AIRIEFcircular no 10

12. LEGAL FUND:  The Meeting of OB and LC members held at Delhi on 02-05-2016 decided to accept the recommendations as follows:
If the 40 % of the Arrears is Rs 30,000 the pensioner can pay –-- Rs.   5000
If the 40 % of the Arrears is Rs 50,000 the pensioner can pay –-- Rs. 10000
If the 40 % of the Arrears is Rs 80,000 the pensioner can pay –---Rs. 15000
If the 40 % of the Arrears is Rs 100,000 the pensioner can pay ---Rs. 20000
If the 40 % of the Arrears is Rs 140,000 the pensioner can pay ---Rs. 30000

ALL INDIA RETIRED INSURANCE EMPLOYEES’ FEDERATION          (Registration No. 500)                                                                     # 212, Jeevan Kendra Layout, Cambridge Road, Halasuru, Bengaluru 560 008
PRESIDENT: S S Saxena A 303, Shalimar Regency, G-2, Gulmohar colony, Bhopal 462 039 0 982 605 9506 / 0755-272 5469 anandprs@yahoo.co.in	GENERAL SECRETARY: G. Krishna Swamy # 212, ‘Rohini’, Jeevan Kendra Lyt,  Cambridge Road, Halasuru, Bengaluru 560 008 0-98867 97756 / 080-2530 1437 embargk@gmail.com		ORGANISING SECRETARY B. Angurajan 1/16, Income Tax Colony, 4th Street, Vilangudi, Madurai 625 018 0 944 338 1571 ambigaangurajan@yahoo.co.in	ORGANISING SECRETARY Arun Kant Shukla 5, Pipe Factory Road, Post Shanthi Nagar, Raipur 495 001 0-942 520 8198 shukla.arunkant@gmail.com	TREASURER: Jayaprakash V                          No. 130, 3rd ‘B’ Cross,   7th Block, 2nd Stage, Nagarabhavi,  Bangalore- 560 072 080-2358 5321, 0-98869 53421   jp17121952@gmail.com
VICE PRESIDENTS:   R.B. Kishore, Chennai            044 2815 5810 / 0 98403 40591   Pulkit Dube, Jabalpur          0761-262 3284 / 0 94247 55422    G.T. Parikh , Ahmedabad          079-2660 7612 / 0 94296 04829     K M L Asthana, Jaipur          0141-2299 575 / 0 98285 38725     S S  Verma, Aligarh           0-962 784 9321     A. Balasubramanya,   Bengaluru          080-2322 0515 / 0 98860 27581     Anil Deb,   Asansol          0341-225 1204 / 0 78726 91455     Chayan Singh ,  Jamshedpur          0657-234 8270 / 0 97091 05245 EDITOR – VARISHTA VAANI: SS          Smt. G.Subbalakshmi                      040-2374 0250 / 0 94910 67228   subbalakshmi18@yahoo.com                DY GEN SECRETARIES:       DD Gupta - New Delhi            011-2786 5332 / 0 98998 15234       Ivan Rodrigues - Mumbai              0 975 708 5303              JOINT SECRETARIES:       Ram Krishna De – Kolkota             0 84209 64778 / 033 2497 2356                  R C Bhatt - Udaipur                       0 941454 6798  / 0294 248 6798              Pramod Bhatnagar, Bhopal                      0 942 560 7286 /0755- 277 1076       B P Buch , Rajkot                     0 281-247 2631 / 0 98240 64779 co               N Rajagopal, Hyderabad                     0 994 853 9567 / 040 2353 4249               B S Verma, Meerut                     0 935 990 5405            KKC Panickar, Tiruvananthapuram                     0 944 779 1874 / 04712541074                       P K Sharma,   Muzaffarpur                   0 993 444 8963 / 0621 2278703                      HQ JOINT SECRETARY    T V David John             0-99808 62668		To ALL Presidents, Secretaries of ALL RIEAs Circular No. 10/ 2015-2016                                                                                      Bengaluru                                                                                                                                     May 07, 2016 Dear Friends, 01. JUDGEMENT 31-03-2016 : We have received and are still receiving many analyses of the SC Judgement. We thought it right to take collective decision from the wisdom of Office Bearers and Members of the Legal Committee. Hence a meeting was hurriedly convened at Delhi on 2nd May 2016.Though the notice given was short, the O Bs and LC Members made it possible to attend the meeting and give their valued inputs and suggestions. We have compiled all these and as per the decision of the Meeting, we had a discussion with our Senior Counsel, Shri Nidhesh Gupta about the course of action to be followed to achieve our objectives in the time frame given by Supreme Court. 02. THE DECISIONS OF THE OB / LC MEETING ARE: ·         A core committee was formed to discuss with the COUNSELS and to follow up. ·         All the Divisional Associations  to remit the affiliation fee – outstanding for 2013-2014 and 2014-2015 and for the current year 2015-2016 (as on March 31, 2016) BEFORE 31ST MAY 2016 ·         Legal fund contributions – AS PER DETAILS ON PAGE 4 from each Divisional Association to be deposited. – Advices will have to be given (to the General Secretary) by S M S or EMAIL immediately after deposit is made in AIRIEF’s Bank account so that the Receipts can be drawn correctly. ·         After the 40 % of the IR is received by the pre 1997 retirees, they are requested to liberally contribute to the LEGAL FUND. ·         The contribution from each Divisional Association will be necessary to meet the  huge legal expenses in the coming months till we achieve our goal. 03. WHO ARE AFFECTED: While Pre-1997 pensioners are worst affected due to DR anomaly and pension disparity, the post 1997 pensioners are also affected due to non-parity of basic pension after 2002, 2007 and 2012 wage revisions and possibly after every 5 years thereafter. We have implored upon the LIC management to (i) honour the judgement of the Supreme Court in letter and spirit, and, (ii) to give the calculation sheets to every payee including the FAMILY PENSIONERS.

04. SOME OTHER IMPORTANT ISSUES: (i) We have another anomaly of 1992 wage revision to class I and class II cadres. The Court has decided favourably (M C Jain Case) but the L I C has to implement the same with devotion which is missing. In addition to the twin objective of DR parity and Basic Pension up-gradation to be achieved, we have to pursue this case also.  (ii) There is yet another case (Asgar Ali Amin’s case) where the Court has given the favourable decision to an old retiree who appealed to the Supreme Court after a lapse of several years. (iii) The qualifying service for full pension should be 20 years (not 33 years) where the pensioner could not complete 33 years’ service due to conditions of employment. (iv) The family pension should be 30 % of the last drawn basic pay.

05. POST AUGUST 2012 PENSIONERS: We have demanded the CO to issue instructions to all the Zonal Offices to revise the Pension and Commutation Value of the post 2012 retirees. We have been following this and today (7^th May) we are told that the instructions will flow in a couple of days (coming week). IT IS UNFORTUNATE THAT THE L I C IS TREATING THE PENSIONERS as second class citizens.  This has happened for payment of arrears arising out of wage revision 2012. We cannot allow this to continue any more. If required, we may resort to organisational action to protest the dilatory tactic of LIC Management. 

06. DELHI HIGH COURT:  “As per direction of Hon SC Bench vide their order of 31.3.2016, the Special Bench is constituted by Delhi HC to hear our pension cases. Judges of the Special Bench are Justice Sanjiv Khanna & Justice Nazmi Waziri. Our case was presented before the Special Bench today (6-5-16) in court no.6 at item nos. 4, 21 & 22. The Bench has allowed 2 weeks’ time to submit the revised petitions and affidavits etc. After submission of the revised petitions etc. the respondents will submit the returns/counter affidavits. Next date of hearing is fixed as 12th Jul 2016. Shri R K Singh, who is number 2 in Shri Nidhesh Gupta’s team, was present in Delhi HC on our behalf. Shri KML Asthana and AIRIEF are on the job of finalizing the revised petitions and affidavits and shall submit the same much before the time allowed.” – reports Shri M P Agnihotri, Member, Legal Committee of AIRIEF.

07. ORGANISATION: It is time to consolidate our organisation so that every pensioner joins hands to pressurise LIC Management to resolve the long pending issues of the pensioners enabling them to lead a life with dignity and respect and with economic independence. We request YOU ALL to approach the Pensioners who are still to join us (Divisional Associations) as members (i) to contribute liberally to our LEGAL FUND and (ii) to join our organisation so that their membership will increase our strength.

08. TWENTIETH COMMEMORATIVE 10^TH BIENNIAL GENERAL COUNCIL MEETING: The subject was initiated at the OB / EC meeting at Bhopal on November 1-2, 2015. The minimum time required to arrange and organise such a meeting is about 4 to 5 months. Notice of 4 months will have to be given so that TRAVEL arrangements can be made. The other aspects of the meeting will be SOUVENIR (advertisements, coupons, donations etc), Venue of the meeting, lodging arrangements for the participants, catering arrangements, transport arrangement, medical facility, etc. All these will involve time and Money. Money can be raised by ADVERTISEMENTS, DELEGATES FEE, OBSERVERS FEE, COUPONS, DONATIONS, ETC. Budget has to be prepared and achieving the budgetary expectation is an important activity. Involving volunteers is another major consideration. WE REQUEST THE DIVISIONAL ASSOCIATIONS TO DEVOTE TIME TO DECIDE THE DATES IN CONSULATION WITH THE ACTIVISTS LOCALLY AND WITH THE OFFICE BERARERS OF A I R I E F.

09. ZONAL COUNCIL MEETINGS: In the OB meeting of Raipur we had advised all the Zonal units to conduct the zonal council meetings before the OB / EC meeting (1-2,-11- 2015). Only Western Zone (9-6-2015) and Central Zone (12-9-2015) have conducted the meetings. The other Zonal Councils may approach the office bearers of AIRIEF for any assistance in this regard.

10. PRESIDENT’S MESSAGES: Our President, Shri S S Saxena ji has requested all the Divisional Associations to follow (some of)  the guidelines as enumerated below:

·         Communication: Every Association should make use of EMAIL facility to communicate to the President and /or the General Secretary. It is cheaper and quicker.

·         Organisational Tours – to be undertaken by Office bearers of AIRIEF with prior sanction by President.

·         Effective groups to be formed at MUMBAI and DELHI to follow up with the Central Office and Courts.

·         The Negotiating committee should do homework and advise the President and /or the General Secretary of the steps to be taken

·         All Affiliated Associations to conduct their Annual General Meetings within 4 months of closing of the accounts and send the Accounts to A I R I E F along with the Report and newly elected Office bearers

·         All affiliated associations to send the “AFFILIATION FEE” (name changed from MEMBERSHIP LEVY from 1^st November 2015) before the end of April every year (for the number of members as on 31^st march that year).

·         Project 100:  L I C has 115 Divisional Offices, at some places, more than ONE, like Bengaluru, Chennai, Jaipur, Mumbai, Pune, Kolkata, Delhi, Patna, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, etc. We should establish our affiliated associations at all these places.

·         The name of the member who is selected as a member of the AIRIEF Executive Committee and his details should be given to the President and General Secretary of AIRIEF, immediately after the AGM.

11. MEDICLAIM SCHEME: We have talked to Central Office and followed it up with EMAILS and letters on some of the points – (i) Policy copy incorporating the terms and conditions for 2016-2017 to be given to us for reference. (ii) PET / MRI scanning to be included for claiming reimbursements. (iii) Advice from the TPA to be given to the insured about rejection of some expenses in the bill. (iv)Laminated ID cards to be issued to all the Pensioners / Family Pensioners. (v) List of hospitals to be given in the form of a booklet as is given to some pensioners in some places. (vi) The Premium for the year 2016-2017 is too high without cogent reasons for such increase. The General Secretary is taking up this issue with the Central Office.

12. VARISTHA VAANI: (i) The O B / L C meeting at Delhi has decided to collect only LIFE SUBSCRIPTION (Rs. 750/-) with immediate effect. The subscriptions for one / two years will NOT be renewed hereafter. (ii) Articles for publication are invited from anyone and the same should be sent to President / General Secretary for being forwarded to the Editorial Board.

13. RESOLUTIONS PASSED IN OB / LC MEETING:

1. In the light of the discussions held today, 2^nd May 2016, in the Office Bearers’ and Legal Committee members’ meeting, following the preliminary informal meeting held yesterday, 1^st May 2016, in SAI DHAM, August Kranti Marg, Haus Khas, New Delhi, and in the back-ground of the views expressed by many it is resolved to form a CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE consisting of the PRESIDENT, the GENERAL SECRETARY (of AIRIEF), Shri KML ASTHANA and one more from the LEGAL COMMITTEE, as per the demands of the situation. The consultative committee is authorised to discuss the points and views expressed by the members present and participating in this meeting with the Senior and other Advocates.

The consultative committee is hereby authorised to meet the Advocates today evening, after the meeting is over and decide the course of action to be taken.

2. In the light of the discussions held today, 2^nd May 2016, in the Office Bearers’ and Legal Committee members’ meeting, following the preliminary informal meeting held yesterday, 1^st May 2016, in SAI DHAM, August Kranti Marg, Haus Khas, New Delhi, it is told that some people belonging to AIRIEF are indulging in writing in Blogs and mails using abusive and / or defaming language against the AIRIEF and its leadership. This has created confusion in the minds of common members of the Federation. Such publication is tantamount to indiscipline and such indulgence by such people opposed to the policies, decisions of the AIRIEF are belittling the wisdom of the leaders of the AIRIEF and this may be treated as exploitation of the emotions of common members of the AIRIEF.

This meeting therefore resolves to advise them to refrain from such activities. If repetition is noticed, or is persistent, AIRIEF would be constrained to take such action as would become necessary to maintain discipline to run the organisation smoothly for the common good of ALL THE PENSIONERS.

12. LEGAL FUND:  The Meeting of OB and LC members held at Delhi on 02-05-2016 decided to accept the recommendations as follows:

If the 40 % of the Arrears is Rs 30,000 the pensioner can pay –-- Rs.   5000

If the 40 % of the Arrears is Rs 50,000 the pensioner can pay –-- Rs. 10000
If the 40 % of the Arrears is Rs 80,000 the pensioner can pay –---Rs. 15000

If the 40 % of the Arrears is Rs 100,000 the pensioner can pay ---Rs. 20000  
If the 40 % of the Arrears is Rs 140,000 the pensioner can pay ---Rs. 30000

THE OFFICE BEARERS AND EC MEMBERS OF THE DIVISIONAL ASSOCIATIONS WILL HAVE TO GO ROUND THEIR AREA AND COLLECT PERSONALLY, as the opportunity is to repose FAITH in AIRIEF. If collections are very good & substantial, AIRIEF can reserve for future Litigations --Family Pension woefully low, qualifying service, pension based on last drawn pay (not 10 months’ average), etc.

With greetings to all in anticipation of a grand success in our legal struggle,

Yours Sincerely,

G Krishna Swamy, 

General Secretary,   AIRIEF,

If I am faithful to the duties of the present, GOD will provide for the future. -            Bedell

The art of life is a constant re-adjustment to our surroundings. –                Kakuzo Okakaura