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 background, 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 & Senior 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 5th CPC & 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 by TOR.
12. Interim relief Commission
response did not appear 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 30 June.
Commission said, they will look into.
16. Restoration of Commutation in 12 years:
commission said thy will look into the details provided.
17. Grievance redressed. Chairman was
critical of the functioning of the system already existing & remarked “ you
will not be benefited. Court is the only alternative”.
Friends,
BPS has done its duty well, issues raised by
us has received due attention from NCJCM as well as the 7th CPC.
S.C.Maheshwari
Secy
Genl BPS
