MINUTES OF THE MEETING ON CO-ORDINATION OF BANK PENSIONERS' AND_ RETIREES' ORGANIZATIONS HELD ON 22-09-2019 AT NEW DELHI.

Minutes of the meeting confederation of retirees' organisation  held on 22-09-2019 at New Delhi,   are reproduced below.

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The second meeting of our above Confederation was held on 22-09-2019 at New Delhi.
The following Federations of Bank Pensioners and retirees attended this meeting.

1, Federation of State Bank of India Pensioners' Associations

2 .All India Bank Retirees Federation

3. All India Bank Pensioners' & Retirees' Confederation.

4.   Retired Bank Officers National Confederation and

5,   All India ~Retired Bank Employees' Association
The details of the representatives from the above organizations participated at the
above meeting are furnished in the enclosures.

2.     Shri R.N.Banerjee, President, Federation of 5.8.1 Pensioners Associations extended
a warm welcome to the participants. He said that all our issues are well known and
discussed adequately. Meetings with some ministers were also not helpful. The
Government does not respond to our communications and its officials are not even
giving their appointments for our meeting them. We therefore should take a decision
today on our further action to be taken for resolving our important issues.

3.     Shri P.P.S.Murthy, General Secretary, Federation of SBI Pensioners' Associations
briefed the members on the developments since our last meeting. Our last meeting has
evoked great expectations of Bank pensioners and retirees throughout the country. We
cannot therefore delay any longer to finalize our action program for resolving our
pension issues. We should strive together whole heartedly to meet the aspirations of the
Bank pensioners and retirees. We can finalize our action plan taking a lead from the
disclosures made in the Record Note on the proposals under consideration of the 1.8 A.
for resolving our pension issues. The Bipartite Settlements concluded so far have
neglected those retired before the conclusions of the wage settlements Had the same
proportionate employees' costs incurred in 2006 had been incurred by the Banks in the
subsequent years the lot of both employees and pensioners would not have been
brought down to a very inferior position to that of the Government employees and
pensioners. We should mobilize the whole hearted support of the organizations of the
serving bank employees as well to our efforts for resolving our pension issues. We are
well aware of the negative approach of the Government towards bank employees and
pensioners/retirees. Even the efforts of the top managements of the Banks in removing
certain apparent~ discriminations caused to their pensioners could not succeed.
Challenges before us are many. We should therefore proceed further without delay in
finalizing our action plan and in launching its implementation.

3. Shri D.P.Gupta of AIBRF brought to the notice of the members that his Federation
joining this Confederation would depend on the decision of the General Body of his
Federation at its meeting to be held on 26-11-2019. His Federation would not therefore
be a party to the decisions taken at this meeting. Shri RN.Banerjee conveyed to them
that AIBRF is welcome to join this Confederation at any time.

4.Shri S.R Sengupta, General Secretary , A!BPARC conveyed to the participants that
the entire community of Bank pensioners and retirees throughout out the Country are
eagerly awaiting our decision. OROP has got a new dimension but it is not new
issue.IBA has categorically listed our issues. Our issues can for our immediate action. He proposed Shri P.P.S.Murthy, General Secretary of Federation of SB! PAs to be the convener of our Confederation. He suggested the following action program.
i. Massive demonstration at all metro centres excepting at New Delhi during the
first week of October.
ii.     Press conference to be held wherever possible.
iii.    i. Appeal to the P.M signed by as many pensioners as possible before l5th
October to be sent by speed post.
iv.     A massive rally at New Delhi in January 2018,
v. Delegation to !BA by the leaders of our Confederation accompanied by senior
pensioners/retirees.
5.    Shri D.P,Gupta , at this stage conveyed that his Federation would not be a party to the decisions taken at this meeting. A request was made to him by Shri P.P.S.Murthy asking him to participate in our discussions stating that the decisions taken at this meeting would be communicated to his Federation for its consideration and implementation, as our unity during this crucial phase of our movement is the need of the hour .Shri D.P.Gupta, however left this meeting along with his colleague
Shri.A.KBansal.
6.    Shri R.KAcharya President of A!RBEA conveyed that all of us should be united and
work for the welfare of the retirees.He concurred with the proposal for nominating Shri
P.P~S.Murthy as the convener of our Confederation.

7,Shri KSukumaran, President of RBNOC conveyed that we do not however have any
power or influence.The convener ship of our Confederation should not be an issue for forging our unity. Anyone having the support of all will be the convener. He stressed on the need for our collective effort for resolving our issues. We should declare our action plan as early as possible.
 
8.     The participants confirmed the minutes of the last meeting of our Confederation held
on 28-07-2019.The participants unanimously agreed to nominate Shri P.P.S Murthy,
General Secretary of the Federation of SB! Pas as the Convener of our Confederation.
The draft of our memorandum will be revised on the basis of the lead given by the
disclosures made in the Record Note for resolving our pension issues with a focus on
the insignificant increase in the pension on lOth. Bipartite pay scales. We should send
our appeal to IBA and managements of all Banks seeking a meeting with them for
discussions reiterating our contribution to the Banking Industry. There is no need in our
appeal to make a reference to NPAs, A draft of this memorandum will be sent to the
members of our Confederation for their approval.
9.    On the basis of suggestions made by the participants, the following action program
has been finalized.
I.    Immediate formation of State Level/ Region Level Committees at important contras of
Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Mumbai and New Delhi and in
other centres. One Representative from each organization as a member of these
committees may be advised to the Confederation.
II  Draft of our appeal to PM to be sent to its members for their approval

III.    In October
i.     Our appeal to P.M to be sent by 7th October. Appeal to P.M to be mailed by speed
post by pensioners and retirees. A Signature campaign may be organized from ?th
October to 3lst October for this purpose.
ii.    . Appeals to be sent to the Finance Minister, Secretary Financial Services seeking their
appointments.
iii.    . On an agreed date in October, submission of our memorandum to IBA by leading a
delegation of the leaders of our Confederation seeking an opportunity for discussions
with us.
iv.    . Appeals to the managements of all Banks.

iv Appeal to UFBU, AIBOC and other members of UFBU.

In November
v. .Organize meetings of Pensioners/ Retirees at major metro centres and press
conferences, wherever possible
vi.     Demonstration before the selected office of a PSU Bank at metro centres.


In December

vii.    i. Massive Demonstration in New Delhi on Friday the Ilth December.


A request will be made to AIBRF to participate in our above action program. The
participants agreed to hold our next meeting at Kolkata during the first week of
November. The meeting ended with a vote of thanks by Shri P.P.S.Murthy
P.P.Sankaranaryana Murthy

Convener,

Confederation of Bank Pensioners and Retirees Organizations

Channai

28-08-2019
Unquote

Bipartite talks between IBA and UBFU on 26th Sept 2019 - Pension related matters

We reproduce below relevant paras from the circular issued by UFBU regarding bipartite talks held between IBA and UFBU on 26th Sept 2019.

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 Pension related matters i.e. 100% DA on pension for pre-Nov. 2002 retirees, improvement in family pension, provision for periodical updation of pension

After discussion, IBA informed that they are inclined to favorably consider the demand of 100% DA on pension for pre-Nov. 2002 retirees.  IBA further informed that cost aspect on improvement in family pension is being worked out and they would soon take a decision on the same.  IBA responded positively on this issue. As regards updation of pension, IBA informed that in view of the high cost involved, it would be difficult to agree to the same.  On our insistence, IBA agreed that any viable and affordable proposition from the UFBU in this regard would be examined.

Unquote

UBFU has decided to go on agitation path as they are not satisfied with offer by IBA regarding wage revision.  Agitation program includes demonstrations  and one day strike.

Click here to view UFBU circular.

IBA’S MEDICAL INSURANCE SCHEME FOR RETIREES - Letter by CBPRO to Hon Finance Minister

We are reproducing here under the letter  addressed to Hon’ble Finance Minister, Govt of India on above subject by joint convenor, CBPRO and GS, AIBRF. 
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Mrs. Nirmala Sitharaman                                                  Date:24.09.2019
Hon’ble Finance Minister
Ministry of Finance
Government of India
North Block
New Delhi
Respected Madam,
IBA’S MEDICAL INSURANCE SCHEME FOR RETIREES
Department of Financial Services, Ministry of Finance, Govt of India advised IBA vide its        communication dated 24th February 2012 to evolve a Medical Insurance Scheme for Serving and Retired Employees of the Banks. IBA in turn put up this proposal as management issue before United Forum of Bank Unions (UBFU) at the time of wage negotiations which  concluded in April/May 2019. As a result a new medical insurance scheme got introduced both for Serving Employees and Retired Employees with effect from October 2019 and November 2019 respectively. After introduction of IBA’s Medical Insurance Scheme during the year 2019 there has been multifold increase in the premium thereby compelling many of the retirees to opt out of this scheme for the reasons of un-affordability, more particularly those who are family pensioners drawing as low as Rs.4000 per month pension. The entire amount of annual pension in such cases would not be sufficient to meet out the medical insurance premium. The sky rocketing premium has robbed many pensioners of the benefit under IBA policy which has been otherwise largely helpful to the retirees. Such situation calls for the improvements/modifications in the scheme for retired employees. It is with this view in mind the following requests are made for kind consideration:
a. Since Government communication dated 24.02.2012 did not envisage payment of medical insurance by the Retirees, it should be borne by the Bank as in the case of Serving Employees. It is pertinent to mention that the Executive Directors/Managing Directors/ Chairman and Managing Directors are extended the benefit of medical expenses reimbursement even after retirement without any charge to them on similar lines as they were entitled during their service. It is therefore discriminatory on the part of the Banks to create a class within the class
with regard to extension of medical benefit facility to retired bank employees vis-à-vis the top Retired functionaries of the Bank on one side and the Serving Employees on the other side. There is an urgent need to remove this anomaly urgently.
b. Since all the retirees are senior and super senior citizens, their medical insurance/hospitalization reimbursement are social security measures and are the responsibility of the employer as in the case of Government and PSUs. It assumes greater significance after introduction of AYUSH Health Care for other sections of society by the Government without charging any cost to the beneficiaries. Alternatively, the Retired Employees of the Banks which are instrumentalities of the Government and hence fall within the meaning of State under Article 12 of the Constitution of India should be covered under CGHS after charging a fixed lump sum amount at the time of retirement or at the time of extending the cover to all those who have already retired.
c. It is requested to include specially challenged dependent children in the definition of family to provide Medical Insurance benefit.
d. It is pertinent to mention here that United India Insurance Company being the Insurer for Serving and Retired Bank Employees had quoted a moderate premium of Rs. 7,500/- as a penetrating price in the first year (2019) but has been increasing the premium every year in such a manner that the premium for Retirees is far more than the premium which is applicable for Serving Employees. The fact that Retirees are forced to bear the premium while for Serving Employees it is borne by the Banks, makes the discrimination a case of double jeopardy and unbearably harsh. Such steep increase in the premium has been compelling the Retired Employees to exit the Scheme for affordability reasons. It has resulted in a pitiable situation for such of those Retirees who are forced to exit IBA’s Medical Insurance Scheme as they had discontinued their Individual Medical Insurance cover and are barred from taking Individual cover afresh either on account of crossing the threshold age or on the ground of having pre-existing diseases.
It is in this background, we request that those who have exited IBA’s Group Medical Scheme may be permitted to rejoin the Scheme with the suggested improvements.
We earnestly request you to give suitable instructions to DFS/IBA/Member Banks to consider our request and suggestions favourably for the ensuing renewal which is due on 01.11.2019 and thus provide much deserved relief to the Bank Retirees who were an integral part of Nation building by implementing the Policies and Programmes of the Government for 30-40 prime years of their life. The Government under the dynamic and caring leadership of our Hon’ble Prime Minister has been applauding the contributions of Public Sector Bank Employees and Officers for implementing various Schemes with a total sense of commitment and devotion. We are therefore earnestly requesting for a small reward for the good work done for the Government and the society.
Kindly consider our request favourably and oblige.
With regards,
Yours Faithfully,
(K.V. Acharya)                                (S.C.Jain)
Joint Convener, CBPRO       General Secretary, AIBRF

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COMPLAINT AGAINST INDIAN BANKS ASSOCIATION, UNITED INSURANCE CO LTD,AND BANK OF BARODA IN THE MATTER OF GROUP MEDICAL INSURANCE SCHEME FOR BANK WORKING EMPLOYEES AND RETIRED EMPLOYEES.

Shri  S. Ramchandran former General Manager of Bank of Baroda has  written a letter to the Chairman, Insurance Regulatory & Development Authority (IRDA) regarding group medical insurance scheme for bank working and retired employees. The letter points out to many irregularities of the scheme and number of violations of IRDA guidelines. Legality of IBA has also been questioned in the letter.

 Click here to view the letter to IRDA

 Click here to view annexure A to the letter  (IBA Letter)

 Click here to view annexure B to the letter 

 Click here to view IRDA guidelines 

Pension option to CRS employees - Supreme Court Decision

Pension option to Compulsorily Retired employees was denied under 9th Bipartite Settlement in which pension option was given to other eligible retirees. Recently Division Bench of Supreme Court dismissed special leave petitions by Andhra Bank Management against Andhra High Court order allowing pension option to the compulsory Retired Employees also along with the option given to other eligible retirees under 9th settlement. 

Since the judgement has been given by highest court of the country, Andhra Bank management is under obligation to give pension option to the petitioners and other eligible retirees in the bank.
Order passed by the Supreme Court in the above referred SLPs and  the principles laid down by division bench of Andhra High Court while delivering the judgement in the matter  are applicable not only to the petitioners but to all affected compulsory Retired employees
AIBRF has written a letter to Chairman IBA requesting him to advise all member banks to pass the benefit  and give pension option to all compulsarily  retired employees.

Source : AIBRF website

 

IBA Group Medi-Claim Policy for Retirees - Dificulties/ Problems at implementation level

We reproduce below the letter by General Secretary, AIBRF to IBA.
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The Chairman
Indian Bank Association
Mumbai
Dear Sir
Re: IBA Group Medi-Claim Policy for Retirees

We refer to the Group Medi-Claim Policy introduced in 10th Bipartite Settlement for the employees towards effective health management of workforce. Benefits of this policy have also been extended to retired employees with some exceptions.
2. We welcome the move of IBA and Unions to extend the
benefits of group policy to retirees. We hope this will provide
some relief to the retirees in health management at the
advancing age.
3. We find that banks have started issuing communications for implementation of the scheme at their level. We observe the following difficulties/ problems at the implementation level.
(a) Banks are allowing very limited time say 15/ 20 days to
the retirees for exercising the one time option for joining the scheme. As you know about 3lakhs retirees are involved who will be eligible to exercise the option. These individuals are located in different parts of the country and many are in very remote areas. It will be difficult to reach the individuals in many cases within such short time resulting into large number of complaints and grievances at later date. Further, We would like to point out that most of these retirees have
already purchased medi-claim polices by paying certain premiums and these policies are still valid for some months. In view of the fact that banks are allowing very limited time to exercise the option, during the current year the retirees will have to bear premium for two policies which becomes difficult for them. In view of this our request to you is that ask banks to allow reasonable time say 6 months to exercise the option.

(b) It is observed from the scheme as well as the communication being issued by banks that the amount of sum assured to be purchased is fixed one which is Rs. 3 lakhs for award staff retiree and Rs. 4 lakhs for officer staff retiree without any flexibility to the retiree to go for some lower amount for cost management and with the intention to continue existing policy simultaneously within allocated funds. You will agree that affordability and cost is very critical factor for retirees. In view of this we request you to ask the
banks to allow flexibility to take policy for lower amount if so desired by individuals within overall ceiling of Rs. 3 lakhs and Rs. 4 lakhs.

(c) It is seen that premium indicated in the bank communications is for first year of the policy. What will be the premium for next or subsequent renewals is not indicated. In case of steep increase in premium in subsequent years which cannot be ruled out in view of the trend noticed in health insurance policy area may disturb the financial planning of retirees as well put them to highly disadvantageous position by switching from existing policies to IBA policy. While any increase in premium in subsequent years will not affect employees adversely as premium for them will be borne by banks it will hurt retirees badly . In view of this we request to re-negotiate with the concerned insurance company and freeze premium for at least next 5 years to give some stability in managing the cost.

(d) We request you to refer government directives issued to banks in 2012 while revising limits for staff welfare that some portion of welfare funds meant for retirees should used for health insurance. In views of this we request you to give some uniform guidelines to subsidies premium cost instead of leaving entirely to the discretion of the bank concerned which will result in to huge heart burning among retirees.

With Regards
Yours Sincerely
( S.C.JAIN )
GENERAL SECRETARY
Unquote
Source : AIBRF Website
 

Latest position of unity talks. - Government finally agrees to allow one pension for one rank in case of Defence Employees

The meeting of all the 5 Retiree-organisations took place at Delhi on 28th  July, 2019. It was decided that the next meeting of the coordinated forum (CBPRO) would take place within August, 2019. . Now it has been decided that the All Union meeting of Retirees will take place at New Delhi on 22nd September, 2019. 

One Rank One Pension: After a long lapse of time Government of India conceded the demands of the defense employees and agreed to pay one pension to one rank. Although there are some minor aberrations which are yet to be settled, the principal issues have been sorted out. It is the outcome of a long drawn struggle. The defense employees and their organisations deserve congratulations for this spectacular victory.  Government has done justice to the people who staked their lives for the defense of the country. It is the victory of a principled demand . Let us hope that it's benefits would be very reasonably extended to retirees of other sectors. 

 Source: AIBPARC circular

Supreme Court Judgment on Contempt Petition filed by retirees of erstwhile SBM

Hon Supreme Court has delivered judgement favourable to retirees of erstwhile SBM in the contempt petition case filed by them. Please click on the following link to view text of the Judgement
 Supreme Court Judgement

Letter to Hon Finance Minister regardng status of IBA and letter to the insurer regarding Group Health Policy of Bank retirees

Shri S. Ramchandran ( age 77 years) , a retired General Manager of PSU bank, has written a letter to Hon Finance Minister expressing deep concern on the status of Indian Banks’ Association. The subject of the letter is as follows.

 "Unheard of an Authority without Accountability and Responsibility in a country wedded to Rule of Law – Indian Banks’ Association."

 Click here to view the letter to Hon Finance Minister

He has also written a letter to Chairman & Managing Director of United India Insurance Company regarding Group Health Insurance policy for bank employees. The letter seeks clarifications regarding the terms of policy and invites attention to IRDA guidelines.

Click here to view the letter to CMD of United India Insurance Company

Source: cewekbankir google group