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1) STATUS OF EFFECTIVE DATE OF UPDATION IN RBI
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In the matter of revision / updation of pension, date of effect is a very material thing from the pensioner's point of view. It carries impact on quantum of arrears to be given to the pensioner. In this respect the Supreme Court of India (SC) has given its verdicts again and again, right from Nakara case of 1982/83, to Rajasthan Employees case of 2015 that the date of revision of wages must be the date of revision / updation of pension. These SC verdicts flow from the Article 14 of the Constitution of India. Therefore, no question of compromise on effective date of revision / updation of pension.
However, the arm-twisting tactics of bureaucrats of Ministry of Finance (MoF) has forced the heads of corporate bodies like RBI, LIC not to observe the Article 14 and SC verdicts in the matter of revision/updation of pension and deny just updation of pension to retirees. We RBI pensioners and family pensioners are victims on account of this big hunting game of MoF. This hunting could be expressed in proverb "ROB PETER TO PAY PAUL". There is neither feeling of national spirit nor of any other intention like high moral. Unfortunately, the Bank's management has no courage to speak the truth of above mentioned FUNDAMENTALS OF PENSION.
On the above background let us see the status of date of updation (may be on paper) in the Bank. The first updation of pension was granted in the Bank to pre 1-11-1997 retirees w. e. f. 1 Nov. 2002 vide circular dated 1st Sept. 2003. After this, two settlements took place effective from 1-11-2002 and 1-11-2007 and the third one is due effective from 1-11-2012. We pensioners have been clamouring for updation with each wage revision but of no avail. We could only know the Bank's attempt vide DO letter dated 11 Oct. 2011 to MoF. The said letter, obtained under RTI Act., proposed amendment, amongst others, for updation of pension with stipulation that " with a view to restricting the financial implication, theamendments proposed ….. pertaining to updation of pension and improvement in family pension are proposed to be implemented with a prospective date so that arrears are not required to be paid ….." Here prospective date means the date after approval / concurrence from the MoF. This is in total violation of the constitution and the law of the land.
We are of the considered opinion that no autonomous body owned by GOI has freedom to act in this high handed way. We further gathered (Please see Hitguj of April 2014), amongst others, that updation would be once in ten years (although revision of wages in the Bank is every 5 years) with effective date of 1-11-2012. Nothing was given in black and white to this effect to any of the organization in the Bank. Yet, we believed it? Certain section was eager to implement this 'verbally told proposal'. Alas! This was also not implemented and RBI community has been carried to new carrot.
Now, we are hearing '80 % increase proposal' without knowing date of effect etc. in black and white' and again eagerly awaiting for this proposal as on to-day. We do not know what is the next proposal at this rate. None of the above proposals fit in fundamentals of pension stated in the para first above. Every proposal offered is ultra-virus to the Article 14. There is periodic shifting in the proposal of pension without any realization. Yet we simply believed in those who are at the helm of affairs. Are we not to correct from the past mistakes? This is the unfortunate status of date of updation of pension in RBI. On the background of 1000 pensioners and family pensioners dying every year (based on information gathered under RTI Act) this sounds simply inhuman. Are we not to introspect ourselves and take a firm stand fearlessly and stop this playing of hunting game?
- L R Parab, GS, RBREA, Mumbai
2 )GET-TOGETHER OF RBITES
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Snehawardhini is a non-political, social and cultural organisation formed in 1987, exclusively by employees of Reserve Bank of India (RBI) staying at Dombivali. It has been, for the last more than 25 years, engaged in bringing together the RBI staff and undertaking many useful endeavours for the welfare of its fraternity – both, working as also retired. The RBites numbering about 350, reside here, in more than 30 housing societies as also on individual basis. Inspired by Snehawardhini's activities, over the years, many RBites staying at surrounding towns have also joined in. Snehawardhini organizes many cultural shows and social functions and also makes available stage for aspiring artists, actors from amongst Members' families and runs activities beneficial for them. On Saturday the 13 February 2016, Snehawardhini has arranged Snehasammelan at Savitribai Phule Kalamandir, Dombivali (East) from 10.30 am to 01.30 pm. On the occasion, Honourable Smt. Deepali Pant Joshi, Executive Director, Reserve Bank of India, has kindly consented to be the Chief Guest. There will be no entrance fee for the Snehasammelan. However, considering the seating capacity of the auditorium which is about 1000 entry will be on the first come first served basis
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3) BRITISH PM INCREASED PENSION OF INDIAN SOLDIER: A MUST READ & DON'T MISS,please—NOBLE & TOUCHING :RBKishore
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About two months ago, the Western Command Headquarters inaugurated their first "Old-Age Home" at Panchkula (Haryana) as an internal initiative. Napoleon had set up the first state sponsored old-age home in the heart of Paris around 1790, not far from the Arc de Triumph. Ultimately it became Les Invalids, a state-funded establishment for retired soldiers (especially those devoid of any living kin) and its upkeep was patronized by the Emperor (head of state in this case) himself! Admittedly, times have changed since, but that idea of the state and soldier bonding in a kind of camaraderie should certainly not be out of place, even today. Closer to our times, my mind goes back to one among the several mega-celebrations organized in the UK in 1995 on the occasion of the 50 anniversary of the end of WW-II.
It was appropriate that the Indian contingent to the celebrations would include soldiers decorated with the Victoria Cross (VC), the foremost British award for gallantry on the battlefield. Of the 32 Indian awardees of the VC during the war, only 11 were alive in 1995. Four VC veterans could not undertake the journey to the UK due to age and infirmness, but the remaining seven were glad to participate. Of these, the six doughty Gurkha veterans had various grades of flab around their midriffs but the seventh, Subedar Major (Honorary Captain) Umrao Singh, over six-foot tall, of ram-rod stance, flat bellied and broad chested, became the cynosure of all eyes. The way he walked up to Queen Elizabeth in the Audience Hall of Buckingham Palace, any drill sergeant-major from the Coldstream Guards Brigade would have been envious.
Little wonder that breaking precedence of ceremonial etiquette, the gathering burst into spontaneous applause! The following day when Prime Minister John Major happened to drive past some invitees and from the corner of his eye caught the sun glinting on their VC medals, the Prime Minister had his car halt. Walking up to the veterans, he saluted and greeted each with a firm handshake. In the UK, if a man (nationality notwithstanding) with a VC or MC pinned on the chest were to walk out, chances are that nine out of 10 passersby would halt mid-stride, smile and nod in salutation. In India, even though righteous wars and warriors have been glorified by the gods through the epic Mahabharata, yet not one in a thousand Indians will know what a PVC, MVC or VrC looks like, leave alone greet its bearer. Dismissing his car, John Major escorted them to the venue of the function. Striking a conversation, he inquired if the veterans had any hardships that needed attention. Umrao Singh was prompt to state that although the prevalent currency exchange rate was Rs. 50 to a pound, yet the VC pension handed out to them was at the paltry exchange rate of 1945. He asked, would it not be fair to revise their pension, which was last fixed in 1945, and bring it on a par with their counterparts in the UK? John Major was visibly upset at the injustice and promised that Her Majesty's Government would rectify it. Six months later in March 1996, Christopher Thomas, South Asia correspondent of The Times (London), drove to Umrao Singh's home at Palra village (Jhajjar district, Haryana) with the news that Her Majesty's Government had enhanced their VC pension from 100 pounds per annum to 1,300 pounds! And it would be admitted at that day's prevailing currency exchange rate or a subsequent rate, whichever was higher, but never lower than that day's! Obviously, Umrao Singh was astounded at this windfall. He rushed to his wife who was frying "parathas" on a wood fire and declared, "Vimla, now we can live in style." Umrao Singh brought out an unopened bottle of rum. He filled two large steel tumblers almost to the brim. Handing one to Christopher and holding his own in the left hand, Umrao came to attention, and giving a smart salute said, "This is for John Major, the Prime Minister of Britain! He has made me happy and proud." He could now pass his allotted days with the dignity due to a VC. He passed away on November 22, 2005.
When Umrao Singh was in dire financial straits, a VC collector from the UK had made him an offer of 35,000 pounds. Umrao Singh's response was, "If I give away my medal, I will dishonor the soldiers who fought and died alongside me." This is how soldiers cherish their medals. The spirit of accommodation between the state and soldiers must never be strained to the limit where the armed forces' discipline and their steadfast conduct on battlefield get compromised. Unfortunately, nothing seems to have been learnt as there are already dark rumblings of further disconnect between the state and soldiery, emanating from the proposals of the Seventh Pay Commission. Let us not stoke fires of ugly dissent any further, lest we singe the heritage of the spirit of valour of a famed armed force irretrievably.
- Lt. Gen. Baljit Singh (Retd.)
(Courtesy: The Tribune dated 18 December 2015)
4)SETTLEMENT ON CHARTER OF DEMANDS -PENSIONARY BENEFITS
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(Reproduced below is the text of a letter dated 17th Dec. 2015, addressed to the Governor
by Shri T G Nair, GS, AIRBREA)
As a result of the Massive strike action all over India on 19th November by the entire work force, focusing only the long pending issue of Pension Updation and Pension Option, the Bank and the UNITED FORUM have agreed to discuss and settle the issue of CHARTER OF DEMANDS which also includes the Pensionary benefits under the Item 'Superannuation Benefits. We are extremely happy with this positive approach of both the Bank and UNITED FORUM, who together with the retirees, have been ceaselessly pursuing the matter which resulted in the Bank receiving the 'Approval Letter', followed by also recommending 80% of updation benefits to the Government, which goes to the credit of our honourable Governor. In this regard, we submit that had not the Government repeatedly backtracked despite seeking their prior nod, the Governor's efforts would have been fruitful in resolving the pensionary benefits, as also, would have avoided the strike action. As indicated, his sincere efforts are continuing and we are once again thankful to him for the same. In the current wage settlement in RBI, we cannot also overlook the fact that during the last two wage revisions in the industry, before signing the final wage agreements, the IBA and their unions received the approval of the Government and resolved all the pending issues viz., Pension Option for 5 lakh bank employees in the last settlement, as well as, a load of 6% demarcated for medical benefits in the current wage settlement.
Of course the unions were determined to achieve their demands despite the fact that the Government had to bear the entire increase in the load. The recommendations of the successive Pay Commissions' Reports, which includes, improved pensionary benefits are also accepted for implementation despite the load factor. Irrespective of its burden being heavy on the exchequer, the Government had no alternative but to concede the demands/benefits to its employees. The above developments should provide the necessary strength / base for resolving the long pending issues of Pension Updation and Pension Option, which is commitment by the Bank, in the current wage settlement in RBI. The fact that the Pensionary benefits are granted from our own Pension Fund (more than Rs.14,000/- crores), provides the required financial strength for resolving the matter without further delay and, as such, there is also no need for the Bank to seek the consent of the Government in this regard. More so, at the instance of the Court, the Government indicated that they have denied having directed the RBI to withdraw the last Pension Updation. Therefore, there is no justification for us to approach the Government for their consent and this was also the stand of the Bank in the High Court at Mumbai.
Since both the Bank and the UNITED FORUM have together taken the decision to negotiate and finalise the Charter of Demands, the final settlement should not exclude the Pensionary benefits for which the Bank and the UNITED FORUM alone will be held responsible in view of the fact that you are the only stakeholders of our Pension Fund.
(EXTRACTS FROM MONTHLY 15 JANUARY2016 RBREA HITGUJ MAGAZINE---R.B.KISHORE,VP,AIRIEF)
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