Tuesday, February 13, 2024

Good People to Bank


Dear Activist Sisters & Bros,


It is a matter of pride to work with good people for a noble cause. There is self-satisfaction that we all are of use to someone. The people associated with the Forum have the same goal and resolve. They are working as the voice of lakhs of elderly nameless , faceless Pensioners, who are struggling with financial constraints and health security problems.


We Activists will not regret that we did not raise our voice against injustice. We are a few people in lakhs, but wherever the Pensioners are, they can hear our footsteps. We are glad that we are not a bunch of sheep..


As far as the result is concerned, we should not get distracted. One day we will win. Nothing is impossible with strong will and dedicated efforts. Whatever has happened so far, we need to take it positively and for what has not happened, we have to try harder.


We expect the following from you:


1. We have to move forward step by step. Our messages and programs have to reach every Pensioner.


2. The number of Activists has to be increased. For this, every Activist has to add at least three new Activists to the Forum every month.


3. There are some passive Activists among us, who never actively participate in the activities of the Forum. There are some people who keep sending not just one good morning but half a dozen messages or many pictures of Gods and Goddesses. We respect their sentiments, but we appeal to them to behave with restraint.


4. The Forum is a voluntary organisation, self-financed. Therefore, every Activist owe some responsibility towards this. Contribute to your ability.


Regards,


(J. N. Shukla)




नेक काम के लिए अच्छे लोगों के साथ काम करना गौरव की बात होती है। आत्मसंतुष्टि होती है कि हम सब किसी के काम आ रहे हैं। फोरम से जो लोग जुड़े हैं, उनका ध्येय और संकल्प एक है। वे लाखों वयोवृद्ध पेंशनर्स की आवाज बनकर काम कर रहे हैं, जो आर्थिक तंगी और स्वास्थ्य सुरक्षा की समस्याओं से जूझ रहें हैं।


हम एक्टिविस्ट्स को इस बात का अफसोस नहीं रहेगा कि हमने अन्याय के खिलाफ आवाज नहीं उठाई। हम लाखों में कुछ लोग हैं, लेकिन पेंशनर जहां भी हैं, हमारे कदमों की आहट उन्हें सुनाई देती है। हमें खुशी है कि हम भेड़ों के झुंड नहीं हैं..


रहीं बात परिणाम कि तो हमें विचलित नहीं होना है। एक दिन हम जीतेंगे। दृढ़ इच्छाशक्ति और समर्पित प्रयास के आगे कुछ भी असंभव नहीं है। अभी तक जो कुछ भी हुआ है, उसे सकारात्मकता से लेने की जरूरत है और जो नहीं हो सका है, उसके लिए हमें और ताकत से प्रयास करना हैं।


हम आपसे निम्नलिखित बातों की अपेक्षा रखते हैं:


1. हमें कदम से कदम मिला कर चलना है। हमारे संदेशों और कार्यक्रमों को हर पेंशनर तक पहुंचाना है।


2. एक्टिविस्ट की संख्या बढ़ानी है। इसके लिए हर एक्टिविस्ट को हर महीने कम से कम तीन नये एक्टिविस्ट फोरम से जोड़ने हैं।


3. हमारे बीच कुछ निष्क्रिय एक्टिविस्ट्स हैं, जो कभी फोरम की गतिविधियों में सक्रियता से भाग नहीं लेते। कुछ लोग हैं जो गुड मार्निंग के एक नहीं आधा दर्जन संदेश या देवी -देवताओं के अनेकों चित्र भेजते रहते हैं। हम उनकी भावनाओं का आदर करते हैं, लेकिन हम उनसे संयत व्यवहार करने की अपील करते हैं।


4. फोरम एक स्वैच्छिक संगठन है, जो स्व-वित्तपोषित है। इसलिए, प्रत्येक कार्यकर्ता की इसके प्रति कुछ जिम्मेदारी बनती है। यथाशक्ति योगदान भी करें।

Friday, January 5, 2024

Please Do Not Blame Government

PENSIONERS' 4TH FEB. DHARANA 

WILL BE AN EXPRESSION OF 

THEIR DEEP ANGER & ANGUISH  !


This is a mischievous misrepresentation that the government had not given a mandate for Pension Updation. The Government had advised the Banks/IBA to negotiate and settle on the demands of the Unions. The government had not said in its advice letter on which demands to negotiate and compromise and on which not. The government has been as serious towards the problems of Pensioners and their solutions as it has been towards the employees. Govt still wants this, but the Unions have neither made it an issue nor taken a serious stand on it.


Unions worked to squeeze to the last limits of financial feasibility for working staff. Neither in the past nor this time, the Unions thought about the financial plight or health-related problems of the Pensioners. Every rupee of the Welfare Funds has been spent on the Working staffers. Pensioners are entitled to 25% of the allocated Welfare Funds. But not a single penny is being spent on them. This time the Unions kept all the commitments aside and did not even discuss the Pension Revision. The 17% wage load and 3% increase on basic pay, totaling 20%, which would probably have been the maximum affordable capacity of Banks at present, Unions extracted for working staff, left Pensioners in the dark.


The government is anti-workers, this is a mischievous campaign. This is going to be the third agreement during the tenure of this government. Every bank employee knows what was the salary increase till the 9th Agreements made before this. In this government Bankmen got 2.5% to 3% load on basic pay along with 15% to 17% wage load. It is known to everyone that in the years 2016 to 2020, Public Banks were in deep economic crisis, yet they got 15% wage increase load. In this government, the ceiling on Family Pension was removed, Pensioners got 100% DA, pre-1986 retirees got equal ex-gratia amount, Resignees got Pension option. And, the monthly ex-gratia amount mentioned in the MoU dated 7.12.2023 is also a one-sided offer from the Banks, the purpose of which is to cool down the anger of the pensioners.

There is no basis to accept the argument that the government is anti-employee.


(J. N. Shukla)

National Convener

5.1.2024

9559748834



पेंशनर्स का 4 फरवरी का धरना उनके 

गहरे क्रोध व पीड़ा की अभिव्यक्ति होगी !


यह शरारतपूर्ण गलत बयानी है कि सरकार ने पेंशन अपडेशन के लिए मैंडेट नहीं  दिया था। सरकार ने बैंकों/आईबीए को सलाह भर दी थी कि वे यूनियनों के मांग-पत्रों पर बातचीत और समझौता करें। सरकार ने अपने इस अनुमति पत्र में यह नहीं कहा था कि किन किन मांगों पर बातचीत और समझौता करो, किन किन पर नहीं। सरकार पेंशनर्स की समस्याओं और उसके समाधान के प्रति उतना ही गंभीर रही है, जितना कर्मचारियों के लिए। वह आज भी  चाहती है, लेकिन यूनियनों ने इसे मुद्दा नहीं बनाया और न ही इस पर गंभीर रुख अपनाया।


वित्तीय व्यवहार्यता की आखिरी हद तक यूनियनों ने वर्किंग स्टाफ के लिए निचोड़ने का काम किया। यूनियनों ने न अतीत में और न इस बार पेंशनर्स की आर्थिक विपन्नता या स्वास्थ्य से जुड़ी समस्याओं के बारे में सोचा। कल्याण निधि का एक एक रूपया वर्किंग स्टाफ पर खर्च किया जाता रहा है। पेंशनर्स कल्याण निधि के 25% धनराशि के हकदार हैं। लेकिन उन पर एक पैसा खर्च नहीं किया जा रहा है। इस बार तो यूनियनों ने सारी मर्तयादाएं ताक  पर रखते, पेंशन रिवीजन पर चर्चा तक नहीं की। 17% वेतन भार और 3% मूल वेतन पर वृद्धि, कुल 20%, जो संभवतः वर्तमान में बैंकों की अधिकतम वहनीय क्षमता रही होगी, वर्किंग स्टाफ के लिए लेकर, पेंशनर्स को गच्चा दे दिया।


सरकार कर्मचारी विरोधी है, यह शरारत भरा अभियान है। इस सरकार के दौर में यह तीसरा समझौता होने जा है। इसके पहले हुए 9वें समझौतों तक क्या वेतन वृद्धि थी, यह हर बैंककर्मीं जानता है। इस सरकार में 15% से 17% वेतन भार के साथ 2.5% से 3% मूल वेतन पर लोड मिला। यह सबको मालूम है कि 2016 से 2020 के वर्षों में सार्वजनिक बैंकें गहरे आर्थिक संकट में थीं, फिर भी 15% वेतन भार मिला। इस सरकार में फेमिली पेंशन की सीलिंग हटी, 100% डीए पेंशनर्स को मिला, 1986 के पूर्व रिटायरीज को समान अनुग्रह-राशि मिली, रिजाइनीज को पेंशन विकल्प मिला। और, 7.12.2023 को सहमति-पत्र में जो मासिक अनुग्रह-राशि का जिक्र है, वह भी बैंकों की तरफ से एकतरफा आफर है, जिसका मकसद पेंशनर्स के आक्रोश को ठंडा करना है। इस दलील को मानने का कोई आधार नहीं है कि सरकार कर्मचारी विरोधी है।

Saturday, November 4, 2023

It's bit Long, but Read it must.....

If we call them intellectually bankrupt, it is not without cogent reasons. If we say that Unions are fooling Bankmen, it is also not without solid evidence. For the first time we saw the anniversary of the pension agreement being celebrated. The Pension Settlement was made on 29.10.1993. To commemorate its 30th year, two circulars, one from Mumbai and the other from Chennai, have surfaced on social media. 


In these circulars, there has been a lot of praise for an organization playing a leading role, while AIBOA was also there along with it. Upto this it was okay, but they did not stop there and also called the subsequent years of the 7th to 11th Settlements as a historic improvement in Pension; exaggerated leaps and bounds. Whereas from the 7th to the 11th Settlements the background shows that there was a continuous conspiracy to weaken the Pension Scheme by distorting it and not any reforms. If there has been a historic improvement in the Pension Scheme then why are the Pensioners crying? Is no Pension Revision and sterilization of Pension through Special Allowance a historical achievement?

 

"You may send your specific suggestions for any improvements in the pension scheme, so that the same may be suitably taken up with IBA”, says the latest communication. Is it not rubbing the salt on the wounds of aged, ailing and dying pensioners reeling under great financial distress. Older the pensioners greater the distress!


It is undisputed that AIBEA had started the demand for pension for bank employees in pursuance of the demand of RBI unions regarding pension. There is no need for anyone to read ballads in this. Some dwarf leaders unnecessarily try to glorify AIBEA with lies, whereas there is no need to glorify AIBEA with lies. Truth is truth. AIBEA raised the demand of pension in banking as a special issue irrespective of time and circumstances and decided to take it to a logical solution. AIBOA was an equal partner in this decision, the mention of which seems to be avoided today.


Since, pension existed as a 3rd benefit in State Bank of India, the Unions there feared that the Pension designated as a 2nd benefit might affect their Pension. Therefore, they were against the demand for Pension as a 2nd benefit. For this they tricked people, instigated them and even indulged in character assassination of AIBEA leaders. Although, in 1990, Pension in RBI was settled in lieu of Contributory Provident Fund, still irrational opposition to Pension by other Unions continued. Ultimately AIBEA had to decide on Pension as an option, the decision to take it or not was left to the Bankmen's choice.


With this glorious historical background, the questions to be pondered over today are what positive or negative changes and consequences have taken place since then in the objectives for which the Pension Scheme was designed in 1993/1995? After November, 2002, 100% DA came for the Bankmen, obviously the Pension optees retiring with 100% DA were to get 100% DA neutralization on their pension also, so they got it.


Here, the point to be considered is whether it was right to create two pay scales of 1616/1684 in the 7th Agreement? However,  in the 8th Settlement, it was held as aberration, thus Unions accepted it as their own mistake, but made the people who retired between 1.4.1998 and 30.4.2005 the victims of their mistake. When it was an aberration, why was it not abolished from the day of aberration, i.e. 1.4.1998?


When 100% DA neutralization was decided in Banking, then why were pre-November 2002 Retirees kept out of it? DA is a compensation for inflation, in which there cannot be any discrimination, but there was discrimination. Didn't this happen with AIBEA consent?


The affected Pensioners went into litigation regarding this, because they had no other option than litigation. The question is to AIBEA, what did it do in the litigation? What did it do about the litigation? And, what did it do after the litigation?


How can AIBEA or any other Unions today shamefully claim the achievement of 100% DA as their achievement, when it's proposal was given by the IBA in the form of information during the negotiations, and the settlement was reached?


Similarly, in the matter of removing the ceiling of 15%/20% from Family Pension, how can AIBEA say that it played a pioneering role? Saying it is BIG GHANTA. This was formally announced by the Chairman of IBA himself on 22.7.2020. If this was the result of the pioneering role of AIBEA or other Unions then why was it not mentioned in the Memorandum of Understanding of the 11th Agreement concluded on the same day, 22.7.2020, where other understandings were detailed?


Pensioners have bought the 2nd option of Pension at market price! To call this an achievement is an insult to the word achievement. People have taken it at the unilaterally fixed price and terms of IBA, giving up a huge amount of Pension. AIBEA and other Unions allowed the IBA to make new provisions, keeping aside the provisions of the Pension Regulations, 1995.


The two different Pay Scale formulas for Salary and Pension, which were introduced in the 7th Settlement and which were removed in the 8th as an aberration, were later considered wrong by the Supreme Court. The required relief was given to the Pensioners between 1.4.1998 and 1.4.2005. In such a situation, in order to reduce the Pensionary benefits, in the 10th Settlement, an average of 8.5% of the Basic Pay was deducted and converted into Special Allowance and it was excluded from the Pension calculation. As a result, pension eligibility reduced from 50% to 45.5% with effect from 1.11.2012. In the 11th Settlement Special Allowance was made by deducting 16.4% of the Basic Pay. As a result, Pension eligibility again reduced from 50% to 41.8% with effect from 1.11.2017. Pension eligibility is going to reduce from 50% to 33/34% after 1.11.2022. It is considered an achievement and pioneering role!


Exgracia is a scheme of the Government of India. Bank of Baroda was already paying Rs 10000. And other Banks too themselves had increased it. This is not a Pension issue, but a Welfare issue. Okay, this ended the discrimination.


But, what happened to the Health Security of Bank Retirees? The pioneering role is that the retired are being killed without treatment. 25% of the Welfare Funds, which is meant to be spent on the Health of Retired people, is being swallowed by the Staff Welfare Committees, which are under the sole rule of AIBEA representatives. The saying “Andha banate rewari, phiri- phiri apno ke dei” is true. It is this pioneering role that despite the provision for two retiree representative on Staff Welfare Committees, there is no retiree representative!!.


It is this pioneering role that over the years there has been no workmen representative Directors on Bank Boards.


If the above conditions are ideal, the question is what are the worse? If this is called an improvement in retirement situations, then what is left to be said and done??. It's scary message that AIBEA will continue to play the same role. There is a need to reverse the situation, but what is being said…"This role will continue."


How innocent does this message sound: “You may send your specific suggestions for any improvements in the pension scheme, so that the same may be suitably taken up with IBA”, as if he is unaware of ground realities or thinking that pensioners are enjoying paradise!


J. N. Shukla 1.11.2023

9559748834

फोरम आफ बैंक पेंशनर एक्टिविस्ट्स

Forum of Bank Pensioner Activists


यह थोड़ा लंबा है,

                                लेकिन, पढ़ना जरूरी है 


                                यह लेख बिना हेडिंग का है


यदि हम उन्हें बौद्धिक दिवालिया कहते हैं, तो यह बिना ठोस कारणों के नहीं है। अगर हम कहते हैं कि यूनियनें बैंककर्मियों को बेवकूफ बना रही हैं, तो यह भी बिना ठोस सबूत के नहीं है। 


पेंशन समझौता 29.10.1993 को हुआ था। तीस वर्ष में पहली बार हमने पेंशन समझौते की वर्षगांठ मनाने का सर्कुलर देखा। जो एक पैराग्राफ लिख नहीं  सकते, 10 मिनट का भाषण नहीं दे सकते, वे पेंशन स्कीम की 30वीं वर्षगाठ पर तीन पेज के सरकूलर जारी करते दिखे। एक नहीं, दो-दो सरकूलर! एक मुंबई से तो दूसरा चेन्नई से सोसल मीडिया पर आया है। 


इन परिपत्रों में एक संगठन को अग्रणी भूमिका निभाने की बात को लेकर भूरि-भूरि प्रशंसा की गई है, जबकि एआईबीओए भी साथ-साथ था। एआईबीओए को नेपथ्य में डालने का कारण अब किसी से छुपा नहीं है। अब पेंशन स्कीम की प्रसंशा तो वे भी कर रहे हैं, जो इसके खिलाफ थे। 2000 आते-आते पेंशन विरोधियों को भी अपनी भूल का एहसास हो गया और वे सब यूयफबीयू बनाने के एआईबीईए की पहल को स्वीकार करते एआईबीईए के साथ काम करने को तैयार हो गए‌। इस हकीकत से संभवतः किसी भी बैंककर्मीं या संगठन को कोई नाइत्तफाकी नहीं होगी।


बैंककर्मियों, खासकर सेवानिवृत्तियों, को इस संगठन के इस दावे से  घोर एतराज है कि 7वें समझौते से 11वें समझौते के दौरान पेंशन में ऐतिहासिक सुधार हुआ। यह अतिरंजित है, सच्चाई से इसका कोई मेल नहीं है। सच्चाई तो यह है कि 7वें से 11वें समझौते तक पेंशन स्कीम को किसी न किसी तरह तोड़नें-मरोड़नें का क्रमबद्ध षडयंत्र हुआ है। अगर पेंशन  सुधार, जैसा दावा है, हुआ है तो पेंशनर्स चिल्ला क्यों रहे हैं? क्या पेंशन रिवीजन न होना और मूल वेतन को काटकर उसे स्पेशल एलावंस बना कर सेवोपरांत पेंशन सहित अन्य लाभों से वंचित करना ऐतिहासिक उपलब्धि है??



नवीनतम परिपत्र में कहा गया है, "पेंशन योजना में किसी भी सुधार के लिए आप अपने विशिष्ट सुझाव भेज सकते हैं, ताकि इसे आईबीए के साथ उचित रूप से उठाया जा सके।" क्या यह वृद्ध, बीमार, मरणासन्न तथा भारी आर्थिक संकट से गुजर रहे पेंशनरों के घावों पर नमक छिड़कना नहीं है? जितनी लंबी उम्र उतनी ही बड़ी कठिनाई में हैं पेंशनर्स !!


यह निर्विवाद है कि एआईबीईए ने पेंशन के संबंध में आरबीआई यूनियनों की मांग का अनुसरण करते बैंककर्मियों के लिए पेंशन की मांग शुरू की थी। इसमें किसी को कसीदे पढ़ने की जरूरत नहीं है। कुछ बौने नेता बेवजह झूठ के सहारे एआईबीईए को महिमामंडन करने की कोशिश करते हैं, जबकि एआईबीईए को झूंठ से महिमामंडित करने की जरूरत नहीं है। सत्य सत्य होता है। एआईबीईए ने समय और परिस्थितियों की परवाह किए बिना बैंकिंग में पेंशन की मांग विशेष मुद्दे के रूप में उठाई और उसे तार्किक हल तक पहुंचाने का निर्णय लिया। एआईबीओए इस निर्णय में बराबर का हिस्सेदार था, जिसके उल्लेख से आज बचने की कोशिश दिखतीं हैं।


चूंकि,  भारतीय स्टेट बैंक में पेंशन तीसरे लाभ के रूप में मौजूद थी, वहां की यूनियनोंं को डर था कि कहीं दूसरे लाभ के रूप में बनने वाली पेंशन उनके ऊपर भी न थोप दी जाए। अतः वे दूसरे लाभ के रूप में पेंशन की मांग की खिलाफत अपनी आत्मरक्षा में कर रहे थे। इसके लिए उन्होंने लोगों को बरगलाया, भड़काया और एआईबीईए के नेताओं का चरित्र हनन तक किया। इश्क और जंग में सब जायज़ है। 


हालांकि, 1990 में आरबीआई में पेंशन कांट्रीब्यूटरी प्राविडेंट फंड के बदले तय हो गई, फिर भी अन्य यूनियनों का पेंशन को लेकर अतार्किक विरोध जारी रहा। अंततः एआईबीईए को पेंशन को विकल्प के रूप में तय करना पड़ा, लेने या न लेने का निर्णय बैंककर्मियों पर छोड़ दिया गया।


इस गौरवशाली ऐतिहासिक पृष्ठभूमि के साथ, आज का विचारणीय विषय यह है कि जिन उद्देश्यों को लेकर पेंशन नीति की संरचना 1993/1995 में हुई थी, उसमें कौन से सकारात्मक या नकारात्मक परिवर्तन और परिणाम उसके बाद हुए? नवंबर, 2002 के बाद 100% डीए तो कर्मचारियों के लिए आया, जाहिर है 100% डीए के साथ रिटायर होने वाले पेंशन विकल्पियों को उनकी पेंशन पर भी 100% डीए न्यूट्रलाइजेशन मिलना था, सो मिला!


यहां, विचारणीय विषय यह है कि 7वें समझौते में 1616/1684 की दो पे-स्केल बनाना क्या सही था? हालांकि, 8वें समझौते में इसे विपथन माना गया, सो यूनियनों ने स्वयं की ग़लती मान ली, लेकिन 1.4.1998 और 30.4.2005 के बीच सेवा निवृत्त हुए लोग यूनियनोंं की ग़लती के शिकार हुए। जब यह विपथन था, तो इसे विपथन की तारीख, अर्थात 1.4.1998 से समाप्त क्यों नहीं किया गया? 


बैंकिंग में 100% डीए न्यूट्रलाइजेशन का निर्णय हुआ, तो नवंबर, 2002 के पूर्व सेवानिवृत्तियों को उसके बाहर क्यों रखा गया? डीए महंगाई का कंपनसेशन है, जिसमें भेद-भाव नहीं हो सकता, लेकिन भेद-भाव हुआ। ऐसा उसकी सहमति से हुआ? 


इसको लेकर प्रभावित पेंशनर्स लिटिगेशन में गये, क्योंकि उनके पास लिटिगेशन के अलावा और कोई विकल्प नहीं था। सवाल तो एआईबीईए से है कि उसने लिटिगेशन में क्या किया? उसने लिटिगेशन को लेकर क्या किया? और, लिटिगेशन के बाद क्या किया? 


एआईबीईए या अन्य कोई यूनियन आज 100% डीए की उपलब्धि को लेकर इसे अपनी उपलब्धि का शर्मनाक दावा कैसे कर सकती हैं, जबकि इसका प्रस्ताव सरकार के दबाव में आईबीए की तरफ से सूचना के तौर पर वार्ता के दौरान दिया गया हो और तदनुसार समझौता हुआ हो?


इसी तरह फेमिली पेंशन से 15%/20% की सीलिंग हटाने के मामले में एआईबीईए कैसे कह सकती है कि उसने पायनियरिंग भूमिका निभाई। 22.7.2020 को इसकी घोषणा आईबीए के चेयरमैन ने खुद औपचारिक तौर पर किया। अगर यह एआईबीईए या अन्य यूनियनों की पायनियरिंग भूमिका का परिणाम था, तो उसी दिन संपन्न हुए 11वें समझौते के सहमति-पत्र में इसका उल्लेख क्यों नहीं हुआ, जहां अन्य सहमतियों का ब्यौरा था?


पेंशन का दूसरा विकल्प तो बाज़ारू कीमत पर पेंशनर्स ने खरीदा है! इसे उपलब्धि कहना, उपलब्धि शब्द की तौहीन है। इसे आईबीए की एकतरफा तय कीमत और शर्तों पर लोगों ने पेंशन की बड़ी राशि छोड़कर लिया है। एआईबीईए और अन्य यूनियनों ने पेंशन रिगुलेशंस, 1995 के प्रावधानों को बगल रखते, आईबीए को नये प्रावधान बनाने दिया।


वेतन और पेंशन के लिए दो भिन्न-भिन्न पे-स्केल के फार्मूले को, जो 7वें समझौते में लाया गया था और 8वें में जिसे विपथन कह कर हटा दिया गया था,  बाद में सर्वोच्च न्यायालय ने भी इसे गलत मानते 1.4.1998 और 30.4.2005 के बीच के पेंशनर्स को अपेक्षित राहत दे दी थी। ऐसे में पेंशनरी लाभ को कतरनें के लिए 10वें समझौते में मूल वेतन का औसतन 8.5% काट कर उसे स्पेशल एलावंस में बदल कर उसे पेंशन गणना से बाहर कर दिया गया। परिणाम स्वरूप 1.11.2012 से पेंशन पात्रता 50% से घटकर 45.5% हो गई। 11वें समझौते में स्पेशल एलावंस मूल वेतन का 16.4% काट कर बना। परिणाम स्वरूप पेंशन पात्रता फिर 1.11.2017 से 50% से घटकर 41.8% हो गई। 1.11.2022 के बाद पेंशन पात्रता 50% से घटकर 33/34%  होने वाली है। इसे पायनियरिंग रोल की उपलब्धि बताया जा रहा है!!


इक्सग्रेसिया भारत सरकार की योजना है। बैंक आफ बड़ौदा पहले से ही 10000 भुगतान कर रही थी। और बैंकों ने भी खुद बढ़ा दिया था। यह पेंशन का मामला नहीं, बल्कि वेलफेयर से जुड़ा विषय है। ठीक है, इसमें भेद-भाव समाप्त हुआ।


लेकिन, बैंक रिटायरीज के स्वास्थ्य सुरक्षा का क्या हुआ? पायनियरिंग रोल यह है कि रिटायर्ड को बिना इलाज़ मार दिया जा रहा है। पायनियरिंग रोल यह है कि कल्याण निधि की 25% राशि जो रिटायर्ड लोगों के स्वास्थ्य पर खर्च करने का प्रावधान है, उसे स्टाफ कल्याण कमेटियां, जिन पर एआईबीईए प्रतिनिधियों का एकछत्र राज है, निगल जा रहीं हैं। "अंधा बांटे रेवड़ी, फिरि फिर अपनों को देइ" की कहावत चरितार्थ है। यह पायनियरिंग रोल है कि प्रावधान के बावजूद स्टाफ वेलफेयर कमेटियों पर कोई रिटायरी प्रतिनिधि नहीं है।


यह पायनियरिंग रोल है कि वर्षों से बैंक बोर्डों पर कोई वर्कमेन प्रतिनिधि निदेशक नहीं है।


अगर उपरोक्त स्थितियां आदर्श हैं, तो सवाल है बुरा क्या है? अगर सेवानिवृत्तियों की स्थितियों में इसे सुधार कहा जाता है, तो कहने और करने को बचता क्या है। इस पर यह संदेश की यही भूमिका जारी रहेगी, डरावना है। जरूरत स्थिति पलटने की है, लेकिन कहा जा रहा है कि दिस रोल विल कांटीन्यू।


यह संदेश कितना मासूम लगता है: "आप पेंशन योजना में किसी भी सुधार के लिए अपने विशिष्ट सुझाव भेज सकते हैं, ताकि इसे आईबीए के साथ उचित रूप से उठाया जा सके", जैसे कि वह जमीनी सच्चाईयों से अनभिज्ञ हैं या समझते हैं कि पेंशनर्स स्वर्ग का सुख भोग रहे 


IT'S NOT 1, BUT ALL 3 INFERTILE

Bankmen from across the country, whether officers or employees, working or retired, are seen shouting, accusing and crying, he did this, he did that, he has become a broker of IBA, he has sold the rights of Bankmen etc etc., but his conscience is covered in rhinoceros skin. It's outburst of human anger under frustration and dissatisfaction arising from the poor Settlements of these Unions, can't penitrate his conscience. 


However, there is no single Union in Banking nor is it the case that any one Union has the status of sole bargaining Agent. There are 12 Leaders from nine Unions and one from the Sena, making a total of 13, who participate in all negotiations with equal rights. Everyone is free to give their opinion, agree or disagree on any or all issues. 


The Unions reach a consensus first among themselves and then a decision is taken on the issue by reaching a consensus with the IBA. In such a situation, placing the entire blame on one or two participants and blaming them for wrongs and inconsistencies is not a balanced approach. Note the following facts:


✓ Till now we have never seen any Union boycotting talks on any wrong decision!

Have anyone of you seen it? 


✓ Did any Union disagree with the creation of the Special Allowance? 


✓ Did anyone protest against 1616/1684 in 7th BS?


✓ Did anyone condemn the illogical approach towards pensioners affected of 1616/1684 between 4/1998 and 4/2005? 


✓ Did anyone oppose the exclusion of those Pensioners of pre- November, 2002 from 100% DA neutralization? 


✓ Has anyone contested the IBA's unilateral terms for the 2nd Pension Option? 


✓ Has anyone yet raised voice for Pension Revision on the RBI line, whereas pension revision has been done in RBI long back? 


✓Has any Union raised the demand for health insurance for pensioners at bank cost? 


In fact, all the Unions say that the Pension Scheme is their great achievement, Pensioners are their own veterans, but did nothing. There is a provision for Pension updation in the Pension Scheme from the very first day, it has also been implemented initially, but in later years it has been dropped in dustbin. 


The Pension Scheme Agreement says that all terms and conditions including Pension Revision will be on RBI line, but no one on any occasion in past said that Pension Revision should be done on RBI line. 


It is true, three out of 10 unions have decisive status. Undoubtedly they have a big role. Bank employees have high hopes from these three, but unfortunately all three proved to be anti-pensioners and gave false promises and assurances. 


Lakhs of Bank Pensioners breathed their last with the hope of Pension Revision, which was their right. 


Lakhs of Pensioners had to lose Dearness Allowance worth billions in the last 21 years due to discriminate DA. 


Thanks to the Pensioner Activists from across the country, whose continuous and tireless efforts in the last 7/8 years have resulted in the abolition of ceiling on Family Pension and storation 100% DA neutralization.


Our question is squarely to major three Unions.  The two among them are internally happy with the fact that all the salvos of allegations and blames are directed to one person/Union, but it doesn't absolve them from their culpability. These two Unions are accountable for 70% workforce.


We believe that Bankmen should not expect anything from the eunuchs. The reason, people are angry about a Union, is that in the eyes of the Bankmen, this one is the Mother Union of Bank employees movement and this Union has made great contributions in the lives of Bankmen. 


Now, Bankmen are angry that this Union has neither conceived nor delivered for the last twenty years. Obviously, no Bankman wants an infertile Union. One should not have any misconception regarding infertility. All three are barren, not one only.

(J. N. Shukla)

Here is copy of letter written to Prime Minister of India

Sri Narendra Modi,

Hon. Prime Minister,

Bharat Sarkar,

Nai Delhi


Respected Sir,



      PENSIONERS BLACK DIWALI !



Being the Honorable Prime Minister of the Country, it is with deep regret that we wish to bring to your information that this year when the Country will be immersed in the celebration of lights of Diwali, a small section of Bank Pensioner will be forced to celebrate BLACK DIWALI. Obviously, this would be due to the following pathetic situation created by the Bank Management:


1. 

Pension Revision has been in limbo for the last three decades. Pensioners are getting Pension fixed on meagre Basic Pay on retirement date. This situation continues, since Pension introduced from 1.1.1986.


2.

In Pension revision issue, the Committee constituted by the Finance Ministry has not yet reached the final decision. The eyes of all pensioners are stuck on the Report of the Committee. With a deep sense of positivity, Pensioners are hopeful that their Pension will be revised on RBI lines.


3. 

Banks continue to ignore the Health Security of Pensioners, despite DFS letter dated 24.2.2012 to provide Health Insurance from Staff Welfare Funds allocated to Banks by Government. The Pensioners have been repeatedly raising this matter with the Secretary, DFS, but no action has been taken till date.


4. 

The Khandelwal Committee Report recommended to spend 25% of allocated Welfare Funds for the Health Security of Retirees. Despite this, Banks are not spending a single penny on the Health of Retirees. 


5. 

Heavy Health Insurance premiums have been passed on to Retired, which is unaffordable. Due to unaffordability of Premium, only 20% of Retirees are able to take Insurance. The remaining 80% Retired Bank Employees are living on the trust of God. This situation is ashaming the Government, which is committed to Health Security to every citizen.


6. 

Some Banks have adopted ad-hoc policy to give subsidy on Premium. The amount of subsidy varies from Bank to Bank. The term of giving subsidy is to take only  IBA-NICL policy, which is very costly. Bank of Baroda has been giving subsidy on Health Insurance Policy of any company since 2015, that help retirees to take cheaper policies.


7. 

Some Banks are giving loan to meet premium @ 9% interest recoverable in 10 months. In this also, Banks have put the condition of giving loan only on IBA-NICL Policy, which is an unfair trade practice. 


8. 

In respect to above para 7 & 8, we are constrained to express our indignation over Banks' approach to take advantage of Pensioners helplessness, set unbecoming conditions. 


9.

In the last we say, Bank Pensioners can neither afford health premium nor loan, nor need subsidy. They need minimum Health Insurance at Bank cost from Staff Welfare Funds as envisaged in DFS letter dated 24.2.2012.


We urge you to please look into the plight of Bank Pensioners and take necessary remedial measures that you deem proper.


Respectful Regards,


(J. N. Shukla)


Copy to: 


Sister Nirmala Sitharaman,

Hon'ble Finance Minister,

Govt of India,

New Delhi


- with similar urge.

Thursday, September 21, 2023

*मोदी है तो मुमकिन है*

 सभी भारतीय नागरिकों को बधाई कि संसद ने ऐतिहासिक महिला आरक्षण विधेयक सर्वसम्मति से पारित कर दिया।


संसदीय लोकतंत्र के भारतीय इतिहास में पहली बार हुआ कि कोई विधेयक संसद के दोनों सदनों द्वारा लगभग सभी संसद सदस्यों के समर्थन से पारित किया गया है, सत्तारूढ़ और विपक्षी दोनों दलों ने पूरे दिल से विधेयक का समर्थन किया।


ऐसे में बिल का पास होना न सिर्फ देश की महिलाओं के लिए गर्व की बात है बल्कि संसदीय लोकतंत्र के लिए भी बेहद गर्व की बात है कि विपक्षी दलों और लगभग सभी व्यक्तिगत सांसदों ने सत्ताधारी दल द्वारा पेश किए गए बिल का समर्थन किया जो  अतीत में किसी विधेयक पर या  संसद द्वारा पारित किसी संवैधानिक संशोधन विधेयक पर कभी नहीं देखा गया है।

यह ठीक ही कहा गया है

*मोदी है तो मुमकिन है*


Congratulations to all Indian citizens that Parliament passed historic Women’s Reservation Bill unanimously. 


For the first time in Indian history of Parliamentary democracy that a bill has been passed by both house of Parliament with support of almost all Members of Parliament,  ruling and opposition parties both supported the bill wholeheartedly.  


As such, passing of the bill is not only a matter of pride for women of the country but it is a matter of immense pride also for Parliamentary Democracy that opposition parties and almost all individual MPs supported the bill presented by  ruling party which has never been seen in the past on any bill or on any constitutional amendment bill passed by  Parliament in the past. 


It is rightly said 

*Modi hai to mumkin hai*

Danendra Jain 

22.09.2023

Thursday, August 3, 2023

What is political wisdom.राजनीतिक बुद्धिमत्ता क्या है?

 एक व्यक्ति के पास सोने का विशाल भंडार, बड़ा बैंक बैलेंस और हर महीने मोटी कमाई है, फिर भी वह और उसका परिवार भिखारी की तरह जीवन जीते हैं। हम क्या कहेंगे और उस व्यक्ति को क्या कहेंगे और सोने के इतने बड़े भंडार, बड़ी नकदी शेष और बड़ी मासिक कमाई की उपयोगिता क्या है।


हमारे पूर्व प्रधान मंत्री श्री मनमोहन सिंह के पास बहुत अच्छा प्रशासनिक अनुभव था और उन्होंने बड़ी संख्या में प्रतिष्ठित डिग्रियाँ और पुरस्कार अर्जित किये थे। लेकिन यह असत्य और अतिशयोक्ति नहीं होगी अगर कोई कहे कि उनके प्रधान मंत्री के कार्यकाल के दौरान भारत दुनिया की पांच सबसे नाजुक और गरीब अर्थव्यवस्थाओं में से एक बन गया।

एक व्यक्ति के मन में मूल्य हो सकते हैं लेकिन अगर वह पागल आदमी की तरह व्यवहार करता है या मानसिक रूप से विकलांग व्यक्ति या जोकर की तरह व्यवहार करता है, तो ऐसे मूल्यों को रखने का क्या उद्देश्य है।


  और सबसे बढ़कर, यदि कोई बुद्धिमान व्यक्ति किसी पागल व्यक्ति का समर्थन करता है या किसी शराबी की सराहना करता है या सभी अच्छे व्यक्तियों को गाली देता है और केवल बुरे व्यक्तित्वों का महिमामंडन करता है, तो ऐसी बुद्धि का क्या उपयोग।


मैं अपनी असफलता पर रोता हूं तो इसे सामान्य कहा जाता है लेकिन अगर मैं अपनी सफलता पर भी रोऊं और तनाव में रहूं तो इसे क्या कहा जाएगा।


 यदि कोई अनपढ़ व्यक्ति या अनुभवहीन व्यक्ति किसी मंदबुद्धि की पूजा करता है तो यह कोई बड़ी गलती और अस्वाभाविक नहीं हो सकती है, लेकिन यदि कोई बुद्धिमान व्यक्ति किसी पागल व्यक्ति की पूजा और महिमामंडन करता है, तो यह निश्चित रूप से एक बड़ा अपराध कहा जाएगा।


अब आपको अपने विवेक से निर्णय लेना है कि क्या सही है और क्या गलत। मैं कोई राजनेता भी नहीं हूं लेकिन बिना किसी पूर्वाग्रह के हर स्थिति का आकलन करता हूं। प्रत्येक व्यक्ति या दल अपने जीवन में कुछ अच्छा और कुछ बुरा करते हैं। लेकिन आम आदमी के मन में किसी व्यक्ति या पार्टी की छवि इस आधार पर बनती है कि क्या बड़ी मात्रा में है और क्या दोहराव वाला है।


A person has huge stock of gold , big bank balance and heavy earning every month,  still he and his family lives like a beggar. What we will say and what we will call that person and what is the utility of such a huge stock of gold,  big cash balance  and huge monthly earning.  


Our ex PM Sri Manmohan Singh had great administrative experience and had earned great number of prestigious degrees and awards. But it will not be untrue and exaggerated if one says that it is during his tenure of PM that India became one of five most fragile and poor economies of the world.  

A person could have values in mind but if  he acts as a mad man or behaves  like a mentally retarded man , what is the purpose of having such values. 


  And above all,  if an intelligent person  supports a mad man or appreciates a drunkard or abuses all good persons and glorify only evil personalities,  what is the use of such intelligence.  


I cry on my failure it is said to be normal but what will be I called if I cry and remain stressed even on my success. 


 If an illiterate person or inexperienced person worship a joker it may not be a great mistake and unnatural but if a wise person worships and glorifies a mad man,  then  it will definitely be called as a great crime. 


Now you have to decide what is right and what is wrong as per your conscience.  I an also not a politician but I assess every situation without any prejudice. Every person or party do something good and something bad in his life.  But image of a person or party  in minds of common men is created based on what is in larger volume and what is repeatative. 

Monday, July 17, 2023

SPECIAL ALLOWANCE CASES Now In One High Court

        SPECIAL ALLOWANCE CASES


          H E R C U L E A N  J O B



More than half a dozen cases related to Special Allowance may be pending in various High Courts, which on the plea  of IBA have been ordered by Hon'ble Supreme Court to be transferred to Delhi High Court for hearing, as all are related to one particular issue. IBA says that this will save time and also avoid conflicting judgements.


Some contempt petitions are pending in the Hon'ble Supreme Court for not counting  Special Allowance for superannuation benefits, as directed in Nakara judgement. The matter of reduction of pension of pensioners of 1.11.2012 to 31.10.2015 period is also pending in the Hon'ble Allahabad High Court. A Single Bench of the Kerala High Court had held Special Allowance as countable for all retirement benefits.


The difference between working in a planned and organized manner and working in haphazard manner matters much. IBA works in a planned and organized manner and moulds every situation in its favor. Operating Unions do not have any strategy against such vicious circle of IBA, as Unions are equal partners in such vicious circle of IBA. Retiree Unions have no such capacity & will-power to thwart IBA's sinister designs in field or in Courts. They have plenty financial clouts and can engage competent law officers, but they don't dare do it at all. Only task masters like Kamlesh Chaturvedi & many others can do such herculean job.


HERE LIES GREAT OPPORTUNITY!


Presently, in the light of the Hon'ble Supreme Court's order on the IBA's petition, which has ordered the transfer of all the petitions pending trial in the Hon'ble High Courts to the Delhi High Court, the petitioners have been given an opportunity to file an intervention application in the Supreme Court, in which Hon'ble Supreme Court may be requested for partial modification of the subject order by transferring the petitions pending in various High Courts to the Hon'ble Supreme Court for hearing and decision instead of the Delhi High Court. This will save time and give finality , as is wanted by IBA also.


(J. N. Shukla

17.7.2023

9559748834


स्पेशल एलावंस से संबंधित आधा दर्जन से अधिक मामले विभिन्न उच्च न्यायालयों में लंबित हो सकते हैं, जिन्हें आईबीए की याचिका पर माननीय सर्वोच्च न्यायालय ने सुनवाई के लिए दिल्ली उच्च न्यायालय में स्थानांतरित करने का आदेश दिया है, क्योंकि सभी एक विषय से संबंधित मुद्दा हैं। आईबीए का कहना है कि इससे समय की बचत होगी और परस्पर विरोधी निर्णयों से भी बचा जा सकेगा।


नकारा फैसले में दिए गए निर्णय के अनुसार, सेवानिवृत्ति लाभों के लिए स्पेशल एलावंस की गणना न करने के लिए कुछ अवमानना ​​याचिकाएँ माननीय सर्वोच्च न्यायालय में लंबित हैं। 1.11.2012 से 31.10.2015 अवधि के पेंशनभोगियों की पेंशन घटौती का मामला माननीय इलाहाबाद उच्च न्यायालय में भी लंबित है। केरल उच्च न्यायालय की एकल पीठ ने विशेष भत्ते को सभी सेवानिवृत्ति लाभों के लिए गणनीय माना है।


योजनाबद्ध और संगठित तरीके से काम करने और बेतरतीब तरीके से काम करने के बीच का अंतर बहुत मायने रखता है। आईबीए योजनाबद्ध और संगठित तरीके से काम करता है और हर स्थिति को अपने पक्ष में मोड़ लेता है। आपरेटिंग यूनियनों के पास आईबीए के ऐसे दुष्चक्र के खिलाफ कोई रणनीति नहीं है, क्योंकि आईबीए के ऐसे दुष्चक्र में यूनियनें बराबर की भागीदार हैं। सेवानिवृत्त यूनियनों के पास अदालतों में आईबीए के भयावह मंसूबों को विफल करने की कोई  इच्छा-शक्ति और क्षमता नहीं है। उनके पास काफी वित्तीय ताकत है और वे सक्षम कानून अधिकारियों को नियुक्त कर सकते हैं, लेकिन वे बिल्कुल भी हिम्मत नहीं करते हैं।


फिलहाल, आईबीए की याचिका के आलोक में माननीय सर्वोच्च न्यायालय के आदेश ने, जिसमें माननीय उच्च न्यायालयों में विचाराधीन सभी याचिकाकर्ताओं को दिल्ली हाईकोर्ट में ट्रांसफर कर सुनवाई का आदेश दिया है, याचिकाकर्ताओं को सर्वोच्च न्यायालय में एक हस्तक्षेपकारी आवेदन देने का अवसर दिया गया है, जिसमें माननीय सर्वोच्च न्यायालय से विषयगत आदेश में आंशिक संशोधन के लिए आग्रह करते अनुरोध किया जा सकता है कि विभिन्न उच्च न्यायालयों में विचाराधीन याचिकाओं को दिल्ली उच्च न्यायालय के बजाय माननीय सर्वोच्च न्यायालय में ट्रांसफर कर सुनवाई और निर्णय किया जाए, इससे समय की बचत और अंतिम निर्णय होगा, जैसा आईबीए भी चाहता है।

Friday, June 30, 2023

FAKE MESSAGES CONFUSE & MISLEAD... EXERCISE DUE CAUTION..

FAKE MESSAGES

CONFUSE & MISLEAD...

EXERCISE DUE CAUTION..

First, understand the veracity of a message, check the sender's credibility, match facts,  share with others only when you're satisfied with your evaluation of its correctness & usefulness. Evaluate the messages on the basis of some facts, whose indicative details we are giving here. Every Pensioner should remember these facts to avoid being misled:


1. Banking is an industry, Bankmen are industrial workers, who are legally covered under the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947.


2. The wages, allowances, pension, service conditions etc. of the employees are fixed by settlement under the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947 or through Industrial Tribunals,


3. The government has no power under any law to do anything directly by notification,


4. The officers are governed by section 19 of the Banking Companies (Acquisition & Transfer of Undertaking) Act, 1970/80,


5. Bipartite Settlements are legal & binding agreements,


6. The Joint-Note is merely a memorandum of understanding, it has no legal standing/ binding,


7. The Bank Pension Regulations, 1995 covers  equally to the employees/officers,


8. The Bank Pension Regulations, 1995 is a subordinate legislation,


9. The producers of pension reforms/ amendments are contained in the clause 56 of Bank Pension Regulations, 1985,


10. The provision for pension revision is in the Pension Regulations. This provision was enfirced while implementing the Pension, but later it was never implemented.


11. Pension Agreement dated 29.10.1993 is a legal document. It is still effective,


12. Reference is made to the Central Pension Rules for resolution of any dispute arising in the implementation of the Bank Pension Scheme,


13. Such disputes are envisaged to occur while fixing the pension of the pensioners after retirement,


14. The Reserve Bank Pension Scheme was decided in 1990,


15. Pension settlement with other banks was done on 29.10.1993,


16. The Bank Employees Pension Regulations, 1995 were made on the basis of the Pension Agreement dated 29.10.1993,


17. The basic spirit of the Pension Agreement has been taken from the Reserve Bank Pension Scheme and Central Civil Services Rules,


18. It is mentioned in the Agreement that all the terms & conditions including pension revision will be on RBI line,


19. Pension in RBI was with effect from 1.1.1986,


20. On the line of RBI, pension in other Banks also came into effect from 1.1.1986,


21. Pension of Pensioners of 1.1.1986 to 31.10.1987 was updated in RBI,


22. The pension of other Bank Pensioners of 1.1.1986 to 31.10.1987 was also updated on the lines of RBI.


23. Pension is an integral part of service conditions. Pay-pension are two sides of the same coin,


24. Pension is not a dole or bounty. It is an earned right,


25. Pension revision with Pay revision is the underlying spirit of the pension scheme, 


26. Pension revision is a bilateral matter.


27. Whatever changes or reforms take place in the Central Govt Pension Rules, those reforms / changes should be done in the Bank Pension Scheme,


28. Pension scheme of Reserve Bank or other Banks, it's fate is linked to the Central Civil Services Rules,


29. The Bank Pension Scheme includes all the terms and conditions which were in the Central Civil Services Rules, while deciding the Pension Scheme,


30. The makers of the scheme had an idea that if there would be changes or reforms in the Central Pension Rules in future, then there would be anomalies in the Bank Pension due to which disputes would arise,


31. Provision has been made in Clause 56 of the Pension Regulations, 1995 for resolution of disputes,


32. Today there are many anomalies in the Bank Pension, because there have been many changes in the Central Government Pension, relative to which changes have not been made in the Bank Pension Scheme,


33. Why did NPS come in Banks? Its origin lies in the introduction of NPS in the Central Pension Rules,


34. In 2004, the Central Government introduced NPS. Since the Bank Pension was linked to the Central Pension Rules, NPS had to be implemented in banks as well,


35. The ground reality of Central Pension is different from the Pension of Banks,


36. Central Pension is based on budgetary allocations, but Banks' pension is self-funded,


37. The burden of Banking Pension does not fall on Banks,


38. It is the contractual obligation of the Banks to maintain the adequacy of the Pension Funds,


39. Why the commutation chart of bank pension is changed, because it was taken from the Central Pension Rules, where it was changed,


40. There are some miscreants, alleging that the Pension Regulations, 1995 do not have a clear clause for Pension Revision. This is nonsense,


41. Union leaders have deleted the clear clause of pension revision for some invisible benefit, due to which pension revision is obstructed, this is also nonsense,


42. The Bank Pension Regulations, 1995 is similar to the RBI Pension Regulations, 1990, under which pension revision took place in 2003, then on 5.3.1019 and finally on 21.6.2023 in the light of the previous Pay Settlement covering pensioners up to 31.10.2017,


43. There is no separate clause regarding pension revision in RBI Pension Regulations also,


44. The sick mentality of the accusers should be understood,


45. Naach na aaye Aangan Tedha has a saying, which fits perfectly on the accusers,


46. ​​If there is no intention of pension revision of the Unions, then blaming the Pension Regulations is like saving the criminal leaders,


47. When the situation is like this, the attitude of the Unions related to the Pension Agreement is irresponsible, shameful, adverse and regressive, then the pensioners are left with diplomatic efforts, agitation and court proceedings,


48. IBA and unions are together against pension revision,


49. Pensioners do not have the capacity to undertake interventional actions in Banks. They can't even make a bulb go off in the Banks,


50. Operating unions have the capacity to undertake interventional actions in Banks, which they do not want in the issues of Pensioners,

51. Bilateral system comes in effect, once the demand is raised by Unions. Bilaterism succeeds only on interventional powers that Unions have.

J. N. SHUKLA
National Convener
1.7.2023,
9559748834



Sister Nirmala Sitharaman,
Hon'ble Finance Minister
Govt of Inndia,
New Delhi

Respected Ma'am,

   REDRESS MOST WANTED ISSUES

In a mail sent to you dated 22.6.2023, we have expressed our gratitude on behalf of about 5 lakh Bank Pensioners for your decision to constitute a Committee to look into certain issues of Bank Retirees. Pensioners of PSBs are hopeful, particularly when RBI retirees pension has been updated upto 31.10.2017, their pension would be revised on RBI line in due course. 

With this mail we are enclosing a copy of the letter which we have sent to the Hon'ble Prime Minister on 15.6.2023, wherein we have emphasized among other things the need to make minor adjustments to achieve larger objectives in the national interest. The emerging scenarios from the current 'activities' should neither be ignored nor taken lightly. The political ramifications of these 'activities' cannot be ignored. Please look into following issues at your earliest convenience;

1.Old Pension Scheme:

We have urged the Hon'ble Prime Minister regarding the "minor adjustments" and requested that the anger and frustration about the restoration of Old Pension Scheme should be taken seriously, because the issue is sensitive and it affects lives of 2.5 to 3 crore families. In simple words, we mean, their voting strength which matters. 


2. Pension Funding on RBI/PSB model:

For financial management, we have requested to take into cognizance the 'funding model' adopted for pension payment in RBI/ Banks. We have suggested setting up of a 'Pension Payment Authority' to hand over the entire NPS corpus to the Authority. With the current NPS contribution of 14%, the Authority will be able to meet the Pension Payments. Still, if there is any shortfall in the fund adequacy, the government can fulfill it from the budget, as banks are doing from their P & L accounts.

3. Commutation in 12 years:

Pension commutation is recovered with interest in 12 years. The Gujarat government has restored pension commutation in 13 years. It is a calculation based issue. When the amount of pension commutation along with interest is being recovered in 12 years, there is no justification for continuing the recovery for 15 years. 

4. Pension Revision on RBI line:

Pension in Public Sector Banks came into effect from 1.1.1986. Pay Revision happened every five years, but Pension Revision never happened even once. The previous governments did grave injustice to the Bank Pensioners. Your Govt has updated the pension of RBI Pensioners on 5.3.2019 and 21.6.2023 till 31.10.2017. Your Govt has removed the ceiling of 15%/20% on the Family Pension of other PSBanks and made the pension of all Family Pensioners 30%. You have formed a Committee to examine the Pension revision issue of bank retirees. Pension Revision of PSB retirees for all these years since introduced from 1.1.1986.


5. Regularisation of temp. Daily wagers:

Temporary daily wagers doing peons' work in PSBs from 10 to 15 years are working on regular posts in Banks. Their number will be 1.50 to 1.75 lakh. These people have been working on wages of Rs.400/500 per day for so long. We request that the government should take a decision on their regularization and their appointment letters should be given by the Hon'ble Prime Minister. This system has also been going on since the time of the previous government. The government should give justice to the daily laborers.

We request you to take the above issues very seriously and resolve them at the earliest. This will send positive message in abundance to the people associated with these subjects. Such families need justice and we expect the government to give justice to such people.

Respectful Regards,


(J. N. Shukla)
26.6.2023
9559748834

Encl: Letter to Hon. Prime Minister 

Sri Narendra Modi ji,
Hon'ble Prime Minister,
Govt. Of India
New Delhi


Respected Prime Minister,


Developed India is your cherished dream, which you want to achieve during Amritkal by the end of centenary of Independence Day in 2047. This will be possible only when you remain in power. How will you deal with the twin challenges of a developed India and staying in power is the big question before the nation, the nation which is poised to become a developed Nation. We wish, you remain in power to achieve developed nation status.


Big campaign of trickery:

It is said that 'the memory of the masses is short-lived'. It will not be surprising if people forget with the passage of time what you have done for the upliftment of the country and different sections of the society in the last 9 years. Such people can be tricked by any other kind of inducement to prove that your contribution is insufficient. 

This campaign has started. We hope, you are aware of these things. There is also a large section in the country, which have nothing to do with the country or its pride. They are only concerned with meeting the bare necessities of life. They have nothing to do with big things like developed India, Great India. It's great dilemma.


Real Issues:

There are some real problems, which we are mentioning below. These problems are directly related to people who run the government businesses. The government should take them seriously and move towards a solution. If the problems are legitimate, then the government should not hesitate to solve them. This will create a positive & pleasant atmosphere, which will have a direct impact on the image & functions of the government.


( 1 )

There is a huge vociferous resentment among the employees/officers of the Central and State Governments regarding the pensionary benefits. They are demanding & agitating for the restoration of the Old Pension Scheme. OPS was abondoned by Atal Govt. It's quoted as stigma on BJP Govt. as well. Some States have restored OPS, of course under political compulsions to reap electoral benefits. 

The displeasure of the OPS also extends to other institutions like the Reserve Bank, NABARD, Public Sector Banks, LIC, GIC, Railways etc., where Pension Schemes on the lines of the Central Government are in vogue. Government can restore OPS with minor structural reforms, as we hinted in point 5 below.


( 2 )

The restoration of  Commutation of Pension is another contentious issue. Presently it is taking place after 15 years. Pensioners demand is to restore it in 12 years. This demand is based on mathematically calculation which proves that commuted amount plus accrued interest is recovered in 12 years. On the basis of this fact Pensioners feel that the Govt is unjustifiably recovering it another 3 years. Pensioners question is: When the recovery of commuted value with due interest is recovered in 12 years, then why should  commutation be restored in 15 years? We don't think, govt has any intention to recover extra from Pensioners. Therefore, the government should accept this demand on the basis of facts. Gujarat Government restores it in 13 years.


( 3 )

In many Institutions like Banks where Pension Schemes are in vogue on the basis of Central Pension Scheme, Pension is not being revised with Pay & Allowances. Pension was revised in RBI, but the concerned Finance Ministry did not revise Pension in Public Sector Banks. The basis of Pension applicable in Public Sector Banks is the Pension of the Reserve Bank. It is clearly written in the Pension Agreement that all the terms including Pension Revision will be on "RBI line". This is a matter which touches the lives of 15 lakh pensioners of Banking and other Financial Institutions alone. Why shouldn't the government intervene? These are Government Institutions, where such apathy ultimately puts the government in the dock.


( 4 )

More than 1.5 lakh daily wage workers are working against permanent vacancies in Public Sector Banks alone. We do not know about the number of daily wage workers in other government enterprises. We do not need to remind you the duties of the Welfare State of which you are the Head and whose official duty is to ensure that injustice is not done to a single citizen. Daily wage laborers working in permanent vacancies for small amount per day without regular pay scale and other benefits are also citizens of this great country which is ready to take a quantum leap towards developed country. If possible, Prime Minister Sir, you may please decide to regularize the daily wage laborers sitting on the lower rung. It will be a great event in this government in Amritkaal.

The government can easily solve these issues related to vast chunk of govt. and Public Sector Staffers. Bureaucrats are also cared.
 

( 5 ) Strategy for funding of OPS:

As far financial strategy for OPS funding is concerned, government should look into the Pension Service models adopted in Banks, where it is totally delinked from revenues and sourced from funded scheme. PSBs have established irrevocable Pension Trusts and parked there employers' PF contributions. Pension is served from the said Pension Funds income . Little bit short, if any,  are replenished by Banks. Same way the Governments can constitute independent Pension Funds Authority to manage the payment of Pensionary benefits to govt staffers. 

The govt may examine the financial position of Authority each year end and if any short fall, govt can make good from budgetary allocations. Since NPS contribution is at 14% which was earlier 8.33% and 10%, we are of the view that with 14% contribution, Pension Funds shall continue to be robust.


Prayer:

We request you to stop the growing dissatisfaction by considering the above issues sympathetically and taking appropriate decisions. The government should take cognizance of the legitimate demands of its employees, officers and personnel of public undertakings, who are directly involved in the activities and execution of the government policies & programs. Their satisfaction matters. Hope, you will very kindly take it seriously, resolve and not allow to precipitate and flare up.

Regards,

(J. N. Shukla)
National Convener
15.6.2023
9559748834