Special Allowance and Special Pay based Pension Updation And Gratuity Increase Is Demanded

Collected From Whatsapp Message and posted here to create awareness among bank staff...

In case of RBI retirees it is the Central Board of RBI who had passed a unanimous Resolution to extend the updation benefit to the Pensioners of RBI. The Board Resolution was sent to the Government of India for their approval. But Govt. Of India kept the Resolution under carpet.                                                                                                                                           The aggrieved pensioners of RBI had filed a Writ Petition in Mumbai High Court seeking updation of pension as recommended by the Central Board of RBI. When Mumbai High Court sent a notice to the Govt. to file their counter, the Govt. reiterated the contents of the letter addressed to the Management of RBI. *Court took a strong objection to this and stated that the Govt. stand tantamounts to interference in the Autonomy of RBI and the Updation of Pension to the pensioners should be considered immediately as prayed by the Petitioners."

As usual the Govt. moved the Supreme Court with an SLP challenging the orders of Mumbai High Court but the Supreme Court slapped on the face of the Govt by refusing to interfere in the orders of Mumbai High Court and ordered that the Updation benefit should be extended first and then only Govt can appear before the Supreme Court. Now the Updation benefit is being extended to RBI Pensioners wef 01.11.1997.

This stand of the Supreme Court has given a shot in the arm for us and this has strengthened our case.

Read the reply by IBA in this Joint Note Signed

1. Updating Pension - Will involve huge additional cost, hence Impossible. 

Will  seriously impact on working of Banks.

2. Improvement in Family Pension- 

Have sympathy, may consider on humanitarian grounds to assess the cost involved, but IBA, could not assess the cost in Four years. i 

The Associations is reminding to  IBA to be humanitarian and sympathetic!!!

This the strength of United Forum of Bank Unions.

 Now it's proper time to settle  the issue of

 FAMILY PENSION 

PENSION UPDATION 

&

SPECIAL PAY ANOMALY 

BEFORE IBA

MINISTRY OF FINANCE 

&

CENTER GOVT 

AFTER CENTER GOVT NOTIFICATION OF PENSION UPDATION OF RBI

DT 05.03 2019

IT'S THE DUTY OF ALL HONOURABLE MEMBERS TO BE PART OF THIS STRUGGLE 

🙏🙏

______----_-__________

1. 
   
2. रिज़र्व बैंक कर्मियों को पेंसन निर्धारण में सफलता -बहुत बहुत बधाई !
3. 
   
4. रिज़र्व बैंक के कर्मचारियों और श्रमिक संघ नेताओं को इस बात के लिए हार्दिक बधाई कि उन्होंने न केवल भारत सरकार के पेंसन पुनर्निर्धारण के मामले में “न” को हाँ में बदलने में सफलता पाई है वरन हम सार्वजनिक क्षेत्र के बैंक कर्मियों की सबसे बड़ी लाल झण्डे वाली यूनियन के बड़े नेता जी को आइना भी दिखा दिया है जो पेंसन बढ़ोत्तरी और पुनर्निर्धारण के मुद्दे पर फ़ण्ड की कमी का बहाना बनाते हुए मजबूरी का राग अलापते रहे हैं । 
5. 
   
6. भारत सरकार के वित्त मंत्रालय के अधीन कार्यरत वित्तीय सेवा प्रभाग ने आज अधिसूचना जारी कर रिज़र्व बैंक के कर्मियों के पेंसन पुनर्निर्धारण को अपनी मंज़ूरी दे दी -यह पेंसन पुनर्निर्धारण वर्ष 2002, 2007 और 2012 के समझौतों से प्रभावी होगा । उल्लेखनीय है कि भारत सरकार ने 26 फ़रवरी 2018 को यह कहते हुए रिज़र्व बैंक के पेंसन पुनर्निर्धारण प्रस्ताव को यह कहते मंज़ूरी देने से इंकार कर दिया था कि ऐसी मंज़ूरी सार्वजनिक क्षेत्र के बैंक कर्मियों को भी ऐसी ही माँग करने को प्रोत्साहित करेगी । रिज़र्व बैंक के कर्मचारियों ने भारत सरकार द्वारा पेंसन पुनर्निर्धारण प्रस्ताव को मंज़ूरी न दिए जाने के निर्णय को माननीय उच्च न्यायालय मुम्बई में चुनौती दी गई जहाँ रिज़र्व बैंक ने शपथ पत्र के माध्यम से वस्तु स्थिति बता दी वहीं भारत सरकार मंज़ूरी न दिए जाने की कोई ठोस वजह बताते हुए शपथ पत्र दाख़िल नहीं कर सकी -भारत सरकार द्वारा आज जारी अधिसूचना रिज़र्व बैंक के कर्मियों के संघर्ष की जीत है -यह अलग बात है कि मज़दूर विरोधी वर्तमान केंद्रीय सरकार ने कर्मचारियों को पेंसन पुनर्निर्धारण के फलस्वरूप हुई पेंसन में वृद्धि के एरियर से कर्मचारियों को वंचित कर दिया है । 
7. 
   
8. अब बात हम सार्वजनिक क्षेत्र के बैंक कर्मियों की पेंसन निर्धारण की -एक वक़्त सातवें, आठवें और नौवें द्विपक्षीय समझौते के दौरान आईबीए ने बैंकों के पेंसन फ़ण्ड में कमी का रोना रोते हुए वेतन निर्धारण हेतु राशि में से क्रमशः 8.25%, 9.25% और 13% का अंशदान कर्मचारियों से वसूला और ख़ुद बैंकों ने अपना इतना ही अंशदान समय से जमा नहीं किया । दसवें वेतन समझौते के दौरान 7.75% के अनोखे विशेष भत्ते का प्रावधान किया गया जिसे पेंसन की गड़ना में शामिल नहीं किया जाएगा यानि पेंसन कम । आज हालात ये हैं कि सेंट्रल बैंक, पंजाब नैशनल बैंक आदि बैंकों ने पेंसन फ़ण्ड से करोड़ों की राशि का स्थानांतरण अपनी लाभप्रदता दिखाने के लिए कर लिया - दूसरे शब्दों में सेवा निवृत्त बैंक कर्मियों के अंशदान से सृजित पेंसन फ़ण्ड की राशि पर खुले आम डकैती डाली गई । 
9. 
   
10. सवाल यह उठता है कि जब रिज़र्व बैंक और हमारी पेंसन योजना बिलकुल एक जैसी हैं तब रिज़र्व बैंक के पेंसन फ़ण्ड में कर्मचारियों की पेंसन पुनर्निर्धारित करने के लिए यदि पर्याप्त धनराशि है तो हमारे पेंसन फ़ण्ड में पर्याप्त धनराशि क्यों नहीं है ? उत्तर बहुत साधारण है -रिज़र्व बैंक के श्रमिक संघ नेताओं ने  अपने पेंसन फ़ण्ड के सजग प्रहरी की भूमिका अदा की जबकि हमारे श्रमिक संघ नेताओं ने जो आँकड़े आईबीए ने उपलब्ध करवाए उन्हें आँख मूँद कर सही मान लिया -“न खाता न बही जो आईबीए कहे वही सही” वाले सिद्धांत पर चलते हुए नेताओं ने पेंसन फ़ण्ड में हुए सम्भावित घोटाले पर कभी सवाल नहीं उठाया, कभी जाँच की माँग नहीं की ।
11. अभी हाल में सेवा निवृत्त बैंक कर्मियों के सबसे बड़े संघठन का दिल्ली में अधिवेशन हुआ जिसमें लाल झण्डे वाली यूनियन के बड़े नेता जी के साथ आईबीए के चेयरमेन मंच पर विराजमान थे जिनके भाषण के वीडियो साझा किए गए हैं -आईबीए चेयरमेन ने बिना पेंसन पुनर्निर्धारण की घोषणा किए वाह वाही लूटी । इस अधिवेशन में AIBOC महासचिव श्री सौम्य दत्ता विशिष्ट अतिथि के रूप में आमन्त्रित थे -उन्होंने स्पष्ट रूप से यह कहते हुए अधिवेशन में शामिल होने से मना कर दिया कि जब बड़े नेताजी पेंसन पुनर्निर्धारण की उनकी माँग को वित्तीय कठिनाई का तर्क देते हुए समर्थन नहीं दे रहे तो ऐसे में उनके साथ मंच साझा कैसे किया जा सकता है ? सेवानिवृत्त बैंक कर्मियों को गम्भीरता और गहराई के साथ सोचना चाहिए कि सेवानिवृत्त बैंक कर्मियों का यह सबसे बड़ा संघठन जिसके नेता लाल झण्डे वाली यूनियन के गुज़रे ज़माने के नेता हैं -उसकी अब तक की उपलब्धि क्या है ? यह संघठन केवल बड़े नेता जी से अपील और अनुरोध करने का काम करता आया है और बड़े नेता जी ने दसवें द्विपक्षीय समझौते से पहले इसी संघठन के धरने में सिंह गर्जना की थी कि बिना पेंसन निर्धारण के कोई समझौता नहीं होगा और बाद में अपनी ही गर्जना भूल पेंसन कम करवाने वाले समझौते पर हस्ताक्षर कर दिए थे -सेवा निवृत्त बैंक कर्मियों के पेंसन पुनर्निर्धारण के वायदे पर बड़े नेता जी ने उनके प्रतिनिधियों के साथ कैसा सलूक किया था यह सर्वविदित है -सोशल मीडिया में सच्चाई साझा की जा चुकी है । 
12. 
    
13. याद रखना चाहिए कि सरकार से फ़ैसला अनुनय, विनय, भीख जैसी माँगने, तर्क देने से नहीं बल्कि कड़े तेवर अपनाते हुए संघर्ष के ज़रिए ही हांसिल किया जाता है -रिज़र्व बैंक कर्मियों ने यह कर दिखाया है और हमारे लिए पेंसन पुनर्निर्धारण की सम्भावनाओं के द्वार खोल दिए हैं -अब ज़रूरत है चुनाव के पहले सख़्त तेवर अपनाने की-सरकार को खुली चुनौती देने की, आईबीए और नेताओं पर वांछित दवाब बनाने की ।

________________________--

RESERVE BANK RETIRED EMPLOYEES’ ASSOCIATION KOCHI (Regd.)

(AFFILIATED TO All India Reserve Bank Retired employees’ association)

Ground Floor, Prathyasa Retirement Homes, Gandhipuram, Purayar, Desom, Aluva -683102

Purayar,

Dated: March 07, 2019

CIRCULAR

To  

All Members

Pension Revision – Approval from the Government of India

We have received reports that at last the long awaited Government approval for revision of Pension in RBI has been received in the Central Office of the Bank. We are happy to inform you that the Ministry of Finance, Government of India, vide  their letter dated March 05, 2019 to the Governor, RBI  has approved a notional increase of  10% in pension plus DA with each of the three wage revisions in 2002, 2007 and 2012, which shall result in in an overall increase in basic pension by a factor of 3.63 for pensioners who retired prior to 1.11.2002 ( including those who had retired prior to 1.11.1997 and whose pension had been upgraded in terms of Court’s orders), by a factor of 2.44 for pensioners who retired during the period from 1.11.2002 to 31.10.2007, and by a factor of 1.76 for pensioners who had retied during the period from 1.11.2007 to 31.10.2012. The contents of the Government letter can be summarized as follows:

No approval for fresh option for pension for CPF optee.

The revision has been approved with prospective effect only and hence no arrears on account of the present revision of pension is payable, resulting in loss of lakhs of Rupees to the pensioners.

Government of India advised RBI to provide fair draft of the RBI Staff Regulations under Section 58 of the RBI Act, 1934. 

For any future pension revision on account of wage revision due from 1.11.2017 and thereafter, prior approval of the Government of India would be required both on the of the quantum as well as on the terms and conditions governing such revision. As such, the Bank has to refer to the Government, the future revisions of Pension.

For working out the revised  pension multiply present basic pension (Before Commutation) by

             1.  3.63 times for those retired prior to 1.11.2002

             2.  2.44 times for those retired prior to 1.11.2007 &

             3.  1.76 times for those retired prior to 1.11.2012

       Resultant figure will be the new pension

       Add DR at 61.1 percent 

       From the total deduct old commutation value if it is not restored.

The revision of pension as above would be on a notional basis and the actual benefit of revision will have only prospective effect. The Central Office, HRMD, RBI has, in their letter dated March 07, 2019. issued instructions to the Regional Offices and Central Office Departments to implement the revision with effect from the month of March 2019.  No arrears will be payable on account of the revision of pension. Government has also advised the Bank that for any future pension revision on account of wage revision due on 1.11.2017 and thereafter, prior approval of the Central government would be required, on the quantum of pension as well as the terms and conditions governing such revision. Also the Government has advised the RBI to give them a fair draft of the RBI Staff Regulations to be passed under Regulation 58 of the RBI Act, 1934, which means that the Government intends to statutorise RBI Staff Regulations framed by the Bank in exercise of its powers under Section 7 of the RBI Act. This will imply that for any amendment to the Staff Regulations, the bank has to follow the procedure laid down in Section 58 of the RBI Act and would require parliamentary approval as specified therein.   

Friends, you may have noticed that the Government had first issued instructions to withdraw the updation already granted for those who retired prior to November 01, 2002. The affected retirees were forced to move the Court and obtain a stay order. Thereafter, the Government was delaying the approval to Bank’s proposals for revision of pension  and now by denying retrospective effect to the revision and thereby denying the arrears legitimately due to us, have heaped injustice on RBI pensioners/employees. At the same time, the benefit of revision of pension is extended regularly to its own pensioners without any questions even though our Pension Scheme is also modelled on the Government Pension Scheme. Much to our regret, for those who had not opted for pension and continued with Contributory Provident Fund, the Government has not agreed to grant another chance to switch over to pension. The denial of another pension option to those who had failed to opt for pension for various valid reasons on earlier occasions has no justification and goes against the recommendations of even the Parliamentary Committee on Subordinate Legislation. That such options were allowed to LIC /GIC retirees and some others in Public Sector is indicative of the gross bias the Finance Ministry holds against RBI employees / retirees. As we have been repeatedly pointing out, the Government’s interference in the administration of RBI such as in the case of wages, pension, recruitment is an attack on the autonomy of RBI, which will have far reaching consequences. The statutorisation of the RBI Staff Regulations is a direct attack on the autonomy which the Parliament in its  wisdom had bestowed on the RBI as a central bank of the country and the highest monetary authority and the Parliamentary Committee on Subordinate Legislation had recently recommended against such stautorisation. The independence which the RBI is vested with in matters of recruitment, wages, pension, etc.  will be taken away under the proposed Staff Regulations and as such, RBI employees will be statutorily under the control of the Finance Ministry and the whims of the ruling dispensation as framing of regulations under Section 58 of the RBI Act requires previous sanction of the Government. This you will agree is line with the Government’s policy of concentration of powers in themselves and destroying institutions like RBI, which have been functioning fairly and objectively with the national interest uppermost in their actions.

While welcoming the decision of the Bank and the Government to resolve the long pending issue of revision of pension in RBI, we urge upon the Bank and the Government to give one last chance to CPF optees to opt for pension taking into consideration the vast changes that have taken place in the economic and social scenario and the several improvements introduced in the RBI Pension Scheme after the last time the option for pension was opened by the Bank.  We should continue our struggle to expose the injustice meted out to us by denial of retrospective effect to the revision of pension and not giving another opportunity to the remaining CPF optees who number around only 2500 to opt for pension. We should, in the national interest as also in our own interest, join forces with the serving employees and the United Forum to prevent any incursions on the autonomy of RBI.

Yours fraternally

Sd/-

Secretary

______________________-----_____________

दिल बहलाने के लिए, खयाल अच्छे हैं!

- In-service Bank Unions can achieve unachievables, if they make honest & sincere endeavors of the sort..

Ever since, Govt. cleared RBI pension updating,  a new wave of thought has emerged among Bank Pensioners: if RBI can, why not rest Banks? It's a serous argument. This argument is similar to one that we have come across earlier: why not CPC wages to Bank emlloyees?We are free to make any opinion, as it doesn't cost at all. It's our brain product.We are free from any assignment or engagement. In this state of situation: दिल बहलाने के लिए, खयाल अच्छे हैं. Will you please agree that in RBI whatever result has come that's not on fight of retirees/pensioners. It is totally conceived, planned, executed by RBI in-service employees/officers Unions. Retirees were too taken on side by Unions. Here in our case, main problem is with in-service Unions. They are not ready to do what RBI unions did in their case. IBA is manned by top executives of different Banks from where top leaders come. But, these leaders failed to take on board any of executive of IBA. In RBI, see Governor, Dy. Governors, Board they all supported updating. Jain or others: what can they do? Some Dharna, demonstrations, memorandums, that's all. Anyway, i appreciate activists, who have generated huge pressure at all level and now social media is perceived to be dreadful to which Unions are ill-matched. This is the opinion of a very top leader of operating unions. We are on right track. I know, govt is prepared, but demand, understandings etc are to be arrived at.. But, it's not right proposition. We need very serous thinking matching to seriousness of issue of our Pension Revision. Just casual and callous approach doest yield any relief, as had happened so far due to casual & callous approach of our in-service Unions under UFBU with regard to Pension updating. If we keep right opinion, atleast it helps us avoid undue pains and anxieties, which is most important to protect our health at our such age profile.

Hope, you very kindly agree that in RBI whatever result has come that's not on fight of retirees/pensioners of RBI. RBI in-service Unions didn't let down their former breathren. Pension updating was totally conceived, planned & executed by RBI in-service employees/officers Unions. Retirees were too taken on board by in-service Unions.

Here in our case, main problem is with in-service Unions. They never thought of retirees welfare. See, Welfare Fund assigned to every Bank and govt directive is to spend it judiciouslly on retirees/pensioners as well. Welfare Committees in Banks consist of Union nominees as member to these Committees. Just look, how Welfare Fund is allocated to the sole benefit of in-service people. It's one example. Our in-service Unions don't like Pensioners representatives to sit beside them in bilateral processes. They are not prepared to take a thread from what RBI unions did in their Pensioners issues. They led this movement, took along Pensioners Unions. Not only this, they took on board entire RBI set up, be it Governor, Dy. Governors, Board of Governors. They got Pension updating unanimously approved by all requisite forums and sent to Govt. RBI is a statutory and autonomous body. Govt didn't grant permission. Matter went in Court, where govt reply was that if the demand of updating is agreed, it would give rise to similar demand in other PSBs, who are in financial difficulty. Court processes were not the end. In-service Unions intensified their move by taking a decision of two days mass casual leave. This sent a shock wave. Govt advised RBI to talk to Unions, take two month's time and submit to govt concrete proposal in the matter. RBI- Unions agreed to govt request. In Feb last Unions again met RBI executives to remind the lapse of agreed time, yet issue is not resolve. This is the way to achieve, unachievable. Here in our matter, is there any sense or act of seriousness among in-service Unions or their leaders is a landmark question. For sure, nothing such as in RBI.

IBA is manned by top executives of different Banks from where top leaders of UFBU constituents come from. But, these leaders failed to take on board any of executives of IBA. They were never sincere or serious. They signed Joint Notes on 25.5.2015 and thereafter none, barring one, raised any voice in follow up of Joint Note. There are over 50 demands on COD and pension is one, trailing behind. Just see the list! Issue is just 2/3, but expanded so large in number. Issue was 'Wage, Pension, Service conditions revision'. It covers all aspects. But no, still Union leaders treat employees & officers as fools and try to befool them in unambiguous term. Don't expand issues, expand your chest, raise your arms is the need, but its not visible at all.

Jain or other our friends, what can they do? We are useless and can do some Dharna, demonstrations, memorandums, shouting or can abuse in-service leaders, call them corrupt etc. That's all. Individually, everyone points others as wrong to make himself right. It's not fair of gentlemen.

Anyway, I appreciate Activists, who have generated huge pressure at all level through their ceaseless, seamless constant endeavors across whole spectrum, be it PM, FM, Cabinet Minister, State Governors, Lol/Rajya Sabha Speakers, MPs, Govt. Executives etc. Commendable work, hundred time better and best than Pensioners Unions. At the same time, they created horror on social media, which is perceived to be a dreadful threat to which in-service Unions are ill-matched, according to a very seasoned and top executive of Unions. It shows their desperation and breathlessness.

Here I can say, 'We are on right track'. I understand, by giving sanction to RBI pension updating, govt must have made up its mind to have similar demand coming for govt sanction from PSBs as well. Govt was against RBI updating, simply for similar demand emnating from PSBs who were in financial difficulty.

But, whether IBA & Unions come up and take unanimous decision and submit to govt for sanction is billion dollar question. So far, Fund issue is concerned, in my earlier post, I have dealt it in details and it's none of Unions concern, rather it's squarelly the regulatory obligation of Bankers. All depends on in-service Unions, they can achieve even unachievable, if they make honest & sincere endeavors of the sort.

-J. N. Shukla
Prayagraj
8.3.2019