LIC PENSIONERS CHRONICLE

Kishore sab,

I read the up and down communications, of yours, GNS and the reply thereto. I would hasten to say that when we seem to be on the threshold to something big, as the SC Dismissal would indicate, why would we enter into such diatribe that may give away points to the opposition who may be actively looking at grounds for the fresh SLP?

Yes, I may appeal to all including my leader Sri GNS, not to wash internal linen in public, when by some method or the other, the SC might end up giving us more than a normal dream of a benefit. Yes, to the SC, now, when an SLP goes before it, the only things they can look at are errors in overlooking important rules or points of law, as I understand it. I may be wrong here. But the small 5% window open for SC to operate on an SLP, need not take into account Pension related practices in the world.

The other simple fact is that Central Govt. employees, through repeated Pay Commission awards, already enjoy upgradation in Pensions. I am told that the senior-most IAS Pensioner alive, housed in Nilgiris, at age 93 or so, is the one who draws the highest Pension. I don't think we should feel hesitant to ask for it, even if we are going to be the first ones to get it in this manner. So let us , in our fervour to defend our internal borders, not play into the hands of the opposition now desperately seeking to find some straw to clutch, to remain afloat in their stand.

As for GNS, I may clarify that his line of approach has been more 'practical' and perhaps less ambitious. He always thought of those pre-1997 retirees whose DA compensation principle has been less than fair. So his approach even on Court cases championed by the Pensioners' Federation, has remained with seeking what is very obviously anomalous. But I may mention here that, though GNS' aims for pensioners, were limited to getting equity and justice within the community of Pensioners primarily, he was never opposed to the idea of a larger benefit coming to Pensioners through court cases filed by others. Being a legal practitioner himself, he felt, honestly about some moves which he thought were tactical errors, and which, as he thought, resulted in delay in the SLP coming up. And being a person of his age and seniority, a bit of personal ego, did go with positions taken by him on matters. I think the Pensioners will remember the kind of leadership provided by him in our serving days, where he could get the automatic DA principle for officers too, which was a big worrying anomaly those days.

So, all I am trying to say is, that we may be different groups trying for the same 'moksha' thro' different paths. It is like the philosophical differences between Advaita and Dwaitha within the Hindu fold. This difference did not endanger the common interest of Hindus as a class anytime in history. We should only keep this in mind when we deal with differences between ourselves now. We are on the verge of something historical, if it happens thro' the SLP, and our variance of views within ourselves should never throw up an unseemly opportunity to the opponents to find a handle from our communications. Let us not forget that if we do get something big thro these efforts in courts, it will be a great day for all Pensioners for all future. Let's hope that the signs of success visible in the not too distant horizon will atleast see us as one bloc to receive the benefits in good grace with malice to none and good wishes to all. Let us not proceed further now on these less fruitful lines. 

Thanks,

D.Krishnan.