मंगलवार, 1 दिसंबर 2015

Letters to PM

REGISTERED
No. FORSE/Ch/PM/0115
Dated 30th April 2015
Sri Narendra Modi,
Prime Minister of India,
South Block Office, Raisina Hill, 
New Delhi-110011.
            Sub: Request for creation of schemes for Pioneer & Early SAIL Retirees in distress.
Ref: Our letter No. FORSE/PM/0514 dated Oct 27, 2014
Honourable Prime Minister,
Ours is a Federation of Associations of Retired Employees of SAIL (Steel Authority of India Ltd), a Maharantna PSU. Sir, you are well aware of the contribution of the employees of the PSUs which is another arm of the Government and more specifically the contribution of steel PSU since its inception in 1950s. We are trying to bring to your knowledge our misery and plight though we have worked for Government and directly contributed to the development of the country’s economy.
Sir, your recent letter addressed to Elders has inspired us and given us some confidence and hope that there is someone who cares for us. The ideals of Government and similar sentiments are also spelt out in the pensioners’ portal as “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.”  We are confident that you would convert our hope into reality.
Among us, there are three different sub-groups-namely (i) those who had retired on or after 01.01.2007, (ii) those who had retired before 2007 but after 1997 and (iii) those retired before 1997 ( before 1st Pay Revision Committee report came into effect).
Sir, we have been knocking all doors to make our plight and misery heard. We had submitted number of representations to Chairman, SAIL and to the Hon’ble Union Minister of Steel. We have neither received any response nor have we been called for discussion. Hence left with no alternative we are bringing these to the knowledge of your-good self. We believe you have not been apprised about these earlier. You have rightly said in your letter dt 31.03.2015 to elders that Healthy Living and Financial Security are critical for peaceful living, comfort and dignity of life in the old age. Unfortunately, the SAIL is not addressing your above concern on their own elders. We have retired after serving for 35 years in PSU and our needs are simple.
1.         Health Scheme: You would be aware that healthy living is one of the primary concerns of elders. Government has also schemes and policies meant to promote the health, well-being and independence of senior citizens around the country. While the Government will do the onerous task of taking care of elderly in general, the SAIL can make its contribution and take the responsibility of taking care of at least its own elders who might have retired and had contributed earlier to HSL/ SAIL specifically at its prime age and also later. It is irony that while Government is serious of such schemes, SAIL is not paying much attention to the health and connected medical facilities of those who had retired.  Though they have a scheme of Group Insurance for retired, the scheme is not operated with a mission to help the elderly as it should be. The following are the drawback of the SAIL Mediclaim Policy operated through an Insurance Company and a Third Party Administrator (TPA) which require immediate attention and change of attitude:
a)   The limit of OPD benefits have remained the same as Rs. 4000 per year for those below 70 years of age and Rs.8000/ for those who are 70 + years since inception though the contribution from individuals had been increased more than four times. You can kindly imagine how an elderly person can manage with the aforesaid sums of money when it works out to an average of Rs.15000 /- per retiree per year. In view of this the OPD coverage may be increased to Rs.20,000/-per annum jointly in respect of retired employee and spouse on floater basis.
b)   The present Hospitalisation expenses in SAIL Policy is limited to Rs. two lakhs per year for each SAIL retiree and his/ her spouse with flexibility of combining both is quite low esp. because the SAIL scheme has large number of cappings.It should be raised to Rs. 4 lacs for Cashless treatment/ IPD reimbursement for each member under floating (combining) facilities and withdrawal of all cappings.
c)   The present Healthcare / Medical facilities are not upto the mark with a lot of cappings and a malfunctioning TPA. Under the circumstances it would be better if SAIL is directed to adopt the same and similar Healthcre policy for and extension of same facilities to the Retirees as given to their current employees like Indian Oil and BHEL do. 
d)   The preventive health care is very important for every one-more so also for elderly. There is no provision for reimbursement of master checkup.
e)   The present mediclaim policy is on yearly renewal basis based on payment of a part of the premium by the Retirees. Sir, it is important to note that you wrote for the Elderly on 31st March this year and SAIL increased the Retirees contribution of the Premium for Mediclaim Insurance coverage by 50% without commensurate increase in Healthcare facilities. It is nothing but extracting the last ounce of life from the Retiree and expanding the company’s coffer.
f)    The worst part of SAIL MediclaimPolicy is that if a Retiree, for various reasons including failure of communication from SAIL to the retiree or the spouse, lack of knowledge of online payment etc, fail to renew their policy in time they are debarred for life from availing the benefit. It is not only illegal but immoral, unethical and inhuman too. SAIL need to be advised to do away with members/ retirees premium, pay the total premium for renewal of each retiree on the basis of submission of Life Certificate and keep them on Mediclaim membership roll for life.

2. Monthly Pension/ Ex-gratia
      (i). Retired after 1.1.2007. The Scheme for Pension on the basis of “Defined Contribution Scheme” was to be made effective wef 01.01.2007. This has not been implemented by SAIL even after 8 long years. BHEL, NTPC and other Maharatna PSUs have implemented three years back and paid all arrears wef 1.1.2007. SAIL retirees from 1.1.2007 have not received any pension till date and no one knows when these retirees will start getting. In Government there is a policy that the retired from Government should get the benefit from the day of the retirement but the retirees of another arm of Government like PSUs/ SAIL are treated completely differently. We request Respected PM to issue firm direction to make it effective immediately within a specific date.
     (ii) and (iii). Retired from 1997 till 2006 and Retired before 1997
They retired with only PF contribution and Gratuity as terminal Benefits. They are NOT getting any pension. The amounts of terminal benefits received by them were very low as the PF contributions were low due to lower salary structure and the maximum gratuity was only Rs. 3.5 lacs. Their income is limited to interest income from these amounts. The real income has been coming down due to inflation. These retirees are now in the age group of 68 to 77 years.
The terminal benefits received by those retired before 1997 were very meager. The maximum gratuity was only Rs. 1 lac against Rs.10 lacs now. The salary structure before 1997 (before 1st Pay Revision Committee report came into effect) were also very low. They retired at the age of 58 years; thus loosing income for two years and further losing the benefit of multiplication of PF at the far end which would be enormous. The interest prevailing then was around 14%. It is difficult to imagine how these persons make both ends meet overcoming inflation since they retired more than 18 years ago. Some of these retirees are 80 years plus and all of them are 77 years plus.
All these retirees are living without dignity and any minimum comfort. Since they get reimbursed only part of the medical expenses, they have to bear the additional medical expenses out of their pocket. To indicate how low the pay structure were before the revisions, the following details of maximum drawn by a Manager who retired a month just before revisions and being drawn now may please be noted:

As on 01.12.1996
(Just before 1st PRC*)
As on 01.12.2006
(Just before 2nd PRC)
As on 01.04.2015
(As per 2nd PRC)
Rs.12,000 pm including DA
Rs.31,000 pm including DA
Rs.110,000 pm including DA
Max. Basic of Rs.9600+25%
Max. Basic of Rs.18700+65.2%
Max. Basic of Rs.54500+100.5%
*PRC-Pay Revision Committee for PSUs
The above would give an idea of the low terminal benefits the early retirees got.  The Government has accepted in principle provision of 30% of the total salary for their terminal benefits wef 01.01.2007 in the accounts of PSUs over and above the salary for those retired after 1.1,2007. It is very unfortunate that the early retirees (retired before 2007) got benefit not more than 16%. It is not the plea that same 30% may please be given. But a passionate view with empathy may please be taken. Taking the plight of the early retirees, the 2nd PRC has shown the way to help these early retirees (retired before 2007) by asking the PSUs to create corpus out of 1.5% of PBT of the PSU wef 1.1.2007 (date of effect of the recommendation) for benefit of these pre-2007 retirees. The PRC also observed as: “Retired employees of many CPSEs are left with little or no economic support as most CPSEs do not have any post-retirement benefit schemes. As a measure of social security and also considering the fact that retiring employees have contributed to the company some schemes need to be put in place, which will provide regular income or support after retirement.” Government (Dept of Public Enterprises) had issued two OM’s asking PSUs to create Corpus. But since there was no firm direction and follow up, SAIL has not created the Corpus. SAIL and most of the PSUs have been earning profit since more than 10 years and have accumulated reserve cash. (As per SAIL’s Annual Report, Cash Reserve as on 31.03.2014 was Rs. 38536 crores, 1.5% of accumulated PBT from 1.1.2007 to 31.03.2014 was Rs. 784 Crores and total contribution to exchequer till 31.03.014 was more than Rs 120,000 crores.) Hence the finance is not the constraint to implement the scheme.
The present Government is giving lot of importance to Industry. It has rightly decided the need to give push to Industry and maximise the production as industry is one of the primary backbone for overall development. But the irony is that the early retirees of industrial PSUs have only been denied the benefit of Pension and all other PSUs (other than industrial) namely, BSNL, Insurance sector, Banks, Railways etc are paying normal pension for early retirees.
Sir, the pre-2007 retirees of SAIL are those who had joined the steel industry at its prime stages in 1950s and 60s and worked at the initial stages in very difficult circumstances having no precedence’s for work practices and as the plant were being established in the then under-developed and remote areas. The strong foundation laid by these early retirees has made SAIL a proud Maharatna now. SAIL owes mercy to these early retirees who are in twilight of their life struggling to live with dignity after serving for 35 years in PSUs. We would be highly grateful if the Respected Prime Minister issue a firm direction to SAIL to pay a monthly support of a minimum Rs.5000 pm to pre-2007 retirees which is much below any standard pension even a lowest category retiree of a Government who had retired before 2006 draws now. Any corpus created for this purpose will not be perennial as these early retirees who are in 70s and 80s will wither away in due course of time and since this is for those retired before 2007, there can be no addition of numbers.
3.      Interest Rates
Another area in which these early retirees can be helped is by giving additional interest rates on their deposits. Most of the banks give 0.50% extra for Senior Citizens except India’s largest Bank namely State Bank of India which gives only 0.25% extra. SBI in fact pays additional 1% over and above 0.25% to its own retirees. The Nationalised banks may please be directed to pay additional 1% interest rates on deposits (say up to Rs. 20 lac deposits) for these early retirees of industrial PSUs as they solely depend on interest income only. This would not dent much on the profit of the banks-perhaps can be considered as Social security expenditure and this would not be perennial.
SAIL is taking loans from Banks and other financial institutions. SAIL may please be directed to pay the same interest rates for deposits which may be taken from the Retirees -say deposit up to Rs.10 lacs.
We appeal to your good self to kindly look into the plight of these very senior citizen Retirees of SAIL and the emergency need to help them so that they can live with dignity for rest of their life, Since time is running out for these persons who are in 70s and 80s, we hope Respected PM would ask SAIL to implement within a time frame. In short, our appeal is for:
1.   Health scheme for SAIL Retirees / Sr. Citizen with a mission as detailed out earlier.
2.   Pension for post-2007 retirees of SAIL wef 1.1.2007 without any further delay (already lagging by 8 years).
3.   Formulation and implementation of Pension, Ex-gratia and emergency fund schemes for those retired before 1.1.2007 by creating corpus out of profit and to pay atleast Rs. 5000/- pm to each pre-2007 Retiree (It is not perennial).
4.   Additional interest rates of at least 1% by Banks for deposits.
Prime Minister Sir, we would be grateful if you can give a chance to us to present our submission in person.
With regards,
Yours faithfully,

(V.N.Sharma)
Chairman
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                                                       REGISTERED
No. FORSE/PM/0514
Oct 27, 2014
Sri Narendra Modi,
Prime Minister of India,
South Block Office, Raisina Hill, 
New Delhi-110011.
                      Sub: Request to make provisions for pension to SAIL Retirees
Honorable Prime Minister,
At the outset, I would like to quote the then UK Prime Minister Mr. Winston Churchill’s proclamation during the World War II “A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty” before taking on Nazi Germany in the background of opposite views by his own party men. The World Press acclaimed then: “Optimism is one quality of an intelligent leader.” We see this quality of Optimism in abundance with you. You have been able to achieve this level of success on account of the above and we are confident this will take you and the country to greater heights in all fields. We also presume in the same breath that though our problem has been hanging unheard for over 5 years now your active and intelligent help and support with positive outlook will get us heard and our miseries reduced, if not completely resolved. The reason for our feeling emboldened of a positive action by you is the statements, made by the members of your Government inside Parliament and out of it, in favour of policy changes for ‘greater care’ of the Senior Citizens.
Sir, ours is an organisation of over one lakh Retired Employees of a Public Sector Enterprise (Steel Authority of India Ltd) which is another arm of the Government. Among the retired ones, the pre-2007 retirees are not getting any pension or monthly support. For the post-1.1.2007 retirees, the pension schemes are already in place and implemented in a few and are in implementation stage in remaining PSUs including SAIL; though a very belated action. The salient features of pre-2007 retirees from industrial PSUs are:
1.      The number of such retirees will not increase and in fact will come down as they will wither away with passage of time.
2.      The 2nd Pay Revision Committee on PSEs had recommended creation of Corpus out of Profit for welfare of these group of earlier retirees and thus shown a way for helping this group.
3.      These retirees are now in age group of 70s and 80s years. Most of them had retired at the age of 58 years. Thus the number will come down in days to come. Hence any corpus created will not be perennial.
4.      The persons had joined the industrial sector during 1950s and 60s for establishment of 1st set of heavy industries in free India in remote and undeveloped areas and worked in core industries.
5.      They retired with meager Gratuity and low PF accumulation due to low salary structure then and without any pension. They are finding extremely difficult to manage both ends meet and to live with dignity and with full medical attention which is required the most as age advances.
In spite of the recommendation of the Pay Revision Committee and the direction by the Dept. of Public Enterprises nearly five years back, no action has been taken by SAIL to create the corpus and help the pioneer retirees. One of the hitch appear to be lack of clear cut direction by DPE. These pre-2007 retirees do not have any monetary strength or vitality to fight and agitate. The PSEs are taking advantage on these accounts and denying any benefit. Obviously, CEOs of PSEs are interested in declaring more profits to get rewarded by the Government denying even the basic welfare of the retirees. Had only DPE taken an optimist view (as per Mr. Churchill's statement) instead of with “Glass half-empty” syndrome, the PSEs would have acted on our issue as acted by them for the post-2007 retirees.
The details of vagueness, anomalies and discrepancies in the three wordings in the three OMs issued by DPE which again are in variance with the wordings in the recommendation of 2nd PRC are brought out in Annexure I. The basic philosophy/logic of the recommendation is brought in Annexure II. These were pointed out to DPE by individual retirees. The SCOPE, apex body of PSEs, had also recommended for suitable monthly payment besides medical benefits. In a workshop held on the subject of creation of corpus, one of the former member of 2nd PRC (also a very senior Retd IAS) also suggested a positive view by the all concerned to interpret the recommendation. A Former Chairman/SAIL had also expressed his anguish on the plight of the pioneer retirees. These are available in Annexure III. Despite all these, DPE had not taken any positive action till date. If DPE wants to have positive view, there was no need to issue three OMs with different wordings. Perhaps DPE is not clear how to negate it. In case DPE was not clear of the recommendation, they could have got clarification from the Committee itself. DPE had even asked all not to submit any representation on any account (vide OM dt 30.05.2011) contrary to the principle of transparency and welfare state of the present Government. Such changing OMs of DPE helped gave a handle to PSUs like SAIL to cut down whatever their retirees were getting earlier. Such DPE's clarifications only causes further discrimination and injustice to one set of retirees from another. Another irony is that only pre-2007 retirees of industrial PSU sector industry are denied the pension whereas Nationalised banks, LIC, PSU insurance Companies, BSNL, Railways etc have been paying pension besides additional benefits such as other benefits like additional interest rates (for bank retirees), free phone calls, free train passes etc.
Appeals and representations have been submitted to all authorities since last five years but no action has been taken by any one. We are appealing to you to give kind direction to DPE and SAIL to have a positive attitude on the issue. Our request is for a monthly support of Rs.5000 pm which is far below a pension of lowest cadre employee gets nowadays. No budgetary support is required unlike in the bill proposed for retirees of unorganised sector. It is an irony that even an organised sector, an arm of Government, is ignoring the issue of their own pioneer retirees while Government is trying to help unorganised sector retirees. These very senior pioneer retirees who had served at the primitive stage with no facilities as available now and who worked in core industries and who are in twilight of their life have to live with no dignity and no full medical help. The monthly monetary help is their emergency need as of now.
We would be grateful if you can kindly direct DPE to issue an unambiguous direction to SAIL to create the corpus to pay minimum monthly payment as above without disturbing the existing post-retirement benefits with improved Healthcare for the Retirees. We would also wish to present our case personally so that our plight can be understood better. In view of this I appeal to you to take some time out of your busy schedule to hear of our difficulties and uncertainties of life. In case it is not possible due to your heavy engagements please nominate someone from your advisors/confidants to discuss the issues on a pre-determined time, date and place.
With thanks and kind regards,
Yours sincerely,


 (V.N.Sharma)
Chairman
Copy to:
Shri Narendra Singh Tomar 
Union Minister of Steel & Mines.
Udyog Bhawan
New Delhi-110011.

Shri Anant Geete 
Union Minister of Heavy Industries & Public Enterprises.
Room No. 176, Udyog Bhawan
New Delhi-110011.


Annexure I
COMPARATIVE STUDY OF DIFFERENT WORDINGS ADOPTED BY DPE

  Para 6.2.5.(c) of  Recommendation of  2nd PRC
OM No: 2(81)/08-DPE(WC) -GL -XVI/ 2009 dt 8th July 2009-Para 4 & 5(ii)

OM No:2(81)/08-DPE(WC) dt 25th April 2011- Para 2.v
OM No:2(81)/08-DPE(WC)GL--XV/2011
dt 20th July 2011-  Para 2 (i)
in order to take care of medical and any other emergency needs of retired executives and also those who are not adequately covered by the Pension scheme.
in order to take care of medical and any other emergency needs of retired employees, who are not covered by the Pension scheme and/or post superannuation medical benefit scheme. 

Purpose of the scheme to be as per 2nd PRC recommendation ie.to be in order to take care of medical and any other emergency needs of retired executives and also those employees who are not adequately covered by the pension scheme, instead of “.....(repeated wordings as in OM dt 08.07.09)”
..the Corpus would be to take care of medical and any other emergency needs of retired employees.

Remarks:
 Kindly read other relevant paras of the recommendation as in Annexure II

Remarks:
Modified from the recommendation without any specific approval

Remarks:
Wording restored as per the recommendation of 2nd PRC &  mentioned also so in the OM itself.
(This OM was marked as “Confidential” for no specific reason)

Remarks:
Again modified &  omittedand also those employees who are not adequately covered by the pension schemewithout any approval

Note:
1.              Copies of internal noting of DPE leading to issue of all three OMs are available on record(obtained through RTI).
2.              All OMs obtained through RTI.
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Important & Very Relevant paras of the Recommendations of 2nd PRC      Annexure II
Chapter 2.(page 41)-
2.4.1.v.  Retirement Benefits. Retirement benefits would generally include Provident Fund, Gratuity, social security schemes like Pension Scheme and post-retirement medical benefits / facilities. At present, however, several CPSEs do not have pension schemes and/ or medical benefits schemes.
Chapter.3.(page 63)
3.5.5.(i) Retired employees of many CPSEs are left with little or no economic support as most CPSEs do not have any post-retirement benefit schemes. As a measure of social security and also considering the fact that retiring employees have contributed to the company some schemes need to be put in place, which will provide regular income or support after retirement. This will give a sense of pride and independence, which these employees would have enjoyed, when they were regular employees. Whether it is a pension scheme better than EPS95 or enhanced gratuity or post retrial medical facility, etc. should be in the form of annuity purchased from LIC or any similar agency. Depending on the capacity of the company, the expenses could be shared between the company and the employee during the course of employment. Better performing CPSEs could share a largerproportion and in those CPSEs that are not doing well, the major portion could be from the employees themselves. The company is anyhow bound to contribute the statutory requirement towards PF, EPS 95 and gratuity.
Chapter 4.(page 80)
4.7.2 h.   Superannuation Benefits.
1) In the past, superannuation benefits of CPSEs were limited to contributory provident fund and gratuity. A contributory pension scheme has been introduced in some of the CPSEs in recent past. 
2) Medical treatment becomes a significant component of expenditure for retired executives. While a few CPSEs provide post-retirement medical treatment, most of the retired CPSE executives do not have access to medical facilities. 
3) In order to have pension and medical care as additional superannuation benefits, Committee proposes to enhance superannuation benefits to 30% of basic pay. Superannuation benefits including gratuity, however, should not become a long-term financial liability for the company.  CPSEs should therefore, devise suitable defined contribution plans and operate on their own or through insurance companies. Pension, gratuity and post-retirement medical treatment should come out of such insurance linked instruments. Upper limit on gratuity could be removed and gratuity payment could be linked to the performance of the defined contribution schemes. 
4) Post-retirement medical facilities and pension will be admissible to only such executives, who retire on superannuation from CPSE and have put in minimum service of 15 years. 
Chapter 6. (page 121)
6.2.3.(K)- Superannuation Benefits:  The Committee recommends that CPSEs should allow 30% of the Basic Pay as superannuation benefit which should include CPF, gratuity, pension and post-superannuation medical benefits. The Enterprises should make their own schemes to manage these funds or operate through insurance companies on fixed contribution basis. The amount of Pension, gratuity and post-retirement benefits will be decided based on the returns from the schemes to be operated. For purpose of paying the gratuity or post-superannuation benefits, the Committee recommends that there should not be any upper ceiling limit. Pension and Medical Benefits, as Superannuation benefits, are aimed at ensuring the loyalty of the Executives to the CPSEs and extended tenure of services. The Committee recommends that these two benefits can be extended to those executives who superannuate from the CPSE and who have put in a minimum of 15 years of service in the CPSE prior to superannuate.
Chapter 6(page 130)
6.2.5.c The Committee recommends that CPSEs may create a corpus by contributing 1% to 1.5 % of PBT to create a fund in order to take care of medical and any other emergency needs of retired executives and also those who are not adequately covered by the Pension scheme .

Annexure III
Opinions/Statements by experts including DG/SCOPE.

1.   The anguish expressed by one of the past Chairman SAIL, Dr. P. L. Agarwal in his book titled “Journey of a Steel Man” is as follows:
I formally retired/superannuated from SAIL when I attained age of 58 in October, 1984, after almost four years stay in Indonesia, when my provident Fund and gratuity were released. Just for interest, my total accumulated money from SAIL on the account amounted to Rs. 3 lacs including Provident Fund (normal and voluntary contribution) and gratuity after 28 years’ service. Today a junior executive or even a skilled worker after retirement from SAIL gets over 10 or 12 lacs. SAIL had no pension scheme, and others of my generation are suffering hardship and privations after retirement…………”.

2.   The apex Organisation of PSUs- Standing Council on Public Enterprises- had vide letter No: SCOPE-2011/DG/2278dated21st February2011 stressed the need for the Government to look into the matter:

“Over past six decades Public Sector is serving the nation by providing strong building blocks. It has been strengthening the financial resources of the government for investment in infrastructure and social development. Today PSEs have become inseparable part of the process and dynamics of economic development in India. The credit mainly goes to the commitment, hardwork and contribution showcased by the employees in the formative years. It is because of their contribution, PSUs are now christened as Miniratna, Navratna and Maharatna companies.
All the retired employees of PSEs are assets to the nation and should be considered as reservoir of valuable talent and experience. The social security of these employees should not be considered as an obligation but a responsibility of the concerned PSEs. They deserve our help, support and full co-operation. It should be our onus to facilitate them to lead a dignified life as far as possible.”
·The issue of social security should be seen in a wider perspective and both Government and concerned PSEs should have congruent responsibility.
·There is a need for DPE to make the guidelines issued mandatory. The PSE Management would not evolve a suitable system if left to its discretion.
·A scheme needs to be developed by all PSEs for their retired employees (who are not covered under the pension scheme) so that they can avail of some monetary benefits apart from the medical benefits.
·Respective PSEs can allocate a lumpsum to be given to the retired employees (before 1997) in recognition of their past service rendered by them.”

3.     The statement of one of the member of 2nd PRC Dr. Nitish Sengupta, IAS (Retd), now Chairman of BRPSE in a workshop held on 16.11.2010 on “Workshop on “Medical and Emergency Needs of Retired Employees of CPSEs – Creation of Corpus” is also very relevant:
He said these were very important guidelines and emphasized that the money was not a constraint but it was the attitude of the Management. He strongly believed that “where there is a will, there is a way” and these guidelines were not to be read between the lines but with the right spirit.”
It was also pointed out in the workshop by a CPSE that the DPE guidelines are vague on the term “any emergency needs”.

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REGISTERED
No. FORSE/PM/0414
Oct 24, 2014
Sri Narendra Modi,
Prime Minister of India,
South Block Office, Raisina Hill, 
New Delhi-110011.
Sub: Request to make provisions for Healthcare of SAIL Retirees
Honorable Prime Minister,
On behalf of more than a lakh of SAIL’s retirees I would like to inform you that those of us (and other industrial PSUs) who had retired before 2007 do not get any pension like those from the Govt or LIC, Banks etc. For us the only benefit at present is post-retirement Health care with limits on total claim per year. The limits as of now are low and the retirees, due to old age ailments, are required to spend out of pocket- especially the very senior retirees who are in their 70s and 80s. SAIL has so far not accepted our request to increase the limits on the ground that the payment of premiums will increase. I hope you will appreciate that this is not commensurate with ever increasing cost of living in absence of regular income like pension.
Respected sir, we note from a news item that Group health insurance will become more expensive for companies...” (ref: The Economic Times dt.18thOct 2014). If the premium is increased further especially for those of 70 and above, it would be a great shock to our senior members who had retired with meager gratuity and low on account of low salary structure before 2007 ( and even very very low salary before 1997).
Respected Sir, you would agree that Health alongwith Education is a primary service (even fundamental right) in a welfare state. Healthcare, in particular, is the key for survival of the Senior Citizens during their twilight years. The medical benefit in full is being denied to our members now. Any further increase in premium will make our past Employer not to agree for any increase in limits. Rather the employer may take a negative attitude and restrict the admissibility of claims of the very senior citizen retirees.
Sir, we hope that you are aware that in many countries the Annual Checkup is part of the Health Insurance and this is very much necessary for the welfare of the elderly for their comfortable living during the last journey of their life. We hope that your Govt. will make it a ‘Must’ and it will be effected soon even if it needs to be subsidised by the Govt.like other schemes because it may need a separate reimbursement for this purpose.
In view of this, we appeal to you to kindly advise the concerned ministry/ department to work out a scheme to make the health benefits for retirees of PSUs especially with no limits so that very senior citizen retirees of PSUs will live peacefully in the last phase of their life.
With thanks and kind regards,
Yours sincerely,

(V.N.Sharma)
Chairman
e-mail copy to:
Dr. Harshvardhan,
Union Minister of Health & FW


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SPEEDPOST
No. FORSE/ PM/ 0314
12 अगस्त, 2014
श्री नरेंद्र मोदी,
भारत के प्रधान मंत्री,
साउथ ब्लॉक ऑफिस, रायसिना हिल्स,
नई दिल्ली - 110011 
   विषय: 21 अगस्त 2014 को रांची दौरे के दौरान अपॉइंटमेंट हेतु
सन्दर्भ: हमारे पत्र संख्या FORSE/ PM/ 0114 dated June 06, 2014 एवं FORSE/ PM/ 0214 dated July 19, 2014
माननीय प्रधानमंत्री नरेंद्र मोदी जी,
एक लाख से अधिक सदस्यों की ओर से हमने आप को दो पत्र डाक से भेजे जिन्हें उपरवर्णित सन्दर्भ में देखा जा सकता है. फिर PMO पोर्टल से भी हमने अपनी बात पहुंचाने की कोशिश की लेकिन आप के व्यस्ततम कार्यक्रमों की वजह से हम अभी छूट जा रहे हैं. इस बीच हमने कुछ माननीय सांसदों से भी अपने सदस्यों की खराब माली हालात का जिक्र किया जिसमे सदस्यों की आत्महत्या का जिक्र भी है तथा गोड्डा के माननीय सांसद श्री निशिकांत दुबे से हमने विशेष रूप से गुहार लगाई जिसमे हमने उनके प्रस्तावित National Minimum Pension (Guarantee) Bill, 2014 में संशोधन करके संगठित केंद्रीय लोक उपक्रमों के कर्मियों को भी शामिल करने का अनुरोध किया. माननीय दुबे जी का मै आभारी हूँ की उन्होंने हमारी बात संसद में इस्पात, खान एवं श्रम मंत्री तक पहुंचाई जिसे http://164.100.47.132/newdebate/
16/2/08082014/5To6pm.pdf (draft proceedings of the Lok Sabha) के पेज 397-398 में देखा जा सकता है. लेकिन अभी भी हम समाधान से काफी दूर हैं. 
हमे अखबारी सूत्रों से ज्ञात हुआ है कि आप 21 अगस्त को रांची आ रहे हैं जो कि इस्पात उद्योगों के केंद्र में है. हम अपने सञ्चालन समिति की ओर से आप से अनुरोध करते हैं कि अगर सम्भव हो तो आप अपनी सुविधानुसार हमारे लिए 15 -20 मिनट का समय निकालें ताकि हम अपनी बात आप से कह सकें और अपने सदस्यों की समस्याओं के समाधान की ओर आशा से भरी एक कदम बढ़ सकें।
आशाओंशुभकामनाओं तथा धन्यवाद सहित 
आप का विश्वासी 

(वी एन शर्मा)
 चेयरमैन 
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SPEEDPOST
No. FORSE/ PM/ 0214
July 19, 2014
Sri Narendra Modi,
Prime Minister of India,
South Block Office, Raisina Hill, 
New Delhi-110011.
            Sub: Request for creation of schemes for Pioneer & Early SAIL Retirees in distress.
Ref: Our letter No. FORSE/ PM/ 0114 dated June 06, 2014
Hon’ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi Ji,
We would like to draw your kind attention to our above referred letter on the same subject (http://sailex.blogspot.in/2014/07/letter-to-prime-minister.html). The letter explained the miseries faced by those belonging to the Pioneer batches who retired before 2007 from the services of Steel Authority of India Ltd, a PSU under the Ministry of Steel, and who are all around 70 years old and above- many amongst us are 75/80 years and above.
We regret to say that we have not been heard by SAIL or the concerned department of the Government though we have been sending our representations individually as well as through various Unit forums for the last five years. Ever increasing cost of living and the higher cost of healthcare due to old age aggravates our miseries and some of our members are forced to commit suicide.
It is quite unfortunate for us that the present generation of Directors who are at the helm of affairs of SAIL had not witnessed the struggle, pain & strain undergone during 1950s & 60s by Pioneer & Early SAIL Retirees when they successfully laid the foundation of the Industrial Revolution for Steel making in India while leading an unsafe life in the unfriendly green-field locations.
Due to basic changes in post-retirement benefit policy for CPSE employees SAIL retirees are grouped as pre-2007 and post-2007 categories. This letter refers to the destitute living conditions of the former for whom the 2nd Pay Revision Committee for PSUs recommended welfare benefits from a corpus created out of 1.5% of the Profit before Tax (PBT) from 1.1.2007 for the pre-2007 retirees. GOI issued necessary directions to all PSUs for its implementation. Oil companies and few other PSUs have already implemented the same whereas SAIL continues to ignore the Government order and leave us to face more and more miseries.
There is no visible reason for SAIL’s inaction and negative approach towards this issue because SAIL has been earning profit for more than 15 years and it is now a Maharatna company by virtue of its financial strength & its contribution to development of the country in various aspects.
In view of the fact that most of our members are in their twilight years the above scheme implemented under the Government advice will be a small time affair. SAIL will not require budgetary support for implementing the suggested scheme for their Early Retirees.
Government permission, as requested in our earlier letter, to transfer the unclaimed amount of Provident Fund deposits with SAIL to the proposed corpus may enhance the much needed financial benefits to the retirees.
We would also like to bring to your kind notice that SAIL or Government did not think for the need of a Pension scheme for hard working Steel makers of SAIL whereas many other PSUs and Banks formulated and implemented the pension scheme at later dates in their organization which takes into account the regular increase in even Dearness Allowances.
We are confident that with your positive approach to solve the problems of common man and quick decision making we will get some results sooner than later.
We request you to kindly spare about 20-25 minutes of your valuable time to listen to our stories of continued apathetic attitude of SAIL as also by the Government. In case it is not possible, we request you to please advise SAIL through the Hon’ble Union Minister of Steel to implement the Government advice given to SAIL, through various OMs, on the same lines as Oil companies have done for their employees, preferably in consultation with our Working Committee to help us get rid of our miseries.
With kind regards,

Yours sincerely,

(V.N.Sharma)
Chairman
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SPEEDPOST
No. FORSE/ PM/ 0114
June 06, 2014
Sri Narendra Modi,
Prime Minister of India,
South Block Office, Raisina Hill, 
New Delhi-110011
            Sub: Request for creation of schemes for Pioneer & Early SAIL Retirees in distress.
Hon’ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi Ji,
Kindly accept our heartiest congratulations on your taking over as the Prime Minister of India. We are sure our Bharat Mata will successfully be scaling newer heights, in the years to come, under your strong and able leadership.
1.  We, the Pioneer & Early Retired Employees of SAIL and Public Sector Steel industries, retired before 2007 ie before implementation of 2nd Pay Revision for CPSEs, are in distressed condition.
2.  Majority of these early retirees are those who had joined in 1950s & 60s in green-field steel plants which were being established in remote & under/non-developed areas under the 1st industrial revolution of the Indian Republic. The steel plants are now under SAIL, a Navaratna company
3.  PROBLEMS.
(i) These pioneer retirees are now in the age group of 70s & 80s having retired in 1980s, 90s & before 2007. They are not covered by any pension scheme except EPS-95 for some post-95 retirees getting hardly around 1000/-.
(ii) Those who retired before 1998 (before implementation of 1st Pay Revision for CPSEs) at the age of 58 years. They were deprived of the earnings for two years & accumulation of CPF which would have multiplied in the last two years.
(iii) They retired in 80s, early 90s with a meagre sum of about Rs.90,000 by those in junior positions and about Rs. Three to Four lakhs by those in senior positions. Those who retired in late nineties from senior positions in SAIL or Steel PSUs got an amount around Rs. Five to Seven Lakhs.
(iv) They are struggling to make both ends meet with meager returns of 9% on the retirement benefits they received then. Apart from this, the medical expenses due to age-related problems at the age of 70s & 80s beyond the reimbursable limit (which is meager) is adding to their burden.

(v) Quoting from Journey of a Steel Man (p. 29) by Late Dr. P.L. Agrawal, one of the former Chairmen of SAIL” my total accumulated money from SAIL on the account amounted to Rs. 3 lacs including Provident Fund (normal and voluntary contribution) and gratuity after 28 years’ service in October, 1984, …….God had been kind to me.”
(v)   SCOPE, the pivotal organisation of PSUs, have also communicated to Govt vide their letter No: SCOPE-2011/DG/2278 dated Feb 21, 2011 their views including the need to take care of these retirees who do not get pension.
(vi)  After several rounds of discussion and debate by 2nd Pay Revision Committee for CPSEs with Association of retirees, group of retirees, SCOPE, various Ministries and CPSEs it gave a recommendation & DPE issued various OMs to give effect to the recommendations including those dated 08th July 2009 and 20th July 2011 to CPSEs for ‘creation of a corpus for retired employees of SAIL with 1.5% of the PBT to take care of those retired before 2007.
(vii)  SAIL refused to accept and implement the DPE OMs. In stead it has repeatedly been harping, including in the letters dated 3rd and 9th May 2014 through CPGRMS, on the long prevailing retirement and mediclaim benenefits given to its retired employees which has nothing to do with the OMs of DPE because they existed since the existance of SAIL.
(viii). Mediclaim. Every Retired Employee pays a part of the subscription for his Mediclaim Insurance. But the terms and conditions are decided by SAIL and the Insurance Company without involving the Retired Employees or their representatives in the negotiation, leading to an extremely negative terms and conditions of the Mediclaim policy under the agreement between SAIL and the Insurance company, like the low amount of coverage for both OPD and hospitalisation, and various tests, list of Cappings, important exclusions etc,, leading to misery though SAIL boast of its Healthcare mechanism for the retired employees. In reality it is a bad policy out and out and aged persons have to spend a lot out of their pockets.
(ix) All our communications to SAIL for a meeting to discuss the issues of post-retirement benefits including the enhancement in coverage and services under mediclaim insurance have met with a dead wall in last 5 years. No response, no acknowledgement is the end result.
4.            SOLUTIONS
(i)    Such Retired SAIL Employees, perhaps a miniscule minority numbering in just over a lakh. They do not have the monetary strength or vitality to fight for redressal.
(ii) SAIL can easily create a corpus from PBT as suggested and by other means and this corpus will not be required perennially as these retirees are in twilight of their life being in 70s & 80s and will vanish gradually. The OMs are to be considered by SAIL as the commitment of the Govt. for the well - being of the Retired employee and senior citizens
(iii)   The contributions, foundation laid & hard work rendered by the pioneer retirees with no facilities in those remote areas have also helped SAIL to reach the level of Navaratna company. Since it has been earning profit since long based on which it is Navaratna now, funds is not a constraint. Unfortunately, the present set of top management cannot appreciate the contribution of these elders. All Oil companies, have introduced schemes.
5. OUR APPEAL
A.  In view of the above, we submit the following suggestions for your kind consideration and acceptance.
a) To advise SAIL to formulate and implement schemes for various types of relief to the Retirees and their spouse in line with the Govt. advice given in the form of DPE OMs for ‘creation of a corpus for retired employees of SAIL with 1.5% of the PBT’.
b) To permit SAIL to raise the limit in the OMs of DPE from 1.5% to 3% for formulating better schemes.
c) To permit SAIL to transfer unclaimed money available with the PF Trusts of SAIL Plants and Units to the proposed corpus.
d) 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.
e) To advise SAIL to improve the Mediclaim policy with no sharing of the subscription by the Retired Employee, treat Retired Employees with or without mediclaim coverage at par with the working employees on Healthcare programmes and 100 % coverage like Oil sector companies do for their Retired employees.
B.  Government of India may urgently consider the following during the budget preparation (2014-15) and the years thereafter to help increase the financial income/ flow to SAIL retirees:
i.   Increase in the interest rate on Fixed Bank deposits for the Retirees.
ii. Transfer of unclaimed PF money lying with the Govt. to the PSUs for creation of corpus as stated above vide OMs of DPE for the Retirees.
iii. Action to enhance the facilities for Senior Citizens in Hospitals, transport, public utility services by incorporating newer policies.
We hope to have explained the basics of the issues quite clearly yet we feel a meeting may be necessary to expedite action and getting your favourable decision on the problems facing the SAIL retirees. We will be pleased to provide any further details/ data required. It would not be out of place to reiterate that a good number of us are in our twilight years and we are not left with sufficient time to wait and watch for the policy formulation and implementation with ease. A response by e-mail or Phone will help us a lot.
With regards, 

Yours sincerely,


(V.N.Sharma)
Chairman
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