NCCPA Writes to Health Secretary on CGHS issues of West Bangal and Kerala States!

 NCCPA has written to Health Secretary on CGHS related issues of West Bengal and Kerala as provided by the CGPA organisations of these two states. The copies of letters are placed hereunder: 

NATIONAL CO-ORDINATION COMMITTEE

OF PENSIONERS ASSOCIATIONS..

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)

SECy. GENERAL:          COM.K.K.N.KUTTY. (98110 483030)

Dated: 10th August, 2020

To

The Secretary (Health)

Government of India,

Nirman Bhawan,

New Delhi. 110 001

 

Dear Sir,

                It has been represented to us by the Pensioners and employees residing in the State of West Bengal that they encounter the  following difficulties in getting treatment when they are afflicted with the corona virus Covid-19 . We shall be grateful if you will  kindly direct the concerned to address  these difficulties of the pensioners.

1.       The Government of West Bengal is yet to stipulate the rates for various corona related treatment if taken from the private hospitals located in that State.  Consequently the private hospitals charge exorbitantly  driving  the CGHS beneficiaries  in agony.  The Govt. Of India has issued orders that the Private hospitals might either charge the rates available at Delhi or whatever finalised by the respective State Governments.  The private hospitals in West Bengal do not abide by this decision of the Government of India.  The CGHS reimburses  the expenses only if the bill is prepared on the basis of the above directive.  This places the beneficiaries in great difficulties.   The Government of West Bengal may be advised to enter into discussions with the Association of Private hospitals  as is done by other States and ensure that reasonable rates are fixed taking into account the peculiar conditions of that State for various treatment pertaining  to Covid 19 .  

2.       No  private hospital in the country is presently able to provide cashless treatment to the CGHS beneficiaries especially in the matter of corona treatment.  It is also not possible for the pensioner community to bear the expenditure and claim refund from Government later.  We, therefore, request that the Additional Director CGHS in the case of pensioners and the concerned heads of Department in the case of working employees may be delegated the financial powers to sanction advance equivalent to 90% of the estimated cost of treatment.

We solicit your urgent intervention in the matter.

Thanking you,

Yours faithfully,

K.K.N.KUTTY

Secretary General.

NATIONAL CO-ORDINATION COMMITTEE

OF PENSIONERS ASSOCIATIONS..

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)

SECy. GENERAL:          COM.K.K.N.KUTTY. (98110 483030)

10th August, 2020

To

The Secretary (Health)

Government of India,

Nirman Bhawan,

New Delhi. 110 001

 

Dear Sir,

 Sub: Problems and issues of the CGHS beneficiaries Of the State of Kerala.

 

                The Central Government Pensioners Association,  Kerala, which is an affiliate of NCCPA  has brought to our notice that the following issues  which they had taken up with various authorities are still pending  resolution.   We shall be grateful if you will kindly direct the concerned to kindly address these issues as early as possible.

 

1.             The CGHS centres sanctioned for the two Cities in Kerala, viz. Kozhikode, and Kannur have not become operational till date though a year has lapsed.  The Pensioners, particularly are disappointed over this inordinate delay.  While the delay after the commencement of the pandemic corona virus is appreciated,  it is requested that steps may kindly be taken to open these centres without further delay.

2.             The other two Centres, viz. Trivandrum and Ernakulam  are unable to cater to the requirements of the beneficiaries for want of posting of personnel to man the Centres   We request that till such time, permanent employees are recruited and posted to these centres, the Additional Director, Trivandrum may be delegated the power to appoint personnel on temporary/casual basis so that the beneficiaries would not  suffer further.

3.             Most of the employees who retire from the Union Territory  services  especially from Anadaman & Nicobar Islands settle down either at Kerala or West Bengal.  The so retired personnel who are pensioners of the Government of India, are denied the CGHS benefits in Kerala.  The fact that in good old days, people were sent on deputation to the Andaman & Nicobar and later absorbed in the Union Territory Service is often forgotten.  After serving the island they have decided to return to their homeland .  We, therefore, request that the personnel retired  from the A & N. UT services may be offered the CGHS facilities, if they have chosen to settle down in the mainland. 

Thanking you,

 

Yours faithfully,

K.K.N.KUTTY

Secretary General

NCCPA CHQ LETTER ON CGHS TO JCM STAFF SIDE SECRETARY FOR ONWARD TRANSMISSION TO GOI

 NCCPA Letter to Staff Side Secretary for onward transmission to Health Secretary on CGHS

NCCPA has written a letter to Comrade Shiv Gopal Mishra for onward transmission to Health Secretary on CGHS related issues as discussed in the Executive meeting of NCCPA by video conference and provided by affiliates including AIPRPA. The Draft letter is as follows:

NATIONAL CO-ORDINATION COMMITTEE

OF PENSIONERS ASSOCIATIONS..

 

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)

SECy. GENERAL:          COM.K.K.N.KUTTY. (98110 483030)

 

Dated: 10th August, 2020

Dear Comrade,

 

                Kindly refer to the discussions, we had at the NE meting of the NCCPA, which  you presided over.  On the basis of the feed back, I have prepared a draft letter to be sent to the Secretary, Pension, GOI, New Delhi.  I am sending the same along with.  Kindly go through the same and send the letter to the  Secretary if you find it alright. 

 

                With greetings,

Yours fraternally,

 

 

K.K.N. Kutty

Secretary General.

 (Draft letter)

 

To

The Secretary, Health

Government of India,

Sardar Patel Bhawan,

New Delhi. 110 001

 

Dear Sir,

 

Sub: Problems and difficulties encountered by the beneficiaries of Central Government Health Scheme.

 

                We detail hereunder certain issues pertaining to the difficulties encountered by the beneficiaries of CGHS both the pensioners and the working employees.   We solicit your kind attention to the minutes of the last meeting, the JCM Staff Side had with your predecessor when some of the issues were discussed.  It was agreed that the periodical meeting to resolve the problems of beneficiaries of CHGS would be convened to subject these maters to discussion and resolution thereof.  We shall be grateful if such a meeting is convened as early as possible so that these issues along with the pending matters could  be discussed and amicable settlement reached. 

 

1.       Consultation with Specialists:

Many beneficiaries, mostly the pensioners, require constant consultation with the specialists, especially those requiring treatment from cardiologists, Urologists, Nephrologists, Ophthalmologists, Paediatrician, Gynaecologists etc.  Except on the initial occasion, a reference from the doctors of the concerned dispensaries may be dispensed with.  They may be allowed to have direct consultation with the specialists from the empanelled lists.  The beneficiaries may also be allowed to seek consultation with the specialists from their private clinics and consultation rooms.

 

2.       Private hospitals are recognised for in-patient treatment for the benefit of the CGEs working in non-CGHS localities.  These hospitals may be recognised for in- patient treatment of CGHS beneficiaries on the basis of a pre determined charges.

 

3.       The treatment of Covid-19 patients in Private hospitals are now permitted.  It is stated that the concerned State Governments  must in consultation with the Private Hospital Associations, fix the charges for various treatments connected with Covid-19.  While some of the State Government have done this, many are yet to enter into such agreements. Wherever, such agreements are not entered, the CGHS beneficiaries are made to suffer. The private hospitals charge exhorbitantly  and the Government has decided to reimburse only at the rate agreed upon by the State Government or What the Delhi Govt. Has stipulated.  The employees and pensioners should not be made to suffer on account of the non adherence of the instructions and directives of the Government of India by the private hospitals  especially in the pandemic situation.  The Government  has to arm itself with  the powers  even to close down such hospitals which do not abide by the directive of the Government or else the beneficiaries be reimbursed with the full amount they had paid to the private hospitals.

 

4.       Many pensioner beneficiaries have complained of the inordinate delay in settling the bills submitted for reimbursement.   It is requested that the Government must fix a time frame say one month  for scrutiny and payment of the bills.  Any delay beyond the stipulated period must bear interest to be recovered from the person responsible for the delay.

 

5.       In many CGHS dispensaries, the services of a Gynaecologist is seldom available.  It is appreciated that it might not be possible at all time.  In such cases, our suggestion is that the Government should recognise a panel of Gynaecologists  in such towns.  The beneficiaries may be permitted to have consultation with them by payment of the prescribed fees, which might be reimbursed. 

 

6.       The CGHS took over the Postal dispensaries . However, there is acute shortage of staff in these dispensaries.  The shortage threatens the very functioning of these units.  It is requested that the concerned Addl. Directors may be permitted to recruit personnel on temporary basis till permanent arrangements are made. 

 

7.       The North Eastern Region is a far flung area with difficult terrain with little travel and communication facilities. To cater to the requirement of the pensioners and employees of this vast region, presently there is only one CGHS centre located at Guwahati.  Taking into account the very peculiar situation in this region, the Government may kindly consider setting up dispensaries or CGHS centres in all the State capitals of the NE Region.

8.       The number of units  under CGHS which practices the alternate medical systems, viz. Ayurveda, Homeopathy, unani etc. Is very few.  Of late the people have started evincing confidence in the alternate medical system.  Some of the medicines prescribed under those systems have been found to be very effective in curing certain chronic diseases.   It is, therefore, requested that more and more units under the alternate medical system is opened at CGHS centres. It is also  reported that certain medical preparations are available in the alternate  medical system, which boosts the immunity system.  The veracity of this may please be enquired and if found to be appropriate, the Doctors may be allowed to prescribe those remedies in the treatment of Covid19.

 

9.       In the State of Madhya Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh and in certain other States too, there are no offices of the Additional Directors.  The absence of an Additional Director creates  difficulties to the beneficiaries, especially the pensioners. We request that a policy decision may be taken to have the office of the Additional Director CGHS at all State Capitals.

 

10.   The wellness centre at Vijayawada, in Andhra Pradesh is presently located in a building owned by the City Corporation.   As part of the renovation exercise,  the space occupied by the CGHS dispensary has become unfit for its functioning.   There is no water supply  and the washrooms are demolished.  The Centre has to be shifted at-least temporarily  and the Pensioners Association at Vijayawada has suggested to shift the dispensary to the vacant BSNL. Quarters.  We request you to kindly direct the concerned Additional Director to make arrangements for the shifting of the dispensary. 

 

Thanking you,

Yours faithfully,

Shiv Gopal Misra,

Secretary Staff Side JCM.

 

 

Shiv Sankar Roy Amar Rahe!

 

COMRADE S.S.ROY AMAR RAHE

It is with great sadness, we received the message of  the sudden demise of Com. S.S. Roy, working President of NCCPA today the 13^th August, 2020.  He was afflicted with the deadly virus Covid 19 further saddened us.   He was taken to a Private Nursing home at Kolkata by his son due to acute abdominal pain  and cardiac difficulties  but could not be saved.  The end came at the small hours of the day. 

 

Com.S.S. Roy was an astute leader of the Postal Employees and have led them in many capacities, both at the National and State levels.  Mostly he was stationed at Kolkata and was responsible to a great extent  in shaping the movement of the Central Govt. employees in the State of West Bengal.  If the COC of Central Government employees of West Bengal is the most united and militant organization and if it is today a class conscious organization,  a good amount of credit must go to him.  The untiring efforts, disciplined functioning and leadership qualities  of comrades like S.S. Roy had been instrumental in the present day stature of the COC West Bengal.   After his retirement from service, he did not choose to have a peaceful life away from the trials and tribulations of the working class movement. The advent of neo-liberal policies and the constant attack on the working class; the continous efforts of the successive governments to enslave   the country  once again; the ideological shift especially amongst the middle class employees; the communal polarization of the society, emergence of fundamentalism and religiosity ; eclipse of secularism as a way of  social life; sliding down the scientific temper in the contemporary society; all saddened him and made him active in the movement which he aspired to make it mighty.   He seems to have decided that he must be active in the movement as long as his physical ability permits which extended till his date of death.  He was the Working President of the National Co-ordination Committee of Pensioners Associations.  On 16^th July, 2020, he chaired the National Executive Committee meting of  NCCPA.  He was a very soft spoken person but at the same time firm and unflinching on certain ideals.   While he patiently hears all presentations at the meetings,  the views contrary to the working class interest is seldom considered by him.  He was clearly conscious of the requirement of discipline as the supreme pre-requisite for the well functioning of an organization.

 

Born in Murshidabad, West Bengal, in 1941, Com.Roy had his primary education in his home town.  He took his graduation and entered the Government service in Postal Department and rose to become a Supervisor in SBCO wing.  He dedicated his whole life in the service of the Postal Employees.  The Postal employees are the backbone of the Central Government employees’ movement and have the presence in every nook and corner of the country. 

 

In all the general strike actions, organized by the Central Trade Unions in the country against the  economic policies, the participation of the postal employees and the consequent closure of post offices even in small rural villages, had made the event a truly pan Indian matter.  Extensive travel to the rural areas  was a pre- requisite before every such action, which the leaders had undertaken. It is the determination and dedication of comrades like Com.S.S. Roy that made the Postal employees movement in West Bengal so strong and united today. 

 

In 1999, Com.Roy was elected as the President of the COC. West Bengal. From 2002 to 2005, he worked as its General Secretary. For a long time, thereafter, he was the joint convenor of the united Committee of Teachers, workers and employees (popularly known as 12^th July Committee), which had been the joint platform for struggle especially of the middle class employees of West Bengal.  He had spent considerable time and energy in organizing the Central Government employees movement in West Bengal. 

 

His departure is bound to orphan the young comrades who are presently in the forefront of Central Government employees’ movement in West Bengal.  They shall no doubt be able to overcome the void created by the departure of Com. S.S. Roy though  the absence of his physical presence and sanguine advice will be felt daunting for many more days to come.

 

On behalf of the National Secretariat of the NCCPA and on my personal behalf, I convey my heartfelt condolences to all his colleagues and comrades, who had the occasion to work with him and importantly to the bereaved members of his family.  Lal Salam Comrade; Long live Com.SS. Roy’s memory.

 

K.K.N. Kutty,

Secretary General, NCCPA and Vice President

Confederation of CGE & Workers.

 

RED SALUTES TO COMRADE SHIB SANKAR ROY!

 OUR WORKING PRESIDENT COMRADE S.S.ROY BREATHED HIS LAST TODAY!

RED SALUTES TO S.S.ROY!

With heavy heart we share the sad news that our Working President of NCCPA Comrade S.S.Roy has breathed his last as a victim of Corona. He lost his battle against covid-19 in a Hospital in Kolkata today morning. We dip our banner in his honour and fond memories! 

- KKN Kutty SG NCCPA