NATIONAL ORGANISATION OF INSURANCE PENSIONERS
Regn No.PN 4769 (Regd under Indian T U Act, 1926)
(Affiliated to Bharateeya Mazdoor Sangh)
BMS Office, Vishwakarma Bhavan, 185, Shaniwar Peth, Pune 411030.
President: T.C. Gunesh Kumar Working President: Vilas V. Purkar General Secretary: Ashok J. Joshi
Mob No: 9880683639 Mob No: 9922166599 Mob No: 9561084182 & 9945104570
Date: 02-03-2023
Circular No 09/2023
NOIP ZINDABAD- BMS ZINDABAD
To All The Members
It was the most satisfying day today for NOIP (BMS). The undersigned and Shri.U.C.Mohanty, VP, NOIP
were camping in Delhi since 28-02-2023 to meet the DFS officials, especially Shri. Vivek Joshiji, Secretary,
DFS. It was a tough task since DFS officials and BMS are fully busy in arranging of F-20, W-20 and L-20
respectively. BMS top leaders are camping in Delhi for planning the L-20 arrangements. For 3 days NOIP
team ably supported by our Delhi office-bearers made innumerable visits to DFS office and BMS Central
Office to arrange for the appointment with DFS. We insisted on the BMS leadership that appointment
with DFS officials should be arranged on any day from 1st to 5th March, since we have camped in Delhi
from 28th February and up to 5th March. Frustration has set in because of inordinate delay in the
notification of family pension, I pleaded with the BMS leadership. Despite his busiest schedule,
Shri.B.Surendran ji, All India Organising Secretary, BMS, took some time in between and phoned to FMO
(Finance Minister’s Office) and requested for appointment with the Joint Secretary, Insurance. (Since
Secretary, DFS and Addl Secretary, DFS were busy in meetings of parliamentary committee etc). Under
instructions from FMO, immediately meeting was scheduled at 5 pm today. Since Shri.Surendranji was
extremely busy and Shri.Girish Aryaji was absent due to illness, NOIP team led by the undersigned and
consisting S/Shri.U.C.Mohanty, VP, NOIP, Bhubaneshwar, S.K.Saini, VP,NOIP, Delhi & M.P.Chauhan,
President, NOIP Delhi unit went to DFS. Prior to that the team had a courtesy meeting for half an hour
with Smt.Richaa Kapoor, Chief (Liaison) (ZM), who is a liaising officer between LIC & DFS.
We entered the chamber of Shri. Saurabh Mishra ji, Joint Secretary, Insurance at 5-15 pm. Since the
meeting was scheduled under the instructions from FMO, our team was given a respectful welcome by
Shri.Mishra ji and his Deputies, Shri.Jagajit Kumar, Director, Insurance and Shri.Vinod Kumar, Under
Secretary, Insurance.
Immediately discussions ensued, pointwise in detail about each point; and perhaps this is the first time
that all the 8 pension related issues were ever discussed in such minutest details by any pensioners’
union in LIC. The sole credit goes to NOIP and BMS that the issues were discussed in all details. We felt
so happy that Shri.Mishraji evinced a lot of interest in knowing certain unknown facts regarding some of
the issues. Entire team gave a patient hearing and Shri.Mishraji elaborately discussed all the issues
taking us into full confidence, which made us feel comfortable and satisfied. Though we feel it not
necessary to share all that transpired, we give here below the main gist point wise, to make it clearer.
Please refer to the letter dtd 25-02-2023 addressed to the FM Smt. Nirmala Sitharamanji (enclosed here
with) for pointwise deliberation.
1) Revision of pension with every wage revision- We gave all the details as to how non revision
has created the greatest anomaly and submitted the anomaly chart for all cadres as on 01-02-
2023. Though Mishraji acknowledged the fact, he was reluctant to commit anything in this
regard. He further revealed that the Finance Secretary, Shri.T.V.Somanathan , a master on the
subject, has been entrusted with the work of conducting in depth study of the whole pension
system in the country, encompassing the entire work force and to come out with a detailed
research paper. Unless this study is completed, the govt would not commit anything in this
matter, he averred. He also suggested us to watch Shri.Somanathan’s UTube videos on the
subject, saying they would give us a lot of insight.
2) Revision of family pension- This was discussed for about 15 minutes. He confirmed that though
the LIC has replied to their queries, they were not supported by mathematical figures.
Shri.Mishraji requested us to furnish some mathematical calculations from our side. We pointed
out as to how the spouse of our ex-Chairman is getting a paltry family pension (basic family
pension) of Rs.2600+. We also appreciated the steps taken by the Modi govt to help the women
of our country and requested to improve the quantum of family pension to 30% of last pay
drawn. We also explained as to how the pension funding is made by the LIC- “LIC is purchasing a
single premium immediate annuity policy from its P&GS unit and as such, LIC has to eke out a
very large sum at once per each retiring person. This information appeared to be unknown to
them and Shri.Mishraji advised his Deputies to note this fact. We further said that the LIC has
made it out to be a big outgo if pension updation is given, through their affidavit to the SC in our
pension case. Same thing applies to the family pension enhancement. Whereas in Banks, the
pension is paid out of the pooled pension fund. It is also argued by the retirees’ unions of banks
that the interest earned every year would take care of, even if the pension updation is given.”
Hence, we appealed to immediately notify the family pension enhancement without any further
delay, saying it is pending since more than 3 years at DFS. We hinted retrospective effect from
2019. Shri. Mishraji was highly positive and for our query whether family pensioners would get a
Holi gift, he laughed and said that it would be notified at the earliest and also did not spell out
the effective date. We got an inkling that the notification may come through anytime during this
month itself. We hope for the best.
3) Computation of basic pension- We discussed in detail this anomaly which is adversely affecting
those retirees who retire during the wage revision period and requested to adopt the system
revised during the 6th Pay Commission. Mishraji got it confirmed from the Under Secretary and
advised the latter to note it for further consideration about the feasibility.
4) Enhanced pension to senior pensioners of age 80+ - Here again, the mathematical implication
was referred by them and neither he rejected our demand nor was emphatic about granting.
Ultimately anything may happen, we felt. Let us wait and see.
5) OMOP to left over persons- We discussed this issue for about 10 minutes in all its details saying
LIC has already recommended offering OMOP to less than 100 persons belonging to exservicemen and directly recruited SEs. Shri.Mishraji was highly positive on this and asked the
Under Secretary to note this. We felt assured that this would come through.
6) Full pension for service of 20 years or more- This issue was also elaborately discussed by us,
though LIC has not recommended. We gave the example of ex-servicemen, SC/ST/OBC employees recruited at higher ages, Agents recruited as Development Officers, persons
recruited with specialized qualification such as Actuaries, CAs, Cost Accountants, directly
recruited SEs etc. We also appreciated PM Shri.Modiji’s concern for the defence personnel and
appealed to consider full pension for the service of 20 years or more. We also quoted RBI’s
notification of granting this in 2013 and also granted by the 6
th Pay Commission long back. The
point was appealing to the Joint Secretary and he instructed his Deputy to make a note of it.
Since LIC has not recommended this, more efforts at the LIC level too, would have to be made,
we feel.
7) OMOP to those PF Optee retirees of aged less than 55 years- None had brought this anomaly to
the notice of DFS, though we have written several letters about it to DFS. The atrocious
provision in the Staff Rules ever since 1960, stipulates that one who takes VRS before reaching
the age 55, it is treated as resignation. It is paradoxical to note that the Pension rules provide for
pension for a minimum service of 20 years and more. Hence to a few such employees who are
mostly ladies, OMOP was not offered in 2019. We requested to offer them too, the OMOP since
they have put in 20-36 years of service. Shri.Mishraji instructed his Deputies to examine this.
8) Increased family pension in case pensioner/employee dies before age 67- We demanded
double the family pension for 7 years or up to age 67, whichever is earlier. Shri.Mishraji was
highly positive on this.
This is the first time that such a detailed discussion was held on all the 8 pension related issues
pending at DFS for more than an hour.
It is our fond hope that item Nos 2, 4, 5 and 8 may get resolved satisfactorily at the earliest. And
NOIP, thereafter would follow up vigorously the remaining 4 items with the help of BMS Central
Office.
We once again thank Shri.B.Surendranji for his timely intervention to get the appointment.
We wish a Happy Holi to one and all.
With greetings,
Encl: As above
Yours Brotherly,
General Secretary
