Dear Editor, 
I wish to join with the voice of our fraternity to express my thanks and 
appreciation for your selfless service for the cause of the LIC Pensioners as a 
whole without looking into their different and various union associations. 
In fact I have become an addict to our blog which I visit many times 
every day to keep abreast of the latest news and views which you are uploading 
then and there

I happened to visit the Bank Pensioners blog yesterday which has crossed 8 Lakh 

visitors since 2009 ( LIC Pensioners Chronicle started publication a couple of years 

later in November 2011) and I saw one useful feature in it. They have a "DA CALCULATOR" 
which gives the correct DA for each and every different group of Bank Pensioners 
immediately after giving your basic pension and year of retirement and pressing the
tab 'calculate'. It also gives the No. of slabs and latest DA increase with effect from 
February 2014 for each basic pension. 

If it is possible to introduce this "DA CALCULATOR" in our Blog I trust it will be 
immense use and help to many Pensioners who have no patience to go through the 
intricate and involved calculations to know their old DA and increased DA. For your 
valuable consideration.

J M ABOOBUCKER
Dear Editor,
At the out set my bouquets to you for the excellent way this chronicle is being run 

andthe way you present the news with eye catching cartoons. 

Just as I am hooked to the morning newspaper not a day will go without reading your chronicle.      I cannot draw any parallel to it.

With kind regards.
R.K.Viswanathan

Family Court passed an order : Mr. Ashwin to pay a sum of Rs.10,000/- p.m. alimony to his estranged wife Mrs. Bhima. As Ashwin failed to honour the Court's judgement, Mrs.Bhima filed a Contempt petition in the Court. After few hearings, adjournments, the Court passed an order : The counsel informs the court that the petitioner would like withdraw the contempt petition with liberty to file petition if and when necessary. The contempt petition is dismissed as withdrawn. The liberty as prayed for is granted .(Names not real).

Background 

Ashwin submitted that he was not disinclined to honour the Court's order to pay alimony but his elders did not see reason to pay. He was obliged to listen to them. He would hereafter abide by the Court's ruling.

*

• The Hon. Justice, Jaipur bench of Rajasthan High Court dismissed the contempt petition as withdrawn with liberty to file an application for clarification as the learned counsel informed the court that the petitioner would like to withdraw the petition and seek clarification. 

• Backstage

• What must have happened backstage shall be well within the know of the learned counsel who moved a motion of withdrawal of contempt petition. May be arrangement for eventual good of pensioners. Constrained by confidentiality.Time shall tell. Meanwhile, let us look forward to logical end of, favorable outcome of pension updation, dearness allowance anomaly cases pending in other courts.

SN,a 1992 pensioner.

T SAMPATH IYENGAR

I have seen Mr Srinivasa Murty's article wherein he has remarked that I may have suggested withdrawal of the money deposited in the Court in a lighter vein. No Sir,I did not. It was neither in a lighter vein nor as jest. This idea was in my mind right from the day the Supreme Court refused to grant stay of Jaipur H.C. judgment. I only expressed this idea now when Sri Asthana withdrew his contempt petiton.

Two conditions to be fullfiled:-

1. LIC must concede that money is due to the petitioners.

The money deposited in the court is subject to final decision of the Court and when the Highest Court refused stay, the judgment attained finality and the amount deposited must be paid to the petitioners. As the money is deposited by LIC on the direction of the court and also to escape from contempt, and further amounts were remitted on the direction of the courts, there is nothing for LIC to concede and the money deposited belongs to the petitioners subject to final disposal of the case. The case is finally disposed in favour of the petitioners.

2. Court should permit such withdrawal. 

Yes but the petitioners should petition the court pleading that the need for money is urgent or so as the advocate suggests. Petitioners have to accept the same on the above ground and then point out that the amount paid is not according to the Judgment and demand the difference. The very fact that they receive the deposited money will not foreclose their right to claim amount due to them as per the Board Resolution and the Judgment. If this is done and the further monthly pensions commences the talk of prospective date of implementation will stop, hopefully.

I am not very sure what happens if the court finds contempt. We will not be benefited if LIC is only fined or some one is sent to Jail for not implementing judgment. In other words I only suggest that the above steps be taken or urge for the execution of the judgment in due process.

T SAMPATH IYENGAR

BANGALORE.

P.S. Pl refer SPL 30689/2009 in SC Sri M.K.Gopal vs LIC of India. He retired after a couple of years in 1992, on reinstatement treating as a fresh appointment on his consent and after retirement he claimed he was helpless and had to give consent, the court accepted the plea but LIC went upto S.C. He claimed about 7 lakhs from LIC and as usual LIC deposited only 2 Lakhs without providing any calculation sheet. It was pleaded that this money be released and the SC permitted the same in 2010. The case is still to be heard since then.

THE UNCERTAINTY

After going through the hullaballoo created out of the 
Judgment of justice Chauhan, I feel if only the AIRIEF 

had impleaded themselves as one of the parties to the 

original writ petition filed by Mr. Astana and others much 

of these uncertainties could have been set at rest. Will 

anybody clarify.

Ramchandran,Sydney

INFORMATION RECEIVED BY INVOKING RTI ACT 2005

•  Percentage increase in wages on 1/8/2002 & 1/8/2007‏

In response to my application to the CPIO,LIC and my subsequent appeal to the Appellate Authority, I have obtained the following information vide the letter dt 20/2/2014 from Secretary (RTI), CO,LIC:-

".... In this regard appellant is informed that the term weightage of 11.25% in the Board Resolution dated 24.11.2001 was referred to by then Chairman with reference of Dr.S.Ram Khanna, the then Board Member. As was earlier informed by the CPIO, the said percentage does not exactly reflect the percentage of wage rise to existing employees as on 1.8.1997 and hence, the corresponding percentage of wage rise adopted as on 1.8.2002 and 1.8.2007 cannot be provided. However, the percentage increase over the wage Bill allowed to the in-service employees as on 1.8.2002 and 1.8.2007 was 13.30% and 17.50% respectively."

With greetings, 

C H Mahadevan 

DS NARAIN

​

I was invited to one Friday evening event by one of MNC Vendor organization who had organized the event to raise funds for the visually challenged (handicapped) people in a center for blind people.

As usual, since it was a Friday evening, I first thought to skip the event considering it could be a bit boring and rather spend the evening relaxing by some other means.

But being alone and sometimes finding it difficult to kill time, I thought to accept the invitation and registered online for booking. Moreover it was free which was another motivation to go to the event. I was looking at the event to pass some time, meet few people and nothing else.

When I went there, there were approx 40 people from various industries invited for that event. I found some friends (many are my customers) and naturally talked to them about how life is etc etc.

Initially we were shown a video about the visually challenged center. What are their activities, how are they helping blind people across the world to leave more fulfilling life, etc . It was a short 15 minute video and quite inspiring that how people from different walks of life spend time in helping these blind people without expecting anything in return. They shared the satisfaction and fulfillment they get by helping them.

After the video, we all were gathered in a hall and were briefed about next event. The theme of the next event was "Dining in the Dark". And this is the event which turned out to be inspiring and worth sharing.

What is meant was that we all 40+ people were going to have Dinner in a pitch Dark room !!!!

The next 2 hours were completely planned, organized, directed and executed by three blind youths. One was a girl ( Leader ) and other two boys were assistant to her forming a team of three blind volunteers.

The blind leader first gave us tips for dining:-

• 1. When you sit at your table the things will be placed as follows : at 3 O' clock of your dish : You will find a spoon. at 9 O' clock : Fork 12 O' clock : spoon. 2 O' clock : Empty Glass. Dish at the center with Paper napkin tucked at 6 O' clock.(These were ACTUAL STANDARDS THE BLIND PEOPLE FOLLOW IN ORDER TO MAKE THEIR LIFE EASIER.) 

• 2. There will be two large Jugs circulated to you. The Jug with plain walls will have water and the Jug with curved wall will have orange juice.
• 3. When you get your Jug based on your choice you have to pour it in your glass. You have to dip your forefinger in the glass so that when you fill it and the liquid touches your finger , you have to stop pouring. She asked whether everyone has understood . All said yes but everyone was confused and trying to remember what she said and confirming with each other.

could see them all with my inner eyes...

Next 1 1/2 hours we spent were full of fun and learning. In completely pitch dark room where we could not see ANYTHING we were enjoying various delicious food without seeing it.

We all 40+ people were taken in groups in the dark hall . Each one was directed by blind person till he/she sits on a chair ( We were finding it awkward because actually we are supposed to guide blind people to their
destination and help them )

We were Served full five course dinner by this team of three blind people- Welcome drinks, appetizers, starters , main course and desserts.

The amazing thing was that the team of three blind people were serving exactly vegetarian dishes to vegetarian people who were sitting randomly in the room !!! Amazing!!

While registering online we were asked question to choose from "Vegetarian" or "Non vegetarian". I obviously chose Vegetarian, being one.

We were so nicely hosted that we did not had to wait in between serves . As we were ending finishing one dish , we were served with next without any delays.

After approx 1 and half hours of Dining in the dark, the leader asked whether everyone has finished eating.

After confirmation she switched on the lights of the dining room.

We left the Dining room with tears in our eyes.

We realized how lucky we are and how we have been gifted with beautiful eyes to see the beautiful world. We realized how difficult lives of blind people are ( and other physically challenged) without being able to see. We realized how uncomfortable we were for just two hours without being able to see anything and how they must be living their lives.

We realized how unfortunate we are , that we do not value such simple things in life we have and cry, sometime louder, sometime within ourselves and run after what we don't have ...............for whole of our lives without having time to adore for the things we have.

Be cheerful. Adore whatever you have in life. You may try for whatever you don’t have but never feel sad about it.

You need to experience it , something like I had experienced, to believe this philosophy of life.

Best wishes.

M SREENIVASA MURTY

" let’s all enjoy 

browsing the wonderful information-sharing 

platform provided by Mr Gangadharan and keep 

ourselves updated. It looks like many 

became addicted to it already; 

who doesn’t relish being offered a feast 

after prolonged starvation (of information)?"

- M. Sreenivasa Murty

From the cross roads towards the right path

Rajasthan High Court (Jaipur Bench) said what it wanted to say on 13/02/2014 – that the CCP No 760 of 2010 (contempt petition) has been “dismissed as withdrawn”.

Mr Asthana insists that he never withdrew his petition and therefore the Order was wrong. He is as much intrigued as anyone else about the content of the Order. Let’s leave it there.

The need arises now, more than ever before, for the interested parties like all other pensioners, to stand by him in his continuing crusade before the appropriate higher judicial forums.

He is on the job of evaluating various options before him. Best legal advice is being sought and the matter will be pursued to its logical end.

In the meantime let’s all enjoy browsing the wonderful information-sharing platform
provided by Mr Gangadharan and keep ourselves updated. It looks like many became addicted to it already; who doesn’t relish being offered a feast after prolonged starvation (of information)?

Mr Sampath Iyengar suggested through LIC Pensioners Chronicle that Mr Asthana should demand release of the amounts deposited by LIC. I assume he said so in a lighter vein or perhaps to generate some healthy discussion among the Pensioner community. I am tempted to respond to the suggestion.

For the amount in deposit to be released and paid to the petitioners, at least two conditions should be fulfilled. 

One – LIC should concede that the money is due to those petitioners and 
is deposited in the court registry to enable them to draw the same.

Two – Court should permit such a withdrawal. 

However the fact of the matter is otherwise – neither of these two conditions is satisfied.  So there is no scope for such a payment to happen.

Let’s us look at it from the other side. Hypothetically speaking, if the amounts deposited are actually allowed to be withdrawn, would the petitioners concerned opt to accept the same? Certainly not - because the petitioners are entitled to receive much more. In fact, the amount deposited was NIL in respect of some of the petitioners. That is why Justice Chauhan in his Order dated 22/01/2014 directed LIC to emphatically state through an Affidavit whether the amount deposited is in consonance with or contrary to the Resolution dated 24/11/2001. But strangely, LIC’s Affidavit did not comply with the directions at all, leave alone doing it emphatically.

Mr Asthana’s further action would now include restoration of the contempt proceedings and take them to their logical end and more importantly to obtain clarification through court for proper interpretation of the Board Resolution dated 24/11/2001. As everybody knows, the real area of conflict between LIC and its
Pensioners is the scope of benefit intended to flow from the Resolution. LIC displays no will to play fair and as far as the Government is concerned, 40,000 LIC pensioners perhaps do not matter, as they do not pass the test: Are we a VOTE BANK?

No room for despair. Let’s all display patience. India has a robust judiciary. Coming days would see some mature court craft in play on behalf of KML & Co.

Sreenivasa Murty, Mulukutla

RM (Legal) & Law Officer (Retd)

Feb 22, 2014 SC Zone, Hyderabad

REGINA BRETT

Regina Brett

Here under are some of the Life's Lessons by Regina Brett,a columnist and author, Cleveland, Ohio, USA, whose writings inspire thoughts and motivate actions.

Life isn't fair but it's still good.

When in doubt, just take the next small step.
Life is too short to waste time in hating anyone.
Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.
It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it.
If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.

compare !

Don't compare your life to others'. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
Everything can change in the blink of an eye.  Life is too short for long pity parties.
You can get through anything if you stay put in today.
It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you.

When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take NO for an answer.
Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.
Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.
No one is in charge of your happiness except you.

forgive !

Frame every disaster with these words: "In five years, will these matter?"
Other people thinking ill of you is their business. Ignore.
Forgive everyone everything.
Time heals almost everything. Give Time time.
Believe in miracles. Get outside every day. miracles are waiting everywhere.

If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we would grab our back. No matter how bad we have it, some one else has a lot worse off.
Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.
Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
Envy is a waste of time. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.

'ask' is the magic word
for success in life...

If you don't ask, you don't get. The best is yet to come. Ask.
Life is not tied with a bow, but it's still a gift. With all kinds of experiences, good or bad, ups or downs, successes or failures, do love life as it's God's gift.

(Selected by: SN, a 1992 pensioner - Illustration ours. -Ed)