The significance of pensioner's day celebrations

THE SIGNIFICANCE OF PENSIONER’S DAY CELEBRATIONS ON 17TH DECEMBER EVERY YEAR.

NOW 32ND PENSIONER's DAY ON 17-12-2014.

History of STRUGGLE TO HAVE ‘Right to get Pension’ is over 150 years. After Independence Struggle in India in 1857, the British Govt. introduced the pension system what was being followed in England. This was just to make a provision to retired employees, under powers of mercy of the British, not as a Fundamental Right, made through Indian Pension Act, 1871.

We the members of RPFPWA, SCRly, Zone (Affiliated to AIRRF) are celebrating Pensioner's Day on 17-12-2014 at Secunderabad, Vijayawada and at Tirupathi.

A pensioner always to remember this day as is rightly recognized and that the fight of our great leader Mr.D.S.Nakara (always alive in our minds and thoughts, hence not writing as Late) in achieving the benefits now what we are enjoying through Supreme Court's Land Mark Judgment. The Petitioner in the case, Shri D.S.Nakara, was a retired Financial Advisor in the Ministry of Finance, an officer from Indian Defence Service Audit and Accounts, retired in 1972. He faced some problems in getting pension like all other pensioners. He moved the matter through a petition in the Honorable Supreme Court, case came up before Honorable Justice Yashavantrao Chandrachud, the then Chief Justice heard the case, ruled that 'Pension is neither a gift nor a reward or bounty' ‘Pension is the right of a retired Government servant who had served nation for a long time...’, Government is bound to ensure that the employees lead a peaceful and honorable life after retirement.

This historical judgment was issued on 17th Dec 1982.This is the reason why 17th December is chosen as 'Pensioners' Day', is observed as “Pensioners’ Day” by various organizations of the Pensioners in India. AS PER TIMES OF INDIA NEWS OF 04-02-1996, it is placed in the Gunnies Book of World Record, as, by this Judgment 20 Lakhs of pensioners benefited (it may be now around 50 Lakhs). By virtue of this, we are getting the pension, as a right…

The GOI recognized services rendered by every pensioner what we have done, foregoing young age comforts duly sacrificing other homely entertainment, facilities, dedicating our energy and life for service orientation/the job. This PENSION, WHAT WE ARE GETTING is but for the service rendered to the Nation and for social growth. WE are all still physically and mentally active in all aspects and ready to serve the Society and the Govt. This judgment resulted in the Recommendations of the IV Central Pay Commission (1984) and for Pension Revision, whenever there is a pay revision through Pay Commissions (now VII CPC).

This Judgment conferred the Right of the Pensioner to get their Pension including Dearness Relief.

WE FULLY SUPPORT ALL MATTERS CONCERNING TO THE PENSIONERS.

The VI Pay Commission considered the views and values of service of pensioners and made recommendations and submitted its report to the Government on 31st March 2008. It may be submitted herein, that though the GOI considered most of the recommendations and made effective from First Jan, 2006, but, in other crucial issues (most beneficial to the Pensioners):

1) Like MACP, it was made effective only from First September, 2008, and not from 01-01-2006, by which many pensioners have lost their valid service beyond 30 years, but for the reason that they have retired before Sept., 2008. The GOI is not considering the service of 30-40 years and more, but sticking to their own decision UNDER THE COVER OF POLOCIY MAKERS decision as Final;

2) Policy making, decision to implement an Order and its effective date is in hands of the GOI, and in my considered opinion, no Court of Law can interfere in the Policy Making of the GOI, unless there is some transgression, violation of Law/Constitution provisions, etc. I hope, the GOI can, still consider this matter and see that- 

JUSTICE IS DONE TO ALL THE PENSIONERS WHO RETIRED PRIOR TO SEPTEMBER, 2008 OR WHO RENDERED SERVICE BEYOND 30 YEARS OF CONTINUOUS SERVICE BEFORE RETIREMENT.

3) Kindly compare the pension of the pre-MACP pensioners with that of pro-2008 retiree’s pension and uphold the dignity of labour and the service rendered by pre-MACP pensioners. ( pre-MACP pensioner with 30-40 years of service getting about Rs.3000-5000/- less pension than that of MACP pensioner retired after Sept.2008- Fundamental Rights of pensioner/equal rank/equal pension and FR309 stands hanging in between Policy and Right Judgment and Order).

4) Likewise, pre-2006 pensioner’s hope of getting Justice and revised pension from First Jan, 2006 is also not yet materialized though DOP&PW gave Orders of Honorable Supreme Court/CAT implementation only to the Petitioners. AND NOT FOR ALL PRE-2006 RETIREES.

5) Another example is that in CPOs/CPMFs (Central Police Organizations/Central Para-Military Forces) as per V CPC recommendations pay scales were made effective from the date of implementation, but for RPF/Railways first gave Railway Pay Scales to RPF and later extended CPOs Pay Scales only from the date of Separate/Special Order, say after about 1-2 years of V CPC implementation date (01-01-1996). By this pre-2006 RPF Pensioners were given Grade Pay  differently , as for example, some Retired RPF Inspectors were given Grade Pay of Rs.4600/- while some others given Rs.4200/-(SI grade pay), same fate for others in other Ranks also. In spite grate struggle, this parity/differential equation is continuing.

6) Justice delayed, Justice denied, Justice denied, Justice buried.

GREAT EXPECTATIONS AMINATES THROUGH AN INDIVIDUAL AND SLOWLY SPREAD LIKE WILD FIRE, REACHES PINNACLE TO ACHIEVE ITS JUST AND JUSTIFIED DEMANDS AND SHALL BE RECOGNISED BY THE RULER/GOI ON ONE OR THE OTHER DAY, LIKE OUR INDEPENDENCE STRUGGLE, WHICH WE ARE NOW ENJOYING.

V.Seshadri,

Retired/Asst. Security Commissioner/RPF & President,

RPF Pensioner's Welfare Assn.,

South Central Railway, HQ: Secunderabad

WE PRAY THE GOI TO RENDER JUSTICE TO ALL

YE HOSOLONKA UDAN HAI. JAI HIND