Should we depend on upgradation in Banks

OUR OWN EFFORTS,NOT BANKS' PENSION DEVELOPMENTS CAN GET US  UPGRADATION 

I refer to the post of Mr GNS.

From the feedback that I get from the Bank Pensioners' circle,hopes are not that high on upgradation of pension notwithstanding euphoric WhatsApp messages being circulated.They are however hopeful of getting increase in family pension as it is already agreed to in the 11^th BPS.

I feel that any benefit that flows to Bank pensioners on account of the recently  reported developments may not ipso facto  lead to  corresponding benefits to LIC Pensioners.There is a basic difference in the mechanisms in the manner negotiated  benefits  are secured by   employees( including pensioners) both in Banks & LIC.In case of Banks there are settlements in the nature of contractual agreements.In case of LIC,all Rules are framed under Sec 48 of LIC Act 1956 although there is so called information sharing with the unions.In case of LIC employees  ,they are statutory rules and have to be tested on conforming to constitutional provisions.We have made out a case that Articles 14 & 21 of the Constitution have been violated by the LIC Pension Rules 1995 as they exist today & Supreme Court has to adjudicate on the disputed issues.

It involves less cost of upgradation for LIC employees( including pensioners) than for the employees of the Public sector Banks.While the employees & pensioners add up to about 1,60,000 in LIC ,it is about 6.60 lacs pensioners  in Public Sector Banks including SBI  as at 31/3/2018  and the number of serving employees eligible for pension is not known to me.So the outlay for upgradation for pension for Bank pensioners will be more than 11 times  that required for LIC Pensioners.

It is much easier for LIC to grant upgradation for LIC employees than for IBA for Bank employees.And also in the scheme of upgradation,the outlay required for serving employees will be three times that will be required for pensioners (including arrears).(I have estimated this based on LIC's estimate submitted to DHC in 2017).

So if we think that we will get upgradation of pension once the Bank pensioners get upgradation of pension,we may be right because the quantum of liability in case of LIC employees may pale into insignificance.But how long can we wait considering the huge additional  liability and required outlay for Banks?  My interactions with some Bank pensioners indicate that that they are not very hopeful of pension upgradation.We must be happy if they get it as it will strengthen our ground for   raising similar demand as our numbers are relatively less.

We have no other alternative except  to get upgradation of pension on the merits of  our own case  by winning our case in the Supreme Court although it is a tough fight.Let us not be under any other illusion.

C H Mahadevan