09.11.2021:

ILL-CONCEIVED MOVE FOR WAGE REVISION WITH ZERO PERCENT FITMENT - A SELL OUT OF THE HAPLESS EMPLOYEES :

In a detailed write-up, Com.S.Ratnasubramanian, AGS, AIBSNLREA has analysed the ill-conceived move for wage revision with zero percent fitment by the BSNL unions and associations, recalling how these unions and associations rejected 5% fitment offered in January 2019, but now are pleading for 0% fitment, explaining the different processes of wage/pay revision for non-executives and executives and working out to show how the employees and pensioners stand to lose, if the proposal is accepted by the DoT.  View the Write-up

23.07.2016:

ANNULMENT OF PENSION LIABILITY ON 60:40 RATIO - IS IT A BOON OR BANE?:

'AIBSNLREA was more vocal against BSNL sharing the pension liability of the pre-October 2000 DOT pensioners/family pensioners whose numbers are much higher than the number of absorbed BSNL pensioners/family pensioners. Moreover, Rule 37-A only spoke about an arrangement for sharing pension liability of the absorbed BSNL pensioners and not of past DOT pensioners/family pensioners.'  Read More

14.06.2016:

PENSION - REVISION - CONFUSION (PART II):

'Prior to 5th Central Pay Commission, the pensioners were not given any fitment benefit or equal fitment benefit which was given to the serving employees. This created a condition that a person retiring in senior rank in the time of 2nd or 3rd CPC (from 1960 to 1985) got lesser pension than an official of very junior rank to him and retired after 1986. TESA (I) took up this issue with V CPC and asked for one cadre one pension concept. Thanks to the landmark judgments of the Hon’ble Supreme Court, the fifth Central Pay Commission recommended that the fitment formula given to the serving employees should be extended to the past pensioners as well. Not only that. The 5th Central Pay Commission recommended that the pension of the past pensioners, at whatever date they would have retired, should be updated at each pay revision date from 2nd CPC to 4th CPC giving the same fitment formula as given to the serving employees in the pay revision of each CPC and then be given the fitment formula for 5th CPC and their pension revised accordingly. There was also an additional provision that with all the updating, the pension is also be not lower than 50 % of the minimum of the pay scale of the cadre in which the employee retired i.e., one cadre one pension concept as asked for by TESA (I).'  Read More

06.06.2016:

PENSION - REVISION - CONFUSION (PART I):

'We are sure that the issue of pension revision for BSNL absorbed pensioners is not in the domain of CPC, since we are BSNL pensioners and not Central Government pensioners. Nor it is in the domain of PRC or wage revision committee as well, since our pension though determined as per the pay drawn in BSNL under CCS Pension Rules, is paid by Government. Therefore, the PRC or wage revision committee for the CPSEs cannot make any recommendation on either pension or revision of pension of BSNL absorbed. Still, we are interested in PRC, because the pay of an executive in BSNL can be revised only on the basis of recommendation of a PRC.'  Read More

21.12.2015:

IS OUR PENSION SECURE?:

'Though we also feel that the 60:40 formula as evolved by DOT and asking BSNL to pay the amount exceeding 60% of dividend etc, would hurt BSNL finances and its viability, but it is in no way going to affect the BSNL pensioners from receiving their full pension. A pensioner is not going to receive 60% of pension from Government and rest 40% from BSNL. His full pension is assured as Government’s liability. The issue of 60:40 formula is an internal matter between DoT and BSNL and does not alter the pension liability position of the Government. Further this formula vis-à-vis “arrangement” is not permanent. If need be, it can be modified or even annulled depending on the requirement. But the Government’s liability to pay pension remains.'  Read More

16.08.2013:

BE RATIONAL - IT IS NOT NOTIONAL:

'Nevertheless, the confusion so created by a few has started its rounds that now DoT itself is indecisive and confused. An executive association which was a party to the agreement made last year has now asked for giving last one month (or last one day ?) pay with the 78.2 % fixation for those who had retired during the interim period from 01-01-2007 to 09-06-2013. That means they are of the view that the pay revision is notional. When the agreement says that the arrears will be paid at a future date how can it be notional ? Do they say that the order of BSNL is a breach of agreement made with them ? And if so what is there for them to rejoice and celebrate the release of the order as a victory ?'  Read More

03.07.2013:

REVISION OF PAY WITH 78.2% FIXATION - ADDITIONAL PENSIONERY BENEFITS OF BSNL PENSIONERS:

'Neither in the order of DOT communicating the Presidential Directive nor in the order of BSNL, the word “notionally” is found anywhere. The notion that the fixation is notional is in the minds of a few only and not in the orders. It is known to one and all that when the pay is fixed notionally, the benefit would be extended from a future date. But the obverse of the same is not true. Just because the arrears is not paid now, the fixation cannot be called as notional. Because, if the intention of the DOT or BSNL was to fix the pay notionally then it should have been specifically mentioned in the order itself. It cannot be so assumed otherwise.'  Read More

19.03.2011:

DOT ORDERS ON REVISION OF PENSION OF BSNL PENSIONERS- OUR CONSISTENT STAND VINDICATED:

'At one point of time, many had raised doubts that since Rule-37A of CCS Pension Rules 1972 do not have any mention or contain provision that there would be revision of pension of the past pensioners as and when it necessitated, the absorbed BSNL pensioners will never get revision of pension. But we were confident that revision of pension is automatic along with revision of pay scale of the serving employees. We maintained that there is no need for special provision/mention in the Rules for revision of pension. Even for the Central Government pensioners, no separate provision for revision of pension is available in CCS Pension Rules 1972. A section of the people was even blaming the then leadership that they failed to ensure revision of pension by not insisting for a provision in that direction in Rule-37-A. Now they are proved wrong and release of pension revision Order has vindicated our stand on this point.'  Read More

18.04.2010:

PENSION - REVISION - TENSION:

'But there is no difference in the settled law that the revision of pension is to be made as and when the pay revision of the serving employees is allowed and also the same fitment benefit given to the serving employees should also be extended to the past pensioners.'  Read More

20.08.2009:

APPLICABILITY OF DOP&PW ORDER NO 4/14/2001-P&PW(D) DATED 19.09.2003 – OUR STAND VINDICATED:

'As far as BSNL absorbed pensioners is concerned, since they were absorbed only on 1st October 2000 i.e., after 1996 (5th CPC), this DoP&PW order dated 19-09-2003, which is an one time measure for fixation of pension for those who retired prior to 01-01-1996, is in no way connected with their revision of pension. In other words, the DoP&PW order dated 19-09-2003 has no relevance with the revision of pension for the past pensioners absorbed in BSNL who retired between 1.10.2000 and 31.12.2006.'  Read More