Please see below for the full report of the Meetings held with BSNL & DOT Officers by our leaders in New Delhi:
MEETING WITH
DIRECTOR (HR), OF BSNL
There was a meeting
with Smt. Sujata Ray, Director (HR) of BSNL on 21st February 2017. GM (Admn)
and GM (SR) were also present. We expressed our sincere thanks for the meeting
and courtesy shown by Smt. Sujata Ray. Before the formal discussions started,
she asked us about the future pension revision of BSNL retirees. We told her
that we had demanded pension revision with fitment benefit granted by Seventh
Pay Commission and not PRC. She appreciated our stand. It was also indicated by
her that BSNL is yet to take a formal decision on the third PRC report. She
told also that the financial position of BSNL is in bad shape.
Restoration of
Quarterly Medical Allowance
We pointed out
that this matter is pending for many years. Director indicated that it is very
difficult to restore medical allowance. We mentioned about the PRC
recommendation to grant Rs 1000 per month. Again, she indicated difficulty in
implementing that PRC recommendation in BSNL.
Delay in
settling MRS Claims by Pensioners:
We told the
Director frankly that even though she had instructed all to settle the medical
claims from retirees within
one month, no
Circle is honouring the same. She assured that the matter would be looked into
and directed the GMs to check up with some circles.
Change of
Software
We pointed out
that Medical claims are being processed now in ERP. Recently, the Corporate
Office of BSNL has introduced a
new system. Data
of all the employees and retirees has to be fed in the new software which will
take lot of time and delay the process. Director (HR) was inclined to accept
our suggestion to allow the Circle Units to process pending cases up to
31-3-2017 in the existing system and then migrate to the new one.
Income Tax on
MRS amount
Some SSA offices
are deducting the income tax at source taking into account the medical
reimbursement amount exclusively. As a result, some pensioners whose total
income including the medical reimbursement amount they received is within the
exemption limit of Rs Three lakh, are forced to pay income tax on the MRS
amount in excess of Rs 15000. Director assured that the matter will be
examined. She wanted a separate letter on it and next day we submitted the same
to her office.
Denial of CGHS
Card to BSNL pensioners:
When some BSNL
pensioners approached the CGHS, the CGHS card was denied to them on the plea
that they have not yet received any instruction from CGHS Headquarters. The GM
(Admn) told that his office had already taken up the matter with CGHS
authorities and got settled.He assured that CGHS orders could be given to
us.When P S Ramankutty and Com. Anupam Kaul (Secretary of Delhi Headquarter
branch) went to his room later, the situation was different. No doubt that his
office had taken up the
matter with CGHS authorities, but no specific instruction was issued by CGHS
Head Quarters to their units so far!. GM told that they are pursuing the matter
with CGHS.
Unnecessary
restriction of calls on rent-free telephone connections:
This is also an old
item pending. Some Circles restrict to LOCAL CALLS as the free calls allowed to
the Rent-free telephone connections given to BSNL retirees. It was told earlier
that Management Committee of BSNL was reconsidering the issue.GM (Admn) told
that a decision is taken to remove that restriction and also that the modified
order would be issued soon.
Withdrawal of
CDMA Phones:
We brought to the
notice of Director (HR) that in some places the pensioners were provided with
CDMA Phones instead of rent-free land phones on the plea of technically not
feasible. Now the BSNL has withdrawn CDMA. We requested the Director to provide
mobile phones to the concerned pensioners. She assured that it would be
considered.
Individual cases:
Individual cases of
some retirees not getting pension as presidential order for their absorption
was not issued etc. were taken up. Director assured to examine it and wanted
separate letter on it. We handed over the letters.
MEETING WITH MEMBER (SERVICES)
On our request, a
meeting with Shri J S Deepak IAS, Secretary, Telecom was fixed at 4 PM on
22-2-2017. We had sent a list of items to be discussed also. But, when we
reached his office in time, Secretary was busy in a video conference with Prime
Minister. Hence, he authorized the Member (Services) to discuss the issues with
us and then go to him, as soon as he is free.
Shri S K Jain
(DDG,Estt), Smt Vandana Seth (Director, Estt) and Shri Tiwari (Director,
Accounts) were also present in our meeting with Shri R K Misra (Member,
Services).
From our
Association the following participated:
(1) P S Ramankutty,
President, (2) D Gopalakrishnan, Vice President (3) G Natarajan , General
Secretary
(4) P Gangadhara
Rao, Dy GS and (5) T S Vittoban, Treasurer
Some issues
discussed are:
(a)Extra
Increment for fixing Pension
[Next day, we went
to the Dept. of Pension and gotit confirmed that they have approved it on the
previous day. DoT has to issue the formal order.]We brought to the
notice of Member that some Circles are seeking unnecessary clarifications on
the matter and Directorate is not
giving the clarifications resulting in denial of the benefits to pensioners.
When we started explaining the details the Member(S) said that he is fully
aware of OTBP/BCR Etc. He further informed that only on the previous day, DoT
received a report on the matter from BSNL Corporate Office. Suitable
clarifications will be issued shortly. [Later, we could get a copy of the 4
pages report from BSNL CO. It was totally negative. Next day itself we gave our
reaction in writing to DDG(Estt) and Director(Estt). ]
(b) CAT
Judgement on Extra Increment case:
We wanted extension
of the benefit of CAT Ernakulam judgment in the case filed by our Circle
Association to all the affected pensioners in all circles. Member(S) told that
since case pertains to Kerala Circle only, a general instruction can not be
issued. However, CCA Kerala will be suitably advised.
(C). Denial of
78.2 benefit to those who retired in 2006 and got full pension:
Full pension was
granted to BSNL IDA pensioners retired after 1-1-2006, based on clear orders
from DoT Directorate as per recommendations of sixth CPC. After eight years,
the Kerala CCA questions the wisdom of Directorate in issuing such an order
itself. He has withheld the revision orders with 78.2%in favour of such
pensioners who got the full pension as mentioned above. The plea is that a
clarification is sought from Directorate. We requested that such tendency of
seeking unwanted clarifications on settled cases should be discouraged.
Director (Estt) told that no letter was received by her office from Kerala on
the matter. She categorically told that those who retired after 1-1-2006 are
entitled to full pension and also that 78.2% cannot be denied to such
pensioners.
d) Delinking of
33 years service for full pension:
We told that we are
aware of the DOT order dated 15-2-2017 on the subject. After 6th CPC report,
CCS Pension Rules 1972 was amended to the effect that ‘linking of 33 years of
qualifying service was dispensed with”. DOT issued specific order that it is
applicable to BSNL IDA pensioners who retired after 1-1-2006. This was implemented
in Kerala also. Now CCA Kerala is withholding 78.2 revision cases for who
retired after 1-1-2006 and who were given full pension. CCA says that he sought
some clarification from Directorate. Director (E) said that she has not
received any letter from Kerala on the matter. She confirmed that employees
retired after 1-1-2006 are entitled to full pension and as well as 78.2
benefit.
When we pointed out
the contradiction about the minimum pension in BSNL after 1-1-2006 because the
order dated 15-3-2011 of DoT states it as Rs 3500 in the body text and Rs 3880
in the Annexure, Member(S) did not relish it and simply said that there is no
contradiction.
(e)Issuance of
order raising ceiling of Gratuity etc.
It was informed
that DoT has sought approval of Department of Pension for issuing orders
raising the ceiling of gratuity, commutation etc. as suggested by seventh CPC.
Pension Department wanted some particulars and it was supplied. The approval
from DoP&PW is expected any time.
MEETING WITH SECRETARY, TELECOM
After the
discussions with Member (S), we were taken to Shri J S Deepak, Secretary (Telecom)
and Chairman of Telecom Commission. Member(S), DDG (Estt), and Director (Estt)
were also present in the meeting. Shri Prahlad Singh (Member-Finance) and Ms.
Linda (DDG-Accounts) too joined. Discussions with member, Services were
reported to him.Secretary was in a jovial mood,
We expressed our
sincere thanks to the Secretary for granting the benefit of 50% DA Merger.
(i)Delay in
settling 78.2% revision cases.
Lot of discussion
took place on the subject. Secretary was very emphatic for fixing a target
date. We pointed out acute shortage of staff in CCA offices. Specific cases
were also given. DDG Accounts agreed with us. We wanted a specific date by
which entire work of revision with 78.2% should be completed. Secretary
admitted that it is already delayed and directed Member (F) and DDG (E) to sit
and decide the date which should be practical but not to be stretched too far.
Member (F) agreed to fix the next target date.
(ii)Common
Server
We suggested that a
common server should be introduced with all particulars of BSNL retirees so
that both DoT and BSNL can use it for any further processing of cases related
to BSNL retirees. DDG (Accounts) said that she is on the job in consultation
with BSNL Corporate Office. She informed that it may take 8 months if
everything goes as per plan. Secretary said that that project is a long-term
one and need not be linked with 78.2 revision.
(III)Pension
Adalat at national level:
Secretary
understood the problem. Other officers pointed practical difficulties.
Secretary wanted some mechanism to settle Pensioners’ Grievances. He suggested
some representatives from Directorate can attend circle adalats in one or two
circles and then decide the matter for holding adalat at national level. DDG
(Accounts) later on assured that she will explore the possibility of holding
Adalat at national level at least once in an year. She also told that previous
Member(F) was very much favourable on this issue.
(iv) Future
Pension Revision:
Secretary, Telecom
told that Cabinet Secretary has recently conducted a high level meeting to
study the third PRC report and as he could not attend Member(S) attended and
‘vehemently” pleaded for pension revision in BSNL.
We told Secretary,
Telecom that we are not demanding Pension revision as per PRC recommendations.
We want pension revision with the fitment benefit suggested by seventh CPC, as
we are pensioners covered by CCS Pension Rules 1972.
He told that he
understood our view points. It will take more time to take a decision.
[We are of the
opinion that more pressure is required to be mounted in this regard.]
(v) Pension
anomaly case
We requested
Secretary (T) to implement the order from Principal bench of CAT delivered on
16-12-2016 granting the benefit to all the 4230 pensioners affected by the
anomaly as our Association is the applicant in the case. It was told that the
matter is already referred to Legal Section for their opinion. Then the matter
has to be taken up with Department of Pension and Department of Expenditure too
before taking a final view.
{We handed over separate detailed letter on every item discussed.}
We sincerely thank our All India leaders for their
sincere efforts for taking our pending cases to the highest authorities of BSNL
& DOT
