DA/DR Merger : 7th CPC did
not agree to discuss the issue in the preliminary meeting held on 23.7.2014 -
BPS
7th Pay Commission did not agree to discuss the important issue of
DA/DR Merger in the preliminary meeting held on 23rd July 2014.
Brief feedback on BPS
Preliminary meeting with 7th CPC on 23rd July 2014
Friends,
BPS and BCPC were the first Pensioners’ organizations to be called
for preliminary meeting with 7th CPC on 23rd to discuss the reply to
questionnaire, the Memorandum & the allied issue submitted by them. Only 45
minutes were given to each organization. S.C.Maheshwari G.S. BPS /Chairman BCPC
had the opportunity to discuss the issues from both the Forums:
Following issues were discussed & explained to the full
satisfaction of the Chairman & the members of 7th CPC who were very
receptive, patient & themselves actively participated in deliberations
which ensued.
At the end Chairman remarked that NC JCM Memorandum is very
exhaustive, includes most of the issues raised today & that he will take it
as a base for consideration. 1.New Pension Scheme: Response of commission was
negative. Commission was apprised of the back ground, its failure in other
countries & the fate of EPS 95.They were also informed that it will be
acceptable if 50% of last drawn is ensured.
2.Reasonable ratio to be maintained between maximum & minimum
salary & Pension and adoption & adoption of common multiplication
factor for revision
3.Ratio between maximum & minimum paid to be 5:1 for Defense
Personnel and re-employment of ex servicemen as well as raising status of
defense civilian pensioners to ex servicemen.
4.Inclusion of full DA in emoluments for calculating Pension.
There was a very lively discussion on the issue in which the entire penal of
7th CPC participated & cross examined Secy. Genl BPS. Finally they agreed
to BPS point of view.
5.100% neutralization of inflation : It was explained to
the Commission that 100% neutralization is illusionary and DA is not
sufficient, as the very system of calculation is faulty & unrealistic,
6. Payment additional pension to start from the age of 65 years.
Chairman agreed that age of 100 years for Pensioners was illusionary.
7. Parity in Pensions :It was explained to the commission
that full parity exists for High Court Supreme Court Judges, Govt. has agreed
to OROP in case of Defence pensioners & Sr Bureaucrats (S32 & above )
have achieved it through modified parity formula of 6th CPC but for others who
too are citizens of same category & same country even the formula for
parity given by 5th CPC & accepted by Govt. is not being honored.
8. Pension to BSNL pensioners. It was submitted that since
they are governed by CCS(Pension) Rules 1972. They be treated at par with
C.G.Pensioners for the purpose of revision of Pension, Chairman advised to
submit separate Memorandum
9. Discrimination in medical facilities to pensioners of Postal
department & merger of 33 Postal dispensaries with CGHS.
10. Medical facilities. To Pensioners following issues
raised in BPS memorandum were discussed in detail & the Chairman was
agreeable to BPS views. (i) “Health is not a luxury” and “not be the sole possession
of a privileged few”. It is a Fundamental justify of all present & past
Employees! To ensure hassle free health care facility to Pensioners/family
pensioners, Smart Cards be issued irrespective of departments to all Pensioners
and their Dependents for cashless medical facilities across the country. These
smart cards should be valid in
• all Govt. hospitals
• all NABH accredited Multi Super Specialty hospitals across the
country which have been allotted land at concessional rate or given any aid or concession
by the Central or the State govt.
• all CGHS, RELHS & ECHS empanelled hospitals across the
country.
Medical attendants. For
reimbursement of bills for treatment & for hospitalization . No referral
should be insisted in case of medical emergencies. For the purpose of reference
for hospitalization & reimbursement of expenditure thereon in other than
emergency cases Doctors/Medical officers working in different Central/State
Govt. department dispensaries/health units should be recognized as Authorized
medical attendant.
The enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health is
recognized as a fundamental justify of all workers in terms of Article 21 read
with Article 39for a, 41, 43, 48A and all related Articles as pronounced by the
Supreme Court in Consumer Education and Research Centre & Others vs Union
of India (AIR 1995 Supreme Court 922) The Supreme court has held that the
justify to health to a worker is an integral facet of meaningful justify to
life to have not only a meaningful existence but also robust health and
vigour.
Therefore, the justify to health, medical aid to protect the
health and vigour of a worker while in service or post retirement is a
fundamental justify-to make life of a worker meaningful and purposeful with
dignity of person. Thus health care is not only a welfare measure but is a
Fundamental justify. We suggest that, all the pensioners, irrespective of
pre-retiral class and status, be treated as same category of citizens and the
same homogenous group. There should be no class or category based
discrimination and all must be provided Health care services at par .
(ii). Hospital Regulatory Authority: To ensure that the
hospitals do not avoid providing reasonable care to smart card holders and
other poor citizens, a Hospital Regulatory Authority should be created to bring
all NABH-accredited hospitals and NABL-accredited diagnostic Labs under its
constant monitoring of quality, rates for different procedures & timely
bill payments by Govt. agencies and Insurance companies. CGHS rates may be
revised keeping in mind the workability as per market conditions.
(iii). Fixed Medical allowance (FMA): As is recorded
in Para 5 of the minutes of Committee of Secretaries (COS) held on 15.04.2010
(Reference Cabinet Secretariat, Rashtrapati Bhavan No 502/2/3/2010-C.A.V Doc
No. CD (C.A.V) 42/2010 Minutes of COS meeting dated 15.4.2010) which discussed
enhancement of FMA. “CGHS card estimates for serving Personnel: Since estimates
are not available separately for pensioners M/O Health & Family Welfare had
assessed the total cost per card p.a. in 2007-2008 = Rs 16435 i.e. Rs.1369 per
month for OPD”.
Adding to it inflation, the figure today is well over Rs 2000/-
PM. Ministry of Labour & Employment, Govt. of India vide its letter no. G-25012/2/2011-SSI
dated 07.06.2013 has already enhanced FMA to Rs 2000/- PM for EPFO
beneficiaries. Thus, to help elderly pensioners to look after their health,
Adequate raise in FMA will encourage a good number of pensioners to opt out of
OPD facility which will reduce overcrowding in hospitals. OPD through Insurance
will cost much more to the Govt. As such the proposal for raising Fixed Medical
allowance to Pensioners is fully justified and is financially viable.
We suggest that FMA for all C.G. Pensioners be raised to at least
Rs 2000/- PM without any distance restriction linking it to Dearness Relief for
automatic further increase. We further suggest that FMA be exempted from INCOME
TAX. Fixed Medical Allowance (FMA) is a compensatory allowance to reimburse the
medical expenses. As Medical Reimbursement is not taxable, FMA should also be
exempted from Income Tax.
11. DA /DR merger commission did not agree to discuss the issue as
it is not covered byTOR
12.Interim relief Commission response did not appeared to be very
positive on our stressing the issue they said they will look into.
13. 6th CPC anomalies. Chairman asked for submission of detailed
list through supplementary memorandum.
14.Plight of those born on 1.1.1938/46: Commission said, they will
look into.
15. Plight of those retiring on 30June Commission said, they will
look into.
16. Restoration of Commutation in 12 years: commission said thy
will look into the details provided.
17. Grievance redressed. Chairman was critical of the functioning of
the system already existing & remarked “ you will not be benefited. Court
is the only alternative”
Friends, BPS has done its duty well, issues raised by us has
received due attention from NCJCM as well as the 7th CPC.
S.C.Maheshwari
Secy Genl BPS
Source: www.scm-bps.blogspot.in
[http://scm-bps.blogspot.in/2014/07/brief-feedback-on-bps-preliminary.html]
