"Let us still hope something will happen for LIC pensioners also......provided........" writes G.N.S.

 

Sridharan G.N	5:43 PM (0 minutes ago)		to Gangadharan, rk, me

As already pointed out in my earlier posts in the blogs, it is good that most of our LIC pensioners have come to realize that it would be wise for us to wait for the tussle going on in the banking sector to come to an end to expect some relief for us.Certain recent happenings in the banking sector  as briefly furnished below however indicates that it is necessary to contain the level of our optimism like maintaining level of oxygen,pulse rate etc during the prevailing pandemic situation,!!

1) Implementation of MoU dt 22/7/2020 between IBA & Bank unions

It is learnt that as early in 2018 a writ  petition had been filed reportedly in the Madurai Bench of Madras HC challenging the competence of the IBA to negotiate periodically with bank employees on the ground it is not a body with statutory authority to finalise wage revision.After notice was ordered to govt and IBA the latter filed a counter after sometime admitting that they were only 'FACILITATORS' with no authrity of its own either to agree or decide in fixing the salary. The said writ is pending final disposal.,( It is possible that it is why haste could be seen in finalising the impending 11th bipartite settlement in banks through video conferencing)

Perhaps taking a cue from the above proceedings before the Madurai bench another writ petition had been filed in the principal seat at Chennai of the Madras HC seeking a permanent injunction against implementation of MOU dt.22/7.This wp has been filed in Feb 2020 by a retired officer of Canada Bank Claiming that being a prospective

 beneficiary of the 11th bipartite settlement his interests would be adversly affected as the MOU is not with a legally competent body and it is also in violation of the Code of Wages Act 2019 which came into effect on 8/8/2019. Notice was ordered on this writ also in Feb.itself. Reportedly all the parties had been served but the petition did not come up again during the lockdown period.The petitioner has therefore filed an interlocutory petition (WMP) on 9/9/2020 praying for an ad-interim stay of the implementation of MOU dt.22/7,/2020. This petition for interim stay is expected to be listed anytime now.

2) Updation of pension

Again as already stated by me a retired officer of BOB had approached the Madras HC with a complaint that his representation for updation has not been responded to by the finance Ministry.The HC also gave a direction on 5/9/2019 itself to dispose off his representation but there was no response.After the pettitioner filed a contempt petition the Ministry has quietly sent him a letter dt 6/2/2020(received by the pettitioner only on 19/9/2020 !!) stating that being governed by a funded scheme he isn't eligible for any updation.!

 3)Family Pension               

    In an answer to a question in the parliament recently the MOS (finance) has reportedly referred to the 'consensus' arrived at the meeting between IBA and bankmen in respect of FP but it is silent on whether and when it will be implemented.

What I have narrated above is only on the happenings in one HC but it is probable that many pettitions may be pending before other HCs also in the country.

Let us still hope something will happen for LIC pensioners also provided our unions/Assocciations take proactive steps to force commencement of dialogue without delay.

With Greetings to all - GN Sridharan