Retired Employees of Regional Rural Banks Highlight Crucial Issues in Letter to NABARD

In a letter dated May 30, 2024, addressed to Sri Subrat Nanda, Chief General Manager of NABARD, the National Federation of Retired RRB Staff (NFRRRBS) has urgently requested representation in the upcoming Joint Consultative Committee (JCC) meeting to be held on June 12 in Mumbai. The NFRRRBS, a prominent body under the All India Regional Rural Bank Employees Association (AIRRBEA), emphasises its role in advocating for over 18,000 retired employees across 38 of the 40 Regional Rural Banks (RRBs) in India. The letter references previous communications, highlighting the necessity for official recognition and participation of retired employees to address their specific grievances.

Pension-Related Grievances

A significant part of the letter focuses on various pension-related issues. The NFRRRBS calls for the revision of the effective date of the Pension Scheme from April 1, 2018, to November 1, 1993. They highlight discrepancies in family pension payments, citing reductions and recoveries made by RRBs such as Bangiya Gramin Bank, Madhya Pradesh Gramin Bank, and Uttar Bihar Gramin Bank. The federation also requests another opportunity for employees to opt into the pension scheme and urges the extension of pension benefits to resigned employees who meet voluntary retirement scheme (VRS) conditions. Additional issues include the need for compassionate allowance, problems with fund transfers by EPFO, and challenges faced by recent retirees due to these transfers.

Image: Letter of NFRRRBS on crucial issues to NABARD

Parity in Benefits and Leave Encashment

The NFRRRBS demands that benefits such as pay and allowances, compassionate appointments, and leave encashment be extended to retired RRB employees in the same manner as those in Nationalised Commercial Banks (NCBs). They point out that some RRBs have failed to implement compassionate appointment provisions correctly, causing delays and denials. The federation also highlights disparities in the implementation of computer increments and urges that these be granted from November 1, 1993, to align with NCB standards.

Health Insurance and Gratuity Concerns

Health insurance remains a critical concern for retired employees. The NFRRRBS stresses that the exorbitant premiums for health insurance policies, which lack domiciliary treatment coverage, are unaffordable for many retirees. They call for the reimbursement of health insurance premiums for retirees and family pensioners, similar to the provisions for current employees. Additionally, the federation raises issues related to the calculation of gratuity, emphasising the need to include dearness allowance (DA) in the calculations. They reference court rulings that support this inclusion and call for a directive from the Department of Financial Services (DFS) to ensure compliance across all RRBs.

Additional Issues of Allowances

The NFRRRBS also highlights the need for inclusion of special allowances for computing pension and other retirement benefits, representation of their units in Pension Trust Boards, and the formation and proper functioning of Pension Grievances Cells as per NABARD guidelines. Specific issues like leave encashments for VRS optees and those punished with CRS, and the reimbursement of health insurance premiums are also underscored.

In conclusion, the NFRRRBS earnestly requests focused discussions on these pressing issues during the upcoming JCC meeting. They emphasise their ongoing efforts to address these concerns with various authorities and underscore their right to be included as accredited representatives of retirees. The federation expresses hope that their participation will lead to positive resolutions and improved welfare for retired RRB employees across India.