*Activities of ARIEF, for resolution of Pension related issues**

*Activities of ARIEF, for resolution of Pension related issues** 

Now and then, someone or other raises the issue, as to what the ARIEF is doing to resolve the pension related issues. One or two individuals go to the extent of accusing the ARIEF of total inaction. This post is not addressed to those great individuals because they are not interested in knowing about the happenings but are attention seekers. This is meant to inform our those  brothers (and sisters) who are categorised as "common people" and are genuinely curious to know about the actions, activities and deeds. They might have not come across periodical communications issued by the ARIEF, with the expectation that the information contained therein shall reach to all the members. Why it is not reaching to them is not a matter of discussion. I fervently hope that those who are privy to the information received from the ARIEF will try to pass it on to all the concerned.

Coming to the activities in this behalf I seek your permission to go back to few years 

Litigation for pension updation had begun in the year 2007 in a HC. After the case was decided in favour of pensioners, the LIC Management and GOI (on behest of the later) went in appeal against the judgement of the HC. After understanding the course of litigation the and implications on Pensioners as a class, the ARIEF, which hitherto helped, supported unconditionally and financed liberally the litigation, had decided to be impleading party. The reason for this action was to enable all the Pensioners to be benefited from the favourable outcome of the case, be it interim or final and also to take control of the litigation process. Collective wisdom combined with selfless dedication of group of individuals, had become and acting as taak force to steer the case in Hon'ble SC. Immediate gain of this activity is the payment as per orders of Hon'ble DHC and  IR to pre 1997 retirees, amounting to more than 52 crores of Rupees. Readers please note that Bank Pensioners could not get even a Paisa through the Court in ther DR case.

Besides legal battle, the AIRIEF leadership thought that process of dialogue with the LIC management and GOI is also essential, and has started the process. In December 2018 after considerable gap our delegation met the then DP. Pension related issues alongwith other various issues were discussed at length. Various pension related issues are, besides pension updation include  family pension at the uniform rate of 30%, full  pension for 7 years in case pensioner dies before attaining age of 67 years, pension calculation on the last wages drawn if the same is favourable to the pensioner, and additional pension after attaining age of 80 years. Let me remind all the readers  that the ARIEF was first Pensioners' Organisation to recognise these issues and has started dialogue

on them with the management.

Besides, taking up these issues, functionaries of the ARIEF tried to spread awareness amongst the senior officers of the LIC and made them realise the importance of these issues not only for present pensioners but  also for the future pensioners as well. Some of you might be surprised to know that many in service senior officers were not aware of the faulty rules causing hardships to the pensioners. The Management can play pivotal role in resolution of pensioner related issues. Those who watched the process of last wage revision of LIC employees, can comprehend this reality very well. Views of senior officers play very important role in deciding the stand of management.

It was also considered necessary to constitute a joint front and a delegation comprised of representatives of AIRIEF and that of Retired. Cl 1 Federation, in  July 2019 met the Chairman and apprised him of our various issues along with pension related issues. He promised to look into matters.

The AIRIEF did not limit its activities to the dialogue with the Management only. To intensify the activities for  achieving  these objectives it was decided that OBs of local  RIEA units will contact  MPs of their respective area and would submit a memorandum of our demands. This campaign was successfully carried out by various units of AIRIEF. 

Our delegation also met the then MOS for Finance Mr. Anurag Thakur and put up our demands. He assured to look in the  issues. 

On another occasion our representatives along with a BJP MP from Vadodara met the Finance Minister, who also assured our delegation to look in to the matter. This meeting was arranged by Mr. AV Tyagi through a retired Development officer from Vadodra. The FM was later on reminded through Mr. Patel, an Union Minister. During her visit to Madurai some time back OBs of RIEA Madurai submitted  memorandum of  demands. 

 

During this period (somewhere in Feb. 2921) Mr AV Tyagi sought and got appointment with the Jt. Secty. DFS. In this meeting our delegation got patient hearing from officials. It will not be out of place to mention here that this was  for the first time LIC Pensioners were heard by officials of DFS.

I think when the Finance Minister and MOS for finance is informed about  some issue, they might be apprising the PM about such issues. This off course is my presumption. However, very recently we got a link to send a direct communication to the Hon,ble PM, through Mr.Tyagi. Availing the opportunity we have submitted a memorandum to the PM with the hope that our matter will be taken up soon.

Back to the Court case,  I wish to share with readers the fact that most of co-litigants have agreed that the counsel of AIRIEF will open the arguments before the bench as and when the case come for hearing.

I hope readers who were genuinely unaware of these facts will appreciate that the AIRIEF is not a silent spectator in the matter but leads action from the front Those who are aware of these developments and activities and say nothing  is being done, either do not understand complexities of such issues or they being Honourable Gentlemen, have their own motives to say so. Many a times noise noise is made to seek attention. God bless them.

Once again I request all respected members to pass on information received through circulars of AIRIEF or other means about the actions and  activites ( and not wrongly presumed inaction of some Honourables) amongst all our members who may be unaware of happenings.

Thanks and regards.

VS Sikarwar.