**** NOINO NEWS ****

***NOINO delegation meets ED (Personnel)***

15.9.2016.

Yesterday, a NOINO delegation led by Shri *Dattaraj Prabhukhanolkar, GS,NOINO* met *ED (Personnel) Shri Sharad Srivastav*. The delegation consisted of Smt *Neeta Prabhavalkar,  VP, NOINO*, Shri *Ketan Purandare*, Smt *Trupti Brahme, (Both All India EC members) along with Shri Suryakant Gawade, Jt. Secretary WZ unit*, Smt *Saroj Kurdukar* & Shri *Brahmesh Hardikar*(both WZ EC members).

*Smt T. Hindoyar, Chief (Personnel) and Shri M.C Chaturvedi*, Secretary (ER/ Admin) were also present.

The discussions went over 2 hours. One pertinent point to note was that the issue of the payment of back wages (to the tune of more than 3500 crores) of the temporary employees as ordered by the Honourable Court came up several times in the discussions from the management. A reference was also made several times to Section 48 of LIC Act 1956, which was amended in 1981 by the then Congress government by which the government kept with it all the powers regarding benefits, compensation & many other matters. We discussed the issues of class I officers and employees in detail as below:-

*1. 5 days' week:-* We protested the undue delay in the realisation of the assurance given by the management. ED said that the proposal is with ministry and no further query has been raised by the Govt. We demanded there should be vigorous follow up by management for immediate notification as promised. ED replied that this matter is being followed up on highest level. On our query, ED agreed that a draft notification has been sent to the ministry and we expect the positive outcome.

*2. Diamond jubilee Incentive:-* We strongly expressed our resentment on not inviting the Union Representatives for Diamond jubilee function on 1.9.2016 as also the delay in deciding about the incentive for Diamond jubilee year. ED said that invitations were given by Corporate Communications dept and he would convey our feelings to higher management. In case of incentive; the committee has recommended but the decision was deferred in last board meeting. At this point, the management brought the issue of payment of back wages as also the possibility of a huge liability if the demand of upgradation of pension was to be conceded, thus indicating that it would be difficult to consider the demand. We, however, insisted that ways could be found to tide over such situation & demanded that there should be no dilly-dallying on the issue of Diamond jubilee incentive.

*3. One more option for pension:-* All of you are aware that NOINO is following up this issue consistently since long. We enquired as to whether the management has taken up the issue recently. ED said that this issue is alive as far as the management is concerned. The last follow up with Govt was done in year 2013-14. We demanded that a fresh note should be put up to the Govt with current facts & figures.

  ED agreed for the same. We drew his attention to the developments on the GIC front and the Govt's decision to grant OROP for defence services and recommendations to extend this to civil services too. We also drew his attention to the fact that the government also seemed positive on this issue as per our earlier talks with Shri Meghwalji, Minister of State for Finance.

*4. Commencement of next wage revision talks:-* We demanded that next wage revision negotiations should be commenced well in advance so that the settlement would be done on or before 1.8.2017. ED was positive on this but said there is no communication received from Govt. We insisted that the management should take pro-active steps in this issue.

*5. Revision in LTC benefits:-* We reiterated our earlier demands:- a)Airfare to AAOs and to remove the condition of 1000 km for travel.  b) Simplification of rules. c) Distance to be the farthest point in the country. d) LTC for spouse also where both are LIC employees.

ED was not positive on point (a) saying that it may be considered in future considering on the cost factor involved in it.

*6. PLLI:-* We demanded immediate payment instructions for difference in PLLI for the boken period of 1.8.2012 to 31.3.2013.  We reiterated our earlier demands of:- a) Simplification of parameters b) Uniform PLLI to all. C) In view of PLLI for the year 2015-16 we demanded min 6% PLLI for all.

For difference of PLLI for 8 months ED was not positive as it was notified with revised pay scales taking into consideration the increased cost. He also said that PLLI for the year 2015-16 would be finalized & announced shortly.

ED noted the remaining points.

*7. Transfer/postings:-* We demanded a) Request transfers to be allowed after 2 years. B) Marketing officials to be posted in divisional office/Zonal office/Central office on de-rotation. C) On promotion, AAO/AOs to be posted within division; ADM/DM within Zone . D) Transfer grant to be payable in cases considering the Batch/CO/ZO order date & not actual service put in. We also demanded that a systemic approach should be adopted & Transfer/Postings should not be seen in isolation. We reiterated our opposition to forceful transfers.

We also pointed out the wrong interpretation of Draft policy by some of the zones and divisions. The local management is using it as tool to harass the officers at some places. ED reiterated that no such instructions were given by CO. The instructions would be issued after taking into consideration the feedback of the unions.

*8. Anomaly after computer increment:-* We once again forcefully demanded to remove this injustice. ED was not positive on this issue.

*9.  ITSG selection & revision in existing allowance:-* ED said that the interview process would start in few days. The committees have been finalised. We submitted that allowance is not revised since 2007 & needed substantial revision forthwith. We also submitted that due to the delay in conducting the ITSG examinations, many deserving officers were deprived of any such allowance though they are doing the same job. ED was not positive on revision of allowance. We enquired about the selection process of BSA & Project Leader to which he replied that the test will be conducted for that selection.

*10. Revision in reimbursement of Mobile expenses:-* ED was not positive but after insisting he assured to review the same.

*11. Child care leave/Sabbatical leave:-* We once again raised this demand. ED noted this point, but was not positive.

*12. Allowance to officers for technical /professional qualifications:-* ED said that the ministry was not positive on this issue. However, he said that at an opportune moment this matter would be raised again. We also demanded that clear instructions & clarification should be issued regarding the treatment of on-duty for officers appearing for I.I.I. examinations. ED was positive on this issue and said it will be considered.

*13. Mini offices:-* We submitted that Mini offices were a drag on the finances of the Corporation & have served little purpose. We demanded that a review regarding their continuity should be taken at the earliest. We also said that management is planning to provide them laptop & printer which will lead to cost rise. We insisted that instead full- fledged branch offices should be opened which will not only help us to serve the policyholders better, but will also provide more promotion opportunities. ED has noted this point.

*14. New Pension Scheme applicable to employees recruited after 1.4.2010:* We submitted that due to absence of instructions from CO, the funds pertaining to their contributions are lying idle since inception. ED said that a joint meeting of all concerned departments is scheduled soon which will consider this demand and decide.

*15. Biometric login:-* We pointed out the fluctuating positions of the management. Earlier, it was told that it would have nothing to do with attendance. Then the stand was changed. After our stiff opposition, now ostensibly it is being linked with meal coupons which too, we have opposed. ED was not positive on this issue & said that other government offices have already implemented it. We pointed out that the other government offices have also implemented 5 days’ week.

*16. Recruitment in Class III/IV to relieve the workload on Class I officers:-* ED was not positive on this issue & said that in light of the CGIT court order to pay back wages, it would be difficult as the cost would have already increased manifold.

*17. Staff strength formula:-*  We demanded that the staff strength formula should be shared with the unions. ED said that currently it was being revised. After that, it would be shared.

*18. Falling market-share:-* We expressed our concern over the fall in market-share, particularly in the non-single individual policies as also the fall in renewal premium. We also said that the wrong short-term strategies in the past have resulted in the situation & our warnings in this respect had been ignored.

*19. Information sharing meetings & Transparency:-* We demanded that Information sharing meetings with the unions should be held forthwith. We also said that there should be more transparency & liaison with the unions on the part of the management.

NOINO will continue to follow-up the pending issues to their logical conclusion.

Dattaraj Prabhukhanolkar
GS, NOINO.


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