Protest Day 16-03-2017

PENSIONERS PROTEST ON 16-03-2017

PENSIONERS PROTEST ON 16-03-2017

For the first time in the recent past, Pensioners’ Associations affiliated to the Coordination Committee of Central Government Pensioners’ Association, Karnataka held an impressive demonstration in Bengaluru on 16-3-2017 in solidarity with the Central Government Employees who were on strike under the banner of Confederation of CG Employees and Workers demanding acceptance of Charter of Demands having 21 demands which included demands concerning Pensioners also The important demands concerning Pensioners included in the charter are:

1.      Implementation of Option I, the only positive recommendation of 7^th    Central Pay Commission for pre-2016 Pensioners.

2.      Implementation of the 7^th CPC recommendations to Pensioners of Autonomous bodies and

3.      Cash less medical treatment to all Central Govt Employees and Pensioners in all Government and recognised Private Hospitals.

The Central cabinet had accepted both the options I & II recommended by the Pay Commission on revision of pension of pre-2016 Pensioners with a rider of examining the ‘feasibility’ of implementation of option-1 by a Committee constituted for the purpose.  The Committee headed by the Secretary Department of Pension & PW, has reportedly recommended rejection of option- I and has suggested a new formula based on parity in pension recommended by 5^th CPC. Staff side and Pensioners’ Associations including Karnataka IA & AD Pensioners’ Association, an affiliate of CCCGPAs, Karnataka had demanded that the new formula suggested by the Committee, can be considered as another option (3^rd option) in addition to the other two options recommended by the 7^th CPC.  The new formula, though may be advantageous to Pensioners who had been promoted to higher posts at the fag end of their service, it may not benefit a large numbers of Pensioners who had retired post 2006 after earning several increments in the pay scale from which they had retired. Keeping all these facts in view, Confederation of CG Employees and Workers included the issue of implementation of Option I   in its Charter of demands for strike.

Government of India, vide its resolution dated 4th August 2016, accepted the recommendations of the 7^th Central Pay Commission on pensionery benefits and all the Central Govt Civil Pensioners have been granted the benefits of revised pension with retrospective effect from 1-1- 2016 and the arrears of pension due was also paid to them on 31-8- 2016 along with their revised pension for the month of August 2016. But, in spite of elapse of 7 months, the benefits of 7^th CPC recommendations have not yet been extended  to Pensioners of Statutory & Autonomous bodies like Coffee Board, Rubber Board, Tea Board, Spices Board  Tobacco Board, Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan , Khadi & Village Industries Commission, Central Silk Board and National Council of Science Museum.

All these Autonomous bodies were constituted by Acts of Parliament and they have been following the Service Rules and Pension Rules framed by the Central Govt as amended from time to time. Modifications to CCS (Pension) Rules, 1972 introduced in the past on the recommendations of Central Pay Commissions were extended by the Autonomous bodies to their Employees and Pensioners; age related additional pension recommended by 6^th CPC, is an example. The inordinate delay in  implementation of 7^th CPC benefits to them was taken up by the CCCGPAs  with the PMO in Nov 2016 and the Confederation of CG Employees & Workers was also requested  to include this demand in the Charter of Demands. Though Orders were issued on 13-1-2017 and 10-2-2017, the provisions of DoP&PW OM dated 4-8-2016 on revision of pension of pre-2016 pensioners, have not yet been extended to the Pensioners of Autonomous bodies. Even the increase in Dearness Relief due from 1-7-2016 has not been paid to them.

            The Management Committee of CCCGPAs, Karnataka in its meeting held on 20-2-2017 decided to hold a demonstration on 16-3-2017 to extend solidarity to the Striking Central Employees and to urge the Govt to accept the above said demands of Pensioners.

            In the demonstration held at Freedom Park, Bengaluru, about 12 Pensioners’ Associations affiliated to CCCGPAs and about 250 Pensioners were present. A galaxy of trade union leaders, past & present, extended their support to the Pensioners by their presence in the venue throughout the proceedings. As a gesture of comradeship, many serving employees especially from the RMS, Postal and AGs who were on strike, joined the Pensioners in the demonstration.

Sri S.Radhakrishna , General secretary, CCCGPAs after welcoming all those present in the venue ,spoke about the demands and the unhelpful attitude of the Govt. in resolution of the grievances of the Employees in general and the Pensioners in particular, which has compelled even the Pensioners to resort to agitations to get their just demands accepted by the Govt. He was apprehensive about acceptance of the new pension revision formula reportedly suggested by the Pension Committee in place of Option-1 recommended by the 7^th CPC.

Sri K B Krishna Rao, Chairman, CCCGPAs expressed his happiness over the presence of many veteran leaders of P&T Trade Union Movement in the venue, some of whom despite their advanced age, responded to the call of CCCGPAs and were participating in the demonstration. He spoke in detail on the demands, the action taken by CCCGPAs and the response of the Department of Pension, Dept of Expenditure and the PMO on the memoranda submitted to them.

Sri P.S.Prasad, General Secretary, Confederation of CG Employees and Workers, Karnataka Unit who addressed the gathering, extended Confederation’s support to the Pensioners and informed that the strike was successful in the State with the participation of Employees of many Central Departments in the strike.

Sri A.Srinivasa, Circle Secretary, All India RMS&MMS Employees’ Union Group-C, Karnataka extending his greetings informed that the strike in RMS offices in the State was near total and some of the offices are closed. He was glad that a good number of Pensioners were participating in the demonstration.

Sri N.Bhaskaran, a veteran P&T Trade union Leader, former Circle Secretary, AIRMSEU, Karnataka, who is the founder of KP&TPA & CCCGPAs, was reminiscent of the strikes that took place in 1960 & 68 and spoke about the sacrifices of the Trade Union Leaders of his times who were victimised for leading Strikes.

Sri G.Babu President. KP&TPA, and Vice President AIBSNLPWA. who was in the fore front of DoT & BSNL Employees Unions in 1960s and1970s and lead many  employees struggles while he was in service and is now closely associated with many Educational, Social and Cultural organisations, addressed the gathering and extended his support to the striking  Employees & Pensioners.

Sri Changappa, Circle Secretary, AIBSNLPWA, Karnataka, said that the Govt’s intention is to put an end to payment of pension to ever increasing number of Pensioners and with the introduction of contributory pension scheme, the National Pension System from 1-1-2004, which by no means is beneficial and does not ensure even a minimum guaranteed pension, must be scrapped. He thanked CCCGPAs for championing the cause of BSNL Pensioners before the 7th CPC.

Sri H S Manjunath, former Circle Secretary, AIRMSEU, Group-C, Karnataka, speaking about the importance of Employees Unions and Pensioners’ Associations in achieving their demands lauded the efforts of CCCGPAs ,Karnataka in focusing  attention on the demands of Pensioners  and for holding demonstration in pursuance of their demands.

Sri A N Balaram, President, Coffee board Pensioners’ Association, a nonagenarian expressed his anguish over the inordinate delay in implementation of 7^th CPC recommendations to Pensioners of Autonomous bodies and opined that seeking  judicial intervention is not advisable  at this stage.

The following representatives of the Affiliate Pensioners’ Associations addressed the gathering.

Shri M Ganesh Rao Vice President Karnataka IA & AD Pensioners Association, Sri P V R Murthy, Vice Chairman CCCGPAs and Secretary, Retired railway officers’ Association, Sri. Mirza Naseem Akthar Secretary Karnataka Khadhi & Village Industries Commission Pensioners’ Association  Sri B B Poddar, Jt. Secretary, Karnataka Central Govt. Pensioners’ Association, Sri  O.K.Suryanarayana, Secretary, IIMB Pensioners Welfare Association, Dr. S. Raje Urs, President, Central Silk Board Pensioners’ Association Sri Sadananda, Treasurer, Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangatan  Retired Employees’ Association, Sri.C. S. Krishnegowda, Secretary, N.C.S.M. Pensioners’ Welfare Association

Sri TV Suryaprakash, Jt. Secretary, CCCGPAs and Secretary Coffee Board Pensioners’ Association ,who had made all the arrangements for holding the demonstration at freedom park and had coordinated with all the Pensioners’ Associations to  ensure presence of  a good number  of Pensioners and Representatives of Associations, in his speech explained the untiring efforts made by the  Associations of Autonomous bodies since August 2016 and emphasised on the need to consolidate the strength of Associations further to achieve their justified demands .He thanked the  Confederation of CG Employees & Works, CCCGPAs Karnataka , BPS & NCCCPA  for championing the cause of Pensioners .The demonstration ended at 1-30 p.m. after vote of thanks proposed by Sri Suryaprakash.

The following Resolutions were passed unanimously

Resolution -1

Pensioners’ Associations affiliated to the Coordination Committee of Central Government Pensioners’ Association, Karnataka in the Protest Demonstration held on 16^th March 2017 at Freedom Park, Bengaluru ,here by resolve to strongly urge the Government of India to implement  Option-1 recommended by the 7^th CPC in para 10.1.67 of its report  on revision of pension of pre-2016 Pensioners and accepted by the Govt. vide   its resolution dated 4^th August, 2016 and  to consider the new formula reported to have been suggested by the Committee constituted to examine the feasibility of implementation of option-1, as an additional option(option-3).

Resolution -2

Pensioners’ Associations affiliated to the Coordination Committee of Central Government Pensioners’ Association, Karnataka in the Protest Demonstration held on 16^th March 2017 at Freedom Park, Bengaluru ,   having taken notice of the inordinate delay in extension of the provisions of Department of  Pension and Pensioners’ Welfare OM dated 4.8.2016 which was issued for implementation of the recommendations of 7^th Central Pay Commission  on revision of pension of pre-2016 Central Civil Pensioners, TO THE PENSIONERS OF STATUTORY/ AUTONOMOUS BODIES  , here by resolve to strongly urge the Government of India to immediately  order implementation of the 7^th CPC recommendations on pension to the pre-2016 Pensioners of Statutory/ Autonomous bodies without any further delay

Resolution -3

Pensioners’ Associations affiliated to the Coordination Committee of Central Government Pensioners’ Association, Karnataka in the Protest Demonstration held on 16^th March 2017 at Freedom Park, Bengaluru ,   having taken notice of the inordinate delay in extension of the provisions of Department of  Pension and Pensioners’ Welfare OM dated 6.4.2016 granting full pension to pre-2006 Pensioners without any pro-rata reduction in pension for less than 33 years of service  issued  in respect of pre-2006 Central Civil Pensioners, TO THE PENSIONERS OF STATUTORY/ AUTONOMOUS BODIES  , here by resolves to strongly urge the Government of India to immediately  order implementation of the provisions of the OM dated 6-4-2016 ibid to thepre-2016 Pensioners of Statutory/ Autonomous bodies without  any further delay

PRESS NOTE

PRESS NOTE

Solidarity and Protest Demonstration on 16-3-2017

Time 11.00 AM to 1 PM

The Co-ordination Committee of Central Government Pensioners’ Associations, Karnataka, Bangalore, demands

* acceptance of Option I as recommended by 7^th CPC and 5^th CPC formula as alternative option

* implementation of 7^th CPC orders to the retirees of Autonomous/Statutory Bodies

* grant of Dearness Relief to the retirees of Autonomous/Statutory Bodies w.e.f. 1.7.2016

The Central Government Employees under the banner of Confederation of CG Employees and Workers are going on one day strike on 16-03-2017 against the Government for not adhering to the promises made by Group of ministers to the leaders of JCM. In the meeting held on 30 June 2016, the group of ministers headed by Home Minister had assured that a committee will be formed to revisit the issue of minimum wage and fitment formula and committee would submit its report within four months. Even after eight months of assurance, such a committee is yet to be formed.  On the issue of Option I for pre-2016 pensioners, the only positive recommendation of 7^th CPC, cabinet had accepted the recommendation with a rider of ‘feasibility’.  The Committee constituted to examine the feasibility of implementation of option-1, though acknowledged that records are available in 82% of the cases, has recommended for rejection of option- I.  It is reported that the committee has suggested some alternative based 5^th CPC recommendations. Staff side and pensioners Associations including CCCGPA affiliates, BPS and NCCPA had demanded that the new formula suggested by the Committee, can be considered as another option (3^rd option) in addition to option I.  The 5^th CPC formula will not benefit the pensioners (about 14 lakh in number) who have retired between 2006 and 2016. Any formula cannot deny the benefit to such a large number of pensioners. Even the formula reported to have been suggested by committee is in deviation to the recommendation of 7th CPC which Government may not accept.  Keeping all these issues in view, Confederation has included Option I and NPS in its Charter of demands for strike.

The Government, after dilly dallying, has finally issued orders on 13-01-2017 extending the benefits of 7 CPC to employees of the Autonomous and Statutory bodies. Even now orders are not implemented because respective administrative ministries are yet to issue orders in this regard.  In respect of pensioners of these bodies, no orders have been issued extending the benefits of 7 CPC. This issue has also been included in the strike charter of Confederation. Further, These pensioners have not been even granted Dearness Relief with effect from 1.7.2016 though the same has already been granted to Central Government Pensioners and though the Dearness Relief is expected to be released again with effect from 1.1.2017.  The Federations of Pensioners has given a call to register protest against the rejection of Option I, non-extension of benefits of 7 CPC to pensioners of Autonomous and Statutory bodies and extend solidarity to striking employees.

Therefore the Co-ordination Committee of Central Government Pensioners’ Associations, Karnataka, Bengaluru, (CCCGPA), in its meeting held on 20-2-2017, decided to extend solidarity to strike and demand acceptance of Option I and 5 CPC formula as alternative option and extension of benefits of 7 CPC to employees and pensioners of Autonomous and Statutory bodies by holding demonstration on 16-03-2017.  The demonstration will be held between 11.00 AM and 1 PM at Freedom Park (Old central Jail premises).  All the affiliates have been requested to mobilize their members in large numbers, participate in the demonstration and make it a success.

                                         

                                                         S. KRISHNA RAO                                                                                                  

  13.3.2017                                               CHAIRMAN

Solidarity and Protest Demonstration on 16-3-2017

Coordination Committee of Central Government

Pensioners’ Associations, Karnataka (R)

(Regd. Under the Karnataka Societies Registration Act 1960: Regn.No.1070/98-99)

No. 212,”Kaveri”, 7^th ‘A’ Main, Hampinagar, Bengaluru-560104

                                     E-Mail : cccgpabangalore@gmail.com

K.B.Krishna Rao                         S. Radhakrishna                  O.M.Bhaskaran                                    

Chairman                                   General Secretary                       Treasurer        

Ph: 23230545                             Mob: 9448880921                     Ph:23451578

Mob: 9483467750                                                              Mob: 9448519369

No. CCCGPA/MCM/2017                                                                        8-3-2017

CIRCULAR

Solidarity and Protest Demonstration on 16-3-2017

Time 11.00 AM to 1 PM

Venue: Freedom Park Bengaluru

Please bring banners of your organisations

Attend in Large Numbers

Dear friends

The Central Government Employees under the banner of Confederation of CG Employees and Workers are going on one day strike on 16-03-2017 against the Government for betrayal  of promises made by Group of ministers to the leaders of JCM. In the meeting held on 30 June group of ministers headed by Home Minister had assured that a committee will be formed to revisit the issue of minimum wage and fitment formula and committee would submit its report within four months. Even after eight months of assurance such a committee is yet to be formed.  On the issue of Option I for pre-2016 pensioners, the only positive recommendation of 7^th CPC, cabinet had accepted the recommendation with a rider of ‘feasibility’.  The Committee constituted to examine the feasibility of implementation of option-1, though acknowledged that records are available in 82% of the cases, has recommended for rejection of option- I.  It is reported that the committee has suggested some alternative based 5^th CPC recommendations. Staff side and pensioners Associations including CCCGPA affiliates, BPS and NCCPA had demanded that the new formula suggested by the Committee, can be considered as another option (3^rd option) in addition to option I.  The 5^th CPC formula will not benefit the pensioners (about 14 lakh in number) who have retired between 2006 and 2016. Any formula cannot deny the benefit to such a large number of pensioners. Even the formula reported to have been suggested by committee is in deviation to the recommendation of 7th CPC which Government may not accept.  Keeping all these issues in view, Confederation has included Option I and NPS in its Charter of demands for strike. The Government after dilly dallying finally issued orders on 13-01-2017 extending the benefits of 7 CPC to employees of the Autonomous and Statutory bodies. Even now orders are not implemented because respective administrative ministries are yet to issue orders in this regard.  In respect of pensioners of these bodies, no orders have been issued extending the benefits of 7 CPC. This issue has also been included in the strike charter of Confederation. These pensioners have not been even granted Dearness Relief with effect from 1.7.2016 though the same has been granted to Central Government Pensioners and though the Dearness Relief is expected to be released again with effect from 1.1.2017.  The Federations of Pensioners has given a call to register protest against the rejection of Option I, non-extension of benefits of 7 CPC to pensioners of Autonomous and Statutory bodies and extend solidarity to striking employees.

Therefore CCCGPA in its meeting held on 20-2-2017 decided to extend solidarity to strike and demand acceptance of Option I and 5 CPC formula as alternative option and extension of benefits of 7 CPC to employees and pensioners of Autonomous and Statutory bodies by holding demonstration on 16-03-2017.  The demonstration will be held between 11.00 AM and 1 PM at Freedom Park (Old central Jail premises).  All the affiliates are requested to mobilize their members in large numbers to participate in the demonstration and make it a success. All the organizations are requested to come with banners of their organizations to the demonstration.

With greetings

PS: Affiliates of CCCGPA are requested to share the expenditure incurred for arrangements made at the venue

                                                     Yours fraternally

                                                 K.B. Krishna Rao       S Radhakrishna

                                                       Chairman              General Secretary

CGHS Wellness Centre No.3 to be shifted new premises

CGHS Wellness Centre No. 3 Basavangudi is being shifted new premises in Banashankari III Stage, Near Vinayaka Nursing Home.  Shifting may be completed by end of April 2017.  Initially all the cards of beneficiaries attached to Basavangudi Wellness centre will be transferred.  Later re-allocation of card between Jaynagar and Basavangudi Wellness Centres will be done.  Extending coverage to new areas will also be done later. CCCGPA will closely monitor the developments

CGHS Subscription as per 7th CPC – Clarification for Pensioners Superannuating on 31.1.2017

No.S.11011/11/2016-CGHS (P)/EHS

Government of India

Ministry of Health and Family Welfare

EHS Section

Nirman Bhawan, New Delhi

Dated the 21st February, 2017

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Sub: Revision of rates of subscription under Central Government Health Scheme due to revision of pay and allowances of Central Government employees and revision of pension/ family pension on account of implementation of recommendations of the Seventh Central Pay Commission- clarification reg.

Attention is drawn to this Ministry’s OM of even No. dated 9th January, 2017, on the subject mentioned above.

2. This Ministry has been receiving several representations w.r.t applicability of CGHS rates to pensioners superannuating on 31.1.2017..

The matter has been examined in this Ministry and it has been clarified that “employees, who had superannuated on 31/1/2017 may be allowed to apply for CGHS pensioner card by paying the subscription at the prevalent rates applicable as on 31/1/2017 vide OM No.S.No.S.11011/2/2008-CGHS(P) dated 20.5.2009 till 15th March 2017“.

3. This issues with the approval of the Competent Authority.

(Sunil Kumar Gupta)

Under Secretary to the Govt. of India

No.S.11011/11/2016-CGHS (P)/EHS

Government of lndia

Ministry of Health and Family Welfare

EHS Section

Nirman Bhawan, New Delhi

Dated the 9 February, 2017

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Sub: Revision of rates of subscription under Central Government Health Scheme due to revision of pay and allowances of Central Government employees and revision of pension/ family pension on account of implementation of recommendations of the Seventh Central Pay Commission- clarification reg.

Attention is drawn to this Ministry’s OM of even No. dated 9th January, 2017 and a subsequent OM of even no. dated 13/7/2017, on the subject mentioned above.

2. This Ministry has been receiving several representations w.r.t applicability of CGHS rates to pensioners superannuating on 31.1.2017. The matter has been examined in this Ministry and it is clarified that’those employees superannuating on or before 31.1.2017 and had submitted their application on or before 31.1.2017 may be allowed the subscription at the prevalent rates applicable as on 31.1.2017 vide OM No.S.No.S.11011/2/2008-CGHS(P) dated 20.5.2009. Pensioners applying for CGHS pensioner card on annual/lifetime basis after 31/1/2O17 will have to pay as per the revised rates effective from 1.2.2017 vide OM of even No. dated 13.1.2017′.

3. This issues with the approval of the Competent Authority.

sd/-

(Bindu Tewari)

Director