PLEASE COME TO PALACE GROUNDS

BENGALURU

  I hope you have gone through the writes up given in our Website    about the proposed special conference in Bangalore on 18^th September  2016. The main idea is not only to celebrate the victory in the case of  IDA merger (78.2%). It brings an increase of hardly 5.5% of the total  pension getting now.  But, it will have impact on the future pension  revision.

 FUTURE REVISION

Future Pension revision is most important.  Every time the exercise of preparing Cabinet Note, taking consent from four nodal ministries, then going to the Cabinet and waiting for 2-3 years may not be possible. Political situation may change and there may not be a minister like Shri Ananthakumar to help us. There should be a system that ensures periodic revision of our pension in future. 

TO BE NOT TO BE?

We do not quarrel with anybody.  We discussed the matter; prepared a document and circulated it to other organisations representing BSNL pensioners and sought their cooperation. Once we take a stand consciously we are firm on that.  All want that future pension revision in BSNL should be delinked from the Pay revision in BSNL. After demanding it some people went and asked next Pension revision along with the pay revision.  One organization went to PRC one day and demanded PRC benefit and very next day wrote to Secretary, Telecom demanding 7th CPC benefit. We shall not take such sudden changes in our stand. 

100% GOVERNMENT LIABILITY

With annulment of 60% stipulation the liability to pay pension to us is totally of the government of India. Government need not depend upon a PSU or a company working under it for taking decisions. 

NO LINK WITH PAY

There is a wrong notion that pension revision is linked with pay revision.  In 2015 Government granted One Rank One Pension to Ex-serviceman. There was no pay revision then. Now the orders are issued for pension revision for central pensioners.  The Pension is multiplied by the factor of 2.57.  Pay is not multiplied. Minimum pension in each grade is related to the minimum pay, no doubt.  That benefits the senior pensioners who retired 2-3 decades ago.  In our case, such seniors are DoT pensioners, not BSNL retirees and hence nothing to do with BSNL pay scales.  In future, suppose BSNL is privatized. How can we link with the minimum pay in a private company? 

WE SHOULD BE COVERED

Please see the order for Pension revision issued on 4-8-2016 implementing 7^th CPC report. The para 1.1 says:

   “2.1 These orders shall apply to all pensioners/family pensioners who were drawing pension/family pension before 1.1.2016 under the Central Civil Services (Pension) Rules, 1972, Central Civil Services (Extraordinary Pension) Rules and the corresponding rules applicable to Railway pensioners and pensioners of All India Services, including officers of the Indian Civil Service retired from service on or after 1.1.1973. A pensioner/family pensioner, who became entitled to pension/family pension with effect from 01.01.2016 consequent on retirement/death of Government servant on 31.12.2015, would also be covered by these orders.” 

We are receiving pension under the above CCS (Pension) Rules 1972.  Hence, technically and legally we should be covered by the above orders. We can go to a court and get the favourable verdict.  Then government will go on appeal and appeals. 4-5 years are to be wasted in court verandas.  Finally it depends upon the government to take a decision.  So, instead of wasting our time for legal fights we want to approach the Government directly now itself and get the benefit.  

WE ARE COVERED

The para 2.3 of the order dated 4-8-2016 from Pension Ministry further says;

   “2.3 These orders also do not apply to retired High Court and Supreme Court Judges and other Constitutional/Statutory Authorities whose pension etc. is governed by separate rules/orders”.

We are not in the excluded category.  It means we can be covered, we should be covered.   We have clear locus standi to demand the extension of the said order.  

MOVEMENT ESSENTIAL

If we keep quiet no body will give any benefit.  We should create a pressure. Please remember that the Ex-Servicemen fought for 45 years to get OROP.  Very senior officers retired from Army came and sat on dharna. We should cry aloud.  We should launch a movement for it. The decision making process should be influenced through some persons who matter.  

Hence we meet in Bangalore in the presence of Shri Ananthakumar. Please come and join this movement. Please come to the Sheesh Mahal in the historic Palace Grounds, Bangalore on 18^th September 2016.

 Let us jointly begin a new journey for a definite future for us.

 With regards,

 P S Ramankutty