Letter To Finance Minister

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

Respected Sister,

Respectfully, we beg to invite your kind attention to our letter dated 6th June, followed with another two letters of 27th June & 28th July, 2019 on Bank Pensioners' issues.

We are of belief, you have been explained well in person by a delegation which met you in recent past and having heard them, your kind assurance to look into is a first ray of hope, from no less than the Hon'ble Finance Minister.

Our concerns could not reach to your predecessor, Shri Arun Jaitley Ji, though we made our concerted effort. Our situation has been worsening and now we have reached to most pathetic conditions due to financial distress being cause on account no pension revision, ever since it has been introduced from January, 1986. Older the pensioner, greater the distress, is the prevalent scenario among bank pensioners.

1. Out of about 4.4 lakh pensioners 60% could not take mediclaim health insurance as the premiums went up unaffordably. Despite Ministry Directive to provide health cover from Welfare Funds, banks have not done it. Over 2.75 lakh poor pensioners are suffering on medical ground. Here, you need to reiterate Ministry's earlier stand to ensure minimum health cover at banks' cost.

2. Now, Pension Revision is a most burning issue. As you know, it has never been revised ever since it was introduced from Jan.,1986. Pension Agreement, 1993 has the 'revision' spirit and accordingly it was done from 1.1.1986-31.10.1987, since it was due. In RBI pension is revised, so now its turn of other Banks.

In Agreement it is clearly mentioned that all terms and conditions, including Revision, shall be as per RBI pension Scheme. Banks pretend on Funds needs, which is unholy and exaggerated version.

Therefore, please look into this issue, as just, genuine and rightful Revised Pension can't be denied on money pretext to Bank Pensioners, who contributed their whole life to growth of Banking and national economy by all dedication at their command

3. Sister,  Family Pension is just 15%. You can understand the plight of widow/ widower pensioners, how could they be surviving on such meagre amount in present day of high cost of living, medical services etc. It's not inhuman, but the cruelty of Bankers with which they are treating family pensioners for over last 25 years.

Here, you need to intervene and prevail upon Banks to address Family Pension issue, enhance it 30% to make it sustainable.

4. Sister, instead solving intricate HR issues, IBA is involved in to make them contentious issues. Pre-2001 100% DA case is such, which in fair terms is a discriminatory one. Pensioners are maltreated by different rates of DA compensation.

In Gratuity matter, so far countless court cases have been filed, banks are incurring huge legal expenses, but IBA seems to be no serious at all to find out right decision from Ministry concerned or apex court.

5. Bank Pensioners are given DA compensation on six monthly average rise or fall of CPI, but players are given on quarterly basis. This is sheer discrimination in payment of D.A. compensation. It is unlawful as well, as in compensation matter different yard stick can't be applied in same industry as per Supreme Court ruling.

We, therefore, seek your very personal kind attention and consideration to following issues:

1. Minimum health cover at Banks cost.

2. Family Pension Revision at 30%.

3. Pension Revision on RBI line.

4. 100% DA to pre-2001 retiree,
     Gratuity Decisions, Court cases

5. Quarterly DA to Pensioners, as in
    Case of regular employees/officers.

Regards,


(J. N. Shukla)
National Convenor,
FORUM OF BANK PENSIONER ACTIVISTS
Prayagraj
3.8.2019
9559748834
jagat.n.shukla@gmail.com