Thursday,
March 28, 2013
SHRI ANGURAJAN'S REPORT ON
DISCUSSION WITH LIC MANAGEMENT
At the outset I must thank our AIRIEF
President & General Secretary for deputing me for the
discussions with our LIC Chairman and his team, along with
our leaders like S/Sri G.T. Parikh, Prem Srivastava and J.K. Karulkar. I
send herewith gist of the proceedings. Click on 'Read more' below for details of
discussion with LIC OF INDIA.
Initiating the
discussion, I congratulated Chairman and his team
for giving this opportunity to meet them and ventilate some of
the pending pensioners’ issues.
Our team explained
the rationale and logic of the issues. We
thanked the Chairman and Board members for granting
Rs.12000/6000 PA to ex-gratia pre-86 retirees/spouses of the deceased
towards Cash Medical assistance. We informed that we
had demanded Rs.3400 to 5600 PM. This amount
of Rs.1000 pm. is not at all sufficient for purchasing
medicine at this advanced age. More over, the spouse of the
deceased should also have been Rs.1000/- pm. at par with
the Ex-gratia retirees since the spouse should not be discriminated. For
this amount, Chairman informed that they got permission with much
difficulty from Govt. of India.
Creation of
Pensioners Welfare Fund - We informed, Banks have created this
Fund much earlier and last year GOI has enhanced the ceiling to
Rs 100cr. for SBI and Rs 25 cr. 2o cr. 15 cr. with some
criteria in Feb 2012,subject to 3% of net profit for public
sector banks. In this connection, we informed the Chairman that SBI has
declared Dividend of Rs1750cr. LIC has contributed a substantial
Dividend of Rs.1570 cr. to Govt. LIC is engaged in doing lot of
corporate social responsibility, social and national welfare work. We,
therefore, pleaded that LIC can oblige Pensioners to meet unforeseen
medical expenses to which Chairman replied LIC always respected the
Elders but such Fund cannot be created.
Pensioners Portal
- Chairman gladly agreed to the same. It is believed;
portal will serve several purposes and will be helpful to Office,
pensioners and pensioner organizations.
Formation of Consultative Committee
- Chairman informed that LIC Management is ready to meet elders any
time with prior appointment. But we insisted
that as LIC is having such Committees at all levels including
Agents, pensioners also strongly feel the desirability of such
orderly meetings. We have to pursue this matter in our next meeting.
Nodal Officers - Chairman
said that it is there already. The OS Managers at all
levels are Nodal Officers.
Family Pension as per RBI
pattern - Chairman said, no RBI pattern.
For eligibility condition
for full pension - the service period is 20 years instead of 33 years of
service.
RBI relaxation - Chairman
said this involves legal problems. Legal aspects may be studied.
Arriving Basic pension
(calculation) - instead of 10 month average pay, the last drawn pay may be
considered. But this involves Pension Regulation and also legal points.
Pension Pass Book -
They appeared to be in readiness to accept this suggestion.
First day of the month
as Date of Birth for retirement and consequential 1 month salary etc.
- It appears, this will be confined to that pensioner litigant only and no
circular is being issued.
Class I Officers
retired from 1-8-92 to 31 -3-93 - As per recent Sri MC Jain case where LIC
appeal was dismissed by Jaipur HC Bench, basic pension has to
be revised upwards. Copy of judgment handed over for their
taking a positive decision. We were told they will study the matter.
Group Term Assurance -
Chairman said it is not necessary for pensioners. More so, as the
cost may be very high. We will take up this matter in the next meeting.
Enhanced Gratuity of
Rs10 lac wef 1.1.06 - Chairman said, it
is as per Govt. Notification.
We pleaded that
the number may not be large, Chairman may please consider as a
Special Case. Corporation can be a model to other Public sectors and LIC
can relook into the matter. Chairman replied whatever power is vested with him
he can exercise, and beyond that he cannot do anything. We have to pursue this
matter in the next meeting.
Advance against high cost
treatment may be extended to pensioners also
& Special Medical Ex-gratia Fund from LIC Golden
Jubilee Fund, as LIC Chairman’s Relief Fund is dispensed with -We have to take
up this matter in the next meeting.
Joint S/B account in Bank
and problems arising there from, uniform order may be issued. - The matter
will be looked into.
Inviting pensioners to
Independence Day, Republic Day, LIC Anniversary, and Oct 1st Elders
day & such other depending on pensioners requests. Many Divisions
are doing. - The matter will be looked into.
Deduction of Group
Medi-claim premium from Pension. Some Divisions are deducting lump sum,
some from 3 months pension, many from 6 month pension and in some
Zones/Divisions; no such practice, so compelling pensioners to pay in full
before 31 March. Chairman may be pleased to issue a uniform order. -
Chairman said we will implement it soon.
Nomination facility to
regular pensioners the old forms are being used, new forms may be
devised and sent to Divisions. - Chairman said OK.
Cashless Service,
Number of Hospitals may be increased.
Immediately Secretary P/ER informed that lot of Hospitals are
available and list made available. The entire list of Hospitals All over India
is sent to me by Secretary P/ER on the same day. I have forwarded to all
Divisional Secretaries who are having E Mail IDs and also posted in our AIRIEF
BLOG.
Pensioners List
with address. - Pensioners Portal will take care and efforts are
taken to introduce and operate soon.
LIC Care Home to
Elders which has earned good name but extension very low, no ambitious
target, CSR towards Elders/Pensioners in view of dynamic changes in
societal norms and Sr. Citizens Homes being not up to the mark, such
initiatives will be laudable and a boon to pensioners. - No
positive reply.
Central Office
Circulars pertaining to pensioners will be posted to Web
site or E mail ID As per their Promise they
have sent copy of the Renewed
Mediclim Policy for the year 2013-2014
and also with reduced perimum.
B. ANGURAJAN, All India Organising Secretary – AIRIEF, Cell No:
9443381571.