Friday 30 December 2016

Don't fight postmasters! Expose Government!

Deplorable condition!

No money with the Government! No money with the State Bank of India! No money to the Post Offices! No money to Pension and Pay disbursement! But Government and Ministers often say 'enough money with RBI'! RBI got enough money; but no money with SBI and Banks and Post Offices! What a contradiction? What an apathy? Which is fact? Are the People fools to hear the cock and bull stories? Let the pensioners organise themselves and sit before banks and post offices in protest; let us call the media and expose to them our conditions! Let the media project the facts before the country! Go for protest action everywhere! - KR GS AIPRPA

Pension payment by EMI continues!

AIPRPA CHQ writes to Honourable Prime Minister!



Honourable Prime Ministerji Namaskar. We are constrained to address this letter to you as we found that even after 50 days of implemented demonetization, the pensioners and family pensioners of government of India are not in a position to receive their pension amount today. Today being the pay-cum-pension day (31.12.2016) we are facing acute currency shortage in many post offices from where we draw our pension and family pension. State Bank of India reports 'no cash' beyond the paltry and insufficient level of currencies to post offices. The senior citizens including those aged above 80 and 90 are to get only around 2000 as pension today in many places. The authorities should have known to take sufficient precautionary measures to take care of payment of pension to Pensioners and family pensioners as all know that today is the pension day. We as part of the society were patient at your assuring words that after 50 days things will turn normal. But things have turned worse as at least last month pension day ensured better payment to us. We are pained to see that your assurances have become meaningless. We request that your administration should take instant measures to give relief to pensioners and family pensioners, who toiled for the society their entire service.
Thanking you,
Yours faithfully,
K.Ragavendran
General Secretary

Wednesday 28 December 2016

Postal Pensioner's onward March!

Pensioners Post December 2016!






One year of Pensioners Post publication is completed with this December issue. With the cooperation of readers, AIPRPA frontrunners and well wishers, we have managed uninterrupted publication of 12 monthly issues. Pensioners Post was started with the motto: "For the cause of Postal and RMS Pensioners"! Yes, it has tried its best to that cause! It stood for highlighting the plight of Postal & RMS Pensioners; it worked for solution of those problems;  it strived to highlight the basic need to strengthen the bond between pensioners and employees movement; it espoused the need for unity of all pensioners at national and international level for a fight-back against neo-liberal onslaught on us; it did not hesitate to voice reasonable criticism against the Government and Authorities; mainly it never compromised on the interests of workers and pensioners! Despite financial constraints as a non-commercial journal, it survived its first year! Now stepping into its 2nd year! We don't say it was perfect in each respect; but we constantly try for more and better perfection every month! We appeal to all of you to come forward to give your helping hand by organising a subscribers campaign. We want you to help crossing the last year level of subscriber base! AIPRPA has come to stay as a class conscious pensioners' organisation; & 'Pensioners Post should come to stay as a mighty weapon to defend the rights of pensioners! All at your hands! All at your hard work!
The front wrapper of December 2016 issue for your notice! - Editor PP 

Sunday 25 December 2016

We waited 50 days! Don't torture for 50 weeks

AIPRPA CHQ call:
We Demand our Pension on 31st December!
Hold Protests between 29th and 31st as per local convenience! 




On 31st December we want full payment of our pension without any restrictions. It is our earned money and certainly not "black money"! 50 days patience requested by Prime Minister will be over at the midnight of 28th December! We as and along with other patriotic people maintained patience all these days, silently bearing the tortures all around us! But after the assured 50 days at least we are expecting our monthly pension without any more EMIs! AIPRPA CHQ is writing to DoP in this regard, but calls upon the postal pensioners to raise this demand in one strong voice between 29th to 31st December. We are afraid through the media news that government is announcing that the restrictions to withdraw our own money in banks and through ATMs will continue! What is the restriction through ATMs? No ATM is working anymore! Most of the ATMs stopped working! Things have turned from bad to worse! We, the senior citizens are to be spared from the torture! - KR GS AIPRPA

Saturday 17 December 2016

Pensioners International Conference at Kathmandu!

“Let us unite all the Pensioners and Retired
TUI - International Conference of Pensioners & Retired














“Let us unite all the Pensioners and Retired” – was the slogan of the TUI P&R international conference at Kathmandu! The WFTU (World Federation of Trade Unions) is a Federation of trade unions functioning at international level for unifying the working class. It is a class oriented trade union organization. There are different Trade Union International wings under WFTU for different sectoral employees. In the year 2014 the WFTU had founded a new TUI body for Pensioners and Retired in an international conference at Barcelona (Spain).  Since then this TUI Pensioners and Retired international organization is organising the pensioners and retired employees of various countries.

The TUI Conference at Barcelona had decided to organise continent wise conferences of pensioners organisations. Accordingly the international conferences of American Continent, African Continent and for Europe Continent were organised recently. Pensioners organizations from 25 countries participated in the Regional Conference of America held at Ecuador in September 2016. 42 countries participated in the Regional Conference for Europe held at Denmark. The African Regional Conference also was a huge success. In the same manner the Regional Conference of TUI Pensioners & Retired has been organised for Asia Pacific Region in Nepal. The Conference was organised in the capital city of Nepal the “Kathmandu” on 3rd December 2016. AIPRPA participated in this international conference as an affiliate of TUI P&R. Comrade K.Ragavendran the General Secretary of AIPRPA had attended and took part in the debate also. NCCPA (National Coordination Committee of Pensioners Associations) was represented by its Secretary General Comrade KKN.Kutty. Comrade VAN.Namboodiri the Patron of AIBDPA as well as the Technical Committee Member of TUI P&R was part of the presidium of the Conference. Delegates and visitors from SAIL (Steel Authority of India, West Bengal) also participated.

Delegates from Nepal, India, China and Bangladesh attended the Conference. TUI P&R President Comrade Dimos Koumporis from Greece guided the Conference on behalf of the headquarters organization. The inaugural and open session of the Conference was attended by plethora of leaders from various organizations and political leaders. Comrade Bamdev Gautam former Deputy Prime Minister of Nepal addressed as the Chief Guest. The Deputy Director of International Labour Research Division of All China Federation of Trade Unions Comrade Zheng Haixin was one of the distinguished guests. Comrade K.C.Mohan Bahadur the Vice President of TUI P&R and many Parliament Members and leaders of Pensioners as well leaders of Confederation of Nepalese Professionals (CONEP) attended and addressed. Comrade VAN.Namboodiri from the presidium also addressed the open session and explained the attacks on pensioners and the resistance developing against the attacks in India.

The Open Session began with the initial presentation of the TUI P&R President Comrade Dimos. Delegates of participating countries addressed on various issues concerning pensioners and retired. NCCPA Secretary General explained the conditions of Civil Pensioners in India and the attack on pension in the shape of NPS. Comrade K.Ragavendran General Secretary AIPRPA explained the need to strengthen the unity and united action of pensioners and retired and suggested various organizational steps to be taken in that direction by the TUI P&R. Comrade VAN.Namboodiri also pointed out the main issues faced by the Pensioners in India. Delegates from SAIL spoke about the condition of retired in the Steel Authority of India, who are not covered under any pension schemes. The summing up speech was again made by the TUI President Comrade Dimos.

The TUI Conference took many important decisions. It was observed that the problems of pensioners and retired are common all over the world. It was decided that a strong organization is a prerequisite to wage a strong fight against the capital, which is attacking the social security under liberalization. As the Capital does not want any rights for the Pensioners and Retired, it has begun to confiscate pension also. The TUI Conference came to the conclusion that the lost rights of pensioners and workers are to be won back through our strong organizations and united movement.

The TUI Conference at Kathmandu elected a Committee including the representatives from India for concentrating the task of strengthening the TUI Pensioners & Retired. There are three members from India in the Committee. Comrade D.Gopalakrishnan the TUI Organising Secretary for Asia; Comrade VAN.Namboodiri Member of the Technical Committee of TUI P&R; and Comrade Swapan Mazumdar (SAIL) are elected as the representatives from India.


The TUI Kathmandu Conference adopted a ‘Kathmandu Declaration” unanimously on the conditions prevailing and the tasks before us. The main speech of the TUI President Comrade Dimos as well as the “Kathmandu Declaration” is printed elsewhere in this issue. The Regional Conference of TUI P&R is an important step in building the organization in the Asian Continent, which is the most populous continent in the world. 

Friday 16 December 2016

Pensioners Day!

17.12.2016 - Pensioners Day! 



It is the Pensioners Day on 17th December. The struggle to win pension and social security to government employees is historical. These struggles started under British Raj! Through long struggles pension was won during British rule. But many improvements are made to pension rules by our consistent battles under independent India. However observing 17th December as Pensioners Day has come about by the milestone judgment given out by Chief Justice Chandrachud in 17.12.1982 in the great legal battle fought by D.S.Nakara! Pensioners should not be divided into separate classes for any discriminate benefits was the crux of the judgment that ensured the pensioners their rights!

Hold special meetings!
Hold Seminars!
Remember the historical struggles of forefathers!
Remember D.S.Nakara!
Hail Kerala Pensioners movement and Inasu!
Take resolve to fight and clinch Option Number 1 recommended by 7th CPC!
Take resolve to build a strong AIPRPA!
Take resolve to strengthen NCCPA, BC PC and united pensioners movement in India and also internationally!

No District or Division should fail in observing Pensioners Day this year! It is our bounden duty to respect comrades who fought for our rights!

- KR GS AIPRPA

Monday 5 December 2016

Tamilnadu Chief Minister Passes Away!

Dr.J.Jayalalitha Chief Minister Tamilnadu Passes Away! 

In spite of 75 days intensive medical treatment at Apollo Hospitals in Chennai, the Honourable Chief Minister of Tamilnadu Doctor J.Jayalalitha had breathed her last at 11.30 P.M yesterday night (5.12.2016). Considered as one of the rarest women in history to rise to fame and power from not belonging to any family already connected to high places of power, her demise is indeed causing a wide void in politics of Tamilnadu and her political party. Her innovative improvement of peoples welfare populist measures like free laptop to poor students, free supply of rice to poor through PDS, very cheap food through the now famous 'Amma Unavagam' outlets throughout the State, cheap mineral water sales scheme 'Amma Water' as a restraint to corporate water selling giants etc have made her the darling of millions of tamilians including women. Known as the iron lady of Tamilnadu who faced many obstacles in her public life to be surmounted successfully is no more! AIPRPA deeply mourns the sad demise of Honourable CM Dr.J.Jayalalitha!

Sunday 27 November 2016

Congratulation Jharkhand! Build a stronger AIPRPA!

AIPRPA Jharkhand has a new team of office bearers!



Jharkhand State Conference of AIPRPA had wide press coverage. The conference had elected a team of office bearers led by comrades Nawal Kishore (State President); Jai Narayan Prasad (Wkg.President); M.Z.Khan (State GS); and Triloki Sahu (State Treasurer). AIPRPA CHQ congratulates the full team and calls upon the team if office bearers to build a stronger district organisations in all 24 revenue districts of the state.
Pensioners Post ‘November’ Issue ready!

Comrades! November issue of Pensioners Post is printed and ready. The journal will be posted to all tomorrow morning (28.11.2016). The editorial is about the demonetization; there are special articles on Organisation; on Option Number 1; On Pre-2006 Pensioners issue; On Scova deliberations and Pensioners Mirror and other usual features. The front wrapper is placed hereunder. All State General Secretaries / District / Divisional Secretaries as well as individual subscribers are reminded that the subscriptions of most of the subscribers are lapsing with December 2016. Therefore take urgent steps to mobilize subscribers and renew old subscribers for the year 2007 (from January to December) immediately to guard against stoppage of the journal from January issue.


Please remember that the annual subscription is 120/-; The same should be remitted by NEFT transfer from  your own bank to the SB Account of “Pensioners Post”; PNB Kilpauk Branch (Chennai); SB Account Number:3619000100727770; IFSC Code No: PUNB0361900. Please do not forget to send SMS to the Editor (09444919295) about your remittance to cross check with the bank. Individual subscribers can also send by Money orders to the Editor's address given in the journal itself. Please remember that to those who fail to renew for 2017, the Pensioners Post issue will be stopped with the December issue - KR Editor Pensioners Post


Saturday 26 November 2016

Jharkhand on the March!

Jharkhand State AIPRPA holds its first state conference!






Postal & RMS Pensiobers from different districts of Jharkhand State are sitting in the first state conference today at the capital city of Ranchi. The venue is the Ranchi GPO and was presided by comrade K.D.Royvyathet. The conference is organized with a Delegates Session and an Open Session. Comrade K.Ragavendran GS AIPRPA attending the Conference. Here are photos of delegates session in which comrade M.Z.Khan (District Secretary Ranchi) and Convenor of Jharkhand State presenting the Report and comrades KR (GS); D.N.Giri (Delhi state and representing CHQ Treasurer Shankarpal Singh); and Nawal Kishore (Former P3 C/S & AIPRPA Jamshedpur President) are on dais. You can also see from another photo that respected Chief PMG Jharkhand and SSPOs Ranchi graced the conference and CPMG interacting with pensioners on their issues. 
Fidel Castro the icon of anti imperialist struggle is no more!


Comrade Fidel Castro at 90 has breathed his last yesterday night on 25.11.2016! Comrade Fidel liberated the latin-american 'Cuba' in 1959 through a revolution and established the first socialist system in the continent. Under his able leadership 'Cuba' not only developed as a socialist nation but defeated 60 years of USA's economic blockade and numerous attempts by CIA to assassinate the revolutionary leader. Fidel is the symbol of defiance against imperialist hegemony; icon of revolutionaries of the contemporary world; imparting confidence in socialist ideals even after the collapse of socialist world! A visionary leader of working class is no more! Let us red salute him! - KR GS AIPRPA

Friday 25 November 2016

Organisational tour in Jharkhand Bihar - International Conference of Pensioners in Nepal Capital!

GS AIPRPA organisational Tour!


Comrades! Just i am on my way to an organisational tour of 9 days. The State Postal& RMS Pensioners if Jharkhand  are meeting in their state level convention to found AIPRPA State Organization of Jharkhand on 27.11.2016. On 28.11.2016, the Jamshedpur district AIPRPA is organising its district convention. On 29th night i am proceeding to Patna and attempts are on to have a meeting of postal pensioners on 30.11.2016 to form an Adhoc body for Bihar State AIPRPA. After that i am going to Gorakhpur in U.P to spend some hours there before commencing my long journey to Kathmandu (Nepal) by road via Sounali border. I may reach Kathmandu on 1st December night. On 3.12.2016, the International Asian Oceanic Regional Conference of TUI Pensioners & Retired is taking place in Kathmandu. As an affiliate to this international organisation, the AIPRPA is represented here through its General Secretary as a Delegate. This Conference details are available in internet and by google searching you can get full details. But it is certain as our motto that the strong unity of pensioners at world level is a prerequisite to defend pension and social security, which is under attack by globalization. Details of organisational tour will appear here as events progress - KR GS AIPRPA

Sunday 20 November 2016

NCCPA Circular on latest developments!

NATIONAL CO-ORDINATION COMMITTEE OF PENSIONERS.
Website: nccpahq.blogspot.in.

13.c Feroze Shah Road,m
 New Delhi. 110 001
Dated:20.11.2016.
Dear Comrades,
This is to inform you that the pension department has ultimately taken a final decision not to allow the option No.1. There are only two options left out for us.  To approach the judiciary and to agitate. We are to embrace both.

Bharath Pensioners Samaj had its General Body meeting on 13th November, 2016.  Both the President of NCCPA and the undersigned attended the inaugural session and addressed the delegates.  They have taken the decision to pursue the pension fitment issue through agitation.  We have assured them of our co-operation.  We have written a letter in this regard.  The copy of the same is enclosed. 

The AIRF has decided to organise  a protest demonstration on 14.12.2016.  The Confederation of CGE and workers have decided to organise a rally and march to parliament on 15.12.2016.  These programmes are  to oppose the totally nugatory attitude of the present Government over the Central Government employees Demands.  The affiliates of NCCPA may kindly advise their members to take part in these action programmes.

There will be a meeting with the Secretary Health soon to discuss the CGHS problems. All affiliates and state units are once again requested to send us Note indicating the various difficulties faced by the members in each State. 

The Government has extended the life certificate date to January, 2017.

The Secretry Staff  Side and the undersigned have written to the Government to disburse the salary for the months of November and December 2016 in cash. 

The annual GB meeting of the AP Unit is slated to be held on 12th and 13th December, 2016. 
We are approaching Associations/Federations of both working and retired employees, who are affected by the New Contributory pension scheme for holding a massive convention at Delhi.  As and when the date for the convention is decided, we shall intimate you.

The allowance committee set up by the Government and headed by the Secretary Expenditure did not meet the staff side formally after  the Staff Side submitted its detailed explanatory memorandum on each of the allowances the Pay Commission has recommended to abolish. The specified time limit under which the committee is to submit its report is over.  The Fixed Medical Allowance  which are presently paid to the pensioners who are not covered by CGHS is under the consideration of the Committee.

We are getting in touch with the Nagpur and Allahabad State Units to explore the possibility of holding the next National Executive Committee meeting of NCCPA 

With greetings,

Yours fraternally,

K.KN. Kutty.




NATIONAL CO-ORDINATION COMMITTEE OF PENSIONERS.
Website: nccpahq.blogspot.in.

13.c Feroze Shah Road,m
 New Delhi. 110 001

Shri S.C. Maheswari,
General Secretary,
Bharat Pensioners Samaj
New Delhi. 

Dear Comrade,

            Kindly refer to the telephonic conversation we had on the subject of organising a rally/dharna at Jantar Mantar in the last week of Feb or in the first week of March 2017 to pursue the demand to implement the recommendation of the 7th CPC in respect of pension fitment under option No.1.  We had the matter discussed amongst us .  We welcome the initiative taken by you in the matter and we assure you of our whole hearted co-operation and participation.

            We feel that in order to ensure large scale participation of pensioners in the programme, it would be better if you could convene a meeting of Secretaries of all Pensioners organisations at Delhi  on a date convenient to you.  We may finalise the date for the programme in consultation with all at the proposed meeting. We further request that such a meeting may please be held not later than the middle of December. 2016.   I would be at Delhi on 30th November, 2016 and again on 13th December to 16th December, 2016. 

            With greetings,
Yours fraternally,

K.KN. Kutty
Secretary General





Thursday 17 November 2016

Life Certificate by Pensioners can be submitted up to 15th January 2017!

Annual Life Certificate – Time extended 
up to 15th January, 2017


The normal time limit for submission of Annual Life Certificate by the Pensioners is during the month of November. This time limit has been extended by the Government up to 15th January, 2017. This is informed by the Finance Ministry through Press Information Bureau on 14th November, 2016 in accordance with the review undertaken by the Prime Minister of India regarding the supply and availability of currency notes. Therefore Pensioners can submit their Life Certificate upto 15th January, 2017. 

- KR GS AIPRPA - 

Wednesday 16 November 2016

Dearness Relief to Pensioners from 1st July issued!


DR 2% ORDERS FOR PENSIONERS ISSUED BY DoP&PW

Department of Pension & Pensioners Welfare has issued orders for payment of 2% DR for CG Pensioners w.e.f. 1.7.2016 vide its Order No.F.No.42/15/2016-P&PW(G) dated 16.11.2016. The DR should have been 3% as demanded by the Staff Side but the Government had taken a negative stand. Now that the orders are issued and exhibited in the website of Pension Ministry also, the DR arrears should be paid without waiting for any endorsement from Postal Directorate as per the standing instructions of DG Posts. Please intervene if there is any more delay at Divisional level on the pretext of endorsement orders from Postal Department, as it is not at all necessary. Payment of DR arrears can be drawn directly by downloading the orders from the Pension Ministry website -  The DR orders issued is as follows:





AIPRPA SEEKS CASH PAYMENT OF PENSION FOR NOVEMBER & DECEMBER MONTHS

All India Postal & RMS Pensioners Association

(Registered No: 83/2015 under Tamilnadu Societies Registration Act, 1975)
Chennai HQ: 2/44, Muthial Chetty Street, Purasawalkam, Chennai - 600007
New Delhi HQ: First Floor, North Avenue Post Office Building, North Avenue, New Delhi - 110001

AIPRPA / Pension – November / 2016 /1 Dated 16.11.2016

To
The Director General
Department of Posts
Dak Bhawan
New Delhi – 110001

Sir,

Sub: Request for disbursement of pension by direct cash payment for November and December months to Pensioners – regarding.

This Association of Postal & RMS Pensioners is seeking your urgent intervention to cause to issue instructions for all Pension Drawing and Disbursing Authorities to make cash payment of November Pension and December Pension to all Pensioners in the specific background of extreme chaos prevailing in the whole country to withdraw cash from Post Offices and Banks after the cancellation of all existing 500 and 1000 denomination currency notes by the Central Government. The crisis is likely to continue for 50 days up to the end of December 2016 as per the declaration of the Honourable Prime Minister himself. The withdrawal of money in installments from Banks or from ATMs is a tuff task and forcing the senior citizen pensioners to stand in long queues for hours together to get cash in installments may result in unforeseen difficulties.

Pension is not a special change of old currency notes or day to day withdrawal of money as announced by the Government; it is the social security payment given out by the Government to Central Government Pensioners. Therefore this Association urges for the disbursement of full monthly pension a to all Pensioners for two months of November and December by cash without depositing in SB Accounts of POSB and Banks as the banking crisis is to continue till the end of December, 2016.

This Association shall highly appreciate your favourable action and consideration of the special problems faced by the Pensioners.

Thanking you,
Yours faithfully,
Sd/-
(K.Ragavendran)
General Secretary




AIPRPA protests delay in issue of orders for DR to Pensioners by Department of Pension!

AIPRPA CHQ E-Mails to Secretary Pension 
on abnormal delay in DR Orders!


All India Postal & RMS Pensioners Association

(Registered No: 83/2015 under Tamilnadu Societies Registration Act, 1975)
Chennai HQ: 2/44, Muthial Chetty Street, Purasawalkam, Chennai - 600007
New Delhi HQ: First Floor, North Avenue Post Office Building, North Avenue, New Delhi - 110001


AIPRPA / DR /2016 /1  Dated 16.11.2016

To
The Secretary
Department of Pension & Pensioners Welfare
Government of India
New Delhi – 110011

Sir,

Sub: Recurrence of delay in issue of DR orders to CG Pensioners w.e.f. 1.7.2016 – regarding.

This All India Postal & RMS Pensioners Association is constrained to bring to your notice that once again the DoP&PW is delaying issue of Dearness Relief orders to CG Pensioners with effect from 1.7.2016, even after the Finance Ministry had issued orders for payment of DA/DR for 2% in accordance with the decision taken by the Central Cabinet.

While it is intimated that the delay is causing discontentment amongst the Pensioners, the recurrence of such delay in issuing DR orders by the DoP&PW is agonizing. This Association had in fact brought to your notice similar delay occurred for long during a recent earlier occasion also. We are sorry to note that this type of delay is becoming a regular pattern at the DoP&PW, which is supposed to be the guardian of the pensioners’ welfare.

We request you to kindly intervene immediately to cause to issue necessary DR orders by the DoP&PW.

Thanking you,
Yours faithfully,
Sd/-
(K.Ragavendran)
General Secretary 

Join in large numbers in the Rally of Confederation before Parliament on 15th December!

AIPRPA Calls for total Solidarity to 
March to Parliament 
of Confederation of CG Employees!


Confederation of CG Employees and Workers has issued a clarion call to the CG Employees to march in thousands to participate in the Parliament Rally on 15th December, 2016. 

The Rally is to protest the Government's inaction towards very necessary modifications sought by the Staff Side in the recommendations of 7th CPC and earlier referred to High Level Committees by the GOI.

The Government had in fact accepted to refer the issues like the Minimum Wage, Fitment Factor, Pensioners Option Number 1, HRA including all Allowances, FMA, NPS etc to High Level Committees to decide within a period of four months. This solemn assurance held out by the Group of Ministers is becoming an eye wash and appear to be a strategy employed by the Government to just ward off the indefinite strike threat from 11th July, 2016. No issue referred to the High Level Committees is finding any real progress.

The need of the hour to rally all CG Employees once again to the struggle path! The Programme of Confederation is to just take a step in that direction!

AIPRPA Calls upon the entirety of Postal & RMS Pensioners to rise up to the occasion and extend total solidarity to the programme of CG Employees organised by the Confederation. The Postal Pensioners in Delhi State and in States nearby Delhi including Haryana, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh are called upon to attend the Rally before Parliament on 15.12.2016 in large numbers.

All District and State leaders of the above States are requested to attend with AIPRPA Banners and Flags by mobilising large number of Pensioners to show our total solidarity.

Remember that the victory of CG Employees is the victory of Pensioners!

Remember that the victory of Confederation is the victory of AIPRPA!!

-KR GS AIPRPA-

A Great Leader of CG Employees Movement and Left Movement is No More!

Comrade Dipen Ghosh Amar Rahe!
Red Salutes! Red Salutes!!



Comrade Dipen Ghosh is one of the most known leader-cum-left politician of the country! He started his career as an employee of Survey of India sector in Kolkata. He grew as a towering trade union personality and not only the GS of his organization but also the West Bengal State CG COC General Secretary and led all the movements. He had led the employees movement not only at the state level but also at National forums. He was the Vice President of All India Defence Employees Federation. Twice he remained in jail custody for 23 months. He was detained without trial under MISA for his active involvement in the historic Railway strike of 1974. During the dark days of Emergency he was imprisoned for 19 months at a stretch and was dismissed from his job. Later he was reinstated after protracted legal battle.He held the post in CG COC until he became the Rajya Sabha Member of Parliament. As a parliamentarian his twelve years role was also memorable to us for his great debates on peoples issues. He used to be invited in a number of All India Conferences and NFPE Federal Councils as well as All India Conferences of Confederation. He was also looking after the work of management and editing area of People's Democracy weekly. A great personality is no more! He passed awaybin Kolkata on 13th November, 2016. AIPRPA CHQ dips its banner in honour of comrade Dipen! - KR GS AIPRPA

Saturday 5 November 2016

AIPRPA Tambaram holdings its Conference!

Tambaram Division AIPRPA holds its 2nd Conference!




The 2nd Divisional Conference of Tambaram Division @ Ambathur - Avadi is holding its 2nd Conference today! Comrade N.Vivegan President presiding and Comrade L.Annamalai Secretary presenting the Report. Comrade S.P.Madasamy Wkg.President anchored the proceedings. Comrade M.Kannaiyan State President AIPRPA inaugurated the conference. Comrades KVS CHQ Advisor and K.Ragavendran GS AIPRPA attending the conference. Leaders of NFPE movement comrades C.Mohan Asst Circle Secretary P3 and G.Suresh Babu Asst.Circle Secretary P4 attended. AIPRPA State Office bearers Cimrade A.Murugan (AGS TN) and Durai (AGS TN) also attended. Large number of members of the association took part in the conference.

Monday 24 October 2016

October Pensioners Post!

      Pensioners Post October Issue!

October issue of Pensioners Post is under print and as usual will be despatched on 27th October. This issue contains materials on desirability of Option Number1; Stand of NJCA, NCCPA on Option number1; MACP legal battles; and other usual topics! - KR Editor PP

The front wrapper is as follows:


Wednesday 19 October 2016

MACP case and SLP rejection not benefiting Promotees automatically!

MACP case in a peculiar position now!


Many employees and pensioners (Promotees) gone to CAT Madras demanding one more MACP to Promotees as like Jodhpur and Chandigarh! Unfortunately CAT was supportive of Department argument that as per recruitment rules the promotees got their first promotion as PA and it cannot be taken as direct recruitment. Advocates cited a case pending judgment in Supreme Court on a SLP on this issue. Meanwhile SLP was dismissed by Supreme Court but the law was kept open! This means the dismissal of SLP will not benefit all others in different courts. In this background, CAT Madras also gave judgment against Promotees! Now as the law is kept open, appeal has to be filed in Madras High Court! This is the position and all petitioners are requested to give their consent for filing appeals in High Court as the time to file appeal is time-bound! - KR GS AIPRPA

Tuesday 18 October 2016

NCCPA CIRCULAR - REACTION OF NJCA ON OPTION NO:1 - MINUTES OF HIGH LEVEL COMMITTEE HELD ON 6.10.2016

Dear Comrades!

The stand of the High Level Committee is still negative on 17th meeting on feasibility of Option Number 1. The stand of NCCPA has been communicated to the High Level Committee by the NJCA Convenor Comrade Shiv Gopal Mishra. Comrades can find here the latest Circular of NCCPA; the letter of Staff Side; and the Minutes of the High Level Committee held on 6.10.2016: - KR GS AIPRPA

 

NATIONAL CO-ORDINATION COMMITTEE OF PENSIONERS ASSOCIATIONS

 

13.c Feroze Shah Road,m

 New Delhi. 110 001

 

President:                           Com. Shiv Gopal Misra.

Secretary General:          Com. K.KN. Kutty.

 

Dear Comrades,

 

As you aware the Government had set up a Committee to go into the feasibility of implementation of 7th CPC recommendations concerning pension determination of pre-2016 pensioners/ family pensioners. The committee itself came into being due to the persistent postulations of the Pension department over the probable difficulties, the Department might encounter in fixing pension entitlement under option No.1 , recommended by 7th CPC. The first formal meeting was held on 6.10.2016 with the JCM Staff Side.  Prior to that, we have been informed that the pension department had invited some pensioners Associations for a discussion on the same subject.  We are not aware of what ultimately transpired  in that meeting.

 

In the 6th October meeting the official side virtually   reiterated what they said in the  informal meeting about the difficulties in acting upon the Option No.1. suggested by the 7th CPC, the anomalies it might create etc. To overcome  and obviate the difficulties they proposed  an alternative. i.e. to extend the pension fixation formula propounded  by 5th CPC to all pre 2016 pensioners  and family pensioners. Viz. arriving at notional pay in 7th CPC by applying the formula for pay revision for serving employees in each Pay Commission and consequent pension fixation)  

 

We have annexed the full text of minutes of the meeting of 6th October 2016. The minutes as you know well, can not reflect the entire gamut of discussions at the meeting. The Staff Side had made out the following points during the discussions.

 

(a)   Even assuming that in about 18% of the cases service Books might not be available, it cannot be the  reason to conclude that  implementation of option No. 1 is infeasible. In fact it construes that in 82% of the cases, the service books are available and for that reason alone, the option suggested by the 7th CPC is to be acted upon. Moreover, the Staff Side also said that hardily 40% of pensioners are likely to opt for  option No. 1 .  In that  case, only  in 7%  of the cases the non availability of Service Books will arise.

(b)   As the Government has accepted the recommendation (as indicated in the Notification issued),  what is required by the Committee is only to examine the feasibility thereof.

(c)    There are various other documents on which the Government can  rely  upon like the Gradation list,(Seniority list),  Pay Bill, Establishment file etc. The Gradation list, the staff side added  contains all information. Including the date of promotion of the concerned individual to that grade.

 

(d)   Staff Side also agreed that acting upon option No.1 will bring about certain anomalies and the same must be addressed.

 

(e)   The depressed pension entitlement of those who retired without promotion, or who suffered stagnation in service, for no fault of theirs, especially the Group C and Group D employees must be appreciated.

(f)     The Staff Side said that they wholeheartedly welcome  the alternative proposal i.e. extension of the 5th CPC pension fitment formula to all pre-2016 pensioners  as that had been their demand in the memorandum submitted to the 7th CPC itself.

(g)   The staff side  however, reminded the members of the Committee that the  extension of the 5th CPC pension fitment formula had been the demand of the pensioners and the staff side before the 6th CPC.  It was rejected on the specious plea of higher financial outflow.

(h)   nIn the light of the anomalies that might arise in accepting the 7th CPC recommendation of Option No. 1, it is better, that the Government offers the same as third option, to be chosen by the pensioners on the basis of whichever is beneficial to them. 

(i)      At the end of the discussion, the  staff side said that they would cause consultation with all state holders and will express their firm view  at the next meeting which was stated for 17th  October, 2016.

 

In the brief period that was available, the Staff Side did cause consultation with various Pensioners Association  and Federations and Associations of Serving employees.   That apart, the undersigned had a detailed discussion with Com. B.C. Maheswari, General Secretary Bharath Pensioners Samaj, one of the biggest pensioners organization in the country.

 

The staff Side met yesterday evening and the matter was  further discussed  at length with the feedback, it had received from various organizations as also from the Government.  It came to the inescapable conclusion that replacement of Option No.1. by the alternate suggestion put forth by the Committee would harm the interest of quite a large number of pensioners/family pensioners, especially those who had retired prior to 1996.  The meeting also appreciated the fact that the implementation of Option No.1. will bring about a situation of anomalies in pension entitlement especially for those pensioners, who got their promotion at the fag end of their career.  They are likely to get lesser pension when compared to a pensioner who retired from a lower grade. Taking all these into consideration, the Staff Side decided that the alternative suggested by the Committee must be a third alternative which might reduce the gravity of anomaly and would bring about a better pension entitlement for certain section of the pensioners.  Accordingly, the decision has been conveyed to the Committee (both orally and in writing).  The copy of the letter the Staff Side has written is appended hereto.

 

During the discussions on 17th  it has become almost clear that the Committee would go ahead with the proposal of the Pension Department denying Option No.1. which would affect adversely the pension entitlement of a significant number of pensioners/family pensioners.  Perhaps it would be the first occasion that the Government chooses to reject a recommendation made by the  Pay Commission.  With this rejection, the scenario would be complete in as much as this would be the first Government which has rejected every suggestion of the employees and Pensioners in implementation of the Pay Commission recommendation.  It has gone a step further in as much as it has tried to influence the 7th CPC at the fag end of its tenure to ensure that the minimum wage quantum is reduced.   It may please be noted that the only one recommendation of the 7th CPC which came in for some appreciation amongst the various stake holders was the Pension fitment formula i.e. Option No.1.  By its rejection, it can be concluded without difficulty that there is nothing in the 7th CPC by virtue of which the employees and pensioners could state that some improvement has been effected in their service/career conditions. 

 

It must be our immediate  endeavour to bring about a joint platform of all pensioners organizations to chalk out a future course of actions in pursuance of the demand of implementation of  option No.1.   

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Copy of letter in No. NC-NJCM-2016/7th CPC(Pension) from The  Secretary ,  Staff Side to

The  Secretary (pension)

Department of Pension& Pensioners Welfare,

Govt. of India,

Sardar Patel Bhawan,

New Delhi.

 

Dear Sir,

 

                                Sub:       7th CPC recommendation. Pay determination in the case of

                                                Pre-2016 pensioners. Option No. 1. Examination of feasibility.                                                    Ref:                  Minutes of the meeting of the Committee in F.No. 38/37/2016

 P&PW(A)Dated 10th October, 2016

 

 We refer to the discussions held on 6.10.2016 in the matter of feasibility of acting upon the 7thy CPC recommendations (Option No. 1) in the matter of pension computation  and the minutes circulated under cover of the letter cited.   At the outset, we would like to state that the members of the Staff Side, who were associated with the discussions, gained an impression that the Pension Department would not like to implement the recommendation of the 7th CPC concerning Option No. 1 provided to the Pensioners in determination of the revised pension. As has been pointed out by us during the discussions on 6th October, the Government has accepted the said recommendation with a rider of its feasibility of implementation.  The attempt, therefore, must be to explore the ways and means of implementing the said recommendation, which benefits a large number of retired personnel, especially those retired prior to 1996. It is, therefore, highly doubtful how any alternate proposal in replacement of the accepted recommendation would be tenable. 

 

We have the matter considered by various Pensioners Associations as also the Federations of the Serving employees. We enumerate hereunder  the  feed- back we have received:

 

Even according to the exercise carried out by the Pension department, only in 18% of the cases, the service Books are reported to have been not available. Conversely it means that in 82% of the cases the records are available to operationalize option No.1. Besides, we find that on the basis of a random scrutiny that only 40% (Percentage  varies   from Department to Department depending upon the then prevailing career prospects) generally will opt to have pension fixation under the  provisions of   option No.1. It will work out to hardly 7% of the cases, where Service Books might not be available. As has been pointed out in the last meeting, Gradation/Seniority  list is maintained for each Cadre by the Concerned Department, where the date of promotion to the cadre inter alia  is indicated. The said gradation list will reveal many other details viz. the date of birth, date of entry into government service, date of promotion to the present cadre, whether eligible for next promotion, date of superannuation etc.  This apart there are several other documents maintained by the Department, which will come in handy   for verification of the clam, viz, the pay bills, Establishment files containing promotion orders etc.   In other words it is possible to verify the  claim of any individual pensioner or family pensioner and take appropriate decision.       In other words, there is no infeasibility question at all.   It was also pointed out by many organisations that the retention period of Service Books in all major Departments of the Government of India is 5 years after the death of the Pensioner/ Family Pensioner and not 3 years after retirement as indicated by the Official side at the meeting. This apart, it may also  be noted that the option has to be exercised by the concerned individual pensioner and he  has to make a formal application to the concerned authorities.  He is bound to substantiate his claim with documentary proof, whatever that is available with him. 

 

As was pointed out by some of us in the last meeting, the non- implementation of an accepted recommendation on the specious plea of infeasibility will pave way for plethora of litigation.  Apart from the administrative difficulties, the Pension Department would be saddled with if such litigations arise, it would be sad and cruel on the part of the Government to compel the pensioners to bear huge financial burden to pursue their case before the courts of law. 

 

In view of this the Staff side is   of the firm view  that the Government issue orders for implementation of Option No. 1 as there is no room for stating that the recommendation is impossible  to be implemented for those who are benefited by the said option. 

 

We are aware that certain anomalies are bound to arise on implementation of option No.1 Anomalies have arisen in the past too. What is needed is to examine those anomalies and ensure that those are genuinely addressed.

 

It may  be noted that even under the  present dispensation, no two  Government servants are entitled for the same pension despite they being retired on superannuation from the same grade on the same day. The promotion in lower cadres especially Group B, C and D had been few and far between a decade back in many  departments and continues to be the same  situation in certain organisations of the Government of India.  The vacancy based promotion system, one must admit , operates in a fortuitous manner.   For no fault of the individual employee, he/she  may retire without getting a promotion whereas his colleague due to sheer luck might get the promotion at the fag end of the career.  The case of those employees who retired prior to the advent of ACP or MACP is really pathetic.  They had to remain in certain departments in the same cadres for years together. They are in receipt of a  paltry amount of pension though there is nothing distinguishable in their service careers for such deprivation.  To deny them the benefit provided by the 7th CPC on the specious plea that the relevant records are not available with the Government may not only be  unreasonable but also will not  stand the test of judicial scrutiny .

 

As we have stated in the meeting, the alternative suggestion put forth by the official side  is a  welcome feature , for it might be a step in the right direction to remove the anomaly pointed out by the Official side when  Option No.1 is implemented and will benefit those pensioners who got their promotion at the fag end of their career.. It is also likely to bring about certain extent of parity, if not full, between the old and the present pensioners.    However it cannot be in replacement of the recommendation in respect of Option No.1. made by the 7th CPC.  The alternate suggestion  of  the Pension Department may be offered as another option to the pensioners who are not benefited either by Option No. 1 or 2 recommended by the 7th CPC. Such an option will eliminate to a great extent the anomalies that might arise from the implementation of option No. 1.

 

In fine,  we request that:

 

The Pensioners/family pensioners may be allowed to choose any one  of the following three options;

(a)    2.57 time of the present pension if that is beneficial.

(b)   Option No. 1. Recommended by the 7th CPC, if that is beneficial for them.

( c).  to determine the Pension on the basis of the suggestion placed by the Pension Department on 6.10.2016 i.e. extension of   the benefit of pension determination recommended by the 5th CPC (viz. arriving at notional pay in the 7th CPC by applying formula for pay revision for serving employees in each Pay Commission and consequent pension fixation)  to all pre-2016 Pensioners/family pensioners, if that becomes beneficial to them. 

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Copy of the Minutes of the meeting of the Committee set up to examine feasibility of implementation of recommendation of Seventh CPC for revision of pension of Pre-2016 pensioners held on 6.10.2016 at Sardar Patel Bhawan, New Delhi.

The 6" Meeting of the Committee for examination of feasibility of implementation of recommendations of Seventh Central Pay Commission for revision of pension of pre-2016 pensioners was held under the Chairmanship of Shri C. Viswanath, Secretary (Pension) on 6.10.2016 at Sardar Patel Bhawan, New Delhi. This meeting was called for seeking the views of the Staff side of JCM on the feasibility of implementation of  the first option for revision of pension of pre 2016 pensioners recommended by the Seventh Central Pay Commission.The following were present from official side:

 

Sh. Ashok Kumar Dash, Member (Personnel), Department of Posts.

Ms. Santosh, Joint Secretary, Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare,

Sh. Rozy Agarwal, Joint CGDA, Ministry of Defence,

Sh.           R.K.      Chaturvedi,            Joint        Secretary,              Implementation    Cell, Department of Expenditure,

Sh. Sanjay Singh, Chief Controller (Pension), CPAO (representing Controller General of Accounts).

Sh. Tanveer Ahmed, Executive Director, Railway Board (representing Member (Staff)).

The following were present from JCM ( staff side):

Shr i Shiv Gopal Mishra, Secretary, JCM.

Shri  Guman Singh, Member

Shri J.R. Bhosale

Shri K.KN. Kutty

Shri C, Shrikumar

Shri R.D. Gupta.

 

                Welcoming the members of the Committee and the representatives of the JCM (Staff Side) Secretary ( Pension ) requested Additional Secretary(Pension) to make a presentation.

                In her presentation Addl. Secretary Pension brought out the position regarding the requirement of records and the factors which may affect the feasibility of arriving at the notional pay, in Seventh CPC by counting increments in the last scale of pay as recommended by the Pay Commission.  She also mentioned about the anomalies that are likely to arise in the process.  The presentation brought out the methodology adopted by the Committee to examine the feasibility of the first option and the finding of the committee in this regard.  She mentioned that the service records for increment method may not be available in around 18.3 percentage of the cases.  The difficulties in extracting the information from the records and determining the exact number of the increment for revision of pension under first Option were explained. She indicated that the Committee has found that the alternative method of arriving at notional pay in 7th CPC by applying formula for pay revision for serving employees in each pay commission and giving 50% of this as pension to be beneficial for all pensioners in comparison to the fitment method.

 

                Thereafter, Secretary Pension requested the members of the JCM staff side for their views  on the feasibility of the first option. 

 

                The representatives of the JCM Staff Side mentioned that in their representation to the 7th CPC, they had suggested revision of pension of pre 2006 pensioners by notional pay fixation in each successive pay commission period.  However, the Pay Commission recommended the revision of pension by fixing the notional pay on the basis of the increments earned in the last post. 

 

                The JCM Staff Side mentioned that the Cabinet has approved revision of pension by the first option(increment method), if its implementation is found feasible after examination by the committee.   They mentioned that in additional to the Service book, or personal file, the details of increments earned can be ascertained from the gradation/seniority list issued by the departments from time to time.  Therefore,  one cannot say that the first option recommended by the Pay Commission is not feasible on the ground of the non availability of records.  In regard to the perceived anomalies, the Staff Side stated that anomalies arose in implementation of the recommendations of all previous pay commissions.  Such anomalies can always be rectified through the mechanism of Anomaly Committee.

                On the alternative method of revision of pension by notional pay fixation  in each Pay Commission the staff Side felt that the pensioners who are likely to get higher benefits by increments method may not accept revision of pension  by pay fixation method.  This may, therefore, lead to litigation.

                After detailed discussion,  the staff side sought time to consider the alternative method of fixation of notional pay in each intervening pay commission for revision of pension as on 1.1.2016 before submitting their final views in this regard.  It was accordingly decided to have another meeting with the JCM staff side on 17.10.2016 at 10.00AM.  The meeting ended with a vote of thanks to the Chair.

O0o

 

 

 

 

 


K.Ragavendran
General Secretary AIPRPA