Mr Murugan Somasundaram, former officer and now a pensioner of SBI, has posted a petition on Change.org seeking urgent revision or updation of pension in SBI.
His letter is being reproduced here :
State Bank of India Act 1955 Rule 23 has provided for commutation of
pension. The act itself worked out the method of pension calculation .
It reads as 50% of average last drawn pay of 12m. After the passing of
the act by Govt in Parliament only, SBI came in to existence.
The benefit of pension updation flows from the RULES to all who were
eligible for pension and who survive subsequent enhancement in pension
following revision in salary.
They all belong to the same class as of the retirees who were recipients of enhanced salary.
Since all the surviving pensioners belong to the same class of RULES,
as per Articles 14& 16 of the Constitution of India, it implies
that a person retiring, is eligible for pension at the time of his
retirement and if he survives till the time by subsequent amendment of
the relevant pension scheme, he would become eligible to get enhanced
pension
Though IBA enters wage settlements with serving employees
organizations ie UFBU representatives once in 5 years, resulting in wage
revision, State Bank of India has not extended updation to
pensioners, by the power conferred with it by its rules &
regulations and pensioners do not receive any revision accordingly.
More than 2 decades , this injustice continues. A DGM retired 10 y
back gets lower pension than the clerical staff who retires now.
Persons who have put say 30 years get low pension than those of same
category and service in the Bank who retires later years. This anomaly
continues despite various representations and cases for rectification
are yet to yield the desired result.
During the 10th Bipartite settlement, the serving employees
representatives entered record of notes on discussion with Indian
Bankers' Association that pensioners have no contractual relations with
the banks.
Pensioners are previous employees of the banks.In that sense, present
employees are future pensioners. If the note severs the connection of
the umbilical cords of pensioners. It will also sever the connection of
the serving employees in future.
Younger son can't disconnect the relation of elder son from his mother.
If it holds good, then all the pensioners of any institution/govt
etc may not be connected to the institution in which they served.
This irresponsible act may lead to deny pension in future not only
for the present pensioners but also the signatory of the record notes of
discussion of wage settlements.
The current employees may not be aware of these unwise record or may be not allowed to express their points in open.
Pension not revised. Family pension not revised. Only DA compensation
is allowed. Due to rising medical costs, SBI pensioners lead a shabby
life depending on their wards. All these due to the wanton role of the
bank seeking Govt consent ignoring the power conferred by the rules and
regulations of the ACT.
But the cases lodged in courts are yet to show new light for the pensioners.
On financial aspects of the issue, it has corpus fund, huge enough,
to pay the pension out of its interest alone; SBI act itself spells out
management of fund for pension distribution. No need of govt allocation
is necessitated.
Even though, every aspect is covered and provided for by the act
itself, SBI unnecessarily passed the issue to the Govt and kept the
demand pending so far.
We expect our readers to extend their moral support for the old pensioners, kind cooperation and wishes.
Signed Murugan Somasundaram SBI Pensioner
I too feel that like the revision of salaries of the "in service"
employees, the pension to former employees too needs to be revised at
set intervals. Unfortunately, there is no set time frame for such
revision of pension in SBI and this is not only discriminatory but also
devoid of equity and justice. Hence, I have added my name and signature
to this petition.
Here is the link to the Change.org website and petition : https://www.change.org/p/updation-of-pension-for-sbi-pensioners-updation-of-pension-in-state-bank-of-india?recruiter=37751886&utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=share_email_responsive
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