REPORT OF THE CIRCLE SECRETARY S. THANGARAJ, AIBSNLPWA, CHENNAI
TELEPHONES CIRCLE BEFORE THE CWC HELD ON 13TH & 14TH FEB.
2019 AT KANYAKUMARI, TAMILNADU.
Respected Com. President, Com. General Secretary,
CHQ Office Bearers & Circle Secretaries of our mighty organisation,
With great pleasure, I stand before you ,after our
successful All India Conference at Puri, Bhuvaneswar, Odissa State. I submit
the activities & expectations of our Circle, from the date of AIC till this
day.
1. MEMBERSHIP: As on 31.12.2018,
our circle commands a total membership of 3809 (3805 Life Members & 4 Annual Members) as against the retirement of
about 6000 BSNL Pensioners & we are confident by the end of this financial
year 31st March 2019, we achieve the target of 4000 members, which we have committed
before the AIC, Puri, Bhuvaneswar. This is feasible, due to the dedicated
hard work extended by our Circle Office Bearers & Branch Secretaries &
its office bearers. In short, we command about 2/3rd of
the BSNL Pensioners in Chennai Telephones jurisdiction. In addition to
it, some of our Pensioners retired from Chennai Telephones, has been very
conveniently enrolled as member of STR Branch of TN Circle & if that too to
be taken into the strength of the membership among the retired, we may even
reach 70%.
2. BRANCHES OF OUR
CIRCLE: For the convenience of our own, we have 13 Branches as of now & planned to form a New 14thbranch in Nanganallur from among the members of
Velacherry & Chromepet. Each branch has its own unique character,
while honouring the All India / Circle Call, with enthuse and competition among
the branches. Each branch conducts their regular meeting once in a month or
bimonthly according to their convenience and the Circle Office Bearers
regularly attend to these meeting to know the pulse & grievances of the
Pensioners of that Branch. Branch conferences were held once in two years
regularly & office bearers are being elected. Some branches involves
themselves in conducting health tips classes, yoga classes, medical camps,
orphanage visit to the best appreciation of their members.
3. FASTING ON
22.11.2018: With heavy rain from the previous night, that too with bad weather
forecasting by the meteorological department, more than 350 members of our circle gathered before the CCA office,
Chennai on 22nd Nov. 2018. In fact every one of them is
fully drained in the rain. The enthusiasm shown by our members indicates
their true faithfulness in our Organisation and they are in great belief that
except our organisation, no one are able to justify and solve our demand of
Pension Revision with 7th CPC fitment formula with effect from
01.01.2017. In fact this one day fasting has good media coverage. The
programme was jointly organised by Chennai Telephones Circle with TN Circle
more particularly STR & Traffic Branch of Tamilnadu. All our CHQ leaders in
Chennai attended the fasting and graced the occasion. A memorandum as drafted
by the CHQ was submitted to the CCA in the subsequent day.
4. PENSIONERS
DAY: Pensioners Day was celebrated on 17th December 2018 by
Chennai Telephones Circle with participation of more than
700 members, addressed by our
CHQ office bearers Coms. G. Natarajan, TS Vittobhan, V. Rathna & Com. A.
Sugumaran. Enthusiastic huge participation of our members during this day
in Flower Bazar Exchange premises, was applauded by one and all, more
particularly by the serving officers / officials., which too was one among the
reason for us towards enrolment of membership.
5. SAMPANN: CCA, Tamilnadu
extended invitation for the inauguration of SAMPANN held on 29th December
2018, which was attended by most of our active members. Doubts raised by
our members, over the omission & commission of switching over of modus of
Pension payment has been clarified to the extent possible by the TN CCA &
assured that they are at our service to clarify any sort of doubts over the
implementation of SAMPANN.
6. CIRCLE EXECUTIVE :Our Circle
executive meets as and when it is necessary & we met on 29th Jan.
2019, where in all the branch secretaries & Circle Officer bearers
expresses their hardship or otherwise, their experience in redressing the
grievances of the Pensioners either through the Pension section of Chennai
Telephones or that of CCA TN office. The Circle Secretary of TN Circle
Com. R. Venkatachalam, graced our CEC along with CHQ office bearers elected
from Chennai Telephones. In fact, it is very pertinent to mention that
Com. R. Venkatachalam is very much co-operative with us, attend our branch
meetings (if invited) without hesitation & we should appreciate his
patience while hearing the views of Chennai Telephones over the relief work
during Gaja cyclone.
7. WHATSAPP GROUP OF OUR
CIRCLE EXECUTIVE & E-MAIL ID: We have created a whatsapp Group from
among the Circle Executive members and Branch Secretaries and Shri. S.
Srinivasan, Retd. DGM/ Finance, our Circle Vice President functions as the
Group Admin. and posts all news that are relevant to our AIBSNLPWA. He
gathers information mostly from our CHQ President, Branch Secretaries of our
Circle, which are all very informative to us, resulting that we clear any
doubts to the common member as and when approaches over the status of our
issues. We also have created website for Chennai Telephones Circle of
AIBSNLPWA and the e-mail ID is: chennaitelephonescircle@gmail.com.
Also our Chennai Telephones Web site is coming in multiple colours with
beautifully designed by our Web Master & Designer, Com. N. Mohan, to whose
speed we could not sail. He is a hardworking, dedicated, loyal to the core of
our organisation, extending honorary service to us & in fact Chennai
Telephones gifted with, to have our
web Master Com. N. Mohan.
8. GAJA CYCLONE
RELIEF: Chennai Telephones Circles as of now contributed Rs. 2,95,050/- towards
Gaja Cyclone relief to the TN Circle to carry out the relief work. On
04.12.2018, myself along with our Circle Treasurer accompanied by the Circle
Secretary & Circle President of TN Circle, had been to 7 locations in
Tanjore, Tiruvarur, Nagapattinam Districts which were worst affected by the
Gaja Cyclone & extended relief materials worth about Rs. 8,00,000/-.
The beneficiaries were identified by the District Secretary, Thanjavur of
AIBSNLPWA Com. V. Swaminathan.
9. Apart
from that, again we visited a village called Korukkai, 10 KM
from Thiruthiraipoondi of Tiruvarur District on 24.01.2019 & conceded the
requirement of the village people towards a construction of a existing middle
school in that village which was worst affected during the Gaja cyclone at an
estimated cost of Rs.5,50,000/-. The construction of the School building is for
an area measuring 180’ x 20’ (3600 sq.ft) & rehabilitation of Thiruvalluvar
Statue in front of the School. There are about 175 students studying in this
school from Std. 1 to Std. 8th. Our Circle feel proud in
joining hands along with TN Circle, for the construction of the middle school
for which the Boomi pooja was performed by the local village people and it is
expected that the entire construction/ rehabilitation of the School building
will be completed by 1st or 2nd week of March
2019.
10. POST CARD
CAMPAIGN: The moment Post Card Campaign was announced by the CHQ, each branch of
our Circle numbering 13, involved themselves in bulk purchase of Post Cards,
Group writing of Post Card in their area offices, Welfare Association
buildings, in centralized residence of our Pensioners, etc., and collected each
pensioners signature after explaining them the seriousness of the Pension
Revision by visiting individual Pensioners residences & obtained their
signature. This sort of action by our Association spread the message to
the BSNL Pensioners that we are very actively involved in this Pension Revision
issue compared to the others. As on 10.02.2019, we have posted around
3500 Post Cards addressed to the Hon. Prime Minister of India. Our
members appreciate the initiative of the CHQ & launching of Post Card
Campaign.
11. MEMORANDUM TO
M.P.s: On 09.02.2019, Our Circle President Com. M. Munuswamy, myself, Circle
Treasurer Com. M. Kannappan, Branch Secretary of Villivakkam Com. A.S.
Vaithyanathan and Branch Secretary of Thiruninravur Com. A.K. Loganathan,
visited the residence of Dr. P. Venugopal, M.P. (L.S.), Leader of AIADMK
Parliamentary Party in the Lok Sabha, representing Tiruvallur Parliament
Constituency and presented the memorandum seeking Pension revision to 1.90
Lakhs of BSNL/MTNL Pensioners as per the draft provided by the CHQ. The
Hon’ble M.P. not only listened to us patiently but also assured us that he
shall take up the issue in the Lok Sabha on 12th Feb. 2019 and
if time permits, he will read out the entire text of our Memorandum presented
to him in the Lok Sabha. Our Circle, whole heartedly convey our gratitude
to the Hon’ble Member of Parliament and also congratulate Shri. M. Kannappan,
Circle Treasurer, who took initiative to fix an appointment with the M.P.
12. Issues Pending /
requires attention of CHQ:
1. As highlighted
during the AIC/ Puri, Bhuvaneswar by our Circle, the orders issued by the DOT on
05.07.2017 (with holding the increment granted in the same scale of Pay without
change of DNI at the time of promotion of officers who covered under Executive
Promotion Policy & at the time of Post based promotion) which was
challenged before the CAT, Principle Bench vide OA No. 2649 of 2017. The
Principle Bench in its order dated 21.12.2017 pronounced that the impugned
order dated 05.07.2017 is not at all legally as well as ethically justifiable.
Its retention would create trust deficit between the BSNL employees and the
Central Government, which is also unwarranted. Hence quashed and set aside the
impugned order dated 05.07.2017. Whereas the DOT issued orders vide its letter
17.05.2018, granted relief to the officers retired on or after 17.05.2018, that
too after obtaining an undertaking from the concerned officers. The officers
who are actually affected and sought for remedy in the CAT Principle Bench were
deceived. It is therefore requested that the officers affected &
retired for the period from 07.05.2017 to 17.05.2018 be extended the relief
granted by the CAT Principle Bench. The issue is yet to be resolved by the DOT
& requires to be attended at the CHQ level.
2. Pay fixed to the
officials / officers, who are promoted prior to 01.10.2000 but opt for fixation
of Pay as governed by FR 22 (i) a (i) which falls after October 2000, are
denied their option as per the instructions of DOT letter dated
17.12.2008. This has resulted not only huge recovery at the time of
retirement but also reduces the Last Pay Drawn thereby the Pension
reduction. In this connection it is pointed out that such recoveries of
over payment, at the time of retirement in respect of non executives are
prohibited and it deviates the principles spelled in the judgement of white
washer case by the Supreme Court of India, which was endorsed with an order by
of DOPT. For the executives, recoveries are effected at the time of retirement,
even without extending notice, which amounts of denial of natural justice. Our
Circle request the CHQ to look into the orders issued in 2008 for the fixation
done in 2000 & take action to set aside the orders of DOT dated 17.12.2008.
3. Some 25 executives
of Chennai Telephones/ STR / STP / TN Telecom Circle are party to the CAT,
Madras Bench orders in OA No. 379 & 615 of 2012, seeking stepping up of pay
on par with their junior, which upheld the prayers of the Petitioners & the
same was confirmed by Madras High Court as well as by the Supreme Court on
03.10.2018. The SLP filed by the BSNL being dismissed by the Supreme
Court. But the BSNL CO has not issued an administrative order for
extending relief to the applicants in the OA. It is requested that CHQ
may please pursue the issue with BSNL CO for early implementation of the
judgement.
4. Very few officers,
who are identical in nature as that the officers who are party to the CAT
Madras Bench OA 379 & 615 of 2012, but not petitioners in the said OA,
represented for extending the same relief to the Administration of Chennai
Telephones, wherein the Chennai Telephones referred their cases to BSNL CO on
grounds that they are not party to the court case & sought for instructions
from the BSNL CO. It is requested that our CHQ may kindly pursue the
issue with the BSNL CO for extending stepping up of pay of the seniors to that
of their juniors as per the orders of CAT Madras Bench to the similarly placed
officers also.
5. Our Circle is more
concerned the way the OA No. 2018 of 2017 before the CAT Madras Bench is
dragging. This is regarding grant of one extra increment to those non
executives who could not be provided with Gr.IV promotion at the time 78.2% IDA
pension revision from 10.06.2013. Even though, one of our Members is a party to
the case, Chennai Telephones Circle of AIBSNLPWA is not a party to the case or
the CGM, Chennai Telephones is one among the respondent. We feel it is
unfair to open Pandora Box at this juncture or it is pleasure to us. However,
we could not tolerate the heat generated by the affected members in the Branch
meetings. The case is coming up for hearing on 25th Feb.
2019. We sincerely hope that CAT Madras Bench hear the case & issue
orders in our favour. We request the CHQ to convince the officers at DOT not to
go in for appeal before the higher judicial forum.
13. PENSION ANOMALY
CASE: The Writ Petition No. 10019 of 2017 before the Delhi High Court on the
issue of Pension Anomaly filed by our Association is dragging to a all time
high period of adjournment. The Pensioners covered under this WP have
already crossed 79 years & they are at dark to know whether they will get
the issue settled within their life time. It is learnt that the case came
up for hearing on 08.02.2019 before Delhi High Court, was partially heard and
adjourned to 18.07.2019, more than 20 weeks. Our Circle request the CHQ to
personally concentrate on this case, even for a change of eminent council to
our side to get early orders from the Court without any further adjournment or
to list the case to a prior date by mentioning before the Chief Justice of
Delhi High Court.
14. PROVISION OF MOBILE
IN LIEU OF WLL: For the residences of our BSNL staff, wherever it is not connected
with the LAN exchanges, WLL phone was provided. On retirement the same
was converted into Pensioners residential line with admissible free calls as
per the entitlement of position held at the time of retirement. Now that, all
WLL exchanges are being closed & such of those pensioners availed such WLL
phone deprived of their entitlement. It is requested that CHQ may kindly
took up the case with our BSNL CO and arrange for provision of free SIM to such
of those pensioners in lieu of WLL.
15. MEDICAL FACILITY: Due to the
financial constrains prevailing in BSNL, Medical claims either with or without
vouchers are being facilitated belatedly resulting the Pensioners to put into
financial hardship and require more support / dependence on their wards, which
defeated the concept of Pension, extended to have independence in life
after retirement. While we are not party to the apathy of BSNL over its
financial independence / management, we feel it is high time that we too
requires to fall in line with other Central Government Pensioners, availing Medical
facility through CGHS, provided the one time life payment of subscriptions to
CGHS should be borne by the BSNL directly. This does not mean
reimbursement payment of CGHS subscription, to the Pensioners.
16. CREATION OF
ASSETS: We have a fund of more than 1.50 to 2.00 crore at our disposal.
The AIC, Puri, Bhuvaneswar ratified the decision of CWC to have FDR for 1 crore
& to meet our expenditure from among the interest earned from the
FDR. The FDR is not redeemable / dischargeable fully or part thereof,
without the consent and approval of the CWC. Our Circle is of the view
that the interest earned over the FDR or that of SB or any other form with the
Bank, that too for an investment of about 200 lakhs, may fetch an interest of
not less than 15 lakhs per annum, which attract payment of Income Tax.
To avoid such payment of Income Tax from the interest earned on
Bank deposit, it is suggested that some immovable asset be created in any one
of the prime locations in Chennai, Bangalore, New Delhi etc., which may not
only cater the stay of our members at prime locations but also generate rental
income for the day to day activities of our Association as well for the
maintenance of the assets.
17. PENSIONERS’
PATRIKA: Our Circle Working Committee felt that a separate bank account is
to be maintained by the CHQ towards the accounting of our Pensioner’ Patrika
and request the CHQ to delink the patrika’s subscription & expenditure from
the accounting process of our Association Bank account. Our Circle is also
of the opinion that in order to compensate the growing expenditure over the
Printing of Patrika, some advertisement in each issue of our Patrika with a
minimum tariff as agreed upon by the CWC or by the Editorial Board, be
discussed & decided, to reduce the burden of expenditure on Patrika. Our
CHQ VP Com. G. Natarajan is in-charge for the Patrika, but his absence in the
editorial board is felt by our Circle, and request the General Secretary to
address the same.
I conclude, with a confidence that we, the only
organisation which alone cater the needs of our BSNL Pensioners in true spirit
& time is not far off, to fetch our just demand of Pension Revision with 7th CPC
fitment formula with effect from 01.01.2017 and we dedicate ourselves to march
along with the directions of the CHQ.
With fraternal Greetings,
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