Gist of talks with MD Sri Mukesh Kumar Guptaji yesterday

             Gist of talks with MD Sri Mukesh Kumar Guptaji today

1.        1)Till yesterday,the news in all channels & Questions/Answers with team of Experts was that there will be ,as per Hon PMs 2^nd stirring appeal with reasons why of Total Shutdown ,to break the chain of infection of this deadliest virus,but Essential services will continue in the interest of all citizens, banking, insurance, doctors,groceries etc etc .WhatsApp also did not refer to insurance shutdown but contained MD Sri Suseel Kumars 2 suave,touching open letter to field force that lives of their families & individuals are vital & all other matters of new business etc can be looked after later.Today only Letter to All Employees from Chairman figured in few WhatsaPPGroups

     2)So,when I spoke to RM OS,SZO,Office ringing but no response,so to his Mobile,at residence,he informed that some percentage of staff only will work,others from home & they are alert to get information from CO.

        I could not resist my desire to speak to MD Sri Mukesh Kumar Gupta,office no response,so Mobile,he picked up instantly, I was elated.I enquired what decision Top Mgt has taken on services & staff attendance, he conveyed at present 5 % minimum attendance for core services ,they will carefully watch & review if need be. He agreed with me it was tragic the Corona virus has swept the world at this time,& taken world leaders by shock & surprise.

             I told that it is nice Employees as usual in March ,got salary on 21 March 2020 ,but we regard him as Saviour to protect pensioners & resolve their issues & ensure promised pension credit to bank account.He said that will be done & needed steps will be taken to credit pension on 1^st.I told him this general assurance does not satisfy the aged pensioners,as New Year 2020 ,credit of pension to bank account & SMS from bank on credit came on 2^nd,3^rd or 4^th too in some Divisions.Pensioners were obviously angry & frustrated & so I appealed to him ,that as present Shutdown or Containment, is unprecedented in world history, & only creative,forward-looking,discretionary solutions must be found to release pension in Current month of March ,as Annual closing of Accounts of all banks, & OS/Pension Cell delay of pumping all Pensioners data on time,in view of staggered Officers,presence can thwart or jeopardize ideal aim of 1^st April credit .I again stressed with all modesty & humility to Respected MD that only fair solution in Emergent times should be to credit before 30March itself in view of other circumstances .He promised to look into & certainly do the needful

   3)  I took his consent to talk for few more minutes.I said already talks with New India on Group MediClaim Policy 2020-21 must be at advanced level, with due processing of Pensioners modest demands from Pensioner Fedns,I pleaded with him that during last month & even earlier,I had requested that,apart from customary enhanced benefits on few counts,Pensioners Fraternity shall be grateful if Crucial issues can be easily resolved on :

i)One more Option for entry into FFPolicy Group Mediclaim, as even when OSAssured was hiked to Rs 30 lakhs,40 lakhs & 50 lakhs,New India should have offered the Option , though that was the most propitious time,

ii)Every pensioner spends a large chunk of pension on  basic illness or disability or disease & that Consultation Fee,Special Reports not allowed cases,Medicines & repeat many times,for pensioner & Spouse is a formidable amount .So, please ensure you compel New India to agree for atleast nominal 5%  

of Basic Sum Assured per annum, to be of some solace & comfort to pensioner & family.

iii)When Regular Pensioner dies,Family Pensioner gets a miserly Family pension,less than 1/3 of regular Pension & unable to bear the high premium being paid so far.Existing provision of proportionate reduction falls short of expectations & so prudence & equity demands that FP can choose whatever SA is needed but not less than CSA,Compulsory SA

   4 )I finally concluded saying World must have atleast now learnt a lesson, there is nobody superior or inferior,all are equal,all nations must know that boundaries are mere boundaries,respect for one another a must & world peace & co-existence must be the ultimate noble objective.

    I appealed to MD to empathetically take bold & courageous decision to release pension for March this month itself to avoid complexities & uncertainties & we all will hail such a decision.

R.B.KISHORE

PATRON,AIRIEF  : 25/3/20