BSNL pensioners discuss welfare, legal developments during conference

Around 500 people from across the State attended the circle conference of the All India BSNL Pensioners’ Welfare Association (AIBSNLPWA), held in Vijayawada on Wednesday (February 18).

AIBSNLPWA national president D. Gopala Krishnan, general secretary V. Vara Prasad and others spoke on organisational matters, pensioners’ welfare and legal developments.​

Mr. Gopala Krishnan pointed out that following the pension revision implemented in 2007, the next revision has been due since January 1, 2017. ​Referring to the judgment of the Principal Bench, Central Administrative Tribunal, Delhi, September 2023, which directed that pension revision be granted on a par with Central government employees, Mr. Gopala Krishnan said pension revision should be implemented from January 1, 2017, taking the judgment as the guiding benchmark. ​

Mr. Vara Prasad said the issue of pension revision has not been included in the Terms of Reference of the 8th Central Pay Commission (8th CPC). ​He cautioned that the absence of clarity regarding the date of effect may adversely impact pensioners who retired prior to 2026.​

Through the conference, the members urged the government to amend the Terms of Reference to include pension revision for former pensioners and to clearly specify 01-01-2026 as the date of implementation.