Who is
more insensitive to today’s plight of LIC Pensioners?
LIC/Govt
OR Some of ‘our own’ Leaders?
Cut-throat
competition among Leaders of Associations & Federations for one-upmanship
(ostensibly to protect the interests of their own members), is common
knowledge. It is so whether one likes it or not and we have been living with
it. The trend seems to have changed for the worse in recent times, badly
affecting LIC pensioners.
Our
leaders have virtually declared themselves immune from accountability while
remaining at the helm of the Organizational hierarchy. Like some cheap
politicians. I am talking of the self-snatched immunity from accountability –
not to the outside world or public at large but to THEIR OWN LOYAL, COMMITTED
AND SUBSCRIPTION-PAYING MEMBERS. Questions are raised here and there, some loud
and some feeble – but nobody to answer. Can such leaders be at peace with
themselves, permanently?
I was
internally searching for the probable causes. As far as LIC is concerned, there
has been steady erosion in values of individuals constituting ‘top management’.
Safe (aka ‘selfish’) actions are
preferred to bold (aka ‘right’)
actions. It is a trend. We have to live with it for now. Current LIC management
has no concern or respect for the ex-employees. They know these retirees are a
spent force and can do nothing by way of posing a threat, unlike those still in
service. So, why bother, ignore the retirees and take care of the Unions of
serving workforce. Life will be smoother and better.
The fact
that the Pensioners are physically weak, unorganized and less visible, is
playing havoc when it comes to Pensioners’ Organizations also. Our own Leaders are taking us for a ride. They are able to do
what they want to and the way they choose to and practically get away.
Let us
get down to brass tacks. The Leader of one Federation (of undoubted integrity
and invincible conviction in what he believes as right) is able to ride
roughshod over the discomfort of two thirds of his loyal members and keep
projecting the cause (absolutely just, no doubt) of hardly one-third of his
members. Never tolerates dissent. Doesn’t find it necessary or worthwhile to
carry the crowd. My search for the likely causes in this case tells me that the
‘weak, unorganized’ syndrome of the pensioner class is the reason. What is
handy to LIC proved equally convenient in this case also. What can the majority
do? Nothing. So let them suffer. They deserve to.
The other
Federation is beyond anybody to describe. It has a hierarchy and vast network
on paper. They all like their positions but most of them have no role to play.
Main activity, perhaps the only, has been fund raising. For over half a decade,
it has allowed its identity as an organization to be obliterated and allowed
itself to be seen wholly through one individual. Someone who enjoys and has
been accustomed to the blind loyalty of the ‘cult’ followers. The Organization
woke up a bit late and has been trying to take control of the reins. Not able
to and so paying a heavy price and losing face. Ordinarily, the above profile
of the Organization notwithstanding, it need not sound the death knell to the
members’ interests. Unfortunately however, the De jure leadership is choosing
to keep silent when they are actually required to speak. One Regional satrap
talks and writes non-stop – on all matters except the most critical subject.
Because he (like all others) has no clue of what is happening in that crucial
area. The De facto boss rarely speaks in public. His silence should be accepted
as ‘strategy’.
The real
irony is that the latter Federation was able to lure a few thousand non-members
to lend support and to fill its coffers, promising the moon. Today not only its
members but all those ‘outside’ supporters are left high and dry and are left
with no clue of how their interests are safe in the hands of the ‘silent
strategists’.
Who is more insensitive to today’s plight of LIC Pensioners?
LIC/Govt
OR Some of ‘our own’ Leaders?
Pensioners, awake
before it is too late.
Sept 2,
2015
