31.12.2020:

INCREASE IN IDA W.E.F. 1.1.2021:

According to calculations based on All India Consumer Price Index for Industrial Workers, IDA is to increase w.e.f. 1.1.2021 by 6.1% for CPSEs where last pay revision was implemented w.e.f. 1.1.2007 and by 10.2% where last pay revision was implemented w.e.f. 1.1.1997.

31.12.2020:

LAST DATE FOR FILING INCOME TAX RETURNS EXTENDED TO 10.01.2021:

Government has further extended the last date for filing Income Tax Returns for the assessment year 2020-21 to 10th January, 2021.

31.12.2020:

KARNATAKA CIRCLE RESPONDS TO THE REPRESENTATION OF AIBSNLREA TO DIRECTOR (HR) REGARDING PENDING TIME BOUND FINANCIAL UPGRADATION CASES OF SHRI G.S.HUGAR, RETD AO, KARNATAKA TELECOM CIRCLE:

In response to the representation of AIBSNLREA, vide its No. AIBSNLREA/CHQ/2020/149 dated 03.12.2020 (view posting dated 03.12.2020 in this website to read the letter) with Grievance Docket No. DOPPW/E/2020/28673, addressed to Director (HR) regarding non-settlement of two consecutive time bound financial upgradation cases of Shri G.S.Hugar, Retd AO, Karnataka Circle has now reported that “4th TBU is under consideration & will be resolved within one month time”.  View the status report

30.12.2020:

AIBSNLREA WRITES TO DIRECTOR (HR), BSNL TO CONSIDER SIMULTANEOUS EXTENSION OF FTTH FACILITY IN LIEU OF EXISTING BROADBAND CONNECTION TO THE RETIRED BSNL EMPLOYEES:

In the background that BSNL has constituted a Committee to decide the modalities and other issues related to the proposal to extend concessional FTTH connection in lieu of existing concessional broadband connection to the below JAG level Officers, AIBSNLREA has addressed a letter to Director (HR), BSNL stating that the BSNL Order constituting the Committee is silent on the issue of extending same facility to the retired BSNL employees. Since the retired BSNL employees below JAG level are also allowed concessional broadband connection at their residence, vide BSNL No. 2-06/2005-PHA(Pt) dated 22.03.2013, non-inclusion of their case to extend concessional FTTH connection in lieu of existing concessional broadband connection is quite unfortunate. The Association has requested Director (HR) to consider simultaneous extension of concessional FTTH facility to the retired BSNL employees at their residence in lieu of concessional broadband connection.  View the letter

30.12.2020:

BSNL CONSTITUTES A COMMITTEE FOR EXTENSION OF CONCESSIONAL FTTH CONNECTION FACILITY FOR BELOW JAG LEVEL:

BSNL Corporate Office, vide its No. BSNLCO-ADMN/80/2/2020-ADMN dated 28.12.2020, has constituted a three-member Committee with Sr. GM(PDC) as its Chairman to decide the modalities and other issues related to the proposal to extend concessional FTTH connection in lieu of existing concessional broadband connection to the below JAG level Officers and submit the report within 15 days for perusal of competent authority.  View the letter

28.12.2020:

AIBSNLREA AGAIN WRITES TO PGM (PERS), BSNL CORPORATE OFFICE REGARDING ISSUE OF FINAL SUPERANNUATION ORDER AND RELEASE OF FINAL SUPERANNUATION PENSION, OTHER PENSIONAY BENEFITS TO SHRI S V ROJED, RETD SDE, QUALITY ASSURANCE CIRCLE:

With reference to its earlier letter to PGM (Pers), BSNL Corporate Office vide its No. AIBSNLREA/CHQ/2020/139 dated 09.11.2020 on the above issue[ View posting dated 09.11.2020 in this website to read the letter], AIBSNLREA has again addressed a letter stating that no order has so far been issued by Personnel Branch of Corporate Office permitting the affected pensioner Shri S V Rojed, Retd SDE to permanently retire from service w.e.f. 31.03.2012 and allowing grant of final superannuation pension and other pensionary benefits. As a result, the pensioner is not getting his legitimate pensionary benefits. Pointing out that even Quality Assurance & Inspection Circle, Jabalpur has also taken up the matter with Personnel Branch, the Association has requested for early resolution of the issue.  View the letter

25.12.2020:

KARNATAKA TELECOM CIRCLE RESPONDS TO THE REPRESENTATION OF AIBSNLREA TO THE PRIME MINISTER OF INDIA ON THE ISSUE OF NON-GRANT OF LEAVE ENCASHMENT TO SHRI B M NYAMATI, RETD CAO, BANGALORE TELECOM DISTRICT:

AIBSNLREA had earlier represented to the Prime Minister of India, vide its No. AIBSNLREA/CHQ/2020/109 dated 25.09.2020, seeking his intervention in the matter of grant of leave encashment to Shri B.M.Nyamati, Retd CAO, Bangalore Telecom District which was repeatedly being denied on flimsy grounds [View posting dated 25.09.2020 in this website to read the letter]. In response to the above, Karnataka Telecom Circle, while disposing of the Grievance Docket on the issue, has now stated that “Leave encashment has been approved. Payment will be made along with salary of BSNL employees for Dec-2020.”  View the BSNL KTK report

25.12.2020:

RESPONSE FROM KARNATAKA TELECOM CIRCLE TO THE REPRESENTATION OF AIBSNLREA TO CMD, BSNL IN THE MATTER OF ISSUE OF FINAL RETIREMENT ORDER AND RELEASE OF OTHER PENSIONARY BENEFITS TO SHRI G.P.BIRADAR, RETD DE, BANGALORE TD:

AIBSNLREA had represented to CMD, BSNL vide its No. AIBSNLREA/CHQ/2020/67 dated 05.08.2020 requesting early issue of final retirement Orders, payment of final superannuation pension and release of DCRG, CVP etc to Shri G.P.Biradar, Retd DE, Bangalore Telecom District [View posting dated 05.08.2020 in this website to read the letter]. Now Karnataka Telecom Circle, while disposing of the Grievance Docket on the issue, has stated that “The officer retired on 31-12-2010. He has requested for final superannuation pension, release of leave encashment, DCRG & commuted value of pension. At the time of retirement, a CBI court case was pending against him. He has been exonerated by the designated court at Dharwad. To meet the above demands, VC is required. Action for seeking VC is under process. On receipt of VC, all eligible payments will be made.”  View the BSNL KTK report

25.12.2020:

KARNATAKA TELECOM CIRCLE RESPONDS TO THE REPRESENTATION OF AIBSNLREA TO THE CGMT, KARNATAKA REGARDING FINANCIAL UPGRADATION CASE OF SHRI I.S.NAVALI, RETD SDE:

AIBSNLREA had represented to CGMT, Karnataka Circle, vide its No. AIBSNLREA/CHQ/2020/69 dated 05.08.2020, for issue of Orders granting Time Bound Financial upgradation to Shri I S Navali, Retd SDE, Gulbarga [View posting dared 05.08.2020 in this website to read the letter]. Now Karnataka Circle has stated that “… After his exoneration, VC has been obtained & other retirement benefits have been paid. Pay up-gradation case is also under consideration and is likely to be resolved in a month time”.  View the BSNL KTK report

25.12.2020:

BSNL REPLIES TO THE REPRESENTATION OF AIBSNLREA TO THE PRIME MINISTER OF INDIA REGARDING FLOUTING OF CABINET DECISION FOR PAYMENT OF EX-GRATIA TO THE BSNL VRS-2019 RETIREES:

AIBSNLREA, vide its No. AIBSNLREA/CHQ/2020/147 dated 02.12.2020, had drawn the attention of Prime Minister of India regarding flouting of Cabinet decision by DOT/BSNL in the matter of payment of ex-gratia to the BSNL VRS-2019 retirees [View posting dated 02.12.2020 in this website to read the letter]. BSNL has responded to the said representation, vide its F.No. BSNLCO-A/11(12)/3/2020-ESTAB dated 23.12.2020, again stating that “… payment of exgratia, pending, if any will be paid as and when the funds are made available by Government of India”.  View the BSNL letter

24.12.2020:

AIBSNLREA REQUESTS SECRETARY (TELECOM) TO ADVISE DOT TO RELEASE FUND TO BSNL FOR PAYMENT OF BALANCE AMOUNT OF EX-GRATIA TO THE BSNL VRS-2019 RETIREES:

Since BSNL has stated in its letter to AIBSNLREA, vide No. 32-904/2018-Pen(B) dated 21.12.2020, that “The balance of ex-gratia amount will be paid when funds are provided by DOT, Govt of India”, the Association has addressed a letter to Secretary (Telecom) to advise DOT to immediately release the Fund to BSNL to make payment of balance amount of ex-gratia to the BSNL VRS-2019 retirees. The Association has also expressed its surprise that DOT is not releasing the fund to BSNL for payment of ex-gratia when the Government had committed to pay the same during Q-1 of FY 2020-21.  View letter

24.12.2020:

WRONG REVISED PAY FIXATION CASES OF THE TTAs OFFICIATING AS JTOs WHO OPTED FOR PAY FIXATION IN REVISED 2ND PRC SCALE FROM THE DATE OF THEIR PROMOTION– CTD SAYS IT REVISED PAY BASED ON LAST CLARIFICATION ISSUED BY BSNL CORPORATE OFFICE:

AIBSNLREA had earlier requested Secretary (Telecom) to advise BSNL Corporate Office to issue necessary clarifications as sought for by Calcutta Telephones in connection with fixation of pay of the officiating JTOs who opted for fixation in revised 2nd PRC scale from the date of their promotion [view posting dated 01.10.2020 in this website to read the letter]. Now Calcutta Telephones has responded to the said letter and has stated that “Pay fixation was made as per audit enfacement received from CCA. Para 3.6 of BSNL No. 1-16/2010-PAT (BSNL) dated 07.05.2010 was considered, further the pay has been revised as per Last Clarification received from BSNLCO”.  View the BSNL CTD letter

24.12.2020:

BSNL RESPONDS TO THE REQUEST OF AIBSNLREA TO ISSUE INSTRUCTIONS TO THE CIRCLES TO SETTLE ALL LEFT OUT CASES OF FINANCIAL UPGRADATION UNDER EPP/NEPP IN A TIME BOUND MANNER:

Following issue of instruction by Establishment Branch of BSNL Corporate Office to the Circles to complete all pending cases of financial upgradation under EPP/NEPP to the VRS retirees before 31.08.2020 which were due before their retirement, AIBSNLREA had pointed out that there are many other BSNL retirees whose financial upgradation under EPP/NEPP were due before their retirement, but are yet to be settled and accordingly requested to cause issue of similar instructions to the Circles to complete all the pending cases for grant of financial upgradation under EPP/NEPP to the BSNL retirees which were due before their retirement in a time bound manner [View posting dated 01.09.2020 in this website to read the letter]. Now BSNL, in its reply, has stated that “… necessary instructions for grant of EPP/NEPP to eligible executives/non executives have been issued by the concerned units of BSNL. As such no separate instructions are required to be issued”. View the BSNL letter  View the BSNL letter

23.12.2020:

EMPANELLED HOSPITALS REFUSING ADMISSION TO CGHS BENEFICIARIES EXPECIALLY COVID-19 PATIENTS - CGHS REITERATES TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF EMPANELMENT:

Observing that empanelled hospitals are refusing admission to CGHS beneficiaries, especially COVID-19 patients with the excuse that no bed is available in the entitled category of ward, CGHS has issued guidelines that in case of emergency when beds are not available in the hospital, necessary treatment should be given to stabilize the patient and then transported safely to nearest empanelled hospital for further management. It has also warned that if any complaint is received, strict action will be taken as per MOA.  View CGHS OM

23.12.2020:

THANJAVUR SSA OF TAMILNADU CIRCLE NOW RESPONDS TO AIBSNLREA’S REPRESENTATION REGARDING NON-INCLUSION OF TRAINING PERIOD IN SERVICE BOOK IN RESPECT OF SHRI R J CHRISTOPHER GIRIGORI RAJ, RETD SDE FOR COUNTING AS SERVICE FOR THE PURPOSE OF PENSION:

AIBSNLREA had taken up the above case with Secretary (Pension), DOP&PW, since Tamilnadu Circle had closed the earlier grievance without resolving the issue [View posting dated 14.09.2020 in this website to read the letter]. Now, Thanjavur SSA of Tamilnadu Circle has stated in the Remarks column of the registered Grievance Docket that “Training period added for the 4th Ex-gratia payment to Mr. Christopher..”.  View the status report

23.12.2020:

BSNL RESPONDS TO AIBSNLREA’S REPRESENTATION TO SECRETAY (TELECOM) REGARDING NON-IMPLEMENTATION OF CABINET DECISION FOR PAYMENT OF EX-GRATIA TO THE BSNL VRS-2019 RETIREES:

In a letter addressed to Secretary (Telecom), AIBSNLREA had pointed out that though Cabinet decided that 50% of the balance amount of Ex-gratia to the BSNL VRS-2019 retirees would be paid latest by 30th June, 2020, the said decision has not been fully implemented. The Association also requested his intervention so that the BSNL VRS-2019 retirees receive their balance of ex-gratia payment immediately. BSNL has now replied to the representation stating that “The balance of ex-gratia amount will be paid when funds are provided by DOT, Govt of India”.  View BSNL letter

23.12.2020:

BSNL REPLIES TO AIBSNLREA’S REPRESENTATION TO MOSC REGARDING ISSUE OF ORDERS BY DOT IN THE LINE OF THE ORDERS ISSUED BY DEPT OF POSTS ADVISING THE PAOs IN CCA OFFICES TO RESTRICT SCRUTINY OF SERVICE RECORDS OF RETIRIG EMPLOYEES PRIOR TO 24 MONTHS BEFORE RETIREMENT:

In order to stop harassment of the retiring employees, AIBSNLREA had requested Minister of State for Communications for issue of Orders by Dept of Telecommunications in the line of Department of Posts advising the PAOs in the CCA Offices to restrict the scrutiny of service books and other documents of the retiring employees to 24 months prior to date of their retirement as provided in provided in Rule 7.3.2 of Chapter 7 of the ‘Civil Accounts Manual for the HOD and Pay and Accounts Officer’ [View posting dated 08.09.2020 in this website to read the letter]. DoP&PW had forwarded the representation to BSNL. We had submitted our remarks that the grievance pertains exclusively to Dept of Telecommunications; BSNL has nothing do in it and hence the grievance docket needs to be transferred to DoT. BSNL has since replied that issue of similar instructions as requested does not fall within the purview of BSNL.  View BSNL letter

21.12.2020:

DOP&T AGAIN REFUSES TO EXTEND THE BENEFIT OF GRANT OF NOTIONAL INCREMENT FALLING DUE ON THE FOLLOWING DAY OF RETIREMENT AS PER MADRAS HIGH COURT JUDGMENT TO ALL SIMILARLY PLACED PERSONS:

Department of Personnel & Training, vide its letter No. 19/2/2020-Estt. (Pay-I) dated 16.11.2020, has again refused to extend the benefit of notional increment falling due on the next day of retirement in the light of Madras High Court judgment for pensionary benefits in a particular case to all similarly placed retirees. DOP&T has taken the same view that “.. the judgment of Hon’ble High Court in W.P. No. 15732/2019 in the case of Shri Ayyamperumal, is in personam, i.e. specific to the case of petitioner only”. This response from DOP&T is on our representation to Prime Minister of India since uploaded in our website on 03.10.2020.  View DoP&T letter

17.12.2020:

DOT POINTS OUT THAT 291 STAFF RELATED GRIEVANCES ARE PENDING UNDER DIFFERENT HEADS IN BSNL CPGRAMS AS ON 31.10.2020 - BSNL ADVISES CIRCLES TO SEND THE SPECIFIC FUND REQUEST FOR SETTLEMENT OF CPGRAMS CASES IMMEDIATELY.:

According to an analysis by the DoT, 291 staff related grievances are pending with BSNL as on 31.10.2010, which includes 138 grievances related to Pension or other retirement benefit and another 51 related to Employees/Staff grievance. BSNL admits that majority of the grievances under CPGRAMS are pending for more than one year. BSNL letter also states that it is evident that majority of the grievances are related to non-settlement of dues/bills/claims of both working and retired employees and that in this regard CBB division of BSNL CO vide letter dated 04.12.2020 has advised all Circles to send the specific fund request for settlement of CPGRAMS cases immediately. It also conveys that the grievances which are pending due to financial constraints or due to other reasons may be considered for disposal by apprising the status to the complainant including the financial constraints and timeline. The list of pending grievances is also attached. It is to be mentioned that out of the 291 grievances pending, 24 (nearly 10%) are those filed by AIBSNLREA.  View BSNL letter

16.12.2020:

REIMBURSEMENT OF COST OF ‘PULSE OXIMETER’ FOR THE FAMILY OF COVID-19 POSITIVE CS(MA) BENEFICIARIES- DEPT OF HEALTH & FAMILY WELFARE ISSUES ORDERS:

Department of Health & Family Welfare has issued an OM, vide its File No. S.14025/43/2020-EHS dated 14.12.2020, allowing reimbursement of cost of ‘Pulse Oximeter’ for the family of Covid-19 positive CS(MA) beneficiaries. Reimbursement shall be allowed as per actual cost of pulse of oximeter subject to a ceiling of Rs. 1200/- and only one pulse oximeter per positive Covid-19 affected family will be reimbursed. This O.M. is effective from 16.06.2020. The CGHS beneficiaries were already allowed reimbursement of cost of ‘Pulse Oximeter’ vide F. No. 1-2/2020/CGHS/ADHQ/29 dated 16.06.2020 by D.G. CGHS with same conditions.  View Orders for CGHS beneficiaries
 View Orders for CS(MA) beneficiaries

08.12.2020:

AIBSNLREA REPRESENTS TO PRIME MINISTER OF INDIA REGARDING DENIAL BY CBDT TO CLARIFY/ADVISE ON TREATING THE UNPAID AMOUNT FALSELY CLAIMED BY BSNL IN FORM 26AS FOR THE ASSESSMENT YEAR 2020-21 AS HAVING CREDITED SOME AMOUNT, TO FACILITATE SUBMISSION OF INCOME TAX RETURNS BY THE AFFECTED BSNL PENSIONERS:

Being aggrieved by virtual denial of clarification/advice by BSNL on the above issue by Central Board of Direct Taxes, AIBSNLREA has now submitted a representation to the Prime Minister of India. The Association has stated that since CBDT has disposed of the grievance without issuing much needed clarification/advice, the affected Pensioners are now back at the same position as they cannot include these unpaid amounts, as shown in Form-26AS, in their income to file Income Tax Return for the assessment year 2020-21. CBDT has disposed of the Grievance stating that ‘The request for payment of medical reimbursement to the pensioners is an internal administrative issue which shall be dealt by the concerned department of BSNL. However, the BSNL had been requested to look into the matter and positively dispose off the grievance as per the rules of BSNL. Therefore, this grievance is disposed off’. Since BSNL does not have any separate rules in respect of deduction of TDS on unpaid amount, it cannot issue any clarification/advice on the subject and resolve the grievance. In fact, CBDT is the sole authority to issue instructions/clarifications on Income Tax related Rules. Thus, the Association has requested Prime Minister of India to advise CBDT to issue the requested clarification/advice, so that the affected BSNL IDA pensioners do not face any problem while filing their Income Tax Returns for the assessment year 2020-21 by 31.12.2020.  View the letter

08.12.2020:

CBDT SIDE-TRACKS REQUEST TO CLARIFY/ADVISE ON TREATING FALSE CLAIM MADE BY BSNL IN FORM 26AS FOR THE ASSESSMENT YEAR 2020-21 TO HAVE CREDITED SOME AMOUNT TO THE ASSESSES WITHOUT MAKING ACTUAL PAYMENT:

AIBSNLREA had requested Minister of State for Finance, vide its No. AIBSNLREA/CHQ/2020/59 dated 15.07.2020 (view posting dated 15.07.2020 in this website to read the letter), for issue of a clarification/advice on how to treat the unpaid amount which has been falsely claimed by BSNL in Form 26AS uploaded in IT Department’s website while filing the Income Tax Returns by the BSNL IDA pensioners. After 4 months of wait, Central Board of Direct Taxes has disposed of the Grievance Docket No. PMOPG/E/2020/0700945 on 04.12.2020 with the following Remarks: “As reported The complainant has mentioned in the complaint that TDS amount has been shown in their 26AS report falsely as having credited some amounts by BSNL for which even TDS has been shown as deposited. When none of the pensioners have been paid the amount, purportedly as part of reimbursement of their long pending Medical Claims. Their request is to advise Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) to look into the matter and issue necessary clarification early to facilitate submission of the ITR at the earliest by the affected BSNL IDA Pensioners. The TDS made is even reflected in the 26AS statement of the complainant. The request for payment of medical reimbursement to the pensioners is an internal administrative issue which shall be dealt by the competent department of BSNL. However, BSNL had been requested to look into the matter and positively dispose off the grievance as per the rules of BSNL. Therefore, this grievance is disposed off”.

07.12.2020:

AIBSNLREA SUBMITS TWO MORE CASES FOR COMPLETION OF PENDING ACTIVITIES IN REGARD TO BSNL VRS-2019 HAVING IMPACT ON EX-GRATIA:

In continuation to its earlier representation, vide No. AIBSNLREA/CHQ/2020/149 dated 03.12.2020, AIBSNLREA cites two more cases of VRS-retirees needing to be resolved as part of actions to complete the pending activities in regard to BSNL VRS-2019 for assessment of requirement of total fund for payment of 4th and final instalment of Ex-Gratia to the VRS-retirees. The Association has cited the cases of Shri Ajay Kumar Dubey, Retd AGM, Agra Telecom District for restoration of the Order earlier issued by UP (West) Telecom Circle but subsequently cancelled following a direction from Establishment Branch of Corporate Office. Shri Dubey was rightly allowed to get the benefit of pre-appointment training to be counted as service under Rule-22 of CCS (Pension) Rules, 1972 by condonation of the administration delay in issuing his appointment letter. Even BSNL Corporate Office had earlier clarified at point No. 2 of FAQ on BSNL VRS-2019 issued vide its F.No. 1-125/2019-PAT(BSNL)-Part dated 22.11.2019 that the VRS-retirees are entitled to receive this benefit. The Association has also cited the case of Shri R J Christopher Girigori Raj, Retd SDE, Thanjavur who is yet to receive the benefit of counting of the period spent on training as service for the purpose of pension under the same Rule-22 of CCS (Pension) Rules, 1972. Association has further requested to resolve these cases since these are having impact on fund required to make 4th and final instalment of Ex-gratia.  View the letter

07.12.2020:

BSNL CONSTITUTES COMMITTEE ON ORGANIZATIONAL RESTRUCTURING-CLOSURE OF RTTCs:

BSNL, vide its No. BSNLCO-STG/12(11)/7/2020-RSTG dared 10.11.2020, had issued Orders constituting a Committee headed by CGMT, Kerala as its Chairman to examine the existing requirement of Training Centres and location of these centres vis-a-vis restructuring of these Training Centres as contained in its earlier Order dated 14.01.2020 and submit report.  View the BNSL order

06.12.2020:

E-JOURNAL DECEMBER 2020 UPLOADED WITH DIRECT LINKS TO LETTERS/ORDERS FROM THE E-JOURNAL ITSELF:

December 2020 issue of AIBSNLREA E-journal has been uploaded and is available under the link "E-Journal" in the left column. From November 2020 issue onwards, CHQ letters, responses from BSNL/DOT/others and Government/DOT/BSNL orders can be accessed directly from the E-journal, without going to the website and searching for the relevant dates, by just clicking on the links provided at the end of the paragraphs.

03.12.2020:

NON-ADHERENCE TO THE TIMELINES FIXED BY BSNL CORPORATE OFFICE FOR COMPLETION OF PENDING ACTIVITIES IN REGARD TO BSNL VRS-2019 HAVING IMPACT ON EX-GRATIA - AIBSNLREA TAKES UP A FEW PENDING CASES WITH DIRECTOR (HR), BSNL:

With reference to the D.O. No. BSNLCO-A/11(11)/8/2020-ESTAB dated 01.12.2020 addressed to all Heads of Telecom Circles/Administrative Units by Director (HR), BSNL advising them to complete the pending activities in regard to BSNL VRS-2019 before 05.12.2020, AIBSNLREA has addressed a letter to Director (HR) drawing his attention to a few long pending unresolved cases of the VRS retirees which need to be resolved immediately. The Association has expressed its anguish that despite issue of instructions/guidelines and advice from time to time to the Circles in regard to settlement of pending leave encashment cases, time-bound financial upgradations under EPP/NEPP etc having impact on Ex-gratia amount, a few Circles are not taking the matter seriously. In addition, non-settlement of pay-fixation of some officiating JTOs, who opted for fitment in revised pay-scales from the date of their promotion under Para 3.6 of BSNL Order No. 1-16/2010-PAT(BSNL) dated 07.05.2020, having impact on Ex-Gratia payment, are also not being settled despite issue of clarifications by Establishment Branch. In this regard, the Association has cited the case for Leave encashment of Shri B M Nyamati, Retd CAO, Bangalore Telecom District, Time Bound Financial upgradation cases of Shri G S Hugar, Retd AO, Gulbarga Telecom District and the case for restoration of pay-fixation of the officiating JTOs of Calcutta Telephones who were promoted in 2008. The Association has further stated that “ If these cases are not settled now and the final Ex-gratia amount is finalized by excluding these cases, it may become extremely difficult in the future for BSNL to raise claim for left out amount with DoT/Government and it is likely that BSNL will have to pay the ex-gratia in all such cases by arranging Fund of its own”. AIBSNLREA has, thus, requested for personal intervention of Director (HR) in the matter so that all these cases of the VRS retirees are settled at the earliest by the respective Circles without any further delay.  View the letter

02.12.2020:

AIBSNLREA WRITES TO DIRECTOR (HR), BSNL ON NON-COMPLIANCE OF THE ADVICE GIVEN BY HIM TO THE CIRCLES REGARDING PAYMENT OF LEAVE ENCASHMENT OF BSNL-2019 RETIREES WHOSE VIGILANCE CLEARANCE IS WITH HELD- CITES THE CASE OF SHRI B. M. NYAMATI, RETD CAO, BANGALORE TELECOM DISTRICT:

AIBSNLREA has now addressed a letter to Director (HR), BSNL drawing his attention about non-compliance of his advice given to all Heads of Telecom Circles, vide F. No. BSNLCO-EB-I/11/(20)-ESTAB dated 16.10.2020, to process all the pending leave encashment cases of the BSNL VRS-2019 retirees including the cases of those against whom vigilance clearance is withheld, by Karnataka Telecom Circle. The Association has cited the case of Shri B. M. Nyamati, Retd CAO, Bangalore Telecom District (HR No. 98311455) whose case appears at Serial No. 98 of the above quoted Office instructions. The Association has stated that the case was earlier taken up on few occasions with CGMT, Karnataka Circle which once replied that “vigilance clearance is awaited”. Subsequently, it replied that “vigilance case proceeding are to be dealt in accordance with BSNL CDA rules 2006 ..”, even though the instant case is for release of leave encashment and not about the pending vigilance case. Karnataka Telecom Circle seems to have taken no pains even to go through the BSNL Office Order, issued vide F. No. BSNLCO-EB-I/11/(20)-ESTAB dated 06.05.2020 giving detailed guidelines to process the leave encashment cases of the BSNL VRS-2019 retirees against whom vigilance clearance is withheld. The Association has also requested for personal intervention of Director (HR) in the matter so that Karnataka Telecom Circle immediately release the over-delayed leave encashment to the affected pensioner i.e. Shri B M Nyamati, Retd CAO (HR No. 98311455), Bangalore Telecom District.  View the letter

02.12.2020:

FLOUTING OF CABINET DECISION BY DOT/BSNL REGARDING PAYMENT OF EX-GRATIA TO THE BSNL VRS-2019 RETIREES- AIBSNLREA WRITES TO PRIME MINISTER OF INDIA:

AIBSNLREA has addressed a letter to Hon’ble Prime Minister on the above issue and pointed out that “DOT/BSNL is stretching the issue regarding payment of ex-gratia to the BSNL VRS-2019 retirees. Though Cabinet decided to make full payment of ex-gratia by second instalment which was to be paid during first quarter of this financial year which ended on 30th June, 2020, till now only about 92% of the payment has been made and that too in three instalments. DOT is not making available the required fund to clear the remaining dues”. The Association has sought the intervention of Prime Minister so that the balance amount of ex-gratia is paid to the BSNL VRS-2019 retirees without further delay.  View the letter

02.12.2020:

DIRECTOR (HR) WRITES TO ALL HEADS OF TELECOM CIRCLES/HEADS OF OTHER ADMINISTRATIVE UNITS REGARDING COMPLETION OF PENDING ACTIVITIES WITH REGARD TO BSNL VRS-2019:

Despite repeated instructions from BSNL Corporate Office emphasising the need to complete all the pending activities in regard to BSNL VRS 2019, the Circles have failed to adhere to the given timelines for completion of VRS related activities. This has delayed payment of 4th and final instalment of ex-gratia to the VRS retirees. Now Director (HR) has issued D.O. letter to all the Heads of Telecom Circles and other Administrative Units, vide his D.O. No. BSNLCO-A/11(11)/8/2020-ESTAB dated 01.12.2020, to complete the pending activities related to VRS optees latest by 05.12.2020. The pending activities include updation/correction of ERP data, pending cases, if any, for grant of time bound financial upgradation under EPP/NEPP, verification of Annexure-D by respective CCAs in cases requiring correction in PPO(s) and initiation/verification of final Sanction in ERP/SAP.  View the DO letter of Director (HR), BSNL

01.12.2020:

CALCUTTA TELEPHONES NOW SAYS THAT IT RECEIVED NO METHODOLOGY FOR PAY FIXATION OF OFFICIATING JTOs REGULARIZED IN 2008 FROM CORPORATE OFFICE AND ACTED ON THE GUIDANCE OF CCA, KOLKATA- AIBSNLREA WRITES TO SR GM (ESTT), BSNL POINTING OUT THAT CALCUTTA TELEPHONES IS NOT ABLE TO READ THE RELEVANT ORDERS ISSUED FROM TIME TO TIME AND ALSO THE CLARIFICATIONS ISSUED ON 28.10.2020 TO CTD ON ITS REQUEST:

Since Calcutta Telephones has sent a mail on 25.11.2020 to AIBSNLREA stating that “no methodology for pay fixation of officiating JTO who have regularised on 12.02.2008 issued till date from BSNL, Corporate Office. Whatever the fixation has been made, it was as per guideline given by CCA office, Kolkata”, the Association has taken up the issue with Sr General Manager (Estt), BSNL. The Association has conveyed that it seems that Calcutta Telephones has lost its senses and is not able to read relevant Orders issued from time to time on the subject including the clarifications issued, vide No. BSNLCO-A/16(27)/12/2020-ESTAB dated 28.10.2020, on the request of Calcutta Telephones. The Association has further added that ‘It is really a pity that Calcutta Telephones feels that “no methodology for pay fixation of officiating JTO who have regularised on 12.02.2008 issued till date from BSNL, Corporate Office”. If that be the case, how and based on which methodology, Calcutta Telephones had earlier fixed the pay of these Officiating JTOs and drew their salary all these years. It is also a serious matter that Calcutta Telephones, though a Unit of BSNL and administratively and financially controlled by BSNL has to seek/take guidance from CCA, Kolkata on pay-fixation matters instead of approaching BSNL Corporate Office in case of any doubt. Problem with Calcutta Telephones is that it is failing to distinguish between the BSNL Order No.5-32/2013/Estt.IV dated 22.12.2015 on fixation of officiating pay of the JTOs that was allowed under FR. 22(i)(a)(i) in place of FR-35 as per Principal CAT Delhi Order and finally upheld by Hon’ble Supreme Court as confirmed by BSNL No. 3-8/2010-Estt-IV(Pt) dated 18.09.2018 on one hand and the fitment in the revised IDA pay scale as per option exercised under Para 3.6 of BSNL No. 1-16/2010-PAT(BSNL) dated 07.05.2020 on the other hand. Both the cases are different and different orders/fitment methods are applicable in these cases’. Finally, the Association has requested to advise Calcutta Telephones to resolve the present issue in the light of the clarifications issued vide No. BSNLCO-A/16(27)/12/2020-ESTAB dated 28.10.2020 as was earlier represented by the Association, vide its No. AIBSNLREA/CHQ/2020/143 dated 16.11.2020. The Association has further stated that perhaps Calcutta Telephones also needs to be advised to seek clarification/guidance on such issues only from BSNL Corporate Office and not from others.  View the letter

29.11.2020:

LET US UNDERSTAND THE MAGNITUDE OF DRASTIC REDUCTION IN THE ANNUAL CEILING LIMIT FOR OUTDOOR MEDICAL CLAIMS UNDER BSNLMRS – IMPOSED BY BSNL VIDE ITS LETTER DATED 08.05.2020:

BSNL issued Orders vide its No. BSNL/Admn.1/15-12/18 dated 08.05.2020, revising the annual ceiling limit for outdoor medical claims under BSNLMRS for the serving and retired employees. Since then AIBSNLREA has been continuously taking up the issue with all concerned. While there is no response from them, the Supreme Court registering our Appeal/Petition submitted to the Hon’ble Chief Justice of India and stating it to be under process, has raised some hope. In the said Appeal/Petition, not only the issue of non-payment of medical claims, but also the issue of drastic cuts imposed on annual ceiling limit for outdoor medical claims for the retired BSNL employees has been taken up. However, very few could realize the magnitude of the reduction in the Annual Ceiling limit. This being the fact, no Association other than AIBSNLREA is still seriously pursuing the issue. We now publish herewith a Comparison Chart showing the eligible annual ceiling limit on the maximum of the pay in the pre-revised and revised pay scales of the retired employees and the serving employees as on 31.03.2020 and as on 1st April 2020 i.e. the day the revised Order became effective. This would enable everyone to realize the gravity of the issue.  View the Comparison Chart

25.11.2020:

CENTRAL PENSION ACCOUNTS OFFICE ISSUES INSTRUCTIONS REGARDING MARKING OF PPO NUMBER IN THE BANK PASSBOOK OF THE PENSIONERS/FAMILY PENSIONERS:

Based on the representations received from Pensioners and many Pensioners’ Associations that the bank branches are not recording the PPO number in the passbook of the pensioners/family pensioners, Central Pension Accounts Office under Department of Expenditure, vide its No. CPAO/IT & Tech/Bank Performance/37 (Vol-III)A/2020-21 dated 23.11.2020, has asked Heads of all CPPCs and Govt. Business Departments to instruct all their bank branches dealing with pension payment to record PPO number in all the passbooks of the pensioners/family pensioners issued by them.  View the CPAO order

23.11.2020:

DOP&PW ORDERS FURTHER EXTENSION OF PERIOD FOR SUBMISSION OF LIFE CERTIFICATES BY THE GOVERNMENT PENSIONERS TILL FEBRUARY, 2021:

In view of Covid-19 pandemic, Department of Pension & Pensioners’ Welfare, vide its OM No. 18/1/2020-P&PW(H)-Vol-III-6786 dated 23.11.2020, has ordered further extension of last date for submission of Life Certificates by the Government pensioners from 31st December, 2020 to 28th February, 2021.  View the DoP&PW letter

23.11.2020:

AIBSNLREA CONVEYS ITS DISAPPOINTMENT TO PRIME MINISTER OF INDIA ON THE ORDERS ISSUED BY DPE FREEZING THE DEARNESS ALLOWANCE EVEN IN THE CPSEs WHERE NO PAY REVISION TOOK PLACE FOR YEARS TOGETHER– REQUESTS EXEMPTION IN THE CPSEs WHERE NO PAY REVISION TOOK PLACE:

AIBSNLREA has addressed a letter to Prime Minister of India expressing its inability to appreciate and accept the Orders issued by Department of Public Enterprises freezing IDA even in the CPSEs in which no pay scale revision took place for last several years. The Association has pointed out that ‘The last pay revision in the CPSEs was ordered with effect from 01.01.2017. But it was not implemented in Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited and many other CPSEs. Therefore, the employees of these CPSEs are worst affected compared to those CPSEs in which pay scale revision has been implemented. Even in case of the Central Government Employees, though Dearness Allowance has been freezed, pay revision had already taken place w.e.f. 01.01.2016. As such the impact of freezing of DA in case of CG employees and also in the cases of the Employees of the CPSEs in which pay scale revision has taken place is much less compared to the employees of CPSEs in which no pay revision has taken place’. The Association has further stated that these IDA Pensioners are already facing the heat due to spiralling prices and gradual increase of medical expenses and requested to exempt the CPSEs in which no pay revision has taken place for years together from the purview of the Order freezing the Dearness Allowance.  View the letter

20.11.2020:

BSNL SEEKS INFORMATION FROM ALL TELECOM CIRCLES/TERRITORIAL CIRCLES/DISTRICTS REGARDING BREAK UP OF PENDING LIABILITY OF HOSPITAL VENDORS AND RETIREES:

BSNL Corporate Office, vide No. 16-05/2019/CBB/BB/Gen Corr. dated 19.11.2020, has asked all its Telecom Circles/Territorial Circles/ District to furnish break up of pending liability of Hospital vendors and Retirees – Post retirement in prescribed formats within three days from the date of issue of the Order.  View the BSNL letter

19.11.2020:

DPE ORDERS FREEZING OF DEARNESS ALLOWANCE TO CPSE EMPLOYEES AT CURRENT RATES TILL 30TH JUNE, 2021:

Department of Public Enterprises, vide its No. W-02/0039/2017-DPE(WC)-G-XVI/20 dated 19.11.2020, has ordered freezing of Dearness Allowance to the CPSE employees due from 01.10.2020, 01.01.2021 and 01.04.2021. As a result, the IDA due from 01.10.2020 shall not be paid. As and when the decision to release the future instalment of Dearness Allowance is taken by the Government, the rates of Dearness Allowance as effective from 01.10.2020, 01.01.2021 and 01.04.2021 will be restored prospectively and will be subsumed in the cumulative revised rates effective from 01.07.2021. However, no arrears for the period 01.10.2020 till 30.06.2021 shall be paid.  View the DPE letter

19.11.2020:

FILING OF INCOME TAX RETURNS BY THE RETIRED BSNL EMPLOYEES- AIBSNLREA WRITES TO GENERAL MANAGER (CA), BSNL EITHER TO WITHDRAW BSNL’S WRONG CLAIM IN FORM 26-AS STATING THAT SOME AMOUNT HAS BEEN CREDITED OR MAKE IMMEDIATE PAYMENT OF ALL OUTSTANDING DUES FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR 2019-20 TO THE RETIRED BSNL EMPLOYEES:

AIBSNLREA has since addressed a letter to General Manager (CA), BSNL Corporate Office regarding the problems being faced by the retired BSNL Employees in filing their Income Tax Returns for the assessment year 2020-21 due to wrong claim made by BSNL in Form- 26 AS stating that some amount have been credited to the retired employees even though no amount has actually been credited to them. The Association has pointed out that in response to a RTI Query, vide Registration No. BSNLD/R/E/20/01364, BSNL has admitted that “… But payment for the same has not been made since April-2019 onwards for want of Funds. The payment will be released and same will be credited to applicant account as soon as fund made available” and demanded that BSNL now must correct its wrong statement in Form-26 AS in regard to its false claim as having credited some amount while actually crediting none. The Association has further requested that BSNL should now take some corrective actions either by withdrawing its wrong claim in Form-26 AS in which it has been stated that some amount has been credited or making immediate payment of all the outstanding dues for the financial year 2019-20 to the retired employees.  View the letter

16.11.2020:

AIBSNLREA TAKES UP THE CASE OF NON-IMPLEMENTATION OF CLARIFICATIONS ISSUED TO CALCUTTA TELEPHONES FOR FIXATION OF PAY OF THE OFFICIATING JTOs WHO EXERCISED OPTION UNDER PARA 3.6 OF BSNL NO. 1-16/2010-PAT(BSNL) DATED 07.05.2010 FOR FIXATION OF THEIR PAY IN THE REVISED PAY SCALE FROM THE DATE OF THEIR PROMOTION AFTER 01.01.2007:

AIBSNLREA has taken up the above issue with Sr General Manager (Estt), BSNL. The Association has pointed out that despite issue of clear clarifications to Calcutta Telephones on the above issue, vide No. BSNLCO-A/16(27)/12/2020-ESTAB dated 28.10.2020, the ordeal of the affected retired Executives, who were promoted as regular JTOs in 2008, is far from over. Though these clarifications were issued only on the request from Calcutta Telephones, now it is not allowing the benefit of pay-fixation extended to the officiating JTOs as clarified at Sl No. (b) of in the above referred Office letter dated 28.10.2020. in this case, since these Officials were promoted in the year 2008 as JTOs, they are entitled to receive their pay fixation as per their option exercised under Para 3.6 of BSNL No. 1-16/2010-PAT (BSNL) dated 07.05.2010. In fact, initially their pay was correctly fixed as per their option exercised under Para 3.6 of the BSNL Order dated 07.05.2010. But just before their retirement, the earlier pay-fixations were revised and pay refixed as per BSNL Order No. 3-32/2013-Estt-IV dated 22.12.2015 which is totally wrong. The Association has further pointed out that pay fixation under FR 22(1)(a)(i) was extended to the Officiating JTOs, who were initially allowed officiating pay fixation only under FR-35, as per the various Orders of Principal CAT, New Delhi. The BSNL Order No. 3-32/2013-Estt-IV dated 22.12.2015 was also issued as a follow up of these Pr. CAT Orders. BSNL Office Order No. 3-8/2010-Estt-IV(Pt) dated 18.09.2018, which was issued to extend the benefits of pay-fixation under FR-22(1)(a)(i) to all similarly placed officials following dismissal of SLP in Supreme Court, has a clear mention about this fact and the Order dated 22.12.2015. Therefore, BSNL Office Order No. 3-32/2013-Estt-IV dated 22.12.2015 is not for substitution of pay-fixation under Para 3.6 of BSNL No. 1-16/2010-PAT(BSNL) dated 07.05.2010. AIBSNLREA has, thus, requested to advise Calcutta Telephones to immediately restore the initial pay-fixations, which were allowed to the affected officiating JTOs who exercised option under Para 3.6 of Office Order No. 1-16/2010-PAT(BSNL) dated 07.05.2010, strictly in accordance with the clarification that has been issued at Sl No. (b) of BSNL No. BSNLCO-A/16(27)/12/2020-ESTAB dated 28.10.2020.  View the letter

15.11.2020:

AIBSNLREA WRITES TO SECRETARY (PENSION) REGARDING BSNL’S SURPRISE ACTION TO DEPRIVE THE BENEFIT OF COUNTING OF PERIOD SPENT ON TRAINING FOR PENSION AS PROVIDED UNDER RULE 22 OF CCS (PENSION) RULES, 1972 TO SHRI AJAY KUMAR DEBEY, RETD AGM, AGRA TELECOM DISTRICT:

AIBSNLREA has now sought the intervention of Secretary (Pension), since repeated request of the Association to BSNL Management to restore the Order issued by UP (West) Telecom Circle condoning the administrative delay in between completion of pre-appointment training and regular appointment for counting training period for pensionary benefits, as provided under Rule-22 of CCS (Pension) Rules, 1972, is receiving no response. The Association has pointed out that as per Rule-22 of CCS (Pension) Rules, 1972, the pre-appointment training period for all Group C and D Employees are counted as service for the purpose of pension. Subsequently, DOP&PW had further agreed for condonation of break period between completion of pre-appointment training and issue of appointment letters purely due to the administrative delay. Accordingly, DOT had issued Orders in this respect vide its No. 14/88-NB/T/Pen dated 25.06.1990 for condonation of the break period. Since then the Telecom Circles, being the recruiting and appointment authority of the Group C and D Employees, are condoning the administrative delay in issuing the appointment letter after completion of prescribed pre-appointment training. But now the Establishment Branch of BSNL Corporate Office singled out the case of Shri Ajay Kumar Dubey, Retd AGM, Agra Telecom District and ordered vide its No. 252-02/2020/Estt-III dated 19.02.2020 to cancel the Order issued by UP (West) Telecom Circle condoning the administrative delay and thus deprive him to get the benefit of pension as provided under Rule-22 of CCS (Pension) Rules, 1972. Referring to its earlier representations to BSNL on which no positive action has been taken, AIBSNLREA has now requested Secretary (Pension) to advise BSNL Corporate Office to allow UP (West) Telecom Circle to restore its earlier Order condoning the period of break between completion of the pre-appointment training and issue of appointment letter due to administrative delay in respect of Shri A K Dubey, Retd AGM, Agra Telecom District at the earliest.  View the letter

11.11.2020:

AIBSNLREA NOW TAKES UP WITH SECRETARY (PENSION) THE CASE OF NON-SETTLEMENT OF PAYMENT OF BALANCE AMOUNT OF GPF CONTRIBUTION FOR THE PERIOD 03.12.1980 TO 30.09.1990 ALONG WITH ACCRUED INTEREST TO SHRI V VELAPPAN, RETD DGM, TAMILNADU CIRCLE:

Being unsatisfied with the reply received vide No. TAC/GPF/Gen.Corr/2014-17/25 dated 21.09.2020 from Tamilnadu Circle, in response to the Grievance Docket No. PMOPG/D/2020/0068622, stating that since all GPF records were destroyed in a major fire accident during February, 1998 at Coimbatore, the Circle Office is not in a position to intimate the proof of GPF contributions by the above named pensioner to DOT, AIBSNLREA has now taken up the matter with Secretary (Pension), DOP&PW. The Association has submitted that destruction of records because of fire accident cannot be a valid plea to deny the pensioner of his hard-earned money. Moreover, the pensioner is no way concerned with the accident. The Pensioner has official records of GPF deductions in the form of GPF balance sheets and sanction letters for transfer of GPF contributions to DMT Coimbatore, deducted from April 1989 to September 1990 by MTNL Mumbai. Tamilnadu Circle cannot deny the authenticity of these records/documents and should make payment of balance amount of GPF amount to Shri V Velappan, Retd DGM.  View the letter

09.11.2020:

AIBSNLREA WRITES TO SECRETARY, DPE FOR EARLY ISSUE OF ORDERS REVISING THE IDA RATES W.E.F. 01.10.2020:

AIBSNLREA has taken up the above issue with Secretary, Dept of Public Enterprises. The Association has stated that the Dept of Public Enterprises had been meticulously issuing Orders revising the rates of IDA for the employees of CPSEs within the first week of the month in each quarter on which these became due. But the Orders revising the rates of IDA, which became due with effect from 1st October 2020, has not been issued which has caused frustration in the serving as well retired CPSE employees. The Association has requested to cause early issue of the Orders.  View the letter

09.11.2020:

ISSUE OF FINAL SUPERANNUATION ORDER, GRANT OF FINAL PENSION AND OTHER PENSIONARY BENEFITS ON COMPLETION OF JUDICIAL PROCEEDINGS- AIBSNLREA TAKES UP THE CASE OF SHRI S V ROJED, RETD SDE, QA CIRCLE:

AIBSNLREA has since taken up the case for issue of final superannuation Order, grant of final pension and other pensionary benefits to Shri S V Rojed, Retd SDE, Quality Assurance Circle who was earlier permitted to retire provisionally on 31.03.2012. He was also acquitted of the Charges, along with all other accused, in a Court case on 25.10.2018 by the Special CBI Court at Dharwar, Karnataka. The Association has cited the cases of S/Shri S B Mohare, Retd AO and M Mathuramani, Sr AO who were also acquitted by the same Court in the same case on the same date. In their cases, BSNL Corporate Office has already issued their final superannuation Orders.  View the letter

08.11.2020:

RESTORATION OF PAY-FIXATION EARLIER ALLOWED TO THE ERSTWHILE TTAs OFFICIATING AS JTOs SINCE RETIRED AS EXECUTIVES OF CALCUTTA TELEPHONBES WHO EXERCISED OPTION FOR THEIR PAY-FIXATION UNDER PARA 3.6 OF BSNL ORDER NO. 1-16/2010-PAT(BSNL) DATED 07.05.2020- AIBSNLREA ADDRESSES CGM, CALCUTTA TELEPHONES FOR EARLY IMPLEMENTATION OF THE CLARIFICATION DATED 28.10.2020 ISSUED BY BSNL CORPORATE OFFICE AND RESTORE THE PAY-FIXATIONS ALLOWED EARLIER:

Following issue of clarification by BSNL Corporate Office, vide its No. BSNLCO-A/16(27)/12/2020-ESTAB dated 28.08.2020, AIBSNLREA has requested Chief General Manager, Calcutta Telephones for early restoration of pay-fixation that was earlier correctly allowed to the concerned affected retired Executives who had exercised option for their pay-fixation on their regular promotion as JTOs under Para 3.6 of BSNL Order No. 1-16/2010-PAT(BSNL) dated 07.05.2020. The Association has pointed out that BSNL Corporate Office, vide its No. BSNLCO-A/11(11)/13/2020-ESTAB dated 27.10.2020, has now even allowed one-time relaxation to exercise option under Para 3.6 of BSNL Office Order No. 1-16/2010-PAT(BSNL) dated 07.05.2010 for fixation of pay under 2nd PRC to the officiating JTOs of Kerala Circle promoted as regular JTOs during the period from 01.01.2007 up to 07.05.2010. Thus, there should be no reason to doubt validity and applicability of pay-fixation under Para 3.6 of BSNL Office Order No. 1-16/2010-PAT(BSNL) dated 07.05.2010 to the TTAs of Calcutta Telephones who were officiating as JTOs and promoted as regular JTOs in 2008 based on the option that they exercised. The Association has further requested to process their pension papers accordingly and make other payments expeditiously.  View the letter

07.11.2020:

AIBSNLREA REPRESENTS TO PRIME MINISTER OF INDIA REGARDING REFUSAL BY DOT TO ADDRESS THE GRIEVANCE LODGED IN PG PORTAL BASED ON ITS EARLIER REPRESENTATION:

AIBSNLREA has since sent a representation to the Prime Minister of India as DOT has closed the Grievance Docket lodged in PG Portal based on its earlier representation to him in the matter of issue of similar Orders, as issued by Department of Posts, directing the Pay & Accounts Officers in the Offices of CCAs to strictly adhere to the provision in Rule 7.3.2, under Chapter-7 of the ‘Civil Accounts Manual for the HOD and Pay and Accounts Officer’. Rule 7.3.2 under Chapter-7 of the ‘Civil Accounts Manual for the HOD and Pay and Accounts Officer’ mandated that while verifying the service records and application of prescribed checks with reference to the applicable Pension Rule, the PAO in no case should go back to a period earlier than a maximum of 24 months. But this provision of the Rule is very often being violated which creates avoidable problems to the pensioners. In this case, the Dy CCA, o/o Pr. CCA, Delhi Region, to whom the Grievance was forwarded, had even acknowledged in the Remarks column of the Grievance Docket that “The issue in the grievance document concerns all the offices of Pr. CCA/CCA under Dept of Telecommunication. It is not particular to CCA, New Delhi and he cannot take decision on an all India issue. As such, the Grievance Docket should be dealt only by DOT Headquarters which is competent to issue the Orders as requested”. But surprisingly, Department of Telecommunication without taking any further action on the matter at its end has closed this Grievance Docket. Thus, the Grievance remained unattended and unresolved. The Association has requested that DOT also issue similar Orders, as issued by Dept of Posts, to protect the BSNL IDA Pensioners from being unnecessary harassed and also to reduce number of ever-increasing grievances.  View the letter

06.11.2020:

E-JOURNAL NOVEMBER 2020 UPLOADED WITH DIRECT LINKS TO LETTERS/ORDERS FROM THE E-JOURNAL ITSELF:

November 2020 issue of AIBSNLREA E-journal has been uploaded and is available under the link "E-Journal" in the left column. From this issue onwards, CHQ letters, responses from BSNL/DOT/others and Government/DOT/BSNL orders can be accessed directly from the E-journal, without going to the website and searching for the relevant dates, by just clicking on the links provided at the end of the paragraphs.

05.11.2020:

GULBARGA TELECOM DISTRICT INTIMATES SETTLEMENT OF FINAL SUPERANNUATION PENSION, RELEASE OF LEAVE ENCASHMENT, DCRG AND COMMUTED VALUE OF PENSION IN RESPECT OF SHRI I S NAVALI, RETD SR. SDE, GULBARGA:

AIBSNLREA had taken up the above issues which remained unsettled for long two years and The Association had also been following up the same from time to time. Now Gulbarga Telecom District of Karnataka Telecom Circle, in a communication, vide No. AGM[OP]/CPGRAMS/25 dated 29.10.2020, has confirmed settlement of these cases.  View the Gulbarga TD letter

03.11.2020:

AIBSNLREA SEEKS INTERVENTION OF SECRETARY (PENSION) IN THE MATTER OF REFUSAL BY BSNL TO EXAMINE AND REDRESS THE GRIEVANCES OF THE BSNL IDA PENSIONERS:

AIBSNLREA has addressed a letter to Secretary (Pension), DOP&PW drawing his attention and seeking intervention in the matter of refusal by BSNL to examine and redress the genuine grievances of the BSNL IDA pensioners by using a common phrase “It is the Policy matter of BSNL” in the Remarks of column of the Grievance Dockets while disposing of the same. Association has also annexed a list of such cases in which BSNL disposed of the Grievance Dockets lodged in CPENGRAMS and PG Portal with the same comment in the Remark column of these Dockets. The Association has contended that ‘BSNL seems to be following a Policy to put the Grievances of the pensioners lodged in CPENGRAMS/PG Portal in cold storage by using the same phrase “It is the Policy matter of BSNL’. If this continues, the very purpose of introduction of Grievance Redressal Mechanism by the Government will get defeated’. The Association has also requested to advise BSNL to be reasonable and sensible in addressing the grievances of the pensioners and has suggested that let DOP&PW consider holding a meeting to discuss the pending grievances in the presence of the BSNL Officers competent to take decision on these grievances.  View the letter

02.11.2020:

AIBSNLREA APPEALS TO PRIME MINISTER OF INDIA TO SANCTION SPECIAL FUND TO BSNL TO CLEAR ALL THE PENDING MEDICAL CLAIMS OF THE RETIRED BSNL EMPLOYEES:

AIBSNLREA has drawn the attention of the Prime Minister of India to the hard reality that ‘despite Government’s various measures and decision for revival of BSNL, the situation still remains the same as before. Though nearly 80,000 BSNL employees were virtually sent out under BSNL VRS-2019 on 31.01.2020 and BSNL saving huge amount on the salary head and pension contribution on them to DOT, the crisis is far from over. It seems that BSNL Management is clueless to tackle the situation’. The Association has further submitted that “In the process, the retired BSNL employees, who are beneficiaries of BSNLMRS, are the worst victims. Though recently BSNL Management allotted Fund to clear the pending medical claims up to 31.03.2020 of its serving employees, it is not reimbursing the medical claims of the retired employees almost for last two years. Though no rule, law or ethics permits such blatant discrimination against the elders..” Whenever request is being made to clear the long pending claims of the retired employees, pat comes the reply that there is no Fund available or it is a Policy matter of BSNL. The Association has also stated that “The retired employees, who were admitted in Hospitals for serious chronic diseases like cancer, heart ailment, kidney, liver and many others including Covid-19 like life-threatening and expensive treatment and were forced to spend huge amount by arranging from different sources, are now facing serious trouble since BSNL has stopped reimbursing their claims. In addition, claims for outdoor treatment for follow up treatment or for chronic diseases also need to be cleared immediately. The Association has made an appeal to allot special Fund to BSNL for the sole purpose of clearing all the pending medical claims of the retired employees with the arrangement that BSNL would refund the said Fund to the Government in due course.  View the letter

30.10.2020:

AIBSNLREA AGAIN TAKES UP THE CASE FOR ISSUE OF REGULAR PROMOTION ORDER FOR SHRI G S HUGAR, RETD AO(L/A), GULBARGA TELECOM DISTRICT:

AIBSNLREA, vide its No. AIBSNLREA/CHQ/2020/68 dated 04.08.2020, had earlier taken up the above issue with BSNL supplying some necessary documents/records and requesting to open the sealed cover in which the recommendation of the DPC already held earlier was placed. Since no action seems to have been initiated in the matter, the Association has again taken up the issue and has requested to issue the much-awaited regular promotion order of Shri Gurappa S Hugar, AO(L/A) as Accounts Officer on regular basis by opening his sealed cover and thus render justice to him.  View the letter

29.10.2020:

BSNL REPLIES TO THE GRIEVANCE DOCKET LODGED TO PROTEST AGAINST THE ARBITRARY AND WHIMSICAL DECISION OF DOT TO DENY GRANT OF REVISED IDA W.E.F. 1ST APRIL 2020 TO THE BSNL/MTNL IDA PENSIONERS RETIRING IN APRIL 2020:

AIBSNLREA had addressed a letter to Secretary (Pension) with copy endorsed to Secretary (Telecom), Member (Finance) and CMD, BSNL lodging its protest against the arbitrary and whimsical Order issued by DOT on 28.04.2020 denying grant of revised IDA @ 160.7% IDA w.e.f. 1st April 2020 to the BSNL/MTNL Pensioners retiring in April 2020 [View posting dated 02.05.2020 in this website to read the letter). Now BSNL has sent a reply which states that “… the payments of pension for BSNL retired employees are administered by the with administrative authority DOT any changes in this regard may be taken up Dept. of Telecom. However, the matter was resolved following issue of Orders by DOT, vide its No. 1/Misc/Pen/Issue/BSNL/DDG(Accounts)/2019-Part-I/1585-1615 dated 26.05.2020, modifying its earlier and release of ‘all pension related benefits per rate of Dearness Relief as per extant Order from DPE i.e. @ 160.7%’.  View the BSNL letter

29.10.2020:

Dy CGCA BA IT, NEW DELHI RESPONDS TO THE GRIEVANCE LODGED ON THE ISSUE OF RELEASE OF REGULAR PENSION, GRATUITY AND CVP TO SHRI A S JOSHI, RETD CAO, AURANGABAD:

AIBSNLREA, vide its letter No. AIBSNLREA/CHQ/2020/02 dated 06.01.2020, (View posting dated 07.01.2020 in this website to read the letter) had addressed to Secretary (Pension), DOPP&W regarding non-payment of regular pension, release of Gratuity and Commuted Value of Pension to Shri A S Joshi, Retd CAO, Aurangabad SSA of Maharashtra Telecom Circle, BSNL. The Grievance Docket has been disposed of by the Dy. Controller General of Communication Accounts, BA & IT, DOT on 30.09.2020 enclosing a copy of the letter from Maharashtra Circle. The reply from Maharashtra Circle states that BSNL Corporate Office has not issued the final retirement Order and a CBI case is also pending against the Officer. As a result, the VC is also withheld.  View the MH Cicle letter

28.10.2020:

CASES OF WRONG REVISION OF PAY-FIXATION OF THE RETIRED EXECUTIVES OF CALCUTTA TELEPHONES WHO HAD EARLIER, WHILE OFFICIATING AS JTOs, EXERCISED OPTION UNDER PARA 3.6 OF BSNL OFFICE ORDER NO. 1-16/2010-PAT(BSNL) DATED 07.05.2010 - BSNL CORPORATE OFFICE ISSUES THE NECESSARY CLARIFICATIONS:

In yet another break-through, AIBSNLREA could help in delivering justice to some Executives of Calcutta Telephones whose pay-fixation, based on their option exercised under Para 3.6 of BSNL Office Order No. 1-16/2010-PAT(BSNL) dated 07.05.2010 from the next date of their promotion as JTOs in 2008, was revised to the detriment of their interest just on the eve of their retirement on 31.01.2020 under BSNL VRS-2019. This caused huge financial loss to them on account of reduction in retirement benefits, basic pension and payment of Ex-gratia- besides huge amount as recovery. The Association had been consistently fighting for their cause. A few weeks back, BSNL even closed the Grievance Dockets stating that the pay-fixation has been correctly done as per existing guidelines of BSNL. But the Association did not give up and continued to take up the cases with new documents/Orders. Finally, to-day BSNL Corporate Office, vide its No. BSNLCO-A/16(27)/12/2020-ESTAB dated 28.08.2020, has issued certain clarifications to the Calcutta Telephones which will help the affected pensioners to get their rightful pension and pensionary benefits and to get back the recovered amount.  View the BSNL order

28.10.2020:

AIBSNLREA WRITES TO SR. GM (ESTT), BSNL REGARDING NON-ISSUE OF CLARIFICATIONS AS SOUGHT BY CALCUTTA TELEPHONES IN THE MATTER OF APPLICATION OF PAY-FIXATION ORDERS IN RESPECT OF THE TTAs OFFICIATING AS JTOs AND SUBSEQUENTLY PROMOTED ON REGULAR BASIS WHO OPTED FOR PAY-FIXATION AS PER OPTION UNDER PARA 3.6 OF BSNL ORDER NO. 1-16/2010-PAT(BSNL) DATED 07.05.2020 FROM THE NEXT DATE OF THEIR PROMOTION:

In respect of the above cases, Calcutta Telephones had sent a communication vide its No. ABB/FA/3112/Misc/L/5/110 dated 22.06.2020 to the Asst. General Manager (Estt.IV), BSNL Corporate Office seeking certain specific clarifications in regard to applicability of the pay-fixation in these cases. But the same has not been clarified till now by BSNL Corporate. Meanwhile, it is found that Corporate Office has issued a clarification, vide its No. BSNLCO-A/11(11)/13/2020-ESTAB dated 27.10.2020, to Kerala Circle on the similar issue regarding fixation of pay to the officiating JTOs who got promotion as regular JTOs after 01.01.2007 up to 07.05.2010 allowing their pay-fixation under Para 3.6 of BSNL Office Order No. 1-16/2010-PAT(BSNL) dated 07.05.2010. In view of the above, AIBSNLREA has requested Sr. GM(Estt), BSNL Corporate Office to issue the necessary clarifications to Calcutta Telephones, in response to its above quoted letter, keeping in view of the clarifications already issued to Kerala Circle in respect of methodology for pay-fixation.  View the letter

28.10.2020:

NON-SETTLEMENT OF THE CASES OF FINAL SUPERANNUATION PENSION, RELEASE OF DCRG AND GRANT OF CVP EVEN AFTER COMPLETION OF JUDICIAL PROCEEDINGS- AIBSNLREA AGAIN TAKES UP THE CASE OF SHRI G.P.BIRADAR, RETD DE, BENGALURU TELECOM DISTRICT, KARNATAKA CIRCLE:

With reference to its earlier representation, vide No. AIBSNLREA/CHQ/2020/67 dated 03.08.2020, requesting to issue Orders permitting Shri G.P.Biradar, Retd DE, Bengaluru Telecom District to retire from service on attaining his age of superannuation on 31.12.2010 and advise Karnataka Telecom Circle to immediately release his final superannuation pension and other retirement benefits, AIBSNLREA has again taken up the issue with PGM(Pers), BSNL Corporate Office. The Association has reiterated that the pensioner was acquitted of the charges along with many others in a Court case on 25.10.2018 and thus the judicial proceedings in the case is complete in all respect. The Association has further stated that BSNL Corporate Office has recently issued Orders, vide No. BSNL-CO-PRII/11(12)/1/2020-PERS-II dated 21.07.2020 and No. BSNLCO-PRII/11(12)/1/2020-PERS-II dated 29.09.2020 permitting Shri Shrikant B Mohare, Retd AO, Gulbarga TD of Karnataka Circle and Shri M Mathuramani, Retd Sr. AO, Chennai Telephones respectively, who were also charged in the same Case No. Spl. CBI 11/2013 in the Court of III Addl. District & Sessions Judge at Dharwad along Shri G P Biradar, Retd DE and others in which all of them were acquitted of charges, to retire and receive all pensionary benefits. The Association has requested to expedite issue of similar Order in respect of Shri G.P.Biradar, Retd DE also  View the letter

27.10.2020:

SUPREME COURT REGISTERS THE APPEAL/PETITION OF AIBSNLREA SUBMITTED TO CHIEF JUSTICE OF INDIA APPEALING TO RENDER JUSTICE TO THE RETIRED BSNL EMPLOYEES WHO ARE VIRTUALLY DENIED MEDICARE FACILITIES BY BSNL MANAGEMENT:

AIBSNLREA had submitted an appeal to the Chief Justice of India, Supreme Court of India, vide its No. AIBSNLREA/CHQ/2020/APPEAL dated 25.09.2020, urging to render justice to the retired BSNL Employees who are being virtually denied the Medicare facilities by BSNL Management (For details, view posting dated 27.09.2020 in this website). Now we have received a sms from Supreme Court stating that “Your Grievance/ Communication has been successfully registered…”.

27.10.2020:

AIBSNLREA WRITES TO SECRETARY (TELECOM) REGARDING INDIFFERENT ATTITUDE OF BSNL CORPORATE OFFICE REGADING THE CASE OF CONTINUED HARASSMENT AND FINANCIAL LOSS OF SOME RETIRED EXECUTIVES OF CALCUTTA TELEPHONES AND ITS FAILURE TO RESPOND TO THE REQUEST OF CTD TO ISSUE CLARIFICATIONS:

AIBSNLREA has sought for immediate intervention of Secretary (Telecom) as BSNL Corporate Office is yet to respond to the letter No. ABB/FA/3112/Misc/L/5/110 dated 22.06.2020, addressed to Asst General Manager (Estt.IV), BSNL Corporate Office, from Calcutta Telephones seeking certain specific clarifications in connection with the above cases. As a result of this total silence on the part of BSNL Corporate Office, the ordeal of the affected retired Executives, promoted from TTAs to JTOs in 2008, is not heading towards its logical solution. The Association has further stated that in this particular case, Calcutta Telephones had initially correctly fixed the Pay of all these retired Executives, as per their option as at Para 3.6 of BSNL No. 1-16/2010-PAT(BSNL) dated 07.5.2010, from the next date of their promotion in the revised IDA Pay scales of non-executives w.e.f. 1.1.2007 and then refixed in JTO grade. At that time, Calcutta Telephones itself in some Pay-Fixation Memos correctly noted that “Since the official had exercised option for pay-fixation from the date of his next promotion as per Para 3.6 of BSNL No. 1-16/2010-PAT (BSNL) dated 07.05.2010, the subsequent Order issued vide No. 3-32/2013-Estt.IV dated 22.12.2015 has no effect on his pay fixation”. But subsequently, the same Calcutta Telephones was found to take an about turn and blindly revise all these earlier pay fixations as per provision of this subsequent BSNL Order dated 22.12.2015- unmindful of the fact that this Order is not for universal application in all cases of pay-fixations. At least, the BSNL employees who, as non-executives, had opted for their Pay fixation as per Para 3.6 of BSNL Order No. 1-16/2010-PAT(BSNL) dated 07.05.2010, are to receive their pay-fixations only as per this particular Order and BSNL’s subsequent Order No. 3-32/2013-Estt.IV dated 22.12.2015 has no effect on their pay fixation. Further, Calcutta Telephones also failed to take note of BSNL Corporate Office’s recent Order No. BSNLCO/PRII/11(24)/14/2020-PERS1 dated 28.08.2020 clarifying how the pay-fixation of the JAOs (Deptl), who had exercised option to get their pay fixed w.e.f. 01.01.2007 as per Para 3.6 of BSNL No. 1-16/2010-PAT(BSNL) dated 07.05.2020, is to be carried out. The TTAs, being the non-Executives, who also exercised similar option, are also to receive similar treatment as of these JAOs (Deptl) in the matter of fixation of their pay. The Association has, thus, requested Secretary (Telecom) to advise BSNL to issue immediate clarifications as sought by Calcutta Telephones in their letter No. ABB/FA/3112/Misc/L/5/110 dated 22.06.2020 and help in resolution of the present case.  View the letter

26.10.2020:

AIBSNLREA DRAWS ATTENTION OF SECRETARY (PENSION) TO THE CONTINUED APATHETIC AND NEGLIGENT ATTITUDE OF BSNL TOWARDS THE GENUINE GRIEVANCES AND PROBLEMS OF ITS RETIRED EMPLOYEES:

AIBSNLREA has addressed Secretary (Pension), DOP&PW stating that in sharp contrast to the policy being followed by DOP&PW, RBI, CBDT, CGHS and other agencies, considering the genuine problems of the common citizens in general and the aged senior citizens/pensioners in particular due to Covid-19 pandemic, by readily extending the last date for various requirements to be complied with, BSNL has taken a firm stand to adopt an opposite policy. The Association has cited a case, in which its request to extend the last date for submission of Life Certificate for the purpose of continuation of concessional telephone facility by the retired BSNL employees in view of Covid-19 pandemic and/or arrange for its online submission, was turned down by BSNL by stating that “It is the policy matter of BSNL. Suggestion is noted”. The Association has contended that the above reply by BSNL is the clear manifestation of its biased mindset and total neglect to the genuine need of its retired aged employees, who once toiled hard for the development of the network of DOT and then BSNL. When DOP&PW could issue Orders extending the last date for submission of Life Certificate by the Pensioners to 31.12.2020 and RBI ordering Banks to accept online submission of Life Certificates, the said stand of BSNL not to take a similar decision in the background of same reason of Covid-19 pandemic, in the matter of extending last date for submission of Life Certificate for the purpose of availing telephone facility speaks volumes of the BSNL Management’s indifference and callousness. The Association has, finally, requested for the intervention of Secretary (Pension) so thar BSNL finds reasons to change its apathetic attitude and neglect of the genuine grievances and needs of its retired employees.  View the letter

25.10.2020:

CGCA, DOT ISSUES INSTRUCTIONS TO ALL PR CCAs/CCAs/JT.CCAs TO RESUME HOLDING OF PENSION ADALAT ON REGULAR BASIS EITHER PHYSICALLY OR VIRTUALLY:

Controller General of Communication Accounts, vide its No. CGCA/BA&IT/Qrtly Pension Adalat/168/2019/815-842 dated 14.10.2020, has issued instructions to all its Pr. CCAs/CCAs and Joint CCAs to resume holding of Quarterly Pension Adalat on regular basis to give an opportunity to the aggrieved pensioners to take up their grievances and get relief. Instruction has also been issued to furnish status of holding of Pension Adalat on quarterly basis along with minutes. A schedule of holding quarterly Pension Adalat has also to be drawn in advance and intimated to CGCA. The said Order has since been uploaded in CPENGRAMS while disposing of the relevant Grievance Docket Number based on our letter to Secretary (Pension), DOPP&W which was posted in this website on 26.09.2020. Thus, another important issue taken up by AIBSNLREA stands resolved.  View the CGCA DOT order

24.10.2020:

LAST DATE FOR FILING INCOME TAX RETURNS FOR THE ASSESSMENT YEAR 2020-21 EXTENDED TO 31.12.2020- NOTIFIFICATION TO BE ISSUED SOON:

In a Press Release issued by Central Board of Direct Taxes on 24.10.2020, it has been communicated that Government has decided to further extend the last date of filing Income Tax Returns for those tax payers whose last date for submission of Returns for the assessment year 2020-21, was 31st July, 2020 as per the Act before last extension, from 30th November, 2020 to 31st December, 2020. Notification to this effect will be issued subsequently.  View the Press Release

24.10.2020:

CCA, KARNATAKA INFORMS SETTLEMENT OF FINAL SUPERANNUATION PENSION, RETIREMENT GRATUITY AND CVP CASES IN RESPECT OF S/SHRI S B MOHARE, RETD AO AND I S NAVALI, SR SDE, GULBARGA TELECOM DISTRICT, KARNATALA CICLE:

In response to the latest representations of AIBSNLREA addressed to Secretary (Pension), Secretary (Telecom) and other authorities regarding non-settlement of final superannuation pension and other pensionary benefits to S/Shri S B Mohare, Retd Accounts Officer and I S Navali, Retd Sr SDE of Gulbarga Telecom District of Karnataka Telecom Circle on one pretext or the other, the CCA, Karnataka, while disposing of the Grievance Dockets registered based on our letters (i) No. AIBSNLREA/CHQ/2020/115 dated 30.09.2020 (View posting dated 02.10.2020), (ii) No. AIBSNLREA/CHQ/2020/120 dated 12.10.2020 (View posting dated 13.10.2020 and (iii) No. AIBSNLREA/CHQ/2020/122 dated 14.10.2020 (View posting dated 15.10.2020), has now informed that these cases have since been settled. Copies of the Orders sanctioning Retirement Gratuity to both these pensioners have also been supplied. Thus, the relentless efforts for last several months by the Association have ultimately delivered the result.

23.10.2020:

AIBSNLREA WRITES TO CGM, CALCUTTA TELEPHONES REAGARDING WRONG REVISION OF PAY FIXATIONS OF SOME TTAs PROMOTED AS JTOs IN 2008 WHICH WERE CORRECTLY CARRIED OUT EARLIER CAUSING UNDUE HARASSMENT AND FINANCIAL LOSS:

Since the replies received from Calcutta Telephones in regard to the grievances lodged regarding wrongly revised pay fixation of some retired Executives whose pay fixation as TTAs was initially correctly carried out as per the option exercised by them, reveal that Calcutta Telephones though realises its mistake but is not ready to correct the same, AIBSNLREA again writes to CGM, Calcutta Telephones. The Association has pointed out that CTD initially correctly fixed the Pay of all these retired Executives, as per their option as at Para 3.6 of BSNL No. 1-16/2010-PAT(BSNL) dated 07.5.2010 from the date of their promotion after 1.1.2007 in the revised IDA Pay scales in JTO grade. The Pay fixation Memo circulated vide No. GMS/Staff-ALP/1001/JTO/2015-16/Court/Loose dated 21.04.2016 correctly carries a remark that “Since the official had exercised option for pay-fixation from the date of his next promotion as per Para 3.6 of BSNL No. 1-16/2010-PAT (BSNL) dated 07.05.2010, the subsequent Order issued vide No. 3-32/2013-Estt.IV dated 22.12.2015 has no effect on his pay fixation”. The Association has also confirmed that an Executive of CTD, who was also promoted from TTA to JTO in 2008 and also had his pay correctly fixed in the same manner as per his option exercised as per Para 3.6 of BSNL Order No. 1-16/2010-PAT(BSNL) dated 07.05.2910, was allowed to retire in 2019 without any hue and cry. But now CTD has taken an opposite view of the stand that it had initially taken to fix the pay of these Executives while in service as per Para 3.6 of BSNL Order No. 1-16/2010-PAT(BSNL) dated 07.05.2010, just on the eve of their retirement and hurriedly revised their pay fixation by applying BSNL Order No. 3-32/2013-Estt.IV dated 22.12.2015. The CTD Officials never bothered to understand that this Order for pay-fixation is not for universal application in all cases. Pay fixation of all non-executives including these former TTAs, who opted for fixation of pay from the date of their promotion after 1.1.2007 as per Para 3.6 of BSNL Order No. 1-16/2010-PAT(BSNL) dated 07.05.2010 circulating the revised pay-scales of the non-executives, are not covered under BSNL’s pay-fixation Order No. 3-32/2013-Estt.IV dated 22.12.2015. Further, BSNL vide its No. BSNLCO/PRII/11(24)/14/2020-PERS1 dated 28.08.2020 has already clarified in the cases of JAOs (Deptl), how the pay-fixation of those non-executives who exercised option to get their pay fixed w.e.f. 01.01.2007 as per Para 3.6 of BSNL No. 1-16/2010-PAT(NSNL) dated 07.05.2020 is to be carried out. The TTAs who also exercised similar option, being the non-Executives, are also to receive similar treatment in the matter of fixation of their pay. In the light of the above facts, the Association has requested CGM, CTD that this long pending issue be resolved accordingly at the earliest.  View the letter

22.10.2020:

AIBSNLREA NOW TAKES UP WITH SECRETARY (PENSION) THE CASE OF REFUSAL BY BSNL TO EXAMINE AND REDRESS THE GRIEVANCES RELATING TO BSNLMRS, BY CITING POLICY OF BSNL, WHICH WERE EARLIER TAKEN UP WITH THE PRIME MINISTER OF INDIA:

Since BSNL has disposed of the grievances mentioned in the SOS Message of the Association to the Prime Minister of India which was registered under Grievance Docket No. DOPPW/P/2020/05082 stating that “It is the Policy matter of BSNL..”, the Association has now taken up the issue with Secretary (Pension), DOP&PW. The Association has stated that “It appears from the reply furnished by BSNL in the Grievance Docket itself, that BSNL is confirming as if it is following a “Policy” to discriminate between the serving employees and the retired employees- while the serving employees are reimbursed their medical claims but the retired employees are not. Similarly, BSNL is following a ‘Policy” to make false claims in Form 26AS Page of the Retired BSNL Employees in the website of Income Department as having credited some amount, but actually crediting none. BSNL is also following a “Policy” to drastically cut the annual ceiling limit for medical claims of the retired employees by even ignoring BSNL Board’s decision of 2010 to give them little relief”. The Association has requested Secretary (Pension) to intervene since the ‘Policy’ of repression against the retired employees is NOT the policy of the Government and also advise BSNL to immediately resolve the above issues by dropping its repressive ‘Policy” against its retired employees.  View the letter

21.10.2020:

AIBSNLREA WRITES TO PGM(PERS) REGARDING UNWARANTED CLARIFICATIONS SOUGHT BY PGM(F), KARNATAKA TELECOM CIRCLE MIXING UP BOTH TIME BOUND FINANCIAL UPGRADATION AND POST-BASED PROMOTION CAUSING FURTHER DELAY IN GRANT OF TIME BOUND FINANCIAL UPGRDATIONS TO S/SHRI G S HUGAR, RETD AO AND S B MOHARE, RETD AO, GULBARGA TELECOM DISTRICT, KARNATAKA CIRCLE:

AIBSNLREA has since addressed a letter to PGM( Pers), BSNL Corporate Office expressing its surprise that PGM (Finance), Karnataka Telecom Circle has asked for certain clarifications raising a non-issue stating that “Therefore the issue of Time Bound Promotion to Shri SB Mohare from 1.4.2004 and E4 to E5 Time Bound Promotion to Shri GS Hugar from the due date of 27.12.2014 a doubt has arisen as to whether the provisional time bound promotion can be issued because the above executives have already retired on superannuation on 31.8.2016/retired on VRS2019 on 31.1.2020 and they will not be able to assume charge in the promoted post now, whereas as per Corporate Office instructions No.14-9/2019-SEA-BSNL(Pt) dated 6.12.2019, one of the condition for grant of provisional promotion is that the actual payments will be made applicable on date of assumption of charge in the promoted post and arrears of payment will not be made.” The Association has contended that wrong understanding of the ‘Financial Upgradation” as ‘Promotion’ by the PGM (F) Karnataka Circle seems to be the root cause of the ‘doubt that has arisen’ in her mind. The term ‘provisional’ time bound promotion has also been repeated number of times in the same letter, though there is no such ‘provisional’ time bound upgradation provided anywhere in either the BSNL EPP 2007 or any other related orders. The Association has pointed out that under Para (1.0) (I) (d) (2) of BSNL Executive Promotion Policy 2007, it has been clearly stated that “Time Bound IDA scale upgradations are not linked with availability of posts…” Under Para (1.0) (I) (d) (5) of the same Policy, it has been specified that “Consequent to upgradation of IDA pay scale, there will be NO CHANGE IN SUBSTANTIVE STATUS, designation, duties & responsibilities of the Executive, unless any change is ordered in any specific context.” Thus, on the due date, on Time Bound Financial Upgradation only the pay scale is upgraded and there is no question of the Executive assuming charge in any promoted post. Further, financial upgradation is always from the due date or from a later date, but there is no provision of any Provisional upgradation. Karnataka Telecom Circle also needs to understand that the clarification issued by BSNL Corporate Office its No. 14-9/2019-SEA-BSNL(Pt) dated 06.12.2019 on the applicability of O.M. No. 11012/6/2016-Estt.A.III dated 19.01.2017 pertains to post-based vertical promotion carrying higher duties and responsibilities. It has no connection with periodical Time Bound Financial Upgradations which only allows placement in the next higher scale. The Association has finally requested to advise Karnataka Telecom Circle to immediately grant the over delayed Time Found Financial Upgradations to S/Shri G S Hugar, Retd AO and S B Mohare, Retd AO w.e.f. due dates as stipulated in the Time Bound Financial Upgradation under BSNL EPP 2007. The Circle need not mix up both post-based ‘promotion’ and ‘Financial Upgradation”.  View the letter

20.10.2020:

AIBSNLREA ADDRESSES GM (ESTT), BSNL CORPORATE OFFICE REGARDING WRONG PAY-FIXATION CASES OF THE TTAs SINCE PROMOTED AS JTOs IN 2008 WHO OPTED FOR FIXATION OF THEIR PAY IN THE REVISED IDA PAY SCALES FROM THE DATE OF THEIR NEXT PROMOTION:

In response to the replies received from DGM (Estt), BSNL C.O., vide No.s CPGRAMS_Pay Fixations dated 07.05.2020, on the Grievances lodged in CPENGRAMS in respect of the above cases, stating that “… Circle Office has informed that the pay fixation has been processed as per BSNL existing guideline”, AIBSNLREA has contested the claim with facts and records. The Association has pointed out that all these retired Executives had exercised their option for their pay fixation in the revised IDA Pay Scales from the date of their next promotion after 1.1.2007 as per the option offered at Para 3.6 of BSNL Corporate Office Order No. 1-16/2010-PAT (BSNL) dated 07.05.2010. Initially their pay fixation was correctly done and CTD, in one Pay-Fixation Memo, circulated under its No. GMS/Staff-ALP/1001/JTO/2015-16/Court/Loose dated 21.04.2016, even had stated that “Order/Letter No. 3-32/Estt-IV Dated 22.12.2020 has no effect in this case as official opted for pay revision from next date of promotion after 01.01.2007as per para 3.6 of 2010 under file no. 1-16/2010-PAT(BSNL) dated 07.05.2010”. But surprisingly, just on the eve their retirement on 31.01.2020, Calcutta Telephones revised their Pay fixations as per BSNL letter No. 3-32/Estt-IV dated 22.12.2020 which it itself had earlier declared as not applicable in these cases. This led to drastic reduction in their last Basic Pay and consequently in Pension. AIBSNLREA has now requested “to issue an immediate clarification that Pay fixation of all non-executives including the TTAs, who exercised option as per Para 3.6 of your Office Order No. 1-16/2010-PAT(BSNL) dated 07.05.2020 deferring their pay-fixation in the revised IDA pay scales of the non-executives from the date of their next promotion, would be allowed in the same manner as allowed to the JAOs (Deptl) as per the clarifications issued vide No. BSNLCO/PRII/11(24)/14/2020-PERS1 dated 28.08.2020”.  View the letter

19.10.2020:

NON-RELEASE OF LEAVE ENCASHMENT TO SHRI B M NYAMATI, RETD CAO, BGTD OF KARNATAKA TELECOM CIRCLE AND A VRS RETIREE- AIBSNLREA NOW WRITES TO DIRECTOR (HR), BSNL:

In view of the instructions issued by Director (HR), BSNL, vide No. BSNLCO-A/11(11)/8/2020-ESTAB dated 15.10.2020, advising the Circles to settle all pending leave encashment cases, including the VC withheld cases, of the VRS retirees by 19.10.2020, AIBSNLREA has now taken up the case of non-release of leave encashment to Shri B M Nyamati, Retd CAO, Bengaluru Telecom District (HR No.198311455), Karnataka Circle who retired under BSNL VRS-2019 and was charge-sheeted just a day before his retirement. The Association quotes from the BSNL Orders issued vide No. BSNLCO-EB-I/11(20)/5/2020-ESTAB dated 06.05.2020 on the issue of payment of leave encashment in VC withheld cases. The last sentence at Para 2 of this Office instructions reads as follows: “In other words, only in such cases where the amount recoverable exceeds the amount of gratuity and ex-gratia withheld, withholding of leave encashment will be necessitated”. In view of this, the Association has pleaded that since, as per charge-sheet, the recoverable amount is under 14 lakhs, whereas he is supposed to receive nearly 40 lakhs from his DCRG and Ex-gratia taken together, there is no need to withhold payment of leave encashment in this case. The Association has requested to advise CGMT, Bengaluru to immediately release leave encashment to the above named VRS-retiree.  View the letter

19.10.2020:

AIBSNLREA AGAIN WRITES TO PRIME MINISTER OF INDIA REGARDING NON-REDRESSAL OF THE GRIEVANCES OF THE RETIRED BSNL EMPLOYEES IN THE MATTER OF DISCRIMINATORY TREATMENT METED OUT TO THEM IN RESPECT OF REIMBURSEMENT OF MEDICAL CLAIMS, FALSE CLAIM IN FORM- 26AS PAGE IN IT DEPARTMENT’S WEBSITE AS HAVING CREDITED SOME AMOUNT, DRASTIC CUTS IN ANNUAL CEILING LIMIT:

Being not satisfied with the reply of BSNL uploaded in the Grievance Dockets based on the earlier representations of AIBSNLREA [View posting dated 16.10.2020 in this website to read the replies] and non-settlement of the grievances regarding the above issues, the Association has again represented to the Prime Minister of India. The Association has contended that BSNL’s reply seems to be a ploy to suppress the facts and an attempt to continue with its policy to ignore the most genuine and pressing present issues which cannot be postponed for the future, since this will push the retired employees to the point of brink. The Association has further pointed out that BSNL with its cryptic reply in the Remarks column of the Grievance Dockets has carefully avoided addressing two main points of the Grievances of the retired employees. In the matter of availability of Fund, BSNL has not replied when it could arrange Fund for its serving employees to clear payments of their Medical claims up to March 2020, why it did not arrange Fund for its retied employees to clear their medical claims up to the same period. Further, BSNL has also not clarified how it could make wrong claims in the Form 26-AS page for the Assessment Year 2020-21 of its Retired Employees in Income Tax Department’s website that it has credited some amount, when it has NOT paid even a single rupee. Finally, the Association has requested to advise BSNL to immediately resolve the above two issues, since last date for filing Income Tax Returns for the assessment year 2020-21 is fast approaching.  View the letter

17.10.2020:

GRIEVANCE REGARDING WRONG PAY-FIXATION OF THE RETIRED EXECUTIVES OF CALCUTTA TELEPHONES WHO WERE PROMOTED AS JTO IN 2008- BSNL GIVES INCONSISTENT REPLIES:

AIBSNLREA had taken up separately eight such cases of Pay-fixations of the Executives of Calcutta Telephones who were promoted as JTO on regular basis in 2008 and retired under BSNL VRS-2019 on 31.01.2020 and whose pay were re-fixed just before their retirement as per BSNL No. 3-32/2013/Estt.IV dated 22.12.2015 which is not applicable in their cases. These grievances were also lodged in CPENMGRAMS. After expiry of the stipulated period for disposal of the Grievances, BSNL/CTD seems to have hurriedly furnished some replies which give the impression that CTD just wants to put a cover on its wrong deed. While CTD replied in one specific case as “the pay fixation cases has been processed as per BSNL Corporate Office guideline. However, the clarification has been asked to the Corporate Office, New Delhi again as per appeal of the VRS optees as well as some union and association. After receiving clarification from the Corporate Office, New Delhi, changes if any will be implemented according”, it has replied in two other cases as “the pay fixation has been processed as per existing guidelines. However, changes if any in future occasion will be incorporated accordingly”. But in rest five cases, BSNL Corporate Office, based on the Reports furnished by CTD, has replied as “pay fixation has been processed as per existing guidelines”. Earlier, CCA Calcutta Telephones had replied that “The relevant observation of the cases already been intimated to the concerned BSNL/CTD authority time to time for making compliance which is awaited. Accordingly, the matter will be reviewed/re-examined subject to receipt of further compliance from their end”. These replies clearly reveal that CTD is trying to play hide and seek game, since it knows that it is on wrong foot. AIBSNLREA has already registered its strong views on these inconsistent replies and BSNL’s failure to resolve the issue. Association will continue to follow up the case till its logical conclusion.  View the replies

17.10.2020:

PENDING PAYMENT OF ENCASHMENT OF EL/HPL IN RESPECT OF RETIREES UNDER BSNL VRS-2019- BSNL ADVISES CIRCLES TO PROCESS PENDING CASES AND SUBMIT REPORT:

BSNL, vide its F.No. BSNLCO-EB-I/11(20)/5/2020-ESTAB dated 16.10.2020 has circulated a list of 481 pending cases for payment of leave encashment to the VRS retirees. Out of these, in 126 cases Vigilance Clearance is withheld. This instruction refers to its earlier Order of even No dated 06.05.2020 wherein guidelines were issued as to how the pending cases of leave encashment, whose Vigilance Clearance is withheld, are to be processed. The Circles have now been advised to process all these pending cases immediately as per rules/instruction and submit report/justification in each case of non-payment of leave encashment latest by 19.10.2020.  View BSNL letter

17.10.2020:

BSNL’S RESPONSE TO A FEW REPRESENTATIONS OF AIBSNLREA ON NON-REIMBURSEMENT OF MEDICAL CLAIMS UNDER BSNLMRS TO THE RETIRED BSNL EMPLOYEES:

AIBSNLREA had earlier addressed Prime Minister of India in the matter of discriminatory action of BSNL Management in clearing the payments for medical claims of only the serving employees ignoring the long pending claims of the retired BSNL Employees and had even lodged protest against the failure of the Government to protect the interest of the retired employees who need Medicare facilities most. Postings dated 03.07.2020 and 03.08.2020 in this website may be viewed to the read the letters on which BSNL has now responded. BSNL has stated in both the registered Grievance Dockets that” The payment of medical bills have been delayed due to paucity of funds. However, efforts are being made by BSNL to resolve the issue. Funds with reference to demand raised by the circles are released as per availability of cash inflow. Further, with full implementation of the Cabinet approval for revival, BSNL will be able to release arrears of medical bills in a timely manner.”

17.10.2020:

AIBSNLREA WRITES TO CGM, CHENNAI TELEPHONES FOR EXPEDITIOUS SETTLEMENT OF FINAL SUPERANNUATION PENSION AND OTHER RETIREMENT BENEFITS OF SHRI M MATHURAMANI, RETD SR AO (STAFF NO. 89209, HRMS NO. 197500045):

AIBSNLREA has since addressed Chief General Manager, Chennai Telephones requesting him to expedite processing of the final superannuation pension and payment of other retirement benefits cases, in addition to release of Leave encashment, for Shri M Mathuramani, Retd Sr AO, Chennai Telephones. BSNL Corporate Office has already issued Orders, vide No. BSNLCO-PRII/11(12)/1/2020-PERS-II dated 29.09.2020, permitting him to retire from BSNL services on attaining the age of superannuation w.e.f. 31.07.2014 A/N and has also ordered release of retirement benefits as per the guidelines already issued vide BSNL No. 48-7/2028-Pen(B) dated 30.12.2019.  View the letter

16.10.2020:

NON-SETTLEMENT OF THE DISCREPANCY IN THE PAYMENT OF GPF AMOUNT TO SHRI M CHANNAPA UROLGIN, RETD JTO, KOLHAPUR TD- CCA, MH & GOA AGAIN ADDRESSES GMT, KOLHAPUR:

In response to the representation of AIBSNLREA (view posting dated 12.09.2020 in this website to read the letter) submitting six GPF Balance Sheets in respect of Shri Channapa M Urolgin, Retd JTO, Kolhapur TD to the Principal CCA, Maharashtra & Goa Circle and furnishing other related information with a request to settle his long pending case for refund of balance amount of GPF, the CCA MH & GOA has again addressed GMTD, Kolhapur to confirm whether the GPF balance of Rs. 132440/- relating to Shri Urolgin for the period from 16.03.1998 to 06.06.2000 was incorporated in Kolhapur Accounts and also the year in which the same was credited in his Account. Copy of the ledger for the year in which the amount is credited has also been asked to be furnished.  View the letter

16.10.2020:

DIRECTOR (HR), BSNL SENDS ANOTHER LETTER TO THE HEADS OF TELECOM CIRCLES AND ADMINISTRATIVE UNITS REGARDING VERIFICATION OF ANNEXURE-D FOR CALCULATION OF EX-GRATIA AMOUNT PAYABLE TO THE RETIREES UNDER BSNL VRS-2019:

Director (HR), BSNL, vide No. BSNLCO-A/11(11)/8/2020-ESTAB dated 15.10.2020 addressed to the Heads of Telecom Circles and other Administrative Units, has pointed out to the cases of mismatch of various service particulars in PPO data and ERP data in respect of the VRS retirees under BSNL VRS-2019 which is set to create discrepancy in calculation of Ex-gratia to be paid to them. While advising the Circles to sort out these issues immediately, Director (HR) has also pointed out that grant of time bound financial upgradation under EPP/NEPP to the VRS optees have also not been completed by most of the Circles.  View the BSNL letter

15.10.2020:

AIBSNLREA WRITES TO THE CHIEF VIGILANCE OFFICER, BSNL REGARDING REFUSAL BY CCA, KARNATAKA TO ACCPT THE VIGILANCE CLEARANCE ISSUED FOR THE PURPOSE OF RELEASING RETIREMENT BENEFITS TO S/SHRI S B MOHARE, RETD AO AND I S NAVALI, RETD SR SDE OF GULBARGA TELECOM DISTRICT, KARNATAKA TELECOM CIRCLE:

AIBSNLREA has now taken up the above issue with Chief Vigilance Officer, BSNL, since the CCA Karnataka has refused to accept and act on the Vigilance Clearance issued by the office of CVO to release the retirement benefits to the above-named retired Executives – even though there is a clear mention in the VC that these are for the purpose of releasing retirement benefits. The CCA, KTK has raised objection to the Note given below informing that an Appeal has been filed against the Trial Court’s judgment. The CCA, KTK considers this as a ‘conditional’ VC and wants a fresh VC to be issued without any Note. The Association has requested CVO, BSNL to take appropriate action on the doubts raised by CCA, Karnataka on the Vigilance Clearance already issued and also on its requirement that a clear VC be issued without any Note or condition.  View the letter

14.10.2020:

SERIOUS IRREGULARITIES IN THE GOVERNMENT TELECOMMUNICATION EMPLOYEES’ COOPERATIVE SOCIETY, CHENNAI – AIBSNLREA TAKES UP THE ISSUE WITH JOINT SECRETARY (CO-OP) & CENTRAL REGISTRAR, NEW DELHI:

AIBSNLREA has since addressed a letter to Joint Secretary (Co-Op) & Central Registrar, Govt of India, New Delhi regarding cases of serious irregularities in “The Government Telecommunication Employees’ Cooperativ1e Society, Chennai” which has resulted in non-settlement of dues of its members who have retired from service and now ceased to be the members of the Society. The Society had made recovery of dues in much excess of actual dues without taking into account the assets which include Share Capital, Thrift Deposit, Family Welfare Deposit and any credit on suspense account from the members who retired long back. These members were the employees of BSNL which recovered the dues as per the defective Statements of Dues issued by the Society from time to time and now deposited the recovered amount with the Society. But the Society is not settling the dues despite requests from the ex-members. It is reported that Society has settled dues of few persons on selective basis without following any procedure based on the date of retirement/date of withdrawal of membership from the Society. Further, the Society Management itself appears to have been caught in a web of controversy by attempting to sell a property and another group vehemently opposing the move. In the mess thus created, it is the BSNL retired employees, including those who opted for BSNL VRS 2019, who have been put into serious financial problems. The Association has requested for an investigation in the affairs of the Society as the Management has totally failed in managing the affairs and in the process the retired employees of BSNL, particularly those who took VRS on 31.01.2020, are suffering the most.  View the letter

14.10.2020:

MANDATORY UTLIZATION OF NETWORK OF BSNL/MTNL FOR INTERNET/BROADBAND/LANDLINE/LEASED LINE BY ALL MINISTRIES/DEPARTMENTS OF GOVT OF INDIA/CPSEs/AUTONOMOUS BODIES:

In consultation with Department of Expenditure (Ministry of Finance) and approval of competent authority for mandatory utilization of capacities of BSNL and MTNL by all Ministries/Departments of Government of India/CPSEs/Central Autonomous Bodies etc, Department of Telecommunications, vide its F. No. 19-1/2019-SU-I dated 12.10.2020, has requested all Ministries/Departments to issue necessary instructions including to CPSEs/Central Autonomous Organizations under their control for mandatory utilization of BSNL/MTNL network for internet/broadband, landline and leased line requirement.  View the DoT letter

13.10.2020:

AIBSNLREA ADDRESSES SECRETARY (TELECOM) IN THE MATTER OF DELAYING TACTICS BY CCA, KARNATAKA IN RELEASING REGULAR SUPERANNUATION PENSION TO SHRI S B MOHARE, RETD AO, GULBARGA TD ON ONE PRETEXT OR THE OTHER:

AIBSNLREA has since addressed a letter to Secretary (Telecom) on the delaying tactics adopted by the CCA, Karnataka on one pretext or the other in denying release of final superannuation pension and other benefits to Shri S B Mohare, Retd AO. The CCA, Karnataka has now found fault even with the Vigilance clearance issued by CVO, BSNL Corporate Office. Though the CCA admits that the VC has a clear mention against the column “purpose” that the Vigilance Clearance is “for release of his final retirement benefits”, yet it objects to the Note given below the same VC that CBI authorities have filed an appeal against the judgment of the Trial Court. The CCA has presumed that this is a conditional VC and has asked for “a clear VC without any note or condition”. The Association has stated that “We fail to understand how CCA, Karnataka came to the conclusion that this information given under the Note by the CVO that CBI has filed an appeal makes the Vigilance Clearance issued as “conditional”. Moreover, such appeal in Courts has no impact on release of pension and pensionary benefits unless there is a stay on Trial’s Court Order. Moreover, BSNL Corporate Office had GRANTED vigilance clearance to release pension” under this background only. The Association has further requested Secretary (Telecom) to intervene in the matter to end the ordeal of the hapless pensioner i.e. Shri S B Mohare, Retd AO in this case.  View the letter

12.10.2020:

TREATMENT OF CGHS BENEFICIARIES IN GOVERNMENT HOSPITALS- DIRECTORATE GENERAL OF CGHS ISSUES CLARIFICATIONS:

Directorate General of CGHS, vide its No. Z15025/18/2020/DIR/CGH dated 09.10.2020, has issued some clarifications regarding treatment of CGHS beneficiaries at Government Hospitals. CGHS beneficiaries have option to avail Consultation from Specialists/Investigations/treatment procedure from any Central/State Government Hospital including that of Railways, Atomic Energy Commission, Steel Authority of India Limited/Coal India Limited and those under the Municipalities. In case such hospitals charge for certain treatments, same will then be reimbursed from the authorities concerned as per CGHS approved rates. The CGHS beneficiaries eligible for semi-private ward and higher are eligible for treatment in Nursing Home facility in those Government Hospitals which have only General Ward and Nursing Home ward.  View the CGHS order

11.10.2020:

BSNL REPLIES TO AIBSNLREA’S EARLIER REPRESENTATION REQUESTING FULL AND FINAL SETTLEMENT OF FIRST INSTALMENT OF EX GRATIA PAID ON ADHOC BASIS TO THE BSNL VRS-2019 RETIREES AND ALSO TO ENSURE PAYMENT OF SECOND INSTALLMENT BY 30.06.2020:

AIBSNLREA had earlier drawn the attention of Secretary (Telecom) to the Cabinet decision circulated by DOT which envisaged payment of ex-gratia to the BSNL/MTNL VRS-2019 Retirees in two equal instalments of 50% each and also ensuring payment of first instalment in the financial year 2019-20 and second instalment in the first quarter of financial year 2020-21. The Association had pointed out that BSNL actually ordered for payment of only 31.3% of the ex-gratia against first instalment on ‘ad hoc’ basis by withholding the remaining amount for adjustment against TDS. The Association had requested for full and final payment of 1st instalment and also to ensure that second instalment is paid by 30.06.2020 as per cabinet decision [View posting dated 13.05.2020 in this website to read the letter]. BSNL has now responded to that representation and has stated that “the payment of Ex-gratia in respect of retirees of BSNL VRS-2019 has been released up to 92% of the total amount. The balance payment will be released as per the sanction amount from DOT/Govt. of India.  View the letter

09.10.2020:

AIBSNLREA SENDS A REPRESENTATION TO THE HON’BLE PRIME MINISTER OF INDIA SEEKING FOR AN APPOINTMENT ON THE ISSUE OF DENIAL OF MEDICAL FACILITIES TO THE RETIRED BSNL EMPLOYEES:

AIBSNLREA has since sent a representation to the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India seeking an appointment and direction on the issues relating to denial of Medicare facilities by Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited only to its retired employees, who are covered under BSNL Medical Reimbursement Scheme (BSNLMRS) introduced vide BSNL Order No BSNL/ADMN/I dated 28.02.2003 and modified from time to time, by not paying their reimbursing medical claims but falsely claiming in Form 26AS page of Income Tax Department as to have credited some amount, reimbursing the claims of only the serving employees and denying the same to the retired employees and further tightening the annual ceiling limit for the retired employees by overlooking its own order issued in 2010 granting some relief.  View the letter

07.10.2020:

AIBSNLREA REPRESENTS TO PRIME MINISTER OF INDIA ON THE NEED TO ISSUE AN ORDER BY DOT IN THE LINES OF THE ORDERS ISSUED BY DEPT OF POSTS TO STOP HARASSMRENT AND FINANCIAL LOSS OF ITS PENSIONERS:

Stressing on the need to adopt measures to stop ever increasing cases of undue harassment and consequent rise in grievances of the BSNL IDA pensioners, mostly due to over-enthusiastic action of some Pay & Accounts Officers in the offices of CCAs of DOT while checking the pension papers of the retirees with reference to their Service Books/records, AIBSNLREA now takes up the matter with Prime Minister of India. These Officers invariably overstep their statutory jurisdiction and go beyond the limit provided in Rule 7.3.2 available in Chapter-7 of the ‘Civil Accounts Manual for the HOD and Pay and Accounts Officer’ and raise unwarranted objections leading to delay in settlement of pension and also resulting in huge unjustified recovery and consequent fixation of pension at lower stages. As per the said statutory Rule, while verifying the service records and application of prescribed checks with reference to the applicable Pension Rule, the PAO in any case should not go back to a period earlier than a maximum of 24 months. Since these Officers under Department of Posts had been violating this provision and going beyond the prescribed limit to raise unwarranted objections causing harassment and financial losses to the pensioners, Dept of Posts after consulting DOP&PW has issued an Order directing all concerned to strictly go by the Rule as provided in ‘Civil Accounts Manual for the HOD and Pay and Accounts Officer’. The need for issue of a similar Order by DOT is now strongly felt for the purpose of avoiding unnecessary harassment and financial loss to the BSNL retirees. Since DOT has not taken any action on its earlier representation to MOS(C ) [View posting dated 08.09.2020 in this website to read the letter], AIBSNLREA has now taken up the issue with Prime Minister of India.  View the letter

06.10.2020:

E-JOURNAL OCTOBER 2020 ISSUE:

October 2020 issue of AIBSNLREA E-journal has been uploaded and is available under the link "E-Journal" in the left column.

05.10.2020:

DOT’S REPLY TO A RTI QUERY ON THE QUESTION OF SUPPLYING COPY OF ORDER, IF ANY ISSUED, DENYING OR DISALLOWING GRANT OF ADDITIONAL INCREMENT UNDER BSNL EXECUTIVE PROMOTION POLICY, 2004 TO THE BSNL EXECUTIVES WHO RETIRED BETWEEN JULY, 2017 AND APRIL 2018- AIBSNLREA NOW TAKES UP THE ISSUE WITH SECRETARY (TELECOM):

The issue of denial of benefit of grant of additional increment under BSNL Executive Promotion Policy, 2004 to the BSNL Executives, who retired between July 2017 and April 2018, is being pursued by AIBSNLREA for quite a long time. The matter was last taken up with Prime Minister of India following closure of a Grievance Docket without redressing the grievance raised therein [View posting dated 10.08.2020 in this website to read the representation]. Now, a pointed query dated 28.08.20320 under RTI Act, 2005 was raised to DOT in the following lines “A copy of the Orders denying OR disallowing the benefit of this additional increment to those who retired during the months of July 2017 to April 2018, if any, be supplied please”. In its reply, DOT, vide its File No. 47-71/2017-Pen (T) dated 30.09.2020, has replied that “In this regard, it is stated that no order other than No. 40-12/2004-Pen (T)(Pt) dated 05.07.2017 and 17.05.2018 has been issued in the context of the query”. In view of this DOT reply, AIBSNLREA has represented to Secretary (Telecom) stating that it is now abundantly clear from the said RTI Reply of DOT that there is no Order issued by DOT denying or disallowing the benefit of additional increment to the absorbed BSNL Executives who retired between July 2017 and April 2018. Thus, the contention of Principal CCA Tamilnadu, while refusing to revise the pension of those absorbed Executives who retired between July 2017 and April 2018, stating that “DOT HQ New Delhi vide letter No. 40-12/2004-Pen (T)/Pt dated 17.05.2018 has issued directions for prospective settling of cases of Executives regulating their fixation of pay. As the Applicant has retired before the date of issue of latest orders, pensionary benefits were settled as per orders existing on the date of retirement and hence no revision of pension needs to be made” is contrary to the fact. DOT’s reply to the said RTI Query makes it crystal clear that DOT has not ordered for prospective settling of cases as contended by the Principal CCA, Tamilnadu. The Association has, finally, requested Secretary (Telecom) that “the Principal CCA, Tamilnadu be suitably advised to process and allow refixation of pension of those absorbed BSNL Executives who retired between July 2017 and April 2018 by grant of one additional increment”.  View the letter

03.10.2020:

FOLLOWING SURPRISE ACTION OF DOP&T IN FORWARDING THE EARLIER REPRESENTATION OF AIBSNLREA TO DOT, AIBSNLREA AGAIN REPRESENTS TO PRIME MINISTER OF INDIA ON THE ISSUE OF GRANT OF NOTIONAL INCREMENT FOR THE PURPOSE OF ALLOWING PENSIONARY BENEFITS TO ALL RETIRED/ RETIRING EMPLOYEES WHOSE DATE OF NEXT INCREMENT FALLS ON THE FOLLOWING DAY OF THEIR RETIREMENT:

Expressing its surprise on the action of DOP&T in forwarding an earlier representation of AIBSNLREA on the above issue vide No. AIBSNLREA/CHQ/2020/20 dated 16.03.2020 to DOT which is no way connected with the issue, AIBSNLREA has again addressed a letter to the Prime Minister of India with an appeal that Government issues an early order granting notional increment only for the purpose of allowing pensionary benefits to all retired/retiring employees whose date of next increment falls on the following day of their retirement. The Association has also annexed its original representation vide No. AIBSNLREA/CHQ/2020/11 dated 15.02.2020 in which a detailed submission was made. The Association has further pointed out that the repeat action of DOP&T in not examining the issue raised in our grievance with open mind and taking a decision in the larger interest of the pensioners and then trying to shelve the issue in forwarding the matter to another Department which has no say at all in the matter, clearly signals how serious this Department is about the Grievance Redressal System introduced by the Government.  View the letter

03.10.2020:

DOP&T AGAIN FORWARDS TO DOT THE REPRESENTATION OF AIBSNLREA ADDRESSED TO PRIME MINISTER OF INDIA ON THE ISSUE OF GRANT OF NOTIONAL INCREMENT FOR THE PURPOSE OF ALLOWING PENSIONARY BENEFITS TO ALL RETIRED/ RETIRING EMPLOYEES WHOSE DATE OF NEXT INCREMENT FALLS ON THE FOLLOWING DAY OF THEIR RETIREMENT:

DOP&T, vide its Dy. No. 19/2/2020-Estt (Pay-I) dated 24.09.2020, has forwarded the representation of AIBSNLREA which was addressed to Prime Minister of India on the above issue vide No. AIBSNLREA/CHQ/2020/20 dated 16.03.2020 under Grievance Docket No. PMOPG/D/2020/0098548, to DOT for appropriate action.  View the DOP&T letter

03.10.2020:

DG CGHS EXTENDS THE VALIDITY PERIOD OF ALREADY EMPANELLED HEALTH CARE ORGANIZATIONS UNDER CGHS Till 31.03.2021 OR TILL NEXT EMPANELMENT WHICHEVER IS EARLIER:

Directorate General of CGHS, vide its F. No. S 11045/36/2016-CGHS (HEC) dated 01.10.2020, has extended the empanelment of all Health Care Organizations already empanelled under CGHS for a further period of six months w.e.f. 01.10.2020 till 31.03.2012 or till next empanelment whichever is earlier on the same terms and conditions and rates on which they are presently empanelled.  View the DG CGHS Order

02.10.2020:

AIBSNLREA SEEKS INTERVENTION AND APPROPRIATE ACTION BY SECRETARY (PENSION) TO END THE UNABATED HARASSMENT OF SHRI S B MOHARE, RETD AO, KARNATAKA TELECOM CIRCLE IN THE MATTER OF GRANT OF HIS REGULAR PENSION AND OTHER BENEFITS:

In continuation to its earlier representation under Registered Grievance Docket No. DOPPW/P/2020/06078, AIBSNLREA has again sought the intervention of Secretary (Pension) in the matter of unabated harassment of Shri S B Mohare, Retd AO at the hands of CCA Office, Karnataka in which GM Telecom District, Gulbarga is also playing his role. As a result, though BSNL Corporate Office had issued Orders vide its No. BSNLCO-PRII/11(12)/1/2020-PERS-II dated 21.07.2020 clearing the case for granting regular pension, the pensioner is yet to receive his regular pension and other pensionary benefits. The CCA Office has adopted a dilly-dallying tactics now and then and pointing out one deficiency or the other. Surprisingly, for one long month the CCA-Office did not find it convenient to send any communication to the GM Telecom, Gulbarga pointing out to the deficiencies. On the other hand, it sends letters to the concerned pensioner which reach him three weeks later. Even though these were sorted out earlier, now CCA Office is making another issue with the language in which the Vigilance Clearance for this particular case was issued by the office of Chief Vigilance Officer. Since the CCA Office seems to be in no mood to settle the issue in the near future, AIBSNLREA has requested Secretary (Pension) to intervene in the matter and advise Department of Telecommunications to reign in on its CCA Office, Karnataka Circle and also on GM Telecom, Gulbarga for their inept handling of such over delayed pension cases.  View the letter

02.10.2020:

DIRECTORATE GENERAL OF CGHS EXTENDS THE PERMISSION TO THE CGHS BENEFICIARIES TO PURCHASE MEDICINES FOR CHRONIC DISEASES TILL 31.12.2020 IN VIEW OF COVID-19:

Directorate General of CGHS, vide its No. Z15025/12/2020/DIR/CGHS dated 30.09.2020, has communicated that the CGHS beneficiaries getting medicines for chronic diseases shall be permitted to purchase medicines based on the prescription held (prescribed by CGHS Medical Officers//CGHS Specialists/other Govt. Specialists/Specialists of empanelled hospitals) till 31st December, 2020 on the same condition as per its earlier OM dated 27.03.2020.     View the DG CGHS Order

01.10.2020:

DOT RESPONDS TO THE REPRESENTATION OF AIBSNLREA TO MOC&IT REQUESTING CHARGING CGHS SUBSCRIPTION AT PRE-REVISED RATES TILL THE PENSION REVISION OF BSNL/MTNL IDA PENSIONERS TAKES PLACE:

AIBSNLREA had earlier drew the attention of Minister of Communications & IT on the issue of serious injustice meted out the BSNL/MTNL IDA pensioners, who had no pension revision, by charging them CGHS subscription at the revised rates which were ordered consequent to revision of pay scales/pension of the C.G. Employees/pensioners as recommended by 7th CPC. The Association had requested that DOT revise its Order on the mapping to determine rates of CGHS subscription and Ward entitlement for the BSNL/MTNL IDA pensioners and allow charging of CGHS subscription only at the pre-revised rates till their revision of pension takes place (View posting dated 16.06.2020 in this website to read the letter). Now, DOT has responded to the issue vide its File No. 4-12(12)/2018-PAT-Part(1) dated 15.09.2020, and has expressed its inability to accept the request stating that different subscription charges cannot be proposed for availing same facility under CGHS.     View the DOT letter

30.09.2020:

INCREASE IN IDA W.E.F. 1.10.2020:

According to calculations based on All India Consumer Price Index for Industrial Workers, IDA is to increase w.e.f. 1.10.2020 by 5.5% for CPSEs where last pay revision was implemented w.e.f. 1.1.2007 and by 9.3% where last pay revision was implemented w.e.f. 1.1.1997.

30.09.2020:

RECOVERY OF DUES OTHER THAN GOVERNMENT DUES FROM THE RETIREMENT BENEFITS OF BSNL EMPLOYEES- BSNL ADVISES ALL TELECOM CIRCLES/OTHER ADMINISTRATIVE UNITS TO FOLLOW THE CLARIFICATION DATED 24.08.2020 ISSUED BY DOT:

DOT has issued a clarification, vide its No. 1/Misc/Pen Issues/BSNL/DDFG(Accts-I)/2019-Part(2)/2525 dated 24.08.2010, regarding recovery of dues other than Government dues from the retirement benefits of BSNL Employees. The clarification issued by DOT states that “Considering the practical constraints in determining the exact amount of dues and recovering the same from BSNL salary and other payable only, recovery of miscellaneous BSNL dues- including those on account of BSNL accommodation – may be allowed from DCRG in an analogous manner to that of Government dues, as provided in Rules 71 to 73 of CCS (Pension) Rules, 1972”. This clarification, however, does not apply to the BSNL VRS-2019 retirees. In the case of the BSNL VRS-2019 retirees, such recoveries, if due, will have to be made from the amount payable by BSNL to these pensioners i.e. Ex-gratia, Leave encashment etc. Now, BSNL has endorsed this DOT letter, vide its No. 48-2/2020-Pen (B) dated 29.09.2020, and has advised all Telecom Circles and other Administrative Heads for information and necessary action.     View the BSNL & DOT orders

30.09.2020:

RELEASE OF FINAL SUPERANNUATION ORDER AND REGULAR SUPERANNUATION PENSION, DCRG AND GRANT OF COMMUTATION VALUE OF PENSION, LEAVE ENCASHMENT AFTER CONCLUSION OF JUDICIAL PROCEEDINGS ON 25.10.2018 TO SHRI M MATHURAMANI, RETD SR. AO, CHENNAI TELEPHONES– AIBSNLREA AGAIN TAKES UP THE ISSUE:

Referring to its earlier letter No. AIBSNLREA/CHQ/2020/74 dated 11.08.2020 wherein all the relevant documents needed to process the above mentioned case were supplied and a request was made to cause early issue of orders to settle the said long pending case, AIBSNLREA has now again requested PGM (Pers), BSNL to cause issue of the much-awaited Orders in respect of the affected pensioner Shri M Mathuramani, Retd Sr AO, Chennai Telephones, so as to allow him to get his pension and other pensionary benefits released. The Association has pointed out that this case is exactly the same as that of the case of Shri S B Mohare, Retd AO, Karnataka Telecom Circle, both of whom worked together in Gulbarga SSA and both were acquitted of the charges in the same case by the same CBI Court. The Association has further mentioned that since BSNL Corporate Office, vide its No BSNLCO-PRII/11(12)/1/2020-PERS-II dated 21.07.2020, has already permitted final superannuation and release of pension and other pensionary benefits to Shri S B Mohare, Retd AO, similar Orders may also be issued in respect of Shri M Mathuramani, Retd Sr. AO, Chennai Telephones.  View the letter
NB: THE ISSUE STANDS SETTLED NOW. BSNL HAS ISSUED THE MUCH-NEEDED ORDER.

30.09.2020:

NON-COMPLIANCE OF THE ADVICE BY DIRECTOR (HR) TO ALL THE HEADS OF TELECOM CIRCLES AND ADMINISTRATIVE UNITS FOR FINALIZATION OF THE ACTIVITIES FOR SETTLEMENT OF VARIOUS PENDING ISSUES IN RESPECT OF THE BSNL VRS-2019 RETIREES AND ASKING THEM TO COMPLETE THE EXERCISES BY 21.09.2020:

In a letter addressed to the Director (HR), BSNL, AIBSNLREA has brought to his notice that though his Office has issued a DO letter, vide D.O. No. BSNLCO-EB-1/11(11)/8/2020-ESTAB dated 16.09.2020, reminding all the Heads of Telecom Circles and Administrative Units of BSNL about the importance of finalization of activities for settlement of various pending issues in respect of the BSNL VRS-2019 retirees and asking them to complete the exercises by 21.09.2020, it seems that the same has no effect at least in Karnataka Telecom Circle. The Association has cited the case of non-release of Orders granting 3rd and 4th Time Bound Financial upgradation under EPP to Shri Guruppa S Hugar, Retd AO(L/A), Karnataka Telecom Circle, who retired on 31.01.2020 under BSNL VRS-2019, on an untenable ground that BSNL Corporate is yet to send a clarification to the reference made by the Circle regarding applicability of the condition for mandatory training/on line examination after issue of the Orders for Time Bound Promotions in the cases of the retired employees. The Association has further mentioned that on this question of mandatory training followed by on-line examination in respect of the retired/retiring employees, BSNL Corporate Office vide its No. 400-29/2007-Pers.I dated 30.05.2007 at Sl. No. 1 of the clarifications issued had already clearly clarified that “However, the Executives who have already retired or are retiring within a period of two years from the date of issuance of time bound IDA scale upgradation order, shall be exempted from training”. Moreover, Karnataka Telecom Circle itself, in its Order No. FA/Staff/1-48/TBPP/Vol.VII/15 dated 30.01.2020, while granting Time Bound Financial Upgradation from Rs. 24900-50500 (E-3) to Rs. 29100-54500 (E-4) to the same retired Executive, had stated on the same issue of mandatory online examination at condition No. 5 of its said Order dated 30.01.2020 that “since the executive is due to retire within a period of two years from the date of issue of this order shall be exempted from the same condition”. The Association has, therefore, requested Director (HR) to intervene in the matter so that suitable Orders are issued for Personnel Branch to the Karnataka Telecom Circle so that the concerned VRS-retiree gets his long pending Orders granting him 3rd and 4th Time Bound Financial Upgradations under EPP at the earliest.  View the letter

29.09.2020:

AIBSNLREA AGAIN TAKES UP THE CASE OF WITHDRAWAL OF ORDER ISSUED BY UP (WEST) TELECOM CIRCLE, CONDONING THE PERIOD OF BREAK BETWEEN COMPLETION OF PRE-APPOINTMENT TRAINING AND ISSUE OF APPOINTMENT LETTER DUE TO ADMINISTRATIVE DELAY FOR THE PURPOSE OF COUNTING OF SERVICE FOR PENSION IN RESPECT OF SHRI A K DUBEY, RETD AGM, AGRA TELECOM DISTRICT:

In continuation of its earlier letter No. AIBSNLREA/CHQ/2020/85 dated 18.08.2020, AIBSNLREA has again taken up the above issue with Sr GM (Estt), BSNL. The Association has stated that as per CCS (Pension) Rules, 1972, the pre-appointment training period for all Group C and D Employees are counted as service for the purpose of pension. Subsequently, DOP&PW had further agreed for condonation of break period between completion of pre-appointment training and issue of appointment letter purely due to the administrative delay. Accordingly, DOT had issued Orders in this respect vide its No. 14/88-NB/T/Pen dated 25.06.1990 for condonation of such period of break and since then the Circles, being the recruiting and appointment authority of the Group C and D Cadres, are issuing Orders condoning such break-period which was purely the result of administrative delay. As such withdrawal of the Orders issued by UP (West) Telecom Circle condoning the period of such break in respect of Shri A K Dubey, Retd AGM period, purportedly at the instance of Corporate Office, is most unfortunate and unjust. The Association has requested to advise UP (West) Telecom Circle to re-issue the Order condoning the period of break between completion of the pre-appointment training and issue of appointment letter due to administrative delay in respect of Shri A K Dubey, Retd ADG, Agra Telecom District at the earliest.  View the letter

28.09.2020:

FURTHER EXTENSION OF REVAILIDATION OF BSNLMRS CARDS FOR THE RETIRED BSNL EMPLOYEES- BSNL ISSUES ORDERS EXTENDINGT THE VALIDITY UP TO 31.03.2021 OR TILL FURTHER ORDERS:

Accepting the request from AIBSNLREA (view posting dated 19.09.2020 in this website to read the letter), BSNL vide its No. BSNLCO-SR/14(12/9/2020 dated 28.09.2020, has issued Orders extending the validity of BSNLMRS Cards for the retired BSNL Employees up to 31.03.2021 or till further Orders.     View the BSNL order

28.09.2020:

AIBSNLREA ADDRESSES SR GENERAL MANAGER (ESTT), BSNL REGARDING THE CASES OF UNENDING HARRASSMENT AND MENTAL TORTURE OF THE TTAs PROMOTED AS JTOs IN 2008/2009 AS PER PRE-REVISED JTO RECRUIMENT RULES-2001 AND WHO EXERCISED OPTION FOR FIXATION OF PAY IN THE REVISED PAY SCALES OF THE NON-EXECUTIVES FROM THE DATE OF THEIR PROMOTION- REQUESTS ISSUE OF CLARIFICATION IN THE LINES OF BSNL ORDER FOR JAOs (DEPTL) 2010 BATCH IN RESPECT OF THOSE TTAs WHO EXERCISED OPTION:

In continuation to the various representations made on the above case, AIBSNLREA has now addressed a letter to Sr. General Manager (Estt), BSNL pointing out that the Para 3 of the BSNL Office Order No. 3-32/2013/Estt.IV dated 22.12.2015 in the matter of pay fixation of officiating JTOs speaks only in respect of the those TTAs who did not exercise option for pay fixation in the revised pay scale of the Non-Executives from the date of their promotion. The Order is totally silent in the matter of pay fixation of those TTAs, who were officiating as JTOs but opted for pay fixation in the revised IDA Scales as per the Option allowed at Para 3.6 of BSNL Order No. 1-16/2010-PAT(BSNL) dated 07.05.2010 from the date of their promotion. The Association now referred to BSNL Corporate Office Order No. BSNLCO-PRII/11(24)/14/2020-PERS1 dated 28.08.2020 in which certain clarifications on the issue related to allowing option for revision of pay to JAO (Deptl) 2010 batch has been issued and also at Para 4 clear illustration has been given as how the pay fixation in the revised pay scale is to be done w.e.f. 1.1.2007 in cases where no option has been exercised and also how pay fixation in the revised scale is to be done from the date of promotion as per the option exercised. The Association has now requested to cause issue of a similar clarification, in continuation of the Order No. 3-32/2013/Estt.IV dated 22.12.2015, to reiterate that the TTAs who exercised option for pay fixation in the revised pay scale from the date of their promotion as JTO, as per Option allowed in Para 3.6 of BSNL Office Order No. 1-16/2010-PAT(BSNL) dated 07.05.2010, will continue to remain in the pre-revised pay scale from 1.1.2007 to their date of promotion. But on the date of their promotion their pay has first to be fixed in the pre-revised scale of Executive Grade i.e. JTO grade and then re-fixed in the revised pay scale as per the option exercised.  View the letter

28.09.2020:

RBI ISSUES ORDERS UNDER RBI PENSION REGULATIONS 1990 TO ALLOW SUBMISSION OF SCANNED COPY OF THE LIFE CERTIFICATE/MARITAL STATUS IN PRECRIBED FORMAT TO THE RESPECTIVE CELLS THROUGH E MAIL:

In view of Covid-19 Pandemic, Reserve Bank of India has issued instructions, vide No. CO.HRMD No. 2002/21.01.00/2020-21 dated 25.09.2020, to allow submission of scanned copy of the Life Certificate/ Declaration of marital Status through e-mail to the respective pension cells from which pension is being drawn. RBI has also decided to extend the time-limit for submission of the same by 31st December, 2020. This arrangement is only for the current year.     View the order

27.09.2020:

AIBSNLREA SUBMITS AN APPEAL TO THE CHIEF JUSTICE OF INDIA TO RENDER JUSTICE TO THE BSNL RETIRED EMPLOYEES WHO ARE VIRTUALLY DENIED MEDICARE FACILITIES BY BSNL MANAGEMENT:

AIBSNLREA has since submitted an appeal to the Chief Justice of India, Supreme Court of India, vide its No. AIBSNLREA/CHQ/2020/APPEAL dated 25.09.2020, to render justice to the retired BSNL Employees who are being virtually denied the Medicare facilities by BSNL Management. The issues taken up cover non-reimbursement of medical claims but falsely claiming in Form 26AS page of Income Tax Department as to have credited some amount, re-imbursement of the claims of only of the serving employees and denying the same to the retired employees and further tightening the annual ceiling limit for the retired employees by overlooking its own order issued in 2010 granting some relief to the retired employees. After detailed submissions, the Association has prayed that the Chairman & Managing Director of Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited and Secretary (Telecommunications) be directed to resolve the grievances, as prayed at (1) to (4) and that the Central Board of Direct Taxes be directed to take immediate action and sort out the matter as at (5) in the list of Prayers. We are publishing only the Appeal and not the voluminous annexures since these are already available in this website.  View the letter     View the Appeal

27.09.2020:

NOMINATION FACILITY UNDER CGHS FOR CLAIMING MEDICAL REIMBURSEMENT IN THE EVENT OF DEATH OF THE PRINCIPAL CARD HOLDER – DEPT OF HEALTH & FAMILY WELFARE SIMPLIFIES THE PROCEDURE:

Department of Health & Family Welfare, vide its No. S 11011/12/2013-CGHS(P) dated 25.09.2020, has issued orders simplifying the procedure to claim medical reimbursement of the deceased CGHS cardholder. According to the simplified procedure, an option has been allowed to the principal CGHS cardholder beneficiary to nominate a person to claim reimbursement of medical expenses in the event of his/her unfortunate death. The nomination facility shall be available only to the CGHS pensioner cardholder. Beneficiaries desiring to exercise this option shall have to submit their declaration of nomination in the prescribed ‘Nomination Form’ to the CMO-In-charge of the CGHS Wellness Centre.  View the Order

26.09.2020:

HOLDING OF PENSION ADALAT- AIBSNLREA SUGGESTS DOP&PW TO HOLD VIRTUAL PENSION ADALAT:

In view of Covid-19 pandemic and for other reasons, Pension Adalat are not being held for quite a long time and consequently the grievances of the pensioners are piling up. In view of this, AIBSNLREA has requested Secretary (Pension) to consider advising all Departments to hold Virtual Pension Adalat and issue Orders accordingly. This will give an opportunity to the aggrieved pensioners to take up their grievances in these Adalat and get relief.  View the letter

25.09.2020:

RESUSAL BY PGMT, BANGALORE TELECOM DISTRICT OF KARNATAKA TELECOM CIRCLE TO IMPLEMENT BSNL CORPORATE OFFICE ORDER DATED 04.11.2019 REGARDING RELEASE OF LEAVE ENCASHMENT TO THE BSNL VRS-2019 RETIREES HAVING PENDING DEPARTMENTAL/JUDUCIAL PROCEEDINGS:

AIBSNLREA has now taken up the issue of refusal by PGMT, Bangalore Telecom District to release the Leave Encashment to a BSNL VRS-2019 retiree against whom a department proceeding was initiated just on the previous day of his retirement with the Prime Minister of India. The Association has submitted that the plea taken by the PGMT that clearance from the Vigilance Unit is awaited is no valid ground to withheld the payment, since BSNL Corporate Office has already clarified, vide its Office Order No. 1-5/2019-PAT(BSNL) dated 04.11.2019, that the VRS retirees against whom department/judicial proceedings are pending are also to receive their Leave encashment. The Association has further pointed out that though the relevant pages of the said Order was attached with the representation addressed by the Association to the CGMT, Karnataka Circle with copy endorsed to PGMT, Bangalore, it seems that the same was not taken note of by the PGMT. AIBSNLREA has now sought the intervention of the Prime Minister in the matter so that the issue gets re-examined in the light of the above quoted BSNL Corporate Office Orders and the Leave encashment is released at the earliest to the concerned pensioner.  View the letter

25.09.2020:

SBI AGREES TO DOT’S REQUEST TO ALLOW SUBMISSION OF LIFE CERTIFICATES IN ALL ITS BRANCHES BY THE TELECOM PENSIONERS DRAWING PENSION DIRECT FROM DOT:

State Bank of India, vide its letter No. GBU:CC:2020-21:124 dated 21.09.2020, addressed to Dy Director General (Accounts), DOT has conveyed its readiness to allow Telecom Pensioners drawing pension direct from Dept of Telecommunication to submit Life Certificates in all its Branches both in physical and digital form without any charges. Bank has already advised its Branches accordingly. However, it will not take any further responsibility.  View the sbi letter

24.09.2020:

CHENNAI TELEPHONES EXTENDS VALIDITY OF BSNLMRS CARDS OF THE RETIRED BSNL EMPLOYEES UP TO 30.11.2020:

Chennai Telephones, vide its Order No. AWL/BSNL MRS/Circulars/VOL-III/20-21/32 dated 23.09.2020, has extended the validity of BSNLMRS Cards of the BSNL retired/VRS Employees up to 30.11.2020.  View the order

23.09.2020:

SEND EMAIL TO YOUR ASSESSING OFFICER, INCOME TAX, SEEKING GUIDANCE AS TO HOW TO FILE ITR, SINCE BSNL CLAIM IN FORM 26AS OF HAVING CREDITED REIMBURSEMENT OF MEDICAL CLAIM IS NOT TRUE AND AMOUNT NOT ACTUALLY RECEIVED CANNOT BE INCLUDED IN THE INCOME:

Members and other BSNL pensioners, who frequent this website, will be aware that AIBSNLREA has been knocking every door in order to resolve the issue of BSNL deducting TDS and crediting to Income Tax department purportedly towards reimbursement of medical claims of BSNL retirees without actually making the payment to the retirees’ account. BSNL has also not issued Form-16, obviously as it has not made any payment. We are put in a tight spot as we cannot show any amount not actually received by us in the IT return to be filed by us latest by 30th November 2020, but the Form 26AS downloaded from Income Tax site shows that as if the amount has been paid to us. If we do not show this amount as income, the IT department will raise objections. We cannot also show this as income as we have not actually received the amount. BSNL appears to be in no mood to settle this issue. If left uncontested, it will encourage BSNL to repeat this action in the future too.

In order to put further pressure on BSNL, it has been decided that affected members need to send emails to their respective Assessing Officer, seeking guidance as to how to file ITR for FY 2019-20 (AY 2020-21), as amount actually not received cannot be included as income. As we provide the TAN number of the deductor - BSNL, each Assessing Officer is expected to take up the matter with the deductor. This action will certainly have some chain reactions leading to solution of the current problem.

A sample text for the email is attached as Annexure-I. Steps to know the Assessing Officer and also to obtain his email ID and further steps to obtain Form 26AS are explained in the Annexure-II.

All affected members are requested to send email to their respective Assessing Officer before 30.09.2020.
View Annexure-I
View Annexure-II

22.09.2020:

AIBSNLREA AGAIN TAKES UP WITH SECRETARY (PENSION) ANOTHER CASE OF VIRTUAL REFUSAL BY BSNL, PGMT, BANGALORE TD OF KARNATAKA TELECOM CIRCLE TO REDRESS THE GENUINE GRIEVANCE OF A PENSIONER LODGED IN CPENGRAMS FOR RELEASING LEAVE ENCASHMENT DESPITE CLEAR ORDERS BY BSNL CORPORATE OFFICE VIDE NO. 1-5/2019-PAT(BSNL) DATED 04.11.2019 ON THE SUBJECT:

AIBSNLREA has drawn the attention of Secretary (Pension), DOP&PW to another case in which BSNL has closed a Grievance Docket No. DOPPW/E/2020/17606 lodged in CPENGRAMS in which one unit of BSNL has put the ball in the court of another Unit of same BSNL and thus not resolving the grievance. In this case, the PGMT, Bangalore TD of Karnataka Telecom Circle, BSNL has closed the said Grievance Docket Number by just informing that clearance from its Vigilance Unit is awaited. The grievance in this case is about release of leave encashment to a pensioner who was served a charge-sheet just on the previous day of his retirement. However, this does not come in the way of releasing the leave encashment, since BSNL Corporate Office had earlier issued Orders allowing release of leave encashment to the BSNL VRS-2019 retirees against whom departmental/judicial proceedings are pending. In fact, in the matter of releasing Leave encashment, in cases where departmental/judicial proceedings are pending, BSNL Corporate Office has given clear instructions under Clause-7 (ii) of Annexure (at Page No. 6) of its Office Order No. 1-5/2019-PAT(BSNL) dated 04.11.2019 to make payment of Earned Leave encashment and some other dues like Transfer Grant, GPF/CPF to such VRS-retirees. Only payment of ex-gratia and gratuity is to be made on conclusion of vigilance/disciplinary case. Though the Association had supplied a copy of this Order along with its representation and even quoted the same in the reminder dated 19/09/2020, as recorded in the Status Report of this Docket itself, it seems that PGMT, Bangalore TD of Karnataka Telecom Circle is either not inclined to examine the issue in correct perspective or not ready even to go by the Orders of its Corporate Office. The Association has finally requested that the grievance be re-examined in the light of the said BSNL Corporate Office Orders and the Leave encashment be released at the earliest to the concerned pensioner.  View the letter

22.09.2020:

ISSUE OF LAST PAY CERTIFICATES TO THE BSNL VRS-2019 RETIREES - AIBSNLREA REQUESTS TO ISSUE THE SAME BY E-MAIL TO THE RETIREES INTIMATING THEIR E-MAIL ID:

Since crowding of the retired employees in the concerned section to collect their Last Pay Certificates may not be desirable in the interest of both the retirees and the staff-members of the section due to Covid-19 pandemic, AIBSNLREA has requested Director (HR), BSNL to consider mailing of Last Pay Certificates to the e-mail id of the retirees, if already intimated. Similarly, other retirees, who may now intimate their mail id to the concerned section, may also be sent their Last Pay Certificates by e-mail.  View the letter

19.09.2020:

FURTHER EXTENSION OF VALIDITY OF BSNLMRS CARDS FOR THE RETIRED BSNL EMPLOYEES – AIBSNLREA TAKES UP THE ISSUE AGAIN WITH CMD, BSNL:

In a letter addressed to CMD, BSNL, AIBSNLREA has stated that in view of Covid-19 pandemic and the risk involved for the aged retired BSNL employees, especially those with chronic health issues and have been advised to remain indoors, BSNL Corporate Office had earlier issued Orders extending the validity of BSNLMRS Cards for them up to 30.09.2020. Though unlocking process has now started, the number of positive cases is alarmingly on increase. The restrictions imposed on the aged and those with co-morbidities have also not been relaxed. The Association has also pointed out that under this background, the DOP&PW has issued Orders extending the period of submission of life certificates by the pensioners in Banks for the current year. Kerala Telecom Circle has also issued Orders, vide its No.SR/Gen/Union & Assn/10 dated 17.09.2020, extending the validity of BSNLMRS Cards for the retired employees till 31.03.2021. The Association has requested to cause issue of orders extending the validity of BSNLMRS Cards for the retired employees till 31.03.2021 to be applicable for all the retired BSNL employees.  View the letter

18.09.2020:

AIBSNLREA TAKES UP THE CASE OF REFUSAL BY BSNL TO INTIMATE THE STATUS, DETAILS AND DISPOSALS OF THE GRIEVANCES TAKEN UP WITH BSNL MANAGEMENT THROUGH REPRESENTATIONS AND DOCKETED BY BSNL IN ITS BSNL PUBLIC GRIEVANCE REDRESSAL SYATEM:

BSNL had disposed of a CPENGRAM registered Grievance Docket Number without intimating the status, details and disposals of the Grievances taken up through various representations and since docketed by BSNL itself in its BSNL Public Grievance Redressal System and merely stating that “This is asking of information and same does not come under the purview of CPGRAMS”. AIBSNLREA has opposed this stand of BSNL and has taken up the matter with Secretary (Pension). The Association has contended that BSNL cannot take the untenable stand that asking of information on status/details/ disposals of the Grievances docketed by it in its stated Public Grievance Redressal System does not come under the purview of CPGRAMS, as CPENGRAMS is the platform for the pensioners, offered by the Government of India, to lodge their grievance which always displays information on the status, details of grievances and their disposal. But ‘BSNL Public Grievance Redressal Management System’ has no such features. After all, non-supply of information on status/details/disposals itself is also a grievance. The Association has accordingly requested Secretary (Pension) that BSNL may be advised to be sympathetic to the causes of the pensioners and to inform the status, details of the grievances and their disposal, as requested in the in grievance registered in CPENGRAMS.  View the letter

18.09.2020:

KERALA TELECOM CIRCLE EXTENDS VALIDITY OF BSNLMRS CARDS FOR THE RETIRED EMPLOYEES TILL 31.03.2021:

Kerala Telecom Circle, vide its No. SR/Gen/Union & Assn/10 dated 17.09.2020, has extended the validity of BSNLMRS Cards of the BSNL retired employees.  View the order

18.09.2020:

GRANT OF REGULAR SUPERANNUATION PENSION AND RELEASE OF OTHER PENSIONARY BENEFITS TO SHRI D C GUPTA, RETD SDE- CCA, PATNA WRITES TO CMD, BSNL FOR NECESSARY ACTION:

AIBSNLREA had earlier taken up the above case with BSNL requesting early settlement of the issue [View posting dated 27.08.2020 in this website to read the letter]. The Grievance was also lodged in CPENGRAMS and the same was forwarded to CCA, Patna. Now CCA, Patna has addressed a letter to CMD, BSNL vide his No. CCABR/3-Pen/1229/2018/ dated 09.09.2020 forwarding the case for necessary action, since retirement is decided by BSNL.  View the CCA Patna letter

17.09.2020:

REDUCTION IN THE PERIOD FOR RESTORATION OF COMMUTATION VALUE OF PENSION IN VIEW OF FALLING RATES OF INTERESTS IN DEPOSITS- AIBSNLREA TAKES UP THE ISSUE WITH SECRETARY (PENSION), DOP&PW:

In a letter addressed to Secretary (Pension), DOP&PW and copy endorsed to Secretary (Expenditure), Ministry of Finance, AIBSNLREA has requested for reduction in the period for restoration of commuted portion of pension in view of sharp drop in interest rates in deposits. The Association has referred to the Report of VIth Central Pay Commission which examined the issue and arrived at the commutation factor based on market interest of 8 % p.a. and also the mortality rate. The Association has further pointed out that the Hon’ble Supreme Court, on the other hand, in its judgment delivered in December, 1986 in Writ Petitions No. 3958-61 of 1983 had directed restoration of the commuted value of pension once the commutation amount along with the interest element thereon was recovered fully. The Association has, thus, pleaded that since the present interest rates in less than 5%, the Commuted portion of Pension be restored after 8 years of retirement.  View the letter

17.09.2020:

AIBSNLREA OPPOSES BSNL’S VIRTUAL DENIAL TO ADDRESS A GRIEVANCE LODGED IN CPENGRAMS SUGGESTING TO TAKE UP THE ISSUE WITH ITS RETIRED EMPLOYEES GRIEVANCE CELL- WRITES TO SECRETARY (PENSION):

Since BSNL has closed a grievance of a pensioner lodged in the DOP&PW’s pensioners’ Grievance Redressal System CPENGRAMS, stating that ‘This is not PG case. It is BSNL Retired employee grievances for which special retired employee grievance cell is functioning in BSNL. It is requested to complainant that kindly take this grievance/matter with the said cell’, the Association has lodged its protest against the stand of BSNL. The Association has pointed out that the grievance was rightly lodged in CPENGRAMS, introduced by the Government of India to allow the pensioners to lodge their grievance in it, only after numerous representations to the CMD, BSNL went unheeded. BSNL, therefore, cannot refuse to process the grievances lodged in CPENGRAMS. The stand of BSNL only exposes its apathetic and unhelpful attitude towards the pensioners and their genuine grievances. The Association has finally requested Secretary (Pension) to intervene in the matter so that the genuine grievance of the pensioner lodged in CPENGRAMS, as in this case, is processed by BSNL and redressed early.  View the letter

16.09.2020:

DIRECTOR (HR), BSNL REMINDS ALL HEADS OF TELECOM CIRCLES/ ADMINISTRATIVE HEADS OF BSNL UNITS ON THE IMPORTANCE OF FINALIZATION OF ACTIVITIES FOR SETTLEMENT OF VARIOUS PENDING ISSUES IN RESPECT OF THE BSNL VRS-2019 RETIREES:

Director (HR), BSNL, in a DO letter, issued vide his D.O. No. BSNLCO-EB-1/11(11)/8/2020-ESTAB dated 16.09.2020, has reminded all the Heads of Telecom Circles and Administrative Units of BSNL about the importance of finalization of activities for settlement of various pending issues in respect of the BSNL VRS-2019 retirees. The pending issues mentioned in the DO letter includes calculation of Ex-gratia in respect of VC withheld cases, cases pending due to verification of caste certificates, cases pending for issue of Presidential Orders for absorption in BSNL, updation of service particulars in ERP System- Last pay drawn, length of qualifying service, date of birth, date of appointment and grant of EPP/NEPP upgradations which were due before their retirement. Director (HR) has reiterated that all these pending activities must be completed on top priority latest by 21.09.2020.  View the letter

16.09.2020:

AIBSNLREA REQUESTS FOR EXTENSION OF PERIOD FOR SUBMISSION OF LIFE CERTIFICATE FOR THE PURPOSE OF CONTINUING WITH CONCESSIONAL TELEPHONE FACILITIES BY THE RETIRED BSNL EMPLOYEES:

AIBSNLREA has addressed a letter to Director (HR), BSNL requesting for extension of period for submission of Life Certificate for the purpose of continuing with concessional telephone facilities by the retired BSNL employees in view of Covid-19 pandemic. The Association cites the case of DOP&PW order issued, vide No. 18/1/2020-P&PW(C)-6681 dated 11.09.2020, in which the period for submission of Life Certificates by the pensioners in the Banks has been extended till 31st December, 2020 for the current year and has requested to issue Orders in the same line. The Association has also stated that ‘any arrangement for online submission of Life Certificate by the retired BSNL employees will be most welcome’.  View the letter

15.09.2020:

BSNL ISSUES ORDERS DIRECTING THE HEADS OF TERRITORAL CIRCLES TO OPEN FACILITY FOR SUBMISSION OF DIGITAL LIFE CERTIFICATE BY BSNL/DOT RETIREES AT ONE CUSTOMER SERVICE CENTRE IN EACH SSA:

On the advice of DOT, BSNL vide its No. BSNLCO-A/12(14)/1/2020-ESTAB dated 15.09.2020 has issued instructions to all its Heads of Territorial Circles to open facility for submission of digital Life Certificates by the BSNL/DOT retirees through Customer Service Centres of BSNL. Accordingly, Jeevan Pramaan Application at one CSC in each SSA has to be provided. This meets resolution No. 6 adopted in the All India Conference of AIBSNLREA held at Madurai in November, 2019.  View the letter

15.09.2020:

NON-GRANT OF 3rd AND 4th TIME BOUND FINANCIAL UPGRADATION UNDER EPP TO SHRI GURUPPA S HUGAR, RETD AO(L/A), GULBARGA TD AND ALSO A BSNL VRS-2019 RETIREE:

AIBSNLREA brings to the notice of GM(Estt), BSNL that despite issue of BSNL Office Order F.No. BSNLCO-A/11(11)/8-2020-ESTAB dated 18.08.2020 instructing the Circles to complete all the cases for grant of time-bound financial upgradation under EPP/NEPP before 31.08.2020 in respect of the VRS-retirees, which were due before their retirement, many Circles seem to have not taken the instructions seriously and still many cases are remaining unsettled. The Association has cited the case of Shri Guruppa S Hugar, Retd AO(L/A), who retired on 31.01.2020 under BSNL VRS-2019 and is yet to receive Orders from Karnataka Telecom Circle granting him his 3rd and 4th Time Bound Financial Upgradation under EPP, which were due with effect from 27.12.2014 and 27.12.2019 respectively. It is said that Karnataka Telecom Circle is holding back release of the Orders on the question of applicability of mandatory training after issue of Orders granting Time Bound Financial upgradations to the retired employees, despite the fact that BSNL Corporate Office had already clarified vide its No. 400-29/2007-Pers.I dated 30.05.2007 that “… the Executives who have already retired or are retiring within a period of two years from the date of issuance of time bound IDA scale upgradation order, shall be exempted from such training”. Further, Karnataka Telecom Circle itself, while granting 2nd Time Bound Financial Upgradation on 30.01.2020 to the same retired Executive, had stated in the Order that “since the executive is due to retire within a period of two years from the date of issue of this order shall be exempted from the same condition”. Thus, there is no reason for Karnataka Telecom Circle not to issue the Orders. The Association has finally requested to advise Karnataka Telecom Circle to issue the much-delayed Orders on the subject immediately.  View the letter

14.09.2020:

AIBSNLREA TAKES UP THE ISSUE OF CLOSURE OF REGISTERED GRIEVANCE DOCKET NO. DOPPW/E/2020/15644 BY THANJAVUR SSA WITHOUT RESOLVING THE GRIEVANCE:

Since, Thanjavur SSA, under the administrative control of Tamilnadu Telecom Circle of BSNL, has closed the above docket without resolving the same by merely stating that the “T-Code for incorporation of Training period is not opened so far. Case referred to Circle Office. On opening of T-code same will be included as qualifying service and the difference ex-gratia amount will be paid a/w final instalment”, AIBSNLREA has taken up the matter with Secretary (Pension). The grievance pertains to non-payment of Ex-gratia for 52 weeks of pre-appointment training period to Shri R J Christopher Girigori Raj, Retd SDE (BSNL VRS-2019 retiree) of Thanjavur SSA (Tamilnadu) which was to be counted as service as per Pension Rules. The Association has said in its letter to Secretary (Pension) that “It is really regrettable and surprising that without getting the issue of opening T-Code, which is said to be coming in the way of resolving the grievance, sorted out between the Thanjvaur SSA of BSNL and its Administrative Circle i.e. Tamilnadu Telecom Circle of BSNL in this case and thus resolving the Grievance, the Accounts Officer (Drawal) of Thanjavur SSA of BSNL has closed the Grievance Docket. The instant issue is an internal matter of these two Units of BSNL i.e. Thanjavur SSA and its Administrative Circle i.e. Tamilnadu Telecom Circle. Therefore, Thanjavur SSA of BSNL cannot absolve itself from its responsibility to redress the grievance by merely stating that it has referred the issue to its Circle and thereby closing the Docket. Since both Thanjavur SSA and its Circle Office form part of BSNL, one unit of BSNL cannot try to put indirect blame on the other Unit in not being able to address the grievance”. The Association has requested to advise BSNL to resolve the Grievance.  View the letter

13.09.2020:

NEW BRANCH OF AIBSNLREA FORMED AT ALWAR-BHARATPUR IN RAJASTHAN:

In a meeting of the retired BSNL executives held at the residence of Shri S P Jain, Retd DGM at Alwar in the evening of 12th September, 2020, a new Branch of AIBSNLREA has been formed. After some discussions, the members unanimously decided to form the Branch with the following Office-Bearers: - (1) President- Shri Y C Sharma, Retd SDE (Mob: 9413394695), (2) Branch Secretary- Shri B L Gupta, Retd SDE (Mob: 9413394696) and (3) Branch Finance Secretary- Shri S S Mathuria, Retd SDE (Mob: 9413394654). Other retired Executives, residing in these areas, may contact them for Life-Membership. AIBSNLREA welcomes all the new Life Members of the Branch and thanks Shri S P Jain, Retd DGM for taking the initiative to form the Branch.

12.09.2020:

NON-SETTLEMENT OF THE DISCREPANCY IN THE PAYMENT OF GPF AMOUNT TO SHRI M CHANNAPA UROLGIN, RETD JTO, KOLHAPUR TD- AIBSNLREA WRITES TO PR. CCA, MH & GOA CIRCLE:

AIBSNLREA has submitted six GPF Balance Sheets in respect of Shri Channapa M Uroglin, Retd JTO, Kolhapur TD to Principal CCA, Maharashtra & Goa Circle with the request to settle the long pending case to refund balance of GPF amount to the concerned pensioner. These documents are in addition to the records/documents sent earlier by the Accounts Officer (Pay), o/o PGMT, Kolhapur.  View the letter

11.09.2020:

DOP&PW ISSUES ORDERS ALLOWING SUBMISSION OF LIFE CERTIFICATES BY THE PENSIONERS TILL 31ST DECEMBER, 2020 FOR THE CURRENT YEAR DUE TO COVID-19 PANDEMIC:

DOP&PW, vide its No. 18/1/2020-P&PW (C )-6680 dated 11.09.20220, has issued orders extending the time limit for submission of Life Certificates by the Pensioners for the current year due to Covid-19 pandemic. While, the pensioners in the age group of 80 years and above may submit their Life Certificates from 1st October, 2020 to 31st December, 2020, the pensioners in the age group of below 80 years have been allowed to submit their Life Certificates from 1st November, 2020 to 31st December, 2020.  View the letter

11.09.2020:

AIBSNLREA NOW TAKES UP THE ISSUE OF HARASSMENT AND FINANCIAL LOSS OF THE RETIREES DUE TO WRONG OBSERVATIONS OF THE PAY & ACCOUNTS OFFICERS IN THE OFFICES OF CCA BY GOING BEYOND THE PRESCRIBED LIMIT OF 24 MONTHS FOR CHECKING THE PENSION PAPERS WITH REFERENCE TO SERVICE BOOKS– CITES THE RECENT CASES IN THE OFFICE OF PRINCIPAL CCA, CALCUTTA TELEPHONES:

AIBSNLREA has since addressed Secretary (Telecom) on the issue of unending harassment and financial loss of the retirees due to wrong observation by the Pay & Accounts Officers in the offices of CCAs while verifying the service records and applying prescribed checks with reference to the applicable Pension Rules, going beyond the limit of 24 months prescribed in Rule 7.3.2 available in Chapter 7 of the Civil Accounts Manual for the HOD and Pay and Accounts Officer. The Association has cited the recent cases in the office of Pr. CCA, Calcutta Telephones in which the Pay & Accounts Officer, in his overenthusiastic action, overlooked the Rules on the subject and made wrong observations about the pay-fixations correctly allowed to the TTAs promoted as JTOs in the year 2008/2009 as per Para 3.6 of BSNL Order No. 1-16/2010-PAT(BSNL) dated 07.05.2010 implementing the revised IDA pay scales of the Non-Executives. The PAO concerned seems to have been confused with yet another Pay-fixation Order issued by BSNL Corporate Office, vide its No. 3-32/2013/Estt.IV dated 22.12.2015, which was applicable for the TTAs promoted as JTOs under the new scheme and syllabus as per revised Recruitment Rules of JTOs-2014 promulgated in 2015, to raise his objection about past cases. The Association has contended that the affected retired Executives, promoted from the cadre of TTAs in 2008/2009, should not become the victims for this error in judgment by the PAO concerned and its endorsement by the Pr. CCA Office. The Association has further requested “to cause immediate restoration of all pay-fixations which were earlier correctly allowed to them as per the prevailing Orders of that time. Their pension needs to be re-fixed, the recovered amount refunded and other legitimate benefits allowed”.  View the letter

10.09.2020:

AIBSNLREA WRITES TO SECRETAY (TELECOM) REGARDING NON-IMPLEMENTATION OF CABINET DECISION FOR PAYMENT OF EX-GRATIA TO THE BSNL VRS-2019 RETIREES:

In a letter addressed to Secretary (Telecom), AIBSNLREA has pointed out that though Cabinet decided that 50% of the balance amount of Ex-gratia to the BSNL VRS-2019 retirees would be paid latest by 30th June, 2020, the said decision has not been fully implemented. BSNL has, so far, disbursed ex-gratia in three instalments, but not in full. The Association has requested for the intervention of Secretary (Telecom), so that the BSNL VRS-2019 retirees receive their full and final payment of ex-gratia immediately and the issue gets resolved once for all.  View the letter

09.09.2020:

AIBSNLREA TAKES UP THE CASE OF NON-PAYMENT OF GROUP SAVINGS LINKED INSURANCE SCHEME AMOUNT BY THE LIC TO THE BSNL EMPLOYEES RETIRED UNDER BSNL VRS-2019:

AIBSNLREA has since taken up the above matter with Secretary (Telecom) pointing out that most of the BSNL VRS-2019 retirees are yet to receive their GSLI payment from LIC. The Association has also pointed out that some of the claims which were forwarded to the LIC still remain unsettled and none of the retirees who retired from BSNL’s Offices in Delhi has received the payment. Further, many Circles are yet to forward some of the cases to the LIC for payment that includes BSNL Corporate Office which is yet to forward nearly 70 such cases.  View the letter

09.09.2020:

BSNL REPLIES TO THE LETTER OF AIBSNLREA QUESTIONING PURPOSE AND FUNCTIONING OF BSNL’s PUBLIC GRIEVANCE REDRESSAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEM POINTING OUT TO ITS DEFICIENCIES:

AIBSNLREA had addressed a letter to CMD, BSNL seeking to know the purpose and functioning of its “BSNL Public Grievance Redressal Management System” which addresses the Association as “Customer” and routinely says that BSNL’s “Service Representatives will address the issue very soon” [View posting dated 17.07.2020 in this website to read the letter]. BSNL has now replied to that letter and given a stated status Report of some letters addressed to CMD, BSNL giving only the Docket No. and the Unit/Section to which the letters were sent. This does not give any idea about grievance description or reference details. The first docket, as mentioned in the reply, seems to be from a BSNL subscriber about some faults. The reply is also evasive on our queries on the issues as raised in our letter.  View the BSNL letter

08.09.2020:

STOPPING OF HARASSMENT OF BSNL RETIREES BY THE PAY & ACCOUNTS OFFICERS IN THE OFFICES OF CONTROLLERS OF COMMUNICATION ACCOUNTS BY ISSUING WRONG OBSERVATIONS WHILE SCRUTINIZING PENSION PAPERS- AIBSNLREA TAKES UP THE ISSUE WITH MOSC:

AIBSNLREA has since represented to the Minister of State for Communications to stop harassment of the BSNL retirees by the Pay and Accounts Officers in the Offices of Controllers of Communication Accounts, while scrutinizing their pension papers with reference to Service Books, by their wrong observations mainly on past pay fixations and ordering their cancellations and recovery of stated over payment. These Pay and Accounts Officers are found to go back to a period earlier than the prescribed limit of maximum of 24 months preceding the date of retirement, as provided in Rule 7.3.2 of Chapter 7 of the ‘Civil Accounts Manual for the HOD and Pay and Accounts Officer’, and raise wrong observations relating to pay fixations which were correctly allowed as per the then prevailing rules/orders. In the process, the concerned retirees face unending harassment, cancellation of their past pay-fixations and recovery of the stated over-payment already received by the retirees over the years. Moreover, their pension is also fixed at lower stages. In order to give relief to its retiring employees from being harassed and put to financial loss, the Association has requested that let Department of Telecommunications also issue a similar Order as issued by Department of Posts, vide its No. 100-I/2020-Pension dated 27.07.2020, after consulting DOP&PW and quoting from the Provision in ‘Rule 7.3.2 Role of Pay and Accounts Officer’ in Chapter 7 of the Civil Accounts Manual for the HOD and Pay and Accounts Officer in which the PAOs have been advised that they should in any case not go back to a period earlier than 24 months preceding the date of retirement for raising observations relating to pay fixation etc. as per the guidelines.  View the letter

07.09.2020:

AIBSNLREA DRAWS ATTENTION OF PRIME MINISTER OF INDIA TOWARDS BSNL’S INABILITY TO OVERCOME THE CRISIS THAT IT WAS FACING EVEN AFTER INFUSION OF FUND AND APPARENT FORCED VRS OF OVER 80,000 EMPLOYEES - RAISES THE ISSUE OF DELIBERATE NON-INCLUSION OF THE IMPORTANT SUGGESTION OF IIM, AHMEDABAD ON ORGANIZATIONAL RESTRUCTING OF BSNL IN THE CABINET PROPOSAL:

AIBSNLREA has addressed a letter to Prime Minister of India with copy endorsed to the Group of Ministers on Survival of BSNL/MTNL pointing out that even after infusion of fund and forcing out over 80,000 BSNL employees to leave BSNL on VRS exactly about seven months back, following Cabinet approval of the Plan for revival of Plan in August 2019, there is no sign of its turn around. The Association has submitted that all these are due to a deliberate and clever move by a section of a powerful lobby in DOT/BSNL, which being afraid of losing its grip and monopoly in the affairs of BSNL, excluded a very pertinent and vital suggestion of the IIM Ahmedabad in regard to the issue of managing the affairs in BSNL, from being put up before the Cabinet for approval. The Association quoted the suggestions made by IIM Ahmedabad at Part-D, Para 6.c of its interim ‘Report on Revival/Restructuring of BSNL’ (at page 19) which states that “The Board of Directors should also include professionals who have had experience of running large businesses. The Board should not have only civil servants and academicians as independent Directors who have not been associated with running of business…”. In addition, this Report by IIM, Ahmadabad went on to suggest at Part-D, Para 6.d of its Report that “… the top leader (CMD) should be a professional who has experience of running business rather than a government servant who is appointed on a fixed-tenure by the Government”. But this all-important suggestion by IIM, Ahmedabad was conspicuously absent in the cabinet Note submitted by the DoT and later approved by the Union Cabinet. The Association has expressed the apprehension that exclusion of this vital suggestion by IIM Ahmedabad might be because of the fact that this affects the interests of those who are virtually controlling the affairs in DOT and BSNL. AIBSNLREA has further briefed how the decision once taken to withdraw all deputationists from BSNL by 2023-24 and from MTNL by 2020-21 was foiled by this powerful lobby. The Association has further briefed how the Notified “Recruitment Rules of Management Trainees in BSNL”, first promulgated in 2007 and subsequently modified twice in quick succession, to create its own future ‘Managerial Cadre’ was quietly shelved. AIBSNLREA has made a strong plea to create BSNL’s own Managerial Cadre and withdraw all the deputationists from BSNL. The Association has also pleaded that “if BSNL is really to be revived, Government must act on the suggestion of IIM, Ahmedabad in its Report for inclusion of professionals with experience in running large business in BSNL and also to opt for academicians from top-ranked Indian Management Institutes as Board Members. BSNL needs to have its own Managerial Cadre’.  View the letter

06.09.2020:

E-JOURNAL SEPTEMBER 2020 ISSUE:

September 2020 issue of AIBSNLREA E-journal has been uploaded and is available under the link "E-Journal" in the left column.

04.09.2020:

BSNL ISSUES INSTRUCTIONS TO CIRCLES ON THE ISSUE OF IMMEDIATE SETTLEMENT OF PENDING ISSUES IN RESPECT OF THE EMPLOYEES RETIRED UNDER BSNL VRS-2019:

BSNL, vide its F.No. BSNLCO-EB-I/11(20)/5/2020-ESTAB dated 03.09.2020, has issued instructions to all Circles and other Administrative Heads to complete the assigned task for updation of service particulars like last pay drawn, qualifying service etc in the ERP/SAP as per the details generated by the CCAs in respect of the all the BSNL VRS-2019 retirees latest by 05.09.2020. BSNL has pointed out that non-completion of this activity is delaying finalisation of the Ex-gratia amount, Leave encashment, and calculation of arrears/over-payment and advised them to complete these exercises on top priority before receipt of 4th instalment of Ex-gratia amount from DOT for accurate calculation of Ex-gratia to be paid to the BSNL VRS-2019 retirees.  View the BSNL Order

03.09.2020:

AIBSNLREA TAKES UP THE CASE OF NON-IMPLEMENTATION OF CENTRAL ADMINISTRATIVE TRIBUNAL, JABALPUR ORDER PASSED ON 24.02.2020 QUASHING AND SETTING ASIDE THE PUNISHMENT ORDER AND REJECTION OF APPEAL AGAINST THE PUNISHMENT ORDER OF SHRI S K BHARDWAJ, RETD EXECUTIVE ENGINEER (CIVIL), BHOPAL:

AIBSNLREA has since addressed a letter to Secretary (Telecom) on the above issue wherein request has been made for early implementation of the Central Administrative Tribunal, Jabalpur Bench Order dated 24.02.2020 and early release of consequential benefits in pension and other pensionary benefits including refund of recovered amount from the salary of the affected pensioner. The Association has cited a similar Order passed by Central Administrative Tribunal, Bombay Bench in the case of another retired Executive associated with the same case. A Writ Petition was filed by MTNL in Bombay High Court against the said CAT Order. But the same was dismissed. The affected pensioner in this case received all the benefits which were due following implementation of Court Orders by MTNL.  View the letter

02.09.2020:

KOLHAPUR TELECOM DISTRICT INFORMS THAT ALL AVAILABLE RECORDS REGARDING PAYMENT OF GPF AMOUNT TO SHRI C M UROLOGIN, RETD JTO HAVE BEEN FORWARDED TO CCA, MUMBAI:

AIBSNLREA had taken the above issue and also following it up for quite a long time. The issue also stands registered in the Grievance Redressal System of DOP&PW. The CCA, Maharashtra & Goa had earlier requested Kolhapur Telecom District (Maharashtra Circle), from which the affected Pensioner Shri C M Urologin had retired, to send records regarding GPF deductions available with the SSA. Now, the office Pr. General Manager, Kolhapur has informed that it has already forwarded the available documents to the CCA, Mumbai.  View the PGMTD, Kolhapur letter

01.09.2020:

AIBSNLREA REQUESTS BSNL TO ISSUE INSTRUCTIONS TO THE CIRCLES TO SETTLE ALL LEFT OUT CASES OF FINANCIAL UPGRADATION UNDER EPP/NEPP IN A TIME BOUND MANNER:

AIBSNLREA has welcomed the instructions issued by the Establishment Branch of BSNL Corporate Office to the Circles to complete all the pending cases of financial upgradation under EPP/NEPP to the VRS retirees which were due before their retirement before 31.08.2020 and also for acceptance of its importance as these are having bearing on pension and other terminal benefits. The Association has pointed out that there are many other BSNL retirees whose financial upgradation under EPP/NEPP were due before their retirement. But these are yet to be settled even though several years have passed after their retirement- thus affecting their pension and other benefits. The Association has accordingly requested to cause issue of similar instructions to the Circles to complete all the pending cases for grant of financial upgradation under EPP/NEPP to all the BSNL retirees which were due before their retirement in a time bound manner.  View the letter

31.08.2020:

SWITCHING OVER FROM BSNLMRS TO CGHS BY THE BSNL IDA PENSIONERS– AIBSNLREA RAISES THE PROBLEM FACED BY THE PENSIONERS DURING THE INTERVENING PERIOD BETWEEN SURRENDERING BSNLMRS CARD AND RECEIVING CGHS AUTHORIZATION FOR TREATMENT:

AIBSNLREA, in a letter addressed to CMD, BSNL has pointed out that after surrendering the BSNLMRS Card, the BSNL IDA pensioners are invariably required to go through some set processes till they receive the authorization from CGHS for treatment which takes about 15 days’ time and in some cases even more. Thus, “during the intervening period after surrendering BSNLMRS Card and receiving authorization to get treatment in CGHS, the pensioners are not having with them any authorization either from BSNL or from CGHS to receive treatment. This causes serious problem to the pensioners in cases of emergencies needing hospitalization. Though such cases are not many, but this is a genuine issue which bothers the BSNL IDA pensioners to take a firm decision to switch over to CGHS”. In order to address this genuine problem, the Association has requested that let BSNL resolve this genuine issue which will remove the hesitation that the BSNL IDA pensioners do have in taking a decision to switch over to CGHS. “One of the options in this direction could be that BSNL issue a temporary card to such pensioners surrendering their BSNLMRS Card with validity for say 15 days. The concerned pensioners, while claiming reimbursement of the annual/one-time subscription deposited with the CGHS, will have to invariably surrender this temporary card along with their such claims. Even otherwise, the card would have lost its validity on completion of 15 days”.  View the letter

29.08.2020:

CLARIFICATION BY BSNL ON THE ISSUES RELATED TO ALLOWING OPTION FOR REVISION OF PAY TO THE NON-EXECUTIVES QUALIFIED IN JAO (DEPTL) 2010 BATCH (10%) EXAM AND THEIR PAY FIXATION METHODOLGY:

BSNL, vide its No. BSNLCO-PRII/11(24)/14/2020-PRES1 dated 28.08.2020, has issued a clarification on the matter of allowing option to such non-executives who had qualified JAO (Deptl) (10% quota) exam at par with JAO (Deptl) (40% quota) Batch-2010 from the date of promotion to the grade of JAO and also on the methodology of their pay-fixation. While clarifying that JAO(Deptl) 2010 (10% quota) may be allowed to exercise option for revision of pay from the date of their promotion in JAO grade, regarding the methodology of pay-fixation on exercising options, it has been clarified that it should be ensured that the instructions contained in Non-Executive Wage revision order dated 07.05.2010 is followed along with the instructions contained in BSNL Office Order No. 7-4/2010-SEA-BSNL(Pt.I) dated 24.07.2015. It has further been reiterated that in cases of those who do not exercise option, their pay has first to be fixed on 1.1.2007 in the revised pay scale of Non-Executive Grade. Thereafter, in these cases, on the date of promotion, pay has to be fixed from revised scale of Non-Executive to revised pay scale of the Executives. However, in the cases of those who exercised option for fixation of pay in the revised pay scale from the date of promotion, pay has to be fixed on 1.1.2007 in the existing pre-revised pay scale of Non-Executive Grade. Thereafter, on the date of promotion, pay is to be fixed in pre-revised scale of Executive Grade and then re-fixed in the revised pay scale.  View the BSNL order

27.08.2020:

FACILITY TO STORE ELECTRONIC PPO IN DIGI LOCKER FOR GOVERNMENT CIVIL PENSIONERS:

DOP&PW, in its Office Memorandum vide File No. 55/11/2017-P&PW(C )/E-4513 dated 26.08.2020, has communicated that it has decided to integrate the electronic Pension Payment Oder (e-PPO) generated through Public Financial Management System (PFMS) application of Controller General of Accounts with Digi Locker. The system will enable any pensioner to obtain an instant copy/print-out of the latest copy of the PPO from his Digi Locker account. This facility will be created within ‘Bhavishya’ software. This software will now provide an option to the retiring employees to link their Digi Locker account with their ‘Bhavishya’ account and obtain their e-PPO in a seamless manner.  View the letter

27.08.2020:

GRANT OF SUPERANNUATION PENSION AND RELEASE OF OTHER PENSIONARY BENEFITS TO SHRI D C GUPTA, RETD SDE, (HRMS NO. 198218065) RELIEVED FROM UP (EAST) TELECOM CIRCLE TO JOIN BIHAR TELECOM CIRCLE- AIBSNLREA TAKES UP THE ISSUE:

AIBSNLREA has since requested CMD, BSNL to settle the issue of grant of regular superannuation pension and release of other pensionary benefits to the above-named retiree who could not join his new Circle of posting after being relieved by UP (East) Telecom Circle of 27.09.2019 due to his own chronic ailment of Cirrhosis of liver and other complications and also because of the fact that he was yet to come out of the shock of losing three members of the family one after the other only a couple of years back which caused him bearing additional responsibility in the family. Subsequently, due to Covid-19 pandemic, all train and bus services were ordered to be suspended and he could not travel to join Bihar Telecom Circle. Moreover, he received no response to his numerous representations to cancel the said Transfer order, which was issued just on the eve of his retirement.  View the letter

26.08.2020:

CREATION OF UNNECESSARY HURDLES IN ISSUING e-PPO BY RAISING ILLOGICAL AND INVALID OBJECTIONS BY CCA, VIJAYAWADA AND ALSO ORDERING RECOVERY OF STATED OVERPAYMENT WHICH NEVER TOOK PLACE – CASE OF SHRI J V Y SASTRY, RETD AGM, EAST GODAVARI TD (HR No. 199001703):

AIBSNLREA has taken up the above case in which CCA Vijayawada, keeping aside all the Government Orders/Rules to be observed while verifying service records up to a certain limit on receipt of pension papers of the retirees with reference to the applicable Pension rules and assessment of pensionary benefits, raised untenable objection to the pay-fixation allowed to Shri J V Y Sastry, Retd AGM under FR 22(I)(a)(i) on his regular promotion to SDE from lateral JTO scale as per the then prevailing rules. This fixation was correctly done about 18 years back in the year 2002. But fact also remains that all such pay fixations that took place up to 04.09.2006 were allowed by DOT vide its Order No. 7-1/2000/TA-I KWI/17 dated 09.12.2006. Therefore, the objection raised by the CCA, Vijayawada is totally uncalled for and invalid. Further, CCA Vijayawada also tried to unnecessarily link this pay-fixation with the case of pay-fixation done on vertical promotion by granting additional increment under ‘BSNL Executive Promotion Policy-2004’ by wrongly claiming that the provision of granting additional increment is no more available. But the fact remains that the grant of additional increment on vertical promotion under BSNL EPP-2004 was restored by DOT vide its No. 40-12/2004-Pen(T)(pt) dated 17.05.2018 followed by BSNL No.400-55/2016-Pers.I dated 26.07.2018 following the direction of the Hon’ble Court. Moreover, the case for grant of additional increment under BSNL EPP-2004 has no relevance with the pay-fixation method as was available till 04.09.2006 in respect of BSNL optees who were promoted from JTO Lateral Scale to SDE. The Association has contended that the CCA, Vijayawada has also failed to note that in 2002, when Shri J V Y Sastry, Retd AGM was allowed the pay-fixation benefit, the ‘BSNL Executive Promotion Policy-2004’ was not at all in existence. AIBSNLREA has, thus, requested Secretary (Telecom) to cause issue of appropriate advice to the CCA, Vijayawada to stop raising unnecessary objections and to withdraw its orders for recovery of non-existent overpayment and ensuring immediate issue of e-PPO to Shri J V Y Sastry, Retd AGM.  View the letter

24.08.2020:

RELEASE OF LEAVE ENCAHMENT TO SHRI B M NYAMATI, RETD CHIEF ACCOUNTS OFFICER, BANGALURU TELECOM DISTRICT- AIBSNLREA TAKES UP THE ISSUE WITH CGMT, KARNATAKA TELECOM CIRCLE:

AIBSNLREA has taken up the case for release of leave encashment to Shri B M Nyamati, Retd CAO, BGTD who retired under BSNL VRS-2019 on 31.01.2020 but was served incomplete charge-sheet on the previous Day of his retirement. Quoting from the Orders issued by BSNL Corporate Office, AIBSNLREA has maintained in its letter that since the recoverable amount as per the charge-sheet is far below the other dues payable to him on account of his Gratuity and Ex-Gratia, which are also withheld, there is no reason to deny release of the leave encashment to him. The Association has accordingly requested for early release of leave encashment to Shri B M Nyamati, Retd CAO.  View the letter

23.08.2020:

NEW BRANCH OF AIBSNLREA FORMED AT AGRA:

A new Branch of AIBSNLREA has been formed at Agra in Uttar Pradesh, even during the Covid-19 pandemic period, with 12 new Life Members. Entire credit in formation of the Branch goes to Shri Ajay Kumar Dubey, Retd AGM, Agra (Mob No. 9412724400). We welcome all the new members in AIBSNLREA.

22.08.2020:

WEBINAR ON ‘COVID-19 – INFECTION, PREVENTION AND HOME-CARE STRATEGIES:

Chennai Branch of AIBSNLREA, in association with Gleneagles Global Heath City, is organizing a Webinar on “Covid-19 - Infection, Prevention and Home-Care” from 11 AM to 12 PM on 26.08.2020. Members and others interested to join in the said webinar may contact Shri L Sundararaman, Secretary, AIBSNLREA, Chennai Branch on his Mobile Number 09445066061 for further details.

21.08.2020:

AIBSNLREA WRITES TO CMD, BSNL REQUESTING TO DROP AN INCOMPLETE CHARGE-SHEET WITHOUT DOCUMENTS LISTED IN ANNEXURES SERVED TO SHRI B M NYAMATI, RETD CAO, BANGALURU TELECOM DISTRICT JUST A DAY BEFORE HIS RETIREMENT:

AIBSNLREA has taken up the case of issue of an incomplete charge-sheet without documents listed in the Annexures on an incident allegedly to have taken place some long 13 years back and hurriedly serve it to Shri B M Nyamati, Retd CAO, Bangaluru Telecom District just a day earlier to the date of his retirement which has caused deprival of his legitimate pension and other pensionary benefits to him. The incident is stated to have taken place in Mehsana Telecom District of Gujarat Telecom Circle when Shri Nyamati was working there as Accounts Officer (Cash). It seems that Karnataka Telecom Circle was in a hurry to get the charge sheet served to him, though they could not complete it despite having long years with them to finalize it, with the apparent intention of just to cover up its own lapses and complete the formality. But it has in the long run made the pensioner to suffer since his regular pension and other pensionary benefits are now held up for an indefinite period. Though the charges made against him for his alleged inaction in carrying out his assigned duties seem to be unconvincing, the Association did not go into its merits. But it pleaded that no retiring/retired employee should be penalized by depriving him/her of his/her legitimate pension and pensionary benefits by framing a Charge-sheet for an alleged incident said to have taken place some long 13 years back to cover up some lapses on the part of the administration itself and finally serve an incomplete charge-sheet to him/her just a day before his/her retirement. Accordingly, the Association has requested that the said charge sheet served to Shri B M Nyamati, Retd CAO, Bangaluru TD just on the earlier day of his retirement be dropped.  View the letter

20.08.2020:

REVISION OF IDA W.E.F. 1.7.2020:

DPE has issued orders revising IDA w.e.f 1.7.2020 from 160.7% to 159.9% for CPSEs where last pay revision was implemented w.e.f. 1.1.2007.  View orders

20.08.2020:

REVISION OF IDA W.E.F. 1.7.2020:

DPE has issued orders revising IDA w.e.f 1.7.2020 from 340.2% to 338.8.2% for CPSEs where last pay revision was implemented w.e.f. 1.1.1997.  View orders

20.08.2020:

AIBSNLREA ADDRESSES GM (CO-ORDINATION), BSNL TO INTIMATE THE SUBJECT MATTERS OF THE REGISTERED GRIEVANCES AND THEIR DISPOSAL/STATUS FOR WHICH DOCKET NUMBERS ARE INTIMATED BY BSNL PG CELL:

AIBSNLREA has addressed a letter to General Manager (Co-ordination) of BSNL Corporate Office that since July 1st, 2020, the Association has started receiving messages in its e-mail id from one “BSNL Public Grievance Redressal Management System” intimating registration of grievances sent through e-mail to various authorities in Corporate Office and also giving docket Numbers with the assuance that “our Service representative will address the issue soon”. But the Association is never in know of the subject matter or the reference number for the registered grievances. Even their disposal/status are ever known. Furnishing a list of 13 such cases, the Association has requested GM(Co-ordination) to intimate the subject matters of the grievances and their disposal/status which were registered under each of those Docket Nos.  View the letter

18.08.2020:

BSNL ISSUES INSTRUCTIONS TO CIRCLES TO COMPLETE, AS A ONE-TIME MEASURE, ALL THE PENDING TIME BOUND FINANCIAL UPGRADATION CASES UNDER EPP/NEPP CASES OF THE BSNL VRS-19 RETIREES BY 30TH AUGUST, 2020:

BSNL Corporate Office, vide its No. BSNLCO-A/11(11)/8/2020-ESTAB dated 18.08.2020, has issued instructions to all Circles to complete, as a one-time measure, all the pending cases of Time Bound Finance Upgradation under EPP/NEPP of the BSNL VRS-2019 retirees, which were due before their retirement, by 30th August, 2020 positively. The Circles will also be required to furnish a certificate signed by CGM, GM(HR) and IFA that all such cases have been completed. Any case of time bound financial upgradation of the VRS retirees being reported later on will be viewed seriously. BSNL has taken this step since financial upgradation has a bearing on payment of Ex-gratia being funded by the Government and also on pension and other terminal benefits.  View the BSNL order

18.08.2020:

AIBSNLREA WRITES TO SECRETARY (TELECOM) ON THE SURPRISING AND UNPRECEDENTED MOVE OF BSNL CORPORATE OFFICE VIRTUALLY FORCING UP(WEST) TELECOM CIRCLE TO CANCEL ITS ORDER ISSUED TO CONDONE THE ADMINISTRATIVE DELAY IN BETWEEN COMPLETION OF PRE-APPOINTMENT TRAINING AND REGULAR APPOINTMENT FOR THE PURPOSE OF COUNTING TRAINING PERIOD FOR PENSION – TAKES UP THE CASE OF SHRI A K DUBEY, RETD AGM, AGRA TD:

In a letter addressed to Secretary (Telecom), AIBSNLREA has drawn his attention to a surprising and unprecedented move of BSNL Corporate Office, vide its No. 252-02/2020/Estt-III dated 19.02.2020, which virtually forced UP(West) Telecom Circle, vide its No. UPW/BSNL/HR-I/6-013/Staff-2017/V/39 dated 28.02.2020, to withdraw its earlier Order No. UPW/BSNL/HR-I/6-013/Staff-2017/V/27 dated 08.01.2020 condoning the administrative delay for the intervening period between completion of pre-appointment training and date of appointment, as permitted under DoT No 36-14/88-NB/T/Pen dated 25.06.1990, for the purpose of pension to Shri A.K. Dubey, Retd AGM, AGRA TD. Shri A K Dubey was initially recruited as ASTT against outsider’s quota by Rajasthan Circle and sent for training at TTC Jabalpur for a total of 39 weeks which includes 4 weeks field training. However, no appointment letter could be issued on completion of training as there was no vacancy in the Circle. He later accepted an offer to join UP Circle against a vacancy and was posted at Agra CTO after a gap of almost three years. The Association has contended that the Telecom Circles, being the recruiting and appointing authority for all Group C and D Officials, are competent to condone such delays taking place purely due to administrative reasons in issuing appointment letters, after their pre-appointment training, to such officials in terms of DOT No. 36-14/88-NBT-NB/T/Pen dated 25.06.1990. As such, UP (West) Telecom Circle did no wrong in condoning the administrative delay in between completion of pre-appointment training and date of appointment to Shri A K Dubey, who last worked as AGM in Agra Telecom District of UP(West) Circle and now retired on 31.01.2020 under BSNL VRS-2019. The Association has requested Secretary (T) to advise BSNL Corporate Office to allow UP(West) Circle to issue Orders for condonation of the administrative delay in issuing appointment letter after completion of pre-appointment training, as per DoT Oder No. 36-14/88-NB/T/Pen dated 25.06.1990, to Shri A K Dubey, Retd AGM, Agra TD. The Order already issued on the subject by UP (West) Circle may be restored.  View the letter

17.08.2020:

CASES OF HUGE UNJUST RECOVERIES FROM THE RETIREMENT BENEFITS OF SMT DIPANWITA ROY CHOWDHURY, RETD SDE(L/A), S/SHRI DEBOJIT GHOSH, RETD SDE (L/A) AND APURBA JANA, RETD JTO BY CALCUTTA TELEPHONES WHICH CAUSED UNDUE HARASSMENT AND MENTAL TORTURE TO THEM AS A RESULT OF WRONG EXECUTION OF BSNL CORPORATE OFFICE ORDER NO. 3-32/2013/Estt.IV DATED 22.12.2015 AND REVISING THEIR PAY-FIXATION EVEN THOUGH THEY ARE NOT COVERED UNDER THE SAID ORDER:

AIBSNLREA has addressed separate letters to CMD, BSNL and others requesting to re-examine the above cases and refund the amount which were unduly recovered from the retirement benefits granted to the affected pensioners on their retirement under BSNL VRS-2019. The grounds advanced to defend the cases are the same as mentioned in some other cases which were earlier taken up by the Association [View postings dated 11.08.2020, 13.08.2020 and 14.08.2020 in this website].  View the letter for Smt.Dipanwita Roy Chowdhury    View the letter for Shri Debojit Ghosh    View the letter for Shri Apurba Jana

15.08.2020:

EAST GODAVARI BRANCH OF AIBSNLREA SHOWS THE WAY– ADDS FIFTY MORE NEW LIFE MEMBERS EVEN DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC:

When life all around has almost come to a grinding halt due to Covid-19 pandemic, East Godavari Branch (AP State) of AIBSNLREA has continued its efforts to increase the Life Membership of the Association. It has added fifty new life members and sent the updated list of life members and also deposited the quota. The membership of the Branch has now reached 284. Other Branches of the Association need to emulate this Branch and find ways to enrol new life-members even without breaking any of the advisories issued by the Government to keep coronavirus at bay.

14.08.2020:

AIBSNLREA TAKES UP THE CASES OF S/SHRI NILANJAN SINHA, RETD JTO AND SANJIB DOLUI, RETD SDE (L/A), CALCUTTA TELEPHONES SEPARATETLY WITH CMD, BSNL AND OTHERS REGARDING UNDUE HARASSMENT AND MENTAL TORTURE CAUSED BY WRONG EXECUTION OF BSNL CORPORATE OFFICE ORDER NO. 3-32/2013/Estt.IV DATED 22.12.2015 AND REVISING THEIR PAY-FIXATION LEADING TO HUGE RECOVERIES EVEN THOUGH THEY ARE NOT COVERED UNDER THE SAID ORDER:

AIBSNLREA has now taken up the above cases with CMD, BSNL and others requesting to re-examine the matter and refund the amount which were unduly recovered from the retirement benefits granted to S/Shri Nilanjan Sinha, Retd JTO and Sanjib Dolui, Retd SDE (L/A) of Calcutta Telephones on their retirement under BSNL VRS-2019. The grounds advanced to defend the cases are the same as mentioned in the other cases which were earlier taken up by the Association [View postings dated 11.08.2020 and 13.08.2020 in this website].  View the letter for Shri Nilanjan Sinha    View the letter for Shri Sanjib Dolui

13.08.2020:

CONDONATION OF GAP BETWEEN DATE OF COMPLETION OF PRE-APPOINTMENT TRAINING AND DATE OF ISSUE OF APPOINTMENT LETTER – AIBSNLREA REQUESTS SUPPLY IOF GUIDELINES/ORDERS:

As per Rule 22(1) of CCS (Pension) Rules, 1972, pre-appointment training period followed by regular appointment for the job counts as qualifying service for pension, provided there is no gap between the date of completion of training and the date of appointment. But there are many instances when the appointment letters are issued very late due to various administrative reasons like non-availability of immediate vacancies etc. In such cases, the employees are being denied the intended benefit for no faults of theirs. In this regard, AIBSNLREA has requested DOP&PW to supply available Orders/guidelines in the matter of condoning break in such cases and also uploading the same in the website of DOP&PW.  View the letter

13.08.2020:

AIBSNLREA ADDRESSES CMD, BSNL AND OTHERS REGARDING THE UNDUE HARASSMENT AND MENTAL TORTURE CAUSED BY WRONG EXECUTION OF BSNL CORPORATE OFFICE ORDER NO. 3-32/2013/Estt.IV DATED 22.12.2015 AND REVISING THE PAY-FIXATION ON THE EXECUTIVES WHO ARE NOT COVERED UNDER THE ORDER LEADING TO HUGE RECOVERIES– TAKES UP THE CASE OF SMT GITA DAS, RETD JTO, CALCUTTA TELEPHONES:

AIBSNLREA has taken up the above case with CMD, BSNL and others requesting to re-examine the matter and refund the amount which was unduly recovered from the retirement benefits granted to Smt Gita Das, Retd JTO, Calcutta Telephones on her retirement under BSNL VRS-2019. The grounds advanced to defend the case are the same as mentioned in the other cases which have been taken up by the Association.  View the letter

13.08.2020:

AIBSNLREA WRITES TO CMD, BSNL AND OTHERS REGARDING THE UNDUE HARASSMENT AND MENTAL TORTURE CAUSED BY WRONG EXECUTION OF BSNL CORPORATE OFFICE ORDER NO. 3-32/2013/Estt.IV DATED 22.12.2015 AND REVISING THE PAY-FIXATION OF THE EXECUTIVES NOT COVERED UNDER THE ORDER LEADING TO HUGE RECOVERIES– CASE OF SHRI SURESH ROY, RETD SDE (L/A), CALCUTTA TELEPHONES:

AIBSNLREA has now taken up the above case with CMD, BSNL and others requesting to re-examine the matter and refund the amount which was unduly recovered from the retirement benefits granted to Shri Suresh Roy, Retd SDE(L/A), Calcutta Telephones on his retirement under BSNL VRS-2019. The grounds advanced to defend the case are the same as mentioned in the other case which was taken up by the Association [View posting dated 11.08.2020 in this website].  View the letter

12.08.2020:

RETENTION OF STAFF QUARTERS BY BSNL VRS-2019 AND OTHER RETIREES OF BSNL- AIBSNLREA REQUEST TO ALLOW RETENTION OF STAFF QUARTERS FOR FURTHER FEW MONTHS:

With reference to the BSNL Order No. 482-11/2019-BG/Vol.II dated 26.02.2020, which stated that Rules for retention of staff quarters for the VRS-2019 retirees for the normal period of eight months will be the same as for the BSNL retirees except that for the VRS-2019 optees, the requirement for submission of certificate for educational/ medical ground may be dispensed with, AIBSNLREA has requested Director (HR) to allow retention of staff-quarters for some more months beyond 30.09.2020 since some of them are finding difficulties to vacate staff quarters in view final examination of their wards in March 2021 and as also the House owners are showing their reluctance to let out their house/flat on rent in view of Covid-19 pandemic.  View the letter

11.08.2020:

AIBSNLREA WRITES TO CMD, BSNL AND OTHERS REGARDING THE UNDUE HARASSMENT AND MENTAL TORTURE CAUSED BY WRONG EXECUTION OF BSNL CORPORATE OFFICE ORDER NO. 5-32/2013/Estt.IV DATED 22.12.2015 AND REVISING THE PAY-FIXATION OF THE EXECUTIVES NOT COVERED UNDER THE ORDER LEADING TO HUGE RECOVERIES– CITES THE CASE OF SHRI BISWANATH DAS, RETD SDE (L/A), CALCUTTA TELEPHONES:

AIBSNLREA has since taken up the above case with CMD, BSNL and others requesting to re-examine the matter and refund of the amount which was unduly recovered from his retirement benefits granted on his retirement under BSNL VRS-2019. The Association has contended that since Shri Biswanath Das was promoted on regular basis from the cadre of TTA to JTO in the year 2008 as per the old “Recruitment Rules of Junior Telecom Officer (Telecom)- 2001” since superseded, the BSNL Corporate Office Order No. 5-32/2013/Estt.IV dated 22.12.2015 for fixation of pay, which is meant for the Officiating JTOs promoted as per revised “Recruitment Rules of Junior Telecom Officer (Telecom-2014”, is not applicable to him. The said Order clearly mentions about reversion of officiating JTOs under “new scheme and syllabus” and not about those under old scheme and syllabus. The Association has also pointed out that Shri Biswanath Das, who was a TTA as on 1.1.2007, had opted for the option offered vide Para 3.6 of BSNL Corporate Office Order No. 1-16/2010-PAT(BSNL) dated 07.05.2010, circulating Revision of Pay Scales of Non-Executive Employees of BSNL w.e.f. 01.01.2007, to defer his revision of pay from the date of his promotion after 01.01.2007. This option, as offered at Para 3.6 of BSNL Corporate Office Order dated 07.05.2010, has neither been withdrawn/modified nor superseded at any point of time. Therefore, the action of Calcutta Telephones to apply a non-applicable Order of BSNL on Shri Biswanath Das and thus revising and re-fixing his pay is completely irregular, improper and negates the option that was offered by BSNL to postpone his pay fixation in the revised pay scale as a non-executive at that point of time.  View the letter

11.08.2020:

ABNORMAL DELAY IN RELEASE OF FINAL SUPERANNUATION ORDER AND REGULAR SUPERANNUATION PENSION, DCRG, COMMUTED VALUE OF PENSION, LEAVE ENCASHMENT EVEN AFTER CONCLUSION OF JUDICIAL PROCEEDINGS ON 25.08.2018- AIBSNLREA TAKES UP THE CASE OF SHRI M MATHURAMANI, RETD SR ACCOUNTS OFFICER, CHENNAI TELEPHONES:

AIBSNLREA has since addressed a letter to CMD, BSNL with copies endorsed to all others requesting to expedite issue of final superannuation order on attaining age of superannuation on 31.07.2014, release of final superannuation pension, DCRG, grant of Commuted Value of Pension and leave encashment to Shri M Mathuramani, Sr Accounts Officer, Chennai Telephones who retired from service on 31.07.2014. This pensioner was earlier working in Gulbarga Telecom District of Karnataka Telecom Circle. While working in Gulbarga Telecom District, a CBI case was filed against him and some others vide Case No. CBI 11/2013 in the Court of III Addl. District & Session Judge (Special Judge for Lokayukt & CBI Cases) at Dharwad. But the Court acquitted all the accused including Shri M Mathuramani, Retd Sr Accounts Officer on 25.10.2018. There is no stay on this judgment and the Appeal filed by CBI in higher Court against the judgment is yet to be admitted. In view of the advice from DOP&PW to the effect that “if a pensioner is acquitted by a Trial Court, notwithstanding the appeal filed against this acquittal, the fact remains that with the acquittal, the judicial proceedings should be considered to be concluded in accordance with the rules ibid, and Department may take action and issue orders accordingly” as conveyed by BSNL vide its No. 49-7/2018-Pen (B) dated 30.12.2019 and that BSNL Corporate Office, vide its No. BSNLCO-PRII/11(12)/1/2020-PERS-II dated 21.07.2020, already having settled the case of Shri S.B.Mohare, Retd AO, Gulbarga Telecom District, who was a co-accused in the same Court case, the Association has pleaded to settle the case of Shri M Mathuramani, Retd Sr Accounts Officer, Chennai Telephones at the earliest.  View the letter

10.08.2020:

AIBSNLREA WRITES TO PRIME MINISTER OF INDIA AGAINST DOT’S REFUSAL TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE ARISING OUT OF DISALLOWING ONE ADDITIONAL INCREMENT GRANTED ON POST BASED PROMOTION TO THE EXECUTIVES RETIRED BETWEEN JULY 2017 AND APRIL 2018 WHILE REFIXING THEIR PENSION:

Since the Grievance lodged in PGPORTAL by PMO vide Docket No. PMOPG/D/2020/0068931 based on an earlier representation from AIBSNLREA to the Prime Minister of India regarding removal of discrimination meted out to the Executives, who retired between July 2017 and April 2018, in the matter of disallowing one additional increment granted to them on their post based promotion while refixing their pension, the Association has taken again up the issue. The Grievance Docket was closed with the remarks that “The case has been examined through the DDG(Estt) wing of DOT. They intimated that…… This is related with a suggested change in policy and not covered within the framework of extant rules/guidelines. Further, the matter is sub-judice. Accordingly, the case may be closed”. The Association has contested each and every point in the report of DDG(Estt), DOT and pointed out that it has not suggested for any change in the policy and had requested only to grant the benefit of additional increment on post-based promotion as already provided in the BSNL Executive Promotion Policy 2004 to the executives who retired between July 2017 and April 2018. The Association has affirmed that its request is just within the framework of extant rules/guidelines, since the Association has restricted it’s just prayer within the framework of the available BSNL Executive Promotion Policy-2004 and not outside its purview. The Association has also contended that since Principal Bench of CAT had already given its verdict restoring the additional increment, which was earlier rescinded by a DOT Order, and the DOT having implemented the said CAT Order, the question of the matter being subjudice does not arise. The Association has finally urged to re-examine the issue in the light of the submission of facts and records in the case by the Association and to restore the additional increment granted earlier to the Executives who retired between July 2017 and April 2018 and refix their pension accordingly.  View the letter

08.08.2020:

BSNL ISSUES ORDERS INSTRUCTING THE CIRCLES FOR ACTIONS TO SETTLE PENDING ISSUES OF THE RETIREES UNDER BSNL VRS-2019 :

BSNL, vide its F.No. BSNLCO-EB.I/11(20)/5/2020-ESTAB dated 06.08.20209, has advised all its Circles for taking actions to immediately settle the pending issues concerning the VRS-retirees. The Order contains certain specific areas in which actions are to be taken on priority. These include where copies of PO not traceable/issued, pension papers on SAMPANN portal not submitted, pending caste certificates, pending recoveries etc.  View the BSNL order

07.08.2020:

AIBSNLREA TAKES UP WITH CGMT, KARNATAKA REGARDING ISSUE OF ORDERS GRANTING SUBSEQUENT TIME BOUND UPGRADATION OF IDA PAY SCALE FROM E-4 TO E-5 UNDER THE BSNL TIME BOUND PROMOTION SCHEME FOR THE EXECUTIVES TO SHRI SHRIKANT B MOHARE, RETD ACCOUNTS OFFICER, GULBARGA:

AIBSNLREA has sought the personal intervention of the CGMT, Karnataka Telecom Circle in the above case, since no order has yet been issued by Karnataka Circle granting subsequent Time Bound Upgradation of IDA pay scale from E-4 to E-5 (Rs. 29100-54500 to Rs 32900-58000) to Shri Shrikant B Mohare, Retd AO, Gulbarga Telecom District who retired from service on 31.05.2016. The Association has mentioned that Shri Shrikant B Mohare, Retd AO is still facing acute financial constraints and mental harassment, since most of his retiral benefits are yet to be settled even after his acquittal of charges along with all other accused in the Court case in the Court of III Additional District & Sessions Judge and Special Judge for Lokayukt & CBI, Dharwad as back as on 25.10.2018. The Association has, accordingly, requested CGMT, Karnataka to cause issue of an early order granting subsequent Time Bound Upgradation of IDA Scale from E-3 to E-4 (Rs. 29100-54500 to Rs 32900-58000) to Shri Shrikant B Mohare, Retd Accounts Officer, Gulbarga Telecom District.  View the letter

07.08.2020:

GRANT OF THIRD AND FOURTH TIME BOUND UPGRADATION OF IDA PAY SCALES FROM E-4 TO E-5 AND E-5 TO E-6 IDA PAY SCALES UNDER TIME BOUND PROMOTION SCHEME FOR THE EXECUTIVES- AIBSNLREA TAKES UP THE CASES OF SHRI GURAPPA S HUGAR, RETD AO(L/A), GULBARGA TELECOM DISTRICT WITH CGMT, KARNATAKA TELECOM CIRCLE:

AIBSNLREA has addressed a letter to the Chief General Telecom, Karnataka Telecom Circle requesting his personal intervention in the above cases and early release of the Orders granting two consecutive subsequent upgradations from E-4 to E-5 and E-5 to E-6 IDA Pay scales under the Time Bound Promotion Scheme to Shri Gurappa S Hugar, Retd AO(L/A), Gulbarga TD who retired under BSNL VRS-19 on 31.01.2020. The Association has mentioned that it is understood that the matter is already under consideration in the Circle Office, but doubts are being raised about application of the condition for online examination after issue of orders granting the benefits in case of the retirees. The Association has referred to the clarification already issued on this point by BSNL Corporate Office vide its No 400-29/2007-Pers.I dated 30.05.2007 exempting the executives from this condition who have already retired or are retiring within a period of two years from the date of issuance of time bound IDA scale upgradation Order. The Association has further pointing out that the Karnataka Circle itself in its Order No. FA/Staff/1-48/TBPP/Vol.VII/15 dated 30.01.2020 granting Time Bound Upgradation from Rs. 24900-50500 to Rs. 29100-54500 i.e. E-3 to E-4 to Shri Gurappa S Hugar, Retd AO(L/A) itself has clearly mentioned about the exemption available to the retirees about online examination. The Association has finally requested to issue the Orders granting two long pending consecutive subsequent upgadation of IDA pay scales to Shri Gurappa S Hugar, Retd AO (L/A), Gulbarga immediately.  View the letter

06.08.2020:

E-JOURNAL AUGUST 2020 ISSUE:

August 2020 issue of AIBSNLREA E-journal has been uploaded and is available under the link "E-Journal" in the left column.

06.08.2020:

NON-RELEASE OF LEAVE ENCASHMENT, EVEN AFTER CONCLUSION OF JUDICAL PROCEEDINGS, TO SHRI I. S. NAVALI, RETD SR SDE, GULBARGA TELECOM DISTRICT OF KARNATAKA TELECOM CIRCLE- AIBSNLREA TAKES UP THE CASE WITH CGMT, KARNATAKA TELECOM CIRCLE:

AIBSNLREA has since taken up the above case with CGMT, Karnataka Telecom Circle requesting to cause issue of Orders for immediate release of Leave encashment to Shri I S Navali, Retd Sr SDE of Gulbarga Telecom District who was also acquitted of the charges along with all others by the Court of III Addl. District & Sessions Judge at Dharwad on 25.10.2018. The Association has pointed out that Karnataka Telecom Circle has already released leave encashment to other the co-accused who have already retired, but no Order has so far been issued by the Circle to release leave encashment for Shri I S Navali, Retd Sr. SDE who retired on 31.05.2012.  View the letter

05.08.2020:

AIBSNLREA TAKES UP THE CASE FOR GRANT OF SECOND FINANCIAL UPGRADATION FROM E-3 TO E-4 IDA SCALE TO SHRI IRAPPA SOMANNA NAVALI, RETD SR SDE, GULBARGA TELECOM DISTRICT OF KARNATAKA TELECOM CIRCLE:

AIBSNLREA has addressed a letter to CGMT, Karnataka Telecom Circle requesting to expedite issue of Orders granting Second Time Bound Financial upgradation in E-4 IDA Scale to Shri Irappa Somanna Navali, Retd Sr SDE, Gulbarga Telecom District. The Association has pointed out that Shri I S Navali, Retd Sr SDE was due to receive his second financial upgradation in E-4 IDA pay scale w.e.f. 1.10.2009. But his name was not included in the list of Executives granted the benefit vide KTK Circle Office No. Staff/3-2/TBP(Ssq.UG)/2009 dated 18.02.2010, since a Court case was pending against him and some others. As the Trial Court in its judgment in this case delivered on 25.10.20218 acquitted him and all other accused of the charges and also due to the fact that there is no stay on this judgment and even the Appeal filed against the judgment in higher Court is not yet admitted, Shri I S Navali, Retd Sr SDE is now eligible to be granted the benefit.  View the letter

04.08.2020:

GRANT OF REGULAR PROMOTION AS ACCOUNTS OFFICER ON ACQUITTAL OF CHARGES BY THE COURT - AIBSNLREA TAKES UP THE CASE OF SHRI GURAPPA S HUGAR, RETD ACCOUNTS OFFICER(L/A), GULBARGA TELECOM DISTRICT:

AIBSNLREA has since addressed a letter to CMD, BSNL with copy endorsed to others regarding grant of regular promotion as Accounts Officer to Shri Gurappa S Hugar, Retd AO(L/A), Gulbarga Telecom District of Karnataka Telecom Circle who was acquitted of the charges by the Court of 3rd Additional Sessions Judge and Special Judge for Lokayukt & CBI, Dharwad on 25.10.2018. The Association has pleaded that since there is no stay on the judgment by higher Court and even the Appeal filed by CBI has not yet been admitted, Shri G S Hugar, Retd AO(L/A) is eligible to be considered for his regular promotion as per provisions in DOP&T OM F.No.11012/6/2016-Estt.A-III dated 19.01.2017. As the case of Shri G S Hugar, Retd AO(L/A) for regular promotion was considered by a DPC in 2008, but the finding was kept in sealed cover because of pendency of the Court case, the Association has now requested to open the sealed cover and issue Orders for his regular promotion.  View the letter

03.08.2020:

AIBSNLREA TAKES UP THE CASE FOR ISSUE OF FINAL SUPERANNUATION PENSION, RELEASE OF DCRG AND GRANT OF CVP TO SHRI G P BIRADAR, RETD DE, BANGALORE TELECOM DISTRICT ON COMPLETION OF JUDICIAL PROCEEDINGS AFTER HIS ACQUITAL IN A COURT CASE:

AIBSNLREA has taken up the case for issue of final superannuation pension, release of DCRG and grant of Commuted Value of Pension to Shri G P Biradar, Retd DE, Bangalore Telecom District who retired from service on 31.12.2010 and was acquitted of the charges along with others in a CBI Case by the designated Trial Court on 25.10.2018. Since Shri Biradar, Retd DE has not yet been granted his superannuation pension and other pensionary benefits even after one and half years of his acquittal of the charges by the Court, AIBSNLREA has requested CMD, BSNL to intervene in the matter and cause issue of orders for his final retirement on attaining his age of superannuation w.e.f. 31.12.2010 and also advising Karnataka Telecom Circle for immediate release of his retirement benefits and pension which are overdue. The Association has also mentioned that this case is similar to the case of another such pensioner Shri S B Mohare, Retd AO, Karnataka Circle who was also an accused in the same case but was acquitted of the charges and for whom BSNL Corporate Office, vide is No. BSNL-CO-PRII/11(12)/1/2020-PERS-II dated 21.07.2020, has already issued Orders allowing him to retire and receive all pensionary benefits.  View the letter

03.08.2020:

AIBSNLREA LODGES ITS STRONG PROTEST AGAINST THE FAILURE OF THE GOVERNMENT TO PROTECT THE BSNL IDA PENSIONERS FROM BEING HARASSED, MENTALLY TORTURED AND DISCRIMINATED AGAINST BY THE BSNL MANAGEMENT IN THE MATTER OF REIMBURSEMENT OF THEIR MEDICAL CLAIMS:

Following non-reimbursement of medical claims of the BSNL IDA pensioners pending over more than one year, but reimbursing the same to the serving employees, AIBSNLREA has addressed a letter to Prime Minister of India to lodge its strong protest “against failure of the Government to protect the hapless BSNL IDA pensioners from being harassed, mentally tortured and discriminated against by the BSNL Management in the matter of reimbursement of their Medical Claims despite our repeatedly taking up the issue regarding non-reimbursement of medical claims of the BSNL IDA pensioners for over last one year, false claims made by BSNL in Form-26 AS page of Income Tax Department of having credited some amount, drastic cuts imposed on the ceiling limits of BSNL IDA pensioners and above all the discriminatory decision of BSNL Management to reimburse the medical claims only of the serving employees and not the retired employees”. The Association went on to say that “It is really a matter of great regret that our several representations drawing the attention of all in power including Hon’ble Prime Minister of India about the high handed attitude of BSNL Management, just remained registered in some Grievance Registration Dockets as cited above and then transferred to BSNL as a matter of routine and the BSNL Management happily keeping them unattended and unaddressed. This clearly establishes that the much-publicized Grievance Redressal Mechanism of the Government in respect of the pensioners has become totally ineffective and redundant”. The Association has termed the action of BSNL Management to reimburse the medical claims only of the serving employees and not of the retired employees as blatant misuse of power and authority and discriminatory action that too against the retired employees which is unheard of. The Association has finally requested that “let the BSNL Management be directed to immediately reimburse all the pending medical claims of the BSNL IDA pensioners, since it has already reimbursed the claims of the serving employees and also redress other pending grievances related to Medical Claims of the retired BSNL Employees”.  View the letter

29.07.2020:

NON-SETTLEMENT OF CASES FOR ISSUE OF FINAL SUPERANNUATION PENSION, RELEASE OF LEAVE ENCASHMENT, DCRG AND GRANT OF CVP TO SHRI I S NAVALI, RETD SR. SDE, KARNATAKA CIRCLE EVEN AFTER COMPLETION OF JUDICIAL PROCEEDINGS FOLLOWING HIS ACQUITAL IN A COURT CASE- AIBSNLREA TAKES UP THE ISSUE:

AIBSNLREA has since taken up with CMD, BSNL and others, the cases for issue of final superannuation pension, release of leave encashment, DCRG and grant of Commuted Value of Pension to Shri I S Navali, Retd Sr SDE, Karnataka Telecom Circle who retired from service on 31.05.2012 and was facing a CBI Case in the designated Court at Dharwad. He was acquitted of all the charges, along with other accused, by the Court on 25.10.2018. Since the pensioner is yet to receive his superannuation pension and other pensionary benefits even after long one and half years of his acquittal of the charges by the Court, the Association has requested CMD, BSNL to issue orders for his final retirement on attaining his age of superannuation w.e.f. 31.05.2012 and advising Karnataka Telecom Circle for immediate release of his retirement benefits and pension which are overdue. The Association has also pointed out that this case is similar to the case of another such pensioner Shri S B Mohare, Retd AO, Karnataka Circle who was also an accused in the same case but was acquitted of charges and for whom BSNL Corporate Office, vide is No. BSNL-CO-PRII/11(12)/1/2020-PERS-II dated 21.07.2020, has already issued Orders allowing him to retire and receive all pensionary benefits.  View the letter

27.07.2020:

AIBSNLREA WRITES TO PRIME MINISTER OF INDIA ON THE ISSUE OF EXTENDING CONSEQUENTIAL BENEFITS OF PAY FIXATION INCLUDING THE PENSIONARY BENEFITS W.E.F. 01.01.2018 TO ALL EX-TES GROUP B OFFICERS PROMOTED BY DOT IN TERMS OF SUPREME COURT JUDGEMENT IN CA No(s) 4389 of 2010 DELIVERED ON 14.12.2017:

AIBSNLREA has since addressed a letter to the Prime Minister of India with copy endorsed to others requesting his intervention so that Department of Telecommunications issue orders to extend “all benefits including promotion with effect from the date when the junior was promoted with all monetary benefits and service status” and the “consequential benefits of pay-fixation including the pensionary benefits” w.e.f. 01.01.2018, as was ordered by Hon’ble Supreme Court in its judgment dated 14.12.2017 in CA No.(s) 4389 of 2010, to the TES Group B Officers who were promoted by DOT and retired subsequently.  View the letter

25.07.2020:

DOT ORDERS SPECIAL MEASURES FOR THE PENSIONERS WHOSE LIFE CERTIFICATE EXPIRED IN JUNE 2020 AND ALSO FOR THOSE WHOSE LIFE CERTIFICATE EXPIRES IN JULY 2020- ALLOWS SUBMISSION OF LIFE CERTIFICATE LATEST BY 30TH SEPTEMBER 2020:

DOT has issued an order, vide its No. 47-15/TA-II/CPMS/20158/Part-I/2050-86 dated 23.07.2020, conveying special measures for the pensioners, whose Life Certificate expired in June 2020 and also for those whose Life Certificate is expiring in July 2020, who could not submit their Life Certificate due to Covid-19 pandemic. Now, these pensioners will have to submit their Life Certificate before 30th September 2020 failing which their pension after August 2020 will be stopped. Though, it is not clarified in the Order, it seems that this Order is in respect of those pensioners who receive their pension through CPMS.  View the DOT Order

24.07.2020:

JUSTICE AT LAST SEEMS TO BE DELIVERED FOR SHRI S B MOHARE, RETD ACCOUNTS OFFICER, KARNATAKA CIRCLE:

Shri S B Mohare, Retd Accounts Officer of Gulbarga Telecom District, Karnataka Circle was fighting a lone battle ever since his retirement on 31.08.2016 to receive his pensionary benefits as a CBI Case was pending against him and others. His provisional pension was being sanctioned in piecemeal and that too after frequent breaks. Even after his acquittal in the Court Case on 25.10.2018, there was no change in the situation. His leave encashment, regular superannuation pension, DCRG and CVP remained unsettled. He approached AIBSNLREA only on May 8, 2020. Thereafter, the Association took up his issues and presented the case with all concerned with right earnest and continuously followed them up. Finally, BSNL Corporate Office woke up and has issued the much-awaited Order only on 21.07.2020 which allows release of his pension and other pensionary benefits. Some days earlier, his leave encashment was released and paid by Gulbarga TD. The CCA, Karnataka has also released provisional pension for the period from March to August 2020. Now Karnataka Telecom Circle/CCA Karnataka need to sanction his regular pension, DCRG and CVP. Till then, we need to keep our fingers crossed.  View the BSNL Order

23.07.2020:

BSNL ISSUES ORDERS TO FURNISH ASSESSMENT GRADING OF ACRs/APRs FOR CONDUCT OF REVIEW DPC FOR SDEs(T) TO AGMs(T) PROMOTED AGAINST THE DPC HELD IN THE YEAR 2009:

BSNL, vide its No. BSNLCO-PERS/13(25)/2020-PERSI dated 21.07.2020, has issued Orders asking the Circles to forward the screening committee report including the assessment grading of five years/APRs (2002-03 to 2006-07) in respect of 454 SDEs as per an enclosed list. This Review DPC is said to in connection with compliance of Supreme Court Order in Rule-206 Seniority Case of the TES Group B Officers.  View the BSNL Order

22.07.2020:

AIBSNLREA NOW SEEKS THE INTERVENTION OF SECRETARY (PENSION) REGARDING IRREGULAR PAYMENT OF PROVISIONAL PENSION IN PIECE MEALS AND NON-RELEASE OF FINAL SUPERANNUATION PENSION AND OTHER PENSIONARY BENEFITS DESPITE CONCLUSION OF JUDICIAL PROCEEDINGS AS BACK AS ON 25.10.2018 AGAINST SHRI S.B.MOHARE, RETD ACCOUNTS OFFICER, KARNATAKA:

Having failed to receive positive response from the concerned authorities in the Department of Telecommunications on the above issues even after repeated approach, AIBSNLREA has now sought the intervention of Secretary (Pension) in the matter so that the above stated most genuine grievances of Shri Shrikant B Mohare, Retd Accounts Officer, Karnataka, who retired on 31.08.2016 and against him no other case is pending against since 25.10.2018, after he was acquitted of the Charges by the Court of Addl. District & Sessions Judge (Special judge for Lokayukta & CBI cases), are resolved at the earliest and his ordeal comes to an end. The Association has pointed out that the Controller of Communication Accounts, Karnataka is sanctioning provisional pension in piece meals and that too irregularly, though Rule-69 (b) of CCS (Pension) Rules 1972 provides for continuous payment of provisional pension from the date of retirement up to and including the date on which the final Orders are passed on completion of judicial proceedings. The Association also quoted a BSNL Order conveying the advice of DOP&PW that even if there is an Appeal pending against the Order of acquittal by the Trial Court, the judicial proceedings has to be treated as concluded and the Department may issue Orders accordingly. The Association has further mentioned that there is neither any stay-order against the order of the Trial Court acquitting all the accused in the case nor the pensioner Shri S B Mohare, Retd Accounts Officer received any notice of an Appeal having been filed. As such, Shri S B Mohare, Retd AO needs to be paid his final superannuation pension and other pensionary benefits.  View the letter

21.07.2020:

DOP&PW ISSUES ORDERS FOR THE MEASURES TO BE TAKEN TO AVOID GRIEVANCES FOR INACCURATE AND DELAYED GPF SETTLEMENT ALONG WITH INTEREST OF THE RETIRED GOVERNMENT SERVANTS:

Department of Pension & Pensioners’ Welfare has issued Orders, vide its No. 3/7/2020-P&PW(Desk-F)-F.6574 dated 17.07.2020, regarding the steps to be taken to avoid grievances from the retired Government servants for inaccurate and delayed GPF settlement along with interest due to frequent instances of missing credits in their GPF Accounts. DOP&PW, accordingly, for the sake of avoiding such grievances and greater transparency has ordered that henceforth “ (i) It shall be mandatory for all offices maintaining GPF Accounts to intimate the particulars of missing credits, once every financial year, to the authority responsible for deducting GPF subscription, under intimation to the concerned subscriber. (ii) A complete statement of all credits, debits and interest, since inception of the GPF account, shall be provided to every subscriber, mandatorily two years before his date of retirement and thereafter one year before the date of retirement. Any subscriber can make a representation on such statement provided to him and the office maintaining the GPF account shall resolve the grievance within 60 days from the date of receipt of such a grievance”.  View the DOP&PW Order

20.07.2020:

PAYMENT OF FOURTH INSTALMENT OF EX-GRATIA TO THE BSNL VRS-2019 RETIREES- BSNL ISSUES ORDERS ADVISING THE CIRCLES/ADMINISTRATIVE UNITS TO COMPLETE THE ACTIVITIES INVOLVED AT THE EARLIEST:

Expecting that DOT would soon sanction fund for payment of fourth instalment of Ex-gratia to the BSNL VRS-2019 retirees, BSNL has issued an Order, vide F.No. BSNLCO-A/11(11)/11/2020-ESTAB dated 20.07.2020, advising all the Telecom Circles and Other Administrative Units to complete certain activities at the earliest apparently to avoid delay in payment.  View the BSNL Order

20.07.2020:

AIBSNLREA REQUESTS BSNL TO REVIEW THE EXISTING PROCEDURE FOR SUBMISSION OF CLAIMS FOR OUTDOOR TREATMENT WITH VOUCHERS FOR THE RETIRED BSNL EMPLOYEES:

As per the existing Orders, the claims for reimbursement of medical claims with vouchers for the retired BSNL employees are preferably to be submitted each month for the preceding month. However, claims received within six months of incurring the expenditure are also to be accepted. In view of the difficulties being faced by the aged and ailing retired BSNL employees to personally visit the Office to submit their claims-especially in the background of restrictions imposed by the Government on the Senior Citizens on their movement and travel in view of Covid-19 pandemic, AIBSNLREA has requested BSNL for a review of the existing procedure for submission of claims of the retired BSNL Employees. The Association has suggested that existing procedure be modified to allow acceptance of claims (1) received within 10 months of incurring expenditure, (2) submitted with self-attested scanned copies of bills and vouchers to a given e-mail id of a designated Officer/Official in the Office, (3) submitted through Registered Post/Speed Post from any Post Office or through courier service to a designated Officer/Official in the Office for which an acknowledgement by sms is to be sent on the mobile number of the sender.  View the letter

19.07.2020:

DOP&PW ISSUES ORDERS FOR PROVISIONAL RELEASE OF RETIREMENT BENEFITS AS PER RULE 64 OF CCS (PENSION) RULES 1972 DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC TIME:

Department of Pension & Pensioners’ Welfare has issued Orders, vide its No. 12/9/2020-P&PW( C)-6450 dated 17.07.2020, allowing provisional release of retirement benefits as per Rule 64 of CCS (Pension) Rules, 1972 during COVID-19 pandemic time to the Government Officials likely to retire before finalization and authorization of their pension and gratuity due to delay in submission of pension form and also the Head Office not able to forward the claim form in hard copy along with Service Book to the concerned Pay & Accounts Officers in time. Rule 64 of CCS (Pension) Rules 1972 provides for sanction of provisional pension and provisional gratuity in cases where a Government servant is likely to retire before finalization of his pension and gratuity.  View the DOP&PW Order

18.07.2020:

DENIAL OF PAYMENT OF EX-GRATIA TO A BSNL VRS-2019 RETIREE BY NON-CONSIDERING PRE-APPOINTMENT TRAINING PERIOD OF 52 WEEKS AS SERVICE– AIBSNLREA TAKES UP THE CASE OF SHRI R J CHRISTOPHER GIRIGORI RAJ, RETD SDE, THANJAVUR BA, TAMILNADU:

AIBSNLREA has taken up the above case with CMD, BSNL since the retiree Shri R J Christopher Girigori Raj, Retd SDE has not been paid Ex-gratia for his pre-appointment training period of 52 weeks which was to be counted towards Ex-gratia and pensionary benefits including Gratuity as confirmed by BSNL Corporate Office vide its F.No. 1-125/2019-PAT (BSNL)-Part dated 22.11.2019. The representation of the retiree to PGM, Thanjavur BA requesting him to make the payment went unheeded. The Association has now requested for intervention of CMD, BSNL, so that the said VRS retiree gets balance of his Ex-gratia payment for full 52 weeks of his training period which is admissible as per Rules.  View the letter

17.07.2020:

AIBSNLREA QUESTIONS THE PURPOSE AND FUNCTIONING OF BSNL’s PUBLIC GRIEVANCE REDRESSAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEM POINTING OUT TO ITS DEFICIENCIES WHILE DEALING WITH THE REPRESENTATIONS FROM PENSIONERS’ ASSOCIATIONS:

AIBSNLREA has since addressed a letter to CMD, BSNL questioning the very purpose and functioning of “BSNL Public Grievance Redressal Management System” which merely sends computer generated message on e-mail on receipt of communications from Association’s e-mail id, addressing the Association as “Customer” and giving a Docket No. for having registered the Grievance with the assurance that BSNL’s ‘Service Representative will address the issue very soon”. The Association has pointed out that the messages do not say anything about the nature of grievance registered or a reference details from the Association and without giving any opportunity to follow the progress and know the status. The Association has asserted that such mechanism is set to increase more grievances than resolving the one and has further requested to ensure that the grievances are properly examined and resolved.  View the letter

16.07.2020:

PROVISION OF GSM CONNECTIONS IN LIEU OF CONCESSSIONAL RESIDENTIAL TELEPHONE CONNECTIONS TO THE RETIRED BSNL EMPLOYEES RESIDING IN TNF AREAS- BSNL NOW SENDS STATUS REPORT TO AIBSNLREA:

The above issue was taken up and vigorously pursued at all levels only by AIBSNLREA. The AIC Madurai held in November 2019 at Madurai had also adopted a Resolution on this issue which was subsequently submitted to the Prime Minister of India. This was registered as Grievance by PMO and forwarded to DOT for action. With great dilly-dallying, BSNL finally conceded to the demand and issued the necessary Orders on 03.01.2020 which was duly posted in this website on the same day itself. Subsequently, a clarification was issued by BSNL on 20.03.2020 which was also posted in this website on 25.03.2020. Now, a Status Report from BSNL, vide its No. BSNLCO-ADMN/18-5/2020-ADMN dated 09.06.2020, on the matter has been received.  View the BSNL letter

15.07.2020:

AIBSNLREA ADDRESSES MINISTER OF STATE FOR FINANCE & CORPORATE AFFAIRS SEEKING ADVICE IN REGARD TO TREATING OF WRONG CLAIMS MADE BY BSNL AS TO HAVE CREDITED SOME AMOUNT TO THE BSNL IDA PENSIONERS, EVEN THOUGH NO PAYMENT WAS EVER MADE, WHILE THEY FILE THEIR INCOME TAX RETURNS FOR THE ASSESSMENT YEAR 2020-21:

In the background that BSNL has wrongly claimed to have credited some amount to the BSNL IDA pensioners during the financial year 2019-20, without actually making any payment, and even deposited TDS against the same with the Income Tax Department, which have also been posted in Form-26 AS page of the concerned BSNL IDA Pensioners, AIBSNLREA has sought the advice from Minister of State for Finance & Corporate Affairs as to how to treat these amount while filing the Income Tax Return for the financial year 2020-21. The Association has stated that “It may kindly be agreed that while filing Income Tax Returns for the assessment year 2020-21, no BSNL IDA pensioner can include these amount as income in their Returns which have falsely been claimed to have been credited by BSNL but actually not been received by the pensioners. While it is so, the TDS paid by BSNL will automatically form part of the tax paid. Since all tax payers, i.e. in this case the BSNL IDA Pensioners are to file their Return correctly, such a wrong claim by BSNL Management in Form 26 AS page is set to invite serious trouble to them”. The Association has further stated that “Since the issue is very serious in nature, we would like to seek clear advice how to deal with these false claims made by BSNL of having credited some amount to the concerned BSNL IDA pensioners as they would shortly be required to file their Income Tax Returns for the assessment year 2020-21”.  View the letter

15.07.2020:

CBDT ISSUES ORDERS ALLOWING ONE-TIME RELAXATION FOR VERIFICATION OF TAX-RETURNS FOR THE ASSESSMENT YEARS 2015-16, 2016-17, 2017-18, 2018-19 AND 2019-20 WHICH ARE PENDING DUE TO NON-FILING OF ITR-V FORM AND PROCESSING OF SUCH RETURNS:

Central Board of Direct Taxes has issued Orders, vide its F.No.225/59/2020/ITA-II dated 13.07.2020, allowing one-time relaxation for verification of Income Tax Returns for the assessment years 2015-16, 2016-17, 2017-18, 2018-19, 2019-20 which were submitted electronically but are pending due to non-receipt of valid ITR-V form at CPC, Bengaluru. This Order is applicable only in respect of the Tax Payers who filed Returns without digital signature and opted for verification by sending duly signed physical copy of the ITR-V and not by other permissible means including Aadhar OTP.  View the CBDT order

14.07.2020:

AIBSNLREA SENDS IDENTICAL APPEAL TO THIRTY NINE MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT BOTH FROM LOK SABHA AND RAJYA SABHA REQUESTING THEM TO USE THEIR GOOD OFFICES WITH PRIME MINISTER OF INDIA SEEKING HIS INTERVENTION TO ADDRESS THE ISSUES CONNECTED WITH BSNLMRS AS RAISED BY THE ASSOCIATION IN ITS SOS MESSAGE DATED 09.07.2020 ALREADY SENT TO HIM:

AIBSNLREA has sent an identical but separate appeal to thirty-nine (39) Members of Parliament from both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha including the LS Speaker and RS Dy Chairman urging them to kindly intervene and use their good offices with Hon’ble Prime Minister of India to whom we were forced to send an SOS MESSAGE [View posting dated 09.07.2020 in this website to read the SOS Message] seeking his intervention against non-reimbursement of Medical Claims for over last one year and other related issues under BSNLMRS to the BSNL IDA Pensioners which has left the aged BSNL IDA Pensioners, who are mostly patients of chronic diseases, at lurch. Association has also mentioned about drastic reductions ordered in the annual ceiling for Medical claims of BSNL IDA pensioners by BSNL Management going against the BSNL Board approved modified Order issued in 2010 to give partial relief to the past pensioners. The Association has further referred to the assurance given by the Prime Minister in his Message to the Elders issued on 31st March 2015, while acknowledging their requirement of healthy life, that Government would be ensuring that the golden years of the Elders are spent happily, peacefully and meaningfully.  View the letter

13.07.2020:

ISSUE OF GUIDELINES AND RATES FOR TREATMENT IN PRIVATE HOSPITALS EMPANELLED UNDER BSNLMRS IN VIEW OF COVID-19 PANDEMIC- AIBSNLREA REQUESTS CMD, BSNL TO CAUSE IMMEDIATE ISSUE OF SIMILAR GUIDELINES/RATES AS ISSUED BY DG, CGHS:

In a letter addressed to CMD, BSNL, AIBSNLREA has requested him to cause immediate issue of similar guidelines/rates for treatment/investigation in private hospitals empanelled under BSNLMRS, as issued by Directorate General of CGHS, vide its F. No. 6-52/CGHS/G.CELL/2020/DIR/CGHS dated 10.07.2020 for the CGHS beneficiaries. The Association has particularly mentioned about the cashless treatment as allowed to the pensioners, who are the beneficiaries of CGHS, by the DG, CGHS.  View the letter

11.07.2020:

DIRECTORATE GENERAL OF CGHS ISSUES DETAILED GUIDELINES AND RATES FOR TREATMENT/INVESTIGATION AT PRIVATE HEALTHCARE ORGANIZATIONS EMPANELLED UNDER CGHS IN VIEW OF COVID-19 PANDEMIC:

Directorate General of CGHS, vide its F.No. 6-52/CGHS/G.CELL/2020/DIR/CGHS dated 10.07.2020, has issued detailed guidelines and rates for treatment and investigations in private healthcare organizations empanelled under CGHS for the CGHS beneficiaries in view of COVID-19 pandemic. For COVID-19 treatment for the CGHS beneficiaries in the CGHS cities, the package rates announced by the concerned State Government will be applicable. In case no such rates have been prescribed by the State Government in any CGHS city, the rates prescribed by the Govt. of NCT Delhi will be applicable till rates are prescribed by the concerned State Government. The Order also contains other important guidelines including that the treatment for the pensioners would be on cashless basis.  View the DG CGHS order

10.07.2020:

DOT ISSUES ORDERS CONVEYING SANCTION OF ANOTHER FIVE THOUSAND TWO HUNDRED SEVENTY EIGHT CRORE SIXTY FIVE LAKHS TO BSNL FOR FURTHER PAYMENT OF EX-GRATIA TO THE BSNL VRS-2019 RETIREES:

DOT has issued Orders, vide its F.No. 30-4/2019-PSU Affairs (Pt.II) dated 10.07.2020, conveying sanction of competent authority for another Rupees Five Thousand Two Hundred Seventy Eight Crore Sixty Five Lakhs rupees (Rs. 5278.65 crores) to BSNL for ex-gratia payment to the BSNL VRS optee employees. DOT has further ordered that BSNL should consume the funds by making payments for ex-gratia on or before 31st July 2020 and also ensure that the amount is spent only for payment of ex-gratia.  View the DoT order

09.07.2020:

AIBSNLREA SENDS AN SOS MESSAGE TO PRIME MINISTER OF INDIA SEEKING HIS INTERVENTION IN THE MATTER OF VIRTUAL DENIAL OF MEDICARE FACILITIES UNDER BSNLMRS TO THE BSNL IDA PENSIONERS AND DRASTIC REDUCTION IN THEIR ANNUAL CEILING LIMIT BY BSNL MANAGEMENT:

AIBSNLREA has since sent an SOS MESSAGE to the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India urging him to come to the rescue of the hapless BSNL IDA pensioners who are virtually being denied any Medicare facility under BSNL Medical Reimbursement Scheme by not reimbursing their Medical Claims for over last one year and are being forced to fend for themselves on this count. Whereas, the same BSNL Management has recently issued instructions to its Circles for making payment only to its serving employees leaving aside the cases of its retired employees. The Association has also pointed out that the BSNL Management has recently drastically reduced the annual ceiling limit for Medical Claims for the BSNL IDA pensioners by reverting back to an old Order issued in 2003 which was later modified with the approval of BSNL Board in 2010 to allow partial relief to the past pensioners and further imposing new restrictions. The Association has drawn the attention of the Prime Minister to his assurance given to the Elders to take care of their health and mental peace and has urged for his immediate kind intervention to save the aged pensioners, mostly suffering from chronic diseases, who can no longer manage their Healthcare from the meagre pension that they receive which has not been revised for the last 13 years. AIBSNLREA has requested that let the BSNL Management be instructed to immediately reimburse all the pending Medical Claims of the BSNL IDA pensioners and withdraw its Order drastically reducing the annual ceiling limit for outdoor treatment of the pensioners by practically reversing the BSNL Board approved Order issued in 2010 to give partial relief to the past pensioners.  View the letter

08.07.2020:

AIBSNLREA WRITES TO DIRECTOR (HR), BSNL REQUESTING EARLY FORWARDING OF REVISED PENSION PAPERS OF SHRI PRAKASH CHANDRA RASTOGI, RETD DGM, BSNL CORPORATE OFFICE TO CCA, NEW DELHI IN VIEW OF ISSUE OF HIS REVISED RETIREMENT ORDERS:

AIBSNLREA has addressed a letter to Director (HR), since the pension and other pensionary benefits of Shri Prakash Chandra Rastogi, Retd DGM, BSNL CO have not been settled even though he retired from service on 31.03.2020. Now that his retirement Order has been modified on 15.06.2020 indicating his correct designation as DGM in place of AGM, date of promotion and fresh VC, the Pension Branch of BSNL Corporate Office needs to prepare his fresh pension papers and forward the same to CCA, New Delhi. The Association has requested him to cause early forwarding of revised pension papers and consequent settlement of this much-delayed case.  View the letter

07.07.2020:

NON-SETTLEMENT OF THE CASE FOR GRANTING FINAL SUPERANNUATION PENSION ON COMPLETION OF JUDICIAL PROCEEDINGS AND SUDDEN STOPPAGE OF PROVISIONAL PENSION- AIBSNLREA AGAIN TAKES UP THE CASE OF SHRI S.B.MOHARE, RETD. ACCOUNTS OFFICER, KARNATAKA CIRCLE WITH SECRETARY (TELECOM):

AIBSNLREA has now again sought the intervention of Secretary (Telecom) on the above matters, since no action seems to have been taken so far by Controller of Communication Accounts, Karnataka on the letter from Pension Branch of DOT forwarding the representation dated 12.05.2020 from the Association and advising him to examine the issues for necessary action under intimation to that Branch [View posting dated 17.06.2020 in this website to read the DOT letter]. The Association has pointed out that even though the case for granting final superannuation pension remained unsettled, payment of his provisional pension has also been stopped since March, 2020. The Association has further requested for early settlement of the issues.  View the letter

06.07.2020:

E-JOURNAL JULY 2020 ISSUE:

July 2020 issue of AIBSNLREA E-journal has been uploaded and is available under the link "E-Journal" in the left column.

05.07.2020:

CCA MAHARASHTRA RESPONDS TO THE REPRESENTATION OF AIBSNLREA REGARDING NON-TRANSFER OF GPF BALANCE OF SHRI CHANNAPPA M UROLOGIN, RETD JTO, MAHARASHTRA CIRCLE- ISSUES REMINDER TO ACCOUNTS OFFICER (CLAIMS), KOLHAPUR:

In response to the representation of AIBSNLREA to Member (Finance), Telecom Commission [View posting dated 13.03.2020 in this website to read the letter], which was registered in the pg portal of DOP&PW, the Controller of Communication Accounts, Maharashtra has issued a reminder to AO(Claims), Kolhapur to send all GPF ledgers from 01.04.1998 to 31.03.2016 to enable the CCA Office to examine the case. Copy of this reminder letter has also been endorsed to AIBSNLREA.  View the CCA MH letter

03.07.2020:

AIBSNLREA SEEKS INTERVENTION OF PRIME MINISTER OF INDIA TO RESCIND THE DISCRIMINATORY ORDER ISSUED BY BSNL MANAGEMENT TO DENY REIMBURSEMENT OF MEDICAL CLAIMS OF BSNL IDA PENSIONERS BUT ALLOWING THE SERVING EMPLOYEES ALONE TO RECEIVE THEIR CLAIMS:

AIBSNLREA has sought the intervention of Prime Minister of India to render justice to the BSNL IDA pensioners, since BSNL Management has issued a discriminatory Order to its Circles asking them to get ready to make payment of pending medical claims only of the serving employees as on roll on 30.06.2020 along with their June, 2020 salary, but denying reimbursement of medical claims under the same BSNLMRS to the BSNL IDA pensioners whose claims for reimbursement are pending with BSNL for over a year. The Association has also pointed out that it is yet to receive any response to its earlier representations to Secretary (Telecom) and others seeking their intervention vide its letters No. AIBSNLREA/CHQ/2020/47 dated 18.06.2020 and No. AIBSNLREA/CHQ/2020/51 dated 29.06.2020 in the matter of non-reimbursement of long pending medical claims of the BSNL IDA pensioners and also about another instruction issued by BSNL Management to all its Circles, vide its No. BSNL/ERP/FICO/2018-19 dated 25.07.2019, not to post all claims of the retired officials in the SAP system and accordingly to block the medical liability creation of retired officials in SAP from 25th July 2019 to October 2019. The Association has again urged Prime Minister of India to kindly intervene in the matter so that no discrimination is meted out to the BSNL IDA pensioners by BSNL Management on the issue of reimbursement of their long pending medical claims.  View the letter

02.07.2020:

BSNL CANCELS TENDER FLOATED FOR 4G NETWORK UPGRADATION AND EXPANSION:

Amidst complaints by homegrown companies demanding a fresh tender involving greater usage of Make in India technology, yesterday BSNL has cancelled the tender for 4G network upgradation and expansion. In a notification issued by BSNL, it has been stated that the tender for planning, engineering, supply, installation, testing commissioning and annual maintenance of 4G mobile network in north, east, west and south zones of BSNL and Delhi and Mumbai local service area of MTNL has been cancelled. BSNL, in March 2020, had floated the tender inviting bids for the upgradation for 49 thousand 300 sites to 4G and the addition of 7 thousand new sites in Delhi and Mumbai. The decision came of amidst ongoing India China stand off and Government’s push for self-reliant India. Earlier, in May 2020, Government had asked BSNL to relook into its tender following some complaints received. In the background of its bitter past experience regarding repeated cancellation of tenders, AIBSNLREA had then urged Minister of Communications & IT to intervene so that BSNL is allowed to move fast on commissioning of 4G services [View posting dated 10.05.2020 in this website to read the letter]. At that time, DDG(PM), DOT, in his mail dated 11.05.2020, had even invited AIBSNLREA “to discuss the issue so as to clear imaginative things” in our said letter addressed to MOC&IT.

02.07.2020:

AIBSNLREA WRITES TO CHIEF GRIEVANCE OFFICER, UNION BANK OF INDIA REGARDING NON-CREDITING OF PROVISIONAL PENSION SINCE MARCH 2020 IN THE SAVINGS BANK ACCOUNT OF SHRI SHRIKANT B MOHARE, RETD AO, KARNATAKA CIRCLE:

AIBSNLREA has since addressed a letter to Chief Grievance Officer, Union Bank of India, Mumbai regarding non-crediting of provisional pension since March 2020 in the Savings Bank Account of Shri Shrikant B Mohare, Retd AO, Gulbarga TD by the CPPC, Mumbai. Requested to direct CPPC-telecom, Union Bank of India, Mumbai to immediately credit the provisional pension of last four months in the Pension Account of Shri Mohare, Retd AO.  View the letter

01.07.2020:

DIRECTORATE GENERAL OF CGHS FURTHER EXTENDS THE VALIDITY PERIOD OF ALREADY EMPANELLED HEALTH CARE ORGANIZATIONS UNDER CGHS UP TO 30.09.2020:

Directorate General of Central Government Health Scheme, vide its F. No. S-11045/36/2016-CGHS (HEC) dated 29.06.2020, has ordered further extension of all existing empanelled health care organizations under CGHS till 30.09.2020 or till next empanelment whichever is earlier on same terms and conditions and rates on which they are presently empanelled. The Order further provides that all hospitals and diagnostic centres shall charge NABL rates only for those investigation conducted by them which are NABL accredited. For all other investigations, non-NABL rates will be charged.  View the DG, CGHS Order

30.06.2020:

DECREASE IN IDA W.E.F. 1.7.2020:

According to calculations based on All India Consumer Price Index for Industrial Workers, IDA is to decrease w.e.f. 1.7.2020 by 0.8% for CPSEs where last pay revision was implemented w.e.f. 1.1.2007 and by 1.5% where last pay revision was implemented w.e.f. 1.1.1997.

29.06.2020:

BSNL CORPORATE OFFICE FINALLY ISSUES ORDERS EXTENDING THE VALIDITY OF BSNLMRS CARDS OF THE RETIRED BSNL EMPLOYEES ON PAN INDIA BASIS UPTO 30.09.2020:

BSNL Corporate Office has finally accepted the repeated request from AIBSNLREA to further extend the validity of BSNLMRS Cards of the retired BSNL Employees on pan India basis and accordingly has issued the much needed Orders, vide its No. BSNL/Admn./2020/Medical dated 29.06.2020, further extending the validity of the BSNLMRS Cards of the retired employees upto 30.09.2020 or till further Orders. We welcome the Order, but we regret that BSNL Corporate is always found to wake up very late i.e. only after the Circles start taking decisions at their end on such sensitive issues.  View the BSNL Order

29.06.2020:

AIBSNLREA AGAIN WRITES TO SECRETARY (TELECOM) REQUESTING HIS INTERVENTION IN RELEASE OF FUNDS TO CLEAR ALL PENDING MEDICAL CLAIMS AND ALSO STOPPING STEP-MOTHERLY TREATMENT TOWARDS THE BSNL IDA PENSIONERS BY THE BSNL MANAGEMENT CITING THE INSTRUCTIONS ISSUED TO THE CIRCLES TO BLOCK MEDICAL LIABILITY CREATION OF RETIRED OFFICIALS IN SAP:

In continuation of its earlier letter to Secretary (Telecom), vide No. AIBSNLREA/CHQ/2020/47 dated 18.06.2020 [View posting dated 19.06.2020 in this website], AIBSNLREA has again requested Secretary (Telecom) “not only direct BSNL administration to allot the required fund to clear all the pending medical claims but also to give up its step-motherly treatment towards the BSNL IDA pensioners”. AIBSNLREA cites the instruction issued by BSNL Corporate Office to all the Circles, vide its No. BSNL/ERP/FICO/2018-19 dated 25.07.2019, not to post all claims of the retired officials in the SAP system and accordingly to block the medical liability creation of retired officials in SAP from 25th July 2019 to October 2019. Association has mentioned that “This fact came to light when PGM Ahmedabad disposed of a Grievance lodged in DOPPW’s website CPENGRAMS vide No. DOPPW/E/2020/08777 by an aggrieved BSNL IDA pensioner” which clearly indicates the biased attitude of BSNL Management against the BSNL IDA pensioners.  View the letter

27.06.2020:

BSNL ISSUES INSTRUCTIONS TO ITS FIELD UNITS REGARDING PAYMENT OF SECOND INSTALMENT OF EX-GRATIA TO THE EMPLOYEES RETIRED UNDER BSNL VRS-2019:

Following issue of Orders by DOT conveying sanction of Rs. 3100 Crores for payment of ex-gratia to the BSNL VRS opted employees, BSNL, vide its F. No. BSNLCO-A/11(11)/10/2020-ESTAB dated 27.06.2020, has issued instructions to its field units to ensure payment of second instalment of ex-gratia to VRS retirees by 29.06.2020.  View the BSNL Order

26.06.2020:

DOT ISSUES ORDERS CONVEYING SANCTION OF THE COMPETENT AUTHORITY FOR PAYMENT OF SECOND INSTALMENT OF EX-GRATIA TO THE BSNL VRS RETIREES:

DOT, vide its F. No. 30-4/2019-PSU Affairs (Pt.I) dated 26.06.2020, has issued orders conveying sanction of competent authority for Rupees three thousand twenty one crore (Rs. 3021 crores) to BSNL for ex-gratia payment to BSNL VRS opted employees. DOT has also ordered that the sanctioned fund be consumed by making payments on or before 30.06.2020 and the amount be spent only for the payment of ex-gratia.  View the DoT Order

26.06.2020:

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & FAMILY WELFARE ISSUES ORDERS REVISING THE TIME LIMIT FOR SUBMISSION OF FINAL CLAIMS FOR REIMBURSEMENT OF MEDICAL EXPENSES UNDER CGHS:

Department of Health & Family Welfare has issued Orders, vide its No. 1-60/2017-CGHS/C&P/EHS dated June, 2020, revising the time limit for submission of final claims for reimbursement of medical expenses from existing three months to six months.  View the Dept. of Health & Family Welfare Orders

25.06.2020:

NON-EXTENSION OF VALIDITY OF BSNLMRS CARDS OF THE RETIRED BSNL EMPLOYEES ON PAN INDIA BASIS- AIBSNLREA TAKES UP THE ISSUE WITH SECRETARY (TELECOM):

AIBSNLREA, in a letter addressed to Secretary (Telecom), has drawn his attention that despite strict advisory issued by Government of India for the Senior Citizens – especially those above 65 years of age and with comorbidities not to travel and remain indoor, BSNL Administration has not so far issued Orders extending the validity of BSNLMRS Cards of the retired BSNL employees on pan India basis and thus compelling them to violate the advisory issued by the Government. The Association has also pointed out that though a few Circles, appreciating the urgency and genuineness of the issue, have issued Orders extending the validity of BSNLMRS Cards of the retired BSNL employees pertaining to their respective Circles, BSNL Corporate Office has failed to appreciate the need and issue the much needed Orders which exposes their insensitiveness and inhumane attitude. The Association has finally requested Secretary (Telecom) to advise BSNL Management to immediately issue the Orders extending the validity of BSNLMRS Cards of the retired BSNL employees on pan India basis, so that they face no problem in getting treatment during these difficult days.  View the letter

22.06.2020:

BSNL CORRECTS A FEW MISTAKES IN ITS ORDERS ON BSNLMRS PERTAINING TO RETIRED BSNL EMPLOYEES, CLARIFIES THAT CGHS COULD BE OPTED AT ANY POINT OF TIME, EXTENDS LAST DATE FOR EXERCISING OPTION UP TO 30.09.2020, EXEMPTS THOSE NOT WILLING TO CHANGE THEIR EARLIER OPTION FROM EXERCISING FRESH OPTION AND ALSO ORDERS EXERCISE OF OPTION IN FUTURE YEARS BY 30th JUNE OF EVERY YEAR– AIBSNLREA’S SUSTAINED EFFORTS BRING RESULTS:

BSNL has been forced, vide its No. BSNL/Admn.1/15-12/ dated 19.06.2020, not only to correct its gross mistake in including CGHS as one of the three options for outdoor medical claims in its Order dated 08.05.2020 by clarifying now that there will be no cut-off date for switching over to CGHS for the retired employees who may switch over to CGHS at any point of time, but has also extended the date of exercising option up to 30.09.2020, exempting those retired employees from exercising option who do not wish to change their earlier option. BSNL has also ordered that in the coming years, option could be exercised up to the end of 1st quarter i.e.by 30th June of every year. But our other important grievance i.e. imposition of drastic cuts in the ceiling limit for outdoor treatment in respect of retired BSNL employing basing on an old and initial Order issued in 2003 and which was subsequently modified in 2010 with the Approval of BSNL Board still remains unsettled. BSNL has also not extended the validity of BSNLMRS Cards beyond 30.06.2020 on pan India basis for the retired BSNL employees.  View the BSNL Order

22.06.2020:

DRASTIC CUTS IMPOSED IN THE ANNUAL CEILING LIMIT FOR OUTDOOR TREATMENT UNDER BSNLMRS FOR THE RETIRED BSNL EMPLOYEES BY GOING BACK TO AN OLD AND INITIAL ORDER OF 2003 WHICH WAS SUBSEQUENTLY MODIFIED IN 2010 WITH THE APPROVAL OF BSNL BOARD- AIBSNLREA MAKES AN APPEAL TO MOC&IT TO STAY OPERATION OF BSNL’S ORDER DATED 08.05.2020 IN RESPECT OF THE RETIRED EMPLOYEES AND TO REITERATE OPERATION OF THE MODIFIED ORDER DATED 08.09.2010:

AIBSNLREA has now addressed a letter to MOC&IT stating that “We are constrained to seek your kind personal intervention on an issue, which has serious implication on the aged and ailing BSNL IDA pensioners to take treatment of their diseases which are mostly chronic and long term in nature, because of BSNL Administration’s surprising, irregular and inhuman action to lean back to a provision of an Order issued initially on 28.02.2003, but was no more in operation following partial modification of that Order issued with the approval of BSNL Board in 2010”. The Association has further pointed out that “BSNL, in its Order dated 08.05.2020, has taken the “Basic Pay + DA on the date of retirement” which was available in the initial Order as the base to decide the eligibility for claims with voucher (As per provisions of Para 2.1.0 of Notification No. BSNL/ADMN/I dated 28.02.2003 and the guidelines issued vide No. BSNL/ADMN/I dated 22.04.2003 and as reiterated at Para 2.2 of BSNL No. BSNL/Admn.I/1 (Pt) dated 23.08.2006). But this action goes heavily against the old retirees who retired prior to revision of IDA pay scales of the serving employees. Thus, the employees who retire in the revised pay scales get an advantage over their past colleagues which violates the principle laid down by Hon’ble Supreme Court that pensioners are to be treated as a homogeneous group and they cannot be divided based on their date of retirement. Moreover, in the initial order issued in the year 2003, which was later modified with the approval of BSNL Board, DA was admissible at the rate that was allowed on the date of their retirement. This again placed the retired employees in a very disadvantageous position, since the serving employees continued to receive the benefit of revision of IDA as ordered from time to time. Thus, the gap between the retired employees and serving employees in respect of ceiling on annual limit went on increasing– the past pensioners retired without pay revision becoming most affected”. The Association also mentions about unjustified further reduction in the case of claims without vouchers and non-response from BSNL to the representation of AIBSNLREA submitted on 15.05.2020 to CMD, BSNL. The Association concluded the appeal by praying “In view of the above facts and considering the genuine hardships of the retired BSNL employees who too had served BSNL with utmost sincerity and integrity, we earnestly appeal to you to kindly advise BSNL to stay implementation of BSNL’s Office Order No. BSNL/Admn.1/15-12/18 dated 08.05.2020 in respect of the retired employees and reiterate application of BSNL Office Order No. BSNL/Admn.I/14-2/09 dated 08.09.2010 which was issued with the approval of BSNL Board to modify a provision of 2003 Order for mitigating the genuine hardships of the retired employees”.  View the letter

20.06.2020:

AIBSNLREA TAKES UP THE CASE OF NON-PAYMENT OF REGULAR PENSION AND OTHER PENSIONARY BENEFITS TO SHRI A S JOSHI, RETD CAO, AURANGABAD, MAHARASHTRA CIRCLE WITH SECRETARY (TELECOM) CITING BLATANT VIOLATIONS OF PROVISIONS OF CCS (PENSION) RULES, 1972 IN DENYING ISSUE OF VIGILANCE CLEARANCE:

Citing the provisions in CCS (Pension) Rules, 1972 which have been grossly violated by Maharashtra Telecom Circle while wrongly applying 3% reduction in pension on ‘provisional pension’ itself on conclusion of a disciplinary case and then denying issue of Vigilance Clearance to get him his regular pension and other pensionary benefits on the plea of another CBI case filed in the Court on a much later date, AIBSNLREA has sought the intervention of Secretary (Telecom) in the matter. The Association has pointed out that contrary to the claim of the Maharashtra Telecom Circle, the judicial proceedings in the CBI case actually commenced on 7.5.2018, the date on which the court took cognizance of the case and not on 26.9.2016 as claimed i.e. the date the CBI opened the case. Since there was no case pending against Shri Joshi on conclusion of his disciplinary case, his VC should have been issued for release of his final pension and other pensionary benefits. The Association has requested Secretary (Telecom) to “direct BSNL administration to strictly follow the Rules on the subjects and review the case of Shri A S Joshi, Retd CAO in the matter of his due date for vigilance clearance and to cause release of all his retirement benefits immediately”.  View the letter

19.06.2020:

AIBSNLREA SEEKS INTERVENTION OF SECRETARY (TELECOM) IN THE MATTER OF NON-REIMBURSEMENT OF MEDICAL CLAIMS SUBMITTED BY THE BSNL IDA PENSIONERS AND REQUESTS HIM, AS HEAD OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE DEPARTMENT OF BSNL, TO DIRECT BSNL TO ALLOT FUND AND RESOLVE THE GRIEVANCES IMMEDIATELY:

Following disposal of the grievances lodged in CPENGRAMS by thousands of BSNL IDA pensioners regarding non-reimbursement of their medical claims with a stock reply by all the field Units that BSNL has not allotted Fund and thus expressing their helplessness to resolve the grievances and close the cases, AIBSNLREA has now sought the personal intervention of Secretary (Telecom), as the Head of the Administrative Department of BSNL, and to direct BSNL to allot required Fund to the field Units and resolve the grievances immediately.  View the letter

18.06.2020:

DISPOSAL OF GRIEVANCE LODGED IN CPENGRAMS REGARDING NON-REIMBURSEMENT OF MEDICAL CLAIMS – LET US HAVE OUR NEXT COURSE OF ACTION:

Through its website (posting dated 23.05.2020), AIBSNLREA had requested its members and others, who are the beneficiaries of BSNLMRS, to lodge their Grievance regarding non-reimbursement of their claims for medical treatment in CPENGRAMS maintained by DOP&PW. The members and others have also taken active part in it and lodged their grievances. These grievances have mostly been disposed of by the concerned BSNL Units stating that necessary fund to clear reimbursement has not been allotted. In regard to the issue of showing in 26 AS page of IT Department’s website as if BSNL has credited some amounts and even deducted TDS on that amount, the reply given to the complainants is also not convincing. We expected this situation. It is not our look out that whether Funds have been allotted or not. It is the internal issue of BSNL and we are not concerned with this. Now as our next course of action, we call upon our members and others, whose Grievance has already been disposed of:-
(1) First to go to the CPENGRAMS site and open its FEEDBACK page and give feedback in the lines as suggested by us in the attached text. This can be modified as required by the complainants.
(2) Thereafter, lodge another (new) Grievance in CPENGRAMS with the same Text and note the Grievance Registration Number for further follow up action.  View the Text

18.06.2020:

AFTER KERALA CICRLE, NOW CHENNAI TELEPHONES ALSO EXTENDS THE VALIDITY OF EXISTING BSNLMRS CARDS OF THE RETIRED BSNL EMPLOYEES/VRS RETIREES:

In our earlier posting in this website on 15.06.2020, we had reported that considering the strict advisory issued by Government of India against travel by Senior Citizens due to Covid-19 pandemic, Kerala Telecom Circle has ordered extension of validity of the existing BSNLMRS Cards issued to the retired BSNL employees up to 30.09.2020. Now Chennai Telephones has also issued Orders extending the validity of BSNLMRS Cards to the retired BSNL employees/VRS retirees till 31.08.2020.  View the Chennai Telephones Order

17.06.2020:

DOT RESPONDS TO AIBSNLREA’S REPRESENTATION TO SECRETARY(T) REGARDING NON-SETTLEMENT OF FINAL SUPERANNUATION PENSION AND OTHER PENSIONARY BENEFITS OF SHRI S B MOHARE, RETD AO, KARNATAKA TELECOM CIRCLE– ADVISES CCA, KARNATAKA TO EXAMINE THE SAME FOR NECESSARY ACTION UNDER INTIMATION TO DOT:

AIBSNLREA had taken up with Secretary (Telecom) about non-settlement of final superannuation pension of Shri S B Mohare, Retd AO, Karnataka Telecom Circle, whose judicial proceedings on his acquittal in a case by a Court was complete long before, despite repeated representations by the affected pensioner. It was also brought to the notice of Secretary (T) that even his provisional pension, which he is entitled to receive as per CCS (Pension) Rules, has also been suddenly stopped without assigning any reason. The Association requested for the intervention of Secretary (T) so that his final superannuation pension is settled at the earliest and his other pensionary benefits are also paid immediately. [View posting dated 12.05.2020 in this website to read the letter]. Following this representation, DOT has forwarded the said representation to Controller of Communication Accounts, Karnataka Circle on 26.05.2020 with the advice “to examine the same for necessary action under intimation to this office”. and has also endorsed a copy of its letter to AIBSNLREA. Meanwhile, the same Grievance lodged in CPENGRAMS has been sent to Gulbarga TD from which Shri Mohare retired.  View the DOT letter

16.06.2020:

AIBSNLREA DRAWS ATTENTION OF MOC&IT ON THE SERIOUS INJUSTICE METED OUT TO THE BSNL/MTNL IDA PENSIONERS WHO HAD NO PENSION REVISION BUT BEING CHARGED CGHS SUBSCRIPTION AT THE RATES THAT WAS REVISED DUE TO REVISION OF PAY SCALES/PENSION OF THE C.G. EMPLOYEES/PENSIONERS- REQUESTS CHARGING CGHS SUBSCRIPTION AT PRE-REVISED RATES TILL THE PENSION REVISION OF BSNL/MTNL IDA PENSIONERS TAKES PLACE:

AIBSNLREA, in a letter addressed to Minister of Communications & IT, has drawn his attention to a serious injustice meted out the BSNL/MTNL IDA pensioners, who has no pension revision, by charging them CGHS subscription at the revised rates which were ordered consequent to revision of pay scales/pension of the C.G. Employees/pensioners as recommended by 7th CPC. The Association has requested that DOT issues a corrigendum to its order dated 01.07.2019 revising the mapping to determine rates of CGHS subscription and Ward entitlement for the BSNL/MTNL IDA pensioners and allow charging of CGHS subscription only at the pre-revised rates till their revision of pension takes place.  View the letter

15.06.2020:

CGMT, KERALA CIRCLE FURTHER EXTENDS VALIDITY OF BSNLMRS CARDS OF THE RETIRED BSNL EMPLOYEES UP TO 30.09.2020 AND CGM, CALCUTTA TELEPHONES ORDERS EXEMPTION OF THE RETIRED BSNL EMPLOYEES FROM SUBMITTING FRESH OPTION IF THEY WANT TO CONTINUE WITH THEIR PREVIOUS OPTION:

In view of the strict advisory issued by the Government against travel by Senior Citizens and to remain indoor due to Covid-19 pandemic AIBSNLREA had been requesting BSNL Corporate Office to further extend the validity of BSNLMRS Cards of the retired BSNL Employees and also to further extend the date for submission of option for outdoor medical claims by the retired BSNL Employees and exempt those retired BSNL employees who want to continue with their earlier option from submitting fresh option. But the BSNL Management is still maintaining a stoic silence and has not responded so far. But CGMT, Kerala Circle, vide his No. SR/GENL/2012-17/93 dated 09.06.2020, has ordered further extension of validity of BSNLMRS Cards issued to the retired BSNL employees up to 30.09.2020. The Circle has also ordered that in case of retired employees who are yet to get BSNL MRS Card, the MRS card issued while they were in service will be valid upto 30.09.2020. Calcutta Telephones, on the other hand, has issued Orders vide its No. ADMN/HQ/2020 dated 01.06.2020 asking only those retired BSNL employees, who are willing to change their previous option, to submit fresh option for outdoor medical claims within 31.08.2020. All State Secretaries/Branch Secretaries of AIBSNLREA are requested to immediately represent to their respective CGMs, by enclosing copy of these Orders, for issue of similar Orders.  View CGMT, Kerala Order
 View CGM, Calcutta Telephones Order

15.06.2020:

RELEASE OF PENSIONARY BENEFITS TO EMPLOYEES AGAINST WHOM PERSONAL COURT CASE (OTHER THAN DEPARTMENTAL) ARE PENDING IN THE COURT- DOT ISSUES A FRESH ORDER SUPERSEDING ITS EARLIER CLARIFICATION DATED 24.03.2003 WHICH ALLOWED RELEASE OF DCRG AND FINAL PENSION TO THOSE GOVERNMENT SERVANTS AGAINST WHOM JUDICIAL PROCEEDINGS HAVE BEEN INITIATED BY PRIVATE PARTIES:

As per an earlier clarification issued by DOT, vide its No. 36-9/2002-Pen(T) dated 24.03.2003, the judicial proceedings initiated against the Government servants by a private person/ agency would not have come in the way of releasing their DCRG and final pension. Nut now in consultation with DOP&PW, DOT has issued a fresh Order, vide its No. 36-9/2002-Pen(T)Pt dated 05.06.2020, superseding its earlier Order dated 24.03.20O3. According to this Order, DOP&PW, while considering the question whether judicial proceedings initiated against a Government servant by the state Police on the basis of complaint by a private party for any action -other than in any official capacity would come under the ambit of Rule-69 of CCS (Pension) Rules 1972, has opined that “…. after retirement, in case where the judicial proceedings of any act during service (whether in official capacity or otherwise), which could be termed as misconduct under the provisions of CCS (Conduct) Rules are continued after retirement, such judicial proceedings shall come under the purview of Rule 9 and Rule 69 of CCS (Pension) Rules, 1972. This DOT Order, again confirmed vide its No. 36-9/2002-Pen(T)Pt dated 12.06.2020, further says that in regard to applicability of the above in regard to VRS optees under BSNL VRS-2019, there is no ruling for any differential treatment to these retirees.  View the DoT orders

12.06.2020:

AIBSNLREA REPRESENTS TO SECRETARY (TELECOM) AGAINST BSNL COMPELLING RETIRED BSNL EMPLOYEES, WHO ARE SENIOR CITIZENS, TO TRAVEL AND VISIT BSNL OFFICES FOR EXERCISING SOME FORMALITIES WHICH COULD BE POSTPONED, THUS VIOLATING THE ADVISORY ISSUED BY MHA IN VIEW OF COVID-19 PANDEMIC:

AIBSNLREA has addressed Secretary (Telecom) against BSNL compelling the retired BSNL employees, who are senior citizens, to travel and visit BSNL Offices for the sake of exercising option for outdoor treatment which could have been postponed and thus violate the Advisory issued by Ministry of Home Affairs in view of Covid-19 pandemic for the Senior Citizens advising them to virtually remain indoor. The Association has pointed out that though BSNL has asked the Circles to arrange online submission of option also- but it is with an exception allowed “..as far as possible”. The Association has finally requested Secretary (Telecom) “to kindly intervene in the matter and advise BSNL suitably so that harassment of retired BSNL employees is stopped and all their pending bills for reimbursement of medical claims are immediately cleared. Let also BSNL do not go against the Advisory issued by Ministry of Home Affairs at least in respect of the Senior Citizens”.  View the letter

11.06.2020:

AIBSNLREA WRITES TO DIRECTOR (HR) FOR CONTINUATION OF PRACTICE TO SUBMIT FRESH OPTION ONLY BY THOSE RETIRED BSNL EMPLOYEES WHO WANT TO SWITCH OVER FROM EXISTING OPTION TO OTHER ONE:

Referring to the BSNL Orders issued vide its No. BSNL/Admn.I/15-12/ dated 10.06.2020, fixing 30.06.2020 as the cut-off date for exercising option for outdoor medical claims by the retired BSNL employees, AIBSNLREA has requested Director (HR) for continuation of practice of submitting option only by those retired BSNL employees who want to switch over from the existing option to the other option. However, the new retirees, who had no occasion to exercise option earlier, would invariably be required to submit their option. The Association has accordingly requested to issue an immediate clarification to this effect to the Circles and also make arrangement in Corporate Office to accept online option for the benefit of the BSNL employees retired from Corporate Office.  View the letter

11.06.2020:

BSNL ISSUES ORDERS FIXING 30.06.2020 AS THE CUT-OFF DATE FOR EXERCISING ONE OPTION OUT OF THREE ALTERNATIVES INCLUDING CGHS AS OFFERED IN ITS EARLIER ORDER DATED 08.05.2020 FOR OUTDOOR MEDICAL CLAIMS FOR THE RETIRED BSNL EMPLOYEES:

BSNL has issued Orders, vide its No. BSNL/Admn.I/15-12/ dated 10.06.2020, fixing 30.06.2020 as the date on or before which retired BSNL Employees are required to exercise one option out of three options including CGHS to avail outdoor medical claim, as offered earlier vide its Order dated 08.05.2020, while revising the annual ceiling limit for outdoor medical claims. Though it is not explained, how CGHS could be an option for outdoor claims under BSNLMRS when CGHS is a Government Health Care Scheme offering both indoor and outdoor treatment to the CGHS beneficiaries.  View the BSNL order

10.06.2020:

MINISTRY OF HEALTH & FAMILY WELFARE ISSUES ADVISORY TO ALL HEALTH CARE ORGANIZATIONS EMPANELLED UNDER CGHS IN VIEW OF THE PREVAILANT COVID-19 PANDEMIC:

Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, vide its F.No. Z15025/18/2020/DIR/CGHS dated 09.06.2020, has issued an advisory to the Health Care Organizations empanelled under CGHS reiterating that all CGHS empanelled Hospitals, which are notified as COVID-Hospitals by State Governments shall provide treatment facilities to CGHS beneficiaries as per CGHS norms, for all COVID related treatments. The advisory has also reiterated that all CGHS empanelled hospitals, which are not notified as COVID Hospitals shall not deny treatment facilities/admission to CGHS beneficiaries and shall charge as per CGHS norms, for all other treatment.  View the Min. Of Health & Family Welfare order

09.06.2020:

BSNL ISSUES ORDERS ALLOWING OUTDOOR CLAIMS UNDER BSNLMRS BASED ON LATEST PRESCRIPTION WHICH IS NOT OLDER THAN SIX MONTHS IN VIEW OF LOCK DOWN DUE TO COVID-19:

Conceding the request from AIBSNLREA [View also posting dated 18.05.2020 in this website], BSNL Corporate Office, vide its No. BSNLCO-ADMN/12(12)/1/2020-ADMN dated 02.06.2020, has issued orders allowing outdoor medical claims with latest prescription which are not older than six months in view of the difficulties being faced to get latest prescription due to lock down ordered in the country in view of Covid-19 pandemic.  View the BSNL order

09.06.2020:

STATE BANK OF INDIA CREDITS IDA @ 160.7% FOR THE MONTH OF MAY, 2020 IN THE BANK ACCOUNTS OF BSNL IDA PENSIONERS:

Following non-payment of IDA @160.7% for the month of May, 2020 along with monthly pension paid to the BSNL IDA pensioners by State Bank of India, AIBSNLREA had taken up the issue with all the CPPCs of SBI and requested them for immediate payment of the same as arrears [View also posting dated 29.05.2020 in this website]. Now SBI has since credited the same in the Accounts, maintained by its branches, of all the BSNL IDA pensioners.

08.06.2020:

AIBSNLREA REQUESTS MINISTER OF HEALTH & FAMILY WELFARE TO REVIEW THE RATE OF CONTRIBUTION FOR AVAILING LIFE-TIME CGHS FACILITY BY THE PENSIONERS RETIRED EARLIER BUT JOINING THE SCHEME LATE:

AIBSNLREA has addressed a letter to Minister of Health & Family Welfare on the above issue. The Association, in its letter, has submitted that some eligible pensioners, because of various compelling reasons, join the CGHS facility at different point of time after their retirement and avail the facility for a lesser period compared to those who join the Scheme earlier. But they are required to pay the same amount of subscription i.e. 10 years of monthly subscription as others. The Association has also pointed out that the pensioners, especially those who are aged and physically weak having problem in movement, do prefer life-time facility over annual subscription facility which is also under offer, to avoid the hassles of going through the process of getting the Cards renewed at the end of every year. The Association has finally requested that “the rates of contribution for life-time CGHS facility in respect of pensioners need to be made tapering with gradual reduction in the rate of contribution based on age factor, say after each five years, to benefit the aged pensioners joining the Scheme late. To begin with let the pensioners with 70 years of age and above joining the scheme late be allowed to have CGHS Cards with life-time facility on payment of 5 years of monthly subscriptions in place of 10 years as at present. We shall be extremely grateful if our above request is considered sympathetically”.  View the letter

06.06.2020:

E-JOURNAL JUNE 2020 ISSUE:

June 2020 issue of AIBSNLREA E-journal has been uploaded and is available under the link "E-Journal" in the left column.

05.06.2020:

FURTHER EXTENSION OF VALIDITY OF FORM-15 G AND FORM-15H SUBMITTED TO THE BANKS/FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS DURING FINANCIAL YEAR 2019-20- AIBSNLREA REPRESENTS TO CHAIRMAN, CBDT:

In view of outbreak of pandemic Covid-19 virus which caused serious disruption of the normal functioning of the Banks and other Institutions and as the eligible persons were also not in a position to move out of their residences due to lock down and submit Form 15G and 15H to the Banks and other Institutions in time, the CBDT, vide its F.No.275/25/2020-IT(B) dated 03.04.2020, had earlier extended the validity of these Forms submitted during the financial year 2019-20 up to 30.06.2020. Now that the lock down has further been extended to till June 30, 2020 and public transport system has not become normal, AIBSNLREA has requested Chairman, Central Board of Direct Taxes for further extension of validity of Form-15 G and Form-15 H submitted in the financial year 2019-20 to the Banks/Financial Institutions to till July 31, 2020 of the financial year 2020-21.  View the letter

04.06.2020:

AIBSNLREA REQUESTS DIRECTOR (HR), BSNL FOR FURTHER EXTENSION OF TIME FOR REVALIDATION OF BSNLMRS MEDICAL CARDS TO THE RETIRED BSNL EMPLOYEES ON PAN INDIA BASIS UP TO JULY 31, 2020:

Since Government has further extended lock down in the country till 30.06.2020 and the public transport is also not normal due to Covid-19 pandemic situation, AIBSNLREA has requested Director (HR), BSNL Board to order further extension of time for revalidation of BSNLMRS Medical Cards to the retired BSNL Employees on pan India basis from 30.06.2020 to 31.07.2020.  View the letter

31.05.2020:

INVESTMENTS AND PAYMENTS MADE UNDER CHAPTER-VI (A/B) WITHIN THE EXTENDED DATE TILL JUNE 30, 2020, ALLOWED FOR CLAIMING INCOME TAX DEDUCTIONS FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR 2019-20:

As announced in March this year by the Government, in the back-drop of Covid-19, extending the date of making payments or investments under Chapter- VI A/B of the IT Act to June 30, 2020 to allow claiming of income tax deductions in the IT Returns for 2019-20, the CBDT has now revised the ITR-I to ITR-7 adding a new schedule in respect of investments made from April 1 to June 30, 2020 for which income tax deductions can be claimed in the financial year 2019-20. Earlier, date of investments or payments to be made under Section 80-C (contribution to LIC, PPF, NSC), Section 80-D (Mediclaim) and 80-G (donation) were extended to June 30, 2020.

29.05.2020:

CPPC, STATE BANK OF INDIA, BHOPAL RESPONDS TO THE MAIL OF AIBSNLREA:

In view of the fact that SBI has not paid the revised IDA @ 160.7% for the month of May 2020 along with pension, all the Central Pension Processing Centres of State Bank of India this morning were requested by AIBSNLREA that “all the BSNL IDA pensioners who have not been paid the revised IDA @ 160.7% for the month of May 2020 along with their Pension for the month of May 2020, since credited in their respective bank accounts with your Branches, be immediately paid the revised IDA @ 160.7% for the month of May 2020 as an arrear” [View posting below]. Now CPPC, State Bank of India, Bhopal has acknowledged receipt of our mail and assured their support all the times.  View the Response of CPPC, SBI, Bhopal

29.05.2020:

NON-PAYMENT OF REVISED IDA @ 160.7% E.E.F. 01.04.2020 TO THE BSNL IDA PENSIONERS ALONG WITH THEIR PENSION FOR THE MONTH OF MAY, 2020- AIBSNLREA TAKES UP THE MATTER WITH CPPC CENTERS OF STATE BANK OF INDIA:

State Bank of India has not paid the revised IDA @ 160.7% effective from 01.04.2020 for the month of May, 2020 along with the pension for May, 2020 to the BSNL IDA pensioners, though the revised IDA @ 160.7% for the month of April 2020 was earlier duly credited in their accounts separately as arrears. AIBSNLREA has requested SBI that “all the BSNL IDA pensioners who have not been paid the revised IDA @ 160.7% for the month of May 2020 along with their Pension for the month of May 2020, since credited in their respective bank accounts with your Branches, be immediately paid the revised IDA @ 160.7% for the month of May 2020 as an arrear”.  View the letter

27.05.2020:

GOVERNMENT EXTENDS PRADHAN MANTRI VAYA VANDANA YOJANA (PMVVY) PENSION SCHEME FOR SENIOR CITIZENS TILL MARCH 31, 2023:

Government has announced extension of the “Pradhan Mantri Vaya Vandana Yojana” pension scheme for the senior citizens till March 31, 2023. The Scheme, introduced earlier, did expire on March 31, 2020. This is an LIC of India managed Scheme to allow pension on monthly, quarterly, half-yearly or annual basis as opted by the concerned senior citizens of 60 years and above in age against certain specified one-time deposit up to a maximum limit Rs 15 lakhs per person. Rate of monthly pension will vary from Rs. 1000/- per month to Rs. 9250/- per month depending on the amount of deposit. The Scheme will allow assured return of 7.4% for the financial year 2020-21. Thereafter, it will be reset on April 1 of every new financial year.

26.05.2020:

DOT MODIFIES ITS WHIMSICAL ORDER ISSUED ON 28.04.2020 TO DENY THE BENEFIT OF REVISED IDA @ 160.7% EFFECTIVE FROM 01.04.2020 AS ORDERED BY DPE TO THE BSNL/MTNL EMPLOYEES RETIRING IN APRIL 2020 – NOW SAYS THAT ALL PENSION RELATED BENEFITS BE RELEASED AS PER RATE OF DEARNESS RELIEF AS PER LATEST EXTANT ORDER FROM DPE:

DOT has now been virtually forced to withdraw its whimsical Order issued, vide its No. 1/Misc/Pen/Issue/BSNL/DDG(Accounts)/2019-Part-I/1407-1439 dated 28.04.2020, wherein it was ordered that for those BSNL/MTNL employees retiring in April 2020, the retirement benefits be paid at old Dearness Relief as on 1.1.2020 on the plea that DPE has not issued any instruction on freezing of IDA, in the similar lines as issued for the Government employees/pensioners, to be applicable to the BSNL and MTNL pensioners drawing pension from Government of India. This Order caused the Pension Disbursing Banks to stop payment of revised IDA @ 160.7% even to those pensioners who retired before April 2020 and also received revised IDA that was effective from 01.01.2020. AIBSNLREA had taken serious objection to this Order and represented to Secretary (Pension), DOP&PW and others for immediate withdrawal of this Order by DOT on the ground that the Pensioners retiring in April 2020 cannot be discriminated against, since the pensioners are considered as a homogeneous class as per various Supreme Court Orders and cannot be divided in the matter of extending benefits [View posting dated 02.05.2020 in this website to read the letter]. Now DOT has issued another Office Memorandum, vide its No. 1/Misc/Pen/Issue/BSNL/DDG(Accounts)/2019-Part-I/1585-1615 dated 26.05.2020, to modify its earlier Order stating that “it has been decided in partial modification of previous order under reference all pension related benefits be released as per rate of Dearness Relief as per extant Order from DPE i.e. @ 160.7%”. Thus, the BSNL/MTNL pensioners retiring in April 2020 get justice.  View the DoT Order

26.05.2020:

AIBSNLREA TAKES UP WITH SECRETARY (PENSION) THE ISSUE OF RECOVERY OF DUES FROM THE LEAVE-ENCASHMENT OF THE BSNL VRS-2019 RETIREES BASED ON THE WRONG DEMAND MADE BY THE GOVERNMENT TELECOMMUNICATION EMPLOYEES’ COOPERATIVE SOCIETY LIMITED, CHENNAI WHICH INCLUDES THE DUES ALREADY RECOVERED EARLIER FROM THE MONTHLY SALARY OF THE RETIREES WHO WERE THE MEMBERS OF THE SOCIETY:

Since there had been no response from BSNL on its earlier representation to Director (HR), BSNL vide its No. AIBSNLREA/CHQ/2020/21 dated 18.3.2010 to advise all DDOs in Tamilnadu not to recover the amount as claimed by the Society in its defective statement of recovery of dues which included the dues already recovered earlier from the salary of these retirees and also ask the Society to submit corrected Statements for recovery of dues [View posting dated 19.03.2020 of this website to read the letter], AIBSNLREA has now taken up the issue with Secretary (Pension), DoP&PW and others. The Association has stated and maintained that “We now learnt that the said Society Management has been requesting BSNL to transfer to its accounts, also the loan installments recovered earlier by BSNL from the salary of the employees on each month in addition to the recoveries made from their leave encashment as per their wrong claim. Knowing fully well that the installments as earlier claimed by them have already been recovered from the members on specified due dates from their salary, submission of demand letter for recovery of the amount against earlier claims, along with penal interest from the Leave encashment of the VRS retirees, is an illogical and illegal act on the part of the Management of The Government Telecommunication Employees’ Co-operative Society Ltd, Chennai”. The Association has also submitted that “Further the Society Management has acted clandestinely by not taking into account the assets held by the members in the Society, while calculating the final dues to be recovered from the Leave Encashment”. The Association has accordingly requested Secretary (Pension) “to kindly appreciate the seriousness of the whole issue and advise conduct of a detailed inquiry in the whole affair and immediate refund of the excess amount recovered from the leave encashment of the BSNL VRS-retirees, who were once the members of the Society, along with interest thereon to the concerned VRS retirees”.  View the letter

23.05.2020

NON-REIMBURSEMENT OF MEDICAL CLAIMS OF THE BSNLMRS BENEFICIARIES- AIBSNLREA CALLS UPON THE MEMBERS AND OTHER AFFECTED BENEFICIARIES TO LODGE THEIR GRIEAVANCE ON DOP&PW’S GRIEVANCE PORTAL CPENGRAMS:

BSNL is maintaining a stoic silence on our numerous representations requesting to reimburse the claims submitted by the BSNLMRS beneficiaries during the financial year 2019-20 both for outdoor treatment with vouchers and indoor treatment and also to pay the claims for without voucher cases. Only once, BSNL did respond on a representation submitted to the Secretary (Telecom) stating that “.. funds are delayed due to general financial stress in BSNL, efforts are being made to resolve the issue. However, funds with reference to demand raised by the different circles will be released as per availability of cash flow” [View posting dated 10.10.2019 in this website to read the letter]. Thereafter, nothing is being heard from BSNL. To our utter surprise, we also find that BSNL has deducted TDS against some purported payments made and deposited the same to the Income Tax Department as revealed in the 26 AS page of individual tax payers in the website of Income Tax Department. This is certainly a serious issue that BSNL claims to have made some payments without actually making any payment at all.

In view of the above apathetic attitude of the BSNL Management and to register our grievance, AIBSNLREA now calls upon its members and other affected BSNLMRS beneficiaries to join a campaign to lodge individual online grievance in the Pensioners’ Grievance portal CPENGRAMS of Department of Pension & Pensioners’ Welfare. We have drafted two separate grievance submissions, one for those who opted for outdoor treatment with vouchers and the other for those who opted for outdoor treatment without vouchers [Copies attached]. Please note that this is only a draft, the individuals can modify these to suit their own requirement. The individuals can even upload in the portal their own representations, if already submitted to any authority, in place of the representation made by AIBSNLREA- copy of which is also attached. We request maximum participation from all the affected BSNLMRS beneficiaries. Those who are too old and not so techno-savvy can very well lodge their grievance by dialling Toll-Free Number 1800-11-1960 [View posting dated 04.06.2019 in this website for the details]. LET US CONTINUE TO LODGE GRIEVANCE.

NOTE: To lodge grievance in CPENGRAMS, please type https://pgportal.gov.in in your browser and click on ‘Grievance’ button and select ‘Lodge Pension Grievance’. It will take you to ‘Centralized Pension Grievances Redress And Monitoring System’. Click on ‘Lodge your Grievance’ and provide the details.

 View draft Grievance Submission for outdoor treatment with vouchers
 View draft Grievance Submission for outdoor treatment without vouchers
 View the representation by AIBSNLREA

20.05.2020:

GUIDE TO TAKE INFORMED DECISION TO CHOOSE BETWEEN OLD TAX REGIME AND NEW TAX REGIME FOR THE PURPOSE OF SUBMISSION OF INCOME TAX RETURNS FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR 2020-21 ONWARD BY THE SALARIED INDIVIDUALS AND PENSIONERS:

Government has introduced a new tax regime for the purpose of calculation of income tax that a salaried employee or pensioner, having no other business income, is liable to pay and accordingly submit their annual Income Tax Returns. In the new tax regime, no exemptions are allowed but rates of income tax are lower than that provided in the old tax regime which has allowed several tax exemptions. The salaried individuals and the pensioners are permitted to switch between the new tax regime and old tax regime as per their convenience, every year. To assist these salaried individuals and pensioners to have an informed choice and decide which of the tax regimes is better for them, SBI has issued a detailed guideline which is quite informative and helpful. The individual tax payers or pensioners, having no other business income, may take help of this guideline to arrive at a decision to opt for either the old tax regime or the new tax regime.

This document is available in the left column of this website too for ready reference.

 View the SBI document

19.05.2020:

DOP&PW FORWARDS COPY OF THE REPRESENTATION OF AIBSNLREA ENDORSED TO SECRETARY (PENSION) TO DOT WHICH WAS ASDDRESSED TO DIRECTOR (HR), BSNL REQUESTING CHANGE IN THE POLICY REQUIRING THE RETIRED BSNL EMPLOYEES HAVING CONCESSIONAL TELEPHONE FACILTY AND RESIDING IN THE AREAS SERVED BY MTNL TO PAY THE BILLS AND GET REIMBURSEMENT:

In order to resolve the problem being faced by the retired BSNL employees, who are residing in the areas served by MTNL and having concessional telephone facility, in the matter of payment of bills and their subsequent reimbursement, AIBSNLREA had requested Director (HR) that “arrangements be made with MTNL so that the bills which are within the prescribed free-call limit as decided by BSNL and the user-BSNL retirees are not finally liable to pay for the number of calls made, MTNL should send such bills only to the concerned BSNL Units for book transfer or otherwise.” The Association had further suggested that once MTNL is merged with BSNL as decided by Union Cabinet, the BSNL retirees residing in the areas served by MTNL be also extended the same arrangement as available to the BSNL retirees residing in the areas served by BSNL for the purpose of settlement of their telephone bills. A copy of this representation was endorsed to Secretary (Pension) also [View posting dated 04.03.2020 in this website to read the letter]. DOP&PW, in turn, had forwarded the copy of the said letter endorsed to Secretary (Pension) to DOT to examine as per extant rules/orders. The matter is at present under examination by GM (Admn), BSNL.  View the DoP&PW letter

19.05.2020:

DOP&PW FORWARS COPY OF THE REPRESENTATION OF AIBSNLREA ENDORSED TO SECRETARY (PENSION) TO DOT WHICH WAS ADDRESSED TO PRIME MINISTER OF INDIA ON THE ISSUE OF GRANT OF ONE EXTRA INCREMENT TO THE BSNL EXECUTIVES ON THEIR POST-BASED PROMOTION WHO RETIRED BETWEEN JULY 2017 AND APRIL 2018:

Since DOT had earlier expressed its intent not to take action on our request to resolve the above issue terming this as a suggestion for ‘change of policy’ and not a grievance, AIBSNLREA again took up the matter with Prime Minister of India maintaining that “Nowhere in our representation, we suggested or requested for any ‘change of policy’. It does not require a ‘change in policy’ by the Department of Telecommunication, either”, since the ‘BSNL Executive Promotion Policy 2004’ does not have any provision to discriminate any section of the BSNL Executives in the matter of grant of one extra-increment”. The Association had affirmed that the Association only wanted a genuine grievance of discrimination meted out to a particular section of the retired BSNL Executives be removed. The Association, accordingly, sought the intervention of the Prime Minister of India to resolve this long pending issue. [View posting dated 29.02.2020 in this website to read the letter]. DOP&PW, on its turn, has forwarded the copy of the representation which was endorsed to Secretary (Pension) to DOT to examine the issues as per extant rules/orders and inform the Association. The issue is now being examined by DOT.  View the DoP&PW letter

18.05.2020:

REQUEST TO ALLOW REIMBURSEMENT OF CLAIMS FOR PURCHASE OF MEDICINES AND CONDUCT OF TESTS ETC. AGAINST OUTDOOR TREATMENT WITH VOUCHER FACILITY UNDER BSNLMRS BASED ON LAST PRESCRIPTION ISSUED BY THE REGISTERED MEDICAL PRACTITIONERS/HOSPITALS – AIBSNLREA WRITES TO DIRECTOR (HR), BSNL BOARD ON THE ISSUE:

AIBSNLREA has requested Director (HR), BSNL Board to allow, in relaxation of existing procedures, reimbursement of claims for purchase of medicines and conduct of tests etc. against outdoor treatment with voucher facility to both the retired and serving employees under BSNMRS based on the last prescription issued by the Registered Medical Practitioners/Hospitals, since fresh prescription cannot be obtained by visiting the doctors due to lock down.  View the letter

16.05.2020:

DOP&PW ISSUES CONSOLIDATED INSTRUCTIONS FOR PENSION DISBURSING AUTHORITIES TO ENSURE SMOOTH PAYMENT OF PENSION/FAMILY PENSION TO THE PENSIONERS/FAMILY PENSIONERS:

Department of Pension & Pensioners’ Welfare, vide its No.12/4/2020-P&PW (C )-6300 dated 15.05.2020, has issued consolidated instructions for Pension Disbursing Authorities to ensure smooth payment of pension/family pension to pensioners/family pensioners. This satisfies many queries and doubts being raised from time to time even by the pensioners/family pensioners regarding disbursement of their pension/family pension. We believe that this consolidated instruction will be of great help even to the pensioners/family pensioners.  View the DoP&PW order

16.05.2020:

AIBSNLREA WRITES TO CMD, BSNL EXPRESSING ITS SERIOUS CONCERN AGAINST THE ORDER ISSUED BY BSNL IMPOSING DRASTIC CUTS IN THE ANNUAL CEILING LIMIT FOR OUTDOOR TREATMENT UNDER BSNLMRS FOR THE RETIRED BSNL EMPLOYEES TAKING THE INITIAL BUT SUPERCEDED ORDER ISSUED IN 2003 AS THE BASE THOUGH IT WAS SUBSEQUENTLY MODIFIED WITH THE APPROVAL OF BSNL BOARD IN 2010 TO MITIGATE CERTAIN GENUINE DIFFICULTIES OF THE BSNL RETIREES- REQUESTED TO KEEP THE ORDER IN ABEYANCE AND ALSO TO REITERATE APPLICATION OF THE 2010 ORDER:

AIBSNLREA, in a letter addressed to CMD, BSNL, has expressed its total shock and dismay as “BSNL Corporate Office, while imposing drastic reductions in the annual ceiling limit for outdoor treatment under BSNLMRS to its retired employees vide its Office Order No. BSNL/Admn.1/15-12/18 dated 08.05.2020, has taken into consideration its old order issued initially in the year 2003 as the base ignoring the fact that with the approval of BSNL Board an Order was issued vide No. BSNL/Admn.I/14-2/09 dated 08.09.2010 to mitigate certain very genuine and practical difficulties of the retired employees”. The has Association further expressed that “We are really taken aback with the shock treatment that we, as Senior Citizens, received from BSNL when the declared policy of the Government is to treat us with due care and compassion”.

The Association has elaborated the issue further explaining that “BSNL, in its Order dated 08.05.2020, has taken the “Basic Pay + DA on the date of retirement” which was available in the initial Order as the base for deciding the eligibility for claims with voucher (As per provisions of Para 2.1.0 of Notification No. BSNL/ADMN/I dated 28.02.2003 and guidelines issued vide No. BSNL/ADMN/I dated 22.04.2003 as reiterated at Para 2.2 of BSNL No. BSNL/Admn.I/1 (Pt) dated 23.08.2006). But this action goes heavily against the old retirees who retired prior to revision of pay scales of the serving employees. Thus, the employees who retire in the revised pay scales get an advantage over their past colleagues which violates the principle decided by Hon’ble Supreme Court that pensioners are to be treated as a homogeneous group and they cannot be divided based on their date of retirement. Moreover, in the initial order issued in the year 2003, which was later modified with the approval of BSNL Board, DA was admissible at the rate that was allowed on the date of their retirement. This again placed the retired employees in a very disadvantageous position since the serving employees continued to receive the benefit of revision of IDA as ordered from time to time. Thus, the gap between the retired employees and serving employees in respect of ceiling on annual limit went on increasing. However, these aberrations were subsequently duly corrected with the approval of BSNL Board by issue of BSNL Order No. BSNL/Admn.I/14-2/09 dated 08.09.2010. Therefore, to ignore this modified Order and rely on the old provisions which stood superseded, to revise the annual ceiling limit for the retired employees itself is wrong and unethical. We also enclose herewith a copy of the letter that was issued by BSNL vide its No. BSNL/Admn.I/14-2/09 dated 05.10.2010 to our Association after issue of the above stated modified Order vide No. BSNL/Admn.I/14-2/09 dated 08.09.2010 for your kind perusal”.

AIBSNLREA has also lodged its protest against the order which took away the little benefit that some retired employees opting for outdoor treatment without voucher were getting since the allowance that was being calculated as “12 ½ days’ pay plus DA with a minimum of Rs.1000/- per month” has now been withdrawn and payment of only Rs 1000/- per month has been ordered to be paid to all without giving weightage to ‘pay plus DA’. The Association has finally concluded stating that “In view of the above facts and considering the genuine hardships of the BSNL retired employees who too had served BSNL with utmost sincerity and integrity, we earnestly request you to kindly stay implementation of BSNL’s Office Order No. BSNL/Admn.1/15-12/18 dated 08.05.2020 and also to reiterate application of BSNL Office Order No. BSNL/Admn.I/14-2/09 dated 08.09.2010 which was issued to mitigate the genuine hardships of the retired employees with the approval of BSNL Board. We shall also be extremely thankful to get an opportunity to discuss the issues in question at your earliest convenience”.  View the letter

15.05.2020:

PAYMENT OF ENHANCED IDA FOR THE MONTH OF APRIL 2020 TO THE BSNL IDA PENSIONERS – SBI, IOB ALSO PAY THE ARREARS:

In a posting made in this website on 08.05.2020, we had informed about the responses that we received from the Central Pension Processing Centres of some Pension Disbursing Banks on our common letter regarding non-payment of revised IDA for the month of April 2020 to the absorbed BSNL IDA Pensioners. Some of those Banks reported that they have credited the arrears. It is now reported that Indian Overseas Bank (IOB) and State Bank of India (SBI) have also credited the arrears in the Pension Account of the Pensioners. We believe that the remaining Banks, which have not made the payment so far, will surely make the payment at least with the pension for May 2020. It may be noted that this problem is basically related to the BSNL IDA pensioners who retired before 01.02.2019.

14.05.2020:

INORDINATE DELAY AT THE LEVEL OF CORPORATE OFFICE IN SETTLEMENT OF REGULAR SUPERANNUATION PENSION AND OTHER PENSIONARY BENEFITS CASE OF SHRI SHRIKANT B MOHARE, RETD AO, KARNATAKA CIRCLE:

AIBSNLREA has addressed a letter to CMD, BSNL seeking his intervention in the above case in which the SEA Section of BSNL Corporate Office is yet to provide required clarifications, as sought for by CGMT, Karnataka Circle, to settle the case for allowing regular superannuation pension and releasing other pensionary benefits to Shri Shrikant B Mohare, Retd Accounts Officer of Karnataka Telecom Circle who was acquitted of the charges by the Court in October 2018. In this case, even the CVC of Corporate Office has already issued the much-needed Vigilance Clearance in January 2020. The Association has requested CMD, BSNL to intervene in the case “so that necessary clarifications as sought for by Karnataka Telecom Circle are now expeditiously issued by Corporate Office which will help the pensioner to get his legitimate pension and other pensionary benefits which are overdue”.  View the letter

14.05.2020:

NON-PAYMENT OF LEAVE ENCASHMENT TO SHRI SHRIKANT B MOHARE, RETD AO, KARNATAKA TELECOM CIRCLE– AIBSNLREA TAKES UP THE CASE WITH CGMT, KARNATAKA CIRCLE:

AIBSNLREA has addressed a letter to CGMT, Karnataka Telecom Circle on the above case in which despite issue of instructions on 03.10.2019 to GMTD, Gulbarga by the Circle Office, leave encashment has not been released to Shri Shrikant B Mohare, Retd Accounts Officer. The Association has sought for the intervention of the CGMT, Karnataka Circle in the matter so that the said pensioner gets his leave encashment immediately.  View the letter

13.05.2020:

LAST DATE FOR FILING INCOME TAX RETURNS EXTENDED:

The Union Finance Minister has announced today that the income tax return filing deadline for the financial year 2019-20 has been extended to November 30, 2020 from July 31, 2020. Now no one need to hurry to file the Returns. Otherwise also, because of the prevailing situation due to Covid-19 pandemic, the Employers and Banks are not expected to provide Form 16 or Form 16-A, as the case may be, in time. This decision will naturally help the tax payers.

13.05.2020:

REQUEST FOR FULL AND FINAL SETTLEMENT OF PAYMENT OF FIRST INSTALMENT OF EX GRATIA PAID ON ADHOC BASIS TO THE VRS-2019 RETIREES OF BSNL AND ENSURING PAYMENT OF SECOND INSTLLMENT BY 30.06.2020 – AIBSNLREA WRITES TO SECRETARY (TELECOM):

Though Cabinet decision circulated by DOT envisaged payment of ex-gratia to the BSNL/MTNL VRS-2019 Retirees in two equal instalments of 50% each and also ensuring payment of first instalment in the financial year 2019-20 and second instalment in the first quarter of financial year 2020-21, BSNL actually ordered for payment of only 31.3% of the ex-gratia against first instalment on ‘ad hoc’ basis by withholding the remaining amount for adjustment against TDS. Therefore, payment for first instalment in BSNL cannot be said to be full and final. AIBSNLREA has accordingly taken up the matter with Secretary (Telecom) and requested him to cause early settlement of full and final payment of the 1st installment of ex-gratia which was ordered by BSNL to be paid only on “adhoc basis” and also initiate early action to make payment of 2nd installment of ex-gratia to all the BSNL VRS-2019 retirees well before the end of 1st quarter of financial year 2020-21 ending on 30.06.2020 as has been fixed by the Cabinet.  View the letter

13.05.2020:

RESPONSE FROM DY CCA, KARNATAKA CIRCLE ON THE REPRESENATATION OF AIBSNLREA TO THE SECRETARY (TELECOM) REGARDING RESTORATION OF PROVISIONAL PENSION TILL ORDERS FOR PAYMENT OF FINAL SUPERANNUATION PENSION AND RELEASE OF OTHER PENSIONARY BENEFITS ARE ISSUED TO SHRI SHRIKANT B MOHARE, RETD ACCOUNTS OFFICER, KARNATAKA CIRCLE:

AIBSNLREA had taken up the case of Shri Shrikant B Mohare, Retd AO of Karnataka Circle with Secretary (Telecom) and others, who was pursuing for early settlement of his case for issue of orders for payment of his superannuation pension and release of other pensionary benefits following his acquittal by the Court of the charges against him after his retirement, was not paid even his provisional pension for the month of March and April 2020. The Association had requested Secretary (Telecom) to intervene in the matter and ‘advise Controller of Communication Accounts, Karnataka and others concerned to immediately restore his provisional pension and pay the arrears of pension for last two months without further delay till his case for grant of final superannuation pension is settled and release of other pensionary benefits ordered’ [View posting dated 12.05.2020 in this website to read the letter]. Immediately thereafter a mail was received by the Association from Dy. CCA(Pension), Karnataka Circle informing that “this office has released Provisional Pension for 2 months i.e. March and April 2020 on 06.05.2020 ...”  View the response from Dy CCA (Admn), Karnataka Circle

12.05.2020:

BSNL ISSUES ORDERS MODIFYING THE PROCEDURE FOR OUTDOOR MEDICAL CLAIMS FOR THE SERVING/RETIRED BSNL EMPLOYEES – IMPOSES DRASTIC CUT:

BSNL has since issued an Order, vide its No. BSNL/Admn.1/15-12/18 dated 08.05.2020, imposing drastic cut in the ceiling for outdoor medical claim with voucher in a financial year for both the serving and retired BSNL Employees. The revised annual ceiling limit would be 15 days basic pay plus DA for the serving employees. Annual ceiling limit for the retired employees would be 15 days basic plus DA on date of retirement. The order goes heavily against the retired employees since the Order earlier issued vide No. BSNL/Admn.I/14-2/09 dated 08.09.2010 allowing two separate options for those who retired after 01.01.2007 and those retired prior to 01.01.2007 has been totally ignored. Even the DA as applicable for the financial year for which claims pertain to, as being allowed at present, has also been over looked for the retired employees. The retired employees opting for claim without voucher would be paid flat Rs. 1000/- per month.  View the BSNL order

12.05.2020:

ISSUE OF PENSION PAYMENT ORDERS TO THE REST OF THE BSNL VRS-2019 RETIREES WHO ARE STILL DRAWING PROVISIONAL PENSION- AIBSNLREA REQUESTS MEMBER (FINANCE) TO ADVISE ALL CONCERNED TO ACCOMPLISH THE ASSIGNED TASK TO ISSUE THE PPOs WITHIN THE FIXED TARGET DATE OF 31st MAY, 2020:

In view of the fact that many BSNL VRS-2019 retirees are still not issued their Pension Payment Orders (PPOs) and consequently are drawing provisional pension, AIBSNLREA has requested Member (Finance), Telecom Commission to “intervene in the matter and advise all the concerned Units to expedite issue of PPOs to the rest of the VRS-2019 retirees drawing provisional pension before expiry of the fixed target date of 31st May 2020 as was ordered by DOT”.  View the letter

12.05.2020:

AIBSNLREA TAKES UP THE CASE OF SHRI SHRIKANT B MOHARE, RETD ACCOUNTS OFFICER, KARNATAKA CIRCLE FOR RESTORATION OF PAYMENT OF HIS PROVISIONAL PENSION TILL ORDERS FOR PAYMENT OF HIS FINAL SUPERANNUATION PENSION AND RELEASE OF OTHER PENSIONARY BENEFITS ARE ISSUED AS A RESULT OF HIS ACQUITAL IN THE COURT CASE:

AIBSNLREA has addressed a letter to Secretary(Telecom) on the above issue in which the affected pensioner Shri Shrikant B Mohare, Retd AO of Karnataka Circle was pursuing for early settlement of his case for issue of orders for payment of superannuation pension and release of other pensionary benefits which were withheld at the time of his retirement due to pendency of a court case against him. Even though he was pursuing his case immediately after his acquittal by the Court in October 2016, his efforts so far did not meet with success. On the other hand, he was not paid even his provisional pension for the months of March and April 2020. The Association has urged Secretary (Telecom) to intervene in the matter and ‘advise Controller of Communication Accounts, Karnataka and others concerned to immediately restore his provisional pension and pay the arrears of pension for last two months without further delay till his case for grant of final superannuation pension is settled and release of other pensionary benefits ordered’.  View the letter

11.05.2020:

AIBSNLREA REQUESTS CMD, BSNL FOR ALLOWING PROVISION OF CONCESSIONAL FTTH CONNECTION FOR BROAD BAND SERVICES AT THE RESIDENCES OF THE RETIRED BSNL EMPLOYEES:

In a letter addressed to CMD, BSNL and copy endorsed to Director (HR), BSNL Board, AIBSNLREA has pointed out that though concessional Broad Band connections at the residences of the retired BSNL employees was allowed long back, same has so far not been allowed in case of FTTH connections to provide Broad Band services. The Association has requested to allow provision of concessional broad band services over FTTH also to the retired BSNL employees at their residences.  View the letter

10.05.2020:

AIBSNLREA WRITES TO MOC&IT REGARDING THE ILL-DESIGNED MOVE TO STALL THE PROCESS OF PROCURING EQUIPMENT THROUGH OPEN TENDER TO PROVIDE 4-G INTERNET SERVICE BY BHARAT SANCHAR NIGAM LIMITED AND SEEKS HIS INTERVENTION:

Being disturbed by the news appearing in a section of media that the move of Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited to procure equipment to provide much needed 4-G services for its own revival, as acknowledged even by Cabinet as the need of the hour, through open tender has received a road-block due to some objections raised by certain lobbies on the conditionality in the tender document, AIBSNLREA has addressed a letter to MOC&IT to express its serious concern and seeking his intervention in the matter. The Association has said that “We strongly believe that the lobby which never want BSNL to survive and kicking is behind the move. The unforeseen hands of some private operators and their mentor politicians could also be behind this move. This reminds us of how these lobbies and politicians during the regime of earlier Government could successfully thwart successive moves by BSNL to procure the much-needed equipment through open tenders to expand its services. The fallout of the success of those ill-conceived moves cost BSNL dearly and consequently BSNL was found to slip down from the position of second top-most service provider of internet services to an insignificant position as a service provider”. The Association has further maintained that “In the era of stiff competition in which quality and standard have strong say, BSNL needs to procure best of the equipment available in the market to stay in the competition and also to become the first choice of the customers. BSNL cannot afford to induct sub-standard equipment in the name of indigenousness and then fail to meet the expectation of all the stake holders including the valued customers”.  View the letter

09.05.2020:

PRINCIPAL CONTROLLER OF COMMUNICATION ACCOUNTS, TAMILNADU CIRCLE ISSUES FAQ CONCERNING SAMPANN PENSIONERS FOR PROMPT SUBMISSION OF ANNUAL LIFE CERTIFICATE:

Principal Controller of Communication Accounts, Tamilnadu Circle has issued a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) in respect of all SAMPANN Pensioners from DOT/BSNL to ensure prompt submission of Life Certificate every year before its expiry to avoid stoppage of pension. Those retired on or after 01.02.2019 are covered under SAMPANN. Those retired earlier to this date, need to submit their Annual Life Certificate in their respective pension Disbursing Bank Branch/Post Office or through Jeevan Praman as before. This FAQ seems to be valid for all other CCAs.  View the FAQ by Pr.CCA Tamilnadu

09.05.2020:

AIBSNLREA WRITES TO CMD, BSNL ON THE ISSUE OF NON-PAYMENT OF CLAIMS FOR REIMBURSEMENT OF TELEPHONE BILLS OF THE RETIRED BSNL EMPLOYEES RESIDING IN MTNL SERVED AREAS IN DELHI AND MUMBAI:

AIBSNLREA has since addressed a letter to CMD, BSNL on the issue of non-reimbursement of telephone bills for the concessional telephone connections provided at the residences of the retired BSNL employees in the areas served by MTNL in Delhi and Mumbai. The Association has mentioned in its letter that “in accordance with the arrangement made between BSNL and MTNL Management, the BSNL retirees residing in MTNL served areas are required to pay the bills and then claim for their reimbursement from the BSNL units from which they retired. But for the first time in the financial year 2019-20, not a single claim for reimbursement of telephone bills submitted by the retired BSNL employees to their respective Units has been paid. This has added to the acute financial problem of these BSNL retirees who have also not been paid their claims for reimbursement of medical treatment for the same financial year”. The Association has finally requested CMD to “cause payment of all the pending claims for reimbursement of telephone bills of the retired BSNL employees residing in MTNL served areas at the earliest”.  View the letter

08.05.2020:

RESPONSE FROM SOME CPPCs OF PENSION DISBURSING BANKS ON AIBSNLREA’S LETTER REGARDING NON-PAYMENT OF REVISED IDA FOR THE MONTH OF APRIL, 2020:

AIBSNLREA had addressed a common letter to all the Central Pension Processing Centres of Pension Disbursing Banks on the issue of non-payment of IDA revised @ 160.7% w.e.f. 01.04.2020 to the BSNL IDA pensioners [View posting dated 05.05.2020 in this website to read the letter]. Some of these CPPCs have since responded to the letter on the e-mail id of AIBSNLREA. These are appended as follows:- (1) ICICI Bank: “Thank you for the E-Mail. On account of COVID-19 outburst in India, we have only limited staff handling the transactions. Hence there would be delay in responding e-mails”. (2) Bank of Maharashtra: “Sir, We are paying correct DA rate. If possible, refer specific case with a/c no & name of pensioner”. (3) Andhra Bank: “Dear Sir, with reference to the above, we inform you that we have already paid IDA to the BSNL pensioners on 29.04.2020. This is for your information only”. (4) Corporation Bank: “Dear Sir, with respect to your trailing mail, we wish to inform you that our bank has implemented the revised IDA and we are paying 160.7%”. (5) Canara Bank: “Dear Sir, DA arrears are under process and the same will be credited by next payment order”. (6) Punjab & Sind Bank: “Dear Sir/Madam, We are already paying revised IDA rate. Same could be found in April 2020 Scroll”. In addition to the above responses, an official from CPPC of Punjab National Bank has informed our AGS Shri V P Arya on phone that the Bank would be paying the arrear along with May,2020 pension.

07.05.2020:

AIBSNLREA THANKS CMD, BSNL FOR CONCEDING REQUEST FOR EXTENSION OF DATE OF REVALIDATION OF BSNLMRS CARDS FOR THE BSNL RETIRED EMPLOYEES ON PAN INDIA BASIS AND ALSO URGES HIM TO DRAW A ROAD MAP TO CLEAR ALL THE PENDING CLAIMS FOR REIMBURSEMENT OF MEDICAL CLAIMS/PAYMENT OF MEDICAL ALLOWANCES OF THE RETIRED BSNL EMPLOYEES:

AIBSNLREA has since addressed a letter to CMD, BSNL thanking him for conceding its request and issue of Orders, vide No. BSNL/Admn/2020/Medical dated 04.05.2020, extending the date for revalidation of BSNLMRS Cards for the retired BSNL Employees, who are covered under BSNLMRS, on pan India basis. The Association also points out to the plight of the retired BSNL employees, many of whom are patients of chronic diseases like diabetes, hypertension, cancer, heart, kidney and liver problems etc. and stated that “we are unable to refrain from once again expressing our serious concern that till to-day the retired BSNL Employees have not been paid even a single medical bill for their outdoor treatment that they submitted from time to time during the whole financial year 2019-20. Even the Medical Allowance to the retired BSNL employees, who opted for the same, has not been paid even for a single quarter. Incidentally, both of these are taxable benefits. On the other hand, many retired BSNL employees who had been hospitalized for indoor treatment and submitted their claim for reimbursement are still waiting to get their bills reimbursed.” The Association further submitted that “Surprisingly, though no outdoor claim to any retired employee has been reimbursed during the whole financial year 2019-20, BSNL has claimed to have credited some amounts and even deducted TDS out of these purported payments and also deposited the same to the Income Tax Department. The 26-AS page of the retired BSNL employees uploaded in the e-filing page of Income Tax Department has clear mention about this”. The Association finally requested CMD “to kindly draw a road map to immediately clear all the pending claims for reimbursement of medical bills/payment of medical allowances of the retired BSNL employees and thus allow them to live with mental peace without having to face deep financial crisis and to carry on with their indispensable medical treatment”.  View the letter

06.05.2020:

BSNL ISSUES CLARIFICATIONS FOR DEALING WITH THE CASES FOR PAYMENT OF LEAVE ENCASHMENT IN RESPECT OF VRS-2019 OPTEES WHOSE VIGILANCE CLEARANCE IS WITHHELD:

BSNL, vide its F.No. BSNL CO-EB-I/11(20)/5/2020-ESTAB dated 06.05.2020, has issued an order clarifying the manner in which the cases for payment of leave encashment in respect of the VRS-19 optees which are withheld pending vigilance clearance are to be dealt with. The authorities competent to sanction encashment of EL/HPL in respect of the retired employees have been empowered to review all such cases where leave encashment has not been released on account of withholding of vigilance clearance in respect of retired employees in consultation with the concerned disciplinary authority, if need be, for ascertaining the amount likely to become recoverable from the retired employee on conclusion of disciplinary proceedings.  View the BSNL order

06.05.2020:

E-JOURNAL MAY 2020 ISSUE:

May 2020 issue of AIBSNLREA E-journal has been uploaded and is available under the link "E-Journal" in the left column.

05.05.2020:

BSNL ACCEDES TO THE REQUEST OF AIBSNLREA TO EXTEND REVALIDATION OF BSNLMRS MEDICAL CARD FOR ALL THE BSNL RETIRED EMPLOYEEES IN DIFFERENT BSNL CIRCLES/UNITS:

It may be recalled that AIBSNLREA had represented to CMD, BSNL to extend revalidation of BSNLMRS Cards issued to the BSNL retired employees till 30.06.2020 in the same line as Government had issued Orders in respect of submission of Form-15G and Form-15H by the tax-payers to the Banks till June 30.06.2020. [View posting dated 17.04.2020 in this website to read the letter]. But the BSNL Corporate Office partially conceded to this request and issued Orders extending the validity till 30.06.2020 or further Orders, whichever is earlier restricting its application only in respect of the BSNL retired employees of Corporate Office [View posting dated 21.04.2020 in this website to read the BSNL CO Order]. Following this, AIBSNLREA again addressed a letter to CMD, BSNL requesting to allow application of this Order to all the BSNL retired employees since retired from different Circles/Units [View posting dated 22.04.2020 in this website to read the letter]. Now BSNL Corporate Office has finally conceded the request and has issued an Order for extension of revalidation of BSNLMRS Card for all BSNL Retired Employees on pan India basis upto 30.06.2020 or till further orders, whichever is earlier.  View the BSNL order

05.05.2020:

AIBSNLREA WRITES TO THE CENTRAL PENSION PROCESSING CENTERS OF ALL THE PENSION DISBURSING BANKS REGARDING NON-PAYMENT OF REVISED IDA W.E.F. 01.04.2020 TO THE BSNL IDA PENSIONERS:

AIBSNLREA has addressed a common letter to the CPPCs of all Pension Disbursing Banks expressing serious concern of all the BSNL IDA pensioners whose revised IDA effective from 1st April 2020 was not paid along with their pension with no reasons and authority. The Association has requested that “all the BSNL IDA pensioners who have not yet been paid the revised IDA @ 160.7% for the month of April 2020 along with their Pension which is already disbursed be immediately released the enhanced IDA for the month of April 2020”.  View the letter

02.05.2020:

ARBITRARY AND WHIMSICAL DECISION OF DOT TO DENY GRANT OF REVISED IDA AS IDR AS ORDERED BY DPE W.E.F. 1ST APRIL 2020 TO THE BSNL/MTNL IDA PENSIONERS RETIRING IN APRIL 2020- AIBSNLREA TAKES UP THE ISSUE WITH SECRETARY (PENSION) FOR WITHDRAWAL OF THE ORDER:

AIBSNLREA has addressed a letter to Secretary (Pension) with copy endorsed to Secretary (Telecom), Member (Finance) and CMD, BSNL lodging its protest against the arbitrary and whimsical Order issued by DOT on 28.04.2020 denying grant of revised IDA @ 160.7% IDA w.e.f. 1st April 2020 as allowed by DPE to the BSNL/MTNL Pensioners retiring in April 2020. The Association has pointed out that this action of DOT tantamount to be an attempt to divide the pensioners considered to be a homogeneous class as ordered by Supreme Court in a number of cases and also violative of the equality law under Article 14 of the Constitution of India. The Association has finally demanded the withdrawal of the said DOT Order.  View the letter

30.04.2020:

PMO FORWARDS AIBSNLREA’S REPRESENTATION DATED 27/02/2020 REGARDING NON-ACCOUNTING AND NON-REFUND OF GPF CONTRIBUTION DEDUCTED FROM THE SALARY OF SHRI V VELAPPAN RETD DGM, TAMILNADU TO SECRETARY, DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS:

AIBSNLREA had once again taken up the case for non-accounting and non-refund of GPF contributions deducted from the salary of Shri V Velappan, Retd DGM, BSNL, Tamilnadu Telecom Circle for the period December 1980 to September 1990, vide its No. AIBSNLREA/CHQ/2020/13 dated 27.02.2020, with Prime Minister of India [View posting dated 28.02.2020 in this website to read the letter]. The Prime Minister’s Office had since forwarded the grievance to Secretary, Department of Telecommunication which is now under examination in the office of GM(Finance), Tamilnadu Circle.  View the PMO letter

29.04.2020:

NON-PAYMENT OF REVISED IDA EFFECTIVE FROM 1ST APRIL 2020 WITH THE PAYMENT OF PENSION FOR THE MONTH OF APRIL 2020 TO THE BSNL IDA PENSIONERS- BSNL IS SAID TO BE VILLAIN IN THE ACT:

All the BSNL IDA Pensioners, who mostly received their pension for the month of April 2020 on 27th or 28th April, 2020 in their Savings Bank Accounts, were shocked to find that the revised IDA at 160.7% IDA w.e.f. 1.4.2020 as ordered by DPE as back as on 03.04.2020 remained unpaid. No one has any clue for this and had been wondering where it went wrong. Many sent mails to their respective Banks asking for the payment. The GS, AIBSNLREA had also sent mail to the Central Pension Processing Center of his own Pension Disbursing Bank i.e. Andhra Bank at Hyderabad about his personal pension case. To-day around 11 AM, an Official from the CPPC contacted him to convey that they were ready with the payment, but at the last moment they were asked by BSNL to stop payment and they had to abide by the instruction. He further added that in the after-noon of 28.04.2020, they were asked to go ahead with the payment. But by this time, the payment of pension was already released. He further assured that efforts will be made to make the payment separately at the earliest or as arears along with the next month’s pension. The above fact is being brought to the knowledge of all the pensioners in general and the members of AIBSNLREA in particular to once again confirm how ill-informed, inhumane and callous, the administrative machinery in BSNL and DOT are just creating problems after problems to the BSNL IDA pensioners.

NB: After uploading the above text, reports are being received from our member-pensioners drawing pension from Andhra Bank that they have now received the balance of the payment on account of increased IDA. All other CPPCs of different pension disbursing Banks are now required to similarly release the payment.

29.04.2020:

FREEZING OF DEARNESS ALLOWANCE TO THE EMPLOYEES DRAWING CDA PAY SCALES AT CURRENT RATES TILL JULY 2021 - DPE FORWARDS DOE’S ORDER DATED 23.04.2020 TO THE ADMINISTRATIVE MINISTRIES/DEPARTMENTS TO BRING IT TO THE NOTICE OF CPSEs UNDER THEIR RESPECTIVE CONTROL:

Department of Public Enterprises has forwarded the copy of the Order dated 23.04.2020 issued by Department of Expenditure freezing the Dearness Allowance and Dearness Relief of Central Government Employees and Central Government pensioners drawing CDA pay scales at current rates till July, 2021 to all Administrative Ministries/Departments for bringing the same to the notice of Central Public Sector Enterprises under their respective control. DPE, however, itself has issued no orders on the issue. This re-affirms our conviction that the DOE Order dated 23.04.2020 would be applicable only in those CPSEs in which certain employees draw pay in CDA pay scales and also on some pensioners of those CPSEs who draw pension in CDA pattern. Till now, this has no impact on CPSEs following IDA pattern of pay scales and also the pensioners drawing pension in IDA pattern.  View the DPE order

28.04.2020:

DOT ISSUES CLARIFICATION IN THE MATTER OF FREEZING OF IDA FOR THE BSNL AND MTNL IDA PENSIONERS:

Department of Telecommunication, following the Orders issued by Ministry of Finance freezing the Dearness Allowance and Dearness Relief payable to the Central Government Employees and Central Government Pensioners respectively w.e.f. 01.01.2020 to till July 2021, has issued an interim Order vide its No. I/Misc/Pen/Issue/BSNL/DDG(Accounts)/2019-Part-I/1407-1439 dated 28.04.2020, on the question of similar freezing of IDR payable to the BSNL and MTNL IDA Pensioners pending a clarification to be received from Department of Public Enterprises which so far has issued no orders for freezing of IDA for the Central Public Sector Employees whose salary are being paid by the respective employer CPSEs and not the Government. As per DOT’s above quoted Order, the Pension for the month of April 2020 shall be disbursed at Dearness Relief @ 160.7% till further guidelines from DPE for the pensioners retiring prior to 01.04.2020. However, those retiring in April 2020, retirement benefits (paid by CCAs) be paid at old Dearness Relief as on 01.01.2020 till further guidelines from DPE.  View the DoT order

28.04.2020:

EXTENSION OF VALIDITY OF BSNLMRS CARDS OF THE BSNL RETIRED EMPLOYEES IN RAJASTHAN TELECOM CIRCLE:

Rajasthan Telecom Circle, vide its No. BSNL-MRS/Card Renew/2020-21 dated 23.04.2020, has issued orders extending the validity of BSNL Medical Card of the BSNL retired employees to 30.06.2020 or till further order, whichever is earlier.  View the Rajasthan Telecom Circle order

27.04.2020:

CHENNAI TELEPHONES ISSUES ORDERS EXTENDING THE VALIDITY OF EXISTING BSNLMRS CARDS OF THE BSNL RETIRED EMPLOYEES / VRS RETIREES TILL 30.06.2020 OR TILL ISSUE OF FURTHER ORDER, WHICHEVER IS EARLIER:

Chennai Telephones, citing the Order dated 21.04.2020 issued by BSNL Corporate Office, has issued an Order, vide its No. AWL/BSNLMRS/GENERAL CIRCULAR/20-21 dated 24.04.2020 extending the validity of existing BSNL Medical Card of the retired employees/VRS retirees till 30.06.2020 or till further order, whichever is earlier.  View the Chennai Telephones order

25.04.2020:

PGM TELECOM DISTRICT, AMBALA ISSUES ORDERS EXTENDING THE VALIDITY OF BSNLMRS CARDS OF THE BSNL RETIRED EMPLOYEES AND ALSO THE SERVICE MEDICAL CARDS OF ALL VRS OPTEES WHO DID NOT GET THEIR RETIED EMPLOYEES MADICAL CARD TO 30.06.2020:

Principal General Manager Telecom District, Ambala, Haryana Telecom Circle, on the direction of BSNL Circle Office, has issued Orders, vide its No. GG-70/MRS Cards Extension/retired employees/2 dated 31.03.2020, extending the validity of (i) BSNL Medical Card holders of retired employees to 30.06.2020 and also (ii) the in-service Medical Cards of all employees who opted for VRS in the month of January 2020 and did not get their retired employees Medical Card to 30.06.2020.  View the PGM TD Ambala order

24.04.2020:

GOVERNMENT ISSUES ORDERS FREEZING DEARNESS ALLOWANCE AND DEARNESS RELIEF PAYABLE WITH EFFECT FROM JANUARY 2020, JULY 2020 AND JANUARY 2021 TO THE CG EMPLOYEES AND CG PENSIONERS RESPECTIVELY:

: In view of the crisis arising out of Covid-19, the Ministry of Finance has issued Orders freezing the Dearness Allowance and Dearness Relief for the CG Employees and CG Pensioners respectively due from January 2020, July 2020 and January 2021 till July 2021. Though, the additional instalments of DA/DR as effective from 1st January 2020, 1st July 2020 and 1st January 2021 will be restored prospectively and subsumed in the cumulative revised rate effective from July 2021, no arrears will be paid for this period.  View the Ministry of Finance order

24.04.2020:

BSNL ISSUES ORDERS EXTENDING THE DATE OF SUBMISSION OF OPTION/DECLARATION FOR TDS RECOVERY AS PER NEW TAX REGIME WITHOUT EXEMPTIONS FOR ITS SERVING EMPLOYEES TILL 31st MAY, 2020:

In our posting dated 23.04.2020 in this website regarding submission of option for TDS recovery as per new tax regime without exemptions, it was mentioned that BSNL has issued an Order on this matter in respect of its serving employees allowing exercising of option/declaration by 28th April 2020. Now BSNL, in a separate Order issued vide its No. 1001-22/2018-19/Taxation/BSNL/3778 dated 22.04.2020, has extended the last date for submission of option/declaration for its employees till 31st May, 2020.  View the BSNL order

23.04.2020:

SUBMISSION OF OPTION BY THE PENSIONERS TO THE CCAs IN ADVANCE REGARDING DEDUCTION OF TDS EITHER AS PER OLD TAX REGIME WITH EXEMPTIONS OR NEW TAX REGIME WITHOUT EXEMPTIONS FOR THE PURPOSE OF TDS RECOVERY:

All Controllers of Communication Accounts have now started calling for option in advance from all the pensioners to get TDS deducted for the current financial year based on either as per old Tax regime which allows various income tax exemptions or the new tax regime without any exemption. In this regard, CBDT has already clarified that though the employers would invite such option in the month of April from the employees for the purpose of deduction of TDS, these tax payers would anyhow be allowed to exercise final option at the time of submission of their Annual Income Tax Returns [View posting dated 14.04.2020 in this website to read the CBDT Order]. Following issue of this clarification, BSNL has already invited option from its serving employees. Since the concerns that we had regarding the right to exercise option at the time of submission of our Income Tax Returns have already been allayed, there needs to be no concern now in intimating the CCAs to deduct TDS on pension as per either old tax regime or new tax regime. Individual members can later take an informed decision on their own and then finally weigh the tax benefits between the old tax regime and new tax regime at the time of filing returns and choose the right tax regime which will be found beneficial. The CBDT circular has also made it clear that, in case no intimation for the purpose of TDS is given now, the employer shall make TDS without considering the provisions of section 115BAC. In other words, in this case TDS will be deducted on the basis of old tax regime only.  View the BSNL order

22.04.2020:

AIBSNLREA WRITES TO CMD, BSNL TO EXTEND THE APPLICATION OF CORPORATE OFFICE ORDER DATED 21.04.2020 FOR REVALIDATION OF BSNLMRS MEDICAL CARD TO ALL THE BSNL RETIRED EMPLOYEEES IN DIFFERENT BSNL CIRCLES/UNITS:

Since the BSNL Corporate Office has issued an Order on 21.04.2020 extending the validation of BSNLMRS Card till 30.06.2020 or till further Orders, whichever is earlier only for the Retired BSNL Employees of Corporate Office alone, AIBSNLREA has again taken up the matter with CMD, BSNL for issue of Orders extending application of the said Orders for all the Retired BSNL Employees all over India. The Association has pointed out that since application of this Order has been restricted only for the BSNL Retired Employees of BSNL Corporate Office, the very purpose of issuing the Order is lost. BSNL Corporate Office not only frames policies regarding BSNLMRS but also brings changes in it from time to time and also monitors their implementation. As such, it is the Corporate which alone can decide on the matter of extension of the date for revalidation and also issue orders extending the revalidation work of BSNLMRS Cards for all the Retired Employees stationed all over the country.  View the letter

22.04.2020:

REVALIDATION OF BSNLMRS MEDICAL CARD FOR BSNL RETIRED EMPLOYEEES-- MAHARSHTRA TELECOM CIRCLE ISSUES ORDERS EXTENDING THE VALIDITY TILL 30.06.2020 OR TILL FURTHER ORDERS, WHICHEVER IS EARLIER:

Maharashtra Telecom Circle, vide its No. CGMT/MH/Admn-II/BSNLMRS/Annual verification/2020 dated 17.04.2020, has issued orders extending revalidation of BSNLMRS Medical Card for BSNL Retired Employees till 30.06.2020 or till further orders, whichever is earlier. With reference to the posting dated 21.04.2020 of this website, the State/Branch Secretaries of AIBSNLREA are requested also to enclose copy of this Order along with their representation addressed to the CGMs concerned to extend the facility in the similar lines to the retired BSNL employees.  View the MH circle Order

21.04.2020:

REVALIDATION OF BSNLMRS MEDICAL CARD FOR BSNL RETIRED EMPLOYEEES OF CORPORATE OFFICE- BSNL CO ISSUES ORDERS EXTENDING THE VALIDITY TILL 30.06.2020 OR TILL FURTHER ORDERS, WHICHEVER IS EARLIER:

In view of lock down in the entire country as ordered by the Government to fight coronavirus, AIBSNLREA had requested CMD, BSNL that the date for re-validation of BSNLMRS Card for the retired BSNL employees due in the month of April may be extended till 30th June, 2020 in the similar lines as the Government has allowed in case of submission of Forms 15-G and Forms 15-H till 30.06.2020 for Income Tax purpose [View posting dated 17.04.2020 in this website to read the letter). Now BSNL Corporate Office has issued an Order vide its No. BSNL/Admn.I/2020-Medical dated 21.04.2020 extending the revalidation of BSNLMRS Medical Card for the BSNL Retired Employees of Corporate Office till 30.06.2020 or till further orders, whichever is earlier. Though we could get BSNL to agree to the principle and get an Order, but this fails to take care of the cases of the BSNL Retired Employees of rest of the units in BSNL. We are again taking up the issue with CMD, BSNL to issue a common order in the same lines to be made applicable in all the units of BSNL. Our State/Branch Secretaries are also requested to immediately represent to the concerned CGMs with copies to the concerned PGMs/GMs, enclosing the copy of this BSNL Order, to issue similar Orders for the BSNL Retired Employees from those Circles. This representation may be sent by e-mail.  View the BSNL Order

20.04.2020:

NO PROPOSAL FOR REDUCTION/STOPPAGE OF PENSION– CLARIFIES DEPARTMENT OF PENSION & PENSIONERS’ WELFARE:

In the background of rumours that Government is contemplating a reduction/stoppage of pension as floated by some vested interests with the sole purpose of creating panic in the pensioners, the Department of Pension & Pensioners’ Welfare, Government of India has come out to clarify that there is no such proposal for reduction of pension and no action is also contemplated by the Government in this respect.  View Statement of DOP&PW

18.04.2020:

FINALIZATION OF REGULAR PENSION TO THE OFFICIALS RETIRING TILL MARCH 2020 TO BE ENSURED– DOT ADVISES ITS CCA OFFICES:

In the background of normal functioning of the offices having been affected due to lock down, DOT in a letter issued vide No. 2/VRS/BSNL/MTNL/2019/Accounts/Misc./1138-1171 dated 13.04.2020, has advised the Addl. CGCA and all its Principal CCAs/CCAs to ensure that the officials retiring (other than VRS 2019 pensioners) till March 2020 do not face any hardship in disbursement of their regular pension owing to lockdown. The letter also insisted for making necessary arrangement to send requisite documents to the respective CCAs for finalization of regular pension for all such retirees.  View the DoT letter

17.04.2020:

EXTENSION OF DATE FOR REVALIDATION OF BSNLMRS CARDS OF THE RETIRED BSNL EMPLOYEES IN VIEW OF LOCK DOWN IN THE COUNTRY AS ORDERED BY THE GOVERNMENT- AIBSNLREA RQUESTS CMD, BSNL TO EXTEND THE DATE TILL 30TH JUNE 2020:

In a representation addressed to CMD, BSNL and copies endorsed to Director (HR), BSNL and Secretary (Telecom), AIBSNLREA has pointed out that the retired BSNL employees, who are required to get revalidation of their BSNLMRS Cards in the month of April, would not be able to get it done due to lockdown ordered by the Government till May 3, 2020 which is likely to be further extended or may partially be lifted. In view of the fact that the retired BSNL Employees, as Senior Citizens, are more prone to coronovirus and it is otherwise also not advisable for them to venture out during these critical days, AIBSNLREA has requested that the date for re-validation work may be extended till 30th June, 2020 in the similar lines as Government has allowed in case of submission of Forms 15-G and Forms 15-H till 30th June 2020 for Income Tax purpose. Request has also been made that based on the revalidation done in the last financial year, the validity of existing Cards may also be extended till June, 2020.  View the letter

14.04.2020:

CENTRAL BOARD OF DIRECT TAXES ISSUES CLARIFICATION REGARDING EXERCISING OPTION TO CHOOSE BETWEEN CONTINUATION OF OLD TAX REGIME WITH TAX EXEMPTIONS OR ADOPTION OF NEW REGIME WITHOUT EXEMPTIONS OF TAX BENEFITS - CONFIRMS OUR CONTENTION THAT THE OPTION NEEDS TO BE EXERCISED ONLY AT THE TIME OF SUBMISSION OF INCOME TAX RETURNS:

Central Board of Direct Taxes, Ministry of Finance, vide its F.No. 370142/13/2020-TPL dated 13.04.2020, has issued a clarification in the matter of exercising option by the individual Tax Payers either to continue with the old Tax regime by availing benefits of several tax exemptions or switch over to new tax regime without any exemptions under different Sections of IT Act. This clarification confirms our contention that the Tax Payers are entitled to exercise option at the time of submission of their Annual Income Tax Returns.  View the CBDT circular

14.04.2020:

AIBSNLREA WRITES TO SECRETARY (TELECOM) REGARDING OVER ENTHUSIASTIC AND UNILATERAL ACTION OF CCA, PUNJAB TO CALL OPTION IN ADVANCE FROM THE PENSIONERS REGARDING THEIR CHOICE EITHER TO CONTINUE WITH OLD SYSTEM FOR INCOME TAX CALCULATION OR TO SWITCH OVER TO NEW TAX REGIME:

Controller of Communication Accounts, Punjab of his own has issued a letter addressed to the pensioners, vide its No. Nil dated 09.04.2020, asking them to exercise option by 15.04.2020 either to continue with old tax regime with eligible tax exemptions as per IT Act or opt for new tax regime without claiming any exemptions. Since this defeats the very purpose of Government’s decision to allow the Tax Payers to choose between the two Tax regimes whichever is found beneficial to them at the time of submission of their IT Returns to the Income Tax Department, AIBSNLREA has taken up the matter with Secretary (Telecom) seeking his intervention and requesting him to advise CCA, Punjab to withdraw his letter.  View the letter

06.04.2020:

E-JOURNAL APRIL 2020 ISSUE:

April 2020 issue of AIBSNLREA E-journal has been uploaded and is available under the link "E-Journal" in the left column.

04.04.2020:

CBDT ALLOWS VALIDITY OF FORM 15G AND 15H SUBMITTED TO THE BANKS AND OTHER INSTITUTIONS DURING THE FINANCIAL YEAR 2019-2020 UPTO 30.06.2020:

In view of outbreak of pandemic Covid-19 virus which has caused serious disruption of the normal functioning of the Banks and other Institutions and since the eligible persons may not be able to submit Form 15G and 15H to the Banks and other Institutions in time, the Central Board of Direct Taxes has issued instructions, vide its F.No.275/25/2020-IT(B) dated 03.04.2020, extending the validity of these Forms submitted during the financial year 2019-20 up to 30.06.2020. TDS will be deducted based on these forms for the quarter ending 30.06.2020.  View CBDT orders

04.04.2020:

REVISION OF IDA W.E.F. 1.4.2020:

DPE has issued orders revising IDA w.e.f 1.4.2020 from 157.3% to 160.7% for CPSEs where last pay revision was implemented w.e.f. 1.1.2007.  View orders

04.04.2020:

REVISION OF IDA W.E.F. 1.4.2020:

DPE has issued orders revising IDA w.e.f 1.4.2020 from 334.3% to 340.2% for CPSEs where last pay revision was implemented w.e.f. 1.1.1997.  View orders

31.03.2020:

INCREASE IN IDA W.E.F. 1.4.2020:

According to calculations based on All India Consumer Price Index for Industrial Workers, IDA is to increase w.e.f. 1.4.2020 by 3.4% for CPSEs where last pay revision was implemented w.e.f. 1.1.2007 and by 5.9% where last pay revision was implemented w.e.f. 1.1.1997.

31.03.2020:

FIRST INSTALLMENT OF EX-GRATIA DEPOSITED BY BSNL TO THE SALARY ACCOUNTS OF THE VRS RETIREES:

The first installment of ex-gratia amounting to 31.3% of the total ex-gratia eligible, have been deposited to the salary accounts of VRS optees yesterday. Many VRS retirees have confirmed credit of the amount in their salary accounts. Many circles are also reported to have deposited the Leave encashment amount after deductions, if any.

27.03.2020:

ISSUE OF SAVINGRAM FOR RELEASE OF CLAIMS FOR REIMBURSEMENT OF MEDICAL BILLS UNDER BSNLMRS:

All Branches of AIBSNLREA have sent identical Savingram on 26.03.2020 to CMD, Director (Finance), Director (HR), BSNL and the concerned CGMs of the area demanding release of all claims for reimbursement of medical bills of the pensioners under BSNLMRS by 31.03.2020. In the Savingram, it was pointed out that BSNL, even without making any payment during this financial year, has surprisingly claimed to have made some payments for which even TDS has been shown in the 26-AS page of the web site of Income Tax Department as deducted and deposited with the Government.  View the text of the Savingram

25.03.2020:

BSNL ISSUES DETAILED INSTRUCTIONS TO THE CGMS REGARDING PAYMENT OF FIRST INSTALMENT OF EX-GRATIA, LEAVE ENCASHMENT IN FULL TO THE BSNL EMPLOYEES RETIRED UNDER BSNL VRS SCHEME-2019:

BSNL Corporate Office, vide its File No. 500-163/2019-20/CA-III/BSNL dated 23.03.2020 on the matter of payment of dues to the VRS-optees, has instructed the CGMs regarding the various actions to be taken by 24.03.2020, which includes loading of amount of ex-gratia and Leave Encashment in Pay roll, posting of recoveries and tax treatment, in connection with releasing first instalment of ex-gratia and leave encashment in full in the month of March, 2020 to the BSNL Employees retired under BSNL VRS Scheme-2019.  View the BSNL order

25.03.2020:

BSNL ISSUES INSTRUCTION TO CGMS REGARDING PAYMENT OF GRATUITY AS PER BSNL EMPLOYEES TRUST RULES TO THE BSNL RECRUITED EMPLOYEES WHO HAVE RETIRED UNDER BSNL VRS SCHEME-2019:

BSNL Corporate Office, vide File No. 500-50/2015-16/BSNL/Gratuity dated 20.03.2020, has issued instructions to the CGMs regarding action to be taken for releasing payment of Gratuity in the month of March, 2020 to the BSNL recruited Employees who have taken retirement under BSNL VRS Scheme-2019 and are eligible to receive Gratuity as per BSNL Employees Gratuity Trust Rules.  View the BSNL order

24.03.2020:

BSNL ISSUES CERTAIN CLARIFICATION ON ITS POLICY FOR PROVISION OF GSM IN LIEU OF RESIDENTIAL SERVICE TELEPHONE CONNECTIONS/CONCESSIONAL TELEPHONE FACILITIES TO THE SERVING/RETIRED EMPLOYEES OF BSNL RESIDING IN AREAS DECLARED AS TNF:

BSNL Corporate Office has since issued certain clarification on its earlier Order circulating the policy to provide GSM in lieu of residential service telephone connection/concessional Telephone facilities to the serving/retired employees residing in TNF areas. The clarification also says that no rental to be charged for the GSM facility and in TNF area where FTTH is working, GSM post-paid plan will be sanctioned in lieu of FTTH.  View the BSNL order

24.03.2020:

INDORE BRANCH OF AIBSNLREA HOLD A SPECIAL GB MEETING:

A Special G.B meeting of Indore Branch of AIBSNLREA was held on 15.03.2020 at Bagarwal Parisar, Aerodrum Road, Indore. The meeting was presided over by Shri S.K.Jain, Branch President. 76 members along with their spouses participated in the gathering. This Special meeting was organized mainly to felicitate S/Shri I.K.Vyas, P.Wagde, S.P.Baghela, B.S. Bais, B.D. Chawada, A.L.Verma, N.H.Johar, Altaf Hussain, K.G Garg, Hakimuddin, J.C.Gupta, K.O.Kansal, Narendra Gite on completion of their 75 years of age. All of them were honoured with garland, Shreefal (Coconut) and shawl. Folk songs were sung by Smt. Vyas, Smt. Kansal, and Smt. Saxena. Other cultural activities were also arranged. S/Shri R.C Maheshwari, R.C.Garg, S.C.Tiwari and S.C.Jain took keen interest for the success the function which was conducted in an atmosphere of deep bond of friendship and affection. The Vote of Thanks was presented by Branch Secretary Shri N.C Yadav. Lunch was also served to all the participants after the meeting.

23.03.2020:

PAYMENT OF INTEREST ON DELAYED PAYMENT OF GRATUITY TO SHRI KAILASH CHANDRA KHATUA, RETD DE, ODISHA– PENSION SECTION OF DOT ASKS CCA, ODISHA TO EXPEDITE SUPPLY OF INFORMATION AS PER ITS PREVIOUS COMMUNICATIONS:

Forwarding a copy of the letter No. AIBSNLREA/CHQ/2020/12 dated 25.02.2020 from AIBSNLREA on the above issue of payment of interest on delayed payment of gratuity to Shri Kailash Chandra Khatua, Retd DE, Dhenkanal, the Pension Section of DOT in a communication, vide its File No. 40-07/2019-Pen(T) dated 17.03.2020, has now asked CCA, Odisha Circle to expedite supply of certain information as were wanted in its letters dated 06.05.2019 and 03.12.2019 for further necessary action on the issue at its end.  View the DoT letter

22.03.2020:

PMO FORWARDS AIBSNLREA’S REPRESENTATION ON REFUSAL BY DOT TO CONSIDER GRANT OF ONE EXTRA-INCREMENT TO THE BSNL EXECUTIVES WHO RETIRED BETWEEN JULY 2017 AND APRIL 2018 TERMING THIS AS A POLICY ISSUE:

AIBSNLREA had earlier represented to Prime Minister of India against DOT’s stand not to consider its earlier representation to remove the discrimination meted out to a section of the BSNL Executive-pensioners who retired between July 2017 and April 2018, by granting them also the extra-increment on their post based promotion, terming this as a ‘policy issue’ [View posting dated 29.02.2020 in this website to read the letter]. Now the PMO has forwarded the said representation to Secretary, Department of Telecommunications for action as appropriate and also reply the Association.  View the PMO letter

22.03.2020:

BSNL ISSUES ANOTHER ORDER ON TDS GUIDELINES ON PAYMENTS MADE TO VRS, 2019 OPTEES:

BSNL, vide its No.100-09/2019-20/Taxation/BSNL VRS 2019/3762 dated 20.03.2020, has issued another order on Tax Deduction at Source (TDS) guidelines on payments made to VRS, 2019 optees wherein it has been stated that Ex-gratia may be considered as a part of salary and TDS may be deducted on the first instalment of ex-gratia to be paid on 31.03.2020. TDS on second instalment of ex-gratia to be paid in subsequent financial year shall be deducted and deposited in that financial year. TDS will also be required to be deducted at the time of payment of leave encashment.  View the BSNL orders

21.03.2020:

AIBSNLREA’S REPRESENTATION REGARDING ABNORMAL DELAY IN PAYMENT OF INTEREST ON DELAYED PAYMENT OF RETIREMENT GRATUITY TO SHRI KAILASH CHANDRA KHATUA, RETD DE, ODISHA– TA-I BRANCH OF DOT FORWARDS THE REPRESENTATION TO THE ESTABLISHMENT BRANCH:

AIBSNLREA had taken up the case of abnormal delay in payment of interest on delayed payment of retirement Gratuity to Shri Kailash Chandra Khatua, Retd DE, Dhenkanal, Odisha with Secretary (Pension) and others [View posting dated 27.02.2020 in this website to read the letter]. Now Director (Accounts-I) of TA-I Branch of DOT has forwarded the said representation to Director (Estt-II), since the pension section of DOT (HQ) is the nodal section for processing such type of cases.  View the DoT letter

20.03.2020:

AIBSNLREA REQUESTS CMD, BSNL TO REVIEW ITS ORDER ON TAXATION ON AMOUNTS RECEIVED/RECEIVEABLE ON OR AFTER 01.04.2009 BY THE VRS OPTEES:

Drawing attention of CMD, BSNL to Para (iii) of the Order dated 11.02.2020 issued by Taxation Section of BSNL Corporate Office, wherein it has been stated that “The VRS optee(s) can claim either exemption u/s 10(10C) or relief u/s 89, but not on both, on such amounts received or receivable on or after 01.04.2009”, AIBSNLREA has requested to review this Order. The Association has pointed out that the said instruction/clarification issued by BSNL Corporate Office contradicts the Orders passed by different Courts on the same issue. Madras High Court in the case between Commissioner of Income Tax Vs G V Vengupal, judgment of which was delivered on 06.12.2004 regarding availability of benefits both u/s 10(10C) and u/s 89(1) to the VRS retirees, had ruled that "There is no prohibition to the twin benefits in respect of the amount received under the Voluntary Retirement Scheme". Similarly, in another case between State Bank of India Vs Central Board of Direct Taxes, Kerala High Court in its judgment delivered on 08.12.2005 had clearly ruled that relief under Section 89 (1) is available over and above the exemption under Section 10 (10C). The Association has finally requested that “In view of the Orders passed in the above two judgments involving even CBDT, there is every reason to say that the clarification/ instruction issued by BSNL Corporate Office on the same issue is contrary to the Rules/Laws on the subject. In view of the above, for the sake of justice and avoiding unnecessary hardships to the VRS retirees, it is requested that BSNL Corporate Office review its above referred Office Order dated 11.02.2020, if need be, in consultation with Central Board of Direct Taxes. BSNL needs to issue a clarification to allow tax exemption both u/s 10(10 C) and relief u/s 89 (1) to the concerned VRS-retirees”.  View the letter

19.03.2020:

AIBSNLREA WRITES TO DIRECTOR (HR) ON THE ISSUE OF INCORRECT STATEMENT OF DUES/LOANS SENT TO THE DDOs FOR RECOVERY FROM THE VRS-RETIREE MEMBERS BY GOVERNMENT TELECOM EMPLOYEES CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY, CHENNAI – SEEKS NOT TO ACT ON THESE STATEMENTS TILL CORRECT STATEMENTS ARE SENT:

AIBSNLREA has drawn the attention of Director (HR), BSNL and others on the matter of issue of faulty statements for recovery of dues/loans from its VRS-retiree members from their leave-encashment and ex-gratia by Government Telecom Employees Co-operative Society, Chennai without taking into account of the assets with the Society which include Share Capital, Thrift Deposit, Family Welfare Deposit and any credit on suspense account, which normally runs into lakhs of rupees which now need to be refunded to them. The Association has requested to instruct all DDOs not to recover the amount claimed by the Society in its defective statements and also advise the said Society to furnish fresh statements, after adjusting the assets available with the Society in respect of the members-retirees and not to impose any interest against the instalments for past few months which have duly been recovered by BSNL from the salary but stated to be not deposited with the Society.  View the letter

18.03.2020:

VRS-RETIREES ARE TO RECEIVE EX-GRATIA AND LEAVE ENCASHMENT BY 31.03.2020 – STATES DGM(CA), BSNL CO:

DGM(CA), BSNL Corporate Office has assured a delegation led by Shri Rakesh Sethi, who met him on 16.03.2020, that the VRS-retirees will definitely be paid the first instalment of ex-gratia and leave encashment by 31.03.2020. Verification process for payment of leave encashment is almost complete and thereafter LIC would be requested to release the money to BSNL for payment of leave encashment.

17.03.2020:

CHANDIGARH BRANCH OF AIBSNLREA HELD ITS BI-MONTHLY GB MEETING:

The bi-monthly GB meeting of Chandigarh Branch of AIBSNLREA was held in the GPO Building, Sector-17, Chandigarh on 14.03.2020 under the presidentship of Shri M.D. Bhasin. The President briefed the house on some important issues like status of Court case on pay & pension arrears, reimbursement of medical claims including CGHS, implementation of 3rd PRC. He also informed the house that e-PPOs are being released by DOT office at Chandigarh, though process of releasing provisional pension has started to give immediate relief to the VRS-retirees. He further reported that CHQ has been taking various actions to mitigate the difficulties being faced by the VRS-retirees. The members were also briefed on the progress made for effective implementation of BSNL’s revival plan which includes introduction of 4-G services, monetization of BSNL’s assets and merger of BSNL and MTNL. Meeting ended after presentation of vote of thanks and serving of refreshment.

16.03.2020:

AIBSNLREA WRITES TO PRIME MINISTER OF INDIA AGAINST DOP&T’S DIVERSIONARY TACTICS TO SHELVE ITS REQUEST ON ALLOWING NOTIONAL INCREMENT FOR THE PURPOSE OF GRANT OF PENSIONARY BENEFITS TO THE EMPLOYEES RETIRED/RETIRING AFTER COMPLETION OF ONE FULL YEAR’S SERVICE:

Following DOP&T’s action in forwarding the earlier representation of AIBSNLREA addressed to the Prime Minister of India on the issue of granting notional increment for the purpose of allowing pensionary benefits to all retired/retiring employees whose date of next increment falls on the following day of their retirement, to the Secretary, Department of Telecommunications, the Association has again represented to the Prime Minister pointing out that DOP&T, which is the nodal Department to examine and decide the issue, has unjustifiably asked DOT to refer it a proposal in case clarification/interpretation of any rule position is required. The Association has urged that DOP&T be advised to examine the contents of our said representation and resolve the grievance. Let it not try to shelve the grievance by forwarding the representation to DOT which is not at all connected with the matter.  View the letter

16.03.2020:

BAREILLY BRANCH OF AIBSNLREA HELD GB MEETING:

A General Body Meeting was held by Bareilly Branch of AIBSNLREA on 13.03.2020 The members discussed various issues including non-reimbursement of claims for outdoor and indoor treatment under BSNLMRS and non-payment of claims for reimbursement of one-time subscription paid to CGHS and non-implementation of 3rd PRC Report on revision of pay scales etc. UP State Secretary Shri R S Arora attended the meeting.

14.03.2020:

DOP&T FORWARDS TO DOT, AIBSNLREA’S REPRESENTATION ADDRESSED TO THE PRIME MINISTER OF INDIA ON ALLOWING NOTIONAL INCREMENT FOR THE PURPOSE OF GRANT OF PENSIONARY BENEFITS TO THE EMPLOYEES RETIRING AFTER COMPLETION OF ONE FULL YEAR’S SERVICE – SUGGESTS TO REFER PROPOSAL FOR CLARIFICATION/INTERPRETATION OF ANY RULE POSITION IF REQUIRED:

AIBSNLREA had sent a representation to the Prime Minister of India in which it was submitted that since all court judgments are delivered in favour of the applicant-pensioners which cannot be reversed, DOP&T issue an Order granting notional increment for the purpose of allowing pensionary benefits to the all retired/retiring employees whose date of next increment falls on the following day of their retirement [View posting dated 17.02.2020 in this website to read the letter]. Now DOP&T has forwarded the said representation to Secretary, Department of Telecommunications suggesting to refer it a proposal in case clarification/interpretation of any rule position is required.  View the DoP&T letter

13.03.2020:

NON-SETTLEMENT OF DISCREPANCY IN THE FINAL PAYMENT OF GPF- AIBSNLREA TAKES UP CASE OF SHRI CHINNAPPA M. UROLOGIN, RETD JTO OF KOLHAPUR SSA WITH CONTROLLER GENERAL OF COMMUNICATION ACCOUNTS:

AIBSNLREA has addressed a letter to the Controller General of Communication Accounts, New Delhi in the matter of non-payment of GPF amount deducted from the monthly salary of Shri Chinnappa M. Urologin, Retd JTO, Kohlapur for a particular period when he was working in Western Telecom Project before his transfer to Maharashtra Telecom Circle. The Association has sought his intervention and requested to advise Controller of Communication Accounts, Maharashtra & Goa Circle to make payment of the balance of the GPF amount along with interest to the concerned pensioner Shri Channappa M. Urologin, Retd JTO without further delay.  View the letter

12.03.2020:

NON-RELEASE OF GPF PAYMENT– AIBSNLREA TAKES UP CASES OF SMT S GETHSI JEBASELVI, RETD SDE AND SHRI P DURAISAMY, RETD DE OF ERODE SSA WITH CONTROLLER GENERAL OF COMMUNICATION ACCOUNTS:

AIBSNLREA has since taken up the cases of Smt. Gethsi Jebaselvi, Retd SDE and Shri P Duraisamy, Retd DE of Erode SSA of Tamilnadu Circle who retired from service on 30.11.2019 and 31.12.2019 respectively with Controller General of Communication Accounts, New Delhi for releasing their GPF payment. The Association has requested to advise Principal Controller of Communication Accounts, Tamilnadu Circle, Chennai to immediately release the GPF payment with interest for delayed payment to the above-named pensioners.  View the letter

11.03.2020:

GENERAL BODY MEETING OF AIBSNLREA, JALLANDHAR BRANCH:

A General Body meeting of AIBSNLREA, Jallandhar Branch (Punjab State) was held on 06.03.2020. Shri H L Bhagat, Branch President presided over the meeting. The meeting was attended by S/Shri D S Sandhu, Organizing Secretary (North), CHQ and Jogi Ram, State Secretary, AIBSNLREA, Haryana. Shri Sandhu, Org Secretary (N) briefed the members about the deliberations in last AIC held at Madurai. He spoke on various important issues including pay and pension revision, non-reimbursement of claims under BSNLMRS, option to switch over to CGHS, Court case on pay and pension arrears with merger of 78.2% IDA etc. He also explained an issue raised by some associations for delinking of pension revision from pay revision and presented them with the correct picture how for the first time in the history, revision of pension started only after pay scale revision as per recommendation of 5th CPC recommendations following a SC judgment in D S Nakara case. He also briefed the members about various resolutions adopted in the AIC. Eight members, who were present in the meeting, submitted their duly filled in membership forms. The members also elected Shri Mohan Lal Sandi, Retd CAO as the Assistant Branch Secretary. The house also honoured Shri Parkash, a veteran leader and an associate member of the Association with presentation of bouquet and a shawl on his attaining 80 years of age. It was also decided to hold the next GM meeting of the Branch at the earliest.

07.03.2020:

DOT ASKS BSNL TO SEND DOCUMENTS TO THE CONCERNED CCA OFFICES BY 12.03.202O AS PER SOP FOR PAYMENT OF FIRST INSTALMENT OF EX-GRATIA TO THE BSNL VRS-RETIREES ON 31.03.2020:

Alarmed by non-receipt of any document from BSNL as per SOP for payment of Ex-gratia to the BSNL VRS-retirees by the CCA Offices, DOT vide its letter No. 1/VRS/BSNL/2019/TA-I/841-873 dated 06.03.2020 addressed to CMD, BSNL has asked for taking action for ensuring that the documents as per SOP are sent to concerned CCA Offices by 12.03.2020 for the purpose of payment of First instalment of Ex-gratia to the BSNL VRS-retirees on 31.03.2020.  View the DoT letter

06.03.2020:

E-JOURNAL MARCH 2020 ISSUE:

March 2020 issue of AIBSNLREA E-journal has been uploaded and is available under the link "E-Journal" in the left column.

05.03.2020:

DISCUSSIONS WITH CCA, NEW DELHI ON THE ISSUES CONCERNING THE VRS-RETIREES:

A delegation of VRS-retirees led by Shri Rakesh Sethi met CCA New Delhi Shri Sanjay Kumar on 04.03.2020 and discussed some pressing issues concerning the VRS-retirees. The meeting continued for more than an hour and the CCA gave patient hearing and was found to be very positive in his approach. The main issues discussed are as under: -

(1) Issue of ePPO, payment of provisional and also regular pension:

The delegation expressed its satisfaction that due to the efforts taken by CCA office to issue the ePPO and payment of pension in very first month of VRS, good number of retirees have received ePPO and pension in time. But still a large number of retirees are waiting for their ePPO as well as pension/provisional pension. The CCA said that while all efforts were made to complete the work well in time, due to various reasons like shortage of staff and time constraint, his office could not complete the target. However, he assured that work related to issue of ePPO for the remaining VRS retirees will be completed and all would get their pension of February 2020 along with the Pension of March 2020. The CCA has also informed that GPF payment for most of the VRS retirees have been made and now only a few cases are left.

(2) Payment of ex-gratia:

The CCA assured that ex-gratia payment will be made through BSNL, so that Form-16 can be issued only by one office since BSNL has already paid 10 months salary to its employees and have a complete record of TDS. Therefore, it will be appropriate that ex-gratia payment is made through BSNL. However, all efforts will be made to make payment of ex-gratia by this month end.

(3) Payment of gratuity:

He assured that gratuity will be paid on the date mentioned in ePPO along with applicable interest.

(4) Commutation of pension:

As per VRS 2019, option for commutation of pension will be allowed on the date as mentioned in the ePPO.-

(5) Issue regarding mention of payment of pension under BSNL Voluntary Retirement Scheme 2019 in the ePPOs:

In this regard, CCA informed that all VRS retirees will get their pension under Rule 37-A of CCS (Pension) Rules, 1972 as in the case of other BSNL employees retired/retiring in normal course. There is no room for any apprehension that VRS-retirees may not receive their pension under Rule 37-A of CCS (Pension) Rules, 1972. The CCA further clarified that payment of gratuity along with interest and option for pension commutation will be available to the VRS retirees only on attaining the age of 60 or five years from the date of voluntary retirement, whichever is earlier, there was a need to mention about their retirement under BSNL VRS 2019 in the ePPOs.

(6) Discrepancies in ePPO:

The CCA assured that any other discrepancies will be duly addressed on receipt of complaint from any of the retirees. The retirees may send their representations to the CCA office and necessary orders will be issued sorting out the discrepancies as pointed out by the retirees as early as possible.

05.03.2020:

RELAXATION OF ELIGIBILITY CONDITION FOR INVESTMENT IN SENIOR CITIZEN SAVINGS SCHEME IN RESPECT OF THE EMPLOYEES RETIRED UNDER VRS BEFORE REACHING THE AGE OF 55 YEARS - AIBSNLREA TAKES UP THE ISSUE WITH PRIME MINISTER:

AIBSNLREA has since addressed a letter to Prime Minister of India on the above issue and has requested to “ kindly advise Ministry of Finance (Department of Economic Affairs), which promulgated the Order on Senior Citizen Savings Scheme, to allow the VRS retirees who retired before reaching the age of 55 years also to invest in SCSS. This relaxation of existing eligibility condition in SCSS will give a huge relief to the VRS retirees of this age group of above 50 years but below 55 years from BSNL and MTNL”.  View the letter

04.03.2020:

AIBSNLREA TAKES UP WITH DIRECTOR (HR), BSNL THE ISSUE OF REIMBURSEMENT OF TELEPHONE BILLS OF THE RETIRED BSNL EMPLOYEES HAVING CONCESSIONAL TELEPHONE FACILTY WHO ARE RESIDING IN THE AREAS SERVED BY MTNL:

In a letter addressed to Director (HR), BSNL Board, AIBSNLREA has drawn his attention on the problem being faced by the retired BSNL employees, who are residing in the areas served by MTNL and having concessional telephone facility, in the matter of payment of bills and their subsequent reimbursement. The Association has suggested that “arrangements be made with MTNL so that the bills which are within the prescribed free-call limit as decided by BSNL and the user-BSNL retirees are not finally liable to pay for the number of calls made, MTNL should send such bills only to the concerned BSNL Units for book transfer or otherwise. This will give relief at least to those BSNL retirees who do not make calls in excess of the permissible free-call limit as allowed by BSNL”. The Association has further suggested that once MTNL is merged with BSNL as decided by Union Cabinet, the BSNL retirees residing in the areas served by MTNL be also extended the same arrangement as available to the BSNL retirees residing in the areas served by BSNL for the purpose of settlement of their bills.  View the letter

03.03.2020:

NON-AVAILABILITY OF CGHS-EMPANELLED HOSPITAL IN VISHAKHAPATNAM- AIBSNLREA TAKES UP THE ISSUE WITH MINISTER OF HEALTH & FAMILY WELFARE:

AIBSNLREA has addressed a letter to Dr Harsh Vardhan, Minister of Health & Family Welfare pointing out the serious difficulties being faced by the CGHS beneficiaries -especially the pensioners in Vishakhapatnam and adjacent areas due to non-availability of CGHS-empanelled Hospital in Vishakhapatnam. The Association has further mentioned that the empanelled Hospitals are available only in Hyderabad and as such the CGHS beneficiaries are required to travel a long distance to get treatment. The Association has finally requested for the intervention of the Minister ‘so that adequate number of hospitals are empanelled under CGHS in Vishakhapatnam to give real relief to the CGHS beneficiaries in general and the pensioners in particular’.  View the letter

01.03.2020:

DELOITTE HASKINS & SELLS LLP APPOINTED AS ADVISER FOR THE MERGER OF BSNL AND MTNL:

Deloitte Haskins & Sell LLP has been appointed as the Adviser for the merger of Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited and Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Limited. This adviser will first make a case study before starting the process of merger. Thus, an important part of BSNL’s revival plan has been put in motion.

29.02.2020:

AIBSNLREA AGAIN WRITES TO PRIME MINISTER OF INDIA ON THE ISSUE OF GRANT OF ONE EXTRA INCREMENT TO THE BSNL EXECUTIVES ON THEIR POST-BASED PROMOTION WHO RETIRED BETWEEN JULY 2017 AND APRIL 2018:

In the background that DOT has expressed its intention not to take action to resolve the above issue terming this as a suggestion for ‘change of policy’ and not a grievance, AIBSNLREA has again taken up the matter contesting the stand of DOT. The Association has maintained that “Nowhere in our representation, we suggested or requested for any ‘change of policy’. It does not require a ‘change in policy’ by the Department of Telecommunication, either”, since the ‘BSNL Executive Promotion Policy 2004’ does not have any provision to discriminate any section of the BSNL Executives in the matter of grant of one extra-increment. The Association has affirmed that the Association only wanted a genuine grievance of discrimination meted out to a particular section of the retired Executives to be removed. The Association has now pleaded with Prime Minister to ‘kindly advise Department of Telecommunications to extend the benefit of one extra-increment on post-based promotion, as provided in the ‘BSNL Executive Promotion Policy 2004’ also to the BSNL Executives who retired between July 2017 and 2018 in the same manner as all the Executives retired before July 2017 and those retired/retiring after April 2018 have rightly been granted’.  View the letter

28.02.2020:

AIBSNLREA AGAIN TAKES UP THE CASE OF NON-ACCOUNTING AND NON-REFUND OF GPF CONTRIBUTIONS OF SHRI V VELAPPAN, RETD DGM, TAMILNADU CIRCLE WITH PRIME MINISTER OF INDIA:

AIBSNLREA has again represented to Prime Minister of India on the above issue since DOT has not made payment of his GPF contributions which was deducted from his salary from December 1980 to September 1990, even after repeated representations. Submitting documents issued by MTNL Mumbai as a proof of transfer of GPF contributions to DMT, Coimbatore in respect of Shri Velappan for the period when he worked in MTNL Mumbai from November 1986 to September 1990, the Association has urged Prime Minister of India to advise Department of Telecommunications to refund the GPF contributions with accrued interest for the period of December 1980 to September 1990 to Shri V Velappan, Retd DGM without any further delay.  View the letter

27.02.2020:

BSNL TO PAY SALARY FOR THE MONTH OF JANUARY BY FIRST WEEK OF MARCH, 2020:

BSNL is all set to pay the salary for the month of January, 2020 by first week of March, 2020 i.e. before Holi to its employees including those who retired on 31.01.2020 under VRS and in normal course. The pensioners who had opted for CGHS and waiting for reimbursement of their one-time subscription paid to CGHS authorities are also to receive their payment.

27.02.2020:

ABNORMAL DELAY IN PAYMENT OF INTEREST ON DELAYED PAYMENT OF RETIREMENT GRATUITY- AIBSNLREA TAKES UP THE CASE OF SHRI KAILASH CHANDRA KHATUA, RETD DE, ODISHA:

AIBSNLREA has since taken up the case of abnormal delay in payment of interest on delayed payment of retirement Gratuity of Shri Kailash Chandra Khatua, Retd DE, Dhenkanal, Odisha with Secretary (Pension) and others. In this case, CCA, Odisha Circle had sent a detailed calculation sheet for payment of interest payable to Shri Khatua, Retd DE to Adviser (Finance), Telecom Commission for necessary sanction/orders as back as on 15.06.2018. But even though more than 20 months have already passed since the CCA, Odisha requested for sanction/orders from DOT, no action seems to have been taken by DOT on the issue. Shri Khatua, Retd DE became entitled to get the interest on delayed payment of his retirement gratuity following his complete exoneration in a case initiated against him under Rule-36 of BSNL CDA Rule 2006.  View the letter

27.02.2020:

AURANGABAD BRANCH (MAHARASHTRA STATE) OF AIBSNLREA HELD ITS G.B. MEETING:

AIBSNLREA, Aurangabad Branch held a GB Meeting under the Chairmanship of Shri R. S. Dudhe, President of the Branch at 17.00 Hrs of 20.02.2020 at Yashomangal Karyalaya, Aurangabad. The meeting was attended by almost all the regular members along with recently retired executives who opted for VRS. Total 65 comrades attended the meeting. Shri Y. K. Bansod, GMT Aurangabad addressed the gathering as Chief Guest. Shri Ganvir, DGM (Admin), Aurangabad also addressed. Branch Secretary Shri V. P. Joshi welcomed all and informed the House about the developments taken place after the last meeting. The Newsletter No. 01/2020 dated 18.02.2020 by GS Shri S. Basu along with appeal of President Shri V. Chinnapappiah dated 07.12.2019 were read out in the House. The queries raised by the members were duly replied by Secretary and President. Among the new retirees who attended the meeting, ten retirees immediately enrolled themselves as the Life Members of the Association. Others assured to get enrolled soon. The meeting was also addressed by President Shri Dudhe who presented vote of thanks. Finance Secretary Shri Gadlinge took special efforts for success of the meeting. Newly enrolled members S/Shri Ganesh Khobre and G. N. Hiswankar took responsibility on themselves for arranging dinner after the meeting.

26.02.2020:

BSNL TOPS THE LIST OF NEW SUBSCRIBERS ADDED IN DECEMBER, 2019:

According to media reports, BSNL has added 4.2 lakh new subscribers in December, 2019 and thus topped the list of new subscribers added by different Telecom Companies during the month of December, 2019. In the process, Jio has been pushed back to distant second position which could add only 82,308 new subscribers. Vodafone-idea and Airtel have lost 3.6 million and 11,000 subscribers.

26.02.2020:

GB MEETING OF AIBSNLREA, KURUKSHETRA BRANCH HELD:

A General Body Meeting of AIBSNLREA, Kurukshetra Branch was held on 12.02.2020 at 11.30 AM at YATRI NIWAS, a Haryana Tourism Hotel, under the chairmanship of Shri D S Sandhu. Out of total membership strength of 38 members, 28 members of the Branch attended the meeting. Four new members were also enrolled as Life Members of the Branch. Branch Secretary Shri Jogi Ram briefed the members on the Court Case, Pension revision, non-payment of medical bills, joining of CGHS and other issues.The issues taken up at All India Conference at Madurai were also discussed. The meeting decided to get all the new retirees enrolled as Life Members and also to extend all possible help to resolve their immediate and other problems. The meeting concluded with presentation of vote of thanks to the members. Lunch was, thereafter, served to all the participants.

25.02.2020:

DELEGATION OF GHAZIABAD BRANCH OF AIBSNLREA MEETS CGM, ALTTC, GHAZIABAD:

A delegation of Ghaziabad Branch of AIBSNLREA, comprising of President Shri Naresh Chand, Vice President Shri Awadhesh Kumar Sharma, Branch Secretary Shri Rakesh Chandra and others, met CGM, ALTTC, Ghaziabad on 22.02.2020 to discuss about non-payment of one-time subscription paid to the CGHS authorities by the members and others. CGM called the concerned CAO and AO and also the Officers from ERP Unit and wanted them to take appropriate action in the matter. The delegation was assured that payments will be made along with the salary payment for the month of February, 2020 of the employees. A Note of the discussion was also issued by the administration.  View the Note of discussion

23.02.2020:

AURANGABAD SSA OF BSNL MAHARASHTRA CIRCLE REPLIES TO AIBSNLREA REGARDING ITS REPRESENTATION TO SECRETARY (PENSION) IN THE MATTER OF NON-PAYMENT OF REGULAR PENSION, RELEASE OF GRATUITY AND COMMUTED VALUE OF PENSION TO SHRI A S JOSHI, RETD CAO, MAHARASHTRA CIRCLE – STATES THAT VIGILANCE CLEARANCE AND FINAL RETIREMENT ORDER ARE AWAITED:

Aurangabad SSA of BSNL Maharashtra Circle has since responded to the representation of AIBSNLREA addressed to Secretary (Pension) wherein the case of non-payment of regular pension, release of gratuity and commuted value of pension to Shri A S Joshi, Retd CAO, Aurangabad SSA was taken up. [View postings dated 19.10.2019, 07.01.2020,19.01.2020 and 19.02.2020 in this website to read the correspondences]. Now Aurangabad SSA of BSNL Maharashtra Telecom Circle has informed AIBSNLREA that grant of vigilance clearance and issuance of final retirement order are required to release pensionary benefits to Shri A S Joshi, Retd CAO and for which the matter has been taken up with CGMT, Maharashtra Circle.  View the Aurangabad SSA, BSNL letter

22.02.2020:

BSNL ISSUES ORDERS ENDORSING DOT’S ORDER ON PAYMENT OF PROVISIONAL PENSION TO ALL THE VRS RETIREES AND CIRCULATING A TOOL TO FETCH REQUIRED DATA THROUGH ERP:

BSNL Corporate Office, vide its No. 45-16/2019-Pen(B) dated 21.02.2020, has endorsed DOT’s Order to make payment of provisional pension (50% of Last Pay drawn plus applicable dearness relief) for next five months or till issue of PPO, whichever is earlier to all VRS retirees [View posting dated 15.02.2020 in this website to view the DOT Order]. In addition, BSNL’s Order also circulates a tool developed to fetch required data through ERP for the purpose of implementation of DOT’s instructions.  View the BSNL letter

21.02.2020:

AMBALA BRANCH OF AIBSNLREA HOLD A GB MEETING:

A General Body meeting of AIBSNLREA, Ambala Branch was held on 18th February, 2020. The meeting was presided by Shri P C Chauhan, Branch President. The meeting was attended by 54 members. 24 new members, who retired on 31.1.2020 under VR Scheme, joined the Association as life members. Branch Secretary Shri J C Gupta welcomed all the members for joining our Association. All the members also introduced themselves for better coordination. New members were briefed about our Association by Branch Secretary. Shri K.L.Gakhar enthralled the members with his ghazal. Members also recounted their experience while in service. The meeting ended with vote of thanks. This was followed by lunch which was enjoyed by everybody.

21.02.2020:

AIBSNLREA, VADODARA BRANCH HOLD GB MEETING:

Fifth Quarterly General Body meeting of AIBSNLREA, Vadodara Branch was held in Hotel Utsav at 11.00 hrs of 3rd February, 2020. The meeting had a special significance since it was held immediately after mass retirement took place on 31.01.2020. Branch invited all the 45 retired executives and almost all of them attended the meeting. President Shri I A Patel welcomed all the members and the special invitees. Later, some of these retirees also submitted their membership forms. House observed 2 minutes silence in memory of department member of the Branch Shri L M Zala. Branch Secretary Shri R T Shah, in his report, stated that five delegates from Vadodara Branch attended the AIC held at Madurai. The main issues discussed in the AIC Madurai were briefed to the House. Report of the General Secretary and the resolutions adopted in the AIC were also discussed. Functioning of the Association was explained for the benefit of new members. Meal was served to all the participants after the meeting.  View Photos

20.02.2020:

RETENTION OF STAFF QUARTERS BY VRS RETIREES – NO EDUCATIONAL/ MEDICAL GROUND CERTIFICATE REQUIRED:

BSNL Corporate Office, vide its No. 482-11/2019-BG/Vol.II dated 20.02.2020, has issued a clarification according to which BSNL VRS retires will not be required to submit certificate for educational/medical ground for retention of quarters for the normal period of eight months.  View the BSNL letter

20.02.2020:

GB MEETING OF ODISHA STATE BRANCH HELD:

A GB meeting of Odisha State Branch was held on 12.02.2020 in Jayadev Batika premises, Bhubaneswar, in which 31 members were present. The number includes eight new members including the VRS retirees. Shri Sanatan Das, President in his address welcomed the new entrants and appraised them about AIBSNLREA since its formal launch in 2008 as the first Pensioners' Association of BSNL Executives, subsequent registration in 2014 and the present day set up. Odisha has the honour of being the first AIC venue in 2016. It was explained to the members, how and why the approach the Association is quite different from other associations in tackling the issues of common interest like Pension Revision as per 3rd PRC in contrast to the others views of linking it with 7th CPC. CHQ’s sustained efforts recently brought result in issue of order for provision of Mobile connection to BSNL retirees residing in TNF areas which received appreciation of all. The case of Com. B.Swain was solved only because of involvement of CHQ [ To read the full Report of the meeting, Odisha State section of State News page of this website be viewed].

19.02.2020:

DOT FORWARDS AIBSNLREA’s REPRESENTATION TO SECRETARY (PENSION) REGARDING NON-PAYMENT OF REGULAR PENSION, RELEASE OF GRATUITY AND COMMUTED VALUE OF PENSION OF SHRI A S JOSHI, RETD CAO, MAHARASHTRA CIRCLE TO JT. CCA, BA IT, NEW DELHI:

AIBSNLREA had taken up the above issue with Secretary (Pension) and a copy of the representation was also endorsed to Secretary (Telecom). Earlier, DOP&PW had forwarded the representation addressed to Secretary (Pension) to DOT to take appropriate action which is now under process [View postings dated 19.10.2019, 07.01.2020 and 19.01.2020 in this website to read the letters]. Now DOT has sent the copy of the same representation, which was addressed to Secretary (Telecom), to Jt. CCA BA IT, New Delhi for appropriate remedial action.  View the DoT letter

18.02.2020:

AIBSNLREA, EAST GODAVARI BRANCH MEETS GMTD, RAJAHMUNDRY :

Shri GSVSS Vara Prasad, Branch Secretary, AIBSNLREA along with S/Shri Duvvuri Subba Rao, U.Maheswara Rao and VVR Satyanarayana met General Manager, Telecom District, Rajahmundry on 14.02.2020 and held discussions on a few important pressing issues for which a letter was also separately submitted. On the side of Administration, S/Shri Abdus Salam, DGM and Atcha Rao, DFA also participated in the discussions. The issue regarding the pension related matters of VRS optees, along with other issues, remained on the top of the agenda:- Item No. 1: Completion of SAMPANN and SRs of the VRS and other retirees: It was informed that on the request of Administration, a few retired executives have volunteered to assist CCA, Vijayawada for quick disposal of SAMPANN and SRs. CCA, Vijayawada has also assured to settle the pension cases by the end of March, 2020. DFA, Rajahmundry then assured that all-out efforts will be made to send all the cases including SRs to CCA Office by 20.02.2020. To speed up the process and assist the local administration, on the request of DFA Rajahmundry, Shri VVR Satyanarayana, Retd AO joined the team after the meeting. The GMTD also informed that he is reviewing the progress twice a day and asked the representatives of the Association to meet him again in the 4th week of the month to review the left-out cases [For full Report of the meeting, view Andhra Pradesh State section of State News page of this website].

18.02.2020:

NADIAD BRANCH OF AIBSNLREA HELD A GB MEETING:

Nadiad Branch (Gujarat State) of AIBSNLREA held its Bi-monthly General Body Meeting on 9th February 2020 at Vrundavan Cold Storage, N H 8, at Boriavi. Forty-five members attended the meeting. Three new members were also enrolled in the branch. Shri B. M. Patel, Representative of Nadiad welcomed the members and reported the activities of the Branch. Shri A. M. Mistry, Retd DE, Transmission, Nadiad who sponsored the meeting was then honoured with presentation of religious book. S/Shri P B Parmar, President, S L Sharma State Secretary addressed the house and discussed about pension revision and medical reimbursement issues. The meeting was also addressed by other state representatives S/Shri C J Patel, M T Parmar and M T Patel. Vote of thanks was presented by Shri J D Parmar. Thereafter, dinner was served.

17.02.2020:

AIBSNLREA AGAIN TAKES UP THE ISSUE OF GRANT OF NOTIONAL INCREMENT FOR THE PURPOSE OF ALLOWING PENSIONARY BENEFITS TO THE RETIRED/RETIRING EMPLOYEES WHOSE DATE OF NEXT INCREMENT FALLS ON THE FOLLOWING DAY OF THEIR RETIREMENT WITH PRIME MINISTER OF INDIA:

Being unsatisfied with the reply given by Department of Personnel & Training vide its No. 16/2/2020-Estt(Pay-I) dated 21.01.2020 in response to our earlier representation to the Prime Minister of India in which it was merely stated that the judgment of Hon’ble Madras High Court in W.P.No. 15732/2017 in the case of Shri P Ayyamperumal in in personam, i.e. specific to the case of petitioner only [View posting dated 28.01.202 in this website to read the DOP&T letter], the Association has now again sent a representation to the Prime Minister of India. In this representation, the Association has submitted that “However, it (DoP&T) remained silent on all other cases in which judgments have gone in the similar line i.e. in favour of all the applicant pensioners. Even Delhi High Court in a judgment delivered on 13.01.2020 in W.P.(C) 5539/2019 in the case of Shri Arun Chhibber Vs Union of India has ordered to give the same benefit as given to the Petitioner in the above mentioned case as ordered by Madras High Court, even though the Government argued before the Court that the judgment of Madras High Court as ‘in personam and not in rem”. Accordingly, the Association has appealed to the Prime Minister of India so that DOP&T accepts the hard reality that all judgments by courts are being delivered in favour of the applicant-pensioners which cannot be reversed and thereby immediately issue an Order granting notional increment for the purpose of allowing pensionary benefits.to the all retired/retiring employees whose date of next increment falls on the following day of their retirement.  View the letter

16.02.2020:

FALSE CLAIM OF HAVING PAID REIMBUSEMENT OF MEDICAL CLAIMS FOR OUTDOOR TREATMENT UNDER BSNLMRS TO THE ABSORBED BSNL PENSIONERS IN THE 26AS (TAX CREDIT STATEMENT) PAGE OF THE TDS-CPC SITE OF INCOME TAX DEPARTMENT- AIBSNLREA TAKES UP THE ISSUE:

In a letter addressed to CMD, BSNL and copy endorsed to all concerned on the above issue, AIBSNLREA has stated that “We are surprised to note that despite pointing out on many earlier occasions, BSNL is continuing to claim having made payment of reimbursement for outdoor treatment of the absorbed BSNL pensioners under BSNLMRS and also showing deduction of TDS against those unpaid amounts in 26 AS (Tax Credit Statement) page of the TDS-CPC web site of Income Tax Department. None of the pensioners, in fact, has received any payment of reimbursement for outdoor treatment under BSNLMRS from BSNL Units in the current assessment year. As a result, all these pensioners who are to submit their Income Tax Returns in a few months from now have been put in a serious trouble. This is really an unethical practice to make false claim for having made payment and then deducting TDS against these unpaid amounts”. The Association has further requested that “all the concerned absorbed BSNL pensioners be immediately supplied with the details of payment made, if any, in their respective Bank Accounts by BSNL through NEFT or any other mode” and “the Income Tax Department be immediately informed of the factual position to avoid unnecessary harassment of the tax paying pensioners at the later stage”. The Association has finally expressed the hope that BSNL would make actual payment of reimbursement of claims for outdoor treatment against all the claims which have already been submitted and also being submitted in the current financial year without any further delay.  View the letter

15.02.2020:

PAYMENT OF PROVISIONAL PENSION FOR NEXT FIVE MONTHS OR TILL ISSUE OF PPO TO THE BSNL AND MTNL VRS RETIREES – DOT ISSUES ORDERS:

Since CCAs of DOT could not issue Pension Payment Orders (PPOs) in respect of the VRS retirees of BSNL and MTNL, who retired on 31.01.2020, DOT has issued an Order vide its No. 1/Misc/Pen/Issues/BSNL/DDG(Accounts)/2019-Part (1)/566 to 587 dated 14.02.2020, as a special dispensation to make payment of provisional pension (50% of Last Pay drawn + applicable dearness relief) for next five months or till issue of PPO, whichever is earlier.  View the DoT order

15.02.2020:

BSNL TO MAKE PAYMENT OF SALARY TO THE BSNL EMPLOYEES AND PENSIONERS INCLUDING VRS OPTEES WHO RETIRED ON 31.12.2019 AND 31.01.2020:

In some relief to the serving employees and those who retired on 31.12.2019 and 31.01.2020 which includes nearly 80,000 VRS Optees, BSNL is stated to have decided to make the payment of their salary to-day. BSNL is also reported to have started clearing claims for reimbursement of one-time subscription paid to the CGHS authorites by the absorbed BSNL pensioners who have already switched over to CGHS regime.

15.02.2020:

NON-PAYMENT OF SALARIES, LEAVE ENCASHMENT, GPF AMOUNTS, CLAIMS FOR MEDICAL REIMBURSEMENTS AND OTHER DUES TO OVER 80,000 BSNL EMPLOYEES WHO WERE FORCED TO TAKE VOLUNTARY RETIREMENT ON 31.01.2020 - AIBSNLREA TAKES UP THE ISSUE WITH SECRETARY (PENSION):

AIBSNLREA has addressed a letter to Secretary (Pension) regarding non-payment of various dues including salaries, leave encashment, GPF amounts, claims for medical reimbursement and other dues to over 80,000 absorbed BSNL employees who were virtually forced to take voluntary retirement on 31.01.2010. The Association has maintained that “We have no hesitation to state that 31.01.2020 will be remembered as the black day for the pensioners’ community as a whole when over 80,000 absorbed BSNL employees were forcibly sent back to home even without clearing their legitimate dues on the date of their retirement. In the process, many Orders issued by DOP&PW from time to time instructing to settle the dues payable to the retirees on the day of their retirement have been brushed aside”. The Association has further submitted that “we earnestly request you to kindly render justice to these new retirees and their family members by ordering Department of Telecommunications and Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited to immediately clear their all pending dues including salaries for last two months, all pending medical claims, payment of accumulated GPF, Encashment of Leave Salary and other dues”.  View the letter

14.02.2020:

PALAKKAD BRANCH OF AIBSNLREA HELD A GB MEETING:

The GB Meeting of Palakkad Branch of AIBSNLREA was held at 10.30 am on 11.02.2020 in Top In Town Auditorium, Palakkad. 12 new members including 10 members who retired under VRS on 31.1.2020 attended the meeting. While welcoming the new members in the association Shri P.Prabhakaran, Branch Secretary assured that the Association will take care of them and all their genuine issues will be addressed and protected through the General Secretary at Central Headquarters. Shri K.Haridasan, the Branch President and also one of the delegates to the All India Conference at Madurai briefed the deliberations of the AIC and the resolutions passed. The members were unanimous that the association should make all efforts for early release of two months’ salary due to the VRS pensioners and also for timely payment of pension [View Kerala State Section of State News page of this website to read the full Report of the meeting].

13.02.2020:

AIBSNLREA’S REPRESENTATION TO THE PRIME MINISTER OF INDIA AGAINST CLOSURE OF ITS EARLIER REPRESENTATION BASED ON THE AIC RESOLUTION REQUESTING TO CONSTITUTE A COMMITTEE OF EXPERTS FROM INVESTIGATING AGENCIES AND OTHERS TO INVESTIGATE SOME SPECIFIC CASES CITED BY THE ASSOCIATION IN WHICH CERTAIN POWERS GAVE UNDUE ADVANTAGE TO THE PRIVATE OPERATORS AT THE COST OF BSNL NOW FORWARDED BY PMO TO SECRETARY, DOT:

AIBSNLREA had sent a representation to the Prime Minister after its original representation, based on AIC resolution, requesting to constitute a High-Power Committee with members from investigating agencies and other experts to investigate into some specific cases as cited by the Association in which undue advantage was given to the private operators at the cost of BSNL was disposed of by BSNL merely stating that “Govt. has already approved the revival plan of BSNL which is under process at appropriate level” [View posting dated 18.01.2020 in this website to read the letter]. Now Prime Minister’s Office has sent this representation to Secretary, Department of Telecommunications for action as appropriate.  View the PMO letter

12.02.2020:

EAST GIODAVARI BRANCH OF AIBSNLREA HELD ITS GB MEETING:

A General Body meeting of East Godavari District Branch of AIBSNLREA held on 06.02.202 at Hotel Surya, Rajahmundry under the president ship of Shri GV Rama Krishna. The meeting started at 10.00 hours. Branch Secretary Shri G.S.V.S.S.Vara Prasad invited the president and Shri Ch Gandhi, Organizing Secretary (S), CHQ on the dais. After prayer, Branch Secretary briefed the House about the resolutions adopted in the 2nd AIC held at Madurai and also the latest developments on BSNL VRS. He welcomed the new members who have taken VRS recently and joined in the association. 38 members submitted their admission forms for life membership out of which 15 members paid the Life membership fee. Around 50 more VRS retirees, who are mostly out of station, are expected to join in the association shortly [View Andhra Pradesh State section of State News page of this website to read the full Report of the meeting].

11.02.2020:

AIBSNLREA ADDRESSES PRIME MINISTER OF INDIA ON THE ISSUE OF TOTAL NEGLECT OF THE INTERESTS OF SENIOR CITIZENS IN THE BUDGET PROPOSAL 2020-21:

AIBSNLREA has addressed a letter to Prime Minister of India expressing total disappointment with budget proposal regarding personal taxation. The Association has drawn his attention to his Message dated 31.03.2015 to the Elders of the country in which it was conveyed that “At this juncture, you have simple needs. You look forward to a peaceful and healthy life. And a life of dignity and respect, where you do not have to depend on others”.…..Thus, it is the nation’s responsibility to look after you……My Government is thus committed to ensuring that your golden years are spent happily, peacefully and meaningfully”. The Association has conveyed that ‘the Budget proposal for the year 2020-21 regarding personal (direct) taxation presented in Parliament has totally failed to respond to your declaration’ and has appealed to reconsider the budget proposal in regard to personal taxation and allow continuation of certain benefits like exemption of income tax upto a higher stage of income, retention of standard deduction, benefits of 80 TTB etc. even in the new income tax regime.  View the letter

10.02.2020:

DOOR-STEP SERVICE TO COLLECT ANNUAL LIFE CERTIFICATES FROM THE PENSIONERS WHO FAIL TO SUBMIT THE SAME BY DUE DATE:

In a detailed Order issued 17.01.2020, DOP&PW has issued instructions that all Pension Disbursing Banks shall ask all pensioners through sms/e-mails on 24th October, 1st November, 15th November and 25th November every year to remind them to submit their Annual Life Certificate by 30th November. Banks are also to send sms/e-mails to those pensioners who failed to submit their Annual Life Certificate by 30th November and shall ask such pensioners if they are interested for Door-Step Service to collect Annual Life Certificate against payment of charges not exceeding Rs. 60/- only.  View the DoP&PW order

09.02.2020:

ODISHA STATE BRANCH OF AIBSNLREA TO HOLD GB MEETING:

AIBSNLREA, Odisha State Branch is organizing a General Body meeting followed by a family Picnic on 12.02.2020 in Jayadev Batika premises at Bhubaneswar. All members and other new Executive retirees including those Executives who have retired under the Voluntary Retirement Scheme are requested to attend the meeting.

09.02.2020:

DOT TO TAKE APPROPRIATE REMEDIAL ACTION ON AIBSNLREA’S REPRESENTATION TO PRIME MINISTER OF INDIA DRAWING HIS ATTENTION ON THE ATTEMPT BY DOT TO CLOSE THE REGISTERED GRIEVANCE REGARDING PAYMENT OF CONSEQUENTIAL BENEITS FOLLOWING REVISION OF THE SENIORITY OF THE TES GROUP B OFFICERS AS ORDERED BY SUPREME COURT WITHOUT RESOLVING THE SAME:

AIBSNLREA had to draw the attention of Prime Minister of India on the attempt by DOT to close the Grievance registered based on the AIC Resolution of AIBSNLREA and forwarded by PMO to Secretary, DOT regarding payment of consequential benefits to the former TES Group B Officers of DOT since absorbed in BSNL and MTNL following revision of their seniority on the order of Supreme Court in its final judgment delivered on 14.12.2017 in CA No(s) 4389 of 2010 without resolving the said grievance [View posting dated 04.01.2020 in this website to read the letter]. Now Department of Telecommunications has forwarded the said representation to DDG(Estt) for appropriate remedial action.  View the DoT letter

08.02.2020:

DOT INFORMS THROUGH PG PORTAL SETTLEMENT OF CASE OF SHRI B SWAIN, RETD DGM, ODISHA REGARDING PAYMENT OF ADDITIONAL COMMUTED VALUE OF PENSION:

The issue regarding non-payment of Commuted Value of Pension from the date of retirement on which Shri Banabara Swain, Retd DGM, Odisha was subsequently exonerated as a result of departmental proceedings initiated against him was taken up by AIBSNLREA from time to time. Earlier, DOT had earlier closed the case stating that clarification from DOP&PW on the issue is awaited. The Association lodged its protest with DOP&PW against the decision to close the case without resolving the same [View posting dated 04.12.2019 of this website to read the letter]. Now DOT has informed through pgportal that necessary clarification to CCA, Odisha Circle was issued and consequently CCA Office has issued sanction of additional commuted value of pension to Shri B Swain.  View the Status Report & Sanction Memo

07.02.2020:

’DON’T BE UNDER IMPRESSION THAT BSNL AND MTNL WILL BE SHUT DOWN’-MOC ASSURES IN PARLIAMENT:

Minister of Communications Shri Ravi Shankar Prasad has stated in Rajya Sabha on 06.02.2020 that “Don’t be under impression that BSNL and MTNL will be shut down. We have infused a revival package in them and I assure you that these companies will not be shut down”.

06.02.2020:

E-JOURNAL FEBRUARY 2020 ISSUE:

February 2020 issue of AIBSNLREA E-journal has been uploaded and is available under the link "E-Journal" in the left column.

03.02.2020:

EAST GODAVARI BRANCH OF AIBSNLREA TO HOLD A GB MEETING:

AIBSNLREA, East Godavari Branch is holding a General Body Meeting at Hotel Surya, Rajahmundry on 06.02.2020 sharp at 10.00 AM. All members of the Association and other retired Executives who are yet to enrol themselves as Life Members are requested to attend the meeting.

01.02.2020:

BUDGET INTRODUCES 5 TAX SLABS, LOWER RATES FOR THOSE WHO FOREGO EXEMPTIONS:

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, in her Budget Speech today, introduced new slabs and reduced the tax rate for different slabs for an individual income of up to Rs 15 lakh per annum, if a taxpayer opts for foregoing exemptions and deductions.

The new tax regime will be optional and the taxpayers will be given the choice to either remain in the old regime with exemptions and deductions or opt for the new reduced tax rate without those exemptions, she said in the Lok Sabha while unveiling the Budget 2020-21.

Under the proposal, people with an annual income of Rs 5 lakh to Rs 7.5 lakh will have to pay a reduced tax rate of 10 per cent; between Rs 7.5 lakh and Rs 10 lakh 15 per cent; between Rs 10 lakh and 12.5 lakh 20 per cent; between Rs 12.5 lakh and 15 lakh 25 per cent; and above Rs 15 lakh 30 per cent, she said.

Observing that there are about 100 tax exemptions and deductions, she said that 70 of them are being removed in the new simplified tax regime, while the remaining will be reviewed and examined in due course.

 View the Newspaper Report

01.02.2020:

PMO SENDS REPRESENTATION OF AIBSNLREA DRAWING ATTENTION OF PRIME MINISTER OF INDIA ON THE ATTEMPT BY DOT TO CLOSE THE REGISTERED GRIEVANCE REGARDING PAYMENT OF CONSEQUENTIAL BENEITS FOLLOWING REVISION OF THE SENIORITY OF THE TES GROUP B OFFICERS AS ORDERED BY SUPREME COURT TO SECRETARY, DOT:

AIBSNLREA had earlier represented to Prime Minister of India drawing his attention on the attempt made by DOT to close the Grievance raised in the representation which was forwarded by PMO to Secretary, DOT on the issue of payment of consequential benefits to the former TES Group B Officers of DOT since absorbed in BSNL and MTNL following revision of their seniority on the order of Supreme Court in its final judgment delivered on 14.12.2017 in CA No(s) 4389 of 2010. The Association had also requested to advise Department of Telecommunications to resolve the said grievance at the earliest so that the affected pensioners get their long pending grievance mitigated at the earliest [View posting dated 04.01.2020 in this website to read the letter]. PMO has since forwarded the said representation to Secretary, Telecommunications for appropriate action.  View the PMO letter

31.01.2020:

DEPTT OF SOCIAL JUSTICE & EMPOWERMENT FORWARDS AIBSNLREA’S REPRESENTATION REGARDING GRANT OF NOTIONAL INCREMENT FOR THE PURPOSE OF PENSIONARY BENEFITS TO THE RETIRED/RETIRING EMPLOYEES WHOSE DATE OF NEXT INCREMENT FALLS ON THE FOLLOWING DAY OF THEIR RETIREMENT TO DOP&T:

Department of Social Justice & Empowerment has forwarded the copy of the letter dated 08.01.2020 of AIBSNLREA addressed to Prime Minister [View posting dated 10.01.2020 in this website to read the letter], which was endorsed to the Minister of Social Justice & Empowerment, Government of India, regarding grant of notional increment for the purpose of pensionary benefits to all the retired/retiring employees whose date of next increment falls on the next day of their retirement to the Department of Personnel & Training for appropriate action and directly inform the petitioner.  View the Dept. of Social Justice & Empowerment letter

28.01.2020:

DOP&T REPLIES TO AIBSNLREA’S REPRESENTATION TO THE PRIME MINISTER REGARDING COLOSSAL WASTAGE OF PUBLIC MONEY IN DEFENDING AN UNDEFENDABLE CASE IN VARIOUS COURTS FOR GRANT OF NOTIONAL INCREMENT FOR THE PURPOSE OF PENSIONARY BENEFITS TO THE RETIRED/RETIRING EMPLOYEES WHOSE DATE OF NEXT INCREMENT FALLS ON THE FOLLOWING DAY OF THEIR RETIREMENT:

Department of Personnel & Training (DOP&T) has since replied to the representation of AIBSNLREA addressed to the Prime Minister of India in which attention of the PM was drawn in the matter of non-extending the benefit of notional increment for the purpose of pensionary benefits to all the retired/retiring employees whose date of next increment falls on the next day following their retirement despite Supreme Court’s rejection of CBDT’s Review Petition and all other Courts now giving similar judgments. The Association had maintained that because of this stand of DOP&T, colossal wastage of public money is being allowed by engaging legal counsels and involving the Government machinery to defend an undefendable case in different courts all over the country [View posting dated 10.01.2020 in this website to read the representation]. Now, DOP&T has just replied that the Madras High Court judgment in this case is in personam, i.e. specific to the case of petitioner only. Thus, DOP&T avoids the issue raised by the Association that in view of the fact that many other Courts have started giving similar judgments, the benefit of notional increment for the purpose of granting pensionary benefits be allowed to all retired/retiring employees whose date of next increment falls on the following day of their retirement.  View the DOP&T letter

27.01.2020:

ANOMALY IN PENSION OF THE BSNL IDA PENSIONERS RETIRED WITHIN 10 MONTHS OF THEIR ABSORPTION - DELHI HIGH COURT UPHOLDS CAT, NEW DELHI ORDER DIRECTING FIXATION OF PENSION BY GRANTING NOTIONAL BENEFIT OF IDA PAY SCALE:

Delhi High Court, in its judgment delivered on 24.01.2020 on the Appeal filed by DOT against an Order earlier passed by Principal Bench of CAT, New Delhi on 16.12.2016 directing to fix pension by granting notional benefit of IDA pay scales to the BSNL IDA pensioners who retired within 10 months of their absorption and were drawing partly in CDA pay and partly in IDA pay, has withdrawn its earlier Order not to take coercive action against DOT to implement the said CAT Order and has also upheld the CAT Order granting the benefit to the affected pensioners. The High Court has also directed to implement the said CAT Order within eight weeks starting from 24.01.2020. This judgment will benefit over 4000 affected BSNL IDA pensioners who retired within 10 months of their absorption in BSNL. Hopefully, DOT will not move Supreme Court to delay the matter further and gracefully accept the Court Order.

25.01.2020:

GB MEETING OF AIBSNLREA, MUMBAI BRANCH HELD:

Mumbai Branch of AIBSNLREA held a General Body Meeting at 14.00 hours on 06.01.2020 in the Conference Hall of Fountain Telecom Building, Mumbai. The meeting was presided over by Branch Vice President Shri N K Devassy who welcomed all the members and the newly elected Organizing Secretary (West), CHQ Smt. M S Lumba. A good number of members of the Branch including six lady members were present. The meeting started with observation of two minutes’ silence in memory of the departed members which was followed by self-introduction of the members [To read the full Report, please view the Maharashtra State Section of State News Page of this website].

24.01.2020:

AMRAVATI BRANCH (MAHARASHTRA STATE) OF AIBSNLREA HELD ITS G.B. MEETING:

AIBSNLREA, Amravati Branch held a GB Meeting under the Chairmanship of Shri R. W. Tidke, President of the Branch at 14.00 hrs of 17.01.2020 at the Conference Hall of Pr. G.M.Telecom, Amravati. The meeting was attended by 29 members of the Branch. Shri D. B. Dange, DGM, BSNL Amravati joined the Association who was greeted by the House. Branch Secretary Shri D. V. Rokade informed the house about the developments taken place after the last meeting. He briefed the members about the status of payment of pending medical claims. He also briefed the House about the main issues discussed in the AIC Madurai. It was decided to approach the officers who have opted for VRS and request them to join the Association. Shri V. G. Dakhode, State Secretary, AIBSNLREA, Maharashtra State discussed in detail all the points discussed in the AIC held at Madurai. He also discussed about the latest position of the Court Case, 3rd PRC developments and highlighted the important key issues of BSNL being processed at State and All India level. The queries raised by the members were duly replied by him. The meeting ended after presentation of vote of thanks by Shri M.Z.Shinde , Financial Secretary, AIBSNLREA, Amravati.

19.01.2020:

DOP&PW FORWARDS AIBSNLREA’S LETTER ADDRESSED TO SECRETARY (PENSION) REGARDING NON-SETTLEMENT OF REGULAR PENSION, RELEASE OF DCRG AND PAYMENT OF COMMUTATION VALUE OF PENSION OF SHRI A S JOSHI, RETD CAO, AURANGABAD TO DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS:

AIBSNLREA had taken up the case of non-settlement of regular pension, release of DCRG and payment of Commutation Value of Pension of Shri A S Joshi, Retd CAO, Aurangabad with Secretary (Pension) [View posting dated 07.01.2020 in this website to read the letter]. Now Department of Pension & Pensioners’ Welfare has forwarded the said letter to Department of Telecommunications to examine the issues as per extant rules/orders and inform accordingly.  View the DOPPW letter

18.01.2020:

AIBSNLREA WRITES TO PRIME MINISTER OF INDIA AGAINST CLOSURE OF ITS REPRESENTATION BASED ON THE AIC RESOLUTION REQUESTING TO CONSTITUTE A COMMITTEE OF EXPERTS FROM INVESTIGATING AGENCIES AND OTHERS TO INVESTIGATE SOME SPECIFIC CASES CITED BY THE ASSOCIATION IN WHICH CERTAIN POWERS GAVE UNDUE ADVANTAGE TO THE PRIVATE OPERATORS AT THE COST OF BSNL:

Following closure of the Grievance Registered with No. PMOPG/D/2019/0453271 on the basis of AIC resolution as submitted to the Prime Minister of India and forwarded by PMO to Secretary, DOT by providing a vague response, AIBSNLREA has again taken up the issue. The Association has submitted that though BSNL has nothing to do with the representation, surprisingly DOT forwarded the said Grievance to BSNL which just closed the case stating that ‘Govt. has already approved the revival plan of BSNL which is under process at appropriate level’ [View the earlier posting in this website to read BSNL’s letter]. The Association maintained that reply from BSNL does not speak anything about the eight specific cases of omissions and commissions in Department of Telecommunications and the Government at that time, as pointed out by the Association, and its request to constitute a High-Power Committee with members from investigating agencies and other experts to investigate into all the said cases and fix responsibility wherever wrong doings are proved and punish the guilty. This clearly shows that Department of Telecommunication is just trying to hide facts so that truth never comes to light. The Association has finally urged Prime Minister of India to get the issues raised in the representation, which led to the present crisis in BSNL, investigated by any independent agency to punish those found guilty.  View the letter

18.01.2020:

BSNL/DOT AVOIDS THE ISSUES RAISED BY AIBSNLREA IN ITS AIC RESOLUTION NO. 14 SUBMITTED TO THE PRIME MINISTER OF INDIA REQUESTING TO CONSTITUTE HIGH-POWER COMMITTEE OF EXPERTS FROM INVESTIGATING AGENCIES TO PROBE EIGHT SPECIFIC CASES WHICH LED TO BSNL’S PRSENT CRISIS:

AIBSNLREA had adopted a resolution in its All India Conference held at Madurai in which eight specific cases were mentioned to substantiate how since its inception some powers within the Administrative Department i.e. Department of Telecommunications and the Government at that time conspired to help the private operators at the cost of the Government run Telecom PSU i.e. Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited and requesting to constitute a High-Power Committee with members from investigating agencies and other experts to investigate into all the said cases and fix responsibility wherever wrong doings are proved and punish the guilty. The resolution was duly submitted to Prime Minister of India [View posting dated 03.12,2019 in this website to read the letter]. The PMO had forwarded the resolution to Secretary, DOT which finally landed to BSNL. Now BSNL, without touching the issues mentioned in our letter, has just replied stating that ‘… Govt. has already approved the revival plan of BSNL which is under process at appropriate level’.  View the BSNL letter

17.01.2020:

AIBSNLREA TAKES UP THE ISSUE REGADING NON-PAYMENT OF CLAIMS FOR MEDICAL REIMBURSEMENT TO THE ABSORBED BSNL IDA PENSIONERS WITH PRIME MNISTER OF INDIA:

AIBSNLREA has since addressed a letter to the Prime Minister of India with copy endorsed to Minister of Communications & IT requesting his urgent intervention so that all the pending medical claims of the BSNL IDA pensioners are reimbursed immediately by BSNL. The Association, while appreciating the concerns expressed by the Government on the genuine problem of the pensioners of Dr Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Port, Kolkata (Kolkata Port Trust) and release of Rs 501 crores to the Pension Fund for uninterrupted payment of their pension, has drawn the attention of the Prime Minister to the serious problem now being faced by the BSNL IDA pensioners due to non-payment of their claims for medical reimbursement for almost last one year.  View the letter

12.01.2020:

BSNL TRANSFERS AIC RESOLUTION OF AIBSNLREA DEMANDING CALCULATION OF PENSION CONTRIBUTION BASING ON ACTUAL PAY INSTEAD OF MAXIMUM OF THE PAY SCALE IN RESPECT OF ABSORBED BSNL EMPLOYEES:

AIBSNLREA had submitted the resolution adopted in its All India Conference held at Madurai asking for calculation of pension contribution in respect of absorbed BSNL employees basing on their actual pay instead of maximum of the pay scale to the Prime Minister of India [View posting dated 29.11.2019 in this website to read the letter]. The representation was forwarded by PMO to Secretary, DOT which finally reached BSNL. Now BSNL has rightly transferred the case back to DOT stating that “any change in payment of pension contribution policy pertains to Administrative Ministry i.e. DOT”. BSNL has further written to DOT that “It is further intimated that the matter regarding pension contribution on actual basis instead of maximum of the pay scale has already been taken up with DoT. However, any decision in this regard is still awaited”.  View the BSNL letter

11.01.2020:

PROVISION OF CONCESSIONAL FTTH CONNECTION AT THE RESIDENCES OF THE RETIRED BSNL EMPLOYEES - AIBSNLREA TAKES UP THE ISSUE WITH DIRECTOR (HR), BSNL:

Pointing out that the grounds on which concessional land line connection, mobile connections in lieu of landline in TNF areas and Broad Band connections were allowed to the retired BSNL employees at their residences equally hold good in the case for provision of FTTH connection, AIBSNLREA has urged Director (HR), BSNL Board to allow provision of concessional FTTH connection to the retired BSNL employees at their residences and cause early issue an order to this effect.  View the letter

10.01.2020:

AIBSNLREA WRITES TO PRIME MINISTER OF INDIA REGARDING COLOSSAL WASTAGE OF PUBLIC MONEY IN DEFENDING AN UNDEFENDABLE CASE IN COURTS – CITES THE CASE FOR GRANT OF NOTIONAL INCREMENT TO THE RETIRED/RETIRING EMPLOYEES WHOSE DATE OF NEXT INCREMENT FALLS ON THE FOLLOWING DAY OF THEIR RETIREMENT FOR THE PURPOSE OF PENSIONARY BENEFITS:

AIBSNLREA has since addressed a letter to Prime Minister of India drawing his attention how DOP&T is allowing callosal wastage of public money by engaging legal counsels and involving the Government machinery to defend an undefendable case in different courts all over the country to deny grant of notional increment for pensionary benefits to the retired/retiring employees whose date of next increment falls on the next day following their retirement despite Supreme Court rejecting even CBDT’s Review Petition and all other Courts now giving similar judgments allowing the same benefits to be petitioners. The Association has made an appeal to the Prime Minister to intervene in the matter and advise DOP&T to take an immediate decision granting notional increment to the all retired/retiring employees whose date of next increment falls on the following day of their retirement for the purpose of pensionary benefits.  View the letter

09.01.2020:

DOP&PW FORWARDS AIBSNLREA’S LETTER ADDRESSED TO SECRETARY (PENSION) REGARDING NON-DISPOSAL OF REVIEW PETITION OF SMT M S LUMBA, RETD AGM, GUJARAT CIRCLE TO DOT:

Department of Pension & Pensioners’ Welfare has since forwarded the letter from AIBSNLREA, which was addressed to Secretary (Pension) requesting his intervention in the case of non-disposal of Review Petition of Smt M S Lumba, Retd AGM, Gujarat Telecom Circle, to Department of Telecommunications [View posting dated 10.12.2019 to read the letter]. The Association has also been informed that DDG(PG), DOT will examine the issues as per extant rules/orders and will inform accordingly. Earlier, we also reported in this website on 25.12.2019 that CVO, BSNL has forwarded the same issue to PGM(Pers), BSNL stating that no petition is pending in CVO Office and this being an administrative matter, the review petition shall be decided by the personnel section of BSNL Corporate Office.  View the DOP&PW letter

08.01.2020:

AIBSNLREA WRITES TO MOS (C&IT) FOR IMMEDIATE REIMBURSEMENT OF MEDICAL CLAIMS UNDER BSNLMRS OF BSNL IDA PENSIONERS FOR THEIR OUTDOOR AND INDOOR TREATMENT:

In a letter addressed to Minister of State for Communications & IT, while seeking his intervention on the above issue, AIBSNLREA has requested him to advise Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited to take immediate steps to clear all the pending claims for reimbursement of medical bills of the BSNL IDA pensioners and others, so that all the pending claims get settled before 31.03.2020 in order to avoid the serious problem that the pensioners would otherwise face to submit their Income Tax Return.  View the letter

07.01.2020:

NON-PAYMENT OF REGULAR PENSION, RELEASE OF GRATUITY AND CVP – AIBSNLREA AGAIN TAKES UP THE CASE OF SHRI A S JOSHI, RETD, CAO, AURANGABAD SSA, MAHARASHHTRA WITH SECRETARY (PENSION):

AIBSNLREA has again addressed a letter to Secretary (Pension) drawing his attention to the previous communication of the Association seeking his intervention in the matter of non-payment of pension, release of gratuity and Commutated Value of Pension to Shri A S Joshi, Retd CAO, Aurangabad SSA of Maharashtra Telecom Circle despite implementation of a punishment order awarded in a disciplinary case initiated against him under Rule-61 of BSNL CDA Rules, 2006 [View posting dated 09.10.2019 in this website to read the letter]. The Association has for his “intervention in the matter so that the affected pensioner gets all his dues at the earliest for which Department of Telecommunications needs to take the issue seriously”.  View the letter

07.01.2020:

BSNL GETS RS.30,000 CRORES LETTER OF COMFORT FROM GOVERNMENT:

The All India Conference of AIBSNLREA held at Madurai passed a resolution stating that the Government should give BSNL an immediate financial assistance to come out of the financial mess and that DoT needs to issue the all-important letter of comfort required by banks to provide loan to BSNL to meet the temporary short of cash flow. The issue was also taken up with the Prime Minister of India later by the CHQ. According to recent press reports, the government has provided a letter of comfort (LoC) to the tune of Rs 30,000 crore to BSNL. While rolling out 4G services will cost around Rs.12000 crores, another Rs.10000 crores will be required to clear vendor bills. Remaining could be used for capex expenditure. However the report does not mention anything about electricity and other dues to be cleared.

06.01.2020:

E-JOURNAL JANUARY 2020 ISSUE:

January 2020 issue of AIBSNLREA E-journal has been uploaded and is available under the link "E-Journal" in the left column.

05.01.2020:

PENSION PAYMENT TO RETIREES THROUGH NATIONALISED BANKS ONLY- CCA, PUNJAB, DOT REITERATES DOT’S EARLIER ORDER:

In the background of boarding BSNL SSA on SAMPANN, CCA Punjab, DOT has clarified to BSNL, Punjab Circle reiterating that Pension shall be paid in accounts of Nationalized banks only and circulating a list of 20 Nationalized Banks through which Pension shall be paid to all VRS-optees and BSNL employees who are due for superannuation in the coming months.  View the CCA Punjab letter

04.01.2020:

AIBSNLREA DRAWS ATTENTION OF THE PRIME MINISTER OF INDIA ON THE ATTEMPT BY DOT TO CLOSE THE REGISTERED GRIEVANCE REGARDING PAYMENT OF CONSEQUENTIAL BENEITS FOLLOWING REVISION OF THE SENIORITY OF THE TES GRPUP B OFFICERS AS ORDERED BY SUPREME COURT AND TO ADVISE DOT TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE AT THE EARLIEST:

Being aggrieved by the attempt by DOT to close the Grievance registered based on the AIC Resolution of AIBSNLREA and forwarded by PMO to Secretary, DOT regarding payment of consequential benefits to the former TES Group B Officers of DOT since absorbed in BSNL and MTNL following revision of their seniority on the order of Supreme Court in its final judgment delivered on 14.12.2017 in CA No(s) 4389 of 2010, the Association has since addressed a letter to the Prime Minister. In this letter the Association has pointed out that DOT is trying to close the case by stating that ‘No specific case/grievance is mentioned’, though the resolution of the AIC clearly spelt out the grievance. The Association has urged Prime Minister ‘to advise Department of Telecommunications to resolve the said grievance’ which is registered under Docket No. PMOPG/P/2019/0438991 ‘at the earliest so that the affected pensioners get their long pending grievance mitigated at the earliest’.  View the letter

04.01.2020:

REVISION OF IDA W.E.F. 1.1.2020:

DPE has issued orders revising IDA w.e.f 1.1.2020 from 152% to 157.3% for CPSEs where last pay revision was implemented w.e.f. 1.1.2007.  View orders

04.01.2020:

REVISION OF IDA W.E.F. 1.1.2020:

DPE has issued orders revising IDA w.e.f 1.1.2020 from 325.5% to 334.3% for CPSEs where last pay revision was implemented w.e.f. 1.1.1997.  View orders

03.01.2020:

BSNL FINALLY CONCEDES TO THE DEMAND OF AIBSNLREA TO PROVIDE MOBILE CONNECTIONS TO THE RETIRED BSNL EMPLOYEES RESIDING IN TNF AREAS IN LIEU OF CONCESSIONAL LAND LINE CONNECTIONS – ISSUES ORDERS:

BSNL has finally issued Orders conceding to the long pending demand of AIBSNLREA to provide Mobile connections to the retired BSNL employees residing in TNF Areas. The Association had been single-handedly and relentlessly pursuing the case for over last five years. Even a resolution adopted in the Madurai AIC of AIBSNLREA on the same issue was submitted to the Prime Minister of India by the Association which was duly forwarded by PMO for redressal. Along with the retirees, the serving employees have also been extended the benefit.  View the BSNL letter