General Secretary’s Report presented in 16th EEC meeting

This report was presented during our 16^th Extended EC meeting held at Dehradun on 5^th & 6^th November 2012. This report contains an account of our activities done during last one year.

GS REPORT FOR THE PERIOD NOVEMBER 11 TO OCTOBER 12

FORMATION OF UNITS/AGM/RECONSTITUTION OF COMMITTEES

22.04.2012 --- NOINO, NZ Unit reformed.

16.06.2012 --- In an historic break-through, NOINO SZ unit was formed.

16.09.2012 --- NOINO Coimbatore(SZ) unit formed.

31.08.2012 --- NOINO Satna Divisional (CZ) Unit formed.

06.10.2012 --- NOINO Jabalpur Divisional (CZ) Unit reformed.

02.11.2012 --- NOINO Burdwan Divisional (EZ) Unit formed.

LETTERS/DISCUSSIONS WITH MANAGEMENT

15.12.11----Letter to ED (OS/SBU/Estates) protesting the refusal of the Meerut divisional management to pay lease accommodation rent on par with the rent applicable to Delhi Metro to the Officers residing in NOIDA & Ghaziabad.

19.12.11------Letter to ED (OS/SBU/Estates) regarding problems encountered in encashment of Sodexo coupons.

20.12.11----- Letter to ED (OS/SBU/Estates) offering 3 practical solutions on the problems encountered in encashment of Sodexo coupons.

28.12.11-----Letter to Chief(Legal) demanding to take up the matter of providing certificate in Annexure-1 without any hassles from LICHFL.

30.12.11-----Discussions with Shri A K Dasgupta, MD on various issues like one more pension option, batches for promotion, issues of leave, anomaly after computer increment, revision in tea-coffee expenses, sanction of new cars, meal coupons, problems associated with EFEAP, hike in lease accommodation rent, Allowance to CA’s & to officers acquiring other professional qualifications, Class III recruitment, 5 days week etc.

20.1.2012----Letter to Shri A K Dasgupta, MD & the then current-in-charge Shri Dinesh Mehrotra on the high-handedness of the then Srinagar SDM

24.1.2012----Discussions with the then Current-in-Charge, Shri Dinesh Mehrotra on issues like one more pension option, anomaly after computer increment, Housing loan problems, meal coupons, problems associated with EFEAP,  lease accommodation rent for officers working in NOIDA & Ghaziabad, Allowance to CA’s & to officers acquiring other professional qualifications, Class III recruitment, Problem of shortage of Cashiers, Highhandedness of Srinagar SDM etc.

24.2.2012---NOINO delegation led by Shri Prakash Javadekar, President, NOINO & MP, Rajyasabha met the then Current-in-charge Shri Dinesh Mehrotra & discussed issues like one more pension option, EFEAP problems, Housing loan problems, biased & arrogant attitude of SDM’s of Srinagar & Ahmedabad.

17.3.2012---Letter to ED(P) demanding sabbatical leave to women employees.

27.3.2012---Letter to Thomas Matthew, Managing Director & Shri B Manivannan, ED(P) demanding modification in scheme of ex-gratia re-imbursement in medical expenses in cases of High Cost/protracted treatment. The demands related to revision in limits of re-imbursement, removal of condition of a fixed percentage of re-imbursement instead of full re-imbursement & removal of condition of time restriction of 180 days.

3.4.2012---Discussions with Shri B Manivannan, ED(P), on the issues of Transfers/promotions/postings; One more pension option; Problems in Housing loan;  Meal coupons; Problems after EFEAP implementation;  Sabbatical leave for women employees; Revision in Ex-gratia re-imbursement for High cost/protracted treatment;  Anomaly after computer increment; Revision in lease accommodation rent; Leave issues; Revision in tea coffee expenses’ re-imbursement; Recruitment in Class III;  5 days week; Allowances to CA’s & other officers having professional qualifications; Problems of Cashiers; Arrogant & biased attitude of Srinagar SDM

13.4.2012---NOINO delegation met Shri Sushobhan Sarker, MD & discussed various issues like transparency, impartiality & prompt sharing of information on all issues; problem of perennial late sitting by the officers; Statutory audit in some branches of Thane on holidays; Transfers/Promotions/Postings; One more pension option; Recruitment in Class III; Arrogant & biased attitude of Srinagar SDM; Revision in lease accommodation rent etc.

30.4.2012---NOINO President Prakash Javadekar, MP, Rajyasabha led a NOINO delegation to the then current-in-charge Shri Dinesh Mehrotra & discussed some issues like Anomaly after Computer Increment; Sabbatical leave for women;  Injustice in promotion matters; lack of transparency & evasive replies to our queries by a section of management etc.

2.6.2012--- NOINO delegation met Shri Sushobhan Sarker, MD & discussed various issues like One more pension option; Sabbatical leave to women employees; Revision in re-imbursement of high cost/protracted treatment; Anomaly in fixation after computer increment; Recruitment in Class III; Information sharing meeting etc.

2.7.2012---NOINO delegation met Shri M R Kumar, ED(P) & discussed various issues like one more pension option, sabbatical leave, 5 days week, anomaly after computer increment, Instructions about PL encashment; Revision in lease accommodation rent; Revision in Ex-gratia re-imbursement for High cost/protracted treatment; Recruitment in Class III; Information sharing meeting; Programmers being utilized for other jobs etc

23.7.2012---- A 30 member NOINO delegation led by NOINO President Shri Prakash Javadekar, MP, Rajyasabha met Chairman Shri Dinesh Mehrotra & submitted the Charter of demands of Class I Officers due on 1.8.2012. The main features of the Charter were 40% rise; running scales; grade pay & increment as a percentage of pay(basic pay+grade pay)  instead of a fixed amount.

24.7.2012---NOINO delegation met Shri M R Kumar, ED (P) & discussed issues like Revision in lease accommodation rent; Revision in ex-gratia re-imbursement for High cost/protracted treatment; Representation cases of promotion; Notification of promotion from Class III to Class I; Highhandedness of a section of management in SCZ; Granting of Metro status to Pune division; LTC; Injustice to NOINO office-bearers in Srinagar unit etc.

9.8.2012---Letter submitted to ED (P) on meal coupons. The points raised in this letter were the reiterating & reminder of earlier demands like finding alternatives to meal coupons; meal coupons should be de-linked from attendance & that the meal coupons should be paid for all days of the month, whether working or not; the meal coupons should be DA-linked; amount should be revised from 1^st September 2012; in case an officer is on official tour & if journey period expires before office hours or commences after office hours meal coupon should be given for that irrespective of whether DA has been paid for that day or not; while opposing the meal coupons being linked to attendance, pending this demand, Class I Officers should be given one extra coupon for every 3.30 extra hours they put in.

10.8.2012---Letter submitted to ED (OS/SBU/Estates) protesting the meagre hike in lease accommodation rent limits.

25.8.2012---A comprehensive note on Transfer/Posting policy submitted to management. 33 suggestions were made in this note.

29.8.2012---NOINO delegation met Shri M R Kumar & discussed issues like PLLI; Meal coupons; Attendance Grace period; Notification of promotion(Class III to Class I); Injustice to Class I Officers in various issues like filing of property returns, subsidy in GSLI, fixing of responsibility etc.

3.9.2012---Letter submitted to ED (P) demanding Revision in limit of re-imbursement of lodging charges at hotels & daily allowance to employees on official tour; increase in transfer incidentals; increase in packing charges; demand to pay un-packing charges; removal of “20 days clause” from circular on revision in mode of travel allowed to SDM’s on transfer.

11.10.2012---NOINO delegation met Shri Sushobhan Sarker, MD & discussed issues like Inviting unions for discussions on Charter; PLLI; One more Pension option; Restoration of NGI on account of strike on 18^th February 2010; Revision in GSLI limits; Anomaly after Computer Increment; Encashment of LTC & Air travel to all Officers; Subsidy on Mediclaim premium to Class I Officers; Excess & Wrong payments & fixing of responsibility etc.

OTHER ACTIVITIES/ACHIEVEMENTS

8.11.2011------Compensation for EFEAP rollout announced after continuous follow-up by NOINO.

17.11.2011----50 officers join NOINO in Gorakhpur (NCZ)

21.11.2011/22.11.2011-----14^th Extended EC meeting at Delhi

27.11.2011----Charter committee constituted

9.12.2011----Standing committee on Finance headed by Yashwant Sinha (BJP) rejects proposal to hike the cap on FDI in Insurance from 26% to 49%. This was sheerly due to the dogged efforts taken by all the BMS affiliated unions in LIC (NOINO/NOIW/NOIP/BLIAS). It was also due to the support given to us & firm stand taken by our President Prakash Javadekarji against such hike.

19.12.2011----Circular on refund of subsidy on Housing loan issued due to continuous follow-up by NOINO

23.12.2011---Management takes cognizance of our letters on meal coupons & initiates talks with Sodexo officials & takes steps to add outlets.

7.3.2012----International Women’s day was celebrated by Mumbai unit of NOINO. A lecture by Smt Poornima Advani on “Problems of Working Women at Workplace & legal aids available for their redressal” was conducted along with an interactive session. More than 350 women employees participated.

9.4.2012---Due to continuous follow-up by NOINO, 663 additional outlets were re-activated by Sodexo for accepting meal coupons.

13.4.2012---After our raising of the issue of Statutory Audit in branches of Thane division with the MD on holidays (14^th & 15^th April), the audit was postponed to the next working day, i.e. 16^th April.

18.4.2012---Due to the continuous efforts of NOINO, the mediclaim premium was substantially reduced & two more diagnostic tests without hospitalization were included.

04.05.2012----Ministry of Finance issues instructions allowing payment of TA/DA to polling officers & presiding officers in addition to micro-observers on Election duty.

04.06.2012/05.06.2012---15^th EC meeting of NOINO conducted at Indore.

21.6.2012-----Due to continuous efforts of NOINO, the monetary limits for re-imbursement of tea-coffee expenses of Class I officers were increased with effect from 1st July 2012.

28.7.2012----Meeting at Mumbai to brief about the Charter of demands submitted & to explain the justification of those demands. About 200 officers attended.

30.7.2012--- Due to continuous efforts of NOINO, the limits of lease accommodation rent were revised w.e.f. 1^st August 2012.

12.8.2012---Meeting at Nagpur to brief about the Charter of demands submitted & to explain the justification of those demands. About 70 officers attended.

12^th August 2012 to 14^th August 2012---All India study class for female activists conducted by BMS at Delhi. Smt Anagha Sant( All India Joint Secretary & Orgn Secy, WZ) & Smt Vandana Kolarkar represented NOINO.

13.8.2012/14.8.2012---All India study class for NOINO activists held at Nagpur.

1.9.2012--- Due to continuous efforts of NOINO, the amount of meal coupons was revised w.e.f. 1^st September 2012.

12.10.2012--- Meeting of selected affiliates in forenoon and rally of all affiliated Federations in afternoon convened at Delhi by BMS headquarters against introduction of FDI in Retail, Pension etc and raise of FDI in Insurance. NOINO was represented on both occasions by Dr S.B.Sharan, Working President and Shri Ashok Kr Sharma, Coordinator, Pension-option campaign.

14.10.2012---Meeting of female officers of Pune divisions. About 60 female employees attended. Our All India President Shri Prakash Jawadekar MP, Rajyasabha, Shri Udayrao Patwardhan All India Head of BMS for Financial sector, Shri Subhashchandra Pattanaik SDM, Pune 2 and Shri Vishwas Shastri, Zonal Secretary graced the occasion

15.10.2012--- Management accepted & implemented one of our 33 suggestions (in our Transfer/Posting note submitted to management on 25.8.2012) of allotting the Direct recruit officers to Zones instead of directly allotting them to divisions. This happened for the first time in 26 Batches of recruitment.

Ganesh Kamath

General Secretary

REPORT OF 16th EXTENDED EC MEETING

The 16^th Extended EC meeting of NOINO was held as scheduled at Dehradun on 05^th & 06^th November 2012. More than 150 delegates from all over the country attended the meeting. Representatives from far-flung areas like Silchar were present. 10 female officers attended the meeting. Following is the report of the meeting:-

05^th  November 2012

INAUGURAL SESSION

 The meeting commenced with deep prajwalan, Vishwakarma poojan, flag hoisting & Shramik geet.

After the welcome address by Shri Rishi Malhotra of Deharadun unit, Shri Rajesh Dubey, Organising Secretary, NOINO introduced the dignitaries on the dais .All dignitaries were welcomed there-after with bouquets

Address by Shri Udayrao Patwardhan

 Shri Udayrao Patwardhan, Financial institutions-in-charge, BMS was at his usual inspiring best. His speech was an informative, eye-opening & invigorating experience. He quoted the example of economic crisis in America due to real estate hike and non repayment of housing loan and it’s after effects. He blamed the Govt of for the downward slide in the Indian economy. He said that the Chairman of all PSU’s should be appointed in consultation with Trade Unions in such PSU’s. This is because the decisions taken in these PSU’s have a direct bearing on the Indian economy.

 He also further stated that the IRDA is not fulfilling the purpose which it was constituted. He said that NOINO is the only organization from which the LIC employees have expectations. Since NOINO is a nationalist organization, it is its sacred duty to think about the betterment of LIC.

Address by Shri Pawan Kumar

Shri Pawan Kumarji BMS Organising Secretary, North Central India spoke on the unorganized & contract labour. As per the Contract Labour Abolition Act 1970, the jobs of a permanent nature should not be taken on contract. However, this was being openly flouted. He said that the hike in prices of diesel and FDI are not in the interest of Nation. Speaking on LIC, he said that it was the largest in the Financial Sector. He lamented the fact that there is a vast difference in salary of Chairman, MD and other  officers of LIC & that the same should be removed.

Address by Dr. S.B. Sharan

On behalf of Central Committee Dr. S B Sharan, Working President of NOINO gave the key-note address. The key-note address while noting that NOINO is the fastest growing union in LIC, also took note of the grim economic situation at the International & National level. It also dwelt upon the set-back in business as well as renewal premium in LIC. The key-note address also pressed the need to keep the internal customer’s viz. the employees happy & lamented the slow pace of decision making of the management.

The effort made by NOINO during last two wage settlement were also briefed apart from the other historic achievements i.e. GI scheme, posting of direct recruit AAO’s to Zones instead of divisions as per our demand ,ex-gratia in lieu of PLLI, compensation of ULIP conversion programmes etc.

Address by Shri Tribhuvan Adhikari, SDM Dehradun

The Chief Guest Shri Tribhuvan Adhikari, SDM, Dehradun stated that current average age of LIC employees is approximate 44 Years. There is acute shortage of employees in hill / remote offices of corporation.

He said that we should take pride in the fact that though we were facing acute shortage of staff, we were still in a leading position even after the introduction of private players in Insurance.

 He also took stock of the changing situation in LIC where over the years the focus and dependability has steadily shifted from the Assistant’s cadre to AAO/AO/ADM cadres.

The vote of thanks for inaugural session was proposed by Shri A.K. Singh the founder member of NOINO Dehradun Unit and currently President DO Varanasi Unit.

POST-TEA SESSION—05.11.12

REPORT OF GS & TREASURER

Shri Ganesh Kamath, GS, NOINO took stock of the situation & the activities of NOINO during the period November 2011 to October 2012. The highlights of the GS report are as under:-

                I.      Formation of SZ unit as also Gorakhpur Unit in NCZ; Satna unit in CZ; Coimbatore unit in SZ & Burdwan unit in EZ.

               II.      In these 12 months, we met the management in CO 12 times(4 times each with ED(P); MD & C-in-C/Chairman) & raised several issues.

         III.      In this period we wrote 11 letters to the management on various issues(4 letters to ED(OS/SBU/Estates); 4 letters to ED(P); 2 letters to MD & 1 letter to Chief(Legal))

                IV.   The charter of Demand was submitted to Management on 23.07.2012.

        V.  Various activities were carried out in this period. Some of these were:- a) Signature campaign to demand one more option for pension. b) International Women’s day celebrated at Mumbai. c) Meeting of female officers at Pune. d) Meetings conducted throughout the country after submission of Charter of demands to brief about the demands made in our Charter as well as the justification of the same. e) All India Study Class at Nagpur for our activists. f) Meeting & rally by BMS affiliated Federations against FDI in retail; Pension & against raise in FDI in Insurance.

            VI.      Various achievements secured due to efforts of NOINO:- A) EFEAP rollout compensation announced B) 50 officers join NOINO in Gorakhpur (NCZ) C) Standing committee on Finance rejects proposal to hike the cap on FDI in Insurance from 26% to 49% D) Circular on refund of subsidy on Housing loan issued E) Management initiates talks with Sodexo officials & takes steps to add outlets. 663 additional outlets were re-activated by Sodexo for accepting meal coupons. F) The proposed Statutory Audit on holidays (14^th/15^th April) in Thane division branches was postponed to the next working day, i.e. 16^th April. G) Mediclaim premium was substantially reduced & 2 more diagnostic tests without hospitalization were included. H) Ministry of Finance issues instructions allowing payment of TA/DA to polling officers & presiding officers in addition to micro-observers on Election duty. I) Monetary limits for re-imbursement of tea-coffee expenses of Class I officers were increased. J) Limits of lease accommodation rent were revised. K) Amount of meal coupons was revised L) For the first time in 26th batch of direct recruit AAOs’ recruitment, management allotted them to Zones instead of directly posting to divisions accepting our demand. M) Board approved 4% ex-gratia in lieu of PLLI for the year 2011-12. Our demand for uniform PLLI to all was also accepted.

There-after Shri D V Aloni, All India Treasurer presented the Treasurer’s report.

POST-LUNCH SESSION—05.11.12

How to Organise People -  by Shri Pawan Kumar

Shri Pawan Kumarji stressed the fact that BMS is a non-political organization. He talked about the growing acceptance of BMS ideals in all the fields. He also explained how BMS came into existence. The philosophy of BMS is based on dharm, arth, kaam & moksh to all. He said that the members should meet frequently. New activists should be encouraged & team spirit should be nourished. The accounting system of an organization should be transparent and economic discipline should be maintained.

ZONAL SECRETARIES’ REPORT

The session consisted of the Zonal Secretaries’ report which took stock of the membership, tour planning for opening of new units, activities in the Zone etc. The assembly noted with satisfaction that NOINO was growing everywhere & the officers were happy with our activities.

DISCUSSION ON HOW TO STRENGTHEN OUR ORGANISATION

Shri Rajesh Dubey, All India Organising Secretary, initiated the discussion. 43 representatives participated in this session. The session was very lively & many useful suggestions as also examples from one’s own experiences were quoted. The session showed the loyalty, affection & involvement of the activists with the organization.

PASSING OF VARIOUS RESOLUTIONS

The house unanimously passed the following resolutions after elaborate deliberation:-

1. Speedy settlement of Charter as per the aspirations of the Class I officers

2.  PLLI

3. Leave Travel Concession

4. Scrapping of DOPA

5. Advance for purchase of mobile phone handsets

6. Advance for purchase of Personal Computer

7. Preventive Health Check-up

8. Sabbatical Leave for Women Officers/Employees

9. Removal of anomalies in fixation especially for the officers promoted under 1(B)

10. Modification in scheme of ex-gratia reimbursement in medical expenses in    case of High Cost / protracted treatment

11. Recruitment of Class III employees

06^th  Nov 2012

Address by Shri Udayrao Patwardhan

Shri Udayrao Patwardhan, Financial institutions-in-charge, BMS conducted an inter-active session in a novel way. The session was conducted early in the morning. It was an informative, eye-opening & invigorating experience. He dwelt on the development of organizational setup and relation building by encashing social occasions. Regular interaction and meeting will also strengthen the relations and would be useful for faster growth of organization. He expressed happiness that NOINO is the fastest growing organisation in LIC. The activities of organization should be routine and regular basis as per requirements of organization. He also appreciated the activities of NOINO.

He said that the organization should grow like a tree so that its members can get shelter and fruits both from this. Each member should have a target of enrolling 5 members. Everybody present was inspired by this session.

DIVISIONAL SECRETARIES REPORT

The Divisional Secretaries of various Divisions placed their reports. The house noted with satisfaction about the growing membership as also the collection of funds.

Report on various Activities(workshops) - by Smt Anagha Sant

Smt Anagha Sant, All India Secretary presented a report of various meetings in the last 6 months:-

          I.      Celebration of International Women’s day at Mumbai.

         II.      All India study class for female activists conducted by BMS at Delhi.

        III.      Study class for NOINO activists held at Nagpur.

       IV.      Meeting of female officers at Pune Division.

Address by General Secretary Shri Ganesh Kamath

 Shri Ganesh Kamath talked on the practical aspects of organization. He stressed the need for consolidation of NOINO & laid stress on self assessment instead of waiting for sermons & instructions. In a novel way, he placed before all the delegates 25 probing questions & asked the delegates to answer yes/no by raising their hands. After these questions, he once again laid emphasis on self-evaluation & work honestly for the organization to take NOINO to new altitudes.

CONCLUDING ADDRESS BY PRESIDENT SHRI PRAKASH JAVADEKAR

In his inimitable style, Javadekarji not only kept the audience in good humour, but also displayed great understanding of the smallest issues of the Class-I Officers in LIC. He expressed active support to all Class-I officers on all issues including the FDI, & Charter of Demands. It is pertinent to note that Javadekarji has been in the forefront in opposing the proposed regressive amendments. He said that a strong emphasis has been laid on the following points:-

1.      FDI in insurance sector should not be increased.

2.      The discussions on charter of demands should start immediately.

3.      Recruitment of new officers as well as Class III employees in LIC.

It is pertinent to note that the Standing committee has rejected most of the regressive amendments & most of the credit should go to the support given by Javadekarji to the struggle by NOINO against these amendments.

He also announced some changes in the organizational set-up as follows:-

1. Smt Anagha Sant to take over as General Secretary of NOINO following a request from Shri Ganesh Kamath owing to his failing health.
2.  Shri Ganesh Kamath would work in the capacity of Chief Advisor of NOINO.
3. Shri Dattaraj Prabhukhanolkar would be Resident Secretary (at Mumbai) of NOINO.
4.  Shri Sanjay Patil of Kolhapur & Shri Rajendra Kr Dubey of Gorakhpur to be inducted as EC members.

Above changes took immediate effect.

In the Central office-bearers’ meeting last evening, it was also decided that 17^th EC meeting will be held at Chennai on 6^th & 7^th May 2013.

The vote of thanks was given by Shri Sudhakar Mishra, Zonal Secretary, NOINO, NCZ unit.

16th Ext.EC meeting of NOINO concluded

16^th Extended EC meeting of NOINO was conducted very successfully at Dehradun on 5^th & 6^th November 2012. Shri Prakash Javdekar, MP, Rajya Sabha & President, NOINO; Shri Uday Patwardhan, I/c Financial Sectors, BMS; Shri T. Adhikari, Sr DM, LICI, Dehradun Divisional Office; Shri Pawan Kumar, Organising Secretary, BMS; and all local BMS leaders attended the inaugural session of the meeting. Print and Electronic media gave wide coverage of the meeting. Few news-paper clippings are posted.

NOINO Burdwan Divisional Unit formed

NOINO Burdwan Divisional Unit (under Eastern Zone) was formed today i.e. 2^nd November 2012. The office-bearers are:

 President: Shri Biswanath Sen (09475256767)

 Secretary: Shri A.K.Dam (09434178271)

 (Further details awaited)

Our hearty congratulations to all the office-bearers of Burdwan Unit and also to Shri P.K.Dey, Zonal Secretary and other office-bearers of Eastern Zonal Committee!

Consumer Price Index

Index for July 2012 is 212, August 2012 is 214, September is 215. Hence, DA will increase by 42 slabs w.e.f. 1^st November 2012 (current slabs 441).