It has appeared in some WhatsApp groups that certain pensioners associations of BSNL/MTNL have given a proposal for BSNL pension revision due from 01-01-2017 be done on CDA pay scales with effect from 01-01-2016. These organizations are reported to have sent letters to other pensioners organizations, including AIBDPA, for a unified stand. Though AIBDPA has so far not received any such letter, as it had been widely circulated, we think that it has to be responded.
As far as All India BSNL DOT Pensioners Association is concerned, it has taken a principled and rationale stand, beneficial to the pensioners, from the very beginning. We have put forward the demand of pension revision with 15% fitment from 01-01-2017, delinking pay revision. There is no doubt that BSNL pensioners are covered under CCS(Pension) Rules, 1972. But with the formulation of Rule 37A ,BSNL retirees are ensured pension on IDA pay scales.. Accordingly we got our pension revised from 01-01-2007 on IDA scales with 30% fitment, recommended by the 2nd PRC for the pay revision of executives in CPSUs. Thus, a precedence is created for future pension revision with the criteria of maximum fitment recommended by the PRC.
Unfortunately, All India BSNL Pensioners Welfare Association had been demanding pension revision on 7th Pay Commission fitment from 01-01-2017. What is the reality? BSNL retirees are not eligible for 7th CPC fitment as we are covered under Rule 37A of the CCS (Pension) Rules, 1972. They had stated that their serious concern on the future of BSNL has made them to raise such a demand. And they had also pointed out that if there is no pay revision in BSNl, how could there be pension revision. Of course, it is a fact that BSNL is in a serious crisis due to pro-private policy of the government and also it is noteworthy that serious and united struggles are being waged by all the unions and associations of BSNL against such attacks. With the constant struggles, the employees organizations could resist the government from disinvesting a single share of BSNL.
We had apprehended the adverse impact of the demand of 7th CPC fitment that ultimately, it will end in pension revision on CDA scales, if at all the government accept it. AIBPWA had strongly refuted it and had asserted that their demand is only on IDA scales. But, the revised/ modified proposal has revealed beyond any doubt that it is on the CDA scales with effect from 01-01-2016. And a conversion formula is also formulated to regulate the pension on CDA scales from 01-01-2016 with future dearness allowance on central DR. It will be suicidal to raise such a demand, detrimental to the interests of the pensioners.
The main reason attributed for such a proposal by these friends is reported to be their concern about the future pensioners. There can’t be any dispute on the fact that the main stake holders of the future pensioners are the serving unions. And the united body of these serving employees unions, both executives and non-executives, AUAB, has put forward in uncertain terms, that the pension revision should be with 15% fitment from 01-01-2017, delinking wage revision vide AUAB letter No.UA/2019/68 dated 31-01-2019 addressed to Secretary, DoT. AUAB again through it’s letter No.UA/2019/89 dated 21-05-2019 has demanded the Secretary, DoT to send a concrete proposal to this effect , to the Department of Pension & Pensioners Welfare for pension revision.
Another argument for demanding CDA pension revision is stated to be that there may not be any PRC in future. It is true, that there is no guarantee either for PRC or for that matter CPC. And in the present political scenario, can anybody assure that pension will be safe and pension revision automatc, particularly in the wake of provision in the PFRDA that any pension system could be brought in the ambit of NPS. ?
It should be remembered that the involvement and the struggles by the serving unions is very crucial in the settlement of such a basic demand of pension revision. The continuous struggles including the three days strike by AUAB has compelled the government to delink pension revision from wage revision.
AIBDPA welcome united movement of the pensioners organizations for settlement of the genuine demands of pensioners issues. But it should be for a realistic and logical demand and not for a disastrous demand. Therefore we appeal all the pensioners organizations to join together for pension revision with 15% fitment from 01-01-2017, delinking wage revision, for which AUAB is on serious struggles. So let us join these struggles and achieve our genuine demand.
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