LIC PENSIONERS ARE WE WAITING FOR SOMETHING?

 LET US COMMUNICATE - NOT HIBERNATE

Supreme Court is on vacation, High Courts function this week and close, Advocates are in no working mood, God knows what is happening in ‘Yogakshema’, if any and what are we the Pensioners doing? Waiting for something to happen?

Why not we communicate among ourselves, evolve some thoughts and prepare for the next stage? Let us shed inhibitions, agree where we can, respectfully disagree where we should and generally utilize the waiting time constructively.

I for one see the present (overall) state of things, as one of ‘advantage pensioners’. I base my assessment (tentative though) on how I see the predicament of LIC with reference to 7th May Order of Supreme Court. There is a ‘direction’ from the Apex Court (with clear time limit) to DO something. So two distinct scenarios can be visualized (pay hefty fee and obtain a legal opinion in writing from a big name, to back its action/inaction) A third scenario is theoretically possible but it will be wishful thinking to expect it to happen.

1. LIC does not attempt to make any payment to anybody. Try for cover through moving the vacation bench and manage some breathing time.

2. Act. In some manner, inventing its own formula and paying something to some people. Tell the Court when it is required to: ‘this was as per my best understanding of the 7th May Order.

3. The theoretical third scenario is that LIC pays to ALL the Pensioners, ALL that they are entitled to viz., 20% of the total dues arising from correct DR where applicable PLUS the revised Basic Pension on each wage revision. Leave aside interest for now.

As the second scenario is nearly impossible for execution and the third may get ruled out for obvious reasons, the first one (or something similar) is more likely.

In any event, Respondents/Petitioners/Employees have to ACT soon after the Six week period expires on 18th June 2015.

Petitioners/Pensioners also have options to choose from: Two scenarios are possible:

1. Wait and watch till 18 June 2015 and then decide what is to be done

2. Put LIC on Notice before 18 June on how we expect it to comply with the 7th May Order and thus prepare the ground for more serious action after 18th June (on SC reopening).

CAN WE ALL (PETITIONERS/CASE MANAGERS/ORGANIZATION NOMINEES AND WELL INFORMED ACTIVISTS) MEET AND DISCUSS POSSIBLE IMMEDIATE NEXT STEPS?

AROUND 8-10 JUNE 2015, ANYWHERE (INCLUDING HYDERABAD)

ONLY ONE PRECONDITION – NO DIGGING IN TO THE PAST.

ONE POINT AGENDA

WHAT SHOULD AND CAN BE DONE BY EACH OF US FROM NOW TILL 23RD SEPTEMBER?

ANY TAKERS?

M. Sreenivasa Murty

(Post published with the clear understanding that LIC PENSIONERS CHRONICLE will have no role to play in these matters. -Ed.)