Audit postponed on our demand

As per our demand of today put before the MD Shri Sushobhan Sarker to postpone the statutory audit scheduled for 14^th & 15^th April 2012 (both days holidays) in some Branches of Thane Division, LIC management has informed us that they have postponed the audit to 16^th April.

This is for information of all concerned.

NOINO DELEGATION MEETS MD SHRI SUSHOBHAN SARKER

            A NOINO delegation consisting of Shri Ganesh Kamath, GS; Shri Manish Patankar, Shri Dattaraj Prabhukhanolkar, & Shri Suryakant Gawde met Managing Director Shri Sushobhan Sarker today, i.e. 13^th April 2012 on the pending issues. The meeting was a brief one.

            Before discussing the specific issues we talked on the general issues. We said that we expected transparency, impartiality & prompt sharing of information on all issues concerning the employees. We also talked about the experiences of evasive replies on our queries from the concerned authorities. We also brought to his notice the problem of perennial late sitting by the officers which was damaging the fabric of family, particularly in the case of lady officers. We urged the management to take serious note of this issue.

           Shri Sarker assured to look into the matter. He confirmed that the removal of condition of compulsory 15 days leave on encashment of PL while in service was approved by the Board of Directors, which was however, subject to the approval of the Government. The following issues were then raised by us:-

1.       Statutory audit in some branches of Thane:- We brought to the notice of the management that the officers after toiling hard day & night during closing were again asked to face statutory audit on 14^th April(Holiday) & 15^th April(Sunday). We urged MD to postpone the audit as this may prove to be the last straw on the camel’s back.  MD assured to look into the matter.

2.       Transfers/Promotions/Postings: - When we reiterated our demand for minimum displacement of officers, particularly after the last year’s experience regarding the posting of ADM’s outside the Zone; MD seemed positive in this matter. We also insisted that a) while posting or in transfers the factors of distance from the home division; accessibility by train/road etc should be considered instead of just change of Zone. B) Hard areas of postings should be identified & relaxation of norms in re-transfer to home division should be allowed in these areas.

3.       One more pension option: - MD did not seem positive in this matter.

4.       Housing loan: - We reiterated our demand of bringing back the portfolio to LIC HPF. MD was not positive in this matter. We also reiterated our demand for a Group Insurance scheme for Housing loan. We also pointed out again that LIC HFL is asking the employees to pay back the entire outstanding loan in case flat goes for redevelopment. MD has noted both points.

5.       Recruitment in Class III.

6.       Arrogant & biased attitude of Srinagar SDM.

7.       Revision in lease accommodation rent.

MD assured to look into the above matters.

    Thereafter, we submitted a copy each of memoranda/letters of the following issues:-

1. Demand for sabbatical leave for women employees---letter dated 17.3.2012 to ED(P).
2. Modification in scheme of re-imbursement of medical expenses in cases of High Cost/protracted treatment---letter dated 27.3.2012 to MD Shri Thomas Mathew T.
3. Anomaly in Fixation after Computer Increment--- letter dated 20.8.2011 to Ed(P).
4. Modification in leave rules—regarding a) Intervening holidays between CL not to be taken into account as leave. B) Provision of availing PL to be reduced to minimum of 6 days instead of 7 days. C) Minimum 15 days of availing leave while seeking encashment of PL in a block of two years not to be compulsory.(now this has been accepted) D) HRA to be a part of ‘Salary’ while calculating amount for encashment of PL during service. Letter submitted to ED (P) on 26.11.2010.
5. Letter dated 15.3.2012 on examples from 4 Zones regarding increase in EMI even after accounting of subsidy after transfer of Housing loan portfolio to HFL.

      Since the meeting was brief, MD accepted all the memoranda & assured to look into all the issues. He also assured to meet at a later date to discuss the pending issues at length. NOINO assures all employees that it would continue to follow-up all the pending matters doggedly.

NOINO, NZ meets RM(P&IR), NZ

NOINO, NZ delegation comprising of Shri Yashpal Singh, Coordinator, Negotiating Committee; and Sarvashri N.B.Mahapatra, A.R.Roy & V.P.Malkania, members, Negotiating Committee met RM(P&IR), NZ Smt. Kiran Sahdev on 9^th April 2012.

Following issues were discussed in the meeting:

1. SRINAGAR ISSUES:-

CR’s of NOINO members were spoiled by the Sr DM, Srinagar Division Shri Balwant Singh despite the officers’ excellent performances. It was demanded to get re-reviewed all such CR’s and correct appraisal be made. The Sr DM had also transferred few officers in a biased manner. It was also demanded to restore the postings of such officers to their desired places of postings.

The RM(P&IR) informed that remedial actions were being taken.

2. TRANSFER POLICY:-

RM(P&IR) informed that transfer cases of those officers, who had spent 2 years at their present places of postings, were being considered. Physically handicapped officers were being posted at their home-places. Genuine cases demanding special attention were being dealt separately.

3. JOB ROTATION OF MARKETING OFFICIALS FROM DEVELOPMENT SIDE:-

Regarding posting of such officials in Administration, the RM(P&IR) informed that there was no specific period for such rotation, however, whenever any request came for reposting in marketing side, they considered it. The delegation cited few such cases.

4. NOTIONAL REFUND OF THE COST OF CAR ON DE-ROTATION:-

The delegation demanded not to make notional recovery in respect of car, due to de-rotation if the period of car purchased was less than FIVE years.

The RM (P&IR) was fully convinced with the logic put and told that due care would be taken during coming rounds of Job Rotation/De-rotation.

5. AAO CONTIGENCY LIST:-

 The R M (P&IR) told that the contingency list of AAO would be operated after the coming round of Promotions & Transfers, probably in May ’12.

Many other issues were also discussed for which NOINO got positive responses.

Sodexo Coupons – NOINO’s efforts yield results

We are aware about the efforts made by NOINO on the issue of problems in the acceptance of Sodexo coupons by some supermarkets & large retail-chains. We may recall that NOINO had raised this issue:-

1. Vide a letter dated 19.12.11 to ED(OS/SBU).

2. With MD Shri A K Dasgupta on 30.12.11.

3. With Current-in-charge Shri Dinesh Mehrotra on 24.1.2012.

4. With ED(P) Shri B Manivannan on 2.4.2012.

The follow-up has paid some dividends. As per the mail of Secretary (OS) on 9.4.2012 some  large retail chains namely FOOD WORLD, S-MART, SABKA BAZAAR, SPENCERS,  EASYDAY, TOTAL, HERITAGE FRESH and STAR BAZAAR covering more than 660 outlets have formally started accepting the Sodexo Meal Vouchers. The state-wise breakup of these 663 outlets is as under:-

  1. Tamilnadu======== 123        

  2. Andhra Pradesh==== 95         

  3. Karnataka======== 159.        

  4. Punjab===========  65.        

  5. Delhi & NCR======= 55.           

  6. UP==============   42.        

  7. Haryana==========  36.        

  8. Maharashtra=======21.

  9. West Bengal=======18.

10. Kerala===========14. 

11. Uttarakhand=======10.

12. Rajasthan=========  7.

13. MP=============== 5.

14. J & K=============  4.

15. Gujarat===========   3.

16. Chattisgarh/Himachal/Puducherry= 2 each.

NOINO will follow-up for re-start & addition of more supermarkets & retail chains. NOINO will also continue to explore other options like Meal Cards by LIC Cards Services Ltd. & others.

NOINO WZ MEETS ZM, WEST ZONE

            On 2^nd April 2012 NOINO, WZ delegation met Zonal Manager,WZ Shri R.R.Dash. NOINO delegation consisted of Shri Anil Bhagdikar, Zonal President, WZ; Shri Vishwas Shastri, Zonal Secretary, WZ; Smt Anagha Sant, WZ Organizing Secretary; Shri Amit Vaidya, Vice-President, WZ  and Shri Dattaraj Prabhukhanolkar, GS, NOINO Mumbai Unit.  Smt Mini Ipe, RM(P&IR) was also present. We discussed the following issues:-

             

 1. Posting policy on promotion: -- We submitted that during the round of promotion from Class III to Class I, we had demanded minimum displacement in posting which was accepted & implemented. We demanded that the same criteria should continue in this round of promotions. Further, in the above referred round of promotion, employees who had already served in Audit/Inspection were not posted again in the same department & were posted locally. We demanded that not only the same criteria should be continued in this round but by the same logic, those officers who were posted outside their home division in their earlier promotion should be retained locally if they are promoted now.

            Zonal Manager assured to look into the matter during the ensuing round of Promotion/Transfer.

 2. Transfers of ABM(S)’s:  On this issue in our last meeting management had assured us to effect transfers of ABM(S)’s after March closing. We reminded Zonal Manager about the same and demanded immediate transfers of ABM(S)’s who have applied for transfers to their desired places after March closing.

            Zonal Manager was positive on this issue and assured to effect transfers of ABM(S)’s after March Closing.

3. Delay in Operating AAO Contingency:  We again protested the inordinate delay in operating the AAO contingency list. NOINO had submitted a detailed letter on this issue on 3^rd March 2012. We demanded that the AAO contingency list should be operated forthwith.

            Zonal Manager assured to operate the contingency immediately after March closing.

4. Transfers of AO/ADM/SBM/CM: In the ensuing round of Promotions/Transfers of AO/BM/ADM/SBM/CM we demanded that the request transfers of officers to their desired places after completion of 2 years in case of Male officers and 1 year in case of female officers should be considered. We also submitted a list of all such officers who have applied for request transfers to their desired places.

            Zonal Manager assured to consider request transfers of AO/ADM within two years but he was not positive about the transfers within two years in case of BM/SBM.

            We also pointed out that in last year’s Promotion round many of the promoted officers in the cadre of DM/ADM/SBM were posted outside Zone, as a result of which, most of them were unable to accept their promotions. We demanded that as the Head of the Zone, the ZM should use his good offices with the CO to take care of such   officers in the current round of promotions. We also requested ZM to consider the names of officers who were promoted last year but could not accept the promotions due to their personal problems, as denying promotion would mean double punishment to them.

            Zonal Manager assured to take follow up with CO of such cases.

5. Transfers of Physically Challenged officers: - At present we are getting promotee Lady Officers transferred to their desired places after one year. On the same line we demanded considering the transfer application of Physically Handicapped promotee officers after one year while operating the AAO contingency. Zonal Manager assured to look into this matter.

6. Sanction of Car on completion of 5 years: -   In the recent past many Marketing officials who had completed their 5 years of job rotations were not being sanctioned new cars. We demanded that the cars for 2^nd stint should be sanctioned immediately.

Zonal Manager assured to look into the matter after March closing.

7. Biased Attitude of Manager (P&IR) DM, Nagpur DO: -   We again pointed out that Manager(P&IR) of Nagpur Division who is also the Mentor of Class-I federation has been acting in a totally biased manner against members & office-bearers of NOINO. We protested the fact that basically a person who holds a post in the Union should not have been given charge of P&IR deptt. We, therefore, demanded to immediately relieve him of his portfolio.

            Zonal Manager assured us to look into the matter.

8. Targeting of NOINO Activists in some Divisions: We informed Zonal Manager that in some divisions our NOINO activists were being targeted for performing union activities.

    E.g. The SDM Ahmedabad was acting in a biased manner against our office-bearers. After the intervention of Zonal Office, SDM Ahmedabad invited our office bearers but continued to behave in an arrogant manner. We demanded Zonal Manager his immediate intervention & rein in the SDM’s arrogant attitude.

            Zonal Manager assured us to intervene in this matter.

9. Information sharing Meeting:-  We demanded that Information sharing meeting should be conducted at ZO/DO level in order to have a proper liaison between the management and the unions.

            Zonal Manager was not much positive on this issue.

                       

            NOINO, WZ assures the Class I Officers to take up their important issues as and when it is required and will fight to get it solved.

श्रीहनुमज्जयन्ती

श्रीहनुमज्जयन्ती की हार्दिक शुभकामनाएँ !

DISCUSSIONS WITH ED(P) ON PENDING ISSUES

       A NOINO delegation met Shri B Manivannan, ED (Personnel) on 2^nd April 2012 & discussed various issues concerning the officers in particular & the employees in general. The delegation consisted of Shri Ganesh Kamath, GS; Shri Vishwas Shastri, ZS, NOINO, WZ; Shri Anil Bhagdikar, ZP, NOINO, WZ; Smt. Anagha Sant, Secretary, NOINO; Shri Amitkumar Vaidya, VP, NOINO,WZ; & Shri Dattaraj Prabhukhanolkar, GS, NOINO, Mumbai. The following issues were discussed:-

1. Transfers/promotions/postings: - We once again raised the issue of the 2005 batch of AO’s not being considered for promotion to ADM. We also pointed out that there were lots of retirements in the coming three years. ED replied that there was a backlog in this cadre & to avoid frustration of the senior AO’s the management has taken this decision. He also replied that the numbers of retirements were also taken into consideration while taking this decision. We also demanded that posting should be within zone in the cases of promotion to the cadre of ADM/DM as there are refusals as well as paucity of staff quarters. We said that the last years’ experience showed that majority of the ADM’s posted outside Zone were unable to accept the promotion & the office did not benefit from this policy. The ED replied that utmost care will be taken while posting the promoted officers. We also demanded that those who were unable to accept promotion last year should also be considered. The ED was non-committal on this issue
2. One more pension option:- The ED replied that the government has not given the nod for the same. He also said that the cost factor should also be taken into account as due to the new pension scheme, no new contribution was being added to the existing pensioners’ account. NOINO assures all the employees who have not opted earlier & desire one more option that it will pursue this demand to its logical end.
3. Housing loan--- We reiterated our demand to bring back the staff housing loan portfolio to LIC. ED was not positive on this issue. We also demanded that the Housing loan should be covered by a Group Insurance scheme. ED was positive on this issue & said that it could be examined. We have also pointed out that LICHFL is asking the employees to pay back entire outstanding loan in case the flat goes for redevelopment. ED assured to sort out this matter with appropriate authorities.
4. Meal coupons---- We reminded the ED about the 3 solutions offered by us on this issue. ED agreed to examine the options. We also pointed out that some affiliates continue to charge 3 to 5% extra, while some affiliates refuse to accept coupons. ED agreed to talk to the appropriate authorities. We also raised an important issue regarding DA on tour & demanded that 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. ED seemed positive on this issue & said that he would discuss this issue with appropriate authorities.
5. EFEAP---- We yet again raised this issue & said that the employees everywhere were under immense pressure due to the slowing of system. We also submitted that a direct link of 2 MBPS between SO’s & divisional data centres & PC’s with I GB ram will solve the problems to a large extent. ED assured to take up the matter with IT.
6. Sabbatical leave for women employees----- We reminded ED about our demand for sabbatical leave for women employees vide our letter dated 17.3.2012 & demanded that this leave should be introduced at the earliest in LIC. ED replied that the management will study various aspects of the matter before taking any decision.
7. Revision in Ex-gratia re-imbursement for High cost/protracted treatment---We reminded ED about our letter dated 27.3.2012 regarding this issue. We have raised three demands---1) Limits to be revised to 10 lakhs at one time 2)--Full re-imbursement to be allowed---3) Limit of 180 days to be removed for all diseases. ED assured to examine the issue.
8. Anomaly after computer increment---- We yet again raised this demand & reminded ED that SBI has settled this issue in 1996(i.e. 16 years back) by granting one more increment to all the affected employees. ED assured that the matter will be sorted out.
9. Revision in lease accommodation rent: - We once again raised this issue & demanded immediate revision in lease accommodation rent. We also pointed out that this factor was also a deterrent for officers accepting posting outside their division. ED assured to look into the matter.
10. Leave issues---- We reminded the ED about our letter dated 26.11.2010 regarding 4 issues: - A) Intervening holidays between CL not to be taken into account as leave. B) Provision of availing PL to be reduced to minimum of 6 days instead of 7 days. C) Minimum 15 days of availing leave while seeking encashment of PL in a block of two years not to be compulsory. D) HRA to be a part of ‘Salary’ while calculating amount for encashment of PL during service. ED was positive about the PL encashment issue where the condition of availing 15 days is compulsory as of now & said that a decision was expected shortly.
11. Revision in tea coffee expenses’ re-imbursement :- We reminded the ED that the revision was over-due & demanded substantial increase immediately. ED assured to look into the matter
12.  Recruitment in Class III :- We once again pointed out that the lack of recruitment in Class III was adding to the pressure on Class I officers & demanded that substantial recruitment in Class III should be done immediately. We also suggested some measures to stop the new recruits from leaving the organization. ED said that a plan has been drawn out for the recruitment & that the process would begin in the recent future.
13.  5 days week: - ED hinted that if at all the demand was to be accepted then it can be without Saturday-Sunday being holiday but some other (two) days, so that the policyholders would not be at a disadvantage.
14.  Allowances to CA’s & other officers having professional qualifications :- We yet again raised this issue & demanded allowance or incentive to such officers. ED said that a separate fast track channel for promotion was being mooted to encourage such employees/officers.
15.  Problems of Cashiers: - We have suggested three solutions in the past----1) Recruit assistant-cum-cashier or 2) Recruit exclusive cashiers or 3) Introduce a cadre between Assistant to HGA. ED assured to examine the issue & said that efforts were being made to solve this problem.
16. Arrogant & biased attitude of Srinagar SDM: - We once again raised this issue & demanded action against the SDM of Srinagar who was behaving in a most biased & arrogant manner. ED took a serious note of the same.

NOINO assures the Class I Officers to continue follow-up of these issues.

Information Sharing Meeting of Mumbai DO-III

            The information sharing meeting for the year 2011-2012 was held at Mumbai Division-III office at New India Bldg. on 27^th March 2012. The Manager (P&IR) Smt. Smita Premkumar welcomed all the representatives of the various Trade Unions and Welfare Associations. Along with Sr D.M., the Marketing Manager and Manager (Claims) were also present in the meeting. Manager (OS) joined the meeting later on.

            The Manager (P&IR) informed that the HRD/OD sessions had been conducted for the employees by Division during the year. Also pre-interview coaching programs for the employees who were pursuing promotion to the cadre of HGA & Assistant were conducted by the Division.

            The Sr. Divisional Manager, Shri Muktesh Chaturvedi welcomed all the Union representatives and put the minutes of the last Information Sharing Meeting held on 29^th March 2011. The same were approved by all. The minutes in Marathi were issued for the 1^st time and the same was welcomed and appreciated by all the Union representatives. The Sr.DM informed that the Customer Zone of the Division was inaugurated by Zonal Manager on 26.03.2012. He said that the e-feap has now stabilised in the Division III and the other places where the e-feap is now implemented are getting much improved version than what we got earlier. However, since our Division being pioneer and the e-feap being stabilized in our Division, we are in a better position than other Divisions all over India where the e-feap has been implemented now. He also thanked all the employees and Union representatives for the active support given during the hard / teething time of conversion from feap to e-feap. He then requested Marketing Manager to brief about the Mumbai Division III performance in current year.

            Marketing Manager, Shri Purnendu Shekhar informed that “the insurance sector as a whole was going through very tough period. Due to current economic scenario the insurance sector was facing lots of problems in marketing the insurance products. The fact that IRDA had proposed some important changes would make our task further difficult. He informed the house that as on 15.03.2012 our Division had completed 2,38,927 policies with the negative growth of 8% and completed 323.55 Crores of FPI with negative growth of 25%. He also said that our Division was ranked 2^nd in the lowest negative growth in WZ. Our target for the current year was 3.5 Lakh policies and 600 Cr. of FPI.”

“To face the tough task the slogan “BACK TO BASICS” has been given. This slogan has 4 activities – i) Increase Resources, ii) Activate Resources, iii) Double the Income, iv) NON Single NON ULIP.  Under 1^st activity of increasing the resource, our Division has shown a positive variation of 2% in growth of agents. In Western Zone only two Divisions have shown the positive variation in this area, the other one is Surat. Under the 2^nd activity of Active resourse, our Division has activated 90% of the agents during current year. This is a 7% growth over last year. Further our Division is 2^nd in All India ranking in producing the MDRT agents. Under 3^rd activity of Double Income, the agents are focused on increasing their income. Under the 4^th activity, the more focus is now shifted on the selling of conventional plans with non-single premium & non-ULIPs”, he said.

He summed up saying that the above 4 activities were showing good results & was hopeful that our Division would reach near to the target figure if not surpassed.

           

            Shri Ramesh Tinaikar, Manager (Claims) informed the house that till 29.02.2012 claims for Rs.880 Crores had been settled and till March end the total claims of Rs.1100 crores were expected to be settled. Last year the total claims of Rs.868 crores were settled. He further informed that some initiatives like NEFT & MASH had been taken for quick settlement of the claims. MASH had taken over about 65 to 70% of the SB claims settlement from the branches. He also stressed that our Bench Marks for settlement of claims were higher than the IRDA bench mark and as such the Division always achieved the claim benchmark. He also said that this had been well appreciated by the news papers and media.

NOINO was represented by Shri Ketan Purandare, Smt. Saroj Kurdukar and Shri Prasad Joshi in the meeting. The following points were put forward by NOINO in the meeting.

1. Opening of new Customer Zone – NOINO congratulated and gave greetings on the opening of the Customer Zone at Borivli. However it was also pointed out that the location of the CCZ was not proper as there were already 3 branches in the vicinity and the purpose of the customer zone was getting defeated due to this.

    The Sr.DM replied that due to some practical difficulties it was decided to open the CCZ at Borivli premises and in due course of time he believed that it would live up to its expectations.

2. Security in Branch Offices – NOINO again raised the point which was raised in last information sharing meeting also that there was no security provided to the branch offices. In view of the huge volume of cash collected especially during the month of March and that our branch cash counters remained open till late hours; the need of the security was felt. The Sr.DM took note of it.

3. Problems of Branches 89E & 89H – On enquiry of the position of shifting of branch 89H, Sr. DM informed that the premises had been finalised and the process of approval was on. The Central Office’s approval was required in the matter and when approved the branch 89H would be shifted to the new premises in modernised setup near the Goregaon (West) railway station.

NOINO also informed that the lift of the building was not working since 15^th December and PS Deptt. of both the branches being on 4^th floor, the policyholders were getting very annoyed.

4. Problems of Branch 9051 – The problem of heat and dust faced by staff of branch 9051 and the demand to modernise the branch was pointed out by us & also pointed out that the Air Conditioners exhaust fans were creating a lot of noise and were disturbing the mental peace of the staff.

The Sr.DM informed that the modernization of Branch 9051 was under consideration.

    NOINO also submitted a few points which were, though, not within the jurisdiction of DO III management, but demanded that the feelings of the officers be conveyed to the higher office for their due consideration.

5. Non Acceptance of Promotions especially in the Cadre of ADM – We drew the attention of management towards the fact that 42 officers did not accept the promotion from AO to ADM from 1^st round and 8 officers did not accept the promotion from AO to ADM from supplementary round. i.e. total 50 officers from Western Zone had refused their promotions. Of them from Mumbai DO-III were 4 officers and 1 officer from SSS. This was mainly due to their postings to Central Zone.

Due consideration of the same should be given during the current round of promotions, it was demanded.

6. Delay in operation of contingency List of AAO – We raised that the promotion round of AAO was delayed due to certain reasons and now the operation of the contingency list had also been delayed. We registered our protest on the same.

7. NEFT – We pointed out that the circular in the matter of payments through NEFT were issued by the higher office without giving due consideration to the facts like feasibility, preparation of ground work. Lots of inconvenience and ire of the policyholders were being faced by the officers at Branch offices due to this. The programs for NEFT were still not ready.

We demanded that the due consideration to the facts related to it and the effect of the same at Branch level should be thought of before issuing such instructions.

After all the points of discussion were put by other representatives, Sr.DM informed the house that during current year stabilizers had been provided to all the branches for printers. This improved the performance of printers. “Our Division has also requested the Zonal Office for switching over from Reliance Energy to Tata. The purchase of new premises for Branch 888 is being initialized. Modernisation of Branch 91C would be done after March closing only”, he added. Being in-charge of RTI complaints, he informed that there were mainly 2 types of queries raised by policyholders – i) To enforce the bench marks that were set, like settling the Claims within particular period etc. ii) Lots of information about employees internal activities was being asked like how many employees went on strike, which Unions have called for strike etc.

The meeting concluded after votes of thanks by Marketing Manager and Sr. Divisional Manager.