Friday, January 30, 2015

Bank News

Today’s meeting of subgroup on service conditions of workmen concluded this evening. Leave Rules, LFC, Staff Loans, Disciplinary Rules, Retired Employees & Ex-servicemen issues were discussed. Talks remained incomplete. It will resume on 10th February 2015.

To discuss quantum / percentage of wage-rise, full negotiating team will meet on 3rd February 2015.

Consumer Price Index & DA

All-India Average Consumer Price Index Numbers for Industrial Workers (CPI-IW) are:

  October 2014 – 253,
  November 2014 – 253, and
  December 2014 – 253.

As such, Dearness Allowance (DA) will rise by 2 slabs (0.30%) w.e.f. 1st February 2015.

Individual Discussion on Information Sharing

NOINO has been invited on 11th February 2015 for one-to-one discussion (LIC Management with NOINO) on different points as stated by the Chairman and other officials during Information Sharing Session on 24th January 2015.

Tuesday, January 27, 2015

Transfer & Mobility Policy – Draft by Management

NOINO has been regularly emphasising that LIC should have a transparent transfer (and posting on promotion) policy. NOINO submitted a 33-point suggestion also in this regard on 25.08.2012. The management has now come out with the draft of such a “Transfer and Mobility Policy for Class-I officers” and has asked for our suggestions on it. For the sake of knowledge of our members, the draft is being reproduced below:

[DRAFT] TRANSFER AND MOBILITY POLICY
FOR CLASS-I OFFICERS
1] Vision
To have optimally functioning offices across the Country for best possible Marketing operations and servicing to customers to ultimately achieve the objectives of the Corporation
2] Objectives
The following are the objectives of Transfer and Posting Policy.
1] To match organizational goals with individual aspirations
2] To have a work force, fully engaged in the performance of their duties
3] To create a cadre of specialists.
4] To confirm to various Government guidelines as far as possible
5] To implement CVC guidelines regarding rotation of officers in sensitive posts.
6] To have right person at right position and place.
7] To maintain cadre-wise balance.
8] To meet organizational need of officers with varied experience and enriched job knowledge.
9] To provide an opportunity to the officers to improve their proficiency, self development and career path
10] To groom the officers for taking positions in higher rank
11] To bring in transparency.
3] Applicability :
This Transfer and Mobility Policy is applicable to the officers of the Corporation upto Sr.Divisional Manager Cadre except officers posted on deputation.  For officers posted on deputation, Deputation Policy [as approved by the Board] shall be applicable.
4] Basis :
This Policy is formulated in accordance with Regulations 20 & 80 of LIC of India [Staff] Regulations 1960, which are as under.
Regulation 20-Scope of an Employee’s Service
Unless in any case it be otherwise distinctly provided, the whole time of an employee shall be at the disposal of the Corporation and he shall serve the Corporation in its business in such capacity and at such place as he may, from to time, he directed”
Regulation 80-Tramsfers :
“The competent authority may transfer an employee from one department to another in the same office or from one office of the Corporation to another office”
Regulation 4 of LIC of India[Staff] Regulations, 1960 authorizes Chairman to issue such instructions or directions, as may be necessary to give effect to the above Regulations, from time to time.
5] Definitions :
In this Policy, unless there is anything repugnant in the subject or context:
A] “Transfer” means Relocation from one town/city/urban agglomeration to another town/city/urban agglomeration.
B] “Re-deployment” means Movement from one Branch/Office to another Branch/Office within the same station.
c] “Station” means Town or city upto the municipal limits or an urban agglomeration or a territorial area as per Census of India where the same salary and allowances including HRA & CCA are payable.  It also includes a territory notified by the Government as project area or an area defined for development like National Capital Territory etc.
d] “Normal Period of Posting” means Continuous posting of ADM and above cadre officers in SAME POSITION for a period of 3 years and SAME STATION for a period of 6 years  [For Metros it is 10 years] & continuous posting of AAO/AO cadre officers in SAME POSITION for a period of 4 years and SAME/STATION for a period of 8 years [for Metros it is 10 years] after which an officer becomes due for Redeployment/Transfer.
e] “Administrative Transfer” means Transfer made without request due to office exigencies.
f] “Qualifying/Active Service for Request Transfers” means No. of years of stay at one station at a single stretch, to be reckoned from the Date of joining.  If the Officer avails leave beyond 90 days [inclusive of all leave] in a year, that will not be counted as “qualifying service” for Request transfer.
g] “Request Transfer” means such transfer for which the order is issued by the Competent Authority considering the request of the officer for his/her posting at a station of his/her choice.
All words and expressions used herein and not defined herein but defined in the LIC of India [Staff] Regulations, 1960 or the various Rules made there under, shall have the meaning assigned to them in the said Staff Regulations/Rules.
6] Maximum tenure :
The maximum tenure for various cadres is as under:
A] ForAAO/AO 4 years in a position/assignment and 8 years in a particular station [10 years in the case of Metros]
B] For ADM and above Cadre officers 3 years in a position/assignment and 6 years in a particular station [10 years in the case of Metros]
7] Specialized postings :
The specialized postings shall be governed by LIC of India {Special Allowance for In-house Development of Actuarial Capability} Amendment rules 2010 & LIC of India Information Technology Specialist Group (Selection, Terms and conditions of Service and Payment of Allowances)   Rules 2007 and the instructions issued from time to time.  Maximum tenure [stay] conditions shall not apply for those having actuarial qualifications including those in Core Group and those selected for a part of Specialist Groups in IT/Investment.  Maximum tenure at a particular station shall not be applicable in the case of AAO (PA’S).  Notwithstanding the above , Appointing authority reserves the right to retain or transfer such officers.
8] Rotation of officials working in sensitive posts :
The Rotation of officials working in sensitive posts/Departments shall be governed by circular letter dated 17/7/2014 [ref:Per/Adm/GRF/642/1415/0003] viz., Officers posted in sensitive departments/positions are to be compulsorily Redeployed/Transferred every Two/Three years Departments/Positions, identified as sensitive are listed in the circular.
9] Request transfers :
Officers with 3 years active service and above can apply for  transfer but the officer whose service is more at that centre will have right to get priority in transfer.  In case of female officers, the active service required is 2 years.
10] Newly promoted AAO’s and Direct Recruit AAO’s
Initially these officers shall be posted in branches for a period of 5 years.
11] Posting of officers due for retirement:
Officers aged 58 years [lbd] & above shall not be transferred from a station even on promotion unless the place where the officer is posted does not have the vacancy for the elevated cadre. Age has to be reckoned as on 1st of April of the particular year. 

12] Transfers based on Government OM’s
A] Posting of PWD employees shall be as per DOPT OMs dated 10.5.1990 [ref:A-B/14017/41/90-Estt.(RR)] & dated 13/03/2002 [ref:A-B 14017/16/2002-Estt.(RR)]  As per the above OMs requests from employees falling in the category for transfer to or near their native places may be given preference.
B] In case of officers who have differently abled dependent children, posting shall be done as per DOPT OM dated 06/06/2014 [No.42011/3/2014-Estt.(Res)]. As per the above OM an officer who is also a care giver of disabled child may be exempted from the routine exercise of transfer.
13] Transfer to Marketing side :
No officer shall be retained in the same branch on Transfer to Marketing side {Job Rotation)  on Transfer to Marketing side, no officer in the cadre of BM shall be posted either as BM{Sales] BM [Training} or any other such position. (Circular dated 03/11/1999 Ref:Per:Admn/D/64].
14] Transfer to Administrative Side :
Continuous/Total stay at a particular station shall be considered on Transfer to  Administrative [De-Roation] assignment/premature transfer to administration in accordance with NPP. As far as possible, those transferred to administration in the cadre of AO would be posted in Divisional Office,  subject to availability of vacancy.
15] Posting of Spouse :
A] Posting of Spouse working in LIC may be considered at the same place subject  to availability of vacancy.  Spouse who is senior in terms of cadre or position would be posted as per the requirements of the Corporation, and the other partner would be accommodated accordingly.
B] Efforts could be made to accommodate the spouse also at the new place or close-by where ever possible when the officer is moving on transfer. Request of the other spouse, for transfer to the station or to the nearest office where the senior spouse is posted shall be considered favorably.
16] Transfers/Postings of SC/ST Officers :  Due care and  diligence would be exercised in view of the social disabilities they suffer from.  To the extent possible, their posting should be considered near their native place, in accordance with circulars issued on 12/10/89 [ZD/703/ASP/89], 05/11/90 [Ref:ZD/735/ASP/90] & 29/09/14 [ref:CO/Per/ER-A/084/2014]
17] Posting on Promotion :
The following shall be the basis in case of posting on Promotion :
A] AAO to AO & ABM{S} to BM :  Will be posted within the same Division subject to vacancy position.  Surplus, if any, will be transferred to the nearest Division based on length of stay/seniority/Age.
B] AO TO ADM & BM TO SBM :  Will be posted in the same Zone subject to  the vacancy position.  Surplus, if any will be transferred to the nearest Zone based on age/Service profile. In no case officer on promotion shall be posted in the same station/division.
C] ADM/SBM to DM : Officer on promotion shall be transferred out side the zone.  However, officers aged more than 55 years may be retained in the same zone on promotion subject to availability of vacancy.  In no case officer on promotion shall be posted in the same station/division.
D] DM to SDM : Officer on promotion shall be transferred out side the zone.
E] When ever posting on promotion to the cadre of ADM and above is considered outside the zone, the officer who was posted outside the zone in an earlier stint compared to other officer who had not worked outside the zone should be posted to a nearby zone irrespective of age.
18] Refusal on promotion  : 
Posting of Officers on Refusal on promotion shall be done in accordance with NPP criteria.
19] Reversion cases :
On reversion, the officer shall be posted at the earlier station of choice as far as possible subject to vacancies and NPP Criteria.  If his/her stay exceeds 6/8 years at a place [10 years for Metros] administratively, he/she will be transferred/posted to some  other station.  While deciding NPP, period  spent at the place of posting on promotion shall be treated as posting at earlier station.
20] Deputation to other organizations :
The officers deputed to other Organizations shall be governed by the Deputation Policy approved by the Board.
21] Vigilance/Non vigilance complaints :
Requests for transfer received from Officers against whom vigilance/Non-vigilance complaints have been registered/contemplated should not be considered till the cases are taken to logical conclusion.  However, they may be re-deployed at same station.
22] Relieving Instructions :
Instructions regarding relief etc. shall be issued by the competent authority at the time of issuing the transfer order itself.
23] Competent authorities :
The competent authorities are as defined in Schedule-IV, Regulation 80 of LIC of India [Staff] Regulations, 1960.
24] Discretionary Powers :
In deserving cases, consideration of transfers in each cadre shall be at the discretion of ZM(i/C), ED (P), MD   & Chairman.

25] REGULATION 50 :
No officer shall bring or attempt to bring any political or outside influence/pressure in the Corporation to get a desired transfer.   Any breach of this rule shall be construed as Misconduct as per Staff Regulations 1960  and appropriate disciplinary action shall  be initiated against the defaulting officer.
26] Miscellaneous :
A] No representation shall be considered except on ground of Self/Spouse/Children’s serious illness.
B] Vacancies to be fixed for Chief Managers i.e. Branches to be earmarked.
C] Officers posted to “Hard  Station” shall be considered for request transfer after completion of 2 years  subject to availability of vacancies and age of the applicants. [Places mentioned in  the LIC of India (Special area allowance) Rules, 1988, as amended from time to time, are called as Hard Stations. [Vide Inter-Office memo dated 28/07/2004 Ref: Per.Admn/GK/798]
D] The NPP condition will not apply to the officers whose performance is not satisfactory.  If an officer has to be transferred out of the present posting due to non-performance, he/she would be given sufficient chance for improvement before transferring him to another station/position.
E] Officers in the Marketing assignment [BM/SBM, CM,MM,SDM] Stay condition should be 3 years in a position & 5 years at place.
F] Officer on promotion may be posted in the same Station/Division/Zone subject to vacancy position provided.
            I] The officer was transferred from some other zone within last 2 years
OR
           II]  The officer joined the assignment only 1 year back.

Sunday, January 25, 2015

INFORMATION SHARING BY LIC MANAGEMENT

As scheduled, the Information Sharing Session was held with the Unions on 24th January 2015 at World Trade Centre, Mumbai. The management was represented by the Chairman Shri S K Roy, all the Managing Directors & the officials of CO Personnel & IT departments. NOINO was represented by Shri Pulak Kr Dey, Working President; Shri Dattaraj Prabhukhanolkar, General Secretary & Shri Y N Murthy, Joint Secretary, NOINO. There were no individual discussions on this day. The individual sessions will be held on 11th & 12th of February 2015.

The Managing Directors spoke first. Shri S B Mainak, MD expressed concern over the slackness of market. Smt Usha Sangwan expressed concern over the negative growth in number of policies. She also informed that we were doing well in the areas of Claim settlement & CC activities. She also said, 'Our biggest strength is people with commitment & integrity.' She assured to be sensitive to the needs of the officers & employees.

Thereafter a presentation on Biometric authentication for data security (not for attendance) was given by Shri Venugopal, ED(IT).  He said that the fingerprints of all the 10 fingers would be taken & stored in the system. Any one finger can be matched & given access. The standards have been prescribed by the Government.  

Thereafter, the Chairman submitted his views. The important points of his speech were:-

* Indian economy is a leading one & the most attractive destination for investment worldwide.
* Appealed to keep the office poster free keeping in the sentiment of "Swachch Bharat" campaign.
* Space for notice boards will be provided to all unions.
* Rise in FDI has given opportunity to develop.
* Will work shoulder to shoulder with unions in fulfilling the expectations of customers.
* Extension of cash hours.
* Code of conduct for unions.
* FPI achievement is only 54%; MDRT figures reduced to 50% of last year.
* Products & services to be realigned.
* Transfer & mobility policy for Workforce will be circulated & suggestions invited from unions.

He then offered a wage-rise of 12.5% (revising the earlier offer of 10.5%) & appealed the unions not to reject it. He said that improvement was still possible.

On behalf of NOINO, our All India Working President Shri Pulak Kr Dey responded to the speech of the Chairman. He stressed the following points:-

1. Wage-revision:- Shri Pulak Dey expressed disappointment over the offer. He said that the minimum expectation of the employees was that we should get an improvement over the previous wage-revision. Since we have not reached even that stage, the offer was not acceptable to NOINO. He further said that the improved & meaningful offer should come immediately. He pointed out that the increase in DA did not match the rise in inflation & hence a substantial revision was necessary.

2. Running scales:- He said, 'As it is, there are very few opportunities for promotion which left the officers frustrated. Many have reached the stagnation stage. Only Running scales & Grade pay can solve this problem to a great extent.' He also submitted that NOINO had already prepared & submitted the Running Payscales.

3. One more option for pension:- We once again raised this issue & said that this issue should be settled outside wage-revision.

4. Transfer/Promotion Policy:-  Shri Dey reminded that NOINO had already submitted a 33-point note on the transfer/promotion policy on 25th August 2012. He submitted that while it was good to see that the management was following the policies of the government (the NDA government has sent a letter to all Public sector undertakings that they should have its own transfer policy), he said that the other policies of the government should also be followed. He drew the attention of the management to the earlier letter of the Government dated 23.9.14 which directed the Public sector undertakings to post female employees near their family places (as far as possible). He also insisted on implementation of the Child Care leave policy which was already in vogue in Central Government offices.

5. Recruitment in Class III:- The workload on officers has increased tremendously. This is mainly due to non-recruitment of Class III employees. The Class I officers have to sit late & also perform non-supervisory duties. Immediate mass recruitment of Class III employees should be done.

Almost all the other unions rejected the offer of 12.5% & spoke broadly on the same lines as we did. NOINO will formulate its views on the issues before officers. It will raise its voice in the impending individual discussions about all the concerns of the Class I officers & the employees & also review in detail all the issues placed in this meeting. It will make all efforts to clinch a good wage-deal matching the expectations of our officers & employees.

Monday, January 12, 2015

Promotion 2015-16 cut-off dates

The following batches of officers are likely to fall in the zone of selection for promotion to various cadres:

(For promotion to the cadre of : Batches)

1. ZM(S) :  2010 & earlier ZM(O)s
2. ZM(O) : 2005 &earlier DZMs/SDMs
3. DZM/SDM : 2009 & earlier DMs
4. DM : 2008 & earlier ADMs/SBMs
5. ADM/SBM : 2006 & earlier AOs/BMs
6. AO/BM : July 2009 & earlier AAOs/ABMs(S)

It may be noted that all officers in the cadre of AAO/ABM(S) who were promoted / recruited to this cadre on or before 31st July 2009 (i.e. before declaration of promotion / ranking list of AAO cadre for the year 2009-10) but might have joined later will also fall in the zone of selection of promotion to the cadre of AO/BM.

Information Sharing Meeting on 24th January 2015

LIC management has invited NOINO for Information Sharing on 24th January 2015 i.e. Saturday.

They have not stated any specific agenda in this regard.

Saturday, January 3, 2015

NOINO points out more discrepancies in PLLI

Today, i.e. on 3.1.2015, NOINO submitted one more letter to ED(P) on PLLI pointing out some more discrepancies. The letter is reproduced below:

03.01.2015

The Executive Director (Personnel),
L.I.C. of India.

Dear Sir,

Re: PLLI for the year 2013-14-Some more discrepancies

   Kindly refer to our earlier letter dated 23.12.14 on the issue of PLLI. On further analysis, we find some more discrepancies:-

1.    Parameter 6.1 of PLLI has set a target of 7% of total Individual policies for Micro-Insurance. However as per the data available, 43 out of 113 divisions in the country were given a target less than 7%. How do we expect the 43 divisions to achieve 7% of the total policies when they have been given a far lesser target? There seems to be an absence of co-ordination between the concerned departments. This has deprived the employees of the 5 crucial points that they would have got since many divisions (out of the 43) achieved the targets given.

2.     Even where the targets set were more than 7%, these were so absurd & unreal that they were revised & reduced to a great extent in the next year. E.g. in 2013-14, the MI target for Kolkata DO-II was 100000 policies & the achievement was 10228. The MI target was drastically scaled down to 15000 for the financial year 2014-15. The employees should not be penalized & deprived because of such goof-ups.

3.    Though there is a common program supplied by SDC to calculate the PLLI, there are some areas where the Divisions/Zones are left to make their own interpretations. CO should give clear-cut & unambiguous instructions about the interpretations of the parameters.

4.    We have information that as far as the calculation of PLLI is concerned, the CO/ER has informed the Zones that only “Direct Marketing, B & AC, & Micro-Insurance” would be considered as alternate channels - meaning CLIA is not considered as alternate channel. This is astounding. As per our information CO has not issued any circular stating that CLIA is no longer considered alternate channel. This factor has also affected the calculation of PLLI. We demand that CO should categorically instruct to consider CLIA as Alternate Channel & add the credit of the same.

Needless to say that, in the light of the above submissions as also our earlier one, it is our logical expectation that CO should review the PLLI for the year 2013-14 & issue instructions to that effect. 

Yours faithfully,

Sd/-
Dattaraj Prabhukhanolkar
GS, NOINO

Thursday, January 1, 2015

NOINO writes to management on Election (counting) duty

NOINO submitted a letter to the ED(P) on 1st January 2015, on various aspects concerned with the Counting (Election) duty. The letter is reproduced below:

1.1.2015

The Executive Director (Personnel)
L.I.C. of India.

Respected Sir,

Sub: ON DUTY treatment for Counting (Election) duty

                        As you are aware, many of our officers in Maharashtra (including those in Central Office) were deputed for the counting duties in addition to the polling duties during the recent assembly elections held in Maharashtra. The counting of votes was on 19th October, 2014 i. e. Sunday.

                      Since the CO has issued instructions on 19.4.14 regarding the treatment of the following day of polling duty as ‘On Duty’, as also the payment of meal coupon, many officers remained absent next day(of counting duty). However, they were shocked when in some offices; such officers were asked to give the leave application for that day saying that they were not present in office on Monday. In this context, we would like to raise the following points:-                                                                                                           

1.    Whether Counting duty is a part of Election duty or not? If it is, then whatever facilities have been extended to the employees should also flow in this matter. If counting duty is not a part of Election duty, then LIC employees should not be called for it.

2.    The process of election is not over till the counting is over & the certificate is handed over to the elected representative. Hence, our contention is that counting duty is also a part of Election duty.

3.    Usually it is argued that counting duty is a National Duty. Nobody counters that. As an employee, we are bound to do it(of course, when proper procedure of deployment is followed). However, our contention is that Election duty is also a National duty & the same benefits/facilities available in the case of Election duty should also flow in the case of counting duty.

4.    It is also argued that the Counting duty is over at about 1.00 to 2.00 p.m. Hence, employee is not engaged for the full day. However, the point to be noted here is that the reporting time is 6.00 a.m.( in some places 6.30 a.m.). Most of the employees were relieved at 5.00 p.m. This means they worked for about 11 hours. Our official hours of duty are for 7 hours which means that they have worked for 4 hours more than that & have worked for more than a full day.

  1. To report at 6.00 am the employees had to leave their house at early hours (at 4.30 or 5.00 am). At such time getting proper (public) transportation is also an issue. Hence the payment of appropriate conveyance should also be considered same as per Election Duty.

6.    It is also to be noted that the Counting day was Sunday & not a working day. This means that the employees worked in the office during the working days & also worked on a Holiday. This means that they did not have a break in the week which is mandatory for optimum & efficient work. Hence they should be compensated with a leave next day (as also meal coupon).

7.    The Counting pertained to Maharashtra. The Mumbai High Court orders of the 2009 case are applicable here. The CO Circular ref CO/Per/ER-A/054/2014 dated 15.1.14 draws attention to the directives of the Court regarding the procedure to be followed while requisitioning the staff for election duty. It also makes a reference to the guidelines issued by the Election Commission vide their instructions dated 30.12.2009  which states specifically that the staff of Banks & LIC are to be requisitioned only after requisitioning the staff of State Government & Central Government. Our contention is that Counting duty requires a substantially lesser number of staff than that of staff required for Election duty. It is obvious then, that the procedure as specified above was not followed since it is clear that the staff of local authorities/state government & Central government was more than enough to carry out the Counting duties. LIC should have objected to such requisitioning there & then. Even now, if possible, LIC should explore the legal option to end this unnecessary requisitioning not only in Maharashtra but elsewhere in the country. We demand that a curative petition should be filed demanding an inquiry whether proper procedures are being followed by the EC or not.

8.    Many officers were given duty of Micro Observer. As per the EC directives (refer attachment) the person deputed for such post (i.e. Micro Observer) is required to be a rank of Gazetted officer. If officers of such rank are not available only then Class C or above officers should be called. The EC directives also clearly specify that the list of such gazetted officers is to be obtained from different offices of the district. It is very much doubtful whether this procedure was properly followed. This point should also be included in our curative petition. All in all, we have a very strong case.

We request you to take cognizance of the above points (regarding leave, meal coupon, conveyance & curative petition) & do the needful.

Yours faithfully,
Sd/-
Dattaraj Prabhukhanolkar
GS, NOINO