AIRIEF

Dear RBK and MPS,

The number of Pensioners falling in the category of Pre-Aug 1997, comparing with the Post Aug 1997 is avery insignificant fraction. The Vociferous Majority is of the latter, because of the Age and prime health when compared to the former. If the present Judgement which gives some relief to the minority super seniors is delayed further, by the Associations filing a Review Petition, or going on appeal to the SC, it may further the long rope of 9 months given to LIC to settle the arrears and rationalization of DA thus making LIC happy and wait longer for a settlement. (In fact we should have thought of appealing for the reduction of the Long  nine months given - in this age of computers, when this can be done in no time). During this interval, who knows how many will disappear bringing the minority to a still further lower level, thus leaving them VOICELESS and their families still poorer.

We, very well knew that our case for Revision of Pension was not that as strong as that for the rationlization of DA, but had it on the back of the DA case, thinking fondly that it might help us get it and we built a hype within ourselves that we were going to achieve it and in the process started fighting within ourselves on who is better, who is giving more points, who is present in the court room, who is collecting more fighting fund etc. like children.

The Judgement running to 90 pages, so painfully prepared and dictated by the Hon. Judges, quotes a number of Case Laws ( dealt in detail) on which their conclusion is based. Hats off to the Judges for their patience and clear enunciation of the judgement.

In fine, the Judgement upholds 

(1) LIC Pension Scheme is funded and Govt. Pension is met from the Treasury.

(2) While framing the Pension Rules, it has been made a fact that any amendment to these Pension Rules will have to be approved by the Govt. of India / Parliament. 

(3) LIC (Board) may recommend in which the GOI member is participant, (though not fully authorized) and their decision ( to rationalize the anomaly in the DA for pre 1997) is not final but has to be approved by the GOI. 

(4) GOI for some reason or the other has not found it fit to agree ( there must be some 'BABU' who has put the spanner in the wheel - quoting other PSUs),and with all these negative points found one positive in agreeing with the rationalization, though with some defect as pointed out Shri KML Ashthana in one of his very recent communication.

Now the following courses are open to us 

(1) Accept the judgement in toto and pressurize the LIC to implement the same within a short period of one month, as they have the man, machinery and the computers to do the work. 

(2) Go on appeal to SC on the DHC's judgement and pray for an early hearing and quick disposal ( that means another two or more years), 

(3) File a Review petition with the DHC ( usually such review petitions get a FIRM confirmation of the earlier Judgement / go against us in the fresh decision) 

4) File a separate case for the Revision of Pension again with the Supreme court, without affecting the present judgement.

I am in favour of points 1 & 4 in the above para. We will satisfy our Super Seniors with that paltry sum which will be a boon to many of them. We can also satisfy the younger group by preparing our case  more UNITEDLY than earlier and file a SEPARATE case in the SC, to get us Revision of Pension.

One is reminded of a statement in these mails, some months back, before BJP formed the Govt. that Hon. Arun Jaitely was a friend's friend and had given an appointment and that appointment took place after he became the FM and the paper given to him was in turn handed over by him to his PA (Full Stop).

We do not have the manpower or machinery to bring the Govt. to a halt like the Bank Employees do, nor or our current serving brethren are willing to go on strike for our cause. Hence we will have to HAVE FAITH IN GOD. and That's all.

Let there be some detailed, patient thinking rather than an uproar, which I expect will not come up, as all of us have the right to air our views.

Warm Regards to all those who fought for the cause.

Yours Truly

Nan Narayenen

Madurai

Keep Going

Keep Growing

 

Uncle

Nan