NOIP circular no 22 - 2024

 NATIONAL ORGANISATION OF INSURANCE PENSIONERS

Regn No.PN 4769 (Regd under Indian T U Act, 1926)

(Affiliated to Bharateeya Mazdoor Sangh)

BMS Office, Vishwakarma Bhavan, 185, Shaniwar Peth, Pune 411030.

 President: T.C. Gunesh Kumar General Secretary: Ashok J. Joshi

 Mob No: 9880683639 Mob No: 9561084182 & 9945104570

Date: 31-07-2024

Cir No 22/2024

Dr. Vivek Joshi,

Secretary (DFS),

Jeevan Deep Bldg,

Parliament Street,

New Delhi

Dear Sir,

Sub: Consideration of Training Period for the calculation of Pension and Gratuity in

respect of Development Officers of LIC of India.

With reference to the captioned matter, we would like to bring to your erudite self the following

points, for your kind information and necessary intervention-

✓ Despite our continuous follow up with the LIC officials at Central Office for more than 4

years, the vexed issue of consideration of training period spent by the retired

Development Officers prior to their absorption as a regular Class II officer, for the

purpose of terminal benefits, is not yet resolved.

✓ LIC has issued in the long past, various circulars, to consider the training period spent by

the Class I, III, IV employees, for computation of pension and gratuity etc.

✓ The step motherly attitude being exhibited by LIC in respect of Development Officers, is

not understandable and unfathomable.

✓ The Case reference is of Karnataka High Court, for granting of Gratuities to all class of

employees vide the case WA No. 993 of 2006, H. Ramappa & Ors Vs General Manager,

Sri Yellamma Cotton, Woolen and Silk Mills, Davangere Distt & Ors. The said judgment

avers that if an employee, after successful completion of Apprentice period, is absorbed

in the regular service without break in service, the period spent on Apprentice should be

considered, for all terminal benefits including gratuity.

✓ The same case is with our development officers. After completing Apprentice

Development Officers’ Training period (ADO period), in almost all cases (who satisfy

qualifying conditions), they are put on probation without break in service.

✓ Rule 20 of LIC of India (Employees’) Pension Rules, 1995, inter alia states unequivocally-

“Counting of period spent on training- period spent by an employee on training in the Corporation immediately before his appointment or re-deployment or re-appointment

shall count as qualifying service”.

✓ We reliably learn that, LIC had considered positively the above said HC’s judgment, way

back in 2011 and 2014 and had decided to consider the training period of all Classes of

employees from Class I to IV, as a qualifying service for computation of terminal

benefits. But, much to our chagrin, it was not applied to Development Officers, who

bring bread and oxygen to the LIC by way of New Business.

✓ This is done in clear violation of Article 14 of the Constitution of India.

As such, we implore upon you to intervene in the matter and advise the LIC management

suitably, to undo this gross injustice and oblige.

We anticipate your earliest positive response in the matter,

With thanks and regards,

Yours Sincerely,

General Secretary

NOIP circular no 21 - 2024

 NATIONAL ORGANISATION OF INSURANCE PENSIONERS

Regn No.PN 4769 (Regd under Indian T U Act, 1926)

(Affiliated to Bharateeya Mazdoor Sangh)

BMS Office, Vishwakarma Bhavan, 185, Shaniwar Peth, Pune 411030.

 President: T.C. Gunesh Kumar General Secretary: Ashok J. Joshi

 Mob No: 9880683639 Mob No: 9561084182 & 9945104570

Date: 30-07-2024

Cir No 21/2024

The Chief Executive Officer & MD,

LIC of India, Central Office,

“Yogakshema”, MUMBAI.

Respected Sir,

Re : MINIMUM PENSION.

At the outset we are thankful to the Personnel Dept, for coming out with revised CO Circular No:

342 on 25-07-2024 which sets the tone for refixation of Pension due to Wage Revision due

01-08-2022 and payment of arrears arising out of this action viz. Pension arrears, difference in

CV etc for those retired on or after 01-08-2022.

However, we would like to point out certain redundant clauses in the above Circular. We would

like to draw your kind attention to the Serial Numbers: 7, 8, 9 and 11 of the above referred Circular.

1. Serial number 7 and all other above quoted clauses in the circular deal with Minimum

Pension – historical as well as for the current WR.

Please find attached herewith the Statement on Minimum Pension for all Cadres giving the Stage

in the Scale upto which the benefit flows – since 11/1993 onwards till 8/2022 Wage Revisions.

You will notice that the Minimum Pension has eroded the stages in every Wage Revision, thereby

bringing down the number of eligible Pensioners and Family Pensioners under this clause.

The ADM cadre Officers lost the benefit of minimum pension in 8/1997 Wage Revision, the AO

Cadre Officers lost this benefit with 8/2007 Wage Revision, the AAO cadre Officers in 8/2012

Wage Revision. And now in 8/2022 Wage Revision, in one stroke all Employees right from

Sweeper onwards are deprived of this benefit.

2. In this regard we would like to draw your kind attention to our letter on the subject dated

07-10-2023 addressed to Sri Satpal Bhanooji, MD, after LIC issued Administrative

Instructions for implementation of Uniform 30% Family Pension to all. (copy of the same

is enclosed for your ready reference).

3. We feel the benefit of minimum Pension is lost due to unscientific way of fixation of

Minimum Pension after every Wage Revision.

4. After the present Wage Revision wef 01-08-2022, the minimum pension fixed is

Rs.5,420/-. The starting scale of Sweeper is Rs.29,585/-. Should there be an unfortunate

death of that employee the 30% Family Pension works out to Rs.8,876/-, so the Minimum

Pension of Rs.5,420/- becomes redundant. Although 50% F P is payable in this case,

for the sake of example only 30% FP is taken to show the redundancy of Minimum

pension fixed. So, the minimum pension fixed under serial number 11 is totally

untenable, which requires scientific re-fixation.

5. Now coming to the instructions under Serial number 8 & 9 as per DHC Judgement dtd

27-04-2017 to protect Minimum pension- The minimum pension in 2017 WR is Rs.4,070/-.

The DR on this Minimum Basic Pension as on 01-08-2022 = (4070x0.0008x526) = Rs.1712-

66. So, the Total F P works out to (4070-00 + 1712-66) = Rs.5,782-66. Hence NO BENEFIT

flows under DHC Judgement unless the MINIMUM PENSION is revised scientifically

upward. BOTH THESE INSTRUCTIONS IN THE CIRCULAR BECOME

REDUNDANT.

6. When not a single employee is eligible, on retirement, and no Family Pensioner is

eligible to get the benefit of Minimum Pension, all clauses dealing with this subject in

the above circular are of NO USE to anybody.

We therefore urge upon you to cause scientific re-fixation of Minimum Pension and oblige. Else

all the above instructions quoted under serial numbers 7, 8, 9 & 11 are REDUNDANT.

Thanking you in anticipation of doing justice to Minimum Pension receivers.

With thanks and regards,

Encls: As above and Statement of stages upto which minimum pension is available over a period

of W Rs.

Yours Sincerely,

 General Secretary 

NOIP circular no. 20 - 2024

 NATIONAL ORGANISATION OF INSURANCE PENSIONERS

Regn No.PN 4769 (Regd under Indian T U Act, 1926)

(Affiliated to Bharateeya Mazdoor Sangh)

BMS Office, Vishwakarma Bhavan, 185, Shaniwar Peth, Pune 411030.

 President: T.C. Gunesh Kumar General Secretary: Ashok J. Joshi

 Mob No: 9880683639 Mob No: 9561084182 & 9945104570

Date: 23-07-2024

 Cir No 20/2024

 BMS Foundation Day

Today, BMS entered the 70th fruitful year of its existence serving crores of workers. Full year up

to 23-07-2025, BMS has decided to celebrate with many special activities, coinciding with the

centenary year celebrations of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).

BMS has taken up’ Panch Parivartan’ programme￾August 2024- Paryavaran

September- Kutumb Prabhodan

October- Samajik Samarasata

November- Nagarik Kartavya

December- Swadeshi.

In addition to the above, many more activities would be undertaken for the whole year.

Members of NOIP are requested to participate in the programmes of the Local/District/State

BMS of their respective area.

General Secretary

NOIP Circular no. 19 - 2024

 NATIONAL ORGANISATION OF INSURANCE PENSIONERS

Regn No.PN 4769 (Regd under Indian T U Act, 1926)

(Affiliated to Bharateeya Mazdoor Sangh)

BMS Office, Vishwakarma Bhavan, 185, Shaniwar Peth, Pune 411030. 

 President: T.C. Gunesh Kumar General Secretary: Ashok J. Joshi

 Mob No: 9880683639 Mob No: 9561084182 & 9945104570 

 

Date: 09-07-2024

Cir No 19/2024

Shri. M. Jagannath,

Managing Director,

L I C of India, Central Office,

Yogakshema, MUMBAI

Dear Sir,

Re: Issues of LICAs

We are happy that the dynamic person like you hold the charge of Marketing Dept of our 

beloved institution and we are sanguine that the interest of the marketing force in LIC would be 

taken care of under your stewardship.

National Organisation of Insurance Pensioners (BMS) is a most vibrant union of the pensioners 

of LIC of India encompassing retirees from Cl I to IV. We are happy to share that more than 2000 

retired development officers (including retired SBAs) are the members of our union as on date.

Hundreds of our members are high producing LICAs in the entire country.

To deliberate on the issues confronting the retired development officers, NOIP conducted an 

exclusive national convention of our retired development officer members at AGRA on 

27-02-2024. It was resolved to take up the issues at corporate level for necessary redressal. Even 

after a lapse of 4 months after the convention, the issues remain unresolved. As a last resort we 

decided to approach you for your kind personal intervention in the matter. The issues are briefly 

enumerated here below￾A) Consideration of ADO (Apprentice Development Officer) period for computing terminal 

benefits such as Gratuity and Pension etc. NOIP has been following up with the Central 

Office in the last 4-5 years requesting to consider ADO’s period for computing terminal 

benefits. Though the letter was issued by the Personnel Dept of CO 10 years back, advising 

the ZOs to consider the ADO’s period for computing terminal benefits, majority of the 

operating offices have failed to implement the same. Though the matter pertains to the 

Personnel Dept, we appeal to you to use your good offices for issuing fresh instructions in 

this regard and oblige.

B) Issues of LICAs- 1) Exclusive space for LICAs in Branch premises- It is rather a sorry state of

affairs to note that LICAs are not provided exclusive space in the Branch premises to

conduct their business activities. We are informed that the CLIAs are also provided a space

in the Branches. We fail to understand as to why a step motherly attitude is shown to the

LICAs. You are aware that good chunk of LICAs are very high producers. It is rather painful to

note that LICAs have no space provided to sit and conduct their business activities. It is a

basic necessity and not a luxury. LIC being a business organization, it is expected to look into

this subtle aspect of denying the basic amenity.

We implore upon you to bestow your personal attention and arrange to issue necessary

instructions to ZMs for providing exclusive sitting space to LICAs in the Branch premises.

2) Business review for OMA purpose- It is learnt that business is being reviewed every

quarterly for OMA purpose rather than yearly. The rules are said to be very harsh that fail

the test of equity and fair play, thus denying the said benefit in majority of the cases. LICAS

have been requesting for yearly review of business for this purpose, so that they can be

rendered justice.

We urge upon you to reconsider the matter and arrange to issue instructions for yearly

review and oblige.

We fervently hope that necessary relief is bestowed on the retired development officers in

respect of A & B above.

With thanks and regards,

Yours Sincerely,

General Secretary

 (Ashok Joshi)

NOIP Circular No 18 - 2024

 NATIONAL ORGANISATION OF INSURANCE PENSIONERS

Regn No.PN 4769 (Regd under Indian T U Act, 1926)

(Affiliated to Bharateeya Mazdoor Sangh)

BMS Office, Vishwakarma Bhavan, 185, Shaniwar Peth, Pune 411030.

 President: T.C. Gunesh Kumar General Secretary: Ashok J. Joshi

 Mob No: 9880683639 Mob No: 9561084182 & 9945104570

Date: 11-06-2024

Cir No 18/2024

Smt.Nirmala Sitharaman ji,

Honourable Minister for Finance & Corporate Affairs,

Govt of India, North Block,

New Delhi

Respected Madam,

Sub: Hearty greetings

We are pleased to note that you are once again inducted as the finance minister of this great, vibrant,

democratic Bharat, by Modi 3.0 government. You richly deserve this. Please accept our hearty

congratulations on this feat.

This has reference to our earlier letters dtd.15-6-2019, 02-01-2020, 19-07-2020, 7-10-2020, 17-4-2021,

08-06-2021, 1-10-2021, 20-10-2021, 23-11-2021, 24-09-2022, 25-02-2023, 12-09-2023 & 21-11-2023

regarding the pending pension related issue of LIC pensioners.

We are happy to note that you approved the historic wage revision for the in service LIC employees. You

also approved the enhancement of family pension, the issue which was long pending. We are indebted

to you for this benevolence.

We would like to draw your kind attention once again, to the following pension issues pending for

resolution, since decades. The pensioners are at your mercy, because they cannot sustain the long fight

to realise their rightful demands during their twilight days. The people of India have given another

mandate to Modi govt, expecting all round progress of the society at large. We are also part of this

society and rightfully expect that our issues be resolved satisfactorily.

We reiterate the pending issues here below￾1) Updation of pension with every wage revision- OROP

2) One more pension option to the left-over ex-servicemen and directly recruited

Superintending/Executive engineers (whose number is less than 100 in total). When

Modiji and yourself have done a lot of good things to the Ex-Servicemen including grant

of OROP, why a handful of ex-servicemen in LIC are denied the pension option, is not

understandable.

3) Increased pension to 80+ seniors.

4) Double the family pension up to age 67 in case pensioner dies before age 67.

5) Computation of pension at 50% of last pay drawn or 50% of last 10 months’ average pay,

whichever is favourable to the retiree.

6) Full pension for service of 20 years or more.

7) One more pension option to those PF optees, who have resigned and had put in more

than 20 years of service. (Resigned due to domestic/health issues, mostly ladies). The said

option has already been granted to the resignees in Banks in their 12th Bipartite Wage

Settlement.

We learn that the LIC management has already recommended the issues vide Sl Nos 2,3,4

& 5 above.

We fervently hope that your erudite self would bestow personal attention in the matter and

advise the DFS Dept to settle the long pending issues of senior citizens of LIC, once and for

all.

We look forward to meet you at the earliest.

With kind regards and thanks,

Yours Sincerely,

General Secretary

NOIP Circular No 17 - 2024

 NATIONAL ORGANISATION OF INSURANCE PENSIONERS

Regn No.PN 4769 (Regd under Indian T U Act, 1926)

(Affiliated to Bharateeya Mazdoor Sangh)

BMS Office, Vishwakarma Bhavan, 185, Shaniwar Peth, Pune 411030.

 President: T.C. Gunesh Kumar General Secretary: Ashok J. Joshi

 Mob No: 9880683639 Mob No: 9561084182 & 9945104570

Date: 10-06-2024

Cir No 17/2024

Shri. Prashant Kumar Goyal,

Joint Secretary (Insurance),

Dept of Financial Services,

Jeevan Deep Bldg, Sansad Marg,

New Delhi

Dear Sir,

Sub: Pending pension related issues of LIC’s Pensioners vis-à-vis our meeting held with you.

This is further to our meeting with you in your office in Delhi on 25-04-2024. We are grateful to

you for having given to us an audience, to discuss the pending pension related issues. You were

kind enough to give a patient hearing and we were impressed by your reassuring gesture.

➢ You informed us that ex gratia payment to LIC’s pensioners has been approved by the

DFS. On our pointed query, you affirmed that it is on bank pattern.

➢ On 7-5-2024, LIC issued a circular granting one time ex gratia payment to the pensioners

and family pensioners. It is a paltry amount and denied payment to pensioners less than

70 years of age and it is contrary to what was granted to the bank pensioners.

➢ In banks, monthly ex gratia has been sanctioned for the period of 12th Bipartite

settlement and is being paid every month along with the usual pension, pending

pension updation, to all the pensioners without any discrimination.

➢ LIC has discriminated by denying the one-time ex gratia to those pensioners less than 70

years of age, which act of theirs smacks of equity, fairness; and vindicates their divisive

action of denying the benefit to all (pensioners of less than 70 years of age were left

out).

➢ Hence, we implore upon you to- 1) grant the one-time ex gratia to all the pensioners

irrespective of age, 2) Increase the one-time ex gratia to at least 5 times the amount

granted to all categories of pensioners, irrespective of the age of pensioners AND/OR 3)

Grant substantial monthly ex gratia (better than the one granted to bank pensioners) for

the current wage revision period, to be paid to all the pensioners/family pensioners, till

the pension updation is done.

➢ We also request you to consider other pension related demands made by us including

One More Pension Option (OMOP) to the less than 100 ex-servicemen and directly

recruited engineers.

We hope to receive a positive response from your end,

With thanks and regards,

 Yours Sincerely,

 General Secretary

NOIP Circular No 16 - 2024

 NATIONAL ORGANISATION OF INSURANCE PENSIONERS

Regn No.PN 4769 (Regd under Indian T U Act, 1926)

(Affiliated to Bharateeya Mazdoor Sangh)

BMS Office, Vishwakarma Bhavan, 185, Shaniwar Peth, Pune 411030.

 President: T.C. Gunesh Kumar General Secretary: Ashok J. Joshi

 Mob No: 9880683639 Mob No: 9561084182 & 9945104570

Date: 02-06-2024

Cir No 16/2024

The Chairperson,

L I C of India, Central Office,

“Yogakshema”, Jeevan Bima Marg,

Mumbai – 400021

Dear Sir,

Re: - Certain Changes in our Group Mediclaim Policy

Our Group Mediclaim Policy, for the benefit of employees and Retired employees, was renewed with New

India Assurance Company Ltd for one year with effect from 01.04.2024 to 31.03.2025 (b.d.i) for a total

premium of Rs 864,53,88,000/- (including GST).

Recently, certain changes have taken place in the Health Insurance Industry but those have not been

incorporated in our policy conditions. The major two such important changes, amongst others, relevant

to our employees/retired employees are given below.

• Guidelines on providing AYUSH coverage in Health Insurance Policies vide IRDAI circular Ref:

IRDAI/HLT/CIR/GDL/31/01/2024 dated 31.01.2024, wherein it has been clearly stated to

consider AYUSH treatments at par with other treatments. The circular states that, the policy shall

also contain the parameters as well as procedure for enrolling AYUSH Hospitals/Day care Centers

as network providers for the purpose of providing cashless facility. The circular to come into

force w.e.f 01.04.2024, as mentioned in the said circular. But in our GMC Policy Bond at page no

18, vide serial no 4, where AYUSH has been explained, this provision has not been considered.

Moreover, the maximum reimbursement under AYUSH has been restricted to 25% of sum

insured during the policy period. This is not as per guideline of IRDAI circular as mentioned above.

• Cashless Everywhere: Till now a health insurance policyholder can get cashless treatment only

at network hospitals with whom the insurance company has tied up. If it is a non -network

hospital, the policyholder has to pay the entire amount from his pocket and then go through the

cumbersome reimbursement process. The General Insurance Council (GIC) in consultation with

general and health Insurance Companies has launched ‘Cashless Everywhere’ initiative to extend

the cashless treatment at all hospitals. Health Insurance policyholders can now avail of cashless

facilities even at hospitals that are not in the network of the insurers. The cashless facility at non￾network hospitals will be effective immediately as per General Insurance Council statement on 24.01.2024. Several Private General Insurance Companies e.g Bajaj Allianze, TATA AIG have

welcomed this proposal. Surprisingly, our Insurer NIA is silent on this issue till date. Hence, we

request “The procedure for availing cashless access service” as enumerated in page no 13 and

14 at serial no 4 of the same GMC Policy Bond should be suitably revised by our Insurer NIA

immediately by way of administrative instruction.

We, therefore, strongly urge upon you to take up the matter with the New India Assurance Company Ltd

at the earliest so that uniform procedure is followed throughout the country and due benefit is provided

to the employees and retired employees of LIC of India.

Copy of the relevant documents are attached for your ready reference.

With thanks and regards,

 Yours Sincerely,

 General Secretary