AIBDPA CHQ Circular .....dt.25.12.24
Why AIBDPA ?
All India BSNL DOT Pensioners Association ( AIBDPA ) has completed 15 years of glorious service. Nobody can deny the fact that it has grown as the biggest organization of the BSNL- DOT pensioners in the country. This has been possible only due to the sustained struggles it has organised for settlement of the genuine issues of the pensioners and also due to the full support of the BSNL - DOT Pensioners.
AIBDPA is affiliated to the National Coordination Committee of Pensioners Associations (NCCPA), the apex body of the pensioners organizations in India. It is also affiliated to the Trade Union International (Pensioners & Retirees), the only global organization of the pensioners and retirees. AIBDPA always maintains good relations with the employees' organizations in BSNL. AIBDPA is the dominant constituent of the Coordination Committee of BSNLEU, AIBDPA and BSNL CCWF. So also of the Joint Forum of BSNL - MTNL Pensioners Associations.
Main Achievements.
Since its inception, through several militant struggles and negotiations, AIBDPA could achieve many important demands of the pensioners, a few of which are given below :
1. Pension Revision from 01-01-2007 with 30% fitment, the maximum fitment recommended by the 2nd Pay Revision Committee.
2. 78.2% fitment revision.
3. Annulment of 60:40 condition for payment of Pension to BSNL DOT Pensioners.
4. Restoration of BSNL MRS.
Medical benefits of BSNL MRS, both with voucher bills and without voucher bills were denied to BSNL- DOT retirees for long three years by the then CMD, BSNL, Shri. P. K. Purwar, on the plea that BSNL has no funds to meet the medical expenditure of the retirees and compelling pensioners to switch over to CGHS. One of the pensioners organisations advised it's members to switch over to CGHS as, according to them, there is no chance of getting a single paise from BSNL for Medical Reimbursement / Medical Allowancre which is all set to be closed down and even conducted camps for bulk migration to CGHS.
AIBDPA resorted to sustained struggles even during the period of Corona. The powerful and huge rally at Eastern Court New Delhi on 24-08-2022 compelled the BSNL Management to issue orders on 30-08-2022 granting sufficient funds to settle all pending claims of the retirees and also to treat retirees at par with employees in future. When certain officers denied payments for want of option etc, AIBDPA intervened and after a marathon discussion with PGM(Admin ), BSNL Corporate office issued a comprehensive order on 02-05-2023, covering clarifications on all the points.
5.Yearly Revalidation of Medical Cards.
The hardships of the pensioners for yearly revalidation of medical cards were conveyed to the CMD, BSNL through a detailed letter and discussion in person was held with him on 14-11-2024, resulting in issue of necessary orders on 21-11-2024, simplifying the procedure with acceptance of copy of DLC generated by Jeevan Praman portal. The same is also sufficient for residential telephone of the retirees.
6. Denial of Regular Pension and other retirement benefits to ST VRS Retirees of Maharashtra.
The ST VRS Retirees of Maharashtra were denied regular pension and retirement benefits illegally in the name of caste revalidation. AIBDPA took up the issue with the Parliamentary Standing Committee for the Welfare of Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe, Minister of State for Personnel, Public Grievances and Pension, Minister of Communications, Secretary, DoT, Secretary DoP&PW, CGCA, CMD, BSNL and Prime Minister. A favourable order was got issued by DoP&PW on 30-11-2021 which was duly endorsed by DoT and BSNL. Still it was not implemented in the case of ST VRS Retirees of Maharashtra. So AIBDPA Circle branch was compelled to constitute a Joint Forum of almost all pensioners organisations and employees organizations as well and conducted a powerful Dharna before the CGMT Office, Mumbai. Further, Central Executive Committee meeting of AIBDPA held at New Delhi on 12-11-2024 took a decision to hold countrywide Protest Day on12-12-2024, solely on this particular issue. Fruitful discussions with CGCA and CMD, BSNL held on 13th and 14th November, 2024 resulted in a major breakthrough.Based on the BSNL Corporate Office letter dated 18-11-2024, CGMT, Maharashtra vide letter dated 30-11-2024, has asked CCA, Maharashtra to release all the retirement benefits of ST VRS Retirees. Thus a very long pending and burning issue is favourably settled.
7. Free Sim with unlimited voice services in lieu of closure of residential phone.
Many small exchanges are being closed by BSNL resulting in the closure of concessional residential phones provided to retirees. AIBDPA took up the issue with BSNL Management and vide order dated 19-01-2024, free sim card under post 199 plan with unlimited voice services and ₹2000 for purchase of wireless phone are provided in lieu of closure of concessional residential telephone connections.
8. BSNL staff quarters have been made available to the retirees.
9. Many individual cases, including three very old employee missing cases were taken up and settled with grant of family pension to the widows who got huge amount of arrears also.
Pension Revision due from 01-01-2017.
AIBDPA has taken a principled and justified stand on pension revision. It should be on IDA pay scales as per 3rd PRC with 15% fitment, delinking wage revision. It was after the strong and powerful agitations by AIBDPA that DoT prepared an Internal Note proposing pension revision without wage revision and also a welcome proposal to avoid anomalies in pension of the post 2017 retirees. These were presented before the meeting of all pensioners associations called by DoT on 17-10-2022. It was also clarified that 7th CPC fitment is not practical and can't be agreed to. When there was complete opposition to the offer of DoT for zero percent fitment, DoT had to agree for higher fitment and file was processed accordingly. The refusal of the main petitioner organization to move unitedly for higher fitment proved to be detrimental to the common cause of pension revision. And the CAT, New Delhi judgment on 20-09-2023, without any clear directive further complicated the issue. This has given another excuse of " subjudice " to the government for further delaying the settlement. AIBDPA is committed and determined to achieve the demand of pension revision w. e. f. from 01.01.2017 and to continue the struggle until the final settlement.
On other important issues like Restoration of Commutation after 12 years, One Notional Increment for pension to those completed eligible service on the date of superannuation etc. are being vigorously pursued at the appropriate levels.
AIBDPA is committed to take up all the issues of the BSNL - DOT Pensioners.
AIBDPA is publishing a quarterly journal 'Tele Pensioner' regularly with important informations, articles and relevant government orders. The life subscription is only ₹500. Our website, aibdpa.com is also maintained with update news and orders.
So this is the organization taking care of all the issues of the pensioners and you can be proud of being part of this mighty organization. We request that those pensioners and family pensioners who have not joined the organisation so far may join its fold without delay.
0 Comments