G N Sridharan writes

As we are all aware certain issues faced by Bank pensioners are similar to what we have been fighting for. Their representative organisations ,multiple in number, are engaged in resorting to known forms of agitation besides taking matters to the judiciary.

 Some groups of pensioners have also filed several writ petitions and patiently pursuing them without making any fuss. 

Neither individuals nor leaders of their organisation indulge in bragging about their performance in courts which is something we pensioners in life insurance sector perhaps need to emulate. Be that, as it may, we feel it worthwhile to share information we have from our sources as follows on the status of various issues on which the bank pensioners are carrying on their struggle.

A) General issues

A Dharna under the banner of AIBRF was held at Jantar Mantar New Delhi on 23/3/2017 in which some 5000 retirees reportedly took part. The programme was inaugurated by a senior most retiree Mr TM Mathews (93) and at the end of the 5 hour Dharna a delegation led by Shri D Raja & Mrs Sushmita Deb MPs submitted a memorandum to Secretary (Financial Services)  in the Ministry of finance.

B)100 p.c neutralization for DR

      1) we had long back reported that retirees organisations of three nationalised banks viz, IOB, BOB & Canara Bank had filed a WP in Madras HC. A single judge had allowed it but a Division Bench reversed it. An SLP was filed in SC by petitioners and the same was dismissed in Feb last. We learn that a review petition is being filed by pensioners shortly.

      2) The Kolkata HC had allowed (first by a single judge and confirmed by a Division bench) a petition on the issue filed by pensioners of United Bank of India. The bank management had filed SLP. While ordering notice the SC has offered that the matter may be posted in July (!) for hearing I.e. after vacation .

C) up gradation

A group of 16 pensioners of Syndicate bank had very recently filed a Writ (WP 4005/2017) in the Madras HC seeking direction for up gradation on the basis of rules for central govt pensioners 
(Similar to our rule56) in respect of which they had already represented to the bank management. The Petition was disposed of by the court passing an order at admission stage itself on 17/2/2017 directing the respondent Bank to "dispose off the petitioners' joint representation dated 9/12/2016 on merits and in accordance with law and pass orders within a period of 12 weeks(!) (from the date of receipt of the copy of this order communicate the decision taken to the petitioners).

Let us hope that the Delhi HC's order which we are anxiously awaiting will not be negative in our case.

With Greetings ,

GN Sridharan

Gen. Secy  Fedn of Retd. LIC ClassI Officers' Assns.