(D.D. MISTRY) Secretary BSNL/PSU Bharat Pensioner Samaj.writes to Hon’ble Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, Minister for Communications & Information Technology,requesting Request to consider 15% fitment while finalizing proposal of the Department of Telecommunication for Pension Revision of BSNL-MTNL Pensioners as per 3 rd PRC Recommendations since justified in view of Pension Contribution given by the BSNL/MTNL on maximum of pay scale.

 No: BPS/BDPA(I)/Pen-Rvsn/Fitment/2023 dated 9 th April, 2023

To:

Hon’ble Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw,

Minister for Communications & Information Technology,

Sanchar Bhawan, 20, Ashoka Road, New Delhi 110001

Sub: Request to consider 15% fitment while finalizing proposal of the Department

of Telecommunication for Pension Revision of BSNL-MTNL Pensioners as

per 3 rd PRC Recommendations since justified in view of Pension Contribution

given by the BSNL/MTNL on maximum of pay scale.

Honoured Sir,

1. Sir, with much gratitude; we would like to recall here the situations under which a

Govt. lead by Late Shri Hon’ble Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ji for accepting the demand

of Employees Associations to bear responsibility to give pension by the Govt. and

incorporating necessary changes in Rule-37A for smooth creation of Company in the

broad view to serve the remote areas of the country providing them new Technology

at cheapest and affordable rates keeping in view only national interest.

2. To meet with legal formality, DOT employees were asked to give their option for

absorption in BSNL/ MTNL consequent upon privatization of Telecom Sector by

Govt. with 100% Share; permitting them extending counting their DoT period

service for their Pension Fixation.

3. There was clear understanding that wherever the Company is asked to provide

infrastructure to implement welfare measures-oriented activities in remote places

incurring loss; the loss incurred by the company will be exclusively borne by the

Govt. Written Agreement was also signed.

4. In accordance with the decision of the Union Cabinet taken in the year 2000 that

unambiguously envisages that absorbed in BSNL/ MTNL would be fully treated at

par with Central Govt. Employees and their pension would be paid by Govt. in

accordance to then 1972 CCS Pension Rules; incorporating Rule-37A.

5. The employees in turn trusting the decision of their bread-provider - we the then

DoT workers - gave option for absorption in Company with least resistance;

Obediently, faithfully and in a highly disciplined manner, keeping in view the spirit

of the decision of the Union Cabinet, for paramount National interest of Govt. to

have its own operators. We got absorbed in BSNL/MTNL, without challenging the

decision of the Union Cabinet and rightly understanding the compulsions of Govt.

6. Considering the ground realities that to get us absorbed in IDA scales and give us

Higher Govt. Pension; not comparing that one with other Govt. Pensioners; was

exclusively the decision of the Union Cabinet and not of workers volition.

7. And to justify rather balancing exchequer’s fiscal condition; much higher Pension

Contribution on maximum of IDA scales was recovered and is being continued till

date.

8. We are now not citing the stressful and cumbersome struggle we have had to go

through to get benefit of 2 nd P.R.C. recommendations for us; as it is over with sour

memories.

9. We also appreciate that Hon’ble P.M. Shri Narendrabhai, taking notice of the

critical fiscal conditions of the MTNL-BSNL took some strategic and bold decisions

and bringing the company on its track saving it from the danger of derailment

offering fiscal packages which are now showing fruitful result of prudent decisions

of the Govt.

10. Having painfully waited for virtually six years to get our Pension revision due since

1 st January, 2017, we approached your august office requesting to hear our say in the

matter as we were deprived of opportunity to represent our view – which is given to

all other C.G. Govt. Pensioners Association to have their say before Central Pay

Commission.

11. Sir, we are thankful to you for giving us opportunity to have our say before the

authorities in a meeting convened by Shri Mahesh Shukla, Member Services, DoT.

12. We also appreciate continuing interaction of the authorities since then and now

seemingly arriving at decision to delink Pension Revision for MTNL-BSNL

Pensioners; preparing final note with all justification considering proposed new pay

scales by the Corporate Office.

13. Sir, now your good self is fully aware of the ironical fact that lakhs of pensioners

were helplessly trampled passing through very crucial pandemic period of Covid-19

and thousands have died with despair and many are eagerly awaiting.

14. We. Therefore, implore upon you to get incorporated an appropriate and foolproof

mechanism in the Cabinet note that is expected to be sent in near future for Cabinet

Approval.

Hon’ble Sir, we now while appreciating your concern for providing us living respectable

life; earnestly wish that taking into our long sufferings and agonies we have passed

through this crucial period will bless the entire community of Pensioners of BSNL/

MTNL, as their Custodian; to keep up their unwavering and unshakeable faith and trust

that under your benign, unprejudiced and completely impartial leadership – our long

cherished and justified demand of 15% fitment would be extended on 3rd PRC IDA

scales; as less than that would tantamount to inflicting severe and gravest injustice to them.

We look forward for your nod for 15% fitment and early move to have our hopes

blessed with by you.

With regards,

Yours Sincerely,

(D.D. MISTRY)

Secretary BSNL/PSU

Bharat Pensioner Samaj.

Copy to:

1. Hon’ble Narendrabhai, Prime Minister, Govt. of India, New Delhi.

2. Hon’ble Amitbhai Shah, Home Minister, Govt. of India, New Delhi.

3. Shri K. Rajaraman, Secretary (Telecom), DoT, New Delhi.

4. Shri Manish Sinha ji, Member (F), DoT, New Delhi-110001

5. Shri U.S. Pandey Ji, Member (Services), DoT, New Delhi-110001