REPORT
1. AFUNPI hosted a reception on 22 February evening at the Residency Club for its members who had come from six cities in different parts of India to participate in the meeting. At the beginning of the reception, observed a minute of silence to respect and pay homage to the legendary singer, Latha Mangeshkar, who had recently passed away. In tribute of her contribution to the music and film industry, a vocal artist rendered her songs that were sung by late Latha Mangeshkar over a period of nearly eight decades that enthralled people in the Indian sub-continent. AFUNPI members based Intune had also organized a cultural event to familiarise with and appreciate the traditional dances of Maharashtra.
I. Welcome Address by Mr. N. Srinivasan, AFUNPI Vice president
2. Mr. N. Srinivasan, Vice president AFUNPI warmly welcomed the participants, most of whom travelled long distances to participate in this annual meeting. He congratulated members of AFUNPI who have prevailed over, despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19. However, regretfully 19 members had demised. Participants of the AGM paid their homage to the departed souls by standing in silence for a minute. Mr. Srinivasan took this opportunity to thank Ms Magdalene Chand AFUNPI Hon. Secretary and the Pune team lead by Mr. Rajendra Shende and Mr. Rajan Gengaje for their meticulous and hard work in making arrangements for this meeting, ably supported by Mrs. Coralie.
II. Election of and Address by the President of the AGM
3. Participants of the AGM unanimously endorsed election of Mr. Rajendra Shende as the President of the AGM. In his address, he recalled the role of Mr. Rajan Gengaje played in organizing this meeting at Residency Club in Pune through several on-line meetings with colleagues based in Bangalore, specially Mrs. Magadelene Chand, Secretary, AFUNPI. However, he regretted the absence of Mr. Rajan Gengaje who was could not attend the meeting due to health reasons. Mr. Shende further stated that Pune was the capital of then Peshwa rulers and currently vaccine capital of India.
III. Presentation of the Annual Report by Dr. M. Seenappa, President, AFUNPI and Discussions
4. After introducing the report, Dr. Seenappa narrated various activities carried out by AFUNPI during the year 2021. Owing to the continued severity of COVID-19 pandemic, FAFICS meetings as well as monthly meetings of AFUNPI were held virtually, except the December 2021 meeting, held at Bhartiya Vidya Bhavan in Bangalore.
5. It was reported that the Pension Fund investments were performing very well. The market value of the Fund investments had increased from 71.9 billion USD in December 2019 to 81.5 billion USD in December 2020. Further by 05 November 2021 the market value of the Fund had increased to90.4 billion USD. The long term annualized real rate of return was 4.51% as against the long-term target of 3.5 per cent real rate of return. The nominal return rate of pension fund investment has been 11.88% for the financial year 2000. The Fund secretariat has reported that during 2021, 90 percent of new pension claims were processed within 15 days, and 100 per cent of all periodic pensions and benefits paid without any delay, despite UNJSPF staff working virtually from home. The Digital Certificate of Entitlement (DCE) introduced in 2021, was made use of by significant number of pensioners. AFUNPI had the honour to chair two successive FAFICS virtual council (49th and 50th) meetings. Dr. Seenappa was unanimously elected as the Presiding Officer of these two Council meetings. Recognising the contributions made during the formative years of FAFICS, the 50th Council held in July 2021 honoured Mr. S. A. Janakiram by accrediting him with the title of FAFICS Vice President Emeritus. At the 50thCouncil meeting, it was agreed to hold Special session of the Council in February 2022 to review FAFICS rules and procedures.
6. Monthly meetings of AFUNPI, including the UN Day celebrations were held online due to COVID induced situation. A big advantage of online meetings was participation of members from different geographical locations in India and abroad. As the association membership is declining, this meeting deliberated on how to increase enrolment of new members. The commendable role of Mr. Victor Emanvel, AFUNPI member in assisting others to use and issue DCE through mobile application was much appreciated. Several members narrated their experiences in issuing DCE with the assistance of Mr. Emanvel. A total of 92 members successfully issued the DCE during 2021.
7. Following members of AFUNPI were congratulated for their outstanding achievements in 2021.Mrs Geetha Gopalan, spouse of member Dr. H.N.B. Gopalan, accomplished an entry into International Wonder Book of Records for having chanted Vishnu Sahasra namam one crore times. Dr. Prem Nath, former Assistant Director General of FAO celebrated 20 years of achievements of Prem Nath Agricultural Science Foundation (PNAS) with the release of the commemorative publication, Assisting Humanity and Strengthening Food and Nutrition Security. Dr Ram Chaudhary former Senior FAO Officer and Chairman of PRDF Gorakhpur (UP) has been conferred with a lifetime achievement award instituted in the name of former President of India, Dr Abdul Kalam. FAFICS having recognised consistent and active participation, nominated Mr Seenappa to continue as a member of the Fund Solvency and Assets and Liabilities Monitoring Committee of the Pension Board for a further period of four years.
8. Presentation of the AFUNPI annual report was appreciated being very informative as well as for the efforts in preparing the report. It was suggested to encourage members to organise local monthly meetings in their cities, wherever possible. These meetings were considered important to promote interaction and networking among members located in a given geographical area and to share concerns and issues on pension and other matters. This would also catalyse enrolment of new members. As done before, in locations such as New Delhi, where several UN institutions are located, meetings could be organized to brief the staff members on the verge of retirement about various aspects of pension, health and life insurance. Members from Hyderabad expressed interest in starting local meetings. It was assured that the President and few members from the Executive committee would travel at their own cost to participate in the planned meeting in Hyderabad. Answering a question, it was clarified that few UN agencies have a retiree association of their own in India. UNICEF, ILO and WHO were cited as examples. AFUNPI had membership of retirees from various UN agencies and is part of the global Federation FAFICS to which all 63 AFICS associations are affiliated to. Many retirees in India despite being members of parent UN agency are also members of AFUNPI.
IV. Review of income and expenditure statements by Mr. R. Manohar
Treasurer, AFUNPI
9. An overview of the Receipts and Payments or Charges during the year 2021 was presented to the members. AFUNPI registered receipts of Rs.92,268 that included the bank interest received for the three term deposits and on the Savings accounts maintained with the designated banks. Donations received from members and enrolment fees received from eight new members totalling Rs.133,000 added to the receipts during the year. The receipts were applied to the expenses incurred during the year under review. Major expenses included printing charges for the AFUNPI Directory, sponsored by Mr. Janakiram and Dr. Seenappa and the affiliation fees paid to FAFICS. To the query raised by Mr. Ashok Mitra, he replied that the banks were deducting Tax at Source.
V. Planned Activities and Budget for 2022-2023 by Ms. Magdalene Chand, Secretary, AFUNPI
10. The proposed planned activities include organizing monthly meetings virtually and whenever possible in-person with support from members; participating in the FAFICS Council meetings; organising the 48th AGM in 2023 at a place decided at this AGM and providing member services in all matters pertaining to pension and advisory services to issue DCE and others relevant matters. An estimated amount of Rs. 300,000 has been provisioned to meet the expenses for the planned activities that included reimbursement of FAFICS subscription and payment of FAFICS subscription in 2022. The budge has also provision for travel subsidy, honorarium for office bearers to meet office expenses and maintenance of website. It is proposed to bring out a souvenir in commemoration of UN completing 75 years. The souvenir is proposed to be funded by voluntary donations. Ms. Magdalene Chand informed that there was no annual subscription to AFUNPI membership. Members pay only once at the time of joining AFUNPI valid for their and spouse life time. AFUNPI has been carrying out its activities with the annual voluntary contributions made by several members and encourage others also to donate funds to strengthen AFUNPI activities.
VI. Discussion on pension and AFUNPI matters
11. During discussions, participants were informed that the Association is open to only pensioners and beneficiaries of United Nations staff members. Since it is not open to public and members of the Executive Committee are working voluntarily, it is not mandatory for AFUNPI to register at the office of the registrar of cooperative society. AFUNPI accounts are annually audited by the qualified Charted Accountant Mr. K. Sachidanand, who is also a member and does not seek any remuneration. With regard to pension transition from a pensioner to his/her beneficiary, it is important to make sure that the marriage certificate is available in their respective profile page MSS the member self-service of the UNJSPF. Pensioners receiving pension in their UNFCU account were advised to make arrangements to open an account in the name of the spouse (beneficiary). After the demise of the pensioner and following due process, the transfer of the benefits to the beneficiary account will be easier.
VII. Election of the Executive Committee
12. An unanimous decision was taken to retain the existing members of Executive Committee with the following two changes. Mr. Prem Sharma (former FAO) was nominated and elected as a Vice President. Acknowledging and commending Mr. Rajendra Agrawal for his contribution in the activities of AFUNPI as Vice President, it was informed that he would continue to be a Member of the Executive Committee. These two members being based in New Delhi and together, would contribute in strengthening AFUNPI activities in New Delhi, where several UN institutions are located.
VIII. Venue of the AGM in 2024
13. All of you are aware that it has been the practice for AFUNPI to arrange its AGM alternatively between Bangalore and other cities. Since the 47th AGM is being held in Pune and the 48th AGM would be held in Bangalore in 2023, the meeting proposed to organise the 49th AFM in New Delhi in 2024.
IX. Concluding Address by Mr. Rajendra Shende, President, 47th AGM
14. Mr. Shende in his concluding address appreciated that in-depth discussions took place on matters pertaining to pension, ongoing and planned activities. Participation of AFUNPI in the FAFICS Council and Pension Board meetings have established a good working relationship with UNPJSF, which in turn helps to address issues of concern and queries of AFUNPI members. He hoped that this AGM would be a turning point for AFUNPI to enrol new membership and facilitating formation of city specific networks. He also thanked Mr. Rajan Gengaje and his team that included several volunteers for helping in organising the AGM that was successfully concluded.
