Protest along with NJCA on 1st February CALL ATTENTION DAY

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: 22nd January, 2021

Dear Comrades,

The National JCA has called upon the employees and workers to observe 1^st Feb. 2021 as call attention day to bring to the notice of the Government of the growing discontent amongst the employees over the long pending demands.  The Confederation of Central Government employees and workers, while endorsing the call, as they are integral part of the NJCA has asked the employees to observe the 1^st Feb. 2021 as protest day.  As you are aware we sail in the same boat in as much as the Government has so far lent a deaf ear to the issues of Pensioners in the country.  The dearness relief, the two instalments of which have already become due along with the third would be kept freezed and the consequent arrears permanently forfeited. So far as you are aware, the major chunk of the benefits of the 20 trillion package has gone to the corporate houses in the country, especially the Adanis and Ambanis.  The Circular letter of Confederation, which is reproduced hereunder pin points the objective to be achieved during the observance of the protest day on 1st February, 2021.  The NJCA and Confederation together is the biggest united platform of Central Government employees. 

The NCCPA calls upon its affiliates and State Units to join the struggle along with the working employees on 1st Feb. 2021 and organise dharna or demonstration in as many places as possible to convey the message that the Pensioners share the same perception as explicitly spelt out by the Secretary General, NJCA and the Confederation.  By synchronizing our action with that of the working employees we are uniting all those who are opposed with the Government policies.  The farmers of the country are waging a very determined battle undaunted by the threats and repressive measures unleashed by the Government.  They must win and their victory shall be the first salvo against an authoritarian regime.  On 1^st February, 2021, while we demonstrate for getting our demands conceded, it will also be to pay the solidarity and support to the struggling farmers of the country.  Kindly talk to the leaders of the working employees and ensure that the programme has the largest participation of the Pensioners.  The charter of demands we had finalised and that we have decided to pursue through struggles is enclosed. 

Wishing your efforts to make the programme on Ist Feb. 2021, the day the Budget for the year 2021-22 is likely to be presented by the Finance Minister reverberate throughout the country with cent per cent participation of the members and with greetings,

Yours fraternally,

KKN Kutty

Secretary General.

NCCPA CHARTER OF DEMANDS.

1.       Implement Option No. 1 as a pension fitment formula as recommended by the 7^th CPC.

2.        Revise the Pension of BSNL absorbed retirees immediately with 15% fitment; recommended by the 3rd PRC and approved by the government from 01-01-2017, delinking the wage revision in BSNL. Clear all pending medical bills and medical allowance;

3.       Evolve a policy for automatic grant of pension and other pensioner’s benefits to the pensioners and retirees of the autonomous bodies on par with the Central Govt. Pensioners. 

4.       Provide (a) notional fixation of pension under Option No. 3 on the basis of the pay scale/pay

level of the cadre or grade from which the pensioner retired. (b) Provide fixation of pension in the case of all pre 2006 pensioners on the basis of the grade pay/pay level or pay scale of

the post or cadre from which one has retired as per the judgments of Courts.

5.        Extend the benefit of CS(MA) Rules  to all pensioners who are not covered by CGHS.

6.        Increase the FMA to Rs. 2000 as has been granted to PF Pensioners.

7.        Raise the minimum pension to 60% of the Minimum wage. i.e. Rs. 10,800 p.m.

8.       Restore the commutation portion of pension after 10 years.

9.       Provide increased rates of pension on attainment of 70 years onwards.

10.   Scrap the New Contributory pension scheme and restore the defined benefit pension

11.   Revise the pension of the Punjab National Bank pensioners and settle the anomalies in pension and other benefits arising out of the amalgamation of Banks. 

12.   13.Provide the benefits arising from the court judgements to all similarly placed pensioners.   Viz. the court order for the grant of one notional increment for those who retire on 30^th June and grant of MACP with effect from 1.1.2006

13.   Introduce medical insurance scheme for pensioners, whoever opts for such a scheme as per the recommendation of the Pay Commission.

14 Orders be issued by DPE for payment of IDA instalments due from 01-10-2020 and 01-01-2021 to BSNL Pensioners.

Copy of Confederation’s circular letter of date on observance of protest day on Ist Feb. 2021.

Dear Comrades,

              During our campaign to make the 26^th November one day General Strike a grand success, we faced innumerable queries over the long pending demands of the Central Government employees, especially, the freezing and denying the DA/DR payment up to 30^th June, 2021, the continuing impasse over the NPS; the dubious attitude of the Government over honouring the assurance held out in 2016 etc.  The lamenting of the Cabinet Secretary over the financial health of the Government when the Staff Secretary met him recently would be considered by the rank and file of the membership as nothing but a pitiful distraction.  There had been no such situation when the promise was held out in 2016 .  In fact the Government had been boasting of the steady growth of the economy then.  Even during covid days they merrily went ahead with the privatisation spree; On the contrary the Government had been taking advantage of a pathetic situation of the people at large in pushing through their agenda.  There had been no response from the Government to very many issues and problems of the employees faced with the covid-19 pandemic.  They had no qualms in pushing through the despised legislations over the labour code during this period. 

The Indian farmers has no doubt shown the way as to how to combat the situation emanating from sheer chicanery.  They have proved that the unflinching determination is the only way forward.  We must salute them and imbibe the qualities they have demonstrated in no uncertain terms.

We are, therefore, happy to note that the National JCA has decided to hold a protest demonstration on 1^st Feb. 2021, the day when the Finance Minister will rise to present her budget proposal before the Parliament.  We would like to name the programme as protest day rather than the call attention day for this Government has no intention to listen to any legitimate grievances of the people.  The protest day may be organised in front of all offices, eliciting the participation of the entirety of the employees.  The occasion must be used to explain the chicanery indulged in by the Government by not honouring the assurances held out on revision of minimum wage;  how unprecedented and wrong was it to deny the Dearness Allowance/Relief to employees and pensioners; how the NPS will deny the requisite pension to the employees even after collecting contribution from them; as to how the privatisation of public sector and Government run organisations is amounting to selling away the Nation’s assets for a song to the cronies of the ruling party; as to how the negotiating forum has been permanently shut down etc. etc.  Above all it must be the occasion to congratulate the farmers of the country  for their determination, courage, conviction  and unflinching faith in struggles as the certain way to success.  While explaining the grievances of the farmers emanating from the enacted farm laws, we must also point out as to how the parliamentary system was overturned by dubious methods, when the Government had no majority in Rajya Sabha. 

It will also be pertinent to point out that the enacted legislation has the strange provision in as much as the farmers are not entitled to approach the judiciary (the courts of law at any level) to settle their dispute with the giant corporates.  The Law stipulates that such disputes are to be brought before the Government appointed bureaucrats, whose decision would be deemed to be  final.  For not anything, at least for this obnoxious and extremely untenable provision alone, the enactment must be scrapped

In the charter of demands, prepared by the NJCA and endorsed, all important demands have been included.  For the sake of uniformity, we would not like to incorporate any other issue.  We would like to convey a strong message of unity of the Central Government employees to the Government.

We request all affiliates, State COCs to immediately convey to the Branches and through them to all members of the programme slated for 1^st Feb. 2021 and take immediate steps required to make the programme a grand success on Ist Feb. 2021.  All Branches, divisions, regions of all affiliates, the district and state units of COCs must ensure that each and every member of the unit and present on that day at the office takes part in the demonstration adhering to the norms and stipulations made by the concerned Governments to arrest the spread of COVID-19.

We have convened the meeting of the National Sectt. to discuss and decide as to how to make the programme participative of all members and a grand success. With greetings,

Yours fraternally,

Sd/-

R.N. Parasar

Secretary General.

Copy of NJCA’s letter dated 20^th January, 2021 to all constituent organisations:

Sub: Call attention day by Central Government employees on the day of presentation of the Budget on 1^st. Feb. 2021.

You are well aware that the present Government taking advantage of the COVID-19 pandemic situation have started implementing many anti-labour decisions including arbitrarily passing the 4 labour codes in the Parliament in spite of the opposition and the protest by the Central Trade Unions. It is also pertinent to mention that none of the major demands of the Central Government employees including threw 7^th CPC related demands, MACP issues and NPS is settled.   Adding salt to the wound the Government has frozen the three instalments of DA/DR due to the Central Government employees/pensioners. 56 J is being used as a weapon to punish the employees and the trade union leaders.  Corporatisation and privatisation in Railways and Defence is being implemented ruthlessly by the Government.   In this background in consultation with the Senior leaders of the constituent organisations of the NJCA it has been decided to observe CALL ATTENTION DAY BY CENTRAL GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES on the day of the presentation of the Budget 2021 on 01.02.2021 by holding massive demonstrations at all Central Government establishments/units/branches and wherever possible joint agitation in a central place of the city.  District headquarters/town etc. . In Delhi also we will plan for a centralised agitation at Jantar Mantar.   Therefore, it is requested that all your affiliates may be directed to observe the protest programme in an effective manner in support of the following demands. (Charter of demands enclosed)

Sd/-

Shiv Gopal Misra

Convenor.

January 24, 2021Author: aibdpatncNo comment yet

CENTRAL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING DECISIONS –

HELP THE AGITATING FARMERS.

     The Central Executive Committee Meeting has been held virtually on 23-01-2021. Com. Ananta Kr Bhattacharjee, President presided. Com. V.A.N. Namboodiri, Advisor inaugurated. Com. P. V. Chandrasekharan, Patron delivered the keynote address.

       The CEC paid tributes to the martyrs and the bereaved, including Com.S S Roy, Working President, NCCPA, Com. S.C.Srivastava, Circle President, MP and former CHQ Vice President and Com. Abdul Rashid, founder Circle Secretary, UP(W).

       The report and accounts presented by Com. K.G.Jayaraj, General Secretary and Com.R.A.Nair, Treasurer, respectively, were approved after discussion.
Resolutions on important issues were also adopted. Out of 26 Circles, 25 were represented.

The CEC Meeting has decided to organise agitational program on the following important issues.

1. Pension Revision.
2. Non-payment of Medical claims, Allowance and one-time payment made to CGHS.
3. Restore DR freezed from 01-01-2020 to DoT Pensioners and issue orders for payment of IDA from 01-10-2020 to BSNL Pensioners.
4. Immediate payment of balance 8% Ex- Gratia to VRS retirees and settle disputed LPD as per clarification of DoP&PW and Caste validation based on the directive issued by Parliamentary Standing Committee on Welfare of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.

       The CEC authorized CHQ to decide the form of agitation at the appropriate time.
The CEC decided to launch an effective membership and Tele Pensioner campaign, the period be decided by the Circles according to local conditions.
The CEC also took serious note on the continuing historic agitation of the farmers since November 26th,2020 braving all the adverse conditions and decided to help them. An amount of Rs.5 lakhs is decided to be donated. The Circles are requested to donate as per the quota allotted below. The balance will be borne by CHQ.
1.Kerala. .. Rs.30,000
2.Tamil Nadu. Rs.25,000
3.Chennai. Rs.10,000
4.Karnataka. Rs.20,000
5.Andhra. Rs.15,000
6.Telangana. Rs.15,000
7.Maharashtra Rs.15,000
8.Gujarat. Rs.15,000
9.MP. Rs.15,000
10.Chhattisgarh Rs. 5,000
11.Bihar. Rs. 5,000
12.Odisha. Rs. 5,000
13.West BengalRs.20,000
14.Kolkata. Rs.20,000
15.TF, Kolkata. Rs. 5,000
16.Assam. Rs.10,000
17.NE I. ….Rs. 5,000
18.NE II. . Rs. 5,000
19.UP(E). Rs.10,000
20.UP (W). Rs.10,000
21.Haryana. Rs.10,000
22.Punjab. Rs.10,000
23.Rajasthan. Rs.10,000
24.NTR Delhi. Rs. 5,000
25.ALTTC. Rs. 2,500
26.J& K. Rs. 2,500 & 27.CORTO Rs.10,000

        The amount will be donated on 27-01-2021. So Circles are requested to remit the amount to CHQ account by NEFT/ transfer from the Circle fund at the earliest.

Com. N Guruprasad, Circle Secretary, Kerala effectively hosted the virtual meeting.

All the CHQ Office Bearers and Circle Secretaries are once again requested to attend the Central Executive Committee Meeting being held virtually at 2PM on 23-01-2021. The link has already been sent to all the CEC members well in advance. You may just click the link and participation will be ensured. In case of any difficulty you can contact Com.N Guruprasad, Circle Secretary, Kerala who is hosting the virtual meeting , mobile No. 9447616100. Befor clicking ensure that “Zoom” is downloaded in your device. Please join the meetint at 1.45PM so that we can statrt the meeting at the scheduled time.

Com. V A N Namboodiri, our Advisor and Patron, NCCPA has consented to inaugurate the CEC. Com. A K Bhattacharjee will preside over the meeting. Com. P V Chandrasekharan, Patron also will address the CEC.

RESERVE BANK OF INDIA

RBI/2020-21/84
DGBA.GBD.No.SUO 546/45.01.001/2020-21

January 21, 2021

The Chairman / Chief Executive Officer
All Agency Banks

Dear Sir,

Withdrawal of circulars on Recovery of excess pension made to pensioners

It has been brought to the notice of RBI that the recovery of excess /wrong pension payments from the pensioners are being made in a manner that is not in keeping with the extant guidelines / Court orders.

This issue has been examined by RBI and it has been decided that the following circulars issued by Department of Government and Bank Accounts, Reserve Bank of India related to recovery of excess pension paid by agency banks stands withdrawn with effect from the date of this circular

Circular no DGBA.GAD.No.2960/45.01.001/2015-16 dated March 17, 2016
Circular no CO.DGBA (NBS) No.44/GA.64 (11-CVL) 90/91 dated April 18, 1991
Circular no CO DGBA (NBS) No.50/GA.64 (11-CVL) 90/91 dated May 6, 1991.

It may please be noted that though the above-mentioned circulars issued under the signature of RBI stand withdrawn, agency banks are requested to seek guidance from respective Pension Sanctioning Authorities regarding the process to be followed for recovery of excess pension paid to the pensioners, if any.

As regards the issue of refund to be made to the government of excess/wrong pension payments, banks may be guided by the guidelines laid down in our Circulars Nos.DGBA.GAD.H10450/45.03.001/2008-09 dated June 1, 2009 and DGBA.GAD.H.4054/ 45.03.001/2014-15 dated March 13, 2015. Agency banks are again advised that, where excess pension payment has arisen on account of mistakes committed by the bank, the amount paid in excess should be refunded to the Government in lumpsum immediately after detection of the same and without waiting for recovery of any amount from the pensioners.

Yours faithfully

(Charulatha S Kar)
Chief General Manager

Circle Executive Committee of AIBDPA Kolkata Telephone Circle was held on 19-01-2021. Com Supriya Mitra, Circle President presided. Circle Secretary com. Sanjib Banerjee welcomed the participants and presented a brief report for the intervening period. Com. Mihir Dasgupta ,Ashutosh Sen, Manisha Biswas, Ajit Dey Sarkar, Ranjit Das, Jayanti Chatterje, Sunil Datta ,Dulal Saha, Tapan Datta, Hashi Dasgupta and com. P.M. Das took part in the discussion. Several decisions were taken , to strengthen our organization, to stand with the Kishan Movements , Membership of the VRS Retirees etc.

 PRE-BUDGET PROPOSALS OF NCCPA FOR THE CONSIDERATION OF CENTRAL GOVERNMENT 

NATIONAL CO-ORDINATION COMMITTEE

OF PENSIONERS ASSOCIATIONS..

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

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

Website: nccpahq.blogspot.in

E mail: nccpahq@gmail.com

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

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

Dated: 14^th January, 2021.

To

Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman,

Hon’ble Finance Minister,

Government of India,

North Block,

New Delhi. 110 001.

Dear Madam,

We, on behalf of the Pensioners and Senior Citizens of the country submit the following for your kind consideration, while you prepare the annual budget of the country for the year 2021-22.  We make these suggestions to provide relief to the Senior Citizens, who suffered immensely during the pandemic period.  The agony and difficulties undergone by them is likely to continue for some more months as the dispensing of the vaccine and eradication of the disease is certain to be time consuming.  The foray of private entrepreneurs in the health sector of the  economy, as you are aware Madam, has made the health care costly and certainly unbearable for the senior citizens, most of  whom do not have a regular income or gainful employment.  In the absence of a universal social security system, they need special care from the Government.   No doubt the Government is concerned as is reflected from various proposals that had been incorporated in the Income tax Act in earlier years.  While those in the lower strata of the society find it difficult to make the both ends meet,  those who are pensioners and receive  certain fixed income gets dejected over the erosion of it through taxation.  We fervently hope that the acceptance of our undermentioned suggestions will go a long way to ameliorate their standard of living and would render them a little free from the financial strains and stresses in the evening of their life.  In the background that many countries in the world has exempted the Senior Citizens from the purview of direct taxation, we appeal to you that the suggestion may kindly be accepted.

Suggestion No. 1.

Kindly raise the non taxable maximum in respect of Senior Citizen to Rs. 5 lakhs an in the case of Super Senior Citizens to Rs. 8 lakhs, both exclusive of the entitled exemptions and deductions.

Suggestion No. 2.

              The rates of tax may be restructured as under:-

              For Senior Citizens:                                                 For Super Senior Citizens:

              Upto 5 lakhs-                                NIL                      Upto 8 Lakhs                 NIL

              5-10 lakhs                                      05%                     8-10 lakhs                       05%

              Beyond 10 lakhs                          10%                     Beyond 10 lakhs              10%

The surcharge being levied on tax so computed may be done away with in the case of Senior Citizens and Super Senior Citizens.

Suggestion No.3.

Deduction under section 16(1) may please be raised to Rs. 1 lakh in the case of both Senior and Super Senior Citizens.

Suggestion No. 4

Family pension being not salary, it may please be exempted under Section 10 by introducing a new sub- clause in that section.

Suggestion No. 5.

The ceiling limit stipulated under Section 80-C may be raised to Rs. 3 lakhs in the case of all Senior Citizens.

Suggestion No. 6

The restriction to the effect that the premium entitled for deduction under section 80-C in the case of Life Insurance policy, which is presently 10% of the sum assured, may please be raised to 20% of the sum assured as was the case earlier. Similarly the quantum of  PPF contribution which is entitled for the deduction under Section 80C may be raised to Rs. 3 lakhs.

Suggestion No. 7

Section 80-DDB be amended to provide a deduction of Rs. 1 lakhs for all Senior Citizens for  ou-tpatient treatment, without any restrictions covering all diseases, and Rs. 5 lakhs for hospitalisation for a period of not less than one week. The tax payer may be asked to provide the requisite information in the return itself viz.Bill No.  GST No. etc.

Suggestion No. 8.

In view of the reduction in the interest rate, the income of  Senior Citizens have come down considerably.  The deduction under Section 80-TTB may, therefore, be raised to a maximum of Rs. 1 lakh  in the case of all Senior Citizens.

Suggestion No.9.

The Government has recently withdrawn the concession provided for Senior Citizens in respect of Rail, Road and Air travel.  These concessions may be restored.

Suggestion No.10

Kindly introduce a comprehensive health insurance scheme with an affordable premium amount payable either monthly or yearly to cover all Senior Citizens in the country   for in-patient and out-patient treatment, in   private hospitals.  

Thanking you,

Yours faithfully,

Sd/-

K.K.N.Kutty

Secretary General