* CHRONICLE - PENSIONERS CONVERGE HERE, DISCUSS ISSUES OF THEIR CHOICE * CHRONICLE - WHERE EVEN THE CHAT COLUMN PRODUCES GREAT DISCUSSIONS * CHRONICLE - WHERE THE MUSIC IS RISING IN CRESCENDO !

               
                                   

Tuesday, June 30, 2015

Pension like right to property‏

In the more recent  judgment  in  C.A. No. 6771/2013

(arising out of SLP(C) No. 1428 of 2009), Justice K.S. 

Radhakrishnan & Justice  A.K. Sikri have on 

August 14, 2013 reiiterated the same point in their

judgment.


Kind regards.
C H Mahadevan

Erratic thoughts

Mr  Subburathinam’s questions.
  1. Is there any actuary who can guide us as to present value of the future arrears on upgradation? I thought I could pledge this and get my old house repaired.
My answer:

There  are plenty of actuaries available if we need.

First we will have to tell the actuary what are the future arrears on upgradation. For that, we have to wait for the Supreme Court judgment after 23/9/2015.

Secondly, if the method of calculation of future arrears is clear from the judgment of the Supreme Court, we will have to give the amount of arrears payable in respect of any pensioner and give the expected date of payment as also the date on which the present value is to be calculated.

If all the required data are available as above, there will be no need to refer to an actuary as we will receive the arrears immediately.

Thirdly, for all monthly instalments of enhanced pension if any in future, the present value can be easily found by multiplying the total basic pension ( excluding commuted pension if not restored) by the commutation factor  given in the LIC Pension Rules , 1995 applicable for the age next birth day.
So, in any case we need not trouble an actuary for the purpose and only need to wait for a favourable judgment from the Supreme Court with fervent prayers.
  1. Pending the outcome of the cases in SC, why not LIC come forward with a scheme of reverse mortgage of the property (here, the present value of the amount of arrears payable to all pensions.) Hope LIC would  have provided for this as an anticipated liability.
My opinion:

The Supreme Court judgment will be delivered sooner than LIC coming forward with a scheme of reverse mortgage of the property.
When LIC has not recognized the liability, where is the question of anticipated liability?
  1. When will 23rd Sep come? Every Year it comes, my dear Ganga Raju. Better Ask when the Final End Come will > I mean, for the cases in SC.
My answer:

Come September, 23rd September will definitely come. For the last question, even the Supreme Being may have no answer!


With greetings, C H Mahadevan

30 Jun 15, 04:51 PM

M S Rao: Hope OROP will b 
implemented in LIC b4 visitor No. 
to this blog crosses 99,99,999.




30 Jun 15, 03:24 PM

subburathinam: Is there any actuary who can guide us as to present value of the future arrears on upgradiation? I thought I could pledge this and get my old house repaired.

Pending the outcome of the cases in SC, why not LIC come forward with a scheme of reverse mortgage of the property (here, the present value of the amount of arrears payable to all pensions.) Hope LIC wd have provided for this as an anticipated liability.

When will 23rd Sep come? Every Year it comes, my dear Ganga Raju. Better Ask when will the Final End Come > I mean, for the cases in SC.

CPI FOR MAY 2015 - 258 (5889)

LaMo to NaMo !


LIC PENSIONERS CHRONICLE Tuesday, June 30, 2015
"Lalith Mo lesson to Namo"
---B. Ganga Raju

'LaMo to NaMo' would have rung better, right?

"It was always our optimism that
Brought us cheers" 
"When will 23rd Sept. come?"
--- B. Ganga Raju

Be through my lips to unawakened Earth

The trumpet of a prophecy! O Wind,
If Winter comes, can Spring be far behind?

(Ode to the West Wind - Percy Bysshe Shelley, 1792 - 1822)


(In a vacuum or pensive mood -ed.)


Lalith Mo lesson to Namo
Swach Bharat aasan hai
Magar Swach Sarkar bahuth mushkil hai

WHAT LESSON GREECE GIVES US?
PENSION  MAY NOT BE PERENNIAL
DEFINITELY NOT PERPETUITIES

All good things have to end someday
Bhoothalingam reduced our Dearness Allowance
C Subrahmanyam took away our Bonus
Past holds lessons for future

It was always our optimism that
Brought us cheers

When will 23rd Sept. come?


B. Ganga Raju




Come now, September, faithful friend, 
On whose pure, light air do I depend.

Take with you, July, its rumbling rains,
August’s glare, which parched the plains.

But, you September whose soul’s the pure,
May your splendid countenance long endure.

Take me along where e’re you go,
Bestow those dreams Septembers know.

Monday, June 29, 2015

IRDA plans to standardise health products


By PTI | 28 Jun, 2015, 12.10PM IST

MUMBAI: In a bid to check rising instances of fraud, insurance regulator Irdai plans to bring in more stringent regulations by standardising health insurance products.

The regulator feels that health insurance is picking up very fast, and so are fraud activities.

"We at Irdai do believe that health insurance is picking up very fast, but so is the fraud," the newly-joined member (finance), Irdai, Vijayalaxmi Iyer told PTI.

"We are coordinating with all the research bodies like laboratories, diagnostic centres and hospitals to establish standard norms for various services which are part of the health insurance segment," she said.

It has been put on the Irdai website asking for opinions from all related stakeholders, she said.

"After completing the procedures, we will send them for the approval of the Irdai board," Iyer, who recently superannuated from Bank of India as chairperson, said.

She further said the regulator is likely to come up with a new set of regulations for the health insurance sector within the next few months.

"The idea is to bring about an orderly and sustainable growth in the industry."

The health insurance industry has generated Rs 20,442 crore in premium business in fiscal 2015.

In the forthcoming regulations, Irdai is likely to focus on features of the product, greater transparency and disclosures in sales literature and disclosures on web portals to disseminate suitable information for decision-making.

The regulator is also planning major changes to health insurance, which include incentives for healthy policyholders and a level playing field for life and non-life insurers.
In its new draft rules for health insurance, the regulator has also said there could be higher solvency requirements for the the group health segment.
At present, 150 per cent is the solvency ratio required to be maintained by insurers at all times.
It also plans incentives like more attractive premium rates for healthy policyholders.

Existing rules do not allow pricing to be linked to fitness levels as there's apprehension about the availability of data.

But insurers already offer health and wellness-based incentives to individuals, including spa coupons, gym membership discounts etc to encourage healthy behaviour among customers.
Irdai has also proposed that health insurance claims processing agencies should mandate hospitals to reflect the negotiated discounts on the bills so that the policyholders are aware of the actual rates.

That apart, the regulator has also proposed a minimum paid-up capital of Rs 5 crore for third-party administrators and a minimum working capital limit of Rs 1 crore.


(From Economic Times)

29 Jun 15, 04:40 PM

EDITOR: Proxy log in is an offence. If someone claims a false TA bill, it is also a criminal offence.



29 Jun 15, 05:02 PM


There are so many bigger issues than proxy log in related with working employees. Since we are pensioners now so we must avoid the same.Any way, as an editor you are free to work as per your thinking.

29 Jun 15, 05:57 PM

Sdsarma

How many of the lic officers have guts to point out faulty logins. Majority of the employees are sincere and they are willing not resort to such crimes.

29 Jun 15, 06:12 PM


The Officers guts for questioning proxy attendance depends solely on the support of Disciplinary Authority i.e., SDM I/C. I have not come across Disciplinary Authority willingly facing the strained relations with any Trade Unions or Associations Hope our learned friends will concur with my experience.

Improvement in attendance or proxy log-in ?




29 Jun 15, 10:17 AM

B Ganga Raju: What difference did meals 

coupons make to the functioning of our 
offices? 

Was any study made? Did it improve punctuality? 
Or encourage proxy log-ins for attendance?

Sunday, June 28, 2015

Errors in pension

Re: Delay in Finalization of Pension due to Common Mistakes in Pension and Family Pension Claims – PCDA Circular to rectify mistakes at application level.


Errors arise in two ways:

               1. Mistakes  by the administrative personnel by not  properly following 
                    the  existing rules;

The LIC pensioners are the victims of the second type which unfortunately only the judiciary can rectify

Greetings.
C H Mahadevan

    'BANK NEWS'

    UNION BANK RETIRED EMPLOYEES' ASSOCIATION

     circular issued by Union Bank 
    Retired Employees' Association (Tamilnadu)​


    CIRCULAR ATTACHED​ CLICK HERE

    B.G.Raithatha,
    General Secretary





    28 Jun 15, 10:26 AM

    karunakaran: It is said that HC of Chennai has warned 

    officials who refuse to comply with its orders will be jailed, for contempt. We would like to see even SC to follow this rule.

                                                                                                            

    "..Our case should actually be against God.."‏


    The nonpareil Sanjayan

    (nom de plume of Thalasseri Manikkoth Ramunni Nair, M.A. (Hons.); 1904 - 1944) 
    writing in the early thirties wrote in his inimitable satirical style that the easiest way to be considered a revolutionary poet and lauded as such is to denigrate God and gave a couple of 
    examples also of how to go about getting the tag. 

    Here's one : 

    à´µിà´¤്à´¤ à´¨ാഥന്à´±െ à´¬േà´¬ിà´•്à´•ു à´ªാà´²ും
    à´¨ിർദ്ധനച്à´šെà´±ുà´•്à´•à´¨്à´¨ുà´®ിà´¨ീà´°ും 
    ഈശ്വരേà´š്ഛയാà´£ീà´µിധമെà´™്à´•ി 
    à´²ീà´¶്വരനെà´š്à´šà´µിà´Ÿ്à´Ÿുകനമ്മൾ 

    Roughly translated for the benefit of those who don't have Malayalam :



    (LIC Pensioners' Chronicle Sunday, June 28, 2015 Pensioners cry and hit chronicle counters 28 Jun 15, 06:45 AM)

    Pensioners cry and hit chronicle counters





     28 Jun 15, 06:45 AM

    subburathinam: The moment pensioners get what they want or perhaps need, the hits here will be very few and far between. Let us hope the pensioners continue to cry in the vast sands of sadness.

    Most of my chats are in lighter vein. So is my approach to all cases. Our case should actually be against God, who discriminates between two sets of pensioners.

    Saturday, June 27, 2015


    Unwritten Record Note for MP's pension payment!





    27 Jun 15, 05:23 PM

    karunakaran: The RECORD NOTE (unwritten) says

    that the Govt. has a contractual liability towards the
    pension of MPs. Hope IBA and UFBU agree.

    THE COST OF AN MP


    India’s MPs have given themselves a
    threefold hike in salary, now earning 

    68 times the country’s average salary.
    But no conditions of service have changed. 

    In the USA, for example, members
    of Congress cannot earn more than
    15% from outside of their Congressional 

    salary. In India, the average assets of
    304 MPs who contested in 2004 and
    then re-contested in 2009 grew 300%!




    On August 27, 2010, Indian Members of Parliament voted themselves a threefold hike in their basic salary, from Rs 16,000 to Rs 50,000 and doubled the constituency and office expense allowances to 40,000 each. MPs will thus receive an assured income of Rs 1.3 lakh (a salary of Rs 50,000 plus constituency allowance of Rs 40,000 and office or stationary allowance of Rs 40,000) a month.
    The repayable advance for purchase of a vehicle will go up from Rs 1 lakh to Rs 4 lakh with cheaper interest rate on the loan. The pension for former MPs will go up from Rs. 8,000 to Rs 20,000 a month.

    The increase in the salaries of MPs and pension to former MPs would cost the government an additional Rs103.76 crore every year. The increase in the daily, constituency and office expenditure allowances will cost the government an additional Rs 38.50 crore every year.


    An MP’s wage is tax-free and comes with additional perquisites such as free petrol, free telephone calls and free housing, some of it in the most expensive real estate in the country’s capital. Most household expenses – furniture, electricity, water, laundry - is also paid for by the State. MPs can travel anywhere in the country by rail, first class, and get 34 free air tickets for themselves or a companion a year. Spouses of MPs can travel free by air from their residence to New Delhi eight times a year when Parliament is in session and unlimited number of times by rail. 

    MPs also get a daily allowance of Rs 1,000 per day to attend Parliament and Rs 2 crore a year to spend on development of their constituencies as they see fit, a practice that many consider unconstitutional though the Supreme Court has upheld it.

    Significantly, during the debate that preceded the passing of the Salary, Allowance and Pension of Members of Parliament (Amendment) Bill, 2010, some parliamentarians voiced the opinion that an independent body should be set up to decide on the future pay of MPs as there had been considerable public criticism of the fact that MPs were possibly the only section of society that decide their own salary increases.

    Compared to developing countries, Indian MPs have unparalled freedom to fix their own salaries and perks. In France and Japan, salaries of MPs are determined in relation to the salaries of the highest paid bureaucrats. In Germany, Article 48 (3) of the Basic Law says that the members of Bundestag will get remuneration adequate enough to ensure their independence. In Switzerland, parliamentarians do not get any salary or allowance. They just get paid leave from their employers on the days of session.
    (courtesy:vs prakasarao)

    'Ex-MPs Can Get Pension Even If They Are Getting It As Ex-MLAs/MLCs'

    Former Members of Parliament are entitled

    to receive pension as ex-MPs even if they are

    getting pension as former MLAs or MLCs,

    according to an RTI reply.


    According to information received from the Rajya Sabha Secretariat through the RTI application, the pension of former MPs is regulated under Salary, Allowances and Pension of Members of Parliament Act 1954.

    According to the Act, a former MP getting any other pension is also entitled to receive pension as an ex-MP.

    Members' Salary and Allowances Branch said the department does not keep any record of former MPs also receiving pension as former MLA or MLC.

    Central Pension Accounting Office of the Expenditure Department of the Finance Ministry said they do not have any arrangement to find out which former MP is also availing pension and other facilities as a former MLA or MLC.


    Courtesy: vs prakasarao

    A report appearing in the Hindustan Times says: "Former MPs may now see a hefty hike in their retirement benefits. Government sources told HT that the monthly pension for ex-MPs is likely to go up to Rs 35,000 a month from Rs 20,000 a month — a 75% hike".

    Crossing 12 lacs !


    27 Jun 15, 12:27 PM


    B.R.Mehta: Congrats to LIC PC for crossing another mile stone just now for crossing of Twelve Lacs Hits. Well done.

    27 Jun 15, 12:50 PM

    EDITOR: Thanks. Since one lac hits are registered every month, it has become a monthly affair. In Feb.2016, we'll celebrate 20 lacs! So every year a celebration possible for one million hits each!

    Good news AIRIEF joins fray


    27 Jun 15, 11:25 AM

    a v subbaraman: it is indeed good news that airief may implead as a party in the legal dispute.it represents all classes of retirees.the other one aiipa is not for legal settlement.

    GNS' association represents only Retd class1 officers so if airief joins the fray benefits would flow to all classes of retirees

    RELEASE OF 20% ARREARS

                                                                             Dear Editor,

    As per information with me after checking up the same with concerned LIC Officials even today or say just now, D.O. Chandigarh has not yet received any instructions from Z O/ C.O. for release of 20%.
     

    Regards,
    B.R.Mehta


    CONTEMPT PETITION: Shri G Krishnaswamy, Official Spokesman, approached for latest info

    We have approached Shri G.Krishnaswamy, Treasurer and official spokesman of AIRIEF to know the progress in the matter of filing Contempt proceedings against LIC since readers are these days approaching us for latest developments in this matter.

    We are reproducing the news we had carried soon after Supreme Court hearing on 7th May 2015.

    Friday, June 26, 2015

    IRCTC to strengthen rail ticket booking system


    The operationalisation of five new 

    high-speed servers is expected to 

    substantially enhance the website’s 

    performance.


    The Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation will install five high-capacity servers, imported from Singapore, to speed up its e-ticketing operations.
    The initiative to import five new servers from Singapore comes close on the heels of introduction of two new high-speed servers by IRCTC to Passenger Reservation System (PRS) earlier this month, which have doubled the peak-time efficiency for booking tatkal tickets at the railways’ ticketing website.
    With five more servers, the number of concurrent users is expected to go up from the existing 180,000 to 300,000 while the existing capacity to book around 15,000 tickets per minute will go up considerably.
    “Five new HP Itanium servers, to be installed shortly in the Passenger Reservation System (PRS), would considerably speed up the booking of e-tickets and streamline the Next Generation E-Ticketing System (NGET),” IRCTC Chairman and Managing Director AK Manocha today said.
    “There are already five servers in the PRS and with the addition of five new servers from Singapore, their number would go up to ten,” he said.
    The operationalisation of five new high-speed servers is expected to substantially enhance the website’s performance.
    Also, the entire procedure of e-ticketing will get a face-lift with improvement in efficiency of the website, log-in time and payment gateway.
    IRCTC is also planning to increase its network bandwidth from the existing 1.4 GB to 1.7 GB in order to enhance the performance of e-ticketing operations.
    (the hindu)

    Chat-n-Chat column comments

    26 Jun 15, 05:24 PM

    SDSarma: Holistic approach! Is it not Sri MSM is
    telling from the beginning that unity of approach
    in the case is the need of hour by all the case
    managers.

    Pensioners, please unite !




    26 Jun 15, 05:38 AM

    R.K.ViSWANATHAN


    The timely editorial needs to be read and acted. Let us bury our differences and act lest we may regret later for inaction. All the pensioners please unite.

     26 Jun 15, 06:38 AM

    Sdsarma: It is the right and the timely decision by AIRIEF to join in the SC as a party to fight for the cause of pensioners. And wise decision too.

    Sri Asthanaji should welcome the decision of AIRIEF and as VP should cooperate with the organisation.
     
    I am thankful to Sri N.Narayana, General Secretary of AIRIEF for sending circular No.4 for publication which helped people like us in faraway countries to know the developments that are taking place at the ground level.


    25 Jun 15, 02:44 PM

    J.M. Aboobucker: It is a good news that AIRIEF has at last decided to IMPLEAD itself as a Party in the SC Case. Hope the news is confirmed one and not a hoax. 

    As GOI has got impleaded in SC case, it is a very right decision direly needed especially after the debacle we faced in the Interim Order of 
    7-5-2015 which if implemented by LIC would have benefited the Petitioners only and not the left over Pensioners Class who would be forced to tap the court doors again for in rem implementation which means indefinite time delay besides heavy legal expenses

    A wise and thoughtful decision and we welcome it.

    Thursday, June 25, 2015

    'BANK NEWS'

    UNION BANK RETIRED EMPLOYEES' ASSOCIATION

    Friends,

    ​(1) Gratuity difference on implementation of 10th BP Settlement
    (2) Stagnation Increments under to 10th BP Settlement​CLICK HERE

        Copies of two Circulars issued  by AIBEA are forwarded herewith. The same may be useful to the bank employees retired after 1st November,'12.

    Yours sincerely,
    B.G.Raithatha,
    General Secretary

    CHRONICLE IMPACT - AIRIEF TO IMPLEAD ITSELF IN SC CASE

    EDITORIAL  (Republished)





    ALL INDIA RETIRED INSURANCE EMPLOYEES FEDERATION

    Circular No 4 / 2014-2016 Bengaluru
    June 26, 2015
    Dear Friends,

    RE: After effects of SC order of 7-5-2015 Etc

    This is the 4th circular as the first circular was issued by Late VC Jain during Nov 2014.
    In the last circular bearing No.2 issued on May 16, 2015, we had given the text of the Supreme Court Order.

    We also came across various interpretations of the Order. We were unsure of LIC’s action before the dead line date.

    Now it is learnt that the LIC has instructed Jaipur I DO and Chandigarh DO to withdraw 20 % of the deposits made in the registries of the Courts and pay to the Petitioners in the cases.

    Shri A Balasubramanya, Vice President AIRIEF (Bengaluru) has opined like this – “NO STRETCH OF IMAGINATION CAN ALLOW ANYONE TO COME TO AN UNDERSTANDING THAT WITHDRAWAL OF 20% OF THE AMOUNTS DEPOSITED IS A PRE-CONDITION FOR LIC TO PAY 20% OF THE DUE AMOUNTS PAYABLE TO THE EMPLOYEES/PETITIONERS IN TERMS OF THE JUDGMENTS OF THE HIGH COURTS ! WHETHER THE DUE AMOUNTS WERE DEPOSITED BY LIC IN THE REGISTRY OF THE RAJASTHAN AND PUNJAB & HARYANA HIGH COURTS IN TERMS OF THE CONCERNED COURT ORDERS HAS NO RELEVANCE FOR LIC TO HONOUR THE 7TH MAY ORDER, AND MUCH LESS IN RELATION TO THE DELHI HC ORDER.

    IT IS, THEREFORE, IMPERATIVE FOR ALL THE CONCERNED LEADERS TO POOL THEIR SKILLS & EFFORTS TO MEET THE SITUATION SQUARELY, SHEDDING ANY INDIVIDUAL DIFFERENCES, ENGAGE THE SERVICES OF A RENOWNED SENIOR ADVOCATE/COUNSEL, WHO CAN DELIVER US FROM THE HALLOWED PRECINCTS OF THE HONOURABLE COURTS, UNMINDFUL OF THE ONE-TIME COST AND PROVIDE MENTAL, IF POSSIBLE FINANCIAL, RELIEF TO THE PENSIONERS WHO HAVE UNDERGONE ANXIETY & EXPECTATION TO THE OPTIMUM MEASURE !
    IN MY OPINION, ANY AMOUNT OF SACRIFICE, PERSONAL OR OTHERWISE, WILL BE WELL WORTH IT TO MERIT THE GRATITUDE OF THE AGED PENSIONERS !
    IT IS FERVENTLY HOPED THAT OUR WISE LEADERS WOULD NOT LET GO THIS OPPORTUNITY TO SLIP THROUGH THEIR FINGERS BUT TAKE TIME BY THE FORELOCK TO ACT EXPEDITIOUSLY AND REALISE THE SET GOAL !”
    “ DESIRE IS THE MOST POWERFUL MAGNET ”

    The legal committee met at Bhopal on 17th June 2015 to consider the future steps to achieve our goal of getting the twin benefits of DA / DR parity and the revision of basic pension to ALL THE PENSIONERS.

    After discussions it was decided to continue the existing practice of the petitioners handling the cases up to High Court level. When the case comes to Supreme Court, the Federation will support financially and physically if the case is filed in the name of A I R I E F with a common Sr Counsel for all the stake holders. In view of this it was decided to implead AIRIEF in the case in Supreme Court.

    LEGAL FUND: In view of the decisions taken at Bhopal regarding the case, the Treasurer informed the house about the correct and current financial position. The house decided to give a call to ALL Divisional Associations to contribute in adequate measure in tune with the expected expenses. The house requests all the RIEAs to convince all their members of the importance of such contributions to the Legal Fund in order to succeed in the Supreme Court so that EVERY Pensioner is benefited. The case is listed for 23rd September 2015 and this gives enough time to collect the Legal Fund and remit to AIRIEF account with an advice to the Treasurer for proper accounting.

    The leadership A I R I E F profusely thank those Associations who have responded by paying 1st instalment of legal fund very promptly. This will enable us to continue our fight for a just cause. Individual letters of thanks will be sent to respective Associations. The Associations who could not remit the legal fund immediately are requested to do so now

    The Pensioners can route their contributions through their respective Divisional Associations so that the accounting would be proper. The Pensioners who are remitting directly to AIRIEF Account at Bengaluru are requested to advise the Treasurer immediately after such remittance so that the difficulties experienced up to now could be avoided in tracing the source of remittance and issue of Receipts.

    ZONAL COUNCIL MEETINGS: The Western Zonal Council Meeting was held at SOMNATH on 9th June 2015 and was attended by the President, General Secretary and the Treasurer. The membership position was reviewed and a decision was taken to open new Divisional Associations at all un-represented centres. The Legal Fund Contributions were to be augmented in view of the developments, it was decided.

    All the Zonal Councils are hereby requested to hold the ZC meetings before 30th September 2015.
    MEMBERSHIP LEVY: It is observed that many RIEAs have to pay the Levy for the years 2013-2014 and 2014-2015. Such RIEAs are requested to remit IMMEDIATELY the outstanding Levy at the rate of Rs 25 per member based on membership position as on 31st March every year.
    AGM of RIEAs: (1) The AGM of Udupi RIEA is tentatively fixed for 19-07-2015.
    (2) The AGM of LIC PWA of Bengaluru is fixed for 22-07-2015. The GS report and Audited Accounts are being considered in the EC meeting to be held on 29-06-2015
    With Greetings and Regards to all Pensioners,

    Sincerely yours,
    (N Narayana)
    General Secretary

    MV VENUGOPALAN


    Dear Shri.Gangadharan, 

    Now that the time limit given by the Supreme Court is  over and we  are in the same place where we were before 7th of May.  Getting down to the brass-tacks let us critically examine and analyse how the order came to be viewed by our three case handlers.  Sri.G.N.Sridharan  went into an overdrive  and  felt that he achieved what he wanted and his dream was fulfilled.  He interpreted the order as applicable to all the pensioners coming under the Association he is heading and exactly in accordance with the Delhi High Court order.  He conveniently overlooked  as to who exactly  are going to be these beneficiaries as it was obvious the judge might not   have been in the know of  the members coming under his wings. He also firmly believed that  LIC would have no hesitation in paying 20% of the DR arrears to his members as ordered by the Supreme court.

    Shri.Asthana imagined that , being the lead petitioner,  the Supreme Court order of the 7th instant  is exclusively meant for him and his followers and therefore the 20%  ad interim relief pertains not only relate to arrears of DR parity but also purported pension upgradation. As has been his stand  all the time,  he stuck to his belief that  there can’t be  a better judgement on earth than Honble. Bhandari’s judgement of the Jaipur High Court and clung to it like life dear! It never occurred to him that here is an interim order and that too from the Supreme Court and  its contents should be perceived and interpreted according to its own merit.

    The camp followers of  Chandigarh Punjab and High Court  felt that in the entire drama they continue to get  a step-motherly treatment . However,  they too  interpreted the Order as applicable to all the pensioners and  pertain to both DR as well as pension upgradation.  All the three of them thought that LIC will, this time around, take a  positive stand and even approached  their MDs and EDs.


     A joke I read in Readers Digest  long time ago  comes to my mind.   A man walking through a busy street had a feeling that all the passers-by are looking at his face and , therefore, something should be wrong with his face. So, he asked quite a few of them “ Do you find anything UGLY on my face or is it  MY IMAGINATION?”. Most of them went by  without answering except one who said “I don’t find anything UGLY on your face but I DON’T KNOW ABOUT YOUR IMAGINATION’.

    The bottom line is when the judge has churned out an utterly confusing  order, should we go on a flight of IMAGINATION  and get lost in the clouds of ambiguities and uncertainties or straightaway ask for clarification. In between, I also remember to have heard that there will be special sittings of the bench on 12th and 13th of May when we can  ascertain the truth about the order since our case  has reached the ‘final hearing’. Nothing was heard about it in the days that passed by. After having allowed the precious opportunity of seeking a clarification many of them went on a rampage in interpreting the order. One of them even ventured to get under the skin of the judge who pronounced the judgment and  declare “ this is what the Judge meant’.  One wonders  whether  the Honble  Judge who   passed the orders would have lent  absolute clarity to it, looking to the complex nature of the  three different groups  pleading for justice. 

    We knew right from the beginning that here is a Govt. which is antagonistic towards pensioners as a whole  and  LIC, who is just a handmaid of GOI is a mute witness and  reduced to a post office in doling out  the  decisions.  Why then blame LIC for all the ills. Were we not  the face of LIC till a few years ago  and at any point of time in our official career, irrespective of the Class to which we belong, have we stood in the way of any employee getting any benefit.  This being the fact,  including an experienced  person like Mr.Sridharan  went in search of those occupying the hot-seats  in LIC  hoping for justice.  I am sure, Mr. Sridharan might not have forgotten how much trouble, the then Finance Secretary, one Kum. Kusumlata Mittal gave during the period  when talks for pay revisions have been going on.  So, let us not forget, it is the GOI and not LIC.

    Then the talk about  launching CONTEMPT proceedings against LIC for non-implementation of the SC order  dt 7-5-15. Frankly, do our Case Handlers think that  this is a better option.  Is it not more time consuming than getting a clarification and decide the future course of action. Till today, why the contempt petition against LIC was withdrawn in the Jaipur Highcourt by Asthanas counsel remains a mystery.  Then, unless we are cock sure it will yield positive results should we ‘Enter the ‘Dragon?’  In the first place how do we know that LIC s implementation philosophy  runs  counter to the  spirit of the SC Order.  Imagine a situation where the courts clarification  is exactly what LIC proposes to do. The erroneous calculations pointed out by Sri. Mahadevan  is a nicety we  can indulge in  provided we have decided ,in principle to accept and receive the 20% arrears of DR parity given to the petitioners  alone. 


    Friends, we are in a catch 22 situation right now. We have to exercise utmost caution in taking each and every step in the future. We can’t afford to forget  that in BJP we are having a ‘majoritarian’ and ruthless Govt. To my mind , the following seems to be the ideal  way  to move forward.

    1)Contempt proceedings route should be  the last resort.

    2) Arrive at the total sum LIC may have to shell out should the arrears of DR and pension upgradation be calculated  as per our method. (we have a highly resourceful person in Sri. C.H. Mahadevan to undertake this task) 

    3) Engage  an efficient and  a person of proven record as our Advocate  to fight our cases. (Sri.C.H.Mahadevan has sounded about it on more than one occasion.) 

    4) Realise the simple truth that we have nothing but a legalistic solution to our problems.
    We have two clear months in front of us to think and arrive at a common strategy. In the meantime, take a  detour, discuss our other pending issues like a lumpsum monthly payment to take care of our domiciliary treatment etc with the LIC bosses.  Hope is eternal. When the case is taken up in September we, certainly, are going to taste the fruits of victory.

    With Regards,

    M.V.Venugopalan

    Wednesday, June 24, 2015

    ANOMALY IN PENSION REVISION FOLLOWED BY LIC FOR PRE-AUGUST 1992 RETIREES

    I give below an illustration of an anomaly 

    that has been observed in the method followed 

    by LIC for calculation of revised pension as 

    at 1/8/1997 while depositing the amounts in 

    Chandigarh HC Registry in respect of 

    pensioners who retired prior to 1/8/1992:



    On account of the two stage merger of DR adopted for revision of pension, the revised pension works out to less than what would have resulted if only one stage merger was done on 1/8/1997.This is another offshoot of failure to provide weightage while revising the pension notionally on 1/8/1992 and revising regular pension on 1/8/1997.This anomaly does not arise for pensioners drawing less than  Rs 1250 of basic pension. Such pensioners may be few and far between.

    This clearly demonstrates that while rationalizing DR, adequate weightage also needs to be provided for upgrading pension. Otherwise anomalies will be perpetual.

    I am sure that such anomalies will definitely attract the critical attention of the High Courts & Supreme Court.

    Greetings.

    C H Mahadevan

    THE ALGEBRA OF FAMILY PENSION ANOMALY



    Although it is very clear that the method followed by LIC for revision of pension for pre-August 1997 retirees as at 1/8/1997 was anomalous - as was demonstrated by its deposits made in the Jaipur and Chandigarh HC Registries - so far LIC has been holding on to its deliberate misinterpretation of the Rajasthan & Chandigarh High Court judgments and the letter and spirit of the LIC Board Resolution dated 24/11/2001. LIC had also cleverly avoided  giving a break-up of regular pension and family pension  for the relative deposits made by them lest the fact of  recoveries (instead of arrears) arising  in family pension  should get exposed before the court.

    The contempt petition before the Chandigarh High Court gave us an opportunity to discover the glaring anomaly in family pension revision arising out of the faulty basis adopted for the revision of pension (where existing family pension is Rs 2400 or less) in respect of an employee retired between 1/8/1992(1/4/1993 in case of Class I Officers) and 31/7/1997.

    The following algebraic illustration will make the point clear;


    The shortfall for the months Feb 2015 to July 15 can easily be worked out  by multiplying the existing basic family pension by 0.008669.

    For example, if the existing basic family pension is Rs 2000/-, the shortfall will be 17.338 or Rs 17/- rounded to the nearest rupee.

    Interestingly, even if the rate of family pension is upwardly revised on the pattern of RBI, the same anomaly will continue unless the revision in family pension is done  on 1/8/1997 with weightage and such revision with weightage  is effected on 1/8/2002,1/8/2007 and  on all effective dates of wage revisions in future.

    Nothing can be more telling than this for a strong case for upgradation of both regular and family pension with weightage on every effective date of wage revision.

    I had already brought this to the notice of Chairman, LIC through calculations as early as in September 2014.Let us hope it will apply its corporate mind seriously in the matter before being possibly   pulled up by the Courts.

    Greetings.

    C H Mahadevan

    Food subsidy


    24 Jun 15, 04:36 PM

    k.bhaktavatsala rao: FOOD SUBSIDY Cartoon is only taken as cartoon. Nobody needs to feel hurt. When the Government/judiciary/managements act indifferently against common people/employees definitely such cartoons should be displayed.

    24 Jun 15, 06:15 PM

    B.R.Mehta: Let us not focus on what LIC Working employees are getting. Let us say is it fair that a retired ED 20 years ago getting lesser pension than a clerk retiring today.


    A question of exception...


    24 Jun 15, 02:59 PM

    P.N.Nagaraju Retd DZM: Dear Editor, After observing the Cartoon published" I am of the opinion that I am a poor LIC employee getting meals coupon and news paper allowance " is not in good taste. They have got some fringe benefits after a period of many years. When some of our own brothers get a benefit we should not worry or make comments which will hurt their feelings.

    (When Members of Parliament get some 'fringe benefits', we should not have any grouse against them. Every Indian doesn't become a President, a Prime Minister or a Member of Parliament. When we discuss OROP, we certainly say the defence veterans deserve to be treated well because of the services rendered by them for the country. There may be aberrations, but people who do public service by and large do a devoted job and they deserve to be treated well. They don't remain a Parliament Member throughout their life.-Ed.) 

    FOOD SUBSIDY

    Benefits of being a MP

    While cheap food available at Parliament canteen is nothing new, when according to UN hunger list, India is home to the highest number of hungry people in the world at 194 million surpassing even China an RTI, reply reveals the subsidy the canteen enjoys :

    Total subsidy the canteen got in the last 5 years      : 60.7 crores
    Amount of subsidy in vegetable dishes                    : 90%
    Amount of subsidy in Non-Veg dishes                    : 66 %

    A quick look at price chart !! :

    Fish fried with chips : RS 25
    Mutton cutlet           :  RS 18
    Boiled vegetables      : RS  5
    Mutton curry with bones : RS 20
    Masala Dosa                    : RS 6

    These are the people who talk about national economy and when coming to giving OROP to the defense personnel they soft pedal
    R.K.Viswanathan