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Wednesday 30 September 2015


30-9-2015
The Labour Bureau of India has released the All India Consumer Price Index for August 2015.
It is 264 points. (June: 261 points & July: 263 points)

With the above, the IDA from October 2015 can be assessed as 107.9%

IDA from July 2015: 102.6%

From October 2015: 107.9%.

Increase: 5.3%

Senior citizens and the present generation

..By D.Gopalakrishnan  29-9-2015  Mail: dgopu@yahoo.co.in

Senior citizens and the present generation

Limited Resources is not a barrier

Ageing is a general and natural phenomenon.  On account of increase in life expectancy and decrease in birth rates ageing population is increasing throughout the world.  According to Global Age Watch Index 2013, there are 80.9 crore people above the age of 60 in the world and it may soar to 200 crore by 2050.  Italy, Greece, Sweden, Spain & Japan has more old people in that order.  Global Age Watch Index 2013 released the rankings, based on data from WHO.  According to that, Sweden is the best place to grow old followed by Norway & Germany.  Tanzania, Pakistan and Afganistan are in the bottom three.  China is in 35th rank and India is in 73rd rank.  Surprisingly lower-income countries like Sri Lanka & Bolivia had put in place policies that significantly improved the quality of life for their elderly.  The report states “Limited resources need not be a barrier to countries providing for their older citizens”.  

Repercussion on a Nation

Old age imposes several limitations on the elderly, biologically, socially and economically.  Often elderly people are taken as a liability, incapable of contributing anything to the society.  They become socially marginalized or disadvantaged. Young people consider old age as a handicap or an incurable disease.  Such myths often make ageing and the aged a subject of pity.  If a huge section of population of elderly is considered marginalized and spent-force, it would have serious repercussions for the growth and development of a Nation.  

Necessity and not a luxury

Senior citizens make an important contribution to the fabric of our society.  The first significant attempt at the international front was in the form of the World Assembly on Ageing in 1982 at Vienna by the UN as a forum to launch an International Action Programme for the aged.  It sponsored the idea of “active ageing” as an important strategy for the adjustment of the aged in the society.  The Assembly said ‘the need is to make the old age meaningful, contended and happy’.  The point of attraction among the geriatric professionals and gerontologists are “rights of the elderly, eliminating exploitation in the form of abuse, stereotypes and ageism remarks, independence, dignity, care fulfillment & active ageing”.  The World Health Organisation (WHO) in 1999 stated that countries can afford to get old if governments, international organizations and civil society don’t adopt “active ageing” policies and programmes that enhance the health, participation and security of older citizens.  The word ‘Active’ refers to continuing participation in social, economic, cultural, spiritual and civic affairs, not just the ability to be physically active or to participate in the labour force.  Health refers to physical, mental and social well being as expressed in WHO definition of health.  The second World Assembly on Ageing, in 2002 at Madrid stated that ‘A society for all ages encompasses the goal of providing older persons with the opportunity to continue contributing to society’.  Measures to help older people remain active and healthy are a necessity and not a luxury.  

Neglected/frustrated

The aged maintain their status and interpersonal relationship, if (i) their spouse is alive, (ii) they are physically fit, (iii) they have valuable material and property under their control, (iv) they adjust to changing family environment.  There exists some tension, in many families, where daughter-in-law and son are not able to give enough time to their elderly due to their job commitments.  The aged females, in turn, feel neglected, unwanted and frustrated.  Urban characteristics like impersonality, fast pace of the challenge the adjustment of the aged in family, community and society.  

International commitment

UN Secretary General in 2007 said that ‘older-persons now have many more opportunities to keep contributing to society beyond any set retirement age.  Older persons were sometimes seen as a burden on society, they are now increasingly recognized as an asset that can and should be tapped’.  On the eve of International Day of Older Persons on 1st October 2009 he said that “over the past decade, we intensified our efforts to build a society for all ages and to promote international commitment to the UN principles for older persons which is founded on the need to build an inclusive society that emphasizes participation, self-fulfillment, independence, care and dignity for all”.  

Indian situation

In India 5.5% of population was above 60 years of age in 1951 which rose to 8.2% in 2011.  Art. 41 of our constitution talks about ‘well-being of senior citizens’.  National policy on older persons (NPOP) was evolved in 1999.  Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007 was enacted in December 2007.  Old-age dependency ratio was 10.9% in 1961 and it rose to 13.1% in 2001.  As per Census 2011, Nuclear families in India is 70.1% and in Tamilnadu (74.4%) it is above national average.  As per the report by UN population Fund & Helpage India, in our country there were 9 crore people above the age of 60 in 2011 and it is likely to go upto 17.3 crore by 2026.  Out of this 9 crore, 3 crore people are living alone and 90% work for their livelihood.  Nearly 85% do not have any retirement benefits.  Our Govt. spends only 0.032% of GDP for senior citizens.  Neglect, Poverty and Isolation are the major issues.

Old-age a commodity

Helpage India conducted a sample study of 1,200 elders from six Tier I cities and six Tier II cities in 2014.  The study revealed that over half the elderly interviewed reported to experiencing abuse within the family.  Among the Tier I cities, Bangalore tops the list with 75% and among the Tier II cities Nagpur is in the top with 85%.  The study also brought out three kinds of abuse (i) Verbal-41%, (ii) Disrespect – 33% and (iii) Neglect – 26%.  Analyzing the roots of their abuse to emotional dependence, economic dependence and the changing ethos of values.  The report shows that the vulnerability of old age is created out of the political economy of dependency.  They point out quietly that old age has become a commodity.  The younger generation commodifies old age by seeing the old as sources of pension, property, income.  The old are like the goose that must lay the golden eggs and move on.  Old age is now an iron cage from which there is no exit.   Old age, once a sign of status, a rite of passage to dignity, is now redundant.  With Modernization, Consumerism, Individualism, the values of old age are no longer part of our society, atleast  as reflected in the survey sample.   

Importance gone down – Why?

Certain social systems and processes like agricultural economy, joint family system, strong community ties, religious teachings, in the past ensured safety and well-being of the elderly.  Story-telling by grandmothers to grandchildren was an important instrument of inculcating manners and values among them (television and computers have replaced grandmothers).  In view of social, economic and technological changes, their contributions in the family have gone down, so is the case with their importance and roles in the family.

Governments spending on health

For Senior Citizens Health is most important than any other problem.  As age advances many deseases come.  We are giving some statistics (based on World Health Organisation) of some countries, how much the Government spends on health, how many doctors & nurses are available.

Country                Govt.               Doctors                       Nurses
                              Spending        per                              and
                              On health       10,000                         Midwives
                              As %age          population                 per
                              Of all                                                   10,000
                              Spending                                            population

Bolivia                   7.3%                12.2                             21.3
Brazil                     7.1                   17.64                           64.19
China                     12.1                 14.15                           13.8
Germany               18.7                 36.01                           110.98
India                      3.6                   6.49                             Not Available
Malaysia               9.2                   9.41                             27.3
Nepal                     7.9                   2.1                               4.6
Norway                  17.4                 41.59                           319.32
Pakistan                 3.6                   8.13                             5.6
Russia                    8.0                   43.089                         85.2
South Africa          11.9                 7.7                               40.8
Sweden                  14.8                 37.7                             118.61
Out of the above 12 countries India & Pakistan are only spending 3.6% whereas all other countries are spending more on health.  We have to pressurize the Government to spend more on health.  These figures pertains to 2010.


Tuesday 29 September 2015

29-9-2015      Com. R L Kapoor reports from New Delhi:

“The File on 78.2% case was cleared by Member (Finance) yesterday and it has gone to DDG (Establishment).”

Our General Secretary and Treasurer have come back in Chennai after meeting Member (Finance), DDG (FEB) etc in Delhi. As a result of our efforts, the File has started moving once again. It is important that Finance has approved the File that contains the data to be sent to Department of Expenditure.
DoE has to approve the Cabinet Note. Without DOE’s approval also the Cabinet Note can be submitted.
But normally Cabinet does not take any decision without getting the views of DoE on such matters.
So, DoE’s approval is essential.

We have to wait. Patience will pay the dividend.

Monday 28 September 2015

We greet our heart felt happy wishes to Sri.E, Kanakaraj's 

son and daughter in law

Com E. Kanakaraj our Assistant Treasurer's son Marriage  took place 

on 28.9.2015 at  Tirunelveli. The wedding of Mr.  RAJESH AND SHOBANA 

 took place in the Presence  of Com PS Ramankutty and 
          
Presided over by Com D Gopalakrishnan  Asia Secretary T U I (PR) and VP.  

A large number of Pensioners  from various Districts  of 

Tamilnadu participated  and blessed  the couple.
SPECIAL GENERAL BODY MEETING AT MADURAI ON 27-9-2015



















FOR MORE NEWS CLICK HERE

Thursday 24 September 2015

CDA Rates from 1-7-2015

Yesterday, 23rd September 2015, the Finance Ministry has issued orders

increasing the rate of CDA from 113% to 119% with effect from 1-7-2015.

Wednesday 23 September 2015

G.S.in NEW DELHI
22/9  Along with Comrades S Gunasekaran (CHQ Treasurer), R C Malhotra (NTR Circle President), D P S Sisodia (NTR Circle Secretary) and R L Kapoor (Legal Committee Member) Com. G Natarajan, our General Secretary met Member (Finance), DDG (FEB) and Director (Est.) today and discussed the issue of 78.2%.
Member (F) and DDG informed that they have received the DATA from almost all the Circles. Only few Circles are left out. They are making all efforts to collect Data from those Circles also and send it to Department of Expenditure at the earliest possible. Director (Est.) assured that there will not be any delay in Establishment Section and that as soon the file comes back to them it will be processed immediately.
On 21/9, our NTR Circle Secretary Com. D P S Sisodia, along with Shri. K G Sharma (Ex. Telegraphmaster and now a BJP activist in Delhi State) met Shri. Amit Shah, national President of BJP and submitted a representation regarding 78.2% case.
Shri Amit Shah assured prompt action on the case

Monday 21 September 2015

செப்டம்பர் 21 - உலக ஆல்சைமர் விழிப்புணர்வு தினம்

இன்று, செப்டம்பர் 21 - உலக ஆல்சைமர் விழிப்புணர்வு தினம். பல்வேறு தொண்டு நிறுவணங்களும் ஆல்சைமர் விழிப்புணர்வை உலகம் முழுதும் ஏற்படுத்தி வருகின்றன. இன்று 'கோ பர்ப்பில்' (GO PURPLE) என்ற நிகழ்ச்சியைத் துவக்கி அதன் உறுப்பினர்களும்,மாணவர்களும்,பொது மக்களும் செவ்வூதா (கத்தரி புளூ) நிறத்தில் ஆடை அணிந்து விழிப்புணர்வு ஏற்படுத்தவுள்ளனர்.  நம்மில் எத்தனை பேருக்கு ஆல்சைமர் பற்றித் தெரியும். நாம் அறிந்து கொள்ள வேண்டியது என்ன?



..நன்றிகுரியவர்கள்:  விகடன், திரு மு.பிரதீப் கிருஷ்ணா

78.2%  CASE :- OUR G.S. Comrade  G.Natarajan is pursuing

Yesterday, Com. G Natarajan, our GS spoke to Member (Finance) Mrs. Annie Moraes about 78.2% case.

Member (F) informed GS that the DoT is on the job of preparing the DATA required by Department of Expenditure. She assured that it would be sent to DOE at the earliest possible.

Sunday 20 September 2015

சிறப்பு பொதுக்குழுக் கூட்டம்  மதுரை



..From Facebook

Thursday 17 September 2015

14/09
ALL INDIA BSNL PENSIONERS’ WELFARE ASSOCIATION
CENTRAL HEADQUARTERS
B-1. 2nd Floor, Shri Sharada Niwas,
3/2 Srinivasa Avenue Road, R A Puram, Chennai 600028
NOTICE FOR
ALL INDIA CONFERENCE
In accordance with the Articles 7 (a), 8(a) and 14 (a) of the Constitution of All India BSNL Pensioners’ Welfare Association, it is hereby notified that the 2rd Triennial All India Conference of the said Association shall be held at Dr. Ambedkar Bhawan, Millers Road, Vasanth Nagar, Bangalore from 10 AM on 21st November to 22nd November 2015 to consider the agenda given below. Shri P S Ramankutty, President shall preside over the conference. Central Office-Bearers, Circle Secretaries and elected Delegates from the District Units shall be eligible to participate in the Conference.
AGENDA
1.Consideration of the Report on the activities of the Association from October 2012
to October 2015
2. Audited Accounts for the years; 2012-2013, 2013-2014 and 2014-2015
3. Issues concerning the BSNL/DoT pensioners
Extension of the benefit of 78.2% IDR in pension revision w.e.f. 1-1-2007
Future pension revision in BSNL
Seventh Central pay Commission report and its aftermath
Pension anomaly case
Extra Increment case
BSNLMRS
Other items concerning the pensioners of BSNL and DoT
4. Organizational Review
Functioning of CHQ/Circle/District Units
Publication of Pensioners Patrika
5. Amendments to the Constitution
6. Election of office-bearers
7. Nomination of Auditor
8. Resolutions
9. Any other item with permission of the Chair.


2nd September, 2015 G Natarajan
General Secretary.
Note: The pre-conference CWC will be held at the venue on 20-11-15 at 14’00 hrs. All CHQ oofice bearers and circle Secretaries are requested to be present
11/09

On 21-4-2015 the Principal Bench of CAT gave a landmark judgement that those who retired before 1-1-2006, with less than 33 years of service but with 20 years or more, should also be granted full pension. [Details were given in Page 19 and Page 20 of Patrika 19]
Government went on appeal against this judgement.
Delhi High Court dismissed the appeal.
But, so far, the Government has not issued any order implementing the judgement.
The matter is under consideration of Ministry of Law and Justice.
09/09

The Central Cabinet has approved the hike in CDA from July 2015.

The CDA (113% From January 2015) is increased to 119% with effect from July 2015.

08/09
For revision of pension with 78.2% IDA benefit, DoT asked BSNL Corporate Office to provide some data about BSNL staff retired before 1-1-2007and those retired after 1-1-2007 but before 10-6-2013.
In turn, on 26-3-2015 Corporate Office asked the Circles to provide it.
As usual, many circles did not respond. A reminder was sent to circles on 17-4-2015. No response.
Another reminder was sent on 10-6-2015. No response still.
Now another reminder is sent on 4-9-2015.
Many more reminder letters may fly from Delhi to Circles ..... WITHOUT ANY RESULT.

This is BSNL now.

Monday 14 September 2015

மொபைல் டேட்டா குறியீடு பற்றிய... 

ஒரு சிறிய கண்ணோட்டம்...  நன்றி மதுரை nfte இணையதளம்




நம் மொபைல் டேட்டாவை ஆன் செய்தவுடன் G, 2G, E, 3G, 3G+, H, H+, 4G Symbol 
வருவதை பார்த்திருக்கிறோம். இவற்றை பற்றிய ஒரு சிறிய கண்ணோட்டம்.
  • "2G" இது 2G நெட்வெர்க் இன்டர்னெட் GPRS (General Packet Radio service) கனெக்ட் செய்ததற்கான symbol. இதன் வேகம் மிக மிக குறைவாகவே இருக்கும். இது 2000-2009 ஆண்டுகளுக்கிடையில் அதிகம் பார்த்திருக்கிறோம். இதன் மூலம் நீங்கள் 1GB dataவை டவுன்லோடிங் செய்ய 165 மணி நேரமும், 1GB dataவை அனுப்ப அதே 165 மணி நேரமும் பிடிக்கும்.
  • "E" இதுவும் 2G(2.5G) EDGE (Enhanced Data access for GSM Evaluation) மொபைல் இன்டர்நெட் ஆகும். 2008 ஆம் ஆண்டு முதல் இதன் பயன்பாடு அதிகமாக உள்ளது. இதன்மூலம் நாம் 1GB dataவை டவுன்லோடிங் செய்ய 44 மணி நேரமும், 1GB dataவை அனுப்ப 89 மணி நேரமும் ஆகும். இந்த "E" பயன்பாடு தான் இந்தியாவில் பெரும்பாலானோர் பயன் படுத்துகின்றனர்.
  • "3G" இது 3G மொபைல் இன்டர்நெட் UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecom System) கனெக்ட் செய்வதன் மூலம் தோன்றும் குறி. இதை இயங்க அவசியம் 3G இயங்குதள மொபைல் (SmartPhone) தேவை. இதன் மூலம் நாம் 1GB data வை 6 மணி நேரத்தில் டவுன்லோடும், அதே 1GB dataவை 18 மணி நேரத்தில் அனுப்ப இயலும்.
  • Symbol "H" இது 3G மொபைல் இன்டர்நெட் HSPA (High Speed Packet Aceess) கனெக்ட் செய்வதன் மூலம் தோன்றும் குறி. இதை Smart Phoneகளின் மூலம் மட்டுமே பயன்படுத்த முடியும் இதன் மூலம் நாம் 1GB dataவை 25 நிமிட நேரத்தில் டவுன்லோடும், அதே 1GB dataவை 45 நிமிட நேரத்தில் அனுப்ப இயலும்.
  • "H+" இதுவும் 3G மொபைல் இன்டர்நெட் (Evolved High Speed Packet Access) கனெக்ட் செய்வதன் மூலம் வரும் குறியீடு இதை இயங்க அவசியம் 3G இயங்குதள மொபைல் (SmartPhone) தேவை. இதன் மூலம் நாம் 1GB dataவை 5-20 நிமிடங்களில் டவுன்லோடும், 1GB dataவை 15-39 நிமிட நேரத்தில் அனுப்ப இயலும்.
  • "4G" இச்சேவை 3G network internet - LTE (Long Term Evolution) இந்தியாவில் ஒரு சில நகரங்களில் மட்டுமே கிடைக்கின்றது. இதன் வேகம் மிகவும் அதிகம். இதை இயங்க அவசியம் 3G இயங்குதள மொபைல் (SmartPhone) தேவை. இதன் மூலம் நாம் 1GB dataவை 3 நிமிடத்தில் டவுன்லோடிங் செய்திடலாம். அதே 1GB dataவை அனுப்ப 5 நிமிடம் மட்டுமே போதும்.          


Sunday 13 September 2015

              SALEM SSA            6/9/2015

Ms.sundarambal D/oLate.Narayanan, Family Pensioner donated Rs.5000/- ( Five thousand ) to Circle Association for settlement of her family pension arrears.
Com. P.K. Balakrishnan circle Asst Secretary and President Salem SSA, Com. Ramalingam Dist. Secretary, Com Ponraj Treasurer made over the amount to Circle Secretary Com.
V. Rama Rao in the presence of President Com K. Muthialu.


CUDDALORE   LEADS  REMITTANCE
         

Delegate/observer fee for 20 members of Cuddalore District, Tamil Nadu Circle amounting to Rs.16000/- & Rs.15000/- towards AIC levy totalling Rs.31000/- transferred to BoI, sanjaynagar BGLR account No.849310110006259 thro NEFT from UCOBANK CUDDALORE A/C No.06200110008928.  by K. Chandramohane, District Secretary, Cuddalore on  9-9-2015.
V..ramarao CS TN