AN APPRECIATION

seeing the same sun and moon daily,still never bored!

CHINESE ADVICE TO 50-YEARS OLD & OLDER

Because none of us have many years to live, and we can't take along anything when we go, so we don't have to be too thrifty.  

Spend the money that should be spent, enjoy what should be enjoyed, donate what you are able to donate, but don't leave all to your children or grandchildren, for you don't want them to become parasites who are waiting for the day you will die!!

  

DON'T WORRY about what will happen after we are gone, because when we return to dust, we will feel nothing about praises or criticisms. The time to enjoy the worldly life and your hard earned wealth will be over!

  

DON'T WORRY too much about your children, for children will have their own destiny and should find their own way. Don't be your children's slave. Care for them, love them, give them gifts but also enjoy your money while you can. Life should have more to it than working from the cradle to the grave!!

  

DON'T EXPECT too much from your children. Caring children, though caring, would be too busy with their jobs and commitments to render much help.

  

Uncaring children may fight over your assets even when you are still alive, and wish for your early demise so they can inherit your properties and wealth.

  

Your children take for granted that they are rightful heirs to your wealth; but that you have no claims to their money.

50-year olds, don't trade in - your health for wealth, by working yourself to an early grave anymore. Because your money may not be able to buy your health.

  

When to stop making money, and how much is enough  ?                

(A HUNDRED thousand, One million, ten million,One billion )?  

Out  of thousand hectares of good farm land, you can consume only three quarts (of rice) daily; out of a thousand mansions, you only need eight square meters of  space to rest at night. 

So, as long as you have enough food and enough money to spend, that is good enough. You should live happily. Every family has its own problems.

Just DO NOT COMPARE  with others for fame and social status and see whose children are doing better etc., but challenge others for happiness, health, enjoyment, quality of  life and longevity.  

DON'T WORRY about things that you can't change because it doesn't help and it may spoil your health.

  

You have to create your own well-being and find your own place of happiness. 

As long  as you are in good mood and good health, think about happy things, do happy things daily and have fun in doing, then you will pass your time happily every day.

  

One day passes WITHOUT happiness, you will lose one day.

One day passes WITH happiness and then you gain one day.

In good spirit, sickness will cure; 

In a happy spirit, sickness will cure faster;

in high and happy spirits, sickness will never come.

With good mood, suitable amount of exercise, always in the sun, variety of foods, reasonable amount of vitamin and mineral intake, hopefully you will live another 20 or 30 years of  healthy life of pleasure. 

Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman
Minister of State for Finance,

Government of India,

North Block,

New Delhi, 110001.

Madam

We the pensioners of LIC draw your attention two important issues.

1) 100% D.A on pensions of pensioners who retired before 1-8-1997 and
2) Upgradation of pension according to wage revision from time to time.

These issues were sought to be rectified by LIC in the board meeting dated 24th November 2001.The issue has been kept unresolved by previous UPA government inspite of verdict from Rajasthan, Chandigarh and Delhi High courts including Supreme Court Of India on 8th August 2013.

Sri P.Chidambaram left the matter undecided on 15th May2014, although a note was submitted to him by the Finance Secretary. We pensioners look to you and hope for your decision to end the legal tangle in LIC lasting for more than 15 years. Kindly go through the note enclosed for complete elucidation of facts,
Thanking you,

Respectfully yours,
K.K.D.Hanumantha Rao
Vice Presidant, Retired Life Insurance
Employees association,Machilipatnam Division.    

Dear Sir,

Greetings from Apollo Pharmacy!

It is our pleasure to announce that we, Apollo pharmacy are conducting Health camps across India at select locations on the occasion of World Health Day. 

 As a part of this program, we would like to conduct Apollo's Health / Pl camp at select campuses of LIC PENSIONERS.

 At the health camp our Apollo Pharmacy representatives will provide the following services:

 FREE Diabetic test. (Only with prior enrollment)

 FREE BP test. (Only with prior enrollment)

 Help-desk.

 FREE Dental test. (Only with prior enrollment)

 Apollo private label desk. (Complete range of Apollo's health/ Diabetic supplements & FMCG Products - 500 Plus SKUs)

 Request you to allot dates between July 1^ST Week 2014 for the same.

(Only with prior enrollment)

For Further information on these new initiatives please feel free to call Mr. Shivansh Bhatnagar (0800 811 1962) or Mr. Kunal Pimpalkar (0982 079 9682) or Mr. Arpan Chatterjee (0879 099 8350)

  

Thanks & Regards, 

K.Swetha Reddy

Corporate Marketing Division            

8978888529 / 9177100342

(This information is published as a service to the pensioners. We do not take any further responsibility in the matter. For more information, if any, pensioners may contact the numbers given above. -Editor)

MP SUBRAHMANIAN

Dear Sir,  

Air is fully filled with a call for unity among the litigants and the learned and experienced elders do apprehend that LIC and GOI may take advantage of these two different types of prayers and may lean towards lesser commitment and try to escape from the larger one. It is only here that we have to judge the quantum of benefits that would go to our pensioners community out of the prayers that lay before us.

• 1. One Organisation argues that settlement of 100% neutralization of DR / DA, with the approval of UOI, for those who retired prior to 01-08-1997 is presently a most welcome feature and then the Organisation will start demanding Updation of Pension. But against this prayer of this organisation, High Court has awarded some thing plus on the basis of judgment of Rajasthan HC. We learn the litigant moved the court praying for a revised order. We are not aware of full details.
• 2. The other Organisation argues that it fought legally demanding both Neutralization of DR and Updation of Pension on every wage revision made applicable to working employees, right from the date of retirement or from the date of commencement of Pension Scheme, which ever is later, and it has won the battle squarely at Jaipur Branch of Rajasthan HC nearly 4 yrs 5 months back and other HCs of Punjab& Haryana and Delhi have endorsed the same verdict. Supreme Court, while allowing the appeals of LIC / GOI passed orders 'Condoning the Delay', but, Refusing to Grant 'STAY'  the implementation of Jaipur HC judgment. 

With fraternity,  M.P.Subrahmanian, RIEA, Madurai. 

THE INDIAN SCENE by guruji.

Will these old boys studying in different schools reach 
DELHI SCHOOL OF LAW for Test on 12th August ?

CH MAHADEVAN

A.LIC BOARD RESOLUTION DATED 24/11/2001

(i)What the Board Resolution intends for pre-August 1997 retirees?

• · Rectification of DR anomaly before 1st August 1997 and 100% DR neutralization from 1/8/1997;
• · Merger of rectified DR with Basic Pension on 1/8/1997;
• · Upgradation of pension after such merger by providing 11.25%( presumably average) weightage( as was done for in-service employees) w.e.f. 1/8/1997;

(ii)What Board Resolution implies for pre-August 1997 retirees?

• · Merger of DR with upgraded pension as at 1/8/1997 on 1/8/2002 and revision of pension upwardly by providing weightage as was done for in-service employees w.e.f 1/8/2002;

(iii) What the Board Resolution implies for both pre-August 1997 and post- July 1997 retirees?

• · Even though the Board Resolution does not seem to have envisaged upgradation of pension beyond 31/7/2002, the principles spelt out in the Resolution for upgradation as at 1/8/1997 necessarily imply LIC’s adoption of the same on future wage revision dates as well. So the Board Resolution - albeit unintendly, but by implication- has provided for pension upgradation at the time of every wage revision.

B.WHAT JAIPUR SINGLE JUDGE BENCH ORDER DT 12/1/2010 PROVIDES

• i. Implementation by LIC of its of Board Resolution dt 24/11/2001 for which no approval was necessary from the Central Government;
• ii. Removal of DR anomaly existing before 1/8/1997;
• iii. No discrimination among pensioners based on the dates of retirement, i.e pension to existing retirees has to be revised on every wage revision for in-service employees.

C.WHAT PUNJAB & HARYANA HIGH COURT ORDER DT 9/11/2012 PROVIDES

• · Prayer made by the petitioners in the Writ Petition:
• (i) Striking out of date “1/8/1997” in LIC Wage Revision Notification dt 22/6/2000 and “1/8/2002” in the Notification dated 5/9/2005( The effect will be to provide for revising pension on substituted scales of pay on the wage revision dates);
• (ii) For issue of direction to LIC to fix pension on substituted scales of pay equivalent to the stage applicable in scrapped pay scale as on the date of retirement on and from 1/8/1997 and thereafter on and from 1/8/2002 with all consequential benefits;
• (iii) Also award of interest at 12% on the difference in amount payable.

· Court’s Order

Writ petition allowed as similar relief prayed for has been granted by the Jaipur Bench.

D.WHAT DELHI HIGH COURT ORDER DT 30/1/2013 PROVIDES

• · The law declared by the Jaipur Bench of the Rajasthan HC has to be applied in rem;
• · Declaratory Relief granted;
• · Validity of Jaipur SJB decisions has been upheld subject to such decisions not being interdicted by the Supreme Court;
• · The Jaipur Bench decisions have not been interdicted by the Supreme Court for the following reasons:

(i) The SLP Nos 29956-97 against the Jaipur DB judgment were dismissed on 8/8/2013; So LIC has to give benefits of the view taken by Rajasthan High Court to all pensioners;
(ii) Supreme Court has refused to stay the Jaipur SJB Order dt 12/1/2010 and also the Delhi HC Order dt 30/1/2013;

· The decision is to be treated in rem.

E.WHY CONCERTED EFFORTS BY ALL THREE SETS OF PETITIONERS MAKES SENSE

• · LIC Board Resolution has to be implemented in any case by LIC.It cannot stand apart from the three judgments; the benefits provided by the HCs stretch beyond the express benefits intended by the Board Resolution and obliterate the ambiguities that may be perceived in diverse interpretations;
• · Punjab & Haryana HC judgment in a way clarifies the scope of the Jaipur SJB Order by making upgradation required to be done on 1/8/2002 specific and further provides an extended benefit of interest at 12%.
• · Delhi HC judgment provides benefit in rem and LIC cannot implement Delhi judgment without implementing Jaipur SJB Order and LIC cannot implement Jaipur Order in a restricted manner overlooking the in rem prescription in Delhi HC case ;
• • If Jaipur is the solid foundation, Delhi is the spread eagle, while Chandigarh is the Colossus. 

· Consequently, there is a lot of synergy that can be successfully achieved by a unified approach under all the three cases at SC on 12/8/2014.

NOTE:

The areas under the circles only reflect the scope of (apparent) 

benefits for pensioners and not their relative importance; from 

the point of view of relative importance,Jaipur Judgment 

stands out as the fulcrum of all the other two court decisions.

 THE INDIAN SCENE by guruji

" GOD GIVETH... "

Nota - Your girl beckons you !

Recd thro RK Viswanathan

Edited & illustrated by Chronicle.

UNITY ELIMINATES POSSIBILITY OF 'DIVIDE AND RULE'

LIC Pensioners' Chronicle, has become the common platform for all our LIC Pensioners, to whichever organisation they may belong. The Chronicle is serving a good and historical purpose.

The write-up chosen by you under "Editor's Choice" reflects the aspirations and thinking of many pensioners.The majority of us are 70 plus and we know well that when different forces act on a body, the resultant determines the direction of movement. To bring organisations with different
perceptions to a position of talking to each other to find out the common denominator, requires enormous effort and Mr. M. Srinivasa Murthy needs to be appreciated for undertaking this task. When myself and other friends met him informally we knew well that he would receive brickbats also for his initiative. I am sure bouquets would come at a later stage. I agree with Mr. CH Mahadevan. Rigidity in thinking takes us no where.

It is not my purpose to speculate on what would be the final outcome. That would be relevant only after the SC hearing in August 2014. In case SC decrees in our favour, what breathing space would the Hon'ble Court allow to the G.O.I and LIC? All said and done LIC is not an individual. We know it to be the premier public sector financial institution that also is GOI undertaking. The SC also would in all likelihood deal with LIC accordingly.

Fortunately the two main organisations that are parties to the legal fight appear to be non-political, notwithstanding an occasional praise for this leader or another. They are free from some dogmatic positions and do not have to stand any point of prestige except that which benefits all pensioners.

I remember studying Bernard Shaw. Writing about the role of Ruling party and Opposition in a democracy Shaw said " In a democracy the opposition party opposes something, not because the measure is bad. It feels if the measure is good it can be implemented once it comes into power." For us the banners exist for serving the cause of all pensioners.

Banners are created by us and they are for us. Give credit to every leader for what they achieved. They deserve it. Present a united picture before the combined might of GOI and LIC before the bench of Hon'ble Supreme Court. Remember, with the introduction of the New Pension Scheme

(that operates on defined contribution principle,) the pensioners like us who receive pension under the old scheme are a closed group. There will be no new entrants only exits.

Even if both the organisations forge a united approach, it does not automatically achieve the desired result, as there is the second party to the dispute viz.,LIC/GOI and what surprises they pull remains to be seen. But Unity would certainly eliminate the possibility of " divide and rule" by the establishment.

The coming 50 days are crucial. I hope the leaders of all organisations would respond to the desire of all pensioners.

With Greetings, B. Ganga Raju, Hyderabad 

JEST A WHILE!

Received thro RK Viswanathan. Illustration: LICPC.

AN EDITORIAL REPRODUCED

We reproduce hereunder the Editorial of 'Elders Voice' - May 2014, a house magazine of SBI Pensioners' Association, Chennai Circle. 

All the pensioners are much disappointed and dismayed over the indefinite delays being caused even in allowing the Courts to adjudicate on the decisions taken initially under the discretion vested with the executive machinery and subsequently made as statutory provisions of our pension fund rules. Our legal justice system unfortunately is deliberately being subjected to vexatious litigation by our powerful employers - our Bank and the Government. The recent events establish beyond any doubt that our Bank and Government are only keen on perpetuating our pension issues to remain in the domain of litigation. It is not concerned about expending the public money in unproductive litigations. It is not concerned on overburdening the judiciary by resorting to all dilatory tactics by relentlessly increasing its workload with transfer petitions involving a large number of pensioners of our Bank, who were forced to seek remedies under Article 226 by filing W.Ps in various High Courts of our Country, which have jurisdictions on adjudication of our pension issues.

2. The Government, R.B.I. and our Bank, who are the Respondents in the W.P. filed by our Federation, have the responsibility to abide by our Constitution and its spirit. The Government and Public Sector Undertakings are not expected to engage in unproductive litigation expending public funds. They have got responsibility to avoid litigation or reduce it at any cost and thereby bring down the load on our court system and the cost on our judicial set up. Our Bank is resorting to all these litigations knowing fully well that the relief sought by the petitioners is the same as recommended in its proposal dated 30th October 2002 submitted by it to the Government and it does not therefore have any justification to be a party to prolonging the litigations resorted to by our Federation and other individual pensioners for securing their pension on the basis of its own recommendations. Our Bank does not have any justification to enrich its Advocates by ignoring its own well justified and adjudicated proposals submitted to the Government. Unfortunately with the protection available under the RTI Act, the decisions by Public Authorities on unwarranted litigations involving utterly wasteful expenditure continue unabated. The Courts have also pointed out that the fight between individuals and the Government / Public Sector Undertakings is by any stretch, an unequal battle. The individuals with limited resources can never match the unlimited resources of the Govt/ PSUs and this contest is always an unequal one. In the absence of a social audit on the legal expenses incurred by our Bank and Government and the lack of Accountability, the legal profession only thrives by such a patronage, unmindful of the injustice being caused to us.

Please click below.

STUDENT WHO OBTAINED NIL MARK !!

I would have given him 100% for his wit!!!

Q1. In which battle did Napoleon die?

* his last battle

Q2. Where was the Declaration of Independence signed?

* at the bottom of the page

Q3. River Ravi flows in which state?

* liquid

Q4. What is the main reason for divorce?

* marriage

Q5. What is the main reason for failure?

* exams

IF YOU STILL DON'T LAUGH, MIND YOU,

WE HAVE A FRESH STOCK OF JOKES TO MAKE U LAUGH!

M SREENIVASA MURTY

You have traversed from your expression of concern on the gradual fading away of "Comrade" as a once-familiar method of fondly addressing one's colleagues, to the Ksheera Saagara Madhanam (churning the ocean of milk) yielding haala halam first and the much sought nectar eventually and finally wandering to the onset of refreshing monsoon with a 'Whither Unity' caption and all through you never failed to keep the LIC pensioners' common interests in focus. That was always the great thread in whatever you write. That is why your Posts are welcome to the Pensioners' Chronicle as well as to its readers. 

Please keep it up and may your tribe increase.

If I may respond to your mail quickly, the Mission Unity as we all know, has received universal support from all Pensioners without exception, mainly thanks to the Chronicle. Interestingly some of the leaders are more vocal in 'canvassing' support to Unity than the common folk. But such Appeals were either half-hearted or not heard by the real players. The real players are yet to come in to open with their action plans, if any.

Talking of specifics, everybody is waiting for 12th August -Just waiting without any matching action. Blissfully, the Petitioners before Chandigarh HC are on their declared track and on the move. They served Legal Notice on LIC demanding payment of crystallized amounts due to them in terms of the Judgement dated 9.11.2012. This, they were advised, was an essential legal formality to be able to move forward. They are also getting ready to file their response/compliance to the SC directions of 4th April 2014. It is my hope and prayer that the key players before the other two High Courts also start working on their fresh/modified Applications well before the D day. As of now, there is no Application/prayer from them, pending disposal before the Supreme Court which may secure them a favorable Order from the Apex Court. I happened to mention this in my last Post in the Chronicle.

I have, for the time being, severed my approach links with the Jaipur key-players. Because of the dust storm prevailing there. I will venture a re-entry only when the navigation is safe.

I am however in touch with Sri G N Sridharan in whose Federation, there is a certain unity of command, a structured hierarchy which is action-oriented and the required respect for decision-making processes. It doesn't mean that I like or support their decisions and their philosophy as far as the Pensioner litigation is concerned. I am quarreling with that in my own way. If I am right in what I say, I should win. If I am wrong, I fail and I accept my failure with the humility I should. My hopes are high for now.

Hope I have answered your veiled query reasonably well. Will take another opportunity very shortly to knock at Chronicles's doors yet again.

CH MAHADEVAN

ON VS PRAKASA RAO'S POST

1. The date of Jaipur order is 12/1/2010 and not 12/1/2013, maybe it is a slip.

2. The SC Order dt 17/10/2013 relating to the Delhi HC case reads as follows:
"Delay condoned.
Leave granted.
There shall be no stay of the directions given by the Division Bench of the Delhi High Court in WP(C)No.184 of 2007.
Tag with the Civil Appeals arising from
SLP(C) No.../2013 (CC Nos.16755-16758/2013).

Referring to the post of Mr V.S.Prakasa Rao, I wish to respond on some of the points raised by him.

3. There is no scope for confusion in the Supreme Court. If the petitioners’ counsel in all the three cases pray to SC for directions to LIC for implementation of the respective HC judgments, and SC allows the prayers,LIC will be compelled to implement the Jaipur judgment in rem and providing upgradation on all wage revision dates. The Supreme Court as it will not go into the realm of interpretation of the HC judgments. It is for LIC to seek any clarifications from the High Courts if needed as Supreme Court has refused to stay all the three HC judgments.
The real intent of Board Resolution:
i. Removal of DR anomaly for pre-Aug 1997 retirees from 1/11/1993 or the date of retirement, if later
ii. Merger of rectified DR with Basic Pension on 1/8/1997
iii. Upgrading the pension by providing weightage of 11.25% on 1/8/1997 as done for in service employees.
The resolution is silent on similar merger and upgradation on future wage revision dates which had not arrived on 24/11/2001.But logically, the principle proposed to be adopted on 1/8/1997 should also be adopted on all future wage revision dates which would mean upgradation-in-chain for pre-August 1997 retirees.
The Board Resolution only applies to pre-August 1997 retirees.
Only the Jaipur Single Judge Bench Order applies to all pensioners, viz pre-Aug 1997 & posts July 1997 retirees. 
4. As the HC judgments have become binding on LIC by virtue of refusal of their stay by Supreme Court , there can be no question of ordering depositing of the amount in the Court as the amount is to be paid to the eligible pensioners.The question of LIC suggesting all parties to come to a compromise will not also arise when all the Civil Appeals are together to be heard by the Supreme Court.

5. I agree that pensioners should not settle for anything less than DR anomaly removal on 1/8/1997, 100% DR neutralization on 1/8/1997 and wholesale upgradation of pension on 1/8/1997,1/8/2002 & 1/8/2007 as of now. If it is not done there will be perpetual anomaly in pension structure of LIC.I am sure LIC is very well aware of this.

With greetings,
C H Mahadevan

VS PRAKASA RAO

                      

I have been following the ongoing acrimonious debate on what to do at the Supreme Court by the persons fighting for the pension benefits as per the order of  Jaipur H.C.  Sri Murty  took great initiative to forge unity amongst the Pensioners’ representatives so that common strategy is adopted at the Supreme Court during Aug 2014.  I am afraid Sri Murty is getting  frustrated as his Action  Plan  has not  received the due recognition. 

I think that Sri. Murty  is well aware of  the facts of  the legal  fight at  Jaipur, Chandigarh and Delhi H.Cs. He may be also aware of the cases at Allahabad H.C posted to 4-7-2014  and at Gujarat H.C posted to 23-7-2014. Further L.I.C, it seems, is trying to get the case at  Kerala  H.C transferred  to the Supreme Court. The  issue raised at all  these High Courts was  for removal of D/R anomaly for pre Aug.97 pensioners and UPDATION of pension on each  wage  revision given to the in-service employees. In fact  this  is  the essence of  the Resolution  passed by the L.I.C Board on 24-11-2001.

But  the  issue  raised  at  Delhi  H.C and  Kerala  H.C was only removing  the D/R anomaly  only to pre Aug 97 pensioners.  Yet the Delhi H.C ordered  implementation of the Jaipur H.C order  dated *12-1-2013 in REM subject to the clearance  by Supreme Court.  That means  L.I.C  has to implement the Board  Resolution  i.e.100%  D/R  neutralization  to pre Aug 97 pensioners and UPDATION of  pension with each wage revision. But  the Delhi petitioner sought for and obtained  a modified order on 17-10-2013 the details of which are not  known. 

I am sure that Sri. Murty  is well aware of this matter and the incidental ramifications. Indeed  Sri. Murty reacted very strongly to the circular  dt. 31-10-2013 issued by Sri GNS which detailed the interview he had with Sri. Takru the Secretary Finance and the Board Member of L.I.C. His rejoinder gave the impression that he wanted the benefits should be achieved  for both the pre Aug.97 and post Aug.97 pensioners as per the verdict of Jaipur  H.C.

Now Sri Murty, if  he wants  a united move at Supreme Court, the Delhi Petitioner be prepared to seek full implementation of the of the Jaipur verdict but not a part of  it. If they insist  on  the modified order of Delhi H.C and those of JAIPUR AND CHANDIGARH H.Cs want  for the implementation of the Board Resolution, it will create  confusion to the Supreme Court which is  against  the objective of unity move.  

IN THIS CONNECTION  IT  IS  NECESSARY  TO KNOW THE REAL MEANING  OF  THE  BOARD  RESOLUTION  AND THE GENERAL UNDERSTANDING OF ALL THE  PENSIONERS.  THE GENERAL UNDERSTANDING  OF ALL THE PENSIONERS IS THE  RESOLUTION IS AIMED  TO RECTIFY THE D/R ANOMALY  FOR PRE AUG.97 PENSIONERS  AND UPDATION TO ALL PENSIONERS LINKED TO THE WAGE REVISION.  SO IT IS NECESSARY TO TAKE  ALL THE  PENSIONERS  INTO CONFIDENCE  AND PREPARE FOR THE UNITY MOVE.   IT IS ALSO VERY  PERTINENT TO NOTE NEVER THE L.I.C  MANAGEMENT  QUESTIONED THE PRESENCE  OF POST AUG.97 PENSIONERS  FOR BEING  THE PETITIONERS  IN  JAIPUR, CHANDIGARH  AND DELHI. FOR THAT MATTER THE LIC DID NOT RAISE THIS MATTER IN THEIR SLP ALSO. 

AS SUCH  WE PRAY THE  S.C. TO CONSIDER THE IMPLEMENTATION  OF  THE JAIPUR H.C ORDER  WHICH IS FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF THE  BOARD RESOLUTION  OF 2001  TAKING ADVANTAGE OF SEC.21 OF L.I.C ACT  WILL  S.C  ORDER  IMPLEMENTATION  IMMEDIATELY -  BECAUSE  IT DID NOT  ORDER STAY  ON THE  H.C  ORDERS.  AT BEST  IT  MAY  ORDER  LIC TO  DEPOSIT  THE  AMOUNT  DUE  TO THE PETITIONERS  IN  THE  RESPECTIVE H.CS.  OR IN  THE  ALTERNATIVE  S.C  MAY  SUGGEST  ALL THE  PARTIES  TO  COME  TO  A COMPROMISE.  THEN WHAT  SHALL BE  THE  TERMS  OF  COMPROMISE.  L.I.C. AND  DELHI  PETITIONERS  OPT  FOR  ONLY  D/R  RECTIFICATION  LEAVING  UPDATION.  IS  IT  FAIR  TO  THE PENSIONERS  IN  GENERAL  WHO ASPIRE  FOR  THE  UPDATION ESPECIALLY  IN THE LIGHT  OF  THE  ONE RANK  ONE  PAY  PENSION CLEARED  BY  THE  SUPREME  COURT,  AND  NON APPLICATION  OF  RULE  56  OF OUR  PENSION  RULES  WHICH  PROVIDE  FOR  THE  APPLICABILITY  OF THE  CENTRAL GOVT. EMPLOYEES  PROVISIONS.  IN FACT  RULE  36  OF OUR  PENSION  RULES  ON  MINIMUM PENSION  ACCEPTED  THE  PRINCIPLE  OF UPDATION   AND  ENJOYED  BY  THEM AS SUCH.

• NOW  IT  IS  NECESSARY  FOR  THE  PENSIONERS  TO KNOW WHAT ARE THE CONTENTS  OF  THE  S.L.P  FILED  BY  L.I.C AND  THE  458  PAGE APPENDED TO IT.  SRI MURTY  MIGHT  BE  KNOWING  THE  DETAILS.  CAN WE  COUNTER  THESE  POINTS  EFFECTIVELY. 
• WHAT  ARE  THE  MOST  DIFFICULT  POINTS  FOR  US TO COUNTER? IF  THEY  ARE  HIGHLIGHTED SOME  OF  THE PENSIONERS MAY  GIVE  THEIR  SUGGESTIONS.  
• I  APPRECIATE  IF  SRI MURTY  TAKES  INITIATIVE  IN THIS  MATTER.  IF  HE  IS  ABLE TO  WORK  OUT  UNITY, THEN  THE  PENSIONERS  FIGHTING  THE  CASES  SHOULD  PRESENT  A COMMON  COUNTER  TO  THE  L.I.C POINTS IN THE S.L.P  AND  ENGAGE  A  TEAM  OF  COMMON  LAWYERS  TO  PLEAD  THE  CASE  OF  THE  PENSIONERS. 
• CAN  WE  ALLOW   THE   AIIPA  TO  BE  A  MUTE  SPECTATOR   TO  THE   CRUCIAL  FIGHT  OF THE  PENSIONERS. SRI  MURTY  SHOULD  CONTEMPLATE.  
• FURTHER  WE SHOULD  TAKE  CARE  OF  THE  CASES  AT  ALLAHABAD  AND  AHMEDABAD  H.CS  SO THAT THESE  H.CS ALSO DECIDE  ON  THE  SAME  LINES  OF JAIPUR  ORDER.   
• I APPEAL  TO  SRI  MURTY  TO  REVIEW  THE  MATTER  IN  PROPER  PERSPECTIVE AND  WORK  FOR   COMMON  COUNTER   BY  ALL THE  RESPONDENTS  AND GO IN  FOR  COMMON  TEAM  OF  LAWYERS  WHICH  IS  THE  REAL  UNITY.  LEST  IT  WILL BE  A CASE  OF  DOCTORS  DILEMMA - THE WELL KNOWN  WRITING OF  DR. BERNARD SHAW.

                        V.S. PRAKASARAO .  VISAKHAPATNAM    94410 66338.
_________________
Jaipur HC order dated 12-1-2010.

T SAMPATH IYENGAR

Dear Sri Gangadharan,

You are right in publishing all versions savoury or unsavoury, of course with minor changes, some times omitting some portions, which are felt to be very offensive etc. You are doing your editorial duties very well, in publishing all versions without bias or favoritism. Chronicle is bringing out all sides and shades of the development concerning LIC pensioners. I do not like our chronicle to indulge in wholesale censor.

Hats off to you, sir for your contribution to the welfare of LIC pensioners. Of course the recent E-mails of Mr. Chhabra and Mr. Srinivasa Murthy may not be flattering but both of them in spite of their difference have extended their hands of co-operation. Chhabra has made a poignant appeal referring to his age and Asthana's condition for a united action. 

Mr. Asthana is on record: "I have no ego. I am always ready to talk and discuss with any one any time"..  Mr GNS when he was in Bangalore a couple of weeks ago asserted that he would handle his case in his own way. Srinivasa Murthy already had a discussion with him. Then what remains is an urgent meet of all the leaders. I wish apart from the above three Sri Jajit Singh, RBK, Dr. Pritham also participate in the meet so that there may be a positive outcome.

Important thing is that we should be able to concentrate only on the main issue of implementation of High Court judgments without hassles of IAs or impleading petitions. More importantly they meet in a week's time or thereabout so that the united plea is in place and filed so as to prevent LIC from seeking unnecessary adjournment on the plea that our contentions reached them late and they had no sufficient time to go through it etc.

I hope out leaders will emerge as Mature and Class Leaders at this crucial juncture...  Let us hope for the best.

T SAMPATH IYENGAR 

BANGALORE

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