NCCPA Writes to Chairman United Forum of Bank Unions on Pensioners of Banks!

 

NCCPA Writes to United Forum of Bank Unions!

NCCPA CHQ has preferred a letter to the Chairman of the United Forum of Bank Unions that negotiated the wage settlement with the Indian Banks Association and signed a settlement recently. As per the settlement the serving employees of Banks are getting 17% wage increase but the Pensioners as usual not given any Pension Updation. As the Kerala Bank Retirees Forum wanted the NCCPA to write to the UFBU in the similar way to the letter of AKBRF to the Chairman UFBU, we have responded. Kindly go through the copy of that letter placed in MS Word and in PDF Format for the information of all – KR SG NCCPA

National Coordination Committee of Pensioners Associations

NCCPA/Banks/1                                                                                            Dated 28.12.2023

 

To

 

Comrade Sanjeev K.Bandish

Convenor,

United Forum of Bank Unions.

 

Dear Comrade!

 

We are National Coordination Committee of Pensioners Associations (NCCPA), the Apex body of various Central Government Pensioners Associations and Bank Pensioners Associations like the All-India PNB Pensioners / Retirees Association and All Kerala Bank Retirees Forum etc.

 

We find the acceptance of “Ex-gratia” by the UFBU in the wage negotiations with the IBA is not sorting out the long pending issue of Pension Updation of Bank Pensioners. We know well that ex-gratia means, it will not be calculated for any other purpose including the grant of Dearness Relief. It will be a separate element without any other benefit and therefore, the Ex-gratia is not Pension Updation. More over the ex-gratia is only for the current wage settlement period and not for future. This ex-gratia quantum too to be discussed further in future according to the agreement! The Updation of Pension has been denied to Bank Pensioners from the time of acceptance of Pension as a separate benefit decades ago by the Unions in Banks.

 

We also find that the Bank Employees Unions used to raise the issue of Pensioners during the negotiations always but only to give up the demand and settle the issues of serving employees of Banks only. This time also during the negotiations, 17% of wage raise is achieved for the serving employees of both nationalized Banks and Private Banks but no Pension Updation to Bank Pensioners as usual. This NCCPA is not wrong if we surmise that the acceptance of ‘Ex-Gratia” by the Bank Unions in the UFBU is in nut shell, is a sellout of the Bank Pensioners by the Bank Unions.

In contrast, the Central Government Employees and Pensioners are settled for the identical fitment formula through every Central Pay Commissions, except for the fact that CPCs are constituted once in 10 years instead of once in 5 years as in wage settlement in PSUs including Banks. Moreover, the wage settlement made in RBI and NABRAD are involving Pension Updation of Pensioners of that industry too and we know very well that these institutions are akin to Banks only. Any settlement for Pension updation should cover both PSU and Private Bank Pensioners also, which is clearly absent in the present wage settlement. The habit of including the issue of Pensioners in the Charter only to surrender at the time of wage settlement with the IBA by the UFBU is detested by the millions of Bank Pensioners and others.

 

We request you to respond to our letter and also to reject the wage settlement leaving the Pension updation of Bank Pensioners for decades. Your clear stand should be welcomed by both the Pensioners of Nationalized Banks and Private Banks. NCCPA trusts that the UFBU will take such a stand to satisfy the ex-employees of Banking Industry also.

 

Thanking you,

 

Yours fraternally,

 

(K,Ragavendran)

Secretary General

5th AIC of NCCPA

 NCCPA Holds its 5th AIC

The 5th All India Conference was befittingly held in the Capital City of Chennai (Tamil Nadu) from 13-14, December 2023. The AIC was held in the absence of great leader and our former Secretary General of NCCPA and Confederation Comrade KKN.Kutty, who used to guide our movement in the correct lines. 

The inaugural session of the Conference was presided over by the President of NCCPA comrade Shiva Gopal Mishra during the inaugural session despite his other tasks. The Subjects Committee sessions were presided over by the Working President Comrade S.K.Sharma.

The Reception Committee headed by the Honorable Mayor of Greater Chennai and Comrade P.Mohan as the General Secretary & Comrade C.K.Narasimhan as the Working Chairman has made excellent arrangements to the conduct of the AIC. The toil and the4 work of the Reception Committee volunteers had made it possible to hold the conference in a nice way. The Comrades of Tamilnadu Affiliates of NCCPA and Members need special thanks for their generous contributions which made this AIC possible in the State. The Medical Camp was organized nicely and the role of the Doctor and Comrade Mathivanan ex-SPM MMC Post Office was exemplary in running the camp. 

After the flag hoisting in which the National Flag was hoisted by Comrade M.Kannaiyan Advisor of AIPRPA Tamilnadu and the NCCPA Flag by Comrade S.K.Sharma the NCCPA Working President and respects to the Martyrs Column the AIC was started in Maharashtra Bhawan, Chennai 600007.

Comrade Swadesh Dev Roye WFTU Deputy General Secretary and one of the leaders of CITU inaugurated the AIC. His speech was very much inspiring to all of us with highlights of Pensioners issues and the role of the Union Government in attacking the labour laws and rights of the pensioners. 

Comrade C.Srikumar another WFTU Deputy General Secretary in India and the General Secretary of AIDEF and one of the leaders of AITUC spoke and touched the subjects of Pensioners and how the JCM is taking up those subjects and fighting for the Pensioners. 

Comrade V.A.N.Namboodiri (Patron NCCPA); Janardhan Mazumdar (SG NFPE); C.K.Gundanna (AGS BSNLEU); N.L.Sridharan (GS AISGPF); Dr.S.Sridhar (President AIRRF); K.G.Jayaraj (GS AIBDPA); and K.Ragavendfran (SG NCCPA) delivered their special address in the inaugural session. Comrade Shiva Gopal Mishra delivered his presidential address and concluded the inaugural session. 

The Report was placed by Comrade K.Ragavendran Secretary General in the Subjects Committee session chaired by Comrade S.K.Sharma Working President of NCCPA. Audited Accounts were submitted by ATR Comrade Sadhan Kumar Banerjee. 46 Delegates including the Office Bearers and Chief Executives of Affiliates spoke and intervened on the Report, Accounts and Amendments placed before the house.

After the summing up by the Secretary General Comrade K.Ragavendran the Report was unanimously adopted by the House. The Accounts also were unanimously adopted. The placed amendments and the addition for amending the constitution to include the selection of Patrons as our requirement without part of the Executive were unanimously approved by the House and decided to place the amendments for the acceptance and approval by the Registrar of TU. 

Resolution Committee placed the Resolutions preposed by the CHQ and the amendments given by the Delegates and the same were approved and all the resolutions will be circulated to all the Affiliates and Office Bearers shortly. The Policy and Programme Resolution placed by the Secretary General was also approved unanimously by the House. Resolutions to start a new bank account in the name of NCCPA in a Nationalized Bank in the Joint names of the Treasurer G.Kumar and the Secretary General K.Ragavendran to be jointly operated by them has been approved unanimously. All resolutions in full form will be placed in our website shortly and sent to all Affiliates and Office Bearers also.

The following Office Bearers were elected unanimously:

President: Shiva Gopal Mishra

Working Presidents: (1) S.K.Sharma (Rajasthan CGPA)

            (2) A.K.Ghosh ( West Bengal CCCCGPA)

Vice Presidents: (1) S.Rahman ( Assam CCCGPA)

                 (2) M.L.Gupta [ AI PNB Pensioners/Retirees Association (Regd)]

    (3) T.S.Parameswaran ( Kerala CGPA)

    (4) J.P.Dhandre (Nagpur Postal Audit & Accounts Pensioners)

    (5) Basudev Sen Gupta ( Federation of CGPA West Bengal)

    (6) K.B.Krishna Rao (Karnataka P&T Pensioners Association)

    (7) R.Elangovan (DRPU)

        (8)  Reserved for AIRRF.

Secretary General: K.Ragavendran (AIPRPA)

Deputy Secretary General: (1) K.G.Jayaraj (AIBDPA)

          (2) D.K.Debnath (AIPRPA)

          (3) Basawanand (ITPF)

          (4) P.Lahiri ( West Bengal CCCGPA)

Assistant Secretary General:

Jagmohan Thakur (AI Audit & Accounts Pensioners Association)

T.N.Venkatiswaran ( Kerala CGPA)

C.P.Shobana (AIPRPA)

S.Radhakrishna (AI Audit & Accounts Pensioners Association)

Ishwar Singh Dabas (AIPRPA)

S.Mohandas (AIBDPA)

P.Krishnamurthy ( Telangana APRPA)

M.R.Das (AIBDPA)

Treasurer: G.Kumar (AIPRPA)

Assistant Treasurer: Sadhan Kumar

 Banerjee (West Bengal CCCGPA)

Organising Secretary: (1) B.P.Ganak (AIPRPA)

 (2) S.C.Pandey (AI Audit & Accounts Pensioners Association)

 (3) N.Somaiah (Telangana APRPA)

 (4) N.Nageswara Rao (AIPRPA)

 (5) M.Suresh (AKBRF)

 (6) Manisha Biswas ( AIBDPA)

 (7) S.C.Bhattacharya (AIBDPA)

Internal Auditor:  R.Natarajan (Puducherry Pensioners Association)

Ex-Officio Executive:

Shok Haran Singh [(AI PNB P/R Association(regd)]

Ashok Salunghe (ITPF)

Chandrasekara Rao ( Vizag All CG Employees Pensioners Association) 

Rajasekara Reddy (Defense Officers Pensioners Association)

Kalooram Jingar (Chittodgarh CGPA)

A.Murugesan (DRPU)

M.V.Naik ( Nagpur Central & State Pensioners Association)

K.Radhakrishnan ( Puducherry Pensioners Association)

Suryaprakash ( Coffee Board Pen Assn & Autonomous and Statutory Board Pen Assn)

U.V.Singh ( Ground Water Board Pensioners Association)

Krishna Gopal (Udaipur CGPA)

Nikilesh Mitra (Federation of CGPA West Bengal)

B.M.Sunda (Rajasthan CGPA)

General Secretary Ratlam CGPA

General Secretary Amaravati CGPA

General Secretary Nainital CGPA

General Secretary Rohtak CGPA

General Secretary CLTRIPA.

The AIC unanimously selected the following Patrons NCCPA:

V.A.N.Namboodiri 

Pavitra Ranjan Chakraborti ( CCCGPA West Bengal)

C.L.Mathur (Ajmer Retired Railwaymen Association)

R.P.Sharma (Rajasthan CGPA)

H.N.Joshi ( Ratlam CGPA)

The AIC unanimously approved the following two Associations of Pensioners as our Affiliates from 2024:

All India Retired Railwaymen Federation

National Forum of  Atomic Energy Retirees.

It was decided to refer to Executive the next venue of the AIC after discussions. 

With formal vote of thanks, the AIC concluded.

-KR SG NCCPA-

NCCPA AIC

 NCCPA AIC concludes with resolutions on Pensioners issues / Policy & Programne and unanimous elections!

NCCPA AIC is held at Chennai for two days on 13-14 December, 2023. The AIC started with the hoisting of National Flag by Senior leader and Advisor AIPRPA Tamilnadu comrade M.Kanniyan and the NCCPA flag by the Working President comrade S.K.Sharma. Amidst strong slogans renting the air, martyrs column was respected by all leaders and comrades.

Comrade Shiva Gopal Mishra NCCPA President presided over the inaugural session and the Working President Comrade S.K.Sharma presided the Subjects Committee. Comrade P.Mohan GS Reception Committee welcomed all and invited to dais and the inaugural session stared with comrade  C.K.Narasimhan Working President of Reception Committee address.

Comrade Swadesh Deb Roye WFTU Deputy General Secretary inaugurated the conference. Comrades C.Srikumar WFTU Deputy General Secretary; V.A.N.Namboodiri Patron NCCPA; Janardhan Mazumdar SG NFPE; C.Gundanna AGS BSNLEU; N.L.Sridharan GS AISGPF; Dr.S.Sridhar President AIRRF; K.G.Jayaraj GS AIBDPA; and K.Ragavendran SG NCCPA delivered special address. Then comrade Shiva Gopal Mishra delivered his presidential address. 

The report submitted by the SG; Audited Accounts submitted by the ATR; Amendments proposed for the constitution; Election of office bearers and the discussion of 46 Delegates and OBs and Chief Executives; and the Summing up by the Secretary General are all spectacular and elections and all other issues are unanimous.

The AIC elected the following Patrons and the Executive Cimmittee  comprising the following Office Bearers:

NCCPA Patrons:

1. V.A.N.Namboodiri (AIBDPA)

2. Pavitra Ranjan Chakraborti  (WB CCCGPA)

3. C.L Mathur (Rajasthan Ajmer Retired Raliwaymen)

4. R.P.Sharma ( Rajasthan CGPA)

5. H.N.Joshi ( Ratlam CGPA) 

Office Bearers: 

S.G.Mishra- President 

S.K.Sharma - WP ( Rajasthan CGPA)

A.K.Ghosh - WP ( WB CCCGPA)

S.Rahman - VP (Assam CCCGPA)

M.L.Gupta - VP (AIPNBP/RA)

T.S.Parameswaran - VP (Kerala CGPA)

D.K.Dhandre - VP - Nagpur Audit & Accounts

Basudev Sen gupta - VP (Fed WB CGPA)

K.B Krishnarao - VP (Ktka P&T)

R.Elangovan - VP - (DRPU)

Reserved for - VP- (AIRRF)

K.Ragavendran  - SG (AIPRPA)

K.G.Jayaraj - Dy. (AIBDPA)

Debnath - Dy (AIPRPA)

Basawanand - Dy (ITPF)

P.Lahiri - DY ( COCCGPAvWB)

Jagmohan Thakur - ASG AI Audit & Accounts

T.N.Venkatiswaran  - ASG - Kerala CGPA

Shobana - ASG AIPRPA

Radhakrishna - ASG - AI Audit & Accounts

Ishwar Singh Dabas - ASG - AIPRPA

S.Mohandas - ASG - AIBDPA

P.Krishnamurthy - ASG Telangana APRPA 

M.R.Das - ASG AIBDPA               

G.Kumar - TRR - (AIPRPA)

Sadan Banerjee - ATR (COCCGPA WB) 

B.P.Ganak - OGS ( AIPRPA)

S.C.Pandey - OGs (AI Audit @ Accounts)

Somaiah - OGS (Telangana APRPA)

Nageswararao - OGS (AIPRPA)

M.Suresh Bank - OGS (AKBRF))

Manisha Biswas - OGS ( AIBDPA)

S.C.Bhattacharya - OGS (AIBDPA)

Auditor: R.Natarajan Puduvai Pen Assn

34 Total 

Exofficio in Executive:

1) Shok Haran Singh - AI PNBP/RA

2) Ashok Salunghe - ITPF

3) Chandràsekara Rao - Vizag CG Employees Pensioners

4) Rajasekhara Reddy - Defense Officers Pen Assn 

5) Kalooram Jingar - Chittidgarh CGPA

6) A.Murugesan - DRPU

7) M.V.Naik -Nagpur Central State Pen Assn

8) Radhakrishnan K - Puducherry Pen Assn

9) Suryaprakash - Coffee Board & Autonomous/Statutory Board

10) U.V.Singh - Ground Water Board Pen Assn

11) Krishnagopal - Udaipur CGPA

12) M.V.Naik Nagpur Central & State Pen Assn

13) Nikilesh Mitra - Federation of CGPA WB

14) B.M.Sunda - Jaipur CGPA

15) Ratlam CGPA GS

16) Amravati CGPA GS

17) Nainital CGPA GS

18) Rohtak CGPA GS

19) CLTRIPA GS

Affiliation approved in AIC:

1) Atomic Energy Pensioners

2) AIRRF

The AIC is completed with the vote of thanks and National Anthem.

- KR SG NCCPA-

NCCPA AIC will meet in Chennai as planned!

 All Roads to Chennai Tamil Nadu for AIC of NCCPA!

The AIC of NCCPA will be in two days session on 13-14 December 2023 at Chennai. All Preparations for stay of the delegates, Office Bearers, and Leaders and to comfortably attend the AIC has been done by the Reception Committee.

The Reception Committee has taken all pains despite the prevailing conditions in Chennai due to the unprecedented rains. The area where our AIC is being held and the area (Rooms) of stay by the Delegates are already clear. This information is a big relief to all of us. All Delegates are requested to come without any concern as we will take care of their problems and Chennai City is already getting normal life from the rains!

Reception Committee has made all arrangements to meet the Delegates and Office Bearers of NCCPA from Chennai Central Railway Station; Chennai Perambur Railway Station; Chennai Egmore Railway Station; and from Chennai Air Port. Volunteers will be with the flag of NCCPA at all the above places. Comrades are guided to go to the main entrance and meet the Reception Committee (Chennai Central at the entrance of PF Number 11).

All Roads are leading to Chennai. The AIC of NCCPA will be an event of historical importance. There will be speeches from Shiva Gopal Mishra (President NCCPA); Honourable Mayor of Greater Chennai; Su.Venkatesan Honourable M.P; Dr.Srinivasa Raghaven IPoS; Swadesh Deb Roye WFTU Deputy GS; C.Srikumar WFTU Deputy GS; VAN Namboodiri Patron NCCPA; N.L.Sridharan GS of AISGPF; K.G.Jayaraj Executive Committee Member of TUI(P&R); Janardan Mazumdar SG NFPE; Dr.S.Sridhar President AIRRF; Gundanna AGS BSNLEU and others that we cannot miss.

The Conference will analyse various demands of Pensioners. Resolutions will be adopted on different issues. Struggle path will be decided to win the demands of Pensioners. NCCPA AIC is definitely an important event.

All Delegates - Office Bearers - Chief Executives of Affiliates - Leaders are welcome! - KR SG NCCPA

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1st Anniversary of Comrade KKN!

 

Comrade KKN Kutty 1^st Anniversary!

08.12.2023!

Photo taken while our voyage to Bokota 

It was on this day last year that we have lost our leader Comrade KKN Kutty. Started his trade union career in Chennai Income Tax Office and associated in the activities of Confederation Tamil Nadu in the beginning had rose to the apex level and started leading the entirety of Central Government Employees and later the Pensioners movement in the country. I was in a way close to him for the past 40 years and during the period of my tenures as the Secretary of NFPE and later the Secretary General of NFPE, I had the opportunity to move with him very closely. He was Secretary to Confederation and Comrade S.K.Vyas was the Secretary General of Confederation at that time. Slowly due to his work over the years he was an established leader and became the Secretary General of Confederation and Comrade Vyas as the Chairman of the Confederation.  Associated with the JCM National Council and the Standing Committee as the leader of Income Tax employees and moved with NCCPA President Comrade Shiva Gopal Mishra (Staff Side Secretary) and used to associate in all issues of all Departments and contributed with Comrade Vyas in making the Pay Commission Memorandum also and submit it for Staff Side to improve it.

His association with international working class movement was also spectacular, He attended all meetings of WFTU and TUI(Public Services) as well as later with the TUI(P&R) at Kathamandu (Nepal) and Bokota (Columbia). I had the opportunity to go to Brazil (South Americal) to the meeting of TUI(Public Services) along with him and attended with him both Kathmandu 1^st Regional Conference of TUI(P&R) and Bokota Pensioners World Conferences where Comrade KKN Kuttu played his major role.

He used to be very friendly and sharp to all the problems of all CG Departments and Pensioners. He was Socialistic in life and toiled with class-consciousness for the class. We have lost a invaluable leader of our movement. The Photo above depicts his photo along with me taken during our voyage to Bokota World Congress of Pensioners and Retirees. It is not at all possible to bridge the vacuum caused by his absence. Let us pledge to follow his foot steps and work for the emancipation of our class. – KR SG NCCPA

NCCPA AIC on December 13-14 at Chennai

 NCCPA AIC

NCCPA AIC is on December 13-14. Delegates start arriving on 12th onwards. Some comrades are enquiring about the condition in Chennai because of rains and water. Comrades, two things. Already Chennai is improving and within today or tomorrow normalcy is expected. Secondly, the area of our AIC and Delegates stay are already normal. Areas around Chennai Central or Egmore Stations, where the AIC is going to take place and delegates are to stay, are without any problem. Moreover, things will improve within 48 hours in whole of Chennai. The Airport also normal from today for landing and take off. So, the AIC will be on time and all Delegates are welcome!

Come to Chennai without any worry! Reception Committee will be ready to receive you in Rly Stations or Airport - KR SG NCCPA 

Observe the call of WFTU!

 

Call for International Action on November 29 – International Day of Solidarity with the

Palestinian People

23 Nov 2023

 

The 29^th of November is observed by the United Nations as the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People.

The WFTU considers the 29^th of November 2023 as a day on which the class-oriented trade union movement will culminate its actions of solidarity, showing practically to the suffering Palestinian people that they are not alone in their struggle for freedom and dignity, against the genocide.

The ongoing bloodshed has been going on and escalating since the 7^th of October and has already resulted in thousands of people losing their lives and many more injured, makes the need to intense our actions of solidarity with the struggling Palestinian people, more urgent than ever before.

Τhe massacre in Palestine, the brutal and unacceptable bombing of the hospitals, the killing of a child every 10 minutes, are crimes which are committed with the provocative tolerance and support that Israel receives from the USA, the European Union and the rest of their allies.

The root cause of this situation is the occupation and illegal settlement of the occupied Palestinian territories by Israel and the continuous, daily crimes and the blockades of Gaza that have been committed against the Palestinian people for decades.

The consistent and principled support and solidarity to the heroic Palestinian people had always been a priority for the international class-oriented trade union movement. It is clear that the only way to secure and consolidate peace and security for the people in Palestine and Israel, but also in the wider Middle East, is to immediately end the Israeli occupation and settlement in the occupied Arab territories, as provided for in the UN resolutions, and to establish an independent Palestinian state on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital and guarantee the right of return of Palestinian refugees. At the same time, it is also clear as the imperialist aggression intensifies, our solidarity must intensify too!

While Palestinians in Gaza live without food, water and electricity for almost two months, while an unprecedented murderous attack is being carried out to flatten the Gaza Strip, the workers from every corner of the globe refuse to stay silent! The militant trade unions join their voices with the Palestinian people, condemn the imperialist hypocrisy, and demand an immediate ceasefire.

The WFTU calls on its affiliates and friends, class-oriented and militant trade unions around the world to organise mobilizations and demonstrations, both in the streets, but in the workplaces as well, with the poster of the campaign and Palestinian flags, under the slogan:

“The workers of the world stand with Palestine!”

The Secretariat

AIC of NCCPA

 NCCPA AIC AT CHENNAI

The invitation to the AIC of NCCPA to be held at Chennai from December 13-14, 2023 is as under. All are invited if you are a Delegate / Chief Executive or Office Bearer of NCCPA. Please verify with your General Secretary whether you are a Delegate!

 

1st Anniversary of Comrade KKN Kutty! Let us observe in all Places!

 

Comrade K.K.N.Kutty 1^st Anniversary!

It was on 08.12.2022 that our Secretary General KKN Kutty had passed away and we are completing one year since his demise on the coming 08.12.2023. Comrade KKN Kutty had been a versatile leader of both the Pensioners and Serving employees. He led the movement of entire CG Employees through Confederation of CG Employees & Workers in different capacities including its Secretary General. He led the movement of Income Tax employees movement for several years as the Secretary General of ITEF. He became our Secretary General in our Kolkata AIC after the demise of Comrade S.K.Vyas and continued it that capacity till he breathed his last on 8^th December, 2022. We are going to hold our 5^th AIC at Chennai just after his 1^st Anniversary and we will be greatly missing his presence and leading us. We have lost an invaluable leader of our movement in his demise.

Let us observe the 1^st Anniversary on 08.12.2023 in all places through our Affiliates of NCCPA jointly and remember the great sacrifices of Comrade KKN.Kutty. Kindly send the photos and reports of the observance of the 1^st Anniversary in your places - KR SG NCCPA

Observe National Pensioners Day on 17.12.2023 and Later - NCCPA CHQ Webinar on 18.12.2023 Evening!

 

National Pensioners Day!

This year National Pensioners Day to honour the memory of D.S.Nakara and to honour the milestone Judgment delivered on 17.12.1982 by the Supreme Court is to be celebrated by all. All Affiliates are requested to plan and implement the observation of Pensioners Day befittingly on 17.12.2023 and later.

However, the NCCPA CHQ is organizing the National Pensioners Day in virtual mode on 18.12.2023 at 4.00 P.M to 5.15 P.M under the presidentship of President Comrade Shiva Gopal Mishra.

There will be only two speakers who will be presenting key papers on “Historic Nakara Judgment and the NPS”. The two speakers are Comrade C.Sreekumar WFTU Deputy General Secretary and Comrade VAN.Namboodiri the NCCPA Patron.

All our delegates of Affiliates of NCCPA will generally returned to their respective headquarters after the completion of NCCPA AIC at Chennai on 13-14, December 2023. They should however organize that successful holding of the webinar on 18.12.2023 evening.

The LINK of ZOOM will be sent to all. Please, Chief Executives and Office Bearers and Members of the Affiliates of NCCPA are requested to log in and hear the spectacular speeches of our CHQ President and two scheduled speakers on the TITLE. – KR SG NCCPA

Comrade Basudev Acharya AMAR RAHE!

Comrade Basudev Amar Rahe! 

Comrade Basudev Acharya! We cannot forget you as you were always with us for taking up our cases in the Parliament during your long and committed career! How can we forget your fight in Loksabha against NPS even by demanding a secret ballot! When all parties spoke but voted with Government in the name of 'Coalition Dharma', you along with other left stood with us and opposed 'NPS'. You are not with us today due to your demise but you will always be guiding us in the right path of working class interests. Long live your fame! RIP - K.Ragavendran SG NCCPA

LOGO of 5th AIC NCCPA is Released today!

 NCCPA 5th AIC LOGO Released!

In a special meeting organized by the Reception Committee of NCCPA 5th AIC today at Flower Bazaar Exchange BSNLEU office, the LOGO of AIC was released by the SG NCCPA. The Reception Committee meeting was presided by comrade K.Govindaraj GS AIBDPA Chennai MTD and anchored by the Reception Committee GS comrade P.Mohan. comrade Mohan explained the details of arrangements so far made for the conduct of the AIC and accommodating delegates. He also explained the donations so far received from affiliates and the need to increase the quota determined for all affiliates. A vivid discussion to make the Conference a memorable one was followed and all Chief executives of State Associations including Comrades Rajasekar CS AIBDPA; Murugesan DRPU attending the meeting spoke on the occasion. 

The LOGO of the 5th AIC was then released and comrade KR SG NCCPA spoke on the importance of the NCCPA conference and our hosting in Chennai. All are requested to popularise the Logo of the 5th AIC - KR SG NCCPA

Media may support NPS now! But NPS is a dead issue!

 

AP State’s Guaranteed Pension Scheme

A Critical Look

K.Ragavendran

SG NCCPA

 

Andhra State Government had announced and followed it up with enactment of AP GPS Act 2023. The enactment as well as the earlier announcement have been given much hype by the Media and even suggestion was there that the Union Government may catch up with the thread and enact a similar GPS Act. No reference to ending the notorious NPS against which continuous demonstrations are going on in Delhi and throughout the nation and no support is forthcoming from any Media for bringing back the OPS. This article is an attempt to analyze the Andhra State Government’s GPS Act, 2003 and contrasting it with the CCS (Pension) Rules, 2021. The provisions of the Act were taken from the Andhra Teachers website.

 

AP GPS Bill adopted

 

Andhra State Government has adopted the AP GPS 2003 Bill on 27.09.2023 for the employees of Andhra. It was made clear that the subscriptions to the AP GPS Scheme shall not affect in any way the monthly contributions made to NPS Scheme by the employees and the employer. Therefore, our readers must be clear that the AP GPS Act in not to replace the notorious NPS but only as a additional scheme to NPS. The NPS Scheme in Andhra is called the CPS (Contributory Pension Scheme) that was implemented from 1.9.2004 in that state. This also means that the CPS will continue to operate in the State and the present AP GPS will superimpose itself on the existing NPS.

 

AP GPS will cover only NPS

 

The Andhra State GPS Act makes it very clear that the present scheme will cover those employees who were already covered by the CPS (Contributory Pension Scheme). More over it is also made clear that those CPS employees recruited on or after 1.9.2004 and those who opt to contribute or subscribe to AP GPS System are eligible to join the scheme. It is also mentioned that the existing NPS or CPS Pensioner should exercise option to subscriber AP GPS Scheme.

 

Annuity and Top-up Annuity

 

The APGPS System says that the retiring employees have to purchase annuity plan duly utilizing the “Accumulated Pension Corpus”. What is this ‘Accumulated Pension Corpus’? It is nothing but the amount in Pension Account under CPS (NPS)! The Guaranteed Pension assured by the scheme will consist of both the Annuity Component and if necessary the top-up Component. The Annuity Component is the monthly returns based on the investments made by utilizing the ‘Accumulated Pension Corpus' under CPS and will be added if necessary by the ‘Top-up Component’ by the State Government. But any part withdrawal or final withdrawal by a AP GPS Subscriber from the final accumulated corpus of CPS  shall result in proportional reduction in the Guaranteed Pension quantum. In addition it is made clear that the State Government can withhold or withdraw the top-up component or a part of top-up component also.

 

Benefits

 

50% of Last drawn basic pay at the time of retirement will be given as GPS Pension by a top-up amount by Andhra State Government in case of any short fall in the annuity received by the AP GPS Subscriber.

 

60% of the Pension will be given to the Spouse as Family Pension in the even of death of AP
GPS Pensioner under the same above conditions.

 

Dearness Relief will be paid over and above the basic pension.

 

Minimum Pension of 10,000/- is announced under the scheme by a top-up of annuity.

 

Health care scheme also will be provided under the scheme.

 

Eligibility

 

The AP GPS scheme is eligible to superannuating Pensioners with a minimum qualifying service of 10 years. The period is 20 years of qualifying service for VRS Pensioners. Any servant retired on public interest on any disciplinary action must have put in 33 years of qualifying service. Those who retire on medical invalidation should have a minimum of 10 years qualifying service.

The employees who resign or sent out by dismissal or removal or under compulsory retirement under Disciplinary Action are not eligible for drawing Guaranteed Pension.

 

Important minus points

 

1.     The Scheme is also a contributory scheme of Pension that we are stoutly opposing and more over the fact of the present scheme is that the existing NPS scheme shall also continue and only those who are in the existing NPS scheme can exercise option to join the AP GPS Scheme. This is unlike the State Governments of Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Himachal etc., which have declared reversion of NPS to OPS.

2.     The Guaranteed Pension quantum is in addition to the NPS quantum through the Annuity earned by investments of the sum left with Service Providers. The subscription quantum (though not prescribed) will increase by way of subscriptions to the new AP GPS Scheme also in addition to the existing NPS. Thus, the employees are not rescued from the wage cut but continued and more percentage of wage cut is imposed.

3.     Under the CCS Pension Rules 2021, the ompulsorily retired are getting the pension as per their LPD (according to percentage cut imposed by the Disciplinary Authority) but the AP GPS scheme stipulates that the compulsorily retired under Disciplinary Action are not at all eligible for the Guaranteed Pension.

4.     The CG Pensioners under CCS Pension Rules 2021 have provisions for grant of Provisional Pension etc if the disciplinary case against the employees continue after retirement. But the AP GPS Scheme states clearly that the retirees against whom any Disciplinary or Judicial Proceedings are pending at the time of retirement, will not be given any Guaranteed Pension until such proceedings are completed.

5.     The CCS Pension Rules 2021 Pensioners will get their pension periodically updated whenever any Pay Commissions are in place along with the CG Employees. There is no mention of periodic updation to AP GPS Pensioners.

 

Conclusion:

 

Andhra State Government instead of playing with jargons should come out openly and implement its poll promise of ending NPS in the State. The boldness with which the States like Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Himachal, Punjab and Delhi adopted a line to end the NPS and embrace OPS should be followed by Andhra also. The West Bengal State right from beginning followed the foot steps of the earlier LF Government. The State Government of Karnataka has made a poll promise to end NPS. The Media reports show that the Union Government is trying only a face lift to the existing NPS on the lines of Andhra State. But the NPS is a dead issue in the present context and becoming an election based political issue in India. We shall not rest until the NPS and all forms of it are ended squarely and CCS Pension Rules 2021 is extended to all Central, State Government Employees including the Teachers and also to all Central and State Public Sector Workers. Is it not time to declare that we support only those political parties which openly support ending the NPS if voted to power at Centre!?