Dear friends,
I went through an article appeared in WhatsApp on
the delay in delivering the reserved judgment at DHC. He has penned that
the delay may lead to ultimate denial of justice to the aggrieved. I
think that his apprehension finds no concrete basis. One could admit
that all reasonable delays do not end with outright denials of due
justice. We have witnessed ever-so-many judgments going in favour of the
aggrieved. In our case, all our leaders, including the veteran
Sr.Counsels appeared for us, are fully confident of securing a just and
meaningful judgment. We are already aware that our issues are of major
ones and that we had to put up a strong fight with needed legal tools
against the unjust onslaughts of combined bureaucracy The anticipated
judgement is going to be a historical one, not only for us but also to
our pensioner-brethren of all PSUs. So, court may need sufficient number
of days to analyse the arguments placed by both the contestants. It is
too early on our part to jump upon imaginary conclusions. Such articles
from our side may mislead our members when SC has permitted time for DHC
up to 30th April. Verdict may come any day between today and 30th
April.
The writer has also expressed his anguish over the
delay in settling the issue of paying full pension on completion of 20
years of service. Fact remains that our Chairman is fighting shy of
taking any decision on monetary issues in the absence of approval by
GOI. We have argued in all the courts that LIC Chairman can take
decisions under certain powers conferred under LIC Act and that GOI
cannot interfere into day-to-day normal functions of LIC. GOI clings
upon its powers under Sec.48 even on all small and petty matters. They
have also argued that decisions taken by LIC Board are only
recommendatory in nature and cannot be implemented without the approval
of Central government.
You will agree that we cannot
approach courts for each and every thing. All pensioner-organizations
believe in settlement of pending problems through bilateral negotiations
with the management. Hence, AIRIEF, Federation of Retd. LIC Cl-1
officers at Chennai and Hyderabad, National Organisation of Insurance
Pensioners, LIC Pensioners' Association and AIIPA have placed their "
Charter of Demands " and discussed various issues with the higher
officials on fixed-up agenda several times. The management sits tight
and never commits anything on monetary matters. We only pity their
present position. We cannot sit idle without raising our issues to be
solved. How long this stalemate could continue ? We will not drop down
our continuous efforts till they are heard.
We are sure of winning our case at DHC and SC in the coming weeks.
Then, certainly, we could expect a changed situation in the house of
LIC. All our pending issues such as (1.) Full pension for completed 20
years of service, ( 2.) Retirement on the last date of the month, though
date of birth happens to be on the first day of the month, ( 3.) Hiking
pension by 20% to 100% on completing 80 to 100 years-of-age, ( 4 )
Leave travel concession, ( 5 ) Festival advance, ( 6 ) Another option
to join medical scheme, ( 7 ) Doubling the present sum assured to all
cadres, ( 8 ) A fixed monthly allowance towards domestic treatment, ( 9 )
Certain other specific items to be included in the list of treatment,
etc, etc. Our main demand is that whatever benefits that are allowed to
Central govt pensioners under CCS Pension Rules should be applicable to
all the pensioners of PSUs.
Let us not lose our faith. Unity will definitely bring us amicable solutions - if not to day, tomorrow.
I will be happy if feedback pour in either-way from the readers.
With greetings.
M.P.Subrahmanian,
RIEA, Madurai.
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