Bank Pension From 1993 Agreement to Supreme Court

By Maninder Singh Bhatia on Bank Pension Updating

​The issue of pension updation for bank employees and pensioners is neither new nor a recently emerged matter. Its roots trace back to the historic Memorandum of Settlement dated October 29, 1993. This agreement was executed between the management of 58 banks—represented by the Indian Banks' Association (IBA)—and the bank employees' unions. A Supreme Court judgment also explicitly records the reference to this agreement and its Clause 12.​

The primary objective of this agreement was to introduce a pension scheme for bank employees. Under this settlement, pension was implemented as a second retirement benefit with an effective date of November 1, 1993. Provisions were also made regarding the pension rate, qualifying service, Dearness Relief, commutation, and other terms.

​However, the most crucial aspect of this agreement is Clause 12. It stated that provisions should be made in the pension scheme for the "updating" of pension, alongside other terms, and that these provisions should align with those prevailing in the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).

​Furthermore, the 1993 agreement specified that Dearness Relief for pensioners should follow the Dearness Allowance formula in effect at the RBI. This clearly demonstrates that the RBI pension model served as a vital reference point for the architects of the bank pension framework at that time.

​Subsequently, the Bank Employees' Pension Regulations were framed in 1995. From this point onward, the legal interpretation of pension updation grew increasingly complex. Later, Regulation 35(1) was amended in 2002, stating that basic pension and, wherever applicable, additional pension "shall be updated" as per the formula provided in Appendix-I.

​This became the main point of legal contention between pensioners and bank management/the government. Pensioners argued that if the 1993 agreement envisioned pension updation on the lines of the RBI and the 2002 amendment used mandatory phrasing like "shall be updated," the benefits ought to extend broadly to all pensioners. On the other hand, differing judicial opinions emerged across various court levels regarding its legal interpretation and scope.​

Writer M S Bhatia

Against this backdrop, the M.C. Singla case has gained significant prominence and is currently sub-judice before the Supreme Court. During the hearing on July 22, 2026, the Supreme Court specifically noted the argument that updation under the amended Regulation 35(1) of 2002 should apply to all employees, pointing out that this updation was omitted in calculating the annual pension of retired employees. The Court directed PNB to file an additional affidavit along with supporting documents, while also calling for relevant records spanning the 7th to 12th Bipartite Settlements.

​As of September 2026, the matter remains pending before the Supreme Court. The case was listed on September 9, but the hearing could not take place; according to information released by pensioner associations, efforts are underway to have it re-listed for the next hearing. Therefore, it would be premature to claim that the Supreme Court has delivered any final verdict in favor of pension updation.

​To fully understand this entire matter, the document of October 29, 1993, serves as a crucial historical piece of evidence. It clearly shows that "updating" was not excluded during the formulation of the pension scheme, but was explicitly incorporated into Clause 12 of the settlement.

​Today, with massive structural shifts in bank salary and pension calculations, the vital question for thousands of veteran pensioners is whether their pensions should also be updated periodically. The definitive legal answer now rests with the pending proceedings in the Supreme Court.

​Hence, the 1993 agreement is not merely a founding document for bank pensions, but a foundational pillar of the ongoing legal discourse on pension updation.

​(The author is a former banker, trade unionist, and social activist.)

Dr. Sandeep Puri New Medical Director at RG Hospitals

AK Shalu On Sunday 6th September 2026 at 19:23 Dr. Sandeep Puri Now S Medical Director 

Dr. Puri is the former Principal of DMCH Ludhiana

Ludhiana>Punjab Screen Bureau Desk>>6th September 2026>

Veteran physician brings over three decades of experience in medicine, medical education and hospital administration

Renowned physician, medical academician and administrator Dr. Sandeep Puri has taken charge as the Medical Director of RG Hospitals, Ludhiana. With over three decades of experience in clinical medicine, medical education, research and hospital administration, Dr. Puri brings extensive expertise to his new role.

Dr. Puri is the former Principal of Dayanand Medical College & Hospital (DMCH), Ludhiana. An alumnus of DMCH, he completed his MD in Medicine from the institution and joined its faculty in 1992.

During his distinguished career at DMCH, he served as Medical Superintendent from 2001 to 2014, Head of the Department of Medicine from 2005 to 2014, and Principal from December 2014 to February 2024.

Dr. Puri has made significant contributions to medical education and research. He has 64 research publications to his credit and has led seven multinational clinical trials. He also served as the Editor of API Medicine Update 2014 and was the Organizing Chairman of APICON 2014 and IACMCON 2015.

In 2002, he received specialized training in Rheumatology at AIIMS, New Delhi.

For his contributions to medical education, research and healthcare, Dr. Puri has received several prestigious honours, including Fellowships of ICP, IACM and IMMSA, membership of the National Academy of Medical Sciences (NAMS), the Rabindranath Tagore Oration at APICON 2017, and the Best Teacher Award at DMCH.

Beyond his professional achievements, Dr. Puri has also been actively involved in social initiatives, particularly promoting voluntary blood donation. He has himself donated blood more than 90 times.

Welcoming Dr. Puri to RG Hospitals, the hospital management said that his extensive clinical, academic and administrative experience would further strengthen the institution's focus on quality patient care, clinical excellence and ethical medical practices.

The management expressed confidence that Dr. Puri's experience and leadership would contribute significantly to strengthening the hospital's healthcare services and further enhancing the quality of care provided to patients.

National Conclave on BioE³ Highlights India’s Path

KKS on 31st August 2026 at 6:12 PM Regarding ‘GREEN FORGE’ inaugurated at BRIC-NABI

Path Towards Industry-Ready Biomanufacturing

‘GREEN FORGE’ inaugurated at BRIC-NABI; focus on scaling innovations, strengthening industry partnerships and building India’s domestic biomanufacturing capabilities

MoUs with Various Industries to Drive Partnerships and Scale Up BioE³ Biomanufacturing Innovations

SAS Nagar, Mohali): 31st August, 2026: (K.Kalyani Singh//Punjab Screen India Desk):: 

The National Conclave on “BioE³ (Biotechnology for Economy, Environment and Employment): Enabling Scales for Industry-Ready Biomanufacturing” was held today at the Biotechnology Research and Innovation Council–National Agri-Food Biotechnology Institute (BRIC-NABI), Mohali, marking two years of the transformative BioE³ Policy. The Conclave brought together policymakers, scientists, academic institutions, industry leaders, startups and other stakeholders to deliberate on strengthening India’s biotechnology ecosystem and accelerating the translation and scale-up of scientific innovations into industry-ready biomanufacturing solutions. The programme focused on the role of biotechnology in advancing the vision of Viksit Bharat, with discussions spanning agriculture, healthcare, sustainability, carbon capture and utilisation, bio-based products and emerging technologies.

The Conclave was graced by Dr. Jitendra Singh, Hon’ble Minister of State (Independent Charge), Ministry of Science and Technology and Ministry of Earth Sciences, Government of India, as the Chief Guest. Prof. Rajesh S. Gokhale, Secretary, Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Director General, Biotechnology Research and Innovation Council (BRIC), and Chairman, Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC), also graced the occasion. The event was held in the esteemed presence of Prof. Ashwani Pareek, Executive Director, BRIC-NABI, Mohali, Dr. Sangita M. Kasture, Head, Biomanufacturing Directorate, DBT, along with Dr. Dhananjay K. Tiwari, Managing Director, BIRAC. 

A major highlight of the Conclave was the inauguration of “GREEN FORGE – Shaping the Crops of Tomorrow”, showcasing the potential of controlled-environment technologies, biotechnology and advanced research approaches for developing next-generation agricultural solutions.

Addressing the gathering, Prof. Rajesh S. Gokhale highlighted India’s transition towards a new era of biotechnology, where biological systems are increasingly integrated with Artificial Intelligence, automation, sensors, robotics and advanced manufacturing. He explained that this convergence can enable programmable biomanufacturing, smart biofactories, AI-powered biofoundries, precision therapeutics, climate-smart agriculture and circular bioeconomy platformsThe Conclave further focused on strengthening public–private partnerships for scaling innovations under BioE³. The discussions emphasised the importance of creating mechanisms that can bridge the gap between research and commercial deployment and enable promising technologies to reach industrial scale. The D.E.S.I.G.N. for BioE³ initiative also recognised young innovators, with Certificates of Merit awarded to 36 winning teams from the December 2025–April 2026 cycle, while 28 winning solutions from the January–March 2026 cycle received prizes of ₹1 lakh each. The students also interacted with the Hon’ble Minister, sharing insights into their winning innovations under D.E.S.I.G.N. for BioE3 and discussing their ideas for advancing biotechnology-led solutions. The programme also witnessed the launch and announcement of an Interactive Platform for Biofoundry and the Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) Flagship Project on Bio-SAF and Bio-SMART under the India–HE programmes.

In his address, Dr. Jitendra Singh congratulated BRIC-NABI for hosting the Conclave and expressed confidence that the Institute would emerge as a torchbearer of India’s biotechnology revolution. He highlighted the potential of GREEN FORGE to recreate precisely controlled environmental conditions, including light, humidity and temperature, for advanced agricultural research, and noted that integrating such capabilities with Artificial Intelligence could further accelerate innovation in agriculture and allied sciences. He also appreciated the participation of young innovators, describing their enthusiasm and innovative work as a strong promise for the emergence of a new India.

The Conclave also provided an opportunity to showcase BRIC-NABI’s advanced research and infrastructure through a visit to the Param Smriti SuperComputing Facility, DBT SPEEDY-SEEDS and Biofoundry (Agri-Food Bio-Mug). The visit provided participants with an overview of the Institute’s capabilities in advanced computing, agricultural research and biomanufacturing infrastructure.

The deliberations reaffirmed the importance of connecting research, innovation, entrepreneurship, industry and policy to build a robust and scalable biomanufacturing ecosystem. The programme closed with valuable recommendations from the dignitaries, setting a clear direction for strengthening collaborations and accelerating the scale-up of biomanufacturing innovations.

Poet Prof. Kapoor’s Book Launched at SCD Govt College

BB Goel on 23rd February 2026 at 05:28 PM Regarding Book Release

 Prof. Ashok Kapoor, an 80-year-old alumnus of SCD 

Ludhiana: 23rd February 2026: (Brij Bhushan Goel//Punjab Screen Desk)::

A profound anthology of poems titled Sallies of Surreal Shades by Prof. Ashok Kapoor, an 80-year-old alumnus of SCD Government College, was released on campus today. The event brought together his former classmates, students, and faculty.

Principal Gursharanjit Singh Sandhu highlighted the college’s pride in alumni like Prof. Kapoor, whose work inspires current students. Distinguished attendees included alumni Prof. Sagar Chand Jain, Harish Kaura, Manjula Jain, Prof. Rajinder Jain, Navdeep Singh, O.P. Verma, Manpreet Singh, Prof. Vijay Asdhir, and Brij Bhushan Goyal, Organizing Secretary of the Alumni Association.

Faculty members such as Prof. Amita Thamman (HOD, PG English), Prof. Harmit Kaur, Prof. Preeti, Prof. Gurjit, Prof. Atinder Pandey, Prof. Suraj Kumar, Prof. Sarika, and Prof. Geetanjli Pabreja also marked their presence.

Dr. Satish K. Kapoor, former British Council Scholar and author of the book’s foreword, praised Prof. Kapoor’s poetry for its energy and its ability to connect readers with nature and inner awakening. Prof. Kapoor recited his poem Memories of College Days and donated ₹20,000 for purchasing competition books for students.

Brij Bhushan Goyal emphasized the learning students can gain from Prof. Kapoor’s creative work, while Prof. P.K. Sharma stressed the importance of blending generations in celebrating creativity.

The ceremony was a vibrant tribute to literary passion and alumni contribution.

Closure of Katra Medical College is unfortunate—IDPD

 Thursday, January 8, 2026, at 9:09 PM  Regarding National Medical Commission Medical College Katra

Indian Doctors for Peace and Development (IDPD) takes serious notice

Action taken under communal pressure - Honorable President should intervene

Ludhiana: 8th January 2026: (Media Link-K K Singh//Punjab Screen Desk)::

The Indian Doctors for Peace and Development (IDPD) expresses its strongest protest and deep anguish over the decision of the National Medical Commission (NMC) to shut down the Medical College at Katra. This decision is arbitrary, unjust, and deeply troubling, and it strikes at the very foundations of merit, constitutional values, and institutional autonomy.

The medical college at Katra was granted permission last year to admit 50 students, and admissions were carried out strictly on the basis of merit, following all existing rules and procedures. Out of these 50 students, 42 students admitted on merit belonged to the Muslim community. This fact, and this fact alone, appears to have triggered a politically motivated agitation by the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, who have openly argued that since the college is run by the Mata Vaishno Devi Trust, admissions should be restricted to students from the Hindu community.

IDPD categorically states that this argument is unconstitutional, discriminatory, and legally untenable. The Katra Medical College does not enjoy minority status, and therefore any agitation or demand based on religious exclusion is illegal and violative of the Constitution of India. Admissions based on merit, irrespective of religion, caste, or creed, are the cornerstone of a democratic and secular education system.

The National Medical Commission is a constitutional, autonomous regulatory body, expected to function independently, guided by law, ethics, and public interest. Its apparent succumbing to sectarian and political pressure in this matter is extremely unfortunate and raises serious questions about the erosion of institutional autonomy. Such capitulation sets a dangerous precedent and may have grave long-term repercussions for medical education, social harmony, and the rule of law across the country.

By closing the medical college, the NMC has not only punished students who were admitted fairly and lawfully, but has also sent a chilling message that merit can be overridden by communal considerations. This is unacceptable in a constitutional democracy.

The undersigned office bearers of IDPD:

Dr. S. S. Sudan, Patron, IDPD

Dr. Arun Mitra, President, IDPD

Dr. Shakeel Ur Rahman, General Secretary, IDPD

Dr. G. M. Malik, Senior Vice President, IDPD & Former President, J&K IDPD

Dr. Mohammed Latif, President, IDPD Jammu & Kashmir

strongly demand that the decision to close the Katra Medical College be immediately revoked and that the college be allowed to function without discrimination or political interference.

IDPD also makes an earnest and urgent appeal to Madam Droupadi Murmu, the Hon’ble President of India, to intervene without delay, uphold constitutional morality, protect the rights of students, and ensure that the medical college at Katra is reopened and allowed to operate in accordance with law.

Education cannot be communalised.

Merit cannot be punished.

Constitutional institutions must not surrender to sectarian pressure.