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United Forum of Executives and Non-Executives of MTNL Central Head Quarters, New Delhi
Ref:UF/MTNL/Pension/ 09-10/01 Dated at ND the 04 July 2009.
To
Thiru. A.Raja Hon’ble Minister for Communication & IT Govt of India New Delhi.
Subject: Abnormal delay in settlement of payment of pension in MTNL at par with BSNL- Injustice with MTNL officers/employees & threat to MTNL financial viability
Respected Sir
The United Forum of MTNL is representing the working & retired executives and non-executives of Delhi & Mumbai. We are erstwhile DOT employees absorbed in MTNL. When Options for absorption were called for by DOT in Nov.1998 for non-executives (Group C&D employees) and in October 2000 for Group A & B officers. At the time of absorption, we had been assured that the pension on superannuation would be paid to us by Govt. as per Govt. pension rules (CCS Pension Rules) and the modalities in this regard will be decided.
But later-on DOT has issued an order where in MTNL was asked to discharge the pension liabilities as an interim measure till the modalities are being decided. The DOT vide letter No.40-29/2002-Pen(T) dated 29th August 2002 had categorically informed that the Finance as well as Pension department are principally agreed and only modalities are to be decided. Later on also same assurance was given to the Parliament vide letter No. 38-6/2002-PEN(T) Dated 11-08-2003 that there will be no discrimination in MTNL & BSNL as far as payment of pension is concerned.
Your good self may be aware that payment of pension to the employees/ officers absorbed in MTNL is being paid by MTNL from its own fund for last more than 10 years while it was to be paid by government, as in BSNL as per terms and conditions of absorption and many written assurances of DOT. Now after a long period, we understand that DOT has recommended the pension in MTNL at par with BSNL and your good self has been kind enough to approve the recommendation of DOT. But we have come to know that it is still pending for the approval of govt.
We wish to bring to your kind notice that this abnormal delay will not only affect the uninterrupted payment of pension and other post retirement benefits of retired employees/officers but also affect the salary and other benefits of MTNL serving employees, because a huge amount (about 400 Cr) of its profit is being paid for pensionery benefits in addition to about 600 Cr which is being paid by MTNL to Govt. as license fee, dividend and tax. Because of this burden, MTNL’s financial viability has come under threat and situation has become so worse that MTNL has not implemented the Govt. orders of pay revision while same has been implemented in almost all profit making PSUs. This continuing delay in deciding pension at par with BSNL has created heart burning, resentment, frustration and demoralization amongst the 50,000 executives and employees of MTNL.
Therefore, we request your good self to use your good offices to expedite the pension case for the Govt. approval.
In case pension issue is not settled at the earliest, then thousands of working & retired executives and non- executives will be left with no option but to express their resentment through protest action..
We once again request your honor to take up the matter at appropriate level and get pension resolved as early as possible for the cause of justice to the employees of MTNL and national interest by way of saving a NAVRATNA company which is playing vital role in the socio-economic development of the country and full filling obligations of Govt. of India. We hope MTNL pension issue will be one of priority issues of UPA govt.’s 100 days programme.
.With Warm regards Yours’ sincerely
(A.K.Kaushik) V.K.Tomar ) (Virjesh Upadhyay) (S.S.Nanda) Gen Secy,TEAM Gen Secy, MEA Gen Secy, MTNLMS Gen. Secy, RTOWA
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