Dear Comrades,

We reproduce herein below the letter addressed by AIIPA to the Chairman, LIC of India, Mumbai, urging him to implement the LIC Board Resolution of November 2001 at the earliest.

Dear Sir,

AIIPA urges for immediate solution

We had written to you earlier when the SLP against the Order under the Review Petition by the Hon’ble Jaipur High Court was pending in Supreme Court and the High Court had passed an Order keeping in abeyance, the Civil Contempt Petition till disposal of SLP by the Supreme Court. We had, in that letter, urged upon for immediate solution on the issue of full neutralisation in Dearness Relief payable to pre-1.8.1997 pensioners. Time and again, we have been impressing upon LIC not to wait for the culmination of legal process, as not the merits of the issue of full neutralisation in Dearness Relief to pre-1.8.1997 pensioners but only the procedural aspects of implementation of LIC Board Resolution of November 2001 were the issues at stake.

After the dismissal of SLPs, LIC has filed fresh SLPs and we are sure, in these petitions too, only legal nuances have been raised. To reinforce our sustained stand on this issue, we would like to point out that LIC had raised the scope and applicability of Section(48) of LIC Act, had raised questions whether the Hon’ble Jaipur High Court was right in rejecting the Review Petition, as these do not call for interference in its Review Jurisdiction, whether the High Court was right in asking LIC to implement its Board Resolution, seeking amendment of Pension Rules without actual amendment of Rules, whether LIC can be asked to do a particular thing, which if done, will act contrary to Law, whether oral submission of the Government Counsel can over-ride the provisions of statute, whether the High Court can decide that there cannot be a cut-off date for a benefit when there are judgements upholding cut-off dates etc. These and other points in the affidavit, but not mentioned here for purpose of brevity, clearly show that LIC never intended to raise the merits of the issue but was only concerned on proper manner to give effect to its Board Resolution of November 2001.

Now, we understand the SLPs against judgements of Punjab and Haryana High Court, Jaipur High Court and Delhi High Court have been converted into Civil Appeals and Civil Appeals in relation to Jaipur High Court and Delhi High Court have been tagged. Already LIC has already deposited certain amount in Jaipur High Court in respect of the eligible pensioners as per its understanding and AIIPA holds the view that having recognised the eligibility criteria in respect of the eligible petitioners, LIC can as well initiate suitable measures to get its Board Resolution implemented in respect of all pensioners on rolls as on August 1 1997. Our organisation, AIIPA, is of the firm opinion and feels the best course open to LIC, is to act on the above lines immediately even before proceedings in the Supreme Court are expected to be resumed to give concrete shape to the LIC Board Resolution by grant of uniform rate of Dearness Relief to pre-August 1997 pensioners retrospectively from August 1, 1997, with equivalent benefits to other post-August 1997 pensioners.

LIC pensioners and their families, especially those who had been waiting for long to get their legitimate due, fervently hope LIC would move in correct direction all at once.

Eventhough AIIPA has persistently argued for early favourable decisions in the matter of grant of uniform Dearness Relief for all pensioners, LIC has been oblivious to the merits and pursuing on legal matters.

All India Insurance Pensioners’ Association (AIIPA) holds a valid view that further delay can be avoided and the resentment among the pensioners redressed only if and when LIC heed to our representations and moves in the direction of immediate solution for this important issue that had its lows and highs in the past and which had seen vicissitudes and dragged on for no fault of the majority of the pensioners.

Thanking You,,

Yours faithfully,
Sd/-
(K.NATARAJAN)
GENERAL SECRETARY

•     AIIPA_Cir.19.13_.doc

Dear Comrades,

We reproduce herein below the letter addressed by AIIPA to the Chairman and the Chief Executive, GIPSA, seeking to extend an option to join/rejoin the Group Mediclaim Scheme for General Insurance pensioners, which is self-explanatory.

Dear Sir,

Option to join/rejoin Group Mediclaim Scheme for Public Sector General Insurance Companies’ Pensioners

We thank you for your acceding to our request for grant of subsidy of 75% in premium for Group Mediclaim for Public Sector General Insurance Companies’ pensioners. We would also like to thank you for the improvements brought about in the Group Mediclaim Scheme, like marginal reduction in premium, increased Sum Insured (both eligible and optional), Floater policy and to cover the parents and parents-in-law for the pensioners. We are glad that one more option to join/rejoin the Group Mediclaim Scheme has been provided for the in-service employees but the facility has not been extended to the pensioners. You may be aware, due to some genuine reasons like unaffordability or financial strain in paying the premium, some of the pensioners would have not joined or opted out of the Group Mediclaim Scheme. Now that the provision of subsidy in premium for the Group Mediclaim Scheme as also some improvements have been introduced, it is but needed that the pensioners are also extended the option to join/rejoin the Group Mediclaim Scheme. Similarly, pensioners may also be extended option to include their dependent parents for coverage in the revised Group Mediclaim Scheme.

We do hope that the need and necessity of mediclaim coverage at advanced age is appreciated by the management and our request for an option to the pensioners to join/rejoin the Group Mediclaim Scheme is considered favourably.

Thanking you in advance,

Yours faithfully,
Sd/-
(K.NATARAJAN)
GENERAL SECRETARY

•     AIIPA_Cir.18.13.doc

You are aware that AIIEA has been continuously following up with the LIC management for restoration of increment postponed due to employees’ participation in Strike on 20^th and 21^st February, 2013.

We write to inform you that LIC management through its circular Per/ER/U/Strike/13-14 dated 04/10/2013 issued instructions restoring the normal grade/stagnation increment to the employees postponed due to participation in the above mentioned strike.

This is for your information.

•     increment_restored.docx

Dear Comrades,

We reproduce herein below the letter addressed by AIIPA to the Hon’ble Finance Minister, Government of India, New Delhi, with regard to the issues of insurance pensioners, which is self-explanatory.

28th September 2013

Shri. P.Chidambaram,
Hon’ble Minister for Finance,
Government Of India,
NEW DELHI.

Dear Sir,

Issues of Insurance Pensioners

We, from the ALL INDIA INSURANCE PENSIONERS’ ASSOCIATION (AIIPA), representing a major chunk of Pensioners from the Public Sector Insurance Industry, are happy to note that the Government has taken a timely decision to constitute the Seventh Central Pay Commission  for upward revision of wages for the Central Government employees that would benefit the Central Government Pensioners too.

Central Government Pensioners, who had retired prior to the year 1996, till then getting Basic Pension on the basis of their “Pay” at the time of retirement and Dearness Relief thereon with partial neutralisation, got updated Pension and Full Neutralisation thereon when the Government accepted of the Recommendations of Fifth Pay Commission,    with yourself, heading the Finance Ministry then also.

Our Organisation has been urging upon the Managements of LIC and Public Sector General Insurance Companies and the Government ever since that such a benefit be extended to Insurance Pensioners too and it has been our repeated refrain especially after acceptance of the Recommendations of Sixth Pay Commission effective from January 2006.

However, there has been no positive response and Insurance Pensioners continue to be paid pre-revised Basic Pension with a certain section still getting truncated Dearness Relief.

AIIPA firmly believes that the demand for ending this differential treatment is most justified and Insurance Pensioners, as part of the Senior Citizens of this country, deserve to be treated on par with the Central Government Pensioners.

Pensioners from LIC and Four Public Sector General Insurance Companies and their families constitute an important segment of the population and they had, while in service, contributed to the growth of these Institutions and to the growth of Indian Economy and we are sure the Government will readily acknowledge their role.

Our Organisation thinks that Insurance Pensioners and their kith and kin have been appreciative of the efforts of the Government in matters like  passing of RTI Act, Women’s Reservation Bill, MGREGA, Food Security Act etc.

The decision by the Government to grant increase in Dearness Allowance and Dearness Relief to Central Government employees and pensioners to compensate for higher cost of living is a welcome step and though insurance pensioners too get periodic revision in Dearness Relief, the compensation they are entitled as per rules is much less as they get Dearness Relief on pre-revised Basic Pension and a truncated Dearness Relief by some.

The Government, by granting higher Family Pension at Uniform Rate to the spouses of Central Government employees and granting similar benefits to RBI pensioners, has done yeomen service to those who had lost their beloved ones and inspite of our representations, LIC and GIPSA are yet to come out with positive response.

We feel solutions to the issues of Insurance Pensioners brook no further delay and Government should   immediately initiate measures to grant Full Neutralisation to pre-August 1997 Retirees, grant uniform Family Pension at 30% for all those presently getting Family Pension and grant updated Pension to correspond to present wage levels to all  the Pensioners drawing Basic Pension at lower CPI levels prevalent at the time of their cessation of service.

Having put their toil for the growth of LIC and GIC and their contribution to the National Exchequer and being part of a conscious section of the Senior Citizens,  Pensioners from the Insurance Industry look forward to favourable decisions.  

All India Insurance Pensioners’ Association (AIIPA)  desires that the Hon’ble Finance Minister, taking into account the sentiments expressed herein and appreciating the merits of the issues  put forth, uses his good offices to ensure justice is done to the cause of Insurance Pensioners.

Thanking You,

Yours faithfully,
Sd/-
(K.NATARAJAN)
GENERAL SECRETARY

•     AIIPA_Cir.17.13_.doc

To all the Zonal/Divisional/State/Regional Units:
Dear Comrades,

The Chairman of LICI was in Hyderabad on 3rd September 2013 in connection with certain official engagements.  AIIEA delegation consisting of Com. K. Venu Gopal, General Secretary and Com. V. Ramesh, Joint Secretary met him and discussed certain pending issues of the employees.

On the issue of one more option for pension, Chairman informed that LIC is making serious efforts with the Government to see that this issue is resolved early. AIIEA informed the Chairman that wage revision is also a subject which is agitating the minds of the employees and that in this context the issue of one more option for pension is to be clinched early.

On the issue of 100% neutralization for pre 1-8-97 retirees and the question of updation of pension, Chairman said that LIC has to await the outcome of the SLPs filed before the Supreme Court.

AIIEA also raised the issues relating to PLLI, recruitment, absorption of temporary employees working for a very long time in the Assistant’s cadre, and the issue relating to temporary Class IV employees of Asansol and Burdwan divisions.  

On 5th September, 2013, AIIEA delegation of Com. K. Venu Gopal and Com. V. Ramesh met the Executive Director (Personnel) and Chief (Personnel) who were in Hyderabad for a Conference. The pending issues of the employees including the issues represented to the Chairman were appraised to these officials.

On the issue of upgradation scheme of RPT employees, which was approved by the Board of LIC, The ED (P) informed that Government sought certain details which were provided and that the LIC is in constant follow up with the Government to implement the scheme early.

AIIEA delegation also reminded about the AIIEA’s letter to the management seeking restoration of increment postponed due to strike action on 20th/21st February 2013.  ED (P) said that the issue will be attended soon.

These were the brief details of our discussions with the officials of LIC.

With greetings,
Comradely yours,


General Secretary.

•     Cir_11_2013.doc

Dear Comrades,

Early resolution of issues of insurance pensioners

In the aftermath of the latest developments in the legal  front, AIIPA has addressed a letter to the Chairman, LIC, on August 13, 2013 and the same is reproduced herein below. As can be seen, the communication has urged upon LIC Management to initiate measures for granting uniform rate of Dearness Relief to all Pensioners and for granting higher Ex-gratia for pre-1986  Retirees.

Insurance Pensioners are well aware of the principled stand of the AIIPA to get solutions through process of dialogue and time and again this has proved to be correct and if and when LIC contemplates to engage itself afresh in judicial process, there is bound to be further delay, though AIIPA has been representing for early favourable solutions independent of extraneous factors. We had been trying to impress upon LIC Management not to defer taking decisions and our latest letter underscores this point and refers to the background of LIC Board Resolution of November 2001, the willingness on the part of the Government, as told to our Delegation in 2008 before  the Authorities hardened their stance.

Had not the Pensioners outside our sphere of influence engaged themselves in filing multiple IAs, may be the duration of the whole process could have been shorter.

Insurance Pensioners are aware that the Hon’ble Supreme Court has dismissed the SLPs on the ground that SLP has not challenged the judgement of the Division Bench of Hon’ble Jaipur High Court and LIC has failed to show apparent error on the face of record in the Order dismissing the Review Petition filed by LIC before the Hon’ble Jaipur High Court. This order has also stated that LIC is not precluded from filing another SLP challenging the Division Bench Order and Application for condonation of delay, if and when fresh SLP is filed, will be decided on merits and LIC cannot claim it as a matter of right. This order also states that the interim order passed shall automatically stand vacated.

The relevant portion of the Hon’ble Supreme Court Order of 8.8.2013 is reproduced below for the information of the pensioners:

“In our view, in the absence of challenge to the  judgment of the Division Bench of the High Court vide which  the  special appeals filed  by  the  petitioner  were  dismissed,  the  special  leave  petitions filed against the order passed in the review petitions  do  not merit acceptance, more so, because the learned  senior  counsel  for  the petitioner could not show that the order under challenge is  vitiated  by an error apparent on the face of the record.

With the above observations, I.A.Nos.12-13 of 2013 are allowed and the special leave petitions are dismissed. The interim order  passed by this Court stands automatically vacated.

However, it is  made   clear   that   this   order  shall  not preclude the  SLP   petitioner   from  filing   special  leave  petitions against   the  judgment of the Division Bench of the High Court by  which the special appeals were dismissed. It is also made clear that this order shall not entitle the SLP petitioner to claim condonation of delay  as a matter of right and the application, if any, filed for this purpose  will be decided on its own merits.”

It shall be the earnest attempt of AIIPA once again to bring about solutions and to safeguard and further the interests of Insurance Pensioners by pursuing with LIC/GIPSA and the Government.

With Greetings,

Yours Comradely,

(K.NATARAJAN)

General Secretary

Dear Sir,

Early resolution of LIC pensioners’ issues

All India Insurance Pensioners’ Association (AIIPA) has been consistently impressing upon LIC Management, the need to redress the grievances of pre-August 1997 pensioners and recipients of Ex-gratia (pre-1.1.1986 retirees) and has been stressing that these issues should get settled without waiting for culmination of the legal process.

AIIPA has also been pointing out that the Management of LIC has a moral responsibility to get its Board Resolution of November 2001 implemented and grant uniform rate of Dearness Relief for all pensioners.

Now in the context of litigation proceedings having come to an end, the Organisation feels, LIC should, without any let up, initiate steps to ensure that the decision of LIC taken in its Board way back in 2001 and for implementation of which, there was favourable inclination as also the issue of increase in Ex-gratia, gets concretised.

AIIPA desires that solutions of these issues should not again get delayed and the LIC should carry through the understanding that was signaled to us when we met in the year 2008.

In fine, we urge upon the Management of LIC to grant uniform rate of Dearness Relief to pre-August 1997 pensioners from August 1, 1997 and extend benefit to post-July 1997 pensioners and also sanction the much needed increase in Ex-gratia to pre-1986 retirees.

We are hopeful of immediate positive response and that solutions will be forthcoming at the earliest.

Thanking You,

Yours faithfully,
Sd/-
(K.NATARAJAN)
General Secretary

•     AIIPA_Cir.16.13.doc

Dear Comrades,

We have been receiving queries from some units about placing a demand for linking the food coupons with price index.

We have already clarified on this issue in the year 2011.

The original scheme of food coupons announced in September 2010 provided for linkage of the food coupon amount with price index and to revise the amount every year subject to costing of the scheme.

That is how, in the year 2011 and 2012 the food coupon amount was revised.

So, this year also in the month of September 2013 the circular on revision of food coupon is expected. You may inform this to the divisional units.

Comradely yours,

(K. Venu Gopal)
General Secretary

Group Savings Linked Insurance Scheme (GSLI) for LIC Employees. Please download Circular No.CO/Per/ER-A/038/2013 Dated 13/08/2013 for more details.

•     GSLI.pdf

दिनांक ३० जुलाई २०१३ को मध्य क्षेत्रीय प्रबंधन के साथ सूचना सहभागिता सत्र में CZIEA की पूर्ण वार्ता समिति की मध्य क्षेत्र के कर्मचारियों से संबंधित विभिन्न मुद्दों पर विस्तृत चर्चा संपन्न हुई। इस चर्चा में CZIEA की ओर से उठाये गये विभिन्न मुद्दों पर चर्चा का सार पढने के लिये सर्कूलर डाउनलोड करें।

•     CZIEA20130805_5.pdf

निर्धारित कार्यक्रम के अनुसार CZIEA सचिव मंडल की बैठक २९ जुलाई २०१३ को CZIEA के उपाध्यक्ष का. एन. चक्रवर्ती की अध्यक्षता में भोपाल में संपन्न हुई।
बैठक में आगामी दिनों के लिये निम्न कार्यक्रम तय किये गये -

• बीमा कानून संशोधन विधेयक के खिलाफ जारी रखो अभियान
• क्षेत्रीय महिला सम्मेलन
• CZIEA का आगामी अधिवेशन
• AIIEA का आगामी अधिवेशन
• भारत के लिये लोग मंच
• अंशकालिन कर्मचारियों का अपग्रेडेशन
• CZIEA का वेबसाईट

विस्तृत जानकारी के लिये सर्कूलर डाउनलोड करें।

•     CZIEA20130805_4.pdf