WHITHER UNITY

The much awaited Monsoon has finally arrived. Though the day temperatures have not come down very significantly, yet the winds are definitely cooler. The human (for that matter all living organisms) body which was feeling like a potato being cooked, got some relief from oppressive heat. Slowly the people will forget the deaths due to sunstrokes and hyperthermia. 

Next follow the heavy rains and possibly floods and inundations. Inspite of boasts to the contrary did man really conquer nature? Even the prices of commodities and resultant inflation are monsoon dependant. 

While those in service may get some relief by way of dearness allowance, majority of population suffer. With prices of essential commodities going up, vegetables becoming costly, those who earn by the sweat of their brow also demand more for their labour. It is a vicious cycle. International events, wars, activities of extremist elements all throw a spanner in the works of the government. 

The attention of the new government would get diverted from providing relief to the citizens to attending to consequences of developments that occur beyond the borders. The conflict in Iraq, the burning of oil fields and attacks on refineries how do they impact our own oil bill and inflation? 

The monsoon is definitely here. But what happened to the Unity efforts? I mean the efforts to bring unity of approach between the organisations that have to stand before the bench of Supreme Court

in August 2014. Readers of Pensioners' Chronicle had the opportunity to study arguments on both the sides. If more clarity is needed it must relate to: 

(1) What is the prayer of Cl. I Fed. when it appears before S.C. in August 2014? 

(2) What is the prayer of AIRIEF to the bench of Supreme Court? 

What is the difference between (1) and (2) above? If there is no difference there would have been no need for discussions all these weeks. 

Yes. The discussions were through The Chronicle. After all this exercise is unity apparent atleast on horizon? If not what is the obstacle to the Unity, desired by majority of pensioners? Let us keep aside the squabble between Chandigarh & KML. It is internal matter of AIRIEF. Ultimately AIRIEFalone has to sort out matters relating to accounting of funds either by Individuals or Organisation. 

Would it require the mandate of the conferences of both organisations to put a united plea? Supreme Court may not handover its verdict soon after the court reopens and the bench takes up LIC Pensioners' issue. The members of both organisations never said that the leaders should spurn offers of Unity. As I said in one of my earlier postings, unity between the two organisations is desirable and necessary but by itself will not stop the Government pulling out all dirty tricks. 

As is seen from the report about progress of wage negotiations in Banking Sector, the GOI is advancing other arguments like Cost, funding etc. etc. in relation to the demand of updation of pension. 

The legendary leader of Insurance Employees, Com. Saroj Chaudhury used to say "Law is a double edged weapon and nobody can be sure which side will cut." 

Can we rely solely on the legal battle? Should the legal fight be combined with approaches to GOI, its ministers and bureaucrats (who do not change even if the governments change) ? Then what kind of agitations the senior citizens can undertake ? All these matters need to be examined. 

In the days of internet and e-mails, 

if post cards help O.K. we can adopt 

that method also. 

But one imperative is .. Let both federations which are parties to the legal fight meet and talk together. They will not lose anything but have a lot to gain. I express my fond hope that the leadership of both organisations will respond positively. 

B. Ganga Raju, Hyderabad