Supplement to Secy Genl. report. Reply to comments on Secy Genl. report Dated 29.11.2018

Comment:

(1) In the report, the present day burning problems and specified grievances of Pensioners, as well as, the ways and means for Redress , are not mentioned. A direction for programme of action should also be indicated.

Reply:

Over the decades BPS has been instrumental in getting several benefits to Pensioners and Family Pensioners pay commission to pay commission such as inclusion of pension & other retirement benefits in the terms of reference of 4th CPC through an executive order, 40% commutation, calculation of gratuity on the basis of Pay+ DA,30% of last pay as family pension, provision of FMA, enhanced family pension for 10 yrs in case of death in harness, Age related additional pension, pension to be 50% of last pay, Common multiplication factor for pension revision, Launching of pensioners portal, online grievance redressal system, Aarpan Portal, Nivaran Portal, dissemination of latest information in real time, Publication of hand books , compendiums and latest orders/circulars on websites of different departments, extension of CSD canteen facility to Defence Civilian Pensioners etc, etc . Bharat Pensioners Samaj continue to strive for OROP for Civil Pensioners (As 9 Court cases are pending in different courts issue is now subjudice ), extension of the benefits of Court judgments to all similarly placed pensioners (Govt has informed that National litigation policy is under review), Revision of pension of Pre 2016 Rly running staff ( issue is under reexamination of Ministry of Rlys),Extension of benefit of 4600/ grade pay instead of 4200 to those retired from pre revised scale of 6500-10500 (As per latest information available to BPS DOE has agreed to accept the demand file has been returned to DOPPW for further action) extension of benefit of 7th CPC to all Autonomous bodies/PSU pensioners ( Partial success is achieved in that 7th CPC benefits extended to several boards though not from 1.1.2016 as demanded), benefit of up-gradation to pensioners (UOI has obtained stay from S C), extension of benefit of Pay Commission, increment, enhanced DA, gratuity etc. to those retired on 31/12 & 30th June {UOI has obtained a stay from

S C},Streamlining pension rules with special reference to secondary family pensioners (Govt has informed that they are in process of streamlining Rules) ,Merger of 33 postal dispensaries with CGHS (With the efforts Sh. S P Gupta our MCM now Associate editor demand has been finally accepted, orders are awaited) & improving the condition of EPS 95 Pensioners {Inspite of several mass Dharna /Rallies etc so far no improvement except that Govt has promised to revamp the Scheme could be achieved} As regards State Pensioners:- In case of State Pensioners issue of DR payment to West Bengal pensioners is resolved & revision of pension / DR issue of Nagaland pensioners is resolved.

Health care: New CGHS wellness centres have been sanctioned at Jallandhar, Vizag, Kochi, Varanasi, Srinagar & Bagpat, Rly Board has agreed to make CTSE PAN India and have assured to remove glitches & hassles,empanelment of CGHS hospital & Diagonestic labs with Rlys. DRMs have been empowered.

BSNL Pensioners: BPS is supporting the demand to revise their pension as per CCS (Pension) Rule 37A(8)

Working employee Strike notice: BPS always support working class whole heartedly.

Future proposed course of action: As is evident from Secy. Genl. report. We are not getting desired results as we do not speak in one voice. Our mission is to bring 57lac of CG pensioners, 80 lac state pensioners, 58 lac EPS-95 pensioners and over 8 lac of PSUs/a autonomous body Pensioners on a single platform for ensuring their welfare with respect to Financial security, Health care & Social security. As a step towards its goal, BPS & its MOU Partners AISCCON, AIFPA & NFRP have come together to achieve the goal by striving jointly & severally for the common issues. Together with MOU Partners & affiliates, today we represent over 20 lac Sr. citizens / Pensioners. We have also floated an open invitation to all other organizations with similar thinking to join us in this mission. There has been a vast change in the scenario over the last decade. Internet savvy number of Pensioners & family Pensioners has gone up considerably. Now Social media, digitization and mobile connectivity has provided a very strong platform through which Sr citizens and pensioners can make their presence felt. We plan to high light our issues and build up agitation through Twitter. In consultation with MOU partners it is proposed to start a joint IT war room modality of which will be formulated after discussion with MOU partners. BPS also plan to constitute a Think Tank . In coming days with our dedicated team of office-bearers & staff, our endeavor will be to use modern methods effectively for consolidating our strength to make our voice heard. Just Imagine the kind of connected intelligence and power Pensioners can create if the power of even 1% minds of total pensioners are combined. So let us all work for it.

(2) Comment: Central Government’s Dilatory tactics in implementation of the accepted recommendations of 7th CPC and its fallout should also be taken in view.

Reply:

(i)The major issue is of implementation of option one which has been lost due to lack of consensus and difference of opinions & understanding among us. Report of empowered committee of Secretaries speaks a lot about it. However, BPS is still pursuing it. As stated earlier there are nine Court cases still pending and the issue is now subjudice.

(ii)PPO revision and payment of arrears Issue is being constantly chased about 2lac Rly pensioners PPOs are yet to be generated.

(3)Comment: The arbitrary and ex-parte decision of introducing the so-called “ALL INDIA PENSION ADALAT”, replacing all other Pension Adalats in vogue in the Country and holding the same, giving no time to collect grievances, as well as conducting the same, half heartedly and not accordingly to standing norms and procedures, to be challenged.

Reply:

All India Pension Adalat is not a replacement of pension Adalat in vogue. Issue has already been taken up at the level of MOS (PP).

(4) Comment: There should have been a few words on “SELF- CRITICISM”, organizational strengths, weaknesses and suggestions for improvement.

Reply:

We are unable to work even to our own satisfaction due to nonperformance/under performance of some of our important office bearers. As corrective measure a proposal unanimously approved by MC is being placed for the approval of 63rd AGM. In addition, we propose to constitute a think-tank to advise on strengthening of the organization & identifying / handling issues of pensioners of different disciplines/departments.

(5)Comment: There is a call of All India General Strike on 08th & 9th January,2019, given by the National Forum of All India Trade Unions and Federations on 12-point chartered of demands, which includes ever increasing price-hike of all essential commodities & petro products, minimum wage & minimum pension, FDI to public sectors including Railways & Defense, etc.

Reply:

BPS always stand with the working class, a resolution to endorse the decision of National Forum of All India Trade unions and federation has been passed by M C on 28.11.2018.

SCM

Secy Genl BPS

Note : The above replies were unanimously accepted by 63rd AGM