THEEMPLOYEES’ PROVIDENT FUNDS ORGANISATION
PENSIONERS’ ASSOCIATION- TAMILNADU &PUDUCHERRY
(Regd. No. 178/2015)
No. 16/3.“SafireApartments”, 11th Avenue, Ashok Nagar, Chennai-600 083.
Website : epfpa.com / Phone No.044-2489 1407, E-Mail:
PresidentB.RAJA, M.A., L.L.B,
Regional P.F. Commissioner (Retd.) / General Secretary
C.BASKARAN
APFC (Retd.) / Treasurer
M.G.RAAJENDRAN
E.O (Retd.)
Minutes of the special General Body meeting of the EPF Organisation Pensioner’s Association, Tamil Nadu & Puducherry, held at Madurai under the Chairmanship of Shri B.Raja, President.
Date : 25.07.2015Venue: Conference Hall
Time : 11.00 A.M.R.P.F.C’s Office, Madurai
MEMBERS Present
Sl.No / Name / Sl.No / Name / Sl.No / Name1. / Alagar.S / 23. / Murugesan.M / 45. / Ramasamy.K.
2. / Baby Saroja / 24. / Muthuswamy.P / 46. / Ramasamay.K.(Theni)
3. / Balaguru.G / 25. / Nainiappan.N. / 47. / Salaikumaran.S
4. / Balasubramanian.P. / 26. / Narayanasamy.V / 48. / Sankaranarayanan.S
5. / Basha.B / 27. / Natarajan.A.S. / 49. / Saravanavel.P.L
6. / Baskaran.C / 28. / Nirmala Devi.V / 50. / Sathyanandan.K
7. / Chandramohan.R / 29. / Nirmala.S / 51. / Seetharaman.N
8. / Chandrasekaran.R / 30. / Packianathan.C.A / 52. / Shajakhan.S
9. / Cyril Rajarathinam / 31. / Padmini.N / 53. / Shanmugasundaram.U
10. / Girijakumari.T / 32. / Palanikumar.S / 54. / Sridevi.K.G
11. / Gunasekaran.V. / 33. / Pandian.G / 55. / Srinivasan.S
12. / Iqbal Hameed.N. / 34. / Paranjothi.G / 56. / Subbiah.S
13. / Janarthanan.M / 35. / Parthasarathy.R(MDU) / 57. / Sundaram.V
14. / Kannammal.V (FP) / 36. / Parvathy.M / 58. / Swamy.B.K
15. / Lakshmanan.A / 37. / Paulraj.S / 59. / Thangalakshmi.C
16. / Lalitha Krishnamoorthy / 38. / Ponnusamy.M / 60. / Thangaraj.P
17. / Lourdhusamy.M. / 39. / Poonkavanam.M / 61. / Thangarajan.D
18. / Mahalingam.P. / 40. / Poopandy.R / 62. / Thiruvu.S
19. / Mani.V.S.(RVS) / 41. / Prince.D / 63. / Valliappan.V
20. / Mary Josephin Philominal.A. / 42. / Raja.B / 64. / Venugopal.K
21. / Mohammed Mohideen.S. / 43. / Ramachandran Pillai.V / 65. / Vijayaraghavan.A
22. / Murugan.S. / 44. / Ramalaingam.C / 66. / Vijalakshmi.K.G
Leave of absence grated by the President
1. / Balasubramanian.M / 5. / Pattavarayan.A2. / Dhanaraj.V.M / 6. / Raajendhiron.M.G
3. / Krishnamoorthi.N / 7. / Sankaranarayanan.T.N.
4. / Narayanan.P. / 8. / Sekaran.S.R
Shri M.Janardhanam proposed the name of the President Shri B.Raja to preside over the meeting and it was seconded by, Shri M.Seetharaman. Shri B.Raja presided over the meeting.
Smt. S.Nirmala rendered the prayer song. A minute’s silence was observed for the cause of world peace and as a mark of respect to those of our colleagues who have died in the recent past.
Shri S.Subbiah special representative from Madurai welcomed the President, the General Secretary the Joint Secretary, other members of the Association who have come from Chennai and also those members who have come to participate in the meeting from Madurai, Tirunelveli Nagercoil. He sought the co-operation of all the members to make the meeting a successful one.
Shri C.Baskaran, the General Secretary in his written report circulated among the members mentioned about the discussion the Association had with the Addl. CPFC Shri Narayanappa on 25.05.2015 regarding issue of I.D. Cards to all the pensioners in Madurai, refund of Rs.25,000/- to Smt.N.Padmini after adjusting the dues if any,highlighted the flaw in disallowing medical expenses without informing the members and the delay in settlement of the Medical Bills. He also reported about the Addl. CPFC and the RPEC I Chennai agreeing to allow Shri Swaminathan APFC, Ambuttur SRO to accompany him (C.Baskaran) to meet top officials of speciality hospitals in Chennai and persuade them to come forward to provide cashless medicare facilities to the pensioners and their dependents. His report stated about the efforts taken by the Association to get the withheld gratuity amount paid to the heirs of late M.Chellakkannu of Tiruchy, release of the withheld gratuity to Shri C.Soundararajan of Coimbatore and Shri C.N.Kumar of Chennai, and to get the medical bills of S/Shri R.Sridharan, G.Munusamy (APFC), and P.Mariappan, decentralization of the Group Insurance Scheme by empowering the RPFCS I of Coimbatore, Madurai and Tambaram to avoid delay in repayment of the benefit to the pensioners, payment of pension to EPFO Pensioners settled in Nepal through the Indian Embassy in Nepal, crediting of Dearness Relief belatedly by the SBI necessitating him to write to the Chairman SBI claiming interest on the delayed payments; the report further mentioned about the website of the Association with the ID epfpen.com. He mentioned about the change in the Registration of the Association as 178 of 2015 and requested the members to furnish their Email ID to help him sending mails of all letters etc issued by the Association.
He introduced the President to the audience as the architect in the formation of the Pensioners Associations who is not only the President of the Association for the last more than 20 years and is also the Secretary General of the All India Federation of Pensioners Associations of the EPF and has been relentlessly working for the welfare of the pensioners of the EPF Organisation. He invited the President to deliver his speech.
The President invited the members to raise anyissue affecting them, any doubt on any matter concerning the pensioners welfare, any grievances they have which need the Association and the Federation’s intervention to solve them and any suggestion to improve the working the Association. Shri V.Sundaram (Retired APFC) stated that though he retired on superannuation only in 1992, the SBI wrongly assumed that he had completed 80 years of age and allowed 20% increase in the pension as per rules and, after about 8 years or so it found out its mistake and has started recovering the amount paid in excess of his entitlement at the rate of Rs.8600/-per month. He also narrated that as against Rs.17,000/- spent by for the Gall Bladder Operation, he was reimbursed a petty sum of Rs.8,000/- only by the Regional Office Coimbatore. He felt that the action of the office was deplorable.
Shri D.Prince, showed two I.D. cards one issued to him while in service bearing the symbol of the Govt. of India (Three Lions) and the other issued after retirement bearing only the emblem of the E.P.F. Organisation. He was of the view that the ID card with the GOI’s emblem will be the appropriate one to give some status to the pensioners.
Shri Cyril Rajarathinam thanked the Association for the services it has been rendering for the pensioners welfare. He wanted that as the Coimbatore pensioners have been allowed to have a separate Association it would help the pensioners in Madurai region to have a similar set up with representatives from Tirunelveli and Nagercoil. Atleast an adhoc committee may be formed for Madurai region to begin with, he suggested.
Smt. Baby Saroja reported that she has not received the ID card yet. She wanted to know as to when the commuted value of the pension be restored.
Shri A.Ponnusamy suggested that an office room may be provided to the Association in the Regional Office. He wanted the Madurai pensioners be allowed to have a separate body to represent the grievances of the local members.
Smt. N.Padmini wanted to know as to whether the sum of Rs.25,000/- withheld from her gratuity amount would be paid back to her or not.
Smt. Girijakumari reported that suddenly her monthly pension has been reduced by about Rs.5,000/- or so and she wanted to know as to what she should do.
Shri U.Shanmugasundaram also informed that a sum of Rs.25,000/- withheld from his gratuity amount has not yet been refunded to him.
Shri R.Chandrasekaran wanted that as in the case of serving employees the pensioners should also be allowed to have a master health check up at the cost of the organization.
The President briefly stated as to how he came to the famous city Madurai in May 1967, to meet the great and true Trade Union Leader Late Shri K.T.K.Thangamani, M.A., Bar at Law, then member of the CBT, EPF, and got his consent to be the 1st Preisdent of the All India EPF Staff Federation and how much he learnt from the Late Shri Thangamani on serving the followers selflessly.
Coming to the various points raised by the members the President that as in the case Shri V.Sundaram the SBI Chennai made excess payments to Shri K.R.Narayana Rao and Smt. Subadhra and later recovered the excess payments without informing the members causing hardship to the pensioners. He said the Regional Office too was responsible for such incidents as the office does not care to verify the correctness of the amount of pension paid to individuals and shown in the schedule submitted the R.O. At times names of people died long ago were also found place in the schedules. The Association had pointed out these discrepancies and had urged the office to invite the Association officials at the time of the meeting of the Nodal Officers of the SBI and the Regional Office to provide an opportunity to the Association to have the grievances of the members sorted out.
Shri D.Prince was informed that the CPFC’s office has accepted the suggestion of the Federation to issue Biometric Photo ID cards and the suggestion of Shri Prince will be taken up with the Central Office.
Shri Cyril Rajarathinam was informed that it was not correct to compare the situation leading to formation of a Branch Unit of the Association at Coimbatore as the unit was having 148 members when it was allowed to form the Branch unit and local members met more than once to give shape to the unit with the guidance of the parent association. Today it has more than 250 members, whereas in Madurai not even 50% of the pensioners have become members as on date and it was too early to consider the request of the member. Shri Ponnusamy who too supported the suggestion of Shri Cyril Rajarathinam was informed that as President he was not authorised either by the Executive committee or the General Body to take a spot decision in the matter and an appropriate decision will be taken at the proper time when more pensioners joint the Association Regarding Office accommodation it was informed that the request was turned down by the CPFC.
Smt. Baby Saroja was informed that the commuted value of the pension will be restored only on completion of 15 years from the date of receipt of the commutation benefit according to the existing rules. As regards non receipt of the I.D card by her shewas advised to approach the office and if needed the Association will ask the RO to issue the ID Card to her.
Smt. N.Padmini was informed that the matter of release of the sum of Rs.25,000/- withheld from her gratuity after adjusting the amount if any due to the office was already discussed in the meeting held with the Addl. CPFC. Since she has not received the payment till date the Assn. will take it up with the RPFC Chennai and do the needful. This is applicable to Shri U.Shanmugasundaram also.
Smt. Girijakumari who took voluntary retirement and commuted of portion of the pension subsequently was informed that the reduction in the quantum of pension subsequent to her availing the commutation benefit seems to be in order. She was however advised to make or representation to the RPFC, Madurai and if she is not satisfied with the response of the office she may bring the matter to the notice of the Association.
Shri R.Chandrasekaran was told by the President that the Federation had already made a demand for allowing the pensioners to have a master health check up as in the case of serving employees above the age of 50 years and it has not found favour with the department.
Having answered all the points raised by the members, the President traced the history of the birth of the Pensioners Association in Chennai in February 1995 as the pensioners were ill treated by the staff, formation of similar Associations in Karnataka, Maharashtra, Punjab, Rajasthan, Delhi, Pune, Nagpur, Odisha, Surat & Haryana, (Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh & W.Bengal already had their Associations) and the formation of the All India Federation of Pensioners Associations of E.P.F. Organisation in March 2010. He said that since the last 5 years and more he has been functioning as Secretary General of the Federation while continuing to be the President of the Tamil Nadu & Puducherry EPFO Pensioners Association for the last 21 years.
Regarding the medical facilities available to the EPFO Pensioners, the President narrated that the employees as well as the pensioners of the EPFO are not covered under the Central Govt. Health Scheme and hence for taking care of the outdoor treatment a sum of Rs.35/- p.m was paid as FMA from June 1984 and after the formation of our Association we have ensured the upward revision of this amount once in every three years from Rs.35/-, Rs.60/-, Rs.90/-, Rs.120/-, Rs.250/-, Rs.600/-, Rs.1200/-, and Rs.2000/- from 01.03.2013. The recommendation of the CBT/EC to antedate the increase to 1/1/2012 is pending clearance from the Ministry of Finance GOI. Since the RPFCs are giving their own interpretations to the CSMA Rules, 1944, and harassing the pensioners, as advised by the then CPFC Shri S.K.Chatterjee on 27.10.2010, he compiled a set a medical attendance Rules both for the serving employees & the pensioners, to provide for cashless medical treatment and presented the 178 pages Book to the CPFC and the Addl. CPFC on 8.2.2011 in person. This book has not been read by anyone in the CPFC’s till date.
He advised the members to avail medical treatment in hospitals approved by the Central/State Govt or under the CGH Scheme etc as for as possible to avoid unnecessary objections from the office. In case of emergency one can take treatment in a private hospital also if such hospital has the facilities necessary to treat the patient for the illness he/she is suffering from. Members are entitled to reimbursement of the expenses incurred on medical treatment in private hospitals but the payment will be restricted to the amount specified in the CSMA Rules 1944. Members are also entitled for reimbursement for post operative treatment recommended at the time of discharge from the hospital in cases like heart operation, kidney transplantation, knee, hip, shoulder or joint replacement cancer etc,
He further stated that in case of hospitalization in emergency cases an intimation in writing should be given to the office soon after admission and the medical bills on completion of the treatment should be submitted with all prescriptions, cash memos, vouchers, essentiality certificate etc within three months from the date of discharge from the hospital. The medical claim should be settled by the office within 30 days of submission of the bills. If there is any delay members may approach the Association for help.
Before concluding his speech the President advised the members not to execute any will in favor of the children but to keep in their account sufficient money to meet any of their personal needs and not to expect from the children any help unless of their own they extend such help. He cited a few instances where the children have left their parents in the lurch after taking away everything from them. He wished the members to lead a healthy life and avoid health related problem.
The President further said that only after the formation of the Associations and the Federation the pensioners are treated with respect and their grievances are heard. The Associations have been allowed to hold their Executive Committee/General Body meetings in office premises without dislocating the working of the office. They are allowed to avail the holiday home/guest house facilities on payment of Rs.80/- per day for anon AC room and Rs.125/- for an AC room in the case of serving employees.
The President advised the members present to try to enroll those who have not so far joined the Association as members of the Association and strengthen the Association. He informed the members that the RPFCI Madurai Shri Rabindra Samal assured to take part in the meeting for a few minutes atleast, as he is otherwise preoccupied to take care of his ailing mother and to keep up his official commitments. The President thanked the members for giving him their love and affection all thro’ his career as the union leader and now as President of the Pensioners Association. He assured them of his continued service as long as his health permits. He thanked Shir V.Sundaram who has donated Rs.2,000/- to the Association.
The President appreciated Shri B.K. Swamy Joint Secretary of the Association who has frequently been visiting Madurai to take part in the marriages etc of the pensioners and for enrolling 2 or 3 members every time he visits Madurai. His contribution to increase the membership strength deserved all round appreciation, the President said.
Shri Mohamed Mohideen endorsed the advice of the President to keep something for ones own health and otherneeds and narrated his own case as an example. He wanted the members to protect their house etc in their name so long as they are alive.
Shri V.Sundaram praised the activities of the Association and prayed to god to give the President long life, health and strength to continue to help the pensioners. He expressed his joy in meeting old friends after a long gap, and thanked god for this opportunity.
Shri B.K.Swamy proposed the vote of thanks and the meeting was concluded. Members were provided a sumptuous vegetarian lunch in the office canteen.
The RPFC I Shri Rabindra Samal came to meet the President and members of the Association. He was presented a shawal by the President and a group photo was taken with the members present. The RPFCI was thanked for the courtesy extended by him.