Minutes of the Meeting, Election Results and Press Clippings

April 10, 2016

Minutes Of The 5^th Apex Council Meeting Held at Ramgarh on 09^th and 10^th April 2016.

1.      As decided in the 4^th Apex Council meeting of FORSE held at Bhadravati on 26^th and 27^th September 2015 the 5^th Apex Council meeting was convened at Ramgarh on 09^TH and 10^TH April 2016. Delegates from respective unit associations of retirees of SAIL from Bhadravati (Karnataka), Bokaro, Burnpur, Kerala, Kolkata, Ramgarh, Ranchi and Salem participated in the meeting as per the list attached (Annexure-I). Over two dozen Observers and Invitees from different SAIL units also attended the meeting

2.      Inaugural session started with welcome of the delegates and guests by Sri Emmanuel  Kuzur, Convenor of the Organising Committee. It was followed by an introduction of Ramgarh city incl. the importance of IFICO and other Units of SAIL Refractory Units located there by Sri Kuzur. The delegates and guests gave a self-introduction.

3.      Dr.V.N.Sharma, Chairman, FORSE, presided over all the sessions. In his opening remarks while welcoming the delegates, he thanked the SAIL Ex-Employees Association, SRU, Ramgarh Unit for hosting the Apex Council Meeting of FORSE in a befitting manner and dealt with the aims and objects of FORSE vis-à-vis the role played by FORSE in ventilating the acute and outrageous problems of the retirees of SAIL, exhorted to fight all such issues in consolidated and uniform manner.

4.      He also mentioned his informal but scheduled meeting with Sri Shitanshu Prasad, ED (P&A, Corp Office) on 1^st Feb at MTI, Ranchi. He further informed the house that in spite of the assurances given by Sri Prasad to revert back to us within a month or so no progress was made even after a lapse of over two months. It was natural to interpret this as an indicator of lack of sensitivity of the Company towards its retired employees.

5.      The MOM of the 04^th Apex Council Meeting held at Bhadravati, as circulated through e-mail and posted for the record, in the link http://sailex.blogspot.in/2015/10/minutes-of-apex-council-meeting-at.html was accepted as approved and passed by a voice vote.

6.      Sri Abhay Kumar Das, GS also dealt in detail with the position regarding action taken so far by FORSE on the resolution taken in Bhadravati. He confirmed the Registration of FORSE under SR Act.

7.      Audited Accounts: Due to unavoidable circumstances created by accident of the Treasurer the audited account could not be presented. In his absence the GS presented a provisional statement of Accounts (Annexure II). It was decided to request Sri Abhay Kumar Das, the GS, to get it audited within a fortnight by a qualified auditor on payment of Honorarium not exceeding Rs. One thousand and send a copy of the Audited Account to all Apex Council Members immediately.  

8.      During the discussion it was brought to the notice of the house that many units are defaulters in paying Affiliation fee and Annual subscription which can be seen in the following list. Chairman requested all the Member Associations to clear the pending subscriptions immediately. He also suggested to the Units to raise funds by collecting donations, if possible.

List of Member Associations who have paid the Affiliation Fee

S.No.	Name of the Unit	Paid, Rs.
1	Association of SAIL Calcutta Superannuated Employees, Kolkata	5000.00
2	SAIL Ex-Employees Association, Ranchi	5000.00
3	RSP Retired Employees Association, Rourkela	5000.00
4	VREWC, Bhadravati	5000.00
5	SEEA, Kerala	5000.00
6	BSP Ex-Officers’ Association, Bhilai	5000.00
7	Bokaro Steel REA	5000.00
8	SAIL-Salem Steel Plant Ex-Employees Welfare Assn (Paid on 09/04/16)	5000.00
List of Member Associations who have paid Annual Fee		2014-15	2015-16	2016-17
1	Association of SAIL Calcutta Superannuated Employees, Kolkata	5000.00	5000.00
2	SAIL Ex-Employees Association, Ranchi	5000.00	5000.00
3.	VREWC, Bhadravati	5000.00
4	RSP Retired Employees Association, Rourkela	5000.00
5	SAIL-Salem Steel Plant Ex-Employees Welfare Assn(Paid on 09/04/16)		5000.00

9.      Discussion on Issues before SAIL Retirees: Respective Member Associations gave a feedback about their activities and put forth their proposals for discussion. The viewpoints of all the Associations were deliberated in detail as per Annexure I of the Agenda in the link http://tinyurl.com/FORSE-Agenda and the final outcome are summarized as follows.                                                                                                                                   

(i)   General and direct financial benefit issues:

 (a)   To formulate schemes for monetary help in any form to those retired on or before 31^st December, 2006 (Pre-2007 Retirees) in form of monthly payment 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.

(b)  To finalise and implement Pension Scheme for those retired on or after 1st January, 2007 (post-2006 Retirees) as early as possible (particularly in view of the fact the the RINL has aalready implimentated).

(c)   To recognize FORSE as the representative body of SAIL Retirees and organize SAIL-FORSE Apex Council meetings at least twice in a year or more if the situation so warrants.  (ONGC follows this practice of regular meetings with their retirees’ representatives).

(d) FORSE representatives to be formally involved in all stages of negotiations/discussions with the Insurance Co./TPA etc. during finalization of SAIL Mediclaim Policy/Guidbood.

(e)   To create a Nodal Office for SAIL Retriees at SAIL Corp.Office and Plant Unit levels to assist Retirees.

(f)      SAIL to discuss the issues related to Retirees only with FORSE representatives (not with any other organisations).

(g)     SAIL to provide office space in Kolkata.

(h)     Leasing of Houses in Steel Plant/Unit Township to ex-employees and their family members.

(h)  Withdrawal of all decisions discriminating between executives and non-executives

(ii)    Improvement in Healthcare facilities like better Healthcare system, automatic renewal, increased coverage of Hospitalization and outdoor treatment etc. as  detailed in Annexure II of the Agenda in the link http://tinyurl.com/FORSE-Agenda The Council expressed strong resentment over present mediclaim scheme of SAIL which is drawn every year with substantial contribution by SAIL retirees towards overall premium which have failed to meet the basic medical needs to large extent of ageing members due to various restrictive and exclusion clauses with ceiling in reimbursement and maladministration of the TPA, the facilities available being much better in other similar PSUs.

(iii)  Release of payment of arrears to retired employees of IISCO and SRU and mediclaim facility coverage to the retirees of VISL (upto 2004) to be done on urgent basis.

10.    Drastic cut by the Govt of India in the interest on deposits for Sr. Citizens like Sr. Citizens Savings Scheme, MIS and PPF etc. and reduction in the rates of interests on deposits in banks are also identified as some of the causes of poor quality of life of the SAIL Retirees in the absence of pension or any other regular income. Such a pitiable situation led to popping off of a few under tragic circumstances at the fag end of their life. It was seriously discussed and debated and the Council observed this to be a retrograde step by the Govt. against its Senior Citizens incl. SAIL Retirees.It was observed to be all against the ideals of the Govt as spelt out in the Govt portals for Senior Citizen which also appears to have been scrapped without really doing itanything positive formally. The Council demanded from the Govt. 11% interest on deposits, esp. meant for Sr. Citizens who are without pension, with provision for tax free exemption for income up to Rs. 6 lakhs, regular revision against the price rise of essential commodities as done for Govt pensioners. 

11.  ACTION PLAN : During the discussion it was concluded that the hopes of the SAIL Retirees, banking on the new SAIL Management, was totally belied as SAIL did not show any interest in resolving the long pending issues detailed above. In view of the financially distressed condition of SAIL Retirees leading to a life in privation and the agony and with ignominy they have to live with, the Apex Council chalked out a detailed plan of action due to lack of interest and initiative by SAIL to resolve the standing issues to meet the SAIL Retirees expectations. In view of this it was decided to implement the following Action Plan in all Units with all seriousness.

1. Pasting posters and banners in the Steel Townships on weekly and fortnightly basis.
2. 20^th June, 2016 : Rally to be organized in each Plant/Unit  
3. 21^st June, 2016: Dharna in front of or near the main building of the Plant/Office .
4. 4^th August, 2016: Human chain formation will be organized in each Plant/Unit Township between 12.00 noon & 2.00 PM .
5. 5^th August, 2016: Dharna/Demonstration will be organized in front of the main building of the Plant/Unit.
6. November, 2016 after Puja & Chhath festival: In case the above fails to get a positive response from SAIL a massive Dharna and Demonstration will be organized in front of SAIL office, New Delhi. 

12.         The Council discussed and decided/ clarified the following related to organisational matters for its smooth functioning.

        I.            Duration of the Apex Council: The issue was discussed quite in detail as different Units were found to be following different terms/ duration for their Council. It was felt important and quite necessary to synchronise the term of Council and the date of election of Unit Associations with those of FORSE, as after the formation of new Council of FORSE with nominees of Unit, it will create impasse and be embarrassing as well if midway, Unit recalls its nominee just because of defeat in the election or for any other reason. Once Unit sends its nominee and he holds a position, under normal circumstances he should be allowed to continue for the full term of two years in FORSE as per the constitution of FORSE and decision of Apex Council so long his any act is not deemed unconstitutional or detrimental to the interest of the organisations. This will avoid any discord in the functioning of the Council.

At the end of it all, the unanimous view of the Council was that without any ambiguity the duration of Apex Council will remain as two years as provided for in its by-laws from even year to alternate even year like 2014-16, 2016-18…... Member Associations who have different duration like 3 years, 5 years etc will fail to match with the FORSE Apex Council in alternate years. This may result in destabilisation of FORSE. In view of this, it was decided to advise the Member Associations to make appropriate changes in their duration and schedule of elections to even years like 2, 4, 6 years coinciding with FORSE and complete the elections by month of March of every Election year.

     II.            Affiliation and Annual Fees: It was discussed at length, and taking care of all aspects of its functioning, it was decided unanimously that the Affiliation Fees of Rs. 5000/-(at the time of affiliation and Annual Fees of Rs. 5000/- every year as provided for in the FORSE by-laws stands and no change is desirable. Council Members of Unit Associations were also advised to raise funds by collecting donations etc. in addition to membership fees.

   III.            The election and assumption of Office by the new Executive Body: Sri Jayant Bose ex-employee of IFICO, Ramgarh and a member of SEEA, Ranchi, SRU Ramgarh Unit was nominated, with express consent of the Council Members present, as Election Officer to conduct the election of Office bearers. He announced the procedure and got it approved by the Council. Thereafter, he asked for the nomination of candidates post-wise. The following Office bearers were declared elected unanimously 

                                  i.          

                i      Newly elected members of the Executive Body who were present took over charge of Office with immediate effect that is April 10, 2016 afternoon after the Election Results were announced.

                               ii.          Since the newly elected General Secretary and the outgoing Treasurer were not present it was decided to request the outgoing GS to hand over the charge to the newly elected GS, Sri Chitta Ranjan Das, at Rourkela as quickly as possible. 

                             iii.          Pursuant to the above decision regarding Audited Account GS was also advised to ask the outgoing Treasurer to hand over all documents including Cash Book, Cheque Book, Pass Book, Audited Account etc in original to the new Treasurer within a Fortnight.

                             iv.         The Apex Council also resolved that as per provision in the Article VI (d) of the Constitution and Bye-laws the Federation Account in Punjab National Bank at Rourkela be operated henceforth by any of the two signatories out of the newly elected office bearers namely Chairman, General Secretary and Treasurer.

                                v.          The concerned Office bearers were advised to take immediate steps to smoothly transfer the operation of Bank Account of FORSE.

IV Submission of Annual Report: It was also decided that the GS will submit a Report with all relevant documents to the Registrar of Societies at Sundergarh as required under the SR Act within a month. Since GS was not present he should be communicated the decision by FORSE Chairman

V  Advice to Member Associations:

a)        In view of the fact that FORSE is a Federation of Retired Employees the names of all Member Associations must include the word ‘Ex-Employees’ or ‘Retired Employees’ and indicate that it is for all employees irrespective of their designation at the time of retirement/ superannuation. It is clarified that the name of the Society or the body text of the by-laws must not contain Officers, Executives or Non-Executives kind of words.

b)       The Units must follow all the policy guidelines, directives and programmes and decisions of the FORSE Apex Council including Agitational Action Plans and must take care to avoid any decision at local Unit level which contradicts, coincides or interferes with those declared by FORSE. However, they should feel free to take up the issues at local level in the interest of the retirees and to write letters to SAIL or Govt endorsing the stand taken by FORSE.

c)        They must register with Registrar of Societies as an independent organisation immediately if they have not done so already.

d)       They must pay the Affiliation and Annual Fees whichever is due as soon as possible but within the time limit prescribed in the FORSE By-laws.

VI      Next Apex Council Meeting: It was decided to hold the next meeting in Sept 2016 in South preferably at Salem. However, Salem representatives agreed to confirm after their EC meeting.

1.             VOTE OF THANKS :

(I)  On behalf of all the delegates of the Apex Council and on his own behalf Dr. V.N.Sharma, Chairman rose to thank Sri Abhay Kumar Das, the outgoing GS for his yeoman service in the formation and stabilization of FORSE in adverse circumstances.  He designated him as real Founder of the Federation and hoped to continue to get his support and guidance for a minimum of next two years as ex-officio member of the Council. Members present gave a big hand to Sri Abhay Das.

(II)    He also thanked the whole SRU/ IFICO Team led by Sri E. Kuzur, A.N. Sahay and Sri J.Bose for the flawless arrangement made by them for their wonderful hospitality to the delegates. He also thanked all those involved in making excellent arrangements boarding, lodging and transportation of the delegates

The meeting ended with a vote of thanks to the Chair

(V.N.Sharma)

Chairman

Annexure-I

List of Participants to the Apex Council Meeting

Assn. of SAIL Calcutta Superannuated Employees

·         Sri S.K. Ghosh

·         Sri Debasish Chaudhuri

·         Sri Jayanta Kr. Kundu

·         Sri Dipak Brajabasi

·         Sri Madan Mohan Sarkar

Bokaro Steel Retired Employees Assn

·         Sri R.A. Singh

·         Sri M.P. Singh

·         Sri C.D. Sharma

·         Bharat Narayan Singh

RSP Retired Employee Assn, Rourkela

·         Sri Abhay Kumar Das

SAIL Ex-Employees Assn., Kerala

·         Sri N. Kavirajan

SAIL Ex-Employees Assn., Ranchi

·         Dr.V.N.Sharma

·         Sri B.N. Chaudhary

·         Sri P.K. Sinha

·         Sri Emmanuel Kuzur

·         Sri A.N.Sahay

·         Sri J.Bose

SAIL-Salem Steel Plant Ex-Employees Welfare Assn

·         Sri A. Rajrathinam

·         Sri S. Mahalingam

VISL Retired Employees Welfare Centre

·         Sri J.S.Nagabhushan

·         Sri Ravindra Reddy BK   

Note: In addition to the above, 27 Invitees and observers also attended the Apex Council meeting

Federation of Retired SAIL Employees

Apex Council Meeting @Ramgarh on April 09-10, 2016.

REGISTRATION SHEET

Annexure – II

A provisional statement of accounts showing Income and Expenditure as on April 09, 2016 provided by the GS.

Audited Account of Income and Expenditure of the Federation of Retired SAIL Employees upto March 31, 2016

सेल के अवकाशप्राप्त कर्मियों के महासंघ के सर्वोच्च परिषद की बैठक की कार्यवाही का संक्षिप्त विवरण 

महासंघ के सर्वोच्च परिषद की बैठक झारखण्ड राज्य के रामगढ नगरी में आयोजित हुई. इसमें भद्रावती (कर्नाटक), बोकारो, बर्नपुर, केरल, कलकत्ता, रामगढ,रांची, राउरकेला और सलेम में स्थित संघों के प्रतिनिधि सदस्यों ने भाग लिया। सर्वप्रथम सितम्बर माह में भद्रावती में हुए बैठक के फैसलों की समीक्षा की गयी और विचार विमर्श के दौरान परिषद इस निर्णय पर पहुंची कि सेल के सेवानिवृत कर्मियों की समस्याओं से सेल प्रबंधन ने मुंह मोड़ लिया है और अनुनय विनय की भाषा को हमारी कमजोरी मानकर कोई कदम नहीं उठा रही है। इन मुद्दों में 

(i) सामान्य एवं प्रत्यक्ष वित्तीय लाभ के मुदे:

1.  2006  की 31 दिसंबर तक के अवकाश प्राप्त कर्मियों को पांच हज़ार रुपये की राशि प्रतिमाह Ex-Gratia के रूप में देना (जैसा ONGC, BHEL, IOC इत्यादि दे रही है)

2. 2007 और उसके बाद के अवकाशप्राप्त कर्मियों को पेंशन देना जैसा कि 2009 के सरकारी आदेश में कहा गया है।  
3. सेल द्वारा FORSE को मान्यता प्रदान करना और आगे भी अवकाश प्राप्त कर्मियों के लाभ के लिए सभी फैसले FORSE की सहमति से करना। इससे सेल मेडिक्लेम सम्बंधित नीति और कार्यान्वयन भी शामिल हैं।  
4. सेल निगमित्त कार्यालय नई दिल्ली और सभी इकाइयों में अवकाशप्राप्त कर्मियों की सुविधा के लिए एक पूर्णकालिक नोडल पदाधिकारी और कार्यालय का गठन।
5. सेवानिवृत्तकर्मियों की सुविधा के लिए कलकत्ता में FORSE के कार्यालय के लिए भवन अलॉट करना।  
6. स्टील प्लांट और इकाइयों में पूर्व कर्मचारियों या उनके परिवार के सदस्यों को लीज पर मकान देना।  

7.  कार्यपालक और अकार्यपालक कर्मियों के लिए सामान फैसले करना और उनमे अंतर नहीं करना।           

 (ii) स्वास्थय सेवाओं को बेहतर बनाने की हर अपील को दरकिनार किया गया तथा स्वास्थ्य बीमा के तहत चलनेवाली स्कीम विभिन्न कारणों से लाभुकों के लिए सरदर्द बनती जा रही है।  सदस्यों  के देय अंश बढ़ते जा रहे हैं पर महंगाई में अनियंत्रित वृद्धि के बावजूद स्वास्थ्यसेवा के लाभ में वर्षों से कोई वृद्धि नहीं हुई। तिसपर थर्ड पार्टी एडमिनिस्ट्रेटर और बीमा कंपनी की अराजक कार्यशैली और समय पर बिल के भुगतान न होने से मुश्किलें और भी बढ़ गयी हैं।  

(iii) इस्को बर्नपुर एवं सेल रिफ्रैक्टरी यूनिट के सेवानिवृत कर्मियों के बकाया भुगतान तथा भद्रावती में 2004 के पहले रिटायर हुए लोगो को मेडिक्लेम स्कीम के बाहर रखने की बात समझ में नहीं आती।   

भारत सरकार द्वारा वरिष्ठ नागरिकों के लिए समर्पित वचत योजनाओं जैसे वरिष्ठ नागरिक वचत योजना (SCSS), मासिक आय योजना (MIS) एवं लोक भविष्य निधि (PPF) और बैंकों के सावधिक जमा पर मिलनेवाली व्याज दर मे भारी कटौती के कारण और पेंशन के अभाव में सेल के सेवानिवृत्तकर्मियों का जीवन स्तर निम्न से निम्नतर होता जा रहा है।  ऐसी स्थिति ने जीवन को दुखांत बना दिया है।  गम्भीर विचार विमर्श के बाद परिषद ने यह तय पाया कि सरकार का यह कदम सेल के सेवनिवृत्तकर्मियों-सह - वरिष्ठ नागरिकों के लिए अभिशाप से कम कुछ भी नहीं है। यह कदम सरकार के द्वारा प्रचारित प्रसारित वरिष्ठ नागरिकों से सम्बद्ध आदर्शों के खिलाफ है और इसमें कुछ भी सकारात्मक नहीं है।

इस स्थिति में परिषद यह मांग करती है कि वरिष्ठ नागरिकों के लिए जमा राशि पर व्याज की दर 11% से कम न रखी जाय तथा छः लाख तक की आमदनी को कर मुक्त रखा जाय।  इसके अलावा इसमें महंगाई में वृद्धि के साथ वृद्धि करने का प्रावधान शामिल हो जैसा की सरकर की सेवा  से निवृत कर्मियों के लिए उपलब्ध है।  

सर्वोच्च परिषद ने विमर्शों के निचोड़ के आधार पर यह तय पाया कि लगातार गिरती हुई क्रय शक्ति के कारण सेल के सेवनिवृत्तकर्मियों का जीवन दुःख एवं यातना से भरा हुआ है।  इसलिए ज्वलंत मुद्दों पर सेल एवं सरकार द्वारा पहल एवं रूचि नहीं दिखाने के विरोध में FORSE ने संघर्ष की योजना बनाई है।  

आंदोलन के कार्यक्रम:

a)  प्रेस तथा इस्पात नगरों में पोस्टर, बैनर के माध्यम से स्टील प्लांट और इकाइयों में इस अन्याय को प्रसारित-प्रकाशित करना।

b)  20 जून 2016 को सभी इकाइयों में रैली निकालना।

c)  21 जून 2016 को सभी इकाइयों के हेड ऑफिस के सामने धरना देना।

d)  4 अगस्त  2016 को 12 बजे दोपहर से 2 बजे दिन तक मानव श्रृंखला का निर्माण करना।

e)  5 अगस्त 2016 को सभी इकाइयों के मुख्य कार्यालय के सामने धरना देना।  

f)   अगर सेल इसके बावजूद सेवा-निवृत कर्मियों के लिए कोई ठोस कदम नहीं उठाती है तो नवंबर 2016 में पूजा और छठ के बाद सेल के निगमित कार्यालय नै दिल्ली के सामने धारणा प्रदर्शन जका कार्यक्रम किया जाएगा।  

धन्यवाद,

(वी एन शर्मा)

FORSE Report Card April 2016

Photographs of the Ramgarh Meeting

Press Clippings 10/04/2016