SAD DEMISE OF ABM(S) AT WARRANGAL

Dated 14th July 2014.

The Chairman

LIC of India

Mumbai.

Respected Sir,

RE : SAD DEMISE OF ABM(S) AT WARRANGAL DO-1

We write this letter to you with a sorrowful heart after hearing the suicide of one of our young officers Mr. Ravishankar, ABM(S), Warangal. In his death statement to the Magistrate, he has clearly stated that he was not allowed to go to meet his family for the last 2 months, forced to work even on Sundays and asked to get 30 questionnaires completed every day by himself (along with other work) and submit to MM. Our enquiry has revealed that this is happening in many Divisions, force our marketing officials to go beyond the lines, where, over enthusiastic Officials want to catch the attention of the Chairman. Is this good for a great organization like LIC, which always try to implement the best HRD principles? We are absolutely sure that you will never have any such intentions in your mind when you envisaged the campaign based on voter list. But at the ground level, it is being used in a different way, undermining the very purpose of it.

Over the past few years, insurance marketing has become tough and the marketing officials are bearing the pressure of it. Adding salt to the wound is the attitude of some of the In–Charge SDM and ZMs. In spite of supporting and motivating people, every review meeting has become a harassment session where people are intimidated and demotivated to the core. People come out of meetings cursing their destiny, instead of getting motivated. Earlier they used to say,”the Development Officer will not do so you do it”. Now they have started saying that the “Agent will not do, so you have to do it”. Exceptions may be there, but this is the overall trend. Many of the In–Charges believe that, by keeping Officers away from their family, they can make them slaves to work. Our question is what for we are working if not for the family? Many SDMs have issued a circulars that for Marketing Officials even for taking one day casual leave, his prior permission is required. One SDM has made a study of Satellite BMs based on their concurrencia to establish that they work for only meals coupon. He also made a cost benefit analysis of SOs to prove that SOs are unproductive, as if an Officer has asked for his posting to SO on his own. We can site number of instances where basic human rights are violated and the law of the country is taken for a ride. What will happen to the image of the Corporation if these aspects are brought before the Human Rights Commission?

Hence we humbly request your urgent intervention in this regard and give suitable instructions to the In-Charges of Zones and Divisions to put an end to the harassment of marketing officials in the name of business and to provide a supportive and facilitating environment so that a stronger LIC is evolved without creating more victims/ martyrs.
With regards,
S. RAJKUMAR
GENERAL SECRETARY