Private Circulation for LIC Pensioners only

( A monthly e-Magazine of LIC Retired Class I Officers’ Association, Kolkata )

May, 2014 (Vol. 1 : 2 issues) Vol. 2 Issue - 5

Chief Editor :

Basudeb Das

Editorial Board : S.K. Mazumder

A.K. Goswami

S.K. Chakraborty

S.K. Ghosh

D.K. Ghosh

T.K. Sanyal

A.K. Mahato

IN THIS ISSUE:

Editorial

Legal News

Assocn News

LIC News

Financial News

Health Tips

Of Interest

Pensioners’ News

Jokes

Readers’ Views

Pensioners’ Tour

EDITORIAL :

Now the focus is shifted from Rajasthan HC to Supreme Court after almost all HC suits are taken up by the SC. It is no doubt a good sign towards a final decision for our long pending case. Another favourable news is that Govt on principle decided to revise RBI pension at 10 years’ interval. Whatever may the offer, at least on principle, Govt agreed on pension updation in RBI which is a breakthrough decision and citeable in SC in favour of LIC pensioners. Now there is a debate floated in the air to build up unity among the three LIC pensioners’ unions so that in SC arguement, pensioners as a class should have only one stand. Idea is good no doubt and beneficial, but who will bell the cat? In our country, as per GOI/Labour Dept source, there are 38,544 trade unions as on 2002. Most of the TUs are ideoogically committed to one or other political parties irrespective of the interest of their members. In LIC, we have seen so many TUs with ideology of various political parties. For even common interest, they failed to be united during confrontation with management because of their tie up with politics. We recall the days of struggle for introduction of pension in LIC when the biggest TU in LIC demanded introduction of pension as third retiral benefit causing delay in introduction of pension. However, their tactics brought some relief to retirees that time by way of merger (notional) of DA upto 1248 points of CPI (1960=100) with Basic Pay. I remember a story in those days when Dr Abul Kalam Azad was President of India and AB Bajpayee was the Prime Minister. Responding to call of the President to lift India to a developed country by 2020, Bajpayeeji called for blue prints from the experts of the country. In a meeting, different agencies were invited to present their plan in PPT before PM and other Govt Officials. The presentation was brilliant and appeared, if implemented, India may be upgraded to a developed country well before target year 2020. Bajpayeeje was silently observing the show with smile in the face. After the presentation part was over, he rose and appreciated the blue prints of plan putting a simple question “ Magar e sob hoga kaise?” In the same way, we also feel unity is the best, “ Lekin hoga kaise?”

NEWS IN BRIEF:

LEGAL NEWS :

The present positions of cases before different courts are narrated below.

Supreme court of India: 1) Civil Appeal no 8959 to 8962 of 2013 (LIC vs KML Asthana)

against the judgment of Rajasthan HC - Listed for 12/08/2014.

2) Civil Appeal no 6995 of 2013 (LIC vs Madan al Gandhi) against the judgment PB &

Haryana HC-Listed for 19/08/2014

3) Civil Appeal no 9223 of 2013 (LIC vs Fedn. of Retd. LIC Class-I Officers’ Associations)

against the judgment of Delhi HC is listed for 4th

April’2014 on Federation’s IA praying for

implementation of the Board Resolution of 2001 in terms of the Delhi HC judgment was

slotted to come up for hearing on 4th April 2014. Adjourned till 2nd

week of Aug, 2014.

Asthanaji has filed one Intervention Application.

Rajasthan HC: Sri Asthana has filed one Writ petition no CW’3471 of 2014-R 6653/2014

for implementation of Rajasthan HC verdict dt 12/01/2010 - it was listed for 2nd

April’14

but was adjoiurned and it is likely to be combined with another Writ petition filed by

AIREF (CW’3508’ of 2014-R 6604/2014) listed for 07/05/2014.

Punjab & Haryana HC: Contempt petition against LIC came up to be heard on 26/03/2014

but it stands adjourned to 7th

July’2014

Kerala HC: WP no 27863 of 2006 by Fedn. of Class-I officers’ Association. During the last

hearing, Counsel for LIC reported that LIC intended to transfer the case to Supreme Court.

Besides above, some other cases are pending before different HCs.

S U P R E M E C O U R T O F I N D I A

RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS

I.A No.3 in CIVIL APPEAL NO(s). 9223 OF 2013

L.I.C OF INDIA & ANR. Appellant (s)

VERSUS

FEDERATION RETIRED LIC CLASS 1 AS. & ORS Respondent(s)

UPON hearing counsel the Court made the following:

O R D E R

Heard.

Counsel opposite may file their objections to this application (I.A.No.3) within four weeks.

Post the application along with all the appeals in the 2nd week of August, 2014.

NOTICES IN WP 3508/2012 HAVE BEEN SERVED ON LIC ON 11/4/2014 BOTH THE WRIT

PETITIONS WILL BE TAKEN UP ON 30/4/2014. PL CONVEY THIS TO ALL FRIENDS…… KML ASTHANA

Jaipur Court - CW'3471' of 2014 - LISTED ON 30/4/2014.

Date of query : 8/4/2014 Time : 11:02:32 AM, CW'3471' of 2014 - R 6653/2014

Petitioner : KRISHNA MURARI LAL ASTHANA , Respondent: L I C OF INDIA

Petitioner Advocate: ABHINAV SHARMA, Respondent Advocate:

Class Code : 0521 Registered on : 26/3/2014 , Bench : SB Stage : INCOMPLETE

"TO-DAY, THE 30TH

APRIL, DUE TO HEAVY CASES AT JAIPUR HC, OUR CASE DO NOT TAKEN.

WE HAVE TO WAIT FOR NEXT DATE” = MESSAGE FROM B. ANGURAJAN

JAIPUR CASE: CW '3508' of 2014 - R

Date of query : 11/4/2014 Time : 5:42:32 PM

CW'3508' of 2014 - R 6604/2014

Petitioner : ALL INDIA RETIRED INSURANCE ORS

Respondent: L I C OF INIDA

Petitioner Advocate: SANJAY GANGWAR

Respondent Advocate:

Class Code : 0521 Registered on : 27/3/2014

Bench : SB Stage : INCOMPLETE

Date of Listing : 7/5/2014

SUGGESTIONS OF PP DHAMIJA:

(i) We should form a team of 4/5 persons with equal representation from the involved

Associations.

(ii) The legal proceedings should be shifted from Jaipur to S.C. New Delhi.

(iii) The application for intervention in the S.C. should be withdrawn.

(iv) Personal attacks on any member/Office bearer should be stopped.

(v) Writing to the Chief Justice may be helpful. But it will be more beneficial if this is done

jointly.

(vi) The details can be worked out by the joint committee.

(vii) Let the process be started before the S.C. goes for summer vacation.

Thanks. NOTE: Each association in the common interest of LIC pensioners must think seriously taking lesson from the experience of

joint forum of RBI pensioners who, on principle, got the clearance of pension upgradation from GOI….CE/Eastern News.

APPEAL OF RB KISHORE, VP, AIRIEF BEFORE THE HON'BLE CHIEF JUSTICE OF INDIA

Revered, Respected & Hon. Chief Justice of Supreme Court,

Sir,

Re: Court matters of Insurance Pensioners prolonged --- your immediate intervention solicited.

1) We wish to bring to your kind notice some crucial facts & developments in the long drawn out,

tedious & tortuous legal battle with LIC & UOI about pensioners issues & problems,dragging on &

on,for last 12 years & more.Sir,one can understand, if no decision has come from arbiters of Justice &

Equity,the Pillars of our Democracy,HCs & SC,who are real Guardians & Protectors of the

disadvantaged, the oppressed, the discriminated, Elders & Sr Citizens,one can have less grouse,but

,Sir, when ever so many Verdicts & Judgements have come, all in support of the Pensioners ,over a

long period of time after submissions from all parties,You,as Chief Justice of India, as the Lighthouse

of Justice ,must intervene to stem the prolonged delay & give directions to SC to call a spade a spade,

issue writ or direction or mandamus to LIC/UOI to implement the Rajasthan HC judgement dt

12/1/2010 of Hon SJ Bhandari admitting both the writs of 6676/1998 on Dearness Relief to establish

equality, as is for serving Employees,instead of truncated 50%DR ,as is being paid for pre-8/1997

pensioners, having crossed 76 yrs to 86 yrs already & losing a chunk of DR in these hard-hit days of

inflation raging all along.

2)Sir, the 2nd writ admitted was CWP 654/2007 exclusively on pension upgradation substituting scales

of pay as & when wage revision for employees take place, quoting many reputed case laws apart from

the Magna Carta for pensioners in Nakara case,the 5-Judge SC Bench presided over by Hon CJ

Chandrachud,an elucidation & dissertation by Learned & Hon SJ,Rajasthan HC ,pointing out gross

anamolies & discrepancies in pension whereby 10 cadres below get more pension than the higher

cadres retired few years before,that date of retirement is irrelevant, one cannot discriminate groups

of pensioners as pre & post,all pensioners form one single homogeneous group only &

particularly,when it is an Existing Pension scheme & not any New scheme,all pensioners assuredly

deserve pension revision with every wage revision.Sir, many times it so happens, even after

favourable verdicts,when Hon Judges fail to mention Effective date categorically, again a flurry

&blizzard of supplementary legal activities are forced upon.So, DR from the date of discrimination ie

pre-8/1997 pensioners & pension upgradation wef CWP 654/2007 date ie 1/1/2007 or earlier as per

rules 1/1/2004, if allowed,will greatly enhance the value of judgement without any hassle of diverse

interpretations.Sir.

3) It is not for us to point out or portray the ever so many judgements in favour of pensioners or the

brilliant expositions from IV,V & VI Pay Commissions propounding the basis & fundamentals of

granting pension upgradation with every wage revision,almost on similar lines as is being done for

employees,Sir, we are still in IV PC mode Basic pension same & static as at 1/11/1993, 21 long

years,majority of pensioners above age 70 ,especially in a democratic, egalitarian & Socialist pattern

of Society,more so respecting & honouring the Sr Citizens & Super SrCitizens,who in their long,

devoted & dedicated service of 35-40 yrs solidly laid the foundation, built a

superstructure,rationalized principles & procedures of various departments in all tiers of the

institution,hastened computerization & indeed,with all slings & arrows of outrageous misfortune of

transfers,disturbance to family life & ever so many hazards of office ,yet, with a smile displaying

empathy for policyholders & all stakeholders,created records, broke records enabling the Institution

LIC shine brilliant & lustrous,Sir, really an economic TajMahal , Rock of Gibralter ,participating in all

Nation building activities, helping Aam Aadmi,social security to the economically weaker section of

society as no other institution could have done or can do,Sir, pumping money for all 5-Year plans

touching every Section of society & even assisting Govt in preserving stock market balance, all these

multi-dimensional activities earning accolades of praise from PM & FM even rightly asserting with a

sense of glow –there can be NO BETTER 3-LETTER WORD THAN LIC--& Sir, then more so, we humble

elders & Sr Citizens certainly associating ourselves with a sense of attachment & pride of profession &

performance, can we not get a slice of the cake, with accepted principles tested & emerging from the

fiery furnace of legal battle, with adjournments & postponements & vacation,but more after Appeal

as also Review petitions were dismissed,4 Courts,10Judges have opined on similar lines, Punjab &

Haryana HC certifying Hon SJ Rajasthan HC verdict & adding 12 % for the delay,Delhi HC

acknowledging & adding “in rem” to all pensioners in same aggrieved category, SC clarificatory order

dt 14 October, 2012 allowing retiral benefits from the date of eligibility, meaning date of retirement,

what more is needed, Sir

4) More so after the 23/6/2010 National Litigation Policy announced by Law Minister,it will be

suffocating if the golden & guardian principles are not followed or not implemented, thrown to the

wind by the Powers that be, ascardinal principle in focus was to ensure Govts/Instns do not become

compulsive litigants & No Appeals or Reviews are made by them, more so when it concerns

retirement or pensionary benefits. In our case, not one victory but a series of victories,Sir.

5) Your Honour,pathetically we bring to your kind notice,with tears in our eyes that more than 12,000

pensioners have died out of app 48,000.All our letters, face to face meetings with the powers that

be,& polite outbursts have evoked no response.Sad, death is treated as an event ,no human touch or

understanding ! You & You alone can bring sense & semblance of accountability &

responsibility,without which Umpire or Beacon light, country will deteriorate & institutions will be

crippled, as it happens to day without a modicum of independent Corporate Governance,which must

form the bedrock of decisions.

6) More than 14 years,money,labour, energy, inconveniences, delay, adjournments, court rules &

procedures, adverse health,sacrifices,are being silently borne by pensioners, activists straining to

maximum even in adversity, affecting their health. Lack of money power, lung power, muscle power,

political power must be compensated & addressed only by High Courts & Supreme Court.Facts are

clear as crystal, reason & logic of demands are powerful, no one can deny discrimination, violation of

Fundamental Rights enshrined in constitution, Article 14,16 & 21 ,decades have rolled by, none to

wipe the tears, demands are modest & legitimate, Court victories are galore & successive, one after

another.

Lastly, it must not be forgotten & it can be rightly claimed, we Pensioners won the case & all was over

perhaps on that bright day, 8th August 2013,

1) when our Petitioner Sri Asthanas IA 12 & 13 were admitted,

2) LIC SLPs 29956 & 29957/2011 were dismissed &

3) This proviso only went against us, as SC Bench gave LIC a fresh lease of life to file fresh SLPs with

caution & warning delay may not be normally condoned, but ultimately when SC categorically

ordered”NO STAY of Hon SJ Rajasthan HC orders dt 12/1/2010 & allied matters”,a clear indicator of

their minds but condoned such an enormous delay of 6 months & 23 days on 30 September, 2013

7) Sir,dispensers of justice must bring solace & comfort to the needy litigants with a spirit of zeal &

zest & when justice is trampled upon,Courts must immediately step in & remedy the injustice

perpetrated in any garb whatsoever. This will bring credit & glory to yourgoodself & indeed such

valiant,original efforts will bring dividends to society & earn accolades for such drastic purification of

the legal sytem where vital matters like these must be addressed & resolved with promptness &

aplomb

8) You have done yeoman service in judicial sphere & matters of legal jurisprudence. You have

adorned all posts with distinction.Your out-of-the-box remedy by disposing lacs of cases in Adalats in

various courts bear standing testimony to your care & concern for the underdog.Your judgements

involving all disciplines, Centre & State with high profile politicians, bureaucrats & businessmen

clearly & candidly bear your intellectual imprints consisting of novel ideas. We would have very much

liked to approach you earlier,but especially when SLPs after SLPs, converted as CAs masquerade &

getting clubbed, proving detrimental to pensioners, your positive & assertive intervention will deliver

the fruits of judgements ,which is being denied to us under one pretext or another.

We are small men, UIPs, UnImportant Persons. Symbol of the Balance is touching & revealing.

Supreme Court, under your able, dynamic& progressive leadership & captaincy,even in this real hour

of distress & frustration can prove Supreme. Sir, With folded hands we beg of you to bring this

tortuous,expensive legal battle, which LIC/UOI can comfortably bear driving us to despair to a

happy,positive & satisfactory conclusion. Please bring to closure these cases of ours, thereby giving

Voice to the voiceless,Power to the powerless for which act of kindness, benevolence& empathy, we

the Entire Insurance Pensioners Fraternity shall for ever be eternally grateful. We salute you & bow

before you on this auspicious Vishu & Tamil New Years day heralding JAYA, earlier having ushered

sprightly Holi, Ugadi & Baishaka.

Yours most respectfully & faithfully,

R.B.KISHORE,

VP, ALL INDIA RETIRED INSURANCE EMPLOYEES” FEDERATION, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR(Retd), LIC: 12/4/2014

MUMBAI HIGHCOURT CIRCULAR FOR GIVING PREFERENCE TO PARTIES ABOVE 60 YRS OF AGE

ASSOCIATION NEWS:

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF KOLKATA ASSOCIATION

The 19th

Annual General Meeting of the Kolkata Association is scheduled to be held on 14th

June, 2014 (Saturday) at 2 pm at Subarna Banik Samaj Hall, near Khadi Gramodyog/Jeevan

Prakash Bldg crossing at Chandni Chowk Metro Stn. Formal notice shall be sent by post &

email to all members to their recorded addresses in the first week of May'2014. Also, we will

make every effort to contact our members over telephone to remind at least 10/15 days

before the the scheduled date.

All members, receiving this email, are requested to communicate other members, not having

email address, of the date and venue of the AGM.

Every member of the Association is requested to kindly ensure attendance and active

participation to make this 19th AGM a grand success.

…….LIC RETIRED CLASS-I OFFICERS’ ASSOCIATION, KOLKATA.

BURNING QUESTION OF TODAY

Euphoria generated among the LIC pensioners expecting some positive decisions from

Rajasthan HC helped the seeds of hopes to sprout out of the earth. The 13th

Feb’14 dismissal

of the contempt petition by Raj HC withered away the leaves of hopes setting in pictures of

gloom in the minds of many pensioners. There has been no clarification as yet to what had

actually transpired on 12th

and 13th February ’14. Silence and absence of any suitable

explanation have given rise to misgivings, rumours, hearsays like underhand deals struck at

the highest level. Nobody, who all these days were blowing bugles about positive outcome,

has yet asked for any reasonable clarification. There are talks that LIC pensioners are

confused. Some say they are not only confused but also are lost, unsure, unclear, perplexed,

disoriented and bewildered. Some say no, they are being let down.

The pensioners, who contributed to Legal fund for fighting the case at Rajsthan HC and

Supreme Court, are raising questions as to what actually happened on 12th

and 13th

Feb’14.

This needs to be answered properly.

One of the Senior Pensioner commented the following- “The only thing now required is to

physically prevent our Advocates in SC or HC from withdrawing the Contempt petitions.”

Sri M.Sreenivasa Murty has taken a lead & has evolved a series of steps to forge

understanding among the different respondents to the civil appeals of LIC (as mentioned

above) in supreme court so that arguments put forward during the proceedings should be on

the same line, at least should not differ. He had a chain of dialogues at Delhi during SC

hearing with leaders who matter. His main strategy is to ensure that in 2nd

week of August

2014, all clubbed CAs are slated for hearing, Pensioners Federations involved in Delhi case

viz.Sri GN Sridharan & thro Intervention Petition, Sri KML Asthana, who has been

spearheading the legal battle to a series of victories in Jaipur HC, Chandigarh HC & Delhi HC

on main plank of historic Hon SJ Bhandari’s judgement dt 12/1/2010. PB & HR HC added

interest 12% for the delay meaning thereby retrospective, Delhi HC added “in rem” meaning

thereby, not merely Petitioners but all pensioners in same aggrieved category. Sri M

Sreenivasa Murty is bent on appealing to good sense of Pensioners Fedns to ensure smooth

sailing when all CAs clubbed together for hearing comes up in SC.We do not know how far Sri

Murty will progress. But we feel that every federation should agree to argue for

implementation of Raj HC verdict dt 12/01/2010. The leaders should read the writings on the

wall, else they will be rejected by their own members.

An excerpt from the topic “UNITY MOVES---Musings & Reflections” by Shri RB Kishore, VP, AIRIEF :

“Proposals & suggestions to seek unity & present a mosaic of common interests of pensioners

are appearing regularly in LIC pensioners chronicle blog. …. Sri M.Sreenivasa Murty has taken

a lead & has evolved a series of steps to convert this idea to reality. He had a chain of

dialogues at Delhi during SC hearing with leaders who matter. ….. viz. Sri GNSridharan & thro

Intervention Petition, Sri KMLAsthana, ….. Sri MSM is bent on appealing to good sense of

Pensioners Fedns to ensure smooth sailing when all CAs clubbed together for hearing comes

up in SC…”

UNITY MOVES in the eye of Shri CH Mahadevan, (EC Member), Rtd LIC Class-I Officers’ Federation:

“Mr MSM has played a catalytic role in mooting practical and useful ideas. Now the proposals

and ideas need to be converted into concrete action by the leaders of both AIRIEF and

Federation of Retired Class I Officers' Associations in a concerted manner. …... Management

of the cases and purposive court craft become very crucial from now on to encash the

advantages gained so far.”

Percentage of wage revision – 1997, 2002 & 2007

“In response to my application to the CPIO,LIC and my subsequent appeal to the Appellate

Authority, I have obtained the following information vide the letter dt 20/2/2014 from

Secretary(RTI),CO,LIC:

"-----In this regard appellant is informed that the term weightage of 11.25% in the

Board Resolution dated 24.11.2001 was referred to by then Chairman with reference of

Dr.S.Ram Khanna, the then Board Member. As was earlier informed by the CPIO, the said

percentage does not exactly reflect the percentage of wage rise to existing employees as on

1.8.1997.....However, the percentage increase over the wage Bill allowed to the in-service

employees as on 1.8.2002 and 1.8.2007 was 13.30% and 17.50% respectively." …”-------C H

Mahadevan

LIC NEWS: CPI : Jan – 237, Feb – 238, March – 239, There is a decrease of 17 slabs w.e.f 01-05-2014 for employees. Group Mediclaim Policy for the year 2014-15 has been renewed with New India

and the Policy Number is given below.

Policy No. : 12070034140400000002, Period : From 01-04-2014 To 31-03-2015

LIC ISSUED REVISED MEDICLAIM CIRCULARS :

FINANCIAL:

Landlord PAN Mandatory for annual Rent Over 1 lakh

HRA exemption can be availed up to least of the following:

1) Actual HRA received.

2) Excess of rent paid over 10% of the salary.

3) 50% of salary if house is located in Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata or Chennai. 40% elsewhere.

Any salaried person would have heard of a term called HRA (House Rent Allowance). It not

only gives benefit in the form of allowance but also gives an opportunity for tax

exemption up to a certain limit. Almost every salaried employee takes this benefit. IT

department also provides the facility of claiming tax benefit on HRA for rent paid to parents.

Change in Rule

Until now, tax payers did not have to provide landlord’s PAN unless the rent was Rs. 1,80,000

p.a or Rs. 15,000 per month. However, IT department has put its foot forward in this regard

and lowered the limit to declare landlord PAN to Rs. 1 lakh p.a or Rs. 8,333 per month. The

reason IT department has brought about this new rule is because it believes there are a lot of

fake receipts being submitted while claiming HRA exemption.

Exemption for Rent Receipts

However, employees who receive HRA up to Rs. 3,000 per month are not required to submit

receipts for proof of rent paid. It may not benefit huge number of tax payers, though. This

concession is only for the purpose of TDS (Tax Deduction at Source), and, in the regular

assessment of the employee, the Assessing Officer will be free to make such enquiry as he

deems fit for the purpose of satisfying himself that the employee has incurred actual

expenditure on payment of rent.

If Landlord does not have PAN

In case the landlord does not have PAN, employee should submit a declaration stating the

same along with the landlord’s details. The new rule is set to trouble the tax payers more as

we know that a lot of landlords would be unwilling to submit PAN details or even give a

declaration.

What if documents are not submitted?

The documents need to reach the IT department within February month of next calendar

year. If it’s not the case, the HRA exemption given will be reversed and the entire HRA

amount will be clubbed with the salary and taxed according to the tax slab.

This new rule is definitely a set back for a lot of salaried people since there were many of

those who were claiming HRA exemption even without paying rents. But, even the honest tax

payers would be hit hard on account of this new rule because of the reluctance of landlords

to neither submit PAN nor give a declaration.

The minimum subscription for PPF has been changed to Rs. 100

Central Government has vide Notification No. GSR 225(E), Dated – 13-3-2014 fixed initial

minimum subscription in PPF at Rs. 100 by amending the para 4 of Public Provident Fund

Scheme 1968. Earlier there was no minimum fixed amount of deposit for opening of PPF

account but the condition was that amount of initial subscription shall be integral multiples

of Rs.5. The notification Further allows online/ electronic payment in PPF Account if account

holder is maintaining account with a Bank or Post office working on Core Banking platform.

(Notification N0. GSR 225(E), Dated – 13-3-2014).

GOI decision on Revision of Pension in RBI

Adv. Ramesh Aherrao, General Secretary, ALL INDIA RBI OERS PENSIONERS FORUM, 20,

‘Radhey’, Ujwal Layout, Jaitala Road, Nagpur-440 022, Ph. – 0712-2230805 wrote on

02.01.2014 to Shri Raghuraman Rajan, Governor/RBI.

…..8] Secondly Sir, we are also wishing to get the updation of pension. Since this is one of the

foremost social security measures for the retirees, the same is denied to 40,000 retirees of

RBI. The issue is hanging for the last so many years which you are well aware of. We are very

hopeful and confident that you will definitely deliver the justice to the senior citizens and

pensioners of RBI who has devoted their whole life for the Bank. Our only request is whether

within the autonomous character of the Bank, pension updation is granted within the

Pension Rules of RBI.

9] Central Govt. is granting the updation without amending the relevant

clause which state “pay at the time of retirement”. Central Govt. notionally

updated the pay of retirees as per the Pay Commissions and the arrears paid, when RBI tried

within its powers to revise the pension of pre 1997 retirees. Central Govt. forced RBI to

withdraw it. Pre 1997 retirees had no choice but obtain stay on the downward revision of

pension. The matter is standing still at this juncture. How many pre 1997 retirees will survive

the Court case judgment only future can tell ?.....

A bulletin -'PRATHYASA'- (Issue No 43 - March 2013) of Reserve Bank Retired Employees

Association, Kochi reports on Pension Updation in RBI as follows:

“… It is learnt from reliable sources that the Governor who is keen to find a solution to the

issue had a one-to-one meeting with the Honourable Finance Minister, Shri Chidambaram

recently and convinced him that the additional expenditure on account of pension updation

in RBI would not have an impact on its income and would be met out of the pension funds

lying with the Bank. The FM, in turn, had a briefing with the Finance Secretary subsequently.

In the light of this development, a positive letter from DG(C) has gone to the Finance

Secretary. A three-member team from Central Office will be leaving for Delhi in the first

week of April to meet the Finance Ministry officials to finalise the parameters. Once the

modalities are finalized after discussions with the Government officials, the entire process is

likely to be completed by May 2013…”

RBI Governor’s offer to RBI retirees:

At long last, Government accorded in principle approval for updation of pension with certain

conditions which is a positive and encouraging development.

The proposals are as under:

1. Pension updation once in 10 years as in Government,

2. Pension to be computed on pay and grade pay as in

Government ( this will require amendment to Pension Regulations),

3. Revision of pay scales once in 10 years,

4. All perks to be rationalised,

5. Pension option to be opened alongside.

This is a package. It emerged from the discussions with CGM that Govt. has accepted in

principle that there is need for updation in RBI and the pension is expected to be aligned with

the revision of pay scales effective from 1-11-2012 which is expected to result in same rank

same pension. This information will be simulated. CGM also indicated that RBI can act within

the provisions of RBI ACT, to take care of any misalignment with the Govt. salary and the

Banking industry. CGM also told that the GOVERNOR was instrumental in breaking the ice on

updation which was eluding for 6 long years.

It is learnt from very reliable sources that United Forum Leaders met the

Reserve Bank today ( 28-04-2014 ) morning and conveyed their approval in

respect of Pension Updation etc. United Forum is likely to issue a circular soon.

Await for the details.

Circular of United Forum appended :

UNITED FORUM OF RESERVE BANK OFFICERS & EMPLOYEES

March 19, 2014

Dear friends,

Govt’s Proposals to the Bank on Pension Issues

On the captioned matter Bank invited United Forum on 18th March 2014. Talks were held in

three rounds; first with DG (KCC), then with CGM and DGM of HRMD, and finally with ED

Shri Gandhi. Bank informed us Govt‘s conditionalities on pension updation, for which we

have been agitating for about 6 years now viz,

i ) updation will be granted once in every 10 years,

(ii) pension will be calculated on basic pay and “grade pay" without other pay components, as

of now; which we observe will result in the existing pension amount having to be

"recalculated" accordingly which shall reduce pension amount of the recipients,

(iii) all perks will be rationalised“,

(iv) wage revisions'will take place once in 10 years, instead of the existing 5 years.

There was no mention of fresh pension option in the conditionalities.

We reacted strongly that pension issue is comprising of updation of pension and fresh

pension option and not frequency of wage revision / perks, which relates primarily to the

banking sector and flows from various tribunals / arbitration awards and bipartite

settlements as per lD Act; as such Government‘s proposals in this regard is beyond their

jurisdiction and is ‘unacceptable’ to us. We have been demanding improvement of pension

and not reduction thereof. We emphasized that updation of pension every 10 years will

create many anomalies and differential treatments.

We have stated categorically that United Forum will react strongly through intensive

agitations if interest of employees and retirees are adversely affected in the name of

improvements Clearly, while Govt. has grudgingly accepted in-principle updation of pension

in RBI they are trying to make it a nullity by preposterous conditionalities. We urged on the

Bank to pursue the matter further with the Govt. keeping our very cogent views and

apprehensions in mind instead of allowing the Govt. to find out excuses to run away from

the issue after 6 years of our sustained The meeting of the United Forum under the

chairmanship of Shri S.V. Mahadik (AIRBWF) resolved to maintain strong unity, decide in

unison and intensify our efforts including agitations in the days to come for satisfactory

solutions.

With greetings

Yours fraternally,

General Secretary, AIRBEA, General Secretary, AIRBWF,

General Secretary, AIRBOA, General Secretary, RBIOA

Demonstration by RBI retirees and in Service employees on 07.03.14

UNITED FORUM OF RESERVE BANK OFFICERS & EMPLOYEES

28th April, 2014

Friends,

Undation of Pension & fresh option

Bank invited United Forum today at Mumbai for exploratory discussions on the issues of

pension updation and fresh option following our meeting with the Governor in this regard on

March 26. 2014. Before meeting the Bank the United Forum met with Shri Arun Samaddar

(AIRBWF) in the Chair and decided to reiterate our serious apprehensions arising out of

Government's communication to the Bank.

Bank took note of our concerns and assured that Bank would be making endeavour to

address those and protect the interests of employees and retirees, regarding fixation of pay

for pension, "rationalization" of perks and perquisites, alignment with the banking sector

including SBI for compensation package with A+ position every five years following

settlements there, appropriate amendment of RBI pension regulations etc.

The United Forum met new Deputy Governor, in-Charge of Administration (Shri R. Gandhi),

who was greeted by us; he assured that Bank would do its best to protect the interest of its

staff and would not agree to any proposal /suggestion of the Government inimical to staffs

interest. We thanked him and the Governor.

The United Forum took stock of the developments and Bank‘s responses. It decided to fight

any unjust imposition from the Government on RBI staff, both in short term and long term,

and called upon all sections of RBI staff to remain firmly united and support the collective

efforts of the United Forum to clinch the issues for which we have been painstakingly trying

for last more than six years, ensuring in the process sympathetic support of the RBI Central

Board and successive Governors.

Let us remain alert about further developments and do not pay any heed to hearsay and

rumours.

With greetings

Yours fraternally,

General Secretary, AIRBEA, General Secretary, AIRBWF,

General Secretary, AIRBOA, General Secretary, RBIOA

WHAT OUR LEADERS FAILED TO DO:

JOINT MEMORANDUM / APPEAL ON COMMON ISSUES OF BANK RETIREES.

We were making efforts to submit joint memorandum / appeal on the important and

common demands of the retirees on behalf of three main retiree organisations operating in

the banking industry namely, All India Bank Retirees’ Federation (AIBRF), Federation of SBI

Pensioners Associations and All India Bank Pensioners and Retiree Confederation to the

government and other concerned authorities to show the unity among bank retirees and to

work untidily to achieve them. We wish to inform you that we have finalised the joint

memorandum and signed it along with the above referred two retiree organisations at Delhi

on 16th April 2014. The same will be submitted to Banking Secretary, IBA and UFBU and

further joint follow-up will be done as and when needed . It is an important move towards

developing coordination among retiree organisations.

----- SC JAIN, GENERAL SECRETARY, All India Bank Retirees' Federation

HEALTH TIPS:

Simple Steps for Identifying a Stroke! We'll start with a short story. During getting ready with tiffin in the kitchen for the guests present in the

house, a woman named Protima, tripped and fell. She got up almost immediately and assured everyone

around her that she was fine. Others suggests she get an ambulance, but she refused and explained that

she bumped into a small piece of wood on the floor of kitchen and tripped due to her new shoes.

They helped her clean up and helped her to enjoy the tiffin together, she seemed to be a bit shaky, but

continued to enjoy the evening.

Later that night, her husband called and told everyone that his wife was rushed to the hospital. She died

a few hours later. It turned out that she had a mild stroke in the kitchen.

If someone had known how to check for signs of stroke, Protima might still be alive today.

According to Neurological experts, if a person has had a stroke and receives treatment within 3 hours,

they would be able to save them and return them to normal condition. All one needs to know is how to

identify a stroke, and once you know it has happened - rush the person to the hospital immediately, so

they can be saved in time.

So how do you identify a stroke?

At times, it can be quite hard to identify the symptoms of stroke. Unfortunately, this may lead to brain

injury and death.

Today, neurologists recommend 4 simple steps to identify if the person has had a stroke:

1. Ask the person to smile. 2. Ask them to say a simple sentence and repeat it a few times. 3. Ask them to raise their hand above their head. 4. Ask them to stick out their tongue. If the tongue is crooked, meaning leaning to the right or left, that is a clear indication of stroke. If the person has trouble doing ANY of these, call the emergency number of your physician immediately

and describe the symptoms so that the person can be hospitalised without loss of time by calling an

ambulance.

Please share this important information, it may save someone one day.

Papaya

Christopher Columbus, an Italian voyager once referred to papayas as the fruit of the angels.

The fruit which is extremely rich in Vitamin C has a wide range of health benefits making it a

great fruit option to include in your diet. Here are some of the top health benefits of papaya.

1. Lowers cholesterol

Papaya is rich in fibre, Vitamin C and antioxidants which prevent cholesterol build up in your

arteries. Too much cholesterol build-up can lead to several heart diseases including heart

attack and hypertension. Read more about foods that can help reduce cholesterol.

2. Helps in weight loss

Those looking to lose weight must include papaya in their diet as it is very low in calories. The

fibre content in papaya leaves you feeling full and also clears your bowel movement making

your weight loss regime easier. Read about more foods that can help you lose weight.

3. Boosts your immunity

Your immunity system acts as a shield against various infections that can make you really

sick. A single papaya contains more than 200% of your daily requirement of Vitamin C,

making it great for your immunity. Read more about foods that can boost your immunity.

4. Good for diabetics

Papaya is an excellent food option for diabetics as it has a low-sugar content even though it is

sweet to taste. Also, people who don’t have diabetes can eat papaya to prevent it from

happening. Here is a healthy diet plan for diabetics.

5. Great for your eyes

Papaya is rich in Vitamin A which helps protect your vision from degenerating. Nobody wants

to lose their ability to see due to diseases like age-related macular degeneration, and eating

papayas will ensure that you do not see a day where you cannot see.

6. Protects against arthritis

Arthritis can be a really debilitating disease and people who have it may find their quality of

life reduced significantly. Eating papayas are good for your bones as they have anti-

inflammatory properties along with Vitamin C which helps in keeping various forms of

arthritis at bay. A study published in Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases showed that people

who consumed foods low in Vitamin C were three times more likely to have arthritis than

those who didn’t.

7. Improves digestion

In today’s times, it is near impossible to avoid eating foods that are bad for your digestive

system. Often we find ourselves eating junk food or restaurant food prepared in excessive

quantities of oil. Eating a papaya daily can make up for such occasional mistakes, as it has a

digestive enzyme known as papain along with fibre which helps improve your digestive

health.

8. Helps ease menstrual pain

Women who are experiencing menstrual pain should help themselves to several servings of

papaya, as an enzyme called papain helps in regulating and easing flow during menstrual

periods. Read about more tips that can help ease menstrual pain.

9. Prevents signs of ageing

All of us would love to stay young forever, but no one in this world has managed to do it. Still,

healthy habits like eating a papaya daily will prolong the process and may make you look 5

years younger than you are. Papaya is rich in Vitamin C, Vitamin E and antioxidants like beta-

carotene which helps prevent your skin from free radical damage keeping wrinkles and other

signs of ageing at bay.

10. Prevents cancer

Papaya is a rich source of antioxidants, phytonutrients and flavonoids that prevent your cells

from undergoing free radical damage. Some studies have also linked the consumption papaya

to reduced risk of colon and prostate cancer. Here are some food habits that can help prevent

cancer.

11. Helps reduce stress

After working hard for the whole day, it is a good idea to come home to a plate a papayas.

The wonder fruit is rich in several nutrients like Vitamin C which can keep you free from

stress. According to a study conducted in University of Alabama, found that 200 mg of

Vitamin C can help regulate the flow of stress hormones in rats. Read more about foods that

you should avoid if you have stress.

OF INTEREST:

THE INDIAN ELECTIONS - NEW YORK TIMES

It is truly the greatest show on Earth, an ode to a diverse & democratic ethos, where 700

million + of humanity vote, providing their small part in directing their ancient civilization

into the future.

It is no less impressive when done in a neighborhood which includes de-stabilizing & violent

Pakistan, China, and Burma.

It's challenges are immense, more so probably than anywhere else, particularly in

development & fending off terrorism -- but considering these challenges & its neighbors, it is

even more astounding that the most diverse nation on Earth, with hundreds of languages, all

religions & cultures, is not only surviving, but thriving.

The nation: where Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism & Sikhism were born, which is the second

largest Muslim nation on Earth;

where Christianity has existed for 2000 years;

where the oldest Jewish synagogues & Jewish communities have resided since the Romans

burnt their 2nd temple; where the Dalai Lama & the Tibetan government in exile reside;

where the Zoroastrians from Persia have thrived since being thrown out of their ancient

homeland; where Armenians, Syrians & many others have come to live; where the Paris-

based OECD said was the largest economy on Earth for 1500 of the last 2000 years, including

the 2nd largest, only 200 years ago; where 3 Muslim Presidents have been elected, where a

Sikh is Prime Minister & the head of the ruling party a Catholic Italian woman, where the

past President was also a woman, succeeding a Muslim President who as a rocket scientist is

a hero in the nation; where a booming economy is lifting 40 million out of poverty each year

& is expected to have the majority of its population in the middle class already, equal to the

entire US population, by 2025;

where its optimism & vibrancy is manifested in its movies, arts, economic growth & voting,

despite all the incredible challenges & hardships; where all the great powers are vying for

influence, as it itself finds its place in the world.

Where all of this is happening, is India and as greater than 1/10th of humanity gets ready to

vote, it is an inspiration to the entire World.

— V Mitchell, New York, NY

Einstein : “What I admire most about your art is its universality. You do not say a word, yet,

the world understands you.”

Charlie Chaplin : “It’s true, but your fame is even greater. The world admires you, when

nobody understands you.”

Before retirement, the wife gets half husband and full salary. After retirement, she gets

back full husband with half salary.

YESTERDAY is history, TOMORROW is mystery , TODAY is gift. That is why it is called the

present !

Martin Luther King Jr. said : “If you can’t fly, then run; If you can’t run,then walk; If you

can’t walk, then crawl; BUT whatever you do, you have to keep moving forward.”

On the eve of India’s Independence, Winston Churchill warned against granting freedom to

India and reportedly said: “Power will go to the hands of rascals, rogues, freebooters; all

Indian leaders will be of low calibre and men of straw. They will have sweet tongues and silly

hearts. They will fight amongst themselves for power and India will be lost in political

squabbles. A day would come when even air and water would be taxed in India.” (Courtsey : RB Kishore)

RTI APPLICANT'S ADDRESS NOT NECESSARY - GOVT ORDER ISSUED

No. 1/31/2013-IR

Government of India Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions Department of Personnel & Training, North Block, New Delhi. Dated the 8th January, 2014

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject : Order dated 20.11.2013 of the High Court of Kolkata in Writ Petition No. 33290

of 2013 in the case of Mr. Avishek Goenka Vs Union of India regarding personal details of

RTI applicants’ circulation of.

In compliance of the directions of the Hon'ble High Court of Kolkata in its said order, a copy of the judgement (order) is enclosed herewith for appropriate action. 2. This may be brought to the notice of all concerned.

A PAINTING BY M. TALALPATRA, LIC PENSIONER & MEMBER, KOLKATA ASSOCN

PENSIONERS’ NEWS:

We lost our member pensioner Subhash Chandra Dey Khan. “Eastern News” conveys

heartfelt condolence to the members of the bereaved family.

5 new members were enrolled in the month of April’2014, viz, S/Sri Saileswar Chakraborty,

Ajit Kumar Datta, Swapan Kumar Roy Chowdhury, Ajoy Kumar Chowdhury, Smt. Nandita

Banerjee. “Eastern News” cordially welcomes them.

JOKES:

READERS’ VIEWS:

1. Thank you very much for sending me a copy of your EN- April issue.I enjoyed reading the

same- full of valuable information.Hearty congrats. R.Venugopal, Retired ED LIC Bangalore.

2. It was an excellent compilation of useful items. Lots of efforts must have gone into preparing

this compilation. I offer my sincere appreciation for your Newsletter. Also I wish to thank you

for forwarding the Newsletter to me. It is true the Retired Seniors are in a difficult situation. It

looks all the doors are closed upon them. Yet let us keep our spirits high - Injustice &

ADHARMA cannot last for ever. Thanks again & with GREETINGS to ALL MY FRIENDS &

COMRADES in the EASTERN SECTOR. D S Narain, Chennai.

3. Thanx for a wonderful News bulletin , Goswami ji. By going thru bulletin I bound to

understand that the community of pensioners are in confused state of mind. Certainly judicial

process is lengthy and less dependable. But if court take a stand like in Sahara case some

hopes of good fruits visualise otherwise difficult to fight against.....My salutation to you for

nice informative bulletin. With warm regards, Anand Tyagi, UK.

4. I have gone through the latest issue of your e magazine and congratulate you for covering so

much of information about LIC Pensioners and the Health Tips. I have also found an item

where Shri Rajib Takru of Ministry of Finance has made the following remark when the

Chairman of LIC raised the topic relating to the Pension issue of LIC Pensioners in one of the

Board Meetings:-

"Why raising this issue here in Board, they are fighting in Courts and let them do that. Why we

are worried about it? This appears to be a clear case of insensitivity on the part of Shri Rajib

Takru. He appears to have forgotten that the matter was dragged to the Court only after LIC

failed to implement its own Board Resolution despite necessary follow up from Associations

representing LIC Pensioners.

I once again congratulate you and all my other friends in the Editorial Board.

Thanking you and with best wishes, B.S. Gopala Krishna.

PENSIONERS’ TOUR :

Due to summer with scorching sunlight near 42’C, tour programme is for the

time being kept in abeyance till tour-friendly climate is available.

NOTE :

Write Ups/Information/Readers’ Views/Request with e-mail id for soft copy of monthly e-

Magazine free of cost may please be sent to our following e-mail IDs :

AMAR KUMAR GOSWAMI : amarkumar1951@gmail.com

SUBIR KUMAR MAZUMDAR : eskayem@gmail.com

LIC RETIRED OFFICERS’ ASSOCIATION : licretiredofficers@gmail.com

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