Reading the Minutes of DOT Regarding the Pension Revision of BSNL Absorbed Pensioners

 

Reading the Minutes of DOT

Regarding the Pension Revision of BSNL Absorbed Pensioners

 

1. Whether any Minutes issued for the meeting held on 17th Dec 2022?

Yes. The Virtual copy of the Record of Discussion ( ROD) was sent to mail Id of Associations participated

2. Whether any file number and date is mentioned for that virtual copy of ROD ?

No. No such mentioning found in that copy

3.  what for the meeting held?

As per that copy one can read the following for the relevant answer:

A meeting was held on 17-10-2022 under the chairmanship of member (S), DCC, DOT with the representatives of Pensioners' Associations of BSNL and MTNL to discuss the issues regarding revision of Pension of BSNL/MTNL absorbed employees’ w.e.f 1-01-2017

4. Whether the list of Official side present is given?

Yes. It is given mentioning their designation

5. Whether Association side list given?

It is mentioned that 35 Representative of various Associations present and the list enclosed.

6. Whether Associations' viewpoints mentioned in that copy?

Yes. The following points of Associations are found in that Copy

a. All the representatives were given opportunity to express their views.

b. Representatives of all the associations thanked Member (S) for the initiative taken by DOT for revision of pension which is their long pending request.

c. They conveyed their disagreement of pension revision without any fitment factor- as the associations pointed out that only officer on lower side of pay scales get some benefit whereas majority of the officers who are on, or near top of the scales do not get any benefit ( if zero percent).

d. They insisted that they are the pensioners of DOT and their pension is being paid by the Government.

e. They further stated that their pension should be revised as per 7th CPC w.e.f. 01.01.2017 with fitment factor 2.515

f. Some of the associations requested that 15% fitment factor in IDA pay scale is one of the option for revision.

g. It was pointed out by associations that some court case are still going on ( CDA Claim)

h. Associations explained the need for revision of the Pay scales of Non- Executives also by BSNL/MTNL as per 3rd PRC

I. It was informed by Associations that the dialogue with BSNL with regard to revision of Pay scales is in final stages

J. Six associations have handed over their memorandum containing their demands.

 

7. Whether Official side's Viewpoints mentioned in that copy?

Yes. The following points of DOT Official side are found in that copy.

a. At the outset, Member (S) welcomed all the participants and greeted the best wishes of auspicious festivity to all.

b. DDG (Estt.) briefed about the relevant pension rules and the proposal prepared by the Department for revision of pension of pre-2007 retirees, pre and post 2017 retirees on the basis of notional pay as per 3rd PRC (After merging IDA with LPD without any fitment factor).

c. Observations of DOPPW on the proposal were also shared with associations

d. It was duly explained that combined service pensioners are not eligible for pension revision as per 7th CPC.

e. The official side explained that for paying pension on notional basis amendment in pension rule 37(15) A is required to be made by nodal Ministry

f. Also, pension contribution as per 3rd PRC scales need to be paid by BSNL/MTNL.

g. The official side also gave presentation on how the pensioners will benefit with zero percent fitment

h. The official side also informed that various court judgments have ruled that the officers having opted and taken benefits of IDA, cannot claim CDA benefits

I. Member (S) intimated the representatives that the DOT is making efforts in consultation with DOPPW and DOE to address the pension revision issue of BSNL/MTNL absorbed employees and final decision on the issue shall be taken once the consultation process is over.

8. Is there any mentioning of delinking?

No. No such words like delinking with Pay Revision or linking with Pay Revision found in that copy

 

Inference as per my reading of the Record of discussion copy sent by some comrades

 

a.     DOT is for Pension Revision of BSNL /MTNL Absorbed Pensioners

b.     They  are for the revision  w.e.f 1-1-2017

c.      They are mentioning  They want to do it on the notional pay concept considering Post 2017 retiress also.

d.     For this they need an amendment in the exsiting Sub rule of 37 A and approval of nodal ministry.

e.      For pension revision they need to consult DOE also

f.       They neither rejected the views of Associations on 'no fitment factor' or reemphasized their Official view of 'no fitment benefit' for Pension Revision

g.      They did not mention that fitment will be above 0 percent  or below 15 % or it will be in between  zero to 15 %

h.      They did not mention either delinking or linking with Pay revision

 

i.        Though they mentioned in that copy about the necessity of Pay scales of Non Executives as demanded by Associations, they are non committal about their views in that copy.

 

j.        Though they mentioned about the words of Associations regarding Non Executive Pay scales, they are non committal about Pay Revision of Executives or Non Executives.

 

k.     Though they mentioned the two different fitment demands of Associations like 2.515 factor as per 7^th CPC and 15 % factor as per 3^rd PRC in that copy, they are non committal about those factors.

 

l.        They explained to the Associations that combined service pensioners are not eligible Pension revision as per 7th CPC

 

m.   Final decision on Pension Revision  will be taken  once the  process of consultation  is over

 

11 hrs 6-11-2022     R. Pattabiraman