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Thursday, May 28, 2015

Bipartite Record Note is a Record of Sorts



The annexure to 10th BPS 

in banks with a new 

nomenclature " BR Note " 

has to be studied and 

analysed carefully. 

I think the signatories 

knew the implications 

while affixing their 

signatures to the note.



The preamble or the opening portion of the note itself has many gems to think about.

(1) Retirement Benefits depend on the service conditions prevailing at the time of retirement and do not change subsequently

We have to analyse whether this statement is valid for all times. How is it when new benefits are given to members of parliament the same are extended to old MPs who are no longer members of either house?

(2) Pension and other issues of retirees can be considered only as a welfare measure as contractual relationship does not exist between banks and retirees.

This statement reflects the perverted thinking of bureaucrats and the government they serve.

Is the pension paid to me as per pension regulations 1995 a welfare measure like Government's welfare measures to BPL families? For example Food Security..Rice of 1 Kg @ Rs.1 or the old age pensions paid to poor people or the various goodies like cookers, mixies, laptops given to poor people in some states.

The list can go on. Welfare measure implies something given at the cost of government without any contribution from the beneficiary. Is our pension scheme one such welfare measure? Why poor people ? laptops are given to even Municipal councillors, legislators etc. though many
of them do not even know how to open the systems.

Do the Unions concur with the statement that pension is a welfare measure? WHAT HAPPENS TO COURT  VERDICTS IN THE PAST?

(3) IBA conducts wage revision exercise only on mandate from member bankers about wages and service conditions of serving employees...

This can be understood to mean "do not talk about retirees and their pension and related issues."

When pension was introduced and regulations were made was it meant only for serving employees at that point of time ? Then how was Second Option allowed? It is not the question of mandate from member Bankers. It is the directives from finance ministry that matter for IBA. Did member bankers ask IBA to talk about wage rise only? Is this position acceptable to Unions?

(4) Is the IBA unaware of the provision that in all matters not explicitly mentioned in regulations, the provisions in CG Employees' scheme would apply?

(5) Pre-2002 DA issue...IBA condescends to view it from humanitarian point of view! For Unions also is it a humanitarian issue? That is as if the DA parity issue to be treated as a Charity?

(6) Upgrading Basic pension @ 4440 CPI ... IBA would examine the cost implication but UPDATION OF PENSION ....."impossible!"

By the usage of terms like " welfare measure " " Humanitarian point of view " etc. etc. I feel the retirees are insulted and humiliated.

Is it not time we show our protest and disapproval of such Record Notes? The signatory unions also have to explain how they understand the contents of the so-called note and the terms used to brush-aside retirees' problems.


B. Ganga Raju