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Private circulation for LIC Pensioners only

( A monthly e - Magazine of LIC Retired Class I Officers’ Association, Kolkata )

Jan, 2016 ( Year - 2013 : Issue - 2, Year - 2014 : Issue – 12, Year - 2015 : Issue – 12), Year - 2016 : Issue - 1 )

Chief Editor :

Basudeb Das

Editorial Board S.K. Mazumder

A.K. Goswami

D.K. Ghosh

S.K. Ghosh

A.K. Mahato

T.K. Sanyal

S.Mukhopadhyay

IN THIS ISSUE:

Editorial…………...1

Legal News……....2

Assocn News….…10

Financial News.…14

Of Interest……..….16

Health Guide……..…17

Jokes.…………..…..19

Painting…………. 19

Pensioners’ Tour...19

Pensioners’ News….21

Readers’ Views …….21

Note……….…....….22

EDITORIAL ELDERLY PEOPLE TO KEEP FIT

The number of Indians in the 60+ age group increased from 6% to 8% of the

population during 1991-2011. They are generally taken as only consumers who do not

add to savings, investment and GDP. However, many retired professionals are

economically active. Even those who are not engaged in any professional activity look

after their household activity, eg supporting the earning members of the family by

looking after their children - their grandchildren. The value of contribution of the Sr

Citizens to the economy are not assessed in our country. In Australia it has been

estimated that the Sr Citizens contribute around $65 billion annually. Many other

countries also assess the value the contribution of the Sr Citizens to the Society. As per

HelpAge India’s report of 2014 India spends only 0.032% of GDP for the welfare of the

Sr Citizens. In our country Sr Citizens are the silent contributors to the economy. [

source: The Economic Times, Kolkata ]

It will not be wise to expect that the situation in India will change in near

future. In addition to the service provided to the family and the society at large a Sr

Citizen need some activity to satisfy himself and thereby to remain fit. Reviving or

taking up some hobbies will be rewarding for them. Those who are physically fit,

gardening is a good hobby. It does not require to have a garden for the hobby. Besides

one cannot handle a large area at this age. A balcony or the roof top or a small space

around the house, rented or owned, is enough space to start with few tubs for plants.

Plant saplings, nurse them, watch their growth, take care of their health and by the

way, one will be addicted to the hobby. Plants are also fond of reciprocating love in the

form of flowers, fruits and healthy growth. They are very sensitive and affectionate.

They feel the presence and absence of the care taker. The hobbyist will be concerned

when the plants fall sick and will rush to nursery for their treatment. When plants will

grow one may choose to create their babies(saplings) for gifting to the friends. One will

have to remove or trim unnecessary herbs weekly to keep their growth healthy. All

these activities will keep the Sr Citizen fit, engaged and keep the body running, mind

blissful. It also engages the mind which is very much needed at elderly age. The

pleasure may be shared with visitors to the house. The visitor may like or may be

indifferent, but the Sr Citizen will enjoy it with heart’s content.

Many of our pensioner friends are engaged in this healthy hobby to remain fit

in elderly age when many old friends, even near relatives are leaving them for greener

pastures or heavenly abode. It will create a new world for healthy living. Let us use this

winter for a good beginning, if not done already. Eastern News wishes a very healthy, blissful & prosperous New Year - 2016

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LEGAL NEWS :

SUPREME COURT HEARING RE-SCHEDULED ON 20.01.2016

ORDER ON ML GANDHI’S CASE

CA 6995/15

1

ITEM NO.801 COURT NO.4 SECTION IV

S U P R E M E C O U R T O F I N D I A

RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS

I.A. No.6 of 2015 In Civil Appeal No.6995 of 2013

LIFE INSURANCE CORP. OF INDIA & ORS. Appellant(s)

VERSUS

MADAN LAL GANDHI (D) THR. LR. & ORS. Respondent(s)

Date : 04/12/2015 This matter was MENTIONED today.

CORAM :

HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE DIPAK MISRA, HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE PRAFULLA C. PANT

For Appellant(s) Mr. Ashok Panigrahi, AOR, Mr. Santosh Kumar, Adv.

For Respondent(s) Mr. Gopal Jain, Sr. Adv. (Mentioned by), Mr. Jay Savla, AOR

Mr. Srinivasan Murthy, Adv., Ms. Renuka Sahu, Adv.

UPON being mentioned the Court made the following

O R D E R

On mentioning, the matter is taken on Board. It is submitted by Mr. Gopal Jain, learned senior

counsel appearing for the respondents that the Life Insurance Corporation has not deposited the

20 per cent amount as per appropriate computation.

Mr. Ashok Panigrahi, learned counsel appearing for the Life Insurance Corporation would

submit that the amount has been deposited before the Registry of the Punjab &

Haryana High Court at Chandigarh.

CA 6995/15

2

Regard being had to the submissions made by the learned counsel for the parties, it is directed that

the

respondents shall be in a position to withdraw the amount on the basis of the computation made by

the Corporation without prejudice to the contentions raised in the appeal.

The interlocutory application stands disposed of accordingly.

(Chetan Kumar), Court Master (H.S. Parasher), Court Master

(COURTSEY : CH MAHADEVAN)

Banks cannot attach pension account to recover loan dues: Madras HC)

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT, DATED: 27.11.2015

C O R A M : THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE K.RAVICHANDRABAABU

W.P.(MD) No.l7838 of 2015 and M.P.(MD).No.l of 2015

A.Muthuiruvakkal ... Petitioner Vs.- The State Bank of India ... Respondents

Page 3 of 22

While allowing a Writ Petition filed by Mrs. A. Muthuiruvakkal of Nagercoil in Kanyakumari

district the Madras High Court Madurai Bench of Justice K. Ravichandrabaabu held that a

Savings Bank Account maintained primarily for the purpose of depositing monthly pension

amount could not be attached by a bank just because the account holder had defaulted

repayment of a loan availed from them. The petitioner had challenged an order passed by the

State Bank of India on August 13’2015 preventing her from operating the pension account for

recovering the outstanding loan amount.

The counsel for the petitioner Mr.P.Thirumahilmaran submitted that the bank had deducted

about Rs.14,681 from the petitioner’s pension account after preventing her from operating the

account. It was argued on behalf of the petitioner that putting an S.B. account on hold by

passing such an order was impermissible in law as pension amount cannot be attached or

recovered for the purpose of recovery of any outstanding amount payable by the petitioner. In

support of such contention, the petitioner relied on a decision of the Supreme Court reported

in Radhey Shyam Gupta Vs. Punjab National Bank and another wherein the Apex Court had

criticized the Rajasthan High Court for ordering attachment of even Fixed Deposits without

giving attention to the fact that the loan defaulter in that case had actually converted his

pension and gratuity amount into fixed deposits. The bank on its part submitted that as there is

outstanding dues to the tune of Rs. 2,18,09,971/- and that they were left with no other option

except to pass the impugned order. After hearing the rival submissions the court concurred

with arguments of the counsel for the petitioner and observed that “if there is any outstanding

due payable by the petitioner, it is for the respondent bank to work out its remedy in the

manner known to and permissible by law before the appropriate forum. Without doing so,

resorting to attach the pension amount by way of passing the impugned order is

impermissible.” The judge set aside the bank’s order and directed it to permit the petitioner to

operate the account without any hindrance.

Source : http://www.livelaw.in/banks-cannot-attach-pension-account-to-recover-loan-dues-madras-hc-2/

Enhancement of retirement age of PSU Bank Officers: Rajya Sabha Q&A

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

MINISTRY OF FINANCE

RAJYA SABHA

QUESTION NO 260

ANSWERED ON 01.12.2015

Enhancement of retirement age of PSU Bank Officers

260 Shri Mahendra Singh Mahra

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to satate :-

(a) whether Government is contemplating to enhance the retirement age of Chairman cum

Managing Director and Exective Director of Public Sector banks, Financial Institutions and

Insurance Companies;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

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(c) whether Government has permitted the Chief Executive Officer cum Managing Director,

Deputy Managing Director and Executive Director of I.F.C.I. Limited to continue their services in

I.F.C.I. despite completing sixty years of age; and

(d) if so, the reasons therefor?

ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF FINANCE

(a) and (b): No, Sir. No such proposal is contemplated.

(c) and (d): The CEO&MD and DMD of Industrial Finance Corporation of India Ltd. (IFCI Ltd.)

were appointed with effect from 12.12.2013 for a period of three years. IFCI became a

Government Company with effect from 07.04.2015. The Appointments Committee of Cabinet

has approved the continuation of CEO&MD and DMD of IFCI Ltd. beyond their age of

superannuation till the completion of their contract period i.e. upto 11.12.2016.

[ Source: Rajya Sabha: Ref: http://www.staffnews.in/2015/12/enhancement-of-retirement-age-of-psu.html#ixzz3u81u2XXc ]

Revision of pension of pre 2006 pensioners: Representation of Pre-2006 Navy Pensioners -

Question asked in Rajya Sabha

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

RAJYA SABHA

QUESTION NO 207

ANSWERED ON 01.12.2015

Revision of pension of pre 2006 pensioners

207 Shri Ram Kumar Kashyap

Will the Minister of DEFENCE be pleased to satate :-

(a) whether it is a fact that Department of Pension & Pensioners’ Welfare has issued an Office

Memorandum No.38/37/08-P&PW(A) dated 30 July, 2015 regarding revision of pension of pre-

2006 pensioners’ if so, the details thereof;

(b) whether Section Officer (Civ), Integrated Headquarters, Ministry of Defence (Navy),

Directorate of Admin (Civ) has received representation (s) from pre-2006 pensioners to revise

their pension with effect from 1st January 2006; and

(c) if so, action taken by Government to revise pension of pre-2006 pensioners w.e.f. 1st

January, 2006 and by which date payment of arrears will be made to them?

ANSWER

MINISTER OF DEFENCE

(SHRI MANOHAR PARRIKAR)

(a) Yes, Sir. The gist of Office Memorandum (OM) is that the pension / family pension of all pre-

2006 pensioners to be revised in accordance with Department of Pension & Pensioners’

Welfare OM dated 28.01.2013 with effect from 01.01.2006 instead of 24.09.2012.

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(b) & (c): No such representation seems to have been received. However, Directorate of Civilian

Personnel, Integrated Headquarters (Navy) have sent the copy of the OM mentioned in part (a)

to all concerned for information and necessary action.

[ Read more: http://www.staffnews.in/2015/12/revision-of-pension-of-pre-2006.html#ixzz3u82cjUe5 ]

Provision of PMR in One Rank One Pension : Rajya Sabha Q&A

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

RAJYA SABHA

QUESTION NO 208

ANSWERED ON 01.12.2015

Provision of PMR in OROP

208 Shri Motilal Vora

Will the Minister of DEFENCE be pleased to satate :-

(a) whether it is a fact that the ex-servicemen have rejected the ‘One Rank One Pension (OROP)

scheme declared by Government;

(b) the demands of ex-servicemen other than those declared by Government in the scheme;

(c) whether it is a fact that there is no provision of VRS in the army, rather they are offered pre-

retirement (PMR) and whether Government in view of this would include PMR in OROP; and

(d) the reaction of Government to other demands of ex-servicemen?

ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF DEFENCE (RAO INDERJIT SINGH)

(a) to (d): Certain ex-servicemen associations have been demanding for changes in

methodology for fixation of pension, periodicity of its revision, coverage of future PMR cases

etc.

Personnel who opt to get discharged henceforth on their own request under Rule 13(3) 1(i)(b),

13(3)1(iv) or Rule 16B of the Army Rule 1954 or equivalent Navy or Air Force Rules will not be

entitled to the benefits of OROP. It will be effective prospectively.

The Government has decided to appoint a Judicial Committee to look into anomalies, if any,

arising out of implementation of OROP.

Read more: http://www.staffnews.in/2015/12/provision-of-pmr-in-one-rank-one-

pension.html#ixzz3u838Uscr

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2015 : Silent Features of One Rank One Pension questioned by MPs

in Lok Sabha

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO: 1117

ANSWERED ON: 04.12.2015

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One Rank One Pension

GOPAL CHINAYYA SHETTY & 32 OTHER MPs

Will the Minister of DEFENCE be pleased to state:-

(a) whether the Government has notified the One Rank One Pension (OROP) scheme for ex-

servicemen and widows;

(b) if so, the details and the salient features of the scheme;

(c) whether ex-servicemen have expressed their dissatisfaction with the nature of the OROP

scheme notified by the Government and if so, the details thereof;

(d) the corrective measures taken / being taken by the Government in this regard; and

(e) whether the Government proposes to extend OROP to premature retirees and proposed to

recalculate pensions every five years instead of annually and if so, the details thereof and if not,

the reasons there for?

ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE (RAO INDERJIT SINGH) IN THE MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

(a) Yes, Madam. Government order on One Rank One Pension (OROP) has been issued on

07.11.2015.

(b) Salient features of the OROP are as follows:

(i) Pension of the past pensioners would be re-fixed on the basis of pension of retirees of

calendar year 2013 and the benefit will be effective with effect from 01.07.2014.

(ii) Pension will be re-fixed for all pensioners on the basis of the average of minimum and

maximum pension of personnel retired in 2013 in the same rank and with the same

length of service.

(iii) Pension for those drawing above the average shall be protected.

(iv) Arrears will be paid in four equal half yearly instalments. However, all the family

pensioners including those in receipt of Special / Liberalized family pension and

Gallantry award winners shall be paid arrears in one instalment.

(v) In future, the pension would be re-fixed every 5 years.

(c) Certain ex-servicemen associations have been demanding for changes in methodology

for fixation of pension, periodicity of its revision, coverage of future PMR cases etc.

(d) The Government has decided to appoint a Judicial Committee to look into anomalies, if

any, arising out of implementation of OROP.

(e) Personnel who opt to get discharged henceforth on their own request under Rule 13(3)

1(i)(b), 13(3)1(iv) or Rule 16B of the Army Rule 1954 or equivalent Navy or Air Force Rules will

not be entitled to the benefits of OROP. It will be effective prospectively and in future, the

pension would be re-fixed every 5 years.

[Read more: http://www.staffnews.in/2015/12/silent-features-of-one-rank-one-pension.html#ixzz3u84Id7Hu]

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7th CPC recommendations are far beneficial than all the Pay Commissions so far Retirement

Benefits are concerned :

Retirement Benefits:

i. Pension: 32% hike in the basic pension(2.57 factor) with one more option for ensuring equal

pension for equal number of years of service as in the case of defence which perhaps was not

demanded by any central government employees forum is a milestone of the recommendation.

ii. Gratuity:

Retention of Gratuity at 16.5 months of revised basic pay and D.A . shall increase the take home gratuity

amount. Doubling of Gratuity amount from Rs.10.00 lakhs to Rs.20.00 lakhs with provision for raising

the Gratuity limit by 25% when D.A. crosses 50% i.e. to Rs.25 lakhs is a great relief to middle level and

higher level employees whose remuneration for 16.5 months are much higher than the existing Rs.10.00

lakhs and who would be saved from losing several lakhs as a result of enhancement of gratuity limit.

iii. Commutation of Pension: Retention of Pension commutation at 40% of the revised basic pension

which stands increased by 2.57 times as a result of merger of 125% D.A and 32% fitment benefit shall

correspondingly increase the take home pension commutation by 2.57 times. For example, an employee

who may be otherwise getting only Rs.5.00 lakhs as pension commutation on the existing Pay+Grade

Pay under VI CPC recommendation, may get Rs.12.85 lakhs as pension commutation under VII CPC

recommendation.

iv. E.L. encashment: Retention of E.L encashment at the existing 300 days is also a welcome gesture.

Surely there will be 60 to 70 percent increase in the overall take home retirement benefits when

compared to the existing retirement benefits.

All these monetary benefits recommended by the VII Pay Commission, shall definitely provide an insight

about the genuine concern of the Hon’ble Chairman and the Members of the VII Pay Commission to

improve the financial situation of the central government employees. The criticisms raised against the

Pay Commission’s recommendations are totally unwarranted.

SOME FLAWS OBSERVED IN THE RECOMMENDATIONS :

Suggestion of the Chairman, VII CPC, to do away with setting up of future central pay commissions and

give proportionate hike annually to avoid financial burden is a wrong proposal:

The Pay Commissions are set up by the government, to look into the current salary structure and to

recommend the hike needed in the pay and other allowances on the basis of the current economic

scenario. The Pay Commissions recommendations are not meant for providing financial benefit for the

past 10 years, but for future 10 years. The additional financial implication of about Rs.1,02,100 crore i.e.

23.55% in the existing financial liability for implementation of the recommendation is only for one year.

i.e.2016-17 which proportionately gets increased every year for the next 10 years. Therefore the

suggestion of the Chairman to do away with setting up any more pay commissions and instead to grant

proportionate rise in salary every year is a big flaw. It is not clear what the Hon’ble Chairman of the VII

CPC really want to suggest. Such a suggestion really shall baffle all the financial experts since the very

quantum of additional increase in salary every year comes on the basis of recommendation of the pay

commission. Does the Chairman suggest to government to grant further increase in salary every year

over and above what the VII CPC have recommended?

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CONCLUSION:

The recommendations of the VII CPC are by and large beneficial and therefore there should be no cause

for resentment among the central government employees. They should rejoice over the benefits offered

by the VII CPC since the recommendations of the VII Pay Commission are going to yield huge financial

benefits in the long run. However, there is a need to take up the matter with the government on the

issues which really need intervention by the government to set right the anomalies.

In a nutshell the Chairman and Members of the VII CPC have done a commendable job and fulfilled their

mission successfully ensuring justice to all levels of central government employees without any need for

worrying about their bread and butter. They really deserve appreciation for presenting an employee

friendly report which surely is far beneficial in the history of pay commissions constituted so far.

M.DORAI, Deputy Director, ESIC MODEL HOSPITAL, (Ministry of Labour, Govt. of India)

Rajajinagar,Bangalore-560010- is the Author of this article; doraiesic@gmail.com

[ Read more: http://www.staffnews.in/2015/12/7th-cpc-recommendations-are-far.html#ixzz3u854zg5Z ]

Simplification of procedure for Form No.15G & 15H - regarding CBDT Notification No.4/2015

F.No.: DGIT(S)/CPC(TDS)/DCIT/15GH/2015-16/14425-556

Government of India

Ministry of Finance

Central Board of Direct Taxes

Directorate of lncome-tax(Systems)

New Delhi.

Notification No. 4/2015 New Delhi, 1st of December 2015

Subject: Simplification of procedure for Form No.15G & 15H - regarding

Section 197A of the Income tax Act provides for no deduction in certain case by submitting a declaration

using Form I5G/I5H as laid down in Rule 29C of the Income tax Rules. The manner of filing such

declaration and the particulars have been laid down in Rule 29C of the Income tax Rules. The person

responsible for paying any income of the nature referred to in sub section (1) or sub section (1A) or sub

section (1C) of section 197A (hereinafter called ”payer”) shall enable the payee to furnish the

declaration in electronic form after due verification through an electronic process. The declarant shall

mandatorily quote his/her PAN in the declaration form I5G/H in accordance with the provisions of

section 206AA(2).

A unique identification number shall be allotted to declaration (paper /electronic). The payer shall

digitize the paper declaration and upload all declarations (including electronic declaration and digitized

declaration) received during a particular quarter at departmental site (www.

incometaxindiaefiling.gov.in) on quarterly basis. Further, clause 5 of rule 29C provides that the payer

shall also furnish transactions covered under 15G/15H declarations in quarterly TDS statement in

accordance with the provisions of clause (vii) of sub rule (4) of rule 31A irrespective of the fact that no

tax has been deducted in the said quarter.

In exercise of the powers delegated by the Central Board of Direct Taxes (Board) under sub para (7) of

para 2 of Notification issued vide 5.0. No.2663(E) dated 29th September 2015, the Principal Director

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General of Income-tax(Systems) hereby specifies the procedure, formats and standards in this regard as

under:-

1. Furnishing and verification of the electronic declaration :

Rule 29C enables the payer to receive electronic declaration after due verification through an electronic

process. The payer shall be responsible for proper verification of the declarant through an electronic

process and shall implement the verification process after due diligence to ensure non- repudiation of

the declarant. The payer shall archive log of all electronic activities in the process of furnishing of

electronic declaration and the payer shall be responsible to establish the identity and credentials of the

declarant in case of any dispute. The declarant shall mandatorily quote his/her PAN in the declaration

form ISG/H in accordance with the provisions of section 206AA(2).

2. Allotment of UIN (Unique Identification Number):

2.1 UIN shall consist of following three fields (a), (b) & (c):

a) Sequence Number (10 alphanumeric for Form 156/15H) given as follows;

15G

10 alphanumeric characters starting with G

followed by 9 digits(Eg. 6000000001)

15H

10 alphanumeric characters starting with H

followed by 09 digits(Eg. H0000000001)

b) Financial year for which declaration is being furnished

c) TAN of the payer

2.2 Paper declaration shall be digitized by the payer and the same shall bear sequence number out of

the same “running sequence number(Field ’a’ of UIN) series”, as used for online submission.

2.3 UlN running sequence number series shall be reset to 1 in case of each TAN of the payer at the start

of each F.Y.

3. Furnishing or making available the declaration to the income-tax authority :

3.1 The payer will upload, the 156 and 15H declarations (digitized/electronic) received during a

quarter, on quarterly basis, in the given file format on the e-filing site (www.

incometaxindiaefiling.gov.in).

3.2 In addition to the above, the payer shall quote ”sequence number” (Field ’a’ of UIN) in

quarterly TDS statement against the transaction covered under ISG/H declaration in accordance with the

provisions of clause (vii) of sub rule (4) of rule 31A irrespective of the fact that no tax has been deducted

in the said quarter.

4. Reconciliation Mechanism :

4.1 The payer will be responsible for reconciliation of the allotted UlNs vis-a vis reported UINs to

the ITD through reporting in quarterly TDS statement as well as through upload of declarations on

quarterly basis.

4.2 The payer shall file exceptional report for the following UlNs: a) UlNs not reported in TBS

statements b) UlNs not uploaded on ITD website. The format of the report will be made available at the

departmental website separately.

(Ps. Thuingaleng), Dy. Commissioner of Income Tax (CPC-TDS)

0/0 The Pr. Director General of Income-tax (Systems)

[Source : http://irsofficersonline.gov.in/Documents/OfficalCommunique/1122201544901.pdf]

Page 10 of 22

NJCA decides to go on indefinite strike from 1st Week of March 2016

Meeting of the National Joint Council of Action (Railways, Defence and Confederation) was held on

08.12.2015 at JCM National Council Staff Side office, New Delhi. Detailed deliberations on 7th CPC

related issues (including Gramin Dak Sewaks and Casual, Contract and daily-rated workers) was held and

a Common charter of demands was finalized. It is further decided that the NJCA shall go on indefinite

strike from the 1st week of March 2016, if the Government fails to reach a negotiated settlement with

the staff side before 1st week of February 2016. A letter intimating this decision will be given to the

Government shortly along with the common charter of demands. Letter to Government and charter of

demands will be published in the website within two days.

(M. Krishnan), Secretary General, Confederation

Source-http://confederationhq.blogspot.in/

ASSOCIATION NEWS:

FROM THE DESK OF THE SECRETARY, KOLKATA ASSOCIATION

The year 2015 has left us without the Supreme Court having delivered its verdict on LIC’s Civil Appeals.

Let the year 2016, that has just set its feet, be proved to be eventful in the lives of LIC pensioners.

Should the Civil Appeals be decisively rejected by the Supreme Court , it will be an event of history. Let it

happen by way of decisive rejection and not by simple rejection leaving scope for further litigation of

explanation of HC verdicts.

The Civil Appeals, preferred by LIC, were due to come up for FINAL HEARING on 24th Nov’15,

thereafter on 2nd December’15, after series of adjournments over a period of more than one year

putting the poor pensioners into the tough test of tolerance. This time, also, we have experienced

addition of another feather in to the cap of ADJOURNMENTS. As things stand to-day, the pensioners are

looking forward to 20th January’16. We have no other alternative but to count days expecting the final

outcome to be in our favour. But we have come across information that 20th January’16 hearing may be

the beginning of the last phase, if not the last of the last phase.

Our concern is not the beginning or end of a phase. Our concern is the final outcome in our

favour. Almost daily, we have been receiving news of departure of our senior pensioners from this

world. We are fed up with adjournments leading us to believe our judicial system has failed to deliver

justice in time. We are looking forward to a day in 2016 when every pensioner shall smile with

fulfillment of long cherished dreams.

7th

BI-ENNIAL GENERAL COUNCIL MEETING OF THE FEDERATION.

The above meet was held at Bangalore on 7th December’2015. Our Kolkata Association was

represented by a team of 4 delegates, led by Sri Ajay Kumar Banerjee, our President. We highlighted the

decision of the Federation EC meeting, held in November’14 at Trivendrum, putting the DR anomaly

removal and pension revision with every wage revision on the same footing. The President, Sri SK Kapahi

in his inaugaral address, praised our e-magazine, the Eastern News. Also, during the course of

discussion on report, many delegates praised our EASTERN NEWS.

Page 11 of 22

It was observed, from the report of the General Secretary, that there has been a significant shift

of the Federation in approach towards the up-gradation issue. GNS said in his reply that the issue will be

favourably argued by the Federation’s counsel under advice.

S/Sri AK Banerjee, SK Mazumder and Basudeb Das participated in the discussion on report.

The House elected the Executive committee for 2015 – 17 with S/Sri NP Bali as the President and GN

Sridharan as the General Secretary. Our Kolkata Association was represented in EC of Federation by S/Sri

Subir Kr Mazumder as Joint Secretary, Sri Basudeb Das as EC member and Ajay Kumar Banerjee as

Special Invitee. Also, the following issues were raised and the General council decided to persue the

matters with CO.

1) Revision of Dearness relief at every quarter instead of half-yearly.

2) Payment of domiciliary treatment medical allowance to all pensioners & improvements in medical

allowances for pre-1987 retirees, and preventive health check up every two years interval for all

retirees.

3) Re-fixation of pension, one month’s terminal salary, difference of Gratuity and Leave encashment

for those retirees whose dates of births fall on 1st day of a month.

4) Re-fixation of pension, difference of salary, difference of Gratuity and Leave encashment for those

retirees who retired between 01/08/1992 and 31/03/1993.

5) More option to join Group Medi-claim for those who did not join earlier or could not renew for any

reason.

6) Improvement in our Family pension in line with RBI family pension.

7) Waiver of existence certificates by some specified persons and introduction of self-certification.

The General council discussed with great concern about the stagnation on the growth of the association.

Despite existence of nearly one hundred centres, the Federation has its presence in seventeen places

only. Later on, it was reported that Federation has opened its unit at Dharwar and two other unit is set

to be opened at Mangalore. It is now learnt that two other units are set to be opened in Mangalore and

UP soon. We, in Kolkata, are seriously thinking of initiating process of opening units in the centres in

Eastern Zone where Federation has no presence.

Page 12 of 22

8th General Council of the Federation met on 7th

Dec’2015 at the banquet hall of Hotel City Centaur,

Bangalore. The meeting started at 9 am with greetings from the in-service Class-I Officers' Association.

The business session was inaugurated by the President, Sri SK Kapahi. In his address, he praised the e-

magazine Eastern News of our Kolkata Association for its quality and periodicity.

Page 13 of 22

IMPORTANT CIRCULAR FROM FEDERATION

of Retired LIC Class I Officers’ Associations

Subject : e-Circular Dt. 30-12-2015

Message on the New Year Eve

As scheduled, a team of our Federation led by our President Shri N.P.Bali and consisting of myself and M/s Nerurkar & D.M.Pathak met the Chairman, M.D., Dir. (Personnel) and Chief (P) at Central Office today. We are thankful to our past President Shri S.K. Kapahi who kindly accepted our invitation and joined the team. The matters taken up and the gist of discussions are briefly furnished below: (1) Removal of DR Anomaly : From the discussions we had, we could see an encouraging attitude. We are hopeful that all the affected pensioners will get relief before long.

Re : calculation details of the 20% IR paid already, we only have to wait till the case comes up on 20-1-2016.

(2) Upgradation : On this issue, the top management was non-committal and cited Govt’s approval will be necessary. On our part, we insisted that pension cannot be allowed to remain static for over 22 years and insisted that the matter should be considered seriously so that all section of pensioners will be benefitted. Let us wait on this also till 20-1-2016. (3) Domiciliary Medical Expenses : We strongly placed with all the officials, whom we met, each of them separately, that the benefit is called for an urgent measure. All of them were receptive and we feel that a little more of push we should get this benefit before long. (4) Deduction of Medical Premium : As already communicated to all units by SMS, deduction in 12 monthly instalments has been approved and will be a great relief to all of us in retaining the quantum of take home

pension uniform all through the year. (5) Re : Fixation of Pension for 92-93 retirees we stressed that in the light of the dismissal of LIC’s SLP in M.C. Jain’s case, there is no justification for delay in resolving this issue. Dir. (P) took a note of our points in writing and M.D. also informed that the matter will be looked into.

(6) Quarterly Review for release of DA increase. We were assured that the matter will be examined.

On the whole, our meeting proved to be a worthwhile exercise and we hope that the year to follow will bring us the benefits sought as above. We shall be circulating copy of our memorandum covering all the matters by post shortly.

Page 14 of 22

With GREETINGS to all our members for a Very Happy & Prosperous New

Year 2016. Shri G.N.Sridharan

Gen. Secy. Federation of Retired LIC Class I Officers’Associations Camp : Mumbai.

Payment of 20 % of Arrears to our members in Kolkata:

Bank accounts of the pensioners, retired before 01/08/1997, have been credited by the amount

of 20% of arrears as calculated by LIC though no calculation sheet or basis of the calculation has

been provided with. The amount of arrear, for some pensioners, have caused disappointments.

The lowest amount is Rs.339/-.

LIC have made payments to pensioners, retired before 01/08/1997, leaving two regular

pensioners and all Family Pensioners of Kolkata. We have taken up the matter together with

request for inclusion of a few more names that could not be given earlier for being unable to

contact them.

Let us, now, be hopeful of rightly calculated 100% with revision of Pension with every wage

revision. We have our reasons to be hopeful in view of a verdict of the SC dt 1st July’15, in the

matter of Rajasthan Govt. and the Retired College teachers of Rajasthan stating revision of

wage and pension inseparable.

Price index for December, 2015: 270 (6162.99)

FINANCIAL NEWS:

INCOME TAX RATES AND RELEVANT SECTIONS (FY 2015-16)

ANNUAL INCOME Rs. RATES OF TAX(%) (ENGLISH VERSION)

UPTO 2,50,000…………………….…………… ZERO

2,50,001 – 5,00,000…………………..……….. 10

5,00,001 – 10,00,000………………………….. 20

10,00,000 – AND ABOVE……………………. 30

• TAX FREE IT LIMIT FOR SR CITIZENS (60 YRS OR MORE) =

3,00,000

• TAX FREE LIMIT FOR SUPER SR CITIZENS (80 YRS OR

MORE) = 5,00,000

• 3% EDUCATION CESS ON TAX PAYABLE

• REBATE OF 2000 ON TAX PAYABLE FOR INCOME UPTO

5,00,000 ie 2000 TO BE DUCTED FROM TOTAL TAX.

• 10% SURCHARGE FOR ANNUAL INCOME EXCEEDS 1

CRORE

Page 15 of 22

TAXFREE INCOME (ENGLISH VERSION)

• INTEREST ON PF UPTO GOVT APPROVED LIMIT

• ANNUAL INTEREST ON PPF DEPOSIT

• INTEREST ON SB A/C UPTO MAXIMUM 10,000

• DIVIDEND ON EQUITY SHARE

• INCOME/DIVIDEND ON MUTUAL FUND

INVESTMENT

• ANNUAL INTEREST ON TAXFREE BONDS

• AFTER HOLDING ONE YEAR, PROFIT ON SALE OF

UNITS OF EQUITY SHARE OR EQUITY BASED

MUTUAL UNITS

NOT SO BAD INVESTMENTS

SCHEME TERM (YRS) APP INCOME

TAXABILITY

NSC 5 / 10 8.5 / 8.8%

TAXABLE

Page 16 of 22

(ENGLISH VERSION)

80C REBATES : EPF, VPF,PPF,NSC-5/10 YRS,SCSS,LIC(CONDITIONAL),ELSS,5 YRS PO TD, PRINCIPAL REPT OF HB

LOAN, STAMP DUTY AND REGN FEE FOR PURCHASING HOUSE,ULIP,CHILDREN’S TUTUIN FEE,5 YRS TAX SAVER

BANK FD,NPS YLY CONTRIBUTION,SUKANYA SAMRIDHI CONTRIBUTION.

OTHER REBATES: 80CCC – ANNUITY PREM, 80CCD(1) – PENSION A/C DEPOSIT, 80CCD(1B) – ADDL 50,000

DEPOSIT IN PENSION A/C, 80CCG – 50% OF RAJIB GANDHI EQUITY SAVINGS SCHEME UPTO 50,000, 80(D) - UPTO

25,000 FOR SELF, SPOUSE, DEPENDENT CHILDREN/30,000 FOR SR CITIZEN/ADDL 25,000 FOR PARENT’S

MEDICLAIM PREM(30,000 IF PARENTS ARE SR CITIZEN), 80DD – 75,000 FOR MAINTENANCE AND MEDICAL

TREATMENT OF PHYSICALLY CHALLENGED AND HANDICAPPED DEPENDENT PARENTS, SPOSE, CHILDREN,

BROTHERS & SISTERS ( 1,25,000 FOR SERIOUSLY HANDICAPPED), 80DDB – 40,000 FOR SELF OR DEPENDENT

MEMBER’S CRITICAL ILLNESS EXPENSE (60,000 FOR SR CITIZEN), 80E – INTEREST PAYABLE ON HIGHER

EDUCATION LOAN FOR SELF, SPOSE OR CHILDREN, 80G – 100% REBATE IN CBDT APPROVED FUNDS eg PM’S

RELIF, NATIONAL SECUTITY ETC, 50% FOR APPROVED CHARITABLE TRUST, 80GG – HOUSE RENT, 80 TTA –

INTEREST ON S/B A/C, 24 – INTEREST ON HOUSING LOAN UPTO 2 LAC/PA PROVIDED IT IS FOR SELF USE.

OF INTEREST:

Revision in Railway fare of Children w.e.f. April, 2016:

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

(RAILWAY BOARD)

COMMERCIAL CIRCULAR No. 71 OF 2015

No.TC II/2910/98/Child Fare

New Delhi, dated 02.12.2015

The General Manager(Comml.)

All Zonal Railways

Sub - Revision in the Rule 211 of-IRCA Coaching Tariff No. 26 Part I (Vol. I): Fare for children.

In partial modification of provisions Contained in Rule 211 of IRCA- Coaching Tariff No. 26 Part I (Vol.

I. Ministry of Railways have decided that in case of children of age 5 years and under 12 years of age for

whom full berth/seam in Reserved Class) is Sought at the time of reservation, full adult fare for such

child shall be charged. However, if berth/seat is not sought for the Children of age 5 years and under 12

years of age at the time of reservation, then half of adult fare shall continue to be Charged subject to

minimum distance for charge.

2. There shall be no change with regard to child fare for unreserved class.

3. The revised Child fare rule shall be applicable with effect from 10.04.2016. CRIS may carry out

necessary changes in the software and testing well before 10.12.2016.

4. Necessary changes shall be carried in the reservation form so that the passenger can mark their

option for requirement of full berth/seat for Child or not.

Page 17 of 22

5. Special arrangements shall be made to ensure that necessary instructions should reach the staff well

in time. Steps should also be taken to ensure that the staff fully understand these changes and

implement them properly.

6. This Issues with the concurrence of Finance Directorate of Ministry of Railways.

7. Zonal Railways shall ensure that wide publicity is given through the press, media and also through

notifications and announcements at stations.

(Rohit Kumar)

Dy. Director Traffic Commercial-II

Railway Board

Ref: http://www.indianrailways.gov.in/railwayboard/uploads/directorate/traffic_comm/Comm-Cir-2015/CC_71_2015.pdf

Government may have to increase salaries of Supreme Court and High Court judges MONDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2015, Economic Times.

NEW DELHI: The government may have to increase the salaries of Supreme Court and High

Court judges within a week of implementing the Seventh Pay Commission recommendations to

ensure pay parity in the ranks.

The new scales proposed by the pay commission places judges well below the bureaucrats, an

anomaly that is usually bridged within a week of implementing the recommendations, said a

Supreme Court official, who did not wish to be identified.

The last time round, the government had to spend Rs 40 crore by way of arrears to judicial

officers when it implemented the Sixth Pay Commission recommendations, the official said.

The Seventh Pay Commission recommendations are likely to be implemented from May-June

2016, although they will technically come into effect from January 1. The notification regarding

salaries of judges and judicial officers will have to come soon after, the official said.

A Supreme Court judge currently gets Rs 1.5 lakh a month in hand after all deductions from

salary and allowances. The CJI gets a higher amount than this, while the judges of the high court

get a lesser amount. This amount does not include the rent-free residences provided to the

judges while they are in service. Read more : http://www.staffnews.in/2015/12/government-may-have-to-increase.html#ixzz3vAHhHaYb

HEALTH GUIDE FOR PENSIONERS : Health Benefit of Papaya leaves:

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��!�� ���$। ���� ��!�� ���$ ��# %!�& ��'��"( ������ ��)��, �� ����)� ��(��� ����* ��� ����+,

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���।

Page 18 of 22

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[Translation : CANCER : Tea prepared from papaya leaves heals cancer, DENGUE : its extract increases

platelets and controls dengue fever, it relieves malaria fever, stomach ulcer, indigestion and cheswt

burning, dysentery, heart disease, prostrate enlargement, acne, menstrual pain, constipation.]

Page 19 of 22

JOKES :

Money has so many different names ---- In places of Worship, it's called (offering)

In Marriage it's called (dowry)

In Divorce its called (alimony)

When you owe someone (debt)

In Courts, it's called (fine)

The State to retirees (pension)

Boss to employees (salary)

Master to subordinates (wages)

Parents to children (allowance)

When you borrow from a bank (loan)

A bank pays you (interest)

An investment firm gives out (dividends)

When you give to authority unwillingly (bribe)

When you partition your earning (commission)

When you offer a person on good service (tips)

When you aid the less fortunate (donation)

And...

When you're robbed by Government (taxes)

PAINTING/PHOTOGRAPHY :

PAINTING BY MANABENDRA TALAPATRA, MEMBER, KOLKATA ASSOCN

PENSIONERS’ TOUR :

After three months’ silence, pensioners tour resumed with visit toAmbika Kalna town in the district of

Burdwan which has lot of heritage sites on the bank of holy Ganges. The town is enriched with holy

footprints of Sri Chaitanyadeb, Nityananda Mahaprobhu, Sri Ramakrishna, Pandit Vidyasagr etc. Some

photographs :

Page 20 of 22

Ambika Kalna Rly Station Lalji Temple, Rajbari

Devi Ambika Kali Terakota on Temple wall, Rajbari

Shyamsundar Temple

Gopalji Temple above: Gauranga Mandir

All the Photographs were

taken by Shri Sujit Kumar Chaudhuri.

Page 21 of 22

PENSIONERS’ NEWS:

ANNUAL GET-TOGETHER OF KOLKATA ASSOCIATION:

The Annual Get-together of the Association was held at Bidhan Sisu Uddyan, Kolkata on

27th December,2015 with active participation of 93 participants – members and their families.

There was lot of enthusiasm among all the participants. Good number of participants

entertained the members with their skill in singing and some of them even danced forgetting

their age. Some of the members took keen interest in the games organized.

Everybody was happy with the Breakfast, Lunch and the evening Coffee and left the field

only when it was dusk.

New Members joined in December’15: Shri Narayan Chandra Das,

Shri Ashutosh Ghosh, and Shri Asit Ranjan Bose

Eastern News heartily Welcomes each of them.

READERS’ VIEWS:

1. Eastern Zone news letter rightly points out the travails of elders. This news letter keeps us

up to date. -- DAYAL SHARAN

2. Thank you Sir for promptly sending me a copy of the EN- Dec. copy. The issue is full of

information regarding the recommendations of the 7th CPC for the Central Government

employees & pensioners- it is good to know about the benefits of our fellow-pensioners. The

health tips are very valuable, as usual. -- R.Venugopal,Retired ED LIC Bengaluru.

3. All the writings are bunkum. Why can’t we simply say that our case depends on the

competence of our Advocate versus the competence of GOI advocate. The case will be deferred

and adjourned at least ten times more. Meanwhile we can go on wailing and weeping.

---K K Sheri

4. Govt can take the financial burden of Rs.1,00,200 crore per year after implementation of 7th

pay commission proposals by imposing tax on am admi in the next budget. Govt will increase

salary of judges who already enjoys OROP and it will also be borne by am admi. Govt is

considering hike of MP’s income from am admi’s tax ( eg basic salary from present 50,000 to

1,00,000, election centre allowance 45000 to 90000, secretary allowance 45000 to 90000, basic

pension 20000 to 35000 etc besides host of fringe benefits). Govt is snatching shamelessly

almost 2000 crore pa from LIC in the name of dividend for its share capital of Rs. 5 crore ie

40000% ( A little of which can meet burden of LIC pensioners’ OROP liability), but Govt is

Page 22 of 22

fighting tooth and nail in Supreme Court with widow’s money to deprive LIC pensioners for a

healthy living in this soaring price rise market. LIC pensioners will be witnessing another

deprivation in LIC’s Diamond Jubilee celebration (60 years , 1956 – 2016) shortly. Satya

Selukas, ki bichitra ei desh!!! ). ….. R. Datta, Retd AO, Asansol.

NOTE :

ANY BRILLIANT ACHIEVEMENT/SUCCESS IN ANY FRONT IN THE FAMILY OF LIC PENSIONERS INCLUDING

PHOTOGRAPH MAY BE SENT TO US FOR FOCUSSING THROUGH OUR

E-MAGAZINE.

Feedback/Write Ups/Information/Readers’ Views/Request with e-mail id for soft copy of monthly

e-Magazine EASTERN NEWS free of cost may please be sent to following e-mail IDs :

LIC RETIRED OFFICERS’ ASSOCIATION : licretiredofficers@gmail.com

AMAR KUMAR GOSWAMI : amarkumar1951@gmail.com

SUBIR KUMAR MAZUMDAR : eskayem@gmail.com

MONTHLY EASTERN NEWS CAN NOW BE READ DIRECTLY FROM :

PENSIONERS VOICE & SOUND TRACK, EDITOR :: RK SAHNI :

http://www.rksahni.blogspot.in/

LIC PENSIONERS’ CHRONICLE, EDITOR :: PG GANGADHARAN :

http://licpensionerscalicut.blogspot.in/

&

AIRIEF WEBSITE :: AN INITIATIVE OF RB KISHORE :

https://airiefvision.wordpress.com/

OUR SINCERE THANKS TO THE AUTHORITIES OF THE WEBSITES.

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