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 therefrom, 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.
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.
B. ANGURAJAN, All
India Organising Secretary – AIRIEF, Cell No: 9443381571.