JOINT ACTION ON STAFF GROUP MEDICLAIM POLICY-2014

GENERAL CIRCULAR ISSUED FOR READ & CIRCULATION BY "NFGIE"

12.02.2014

Friends,

You are aware that National Federation of General Insurance Employees has participated in all demonstration & Dharna held in  all over India as a constituent of Joint Forum.  The Dharna on 22 January, 2014 before National Insurance Co Ltd Head Office at Middleton Street Kolkata was a massive success. Active participation of  officers and employees in the similar  Demonstration and Dharna  held at  all Head Offices and Regional Offices of GIPSA companies also made significant impact on the Management. The fight against GIPSA  Management’s arbitrary unilateral imposition of GMC has evolved serious repercussion amongst all section of employees and officers and  ushered a path of  forming a joint action Forum in the name of JOINT FORUM OF UNION/ASSOCIATION OF  OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES OF  PSGI Companies. All leading Association and Organisation  except AIIEA joined hands to fight against the  evil design of Management. 

This J F U A of officers and employees  have submitted a Memorandum  to Mr Rajiv Takru, Secretary, D.F.S, Ministry of Finance, Govt of India  on 4^th February 2014 demanding   many burning issues confronting the interest of the  Officers and Employees of General Insurance Industry.  Some of them are as follows :

1.      Another Option for Pension 
2.      Improvement in the Group Mediclaim Policy 
3.      Amendment of the Promotion Policy for Officers & Employees
4.     Compassionate Appointment 
5.      Early Wage Revision 
6.      Amendment of Transfer & Mobility Policy 
7.      Early Notification of NPS 
8.      Recognition of Association/Unions 
9.      Payment of PLLI to all and amendment in PLIS 
10.  Comprehensive Human Resource Policy

Friends, this Joint  Forum  is actively pursuing  the cause of  officers  and employees interest  with the officials of the Finance ministry at  highest level  specially for  improvement in the Group Mediclaim Policy and  Deletion of TPA from GMC.  It has been assured  by the Ministry that the  whole scheme of the GMC will be reviewed after sometime and Ministry will take up the issue with GIPSA to make suitable amendment.

With greetings,

Sd/- XX XX XX,

SUJIT BAGCHI

GENERAL SECRETARY

N.F.G.I.E.

WAGE REVISION FOR GENERAL INSURANCE EMPLOYEES

The Principal Office bearers of

Check off qualified Unions / Associations of Clas I, Class II & Class III / IV

Dear Sir,

 

We are sending attached herewith a soft copy of letter dated 15.01.2014from CE, GIPSA on the subject which is self-explanatory. A hard copy of the same is sent by convetional mode.

 

It has been decided to convene a meeting of the representatives of check off qualified Unions / Associations with CMDs / GMs (P) of the companies, for initiating exploratory discussions on Wage Revision.  The details of the date, time and venue of the meeting are given below:-

Date	on 29th January, 2014 (Wednesday)
Time	At 10.00 am
Venue	At Hotel Intercontinental, No. 135, Marine Drive, Mumbai – 400 020 Phone - + 91 22 56399999 Fax     - + 91 22 56399600

Kindly refer to the contents of the letter for other details.

 

Thanks and Regards, 

 

 

SPR Lolla

Sr. Vice President, GIPSA

Mobile # 8800447795

All India Banks strike postponed: UFBU

DEAR ALL,

The proposed two-day all-India strike by bank employees from January 20 was on Friday postponed after "positive" crucial bilateral talks between managements and unions on wage revision and other demands, a top office-bearer of United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU) said.

The conciliation talks between UFBU and Indian Banks Association held in Mumbai moved a step ahead positively after the IBA offered a 9.5 per cent hike on pay slip cost and hold another round of talks on January 27, UFBU national Convenor MV Murali told a news agency here over phone.

"We have been insisting on a 32 per cent hike in wage revision, pending for the last 14 months. Reacting to our demand earlier last month, IBA came up with an offer of five percent hike which we turned down. Now the IBA in the conciliation meeting on Friday made a move forward with an increased offer of 9.5 percent hike," he said.

Murali said the PSU Banks had netted a profit of about Rs 46,000 crore during the last fiscal even after providing about Rs 65,000 crore towards writing off bad loans and provisioning for NPAs.

The offer of only Rs 1,500 crore (5 per cent) for wage revision of 10 lakh employees for next five years was too meager to accept, he added. 

PTI

Wage revision talks: Bank unions may demand 30% pay hike

As the Indian Banks’ Association and the United Forum of Bank Unions return to the negotiating table on Friday at the directive of the Chief Labour Commissioner, the bank unions are likely to demand a 30 per cent rise in gross pay.
Though a wage-revision settlement, to be in force for five years, might still be far away, the outcome at Friday’s bilateral talks will determine if the January 20-21 all-India bank strike will take place.
“If the IBA takes a positive and reasonable approach to our demands, we will call off the 48-hour strike,” UFBU convenor M.V. Murali told Business Line. “But if they keep harping on the old stand, we will go ahead with the strike.”
The bilateral talks are being held at the instance of the Central Chief Labour Commissioner, who held a round of conciliation talks with the two sides on January 13 in New Delhi. The talks on the wage-revision pact were held in view of the unions’ decision to go on with the strike.
The CLC, B.K. Sanwariya, had asked the IBA to advance the bilateral talks, scheduled for January 29, to January. 17. There was an agreement at the tri-partite talks not to drag the wage negotiations on for long and wrap up the process by June.
Asked about the quantum of pay hike the unions would press for at the negotiations, Murali said: “We are asking for a 30 per cent increase in the gross pay received by bank employees and officers.”
He said this was very reasonable in view of the double-digit price rise in the country and increasing workload of the bank staff.
The IBA, which represents the managements of nationalised, private and foreign banks in the country, had offered only a 5 per cent rise in the ‘payslip component’ of salary. “Actually, this will mean about 3 per cent of the gross pay,” Murali rued.

.......................

APPEAL NO.CIC/DS/A/2012/002027 BEFORE CENTRAL INFORMATION COMMISSION, NEW DELHI

Dear Friends,
The following information receive from Mr.K.S.N.Murthy, Vice-President,NFGIE, Representing from Srikakulam DO of New India under Vizag RO:620000. The details are as under:

                                   Appeal No.CIC/DS/A/2012/002027

Appellant/Complainant     :: Shri K.S.N.Murthy,(A.P.)

Public Authority               :: New India Assurance Co.Ltd., Mumbai.
                                             (Shri S.K.DASS, CPIO)
Date of Hearing               :: 08th November, 2013.
Date of Decision             :: 08th November, 2013.

Facts:-
1. Appellant submitted RTI application dated 27 January 2012 before the CPIO, New India Assurance Company Limited, Mumbai seeking details regarding the copy of question paper and Appellant's OMR sheet in the Promotional Exercise Test held on 18-12-2011.
2. CPIO vide order dated 19 March 2012, informed the Appellant that examination was conducted by an independent examination body NIA, Pune and hence information as sought may not be provided.
3. Appellant preferred first Appeal dated 26 March 2012 to the First Appellate Authority.
4. Vie Order dated 29 September 2012, FAA directed the Chief Manager, Corp. HRM to provide complete information within 6 weeks to the Appellant.
5. Being aggrieved and not being satisfied by the above response of he public authority, the appellant preferred second appeal before the Commission. 
6. Matter was heard today via video conferencing. Respondents as above were heard from Mumbai.  Appellant made submission from Srikakulam.  It was submitted by the CPIO, that it had been alleged that there were certain irregularities in conducting the Promotional Exercise Test held on 18 December 2011 in respect of which the appellant had sought informationand that the matter was currently before the double bench of Andhra Pradesh High Court in WP 1121/2012.  It was also stated that the public sector General Insurance Companies are defemdants in this case.  Further, due care had been taken to advise the holder of the information namely,the NIA, Pune not to destroy any of the documents which are sought by the appellant in his RTI application.  Commission was also informed that recently NIA, Pune had declared itself to be a public authority.
                                         Decision Notice

We have heard the parties.  Commission reserves judgement in this matter up to thefinal disposal of the aforementioned Writ Petition by the Court.  Subsequently the CPIO will dispose of the matter in the light of the judgement given in this case.
                                                             Sd/- xx xx xx xx xx,
                                                           ( Smt. Deepak Sandhu )
                                                    Chief Information Commissioner
Authenticated True Copy:
Sd/- xx xx xx xx xx,
(T. K. Mohapatra)
Dy. Secretary & Dy. Registrar
Tel.No.011-26105027

Copy to:-
1. Shri K.S.N. Murthy (AO)
    New India Assurance Company Limited,
    Opp.Surya Mahal, G.T.Road,
    SRIKAKULAM - 532001(Andhra Pradesh)
2. Central Public Information Officer,
    Chief Manager,
    The New India Assurance Company Ltd.,
    Head Office: New India Assurance Building,
    87, M.G.Road, Fort,
    Mumbai - 400 001 (Maharashtra)
3. First Appellate Authority,
    Deputy General Manager,
    The New India Assurance Building,
    87, M.G.Road, Fort,
    Mumbai - 400001 ( Maharashtra)
************************************************
...... EDITOR 

REVISION OF SCHEME OF EX-GRATIA RELIEF FOR UNCOVERED MEDICAL EXPENSES FOR COST/PROTRACTED DISEASE

25^TH November,2013.

To

The Chairman-cum-Managing Director,                                                                  

The New India Assurance Co. Ltd.,

87, Mahatma Gandhi Road, Fort,

Mumbai – 400001.

Dear Sir,

During my recent visit to HO, Mumbai in last week  I have come to know that the  Board of Directors have  given approval for revision of Scheme of Ex-gratia relief for uncovered Medical expenses for high cost/protracted disease.

I, on behalf of NFGIE , sincerely express my thanks for your endeavour in getting revision of the existing Scheme.  You will appreciate that for more than one year NFGIE is constantly pursuing and highlighting the need for amendment of the said existing scheme in view of the exorbitant rise in the cost of treatment of such highly dreaded diseases and requested your good office to take necessary step for revision of the same.

It is really praiseworthy that as CMD of New India you have again come forward to provide relief to a great extent to the employees as well as family members  who are the victim of such diseases. We also express our thanks to Mr. A B Dange, Chief Manager, EWS and Mr. Madhu Illayat , Deputy Manager for providing necessary assistances  in this regard. We have great pleasure in taking up the issue in right earnest with you for a pretty long time.

Trust, you will issue necessary circulars shortly to effect necessary changes in the existing scheme so as to include cases of Mr. T K Sinha, AO, BBSR RO and other similar cases.

With due regards

Yours faithfully,

SUJIT BAGCHI

GENERAL SECRETARY

NFGIE

Meeting of GMs (P) with Check off qualified Unions/Associations of Class I and Class III/IV on 27.11.2013 for discussions on Promotion Policy

To

The Principal Officer bearers of Check off qualified Unions/Associations of Class I and Class III/IV,

Dear Sir,

Representations have been received for holding a meeting with Check off Qualified Unions/Associations for discussion on Promotion Policy.  The matter has been examined and it has now been decided to convene a meeting of GMs (P) with Check off Qualified Unions /Associations in this regard.  The details of the venue, date and time of the meeting are given below for the information of the said Unions/Associations:-

Venue:The Office of GIPSA, Ground Floor, Jeevan Deep Bldg., Parliament Street, New Delhi – 110 001

Date of the Meeting : 27^th November, 2013, Wednesday

Time of the Meeting:

With Class III/IV Check off qualified Unions/Associations : 11.00. a.m. to 01.30 p.m.

With Class I Check off qualified Unions/Associations : 02.30 p.m. to 05.00 p.m.

We are sending herewith a soft copy of invitation letter dated 11.11.2013 from CE, GIPSA on the subject, which is self-explanatory.  Hard copy of the same is being sent by conventional mode.

Each Check off qualified Union/Association is requested to nominate 02 of their representatives for attending the said meeting in terms of the Check off Accreditation Norms and inform their names to us in advance  i.e. to reach us by 20.11.2013 by mail.  Kindly note that, as per check-off norms, officers-in-charge of operating offices are not eligible to participate in the discussions.

Please acknowledge receipt of the mail.  

Thanks and Regards.

SPR Lolla,

Sr. Vice President, GIPSA

Mobile #  8800447795

GOLDEN GATE SCHEME

Dear All Concerned,

Many of our colleagues/comrades are inquire whether "Golden Gate Scheme" is still opened or closed. We hereby give clarification to you all. 
It is to reported that the Company (New India) has re-opened Golden Gate for Officers. The said  circular is very much available in "Documents Stores > Corporate HRM > Circulars " in CWISS.
This is for your information.

......EDITOR

MEETING WITH GM(P) & DGM AT KOLKATTA BY GENERAL SECRETARY, NFGIE

OCTOBER 24, 2013

NFGIE/CIRCULAR/OCT/13

Friends,

We have had the opportunity to meet Mr. P. Nayak, GM (HRM) and Mr Dinesh Waghela, DGM at Kolkata for discussion on  certain issues pertaining to the employees and officers.

We have demanded that in view of  inadequate security and  poor infrastructure,  no lady employee be posted at Micro-office. The GM(P) has assured to take up the matter with GIPSA.

We have demanded another option for Pension and  early arrangement for wage negotiation.

We have been demanding reconstitution of sports club with the inclusion of all checked off unions/associations. Though it was assured all the time but it is yet to be materialized.  On our  reminder the GM(P) has promised to finalize the matter shortly.

We took up the issue of long pending revision of Scheme of Ex-gratia payment of uncovered medical expenses from CMD Fund.  G.M. has assured that the matter is under serious consideration and he will try to expedite the matter.

Regarding demand for exclusion of newly upgraded FTS from PTS from the scope of New Pension Scheme and put them in the purview of Pension Scheme – 1995, GM has agreed to consider the matter in positive way.

We have also demanded payment of Domiciliary lump sum medical  Payment to both class-III and Class I as is allowed in other GIPSA companies.  It is pertinent to inform all  that on this point we wrote a letter to GMP on 4.9.2013.

We have demanded restoration of Compassionate Appointment which is our long pending demand.  We have been given to understand that the matter is under active consideration.

We also requested for evolving a scheme of Incentive for all employees of company/industry discarding the present discriminatory scheme.GM(P) informed that the matter is under active consideration.

Regarding newly proposed GMC Policy we have   demanded a Meeting with the Management exclusively for the purpose of removing the anomalies and other tit bits detrimental to the welfare of the employees including retired employees. The GM(P) assured to  do the needful in this regard. 

With Diwali Greetings  

Sd/- xx xx xx xx,

SUJIT BAGCHI

GENERAL SECRETARY

NFGIE

RELIEF FOR SEVERE 'PHILINE' CYCLONIC STORM STRUCK ON 12.10.2013 TO ANDHRA n ODISSA STATES

DT. 21.10.2013

TO                                                                                                                

THE CHAIRMAN-CUM-MANAGING DIRECTOR

THE NEW INDIA ASSURANCE CO. LTD.,

MUMBAI

 Dear sir,

 Hope you are aware that  a large area of costal   part of   Orissa and Andhra Pradesh are

badly affected  due to severe cyclonic storm (PHILINE) which struck on   12.10.2013.

A large number of employees  working in New India have suffered financial loss due

to property damage.

  

At this crucial juncture of this misfortune  it would be great help if your goodself kindly

offer  some financial assistance in the form of Grand/Interest free loan to the affected

victims, as has been given in the past.

Please note that recently occurred in Uttarakhand  natural calamities,  United India Insurance

Company without waiting clearance from OIC (flag company) offered financial assistance to its employees  in the form of Interest free loan.

We are confident your august self  will do the needful considering the plight of the hapless

Victims of the natural fury and  your help would provide some sort of  umbrella to them.

Thanking You,

 urs faithfully,

Sd/- XX XX XX,

SUJIT BAGCHI

GENERAL SECRETARY

NFGIE, MUMBAI

" GMC POLICY" STALLED ONCE AGAIN AT THE INSTANCE OF "JAC"

F L A S H

ALL ORGANISING/REGIONAL SECRETARIES

SECOND TIME BACK TRACK BY GIPSA ON THE ISSUE OF STAFF GROUP MEDICLAIM POLICY DUE TO PERSISTENT JOINT MOVEMENT BY ALL THE CHECKED OFF UNIONS/ASSOCIATIONS EXCEPT AIIEA (GURUMOORTY).

GIPSA INSTRUCTED  ALL THE MEMBER PSU INSURANCE COMPANIES TO PUT ON HOLD THE IMPLEMENTATION OF STAFF GROUP MEDICLAIM POLICY.

CONGRATS TO ALL.

SUJIT BAGCHI

GENERAL SECRETARY,NFGIE,MUMBAI 
...................

Dear All,
What could the reason be ? Is it whether :

1. GIPSA intends to invite all check-off qualified unions again for talks / discussions on the revised Policy ?
    OR
2. GIPSA is willing to do away with availing the services of TPA as all Unions / Associations are having the "removal of TPA" in common as their main demand ?
OR
 3. GIPSA simply intends to postpone the date of implementation without further modifications/improvements since a couple of INSURERS are not fully prepared for the same ?

It is equally important to know the intention of GIPSA management or else we should not stop our JAC natin-wide agitational process with an relaxed or laid-back attitude. 

Friends, be alert on this issue and let all our JAC members will continue our struggle till the New GMC policy resolves to our expectations.  Unity is our strength.

>>>>EDITOR

An anti employee NEW GMC POLICY- A Massive Demonstration before National H. O., Kolkatta

Dear Friends,

This is to inform you that on 09.10.2012 a massive demonstration  by All leading checked off qualified Unions/Associations except AIIEA  was organised before National Insurance Company"s Head Office , Kolkata condeming the  anti-employee GMC Policy (Group Medicalim Policy for employees and retired employees).

 All the Regional Secretaries are requested to contact GIEAIA,BVKS , NATIONAL CONFEDERATION OF GENERAL INSURANCE  OFFICERS ASSOCIATION -  (CONFED) , ALL INDIA GENERAL INSURANCE SC/ST EMPLOYEES PARISAD to hold similar demonstration in the respective areas. Please refer to my earlier mail with attachment of the joint representation. Future agitational  programme  as may be decided by the All India Committee of the participating Unions/Association will be communicated to  you in due course. 

Units of Chennai,Mumbai and Delhi are specially advised to lodge similar joint demonstration before Head Office of United India ,New India and Oriental immediately.

With festive greetings,

SUJIT BAGCHI, GEN.SECY., NFGIE 

10.10.2013

After the terrible earthquake and Tsunami that hit Japan here are some things the world should learn from them

Dear All,
                                  10 things to learn from "JAPAN"

1. THE CALM

Not a single visual of chest-beating or wild grief. Sorrow itself has been
elevated.

2. THE DIGNITY
Disciplined queues for water and groceries. Not a rough word or a crude
gesture.

3. THE ABILITY
The incredible architects, for instance. Buildings swayed but didn't fall.

4. THE GRACE
People bought only what they needed for the present, so everybody could get
something.

5. THE ORDER
No looting in shops. No honking and no overtaking on the roads. Just
understanding.

6. THE SACRIFICE
Fifty workers stayed back to pump sea water in the N-reactors. How will they
ever be repaid?

7. THE TENDERNESS
Restaurants cut prices. An unguarded ATM is left alone. The strong cared for
the weak.

8. THE TRAINING
The old and the children, everyone knew exactly what to do. And they did
just that.

9. THE MEDIA
They showed magnificent restraint in the bulletins. No silly reporters. Only
calm reportage.

10. THE CONSCIENCE
When the power went off in a store, people put things back on the shelves
and left quietly.

...EDITOR

Implementation of Hon'ble Bombay High Court (Nagpur Bench) Judgement by GIPSA

Dear All,

You may be well aware that a judgement was pronounced on 14/17-06-2013 in WP No.4131/2010 by Nagapur Bench of Hon'ble Bombay High Court in regard to granting pension to Development Officers (SVRS-2003). The judgement came in favour of the petitioners. In support of our SVRS-2003 Development Fraternity, NFGIE is also making every effort, basing upon the said judgement, in immediate implementation by FOUR GIPSA Companies.

The following are the some salient feature of judgement & our request with GIPSA:-

""The Judgement orders payment of arrears of pension (including commuted value of pension) to SVRS-2003 Development Officers who are pension optees and have completed 20 years of qualifying service and whose applications for Special Voluntary Retirement Package (SVRS-2003) have been accepted by the Public Sector General Insurance Companies after adding 5 (five) years of qualifying service while determining the quantum of pension as per Paragraph 30(5) of the General Insurance (Employees’) Pension Scheme, 1995 on or before 31^st January, 2014. Further, with effect from 1^st February, 2014 payment of arrears to be paid with interest. Copy of Paragraph-30(5) of the General Insurance (Employees’) Pension Scheme, 1995 attached hereto.

References: The Hon’ble Supreme Court of India Judgement reported at (2009) 5 SCC 313 dated 27.03.2009 (Civil Appeal No. 1942 of 2009) Bank of India & Another Vrs. K. Mohandas & Others., due to which Judgement Public Sector Banks have already released payment of arrears of pension (including commuted value of pension) after adding 5 (five) years of qualifying service to all eligible Bank employees/officers 4 years ago.

GIPSA being requested: Therefore, you are requested to implement above said Judgement of Hon’ble Bombay High Court (Nagpur Bench) and to order to Public Sector General Insurance Companies to make payment of arrears of pension (including commuted value of pension) after adding 5 (five) years of qualifying service while determining the quantum of pension as per Paragraph 30(5) of the General Insurance (Employees’) Pension Scheme, 1995 to pension eligible Development Officers who opted for Special Voluntary Retirement Package (SVRS-2003) immediately.""

...EDITOR 

R.T.I. Hearing and Divisional Bench of High Court- Andhra Pradesh, Hyderabad.

Dear All,

You are aware that Mr. K.S.N.Murthy, AO, New India, Srikakaulam DO under Vizag RO had filed TWO(2) cases viz., One in RTI regardin submission of question papers and answer sheet in 2011 (Within Class-I) Promotional Exercise. Initially a video conference was arranged for him on 30th September, 2013 with GM, CIC and CPIO, New India Assurance, Head Office regarding the High Court case in Divisional Bench. It has been postponed to 12th November, 2013. So far the said case was changed 5 Divisional benches for final hearing.  Friends, Let us wait for the Best.  

This information received from the petitioner, Mr. KSN Murthy, who is also representing NFGIE in the capacity of Jt. Secretary for Vizag Region.

.....EDITOR