26th Meeting of SCOVA Held in New Delhi on 03rd February 2015

SCOVA MET ON 03-02-2015

Honourable Minister of State for Pension & Pensioners Welfare

As already informed the 26^th meeting of SCOVA was held on 03-02-2015. The gist of Action Taken Report circulated by the Pension & Pensioners Welfare Ministry was placed in our website. 

Now the new issues as discussed in the SCOVA meeting on 03^rd February, 2015 can be seen in the full minutes of the above meeting. The opinion of AIPRPA CHQ on the issues discussed in the SCOVA meeting will be placed shortly in our website but those who want to download the full minutes of the meeting can click on the Link Below:

http://ccis.nic.in/WriteReadData/CircularPortal/D3/D03ppw/SCOVA_26-FEB-2015.pdf

Core Banking Services of POSB hit by substandard software

POSB BRANCHES FACE FREQUENT BREAK-DOWNS

TECHNICAL PROBLEMS IN FINACLE SOFTWARE OF INFOSYS

PENSIONERS PUT INTO DIFFICULTIES IN WITHDRAWAL OF PENSION FROM SB ACCOUNTS IN POST OFFICES

Once again it is the Pensioners who draw pension from POSB are put into unnecessary trouble and strain as they could not withdraw their pension from the savings bank accounts of Post Offices. Earlier it was the POSB Pensioners who were inordinately denied payment of enhanced amount of FMA in contrast to Banks. Now it is the POSB Pensioners whose SB Accounts could not be operated due to break down of 'Finacle Software' of POSB Computer network on the Pension Day of 28th February, 2015. 

Many Pensioners in different divisions like Salem, where the system failed, returned empty handed without drawing their monthly pension! Ofcourse some divisional heads ordered urgently to resort to manual payment of  pension but not everywhere in time. This caused many senior citizens return their homes empty handed without their pension. This is deplorable. 

The occurrence of break down of Finacle software which is being used by the Postal Savings Bank Counters is frequent. Recently for three days from 19th to 21st February, the entire network numbering 2200 Post Offices in 11 Postal Circles including 94 HPOs + 850 Post Offices under CBS in Tamilnadu Postal Circle collapsed and caused unbearable strain on lakhs of customers. Again on 27th February, the system collapsed causing break down on important day viz., on 28th February. 

The Infosys offered finacle software as well as the internet service provided by Sifi have been reportedly rejected by many banking services due to bad reputation earned by these companies. Still, the Postal Department had opted to tie up with them! The Infosys reportedly behave in a uncared for manner whenever the Postal Officials report their problems. There appears that no high officer is with necessary guts to question the Infosys despite repeated problems are caused by the company's ill-reputed software!

The AIPRPA CHQ issued a call for protest demonstrations on 28th February wherever the pensioners faced problems in withdrawing their pension and to hold press brief exposing the conditions prevailing in the POSB as above. 

We got the feed back that in many divisions the SSPOs ordered manual payment of pension but in some places pensioners returned home without drawing their monthly pension. 

The AIPRPA CHQ is studying the situation and in consultation with the Postal Employees Federations and Unions appropriate measures will be undertaken to draw the attention of the Postal Administration for total remedy. All are requested to send feed back to CHQ about the conditions prevailing in their respective States / Districts either by e-mail or by post. 

K.Ragavendran

General Secretary 

JUSTICE TO PRE-2006 PENSIONERS GETTING DELAYED

COURT HEARING ON PRE-2006 PENSIONERS ADJOURNED 
TO 17th MARCH, 2015

The Pre-2006 Pensioners are yet to see the light of the day. Despite the court judgments  including the Apex Court justice was rendered by the Government correcting its wrong step only for the S-29 Scale retirees and not for all Pre-2006 Pensioners. The irony is that for all Pensioners of Pre-2006, the corrected orders of the Government is made effective from 1.9.2013. For S-29 scale retirees the same is given effect from 1.1.2006. This is exactly the point that was remarked by the Supreme Court in the historic verdict of Nakara that the Government cannot create division among the same category of pensioners. All can see that the Government is creating division among the same category of pensioners viz., Pre-2006 Pensioners!

Presently the Court Case that may ultimately put the issue sorted out, is adjourned to for next hearing on 17th March, 2015. 

All the Pre-2006 Pensioners are awaiting for justice!!

MANJERI DISTRICT AIPRPA FORMATION

DISTRICT AIPRPA FORMATION IN KERALA STATE NEARING COMPLETION

One more District viz., Manjeri District organises a special convention of Postal & RMS Pensioners to form the AIPRPA District Branch.

Comrade Muralidharan Circle Secretary AIPEU Group 'C' NFPE inaugurated the special convention in which large number of Postal & RMS Pensioners participated.

RED SALUTE TO COMRADE S.K.VYAS

LAST JOURNEY OF COMRADE S.K.VYAS

Mortal remains of Comrade S.K.Vyas before cremation in Jodhpur

Comrade S.K.Vyas a revolutionary leader of CG Employees for more than fifty years is being laid to permanent rest. His mortal remains being cremated on 14th February, 2015 at Jodhpur.

COMRADE VYASJI AMAR RAHE
Red Salute to Comrade S.K.Vyas

A MAN WHO SPENT 60 YEARS OF LIFE IN PUBLIC SERVICE IS NOT AMONG US TO GUIDE US IN FUTURE

Comrade S.K.Vyas – An unparalleled leader of five Decades!

It was in the year 1971 that I first met Comrade S.K.Vyas after one year of my recruitment in the Department of Posts. I was an office bearer in P4 NFPE Madras City North Division and wanted to organise a meeting when I came to know the visit of Comrade Vyasji in Madras. I was not even a Divisional Secretary but when I approached him for attending a meeting in Vepery Post Office, he readily agreed and attended. The simplicity and approachability of such a big leader inspired me in those days of my youth.

27 years later, I joined Comrade Vyas to work under one roof in D-7, Samru Place, Mandir Marg, New Delhi, where the NFPE headquarters was situated and Confederation Hqrs also was in the same premises. I joined there as Secretary of the Postal Federation. It was a nature given golden opportunity to live with such a towering leader under one roof. For a period of more than six years (intermittently of course) I had literally lived in the same premises and closely observed the qualities of this great leader. If I don’t admit that I have learnt many things from this leader then I am sure I am lying. At a particular point of time in the year 2004, when I was seriously ill, it was Comrade Vyasji who helped my admission in Sir Gangaram Hospital, which saved my life.

More than 40 years later, when I entered a Pensioners Organisation, it was again Comrade Vyas who is our leader. I have joined BCPC and NCCPA under his leadership when I became the General Convenor and later the General Secretary of AIPRPA. Thus from a small time office bearer of a branch union in 1971 to till date as an activist of a Pensioners Organisation, along with others I was always guided by this towering leader, whatever be the front we worked.

Therefore it is not possible to express in appropriate words about the demise of this legend yesterday in Jaipur.

Vyasji was admitted to hospital at Jaipur about 11 am on 1^st February, one day before his 86^th birthday after a massive heart attack. He underwent angio plasty immediately and all of us hoped that he is out of danger. But after a couple of days, he had another attack. His BP became unstable and thereafter intestine also got affected. On 13^th February he suffered another heart attack – causing death.

Vyasji was the secretary general of all India audit & accounts association from 1969 to 1981 and thereafter it’s all India President up to 39^th conference at Chennai in September 1989. Vyasji became the Secretary General of confederation when Comrade O.P.Gupta resigned after 1968 Strike. He continued as Secretary General of Confederation up to September 2006, after which he became President. He stepped down from all elected posts of Confederation in the Kolkata conference in 2013 but continued as Chief Advisor of the Confederation of CG Employees. He continue to take a leading role in the Pensioners movement in his capacity as the Secretary General of both BCPC and NCCPA.

Thus it can be seen that as a leader who entered the Government Service in the 1^st CPC pay scales, played his due role in shaping the destiny of pay scales of all CG Employees from 2^nd CPC to 7^th CPC, has no parallel at all. His style of working even at the advanced age was amazing and inimitable. At a time when the entirety of CG Employees and Pensioners are looking forward to this leader for tasks connected with the 7th CPC, he is snatched away by the nature. This loss is irreparable, we feel orphaned. 

Mortal remains of Vyasji has been taken to his ancestral house jodhpur. Cremation would be at Jodhpur today. He is survived by his wife, two sons and two daughters and grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Red Salute to comrade S.K.Vyas!                                                                 

We dip our flag and banner in his honour!!

K.Ragavendran

General Secretary AIPRPA

BEACON IS NO MORE

COMRADE VYASJI'S MORTAL REMAINS CREMATED

Comrade Vyasji's mortal remains were cremated by his sons yesterday at about 12.30 Hrs in his native city Jodhpur. Comrade Giriraj Singh President NFPE could reach Jodhpur and present. All other leaders of Confederation and NFPE were in Kathmandu in connection with an international conference and thus could not attend the funeral. The beacon in the legendary leader of 85 years old is extinguished but his ideals and experienced guidelines would guide us always in future. 

The Gangaprasadi / tehrsvni / last creaceremony will be held in Vyasji's House on 22nd February, 2015 between 3 to 6 P.M.

LEGENDARY LEADER OF CG EMPLOYEES COMRADE S.K.VYAS PASSED AWAY

Comrade S.K.Vyas the unparallelled leader of the Central Government Employees for more than five decades is no more. He breathed his last today at about 8.30 P.M. in Jaipur after all intensive care medical treatment could  not succeed. It is a great shock to all of us who were led to believe that after ICMU treatment Vyasji was recuperating and will be fine after some rest. The nature is so cruel that it has snatched him from amongst us. His mortal remains being taken to Jodhpur and the funeral will be at his native town of Jodhpur tomorrow. 

The CG movement and the Pensioners movement will grope  in darkness for years to come due to this irreparable loss. AIPRPA dips its banner in memory of this greatest comrade of our times and shares the grief with all his relatives and friends. 

Long live the memory of Comrade Vyasji

K.Ragavendran

General Secretary AIPRPA

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AIPRPA SOLIDARITY TO POSTAL JCA

AIPRPA EXTENDS FULL SOLIDARITY WITH THE POSTAL JOINT COUNCL OF ACTION OF

NFPE & FNPO POSTAL FEDERATIONS

Postal JCA of NFPE & FNPO Federations has called upon to form Postal JCA formation in all Circles immediately and to organise massive dharna programme in front of the Divisional offices,  Regional offices,  Circle offices and before te Postal Directorate during February to April and to launch an indefinite strike from 6^th May, 2015.

AIPRPA CHQ calls upon the Postal Pensioners and the AIPRPA State and District / Divisional leadership to actively organise solidarity programmes in support of the struggling postal employees. It would be appropriate to join all these Dharna Programmes at all levels by mobilising mass of postal  pensioners and to organise independent demonstrations and solidarity meetings during the indefinite strike time.

Postal Employees are on struggle for their just cause – they want to preserve the postal department against the policy of converting it into holding company and lead the department into the road to corporatisation and privatisation.

AIPRPA calls upon for total solidarity action.

Comradely yours,

K.Ragavendran

   General Secretary AIPRPA 

SOLIDARITY TO CG EMPLOYEES PROGRAMME OF ACTION

CIRCULAR BY DEPUTY SECRETARY GENERAL NCCPA RELEASED EXPRESSING TOTAL SOLIDARITY WITH THE PROGRAMME OF ACTION BY THE JCM NATIONAL COUNCIL ORGANISATIONS.

AIPRPA CHQ CALLS UPON ALL STATES AND DISTRICT ASSOCIATIONS OF POSTAL & RMS PENSIONERS TO UNITEDLY ACT WITH THE OTHER PENSIONERS ORGANISATIONS IN ORGANISING SOLIDARITY ACTIVITIES IN SUPPORT OF THE PROGRAMME OF ACTION OF C.G.EMPLOYEES.

CIRCULAR BY NCCPA IS REPRODUCED HEREUNDER

K.Ragavendran

General Secretary - AIPRPA

NATIONAL CO-ORDINATION COMMITTEE OF 

PENSIONERS ASSOCIATIONS

13-C, Firoz Shah Road, New Delhi – 110001

(Kolkata Camp Office – 688, Malanga Lane, Kolkata – 700012)

Dated: 05.02.2015

To

All Office Bearers &

National Council Members.

Comrade,

Owing to sudden illness of Com. S.K.Vyas, the Secretary General of BCPC and also NCCPA at Jaipur, his attending physician has restricted  his movement. Consequent upon this situation, most of the constituents of BCPC,  including NCCPA consisder that the proposed convention of BCPC, which is scheduled to be held at Nagpur on 15-02-2015 will not serve any effective purpose in absence of Secretary General.

As such it is advisable to postpone the proposed convention and a message to this effect has already been communicated to Com.D.V.Dhaktod, the Chairman of the Reception Committee. Please take of it and cancel your Railway Ticket for goint to Nagpur.

But at the same time, the NCCPA considers that following the decision of the National Convention of Central Government Employees Organisations held on 11.12.2014 to go on agitational programme on the basis of the Charter of Demands adopted therein, which was posted to NCCPA website (www.nccpahq.blogspot.in), the draft declaration containing the demands of the pensioners and also the programme of action circulated by Com.S.K.Vyas as Secretary General BCPC, is to be implemented, as pensioners are equally affected by the new-liberal economic policies of Central Government. The demands as well as the programme of action are reproduced below:

Demands:

1. That date of effect of Pension Revision by 7^th CPC is 01.01.2014
2. That Revision of pension is done after each 5 years
3. That 7^th CPC covers the most exploited segment of civil services Viz., Casual / Contract workers and the GDS.
4. That Interim Relief @ 25% of their pension is granted with effect from 01.01.2014.
5. That the Dearness Relief which stood 100% of Pension as on 01.01.2014 is merged with pension.
6. That full parity in pension is granted to past pensioners as on 01.01.2014.
7. That PFRDA Act may be scrapped and defined benefit statutory pension scheme reintroduced for those who entered service on or after 01.01.2004.

Programme of Action:

                    

1. Organise State / District level Conventions to popularise the declaration in month of March 2015.
2. Join massive dharnas / rallies being organised by C.G.Es at all State Capitals in the month of March, 2015.
3. Organise campaign fortnight throughout the country in April, 2015.
4. Join employees Mass Rally before Parliament on 28^th April, 2015.

Since the Central Govt. Employees have already embarked on a sustained struggle, we the Pensioners are to extend all  possible solidarity support to their struggle.

With greetings,

Yours fraternally,

Sd/-

(Pavitra Chakraborty)

Deputy Secretary General.

SCOVA HELD ON 03.02.2015

ACTION TAKEN REPORT ON SCOVA MEETING HELD ON 05.09.2014 CIRCULATED ON THE EVE OF 26th SCOVA MEETING SCHEDULED ON 03.02.2015.

MINUTES OF THE SCOVA MEETING HELD ON 03.02.2015 IS AWAITED.

ACTION TAKEN REPORT OVER OLD ISSUES DISCUSSED IN 25^TH MEETING OF SCOVA ON 05-09-2014 HAS BEEN CIRCULATED BY DEPARTMENT OF PENSION & PENSIONERS WELFARE – SOME OF THE SALIENT FEATURES ARE AS FOLLOWS:

1. Issue of Revised PPOs to Pre-2006 Pensioners:

(a)    Civil Ministries: As on 7-1-2015 out of a total of 4,31,167 cased 3,99,396 cases are issued with new PPOs. Still 31,771 Pensioners are to be issued with revised-PPOs.

(b)   Railways: All pre-2006 Pensioners numbering 9,48,260 were issued with revised PPOs.

(c)    Postal: 1,58,876 Pensioners are issued with revised with revised PPOs out of the total 1,79,407 Pensioners.

(d)   Telecommunications: 51,881 Pensioners are issued with revised PPOs out of the total 53,126 Pensioners.

(e)   Defence: Total Pensioners 16.71 lakhs. All are issued with revised PPOs.

2. Pension Adalat:

It was demanded that Minutes of Pension Adalats should be circulated by all Departments. Lok Adalats should not be confined to only cities but hinterland areas like Ladakh etc. It was pointed out that in Departmnts like Income Tax, Survey of India,  Central Excise no Pension Adalat meetings are being held.

It was replied that regarding issue of Minutes, departments like Revenue, Central Excise, Survey of India are being reminded. But in Survey of India 21 Pension Adalats have been organised till 28-01-2015.

3. Discrimination to P&T Pensioners in permitting to join CGHS:

There is no change of stance of the Government in this matter. It is only reieterated that only the pensioners who were earlier members of CGHS will be allowed to remain or join in CGHS and other pensioners who were not beneficiaries of CGHS while in service will not be allowed. Further the matter is sub-judice in the Apex Court.

4. Anomaly in fixation of Pension to DOT employees absorbed in BSNL:

BSNL has not so far supplied the information and therefore the proposed the meeting between the Department of Pension & Pensioners Welfare and the DOT could not take place. DOT has been reminded on 19-01-2015.

5. Merger of 78.2% IDA to BSNL Pensioners:

Cabinet Note has been prepared and put up for the approval of MOC & IT.

6. Upgraded Grade Pay to Pre-2006 Retirees of S-12 Scale:

The matter is sub-judice at Apex Court. The SLP is pending for hearing on 17-02-2015. The Department of Expenditure has sought to examine the issue again. The relevant file has been forwarded to Department of Expenditure.

7. Extension of benefits under OM dated 28-01-2013 w.e.f. 1.1.2006:

Again the matter is sub-judice in Apex Court. As and when the Supreme Court decides the pending SLP, the orders of the Apex Court will be implemented.

8. Extension Counter of CGHS Jammu at Srinagar and construction of CGHS Hospital in Jammu in the land allotted by J&K Government:

CGHS reieterated its stand that due to constraints of resources and man power, opening of CGHS extension counter at Srinagar is not possible.

9. CGHS contribution to BSNL retirees who have no grade pay element:

The matter is being taken up with the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare.

NAGPUR NATIONAL CONVENTION POSTPONED

Comrade S.K.Vyas has been hospitalized and undergoing medical treatment for the past one week. In the background of his inability to attend and lead the convention, the BCPC leadership has taken the decision to postpone the above National Convention. All are requested to cancel their journey reservations made for attending the Convention. 

AIPRPA wishes a speedy recovery for our beloved leader Comrade S.K.Vyas.