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!

Fixed Medical Allowance

FMA – Some important Points to be known!

1.      Fixed Medical Allowance was first granted to Pensioners and Family Pensioners based on 5^th 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 7^th 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 -

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-

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

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AIPRPA CHQ

-KR GS AIPRPA-

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

 

                                                                                                                                                                 

NCCPA Calls for Email to Secretary to Forest and Climate Change!

NCCPA CALL 

NCCPA has issued the undermentioned call to send email to Government of India Secretary to Forest and Climate Change against the move to amend the Act in Parliament to favour Corporates! The move will adversely affect us and our environment! Let us act by sending email to the Secretary by all our States / Districts / Divisions/ and also by members - KR GS AIPRPA 

Indian People and Environment is dispensable to the economic interests of International Corporates!

The proposed amendment to Environment Rules by Central Government is dangerous to us! The lives and environment is more precious than the unquestioned entry of FDI!

Let us voice our opinion to the Government to stop the intended Act in Parliament!

All our Affiliates and Individuals are requested to send the following email to the Secretary of Forest  and Climate Change, Government of India in the Email ID:  secy-moef@nic.in

TEXT OF EMAIL

To

The Secretary,

Forest and Climate Change,

Union Government of India,

New Delhi.

Respected Sir,

The Central Ministry has proposed a change in existing Environment Impact Assessment processes (EIA Notification, 2006) through a draft EIA Notification, 2020. The proposed notification will destroy the process of environmental protection and affecting the environment irreversibly, also making it easier for the corporates to get environmental clearances for their projects. Hence, We the people oppose the draft Environment Impact Assessment Notification, 2020, and request you to withdraw the same.

Amidst the pandemic situation, it is improper to take decisions that will have an irreversible impact on the environment. However, the Union Ministry is keen on making changes in Environment rules and granting clearances. It is evident from the fact that over 30 projects, located in some of India's most biodiverse forests have been urgently cleared or taken up for clearance in online meetings during the lockdown (April 23). Site inspections are a crucial component of project evaluation and are difficult during a pandemic. Ministry appears to be relying only on digital documents uploaded by the project developers. Even more surprisingly these projects have been cleared at a time when Covid-19 has revealed dramatically how seriously the loss of forest land and biodiversity can increase zoonotic diseases.

Environmentalists also have raised their voice and wrote to Environment Minister regarding how forest and environment clearances were being granted across India during the lockdown. On that note, shockingly, the Ministry has put out a draft notification for public comments amidst global economic and public health emergency when there is restricted public movement.

Major Issues:

• The new amendment poses a serious threat to the environment and there are some areas of concern like granting post-facto clearances to Industries and leaving aside them with Fine alone in case of any violations. For several projects, the whole process of EIA is made simpler and fails to meet the standards of basic environmental protections. However, in an order on April 1, the Supreme Court held that "ex post facto environmental clearances" are contrary to law. It said: "Environment law cannot countenance the notion of an ex post facto clearance. This would be contrary to both the precautionary principle as well as the need for sustainable development".

• A public hearing has been exempted to many industries (those producing acids, paints, fertilizers, pesticides, etc.) located in Notified Industrial Zone, this will create serious problems in areas that depend entirely on ground and river water for agricultural usage. Public consultation has also been exempted from a list of linear projects. Projects such as roads and pipelines in border areas will not require any public hearing. The 'border area' is defined as "area falling within 100 kilometers aerial distance from the Line of Actual Control with bordering countries of India." That would cover much of the Northeast, the region with the country's richest biodiversity. Exemption from public hearing goes against International environmental law and agreements.

• Increased validity of the environment clearance for mining projects and river valley projects from 30 years currently to 50 years and, 10 years currently to 15 years respectively, thus increasing the risk of irreversible environmental, social, and health consequences on account of the project remaining unnoticed for long.

• Through the draft, it is enough for the industries to provide an annual environmental compliance report rather than half-yearly reports. Past experiences show that industries have continued to provide data that are false and inaccurate. Seeking an annual report provides an opportunity for the industries to further underestimate any socio-environmental issues arising in their projects.

• The Public consultation process is diluted. The period for the public to submit their views and responses during a public hearing for any application seeking Environment clearance has been reduced from 30 days to 20 days. It is aimed at denying the proper opportunity to record the objections of the people of the region.

The various provisions of the draft are aimed at facilitating the government's doctrine of "ease of doing business". Hence, we would like to reiterate that it is our generation that will be a victim of the devastating effects of these twisted and diluted laws like the new EIA draft. In this age of high pollution levels in our cities, we need to strengthen the EIA 2006 instead of allowing amendments that will dilute the rules and encourage environmental violations.

The current draft lacks understanding of the adverse effects of activities like disturbances in eco-sensitive zones, extensive minings. The notification was released on 23rd March 2020, surprisingly right before the day of nationwide lockdown. There has been no wide publicity given to the same except being uploaded on the website. The Covid-19 pandemic has been a time to stay safe and protect oneself. Hence, the government must understand it is not the right time to make amendments in EIA Notification for its aspiration of doing business. We sincerely hope that the Environment Ministry will encourage informed public participation as committed through Principle 10 of the Rio Declaration and the principle of Natural Justice. The EIA can be used to bring India out of the Covid-19 pandemic as an environmentally aware country through a green recovery that strengthens the role of environmental and social protection of all people and nature instead of justifying the present forms of harmful development.

So, we request you to kindly withdraw the Draft EIA Notification – 2020, right now.

Thanking you,

Signature:

Name:

Organisation:

District/ State: