NCCPA CIRCULAR DT23 september 2022

NATIONAL CO-ORDINATION COMMITTEE

OF PENSIONERS ASSOCIATIONS.

(Registered under the

T.U. Act.No. RTU01/2021.Dated.7.01.2021

PAN No.  AAEAN8586F

Website: nccpahq.blogspot.in.                                 President:  Com. Shiv Gopal Mishra. (97176 47594)

E mail: nccpahq@gmail.com.                                  Secretary General: Com. K.K.N. Kutty. (98110 48303)

13.c Feroze Shah Road,

New Delhi. 110 001

 

Dated: 23.09.2022

 

JCM STANDING COMMITTEE MEETING HELD ON 22.09.2022 – GIST OF DECISIONS

Dear Comrades,

The meeting of the standing committee of National Council JCM was held today (22.9.22) under the Chairmanship of Secretary Personnel. There were many issues pertaining to the Pensioners in the agenda. The undersigned as a member of the Standing Committee participated in the discussions. The outcome of the discussions on each item is mentioned hereunder:-

1. FMA to Pensioners of National Institute of Ayurveda: The official side said that only after the Supreme Court directive they will be able to do anything in this matter.

2. Restoration of Senior Citizen Facility in Railways: The matter is under consideration.

3. Treating the Pensioners on par with the officials on duty for Guest House: Orders have been issued. Copy will be provided.

4. Pension to be exempted from Income Tax: The matter will be reconsidered in the light of discussions.

5. Disability Pension of War Heroes to be exempted from Income Tax: Will be reconsidered.

6. Pension revision in the case of Personnel Compulsorily retired: Orders issued.

7. Grant of enhanced pension on completion of 79 years: Not accepted.

8. Grievance redressal mechanism for Pensioners: The staff side wanted Pension Adalats to be held at Departmental levels. The issue will be further discussed.

9. Restoration of Commuted value of Pension after 12 years: Will be further discussed.

10. CGHS Related Issues:

i. Ward Entitlement.

ii. Lifetime CGHS facility for dependent disabled children.

iii. Health Insurance to Pensioners.

iv. To have Dispensary/Wellness Centres at all 108 Stations.

v. Enhancing FMA.

vi. Reimbursement of Medical Expenses for those who are not covered by CGHS.

vii. Increase the number of empanelled hospitals.

viii. Provision of sufficient staff in the dispensaries taken over from Postal Department.

ix. CGHS entitlement for Pensioners of Andaman and Lakshadweep Islands.

x. CGHS related Problems of Kerala.

xi. Online consultation facility.

xii. Cashless medical facilities to CGHS beneficiaries to be extended to all cities.

All the above items are to be discussed with Secretary Health. The date of the meeting will be indicated soon.

 

11. Board of Arbitration Awards: The matter will be discussed with the Staff Side.

12. MACP to be effective from 1.1.2006: The matter will be further discussed.

13. Notional Increment for those who retired on 30th June: Matter is subjudice.

14. Time limit to complete disciplinary proceedings of retired personnel: The staff side demanded that in case proceedings cannot be finalised within 3 years, he should be deemed to have been exonerated. The matter will be discussed further.

 

With fraternal Greetings.

KKN Kutty

Secretary General

celebration of ITPF Foundation Day at Mumbai on 4th June 2022

INCOMETAX PENSIONERS FEDERATION

NEW DELHI

 

E MAIL: itpfchq@gmail.com

Website address:itpfchq.blogspot.com

Manishinath Bhawan,

A/2/95 Rajouri Garden

‘New Delhi. 110 027.

22nd June, 2022

Dear Com.

The foundation day celebration  was held at Aakar Bhawan, Shamiana, Mumbai on 4th  June, 2022 . The ITPF flag which was designed in consultation with all Units was hoisted by Com. Umesh Mehta, President  at 10.30 AM in the presence of the National Executive Committee members and active comrades of ITEF and members of ITPF , Mumbai Unit.  The unfurling of flag was greeted by raising slogans and was followed by the song “We shall overcome  - Hum Honga kamiyab- by lady comrades of ITEF Mumbai Unit.   Com. Umesh Mehta in his brief speech reminded the comrades of the strenuous efforts they had undertaken in building a strong movement of Income tax employees and requested them to spend their rest of the life to build up equally strong ITPF.   The flag hoisting was flowed by placing flowers at the martyrs’ column.

The convention which was planned as part of the celebration commenced at 11.15 AM. Very many pensioner comrades, from Mumbai  despite their failing heath had attended the function, notable was the presence of Com.VKS, President of Mumbai Unit and Com. H. Syed Shajahan.  Com. VKS attended the function with the help of his son and Com.Shajahan came over despite excruciating back pain.   The National Executive expressed their gratitude to these two comrades.  

On behalf of the host Unit, Com.Ashok Salunkhe welcomed the guest and members of NE as also the active comrades of ITEF and members of ITPF .  The convention was presided over by com. Umesh  Mehta,  Despite being a holiday, the hall could not accommodate all comrades and had to arrange alternate arrangements outside the hall. The convention paid homage to all the comrades, who passed  away especially during the covid period. The main speaker at the convention was the great Indian Journalist and social workers, Shri P. Sainath who had won the internationally famous Japanese award and the  Ramon Magsasay Award.  He is better known to the Indian People for the crusade he had undertaken to bring to light the plight of the Indian Farmers after the neo-liberal economic policies,  which had snatched the life of many of them.  But for the untiring efforts, the plight of farmers, which drove them to commit suicide would never have been known to the world.   He was introduced to the house by Com. K.K.N. Kutty, Secretary General, ITPF and in the speech which lasted for more than an hour,  he touched upon the various contours of Indian Economy in the post-liberal period.   He drew the attention of the audience to the growing inequality, the  widening gap between the have and have nots in the society, contrary to the constitution directive to the Government to bring in an egalitarian society.  During the covid period the country’s economy  had nosedived, a world phenomenon.  But even before that tragic period, the economy had been in a recessionary trend.   The economic growth had been stunted and the policy decisions like demonetisation etc. had only accentuated the process.  While the economy registered a negative growth during the tragic period,  the rich in the country had amassed wealth during that  occasion,.   While the poverty had been rising phenomenally, pushing India’s position further down in the comity of Nations, the country registered a huge rise in the dollar billionaires.  The number of dollar billionaires had risen to 160 and the top among them had increased his wealth by 400%  during this period.  The lamentation of the Government of having not enough resources to provide succour to the poor people,  he said was untrue.   It was in fact the unwillingness on the part of the Government to tax the corporate houses and wealthy people is very much visible.   He pointed out that through the bail-out packages, the Government has transferred millions to the corporate houses.   The country’s democracy has become for the corporate and by the corporate.   He added that if the Government reintroduce the wealth-tax which was abolished in 2016, and make it applicable at least  to the dollar billionaires, the country could  easily collect 59 Trillion rupees, sufficient for the entire outlay for MNREGA scheme for the next 24 years.  The reversal of these policies would not come about, he added, unless struggles are organised with determination as was done by the farmers of the country.  It was their determination that had brought laurels to their movement and one should remember that the promises held out to them are still to be honoured.   Our host unit has recorded the full speech and sooner we shall place the full text of it on our website.  

The convention was greeted by Com.Arvind Trivedi, President, ITGOA,  Com. Roopak Sarkar, Secretary General, ITEF, Com. M.S. Vengatesan, President, ITEF,  Com. Ravi B. Nair, President,  Confederation of Central Government employees and workers,  Com. Santhosh Nair, General Secretary, ITEF Mumbai Unit,  Com. Gupta, Secretary, ITGOA Mumbai Unit.  The convention was concluded by a vote of thanks by Com. Ashok Salunkhe.

The National Executive met immediately thereafter.  Almost all States were represented at the meeting except, Bihar, NW Region, Pune, Nagpur and Allahabad.  While Sheoji Misra had informed of his inability to attend the meeting  due to his prior domestic commitment,  Com.Chikate from Nagpur could not make it for not getting reservation at the last minute.  There had been no information from Com. Sarvalkar  of Pune Unit. Shri Sudhir Chandra had informed of his inability to attend the function due to some function  in his family.   The meeting also could not discuss the financial matters as Com. Badola who had fractured his leg could not come over to the meeting.   However, he had circulated the due statement of each Unit.  Com. President requested the comrades to clear off the arrears on account of subscription.  

The meeting then discussed the need for some action programme in respect of the deteriorating health facilities especially in the matter of CGHS beneficiaries and the denial of arrears of DR for 18 months by the Government.  Com. Secretary General informed the house that the confederation who represent the working employees are also concerned of this issue and they have assured him of some concerted action when they meet on 14th June, 2022 at New Delhi.  The meeting suggested to organise some demonstrative action before Nirman Bhawan, especially in the matter of the health care facilities.  Comrades  who participated in the programme wanted simultaneous action at the State level so that it will catch the attention of the authorities.  

Organisational.  The meeting was of the opinion that the Secretary General should pay visit to Bihar and North West Region to bring about ITPF units there.   It was also decided that while the Unit conference may be held once in two years or three years, the General Body meetings of the Central and State Units are required to be held as per the provisions of the registration Act and information may be provided to the CHQ in this regard.  It is better, the meeting concluded that one of the Sectt. Members attend such meetings and report to the CHQ of the proceedings.   The meeting discussed the proposal made by the Secretary General for affiliation with TUI of WFTU.  After some discussions, it was agreed upon.

The meeting decided that the foundation day hereafter must be an annual affair and must be observed in all States and at the CHQ on 4th June.  The customary message from the President will be circulated well in advance of the date.  Every Unit  which was present at the meeting  was handed over a flag and one sheet of the letterhead where the logo of the ITPF has been depicted.   All the participants expressed their happiness over the excellent arrangements made by the host Unit for the function  and expressed their gratitude .   The meeting was concluded at 2.45 PM.  The lunch was provided at the IT. Canteen for which great efforts had been undertaken by Com. Warkhade,.  On behalf of the National Sectt. Com. President praised him for the gesture.   The decisions taken at the meeting is briefly enumerated as under:=

To revitalise the functioning of Units.  Hold GB. Meeting annually. Invite one of the National Sectt. Members for the said meeting.

Make remittances to the CHQ of the arrear subscription.

CHQ will continue its efforts to get the registration under the T.U. Act.

CHQ will circulate the account for the year 2020=21, and 2021-22. The Sectt. Is authorised to appoint the CA for auditing the accounts.

June, 4th every year will be observed as the foundation day by the CHQ as well as Units.

CHQ will take stesp to file the requisite statements to the Registrar of Socieities.

 The flag and logo will be used by all Units.

Steps will be taken to collect funds for looking after the comrades who would be coming to Delhi to participate in the programme before Nirman Bhawan.

CHQ will make the payment of NCCPA dues.

Application  for affiliation with TUI  of WFTU will be sent by the Secretary Genera

 The Secretary General will visit Patna and NW region to bring about functioning units in these states.  

The National Executive concluded its deliberation with the thanks giving speech of Com. Secretary General.  He profusely thanked the host unit for getting up the function in an excellent manner and the arrangements made for the comfortable stay of the N.E. members.

With greetings

Yours fraternally

 

K.K.N. Kutty.

Secretary General.

 

 

 

Com Gopal Singh Jadoo

COM. GOPAL SINGH JADOO.

The demise of Com. Gopal Singh Jadoo  conveyed by our Rajasthan Comrades, through whatsapp message  saddened many of us who had worked with him for several years.  Com. Jadoo born in August, 1947 entered the I.T. Department in 1967 at the age of 21. These two years i.e. the  year of birth and the year o f entry into the Incometax Department happened to be one and the same in the case of the undersigned too; a co-incidence, which I had no occasion to notice in the past.  He was recruited to the then prevailing lowest strata of the hierarchy of the I.T. Department.  The vantages of the feudal society that had remained refusing to vanish despite the strong movement built up in the wake of the independence struggles of the country had made the early life of Com. Jadoo rather miserable.  Naturally he could not receive the requisite formal education required for a decent job but the one he got was enough to pull him and his family out of the agony.  The day to day happenings, the sheer injustice meted out to personell at the lower rungs;  the subjugation hurting self respect played a vital role in transforming his personality.  He found the trade union movement and the platform of the Association as an important vehicle to transform himself and embolden him to question the traditions and traditional behaviours of the superior officers.  He became an active members of the then prevailing Group D (Class IV) Association of Rajasthan.  He strived hard as an activist of the Association and over a period of time received respect and admiration from his colleagues for the courage and steadfastness he could command.  In a small span of 4 years, he became the President of the Association i.e. in 1971 and continued in that position till 1978.   The one day strike of 19th September, 1968 and the after effects of it in which hundreds of comrades had to face repressive and vindictive action from the Administration unfortunately gave room for differences at the apex level of the organisation and the consequent disruption in the otherwise united movement of tax employees.  Those differences did not remain static at the apex level.   It started percolating down to the grass root level.  Rajasthan was no exception to this unfortunate phenomenon.  The difficulties created by the disruption affected the Group C Unins (Class III Unions) most.  The Rajasthan Incometax Employees Association faced a serious onslaught of the disunity.  Com.Jadoo stood firm with the comrades who were fighting the disruptive elements and made great contribution in halting disruption and bringing out the unity. However, they had to undergo terrible repressive measures from the local administration of Rajasthan.  One must unhesitatingly admit that it was the rock like solid support and solidarity extended by Com. Jadoo and his comrades that helped the Rajasthan Incometax Employees Association to weather the storm and become ultimately successful. His unwavering faith in the ITEF and its leadership at that point of time made that possible.

There were innumerable occasions thereafter, When Com. Jadoo had lent his superb leadership qualities for the ITEF to become stronger and stronger in unity.  The formation of the Joint Council of Action in 1985  and the struggles waged by the ITEF through that united platform in which all Associations/Unions of the employees and promotee officers participated widened the arena of activities of Com. Jadoo.  The first industrial action of the entirety of the employees and promotee officers of the I.T. Department in 1987 threw up very many promising comrades to the National level and Com. Jadoo was prominent among them.   He remained the General Secretary of Rajasthan Aaykaar Karamchari Sangh  for a number of years and spearheaded a number of struggles both at the National and local levels and rose to become ITEF’s All India Vice President. He was very uncompromising on principles and had fought valiantly for his comrades.  The large number of casual and contingent workers, which had  been  unpardonably huge in Rajasthan ,  had aspired to be regularised having put in number of years without any job security.  The enduring efforts of Com. Jadoo and his colleagues ultimately ensured that all of them were regularised.  The court cases he fought for his comrades in the Cours of Rajasthan had been innumerable.   In 2007 he retired from active service but his comrades wanted him to continue, which under the  extant dispensation was not possible.  He became their patron and advisor and continued to serve them for a number of years thereafter.  That was the extent of love and affection and respect he enjoyed amongst the grass root level members of the Association.  When the efforts were to be undertaken to form the Pensioners Association of the retired personnel from Income-tax Department, he took the initiative in Rajasthan and had been an active worker and office bearer for a long time till he was  bed-ridden.  He was very close to Com.S.K. Vyas who was the Secretary General of Confederation and who hailed from the State of Rajasthan and worked full time to ensure the well functioning of the Co-ordination Committee of Central Government Employees of Rajasthan.  

Com. Jadoo was a very courageous man capable of facing any eventuality  and any challenge in any situation.  He was of the opinion that the issues as and when it arises must be addressed and should not be allowed to be procrastinated.  More than respected, the personnel in the management had been looking at him with an element of fear as his action moments could not have been anticipated.   They had tried many time to break the unity of the members of the Rajastan Aaykar Karamchari Sangh, but without success.  

While he was very active in the Pensioners movement at Jaipur , he fell ill and unfortunately became a prisoner in his own home unable to move about.  It was only through telephone  that he had been in touch with his friends and comrades.  Com. Jadoo will be remembered with fondness by all who were associated with him and especially the Income tax employees of Rajasthan.   Rajasthan became a very prominent affiliate of the ITEF and Com. Jadoo had played a very vital role along with others to achieve that position.  

As he was a man who could not tolerate injustice,  he was also very affectionate and was loved by one and all especially by his family members. He received love and affection in abundance from all the members of his family, who lived together.  He had conveyed to this writer the affection and co-operation he has received from his family members which alone had been responsible for the success of his life. In his demise, certainly they had lost the most affectionate head of their family and are naturally grieved grievously along with the family members innumerable Comrades who were employees of IT Department will remember him and shall very remain graved for a lovely family .   While we dip our flag in memory of this great comrade, Com. Gopal Singh Jadoo,  we convey our heartfelt condolences to the bereaved members of his family.  

KKN. Kutty

Secretary General, NCCPA

May Day message from Com KKN Kutty, Secy Gen, NCCPA/ITPF

Dear comrades,

The May day we all remember for the great sacrifice of those who fought for 8 hour work at Chicago more than a century back. The 8 hour term has now been overturned   by the present Indian government. The need for a total unity of the workers requires no emphasis.  The attrocious attempt to divide the society on religious, Caste and regionwise must be defeated. Only unnited movement of workers can do it. Let all Pensioners under our banner join the workers to observe May Day. KKN Kutty. Secy. Gen. NCCPA and ITPF.

The details of the National Sectt. Meeting of the Incometax Pensioners Federation held on 26th April, 2022

INCOMETAX PENSIONER FEDERATION

ManishinathBhawan

A/2/95 Rajouri Garden,

New Delhi. 110 027

Website: Itpf.blogspot.com

E mail. itpfchq@gmail.com

Dated: 28.04.2022.

 

Dear Comrade,

The National Sectt. Meeting of the Incometax Pensioners Federation was held on 26th April, 2022. The meeting was held both on virtue and physical platforms.  The following corades attend the meeting on physical platform .

Com. Umesh Mehta, Com. P.V. Ramachandran, Com. K.K.N.Kutty, Com. C.M. Bdola,

Com. Shekawat, Com. Rameswar Prasad Chaudhary.  

Com. Umesh Mehta President, presided over the meeting. The meeting commenced by observing two minutes silence to condole the death of comrades between the last and this meeting.  A special condolence resolution has been taken in memory of Com. Gopal Singh Jadoo, former Vice President of ITEFand a very respected leaders of the incometax employees of Rajasthan. The full text of the resolution has been placed on our website.  

Since majority of the members were present on virtual platform and due to the constraints of usage of internet facilities, the meeting could not project a detailed discussion.  The following decisions were taken.  

Agenda Item No. 1. Observance of the foundation day.  As indication in the last meeting, the foundation day this year would be observed on 4th June, 2022 at Aaykar Bhawan, Shamiana, M.K. Rod, Mumbai. 400 020.  The following proposal is mooted:

11.00AM. Flag hoisting.  (ITPF newly designed flag will be used.)

11.30. AM. Floral tribute  to Martyrs.

12.00. Convention at Shamiana.  Besides the National Sectt. Members the members comrades of ITPF Mumbai and the active leaders of ITEF will participate.  There will be a key note address on the following subject.  The social security system presently available in modern developed countries of the world.  This apart, the invited guests from the fraternal organisation will present theire greeting.

1.30  to 2.30 PM. Luch followed by a brief meeting of the National Secretariat/Executive.

The foundation day observance will be held in all State Capitals on 10th June, 2022 (this year) and in all subsequent years, the day will be observed on 4th June, 2022.  

The meeting of the comrades, who were physically present discussed very briefly of the logo and the flag.  It was decided that the logo and the flag design will be circulated and  suggestions and opinions elicited from the State Secretaries and other National Sectt. Members.  The formal adoption of the logo and the flag will be made at the N.Sectt. meeting that would be held at Mumbai on 4th June, 2022.  

Agenda Item No. 2. Accounts.  Com. Badoa informed the house that the Bank had frozen the joint Account for want of KYC requirements.  He said that the same has been supplied and the accounts had been activated.  The meeting decided to close down the joint Account and transfer the funds to the account now opened in the name of the Incometax Pensioners Federation (Current Account) in Indian Bank, Rajouri Graden, New Delhi.  He had prepared a statement of account along with the due statement.  Certain other formalities are to be completed and as and when the same is finalised, the accounts so prepared would be circulated and place for approval of the Sectt. on 4th June, 2022.  As per the provisions of the Societies Act, the accounts are to be audited by a Chartered Accountant.  Com. Finance Secretary was authorised to select the Chartered Accountant and after consultation with the President and Secretary General to appoint him as the auditors for the FY 2020-21 and 2021-22.  

Agenda Item No. 3.  The meeting considered the proposal of the Secretary to adopt a resolution demanding the Central Board of Direct Taxes, Chairman to hold a Pension ad  alat to sort out the grievances of the I.T. pensioners throughout the country. The meeting noted that there are many cases of disciplinary proceedings, either initiated after retirement or on the verge of retirement of the personnel which are pending years together.  The text of the resolution will be placed on the website soon.  The State Secretaries are in the meantime, requested to collect the details of the pending cases of pensioners in their charge and inform the CHQ so that a compilation could be handed over to the Chairman, when the representatives meet him.

The General Secretaries of the State Units were requested by the President to intimate in writing the additional points they would like to take up with the Government other than what is contained in the NCCP letter to Minister and those incorporated in the 110th report of the Standing committee of the Parliament.  

Com President while declaring the conclusion of the meeting appealed to all Secretariat members and the Secretaries of the State Unit to attend the observance of foundation day on 4th June, 2022 at Mumbai without fail.  

With greetings,

Yours fraternally,

 

KKN Kutty

Secretary General. 

Link for ITPF Meeting on 26th April 2022

Dear Comrade,

Good Evening.

As per the notice we have our National Secretariat Meeting of ITPF in physical as well as virtual meet tomorrow (26.04.2022) @2 .30 PM. 

To join the meeting on Google Meet, click this link: https://meet.google.com/jyu-czez-zfp

Or open Meet and enter this code: jyu-czez-zfp

With Greetings,

KKN Kutty

SG

Thank you 🙏

Notice is hereby given for a meeting of the National Secretariat of the Inometax Pensioners Federation over physical-cum-virtual platform on 26th April, 2022 at its H.Qrs Manishinath Bhawan, A/2/i95 Rajouri Garden, New Delhi. 110 027

INCOMETAX PENSIONER FEDERATION

Manishinath Bhawan

A/2/95 Rajouri Garden,

New Delhi. 110 027

Website: Itpf.blogspot.com

E mail. itpfchq@gmail.com

 

President:                        Com.  Umesh Mehta

Secretary General.          Com. K.K.N. Kutty

Dated:  13th April,2022.

 

N O T I CE

Notice is hereby given for a meeting of the National Secretariat of the Inometax Pensioners Federation over physical-cum-virtual platform on 26th April, 2022 at its H.Qrs Manishinath Bhawan, A/2/i95 Rajouri Garden, New Delhi. 110 027.  The meeting will commence at 10.30 AM and is slated to be concluded by 2.00 PM.  The members of the Sectt. other than the Organising Secretaries are requested to kindly make it convenient to attend the meeting by their physical presence if possible. The Organising secretaries may either attend the meeting through the virtual platform or physically as is convenient to them  The link for the virtual platform meeting will be sent by 24th April, 2022.  Since the meeting is held both virtually and physically, the duration of the meeting will have to be perforce restricted to a maximum of three hours.  The notice is issued as per the decision taken at the last meeting of the Sectt held on virtual platform.  To ensure that the meeting discusses the issues included in the agenda in detail all members of the Sectt. are requested to kindly attend the meeting on 26th and inform the undersigned as to the platform they would like to choose to participate in the meeting.  The meeting will consider the following agenda.

 

Agenda

 

Discussion over the observance of the foundation  day meeting at Mumbai slated for 4th June, 2022.  Com. Ashok Salunkhe will present the details of arrangements made for the meeting and the programme conceived for the day.

Presentation of the accounts for the financial year2020-21 and 2021-22 by the Secretary Finance, including the subscription dues from each circle/affiliate.  Appointment of Chartered Accountants as per the statutory requirement under the societies act and presentation of the account to the Registrar of Societies.

Consideration of the resolution demanding the convening of Pension Adalat under the auspices of the Central Board of Direct Taxes.

Issues pertaining to pensioners other than included in the letter to the Honourable Minister of State for Personnel, sent by the Secretary General NCCPA and the recommendation of the 110th report of the standing committee of the Parliament.  Special issues of the pensioners of I.T. Department,

Any other matter with the permission of the chair.  

 

k.k.n kutty

Secretary General

To

All members of the National Sectt. with a request that intimation through whatsapp may be given to the Phone No. of the Secretary General: 9811048303 of the method chosen to attend the meeting. Please ensure that your intimation is sent before 20th April, 2022.  

constitution of ITPF CHQ A-2/95, Rajauri Garden, New Delhi-110027

Kindly Join webinar on 20th March at 7.30 pm en masse. Link shall follow. here is the link. https://virtual3.janpath.org/b/bal-bwe-tct-utt

The Union Budget 2022

NATIONAL CO-ORDINATION COMMITTEE

OF PENSIONERS ASSOCIATIONS..

(Registered undder the T.U. Act.No. RTU01/2021.Dated.7.01.2021 

PAN NO AAEAN8586F

Website: nccpahq.blogspot.in.E mail: nccpahq@gmail.com.

13.c Feroze Shah Road, New Delhi. 110 001

 

PRESIDENT:                COM.SHIV GOPAL MISHRA.(97176 47594)

SECRETARY GENERAL:          COM.K.K.N.KUTTY. (98110 48303)

Dated: 2ND February, 2022.

 

Dear Comrade,

The Union Budget 2022

 

On 1st February, 2022, (the customary date fixed for  Union Budget) Ms. Nirmala Sitaraman, Finance Minister, Government of India, presented the budget for the financial year 2022-23 to the Lok Sabha at 11.00 AM. The Budget is an instrument from which the common people expect the Government of India to extend its helping hand to remove their agony.  They normally glue to the TV sets or listen to the Radio broadcast to know whether the empathy has been translated into tangible terms.  The people had expected a lot from this budget as they thought that the Government was aware of the deprivation suffered by the common multitude due to the still-not-abated pandemic, covid 19.  The continuing pandemic situation for the last two years had affected severely the life and means of livelihood of the people at large.  It was during the period of pandemic, the Indian people realised the worth of public health system and how disastrous had been its concerted destruction over the years by the Government.  

 

Most of the time in the year 2021, the country had to face several lock downs as the only way to arrest the severity of the pandemic.  The sudden halt of all economic activities had its terrible toll.  Many families of the people at the lower strata of the society had been driven to the shores of penury and poverty during the period.  It is, therefore, necessary that the budget proposals are seen through their eyes.

 

It is difficult to discern any positive features in the budget, viewed from the common man’s perspective.  With the rising tax revenue, mostly from indirect taxes, like GST, Customs and excise duties, nay even from the corporate and income tax, the Government could have announced certain welfare measures benefiting the poor and suffering people.  In fact the allocation on health, education, employment generation schemes, food and fertilizer subsidies, agriculture (for MSP, Crop insurance,) child welfare etc. has either remained  static or got reduced. A major share of the excise duty has come from the systematic and continuous increase in the petroleum products. The cost of LPG gas cylinder had almost been doubled by this Government between 2014 and 2021.  The phenomenal increase in the cooking gas alone brought distress to a large majority of the people in the lower and middle segments of the society.  The announcements like developing 25000 KMs National highways and 2200 KM new Railway tracks, 400 super-fast trains and above all the introduction of an official digital currency were in fact mocking at the poor people.  The total expenditure of the Government estimated in the Budget for the year 2022-23, despite a nominal increase is actually down from. 17.1% of GDP in 2020-21 to 15.3.% 

 

Without raising resources no government would be able to either increase the long term capital expenditure to create infrastructure asset base nor look after its people at lower strata.  In the difficult situation the people are placed, due to the un-abaiting covid and periodical lock outs, the Government ought to have raised resources from those who has the ability to pay.   Such a proposal must have been a must in the budget.  The Oxfam report, India supplement, which has just been released tells us the sordid story of the vast majority of the Indian people.  Amongst the poverty stricken Nations, India has further fallen from 94 to 104.  It also tells that the top 10 rich  persons in the country had been able to double their wealth during the covid period.  Most of the Indian corporate houses have increased their profit ratio. Why then the Government could not have raised the corporate tax rates or  the rate of income tax  at the super profit level, obviously elicits only one answer.  In fact, the Government had reduced the rate of corporation tax   from 33% to 22% as part of the covid specific bail-out package.  The least the Finance Minister could have done was to restore the old rates. 

 

Pensioner community is no different from the common people.  The senior citizens suffered immeasurably during this period.  Almost every one of them was afflicted with the covid virus.  Being old they were more prone to the pandemic.  Some of them despite being in self- proclaimed house arrest, still suffered from the virus infection.  The private hospitals in the country charged exorbitantly for the treatment.  Having almost dismantled the public health care system, they had no alternative but to be at the mercy of the private hospitals.  Pensioners and the senior citizens still suffer the post-covid health complications.  No concession has been granted to the old people in the Budget, whereas the Govt. has unashamedly taken crores of rupees from the pensioners by denying the Dearness relief due to them for 18 months.    Rather some of the facilities  like  air and train travel concessions were withdrawn .  Many expected that the Government would take note of the huge hospitalisation expenditure incurred by the pensioners and old people and would increase the ceiling limit of medical expenses in the Budget.  

 

Almost all of the the Pensioners and retired personnel had invested their retirement benefits on fixed term deposits in the Nationalised Banks.  Crores of rupees had been collected by the Banks from the pensioners and the fund has obviously been used to advance to rich and corporate entities.  A good chunk of such loans has now become non- performing assets and now a new Bad Bank to deal with such assets has been set up. From 2014 onwards, this government had been systematically reducing the interest rates on term deposits to facilitate the business enterprises.  The fall out has been terrible loss to the pensioner community.  Not only the real value of their income has been eroded   but even in quantum terms, the loss had been unbearable.  According to an estimate a person who had invested in Fixed Deposits, say 20 lakhs in 2014 would suffer a loss of Rs. 87,120 in the year 2021-22 due to interest rate reduction .  That is precisely Rs. 7260 per month.  While the income had a drastic reduction, the expenditure due to inflation and effected price rise on petroleum products has almost doubled.  

 

The 2022-23 Budget has, despite having increased revenue collection, sought to reduce its outflow on welfare measures  ,exposing  clearly where   the empathy of the rulers are. It refused to tax the rich who has increased their profit during the covid period.  It continues to proclaim to raise resources by selling away the Public Sector Units and lease out the infra structural assets for pittance to private enterprises.  Privatisation and crony capitalism had been the hall mark of the policy of this government.  How far they can go could be evidenced rom the fact that the company to whom  the contract for the production of the Vande Bharat coaches  has been given,  is permitted to manufacture it inside the ICF/RCF coach factories owned by the Government.  

 

The Budget is, therefore, not only disappointing but in a way reflects the insensitive mind-set of those in the governance of the country towards the suffering people.   There must be and will be strong reaction from the people at large to this anti people budget.  

 

With greetings, 

Yours fraternally, 

KKN. Kutty. 

Secretary General. 

Forwarded

SK Sharma

Gen Secy, ITPF Meerut

Virtual Meeting of ITPF National SECTT. Meeting on 29.11.2021 at 3.30 PM.

Dear Comrades,

Good Afternoon .

The National Secretariat Meeting of ITPF will be held on 29.11.2021 Monday virtually through Google meet at 3.30 PM. The link will be available from 3.15 PM. All are requested to attend in the following link by touching it:

http://meet.google.com/oiz-obyi-ygh 

Since it’s web meeting all are requested to have sufficient charge in mobile/laptop/computer and data charge or internet connectivity.

All are requested to verify the video and audio from 3.15 PM to 3.30 PM. Also requested to mute both audio and video once the meeting starts at 3.30 PM. Those who wants to talk can talk by unmuting the audio.

With Greetings, GS. KKN Kutty.

ITPF SECTT Meeting on 29.11.2021 at 3.30 pm

INCOMETAX PENSIONER FEDERATION

Manishinath Bhawan

A/2/95 Rajouri Garden,

New Delhi. 110 027

Website: Itpf.blogspot.com

E mail. itpfchq@gmail.com

 

President:                        Com.  Umesh Mehta

Secretary General.          Com. K.K.N. Kutty

Dated:  21st October,  2021.

Dear Comrades,

 

We give hereunder the notice for a meeting of the National Secretariat of ITPF  to be held on virtual platform on 29.11.2021(Monday) at 3.30 PM.  Kindly make it convenient to attend the meeting.

 

N O T I C E

 

Notice is hereby given for a meeting of the ITPF Sectt. on 29.11.2021 on virtual

Platform.  The meeting will commence at 3.30 PM. Com. Umesh  Mehta will

Preside over the meeting. Com. KKN Kutty will present the agenda items:

 

AGENDA

 

Registration of ITPF under the Societies Act, Felicitating the

Comrades, who strived for this viz. Com.S.K. Sharma and Com.

Ashok Kumar Kanojia

Registration under the Trade Union Act. Efforts so far made by the

Rajasthan Unit especially Com.Shekawat and Com. R.P. Chaudhary.

Observance of the foundation day  on 4.6.2022.  Preparation of logo , Emblem and flag.

Physical meeting of National Executive in January, 2022. Finalisation of

Venue and date.

Observance of Pensioner day on 17.12.2021. discussion about the mode and method.

Pensioners’ common problem.

Need to demand for holding a Pension adalat at the Board level.

Organisational with special reference to NWR, Bihar and Pune

Any other matter with the permission of the Chair.  

 



K.K.N. KUTTY

Secretary General

ITPF NATIONAL SECTT NE MEETING POSTPONED TO 29TH NOV 11 AM

Dearcom. Due to some unavoidable reasons we are constrained to postpone the ITPF national sectt. Meeting to 29th NOvember 2021 (monday) at 3.30.00 pm. Sorry for the inconvenience. Kutty

we have decided to organize a webinar at 4.00 PM on 1st October 2021

NATIONAL COORDINATION COMMITTEE

OF PENSIONERS ASSOCIATIONS..

(Registered undder the T.U. Act.No. RTU01/2021.Dated.7.01.2021 

Website: nccpahq.blogspot.in.E mail: nccpahq@gmail.com.

13.c Feroze Shah Road,

New Delhi. 110 001

PRESIDENT:       COM.SHIV GOPAL MISHRA.(97176 47594)

SECy. GENERAL:          COM.K.K.N.KUTTY. (98110 483030)

24th September, 2021

Dear Comrades,

Kindly refer to the circular letter of NCCPA dated 12.09.2021, wherein we have requested our affiliates, State CoCs and CGPAs to observe 1st October 2021 as “Day of Elderly” as per the UN call. Suggestions have been made to us to organize a webinar on that day of the need for a universal social security system, as the responsibility of the government. There is no doubt over the necessity for a wider discussion on this issue so that the Parliament may be constrained to make appropriate enactment. 

Accordingly we have decided to organize a webinar at 4.00 PM on 1st October 2021.

Com.A.K.Padmanaban Vice President CITU will present the key note address. Com. Siva Gopal Mishra our president and Com.V.A.N.Namboodri our patron shall speak on the occasion. There will be speakers from our affiliates state COC and CGPAs. We expect to conclude the webinar at 6.00 PM.

Link for the webinar will be sent separately.

With greetings,

Yours fraternally

KKN Kutty

Secretary General

6th World Day of Struggle of Pensioners

LONG LIVE THE SIXTH WORLD DAY OF STRUGGLEOF PENSIONERS

NATIONAL CO-ORDINATION COMMITTEE

OF PENSIONERS ASSOCIATIONS..

(Registered undder the T.U. Act.No. RTU01/2021.Dated.7.01.2021

PAN NO AAEAN8586F

Website: nccpahq.blogspot.in.E mail: nccpahq@gmail.com.

13.c Feroze Shah Road,

New Delhi. 110 001

 

PRESIDENT:       COM.SHIV GOPAL MISHRA.(97176 47594)

SECy. GENERAL:          COM.K.K.N.KUTTY. (98110 483030)

Dated: 12^TH SEPTEMBER,, 2021.

Dear Comrades

We send herewith a copy of TUI( P & R) letter calling upon its affiliates to observe Ist October, 2021 as the “FAY OF ELEDERLY’. Being an affiliate of TUI  we did observe the day on Ist October, 2020 in the midst of the raging corona virus pandemic.  This is year is no different  as only a fraction of our country men could be vaccinated. However, the situation is slightly better as most of the government offices and private institutions have opened for operation, though not fully.

FOR A DIGNIFIED LIFE THE STRUGGLE CONTINUES  is the slogan

NCCPA  calls upon its affiliates and state units to organise the programme through demonstration, rally, dharna, etc. as they deem fit as per the local conditions and send photographs for onward transmission to the  TUI H.qrs  

With greetings,

Yours fraternally,

 

KKN Kutty

Secretary General.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6th WORLD DAY OF STRUGGLE FOR PENSIONERS

 

DAY OF THE ELDERLY

                        OCTOBER 1, 2,021

 

The elderly, whose date of remembrance for the United Nations and of our struggle, is the 1^st of October, that last year we spent more or less at the height of the coronavirus pandemic and the current one we face at the height of vaccination, although only for some countries and some sectors of the population.

 

The pandemic, like any crisis, only uncovered the pot, to highlight the economic and social scourges, which are inherent (structural and systemic) to the capitalist system, such as the great inequality, between a small group of the world bourgeoisie, of those who are representatives of the imperialist phase, and the vast majority of the world population, limited and lacking all basic services, which must survive in a high percentage of subhuman conditions.

 

The pandemic has meant the worsening of working conditions, unjustified layoffs, wage cuts, the bankruptcy of small businesses, but none of this is new, only now the pandemic serves as an argument, the pandemic has become the front man of the capitalist system, because all the ills of the system are being put in the name of the pandemic.

 

The conditions through which we, the elderly, have had to travel, existed since before the pandemic, the abuses in homes, residences, and nursing homes, the lack of free medical care and medicines, the misery pensions for retirees, the absence of pensions for the majority of the elderly people in the world, which go hand in hand with the illicit and corrupt enrichment of private retirement fund organizations; in the assault of the world's private banks on the resources of those who gave their lives to enrich them, before when we were active workers they exploited us, now when we are retirees they steal from us.

 

We older people are a responsibility of the State, beyond the fact that in the stage of our previous life we have worked more years or less years, with more or less remuneration, because to give us work and a decent remuneration, is also the responsibility of that State. Then every elderly person should have guaranteed conditions for a dignified life, like any human being.

 

It has become clear, as without a pandemic, that some people and countries are more important than others, because, for example, the pharmaceutical transnationals hand in hand with the rich countries have crowded a few countries with vaccines until they have surpluses, while the poor countries have a dropper, or it does not reach them. It is simply imperialist behaviour at this stage of capitalist development.

 

But it has also become clear that there is an ideological pandemic, which created in the laboratories of the bourgeoisie and imperialism, is lashing out at our peoples, with a variety of social democratic theories of class conciliation, which is aimed especially at workers, in order to make them believe that their situation of misery is negotiable, and that it can be fixed without fundamentally altering the capitalist system as such. They are even capable of questioning neoliberalism, to proposing supposed and non-existent variants of socialism, but without destroying the capitalist system. They are only proposing new economic strains of the same capitalist virus.

 

Consequently, it is the task of the elderly, of those who were conscious workers, and of those who have once retired have decided to fight, to take up the theoretical tools of the class struggle, to train the new generations, in the understanding of what the current system based on the exploitation of the labor force by capital, to arrive at the need to move towards a new type of society, of a totally different society, more humane and without exploitation.

 

As the world's only organization of retired persons, we have collected more than 600 signatures from various organizations in more than 60 countries, to the Open Letter that we announced at the ILO on the 14^th of June. There are more and more organizations that join our fight, and with all of them we are going to make a GREAT DAY ON OCTOBER 1.

 

All kinds of activities (demonstrations, rallies, assemblies, various events, delivery of documents, etc., adapted to each reality) will surpass those that were already successful 5 previous World Days of Struggle of pensioners.

 

The photographs, videos and documents that will capture this new Day will be the best demonstration that pensioners will help to end Capitalism, which is the great evil of Humanity.

 

FOR A DIGNIFIED LIFE, THE STRUGGLE CONTINUES!

 

LONG LIVE THE SIXTH WORLD DAY OF STRUGGLE

OF PENSIONERS!

 

 

 

Suò.: Central Government employees retired during the period from January, 2020 to June, 2021 — calculation of Gratuity and Cash payment in lieu of Leave — regarding

 
 
No. 1(5)/E.V/2020
Government of India Ministry of Finance (Department of Expenditure)
North Block, New Felhi Date the 7th September, 2021
 
OFFICE MEMORANDUM
 
Suò.: Central Government employees  retired during the period from January, 2020 to June, 2021 —  calculation of Gratuity and  Cash payment in lieu of Leave — regarding.
 
The undersigned is directed to refer to this Ministry’s 0. M. No.1/1/2020-E.II(B)  dated 23.04.2020, read with O.M.  No.1/1/2020 E.II(B) dated 20.07.2021, in regard to payment of Dearness Allowance (DA)  during the period from 01.01.2020 up to 30.06.202 1 and to say that in terms thereof while the rate of DA during the said period shall remain at 17% of basic pay, the same has been  enhanced to 28% of basic pay subsuming  additional instalments  arising on  01.01.2020{4%),01.07.2020  (3%) & ;  01.01.2021(4%)  payable w.e.f.  01.07.2021.
 
As per the existing provisions contained in Central Civil Services (Pension) Rules  1972, DA on the date of retirement or death is reckoned as emoluments for the purpose of calculation of gratuity. Also, as per the existing provisions contained in CCS (Leave) Rules 1972, pay admissible  on the date of retirement plus DA on that are reckoned for the purpose of  calculation of cash payment in  lieu  of  leave.
 
In view of the  provisions  of  the  aforesaid  orders  of  this  Ministry  dated 23.04.2020 and 20.07.2021, calculation of gratuity and cash payment in lieu of leave in respect of Central Government employees who retired on or after 01.01.2020 and up to 30.06.2021 are required to be made  based on the rate of DA at 17% of basic pay.
 
Keeping in view that gratuity and cash  payment in lieu of leave are one-time  retirement benefits admissible to employees on retirement and employees  who retired during the period  from  01.01.2020  to 30.06.2021 have been  allowed  lesser amount than what  would have been calculable but for the  aforesaid orders of this Ministry dated  23.04.2020 and  20.07.2021,  the  matter  has  been  considered  sympathetically with a view to allowing the same to  such employees.
 
AccordingIy, the President is pIeased to  decide that in respect of  CentraI  Government  employees who retired on or  after 01.01.2020 and up to 30.06.2021,
the amount ol DA to be taken into account for calculation of gratuity and cast
payment in lieu of leave will be deemed to be as under.
 Employees retiring during the period
Notional Percentage of Dearness Allowance (DA) for calculation purpose
From 01.01.2020 to 30.06.2020      21% of basic pay
From 01.07. 2020  to 31.12.2020
24% of basic pay
01.01.2021 to 30.06.2021
  28% of basic pay
 
All other conditions as stipulated in CCS (Pension) Rules 1972 and the orders of Department  of  Pension  &  PW  vide  O.M.   No.7/5/2012-P&PW(F)/B   dated 26.08.2016 in respect of employees borne on National Pension System  (NPS) and CCS (Leave) Rules 1972, shall continue to be applicable while calculating gratuity and cash payment in lieu of leave respectively.
 
In their application to the persons  belonging to India Audit and Accounts  Department, these orders are issued under Article 148(5) of the Constitution and after consultation with the Comptroller and Auditor General of India.
 
Hindi version will follow

(Annie G.Mathew)
 Addl. Secretary to the Govt. of India

To
 
All the Ministries / Departments as per  the standard Mailing list
C&AG of India
NIC

Orders Granting Gratuity & leave Encashment

Congrats all    comrades. Because of the united action of NCCPA and Confdn the govt.  has now issued orders granting gratuity and leave encashment taking into account the impounded portion of DA for those retired between 1.1.2020 to 30.6.2021. Circular has been sent on all whatsapp groups as also through email to all office bearer & comrades. KKN Kutty, Secretary General, ITPF & NCCPA.

Confederation Issues

CONFEDERATION OF CENTRAL GOVERNMENT

EMPLOYEES AND WORKERS &

 NATIONAL CO-ORDINATION COMMITTEE

OF PENSIONERS ASSOCIATIONS..

E mail: nccpahq@gmail.com.

Dated: 4^th September, 2021.

Ms. Nirmala Sitharaman,

Finance Minister,

Government of India,

North Block,

 

Dear Madam,

 

Confederation of Central Government Employees and Workers and the National Co-ordination Committee of Pensioners Association, representing the Central Government employees of the country and the Pensioners submit the following issues for your kind consideration and favourable response.  

 

The Dearness allowance and Dearness Relief arrears.

In the wake of the emergence of the Covid 19 pandemic, in April, 2020, the Government decided not to release the DA/DR instalment that had become due on 1.1.2020 as also those that might become due on 1.7.2020 and 1.1.2021.  The payment was deferred upto July, 2021.  Accordingly, the allowance and relief that had become due had been restored in July, 2021.  However, the arrears pertaining to 18 months have been held back or rather impounded.  We submit that the decision of the Govt. to impound the arrears was sans any legal or moral ground.  The employees and Pensioners, as you are aware, had responded to the Government’s appeal  and had contributed one day’s salary/ pension to enable the Government to reach out to the covid affected people with financial assistance. The employees and Pensioners expected that the Government would give back the arrears.  The Government is also aware of the fact that a similar order of the Government of Andhra Pradesh was subjected to judicial scrutiny by the A.P. High Court and the Court had come to the conclusion that the said decision of the A.P. Government was untenable.  It may be pertinent to point out in this connection that quite a number of employees and pensioners were affected by the Covid virus and had undergone treatment costing lakhs of rupees.  The release of the impounded arrears would be a great relief to the employees and pensioners.

 

Covid pandemic related problems.

Death compensation: As mentioned earlier, number of employees and pensioners died due to the covid, some at Hospitals and others at home.  Despite providing treatment costing lakhs of rupees, they could not be saved.  Their family is in distress now. The entire savings have been eaten up for the treatment.  Most of them suffer a debt burden of an unimaginable dimension.  We know that in bigger Government department, a welfare fund is in operation.  But in small department no such contingency fund exist.  It is our request that the Government decides to help these unfortunate families by way of a compensation grant of not less than 15 lakhs.

Reimbursement of hospital bills.  The affected persons had to be admitted to the hospitals.  In emergency cases, the employees and pensioners were taken to the nearby private hospitals.  The Government as per the extant rules reimburse the expenses only when the employee/pensioner is admitted to  CGHS recognised hospitals.  There are very few CGHS empanelled hospitals in the country.  Majority of them do not provide treatment for covid.  The employees and pensioners with meagre salary are not capable of paying the huge hospitalisation bills.  We request that orders may be issued to reimburse the bills of the private hospitals irrespective of the fact whether they are recognised or not, raised in connection with the covid treatment.

 To provide vaccination facility in CGHS wellness centres/clinics/dispensaries.

Presently vaccination facility is not provided for in CGHS clinics/dispensaries.  These clinics provide out-patient treatment to the Central Government employees/pensioners.  Now that the lock-out has been lifted, the employees are to attend offices and they must have priority in vaccination.  The deficiency of vaccine is felt all over the country. The primary health centres and State Government/Local body run hospitals, experience huge rush and it takes hours to get vaccinated. There is also inordinate delay in getting the slots even after registration.  It is, therefore, requested that the CGHS clinics/Dispensaries and wellness centres be made vaccination centres for CG employees/ pensioners.

Compassionate appointments. Need for removing the ceiling.  

In 1990s, the Government imposed a ceiling on compassionate appointments in all Departments except the Railways.  This was said to be to abide by a directive of the Supreme Court.  However, no such directive in specific terms had ever been made by the Supreme Court.  Despite the repeated plea made by the staff side in the forum of JCM, the DOPT stuck to their position.  There are departments, where not a single case of death in harness occur in a particular . year.  But in the subsequent years, there might have been a few cases.  The ceiling of 5% of the vacancies is highly illogical and untenable too.  But still it continued.   The covid period has taken away a number of lives of  the employees.  Their family is in distress.  The very scheme was conceived to provide relief to the suffering family members  While it must go only to deserving candidates, this can never be the way to ensure that.  In any case it has now become very necessary that the ceiling must be removed to ensure that the deserving wards of the employees who died in harness are given livelihood. We request that orders removing the ceiling may kindly be issued without further loss of time.

Health insurance coverage for the pensioners residing in non CGHS areas.

Presently the pensioners who are residing in non-CGHS areas have no health scheme when they fall ill seriously.  The paltry sum of FMA will not even meet the OPD requirements Oft-repeated representation from this section of pensioners have gone to deaf ears.  The Government feels that the expenditure would be enormous. The successive Pay Commissions have recommended for the health insurance scheme, which is yet to be considered by the Government.  They feel highly discriminated in as much as their erstwhile colleagues are able to avail treatment from recognised private hospitals.  Insurance scheme, they know, may only be a poor substitute for the CGHS.  But it is high time that the Government to take serious note of the issue and evolve a scheme. The Pensioners in the non CGHS areas had been the worst sufferers during the covid period.  

Revise the pension entitlement of BSNL Pensioners and restore medical facilities.

(a).The pension revision of the absorbed BSNL Pensioners was due from 01-01-2017. The last pension revision was granted from 01-01-2007 with 30 per cent fitment recommended by the 2nd PRC. The 3rd PRC recommended 15 per cent fitment from 01-01-2017. Unfortunately, the government has not implemented the pension revision, linking it with pay revision in BSNL. The fact remains that the full liability of payment of pension and pensionary benefits to BSNL absorbed pensioners lies with the Government of India according to the agreement reached with the then recognised Federations of the employees and the Central Government and amendment made in the CCS( Pension) Rules, 1972. As such there is no justification for linking pension revision with wage revision of BSNL employees which is being delayed due to various reasons including bad financial condition.

 

BSNL Pensioners were absorbed from Department of Telecommunications during the formation of BSNL with effect from 01-10-2000 and their counterparts , Central Government pensioners have got the pension revision from 01-01-2016 as per the  recommendations of 7th Pay Commission.

Huge loss in Pension and pensionary benefits are being incurred by these section of BSNL Pensioners due to the denial of pension revision. 

Further, the minimum pension and family pension of BSNL absorbed pensioners continue to be Rs.3,500 whereas they are entitled to draw Rs.9.000 once the pension is revised at par with Central government pensioners.

(b). Denial of medical benefits to BSNL Pensioners.

BSNL pensioners are covered under BSNL- Medical Reimbursement Scheme. (MRS) at par with the employees. But the retirees are not being paid the medical allowance in lieu of outdoor treatment from 01-04-2018. In the case of medical bills, both indoor and outdoor are pending from 01-04-2019. Naturally, the aged and ailing retirees are put in distress even without considering the pandemic situation. BSNL management is adopting a negative rather arrogant stand with the lame excuse of lack of funds.

 

Revision of Pension and medical facilities of Punjab National Bank employees;

The Indian Bank Association has commenced discussion with the Bank employees representatives to effect revision of the existing pension scheme. The employees are no doubt the future pensioners and they have an important stake in those discussions.  However, Pension is the entitlement of the Pensioners.  To exclude them from the ambit of negotiation is totally an unjustified action.  There are huge amounts accumulated in the pension fund of the Banks and these contributions have come from the present day pensioners when they were employees.  We request you to kindly direct the IBA to hold discussions with the Punjab National Bank Pensioners Association and reach settlement with them

Medical facilities.    The Bank employees do not have a common health care scheme.  The present health insurance scheme is highly discriminatory.  In the case of the employees, the Banks take the responsibility of making over the premia due from them whereas the Pensioners are to remit the premium from their own meagre pension.  It must be the responsibility of the IBA to make the premium payment in the case of pensioners too.  After all the insurance scheme benefits more the Banks rather than the pensioners.  This apart, there is discrimination also in the matter of the coverage of the scheme.  While family members and dependents are entitled in the case of the employees, the benefit is denied to the pensioners.  We request that the Banks and especially the IBA may be asked to hold discussions and bring about uniformity in the scheme both in respect of entitlement and contribution as also parity with the working employees.

 

Thanking you,

Yours faithfully,

 

 

K.K.N. Kutty/ R.N. Parasar

Secretary General, Secretary General

NCCPA. & Confederation of CGE&W

Annexure:

 

 

 

RESOLUTION:

TO BE MOVED AND PASSED AT THE DHARNA MEETING.

 

This meeting of the Central Government employees and pensioners being held at the Dharna venue at …………………expresses its concern over the non- settlement of certain important issues by the Governments.   These issues have been brought to the notice of the Government on several occasions by the representatives of the Confederation and NCCPA.  

The meeting appeals to the Government to take note of the serious discontent of the employees and pensioners over the non- settlement of these issues and direct the concerned to bring in an amicably satisfactory settlement on these issues with out further loss of time.  

 

Release the impounded DA/DR arrears.

Grant:

(a) death compensation for those who died due to covid;

(b) reimburse the hospital bills of covid patients;

©  Vaccine facility at all CGHS wellness/clinic/dispensary centres

(d) remove the ceiling on compassionate appointments

(e)   Health insurance scheme for pensioners who stay outside the purview of theCGHS;

3.    Revise the Pension entitlement of BSNL

        Pensioners and restore their medl. Facilities.

 Revise the pension entitlement of PNB pensioners and grant uniform medical facilities to them.

 

FORMAT OF E MAIL TO BE SENT BY EACH INDIVIDUAL EMPLOYEE AND PENSIONER TO THE FINANCE MINISTER.

Dear Madam, Kindly refer to the joint letter of the Confederation of CTEs and National co-ordination Committee of Pensioners Association dated 4^th September, 2021. I shall be grateful if you will kindly cause discussions thereon with a view to reach a settlement.

E mail id to which the communication to be sent:  appointment.fm@gov.in

With greetings,

Yours faithfully,

Name & designation. 

ITPF CIRCULAR DATED 24 AUGUST 2021

INCOMETAX PENSIONER FEDERATION

Manishinath Bhawan

A/2/95 Rajouri Garden,

New Delhi. 110 027

Website: Itpf.blogspot.com

E mail. itpfchq@gmail.com

 

President:                        Com.  Umesh Mehta

Secretary General.          Com. K.K.N. Kutty

Dated:  24^th August,  2021.

Dear Comrades,

 

In our last communication, we had conveyed the good news of our obtaining the registration for our organisation under the Societies  Registration  Act XXI of 1860.  We reproduce that letter as an annexure.  The ITPF is now a registered society, registration bearing No. Society/West/2021/8902574 signed by the Registrar or Societies/Firms Distt. West Delhi.  This will enable us to function as a legal entity and we are obliged to abide by the directions issued by the Government from time to time to regulate the functions of societies.  This will entitle  us to operate bank account; to own movable and immovable properties.  We shall take steps soon to transfer the funds of the Federation presently lying the in the bank account jointly operated by the Secretary General and Finance Secretary.  We once again convey our sincere gratitude to all those comrades, who helped us to obtain the certificate of registration.  

I am very happy to inform you that our sustained efforts to get registration from the Registrar of societies, Delhi for our Organization  ITPF has at last borne fruit.

We received the registration Certificate today on 19^th August, 2021 at 3.45 PM and the same has been placed on our website underneath this letter as also on our whatsapp group. We have crossed one of the hurdles on our onward march.

I was at Delhi from 11^th onwards to give a push to our efforts in this direction, which had been saddled with innumerable hurdles and delays due to Covid19 pandemic. I place on record the yeomen services rendered by our Vice President Com. S.K.Sharma for the efforts he has undertaken to prepare the documents, submit it to the office of the Registrar, make innumerable personal visits to that office, meet out objections to be patient in the face of propensities of Indian officialdom and hope that one day “we shall overcome” .

In the final stage it has been possible only due to the efforts undertaken by Com. Ashok Kumar Kanojia former all India President of ITEF. But for his assistance and determination to get things done the Certificate would not have been in our hands today. Let me convey our sincere thanks and gratitude to all our Comrades who Co-operated with the Secretariat in this endeavour and specially Com. S.K.Sharma and Com. A.K.Kanojia.

With the legal entity having been Conferred, We are responsible to function within the parameters of the constitution and resolve the issues through interaction with the Govt. We shall be meeting soon in our NE meeting possibly on a physical platform. The possibility of such a meeting is under discussion with our President Com. Umesh Mehta and shall be soon finalized.

With greetings,

yours fraternally,  KKN Kutty, Secretary General. 

       

The National Co-orindation Committee of Pensioners Associations was contacted by the Confederation of Central Government employees and workers and proposed for a joint movement to highlight the denial of DR arrears and certain covid related issues, taken up but not yet resolved.  The NCCPA has agreed to their proposal and accordingly we shall jointly organise a dharna programme at all State Capitals along with the working employees .  Simultaneously, our members are to individually appeal to the Finance Minister for the release of arrears and settle the covid related demands.  We have anneded their circular letter dated 24^th August, 2021 which provides the requisite details.  

While endorsing the decision, we appeal to our members to take part in the joint programme abiding by the covid protocol and ensuring that their physical presence at any place does not cause harm to them and others.  Every member of ITPF must ensure that the e mail communication to the Finance Minister is sent .

With greetings,

Yours fraternally,

KKN Kutty

Secretary General

 

 

 

NATIONAL CO-ORDINATION COMMITTEE

OF PENSIONERS ASSOCIATIONS..

(Registered undder the T.U. Act.No. RTU01/2021.Dated.7.01.2021

Website: nccpahq.blogspot.in.E mail: nccpahq@gmail.com.

13.c Feroze Shah Road,

New Delhi. 110 001

 

PRESIDENT:       COM.SHIV GOPAL MISHRA.(97176 47594)

Secy. General:          COM.K.K.N.KUTTY. (98110 483030)

Dated:  24^th August, 2021.

 

Dear Comrades,

One of the issues that was raised strongly and unanimously by the staff side of the National Council on 26^th June, 2021 during the  48^th meeting of the council was the delay in issuing orders for the grant of DA/DR which had become due from 1.01.2020.  Though no assurance was held out by the official  side at the meeting, it appears that the feeling of the employees were taken into consideration and the three instalments of DA/DR were granted and the orders were issued by the end of July, 2021.  In April, 2020, in the wake of the covid pandemic and the consequent lock out, the Government had issued orders for freezing the payment of DA/DR which would be due from 1.1.2020, 1.7.2020 and 1.1.2021.  The Government’s decision to impound the arrears for 18 months had in fact been conveyed in April, 2021 itself.  

 

Prior to the issuance of the above orders the Government had made an appeal for contribution to the Prime Minister’s relief fund to combat the situation emerging from the pandemic. The people, especially the poor segment of the society had suffered immensely during the covid period due to the loss of job caused by the lock down and the extra burden of expenditure due to the spread of the  disease.  Quite a number of people had died due to the virus.  The employees and the pensioners responded to the appeal and almost everybody contributed a day’s income to the relief fund.  The decision to unilaterally withhold the payment of DA and DR was a jolt and there had been no consultation either formally or informally with the employees’ representatives.  The resentment was more about the decision to deny the DA/DR for 18 months  in the name of financial stringency.  The 20 Trillion financial package, the Government announced thereafter benefitted mostly the corporate houses and other business enterprises .  Nothing much was done by the Government to increase the purchasing power of the people which would have benefitted the economy as a whole. Though the freezing payment of DA/DR had no prior consultation, still the employees and pensioners did not raise their objection as they felt that their sacrifice would benefit the poor people  The denial of payment of the arrears  from 1.12020 to 1.7.2021 for eighteen month, however was different  as it was  was bereft of any legal or moral basis and the employees and pensioners apprehended that it would create an undesirable precedent.  No such arbitrary steps had been taken in the past even against much greater financial crisis.  The demand to pay back the withheld amount was, therefore made at the meeting on 26^th, but elicited no response from the official side.

 

The demand for the payment of arrears  gathered momentum especially after the 20 trillion package  announcement, as the employees and pensioners   began to doubt the Government’s stand on financial strength of its coffers. They felt that their hard earned income has been donated to the business enterprises. The similar action of the A.P. Government was questioned at the High Court, which led to it being set aside. The decision of the High Court unequivocally established that the action of the Government to deny DA which is part of the salary is void and untenable   The Hgh Court’s decision  portends  the  need for the reversal of the decision of the Government of India   denying DA/DR  arrears of  18 months.  

This and many other issues, especially the covid related problems and the sufferings of the employees and pensioners were figured in the  discussions at the recently concluded National Executive Committee meeting of the Confederation of CGE & Workers.  The National Executive has come to the conclusion that collective action is needed to highlight the issues  and decided to hold discussion with NCCPA for a joint action in the matter.  It has now been mutually agreed to hold a physical dharna programme in all State Capitals on 7^th September, 2021,  the timings and duration can be decided by the local units of both Confederation and NCCPA.  The Dharna participants will meet and  pass a resolution to be submitted to the Finance Minister with copy to the Secretary, Department of Personnel.  All Individual members will send a letter to the Finance Minister, the format of which will be sent later.  The programme of action and the charter of demands on which the programme would be mounted is appended hereunder.

 

As per the discussion we had in our last NE meeting, we had submitted agenda items with brief notes for discussion at the National Council. However, those issues  could not be figured in the agenda for want of time.  Our President, Com. Shiv Gopal Misra who is also the staff side Secretary has taken up the matter with the Secretary, Pension and Secretary Health.  A meeting has been promised to take place by the end of September, 2021.  

 

The undersigned was at Delhi for a few days from 11.8.2021 to 20.8.2021.  We had earlier decided to transfer the money in the joint account of the Secretary General and Treasure to a newly created bank account of NCCPA.  However, this  could not be accomplished as our Treasurer, Com.H.L. Sidhu had a cardiac problem and had been admitted to the hospital.  He has been advised rest for atleast three months and is presently convalescing at his home.  Further steps in this direction would be taken after he recovers from his illness.  In the meantime, all affiliates are requested to clear their dues for the year 2019-20 and 2020-21by remitting the money to the present joint account, whose details are available on our website.  Since NCCPA is now registered under the T.U. Act, we are to submit our accounts duly signed for the two calendar years 2020 and 2021 audited by a chartered Accountant.  

 

PROGRAMME OF ACTION:

Andcharter of demands.

it has been decided to organise a dharna programme on 7th September, 2021 at a Central Place in all State Capitals.  This will be followed by an e mail campaign, the format of which will be sent in due course.  The demands that will be highlighted through this programme are as under:-

 

Grant the arrears of DA/DR for the period between 1.1.2020 to 1.07.2021. held back by the Government to the employees and pensioners  immediately.

Take immediate decision on the following covid related issues;

Grant compensation of not less than Rs. 15 lakhs in case of all covid affected deaths;

Reimburse the hospitalisation bills for all covid patients irrespective of the fact whether the hospital is recognised or not.

Ensure that all employees are provided with the vaccination facility preferably in the CGHS dispensaries.  

Provide compassionate appointments in all death cases irrespective of the 5% ceiling.  

Ensure that the pensioners who do not have any health care facility especially for in-patient treatment are provided with insurance coverage at the cost of the Government.

 8, Revise the Pension of:

(a)BSNL and department of Telecome pensioners with effect from 1.1.2017

 (b)Punjab National Bank Pensioners..

9. Grant the medical benefits to the  BSNL pensioners.

 

The resolution to be adopted at the meeting (dharna programme) on 7th September, 2021 will be sent shortly.  The format of e mail to be sent to the Honourable Finance Minister by each individual employee/pensioner will also be sent along with the resolution .

 

The affiliates and State COCs are requested to kindly make the programme a grand success by enlisting the participation of all employees and pensioners.  

With greetings,

Yours fraternally,

K.K.N Kutty

Secretary General