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.
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