Family seeks pension hike

MUMBAI: Homai Darayas Postwala had applied for the Central Bank of India's VRS scheme on February 22, 2001- the day it was announced. The bank did not include her in the first list, but her name appeared on the second list on June 30, 2001. The bank claimed that they had approved her name for the second list on June 25, two days after her death.

While arguing their side of the case in court, Postwala's heirs said the bank had failed to communicate their decision, be it an acceptance or rejection, as is the norm. In fact, the family learned of her acceptance under the scheme only when they inquired with the bank after her death. They were told that Postwala was not eligible for VRS.

The HC in July 2009 directed the bank to pay retirement and other dues under VRS to Postwala's legal heirs in three months. The bank then appealed to the Supreme Court, which upheld the Bombay high court order in April 2011.

When her husband and son filed an RTI application in June 2011, they learnt that the bank had spent nearly half the amount due to Postwala fighting the case. They have now moved the Bombay High Court to enhance her pension from Rs 4,700 to Rs 6,700 per month after the Supreme Court accepted her rights under VRS.

Postwala's family has also filed a contempt petition in the HC since the pension amount has not been increased retrospective from July 2001. The family has also filed an appeal against the RTI order because the bank refused to provide receipts showing money paid to the lawyers.