आपके जुनून की कहानी ...                                        

long journey step by step........

 In twelve year journey of MEA to get settlement of pension issue, series of writing, frequent meetings, constant struggle and untiring persuasion has been there, which we have been posting on our site, but it is not possible to reproduce all the developments in this brief write up. Still we are reproducing some important sequences in the settlement of pension issue to let you know the role of MEA in this historical achievement.   

• Ø   Non Executives in MTNL got absorbed in Nov 1998 with the provision of pension in accordance of 1972 CCS pension rule 37  DOPT OM NO.4/18/87-P&P W (D) dt 5^th July 1989 and OM NO 4/42/91-P&PW(D) dt 31-03-1995 with two options

1-Pro-rata pension for the service rendered in DOT to be paid by Govt and pension for the service rendered in MTNL by MTNL pension scheme if any.

 2—Pension for the combined service of DOT and MTNL as per govt pension scheme

Ø  On 1^st  June 2000, it was clarified by Govt that combined pension to the employees transferred from govt department to PSU who have opted for govt pensinary scheme , will be paid through trust created by Department/PSU.

Ø  DOT conveyed to MTNL to form a trust in 2001

Ø  In May 2000, absorption process of Executives started with the DOT notification vide letter no— In this notification DOT mentioned that pension payment to absorbed executives will be regulated as per pension rule July 1985.(as per this rule, clarified by Govt, combined pension was to be paid through Trust) and pay scale of executive starting with E0 for JTO/JAO, E1 for SDE/AO---

Ø  MTNL started the process to form pension trust in year 2001.

Ø  MEA, formed in 2000 , started fighting with two important agenda points 1-Secured pension from govt   2-Pay scale of Executives starting from E2, E3---

Ø   On 1st October 2000, BSNL was formed and 1972 CCS pension rule clause 37 was amended on 30^th Sep 2000 as 37(A) with the provision of pension to BSNL absorbed employees by Govt through sub clause (21) and (22) and sub clause (19) for other PSUs converted from Govt departments with the provision of trust to pay pension in these PSUs.

Ø  In 2001, MEA along with MTNL Mazdoor Sangh and other like minded unions took a rally to Sanchar Bhawan to submit Memorandum to Hon’ble MOC &IT to demand pension at par with BSNL from Govt. More than five thousand officers and employees participated in that historical rally, which was the first rally to Sanchar Bhawan in MTNL history to demand pension at par with BSNL. Immediately after the demonstration and address of Association/Unions representatives at Parliament Street New Delhi, Secretary, DOT invited the representatives of Association/Union and had more than one hour discussion in the presence of Member (Services), Advisor (HRD), DDG (Estt) and many other officers of DOT and MTNL. Secretary, DOT directed CMD, MTNL Shri Narendra Sharma to hold discussion with all Unions and Association and send the recommendation of MTNL board on this issue. Next day, CMD, MTNL started discussion with all Associations and Unions. This historical rally created so much pressure on all Associations and Unions that every Association/ Union who have earlier accepted the formation of MTNL Trust also opposed Trust formation and demanded pension from Govt as in BSNL.  After taking the opinion of all Associations/Unions, MTNL board meeting was held and it was recommended that payment of pension in MTNL should be from govt as in BSNL instead of through trust. That was the first recommendation of MTNL board for pension from govt as in BSNL. When there was delay in sending the  board approval, MEA issued protest notice and then CO sent proposal

       <<click for CO letter to GS, MEA>>

Ø  In 2002, again MEA went on agitation for pension from govt and pay scales of executives starting from E2 on ward. Secretary DOT/Chairman Telecom commission invited MEA representatives on 6^th Feb 2002.

      <<click for confirmation of meeting by CO>>

Ø   When even after long persuasion and agitations in MTNL, we could not see the settlement of our major issues of pension from Govt as in BSNL and pay scales of executives starting from E2, E3--, we formed a ENC (Executives’ Negotiating Council) with BSNL Associations comprising, MEA, BSNLEA( now SNEA), TEOA(Telecom Engineering Officers’ Association recognised by DOT, our parent organisation of DOT) and launched a nation wide agitation in 2002 to press for our demands including pay scales and pension from Govt as in BSNL. Intensity and impact of agitation in MTNL was so high that inspite of the agreement on BSNL demands on 29 October, 2002, services were badly paralyzed in MTNL. Secretary, DOT, Shri Vinod Vaish called the ENC representatives along with MTNL management on 31^st Oct 2002 in his chamber and assured in writing regarding pension from govt and E2 onward pay scales in MTNL. GS, MEA Shri V.K.Tomar, GS, BSNLEA, Shri G.L.Jogi, GS, TEOA, Shri W.S.Rao were from ENC side and Secretary DOT, Member (Services), DOT, Advisor (HRD), DOT, DDG(Esst) DOT, DDG(SR), DOT, Director (HR), MTNL, DGM(Fin) MTNL were from official side.

      <<<click for minutes of the meeting in the name of GS, MEA>>

Ø  The agitation was so loud that its sound reached in the Parliament where Members of Parliament asked MOC&IT to reply on the demands of the agitating Engineers.

       <<Click for reply of MOC in parliament>>.

Ø     In 2003, when we could not see the out come of assurance of Secretary DOT and MOC&IT in parliament, again a protest action was resorted by MEA and a rally was taken out to the Office of MOC&IT at Electronic Niketan CGO on 28^th March 2003 to submit memorandum to MOC&IT on pension from govt as in BSNL and approval of pay scale recommended by DOT from Minister of Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises. More than 2500 officers participated in the rally which was covered by electronic media   “ AAJ TAK"  and “ STAR NEWS”. When GS, MEA was addressing the rally in front of Minister Office, MOC&IT himself came down amongst the agitating officers and assured that he will talk to Finance Minister and Minster of Heavy industries and Public enterprises regarding pension issue and pay scales of executives. Next day PS to MOC&IT rang to GS, MEA to inform that Hon’ble MOC&IT has spoken to Minster of HE&PE and your file of pay scale will be cleared today or tomorrow. He also informed that Hon’ble MOC&IT will soon meet to Hon’ble Finance Minister to brief your pension case. On 1^st April 2003, our pay scales starting with E2, E3—were notified.

Ø  In 2004, our pension case at par with BSNL was sent to cabinet which in turn sent it to COS (Committee of Secretaries), which rejected the proposal of DOT of pension payment in MTNL by govt as in BSNL. In 2005, cabinet also rejected proposal.

Ø  DOT again wrote to CMD, MTNL to form a trust for pension payment -

Ø  In 2007, DOT asked MTNL to send certain information for trust creation. We were told by MTNL management that one Association is demanding formation of trust, than immediately, GS, MEA  wrote to Hon’ble MOC &IT not to allow MTNL and DOT to form trust and demanded pension from Govt as in BSNL.

          <<Click for GS letter to MOC&IT>>

Ø   We continued to raise this issue through our letters, discussions and agitations and again in 2008, MEA, TEAM and both the recognized unions of Delhi and Mumbai went on agitation. After this agitation we succeeded in getting the case reopened and sending it to cabinet for its consideration. Cabinet sent this case again to COS under the chairmanship of Cabinet Secretary. MEA wrote to cabinet Secretary and DOT Secretary explaining the whole case with the copy of assurance given by Secretary DOT and MOC&IT. We also had series of meetings with concerned officers of DOT/MTNL management to expedite the case in COS.

Ø  GS, MEA along with other MEA office bearers met Shri Sachin Pilot,Hon’ble MOS, C&IT and explained the pension issue and submitted memorandum. He assured to make all his efforts to see the resolution of pension issue

Ø  Again GS, MEA & GS TEAM along with other office bearers met Shri Sachin Pilot Hon’ble MOS, C&IT at his residence to submit memorandum.

Ø  GS, MEA Shri V.K.Tomar & President Shri S.N.Prasad along with other office bearers of MEA met Shri Gurudas Kamat Hon’ble MOS in his chamber in Sanchar Bhawan and requested to use his good office for settlement of pension issue in MTNL as in BSNL and submitted memorandum.

Ø  When nothing could come out on pension issue, GS, MEA wrote to Hon’ble Prime Minister of India on Pension issue and BWA refund on-- July 2010.

      <<<click for GS letter to PM>>

Ø  PMO wrote to MOC&IT regarding both the issues raised by GS, MEA. DOT in turn replied to GS, MEA on these issues.

       <<<Click for Director Staff letter to GS, MEA on pension issue>>.

This was the first ever letter by DOT mentioning the status of pension issue.

Ø  United Forum of Unions and Associations was formed for the settlement of Pension issue in September 2010. MEA was the leading force of united forum. United Forum wrote to Hon’ble PM on pension issue. PMO in turn wrote to DOT on 02-11-2010 with copy to Shri V.K.Tomar, GS, MEA and others.  

      <<Click PMO letter to DOT>>   

Ø  MEA representatives along with other representatives of UF met and submitted memorandum to  Hon’ble Finance Minister Shri Pranab Mukherjee in August 2011, Shri Gurudas Kamat, Hon’ble MOS, and various MPs.

Ø  UF went on agitation; MEA members along with other constituents made all programmes grand success. Series of meeting were held with MTNL management, assurances were given but matter remained unsettled.

Ø  Again DOT wrote to MTNL to form trust in June 2012

Ø  Again agitation was resorted by UF in which MEA’s participation was excellent, meeting was held with MTNL board on 12-07-12 and minutes were released assuring trust will not be formed and Management will pursue for pension as in BSNL.

     << click for minutes of CMD meeting>>

Ø    RLC meetings on pension issue was attended by GS, MEA Shri V.K.Tomar on 13-07-12 in Delhi along with other UF representatives and stressed for pension from govt as in BSNL.Many more RLC/CLC meetings were held in Delhi and Mumbai which were attended by MEA representatives

      <<Click for RLC minutes>>. .

Ø  United Forum made presentation before Parliamentary Committee meeting. GS, MEA Shri V.K.Tomar also participated in the deliberation before Parliamentary Committee meeting.

Ø  GS, MEA Shri V.K.Tomar and President Shri S.N.Prasad met Hon’ble MOC & IT Shri Kapil Sibal four times along with other constituents of UF and requested for pension from Govt as in BSNL

Ø  GS, MEA along with other UF representatives met Hon’ble MPs, Shri Oscar Fernandes, Shri Mahabal Mishra, Ms Sushma Sweraj,   Shri Prakash Javedekar, Shri Rahul Gandhi, Mrs Shiela Dixit, CM, Delhi and many other politicians.

Ø  GoM was constituted for revival of MTNL/BSNL

Ø  GS, Shri V.K.Tomar, along with other office bearers of MEA met new Secretary DOT on 5^th April 2013 and stressed for pension at par with BSNL

Ø    GS, MEA wrote to new Secretary Shri M.E.Farouqui regarding pension, BWA refund, and merger of MTNL and BSNL  

     <<click for GS letter to Secretary DOT>>

Ø  All the points raised by GS, MEA in his letter to Secretary DOT could find place in the GOM agenda placed by DOT, but pension through trust was suggested by DOT in this agenda.

Ø  GS, MEA wrote to Hon’ble FM and Chairman of GOM Shri P.Chidambaram regarding Pension in MTNL as in BSNL and BWA refund with copy to all GOM members.

      <<click for GS letter to FM>>

Ø  After 1^st meeting of GOM on 12 June 2013 in which no decision was taken, GS, MEA along with Com R.K.Mudgal and Com Sunil Kumar had a detailed discussion with CMD and Director (Fin) on 15^th June 2013 and stressed that management should pursue for pension in MTNL by Govt as in BSNL inspite of the fact that DOT had circulated the cabinet note amongst all nodal ministries for the creation of combined trust for executives and non executives with govt guarantee to pay pension in case trust fails for any reason. CMD had assured that he will make his best efforts to see the decision in GOM that pension in MTNL will be paid by govt as in BSNL

Ø  MEA passed a resolution in Mumbai CWC meeting on 22^nd June 2013 that if the pension in MTNL by Govt as in BSNL is not decided by GOM, than MEA will resort to agitational programme. Resolution was conveyed to Management.   CWC resolution <click for letter>>

Ø   GS, MEA wrote to Shri Kapil Sibal Hon’ble MOC&IT suggesting the revival of MTNL through pension by govt as in BSNL  and BWA refund.

      <<<click for GS letter to MOC&IT>>

Ø  IInd meeting of GOM was scheduled for 1^st August 2013 at 3PM

Ø  On 1^st August 2013 at 12.45 PM, we got appointment with Hon’ble MOC &IT Shri Kapil Sibal in Shastri Bhawan Office of Law Ministry which is also with Shri Kapil Sibal. When we reached Minister Office, we found Member (Services), CMD, MTNL, Dir (HR), MTNL & Dir (Fin), MTNL in Minister Office. Before meeting to Minister, we had detailed discussion with these officers and decided to be firm on pension by govt as in BSNL. GS,MEA Shri V.K.Tomar, CS, Shri Sunil Kumar, GS, MTNL Mazdoor Sangh, Shri Dharamraj & President Shri Giriraj Sharma met Hon’ble MOC &IT and stressed for pension from Govt as in BSNL. Minister assured to resolve the issue.

Ø  Same day on 1^st August 2013 evening, GOM decided pension as in BSNL by Govt with condition of parity of pay scales with BSNL in next pay revision.

   (when one member of GOM opposed the pension in MTNL by govt as in BSNL on the ground that similarly placed PSUs will also demand pension from govt, than it was countered by Hon;ble FM that no other PSU has been assured by Minister in parliament, so assurance of Minister helped a lot in deciding this issue. We salute our members who participated in a big way to make our 2002 agitation successful to send our voice to parliament)

Ø  On 21^st  August 2013, MTNL received the approved minutes of GOM through DOT and called Associations/Unions on 23^rd August to sign agreement as per the GOM minutes. MEA was the first to sign agreement along with recognised union of Delhi. Shri V.K.Tomar, GS and Shri S.N.Prasad, President signed agreement on behalf of MEA.

               < letter of Director (HR)

Ø  On 12^th September, GOM approved the pension payment in MTNL by Govt as in BSNL to send it to cabinet for its approval.

Ø  GS, MEA, Shri V.K.Tomar thanked Hon’ble MOC & IT Shri Kapil Sibal for getting GOM approval on pension in MTNL by Govt as in BSNL.

 <<<click for letter>>

This is how we contributed in getting GOM approval on pension in MTNL by govt as in BSNL.

 This has been possible only because of your faith, confidence and unconditional support to MEA and hence this is the victory of all of you, the members of  this Association. Keep  your spirit high.  

                                      अगले गंतव्य --corpus with 30% Basic + DA for terminal benefits to MTNL recruited employees, 78.2% fitment, Time bound functional promotion upto Jt GM, revised perks& allowances, PRP..........