CHARTER OF DEMANDS of ALL INDIA RETIRED INSURANCE EMPLOYEES’ FEDERATION  (AIRIEF)

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P REFACE & EPILOGUE:

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I)        UNITED NATIONS PRINCIPLES FOR OLDER PEOPLE

To add life to the years that have been added to life, the United Nations General assembly adopted the following Principles for Older Persons on 16th December 1991 (Resolution No.46/91).

  I) Independence

Older Persons should have access to adequate food, water, shelter, clothing and health care through the provision of income, family & community support and self-help. Older persons should have the opportunity to work or to have access to other income-generating opportunities. Older persons should be able to participate in determining when and at what pace withdrawal from the labour force takes place. Older persons should have access to appropriate educational and training programs. Older persons should be able to live in environments that are safe and adaptable to personal preferences and changing capacities. Older persons should be able to reside at home for as long as possible. II) Participation: Older persons should remain integrated in society, participate actively in the formulation and implementation of policies that directly affect their well-being and share their knowledge and skills with younger generations. Older persons should be able to speak and develop opportunities for service to the community and serve as volunteers in positions appropriate to their interests and capabilities. Older persons should be able to form movements or associations of older persons. III) Care: Older persons should benefit from family and community care and protection in accordance with each society's systems or cultural values. Older persons should have access to health care to help them to maintain or regain the optimum level of physical, mental and emotional well-being and to prevent or delay the onset of illness. Older persons should have access to social and legal services to enhance their autonomy, protection and care. Older persons should be able to utilise appropriate levels of institutional care providing protection, rehabilitation and social and mental stimulation in a human and secure environment. Older persons should be able to enjoy human rights and fundamental freedoms when residing in shelter, care or treatment facility, including full respect for their dignity, beliefs, needs and privacy and for the right to make decisions about their care and the quality of their lives. IV) Self-Fulfilment: Older persons should be able to pursue opportunities for the full development of their potential. Older persons should have access to the educational, cultural, spiritual and recreational resources of society. Older persons should be able to live in dignity and security and be free of exploitation and physical or mental abuse. Older persons should be treated fairly regardless of age, gender, racial or ethnic background, disability or other status, and valued independently of their economic contribution.

"People are created to give something back to the world. The best way to solve problems is to work together with compassion towards betterment of human life through helping improve the quality of all individuals".

II ) GOI National Policy on Older Persons: (NPOP):A BACKGROUNDER :

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i)

Ø  National Policy on Older Persons (NPOP) The Government of India announced a National Policy on Older Persons in January 1999, the UN International Year of Older Persons.

Ø  The National Policy on Older Persons in India aims at the well-being of the aged by strengthening their legitimate place in society so that they could live their last phase of life with purpose, dignity and peace.

Ø  The policy visualizes state support for financial security, health care and nutrition, shelter, welfare and other needs of the senior citizens and provides for protection against abuse and exploitation.

Ø  The NPOP provides a broad framework for inter-sectoral collaboration and cooperation both within the government as well as between government and non-governmental agencies.

Ø  The policy has identified a number of areas of intervention; financial security, health care and nutrition, shelter, education, welfare, protection of life and property etc

Ø  The policy also recognizes the role of the NGO sector in providing user friendly and affordable services to complement the endeavours of the State.

Ø  The policy also emphasizes the importance of family in providing vital non formal social security for older persons.

Ø  To facilitate implementation of the policy, the participation of Panchayat Raj Institutions, State Governments and different Departments of the Government of India is envisaged with coordinating responsibility resting with the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.

Ø  A five year Plan of Action from 2000 to 2005 has been drawn up to identify the role of the State Governments and the Central Government in implementing the National Policy for Older Persons and review its implementation every three years.

ii)   Broad Principles of the National Policy on Older Persons

Ø  To ensure that the rights of the older persons are not violated and that they get opportunities and equitable share in development benefits.

Ø  The life cycle is viewed as a continuum and considers 60+ as a phase when the individual should have choices and opportunities to lead an active, creative, productive and satisfying life.

Ø  Policy values an age-integrated society. It will, therefore, endeavour to facilitate and strengthen the bond between the young and the old.

Ø  Senior citizens are recognized as a resource since they are not just consumers of goods and services but they render useful services in the family as well as in the community.

Ø  Policy believes in empowering the older persons.

Ø  The poor older persons in rural as well as in urban areas need to be given special attention.

Ø  To attain the objectives of the National Policy, it is important that the individuals, families, communities and institutions all join hands as equal partners with the state.

iii)  Interventions Visualised by NPOP

Ø  Old age pension to cover all 60+ persons below the poverty line. Base of pension coverage to be expanded.

Ø  Pre-retirement counseling programmes to be promoted and assisted.

Ø  Programmes for generating income and employment for older persons shall be encouraged.

Ø  Age-related discrimination in the matter of entitlement to credit, marketing and other facilities to be rationalized.

Ø  Earners to be motivated to save in their active working years for financial security in old age.

Ø  Taxation policies to be reviewed with regard to older persons so as to provide for higher income tax relief. Provision of Tax relief should also be made to sons and daughters who support their aged parent(s).

iv)  Health Care and Nutrition

Ø  Health care needs of older persons to be given top priority.

Ø  Development of health insurance should be given high priority.

Ø  Geriatric wards to be set up in public hospitals.

Ø  Hospitals to be encouraged to have separate welfare funds.

Ø  Hospices supported or assisted by state, charitable/voluntary organizations.

Ø  Assistance to be provided to geriatric care societies for the production and distribution of instruction material on self-care by older persons and educational material on nutritive needs in old age.

Ø  Mental health services will be expanded and strengthened.

Ø  Non-governmental organizations will be encouraged and assisted through grants, training and orientation of their personnel

v)  Shelter

Ø  Civic authorities and bodies providing public utilities will be required to give top priority  in attending to complaints of older persons.

Ø  Housing schemes for urban and rural lower income segments to earmark 10 percent of the houses/house sites for allotment to older persons.

vi)  Education

Ø  Education, training and information needs of older persons will be met by mass media and non-formal communication channels.

Ø  Continuing education programmes will be encouraged and supported.

vii)  Welfare

Ø  To identify and provide welfare services on priority basis to the most vulnerable amongst the older persons who are poor, disabled, and infirm, chronically sick, etc. and those without family support.

Ø  Institutional services to be considered as a last resort.

Ø  Voluntary Organisations to be assisted through grant-in-aid.

Ø  A welfare fund for older persons to be created at the center and in the states.

viii)  Protection of life and property

Ø  To consider introducing special provision in the Indian Penal Code to protect older persons from domestic abuse/violence and to establish machinery for attending to all such cases promptly. Tenancy legislation to be reviewed in order to restore rights of occupancy of older persons.

Ø  Police to be directed to keep special vigilance to protect older persons living alone and to promote mechanisms of interactions with neighbourhood associations.

           

ix)   Other Areas of Action

Ø  Issue of identity cards to senior citizens.

Ø  Concessions in different modes of travel, i.e. air, bus, train, etc. Reservation of seats in local public transports.

Ø  Modifications in designs of public transport to ensure easy entry and exit for older persons.

Ø  Priority in gas and telephone connections and in fault repairs.

Ø  Concessions in entrance fees in leisure and entertainment facilities, art and culture centers and places of tourist interest.

Ø  Facilities, concessions and relief given to older persons by the Central and State Governments to be compiled and updated on a regular basis and made available to associations of older persons for wider dissemination.

Ø  Issues pertaining to older persons to be highlighted on the Older Persons’ Day.

Ø  Older persons will be encouraged to form self-help groups so that they organize themselves to provide services to fellow senior citizens. Initiatives taken by them in advocacy, mobilization of public opinion, raising of resources and community work will be encouraged.

Ø  Impress upon the trade unions, employer organizations, and professional bodies to organize sensitivity programmes on ageing for their members and to promote services for superannuated workers.

Ø  State policies to encourage children to co-reside with their parents by providing tax relief, rebate on medical expenses and preference in allotment of houses.

Ø  Counselling services to resolve to intra-familial stresses. 

Ø  Short-term stay-in facilities for older persons should be provided when the caregivers go out for a short duration.

Ø  Need for a National Institute of Research, Training and Documentation on Gerontological Studies is recognized.

Ø  Sensitization programmes on ageing for legislative, judicial and executive wings at different levels need to be developed and organized.

Ø  Creative uses of media to be promoted to strengthen intergeneration bonds and dispel stereotype and negative images.

x)   The Basic Objectives of the NCOP

Ø  Advice the Government on policies and programmes for older persons.

Ø  Provide feedback to the Government on the implementation of the NPOP as well as on specific programme initiatives for older persons.

Ø  Advocate the best interests of older persons.

Ø  Provide a nodal point at the national level for redressing the grievances of older persons.

Ø  Provide lobby for concessions, rebates and discounts for older persons.

Ø  Represent the collective opinion of older persons to the Government.

Ø  Suggest steps to make old age productive and interesting.

Ø  Suggest measures to enhance the quality of inter-generational relationships.

    xi)   Areas of concern emphasized at the meetings of The National Council for Older

    Persons on 18th October, 2002 and 7th February, 2003.

Ø  Uniform age of 60+ for extending facilities / benefits to senior citizens.

Ø  Financial security to the elderly population by:

§  Proposing tax benefits and higher interest rates for senior citizens.

§  Promotion of long term savings in both rural and urban areas.

§  Increased coverage and revision of old age pension schemes for the destitute elderly, and

§  Prompt settlement of pension, provident fund, gratuity and other retirement benefits



xii)Health care and nutrition needs of the elderly population

§  Strengthening of primary health care system to enable it to meet the health care needs of older persons.

§  Training and orientation to medical and para medical personnel in health care of the elderly.

§  Promotion of the concept of healthy ageing.

§  Assistance to societies for production and distribution of material on geriatric care, and

§  Provision of separate queues and reservation of beds for elderly patients.

xiii)    Food security and shelter by:

§  Coverage under the Antyodaya cheme to be increased with emphasis on provisions for the benefit of older persons especially the destitute and marginalized sections.

§  Earmarking ten percent of houses / house sites for allotment to older persons.

§  Barrier-free environment for the disabled and elderly persons etc.

xiv)   Meeting the education, training and information needs of older persons.

xv)    Identification of the most vulnerable among the older persons and working for their     welfare.

xvi)   Realizing the crucial role by the media in highlighting the situation of older persons   and emphasizing their continued role in Society, and

xvii)   Protection of life and property of the elderly population

PREFACE :AIRIEF PROUDLY PRESENTS CHARTER OF DEMANDS TO LIC CHAIRMAN, WITH ALL HUMILITY & MODESTY, AS A CRUCIAL LIMB & A LIVING ORGANISATION –  OF, BY & FOR PENSIONERS----

IN  SERVICE TO THOSE WHO ARE  NOT IN SERVICE

AIRIEF DESIRES & DREAMS ARE REALISTIC & PRAGMATIC, IN TUNE WITH POSITIVE & PROGRESSIVE DEVELOPMENTS & THINKING ON ELDERS & SR CITIZENS SPECIAL & UNIQUE  REQUIREMENTS

AIRIEF HOPES & ASPIRATIONS HINGE ON AN EMPATHETIC CONCERN & WELFARE  FOR PENSIONERS/FAMILIES WITH A STRONG BOND OF PARTNERSHIP IN A CONSTRUCTIVE FASHION TO RESHAPE THE LIVES OF THIS GROWING TRIBE.

III)   MEDI-CLAIM & ALLIED  ISSUES:

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1)Today the concept of  well-being has shifted from Intervention to Prevention,

from Sickness to Wellness, & Healthcare first , Medicare next.

Adequate steps & measures have to be taken by several agencies to ensure that all citizens secure the above much-deserved blessings for a happy, healthy living.

2)Many experts feel that if reimbursement is given to Pensioners for prevention of illness, future claims can decrease by regular, more systematic attention to probable offshoots of some diseases & avoidance of the same.

Regarding sickness/ wellness, LIC can arrange periodic Lectures with illustrations from Geriatric experts & professionals .

LIC can release Booklets on Healthcare as enormous data on Impaired lives is available & further, several  mechanisms being pratised,popularized & propagated ,such as walking,jogging, exercises, stretch exercises for eliminating early rigidity,simple Yoga asanas, can be published .

At fixed intervals, demos can be arranged for pensioners to witness & practise the same .

3) Pensioners enjoy No No Claim Rebate.

    Pensioners enjoy No Domciliary benefits.

   Pensioners enjoy virtually No Cashless Service for admission to Hospitals.ONLY 1 OR 2 HOSPITALS EARMARKED IS OF NO USE AT ALL.

AIRIEF demands all these as it is elders & seniors who deserve these privileges genuinely.

It was a dire need for pensioners, who for such major ailments & admission to hospitals cannot immediately find enough lumpsum amount,they were free from such worries,it was hassle-free hospital admission on the basis of Identity Card containing all relevant details,for restoration of health , free from delays, meandering procedures, ever so many requirements, & hence no administrative blockades, etc.One can well imagine

what a different situation the pensioners are called upon to shoulder burdening them, family,causing more worries & further anxiety can well be imagined.

We earnestly plead with management to restore SIMPLIFIED Cashless Service for pensioners,with maximum number of hospitals for easy reach & accessibility

4)  To add insult to injury, pensioners, even for common ailments beyond a particular age, spend a lot on consultations, special reports,prescriptions, injections ,further consultations etc which eat into their pension significantly.

Equally true is the fact that routine consultations for pensioner & spouse crosses many years a huge amount,let alone those with chronic diseases where the lot is miserable.Cumulative expenses crosses all prudent limits. Whether  the pensioner can lead  any decent style or standard of living  can be easily comprehended, pitiable indeed by any standards. Sympathetic understanding of the humane issues & pragmatic efforts to resolve & mitigate these hardships will evoke a chord in the hearts of pensioners.

AIRIEF,therefore, demands some respectable amount of Domiciliary, on similar lines ,as that for  Employees.While we record our appreciation for LIC  in increasing the Cash Medical Allowance ranging from Rs.4000 to Rs12000pa to different groups of Employees from 1-8-2007. Pensioners richly deserve  help from LIC to defray rising medical consultation & cost of  medicines, year after year, as at old age they need frequent visits to doctors to alleviate their illness etc.. Further, there are several restrictions in medi –claim policy ,because of which pensioners have to forego the expenses incurred on that count also.  

Further, many Banks allow  yearly medical check-ups for Pensioners as part of pensioner

Welfare concerns.LIC also must provide Rs 3000—5000 for such preventive measures in the interests of holistic health & well-being

5)   Some Insurance companies include restrictive provision of medical checkup before Renewal.This is a harsh,draconian measure & will cause incalculable harm to pensioners.

It should be common practice that when once the pensioner has enrolled for mediclaim & continues loyally paying renewal premium on time, the cover must be automatic.

To avoid any such contingency, as pensioners are also human beings with family concerns & problems, they may be away or on a family tour whemn mediclaim premium could not be paid before 31 march.

AIRIEF,therefore, requests LIC ,AS A UNIFORM PRACTICE, TO DEDUCT MEDICLAIM PREMIUM IN 3 INSTALMENTS,December, January & Februray SO THAT SOME RESIDUAL PENSION ATLEAST IS RECEIVED  THOSE 3 MONTHS & above all, risk continues as policy is alive & it will be a boon for Family Pensioners, as many do not know or told the significance of continued risk cover ,without being a

defaulter.

6)  RBI has graded benefits allowed for various cadres ranging from Rs1.20 lacs,1.80 lacs, 2.40 lacs at the topmost level.RBI has arrangements with United India Insce Co Group MediClaim Policy & renews every year 15 August.

During the course of the year,if the pensioner or spouse fall sick & admitted to Hospital,depending on the total charges/bill,United India settles the claim to the hospital. Pensioners don’t pay any premium. RBI pays the premium in full

Pre-existing illness is covered.Whether cashless service is offered, pensioners have to take MAF Card- Medical Assistance Fund Scheme(MAFS) & TPA Identity CARD.Member has to inform TPA. Claim is paid by TPA & no hassles for pensioners.

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i)   IOB Mediclaim Scheme is liberalized.Members-existing as well as new entrants will be covered under a mediclaim policy for Rs1,50,000/- for self and spouse till they complete 90 years.

Pre existing diseases are covered.

At present the scheme provides for reimbursement of hospitalization expenses upto Rs1.00 lacs for both member and spouse in their life time with a cap of Rs.50,000/- in a year. Now it stands enhanced to Rs1,50,000/- every year. Even members who have availed the entire amount of Rs 1.00 lac will get the coverage of Rs 1.50 lacs every year, now onwards.

The new entrants will pay one time subscription equal to 50% of the Present Basic pay in the last stage of the Grade in which they were placed at the time of retirement.

ii) 
  a)DENA BANK  :TOTAL YLY PREMIUM IS ONLY RS 883 toRS 6705

 How high mediclaim premium by New India, we are paying

EMPLOYEES SHARE OF PREMIUM IS RS 150 to RS1500

BA NK SHARE OF PREMIUM IS RS 733TO 5205

   b)

FOR CLERICA L STAFF SA RANGES FROM RS 50,000 TO RS 2LACS, 4 SLABS

EMPLOYEE SHARE OF PREMIUM IS RS 200--RS800

BANK SHARE OF PREMIUM IS RS 683-2459

c)   FOR SUBSTAFF SAME SA

EMPLOYEE SHARE OF PREMIUM RS 100--RS400

BANK SHARE OF PREMIUM RS 783--RS 2859

d)   LOOK AT THE SIMPLE MEDICLAIM SCHEME  OF DENA BANK

NO AGE WISE PREMIUM ETC

FAR LESS PREMIUM

MAXIMUM PREMIUM ITSELF IS RS6705 ONLY FOR RS 5 LACS

MAXIMUM PREMIUM FOR RS 3 LACS ALLOWED IN LIC ,IN DENA BANK IT IS RS 4535 ONLY, S HARE OF EMPLOYEE RS 900 & BANK RS 3635

WHAT A FABULOUS PREMIUM NEW INDIA IS CLAIMING

FROM LIC EMPLOYEES YEAR AFTER YEAR.

8)   Further, when the pensioner has joined the Scheme & pays premium every year regularly, there should not be any limit for upper age for exclusion  & full cover contemplated must continue till his death.

9)   A Floater policy covering elder, spouse & dependants ,if any,would be welcomed as there can be a balancing factor as far as spread of expenses is concerned with some having good health, some not so good etc.It will be a group within a Group & presumably, combined premiums can be much lower proportionately.

10)   Alternative medicine treatment has become more pervasive & useful for some brands of illness & so, we shall be glad if these are also included without any regrets.

11)    Integration of Overseas Mediclaim with this scheme may be welcome as many elders go abroad & independent policy ,efforts, procedures may not be needed if this is sought to be merged in this scheme.

12     Steps must be taken to prevent fraudulent & inflated claims to ensure deserving, genuine ones are not deprived of full benefits.Audit, inspection & vigilance can play an important role as umpires  & to administer stern warning signals to stem the rot.

 13)    Certainly, to avail of the benefits, a deadline for settlement from the date of receipt of all papers to settlement should not be more than 15 days in the case of pensioners as long delays are noticed now.

14)     Hon.High Courts & Tribunals have held that I)Right to health is a constitutional guarantee & one’s right is other’s duty .ii)In their old age when they require the medical facility most,it should be gladly granted .

Hon.Supreme Court asserted “Self-preservation of one’s life is the necessary concomitant of the right of life enshrined in Article 21 of the Constitution of India, fundamental in nature,sacred, precious & inviolable.The importance & validity of the duty & right to self-preservation has a species in the right of self defence in criminal law. Centuries ago, thinkers of India conceived of such right &  recognized it.” .In yet another case,  Supreme Court   proclaimed “A right, it correlates to a  duty upon another individual that is employer, Govt or authority.The right of one is an obligation of another. Hence, the right of a citizen to live under Article 21 cast obligation on the State. This obligation is further reinforced under Article 47, it is for the State to secure health to its citizens as its primary duty.”

15)
i)       Regarding Pre -1986 Exgratis Retirees,AIRIEF demands Liberal Medical Assistance(MA) per month on the pattern allowed by RBI, which has been constantly increasing this benefit knowing full well that they are the oldest & above 80 yrs old.

RBI protected them from 1/6/2001 with small Rs300pm,Rs800 wef 1/7/2002,Rs1000/1200from 1/2/2005 for ClassIII,Rs1200/1500/1800 for Class I
Now,wef 1/4/08,MA pmRs3400-5600 for Class IV--Grade F/ED
How frequently RBI has done the revision speaks high of RBIs concern for all types of pensioners & exgratia retirees.
LIC must  understand that they have saved a lot by denying to legitimate demands all these years & years & so now must be unhesitatingly magnanimous.
Exgratia retirees is a closed cadre, many deaths have taken place, mortality will snatch away many.LIC should not be miserly.

ii)        Medical Assistance(MA) per month ,ranging from Rs3000--5000pm, It can be 

              Upto Assts        
; Rs3000pm
              HGA/DOs            Rs3500pm
              AAO/AO             Rs4000pm               
             ADM/DM/SDM   Rs4500pm
             ZM & Above        Rs5000pm   

Already ,these Elders,whom we must respect to the core, have already lost the battle.
It was a pittance of R s 300+DR they are getting, society looks to with scorn, when nowadays Substaff gets such substantial pension.
How much all pensioners spend on Health matters for consultation, medicines, special reports,dental treatment throughout the year, everyone knows
Pre-1986 retirees, so old, will have plenty of ailments .Year after year, there will be exits & LIC Outlay will, therefore, come down

iii)     CG/State Govt retirees always got with successive Pay Commissions automatically.
Now Minimum Pension for CG has shot up to Rs3500 +DR

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iv)    Performance of LIC over the years has stood to the test of time. The retired employees have contributed their best in the growth of LIC. It is a sad state of affairs that retired employee’s contribution is not recognized when they demand for their share of pie. The fifth and sixth pay commission has increased pensioner’s benefits to their retired employees with a view to provide them dignified post retirement living. Union of India has framed Pension Rules to LIC employees on the lines of Central Civil Service (Pension) Rules. It will be in the fitness of things that LIC allows similar benefits to its retirees. So we request to allow following benefits to LIC’s retirees at the earliest possible:            

i)      Eligibility for full Pension after 20 years against 33 years.

Presently, the retirees who had not completed 33 years as on the date of their retirement are not getting full pension. Due to impractical provision of Rule 27, a lot of retirees who joined the services of LIC from agency quota or on getting relaxation in maximum age at entry, particularly in specialized fields like Engineers/ CAs, are deprived of full pension. It has resulted in uncalled for litigations also. The aforesaid eligibility condition would resolve the grievance of such retirees and ensure pension benefit at par others.

ii)       Protection of Last Drawn pay:

Similarly, last drawn pay or 10 months average emoluments whichever is higher should be the criterion for fixing the pension. This will resolve the anomaly being caused in case of employees who retire within 10 months of effective date of the immediately preceding wage revision.

iii)      Additional Pension after the age of 80.

With advancement in age, the pensioners are prone of diseases and they need extra money to take care of the health. The slabs stipulated are as under.

                        On attaining 80 years                        20%

                        On attaining 85 years                        30%

                        On attaining 90 years                        40%

                        On attaining 95 years                        50%

                        On attaining 100 years                     100%

            This recommendation has been well taken by the Government and the same has    been given effect from 01.01.2006.   Pension scheme was introduced to LIC employees from 01.01.1986 and the number of retirees who attained the age of 80 and above is minimal.

iii)        Family Pension.

As per the existing pension rules, the Family Pension is worked out on tapering basis. This type of tapering is without any basis or by observing any scientific method.    Presently there are three slabs viz. 15%, 20% and 30% of the basic pension whereas Central Government Employees on the other hand are blessed with family pension of 40% uniformly. In view of the present social scenario, we request for allowing family pension uniformly at 40% in for LIC’s family pensioners. 

iv) A)     CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE  --NEED OF THE HOUR

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1)            LIC has Consultative Committees for Employees, Agents,Development Officers & a host of other forums for talks, negotiations,understanding the problems, facing & thrashing out the pending or outstanding issues etc.

Unfortunately, for pensioners, no such across the table talks or negotiations.Central Govt, State Govts have such committees for redressal of complaints  & grievances as also JCM ,Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) .Any enlightened organization , of its own accord, must feel happy & bold to enlist  pensioners also for a Consultative Committee to give credibility to their attachment to pensioners & to really solve whatever problems or issues pensioners face.                                         

It may be office delay in releasing pension, it can be ECS was not implemented for automatic credit to Pensioners bank account. It can also be for delay, cut or refusal to settle Medi-claim  by the concerned authorities.Whatever may be the nature of problems, in actual life, pensioners do face problems & such issues can be aired in face to face contacts with management.  So, a CC can be the medium or tool to satisfy the aspirations of pensioners of all categories when in real democratic spirit, management can rise to the occasion & settle their problems & redress their grievances.

2)         Even HRD practices & enlightened management should implement this principle as a matter, of course, but nothing like that has ever happened. Pensioners’ problems  increase & multiply with no agency or platform to listen to them.

Let it be a presentation of Petition or Memorandum of Demands to DM/ZM/ED/MD or Chairman.It has been our experience that ZO acts only as post office & nothing worthwhile happens. At best, it turns out to be SKC-Sweet,Karam,Coffee meet .All happen at CO as far as pensioners are concerned & there is woeful lack of appreciation of pensioners problems at all levels of management. Send a Telegram of protest,or hunger strike or Resolutions passed with bravado, or any medium resorted to by unions normally , by pensioners Assn /Fedn, nothing happens.All are in cold storage. Apathy or indifference only prevails & that is one compelling reason we are not able to make any breakthrough, even when the cause is genuine & legitimate based on reason & logic & cost or outlay is negligible or moderate, not beyond the bounds of a healthy & financially very sound organization.

3)         Problems must be resolved satisfactorily.Staff Charter of demands ,several rounds of talks take place, increases in allotment are announced & many times lot of & improvements  place. Cost of travel is borne by LIC. Pensioners are the only static group for management.They have to fend for themselves.They are not of any importance.All their sweat & blood & sacrifice of 35 & more years of service are just forgotten & even ignored. Management ,instead of doing worthwhile for TA TA to Tension of Pensioners, they have bid virtually a final Ta Ta  to pensioners ! This is not what it ought to be.

4)         A CC can consist of LIC ZM,RM (P & IR) & Vice-President & Joint Secretaries of that Zone AIRIEF at ZO level & President,GS, Dy GS,VPs at All-India level.The meetings can take place once a Quarter at ZO level & 3 times a year at All-India level. RIEAs problems can be sent to VP/JS to take up that case & seek a solution from LIC.

5)         A CC can consider the following in their Agenda:

i)         Circulars affecting Pensioners –DR, Medi-claim,Pension/Annuity plans, Income-tax, Housing loan, we learn from someone ,sometimes not known at all etc. LIC can send such communications to AIRIEF Office –Bearers---President/GS/Dy GS/VP/JS of all Zones.There can be quick transmission by OB to respective RIEAs in their zone.

ii)        LIC can release Pensioners’ Directory yearly with full data. This makes it possible to update data, addresses, Telephone Nos & pensioners can make good use of the same.

iii)       LIC can inform the Pensioners’data, Name & number of  retirements in the next one year to enable the AIRIEF to start enrolling without hunting for data

iv)      We are not able to know the deaths of pensioners .LIC can inform concerned AIRIEF Office-bearers so that service can be rendered & forms filled up for securing family pension etc.  In fact,LIC itself should undertake this by meeting the widow etc & enabling the survivor to fulfil the obligations .Value-added services are the order of the day in this highly competitive world. Many are not even aware of rules & procedures to be followed.

v)       Exgratia retirees were not being given Identity Cards.Some do not contain Blood Group etc which are vital information at old age & for pensioners.Even the nominal fee should be dispensed with.

vi)      LIC can celebrate Elders’Day, invite AIRIEF representatives & pensioners meet & noble measures,value-added services can be announced.

vii)     Lack of personal touch, ignoring pensioners have been the order of the day.It is high time this is reversed & our Voice is heard at LIC Management level forcefully & for this purpose, only CC can be the medium to air & ventilate our grievances & seek redressal. Penionesr rich experience & skills can be marshaled in ever so many productive ways.

viii)     If  CC  is in force & active, & as more & more retirements take place, more  pensioners  join pensioners organization, strengthen the same & 2-way traffic & dialogue will become dynamic.

ix)       A sense of purpose, a sense of direction, a sense of binding, a sense of alertness, a sense of urgency, can certainly dawn when CC  is in session

x)        Step-motherly treatment can stop. Regular meetings will cement the bond & more involvement on the part of management will slowly create empathy totally absent today.We are talking to the wall, as it were ,now, with no consequence & no solution.

xi)       Follow-up is possible & some end results can be seen .

xii)      Personal visits, Telephone calls, sometimes endless to elicit pensioners data—all these can be avoided & correct data can be secured with ease & purpose.

xiii)     Principles of propriety & courtesy also demand constituting a CC

xiv)     LIC can arrange Lectures by eminent Doctors,Health experts, Alternative Medicine practitioners, Yogic experts ,pensioners called to attend, raise doubts & clarifications.Further LIC alliance with medical profession or hospitals can bring about concessions to elders & pensioners .

xv)      LIC can announce Scholarships,awards to pensioners wards who are brilliant & such objectives can be placed before CC members to appraise.

Symbolically,LIC could announce some cash prize to Seniormost pensioner in each Division atleast to boost up morale & to induce sensitivity to pensioners problems.

xvi)     Agenda will slowly create orderly way of dealing with issues,both parties will be active,Resolutions will have meaning  & sense of priority will arise.

Pensioners should be called as in the case of in-service employees for talks & negotiations  & a deadline can be fixed for a decision & solution .

Charter of Demands will begin to have a halo & outstanding issues can be discussed & an appropriate solution found in course of time as the living, throbbing problems genuinely faced by the body of enlightened pensioners, whose sweat & toil for decades formed the foundation & bedrock of this great organization should be resolved within a deadline as many die & go out of the fold.CC CA N INDEED BECOME A USE FUL CHA NNEL 7 A BRIDGE OF UNDERSTAND ING FACE  TO FA CE FOR RES OLVING ALL ISSUES OF PENSIONERS.

B)       NODAL OFFICERS AT CO,ZO,DO LEVELS HAVE TO BE CREATED AS PER ASSURANCE GIVEN BY THEN EDP SRI B.MANIVANNAN  & COMMUNICATED TO HIS SUCCESSOR SRI M.R.KUMAR TOO

This will create a healthy development of SINGLE-POINT WINDOW CONTACT with Nodal Officer, who, in course of time, will be able to evolve still healthier concepts of welfare & empathy & resolving complaints & grievances of pensioners with commitment & dedication.above all, a sense of realization of responsibility at ALL LEVELS will start percolating & all tiers will involve themselves WITHOUT tossing the pensioner here & there.  NODAL OFFICER BECOMES A SIMPLE  MECHANISM   FOR HEARING COMPLAINTS OR GRIEVANCES.THIS WILL ULTIMATELY PURIFY & STRENGTHEN THE WORKING OF ALL OS PENSION CELLS QUALITATIVELY.

PENSIONERS WILL BEGIN TO HAVE  A  FACE OF THEIR OWN. LIC WILL BEGIN TO  EXHIBIT OWNERSHIP OF PENSIONERS, SADLY ABSENT TODAY

 C)      AICRIEF also wants the management to be pro-active & set up a PENSIONERS OMBUDSMAN, as there will yet be some cases where grievances could not be fully & satisfactorily resolved & so an Ombudsman will lend neutrality & full independence in sorting out issues & pass an ORDER based on facts & findings by them ,so that real & true justice can prevail.

VI)     AIRIEF commends LIC for having created LIC Golden Jubileee Foundation to commemorate its Golden Jubilee year(1956-2006) as a mark of stellar & stupendous  service to society, nation, policyholders & all stakeholders. The aim was also to discharge its obligations as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility,with the objectives of relief of poverty or distress,advancement of education,medical relief, advancement of any other object of general public utility.

            While the initial corpus of Rs50cr is being replenished every year with an infusion of Rs10cr,& many activities evoking praise & admiration are being undertaken like scholarships to deserving students etc,

i)AIRIEF pleads & advocates that LIC must endeavour to extend help & assistance in deserving cases to pensioners or family of pensioners in the areas earmarked like offer of scholarships,

ii)medical relief for pensioners for high-end diseases &  treatment like chemo-therapy,dialysis & radiotherapy ,where limits prescribed deter payment of full insurance sum assured, as 20% of sum assured restriction is imposed adversely affecting such pensioner patients needing long & continuous treatment.

iii)CSR certainly demands empathy towards pensioners in matters affecting their lives.Equally, brilliant wards of pensioners are not able to pursue higher education, as fees & other demands are exhorbitant & LIC intervention to offer scholarships to such exemplary cases shall be appreciated & remembered

VII)    The matter of revising norms for the Staff Welfare Fund in Public Sector Banks has been examined in this Department in light of the recommendations made by the Khandelwal Committee.   It has been accordingly decided to raise the maximum ceiling for Staff Welfare Fund as under subject to cap of 3% of net profit:

Category	Maximum  ceiling per year
State Bank of India	Rs.100 crores
PSBs with business mix of over Rs. 300,OOO crores and  employee strength above 30,000	Rs.25 crores
PSBs with business mix of over 150,000 crores to Rs.300,000  crores and employee strength of  20,000 to  30,000	Rs.20 crores
Other PSBs	Rs.15 crores

AIRIEF also wants LIC  to make  specific allotment in same manner to our pensioners,as MOF/GOI,  DEPT OF FINANCIAL SERVICES  issued the circular in Feb,2012

LIC can,therefore, allot, a decent amount,in tune with this development on the Banking sector & quickly evolve a scheme to ensure welfare amenities being accelerated.Needless to say,LIC must be a pace-setter in protecting & promoting pensioners welfare & so ,LIC must earmark amount higher than SBI.

VIII)    
        1)  LIC Care Homes subsidiary started with noble,laudable objectives appear to go slow, on low profile.But a wealth of goodwill can be earned if only,they can speed up operations & construct such Homes as they have done at Bangalore.

In view of disintegration of joint family long before, emergence of nuclear families,many siblings going, even settling abroad ,time is ripe for a decent, calm surroundings at affordable prices but certainly with all amenities ,absolutely inclusive of healthcare, doctors for routine checkups & emergency help & assistance. True to LIC emblem, meaning of logo, thy welfare should be the responsibility.

      2)  When social audit of Old Age Homes take place,when Dignity Foundation & others engage in such amenities for Elders,LIC can thoughfully adopt a few Old Age Homes ,qualitatively better ,& ensure LIC pensioners get priority at such well-managed homes,with adequate infrastructure .

     3)   It must be LIC bounden duty as part of accepting social  responsibility to celebrate World Elders Day, devise good programmes, cultural, honouring Eldest pensioners etc as a mark of respect & admiration for seniors.

     4)    Many talk of wealth of talents, maturity, experience, & distilled wisdom amongst pensioners ,whose intelligence & knowledge are not put to proper use by community & society.LIC can be the harbinger whereby, they can set up Schools,Colleges,grand Insurance University.  Many retirees will be eagerly & spontaneously attracted towards this salutary proposition to join, fully offer their services for teaching, training, coaching, counselling etc .They can even devise a wonderful curriculum in consultation with LIC policy makers to make this vision a reality.sure, many others will love to ape this & it may become sooner a trend-setter for others to emulate.

IX)
       
    i)     While Banks enjoy & nominate  2  Retired Sr Executives in Staff Welfare Committee,it is sad LIC  has not thought of any such till now.

AIRIEF pleads with the management to place such proposal before LIC Board & implement the same as a salutary practice of such representation will bring in a spectrum of useful points for  pensioners welfare .

   ii)      Banks have unified re presentation of pensioners  Representative in Board too. It is considered an honour &a positive welcome measure & again reflecsting healthy practices & norms for proper assessment with all views & suggestions pooled.LIC must endeavour to move & push forward this proposal & ensure implementation at an early date .

X) 
   i )      Many High Courts have given unequivocal verdicts that those who retired under

VRS or those who  Resigned are eligible  for pension.Even MOF/GOI in recent bank 2^nd option for pension for retirees have  clarified to IBA to correct their erroneous views.

LIC, OF ITS OWN, MUST OPEN UP SUCH CASES  ,& GRACIOUSLY SETTLE PENSIONARY BENEFITS WHICH THEY INDEED DESERVE.

  ii)       Just as Banks gave  2^nd option facility to their retirees, LIC must give final option to

retirees left out of pension scheme ,fixing some final date  for receipt of such requests & widely circulating the information to reach those retirees.

XI)
   i)        Enhancement of Gratuity Limit to Rs. 10 lakhs.

The recent  enactment which has increased statutory ceiling on Gratuity to Rs.10 lacs has been made applicable to all government undertakings with effect from the date of their wage revision. Unfortunately, employees of LIC are given step motherly treatment and this enhancement is made effective from 24-05-2010 only. It is fair and legally correct to make this enhancement effective from 01-01-2006 to LIC’s retirees also. 

  ii)         PENSIONERS’ PORTAL: LIC of India is known for IT enabled services to its customers and also developed employees portal, agents portal etc.. On the same lines, we request to have a portal for the pensioners where the pensioners may have access through internet. The portal may provide details of pension and pensioner as well as relevant forms like existence certificate, mediclaim form, particulars of family members, etc. Circulars related to pensioners and information of DR slabs may also be provided through the portal. It can be a password protected portal.AIRIEF has sent a d etailed communication to CO ,OS

De pt  in this regard  with valuable suggestions in A pril,2012

  iii)       While for commuted pension, provision for Nomination is made, for r eg ular or family pension or mediclaim etc, unclaimed benefits must not pose legal tangle & enormous amounts ,labour,energy & efforts wasted for title: hence ABSOLUTELY,provision for Nomination must be made so that at adavanced age , care  will be taken to ensure pension proceeds go to right earmarked relatives.

  iv)        Avoidable Litigations.

It is observed that from many of the cases pending before various High Courts/Supreme Court that LIC is unnecessarily dragging the cases against retirees evidently to buy time or to frustrate the retirees with delays and spending of money.  Of late, it is found that even in legally tested cases, such unnecessary litigations and wastage of public money is being done. This is happening for the reason that the authorities at various levels prefers to act upon court verdict rather than exercising their judicious discretion. This tendency not only cause avoidable hardships to the aged/ ailing retirees but also results in loss of face and public money. Hence it is requested that matters where the judgment at high court level is clear and no further litigation would help the management, in such cases the verdict of the high court should be implemented without further appeals and litigation. We seek adherence to National Litigation Policy in letter and spirit and avoid litigations/appeals.  Such gesture by LIC management would help saving of hard earned money of the retirees and will help them in availing the benefit during his lifetime and in times of their need.

XII)
   i)      Group Term Insurance coverage for retirees.

We have been requesting for extension of GTI to LIC retirees up to the age of 75 years as is being allowed to others. LIC has not so far acceded to our request for coverage of a retirees’ life. It is necessary in the changed context of increased life expectancy that the coverage is extended to LIC retirees.

  ii)     Pass Book to the Pensioners:  

We have been demanding for providing details of pension to the pensioners as is provided to the retirees of Banks and Government. We request to introduce the system of providing particulars of payment of pension in LIC also.

 iii)     Having enjoyed the LTC facility during service period for rest and recuperation, it will be pertinent that in the name of welfare for a retiree in due recognition of past services, at least a pilgrimage travel should be allowed to the retiree and his spouse  once in 2 years.

 iv)      Priority in Guest House Accommodation:    

Keeping in view the financial aspect as well as safety aspect, we request you to give priority to the retirees in allotting Guest House accommodation.

 v)        Pensioners Cell on Ground Floor:

At advance age it becomes difficult to the pensioners to climb stairs. It was decided that the pension cell would be on ground floor where lift facility does not prevail. LIC CO issued a Circular too.It has not been implemented. It is requested that suitable instructions be given to the offices to ensure that pension cell is on the ground floor.

XIII)
     i)        SPACE   is another constraint. LIBR ARY cum  ADJOINING HALL  WILL EMINENTLY SERVE

AS  MEETING  PLACE FOR PENSIONERS, EXCHANGE   IDEAS, SHARE  PROBLEMS, TAKE STEPS

TO   R ESOLVE  THE ISSUES, QLY  MEETINGS CAN TAKE PLACE, CIRCULARS & HOUSE

MAGAZINES   CAN BE  DISTRIBUTED AS ALSO  CURRENT DEVELOPMENTS ETC. This will set

right a big lacuna for the Pensioners Fedns. Conference Hall can be given for the meetings

of  pensioners after due permission .Imagine how much of value –addition will  come about.

   ii)      Apart from LIC House Magazine Yogakshema to President,VPs, GS,AIRIEF,

Zonal HM must be provided to VP,JS, AIRIEF. Equally, Divisional HM should be sent to

President, Secretary,RIEAs(Retired Insce Employees Assn)

  iii)        SBI CLASS HOUSE MAGAZINE FOR PENSIONERS, TITLED;SECOND INNINGS, NICE

COLOURFUL RELEASES  Qly  WITH VERY USEFUL ARTICLES, READY RECKONERS, HEALTH

ISSUES, DOCTORS REPLIES, Photographs   & MANY MORE   LIC must emulate  as a premier

Financial organization & embark on such spread of communication breaking barriers  of

silence & non-availability of data & news about pensioners.LIC Anniversary Day,

Independence Da y & such other celebrations for unity can be portrayed with participation

of pensioners & a welcome to them by management will go a long w ay in fine r apport &

intimacy.

 S.K.SHUKLA            V.C.JAIN

PRESIDENT                                                                      GENERAL SECRETARY

           ALL INDIA RETIRED INSURANCE EMPLOYEES FEDERATION

COMPILED by R.B.KISHORE, VP,AIRIEF  098403 40591