NFIR – Retired Employees Liberalized Health Scheme (RELHS-97) membership denied to the widows of retired Railway employees
No.II/13A/Part II
Dated:15/04/2019
The Secretary (E),
Railway Board,
New Delhi Dear
Sir,
Sub: Retired Employees Liberalized Health Scheme (RELHS-97) membership denied to the widows of retired Railway employees-reg.
Ref: Railway Board’s letter No. 2011/H/28/1/RELHS Court Case dated 31/05/2012.
Kind attention of Railway Board is invited to the instructions issued vide letter dated 31/5/2012 wherein pre-2009 retirees were permitted to join RELHS-97 without any restriction, which obviously cover widows of pre-2009 retirees. Cases are being brought by our affiliated Unions that those widows of pre March 2009 retirees, whose spouse did not opt to join the Scheme even after retirement and subsequently died, are denied the membership in the RELHS-97 stating that the cases of retired employees who failed to become members of the Scheme and died, their widows are not covered under Board’s instructions dated 31/05/2012. Federation cites the example of Jaipur Division of North Western Railway where Administration has denied membership to the widows of pre March 2009 retirees for joining the RELHS-97 Scheme though no such restriction has been laid down by the Railway Board in its order dated 31/05/2012. Federation apprehends that similar might be situation on other Divisions/Zones/Units.
NFIR, therefore, requests the Railway Board to kindly consider the above and issue suitable clarification to the Zones/PUs etc., that the widows of pre March 2009 retirees whose spouse did not opt for RELHS-97 after their retirement until their death are entitled to join RELHS-97 Scheme. A copy of the instructions issued may be endorsed to the Federation.
Yours faithfully,
(Dr.M.Raghavaiah)
General Secretary
Source: NFIR