Friday, March 30, 2012

Consumer Price Index

As per latest Consumer Price Index (199), increase in DA will be by 4 slabs (provisional) w.e.f. 1st May 2012. The final figure will be known on 30.04.2012.

Tuesday, March 27, 2012

Demand for revision in medical ex-gratia

NOINO has demanded for modification/revision in the high-cost-treatment scheme. A letter has been written to Shri Thomas Mathew T, Managing Director in this regard. The letter is reproduced below. A similar letter has also been submitted to Shri B Manivannan, ED(P).

27.3.2012.

Shri Thomas Mathew T.,
Managing Director,
L.I.C. of India.

Dear Sir,

Re: Modification in scheme of ex-gratia re-imbursement in medical expenses in cases of High Cost/protracted treatment

        The scheme of ex-gratia re-imbursement in medical expenses in cases of High Cost/protracted treatment needs to be revised in various respects including the limits of re-imbursement & other conditions. Our demands/suggestions are as under:-

  1. Revision in limits of re-imbursement: --- Looking into the spiraling medical costs over the years, the limits should be revised immediately. We demand that the limit should be revised to at least 10 lakhs each time, i.e. total at least 20 lakhs. Another point is that those who have opted for a higher sum assured in the mediclaim scheme are sort of put to loss as the limit of ex-gratia re-imbursement is the same for all irrespective of the sum assured in the mediclaim scheme.

  2. Removal of condition of a fixed percentage of re-imbursement instead of full re-imbursement:--- At present, 90% of the claim is payable after deduction of mediclaim re-imbursement(for expenses up to 3,33,333) & 70 % of the claim for expenses in excess of Rs. 3,33,333. We demand that full re-imbursement to the extent of the ex-gratia amount should be allowed.

  1. Removal of condition of time restriction of 180 days :- At present, there is a time restriction of 180 days for claiming post-hospitalization expenses except for Cancer & liver transplant. We demand that this limit of 180 days should be removed for all diseases/illnesses& the re-imbursement should be made till the full amount of ex-gratia is exhausted.
              We request you to please consider the above demands at the earliest & provide relief to the employees who unfortunately have to undergo the trauma & agony.

Sd/-
Dr. S B Sharan
WP, NOINO

Saturday, March 24, 2012

15th EC meeting of NOINO

15th EC meeting of NOINO is to be held at Indore on 4th & 5th June 2012. Please note, it is an EC meeting (and not an extended EC meeting). Only office-bearers of Central Committee, EC members of Central Committee and Zonal Presidents & Zonal Secretaries are eligible to attend this meeting. They all are requested to please note:

1.      The name of the Railway Station for which tickets are to be booked is “Indore Jn BG (INDB)”.
2.      The meeting venue is:

Nath Mandir,
South Tukoganj,
Indore

3.      The landmark of the venue is: opposite Surya Hotel, near Nobel Hospital.
However, the venue itself is very old and famous. It is associated with “Holkar Dynasty”.
Stay arrangements have been made at the venue itself.
4.      The distance of the venue from Railway Station and Bus Stand (Sarvate) is in between 3 & 4 kms. The approximate auto-rickshaw fare would be in between 30 & 40 rupees.
5.      The Reception Committee members are:
(a)   Shri Rajiv Kalra, Mobile No. 09907817262
(b)   Shri Vivek Kr Verma, Mob. No. 09425403590
(c)   Shri D.P.Chejara, Mob. No. 09406651479
(d)   Shri Dilip Pandey, Mob. No. 09827241132
(e)   Shri S.R. Nema, Mob. No. 09424417386
        In case you need any help, any of above can be contacted.

Friday, March 23, 2012

नव वर्ष शुभकामनाएँ

सृष्टि संवत् 1960853113, श्रीकृष्ण संवत् 5238 तथा विक्रम संवत् 2069 - नव वर्ष एवं नवरात्र की हार्दिक शुभकामनाएँ ।।

Wednesday, March 21, 2012

NOINO EZ meets ZM & RM(P&IR), EZ


A delegation of NOINO EZ consisting of Shri P.K.Dey, GS; Shri P.P.Mazumdar, VP; Shri R.C.Saha, VP and Shri Avijit Chakraborty, EC member met the Zonal Manager, EZ Shri S.K.Roy and RM(P&IR), EZ Shri S.K.Das separately on 16th February 2012.

The following matters were discussed with them:

1.      It was pointed-out that postings of AAO’s in recent round of promotion (from HGA) were not done properly; as a result, around 50% candidates did not join. The contingency list was not moved yet; it was requested to move the list at the earliest. It was also requested that all AAO’s who had completed 2 years at a particular place (including contingency of 2009) be transferred to their desired places at the earliest. It was further requested that in the 2012 round of promotions AO’s who had completed 2 years at their present places of postings be transferred to their desired places.
2.      It was brought to the knowledge of Zonal Management that Shri P.P.Mazumdar was required to go to Silchar Court frequently at his own cost for a case which was to be fought officially. Shri Mazumdar was Manager(P&IR) then when he was assaulted in his chamber by one RC. The FIR was to be lodged officially but the then Sr DM, Silchar misguided him and the FIR was lodged individually. As a result, the leave and cost of the case was being borne by Shri Mazumdar himself.
Both ZM and RM suggested to submit the relevant papers to them for their consideration.
3.      Release of AAO(Programmer), Andaman Branch was held-up for a long period because his substitute was not joining at that place. It was requested to get him relieved at the earliest.
The Zonal Manager told that the matter was within his knowledge and hinted that something positive was expected soon.

Both the meetings were held in congenial atmosphere.

Tuesday, March 20, 2012

International Women's Day by NOINO Mumbai


       NOINO, Mumbai Unit celebrated the International Women’s Day on 7th March 2012 (8th March being holiday) A lecture-cum-question answer session for female colleagues, on the subject “Problems of Working Women & the Legal Aids available for their redressal” was organized. The event was held in the Sports Hall on 4th floor of Yogakshem Bldg. Dr. Poornima Advani, Ex-Chairperson -National Commission for Women was the Chief Speaker.
               The programme started at 1.30 pm. Shri Ganesh Kamath, All India General Secretary, NOINO was also present. In her welcome speech, Smt Vibha Pai narrated the idea behind the programme as a sincere effort to empower the working women from within by creating awareness amongst them about the legal aids available at their redressal & in a way strengthen them. Since a woman plays multiple roles to make a good family & in turn contributes to build a progressive nation, on the eve of the International Women’s day, it was a simple endeavour to salute this women power.
             Smt Pai welcomed the Chief Speaker Smt Advani, Shri Kamath & other members on the dais and the Audience. Smt Trupti Bramhe and Smt Leena Ghatpande greeted Dr.Advani and Shri Kamath with bouquets.
Dr Poornima Advani
            The programme was furthered by Smt Yogita Moharir, who detailed the audience about the Speakers. Dr Poornima Advani has to her credit high legal and medical qualifications which include a Doctorate of Philosophy in Laws and Post Graduation in Physiotherapy from U.K. She has a vast professional experience in India and abroad with several publications in both the medical as well as legal fields such as Gender Equity, Gender sensitization, Law and Woman etc. She has also arranged number of workshops on gender related issues and enforcement of Law. She has also contributed in Review of various Laws as Ex-Officio Chairperson of Expert Committee on Laws. She is a recipient of several awards.

           The meeting started with Dr.Advani mentioning that she has been associated with LIC for the past 15 years as a panel advocate. This added more cheer amongst the crowd. She emphasized that on the eve of Woman’s Day function; there should have been at least 50 % men in the crowd to relate and to share such matters. She emphasized the fact that women are strong in all respects, and there is need to understand this by both, Men and Women. She added that if every woman understands her true power, no one can make her do anything without her consent thereto. She dealt with various woman related issues such as gender bias treatment, sexual harassment, lack of flexi working hours, security problem due to late sitting and so on. Dr. Advani also informed about the various women cells available for redressal of issues, and provided Help Line nos. in case one comes across instances, where injustice is being inflicted upon any woman. She also stressed that women should not come under any duress as far as her self respect is concerned.
Thereafter the Question-Answer session started wherein many of the female colleagues put forth their queries to Dr.Advani for advice and guidance.

The questions that came across and the replies are as follows:

1. What do we mean by a Super woman?
Dr. Advani-----A woman who performs all the chores and fulfills all the duties as a mother, a daughter, a sister, a wife, a colleague at work place. She proudly stated that the women of today are really "super women” in all respects.

2. How to manage stress?
Dr.Advani--Stress is a new age universal problem faced by one and all irrespective of men and women. There are different ways, such as yoga or planning things or work in advance, that lead to reduction in stress.

3. Whether an office is required to provide with residential facilities immediately on transfer of a lady employee?
Dr. Advani--It depends on the Establishment and Office service rules of an organization, which differs from Company to company.

4. Whether maternity leave is available if a child is still born in the 9th month?
Dr.Advani--Maternity leave is completely related to child birth only.

5. Up to what time can an office make any women sit late in office, are there any rules governing the same as nowadays there are jobs which requires late sitting by women officers/ staff ?.
Dr.Advani--This is a problem faced by all, but the rules differ from Company to company. In 2005, there was a possibility of passing a resolution, but since women’s organization raised a query that why there should be discrimination in women working late, where overtime is paid or where working hours start late or where it is required to sit late to prove their mettle and  career growth. In view of the above, the same was not passed. She also emphasized that women should decide their priorities whether to sit late or not. The cases vary at different levels.

      There was an overwhelming response from more than 300 female employees from CO, ZO, DO & Branches of Mumbai. The meeting ended with a vote of thanks by Ms. Renuka Rao to all, including our male counter parts of NOINO, Mumbai Unit who rendered their valuable help to make the event a big success.  Smt. Leena Ghatpande, Smt. Neeta Prabhavalkar, Smt. Vibha Pai, Smt. Trupti Bramhe, Smt. Saroj Kurdukar, Smt. Neeta Phuria, Smt. Ankita Rane, Smt. Yogita Moharir, Ms. Renuka Rao, Smt. Varsha Shelar, Smt. Vedanti Gadkar, Shri Suryakant Gawde, Shri Ketan Purandare, Shri Surendra Chitnavis, Shri Manish Patankar, Shri Mahendra Vaze, strived hard to make this event a grand success.

Saturday, March 17, 2012

Demand for Sabbatical leave to Women Officers & Employees of LIC

Today i.e. on 17.03.2012 NOINO wrote to ED(P) demanding sabbatical leave to women officers and employees of LIC of India. The letter is reproduced below:

17.03.2012

The Executive Director (Personnel),
LIC of India.

Dear Sir,

Re: Introduction of Sabbatical leave for women officers & employees in LIC

Vide letter ref. F.No.9/20/2011-IR dated the February 28th, 2012 the Ministry of Finance, Govt of India has allowed to introduce Sabbatical Leave for all women employees in all Public Sector Banks (PSBs) on the following broad terms:-

    (i) Sabbatical Leave of up to 2 years shall be admissible to women employees of Public Sector Banks during their entire career;
    (ii) Sabbatical Leave shall be without Pay, Salary, Allowances and any consequential monetary and non-monetary benefits;
    (iii) The employee applying for leave should have put in a minimum of 5 years of service. Sabbatical Leave before completion of 5 years of service shall be sanctioned only in exceptional circumstances by the authority next above the leave sanctioning authority;
    (iv) The leave shall be taken for a period of at least 3 months at a time and the leave shall not be taken more than once in a year;
    (v) No increments will be earned during the Sabbatical Leave and the employee will rejoin at the same stage of pay as was existing at the time of her availing the Sabbatical Leave.
    (vi) Employees on Sabbatical Leave shall not be eligible to participate in any promotion exercises during the Sabbatical Leave period, even if otherwise eligible.
    (vii) Eligible and willing employees can request for Sabbatical Leave for any purpose like medical grounds, care of family members or children, higher studies, visit spouse etc.
    (viii) The employee shall not take up any employment / vocation / business /profession elsewhere during the Sabbatical Leave.

The Ministry has also instructed the PSBs to introduce the leave w.e.f. 01.04.2012.

    The women employees in LIC (as also elsewhere) are at different stages of their life & career. The logic behind introducing this concept is ostensibly to recognize the challenges that a working woman has to face both in her life & her career. This concept is acknowledging the need to provide relief to the working woman in managing the tightrope walk of both career & home.
      While we are not entirely in agreement with the riders that accompany this concept, we demand that the concept of Sabbatical Leave be introduced in LIC after discussions with the unions & suitable modifications on the basis of these discussions.

Yours faithfully,
Sd/-
Dr S B Sharan
WP, NOINO

Friday, March 16, 2012

Union Budget 2012-2013 - detailed highlights

1. ECBs proposed for aviation sector with a cap of $1 billion
2. Direct, indirect tax reforms to miss deadline
3. Infrastructure sector to get Rs 50,00,000 lakh crore investment
4. Rural housing scheme to be upgraded: FM
5. Excise duty raised to 12% from 10%
6. Branded silver jewellery fully exempt from excise duty
7. 10 year benchmark at 8.40%
8. Increased customs duty on gold and platinum to 4% from 2%
9. Duty on handrolled beedis increased
10. Diamonds emerald and ruby prices will increase
11. Advalorem duty on some cigarettes
12. Agriculture credit target raised to Rs 5.75 lakh crore
13. Customs duty on refined gold doubled
14. Import of aircraft parts exempt from basic customs duty
15. Basic customs duty on cigarettes reduced
16. Customs duty on some gold and platinum products increased
17. Cuts customs duty on rail equipment to 7.5% from 10%
18. To allow external commercial borrowing to part finance rupee debt in power projects
19. Proposes to remove sector-specific restriction on venture capital fund investments
20. Mobile phone parts exempted from basic customs duty
21. Automated shuttle looms exempted from customs duty
22. School education exempt from service tax
23. 12% excise duty imposed on branded retail garments
24. LCD and LED panels exempted from custom duty
25. Government hikes defence spending to Rs 1,93,007 crore
26. Customs duty reduced from 7.5% to 2.5% for iron ore equipment
27. Thermal power companies exempted from customs duty for 2 years
28. 5% customs duty exempted on equipment for fertilizer plants
29. India achieved success in external trade: Pranab Mukherjee
30. Govt sees expenditure rising 29% in 2012/13
31. LNG out of customs duty
32. Full exemption on customs duty on coal
33. 10 year yield at 8.40%
34. Fiscal deficit target set at 5.1% of GDP in Budget 2012-13
35. No change in peak customs duty
36. To raise duty on large cars to 27%
37. Some infra construction services exempt from service tax
38. FY 13 net market borrowing at Rs 4.8 lakh crores
39. Common tax code for service tax and excise
40. Standard excise duty hiked to 12%
41. Rs 18660 crores will result from service tax rise
42. Service Tax Net Increases as Expected
43. Service tax up from 10% to 12%  
44. Direct Tax Code implementation deferred: Pranab

45. Income Tax Slabs:
      Up to 2 lakh rupees -  NIL;
      Rs 2 to  5 lakh  - 10%;
      Rs 5 to 10 lakh  -  20%;
      Above Rs 10 lakh - 30%  

46. No change in corporate tax rates
47. FM announces intention of tabling white paper on black money
48. Raises exemption limit to Rs 2 lakhs from Rs 1.8 lakhs
49. Non plan expenditure at Rs 9.7 lakh crore
50. Fiscal deficit at 5.9% in FY 12
51. Tables a white paper on black money issue
52. Gross tax receipts at 10.77 lakh crore
53. Gross tax at 10.6% of GDP
54. Coal India advised to sign FSA with power plants
55. Bottom of Form
56. Agri credit target for FY13 at Rs 5.75 lakh cr, up Rs 1 lakh cr
57. To introduce new law for micro finance institutions
58. Defence outlay at Rs 1.95 lakh crore
59. Allocated Rs 25,555 cr for Right to Education in FY13; cuts interest rates on loans to women self help groups
60. Govt aims to trim subsidy burden
61. Efforts on for consensus on 51% FDI in multi-brand retail
62. Rural development fund of 20000 crores
63. HM allocation hiked to 20820 crores
64. India's growth disappointing, but recovering: Pranab
65. Economy to grow at 7.6% in 2012-13: FM
66. Rs 14000 crore for rural drinking and sanitation in FY 13
67. FM announces new equity savings scheme
68. Govt targets Rs 30,000 crore from asset sales
69. Govt doubles allocation for tax-free bonds to Rs 60,000 crore for financing infrastructure projects in 2012/13
70. To allow qualified foreign investors in Indian corporate debt markets
71. New state owned irrigation company to be set up
72. To allocate Rs 14232 cr to UID project, up 13% in FY 13
73. Propose National mission for food processing
74. 10000 crores allocated to NABARD to fund RRBs
75. Interest subvention for short term crop loan continues
76. Agri credit target for FY 13 seen at Rs 5.75 lakh crore, up 1 lakh crore
77. Plan outlay for agriculture raised by 18% to Rs 20208 crore in FY 13
78. Rs 300 crore for intensified irrigation program
79. Retail stocks rally as Budget commits to multi-brand FDI
80. Irrigation, dams to be eligible for special funding
81. Telecom towers made eligible for viability gap funding
82. Fuel supply constraints have hit power supplies nationally
83. Will allow external commercial borrowing for power, housing road construction companies
84. To make 8,800 km of highways in FY13; outlay raised
85. Plan outlay raised 18% to Rs 20,208 cr for agriculture
86. Change in IPO guidleines to promote small town participation
87. To allow ECB funding to finance working capital needs of airlines for 1 year
88. FDI in aviation is under active consideration
89. Rs 10000 crore of tax fee bonds for power sector
90. To allow ECB funding to finance working capital needs of airlines
91. To become self sufficient in urea production in next 5 years
92. Share of manufacturing in GDP will be increased
93. To allow ECB to fund part finance power rupee debt
94. Oil and gas pipelines to be eligible for viable gap funding
95. Double infra debt amount to Rs 60,000 crore
96. DTC to be implemented at the earliest
97. To allow qualified FII into domestic corporate bonds
98. Rs 15890 crores for recapitalization of PSU banks
99. Extend RRB capitalisation for 2 years
100. Propose Central KYC depository
101. 12th plan infra investment at Rs 50 lakh crore
102. Inflation & current account deficit to come down next year
103. Focus on removing infrastructure bottlenecks
104. Changes in IPO norms to increase participation in small towns
105. To introduce new Rajiv Gandhi equity scheme
106. Government to include advance pricing in Finance Bill 2012
107. Find ways to expedite implementation of decision, prompt delivery and good governance with transparency, while curbing black money and corruption
108. Remove bottlenecks in agriculture, energy, transport, coal, power and national highways
109. Ensure rapid rise in private investment
110. Frame policies that trigger domestic demand recovery
111. To implement Direct Tax Code at the earliest
112. Signs of economy turning around in March quarter
113. Efforts continue to arrive at consensus for 51% in retail FDI
114. To continue to hold 51% stake in state owned companies
115. Rs 30,000 cr divestment target in FY 13
116. Direct transfer of subsidy for kerosene initiated
117. To implement DTC at the earliest
118. GST to be operational by August 2012
119. To bring down subsidy to 1.7 % of GDP in the next 3 years
120. To roll out computerized scheme for fertilizer subsidy transfer
121. Economy to grow at 7.6% in 2012/13
122. Central subsidies to be under 2% of GDP

Budget - 2012 highlights

Central Govt. Budget highlights:

  1. No income tax (IT) till income up to Rs 2 lakh,
  2. Income Rs. 2 – 5 lakh: 10% IT,
  3. Income Rs. 5 – 10 lakh: 20% IT,
  4. Income above Rs. 10 lakh: 30% IT,
  5. Cars, AC, fridge, gold, cigarettes to cost more,
  6. Cancer & HIV medicines, Solar power lamps, LED bulbs to get cheaper,
  7. Excise duty hiked to 12%.