( A.I.B.P.A.R.C.)
C/O BANK OF INDIA OFFICERS’ ASSOCIATION
(EASTERN INDIA BRANCHES)
BANK OF INDIA, KOLKATA MAIN BRANCH
23A, NETAJI SUBHAS ROAD, KOLKATA – 700 001
Mobile : 9830403145, E-mail : aibparc@gmail.com
Circular No. 33/18 16.04.2018
(For circulation among all the members of the Managing Committee as well as the
Governing Council of AIBPARC, Special Invitees,
State Secretaries and Advisors of AIBPARC.)
Dear Comrades,
Joint Struggle for Updation of Pension and Abolition of New Pension Scheme
We reproduce hereunder a letter dated 09.04.2018 of Joint Convenors, CBPRO written to Convnor, UFBU on above subject for information of members.
With good wishes,
( SUPRITA SARKAR )
GENERAL SECRETARY
QUOTE :
Dated: 09.04.2018
To
Shri Sanjeev K Bandlish
Convenor, UFBU
General Sectary, NCBE
C/o State Bank of India,
Chandigarh
Dear Com. Bandlish,
Joint Struggle for Updation of Pension and Abolition of New Pension Scheme
It is a matter of great satisfaction for all Bank Retirees that UFBU has been championing the cause of Bank Pensioners and Retirees right from singing of Historic Pension Settlement in 1993 and subsequent improvements from time to time like removal of strike clause, 2nd Option for Pension and rectification of other anomalies.
However the following important issues have been a matter of serious concern both for
the Retirees and the Serving Employees:
Updation of Pension as provided under Bank Employees Pension Regulation 35(1).
Bringing those Employees who are recruited after 01.04.2010 under existing Defined Benefit Pension Scheme by abolishing New Pension Scheme.
Improvement in Family Pension Scheme as prevailing in Government and RBI.
Reckoning Special Allowance for the purpose computing Pension.
ALL INDIA UNION BANK RETIREES’ FEDERATION
(Affiliated to All India Bank Retirees’ Federation)
A/12, Girdhar Apt., Kastur Park, Shimpoli Road, Borivali (W), Mumbai 400 092
Chairman President General Secretary
D. A. Masdek B. G. Raithatha R. K. Powar
9970899393 9427207021 7710030963
damasdekar@gmail.com ubiretirees@gmail.com rkpowar@gmail.com
No. 101/2018 8th April 2018
To: All Office-bearers / CC Members / State Units of AIUBRF
Dear Friends, Office Bearers Meeting held at Indore on 7th April 2018
The Meeting of Office Bearers of All India Union Bank Retirees’ Federation was held in Samrat Hotel, Indore, on 7th April 2018. The Meeting was attended by 16 Office Bearers, and 5 others. Several Office Bearers expressed their inability to attend due to various reasons, but from some there was no intimation.
Present:
1. Shri D.A.Masdekar Chairman Maharashtra
2 Shri B.G. Raithatha President Rajkot, Gujarat
3 Shri M.K. Sengupta Vice President West Bengal
4 Shri Pratap Shukla Vice President Uttar Pradesh
5 Shri K.P. Rao Vice President Karnataka
6 Shri D.A. Vengurlekar Vice President Maharashtra
7 Shir M.S. Chourey Vice President Indore, M.P.
8 Shri M.K. Mundul Jt. Gen. Secretary Maharashtra
9 Shri R.K. Verma Jt. Gen. Secretary Uttar Pradesh
10 Shri U.P. Kavadi Jt. Gen. Secretary Maharashtra
11 Shri L.S. Barai Organising Secretary Maharashtra
12 Shri Md. A. Salam Secretary West Bengal
13 Shri M.D. Solanki Secretary Rajasthan
14 Shri S.S. Shukla Secretary U.P.
15 Shri Arjun Kharat Treasurer Maharashtra
16 Shri S.S. Rane Asst. Treasurer Maharashtra
17 Shri P.B.Raghavendra Rao Permanent Invitee, AP
18 Shri R.K. Agarwal Special Invitee Gen Secy of UBRA-UP
19 Shri A. Poornachandra Rao Observer-Participant Andhra Pradesh
20 Shri A.K. Singh ..Do.. Varanasi, U.P.
21 Shri C.V. Khanzode ..Do.. Nagpur, Maharashtra
The Meeting was initiated with the Welcome by Shri M.S.Chourey, Treasurer AIBRF, and Vice President AIUBRF, & General Secretary of our Indore Retirees’ Unit, and our Host of the meeting.
Thereafter Shri S.C.Jain, General Secretary, AIBRF inaugurated the Meeting. Shri Jain spoke on the recent developments of the outcome of Supreme Court Judgements which have given a fillip to the retirees movement, as a welcome changed trend benefiting the Retirees. He heartily congratulated, the petitioners who had filed the writs, and fought tirelessly in the Courts to finally achieve the demand against anomalies of implementation of the Pension agreements on granting notional service of 5 years to specialized Officers under regulation 26, the Compulsorily Retired employees, and the anomaly of re-fixation of basic pay on Index of 1684 for those retired between 1998 to 2002, for which arrears should be paid from date of retirement alongwith 9% interest, instead of 1.5.2005 as provided in the 8th wage settlement.
The victory was possible, he said, because of the constant pressure through letters to Government M.Ps & Officials, and action programs conducted by the Retirees under AIBRF banner, to ensure the change in approach of Govt/IBA, who extended the benefits of Court Judgements to all eligible retirees, and not just petitioners.
He also stated that constant meetings of AIBRF with the authorities could change this approach of IBA from their arguments of high cost of payment of Pension anomalies, and to extend benefit to all retirees, including the Private sector Bank Retirees. The time limit of implementation of the judgements as well as the 9% interest payment for the delays were momentous decisions for Retirees.
He stated that about 500 eligible specialized Officers would benefit, with approx. arrears of Rs.1.5 lakhs to Rs.5lakhs, with increase of Pension from Rs.800p.m. to Rs.2000p.m. In the case of CRS employees, about 1272 cases will benefit at all India Bank levels. In the case of refixation of basic pay @ index of 1684, about 1 lakh retirees are likely to benefit with arrears of Rs.40,000 to Rs.70,000.
While exhorting the Retirees to remain vigilant for struggle on the remaining issues of Updation of Pension for retirees, Family Pension improvement, 100% DA to all retirees, and pension Option to resignees, Shri Jain expressed confidence of resolving these matters as well.
Speaking on the outcome of the meeting of AIBRF Office Bearers held on 2nd & 3rd April at Vijayawada, Shri Jain appealed to raise the maturity approach of the retiree organisations, stating there was need for disciplined, balance in action & behavior of affiliated Units, and not to question the loyalty to AIBRF, but show loyalty at all times. He stated the strategies adopted since 2005 had had its effect, and now with change in approach of IBA, the consolidation of AIBRF was essential.
Announcing that the OBs had proposed to hold the Conference of AIBRF soon, with the completion of its term, he appealed for unanimity & consensus in this direction.
Several Office bearers asked for clarifications on the judgements, to which responses were given, and the AIUBRF was urged to be alert to misinterpretations of implementation by the Bank.
On behalf of the Office bearers of AIUBRF, Shri K.P.Rao, Vice President, thanked Shri Jain on enlightening us on the decisions of AIBRF and for the useful guidelines given to us as affiliates.
It is now upto us to ensure the all eligible retirees of Union Bank get the benefit of the SC Judgements as passed on by IBA to our Bank for implementation. Details of the Banks circulars are expected shortly, and we have been assured of sufficient time to implement the same.
The agenda of the meeting was thereafter taken up with preliminary discussions on the participation of those present, and it was clarified that the deliberations should be restricted to office bearers & invitees only. At the outset, constraints over presiding raised by Shri Raithatha, were debated and clarified by the Office Bearers, and the agenda was taken up by requesting Shri M.K.Mundul Jt.General Secretary, to present the same on behalf of AIUBRF, in the absence of Shri R.K.Powar, General Secretary, due to illness.
Speaking on the document circulated on a perception of approach due to changes in the retirees’ movement, Shri Mundul urged for interaction among Office bearers. The perception related to changes in the expanding membership, their outlook and expectations of the Retiree movement. He also presented a brief picture of the Banking Scenario, the image of Banks consequent to huge NPAs, frauds by large borrowers, intervention of Govt/RBI with new directions to resolve & recover defaulting loans, and the retirees’ perceptions to all these happenings. He stressed the need for updating retiree on new Banking measures, to be in sync with the Banking Scenario. There was a need to identify the situation with our past experiences, and to involve ourselves wherever possible. He also stressed upon the broader social role we have to play to ensure dignity and respectability of retirees in India’s society.
Finally, he touched on the need for discipline in our working, to ensure our expressions through the social media can bring about positive solutions through our thought processes. He urged the house to reflect on the advice of Shri Jain as reflected in the CC forums of AIBRF at Nagpur & again at Ujjain, and now once again at Vijayawada on ventilation of grievances publicly, disturbing the organizational functioning and damaging the unity of retirees. The letter on discipline by Shri Masdekar had also been circulated once again, to bring about discipline of approach. (The document is on record for those who would want to read the same )
Shri Mundul while placing the first agenda, clarified the same would be introduced in 2 parts.
He placed part 1 of the agenda of taking a decision on nominating an Office Bearer to function in the absence of Shri R.K. Powar, GS, due to illness since November 2017. He apprised in detail about Shri Powar’s illness, chronologically, from then till date. The discussion was thereafter taken up for debate.
Except for a single proposal, to which clarifications were given, the house adopted the decision that Shri M.K.Mundul, Jt.Gen.Secretary would act as Gen Sec, AIUBRF, in absence of Shri R.K.Powar, Gen Sec, till he is fit to resume office.
Placing part 2 of the agenda, Shri Mundul stated that Shri Raithatha, as Gen Sec, UBREA,Rajkot, was continuing to have coordination with the rival retirees, despite the decisions to the contrary by AIBRF/AIUBRF, and clarifications on this approach needed to be taken by the house.
Clarifications were made by Shri Raithatha placing reasons for his approach. A number of Office bearers debated on not making the matter contentious, and the disparity of approach by rivals in other states. Reference was made to the decision to coordinate with rivals was contrary to decisions taken in the AIUBRF CC. It was also pointed out resolutions on discipline were adopted at the CC forum of AIBRF, to ensure better discipline in the organization.
Speakers insisted that unity of AIUBRF needed to be maintained at all costs, and Shri Masdekar emphasized that distortions of approach under any kind of threats was not conducive to healthy functioning of the organization.
With the unanimity of approach, the office bearers decided that the General Secretary, Union Bank Retired Employees Asscn, Rajkot, Gujarat should not have any separate coordination with rivals in Gujarat, and this must be stopped forthwith, until debate on a wider forum decides otherwise. The Office bearers decided that Units needed to adhere to a discipline and ensure a correct image of the organization.
Taking up agenda 2, Shri Mundul clarified that the list of issues had been circulated, and the main objective was to ensure a platform was made available for retirees’ interaction & redressal. He expressed dissatisfaction at the indifferent approach of the Top management on discussing policy issues with retirees, making an excuse of multiplicity of retiree organisations. He spoke on the various issues of the retired employees and explained that the grouping on issues was done on the various subjects affecting the retirees.
The Bank has informed that the circulars to extend the Pension to specialized Officer, and CRS employees would be issued shortly. Bank has decided to invite applications of eligible retirees by advertisements, within a time frame. AIUBRF has already alerted all Units to be ready to propagate the SC Judgments widely, to ensure all beneficiaries get the benefit.
The difficulties of the retirees under the Medical Insurance Scheme were the largest issue. It appears that the intervening capacity of the Bank with the Insurance company was poor, despite the interaction with the representatives of the TPA of Insurance company, and their assurances to the inservice Unions, the difficulties even of active service employees, remain unresolved.
It was proposed to set up a sub committee of Office bearers of AIUBRF to prepare a document on the difficulties of retiree members, within a time frame. The reluctance of the Union apex body to agree to be part of the monitoring committee proposed by IBA recently, required a rethinking to ensure effectiveness of the Scheme. AIBRFs recent decision to intervene & take steps to hold discussions with IBA/UIIC for reduction in premiums and improvements in other terms and conditions in base policy, was welcomed.
Office bearers emphasized that issues required immediate resolving, especially issues relating to REMAS, Medical Insurance scheme deficiencies, improvement in welfare measures etc.
While accepting the need to make additions to the list of issues; it was also agreed to list individual retiree matters and submit to Bank.
It was agreed that a time frame will be given to the Bank for discussion on the list of issues, failing which the AIUBRF will adopt organizational steps.
On the last agenda, Shri Raithatha informed about the decision of AIBRF to collect a levy from affiliate Units @ Rs.10/- per member, after the pension was affected to beneficiaries. It was proposed that the amount be increased to collect an additional amount @ Rs.10/- per member to be paid to AIUBRF.
Shri R K Agarwal suggested the issue of retrospective payment of Gratuity be taken up by AIUBRF. During the debate on this proposal, it was agreed that this should be examined, keeping in mind the lack of technical support to this demand, and the need for it being raised for a concerted attempt of a wider platform of working people.
Thereafter, Shri. P. B. Raghavendra Rao, Permanent representative of AIUBRF spoke on the unanimity of the Office Bearers to rise unitedly to undertake the task of functioning. While wishing speedy recovery to Shri Powar, he exuded confidence in the outcome of the deliberations. He expressed his thanks and gratitude to the Indore Host Unit and all the volunteers for the excellent stay and food arrangements made for conducting the meeting on 7th April 2018. He praised all the volunteers of the Indore Unit for their support and ensuring the Office bearers had a comfortable stay in the hotel.
The President Shri. B. G. Raithatha thereafter declared the meeting concluded.
Those Units who have not informed us the names, addresses and contact numbers of their respective CC Member/s, are requested to do so immediately.
We look forward to a Unified approach by all Units to create confidence in our retiree members. Let us Unitedly & Purposefully work to strengthen AIUBRF.
With warm regards,
Yours truly,
(M. K. Mundul)
Jt General Secretary
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