REPORT ON TSEWA VISIT TO THREE CPPCs LOCATED IN HYDERABAD

Indian Military Veterans

Dear Ladies and Gentlemen,

1.         A team comprising of Lt Col VSR Ramana Reddy, Core Committee Member of TSEWA, Col N Sitaramaiah, Vice – President, TSEWA and Self visited CPPCs of SBI, Andhra Bank and State Bank of Hyderabad located in Hyderabad today (16 Mar 2016, Wednesday) and had extensive discussion with them regarding problems being faced by Ex-Servicemen (ESM) and Family Pensioners.  I shall cover gist of our discussion and future course of action of TSEWA in succeeding paras.

Andhra Bank

2.         We met Shri M.N. Sudhakar, General Manager, in-charge of CPPC in HQ Andhra Bank. We explained problems faced by ESMs and Family Pensioner of (a) short remittance of pensions (b) Non remittance of dearness relief every six months (c)  Incorrect calculations of pension arrears (d) incorrect data in PPOs (e)  Poor customer services (f) Inadequate knowledge of banking staff of defence pensions.

3.         Suggestions.

(a)        We suggested Andhra Bank has similar reach in two Telugu speaking states of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh as by SBI. Hence maximum defence pensioners should have pension account in Andhra Bank. It is only possible by improving customer interaction and providing better services.

(b)        Defence Pension Mela. Syndicate Bank organised a Defence Pension Mela in Secunderabad on 27 Feb 2015 during which many grievances of pensioners were resolved. If Andhra Bank can also organise similar Defence Pension Melas in select towns/cities like Visakhapatnam, Vijayawada, Guntur, Tirupati, Warangal, Khammam and Hyderabad, many of the problems of pensioners can be resolved and their satisfaction level will definitely go up.

©         Due & Drawn Statement. Whenever pension arrears are remitted the details of how that much amount has been arrived is not given. SBI commenced issued of Due & Drawn Statement of OROP arrears which pensioners can get from their branches. In a similar manner Andhra Bank also must issue Due & Drawn Statement.

(d)        LTA. Life Time Arrears (LTA) is a nomination form to be signed by pensioner  to bequeath his arrears which may come after his death. LTA does not automatically  go to his widow. Bank Staff are not aware of this requirement of signing Form B by pensioners while they are alive to nominate his NOK to get his arrears after his death.

(e)        Assistance from TSEWA. TSEWA developed considerable experience in pension matters and will always be available to help Andhra Bank.

4.         Shri M.N.Sudhakar, General Manager issued suitable instructions to Shri M Sree Rama Sarma, Asst Gen Manager and Shri Srinivas, Chief Manager, CPPC.

SBI

5.         We later met Shri VSP Brahma, Asst General Manager, CPPC, SBI and briefed him on similar lines. We complimented him for remitting pension arrears on 14 Mar 2016. He suggested Defence pension Melas are organised by bank branches in their respective areas. We assured him that we will liaise with few branch managers in Hyderabad and Secunderabad and organise Defence Pension Melas. He assured us of full support and render all assistance if any grievance is projected by TSEWA.

State Bank of Hyderabad (SBH)

6.         We met Shri L K Ashok, Dy Manager, CPPC, SBH. The same points projected earlier to Andhra Bank and SBI were projected to him. He informed out of 8,000 all India Defence Pensioners SBH has remitted OROP arrears to almost 6,000. They could not remit OROP arrears to 2049 pensioners who retired in the period 1964 – 1984. The problems they are facing in remittance is (a) Non Availability of data such as length of service (b) Group (c) Date of Birth (d) Date of Death of husband in case of family pensioners.

7.         He requested details of such affected pensioners has been sought from all the PSAs. Unless he gets the details required it is not possible for him to remit the arrears.

Commom Problems Being Faced by Banks

8.         Response from PSAs. Defence Pensions are very complex and the bank staff find it very difficult to understand various circulars of PCDA (Pensions) Allahabad and letters of Govt of India. A letter sent by CGDA dated 29 Feb 2016 was shown by one Chief Manager where in the data of remittance of OROP arrears is to be furnished by 29 Feb 2016 by banks. The letter dated 29 Feb 2016 actually reached him on 11 Mar 2016 and his question is : How do I submit data to CGDA on 29 Feb 2016 when he receives there letter on 11 Mar 2016 i.e. 11 days later?

9.         Complaints. Pensioners find it very easy to blame banks when problems lies with either Treasury office or PSAs. One of the Chief Managers pointed out that a war injured officer is demanding that his war injury element is to be fixed at 100% whereas bank is remitting at 50%. Even though the bank staff said the percentage disability is not fixed by banks but by PCDA (Pensions) Allahabad, the officer would not understand. The banks spend considerable time in replying to hundreds of complaints. They advised TSEWA to sensitise the environment that pensioners must know who the correct authority is. Banks have no power to either enhance or reduce pension. They are bound by instructions received from PSAs. They said if they are allowed to devote their time to resolve genuine grievances, they will be able to render better service.

10.       Non Rendering of Life Certificates. Many pensioners do not submit life certificate. It is mandatory for pensioner to show himself up in the month of November or send Digital Life Certificate (DLC) and get acknowledgement from banks that their DLC is received. Once pension is discontinued for non-submission of Life Certificate then the procedure to restore pension is time consuming. There are many pensioners whose whereabouts are not known.

11.       Aadhar Seeding. Pensioner in their own interest must link up their Aadhar number with their pension account. Many pensioners question the relevance quoting judgment of hon’ble Supreme Court for not linking up.

12.       Shortage of Staff.  Due to shortage of staff, banks are finding it difficult to render best possible service. If pensioners also co-operate with banks, then better customer service is possible.

Action by TSEWA

13.       Nodal Officer of TSEWA to Deal with Three CPPCs Located in Hyderabad.          Lt Col VSR Ramana Reddy, Core Committee member of TSEWA having established very good rapport with all three CPCs in Hyderabad is appointed as the Nodal Officer in TSEWA to take grievances of pensioners of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana whether they are members of TSEWA or not. They can contact him at 9989392733. Your complaint should be explained in e-mail to him giving relevant details. Either Lt Col Ramana Reddy or Col N Sitaramaiah or Self will go once a month to the three CPPCs and try to resolve your problem. The following information be provided to Lt Col VRS Ramana Reddy :-

            (a)        Your Rank & Name.

            (b)       Your PPO No and Corr PPO nos if any.

            ©         Your Bank Account No.

            (d)       Name of your bank and branch name.

            (e)        Your mobile no.

            (f)        Brief Description of your Grievance.

            (g)       Your Length of Service in Years and Months and your Group (X or Y or Z).

            (h)       Your current pension without DR and with DR.

14.       Defence Pension Mela. TSEWA will endeavour to organise Defence Pension Mela in Hyderabad or Secunderabad in consultation with bank authorities.

15.       Assistance in Other States.  This has commenced on pilot basis in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. In the days to come we will expand our activities to cover all States and UTs through our State Presidents. However you are most welcome to send me your grievance in e-mail to me and I shall correspond with CPPC of your bank and also with Min of Personnel, Pensions & Public Grievances provided you furnish the details as given in para 13 by e-mail. Please do not give me your details in Facebook or Whatsapp. Many of your problems can be resolved by yourself by visiting your bank or CPPC of your bank.

Regards,

Brig CS Vidyasagar (Rtd)

President TSEWA

9493191380