Circular from Federation of Retd. Class 1 officers of LIC.

 

E circular SKA-06                                                                20-08-2022

 

 Dear members, 

                 

REG:  Improvements for pre86 retirees, Pension on the last day of the month, discussion wth ED(P)

 

First of all greetings to all of you on the occasion of SRI KRISHNA JANMAASTHAMI. Ever since my last communication vide SKA/05 dated 18.07.22, no notable progress has been made on the Legal front. After several postponements, our case in Supreme Court did come up on 03 08.22 but at a time when court hours were to end,  no hearing took place and Court adjourned it for 1st September 22. Let us hope on that day hearing takes place. 

On Govt.  front,  the notification regarding increase in Family Pension , is still with the Secretary,  Dept.  of Financial Services. As a reminder to my letter dated 1.7.22 to the Finance Minister  Smt Nirmala Sitharaman ,  I have sent another letter to her on 8.8.22, requesting her to clear the hurdle in notification  on the matter. Even in banking sector there seems to be no further head way in the matter of Updation of pension. In the mean while the work of approaching the MPs and getting our Appeal cum memorandum forwarded to Finance Minister Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman  has picked up very well. A little more efforts are required to reach desired target of 50 odd MPs

 On LIC front , we have written letters to ED (P), M.D and Chairperson of LIC in regards to , allowing video calling facility to pensioners in India too, payment of lump sum to pre 1986 retirees on the pattern of Union Bank of India and payment of Pension on  the last working day of the month respectively. The text of these letters have already been posted on WhatsApp group of EC members, with the intention  that EC members pass it on to their general members of the units. However, the letters are attached for your view. In this respect, a very notable job has been done by Sri V R. Krishnan,  our Jt.  Secretary and Secretary Chennai Association.  He met ED (P) Sri. R. K. Dubey who was on an official visit to Chennai and discussed on series of pending issues lying with LIC.

The details of the discussion are as follows--

1.  Enhancement of Family Pension from 15 to 30%.   --- ED(P) confirmed that the matter had already  been receiving the attention of the DFS and that the CO is also following it up. 

 

2. One more option for Mediclaim. – ED(P) was of the opinion that the same have to be discussed with the General Insurance Company. He said they  are considering whether a separate scheme can be evolved for this category of left out retirees effective from next renewal date.

 

3. Pension Upgradation– The wide-ranging disparity existing  between different classes of the retirees, due to different dates of retirement, as also within the same cadre of retirees, were explained to him. Though in principle he agreed that  wide incongruity exists between the pensioners, he was not able to give a definite response, the matter being sub judice and  held at the Finance Ministry level.

 

4. Calculation of Basic Pension on the last drawn pay or last 10 months average emoluments, whichever is more beneficial to the retiree.  – ED(P) said that the same had been turned down by the Government. However he was requested  to pursue the matter  pointing out that this formula adversely affects  those retiring within 9 months of  effective dates of wage revisions.

 

5. Full Pension after completing the qualifying service of 20 years  -  he stated the matter had to be referred to the Govt. 

 

6. Additional pension of 20%  or more as the case may be for pensioners who had completed 80 plus years, as in CG. --  ED(P)  stated that it has already been recommended  to the Govt. and that there was no indication of negative response  from the Government and follow up is being done. 

 

7. Credit of pension on the last working day of the month as in Banks – he agreed to discuss the matter with officials of CO.

 

8. Full pension for the family pensioners on the unfortunate death of the pensioner upto age 67 instead of the present 65 years.:  –  he replied that the matter had already been taken up with the Government and is under active consideration.

 

9. Life Certificate by video calling, for pensioners in India also.  - He agreed to take it up with the department officials. 

 

10.  Payment of additional lump sum amount to Pre-86 retirees, who are now in their 90s, the number being very less,  it should be considered favourably and immediately . It was also pointed out to him that Federation General Secretary  had already written to CO.  He said the Government had called for some data which they are providing and expected a positive decision soon. 

 

11.  The class I, officers retired between  1-8-92 to 31-03-93, alone were denied the benefit of wage revision from 1-08- 1992. (with  only Shri M C Jain as exception,  since  he got a  SC judgement in his favour.)  It was pointed out to him -  as only  a  small number of survivors  similarly placed as Mr M C Jain, are alive as on date, aged 85 and above,  the same can be considered favourably for all, numbering about 325 ( including those who are no more). Though he  seemed very much in the know of the matter, did not give a committed   reply. He was  requested  to examine the issue and consider it objectively.

       Friends , from the deliberations, it is quite clear that letters written by us to ED (P) , M.D and the Chairperson have been taken note of by the concerned authorities at Central office and are being discussed.  Let us hope something positive comes out of it, in due course of time.  

 

With Greetings.    Long live Federation. 

                                    Yours faithfully 

                                     S. K. Awasthi.   

                                    Genl. Secretary 

Encl:  1. SKA-CO-1 letter to MD BCP- pre-86 retirees-CC to Chairman

          2. SKA-CO-02 -Pension on 1^st - letter to Chairman copy to MD