RE : DISCREMINATION AND DENIAL OF CONTRIBUTORY MEDICAL AID FACILITY TO RETIRED EMPLOYEES by A NATIONALISED BANK – BANK OF BARODA
Wishing you a happy and prosperous CHRISTMAS.
Longback on 19.07.1969 fourteen commercial Banks were nationalized by Govt of India with a view and visualization of fair treatment by the Banks to its CUSTOMERS and staff to lead the country towards socialization. However the following incident will narrate the different story against the Govt policies. And the supporters of Govt policies are harassed as under under the aegis of Indian Banks Association and the opponents of Govt Policies.
ALL are well aware of the voluntary retirement scheme which was introduced with a view to downsize the staff strength and increase the profitability of the Govr undertakings at the end of twentieth century for betterment in 21st Century.
We have supported the Govt policies by offering Voluntary retirement and the flouring country from the last ten years is the result of our support. However on the contrary the benefits which were assured during the service period were discriminatorily and technically withdrawn on the plea of cost effectiveness.
I am a consumer of Bank of Baroda as the affairs of the BANK OF BARODA CONTRIBUTORY MAEDICAL AID SCHEME FOR RETIRED EMPLOYEES are managed out of the STAFF WELFARE FUND.
I retired from the Bank's Service on 31.03.2001 under the Bank's Voluntary retirement Scheme known as BOBEVRS-2001.
According to Bank of Baroda Contributory Medical Assistance Scheme for Retired Employees scheme I should have been invited for membership immediately after my retirement on 31.03.2001.
All the times whenever I referred to the Bank in respect of this scheme, every time Bank used to write me ‘AT PRESENT BOBEVRS-2001 SCHEME EMPLOYEES ARE NOT COVERED UNDER THE SCHEME.’ But to my utter surprise the TERM ‘AT PRESENT ‘ had no end for the last ten years.Now in accordance with the Judgement dated 27.03.2009 in CA 1942/2005 Bank of India & Anr vs K.Mohandas & Ors, issues relating to our retirement are amply clarified by the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India and now the matter of adhoc retirement under BOBEVRS-2001 is crystallized into retirement . And accordingly Bank has paid the arrears during Oct-Nov-2009.In view of this clarification all VRS employees stand on equal footing with the other retired employees. As such Bank should have offered membership under the above scheme at least as on date of payment of arrears. Which the bank has yet not offered. Apart from this, I further submit as under:
1. Bank has issued circular No. HO:BR:92/317 for Bank of Baroda Contributory Medical Assistance Scheme for Retired Employees on 09.11.2000 AND THERE IS NO AMENDMEND TO THE SCHEME SINCE ITS INCEPTION EXCEPT IMPROVEMENT FOR ADDITIONAL BENEFIT DURING 2010.
2. Bank has also issued Circular No.CO:BR:92/157 for BOBEVRS-2001 on 14.12.2000.tHE circular does not contain the exclusion clause for BOBEVRS-2001 retirees.
3. Therefore matter of mention or inclusion of BOBEVRS-2001 employees in the circular No. HO:BR:92/317 dated 09.11.2000 does not arise as BOBEVRS-2001 circular no. CO:BR:92/157 was issued after the issue of Bank of Baroda Contributory Medical Assistance Scheme for Retired Employees. And BOBEVRS circular dated 14.12.2000 does not contain the exclusion clause for Bank of Baroda Contributory Medical Assistance Scheme for Retired Employees scheme for employees retiring under BOBEVRS=2001.
4. Circular No. HO:BR:92/317 dated 09.11.2000 for Bank of Baroda Contributory Medical Assistance Scheme for Retired Employees in Annexure I under Clause 6 for clarification does mention as under:All employees already retired or retiring hereafter will be covered under the Bank of Baroda Contributory Medical Assistance Scheme for Retired Employees.Simultaneously the clarification clause also clarifies the members not covered under the scheme or ineligible. I am not a part of this as clause clarifies members uncovered mentioned in the clause 6 of the annexure-I.
In our old age, Contributory Medical Aid Scheme for Retired employees becomes a social security measure and its denial is the denial of the rightful post retirement benefit to the BOBEVRS-2001 retirees.
We have already been denied our rightful retirement benefit for the last 9 years and the bank continues to do so.This has resulted in loss due to getting cover under the medical insurance, annual aid for domicillay treatment upto Rs.3500/-per annum. This being the tenth year total loss suffered is Rs.35,000/- plus hospitalisation benefit under the scheme.Some retirees even died for want of the treatment,the loss caused is enormous.The Banks General Manager,HRD also has written to me to not to write them in this matter.
When they write to me ‘AT PRESENT YOU BOBEVRS-2001 SCHEME EMPLOYEES ARE NOT COVERED UNDER THE SCHEME.’ I am bound to write the Bank periodically enquiring my turn of coverage under the scheme.
THERE IS NOBODY CERTAIN WHEN THIS AT PRESENT TERM WILL HAVE ANY END AND THE BANK'S EXECUTIVES WILL STOP TO ACT AGAINST THE WISHES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE BANK IN THIS DEMOCRATIC COUNTRY.
NARENDRA KHUTATE
GENERAL SECRETARY,
BOB RETIREES, 11-A,JEEVAN CHHAYA,GIRIPETH,NAGPUR - 440010
