Many Parliament Standing Committee Recommendations Rejected!

 Many Recommendations of Parliament           Standing Committee goes in SMOKE!

Report of Parliament Standing Committee submits ATR in Rajyasabha  and expresses satisfaction on many issues over the action taken by the DoP&PW! Here we are analyzing the document to some extent and a full analyzation of the Report will be done later. Comments are welcome from all readers either by email to nccpa.hq@gmail.com or in Whatsapp Group of NCCPA - KR Deputy SG NCCPA

Action Taken Report on the recommendations of the Parliament Standing Committee submitted in Rajya Sabha – CAT is out of the BAG now!

The ATR (Action Taken Report) on the recommendations of the 110^th Report of the Parliament Standing Committee is tabled in Rajya Sabha by the above Committee. The community of Pensioners all over the country were wondering about the nature of recommendations as many of them were recommended though rejected by the 7^th CPC! The Pensioners were pinning much hope that these recommendations will be implemented by the Union Government! But the National Executive of NCCPA that met in June 2022, had clearly opined that these recommendations were only publicity stunt and not for real implementation! The averment of NE of NCCPA has come out true today with the ATR submitted in Rajya Sabha. Let us see the aspects of the report:

1.      The ATR itself is clear in stating that out of 28 recommendations made by the Committee only five (5) are accepted. It says that recommendations in Paras 2.12; 3.12; 3.23; 3.31; and 4.7 are accepted. What are these Paras? Para 2.12 stated that the pension related grievances can also be lodged in CPGRAMS Portal. Para 3.12 deals with the grant of Provisional Pension until the grant of regular pension and the regular PPO. Para 3.23 recommends for provision of non-CGHS Pensioners with the medical facilities on par with serving employees or an idea for cashless health insurance facility in lieu of FMA should be mooted by Department of Pension and Pensioners Welfare. Para 3.31 expresses hope of the Committee that additional funds are sanctioned by the Government to provide for deserving pensioners organizations based on their previous performance. Para 4.7 deals with the issue of digitisation of entire process of pension sanction. These are the recommendations accepted and the Parliament Standing Committee expressed happiness and satisfaction over the action of accepting just 5 of its recommendations!

2.      Implementation of even the above issues require to be seen by us to what extent various departments and Ministries are going to take them seriously for implementation though the replies are assuring and OMs also are issued. But very important issues recommended by the Standing Committee stand rejected by the Government!

3.      Many important recommendations of the Parliament Standing Committee are just given up in the wind! The ATR says that the Committee does not desire to pursue in view of the replies given by the Departments of Government on 16 of the recommendations made in Paras 3.3; 3.4; 3.10; 3.13; 3.19; 3.20; 3.21; 3.22; 3.28; 3.35; 4.9; 4.14; 4.15; 5.11; 5.12 and 5.16 of the Report! The Committee says that it is satisfied with the explanations advanced! Well; we are not satisfied! Para 3.3 deals with enhancement of Group Insurance quantum; Para 3.4 states to change the savings fund to insurance fund be modified; Para 3.10 recommended to maintain GPF Account in electronic mode and transferred to the parent department; Para 3.13 wanted to end the delay caused in sanction of pension due to corona; Para 3.19 recommended for proper medical facilities to pensioners as ruled by the Apex Court and rules to immediately reimburse the bills of treatment shall be finalized and that the FMA to be enhanced to 3000/- to mitigate the problems of pensioners; Para 3.19 recommended for enacting rules for reimbursement of medical expenses incurred by CGHS beneficiary in a non-empanelled hospital fully as per apex court direction and to avoid pensioners spending huge money for getting justice in different courts; Para 3.20 recommended that CGHS should be expanded to district headquarters also and allow CPENGRAMS to admit medical related grievances also; Para 3.21 recommended for enhancement of FMA to 3000/- by accepting the points of Pensioners Associations that at old age pensioners are faced with lot of diseases; Para 3.22 suggested for a hassle free surrender certificate of FMA in online; Para 3.28 recommended for grant of additional pension from 65 years itself as the joint family system is breaking up and the pensioners are forced to live separately to meet the additional expenditure and stressed the DoP&PW to vigorously pursue this issue with the MOF; Para 3.35 recommended for change of date of upgradation under MACP from 1.1.2006; Para 4.9 recommended for improvement in CPAO Portal; Para 4.14 recommended that the Head of Office start the pension process before one year of retirement; Para 4.15 deals with the delay in sanction of family pension; Para 5.11 recommended for wider modern technology for pension; Para 5.12 dealt with the system of withdrawal of pension from homes to the elderly pensioners; and Para 5.16 recommended for streamlining of pension and family pension sanction.

4.      All the above are vital and important for the pensioners and family pensioners. If the Committee expresses satisfaction over the nature of action taken on these issues by the Government Departments and comes to the conclusion that it does not want to pursue further these issues, then we are sure that these vital issues are thrown to air by the Parliament Standing Committee! In nut shell, the Parliament Standing Committee enacted a drama for the amusement of lakhs of pensioners in the country and that the amusement is over!

5.      The Parliament Standing Committee did not accept the replies given to seven (7) recommendations stated in Paras 2.10; 2.16; 2.21; 2.30; 2.33; 3.37; and 4.13! In Para 2.10 the Committee wanted the pension complaints to be streamlined by forming a social audit panel; In Para 2.16 it had recommended for accountability mechanism to deal with the grievances of pension; Para 2.21 recommended for an Appellate mechanism to be operationalized for improving the effectiveness of the grievances; Para 2.30 recommended for virtual pension Adalats once in six months; Para 2.33 recommended for a pre-litigation conciliation for avoiding grievances in the pre-litigation time itself; In Para 3.37 the Committee had recommended for full liberalized pension on par with widows of defense personnel to widows of  Paramilitary / Civil Servants also; and 4.13 wanted the Government to be proactive in reaching out family pensioners and for liberalizing the procedures for children of the deceased Government servants.

6.      From the Action Taken Report it is clear that the Government has rejected (1) Additional Pension from 65 years; (2) No MACP from 1.1.2006; (3) No notional increment to 30^th June Retirees as per Para 2.37 of the present Report No.120 submitted in Rajyasabha. Therefore, many basic aspects of the recommendations are thus rejected. The increase in FMA quantum is of course not outrightly rejected but under consideration and we do not know the exact quantum of enhancement. But one thing is clear; it will not be 3000/- as recommended by the Committee. 

 

Beloved leader Kutty passes away!

 

Comrade KKN Kutty our beloved Secretary General NCCPA Amar Rahe!

Hold Condolence Meetings at all Places unitedly with NCCPA Affiliates as well as Confederation and CG Employees Federations and Unions wherever feasible!

Comrade KKN Kutty our Secretary General NCCPA as well as the Vice President of Confederation of Central Government Employees and Workers had breathed his last on 08.12.2022 at about 09.30 A.M in Calicut. His funeral was held on 09.12.2022 at his residence in Tirur in which our Patron Comrade VAN,Namboodiri; AIBDPA General Secretary Comrade K.G.Jayaraj; Kerala CGPA General Secretary Comrade Venkateswaran and many other leaders and comrades participated and paid their last homage to the mortal remains of Comrade KKN Kutty. The services rendered by Kutty for the welfare of the Central Government Employees and Pensioners are immeasurable and the loss caused is irreparable.

NCCPA calls upon all its Affiliates to organize condolence meetings in all places preferably by unitedly with all Affiliates and also with the Confederation Units and Central Government Employees Federations and Unions. Please place the report in the NCCPA Whatsapp Group or send by email to nccpa.hq@gmail.com

With immeasurable grief,

Shiva Gopal Mishra

President - NCCPA

NCCPA on JCM Standing Committee Meeting Decisions

 

NATIONAL CO-ORDINATION COMMITTEE

OF PENSIONERS ASSOCIATIONS.

(Registered under the

T.U. Act.No. RTU01/2021.Dated.7.01.2021

PAN No.  AAEAN8586F

Website: nccpahq.blogspot.in.                                 President:  Com. Shiv Gopal Mishra. (97176 47594)

E mail: nccpahq@gmail.com.                                  Secretary General: Com. K.K.N. Kutty. (98110 48303)

13.c Feroze Shah Road,

New Delhi. 110 001

 

Dated: 23.09.2022

 

JCM STANDING COMMITTEE MEETING HELD ON 22.09.2022 – GIST OF DECISIONS

Dear Comrades,

The meeting of the standing committee of National Council JCM was held today (22.9.22) under the Chairmanship of Secretary Personnel. There were many issues pertaining to the Pensioners in the agenda. The undersigned as a member of the Standing Committee participated in the discussions. The outcome of the discussions on each item is mentioned hereunder:-

1. FMA to Pensioners of National Institute of Ayurveda: The official side said that only after the Supreme Court directive they will be able to do anything in this matter.

2. Restoration of Senior Citizen Facility in Railways: The matter is under consideration.

3. Treating the Pensioners on par with the officials on duty for Guest House: Orders have been issued. Copy will be provided.

4. Pension to be exempted from Income Tax: The matter will be reconsidered in the light of discussions.

5. Disability Pension of War Heroes to be exempted from Income Tax: Will be reconsidered.

6. Pension revision in the case of Personnel Compulsorily retired: Orders issued.

7. Grant of enhanced pension on completion of 79 years: Not accepted.

8. Grievance redressal mechanism for Pensioners: The staff side wanted Pension Adalats to be held at Departmental levels. The issue will be further discussed.

9. Restoration of Commuted value of Pension after 12 years: Will be further discussed.

10. CGHS Related Issues:

i. Ward Entitlement.

ii. Lifetime CGHS facility for dependent disabled children.

iii. Health Insurance to Pensioners.

iv. To have Dispensary/Wellness Centres at all 108 Stations.

v. Enhancing FMA.

vi. Reimbursement of Medical Expenses for those who are not covered by CGHS.

vii. Increase the number of empanelled hospitals.

viii. Provision of sufficient staff in the dispensaries taken over from Postal Department.

ix. CGHS entitlement for Pensioners of Andaman and Lakshadweep Islands.

x. CGHS related Problems of Kerala.

xi. Online consultation facility.

xii. Cashless medical facilities to CGHS beneficiaries to be extended to all cities.

All the above items are to be discussed with Secretary Health. The date of the meeting will be indicated soon.

 

11. Board of Arbitration Awards: The matter will be discussed with the Staff Side.

12. MACP to be effective from 1.1.2006: The matter will be further discussed.

13. Notional Increment for those who retired on 30th June: Matter is subjudice.

14. Time limit to complete disciplinary proceedings of retired personnel: The staff side demanded that in case proceedings cannot be finalised within 3 years, he should be deemed to have been exonerated. The matter will be discussed further.

 

With fraternal Greetings.

KKN Kutty

Secretary General

NCCPA supports the Programmes of BSNL DOT Pensioners and PNB Pensioners

 

NATIONAL CO-ORDINATION COMMITTEE

OF PENSIONERS ASSOCIATIONS.

(Registered undder the T.U. Act.No. RTU01/2021.Dated.7.01.2021

Website: nccpahq.blogspot.in.E mail: nccpahq@gmail.com.

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

PAN : AAEAN8586F

 

President:                Com. Shiv Gopal Mishra. (97176 47594)

Secretary General: Com. K.K.N. Kutty.            (98110 48303)

Dated: 13^th August, 2022.

Dear Comrades,

This is to inform all our affiliates, CGPAs, State CoCs that the all Inia BSNL & DOT Pensioners Association had been on struggle path for the last three months.  The issues they had been raising before the Government and the BSNL management for more than a year received no consideration from the authorities.  The first phase of their programme of actions is scheduled to culminate with a massive march and rally before the Sanchar Bhawan (Patel chowk) on 24^th August, 2022.  The procession will commence at 11.00AM and will converge at Sanchar Bhawan, followed by a meeting to be addressed by the leaders.

Similarly. the All India Punjab National Bank Pensioners Association has embarked upon a series of action programmes as per the decision they had taken at their all India conference at Patna seeking settlement of some of the pressing issues.  They have decided to organise a dharna programme in front of the corporate office of the Punjab National Bank on 30^th August, 2022.  Their corporate office is located at Plot No. 4. Sector No. 10, Dwaraka New Delhi. 110 075.  The dharna will be staged between 11.00AM and 5.00 PM.

We request all our affiliates to advise their Delhi units to take part in both the programmes on 24^th and 30th August, 2022.  All Other units may express their support and solidarity to these actions and send the following savingrams to

1) the Secretary Communications, Department of Telecommunications, Government          India, Sanchar Bhawan, New Delhi

                “Settle the demands and issues of the DOT and BSNL pensioners immediately.”

And(2) to the Chairman, Punjab National Bank , Plot No. 4, Sector, 10, Dwaraka, New Delhi.110 075 . 

“Settle the demands and issues of the All India PNB Pensioners  urgently”

The savingrams in respect of  BSNL & DOT pensioners may  be sent on 24^th August, 2022 and that of the PBN Pensioners on 30^th August, 2022.

With greetings,

Yours fraternally,

Sd/-

KKN Kutty,

Secretary General.

NCCPA Circular on Independence Day Celebrations!

 

NATIONAL CO-ORDINATION COMMITTEE

OF PENSIONERS ASSOCIATIONS.

(Registered undder the T.U. Act.No. RTU01/2021.Dated.7.01.2021

Website: nccpahq.blogspot.in.E mail: nccpahq@gmail.com.

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

PAN : AAEAN8586F

 

President:                Com. Shiv Gopal Mishra. (97176 47594)

Secretary General: Com. K.K.N. Kutty.            (98110 48303)

Dated: 10^th August, 2022.

Dear Comrades,

The Nation will celebrate the 75^th year of its independence on 15^th August, 2022   It was a long journey commenced from the day we attained freedom on 15^th August 1947.   In that journey, our country has created ever so many milestones in its progress from a primitive economy to one of the performing developing economies of the world. In retrospect many of us do feel that the country could have done better.  Strikingly it disappoints the large majority of the people that the great objective of creating an egalitarian society remained a mirage.  The trajectory of the development of the country in the past three decades especially clearly indicates that the concept of egalitarianism has been abandoned by its rulers   

On this day, it is our duty to rededicate ourselves to the cause of our Nation.  Besides the conventional practice of participating in the Independence Day celebration at institutional level, the Government and especially the Prime Minister has called upon us to make it an event at every home.  Pensioners are normally the senior most persons at every house and we must ensure that we take the initiative to hoist the flag at our house tops on 15^th August 2022 and explain to our young members the sacrifice rendered by the freedom fighters of the country.  But for their dedication and determination, perhaps we would not have been enjoying the freedom even today.  The role of the working class and the revolutionaries, which unfortunately did not get the requisite prominence in the recorded history of the freedom movement must get special mention on this occasion.  Our Constitution, the federal structure of our Nation, the democratic concept of governance were the product of deep deliberations and aspirations of those who were active in the freedom struggle.  The fact that those high ideals are on severe strain in the present-day governance of the country is to be brought home.  We must have no hesitation in stating that the concept of independence is not only freedom from alien colonial rule but embracing a governance procedure for the well- being of the entirety of the populace of the country without allowing room for any discrimination. 

Let us hoist the flag explaining the concept of an egalitarian society for that alone will keep the Nation free for ever.

With greetings,

Yours fraternally,

 

KKN. Kutty

Secretary General.

NCCPA Call for Demonstrations along with Postal Workers & for sending Saving Grams!

 

NATIONAL CO-ORDINATION COMMITTEE

OF PENSIONERS ASSOCIATIONS..

(Registered undder the

T.U. Act.No. RTU01/2021.Dated.7.01.2021

PAN No.  AAEAN8586F

Website: nccpahq.blogspot.in.

E mail: nccpahq@gmail.com.

13.c Feroze Shah Road,

New Delhi. 110 001

 

President:                Com. Shiv Gopal Mishra. (97176 47594)

Secretary General: Com. K.K.N. Kutty.            (98110 48303)

Dated: 31^st July, 2022.

Dear Comrades,

                                                          Sub: Declining medical facilities- solidary and support

                                                          For the postal workers on strike.

 

We send herewith an extract from the circular letter of the Confederation of Central Government employees and workers, which is self explanatory.  The Confederation has called upon its affiliates and state units to hold demonstration on 10^th August, 2022 at all work places in support of the striking Postal workers.  As you could see from the circular letter of the confederation, the postal workers struggle is not for any pecuniary benefit but to oppose the privatisation of a century old institution by the Government of India  The Postal Savings Bank which had been in operation with the exchequer guarantee for more than a century and which has about 30 crore subscribers with deposit exceeding 10 lakh crores will be merged with the newly created corporate body called the India Post Payment Bank.  As is the case with the Pension fund, the people’s money would be kept at the disposal of the private entrepreneurs. This must be seen from the fact that under the Banking regulations of the country, the Bank needs to guarantee a payment of just Rs. 1 lakh for whatever quantum of deposits with them.   The Post Office savings bank accounts are mostly subscribed by the Central Government employees and the pensioners 

 

The Indian economy suffered its worst set back during the covid pandemic period.   It had been on its downside slide even before that. The induced price rise on petroleum products had its cascading impact and the inflation that has set in refuses to wane despite the concerted attempts of the RBI. The prices of all essential food articles have risen and the rate of unemployment is presently the highest of the recent history of our Nation. The Sri Lankan situation, which has been explained in the confederation circular has not however, made any impact on the Indian rulers as they refuse to revisit the economic policies, whereas further privatisation is resorted to.  The three decades pursuance of the neo liberal policies has widened the inequality in our society. 

 

The fixed wage earners and the pensioners are the worst affected in this scenario.  The health care facilities in respect of pensioners have declined drastically during the period.  The commitment made by the Director General, when we met him more than a month back to set right the problems has remained unhonoured.  To the specific query raised in the Parliament over the matter, the Government has chosen to reply with irrelevant statistics.  It appears that the CGHS is on its way out. 

 

NCCPA, therefore calls upon its affiliates and State CGPAs and COCs to organise demonstration on 10^th August, 2022 in front of the Main Post offices in their respective cities/towns and district headquarters to express solidarity with the striking postal workers as also to oppose the recalcitrant attitude of the Government towards the health related issues of the pensioners. The following savingrams may be sent to the concerned authorities after such demonstration.

 

                     To The Secretary, Communications,  Dak Bhawan, Patel Chowk, New Delhi. 110 001.

                             “STOP PRIVATISATION OF POSTAL FUNCTIONS’

 

                   To The Director-General  CGHS, Chandralok Buildign, Janpath, New Delhi. 110 001.

                             “REVIVE MEDICAL FACILITIES TO THE PENSIONERS”

 

 

                                       Name (Secretary) ……………………………………………………

                                      Name of the Unit: ……………………………………………………

                                 Place: ……………………………………………………………………

With greetings,

 

Yours fraternally,

 

K.K.N.Kutty,

Secretary General.

 

Extract from the circular letter of Confederation of CGE& workers.

 

On 10^th August, 2022,  the entire Postal workers in the country, irrespective of organisational affiliation, shall be on a day’s strike. The strike is to register their protest over the decision to privatise some of the functions of the Postal Department.  The theme and concept of the new economic policies ushered in 1991 were to effect withdrawal of the Government from all economic activities and leave the space for unhindered exploitation by the private enterprises.  This had been one of the prominent conditions imposed by the international lending agencies as part of their globalisation, liberalisation and privatisation policies. The vast communication network of the Postal department, built over a period of more than a century always attracted the private players but the comparatively un-remunerative user charges fixed as a policy to help out the common people acted as a deterrent.  The efforts of the successive Government to hive off the lucrative functions of the Department had always been on the anvil.  The present Government which came to power in 2014, not only adhered to the new economic policies but also ensured its intensification and acceleration.  The Government departments were destined to take a hop step and jump to privatisation viz. first corporatisation as a Public Sector undertaking and then disinvestment and privatisation.  The 41 ordinance factories under the Defence Ministry has already taken the first step and the Government formed seven companies and are awaiting the eventual privatisation.  There had been very many attempts to privatise the functions of the Postal Department.  Some of them did not succeed as the private enterprises did not see super profit possibility   and many others in the face of the stiff opposition from the Postal Workers. 

The aim and objective of Post Office Savings Bank was to garner the small savings of the lower strata of the society especially  those  located in small villages and hamlets of India. Begun in 1882, the PSOB must be considered as the pioneers in the Banking industry itself in the country.    In free India, the funds collected through the Post Office savings Banks were of immense help for the developmental activities as no other institution could penetrate into the nooks and corners of the country as Post Offices could do.  India Post has presently 154,965 offices spread over the breadth and length of the country.  The reach and ambit of the Postal Department is stupendous and is the most effective vehicle to be in touch with the large majority of the people.  The PSOB has presently about  30 crore customers and carry a deposit of more than 10 lakh crores.  In the new environment, the Postal Department obtained the licence to operate a Payment Bank, which could not have been opposed per se but was perceived as a clever step towards the eventual privatisation.  The India Post Payment bank was registered as a public limited company and is covered by the Banking regulations.  The present proposal is to transfer the PSOB to the newly formed company hiving it off from the Postal Department.  The proposal will not only make the Postal Department economically unviable and eligible for closure but the huge deposits could be made available for the Corporates to maximise profit.  In all probabilities, in the near future, the IPPB would be listed in the stock exchange and would be available for grab by the private entrepreneurs.  The leaders of the Postal JCA has made it clear that the strike on 10^th August, 2022 is meant to provide a warning and they might embark upon an indefinite strike action if situation so warrants. 

The post Sirimao Bhandaranayake regime of Sri Lanka embraced the neo liberal policies as early as in 1980s.  The country is now struggling to come out of the debt trap  The civil war and the subsequent pandemic situation has worsened the economy of Sri Lanka.   But it was the commercial borrowing with shorter repayment schedule, to finance the dream projects that is said to be the root cause for the disaster. 47% of the Sri Lanka’s debt is reported to be commercial elicited through bonds with high rate of interest.   It is the giant corporations of USA, Germany, Britain and Switzerland, which had contracted the bonds.  Situation is no different even in an advanced capitalist country like Italy.  The Prime Minister of Italy had to resign having failed to effect recovery.  Italy is the third largest economy in Europe.  All these point out to the dangers of those economies in pursuit of faster growth, through neo liberal policies.  The inequality of income and wealth in all those Nations, which embraced the neo liberal policies has widened giving room for social tension. 

Undoubtedly, we are travelling fast to the destination of a laissez faire economy, where the common people will be at the mercy of the rich corporate entities.  It is only the militant struggles of the working class which can effectively apply a brake to the destruction of the sovereign state.  Every single step in that direction is a welcome feature. The Postal workers demand the support and solidarity from the working class movement and especially the Central Government Employees.  The struggle is not for any pecuniary benefit but for a sovereign India, an egalitarian India. 

The National Sectt. of the Confederation calls upon all affiliates and State COCs to extend all help and assistance to the Postal Workers to ensure that the strike on 10^th August 2022 is total with cent percent participation.  All affiliates and COCs are requested to advise their units to organise demonstration in support of the striking workers of the Postal Department on 10^th August, 2022 and send the following savingram to the Secretary, Communications, Government of India, Dak Bhawan, Patel Chowk, New Delhi 110 001.

                             Stop privatisation of the Postal Department and its functions.

 

NCCPA Circular on National Executive Decisions

 

NATIONAL CO-ORDINATION COMMITTEE

OF PENSIONERS ASSOCIATIONS.

(Registered under the

T.U. Act.No. RTU01/2021.Dated.7.01.2021

PAN No.  AAEAN8586F

Website: nccpahq.blogspot.in.                                 President:  Com. Shiv Gopal Mishra. (97176 47594)

E mail: nccpahq@gmail.com.                               Secretary General: Com. K.K.N. Kutty. (98110 48303)

13.c Feroze Shah Road,

New Delhi. 110 001

 

Dated: 09.07.2022

Dear Comrade,

National Executive of NCCPA

The National Executive of NCCPA met at AIRF office on 28^th June, 2022.  Com. Shiv Gopal Misra presided over the meeting. The meeting had the physical presence of 21 members of the National Executive and 7 comrades joined the meeting through the virtual platform.  The decisions taken at the meeting are as under: -

Com. President in his opening remarks said that the NCCPA could not meet on physical platform for about two years due to pandemic.  Unlike organizations of the working employees, though meetings were held through virtual platform it was not very effective.  Though the mobile phone communication system has become all pervasive and universal the pensioner community, he added, for obvious reasons would like to have print communications and physical meetings. He then explained the pains undertaken by the NCCPA and the Staff Side JCM to bring to the notice of the Government of the problems and demands of the pensioners especially arisen during the pandemic period.  He expressed happiness over the holding of the meeting on physical platform as it has provided the opportunity to see each other.  He also expressed happiness over the efforts undertaken by some of the comrades, who were unable to go over to Delhi to attend the meeting to join the deliberation through virtual platform.

Com. KKN Kutty the Secretary General presented the agenda slated for discussion at the meeting and obtained the approval of the house. Some comrades raised certain matters for discussion.  It was agreed that those issues would be discussed when the last items is taken up i.e. any other matter with the permission of the Chair. The issues slated in the agenda were discussed at length.  The following decisions were taken.

(a)    Review of programmes of actions: The meeting noted that all units have carried out the programme of actions viz. solidarity support for the general strike action on 28^th and 29^th March, 2022 and the independent programme of dharna to highlight the 110^th report of the standing committee of the Parliament.  chalked out and circulated and have generally elicited good participation.

(b)   The Secretary General will circulate and place on website the statement of account prepared and submitted to the Registrar of Trade Unions.  He will also place a due statement on the website. The affiliates and units have agreed to make the payment immediately thereafter. He thanked Com. S.K. Sharma (Jaipur) and Com. Gupta (PNB) for the strenuous efforts to put in by them to get the NCCPA registered under the T.U. Act as also in submitting the accounts documents to the Registrar.

(c)    The members who spoke on the subject were appreciative of the recommendation of the Parliamentary committee and wanted the NCCPA to utilize it. While agreeing with the sentiments expressed by the members, and assuring that NCCPA would certainly make use of it and it was only the NCCPA which organized a programme specifically for it, the Secretary General said that much hope must not be pinned on those suggestions as the Government was not bound to accept the recommendation of the Standing Committee.  He said that many are taking the view that the recommendation of the standing committee is part of the scheme of selling dreams to assuage the otherwise enraged feeling of the pensioners.

(d)   Struggle for getting back the DR impounded by the Government; common issues like NPS; formulation of common pension demand for the entire pensioner community etc. were discussed together. Com. President detailed the efforts undertaken by him as the Secretary Staff Side to bring to the notice of the Government, the discontent of the employees and pensioners over the action of impounding.  He said that no such statement as has been made out at the SCOVA meeting had been made by the Cabinet Secretary at any point of time.  He assured the house that the united platform of organisations participating in the National Jca will subject the issue to discussion and will take appropriate decision.  In the matter of withdrawal of NPS and restoring of OPS, he said that the pensioner community is duty bound to support any struggle when it is waged by the working employees.  Majority of the working employees are those covered by the New Pension scheme and every one of them is concerned of it. 

Com. Secretary General placed the idea of having a common formulation for all pensioners, especially for those who retired from the Central Government and the Central Public Sector Undertaking.  Taking into account that varying formulations are in existence in Public Sector, he suggested the following:

(i)                  To demand that all retired personnel from the Central Government and Central Public Sector undertaking must have atleast 75% of the last pay drawn as their pension and such pension must be cost indexed;

(ii)                To have health care facilities throughout the life with empanelled hospitals for in-patient treatment.

(iii)              To have a permanent negotiating forum catering to all pensioners and periodical pension revision system.

The house debated on the issue but expressed the opinion that the proposal must be circulated for wider acceptance and then taken for pursuance.   The house also decided that on the demands, which are common to employees and pensioners, agitational programmes must be mounted and campaign undertaken so that the public opinion in favour of the employees and pensioners could be roused before the country go in for general election in 2004.

(e) Pursuing the demand through litigation. Com. President said that  he was of the opinion that the organization except in exceptional situation should avoid litigation as the outcome of such action need not necessarily be in favour of the workers and employees.  Once the court gives a verdict against them, the Government takes an adamant stand.     He recalled how an uninterested person had filed the case in the Delhi High Court against the Government’s decision on impounding the DA, which was not argued properly which resulted in the dismissal of the case.   He said that such cases were being filed by those persons who must be construed to be the tools of the government. He also cited the case of MACP before the Supreme Court.  While it would be difficult to stop people going to court, the organizations should   take care to implead in such cases at the appropriate time Com. Secretary General said that the litigation unlike in the past has become very costly and must be cautiously embarks upon  Decision must be taken however in exceptional case to approach the court when there is violation of the fundamental rights of the employees and pensioners.  He was of the opinion that  the denial of DA/DR issue is certainly one of them but campaign will have to be unleashed to garner public support to ensure that there is a favorable decision from the Court 

(f) Declining health care facilities. CGHS. The meeting noted that the health care facilities have declined significantly.  Hospitals once empanelled have withdrawn for want of payment.  Rates of various procedures have not been revised with the result the beneficiaries are put to losses.  The reimbursement of expenses incurred by the beneficiaries of CGHS has been getting delayed. Many dispensaries and well ness centres were functioning without sufficient staff and doctors. Of the 108 centres. sanctioned wellness centers.  are yet to be opened in more than 30 Stations.  The CGHS Panchayats being organized by the Department of  Pension had been disappointing and have turned out to be only a PR exercise.  It was the consensus arrived at the meeting that some demonstrative actions are needed at the filed levels and at Delhi before the Health Ministry office.  The issue must be discussed with all working employees’ organizations for forging unity to hold action programme at the Central Place. The possibility of holding filed level demonstration must be explored and carried out without further delay to highlight the problems connected with declining health care facilities. The pensioners of Banking sector, where the health care is either insufficient or not available must raise those demands during the demonstration, it was suggested at the meeting.  

During the discussions, many other issues were raised by the members, prominent among them were the extension of cashless treatment for pensioners outside the NCT areas (Com. Pande from Allahabad and others), grant of notional increment for those who retired on 30^th June and 31^st December, (Dasan, Central Water Commission) pension revision of Bank pensioners (Com. Khera and Suresh) the continuing impasse in the settlement of pension revision of BSNL /DOT pensioners (K.G.  Jayaraj), the non- --settlement of various issues raised at the SCOVA and in other forums (Com. S.. K. Sharma, Jaipur) the urgent need to have a common platform for all pensioners organizations in the country (Com. K. Ragavendran, AIPRPA) the lack of super specialty hospitals in many towns.  Com. Secretary General said that the question of grant of notional increment has been discussed on many occasions with the Government and the issue was still pending decision.   In the matter of cashless treatment to pensioners living outside the NCR, he assured the house that it would be taken up first in the discussion and if need be, as an item in the National Council.  Regarding the formation of apex level organizations for all pensioners and retired personnel in the country, he said that it would be a stupendous task and even the earlier attempt to revitalize the BCPA had not been successful.  Com. President also said that though he had been broaching the idea with various pensioners Association to be affiliated with NCCPA, the same has not been translated into reality. Many suggested that the NCCPA must take a stand that any attempt in the matter would be welcomed by it and simultaneously strengthen NCCPA

Asia-Pacific regional conference of TUI (P&R)

It was decided that the earlier decision taken by the NE should be adhered to and the conference must be hosted by NCCPA at Trivandrum.  Briefly discussions were held over the financial burden.  It was ultimately decided that the Secretary General will cause a discussion in the matter with the units of all affiliates of NCCPA in Kerala and will find out the extent of finance required and to what extent the help must go from the CHQ.

Journal: It was decided that NCCPA must revive the publication of the journal as the pensioners are not well accustomed with the electronic format.  The West Bengal COC will communicate within a month to the CHQ as to whether it would be possible to revive the publication or not.  If not steps must be taken by the Secretary to re commence the publication.

Affiliation:

The meeting decided to grant formal affiliation to the organizations of Pensioners Association, who had made application and completed all formalities;

(I)                  Central Water Commission;

(II)                All Kerala Bank retirees forum;

(III)              Defence Civilian Officers Pensioners Association;

(IV)              Andaman and Nicobar Island Government Pensioners Association.

The letter of affiliation will be sent to the first two organizations immediately having been completed all relevant formalities.  In respect of the latter two organizations, the formal decision to grant affiliation was taken.  They will be requested to complete the requisite formalities.

 

In any other matter with the permission of the Chair, the members raised various issues concerning the problems and demands of the pensioners, most of which had been taken up with the Government.  Com. President, in his concluding remarks, said that the NCJCM has demanded for an immediate meeting of the Committee under the health Secretary and would take similar steps to convene the meeting under the Secretary Pension also.  The meeting was then officially declared concluded at 7.30 PM.  Before that the resolution moved by the All-Kerala Bank retirees forum was adopted and Com. Khera, Senior Member and Advisor All India PNB Pensioners Association was requested by the house to provide the sect. a comprehensive note over the issues of the Bank Pensioners taking into account the observations made by the Government in respect of the demands.

With greetings,

Yours fraternally,

Sd/-

KKN Kutty.

Secretary General.