""FLASH NEWS""

"" Listing of state general insurers may be staggered.""...""" New India Assurance launches “New India Premier Mediclaim Policy” with exclusive features and Sum Insured upto Rs. 1 crore""".... “The tentative decrease in D.A. Slabs is 9 for the months from February,2017 to April,2017 - The net number of slabs for Feb.,2017 stands at 469"".."" ALL MEMBERS OF NFGIE/GICEU: PL ENSURE PAYING LEVY ON WAGE REVISION IMMEDIATELY ON RECEIPT OF ARREARS TO THE RESPECTIVE STATE /REGIONAL UNITS TO STRENGTHEN FINANCIAL POSITION OF NFGIE AS WELL AS STATE UNITS OF GICEU""....."" WAGE ARREARS WILL BE PAID ON 05th FEB.,2016""...."" WAGE REVISION FILE WAS CLEARED BY FINANCE MINISTRY ON THURSDAY 14TH JAN.,2016 ONLY. EXPECTING NOTIFICATION AT ANY TIME. HOWEVER, ON TUESDAY 19TH JAN.2016 GIPSA GOVERNING BODY MEETING HELD AT 'GOA'. PAYMENT DATE MAY BE DECIDED BY GIPSA AUTHORITY.""..."" NEXT ROUND OF DISCUSSIONS WITH GIPSA ON 04TH, 5TH & 6TH nOV., 2015 AT HOTEL GOLCONDA,HYDERABAD- NFGIE SLOT FOR DISCUSSIONS ON WAGE REVISION WITH GIPSA AT 2 PM ON 04.11.2015""...""Received a call from Mr A K Singhal, Advisor, GIPSA to our National Federation General Secretary, Mr P S Bajpai regarding the next round of Wage Talks on 29th October 2015 (Thursday) at Mumbai. Detailed Circular follows.""..."" We have been informed by Mr. Vasant Khande,Mumbai that Mr. Ashish Shelar,MLA and BJP President of Mumbai is going to attend our NFGIE conference on 1st October,2015 in Chennai""...""Wage revision and Pension Option – Programme of Agitation::: 1. Lunch Hour demonstrations in all centres on 15th and 23rd September.2. Signature campaign (memorandum addressed to Finance Minister) to complete by 23rdSeptember.;3. No late sitting in offices and no work on Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays w.e.f. 23rd September, 2015;4. Joint Employees meetings in all offices to campaign;5. Perspective of strike actions in October ""......"23RD JULY IS NEW INDIA'S FOUNDATION DAY(23RD JULY, 1919). ON THIS HAPPY OCCASSION, LET ALL NEW INDIANS TO RE-DEDICATE THEMSELVES ONCE AGAIN TO BRING BACK IT'S GLORY AND TO RETAIN NO.1 POSITION WITH PROFITS




""NEW INDIA ASSURANCE BEATS COMPETITION, GETS $9.5 BILLION AIR INDIA DEAL. One of India’s biggest public sector general insurer, New India Assurance (NIA) led consortium of public sector insurance companies has been awarded the contract to insure Air India’s huge fleet of 126 aircrafts worth 9.5 billion dollars. The consortium outbid the tender submitted by private general insurance companies, for this contract floated by Air India. NIA will insure Air India for 9.5 billion insurance cover for a premium of $22.5 million, which would be a one of the biggest aircraft insurance deals in the whole of Southeast Asia. PSU insurers continue to insure Air India for 4th year in a row"".....""Thank u all for staging a successful DHARNA today (06.7.2015) all over India as part of JFTU programme. At Mumbai we met Chairman GIPSA who informed that ministry is insisting on wage settlement on bank line only. Still they are pursuing with the ministry for getting sanction for a better package for PSGI Companies citing various factors. Due to this GIPSA is delaying resumption of wage negotiation. More stringent TU action is needed by JFTU against Ministry of Finance stand. JFTU will decide its further programme....Than 'Q'...Sujit Bagchi,General Secretary, "NFGIE""...""


TOTAL WEB VIEWERS

Sunday, February 22, 2015

NFGIE next Conference at Dehradoon on 24th & 25th ,April, 2015

19TH FEBRUARY, 2015.
Friends,

You all know that the Structured Meeting – 2015 scheduled on 14.02.2015 leaders of GIC Employees’ Union from various parts of the country attended the said meeting.Taking the opportunity a meeting of the Standing Committee of the Central Secretariat was held to transact the following Agenda:

1.      Self Introduction
2.      MBS Election 2015
3.      Organizational Matter
4.      Fund Position
5.      Conference – NFGIE, Date and Venue
6.      Structured Meeting
7.      Miscellaneous.

Meeting was presided by Mr. T K Sathis Kumar, Working President, NFGIE.  The meeting took stock of the situation after MBS Election 2015.  All the units were praised for their effort in making NFGIE and AIGISCSTEWA for successful in the MBS Election.  Analyzing the result Mr. T K Sathis Kumar read some statistics showing the robust presence of NFGIE in all the southern states and some other parts of the country.  Emphasis was given for strengthening the areas where NFGIE suffered a setback due to the betrayal of some of the leaders.

In the Organizational matters stress was laid for strengthening the Organization in Western Zone specially Mumbai.  Mr. Vasant Khade , General Secretary, GICEU(WZ) was requested to convene a meeting of Western Zone at the earliest.

The Financial Position of the NFGIE was informed and to meet the outstanding liabilities it has been decided to go for pre-mature encashment of Fixed Deposit of Rs. 1.0 lac. 

All of you are aware, that the last Conference of NFGIE was held at 5th &6th October, 2012 at Hyderabad and in the meeting it has been decided to hold the next Conference at Dehradoon on 24th & 25th ,April, 2015.  GICEU, Dehradoon will be the host Region. All affiliated units are requested  to confirm their attendance at the said meeting and booking tickets.  Delegation Fee per head will be communicated to you later on.


With regards,
Sd/- xx xx xx,
SUJIT BAGCHI
GENERAL SECRETARY
N.F.G.I.

DETAILED CIRCULAR ON STRUCTURED MEETING WITH NW INDIA MANAGEMENT ON 14.02.2015


19.02.2015

Dear friends,

The Structured Meeting of NFGIE with the New India Management was held as Scheduled on 14th February, 2015 at Head Office.

Apart from the undersigned, M/s. T K Sathish Kumar, Working President, NFGIE, Mr. V. Venkatesh Kumar, Organising Secretary, NFGIE, Mr. T G Gopalkrishna, General Secretary, GICEU(AP & Vizag), Mr. K Badrinarayan, GICEU, (Chennai), Mr. Rajiv Singh, General Secretary, GICEU (Kanpur), Mr. V P Singh, General Secretary, GICEU(Ludhiana), Mr. O P Rajodia, GICEU, (NORTHERN ZONE) attended the meeting.  From the Management side Mr. G. Srinivasan, CMD, Mr. P. Nayak,GM(P), Mr. Sanat Kumar, GM and Mr. Rakesh Kumar, GM and host of other GMs and DGMs. I hope you have already been communicated through E-mail the proceedings of the Structured Meeting just after the meeting.  I like to further add that the agenda that was mailed to you on 30th January, 2015 was slightly altered as suggested in the Central Secretariat Meeting held on 13.02.2015.

At the outset CMD on behalf of the management welcomed the delegates and provided inputs regarding the changing scenario in General Insurance industry especially after the recent promulgamation of Ordinance on Insurance Laws and asked for the co-operation from all concerned to face the challenge.

On behalf of NFGIE, it was stated that after a long time New India Management called NFGIE for Structured Meeting.  Though management intended to call NFGIE for Structured Meeting in the year 2013, since it was not feasible for NFGIE to participate in the said meeting due to pre-occupation of the NFGIE leaders with PF election.  Demand had been placed to convene Structured Meeting once in a year to have a better exchange of views on employees’ grievances and sharing of them with management.  It was also reminded that the NFGIE is the oldest Union of the Industry having significant presence in all classes of employees and officers covering from Class-I to Class IV.  The members of NFGIE working across the whole country are instrumental for the robust performance of the company during the last few years.  Considering this factors management should allow a larger number of delegates from NFGIE.  It is unfair to equate them with other unions not having the membership pan India or membership is limited to a particular class only.  It was explained that Agenda contents points pertains to various anomalies relating members concerned.   Hence, it has been brought to the attention of the Top Management for redressal of grievances. 

Long pending issue of inclusion in Pension Scheme – 1995 of FTS who have been upgraded from PTS was elaborately explained and the pathetic and hapless position of the existing FTS was also narrated.  Management expressed willingness to consider the case positively. 

NFGIE raised the issue for the improvement of connectivity of CWISS to provide better service to the customer all over the country.  Management requested us for written submission on the same.

Management has agreed to examine the feasibility of deduction of union subscription through salary.

Management expressed positive response on the issues like Domiciliary Lumpsum Payment to both the employees (Husband & wife) employed in the company or other PSGI  where one is in the Class-I cadre and the other is in class-III, Completion of  Promotional Exercise of Class-III & IV within the month of June every year, inclusion of Crones’ Disease & Spinal Surgery in the list of major disease for the purpose of TMP. 

On our demand for recruitment of class-II and also one more option for conversion from class-III to class-II Management informed that a committee has been formed to frame the modus operandi for further induction in the class-II cadre.

Regarding training of all employees Management informed that the exercise is already in process but we urged the HO to oversee the implementation of programme in all ROs. 

Management showed positive response regarding Special Promotion in the cadre of Substaff / RC to Assistant who are Graduate .

The problems faced by the employees whilst deputed in General Election Duty by was raised.  In this context Special Leave for those who have suffered any injury during such period and payment of uncovered medical expenses was discussed. To provide the necessary relief Management agreed to examine each case on merit basis. Even the anomaly on payment of Honorarium on election duty between New India and LIC was pointed out and request was made for the removal of the anomalies.

The need to modify the LTS Circular was stressed and the Management agreed to take care of the same.

On our demand for  increase in amount of advance against natural calamities Management has stated to decide on merit of each case.

On Compassionate Appointments  for cases before November, 2014 the Management expressed their inability to all such cases. However,  Management was asked to find out some ways and means for giving appointment.

Implementation of Ministry’s Circular on posting of Female Employees on appointment,  promotion and transfer,  Management is still taking up the issue with the Ministry to frame Policy in this regard.  Our request was to expedite the process.

Regarding allowing Incentives to all the employees the Management will be taking up the matter appropriately and some measures will be adopted by them.

On our demand  for own TPA, Management informed that it is expected that own TPA will be floated within 4-5 months.

Management agreed to consider our Proposal for inclusion of physically and mentally retarded  children of employees aged more than 25 years in Staff Group Mediclaim

Demand was placed for inclusion of left out retirees/family members of the deceased employee and for another option for change of Sum Insured under   Staff Group Mediclaim,  Management has agreed to review .
On the demand   for another Option for Pension Scheme-1995 for all left out employees in the industry Management stated that they are pursuing with the  Ministry and hopeful of getting  positive response.

 Management has agreed to consider our views on PF matters such as upward revision of quantum of PF loan on medical grounds, increase  in the number of  Non-refundable PF Loan on medical grounds from three to four times in the service period, adjustment of existing balance of Refundable PF loan.  

Our demand for formation of Women Forum at HO/RO level, Renovation of Staff Quarters, Retirement training to all have evoked positive response from Management’s end.

We have demanded proper infrastructure to all Micro Offices all over the country. We have pointed out that in some of the Micro Offices there is lack of basic amenities like toilet.  Management has stated that if the Micro Office has problem with the toilets such offices should be shifted. 

            Further, we have demanded increase in cost of shoes, Umbrella and stitching Charges , increase in allowances for TSS, declaration of Region-wise Restricted Holidays , all offices including Micro offices should be properly furnished with AC. Management agreed to  give due weightage on points raised and  further  agreed to  increase  incentives to employees posted in Micro Offices and also agreed to post one additional manpower if the premium crosses Rs. 50.0 lacs.  We have demanded not to post any female employee in the micro offices and the management assured not to post of any female employees forcefully.  We have again demanded for representations of all the checked off unions in the running of the HO Sports Club.

Our demand on MBS points for increasing number of Trustees, management expressed their willingness to review in the next term. We have also demanded upward revision of benefits of MBS.  We have also demanded that as a Public Sector Undertaking our Bankers should be Public Sector Banks.

 We have also demanded sanctioning of Vehicle loan to newly upgraded FTS as they have already  completed  five years of service.

Friends, we assure you that NFGIE will painstakingly pursue with the NIA Management to make effective the issue discussed in the Structured Meeting and let you know in due course.
YOURS SINCERELY
Sd/- xx xx xx
SUJIT BAGCHI
GENERAL SECRETARY
NFGIE

Sunday, February 15, 2015

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE STRUCTURED MEETING HELD ON 14TH FEB.15 AT HEAD OFFICE MUMBAI. BETWEEN NFGIE AND NIA MANAGEMENT

1.       Pension Scheme – 1995 be applicable to newly upgraded FTS from PTS
Management HAS  agreed to consider

2.       Deduction of Union Subscription through Salary.
Mgt.has agreed to examine the feasibility

3.       Connectivity in CWISS
Matter will addressed suitably  and Mgt. appreciated our concern and listened to our  suggestions for improvements.

4.       Modification of  recent circular  in Leave Travel Subsidy 

Apprehension expressed by NFGIE in the recent amendments in LTS will be taken care.

5.        Payment of Domiciliary Medical expenses to both class-III and his or her spouse working as Class – I
Management accepted our views and necessary instructions will be passed.

6.       Officer in New India Retired employees  be allowed to act as Defence  Assistant

Management  expressed  reluctancy

7.       Election Duty.
Examine the matter  issue wise

8.       Promotional Exercise for Class III & IV has to be completed each year by June and no identification of vacancies.

Management has  agreed to consider our views and all possible measures will be taken to complete the exercise in time.

9.       Sanction of Advance in case of Natural calamities.
Inspect and decide as per merit of each case

10.   Inclusion of Crone’s disease and spinal surgery in the list of major disease  for the purpose of TMP. 

Agreed

Friday, February 13, 2015

PPF Account: Lock-In Period May Be Hiked

New Delhi: The Finance Ministry is considering a proposal to raise the minimum lock-in period for withdrawal from the Public Provident Fund (PPF) account from six to eight years to attract longer-term funds for infrastructure development.
"Infrastructure funding is the focus area for Budget. PPF is long-term investment and the idea of increasing the PPF lock-in is to have more scope to channelise funds into infrastructure," a source said.
The NDA government would present its Budget for 2015-16 on February 28.
"There are two proposals on the table. Increasing the lock-in period by at least two years to eight years. And also hiking the time limit for maturity of investment from 15 years," the source added.
Currently, investment of up to Rs 1.50 lakh in PPF is exempt from income tax under Section 80C. This was hiked from Rs 1 lakh in the Budget for 2014-15.
The interest rate on PPF account is revised at the beginning of financial year in April and currently stands at 8.7 per cent. The minimum annual investment is Rs 500 and maximum is Rs 1.5 lakh.
Under the current norms, an individual can withdraw money from his/her PPF Account only at the end of sixth year. The maximum amount of withdrawal from PPF account is 50 per cent of the amount retained in the account at the end of fourth year.
This amount can be used for any emergency purpose or for higher studies.
After the completion of 15 years, the investor has the option of withdrawing the fund or extending the lock-in period by five more years.
India targets to double its investments in infrastructure to $1 trillion during the 11th Five Year Plan that began in April 2012.

Provident Fund Rules Likely to Be Changed: 10 Facts

The government is likely to introduce a Bill to amend the Provident Funds and Miscellaneous Provisions Act in the Budget session of Parliament, with the objective of bringing more workers under the social security benefit, said Rajesh Bansal, additional central provident fund commissioner.

Here is your 10-point cheat-sheet:

1) At present, firms with 20 or more employees come under the purview of Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO), which administers the contributory provident fund scheme. The Bill may propose to halve this threshold limit to 10.

2) The Budget session of Parliament begins from February 23.(Read:PPF Maturity, Withdrawal Rules May Be Changed)

3) The Provident Fund Amendment Bill may also propose to reduce or waive the mandatory provident fund contributions by employees in certain cases based on the financial position of the sector.

4) EPFO has a base of over 5 crore subscribers and receives over Rs 70,000 crore as incremental deposits every year. The retirement fund body manages a corpus of nearly Rs 6.5 lakh crore.

5) Last year, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley in the Budget had announced that an employee earning up to Rs 15,000 per month will have to mandatorily maintain an provident fund account. Earlier, if the employee earned above Rs 6,500 per month, it was voluntary to have a provident fund account. This is expected to bring nearly 50 lakh additional formal sector workers under the ambit of the social security schemes of the retirement fund body.

6) The government had also fixed the minimum pension for EPFO subscribers at Rs 1,000 as well as increased the maximum insurance limit for provident fund subscribers to Rs 3.6 lakh, from Rs 1.56 lakh. This hike will benefit over 30 lakh pensioners.

7) Every month, 12 per cent of an employee's basic salary goes into the provident fund account and the employer matches the contribution. Out of the employer's contribution, 8.33 per cent goes into the Employees' Pension Scheme.

8) Housing Scheme: In a recent note, the Prime Minister's Office had asked the retirement fund body to promote affordable housing for its subscribers and use its funds for the purpose. According to the note, deployment of 15 per cent of EPFO funds as loan for low-cost housing would generate a credit flow of Rs 70,000 crore and can create 3.5 lakh additional low-cost homes.

9) The Labour Ministry is keen on a scheme under which EPFO subscribers could withdraw their PF deposits to make part-payment of the total cost of the house, reports said. At present, EPFO subscribers can withdraw money from their PF accounts for buying houses only after contributing for a period of five years.

10) Inoperative Accounts: Nearly Rs 27,000 crore of money is lying 'inoperative' with the retirement fund body for lack of accurate details of workers. A special facility has been launched on EPFO's website to enable members to identify and trace out their old accounts marked as inoperative. PF accounts that are inactive for 3 years stop earning interest.

(With inputs from PTI)

PREJUDICIAL INSTRUCTIONS TO T.P.A. ON MEDICLAIM

09.02.2015

To
The General Manager (P),
The New India Assurance Co. Ltd.,
87, Mahatma Gandhi Road,
Mumbai – 400001.

Dear Sir,

We have come across an information that the Corporate HRM:EWS has advised  TPAs involving settlement of claims under current Staff Group Mediclaim Policy issued by United India restricting payment through cheque made by the insured Mr. L R Ringshia, Ex-AGM, New India directly to surgeons and not forming part of the Hospital Bill. The direction/guideline issued by your Corporate HRM stipulates that the quantum of Surgeon fee and Anaesthetist Fee shall be the maximum of 25 percent of the Sum Insured and fees paid in cash up to Rs. 10,000/- will be reimbursed provided the numbered bill issued by the concerned doctor is submitted. 

We have perused the said policy but there is no such restrictive provision.  Moreover when the policy has been issued by the United India Insurance Co Ltd how the New India Corporate HRM arbitrarily could issue instruction to the TPAs altering the terms and conditions unilaterally keeping all concerned in the dark.  Further any mid-term alteration of terms and conditions of the policy will be strongly opposed by us as it amounts to breach of the policy.

In view of the above we would request you to   intervene into the matter and direct the officials concerned to withdraw this prejudicial instruction so that the insureds are not   deprived of their entitlement with respect to quantum of claim amount.

We do state in this context that The United India Insurance Co. being the insurer in the instant case,  in all fairness we should be guided squarely by terms and conditions of the policy issued by U.I.I. without any variation whatsoever.

A line in confirmation in this regard shall be appreciated.

Thanking you,

Yours faithfully,
Sd/- xx xx xx
SUJIT BAGCHI
GENERAL SECRETARY,
N.F.G.I.E.

Principal Office bearers of Check Off qualified Unions & Associations of Class I / II / III & IV Employees of GIPSA Member Companies

To

Principal Office bearers of Check Off qualified Unions & Associations of Class I / II / III & IV Employees of GIPSA Member Companies

Dear Sir,

We propose to hold the 3rd round of discussion on Wage Revision discussions on 27.02.2015 at Hyderabad and accordingly invite you to attend the joint meeting on 27.02.2015 at 2 PM onwards.

The said meeting will be preceded by lunch.

We now request you to nominate your 02 representative who will participate in the meeting.

The exact details of venue of the meeting will be communicated to you shortly.

Regards

R.S.RAWAT
V.P, GIPSA
Ground Floor, Jeevan Tara
Parliament Street
New-Delhi -110 001

Friday, February 6, 2015

Inclusion of Left Out persons in Staff Group Mediclaim Polic

5th February, 2015.

The Chairman,
G I P S A
New Delhi.

Re: One time option for left-out persons to join the Revised 
       Staff Group Mediclaim Policy for the year 2015.

Dear Sir,
You are aware that Revised Group Mediclaim Policy was introduced last year w.e.f. 1st February, 2014.  At that time due to repeated postponements for introduction of the Revised Group Mediclaim Policy proper communication to the beneficiaries, as the authority had directed, in respect of introduction of this policy did not reach the retired employees and family members of the deceased employees all over the country.  Even the newspaper insertion in this respect was so insignificant that the same could not draw attention of the concerned beneficiaries.  Also the insertion was not well publicized across the country.  As a result, there are instances, some of the eligible persons could not enroll/cover themselves in the said policy.  Now it is decided that the policy in question has been extended for two months i.e. for the month of February and March, 2015 and thereafter policy will cover for the period from 1.4.2015 to 31.03.2016. 

It is our fervent request to you to allow one more option for the left-out persons to join in the said Group Mediclaim Policy and instruct all the PSGI Companies accordingly.  By your said act of extending the option, a number of ex-employees and their family who were unable to avail the opportunity for no fault of them, would be greatly benefited.

Hope this request of mine will receive your due sympathy and approval as well.  A line in confirmation without any delay will be highly appreciated.

Thanking you,


Yours faithfully,
Sd/- xx xx xx,
SUJIT BAGCHI
GENERAL SECRETARY
N.F.G.I.E.

LETTER TO NEW INDIA MANAGEMENT ON L.T.S.

February  05, 2015

To
The General Manager,Personnel.
The New India Assurance Co Ltd,
87 Mahatma Gandhi Road  Fort,
Mumbai- 400023

Dear Sir

               Re: Leave Travel Subsidy (LTS)

Please refer to our various  correspondence  demanding revision/modification  of Corporate Circular ref, CORP.HRM.CLIII/IV CELL/2014  dated 26.5.2014 with regard to the captioned subject.

We once again enclose herewith  our demand  for revision/modification  of the above Circular  in the light of a fresh modified circular issued by LIC on the similar subject matter.  We request your early action  in the matter.

Thanking you

Yours faithfully,
 SD/- XX XX XX, 
SUJIT BAGCHI 
GENERAL SECRETARY

Encl: As stated  

REVISED CIRCULAR ON L.T.S. BY L.I.C. OF INDIA


COMPASSIONATE APPOINTMENTS IN P.S.G.I.COMPANIES

5th  February, 2015.

The Chairman,
G I P S A
New Delhi.

Dear Sir,

Reg:- COMPASSIONATE APPOINTMENT

We have no word to express our sincere thanks for your benevolent act of restoration of compassionate appointment vide your Circular effective from 01.11.2014 for the employees working in the PSGI Companies. Needless to add, this restoration of compassionate appointment has provided the much needed security to the employees of the industry whereby in the event of an unfortunate happening the affected family members will not be left in the lurch.  The void and darkness caused out of sudden demise of an employee will be partly off-set to some extent by at least with the appointment of one bread earner of the deceased family.  It has rekindled the hope in the minds of the many widows and children of the deceased family members .Really for this noble act everyone is praising the management and especially your stewardship.

To carry on this ray of hope in the areas of darkness I am taking the liberty to request you to consider relaxation of the cut-off date of the above scheme i.e. the stipulated date of 01.11.2014 may further be relaxed for a reasonable period and especially that too only for those who are in severe hardship due to penury.  There are some cases who died in harness before the cut-off date of the scheme and languishing in destitute.  Only your act of benevolence and pity can provide some solace to them.
We fervently look forward for your esteemed personality and benevolence as well at the earliest opportunity.

Thanking you,

Yours faithfully,
 SD/-XX XX XX  
(SUJIT BAGCHI)

GENERAL SECRETARY