Our long pending issues of pension updation and opening of pension option remain unresolved. This is despite retirees struggles for about more than a decade. All sections of retirees have always whole heartedly supported the calls given by United Forum of RB Officers and Employees (UFRBOE). Alas! no result. Perhaps this forced UFRBOE to tone down their demand to relief in any form in lieu of Pension updation at the time when governor Rajan was about to demit office. Yet no result.
Dr Rajan, after he joined RBI as Governor, raised our hopes throughout his tenure about the issues. He continued to assure till his last day to keep patience and wait for the result. In fact, he, like his predecessor, has failed us.Perhaps he too was bidding for his time. However, we cannot easily forget that during his time in March 14 , he was able to secure a package deal about pension updation for retirees from the then DFS secretary Shri Takru. The package was initially rejected by the in service leaders. Political scenario changed and the package has been subsequently withdrawn by the present authorities in Finance ministry.
During the demonstrations by retirees prior to the last strike action on 19th November, 2015 , it is on record that the leaders, while addressing the gatherings at Delhi and other places, announced that they wont enter into any wage settlement unless Pension issue is resolved, However, when 19th November strike hit the bureaucracy in Ministry hard, the wage settlement was given a priority over the helpless retirees demands. Strike concluded on the assurance that the Bank is in constant follow up with the ministry and the information and replies are being sent. The updation of pension and opening of pension option would be resolved soon, it was said. Wait ! And we kept waiting till the guard vanished.
Now another phase of pleadings before the deaf authorities has begun. Retirees Association at Mumbai has already written letters with the same known arguments. UFRBOE is maintaining a stoic silence. May be leaders are seeking audience with the Governor!
There are already reports that some leaders from AIRBEA have met the Governor . He wants to deeply go into the issue for which he wants to be briefed by DG (Admn) .
Failed by bureaucracy in the ministry and frustrated by the inaction of the bank for more than a decade, the retirees are bound to feel disappointed and restive. Naturally, some plead forgetting the issue, some want to use politicians as a tool, and a section intends to go for a legal remedy. These suggestions hint at disenchantment with leadership.
Friends,
we as a representative forum, which belongs to all category of pensioners, are also receiving such requests. AIRBOPF representatives were likely to meet shortly. But our President, Shri Kishore da, at Kolkata has fallen sick suddenly and critically . Once he recovers we shall be having a relook at the entire scenario and examine alternative strategies to follow in the circumstance.Meanwhile, General Secretary, Shri Aherrao has written a letter to Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on 19th September 16 for updating the pension in RBI. Another letter to the Governor Urjit Patel reiterating the resolution of our just demands is here.We are also in touch with legal experts in the matter. But we strongly hold that pensioners have only one class after they have retired from RBI. We also feel that social networking groups are not the appropriate platforms for invoking the legal remedy.
The journey ahead has been made more arduous. Yet, we will continue our fight for the cause to the best of our ability and resources.
With good wishes
AIRBIOPF.
