Saturday 22 August 2020

Act with seriousness!

State GS comrades!  
  

Please remember that our next month 2nd Sunday Video Conference of AIPRPA CHQ CMC will be on organisation!           

Kindly start collecting figures on points as below:   

(1) Number of Districts / Divisions formed so far;
(2) Actual Membership in each division;
(3) Number of Districts not yet covered by formation of AIPRPA so far;
(4) Plans to form AIPRPA in those areas;
(5) Quota due to CHQ / States by branches;
(6) Names of District / Divisional Secretaries not yet included in AIPRPA District Secretaries WhatsApp group so far;
(7) Method of regular contact with existing Branches; and
(8) Participation or otherwise in CHQ calls.                       

Please start collecting figures from now itself as it will not be easy to collect all information desired! 
 - KR GS AIPRPA -

Sunday 16 August 2020

TUI (P&R) on Domestic Workers plight!

THE SITUATION OF DOMESTIC WORKERS DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC WORLDWIDE




14 Aug 2020
The World Federation of Trade Unions follows with concern the developments in the life and work of domestic workers around the world. Domestic workers face extremely negative and difficult working conditions that worsened during the COVID-19 Pandemic.
According to the ILO, there are 67 million domestic workers worldwide and 80% of them are women. They often work without a contract, which means that they lose necessary working rights and have no legal protection. They are vulnerable to non-payment of wages and layoffs that were widespread during the Pandemic.
In Argentina the percentage of domestic workers working in informal work is 70%, while only 33% of those who have a contract received full pay while not going to work due to the Pandemic. The rest would not be paid if they did not go to work because of the Coronavirus, so they were forced to go at the risk of their health but also without the necessary license during the lockdown.
Likewise in Ecuador, there are no contracts and 85% of domestic workers were laid off during the first months of the pandemic. In Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, the first death from COVID-19 was that of a 63-year-old domestic worker who got infected from her boss after he returned from a trip to Italy. It is estimated that there are 6.1 million domestic workers in Brazil, while only 4% of them are organized in their union.
The situation is bleak in all parts of the world, for example in Indonesia where there are 4.2 million domestic workers, a survey found that they received only 20-30% of their country’s minimum wage. In the Middle East, there are 2.1 million domestic workers who are migrants from Sri Lanka, the Philippines, Bangladesh, Nepal, Indonesia, Kenya and Ethiopia, where, according to ILO reports, many times are not paid at all for their work. In the Gulf countries, their bosses hold their visas and they cannot change bosses without their permission. In other countries, such as Tunisia, domestic workers say they were the first to be fired, while in Hong Kong and Singapore the law requires them to stay with their employers, so during the Pandemic they could not stay anywhere even on their leave days, due to the lockdown.
In Europe the exploitation is also very big, with terrorism, dismissals, sexual violence.
All of the above highlights the seriousness of the situation for domestic workers, the vast majority of whom work in informal work, they are paid peanuts, they work inside the houses of their employers doing heavy and unhealthy work, unprotected from any kind of violation.
The unions must intensify their action and take new initiatives to protect and improve the working conditions of these workers, demanding immediate support measures for those laid off during the Pandemic, work with rights for all domestic workers.
We invite all domestic workers to join their unions! Only the organized struggle will provide solutions, so we need active participation in the trade unions, trade unions with class-oriented line and militant struggle!

Friday 14 August 2020

74th Independence Day



India is entering into its 74th year of Independence. After that except for a brief period of 18 months between 1975-1977, we never abandoned the Democratic path but for intermittent individual occasions. But there is step by step attack and weakening of democracy and constitutional institutions in recent years. We hope the Democracy will be preserved by the general awakening and intervention by people in time!

Long live Indian Independence!
Long live our Democracy!
- KR GS AIPRPA-

Thursday 13 August 2020

NCCPA LETTER TO STAFF SIDE SECRETARY ON CGHS RELATED ISSUES

NCCPA WRITES TO JCM STAFF SIDE SECRETARY ON CGHS FOR ONWARD TRANSMISSION TO HEALTH SECRETARY

After discussion in the National Executive of NCCPA through Video Conference and based on consultations within AIRPA CMC Members, we addressed a letter to NCCPA SG on CGHS related issues.

Now, the Secretary General NCCPA has preferred the following letter to JCM Staff Side Secretary / NCCPA President for onward transmission to Health Secretary GOI

NATIONAL CO-ORDINATION COMMITTEE
OF PENSIONERS ASSOCIATIONS..

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: 10th August, 2020
Dear Comrade,

                Kindly refer to the discussions, we had at the NE meting of the NCCPA, which  you presided over.  On the basis of the feed back, I have prepared a draft letter to be sent to the Secretary, Pension, GOI, New Delhi.  I am sending the same along with.  Kindly go through the same and send the letter to the  Secretary if you find it alright. 

                With greetings,
Yours fraternally,

K.K.N. Kutty
Secretary General.
 (Draft letter)
To
The Secretary, Health
Government of India,
Sardar Patel Bhawan,
New Delhi. 110 001

Dear Sir,

 Sub: Problems and difficulties encountered by the beneficiaries of Central Government Health Scheme.

                We detail hereunder certain issues pertaining to the difficulties encountered by the beneficiaries of CGHS both the pensioners and the working employees.   We solicit your kind attention to the minutes of the last meeting, the JCM Staff Side had with your predecessor when some of the issues were discussed.  It was agreed that the periodical meeting to resolve the problems of beneficiaries of CHGS would be convened to subject these maters to discussion and resolution thereof.  We shall be grateful if such a meeting is convened as early as possible so that these issues along with the pending matters could  be discussed and amicable settlement reached. 

1.       Consultation with Specialists:
Many beneficiaries, mostly the pensioners, require constant consultation with the specialists, especially those requiring treatment from cardiologists, Urologists, Nephrologists, Ophthalmologists, Paediatrician, Gynaecologists etc.  Except on the initial occasion, a reference from the doctors of the concerned dispensaries may be dispensed with.  They may be allowed to have direct consultation with the specialists from the empanelled lists.  The beneficiaries may also be allowed to seek consultation with the specialists from their private clinics and consultation rooms.

2.       Private hospitals are recognised for in-patient treatment for the benefit of the CGEs working in non-CGHS localities.  These hospitals may be recognised for in- patient treatment of CGHS beneficiaries on the basis of a pre determined charges.

3.       The treatment of Covid-19 patients in Private hospitals are now permitted.  It is stated that the concerned State Governments  must in consultation with the Private Hospital Associations, fix the charges for various treatments connected with Covid-19.  While some of the State Government have done this, many are yet to enter into such agreements. Wherever, such agreements are not entered, the CGHS beneficiaries are made to suffer. The private hospitals charge exhorbitantly  and the Government has decided to reimburse only at the rate agreed upon by the State Government or What the Delhi Govt. Has stipulated.  The employees and pensioners should not be made to suffer on account of the non adherence of the instructions and directives of the Government of India by the private hospitals  especially in the pandemic situation.  The Government  has to arm itself with  the powers  even to close down such hospitals which do not abide by the directive of the Government or else the beneficiaries be reimbursed with the full amount they had paid to the private hospitals.

4.       Many pensioner beneficiaries have complained of the inordinate delay in settling the bills submitted for reimbursement.   It is requested that the Government must fix a time frame say one month  for scrutiny and payment of the bills.  Any delay beyond the stipulated period must bear interest to be recovered from the person responsible for the delay.

5.       In many CGHS dispensaries, the services of a Gynaecologist is seldom available.  It is appreciated that it might not be possible at all time.  In such cases, our suggestion is that the Government should recognise a panel of Gynaecologists  in such towns.  The beneficiaries may be permitted to have consultation with them by payment of the prescribed fees, which might be reimbursed. 

6.       The CGHS took over the Postal dispensaries . However, there is acute shortage of staff in these dispensaries.  The shortage threatens the very functioning of these units.  It is requested that the concerned Addl. Directors may be permitted to recruit personnel on temporary basis till permanent arrangements are made. 

7.       The North Eastern Region is a far flung area with difficult terrain with little travel and communication facilities. To cater to the requirement of the pensioners and employees of this vast region, presently there is only one CGHS centre located at Guwahati.  Taking into account the very peculiar situation in this region, the Government may kindly consider setting up dispensaries or CGHS centres in all the State capitals of the NE Region.
8.       The number of units  under CGHS which practices the alternate medical systems, viz. Ayurveda, Homeopathy, unani etc. Is very few.  Of late the people have started evincing confidence in the alternate medical system.  Some of the medicines prescribed under those systems have been found to be very effective in curing certain chronic diseases.   It is, therefore, requested that more and more units under the alternate medical system is opened at CGHS centres. It is also  reported that certain medical preparations are available in the alternate  medical system, which boosts the immunity system.  The veracity of this may please be enquired and if found to be appropriate, the Doctors may be allowed to prescribe those remedies in the treatment of Covid19.

9.       In the State of Madhya Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh and in certain other States too, there are no offices of the Additional Directors.  The absence of an Additional Director creates  difficulties to the beneficiaries, especially the pensioners. We request that a policy decision may be taken to have the office of the Additional Director CGHS at all State Capitals.

10.   The wellness centre at Vijayawada, in Andhra Pradesh is presently located in a building owned by the City Corporation.   As part of the renovation exercise,  the space occupied by the CGHS dispensary has become unfit for its functioning.   There is no water supply  and the washrooms are demolished.  The Centre has to be shifted at-least temporarily  and the Pensioners Association at Vijayawada has suggested to shift the dispensary to the vacant BSNL. Quarters.  We request you to kindly direct the concerned Additional Director to make arrangements for the shifting of the dispensary. 

Thanking you,
Yours faithfully,

Shiv Gopal Misra,
Secretary Staff Side JCM.


Wednesday 12 August 2020

Shocking News!
S.S.Roy No More!




Our Working President of NCCPA and former Assistant General Secretary of NFPE P3 CHQ comrade S.S.Roy has been taken away from all of us by the Corona! He was reportedly tested positive but breathed his last in hospital after unsuccessful efforts to save him.

Even last month he actively participated in the NCCPA video conference and placed his views effectively as always. In all forums he used to be very effective in placing his ideas with concrete facts. He never speaks without authenticated truths.

He led West Bengal Postal and CG employees in various capacities and also the united pensioners movement. We are shocked and at a loss of proper words to express our deep sorrow. We lower our flags and banner in respect of comrade Shib Sankar Roy!

Tuesday 11 August 2020

Fixed Medical Allowance


FMA – Some important Points to be known!

1.      Fixed Medical Allowance was first granted to Pensioners and Family Pensioners based on 5th CPC recommendations from 1.12.1997. This Allowance was granted to Pensioners / Family Pensioners residing in non-CGHS areas vide OM 45/55/97-P&PW (C) Dated 19.12.1997.

2.      This quantum was enhanced to 300/- per month (from 1.9.2008); and then 500/- per month (from 19.11.2014) ; and now 1000/- per month (from 1.7.2017)  is being drawn as FMA by the Central Government. But the condition that non-CGHS pensioners / family pensioners are only entitled to that monthly medical allowance continues.

3.      The main condition for payment of FMA is that the Pensioner / Family Pensioner shall reside in Non-CGHS area only. Those Pensioners and Family Pensioners residing in CGHS Areas or living in such areas that are presently brought under CGHS coverage are not eligible for FMA from the date of their moving into CGHS areas. This means those Pensioners / Family Pensioners initially drawn FMA also will be stopped with drawal of FMA from the prospective date.

4.      The option to join CGHS for non-CGHS Pensioners / Family Pensioners of P&T Department was blocked by the Health Ministry for many years. But recently after 7th CPC and out of pressure from Court Case, the Government has ordered that any P&T Pensioner residing in non-CGHS areas also can join CGHS on payment of required subscription. But for those Non-CGHS Pensioners / Family Pensioners, a further option to totally come under CGHS for both OPT and IPT (Out-patient and In-patient treatment) or come to CGHS only for IPT but remain under FMA in lieu of Out-Patient treatment also exists.


5.      At the time of retirement an option either to remain under CGHS or opting for FMA shall be given by retiring officials. This option given at the time of his or her retirement is described as one time option at the time of retirement. However, the above Pensioner is allowed “only one change in option in the life time. This means irrespective of the option exercised by the Pensioner at the time of his or her retirement, he or she is allowed one life time option to change the option. Many DPA offices will naturally entertain unnecessary doubt about the difference of “one time option at the time of retirement” and “one time change of option in the life time of the pensioner”.

6.      Earlier CGHS was not made compulsory for Pensioners. They can join or not join the CGHS, but even then they are not eligible for FMA if they reside in areas covered under CGHS.

7.      If a Pensioner is drawing his or her pension from a place covered by CGHS while residing in a non-CGHS area is eligible for FMA provided he or she submits a declaration in the Proforma.

8.      If a Pensioner is drawing two pensions viz., one from Military and one from Civilan source, he or she is eligible for FMA provided he or she is not availing any medical facility provided by one of these sources. If the pensioner is availing medical facilities provided from one of the two organizations, he or she is not eligible for FMA.

9.      There is no Rule directly barring a Pensioner from drawing FMA if his or her spouse is eligible for Medical Treatment from a source available from the place of his or her work. There is no Rule directly asking the Pensioner to submit any certificate from that source that he or she is not availing any medical benefit from that source. Normally based on a written undertaking from the Pensioner of non-CGHS area that he or she is not availing any medical facility from the source of his or her spouse, the FMA is sanctioned.

We come across that in some Postal Circles or Regions our comrades experience the specific problem of either not permitting change of option by the Pensioners as in Ongole of Andhra or refusing to draw FMA on the grounds that a certificate from the place of medical facilities available to the spouse is not submitted as in Madurai of Tamilnadu Circle. CHQ advises our comrades to ask the copy of the Rule under which the decision has been taken. We will act on the basis of the reply received.

-         KR GS AIPRPA -



Sunday 9 August 2020

AIPRPA CMC VIRTUAL MEET

Central Managing Committee AIPRPA met today! (9.8.2020)


The Central Managing Committee of AIPRPA CHQ has met today at 11.00 a.m under the president ship of CHQ President comrade D.K.Rahate.

Comrade M.Krishnan our Executive Member and ex-SG Confederation also took part. CHQ Advisor comrade C.C.Pillai telephoned during the meeting that he could not connect due to technical hitch. Many CHQ office bearers and State General Secretaries as well as two special invitees from H.P and Tripura participated. A good discussion occurred followed by the presentation of General Secretary comrade K.Ragavendran.

It is noted that our senior citizens should learn to use technology as for next one year or so we may not be able to function in traditional methods.

Following decisions emerged:

1) It is observed that email campaign called by NCCPA and AIPRPA were effectively implemented.

2) It is noted that necessary follow up action on all decisions including CGHS related are carried out and being followed up.

3) It is decided that the next CMC will be exclusively for organisational purpose. State wise organisational position including membership and number of Divisions etc will be reviewed.

4) MACP Promotees case though successful in Ernakulam CAT has failed in Kerala High Court. Instead of immediately going to SLP, we will wait for the outcome of full bench decision headed by Delhi Principal CAT Chairman at Chennai  before next step.

5) Other Court cases including DA/DP freeze; MACP date of effect; Option 1; and 30th June increment issue will be discussed in next NCCPA Executive Video Conference in last week. Favourable judgment in Hyderabad CAT by AP comrades on 30th June increment has also been taken note of.

6) Developments on media report on intended "Financial Emergency" will be closely followed and we will act along with United Trade Union Movement and Confederation.

7) It is noted that Directorate acted in favour on HSG-1 issue after our email campaign. Further pressure on DoP will be planned through CHQ letters on postal pensioners issues. NFPE and P4 CHQ also to be requested to put pressure on DoP on Postman higher scale order implementation from 1.1.96 and on counting Induction Training period for TBOP/BCR.

8) Pensioners Post journal could not be printed from April onwards due to absence of workers in Press and suspension of railway traffic throughout India. March issue printed but binding work not over in Press. Efforts will be made to release the journals during September month after easing of lock down in Chennai.

- KR GS AIPRPA-

Saturday 8 August 2020

AIPRPA CHQ Emails to Member (P)


All India Postal & RMS Pensioners Association


(Registered No: 83/2015 under Tamilnadu Societies Registration Act, 1975)
Chennai HQ: 2/44, Muthial Chetty Street, Purasawalkam, Chennai - 600007
New Delhi HQ: First Floor, North Avenue Post Office Building, North Avenue, New Delhi - 110001


AIPRPA / PM-MG/ TBOP-BCR Upgradation Dated 08.08.2020
To
The Member (P)
Department of Posts
Dak Bhawan      
New Delhi – 110001

Sir,
Sub: Request to extend the benefit of notional upgradation of pay scales at TBOP and BCR level of Postman/Mailguard from 1.1.1996 – regarding.
Ref: This Association Email letter No. AIPRPA/Postman & Mailguards /2019/1  Dated 16.03.2019 addressed to DG Posts.
This All India Postal & RMS Pensioners Association is shocked to see that the order of the Directorate OM Number 2-1/2007-PCC Dated 23.05.2008 has the following twin impacts below:
Impact 1: Sluggish implementation of the orders in the DPA offices resulting in thousands of retired pensioners of Postman and Mailguard  unable to get the fixation benefit and arrears drawal despite the long time gap since the issue of the Directorate orders. No time frame is fixed by the Directorate to DPAs for timely completion of the job even after more than two years.
Impact 2: The order dated 23.05.2008 shifting the date of implementation of higher pay scale of 3050-4590 to Entry level Postman/Mailguard notionally from 1.1.1996 instead of 10.10.1997 is not automatically extended to all TBOP level and BCR level Postman / Mailguard staff from the same date. This has caused an avoidable anomaly. The reason attributed in the offices of DPA is that the said order dated 23.05.2018 is silent on this aspect!
The order dated 23.05.2018 refers the earlier OM of the Directorate Number 23-8/97/PE-1(PCC) Dated 3.7.1998 that originally granted the scales of 3050-4590 to Postman/Mailguard; 3200-4900 to TBOP staff and 4000-6000 to BCR Staff of Postman/Mailguard cadre from 10.10.1997.
The advancement of the date of implementation of higher pay scale notionally from 10.10.1997 to 01.01.1996 shall automatically be applicable to TBOP and BCR staff also correspondingly. But as the OM dated 23.05.2018 and the subsequent clarificatory OM dated 31.01.2019 issued by the Directorate did not speak about upgradation of pay scales notionally to corresponding TBOP and BCR staff. This is cited as the reason for denying the advancement of 3200-4900 and 4000-6000 scales of pay to TBOP and BCR Postman / Mailguard respectively by the DPAs.
This Association desires to point out that despite our email dated 16.03.2019 to DG Posts the situation continues unchanged. This Association trusts that solution to this anomaly lies within the ambit of the Department of Posts.
We would like the Directorate to issue suitable clarificatory instructions so that hundreds of cases refused suitable refixation by the DAP offices are allowed without further delay. We request clarificatory orders to cover the following two points:
1.      The date of advancement of pay scale notionally to entry level Postman / Mailguard w.e.f. 1.1.1996 shall be automatically applied to subsequent level TBOP and BCR Postman / Mailguard staff also from the same date and effective arrangements may be made at all DPA offices so that all the Pensioners of the cadre shall be granted the benefit without further delay.

2.      The Postman and Mailguard staff of entry, TBOP and BCR level retired during 1.1.1996 and 10.10.1997 shall also be covered for this upgradation of pay scales.
Thanking you,
Yours faithfully,
Sd/-
(K.Ragavendran)
General Secretary


Thursday 6 August 2020

Please All join Twitter Account!



Follow
AIPRPA CHQ

-KR GS AIPRPA-

Monday 3 August 2020

CMC MEETING OF AIPRPA CHQ



All India Postal & RMS Pensioners Association

 

(Registered No: 83/2015 under Tamilnadu Societies Registration Act, 1975)

Chennai HQ: 2/44, Muthial Chetty Street, Purasawalkam, Chennai - 600007

New Delhi HQ: First Floor, North Avenue Post Office Building, North Avenue, New Delhi - 110001



                                                                                                                                        Dated 04.08.2020  


AIPRPA Central Managing Committee in Video Conference on 9.8.2020!

Next video conference of AIPRPA CMC will be held as per our earlier decision to meet on 2nd Sunday (9.8.2020) at 11.00 A.M. The link to reach the video conference will be sent by email to all on 9.8.2020 at about 10.45 A.M. You are requested to click on that link. 

CHQ President Comrade D.K.Rahate will preside. The following shall be the agenda:

1. Review of earlier decisions taken in video conferences.

2. Review of observance of NCCPA and AIPRPA CHQ email campaign calls.

3. Any other item with the permission of the chair. 

All CMC Members are requested to attend without fail. They will remember to keep their camera mike in "off" condition and without fail turn it "ON" only when their turn to speak comes. 

They can seek permission to intervene by raising their hand to be noticed by the President. On permission they will turn on their mike and speak.

Comradely yours,
K.Ragavendran
GS AIPRPA