NBSTC

NBSTC pensioners on war path

The North Bengal State Transport Corporation Pensioners Association is
going to organize a movement demanding regular and full payment of
pension. They also want to avail all retirement benefits meant for
them.

The secretary of the NBSTCPA, Mohan Banshi Barman said the meeting of
their central committee will be held at Siliguri on 9 November. By 20
November they will organize a central rally in Cooch Behar and on that
day they will submit a memorandum to the Managing Director of the
corporation urging him to take initiatives to fulfill their legitimate
demands.

Barman alleged that Dipti Karmakar, the widow of a retired and demised
employee, Manoranjan Karmakar, has committed suicide by hanging
herself on Wednesday night at Balurghat. She was suffering from acute
financial crisis as she was not receiving her family pension for a
long. In Cooch Behar too, about 40 retired persons are suffering from
ailments without any medical care. The NBSTC authority should act
immediately with humane and sympathetic attitude. If this situation
continues the pensioners will have to stage a fast-unto-death stir to
get their pensions, Barman said.

Abdul Jalil Ahmed, a director and also the chairman of the Selection
Committee of the NBSTC, said that the Transport Department released a
fund of Rs 2,61,55,923 for disbursement of fifty percent pension for
the months of August and September. The pensioners will get it within
a day or two, he assured.

On the otherhand, a team of leaders of the INTUC affiliated NBSTC
Workers Union met the Managing Director of the corporation, C Murugan,
on Friday evening. They demanded regular payment of salary and pension
and payment of all arrears to the employees and the pensioners. They
demanded that before issuing of transfer orders the authorities should
consider the academic session. They also urged the MD to take stern
steps against the racket involved in the fake appointment letter
issue. NBSTC sources said the MD agreed to consider their demands
subject to the approval of the Transport Department.