AIFPA Chennai a MOU partner of BPS ,Submits its Memorandum to 7th CPC
ALL INDIA FEDERATION
OF PENSIONERS ASSOCIATIONS
CHENNAI-600 015
Memorandum to Seventh
Central Pay Commission
CHAPTER-1
1.INTRODUCTION
1.1.APPOINTMENT
OF SEVENTH CENTRAL PAY COMMISSION
Usually,
the Central Government constituted the Pay Commission, only after great
pressure is mounted on the Government by the JCM Staff side and Pensioners
Associations. But this time the
Government in its wisdom, constituted the 7th Central Pay Commission
much earlier. We are greateful to the Government for this gesture.
Government of India has constituted
the 7th Central Pay Commission vide Ministry of Finance Department
of Expenditure resolution No.1/1/2013-EIIIA dt.28.2.14. Shri Justice Ashok Kumar Mathur (Retired
Judge of the Supreme Court and Retired Chairman, Armed Forces Tribunal as
chairman. Shri Vivek Rae (Secretary,
petroleum and Natural Gas) Member full time Dr.Rathin Roy (NIPFP) member, part
time and Smt. Meena Agarwal as Secretary. Item b(g) terms of reference (vide-Annexure-I)
which is relevant to pensioner is as follows:
“To
examine the principles which should given the structure of pension and other
retirement benefits, including revision of pension in the case of employees who
have retired prior to the date of effect of that recommendations, keeping in
view that retirement benefits of all Central Government employees appointed on
or after 1.1.2004 are covered by the New Pension Scheme (NPS).”
The Commission has been given 18
months time from the date of its constitution.
The Commission may send interim reports also.
All
India Federation of Pensioners Associations (AIFPA) Chennai heartily welcome
the Hon’ble Chairman and members of the
commission and hope and trust that the commission would consider the demands of past pensioners sympathetically and recommend
to the Government of India suitable proposals for redressal of their long
pending demands and allow full parity in pension to the past pensioners with
reference to the pension of the retirees of equivalent cadre who retire after
the implementation of VII CPC recommendations.
1.2.
ISSUE OF PUBLIC NOTICE
The 7th pay Commission has issued a
resolution No.1/1/2013-EIIIA dt.28.2.2014 (Vide Annexure II) through electronic
and press media calling for response from all interested persons before 31.5.2014.
In
response, the AIFPA has already submitted a memorandum (Vide Annexure III)
requesting for immediate merger of 50% of Dearness Relief with pension and also
for the grant of Interim relief. As per
press reports, these proposals were accepted by the cabinet, but no orders were issued by
the Government probably because of the Election Commission notification on
general elections. The Press reports were also not denied by the Government.
Now that the election is over, and a Government has been formed, orders of the Government in consultation with
the Pay Commission is sought for in respect of both the issues.
1.3. DATE OF EFFECT OF 7TH CPC
RECOMMENDATIONS.
As
per the Government notification dt. 28.2.14, the Pay Commission is requested to
submit its recommendations by 31.8.2015.
This gives the Government enough time to pass its orders on the Pay
Commission recommendations to be effective from 1.1.2016. We request the pay commission to keep to this
date or submit its recommendations much earlier so that they may be implemented
even before 1.1.2016.
CHAPTER
2
2.1.
TYPE OF GOVT.SERVICES
Upto the 5th CPC, the
Government services were put in 4 groups.
Class
I, Class II, Gazetted and Non-Gazetted, Class III and Class IV Services. But the 6th CPC has recommended
introduction of running pay bands for all posts in the Government existing in
scales below that of Rs.26,000/- (fixed) para 2.2.8 of 6th CPC
report.
The
Philosophy and the usefulness of the creation of running pay bands however had
not been explained by the Commission. According to the Federation, the changes
have not been useful to the employees and pensioners.
While implementing the
revised scales in respect of each of the four bands, no systematic approach has
been made and this had created a large number of anomalies which still, remain
unsettled.
As
of now, Pay band 1 (4440 to 7440) consists of 3 scales of Pay with different
grade pay for each scale Pay Band (Rs.5,200 to 20,200) consists of 5 scales of
pay with different grade pay for each scale Pay band 2 (9,300 to 34,800)
consists of 7 scales of pay with different grade pay for each scale Pay band 3
(15,600-39,100) consists of 9 scales of Pay with different grade pay for each
scale Pay band 4 (37,400-67,000) consists of 7 scales of pay with different grade pay for each
scale Pay band 4 (75,000-80,000) two scale of pay each with grade pay of
Rs.13,000/-. There are 2 more scales with fixed pay of Rs.80,000/- and 90,000/-
without any grade pay. Thus there are 36 scales of pay in 4 Bands.
In order to fix the minimum of each
scale pay,in the 7th CPC there has to be 36 scales. We request the Pay commission to do away with the pay
bands, and constitute 36 scales of pay and add the grade pay to the minimum of
the each of the 34 scales (Two scales without grade pay) while fixing the
minimum of each scale. The ratios of
conversions of old scale in the revised scale should be uniform and should not
be different for different scales of pay.
In case of promotion from one scale to
another, the rules for the fixing of pay in the higher post which were in vogue
may be revived.
2.2.
BASIS FOR PENSION DETERMINATION.
The Pension of a retiring employee is
determined taking into account the following factors.
(i)
amount of qualifying service
(ii)
Average emoluments of last 10 months
immediately before retirement.
(iii)
Rate of Pension
(iv)
Maximum qualifying service for full pension.
The
changes made by the 6th Pay Commission may be continued. But these benefits were made applicable only
for those who retired on or after 1.1.2006.
AIFPA pleads that these principles may be extended to pre 1.1.2006
also. In fact this issue is still
pending in the court.
The AIFPA pleads that the rate of
Pension which is 50% now may be revised to 65%
Similarly the ordinary family pension
may be made equal to the pension. This
naturally will also replace enhanced family pension in case the employee dies
while in service or before completing 10 years after retirement.
2.3. MINIMUM SERVICE FOR PENSION
The present status may continue. However the quantum of service gratuity and
other benefits for those with more than 5 years of service but less than 10
years may be increased from the present level.
2.4
RESIGNATION FROM SERVICE
Cases
of resignation from service after completing 10 years of service may be treated
as voluntary retirement and all benefits that are due to those who retire
voluntarily may be extended to those who resigned from service.
2.5.
AGE OF SUPERANNUATION
The age of
superannuation which is 60 years now may be raised to 62 years. In fact, as per press reports the then
Government has accepted the proposal in their last cabinet meeting, but no
orders have been issued. Perhaps the announcement of general elections by the
Election Commission and the moral code of conduct might have prevented the
Government to issue orders. We plead to
the New Government to look into the
matter and issue suitable orders raising the age of superannuation to 62
years. In the case of scientists and other professions
the age of Superannuation may be 65 years.
2.6.
EMOLUMENTS FOR PENSION
At present basic pay
alone is counted for pension. Any
special pay for whatever purpose it is given, non practicing allowance in the
case of doctors and running allowance granted to certain categories in Railways
may be treated as emoluments and included the calculation of pension.
2.7.
HIGHER RATE OF PENSION
Taking into account, the
representations made by pensioners and after conducting a study by consultants,
the 5th CPC has recommended that it may be necessary to ensure a post
retirement income equal to about 65% of the gross salary received by the
employee at the time of retirement (Para 133-54 of 5th CPC
recommendations)
AIFPA requests that 65% of Average
emoluments or last pay (instead of salary which includes allowances) may be
treated as pension.
2.8
HOUSE RENT ALLOWANCE.
Employees do not get
HRA on retirement the rate of HRA drawn by the employees before retirement
varies from place to place.
We suggest that the Commission may
kindly recommend 10% of pension uniformly to all pensioners, irrespective of
the place of residence without insisting on rental receipt.
CHAPTER-3
3.1.
MINIMUM PENSION
At Present the minimum pension/family
pension is 50% of the minimum of the
lowest time scale.
The Federation request that the
minimum of Pension/Family pension be made equivalent to 65% of Last pay drawn
or the minimum of the Corresponding scale of pay in the 7th CPC.
3.2.
GRATUITY
There are different
types of gratuity (retirement, death, service gratuity) Earlier the Dearness
allowance was not added. But now, D.A is
added to the pay for calculation of gratuity. This may be continued.
3.3.
PARITY IN PENSION
As per the 5th
CPC recommendations, the pension which came into effect from 1.1.96, the
pension of the pre-96 retirees has to be revised equivalent to 50% of the
notional pay as on 1.1.86 and upgraded upto 1.1.96. This was however subjected to the 50% of the
minimum of the corresponding pay in the revised scale of pay corresponding to
the scale of pay at the time of
retirement.
The 5th CPC has also stated
that the similar calculation may be made in future Pay Commission
recommendations. But the 6th
pay Commission has not accepted the proposal.
However, it recommended that the pension should not be less than 50% of
the minimum of the pay scale in the 6th CPC revised scales
corresponding to the scale of pay of the retirees in the 6th CPC
Scale at the time of retirement.
AIFPA requests that full parity be
allowed. This would mean that the
pension of the retiree should be based at 65% of the notional pay, which is
revised at the time of earlier pay commission scales.
Similarly the family pension may be
made equivalent to pension.
3.4
COMMUTATION
At Present, the
commutation is restored after 15 years from the date of commutation. There is a persistent demand for the
restoration of commutation after 12 years.
The matter is still pending in the J.C.M. The Pay Commission may look into this issue and recommend
restoration of commutation after 12 years from the date of commutation. In case the retirement age is raised to 62,
the commutation factor which was 10.46 at 58 years of age and 9.81 at 60 years
of age will further be reduced. This is
as per the old table. If it is based on the revised table, the factor will be
still less. Hence there is a strong argument to restore commutation after 12
years.
3.5.
FAMILY PENSION
The various
liberalization in the grant of family pension such as extension of family
pension to widowed divorced or unmarried daughter is most welcome, such a
scheme is not available in any other sector. The Federations only plea is that
Family Pension should be the same as pension.
3.6.
DEARNESS RELIEF
The merger of
Dearness Relief with pension when the cost of living index reaches 50% should
be made mandatory. Further there is a
lot of delay in the issue of orders by the Pension Ministry. Efforts should be
made to avoid delay in the issue of orders.
3.7.
NEW PENSION SCHEME
The New Pension
Scheme is operative to persons in the Central Government who joined service on
or after 1.1.2004. The serving employees
as well as pensioners, have been relentlessly opposing the introduction of the
Scheme. It may be noted that the defence employees are not covered by the
scheme. Recently the Railway minister accepting the proposals of the All India
Railwaymens Federations, had written to the Prime Minister to exempt the Railway employees from joining
the scheme. If Railway and Defence
employees are allowed to opt out of the scheme, the number of other Central
Government employees to be affected by the New Pension Scheme will be very much
reduced. Further as there was ban on
recruitments operating for over two decades now, the number of employees
retiring in future will still be reduced.
The shortfalls in the scheme have been amply brought out in our earlier
representations to the Government. We
strongly urge that the scheme is dropped in toto. Infact several Countries who adopted similar
Pension Schemes have given up the contributory Pension Scheme.
3.8
BSNL RETIREES
The
B.S.N.L. retirees have been allowed the benefits of the Central Government
pension rules. The pension liability of
BSNL retirees is solely borne by the consolidated fund of India. Hence they have got a stake in the
formulation of pension scheme of Central Government. A detailed report regarding the pension
liability of BSNL retirees is enclosed.(Vide
Annexure- I) Since there is a nexus between the government and BSNL ,
the Pay Commission is requested to look into the grievances of BSNL retirees
and safe guard their pensionary benefits which have been granted to them.
ISSUES
RELATING TO RAILWAY PENSIONERS.
(i)
The Government has passed orders for the issue of smart Cards and cashless
treatment in respect of Railway pensioners and orders have been issued by the
Railway Board in this regard. But Zonal
Railways have not implemented the orders.
Pay Commission may look into the matter and cause expeditious issue of
orders by Zonal Railways.
(ii)
The validity of Railway passes issued to pensioners is for 4 months only. It is the request of the Federations that the
validity be extended upto six months.
CHAPTER
4
HEALTH
CARE
4.1
INTRODUCTION
With the advancement
of medical technology and availability of abundant information coupled with
nutritive food, prophylactic steps,super-speciality treatment the longevity in
life of people of India has increased, however it is not without problems due
to more complicated diseases caused by depletion in the ozone layer,
environmental pollution and natural decay of health due to aging etc.The
geriatric-care of senior citizens and pensioner is a more demanding issue
today. The pensionary benefits conferred upon the aged people, though expected
to take care of the normal and routine expenditure for sustenance, it can
hardly meet the medical expenditure, which outweighs all other demands. A
number of old pensioners are languishing in pain due to non-affordability of
palliative measures. The Union Ministry of Social empowerment had evinced
serious concern on the problems of senior citizens and formulated a National
policy of Older Persons but not put into operation. Several High Courts and
Supreme Court of India have held that the Medicare of pensioners is a fundamental
right.Though there are some facilities existing at present for the Central
Government pensioners, the service rendered by C.G.H.S is far from satisfactory
and the coverage is limited to a limited area and majority are denied the
C.G.H.S. facility.Health Care to all citizens is obligatory on the part of the
State under Article 41of the Constitution. The “Health for All by 2000 A.D.”
Scheme is yet to come even after 14 years. The World Health Organization on
Ageing had recommended that “The care of the elderly person should go beyond
disease orientation and should involve their total well-being taking into
account the interdependence of the physical, mental, social, spiritual and
environmental factors. Health care should, therefore involve the health and
social sectors and the family in improving the quality of life of elder
persons. Health care efforts, in particular, primary health care as a strategy
should be directed at enabling the elderly to lead independent lives in their
own family and community for as long as possible instead of being excluded and
cut off from all activities of Society. This had been endorsed by the U.N to
which India is a signatory.
4.2
EXISTING FACILITIES
Central Services (Medical
Attendance) Rules
1944 (C.SM.A Rule 44)
Central Govt. Health Scheme (CGHS)
Railway Employees Liberalized Health
Scheme (RELHS - 97)
Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme
(ECHS)
4.2.1
CENTRAL SERVICES (MEDICAL ATTENDANCE) RULES 1944
It covers only the
serving employees and not extended to the Pensioners even though the V CPC had
recommended and accepted by Govt. The situation remains the same even after
several Central Administrative Tribunals and High Courts have passed orders in
favour of extending the scheme to pensioners outside the CGHS areas.
Since the Govt. of India had accepted
in principle the VCPC Recommendations and several High Courts and Supreme Court
of India have held, the Medicare of pensioners is a fundamental right to them,
the reimbursement facility for inpatient treatment should be extended to pensioners living outside CGHS
covered areas as in the case of employees.
4.2.2
CENTRAL GOVT. HEALTH SCHEME (CGHS)
This is a benevolent Scheme, though
contributory one was first established in Delhi alone, later on extended to
different state Capitals. Though many employees / Pensioners are eager to avail
this facility it is now extended to those residing in certain areas in State
Capitals as well as in the District Headquarters, the Govt. is unable to open
new dispensaries. The scheme do not cover majority of pensioners and many are
excluded.
At present some central govt. pensioners
like Kendriya Vidyalaya, ICMR, Postal, D.O.T. and Food Dept. etc. are denied
entry in CGHS after retirement for not being a member prior to retirement etc.
It should be extended to all Central Govt. employees without any restriction or
discrimination of the department from which one had retired. New dispensaries
should be opened as per the norms that exist now. Financial resources should
not be a constraint.
A.
SPECIALISTS’ OPINION:
At
present barring CGHS, Delhi the situation is that only a very few specialists
are posted in other State Capital CGHS. As a result the sickly senior citizen
beneficiaries are asked to obtain opinion from state Govt. Hospital specialists
for cardiology, urology, nephrology, etc. The State Govt. Hospitals in most
states are extending free treatment to the poor patients of the state and as a result
great ordeal has to be faced the central govt. pensioners in referring to the
State Govt. Hospital and they are driven from pillar to post for obtaining an
opinion. Sometimes it takes even 4 - 5 visits and at times it is quite
fruitless because the CGHS does not have any binding agreement with the State
Govt. General Hospitals.
The
Govt. of India should recruit specialists covering all disciplines. This may take
considerable time. It is therefore our suggestion that
(a) Post more number of specialists in CGHS
(b)Empanel specialists, available in the
neighborhood as done by Southern Railway
Hospital.
(c) Recognize the State Govt. specialists
as
A.M.A as for C.G.H.S patients.
(d) Recognize specialists in private
clinics as
AMAs as prevailing in Kolkata.
These measures are required to avoid
reference to Govt. Hospitals for getting their opinion.
B.
IN-PATIENT TREATMENT:
The
arrangement of providing in-patient treatment for treatment in Super Speciality
Referral Hospitals for certain treatments and in other Referral Hospitals for
General purposes is quite appropriate. However timely recognition / extension
of contract and fixing of rates and periodical revision is unsatisfactory. This
needs to be attended on time and the treatment in these hospitals should be a
cashless facility, i.e. without forcing the pensioners to advance huge amount
which they can ill - afford. Many hospitals do not admit the beneficiaries on
account of non-payment and / or delayed payment of their bills by C.G.H.S.Specialists
may refer patients directly to private hospitals instead of Govt. Hospitals.
Reference to State Govt. Hospital, to be stopped immediately.
At
the same time hospitals and doctors in the private sector who indulge in unfair
or corrupt practices, may be severely dealt with.
Wherever
there is no Referral Hospital and if the beneficiaries happen to take in-patient
treatment in non-recognized private hospitals in the
neighborhood, the medical expenses should be reimbursed at the rates as admissible to the CGHS referral hospitals. As per judgment of the
High Court of Madras (Madurai Branch), the treatment taken in any hospital for compelling reasons is valid and cannot be denied but the
Government will be at liberty to restrict the claim based on the existing norms.
neighborhood, the medical expenses should be reimbursed at the rates as admissible to the CGHS referral hospitals. As per judgment of the
High Court of Madras (Madurai Branch), the treatment taken in any hospital for compelling reasons is valid and cannot be denied but the
Government will be at liberty to restrict the claim based on the existing norms.
C.
OUT PATIENT TREATMENT
Our
demand is (a) the procedure should suitably be simplified to reduce the waiting
time for consultation,running a reception counter, pharmacy etc. (b) Adequate
quantity of essential medicines should be procured and stored for timely
supply(c) The existing arrangement of centralized purchase of annual
requirement of medicines by Govt. Medical stores. for supplying to the CGHS is
getting invariably delayed. It is therefore necessary that the powers for procurement
of medicines are decentralized and delegated to the level of Chief Medical
Officers - in- charge of Dispensaries as they are also very responsible and
highly placed officers and adequate funds made available at their disposal.
D.
INFRASTRUCTURE
LABORATORY
FACILITIES:
Every
Dispensary should have a Laboratory for simple pathological tests. For a pool
of every 5 - 6 Dispensaries there should be provision of Auto-analyzers for
carrying out more tests simultaneously. This will avoid the exorbitant
expenditure charged by the private Laboratories, and speed up the results for commencing
the treatment in time.
X-RAY:
Now-a-days portable X-ray Machines are easily
available and every Dispensary should be provided with. And for a group of 5-6 Dispensaries
there should be one regular X-Ray Unit is made available.
DOPPLER:
The
colour Doppler has become a necessary apparatus for evaluating the vascular
flows and therefore there should be one Doppler in each CGHS Zone.
OPHTHALMOLOGY:
At
present the equipments available in the Ophthalmology Units are out-dated and
do not give correct picture as
precisely as modern equipments. Essential equipments for testing glaucoma, retina, field vision, computerized testing for power of eye
lens etc. are not available in most eye clinics.
precisely as modern equipments. Essential equipments for testing glaucoma, retina, field vision, computerized testing for power of eye
lens etc. are not available in most eye clinics.
OUR
SUGGESTION:
All
eye clinics should be provided modern equipments like Slit lamp, gonioscope
computerized eye testing machine etc. Apart from providing equipments, medical
and para medical staff should be given practical training to handle the
equipments.
GENERATORS
AND UPS:
Most
Cities in the country are facing load-shedding quite often which results in
spoiling the tests and investigations half-way warranting fresh doing in the
Laboratory and abrupt stoppage of work in other Units causing hardship not only
to the beneficiaries but to the Laboratory technicians as well.
OUR
SUGGESTION: The Units like Laboratory, X-Ray, scan’
Dental and Eye Clinic should be provided with generators for un-interrupted
power
supply to avoid dislocation of work.
supply to avoid dislocation of work.
4.2.3
RAILWAY EMPLOYEES LIBERALIZED HEALTH SCHEME (RELHS-97):
The
hospitals run by the Railway are very few and their location can be reached
only by a few in the neighborhood. Sickly pensioners residing away from it
cannot easily reach them in emergent
situations for inpatient treatment due to traffic bottle-neck in every
metropolis. The predicament of others living in suburbs and far-off is much
more. As a result they are unable to avail the facilities. The Railway
Administration which has realized the difficulties of their pensioners rightly
decided to grant Fixed Medical Allowance to those residing 2.5 Kms away from
any dispensary in lieu of out patient treatment. Recently to tide over the
paucity of doctors, the age of retirement of Specialists has been raised to 62
years. The remedy lies in attracting qualified doctors by improving the salary
structure, raising of age of retirement of doctors and increasing N.P.A.
The
same analogy of accessibility should be applied for inpatient treatment also
and the Railway Administration should allow their beneficiaries to avail
inpatient treatment in a nearby hospital and reimburse the expenditure (b) The
pensioners may be allowed to avail inpatient treatment in any other recognized
hospital. (c) Those who failed to avail of the RELHS but desirous of joining it
now should be allowed notwithstanding the deadline stipulated.
The
RELH Scheme should be open ended to facilitate pensioners joining the Scheme at
any time.
4.2.4
EX—SERVICEMEN CONTRIBUTORY HEALTH SCHEME
(ECHS) the situation
is the same as is prevailing in the RELHS. The hospitals run by the Defence
Ministry are very few and their locations
are not easily accessible. They can be reached only by a few in the neighborhood. Sickly pensioners residing away from it cannot easily reach them in emergent situation for inpatient treatment due to traffic bottleneck in every metropolis. The predicament of others living in suburbs and far-off is much more. As a result they are unable to avail the facilities. In addition, unlike the Railways, the ex-servicemen who opt for ECHS are denied the FMA, for out-patient treatment.
are not easily accessible. They can be reached only by a few in the neighborhood. Sickly pensioners residing away from it cannot easily reach them in emergent situation for inpatient treatment due to traffic bottleneck in every metropolis. The predicament of others living in suburbs and far-off is much more. As a result they are unable to avail the facilities. In addition, unlike the Railways, the ex-servicemen who opt for ECHS are denied the FMA, for out-patient treatment.
The
ex-servicemen who reside 2.5 Kms. away from Army Hospitals should be allowed
Fixed Medical Allowance as is being done in Railways for out-patient treatment.
In case in-patient treatment could not be undertaken in the Army Hospitals due
to emergency and distance factor reimbursement of hospital expenditure for
treatment in private hospitals should be allowed.
4.3
FIXED MEDICAL ALLOWANCE
The quantum of FMA
should be commensurate with average likely burden on the pensioners. The
prevailing cost of medicines combined with the continuing rise in the Doctors’
Consulting Charges as also transport charges the FMA should be revised at the
rate of 10%of pension subject to a minimum of Rs. 2000/- p.m. Bringing all
pensioners under the CGHS fold will augment the resources of the CGHS and who
ever wishes may be allowed to join the scheme freely.
It
may be mentioned that those covered by ESI Scheme under the Labour Ministry is
given FMA of Rs.2,000/-
CHAPTER
5
5.
RAILWAY SERVICE
5.1 Indian Railways existed
as different companies and were in the private sector for many years. They were
nationalized and integrated region wise from April 1943. The employees were on
provident scheme and were not eligible for any pension and after
nationalization. Pension scheme in the Railways was introduced from 1-4-1957
and that too optional. Employees were allowed to opt either for- pension or
provident fund. Pension was made compulsory form 1- 1-1986 only. Thus two types
of retirement benefits continued from 1957 to 1985 end. It created discontent
among Railway Pensioners who opted for provident fund scheme called as SRPF
retirees. SRPF retirees were not granted any pension, though they got petty
amount only as provident fund.
5.2
PENSION
Pension calculation for
railway retirees is similar to that of other Central Govt. employees. Their
pension is to be raised from 50% to 65% of the average emoluments or last pay
drawn which ever is higher.
5.3
RUNNING ALLOWANCE
For certain categories of
traffic staff, running allowance granted along with pay in consideration of
their special duties is added for the purpose of pension as emolument. Till 4th
Dec 1988 75% of the running allowance was counted as emolument for pension. Since then it is
reduced to 55% on the reason that pay scales were revised after the fourth Pay
Commission report. This reduction in the rate has resulted in the reduction of
their pension and is not justified. The difficulties they undergo in traffic
duty is unimaginable and need better consideration. Most of them do not live a
long healthy life after retirement, their post retirement life is short. They
require better pension than those in other administrative jobs. Their duty- can
be compared similar to that in the defence. service and while on duty they have
great responsibility to ensure the safety of the passengers and remain alert
always.
We
request the commission to kindly consider the reasons for which 75% running
allowance was allowed earlier as emolument for pension., We earnestly urge the
Commission to recommend 75% of running allowance as emolument for purpose of
pension as allowed before Dec. 1988.
5.4 EXGRATIA TO CPF/ SRPF RETIREES
The
Railway S.R.P.F retirees were not given pension or exgratia earlier The IV CPC recommended Rs. 300/- as exgratia
to retirees and Rs.150/- as exgratia to their spouses. However this exgratia
was not allowed by the Govt. to the retiree. Later on Rs. 150/- was given as
exgratia to the spouse alone after the death of retiree. They were not allowed
to opt for pension also. On the recommendation of V CPC. S.R.P.F retirees were
given Rs. 600/- plus DR as exgratia and the exgratia to spouse was raised from
Rs.150/- to Rs. 605/- from Dec. 1997, but paid D.R less by 8% than the normal
rate. All their requests for raising their exgratia equal to minimum pension
was not conceded. Very recently a small improvement is made in the exgratia
amount of the retirees. It was revised from 1-11-2006 as given below.
Those
retired form Group D - Rs.650/-
Group C - Rs.
750/-
Group B -
Rs.1000/-
Group A -
Rs.3000/-
Family exgratia is Rs. 605/- and the
same has been raised to Rs.645/- only and full rate of D.R not given. The
amount of revision is not adequate as it is less than minimum pension and they were denied an
opportunity to opt for pension. If option was allowed they would have got much
higher pension. Railways instead of bringing all employees under pension scheme
continued dual system of pension and PF and the staff not knowing the
implication failed to opt for pension at that stage. We suggest that Railways
may be asked to raise the exgratia equal to the minimum revised pension. The
spouses are also to be given the same amount exgratia with full rate of D.R for
each group. Their total number is less than 4500 only. Commission is requested
to recommend raising exgratia equal to minimum pension pensioners / family
pensioners. .
5.5
MEDICAL FACILITIES
Railway Pensioners
and SRPF retirees and their families may be given full medical facilities and
enrolled in RELHs 97 and also paid fixed medical Allowance.
5.6
OTHER FACILITIES
All other facilities
and benefits as allowed to civilians are to be extended Railway pensioners and
SRPF retirees.
5.7
PAY SCALE
Govt.
do not realize the real difficulties and ‘hardship of the Railway staff especially
traffic and station staff. It is a non-stop service without any holiday working
day and night on all 365 days of the year. The duty in a running train or at
crowded and dusty Railway Station is very hazardous. They must be suitably
compensated with better pay scales than, the existing ones. Commission is
requested to recommend higher pay scale for all Railway Staff considering the
difficult and hazardous nature of their duties.
CHAPTER
– 6
6 WELFARE MEASURES
6.1 HOUSING
Pensioners occupying Govt. Accommodation, seldom realize
that one day they may have to vacate and settle elsewhere. The Govt.
Accommodation is very congenial and without any hindrance unlike the rented
house where one has to face all sorts of restrictions. Therefore the employees
occupying the Govt.quarters feel as if they are in their own house. As a result they do not have the same urge as
that of those Living in private rented houses / flats for getting an own
accommodation even though there are lot of opportunities like HBA in
Government, housing Loans extended by Nationalized Banks and some Housing
Societies are available. While in service the rental Liability is quite
reasonable due to Government subsidy. After retirement, the pension is reduced
to less than half of the pay but rental liability increases phenomenally; which
is as much as three times that they were paying before retirement. Hence the
pensioners are perforce to spend almost the entire pension on rent which leaves
very little for their other needs. The case of other employees is no different.
A large section of low paid employees too do not make themselves prepared for
post-retirement needs due to inadequate income and high cost of land and
construction cost of building.
We
request that housing of Pensioners are considered and a fair subsidy of rental
liability is taken care of by the Government. We demand that at least House
Rent Allowance at 10% of the pension to be offered to the pensioners as H.R.A.
Those in Government Quarters while in service may be allowed to continue, for
one year at normal rental after retirement. At present the Housing sector is
booming in the country and organizations like LIC have ventured on to this area
as it is quite money-spinning.
Therefore the Ministry of Housing may expand their activities by acquiring land and construct more Quarters and allot them to Govt.
employees in need without evicting the existing allottees on retirement. The Government may consider constructing quarters and sell
on easy hire purchase scheme and also on monthly rental basis to pensioners at subsided rate. This way Government will be doing a great
service and can also control the spiraling of rent in city and towns.
Therefore the Ministry of Housing may expand their activities by acquiring land and construct more Quarters and allot them to Govt.
employees in need without evicting the existing allottees on retirement. The Government may consider constructing quarters and sell
on easy hire purchase scheme and also on monthly rental basis to pensioners at subsided rate. This way Government will be doing a great
service and can also control the spiraling of rent in city and towns.
6.2
TRAVEL CONCESSION
Pensioner’s activities reduce
considerably due to increasing geriatric problems and are perforce to lead a
monotonous life. The increasing age of longevity and the unavoidable geriatric
problems makes their lives more distressing. However they need some travel to
pilgrimage places once-in-a- way which will relieve their mental stress and
give
a bit of rejuvenation and to attend family social function.
a bit of rejuvenation and to attend family social function.
OUR
DEMAND
Pensioners may be given a sum equivalent to
one month’s pension as travel concession once in two years to give some scope
for movement and cheer.
6.3
FESTIVAL GRANT
From time immemorial
various festivals are observed in the country which brings a lot of cheers and
joy to the people, it also
costs dearly and pensioners are unable to participate in these festivals, since the pension has to meet other priorities. Realizing this, many State Governments have provided Festival Grant to their pensioners too and the Central Government should not lag behind in this regard.
OUR DEMAND
costs dearly and pensioners are unable to participate in these festivals, since the pension has to meet other priorities. Realizing this, many State Governments have provided Festival Grant to their pensioners too and the Central Government should not lag behind in this regard.
OUR DEMAND
Festival
Grant of Rs. 5000/- may be granted to the pensioners, each year
6.4
FUNERAL GRANT
The advent of “Nuclear Family” has
resulted in the pensioners spending their evening of like in old age Homes,
Ashrams, Orphanages, etc. Neither the children come forward nor would the Homes
endeavor to give a decent disposal of their mortal remains. Their last rites
too
require a decent fulfillment. Realizing this many State Governments are sanctioning Funeral Grant at different rates.
require a decent fulfillment. Realizing this many State Governments are sanctioning Funeral Grant at different rates.
OUR
DEMAND
A sum of Rs. 50000/- or one month’s
pension which ever is higher may be sanctioned as Funeral Grant.
6.5
OLD AGE HOME RESORT
The
number of old persons getting deserted or harassed as unwanted by their
children is fast growing now-a-days. Most of them are unable
to fend for themselves at the old age and needs the care and comfort at an old age home. Some of the old age homes are shoddy and some
charge exorbitantly high deposits and monthly charges, It has therefore become very necessary that the Government of India and State Governments to extend the necessary succour to the old age persons in the evening of their life by constructing adequate number of old age homes at different places and provide at reasonable monthly rent.
to fend for themselves at the old age and needs the care and comfort at an old age home. Some of the old age homes are shoddy and some
charge exorbitantly high deposits and monthly charges, It has therefore become very necessary that the Government of India and State Governments to extend the necessary succour to the old age persons in the evening of their life by constructing adequate number of old age homes at different places and provide at reasonable monthly rent.
We need Old age homes to be
constructed at different places, not necessarily in the heart of Metropolis,
and allotted to the needy
pensioners at reasonable charges. The V CPC recommendation for construction of old age homes at district headquarters may be
implemented.
pensioners at reasonable charges. The V CPC recommendation for construction of old age homes at district headquarters may be
implemented.
6.6
OTHER CONCESSIONS
RAIL
TRAVEL:
All the central government pensioners are
senior citizen as they retire at the age of 60. The Railways have already
extended concession of 50% to the senior citizen(Female) and 40% to the senior
citizen (male) .
We
request that 50% concession be extended for all.
6.7
METROPOLITAN TRANSPORT
At
present concession is given by certain state Government including Delhi on
local as well as long distance buses but the percentage varies form state to
State.
We request that a uniform 50%
concession is given by all Governments to senior citizens irrespective whether
one is pensioner of their State or Centre or not.
6.8
TELEPHONE
Telephone
is one of the most essential requirements for every senior citizen for
communication as their mobility is affected. Giving due consideration to the
difficulties of senior citizen the MTNL is giving
concession of 25% on telephone rent to them. But BSNL which covers almost the whole country excepting Mumbai and Delhi is not showing the
same gesture as their Government oriented counterpart MTNL.
concession of 25% on telephone rent to them. But BSNL which covers almost the whole country excepting Mumbai and Delhi is not showing the
same gesture as their Government oriented counterpart MTNL.
OUR
DEMAND
We urge the BSNL also offer concession
of 50% in the Telephone Rent to the senior citizen.
6.9
INCOME TAX
Pensioners solely
depend upon their pension for livelihood, medical expenses etc. The pension if
it is taxed will further erode his income and make his life more miserable. We
therefore suggest that pension, irrespective of the amount is exempted from I.T
We appeal to the Hon’ble commission to consider
submissions listed below sympathetically and arrive at a favourable decision;
1. RATIO
BETWEEN MINIMUM & MAXIMUM OF SALARIES SHALL BE 9:1:
The ratio
between minimum &maximum Salary/Pension be brought down to 9: 1. Accordingly, 7th pay
commission should first workout the top most revised salary, divide it by 9 to arrive at the minimum revised
salary & derive a uniform multiplication
factor by dividing revised minimum Salary by pre-revised minimum salary
for revising Pay & Pension with the
condition that Pension shall not in any case be less than 65% & family Pension
45% of the, last Pay in Pay in Pay Band/Pay scale or of average of
last 10 months emoluments (Whichever is more beneficial)
2.THE QUANTUM OF RISE (BENEFIT) IN PENSION:
Whenever
the Pay Commission recommends the increase in pension it shall be uniform
increase for all employees with common multiplication factor unlike the
discriminatory & irrational recommendation of the VI CPC @ 2.26 for those covered by PB 1,2 &3 & upto 3.8 for higher
groups.This principle should be applied to pensioners also.
3.PENSION SHALL BE RECAST
T 65% OF PAY:
Though Last Pay Drawn or 10 montha
average pay whichever is higher is presently the pension, the commutation amount is drastically reduced as
the age at next birth day is 61. Therefore there is need to increase the
pension from 50 to 65% of last pay
drawn.
4.THE
FAMILY PENSION:
The pension is supposed to maintain the
same standard of living after retirement. Family pension can not differ from
what the pension is as othherwise the maintenance of same standard of living
will not be possible. So family pension shall be the same as pension of the
employee
5.THE
ENHANCED FAMILY PENSION:
The enhanced family pension payable for
10 years to the spouse / children of employees dying during service should be
extended to the spouse of pensioners dying after superannuation restricted to 10
years or attaining the age of 70 which ever is earlier
6.RESTORATION
OF COMMUTATION:
The commutation plus the interest
thereon stands fully recovered in 12 years and therefore the restoration shall
have to be on completion of 12 years.
7.THE ADDITIONAL PENSION
/FAMILY PENSION FOR OLD AGE:
The additional pension / family pension shall start @5%
for attaining the age of 65, 10 % for
70, 15% 75 and for 80 and above to continue at the same increase as at present
at 20% for 80, 30% for 85, 40% for 90, 50% for 95 and 100% for 100 years.
8.MERGER OF DEARNESS
RELIEF:
The Dearness Relief shall merge with pension
automatically when it reaches 50% without the dependence on any specific
recommendation from Pay Commission or the Government just like the additional
pension for old age. Merger should be mandatory.
9.PARITY IN PENSION:
Parity
in Pension of employees on the same Scale (Pay Band+Grade pay) and same length
of service be extended irrespective of the date of retirement
w.e.f.1.1.2006 on the same analogy as that of OROP.
.
10.SPECIAL ALLOWANCES /
PAY LIKE NPA, RUNNING ALLOWANCE ETC:
Shall be taken in to account for fixation of pension
11. EX-GRATIA TO SRPF RETIREES:
The
ex-gratia to SRPF pensioners Shall
not be less than the minimum Pension / family pension as what is presently
fixed is much below the dole paid to Old people in several States
.
12. SAVE THE CONTRACT EMPLOYEES FROM
EXPLOITATION:
After the recommendations of the V CPC
to downsize the unproductive staff strength, the Govt. is engaging Contract
employees on hire and fire basis, for jobs that are required to be attended to
by regular staff, which is contrary to the principles of a Art 39 and 41 of the
Constitution of India. The Pay Commission may examine the issue and recommend
suitable social security to the Contract employees.
13. SCRAP NEW PENSION SCHEME:
By
introducing New Pension Scheme the Government does not stand to minimize their
financial burden. A matching grant of 10% of basic pay(Pay in the pay band plus
grade pay) is provided by the Government as against the latent 11% (as
evidenced from the pension and leave salary contribution to be met by the
borrowing department for the deputationists). There is also additional burden
on administrative expenses in the maintenance of the Pension Fund and risk in
the returns on investments of the Fund. In order to make it uniform it would be
better and ideal to revert back to the Liberalised Pension Rules.
14. ENTITLEMENT OF INCREMENT:
An
employee on completion of 12 months in post is supposed to get the entitlement
of Increment with a overriding clause that he has to be on duty on the due date
to draw the Increment. This clause singularly affects those born on the 1st
July of a year as he is perforce retired on superannuation on the last working
day of the previous month unlike those whose birthday falls on 2nd
onwards are fortuitously gaining
continuation of service until end of the current month. Either the
insistence on being on duty to receive the Increment is done away with or these
employees born on the 1st of a month are allowed to continue till
the end of the month like those born on 2nd and afterwards.
Similarly the retirement of employees born on the 1st of the month
is allowed to continue till the end of the month in which he is born.
15. MEDICAL FACILITIES:
1. MEDICAL
COVERAGE, BOTH OP & INPATIENT:
2. There shall be uniformity and
commonality of Rules amongst various medical facilities like CGHS, RELHS, ECHS
and AMA Rules
3. FIXED
MEDICAL ALLOWANCE:
FMA shall be rationalized and raised
to Rs.2000/- as extended to the EPFO pensioners is extended to all pensioners
residing beyond 2.5 Kms from the nearest Dispensary
4. RECIPROCAL
ARRANGEMENT WITH ALL GOVERNMENT INSTITUTIONS:
The provision for availing OP
treatment from the nearest CGHS or RELHS or ECHS Dispensary irrespective of the
coverage of the pensioners shall be made.
5. MEDICAL
TREATMENT IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD HOSPITALS:
Provision shall be made to allow
in-patient treatment from the nearest neighborhood hospital and the expenditure
reimbursed by the concerned service provider CGHS or ECHS or RELHS.
6. NO DISCRIMINATION IN MEDICAL TREATMENT:
All the
pensioners, irrespective of pre-retirement class and status, be treated as same category of citizens and the same homogenous group.
There should be no class or category based discrimination and must be provided
Health care services at par with lAS and ex-Ministers.
7. NO RESTRICTION FOR JOINING ANY MEDICAL
SCHEME:
There shall
be no time limit for joining the RELHS on the lines of CGHS in which anyone can
join at anytime.
8. MEDICAL FACILITY FOR
CONTRACT/CONTINGENT APPOINTEES AND FOR RETIREES NOT OPTED FOR PENSION:
Ex-gratia
pensioners are sanctioned very meager pension and they cannot afford for even minor
illness. Similarly Contract / Contingent employees are also paid meager salary.
Therefore they shall all be extended eligiblity for joining RELHS or any other
Health Scheme.
16.GRIEVANCE
MECHANISM
1. SERVOTTAM MODEL DISPUTE REDRESSAL
MECHANISM:
A
strict time line with punitive clause
be introduced in “Sevottam model”
2. CLOSURE OF GRIEVANCES:
Grievances
are not to be closed without resolving.
3. MORE
TEETH FOR SCOVA:
SCOVA be upgraded to JCM level covering all Pensioners by introducing suitable legislative amendment
4. REPRESENTATIONS IN VARIOUS COMMITTEES:
As recommended
vide Vth CPC report Vo III para14//30 Pensioners
representatives should be included in
various committees & other Fora
of Govt where issues relating to the welfare of pensioners
discussed,debated and finalized
5. AVOIDANCE OF FRIVOLOUS APPEALS:
Govt.should
not resort to appealing again & Again to get judgments
reversed in its favor and instead
implement all court judgments to all similarly placed persons
6. ALTERNATE DISPUTES REDRESSAL MECHANISM:
The
need hour is speedy resolution of grievances. The judicial remedy is not only
expensive but time consuming. Therefore Alternate disputes redressal mechanism like Arbitration / permanent
Adalats may be created which will not only reduce the over- burdening of the
Tribunals and High Courts but also adjudicate the issues speedily.
17.EX-SERVICEMEN PENSION:
1.
It could be visualized that the Government of India has not stated in its terms
of reference that the 7th CPC or for that matter a separate pay
panel to look into the pay and pension structure of Defence employees.
(
Combatants) despite the press note issued by Rajya Sabha Secretariat directing
the Government to constitute a separate pay panel. The press note was dated 17th
Jan.2013. This matter was also high
lighted by Ex-Servicemen in the October 2013 issue of Pensioners Advocate.
2.
Agreement what was brought out in 6th CPC recommendation, the
Defence personnel do not anticipate any inbroglio suggesting any analogousness
between Defence personnel vis-Ã -vis civilian work force- especially on Defence
Officers Cadre.
3.
Recommendations made by 6th CPC on Page 77 of the report(Sub-para
2.3.14) was arbitrary and its working out by the Defence Ministry was wrong, causing many
amendments to respective annexures. This
mistake was rectified as late as 17th Jan 2013 to some extent. The amendment (or revision) was effective
from 24tht Sept.2012, instead of 1.1.2006.
4.
Fixing of integrated pay scale (running scale) was against the wishes of
Soldiers. They want specific minimum
scale for each rank with optimum obtainable as was in 5th CPC.
Grouping of running scale is redundant and innovative. It has created confusion and the cause for
issuing number of amendments to the
annexures of Tables. The grouping has
caused huge difference in two adjacent ranks.
There should not be any intermediary access to the scales recommended.
5.
There were three types of recommendation made in the 6th CPC and
they are:-
(i) General increase of 2.26 times higher than
the minimum of 5th CPC scale effective from 1.1.1996.
(ii)
Minimum scale fixed as per para 2.3.14 with a rider (whichever is beneficial)
(iii)
Fitment table as stipulated in Table 2.3. (Page 80) as amplified in AI 2/S/08
.
The concerned Ministry worked out the
final scale only based on (ii), above, conveniently, ignoring the option “
whichever is beneficial”. This caused a loss of few lakhs to the affected
pensioners.
6. Grouping the ranks the CPC fixed the Scale
upto Brigadier as below:
Lieutenant – Rs.27,000
Captain - Rs.27,300
Major -
Rs. 28,200
Lt.Col. -
Rs. 51,400
Colonel - Rs.
52,100
Brig -
Rs.52,300
(7) After hiking the Lt.Col to Group IV Salary
Scale, the Salary fixed for him is Rs.51,400, whereas originally the CPC
Chairman fixed his salary at Rs.28,700, vide Page 77 of the CPC Report
Fixing scale in Group IV the
difference in Salary between One Rank
and its next is around couple of hundreds., whereas the difference in
Salary of Major (in group 3) and his
next higher Lt.col is Rs.23,200. What a
–colossal gap between two adjacent ranks in the Army. Is there any ostensible rationales for such a
huge difference.
(8)
It may be suggested to 7th CPC, tht they go through the scales
recommended by various CPCs (preferably 4th, 5th and 6th
CPC) and resort to viable calculations in arriving at the reasonably correct
scales for Armed Forces personnel.
(9)
As regards personnel below Officer Rank (PBOR) the Government of India,
rejecting the 6th CPC recommendation constituted a commission for
review of Pension, under the Chairmanship of Cabinet Secretary.
Mr.Chandrasekar, and it gave a reasonably good report which benefited the BPOR
to certain extent. This was implemented
during 2010.
On
the analogy of recommendations in the 6th CPC report as modified b y
Union Cabinet and remodified by certain others introducing group in Pay Band
and hiking “Lt.col” to PB group 4 from Group PB 3, the Ministry of Defence had
fixed the basic pension of Major Rs.11,600 lower than that of Lt.col who is the
next higher in rank-i.e the pension of Major was Rs.14,100, and that of Lt.col
was Rs.25,700/-. This, after protracted
representations to Ministry of Defence, Prime Minister and Pension Minister,
was revised at the behest of Rajya Sabha Secretariat effective from 24th
September 2012 instead of Original effective date of 1.1.2006.
Even this revision allowed a
difference of Rs.8,060, when the difference between two adjacent ranks from
Lt.Col and above was around mere Rs.1,000/-
Where is the Ostensible rationale for
such a vast difference between two adjacent ranks of the Armed Forces Officers.
Our earnest request is that the 7th
CPC should not allow such an anomaly, denigrating the status of Major who leads
the Battalion in the far forward position facing the Enemy.
18.MISCELLANEOUS DEMANDS
18.1
The unprecedented boom in the Real Estate has shot up the Rental value and the
pensioners are unable to bear the brunt. The government may have to extend at
least 15% of pension / family pension to subsidize and bear the burden.
FESTIVAL GRANT:
18.2
Most State Governments are giving Festival Grant to their pensioners as
celebration of festivities cause a huge drain of the pension. Central
Government as a model employer shall not lag behind. Five percent of pension
may be sanctioned as Festival Grant.
EXEMPTION OF INCOME TAX:
18.3
The purchase value of pension gets
reduced day by day due to continuous high inflation and steep rise in cost of
food items and medical facilities. Retired persons/Senior citizens do not enjoy
fully public goods and services provided by Government for citizens due to lack
of mobility and many other factors. Their ability to pay tax gets reduced from
year to year after retirement due to ever-increasing expenditure on food and
medicines and other incidentals. Their net worth at year end gets reduced
considerably as compared to the beginning of the year. Inflation, for a
pensioner is much more than any tax. It erodes the major part of the already
inadequate pension. To enable pensioners, at the end of their lives, to live in
minimum comfort and to cater for ever rising cost of living, they may be spared
from paying Income Tax.
DEATH
RELIEF FUND
18.4:
A Special grant of Rs.50000 as Death Relief Fund to perform “last rites” of
pensioners should be sanctioned to the family as is given by some State Governments
including Tamilnadu.
ANNEXURE-1
ALL INDIA BSNL PENSIONERS WELFARE ASSOCIATION
(T.1833/09)
B1,2ND Floor,Shri Sharada Nivas,
3/2, Srinivasa Avenue Road, Raja Annamalaipuram, Chennai-600 028
President: P.S.Ramankutty
GeneralSecretry:
G.Natarajan
Mobile :09447551555 Mobile :09444929799
_________________________________________________________
On
Behalf of All India BSNL Pensioners Welfare Association we submit the following
for your consideration and appropriate action.
Department of Telecom was converted to a PSU by name Sharat Sanchar Nigam Limited w.e.f. 1/10/2000. Department of Telecom employees registered their strong protest for conversion of the Government department into a PSU and went on indefinite strike. A group of Ministers (five) was formed to negotiate with the striking employees and after a serious negotiation it was agreed that those facilities which was enjoyed as Government servant.
Department of Telecom was converted to a PSU by name Sharat Sanchar Nigam Limited w.e.f. 1/10/2000. Department of Telecom employees registered their strong protest for conversion of the Government department into a PSU and went on indefinite strike. A group of Ministers (five) was formed to negotiate with the striking employees and after a serious negotiation it was agreed that those facilities which was enjoyed as Government servant.
It was agreed to pay pension by the
Government from the consolidated fund of India and Rule 37 was amended and ‘A’
clause was incorporated. BSNL would pay pension contribution to the Government.
Now BSNL is paying Pension contribution on the ending scale of the BSNL
employees.
Presidential order was given to each absorbed employee and it is mentioned “Pension, Gratuity shall be eligible for Pensionery benefits including gratuity as per the provisions of Rule 37 of the CCS (Pension) Rules as amended from time to time and the family shall be eligible for family pension as per provisions of Rule 37A read with Rule 54(13-B) of CCS (Pension) Rules 1972 as amended from time to time.
Presidential order was given to each absorbed employee and it is mentioned “Pension, Gratuity shall be eligible for Pensionery benefits including gratuity as per the provisions of Rule 37 of the CCS (Pension) Rules as amended from time to time and the family shall be eligible for family pension as per provisions of Rule 37A read with Rule 54(13-B) of CCS (Pension) Rules 1972 as amended from time to time.
BSNL
employees were given a pay revision from 1/10/2000 subsequent to conversion of
PSU. Again pay revision was done w.e.f. 1/1/2007 Pay+DA as on 31/12/2006
+ 30% weightage was given and pay scales are revised accordingly. At that time
pension revision was turned down by the DoT stating that the BSNL is a PSU and
no revision is eligible, whereas we took up the issue by citing FCI and Nakara
judgement. We were given pension revision on the basis of the fixation given to
serving employees.
The
pay revision was done to the non-executives by negotiation. That was extended
to the pensioners whereas all other matters, the 6th cpc recommendations and
subsequent acceptance by the GOl and the orders issuedy the Government on
pension related matters were made applicable to BSNL pensioners. For example
full pension after 20 years of service, Minimum Pension of Rs.3500/- though
minimum of B NL scale was Rs.7760/-; eligibility for family pension etc. In
short all Government Pension rules were made applicable to us, our pension and
pension related matters are as per CCS (Pension) Rules 1972.
Hence
we request the 7° CPC to consider the 1,50,000 Central Government Pensioners
retired from BSNL along with other Central Government Pensioners and make
suitable relief. The only difference between the Pensioners of Central
Government and BSNL is that we are getting industrial DR once in 3 months and
CG Pensioners CDR once in 6 months.
We
place before you the following demands for your consideration and
recommendations:
1. 5th CPC recommended 1% more pension
per year if an employee serves the department more than 33 years. That means if
an employee serves for 40 years he/she is eligible to get 7% more pension. This
was not accepted by the Government at that time. Now we request you to consider
and recommend the same.
The 6th
CPC recommended additional pension to the pensioners and the Government
accepted and issued orders. According to that, on completion of 80 years, 20%
additional basic pension, 85 years — 30%, 90 years = 40%, 95 years = 50% and
100 years = 100%.
The
recommendations of the 6th CPC is really laudable. It has recognized the
plight of the pensioners and recommended additional pension. The intention of
the Government is really to help. Whereas only 20% pensioners live beyond 80
years. Hence we request that the same may be modified as below:
70 years = 30%; 80 years = 50%; 90 years = 80% & 100 years = 100%.
70 years = 30%; 80 years = 50%; 90 years = 80% & 100 years = 100%.
We
wish to point out that some of the State Governments are paying additional
pension of 5% after 65 years of age. Living beyond 90 years is very strange and
not even 2%; 100 years and above is very rare and one in 1000. If this request
is considered, the expenditure for the Government will not be more but at the
same time it would be very useful for the pensioners.
2) RESTORATION
OF COMMUTATION
Commutation
amount is restored after 15 years. Pensioners were demanding to restore it
after 12 years. There are some judgements by the courts for restoration after
12 years but the
Government of India did not agree for that. It is requested that the commutation may be restored after 10 years.
Government of India did not agree for that. It is requested that the commutation may be restored after 10 years.
3) ENHANCEMENT OF COMMUTATION VALUE
The 6th
has reduced the commutation value for which orders were issued on 2/9/2008.
It is a loss to the pensioners who retired after that date. Mortality rate of
the pensioners may be taken into account and make recommendation accordingly.
4) GRATUITY
Half
month’s salary is given for every completed year of service and a maximum of
16-1/2. months salary is granted for those who serve 33 years and more. Half
month’s salary for every completed year of service may be recommended removing
the ceiling of 16-1/2 months. Commission may recommend suitable amendment to
Gratuity Act. The ceiling of Rs.10 Iakh may also be removed.
5) LUMP-SUM GRANT
Earlier
a weightage was given to those who opted for VRS after completion of 25 years
of service. Now it is removed. The 6th CPC recommended one time lump sum
grant as retirement benefit equal to 80 months salary last drawn or average
salary. We request that this may be considered for those who opt for VRS after
completion of 10 years service or more. This would encourage VRS.
(A
6) OLD AGE HOMES
The
socio-economic system has undergone a big change in India in the recent past.
The concept of joint family system is demolished due to various reasons and
nuclear family system is the order of the day. Pensioners who are not taken
care of or who could not take care of, by the kith and kin and who could not
stay alone are joining old age homes. Hence it is requested that the Government
may start Old Age Homes atleast in District Headquarters.
7) OPENING OF MORE KENDRIYA VIDYALAYAS
Now-a-days
education has become so costly. One has to spend thousands of rupees even for
the 1KG and elementary education. Central Government may open Kendariya
Vidyalaya at Taluk Headquarters so that the children of CGE may get good
education at less cost.
8) PENSION
REVISION AFTER 5 YEARS
After
6th CPC, the cost of price index has crossed 100 even before 8 years.
Price rise is the biggest evil for the pensioners because they have nothing
more than the pension and have no strength to earn additional income. Hence it
is requested the pension may be revised after a gap of 5 years.
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