Friends,
BPS and BCPC were the first Pensioners’
organizations to be called for preliminary meeting with 7th CPC
on 23rd to discuss the reply to questionnaire, the Memorandum
& the allied issue submitted by them. 0nly 45 minutes were given to each
organization. S.C.Maheshwari G.S. BPS /Chairman BCPC had the opportunity to
discuss the issues from both the Forums:
Following issues were discussed &
explained to the full satisfaction of the Chairman & the members of 7th CPC
who were very receptive, patient & themselves actively participated in
deliberations which ensued. At the end Chairman remarked that NCJCM Memorandum
is very exhaustive, includes most of the issues raised today & that he will
take it as a base for consideration.
1.New Pension Scheme: Response of commission was negative.
Commission was apprised of the back ground, its failure in other countries
& the fate of EPS 95.They were also informed that it will be acceptable if
50% of last drawn is ensured.
2.Reasonable ratio to be maintained between maximum & minimum
salary & Pension and adoption & adoption of common multiplication
factor for revision
3.Ratio between maximum & minimum paid to be 5:1 for
Defense Personnel and re-employment of ex servicemen as well as raising
status of defense civilian pensioners to ex servicemen.
4.Inclusion of full DA in emoluments for calculating Pension.
There was a very lively discussion on the issue in which the entire penal of 7th CPC
participated & cross examined Secy. Genl BPS. Finally they agreed to
BPS point of view.
5.100% neutralization of inflation : It was explained to the
Commission that 100% neutralization is illusionary and DA is
not sufficient, as the very system of calculation is faulty & unrealistic,
6. Payment additional pension to start from the age of 65 years.
Chairman agreed that age of 100 years for Pensioners was illusionary.
7. Parity in Pensions :It was explained to the commission that
full parity exists for High Court Supreme Court Judges, Govt. has agreed to
OROP in case of Defence pensioners & Sr Bureaucrats (S32 & above ) have
achieved it through modified parity formula of 6th CPC but for
others who too are citizens of same category & same country even the
formula for parity given by 5thCPC & accepted by Govt. is not
being honored.
8. Pension to BSNL pensioners. It was submitted that since they
are governed by CCS(Pension) Rules 1972. They be treated at par with
C.G.Pensioners for the purpose of revision of Pension, Chairman advised to
submit separate Memorandum
9. Discrimination in medical facilities to pensioners of Postal
department & merger of 33 Postal dispensaries with CGHS.
10. Medical facilities. To Pensioners following issues raised in
BPS memorandum were discussed in detail & the Chairman was agreeable to BPS
views.
(i) “Health is not a luxury” and “not be the sole
possession of a privileged few”. It is a Fundamental Right of all present &
past Employees! To ensure hassle free health care facility to
Pensioners/family pensioners, Smart Cards be issued irrespective of departments
to all Pensioners and their Dependents for cashless medical facilities across
the country. These smart cards should be valid in all Govt. hospitals, all NABH
accredited Multi Super Specialty hospitals across the country which have been allotted
land at concessional rate or given any aid or concession by the Central or the
State govt. all CGHS, RELHS
& ECHS empanelled hospitals across the country. Medical attendants. For
reimbursement of bills for treatment & for hospitalization . No referral
should be insisted in case of medical emergencies. For the purpose of reference
for hospitalization & reimbursement of expenditure thereon in other than
emergency cases Doctors/Medical officers working in different Central/State
Govt. department dispensaries/health units should be recognized as Authorized
medical attendant. The enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health
is recognized as a fundamental right of all workers in terms of Article 21 read
with Article 39for a, 41, 43, 48A and all related Articles as pronounced by the
Supreme Court in Consumer
Education and Research Centre & Others vs Union of
India (AIR 1995 Supreme Court 922) The Supreme court has held that
the right to health to a worker is an integral facet of meaningful right to
life to have not only a meaningful existence but also robust health and vigour.
Therefore, the right to health, medical aid to protect the health and vigour of
a worker while in service or post retirement is a fundamental right-to make
life of a worker meaningful and purposeful with dignity of person. Thus health care is not only a welfare
measure but is a Fundamental Right. We suggest that, all the pensioners,
irrespective of pre-retiral class and status, be treated as same category of
citizens and the same homogenous group. There should be no class or category
based discrimination and all must be provided Health care services at par .
ii). Hospital Regulatory Authority:
To ensure that the hospitals do not avoid providing reasonable care to smart
card holders and other poor citizens, a Hospital Regulatory Authority should be
created to bring all NABH-accredited hospitals and NABL-accredited diagnostic
Labs under its constant monitoring of quality, rates for different procedures
& timely bill payments by Govt. agencies and Insurance companies. CGHS
rates may be revised keeping in mind the workability as per market conditions.
(iii).Fixed Medical allowance (FMA): As
is recorded in Para 5 of the minutes of Committee of Secretaries (COS) held on
15.04.2010 (Reference Cabinet Secretariat, Rashtrapati Bhavan No
502/2/3/2010-C.A.V Doc No. CD (C.A.V) 42/2010 Minutes of COS meeting dated
15.4.2010) which discussed enhancement of FMA. “CGHS card estimates for serving
Personnel: Since estimates are not available separately for pensioners M/O
Health & Family Welfare had assessed the total cost per card p.a. in
2007-2008 = Rs 16435 i.e. Rs.1369 per month for OPD”. Adding to it inflation,
the figure today is well over Rs 2000/- PM. Ministry of Labour &
Employment, Govt. of India vide its letter no. G-25012/2/2011-SSI dated
07.06.2013 has already enhanced FMA to Rs 2000/- PM for EPFO beneficiaries.
Thus, to help elderly pensioners to look after their health, Adequate raise in
FMA will encourage a good number of pensioners to opt out of OPD facility which
will reduce overcrowding in hospitals. OPD through Insurance will cost much
more to the Govt. As such the proposal for raising Fixed Medical allowance to
Pensioners is fully justified and is financially viable. We suggest that FMA for all C.G. Pensioners
be raised to at least Rs 2000/- PM without any distance restriction linking it
to Dearness Relief for automatic further increase. We further suggest that FMA
be exempted from INCOME TAX. Fixed Medical Allowance (FMA) is a
compensatory allowance to reimburse the medical expenses. As Medical
Reimbursement is not taxable, FMA should also be exempted from Income Tax.
11. DA /DR merger commission did not agree to discuss the issue
as it is not covered byTOR
12.Interim relief Commission response did not appeared to be
very positive on our stressing the issue they said they will look into.
13. 6th CPC anomalies. Chairman asked for
submission of detailed list through supplementary memorandum.
14.Plight of those born on 1.1.1938/46: Commission said,
they will look into.
15. Plight of those retiring on 30June: Commission said, they will look into.
16. Restoration of Commutation in 12 years: commission said they
will look into the details provided.
17. Grievance redressel: Chairman was critical of the
functioning of the system already existing & remarked “
you will not be benefited. Court is the only alternative”
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