BDPA Gujarat – 3rd Gujarat Circle

Conference – Brief Report. The 2nd Session – Open Session – commenced

at 15.30 hours with prayer by Smt. Kalpna B.
A Grand Gala Conference Shah. Sr.TOA CCA Office. S/Shri S.C. Mishra,
Member Services DoT, Ajit Singh CGM
The 3rd Gujarat Circle Conference of BSNL & Gujarat, S.K. Bhandari, Pr.G.M, A.T.D., Smt.
DoT PENSIONERS’ ASSOCIATION was held Sujata Ray, Pr. G.M. CGM Office, Smt.
on 29.06.2010 at 12.30 hours in Thakorbhai Darshana Momaya Dabra, CCA, Shri B.K.
Desai Hall, Ellis Bridge, Ahmedabad. Shri A.N. Kharecha, GM (Platinum) C.O., Shri B.K.
Patel, presided over the first session which Sinha GM (NWP & DV & BB), C.O., Dr.
commenced with prayer by Shri H.J. Bhatt. (Shri) Dimple Parekh, Parekh Hospital, R.
Two minutes silence was observed in honour of Venkatraman Leader Staff Side NCM, Thomas
departed members during this period. Shri J.B. John K, President FNTO, K. Vallinayagam GS
Kumpavat, working president read out the FNTO and Islam Ahmad President NFTE
minutes of Second Annual General Meeting addressed the Open Session. All were accorded
dated 15.06.2008 and it was approved. The warm well come and gracefully honored.
Annual Report for the year ending 31st March,
2010 and accounts were read and passed. More than 900 Delegates and guests
participated in the conference from all over
Shri J.C. Mandalia, Rajkot appreciated the Gujarat. A delegation of five members led by
team of work of the Association and said that in Mr. D. Chandrasekharan, CS TN Circle also
the days of extreme head when temperature attended the conference.
reached 45.0 degree, the Association Office was
opened regularly and all the phone calls replied. Shri S.C. Mishra, Member Services, DoT
He also appreciated the arrangement of the inaugurated the conference by lightening lamps.
conference. Other dignitaries joined him. The audience
showered thunders of applauses witnessing
The conference also adopted resolutions on golden event in the History of Association.
Pension related issues which are published
elsewhere. Shri J.B. Kumpavat gave introduction of the
BDPA Gujarat with brief activities report. He
S/Shri A.N. Patel, J.B. Kumpavt, D.D. declared that the Association born with 51
Mistry, H.C. Bhatia & R.C. Sharma were members have now crossed magic figure of
elected as President, Working President, 1511 members to-day witn short span of four
General Secretary, Office Secretary and years. It has Associate members from Mumbai,
Treasurer respectively for ensuing term. Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Karnataka, Kerala,
Madhya Pradesh, New Delhi and J&K Circles.
Shri Thomas John K, All India President, The uninterrupted publications of BSNL
FNTO addressed First Session of the Pensioners News Gujarat since its inception
Conference and appreciated team work and its have earned praise from all the nook and corner
development. He stressed on need to take lead of the country for its design and contents.
into formation of all India Body to have Receipt of Beautifully designed Birthday card
emphatic say with the authorities in crucial to member gives pleasant surprise to Pensioner
time. and his family. Quarterly get to gather provides
unique opportunity to all the Pensioners to meet
Shri J.B. Kumpavat thanked Mr. Thomas for and exchange their happiness and some family
his presence in delegate session and to motive issues as well. He stressed on need for generous
them and assured that views expressed by him donation to maintain such activities.
will be given due care and consideration.
Shri D.D. Mistry GS BDPA in his introductory
OPEN SESSION speech narrated the various issues faced by DoT

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and BSNL Pensioners. He focused the attention While signing the NPPS, the Pensioners are
of the authorities on late payment of Medical ignored and denied their due, as novel system of
Allowance Payment by certain SSA Heads and date of effect is agreed upon which denies its
deplored their negative attitude. He called for benefit to the Pensioners on the date of
introduction of accountability in the introduction of the scheme.
Administration so that harassment to the
Pensioners can be minimized. GMTD Kheda is He also threw light on various multi issues
not extending medical facilities to deceased faced by the Pensioners in Gujarat and hoped
family though there is specific provision. now the authorities will listen to their just and
GMTD Mehsana is reluctant to provide ECS genuine grievances.
facilities to the Pensioners. He urged for
necessary action by the CGM as the Pensioners Honouring the Pensioners: All the members
are the worst sufferers in these SSAs. who had crossed 70 years age as on 31.03.2010
were honored with flowers and shawls by the
PPO are delayed, Provision Pension not drawn dignitaries.
timely and Dak Adalat not held, he pointed out.
He added that GPF and gratuity payments are Shri R. Venkatraman, Leader Staff Side, in
also delayed in number of cases. He requested his unique speech kept the audience spell bound
the CCA to look into and help the Pensioners. and got thunderous applause. He gave statics of
Pensioners need for Pension and said that the
On the issue of Pension Revision for pre issue is avoidably delayed. He assured his all
01.01.2007 Pensioners, he said that the issue is possible help for expeditious settlement of the
avoidably delayed. The Service issue and said that he will not hesitate to
Unions/Associations are not sincere to cause of support any agitational programme by the
Pensioners he alleged and said that they settled Association. He thanked the Association for
the issue for working employees but ignored the invitation and providing opportunity to share
case of Pensioners which is shameful on their the Dias with old friends.
part. Had they insisted for simultaneously
settlement of the issue, the Pension revision Shri Islam Ahmad, President, NFTE thanked
could have been achieved in most glorified the Association for witnessing the conference
way, he said. and to share his concern for Pensioners. The
The Association carried two savingram Pensioners have suffered lot and now it is time
campaigns and also addressed series of letters to for all to get united to give befitting move for
concerned authorities, CMD BSNL, Secretary timely settlement of the issue. He assured to the
DoT, BSNL Board Members and Political Association that whenever his assistance is
Personalities but all were acting in snail speed needed, he will always be ready to extend his
to listen the Pensioners issue. 50% IDA was active help. He concluded by saying that
merged for working employees as on element of indiscipline has crippled the
01.01.2007 but pre 01.01.2007 were employees Company and timely remedy is need of hour.
were promised similar treatment within short
time but ultimately they back out, which is Shri K. Vallinayagam, GS FNTO extending
matter of regret. his thanks appreciated the progress of the
association in such a short span of four years.
In settlement of anomaly, he deplored the stand He differed with the say of GS BDPA that
taken by the Representative Union in signing Unions are not taking care of Pensioners. He
agreement which denied the fixation of has always stood by the GS BDPA in
increment for Pensionary benefit as they agreed representing the grievances at all levels. Just
for PPA which is worst and reflects the negative and genuine cases referred to him by
and indifferent attitude of the working unions Association have been duly forwarded to
towards the Pensioners, he added. concerned authorities at BSNL/DoT level. He
said that now there is need for all India body of

2
the Association for effective and authentic within assured time frame. There are certain
representation of various issues. Whenever Mr. inner issues which have to be looked into, but
Mistry has come to New Delhi for he is sure that necessary approval from the
representation of grievances, he has always Cabinet will settle the issue with other
helped him and will continue to do so. Government agencies. He also said that the
Association has to be all India fabric so as to
Shri Thomas John K, President FNTO contribute for better solution of Pensioners
thanked the Association for bringing the Unions issues. Mr. Mistry is leading the Association in
Leaders for noble cause. He appreciated the Gujarat in proper direction and deserves praise
growth of the association and activities such as from one and all.
quarterly get to gather convey birthday
greetings and publication of BSNL Shri Ajit Singh, CGM Gujarat conveyed his
PENSIONERS NEWS with full of information. best wishes for success of the conference and
He said that Mr. Mistry has proved that if there said that this is for the first time that can see
is will and determine to serve, none can deter such gathering of Pensioners with number of
from such envious progress. He has taken issues. He assured that he will take due care at
personal interest and led the association to this his level.
Position. Now, the Association should not be
satisfied with its growth at state level but Shri S.K. Bhandari, PGM ATD said that he is
lead the Pensioners of the country by happy to be with Pensioners. Whenever Mr.
upgrading the association to national level. Kumpavat & Mistry are meeting him for
He showed his readyness to extend all the settlement of Pensioners issue, he always helps
possible assistance to achieve the goal. He them without any differentiation towards other
hinted that the Pensioners are not given their Association. He is always eager to settle the
due by the service unions and therefore there is Pensioners issue wherever brought to his notice.
dire need to have struggle on their own strength. He said that all the Pensioners can act as his
Sale Agents. He also assured that to begin with
RELEASE OF BSNL PENSIONERS he will start Pensioners grievance cell and
TELEPHONE DIRECTORY 2010 –Shri Pension Adalat in Ahmedabad District.
S.K. Bhandari, PGM ATD released 308 pages
Directory edited by Mr. D.D. Mistry, Smt. Sujata Ray, Pr.GM CGM Office
containing members names and addresses with expressed her thanks to the association for
phone numbers and relevant information. It also providing the opportunity to know the
contains various forms on medical Pensioners woes. She said that all the medical
reimbursement, rules on Medical Treatment and reimbursement of Pensioners are given due
provision on SE DoT Telephone. This is 2nd care. She said that she receives many letters
Edition, as earlier one was published in June, from different Unions/Associations, but letter
2008. The BSNL Pensioners have voluntarily received from the BDPA are distinct as they
contributed towards its publication which is effectively represent the grievance, ventilating
unique in the history of Association. inner pain of Pensioners without hurting the
administration. She always gave extra attention
Shri S.C. Mishra, Member Services, DoT to such letters, she concluded.
conveyed his thanks to the Association for
providing opportunity to meet the Pensioners. Smt. Darshana Momaya Dabra, CCA
He said that he had attended the conference in Gujarat expressed her happiness to meet the
June, 2008 as CGM Bihar and had no authority Pensioners through this medium. She said that
to contribute for Pensioners cause. Now, the she is always ensuring that timely PPOs are
situation is different. He has to play pivotal roll issued. The delay has now come to two months
of balancing the interest of the Government and from earlier time which was more. She assured
Pensioners. He said that he will do all the that Pensioners’ Adalat will be held in three to
possible to ensure quick finalization of the issue four zones so that Pensioners need not face

3
difficulty. For GPF and Gratuity issue, she
assured to have expeditious payment. She said
that her doors are always open for the Pensioner
to meet and represent.
Dr.(Shri) Dimple Parekh, Parekh Hospital
showed a slides show educating the Pensioners
showing the necessity of due care and timely
remedy to avoid more harm. Pensioners enjoyed
his presentation which was mixed with satire on
present doctors.
Shri A.N. Patel, President proposed vote of
thanks and declared the conference concluded
with national anthem.
The conference was followed with Dinner for
all the Delegates and Guests.
The electronic media too provided coverage to
the conference and telecasted on local channels.
*********************************
The following resolutions were adopted in the
3rd Gujarat Circle Conference of BDPA held on
29.06.2010 at Thakorbhai Desai Hall, Ellis
Bridge, Ahmedabad. .
1. To expedite Revision of Pensioners
of pre-01.01.2007 without any
discrimination with the post-
01.01.2007 Pensioners without
further delay.
2. Extend the benefit of adding the
current IDA relief for purpose of
Medical Allowance to the BSNL
Pensioners each year at par with
working employees.
3. To expedite First anomaly
Committee report Okayed by DoT
w.e.f. 01.10.2000 which is pending
with BSNL Board since last ten
years.
4. To extend benefit of new
Promotion Policy of BSNL to all
the Pensioners who were on roll
on date.
5. Implement the payment of IDA
relief to BSNL Pensioners
simultaneously with the employees.
6. Extend concessional Tariff for
Broadband connection to BSNL
pensioners.
7. Provide accommodation for BSNL
pensioners’ association in the BSNL
premises.
8. Recognized Hospitals shall extend
indoor treatment on the basis of
BSNL MRS Medical Card issued to
Pensioners
9. To grant LTC Advance once in ten
years after retirement.
10. Revision of pension shall be carried
out by the Pension Payment
authority without waiting for
application from pensioners
consequent upon the 2nd Wage
Revision Committee Report on
Pension Revision..
11. Implement the benefit of court
judgments to all similarly placed in
the matter of promotions.
12. Extend Senior Citizens’ tax benefits
to all aged 60 years and above
Construct old age homes in all cities
and District Head Quarters.
13. Hold Pension Adalat by all the
ministries once a year in Districts
also.
14. Railway concession to be 50% for
all senior citizens.
15. Fixed Medical Allowance to be
raised at 10% of basic pension,
subject to a minimum of Rs.1000/-
p.m. or allow full reimbursement of
cost of medicines for OP treatment
to all those not covered by CGHS.
16. Medical facility under CS (MA)
Rules 1944 to be extended to all
DoT pensioners not covered by the
CGHS.
17. Reading glasses prescribed after
cataract Eye Surgery with IOL shall
also to be supplied by CGHS.
18. Pension/family pension to be paid
for the whole month irrespective of
the demise of pensioner/family
pensioner.