Wednesday, September 30, 2015

MINUTES OF THE MEETING ON CO-ORDINATION OF BANK PENSIONERS' AND_ RETIREES' ORGANIZATIONS HELD ON 22-09-2015 AT NEW DELHI.


Minutes of the meeting confederation of retirees' organisation  held on 22-09-2015 at New Delhi,   are reproduced below.
Quote
The second meeting of our above Confederation was held on 22-09-2015 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 26-11-2015. 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 2016,
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 28-07-2015.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

28-08-2015

Unquote





Thursday, September 24, 2015

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.


Friday, September 11, 2015

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

We reproduce below the letter by General Secretary, AIBRF to IBA.
Quote
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
 

Tuesday, September 8, 2015

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, 2015. It was decided that the next meeting of the coordinated forum (CBPRO) would take place within August, 2015. . Now it has been decided that the All Union meeting of Retirees will take place at New Delhi on 22nd September, 2015. 
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

Saturday, September 5, 2015

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."


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.


Source: bankpensioner google group