STOPPAGE OF FIXED MEDICAL ALLOWANCE

 ACCOUNTABILITY  FOR NON STOPPAGE OF
 FIXED MEDICAL ALLOWANCE (FMA ) BY BANKS.

WORRIED VETERAN .

Our Ex-Servicemen were enrolled as  members  in ECHS from 01-04-2004  onward.

For becoming member, stoppage of FMA certificate from bank is mandatory.

Hence, all the ESM obtained the certificate from their Banks-  as Having stopped FMA from so and so month  and joined the scheme from 01-04-2004. ,

Now, we understand that still many ESMs and Families are being paid with FMA. 

On verifying  the pension details  for Renewal of ECHS cards to 64 KB,  the

 Non stoppage of FMA is noticed.

The pensioners , particularly Widows are not aware whether they are being paid with FMA or not.  Similarly, many pensioners also not knowing  this point.

During the Renewal ECHS  cards, we noticed the Non stoppage of FMA . when inquired, they said that they have requested the Bank to stop  FMA  but they are still paying  even after reminding.

THIS IS THE POSITION.

When we calculated the FMA paid to few ECHS members , it comes about Rs.50000 plus,  likewise  many are there.

Here , we wish to know , who is accountable for this Non stoppage of FMA.

The member is holding the FMA stopped certificate from Bank.

All pensioners are not that much educated to know the pension details.

We opine that , the Bank is at fault in not carrying out their own commitment, thus the wrong / over payment.

The Pensioners though not aware of the particulars of their Pension, they are also responsible.

Now who should be held accountable for this happenings.   Is a question.

Now , after coming to know the wrong payment, the Bank is demanding the pensioners to repay the amount in lump sum. The poor pensioners , who   are not having such a large amount  and are finding it difficult to manage.

  NOTE:  As per Pension Payment Instruction-2013  from PCDA, para 103,  PDA should get permission  to recover the Over payment , which was noticed after 12 months period.

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In our opinion,

1.      As the Bank has failed to comply with their own commitment, the wrong/ over payment shall be borne by the Bank.

Note:  This is a serious nature.  Some cases has come to our knowledge  that, when the ECHS member  drawing FMA   went  for a Major surgery   and was denied admission  due to this payment   of FMA  which was not of his fault.

The patient was advised to pay back the wrongly paid FMA amount and then only case will be admitted. This is a great injustice meted out to

 Ex-servicemen

In view of the above facts, We request all our ESM Associations and Orgs to guide our veteran brothers in your areas in this regard to avoid last minute sufferings.

WE ARE PUBLISHING THIS ARTICLE  SECOND TIME  AS TH E ISSUE NOT FULLY SOLVED.