......the every encouraging note, struct by the IBA Chairman...............See what Gen Secy D.Krishnan says...

Ecircular No.DK/65                                                            7-05-2019

Friends,          

I have, in the course of the last 5 days, attended the AGMs of 4 Associations, viz., Ernakulam, Trissur, Thiruvananthapuram and Chennai in that order. Predictably, the question uppermost was, why our Court matters are dragging, taking with it, critical time that is most valuable to us, retirees. I had to mention that Courts have been dealing more with urgent Political Cases brought up around the elections. In our matter, one of the two judges on the Bench, retired and there is need for a fresh Bench to be constituted, before the Case can be taken forward.

I also mentioned that incidentally, there have been major, tectonic-like movements, which give positive indications that may point to our reaching the desired goal, even outside  the Court. One is the Revision of Pension  for RBI Retirees, constructing a 'factor' depending on the number of revisions missed after retirement. A ten per cent up-grade is factored into the formula for revision. This is a big land-mark turn for the Govt. after they have been holding back, from giving this Benefit to all categories except their own Central Govt.  retirees.  So, if we look  at the new ground broken, from the side of the Govt., we could deduce that the principle granted by the Govt. in one case could be a harbinger of good tidings for us too.

Secondly, the very encouraging note, struck by the IBA chairman in his Press address, on this matter of Revision of Pension for Bank Retirees, when he chose to openly say, that if the Bank Associations make a demand for Revision of Pension for Retirees, it may be part of the total deal to the Bank employees. This brings us even closer to our Dream being achieved, as our benefits closely go with that of the Banks. In one way, things not happening for the Banks, on these lines, have perhaps been one of the factors delaying our result. There is therefore reason for optimism for us , that if Banks are one step closer to getting Revision of Pension, then ours cannot be far behind.

I also mentioned in these Meetings that positive changes are indicated regarding Family Pension being raised from its present level of 15% to 30%, through a Board Resolution, which has already been placed before the last LIC Board meeting.  Meanwhile,  some efforts at individual levels also promise that the super-seniors,   ie., those over 80 in age, may get a five-yearly raise,  much like the Central Govt. Retirees,  although there is a bit of hesitation or indecisiveness at the Government level. 

All these point to a situation where, suddenly, things seem to  get a move on. So one need not be too disillusioned, at the Court Dates, taking on a perennial  postponement.  Let us wait and see how things move , and then take necessary initiatives from our side.

 

One of the more significant developments for us, was the opportunity I got, to meet the in-service Class I Federation's Gen Secretary Sri Raj Kumar in Thiruvananthapuram, where he was one of the invited guests.  He gave a detailed account of the manner of  relationships for the Federation at the All-India level, and what kind of issues, are currently being handled. He assured us that he will also carry our flag of needs along with that of their own. I mentioned to him that' Service' is only a passing phase, and that the final and culminating phase is that of the Retirees, and that, their policies, will need to logically tie up the impact of their demands, with that of how it affects those, who get into the stage of Retirement.

Another significant thing that Sri Raj Kumar mentioned, was a kind of Joint Front being developed at the All-India level , of all the LIC Employee Associations, to make themselves, more of a force to be reckoned with. Viewed in the back-drop of our February efforts, to create a Joint Front of all the Associations of Retirees, this one gels with the Approach of the In-Service Associations. All such efforts logically point to an instinctive move towards making themselves more effective from the point of view of Results.

In the Chennai Association AGM, there was a move by the President, and veteran Leader, Sri G N Sridharan, to step down from his post, mid-course. However, on the mandate ( through a Division) of the majority , he has accepted he would continue till at least next year, when the Elections to these posts would be held, in the normal course.  

All the AGMs were conducted with due seriousness and sincerity and  it was gratifying to note that  our members repose faith and confidence in their  respective Association Leaderships.  So friends, promising you more as we go along, and conveying my Hearty Greetings to all of you, once again.-- 

D.Krishnan

General Secretary