From:
R.B.KISHORE
VP,AIRIEF
Dear friends,
1)Experiencing the aftermath of
Chennai rain fury & floods, unprecedented in 100 years history, slowly
creeping to some semblance of normalcy, but very far from real old spirit of a
Metro,as even now true stories of inner details crop up, many areas were free
from this inundation except waterlogging, residents happy, other areas from
hard times to cruel to loss of lives, some families yet to return & fate
uncertain, 500 tons of slush, waste, plastic materials which choked citys already poor drainage system, lakhs & crores some shopkeepers & business
men in many areas especially shops located underground ,more susceptible to easy flooding, many shop owners asking
passers by & others to take whatever they wanted as in all probability ,all
is gone & why waste,tragic,many SHG,NGOs, political parties alternately
offering what citizens need ,dress, bedsheets, blankets, bags,minimum utensils,
food packets etc,many rich families showing a modicum of benevolence ,& discharging their duty to
society atleast in this dire hour of distress & need,Corporation trucks
& modernized vehicles with cranes removing mountain heaps of all sorts of
throwaway from many residences, indicating colossal loss o f their belongings, GF
residents laying new mosaic or marble,fresh whitewash,look at soaring damages
& consequential expenses, autos
rendered useless as scrap, in between, sad sight of towing cars & other vehicles
in despicable condition to workshops & insurance cos crying already Rs1500
cr claims, next year motorcar insce premium hiked by 10-15 %,what a cascading
effect on life & living, in spite of resilience & some degree of
assistance,citizens paying penalty of
Authorities not heeding early warning
signals or instituting emergent accelerated help even at early stages to ward
off multiplier effect of one of the greatest human tragedies indeed let loose
by Mother Nature in its most devastating form & fury,lo, behold the cry,
anguish, saddened faces, morose looks,
homemaker losing washing
machines, family & children seeing
TV floating deprived of some entertainment,mosquitoes aplenty forewarning
Corporation & Municipalities,spray & sprinkling of chloroform,
multi-dimensional loss of catastrophic proportions, the Sinking Chennai Titanic
to when Smiling Chennai Titanic,God alone knows. When one hears that Banks safevaults were adversely affected,so too low
ATMs of some Banks,with profuse water inundation & Important Documents
& other valuables gone what Fate, only
Time can tell. Computers did not function, hardware& software experts after
inspection & trials abandoned, so many Shops have started interim Manual
Bills & later hopefully Stories of great escapes ok, also brave Hearts
wanting to rescue friends or relatives,neither survived is a grim tragedy.Only
Army,AirForce,Commandos & Disaster Management skilled Professionals can
save ,mitigate, lessen the loss & save valuable human lives.Sorry for the
digression but my thoughts were pinned to these happenings & I felt all
should know the Scale of Disaster for immense mental participation in one of
the worst ,colossal human tragedies & I thought Violin strings will play sad tunes of Carnatic
SubhaPanthuVarali Raga.
As ZM had a series of Claims Review Committee,ZMC
Meeting & planned tours, the date to meet him was fixed as Friday, 18th
December ,2015.I also spoke to RMOS & it was made clear after meeting ZM,
we meet RMOS & his full Team of Officers. It was readily agreed.
2)I invited Sri B.Angurajan ,
AIOS, AIRIEF also to join us while presenting the Foundation Day Memorandum to
ZM & RMOS.As no proper reservation was possible, he could not grace the
occasion.We missed him .I approached Sri MPSubramaniano,Veteran from Madurai, a
friend, philosopher & guide to come if he can to ZO,as he is now in Chennai, to attend ,as he suffered
earlier at Madurai a grievous fall & almost fully recovering, though lot of
care & circumspection needed & some extra also needed for mobility.
3)Myself,S/Sri R.Kannan, TRMadhavaRao,RKDeivanayagam,TCSrinivasan
,KVenkataraman were there at ZM Sectl at 10am, but we were told ZM return by
flight delayed & so we can go ahead with meeting RMOS & his team.Some
pleasantries & recall of good & bad remembrances of situation &
environment & some personalities of past, final info that as soon as ZM
arrives, info will be passed on, we commenced our Proceedings in right earnest
4)Memorandum presentation has to be viewed in
the wider context of not mere organizational discipline but here it is our aim
& objective to utilize time & talks in full measure to air &
ventilate our Pensioners Issues, Problems, grievances, of delay, lacuna in
procedure, lack of communication, absence of PR & Publicity efforts to nurture this silent group of Elders &
Pensioners & emphasizing, it is high time Management at ALL levels grapple
with the unique, special & peculiar needs of this group of Sr Citizens with an EXTRA degree of SPECIAL efforts they
deserve because of variety of handicaps faced by them
5)I read out the Memorandum in
full with emphasis & stress on the ordeal faced by pensioners fraternity
& presented to Sri Masil Jeyamohan,RMOS,& a good click of photos of all
present standing We then prefaced our talks
with Full attendance of ZOOS Officers present, RM, Secretary,Asst Sy, AO
Pension Cell, AO OS/Per , that same way
as LIC heralds BEST service in all
aspects of new business, claims, loans, payments,honouring Vision &
Mission Statements & protecting & promoting all Stakeholders interest,
so too, Pensioners tribe needs special care & due attention due to the
composition of pensioners spread over, without any real help or assistance,
unlike Employees, & so Empathy to be demonstrated in all acts of OS Dept
6)Very useful exchanges,
responses, repartees, analysis of issues raised,data in respect of some issues
, emerged & we have pleasure to put
them on record.
i)We informed that in a CO
meeting with top dignitaries of Corporation, CO understood our problem,promised
to send CO circulars embracing Pensioners, that comes regularly.Similarly as
per copy of my Email after meeting ZM
& all OS officers & DO 1 & DO2 MgrOS on 20/8.2013 ,many areas were
covered ,we gave Email ids of all SZ Divisions RIEAs to
whom ZO can forward such Circulars immediately without loss of time & few
cases without email ids ,their full address to enable ZO to send to the OBs of
such RIEAs for communication to reach & spread & sometimes deadline is
fixed for compliance by Pensioners.
ii) Essential to promote Cashless
Service in a humane way,with TPA ECard received, speed up PreAuthorisation for
emergent admission to Hospital ,with due LIC Photo Identity card ,verification
by TPA about OSAssured limit chosen & due green signal for
cashless entitlement to the Hospital Authorities.
We also referred to Sri SRNagarajan wifes case
of membrane problem in the eye as diagnosed by Rajan Eye Care Surgeons &
immediate need of 3 injections so costly as Rs25,000each, 3 in all, at Monthly intervals, TPA told ZOOS that this item of ailment does not come
under the umbrella of cashless Service but full reimbursement shall be done
with little loss of time to settle mediclaim.
Smt Revathy assured us of this. I also duly sent reassuring email to Sri
SRNagarajan.
Smt Revathy,when enquired about
non-receipt of cheque for final settlement after due reconsideration of his
claim on his genuine & valid representation,of Sri PRamanathan,conveyed DO
1 will get credit in 2/3 days & hopefully next week, amount of Rs2272 will
be credited to insureds SB A/c
Pensioners’ Assns & Fedns
should have a premise, an office, a Network, a Computer printer connection
& hardcore dedicated workers & skilled pensioners in many items of
work,updation, calculation & separate Folders for different O/S Issues for
regular FUP & penetrating analysis
with background materials so essential for Negotiations & securing much
earlier resolution of our Modest & Legitimate Demands
I may inform, in
this context,that ,as against NIL
cashless last year,this year, due to our persistent education &
tireless dinning into the ears of ZO,I got Tabular Data agewise,SAwise
mediclaims & indicating Cashless claims. I found within just few months,
Cashless Service has crossed 10 % in Number as also SA,which looks to be a good
opening account & a welcome happening for which we shall be grateful to ZO
/DO for the good job done
One has to find figures
for other ZONES, correlate, chalk out remedial action & take further steps
to protect & promote all Pensioners’
interests so that RIEAs can be made active & more Membership
strength can be garnered.
iii)We raised a point to help
Pensioners regarding Annual ritual of receiving Family
Particulars Form & submitting same data virtually every Year,
suggesting that ZO can reduce the
burden for pensioners ,as Data will be the same in almost all cases.DOB of
eligible included Family members available in ZO/DO records for computation of premium, which ZO/DO can inform at right time to
Employees & Pensioners & above all,so far as mediclaim premium
is deducted only in SZ,SCZ in 3 & 2 instalments &
a uniform 12 Mly deductions CO is
seriously contemplating as parleys have taken place with COOS & CO
Personnel at highest level,as per many talks I had earlier with Chief Per,CO
&
further, ZO/DO can also treat
those who gave their consent to deduct premium from Pension as a blanket
consent, not to disturb continuity of risk cover so invaluable, more so after
FFP came into being with decent high OSA .If reply is not received, even that
Authorisation will disappear & all hardship to pensioners to pay FULL HIGH
Premium in 1 shot,so difficult & if not paid,gone with the wind, the risk
OSA too. So, we stressed that similarly, ONCE when authorization to deduct is
given, till such time he revokes, that will continue .
We told RMOS that even if any
provision exists with New India about compulsorily securing Family Particulars
form,Practical difficulties for Pensioners &
Pragmatism must overrule & overall interests & welfare of pensioners
& family must be the overriding consideration,as all know when one goes out
of Mediclaim Scheme, inclusion is impossible.Our friends also added that as FFP
limits & choice remains unaltered for 3 years, all the more this suggestion
should be implemented without any
hassles
iv)As LIC CO conveyed during
talks last year when we knew some failed to exercise Option, we desired ZO to help us with a list of
Pensioners who still remain outside the ambit of FFP ,so that what best we can
do as Pensioners Fedn, we can ensure good cover to our beloved pensioners. AIRIEF shall
always persist in analyzing real & true position of all issues, present it
to Management & secure maximum comfort for pensioners.
v) Next we took up Statements related to Pensioners,which we secure
every year & this time, as all 5 Officers are new, especially at lower
levels,the steady stream of understanding disappears & proper wavelength to
subsist between ZOOS & others who
seek help on matters impinging on pensioners get a temporary retreat,delay,not
fully settled down etc.After so many oral & written reminders, 4 Statements
were received 3 days before.
We perused & told ZOOS that any List of Pensioners must contain
apart from address, mobile No without fail & Name, cadre/designation, so
that we can contact them & help them.
Restoration of Commuted pension
list has as many as 750 last list for 2 years for SZ, we told them to send
similar statement for Next 2 years
Usual RP,FP,Exgratia,Child pensioners for ZO
& all SZ Divisions ,&List of
Pensioners who died after 1/8/2012 with Date of Retirement .I pleaded with
ZOOS it is not desirable to club Pensioner deaths with Retirement &
separate List of RP & FP who died last few years, say from 1/8/97 or
1/8/2002 can be supplied to us & as insisted with Mobile Nos. I also wanted
the entire SZ Pensioners Numbers & Pension Amount Valuation Statement which
I used to get every year, to be given to us as at 31/3/2015 & it is Yearly.
We pleaded ZOOS to give us
List of Pensioners who are 80 years old & above.
We referred to MCJain case & wanted the List of Class I Officers who retired between 1/8/92—31/3/
93 & gave the clue that from earlier list of such retirees
1/8/92—31/7/94 as Gratuity arrears with 10 % SI were paid in 3/2008 &Sep
2008, ZO can cull out & also inform DOOS to
maintain such list to act upon as soon as instructions are received from CO to
pay the difference ,after refixation of Pay & Pension & recalculate
with DR & settle arrears
vi)a)Next we raised the issue of
sure & certain position of Pensioners having Joint SB A/C ,as otherwise,at the time
of death of RP,there will be lot of problems .We requested RMOS to finally
verify so that ,if few cases still exist where it is not done Joint, to advise
pensioners suitably .
b)in the case of FP, the A/C will
be Single only, as LIC cannot pay pension after the death of FP.So, we
requested ZO OS to ensure that FP makes Nomination so that any outstanding amount or arrears of
pension etc can be paid to such nominee,in the event of unfortunate death of FP
too.
vii)We pointed out that while energetic efforts are made to create
awareness amongst Policyholders & field force & suitable Ads or PRefforts done to
educate, remind our worthy policyholders.nothing is done in a similar fashion
for pensioners. So,ZO OS can mention, in attractive positions, in their letters
to Pensioners,in information about Mly credit of pension,newspapers, Dos &
Donts stressing urgency & importance of doing so,& this way many future
problems can be resolved even earlier.RMOS promised that such efforts will be
done.
viii)As LIC Chairman ,during Wage
charter discussions,expressed LIC has open mind to
offer 2nd Pension Option, we suggested the desirability of ZOOS
ensuring such a List of the names with details who are now outside the ambit of
Pension Rules 1995 .
ix)We reminded that ZOOS
,earlier, after extensive discussions with ZM,OS Officers,agreed to prepare a
useful BOOKLET with all necessary advice
& instructions & hints to Pensioners,such a valuable Booklet can be
nicely named,adding “IN SERVICE TO THOSE WHO ARE NOT IN SERVICE NOW “.Such a
Booklet can be presented to ALL Retirees on the last day of retirement,which
shall be greatly cherished by the Pensioner of his unbroken links with LIC.
x)While thanking that ZOOS gives
us the List of Pensioners with full details,Mobile No,we reiterated the unique
position & environment of pensioners,who are now dispersed,contacts gone or
loosened & so the desirability of a Printed
Pensioners Directory for ZO & similarly by DOOS with last 10 pages blank
with suitable headings for supplementary retirements . We made it clear
,while the lists continue, Printed Directory can be
undertaken once in 3 years for economy .Most important as pensioners are away,
scattered, nearby pensioners also we don’t know some nearness,telephone contacts
,meeting are made possible, thanx to this Directory & so wholesome &
essential to bring camaraderie among
pensioners,
xi)Lastly we explained the peculiar position
of Family Pensioners & requested RMOS to please ponder & arrange a
1-day Training Session to Family Pensioners in LIC Building ,with due adequate
inputs qualitative to educate,instill confidence,reduce tension & be aware
of their role & responsibilities
xii)When we
enquired if we can get Xerox of Chart of New Basic Pay,DA & Existing BP & DA,
indicating Mly difference,RMOS asked Secretary OS to supply us, which we duly
received
We
profusely thanked RMOS & each & every ZOOS officer & team for their
sincerity & seriousness & made the 100 minute interaction interesting
& useful. We requested them to make SDM & Mgr OS of SZ Divisions aware
of the above & any data or info required can be called from them to build
good partnership & make pensioners lives happier & better with no
hardship or hassles.
B)As the call came that ZM wants to meet us, we rushed to his
chamber,all of us & presented the Memorandum, photographs were taken.I
mentioned about latest position in Supreme Court.I emphasized that in many
general & policy matters he can help us by using his good offices & to
click soon 12 Mly deduction of mediclaim premium from pension April to March
& long-pending Pensioners Portal complete & fully useful to all
pensioners & our suggestions of 4 pages 4/2012, near 4 years not yet
announced & expedite by bombarding
the external agency to comply with some deadline, to be of use to us in 2016
beginning atleast.
Lunch
was arranged in RMOS chamber & the whole atmosphere was surcharged with a
sense of awakening of several problems of pensioners, which if both sides
cooperate, can progress more smoothly .
Greetings,
R.B.KISHORE
VP,AIRIEF
