OF STATE FOR (PP):
AIBSNLREA has taken up the above issue, now under discussion in the meetings of SCOVA, with Minister of State for (PP). The Association has expressed its concern that the DoP&PW is examining the case from the financial implication angle instead of as a case of principle for fixation of basic pension. While urging the Minister to personally intervene in the matter, the Association has submitted that “…If the authorities really intend to resolve the matter, this issue needs to be considered on the basis of principle and not on financial implication angle”. View the letter17.10.2014:
UTILIZATION OF UNCLAIMED DEPOSITS IN PPF AND POST OFFICE SAVINGS SCHEMES FOR THE BENEFIT OF SENIOR CITIZENS:
AIBSNLREA had earlier reported that the Government has constituted a high level Committee to suggest utilization of unclaimed deposits in PPF and Post Office Saving Schemes for the benefit of senior citizens (view posting dated 04.09.2014 and the e-journal “Second Innings”, October 2014 for details). Now the Committee has asked for the suggestions from all concerned on utilization of these unclaimed deposits to be submitted by 15th November, 2014 for consideration of the Committee. View the letter16.10.2014:
UDAIPUR BRANCH OF AIBSNLREA DONATES FOR THE RELIEF WORK OF J&K FLOOD VICTIMS:
Members of Udaipur (Rajasthan State) Branch of AIBSNLREA collected among themselves Rupees Eleven thousand only for the relief work of J&K flood victims and deposited the amount in the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund account in SBI, Udaipur on 08.10.2014.15.10.2014:
AIBSNLREA WRITES TO PRIME MINISTER TO INTERVENE IN THE MATTER OF INORDINATE DELAY IN INTER MINISTERIAL CONSULTATION ON THE PROPOSAL FOR ALLOWING FITMENT BENEFIT OF MERGER OF 50% DA EFFECTIVELY AMOUNTING TO 78.2% IN THE BASIC PENSION OF ABSORBED BSNL PENSIONERS:
AIBSNLREA has since sent a representation to Prime Minister urging him to intervene in the above issue. The Association urges “…. it is our humble prayer to you to kindly intervene the matter and advise Department of Expenditure (Ministry of Finance) to expeditiously settle the issue so that the affected absorbed BSNL pensioners/family pensioners get their legitimate dues”. View the letter15.10.2014:
RAIPUR BRANCH OF AIBSNLREA HELD ITS GENERAL BODY MEETING:
Raipur Branch (Chattishgarh State) of AIBSNLREA held its General Body meeting on 08-10-2014. S/Shri P.Z. Choradia, Branch President and G.P. Pande, Branch Secretary addressed the members and gave information on the latest position of merger of 78.2% IDA with basic pension. Some other issues concerning the pensioners were also discussed. The Branch has enrolled 22 new life members taking the total membership of the branch to 52.13.10.2014:
AMRAVATI BRANCH OF AIBSNLREA HELD ITS BI-MONTHLY GENERAL BODY MEETING:
Amravati Branch (Maharashtra State) of AIBSNLREA held its bi-monthly General Body Meeting on 5th October 2014. Branch Secretary Shri Vijay Dakhode apprised the members about the latest status of the issue regarding fitment benefit for merger of 78.2% IDA with basic pension of BSNL pensioners. He also gave a brief report on other issues.11.10.2014:
E-JOURNAL OCTOBER 2014 ISSUE:
October 2014 issue of AIBSNLREA E-journal has been uploaded and is available under the link "E-Journal" in the left column.10.10.2014:
REVISION OF IDA W.E.F. 1.10.2014:
DPE has issued orders revising IDA w.e.f 1.10.2014 from 223% to 234.5% for CPSEs where last pay revision was implemented w.e.f. 1.1.1997. Click Here for the orders10.10.2014:
REVISION OF IDA W.E.F. 1.10.2014:
DPE has issued orders revising IDA w.e.f 1.10.2014 from 91.3% to 98.1% for CPSEs where last pay revision was implemented w.e.f. 1.1.2007. Click Here for the orders02.10.2014:
LAUNCH OF 'SWACHH BHARAT ABHIYAN':
A 'Clean India' by 2019, when the nation will celebrate 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi is the vision driving this mission. Its launch today has a lot of significance as Father of the Nation had a penchant for cleanliness in his personal habits and sought to promote it in his environments in every way. Now, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has sought to involve every citizen in the task of cleanliness. The challenge is enormous but the Prime Minister appears determined to make it a success. The first simple step in this direction will be changing a commmon behaviour - throwing waste and garbage everywhere. Let us set an example to others by disposing waste and garbage only into the trash/recycle/garbage bins or any receptacle meant for it, wherever we are. This itself will ensure that our streets, roads, institutions, offices, buses, trains and all public places are clean and hygienic.01.10.2014:
REVISION OF PENSION/FAMILY PENSION OF PRE-2007 AND POST 2007 BSNL PENSIONERS WHO RETIRED BETWEEN 1.1.2007 AND 9.6.2013 BY ALLOWING THE BENEFIT OF MERGER OF 50% DA EFFECTIVELY AMOUNTING TO 78.2%:
It has already been reported that Department of Telecommunications, vide its OM No 40-13/2013-Pen(T) dated 11.07.2013, has sent a reply to the queries raised by Department of Expenditure on the proposal of DOT on the above issue. It is also a fact that the same issue is an old item on the agenda of the Standing Committee Of Voluntary Agencies (SCOVA) meetings arranged by Department of Pension & Pensioners’ Welfare. The issue was accordingly discussed in the last meeting of SCOVA which was held on 05.09.2014 and the minutes of the said meeting have also been released. According to the official minutes, the representative of Department of Expenditure had stated that DOE would send their “comments” within one week to Department of Telecommunications. It is, however, a separate issue that some pensioners’ associations had reported at that time that DOE had assured to issue the “Orders” within 7 days. Order on the subject, anyhow, has to be issued only by Department of Telecommunications and not by any other Departments. Now the question comes how is that the representative of DOE had said on 5.9.2014 that “comments’ would be sent within one week when the same is awaited till this day i.e. for over three weeks after the said SCOVA meeting. This case is a classic example of how the inter-ministerial consultations on any proposal moved by any Department takes its own time to reach the finality. Given the state of affairs regarding file movements in Ministries, one can now reasonably expect the ‘comments” of DOE to reach DOT anytime this month. Meanwhile, the delay in receiving the “comments” by DOT has resulted in involving many to be busy in speculations and give some funny ideas. At this stage, we do not want to get ourselves engaged in this.30.09.2014:
INCREASE IN IDA W.E.F. 1.10.2014:
According to calculations based on All India Consumer Price Index, IDA is to be increased w.e.f. 1.10.2014 by 6.9% for CPSEs where last pay revision was implemented w.e.f. 1.1.2007 and by 11.5% where last pay revision was implemented w.e.f. 1.1.1997.28.09.2014:
PALAKKAD BRANCH OF AIBSNLREA HOLD ITS GENERAL BODY MEETING:
A general body meeting of AIBSNLREA Palakkad Branch (Kerala State) was conducted at Hotel Indraprastha, Palakkad on 23-09-2014. Thirty six (36) members participated in GB Meeting and two new members viz. S/Shri Raman K.N, Retd SDE and Suryanarayanan, Retd Sr AO joined the association. Now the strength has come to 60. Presidential address was given by Shri N. Bhaskaran Retd DGM. Secretary Shri Prabhakaran presented the minutes of last meeting. He described elaborately the unsettled 78.2% IDA merger issue. The members were strongly agitated over the protracted delay in the settlement of 78.2% IDA merger on one pretext or the other. After Vote of Thanks presented by Assistant Secretary Shri P.V.Subramanian the meeting concluded at 1320 hrs and a lunch was served and all disbursed after that.25.09.2014:
MINUTES OF THE 25th MEETING OF SCOVA HELD ON 05.09.2014:
Department of Pension & Pensioners’ Welfare has now released the minutes of the 25th Meeting of SCOVA held on 5th September 2014 in which two long pending issues including the fitment benefit of merger of 78.2% IDA for fixation of pay/pension pertaining to the absorbed BSNL pensioners came up for review. We are publishing the DoP&PW letter enclosing the minutes and an extract of The Minutes concerning these issues. View the Extract of the Minutes24.09.2014:
INDIA CREATES HISTORY, REACHES MARS ORBIT ON MAIDEN ATTEMPT:
India created history today, becoming the first country in the world to succeed on its first Mars mission when Isro's Mangalyaan slipped into Martian orbit after a few nail-biting moments. The country joined the United States, European Space Agency and the former Soviet Union in the elite club of Martian explorers with the Mars Orbiter Mission, affectionately called MOM. Mangalyaan, which relies on homegrown technology, is a remarkably low budget mission of about $75 million. NASA's Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution mission, or Maven, which reached its position around the Red Planet on Sunday has a price tag of $671 million - nearly nine times that of MOM's. India's feat gains significane in the light of the fact that more than half the world's previous attempts - 23 out of 41 Mars missions - have failed, including attempts by Japan in 1999 and China in 2011.LET US CONGRATULATE THE ENTIRE TEAM ISRO FOR ITS UNPARALLELED ACHIEVEMENT.
23.09.2014:
QUARTERLY GENERAL BODY MEETING OF AIBSNLREA, KOLHAPUR BRANCH HELD:
Quarterly General Body Meeting of Kolhapur Branch of AIBSNLREA was held on 21st Sept 2014 in Telephone Bhavan Conference Hall at Kolhapur with Shri L M Godi, President on the Chair. 54 members attended the meeting and 5 more new members joined the Association. President welcomed all the members. The new members were presented with bouquet by him. House observed two minutes silence to condole the recent sad demise of the wife of Shri S V Kulkarni of Sangli and mother of Shri A B Amaashi, Kolhapur. The Branch Secretary D K Joshi gave a detailed account of the Association activities and issues taken up by our Association at CHQ level and the progress made in the cases. He informed about the status of the issue of 78.2% IDA merger and revision of pension. He gave brief account of the recent SCOVA Meeting held in New Delhi, also the demands made by the various Associations/Unions including our Association to VII CPC. He also informed the house about the development of drawing pension of those who retired between June 2013 and Dec 2013 in Mumbai CCA office. Contents of e-House Journal. “SECOND INNINGS” also were read out. Retired DGM Shri S H Mokashi, Solapur spoke on the recent Pension Adaalat that took place in Solapur and explained that the delay is taking place in revision of pension because of very less staff in CCA office and huge work load of four circle Units for fixation of pension/revision. He suggested that the matter for posting of adequate staff should be taken up with CGM. Shri G L Joshi shared his experiences of “Manasorovar Yatra” and S/Shri UR Gaikwad, SG Kanade, D M Kengar and Mrs Nadagouda also shared their experiences with the members. The meeting ended with presentation of vote of thanks. View the Photos19.09.2014:
GENERAL BODY MEETING OF AKOLA BRANCH (MAHARSHTRA STATE):
A General Body Meeting of Akola Branch of AIBSNLREA was held on 14-09-2014. Discussions were held on the pressing problems of the BSNL pensioners. The Branch Secretary reported that the membership strength of Akola branch has now increased from 35 to 44 which includes two members from East Vidarbha Branch, Nagpur who had earlier enrolled there.19.09.2014:
EAST GODAVARI BRANCH (AP STATE) HOLD MEETING WITH SR. GMTD, RAJAHMUNDRY:
East Godavari Branch of AIBSNLREA had an official meeting with Sr GMTD Rajahmundry to-day at 11.00 hours. The official side was represented by DGM (Finance), DGM(Admn), AGM (Admn). The Association was represented by S/Shri GV Rama Krishna (Retd DGM, Finance) and President of the Branch, S.Mallikharjuna Rao (Retd, DGM, Finance), Ch. Gandhi (Retd DE), A.Kodanda Rao (Retd DE), G.Bhaskara Rao (Retd Sr SDE), S.S.Venkateswara Rao (Retd DE), K.P. Sreenivasa Rao (Retd JTO), P Venkata Reddy (Retd SDE, Civil), G.Sundara Rao (Retd DE), KBS Naidu (Sr SDE) and Finance Secretary, GSVSS Vara Prasad (Retd Sr SDE) & Branch Secretary, AIBSNLREA, East Godavari Branch. Discussions were held on the issues submitted vide Branch letter No. AIBSNLREA/EG/org/2014-2016/4 dated 18-09-2014 in particular and the economic health of BSNL in general. Senior GMTD, East Godavary SSA issued suitable instructions to the DGM (Finance) and DGM (Admn) on the spot. The representatives of the Branch conveyed sincere thanks to the Sr GM TD and other Officers for their instant response to the grievances of the members.16.09.2014:
BI MONTHLY GB MEETING OF AIBSNLREA, UDAIPUR BRANCH:
Udaipur Branch of AIBSNLREA held its bi-monthly General Body meeting on 13-09-2014. Twenty eight (28) members attended the meeting. Branch President Shri J M Avsthi welcomed all the members. Branch Secretary Shri Gaffar Mohammed garlanded all the members whose date of birth was in the month of August and September. The members discussed about the reported proceedings of last SCOVA meeting held on 5.9.2014 and expressed their unhappiness over the way in which the Department is handling the of re-fixation of pension of pre 10-06-2013 retired BSNL employees. Demand was reiterated for restoration of payment of medical benefit without vouchers for outdoor treatment. The issue of inordinate delay in reimbursement of medical claims to the retired BSNL employees in Rajasthan Circle was raised by the members and it was resolved to take up the matter with CGMT, Rajasthan Circle. Meeting was then concluded after presentation of thanks by Branch Secretary Shri Gaffar Mohammad. This was followed by lunch in Natraj palace Hotel.12.09.2014:
NON-EXTENSION OF BENEFIT OF DEFERED OPTION UNDER PARA 4 OF DOP&PW No. 4/18/87-P&PW(D) DATED 05.07.1989 TO THE ABSORBED GROUP C & D EMPLOYEES IN BSNL– DOT FORWARDS THE REPRESENTATION ON THE ABOVE ISSUE RECEIVED THROUGH PRIME MINISTER’S OFFICE TO CMD, BSNL:
Prime Minister’s Office had forwarded a representation on the above issue to the Secretary, Department of Telecommunication on 09.07.2014 for “action as appropriate”. Now Department of Telecommunication has forwarded the same to CMD, BSNL for “appropriate action in the matter” and communicate directly action taken on the petition to the petitioner under intimation to DOT. View the PMO's letter View the DoT's letter09.09.2014:
GENERAL BODY MEETING OF VARANASI BRANCH OF AIBSNLREA HELD:
Varanasi Branch of AIBSNLREA held its General Body Meeting at Buddha Hotel, Sarnath on 7-9-2014. The meeting was presided over by Shri B N Singh. In addition to the life members of the Branch, a large number of retired BSNL Executives from nearby areas like Gazipur, Jaunpur, Mirzapur, Sonebhadra, Azamgarh and Chandauli attended the meeting. The participants mainly discussed about the inordinate delay in extending the fitment benefit of merger of 78.2% IDA for fixation of basic pension. Shri Yad Ali, Branch Secretary conducted the meeting and Shri R K Sinha, Finance Secretary of the Branch presented the vote of thanks to the members and others. View the Newspaper Report06.09.2014:
E-JOURNAL SEPTEMBER 2014 ISSUE:
September 2014 issue of AIBSNLREA E-journal has been uploaded and is available under the link "E-Journal" in the left column.04.09.2014:
UNCLAIMED DEPOSITS IN PPF AND POST OFFICE SAVINGS SCHEMES – GOVERNMENT FORMS COMMITTEE TO ASSESS THE AMOUNT OF UNCLAIMED DEPOSIT AND SUGGEST STEPS FOR THEIR UTILIZATION FOR THE BENEFIT OF SENIOR CITZENS:
In a welcome move the Union Finance Minister Shri Arun Jaitely has formed a Committee under Shri H R Khan, Deputy Governor, Reserve Bank of India to assess the amount of unclaimed deposits in PPF and Post Office Savings Schemes and also suggest steps for their utilization for the benefits of Senior Citizens. Other members of the Committee are Secretary, Department of Posts, Joint Secretary (Ministry of Law), Joint Secretary (Budget Division, Ministry of Finance), Deputy Managing Director, State Bank of India and Executive Director, Punjab National Bank. The Committee is to submit its report by 31.12.2014.03.09.2014:
25th MEETING OF SCOVA ON 5th SEPTEMBER 2014 - ACTION TAKEN REPORT ISSUED BY DOP&PW INDICATES NO CHANGE IN THE PRESENT STATUS ON MERGER OF 78.2% IDA WITH BASIC PENSION AND REMOVAL OF ANOMALY IN PENSION OF THE ABSORBED BSNL PENSIONERS WHO RETIRED BETWEEN 1.10.2000 AND 31.07.2001:
The 25th Meeting of SCOVA is taking place as scheduled on 05.09.2014. DOP&PW has now issued the Action Taken Report on the minutes of the last meeting of SCOVA in which two of the old items pertaining to the absorbed BSNL pensioners as discussed in the last meeting are also figuring. These issues are (1) Anomaly in the fixation of pension of DOT employees absorbed in BSNL, who retired between 1.10.2000 and 31.7.2001 and (2) Merger of 78.2% IDA with basic pension benefit to the absorbed BSNL Pensioners which are appearing at Serial No. 9 and 10 respectively of the ATR. The ATR does not suggest any change in position on those two issues from that as were reported earlier in this website. View the ATR03.09.2014:
MINISTRY OF SOCIAL JUSTICE & EMPOWERMENT ACTS ON AIBSNLREA’S REPRESENTATION ON NON-EXTENSION OF FITMENT BENEFIT OF MERGER OF 78.2% IDA FOR FIXATION OF PENSION:
Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India has acted on AIBSNLREA’s representation vide No. AIBSNLREA/CHQ/2014/16 dated 10.07.2014 addressed to Shri Thaawar Chand Gehlot, Hon’ble Minister of Social Justice & Empowerment on the above matter [To read this representation, posting dated 11.07.2014 in this website may be viewed]. The Ministry has since forwarded a copy of the said representation to DOT on 26.08.2014 “to take appropriate action in the matter immediately under intimation to this Ministry”. The letter is marked as URGENT, SENIOR CITIZEN’S ISSUE. View the letter of Ministry of SJ & E
31.08.2014:
SAD DEMISE:
Shri R.R.Joshi, Retd DGM and President of Hubli-Dharwad Branch (Karnataka) of AIBSNLREA passed away on 24.08.2014 after a sudden and brief illness at Mysore where he had gone to see an ailing friend. He was immediately got admitted in the hospital there, but could not survive. He was aged 70 years. He was a veteran trade union leader and also an very active leader in the then JETA and TESA. His cremation took place at his native place in Ranebennur which was attended by large number of the BSNL employees of Dahrwad-Hubli area. He was very popular among all sections of the employees and well respected by one and all. The members of AIBSNLREA Karnataka Hubli Branch later assembled at Hubli and as a mark of respect to the departed soul observed one minute’s silence. The members also passed a resolution conveying their heartfelt condolence and praying God for his soul to rest in peace and give strength to the bereaved family to overcome the grief.
27.08.2014:
GENERAL BODY MEETING OF AIBSNLREA, VARANASI BRANCH:
Varanasi Branch (UP State) of AIBSNLREA is holding its General Body Meeting at 12 PM on 07-09-2014 at Budha Hotel near Chandra House at Sarnath. All members of the Branch are requested to attend the meeting being held at the above venue at Sarnath. Other retired BSNL Executives from Varanasi, Chandauli, Jaunpur, Mirzapur, Azamgarh, Ghazipur, Mau, Balia and other nearby areas are also requested to attend the meeting and join the association. For further details, Shri Yad Ali, Branch Secretary, Varanasi may be contacted on Mobile number 9450964144.25.08.2014:
AIBSNLREA, VARANASI BRANCH DISCUSSES THE ISSUE OF REVISION OF PENSION OF PRE AND POST 2007 BSNL PENSIONERS WITH THE BENEFIT OF MERGER OF 78.2% DA WITH THE SENIOR OFFICERS IN PRIME MINISTER’S OFFICE (PMO) AT VARANASI:
The representatives of Varanasi Branch of AIBSNLREA to-day met the Senior Officers in the Prime Minister’s Office at Varanasi and discussed at length on the issue of Revision of pension of pre and post 2007 BSNL pensioners, who retired between 1.1.2007 and 9.6.2013, by extending the benefit of merger of 78.2% DA. The discussion lasted for about an hour and the representatives were given a patient hearing. The representatives also handed over a representation enclosing a copy of AIBSNLREA, CHQ letter No. AIBSNLREA/CHQ/2014/9 dated 27.5.2014 on the issue addressed to the Hon’ble Prime Minister (Posting dated 28.05.2014 in this website may be viewed to read the letter). The representation along with the CHQ letter was mailed by the PMO at Varanasi to New Delhi Office. S/Shri Yad Ali, Branch Secretary, Rakesh Kr Sinha, Financial Secretary, S P Tripathi, A S Gaur, K C Srivastava and R S Srivastava were in the delegation. View the News Report25.08.2014:
PROPOSAL OF DOT FOR REVISION OF PENSION OF PRE AND POST 2007 BSNL PENSIONERS- RESPONSE FROM DEPARTMEMNT OF EXPENDITURE IS STILL AWAITED:
Department of Expenditure is yet to send its final response to DoT’s proposal for revision of pension of pre-2007 and also post 2007 BSNL pensioners who retired between 1.1.2007 and 9.6.2013 by extending the benefit of merger of 78.2% DA. It is learned that the Department of Expenditure is still examining the proposal following receipt of the clarifications, as asked for, from Department of Telecommunication. Meanwhile, Department of Pension & Pensioners’ Welfare is also collecting latest status on the issue since it is an unsettled item in the agenda of the SCOVA meeting which is now scheduled to be held on 5.9.2014. DOP&PW/DOT are to at least provide the latest status on the issue in the said meeting.24.08.2014:
BSNL RESPONDS TO OUR REPRESENTATION TO PRIME MINISTER FOR DEVISING A SPECIAL MECHANISM TO EXPEDITE SETTLEMENT OF DISCIPLINARY/VIGILANCE CASES AGAINST THE RETIRED/RETIRING OFFICERS:
Earlier we had represented to Shri Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of India seeking for his kind intervention for devising a special mechanism to expedite disposal of vigilance/disciplinary cases against the retired/retiring officers. Copy of this representation was also endorsed to Minister of State (PP) and Secretary (T) (view posting dated 17.06.2014 in this website for the representation). We had also reported that Department of Personnel & Training had forwarded a copy of the said representation to the Department of Telecommunication for appropriate action (view posting dated 17.07.2014 in this website for the DoP&T’s letter). Now BSNL (Vigilance Branch) has issued a letter to all BSNL Circles advising them to pursue all such cases to settle them timely. View the BSNL letter18.08.2014:
25th MEETING OF SCOVA:
DOP&PW has since notified that the 25th Meeting of Standing Committee of Voluntary Agencies (SCOVA) will be held on 5th September 2014 in New Delhi under the chairmanship of Minister of State for (PP).14.08.2014:
MEMORANDUM TO SEVENTH CENTRAL PAY COMMISSION BY AIBSNLREA - CPC ACKNOWLEDGES RECEIPT:
AIBSNLREA had submitted a Memorandum to Seventh Central Pay Commission on pensionary benefits and related issues [view the “Second Innings”, the e-journal August issue of the Association or posting dated 31.07.2014 in this website]. The Pay Commission has since acknowledged the receipt of the same. View the CPC's Acknowledgment slip13.08.2014:
GENERAL BODY MEETING OF EAST GODAVARY BRANCH OF AIBSNLREA HELD:
The General body meeting of East Godavari District branch of AIBSNLREA was held at Kakinada under the president ship of Shri S.Satyanarayana, President of this branch at the TRC of KAKINADA on 11.08.2014. The General body paid homage to the sad demises of two life members S/Shri K Maheswara Rao, Retd DE Amalapuram and M Krishna Murty, Retd SDE, Rajahmundry. The General body discussed the various issues including benefit of merger of 78.2% DA, progress in payment of arrears of commutation applying old commutation table who retired between 1-1-2007 to 2-9-2008, implementation of the freezing basic pay for the MRS card to the pre 2007 pensioners towards out door treatment as per the directions of the corporate office, acute delay in the settlement of medical bills of the retired executives. It is decided by general body to take up all the above issues with Senior GMTD Rajahmundy. S/Shri A Booriah, KS Prakasa Rao, A Kodanda Rao, KSS Bhavachari, P RamaKrishna addressed the General body. The GB has unanimously appreciated the efforts made by the GS and expresses its solidarity to the CHQ of AIBSNLREA. The members have participated in the campaign for individual Appeal to PM/MOC call given by the CHQ. The General body approved the accounts submitted by the Finance Secretary Shri KBS Naidu for the period 20-08-2011 to 10-08-2014. A New body was elected under the chairmanship of Sri KV Raghava Rao DGM (Retd). Six new life members joined the Association taking the total life membership of the Branch to 126. The meeting ended with vote of thanks by Shri Vara Prasad GSVSS followed by lunch. View the list of new office bearers12.08.2014:
ADDITIONAL INCREMENTS GRANTED TO MTNL EMPLOYEES AT THE TIME OF THEIR ABSORPTION IN MTNL NOT TO BE COUNTED FOR CALCULATING THE GOVERNMENT’S LIABILITY OF PENSION – CLARIFIES DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATION:
Department of Telecommunication has since clarified that the additional increments granted to the MTNL employees at the time of their absorption in MTNL shall not be counted for calculating the Government’s liability of pension. View the DoT's clarification07.08.2014:
AIBSNLREA TAKES UP WITH CMD, BSNL TO ALLOW THE RETIRED BSNL EXECUTIVES OPTION TO HAVE MOBILE CONNECTION IN LIEU OF CONCESSIONAL RESIDENTIAL LANDLINE FACILITY:
AIBSNLREA, citing the case of Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Limited, has requested Chairman & Managing Director, Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited to allow the retired BSNL Executives to opt for Mobile connection in place of concessional residential landline facility.View the letter
View the MTNL order
06.08.2014:
E-JOURNAL AUGUST 2014 ISSUE:
August 2014 issue of AIBSNLREA E-journal has been uploaded and is available under the link "E-Journal" in the left column.31.07.2014:
AIBSNLREA SUBMITS ITS MEMORANDUM ON PENSIONARY BENEFITS AND RELATED ISSUES TO THE SEVENTH CENTRAL PAY COMMISSION:
AIBSNLREA has submitted a memorandum, vide its No. AIBSNLREA/CHQ/2014/18 dated 25.07.2014, to the Seventh Central Pay Commission on some selected issues concerning the pensionary benefits and related issues. The Memorandum confines itself within the terms and reference of the VII CPC on pension related issues.View the letter
View the Memorandum
View the Annexure
30.07.2014:
PENSION LIABILITY IN RESPECT OF DOT EMPLOYEES RETIRED PRIOR TO 1.10.2000 IN CDA SCALE- UNJUST DECISION OF DOT TO TRANSFER THE LIABILITY ON THE SHOULDER OF BSNL – AIBSNLREA TAKES UP THE ISSUE WITH MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS:
AIBSNLREA writes to Shri Ravi Shankar Prasad, Minister of Communications & IT, Law & Justice on the unjust decision of Department of Telecommunication to transfer the pension liability in respect of DOT Employees retired prior to 1.10.2000 in CDA scale on the shoulder of BSNL while deciding arrangements for meeting the financial liabilities for payment of pension/family pension between the Government of India and Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited. AIBSNLREA cites the case of Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Limited which seems to have been exempted from similar arrangement to shoulder the pension liability in respect of DOT Employees retired prior to 1.10.2000 even after the decision of the Government to pay pension/family pension to the retired Employees of MTNL. AIBSNLREA urges the Hon’ble Minister – “… we earnestly appeal to your kind self to intervene in the matter so that Department of Telecommunication review its existing order No. 1-45/2003-B dated 15.06.2006 and No. 40-12/2007-Pen(T) dated 05.01.2009 and exempt Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited from shouldering the pension liability of the DOT employees retired prior to 1.10.2000 in CDA scale as has been done in the case of Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Limited”. View the letter29.07.2014:
NON-PAYMENT OF PENSION AND OTHER PENSIONARY BENEFITS TO THE BSNL PENSIONERS WHO RETIRED BETWEEN 10.06.2013 AND 31.12.2013 ON THEIR LAST PAY DRAWN FIXED WITH THE BENEFIT OF MERGER OF 78.2% DA BY PRINCIPAL CCA, MAHARASHTRA CIRCLE, MUMBAI
AIBSNLREA takes up the above issue with Member (Finance), Telecom Commission since “the Principal CCA, Maharashtra Circle, Mumbai has not re-fixed the pension of the absorbed BSNL Pensioners who retired between 10.06.2013 and 31.12.2013 under his jurisdiction and who were wrongly and deliberately fixed their pension on the basis of presumed last pay drawn calculated with the benefit of effective merger of 68.8% DA, though all of them got the benefit of merger of 78.2% DA as per the Presidential Directive issued vide DOT OM No. 61-01/2012-SU dated 10.06.2013”. AIBSNLREA has further requested Member (Finance) “to kindly intervene in the matter so that the BSNL Pensioners under the jurisdiction of Principal CCA, Maharashtra Circle, Mumbai who retired between 10.06.2013 and 31.12.2013 get their pension re-fixed on the last pay drawn fixed with benefit of merger of 78.2% DA and also all the pension arrears for the above period including the differences in DCRG, Commutation Value of Pension are paid to them immediately. Interest on delayed payment of DCRG, as per rule, may also kindly be ensured”. View the letter27.07.2014:
DOP&PW ISSUES GAZETTE NOTIFICATION AMENDING CENTRAL CIVIL SERVICES (COMMUTATION OF PENSION) RULES 1981:
Department of Pension & Pensioners’ Welfare has issued a Gazette Notification vide No. GSR 355(E) dated 26th May 2014 amending the Central Civil Services (Commutation of Pension) Rules 1981. The amended Rules is named as Central Civil Services (Commutation of Pension), Second Amendment Rules 2014. View the Gazette Notification25.07.2014:
HOLDING OF PENSION AADALATS BY CONTROLLERS OF COMMUNICATION ACCOUNTS - AIBSNLREA WRITES TO MEMBER (FINANCE), TELECOM COMMISSION SUGGESTING FEW IMPROVEMENTS:
AIBSNLREA has written a letter to Member (Finance), Telecom Commission suggesting to ensure some improvements in the matter of holding of Pension Aadalats by the Controllers of Communication Accounts, Department of Telecommunication. View the letter23.07.2014:
REVISION OF PENSION/FAMILY PENSION OF PRE-2007 AND POST 2007 BSNL PENSIONERS WHO RETIRED BETWEEN 1.1.2007 AND 9.6.2013 BY ALLOWING THE BENEFIT OF MERGER OF 50% DA EFFECTIVELY AMOUNTING TO 78.2%:
It has already been reported that Department of Telecommunications, vide its OM No 40-13/2013-Pen(T) dated 11.07.2013, has sent a reply to the queries raised by Department of Expenditure vide OM No. 144/EV/2014 dated 11th March 2014 on the proposal of DOT on the above issue. The reply from DOT clearly indicates that they have treated the case of pre-2007 BSNL pensioners/family pensioners separate from those BSNL pensioners/family pensioners who retired between 1.1.2007 and 9.06.2013. This is also the stand that this Association took since the Presidential Directive dated 10.06.2013 was issued for allowing the benefit of merger of 50% DA effectively amounting to 78.2% in the revised IDA scales. In the case of the pre-2007 pensioners, who were not the recipient of benefit of revised pay scale w.e.f. 1.1.2007, their pension only has to be re-fixed with effective merger of 78.2% DA w.e.f. 1.1.2007. But in case of those who received the benefit of revised IDA pay scale with benefit of effective merger of 68.8% DA w.e.f 1.1.2007 and retired between 1.1.2007 and 9.6.20013, their pay has first to be re-fixed in revised IDA pay scale with benefit of merger of 78.2% DA and thereafter their pension will have to be revised based on their revised last pay drawn. The DOT’s reply to DOE at least vindicates our stand. Unfortunately, a few associations have expressed their reservation on this stand of DOT and even protested against this. Some of our members also seem to be confused on the matter and are asking for some clarifications on the matter. A point has also been raised by many why the case for pre-2007 pensioners needs cabinet approval and not for those who retired between 1.1.2007 and 6.9.2013. We had reported long back that the Department of Telecommunication had recorded in file that this case will be required to be taken up with cabinet for approval (Refer our posting dated 09.09.2013 in this website). But we still believe that since Cabinet had given approval for applying the same fitment formula for revision of pension of pre-2007 pensioners/family pensioners that was applied for fixation of pay of the serving BSNL employees on 1.1.2007, now there is hardly any need for another cabinet approval for this. As regards post 2007 retirees are concerned, since their pension will have to be re-fixed based on their last revised pay drawn, the existing Orders for fixation of pension under CCS (Pension) Rules 1972 is sufficient to revise their pension without referring the matter to any agency. But by proposing to calculate pensionary benefits of the employees who retired between 1.1.2007 and 9.6.2013 on the basis of stated “notional” pay fixation order, DOT is clandestinely trying to get the seal of approval of even Ministry of Finance to call the pay-fixation Order with benefit of effective merger of 78.2% DA as NOTIONAL. This is with the sole intention to permanently close the case for payment of arrears of pay to the serving employees for the period between 1.1.2007 to 9.6.2013. We would further like to state categorically that in case the DOE accepts DOT’s clarifications and clears its proposal, Orders may first be issued for post 2007 retirees. The pre-2007 BSNL pensioners may have to wait for few more months till cabinet approval is available. However, cabinet note may not take much time to prepare, since the views of DOP&PW is already available with DOT and DOE’s view will also be known now.22.07.2014:
ANNUAL GENERAL BODY MEETING OF AIBSNLREA, DHARWAD DISTRICT (HUBLI) BRANCH:
The Annual General Body Meeting of All India Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited Retired Executives’ Association, Dharwad District (Hubli) Branch was held on Sunday the 20th July, 2014 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 A. S. Parwatikar, Branch Secretary welcomed the members and 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. He highlighted the current issues taken up by CHQ in the interest of pensioners. Various correspondences made by GS, CHQ AIBSNLREA Shri Basu on pension/family pension revision and medical facilities, etc were mainly highlighted and appreciated by all the members. All the members expressed that General Secretary AIBSNLREA should take up the matter of 78.2% on war footing so that at this stage it will not be delayed for any kind of reasons by the authorities. Also a resolution was passed to communicate to the GMTD HUBLI and also CGMT Bangalore as to empanelment of good and reputed hospitals for the purpose of BSNLMRS facility at Hubli-Dharwad. About 45 members participated in the meeting. 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. The election of office bearers for the period 2014-16 was on the agenda. The house unanimously passed the resolution that the existing body should continue. The same was adopted. Five new retired officers were enrolled in the meeting and were extended warm welcome by all other members of the association, Hubli Branch. Shri U.S.Hegde, who retired as DGM, Hubli last month, joined our association and enlightened members regarding latest developments in BSNL. The meeting ended with vote of thanks to the chair and members by Shri A.D.PAI, Executive member.18.07.2014:
CHANDIGARH BRANCH OF AIBSNLREA TO HOLD GB MEETING:
A General Body Meeting of All India BSNL Retired Executives' Association, Chandigarh Branch will be held on Saturday, the 19th July 2014 at 02:30 PM in the Canteen Hall of General Post Office at Sector-17, Chandigarh to discuss progress and status of 78.2% IDA merger and other issues. Branch Secretary has invited all members and other retired BSNL Executives to attend the meeting.18.07.2014:
DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATION INSTRUCTS BHARAT SANCHAR NIGAM LIMITED FOR ENSURING TIMELY AND EXPEDITIOUS DISPOSAL OF PENSION CASES:
Member (Finance), Telecom Commission, in a DO letter to CMD, BSNL, has asked for ensuring timely and expeditious settlement of the pension cases of the BSNL retirees. BSNL Corporate Office has circulated this DO letter to all concerned advising them to ensure timely action. View the letters17.07.2014:
UNENDING DELAY IN SETTLEMENT OF PENDING DISCIPLINARY/VIGILANCE CASES AGAINST THE PENSIONERS - CREATION OF AN EFFECTIVE MECHANISM FOR SPEEDY AND TIME BOUND DISPOSAL THEREOF:
Department of Personnel & Training sends the copy of our representation that was endorsed to the Minister of State for Personnel, PG & Pensions on the above subject to the Chief Vigilance Officer, Department of Telecommunication for ‘action as appropriate’. The representation was addressed to the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India vide our No. AIBSNLREA/CHQ/2014/15 dated 16.06.2014 (refer posting dated 17.06.2014 in this website). View the DoP&T letter15.07.2014:
BENEFIT OF MERGER OF 78.2% IDA FOR FITMENT OF BASIC PENSION OF PENSIONERS - DEPT OF TELECOM SENDS ITS REPLY TO THE QUERIES RAISED BY DEPT OF EXPENDITURE:
At last, the Department of Telecommunication has responded to the queries raised by Department of Expenditure (Ministry of Finance) on the proposal that was sent earlier by DOT on the above issue. The reply has since been sent.15.07.2014:
EAST VIDARBHA BRANCH, NAGPUR OF AIBSNLREA CROSSES 300 LIFE MEMBERSHIP – HIGHEST AMONG ALL THE BRANCHES:
East Vidarbha Branch, Nagpur of Maharashtra has now registered 304 Life Membership. This is highest among all the individual Branches of AIBSNLREA in the country. Congratulations !12.07.2014:
DOT’S PLAN TO REPLY TO THE QUERIES RAISED BY DEPARTMENT OF EXPENDITURE ON ITS PROPOSAL ON THE ISSUE OF MERGER OF 78.2% DA AS FITMENT BENEFIT FOR REVISION OF PENSION:
We have been receiving some queries from the affected absorbed BSNL pensioners whether DOT is sending new proposals to the Department of Expenditure on the above issue, since the news appearing in a few websites give the same indication. We are to state that there is no scope to send any new proposal at this stage without withdrawing the existing one which already stands approved by the Department of Pension & Pensioners’ Welfare and is also under discussion in the meeting of SCOVA. All that DOT had been trying these days was to send a point-wise reply to the queries raised a few months back by Department of Expenditure. As we reported through the editorial in our E-Journal (July 2014 issue) that there had been spate of activities in DoT Headquarters after the pressure that was built on DOT after formation of new Government to send the reply to the queries raised by DOE, now it is reported that DoT has completed its internal exercises and may send the reply to DOE very shortly.11.07.2014:
INJUSTICE AND NEGLIGENCE TOWARDS THE GENUINE CAUSES OF THE SENIOR CITIZENS - CASE OF THE ABSORBED BSNL PENSIONERS OF BHARAT SANCHAR NIGAM LIMITED:
AIBSNLREA writes to Shri Thaawar Chand Gehlot, Hon’ble Minister for Social Justice & Empowerment, Government of India with copies endorsed to the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India and Minister of Communications & IT on the above issue citing the case of non-settlement of the revision of basic pay/pension with the benefit of merger of 78.2% DA as fitment benefit to point out “how the absorbed BSNL pensioners are being badly treated by Department of Telecommunication in the matter of their lawful rights”. The Association further makes appeal to the Hon’ble Minister “to kindly intervene in the above issue so that a section of the senior citizens who retired from Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited and are at their old age get the justice without further delay.” View the letter10.07.2014:
BREAKING NEWS - INCOME TAX EXEMPTIONS IN BUDGET:
Government has proposed in its Budget presented to-day in the Parliament, following important concessions for direct Tax Payers: (1) Exemption limit for Personal Tax for individuals below 60 years of age raised from existing Rs 2 lakhs to Rs 2.5 lakhs, (2) Exemption limit for Personal Tax for Senior Citizens raised from existing Rs. 2.5 lakhs to Rs 3 lakhs, (3) Investment limit in PPF raised from existing Rs. 1 lakhs to 1.5 lakhs, (4) Exemption limit under Section 80C raised from existing Rs 1 lakhs to Rs. 1.5 lakhs.09.07.2014:
ANNUAL GENERAL BODY MEETING OF EAST VIDARBHA BRANCH, NAGPUR OF AIBSNLREA HELD:
The Annual General body meeting of All India BSNL Retired Executives’ Association, East Vidarbha Branch, Nagpur (Maharashtra State) was held on 6th July, 2014 at Amenity Block, CTO Compound Nagpur under the chairmanship of Shri N.G.Talewar President of the Branch. After paying tribute to the departed members and their family members by the house, the president welcomed all life members and other retired BSNL officers present in the meeting. Shri P.R.Bhujbal, Secretary placed the annual report before the house and highlighted all the important major current pension related issues to the members. The key issues discussed were (i) abnormal delay in issue of orders to extend the benefit of merger of 78.2% IDA for fixation of basic pension of absorbed BSNL pensioners, (ii) Non settlement of the case for removal of anomaly in the fixation of pension to DOT employees absorbed in BSNL who retired between 1-10-2000 to 31-7-2001 and (iii) speedy disposal of pending disciplinary/vigilance cases against the pensioners. The correspondences made by GS CHQ on these issues were briefed to the house. Local issues like delay in payment of medical bills of pensioners, payment of recalculation of CVP in respect of BSNL employees retired during 1-1-2007 to 2-9-2008, timely payment of earned leave encashment on superannuation, posting of adequate staff in CCA office Nagpur etc, which were discussed with PGMT Nagpur on 25-6-2014, were also highlighted. Shri B P Majumdar Finance Secretary submitted the audited the statement of Accounts for 2013-2014. The House passed the account. The meeting was attended by 111 members. 7 new life members enrolled on the day, thereby the total of life members of Nagpur Branch has reached from 297 to 304. The present body was dissolved since it completed three years term. The house also unanimously elected a new Executive Body with S/Shri N.G. Talewar as the President, P R Bhujbal as Branch Secretary and B P Majumder as the Financial Secretary. The election conducted under the guidance of Shri V S Ashtikar, Retd DGM MH CO Mumbai. Shri N R Rachkondawar Asst Secretary extended vote of thanks to one and all before conclusion of the meeting. View the list of newly elected office-bearers of the Branch07.07.2014:
REVISION OF IDA W.E.F. 1.7.2014:
DPE has issued orders revising IDA w.e.f 1.7.2014 from 218.1% to 223% for CPSEs where last pay revision was implemented w.e.f. 1.1.1997. Click Here for the orders07.07.2014:
REVISION OF IDA W.E.F. 1.7.2014:
DPE has issued orders revising IDA w.e.f 1.7.2014 from 88.4% to 91.3% for CPSEs where last pay revision was implemented w.e.f. 1.1.2007. Click Here for the orders06.07.2014:
E-JOURNAL JULY 2014 ISSUE:
July 2014 issue of AIBSNLREA E-journal has been uploaded and is available under the link "E-Journal" in the left column.04.07.2014:
EXECUTIVE BODY OF AIBSNLREA, EAST GODAVARI BRANCH (AP STATE) MEETS SENIOR GMTD EAST GODAVARY, RAJAHMUNDRY:
The Executive body of AIBSNLREA, East Godavari Branch met Senior General Manager Telecom District, Rajahmundry on 4.7.2014. Shri S.Satyanarayana, President of the Branch led the delegation. The representatives of the Association expressed their deep concern on the slow progress of the representations submitted to Senior GMTD EGDT on 18-03-2014 regarding payment of differences of arrears of commutation for about 79 retirees who retired between 1-1-2007 and 2-9-2009 (both Executives and non-executives) as per the latest order for application of old commutation table. It was informed that 30 cases have already been sent to CCA, AP Circle Hyderabad. Senior GMTD assured that the balance of the cases will also be sent to the CCA by the end of July 2014. The representatives of the Association also requested the Senior GMTD to implement the Order on freezing of basic pay for the MRS card in respect of the pre-2007 pensioners towards outdoor treatment as per the directions of the corporate office. The meeting was held in a very cordial manner and the Senior GMTD expressed his happiness to meet the seniors BSNL officers.02.07.2014:
PERSONAL INCOME TAX RELIEF FOR COMMON CITIZENS/SENIOR CITIZENS IN THE ENSUING GENERAL BUDGET 2014-15:
In our posting dated 08.06.2014, we had informed that AIBSNLREA has submitted, vide its No. AIBSNLREA/CHQ/2014/11 dated 04.06.2014, a detailed proposal for consideration of the Union Finance Minister Shri Arun Jaitley suggesting to bring about some measures to provide some real relief to the individual tax payers and also the senior citizens. In fact, BJP’s Election Manifesto 2014 had assured for providing a non-adversarial and conducive tax environment and rationalized and simplified tax regime. With respect to Senior Citizens, the BJP Manifesto 2014 has further focused on taking care of Senior citizens by proposing to explore ideas like additional tax benefits and higher interest rates. Citing the same and other points, AIBSNLREA had prepared its detailed proposal which was also endorsed to Shri Narendra Modi, Hon’ble Prime Minister of India. We now give the details of the same. View the letter and the suggestions01.07.2014:
EAST VIDARBHA (NAGPUR) BRANCH OF AIBSNLREA TO HOLD GENERAL BODY MEETING:
East Vidarbha Branch (Nagpur) of AIBSNLREA is holding its General Body Meeting on Sunday, the 6th July 2014 at 16.00 Hours at the Amenity Hall in the CTO Compound, Nagpur. The General Body will also elect a new Branch Executive Committee while transacting other agenda items. Branch Secretary has requested all the members of the Branch/retired BSNL Executives to attend the GB Meeting.30.06.2014:
INCREASE IN IDA W.E.F. 1.7.2014:
According to calculations based on All India Consumer Price Index, IDA is to be increased w.e.f. 1.7.2014 by 2.9% for CPSEs where last pay revision was implemented w.e.f. 1.1.2007 and by 4.9% where last pay revision was implemented w.e.f. 1.1.1997.25.06.2014:
EAST VIDARBHA (NAGPUR) BRANCH OF AIBSNLREA MEETS SR. GENERAL MANAGER TELECOM, NAGPUR:
The representatives of East Vidarbha (Nagpur) Branch of AIBSNLREA comprising of S/Shri N G Talewar, P R Bhujbal, Arun Deshpande, N R Rachkondawar and B M Majumdar met Shri R N Patel, Sr. GMT Nagpur on 24-6-2014. Important issues like inordinate delay in payment of medical bills of BSNL pensioners, recalculation of additional commuted value of pension in respect of the BSNL pensioners retired during 1-1-2007 to 2-9-2008 as per clarification issued by DOT on 10-6-2013, issue of pensioners identity cards in view of guide lines issued by BSNL on 13-05-2013, delay in payment of leave encashment on retirement, posting of dealing assistant in the office of CCA Nagpur were discussed in the meeting. The Association requested Sr. GMT to look into these grievances which are pending for a long time. SR. GMT assured to look into all the issues raised during the discussions for early settlement. He further assured that adequate staff in CCA office, Nagpur will be posted very shortly.24.06.2014:
AKOLA BRANCH HELD GB MEETING:
Akola Branch (Maharashtra State) of AIBSNLREA held its General Body Meeting on 01.06.2014. The members discussed on the ongoing developments pertaining to the BSNL pensioners. The issue of submitting individual appeal to the Prime Minister and Minister of Communications & IT, Law & Justice on merger of 78.2% IDA for fixation of pay/pension also came up for discussions. The Branch Secretary Shri Ashok Nema reported that the Branch has now registered additional 14 new life members – thus raising the life membership strength of the Branch to 35.21.06.2014:
GUJARAT STATE BRANCH OF AIBSNLREA REGAINS ITS NUMBER ONE POSITION IN LIFE MEMBERSHIP STRENGTH:
Gujarat State Branch of AIBSNLREA has now registered a total Life Membership strength of six hundred (600) and in the process regains its number one position on the basis of the strength of total life membership compared to other State Branches. Maharashtra State Branch now occupies the second position.19.06.2014:
NON SETTLEMENT OF THE CASE FOR REMOVAL OF ANOMALY IN THE FIXATION OF PENSION TO DOT EMPLOYEES ABSORBED IN BSNL WHO RETIRED BETWEEN 01.10.2000 AND 31.07.2001 – DOT/BSNL NOW GET UP FROM THEIR SLEEP:
We had reported in this website vide posting dated 15.06.2014 that DoP&PW had asked Department of Telecommunication to send some additional information as back as on 28.02.2014 to further examine the above issue. We also reported that Department of Telecommunication did not respond to the request of the DoP&PW and accordingly we solicited the kind intervention of Hon’ble Minister of Communications & IT, Law & Justice vide our letter No. AIBSNLREA/CHQ/2014/14 dated 14.06.2014. Now BSNL has issued one circular quoting from the official note of the DoP&PW to the field units vide its No. 40-27/2011-Pen(B)/(Misc) dated 18.06.2014 and enclosing a letter received on 07.05.2014 from Department of Telecommunication on the subject and has asked the field units to supply the requisite information. The Note from DoP&PW was received in DoT on 28.02.2014 and it took two and half months for DoT just to write a letter to BSNL to supply the required information. BSNL, on its part, took more than five weeks thereafter just to call for the information from the field units. This is how the issues related to the pensioners are dealt both in DoT and BSNL. However, it satisfies us that our suggestion to consider the CDA pay drawn earlier to absorption period be treated notionally as IDA pay to resolve the anomaly is being considered in the proposal. View BSNL circular letter18.06.2014:
DEPARTMENT OF TELECCOMUNICATION CIRCULATES REVISED UPDATED FORMS FOR SUBMISSIOIN BY THE RETIRING GOVERNMENT SERVANTS AT THE TIME OF FINALISING THEIR PENSION:
Department of Telecommunication has since circulated, vide its No. 40-20/2011-Pen(T) dated 12.06.2014, the revised and updated relevant forms to be submitted by the retiring Government servants before eight months of their retirement at the time of finalizing their pension. View the Order17.06.2014:
CREATION OF AN EFFECTIVE MECHANISM FOR SPEEDY AND TIME BOUND DISPOSAL OF PENDING DISCIPLINARY/VIGILANCE CASES AGAINST THE PENSIONERS:
Highlighting the agonizing problems of a section of the pensioners who continuously suffer for years due the prolonging disciplinary/vigilance cases against them, AIBSNLREA urges Shri Narendra Modi, Hon’ble Prime Minister of India to kindly advise the concerned Ministry/Ministries to devise a special mechanism and a monitoring system for time-bound disposal of disciplinary/vigilance cases against the retiring/retired employees. It also pleads that in no case, the settlement of the cases be delayed for more than a year. View the letter15.06.2014:
NON SETTLEMENT OF THE CASE FOR REMOVAL OF ANOMALY IN THE FIXATION OF PENSION TO DOT EMPLOYEES ABSORBED IN BSNL WHO RETIRED BETWEEN 01.10.2000 AND 31.07.2001:
The above issue was last discussed in the 24th Meeting of SCOVA wherein it was informed that a proposal on the matter received from Department of Telecommunication was under examination in Department of Pension & Pensioners’ Welfare. It was also informed that “response of D/o P&PW will be communicated to Deptt. of Telecommunications at the earliest”. It has now been confirmed that DoP&PW had asked for some additional information from Department of Telecommunications on 28.02.2014 to examine the case further. But DoT has so far not provided the same. In this background, AIBSNLREA now takes up the matter with Shri Ravi Shankar Prasad, Minister of Communications & IT, Law & Justice urging him for his kind intervention “so that Department of Telecommunication send the requisite information to Department of Pension & Pensioners’ Welfare without any further delay and get the issue settled at the earliest”. View the letter12.06.2014:
FRESH AGENDA ITEM PERTAINING TO DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATION FOR DISCUSSION IN THE PROPOSED 25th MEETING OF SCOVA TO BE HELD IN JULY 2014:
AIBSNLREA requests Department of Pension & Pensioners’ Welfare for inclusion of “Non-extension of benefit of pay/pension fixation to the absorbed Group C Employees in BSNL in terms of Para 4 of DOP&PW OM No. 4/18/87-P&PW(D) dated 5.7.1989 to retain CDA pay scale till promotion of retirement whichever is earlier as a fresh agenda item for discussion in the proposed 25th Meeting of SCOVA. View the letter12.06.2014:
KOLHAPUR BRANCH OF AIBSNLREA HOLDS QUARTERLY GB MEETING:
Kolhapur Branch (Maharashtra State) of AIBSNLREA held its quarterly General Body meeting on 8th June 2014 in the Conference Hall at Kolhapur Telephone Bhavan with Vice-President Shri Nanjagud and later on with Shri L M Godi on the Chair. Forty eight (48) members attended the meeting and two (2) more new life members joined the Association. The President welcomed all. The House expressed happiness and voiced congratulatory notes on Shri Narendra Modiji becoming the Prime Minister of India. The house also condoled the sad demise of Maharashtra Leader Shri Gopinathi Munde, Union Minister for Rural Development and observed two minutes silence in memory of the departed Leader. Then Branch Secretary Shri D K Joshi informed the House that our Association has launched e-House Journal.”SECOND INNINGS” for the use of the members to get all the information at one place. Members welcomed the contents of the Journal and expressed thanks to the GS. He also informed the House about the recent actions taken by the Association for early settlement of 78.2% IDA merger issue and revision of pension of both categories of affected pensioners. Other information on option for CGHS benefit for BSNL Pensioners, DOP&PW’s recent communication for settling the grievance of pensioners within two months etc reported and discussed. The members raised the issue regarding fixation of pension for those who retired between 10-6-2013 to 31-12-2013, it was informed that CCA MBI is to settle the issue at the earliest with reference to the assurance given by PCCA in the Pension Adaalat held in Nagpur. Shri Vinayak Paluskar, a Retired IDBI Bank Officer was invited to give a lecture on “Science of STARS and their effect on the Human beings”. Shri P S Kulkarni, Asst Secretary, introduced him to the House and then Shri Paluskar presented a very informative lecture on the subject. He gave in depth information in relation to the Cosmology, Astrology and Astronomy. Then Shri Ashok Kulkarni, a Social Worker gave information on the Tour and Travel to Andaman-Nicobar for groups of persons. Shri Paluskar was also felicitated with presentation of a bouquet and a book. Shri O H Chillal from Sangli, who joined the Association as a new life member on the day, donated Rs.10000/- to the Branch apart from normal the charges of Rs. 1550/- being taken at the time of admission. The meeting was followed by a Lunch sponsored by Shri V K Bokil, a Life Member of the Branch in connection with the marriage of his daughter solemnized in Pune.08.06.2014:
REQUEST TO REVIEW THE TWO OLD ITEMS PERTAINING TO DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS IN THE PROPOSED 25th MEETING OF SCOVA:
AIBSNLREA writes to Department of Pension & Pensioners’ Welfare for a review of the two old items discussed in the 24th Meeting of SCOVA held in February 2014 and get them settled in the forthcoming meeting to be held in July 2014. Click Here for the letter08.06.2014:
PERSONAL INCOME TAX RELIEF FOR COMMON CITIZENS/SENIOR CITIZENS IN THE ENSUING GENERAL BUDGET 2014-15:
AIBSNLREA has submitted, vide its No. AIBSNLREA/CHQ/2014/11 dated 04.06.2014, a detailed proposal for consideration of the Union Finance Minister Shri Arun Jaitely suggesting to bring about some measures to provide some real relief to the individual tax payers and also the senior citizens. The letter and detailed proposals will be circulated later on.06.06.2014:
"SECOND INNINGS" - MONTHLY E-JOURNAL OF AIBSNLREA LAUNCHED:
Some members had been suggesting for some time past to publish and circulate one monthly house journal on behalf of AIBSNLREA. However, because of limited developments taking place and the huge cost and man power involved in the process, the publication of a regular journal was not found justifiable. Moreover, all important developments are regularly appearing in our website. Thus the House journal would have been just a compilation of all those news at one place. Anyhow, after a careful thinking on the issue, we have now decided to bring out an e-journal every month instead of going for printed journal. Those who intend to have hard copies of the same, can take print-outs and preserve them. Otherwise, these will be available in its original form in a special page called “e-journal”. This journal is named as “Second Innings” and we hope to add new features to it in the coming months. Click Here for the FIRST issue of e-journalThis e-journal is also available in a permanent link in the left column.
04.06.2014:
NON EXTENSION OF THE BENEFIT OF FIXATION OF PAY AND PENSION TO THE GROUP “C” DOT EMPLOYEES ABSORBED IN BSNL 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 THE DEPT OF TELECOMMUNICATION:
AIBSNLREA takes up the above issue with Shri Ravi Shankar Prasad, Minister of Communications & IT, Law & Justice vide its letter No. AIBSNLREA/CHQ/2014/10 dated 02.06.2014 with copy endorsed to Shri Narendra Modi, Hon’ble Prime Minister of India. The Association writes “Since we have failed to get justice from Department of Telecommunication despite our repeated representations for over the years, we now seek for your kind personal intervention so that the above stated provision in the General Terms and Conditions for Service for absorption, offering “an option to retain Government Pay Scale i.e. CDA pay scale till their promotion or retirement whichever is earlier”, is allowed even to the absorbed retired Group C & D Employees for giving them their due pay and pensionary benefits”. Click Here for the letter04.06.2014:
GB MEETING OF AIBSNLREA, BARIELLY BRANCH:
General Body meeting of AIBSNLREA, Bareilly Branch was held on 10.05.2014. State Secretary of U.P.State Branch Shri R.S Arora attended the meeting. The members expressed their concern over the delay in settling the issue regarding merger of 78.2% IDA for fixation of basic pension, payment of medical claim without voucher, granting medical advance etc. Three new members were enrolled in the branch.29.05.2014:
FOR THE ATTENTION OF PRE-2007 BSNL PENSIONERS AND THE BSNL PENSIONERS WHO RETIRED AFTER 01.01.2007 BUT BEFORE 10.06.2013:
AIBSNLREA requests all the BSNL Pensioners in general and members of this Association in particular who retired before 1.1.2007 and between 1.1.2007 and 09.06.2013 to send a personal appeal to Shri Narendra Modi, Hon’ble Prime Minister of India with a copy endorsed to Shri Ravi Shankar Prasad, Minister of Communications & IT, Law & Justice requesting his personal intervention in resolving the re-fixation of their basic pension with the benefit of merger 78.2% IDA. The draft appeals for these two distinct categories of pensioners are enclosed herewith. We are to keep in mind that the pre-2007 absorbed BSNL pensioners are to get their pension re-fixed with 78.2% IDA with effect from 01.01.2007. But those who retired between 1.1.2007 and 09.06.2013 are eligible to get their basic pay fixed with 78.2% IDA in revised IDA pay scale w.e.f. 01.01.2007 which ensures re-fixation of their basic pension on the date of their retirement. Print out of these appeals can be taken and sent directly by ordinary post to the Hon’ble PM and Minister of Communications at the given address on 03.06.2014. However, those who cannot send this on 03.06.2014 may send the same within next couple of days. Branch/State Secretaries and other activists of the Association are requested to contact the members and ensure that the appeal is sent in time.Format of appeal for pre-2007 BSNL pensioners.
Format of appeal for BSNL pensioners in service on 1.1.2007 but retired before 10.6.2013.