Pic: Members of Apex
Council during Ranchi Meeting on April 12-13, 2015.
Minutes
of the Apex
Council Meeting at Ranchi on
April 12-13, 2015
1.
The
meeting was attended by the Apex Council members representing Member
Associations from Bhilai, Rourkela, Bokaro, Burnpur, Kolkata (2 Units), SRU,
Bokaro, SRU-IFICO Ramgarh and SAIL Units
Ranchi,
2. Dr. V.N. Sharma, Chairman
presided over the Meeting.
3. Dr. Sharma welcomed the delegates
and gave his Opening remarks on the purpose and object of the meeting.
4. Sri Abhay Kumar Das, Gen
Secretary presented the Action Taken Report (ATR) and Update on Registration of
FORSE and opening of Bank Account in Punjab National Bank, Rourkela Branch. He
also informed the House that Assn. of
SAIL Calcutta Superannuated Employees, Kolkata and SAIL Ex-Employees
Association, Ranchi (balanced amount), immediately deposited, in the same sequence,
Affiliation Fee (Rs. 5000/-) and Annual Fee (Rs.5000/-) and BSP Ex-Officers’ Assn. Bhilai. Rs.5000/- of Affiliation fee. He
requested all the remaining Member Associations to deposit the Fees at the
earliest.
5. Sri Abhay Kumar Das also informed
that as per the earlier decision SAIL Ex-Employees Association, Ranchi (SEEA) spent
Rs.6747/- on behalf of FORSE. So, SEEA deposited, and rightly so, only the
balanced amount of Rs. 3253/-. This was approved by the Council.
6. Subsequent to this, a report on
the efforts made by FORSE for last 6 months for the betterment of Retirees was
presented and discussed. It was observed by one and all that even after we
communicated our suggestions through the document SAIL ignoring its
Retirees - Statement of Fact and Appeal for Action which can be seen in http://sailex.blogspot.in/2015/04/sail-ignoring-its-retirees.html
for
improving the quality of life of the Retirees in their twilight years,
absolutely nothing was done by SAIL or the Govt.
7.
All the Member Associations provided details of
activity in their Units with critical remarks against the unfortunate silence
of SAIL and the Government.
8.
This was followed by the discussion and decision on
the specific issues of the Agenda as
detailed below:
A.
General and
direct financial benefit issues
To recognize FORSE as a representative Body of
Retirees of SAIL and formally involve FORSE representatives for swift and
appropriate policy making decisions including pension, gratuity, mediclaim,
etc.
To organize SAIL- FORSE meetings to be held at
least twice in a year or earlier if the situation so warrants. (ONGC follows
this practice of regular meetings with their retirees’ representatives.)
To formulate schemes for monetary help to the pre-2007 Retirees (those retired on or before
31/12/2006) in form of monthly pension
of a minimum of Rs.5000/- and ex-gratia payment periodically to mitigate
their urgent needs as is in force in ONGC, BHEL, IOC etc.
To finalise and implement Pension Scheme for post-2006 Retirees (those retired on or after 01/01/2007)
as early as possible.
To develop real concern with mission for the
retired employees and to look after their welfare as part of corporate social
responsibility.
Creation and modus operandi of
an emergency corpus fund by contribution from members, so that by the time
mediclaim settles the issue, some help can be given by FORSE at the hour of
need.
Strengthening channels of communication for
ventilating grievances
Introduction of
a clause on satisfaction/ views of "Retd. PSU Employees in the PM's
Trophy assessment criteria & Best Employer award by SCOPE.
To create a
separate section/ department in SAIL Corporate Office and also the Units to
help the Retirees as and when needed. To provide some space at centrally
located place for the units to FORSE/ Local affiliated Associations for their
operation and for day to day interaction, counseling and servicing to their
members.
To provide/ extend infrastructural facilities to retirees for social function like
marriage etc. on the financial terms and conditions less than those applicable
to the current employees in the SAIL Plant/ Unit Townships Extension of facilities of SAIL/
SAIL Units like Guest House accommodation, Hall booking for Social functions
etc., participation of Retirees’ family in SAIL’s social programmes at par with
Regular employees.
Deployment of retired employees by SAIL in various
jobs/activities as consultants, advisors etc.-utilization of in house talents (as
suggested by MoS)
Release of
payment of arrears to employees of IISCO retired between 01.01.1997 and
31.01.2006 to be done on urgent basis.
To expedite
payment of arrear accruing out of wage revision from 1997 for
erstwhile Bharat Refractories Ltd. employees, which was a deemed liability on
the date of amalgamation i.e.
01/04/2007.
B. Healthcare Issues– Suggestion for Improvement
Ø To accept
and enforce the guiding principle of the Healthcare including mediclaim insurance “that
it is a matter of life and death leaving no chance for a repeat performance. So
the benefit of doubt should always be in favour of the patient and there can be
no room for laxity of any kind or slow action at any time at either end of the network
of SAIL, Insurance Co., the TPA and the patient.”
Ø To consider
the Healthcare of the retirees to be at par with those for the current
employees as is being done by other PSUs.
However, if
SAIL decides to continue with the present arrangement of healthcare through
mediclaim insurance it must develop a formula for incorporation of annual price
rise in healthcare.
ü SAIL to pay
total subscription for renewal of mediclaim membership, to make permanent I-card for each Retiree and to complete
negotiations and settling of terms and conditions with Insurance Co. for three years in a row to maintain
continuity which will also avoid process delay, hassles and agony to the
Retirees during transition period for 3 years.
ü Since fixing
up of the TPA is within the prerogative of the Insurance Co. the continuance of
the TPA beyond one year period would be subject to their satisfactory servicing
to the retiree members all through the year.
ü Renewal of lapsed mediclaim: Anytime and every time with a
nominal charge.
ü To increase OPD coverage of Rs.20,000/-per annum
jointly in respect of retired employee and spouse on floater basis.
ü To raise the
upper limit to Rs. 4 lacs for Cashless
treatment/ IPD reimbursement for each member under floating (combining)
facilities (existing in RINL) and withdrawal of all cappings.
ü Upgradation of the present Medical facilities with
review of present Medical Scheme and Malfunctioning of TPA.
a)
In view of the fixed upper limit of cost of
treatment the Capping becomes redundant and hence needs to be withdrawn.
b) Inclusion of Best serving
Hospitals for OPD and Indoor Cashless Treatment need be listed and retained
without break in-between. TPA must ensure that admission to a
Hospital against cashless facility during the tenure is not denied
c)
However, in rare case of exigencies the TPA may
withdraw recognition to a Hospital listed for OPD or Cashless treatment but
only by circulating a one month’s notice
in advance to all the SAIL Mediclaim Members/ Spouse.
d) The TPA/
Insurer must ensure settlement of all Bills for Re-imbursement within 15 days.
e)
The TPA / Insurer must not exceed a maximum of 3 hours for approving
treatment and release of payment after treatment for cases of Cashless
treatment.
f)
The medical personnel working for the TPA
cannot and should not override/ overrule the diagnosis and line of treatment
followed up by the treating medical personnel attached with the Hospitals.
ü
Settlement of Mediclaim related Grievances : To
make the members aware of the Role of
Ombudsman and how and when to make Appeal, if not satisfied with the
settlement of grievances including Bills etc. It was decided to circulate
detailed guidelines for this purpose (to be prepared by S/Sri S.K. Ghosh and
Debasish Chaudhary).
ü
Yearly compulsory medical
check-up for each
Retiree need be introduced through Mediclaim Policy.
ü
Renewal of Mediclaim policy: The 3-Yearly Mediclaim
Policy may please be finalized with the Insurance Co. at least two months
before the end of the duration is over i.e. within March and the Guidebook
should be made available to the members by SAIL instead of leaving the matter
entirely with the TPA.
ü
The procedure for filing claim in case of
deceased person should be formulated and incorporated in the booklet.
ü
In case of settlement of disputes, name of the
officer with designation, official address contact number etc to whom such
cases are being referred should be clearly spelt out
ü
Registered Association/ Society should be
authorized to deal on behalf of mediclaim members.
ü
Inclusion of various tests like MRI etc. and
therapy (like "CYTOTRON Therapy") and gadgets required for absolute
fitness of the Retirees and their spouse should be listed under IPD/ cashless treatment,
ü
Respective SAIL Hospitals
should ensure availability of all medicines for OPD and IPD patients. In case,
any medicine is not available the Hospital should procure the same from the
market and supply to the patient.
ü
SAIL should fill up the
existing vacancies of doctors of required qualifications and experience and
also the paramedical staff in SAIL hospitals to facilitate proper care and
treatment to the Retirees.
ü
SAIL must implement uniform
policies at all SAIL Hospitals and treatment centres for Retirees
ü
Bed rent during IPD/ Cashless
should be on Actual basis.
ü
Non-medical items during IPD/
Cashless treatment to be kept at minimum, restricted only to the need based
cases. However, non-medical items during hospitalisation should be fully
reimbursable.
9. Organisational Matters
a. Strategies
were planned to strengthen the Units by contacting more and more of the
individual Retirees and group of Retirees to form Associations and affiliate
them to FORSE.
b.
On a query raised by a Member it was clarified that
FORSE cannot and should not accept any Retiree - individual or Associations-
who are not from SAIL.
10. At the end of the Meeting on
13th April 2015 the following Resolution was adopted unanimously by voice
vote.
Pic: Apex Council in session in Ranchi on April 12, 2015 (A.N.)
RESOLUTION
The Apex Council of the
Federation reviewed the progress and changes made in the lives and conditions
of the SAIL Retirees after their last meeting at Bhilai in September, 2014 and
actions initiated thereafter by the Govt. and SAIL and took the decisions which
is given below. The
Council came to the conclusion that SAIL refused to hear & ignored the issues of the SAIL
Retirees like Healthcare and Pension and other financial benefits based on the
separate Govt. advice in the form of DPE OMs of 2009 for (i) pre-2007 SAIL
Retirees who exist today in real miserable condition and some of them in much
worse condition than those in BPL category and (ii) post-2006 SAIL Retirees who
are yet in suspense for over 8 years on formulation and implementation of the
Pension and other benefit schemes. It further observed that SAIL, a Maharatna
Company, continued to overlook the issues of the SAIL Retirees and maintained
total silence all through the period
a.
even after our Appeal and the Resolution taken
at Bhilai on 21st Sept 2014 addressed to them alongwith the brief in
the document SAIL ignoring its Retirees - Statement of Fact and Appeal for
Action in http://sailex.blogspot.in/2015/04/sail-ignoring-its-retirees.html
b.
our request made on 27th Nov. 2014
for urgent release of payment of arrears to employees of IISCO retired between
01.01.1997 and 31.01.2006 is yet to be looked into. Such a delay of over 9-10
years in decision making does not show SAIL in a good light.
c.
to expedite payment of arrear accruing out of
wage revision from 1997 for erstwhile BRL employees, which was a deemed
liability on the date of amalgamation i.e.
01/04/2007. A sum of Rs.10000/- was also paid as advance against the same and
was not to be recovered as per the notification in the Gazette of India dt.
July 28, 2009 justifying the resultant effect of accrual and payability to the
retirees.
d.
Delayed implementation of SAIL Mediclaim Policy
every time by 3-4 months is making the Policy less effective and adding
unnecessary anxiety to the beneficiaries, that is, SAIL Retirees, for larger
part of the year even when it is coupled with the issues related not only to
the well- being of the Retirees but also to their life and death.
The Council noted with concern that, in
nut shell, the situation for the SAIL Retirees did not change in years before
and over the last six months now and in fact has worsened due to the continued
apathetic and ever static attitude of both the Govt. of India and SAIL. Still
further it was observed that SAIL did not compare itself with PSUs belonging to
Oil and Energy sector. Smaller Companies like BEL and BHEL, as also our own
sister Steel PSU, the RINL, provided much better financial and Healthcare
benefits to their Retirees.
The Apex Council also noted the apathy
shown by the Govt of India and its various Ministries in dealing with the
issues of the SAIL Retirees who happen to be the Senior Citizens of this
country, and not adhering to the words and spirit of the Govt. portal on Senior
Citizens and recent letter of PM addressed to Senior Citizens in general.
Further the Govt. also failed in directing SAIL to resolve the long pending issues
of the Retirees on the basis of DPE OMs which were meant for Retirees benefits.
Our Expectations from the Union Minister of
Steel/ Govt. of India on the Issues before SAIL Retirees (the Senior Citizens)
are based on the following Background:
I.
SAIL did not have a Pension Scheme. (When people
started retiring and pension proposals were made by the PSUs including SAIL,
Govt declared EPS-95 under which retirees are getting a few hundreds only. This
is redundant after 2006 due to new pension schemes in the PSUs for post-2006
retirees)
II.
After considering a lot of representations, discussion
points and appeals, SCOPE recommended and the DPE issued an OM in July 2009
asking Maharatna PSUs to create a corpus from 1.5 % of their Profit Before Tax
(PBT) and prepare a post retirement benefit schemes for pre-2007 retirees.
III.
SAIL refused to follow the DPE OMs in this
regard. Our innumerable request to SAIL for a meeting as well as preparing
a Scheme under OMs as also to the whole lot of Ministers, Officials incl. PM remained
without any response.
IV.
SAIL is providing in its accounts 30% of total salary
payment over and above it towards retirement benefit such as Gratuity, PF
contribution by SAIL, Health benefit & Pension for post-2006 retirees. SAIL
had not made any such provision & its contribution for retirement benefits
of pre-2007 retirees has been much less –around 16%. Thus having born earlier
and worked from the inception of HSL/ SAIL and helping to lay a strong
foundation under a very difficult environment and working conditions (during
1950/60s) to make proud of it as Maharatna has been a sin for these pre-2007
retirees.
V.
Worse of it all is that SAIL or the Government
Officials responsible for finding solution and helping the Retirees / Senior
Citizens do not respond to our communications because of which the
Communication gap and misunderstanding between the Retirees and SAIL/Government
system increases
Considering the facts
detailed above the two day meeting of the FORSE
Apex Council at Ranchi resolved the following:
A.
The SAIL Chairman and Members of the SAIL Board
be requested to listen to our problems and grievances (attached as Annexure I)
arising out of their inaction for over the past 6 years& more and take
immediate actionfor improving
i.
the financial condition by way of some minimum
monthly payment and
ii.
Healthcare conditions with a mission and
empathy of the
Retirees to make them live with dignity at their very old age.
B.
The Hon’ble Union Minister of Steel / Govt. of
India be requested to advise SAIL
a) to recognize
FORSE and hold discussions on regular intervals and settle the out-standing
issues of the retirees
b)
to implement the DPE OMs for pre-2007 and post -2006
category of Retirees without further delay, if need be, by
i.
Permitting transfer of unclaimed Provident Fund money
to the SAIL corpus
ii.
Transferring back 1% of the dividend money
iii.
Starting a Fixed deposit scheme for retirees with ROI
at par with the interest rates paid by SAIL on money borrowed from the market.
iv.
Implementing with a mission & empathy an
effective, efficient and functioning Healthcare scheme at par with those
available to current employees with or without Mediclaim Insurance with
provision of annual increase in the cost of healthcare as they do not have any
other support.
C. Apex Council
authorized the Office Bearers to go for the following time bound Action Plan in case of no positive action by the
Government/ SAIL in a reasonable time period:
I.
All Member Associations shall publicize the
contents of the Resolution through Press Conference/ Press Releases by May2015
end.
II.
All Member Associations shall hand over a copy
of the Resolution to the Head of the SAIL Offices in their location on 15th
June 2015.
III.
All Member Associations shall hand over a copy
of the Resolution to the Head of the Government/ Head of the Administration/ MPs
in their location by 15thJuly 2015
In case the response of SAIL
or the Govt is not favourable to the Retirees the Apex Council may initiate
peaceful non-violent agitational programme like
Hunger strike etc.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^End of Resolution^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
11.
The
Meeting ended with a vote of thanks from Sri S.R.Das, Vice Chairman to the
Chair and all the Apex Council Member for smooth conduct of the meeting for two
days, Managements of SAIL Units of Ranchi and SAIL Ex-Employees Association for
providing all the infrastructural facilities etc.
(V. N. Sharma)
Chairman
M: 9431102680, 06513255795
+++++++++++++
Press Clipping
प्रभात खबर
प्रेस - विज्ञप्ति
13.04.2015
भारत सरकार के महारत्न उपक्रम सेल (SAIL) के सेवानिवृत्त एक लाख से अधिक अवकाशप्राप्त
कर्मी सदस्यों के महासंघ
(Federation of Retired SAIL Employees-FORSE) की सर्वोच्च परिषद (Apex Council)
की दो दिवसीय बैठक सेल सैटेलाइट टाउनशिप, रांची के मनोरंजन भवन में
12-13 अप्रैल, 2015 को आयोजित हुई। बैठक की अध्यक्षता फेडरेशन के
अध्यक्ष डॉ वीएन शर्मा ने की. सेल पूर्व - कर्मचारी एसोसिएशन,
रांची (SAIL Ex-Employees Association) के महासचिव और आयोजन
के प्रमुख श्री बी एन चौधरी ने देश के विभिन्न संघों
के सर्वोच्च परिषद के सदस्यों का स्वागत किया। श्री अभय कुमार दास,
महासचिव ने भिलाई में Sept.21-22, 2014 को आयोजित पिछली बैठक के बाद
संगठनात्मक मामलों पर रिपोर्ट (एटीआर) पर की गई कार्रवाई पर प्रस्तुत
किया।
अध्यक्ष ने पिछले 6 महीनों में सेवानिवृत कर्मियों की मांगो पर हुई
प्रगति पर विस्तार से विचार करने के पूर्व (Ref http://sailex.blogspot.in), बैठक की शुरुआत आयोजकों और सेल की रांची इकाई अर्थात RDCIS,
सीईटी, एमटीआई और सेल सुरक्षा संगठन के कर्मचारियों तथा सॅटॅलाइट
कॉलोनी के प्रबंधन समूह को सहयोग करने के लिए धन्यवाद के
साथ की. सर्वोच्च परिषद के सदस्यों से मिलने के लिए उनके बहुमूल्य समय
देने के लिए रांची के सेल इकाइयों के प्रमुखों के लिए अध्यक्ष ने गहरी
कृतज्ञता व्यक्त की।
हम शुरू में ही यह स्पष्ट कर दें कि भारत
सरकार के निर्णयों के अनुसार अवकाशप्राप्त कर्मियों की दो केटेगरी है (i)
वे जो वर्ष 2006 तक में अवकाशप्राप्त कर चुके (ii) वे जिनकी सेवानिवृति वर्ष 2007
में या उसके बाद हुई. इन दोनों केटेगरी के अवकाशप्राप्त
कर्मियों के लिए पेंशन, हेल्थकेयर, इमरजेंसी सहायता के लिए नकद राशि
देने जैसी कल्याणकारी योजनाएं बनाने तथा लागू करने के लिए
DPE ने अलग- अलग कार्यालय ज्ञापन (OMs) जारी किये । पहले केटेगरी
के लिए हमारे इन अनुरोध पत्रों का आधार था भारत सरकार के DPE का
जुलाई 2009 माह का वह कार्यालय ज्ञापन जिसमे सेल और अन्य सरकारी उपक्रमों
को सलाह दी गयी थी किं टैक्स के पूर्व के लाभ की राशि से 1.5 % की राशि
लेकर वे 2006 तक के अपने
अवकाशप्राप्त कर्मियों के लिए कल्याणकारी योजनाएं बनाए
और लागू करें। पांच से अधिक वर्ष गुजर जाने के बाद भी महारत्न सेल
अबतक चुप्पी साधे बैठा है। बाकी तेल उद्योग, भेल
इत्यादि ने इसे लागू कर लिया। याद रहे कि 1950/ 60 के दशकों
में प्रतिबद्धता और कड़ी मिहनत से इन सेवा निवृत लोगों के द्वारा इस्पात
उद्योग की ठोस मज़बूत नीव रखी गयी जिससे सेल आज महारत्न के रूप में देश का
गौरव बन गया है। आप खुद समझ सकते हैं किं अस्सी-नब्बे के दशकों
में एक लाख से पांच - छह लाख तक की राशि लेकर अवकाशप्राप्त करनेवाले लोग
आज किस तरह इस बढ़ती महंगाई और घटती आमदनी के साथ जी रहे होंगे। तिस पर बुढ़ापे
में रोगों और इलाज़ के खर्चे
की मार अलग । पहले बैंकों में फिक्स्ड डिपाजिट की ब्याज दर
12 से 14 प्रतिशत थी जो आज 9 प्रतिशत के करीब रह गयी है। आज 70 से 80
वर्ष के कर्मचारियों के स्वास्थय देखभाल पर बहुत खर्च आ रहा है तथा
जीवनयापन में काफी तकलीफें हो रही हैं। पिछले पांच सालों से अधिक
समय तक हम सेल के चेयरमैन एवं निदेशकों तथा सरकार के मंत्री
और अधिकारियों को अपनी समस्याओं के सम्बन्ध में स्पष्ट बातें लिखते
रहे पर समाधान खोजना तो दूर वे हमे पत्र- प्राप्ति या किसी
तरह का सन्देश भी नहीं देते। (कृपया इन्हे saileea@blogspot.in में
देखें)। इसमें एक अपवाद है सेल का वह पत्र जो राष्ट्रपति महोदय से
हमारी शिकायत के आधार पर राष्ट्रपति भवन के निर्देश के तहत हमे
भेजा गया जिसमे गलतबयानी थी और तथ्यों को तोड़ मडोरकर पेश करने की
कोशिश जिसे http://sailex.blogspot.in/2014/12/letter-to-president-of-india-and-sails.html में देखा जा सकता है. सेल का कहना है कि वे सेवानिवृत
लोगों पर 2 % से ज्यादा खर्च कर रहे हैं जब कि वास्तविकता यह है कि सेल
कर्मियों के साथ हुए समझौतों के तहत चल रहे पुरानी स्कीमों जैसे PF, gratuity
एवं लीव एन्कैशमेंट के साथ साथ मेडिकल इन्स्योरंस को भी सेल इसमें शामिल
कर लेता है साथ साथ सेल 2006 के बाद के अवकशप्राप्त्कर्मियों के
लिए अलग से ३०% राशि का प्रावधान कर रखा है अतः उसे 2 प्रतिशत
दिखाना सर्वथा गलत है. मेडिकेयर के बारे में नीचे दी गयी बातें
रेखांकित करने लायक है.
1.
सेल कर्मियों के साथ
हुए समझौतों के तहत सेवानिवृत कर्मियों की मेडिकेयर का
पूरा दायित्व सेल का है जो इसे पूरा नहीं करता।
2.
सेल मेडिक्लेम की
सेवा इन्स्योरंस कंपनी के माध्यम से कराती है जिसके लिए सेवानिवृत सदस्यों
को 15 % फीस का भुगतान करना होता है जो गलत है.
3.
सेल सेवानिवृत
सदस्यों से 15 % फीस लेने के बावजूद उनके प्रतिनिधियों को शामिल किये बिना
ही इन्स्योरंस कंपनी तथा TPA से समझौता करता है यह गैर कानूनी है.
4.
इसका नतीजा यह की
मेडिक्लेम इन्स्योरंस की सेवा असंतोषजनक और सेल, इन्स्योरंस कंपनी तथा TPA के
मनमानियों से भरी होती है कि सेवानिवृत सदस्य अब आत्महत्या भी करने लगे
हैं.
5.
सही तरीके से न
इलाज़ न समय से बिल की अदायगी। तिस पर हर इलाज़ में दुनिया जहां की कैपिंग
और अंत में शिकायत विभाग का न होना, और
6.
सेवानिवृत सदस्यों के
प्रतिनिधियों से बातचीत न करना
2007 और उसके बाद के अवकाशग्रहण करनेवाले
कर्मियों की दूसरी
केटेगरी के लिए DPE ने अलग से कार्यालय ज्ञापन
(OM) भेजे जो 01.01.2007 से लागू होने थे. पर सेल पिछले 5 सालो से अधिक गुजर जाने पर
भी उस पर कुछ नहीं कर सका। विडम्बना यह है कि इन
दोनों कार्यालय ज्ञापनो को लागू
करने की तिथि से लगभग आठ वर्ष बीत जाने के बाद भी सेल चुप्पी मारे बैठा है या बातों को गलतबयानी में
उलझाता रहा
है और याद दिलाने के बावजूद भी सरकार की तरफ से इस उल्लंघन
के लिए उसके खिलाफ कोई कार्रवाई नहीं की गयी. यह सब कुछ सेल की नीति और नियत दोनों पर प्रश्न चिन्ह खड़ा
करते हैं. दूसरी ओर राष्ट्रीयकृत बैंक, सरकारी बीमा कम्पनियां और बीएसएनएल तथा रेलवे विभाग अपने
सेवानिवृत कर्मचारियों को अलग अलग किस्म की सुविधाएं देता है जो उनके विभाग
से सम्बंधित होती है । जैसे बीएसएनएल का निःशुल्क फोनकॉल, रेलवे यात्रा
में रियायत इत्यादि। मुझे बहुत दुःख के साथ कहना पड़ता है कि सेल अपने
सेवानिवृत कर्मचारियों को इस प्रकार की कोई भी सुविधा नहीं देता है।
इस मसले पर उपक्रम के प्रबंधन के अलावा सरकारी नज़रिये की समीक्षा भी आवश्यक
है. सर्वप्रथम तो यह कि सेल की चुप्पी या अक्षम व्यवहार के पीछे
सरकार के लोक उद्यम विभाग (DPE) का योगदान भी कुछ कम नहीं है। DPE
ने इस मसले पर नेगेटिव नज़रिया और तौर तरीका अपनाये रखा। सरकारी उपक्रमों
के स्पष्टीकरण मांगने पर DPE हर बार अपने पूर्व दिए कार्यालय
ज्ञापन को थोड़ा तरल कर देता है जिससे सेल और अन्य उपक्रमो के
प्रबंधन को इस मसले पे हाथ पे हाथ धरकर बैठने का बहाना मिल जाता है। होना यह
चाहिए था कि सरकार को थोड़ी सख्ती बरतनी चाहिए थी जिससे अवकाशप्राप्त
-सह- वरीय नागरिकों को राहत मिलती। DPE के रवैये में परिवर्त्तन के लिए
हमने प्रधान मंत्री एवं सम्बंधित मंत्रियों को पत्र भी लिखे जिसे http://sailex.blogspot.in/2014/11/letters-to-prime-minister.html में देखा जा सकता है। इसमें
हमने सिर्फ 5000 रु प्रति माह की दर से पेंशन या सहायता राशि की मांग
की है जो छोटे से छोटे सरकारी कर्मी के पेंशन से कम है. हमे नहीं
लगता कि इसके लिए बजट की समर्थन की आवश्यकता होगी.
अब हम आप का ध्यान बुज़ुर्गों से सम्बंधित भारत सरकार की सोच
की ओर आकृष्ट करना चाहते हैं जिसे सरकार के पोर्टल में लिखे इन वक्तब्यों
से समझा सकता है “Senior Citizens are a
treasure to our society. They have worked hard all these years for the
development of the nation as well as the community. They possess a vast
experience in different walks of life. The youth of today can gain from the
experience of the senior citizens in taking the nation to greater heights. At
this age of their life, they need to be taken care of and made to feel
special.”
“The National Council for Senior Citizens formed
under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment should take care of promotion
of physical and financial security, health and independent and productive
living and awareness generation and community mobilization”.
पता नहीं इसका मकसद क्या था लेकिन यह बस सिर्फ पोर्टल को ही
सुशोभित कर रहा है। पोर्टल की बातें आदर्श के लिए, पर करनी वही ढाक के
तीन पात। नयी सरकार के प्रधान मंत्री और स्पीकर महोदया से लेकर कई
मंत्रियों और सांसदों ने जन सभाओं के माध्यम से बुज़ुर्गों के
हालात पर आंसू तो बहुत बहाये और कुछ राहत पहुंचाने के आश्वासन भी दिए
लेकिन यह सब कुछ अगले दिन के समाचार पत्रों में दब कर रह गए। अंततः सामाजिक
न्याय एवं अधिकारिता मंत्री जी को पत्र भेजकर उन्हें उनके दायित्यों की
ओर ध्यान आकृष्ट किया गया जो http://saileea.blogspot.in/2014/12/letter-to-union-minister-for-social.html में देखा जा सकता है। National Minimum Pension (Guarantee)
Bill, 2014, पर लोक सभा में बहस के दौरान 8
अगस्त 2014 को माननीय सांसद निशिकांत दुबे जी
ने हमारे पत्र को उद्धृत करते हुए इस्पात
(एवं श्रम) मंत्री महोदय को हमारे हालात पर उचित कदम उठाकर समाधान
तलाशने का अनुरोध किया जो लिंक http://164.100.47.132/newdebate/16/2/08082014/5To6pm.pdf में देखा जा सकता है। उसके बाद भी हमारे बहुत सारे अनुरोध
के बावजूद कुछ नहीं हुआ. याद रहे कि सरकारी उपक्रमों के
कर्मियों को जिम्मेदारियों के आधार पर सरकारी कर्मियों की
श्रेणी में रखा जाता है बल्कि कुछ मामलों में उपक्रम के कर्मियों
की जिम्मेद्दारी ज्यादा होती है क्यूंकि वे देश में सम्पति के निर्माता
(creator of wealth) होते हैं. लेकिन पेंशन और अन्य सेवानिवृति लाभ के
प्रश्न पर उन्हें गैरबराबर और असमान की केटेगरी में रखकर नए नए तर्क गढ़े जाते
हैं. कभी कभी ऐसा महसूस होता है कि सरकार नाम की व्यवस्था ठहर सी गयी
है या फिर गूंगी-बहरी हो चुकी है। चिंता की बात यह भी है कि अगर हमारे जैसे शिक्षित मध्यमवर्गी अपनी बात को एक तरफा ही सही सरकार तक पहुंचा तो लेते हैं हालांकि सरकार की संवेदनहीनता को झकझोर नहीं पाते लेकिन उनका वर्तमान और भविष्य क्या है जो आर्थिक और सामाजिक रूप से समाज की निचली पायदानों पर ठहरे हुए ही गुजर बसर कर रहे हैं
2014 के संसदीय चुनाव के बाद देश की नयी सरकार के सत्ताशीन
होने
पर हमने नई उम्मीदों के साथ पुनः सरकार के मंत्री एवं सेल के अधिकारियों के साथ पत्राचार की शुरुआत की जिन्हे
आप
sailex@blogspot.in में देख सकते हैं। पर परिणाम वही ढाक के तीन
पात। छह माह बीत जाने पर भी न सेल, न किसी मंत्रालय ने
पत्र प्राप्ति सन्देश भेजे। अंततः 20 -21 सितम्बर 2014
को भिलाई में हुई हमारी सर्वोच्च परिषद की पिछली बैठक में इसे
गंभीरता से लिया गया और कुछ संकल्प / प्रस्ताव अनुमोदित
हुए जिसे हमने सेल में उच्च पदों पर स्थापित लोगों और सम्बंधित विभाग
के मंत्रियों को भेजा जिन्हे आप http://saileea.blogspot.in/2014/09/a-report-on-forse-apex-council-meeting
html
में देख सकते हैं। फिर भी उनके कानो पर जूं नहीं रेंग
रहे। अभी तक न तो उन्होंने कोई सार्थक फैसले लिए न हमें मिलने और समस्याओं पर
गंभीर संवाद करने का मौक़ा ही दिया। वरीय नागरिक होने के कारण भारत
सरकार से मदद और समर्थन की जो अपेक्षा थी वह भी अभी तक पूरी नहीं हुई है। संसद के हालिया बजट
सत्र में भारत सरकार ने वरिष्ठ नागरिकों के लिए जो स्कीम पेश की है और प्रधान
मंत्री जी ने वरिष्ठ नागरिकों के नाम से जो खत लिखा है (http://www.narendramodi.in/pms-letter-to-senior-citizen/) उसमे सेल
के अवकशप्राप्त कर्मियों के लिए कुछ भी नहीं है. ऐसी योजना पहले से उपलब्ध है.
इसमें सेल के उनलोगों के खून पसीने को कही भी ध्यान में नहीं रखा गया, न
किसी तरह से राष्ट्र निर्माण के उनके योगदान के लिए पेंशन या कोई अन्य वित्तीय राहत योजना चलायी गयी जो सरकारी कर्मियों
को अवकाशप्राप्त करने पर दिया जाता है. मतलब यह कि सेल
के हम रिटायर्ड कर्मचारी कंपनी और सरकार दोनों की उपेक्षा
से काफी दुखी हैं
स्टील अथॉरिटी ऑफ़ इंडिया से सम्बंधित factsheet यह कहता है कि उसके पास
वित्तीय वर्ष 2013-14 की 31 मार्च को 38536 करोड़ रूपये
का संचयी रिज़र्व है तथा सेल विगत १० वर्षो से लाभ अर्जित कर
रहा है । अतः पेंशन के लिए धनराशि स्वीकृत करने में कोई समस्या नहीं
आएगी। भारत सरकार के द्वारा 01. 01.2007 के बाद पेंशन देना सिद्धांत के रूप
में स्वीकार कर लिया गया है। अतः अब संसद से अनुमोदन की आवश्यकता
नहीं है केवल समयबद्ध कार्यान्वयन के लिए प्रशासनिक निर्णय की आवश्यकता है।
साथ साथ रेखांकित करनेवाली बात बताता चलूँ कि 70 -80 वर्ष की उम्र में
हम पके आम की तरह हैं और जीवन की इस संध्या बेला में हमारे सदस्यों
के लिए अनंतकाल तक सेल या सरकार के कल्याणकारी फैसलों का
इंतज़ार स्वाभाविक रूप में असंभव है। दिनांक 31/01/2006
से IISCO का विलय सेल के एक इकाई के रूप में कर दिया गया. किन्तु 01/01/1997 से
लागू किये गए वेतन समझौते में सम्बंधित वेतन के बकाया का भुगतान निवर्त्तमान
कर्मियों को नहीं किया गया अपितु कार्यरत कर्मियों को 10 % का भुगतान एक किश्त के
रूप में कर दिया गया. यह कदम निवर्तमान कर्मियों के साथ सरासर अन्याय है. इसी तरह BRL का विलय भी सेल के एक
इकाई के रूप में कर दिया गया लेकिन वेतन के बकाया का भुगतान निवर्त्तमान कर्मियों को नहीं किया गया.
सेल इस मसले पर भी चुप्पी मारे बैठा है.
हम अपनी वेदना आप मीडिया के साथियों के माध्यम से समाज, सरकार और सेल के उचपदस्थ
प्रबंधकों तक पहुचाने का प्रयास कर रहे हैं। आशा ही नहीं पूर्ण
विश्वास है कि इस कल्याणकारी राष्ट्र - राज्य भारत में आप
हमारे साथ हो रहे अनर्थों को उचित स्थानो तक पहुंचाएंगे।
आप के माध्यम से सरकार तक जिसके लिए हम वरीय नागरिक हैं, और सेल
के उच्च पदस्थ प्रबंधकों तक जिसके लिए कुछ वर्षों पूर्व तक
हम सहकर्मी थे, हमारी बात पहुचाने में हमारी मदद तथा समस्याओं
का समाधान पाने में हमारे सदस्यों की सहायता करेंगे।
अध्यक्ष ने स्पष्ट किया
कि सांसदों और मंत्रियों आदि को भी इस तथ्य के बारे में पता नहीं
हैं कि असंगठित एवं निजी क्षेत्र के कर्मियों की
तरह सार्वजनिक क्षेत्र के उपक्रमों के प्रारम्भ के कर्मियों
के सेवानिवृत्त्ति लाभ में कोई भी पेंशन योजना नहीं है।
अतः FORSE के सदस्यों से अनुरोध किया गया कि अपने क्षेत्र
के सांसदों को सार्वजनिक क्षेत्र के उपक्रमों के सेवानिवृत्त लोगों की
दुर्दशा के बारे में अवगत कराएं और वे पेंशन भोगी नहीं होने का दंश जीवन भर
झेल रहे है माननीय सांसदों की जानकारी में लाए ।
आंदोलनकारी कदम
सर्वोच्च परिषद ने फैसला कि
सेल और सरकार द्वारा सेल के सेवानिवृत्त लोगों के जीवन में स्थापित
कष्टदायक परिस्थिति को कम करने के लिए तय समय
सीमा के अंदर उचित कदम नहीं उठाये गए तो सर्वप्रथम पत्र
लेखन, प्रेस के माध्यम, प्रेस सम्मेलन / प्रेस विज्ञप्ति आदि
से अवकाशप्राप्त कर्मियों के प्रति सेल और सरकार के उदासीन रवैये
को आमजन के बीच उजागर किया जाएगा। फिर शांतिपूर्ण अहिंसक
आंदोलनकारी कदम उठाये जाएंगे जिसमे विभिन्न शहरों / स्थानों
के स्टील टाउनशिप या सेल कार्यालय में रैलियां की जाएंगी और
सेल और सरकार के उच्च पदस्थ अधिकारियों को ज्ञापन दिए
जाएंगे। सेल और सरकार अगर हमारे वित्तीय और स्वास्थ्य के मुद्दों को हल
करने की इच्छा शक्ति नहीं दिखाती है तो हम भूख हड़ताल और
कठिन आंदोलन की राह पर आगे बढ़ेंगे।
अध्यक्ष ने सेल (SAIL) के सेवानिवृत्त एक लाख से अधिक अवकाशप्राप्त
कर्मी सदस्यों और वरिष्ठ नागरिकों के इस मुद्दे पर जागरूकता लाने एवं उचित कार्रवाई
करने के लिए मीडिया से अपील की।
(V. N. Sharma)
Chairman
Press Clipping
हिंदुस्तान
Press Clipping
सन्मार्ग
13.04.2015
The Apex Council
of the Federation of Retired SAIL Employees (FORSE) had a two-day meeting on
April 12-13, 2015 in Manoranjan Bhawan at SAIL Satellite Township, Ranchi. The
meeting was presided over by Dr. V. N. Sharma, the Chairman of the Federation.
Sri B.N.Chaudhary, of the SAIL Ex-Employees’ Association, Ranchi and principal
organizer of the event welcomed the Council members representing various Member
Associations from the far and wide of the country. Sri Abhay Kumar Das, the
General Secretary presented an Action Taken Report (ATR) on organizational
matters after the last meeting held on Sept.21-22, 2014 at Bhilai.
The Chairman began
with the thanks giving to the organisers of the meeting and support given
individually and collectively by the employees and personnel belonging to SAIL
Units at Ranchi viz, RDCIS, CET, MTI and SAIL Safety Organisation. He expressed
his deep gratitude to the Heads of the SAIL Units at Ranchi and other senior
officers and employees for sparing their valuable time to meet the members of
the Apex Council.
It was followed by
briefing the Council on developments in last 6 months (ref. http://sailex.blogspot.in), as a result of
our correspondence with SAIL, number of departments and officials of the Govt
of India, on the issues related to the post - retirement benefits to the
pre-2007 numbering, as of now, about 35000 and post-01.01.2007 retirees
numbering just above 70000. The emphasis of the approach was to request SAIL to
formulate and implement schemes for various types of relief to the pre-2007
Retirees and their spouse in line with the Govt. advice given through DPE OMs
for ‘creation of a corpus for retired employees of SAIL with 1.5% of the PBT’
which is already lagging behind by 6 years and to implement the scheme for pension for post-2006 retirees which
already delayed by 8 years. It is interesting to note that SAIL never responded to our
direct communication, except through RTI. The two responses received recently
from SAIL came only through the office of the President of India. It is
demeaning for a Maharatna like SAIL to treat the retirees in this manner. But even in these responses SAIL continued to
ignore the advice and, in turn, dumped the idea of welfare of the early
retirees. Since the corpus is to be created from SAIL’s Profit, no budgetary
support is required. Also as these
pioneer retirees are 70 and 80 years old, the corpus will not be required perennially.
It must not be forgotten that the strong foundation laid by these
pioneers in the formative years (1950s/60s) and the commitment, hard work and
contributions made by these retirees under very hard times contributed to make
SAIL the pride of the nation as Maharatna today. Also that SAIL has attained this height only
by virtue of its consistent financial strength and its contribution to
development of the country in various aspects.
Action taken on
Pension and mediclaim matters with SAIL, National Insurance Company and the TPA
E-meditek all through these 9 months were also talked about. In the
post-general election days more than a dozen letters sent to number of Union
Ministers incl. those to the Prime Minister and Steel Minister as also to
Chairman SAIL and similar letters to a dozen of Members of Parliament, in
addition to numerous telephone calls, for help in this regard did not have
encouraging results. In summing up of the issues before the Federation the
history of the organized sector like
SAIL does not warrant appreciation as it did not implement any pension scheme
for those retired before 2007 and SAIL has not been impressed upon so far by
the political masters to change their stance in favour of the retirees.
The Chairman reasoned out that the pre - 2007 retirees who are in their
70s and 80s had retired at a time when inflation was not a big menace and most
of the banks paid a handsome rate of interest which were in the range of
12% to 14%, some investments also brought 17-18% return. But times have
changed. Now the rate of interest ranges around 9%. They are put to lot of
hardship at twilight of their life due to lowering of income from investments
on one side and astronomical increase in cost of living since they retired with
meager sums and the increased expenditure on health care (beyond reimbursed
amounts) due to old age ailments on the other side. SAIL should also
get the blame for not providing Health care of any standard. In spite of the
exponential price rise in medicines SAIL is sticking to the same Rs. 4000/- per
member per year for 60-70 year old which was fixed 19 years ago in 1995 and Rs.
8000/- for 70+ year old members done recently.
Having regard to
the facts explained in above paras the basic approach of FORSE is to appeal to the
conscience of SAIL and the Govt. of India (i) to permit SAIL to transfer
unclaimed money available with the PF Trusts of SAIL Plants and Units to the
proposed corpus, (ii) transfer back by Govt 1 % of the dividend of SAIL to the
corpus and (iii) to advise SAIL to raise the limit in the OMs of DPE from 1.5%
to 3% and (iv) formulate better schemes for the pre-2007 retirees with a
mission & empathy which should include a Healthcare programme for treating
all the retirees at par with the working employees and 100 % coverage like Oil
sector companies do for their Retired employees or a Mediclaim policy fully
subscribed by SAIL (without sharing of the subscription by the Retired
Employees). On the Govt.side FORSE demanded increase in the interest rate on
Fixed Bank deposits for the retirees and action to enhance the facilities for
Senior Citizens in Hospitals, transport, public utility services by
incorporating newer policies. During the recent budget session of Parliament
the Govt. came up with a scheme for the Senior Citizens which has been
summarised in a Letter from PM to Senior Citizens in http://www.narendramodi.in/pms-letter-to-senior-citizen/ There is nothing new in this as similar policy existed for long and this
new Govt initiative, in no way, takes care of the Nation Building work done by
the Pioneer employees of HSL/ SAIL/ other PSUs. So this policy wrt Senior Citizens is no good and it
helps none in the PSU.
In view of the
fact that SAIL has cumulative Reserve/Cash Surplus of Rs.38536 crores as on 31st
March 2014, the total contribution to exchequer till 2013-14 must be more than
Rs. 120, 000 crores and the total of PBT from 1.1.2007 till 2013-14 is Rs.
52272 crores (including 1/4th of 2006-07) creation of a good scheme
is quite a feasible proposition. As it stands Finance is not a problem for SAIL
as it has been earning profit for more than 10 years. Since the principle of the creation of corpus for pre-2007 retirees is
accepted by the Government, no further approval of Parliament is required and
it requires only an Administrative decision for
time-bound implementation. In the light of such a strong financial position there is no visible and comprehendible reason for the overall
out and out negative attitude and approach of SAIL with respect to the retirees
and we strongly desire that the Government must advise SAIL suitably to act in
favour of the retirees.
FORSE also strongly recommended to advise SAIL to utilise the services of the
physically fit retirees as much as possible by giving them specific assignments
on contractual basis. This can be done with the active help of the Federation
(FORSE) or its Member Associations. In the light of the recent statement of the
Union Minister of DoPT re-employing the retirees, with years of experience
behind each one of them, becomes more relevant.
We would also like
to put on record the contradiction that except the early retirees of industrial
CPSEs, retirees of all other CPSEs such as LIC, Nationalised Banks, Government
Insurance companies, BSNL, Railways etc are getting substantial pension besides
benefits such as additional interests for bank retirees, free phone calls for
BSNL retirees, free travel concessions for Railway retirees etc. The paradox is
that these retirees of CPSEs were government controlled employees but not
government employees for pension. They are public servants for all purposes
except for Pension and post-retirement benefits. It is expected that the Govt
would view the cause of these Very Senior Citizen Retirees (those retired
before 2007) who are now 70 + with compassion and not by the rule-book alone
which itself is doubtfully incorrect at many places. Since Govt is keenly
taking action for improved production, it is hoped this prejuduced treatment to
pioneer retirees of industrial PSUs will be removed to improve morale of
industrial workers. Chairman also pointed out the discrimination that whereas
the Govt has accepted in principle provision of 30% of salary over & above
it towards retirement benefit of PSU retirees but they have been contributing
only around 16% to pre-2007 retirees of PSUs, which includes obligatory
payments as gratuity, PF contribution etc..
He narrated in brief how the story related to the indoor treatment is
much worse as the mediiclaim policy taken through an insurance company and
operated through a Third Party Administrator (TPA) is extremely inefficient,
yearly renewal of membership for the same members, without a standard procedure
for settling the grievances. upto 6-8 months’ time taken for issuance of
Mediclaim I-card and the information brochure, almost 6 months to a year for
settlement of paid hospital Bills, patient being held by the hospital as a
prisoner because of delayed payment clearance by the TPA, overruling of the
specialist doctors of the hospital by the distant sitting doctors employed by
the TPA. TPA withdrawing recognition of the Hospitals for cashless treatment at
its own will without any information to the members has ended up with at least
one suicide to our information by our member Asit Nandi (IISCO). He committed suicide on account of sheer
financial inability to meet his medical expenses. The Federation intervened to
help him but before he received the payment he died. Thousands of such of our colleagues- in- arms of yesteryears- must be
silently suffering and finally vanishing. The Chairman further said that
we are not begging but it should be obligatory on SAIL authorities to take care
of the retirees on whose hard work the Company is a Maharatna today.
Chairman also
showed his disgust with SAIL management for not initiating, preparing and
implementing Pension schemes for the post-01.01.2007 retirees whereas its
sister PSU-RINL-has got approved a scheme (with 10% of total salary of each
employee as company contribution by it) by its Board. This is lying in the
Ministry since July 2011 without any action; perhaps waiting for SAIL to clear
a scheme. It may please be noted that most of other PSUs – BHEL, NTPC, NLC, Oil
PSUs. etc. - have already implemented. Out of sheer inefficiency and absence of
strong will SAIL has shifted the date of implementing the pension scheme for
this category of employees from 1st January 2007 to 2012.
Chairman stated that the MPs and Ministers etc are also not aware of the
fact that even the organised sector of the Government do not have any pension
scheme for pioneer retirees of the organized sector like PSUs. He requested
FORSE members to bring to the kind notice of the Honorable MPs of their area as
it appears that MPs are aware of the plight of retirees of unorganized sector
only but not aware of the same for pioneer retirees of PSUs which is owned by
Government itself.
Agitational
Approach
Having regard to the miserable condition building up around the lives of
the SAIL Retirees by the day the Apex Council decided to take to peaceful
non-violent agitational path by (i) first publicizing the indifferent attitude
of SAIL and the Government through letter writings and Press Conferences/ Press
Release etc, (ii) taking rallies and presenting Memorandums to (a) Heads of
SAIL Offices in different cities/ locations and (b) Senior most Government
authorities in the Steel Townships or Office locations. It was decided to
continue with hunger strike and enlarged methods of agitation if SAIL and Govt.
do not resolve our financial and healthcare issues.
He further made a fervent appeal
to the Media to take action on the same lines to bring awareness on this
issue of Senior citizens of the pioneering batches of SAIL employees.
(V. N. Sharma)
Chairman
Press Clipping
Ex-SAIL staff in pension cry
OUR CORRESPONDENT (The Telegraph)
Ranchi, April 14: Former employees of Steel Authority of India (SAIL) have appealed to the government to increase their retirement benefits as rising costs, especially of medical treatment, were making it extremely difficult for them to maintain living standards.
At a two-day meeting of the apex council of Federation of Retired SAIL Employees (FORSE), an umbrella organisation of various ex-employee associations of the Maharatna company, its chairman V.N. Sharma appealed to the PSU to set up a corpus for retired employees as advised by the Centre.
The Union government, he explained, had advised SAIL to create the corpus with 1.5 per cent of its profit before tax six years ago, but so far, nothing had been done.
At the Ranchi meeting that concluded on Tuesday, the apex council demanded creation of the corpus without further delay, adding that SAIL could do so by transferring unclaimed money available with various provident fund trusts of the company.
"There are over 1 lakh retired employees of SAIL in the country. These can be divided into two groups - those who retired before December 31, 2006 and those who retired after that," Sharma said.
Retired SAIL employees receive Rs 4,000 per annum for medical expenses, while those above 70 years get Rs 8,000. "The financial condition of those who retired within 2006 is particularly bad," he pointed out, explaining that most got less than Rs 1,000 monthly.
http://www.telegraphindia.com/1150415/jsp/jharkhand/story_14616.jsp#.VTJWUPmUd0h
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