a monthly e-magazine of lic retired class i officers ... remember a story in those days when dr abul...
TRANSCRIPT
Private Circulation for LIC Pensioners only
( A monthly e-Magazine of LIC Retired Class I Officers’ Association, Kolkata )
May, 2014 (Vol. 1 : 2 issues) Vol. 2 Issue - 5
Chief Editor :
Basudeb Das
Editorial Board : S.K. Mazumder
A.K. Goswami
S.K. Chakraborty
S.K. Ghosh
D.K. Ghosh
T.K. Sanyal
A.K. Mahato
IN THIS ISSUE:
Editorial
Legal News
Assocn News
LIC News
Financial News
Health Tips
Of Interest
Pensioners’ News
Jokes
Readers’ Views
Pensioners’ Tour
EDITORIAL :
Now the focus is shifted from Rajasthan HC to Supreme Court after almost all HC suits are taken up by the SC. It is no doubt a good sign towards a final decision for our long pending case. Another favourable news is that Govt on principle decided to revise RBI pension at 10 years’ interval. Whatever may the offer, at least on principle, Govt agreed on pension updation in RBI which is a breakthrough decision and citeable in SC in favour of LIC pensioners. Now there is a debate floated in the air to build up unity among the three LIC pensioners’ unions so that in SC arguement, pensioners as a class should have only one stand. Idea is good no doubt and beneficial, but who will bell the cat? In our country, as per GOI/Labour Dept source, there are 38,544 trade unions as on 2002. Most of the TUs are ideoogically committed to one or other political parties irrespective of the interest of their members. In LIC, we have seen so many TUs with ideology of various political parties. For even common interest, they failed to be united during confrontation with management because of their tie up with politics. We recall the days of struggle for introduction of pension in LIC when the biggest TU in LIC demanded introduction of pension as third retiral benefit causing delay in introduction of pension. However, their tactics brought some relief to retirees that time by way of merger (notional) of DA upto 1248 points of CPI (1960=100) with Basic Pay. I remember a story in those days when Dr Abul Kalam Azad was President of India and AB Bajpayee was the Prime Minister. Responding to call of the President to lift India to a developed country by 2020, Bajpayeeji called for blue prints from the experts of the country. In a meeting, different agencies were invited to present their plan in PPT before PM and other Govt Officials. The presentation was brilliant and appeared, if implemented, India may be upgraded to a developed country well before target year 2020. Bajpayeeje was silently observing the show with smile in the face. After the presentation part was over, he rose and appreciated the blue prints of plan putting a simple question “ Magar e sob hoga kaise?” In the same way, we also feel unity is the best, “ Lekin hoga kaise?”
NEWS IN BRIEF:
LEGAL NEWS :
The present positions of cases before different courts are narrated below.
Supreme court of India: 1) Civil Appeal no 8959 to 8962 of 2013 (LIC vs KML Asthana)
against the judgment of Rajasthan HC - Listed for 12/08/2014.
2) Civil Appeal no 6995 of 2013 (LIC vs Madan al Gandhi) against the judgment PB &
Haryana HC-Listed for 19/08/2014
3) Civil Appeal no 9223 of 2013 (LIC vs Fedn. of Retd. LIC Class-I Officers’ Associations)
against the judgment of Delhi HC is listed for 4th
April’2014 on Federation’s IA praying for
implementation of the Board Resolution of 2001 in terms of the Delhi HC judgment was
slotted to come up for hearing on 4th April 2014. Adjourned till 2nd
week of Aug, 2014.
Asthanaji has filed one Intervention Application.
Rajasthan HC: Sri Asthana has filed one Writ petition no CW’3471 of 2014-R 6653/2014
for implementation of Rajasthan HC verdict dt 12/01/2010 - it was listed for 2nd
April’14
but was adjoiurned and it is likely to be combined with another Writ petition filed by
AIREF (CW’3508’ of 2014-R 6604/2014) listed for 07/05/2014.
Punjab & Haryana HC: Contempt petition against LIC came up to be heard on 26/03/2014
but it stands adjourned to 7th
July’2014
Kerala HC: WP no 27863 of 2006 by Fedn. of Class-I officers’ Association. During the last
hearing, Counsel for LIC reported that LIC intended to transfer the case to Supreme Court.
Besides above, some other cases are pending before different HCs.
S U P R E M E C O U R T O F I N D I A
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
I.A No.3 in CIVIL APPEAL NO(s). 9223 OF 2013
L.I.C OF INDIA & ANR. Appellant (s)
VERSUS
FEDERATION RETIRED LIC CLASS 1 AS. & ORS Respondent(s)
UPON hearing counsel the Court made the following:
O R D E R
Heard.
Counsel opposite may file their objections to this application (I.A.No.3) within four weeks.
Post the application along with all the appeals in the 2nd week of August, 2014.
NOTICES IN WP 3508/2012 HAVE BEEN SERVED ON LIC ON 11/4/2014 BOTH THE WRIT
PETITIONS WILL BE TAKEN UP ON 30/4/2014. PL CONVEY THIS TO ALL FRIENDS…… KML ASTHANA
Jaipur Court - CW'3471' of 2014 - LISTED ON 30/4/2014.
Date of query : 8/4/2014 Time : 11:02:32 AM, CW'3471' of 2014 - R 6653/2014
Petitioner : KRISHNA MURARI LAL ASTHANA , Respondent: L I C OF INDIA
Petitioner Advocate: ABHINAV SHARMA, Respondent Advocate:
Class Code : 0521 Registered on : 26/3/2014 , Bench : SB Stage : INCOMPLETE
"TO-DAY, THE 30TH
APRIL, DUE TO HEAVY CASES AT JAIPUR HC, OUR CASE DO NOT TAKEN.
WE HAVE TO WAIT FOR NEXT DATE” = MESSAGE FROM B. ANGURAJAN
JAIPUR CASE: CW '3508' of 2014 - R
Date of query : 11/4/2014 Time : 5:42:32 PM
CW'3508' of 2014 - R 6604/2014
Petitioner : ALL INDIA RETIRED INSURANCE ORS
Respondent: L I C OF INIDA
Petitioner Advocate: SANJAY GANGWAR
Respondent Advocate:
Class Code : 0521 Registered on : 27/3/2014
Bench : SB Stage : INCOMPLETE
Date of Listing : 7/5/2014
SUGGESTIONS OF PP DHAMIJA:
(i) We should form a team of 4/5 persons with equal representation from the involved
Associations.
(ii) The legal proceedings should be shifted from Jaipur to S.C. New Delhi.
(iii) The application for intervention in the S.C. should be withdrawn.
(iv) Personal attacks on any member/Office bearer should be stopped.
(v) Writing to the Chief Justice may be helpful. But it will be more beneficial if this is done
jointly.
(vi) The details can be worked out by the joint committee.
(vii) Let the process be started before the S.C. goes for summer vacation.
Thanks. NOTE: Each association in the common interest of LIC pensioners must think seriously taking lesson from the experience of
joint forum of RBI pensioners who, on principle, got the clearance of pension upgradation from GOI….CE/Eastern News.
APPEAL OF RB KISHORE, VP, AIRIEF BEFORE THE HON'BLE CHIEF JUSTICE OF INDIA
Revered, Respected & Hon. Chief Justice of Supreme Court,
Sir,
Re: Court matters of Insurance Pensioners prolonged --- your immediate intervention solicited.
1) We wish to bring to your kind notice some crucial facts & developments in the long drawn out,
tedious & tortuous legal battle with LIC & UOI about pensioners issues & problems,dragging on &
on,for last 12 years & more.Sir,one can understand, if no decision has come from arbiters of Justice &
Equity,the Pillars of our Democracy,HCs & SC,who are real Guardians & Protectors of the
disadvantaged, the oppressed, the discriminated, Elders & Sr Citizens,one can have less grouse,but
,Sir, when ever so many Verdicts & Judgements have come, all in support of the Pensioners ,over a
long period of time after submissions from all parties,You,as Chief Justice of India, as the Lighthouse
of Justice ,must intervene to stem the prolonged delay & give directions to SC to call a spade a spade,
issue writ or direction or mandamus to LIC/UOI to implement the Rajasthan HC judgement dt
12/1/2010 of Hon SJ Bhandari admitting both the writs of 6676/1998 on Dearness Relief to establish
equality, as is for serving Employees,instead of truncated 50%DR ,as is being paid for pre-8/1997
pensioners, having crossed 76 yrs to 86 yrs already & losing a chunk of DR in these hard-hit days of
inflation raging all along.
2)Sir, the 2nd writ admitted was CWP 654/2007 exclusively on pension upgradation substituting scales
of pay as & when wage revision for employees take place, quoting many reputed case laws apart from
the Magna Carta for pensioners in Nakara case,the 5-Judge SC Bench presided over by Hon CJ
Chandrachud,an elucidation & dissertation by Learned & Hon SJ,Rajasthan HC ,pointing out gross
anamolies & discrepancies in pension whereby 10 cadres below get more pension than the higher
cadres retired few years before,that date of retirement is irrelevant, one cannot discriminate groups
of pensioners as pre & post,all pensioners form one single homogeneous group only &
particularly,when it is an Existing Pension scheme & not any New scheme,all pensioners assuredly
deserve pension revision with every wage revision.Sir, many times it so happens, even after
favourable verdicts,when Hon Judges fail to mention Effective date categorically, again a flurry
&blizzard of supplementary legal activities are forced upon.So, DR from the date of discrimination ie
pre-8/1997 pensioners & pension upgradation wef CWP 654/2007 date ie 1/1/2007 or earlier as per
rules 1/1/2004, if allowed,will greatly enhance the value of judgement without any hassle of diverse
interpretations.Sir.
3) It is not for us to point out or portray the ever so many judgements in favour of pensioners or the
brilliant expositions from IV,V & VI Pay Commissions propounding the basis & fundamentals of
granting pension upgradation with every wage revision,almost on similar lines as is being done for
employees,Sir, we are still in IV PC mode Basic pension same & static as at 1/11/1993, 21 long
years,majority of pensioners above age 70 ,especially in a democratic, egalitarian & Socialist pattern
of Society,more so respecting & honouring the Sr Citizens & Super SrCitizens,who in their long,
devoted & dedicated service of 35-40 yrs solidly laid the foundation, built a
superstructure,rationalized principles & procedures of various departments in all tiers of the
institution,hastened computerization & indeed,with all slings & arrows of outrageous misfortune of
transfers,disturbance to family life & ever so many hazards of office ,yet, with a smile displaying
empathy for policyholders & all stakeholders,created records, broke records enabling the Institution
LIC shine brilliant & lustrous,Sir, really an economic TajMahal , Rock of Gibralter ,participating in all
Nation building activities, helping Aam Aadmi,social security to the economically weaker section of
society as no other institution could have done or can do,Sir, pumping money for all 5-Year plans
touching every Section of society & even assisting Govt in preserving stock market balance, all these
multi-dimensional activities earning accolades of praise from PM & FM even rightly asserting with a
sense of glow –there can be NO BETTER 3-LETTER WORD THAN LIC--& Sir, then more so, we humble
elders & Sr Citizens certainly associating ourselves with a sense of attachment & pride of profession &
performance, can we not get a slice of the cake, with accepted principles tested & emerging from the
fiery furnace of legal battle, with adjournments & postponements & vacation,but more after Appeal
as also Review petitions were dismissed,4 Courts,10Judges have opined on similar lines, Punjab &
Haryana HC certifying Hon SJ Rajasthan HC verdict & adding 12 % for the delay,Delhi HC
acknowledging & adding “in rem” to all pensioners in same aggrieved category, SC clarificatory order
dt 14 October, 2012 allowing retiral benefits from the date of eligibility, meaning date of retirement,
what more is needed, Sir
4) More so after the 23/6/2010 National Litigation Policy announced by Law Minister,it will be
suffocating if the golden & guardian principles are not followed or not implemented, thrown to the
wind by the Powers that be, ascardinal principle in focus was to ensure Govts/Instns do not become
compulsive litigants & No Appeals or Reviews are made by them, more so when it concerns
retirement or pensionary benefits. In our case, not one victory but a series of victories,Sir.
5) Your Honour,pathetically we bring to your kind notice,with tears in our eyes that more than 12,000
pensioners have died out of app 48,000.All our letters, face to face meetings with the powers that
be,& polite outbursts have evoked no response.Sad, death is treated as an event ,no human touch or
understanding ! You & You alone can bring sense & semblance of accountability &
responsibility,without which Umpire or Beacon light, country will deteriorate & institutions will be
crippled, as it happens to day without a modicum of independent Corporate Governance,which must
form the bedrock of decisions.
6) More than 14 years,money,labour, energy, inconveniences, delay, adjournments, court rules &
procedures, adverse health,sacrifices,are being silently borne by pensioners, activists straining to
maximum even in adversity, affecting their health. Lack of money power, lung power, muscle power,
political power must be compensated & addressed only by High Courts & Supreme Court.Facts are
clear as crystal, reason & logic of demands are powerful, no one can deny discrimination, violation of
Fundamental Rights enshrined in constitution, Article 14,16 & 21 ,decades have rolled by, none to
wipe the tears, demands are modest & legitimate, Court victories are galore & successive, one after
another.
Lastly, it must not be forgotten & it can be rightly claimed, we Pensioners won the case & all was over
perhaps on that bright day, 8th August 2013,
1) when our Petitioner Sri Asthanas IA 12 & 13 were admitted,
2) LIC SLPs 29956 & 29957/2011 were dismissed &
3) This proviso only went against us, as SC Bench gave LIC a fresh lease of life to file fresh SLPs with
caution & warning delay may not be normally condoned, but ultimately when SC categorically
ordered”NO STAY of Hon SJ Rajasthan HC orders dt 12/1/2010 & allied matters”,a clear indicator of
their minds but condoned such an enormous delay of 6 months & 23 days on 30 September, 2013
7) Sir,dispensers of justice must bring solace & comfort to the needy litigants with a spirit of zeal &
zest & when justice is trampled upon,Courts must immediately step in & remedy the injustice
perpetrated in any garb whatsoever. This will bring credit & glory to yourgoodself & indeed such
valiant,original efforts will bring dividends to society & earn accolades for such drastic purification of
the legal sytem where vital matters like these must be addressed & resolved with promptness &
aplomb
8) You have done yeoman service in judicial sphere & matters of legal jurisprudence. You have
adorned all posts with distinction.Your out-of-the-box remedy by disposing lacs of cases in Adalats in
various courts bear standing testimony to your care & concern for the underdog.Your judgements
involving all disciplines, Centre & State with high profile politicians, bureaucrats & businessmen
clearly & candidly bear your intellectual imprints consisting of novel ideas. We would have very much
liked to approach you earlier,but especially when SLPs after SLPs, converted as CAs masquerade &
getting clubbed, proving detrimental to pensioners, your positive & assertive intervention will deliver
the fruits of judgements ,which is being denied to us under one pretext or another.
We are small men, UIPs, UnImportant Persons. Symbol of the Balance is touching & revealing.
Supreme Court, under your able, dynamic& progressive leadership & captaincy,even in this real hour
of distress & frustration can prove Supreme. Sir, With folded hands we beg of you to bring this
tortuous,expensive legal battle, which LIC/UOI can comfortably bear driving us to despair to a
happy,positive & satisfactory conclusion. Please bring to closure these cases of ours, thereby giving
Voice to the voiceless,Power to the powerless for which act of kindness, benevolence& empathy, we
the Entire Insurance Pensioners Fraternity shall for ever be eternally grateful. We salute you & bow
before you on this auspicious Vishu & Tamil New Years day heralding JAYA, earlier having ushered
sprightly Holi, Ugadi & Baishaka.
Yours most respectfully & faithfully,
R.B.KISHORE,
VP, ALL INDIA RETIRED INSURANCE EMPLOYEES” FEDERATION, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR(Retd), LIC: 12/4/2014
MUMBAI HIGHCOURT CIRCULAR FOR GIVING PREFERENCE TO PARTIES ABOVE 60 YRS OF AGE
ASSOCIATION NEWS:
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF KOLKATA ASSOCIATION
The 19th
Annual General Meeting of the Kolkata Association is scheduled to be held on 14th
June, 2014 (Saturday) at 2 pm at Subarna Banik Samaj Hall, near Khadi Gramodyog/Jeevan
Prakash Bldg crossing at Chandni Chowk Metro Stn. Formal notice shall be sent by post &
email to all members to their recorded addresses in the first week of May'2014. Also, we will
make every effort to contact our members over telephone to remind at least 10/15 days
before the the scheduled date.
All members, receiving this email, are requested to communicate other members, not having
email address, of the date and venue of the AGM.
Every member of the Association is requested to kindly ensure attendance and active
participation to make this 19th AGM a grand success.
…….LIC RETIRED CLASS-I OFFICERS’ ASSOCIATION, KOLKATA.
BURNING QUESTION OF TODAY
Euphoria generated among the LIC pensioners expecting some positive decisions from
Rajasthan HC helped the seeds of hopes to sprout out of the earth. The 13th
Feb’14 dismissal
of the contempt petition by Raj HC withered away the leaves of hopes setting in pictures of
gloom in the minds of many pensioners. There has been no clarification as yet to what had
actually transpired on 12th
and 13th February ’14. Silence and absence of any suitable
explanation have given rise to misgivings, rumours, hearsays like underhand deals struck at
the highest level. Nobody, who all these days were blowing bugles about positive outcome,
has yet asked for any reasonable clarification. There are talks that LIC pensioners are
confused. Some say they are not only confused but also are lost, unsure, unclear, perplexed,
disoriented and bewildered. Some say no, they are being let down.
The pensioners, who contributed to Legal fund for fighting the case at Rajsthan HC and
Supreme Court, are raising questions as to what actually happened on 12th
and 13th
Feb’14.
This needs to be answered properly.
One of the Senior Pensioner commented the following- “The only thing now required is to
physically prevent our Advocates in SC or HC from withdrawing the Contempt petitions.”
Sri M.Sreenivasa Murty has taken a lead & has evolved a series of steps to forge
understanding among the different respondents to the civil appeals of LIC (as mentioned
above) in supreme court so that arguments put forward during the proceedings should be on
the same line, at least should not differ. He had a chain of dialogues at Delhi during SC
hearing with leaders who matter. His main strategy is to ensure that in 2nd
week of August
2014, all clubbed CAs are slated for hearing, Pensioners Federations involved in Delhi case
viz.Sri GN Sridharan & thro Intervention Petition, Sri KML Asthana, who has been
spearheading the legal battle to a series of victories in Jaipur HC, Chandigarh HC & Delhi HC
on main plank of historic Hon SJ Bhandari’s judgement dt 12/1/2010. PB & HR HC added
interest 12% for the delay meaning thereby retrospective, Delhi HC added “in rem” meaning
thereby, not merely Petitioners but all pensioners in same aggrieved category. Sri M
Sreenivasa Murty is bent on appealing to good sense of Pensioners Fedns to ensure smooth
sailing when all CAs clubbed together for hearing comes up in SC.We do not know how far Sri
Murty will progress. But we feel that every federation should agree to argue for
implementation of Raj HC verdict dt 12/01/2010. The leaders should read the writings on the
wall, else they will be rejected by their own members.
An excerpt from the topic “UNITY MOVES---Musings & Reflections” by Shri RB Kishore, VP, AIRIEF :
“Proposals & suggestions to seek unity & present a mosaic of common interests of pensioners
are appearing regularly in LIC pensioners chronicle blog. …. Sri M.Sreenivasa Murty has taken
a lead & has evolved a series of steps to convert this idea to reality. He had a chain of
dialogues at Delhi during SC hearing with leaders who matter. ….. viz. Sri GNSridharan & thro
Intervention Petition, Sri KMLAsthana, ….. Sri MSM is bent on appealing to good sense of
Pensioners Fedns to ensure smooth sailing when all CAs clubbed together for hearing comes
up in SC…”
UNITY MOVES in the eye of Shri CH Mahadevan, (EC Member), Rtd LIC Class-I Officers’ Federation:
“Mr MSM has played a catalytic role in mooting practical and useful ideas. Now the proposals
and ideas need to be converted into concrete action by the leaders of both AIRIEF and
Federation of Retired Class I Officers' Associations in a concerted manner. …... Management
of the cases and purposive court craft become very crucial from now on to encash the
advantages gained so far.”
Percentage of wage revision – 1997, 2002 & 2007
“In response to my application to the CPIO,LIC and my subsequent appeal to the Appellate
Authority, I have obtained the following information vide the letter dt 20/2/2014 from
Secretary(RTI),CO,LIC:
"-----In this regard appellant is informed that the term weightage of 11.25% in the
Board Resolution dated 24.11.2001 was referred to by then Chairman with reference of
Dr.S.Ram Khanna, the then Board Member. As was earlier informed by the CPIO, the said
percentage does not exactly reflect the percentage of wage rise to existing employees as on
1.8.1997.....However, the percentage increase over the wage Bill allowed to the in-service
employees as on 1.8.2002 and 1.8.2007 was 13.30% and 17.50% respectively." …”-------C H
Mahadevan
LIC NEWS: CPI : Jan – 237, Feb – 238, March – 239, There is a decrease of 17 slabs w.e.f 01-05-2014 for employees. Group Mediclaim Policy for the year 2014-15 has been renewed with New India
and the Policy Number is given below.
Policy No. : 12070034140400000002, Period : From 01-04-2014 To 31-03-2015
FINANCIAL:
Landlord PAN Mandatory for annual Rent Over 1 lakh
HRA exemption can be availed up to least of the following:
1) Actual HRA received.
2) Excess of rent paid over 10% of the salary.
3) 50% of salary if house is located in Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata or Chennai. 40% elsewhere.
Any salaried person would have heard of a term called HRA (House Rent Allowance). It not
only gives benefit in the form of allowance but also gives an opportunity for tax
exemption up to a certain limit. Almost every salaried employee takes this benefit. IT
department also provides the facility of claiming tax benefit on HRA for rent paid to parents.
Change in Rule
Until now, tax payers did not have to provide landlord’s PAN unless the rent was Rs. 1,80,000
p.a or Rs. 15,000 per month. However, IT department has put its foot forward in this regard
and lowered the limit to declare landlord PAN to Rs. 1 lakh p.a or Rs. 8,333 per month. The
reason IT department has brought about this new rule is because it believes there are a lot of
fake receipts being submitted while claiming HRA exemption.
Exemption for Rent Receipts
However, employees who receive HRA up to Rs. 3,000 per month are not required to submit
receipts for proof of rent paid. It may not benefit huge number of tax payers, though. This
concession is only for the purpose of TDS (Tax Deduction at Source), and, in the regular
assessment of the employee, the Assessing Officer will be free to make such enquiry as he
deems fit for the purpose of satisfying himself that the employee has incurred actual
expenditure on payment of rent.
If Landlord does not have PAN
In case the landlord does not have PAN, employee should submit a declaration stating the
same along with the landlord’s details. The new rule is set to trouble the tax payers more as
we know that a lot of landlords would be unwilling to submit PAN details or even give a
declaration.
What if documents are not submitted?
The documents need to reach the IT department within February month of next calendar
year. If it’s not the case, the HRA exemption given will be reversed and the entire HRA
amount will be clubbed with the salary and taxed according to the tax slab.
This new rule is definitely a set back for a lot of salaried people since there were many of
those who were claiming HRA exemption even without paying rents. But, even the honest tax
payers would be hit hard on account of this new rule because of the reluctance of landlords
to neither submit PAN nor give a declaration.
The minimum subscription for PPF has been changed to Rs. 100
Central Government has vide Notification No. GSR 225(E), Dated – 13-3-2014 fixed initial
minimum subscription in PPF at Rs. 100 by amending the para 4 of Public Provident Fund
Scheme 1968. Earlier there was no minimum fixed amount of deposit for opening of PPF
account but the condition was that amount of initial subscription shall be integral multiples
of Rs.5. The notification Further allows online/ electronic payment in PPF Account if account
holder is maintaining account with a Bank or Post office working on Core Banking platform.
(Notification N0. GSR 225(E), Dated – 13-3-2014).
GOI decision on Revision of Pension in RBI
Adv. Ramesh Aherrao, General Secretary, ALL INDIA RBI OERS PENSIONERS FORUM, 20,
‘Radhey’, Ujwal Layout, Jaitala Road, Nagpur-440 022, Ph. – 0712-2230805 wrote on
02.01.2014 to Shri Raghuraman Rajan, Governor/RBI.
…..8] Secondly Sir, we are also wishing to get the updation of pension. Since this is one of the
foremost social security measures for the retirees, the same is denied to 40,000 retirees of
RBI. The issue is hanging for the last so many years which you are well aware of. We are very
hopeful and confident that you will definitely deliver the justice to the senior citizens and
pensioners of RBI who has devoted their whole life for the Bank. Our only request is whether
within the autonomous character of the Bank, pension updation is granted within the
Pension Rules of RBI.
9] Central Govt. is granting the updation without amending the relevant
clause which state “pay at the time of retirement”. Central Govt. notionally
updated the pay of retirees as per the Pay Commissions and the arrears paid, when RBI tried
within its powers to revise the pension of pre 1997 retirees. Central Govt. forced RBI to
withdraw it. Pre 1997 retirees had no choice but obtain stay on the downward revision of
pension. The matter is standing still at this juncture. How many pre 1997 retirees will survive
the Court case judgment only future can tell ?.....
A bulletin -'PRATHYASA'- (Issue No 43 - March 2013) of Reserve Bank Retired Employees
Association, Kochi reports on Pension Updation in RBI as follows:
“… It is learnt from reliable sources that the Governor who is keen to find a solution to the
issue had a one-to-one meeting with the Honourable Finance Minister, Shri Chidambaram
recently and convinced him that the additional expenditure on account of pension updation
in RBI would not have an impact on its income and would be met out of the pension funds
lying with the Bank. The FM, in turn, had a briefing with the Finance Secretary subsequently.
In the light of this development, a positive letter from DG(C) has gone to the Finance
Secretary. A three-member team from Central Office will be leaving for Delhi in the first
week of April to meet the Finance Ministry officials to finalise the parameters. Once the
modalities are finalized after discussions with the Government officials, the entire process is
likely to be completed by May 2013…”
RBI Governor’s offer to RBI retirees:
At long last, Government accorded in principle approval for updation of pension with certain
conditions which is a positive and encouraging development.
The proposals are as under:
1. Pension updation once in 10 years as in Government,
2. Pension to be computed on pay and grade pay as in
Government ( this will require amendment to Pension Regulations),
3. Revision of pay scales once in 10 years,
4. All perks to be rationalised,
5. Pension option to be opened alongside.
This is a package. It emerged from the discussions with CGM that Govt. has accepted in
principle that there is need for updation in RBI and the pension is expected to be aligned with
the revision of pay scales effective from 1-11-2012 which is expected to result in same rank
same pension. This information will be simulated. CGM also indicated that RBI can act within
the provisions of RBI ACT, to take care of any misalignment with the Govt. salary and the
Banking industry. CGM also told that the GOVERNOR was instrumental in breaking the ice on
updation which was eluding for 6 long years.
It is learnt from very reliable sources that United Forum Leaders met the
Reserve Bank today ( 28-04-2014 ) morning and conveyed their approval in
respect of Pension Updation etc. United Forum is likely to issue a circular soon.
Await for the details.
Circular of United Forum appended :
UNITED FORUM OF RESERVE BANK OFFICERS & EMPLOYEES
March 19, 2014
Dear friends,
Govt’s Proposals to the Bank on Pension Issues
On the captioned matter Bank invited United Forum on 18th March 2014. Talks were held in
three rounds; first with DG (KCC), then with CGM and DGM of HRMD, and finally with ED
Shri Gandhi. Bank informed us Govt‘s conditionalities on pension updation, for which we
have been agitating for about 6 years now viz,
i ) updation will be granted once in every 10 years,
(ii) pension will be calculated on basic pay and “grade pay" without other pay components, as
of now; which we observe will result in the existing pension amount having to be
"recalculated" accordingly which shall reduce pension amount of the recipients,
(iii) all perks will be rationalised“,
(iv) wage revisions'will take place once in 10 years, instead of the existing 5 years.
There was no mention of fresh pension option in the conditionalities.
We reacted strongly that pension issue is comprising of updation of pension and fresh
pension option and not frequency of wage revision / perks, which relates primarily to the
banking sector and flows from various tribunals / arbitration awards and bipartite
settlements as per lD Act; as such Government‘s proposals in this regard is beyond their
jurisdiction and is ‘unacceptable’ to us. We have been demanding improvement of pension
and not reduction thereof. We emphasized that updation of pension every 10 years will
create many anomalies and differential treatments.
We have stated categorically that United Forum will react strongly through intensive
agitations if interest of employees and retirees are adversely affected in the name of
improvements Clearly, while Govt. has grudgingly accepted in-principle updation of pension
in RBI they are trying to make it a nullity by preposterous conditionalities. We urged on the
Bank to pursue the matter further with the Govt. keeping our very cogent views and
apprehensions in mind instead of allowing the Govt. to find out excuses to run away from
the issue after 6 years of our sustained The meeting of the United Forum under the
chairmanship of Shri S.V. Mahadik (AIRBWF) resolved to maintain strong unity, decide in
unison and intensify our efforts including agitations in the days to come for satisfactory
solutions.
With greetings
Yours fraternally,
General Secretary, AIRBEA, General Secretary, AIRBWF,
General Secretary, AIRBOA, General Secretary, RBIOA
Demonstration by RBI retirees and in Service employees on 07.03.14
UNITED FORUM OF RESERVE BANK OFFICERS & EMPLOYEES
28th April, 2014
Friends,
Undation of Pension & fresh option
Bank invited United Forum today at Mumbai for exploratory discussions on the issues of
pension updation and fresh option following our meeting with the Governor in this regard on
March 26. 2014. Before meeting the Bank the United Forum met with Shri Arun Samaddar
(AIRBWF) in the Chair and decided to reiterate our serious apprehensions arising out of
Government's communication to the Bank.
Bank took note of our concerns and assured that Bank would be making endeavour to
address those and protect the interests of employees and retirees, regarding fixation of pay
for pension, "rationalization" of perks and perquisites, alignment with the banking sector
including SBI for compensation package with A+ position every five years following
settlements there, appropriate amendment of RBI pension regulations etc.
The United Forum met new Deputy Governor, in-Charge of Administration (Shri R. Gandhi),
who was greeted by us; he assured that Bank would do its best to protect the interest of its
staff and would not agree to any proposal /suggestion of the Government inimical to staffs
interest. We thanked him and the Governor.
The United Forum took stock of the developments and Bank‘s responses. It decided to fight
any unjust imposition from the Government on RBI staff, both in short term and long term,
and called upon all sections of RBI staff to remain firmly united and support the collective
efforts of the United Forum to clinch the issues for which we have been painstakingly trying
for last more than six years, ensuring in the process sympathetic support of the RBI Central
Board and successive Governors.
Let us remain alert about further developments and do not pay any heed to hearsay and
rumours.
With greetings
Yours fraternally,
General Secretary, AIRBEA, General Secretary, AIRBWF,
General Secretary, AIRBOA, General Secretary, RBIOA
WHAT OUR LEADERS FAILED TO DO:
JOINT MEMORANDUM / APPEAL ON COMMON ISSUES OF BANK RETIREES.
We were making efforts to submit joint memorandum / appeal on the important and
common demands of the retirees on behalf of three main retiree organisations operating in
the banking industry namely, All India Bank Retirees’ Federation (AIBRF), Federation of SBI
Pensioners Associations and All India Bank Pensioners and Retiree Confederation to the
government and other concerned authorities to show the unity among bank retirees and to
work untidily to achieve them. We wish to inform you that we have finalised the joint
memorandum and signed it along with the above referred two retiree organisations at Delhi
on 16th April 2014. The same will be submitted to Banking Secretary, IBA and UFBU and
further joint follow-up will be done as and when needed . It is an important move towards
developing coordination among retiree organisations.
----- SC JAIN, GENERAL SECRETARY, All India Bank Retirees' Federation
HEALTH TIPS:
Simple Steps for Identifying a Stroke! We'll start with a short story. During getting ready with tiffin in the kitchen for the guests present in the
house, a woman named Protima, tripped and fell. She got up almost immediately and assured everyone
around her that she was fine. Others suggests she get an ambulance, but she refused and explained that
she bumped into a small piece of wood on the floor of kitchen and tripped due to her new shoes.
They helped her clean up and helped her to enjoy the tiffin together, she seemed to be a bit shaky, but
continued to enjoy the evening.
Later that night, her husband called and told everyone that his wife was rushed to the hospital. She died
a few hours later. It turned out that she had a mild stroke in the kitchen.
If someone had known how to check for signs of stroke, Protima might still be alive today.
According to Neurological experts, if a person has had a stroke and receives treatment within 3 hours,
they would be able to save them and return them to normal condition. All one needs to know is how to
identify a stroke, and once you know it has happened - rush the person to the hospital immediately, so
they can be saved in time.
So how do you identify a stroke?
At times, it can be quite hard to identify the symptoms of stroke. Unfortunately, this may lead to brain
injury and death.
Today, neurologists recommend 4 simple steps to identify if the person has had a stroke:
1. Ask the person to smile. 2. Ask them to say a simple sentence and repeat it a few times. 3. Ask them to raise their hand above their head. 4. Ask them to stick out their tongue. If the tongue is crooked, meaning leaning to the right or left, that is a clear indication of stroke. If the person has trouble doing ANY of these, call the emergency number of your physician immediately
and describe the symptoms so that the person can be hospitalised without loss of time by calling an
ambulance.
Please share this important information, it may save someone one day.
Papaya
Christopher Columbus, an Italian voyager once referred to papayas as the fruit of the angels.
The fruit which is extremely rich in Vitamin C has a wide range of health benefits making it a
great fruit option to include in your diet. Here are some of the top health benefits of papaya.
1. Lowers cholesterol
Papaya is rich in fibre, Vitamin C and antioxidants which prevent cholesterol build up in your
arteries. Too much cholesterol build-up can lead to several heart diseases including heart
attack and hypertension. Read more about foods that can help reduce cholesterol.
2. Helps in weight loss
Those looking to lose weight must include papaya in their diet as it is very low in calories. The
fibre content in papaya leaves you feeling full and also clears your bowel movement making
your weight loss regime easier. Read about more foods that can help you lose weight.
3. Boosts your immunity
Your immunity system acts as a shield against various infections that can make you really
sick. A single papaya contains more than 200% of your daily requirement of Vitamin C,
making it great for your immunity. Read more about foods that can boost your immunity.
4. Good for diabetics
Papaya is an excellent food option for diabetics as it has a low-sugar content even though it is
sweet to taste. Also, people who don’t have diabetes can eat papaya to prevent it from
happening. Here is a healthy diet plan for diabetics.
5. Great for your eyes
Papaya is rich in Vitamin A which helps protect your vision from degenerating. Nobody wants
to lose their ability to see due to diseases like age-related macular degeneration, and eating
papayas will ensure that you do not see a day where you cannot see.
6. Protects against arthritis
Arthritis can be a really debilitating disease and people who have it may find their quality of
life reduced significantly. Eating papayas are good for your bones as they have anti-
inflammatory properties along with Vitamin C which helps in keeping various forms of
arthritis at bay. A study published in Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases showed that people
who consumed foods low in Vitamin C were three times more likely to have arthritis than
those who didn’t.
7. Improves digestion
In today’s times, it is near impossible to avoid eating foods that are bad for your digestive
system. Often we find ourselves eating junk food or restaurant food prepared in excessive
quantities of oil. Eating a papaya daily can make up for such occasional mistakes, as it has a
digestive enzyme known as papain along with fibre which helps improve your digestive
health.
8. Helps ease menstrual pain
Women who are experiencing menstrual pain should help themselves to several servings of
papaya, as an enzyme called papain helps in regulating and easing flow during menstrual
periods. Read about more tips that can help ease menstrual pain.
9. Prevents signs of ageing
All of us would love to stay young forever, but no one in this world has managed to do it. Still,
healthy habits like eating a papaya daily will prolong the process and may make you look 5
years younger than you are. Papaya is rich in Vitamin C, Vitamin E and antioxidants like beta-
carotene which helps prevent your skin from free radical damage keeping wrinkles and other
signs of ageing at bay.
10. Prevents cancer
Papaya is a rich source of antioxidants, phytonutrients and flavonoids that prevent your cells
from undergoing free radical damage. Some studies have also linked the consumption papaya
to reduced risk of colon and prostate cancer. Here are some food habits that can help prevent
cancer.
11. Helps reduce stress
After working hard for the whole day, it is a good idea to come home to a plate a papayas.
The wonder fruit is rich in several nutrients like Vitamin C which can keep you free from
stress. According to a study conducted in University of Alabama, found that 200 mg of
Vitamin C can help regulate the flow of stress hormones in rats. Read more about foods that
you should avoid if you have stress.
OF INTEREST:
THE INDIAN ELECTIONS - NEW YORK TIMES
It is truly the greatest show on Earth, an ode to a diverse & democratic ethos, where 700
million + of humanity vote, providing their small part in directing their ancient civilization
into the future.
It is no less impressive when done in a neighborhood which includes de-stabilizing & violent
Pakistan, China, and Burma.
It's challenges are immense, more so probably than anywhere else, particularly in
development & fending off terrorism -- but considering these challenges & its neighbors, it is
even more astounding that the most diverse nation on Earth, with hundreds of languages, all
religions & cultures, is not only surviving, but thriving.
The nation: where Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism & Sikhism were born, which is the second
largest Muslim nation on Earth;
where Christianity has existed for 2000 years;
where the oldest Jewish synagogues & Jewish communities have resided since the Romans
burnt their 2nd temple; where the Dalai Lama & the Tibetan government in exile reside;
where the Zoroastrians from Persia have thrived since being thrown out of their ancient
homeland; where Armenians, Syrians & many others have come to live; where the Paris-
based OECD said was the largest economy on Earth for 1500 of the last 2000 years, including
the 2nd largest, only 200 years ago; where 3 Muslim Presidents have been elected, where a
Sikh is Prime Minister & the head of the ruling party a Catholic Italian woman, where the
past President was also a woman, succeeding a Muslim President who as a rocket scientist is
a hero in the nation; where a booming economy is lifting 40 million out of poverty each year
& is expected to have the majority of its population in the middle class already, equal to the
entire US population, by 2025;
where its optimism & vibrancy is manifested in its movies, arts, economic growth & voting,
despite all the incredible challenges & hardships; where all the great powers are vying for
influence, as it itself finds its place in the world.
Where all of this is happening, is India and as greater than 1/10th of humanity gets ready to
vote, it is an inspiration to the entire World.
— V Mitchell, New York, NY
Einstein : “What I admire most about your art is its universality. You do not say a word, yet,
the world understands you.”
Charlie Chaplin : “It’s true, but your fame is even greater. The world admires you, when
nobody understands you.”
Before retirement, the wife gets half husband and full salary. After retirement, she gets
back full husband with half salary.
YESTERDAY is history, TOMORROW is mystery , TODAY is gift. That is why it is called the
present !
Martin Luther King Jr. said : “If you can’t fly, then run; If you can’t run,then walk; If you
can’t walk, then crawl; BUT whatever you do, you have to keep moving forward.”
On the eve of India’s Independence, Winston Churchill warned against granting freedom to
India and reportedly said: “Power will go to the hands of rascals, rogues, freebooters; all
Indian leaders will be of low calibre and men of straw. They will have sweet tongues and silly
hearts. They will fight amongst themselves for power and India will be lost in political
squabbles. A day would come when even air and water would be taxed in India.” (Courtsey : RB Kishore)
RTI APPLICANT'S ADDRESS NOT NECESSARY - GOVT ORDER ISSUED
No. 1/31/2013-IR
Government of India Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions Department of Personnel & Training, North Block, New Delhi. Dated the 8th January, 2014
OFFICE MEMORANDUM
Subject : Order dated 20.11.2013 of the High Court of Kolkata in Writ Petition No. 33290
of 2013 in the case of Mr. Avishek Goenka Vs Union of India regarding personal details of
RTI applicants’ circulation of.
In compliance of the directions of the Hon'ble High Court of Kolkata in its said order, a copy of the judgement (order) is enclosed herewith for appropriate action. 2. This may be brought to the notice of all concerned.
A PAINTING BY M. TALALPATRA, LIC PENSIONER & MEMBER, KOLKATA ASSOCN
PENSIONERS’ NEWS:
We lost our member pensioner Subhash Chandra Dey Khan. “Eastern News” conveys
heartfelt condolence to the members of the bereaved family.
5 new members were enrolled in the month of April’2014, viz, S/Sri Saileswar Chakraborty,
Ajit Kumar Datta, Swapan Kumar Roy Chowdhury, Ajoy Kumar Chowdhury, Smt. Nandita
Banerjee. “Eastern News” cordially welcomes them.
JOKES:
READERS’ VIEWS:
1. Thank you very much for sending me a copy of your EN- April issue.I enjoyed reading the
same- full of valuable information.Hearty congrats. R.Venugopal, Retired ED LIC Bangalore.
2. It was an excellent compilation of useful items. Lots of efforts must have gone into preparing
this compilation. I offer my sincere appreciation for your Newsletter. Also I wish to thank you
for forwarding the Newsletter to me. It is true the Retired Seniors are in a difficult situation. It
looks all the doors are closed upon them. Yet let us keep our spirits high - Injustice &
ADHARMA cannot last for ever. Thanks again & with GREETINGS to ALL MY FRIENDS &
COMRADES in the EASTERN SECTOR. D S Narain, Chennai.
3. Thanx for a wonderful News bulletin , Goswami ji. By going thru bulletin I bound to
understand that the community of pensioners are in confused state of mind. Certainly judicial
process is lengthy and less dependable. But if court take a stand like in Sahara case some
hopes of good fruits visualise otherwise difficult to fight against.....My salutation to you for
nice informative bulletin. With warm regards, Anand Tyagi, UK.
4. I have gone through the latest issue of your e magazine and congratulate you for covering so
much of information about LIC Pensioners and the Health Tips. I have also found an item
where Shri Rajib Takru of Ministry of Finance has made the following remark when the
Chairman of LIC raised the topic relating to the Pension issue of LIC Pensioners in one of the
Board Meetings:-
"Why raising this issue here in Board, they are fighting in Courts and let them do that. Why we
are worried about it? This appears to be a clear case of insensitivity on the part of Shri Rajib
Takru. He appears to have forgotten that the matter was dragged to the Court only after LIC
failed to implement its own Board Resolution despite necessary follow up from Associations
representing LIC Pensioners.
I once again congratulate you and all my other friends in the Editorial Board.
Thanking you and with best wishes, B.S. Gopala Krishna.
PENSIONERS’ TOUR :
Due to summer with scorching sunlight near 42’C, tour programme is for the
time being kept in abeyance till tour-friendly climate is available.
NOTE :
Write Ups/Information/Readers’ Views/Request with e-mail id for soft copy of monthly e-
Magazine free of cost may please be sent to our following e-mail IDs :
AMAR KUMAR GOSWAMI : [email protected]
SUBIR KUMAR MAZUMDAR : [email protected]
LIC RETIRED OFFICERS’ ASSOCIATION : [email protected]
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