Dear Colleagues,
You may be aware of the development that Parliamentary committee was met by AIBRF unit of IOB on 8/2/16. A brief circular was received from AIBRF and posted in the Blog on 9/2/16. Further details of the meeting are now received . and the same is now shared.
You may be aware of the development that Parliamentary committee was met by AIBRF unit of IOB on 8/2/16. A brief circular was received from AIBRF and posted in the Blog on 9/2/16. Further details of the meeting are now received . and the same is now shared.
MOHAN RAJAGOPALAN
"The Committee took up for discussion the letter dated 11th January 2016 written by IOB Retirees’ Association listing out most of the grievances of Bank Retirees numbering 20, the highlight being “Bi-Partite relationship between IBA and Retirees’ organizations, particularly AIBRF”
IBA reply that they have no mandate to discuss retiree issues with Retiree Organisations and that they have been discussing Retirees’ issues with UFBU did not carry conviction with the Hon’ble members of the Committee.
The Chairman and the members of the Committee agreed with our submission that the three major improvements introduced for bank retirees. Grudgingly by bank managements during the course of last six/seven years,
i.e
1. the second option for pension for Past retirees.
2. setting up Grievance cells at bank level to redress the grievances of
retirees and
3. introduction of Medical Insurance to cover the past retirees also.
Came only as per the directive of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Personnel, Public Grievances, Law and Justice, given in the meeting of the Standing Committee held on 28-01-2009 to discuss the grievances raised by our organisation Indian Overseas Bank Retirees’ Association, joined by UFBRO.
They very much appreciated our approaching them the second time with the confidence that our issues will be resolved by the Committee. Our President Sri.AL.Chandramouli narrated how the three benefits were implemented with an element of discrimination, by IBA The second option for Pension to past pensioners left out Compulsorily retired employees and
resignees, new hospitalization scheme stipulated payment of insurance premium by retirees where as banks pay premium for serving employees under the same policy and grievance cells are not established/non functional in most of the banks. He also objected to IBA discriminating retirees by threatening to deny reimbursement of domiciliary treatment
expenses which is allowed to serving employees. He stressed upon the need to accede to our demand for upward revision of Family pension uniformly at 30% and removing the ceiling on it.
Our General Secretary Dr.B.Ramji drew the attention of the house to the comment of IBA that they discuss retirees issues with UFBU. He drew the attention of the house to the appeal made by the Chairman in the meeting of the Committee on 28th January 2009 to IBA to set in motion the practice of consulting the retirees organizations on Retirees’ issues. We pointed out
that IBA had not made any efforts what so ever in this direction.
We pointed out that we,not only represent a majority of IOB retirees, but also the 1,35,000 members of All India Bank Retirees’ Federation AIBRF established in 1995 and which has 44 affiliates from all banks. The grievances we have raised have been raised and discussed elaborately in the Charter of Demands, submitted by AIBRF to all bank managements, IBA
as well as the Government of India three years back.
We submitted that AIBRF has been requesting for last 3 years to IBA and its officials to hold discussion with our organisation on pension related issues before finalising the settlement and approached Department of Financial Services ( DFS ) with the request to ask IBA to hold discussion with AIBRF.
We understand that DFS has already asked IBA to do needful in this regard. We are sad to note that advices from DFS also did not evoke any positive response in this regard. And IBA has not so far responded to the requests so far.
AIBRF has written a number of letters, nearly 20/30 to IBA on various matters affecting bank retirees. IBA has not acknowledged the letters, nor acted on them or taken any steps to redress the grievances discussed therein. AIBRF has conducted a number of agitations at various centres across the country starting with the Dharna at Jantar mantar on 07-03-14,
which have not evoked any response from IBA.
We do not know what will move IBA into some action. The grievance cells set up in a few banks are also non functional. Even after setting up a grievance cell 3 years back IOB has so far not conducted a single meeting of the council despite our repeated requests.
We requested the august house to put in place proper norms for setting up bilateral relation ship between IBA and Retirees organisations and kick start its regular functioning. We also pointed out that this grievance applies with equal force in respect of all the bank managements as well. It seems a policy decision has been taken that any letter, complaint, mail or message sent by any individual retiree or retiree organisations will not be acknowledged, acted upon or replied. This practice extends to even matters pertaining to his bank accounts . We request this august body to instruct banks to be responsive.
We also pointed out that frustrated at the lack of response by banks individual retirees as well as some retiree organisations have taken recourse to legal remedy. We pointed out that IBA/Bank Managements frustrate the retirees by filing appeal after appeal.
We narrated various cases and read out the comments of Hon’ble Judge of Karnataka High Court “We mention this for the reason that it appears to us that the extremely scarce time of the Court as well as the Bank’s resources have been avoidably and unnecessarily expended on an excercise of futility.
Our emotional appeal to the house to help us find solution to the grievances moved the Chairman and the members of the Committee to instruct IBA to place the matter before the ensuing Managing Committee meeting of IBA and hold discussions with Retiree organisation on all matters in the letter and submit report to the Committee WITHIN TWO MONTHS. IBA was also advised to treat the matter with a view to find solution to all issues.
Shri Majeed Memon .M.P.,, Shri K.T.S. Tulsi M.P, Dr. Vara Prasadarao Velagapalli M.P, Shri (Adv.) Joice George M.P, Shri P.P. Chaudhary M.P ,the Hon’ble members of the Committee actively participated in the discussion and made three important points
1. IBA should implement improvements in Family Pension as available for Government Pensioners.
2. IBA should bear insurance premium for Retirees as done for serving staff.
3. IBA should implement all court decisions alleging discrimination of pensioners and make payment(as in 1616 points anomaly and 100% DR neutralization cases )
They also emphasized on the need of all authorities in PSUs and more particularly PSBs to ensure that, while discharging their duties, they do not give raise to grievances from people working in their establishment and solve all grievances with understanding and love
We are really moved. We are sure we could not have asked for more. We are happy that we are cared for by the supreme body of the country, the Parliament.
IOBRA has the satisfaction that it could play the role of a Pioneer and secure the right of a bargaining agent to the Retirees’ organizations and more so to AIBRF. After the meeting, during our interaction, IBA CEO and deputy CEO promised to act fast and resolve the issues.
We are very much thankful to Dr.E.M.Sudarsana Natchiappan,M.P.,Chairman, and other members of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Personnel, Public Grievances, Law and Justice. And officials of IBA for making this possible. We fervently hope that this momentum continues and the promises are kept."
