The details of the aftermath of the devastating flood that rocked the Kerala are pouring in causing alarming concern about the loss of life and property, grief and suffering of the fellow citizens from the affected areas. Hundreds of people have lost their lives; many have been separated from their near and dear ones. This national calamity is unprecedented in its devastation. This is an hour when every patriotic citizen shall not only express his concern but to do his bit to provide succour and relief to the suffering of the needy. It is in this tragic background that we should demonstrate our solidarity with the families which have been suffered. All of us share in the grief of those who have been adversely affected. Even if we wish to personally help the victims cope with the crisis, limitations of time and difficult locations make this task seem prohibitive. The Government, NDRF and the security forces are doing their best in saving the lives and providing foods to the victims of the calamity. The need of the hour is to offer solace to the bereaved survivors and to the families who lost their near and dear ones. We can reach to them through our prayers. We call upon all our members to donate at least their one day wage by en-cashing their Privilege Leave and remit the same to Prime Minister’s Relief Fund, to help the affected people. We are confident that our comrades shall rise to the occasion and donate for this novel cause.

In the Meeting with IBA on Medical Insurance held on 8th August 2018, UFBU strrongly protested against proposed steep hike in premium rates, suggested extension  of both the policies up to December 2018 and to discuss the issue further.

In Sub-Committee Meeting of IBA with 5 workmen unions held on 18th August 2018 all non financial demands were taken up and are nearing conclusion. Few more issues need to be discussed.

In terms of clause 7 of the 10^th Bipartite Settlement dated 25.05.2015 and clause 3 of the Joint Note dated 25.05.2015, the rate of Dearness Allowance payable to workmen and officer employees applicable for the quarter August 2018 to October 2018 shall be 54.10% of ‘Pay’ against 52.90% of ‘Pay’ for the previous quarter.

For Bank Retirees

From August 2018 to January 2019

No. of slabs increased = 14

PNB has decided to celebrate the month of September as Hindi Month and to organize Two competitions for its staff members at All India Level, on this occasion:-

A. Hindi Story Writing Competition-2018

B. Hindi Poetry (comic-satire) Writing Competition-2018

Rules of the Hindi Story Writing Competition-2018 are as under:-

Based on mother tongue, 3 categories have been defined and the following cash prizes will be given separately for each category :-

- Category "A" mother tongue Hindi

- Category "B" mother tongue Punjabi, Marathi, Gujarati, Sindhi & Urdu

- Category "C" mother tongue other than category "A" & "B" as stated above.

Cash prizes of `3000/-, `2000/-, `1500/- & consolation (two) `500/- each shall be awarded to the best five entries respectively under each category.

One participant can send only one entry.

Rules of the Hindi Poetry (comic-satire) Writing Competition-2018 are as under:-

Cash prizes of `3000/-, `2000/-, `1500/-, `1000/-, `750/- & consolation (two) `500/- each shall be awarded to the best seven entries respectively in this competition.

One participant can send only one entry of Hindi poetry (comic-satire).

Story/poetry (comic-satire) should reach under a separate sealed cover to the following address by hand/post or courier latest by 20th August, 2018:-

The Chief Manager

Punjab National Bank

Official Language Deptt., Head Office

Plot No.04 (Ground Floor) B Wing

Sector 10, Dwarka

New Delhi – 110 075

In talks held on 30th July 2018, IBA  Chairman revised and improved their offer from earler 2% to 6% hike in Wage Bill. UFBU declined the offer as it did not satisfy our expectations.

For detailed Circular Click:http://aipnbsf.org/files/NCBE%20Cir.%2020.pdf

The government may infuse Rs 11,336 crore in five state-owned banks in a week’s time to help them make interest payments due on some bonds.

While Allahabad Bank, Indian Overseas Bank and Corporation Bank recalled their AT1 bonds after coming under the prompt corrective action, they have to service coupon payments on upper tier 1 and upper tier 2 bonds.

Punjab National Bank has taken up with Dr LAL Path lab for discounts to PNB staff including retirees and in context after detailed discussion they have agreed to provide 20% Cash Rate discount for all serving and retired employees of PNB and their dependents on PAN India network of Dr. Lal Path Lab for pathology services and on Delhi NCR network for Radiology services.

For detaied Circular Click: http://aipnbsf.org/files/PAN%20India%20Tie%20Up%20With%20Dr%20Lal%20Pathlabs.pdf

Supreme Court removed anomaly in the Pension of Bank employees/officers who retired/died after 1-4-1998 uptill 31-10-2002 including VRS 2000 optees.

For cppy of the judgement Click: http://aipnbsf.org/files/SC%20JUDGEMNT.pdf

The Payment of Gratuity(Amendment) Bill, 2018 has been passed by parliament on 22nd March 2018. The bill ensures harmony amongst employees in the private sector and Public Sector Undertakings/Autonomous Organizations under Government who are not covered under CCS (Pension) Rules. These employees will be entitled to receive higher amount of gratuity at par with their counterparts in Government sector. The bill was passed by the Rajya Sabha on 22nd March 2018 and the Lok Sabha on 15th March, 2018.

The Payment of Gratuity Act, 1972 applies to establishments employing 10 or more persons. The main purpose for enacting this Act is to provide social security to workman after retirement, whether retirement is a result of superannuation, or physical disablement or impairment of vital part of the body. Therefore, the Payment of Gratuity Act, 1972 is an important social security legislation to wage earning population in industries, factories and establishments.

The present upper ceiling on gratuity amount under the Act is Rs. 10 Lakh. The provisions for Central Government employees under Central Civil Services (Pension) Rules, 1972 with regard to gratuity are also similar. Before implementation of 7th Central Pay Commission, the ceiling under CCS (Pension) Rules, 1972 was Rs. 10 Lakh. However, with implementation of 7th Central Pay Commission, in case of Government servants, the ceiling has been raised to Rs. 20 Lakhs.

Therefore, considering the inflation and wage increase even in case of employees engaged in private sector, this Government decided that the entitlement of gratuity should also be revised in respect of employees who are covered under the Payment of Gratuity Act, 1972. Accordingly, the Government initiated the process for amendment to Payment of Gratuity Act, 1972 to increase the maximum limit of gratuity to such amount as may be notified by the Central Government from time to time.

In addition, the Bill also envisages to amend the provisions relating to calculation of continuous service for the purpose of gratuity in case of female employees who are on maternity leave from 'twelve weeks' to such period as may be notified by the Central Government from time to time.

After enactment of the Act, the power to notify the ceiling of the amount of gratuity under the Payment of Gratuity Act, 1972 shall stand delegated to the Central Government so that the limit can be revised from time to time keeping in view the increase in wage and inflation and future pay commissions.

This ammendment is effective from 29.03.2018.