ALL DIST/DVN SECRETARIES ARE REQUESTED TO STUDY THE REPORT AND SEND YOUR OPINIONS IF ANY TO STATE GS BY MAIL BEFORE 9-1-21. PLEASE TREAT THIS AS IMPORTENT

Report of the General Secretary for the consideration of CMC Meeting to be held on 10.01.2021

 

Dear Comrade President and Members of the CMC! New year 2021 greetings to all. I am placing this work report for the consideration of this CMC on the developments since our last CMC meeting. At the outset let us pay homage to all departed leaders and members during this interregnum period.

Our intervention in distribution of vaccines

We are concerned with the news that the corona has taken a mutation and started to torment the people in many parts of the world. The fear among the intelligentsia medical sections about the damage to be caused by this mutant virus to our lives is bringing shivers to all of us. The issue distribution of vaccine already manufactured and approved to fight the earlier type of corona pandemic is causing some mental worry amongst the helpless senior citizens. The concern is mainly due to the reason of inability and helplessness to fight with the millions for getting hold of the vaccines. The assurances of the Government and the Authorities for a fair distribution to needy elders notwithstanding, this fear is real. As an organization we have to raise our voice effectively along with other senior citizen forums for the fair distribution of vaccines to the elderly persons as a priority.

Pensioners Day on 17.12.2020

The report received shows that the Pensioners Day on 17.12.2020 was widely observed in many places despite pandemic. States may report the activities undertaken on 17^th December to commemorate the Pensioners Day in the divisions of their State. The CHQ sponsored webinar was successful and the two topics presented by us as well as the question-and-answer session was highly receptive. There was some technical hiccup unexpectedly which prevented many comrades from watching the webinar live in face book. They could watch it only after the webinar but anyway the programme was widely watched. Both the presentations of Comrade M. Krishnan and myself in brief with the Q&A session are being printed in Pensioners Post January issue. We can consider hosting such webinars with different speakers in future also on important occasions. Feed back from States will be welcome on this issue.

Special Donation to CHQ/PP

The call for special donations to CHQ/PP by the CMC has resulted in mobilization of funds to the tune of Rs.5,61,915/-. As decided, this can be divided into two parts viz., 2,81,915/- to CHQ and 2,80,000/- for PP. The break-up figures are as follows. 15 States figure in the donation map. Tamilnadu State alone has remitted Rs.4,97,415/- and other 14 States have remitted totally Rs.64,500/-. Out of 30 Districts / Divisions in Tamilnadu, 20 Districts / Divisions contributed but organizationally around 15 Districts / Divisions have actively involved in the task. We have not been able to reach out all members due to pandemic and could not collect lesser sums from all members as mostly the conscious membership who are savvy to modern technology have only reacted. Just imagine the pedestal position if all Districts in all States have involved themselves organizationally at the call of the CMC! The removal of this inherent weakness shall be our future task.

Tamilnadu - 4,97,415

Assam  -    14,500

Andhra  -  10,000

Himachal Pradesh -  8,600

Madhyapradesh  - 7,000

Jharkhand  -  6,600

Uttar Pradesh  - 5,000

Maharashtra -  5,000

Odisha - 3,000

Chhattisgarh - 1,000

Gujarat  -  1.000

Punjab -  1,000

Tripura - 1,000

Delhi    -   500

Kerala  - 300

 

Organisation

 

An exclusive CMC was held at the proposal of Comrade M.Krishnan the Executive Committee Member of our CHQ. It was decided to form Steering Committees by CHQ in states where no State Association is functioning. Similarly, it was also decided that the State General Secretaries will be authorized to appoint Convenor of Steering Committees in Districts / Divisions where no formation of AIPRPA exist. This CMC shall review the initiative taken by all of us.

 

CHQ had earlier constituted Adhoc body to Haryana but the fact is that Haryana State Adhoc Body is not functioning efficiently. In Punjab, there is a State Association founded after a successful meeting of Pensioners. But of late the State Association has become defunct and the State GS not attending any meetings of the CHQ. Bihar State Association also is having a Steering Committee only and the activities are not satisfactory. Telangana, we have a strong organisation but unfortunately the State GS Prakasa Rao had expired and comrade Jalaludeen has been nominated by the State to officiate as State GS. But we are yet to acquaint with him in our CMC Meetings. North Eastern States reorganization is possible only after normalcy when the General Secretary has to travel once again there along with Assam RCC leaders. In Andhra two divisions have been formed with the assistance of NFPE Union leaders; In Tamilnadu one division viz., Kumbakonam is now under the flag of AIPRPA after an existing pensioners association joined us last month.  In Uttar Pradesh the State GS Comrade Virendra Tewary had reported that there were plans to expand in several districts. All States will report in the present meeting so that a comprehensive decision can be taken.

 

Quota and Enrolment Fee

 

The insistence for regular quota remittance and one-time enrolment fee from members is essential. It is evident that this habit is missing in some divisions and districts as the old habit of service associations hardly die. The Quota remittance in accordance with the apportionment of Quota @ 50/- per member per year and the remittance of enrolment fee @ 10/- per member at the time of entrance only shall be streamlined. States have to monitor the quota remittances in their managing bodies so that the divisions don’t forget to remit due quota. Treasurer CHQ had again expressed his difficulty in attending this meeting. He will be requested to prepare the list of quota remittances of divisions/districts year wise so that it can be circulated to understand how much improvement we have to make in this task. We can take up review of quota remittances from States in our next month CMC meeting with concrete information by the Treasurer CHQ.

 

Pensioners issues

 

Though there are many issues kept pending for the pensioners, some are very urgent and needs to be taken up. (1) The issue of DA/DR freeze requires to be taken up through the NCCPA; (2) A discussion is necessary amongst us on the issue of number of days of induction training and the OM issued by the DoP; (3) Some DPAs are implementing the old OMs of DoP with sluggishness and there is need to pressurize for quicker disposal; (4) CGHS and Medical Insurance System is still not gained seriousness with the Government and our members express several problems related to medical care; (5) Postman/MailGuard upgraded pay scales from 1.1.1996 is not moving with speed despite our programmes. This CMC has to discuss and take appropriate decision. A Regional level dharna or demonstration in front of PMG’s offices during February 1^st week despite pandemic may be considered by this CMC.

 

Court cases at the level of NCCPA and AIPRPA

 

The earlier decision was to file court cases on (1) “Increment for 30th June Retirees”; (2) on “MACP Date of Effect from 1.1.2006; and (3) on “Option 1” through NCCPA. Individual applicants shall also be to join with NCCPA while filing the cases. The move is delaying for want of completion of process of registration of NCCPA under Trade Union Act at Jaipur. The non-functioning of courts in a regular manner due to COVID-19 is another reason as to why we could not move quickly. NCCPA can consider filing another case for “Compulsory Retired Pensioners fixation of pension” also. AIPRPA has insisted for another Secretariat Meeting of NCCPA. We will take the initiative to discuss the above issues.

 

As far as the important case of grant of upgraded scales to past pensioners for the purpose of pension refixation filed by AIPRPA CHQ is still pending in Madras CAT. The case relating to grant of three MACPs for Promotees of Postal is also pending at Madras CAT under the full bench headed by the Chairman Principal CAT. These cases are also pending hearing due to Pandemic.

 

Any Other Item with the permission of chair

 

Under this head, the CHQ wants to bring an issue for the consideration of this CMC. The Trade Union International (Pensioners & Retirees) will hold six Regional Conferences covering all continents. The Asia Oceanic Conference will have to be hosted in India this time as last conference was held at Kathmandu Nepal. NCCPA had earlier committed to hold the Regional Conference in India. We have informed that only after corona it will be possible and therefore at the end of 2021 or at the beginning of 2022 depending on the restoration of normalcy only the International Regional Conference of our continent can be hosted. Tentatively in NCCPA we are having the State of Kerala in mind mainly for the reason that an international conference can be conducted by us only in a State where the administration support is fully with us. Delegates from various countries are to come besides Indian Affiliates participation. The Trade Union Centres affiliated to WFTU also will be invited from India. AIPRPA as an organization will have to fully involve in the preparations of the Conference besides participating in the Regional Conference with the number of delegates earmarked for us. The holding of the Asia Conference in India will help us to strengthen the TUI in India also. Already at my request, the Tamilnadu State Government Pensioners Association with the membership of more than 50,000 have unanimously adopted a resolution in their State GB on 29.12.2020 to join TUI. The State Government Pensioners all India Federation is also likely to be formed well before the Conference and their participation will further strengthen and add colour to the Regional Conference. Efforts are on for bringing the Pensioners Associations of Electricity, Transport, Teachers etc closer to TUI. These information are briefed to our CMC because we have to play an important role in making this International Regional Conference a huge success.

With Greetings,

Comradely yours

K.Ragavendran

General Secretary