New Year Greetings to All!

 HAPPY NEW YEAR 2021!

NEWS LETTER DECEMBER ISSUE RELEASED!

 NEWS LETTER WEB COPY!

NCCPA releases its journal 'News Letter' for December 2020. The web copy is sent by email to all the NCCPA Executive Committee Members. They are requested to circulate widely amongst the subscribers of their organization by email as the difficulties continue in transportation due to corona. 

- KKN.Kutty Secretary General NCCPA

REQUEST IMMEDIATE RESPONSE!

BUDGET SESSION COMING 

LET US    PLACE OUR DEMANDS!                                                 

Dear Comrades,  As you are aware they Government has commenced consultation with great people for the preparation of the Budget.  Pensioners Associations are not normally consulted.  However, that does not debar us from writing letters.  

We propose the following: 

(i) Raising the ceiling limit for senior citizen; 

(ii) Give deduction for the expenses incurred for medicine and hospital treatment, of course on production of the concerned bills; a special deduction on interest income in the light of the fact that the Government has reduced the interest on fixed deposits. 

(iii) We also feel that the Government must introduce a special insurance scheme for senior citizens against accidents, hospitalization, illness etc. as the established companies do not provide it and even if they provide they charge exorbitantly for premium.  

If you have any suggestion in this regard, kindly intimate us immediately before the final letter goes.  

With greetings. yours fraternally,  KKN . Kutty, Secretary General, NCCPA

NCCPA MESSAGE ON PENSIONERS DAY

 

NATIONAL COORDINATION COMMITTEE

OF PENSIONERS ASSOCIATIONS.

13-C Feroze Shah Road,

New Delhi.110 001

Website: www.nccpahq.blogspot.com

Email. nccpahq@gmail.com

 

Dated: 14/12/2020

President: Com. Shiv Gopal Misra,           9717647594

Secretary General: Com. K.K.N. Kutty      9811048303

 

Dear Comrades,

 

OBSERVE 17th  DECEMBER AS INDIAN PENSIONERS DAY.

 

The historic Judgement in D.S. Nakara and others was delivered on 17^th December, 1982.   The judgement coming from the highest court of the land, which considered pension as an inalienable right of the wage earner became a landmark not only in our country but also the world over.  The impact and implication of the judgement was so significant that it rejuvenated the pensioners movement in India and transformed it into fighting organisations.  Pensioners as a community got the self-respect as the society and the Government characterizing pension as a gratis had reduced them to the status of parasites. The very requirement of financial security in the evening of one’s life came to the fore after the spectacular observation of the learned Judges that the pension was indeed a deferred wage.   The struggles that got impetus thereafter brought the parity question to the centre stage of deliberations and the cementing factor for building united movement of pensioners.  The united campaigns, petitions, struggles, agitational programmes, made the successive Pay Commissions to address the parity question with the consideration it deserved.  The victory over that issue, as every success in life, provided the requisite confidence to march ahead.  Observing or commemorating that day Is the most apt and appropriate action, the pensioners organisations must do. NCCPA thus requests all its affiliates, State Committees and the Branch formations to observe the day in a befitting manner that demands the occasion to the best of their ability.

 

In our very considered opinion, we must also dedicate this day to express our solidarity and support with the fighting farmers of the country.   We salute their determination, courage and unflinching faith in the organisation and organised peaceful resistance against the authoritarian attitude from whichever corner it emanates.  We must also take lesson from the way they have gone about projecting their issues despite all odds and repressive measures and the insurmountable difficulties created by using brutal police power.  Let us remember the sad fact that when the most important service benefit of the civil servants, the statutory pension, was taken away, our resistance did not unfortunately reach the pinnacle and could not compel the rulers to retrace.  One day and it must not be far away, we must emulate the farming community to ensure that every Indian on reaching the age of sixty will become entitled for pension.  This promise will make the observance of 17^th December, 2020 different from the previous occasions and should provide us the impetus to work hard to achieve that objective.  We once again salute the farmer brothers.

 

K.K.N. KUTTY

SECRETARY GENERAL

 

 

PRESS STATEMENT SUPPORTING STRIKE ON 26th

 

NATIONAL COORDINATION COMMITTEE

OF PENSIONERS ASSOCIATIONS.

13-C Feroze Shah Road,

New Delhi.110 001

Website: www.nccpahq.blogspot.com

Email. nccpahq@gmail.com

 

Dated: 23/11//2020

President: Com. Shiv Gopal Misra,           9717647594

Secretary General: Com. K.K.N. Kutty      9811048303

 

PRESS STATEENT

 

The NCCPA, the apex level organisation of all Pensioners Associations and Federations in the country, conveys their fraternal greetings to the working class including the agricultural workers and Kisans who will be making the one-day general strike on 26.11.2020 a grand historic action.  This strike action despite the serious pandemic situation of corona COVID-19 in the country is expected to elicit the participation of crores of Indian workers, surpassing the earlier record.    The very fact that the strike primarily centres around the demand for the reversal of the ongoing neo liberal economic policies makes it dear to the millions of Indian people, who love this country, who want a self- reliant India to come about.   Every segment of the Indian working class has been targeted by the present Government, the last and fierce being the new labour code.   The method adopted by this Government to get the seal of approval of Rajya Sabha for the new enactment, which takes away the rights, privileges and benefits enjoyed by the workers conferred upon them by the very same Parliament is indicative of the despotic tenor of the governance of the present ruling dispensation.    

 

The 2019 electoral verdict obtained employing the hate agenda and divisive policies is effectively being used to ensure that crony capitalism is the cardinal principle of governance.  Emboldened by that verdict, the Government has been taking various steps which are totally anti labour in content and character.  The Kisans who are supposed to be the backbone of Indian economy has also been attacked leaving with no alternative for them except to tread the path of struggle.  NCCPA notes with great happiness that many Kisan organisations as also the Agricultural workers Union has lent support to this historic struggle and are participating in this historic action.  The coming together of the Kisaans and workers, NCCPA, notes with great satisfaction is bound to be a great harbinger to bring about a real and lasting change in the society.

  

The pensioner community, especially those retired from the Central Government service received the most unanticipated shock when the Government decided to deny the dearness relief to them for 18 months from Ist January, 2020 to 1^s July, 2021.  The dearness compensation which was meant to arrest the erosion of the real value of pension has thus been stopped.  Read with the notification recently issued in respect of changing the basket of commodities in the computation of the consumer price index and switching over the base year from 2001 to 2016 one genuinely apprehends whether the DR system will remain or not in future.  The present ruling class had always been opposed to the cost indexed wage system and once the same is denied to the workers, undoubtedly the pensioners will have to follow.  This apart, the reduction of rate of interest   effected on term deposits by the Government has considerably reduced the income of the Pensioners as most of them had chosen to invest their savings and retirement wealth in bank deposits.     The pandemic has made them immobile and the Government has made them virtual prisoners in their own homes. They are unable to make the both ends meet with considerable reduction in their income and the Government has chosen to impose additional burden by denying them the dearness compensation, which they are otherwise entitled.  No special consideration has been given to them   either in terms of finance or in terms of priority in case of hospital treatment.

 

Recently the Central Government has issued an order covering all the employees of Public Sector Enterprises also that their DA will be frozen from 01.10.2020 to 30.06.2021. This is another serious attack. The Government was reluctant initially to extend the benefit of revised pension to the pensioners of autonomous bodies.  Many financial benefits that were provided to them on par with the Central Government employees have been stopped on one pretext or the other.   The revision of pension in the case of BSNL pensioners has been made to pend since 2017.  The pensioners of the BSNL are denied the medical reimbursement, which was in vogue as part of agreement.  The revision of pension entitlement of Bank employees especially those retired from the Punjab National Bank has not taken place for years despite the fact that the Bank holds huge reserves as pension fund.  In the name of amalgamation of banks, these pensioners are denied their legitimate rights. 

 

The large majority of the Central Government pensioners are denied medical facilities who stay in non-CGHS towns and villages.  Those who are affected by the deadly disease of COVID-19 are to incur heavy financial burden, which is not reimbursed by the Government.  Almost all private hospitals without exception charges exorbitantly for treatment of COVID-19 patients.

 

The facility to Senior Citizens granted by the Indian Railways wherein their train fare was reduced by 40% and 50% respectively to gents and ladies had been cancelled in the name of discouraging travel by senior citizens. This is atrocious. Despite many representations from various quarters, the Central Government has not come forward to restore the facility.

 

The NCCPA has already called upon its affiliates and members to organise dharna/demonstration on 25^th to express solidarity and support to the working class in the country.  NCCPA fervently feels that the 26^th November, 2020 strike will bring to the centre stage of discourse the real issues.  NCCPA salutes the workers in the country for the strenuous efforts undertaken by them to make the 26^th November, 2020 a grand success.  NCCPA expresses its solidarity with them unequivocally and expects the future course of action to be more intense, more united and more militant.

 

 

K.K.N. KUTTY

SECRETARY GENERAL.

 

 

 

 

Secretariat Resolves to extend Solidarity to Working Class Strike on 26.11.2020

 DECISIONS OF NCCPA SECRETARIAT MEETING HELD ON 02.11.2020

 

NATIONAL COORDINATION COMMITTEE

OF PENSIONERS ASSOCIATIONS.

13-C Feroze Shah Road,

New Delhi.110 001

Website: www.nccpahq.blogspot.com

Email. nccpahq@gmail.com

 

 

Dated: 03/11/2020

President: Com. Shiv Gopal Mishra,           9717647594

Secretary General:Com. K.K.N. Kutty       9811048303

Dear comrades,

The National Sectt. of the NCCPA met on 2nd November, 2020 through video network at 3.00PM.  The meeting was presided over by the National President, Com. Shiv Gopal Mishra. The meeting was convened to discuss the following agenda:

1.       Support and solidarity action for the one-day general strike call of the Working class;

2.       Any other issue of importance with the permission of the President.

The members who participated in the discussions were unanimous of the opinion that the NCCPA must support the strike action as the anti-worker policy of the Government was responsible for the decision to deny the dearness relief to pensioners for 18 months and the recent one to change the base year for the computation of the Consumer price index.  The meeting noted with concern that there had been no consultation with the trade unions or the employees representatives, when the government takes decision concerning the service matters of the workers.  The meeting also inter alia took note of the serious and unabated spread of corona virus covid 19 in the country and the difficulties to be encountered by the senior citizens.  The consequent decision of the Government to restrict mobility especially of senior citizens have made them to be virtually under house arrest.  Despite the intense desire to be a participant in the struggles, the meeting noted that the imposed restrictions and the non- availability of public transport in certain areas will constrict them from participating in assembly of people.  The genuine apprehension of being a victim of the deadly pandemic was also expressed at the meeting.  Taking all those into account, the meeting decided to call upon its affiliate and state units:

(a)    To organise sit in dharna or demonstration programme on 25.11.2020 with as many number of comrades as could be mobilised in all important urban agglomerations and State capitals and at the end of the programme send the following message to  Ms. Nrmala Seetaraman, Finance Minister, Government of India, North Block, New Delhi through e mail.  Her e mail address is given hereunder:-

 EMail ID: fmo@nic.in                    

Text of the message:

Dear Madam,We support the one-day general strike of the working class in the country and request you to settle the issues they had projected.       

We also request you to kindly concede the following important demands of the pensioners urgently;

(a)    Release the Dearness Relief impounded;

(b)    Implement Option No. 1 of pension fitment formula as third option.

(c)    Reimburse the medical expenses of all pensioners and clear the pending medical bills of   BSNL pensioners;

(d)    Implement the Pension Revision from 01.01.2017 to BSNL Pensioners;

(e)    Revise the pension of PNB Pensioners without further delay;

(f)     Restore the rail travel facilities to senior citizens.

(g)    Sanction Festival Grant of 20,000/- to Pensioners/Family Pensioners.

Those who could not attend the dharna / demonstration programme due to difficulty of travel etc, may send the above message by email to the finance minister on 25th November.

(b)     Ensure that the wall posters, play card etc. are exhibited at the dharma venue depicting that NCCPA support for the one-day general strike on 26th November, 2020

(c)     It was also decided that the NCCPA CHQ will issue a press Statement in support of the strike.  The same will be placed on our website as also conveyed to all affiliates and State Committees through NCCPA WhatsApp Group.

 The demand for festival grant or advance was raised and the President was requested to take up the issue with the Finance Secretary.  Com. President said that the workers have not appreciated the conditions imposed by the Government for the festival advance.  Demanding the advance will amount to acceptance of the same conditions, which would make it worthless. However, he agreed to take up the issue of festival grant for the pensioners as a special case in view of the pandemic. 

Com. V.A. N. Namboodiri, who had to leave the meeting halfway due to technical problems, wanted the NCCPA to ask the Railways to rescind their decision to withdraw the Senior Citizen Facilities.  The NCCPA will forward a resolution in the matter to the Railway Board Chairman. 

The copy of the Press Statement and the resolution demanding restoration of the senior citizen facilities will be sent to you separately.

              With greetings,

             Yours fraternally, 

                    Sd/- 

                K.K.N Kutty

          Secretary General.

 

NCCPA extends Solidarity to 26th November Strike by Working Class!

NATIONAL COORDINATION COMMITTEE OF     PENSIONERS ASSOCIATIONS 

13-C Feroze Shah Road, New Delhi.110 001 

Website: www.nccpahq.blogspot.com 

Email. nccpahq@gmail.com 

 Dated: 03/11/2020 

President: Com. Shiv Gopal Misra, 9717647594 

Secretary General:Com. K.K.N. Kutty 9811048303 

Dear comrades, 

 

The National Sectt. of the NCCPA met on 2nd November, 2020 through video network at 3.00PM. The meeting was presided over by the National President, Com. Shiv Gopa Misra,. 

The meeting was convened to discuss the following agenda: 

  1. Support and solidarity action for the one day general strike call of the Working class; 

 2. Any other issue of importance with the permission of the President. 

 1. The members who participated in the discussions were unanimous of the opinion that the NCCPA must support the strike action as the anti-worker policy of the Government was resonsibile for the decision to deny the dearness relief to pensioners for 18 months and the recent one to change the base year for the computation of the Consumer price index. The meeting noted with concern that there had been no consultation with the trade unions or the employees representatives, when the government takes decision concerning the service matters of the workers. The meeting also inter alia took note of the serious and unabated spread of corona virus covid 19 in the country and the difficulties to be encountered by the senior citizens. 

 The consequent decision of the Government to restrict mobility especially of senior citizens have made them to be virtually under house arrest. Despite the intense desire to be a participant in the struggles, the meeting noted that the imposed restrictions and the non- availability of public transport in certain areas will constrict them from participating in assembly of people. The genuine apprehension of being a victim of the deadly pandemic was also expressed at the meeting. Taking all those into account, the meeting decided to call upon its affiliate and state units: 

(a) To organise sit in dharna or demonstration programme on 25.11.2020 with as many number of comrades as could be mobilised in all important urban agglomerations and State capitals and at the end of the programme send the following message to Ms. Nirmala Seetharaman, Finance Minister, Government of India, North Block, New Delhi through e mail. 

 Her e mail address is given hereunder:- fmo@nic.in 

 Text of the message: 

Dear Madam, We support the one day general strike of the working class in the country and request you to settle the issues they had projected. We also request you to kindly concede the following important demands of the pensioners urgently; 

(a) Release the Dearness Relief impounded; 

(b) Implement Option No. 1 of pension fitment formula as third option. 

(c) Reimburse the medical expenses of all pensioners and clear the pending medical bills of BSNL pensioners 

(d)Implement the pension revision from 1.1.2017 to BSNL pensioners; 

(e) Revise the pension of PNB Pensioners without further delay; 

(f) Restore the rail travel facilities to senior citizens. 

(g) sanction festival grant of 20,000 to pensioners/family pensioners. 

* Those who could not attend the dharma / demonstration  programme due to difficulty of travel etc, may send the above message by e mail to the finance minister on 25th November 2020 

(b) Ensure that the wall posters, play card etc. are exhibited at the dharma venue depicting that NCCPA support for the one day general strike on 26th November, 2020 

(c) It was also decided that the NCCPA CHQ will issue a press Statement in support of the strike. The same will be placed on our website as also conveyed to all affiliates and State Committees through NCCPA WhatsApp Group. 

The demand for festival grant or advance was raised and the President was requested to take up the issue with the Finance Secretary. Com. President said that the workers have not appreciated the conditions imposed by the Government for the festival advance. Demanding the advance will amount to acceptance of the same conditions, which would make it worthless. However, he agreed to take up the issue of festival grant for the pensioners as a special case in view of the pandemic. 

Com. V.A. N. Namboodiri, who had to leave the meeting halfway due to technical problems wanted the NCCPA to ask the Railways to rescind their decision to withdraw the Senior Citizen Facilities. 

The NCCPA will forward a resolution in the matter to the Railway Board Chairman. 

The copy of the Press Statement and the resolution demanding restoration of the senior citizen facilities will be sent to you separately. 

With greetings, 

 Yours fraternally, 

Sd/-

 K.K.N Kutty 

Secretary General.

NEWS LETTER JOURNAL WEB COPY

NCCPA :NEWS LETTER: WEB COPY

 NCCPA's News Letter Magazine for the month of October-November is placed in the Google Document (Kindly copy the Link Below and paste it in your address bar to see the journal) for the benefit of all subscribers as the physical copy may not reach them due to transportation problems. The web version is placed here and all Executive Members of NCCPA are requested to send the same to their members as widely as possible in the social media platforms and emails - KKN Kutty SG NCCPA.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1CjeQTm7vwHbC2cIrPm9oaGQfI_ud4QwG/view?usp=sharing

Festival Grant or Advance to Pensioners and Family Pensioners

 NCCPA Secretary General Writes to Hon'ble Finance Minister seeking Festival Grant or Advance to Pensioners and Family Pensioners!

NATIONAL COORDINATION COMMITTEE

OF PENSIONERS ASSOCIATIONS.

13-C Feroze Shah Road,

New Delhi.110 001

Website: www.nccpahq.blogspot.com

Email. nccpahq@gmail.com

 

Dated: 24/10/2020

To

 

Ms.Nirmala Seetharaman

Hon’ble Finance Minister,

Govt. of India, North Block,

New Delho. 110 001.

 

Dear Madam,

                                         Sub: Request for festival grant or advance.

 

As you are aware the Pandemic Covid 19 is spreading  unabated, contrary to our expectation.  Since both the preventive and curative remedies are yet to be in operation, the situation is likely to get worsened in the days to come.  The number of people already affected and the number of persons died in our country due to the disease are alarming.  Most of the deaths are reported to be of persons beyond the age of 60.

 

Life is made more difficult for the Pensioners and Family Pensioners as their physical movement is restricted and that financially they are suffering more than many others. In this situation, we have seen a welcome move that the Government of India has relaxed the condition as a one-time measure and granted Festival Advance to the Government Employees. Even though it is a recoverable advance, the liquid cash at the hands of employees is no doubt will be of enormous assistance to them.

 

The Pensioners and Family Pensioners, are placed in a very difficult situation due to the denial of the dearness relief which is to continue up-to 1st July, 2021.  The financial burden has increased due to the inflation and phenomenal price rise on essential food items. Considering the dire situation in which the pensioner community is placed,  we request that the Central Government may consider a one-time grant of  Rs.20,000/- to all Pensioners and Family Pensioners. If the Government finds it difficult to bear this additional financial burden, we request the Government might consider taking into account the fact that the coming months are festival months in our country and grant of one-time recoverable advance of Rs.20,000/- to Pensioners and Rs.10,000/- to Family Pensioners through the Banks or POSB, where they receive the Pension and Family Pension. The Banks and POSBs may be asked to recover the amount in 10 monthly instalments.   This Advance should be in addition to any loans the Pensioners and Family Pensioners received from Banks in the past. The Pensioners and Family Pensioners will feel much relieved at this time of financial and mental stress.

 

The Government may consider our proposals quickly and render invaluable relief to the community of Pensioners and Family Pensioners.

Thanking you,
Yours faithfully,

Sd/-
(K.K.N.Kutty)
Secretary General

JCM Staff Side writes for gratuity and leave salary to newly retiring employees!

Computation of leave salary and gratuity to retiring employees on or after 1.1.2020 in the background of DA/DR freeze!

The important communication from comrade Shiv Gopal Mishra JCM Staff Side Secretary on computation of gratuity and leave salary to employees retiring on or after 1.1.2020 is placed below - KKN Kutty SG NCCPA

WEBINAR ON WORLD ELDERS DAY

 

SECRETRY GENERAL's SPEECH IN THE WEBINAR ORGANIZED BY KARNATAKA COC OF PENSIONERS ASSOCIATIONS

Published is the text of the speech delivered by Com. K.K.N. Kutty, Secretary General, NCCPA at the webinar  organised by the co-ordination committee of Pensioners Associations, Karnataka, Bangalore on 1^st October, 2020 to observe and commemorate the International day for elders.

 

COM. PRESIDENT, MY DEARY COLLEAGUES, COMRADES AND FRIENDS.

 

It gives me great happiness in associating myself with this gathering on this international Elders day. International days are occasions to educate people on issues of concern, to mobilise political will and resources to address global problems.  We are observing  this day in the midst of a global catastrophe, the covid 19 pandemic that threatens our very existence .

 

This year the theme of the day itself centres around this issue.  Healthy ageing.  Aged population has certain peculiar problems.  It did not have a social dimension a few decades back.   The earlier social set up in our country has undergone changes.  So is the problems concerning the ageing.   Looking after the aged people had not been considered as the responsibility of the society in those days.    The children considered it as the sacred duty to look after them and attend to their every need.

 

Globalisation did not only make changes in the way economic activities are organised in  a country, though that is the major thrust,  but has also impacted the social life.  Many old social ethos, customs and conventions have undergone vast changes.  And today few think  that it is their responsibility to take care of old people, despite cacophony of the ancient culture and civilisation of our country.

 

As you all know it was in 1982 the world attention was drawn to the problems connected with ageing.   International recognition and response came after about a decade in 1990.   The United Nation’s General Assembly adopted a resolution  to observe Ist October as the international  day for elders, when the member countries will evaluate what they have done to the elder community and chalk out what they must further  do  in the coming years

 

NCCPA is affiliated with TUI (Trade Union International Pensioners and Retirees) a unit of the World Federation of Trade Unions.  To the best of my knowledge, NCCPA and two of its affiliates are those from India associated with the world movement. TUI (P&R) was founded in 2014 and ever since then, it has been observing this day  every year with larger and larger participation of its members.  This year the observance has a little more importance in as much as 2020 happens to be the 75^th year of the UN existence and the 30^th year of the passing of the said resolution.   The milestones are important as the efforts put in during this period has yielded impressive gains to the aged population of the world.  This is also the year of nurses and midwife and the decade 2020-30 is declared as decade of healthy ageing. Incidentally It also happens to be the 75^th year of the World Federation of Trade Unions.  The WFTU was founded 75 years back, i.e. on 3^rd October, 1945 in Paris, France.  Its objective was and continues to be to create a world sans exploitation and unite the working class to achieve that objective.

 

The international study has estimated that by 2050 the word will have 1.5 billion old people most of them living in low or middle income Nations. Good number of them will be inhabitants of East and South East Asia.   By the end of 2020, the number of aged people in the world is expected to be more than the number of children below the age of 5.  These figures indicate the serious situation that might come about in the years to come.

 

The attitude of many of the Governments in the world towards the aged persons, especially after the globalisation scheme got accelerated in third world countries, is extremely unhelpful despite they being party to the UN resolution.   Any expenditure from the exchequer on aged people are considered as wasteful and to be curtailed.  It is reported in the media that in many countries the corona affected aged people are not treated at all. Or they are given the least importance.

 

Prior to the collapse of the Soviet Union as a socialist country, and before the advent of the globalisation process, even the capitalist countries had a good number of welfare measures targeting the weaker segment of the society including the old people. Though It was conceived as a cushion to absorb the nagging resentment over the exploitative methods of the capitalist development, it had its advantage to the society.  Subsidies, freee health care, food and shelter camps, unemployment allowance, concessional public transport,a fair taxation system, market protection,  Protectionof home industry,  restriction over the extent of ownership of land, etc.. Most of the countries had an affordable or free social security system by virtue of which the old and the aged, the retired and the pensioners benefitted immensely. 

 

The collapse of the soviet socialist system had its impact in as much as the capitalist world began to consider these welfare measures as a drain over the resources of the Government.  Intense propaganda was unleashed to the effect that the socialism is an impractical and utopian theory and must be destroyed as quickly as possible.  The ascendancy of the left ideals seen in the freedom struggles of the many Asian and African Nations in the early part of the 20^thCentury started sliding down.  The imperialist and despotic nations thrived.  The world became almost unipolar.  When the world was under the hegemonic dispensation of the two super powers, India took the initiative to have a non aligned block.  India became the first to desert it after it adopted the new economic policies. Indian ruling class began to tilt and with an apology of there being no alternative sided with the west initially tacitly and later unashamedly openly.   The globalisation manta, the virtues of an integrated economy, the abject surrender at WTO the selling away of public sector undertakings, withdrawal of Government from all welfare activities; diverting funds to projects that help the corporates to thrive and maximise profit; unbridled corruption were some of the features, we saw in the two decades that followed the grand declaration of Globalisation, Liberalisation and Privatisation in 1991.  When we meet today, in the aftermath of the of the about turn of the economic policies of free India, we  see our rulers standing in the shade of imperialist powers losing all self- respect of a sovereign country, the emergence of which millions sacrificed their life. 

 

I know many of our friends who are participating in this webinar belong to India of those yester-years.   We dreamt a free and egalitarian Indiabound together with the bond of friendship, bereft of poverty, bereft of communal or religious segregation.  We have tirelessly worked for such a prosperous and peaceful India.  We suffered deprivation to enable the Government to look after the unfortunate and poor countrymen.  Today we sit here apprehending whether the pension we had earned deferring our wages would be available tomorrow.  We are aware that those who were recruited in our time, who worked with us may not get the pension for there is no guarantee of return for their contributions to the pension fund.

 

The denial of Dearness relief is just the harbinger of the things that are likely to emerge in the days to come.  Millions of workers who toil in the field, in the construction sites, in projects in remote places do not have any social security.  Can you imagine what type of old day life is waiting for them. The very resolution passed by the UN general assembly to have a healthy ageing talks about the dire need for such a pension. The Government and the society which consider the pension as a wasteful expenditure , to have a social security scheme a drain on the Nation’s economy seldom remembers that the infrastructure facilities the present generation enjoys had been the product of the labour of those people whom they want to deny the security at their old age. This is what we are to remember and remind the society while observing the international day for the elders.

 

It is often said that there is no ageing if you are concerned, convinced and determined.  We can fight the injustice rather we must.  Our erstwhile leaders who dreamt of a free India, wanted our polity to be a democratic republic, they wanted the citizens to abide by the law; they wanted no injustice is perpetrated; they wanted every child who is born in India should feel proud that he or she is born in this great country; Look around today; degeneration of politics and politicians is understandable.  But what about the great institution called the judiciary.  The needle of suspicion over its impartibility, its ability to be just and reasonable has been pointed. The moment the people lose confidence in this institution, anarchy will follow. 

 

Last year we observed the international day for elders in an entirely different atmosphere.  Had I been an invitee to that gathering we would have shared our bond of friendship through our palms.  Corona pandemic has changed everything so drastically. The pandemic is spreading in our country without any leaps and bounds   Many States have no public health care system or machinery to combat this dangerous situation.  Wherever existed, it has been stretched beyond its capability. In the post independent era, systematic efforts were made to improve the public health care.  Primary and secondary level institutions were built    Super-speciality and research centres came up thereafter.   In the post 1991 days, we have systematically dismantled it paving way for the private entrepreneurs to enter into this sensitive area.  They built luxurious hospitals.  They could successfully convert the human misery into a lucrative business.  Together the health insurance companies came They also made huge profit out of anxiety and agony of the people. They now charge exorbitantly for covid treatment without any guarantee of recovery whatsoever.  The Government have forgotten that there had been a social obligation clause when they allotted the prime land in urban agglomerations to the private entrepreneurs.  Many of them have enjoyed the tax rebates and concessions.

 

The Central Government health Scheme was the product of hard negotiations.  Though it covered only a few cities, initially it was considered a very good venture.  The post 1991 policies saw it dismantled.  It was financially squeezed.  Its expansion was arrested on the plea that the Pay Commission has suggested an Insurance scheme. Had that institution been allowed to expand, it would have been of great help in this pandemic day not only for the Central Govt. employees but even to the society as a whole. They could have helped the meagre public health system in many states to survive.  If we are unable to cope up with the spread of the pandemic and treat the patients properly, without hesitation, we can assert that the single reason is the systematic dismantling of the public health care institutions.  My friend Com. Radhakrishna wanted me to speak on CGHS elaborately.  What I suggest is an interactive session where specific questions could be raised and replied.   Without doubt one can say that the CGHS as an institution conceived to take care of the health related problems of Central Government employees; its days are numbered. 

 

As on today, more than 3.5 crores of people are affected by Covid 19.  And it is fast spreading.  More than 10 lakhs people are in our own country, of which slightly less than one lakh lost their life.  The number of death is really alarming.  The people have started talking about fate and destiny instead of pinning any hope either over the medical system or the Governmental efficacy, even though the health workers all over the world have acquitted themselves creditably in combating the pandemic.   There appears to be only a slight degree of difference in so far as the attitude of the capitalist Governments are concerned with perhaps the exception of Switzerland, New Zealand, South Korea etc. 

 

The study that was conducted over the impact of the covid on world economy as early as in April, 2020 has stated that the disruption of supply chain of commodities due to closure of factories or reduction in the workforce will decelerate the growth by a whopping 32%.  How far this study was right could be seen from the fact that the India’s growth rate dipped to minus 24% in the last quarter. Some of the conclusions of the study were:

(a)    The world will have to face a severe economic crisis;

(b)   Delay of every month in combating the covid pandemic either by preventive or curative remedies, the world GDP  will have a reduction of 2.5 to 3% on an average

(c)    If the covid continues to spread in the same rate for another 2-3 months, the world will witness the greatest recession in the past two centuries. 

 

India specific situation is summed up as under:-

 

(i)                  The supply chain disruption was extreme in India, as the migrant workers fled from the work-spots in the absence of any protection provided by the owner of the factories or the concerned Governments;

(ii)                Demand reduction was of the order of 30% during the lock down period;

(iii)               Goods movements in Port was declined by 20% ;and in Railways by 30%

(iv)              Civil aviation sector alone registered a loss of Rs. 40 Billion dollars.

(v)                Tourism industry became the worst affected and reached its turnover to almost zero during the lock down period.

(vi)              The farm goods were destroyed due to the non availability of personnel to harvest to the extent of 37%.

(vii)             Of the 46 crores employed in the country  42 crores were in informal sector.  Those who lost job in rural  areas was 57% and in the urban agglomerations 80%

(viii)           India’s manufacturing sector is predominantly in what is called the MSMEs. (Micro, small and medium enterprises) 30%  of the GDP is provided by this sector. 50% of our industrial workers are in this sector.  It is estimated that 40% of the Units will be  closed down permanently. 

(ix)              Tourism, hotel, real estate, financial services, Banks, metal industry, automobile, textile, electricity, mining, food products, all have incurred heavy losses during the lock down period.

(x)                India will experience economic recession worse than what happened in 1929-30

 

Before, I talk of the micro issues, referred to by Com. Radhakrishna, in his welcome address, let me mention  a few facets of the 20 Trillion pandemic package of the Prime Minister.

 

We are witness to the global financial crisis of 2008.  It is now widely recognised that the unhindered use, abuse and misuse of Bank instruments and derivatives triggered the said crisis.  Profit at any cost is the single point objective of the corporate existence.  If India could, despite the globalisation of its economy escaped from its terrific fall out it was s due to the PSU banks..  Having recognised and having admitted that, our rulers consistently between 2008-2020 pursued the policy of privatisation of the PSU banks.   In the name of consolidation, the present government has started amalgamation of  various banks thereby withdrawing their presence from the market systematically.   The recessionary trend in the economy which has started even before the pandemic made its entry, will now turn into a full- fledged recession . It is not that our present day rulers are not awareof  it.  The  20 Trillion package was supposed to avert it.  But when the details were unfolded  one could find that 90% of  the package was to help out the corporates.  To address a production crisis some times, such stimulus package might be helpful.   Even the rate of reduction of taxation rates, especially for those in the manufacturing sector is considered a panacea.   But the present day scenario or the oncoming crisis is basically  the offshoot of the supply chain disruption and low demand due to the obliteration of wage earners from the society.  The remedial proposals ought to have been centred around the strengthening of the purchasing power of the common people.   Hardly 10% of the package went in for that.  The recent  survey indicated that most of the covid affected patients are from the lower rung of the society who are per force to go in search of work as the alternative is penury. It was in fact a Hobson’s choice between disease or destitution.  As mentioned earlier, the significant  cause  as to why we could not arrest the spread of the deadly disease is the weakened public health system and the unhindered  foray of private players in an area which basically must have  been service oriented and nor profit motivated.

 

As I mentioned initially, the convenor wanted me to address some of the issues he had raised.  The most important in my opinion is the organisational state of affairs of NCCPA.  NCCPA as the name suggests was meant to be an apex organisation of all Pensioners Associations and Federations especially of the Central Government employees.  In its Ratlam conference, decision was taken to open its doors to all organisations of the pensioners and  retirees.    The idea to submit a common memorandum to the 7^thCPC  by all Pensioners Associations of the CGEs was mooted in the National Executive Committee meeting.  Due to the untiring efforts of Late Com.S.K. Vyas, that attempt had a fair chance of success.   But after the convention at Chennai and preparation of  a common memorandum, the enthusiasm seems to have been faded out.  Many presented a reflection of a perceived superiority over others.  To overcome this Com. Vyas suggested the formation of a confederation under the name and style of BCPC.  After his demise, both, the idea and the organisation, he so assiduously created were abandoned.  Quite a number of impediments had come up thereafter.  The registration of NCCPA as a federal set up could not be brought about.  It was decided at the last meeting to seek registration under the Trade Union Act.  The decision was put to practice.  All papers were prepared and submitted. Now it is pending for the reasons that in order to be registered as a federation, it requires two Associations registered under the trade Union Act  must be affiliated to the said federation.  Steps have been taken in this direction and we hope to fulfil this condition soon.

 

If any organisation has to be effective and perceived to be so, it must have the capacity to raise the issues of the members before the authorities and get them resolved.  The present Government has taken  the decision, it appears, to give representation to only those small state level organisations in the SCOVA set up.   Since both the President and Secretary General of NCCPA are members of the JCM National council and are its standing committee members, many issues were taken up in that forum and settlement brought about.  That effort has continued and quite a number of issues connected with the Covid 19 treatment of CGEs could be got settled.  Financially also, the organisation cannot be said to be on a sound footing.  The matter came up for discussion at our Jaipur conference and it has been decided to double the rate of subscription.  NCCPA has been publishing a journal, thanks to the help of our West Bengal comrades, and the same has come out uninterrupted up to March, 2020. Consequent upon the Covid and the close down of Post offices, Printing presses etc. it has now been discontinued.   Attempts are being made to re-commence the publication.   In the meantime, the National Executive decided to bring out the journal in electronic form .  The first edition of that will be released by 15^th October, 2020.

 

As per the decision of the last conference, we had prepared a document on health insurance. This was subjected to one round of discussion.  There had been certain suggestions and certain reservation expressed by some comrades.   Once this is ironed out it could be presented to the JCM Staff side as the insurance scheme covers the working employees also

 

Reduction of Bank interest will no doubt cause depletion of the income of the pensioners.  The rate is fixed taking into account various factors.  Consequent upon the reduction and the denial of Dearness relief the pensioners have been put to hardship.  This will have to be taken up with a view to find out a separate dispensation for senior citizens.

 

Autonomous organisations.  On the basis of the report of the Committee set up by the Government, the functioning and funding of autonomous organisations have been re-evaluated by the Government.   NCCPA will  take up the issue concerning pension with a view to protect the entitlements of the pensioners to whom the new scheme should not be made applicable  During the discussion earlier the Staff Side had demanded that the entitlement of the employees and pensioners must not be depended upon the performance of the organisation.  It is better, that the coffee board pensioners Association takes the initiative to have a meeting of all autonomous organisations’ leaders along with the National sect. of the NCCPA. 

 

Privatisation of many departments are on the anvil.  Normally the matter is discussed with the employee’s representatives in so far as its impact on service conditions are concerned.  In the matter of pension entitlement there must be a specific clause in the agreement.

 

The denial of DR has been objected by the NCCPA and all its affiliates.  In fact we have spearheaded the programmatic action as per the decision taken at the National Executive meeting.  Thousands of E mail messages have been sent to the Prime Minister and the same is continuing.  We are in close contact with the serving employees’ organisations.  Whatever joint decisions are taken, we will strive our best that it is implemented at all centres.

 

I thank all of you for the patient hearing.  I am grateful for the organisers for inviting me to this function to observe and commemorate the international day for elders.  Millions of retired persons must have joined together to observe this day throughout the world.  Let us be together in this endeavour that not a single elder person suffers in the world.  Thank you once again.  

K.K.N. KUTTY

Secretary General, NCCPA.