A Note on M C Singla case on Pension Updation

*A Note on M C Singla case on Pension Updation –Court Proceedings–9th September 2026* – By Shri K V Acharya, President, AIBPARC.

My Dear ARISE Comrades,

I have gone through the comments by some friends in the EC All India group of ARISE about the above.  Our Senior Leaders Comrades M R Gopinatha Rao and R. Krishnan immediately advised our Comrades to show restraint in their remarks and also appreciate efforts put in by our Team in Delhi.  I am Immensely thankful to them and others who echoed the same sentiments.

*Com J D Sharma also gave a scholarly note on Updation giving the legal perspective which is taken well by all.*  But still I consider it my Bounden Duty and Responsibility to explain having taken the Prime Responsibility of following up of the M C Singla Case on behalf of ARISE during my stay in Delhi/ Gurgaon when Our Organisation, *ARISE as an Affiliate of AIBPARC* took upon itself the whole case, of course as an Impleading Party in the Appeals filed by our PNB Comrades, their Organisation All India PNB Retired Officers Association and Others. 

*Of course, it took some time for me to respond to you as I felt it is necessary to give a detailed account of the matter.* I request you to kindly excuse me for the delayed response as well as for the long explanation I am giving hereunder. 

The Leaders of All India PNB Retired Officers Association and our Team in Delhi led by *Com J D Sharma along with Comrades D K Hans, T R Subramanian and R Mukundhan* are coordinating the whole exercise with terrific commitment, minutely collating all the legal details to ensure that the best arguments are put to see that M C Singla case eventually becomes a landmark case ensuring Justice to lakhs of Bank Pensioners. 

*As you are all aware, ARISE had also filed a separate Writ Petition in the Hon’ble High Court of Delhi as early as in 2010 mainly on Updation of Pension as per Regulation 35(1) which is still pending in the Hon’ble High Court of Delhi.* 

I am glad to note that we from ARISE right from the beginning have been insisting and demanding implementation of Regulation 35(1) on Updation of Pension along with every Periodical Wage Revision from 1992 in line with the Updation given to those Retired between 1.1.1986 to 31st October 1987. *We had made it very clear that there was nothing to negotiate further on the already settled issue, all the more after the comprehensive amendment to Regulation 35(1) in 2002-03.*  AIBPARC succeeded phenomenally in articulating Regulation 35(1) along with Regulation 56, Pension Settlement 1993 and Small Committee Minutes in a very unambiguous way and have satisfaction that the Case has now reached the decisive stage.

 Equally, Bank Pensioners Community is genuinely keeping high Expectations and so naturally become highly anxious when repeatedly the proceedings in the Court get adjourned for one or the other reason. *But however, we need not and should not make incorrect and improper assumptions and conclusions about the Hon’ble Court Proceedings.*  Of course, the social media indulged in many unfounded speculations, surmises and gave many good suggestions too. We stomach the caustic comments and do not get distracted by the innocent and sometimes ignorant outbursts as we have to Focus on the Task on hand.

*A brief report about 9th September developments* 

What happened on 9th September 2026 in the Hon’ble Supreme Court is mischievously termed by some as a meek surrender to PNB Sr. Advocate who clearly mentioned that while our Senior Advocate Dr Singhvi could be heard that day, Mr Dhruv Mehta be allowed to argue later. *The Hon’ble Court indicated that they would like to hear another case involving Competition Commission of India (Re–Cement Companies) first and then take up our case when both the sides were available.*  It is pertinent to mention that Shri Venkataramani, Attorney General of India was appearing for the Competition Commission of India. Accordingly, the Hon’ble Bench took up the case of Competition Commission of India which was also a part-heard case and on earlier occasions was being listed before M C Singla case. *Naturally it was not a situation for our Senior Advocate to oppose the Hon’ble Bench’s decision and cause irritation to the Hon’ble Bench that too when demonstratively the M C Singla case appears to be moving in the right direction albeit gradually and slowly.  The case is also in its last leg and there is a need to exhibit patience by us all.  Further we wish to state* that the convention in courts is to yield to hearing cases of Senior most lawyers first and the Attorney General is the first lawyer of the country to whom respect is shown by the bench and bar by giving priority of hearing. 

Undoubtedly, this is not to undermine the anxiety and urgency on the part of the Pensioners, more particularly due to the Advanced age and also the fact that more than two lakh Pensioners have left the world and a good number of our Comrades are leaving the World at a very fast rate. Our Heart Sinks when we see the Obituaries every day. *But at the same time our ” Never Say Die Spirit” Rises Further High and enhances our Determination to further fight vigorously, to get Justice.*  The concerned Authorities like the IBA should realise that they have sinned against the Pensioners and they will have to bear the burden of their sins. 

It is also important to ponder over as to whether it would be wise to react showing our frustration and disappointment in the Court. *Again, Comrades should we not Focus more to win the Case rather than merely raising some objections?*  Or even some people writing critically to our Senior Advocate and also to the Hon’ble Judges?  *For us the Cause of the Case and it’s final outcome is more Important than the running commentary or knee-jerk reaction in the Hon’ble Court on a daily basis.* 

*We are pursuing the issue of Updation of Pension in the Hon’ble Supreme Court, though of course, as An Impleading Party and Your Organisation ARISE as the Proud Affiliate of AIBPARC and with the all-out support from AIBPARC are focussed to Achieve UPDATION OF PENSION by all legitimate means.* 

Yes, another high tension-ridden exercise for arguing the case started when we were informed late in the evening on 8th September 2026 by our Comrade Advocate Shri Sewaram that the case was suddenly listed in the supplementary list due to the non-sitting of the Three Judge Bench originally scheduled for 9th September 2026.  It was a big Challenge to All of us, PNB Comrades, and more particularly to Com J D Sharma and the Team including Com. Advocate Shri Sewaram, and Comrades Nand KishoreJi,  GochwalJi and BharadwajJi of PNB.  Apart from telephone discussions, Last minute notes were also exchanged amongst us till late night and early morning of 9th September 2026. Our team visited our Senior Advocate’s residence before 9.00 in the morning of 9th September 2026 for final discussion and briefing.  From there all of them rushed to the Supreme Court and waited for our turn. Our Senior Advocate and Senior Advocate of PNB Comrades remained in the Court No. 2 till the Hon’ble Bench rose for the day hoping that our case would be taken up after the Cement Companies arguments were over. But the arguments for the Union of India from the Attorney General remained inconclusive till the Hon’ble Bench rose for the day. It was no doubt yet another Anti-climax Day for us.

*Dear Comrades,* 

*We should be indeed Grateful to the ARISE Team and PNB Comrades* for the stupendous efforts they are putting in every time when the case is listed but end up in a painful Anti-Climax. Friends, let us not forget that they are also above 70 and 80 years of age, but don’t mind covering long distances in the chilling cold winter and scorching summer of Delhi to follow up the case meticulously not once, not twice, but on number of times. *Recently I also visited Delhi twice, was present in the Court No. 2 on two occasions and experienced their painful experiences. I do not want you to Sympathise with them, but please do empathise with them.*

*We should be grateful to All India PNB Retired Officers Association for having kept the M C Singla case Alive* even when some of the Original Petitioners Passed away including Shri M C SinglaJi.  *Because They Kept the Case Alive, today Lakhs of We, the Pensioners Hopes are also Alive.* It was my Good Fortune that I could visit Shri M C SinglaJi’s house in Chandigarh in 2016 along with Com. D K Hans and discussed the Case with him. 

*Last but not the least, please remember that it is your Organisation which brought the Unchallengeable Significance of Regulation 35(1) for Updation of Pension to the Knowledge of All including the Hon’ble Supreme Court* and today despite this, the Prophets of Doom are denying blindly the existence of  the Provision for Updation in Bank Employees Pension Regulations 1995 and those Prophets of Doom are now working overnight to twist, distort and Sadistically Undermine  the sanctity of 35(1)and obstructing the Bank Pensioners from getting their Constitutional Entitlements. As I often used to say, we are in a way fighting the Epic Mahabharata War with the Dhritarashtras and all the Characters of Kauravas and their cronies at this age and stage of our life. *But we expect that Krishna will descend, Dharma will be established and Justice will be delivered.*

But Shockingly, we are more worried as one of the Retirees Organisations instead of standing by our side in strongly declaring the pre-eminent existence of Regulation 35(1) or at least watching silently, has gone extra mile in almost denouncing 35(1) and of late, and now when we are in the crucial stage of the M C Singla case have started diverting the issue by lecturing about Defined Benefit Pension Scheme, Study of Actuarial Estimation, Questioning the wisdom of the Original Petitioners for going to the Court etc.  and finally suggesting that the Negotiating Parties of the ensuing 13th Bipartite Settlement/Joint Note should take up the issue of Updation. *They Do not know the damage they are causing to the very roots of Bank Pensioners and Retirees Movement.* Their stand smacks of different designs amounting to aligning with the Anti-Pensioners forces. This is the Saddest and Darkest Chapter in the Bank Pensioners and Retirees Movement. It appears that they are being prompted by vested interests to indulge in misinformation campaign to obstruct Updation of Pension.   Unfortunately, such sources are hell bent upon joining hands with IBA in stoutly denying the existence of 35(1) for Updation of Pension in the Bank Employees Pension Regulations. It is high time they should shed their ego and keep the interest of Bank Pensioners upper most in their mind.  Pensiones are their members and they are the cause of their and their Organisation’s existence. They should atleast now onwards stop pleasing forces who are inimical to the welfare and legal entitlements of Bank Pensioners and Retirees. 

We are happy that NCBE – one of the constituents of UFBU has gone on record in their letter about the existence of Regulation 35(1) for Updation of Pension in their letter to the Ministry of Finance. We are Grateful to them. We hope all Serving Organisations will Uphold in one voice Regulation 35.1 on Updation of Pension now at least as the entire Bank Employees Pension Regulations is the Final Product of the Pension Settlement Negotiated by the Workmen Unions and Officers Organisations. 

*ARISE as a Proud Affiliate of AIBPARC surging ahead along with AIBPARC who achieved what was once considered impossible, the Lost Case of 100 percent DA Neutralization for Pre 2002 Pensioners by approaching the Hon’ble Union Finance Minister, of course prospectively, got Family Pension Improvement exactly on the lines of Government Pension Scheme and We Shall leave No Stone Unturned to Achieve Updation on the pattern of Government and RBI Pension Scheme.* 

*Special Allowance is another vital issue which occupies the Most Important place in our Agenda.* 

*Dear Comrades,* 

In carrying out this Crusade for Justice, the Encouragement and the Constant Advices by Leaders of AIBPARC led by the *Dynamic, Beloved General Secretary Com. Suprita Sarkar* is huge and immeasurable. Their Faith in ARISE has been a Great Strength to us.

Leaders of all the Constituents of *CBPRO* are quiding us in this Great Battle of Justice to the Bank Pensioners and other issues concerning Bank Pensioners and Retirees. All of us are for United Struggle.

*Our Struggle in the Judiciary has been possible mainly and only because of the Budget provided out of the Subscriptions of ARISIANS.* You also agreed to the Recommendation to that effect of *our Visionary President and General Secretary, ARISE, Comrades K S RENGARAJAN and SBC KARUNAKARAN* during our General Body Meeting for pursuing Updation of Pension and Special Allowance Issues. S *o far ARISE has incurred about Rs 30 Lakhs (Rs Thirty Lakhs only) towards the legal expenses and fees to the Team of Advocates. Let us feel Proud that your Membership Subscriptions is used for the Most Just Cause of Bank Pensioners and Retirees Fraternity of the entire Banking Industry.* 

*The Human Computer Com Rengarajan   President, ARISE gave all the calculations not challenged by the IBA so far and the Remarkable Legal Inputs by Com. SBC Karunakaran and Com. J D Sharma have been a source of Very Special Strength for us in this whole exercise.* Wise counsels of Our Fatherly Figure *Com M R Gopinatha Rao* and the energetic and all out support to the very idea of ARISE by *Com. Anand Kumar* earlier as G S of IOBOA along with *Com. J D Sharma,* then as President of IOBOA and now as Senior Leaders of ARISE and AIBPARC make us *Hold Our Head High.* *Com. Thyagarajan and Team* along with Senior Regional Leaders are at the beck and call to help resolve Members grievances. We feel Proud to have such a Beautiful and Upright Organisation in ARISE. 

*For Us, ARISE and AIBPARC are Our Heart and Soul.*

Thank you, Comrades, Thank you very much for your Wonderful Support. 

With Warm Greetings and Regards,

Acharya.