Lungar Gupp XXII

1. Superannuation Arithmetic

(This has reference to my earlier post regarding taking voluntary retirement on attaining the age of 50 years.)

Basic Pension = (Basic Pay + PA + FPA)/2 X No. of Years of Service/33
For example (in my case)
Basic Pay = Rs 27425/-
PA = Rs 550/-
FPA = Rs 835/-
Total Rs 28810/-
Hence Rs 14415/- would be multiplied by the service factor so as to arrive at the basic pension per month. DA is payable at prevailing rates. Assuming that I retire voluntarily on attaining the age of 50 years (ie on or after 10 October 2007), the service factor in my case will be 1 (entitled for full pension). Service in the Bank = 17 years 10 months + 10 years 3 months military service already counted. 5 years of notional benefit is also applicable as balance service left for normal superannuation is more than 5 years.

Commutation value is one third of the basic pension X 12 X 12.95 (this is a factor depending on your age one year after retirement – in my case on attaining the age of 51 years). The maths works out to 4805 X 12 X 12.95 or Rs 7,46,697/-

Monthly pension after commutation would work out to Rs 13,600/- approx (two thirds basic pension and DA) at present rates. DA is paid on the full basic pension. The other receivables would be as follows :

(a) Provident Fund As applicable
(b) Gratuity Rs 3,15,000/- (maximum)
(c) Leave encashment
(d) GSLI contribution

Not a bad picture at all – isn’t it ???

2. Career Progression

It seems that there is a move to increase the vacancies in Grade 'C' in our cadre. Let us expect at least doubling of the present five posts in Grade 'C'. For now two vacancies are being taken into account (anticipated) for fresh interviews to AGM (maybe next year).

3. Postings

My friend Sahni has had his request for transfer to Patna instead of Chennai turned down yet again. Sad case !!

4. Back to Snail Mail at Bhopal

I am told that our friends at Bhopal do not have internet access as the facility has been withdrawn. This is a case of regression unless the guys out there were spending all their time surfing.

Gyan from NCDC, Nagpur

I had been wanting to post the following tips on completion of the Fire Safety course which I attended in March. In case something is left out or if there are any errors, please feel free to tell me so that the post can be amended.

TIPS FOR CARE AND MAINTENANCE OF HYDRANT SYSTEMS

1. AMC contractor should check the system viz : hydrant lines, valves, rubber parts, greasing and oiling, and operation of pumps and water pressure at least once a month.
2. Routine maintenance as well as defects noticed should be recorded in a register which serves as a check for certification of the contractor’s bills as well as a reminder for getting defects rectified.
3. Sufficient spares should be maintained like rubber gaskets, gland packing and branch pipe nozzles.
4. Complete cleaning of hose reels, hydrant valves, hydrant boxes and oiling of moving parts and threaded parts.
5. Checking of female couplings, lugs and cap nuts.
6. Every hose box should have two hoses and one branch pipe.
7. Canvas hoses should conform to specifications (ISI mark). Rubber hoses are now available (Fire Safe brand).
8. In case of wet risers the jockey pump should get activated when the pressure falls to 6.5 kg/cm2.
9. Check gland packing and coupling guard in the main pump and the jockey pump.
10. The main pump should be in auto start – manual off mode so that it will start when more valves are opened in a fire condition.
11. Main pump and the jockey pump should maintain a pressure of 7 kg/cm2.
12. A terrace pump is put when there is only one pump (main) available.
13. Check in the pump house whether the pump is on ‘manual’ or ‘auto’ mode.
14. A hydrant system consists of piping, pumps, water tank, hydrants, hose reels, valves and risers.

TIPS FOR CARE AND MAINTENANCE OF FIRE EXTINGUISHERS

1. In a new extinguisher check fitment items and tightness of various components.
2. All rubber washers (under the cap) should be changed annually.
3. Check movement of spring loaded plunger (it should not make a scratchy/squeaky sound – otherwise greasing should be done).
4. Check ‘snifter’ valve (this works on low pressure and caters for expansion of air inside the water type extinguisher especially when it is placed in open areas).
5. Check the vent holes in the cap for clogging.
6. CO2 Gas Cartridge. The dimensions are given on the neck. Up to 10% loss in weight is acceptable otherwise it should be refilled. The cartridge should be discarded after 20 years of use (year of manufacturing is given on the neck) unless it passes the hydraulic pressure test.
7. In case of extinguishers which have been subjected to hydraulic pressure test – insist on the certificate issued by the testing authority.
8. At least 10% of spares for Fire Extinguishers should be kept in stock.
9. In case of Mechanical Foam extinguishers 540 ml foam concentrate is to be mixed in 9 litres of water and poured into the extinguisher.
10. In case of Dry Chemical Powder extinguishers which are suitable for class ‘B’ and ‘C’ fires the powder content is either Sodium Bicarbonate or Potassium Bicarbonate. In case of ABC powder type (DCP which is suitable for class A, B or C fire) the content is Mono Ammonium Phosphate which is an excellent extinguishing agent.
11. In refilling DCP extinguishers only a single brand and type of powder should be used so as to avoid a chemical reaction.
12. In CO2 extinguishers relevant data is given on the neck of the cylinder viz : cylinder number, year of manufacture etc. Tally the cylinder number with the explosive certificate. Under IS specifications only wheel type valve mechanism cylinders are manufactured rather than the squeeze grip type which are used in other countries.
13. Pressure test can be done within the premises in case a cage is available. Pressure at 20 kg/cm2 has to be maintained for two minutes (as per IS specifications).
14. In case of CO2 extinguishers, pressure test has to be carried out every time they are refilled (ask for the test certificate).
15. Of all the fire extinguishers due for hydraulic pressure test if the failure rate is more than 10% then all should be subjected to the test.
16. Fire extinguishers should be installed at least 1000 mm above the floor away from entry/exit points.
17. For ordinary or low hazard areas one Fire Extinguisher per 600 sq mtrs should be installed. For special or high hazard areas every 100 sq mtrs area should have two extinguishers.
18. ABC type extinguishers can be installed everywhere.
19. For storage tank fires or transformer/generator fire high velocity spray emulsifier is ideal.

Diversity in our Job Profile

Hello Friends,

The following photos have been posted to show the diverse range of our duties !!

We not only protect assets, sometimes we dish out the (seasonal) assets too !!

A senior officer handling a Fire Extinguisher after a lecture demonstration on Fire Fighting.

DGM (Estate) handling a Water CO2 type Fire Extinguisher

Lungar Gupp XXI

Guys !!
Here are some tid-bits for your consumption !!!

1. The Hunt for Greener Pastures. After my return from Delhi last week I got a call from one of our friends at Mumbai and he literally dropped a bomb – telling me that we can retire voluntarily (and have our military service counted too). I told him that to the best of my knowledge we HAVE to serve for 20 years in the Bank before we can think of chucking this job. I drew his attention to Para 3.4 of the Master Circular on Superannuation and Retirement in this connection. The clarification he obtained from the Central Office is that in terms of Staff Regulations 26 (3) any employee can retire voluntarily on attaining the age of 50 years. This means that any one of us who has reached his golden jubilee can leave the Bank. However, knowing the way our Bank works, I am going to wait for someone to set a precedent before thinking about jumping into “waters of unknown depth and temperature”.

2. Dress Code. After being “dressed to kill” in our Safari Suits all this time in the Bank, there is some good news if rumours are to be believed. It is learnt that a proposal for Security Officers to be dressed in ‘shirt and tie’ is being considered by the Bank. This is indeed heartening news. At least we will not look like “Government Drivers” once this proposal is accepted by the powers that be. One has to be a ‘Kabir Bedi’ to look good in a safari which we are not. In this context I must mention that our colleagues at Mumbai have been advocating this case to whosoever was willing to listen for quite some time now. In case it comes through they deserve all the credit.

deja vu

My friend Tapan Chakravorty has just sent me some photographs from his Tawang trip. Along with some other colleagues from Guwahati office he and our heavyweight champ Avasthi made the trip. I am sure they must have brought a lot of memories back with them. Seeing those photos gave me a sense of 'deja vu'. I have served in that area when I was on deputation with Assam Rifles in 1987. I am posting some of the photos which Tapan had sent and some from my album which are 20 years old. Tawang used to be the company HQ for 'D' company of 5 Assam Rifles and the company commander's residence used to overlook the helipad. I have spent many happy nights over there. The troops were positioned all along the way right upto "Sulu La" which was at around 16000 feet altitude bang on the "Mac Mohan Line" overlooking the "Sumdorong Chu" valley. This was in the aftermath of the famous "Wangdung Intrusion" by the Chinese army. Well, enough of history, here goes ....

Avasthi trying to provoke the "Yak" which thankfully deigned to ignore him !!

An acclimatisation camp which was non-existent during my tenure at Tawang. Note the 'Rhododendron' bush in bloom behind Avasthi in the picture. I had never seen a rhododendron "bush" before my posting to Arunachal Pradesh. In Mussoorie and other hill stations it is common to see red rhododendrons growing wild in the forest on huge trees. Another curious fact is that in Arunachal one can get to see many hues of this flower viz : pink, mauve, white.

A scenic view of Tawang. A chopper can also be seen in the background.

Chilling out ! Another favourite spot to take photographs.

The group with some locals. Note how Tapan is 'cosying' up to the young lady !!

Circa 1987 - One of the NCOs being promoted at 15000 feet - area ahead of Tawang.

Seetu and the kids - circa 1987. Note the frozen lake. This is near "Se La" (pass)

Lungar Gupp XX

CPP Exam. Well , first things first, I took the CPP Exam on 5th May 2007 at the USI Club, Rao Tula Ram Marg, New Delhi. There were supposed to be 12 participants but only 9 turned up for the test. Apparently the three absentees took the easier option of appearing for the test in November (“I took the option because it was there” – being the most common excuse). The exam started at 9.00 AM sharp and lasted for 4 hours. The test was very tough and the common refrain was that one needs to study the recommended material to be confident of doing well in it. The CPP study guide (priced at $ 100/-) and the online review course (priced at $ 400/-) will NOT guarantee one success in this exam (both these resources have a disclaimer to this effect – to their credit). As for me, well lets wait till mid June, for the results. There were some repeaters and I was pleasantly surprised to see one serving Army Officer taking the test (I thought we were ‘ignoramuses’ when we were in the Army – times are surely changing !!).

Change of Guard . I visited RBI, New Delhi on 7th May and came to know that the Regional Director had been relieved on 4th May. The RD was asked to hand over charge to the CGM/senior most GM and proceed to Mumbai. On Monday the 7th of May the senior most GM was officiating as the RD (the CGM also being on leave) and the permanent incumbent was expected to join the next day. This is not the first time a Regional Director from New Delhi has had an ignominous exit. Delhi has a history of sorts in this respect. I recall at least four more RDs who left Delhi with an unsavoury taste in their mouths. It is needless to say that most of them were responsible for the predicament they found themselves in when they got their marching orders (self inflicted injuries, you see !!)

Protocol Overkill. The new RD for Delhi was to arrive on 8th May by a morning flight. Two officers from the Protocol and Security Cell went to receive him at the airport. One was duly detailed by the officiating RD and the other one claimed that the new RD had rung him up to receive him. I remember the time when the PS, an ACT and a representative from DAPM used to go and receive the incoming RD. Times, they sure-are-a-changing !!! At a centre where EDs are denied protocol owing to “pressure of work” this was certainly a case of protocol overkill.

Training Time. IDBRT, Hyderabad is conducting the first course on IT Security for Bank Security Officers next week. This is a welcome trend considering the convergence issues being faced by security professionals worldwide. I have my reservations about the course content but let us hope for improvements after the first batch gives their feedback. The second course on Fire Safety is being conducted by NCDC, Nagpur in June which will give an opportunity to those who have not been exposed to Fire Safety training earlier. I hope they organize it at Hotel Tuli International yet again so that the participants do not get burnt by the ‘Tropical’ climate of Nagpur.

Lungar Gupp XIX

Hi Folks,

1. All's quiet on the 'Western Front". Friends from Mumbai tell me that all is 'thanda' at the Central Office, be it as regards postings (or changes thereof) or the career progression issue. It is believed that the lower level functionaries are sympathetic to our cause but their hands are tied. Some 'friends of the cadre' are also not available any more. The future is bleak as of now !!

2. Our friend Maj Bhuvnesh Sahni (posted from New Delhi to Chennai) had requested a change and volunteered to go to Patna (yeah, you heard that right !). He was sounding optimistic when I last spoke to him but the 'murmurs from Mumbai' say otherwise. Ultimately Chennai is going to be "overstaffed" with 9 officers in all. I believe Sudeb Sen from Kolkata is the only one to get a deferment.

3. I am proceeding to New Delhi tomorrow to take the CPP exam on 5th May and will be on leave for a week thereafter (to unwind). Will let you all know about the CPP experience when I get back. That's it till then.