LATEST NEWS FROM CHQ

LATEST NEWS

08/07

OUR CREDIBILITY ESTABLISHED

Dear Comrades,

1.Now people are busy in calculating assessing the monetary benefit out of 78.2. It is natural.

2.But let us recollect how it was achieved.

3. After our CWC meeting at Nagpur we were bit apprehensive what would happen to the demand. Because the top bureaucrats in Sanchar Bhavan sent the case to BSNL Corporate Office asking month-wise data of BSNL pensioners. As usual, Corporate Office sent it to Circles. The BSNL would give a reply after 2-3 years, after 10-15 reminders. We told member (F) that she can collect the above data from CCAs but she did not show any interest at that time.

4. We wanted to meet the Secretary, Telecom. His Personal staff was not arranging any meeting.

5.Then we thought of taking help from Shri Ananthakumar. He was quite different from other ministers we approached. He arranged a meeting with Shri Rakesh Garg, the then Secretary, Telecom. We had very purposeful meetings with Shri Rakesh Garg. He appreciated futility of waiting for data from BSNL. He understood the importance of annulment of 60:40 condition. Shri Garg promised quick action. On future pension revision applying the fitment benefit to be granted by seventh CPC also he promised that he would take clarification from all concerned.

6.That discussion changed the entire scenario. The file moved in right direction despite reluctance shown by some top officers in DoT.

7.Cabinet Note was prepared. Views of other nodal ministries were sought for.

8. When the file was shuttling between DOT and DOE etc. we sought the help of Shri Nripendra Mishra, the powerful Principal Secretary to Prime Minister. Mishraji was earlier Secretary, Telecom and aware of the entire case. Sri Anantha kumar himself arranged our meeting with Mishraji. Discussion with him also helped us.

9. Shri Garg was changed and Shri Deepak took over charge as Secretary, Telecom. He was not meeting anyone. Even then Shri Ananthakumar arranged a meeting with him for us.

10. We met Shri Deepak in Bangalore when there was some delay in sending the Cabinet Note to Cabinet Secretariat. He signed the Note immediately after coming back to Delhi. The file went to Member(S), Member (F) and DDG (Estt). Even after that, some organisations declared that the File was lying in the chamber of Shri Deepak. That was the reliability of their reporting.

11.They all reported where the File was lying. Some times, after enquiring; some time guessing.

12. We pushed and moved the File from one table to another; from one officer to another; from one ministry to another. That is our constructive work. Then we reported to the Pensioners the exact position. That established our credibility.

13. Cabinet considered our case on 29th June but deferred a decision. Immediately some people started the propaganda that Cabinet returned the file. It created some panic among the BSNL pensioners.

14. We approached Shri Anantha kumar once again in Bangalore. He was little annoyed on the misguiding news. He simply told us:”Go and relax. It is my case now. The case is under serious consideration of the Government.”

15. He was different from others. He intervened in our case very effectively with dedication.

16. He was correct. The Cabinet meeting on next Tuesday, immediately after the swearing in ceremony, took the significant decision.

17. BSNL pensioners have understood who has done the work. Let others claim anything.

18. We are entitled to get the arrears from January 2007.But we got it only from 10-6-2013 because of the Agreement for prospective effect. Many pensioners lost Rupees One lakh ore more. All those who made that agreement and declared that it was ‘historic’ should realise the folly. It is just like Finance Minister Shri Arun Jaitley declaring the gains of central government staff as ‘historic’ after giving the lowest gain ever in the history of Independent India.

19. Let me tell you again, The decision for removing 60:40 is the most important and significant achievement.I have put a brief posting in the whatsapp. I shall write about it again in this site. Now, I am too busy in attending the telephone calls.

P S Ramankutty, 8th July 2016.