WWII Veterans Pension Delayed by Banks

Jagran Post: Posted on: 09 May 2011, 09:16 AM
World War II veterans wait for pension stuck with banks
Aligarh: World War II veterans who had once overpowered their enemies by their valour have virtually surrendered before the government machinery. They are running from pillar to post to avail their pension pending for the last nine months.
According to reports, their pensions are stuck with the banks, while cheques against the Sainik Welfare Board have already been dispatched with their account numbers.
Despite repeated reminders from the board, the banks have a long list of excuses for not relieving the pension. The irked board officials have sought information from the banks about their branches.
The Indian Army had participated in the World War II from 1939 to 1945, and 355 soldiers were from Aligarh. The government is paying Rs 2500 as monthly pension to these veterans, who despite their frail figures are compelled to run from one office to another to avail the amount.
Irked over the callousness of the official machinery, Board Secretary Arvind Kumar said, “If such system continues, people will even hesitate to join the Army.”
It may be noted that the pension is stuck with various branches of SBI and Central Bank for the last three to nine months respectively.
Meanwhile, the search for missing warriors of the World War II is yet to complete. Till date, only 150 out of 355 veterans have been ascertained. District Soldier Welfare and Rehabilitation Board has written letters to all retired military personnel and their dependents to collect information related to the War veterans. (JPN/ Bureau)
World War II veterans wait for pension stuck with banks

SBI and Indian Army sign MoU for Customized Salary Packages

29 January 2011
The State Bank of India and the Indian Army have signed a Memorandum of Understanding for offering a customized salary package to army personnel across India. The deal was signed at a formal function at Manekshaw Centre in New Delhi today.
The MOU was signed by Diwakar Gupta, Deputy Managing Director & Group Executive (National Banking Group) representing SBI and Lieutenant General V K Chaturvedi, AVSM, SM, Director General, Manpower Planning and Personnel Services for the Indian Army.
Under the package army personnel will, among other things, get a unique lifelong account number which can be retained even on transfer or after retirement to draw pension. The bank also offers under the MOU, free Anywhere Banking and free additional ATM cards even for single account holders so that even family members can transact with the same bank account through ATMs when personnel are stationed away from home.
The package also offers automatic sweep to Multi Option Deposits that ensure higher yield on the salary savings as also free Personal Accident Insurance. Also offered are free drafts, free cheque books and free transfer of funds.
The SBI is also offering under a unique and innovative initiative, training facilities to defense personnel in learning centers in the bank. The concept called ''Educate a Thousand, Empower a Million'' would equip army personnel with knowledge on banking, investment opportunities and also impart ''hands on'' training for alternate banking channels like internet banking.
The bank in various tie ups with manufacturing majors like HCL Infosystems, Maruti Suzuki India Ltd, Tata Motors etc will offer attractive schemes with sizeable discounts, free foreign trips and free maintenance warranties. All these would be available with loans at attractive interest rates.
Other initiatives under the package include installation of Point of Sale machines at CSD Canteens. These can be accessed free of cost. New ATMs, multi function kiosks and branches to suit the needs of army personnel in the remotest places would also be set up.
Thank you
With regards,
Col JC Narula (Retd)
SBI signs MoU with Indian Army for offering customized salary packages

Military Service pay and pension arrears

NOTICE- MSP, PENSION ARREARS STATE BANK OF INDIA
State Bank of India (SBI) in a Northern city is paying MSP wef from Sep 2008, whereas it should be from 01-01-2006.

Will appreciate if readers having Pension account with SBI anywhere in India can advise details, where SBI has paid MSP wef 01-01-2006, so that the erring Branch can be confronted.
Blog Post
SCPC: Calculation of Pension Arrears- Pre 1996

Imphal: Army pensions misused by State Bank of India

Source: Hueiyen News Service / Newmai News Network
Imphal, August 28 2009: The individual bank accounts of 360 Army pensioners who have their respective bank accounts with State Bank of India (SBI), Chakpikarong branch, Chandel district of Manipur, for the purpose of drawing their respective monthly pensions are found misused by the branch manager, Chitrabhon Singh with his subordinate staff by way of forging their specimen signatures on the loose withdrawal cheques/ slips, alleged a press statement issued by RT Dahring, secretary of Ex-Servicemen's Association, Chandel district of Manipur.

The branch manager and his subordinate staff had abandoned the premises of SBI at Chakpikarong bazaar on October 18, 2008 after a hot argument with one ex-serviceman on October 17 over a matter concerning sanction of loan, claiming that they will not operate the bank until and unless the bank is provided with security guards and since then the SBI branch at Chakpikarong bazaar remained closed totally, informed the press statement.

Thereafter, the functioning of the SBI Chakpikarong branch started on December 8, 2008 from the premises of SBI Kakching branch, Thoubal district, where the account balance of the pensioners were transferred to A/C No 30644212885, belonging to the branch manager, Chitrabhon Singh, without the knowledge and consent of the pensioners, it stated.

Monthly pension of the Army pensioners were withdrawn by forging their signatures and the withdrawn amounts were distributed to the pensioners at their houses by one of the bank staff who is a local man, after deduction of certain amounts varying from Rs 300 to Rs 1000 from each and every pensioner, which many of the pensioners refused to accept, further alleged RT Dahring.

Monthly pension of even those who had already expired have been found withdrawn which have caused unnecessary problems in the process of conversion to family pension, and some pensioners have not received their pension for more than one year due to the lack of transparency of the bank staff, lamented the pensioners.

Highlighting the plight of the pensioners and requesting necessary corrective actions, the Chandel district ex-servicemen's association had submitted a representation to the chief minister of Manipur to provide security guards to SBI Chakpikarong branch to ensure functioning of the bank at Chakpikarong itself rather than at Kakching in the interest of the pensioners and the public, stated the press release, and it further stated that the grievances faced by the pensioners had also been highlighted to the Union defense minister and GOC, 57 Mountain Division, C/O 99 APO.

If the request of the ex-servicemen's association is not attended and redressed immediately, they would resort to any other form of action as they deem fit, the press statement warned.
Chandel Army pensions misused

SBI launches product for army personnel

Concessional loans, free ATM cards, credit cards
Our Bureau: hindubusinessline
New Delhi, May 31 State Bank of India has launched a new product – ‘Defence Salary Package – Army’ – that offers a bundle of free/concessional banking services to the officers and jawans of the Indian Army.

This product offering, which has already undergone a pilot run in three cantonments, includes concessional loans, free drafts, free cheque books, free fund transfer to the State Bank Group’s network of 15,000 branches besides free ATM cards, the SBI Chairman, Mr O.P. Bhatt, said here on Friday.

“Defence salary package is a gift wrapped with love from SBI employees to the Army,” Mr Bhatt said at the launch function for this new product. The Chief of Army Staff, Gen Deepak Kapoor, was present on the occasion. Mr Bhatt also said that the bank was looking at a new loan product to help jawans purchase two-wheelers by availing themselves of loans at concessional interest rates. SBI would also provide home, auto and personal loans to Army personnel at 25 basis points lower than floor rate. Also on the anvil is a SBI credit card tailor made for the armed forces.

This Defence Salary Package initiative would benefit many jawans and senior personnel of the Indian army who are posted in far-flung areas of the country and could not hitherto get good banking facilities. Once this product is rolled out to the entire army network, SBI will get about 12 lakh customers within its fold.

The Army is also at present undergoing a pilot project with the Controller General of Defence Accounts (CGDA) to convert its current cash system into a monthly salary payment system through bank accounts. The project includes a complete computerisation of salary records which are being maintained manually. Currently, the salary of personnel below officers rank (PBOR) of the army is paid on the “acquittance roll system” by which only their monthly requirement is paid to them in cash and the rest accumulates with the Government, usually until retirement.

SBI launches product for army personnel

SBI sees tremendous response for Nano

Ratan Tata during the launch of Nano in Mumbai (TOI) see nano pictures click here
24 Mar 2009, 2122 hrs IST, PTI
MUMBAI: Bookings for Rs 1 lakh Nano car by the Tata Motors are pouring in from all parts of the country as the sole booking agent SBI on Tuesday said it has distributed lakhs of applications for the world's cheapest car.

"We have distributed lakhs of applications for Nano across the country. We are getting a tremendous response from people for Nano," SBI Chairman O P Bhatt told reporters here.

The lender has inked an exclusive agreement with Tata Motors for the management of the bookings of Nano through its pan-India network. Around 1,350 branches of SBI in 850 cities would assist in the booking process of the Nano. Booking forms will be distributed and the filled-up application forms with the booking amount will be collected through SBI's branches.

The bank will be marketing the application forms through its 11,111-plus branches. Customers will be provided end-to-end processing with a bouquet of retail products for the bookings. Apart from extending loans for Nano purchase, the refund to unsuccessful applicants will also be available at SBI branches, SBI said.

The sale of application forms and acceptance of booking amount at SBI branches will start from April 9 and will go on till April 25. SBI will be using its cash management product, SBI Fast, for the processing and has also set up a 24x7 helpline to facilitate the booking process, the release said.

SBI loan product will enable applicants for booking the Nano by financing 100 per cent amount at a low down-payment amount starting from Rs 2,999, the release said.

The Nano car loan can be availed up to a maximum period of seven years for 11.75-12 per cent interest rate, the release said.
SBI sees tremendous response for Nano