30.12.2017:

DOT FORWARDS AIBSNLREA’S REPRESENTATION REGARDING NON-ISSUE OF REVISED PPOs IN TERMS OF DOT ORDER DATED 18/07/2016 TO THE CCA, KERALA FOR APPROPRIATE REMEDIAL ACTION:

AIBSNLREA had sent a representation dated 27/11/2017 to Secretary (Telecom) and others [View posting dated 27/11/2017 in this website] regarding the harassment meted out to some absorbed BSNL pensioners (retired executives) by the CCA, Kerala by not issuing their revised PPOs in terms of DOT Order allowing fitment benefit by merger of 78.2% IDA for the purpose of fixation of pay/pension with effect from 1.1.2007 to the absorbed BSNL pensioners who retired prior to 10.06.2013. Now Department of Telecommunication has forwarded the said representation to CCA, Kerala for appropriate remedial action. In this context, postings dated 11/12/2017 and 15/12/2017 in this website may also be viewed.  View the DoT letter

30.12.2017:

UP STATE SECRETARY OF AIBSNLREA VISITS CCA, LUCKNOW OFFICE:

UP State Secretary of AIBSNLREA visited the office of CCA Lucknow and met Joint CCA/Concerned officers to pursue the cases for non-payment of revised pension to S/Shri Bramhadin (Allahabad Branch) and S.P Singh (Kanpur Branch). Another case for refund of recovered amount to Shri K.P Mishra of Allahabad Branch was also followed up.

29.12.2017:

INCREASE IN IDA W.E.F. 1.1.2018:

According to calculations based on All India Consumer Price Index for Industrial Workers, IDA is to increase w.e.f. 1.1.2018 by 2.6% for CPSEs where last pay revision was implemented w.e.f. 1.1.2007 and by 4.4% where last pay revision was implemented w.e.f. 1.1.1997.

27.12.2017:

GB MEETING OF AIBSNLREA, MUMBAI BRANCH:

General Body Meeting of AIBSNLREA, Mumbai Branch was held on 16.12.2017 at 14.00 hrs in the Conference Hall, Fountain Telecom Bldg, Fort Mumbai with Shri U.A Tiwari on the chair. President welcomed all the members present in the meeting and gave detailed information about our writ Petition on pay and pension arrears and 7th Pay Commission. Branch Secretary S.P. Varma welcomed State President Shri Vasudeva and all other members for attending the meeting. He informed the house in detail about our writ Petition. [View Maharashtra State Section of ‘State News’ page of this website to read the full report]

23.12.2017:

AIBSNLREA TAKES UP THE ISSUE FOR TRANSFER OF PENSION RELATED RECORDS AND SERVICE BOOKS OF THE RETIRED BSNL EXECUTIVES WITH ALL INDIA TRANSFER LIABILITY TO THE PRINCIPAL CCA/CCA OFFICE LOCATED IN THE AREA IN WHICH THESE IDA PENSIONERS ARE SETTLED:

AIBSNLREA has drawn the attention of Secretary (Telecom) about the problems being faced by the BSNL Executives with all India transfer liability when they retire at a station which falls under the jurisdiction of a Principal CCA/CCA other than the one which covers the station where these officers, on their retirement, settle down. The Association has urged that “In order to redress this genuine grievance, we would request that all the pension related records including the Service Books of the IDA pensioners, who had all India transfer liability and retired at a station falling within the jurisdiction of a particular Principal CCA/CCA, be transferred to the Principal CCA/CCA Office of the area in which these IDA Pensioners have settled after their retirement.”  View the letter

22.12.2017:

CGMT, MAHARASHTRA CIRCLE SENDS REMINDER TO BSNL CORPORATE OFFICE TO ISSUE REGULAR RETIREMENT ORDER IN RESPECT OF SHRI R K HIRKANEY, RETD DE, KALYAN – IMPACT OF REPRESENTATION BY AIBSNLREA:

Maharashtra Telecom Circle has now send a reminder to ADG (Pers.I), BSNL Corporate Office to issue the regular retirement Order in respect of Shri R K Hirkaney, Retd DE, Kalyan in order to settle his pension payment case and also payment of other pensionary benefits including DCRG, Leave encashment. This action comes after AIBSNLREA again took up the matter with Secretary (Telecom) and others [View posting dated 19.12.2017 in this website to read the representation of the Association].  View the CGMT Mumbai letter

21.12.2017:

LUCKNOW BRANCH OF AIBSNLREA TAKES THE LEAD:

Lucknow Branch of AIBSNLREA is one of the leading Branches of the Association to financially contribute to its strength in generating fund to seek legal remedy on payment of arrears of pay and pension and other pensionary benefits like DCRG, Leave encashment etc. The Branch has again taken the lead to collect more contribution after receiving mails from CHQ about the financial position and non-response by a few branches to remit contribution. Lucknow Branch, of its own, has collected another instalment of contributions @ Rs 500/- each from 69 of its members who had already contributed earlier. The activists and members of the Branch deserve all the appreciation for their spirit to fight for a cause.

21.12.2017:

GUJARAT STATE BRANCH OF AIBSNLREA HELD A GB MEETING:

Gujarat State Branch of AIBSNLREA held a get-together cum GB Meeting and celebrated Pensioners’ Day on 20th December, 2017 at 15-00 Hrs in Ahmedabad Medical Association Hall, Ahmedabad. Total 300 members attended the meeting and 23 new members joined the Association taking the total life membership to 1118. The meeting started with lightening of lamp and prayer by S/Shri B. C. Chauhan and P.K.Shah. The house then observed two minutes silence in memory of departed members and also some family members. Two Doctors from Apollo Hospital graced the occasion as Guests who were honoured by presentation of bouquets. Then Chief Guest Dr. Utpal Shah, a Cardiac Surgeon gave his presentation regarding Bypass Surgery and cardiac care. [For full report of the meeting, please view Gujarat State Section of “State News” Page of this website]

19.12.2017:

ABNORMAL DELAY OF OVER LONG 4 YEARS IN RELEASING GRATUITY, SETTLEMENT OF PENSION, COMMUTATION VALUE PENSION AND THEIR PAYMENT THEREOF – CASE OF SHRI R K HIRKANEY, RETIRED DE, MAHARASHTRA:

AIBSNLREA again takes up the above issue with Secretary (Telecom) and request her to intervene in the matter, so that Shri R K Hirkaney, Retd DE, Kalyan Telecom District receives all his dues on account of his pension from the past years and also his gratuity is released forthwith with interests for delayed payments.  View the letter

16.12.2017:

GUJARAT STATE BRANCH OF AIBSNLREA TO HOLD GENERAL BODY MEETING:

Gujarat State Branch of AIBSNLREA is holding its Dipawali Get together cum General Body Meeting in Ahmedabad Medical Association Hall, Near Natraj Theater, Ashram Road, Ahmedabad at 15.00 Hours on 20-12-2017. All members of the Association and other retired executives are requested to attend the meeting.

15.12.2017:

CHENNAI BRANCH OF AIBSNLREA TO HOLD GENERAL BODY MEETING:

Chennai Branch of AIBSNLREA is holding its General Body Meeting from 10 AM on December 21, 2017 at HOTEL B.R.MATHSYA, 29/31, Thanikachalam Road, T.Nagar, Chennai-600017 (Near Pondi Bazaar and opp. to Nathella Jewellers) to transact various business. All members/retired executives are requested to attend the meeting. Lunch will be served at the end of the meeting.

15.12.2017:

DCO, DEPARTMENT OF TELECOM FORWARDS REPRESENTATION OF AIBSNLREA ADDRESSED TO SECRETARY (TELECOM) AND COPY ENDORSED TO MEMBER (FINANCE) REGARDING NON-ISSUE OF REVISED PPOs BY THE CCA, KERALA TO DIRECTOR (PG), DOT:

Now DCO, Department of Telecom also has forwarded the representation of AIBSNLREA, which was addressed to Secretary (Telecom) and copy endorsed to Member (Finance) and others, regarding non issuance of revised PPOs in terms of DOT Order allowing fitment benefit by merger of 78.2% IDA for the purpose fixation of pay/pension with effect from 1.1.2007 to the absorbed BSNL pensioners who retired prior to 10.06.2013 by the Controller of Communication Accounts, Kerala to the Director (PG), DOT for uploading on the PG portal for further course of action/settlement with the concerned offices. Earlier, DOP&PW had also forwarded the copy of the said representation to the Director (Estt), Department of Telecommunications for considering the issue raised in the representation in accordance with extant rules/instructions. [View postings dated 27.11.2017 and 11.12.2017 in this website to read the representation and other development].  View the DCO, DoT letter

13.12.2017:

INTRODUCTION OF ON-LINE BOOKING SYSTEM TO RESERVE ACCOMMODATION IN HOLIDAY HOMES AND INSPECTION QUARTERS – AIBSNLREA WRITES TO DIRECTOR (HR), BSNL:

AIBSNLREA has since addressed a letter to Director (HR), BSNL requesting to advise the CGMs and other Concerned to introduce on-line booking system to reserve accommodation in Holiday Homes and Inspections Quarters for the sake of transparency and convenience.  View the letter

13.12.2017:

GENERAL BODY MEETING OF LUCKNOW BRANCH OF AIBSNLREA:

A General Body Meeting of Lucknow Branch of AIBSNLREA was held on 11-12-2017 in the Committee Hall of Door Sanchar Sadan at Laplace Lucknow under the chairmanship of Shri Jagdish Prasad, Branch President. A total of 65 members attended the meeting in which one member was enrolled as Life member. It was reported in the meeting that the last GB Meeting was held on 5-7-2017 just after the CHQ conveyed the decision to file a Writ Petition in Supreme Court as per AIC directive. Since then 162 members have paid their contribution. This time meeting was held after the S. O. S. call dated 29-11-17 from the General Secretary for raising more fund. Nine members contributed @ Rs 500/- each before the meeting was scheduled and another 64 members contributed in the meeting. Even a few members, who could not attend the GB, had sent their contribution through their friends. Regarding other activities, Shri S P Singh, Branch Secretary along with Shri Radhey Shyam, Organising Secretary and Shri Ashok Srivastava, Financial Secretary repeatedly visited the offices of CGMT, PGMTD Lucknow, GMMS Lucknow and RTTC Lucknow to pursue payment of medical bills and allowances. Whereas in CGMT Lucknow, payment of medical bills are up to date and two installments of medical allowances for most of the members are cleared, the work in other units are in progress. The Association has been assured by the Unit Officers that by December 17, maximum number of bills and claims will be released. The GB condoled the sudden demises of three Life Members of Lucknow viz., S/Sri S L Ram Retd DE, P N Mishra, Retd SDE and Mohammed Ashraf Retd JTO. The meeting ended after vote of thanks presented by the President of the Branch.

11.12.2017:

DOP&PW FORWARDS COPY OF AIBSNLREA’S REPRESENTATION ADDRESSED TO SECRETARY (TELECOM) WHICH WAS ENDORSED TO SECRETARY (PENSION) REGARDING NON-ISSUE OF REVISED PPOs BY CCA, KERALA TO THE DIRECTOR (ESTT), DOT:

AIBSNLREA had sent a representation to the Secretary (Telecom), copy of which was also endorsed to Secretary (Pension) and others, regarding non issuance of revised PPOs in terms of DOT Order allowing fitment benefit by merger of 78.2% IDA for the purpose fixation of pay/pension with effect from 1.1.2007 to the absorbed BSNL pensioners who retired prior to 10.06.2013 by the Controller of Communication Accounts, Kerala [View posting dated 27.11.2017 in this website to read the representation]. Now Department of Pension & Pensioners’ Welfare has forwarded the said copy of the representation endorsed to Secretary (Pension) to the Director (Estt), Department of Telecommunications for considering the issue raised in the representation in accordance with extant rules/instructions.  View the DoP&PW letter

08.12.2017:

WRIT PETITION ON PAY AND PENSION ARREARS FILED IN SUPREME COURT:

A Writ Petition praying for orders on pay and pension arrears from 1.1.2007 to 9.6.2013 and other consequential benefits like DCRG, leave encashment and CVP for the appropriate categories of the BSNL IDA pensioners has since been filed to-day in Supreme Court. AIBSNLREA, on representative capacity, is the first and main petitioner in the case. Now the Petition will be scrutinized and deficiencies, if any, will be pointed out for rectification in a few days’ time. The same will have to be attended to immediately. The Supreme Court will go for vacation from 15th December, 2017 and re-open in the first week of January, 2018. The case is likely to be listed for hearing admission in January, 2018 after the court re-opens and that will be the crucial hearing since we may have to convince the court why we have moved Supreme Court.

07.12.2017:

PMO FORWARDS AIBSNLREA’S REPRESENTATION URGING TO ADVICE WAIVING OFF THE CHARGES FOR ATM CARDS, CHEQUE BOOKS, SMS IN RESPECT OF SAVINGS BANK ACCOUNTS OF PENSIONERS/FAMILY PENSIONERS OPENED TO RECEIVE PENSION/FAMILY PENSION TO THE DEPTT OF FINANCIAL SERVICES:

AIBSNLREA had represented to the Prime Minister of India to order waiving off the ATM Card, sms and cheque book charges from the pensioners/family pensioners who open Savings Bank Account in the Banks disbursing the pension/family pension. [View posting dated 23.11.2017 in this website]. Now the Prime Minister’s Office has forwarded the said representation to the Secretary, Department of Financial Services (Banking Division) for action appropriate.  View the PMO letter

06.12.2017:

E-JOURNAL DECEMBER 2017 ISSUE:

December 2017 issue of AIBSNLREA E-journal has been uploaded and is available under the link "E-Journal" in the left column.

06.12.2017:

DOT ISSUES INSTRUCTIONS TO COLLECT, COMPLETE AND KEEP IN SAFE CUSTODY OF ALL PENSION RELATED RECORDS OF IDA PENSIONERS WITH PRINCIPAL CCAs/CCAs BY 15.2.2018 – CASE OF SERVICE BOOKS OF IDA PENSIONERS TO BE TAKEN UP LATER:

Department of Telecommunication has since issued instructions to collect and complete records of the IDA pensioners and keep them in safe custody of the Principal CCAs/CCAs. The process has been ordered to be completed by 15.02.2018. It has further been stated in the Order that the case of Service Books of IDA pensioners will be taken up later. This decision is welcome and the Service Books, as and when, transferred to Principal CCAs/CCAs will resolve the issue of their alleged misplacement in BSNL units.  View the DoT Order/BSNL endorsement

05.12.2017:

AIBSNLREA WRITES TO DIRECTOR (HR), BSNL REGARDING NON-SETTLEMENT OF MEDICAL CLAIMS OF THE RETIRED BSNL EMPLOYEES GRANTED PROVISIONAL PENSION BUT NO PPO ISSUED THROUGH ERP SYSTEM:

AIBSNLREA has addressed a letter to Director (HR) regarding the problem encountered in the ERP System in feeding the passed medical claims of the retired BSNL employees granted provisional pension but no PPO issued. Cite the case of Shri Ravindra Kumar Tripathi, Retd SDE at Kota, Rajasthan.  View the letter

01.12.2017:

RESERVE BANK OF INDIA REPLIES TO AIBSNLREA’S REPRESENTATION TO PRIME MINISTER OF INDIA URGING TO ADVISE THE BANKS TO ALLOW ADDITIONAL 0.50% INTERESTS IN THE SAVINGS BANK ACCOUNTS OF THE SENIOR CITIZENS:

AIBSNLREA had earlier represented to the Prime Minister of India urging him to advise the Banks to allow additional 0.50% interests in the Savings Bank Account of the Senior Citizens. In this regard postings dated 11/8/2017, 20/08/2017, 05/09/2017 and 14/09/2017 in this website may be viewed. Now Reserve Bank of India has examined the issue and furnished their comments which relate to interest rates on Fixed Deposits.  View the letter

29.11.2017:

POLICY DECISION TO PROVIDE TELEPHONE CONNECTION IN TNF AREAS TO THE ELIGIBLE RETIRED BSNL EMPLOYEES:

AIBSNLREA had taken up and also been pursuing with BSNL to provide Mobile connection in lieu of landline connection in the residences of the retired employees residing in TNF areas. The Association also pleaded for allowing the option to have mobile connection to the retired BSNL employees by surrendering their landline number. Now BSNL is shortly taking a policy decision on the matter and an order on the issue is expected soon.

29.11.2017:

GB MEETING OF WEST BENGAL STATE BRANCH:

A GB Meeting of AIBSNLREA, West Bengal State Branch was held on 25/11/2017 at Telecom Institute Hall, Kolkata with massive participation of more than 315 members. The Hall was jam packed till the end of the meeting. After a brief cultural programme presented by our members, the meeting started at 2.30 pm. with State President Shri S.K.Moitra in the chair. The House observed one minute’s silence in remembrance of four departed members. Shri S.R.Palit, State Secretary placed his report before the House. Audited accounts (Receipts & Payments) for the last three financial years were also placed in the meeting. [For full report, please visit West Bengal Section of State News page of this website].  View Photographs of the meeting

29.11.2017:

GENERAL BODY MEETING OF AIBSNLREA, AHMEDNAGAR BRANCH:

A General Body Meeting of AIBSNLREA, Ahmednagar Branch (Maharashtra State) was held under the Chairmanship of Shri V.R. Pawar, President of the Branch on 29th October, 2017 at Private Hall on Pipeline Road, Ahmednagar. Following the sudden expiry of the Branch Finance Secretary Shri S N Khirsagar, the Branch unanimously elected Shri S.N. Nimbalkar as the Finance Secretary of the Branch. The meeting was attended by 10 members of the Branch. Shri, D. A. Bhadange, Branch Secretary and Shri V.R. Pawar, Branch President informed the house about the developments taken place on various points. [For full report, please view Maharashtra Section of State News page of this website]

28.11.2017:

NADIAD BRANCH OF AIBSNLREA HELD BI-MONTHLY GB MEETING:

Nadiad Branch (Gujarat State) of AIBSNLREA held its Bi-monthly General Body meeting on 23-11-2017 at Jay Maharaj Park Farm House, Boriyavi Village, near Anand. Forty seven members attended meeting. Three new members also joined the Association. Shri B.M. Patel, Branch Secretary welcomed the members and reported the activities of the Branch. He reported that all members of the branch have got their revised PPOs and also received the payments, except one member who retired from WTR and it is to be issued by Pr.CCA Mumbai. Cases of absorption in BSNL of Shri B.S.Patel and Shri M.G.Malek have been settled. [Please view Gujarat State Section of State News Page of this website for full report].

28.11.2017:

VARODARA BRANCH OF AIBSNLREA HELD QUARTERLY GB MEETING:

The Quarterly General Body meeting of Vadodara Branch was held on 22-11-2017, at Hotel Utsav. 72 members attended meeting. Shri Ainapure, President of the Branch welcomed all the members. Shri R T Shah, Branch Secretary, Vadodara conducted the meeting & briefed the activities of Vadodara Branch of the Association. Shri B M Bhavsar, Organising Secretary (West), CHQ and Shri A B Patel, State Secretary, Gujarat addressed the House. Both of them gave detailed information about the important issues concerning the members. The house disbursed after lunch.  View Photographs of the meeting

27.11.2017:

AIBSNLREA WRITES TO SECRETARY (TELECOM) SEEKING HER INTERVENTION IN THE MATTER OF NON ISSUE OF REVISED PPOs TO THE ABSORBED BSNL PENSIONERS BY CCA, KERALA ON ONE PRETEXT OR THE OTHER:

AIBSNLREA has written a letter to Secretary (Telecom) regarding harassment of absorbed BSNL Pensioners by CCA, Kerala who is not issuing revised PPOs in terms of DOT Order dated 18.07.2016 allowing fitment benefit by merger of 78.2% IDA for the purpose of fixation of pay/pension with effect from 1.1.2007 to the absorbed BSNL pensioners who retired prior to 10.06.2013 on one pretext or the other.  View the letter

23.11.2017:

AIBSNLREA REPRESENTS TO PRIME MINISTER OF INDIA TO WAIVE OFF CHARGES FOR ISSUE OF ATM CARDS, SMS AND CHEQUE BOOKS TO THE PENSIONERS OPENING SAVINGS BANK ACCOUNTS IN THE BRANCHES OF PENSION DISBUSING BANKS:

AIBSNLREA has since represented to the Prime Minister of India with copies endorsed to Union Finance Minister and MOS(PP) on the above.  View the letter

21.11.2017:

DOP&PW ISSUES ORDER FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PROCEDURE TO HAND OVER PPOs TO THE RETIRING EMPLOYEES ON THE DATE OF RETIREMENT:

DoP&PW has laid down the procedure to hand over the PPOs along with other dues to the retiring employees on the date of their retirement.  View the DOP&PW Order

21.11.2017:

DOP&PW ORDER FOR REVISION OF DISABILITY PENSION/FAMILY PENSION OF THE PRE-2016 DISABILITY PENSINERS/FAMILY PENSIONERS NOW ENDORSED BY DOT AND BSNL:

DOP&PW order on implementing the recommendation of 7th Central Pay Commission for revision of Disability Pension/Family Pension of the Pre-2016 Disability pensioners/family pensioners has now been endorsed by DOT and BSNL.  View the DOP&PW Order and DOT/BSNL endorsement letters

19.11.2017:

NEW BRANCH OF AIBSNLREA AT YAVATMAL (MAHARASHTRA STATE) FORMED:

A new Branch of AIBSNLREA has been formed at Yavatmal (West Vidarbha) of Maharashtra State on 15.11.2017 with the following Office Bearers:- President: Shri A.T.Tiple Retd SDE, Branch Secretary: Shri Suresh S. Shirbhate, Retd JTO and Finance Secretary: Shri J.M. Banarase, Retd SDE. S/Shri V G Dakhode, State Secretary and Subhash Patankar, Organising Secretary, AIBSNLREA, Maharashtra guided the members and shared the information about court case, 3rd PRC, BSNLMRS, submission of Life Certificate and other issues. Shri P.W.Tirolkar, Retd JTO took efforts in formation of the branch. Shri Dubey Life member of Nagpur Branch from Yavatmal was also present in the meeting. After presentation of vote of thanks by Shri A.M.Motwani, Retd JTO the meeting was adjourned.

16.11.2017:

PRINCIPAL CCA, KOLKATA INVITES COMPLAINTS AND GRIEVANCES FROM PENSIONERS AND FAMILY PENSIONERS OF BSNL/DOT, CALCUTTA TELEPHONES TO BE HEARD IN THE PROPOSED 5th PENSION ADALAT:

Principal CCA, Kolkata has invited complaints or grievances from the pensioners and family pensioners of BSNL and DOT, Kolkata Telephones to be submitted by 29th November 2017 for taking up in the proposed 5th Pension Adalat to be held in the 3rd week of December, 2017. The complaints or grievances can be sent to the Principal CCA, Kolkata, 8 Hare Street, Kolkata 700001 in an envelope super scribed as PENSION ADALAT or by e-mail to pccakolkata@gmail.com. Date, time and venue to hold the Pension Adalat will be intimated to the complainants later. For further important details, the attached Notice issued by Principal CCA, Kolkata may be referred.  View the Notice issued by Pr. CCA, Kolkata

15.11.2017:

AIBSNLREA, WEST BENGAL STATE BRANCH HELD MEETING WITH CGM, CALCUTTA TELEPHONES:

Representatives of AIBSNLREA, West Bengal State Branch comprising of S/S S.R.Palit, S.K.Moitra, K.P.Ghosh and Kartick De met the CGM Calcutta Telephones on 13.11.2017. The GM (HR) and other officers were also present in the meeting. Two vital issues i.e. pending pension revision cases and delay in payment of quarterly medical allowance to the pensioners, who exercised option for this, were discussed in detail.The Association representatives expressed their utter dissatisfaction for the inordinate delay in payment of medical allowance and also the claims for medical reimbursement. The Association also raised the issue of empanelment of more hospitals at CGHS rates as advised by the BSNL Corporate Office and proposed for inclusion of some more super specialty hospitals. The CGM agreed to take action on this. The CGM also advised GM (HR) to look into all the issues raised and expedite payment of medical allowance and medical claim bills. The meeting was held in a very cordial atmosphere.

15.11.2017:

UDAIPUR BRANCH OF AIBSNLREA HELD BI-ANNUAL GB MEETING:

AIBSNLREA, Udaipur Branch (Rajasthan State) held its bi-monthly General Body Meeting on 11.11.2017 in Town Hall, Udaipur. 30 members attended the meeting and one new executive joined the association as Life Member. The house discussed mainly about the proposed court case on pay/pension arrears issue and requested the Branch Secretary to get a few clarifications from the Central Headquarters. During the meeting 13 more members contributed to seek legal remedy on pay/pension arrears issue taking the total number of contributors from the Branch to 34.

13.11.2017:

WEST BENGAL STATE BRANCH OF AIBSNLREA TO HOLD GENERAL BODY MEETING:

West Bengal State Branch of AIBSNLREA is holding a General Body Meeting on Saturday, the 25th November 2017 at 1 PM in the Telecom Institute Hall, CTO Kolkata. All the members of the Association and other retired Executives are requested to reach the venue on time and attend the meeting.

13.11.2017:

AIBSNLREA ADDRESSES DIRECTOR (HR), BSNL REGARDING INORDINATE DELAY IN ISSUING VIGILANCE CLEARANCE TO FACILITATE ISSUE OF PRESIDENTIAL ORDER FOR ABSORPTION – CASE OF SHRI RAVINDRA KUMAR TRIPATHI, RETD SDE:

AIBSNLREA has since written a letter to Director (HR), BSNL seeking her intervention in the above case in which release of vigilance clearance by Rajasthan Telecom Circle to facilitate issue of Presidential Order for absorption in respect of Shri Ravindra Kumar Tripathi, Retd SDE is getting unduly delayed.  View the letter

10.11.2017:

VARANASI BRANCH OF AIBSNLREA HELD A GB MEETING:

A General Body Meeting of Varanasi Branch of AIBSNLREA was held on 6.11.2017 at the CTO campus and discussed various issues concerning the BSNL IDA pensioners. It was also decided to hold the next Bi-annual Conference on 17.12.2017 at Rangoly Hotel, Sarnath, Varanasi. One new member joined the Association taking the total strength of the Branch to 101.

08.11.2017:

CCA, WEST BENGAL ORGANISING DIGITAL LIFE CERTIFICATE CAMPS FOR BSNL/DOT PENSIONERS:

Controller of Communication Account, West Bengal Circle is organizing Digital Life Certificate camp for submission of Life Certificate at different venues for the benefit of the BSNL (CTD & WBC) and DOT Pensioners as per following schedule. BSNL/DOT pensioners who are yet to submit their Life Certificate or DLC in November 2017 may attend the camps along with copy of their PPO (First Page), Aadhar, Passbook/Cheque of Pension Account. For further queries following numbers may be contacted: 033-22316318 or 033-2213366.

07.11.2017:

REVISION OF IDA PAY SCALES OF BSNL EXECUTIVES – Minutes of Board meeting confirmed:

In our last posting dated 25.10.2017 we had reported that BSNL Board, in its meeting held on 24.10.2017, is stated to have cleared the BSNL’s proposal and that it is expected that once the minutes of the Board meeting is confirmed, the proposal will be sent to DOT for approval. It is now learnt that the minutes of the Board meeting has been confirmed today.

06.11.2017:

E-JOURNAL NOVEMBER 2017 ISSUE:

November 2017 issue of AIBSNLREA E-journal has been uploaded and is available under the link "E-Journal" in the left column.

06.11.2017:

CHANDIGARH BRANCH OF AIBSNLREA HOLD SPECIAL GENERAL BODY MEETING:

Chandigarh Branch of AIBSNLREA held a Special General Body meeting on 03.11.2017. The meeting was presided over by Shri M D Bhasin, Branch President. Shri S Basu, General Secretary, who was on his personal visit to Chandigarh, also attended the meeting. The President welcomed General Secretary and all other members. Branch Secretary Shri M K Kalra spoke on ongoing important issues and requested General Secretary to throw light, among other issues, on the court case regarding pay and pension arrears, revision of pension, implementation of 3rd PRC for pay revision of CPSE executives, BSNLMRS etc. Shri Lokesh Chopra, former Organising Secretary (North), AIBSNLREA also spoke on the occasion. [For complete Report of the meeting, please visit Chandigarh Section of State News Page of this website.]

01.11.2017:

QUARTERLY GB MEETING OF AIBSNLREA, KOLHAPUR BRANCH HELD:

Quarterly GB meeting of Kolhapur Branch of AIBSNLREA was held on 29th October 2017 under the chairmanship of Shri L M Godi, Branch President. He welcomed all the old and new members present in the meeting and also gave a brief account of the developments taken place during the past quarter. Total 64 members attended the GB, out of which 9 were new members - 2 from Satara, 1 from Ratnagiri, 1from Bangaluru and 5 from Kolhapur. All the new members introduced themselves and were welcomed by the President and Secretary by presentation of Bouquet. [For full Report, please visit Maharashtra Section of State News Page of this website].

28.10.2017:

PENSION ADALAT FOR ANDHRA PRADESH AND TELANGANA HELD:

16th Pension Adalat for the states of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana was held in the Conference Hall of CGM Office at Vijayawada on 27.10.2017. Smt Anita, CCA chaired the proceedings of the Adalat. Shri Sampat, Joint CCA and other officers of DOT cell along with representatives of different banks also attended the same. S/Shri Ch Gandhi, Organizing Secretary (South), CHQ, G V Ramakrishna, President and GSVSS Varaprasad, Secretary, East Godavari Branch represented AIBSNLREA in the Adalat. S/Shri M Venkateswara, K N Sastry, Venkata Reddy and K B S Naidu also participated. Almost all the cases pursued by the Association were settled. The representatives of the Association mentioned mostly about non-receipt of the revised PPOs by the pensioners and suggested some measures to minimize the problem. These were appreciated by the CCA and others. The representatives of the Association also attended a meeting with Principal CCA and discussed various issues.

25.10.2017:

REVISION OF IDA PAY SCALES OF BSNL EXECUTIVES – BSNL BOARD CLEARS THE BSNL’S PROPOSAL:

In our last posting dated 21.10.2017 on the above issue in this website, in the background of lot of confusion allowed to be created on the above issue, we presented a clear picture about the actual status of revision of pay scales of BSNL Executives. We maintained that “The Internal Committee of senior Officers, BSNL Management Committee and Remuneration Committee – all have cleared the proposal which also reportedly speaks about how BSNL will manage the additional expenditure on account of pay revision. The proposal is now to be discussed in the Board meeting and it is also expected to clear the proposal very soon“. Now the BSNL Board, in its meeting held on 24.10.2017, is stated to have cleared the BSNL’s proposal. It is expected that once the minutes of the Board meeting is confirmed, the proposal will be sent to DOT for approval.

24.10.2017:

AIBSNLREA ADDRESSES ADVISER (FINANCE), DOT REGARDING PENDING PENSION REVISION CASES IN KERALA CIRCLE – TAKES UP THE CASES OF S/SHRI N BHASKARAN, RETD DGM AND M SANKARAN, RETD AGM:

AIBSNLREA has addressed a letter to Adviser (Finance) regarding the large number of pending cases for issue of Revised PPOs in the office of CCA, Kerala Circle. It also takes up the cases of S/Shri N Bhaskaran, Retd DGM and M Sankaran, Retd AGM whose revised PPOs are not issued despite their individual representations to CCA, Kerala Circle presenting the facts of their cases.  View the letter

21.10.2017:

REVISION OF IDA PAY SCALES OF BSNL EXECUTIVES:

Lot of confusion is being allowed to be created in the recent past about the fate of the proposal for IDA pay scale revision of the BSNL executives. True, if one wants to go strictly by the 3rd PRC recommendations, BSNL executives do not qualify to get pay scale revision right at this moment because of the ‘affordability’ clause finding mention in the PRC Report. But this is not a new development and much discussions had already taken place on this. If DOT now cites the same and states that BSNL Executives are not qualified to get pay scale revision, it can very well be seen as a stock reply. But the fact remains that DOT is yet to examine any official proposal for pay scale revision from BSNL and unless this process takes place no one can for sure say that BSNL Executives will not get any pay revision. All we know is that BSNL has to send the detailed proposal to DOT which is now still under process. In fact, in BSNL, the proposal has crossed three barriers in quick succession. The Internal Committee of senior Officers, BSNL Management Committee and Remuneration Committee – all have cleared the proposal which also reportedly speaks about how BSNL will manage the additional expenditure on account of pay revision. The proposal is now to be discussed in the Board meeting and it is also expected to clear the proposal very soon. Once the Board clears the proposal, it is DOT which is to examine the same and give its approval. Given the optimistic views of BSNL Chief and comments made even by MOSC, which are available in public domain, we find no reason to be pessimistic. Let us again remember that despite availability of similar negative affordability condition in the 2nd PRC Report, the Executives of chronic loss making MTNL too were granted pay revision with 30% fitment benefit. In fact, BSNL certainly is in far better position even now. Therefore, there is no reason to create negative sentiments right at this moment. This may be counterproductive and impact on the BSNL’s efforts to stage a comeback on financial position - at least in this crucial moment. Some may use this as an opportunity to march over the others and claim their lead role in pay revision, but this will not help the cause at all. Let no one play with this vital issue for pay revision which is having a bearing on pension revision of past pensioners as well.

18.10.2017:

REVISION OF PENSION/FAMILY PENSION OF BSNL IDA PENSIONERS/FAMILY PENSIONERS ALLOWING THE FITMENT BENEFIT BY MERGER OF 78.2% IDA/DR - LATEST STATUS:

BSNL has issued a letter circulating a status report on the above as on 03.10.2017 from the office of Advisor(Finance) and also advising the BSNL Offices to expeditiously forward the pending revision cases to the CCA Offices. According to this report, out of total 133854 pension/family pension revision cases, 126832 cases have been settled. There are 7022 pending cases with BSNL and another 1634 cases have been sent back by CCA Offices to BSNL for updation.  View the BSNL letter

12.10.2017:

REPRESENTATIVES OF AIBSNLREA, EAST VIDARBHA BRANCH VISIT CCA OFFICE, NAGPUR:

Shri P R Bhujbal, CHQ Vice President along with S/Shri Arun Deshpande Branch Secretary B P Mazumdar, Finance Secretary of AIBSNLREA, Nagpur Branch visited CCA Office at Nagpur on 10.10.2017 and met Shri Lende, CAO (Pension) Mumbai. Left out IDA pension revision cases of the BSNL pensioners retired prior to 10-06-2013, pending in the offices of CCA Nagpur and CCA Mumbai, were brought to his notice for expeditious solution. It was also pointed out that in few cases, revised PPOs (non-payable copy) have been received by the pensioners, but banks are not in receipt of payable copies of PPO resulting in inordinate delay in receiving pension arrears. The representatives of the Association requested the CAO, Mumbai to pay special attention on such identified cases. Cases for revision of Provisional pension with 78.2% IDA benefit for Chandrapur SSA was also raised and these were reported to be pending for vigilance clearance from competent authority and also sanction by GMTD Chandrapur.

12.10.2017:

GB MEETING OF PALAKKAD BRANCH OF AIBSNLREA HELD:

A General Body Meeting of Palakkad Branch of AIBSNLREA was conducted at Top in Town, Palakkad on 10.10.2017. Fifty members attended the meeting. Detailed discussions took place mainly on three issues viz Payment of arrears on 78.2% IDA merger, Payment of Medical Allowance and Legal action for achieving past arrears. Regarding IDA merger arrears, even though almost all got the arrears, some are still anxiously waiting for the same. In few cases, CCA has withheld processing on the ground that how could Increment be drawn on same scales two times in a year i.e. on regular promotion and thereafter on TBP falling in one fiscal year or vice versa. As regards payment of Medical Allowance, only 5 or 6 of the members got the payment for only one quarter. The anomaly in the entitled amount for payment was discussed in detail and a few suggestions also emerged to overcome the problem. Regarding contribution to legal fund, many members contributed in the meeting itself and these amount along with future contribution will be remitted to CHQ soon. The meeting came to a close at 13-30 hrs and the members disbursed after the Lunch was served.

11.10.2017:

PRIME MINISTER’S OFFICE FORWARDS THE REPRESENTATION DATED 03.10.2017, URGING TO ALLOW THE BENEFIT OF FIXATION OF PENSION ON LAST PAY DRAWN OR AVERAGE OF LAST 10 MONTHS PAY WHICEVER IS BENEFICIAL TO THE RETIREES COMPLETING 20 YEARS OF SERVICE TO THE PAST PENSIONERS RETIRED PRIOR TO 01.01.2006, TO THE SECRETARY, DEPARTMENT OF PENSION AND PENSIONERS’ WELFARE:

AIBSNLREA had earlier represented to the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India with copy endorsed to S/Shri Arun Jaitely, Union Finance Minister, Thawar Chand Gehlot, Minister of Social Justice & Empowerment, Dr Jitendra Singh, MOS(PP) and C.Viswanath, Secretary (Pension), DOP&PW to allow the benefit, as contained at Para 5.2 of DOP&PW OM No. 38/37/08-P&PW(A) dated 02.09.2008 which reads as follows:-“Linkage of full pension with 33 years of qualifying service shall be dispensed with. Once a Government servant has rendered the minimum quantity of service of twenty years, pension shall be paid at 50% of the emoluments or average emoluments received during last 10 months, whichever is more beneficial to him”, to the past pensioners retired prior to 1.1.2006 [View posting dated 03.10.2017 in this website to read the representation]. The PMO has now forwarded the said representation to the Secretary, Department of Pension & Pensioners’ Welfare for action as appropriate.  View the PMO letter

09.10.2017:

GENERAL BODY MEETING OF AMBALA BRANCH OF AIBSNLREA:

A General Body Meeting of Ambala Branch of AIBSNLREA was held on 4.10.2017 under the chairmanship of Shri P.C Chauhan, President of the Branch. 35 members attended the meeting. Shri J C Gupta, Branch secretary briefed the members on various issues regarding implementation of 3rd PRC for BSNL pensioners, He also informed about the efforts of our HQ regarding seeking of legal remedy on payment of pay /pension arrears which have not been paid by the Govt./BSNL after granting fitment benefit with 78.2% IDA w.e.f 1.1.2007. All the pensioners have been denied the arrears of pay/pension/retirement benefits to different extents depending upon their date of retirement. A sum of Rs. 17000/- was collected from the members towards the legal fund to fight the case. One new member joined the Association as life member.

08.10.2017:

REVISION OF IDA W.E.F. 1.10.2017:

DPE has issued orders revising IDA w.e.f 1.10.2017 from 119% to 124.3% for CPSEs where last pay revision was implemented w.e.f. 1.1.2007.  View orders

08.10.2017:

REVISION OF IDA W.E.F. 1.10.2017:

DPE has issued orders revising IDA w.e.f 1.10.2017 from 269.7% to 278.7% for CPSEs where last pay revision was implemented w.e.f. 1.1.1997.  View orders

06.10.2017:

E-JOURNAL OCTOBER 2017 ISSUE:

October 2017 issue of AIBSNLREA E-journal has been uploaded and is available under the link "E-Journal" in the left column.

06.10.2017:

MUMBAI BRANCH OF AIBSNLREA HELD ITS CONFERENCE:

Mumbai Branch held its Conference on 22.09.2017 at 11:15 hours in the Conference Hall, Fountain Telecom Building, Mumbai. There was very good gathering instead of heavy rain & interrupted train services. President Shri K.R. Gupta welcomed all the members and requested the members to observe 2 minutes silence in memory of the departed members. After self-introduction by the members, Secretary Shri S.P.Varma read out the minutes of last General body meeting which was passed unanimously. He informed the house about all the issues discussed in State Executive Committee meeting held at Shegaon on 12th sept 2017. [Please go to Maharashtra State Section of the State News Page of this website to read the full report.]

03.10.2017:

AIBSNLREA MAKES ANOTHER ATTEMPT TO GET THE BENEFIT OF FIXATION OF PENSION ON LAST PAY DRAWN OR AVERAGE OF LAST 10 MONTHS PAY WHICEVER IS BENEFICIAL TO THE RETIREES COMPLETING 20 YEARS OF SERVICE TO THE PAST PENSIONERS RETIRED PRIOR TO 01.01.2006:

Department of Pension & Pensioners Welfare vide its OM No. 38/37/08-P&PW(A) dated 02.09.2008 at Para 5.2 had ordered as follows :- “Linkage of full pension with 33 years of qualifying service shall be dispensed with. Once a Government servant has rendered the minimum quantity of service of twenty years, pension shall be paid at 50% of the emoluments or average emoluments received during last 10 months, whichever is more beneficial to him”. But these Orders were made effective only from 1.1.2006. Thus the past pensioners who retired prior to 1.1.2006 have been discriminated against. Earlier the issue was taken up by the Association. But it was not agreed to by Department of Expenditure. Now the Association has again taken up the matter and has addressed a letter to the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India with copy endorsed to S/Shri Arun Jaitely, Union Finance Minister, Thawar Chand Gehlot, Minister of Social Justice & Empowerment, Dr Jitendra Singh, MOS(PP) and C.Viswanath, Secretary (Pension), DOP&PW.  View the letter

30.09.2017:

NEW BRANCH OF AIBSNLREA AT BHATINDA FORMED:

In a General Body Meeting of the Retired Executives of Bhatinda SSA (Punjab State) held on 29.09.2017 in the Pension Bhawan, a new Branch of AIBSNLREA was formed with 16 Executives joining the Association as Life Members. The meeting was co-chaired by Shri Sohan Lal Garg, Retd DE and Shri P K Jindal, President, AIBSNLREA, Sangrur Branch. Collective efforts of S/Shri K C Garg Retd SDE, Bishamber Lal, Retd SDE and R S Sethi, Retd DET resulted in arranging the meeting and consequent formation of the Branch. Shri Sohan Lal Garg, who is from Bhatinda and already a Life Member of Sangrur Branch, took all the initiative to get the Branch formed. After observing two minute’s silence in memory of Shri Joginder Singh, Retd JTO, the other items were discussed. Shri P K Jindal, President of AIBSNLREA, Sangrur Branch highlighted the achievements of the Association and also the background for filing a case to seek Legal remedy for getting the Pay/Pension arrears and other pensionary benefits etc which were due with fitment benefit by merger of 78.2% IDA w.e.f. 01.01.2007 but denied by the Department. All the 16 retired executives present in the meeting joined the Association. The meeting concluded after Shri Kishore Chand Garg, Retd SDE presented the vote of thanks.

30.09.2017:

AHMEDABAD TELEPHONES REPLIES TO AIBSNLREA’S LETTER REGARDING NON-PROVIDING OF HARD COPY OR SOFT COPY OF TELEPHONE BILLS TO SHRI B M BHAVSAR, RETD AGM & LIFE MEMBER OF GUJARAT STATE BRANCH:

Earlier we reported in this website that BSNL Corporate Office has forwarded the AIBSNLREA’s representation to the CGM, Gujarat Telecom with the advice to examine and resolve the issue and furnish a report [View posting dated 25.09.2017 in this website]. Now, after examining the case, Ahmedabad Telephones has replied to our letter stating that the subscriber has opted to go green and accordingly bills are sent by mail.  View the letter

29.09.2017:

INCREASE IN IDA W.E.F. 1.10.2017:

According to calculations based on All India Consumer Price Index for Industrial Workers, IDA is to increase w.e.f. 1.10.2017 by 5.3% for CPSEs where last pay revision was implemented w.e.f. 1.1.2007 and by 8.9% where last pay revision was implemented w.e.f. 1.1.1997.

25.09.2017:

BSNL CORPORATE OFFICE FORWARDS AIBSNLREA’S LETTER DATED 30.08.2017 REGARDING THE HARASSMENT METED OUT BY AHMEDABAD TELEPHONES TO SHRI B M BHAVSAR, RETD AGM, CIRCLE OFFICE IN NOT PROVIDING HIM COPIES OF TELEPHONE BILLS:

AIBSNLREA took up the above case wherein Ahmedabad Telephones was neither providing hard copy nor soft copy of the Telephone Bills to Shri B M Bhavsar, Retd AGM, Circle Office and then disconnecting the telephone connection on stated non-payment of bills [View posting dated 30.08.2017 in this website to read the letter]. BSNL Corporate Office has now forwarded the said letter to the CGM, Gujarat Telecom Circle with the advice to examine and resolve the issue and furnish a report.  View the letter

20.09.2017:

BI-ANNUAL GENERAL BODY MEETING OF AIBSNLREA, EAST VIDARBHA (NAGPUR) BRANCH HELD:

The bi-annual General Body meeting of AIBSNLREA, East Vidarbha (Nagpur) Branch was held on Sunday, the 17th September, 2017 at Amenity Block, CTO Compound Nagpur under the Chairmanship of Shri U B Nikose President of the Branch. After paying tributes to the departed members /family members, Shri Bhola Kamble, Asst Branch Secretary welcomed all the life members and also the newly enrolled life members. Shri Arun Deshpande, Branch Secretary briefed the house regarding the efforts being taken by Nagpur Branch to resolve the issues of pending pension revision cases in the office of the CCA Nagpur and settlement of pending MRS bills in SSA Nagpur. He extended special thanks to GS CHQ for his persistence efforts for effective implementation of pending pension revision cases of BSNL pensioners in Maharashtra Circle. [ Please go to Maharashtra State Section of State News Pafge of this website for the full report of the meeting].

19.09.2017:

AIBSNLREA, BAREILLY BRANCH HELD A GB MEETING:

Bareilly Branch (UP State) of AIBSNLREA held a General Body meeting at 11.00 hours on 04.09.2017 which was presided over by Shri Ramesh Chandra. Branch Secretary Shri A C Maheswari and Finance Secretary Shri Krishna Kumar Tripathi discussed mostly about the local problems being faced by the members. Shri R S Arora, UP State Secretary briefed the members on pension revision, 3rd PRC recommendations and action taken by the Association on pay/pension revision arrears case. 7 new Life Members joined the Association.

18.09.2017:

AIBSNLREA URGES PRIME MINISTER OF INDIA TO ALLOW TAX EXEMPTION AGAINST THE INTERESTS EARNED IN PRADHAN MANTRI VAYA VANDANA YOJANA LAUNCHED BY THE GOVERNMENT EXCLUSIVELY FOR THE SENIOR CITIZENS:

Government of India had launched Pradhan Mantri Vaya Vandana Yojana as a subsidized Pension scheme for the senior citizens for getting “pension” upto Rs. 5000/- per month for which one has to fix deposit the required amount for long ten years. The interests, being repaid as ‘pension’, however is taxable [View posting dated 24.07.2017 in this website for more details]. Now AIBSNLREA has appealed to the Prime Minister of India to allow tax exemption against the interests earned.  View the letter

15.09.2017:

STATE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING OF MAHARASHTRA STATE BRANCH, AIBSNLREA HELD:

First State Executive Committee Meeting of AIBSNLREA, Maharashtra State Branch was held on 12th September, 2017 at Shegaon, in Buldhana District. All Branches except Ahmednagar Branch were represented. Shri R.W.Tidke, President, AIBSNLREA Amravati Branch presided over the meeting. CHQ Vice president Shri P.R.Bhujbal and Joint Secretary Shri D.K.Joshi represented CHQ. After welcoming all the participants and others, the House observed silence for one minute to pay homage to the souls of the departed members. Shri D V Rokade, Branch Secretary, Amravati said in his brief introductory speech that due to sudden demise of President Shri P.C.Dubey, the post of State President is now vacant along with the post of State Finance Secretary which are now to be filled up [ View Maharashtra State Section of State News Page of this website to read the full Report].

14.09.2017:

NATIONAL SAVINGS INSTITUTE OF MINISTRY OF FINANCE REPLIES AIBSNLREA’S REPRESENTATION TO PRIME MINISTER OF INDIA REGARDING ADDITIONAL INTERESTS IN SAVINGS BANK ACCOUNTS OF SENIOR CITIZENS:

National Savings Institute of Ministry of Finance, Government o0f India has since sent a reply to AIBSNLREA on its representation to the Prime Minister of India requesting to “advise the banks to allow additional interest of 0.5% in the Savings Bank Accounts of the Senior Citizens as admissible in case of long term fixed deposits”. In response to the representation of the Association, the National Savings Institute has stated that while examining in future the suggestion given by the Association, appropriate action will be taken. [View also the last posting dated 05.09.2017 in this website].  View the letter

10.09.2017:

LIFE MEMBERSHIP STRENGTH OF TOP FOUR STATE ORGANIZATIONS OF AIBSNLREA:

As on date, following is the recorded Life Membership strength of top four State Organizations of AIBSNLREA – Gujarat (1000), Maharashtra (801), Uttar Pradesh (620) and West Bengal (600). Meanwhile, all Branches are requested to get their Life Membership list updated by mailing the names and other particulars of new members for addition in the existing lists. The CHQ quota for them may be deposited in the S/B Account of the Association and details informed by e-mail. These Lists will be annexed with our Petition on pay/pension revision case. Cases of some executives, who have not enrolled as Life Members but have contributed for the legal case, will also be duly taken care of.

08.09.2017:

PRIME MINISTER’S OFFICE FORWARDS AIBSNLREA’S REPRESETATION REGARDING NON-SETTLEMENT OF REMOVAL OF ANOMALY IN FIXATION OF PENSION OF DOT EMPLOYEES ABSORBED IN BSNL WHO RETIRED BETWEEN 01.10.2000 AND 31.07.2001 TO SECRETARY, DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS:

AIBSNLREA had represented to the Prime Minister of India appealing him to intervene in the above matter since no serious attempt is being made to resolve the issue, though it is being routinely discussed in the meetings after meetings of SCOVA organized by Department of Pension and Pensioners’ Welfare for last few years. The Association also quoted the minutes of the last SCOVA meeting held on 12.01.2017 wherein certain decisions were taken to be complied with by Department of Telecommunications [View posting dated 28.08.2017 in this website to read the representation]. Prime Minister’s Office has now forwarded the said representation to the Secretary, Department of Telecommunication for action as appropriate and also reply to the petitioner i.e. the Association.  View the letter

07.09.2017:

AMRAVATI BRANCH OF AIBSNLREA (WEST VIDARBHA REGION) HELD ITS GB MEETING:

A General Body Meeting of AIBSNLREA, Amravati Branch (Maharashtra State) was held under the Chairmanship of Shri R. W. Tidke , President of the Branch on 6th Sept. 2017 at the Conference hall of G. M. Telecom , BSNL , Amravati. The meeting was attended by 34 members of the Branch along with Shri V.G.Dakhode, State Secretary AIBSNLREA, Maharashtra. Branch Secretary Shri D. V. Rokade and President Shri R.W.Tidke, informed the house about the developments taken place after the last meeting held in July, 2017 [View Maharashtra Section of State News page of this website to read the full Report of the meeting].

06.09.2017:

E-JOURNAL SEPTEMBER 2017 ISSUE:

September 2017 issue of AIBSNLREA E-journal has been uploaded and is available under the link "E-Journal" in the left column.

05.09.2017:

DEPARTMENT OF FINANCIAL SERVICES (MINISTRY OF FINANCE) SENDS AIBSNLREA’S REPRESENTATION MADE TO PRIME MINISTER OF INDIA REGARDING ADDITIONAL INTERESTS IN SAVINGS BANK ACCOUNTS OF SENIOR CITIZENS TO THE RESERVE BANK OF INDIA FOR APPROPRIATE ACTION:

A representation was earlier made by AIBSNLREA to the Prime Minister of India requesting to “advise the banks to allow additional interest of 0.5% in the Savings Bank Accounts of the Senior Citizens as admissible in case of long term fixed deposits” (View posting dated 11.08.2017 in this website to read the representation]. Prime Minister’s Office, in turn, had forwarded the same to the Secretary, Department of Economics Affairs [Posting dated 20.08.2017 may be viewed to read the letter]. Now, Department of Financial Services, Ministry of Finance, has send the said representation to the Reserve Bank of India for appropriate action and also to reply the representation under intimation to the Department of Financial Services.  View the letter

04.09.2017:

DIRECTOR OF ACCOUNTS (POSTAL), UP CIRCLE RESPONDS TO AIBSNLREA’S REPRESENTATION TO SECRETARY (POSTS) REGARDING ABNORMAL DELAY IN THE OFFICES OF DIRECTOR (POSTAL SERVICES) IN FORWARDING REVISED PPOs TO THE CONCERNED POST OFFICES:

AIBSNLREA had earlier addressed a letter to Secretary (Telecom) with copy endorsed to Secretary (Posts) regarding abnormal delay in all the offices of Director (Postal Services) in forwarding the revised PPOs of the BSNL pensioners to the concerned Post Offices [View posting dated 28.05.2017 in this website to read the letter]. Department Posts (PEA Branch) took note of that representation and advised all its Director of Accounts (Postal) to take appropriate action in the matter and submit report to the PEA Branch [View posting dated 01.07.2017 in this website to read the letter]. Following this, the Director of Accounts (Postal), Bihar Circle submitted its report on the matter with copy endorsed to this Association [Posting dated 11.07.2017 in this website may be viewed to read the letter]. Now, Director of Accounts (Postal), UP Circle, Lucknow has also sent a report with copy endorsed to this Association.  View the letter

03.09.2017:

NON-SETTLEMENT OF REVISION OF PENSION WITH FITMENT BENEFIT BY MERGER OF 78.2% DA/DR – AIBSNLREA WRITES TO SECRETARY (TELECOM) ABOUT THE CASES OF S/SHRI JAGDISH NARAIN, RETD ADG AND INDERJIT SINGH, RETD DM OF CORPORATE OFFICE:

AIBSNLREA has addressed a letter to Secretary (Telecom) about non-settlement of revision of pension of S/Shri Jagdish Narain, Retd ADG and Inderjit Singh, Retd DM, who retired from BSNL Corporate Office, by the STP Branch of DOT. The Association has requested for her intervention in the above cases “so that these long pending cases, which should have been settled within the revised target date fixed by Member (Finance) i.e. 10.4.2017, are at least settled now”.  View the letter

31.08.2017:

BSNL EXTENDS FREE NIGHT CALLING FACILITY TO THE SERVING GROUP B, C AND D EMPLOYEES IN THEIR SERVICE AND RESIDENTIAL TELEPHONE CONNECTIONS:

After extending the benefit of free night calling facility to the retired BSNL Employees in their concessional telephone connections, BSNL has now ordered for extension of the same facility to the Group B, C and D employees in their residential and concessional telephone connections.  View the BSNL order

31.08.2017:

AIBSNLREA AGAIN TAKES UP THE CASE OF SHRI R K HIRKANEY, RETD DE OF MAHARASHTRA TELECOM CIRCLE REGARDING HIS CASE FOR FULL PENSION AND ALSO RELEASE OF HIS GRATUITY:

AIBSNLREA has again taken up the case of Shri R K Hirkaney, Retired DE of Maharashtra Telecom Circle and a life member of East Vidarbha Branch who is supposed to get his full pension restored from the year 2013 and also his gratuity released. This time the case has been taken up with Secretary (Telecom) and the matter is also being followed up with both BSNL and DOT.  View the letter

30.08.2017:

AIBSNLREA WRITES TO ADVISOR (OPERATIONS), TELECOM COMMISSION REGARDING NON-ISSUE OF EITHER HARD COPY OR SOFT COPY OF TELEPHONE BILLS TO A RETIRED EMPLOYEE AND SUBSCRIBER OF AHMEDABAD TELEPHONES AND HARASS HIM:

AIBSNLREA has written a letter to Advisor (Operations), Telecom Commission with copy endorsed to CMD, BSNL and CGMT, Gujarat Telecom Circle requesting his intervention in a case in which Ahmedabad Telephones is neither issuing hard copy nor the soft copy of telephone bills to Shri B M Bhavsar, Retd AGM and thereafter threatening through sms to disconnect the telephone on alleged non-payment.  View the letter

28.08.2017:

AIBSNLREA TAKES UP THE ISSUE REGARDING NON-SETTLEMENT OF REMOVAL OF ANOMALY IN FIXATION OF PENSION OF DOT EMPLOYEES ABSORBED IN BSNL WHO RETIRED BETWEEN 01.10.2000 AND 31.07.2001 WITH PRIME MINISTER OF INDIA:

AIBSNLREA has now taken up the above issue with Prime Minister of India since the matter remained unresolved even after long 16 years. AIBSNLREA refers to the Minutes of the 29th meeting of SCOVA held on 12.01.2017 under the chairmanship of Minister of State for (PP) wherein it was recorded at Item No. 5(v) of discussions on ATR of 28th SCOVA meeting issued by DOP&PW that Department of Telecommunication would examine a CAT order while finding out the financial implication as per the formula suggested by Department of Expenditure. But nothing has moved thereafter. The Association has appealed to him to kindly intervene in the matter so that the matter is resolved at least now.  View the letter

25.08.2017:

COIMBATORE BRANCH OF AIBSNLREA HOLDS A SPECIAL MEETING:

A special meeting organized by the All India BSNL Retired Executives Association of Coimbatore, Tamilnadu was held under the Presidentship of Shri M. Ponnuswami, DGM (Retired) on 19th August, 2017. In his Presidential address, Shri M. Ponnuswami spoke about the inauguration of AIBSNLREA at Coimbatore and its necessity and welcomed Sri. S. Ratnasubramanian, DGM (Retired) & Asst. General Secretary of AIBSNLREA and Shri R. R. Balasubramanian from Chennai. [For full text of the Report, please view the Tamilnadu State Section of State News page of this website].

22.08.2017:

ISSUE OF REVISED PENSION PAYMENT ORDERS BY THE OFFICE OF PRINCIPAL CCA, MAHARASHTRA – AIBSNLREA SENDS THIRD LIST OF BSNL PENSIONERS WHO ARE YET TO RECEIVE THEIR REVISED PPOs:

We informed through the posting dated 27.07.2017 in this website that we have been requested by CCA, Maharashtra Office to furnish details regarding cases of non-issue of revised PPOs to those who retired before 10.06.2013. Accordingly, Shri P R Bhujbal, Vice-President, AIBSNLREA had sent two lists containing the names and other details in respect of those who were yet to receive their revised PPOs to the CCA Office, Mumbai. Now a third list containing 17 names has been sent. Thus, a total of 113 cases have been sent so far which include a few cases of non-executives also [Postings dated 28.07.2017, 03.08.2017 and 08.08.2017 in this website may also be viewed].

20.08.2017:

PRIME MINISTER’S OFFICE FORWARDS REPRESENTATION OF AIBSNLREA ADDRESSED TO THE PRIME MINISTER APPEALING TO ALLOW ADDITIONAL 0.50% INTEREST IN SAVINGS BANK ACCOUNTS OF THE SENIOR CITIZENS TO THE DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC AFFAIRS:

AIBSNLREA had made an appeal to the Prime Minister of India to advise the Banks to allow additional interest of 0.5% also in Savings Bank Accounts of the Senior Citizens as admissible in case of long term fixed deposit [View posting dated 11.08.2017 in this website to read the letter]. Now PMO has forwarded the same representation to the Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs for action as appropriate.  View the PMO letter

20.08.2017:

AMBALA BRANCH OF AIBSNLREA HELD A GB MEETING:

Ambala Branch of AIBSNLREA held a General Body meeting on 24.07.2017 under the chairmanship of Shri P C Chauhan in which 31 members participated. The branch Secretary briefed the members on the various issues concerning the members including settlement of medical bills in the circle office and particularly in Ambala SSA, implementation of 3rd PRC in BSNL for BSNL pensioners etc. One new members joined the Association as life member. Total number of members of the branch reached 60 excluding the 3 members who belonged to Yamunanagar and since transferred to newly formed Yamunanagar Branch.

17.08.2017:

BSNL RESPONDS TO THE REPRESENTATION OF AIBSNLREA REGARDING CHARGING OF STD CALLS WRONGLY IN FREE NIGHT CALLING FACILITY WHICH WAS ALLOWED TO THE RETIRED BSNL EMPLOYEES – NOW SETS THE ISSUE RIGHT:

AIBSNLREA had earlier represented to BSNL regarding the difficulties faced by the retired employees of BSNL in regard to availing the Free Night Calling facility in their residential telephone connections since the Circles started charging the STD calls made at night, although previously free (STD/local) calls were allowed in any network at any time during day and night within the prescribed limit. The Association had pleaded that 'free night calling' facility should include STD calls. [View posting dated 09.07.2017 in this website to read the representation]. Now BSNL has issued an Order amending its earlier Order to resolve the issue.  View the BSNL order

16.08.2017:

GB MEETING OF AIBSNLREA, ALLAHABAD BRANCH HELD:

A General Body Meeting of Allahabad Branch of AIBSNLREA was held on 9.8.2017 in the Telephone Exchange campus at Civil Lines under the chairman ship of Shri R.S .Gupta, Branch President. Shri R.S.Arora, UP State Secretary addressed the house and briefed about the status of 3rd Pay Revision Committee Report, Pay anomaly case and A.I.C, Bhubaneswar’s unanimous decision to seek legal remedy on pay and pension arrear case. [Please go to Uttar Pradesh State Section of State News page to read the full report].

16.08.2017:

KANPUR BRANCH OF AIBSNLREA HELD A GB MEETING:

Kanpur Branch of AIBSNLREA held a General Body Meeting on 10.08.2017 in the Telephone Exchange campus at Mall Road under the chairman ship of Branch President Shri Dharam Dass. 37 members attended the meeting and 3 new life members were enrolled. UP State Secretary Shri R S Arora addressed the house and apprised the gathering about the latest status of important issues. S/Shri S.B.Saini Branch Secretary and Lal Singh, Finance Secretary also addressed and deliberated on some local issues pertaining to the members.

12.08.2017:

VARODARA BRANCH OF AIBSNLREA HOLDS ITS QUATERLY GB MEETING:

Varodara Branch (Gujarat State) of AIBSNLREA held its quarterly General Body meeting on 10-08-2017 at Hotel Utsav. Sixty seven members attended meeting. Shri Biniwale, President welcomed the members and then the house observed silence in memory of the departed members. Shri R T Shah, Branch Secretary briefed the activities of the Branch. He reported that all members of the branch have got their revised PPO and received payment of arrears. A few cases of 3% promotion benefit were also solved and the concerned members got the arrears on this account from BSNL. The long pending issue of non-payment of dental charges in Varodara SSA was also resolved [View Gujarat State Section of State News page of this website to read the full report].

12.08.2017:

UP STATE BRANCH VISITS OFFICES OF PR. CCA, NEW DELHI, CCA AND SBI OFFICE LUCKNOW:

UP State Secretary Shri R S Arora visited Principal CCA office, New Delhi on 26.07.2017 to pursue a few cases of non-issue of revised PPOs. He also visited CCA Office, Lucknow on 02.08.2017 to pursue a few cases of non-payment of enhanced gratuity and also the SBI Office, Lucknow on 08.08.2017 to pursue a few cases of non-payment of revised pension and arrears.

11.08.2017:

AN APPEAL TO MITIGATE A GENUINE HARDSHIP OF THE SENIOR CITIZENS – AIBSNLREA WRITES TO PRIME MINISTER OF INDIA APPEALING FOR ASDVISING THE BANKS TO ALLOW ADDITIONAL INTEREST OF 0.50% IN SAVINGS BANK ACCOUNTS OF THE SENIOR CITIZENS:

In the background of falling rates of interest in Fixed Deposit Accounts and recent reduction of interests in Savings Banks Accounts by some Banks, AIBSNLREA has appealed to Prime Minister of India to “advise the Banks to allow additional interest of 0.5% also in Savings Bank Accounts of the Senior Citizens as admissible in case of long term fixed deposits”.  View the letter

10.08.2017:

INORDINATE DELAY IN SETTLING THE APPEAL TO REVIEW THE PUNISHMENT ORDER ISSUED BY DOT IN VIEW OF THE PETITIONER BEING ACQUITED BY A COURT HEARING A CASE UNDER THE SAME CHARGES – CASE OF SHRI S S UNHALE, RETD SR SDE, BULDHANA, MAHARSHTRA TELECOM CIRCLE:

AIBSNLREA has taken up the above issue with Secretary (Telecom) seeking for her intervention so that the appeal of Shri S S Unhale , Retd Sr SDE pending with DOT to review his earlier punishment order and exonerate him in the matter is disposed off early. The Association has pointed out that a court hearing the case on same charges has acquitted him and the CBI has also decided not to move for an appeal in the higher court.  View the letter

09.08.2017:

NON-IMPLEMENTATION OF BSNL CORPORATE OFFICE ORDER RESTORING THE FACILITY OF OUTDOOR TREATMENT WITHOUT VOUCHER TO THE RETIRED BSNL EMPLOYEES- CASE OF GUJARAT TELECOM CIRCLE:

AIBSNLREA has since addressed a letter to Director (HR), BSNL on the above issue seeking her intervention in the matter. The Association has requested her to “intervene in the matter so that the said Order dated 11.04.2017 restoring the facility of outdoor treatment without voucher to the retired BSNL employees is implemented without further delay”.  View the letter

08.08.2017:

OFFICE OF THE PRINCIPAL CCA, MAHARASHTRA REPLIES TO AIBSNLREA REGARDING INORDINATE DELAY IN REVISING THE PENSION OF THE BSNL PENSIONERS/FAMILY PENSIONERS WHO RETIRED BEFORE 10.06.2013 WITH FITMENT BENEFIT BY MERGER OF 78.2% DA/DR:

In a letter addressed to General Secretary, AIBSNLREA, the o/o Principal CCA, Maharashtra has informed that “all the cases of the pensioners who retired before 10.06.2013 have been revised”. The letter further says that “the delay was due to acute shortage of staff and officers in the office” and some of the cases which have been returned to BSNL units “will be settled as soon as they are received from the BSNL units.” The said reply was in response to AIBSNLREA’s representation vide No. AIBSNLREA/CHQ/2017/12 dated 19.05.2017 [view posting dated 22.05.2017 in this website to read the representation] addressed to Secretary (Telecom) and copies endorsed to others.  View the letter from Principal CCA, Maharashtra Office

08.08.2017:

ISSUE OF REMAINING REVISED PENSION PAYMENT ORDERS BY THE OFFICE OF PRINCIPAL CCA, MAHARASHTRA – SECOND LIST OF BSNL PENSIONERS WHO ARE YET TO RECEIVE THEIR REVISED PPOs SENT:

Another list of 43 BSNL pensioners who are yet to receive their revised Pension Payment Orders with fitment benefit by allowing merger of 78.2% IDA has been sent to the office of Principal CCA, Maharashtra by the Vice-President, AIBSNLREA on 07.08.2017 for further action at their end. For further details please view posting dated 03.08.2017 in this website.

06.08.2017:

E-JOURNAL AUGUST 2017 ISSUE:

August 2017 issue of AIBSNLREA E-journal has been uploaded and is available under the link "E-Journal" in the left column.

05.08.2017:

AKOLA BRANCH OF AIBSNLREA HELD ITS GB MEETING:

AIBSNLREA, Akola (Maharashtra State) Branch held its General Body meeting on 1st August 2017 at 04.30 PM at the residence of Shri A.G. Nema Rtd. DGM and Secretary of Akola Branch. Shri N.N. Ambatkar Rtd. DE Akola presided over the meeting. 27 members were present in the meeting. Three new members were also enrolled in the meeting. The Branch Secretary welcomed all the members present in the meeting. The house first observed two minutes silence in memory of Late Shri Nikam, Retd JTO. Branch Secretary apprised the members about the latest status of issue of revised PPOs with fitment benefit by merger of 78.2% IDA by CCA Mumbai. He requested the members who could not receive their revised PPOs to give their details to pursue the cases. In respect of outdoor treatment without voucher facility, the Branch Secretary informed that he met the Accounts authority of the SSA, who assured him to send the list within a day or two to the Circle office for approval. Branch Secretary also requested the house to donate Rs. 500/- each for seeking legal remedy for revision of pay/pension with the fitment benefit by merger of 78.2% IDA w e f 1.1.2007. He also appraised the members about the latest position of 3rd pay revision issue. Shri N.N. Ambatkar, President of the meeting also addressed the House and the meeting ended with presentation of vote of thanks by the Branch Secretary.

04.08.2017:

DPE FINALLY ISSUES ORDERS FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF GOVERNMENT DECISIONS ON THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE THIRD PAY REVISION COMMITTEE:

DPE has finally issued orders for implementation of Government decisions on the recommendations of the Third Pay Revision Committee on Pay revision of Board level & below Board level Executives and Non-unionised Supervisors of Central Public Sector Enterprises w.e.f. 1.1.2017. Government has not made any major changes in the recommendations, including regarding Affordability and 5%, 10% and 15% fitment for different categories of CPSEs. Now it is to be seen as to how BSNL pushes forward its case for pay revision with 15% fitment for its Executives, since BSNL does not fall into any of the three categories and also is not a sick CPSE. It is to be recalled that MTNL Executives were given 30% fitment benefit in the Second Pay Revision w.e.f. 1.1.2007, despite the fact that MTNL was incurring conseutive losses for several years before.  View the DPE O.M.

03.08.2017:

ISSUE OF LEFT OUT REVISED PENSION PAYMENT ORDERS BY THE OFFICE OF PRINCIPAL CCA, MAHARASHTRA – AIBSNLREA SENDS FIRST LIST OF BSNL PENSIONERS WHO ARE YET TO RECEIVE THE REVISED PPOs:

As was informed through the posting dated 27.07.2017 in this website [posting dated 28.07.2017 may also be viewed], Shri P R Bhujbal, Vice-President, AIBSNLREA has sent a list containing the names and other details of BSNL pensioners who are yet to receive their revised PPOs to the CCA Office, Mumbai. The list contains 53 names comprising of 51 cases of retired executives and 2 cases of non-executives. Additional cases when received will also be similarly compiled and sent for settling the cases.

01.08.2017:

AMRAVATI BRANCH OF AIBSNLREA (WEST VIDARBHA REGION) HELD ITS GB MEETING:

A General Body Meeting of AIBSNLREA, Amravati Branch was held on 28th July 2017 in the Conference Hall of G. M. Telecom, BSNL, Amravati under the Chairmanship of Shri V.P.Agrawal, Ex-President of the Branch. The meeting was attended by 28 members of the Branch. Two new members S/Shri V. R. Bhowate and Shri S.S.Kende joined the Association. The house greeted the newly joined members. The Branch Secretary, Shri D. V. Rokade informed the house about the developments taken place after the last meeting held in March, 2017. He elaborated details of the developments on the issue of revision of Pension with fitment benefit by merger of 78.2% of IDA and gave the latest status regarding the progress of pension revision work in the SSA and also in the CCA Office. Shri V. G. Dakhode , State Secretary, AIBSNLREA, Maharashtra State discussed about the 3rd PRC developments and highlighted the important key issues of the BSNL being processed at the State and All India level. The queries raised by the members were duly replied by him. Thereafter, the meeting concluded with presentation of vote of thanks by Shri B. R. Chhabriya , A.F.S., AIBSNLREA, Amravati Branch.

31.07.2017:

NON IMPLEMENTATION OF THE ORDERS ISSUED FOR THE BENEFIT OF RETIRED BSNL EMPLOYEES BY ALAPPUZHA SSA OF KERALA TELECOM CIRCLE:

AIBSNLREA has addressed a letter to Director (HR), BSNL seeking for her invention since the administration in the Alappuzha SSA of Kerala Telecom Circle is found to be in the habit of not implementing the Orders issued by BSNL Corporate Office for the benefit of retired BSNL employees. The Association has mentioned about two recent orders issued by BSNL Corporate Office vide its No. 2-03/2006-PHA(Pt) dated 9.3.2017 allowing the free night calling facility to the retired BSNL Employees and No. BSNL/Admn.I/15-22/14 dated 11/4/2017 restoring the facility of medical claims for outdoor treatment without vouchers. Both these Orders have not been implemented in Alappuzha SSA depriving the retired BSNL employees of the intended benefits.  View the letter

28.07.2017:

STATUS OF ISSUE OF REVISED PPOs TO THE BSNL PENSIONERS/FAMILY PENSIONERS – CASE OF CCA, MAHARASHTRA CIRCLE:

It has already been reported yesterday in this website that CCA, Maharashtra Circle wanted us to give particulars of the pending pension revision cases of the BSNL pensioners/family pensioners. Accordingly we have requested the BSNL pensioners/family pensioners who would not receive their revised PPOs by 31.07.2017 to furnish some specific particulars through e-mail at prbhujbal1946@gmail.com. These will be consolidated and supplied to CCA, Maharashtra. Meanwhile the status report on our representation has been posted in the PG portal against PG Docket No. DOTEL/P/2017/0102 and DOTEL/P/2017/00971 which states that “The work of issue of revised PPO to the pensioners/family pensioners by allowing fitment benefit by merger of 78.2% IDA DA/DR has been completed except some cases with objection pending at BSNL level….”. Thus, AIBSNLREA’s continuous persuasion with the authorities have borne fruits. The Association will continue its efforts to settle the pending pension revision cases also.

27.07.2017:

AIBSNLREA TO INFORM PARTICULARS OF PENDING PENSION REVISION CASES TO CCA OFFICE, MAHARASHTRA:

AIBSNLREA had sent representations to DOT and others regarding abnormal delay in the Offices of Pr CCA Maharashtra in issuing revised PPOs with fitment benefit by merger of 78.2% IDA for the BSNL pensioners who retired between 1.1.2007 and 9.6.2013. These were forwarded to the CCA, Maharashtra by DOT for appropriate action (view postings dated 08.06.2017 and 25.06.2017 in this website for details). Yesterday, General Secretary, AIBSNLREA was contacted by CCA, Mumbai Office and was requested to provide the PPO Numbers etc of those whose cases are not yet settled. GS informed that our Vice President Shri P R Bhujbal would be in touch and supply the necessary particulars. Accordingly Shri Bhujbal has already spoken to the concerned official and it has been decided that we shall wait till 31.07.2017 and the status as on 1.8.2017 will be provided since it was informed that many revised PPOs are on the transit. AIBSNLREA now requests all those who would not be receiving their revised PPOs by 31.07.2017 to send their (1) name, (2) last designation, (3) date of retirement, (4) SSA/Unit from which retired and (5) the PPO Number to Shri P R Bhujbal. His e-mail id is prbhujbal1946@gmail.com and mobile Number 09422810810.

26.07.2017:

AIBSNLREA RESPONDS TO THE MESSAGE DATED 6th JULY 2017 FROM DIRECTOR (HR), BSNL REGARDING PAY REVISION OF BSNL EXECUTIVES:

Director (HR), BSNL issued one message on 06.07.2017 regarding pay revision of BSNL Executives wherein the efforts being made by BSNL for pay revision of the Executives were explained. The message also conveyed that once the Government approves the PRC recommendations, this is not subjected to any negotiation or bargaining. AIBSNLREA has responded to this message and stated that “We firmly believe that Government cannot and will not keep its eyes closed if some serious aberrations in the matter are raised or come to its notice”. The Association has further stated that pay revision with 15% fitment benefit cannot be denied to the BSNL Executives by mere citing of the condition of loss or profit making, since the 2nd PRC recommended revised pay scales with 30% fitment benefit (highest one) were allowed to MTNL Executives though it was a loss making CPSE for years. Similarly, the Government while accepting the proposal for payment of pension to the MTNL employees by the Government itself had decided that during next pay revision, pay scale parity between MTNL and BSNL employees will be achieved by bringing down the pay scales of the MTNL employees to the level of BSNL employees. As the pay scales of MTNL employees cannot be brought down in reality, the pay scales of BSNL Executives will have to be revised as per 3rd PRC with 15% fitment benefit.  View the letter    View the Message from Director (HR)

25.07.2017:

GB MEETING OF AIBSNLREA, MUMBAI BRANCH HELD:

General Body Meeting of Mumbai Branch of AIBSNLREA was held in the Conference Hall, Telephone House, Prabhadevi, Dadar (W), Mumbai on 12.7.2017 at 14.00 Hrs with Shri K.R. Gupta on the chair. President welcomed all the members and gave information about the latest developments. There was very good gathering in the meeting despite heavy rains in Mumbai. Branch Secretary Shri S.P. Varma thanked the members for attending the meeting in large numbers despite heavy rains. He welcomed S/Shri Kedar Yadav, Suryakant Singh, D.B. Singh and Kishore Kumar Shantilal Vyas for enrolling themselves as life members with Mumbai Branch [To read the full report, please view the Maharashtra State section of the State News page of this website].

24.07.2017:

GOVERNMENT INTRODUCES A SUBSIDIZED PENSION SCHEME FOR THE SENIOR CITIZENS:

Government of India has introduced a subsidized Pension Scheme called “Pradhan Mantri Vaya Vandana Yojana” exclusively for the senior citizens with Life Insurance Corporation as the exclusive administrator. Anyone with 60 years of age and above can avail the benefit by single lumpsum premium of Rs 1.50,000 (for monthly pension) and maximum of Rs. 7,50,000 which will fetch minimum pension of Rs. 1000 and maximum of Rs. 5000 per month respectively. Pension can be drawn monthly, quarterly, half yearly or on annual basis as per choice. The term of the policy is 10 years. After completion of 10 years period, the invested amount along with final pension installment will be paid. On death of the pensioner during the policy term of 10 years, beneficiary would receive the purchase price. Assured return of the scheme is 8% per annum payable monthly (equivalent to Rs. 8.30% per annum).

19.07.2017:

QUARTERLY GB MEETING OF KOLHAPUR BRANCH OF AIBSNLREA HELD:

Quarterly meeting of Kolhapur Branch was conducted on 16.07.2017 with Shri L M Godi, President on the chair. Meeting started with the Prayer. President welcomed the old and new members and gave brief of the developments during the past and appealed to the members to bring other retired executives for the meeting so that Association can serve more BSNL Pensioners. Then new members S/Shri N G Khondu, V D Gholase, S T Jadhav, A E Magdum, P G Joshi and Mrs. Rashmi Powar were welcomed by the President and Secretary with presentation of Bouquet [Please visit Maharashtra State Section of State News page of this website to read the full report}.

16.07.2017:

PENSION REVISION CALCULATOR UPDATED:

Pension Revision calculator for pre-2007 pensioners and for those who had retired during the period from 1.1.2007 to 9.6.2013, in Excel format, has been updated after including revised IDA of 119% w.e.f. 1.7.2017 and is available in the left column of this website. The 'One Click' calculator will also be updated shortly.

12.07.2017:

ANNUAL GENERAL BODY MEETING OF AIBSNLREA, CHENNAI HELD:

The AGB of AIBSNLREA, Chennai, was held on 07.07.2017 which commenced with prayer song by.Smt.Lalitha.G. One minute silence was observed in memory of S/Shri V.Sivasamy and S.V.Krishnamoorthy recalling their services to the association. After welcome address by President Shri V. Dakshshinamoorthy, and self-introduction of the members, Secretary Shri L.Sundararaman placed the annual report for the year 2016-17, which was passed after discussions. Secretary appealed for donation of minimum of Rs.1000/- (Rs. 500/- to CHQ and Rs. 500 to the Branch.) and the response from the members was positive. Finance Secretary Shri C.R.Rajasekaran placed the audited accounts for 2016-17 and the same was passed after discussions [Please view Tamilnadu State Section of “State News” page of this website for the full report].

11.07.2017:

DIRECTOR OF ACCOUNTS (POSTAL), PATNA SUBMITS REPORT TO PEA BRANCH OF DEPARTMENT OF POSTS, NEW DELHI ON THE COMPLAINT OF AIBSNLREA REGARDING ABNORMAL DELAY IN THE OFFICES OF DIRECTOR (POSTAL SERVICES) ALL OVER INDIA IN FORWARDING THE REVISED PPOs TO THE CONCERNED POST OFFICES:

AIBSNLREA had sent a representation to Secretary (T) with copy endorsed to others including Secretary (Posts) regarding the abnormal delay in all the offices of Director (Postal Services) in disposing off the Revised PPOs of the absorbed BSNL pensioners who retired prior to 10.06.2013 which is resulting in delay for their payment [view posting dated 28.05.2017 in this website to read the representation]. Department of posts [P.A.Wing, PEA Branch] had responded to our representation and advised all its General Manager (Finance) and Director of Accounts (Postal) to examine the matter and take remedial steps for redressal of complaints of the pensioners [view posting dated 01.07.2017 in this website to read the letter from Department of Posts (P.A.Wing, PEA Branch)], New Delhi. Now the Director of Accounts (Postal), Bihar Circle reports to PEA Branch of Department of Posts, New Delhi that the “revised authority for revised pension/family pension received from CCA, Bihar Circle, Patna upto May, 2017 have been issued”. The revised PPOs received after May, 2017 were under process.  View the letter from Director of Accounts (Postal), Patna.

10.07.2017:

AIBSNLREA, MADURAI BRANCH INAUGURATED:

Inaugural meeting of Madurai Branch of AIBSNLREA (Tamilnadu State) was held under the Presidentship of Shri B.Rethinavelu, Retd. DGM (F) on 8th July 2017. Shri R.R.Balasubramanian, Retd. SDE Chennai, who had organised the meeting, explained that AIBSNLREA was formed in 2008 prior to many of the existing BSNL Pensioner associations and also the necessity to have Retired BSNL Executives' Association to deal with issues exclusive to the BSNL Executives. He detailed the achievements of AIBSNLREA by focussing and presenting issues with supporting rules and logic. He also explained why the demand of other Pensioner Associations to have pension revision with VII CPC fitment benefit to BSNL pensioners is not according to law and hence not achievable, in the background of Pension Revision itself is based on the Supreme Court of Judgment that there should not be any disparity in pension between present and future pensioners. After useful interactions, Shri B.Rethinavelu, Retd. DGM (F), Shri R.Ramachandran, Retd. AGM and Shri B.Gobi, Retd. SDE were elected unanimously as President, Secretary and Finance Secretary of the Madurai Branch respectively. All the members resolved to increase the membership from the present 12, by each member contacting other BSNL retired Executives known to them.

10.07.2017:

GB MEETING OF AIBSNLREA, LUCKNOW BRANCH HELD:

A General body meeting of Lucknow Branch of AIBSNLREA was held on 5.7.2017 in the Committee Hall of Door Sanchar Sadan at Laplace building under the President ship of Shri K P Srivastava. In spite of continuous drizzling since morning, 52 members attended the meeting and 3 new members enrolled as Life Members. 58 members of the Branch so far have paid the contribution for Legal fund. Till date, 9 members from outstations have paid the contribution to the Branch through Bank transfer. Out of these, S/Shri Ram Kumar Gupta Retd AGM, D B Saxena Retd AGM and D P Srivastava (from Gonda) have paid Rs 1000/- each. The contribution received will be sent to CHQ soon. There is no pendency of Revised PPO case at CCA Office Lucknow. Only a few cases of other Circles are likely to be pending. Payments of long pending Medical bills in Lucknow started after the Branch Secretary Shri S P Singh and Organizing Secretary Shri Radhey Shyam met the DGM CSC this morning. The queries of the members about "Free night calling facility", status on Pension Revision and Pension Anomaly were replied as per available information. The members earlier observed two minutes silence to pay homage to Shri Kalpu Ram, Retd DGM who breathed his last on 03.06.2017.

09.07.2017:

AIBSNLREA HAS WRITTEN A LETTER TO DIRECTOR (HR), BSNL TO CAUSE ISSUE OF ORDERS TO STOP CHARGING STD CALLS UNDER FREE NIGHT CALLING SCHEME EXTENDED TO THE RETIRED BSNL EMPLOYEES:

AIBSNLREA had been in touch with the concerned BSNL Officers for taking corrective action so that STD calls are not charged under the Free Night Calling facility ordered which was ordered to be extended to the BSNL retired employees. BSNL was accordingly examining the issue. Now the Association has addressed a letter to Director (HR), BSNL requesting her to issue corrective orders so that STD calls under the scheme are treated as local calls and are not charged when within the entitled free call limit.  View the letter

06.07.2017:

E-JOURNAL JULY 2017 ISSUE:

July 2017 issue of AIBSNLREA E-journal has been uploaded and is available under the link "E-Journal" in the left column.

05.07.2017:

REVISION OF IDA W.E.F. 1.7.2017:

DPE has issued orders revising IDA w.e.f 1.7.2017 from 117.1% to 119% for CPSEs where last pay revision was implemented w.e.f. 1.1.2007.  View orders

05.07.2017:

REVISION OF IDA W.E.F. 1.7.2017:

DPE has issued orders revising IDA w.e.f 1.7.2017 from 266.7% to 269.7% for CPSEs where last pay revision was implemented w.e.f. 1.1.1997.  View orders

03.07.2017:

GB MEETING OF EAST GODAVARI BRANCH OF AIBSNLREA HELD:

A General Body meeting of AIBSNLREA, East Godavari Branch was held on 29.06.2017 at Hotel RL GRAND, Kakinada under the chairmanship of Shri GV Ramakrishna, District President. Shri GSVSS Vara Prasad, DS invited Shri CH Gandhi OS (South) on to the dais. The meeting started at 10 AM with prayer by Shri KS Prakasa Rao. The General body expressed its deep condolence to the deceased members viz. S/Shri Seetapati R, Satyanarayana Kanda and Satyanarayana K. Six new members also joined the Association raising the membership of the branch to 193 [Please view AP State Section of State News page of this website for the complete report]

01.07.2017:

DEPARTMENT OF POSTS RESPONDS TO AIBSNLREA’S REPRESENTATION TO SECRETARY (T) WITH COPY ENDORSED TO SECRETARY (POSTS) AND OTHERS ON ABNORMAL DELAY IN THE OFFICES OF DIRECTOR (POSTAL SERVICES) ALL OVER INDIA IN FORWARDING THE REVISED PPOs TO THE CONCERNED POST OFFICES:

AIBSNLREA had addressed a letter to Secretary (T) with copy endorsed to others including Secretary (Posts) regarding the abnormal delay in all the offices of Director (Postal Services) in disposing off the Revised PPOs of the absorbed BSNL pensioners who retired prior to 10.06.2013 – thus further delaying payment. The Association requested to take up the matter with Department of Posts “so that all the Offices of the Directors (Postal Services) take immediate action to expeditiously forward the revised PPOs received at their end to the concerned Post Offices” [View posting dated 28.05.2017 to read the representation]. Now the Department of posts (P.A.Wing, PEA Branch] has responded to our representation and advised all its General Manager (Finance) and Director of Accounts (Postal) to examine the matter and take remedial steps for redressal of complaints of the pensioners. View the letter of Department of Posts

30.06.2017:

INCREASE IN IDA W.E.F. 1.7.2017:

According to calculations based on All India Consumer Price Index for Industrial Workers, IDA is to increase w.e.f. 1.7.2017 by 1.9% for CPSEs where last pay revision was implemented w.e.f. 1.1.2007 and by 3% where last pay revision was implemented w.e.f. 1.1.1997.

30.06.2017:

BSNL INTRODUCES ONLINE MONITORING SYSTEM TO CHECK THE PROGRESS OF REVISION OF PENSION OF PRE-2016 CDA PENSIONERS/FAMILY PENSIONERS AND IDA PENSIONERS AS PER 78.2% IDA FITMENT:

BSNL, vide its Order No. 48-10/2017-Pen(B) dated 28.06.2017, has introduced an online system to monitor the progress of revision of pension of pre-2016 CDA pensioners/family pensioners and IDA pensioners as per 78.2% IDA fitment. The Circles have been advised to enter data pertaining to their Circle every month to enable Corporate Office to monitor the progress of settlement of pension cases circle-wise. View the BSNL Order

29.06.2017:

AIBSNLREA TAKES UP THE CASES OF ISSUE OF PRESIDENTIAL ORDERS FOR ABSORPTION IN BSNL IN RESPECT OF THREE EXECUTIVES OF GUJARAT TELECOM CIRCLE INCLUDING TWO RETIRED SDEs WITH DIRECTOR (STAFF), DOT:

AIBSNLREA has since taken up the cases of S/Shri R R Garg, JTO, D P Bhatt, Retd SDE and M D Chaudhary, Retd SDE of Gujarat Telecom Circle, who were acquitted of charges as levelled against them by the CBI Court, for issue of Presidential Orders for their absorption in BSNL with Director (Staff), DOT. View the letter

27.06.2017:

CHENNAI BRANCH OF AIBSNLREA TO HOLD ANNUAL GENERAL BODY MEETING:

Chennai Branch of AIBSNLREA is holding its Annual General Body Meeting at 10 AM, July 7, 2017 at HOTEL B.R.MATHSYA, 29/31, Thanikachalam Road, T.Nagar, Chennai-600017 (Near Pondi Bazaar and opp. to Nathella Jewelers) to transact various business including holding of election of new office bearers for the next term. All members/retired executives are requested to attend the meeting. Lunch will be served at the end of the meeting. The expenditure will be shared among the participants.

27.06.2017:

NON-CLEARANCE AND ISSUE OF FINAL RETIREMENT ORDER OF SHRI RAJ KUMAR KOCHHAR, RETD SDE (CIVIL), O/O PRINCIPAL CE (CIVIL), NTR BY PGM (BW), BSNL CORPORATE OFFICE – AIBSNLREA TAKES UP THE ISSUE WITH DIRECTOR (HR):

AIBSNLREA has taken up the case of Raj Kumar Kochhar, Retd SDE (Civil), o/o Principal CE (Civil), NTR with Director (HR), BSNL regarding non-clearance of his final retirement order by PGM (BW). The Association has pointed out that “The issue of retirement Order is important since Shri Raj Kumar Kochhar, Retd SDE (Civil), NTR has not received his pensionary benefits and also few service benefits including financial upgradation etc from E-5 to E-6 grade”. View the letter

25.06.2017:

DOT FORWARDS ANOTHER REPRESENTATION OF AIBSNLREA ON DELAY IN ISSUE OF REVISED PPOs TO THE DY.CCA, MAHARASHTRA TELECOM CIRCLE, MUMBAI FOR APPROPRIATE REMEDIAL ACTION:

Department of Telecommunications has forwarded another representation of AIBSNLREA regarding abnormal delay in issue of revised PPOs to the BSNL pensioners/Family pensioners, who retired before 10.6.2013, allowing fitment benefit by merger of 78.2% DA/DR with basic pay/pension to the Dy CCA, Controller of Communication Accounts, Maharashtra Telecom Circle, Mumbai for appropriate remedial action. View posting dated 08.06.2017 in this website to read the earlier DOT letter forwarding AIBSNLREA’s representation. View the DoT letter

24.06.2017:

GUJARAT STATE BRANCH OF AIBSNLREA REACHES 1000 MEMBERS MARK:

Gujarat State Branch of AIBSNLREA has reached the 1000 Life Members mark. Gujarat is the first Branch to reach this mark. Congratulations!

22.06.2017:

WEST BENGAL STATE BRANCH OF AIBSNLREA MEETS CCA, WEST BENGAL:

A delegation of AIBSNLREA, West Bengal State Branch comprising of S/Shri S.R.Palit, S.K.Maitra, S.C.Roy, C.R.Roy and Gopal Ghosh met CCA West Bengal on 20th June. The Joint CCA, Deputy CCA and Asst CCA were also present in the meeting. The association handed over a comprehensive list of 68 members whose revision cases are still pending. The association expressed dissatisfaction for delay in periodical updating of revision cases in the website with poor and incomplete presentation of data which is not at all helpful to the pensioners. The CCA agreed to take corrective measures. He also assured the Association to complete all revision cases pending with CCA by 30th June 2017. He also assured to look into the cases of missing Service Books matter provided BSNL forwards such cases duly certified by IFA/Head of the Circle. The CCA readily accepted the proposal of the Association for provision of a Help Line to help the aged Pensioners get all information over phone.

17.06.2017:

EAST GODAVARI BRANCH (AP STATE) OF AIBSNLREA TO HOLD ANNUAL GB MEETING:

The Executive Committee of AIBSNLREA East Godavari Branch held an Executive Committee meeting on 15.06.2017 under the chairmanship of Shri G.V. Ramakrishna, District President. Shri Vara Prasad GSVSS briefed the house on the various ongoing issues pertaining to the pensioners in general and the BSNL pensioners in particular. The meeting first expressed its deep sorrow on the sudden demise of S/Shri Sitapathi R. and Satyanarayana Kan, both life members of the Branch. Shri Ch Gandhi OS(South) also addressed the gathering. In the meeting, various aspects of implementation of 78.2% IDA merger issue including payment of arrears were discussed and it was decided to take up the individual grievances wherever exist. The meeting also decided to hold the Annual GB Meeting of the Branch on 29.06.2017 at Kakinada. It was also decided to honour all those senior members having date of birth in 1942 i.e. completing/about to be completing 75 years of age in the said GB Meeting.[ For further details on AGB, the Branch Secretary may be contacted on mobile number 09440000293]

14.06.2017:

PG CELL OF DOT INTIMATES THE STATUS OF “NON-SETTLEMENT OF PENSION AND OTHER PENSIONARY BENEFITS EVEN AFTER SEVEN MONTHS OF RETIREMENT - CASE OF SHRI SOM PRAKASH SHARMA, RETD SUB DIVISIONAL ENGINEER, GMTD, SAHARANPUR (BSNL) BY CCA(UP-WEST), MEERUT’ AS TAKEN UP BY AIBSNLREA:

AIBSNLREA had sought the intervention of Secretary, Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances in the matter wherein Shri Som Prakash Sharma, who retired as SDE on 30.09.2016 from GMTD, Saharanpur and also a life member of AIBSNLREA was not issued his PPO resulting in non-payment of his pension and other pensionary benefits (view posting dated 07.05.2017 in this website to read the representation). Now PG Cell of DOT has informed that, as intimated by AO (Pension) of CCA, UP (West), Gratuity has since been released on 21.04.2017 and the PPO has also been finalized on 30.05.2017. Thus the case stands settled. View the DoT PG Cell letter and other details

12.06.2017:

MEETING WITH PRINCIPAL, CCA, KOLKATA:

The representatives of AIBSNLREA, West Bengal State Branch, comprising of S/Shri S.K.Maitra President, S.C.Roy Vice President, S.R.Palit, State Secretary and Kartick De, Asst. State Secretary met the Principal CCA Kolkata on 8th June, 2017. S/Shri D.Turwar, CCA and Pradip Pramanik Dy. CCA were also present in the meeting. The Association representatives expressed their concern over the delay in issue of revised PPOs by CCA Office, though DOT had instructed to complete the job by 10th April 2017. As per the information provided by the Pr.CCA, out of total 7675 cases, so far 5000 cases have been completed and duly uploaded in the website and another 700 completed cases will be uploaded by next week. 500 more cases are under process and will be completed by 30th June. Further, about 500 cases have been returned to BSNL for necessary compliance and re-submission. The balance of about 900 cases are still pending with CTD, BSNL. A detail list of 94 members retired from CTD but not received the Revised Memo till date was handed over to the Pr.CCA for early settlement. The association requested the Pr.CCA to explore and formulate ways to settle those cases where the service records of the Pensioners are not traceable. Other issues like issue of duplicate PPOs, holding of Pension Adalat and refund of Rs.1000/- deducted from the gratuity etc. were also discussed in the meeting. The meeting was held in a cordial atmosphere and lasted for one and half hours.s

11.06.2017:

MEETING WITH DIRECTOR (ACCOUNTS), MAHARASHTRA POSTAL CIRCLE:

In continuation to the telephonic discussion with Shri D S Jaini, Director (Accounts), Maharashtra Postal Circle on 29.05.2017, the representatives of AIBSNLREA comprising of S/Shri P R Bhujbal, CHQ Vice President, N G Talewar, Maharashtra State Vice President, U B Nikose, President Nagpur Branch and Bhola Kamble, Asst Secretary, Nagpur Visited the office of the Director (Accounts), Maharashtra Postal Circle, Nagpur on 9.6.2017. The representatives submitted a memorandum to Shri D S Jaini DAP requesting for expeditious forwarding of revised PPOs of BSNL pensioners retired before 10.06.2017 and also disbursing of regular monthly pension/family pension by various post offices in Maharashtra Circle. DAP spoke to the Concerned SR Accounts Officer (Pension) on the issue. The Representatives also held discussion with SR AO (Pension). During the discussions, it was reported that nearly 4568 revised PPOs received by DAP office from PR CCA Mumbai/CCA Nagpur during 16.12.2016 to 08.06.2017 were forwarded to respective Head post offices in Maharashtra Postal circle for making payment of revised pension and arrears to BSNL pensioners. Only about 25 cases are still left out which will be completed without delay. All concerned officers of DAP office gave good response to our request and the Association thanked them all.

10.06.2017:

BSNL REPLIES TO THE REPRESENTATION OF AIBSNLREA TO PRIME MINISTER OF INDIA TO ADVISE MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS TO INTRODUCE DIGITAL LIFE CERTIFICATE SYSTEM OR SIMILAR ARRANGEMENT FOR SUBMISSION OF ANNUAL LIFE CERTIFICATE BY THE DOT/BSNL/MTNL PENSIONERS/FAMILY PENSIONERS TO AVAIL CONTINUATION OF CONCESSIONAL TELEPHONE FACILITY AT THE RESIDENCE:

AIBSNLREA had earlier represented to the Prime Minister of India to advise Ministry of Communications for introduction of Digital Life Certificate system or a similar arrangement to dispense with the need for the retired DOT/BSNL/MTNL pensioners/family pensioners to physically present themselves to the authorities for submission of annual Life Certificate to avail continuation of concessional telephone facility at their residence. [View posting dated 24.10.2016 in this website to read the representation]. Now BSNL has responded to the said representation and has stated in its reply that “your suggestion has been taken note of, as you are aware that employees of BSNL are spread all over India and its introduction also involves involvement of other organisations. Depending upon the feasibility, a methodology needs to be evolved for its implementation. The issue is being examined”. View the BSNL letter

10.06.2017:

ORGANISING SECRETARY (SOUTH), AIBSNLREA AGAIN MEETS JOINT CCA, HYDERABAD:

Shri C H Gandhi, Organizing Secretary (South), AIBSNLREA again met Joint CCA, Hyderabad on 02.06.2017 regarding the pending pension revision cases. The status of the cases as on 31.05.2017 in regard to Andhra Pradesh and Telengana area were as follows: Number of total cases settled: 9174, number of pending cases to be settled 2294. Out of which 657 pending cases pertain to Vijayawada. Joint CCA also informed that all the remaining cases will be settled before 30th June 2017. It was also informed that the cases for enhanced gratuity limit to 20 lakhs as DCRG for the eligible pensioners will be attended simultaneously after 30th June 2017

08.06.2017:

DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS (PG CELL) FORWARDS AIBSNLREA’S REPRESENTATION ON DELAY IN ISSUE OF REVISED PPOs TO THE DY.CCA, MAHARASHTRA, MUMBAI FOR APPROPRIATE REMEDIAL ACTION:

Department of Telecommunications (PG Cell) has forwarded AIBSNLREA’s representation dated 19.05.2017 regarding issue of revised PPOs to the BSNL pensioners/Family pensioners, who retired before 10.6.2013, allowing fitment benefit by merger of 78.2% DA/DR with basic pay/pension [view posting dated 21.05.2017 in this website to read the representation] to the Dy CCA, Controller of Communication Accounts, Maharashtra, Mumbai for appropriate remedial action. View the DOT letter

08.06.2017:

GB MEETING OF AIBSNLREA, SANGRUR BRANCH HELD:

A General Body meeting of AIBSNLREA, Sangrur Branch (Punjab State) was held on 07.06.2017 in Kaula Park office of Shri Parshotam Das, SDE under the chairmanship of Shri Sohan Lal Garg Retd DET from Bhatinda SSA. Two new Life members viz. S/Shri Geta Singh, Retd Sr SDE and A L Garg, Retd SDE (Civil) also joined the Branch in the meeting. All cases relating to 78.2% IDA fixation and receipt of revised PPO letters with arrears have been settled as confirmed by each member. No medical claim was also reported to be pending for the FY 2016-17. The members also observed 2 minutes silence to pay homage to the departed soul of the mother of Shri H S Nijjar DET. Issues like revision of pension in the light of 7 CPC recommendations, increase in the number of free telephone calls and reimbursement of medical claims were also discussed in the meeting.

07.06.2017:

DOT (DCA BRANCH) FORWARDS AIBSNLREA’S REPRESENTATIONS ON DELAY IN ISSUE OF REVISED PENSION PAYMENT ORDERS FOR THE BSNL PENSIONERS/FAMILY PENSIONERS TO THE PG CELL OF DOT:

AIBSNLREA had represented to Secretary (Telecom) and others regarding the undue delay in issue of Revised PPOs to the BSNL pensioners/Family pensioners retired before 10.06.2013 (view posting dated 14.05.2017 and 22.05.2017 in this website to read the representations). DOT (DCA Branch), on their part, has sent those two representations to PG cell of DOT for uploading in PG Portal for further course of action/settlement with the concerned offices. View the DOT letter

06.06.2017:

E-JOURNAL JUNE 2017 ISSUE:

June 2017 issue of AIBSNLREA E-journal has been uploaded and is available under the link "E-Journal" in the left column.

05.06.2017:

DONATION TO CHQ ON RECEIPT OF PENSION ARREARS:

Shri R R Balasubramanian, Retd Sr SDE and Life Member of Chennai Branch of AIBSNLREA, who manages the website of the Association, has donated Rupees Five thousand (Rs. 5000/-) only to the CHQ on receipt of his revised pension arrears. Earlier, another Life Member of Delhi South West Branch Shri M L Malhotra, Retd DGM (Finance) had also donated Rupees two thousand one hundred (Rs. 2100/-) only. CHQ thanks them.

30.05.2017:

ANNUAL GB MEETING OF GUJARAT STATE BRANCH HELD:

AIBSNLREA, Gujarat State Branch held it’s Annual General Body Meeting cum Get together Meeting in Ahmedabad Medical Association Hall, Ahmedabad on 25.5.2017 at 2.30 PM. About 275 members attended the meeting. 29 new members were also enrolled. Total strength of State Branch reached 1055 members. S/Shri R.S.Agrawal State vice President presided over the function. He welcomed the members and appraised the members with current problem of 78.2 IDA merger pension revisions. The meeting started with lighting of the lamp. It was followed with observance of two minutes silence in memory of the departed members. Senior members who completed 70 years of age as on 31.03.2017 were honoured with Shawl and Bouquet.[View Gujarat State Section of State News page of this website to read the complete report]

28.05.2017:

ABNORMAL DELAY IN THE OFFICES OF DIRECTOR (POSTAL SERVICES) ALL OVER INDIA IN FORWARDING THE REVISED PPOs TO THE CONCERNED POST OFFICES - AIBSNLREA TAKES UP THE ISSUE WITH SECRETARY (TELECOM) AND OTHERS:

AIBSNLREA has addressed a letter to Secretary (T) with copy endorsed to others concerned regarding the abnormal delay in all the offices of Director (Postal Services) in disposing off the Revised PPOs of the absorbed BSNL pensioners who retired prior to 10.06.2013 – thus further delaying payment. The Association has requested to take up the matter up with Department of Posts” so that all the Offices of the Directors (Postal Services) take immediate action to expeditiously forward the revised PPOs received at their end to the concerned Post Offices”. View the letter

26.05.2017:

AIBSNLREA AGAIN WRITES TO DIRECTOR (HR), BSNL REGARDING REFUSAL BY THE CGHS OFFICES IN KOLKATA AND CHENNAI TO EXTEND THE BENEFIT OF CGHS FACILITIES TO THE RETIRED BSNL EMPLOYEES AS ORDERED BY DOT:

In continuation to its earlier representation dated 18.03.2017 on the above issue seeking intervention of DOT/BSNL in the matter, AIBSNLREA has written to Director (HR), BSNL “ …….. In view of the above, the issue has to be taken up with Ministry of Health & Family Welfare for issue of suitable instructions to its all concerned Offices and thus resolve the matter so that the retired BSNL employees are not denied the benefit. We shall be extremely thankful if the issue is taken up with DOT and Ministry of Health & Family Welfare immediately”. View the letter

26.05.2017:

OFFICE BEARERS OF AIBSNLREA COIMBATORE BRANCH MEET PRINCIPAL GENERAL MANAGER, BSNL, COIMBATORE:

S/Shri R.Damodaran, Secretary and K.Sivakumaran, Asst. Secretary of AIBSNLREA Coimbatore Branch met PGM, BSNL, Coimbatore on 24.05.2017 and requested early settlement of 3% fixation benfit on promotion in respect of the 58 executives who retired after 10-06-2013, drawal of arrears of enhanced DCRG to the executives who retired after 1-1-2016, implementation of BSNL orders protecting pay fixed during local officiating prior to notification of Executive Promotion Policy and settlement of pension cases of voluntarily retired executives pending for months. After discussions, the PGM assured to settle enhanced DCRG cases first and then the 3% fitment cases. He also assured that the representations received regarding pay protection for officiating period will be dealt with by the Establishment section. PGM said he will post one more clerk immediately so that all the pension cases of voluntarily retired people are settled without further delay. PGM then requested the assistance of the retired executives in clearing the pending Optical Fibre cable faults and putting through FTTH connections. The office bearers informed PGM that they will discuss with interested members and arrange to takeup atleast one route to clear the pending faults. They thanked the PGM and AGM (Admin) who was present, for their positive response. The meeting lasted for nearly half an hour.

25.05.2017:

AGS(HQ) AND JOINT SECRETARY (NORTH) VISITS PR. CCA OFFICE, DELHI:

S/Shri V P Arya, AGS and R K Sinha, Joint Secretary (North) visited the Pr. CCA Office in Delhi yesterday (24.05.2017) and met the concerned Officers to pursue some specific long pending pension revision cases. They received positive response from the Officers and also collected the status of the cases.

24.05.2017:

REVISION OF PENSION OF PRE-2006 PENSIONERS - DELINKING OF REVISED PENSION FROM QUALIFYING SERVICE OF 33 YEARS – DOP&PW ORDER DATED 6.4.2016 CLARIFIED:

Shri S.Ratnasubramanian, AGS, CHQ, in his analysis published in this site on 8.4.2017 had mentioned that “according to the DoP&PW OM dated 6.4.2016, the pension will get stepped up only in respect of those whose pre revised pension was less than 50 % of the minimum pay of the pre revised scale due to grant of pro rata pension. Even in their case, their pension gets revised and is just stepped up to minimum pension i.e. being 50 % of the minimum pay of the revised pay scale. This does not in reality delink the requirement of 33 years of service for pre -2006 pensioners as mentioned in the subject of the DoP&PW OM dated 06/04/2016.”

In order to remove doubts still being raised on the applicability of the DoP&PW OM dated 6.4.2016, a letter from Central Pension Accounting Office (CPAO) which authorises Central (Civil) Pensions, is published here. This letter points out that “it has also been clarified in para 3 of the 0M dated 06.04.2016 that in case the consolidated pension/family pension calculated as per para 4.1 of 0M No. 38/37/DoP&PW (A) dated 01.09.2008 is higher than the pension/family pension calculated in the manner indicated in the OM dated 28.01.2013, the same (higher consolidated pension/family pension) will continue to be treated as basic pension/family pension” and states that “In view of the above it is clear enough that only those pension cases are to be revised in which pension calculated as per order dated 06.04.2016 works out to be more than that of para 4.1 of DP&PW 0M dated 01.09.2008.” View the CPAO letter

23.05.2017:

AIBSNLREA AGAIN TAKES UP THE CASE OF WITHDRAWAL OF 2nd ACP FROM 16 SDEs (CIVIL) OF WEST BENGAL CIVIL ZONE AND NON-GRANT OF THE BENEFIT TO THE SIMILARLY PLACED SDEs (CIVIL) – REQUESTS BSNL TO CALL FOR ALL RECORDS FROM WEST BENGAL CIVIL ZONE TO EXAMINE THE MATTER AT ITS END:

In response to the earlier representation of AIBSNLREA (view posting dated 30.01.2017 to read the letter), BSNL Corporate Office (Personnel Branch) had called for reports from the West Bengal Civil Zone on the above matter. The Association has now pleaded that “We would therefore request you to kindly call for the records related to the present case from the West Bengal Civil Zone and examine the case with reference to the Orders/Rules on the subject as quoted above and render justice to the affected retired SDEs (Civil) of West Bengal Civil Zone by restoring/allowing the 2nd ACP to them”. View the letter

22.05.2017:

AIBSNLREA AGAIN RAISES THE ISSUE OF ABNORMAL DELAY IN ISSUING REVISED PPOs TO THE PENSIONERS/FAMILY PENSIONERS, WHO RETIRED PRIOR TO 10.06.2013, ALLOWING FITMENT BENEFIT BY MERGER OF 78.2% DA/DR TO THEIR BASIC PAY/PENSION – REFERS TO TOTAL MESS CREATED IN THE OFFICES OF PRINCIPAL CCA, MAHARASHTRA:

In continuation to its earlier representation to Member (Finance), Telecom Commission (view posting dated 14.05.2017), AIBSNLREA has again taken up the matter regarding issue of revised PPOs to the BSNL pensioners/family pensioners, who retired before 10.6.2013, allowing fitment benefit by merger of 78.2% DA/DR with basic pay/pension with Secretary (Telecom) and others. The Association has pointed out to the inaction of the Principal CCA, Maharashtra to issue the revised PPOs at his end. The Association has further pleaded that “Under the above grave situation, we earnestly request you to kindly intervene in the matter and direct the Principal Controller of Communication Accounts, Maharashtra to take all possible measures to issue the revised PPOs of the eligible pensioners/family pensioners immediately. If need be, additional staff from BSNL may immediately be deputed for a short period to the CCA Offices and the Pr. CCA, Maharashtra must get his website operational to upload the status of cases for revision of pension without any further delay”. View the letter

21.05.2017:

GUJARAT STATE BRANCH OF AIBSNLREA TO HOLD ANNUAL GENERAL BODY MEETING:

AIBSNLREA, Gujarat State Branch will hold its Annual General Body Meeting at Ahmedabad Medical Association Hall, Near Natraj Cinema, Ashram Road Ahmedabad on 25.5.2017 at 2.30 PM. 67 members who have completed 70 years of age as on 31.03.2017 will be felicitated. The meeting will be followed by dinner.

21.05.2017:

NADIAD BRANCH OF AIBSNLREA HELD A GB MEETING:

Nadiad branch of AIBSNLREA held its bi-monthly meeting on 18.05.2017 at Lions Club Hall at Anand, S/Shri P. B. Parmar State President and A. B. Patel State Secretary attended the meeting who later addressed the gathering. The meeting was started with observance of one minute silence in memory of the departed members. There was discussions mainly on the issues like night calling, facility, medical reimbursement option etc. A presentation was also made on New Diet Method. Shri B.M.Patel presented vote of thanks. The meeting was followed by dinner.

21.05.2017:

GB MEETING OF UDAIPUR BRANCH OF AIBSNLREA HELD:

A General Body meeting of AIBSNLREA, Udaipur Branch (Rajasthan State) was held on 13.5.2017 in Town Hall, Udaipur. 26 members attended the meeting. Discussions were mainly held regarding payment of revised pension arrears. Most of the members received their arrears, but a few members did not receive even their revised PPOs. These members were requested to contact CCA Jaipur. Branch President Shri G.M Avasthi submitted his resignation from the post of President on Medical grounds. His resignation was accepted and Shri M.P Vyas DGM (Rtd.) was elected unanimously as president of AIBSNLREA Udaipur Branch. Shri Sharma X En Civil, who retired recently, joined as Life Member of the Association and was welcomed by the Secretary on behalf of the Branch.

20.05.2017:

DELAY IN PENSION REVISION ALLOWING BENEFIT OF MERGER OF 50% DA/DR WITH BASIC PAY/PENSION TO 78.2% DA/DR FOR BSNL PENSIONERS/FAMILY PENSIONERS, WHO RETIRED PRIOR TO 10.06.2013:

In the background of numerous complaints for non-settlement of their pension revision with fitment benefit by merger of 78.2% DA/DR with basic pay/pension from those who retired prior to 10.6.2013 and the revised target dates fixed by Member(Finance), BSNL Corporate Office has asked all its Nodal Officers in Circles to furnish a report on the number of complete cases of pension paper and Service Book submitted. View the BSNL order

19.05.2017:

BSNL CORPORATE OFFICE ADVISES CIRCLE HEADS TO EXPLORE THE POSSIBILITY OF EMPANELMENT OF MORE RENOWENED PRIVATE HOSPITALS AT CGHS RATES:

BSNL Corporate Office, vide its No. BSNL/Admn.I/15-3/2017(ii) dated 15.05.2017, has advised all Circle Heads to ensure empanelment of sufficient number of renowned private hospitals, in addition to CGHS approved hospitals, who can extend the services in CGHS rates on cash payment. View the BSNL order

18.05.2017:

RAIPUR BRANCH OF AIBSNLREA HOLD GB MEETING:

General Body Meeting of AIBSNLREA, RAIPUR BRANCH (Chattisgarh State) was held on 11th May 2017, under the chairmanship of Shri P.Z. Choradia, Retd AGM and the Branch President. Shri G P Pande, Branch Secretary informed the house regarding the sad demise of S/Shri R S.Baiwade Retd SDE and S.M. Chaturvedi Retd AGM in the month of April 2017. All the members observed two minutes silence to pay homage to the departed souls. Then Branch Secretary informed the members about the restoration of BSNLMRS facility without voucher to Retired BSNL employees and to submit the option to the concerned units early. Regarding receipt of revised PPO'S and pension arrears, some remembers retired from WTR Circle complaint that they have not received their PPO's/arrears. Branch Secretary who collected information from Maharashtra Circle stated that these may be delayed for some time more since the CCA Office has been found wanting. Other issues of importance were also discussed and the meeting was concluded with the presentation of vote of thanks.

15.05.2017:

REVISION OF PENSION/FAMILY PENSION OF PRE-2016 PENSIONERS/FAMILY PENSIONERS - DOP&PW ISSUES ORDERS IMPLEMENTING CABINET DECISION ON 7TH CPC RECOMMENDATION REGARDING SECOND OPTION FOR REVISION OF PENSION:

DOP&PW has finally issued the detailed Orders allowing second option for fixation of pension and family pension of pre-2016 pensioners/family pensioners drawing pension from Central Civil Estimate effective from 1.1.2016. In this respect please also refer to posting dated 04.05.2017 in this website. View the DoP&PW order

14.05.2017:

AIBSNLREA WRITES TO MEMBER (FINANCE) REGARDING CONTINUED DELAY IN ISSUE OF REVISED PPOs TO THE BSNL PENSIONERS/FAMILY PENSIONERS, WHO RETIRED BEFORE 10.06.2013, ALLOWING FIMENT BENEFIT BY MERGER OF 78.2% DA/DR WITH BASIC PAY/PENSION:

AIBSNLREA has sought for the intervention of Member (Finance) once again in the matter of settlement of revision of pension cases of the BSNL pensioners/family pensioners, who retired before 10.06.2013, allowing fitment benefit by merger of 78.2% DA/DR with basic pay/pension. The Association has pleaded that … “We shall, therefore, request you to kindly once again intervene in the matter and advice all CCAs to issue all the pending revised PPOs and also upload the details of the settled cases in their websites”. View the letter

12.05.2017:

LINKING OF PAN WITH AADHAR FOR TAX PAYERS SIMPLIFIED:

In a Press release dated May 11, 2017, PIB has stated that Income Tax Department has made it easy for tax payers using Income Tax website to link PAN with Aadhar. This will mitigate the problems being faced by those whose names do not match both in PAN and Aadhar. The PIB release also gives the procedure to be followed to get the difficulties resolved. View the PIB release

07.05.2017:

NON-SETTLEMENT OF PENSION AND OTHER PENSIONARY BENEFITS EVEN AFTER SEVEN MONTHS OF RETIREMENT - CASE OF SHRI SOM PRAKASH SHARMA, RETD SUB DIVISIONAL ENGINEER, GMTD, SAHARANPUR (BSNL) BY CCA(UP-WEST), MEERUT– AIBSNLREA TAKES UP THE ISSUE WITH SECRETARY, DEPTT OF ADMINISTRATIVE REFORMS AND PUBLIC GRIEVANCES:

AIBSNLREA has sought the intervention of Secretary, Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances in the above matter wherein Shri Som Prakash Sharma, who retired as SDE on 30.09.2016 from GMTD, Saharanpur and also a life member of AIBSNLREA was not issued his PPO resulting in non-payment of his pension and other pensionary benefits. The Association has requested him “to kindly intervene in the matter so that Department of Telecommunication directs its Controller of Communication Accounts, UP(West) at Meerut to issue the PPO and release other pensionary benefits along with due interest to Shri Som Prakash Sharma, Retd SDE, GMTD, BSNL, Saharanpur at the earliest”. View the letter

06.05.2017:

E-JOURNAL MAY 2017 ISSUE:

May 2017 issue of AIBSNLREA E-journal has been uploaded and is available under the link "E-Journal" in the left column.

04.05.2017:

CABINET APPROVES MODIFICATION IN PENSION AND PENSION BENEFITS TO THE PRE-2016 PENSIONERS AND FAMILY PENSIONERS:

In our website on 21.04.2017, we reported that Cabinet is all set to issue a revised method for revision of pension of the pre-2016 pensioners and family pensioners in the background of the 7 CPC recommendations. The CPC had recommended two methods allowing the pensioners to opt one of them. Earlier, the Government had accepted the second option with fitment benefit by 2.57 for revision of pension/family pension. The first option as recommended by the Commission was referred to a Committee for its further examination and recommendation. The Committee has finally recommended a method of revision of pension which will entail additional benefit. The Government has accepted this revised method and Orders on the issue expected at any time. View PIB report

02.05.2017:

QUARTERLY GB MEETING OF AIBSNLREA, KOLHAPUR BRANCH:

Quarterly meeting of AIBSNLREA, Kolhapur Branch was conducted with Shri. L M Godi, President, on the Chair. After Prayer, the President informed the house about the sad demise of Shri P C Dube, Maharashtra State President on 21.02.2017 and observed that the Association has lost a very good leader who worked selflessly for the organization. The members, thereafter, observed two minute silence to pay homage to the departed soul. Shri D K Joshi, the Branch Secretary then informed the members about the developments after the last meeting held in January 2017 [Please view Maharashtra State Section of State News page of this website for the full report].

25.04.2017:

PMO FORWARDS AIBSNLREA’S REPRESENTATION REGARDING DENIAL OF 2nd ACP TO SOME RETIRED CIVIL WING EXECUTIVES OF WEST BENGAL:

Prime Minister’s Office has since forwarded AIBSNLREA’s representation dated 3.4.2017 on the above issue to Secretary, DOT [View posting dated 09.04.2017 in this website] View letter

22.04.2017:

GENERAL BODY MEETING OF LUCKNOW BRANCH OF AIBSNLREA HELD:

A General Body Meeting of Lucknow Branch of AIBSNLREA was held on 20.4.2017 in the Jai Shankar Prasad Sabhagar of Bhatkhande Sangeet Mahavidyalaya, Lucknow under the chairmanship of Shri M K Shukla. S/Shri Ambika Singh State Financial Secretary, Radhey Shyam Organising Secretary, Ashok Srivastava Financial Secretary and R S Agrawal actively participated in the deliberations. 54 members participated in the meeting and 7 new members were also enrolled as Life Members. Shri S P Singh Branch Secretary reported about the developments taken place during last 4 months. Except 7 members, all other members have already received their revised PPOs. The left out cases are also to be completed before the month end. The endorsement orders on pending cases by AO Railway Pension in DPA Office are likely to be issued by 15th of May 2017. The pending Medical bills are being paid in CGMT office and LWTD may also start payment in April 2017. Shri R S Arora, State Secretary informed that the pending IDA revision cases of Allahabad, Gorakhpur, Varanasi, Kanpur, Ballia and Sultanpur are in progress. He also gave details of discussion with Joint CCA UP (E) Circle and AO Railway Pension in DPA Office Lucknow. At last, the meeting ended with vote of thanks presented by the President. View Photo

22.04.2017:

AIBSNLREA, MEHSANA TD BRANCH HELD ITS GB MEETING:

Mehsana Telecom District Branch of Gujarat held its General Body meeting at Rotary Club Hall, Mehsana at 10.00 Hrs on 20.04.2017. 50 members attended the meeting. The meeting was presided over by Shri C.S.Patel Retd SDE. S/Shri P. B. Parmar, State President, A. B. Patel, State Secretary and B. M. Bhavsar, Org. Secretary (West) attended the meeting. Shri P. B. Parmar, President apprised the house about the report of 3rd PRC, 78.2 % IDA pension fixation, Medical Reimbursement without vouchers and other matters, S/Shri A. B. Patel and B. M. Bhavsar also addressed the house. 19 new members joined the association. Shri M.T.Patel, State Finance Secretary along with Shri M.H.Soni Retd SDE enrolled these new members. S/Shri D.V.Prajapati Organizing Secretary and P.K.Chaudhry organized the meeting nicely and Shri B.M. Patel Retd AGM conducted the meeting. Shri D.M.Patel, State Vice President presented the vote of thanks. It was followed by Lunch. Thereafter, Shri P.B.Parmar along with other state office bearers met GMTD Mehsana and DGM (Fin) Mehsana and discussed the problem regarding pending Medical Bills.

21.04.2017:

GOVERNMENT IS SET TO ISSUE REVISED FITMENT FORMULA FOR THE CDA PENSIONERS:

We had earlier reported that 7th CPC has recommended two sets of formula for calculation of pension as follows:-

“Pension formulation:

(i) All the civilian personnel including CAPF who retired prior to 1.1.2016 (expected date of implementation of the seventh CPC recommendations) shall first be fixed in the Pay Matrix being recommended by this Commission, on the basis of the Pay Band and Grade Pay at which they retired, at the minimum of the corresponding level in the matrix. This amount shall be raised, to arrive at the notional pay of the retirees by adding the number of increments he/she had earned in that level while in service, at the rate of three percent. Fifty percent of the total amount so arrived at shall be the revised pension.
(ii) The second calculation to be carried out is as follows. The pension, as had been fixed at the time of implementation of the VI CPC recommendation, shall be multiplied by 2.57 to arrive at the alternate value for the revised pension.
(iii) Pensioners may be given the option of choosing whichever formulation is beneficial to them.”

While the Government accepted the second calculation for revision of pension to facilitate early implementation of the CPC Report, it wanted some more time to examine the first option. Now it is said that the Government has completed the exercise at its end and may soon issue the revised Orders offering two formulations for fixation of pension. The pensioners would be asked to opt either of the two. The new formula, already worked out, is similar to the OROP theme and this will benefit many pensioners. There is a news that even the multiplying factor of 2.57 as ordered now under the second alternative may also undergo change.

19.04.2017:

RESTORATION OF 'WITHOUT VOUCHER FACILITY' TO BSNL RETIRED EMPLOYEES UNDER BSNLMRS:

BSNL Corporate Office has issued instructions to all the CGMs that all the controlling offices should maintain detailed information of retired employees opting for 'without voucher facility' under BSNL MRS under outdoor treatment and the amount payable during the financial year and quarterly payments payable, as the decision is to be reviewed after 6 months. View the BSNL letter

15.04.2017:

QUARTERLY GB MEETING OF AIBSNLREA, VADODARA BRANCH:

The Quarterly General Body meeting of AIBSNLREA, Vadodara Branch was held on 10-04-2017, at Hotel Utsav. 77 members attended meeting. Shri R T Shah, Branch Secretary, Vadodara conducted the meeting and briefed the activities of Vadodara Branch. S/Shri Parmar, President and A B Patel State Secretary, Gujarat addressed the gathering and gave important information.The house decided to have next meeting with family to enjoy a musical evening with grand dinner.The house disbursed after taking lunch. After the meeting, S/Shri Parmar, President, State Secretary A B Patel, R T Shah, Branch Secretary and I A Patel, Ex. Member met PGM, Vadodara and discussed a pressing problem ( non-payment of dental charges) of the pensioners of Vadodara SSA.

14.04.2017:

AIBSNLREA WRITES TO SECRETARY (PENSION), DOP&PW FOR EARLY SETTLEMENT OF THE ISSUE OF ANOMALY IN FIXATION OF PENSION OF DOT EMPLOYEES ABSORBED IN BSNL RETIRED BETWEEN 1.10.2000 AND 31.07.2001:

AIBSNLREA has again taken up the above issue with Secretary (Pension), DOP&PW which is under discussion in SCOVA meetings for last so many years. The Association refers to the minutes of the last SCOVA meeting and requests Secretary (Pension) that “Considering the fact that this issue is a very long pending one and should have been settled long before, we earnestly request you to kindly intervene so that the matter is resolved now”. View the letter

13.04.2017:

DENIAL/NON-RESTORATION OF BENEFIT OF SECOND ACP TO THE RETIRED CIVIL WING EXECUTIVES OF BSNL BY WEST BENGAL CIVIL ZONE, BSNL, KOLKATA ON FLIMSY GROUNDS - AIBSNLREA AGAIN WRITES TO PRIME MINISTER ON THE ISSUE:

Being unsatisfied on the inaction of DOT and BSNL to address the grievance taken up by the Association at their own level and also being unsatisfied with the reply given by the BSNL Civil Zone, Kolkata, AIBSNLREA has taken up the issue with Prime Minister of India. The Association has urged that “…….. we earnestly appeal to your kind self to intervene in the matter so that the Department of Telecommunications and Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (Corporate Office) examine the issues as detailed in our enclosed representation only at their end and render justice to the concerned affected pensioners”. In this regard, postings dated 30.01.2017 and 09.04.2017 in this website may also be viewed. View the letter

11.04.2017:

BSNL RESTORES THE BENEFIT OF MEDICAL CLAIMS WITHOUT VOUCHER FOR OUTDOOR TREATMENT TO THE RETIRED BSNL EMPLOYEES- RELENTLESS EFFORT BY AIBSNLREA FINALLY BRINGS RESULT AFTER LONG FIVE AND HALF YEARS PURSUATION:

It may be recalled that BSNL, vide its Office Order No. 7-8/2010-/EF/Part/1 dated 5.09.2011, had withdrawn the facility of medical claims without voucher for outdoor treatment both from the serving and the retired BSNL employees. AIBSNLREA not only protested against the Order but also demanded restoration of the benefit at least to the retired BSNL employees. In fact, this Association was first to raise the demand to restore the benefit to the retired BSNL employees in its letter addressed to CMD, BSNL [View posting dated 09.09.2011 in this website for confirmation]. During the last long five and half years, when others practically forgot the issue, AIBSNLREA constantly kept up the pressure. After the AIC at Bhubaneswar, the Association took up the issue in a resolution form with the Prime Minister of India and others. The Association also requested Director (HR), BSNL to grant a meeting to discuss this issue along with other issues. In this process, a meeting was granted by GM(Admn), BSNL Office on 20.12.2016 and the issue was discussed giving a positive signal [View posting dated 21.12.2016 for details]. Thereafter, the Association continued to pursue the issue and time to time status was given in the website. Now BSNL has issued Orders vide its No. BSNL/Admn.I/15-22/14 dated 11.04.2017 restoring the facility initially for 6 months to the retired BSNL employees.   View the BSNL order

10.04.2017:

ISSUE OF PENSIONERS’ IDENTITY CARD TO THE BSNL IDA PENSIONERS IN REVISED FORMAT AND LINKING AADHAR NUMBER- DOP&PW FORWARDS AIBSNLREA’S REPRESENTATION TO DOT ON THE ISSUE:

AIBSNLREA had last represented vide its No. AIBSNLREA/CHQ/2017/03 dated 30.01.2017 for implementation of DOP&PW OM dated 12.08.2015 for issue of Pensioners’ Identity Card to the BSNL IDA pensioners [View posting dated 31.01.2017 in this website to read the representation]. Department of Pension and Pensioners’ Welfare has now forwarded the said representation to Director (Estt), Department of Telecommunications to take necessary action as per its OMs dated 12.08.2015 and 26.10.2016.   View the DoP&PW letter

09.04.2017:

DENIAL/NON-RESTORATION OF BENEFIT OF SECOND ACP TO THE RETIRED CIVIL WING EXECUTIVES OF BSNL BY WEST BENGAL CIVIL ZONE, BSNL, KOLKATA ON FLIMSY GROUNDS - WEST BENGAL CIVIL ZONE REPLIES TO THE AIBSNLREA’S REPRESENTATION TO THE PRIME MINISTER AND STCKS TO ITS EARLIER STAND ON THE MATTER:

AIBSNLREA had last represented to the Prime Minister of India on the above issue wherein BSNL Civil Zone, Kolkata had arbitrarily withdrawn the benefit of second ACP granted to 16 of its retired SDEs (Civil) by deliberately linking the ACP Scheme with “BSNL MSRR 2009” with the issue which has no relevance in the present case. Moreover, DOP&T had already clarified that the regular service for the purpose of ACP was to be counted from the direct entry grade of the officials [view posting dated 30.01.2017 in this website to read the representation]. Now the West Bengal Civil Zone has replied to this representation reiterating its old stand on the matter.   View the letter

09.04.2017:

AIBSNLREA, JUNAGADH BRANCH HELD ITS GB MEETING:

Junagadh branch of Gujarat held its Annual General Body meeting at Giriraj hotel Junagadh. 26 members attended the meeting with their family members. S/Shri P. B. Parmar, State President, A. B. Patel, State Secretary and B. M. Bhavsar Org. Secretary (West) attended the meeting. The meeting was presided over by Branch President Shri S. D. Kanabar and was addressed by Shri P. B. Parmar, President. He apprised the house about the report of 3rd PRC and other matters, S/Shri A. B. Patel and B. M. Bhavsar also addressed the house. Seven new members joined the association. Shri H. N. Herbha, Branch Secretary presented the vote of thank. Shri K. P. Dobriya Finance Secretary conducted the meeting. It was followed by dinner.

08.04.2017:

APPLICABILITY OF 33 YEARS OF QUALIFYING SERVICE FOR FULL PENSION - ANALYSIS BY COM.S.RATNASUBRAMANIAN AGS CHQ:

There has been some misunderstanding about the DoP&PW OM dated 6.4.2016 due to "revision of pension pre -2006 pensioners – delinking of revised pension from qualifying service of 33 years" appearing in the subject. In fact the said OM relates to only granting atleast 50% of minimum of the revised pay scale as revised pension for pre-2006 pensioners and not about delinking 33 years of service. Please read the article to know the correct position.   View the Article

06.04.2017:

E-JOURNAL APRIL 2017 ISSUE:

April 2017 issue of AIBSNLREA E-journal has been uploaded and is available under the link "E-Journal" in the left column.

06.04.2017:

REVISION OF IDA W.E.F. 1.4.2017:

DPE has issued orders revising IDA w.e.f 1.4.2017 from 119.5% to 117.1% for CPSEs where last pay revision was implemented w.e.f. 1.1.2007.  Click Here for the orders

06.04.2017:

REVISION OF IDA W.E.F. 1.4.2017:

DPE has issued orders revising IDA w.e.f 1.4.2017 from 270.7% to 266.7% for CPSEs where last pay revision was implemented w.e.f. 1.1.1997.  Click Here for the orders

04.04.2017:

VADODARA BRANCH OF AIBSNLREA TO HOLD GB MEETING:

Vadodara Branch (Gujarat State) of AIBSNLREA will be holding a General Body Meeting at 10.30 hrs on 10th April, 2017 at Hotel Utsav, Navrang Complex, Raopura Dandiabazar Road, Vadodara which is to be followed by lunch. Guest office bearers of AIBSNLREA from CHQ and State Branch will also address the house.

03.04.2017:

ORGANISING SECRETARY (SOUTH), AIBSNLREA, CHQ MEETS JOINT CCA, HYDERABAD:

Shri Ch. Gandhi, Organizing Secretary (South), CHQ came all the way from Vishakhapatnam and met Joint CCA Mr Sampar at Hyderabad and discussed for about one hour about the pension revision cases by merger of 78.2% IDA and many other individual representations. The status of pension revision cases as on 30.03.2017 was as follows:- Pre-2007 Cases for both AP and Telangana : Cases received --- 3896, Cases settled ----3411, Cases pending ---- 485, and Post-2007 Cacess for both AP and Telangana: Cases received ----7375, Cases settled ----2203, Cases pending ---5172. Jt CCA also informed that assistance of ten BSNL retired employees have also been taken to expedite the work. Jt CCA promised that the entire process will be completed by 31.05.2017. Shri Ch Gandhi thanked Jt CCA for settling most of the cases and also expediting the pending cases.

31.03.2017:

DECREASE IN IDA W.E.F. 1.4.2017:

According to calculations based on All India Consumer Price Index for Industrial Workers, IDA is to decrease w.e.f. 1.4.2017 by 2.3% for CPSEs where last pay revision was implemented w.e.f. 1.1.2007 and by 4% where last pay revision was implemented w.e.f. 1.1.1997.

30.03.2017:

AIBSNLREA, AMBALA BRANCH HELD A GB MEETING:

Ambala Branch of AIBSNLREA held a Gneral body meeting on 27th March 2017 at Food Court Restaurant under the Presidentship of Shri P.C Chauhan. 30 members attended the meeting. Shri J.C Gupta Branch Secretary briefed the members on the various developments of the Association related to the BSNL pensioners. It was informed that almost all the members have received the arrears on re-fixation of pension due to implementation of 78.2% IDA order. In other very few scattered cases orders for revision of pension have been issued by CCA Haryana and the arrears will be paid with the pension for the month of March to be paid in April, 2017. One new member has joined the Association as Life member.

29.03.2017:

DECISION TAKEN IN THE SCOVA MEETING TO EXTEND CGHS FACILITIES TO THE BSNL RETIRED EMPLOYEES WHO ARE IN RECEIPT OF PENSION FROM CENTRAL CVIL ESTIMATES – REFUSAL TO EXTEND THE BENEFIT AS DECIDED IN THE SCOVA MEETING BY THE CGHS OFFICES IN CHENNAI AND KOLKATA:

AIBSNLREA had earlier taken up the above issue with Dy. Director General (Estt), DOT with a copy endorsed to Director(HR), BSNL [View posting dated 18.03.2017 in this website to read the letter]. Now the Association has taken up the same issue with Department of Pension and Pensioners’ Welfare with a copy endorsed to Director (CGHS) requesting to get the decision taken in the 28th SCOVA meeting allowing extension of CGHS facilities to the retired BSNL employees implemented immediately. View the letter

28.03.2017:

AIBSNLREA, NAGPUR HELD MEETING WITH CCA MAHARASHTRA, MUMBAI:

Shri P R Bhujbal Vice President CHQ along with Shri Arun Deshpande Branch Secretary Nagpur held a specially organized meeting with Smt Monali Dhakate, Controller of Communication Accounts, and Maharashtra Circle Mumbai on Sunday (26-03-2017) during her short visit to Nagpur. In the meeting, the Association expressed deep concern over the abnormal delay in issue of revised PPOs to BSNL pre-2007 and post-2007 pensioners in Maharashtra Circle despite DOT’s specific instructions for completing pension revision exercise before 31st December, 2016. As on date majority of the cases pertaining to WTR/WTP, Maharashtra have not been cleared. CCA Mumbai informed that three special teams have been deployed to complete the pension revision work within the revised target. CCA assured that due efforts are being taken to issue revised PPOs without further delay. CCA Mumbai was made aware about the dilapidated condition of the official web site of Pr CCA MH Mumbai since last 5 years. She was requested to look into the matter. She assured to complete the web site repairs before April, 2017. The Association expressed special thanks to Smt Monali Dhakate CCA Mumbai at Nagpur for granting meeting with AIBSNLREA Nagpur even on Sunday.

27.03.2017:

DOT PULLS UP THE CCAs AND BSNL FOR DELAY IN COMPLETING THE EXERCISES TO REVISE THE PENSION OF PRE-2007 AND POST 2007 BSNL PENSIONERS WITH FITMENT BENEFIT BY MERGER of 78.2% DA/DR WITH BASIC PAY/PENSION – FIXES REVISED TARGETS:

The Association had made few representations to both DOT and BSNL about abnormal delay in processing the pension revision cases both at BSNL offices and the office of the CCAs. Now Member (Finance), Telecom Commission in a DO letter dated 7.3.2017 has pulled up both BSNL and CCAs for the abnormal delay and has ixed revised target dates to complete the works. BSNL has also forwarded the same letter to all its units to comply with the instructions. View the letters

27.03.2017:

SANGRUR BRANCH OF AIBSNLREA HELD A GENERAL BODY MEETING:

A general body meeting of SANGRUR SSA branch of AIBSNLREA was held on 27.03.2017 at Kaula Park Office, Sangrur under the Chairperson Shri H S Nijjar, Retired DET from Sangrur as on 31.12.2006 and a prominent personality in Divine Spiritual knowledge about Karam Yog and Samadhi. He spared his enough time to deliver a lecture for about 40 minutes and all the 14 members present were deeply impressed. The members also observed 2 minutes silence due to sad demise of our 2 active members namely Late Shri Satish Chander Rao JTO and Late Shri Manohar Lal DET. The new members who joined the Association in the meeting are S/Shri Sat Pal Aggarwal DET, Rajinder Singh SDE and Piarey Lal JTO retd from Sangrur SSA who were all welcomed. All members got their revised PPOs with 78.2% IDA merger notionally wef 01.01.2007. Pre-2006 pensioner's already received their revised PPOs and no case is pending on this account. The other issue discussed was late payment of medical claims of two members. The Pensioner's Identity Cards are being issued to the members but with logo of BSNL printed (without State emblem). The President also shared his thoughts in the meeting.. At last vote of thanks was presented by Shri V K Mittal, Branch Finance Secretary.

27.03.2017:

GB MEETING OF AIBSNLREA, MUMBAI HELD:

A GB Meeting of Mumbai Division of AIBSNLREA was held on 24.3.2017 in the Conference Hall, Telephone House, Prabhadevi, Mumba at 14.00 Hrs under the Chairmanship of Shri Vasudeva. President informed the House about the untimely and sudden demise of Circle President Shri P C Dubey at Pune. The House then observed two minutes silence in memory of the departed soul. The briefed the House regarding recent developments and also requested the members to spare 20 minutes time in the Morning for practicing regular “Yoga” to keep body fitness. Branch Secretary read out minutes of last General Body Meeting which was passed unanimously. He welcomed all seven new life members for enrolling as life members of Mumbai Branch and requested all members present in the House for enrolling more members for Mumbai Branch. He also announced in advance that next General Body Meeting will be held in the first week of July 2017 in which New Body will be formed. He also informed the House that Several times the Association met concerned officers at different levels for early Revision of Pay / Pension by merger of 78.2 % D.A. But there is no satisfactory progress. He also intimated the status of Pay / Pension at par MTNL. Members were very unhappy and showed their displeasure for abnormal delay for settling the issues. Mumbai Division also passed a Resolution expressing their total displeasure for failure to settle the pension revision cases by the PR CCA. Shri S.N. Verma gave vote of thanks and meeting was concluded at 16.30 Hrs.

25.03.2017:

BSNL ISSUES FURTHER ORDERS WHICH ENABLES BSNL TO DECIDE ON ITS OWN THE CASES OF EXCESS/WRONGFULRECOVERY MADE TO ITS EMPLOYEES WITHOUT NEEDING TO SEEK APPROVAL OF DOT/DOE:

In the background of the DOP&T OM dated 2.3.2016 that was issued following Supreme Court judgment in which it declared recovery of excess/wrongful payments in certain specific cases impermissible in law, on the request of AIBSNLREA, BSNL had issued guidelines for the same in consultation with DOT to process the cases of BSNL employees [view posting dated 12.09.2016 in this website]. Now BSNL has issued a clarification following further guidelines issued by DOT that BSNL would decide the cases of BSNL employees of its own without referring them to DOT/DOE for their approval provided there is no liability to DOT/Government by such employees. View the order

20.03.2017:

GUJARAT BRANCH MET JOINT CCA, GUJARAT TELECOM REGION:

S/Shri R.C.Sharma AGS, B V Bhavsar, Organizing Secretary (West), CHQ and A.B.Patel Circle Secretary, State Branch met Dr. Kamal Kapoor, Jt..CCA, Gujarat Telecm Region, Ahmedabad on 17.03.2017 regarding the progress of 78.2 % IDA pension revision issue. The Joint CCA specifically told that despite heavy shortage staff and other regular works, two teams have been formed for completing the entire work of Pre-2007 and Post-2007 pensioners which have completed about 95% of the cases as on 16-3-2017. Now about 300 cases out of 10,700 cases of pension revision are pending for want of some queries and some other problems. However, he assured that the whole work will be completed by the end of March, 2017. It may be added that a few pensioners from the Association and others are voluntarily helping the CCA staff for speedy disposed of the completed cases.

18.03.2017:

EXTENSION OF CGHS FACILITIES TO THE RETIRED BSNL EMPLOYEES WHO ARE IN RECEIPT OF PENSION FROM CENTRAL CIVIL ESTIMATES – REFUSAL TO EXTEND THE BENEFIT BY THE CGHS OFFICES IN CHENNAI AND KOLKATA:

On receiving two specific complaints from Kolkata and Chennai, AIBSNLREA has taken up the above issue with Dy Director General (Establishment), Department of Telecommunications requesting him to take up the issue with Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and get the present stalemate sorted out at the earliest. View the letter

17.03.2017:

DOT ISSUES ORDERS CLARIFYING THAT THE DOP&PW OM ENHANCING THE LIMIT OF GRATUITY OF THE CG RETIREE$ IS APPLICABLE TO THE RETIRING BSNL/MTNL EMPLOYEES:

AIBSNLREA had been pursuing the above issue ever since the DOP&PW issued its OM 04.08.2016 enhancing the limit of gratuity to the CG Employees w.e.f 1.1.2016 and demanded to issue a clarification on its applicability to the absorbed retiring employees of BSNL also, since some CCAs were not extending the benefit. DOT was time and again assuring the Association that the clarification will be issued after consulting the DOP&PW. Now DOT has clarified that the said OM enhancing the limit of gratuity is also applicable to the retiring BSNL/MTNL employees also. Thus a long pending issue gets resolved. View the DoT letter

16.03.2017:

BSNL REPLIES TO AIBSNLREA’S REPRESENTATION DATED 27.01.2017 TO DIRECTOR (HR) REGARDING IMPLEMENTATION OF WEB BASED PROGRAM FOR MONITORING MEDICAL CLAIMS OF RETIRED EMPLOYEES:

AIBSNLREA had represented earlier to Director (HR) regarding implementation of BSNL’s Office instructions issued vide its letter dated 10.08.2016 to CGM, ITPC, Pune for development and implementation of a web based program to monitor the medical claims of the BSNL retired employees [view posting dated 27.01.2017 in this website to read the representation]. BSNL has now send a reply stating that “proposed web based programme for monitoring medical claims of retired employees has not been implemented due to heavy cost involved. The office is working out on alternate economical measures for implementation of the programme.” View the BSNL letter

15.03.2017:

GENERAL BODY MEETING OF AIBSNLEA INDORE BRANCH HELD:

The general body meeting of AIBSNLREA indore branch was held at Nehru Park Indore on 11/03/2017 to elect new office bearers of the branch. Election officer Shri R.N.Rathore conducted the election. Following office bearer were elected unanimously:
President  - Shri S.K.Jain (Rtd) C.A.O
Vice president  - Shri I.K.Vyas (Rtd)S.D.E
Secretary - Shri N.C.Yadav (Rtd) D.E
Asst.Secretary - Shri D.C.Pure (Rtd) S.D.E
Treasurer  - Shri B.L.Jain  (Rtd) D.E

14.03.2017:

AMRAVATI BRANCH OF AIBSNLREA ( WEST VIDARBHA REGION ) HELD ITS GB MEETING:

A General Body Meeting of AIBSNLREA, Amravati Branch was held under the Chairmanship of Shri R. W. Tidke , President of the Branch on 04th March 2017 at the Conference Hall of G. M. Telecom , BSNL , Amravati. The meeting was attended by 28 members of the Branch along with Shri V. G. Dakhode , State Secretary AIBSNLREA , Maharashtra State . One new member Shri G. L. Kambale has joined the association. The house greeted the newly enrolled. Before proceeding further, the house observed 2 minutes’ silence in the memory of departed soul of late Shri P.C.Dubey , State President , AIBSNLREA , Maharashtra State. [view Maharashtra State Section of State News page of this website to read the complete report].

13.03.2017:

REVISION OF PENSION OF PRE-2006 PENSIONERS - DELINKING OF REVISED PENSION FROM QUALIFYING SERVICE OF 33 YEARS - APPLICABILITY TO IDA PENSIONERS OF BSNL/MTNL - BSNL FORWARDS DOT LETTER:

BSNL has forwarded the DoT letter dated 15.2.2017 which clarifies that pro-rata reduction of the minimum revised pension (50% of the minimum of the pay in the pay scale corresponding to the pre-revised pay scale from which BSNL pensioner had retired) was not included in the pension revision order in respect of IDA pensioners vide DoT OM No.40-17/2008-Pen(T)-Vol.III dated 15.3.2011. View the BSNL letter forwarding the DoT letter

10.03.2017:

PG CELL OF DEPARTEMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATION SENDS AIBSNLREA’S REPRESENTATIONS TO DDG(ESTT), DOT FOR FURTHER ACTION:

PG Cell of Department of Telecommunications has since forwarded two representations of AIBSNLREA regarding “Indifferent attitude of the concerned Departments/Ministries to address the genuine grievances of the pensioners in general and the absorbed BSNL pensioners in particular” and “Redressal of genuine grievances of the pensioners who are not allowed to earn the annual increment even though completing one full years service on the date of their retirement” to the Dy. Director General (Estt), DOT for further action. View the letters of PG Cell of DoT

10.03.2017:

DEPARTEMENT OF EXPENDITURE (MINISTRY OF FINANCE) FORWARDS AIBSNLREA’S REPRESENTATION DATED 18.07.2016 ON “INDIFFERENT ATTITUDE OF THE CONCERNED DEPARTMENTS/MINISTRIES TO ADDREES THE GENUINE GRIEVANCES OF THE PENSIONERS IN GENERAL AND THE ABSORBED BSNL PENSIONERS IN PARTICULAR” TO MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS:

AIBSNLREA took up this issue with Director (HR) BSNL and had discussions with General Manager (Admin) BSNL Corporate Office Department of Expenditure (Ministry of Finance),GOI has since forwarded AIBASNLREA’s representation dated 18.07.2016, which was addressed to the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India and others on the above issue [view posting dated 19.07.2016 in this website to read the representation], to the Ministry of Communication for “appropriate action/redressal of the grievances”. View the DoE letter

09.03.2017:

EXTENSION OF FREE NIGHT CALLING FACILITY TO RETIRED/RETIRING EMPLOYEES OF BSNL:

AIBSNLREA took up this issue with Director (HR) BSNL and had discussions with General Manager (Admin) BSNL Corporate Office on 20.12.2016 [view posting dated 21.12.2016 in this website]. While reporting the status of the issue on 02.03.2017 in this website, we had said that "A proposal in regard to raising the free call limit/extension of free night calling facility to the retired BSNL employees has since been put up to Director(HR)". Earlier, AIBSNLREA, took up the issue with CMD, BSNL [view posting dated 21.10.2015] and after its AIC at Bhubaneswar, again took up the issue with CMD, BSNL [view posting dated 20.07.2016]. The Association even took up the matter with Prime Minister of India and others in Resolution form after the AIC. Now BSNL Corporate Office has issued orders extending the Free Night Calling facility to the retired/retiring employees of BSNL having concessional telephone as extended to any other subscriber. View the BSNL order

06.03.2017:

E-JOURNAL MARCH 2017 ISSUE:

March 2017 issue of AIBSNLREA E-journal has been uploaded and is available under the link "E-Journal" in the left column.

05.03.2017:

AIBSNLREA CHENNAI BRANCH OFFICE BEARERS MEET OFFICERS OF CCA TAMILNADU IN CONNECTION WITH DELAY IN ISSUE OF REVISED PPO ON PENSION REVISION:

Shri V.Dakshinamoorthy, Branch President, AIBSNLREA Chennai Branch along with Shri V. Chinnapappiah, President, CHQ, met the concerned officers of CCA Tamilnadu Circle, in-charge of revision of pension due to revised fixation with 78.2% IDA, for pre-2007 and post 2007 pensioners of Tamilnadu Telecom Circle, Chennai Telephones, STR & STP and expressed their deep concern over the delay in issue of revised PPO although DoT had issued instructions for completion of the work by December 2016. They also conveyed the grievance of some pre 2007 pensioners that they are yet to receive revised PPO while some post 2007 pensioners have received the same. AIBSNLREA office bearers were informed that files are being taken for revision on ‘first in – first out (FIFO) basis’, i.e based on date of receipt from concerned BSNL offices. As on date, majority of the cases upto May 2006 have been cleared. In some cases revised PPOs sent have been returned due to incorrect address. In the case of pre 2007 retirees, there may be some cases pertaining to the year 2005 and2006 pending for want records. In respect of Post 2007 pensioners, the cases up to the year 2009 (90%) have been completed and remaining cases are being taken up on day to day basis. In the post 2007 pension cases also, there are some cases kept pending for want of records. The delay pertains to many stages – receipt of revised pay fixation memo from BSNL offices, locating Service Books, preparing worksheet, checking and dispatch. And then there is shortage of staff in CCA office and inability to engage volunteers to do the work due to lack of infrastructure and space to be provided to them. However, the officers in CCA assured that all efforts are being made to issue revised PPOs at the earliest.

03.03.2017:

THIRD PRC REPORT FOR CPSE EXECUTIVES:

The third CPC Report is now out. It is reported that, as is the normal practice, this Report is already being examined and processed in DPE to take a final view on the various recommendations. Thereafter, on obtaining the views/comments of the concerned Departments/Ministries, a Cabinet Note is to be submitted to the Cabinet for approval of the decisions to be taken on the various recommendations. It is said that that this exercise is now under process. Hopefully, the Orders may be issued without much delay. However, after the DPE issues the Order for revision of pay scales and other issues, the respective CPSEs will have to send proposals for revision of pay scales of their Executives to their respective Administrative Departments/Ministries seeking approval. Once the concerned Departments/ Ministries issues their Orders, the same will get implemented by the respective CPSEs. The revision of pay scales of the non-executive employees, on the other hand, will be decided by a Pay Negotiation Committee. This may take some time, though BSNL has already announced constitution of the Committee for the same purpose. But the revision of pay scales of the Executives will not be held up on account of this. View the Full Report

03.03.2017:

DOT REPLIES TO OUR REPRESENTATION TO THE PRIME MINISTER ON THE ISSUE OF PAYMENT OF ENHANCED GRATUITY TO THE ABSORBED BSNL PENSIONERS AS PER DOP&PW OM DATED 04.08.23016 :

DoT has since replied to our representation dated 15.12.2016 to the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India on the above issue [view posting dated 16.12.2016 in this website to read the representation]. DoT has stated that “The issue is under consideration in consultation with DoPPW.” View the DoT letter

02.03.2017:

STATUS OF THE ISSUES TAKEN UP WITH DIRECTOR (HR) BY AIBSNLREA:

The Association had earlier taken up a few issues for redressal with Director (HR) and a discussion was also held with GM(Admn) on those issues on 20.12.2016. The present status of the issues as obtained from Administration Cell of BSNL is given as under:-

01. Sanction of mobile connection in lieu of concessional residential landline connection to the retired BSNL employees:

A proposal to sanction mobile connection in lieu of concessional landline connection to the retired BSNL employees in the non-feasible areas (TNF) is still under process.

02. Raising the free call limit in concessional residential landline connection to the retired BSNL employees:

A proposal in regard to raising the free call limit/extension of free night calling facility to the retired BSNL employees has since been put up to Director(HR).

03. Restoration of benefit of medical allowance for outdoor treatment without voucher to the retired BSNL Employees:

After the SR Branch, BSNL Establishment Branch has also supported the proposal that was prepared by the Administration Branch. Now the proposal has been sent to the EF Branch on 22.02.2017 for their concurrence.

04. Introduction of web based program to know the status of pending medical claims:

CGMT, ITPC was asked to send a revised estimate cutting down the projected cost of procurement of server and license fee etc. This is still awaited.

02.03.2017:

AIBSNLREA, UP STATE BRANCH PURSUES PENSION REVISION CASES WITH CGMT, UP(E), CPMG(UP), PGM(HR/ADMN) LW, CCA(UP-E) AND JOINT CCA(UP-E):

Representatives of AIBSNLREA, UP State Branch comprising of S/Shri M.K.Shukla, President, R S Arora, State Secretary, Ambika Singh Finance Secretary, U.C.Srivastava, Jt. Secretary met CGMT UP East, CPMG UP and PGM (HR&Admn), C.O LW on 22.02.2017 and discussed the issues regarding non-forwarding of pending pension revision cases by the SSAs, delay in settlement of medical claims, non-issue of LPC/Revised Fixation memo to the concerned post/pre-2007 pensioners. It was informed by PGM that all pension revision papers from SSAs have already been sent on 16.02.2017 to the CCA Office and details of the same was also made available to the Association [Please visit UP State Section of State News Page in this website for the complete Report].

27.02.2017:

AIBSNLREA NOW TAKES UP THE ISSUE OF INORDINATE DELAY IN IMPLEMENTATION OF PENSION REVISION ORDERS DATED 18.07.2016 WITH DY. DIRECTOR GENERAL (ESTT), DOT:

AIBSNLREA has now addressed a letter to Dy. Director General (Estt), DOT regarding inordinate delay in implementation of Pension revision orders by allowing the benefit of merger of 50% DA/DR with basic pay/pension effectively amounting to 78.2% DA/DR for the purpose of fitment. The Association has further requested DDG(Estt) “to kindly intervene in the matter and specially advise all the Controller of Communication Accounts Offices to complete the exercise immediately and issue the revised PPOs and also upload the details in their respective websites”. View the letter

26.02.2017:

DOT REPLIES TO AIBSNLREA’S REPRESENTATION REQUESTING TO INTRODUCE DIGITAL SYSTEM IN LIEU OF PHYSICAL PRESENCE FOR SUBMISSION OF ANNUAL LIFE CERTIFICATE TO AVAIL CONCESSIONAL TELEPHONE FACILITY BY DOT/BSNL/MTNL EMPLOYEES:

AIBSNLREA had earlier requested to introduce a digital system, in the line of Digital Life Certificate as submitted to the Banks, to avail the concessional telephone facilities by the retired DOT/BSNL/MTNL employees who are required to physically present themselves annually to their offices. Now DOT has replied to that representation (posting dated 24.10.2016 in this website may be viewed to read the same). It has forwarded the report received from the concerned service provider which is an Annexure to a Government Order detailing the Process of getting digital life certificate issued for pensioners. Thus the issue that was taken up remains unresolved. The matter has again been taken up. View the DoT letter

24.02.2017:

AIBSNLREA, PALAKKAD BRANCH HELD A GB MEETING:

Palakkad Branch of AIBSNLREA held a General Body Meeting at Top in town conference hall on 21.2.17. The meeting started at 11.00 hrs. Very elaborate discussions took place on all the problems pertaining to the members. 43 members participated in the meeting. All were highly frustrated over the inordinate delay in getting 78.2% ida merger fixation benefits. Very few pre-2007 pensioners have so far received the revised PPOs. Two new members joined the Association taking the total life membership strength of the Branch to 68. Retired DGM (Fin) Mr Ramanathan narrated details of BSNL MRS . Meeting ended at 13.15 hours and the members disbursed after a lunch arranged in the complex.

21.02.2017:

OBITUARY- SHRI P C DUBEY, PRESIDENT, AIBSNLREA, MAHARASHTRA STATE BRANCH IS NO MORE:

Shri P C Dubey, President of AIBSNLREA, Maharashtra State Branch has breathed his last to-day morning (21.02.2017) in Pune. He was not well for past over one month and was released from the Hospital only a few weeks back. His sudden demise is a great loss to AIBSNLREA. He took a leading role in organizing the Association in a big way in Maharashtra. The members of the Association mourn his sudden demise and pray to Almighty to give enough strength to the bereaved family members to bear this irreparable loss. Let his soul rest in peace.

20.02.2017:

AIBSNLREA WRITES TO DIRECTOR (HR) REGARDING ABNORMAL DELAY IN PROCESSING THE PENSION REVISION CASES IN BSNL CIRCLES DESPITE ISSUE OF CLEAR ADVICE TO EXPEDITE THE PENDING PENSION REVISION CASES AND ALSO FURNISH INFORMATION REGARDING THE CURRENT STATUS OF IMPLEMENTATION OF THE ORDER TO REVISE THE PENSION - CITES THE CASE OF CGM, TELECOM FACTORY, KOLKATA:

Drawing the attention to BSNL Circle Office letter No. 40-06/2011-Pen(B)(Pt) dated 16/1/2017, wherein all Circles were advised to expedite the work for revision of remaining PPOs and also to furnish information regarding the current status of implementation of the said DOT Order dated 18.07.2016 to BSNL Corporate Office, AIBSNLREA has written to Director (HR) stating “that even after this clear advice from your Office, the Circles are not taking the issue seriously and revision of PPOs and payment of revised pension/arrears are getting abnormally delayed. In this respect, we may quote the case of CGM, Telecom Factory, and Kolkata, in which out of total 800 cases only about 80 pension revision cases have been processed. The CGM, Telecom Factory, Kolkata had actually outsourced the work to a private agency which has since stopped the work. As a result, the pensioners/family pensioners who retired from Telecom Factory, Kolkata are suffering for no fault on their part.” The Association has also sought for her intervention in the matter. View the letter

19.02.2017:

29TH MEETING OF SCOVA HELD ON 12TH JANUARY, 2017 - DOP&PW ISSUES MINUTES:

Department of Pension & Pensioners’ Welfare, vide its F No. 42/16/2016-P&PW(G) dated 16.02.2017, has since issued the minutes of the 29th Meeting of SCOVA held on 12.01.2017. Extract of the minutes in respect of two important points discussed in the meeting are reproduced below:

“Item No. 5(ii) Health Insurance Scheme for pensioners including those residing in non-CGHS areas: Ministry of Health informed that the final EFC Memo is under submission to the Secretary. The proposal covers Central Government Civil employees and pensioners only and that too for indoor treatment. OPD and appliances would not be covered under the proposed scheme.

Disabled War Veteran (India) raised the issue of covering prosthesis under the scheme and stated that thgis will facilitate rehabilitation. The Hon’ble MOS(PP) observed that prosthesis good quality is now available. It was decided that Secretary (P&PW) will have a meeting with the Department of Empowerment of persons with Disabilities and Ministry of Health and Family Welfare to discuss the question of covering prosthesis for Civil Government employees/pensioners under CGHS/Medical Insurance. [Action: Ministry of Health & DOPPW]

Item No. 5(v) Anomaly in fixation of pension of DOT employees absorbed in BSNL retired between 01.10.2000 and 31.07.2001: Department of Telecom informed that, as desired by Department of Expenditure, financial implication on the formula suggested by DOP&PW was being worked out in consultation with BSNL. Meanwhile, CAT Principal Bench has allowed a petition filed by BSNL absorbed pensioners for fixing their pension only on the basis of IDA pay drawn after absorption in BSNL. Department of Telecom was requested to examine the judgment of CAT. View the complete Minutes

18.02.2017:

DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS SENDS POINT-WISE REPLY TO THE RESOLUTIONS ON DIFFERENT ISSUES WHICH WERE PASSED IN THE ALL INDIA CONFERENCE OF AIBSNLREA AT BHUBANESWAR:

Department of Telecommunications has now sent a point-wise reply to the resolutions on different issues which were passed in the AIC of AIBSNLREA held at Bhubaneswar. The replies are not acceptable in most of the issues and shall have to be pursued further. View the DoT letter

17.02.2017:

DOP&PW FORWARDS REPRESENTATIONS FROM AIBSNLREA AND FOUR OTHERS ON DIFFERENT SUBJECTS TO DOT TO CONSIDER THE ISSUES:

Department of Pension & Pensioners’ Welfare has forwarded representations from AIBSNLREA and four others to Department of Telecommunications to consider the issues in accordance with the extant rules/instructions under intimation to the representationists. AIBSNLREA’ representation dated 29.10.2016 was posted in this website on 31.10.2016 and may be viewed. View the DoP&PW letter

17.02.2017:

BSNL RESPONDS TO AIBSNLREA’S LETTER TO DIRECTOR (HR) POINTING OUT TO A FEW OMMISSIONS IN DOT’S ORDER 31.08.2016 ON EXTENSION OF CGHS FACILITY TO THE RETIRED BSNL/MTNL EMPLOYEES:

AIBSNLREA had earlier addressed a letter to Director (HR), BSNL on 1.9.2016 [view posting dated 02.09.2016 in this website to read the letter] pointing out to a few omissions in the DOT’s order on extension of CGHS facility to the retired BSNL/MTNL employees. BSNL has since responded to that letter and stated that as regards the “one time contribution” and the amount to be paid by different categories of retired BSNL employees, the quantum of contribution is to be decided by CGHS based on pay scale of employee. It has further started that the retired employees will have to surrender BSNLMRS facility and subscribe to CGHS by paying one time contribution. The subscription paid for the same will be reimbursed by BSNL on producing the proof of payment and submission of final claim. View the BSNL letter

15.02.2017:

BI-ANNUAL GENERAL BODY MEETING of AIBSNLREA, EAST VIDARBHA BRANCH HELD:

East Vidarbha (Nagpur) Branch held its bi-annua;l GB Meeting on Saturday, the 11th February, 2017 at Amenity Block, CTO Compound, Nagpur under the Chairmanship of Shri U B Nikose President of the Branch. After paying tributes to the two departed members, Shri V W Patil Vice President of branch welcomed all the life members including the newly enrolled life members. Shri Arun Deshpande Branch Secretary briefed the house regarding the various meetings held with SSA/WTR/WTP units and CCA Nagpur for expeditious settlement of pension revision of BSNL pensioners retired prior to 10-06-2013. He also reported the current status of pension revision with revised fitment formula 78.2%. Shri P R Bhujbal CHQ Vice President addressed the house and highlighted the important key issues of the BSNL pensioners. Members were informed about the latest status of the applicability of modified provision in CCS pension Rules regarding enhancement of DCRG limit, Issue of Identity Cards to BSNL pensioners in revised format linking with aadhar number as per DOP&PW order12-08-2015, Revision of pension for the pre 2006 BSNL pensioners by delinking of revised pension from 33 years of qualifying service, Restoration of benefit of fixed medical allowance for outdoor medical treatment without vouchers, Development and implementation of “Web based program” to monitor the status of medical bills. [Please visit Maharashtra State Section of State News page of this website to read the full report]

14.02.2017:

BSNL RESPONDS TO AIBSNLREA’S LETTER TO DIRECTOR (HR) POINTING OUT TO A FEW OMMISSIONS IN DOT’S ORDER 31.08.2016 ON EXTENSION OF CGHS FACILITY TO THE RETIRED BSNL/MTNL EMPLOYEES:

AIBSNLREA had earlier addressed a letter to Director (HR), BSNL on 1.9.2016 [view posting dated 02.09.2016 in this website to read the letter] pointing out to a few omissions in the DOT’s order on extension of CGHS facility to the retired BSNL/MTNL employees. BSNL has since responded to that letter and stated that as regards the “one time contribution” and the amount to be paid by different categories of retired BSNL employees, the quantum of contribution is to be decided by CGHS based on pay scale of employee. It has further started that the retired employees will have to surrender BSNLMRS facility and subscribe to CGHS by paying one time contribution. The subscription paid for the same will be reimbursed by BSNL on producing the proof of payment and submission of final claim. View the BSNL letter

14.02.2017:

DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS INFORM THE STATUS OF THE ISSUES REGARDING APPLICABILITY OF DOP&PW OM NO. 38/37/2016-P&PW (A)(i) DATED 04.08.2016 TO THE EMPLOYEES ABSORBED IN BSNL AND ALSO APPLICABILITY OF DOP&PW’S OM NO. 38/37/08-P&PW(A) DATED 06.04.2016 TO THE IDA PENSIONERS ABSORBED IN BSNL:

In a communication dated 07.02.2017, Department of Telecommunication has informed that the issue regarding applicability of DOP&PW OM No. 38/37/2016-P&PW(A)(i) DATED 04.08.2016 to the employees absorbed in BSNL, who are governed under the Rule-37(A) of CCS(Pension) Rules 1972, is under examination in consultation with DOP&PW. Similarly, the issue regarding applicability of DOP&PW PM No. 38/37/08-P&PW(A) dated 06.04.2016 to the IDA pensioners in BSNL is under examination in consultation with DOP&PW. The former issue relates to extending the benefit of Government’s decisions for revision of procedure regulating gratuity, commutation of pension/family pension/disability pension/ex-gratia lump sum compensation etc to the absorbed BSNL pensioners as ordered for the Government pensioners. The other issue relates to “Revision of pension of Pre-2006 pensioners – delinking of revised pension from qualifying service of 33 years.”

13.02.2017:

SPECIAL GENERAL BODY MEETING OF AIBSNLREA, WEST BENGAL STATE BRANCH HELD:

A Special General Body meeting of AIBSNLREA, West Bengal State Branch was held at CTO auditorium Kolkata on 7th February with Sri Sanat Kumar Maitra, President of the Branch in the chair. The meeting was attended by more than 300 members. After observing one minute silence in memory of two departed members, the State Secretary Shri S K Palit placed his brief report along with status of Pension revision on date. He congratulated all the members to attend the meeting in large numbers despite negative propaganda launched by a leader of a so called pensioners' group. There was much enthusiasm in the members to listen to the address by General Secretary Shri S. Basu. The General Secretary, in his speech, narrated the history of beginning of Pension Revision following the judgment in D S Nakara & others case which became an important factor for 4th CPC to recommend pension revision even for those who retired decades back – even though only a few individuals were the petitioners in the case. He reminded the audience how the particular group once opposed tooth and nail revision of pension in IDA scale, damaged the case of payment of arrears with 78.2% IDA w.e.f. 1.1.2007 and justified the order on 78.2% IDA merger as “notional”, welcomed the defective order on pension revision and went for wild celebration calling this defective Order of DOT as their “victory”. Now when they pretend to show sympathy to the cause of pensioners on the question of denial of pension arrears, their intention becomes loud and clear. The pensioners need to protect themselves from the clutches of such vested interests. GS also dealt with the Medical facilities to the pensioners and efforts being made to improve upon the same. He also gave the latest status of the issue of extending the benefit of latest order increasing the limit of DCRG to the BSNL IDA pensioners and applicability of the Order on delinking of 33 years of qualifying service for revision of pension of pre-2006 pensioners etc. He also replied to a few doubts raised by the members. S/Shri Alok Sinha, Sibir Gupta and Kanti Chattopadhyay, all Life Members of the Branch, shared the cost of refreshment served in the meeting. The meeting ended after presentation of vote of thanks at 5 PM. View Photographs of the meeting

13.02.2017:

STATE SECRETARY, AIBSNLREA, UP MEETS OFFICERS OF DIRECTOR POSTAL SERVICES LUCKNOW:

State Secretary of AIBSNLREA, Uttar Pradesh visited the office of Director Postal Services, Lucknow and met the concerned Officers since a number of cases where Revised PPOs have been issued by CCA Lucknow, the concerned Post Offices have not received the same causing further delay in payment of revised pension and the arrears thereof. He also handed over a letter in this regard addressed to DPS since he was not in office. The A.C.A.O (Rly. Pension) informed that the Revised PPOs have been received in bulk and arrangements have now been made to segregate them and efforts are being made to send them to the respective Post Offices before this month end.

12.02.2017:

PRIME MINISTER’S OFFICE (PMO) FORWARDS AIBSNLREA’S REPRESENTATION DATED 30.01.2017 AGAINST DENIAL/NON-RESTORATION OF SECOND ACP TO THE RETIRED CIVIL WING EXECUTIVES OF BSNL OF CIVIL ZONE, KOLKATA TO THE SECRETARY, DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS:

AIBSNLREA had represented to the Prime Minister of India against denial/non-restoration of benefit of second ACP to the retired Civil Wing Executives of BSNL by West Bengal Civil Zone, BSNL, Kolkata (view posting dated 30.01.2017 in this website to read the representation). Now Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) has forwarded the said representation to the Secretary, Department of Telecommunications for action as appropriate. View the PMO letter

10.02.2017:

DOP&PW FORWARDS AIBSNLREA’S REPRESENTATION REGARDING USE OF STATE EMBLEM ON THE IDENTITY CARDS ISSUED TO THE PENSIONERS’ RETIRED FROM CENTRAL GOVT. CIVIL SERVICE:

Department of Pension & Pensioners’ Welfare has since forwarded the representation dated 27.10.2016 of AIBSNLREA seeking clarification on DOP&PW’s OM dated 26.10.2016 regarding its applicability (view posting dated 29.10.2016 in this website to read the letter) to the Department of Telecommunication to take necessary action on the matter as per DOP&PW OM dated 26.10.2016 and inform the applicant accordingly. View the DOP&PW letter

09.02.2017:

EAST VIDARBHA (NAGPUR) BRANCH OF AIBSNLREA TO HOLD ITS BIANNUAL GENERAL BODY MEETING:

East Vidarbha Branch, Nagpur of AIBSNLREA is holding its next bi-annual General Body Meeting on Saturday, the 11th February 2017 at Amenity Hall, CTO Compound, and Nagpur at 4 PM. All Life Members of Nagpur Branch and other retired BSNL Executives are requested to attend the meeting in large numbers and make it a grand success.

09.02.2017:

MUMBAI BRANCH OF AIBSNLREA MET CGMM, WTR AND OTHERS:

The representatives of AIBSNLREA, Mumbai Branch comprising of S/Shri S.P. Varma, Secretary, N.K. Devassy, Vice-President, B.S.Yadav, Jt.Secretary, S.R.Yadav, Member and S.B. Chauhan Member met CGMM, WTR, PGM(M) and DGM (F) on 25.1.2017 and discussed in detail different issues pertaining to individual members and common issue of revision of pension with fitment benefit by merger of 78.2% D.A. CGMM, WTR says that work is going on priority basis and will be completed shortly. The Association requested to depute additional staff for this work so as to avoid further delay.

06.02.2017:

E-JOURNAL FEBRUARY 2017 ISSUE:

February 2017 issue of AIBSNLREA E-journal has been uploaded and is available under the link "E-Journal" in the left column.

04.02.2017:

DISBURSEMENT OF PENSIONARY BENEFITS TO ALL THE COMBINED SERVICE PENSION OPTEE ABSROBED EMPLOYEES OF MTNL:

DoT has stated that the payment of arrears of pensionary benefits such as DCRG, Commutation, Pension etc., to all categories of erstwhile employees of the Government, absorbed in MTNL who have opted for pension on Combined Service will be made by the O/o Pr.CCA Delhi and Pr.CCA Mumbai on behalf of the Government w.e.f.1.10.2000 without deviating from the decision taken by the Union Cabinet conveyed vide Gazette Notification G.S.R.No.138 (E) dated 3.3.2014 by the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions amending Pension Rules. View the DoT letter

03.02.2017:

GENERAL SECRETARY TO ADDRESS A SPECIAL GENERAL BODY MEETING OF AIBSNLREA, WEST BENGAL:

West Bengal State Branch of AIBSNLREA is holding a Special General Body Meeting on Tuesday, the 7th February, 2017 in CTO Hall, Kolkata at 13.00 hours. General Secretary, AIBSNLREA will be addressing the meeting. All members of the Association and other retired BSNL executives have been invited to attend the meeting. The State Branch will distribute its latest Telephone Directory/Wall Calendar 2017 in the meeting.

02.02.2017:

UP STATE BRANCH OF AIBSNLREA MEETS PGM(HR/ADMN), LUCKNOW:

S/Shri R S Arora, State Secretary and Shri U S Srivastava, Joint Secretary, UP State Branch of AIBSNLREA met PGM(HR/Admn), Lucknow in his office on 31.01.2017 and discussed a few issues of importance. The response of the PGM was very positive and he responded to the request to renew the empanelment of Prakash Netra Kendra, Gomtgi Nagar by stating that it may get the renewal for 2017-18 during March 2017. In regard to pending pension revision cases, he said that he himself is monitoring the progress and 8 SSAs have been addressed in the matter. He further said that the Meeting/Conference Hall can be considered for allotment provided the applications are received at least one month in advance along with other details. He further assured to look into the medical bill case of Shri Chhote Lal and pay anomaly case of Shri H C Dutta.

01.02.2017:

PERSONAL INCOME TAX:

According to the budget proposal in the Union Budget for the financial year 2017-18 presented in the Lok Sabha today, tax rate in the income tax group of Rs. 2.5 lakhs to Rs. 5 lakhs for personal tax has been reduced to 5% in place of existing 10%. Tax rates in other slabs remain the same. However, surcharge @ 10% on income tax on income over 50 lakhs and upto one crore has been introduced.

31.01.2017:

AIBSNLREA AGAIN TAKES UP THE ISSUE OF PENSIONERS’ IDENTITY CARD TO THE BSNL IDA PENSIONERS IN THE REVISED FORMAT LINKING THE AADHAR NUMBER AS ORDERED BY DOP&PW:

AIBSNLREA has since addressed a letter to DDG(Estt), on the above issue since there is no apparent further progress in the matter. The Association points out that after exchange of few communications between Department of Telecommunications and Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited, the matter is still unresolved. It has requested DDG(Estt), DOT to intervene in the matter so that the issue gets resolved without further delay. View the letter

30.01.2017:

AIBSNLREA REPRESENTS TO THE PRIME MINISTER OF INDIA AGAINST DEENIAL/NON-RESTORATION OF BENEFIT OF SECOND ACP TO THE RETIRED CIVIL WING EXECUTIVES OF BSNL BY WEST BENGAL CIVIL ZONE, BSNL, KOLKATA ON FLIMSY GROUNDS AND IN UTTER DISREGARD TO THE ORDERS/CLARIFICATIONS ISSUED ON THE SUBJECT BY THE COMPETENT AUTHORITIES AND APPEALS FOR HIS IMMEDIATE INTERVENTION:

AIBSNLREA has since been pursuing the above issue with all concerned wherein BSNL Civil Zone, Kolkata had withdrawn the benefit of second ACP granted to 16 of its retired SDEs (Civil) by deliberately linking the ACP Scheme with ”BSNL MSRR 2009” with the issue which has no relevance in the present case. Moreover, DOP&T had already clarified that the regular service for the purpose of ACP was to be counted from the direct entry grade of the officials. Further, BSNL Corporate Office has also clarified that “diploma in appropriate field of engineering with 10 years of experience shall be construed to equivalent to Degree in Engineering”. But the BSNL Civil Zone, Kolkata is not taking into cognizance of these clarifications and linking the issue with “BSNL MSRR 2009” which is totally wrong and unacceptable, since ACP Scheme is governed under separate Orders of the Government of India. The Association has referred to a reply received from BSNL Civil Zone, Kolkata vide its No. 11-01/20156-CEEZ/1331 dated 17.10.2016 [view posting dated 10.12.2016 in this website to read the letter] wherein it tried to justify its wrong action. The Association has now sought the kind intervention of the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India for restoration of the benefit of second ACP to the 16 retired SDEs (Civil) and also extend the benefit to the other eligible retired SDEs. View the letter

29.01.2017:

DOP&PW ISSUES CLARIFICATION REGARDING TIMELY PAYMENT OF GPF FINAL PAYMENT TO THE RETIRING GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES TO AVOID PAYMENT OF INTEREST:

As per Rule 11(4) of GPF Rules 1960, in case the GPF balance is not paid on retirement, interest on the GPF balance is required to be paid for the period beyond the date of retirement also. Now DOP&PW has issued a detailed clarification on the measures to be taken to ensure timely final payment of GPF and avoid payment of such interests. View the DOP&PW order

29.01.2017:

AIBSNLREA, WEST BENGAL STATE BRANCH MEETS CCA, WEST BENGAL CIRCLE:

The President, State Secretary and Assistant State Secretary of AIBSNLREA, West Bengal Branch had a prescheduled meeting with CCA West Bengal and other officers on 25th January to discuss the status of Pension revision and other pensioners’ related issues. The Association representatives thanked the CCA for uploading the list of 1325 revision cases settled as on 16th January. The CCA informed the representatives that another 225 cases which have already been settled and other 375 disputed (wanting Bank A/c No. etc.) cases will also be uploaded by 31st January, 2017. It was further reported that out of total 6000 plus revision cases, only about 2500 cases from different BSNL units have so far been received. The Association objected to the mode of delivery of the personal copy of the revised PPOs to the Pensioners’ last office and wanted these be sent to their residences. The CCA readily accepted the request of the Association and instructed his officers to send the personal copies of the revised PPOs to the respective pensioners’ addresses. The meeting was held in a cordial atmosphere.

27.01.2017:

AIBSNLREA WRITES TO DIRECTOR (HR), BSNL FOR GIVING GREEN SIGNAL TO CGM, ITPC, PUNE TO IMPLEMENT THE WEB BASED PROGRAM FOR MONITORING MEDICAL CLAIMS OF BSNL RETIRED EMPLOYEES BY USING HIS OWN FINANCIAL POWERS:

AIBSNLREA has since addressed a letter to Director (HR), regarding implementation of BSNL’s letter dated 10.08.2016 to CGM, ITPC, Pune for development and implementation of a web based program to monitor the medical claims of the BSNL retired employees. The Association has pointed out in its letter that “We had discussed the issue in a meeting held with General Manager (Admn), BSNL on 20.12.2016 in his chamber and was told that the CGM, ITPC Pune has been advised to cut down the cost of the server needed for the purpose. Thereafter, we have tried to ascertain the position from the office of CGM, ITPC, Pune and have come to know that the projected cost is the barest minimum and there is no cushion to reduce it further. We also understand that CGM, ITPC, Pune may get it implemented within his financial powers, if your office gives him the green signal”. Accordingly, the Association has urged Director (HR) “to kindly advice the CGM, ITPC, Pune to get the said web based program implemented immediately within his financial powers”. View the BSNL letter

26.01.2017:

BSNL RESPONDS TO AIBSNLREA’S REPRESENTATION TO PRIME MINISTER OF INDIA REGARDING NON PAYMENT OF ENHANCED GRATUITY TO THE ABSORBED BSNL IDA PENSIONERS:

BSNL has since responded to AIBSNLREA’s representation to the Prime Minister of India regarding non-payment of enhanced gratuity to the BSNL IDA pensioners following issue of Orders by DOP&PW enhancing the limit of gratuity to Rs 20 lakhs w.e.f. 1.1.2016. BSNL has informed that Director (HR) had already taken up the matter with DOT requesting to issue detailed guidelines on the matter. A reminder was also subsequently issued by General Manager (Estt), BSNL Corporate Office. BSNL has further informed the representation of the Association is transferred to DoT for taking further necessary action in the matter. View the BSNL letter

26.01.2017:

SULTANPUR BRANCH (UP STATE) OF AIBSNLREA RECONSTITUTED:

Sultanpur Branch of AIBSNLREA in UP State, which was formed in 2009 with members on monthly subscription basis, has been reconstituted on 09.09.2016 with 8 Life Members. S/Shri Ram Asare Mishra, Retd CAO and R K Upadhyay, Retd DE were elected as the Branch President and Branch Secretary respectively. Shri R K Tiwary, Retd Sr. SDE is the Finance Secretary of the Branch.

25.01.2017:

SUSTAINED EFFORTS BY AIBSNLREA, WEST BENGAL STATE BRANCH TO GET THE PENSION REVISION CASES SETTLED YIELD RESULTS:

Sustained efforts being made by West Bengal State Branch of AIBSNLREA to get the pension revision cases with fitment benefit by merger of 78.2% IDA expeditiously settled and the request made to the concerned CCAs to upload the lists in their respective websites is yielding result. CCA, West Bengal has uploaded a list of 1325 settled cases in its website [List enclosed]. Earlier, CCA, Kolkata had uploaded a similar list of 1400 cases. These lists can be viewed in the website of CCA, West Bengal [www.ccawestbengal] and CCA, Kolkata [www.ccakol.gov.in]. View the List appearing in the website of CCA, West Bengal

19.01.2017:

AIBSNLREA, ODISHA BRANCH MET CGMT, BSNL, BHUBANESWAR:

The Office bearers of Odisha State Branch along with Shri Banamber Swain met CGMT, Odisha in his chamber on 18.01.2017 and discussed the following issues:- (1) appointment of a Nodal officer of GM level to coordinate with the concerned branches to process the grievances of the pensioners, (2) case of Shri Banamber Swain quoting the prevailing rules and orders to settle his cases for Commutation, Gratuity with interest and reconciliation of some instalments of HBA deduction schedule with CCA, (3) expeditious settlement of cases for revised pay fixation order with 78.2% IDA, (4) arbitrary limitation of medical reimbursement claims, in violation of the existing orders, for tests conducted in reputed pathological labs to that of CGHS rates even when the claims are well within the yearly eligibility limits. The CGMT assured to consider the points raised by the Association. View the photograph of the representatives of the Branch Association waiting to meet the CGMT

18.01.2017:

BSNL RESPONDS TO AIBSNLREA’S REPRESENTATIONS REGARDING UNDUE DELAY IN PROCESSING THE PENSION PAPERS OF THE ABSORBED BSNL PENSIONERS WHO RETIRED BEFORE 10.06.2013 EXTENDING THE BENEFIT OF MERGER OF 78.2% IDA LEADING TO NON-ISSUE OF REVISED PENSION PAYMENT ORDERS:

AIBSNLREA had been perusing with BSNL in the matter of abnormal delay in many of its field units to process the cases for revision of pension of the absorbed BSNL pensioners and forward the same to the CCA Offices which resulted in non-issue of revised PPOs and instructions to the pension disbursing authorities to revise the pension and pay the arrears thereof. Now BSNL has taken note of the present state of affairs and issued an instruction stating that: “….. It is, therefore, requested that information regarding current status of implementation of the said order be furnished to this office and revision of remaining PPOs be expedited so that payment of revised pension/family pension is made at an early date”. View the BSNL letter

16.01.2017:

ODISHA STATE BRANCH HELD A GB MEETING:

A General Body Meeting of Odisha State Branch of AIBSNLREA was organized on 11.01.2017. Issues regarding non-issue of Revised Pension Payment Orders with benefit of merger of 78.2% IDA as on 01.01.2007 was discussed in detail. Cases of S/Shri D.L.Das and Banamber Swain also came up for discussion. Four new life members joined the Association. In this GB Meeting, following few changes in the State Body was carried out: S/Shri Amarnath Sahoo and Radha Shyam Patra were elected as CWC Members. Shri P K Kar was elected as Asst. State Secretary. S/Shri Bibhu Prasad Mishra and Bhimasen Sahoo were elected by the GB as the Organizing Secretaries. The GB meeting was followed by a grand Picnic with the participation of the family members. The participants enjoyed the program and took part in various entertaining items and contributory lunch. It was decided to meet again in April 2017. View photograph

12.01.2017:

RESTORATION OF BENEFIT OF MEDICAL CLAIMS WITHOUT VOUCHER FOR OUTDOOR TREATMENT TO THE BSNL PENSIONERS:

AIBSNLREA had been taking up the above issue in different forums since long. In the meeting held with GM (Admn), BSNL Corporate Office on 21.12.2016 [view posting dated 21.12.2016 in this website], it was reported that a comprehensive proposal on the issue has since been prepared and the same was sent to Establishment Branch for further action. We have discussed the issue yesterday with the concerned Officers who are examining the proposal and it was assured to expedite the same.

10.01.2017:

REVISION OF IDA W.E.F. 1.1.2017:

DPE has issued orders revising IDA w.e.f 1.1.2017 from 120.3% to 119.5% for CPSEs where last pay revision was implemented w.e.f. 1.1.2007.  Click Here for the orders

10.01.2017:

REVISION OF IDA W.E.F. 1.1.2017:

DPE has issued orders revising IDA w.e.f 1.1.2017 from 272% to 270.7% for CPSEs where last pay revision was implemented w.e.f. 1.1.1997.  Click Here for the orders

10.01.2017:

DOP&PW ISSUES ACTION TAKEN REPORT ON THE DECISIONS TAKEN IN THE 28TH MEETING OF SCOVA HELD ON 27.06.2016:

Department of Pension & Pensioners’ Welfare has since issued the Action Taken Report on the minutes of 28th Meeting of SCOVA held on 27.06.2016. The items at Serial No. 2, 5 and 6 of the ATR are of special significance to the absorbed BSNL pensioners. The item at Serial No. 2 pertains to introduction of Health Insurance Scheme for pensioners. Item at Serial No. 5 is regarding the anomaly in fixation of pension to DOT employees absorbed in BSNL retired between 01.10.2000 and 31.07.2001. The item at Serial No. 6 is about the issue regarding “merger of 78.2% IDA with basic pension benefit to absorbed BSNL pensioners” for which Orders have already been issued.   View the ATR issued by DOP&PW

09.01.2017:

CCA, WEST BENGAL CIRCLE TO ORGANISE THREE DAY CAMP FOR DLC REGISTRATION OF DOT/BSNL PENSIONERS/FAMILY PENSIONERS THROUGH THE JEEVAN PRAMAN PORTAL:

Controller of Communication Accounts, West Bengal Circle has intimated that it would organize a three (3) day camp in its Office at 8, Esplanade East, Kolkata 700069 from 10 AM to 5 PM on 11th, 12th and 13th January 2017 for DLC registration of DOT/BSNL pensioners/family pensioners through Jeevan Praman portal. All pensioners/family pensioners from DOT and BSNL have been requested to present themselves with their Aadhar Number, PPO No with Bank/Post Office details of their pension account for DLC registration.

08.01.2017:

KOLHAPUR BRANCH OF AIBSNLREA HELD ITS QUARTERLY GENERAL BODY MEETING:

Kolhapur Branch (Maharashtra State) of AIBSNLREA held its quarterly General Body Meeting today (08.01.2017) under the president ship of Shri L M Godi, Branch President. He welcomed all the members and after the prayer informed the house about the sad demise of Shri. SG Naik, Rtd.AE Civil and a Life Member of the Branch. The House observed 2 minutes’ silence in memory of the departed soul. Shri D K Joshi, Branch Secretary then informed the House about the developments taken place after the last quarterly GB Meeting held in October 2016. He gave elaborated account of the developments on the issue of revision of Pension with fitment benefit by merger of 78.2% of IDA and gave the latest status regarding the progress of pension revision work in the concerned SSAs and also in the Circle in general. He also informed about the major events of year 2016 and wished the more colorful year of 2017 [View Maharashtra State Section of State News page of this website to read the complete report]

07.01.2017:

NEW BRANCH OF AIBSNLREA FORMED IN BALIA (UP STATE):

A General Body Meeting of the retired BSNL Executives of Balia was held in Balia Telephone Exchange on 07.01.2017 in the presence of Shri Yad Ali, Branch Secretary, AIBSNLREA, Varanasi. Eight retired Executives attended the meeting. After some discussions, it was decided to form a Branch of AIBSNLREA in Balia and followings were elected unanimously as the Office Bearers of the Branch: Shri M Z Ansari, President (Mob No 9415244486), Shri Khurshed Ahemad, Branch Secretary (Mob No 8546039202) and Shri R Y Sharma (Mob No 9415248973), Finance Secretary.

06.01.2017:

E-JOURNAL JANUARY 2017 ISSUE:

January 2017 issue of AIBSNLREA E-journal has been uploaded and is available under the link "E-Journal" in the left column.

04.01.2017:

SURAT BRANCH OF AIBSNLREA HELD ITS GENERAL BODY MEETING:

Surat Branch of AIBSNLREA, Gujarat State held its General Body Meeting on 2nd January, 2017. Total 46 members attended the meeting. 8 new members were also enrolled. The meeting started with welcome speech by Branch Secretary Shri N. J. Nakawala. He also presented his report on the activities during the period from the last meeting. Shri A. B. Patel, State Secretary informed about the position of revision of pension as per 78.2 % IDA cases of Surat SSA and other issues. Shri B. M. Bhavsar, Organizing Secretary (West), CHQ also addressed the house and informed about the latest position of the important cases and other matters. The meeting ended with vote of thanks to the chair and the participants.