Current activities of the AIS (Rajasthan ) Pensioner's Association

While the process of amending the Constitution of the Association was underway, bearing in mind the enlarged objectives to include the welfare of other pensioners of Rajasthan Government and welfare of other backward citizens of the State, in the Annual General Meeting of the Association held on 27th November 2011, it was decided to constitute a Committee to advise on taking up some projects to benefit less privileged children of retired employees of Government of Rajasthan and also to suggest ways and means to help pensioners in matters relating to pension, CGHS etc. The Committee's report was considered in the meeting of Executive Committee held on 14th March 2012 and pursuant to decisions taken then and subsequently, the following activities have taken place:-

General

Till about 3 years ago, the Association had no office. Need for an independent office space for the Association was felt in view of its increased activities. After pursuing this matter with the State Government, it was kind enough to provide 3 small rooms in Patel Bhawan, HCM Rajasthan Institute of Public Administration (OTS) free of charge, for office purposes to the Association. The Association's office now functions from OTS and on each working day some members (as volunteers) are available in the office from 11 AM to 1 PM to address problems and issues raised by AIS pensioners.

Matters relating to pensioners / family pensioners

1. A number of meetings have been held with the Chief Secretary and other officials to streamline and simplify matters relating to pension, family pension and the State health scheme. The form for applying for family pension has been simplified. Following two issue have been specifically taken up with the State Government:
   
   
   1. After the demise of the pensioner, family pension should be paid automatically by the bank on submission of the death certificate without the spouse being required to go to the treasury or the Bank.
   
   
   2. Cashless facility like the CGHS may be provided to pensioners for indoor treatment in private hospitals approved by the State Government.
   
   
2. Matters have also been taken up with CGHS to simplify procedures, obtain latest circulars and place them in the `Sampark' for information of all members. Following issues are being pursued with the Central Government:
   
   
   1. At present CGHS facilities are available in Jaipur only. The Central Government has been requested to extend CGHS facilities to Jodhpur which has a large number of AIS pensioners and many Central Government establishments.
   
   
   2. The need for a reference by a CGHS doctor should be dispensed with for hospitalisation in an approved private hospital.
   
   
3. After due deliberations in the Executive Committee, a memorandum was prepared and submitted to the 7th Central Pay Commission highlighting various matters relating to pensioners, pension commutation, family pension, CGHS etc.
   
   
4. Individual problems of many AIS pensioners brought to the notice of the Association have been addressed. The following instances of Association's intervention will give an idea of the nature of problems pensioners / family pensioners are faced with:
   
   
   1. Two family pensioners, one in Pune and another in Kolkata were assisted through the State Finance Department, and Accountant Generals and Banks to resolve their pension matters.
   
   
   2. A pensioner in Chennai was assisted to get his pension paying bank changed from SBBJ, Secretariat, Jaipur to SBBJ, Mylapore, Chennai.
   
   
   3. After passing away of a pensioner aged 91, his wife was helped to get the family pension and the additionalities at age 80 and 85 where the bank was creating problems.
   
   
   4. A pensioner (80+) was helped to get new CGHS Smart cards as also the new pensioner's diary for State pensioners.
   
   
   5. The date of commencement of family pension in a particular case was modified where the husband had died in USA and the date of death in the death certificate was entered in the American format.
   
   
   6. Pursuant to State Government's decision to give concession to senior citizens on travel by RSRTC buses, a number of AIS pensioners have been assisted to get necessary Smart cards from RSRTC.
   
   
   7. Pensioner/ family pensioner were assisted in preparation of bills for reimbursement under the CGHS.
   
   
   8. A family pensioner outside Rajasthan was helped in resolving her dispute with the pension disbursing bank relating to income tax liability of her deceased husband.
   
   
   9. The Association has helped Pensioners / Family Pensioners in submitting annual life certificate to banks.
   
   
   10. The association has pursued the matter relating to payment of arrears due to recent revision of pension with the Finance Department and the Director of Pension.
   
   
5. The Association organises a social get together in rainy season. Another get together is organised in January and all those pensioners / family pensioners who had attained the age of eighty are felicitated in the New Year.
   
   
6. Every year 'Sampark' is brought out by the Association giving names, addresses, telephone numbers date of birth of retired officers and family pensioners of all the three services. Sampark also contains other useful information like important Government circulars, CGHS circulars etc relevant to pensioners.
   
   
7. A small library in the association's office has been set up of books / articles by pensioners / family pensioners and their relatives. There are 120 Hindi and 80 English books. Members are welcome to read them in the office or get them issued.
   
   
8. Establishing Neighbourhood Groups
   
   

Nine Neighbourhood Groups have been established in Jaipur, 6 at the headquarters of 6 revenue divisions, one in Delhi and one more at Jaipur for AIS Pensioners living outside Rajasthan and Delhi. Each neighbourhood group in Jaipur has a specified area to look after pensioners / family pensioners living in that area. From time to time the leader or sub group leader of the neighbourhood group contacts pensioners and family pensioners in his area to ascertain if they encounter any difficulties. Attempts are then made to resolve them. Most problems relate to CGHS, Pension, State Medical diaries, Smart card for travel in RSRTC etc. The pensioners / spouses have also been advised to contact the group leaders / sub group leaders in case they face any difficulties.

Matters relating to other social work

1. Constitution of a Corpus Fund




To fund such activities from the Association it was decided to establish a Corpus Fund. Each member was requested to make a onetime contribution of Rs. 5000/-. It is gratefully acknowledged that 245 members, including family pensioners, have contributed resulting in a corpus amount of Rs. 18.83 lakhs. The interest from this amount is being spent on the social activities mentioned below.

2. Scholarship assistance




Since 2013 the Association has begun providing scholarships to children of class III and class IV pensioners who are pursuing higher and professional education. A collaboration has been effected with SUMEDHA, who shares the amount which is subject to a maximum Rs. 10000/- per child per year. In the year 2013-14, 3 students were assisted and in the current year 7 students have been assisted. This scholarship is given to children of GOR and GOI pensioners whose annual income is less than Rs. 2 lakhs and the student should have a pass percentage of at least 70. Find Scholarships given in year 2015.

3. Assistance to Government Primary Schools in Jaipur
   
   
   
   1. Visit by some pensioners to Government Primary schools in the Jhalana / Jawahar Nagar Kacchi Basti areas found the schools wanting in basic amenities and infrastructure. To improve the same, in one such Primary School, Jawahar Nagar Kacchi Basti, Tila no. 3, during 2014, the Association presented items like tables, chairs, durries, fans etc. worth Rs 50000/- to the school. The toilet was spruced up and proper arrangements made for supply of Aquaguard filtered water. With help from Collector and Municipal Corporation, Jaipur the building of the school has also been repaired and an additional toilet provided.
   
   
   2. In the year 2015 the Government Primary School at Tila No. 4 and 5, were selected and have been provided similar assistance amounting to Rs 50000/- each. Dr C B Sharma, Secretary of the Association has provided Rs 50000/- to the Association for the school at Tila No. 5. The Collector has also been requested to get necessary repairs done to these two school buildings.
   
   

In the interest of pensioners / family pensioners

Based on the problems faced by the pensioners / family pensioners which came to the notice of the Association, a detailed circular was prepared and circulated to all AIS pensioners and family pensioners on 30th June 2015 highlighting issues relating to PPO, commutation of pension, increase in pension amount, income tax, medical and health (both CGHS and State), and family pension. The circular has been further revised and the same would be put in the `Sampark 2015' and is available at This Link

All members are requested to go through this circular.