a) Well, a 100 is a big hit.A CENTURY is indeed a MAGIC figure.Time goes on & on.Time is a great destroyer,Time is a great healer too.As Robert Frost said, I have miles & miles to go,before I sleep.The caravan of PENSIONERS moves on with tremendous hopes & aspirations.Sterling successes & Spectacular victories ,pronounced by Rajasthan High Court & whetted by various other HCs notwithstanding,the Iron Wall of Judicial processes & no decisive thinking & action by SC Bench causes disappointment & frustration,in spite of many MENTIONS,to go on postponing real FINAL hearing becomes a mockery of true justice & fairplay,more so when it concerns Elders & Sr Citizens & when court cases have dragged on for more than a decade.
b) In this sense,when from all directions, we get emails from pensioners in abundance ,expressing their views & suggestions, a true sense of participation is felt & a feeling of consolation,of awareness & aliveness, a dogged belief of an impending colourful victory in sight,through an air of sturdy optimism based on ground realities & all the submissions & happenings at all courts so far, reinforced by powerful arguments & case laws & an eminent SC Bench can truly sense the correctness of our stand from the standpoint of equity & justice & the touchstone of removal of grave discrimination amongst various groups of pensioners, the heart & soul of the entire case.If these be true, can VICTORY be far behind?
c)I am,therefore, extremely indebted & grateful to all those who utilize their internet,keep alive the spirit of exchange of positive communication,which always takes us on forward path.If 100 Fortnightlies,I could painstakingly,like a College or University Professor ,beam the news & views of immense help to close the communication gap, to spread awareness of various topics affecting all pensioners,they are my strength.I solicit their cooperation to further the cause,welfare, progress & prosperity of entire pensioners fraternity.100 FNs, 50 Monthlies,more than 4 years ceaselessly,like the waves of the sea, it has been a great & rewarding experience,even if time-consuming to extract & present like a Bouquet of fragrant Flowers to you.As long as energy lasts,the activity & assignment which I created for myself,& as adults,we ,of our own, must unswervingly perform many tasks ,creating a Synergy in that process to accelerate speed of decisions of higher authorities & other agencies.In retrospect,the many-splendoured achievements & accolades of AIRIEF for ever so many years & decades is a monumental testimony to the dogged perseverance, patience & endurance shown & annexing results for the overall benefit of pensioners.
d)We also take pride that AIRIEFWEBSITE airiefvision.wordpress.com ,continues to perform at its best ,disseminating a rainbow of many news on all topics & disciplines of vital interest to pensioners & their families too.With Sri K.Ramanan, the Brain behind & Editor,though only after our Raipur OBs meet, the design, picture, logo,emblem were flashed 21 January 2015 dotted with many permanent treasure-trove of contents for eternity for us & other Pensioner federations too.(he & his family arrived safe yesterday after tense moments at Nepal durng his 10day stay). January 2015 ,250 insertions of news in that little time.Februray 2015 was a roaring 70 pages,each page containing 10 messages 700,to read & benefit,March 2015 , 54 pages representing 540 messages & April 2015, 365 messages.33,600 Hits by 30 April,2015 .Look at the diversity of topics covered under various Heads:AIRIEF News,Devotional,India &World, General,Healthy Living,Humour,Insurance News,Pension & Allied matters, Practical Tips for good living,Quotations Inspirational,SelfDevelopment,Sister Organisation news,Supreme Court cases hearing etc . Goethe,the German philosopher,said "Open the shutters so that more light may come in ".Even Gayathri is nothing but a prayer of illumination..Let us utilize the candle of light being offerred thro AIRIEFVISION, to dispel darkness & gain glory & enlightenment-------- R.B.KISHORE,VP, AIRIEF
1)M.V.Ruparelia, Chief Patron, All India Senior Citizens Confederation (AISCCON),A503 Rashmi Utsav, Near Jangid Estate & Vijay Park, Mira Road (East), Dist. Thane.401 107. M. 09821732855. E/Mail: mvrup@yahoo.co.in To Date: 14-4-15.
Shri Narendra Modiji, Prime Minister of India.
1. We are thankful to you for your personal concern for Elders of the Country in your communication dt 31-3-15. We would like to bring out one of our grievances for very early action.
2. Government of India with approval of Cabinet issued National Policy, 99 for welfare of Senior Citizens giving Mandate & Policy Statement to all Public & Private Stake Holders to take effective steps to improve the quality of life of all Elders, strengthen their legitimate place in society and help them to live their last spell of life with purpose, dignity and peace (Paras 12 to 29). Many of the provisions of this Policy are not yet implemented even after 17 years and revised Policy is not finalized even after years together. Para 29 of Policy, 99 lays down that these Elder contributors should feel assured that the payments at the end of stipulated period are attractive enough to take care of the likely erosion in purchasing power due to erosion.
3. Many Elders depend for livelihood on interest on their meager savings due to economic position at the time of their retirement. In February 2013, State Bank of India has reduced 0.25 points from additional interest of 0.50 per cent paid to senior citizens on fixed deposits to reduce the cost of funds of banks, though Reserve Bank and Finance Ministry have given in writing that they have not issued any orders to reduce rates for Senior Citizens. Reserve Bank of India vide their Master circular DBOD no. Dir.BC.1/13-03.00/2012-13 dt 2-7-12 had authorized all Banks to formulate with approval of their Board of Directors fixed Deposit Schemes for senior Citizens, offeringhigher and fixed rates of interest as compared to normal deposits of other citizens. Reserve Bank and all Public Sector Undertakings including Banks are the stake holders of this Policy and apex authority of Government to sponsor and support programmes of the Government. State Bank of India is the biggest and most Profit Earning Bank and has a moral & Corporate Social Responsibility, having laid down obligation towards senior citizens of the Country. Looking to their profits, they should give very higher and fixed rate of interest to Senior Citizens to take care of the likely erosion in purchasing power due to ever increasing inflation.
4. According to directives in National Policy, 99, each Ministry was required to bring various provisions of National Policy, 99 to the notice of all Officers and Staff of their Ministry. Finance Ministry has not brought out Mandate & Policy Statement (Para Paras 12 to 29) to the notice of Reserve Bank and all other Government & Non-government Banks and Departments under Ministry of Finance, so that all departments of Finance Ministry act on these provisions. On reference to Reserve Bank on this aspect, Reserve Bank has stated in para 3 of their letter no. DBOD no.DIR.5721/13.01.01/2013-14 dt 26-9-13 that they have not received the Government Notification for these provisions. In absence of proper directives from Finance Ministry, other Banks also give only ½ % extra instead of higher and fixed rates of interest directed by Reserve Bank. Such extra ½ % is a mockery of your Elders. We shall be obliged, if you get proper directives issued by Finance Ministry on priority basis to all Banks, including State Bank to givehigher and fixed rates of interest as directed by Reserve Bank. All Ministries may also be advised to take effective steps to improve the quality of life of all Elders, strengthen their legitimate place in society and help them to live their last spell of life with purpose, dignity and peace.
Thanking You,Yours Sincerely,-------(M.V.Ruparelia)
(For the benefit of those who do not have Tamizh : 'savukku' is whip).
3)Dr. Raghuram G. Rajan
Governor
Reserve Bank of India
Central Office
Mumbai 1
Respected Sir
Request to Ensure to Safeguard and Protect the Interests of Retirees
As a result of the ceaseless efforts of the organizations of serving employees and the retirees of the Bank and the positive and sympathetic attitude of the successive Governors, Reserve Bankemployees and officers could achieve the present pension scheme, the family pension for the widows of the deceased employees and retirees and post-retirement medical facilities by way of MAF Scheme. We are particularly grateful to the Bank for the improvements made from time to time in family pension, rate of DR neutralization and Annual Medical Check- up Allowance. However certain issues, particularly, periodical updation of pension, relief to pre-1986 retirees, opening of pension option as also much needed further improvements in the Medical Assistance Fund Scheme are still outstanding and causing extreme concern. In this connection, we submit below the following for your kind and sympathetic consideration:
Pension Updation: Superannuation Fund of the Bank,being built up to take care of the monthly payment of pension amounts as also of periodical improvements therein, has now almost touched Rs. 10,000 crores. The uncalled for and unnatural bulge in the amount is mainly due to the fact that the promised and projected improvements in the pension by way of periodic updation thereof on the lines of updation of pension of Central Government retirees has not taken place in the Bank for more than a decade. Updation of pension is a regular feature in the Central Government coinciding with the implementation of every Central Pay Commission Report. We have no doubt that the updation procedure will also continue at the time of the implementation of the ensuingReport of Central Pay Commission.We may state that Reserve Bank Pension Scheme is exactly on the lines of Central Government Pension Scheme, and as such, Reserve Bank is committed to update the pension of its retirees., At the time of introduction of the Scheme, and soon thereafter the employees were lured to join it in early 1990s, by specifically promising them periodical updation of pension. This was done by issuance of a circular in 1992, and more importantly, by assurance across the table by the thenHon'ble Governor, Late Shri R.N. Malhotra. Because of these assurances, mainly, employees opted for the scheme by fulfilling all the stringent conditions, including DR revision every six months, instead of every quarter and surrendering 10% Bank's contribution to PF which was only 8.33% in the case of all other public sector undertakings, including banks and Central Government. (The surrendered Bank's contribution to PF forms part of its Superannuation Fund.) In fact updation of pension was granted after first three wage revisions subsequent to introduction of Pension Scheme in the Bank, viz., 1987, 1992 and 1997.
Bank's Administrative Circular dated 1 September 2003updating the pension of pre-November 1997 retirees, as is mentioned, '…by way ofrevising the component of "Pay" to thoseobtaining in the revised pay scales brought into effect from 1st November 1997…' explains the justification and rationale for periodicalupdation. The then illustrious Governor: Dr. BimalJalan issued the circular in spite of the objections of the Ministry of Finance. He had taken the precaution of getting legal opinion of two independent Senior Supreme Court advocates who unequivocally opined that the Board has the full authority to do so.
It may kindly be appreciated that non-utilization of the Superannuation Fund for updating the pensionafter revisions of pay as on 1st November 2002 and 2007 is unfortunate. The Bank's efforts to withdraw the updation to pre-1st November 1997 pensioners under pressure from the Ministry, have not been taken kindly by the Bombay High Court which has granted a stay. Even MoF petition to expedite the hearing has not been accepted.Contrary to earlier decision of the Bank to seek approval of MoFfor amendments to RBI Pension Regulations, vide its letter dated 11 October 2011, stated to be to enable it to update pension smacks of deliberate attempt by those handling the issue at that time to deny pension updation under the garb that the issue is with the Government.
Sir, the Bank's inaction in this regard is affecting the retirees very adversely most of whom are not likely to live to benefit of more than one updation in their post-retirement life.
Relief to Pre-1986 Retirees: The number of the living unfortunates in this category, who could not get the benefit of the pension scheme,and have been relegated almost to BPL level, has come down to two digits. Each one of the living unfortunate is over 90 years of age. Earlier Governors were kind enough to grant ex-gratia and Medical Allowance and improvements therein from time to time. The category appears to have been a forgotten lot now, waiting only for departure from this world. No organization representing them can afford to accept this situation any more.
Opening of Pension Option:We are being told that opening of pension option will come along with updation of pension. There cannot be a more fallacious argument than this. There is absolutely no connection between updation of pension and opening of the option. The specious but illogical argument extended by the authorities while denying updation that there would be repercussions in Banking Industry, if updation is granted to us, also does not hold good for opening of option, as option has been granted to employees and retirees in the banking industry as early as in their 2007 settlement. It is obvious that the Bank is awaiting MoF nod for the opening of option. In this regard we may point out that the Bank has in the past, in 1990s, had opened the option more than once, without referring the matter to the Ministry. As against lakhs of employees in the Industry who exercised the option after 2007 pay settlements, the employees and the retirees in the Reserve Bank who are now waiting for the opening of option does not exceed even 2500.
Medical Facilities for Retirees:As a result of our pursuing the issue of improvements in the medical facilities to the retirees under the MAF Scheme, and the positive attitude of the section dealing with the subject in HRMD, the rates prescribed for hospitalization and Annual Medical Check-up have been raised to certain extent in the recent past, for which we are thankful to the Bank. However we wish to point out that the Scheme was introduced by the Bank with specific assurance given then to the Associations/Federation that the retirees would continue to enjoy same facilities which the employee/officer in his/her grade at the time of retirement is eligible to benefit. The promise has not been honoured. Further, the honourable Governor Dr. Jalan introduced Mediclaim arrangement mainly to extend cashless hospitalization facility to them. However, this facility has now remained only on paper. All these are fallen promises now. For long we are requesting for a meeting at the highest level to present our submissions in this regard.
Sir, the retirees are going through extreme mental agony, humiliation and frustration at total neglect of their issues. For years at every Central Board meeting being held anywhere in the country, hundreds of retirees assemble and silently bring to you and the Central Board members' notice their anxiety in the matter. You are kind enough to meet them and assure them of your concern in this regard. However, your efforts unfortunately have not yielded results. Certainly there is a limit to all this, you will please appreciate. Under the circumstances, we are of the view that if due to certain reasons it may not have been possible for youto grant updation immediately, the retirees could be granted monetary relief in other form. We may add that the medical expenses of the retirees in the advancing age are mounting and have become unbearable, when the superannuation funds are mostly lying unutilized.
We, therefore, stress that the existing service conditions of the RBItes are being granted due to the Goodness and vested with the unquestionable powers of the successive Governors and these benefits are never withdrawn and that too unilaterally as it happened in regard to pension updation.
We also earnestly request to spare a few minutes from your busy schedule to kindly hear our further submissions in this regard.
We may add that retirees have decided not to digest the uncalled for insults in the forms of delays and denials of their justified demands any further, and unless the matters are sorted out mutually,we have taken a firm decision to come on the streets and ventilate our unhappiness over all this, whatever be the consequences.Kindly ensure that the retirees, all of them senior and super senior citizens, should not be pushed to this stage to show their resentment in this regard in this manner.
Awaiting your kind, sympathetic and positive response,
Yours faithfully----------T. G. Nair,General Secretary
4)In one of the latest judgments in the case of D.Kalaichelvan (Petitioner) vs. U
nion Bank of India (Respondents), Madras High Court has once again slapped the top management of Union Bank of India and IBA for framing policies in contravention of the Pension Regulations 1995, which are statutory in nature.
This is a blot on the HR policies of banks which are mainly guided by the misinformed IBA top brass, who take anti-employee stand just to please their bosses, so that they can enjoy the luxurious life even after retirement at the age of 60 years, from the banking service.
In the past also we have exposed the anti-employee attitude of IBA on number of occasions
where they have given wrong suggestions to Banks and asked the top management to drag the cases upto Supreme Court, though they were well aware that their arguments are faulty and will not stand the scrutiny of the Courts. Their attitude has been to drag the senior citizens to the extent where number of them die during their fights in the Courts.
The worst part of this whole fight is the attitude of the leaders of UFBU, who have never supported the senior citizens who have meager resources to fight their cases in the Courts. Rather UFBU leaders have indirectly supported the bank management and IBA in such cases
. Recently, one of the ex-AIBOC official has gone to Court against the GoI's decision to appoint MDs by an open competition from private and public sector officials. Why he never bothered about the fate of the retired bankers who are running from pillar to post to get 2nd Pension Option and for 100% DA neutralization.
There is strong perception among the bankers that this ex-AIBOC official had filed PIL for motivated personal issues. Lot of people would have come to support him even in this fight, if he had ever fought for bankers after the last BPS. Now, everybody is treating the PIL by him to be only motivated to get a foothold as he has been uprooted by another set of leaders in PNB.
For last 5 years, no UFBU leader has filed or fought any Court case on the obnoxious clauses introduced by IBA in its circular of 2nd Pension option.
Inspite of all the Court judgments favouring the retired bankers, neither UFBU leaders nor IBA top brass has felt ashamed for doing injustice to senior citizen
. Coming back to the present case, the Court in its verdict has concluded and directed the Bank the following:-
"Consequently direct the respondent to grant pension to the petitioner in terms of Union Bank of India (Employees) Pension Regulation, 1995 from 27.11.2009 along with arrears and interest @ 18% p.a.
"
I was stunned to read the above para as the judgment clearly shows how the Court was anguished with the stand of the Bank (which is based on the overall policy directions given by IBA) in denying PENSION. This is clear from allowing the petitioner the pension from 27.11.2009 (that is with retrospective effect) and pay him the interest at the rate of 18% p.a.
I have rarely seen the judgements where Court penalies the banks to pay interest @ 18%. This is a kind of penal interest and seems to have been granted as Court must have been very angry with the attitude of Bank / IBA policies, which they frame keeping in mind their own whims and fancies.
Who knows still IBA / Union Bank may go to Supreme Court to satisfy their personal egos and teaching a lesson to half dead senior citizens.
In an article in March 2015, under the heading "
UFBU Leaders Needs to Discuss Matters Relating to Retirees With Retired Banker Groups", I have clearly mentioned as follows:-
"The above demands (i.e. demand of 2nd pension option to left over bankers, 100% DA neutralization) are absolutely genuine and has legal sanctity and needs to be implemented without fail. If UFBU sticks to its guns, there is no reason that IBA will not agree for these two demands.
Thus, with minimal efforts, UFBU can take credit for getting the above two demands met by IBA.
In case IBA refuses to concede any of these demands, UFBU should clearly mention that it reserves it right to go to Court on behalf of the retirees as it perceives that denial of these two demands is illegal".
However, neither IBA nor UFBU leaders seems to be interested to help the pensioners
. Now only Courts have come to the rescue of retired bankers, and now they will have no moral ground even to take credit even if the same are agreed by IBA
Remember, now UFBU has not only to fight 2nd pension option for leftover with retrospective effect i.e. November 2009, but also with an interest at the rate of 18% on arrears
If UFBU agrees with less than this, it will be violative of the Court guidelines and is a open treachery with the retired left over bankers.
Now UFBU has no authority to enter into an agreement that abrogates these rights of the left over pensioners. If IBA insists on any lower rate of interest, UFBU must make it clear that it has the right to go to Court and will not be binding by the agreement to this extent. I think, IBA and Banks must share this additional burden for the harassment they have forced on the poor retired bankers, some of whom must have already died in the hope that they will get pension.
For those people who are interested to know exactly the reasons for allowing this retrospective pension to compulsory retired bankers
, I am giving below the quotes from the judgment, which are of great importance
:- "Union Bank of India issued circular no.5690 dated 27 August 2010. The Circular has to be read in the light of the Pension Regulations, 1995. The circular is only for the purpose of giving another option to join the scheme. The pension scheme remained the same viz., is none other than Union Bank of India (Employees) Pension Regulations, 1995, which provides for compulsory retirement pension.
Even though Clause 7 of the circular restricted the benefits of those who retired voluntarily in terms of regulation 19, the fact remains that pension regulation has not been amended correspondingly. Therefore, as on today, there is a valid regulation providing for pension to the compulsory retirees.
In case the Bank is of the view that pension should be restricted to those who have retired voluntarily, they should make corresponding amendment to the pension regulations.
The Pension Regulations, 1995, is statutory in nature.
The circular was issued only pursuant to the said regulation.
The circular cannot override the provisions of the regulations
. It was only to give one more option to the employees, the circular was issued. The circular cannot therefore restrict the benefits of option to a set of employees notwithstanding existence of the regulation which provides for pension even to compulsorily retired employees.
The petitioner is entitled to certain service benefits on account of his compulsory retirement.
In fact, in the earlier round of litigation, this Court made it very clear that the petitioner should not lose benefits which accrued to him for the service rendered by him, till the date of compulsory retirement.
Such being the case, the Bank was not correct in incorporating Clause 7 for the purpose of denying benefits to compulsorily retired employees. I am therefore of the view that Clause 7 should be quashed insofar as it restricts option to join the pension scheme by compulsorily retired employees".
Are UFBU leaders now listening the voice of retired bankers ? They must ensure that IBA now gives the due share to retired bankers.
P.S : We are grateful to Mr R K Pathak from Pune, who keeps us updated on this issue. He has informed that with a view to foil the attempt of Union Bank of India of filing WA against the said order before Division Bench Madras High Court, he had through Mr. B.G.Raithatha, General Secretary of Union Bank Retired Employees Association and there counter part in Tamilnadu & Mr. T.Vinayak established the contact with Petitioner and advised to file Caveat before the Division Bench of Madras High Court, before Bank files WA and pleads for stay to the order dated 01/04/2015.[reproduced from "www.allbankingsolutions.com"]
5)What is happening in Yemen:The wanton failure of Indian media of men like Arnab Goswami, Rajdeep Sardesai et al to cover this valorous act of the Modi govt under the spectacular leadership of Gen.V.K.Singh is due to its inexplicable jealousy to give credit to this valiant action. That shows the pettiness of the Indian press and electronic media enjoying the largesse of the Govt so far. Further, Gen.Singh or Modi does not belong to UPA stable or Sonia's flattering sycophants !
----------------------KGopalan
6)![https://ssl.gstatic.com/ui/v1/icons/mail/profile_mask2.png]()
Dear Shri.Chari,Thank you very much for the excellent presentation of facts.
As you have mentioned, it is a matter of Shame that no Indian news paper or TV Channel gave this information. Not only that. They mounted a tirade against Gen. V.K.Singh, just because he is a minister in the BJP government. Naturally, our great Secular News Papers and Secular T.V Channels, cannot tolerate it.-------- R.Ramakrishnan
7) DR: In term of Regulation 29 of the RBI Pension Regulations, 1990, DR is be granted at such rates as may be determined by the Bank from time to time and DR is allowed on full basic pension even after commutation. Further it was clarified by the Bank vide their circular No.G45/450 dated 1st December 1990 that the rates of DR will be reviewed at half yearly intervals , viz. February and August every year, and will be advised to all offices by CO.
On the above basis the DR is being announced from time to time in February and August every year. The rate of DR is same which is applicable to serving employees. Till February 2005 DA to serving employees was paid on pay range basis, DR to pensioners was also paid on pension range basis which were half of the pay.e.g.if DA at10% payable on a pay upto 5000, DR at 10% was payable on pension up to 2500/- Subsequently from February 2005 DA is payable to serving employees at flat rate, DR to pensioners in RBI is also paid on flat rate(i.e.100% netralisation).
Hence there should not be any doubt about the payment of DR on pension in RBI (i.e.serving and pensioners are paid at the same rate). However, if any specific case is brought to our notice, we would certainly takeit up with the Bank.
Grant of ex.gratia to family
A scheme of payment of Ex-Gratia was introduced in the Bank on August 10, 1992, in order to provide some monetary relief to the families of employees of the Bank who had died in harness prior to January 01, 1986 or retired prior to that date and died thereafter. The eligible family members were not required to refund in part or in full the CPF amount received by the deceased ex-employee.
A uniform amount Rs.150/- p.m. is admissible as an ex-gratia to such eligible family members irrespective of the post held by the deceased ex-employee. In addition to the ex-gratia amount, Dearness Relief thereon is payable to them on the same basis as admissible on pension as advised by Central Office from time-to-time at half-yearly intervals in February and August every year. The payment of ex-gratia amount and dearness relief is admissible to the eligible family members from January 01, 1986 or from the date of death of the ex-employee, whichever is later. This was admissible subject to the conditions prescribed in the Administration Circular.
The payment of ex.gratia is admissible first to the spouse and thereafter to the children in the order of birth date. The payment of ex.gratia is made to the Spouse life time irrespective of his/her service or receipt of pension from any other source. In case of son it is payable upto the age of 25years whereas in case of daughter upto the date of her marriage or attaining the age of 25 years.
Grant of Ex-gratia to the living pre-January 01, 1986 retirees of the A Scheme for payment of ex-gratia relief to the living pre-January 01, 1986 retirees of the Bank was introduced vide A.C.No.5 dated November 27, 1998. The amount of ex-gratia relief is Rs.300/- p.m. irrespective of the post held by the ex-employee at the time of his / her retirement. In addition to the ex-gratia relief, Dearness Relief is payable thereon at the rate determined by the Bank from time to time. Dearness Relief is adjusted twice in a year i.e. in the month of February and August. The recipients of ex-gratia are not required to refund any part of the Contributory Provident Fund amount received by them at the time of their retirement from the Bank's service. The scheme was made effective from November 1, 1997 to the said retirees of the Bank and was not admissible to those who resigned, dismissed from the Bank's service or were on contract basis.
Medical Assistance to Pre-January 01, 1986 retirees /their family members
A Scheme of Payment of Medical Assistance on monthly basis to all beneficiaries of Ex-Gratia / Family Ex-Gratia relief was introduced from the month of June 2001. The amount of Rs.300/- was granted as medical assistance to all the recipients of ex.gratia payment. (i.e. ex. employees as well as family members). This amount was revised to Rs.800/- p.m. from July 1, 2002. The rate of medical assistance was further revised considering the class/grade of the ex. employees as under from the date mentioned therein-
| Class/Grade of ex.employee | February 1, 2005 (Rs) | March 10, 2006(RS) | April 1, 2008 (Rs) |
| Class IV | 1000 | 1700 | 3400 |
| Class III | 1000 | 1900 | 3800 |
| Grade A,B,C | 1200 | 2200 | 4400 |
| Grade D,E | 1500 | 2500 | 5000 |
| Grade F & ED | 1800 | 2800 | 5600 |
The gross amount is paid to the pre-1986 ex.employees/their families is worked out as under:-
In August 1992 when first monthly payment was made to family
Ex,gratia 150.00
+DR @91.79% 138.00 Total Rs. 288.00
In 1997 when first monthly payment was made to ex.employee
Ex,gratia 300.00
+DR @190.95% 573.00 Total Rs. 873.00
As on date the total amount works out as under:-
| Class/Grade of ex.employee | Basic ex.gratia | DR thereon @832/14% | Medical Assistance(Rs) | Total (Rs) |
| Class IV | 300 | 2497 | 3400 | 6197 |
| Class III | 300 | 2497 | 3800 | 6597 |
| Grade A,B,C | 300 | 2497 | 4400 | 7197 |
| Grade D,E | 300 | 2497 | 5000 | 7797 |
| Grade F & ED | 300 | 2497 | 5600 | 8397 |
| Class/Grade of Families of ex.employee | Basic ex.gratia | DR thereon @832/14% | Medical Assistance (Rs) | Total (Rs) |
| Class IV | 150 | 1249 | 3400 | 4799 |
| Class III | 150 | 1249 | 3800 | 5199 |
| Grade A,B,C | 150 | 1249 | 4400 | 5799 |
| Grade D,E | 150 | 1249 | 5000 | 6399 |
| Grade F & ED | 150 | 1249 | 5600 | 6999 |
You may please note that there is no increase in basic ex-gratia since its introduction from August 1992 and Nov. 1997 to family members and retirees respectively. Similarly, there is no increase in Medical Assistance since April 2008.
Ex-gratia to Retirees of GOI
The ex gratia to pre 1986 retirees in GOI has been last enhanced from June 2013. Plus concept of 50% DR merge is in vogue in their case alone. Besides, they have protection under constitution for their medical treatment.
I am also interested in knowing what is the situation in this regards at LIC end..
In your mail you have made some reference to developments in regard to updation. To be frank, we in RBI have been hoodwinked for almost 8 years. As such I am not ready to believe anything unless things are coming in tangible way. I would have preferred to move through the route in which you have been traveling. My sincere appeal to you is to follow vigorously SC case rather than running after MoF and others. 9/2014
Now with effect from 1st April 2015 it has been revised as follows.
| Class/Grade of ex.employee | April 1, 2015 (Rs) |
| Class IV | 6800 |
| Class III | 7600 |
| Grade A,B,C | 8800 |
| Grade D,E | 10000
|
| Grade F & ED | 11200 |
-----------------------------RBREA ,MUMBAI
8)OH, What a sad & shocking news of the death of Sri Balubhai Rathod
We always saw him in cheer & smile
He was bright & brilliant
He exuded charm & peace wherever he went
He was calm, quiet disposition
Above all, he was sociable & mixing & mingling with everybody
He was seen in the 2 Musketeers company with Sri GTParekh
If I remember ,he was the Presiding Officer for elections in 8th GC Ahmedabad
He always does a magnificent job of any work assigned to him
Please convey our heartfelt condolences to bereaved family
He was an asset not only to Ahmedabad but AIRIEF in general & all pensioners fraternity
May the Almighty give strength & courage to his family to bear this irreparable loss
URS MOURNFULLY, ----- RBKISHORE, VP,,AIRIEF
9) i) Dear Sir,
This is just for your information. I have sent to your address thro' courier. This is in response to your latest mail, which among many other useful materials has also made an appeal for contributions towards Legal Fund.
With Kind Regards,Yours, ----------S.R. Nagarajan.
ii) Thank a lot.
We arrived only yesterday evening.Worthy neighbour's gave the envelope.I wanted to ack.Midnight 1230, it was to quickly see imp emails.today u wld have got a few. I thank u for ur gracious donation After I hand over to Sri R.Kannan,u will get the receipt
I profusely thank u for ur positive involvement in all matters. Greetings RBkishore,AIRIEF
Sent from my Sony Xperia™ smartphone
10)i)We have no option but to wait and see what happens next. We must hope for the best but remain prepared for the worst.
--------------------------------------------------------------Santimay Kar
ii)![https://0.gravatar.com/avatar/fd5db7c40f6d2df8803c3c4bf9a3eb50?s=32&d=identicon&r=G]()
L S R KRISHNA RAOsaid: I do not like to say we must be prepared for the worst like Santimay kar. we have won at Jaipur, Chandigarh, Delhi nearly 7 judges working in High Courts endorsed
the Judgement of Justice. M N Bhandari. Even the Supreme court Bench headed
by 2 judges (includes 9 with SC) had not granted Stay on the operative part of the
Judgement. So, we can trust that the Justice is on our side. The L I C and the
UOI are just trying to delay the things. A day will come, that day is not far off,
we can win. As per the arguments of Nitish Gupta if the case filed by L I C is
not maintainable it will be dismissed. If the judges allow it we are having our own
argument for that our Senior Advocate Nitish Gupta is fully prepared and the
SLP filed by UOI is redundant and we will argue on the other points as we are
so many arguments supplemented or suggested by Shri RBK and I feel that
we will definitely win our case. It is known to L I C and also to UOI hence they
are trying to delay the hearing of our case. The agents of L I C are trying to
divert our attention with their mudslinging activity.
A DAY WILL COME WHEN ALL THE PENSIONERS REJOICE OVER THE
VICTORY. THAT DAY IS NOT TOO FAR OFF.
WITH GREETINGS,
L S R KRISHNA RAO
11)ii)
| wa,what a depiction in UR cartoonscape
Month after month,year after year,it looks U. R scaling new Heights in UR professed avocation
Congrats,keep up the flag flying high-------------RBKishore |
i)
| Respected Sir,I am glad to inform you that my cartoon is exhibited at the international cartoon exhibition held at Vizag. The cartoon is attached. Vengeful clipping of TV 10 news shows my cartoon has been liked by public. With regards -----------------BVS PRASAD 12) ஒரு LPG சிலிண்டர் வாங்கி
அது தீர்ந்து இன்னொரு சிலிண்டர் நம் வீட்டு வாசலில் வந்து இறங்கும் அந்த நேரம் வரை.... அதை பயன்படுத்தும் ஒவ்வொரு வாடிக்கையாளரின் பெயரிலும் ரூ. 40 லட்சம் காப்பீட்டுத் தொகையும்
அதனுடன் வந்து சேர்கின்றது என்ற தகவல் நமக்கு எத்தனை பேருக்கு தெரிந்திருக்கும் என்று தெரியவில்லை...! இது குறித்த போதிய விழிப்புணர்வு இல்லாததால்...
சிலண்டர் விபத்து நேரும் போது பாதிக்கப்பட்ட குடும்பத்திலிருந்து யாரும் அந்த காப்பீட்டுத் தொகையை
கேட்டு உரிமை கோருவதில்லை!, நாம் சிலிண்டருக்காக ஒவ்வொரு முறையும் கொடுக்கும் தொகையிலும்
அந்த காப்பீட்டுக்கான பாலிசி தொகையும் சேர்த்துதான் செலுத்தி வருகிறோம்... இந்த காப்பீடு குறித்து அரசாங்கமோ, எண்ணெய் நிறுவனங்களோ கூட வாடிக்கயாளர்களுக்கு விழிப்புணர்வு ஏற்ப்படுத்துவதும் இல்லை! சிலிண்டர் விபத்து நேர்ந்து அதன் காரணமாக உயிரிழப்புகள் ஏதும் நேர்ந்தால்.... சட்டப்படி அந்த குடும்பம் ரூ.50 லட்சம் வரை சம்மந்தப்பட்ட நிறுவனத்திலிருந்து காப்பீட்டுத் தொகை பெற முடியும்! (தயவு செய்து இந்த தகவலை நீங்களும் பகிருங்கள் அனைவரும் அறிந்து கொள்ளட்டுமே) 13)Mumbai: The total assets of state-owned Life Insurance Corporation (LIC), which amounts to Rs 17.69 lakh crore, is almost equal to India's annual Budget, according to Finance Minister Arun Jaitley.
He has urged the organisation to grow as the economy and opportunities grow. "The market is going to be more competitive," he said, adding that the best of LIC is yet to come. He was speaking to LIC officers after his visit to `Yogakshema', the corporate office of LIC in Mumbai. Jaitley was accompanied by Hasmukh Adhia, secretary, department of financial services, finance ministry.
After partnering with the Jan Dhan Yojana, one-third of the country will soon be insured by LIC, he said.
"LIC is a role model of how a public sector institution can. S B Mainak, managing director, welcomed the FM in the meeting. SK Roy, chairman, LIC of India, made a presentation to the FM highlighting the achievements and concerns of LIC. He said in spite of 23 private life insurance companies and 14 years of competition, LIC had a market share of 84.44% in number of policies and 75.3% in first premium income in 2013-14.
Usha Sangwan, managing director, made a mention of the social service message produced by LIC on 'Housing for all ', 'Swachh Bharat' and 'Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao'.----C.V.Gopal 14) THOUGHT ON "JUST TO ENJOY" 1. ![https://2.gravatar.com/avatar/e5424b891792666e6e7b8be9f3c1de58?s=32&d=identicon&r=G]() S.R. Nagarajan said: I sent this piece to my sons, daughters and others known to me as I found it interesting. And I got back their views expressing, "Oh, Rightly Titled, Just To Enjoy". Need no further comments. |
ii) I AM VERY HAPPY TO HEAR THAT OUR MAN K.RAMANAN IS SAFE. I MUST CONGRATULATE
THE EDITOR FOR PUBLISHING SUCH A NEWS, IN THE BACKDROP OF NEPAL HIMALAYAN TRAGEDY
WITH GREETINGS,
L S R KRISHNA RAO
iii)
THOUGHT ON "12 INDUSTRIES THAT MAY NOT EXIST BY 2020"
1. ![https://2.gravatar.com/avatar/e5424b891792666e6e7b8be9f3c1de58?s=32&d=identicon&r=G]()
S.R. Nagarajan said: People aged 80+ now, if they survive till 2020, not an unlikely event, will find it difficult to adapt to the prospect envisaged. But the comforting factor is no change takes place all at once and though slowly it might be they have imbibed the spirit of the times. Only Nature's Disasters occur suddenly, without notice. Even here warning signals are given and Science is evolving methods to forecast the event to a certain extent. Still, God's Will prevails in All Its Glory, for Good Only.
iv)VILLAGES SET AN EXAMPLE FOR THE COUNTRY TO EMULATE
Dear Shri Kishore,Thanks for sharing such valuable and eye opening information. How oblivious are most of us about the jewels spread around us.
Incidentally, Ballia is not a village but a full fledged district in eastern Uttar Pradesh - about 200 kms. from Varanasi - very close to Bihar Border. It is the place which gave our country a firebrand politician who later became Prime Minister of India - though for a short while - Chandrashekhar.
Regards----------------------------RS Ahuja
v)**Thanks every one for the prayers and wishes. We needed that.
We left Pokhara where the damage is heavy just an hour before the hit. Thank God.
The day is good so far and we will resume road journey after checking with traffic police.
K.Ramanan
**vi)Thanks to hundreds of you who messaged and tried to contact.
Really sorry not able to reply individually now. My apologies
We are fine except we are tired and harassed due to long hours on the road due to heavy traffic jam caused by stones fallen on the road from the hills and blocked road. We were on the road when earthquake struck so did not even feel, till we saw people rushing away from home to open places. So severe it seems people were scared to return back home, fearing subsequent tremors.
We have reached our hotel which is a very good one had dinner and about to sleep off.
Landline not working. But got some feeble wifi luckily.
Hoping and praying there won't be any tremors tonight and tomorrow.
Thank you again
K.Ramanan
15)
CASE OF SHRI MC JAIN
> THIS CASE WAS LISTED YESTERDAY IN THE HIGH COURT
> WHEN THE ADVOCATE FOR LIC SAID THAT COMPL;IANCE
> HAS BEEN MADE BY MAKING PAYMENT, WHICH
> OBJECTED TO BY US, THEN THE COURT SAID TO GIVE
> DETAILS OF THE CALCULATIONS AND FOR THIS THE
> NEXT DATE HAS BEEN GIVEN AS 28/5/2015.
> KML ASTHANA
16)Dear Mr. Mahadevan,Thanks for your prompt replyThis translates into a reduction to the extent of 10% compared to the last year's premium.
Credit to you and Mr. Kishore for all the efforts being made by you for the benefit of retirees.
May God bless both of you health and happiness so that you may continue your mission.
Regards, -----------------------RS Ahuja
17) THE SEVEN STEPS TO SUCCESS. 7th MAY,2015
With seven days to go for yet another day of hearing, with which we may hope, our ordeal in our legal fight in the S.C might end. Let us hope the seven steps we take will take us to the summit of our success.
Step 1: The present Appeal has no legs to stand, as the LIC has preferred the appeal belatedly and after the dismissal of the SLP. LIC has no cause of action and the proceedings against the Rajasthan HC decision has come to an end, giving us the right enforce the Judgement. The SC Bench, at the time of dismissing the SLP has not stayed its order while dismissing the SLP and hence the suit reached its finality. The Appeal was admitted without notice to us. There is no grave injustice or loss, the Appellant LIC will suffer or result in the Appellant committing illegality, because on the one hand any action done by virtue of the HC Judgement has the judicial umbrella of protection, as pointed by the DB of the Rajasthan, and on the other such action, they are compelled to take, is also by virtue of the obligation on the Appellants, as a limb of the Govt., to preserve and protect the Constitutional provisions and also because of the mandate to obey such provisions. In fact the Appeal, if accepted, amounts to the approval by the SC of the perpetuation of the discrimination. Therefore, entertaining a hopelessly time barred appeal and that too, after the dismissal of the SLP, will result in double jeopardy of a hopeless appeal against the decree of three different HCs and approving a constitutional impropriety, leading to a bad law of precedence. The Appeal and the new writ petition are clear abuse of the process of law intended delay deliverance of justice.
Step 2: The Government is not in the picture now to appeal, because they have not preferred to put in their appearance before the DB of the Rajasthan HC, in spite of specific notice to them and sufficient time given by adjournments, to hear the Govt. side of its views on the claims before the Bench. So much so, the DB has clearly mentioned, in its judgement that the LIC has no locus- standi to file the appeal and the Government not responded to its notice. From where do they get the right of appeal now.
Step 3: Neither the LIC nor the Govt. has cause to argue that the Nakaras case is not applicable to our case. That case has only established one principle viz. the pensioners cannot be classified into groups, according to their date of retirements, to be treated for benefits they are eligible. Other courts have been following this well established principle of a Bench consisting of 5 Judges, which amounts to an interpretation on the principles of non discrimination under the Constitution of India. The only remedy for the Govt. is to get that reversed, which the present bench cannot do.
Step 4: The bogey of no notification under section 48 of the LIC Act is a mirage seen by the LIC/GOI only, not the judicial eye. Accepting for arguments sake the need for a notification, a notification by virtue of which DR rate etc. was released to those retired after 1-8-97 is in fact there and existing and this notification is the one that gave us cause of action to sue the LIC. That notification is not withdrawn or struck down by any H.C. The SB of the Rajasthan High Court has held that in view of the finding of the SC in Nakaras case, the retirees earlier to 1-8-97 are also eligible for the benefits conferred under the notification. In view of the Constitutional shield of protection, even a fresh specific negative notification, nay, even a new legislation cannot wash the dirt of discrimination and such act may turn out to be an executive/legislative vice, inviting judicial contempt.
Step 5: The plea of notification raised in the SLP, Appeal and the new writ petitions filed, couched as they are in flowery language (like which the students of English literature might have read in the speech of Sir Edmond Burke on impeachment of Warren Hasting), is against the established principles of law which says that what is unlawful and therefore unenforceable, is not allowed to enter the precincts of the temple of justice through the back door. Discrimination which is held unconstitutional and hence illegal cannot be allowed on the plea executive action/inaction, executive privilege, ripple effect etc.. Perhaps the learned SB Judge has taken a leaf from Shakespeares drama, The Merchant of Venice and allowed the Sec.48 notification without striking it down, but said it shall apply to all, like Portia's argument that the pound of flesh may be taken without shedding a drop blood !. Even the writ petitions filed are typical examples of Governmental inertia and afterthought, because from the date of the draft of the writ it is seen as drafted one year earlier and filed after one year only, perhaps with the sole intention to cause delay and to subvert the delivery of justice. The LIC's/Govt, pleas are against the dictum ' law and justice shall meet eye to eye and law delayed is law denied.
Step 6: The plea of "ripple effect" is an indirect admission of our claim, which the Govt. is pleading as an excuse to deny us what really belongs to us. LIC, in its Board Meetings, admits that the cost can be easily met as determined by it Actuarial calculations. The Pension Scheme was introduced, for the first time, in June 1995 and the revision in the rate of DR was made effective 1-8-97 along with revision of pay scales of serving employees. Therefore the total number of retirees within this period is quite small and they are now in their 70s & 80s and a fast diminishing number. The so called "ripple effect" in their case will only be in a cup, not perceivable. Will not the V & VI Pay Commission Recommendations of increasing the basic pension by a certain percentage, accepted by the same Govt., not create any such ripple.
Step 7: Is it not a disgrace to see a retired Senior Officer getting a pension much lesser than an employee who is way down in rank. It is also a fact that there is an anomalous situation created today of even two employees of the same grade in the same stage who retire on 1-7-97 & 1-8-97 get different pension. There is need for judicial intervention to put an end to this discrimination, as reasoning as to the anomalies mentioned by LIC's own Board in its Resolution, has not stirred the Executive apathy of the Govt.
18)The seven steps to success are fine even though I have some reservations on the points made out by you on the applicability of Sec 48.
But with all the excellent grounds on which our case stands, unless there is an effective case management and convincing arguments before the Supreme Court leading to a favourable verdict for pensioners, all the write-ups generated will only turn out to be good material for an academic discourse. The utmost need now is for concrete action by way of concerted strategic moves by counsels of all the three sets of pensioner groups in carrying the legal struggle in a unified manner towards a successful conclusion. Whether it will happen is a million dollar question.
Greetings.--------------------C H Mahadevan
19) FOUR SLABS OF DA FOR EMPLOYEES WEF 01.05.2015
| |
| CPI |
| |
| Jan-15 | 254 |
| Feb-15 | 253 |
| Mar-15 | 254 |
| Average | 253.6667x4.63x4.93 |
| |
| |
| Converted to base 1960=100 | =5790.17 |
| last average | 5772 |
| Difference | 18.16997 |
| NO. OF DA SLABS | 4.542492 = 4 |
| |
No. of DA Slabs wef 01.05.2015 for the in-service employees of LIC = 4 [FOUR]
20)RKSahni.blogspot.in : A person becomes senior citizen under Income Tax Act in any year after attaining the age of 60 even for one day. Once he attains 60 years, his status as senior citizen in that financial year, gives him some relief .There are many income tax exemptions available for senior citizens. These are listed below:
1. Higher Exemption Limit
From F.Y. 2011-12 Qualifying age for Senior Citizens has been reduced from 65 years to 60 years and from A.Y. 2015-16 exemption limit for Senior Citizens has been enhanced from Rs. 2,50,000 to Rs. 3,00,000. A new category of Very Senior Citizens, 80 years and above, has been created who will be eligible for a higher exemption limit of Rs. 5,00,000. Senior citizen above the age of 80 years are entitled to higher exemption Limit of Rs. 5,00,000 from A.Y. 2012-13. 2. Reverse mortgage for senior citizens 3. Tax benefits on medical insurance hiked
A senior citizen can avail of higher of higher deduction of Rs 20,000 u/s Section 80D and the same limit is been further increased to Rs. 30,000/- from A.Y. 2016-17.
4. Tax benefit in respect of Expense on medical expenditure in respect of a very senior citizen
With effect from A.Y. 2016-17 Any payment made on account of medical expenditure in respect of a very senior citizen, if no payment has been made to keep in force an insurance on the health of such person, as does not exceed thirty thousand rupees shall be allowed as deduction under section 80D. Section 80D- Hike in Deduction Limit for Mediclaim 5. Higher Deduction u/s 80DDB for Senior Citizens and Super Senior Citizens
Section 80DDB provides deduction to an assessee in case of expense on medical treatment of specified ailments. Generally this deduction is available upto Rs 40,000 . However , if the patient is a senior citizen, then deduction of Rs 60,000 is allowable.
From A.Y. 2016-17 higher limit of deduction of upto eighty thousand rupees is allowable, for the expenditure incurred in respect of the medical treatment of a "very senior citizen". A "very senior citizen" is proposed to be defined as an individual resident in India who is of the age of eighty years or more at any time during the relevant previous year. Section 80DDB– Limit raised & waived condition of certificate 6. No Routine Income Tax Scrutiny of Senior Citizens -Appreciating the concern of these taxpayers and with a view to mitigate their hardships, Central Board of Direct Taxes has reviewed its scrutiny selection procedure. In order to redress the grievance, it has been decided that during the financial year 2011-12, cases of senior citizens and small taxpayers, filing income-tax returns in ITR-1 and ITR-2 will be subjected to scrutiny only where the Income Tax department is in possession of credible information. Senior citizens for this purpose would be individual taxpayers who are 60 years of age or more. 7. Senior Citizens not having Business Income Exempt From Advance tax payment :- From Financial year 2012-13 resident senior citizen, not having any income chargeable under the head "Profits and gains of business or profession", shall not be liable to pay advance tax and such senior citizen shall be allowed to discharge his tax liability (other than TDS) by payment of self assessment tax. 8. Senior citizens receive a higher interest (up to 50 bps) on a 5-year fixed deposit, which is eligible for deduction from the total income under Section 80C.
9. Senior citizens can claim exemption on the tax deducted at source (TDS) on interest income earned on deposits. It can be done by submitting Form 15H under Section 197 of the IT Act.
- See more at: http://taxguru.in/income-tax/what-are-the-tax-benefits-available-to-senior-citizens.html#sthash.auOIt4td.dpuf
---RKSahni Blog
COLLECTIONS : R.B.KISHORE, VP,AIRIEF : 1/5/2015
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