Meeting with Dr. Mahesh Shukla, Member Services, DoT on 09.11.2022 on the issue of Pension Revision for BSNL Pensioners.

The representatives of BSNL and DOT Pensioners Association (India), SNPWA and MERWA met Dr. Mahesh Shukla, Member Services, DoT on 09.11.2022 and following is latest status of issue of Pension Revision for BSNL Pensioners.

At the very outset, we expressed our gratitude to Dr. Mahesh Shukla, Member Services for convening meeting of the representatives of various Retired Associations/ Unions on 17th Oct., 22 on the issue so as to elicit opinion of Associations/ Unions on the crucial issue of Pension Revision.

However, after this we specifically requested, Member Services to unambiguously clarify following issues relating to Pension Revision.

On what basis the proposal for Pension Revision is finalized by DOT and, with the approval of Secy (T) and Hon MOC, has been sent to the nodal ministry i.e. DOP & PW for seeking certain amendments to the provisions of CCS Pension 21 so as to delink Pension Revision from Wage Revision.

Member Services categorically mentioned that the proposal for Pension Revision has been finalized by DOT, in consultation with DOP& PW, on the basis of the recommendations of 3rd PRC.

Next we requested, Member Services to clarify whether Pension Revision stands delinked from Wage Revision of BSNL/ MTNL after the proposal, wherein certain clarifications/ amendment of CCS Rules 21 were sought by DOT from DOP& PW, has been sent back by DOP & PW.

Member Services mentioned that issue of Pension Revision stands delinked from wage Revision after DOP& PW has agreed to make some amendments sought by DOT in Rule 37 of CCS 21 Pension Rules to delink Pension Revision from Wage Revision.

Member Services further mentioned that he has joined about one and a half month before whereas the proposal for Pension Revision was being processed and finalized by DOT for last eight months only on the basis of 3rd PRC.

Member Services categorically informed that the administrative ministry i.e. DOT in consultation with nodal ministry i.e. DOP & PW is of the firm view that Pension Revision is possible only on the basis of 3rd PRC and that is the reason that proposal finalized on the basis of 3rd prc has been approved by Secy( T) and Hon MOC and thereafter was sent to DOP& PW for the purpose of making some amendments to the provisions of Rule 37 of CCS Pension Rules 21 so as to delink Pension Revision from Wage Revision which was the greatest stumbling block in processing the case for last five years. In fact, this is the greatest breakthrough accomplished to pave the way for Pension Revision, Member Services emphasized

After getting apprised of all the facts relating to the issue of Pension Revision in their totality, we informed, Member Services that now since Pension Revision has been delinked from Wage Revision and that the decision of DOT is to revise Pension according to 3rd PRC, there should be no dilution at all in giving 15% fitment for Pension Revision since the expenditure is to be borne be borne entirely by the Govt.

We emphatically mentioned, Member Services that once Pension Revision stands delinked from Wage Revision and further that DOT has decided to Revise Pension according to 3rd PRC, nothing less than 15% fitment according to the 3rd PRC should be extended as fitment since the expenditure has to be entirely borne by the Govt. We earnestly pleaded with, Member Services to expedite the issue since thousands and thousands of Pensioners have expired without getting their Pension Revision and further delay in deciding the issue will lead to unbearable suffering to Pensioners who have been desperately awaiting and languishing in agony for their legitimate Pension Revision for last more than five years.

Member Services responded to this by mentioning that as far as question of fitment is concerned, it is under consideration but the final decision on this has to be taken only by Hon MOC. He mentioned that he is trying his level best for expeditious resolution of the issue.

After the meeting was over, we expressed our gratitude to , Member Services for sparing his valuable time to clarify some important issues relating to Pension Revision.