BSNL, MTNL pensioners gear up for protests over DA/DR freeze
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, April 15 2026: A coalition of BSNL and MTNL pensioners' associations is gearing up for protests against Government directives freezing Dearness Allowance/Dearness Relief (DA/DR) and linking payments to public sectorunit (PSU) performance.

At a general body meeting held on April 13 at the BSNL union office in Imphal, members resolved to act on directions from their central headquarters.

The associations cited three key grievances:

Freezing of DA/DR: They contend that DA/DR payment at revised rates, linked to the Consumer Price Index, is a fundamental right of employees and pensioners.

Payments tied to PSU performance: A Department of Public Enterprises (DPE) order dated February 27, 2026, linked IDA/DR payments to the profit or loss of PSUs.

Denial of pension revision: Pension revision effective from January 1, 2017, has reportedly been denied on flimsy grounds.

Pensioners view the moves as part of the Union Government's roadmap, citing the Validation Act 2025 and what they call antipensioner Terms of Reference for the 8th Central Pay Commission.

The meeting resolved to stage a demonstration in front of CCA/BSNL offices on April 16, followed by a mass dharna on April 30.Representatives declared that nearly all associations have united to "kick back the dirty games of the Union Government" .

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