ALL INDIA RETIRED INSURANCE EMPLOYEES’ FEDERATION
(Registration No. 500)
# 212, Jeevan Kendra Layout, Cambridge Road, Halasuru, Bengaluru 560 008
Circular No. 9/ 2015-2016 April 13, 2016
To ALL Presidents, Secretaries of ALL RIEAs
Dear Friends,
At last, we have the Supreme Court Order of 31-03-2016 (uploaded on 7th April evening). Many of the pensioners are confused, disappointed, disillusioned and are resigned to fate that their future may not be brightened by the revision of basic pension periodically, as prayed. They are also apprehensive that the FEDERATION has to fight the LIC Management and the Government of India in a protracted legal battle.
While this is one side of the picture, the other view is that the Order has given the pensioners an Interim Relief of 40% of the probable arrears which may LEAD to grant of our prayer for DA / DR parity and Pension revision in 1997, 2002, 2007, 2012 and further.
We have got mixed reactions from many pensioners. While some feel Review petition may be filed in Supreme Court, which may confirm the verdict of 31032016. Some feel that this is waste of time and money, in addition to delaying the award of justice.
Another opinion to proceed further is to approach the Delhi High Court as suggested by the Supreme Court which highlighted the following points: (1) Considering the advanced age of the Respondent Employees who have waited for long expecting relief, LIC is directed to pay IR at 40% to similarly-placed employees within 6 weeks. (2) The Respondents may file Revised Affidavits to the Delhi HC re: the legal points raised now. & (3) No other HC shall entertain/deal with this matter. “The finer aspects and nuances of the Order will have to be studied by our Case Managers in consultation with our Senior Counsel and chalk out, in unison, if possible, at least at this stage, and chalk out further course of action in a time-bound programme to protect the much-avowed interests of their colleague pensioners whose life is on bonus time.” “As to further source of action, a meeting of Legal Committee should be convened with our Advocates at the earliest to decide as to what course of action has to be adopted”, says the indomitable Shri KML Asthana. Time is going un-noticed and is sweeping all of us. Before it is too late, we are thinking of convening Office-bearers’ and Legal committee Meeting in Delhi during the first week of May 2016 to take certain decisions keeping in mind the age of the senior most pensioners and our depleting financial position.
2: One of the pensioners says - We “always agree for a unity among the respondents who should apply unity of mind, of thought and action which should be the agenda to brighten our future….. The L I C has implemented the court order for the payment of 20% and may be do the same in the payment of 40% as per the order….. We must be prepared well for our clear presentation before the Special Bench appointed specifically for this purpose. An emotional surcharge of opinions should not be carried out to plunge in to action…. We hope the wisdom of AIRIEF will prevail before we take a decision for final culmination of the long drawn struggle for cent per cent neutralization of DA/DR and for up gradation of pension with every wage raise.”
While passing the order the Judges felt “we feel the pain while remanding the matter to Delhi high court”. We also feel the pain “that even after so much waiting, the SC has not been able to put a stamp of Finality to this issue”. But “The SC order tells us where we should focus on in our next- step fight, rather than bank on issues that have been set aside, for greater clarity to emerge in our own minds, as to what to expect next.” We have been provided “an admirable opportunity for securing full justice for both pre & post Aug 1997 retirees by way of proper removal of DR anomaly, and, upgradation”.
Friends, there is a saying – “you have enough power within you, if properly directed, to accomplish almost any reasonable aim – To energise that power, you must harness it up with faith; you must have the will to believe, the courage to aspire, and the conviction that success is possible for anyone who works for it intelligently and PERSISTENTLY”.
Friends, there is a saying – “you have enough power within you, if properly directed, to accomplish almost any reasonable aim – To energise that power, you must harness it up with faith; you must have the will to believe, the courage to aspire, and the conviction that success is possible for anyone who works for it intelligently and PERSISTENTLY”.
WE, therefore, request you ALL to rally round the ALL INDIA RETIRED INSURANCE EMPLOYEES FEDERATION and support now, and in future, as hitherto. This alone will ensure the dignity of living in advanced age.
WHAT EACH RIEA CAN DO IS TO SEND THE AFFILIATION FEE UP TO 31-03-2016 (WHEREVER NOT SENT) AND TO SEND, AND REPLENISH, THE LEGAL FUND TO THE BEST THAT IS POSSIBLE. WE HAVE WAITED FOR ALMOST 18 YEARS AND IN THE LAST LAP OF FEW MONTHS LET US NOT LOSE THE WAY.
WHAT EACH RIEA CAN DO IS TO SEND THE AFFILIATION FEE UP TO 31-03-2016 (WHEREVER NOT SENT) AND TO SEND, AND REPLENISH, THE LEGAL FUND TO THE BEST THAT IS POSSIBLE. WE HAVE WAITED FOR ALMOST 18 YEARS AND IN THE LAST LAP OF FEW MONTHS LET US NOT LOSE THE WAY.
When we win the case, the benefits will flow not only to all those who retired before 01-08-1997 but also who retired after 01-08-1997, 01-08-2002, 01-08-2007, 01-08-2012 and those who retire in future. Even Family Pensioners from 01-01-1986 are to benefit from the results we are going to achieve – this is our aim.
With greetings,
Yours Sincerely,
G Krishna
Yours Sincerely,
G Krishna