PENSIONERS SINCERE & SERIOUS APPEAL TO CHAIRMAN TO RESOLVE & SETTLE OUR DEMANDS

Respected & Worthy Chairman Sri M.R.Kumar,

      PENSIONERS SINCERE & SERIOUS APPEAL TO CHAIRMAN TO RESOLVE & SETTLE OUR DEMANDS

 

     1) At the outset, please accept our hearty congratulations on the timely extension of your noble tenure ,as Apex Head ,Chairman of this great & magnanimous Institution LIC,as a former Finance Minister ,aptly observed ," there is no better 3-letter word than this  LIC ". Sir, Employees & Pensioners are like Heads & Tails of the same coin. The strong & sound edifice for LIC was built by the sweat & toil of Retired Employees, Pensioners,whom successive Chairman ,rightly termed as FOUNDERS of this Goliath of a Financial & Service Institution ,Rock of Gibralter,characterised by  resounding Financial Solvency & Stability.

        2)We pour our hearts to you,in adulation,for the tremendous care & concern you exhibited ,during the times of unmitigated adversity Country was facing in tackling Covid19 wave spread to our countrymen & our own Brothers & Sisters of LIC,who fell victims to this deadly virus infection .We must admire & appreciate  the courage you exhibited & the single-minded pursuit of maximisation of Salary components with allowances,to enhance  the ultimate benefits accruing to all Employees,who bore the brunt of delay & the thoughtful strategy adopted to scale New Heights of Policies & Premium Income ,still after 22 years of fierce Competition by 23 private Insurance companies,retaining the Appellation  ' MARKET LEADER' ,provoking Hon Finance Minister Smt Nirmala Sitaraman to comment ,even for March 2020 year end stellar performance & now also by March 2021 ,gliterring,lustrous display both in Policies & Premium Income.Hats off to you.

     3) When we compared the relative position of wage accord from earlier 5 year wage  period, we found for the earliest few,the LIC salary structure & the Bank salary range was almost same, but last few 1/8/2007 -31/7/2012,onwards LIC position was favourable exceeding Bank pattern & 1/8/2012-31/7/2017 ,difference swelled,LIC overtook fast, & latest 1/8/2017--31/7/2022,LIC settlement was a thumping one beating Banks hollow.  No wonder, you profitably utilised your negotiating ,suave  but forceful skills to reap handsome benefits to all Employees,claimed to be one of the best-ever bonanza ,with built-in Special Allowances,to reward them for the reputation entire Class1,2,3 & 4 enjoined under your able stewardship. Pensioners appreciate the noble & honorable Scales of Pay & other allowances, we never envy but feel let down when such Alternatives in Packages are readily offerred & included & certainly appreciated by Employees , no such event has happened for Pensioners . Pensioners have not received any arrears in the real sense & even that minuscule , mutilated DR given by Delhi HC Hon Justice Khanna for pre 8/1997 Pensioners,that was later deducted from IR paid.

 We made a forceful Plea to restore IR arrears of SC Orders deducted from DHC Orders.

  Extracts from DELHI  HIGH COURT (DHC) JUDGEMENT & ORDERS dt 27/4/2017

1)PARA 108. We would also clarify that  payment made in terms of interim directions

issued by the Supreme Court would not be refunded or returned to the

Corporation. We have issued the said direction as the amount paid is

not substantial for the Corporation, whereas asking the retired

employees/pensioners to refund the amount would put them in a grave

financial difficulty.

 Turn the pages of history Sir,Gratuity case, Gratuity arrears for Class I retired 1/4/93-31/7/94 with SI 10% on the basis of historic  SCourt verdict 12/2/08 & CO Circular 19/3/08.

   Gratuity difference after fitment to Officers who retired between 1/8/92-31/3/93 ,which was omitted ,& as a  result of the Writ Petition filed before the Hon High Court of Haryana & Punjab at Chandigarh,verdict on 4/7/08,soon followed by LIC CO Circular dt 19/9/08 .Chairman ordered interest for delayed payment .

4)Pensioners for long yrs 35 & more have done yeoman service  & built Foundation, erected fine Superstructure, ably galvanized  with Reorganisation in the 80s ,made the  INSTITUTION  bear  INTENSE COMPETITION  with  CONFIDENCE & COURAGE, such a Paltry pension, continuing loss in pension because of anamolies & pre-8/97 pensioners monstrous loss in DR too significant, must be resolved, now atleast, with a principled stand  of pension upgradation to remove discrimination &  such serious anamolies  7/8 cadres below cadres getting more than superiors.

               5)It is sad that Pensioners languish in the SAME BASIC PENSION,same as that of 1/11/1993,in 4th Pay Commission mode.Retirement Benefits were  abominably poor,nothing to save,let alone invest .Perks Nil .Happy that for Employees .Gratuity raised from Rs 10-20 lacs  Poor Pensioners cant even dream. In fact Domiciliary Cash Medical Benefit  & Preventive Health check up are  more deserving for  Pensioners .I spoke to you,Sir last month,pleaded that SAME CMB  must be offerred ,at specified rates for Employees Class I,2,3 & 4. As per Retirements for last few years & adopting % of retirements for various Class,at current rates of  Class 3 & 4,Rs9800,Class 2 Rs12,300 & Class 1 upto BP Rs99,000,Rs19,400 & BP above Rs 99,000,CMB Rs29,400 .Outlay comes to Rs 91.50 crores only.This Chairman must gladly approve with his own powers ,as all know the sizeable amounts spent for Pensioner & Spouse throughout the year & many unexpected & shocking expenditure due to Covid 19 precautions etc,throwing the family out of gear ,In fact,RBI is constituting Covid Relief Fund,outside the ambit of regular Group Mediclaim. As you are fully aware of our problems, genuine & modest as they are,we request you to step in  & resolve magnanimously.

             6)As considerable time has already passed,we earnestly appeal to youto fructify  the 2 LIC Board Resolutions of July 2019 & Oct 2019 offering solution to long pending removal of Anamoly on promotion falling in between Earlier & Present wage accord & he can choose Last drawn Basic Pay or Average of 10 months Last drawn Basic Pay , whichever is higher, & Oct 2019 Resolution amending truncated reduction for Family Pension & to fix at 30 percent of Basic Pay

        7) TRUST SHALL NOT BE BETRAYED"

(7th Central Pay Commission has quoted in para – 1.29 of " Foreword )" ,

a)the following observations of the Supreme Court in the case of Bhupendranath Hazarika and another Vs State of Assam and others (reported in 2013 (2) Sec 516).

"It should always be borne in mind that legitimate aspirations of the employees are not guillotined and a situation is not created where hopes end in despair………. A sense of calm sensibility and concerned sincerity should be reflected in every step. An atmosphere of trust has to prevail and when the employees are absolutely sure that their trust shall not be betrayed and they shall be treated with dignified fairness ; then only the concept of good governance can be concretized. We say no more."

b) Hon Justice Dipak Misra & Hon Sapre thundered, on 1/7/2015  in WP 11239/2015   " The question is whether inherent, apparent, or latent discrimination is permissible. in our view, the short answer is that, it cannot ever be permissible '  . -------The principle of law, as decided by the Hon Apex Court  ,is plain & simple; that a Senior Officer cannot get pension less than his Junior. If that be ,the effect of pay fixation then the pension would have to be stepped up to  avoid such hostile discrimination. so said Hon Dipak Misra & Hon Sapre in the case of Rajasthan Govt Teachers & University staff.

     8)There is  a turn of the tide & open Empathetic speech of Hon FM by Dec 2020 end with IBA clearly articulated that Pensioners should  also be considered for solution to their pending grievances, Family Pensioners & Older Pensioners getting paltry pension can be fitted in present pay scales for respective cadres . 

Is it not necessary to encash on this opening & opportunity & give a Concentrated boost , Delhi meeting with DFS & FM as a final thrust & as Higher offer was secured for Employees much more than corresponding scales for Bankmen, this also can be clicked as the iron is hot & now positive 

More so Sir with LIC IPO anytime to come , many changes can be in the offing .

Magnanimity demands that FM keeps up her word as she indeed assured in a later meeting with 2 Fedns

9) As Hon FM has given an open hint of essence of Pension Upgradation, why not Sir make a straightforward approach as indeed she is ironwilled, always adheres steadfast to her declarations .

Time is of the essence please, more uncertain times may be in the offing & change in patterns of Top Management setup &staffing Govt may consider & we should not be left in the lurch .

A Service & Financial Institution of the stature of LIC , a milchcow to Govt , of indisputable financial strength & stability , must not allow any segment & especially Pensioners rightly termed by worthy Chairmen & Top Mgt as Founders  anymore in the lurch & hasten approvals fast.in the larger interests of Pensioners & their families welfare & progress.18,500 Pensioners have died & are dying fast,due to Covid.Honestly,pensioners are frustrated, deeply hurt,& the Positive & Empathetic utterances,SIR, even today 30 June 2021 meeting by AIBRFedn,where even though the Delegation raised Family Pension at 30% of BASIC PAY & some improvements for exgratia retirees.  But,Hon FM replied that they had discussions,they will announce solutions.She, of her own added that even Pension revision, they want to complete & announce decision soon.

     10)As this Sector,which is the Kingpin,has been relegated,the Real Drivers & Accelerators of the Economy & Nation,without any qualms of conscience by MOF/UOI for  years & years ,with all humility & modesty,we appeal to you from the bottom of our hearts, to break the jinx & contribute to the grand Finale, so deserved ,the Founders of LIC who put heart & soul into their jobs creating ,in that process of tough times, then too,an Economic TajMahal.When we find even loss making Institutions like BSNL,MTNL are granted Pension Upgradation, apart from PU raining everywhere.          Statistics and records prove beyond doubt that LIC has been developing by leaps and bounds and is known as a trans-nationally competitive financial conglomerate of significance to societies.  LIC's presence is worldwide. LIC is a trusted brand.

  11)SIR, Employees/Pensioners were not rewarded for the Landmark Diamond Jubilee Anniversary of our Cotporation.We vividly remember on 1/9/2010,LIC granted Meals Coupon to all Emplotees & ever since then ,some stepup improvements were effected.

WHY NOT,again as Elders,Sr Citizens, & Super Sr Citizens, we Pensioners are benevolently & graciously granted age-related, value-added Increase in basic Pension at ages 80,85,90,95 & 100 with 20 %, 30,40,50 & 100 % respectively  .That shall be a soothing ANNOUNCEMENT .

We Pensioners FRATERNITY will certainly consider as a Boon, though numbers will be few.

That Day shall be a Salutation Day of complete Solidarity of Employees / Pensioners with LIC in a joint march & gallop forward:We are Indians 1st & Indians last.We are LICians 1st & LICians last.We are Pensioners 1st & Pensioners last, in that order,Mr Chairman

 It shall be our great pleasure to hear positive & favourable news from you & Yogakshema, "Thy Welfare is our Responsibility "                                                                            

Yours sincerely,Greetings & with warmest regards,

 

R.B.KISHORE,

ED(Retd),  30/6/2021

PATRON, AIRIEF

 

 

 

 

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