SUPREME COURT

The Special Leave Petitions have not yet been listed.  It is learned that a petition has been filed in Supreme Court praying that the Jaipur High Court should be directed to dispose off the pending contempt petition. (It may be remembered we had earlier reported that the CCP No.760/2010 pending in the Rajasthan High Court was not considered when the matter came up before the Bench for the reason that the Supreme Court orders in the matter were not available. - Editor).

DELHI HIGH COURT

The Federation of Retd. LIC Class I Officers Associations has filed a caveat in the Supreme Court on 6-2-2013 as a safeguard against a possible SLP being filed by the LIC/Government.

KERALA HIGH COURT

About six pre 1997 retirees are reported to have filed impleading petitions which, it is hoped, will support the stand taken by the Retd. LIC Class I Officers Association in their W.P.No. 27863/2006.  The corrected copy of Delhi High Court order is being submitted to the Kerala HC and steps will be initiated to bring the writ petition for final disposal..

QUALIFYING PERIOD FOR FULL PENSION

The Reserve Bank of India have since amended their Pension Regulations prescribing Rs.3500/- as the minimum pension and reducing the qualifying period for full pension to 20 years vide RBI's Adm. Circular No.5 dated 12-12-2012.  The Chairman, LIC of India has accordingly been requested to introduce similar relaxation in our Pension Rules immediately.

(These are excerpts reproduced from circulars of Federation of Retd. LIC Class I Officers Associations.)

BRAVADO !

BRAVO,SIR.

I  VISIT YOUR BLOG 'LIC PENSIONERS CALICUT' TWO TIMES A DAY 

AND FIND EVERY TIME SOMETHING NEW. 

MANY CONGRATULATIONS 

AND ALL THE BEST OF LUCK TO REACH MORE AND MORE HEIGHTS!

A GREAT SWERVE AHEAD...

PG Gangadharan
Editor

A clock ticks. You can see it.  Every time you enter the site, you see a new number.  Very often I note down the reading in this blog meter.  And announce it. 

In last November, I said, LICPENSIONERSCALICUT has completed 1 year.  Difficult to believe, isn't it!  Yes it is only one year.  It was 13000 visits then.  But within the next 3 months, we found it that we have 13000 more visits, taking it to a substantial and significant 26000 as you see now. No doubt, your blog has become the most visited and well read online service covering exclusively LIC pensioner news. 

This turn is a wee bit meaningful to us now.  We feel our efforts are yielding fruition. We are reaching new heights.  And we promise we will make this site more attractive, authentic and a natural selection as also a sure meeting place for visit for all the LIC pensioners in India.

On this day, we have one request to you: Introduce LIC PENSIONERS CALICUT to any three of your friends who are LIC pensioners.  We have an impartial and bold editorial policy and we cover all LIC pensioner associations. We are also available 24 x 7 and many friends already make use of our services in all matters.

Watching the rain drops 
fall on my feet,
I wanted to climb on them
to reach for the sky....

Yes, I am a little pushy, motivated.  I am ambitious. Thank you friends for your help and of course, your support.

CORRECTION OF DELHI HIGH COURT ORDER

SHRI GN SRIDHARAN INFORMS THAT HIS PETITION FOR CORRECTION OF ORDER IS 

ALLOWED TODAY BY DELHI HIGH COURT.  
Corrected copy of order will be available in a few days.

WHAT'S FOR AFTERS ?

The other day, a friend of mine who is a doctor and still a student at the Medical College here posted these lines in the Facebook -

Can u wake up a Section officer at mid
night to sign a document, a clerk at mid night to
prepare a bill, a lecturer at mid night
to teach u, a shopkeeper to buy a
match box from his shop, an engineer to give his
'consult' about a project, an architect to draw a
plan 4 ur house urgently?

Everybody will answer No

But u can wake up a Doctor from a
deep sleep at mid night for a patient
suffering in abdominal pain. The
Doctors stand at the bedside of
patients to save them becoz they feel
the pain inside them...
Proud to be a Doctor !
Respect all the doctors!

I commented,

 it's true you can wake up a Doctor

 in a Hospital situation from his room when he is on duty.  

But then there are Doctors who 

refuse to be woken up, 

there're those who refuse to discharge a patient becoz 

he has money, there're  

those who demand money next day after an 

operation for the simple 

reason that the patient admitted in the casualty

 had to be imdtly

 operated upon and money could not be 

collected in advance..... 

 I am proud of all other doctors and respect them !

.

.

AFTER TYPING DOWN THESE REMARKS, I SCRATCHED MY HEAD FOR A WHILE.  WISDOM  DAWNED.  I THOUGHT, I SHOULDN'T HAVE OFFENDED THE YOUNG DOCTOR, CALLED HER OVER PHONE AND TENDERED PROFUSE APOLOGIES AND DESPITE HER REQUEST NOT TO DO ANYTHING WITH THESE REMARKS, I SWIFTLY REMOVED THOSE WORDS.

THERE WAS A SUDDEN FLASH IN MY MIND AND I REMEMBERED THIS INCIDENT WHEN I SAT DOWN TO JOT DOWN A FEW WORDS TODAY AFTER THE CONTROVERSIAL POST 'SPARE OUR MPs'.  BUT THIS TIME, THERE'S NO REGRET.  

Now what's next. Interview with Sh. Asthana is very much in my agenda.  

But he is alone... all all alone.  A lot busy.  Hopefully he will be available sometime next month...

A CONTROVERSY THAT IT WAS !

'HANDS OFF MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT'
was a write up we published the other day. 
It was well read and commented upon.  
This commentary kicked off a real controversy and a few hundreds of our readers appear to have evinced keen interest in the matter.  

In about 24 hours time, we noticed that about 600 persons visited the blog which was a record for us by any standard considering the fact that we discussed an issue not directly related to Pension to LIC employees.

 During the same period, visit to an important official blog was 101 hits.  

We thank our readers for this unprecedented support and participation !  

DELHI HC APPROACHED FOR CORRECTION OF ORDER

The special petition filed by Federation of Retd. Class I Officers Association for correction of order is coming
up in Delhi HC on Monday 25th Feb. 2013.  

If credit is
what is wanted, Shri Sridharan says, he confirms that Delhi HC order follows only Jaipur order
on the particular issue of DR anomaly only and not on what are claimed
to have been granted on other issues by the Hon. Jaipur High Court.

Steps
are being taken to bring Kerala High Court writ also for final disposal after
we get the corrected copy of the Delhi order.

GN Sridharan,Gen. Secretary, Fedn. Of Retd LIC Class I Officers Assns. Chennai

HANDS OFF PARLIAMENTARIANS, SAYS GNS...

My appreciation for the material posted in the blog under the heading - hands off parliamentarians.

While one can understand the frustration of pensioners, the action of the author smacks of some sort of juvenile jealousy!

GN SRIDHARAN

It is a good reply to those who shout something from the
rooftops.  I had occasions to hear such
talks in the past also.  Once I received
an email message.  It was sent by a
Branch Manager of an Insurance company. 
He was hardly a graduate and was drawing around Rs.75000/- a month.  But he could not fully digest the fact that
Parliament Members were receiving as much amount as salary.  He had also sent me lunch menu of Parliament
canteen and amount charged for each item. 


2. It is also fashionable to some of us to talk about salary and other allowances
paid to the President of our Republic.  These
people may even think that President is just a person who is to act on the
advice of the Prime Minister.  So why
should we have Rashtrapati Bhavan itself.  An office, preferably near PM’s office and a
person elected as President should serve the purpose.  Cost is drastically reduced, file movements
are made fast and the whole purpose of getting his signature is made really
easy.  People sometimes are very mean in
their attitude and they fail to look beyond their nose.

3.  In my opinion, what is required is they should be really
paid a very decent salary and other attractive benefits.  At the same time we
should ignore the campaign “no work no pay”(something like that, prepared by a
person claiming to possess a Doctorate)  pension commensurate with number of years of
service rendered (not exactly what is written), DR this and that whichever is
lower etc.   This sort of feeling
emanates from a superiority complex that these people are intellectually far
more superior than the poor members of Parliament. 

You ask for pension. 
That’s your business.  But you should
be noble enough to spare others. 



Rajasekharpaliath Coimbatore.

HANDS OFF MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT - EMAIL CAMPAIGN NOT JUSTIFIED.

WE are a nation.  We are 124 crores of people. Our population increases second by second. Minute by minute...  

We know it that India is a Republic.  We are ruled by an elected Parliament. Members of Parliament are our elected representatives. The maximum strength of both the Houses of Parliament is 802 Members of Parliament. There is the President who is the Head of the State. Members of Parliament elect a leader. He is appointed as Prime Minister.  Prime Minister chooses members of his Cabinet known as Ministers to assist him in ruling the country.  The Members of Parliament and those elected as Prime Minister and Cabinet Ministers, from among themselves, rule the country.  It is so simple as that.  Let's not make it complicated.

We also know it that the President is paid a salary.  Since he is the Head of the state, certain amount of prestige is attached to this post.  He has to live in tune with the dignity of the position enjoyed by him.  Or dignity, we presume, he has. The Prime Minister in keeping with the dignity and necessity of the situation do enjoy certain privileges.  That's the case with the Ministers.  That is also the case with Members of Parliament who are given the best possible treatment.  They rule the country. The world over, democracy is, rule by elected representatives of the people.

No where in the world people think of taking away these few privileges enjoyed by 'these rulers' (the President, the Prime Minister, Ministers and the Members of Parliament) and distribute among the poor.  These are constitutional provisions.  They are people who opt to work for the people.  That's a life long dedication.  They are given Pension.  They are given other privileges. They are the cream of the society.They are our representatives.  We elect them.   Barring aberrations, they have a proven work record.  If they don't meet with our expectations, it is for the people to elect other suitable candidates.

A country is expected to keep them in good humour so that more and more people come forward to serve the people.  Some people ask, what is their qualification.  Why they are treated well.  Remember 124 crores of people cannot rule the country.   We select and elect 802 representatives for a term to look after our affairs and rule the country.

People may just wonder one moment what is this democracy !  What is this election?  Who are Members of Parliament ? Strange wisdom may dawn on them one day and they may even ask what is the need for a President to rule the country ?  Why freedom fighters are given Pension?  What is the DR factor that can be allowed!  My good God, is there no end to this jealousy ?  
 MPs Privileges (CLICK BELOW)

TS VIJAYAN APPOINTED IRDA CHAIRMAN

Former LIC Chairman Shri T.S. Vijayan on Thursday took over as the Chairman of the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority (IRDA).

Shri Vijayan succeeds Shri J. Hari Narayan who completed his five year term.

IRDA Chairperson's tenure is for five years or till the age of 65 years. He is the first non-IAS officer appointed to this coveted post. 

An IRDA statement said Shri Vijayan has taken charge as its Chairman on Thursday.

• JAIPUR HIGH COURT WRIT PETITION  NO. 14446/2010 IS ORDERED TO BE LISTED FOR NEXT WEEK ON ACCOUNT OF NON-AVAILABILITY OF LIC'S ADVOCATE.
• JAIPUR HIGH COURT CCP NO.760/2010 IS ORDERED TO BE LISTED AFTER 4 WEEKS AS THE HON. JUDGE HEARING THE MATTER WAS NOT READY TO TAKE ANY DECISION TILL SUPREME COURT ORDERS ARE AVAILABLE IN THE MATTER.

DETAILS AWAITED.

WHO WILL LISTEN TO OUR PAINS AND PATHOS...

Dear shri Gangadharanji,
I enjoy your daily updates in the blog. I am awaiting to read Interview with shri Asthana and even with the Chairman.
We know that all union leaders are doing their best to end the struggle. We, the battalian of 37000, out of which about 12500 are in grave, join with their prayers. However a thought arises that voice of our prayers seems V V feeble that it does not reach the ears of judges and LIC officials, wht to say of god?
I am expressing this feeling of helplessness of our colleagues who are spending lot of money and energy to regain their health (of course,health of their family members too) and ask the leaders when this uncertainly will end and the loss be compensated?  Who will console us?  Or will someone laugh at this?
PBAcharya, Jamnagar (Rajkot DO).

IMPROVEMENTS IN LIC PENSION SCHEME, AIIPA WRITES TO LIC

Sir,

We have been representing for effecting improvements in the pension scheme on lines of benefits granted to the Central Government pensioners.  The Central Government had, by way of acceptance and implementation of the recommendations of the IV Central Pay Commission, reduced the qualifying service for full pension to 20 years, had increased the minimum pension to Rs.35000/- and had abolished the slab system for grant of family pension and made it uniform 30% for all family pensioners and last drawn basic salary for calculation of pension.

When we met the LIC officials on 19-10-2012, we had while raising the issue told them that these improvements have been granted in RBI and had requested for follow up by the LIC with the Government.  Now, we learn that the Reserve Bank of India, after its Board's approval (except the last drawn salary for calculation of pension), has written to the Government of India on December 12, 2012 for appropriate notification in the Gazette.

In the circumstances, we request the LIC management to take immediate steps for grant of the benefit to LIC pensioners too so that employees with 20 years service or more become entitled to full pension on superannuation, last drawn salary is treated as salary for pension, eligible pensioners get increased minimum pension and all family pensioners now drawing lower rates of pension are granted increased pension at 30% of pay uniformly.

Yours faithfully,

K.NATARAJAN

DELHI HIGH COURT JUDGMENT released.....

IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI AT NEW DELHI

WP(C) 184/2007

FEDERATION OF RETD. LIC CLASS I OFFICERS ASSCN. and ORS. ..... Petitioners

Represented by: Mr.Rajiv Kumar Garg, Ms.Kavita Rawat and Mr.Ashish Garg, Advocates.

versus

UOI and ORS. ..... Respondents

Represented by: Mr.P.L.Gautam, Advocate for R-1.Mr.Kamal Mehta and Mr.Sudeep Singh, Advocates

for R-2 and R-3.

CORAM:

HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE PRADEEP NANDRAJOG

HON'BLE MS. JUSTICE VEENA BIRBAL

O R D E R

30.01.2013

1. It is not in dispute that the issue decided by a learned Single Judge of the Jaipur Bench of the Rajasthan High Court on January 12, 2010 pertains to pensionary benefits to be received by retired employees of LIC of India under the LIC of India (Employees) Pension Rules 1995 and further, the decision embrace the controversy whether the Board Resolution by the Board of LIC dated November 24, 2001 needed an approval to be granted by the Central Government before its implementation. It is also not in dispute that the same issues as were decided by the learned Single Judge of the Jaipur Bench of the Rajasthan High Court arise for consideration in the instant writ petition.

2. Embracing the broader issues aforesaid is the sub issue of categorization of employees who retired pre June 28, 1995 and those who retired post said date in the context of revision of pay scale in the year 1996 and the grant of Dearness Allowance while determining pension.

JUDGMENT GALORE...

Sir,

We wish to inform you that in the writ petition 
No.184 of 2007 filed by us before the Hon.
High Court of Delhi, orders were pronounced
on 31-01-2013 allowing the writ holding that
adoption of different basis in granting dearness
relief between two groups of pensioners created
by an arbitrary cut off date (01-08-1997) is
discriminatory.

It is needless for us to point out that this anomaly
has been noted by the Board of Management of LIC and by a Resolution dated 24-11-2001 a decision was also taken to accord 100% neutralization on DA for those who had retired prior to 01-08-1997 as granted to those retiring after the said date.  As per the said resolution it was also decided to upgrade the basic pension of pre 01-08-1997 retirees at 1740 points.  It is indeed a pity that though a period of over 12 years has passed since the said resolution was passed, the implementation of the same has been unjustifiably deferred on the plea that the Corporation has filed a SLP in the Supreme Court.....

We earnestly appeal to you that the latest verdict of the Hon'ble Delhi High Court in W.P.No.184 of 2007 be implemented immediately in letter and spirit....    

Yours faithfully,
GN SRIDHARAN

(excerpts only)

DISCUSSION WITH DIRECTOR (P) BY GN SRIDHARAN

A deputation led by the General Secretary of Federation of Retired LIC Class I Officers' Associations met the Director (P) on 1-2-2013. 

It was informed during the discussion that the refixation of pension for retirees with dates of birth falling 1st of calendar month is under active consideration of the Corporation.

2. Extra monetary benefit for the category of ex-gratia pensioners has been decided and the details will be made known after Board approval.

3.  As for refixation of pension for those who had retired between 1-8-1992 and 1-4-1993, we pointed out that further litigation should not be provoked.  The Director (P) informed that the matter would be considered early.

FIGHTING A LEGAL BATTLE IS NO EASY TASK....  THAT'S SIMPLY HARD WORK....

SH. KML ASTHANAJI  LIKELY TO

JOIN US SOON 

AND

ANSWER OUR

QUESTIONS.

All your simple questions

and simple answers too....

LET US ASK YOUR QUESTIONS...

'INSURANCE PENSIONERSCALICUT' WILL SOON APPROACH
SH. KML ASTHANA AND ASK HIM A FEW QUESTIONS
FOR HIS ANSWERS.  IF YOU HAVE UR QUESTIONS,
PLEASE SEND US THE SAME.

Please mail ur questions to: licpensionerscalicut@hotmail.com

Let us together do the job !

Respected sir,


Happy to note the favourable judg of Delhi HC.  Shri Asthana's comment is to get credit based on Jaipur HC judg; he may be right,but to my humble opinion,his case is more or less Individual or for petitioners only (at present), whereas that of sridharan is non Individual, applicable to whole mass, and that is great...  Is'nt it so?

PB Acharya (Gujarat)

(Criticism is published since it is our policy to allow our readers to give vent to their feelings. At the same time even replies to these comments also will be published.  As for the mention that Sh. Asthana's petitition is more 'individual' in nature, we feel that benefits won through individulal litigation will have to be passed on to all other employees at the implementation stage.  - Editor)