Tuesday, November 25, 2014

Measures taken by the Government to overcome the inconvenience caused to the beneficiaries due to shift in treatment policy of CGHS-PIB


With a view to plug the loopholes in the system, the Government decided on 25.8.2014 that only CGHS formulary medicines and those approved by Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) in India would be provided to beneficiaries under CGHS. The maximum period of issued medicines was also curtailed to one month instead of three months. It was decided ibid that only listed investigations/treatments at prescribed CGHS rates would be allowed.

The following measures have since been taken to overcome the inconvenience caused to the beneficiaries due to this shift in policy:

(i) The Government decided to adopt formularies of Ex- Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS) and Employees State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) also in addition to the existing CGHS formulary.

(ii) A technical committee under Chairmanship of Special DG has been constituted to consider inclusion/exclusion of medicines/ investigation/treatment/procedures /implant etc.

(iii) A Group of experts has been constituted on 25.9.2014 to review CGHS formulary to avoid denial of essential medicines to CGHS beneficiaries and revising the formulary.

(iv) Instructions have also been issued to CMOs In-charge vide Office Memorandum No. 2-2/2014/CGHS/PPT/CGHS-P dated 1.10.2014 to use their discretion to supply essential medicines to CGHS beneficiaries even though they do not figure in the formularies of CGHS/ECHS/ESIC.

(v) The Government also extended further relaxation to the beneficiaries by switching back to the previous arrangement regarding time period of issued medicines i.e. 3 months for chronic disease and 6 months in case of visit abroad.

The Health Minister, Shri J P Nadda stated this in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha here today.

Friday, November 21, 2014

Fixed Medical allowance-FMA- Raised to Rs 500/- Per month


                     OFFICE MEMORANDUM

N0,4/25/2008-P&PW(D)Dated at New Delhi-3 the 19th November, 2014

Subject: Grant of Fixed Medical Allowance (FMA) to the Central Government Pensioners residing in areas not covered under CGHS.

1. The undersigned is directed to say that at present Fixed Medical Allowance is granted to the Central Government pensioners/family pensioners residing in areas not covered under Central Government Health Scheme administered by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare and corresponding health schemes administered by other Ministries/Departments for their retired employees for meeting expenditure on their day-to-day medical expenses that do not require hospitalization. Orders were issued vide this Department's O.M. of even no. dated 26.05.2010 for enhancement of the amount of Fixed Medical Allowance from Rs. 100/- to Rs. 300/-p.m. w.e.f. 1.09.2008.

2. The demand for further enhancement of FMA has been under consideration of the Government for some time past. Sanction of the President is hereby conveyed for enhancement of the amount of Fixed Medical Allowance from RS.100/- to RS.500/- per month. The other conditions for grant of Fixed Medical Allowance shall continue to be as contained in this Departments' OMs No,45/57/97-P&PW(C) dated 19.12.97, 24.8.98, 30.12.98 and 18.8.99. 

3. These orders will take effect from date of issue of this O.M.

4. These orders are issued with the concurrence of the Ministry of Finance (Deptt. of Expenditure) vide their 1.0. Note No 58811EV/2014 dated 22.10.2014 and in consultation with the Comptroller and Auditor General of India vide their UO No. 174 Staff(Rules)/02-2011 dated 12.11.2014.

sd/
(Harjeet Singh)
Deputy Secretary to the Govt. of India 

Wednesday, November 19, 2014


7th Central Pay Commission at Hyderabad from 18th to 20th November 2014


The 7th Central Pay Commission is on a visit at Hyderabad to meet and discuss with Staff – Pensioners – Civil & Defences Services on Salaries and Pension issues from 18th Nov.


    The Postal Officers’ Pensioners’ Association, Hyderabad affiliated to Bharat  Pensioners Samaj, New Delhi have presented a Memorandum on Pensioners’ Problems for the notice of 7th Central Pay Commission here at Hyderabad in the Administrative Staff College of India, Somajiguda premises on 19th November 2014.  Shri Yeddanapudi Madhavarao 80+Age Senior Member presented a flower bouquet to Hon. Justice Ashok Kumar Mathur, Chairman of the commission and welcomed him while presenting the Memorandum.  Mrs.  Meena Agarwal, Secretary of the 7th CPC.,  Memebers of 7th CPC and  Shri Sudhir Sharma Under Secretary were present.  Shri Madhavarao was accompanied by  M. Chandramowli,  Secretary and Ashok Kumar Kodela ,  Joint Secretary when discussions were held with the Commission.  The delegation felt very happy as the commission heard the problems of association patiently and sympathetically. 

Monday, November 17, 2014

BPS 59th AGM at Agra cantt.on 09.11.2014 gave following new directional 'Mantra'- 3 C to its members & constituents “Communicate, Consolidate & Co-ordinate”


COMMUNICATION: Communication is a basic tool for the promotion, management & progress of an organization. While word of mouth , print  & electronic media remain to be effective methods. Social media is emerging to be the strongest of all mass communication medium.  Need of the hour for a pensioners' organization with a vast base like BPS,  is to communicate freely & frequently with all its stake holders using  conventional as well as modern resources. So communicate to spread awareness, knowledge & information among  pensioner /family pensioners , affiliated/ associated associations, MOU partners, civil society, leaders both of National & Local level, MEDIA and last but not the least those retiring in the near future. We have to exert to spread awareness about pensioners contribution to the nation and the society, their service conditions & entitlement for pension, which never has been a defined benefit in this country . Even after retirement, their rich experiences /knowledge & talents guide and assist the younger generation. A good number of serving Personnel  are not aware of their service conditions and post-retirement entitlements as guaranteed by the constitution, service contracts & by the Supreme Court pronouncements .Majority of pensioners, especially those living in remote areas or retired from lower rungs remain in dark about latest developments benefitting them. Social media and modern technology have made it easier to interact. Large section of Civil  society considers exiting pension system for pre 2004  employees to be a defined benefit & a burden on exchequer which is infact is not so. May be this is a result of misconception created by Governments to cover their  own  mis-governance . Projection of real facts can remove these ill-feelings and change  their attitude towards   pensioners/family pensioners.  Small groups of thoughtful  committed pensioners spread over the country can bring a change in the attitudes of the  society and the Govt.  Most of the times counseling is required to motivate the would-be retirees to understand the issues and join hands with old pensioners.   Let us then through our affiliates & associates  launch a communication drive.   
CO-ORDINATION: Collective existence is the present-day Global scenario. Pensioners are no exception to this .We must strive to develop systems which enable everyone to act as one family with mutual confidence, support and growing interdependence. Share information, technology and resources with Affiliates/Associates MOU partners/sister organizations &members .Coordinate and provide support to members, affiliates and associate associations in resolving grievances.  stand shoulder to shoulder with the administration & fellow citizens during National emergencies & natural calamities .Participate in  welfare activities for the good of civil society. Coordination will bring us together and will help in consolidation. 
CONSOLIDATION:  Inspire more and more pensioners/Assns/Federations  to join  BPS , its affiliate & associates . Sincere efforts and perseverance can bring all CG, State govt, PSUs, EPS95 pensioners/family pensioners under one banner. Proper guidance and benefits accrued to affiliates will go a long way to make them join BPS (Fed) and sister organizations to sign MOU to jointly & severally struggle for resolving  common issues. A joint family  kitchen is always better than small  individual kitchens. Pensioners are intelligent lot packed with knowledge & experience they very well can be the opinion former.  Digital India is not an elite concept or a domain of younger generation any more, elderly too are now enjoying it in a big way. Interaction & conversation through social media will afford opportunity to elderly people to come together to join each other and improve interpersonal relations. It is preferable to walk with a stick than not to walk at all. Traditional methods like Dharnas, demonstrations  are losing sheen & may not be very effective for elderly issues in times to come. In future  elderly agitations will revolve around their ' vote power'. Advance technological methods of social media are easier, less-time consuming and have lasting effects. In recent National & international happenings and  events we have witnessed its strength. In very near future more & more  ordinary literate individual  will have increasing  access to  websites, Blogs, Groups, Facebook, Twitter, You Tube etc. Why then crawl when we are gifted with wings to fly. The contacts and visitors on BPS website, Blog, Face book, twitter, yahoo group & You Tube   presently stand around 7 lac. and are increasing day by day.
            Use of modern technology is bound to consolidate “elderly vote power” and is the only ultimate weapon and panacea for all our ills. BPS affiliates & associates should  aims at promoting organizational activities to further increase stake-holder base and to empower them through knowledge,  information & experience.
Jai Hind

Sunday, November 16, 2014

Resolutions passed in the 59th Annual General body Meeting of BPS at Agra

1. Grant 67% of LPD as Pension for New Pensioners also. Implement same Formulae & Fitment for newly Appointed from 1.1.2004 at par with Pre-2004 Pensioner
2. Implement Judgment in O.A. No.655/2010 to All the C.G. Civilian Pensioners.
3. Amend F.R. 56 (a) and END injustice caused to those who born on 1.1.1946 – 1.1.1938 & 1.1.1928 ESP-1995 Pensioners.
4. Implement – Bhagat Singh Koshyari Rajya Sabha Committee Report In toto.
5. Classify Defence Civilian Pensioners as Ex-Servicemen & Allow all Benefits extended to Defence Pensioners
6. Extend Full Pension after 10/20 Years Qualifying Service for all Pre-2006 Pensioners also.
7. Grant10% Additional Pension/Family Pension for every 5 years (65 to 75 years) &(20% for every 5 years at 80 years age& 100% at 90 years.
8. Dearness Relief 100% Neutralization Automatic Merger whenever Reach 50%.
9. Grant DCRG One Month Pay for each 1 Year Q.S. – Maximum Limit Raise 10 Lakhs.
10. Grant Family Pension 50% of LPD for New Pensioners also.
11. Recovery of Commutation from PSU Absorbers till their Survival is Unfair & Unjust .Treat them on par with other CG Pensioners.
12. Set-Right Disparity in Revision of Pension & Payment of Arrears.  Amend Annexure to OM dated 28.1.2013.
13. Allow Due Increment Falling on 1 July on the date of Retirement & avoid drop- in – Pension
14. Maintain Equity in Justice& Ensure Full Parity – between Past & Present Pensioners
15. BSNL Pensioners come under Rule 37A CCS (Pension) Rules 1972. Treat at par with other CG Pensioners.
16. Disability Pension 100 % Assistance to Guardians & Additional Pension for Physically Challenged Children.
17. Treat All State Pensioners as Central Govt. Pensioners & extend All Benefits of Pay Revision
18. Extend Double the Family Pension to Spouse for 10 years to all the Pre-2006 Pensioners. Remove Present Discrimination.
19. Restore Commuted amounts after full recovery Period without resorting to Excess Recoveries.
20. Pension – Family Pension & Dearness Relief – F.M.A. may be exempted from Income Tax.
21. Pay Interim Relief as 7 CPC will take Much Time to Mitigate.  Grant I.R. 20% in Basic Pension & Merge 50% DR as Basic Pension Wef 1.1.2011.
22. Remove Cut-Off date in Railway Passes & Allow Uniform Usage of All equally.
23. Allow Pensioners Representatives’ Participation in Various Committees looking after Pensioners Welfare.
24. Govt Side to Avoid Litigations& Also Dilatory Methods. Settled Welfare & other Issues may not be appealed against the proverb   “Justice Delayed is Justice Denied”.
25. Permit Companion in the Same Class of 60+ Railway Pensioners without collecting difference in Fares.
26. Effective Redressal of Grievances Mechanism is needed with a timely resolution of Problems.
27. Issue Railway Passes in Higher Class for Physically Challenged Pensioners. Grant F.M.A. Rs.2000 p.m. to All the C.G. Pensioners removing distance factor.
28. Exempt I.T. Extend CS (Medical Attendance) Rules 1944 to all C. G. Pensioners at par with Employees. Extend Smart Card Medical Treatment Facility to All the RELHS Beneficiaries
29. Allow all Pre-2006 Pensioners (C&D) to avail RCPs at par with existing Group C.
30. Allow Uninterrupted Cash Less Medical Treatment Facility. Constitute Hospitals Regulation Authority. Right to Health is Fundamental right.  Govt. should not Resort Legal Process. Extend RELHS Facility to all the dependent Family Members

7th CPC News : Commission's visit to Hyderabad From 18th to 20th November 2014

The   Commission,  headed   by   its   Chairman,  Justice  Shri  A.  K.  Mathur, proposes   to   visit  Hyderabad  from   18th  to  20th  November, 2014.  The Commission  would  like  to  invite  various  entities/associations/federations representing  any/all   categories  of  employees   covered  by  the  terms  of reference of the Commission to present their views.

Your request for a meeting with the Commission may be sent through e-mail
to   the   Secretary,  7th   Central   Pay   Commission   at   secy-7cpc@nic.in
The  memorandum   already  submitted  by  the  requesting  entity  may also
 be sent as an attachment with this e-mail.


The last date for receiving request for meeting is 17th Nov. 2014 (1700 hours).

Saturday, November 15, 2014

59 th AGM of Bharat Pensioners Samaj at Agra on 9.11.2014

BPS 59th AGM a grand success S.G.Mishra, Genl. Secy.NCJCM (Staff Side) addressed the delegates of over 650 Pensioners Associations from all over the Country & awarded Associations for performance. S.C.Maheshwari re- elected as Secy. Genl & K.C.Pippal elected Wkg President & R.N.Tripathi elected as Sr. Vice President. Proceedings would be published shortly after their receipt

Tuesday, November 11, 2014

ADHAR BASED DIGITAL CERTIFICATE FOR PENSIONERS

Press Information Bureau
Government of India
Prime Minister's Office
10-November-2014 17:37 IST
PM launches Jeevan Pramaan – Digital Life Certificate for Pensioners
Huge relief for senior citizens who have to produce Life Certificates each year to continue receiving pension
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, today launched "Jeevan Pramaan" – an "Aadhar-based Digital Life Certificate" for pensioners, in a move that could eventually benefit over a crore pensioners. The Prime Minister said that after the push towards self-certification, this digital life certificate was another enabling mechanism which would benefit the common man.


The proposed digital certification will do away with the requirement of a pensioner having to submit a physical Life Certificate in November each year, in order to ensure continuity of pension being credited into his account. The Department of Electronics and IT has developed a software application which will enable the recording of the pensioner's Aadhar number and biometric details from his mobile device or computer, by plugging in a biometric reading device. Key details of the pensioner, including date, time, and biometric information will be uploaded to a central database on real-time basis, ultimately enabling the Pension Disbursing Agency to access a Digital Life Certificate. This will conclusively establish that the pensioner was alive at the time of authentication.

The earlier requirement entailed that a pensioner either personally presents himself before the Pension Disbursing Agency, or submits a Life Certificate issued by authorities specified by the Central Pension Accounting Office (CPAO).

At present, 50 lakh individuals draw pension from the Central Government alone. A similar number draw pension from State and Union Territory Governments. Several PSUs also provide pension benefits. Over 25 lakh retired personnel draw pension from the Armed Forces. The Aadhar-Based Digital Life Certificate will go a long way in reducing hardship which so manysenior citizens have to go through to produce a Life Certificate every year.

The software application system will be made available to pensioners and other stakeholders on a large scale at no extra cost. It can be operated on a personal computer or a smartphone, along with an inexpensive biometric reading device. This facility will also be made available at Common Service Centres being operated under the National e-Governance Plan, for the benefit of pensioners residing in remote and inaccessible areas.

Sunday, November 2, 2014

Expected D A is 6% from January 2015

Expected DA/DR is now entered in 3rd step.  All India Consumer 
Price Index Number (AICPIN) for    Industrial Worker is remained 
stationery  at  253 (two hundred  and  fifty  three)  showing  equal 
to last months' calculation i.e. 6%. In July, 2014 - 6, August, 2014 
- 1 and no increase in  Index  showing  no  unexpected change in
future DA as speculated after August, 2014 AICPIN.Total 6 points 
increase in next three months  Index  is  showing  7%  increase in 
future  DA/DR  and   the  other  hand  3  points'   total   decline   is 
showing 5% increase in future DA/DR in between bothof expected 
numbers future DA/DR will be 6%.  Therefore most probability is 
showing 6% increase