PENSIONERS' VOICE & SOUND TRACK Editor: R K Sahni
A FORUM FOR LIC PENSIONERS
Tuesday, 21 April 2026
Derailment of our cases in SC and further course of action
Respected Shri Sahni Sahab,
Derailment of our cases in SC and further course of action
Abrupt stopping of hearings of our cases in the Supreme Court has extremely disappointed us. As per the record of proceedings dated 3/12/2025, our cases were to be listed on 4/2/2026 on top of the board. After the winter vacation in SC, the bench hearing our cases was changed. Despite emphatic requests by our Sr Advocates on 10/2/2026 and 17/03/2026 for listing and deciding our cases at the earliest (and also as per the apparent intent of the bench seen in earlier hearings), our cases are not finding place in the cause list. It is surprising that the cases which were listed on top priority till 3/12/2025, now, not only have lost priority but even the place in the cause lists.
There may be enormous justifications for delay, but our grief is turning into an ever-increasing living loss with the passage of time.
Petitioners Associations/activists must be making efforts to overcome the impasse. In the meantime, they may also consider course correction and improvements in the arguments made by their advocates, wherever necessary.
As known, on 21rst Aug 2025 and thereafter on 8th and 9th Oct 2025, two Sr. Advocates completed their arguments and another Sr. Advocate covered partly. Most of the submissions of our Sr Advocates were apt, convincing and proving our claims substantially. However, some of the points, though apparently plausible on the surface, were actually incomplete, contradictory and inaccurate. Several alert members pointed out these inaccuracies/inconsistencies. Obviously, the petitioner associations/activists have also noted the specious contents submitted by their Sr Advocates.
As per the daily order dated 12/11/2025 of the SC, the written submissions filed by the Sr Advocates were returned for resubmission after renumbering them as per the pages of revised common convenience compilation. Revised common convenience compilation is already submitted. But, as no hearing has taken place thereafter, the individual submissions are yet to be submitted. So, the Sr Advocates are having the opportunity to make due amendments in their written submission, wherever require. (The court asks for brief note on the arguments to be pleaded by the advocates which is referred as ‘written submission’)
Apart from above, another important aspect is clarity of our prayer for relief claimed. All the petitioners have pleaded the Board Resolution dated 24th Nov. 2001 and Rule 56 of the LIC Pension Rules, in addition to other grounds, in support of pension revision. Board Resolution dated 24/11/2001 provides for pension updation by merging the DR in the Basic Pension and then applying the latest rate of DR on such updated pension (in the minutes of 492nd meeting of LIC Board held on 24/11/2001, at item no. (9) pension upgradation is proposed by giving weightage of 11.25% as in the case of in-service employees, but in the note the methodology described in para 4 (a) and (b) does not provide any weightage. IR paid as per SC order dated 31/3/2016 was also without any weightage). Rule 56 states that matters relating to pension and other benefits in respect of which no express provision has been made in LIC Pension Rules shall be governed by the corresponding provisions contained in the CCS Pension Rules. For CCS pensioners, the benefit of pension revision is given as per the methodology recommended by CPC and approved by the Central Government, which is different for different CPC periods and also different from what was proposed in the LIC Board Resolution. On this matter also, the petitioner associations/activists have to provide well-reasoned and unambiguous in puts to the Sr Advocates with a view to get unambiguous judgment.
AIRIEF is on the job. The aforesaid issues are discussed in the video-meeting of the legal team on 11/4/2026. Accordingly, they have fixed their meeting with the Sr Advocate on 29/4/2026 to discuss the points stated above and decide further course of action. The revised written submission to be submitted by the Sr Advocate of AIRIEF is already discussed and finalised.
If thought appropriate, the petitioner associations may have a joint meeting before next hearing to ponder over this issue and take suitable steps to ensure that contradictory/inconsistent/inaccurate points, if any, are avoided in the submissions of their advocates.
M P Agnihotri
Monday, 20 April 2026
Breaking: Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma Refuses To Recuse From Hearing Pleas Against Arvind Kejriwal's Discharge, Says Kejriwal Put Judiciary On Trial
Breaking: Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma Refuses To Recuse From Hearing Pleas Against Arvind Kejriwal's Discharge, Says Kejriwal Put Judiciary On Trial https://www.verdictum.in/delhi-high-court/arvind-kejriwal-justice-swarana-kanta-sharma-recusal-plea-1612475
Breaking | 'Politician Can't Be Allowed To Judge Judicial Competence' : Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma Rejects Arvind Kejriwal's Recusal Plea
Breaking | 'Politician Can't Be Allowed To Judge Judicial Competence' : Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma Rejects Arvind Kejriwal's Recusal Plea
Click below:-
https://www.livelaw.in/high-court/delhi-high-court/arvind-kejriwal-justice-swarana-kanta-sharma-rejects-recusal-liquor-policy-case-531038
UNJUSTIFIED and ILLOGICAL DISPARITY in payment of DR/DA between WORKING EMPLOYEES vis a vis RETIRED EMPLOYEES.
(Regn No. 1539/2019 Delhi)
Executive and Correspondence Address: G-11/1, MALVIYA NAGAR , NEW DELHI-110017
MOB NO. 91-9899466615, 8851229803, 7903207172, 9915394750 e-mail: aibr.action.forum@gmail.com
PRESIDENT Harihar Sinha 7903207172 harijee789@gmail.com
Ref No. : AIBRAF/ 459 /26 Date : 16th April, 2026
The Secretary, Department of Financial Services, Government of India, Ministry of Finance, Jeevan Deep Building, Parliament Street, NEW DELHI - 110 001.
Respected Sir,
Sir, we respectfully bring to your kind notice the historic judgment delivered by the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India on 10.04.2026 in Civil Appeal No. 11592–11593 of 2023, for Working Employees and Retired Employees both wherein it has been categorically held that the discrimination in the formulation of Dearness Allowance (DA) and Dearness Relief (DR) between Working Employees and Retired Employees is impermissible under law, as both are equally affected by inflation regardless of whether one is employed by the State, the Centre or in the Private Sector. Hence there should be no discrimination in providing the DA or Dearness Relief. This ruling further ensures that if a specific DA percentage is mandated, it must be provided equally to all eligible Employees and Pensioners removing the variations that existed previously.
The judgment further clarifies that arbitrariness is unethical to equality, and any distinction between Working Employees and Retired Employees is violation of Right to Equality as per Article 14 of the Constitution characterizing previous discriminatory practices as arbitrary. As the DA rates varied across different sectors and Government bodies previously, the Hon’ble Supreme Court has effectively ended this process. Hence a uniform DA rate must be applied ensuring the neither Government bodies nor Private Sectors organisations could stipulate the lower DA rates as compared to the Central Government.
After finding the facts of the above judgement, we the eight lacs Bank Pensioners are very much aggrieved and anguished and have to submit that the undernoted anomalies created during different Bipartite Settlements between IBA - Indian Banks Association and UFBU - United Forum of Bank Unions enumerated here below are causing huge financial losses to the Bank Pensioners in all Public Sector Banks.
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(1)that Merger of 100 percent DR of pre 2002 Pensioners which is also called tapered DA was corrected wef October 2023 for Bank Pensioners after 20 years without arrears which is a substantial loss to all the Retired Employees only due to unlawful resolution passed earlier in 2002.
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(2)DA upto 8088 point of DA was merged In the 12th BPS, the DA of all Working Employees and for those who retired after November, 2022 but it was not allowed for the pre 2022 Retired Employees.
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(3)The benefit of merger of 1616-1684 point of consumer index was given to all Working Employees with arrears wef 1.11.2002 during 8th BPS. But all the Bank Pensioners were denied benefit arrears and were given monetary benefit wef 2.6.2005.
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(4)Furthermore, from November 1st, 2022 for Working Employees and Retired Employees after 12th BPS settlement, another agreement shifted the calculations to new CPI series (2016=100) from old series of CPI series (1960=100) and the new Pay Scales were constructed by merging of 8088 point of DA.
Both the above benefits were not extended to the Retired Employees prior to 1st November, 2022.
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(5)The DR of Bank Pensioners is paid on half yearly basis, but not revised quarterly so far as is being paid in the case of Working Employees on quarterly basis.
Respected Sir, we humbly request your goodself to intervene these issues and direct IBA and Banks to rectify all the above irregularities at the earliest. Now, there is no option to avoid it. We hope that in the interest of Justice and good relationship, corrective measures will be taken up immediately without any loss of time.
Warm Regards
For and on behalf of All India Bank Retirees Action Forum (R)
GENERAL SECRETARY
Sunday, 19 April 2026
PIB::Cabinet approves additional instalment of Dearness Allowance to Central Government employees and Dearness Relief (DR) to pensioners w.e.f. 01.01.2026
Cabinet approves additional instalment of Dearness Allowance to Central Government employees and Dearness Relief (DR) to pensioners w.e.f. 01.01.2026 https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=2253245&RegID=3&LID=1
PIB::प्रधानमंत्री का राष्ट्र के नाम संबोधन का मूल पाठ
प्रधानमंत्री का राष्ट्र के नाम संबोधन का मूल पाठ
https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=2253420&RegID=3&LID=2
अक्षय तृतीया के शुभ अवसर पर आप सभी को हार्दिक बधाई & शुभ कामनाएँ
Saturday, 18 April 2026
Synopsis of LIC GROUP MEDICLAIM SCHEME 2026-27
e-Yogakshama for the month of April 2026
महोदय/महोदया,
Sir/ Madam,
Please find attached, e-Yogakshema for the m/o. April 2026, for your reference.
Regards,
योगक्षेमा डेस्क/Yogakshema Desk
केंद्रीय कार्यालय/ Central Office
022-66598446
Click below:-
https://drive.google.com/file/d/18YE48nT9xNzm74q7MHUMi78AViCwMbQ7/view?usp=drivesdk
LIC GROUP MEDICLAIM SCHEME 2026-27 HEADING WISE SUMMARY
LIC GROUP MEDICLAIM SCHEME 2026-27 HEADING WISE SUMMARY
Lick below:-
https://chatgpt.com/share/69e311e4-5ba0-8323-a93e-df0281f414bc
LIC GROUP MEDICLAIM SCHEME 2026–27
🏥 *LIC Mediclaim Guide 2026-27*
Friday, 17 April 2026
Allahabad High Court Orders FIR Against LoP Rahul Gandhi On Plea Alleging British Citizenship
Allahabad High Court Orders FIR Against LoP Rahul Gandhi On Plea Alleging British Citizenship
Click below:-
https://www.livelaw.in/top-stories/allahabad-high-court-fir-against-lop-rahul-gandhi-british-citizenship-row-530723
BREAKING | Supreme Court Declines Congress Leader Pawan Khera's Plea To Extend Transit Anticipatory Bail In Assam FIR
BREAKING | Supreme Court Declines Congress Leader Pawan Khera's Plea To Extend Transit Anticipatory Bail In Assam FIR
Click below:-
https://www.livelaw.in/top-stories/breaking-supreme-court-declines-congress-leader-pawan-kheras-plea-to-extend-transit-anticipatory-bail-in-assam-fir-530657
The Supreme Court on Friday (April 17) declined Congress leader Pawan Khera's plea to vacate the stay imposed by it on the transit anticipatory bail granted to him by the Telangana High Court in the forgery and criminal conspiracy case lodged by the Assam Police on Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma's wife, Riniki Bhuyan Sharma.
The Court also turned down Khera's plea to extend the transit bail till next Tuesday so that he can approach the Assam Court on Monday. The bench comprising Justice JK Maheshwari and Justice Atul S Chandurkar observed that if the concerned Court is not functioning, a request can be made to take up the matter, which be considered in accordance with the prevailing practice.
Uniform civil code is a constitutional ambition...it has nothing to do with religion", the CJI said.
During the hearing of a matter relating to Muslim women's inheritance rights, Chief Justice of India Surya Kant today remarked that Uniform Civil Code is a constitutional ambition having "nothing to do with religion".
"Uniform civil code is a constitutional ambition...it has nothing to do with religion", the CJI said.
The remark came in response to a submission by Advocate Prashant Bhushan, for petitioner, that ideally there should be a uniform civil law that governs inheritance rights across all religions, but the current fear in the minds of Muslim persons is that the proposed Uniform Civil Code may result in the imposition of a Hindu Civil Code.
A bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice Vipul Pancholi was hearing a writ petition filed under Article 32 of the Constitution challenging provisions of Muslim personal law on inheritance as discriminatory against women. The petition is filed by Advocate Poulomi Pavani Shukla along with an organisation, Nyaya Naari Foundation.
Issuing notice on the same, the Court today called for the Union's response.
Justice Bagchi also expressed during the hearing that "The answer is there in the Constitution," implicitly referring to the Uniform Civil Code. "But how much the society is ready is the question?" the Judge added.
Justice Bagchi further stated,"A scientific, rational, humanistic temper must be developed as encrafted in the fundamental duties." Bhushan then replied, "Unfortunately, we are going in the opposite direction."
Notably, during the hearing of this case in March, CJI Kant had expressed a similar view, saying, "Uniform Civil Code is the answer".
Case Title: POULOMI PAVINI SHUKLA v. UNION OF INDIA | Diary No. 67256/2025
Centre Brings 2023 Women's Reservation Law Into Force From April 16 Amid Parliament Debates On Amendments
Centre Brings 2023 Women's Reservation Law Into Force From April 16 Amid Parliament Debates On Amendments
Click below :-
https://www.livelaw.in/top-stories/centre-brings-2023-womens-reservation-law-into-force-from-april-16-while-parliament-debates-new-amendments-530608
Yes — Sri Lanka has scrapped the law granting pensions to Members of Parliament.
𝐌𝐚𝐝𝐫𝐚𝐬 𝐇𝐢𝐠𝐡 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐭 – 𝐅𝐂𝐑𝐀 𝐑𝐮𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 (𝐂𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐌𝐞𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠)
The Madras High Court ruled that teaching or promoting the Bhagavad Gita, Vedanta, and Yoga does not constitute “religious activity” under Indian law, and therefore cannot be used as a ground to deny or cancel foreign funding under the FCRA (Foreign Contribution Regulation Act).
What the Court clarified
The Court made three crucial legal distinctions:
1. Bhagavad Gita
The Court held that the Gita is primarily a work of moral philosophy and ethical guidance, not a sectarian religious text.
It teaches:
• Duty (dharma)
• Self-discipline
• Self-realization
• Ethical action
Therefore, teaching the Gita is education in moral science, not religious preaching.
⸻
2. Vedanta
Vedanta was classified as a philosophical system concerned with:
• Consciousness
• Reality
• Self-knowledge
It is comparable to Western philosophy, not to religious ritual or worship.
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3. Yoga
Yoga was held to be a civilisational and scientific discipline, dealing with:
• Physical health
• Mental discipline
• Psychological well-being
It is not religious instruction.
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Why this matters
Under the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA):
Foreign money cannot be used for religious propagation, but can be used for education, research, culture, and social development.
The Court ruled that:
Teaching Gita, Vedanta, or Yoga falls under education and cultural activity, not religion.
So NGOs teaching these subjects are legally entitled to receive foreign funding.
⸻
Constitutional significance
The judgment reaffirmed that:
• India’s civilisation predates modern religions
• Its philosophical traditions are part of national culture, not sectarian faith
• The State must not misclassify Indian knowledge systems as “religion” to suppress them
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In one sentence
The Madras High Court held that Gita, Vedanta, and Yoga are civilisational systems of knowledge—not religious preaching—and therefore cannot be restricted under India’s FCRA.
Excellent judgement.
Thursday, 16 April 2026
Justice SK Sharma's Children Had No Role In Arvind Kejriwal's Case, Never Assisted In Any Proceedings: CBI Tells Delhi High Court
Justice SK Sharma's Children Had No Role In Arvind Kejriwal's Case, Never Assisted In Any Proceedings: CBI Tells Delhi High Court
Click :-
https://www.livelaw.in/high-court/delhi-high-court/cbi-oppose-justice-swarna-kanta-recusal-arvind-kejriwal-530567
LIC GROUP MEDICLAIM SCHEME 2026-27
BIPARTITE MEETING WITH IBA
UNITED FORUM OF BANK UNIONS
(AIBEA-AIBOC-NCBE-AIBOA-BEFI-INBEF-INBOC-NOBW-NOBO)
BIPARTITE MEETING WITH I
UNITED FORUM OF BANK UNIONS
cc
CIRCULAR No. UFBU/2026/13
Date : 16-04-2026
TO MEMBERS OF ALL CONSTITUENT UNIONS:
Dear Comrades,
IBA convened a bipartite meeting with UFBU yesterday i.e. 15-4-2026. IBA team was led by Shri Rajneesh Karnatak, Chairman of the Negotiating Committee (MD-CEO, Bank of India) along with Shri Ashok Chandra, MDCEO, PNB, Shri Rakesh Sharma, MD-CEO, IDBI Bank, Shri G S Rana, DMD, SBI, Shri. Gopal Murli Bhagat, Dy. Chief Executive, IBA and Shri Arvind, Mishra, Sr. Advisor-HR&IR, IBA. All the Unions were present from our side.
All of us are aware that in the 12th Bipartite Settlement/9th Joint Note, without prejudice to our demand for updation of pension, it was agreed to extend some ex-gratia amount as lumpsum and accordingly Ex-gratia amount is being paid every month to all the pre-November, 2022 pensioners. This fixed ex-gratia amount is payable for 5 years from November, 2022 to October, 2027. There is also a provision in the Settlement/Joint Note for annual review of the ex-gratia amount. Hence this meeting was held to discuss about the ex-gratia for the current financial year 2026-27.
While presenting the agenda, IBA informed that in the present circumstances, the same ex-gratia amount can be continued. Reacting to this proposal, from our side, we pointed that firstly all the remaining private banks who have not yet implemented the ex-gratia payment should be advised to implement the ex-gratia payment. We also demanded that looking to the better performance and financial results of the Banks, the exgratia amount can be upwardly revised. IBA informed that it cannot be decided without consulting the views of the Government and hence it is not possible to consider any change in the ex-gratia amount and the existing exgratia amount would be continued.
We also pointed out that the main issue of updation of pension is also pending under the plea of litigation and some solution has to be found for the same.
We took the opportunity to point out that our demand for introduction of 5 days banking per week and also to sort out the PLI issue through bilateral discussion, and other residual issues need to be taken up for discussion. IBA informed that another meeting will be arranged at the earliest when all these issues could be taken up for discussion.
Yours comradely,
वर्ष 2027 की जनगणना को इस बार पूरी तरह डिजिटल और आधुनिक बनाया जा रहा है।
जाब डेस्क: वर्ष 2027 की जनगणना को इस बार पूरी तरह डिजिटल और आधुनिक बनाया जा रहा है। इसके तहत लोगों को एक नई सुविधा दी गई है, जिसमें वे सरकारी पोर्टल पर जाकर अपनी और अपने परिवार की जानकारी खुद भर सकेंगे। जानकारी के अनुसार, 1 अप्रैल से जनगणना की प्रक्रिया शुरू हो चुकी है। अब लोगों को घर-घर आने वाले कर्मचारियों का इंतजार करने या लंबी प्रक्रिया से गुजरने की जरूरत नहीं होगी। वे आधिकारिक वेबसाइट के जरिए ऑनलाइन फॉर्म भर सकते हैं।
फॉर्म भरने की प्रक्रिया (6 Step में)
सबसे पहले se.census.gov.in पोर्टल पर जाएं, अपना राज्य चुनें और कैप्चा भरें। इसके बाद घर के मुखिया का नाम और मोबाइल नंबर दर्ज करें। ध्यान रहे, एक मोबाइल नंबर से सिर्फ एक ही घर का डेटा रजिस्टर होगा।
इसके बाद अपनी भाषा चुनें और OTP के जरिए वेरिफिकेशन करें। फिर अपना जिला, शहर और घर का सटीक पता मैप पर मार्क करें।
अब हाउस लिस्टिंग से जुड़े 33 सवालों के जवाब दें। अगर किसी सवाल में परेशानी हो तो पोर्टल पर दिए गए नोट्स और टूलटिप्स की मदद ले सकते हैं।
पूरे फॉर्म को ध्यान से जांचने के बाद Final Submit बटन दबाएं। ध्यान रखें, एक बार फॉर्म सबमिट होने के बाद उसमें कोई बदलाव नहीं किया जा सकेगा।
सबमिट करने के बाद आपको एक SE ID मिलेगी, जिसका स्क्रीनशॉट जरूर लें। यह आईडी आपको SMS और ईमेल पर भी भेजी जाएगी। जनगणना कर्मी के घर आने पर यह SE ID दिखाना जरूरी होगा।
सिर्फ 15 मिनट में पूरा होने वाला यह आसान प्रोसेस हर घर को जनगणना में शामिल करने में मदद करेगा, जिससे कोई भी परिवार छूटेगा नहीं।इस नई व्यवस्था से जनगणना प्रक्रिया तेज, पारदर्शी और आसान बनने की उम्मीद है
PIB::LIC Launches ‘MyLIC’ and ‘Super Sales Saathi’ Mobile Applications
LIC Launches ‘MyLIC’ and ‘Super Sales Saathi’ Mobile Applications to Enhance Customer Experience and Digital AccessibilityInitiative reaffirms India’s commitmen
https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=2252346&RegID=3&LID=1
Wednesday, 15 April 2026
PRESS RELEASE : LAUNCH OF MY LIC APP
Portal for 8th CPC Memorandum Submission - National Co-Ordination Committee of Pensioners Association writes for rectification of technical issues | StaffNews
Centre Proposes Constitution Amendment To Increase Lok Sabha Seats To 850 & Allow Delimitation Based On Pre-2026 Census
Centre Proposes Constitution Amendment To Increase Lok Sabha Seats To 850 & Allow Delimitation Based On Pre-2026 Census
Click below:-
https://www.livelaw.in/top-stories/centre-proposes-constitution-amendment-to-increase-lok-sabha-seats-to-850-to-allow-delimitation-before-2026-census-530262
Tonight, you’ll have to take me to five places. I’ll pay you ₹5000. Cash. But don’t ask the reason until the end.”
I drive for Ola. I mostly work night shifts. Last week, around 11 PM, I picked up an elderly gentleman. White kurta and dhoti, tired eyes—but a strange firmness in his voice.
As soon as he sat in the car, he said:
“Tonight, you’ll have to take me to five places. I’ll pay you ₹5000. Cash. But don’t ask the reason until the end.”
He handed me a piece of paper with five addresses written on it.
Tax Deducted at Source (TDS) Tax Deducted at Source (TDS)
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