cbroa newscbroa.co.in/pages/nb august 2019.pdf · had a total of 1,09,811 inn2013 which increased...
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Editorial
• Golden Jubilee Celebration of Bank Nationalisation
Our Bank
• Canara Bank announced Quarterly Results for June 2019 quarter
CBOA News
• Canara Bank Officers’ Association and Canpal targeting recover overdue amounting to Rs.3,200 crores in 6 months
AIBOC / AINBOF / UFBU News
• UFBU Delegation Calls On The Union Finance Minister And Submitted A Memorandum On The Expeditious Wage Revision And Resolution Of Pensioners’ Issues.
• Golden Jubilee Celebration Of Bank Nationalisation Day : Cboa And AINBOF Celebrate The Day As Promise To Our Patrons (Pop).
• AINBOF Circular No. GS / Jul / 2019 /013 Dated 05.07.2019 - Cabinet Approves
Code On Wage Bill : Role Of Trade Unions Now.
AIBPARC / CBPRO News
• IBA’s Medical Insurance Scheme Retirees
• Golden Jubilee Year of Bank Nationalisation
• Improvement in Family Pension and Updation of Pension in Banks – A fervent appeal to Hon Minister for Finance, Smt. Nirmala Sitaraman
Dearness Relief to Bank Pensioners w.e.f. August 2019
CBROA/News Bulletin/Aug 2019 Date : 01.08.2019
At a Glance Click the link to read the article
Click Back to Top link on the bottom to come to this page
CBROA NEWS Monthly E bulletin of Canara Bank Retired Officers’ Association (Regd)
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CBROA Activities / meetings
• Dr. S T Ramachandra, former General Manager of our Bank and our member, nominated as a member, Syndicate of the University of Mysore.
• Smt Salekoppa L Kanyakumari (Smt S L Kanyakumari) will participate in World Masters Badminton Championship in Poland.
• Rally on 22.07.2019 at Tiruvanthapuram to commemorate the Bank Nationalisation Day
• Dharna on 20th July, 2019 at Coimbatore
• Central Committee Meeting at Hyderabad on 13th & 14th July, 2019
• Meeting of members at o Shivamogga on 23.07.2019 o Indore on 24.07.2019 o Bhopal on 25.07.2019 o Aligharh on 26.07.2019 o Ghaziabad on 28.07.2019 o Delhi on 29.07.2019
• Mangalore unit arranges Picnic and Vanamahotsava on 28.07.2019
• Social activities conducted at Vijayawada
Banking News / Developments
• RBI Governor meets Public Sector Bank heads, reiterates call for transmission
• MSME bad loans ratio remains high at 10.8% in the March 2019 quarter
• NPA Crisis : Loan write offs by Banks cross Rs.2 lakh crores
• Banks’ bad loans down at Rs.9.34 lakh crores at FY 2019 end
• ATM Transaction charges for other bank ATMs likely to change : RBI sets up review panel
• State Bank of India has been caught lying about its profits for three years
• RBI imposes Rs.7 crore fine on State Bank of India for violation of various regulatory guidelines.
• Allahabad Bank repots Rs.688.27 crores fraud
• Punjab National Bank hit by another fraud of Rs.3,800 crores.
• IL&FS hosted top executive of Credit Agency, Brickwork Agency, got high ratings
• Government rules out reintroduction of old pension scheme
• Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) tells ministries to take action against corrupt bureaucrats before they retire. 25 officials from State Bank of India, Canara Bank, Punjab National Bank, other Banks under scanner.
Photo Gallery
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Dear Friends,
GOLDEN JUBILEE CELEBRATION OF BANK NATIONALISATION.
India celebrated the 50 Years of Bank
Nationalisation on 19th July of this year. There
were panel discussions on the electronic media
over the successes and failures of the epoch
making financial exercise that began on the
midnight of July 19, 1969. It started under the
then Prime Minister of India with nationalization
of 14 major commercial banks that accounted
for 85 per cent of bank deposits in the country
at that time. Six more banks were nationalized
in 1980. The core objective of nationalization
was to energise priority sectors at a time when
the large businesses were dominating the credit
portfolios. Thanks to the relentless struggle
waged by millions of Bank employees over the
years, for nationalization of the Banking Sector
which lead to Government’s decision to
nationalize the major commercial Banks. This
struggle was supported by the law makers, the
academia, economists who championed the
cause of the poor, the agriculturists, the down
trodden, the small business enterprises, the
hitherto neglected sectors of the economy. The
struggle was motivated by the need to seize
control of the nation’s savings for allocation to
priority sectors of the economy from the big
business houses of the country who, had taken
control of the Banking sector in the post-
independence period. The country was in a
desperate situation to align its resources
towards a systematic and planned economic
development of the country. The purpose of
nationalization was to ensure equitable flow of
credit to every sector of the economy to avoid
lopsided growth.
Commercial Banks belonged to private business
houses those times. Since these commercial
banks were run by business houses, they failed
in helping the Government in many ways.
Nationalisation of the Banks, preceded by
taking over of Imperial Bank of India and
renamed as State Bank of India in 1955, and
nationalization of 6 state associated Banks,
through the State Bank of India (Subsidiaries)
Act 1959 followed by a second phase of
nationalization in 1980, brought the public
confidence in the Banking system of India. With
this 80% of the Banking Sector came under the
public/government ownership. After
nationalization of the Banks, the branches of
the public sector banks were opened in the
hitherto unbanked regions, reaching even the
remotest parts of the country, deposits rose to
approximately 800 per cent, and advances took
a huge jump by 11,000 per cent. Government
ownership gave the public implicit faith and
immense confidence in the sustainability of
Public Sector Banks. By 2013 the Indian Banking
Industry employed, 11,75,149 employees and
had a total of 1,09,811 inn2013 which increased
to 1,41,756 in 2019 branches in India and 171
branches abroad, aggregate deposits stood at
Rs.67,504.54 billion and Bank credit of
Rs.52,604.59 billion. The net profit of the Banks
operating in India was Rs.1,027.51 billion
against a turn-over ofRs.9,148.59 billion for
the financial year 2012-13.Population per
Branch declined to 14,000, Deposit as
percentage to GNP improved to 79%, per capita
deposit stood at Rs.56,380/-, per capita credit
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stood at Rs.44,078/-, Credit-Deposit Ratio
improved from 63% to 79%. The rise in the share
of rural and semi-urban branches was reflected
in the steady increase of the contribution of
rural and semi-urban areas in aggregate
deposits and credit. The share of rural and semi-
urban branches varied from 58.4% to 77.2% in
1990 and to 62.89% in 2019. The total network
of rural and semi-urban branches stood at
89,144 in March 2019 compared to 4,781 in 1969
and 46,128 in 1990. More significantly, the
credit deposit ratio of rural branches touched
65% as against the ideal parameter of 60% set
for the Banking Industry as a whole. It was not
only rural credit, there was an upsurge in small
borrower accounts. In addition, 1.26 lakh Bank
Mitras (Business Correspondents) provide
branchless banking service in villages. The
commitment to spread banking began with the
introduction of the Lead Bank Scheme in 1969
(LBS) and State Level Bankers’ Committee
(SBCs), District Credit Plans, Priority sector
Lending Norms in 1974, branch expansion policy
and the formation of Regional Rural Banks in
1975. These tools speeded up the outreach of
Banks to transform the village economy by
adopting them for integrated development.
Beyond providing banking services, Public
Sector Banks played a crucial role of
coordinating with state, district, tehsil and
block-level units of the Government and District
Industrial Centres and facilitated in
implementing Welfare Schemes. Public Sector
Banks served as a conduit to disburse subsidies,
implemented Government Sponsored Schemes
for integrated rural development, routed
interest subventions, facilitated debt-waiver
schemes and fulfilled mandatory lending norms.
The combined impact improved the economic
conditions of rural enterprises.
In the wake of the Banking Sector reforms
introduced in the year 1991, Public Sector Banks
adopted international prudential and capital
adequacy standards in line with Basel
framework, set out from time to time,
integrated risk management systems, business
process re-engineering, reorganization of
administrative structures, better systemic
controls, higher compliance standards and
better HR Management strategies.
In the earlier stages of nationalization, share of
unorganized credit fell sharply and the economy
seemed to come out of the low level of
equilibrium trap. In the process the flip side of
social commitment led to inefficiency and poor
customer service in some PSBs, taking away the
competitive edge. The administered interest
rates and the burden of directed lending
constrained their autonomy to operate on
commercial lines. The mandatory expansion of
branches in unbanked centres with low business
potentiality impacted the working of Public
Sector Banks. With little latitude to decide
business mix, profitability took a back seat.
PSBs struggling to work under the doctrine of
dual regulation suffered from poor governance,
Board of Directors of PSBs are appointed by the
Government with no freedom to review their
performance and competency. The expertise
with such independent directors rarely passed
on to Bank Management. As a result of poor
board oversight and the ability of large
borrowers to influence certain decisions, Public
Sector Banks accumulated huge Non-Performing
Assets (NPAs). They had to bear the brunt of
holding close to 90% of stock of bad loans,
further impinging upon their profitability.
In the aftermath of Banking Sector reforms,
there was a virtual expansion of credit. So in the
initial stages of liberalization, the initial
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benchmark of a reduction in NPA ratio and
increase in capital adequacy ratio was replaced
by a mad race for credit expansion giving a go
bye to the accepted principles of credit
Management. Such reckless expansion in both
corporate and personal sector including housing
finance, did partially insulate the Indian
economy but the story of decline of the system
was invisibly written in such reckless,
adventurous credit expansion which finally
exploded in so many big ticket defaults in the
post 2014 period. Such large scale default by big
corporate borrowers because of policy induced
credit expansion and failure to have an efficient
recovery mechanism despite of enactment of
Indian Bankruptcy Code and setting up of a
powerful National Company Law Tribunal,
(NCLT), leads to the clamour for providing
additional equity for Public Sector Banks. The
Government has been providing capital
infusion, it is too meager and the Government
is bogged down by its own fiscal responsibility
and budgetary management and this is blocking
provision of adequate capital from budgetary
resources. In this background the Government
has found an easy solution to privatise Public
Sector Banks because of the paucity of fiscal
resources and the alternative mechanism is
bank consolidation through merger and
amalgamation of Public Sector Banks. Firstly the
Associate Banks of SBI were merged with SBI
followed by merger of Vijaya Bank and Dena
Bank with Bank of Baroda, for the failure of the
government to provide adequate equity support
to tide over a crisis created by the policy
makers. This is done with an assumption that
“Too Big to Fail.” The reason for mergers/
amalgamation is on the assumption that size
would increase efficiency through more
efficient scale, better organization, increased
scope, improved product mix and downsizing of
labour force, which is not supported by any
empirical evidence.
Despite triumphs and tribulations, the move to
nationalize banks aided by banking sector
reforms, has greatly contributed in the robust
growth of banking outreach, more importantly
in the hinterland, benefitting the people at the
bottom of the pyramid. Focus on financial
inclusion guiding banks to adopt a specific three
year outreach policy since 2010 took aggressive
form in 2014 after the implementation of the
Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana. The combined
synergy lead to massive connect of the banking
system with the people. Effectively, 80% of
adults aged 15-plus have a bank account- a
great achievement by any standard. Of the 36
crore new Savings Bank Deposit Accounts
opened under PMJDY till May 2019, PSBs
accounted for 96.6%, reflecting their role in
social transformation. The challenges of Bank
reforms, did not dither the spirit of bank
nationalization and PSBs continue to serve the
masses even, at times, at the cost of losing
competitive edge.
As India celebrates the Golden Jubilee of Bank
Nationalisation, the purpose still holds relevant,
more so when growth aspirations are high, India
aims to be a US $ 5 trillion economy, and the
Banking Sector increasingly needs to stay
committed to serve the masses.
We wish all our members and the members of
their family, the best of health, happiness, joy
and peace of mind for all the time to come.
Yours Sincerely,
A N Krishna Murthy General Secretary
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CANARA BANK ANNOUNCES QUARTERLY RESULT FOR JUNE QUARTER 2019
Deposits Rs.6,10,674 crores
Advances Rs.4,49,290 crores
Total Business Rs.10,59,964 crores
Operating Profit Rs.2,440 crores
Net Profit Rs.329.07 crores
Net profit rose by 17% year-on-year on the back
of lower provision and improved asset quality.
Gross Non-performing Assets (NPAs), as a
percentage of Total Advances, were reduced to
8.77% in June Quarter compared with 11.05% in
the March Quarter and 13% in the year-ago
period. Gross NPA stood at Rs.39,399 crore.
Provisions during the quarter fell by 26.46% to
Rs.1,899.13 crore as against Rs.2,582.30 crore
in the year-ago quarter. In the Jan-March
Quarter the Bank had set aside Rs.5,523.50
crore.
Net Interest Income decreased by 16.54% to
Rs.3,240.61 from Rs.3,882.90 crore in the
corresponding period of last year and stood at
2.29%
Post-provision, the Net NPA reduced from
6.91% in March Quarter 2019 to 5.35% in June
Quarter 2019.
Total Number of Employees 57,449
Branch Network 6,323, ATM Strength 8,837
CANARA BANK OFFICERS’ ASSOCIATION AND CANPAL TARGETTING TO
RECOVER OVERDUE LOANS AMOUNTING TO Rs.3,200 CRORE IN 6 MONTHS.
CBOA and CANPAL (A Voluntary Association of
Officers of Canara Bank) have embarked on a
loan recovery drive as 2019 marks the Golden
Jubilee year of Banks’ Nationalisation as well
as the Triennial Conference of the Association.
Sri. G V Manimaran, General Secretary, CBOA
has informed that the objective is to recover a
minimum of Rs.3,200 crore (10 per cent) of the
total outstanding of Rs.32,000 crore in six
months and enhance the Bank’s bottom line.
The CANPALS have started meeting up with
loan defaulters in order to persuade them to
repay their dues after explaining the process.
They are, besides
meeting the Defaulters, sensitizing the family
members as well about the dues to the Bank.
This exercise is being carried out by CBOA
members and CANPALS after office hours and
OUR BANK
CBOA NEWS
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on holidays as a payback gesture to the Bank.
A Large number of Retired Officers have also
joined hands with CBOA in this Campaign. The
Association has within two days of launching
the campaign has recovered Rs.6 crore. The
recovery drive recorded sale of property
through e-auction for the first time in Jammu
& Kashmir. The Bank managed to recover
Rs.72.90 lakh from the sale of the said
property.
UFBU DELEGATION CALLS ON THE UNION FINANCE MINISTER AND
SUBMITTED A MEMORANDUM ON THE EXPEDITIOUS WAGE REVISION
AND RESOLUTION OF PENSIONERS’
ISSUES.
The Convener of UFBU Sri Sanjeev Kumar
Bandlish and the Leaders of the Constituents of
UFBU, including Sri. C H Venkatachalam, called
on the Union Finance Minister and submitted a
memorandum urging upon her the need to
conclude the XI Bipartite Wage negotiations for
the Bank employees and Officers at an early
date. The team reiterated the demand for
negotiation covering all the Scales in respect of
Officers and the IBA should be advised to hold
the negotiations on a continuous basis.
GOLDEN JUBILEE CELEBRATION OF
BANK NATIONALISATION DAY : CBOA AND AINBOF CELEBRATE THE
DAY AS PROMISE TO OUR PATRONS
(POP).
Canara Bank Officers’ Association jointly with
AINBOF had organized a meeting of Members
at Chennai to celebrate Golden Jubilee of Bank
Nationalisation on 19th July,2019. A large
number of our customers attended the
celebration. The day was celebrated as
Promise to our Patrons, where the members of
AINBOF took a pledge that, they would extend
friendly and courteous customer service,
keeping customer interest paramount, they
would try to maximize customers’ delight, they
would endeavour to solve the problems to the
optimum satisfaction of our customers, they
would be proud of their work and conduct
themselves professionally, they would deal
with the customers in a transparent and
unambiguous manner, they would continue to
provide banking services to the masses and
they would give priority to social objective and
strive to retain the Public Sector Status of our
Institution.
The gathering was addressed by Sri. T N
Manoharan, Chairman, Canara Bank, who
lauded the initiative of CBOA in organizing the
Celebration in a meaningful manner. Sri. Abdul
Azeez, General Manager, Canara Bank, Circle
Office, Chennai also addressed the gathering.
Sri G V Manimaran, General Secretary, AINBOF
and CBOA welcomed and administered the
pledge which promises the customers the best
service, to all the Officers of nationalized
banks. Sri. P Rajendran, Vice Chairman,
AINBOF proposed vote of thanks.
AIBOC / AINBOF / UFBU NEWS
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Similar programmes were held at Bangalore,
Mangalore, Mumbai, Pune, Hyderbad, Kolkatta,
Patna, Trivendrum, Coimbatore, Ahmedabad,
Delhi, Bhopal, Patna, Lucknow, Chandigarh,
Bhubaneshwar, Vijayawada etc.
AINBOF CIRCULARNO. GS / JUL /
2019 /013 DATED 05.07.2019 -
CABINET APPROVES CODE ON WAGE
BILL : ROLE OF TRADE UNIONS
NOW.
Recently Code on Wage Bill has been approved
by the Cabinet Committee and expected to be
passed by both the houses of Parliament
shortly. The Bill advocates a national minimum
wage below which even the State Governments
cannot fix their wages.
Since introduction of the bill in Lok Sabha in
2017, AINBOF has been strongly advocating for
the minimum wages principle adopted in the
Bill as it envisages fixing salary based on that
formula only.
Considering the previous Bipartite
Settlements, taking into account the past
experience during the negotiations and also
the losses posted by the Banking system. It was
decided by the four Officers’ organizations that
wage revision for Bank Officers should not be
based on the profit or paying capacity of the
institution as this has led to limited to increase
in the Salary Structure of the Bank Officers.
While searching for a viable alternative
formula for wage revision, we came across the
Minimum Wages Resolution by International
Labour Organisation in 1970, the crux of which
is ensuring Minimum Wages for Workers and
these resolutions have been adopted by more
than 80% of the member countries.
The main objective of this is that, “Every
employee must be given basic wages for him
and his family to lead a decent life, matching
to the status being enjoyed in the respective
institution, without linking to the profit and
paying capacity.”
Incidentally it was also observed that the above
norms were adopted by the Seventh Pay
Commission while revising the Salary Structure
of Central Government Employees. The
Commission’s recommendations were
accepted by Central Government in 2016 itself.
Thus AINBOF had suggested to AIBOC at the
time of preparation of Charter of Demands to
follow the above Minimum Wages principle
while seeking the wage revision as this method
was perceived as a solution to bridge the huge
gap in Salary and ensure the pay parity with
that of the Grade A Officers of Central
Government.
Accordingly, on this the Charter of Demands
was prepared by AIBOC and other Officers’
Organisations incorporating the Minimum
Wages Policy and the same was submitted to
IBA also.
But till date the negotiations have not
happened on these lines and IBA commenced
its offer with a measly 2 percentage increase,
In the last two or so years, the initial offer of
2% has increased to 10% and rumours are
around that they are prepared settle at around
12%.
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AINBOF was insisting for wage revision based on
Minimum Wages Principle and not on
percentage basis in order to bridge the huge
gap in salary and to ensure the pay parity with
that of the Grade A Officers in Central
Government.
Now the passage of this Code on Wages Bill in
both the houses will pave the way for
implementation of Salary based on minimum
Wages principles.
Next step now is that the demands of the trade
unions shall be as below and the detailed
justifications for these demands are given in
the annexure.
1.Settlement of wage revision based on
Minimum Wages principles as incorporated in
Charter of Demands.
2. Unconditional Mandate upto Scale VII.
3.Running scale of Pay.
4.Updation of Pay.
The above should be our objective to fight
for better wages and working conditions. If
we believe that these genuine demands
would be achieved by somebody, then you
are doomed.
Believe in you that you must work for these
and THEN ONLY YOU ARE DESERVING SUCH
BETTER CONDITIONS.
AIBPARC CIRCULAR NO.49/2019
DATED 19.07.2019 : IBA’S MEDICAL
INSURANCE SCHEME FOR RETIREES
The Convener, UFBU The General Secretaries, Constituents of UFBU
IBA’S MEDICAL INSURANCE SCHEME FOR
RETIREES
As you are aware, the Department of Financial
Services, Ministry of Finance, Govt of India
advised IBA vide its communication dated 24th
February 2012 to evolve a Medical Insurance
Scheme for serving and retired employees of
the Banks. IBA in turn put up this proposal as
management issue before UBFU at the time of
wage negotiations which concluded in
April/May 2015. As a result a new medical
insurance scheme got introduced both for
serving employees and also for the retired
employees with effect from October 2015 for
serving employees and November 2015 for
retired employees. After introduction of IBA’s
Medical Insurance Scheme during the year 2015
there has been multi fold increase in the
premium thereby compelling many of the
AIBPARC / CBPRO NEWS
Strengthen
CBROA Legal Fund
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retirees to opt out of this scheme for the
reasons of un-affordability, more particularly
those who are family pensioners drawing as low
as Rs.4000 per month pension. The entire
amount of annual pension in such cases would
not be sufficient to meet out the medical
insurance premium. The sky rocketing
premium has robed many pensioners of the
benefit under IBA policy which has been
otherwise largely helpful to the retirees. Such
situation calls for the improvements/
modifications in the scheme for retired
employees. It is with this view in mind the
following suggestions are made for kind
consideration:
Since Government communication dated
24.02.2012 did not envisage payment of
medical insurance by the retirees, it should be
borne by the Bank as in the case of serving
employees. It is pertinent to mention that the
Executive Directors/Managing Directors/
Chairman and Managing Directors are extended
the benefit of medical expenses
reimbursement even after retirement without
any charge to them as they were entitled
during their service. It is therefore
discriminatory on the part of the Banks to
create a class within the class with regard to
extension of medical benefit facility to retired
bank employees vis-à-vis the top retired
functionaries of the Bank on one side and the
serving employees on the other side. There is
an urgent need to improve this unfair practice
of treating retired bank employees with
discrimination.
There should be a common medical insurance
policy for serving and retired employees so as
to bring down the claim ratio and the resultant
annual medical insurance premium. Since all
the retirees are senior and super senior
citizens, their medical insurance being a social
security measure, the payment of the
insurance premium and so also the
hospitalization bills be brought under 0% slab
of GST Medical insurance premium in case of
single person be lower than the premium
charged for the other retired employees having
a surviving spouse.
It is also proposed that the retired bank
employees of Banks which are
instrumentalities of the Government and hence
falling within the meaning of State under
Article 12 of the Constitution of India should be
covered under CGHS after charging a fixed
lump sum amount at the time of retirement or
at the time of extending the cover to those who
have already retired.
Alternatively, the medical facility should be
extended by the Banks to the retirees through
empanelled hospitals against charging a fixed
one-time amount towards medical fee for their
life time. The fixed sum should be so decided
for different slabs of medical cover with an
option to the retired employee to choose the
medical slab according to his requirement and
wish.
It is requested that the Retirees should not be
discriminated and such medical insurance
premium should be paid by the Banks.
It is requested to include specially challenged
dependent children in the definition of family
to provide Medical Insurance benefit.
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Those members who had opted out of the
scheme due to exorbitant amount of premium
should be allowed to rejoin the scheme.
We earnestly request you to take up the issues
with IBA and make the scheme meaningfully
affordable to all the retirees including Family
Pensioners.
Thanking you,
Yours Comradely, (K.V. Acharya) (S.C.Jain) Joint Convener, CBPRO General Secretary, AIBRF
AIBPARC CIRCULAR NO.50/2019
DATED 19.07.2019 - Golden Jubilee Year of Bank Nationalisation
Dear Comrade,
Sub : Golden Jubilee Year of Bank
Nationalisation
This is a great day for all bankmen, past or
present, the nation and the society and it is to
be remembered with much fondness and
reverence. 50 years back from today, a number
of banks were nationalized. The control of such
financial institutions passed on from private
hands to government. It was a historical,
legendary and epoch-making decision which
had a great salutary impact on future
generation.
• We cannot forget the opening of a
large number of branches in
different parts of the country to
cater to the needs of the common
man. The size of infrastructure of
nationalised banks could be
compared only with those of Indian
Railways and Indian Postal Services.
We had been on the hills, by the
rivers and the sea, in jungle and
terrains and we remained in close
contact with the people.
• Can anyone deny the large
recruitment that took place in the
decades of 70s and 80s through a fair
and uniform recruitment policy. Such
massive manpower posted in urban,
semi urban, rural and hardship
branches extended their hands of
helpful cooperation to the needy
sector of society.
• The concept of Priority Sector came
into existence specifying certain
areas which needed immediate
attention of the banking industry.
The DRI scheme brought smile in the
lips of many who never could dream
that bank finances would be made
available to them. The focus of the
economy shifted drastically. It was
no more class banking but a mass
banking.
• The banks which were controlled by
the state started functioning as an
extended arm of the government of
India. Different schemes, envisaged
by the government at different
points of time were implemented by
the banks in a trustworthy manner.
The banks turned to be the real
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instrument of bringing a social
change. In the process of doing so,
banks sometimes had to make
compromise with profitability but
still it went ahead with a firm
commitment to the society.
• In last 50 years, the nationalised
banks have been symbol of trust and
confidence. Till today, the people of
the country believe that money kept
in the accounts of such banks is safe.
We must be worthy of keeping this
trust intact in days to come. We shall
act as a dedicated force to maintain
and to further consolidate the ambit
of retaining the “state” –character of
banks.
In different parts of the country, the
organisations of serving employees and officers
have been celebrating the golden jubilee year
of bank nationalization through different
programmes. We, the retirees, have been
participating in all such programmes with equal
amount of zeal and enthusiasm. We shall never
forget the sensational event of bank
nationalization of 1969 and we shall proudly
celebrate the golden jubilee year in 2019 with
firm commitments and conviction for future.
With best wishes and comradely greetings,
( SUPRITA SARKAR ) GENERAL SECRETARY
AIBPARC CIRCULAR NO.51/2019
DATED 22.07.2019. - Improvement
in Family Pension and Updation of
Pension in Banks- A fervent appeal
Dated: 19.07.2019
Ms Nirmala Sitharaman Hon’ble Finance Minister, Ministry of Finance, Govt of India, North Block, New Delhi.
Respected Madam,
Improvement in Family Pension and Updation
of Pension in Banks - A fervent appeal
We are the sole coordinating body of Bank
Pensioners and Retirees representing almost
100% of Bank Pensioners. We have been
espousing the cause of Bank Pensioners and
Retirees seeking the redressal of their
grievances. It gives us a sense of pride to see
a full time woman Finance Minister in the
history of our Great Nation. It is further
heartening to note that your good self has
presented a highly progressive and futuristic
budget in the parliament on the 5th July, 2019.
We whole heartedly congratulate you on this
momentous occasion. It is a significant
coincidence that Indian Banking Industry has
also reached a stage where more than 50% of
its workforce is represented by the women who
are rendering yeomen service to all sections of
the society and carrying out various
developmental schemes of the government in
nook and corner of the country.
Organise Retiree Officers of Canara
Bank,
Unite under the banner of
CBROA
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We therefore with immense hope present our
legitimate case for improvement in Family
Pension at par with Government and RBI and
also our request for Updation of Pension in
Banks before your good self for an early and
favourable resolution.
Improvement in Family Pension:
Family Pension in Banks is payable @ 30%, 20%
and 15% of last drawn pay where lower
percentage is being assigned to higher Basic
Pay with a specified ceiling on the amount of
Basic Family Pension which effectively results
in the Family pension working out to 7 to 10 %
of the last drawn pay thereby restricting Basic
Family Pension to a meagre sum of Rs 4000/-
to Rs14000/-. This is as against 30% uniform
rate of Pension without any ceiling in case of
Government and RBI family pensioners. This
discriminatory treatment to the family
pensioners of Public Sector Banks largely being
the widows of the deceased Bank Employees
has caused severe financial hardships to them
and many of them have been forced to opt out
of IBA’s medical insurance scheme for Retirees
due to their inability to bear the Insurance
Premium out of their meagre Pension.
We request you to remove this discriminatory
anomaly and provide much needed relief to the
Bank Family Pensioners.
Pension Updation:
Background:
State Bank of India has been having a Pension
Scheme since very long time. The other Bank
Employees and Officers have also been
demanding introduction of Pension Scheme for
them. So In the year 1993 industry level
settlement / joint note providing for
introduction of Pension Scheme in other Banks
was signed between the Unions/Associations
and IBA. As per the scheme the Employees and
Officers were asked to surrender Banks
contribution to Provident Fund to help create
a Pension Fund. The Pension therefore was
extended to us in lieu of Contributory
Provident Fund (CPF).
Pursuant to the signed settlement/joint note,
the BANK EMPLOYEES’ PENSION REGULATION
1995 were framed in exercise of powers
conferred by Clause(f) of Sub-section (2) of
Section 19 of the Banking Companies
(Acquisition and Transfer of Undertaking) Act
1970(5 of 1970). The said pension regulations
were adopted by the board of respective banks
after consultation with Reserve Bank of India
and with the previous sanction of the Central
Govt. These regulations were also notified in
the Gazette of India and so are the subsequent
amendments. This makes these regulations a
Subordinate Legislation having statutory force.
The Public Sector Banks are the State within
the meaning of Article 12 of the Constitution of
India and are liable to implement the
provisions contained in the said Pension
Regulations 1995 as amended up to date.
Pension Regulation 35(1)
This Regulation originally provided for
updation of Basic Pension; Additional Pension
as under.
Quote.
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In respect of employees who retired between
the 1st day of January 1986 but before the 31st
day of October 1987, basic and additional
pension will be updated as per the formula
given in appendix 1.
Unquote.
The formula for Updation of Basic and
Additional pension given in Appendix 1 was an
adaptation of the Updation formula used for
updating the pension of Government
employees obtaining at that stage.
The retired employees who retired between
1.1.1986 & 31.10.1987 were given the
benefit of Updation of their basic and
additional pension at the time of
implementation of pension scheme in 1995-96.
With a view to extend the benefit of Updation
of basic and additional pension to all those who
retired are were to retire subsequent to
31.10.1987, the Govt of India amended
Regulation 35(1) as under.
Quote:
Basic pension and additional pension, wherever
applicable, shall be updated as per the
formulae given in Appendix 1(Govt Gazette
Notification No. 9 dt 01.03.2003)
Unquote:
The reasons, objects and rationale behind this
amendment to Regulation 35(1) were to
honestly extend the benefit of Updation of
basic pension and additional pension to all
retirees irrespective of the date of their
retirement. However, for inexplicable reasons,
the said amendment has remained
unimplemented and not even a single retiree
has been extended the benefit in spite of the
lapse of more than 15 years.
It is again reiterated that the pension
regulations being subordinate legislation, are
statutory in nature and the Banks being a state
within the meaning of the Article 12 of the
Constitution are under a statutory obligation to
implement the same.
Updation of Pension in RBI:
Pension was introduced in RBI w.e.f.
01.01.1986 as in the case of other Public Sector
Banks. The need for updation of pension arises
as a sequel to wage revision which takes place
in RBI and other Public Sector Banks every five
years commencing 1st November. It is
reiterated that Public Sector Banks Regulations
have an express provision for updation of
pension vide Regulation 35 (1) as mentioned
hereinbefore whereas the Pension Regulations
in RBI needed an amendment to provide for
updation of pension. It is therefore clear that
the pensioners of Public Sector Banks stood on
a better footing vis-a-vis the pensioners of RBI
with regard to extension of the benefit of
updation of pension.
It is pertinent to note that DFS, Ministry of
Finance vide its letter dated 26.02.2018
addressed to Governor RBI has declined to
approve the proposal of the Central Board of
RBI for extension of the benefit of updation of
pension for the reason that it will have
contagion effect and any change in the manner
of calculating pension/updation of pension was
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likely to result in similar demands in Public
Sector Banks and Financial Institutions most of
which are currently experiencing financial
difficulties. However, the Honourable High
Court at Mumbai has rejected such a plea of
the Government and allowed updation of
pension in RBI. Consequently, Ministry of
Finance vide its letter dated 5th March 2019
approved the said proposal regarding
revision/updation of pension as per the
multiplication factor fixed for pensioners
according to the date of their retirement.
Accordingly, the pensioners of RBI have been
given the benefit of updation of pension
notionally with effect from 1st March 2019.This
has lent further credence and legitimacy to our
demand for Updation of Pension in other Banks.
Nature of Pension Liability in Banks:
As brought out here in before, the extension of
the benefit of the Updation of Pension as
provided in Bank Pension Regulation 35(1) is a
statutory liability. As far as the Banks are
concerned, the liability towards payment of
Pension and Updation of Pension are in the
nature of Revenue Expenditure constituting
the charge on Profit & Loss account which
means that the Profit if any, can be declared
only after making honest and adequate
provisions towards pension liability in terms of
Pension Regulations. There appears to be a
notion that Pension Liability is required to be
allocated from the profits of the bank. An
analysis of the published Balance Sheets of the
banks would reveal that the provisions towards
Pension Liability do not find a place in the
Profit & Loss Appropriation Account. It
remains only revenue expenditure. It is also
made clear that implementing an existing
provision of pension regulations does not
qualify to be an improvement in the scheme
and hence the notion about additional cost
consideration is violative of the said pension
regulations. The annual provisions on account
of pension liability are required to be made
keeping in view all the regulations after
obtaining the Actuarial estimates for the same.
It is believed that the Banks have made
adequate provision towards pension liability
and if after implementation of updation, the
apprehended shortfall if any shall have to be
made good as the employees have already
surrendered the Banks’ contribution towards
their provident fund at the time of opting for
pension. The liability being statutory in nature,
implementation of the provision of Regulation
35(1) cannot be withheld for cost
considerations or by drawing an uncalled for
parallel with the budgeting/funding of
Government Pension scheme in as much as the
Pension Regulation 35(1) in case of Bank
Pensioners is unambiguous and clear. A
reference under Regulation 56 of the pension
regulations is required in case of a doubt in the
matter of application of these regulations. It is
clarified that the context of our Pension
Regulation 56, need to be examined to
ascertain whether the facility of Updation of
Pension is available in case of Central
Government Pensioners. A positive
response to this question would set to rest any
apprehension about the implementation of the
provision contained in Pension Regulation
35(1).
A plain reading of the provisions contained in
Regulation 35(1) would reveal that basic
pension and additional pension shall be
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updated wherever applicable. This provision
makes the Scheme of Pension updation an Open
Ended one.
It would be pertinent to understand the
pension liability under Govt Pension Scheme on
account of the Government Employees for a
better and proper appreciation of the issue.
The Pensionary Liability of the govt in respect
of Government Employee is treated as a
revenue expenditure as in the case of Bank
pensioners. In the Govt., the budgetary
allocation is made on a Year-On-Year basis as
the Banks make pensionary provisions after
obtaining Actuaries Estimates every year. The
only difference being that the Govt has not
constituted any fund to be used for payment of
pension perpetually whereas the Banks have
constituted Pension Fund to meet the liabilities
of pension perpetually so as to make the
Pension scheme sustainable. It is further
pertinent that denial of the benefit of updation
to Bank Pensioners has resulted in a huge
Corpus of more than Rs 300000 Crores including
SBI as on 31st March, 2018. The annual
Contributions as per Actuaries Estimates and
Yield on the existing fund far exceed the
Pension Liability every year. This is only
because the Bank pensioners are underpaid to
the extent of the quantum of pension updation.
It is revealing that the size of pension funds
being so strong has in the past led to Window
dressing of Banks ‘Balance sheets by charging
the pension fund for the purposes other than
the Pensionary benefits a la PNB case a couple
of years ago wherein more than Rs 1600 Crores
were transferred from Pension fund to inflate
the bank’s profits. There could be many more
such cases in the industry. It may be
appreciated that pension fund is held in trust
for the pensioners and any unauthorised debit
would amount to misappropriation of Trust
Funds resulting in serious violations of the
provisions of the Trust.
The perception that budgetary allocations are
used for meeting the annual pension liability of
the Government pensioner leads us to a logical
conclusion that such allocation is
statutory/mandatory irrespective of the
surplus or deficit in Union budget. An empirical
study reveals that the Union Government have
been presenting Fiscal deficit perpetually in
their annual budgets. The fiscal deficit is
nothing but the gap between the revenue and
expenditure. The gap between revenue and
expenditure in the banks is called Loss. When
government meets the liability of pension
updation despite perpetual fiscal deficit (loss),
how can the banks refuse to meet the pension
updation liability quoting intermittent loss by
a few Banks. It is also recalled that when the
industry level settlement for introduction of
pension were signed in the year 1993, many
banks were showing loss in the wake of
implementation of prudential accounting
norms since 1992. If Cost or the
profitability/affordability was envisaged as a
constraint for making payment of Pensionary
benefits, it would not have been feasible to
introduce the benefit of pension in those banks
who were making loss during 1993. This clearly
emphasises the point that profit, loss, cost,
affordability etc are illogical and arbitrary
reasons being cited to deny the benefit of
Updation of Pension to Banks’ Pensioners. It is
an illegal denial.
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Cost of updation:
It is learnt that the cost of Updation of Pension
in RBI for 34400 pensioners worked out to Rs.
857.52 crores which was hardly 7.146% of their
pension corpus of Rs. 12000 crores
(approximately). The provisioning norms for
Pension Fund in RBI and in Public Sector Banks
are similar and so is the pension payout.
Pension scheme came into existence in the
year 1986 as in the case of Public Sector Banks
and other Private Sector Banks which are
members of IBA. So far as SBI Retirees are
concerned the Pension scheme was already in
existence. This being so If the same principle
and analogy is extended to roughly assess the
cost of pension updation for about 450000
pensioners of all other member Banks of IBA,
the cost of pension updation as a %age will
remain the same of the pension corpus of the
Banks. This is without adjusting the extra cost
needed in case of RBI Pensioners whose Basic
Pay and resultant Basic Pension are higher than
that of the other Public Sector Banks. In this
backdrop the astronomical figure of the cost of
pension updation assumed by IBA lacks logic
and accuracy and appears to be on some wrong
and unrealistic premises by the actuary. The
difference between the updation cost of 34400
pensioners of RBI and about 450000 pensioners
of SBI and other member Banks of IBA should
not normally exceed the ratio of Updation of
RBI Pension scheme. Such cost calculations
need to be studied with regard to availability
of existing pension corpus available in Banks,
the payment payout, annual yield, annual
contribution/provision to the pension funds. It
is in this manner the need for additional
provision, if any, should be examined.
It is once again reiterated that Banks as
instrumentalities of Government are State
within the meaning of Article 12 of the
Constitution of India. Hence the pensioners of
the Banks cannot be denied their statutory
dues of payment of pension including its
periodical revision/ updation.
Conclusion:
A careful reading of the foregoing merited
submissions would make out a strong and
legitimate case for redressal of the long
pending grievance of Bank Pensioners and
Retirees who have been immensely
contributing for Nation Building.
We request Your Good self to look into our
legitimate grievance and ensure
implementation of a pre-existing provision
under Pension Regulation 35(1) for Updation of
Basic Pension and Additional Pension. Bank
Pensioners and Retirees shall ever remain
grateful to you for your kind consideration in
this regard.
With Respectful Regards,
Yours faithfully, (A.Ramesh Babu) (K.V. Acharya) (S.C. Jain) JOINT CONVENORS GS, AIBRF
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Dr. S T RAMACHANDRA, FORMER
GENERAL MANAGER OF OUR BANK
AND OUR MEMBER NOMINATED AS
MEMBER, SYNDICATE OF THE
UNIVERSITY OF MYSORE.
Dr. S T Ramachandra, General (Retired),
Canara Bank and our Member, has been
nominated as a Member of the Syndicate of the
University of Mysore. He worked as lecturer in
D Banumaia’s College Mysore prior to his stint
in Canara Bank as Hindi Officer. He is also the
recipient of Suvarna Karnataka Hoysala Award
and Hamsa Jyothi Puraskar for his contribution
to Literature.
Hearty Congratulations to Dr. Ramachandra
who has done all of us and Canarites proud.
CBROA wishes Dr. Ramachandra all the very
best in all his future endeavours.
Mrs Salekoppa L Kanyakumari (Mrs S
L Kanyakumari)
Mrs Salekoppa L Kanyakumari (Mrs S L
Kanyakumari) is traveling to Poland and USA
tomorrow. She will be participating in "WORLD
MASTERS BADMINTON CHAMPIONSHIP" at
Poland.
It is a proud moment for all of us. Mrs S L
Kanyakumari is a versatile personality and has
excelled in every sports and games she has
participated. She is has won many major
tournaments for Senior Citizens. May it be
Running race, table tennis or Badminton, She
has won every event. In January this year in the
National Championship held in Goa She was the
Winner in badminton singles doubles & mixed
doubles , 200mts race gold, 100 & 400 mts race
silvers, TT singles gold, doubles bronze. All in
60+ category.
CBROA Wishes Mrs S L Kanyakumari great
Success in the World Championship to be held
in Poland. Madam Kanyakumari you are
carrying The Good Wishes and Blessings of
entire CBROA Family. We are sure you will be
Victorious and Make our Country Proud by your
Efforts.
RALLY ON 22.07.2019 AT
TIRUVANANTHAPURAM TO
COMMEMORATE THE BANK
NATIONALISATION DAY
AIBPARC Kerala state Unit had organized a
mass rally at Thiruvananthapuram and
members of CBROA participated in large
number, braving heavy rains. The rally was
CBROA ACTIVITIES / MEETINGS
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attended by huge number of members of
affiliates of AIBPARC. The rally culminated in a
meeting inaugurated by Dr. K N Harilal,
Member State Planning Board and addressed by
leaders of major retiree organizations and
UFBU constituents.
DHARNA ON 20TH JULY,2019 AT
COIMBATORE, TAMIL NADU UNDER
THE BANNER OF AIBPARC/CBPRO
AND LARGE NUMBER OF OUR
MEMBERS PARTICIPATED IN THE
DHARNA.
CBPRO held a massive Dharna at Power House,
Shivanad Colony, Coimbatore and age number
of members of CBPRO Constituents (AIBPARC,
RBONC, FORBE, AIRBEA, SBIPF) and AIBRF
participated in the Dharna. More than 1,500
retirees, including more than 150 members
from CBROA, attended the Dharna which was
held for 2 hours from 10 am to 12.30 pm. The
Dharna was addressed by Sri. Natarajan,
Member of Parliament from Coimbatore, who
assured the gathering that he will raise the
issue before the Finance Minister and also in
the Parliament, Sri. Sarvanamuthu, President,
SBI Pensioners’ Association, Sri. Sridharan, SBI
Pensioners’ Association, Coimbatore, Sri. E
Sampathkumar, Vice President, CBROA
participated in the Dharna and addressed the
huge gathering. All the speakers highlighted
the issues of pensioners and urged upon the
Government of India and IBA to resolve all the
long pending, reasonable, genuine issues of the
pensioners, such as Updation of pension,
improvement in family pension, 100% DA
Neutralisation to those who retired prior to
01.11.2002,another option for pension to those
who have resigned from service of the Bank
after completing pensionable service,
absorbing the premium amount on the IBA
Mediclaim Policy which is becoming just
unaffordable, year by year etc. Addressing the
gathering Sri E Sampathkumar, informed the
gathering about the case filed by CBROA at
High Court of Karnataka, Bangalore and the
progress in the case. The Dharna received the
electronic and print media attention who gave
a wide coverage.
CENTRAL COMMITTEE MEETING OF
OUR ASSOCIATION HELD AT
HYDERABAD ON 13TH & 14TH
JULY,2019.
MEETING OF MEMBERS AT HYDERBAD
The Central Committee Meeting of our
Association was held at Saikrupa Hotel,
Hyderabad. Around 100 members of the
Committee attended the Meeting. Sri.Rajendra
Reddy, General Manager, Hyderabad,
delivered inaugural address and expressed his
happiness that CBROA has been taking care of
the hopes and aspirations of the pensioners and
retirees of our Bank. He solicited the support
of the senior colleagues, by dedicating their
experience, in improving the business in
Hyderbad Circle. He wished the meeting all
success and hoped that there will be
meaningful deliberations on the various issues
of pensioners and retirees. He wished CBROA
all success in all its endeavours.
Sri.Jagadish, Vice President of Canara Bank
Officers’ Association who is the representative
on the Central Committee of CBROA, graced
the occasion and addressed our Central
Committee Members and shared the
information on the latest developments on the
wage revision issue.
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Sri. K Balachandra Rao, Chairman Reception
Committee, XI Biennial Conference at
Mangalore deliberated on the Central Budget
presented in the Parliament on 05.07.2019 and
its implications on the lives of the people of
the country, the economy, industry, banking
and finance etc.
The General Secretary presented an exhaustive
Report on the latest developments on the
issues of Pensioners and retirees of Banking
Industry, Judgement delivered by the DLCs at
Hyderabad, Jabalpur, Ajmer, Ranchi, Silchar
on the issue of Gratuity Calculation, CBROA
activities. There was a lively debate on the
various issues confronting the retirees of
Banking Industry. The General Secretary
offered his clarifications, on various points
raised by the Members. The General Secretary's
Report was adopted unanimously under
thunderous applause by the members.
There was a discussion on the proposed
Benevolent Fund to be floated by CBROA for
the benefit of members and the Central
Committee felt that the issue needs to be
studied in depth and hence the decision to
introduce the Scheme was deferred for the
time being. It was also resolved to hold the
Central Committee Meeting for only one day
instead of for two days. It was also resolved to
send our printed communications to those who
have not registered their E-mail IDs with us.
The following members were co-opted as
Regional Secretaries by the Central
Committee.
• Sri. A A Varaprasad Rao. Regional
Secretary, Hyderabad.
• Sri K Shanmughasundaram, Regional
Secretary, Salem.
• Sri.Ravi Buddhiraja, Regional Secretary,
Saharanpur.
• Sri.Anhay Bhagat, Regional Secretary,
Surat.
The Central Committee Members
congratulated all the newly inducted Regional
Secretaries and wished them all success in all
their future endeavours in strengthening
CBROA in their respective regions.
There was elaborate discussion on the
following topics:
1.Membership enrolment of retiring as well
retired officers of our Bank.
2. Arrears Collection.
3. Streamline working of WhatsApp Group by
avoiding unnecessary messages, information
not connected with the Pensioners/Retirees,
AIBPARC, CBPRO, AIBOC, UFBU etc. The
Channel should be used to communicate the
information on the developments on the issues
of pensioners/retirees of Banking Industry.
The Central Committee Members in one voice
appreciated and complemented the excellent
arrangements made by our Hyderabad Unit in
holding the Meeting in such beautiful ambience
and at very affordable cost.
Sri. Laxmikanth Nayak, Deputy General
Secretary, proposed vote of thanks.
MEETING OF MEMBERS AT
SHIVAMOGGA, KARNATAKA
A Meeting of CBROA Members was held at
Shivamogga on 23.07.2019 at the Conference
Hall of R O Shimoga. More than 20 members
were present in the Meeting. The AGM of the
RO graced the occasion. Sri.Subbarao, Regional
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Secretary, dealt with the proceedings of the
recently held Central Committee Meeting at
Hyderabad and explained the various
developments on the issues of
pensioners/retirees in the Banking Industry. He
explained the efforts made by our apex body
AIBPARC in getting the issues resolved. He
made a mention about the present position of
the Writ Petition filed in the High Court of
Karnataka seeking Updation of Pension. He
appealed to the members present to enroll all
our retired/retiring Officer colleagues into our
fold, contribute to the Legal Fund of our
Association. Sri Rohit, Marketing Executive
from Bajaj Allianz Insurance Co. explained the
details of Canara Bajaj Group Hospital Cash
Plan for our members. Sri. K R Lingappa, our
Senior Member and AGM (Retd) presided over
the Meeting and made a mention about the
formation of Vishrantha Noukarara Sangha
established at Shivamogga recently and gave a
call to the members to participate in the social
activities undertaken by the Sangha. Sri.
Subbarao, Regional Secretary welcomed and
Sri. D Annappa proposed vote of thanks.
MEETING OF MEMBERS AT INDORE
ON 24.07.2019.
A Meeting of our Members was held at R O
Indore at 6 pm on 24th July,2019. About 30
members of our Association attended the
Meeting. The Meeting was graced by Sri. R K
Sinha, R O Head and AGM, R O Indore, Sri. J C
Sharma, Divisional Manager, R O Indore,
Sri.Sanjay Goel, CBOA. Addressing the
gathering Sri.Sanjay Goel expressed his
happiness to be amidst the seniors and assured
all support to CBROA in the State. Our General
Secretary Sri. A N Krishna Murthy, dealt at
length the various issues confronted by the
pensioners and Retirees in the Banking Industry
and explained the relentless campaign
launched by our apex body in clinching the
issues. He also explained the efforts made by
CBROA to mitigate the hardship faced by the
retired Officers and employees of our Bank. He
clarified various queries raised by the Members
in the Meeting. He made an appeal to all the
members present in the Meeting to strengthen
CBROA in Indore Region by enrolling all the
retired Officers as members of our Association.
Summarising the day’s proceedings Sri. V G
Pande, our Senior Member, who presided over
the Meeting, expressed his happiness over good
attendance by the members who had
assembled despite heavy showers. He made a
fervent appeal to the top leadership of CBROA
and AIBPARC to pursue all our issues vigorously.
He also assured the Regional Head and others
that the retired Officers will extend all possible
co-operation in improving the business of the
Region. Sri. V K Mehra welcomed the gathering.
Sri.Kanungo proposed vote of thanks.
MEETING OF MEMBERS AT BHOPAL
ON 25.07.2019.
Our Bhopal Unit had organized a Meeting of our
members at RSTC Bhopal. About 20 members
were present along with 4 leaders of M P State
Unit of AIBPARC i.e. Sri.Agarwal, Sri.Verma,
Sri.Shankar and Sri Khare. Sri. R K Bharadwaj,
Chairman, CBOA graced the occasion. Sri.
Agarwal, State Secretary, AIBPARC, explained
various issues of Pensioners/Retirees and the
efforts made by CBPRO, AIBPARC in pursuing
these issues. He was all praise for CBROA for its
effective involvement in all the
programmes/activities of AIBPARC/CBPRO. Sri.
Bharadwaj lauded the efforts of CBROA in
pursuing issues of pensioners such as updation
of pension, improvement in family pension, IBA
Health Insurance Scheme etc. and expressed
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hope that all the demands of the retirees will
be met very shortly. Sri A N Krishna Murthy our
General Secretary, apprised the house about
the latest developments on the various issues
such as updation of pension, improvement in
family pension, IBA Health Insurance, Gratuity
issues, the present position of Writ Petition
filed by CBROA in the High Court of Karnataka,
campaign launched by CBPRO/AIBPARC for
settling the issues of pensioners/retirees of
Banking Industry. He gave a call to all the
members present to strengthen CBROA by
bringing all our retired/retiring Officer
colleagues as members of our Association.
Sri.Pradeep Deshpande welcomed the
gathering. Sri.Pankaj Chaturvedi proposed vote
of thanks.
Sri. R K Bharadwaj, Chairman, CBOA who is
retiring on 31.08.2019 has become a member
of our Association.
MEETING OF MEMBERS AT ALIGARH
ON 26.07.2019
Our Aligarh Unit had organised a General
Meeting of our Members yesterday - 26th July
at our Aligarh Main branch. About 40 Members
were present.
Mr. Atul Singh, RS, CBOA was on the Dais along
with CBROA DGS, Mr. Vidhu Mohan, CBROA
AGS, Mr. K R Gupta from Agra, Aligarh District
Chairman Mr. R C Gupta. Sr. Member, Mr. S N
Agarwal presided over.
The Meeting started with lighting of Lamp & by
offering floral tributes to our Founder, Late
Ammembal Subba Rao Pai. Our DGS, Mr.
Vidhu Mohan welcomed the gathering.
Mr. Atul Singh informed the Wage
Talks/fractured Mandate, Stand of AIBOC,
likelihood of introduction of Minimum Wages
Policy by the Govt., Awarding of Marks to the
staff basing on their performance & Campaign
launched by CBOA to help our Bank in recovery
of technically written off A/cs. (D4/Loss
Assets). While seeking retirees' help in this
campaign, Mr. Atul Singh assured of all support
to CBROA.
Mr. A N Krishna Murthy, GS, apprised the House
the present position of
• Updation of Pension,
• Family Pension,
• IBA Health Insurance,
• Gratuity Issues,
• Removal of ceiling of Rs. 3 lake for payment of IT on Encashment of PL at the Time of retirement,
• Writ Petition filed by CBROA at Karnataka High Court, Bengaluru demanding Updation of Pension,
• efforts of CBROA & our Apex Organisations - CBPRO & AIBPARC in taking up our genuine demands with various Authorities,
• Welfare Activities & Communication system of CBROA,
• Creation of CBROA Legal Fund to fight various Court Cases,
• Decision of CC to grant Associate Membership to the spouses of our Deceased Members,
• Possibilities of Starting a Death Relief/Benevolent Fund Scheme, etc.
While clarifying various issues raised during the
open session, the GS informed the need to
strengthen CBROA by roping in Non Members &
appreciated / complimented the Good Work
being done by Aligarh Team led by Mr. Vidhu
Mohan.
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The House observed a minute's silence on the
occasion of Vijay Divas in memory of martyrs of
Kargil War.
Mr. C P Gupta compered the proceedings.
The Meeting concluded with Mr. Kanchi Lal
proposing Vote of Thanks.
MEETING OF MEMBERS AT AGRA ON
27.07.2019
A General Meeting of our Members was held
today Morning - 27th July at our Agra Accounts
Section. About 40 Members were present. Our
Sr. Member Mr. R P Goyal presided over the
meeting, with Mr. Ankit Sehgal, RS & Mr. A B
Gupta, ARS of CBOA, CBROA AGS, Mr. K R
Gupta & RS Mr. Pankaj Saxena being on the
Dais.
The Meeting started with offering floral
tributes to our Founder, Late Ammembal Subba
Rao Pai. Our AGS, Mr. K R Gupta welcomed
the gathering.
Mr. Ankit Sehgal requested the House to bring
to the knowledge of CBOA leaders in case of
problems bring faced by them at any of our
branches. He also informed about the
Campaign launched by CBOA to help our Bank
in recovery of technically written off A/cs.
(D4/Loss Assets) & requested the retirees’ help
in this Campaign.
Mr. Ankit assured of all support to CBROA.
Mr. A N Krishna Murthy, GS, apprised the House
the present position of
• Updation of Pension,
• Family Pension,
• IBA Health Insurance,
• Gratuity Issues,
• Removal of ceiling of Rs. 3 lake for payment of IT on Encashment of PL at the Time of retirement,
• Writ Petition filed by CBROA at Karnataka High Court, Bengaluru demanding Updation of Pension,
• efforts of CBROA & our Apex Organisations - CBPRO & AIBPARC in taking up our genuine demands with various Authorities,
• Welfare Activities & Communication system of CBROA,
• Creation of CBROA Legal Fund to fight various Court Cases,
• Decision of CC to grant Associate Membership to the spouses of our Deceased Members,
• Possibilities of Starting a Death Relief/Benevolent Fund Scheme,
• Formation of Defence Panels at all Centres to defend our Members as Bank is initiating Disciplinary Proceedings against Retirees even after retirement, etc.
The GS clarified various issues raised by the
Members & requested all the Members to
strengthen CBROA by roping in Non Members.
During the course of the Meeting, the House
was informed of untimely death of one of our
Sr. Members, Mr. Somanath Srivastava. The
House observed a minute's silence to mourn the
sudden demise of Late Srivastava.
Mr. Pankaj Saxena proposed Vote of Thanks.
Congratulations to Mr. K R Gupta & his Team
for the successful conduct of Agra Meeting.
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MEETING OF MEMBERS AT
GHAZIABAD ON 28.07.2019
Our Ghaziabad Unit had organised a General
Meeting of our Members today Morning (28th
July) at 11.30 am at Ghaziabad. About 35
Members were present. Our Sr. Member Mr. S
C Upadhyay presided over the meeting. Our VP
Mr. Umesh Kumaria, our Ghaziabad RS Mr. P K
Agarwal & CBOA OGS, Mr. Arun Sharma were
also on the Dais.
Our RS, Mr. P K Agarwal, while welcoming the
gathering, informed that after the last meeting
held in Sep 2018, the Region has added 21 new
Members, converted 6 Ordinary Members as
Life Members & collected Rs.35000/- towards
CBROA Legal Fund.
Mr. Umesh Kumaria requested the Members to
strengthen CBROA & to contribute to CBROA
Legal Fund to enable us to fight the Court Cases
effectively.
Mr. Arun Sharma informed the House about the
intention of the Union Govt. to privatise
various Public Sector Units, stalemate in Wage
Negotiation Talks, the need to assist/guide the
youngsters at the branches to improve their
efficiency & to avoid any frauds. He assured
that he can be counted upon for any support to
CBROA.
Mr. A N Krishna Murthy, GS, explained the
present position of
• Updation of Pension,
• Family Pension,
• IBA Health Insurance,
• Gratuity Issues,
• Removal of ceiling of Rs. 3 lake for
payment of IT on Encashment of PL at
the Time of retirement,
• Writ Petition filed by CBROA at
Karnataka High Court, Bengaluru
demanding Updation of Pension,
• efforts of CBROA & our Apex
Organisations - CBPRO & AIBPARC in
taking up our genuine demands with
various Authorities,
• Welfare Activities & Communication
system of CBROA,
• Creation of CBROA Legal Fund to fight
various Court Cases,
• Decision of CC to grant Associate
Membership to the spouses of our
Deceased Members,
• Possibilities of Starting a Death
Relief/Benevolent Fund Scheme,
• Formation of Defence Panels at all
Centres to defend our Members as Bank
is initiating Disciplinary Proceedings
against Retirees even after retirement,
etc.
The GS clarified various issues raised by the
Members, Mr. Charan Jeet Arora, Mr. Ajay
Kapoor, Mr. Yashpal Arora, Mr. Maheshwari &
others. He complimented Team Ghaziabad for
the Good Work being done & requested all the
Members to strengthen CBROA by roping in Non
Members.
2 Sr. Members Mr. M L Pahawa & Mr. B D
Chawda were honoured on the occasion.
Mr. Charan Jeet Arora proposed Vote of
Thanks.
Mr. P K Malhotra compered the program.
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Team Ghaziabad led by Mr. Agarwal deserves
all Appreciation
VANAMAHOTSAVA/PICNIC
28.07.2019 at Mangaluru
It was a day full of fun and entertainment. As
planned the bus started from Mangalore at 8
am sharp. Twelve cars also left at the same
time. Altogether it was a grand gathering of
100 members, family and friends. Soon after
reaching the Kodman Heights Layout, the
venue, everyone had their breakfast. Soon
after, entire team reached the top of the
layout, where an elaborate arrangement was in
place for planting about 80 saplings. This year
it was predominantly fruit bearing trees such
as Mangoes (different variety) Guava,
Seethaphal, Pomegranate, Chikoo etc. The
inaugural function was addressed by Sri B
Srinivas Hegde, former GM, Sri T G Shenoy,
former AGM and Sri Kantappa Shetty, Local
leader and a prominent personality. Panchayat
President Mr Natish Naiga and other local
people were also present. All the saplings were
neatly planted and photographs were taken to
cherish the memory.
A gala of entertainment activity started
thereafter. The Felicitation function of Sri B S
Shetty was conducted in a befitting manner. Mr
B S Shetty shared his experience in Indian Air
Force, specially the two wars of 1965 and 1971.
He thanked CBROA for facilitating him on
attaining 75 years. Sri T G Shenoy spoke on the
occasion and said it is a great honour for us to
facilitate Mr Shetty, who has served our
Country by joining Air Force at a very young
age. Mrs Rekha Shetty, wife of Sri B S Shetty
was honoured in the traditional way By Mrs G R
Nayak.
Mr B Z Hussain, Mr M S Kamath, Mr A Ramesh
Shettigar conducted various games, quiz etc.
Mr P H Balakrishna, Mr Sudhakar Mangalpady,
Mrs & Mr Sudarshan Kamath, Mr George Lobo
and Mrs Nora Lobo, Mr S Abdul Rehman Sheikh,
Sri B S Hegde, Mr M S Bhat, Mrs and Mr Devidas
Rao, Mrs R M Prabhu Mrs K K Kini entertained
with their melodious songs. Mrs Kasturi Pai and
Mrs Meenakshi enacted a wonderful skit, which
was liked by all. A group dance by ladies stole
the show. Mr M S Bhat was at his best with a
solo dance. Self-introduction was held.
Feedback on today's programme was also
collected. Prizes were distributed at the end.
Mr Shekhar who takes care of all plants was
honoured for his selfless service to mother
Nature.
Mr L K Nayak and wife were also felicitated.
Programme ended sharp at 5 pm after National
Anthem.
REPORT ON SOCIAL ACTIVITY
CONDUCTED BY CBROA
VIJAYAWADA REGION
As decided in our Region's meeting held on
26th of this month, today we have conducted
social activity under our banner CBROA.
Dinner was provided to about 75 orphan
children taking shelter at Deepa Nivas, Karmel
Nagar, Vijayawada.
GENERAL MEETING AT DELHI ON
29.07.2019
Our DELHI Unit had organized a General
Meeting of our Members at YMCA CENTRE HALL
on 29th July at 4.30 pm. A gathering of 100+
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members from Delhi Faridabad & Gurgaon were
present.
Mr. Umesh Kumaria, Mr.Mohan (Chennai), Mr.
A R Rakshit (Kolkata), Mr. Charanjit, CBOA DGS
Delhi & Mr. Gambhir, DGS CBOA Gurgaon were
on the Dais.
CBROA AGS Mr. Ashwani Sharma welcomed the
gathering.
After self introduction of Members, a minute's
silence was observed in memory of Members
departed during the intervening period.
4 Sr. Members - Mr. B M Gupta & Mr. Kewal
Kumar Khullar from Delhi & Mr. O P Dhawan &
Mr. Y P Bakshi from Faridabad were honoured
on attaining 75+ years of age. All the honoured
Members expressed satisfaction on being
remembered & wished CBROA success in all its
endeavors.
Many doubts were raised by members. General
Secretary Mr. A N Krishna Murthy in his 90
minutes Key note address, clarified all the
doubts raised. He also informed the pending
issues with Canara Bank, IBA and Central
Government like Medical Insurance, Pension
Updation & improvement in Family Pension on
the line of Central Government, Gratuity, etc.
and also Court cases filed in different courts in
the country. He requested the House to
strengthen CBROA & to donate to CBROA Legal
Fund. An amount of Rs.28100/- was collected
on the spot.
Mr Charanjit DGS CBOA and Mr Gambhir DGS
CBOA were also honoured. In the address Mr
Charanjit welcomed the leadership of CBROA
also urged the retired members to attend
monthly meeting of CBOA and assured of full
support to CBROA.
Mr Gambhir also informed the latest
developments & assured of all support to
CBROA.
Mr. N Venkataramani proposed Vote of Thanks.
Thanks to Mr. Kumaria, Mr Ramani, Mr. Ashwani
Sharma, CC Members & RSs of Delhi, Gurgaon
& Faridabad for making the Meeting successful.
RBI GOVERNOR MEETS PUBLIC
SECTOR BANK HEADS, REITERATES
CALL FOR TRANSMISSION
Reserve Bank Governor recently met the heads
of Public Sector Banks and reiterated his
concerns over the “less-than-desired level” of
policy rate transmission by the lenders.
Acknowledging the “discernible improvements
in the Banking Sector,” the Governor pointed
out that there still are several challenges to be
addressed, particularly in regard to stressed
assets resolution and credit flows to the needy
sectors. During the Meeting the following issues
were discussed:
• Less than desired level of transmission
of monetary policy rates.
• Credit and Deposit growth on the back
of a slowing economy, flow of credit to
needy sectors while following prudent
lending, robust risk assessment and
monitoring standards.
BANKING NEWS / DEVELOPMENTS
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• Improving recovery efforts.
• Giving impetus to resolution of stressed
assets facilitated by revised framework
for resolution announced by the RBI on
7th June,2019.
• Strengthening internal control
mechanism for improved fraud risk
management.
• Recent initiatives to address issues
relating to NBFCs and the role banks can
play in mitigating lingering concerns.
• Deepening Digital payments.
The Governor also underlined the importance
of expanding and deepening payments
ecosystem in line with the recommendations of
the Report of the Committee on Deepening of
Digital Payments (Chairman : Sri. Nandan
Nilkani) and RBI’s Payment System Vision
Document 2021. In this context, on the
suggestion of the Governor, it was agreed that
Banks will identify one district in each state to
make it 100% digitally enabled within a time
frame of one year in close co-ordination and
collaboration with all stake holders including
.SLBCs. To the extent feasible, such districts
may be converged with the “Transformation of
Aspirational Districts’ Programme” of the
Government of India. IBA is also expected to
play a catalytic role in this regard.
SME BAD LOAN RATIO REMAINS
HIGH AT 10.8% IN THE MARCH
QUARTER.
Stress in the micro, small and medium
enterprises (MSMEs) segment remained high in
the quarter ended March,2019, according to
the July,2019 edition of the MSME Pulse Report
by Transunion CIBIL and Small Industries
Development Bank of India (SIDBI) It changed
little from the bad loan ratio in the quarter
ended December,2018.
The delinquency ratio may not be capturing the
full extent of stress in the system because
Banks have retained as Standard assets a
roughly Rs.15,000 crore worth of stressed
micro, small, medium enterprises (MSMEs)
loans under two sets of regulatory
dispensation. The NPA ratio however, was
significantly higher in the large and medium
enterprises segments at 18.1% and
17.1%respectively. The gross NPA ratio for the
commercial segment as a whole eased to 16%
in March 2019 from 17.2% in March,2018.
These loans would have turned NPAs a long
time ago had the RBI not given Banks a
breather. A June 2018 notification had allowed
Banks and NBFCs to temporarily classify their
exposure to all MSMEs, including those not
registered under the GST, as a Standard Asset
as long as it was smaller than Rs.25 crore and
standard as on August 31,2017. MSME loans
worth Rs.7,995 crore had been retained by
Banks as Standard under this RBI notification.
NPA CRISIS : LOAN WRITE OFFS BY
BANKS CROSS Rs.2 LAKH CRORE.
Write offs made by 27 Banks in FY 2019 crossed
the Rs.2 lakh crore mark, with 16 Public Sector
Banks along accounting for Rs.1.77 lakh crore
worth of written off loans. In FY 2018, PSBs had
written off loans worth Rs.1.28 lakh crore. Had
banks not written off loans worth close to
Rs.2.06 lakh core in FY 2019, the value of non-
performing assets (NPAs) in the system at the
end of the year would have risen by an
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equivalent amount. The amount of loans
written-off in FY 2019 by PSBs could turn out
to be even higher as the numbers for Dena Bank
and Vijaya Bank, which now stand merged with
Bank of Baroda, were unavailable. State Bank
of India made the largest amount of write offs-
worth Rs.61,663 crore, up by 57.5% from FY
2018. It was followed by Canara Bank, whose
written off loans added upto Rs.14,267 crore
and BOB, which wrote off loans worth
Rs.13,102 crore in FY 2019.
BANKS’ BAD LOANS DOWN AT
Rs.9.34 LAKH CRORE AT FY 2019
END.
Total Bad loans of commercial banks declined
by Rs.1.02 lakh crore to Rs.9.34 lakh crore in
the fiscal year 2018-19 on the back of steps
taken by the Government, the Union Finanace
Minister informed the Parliament. The
Government has instituted a comprehensive
4Rs strategy by recognition of Non-Performing
Assets (NPAs) transparently, resolution and
recovery of value from stressed assets,
recapitalizing of Public Sector Banks and
reforms in PSBs so as to reduce their bad loans.
Among others change in credit culture with the
Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC)
fundamentally changing the creditor-borrower
relationship, taking away control of defaulting
companies, debarring willful defaulters from
taking part in resolution process as well as
raising funds from markets are the steps that
have been employed.
ATM TRANSACTION CHARGES FOR
OTHER BANK ATMS LIKELY TO
CHANGE : RBI SETS UP REVIEW
PANEL
The charges you pay for using ATMs of other
Banks may change. The RBI in its Monetary
Policy has announced the setting up of a
Committee to review the ATM interchange fee
structure. This fee structure determines the
charges you pay for using your ATM Card at the
ATMs of Banks other than the issuing Bank.
Normally a certain number of such transactions
are allowed free by the issuing Bank. However,
you are charged for using the ATMs of other
Banks for transactions beyond a certain
number which may vary from one issuing bank
to another.
Currently ICICI Bank offers first three
transactions in a month (inclusive of financial
and non-financial) free of charge in six Metro
Locations. In other cities, first five transactions
(inclusive of financial and non-financial) are
offered free of charge. Thereafter, Rs.20 per
financial transaction and Rs.8.50 per non-
financial transactions, as per the Bank’s
website. Similarly, State Bank of India offers
same number of free transactions in both
metro and non-metro locations. Thereafter, it
charges Rs.20 plus GST per financial
transaction and Rs.8 plus GST for non-financial
transaction as mentioned in its website.
STATE BANK OF INDIA HAS BEEN
CAUGHT LYING ABOUT ITS PROFITS
FOR THREE YEARS.
According to an expose by Moneylife, State
Bank of India overstated its profits by as much
as Rs.9,500 crore for three years in between
2012-13 to 2014-15. What makes it worse is
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that all this information is available with
Reserve Bank of India and the details came out
after a petition was filed under the Right to
Information (RTI) Act, by an RTI Activist,
Sri.Girish Mittal.
Year Overstated Profit
2012-13 Rs.1,220 crores
2013-14 Rs.5,038 crores
2014-15 Rs.3,252 crores
It is reported that the annual inspection of
Bank’s Accounts by RBI has opened a Pandora’s
Box where many evils have come out, viz. bank
has suppressed employee fraud, covered bad
loans, flouted anti-money laundering rules,
resorted to window dressing. The Bank has also
flouted norms laid down by RBI with regards to
KYC, Lending limits set on sectors and
individuals. In many cases the bank has not
enforce securities provided on a loan wherein
assets of defaulters are taken over. In some
cases loans were disbursed even before a
charge was created on the collateral.
Suppression of data has happened at every
level since most of the credit problems were
never taken to the board as well.
(Source : Money Life dated 09.07.2019).
RBI IMPOSES Rs.7 CRORE FINE ON
SBI FOR VIOLATION OF VARIOUS
REGULATORY GUIDELINES.
The RBI has imposed an aggregate penalty of
Rs.7 crore on State Bank of India for non-
compliance with directions issued by RBI. SBI
was found to have violated asset classification
norms, code of conduct for opening and
operating current accounts, and reporting of
Data on Central Repository of Information on
Large Credits. SBI was also found to have
violated RBIs directions on fraud risk
management and classification and reporting
of frauds.
ALLAHABAD BANK REPORTS
Rs.688.27 CRORE FRAUD.
Allahabad Bank informed Reserve Bank of India
and SEBI, on 17th July,2019 about a fraud of
Rs.688.27 crore by a Ludhiana based textile
company. A few days back the bank had
reported a fraud of over Rs.1,775 crore by
Bhushan Power & Steel Co. Ltd. The bank has
informed that for outstanding dues of
Rs.688.27 crore NCLT Proceedings are in
progress.
PUNJAB NATIONAL BANK HIT BY
ANOTHER FRAUD OF Rs.3,800
CRORE.
The Punjab National Bank has reported a
borrowing fraud of Rs.38.05 billion in Bhushan
Power and Steel Ltd’s account to the Reserve
Bank of India. The fraud alleging “diversion of
funds from the Banking system” was reported
to RBI on the basis of the findings of the
forensic audit and the Federal Police filing an
FIR. It has been observed that the company has
misappropriated bank funds, manipulated
books of accounts to raise fund from
consortium of lender Banks. The Bank has
already made provision of Rs.19.32 billion.
Punjab National Bank was defrauded to the
tune of Rs.1,400 crore in a scam perpetrated
by diamontaire Nirav Modi and Mehul Chokshi,
which came to light last year.
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IL&FS HOSTED TOP EXECUTIVE OF
CREDIT AGENCY, BRICKWORK
AGENCY, GOT HIGH RATINGS
Investigating how the IL&FS group companies
were able to retain high credit ratings even as
they faced a severe liquidity crunch and
ultimately defaulted in September,2018,
officials have found evidence pointing to
conflict of interest. It is confirmed that
Brickwork Ratings, allegedly gave favourable
ratings to debt instruments of IL&FS group
companies as its founder Director D
Ravishankar allegedly received IL&FS Group’s
Hospitality in Spain along with his family. This
included watching a football match in Madrid
in the IL&FS Box. The investigating authorities
are probing this alleged nexus and will take
action accordingly. The Board of Directors of
IL&FS has sent its MD and CEO on leave with
immediate effect pending completion of the
examination of anonymous complaint received
by the SEBI
LABOUR
GOVERNMENT RULES OUT
REINTRODUCTION OF OLD PENSION
SCHEME
In a written reply to a question asked in the
Parliament, the Government ruled out
reintroduction of Old Pension Scheme (OPS) for
Government employees. This scheme which
existed before the introduction of the National
Pension System (NPS) in 2004, provided for a
defined benefit pension to Government
employees. A defined benefit is fixed and
determined with reference to number of years
of service and salary. National Pension System
on the other hand is market linked.
NPS was introduced in 2004 and made
mandatory for all Central Government
Employees. It was subsequently extended to
the State Government employees also and to
the Private Sector. However, some
Government employees organizations have
consistently opposed the NPS since it does not
provide a fixed pension amount. There was
some expectation from some sections that the
Government may reintroduce OPS for Central
Government employees based on this
opposition. However, the Government has
firmly laid any speculation in this direction to
rest.
The Government cited two reasons for its
refusal to reintroduce OPS. First, it pointed to
a “rising and unsustainable pension bill” and
said that “the Government had made a
conscious move to shift from the defined
benefit, pay-as-you-go Pension Scheme to
defined contribution pension. Second, it said
that “the transition also helped in freeing the
limited resources of the Government for more
productive and socio economic sectoral
development.”
The NPS does not provide a guaranteed pension
but allows subscribers to invest their pension
corpus in Government bonds and equities. In
the recently announced budget, the
Government increased its contribution to NPS
for Central Government Employees from 10% to
14%. It also permitted Central Government
employees to invest in NPS Tier II and get the
benefit for tax deduction under Section 80 C.
Such an investment will have a lock-in period
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of three years. It also increased the tax-free
portion of the NPS corpus on maturity from 40%
to 60%. All these measures have made the NPS
more attractive to Government employees.
CENTRAL VIGILANCE COMMISSION
(CVC) TELLS MINISTRIES TO TAKE
ACTION AGAINST CORRUPT
BUREAUCRATS BEFORE THEY
RETIRE. 25 OFFICIALS FROM STATE
BANK OF INDIA, CANARA BANK,
PUINJAB NATIONAL BANK, OTHER
BANKS UNDER SCANNER.
The anti-corruption watchdog Central
Vigilance Commission (CVC) has asked the
Government Departments to take timely action
against tainted bureaucrats and not wait till
their retirement. The CVC Communique comes
in the backdrop of government pushing for
compulsory retirement of deadwoods and
tainted Officers in the Central ministries and
departments. 25 Officers from The State Bank
of India, Canara Bank, Punjab National Bank,
Indian Bank, Bank of Baroda, Syndicate Bank,
and Union Bank of India are currently under the
scanner and will be charged for relevant
offence soon. 13 Officers from the Department
of Coal, 7 Officers from Ministry of Urban
Development, 3 from Ministry of Defence who
are accused of corruption, will also face the
departmental action. Major penalty has also
been recommended for four Officers from
BSNL, 2 Officers each from Department of
Expenditure and Central Board of Direct Taxes.
In May 2019, CVC directed the Central Board of
Excise and Customs to dismiss three Officers
from service involved in corruption cases. Two
Officers from Bank of Maharashtra and
Corporation Bank were sacked and major
penalty was imposed against at least 70
Government Officers.
The CVC has specifically pulled up Central
Public Sector Undertakings (CPSUs) and Banks
for delaying disciplinary action against the
charged Officers. The Commission has said that
several files for advice are being received just
weeks before the Officer’s retirement.
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PHOTO GALLERY
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