Pic: Members of Apex Council during Ranchi Meeting on April 12-13, 2015.

Minutes of the Apex Council Meeting at Ranchi on April 12-13, 2015

1. The meeting was attended by the Apex Council members representing Member Associations from Bhilai, Rourkela, Bokaro, Burnpur, Kolkata (2 Units), SRU, Bokaro, SRU-IFICO Ramgarh and SAIL Units Ranchi,

2. Dr. V.N. Sharma, Chairman presided over the Meeting.

3. Dr. Sharma welcomed the delegates and gave his Opening remarks on the purpose and object of the meeting.

4. Sri Abhay Kumar Das, Gen Secretary presented the Action Taken Report (ATR) and Update on Registration of FORSE and opening of Bank Account in Punjab National Bank, Rourkela Branch. He also informed the House that Assn. of SAIL Calcutta Superannuated Employees, Kolkata and SAIL Ex-Employees Association, Ranchi (balanced amount), immediately deposited, in the same sequence, Affiliation Fee (Rs. 5000/-) and Annual Fee (Rs.5000/-) and BSP Ex-Officers’ Assn. Bhilai. Rs.5000/- of Affiliation fee. He requested all the remaining Member Associations to deposit the Fees at the earliest.

5. Sri Abhay Kumar Das also informed that as per the earlier decision SAIL Ex-Employees Association, Ranchi (SEEA) spent Rs.6747/- on behalf of FORSE. So, SEEA deposited, and rightly so, only the balanced amount of Rs. 3253/-. This was approved by the Council.

6. Subsequent to this, a report on the efforts made by FORSE for last 6 months for the betterment of Retirees was presented and discussed. It was observed by one and all that even after we communicated our suggestions through the document SAIL ignoring its Retirees - Statement of Fact and Appeal for Action which can be seen in http://sailex.blogspot.in/2015/04/sail-ignoring-its-retirees.html for improving the quality of life of the Retirees in their twilight years, absolutely nothing was done by SAIL or the Govt.

7. All the Member Associations provided details of activity in their Units with critical remarks against the unfortunate silence of SAIL and the Government.

8. This was followed by the discussion and decision on the specific issues of the Agenda as detailed below:

A. General and direct financial benefit issues

To recognize FORSE as a representative Body of Retirees of SAIL and formally involve FORSE representatives for swift and appropriate policy making decisions including pension, gratuity, mediclaim, etc.

To organize SAIL- FORSE meetings to be held at least twice in a year or earlier if the situation so warrants. (ONGC follows this practice of regular meetings with their retirees’ representatives.)

To formulate schemes for monetary help to the pre-2007 Retirees (those retired on or before 31/12/2006) in form of monthly pension of a minimum of Rs.5000/- and ex-gratia payment periodically to mitigate their urgent needs as is in force in ONGC, BHEL, IOC etc.

To finalise and implement Pension Scheme for post-2006 Retirees (those retired on or after 01/01/2007) as early as possible.

To develop real concern with mission for the retired employees and to look after their welfare as part of corporate social responsibility.

Creation and modus operandi of an emergency corpus fund by contribution from members, so that by the time mediclaim settles the issue, some help can be given by FORSE at the hour of need.

Strengthening channels of communication for ventilating grievances

Introduction of a clause on satisfaction/ views of "Retd. PSU Employees in the PM's Trophy assessment criteria & Best Employer award by SCOPE.

To create a separate section/ department in SAIL Corporate Office and also the Units to help the Retirees as and when needed. To provide some space at centrally located place for the units to FORSE/ Local affiliated Associations for their operation and for day to day interaction, counseling and servicing to their members.

To provide/ extend infrastructural facilities to retirees for social function like marriage etc. on the financial terms and conditions less than those applicable to the current employees in the SAIL Plant/ Unit Townships Extension of facilities of SAIL/ SAIL Units like Guest House accommodation, Hall booking for Social functions etc., participation of Retirees’ family in SAIL’s social programmes at par with Regular employees.

Deployment of retired employees by SAIL in various jobs/activities as consultants, advisors etc.-utilization of in house talents (as suggested by MoS)

Release of payment of arrears to employees of IISCO retired between 01.01.1997 and 31.01.2006 to be done on urgent basis.

To expedite payment of arrear accruing out of wage revision from 1997 for erstwhile Bharat Refractories Ltd. employees, which was a deemed liability on the date of amalgamation i.e. 01/04/2007.

B. Healthcare Issues– Suggestion for Improvement

Ø To accept and enforce the guiding principle of the Healthcare including mediclaim insurance “that it is a matter of life and death leaving no chance for a repeat performance. So the benefit of doubt should always be in favour of the patient and there can be no room for laxity of any kind or slow action at any time at either end of the network of SAIL, Insurance Co., the TPA and the patient.”

Ø To consider the Healthcare of the retirees to be at par with those for the current employees as is being done by other PSUs.

However, if SAIL decides to continue with the present arrangement of healthcare through mediclaim insurance it must develop a formula for incorporation of annual price rise in healthcare.

ü SAIL to pay total subscription for renewal of mediclaim membership, to make permanent I-card for each Retiree and to complete negotiations and settling of terms and conditions with Insurance Co. for three years in a row to maintain continuity which will also avoid process delay, hassles and agony to the Retirees during transition period for 3 years.

ü Since fixing up of the TPA is within the prerogative of the Insurance Co. the continuance of the TPA beyond one year period would be subject to their satisfactory servicing to the retiree members all through the year.

ü Renewal of lapsed mediclaim: Anytime and every time with a nominal charge.

ü To increase OPD coverage of Rs.20,000/-per annum jointly in respect of retired employee and spouse on floater basis.

ü To raise the upper limit to Rs. 4 lacs for Cashless treatment/ IPD reimbursement for each member under floating (combining) facilities (existing in RINL) and withdrawal of all cappings.

ü Upgradation of the present Medical facilities with review of present Medical Scheme and Malfunctioning of TPA.

a) In view of the fixed upper limit of cost of treatment the Capping becomes redundant and hence needs to be withdrawn.

b) Inclusion of Best serving Hospitals for OPD and Indoor Cashless Treatment need be listed and retained without break in-between. TPA must ensure that admission to a Hospital against cashless facility during the tenure is not denied

c) However, in rare case of exigencies the TPA may withdraw recognition to a Hospital listed for OPD or Cashless treatment but only by circulating a one month’s notice in advance to all the SAIL Mediclaim Members/ Spouse.

d) The TPA/ Insurer must ensure settlement of all Bills for Re-imbursement within 15 days.

e) The TPA / Insurer must not exceed a maximum of 3 hours for approving treatment and release of payment after treatment for cases of Cashless treatment.

f) The medical personnel working for the TPA cannot and should not override/ overrule the diagnosis and line of treatment followed up by the treating medical personnel attached with the Hospitals.

ü Settlement of Mediclaim related Grievances : To make the members aware of the Role of Ombudsman and how and when to make Appeal, if not satisfied with the settlement of grievances including Bills etc. It was decided to circulate detailed guidelines for this purpose (to be prepared by S/Sri S.K. Ghosh and Debasish Chaudhary).

ü Yearly compulsory medical check-up for each Retiree need be introduced through Mediclaim Policy.

ü Renewal of Mediclaim policy: The 3-Yearly Mediclaim Policy may please be finalized with the Insurance Co. at least two months before the end of the duration is over i.e. within March and the Guidebook should be made available to the members by SAIL instead of leaving the matter entirely with the TPA.

ü The procedure for filing claim in case of deceased person should be formulated and incorporated in the booklet.

ü In case of settlement of disputes, name of the officer with designation, official address contact number etc to whom such cases are being referred should be clearly spelt out

ü Registered Association/ Society should be authorized to deal on behalf of mediclaim members.

ü Inclusion of various tests like MRI etc. and therapy (like "CYTOTRON Therapy") and gadgets required for absolute fitness of the Retirees and their spouse should be listed under IPD/ cashless treatment,

ü Respective SAIL Hospitals should ensure availability of all medicines for OPD and IPD patients. In case, any medicine is not available the Hospital should procure the same from the market and supply to the patient.

ü SAIL should fill up the existing vacancies of doctors of required qualifications and experience and also the paramedical staff in SAIL hospitals to facilitate proper care and treatment to the Retirees.

ü SAIL must implement uniform policies at all SAIL Hospitals and treatment centres for Retirees

ü Bed rent during IPD/ Cashless should be on Actual basis.

ü Non-medical items during IPD/ Cashless treatment to be kept at minimum, restricted only to the need based cases. However, non-medical items during hospitalisation should be fully reimbursable.

9. Organisational Matters

a. Strategies were planned to strengthen the Units by contacting more and more of the individual Retirees and group of Retirees to form Associations and affiliate them to FORSE.

b. On a query raised by a Member it was clarified that FORSE cannot and should not accept any Retiree - individual or Associations- who are not from SAIL.

10. At the end of the Meeting on 13^th April 2015 the following Resolution was adopted unanimously by voice vote.

Pic: Apex Council in session in Ranchi on April 12, 2015 (A.N.)

RESOLUTION

The Apex Council of the Federation reviewed the progress and changes made in the lives and conditions of the SAIL Retirees after their last meeting at Bhilai in September, 2014 and actions initiated thereafter by the Govt. and SAIL and took the decisions which is given below. The Council came to the conclusion that SAIL refused to hear & ignored the issues of the SAIL Retirees like Healthcare and Pension and other financial benefits based on the separate Govt. advice in the form of DPE OMs of 2009 for (i) pre-2007 SAIL Retirees who exist today in real miserable condition and some of them in much worse condition than those in BPL category and (ii) post-2006 SAIL Retirees who are yet in suspense for over 8 years on formulation and implementation of the Pension and other benefit schemes. It further observed that SAIL, a Maharatna Company, continued to overlook the issues of the SAIL Retirees and maintained total silence all through the period

a. even after our Appeal and the Resolution taken at Bhilai on 21^st Sept 2014 addressed to them alongwith the brief in the document SAIL ignoring its Retirees - Statement of Fact and Appeal for Action in http://sailex.blogspot.in/2015/04/sail-ignoring-its-retirees.html

b. our request made on 27^th Nov. 2014 for urgent release of payment of arrears to employees of IISCO retired between 01.01.1997 and 31.01.2006 is yet to be looked into. Such a delay of over 9-10 years in decision making does not show SAIL in a good light.

c. to expedite payment of arrear accruing out of wage revision from 1997 for erstwhile BRL employees, which was a deemed liability on the date of amalgamation i.e. 01/04/2007. A sum of Rs.10000/- was also paid as advance against the same and was not to be recovered as per the notification in the Gazette of India dt. July 28, 2009 justifying the resultant effect of accrual and payability to the retirees.

d. Delayed implementation of SAIL Mediclaim Policy every time by 3-4 months is making the Policy less effective and adding unnecessary anxiety to the beneficiaries, that is, SAIL Retirees, for larger part of the year even when it is coupled with the issues related not only to the well- being of the Retirees but also to their life and death.

The Council noted with concern that, in nut shell, the situation for the SAIL Retirees did not change in years before and over the last six months now and in fact has worsened due to the continued apathetic and ever static attitude of both the Govt. of India and SAIL. Still further it was observed that SAIL did not compare itself with PSUs belonging to Oil and Energy sector. Smaller Companies like BEL and BHEL, as also our own sister Steel PSU, the RINL, provided much better financial and Healthcare benefits to their Retirees.

The Apex Council also noted the apathy shown by the Govt of India and its various Ministries in dealing with the issues of the SAIL Retirees who happen to be the Senior Citizens of this country, and not adhering to the words and spirit of the Govt. portal on Senior Citizens and recent letter of PM addressed to Senior Citizens in general. Further the Govt. also failed in directing SAIL to resolve the long pending issues of the Retirees on the basis of DPE OMs which were meant for Retirees benefits. Our Expectations from the Union Minister of Steel/ Govt. of India on the Issues before SAIL Retirees (the Senior Citizens) are based on the following Background:

I. SAIL did not have a Pension Scheme. (When people started retiring and pension proposals were made by the PSUs including SAIL, Govt declared EPS-95 under which retirees are getting a few hundreds only. This is redundant after 2006 due to new pension schemes in the PSUs for post-2006 retirees)

II. After considering a lot of representations, discussion points and appeals, SCOPE recommended and the DPE issued an OM in July 2009 asking Maharatna PSUs to create a corpus from 1.5 % of their Profit Before Tax (PBT) and prepare a post retirement benefit schemes for pre-2007 retirees.

III. SAIL refused to follow the DPE OMs in this regard. Our innumerable request to SAIL for a meeting as well as preparing a Scheme under OMs as also to the whole lot of Ministers, Officials incl. PM remained without any response.

IV. SAIL is providing in its accounts 30% of total salary payment over and above it towards retirement benefit such as Gratuity, PF contribution by SAIL, Health benefit & Pension for post-2006 retirees. SAIL had not made any such provision & its contribution for retirement benefits of pre-2007 retirees has been much less –around 16%. Thus having born earlier and worked from the inception of HSL/ SAIL and helping to lay a strong foundation under a very difficult environment and working conditions (during 1950/60s) to make proud of it as Maharatna has been a sin for these pre-2007 retirees.

V. Worse of it all is that SAIL or the Government Officials responsible for finding solution and helping the Retirees / Senior Citizens do not respond to our communications because of which the Communication gap and misunderstanding between the Retirees and SAIL/Government system increases

Considering the facts detailed above the two day meeting of the FORSE Apex Council at Ranchi resolved the following:

A. The SAIL Chairman and Members of the SAIL Board be requested to listen to our problems and grievances (attached as Annexure I) arising out of their inaction for over the past 6 years& more and take immediate actionfor improving

i. the financial condition by way of some minimum monthly payment and

ii. Healthcare conditions with a mission and empathy of the Retirees to make them live with dignity at their very old age.

B. The Hon’ble Union Minister of Steel / Govt. of India be requested to advise SAIL

a) to recognize FORSE and hold discussions on regular intervals and settle the out-standing issues of the retirees

b) to implement the DPE OMs for pre-2007 and post -2006 category of Retirees without further delay, if need be, by

i. Permitting transfer of unclaimed Provident Fund money to the SAIL corpus

ii. Transferring back 1% of the dividend money

iii. Starting a Fixed deposit scheme for retirees with ROI at par with the interest rates paid by SAIL on money borrowed from the market.

iv. Implementing with a mission & empathy an effective, efficient and functioning Healthcare scheme at par with those available to current employees with or without Mediclaim Insurance with provision of annual increase in the cost of healthcare as they do not have any other support.

C. Apex Council authorized the Office Bearers to go for the following time bound Action Plan in case of no positive action by the Government/ SAIL in a reasonable time period:

I. All Member Associations shall publicize the contents of the Resolution through Press Conference/ Press Releases by May2015 end.

II. All Member Associations shall hand over a copy of the Resolution to the Head of the SAIL Offices in their location on 15^th June 2015.

III. All Member Associations shall hand over a copy of the Resolution to the Head of the Government/ Head of the Administration/ MPs in their location by 15^thJuly 2015

In case the response of SAIL or the Govt is not favourable to the Retirees the Apex Council may initiate peaceful non-violent agitational programme like Hunger strike etc.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^End of Resolution^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

11. The Meeting ended with a vote of thanks from Sri S.R.Das, Vice Chairman to the Chair and all the Apex Council Member for smooth conduct of the meeting for two days, Managements of SAIL Units of Ranchi and SAIL Ex-Employees Association for providing all the infrastructural facilities etc.

(V. N. Sharma)

Chairman

M: 9431102680, 06513255795

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Press Clipping

प्रभात खबर

Pic: Members of Apex Council during Ranchi Meeting on April 12, 2015.

प्रेस - विज्ञप्ति

13.04.2015

भारत सरकार के महारत्न उपक्रम सेल (SAIL) के सेवानिवृत्त एक लाख से अधिक अवकाशप्राप्त कर्मी सदस्यों के महासंघ (Federation of Retired SAIL Employees-FORSE) की सर्वोच्च परिषद (Apex Council) की दो दिवसीय बैठक सेल सैटेलाइट टाउनशिप, रांची के मनोरंजन भवन में 12-13 अप्रैल, 2015 को आयोजित हुई। बैठक की अध्यक्षता फेडरेशन के अध्यक्ष डॉ वीएन शर्मा ने की. सेल पूर्व - कर्मचारी एसोसिएशन, रांची (SAIL Ex-Employees Association) के महासचिव और आयोजन के प्रमुख श्री बी एन चौधरी ने देश के विभिन्न संघों के सर्वोच्च परिषद के सदस्यों का स्वागत किया। श्री अभय कुमार दास, महासचिव ने भिलाई में Sept.21-22, 2014 को आयोजित पिछली बैठक के बाद संगठनात्मक मामलों पर रिपोर्ट (एटीआर) पर की गई कार्रवाई पर प्रस्तुत किया।

अध्यक्ष ने पिछले 6 महीनों में सेवानिवृत कर्मियों की मांगो पर हुई प्रगति पर विस्तार से विचार करने के पूर्व (Ref http://sailex.blogspot.in), बैठक की शुरुआत आयोजकों और सेल की रांची इकाई अर्थात RDCIS, सीईटी, एमटीआई और सेल सुरक्षा संगठन के कर्मचारियों तथा सॅटॅलाइट कॉलोनी के प्रबंधन समूह को सहयोग करने के लिए धन्यवाद के साथ की. सर्वोच्च परिषद के सदस्यों से मिलने के लिए उनके बहुमूल्य समय देने के लिए रांची के सेल इकाइयों के प्रमुखों के लिए अध्यक्ष ने गहरी कृतज्ञता व्यक्त की।

हम शुरू में ही यह स्पष्ट कर दें कि भारत सरकार के निर्णयों के अनुसार अवकाशप्राप्त कर्मियों की दो केटेगरी है (i) वे जो वर्ष 2006 तक में अवकाशप्राप्त कर चुके (ii) वे जिनकी सेवानिवृति वर्ष 2007 में या उसके बाद हुई. इन दोनों केटेगरी के अवकाशप्राप्त कर्मियों के लिए पेंशन, हेल्थकेयर, इमरजेंसी सहायता के लिए नकद राशि देने जैसी कल्याणकारी योजनाएं बनाने तथा लागू करने के लिए DPE ने अलग- अलग कार्यालय ज्ञापन (OMs) जारी किये । पहले केटेगरी के लिए हमारे इन अनुरोध पत्रों का आधार था भारत सरकार के DPE का जुलाई 2009 माह का वह कार्यालय ज्ञापन जिसमे सेल और अन्य सरकारी उपक्रमों को सलाह दी गयी थी किं टैक्स के पूर्व के लाभ की राशि से 1.5 % की राशि लेकर वे 2006 तक के अपने अवकाशप्राप्त कर्मियों के लिए कल्याणकारी योजनाएं बनाए और लागू करें। पांच से अधिक वर्ष गुजर जाने के बाद भी महारत्न सेल अबतक चुप्पी साधे बैठा है। बाकी तेल उद्योग, भेल इत्यादि ने इसे लागू कर लिया। याद रहे कि 1950/ 60 के दशकों में प्रतिबद्धता और कड़ी मिहनत से इन सेवा निवृत लोगों के द्वारा इस्पात उद्योग की ठोस मज़बूत नीव रखी गयी जिससे सेल आज महारत्न के रूप में देश का गौरव बन गया है। आप खुद समझ सकते हैं किं अस्सी-नब्बे के दशकों में एक लाख से पांच - छह लाख तक की राशि लेकर अवकाशप्राप्त करनेवाले लोग आज किस तरह इस बढ़ती महंगाई और घटती आमदनी के साथ जी रहे होंगे। तिस पर बुढ़ापे में रोगों और इलाज़ के खर्चे की मार अलग । पहले बैंकों में फिक्स्ड डिपाजिट की ब्याज दर 12 से 14 प्रतिशत थी जो आज 9 प्रतिशत के करीब रह गयी है। आज 70 से 80 वर्ष के कर्मचारियों के स्वास्थय देखभाल पर बहुत खर्च आ रहा है तथा जीवनयापन में काफी तकलीफें हो रही हैं। पिछले पांच सालों से अधिक समय तक हम सेल के चेयरमैन एवं निदेशकों तथा सरकार के मंत्री और अधिकारियों को अपनी समस्याओं के सम्बन्ध में स्पष्ट बातें लिखते रहे पर समाधान खोजना तो दूर वे हमे पत्र- प्राप्ति या किसी तरह का सन्देश भी नहीं देते। (कृपया इन्हे saileea@blogspot.in में देखें)। इसमें एक अपवाद है सेल का वह पत्र जो राष्ट्रपति महोदय से हमारी शिकायत के आधार पर राष्ट्रपति भवन के निर्देश के तहत हमे भेजा गया जिसमे गलतबयानी थी और तथ्यों को तोड़ मडोरकर पेश करने की कोशिश जिसे http://sailex.blogspot.in/2014/12/letter-to-president-of-india-and-sails.html में देखा जा सकता है. सेल का कहना है कि वे सेवानिवृत लोगों पर 2 % से ज्यादा खर्च कर रहे हैं जब कि वास्तविकता यह है कि सेल कर्मियों के साथ हुए समझौतों के तहत चल रहे पुरानी स्कीमों जैसे PF, gratuity एवं लीव एन्कैशमेंट के साथ साथ मेडिकल इन्स्योरंस को भी सेल इसमें शामिल कर लेता है साथ साथ सेल 2006 के बाद के अवकशप्राप्त्कर्मियों के लिए अलग से ३०% राशि का प्रावधान कर रखा है अतः उसे 2 प्रतिशत दिखाना सर्वथा गलत है. मेडिकेयर के बारे में नीचे दी गयी बातें रेखांकित करने लायक है.

1. सेल कर्मियों के साथ हुए समझौतों के तहत सेवानिवृत कर्मियों की मेडिकेयर का पूरा दायित्व सेल का है जो इसे पूरा नहीं करता।

2. सेल मेडिक्लेम की सेवा इन्स्योरंस कंपनी के माध्यम से कराती है जिसके लिए सेवानिवृत सदस्यों को 15 % फीस का भुगतान करना होता है जो गलत है.

3. सेल सेवानिवृत सदस्यों से 15 % फीस लेने के बावजूद उनके प्रतिनिधियों को शामिल किये बिना ही इन्स्योरंस कंपनी तथा TPA से समझौता करता है यह गैर कानूनी है.

4. इसका नतीजा यह की मेडिक्लेम इन्स्योरंस की सेवा असंतोषजनक और सेल, इन्स्योरंस कंपनी तथा TPA के मनमानियों से भरी होती है कि सेवानिवृत सदस्य अब आत्महत्या भी करने लगे हैं.

5. सही तरीके से न इलाज़ न समय से बिल की अदायगी। तिस पर हर इलाज़ में दुनिया जहां की कैपिंग और अंत में शिकायत विभाग का न होना, और

6. सेवानिवृत सदस्यों के प्रतिनिधियों से बातचीत न करना

2007 और उसके बाद के अवकाशग्रहण करनेवाले कर्मियों की दूसरी केटेगरी के लिए DPE ने अलग से कार्यालय ज्ञापन (OM) भेजे जो 01.01.2007 से लागू होने थे. पर सेल पिछले 5 सालो से अधिक गुजर जाने पर भी उस पर कुछ नहीं कर सका। विडम्बना यह है कि इन दोनों कार्यालय ज्ञापनो को लागू करने की तिथि से लगभग आठ वर्ष बीत जाने के बाद भी सेल चुप्पी मारे बैठा है या बातों को गलतबयानी में उलझाता रहा है और याद दिलाने के बावजूद भी सरकार की तरफ से इस उल्लंघन के लिए उसके खिलाफ कोई कार्रवाई नहीं की गयी. यह सब कुछ सेल की नीति और नियत दोनों पर प्रश्न चिन्ह खड़ा करते हैं. दूसरी ओर राष्ट्रीयकृत बैंक, सरकारी बीमा कम्पनियां और बीएसएनएल तथा रेलवे विभाग अपने सेवानिवृत कर्मचारियों को अलग अलग किस्म की सुविधाएं देता है जो उनके विभाग से सम्बंधित होती है । जैसे बीएसएनएल का निःशुल्क फोनकॉल, रेलवे यात्रा में रियायत इत्यादि। मुझे बहुत दुःख के साथ कहना पड़ता है कि सेल अपने सेवानिवृत कर्मचारियों को इस प्रकार की कोई भी सुविधा नहीं देता है।

इस मसले पर उपक्रम के प्रबंधन के अलावा सरकारी नज़रिये की समीक्षा भी आवश्यक है. सर्वप्रथम तो यह कि सेल की चुप्पी या अक्षम व्यवहार के पीछे सरकार के लोक उद्यम विभाग (DPE) का योगदान भी कुछ कम नहीं है। DPE ने इस मसले पर नेगेटिव नज़रिया और तौर तरीका अपनाये रखा। सरकारी उपक्रमों के स्पष्टीकरण मांगने पर DPE हर बार अपने पूर्व दिए कार्यालय ज्ञापन को थोड़ा तरल कर देता है जिससे सेल और अन्य उपक्रमो के प्रबंधन को इस मसले पे हाथ पे हाथ धरकर बैठने का बहाना मिल जाता है। होना यह चाहिए था कि सरकार को थोड़ी सख्ती बरतनी चाहिए थी जिससे अवकाशप्राप्त -सह- वरीय नागरिकों को राहत मिलती। DPE के रवैये में परिवर्त्तन के लिए हमने प्रधान मंत्री एवं सम्बंधित मंत्रियों को पत्र भी लिखे जिसे http://sailex.blogspot.in/2014/11/letters-to-prime-minister.html में देखा जा सकता है। इसमें हमने सिर्फ 5000 रु प्रति माह की दर से पेंशन या सहायता राशि की मांग की है जो छोटे से छोटे सरकारी कर्मी के पेंशन से कम है. हमे नहीं लगता कि इसके लिए बजट की समर्थन की आवश्यकता होगी.

अब हम आप का ध्यान बुज़ुर्गों से सम्बंधित भारत सरकार की सोच की ओर आकृष्ट करना चाहते हैं जिसे सरकार के पोर्टल में लिखे इन वक्तब्यों से समझा सकता है “Senior Citizens are a treasure to our society. They have worked hard all these years for the development of the nation as well as the community. They possess a vast experience in different walks of life. The youth of today can gain from the experience of the senior citizens in taking the nation to greater heights. At this age of their life, they need to be taken care of and made to feel special.”

“The National Council for Senior Citizens formed under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment should take care of promotion of physical and financial security, health and independent and productive living and awareness generation and community mobilization”.

पता नहीं इसका मकसद क्या था लेकिन यह बस सिर्फ पोर्टल को ही सुशोभित कर रहा है। पोर्टल की बातें आदर्श के लिए, पर करनी वही ढाक के तीन पात। नयी सरकार के प्रधान मंत्री और स्पीकर महोदया से लेकर कई मंत्रियों और सांसदों ने जन सभाओं के माध्यम से बुज़ुर्गों के हालात पर आंसू तो बहुत बहाये और कुछ राहत पहुंचाने के आश्वासन भी दिए लेकिन यह सब कुछ अगले दिन के समाचार पत्रों में दब कर रह गए। अंततः सामाजिक न्याय एवं अधिकारिता मंत्री जी को पत्र भेजकर उन्हें उनके दायित्यों की ओर ध्यान आकृष्ट किया गया जो http://saileea.blogspot.in/2014/12/letter-to-union-minister-for-social.html में देखा जा सकता है। National Minimum Pension (Guarantee) Bill, 2014, पर लोक सभा में बहस के दौरान 8 अगस्त 2014 को माननीय सांसद निशिकांत दुबे जी ने हमारे पत्र को उद्धृत करते हुए इस्पात (एवं श्रम) मंत्री महोदय को हमारे हालात पर उचित कदम उठाकर समाधान तलाशने का अनुरोध किया जो लिंक http://164.100.47.132/newdebate/16/2/08082014/5To6pm.pdf में देखा जा सकता है। उसके बाद भी हमारे बहुत सारे अनुरोध के बावजूद कुछ नहीं हुआ. याद रहे कि सरकारी उपक्रमों के कर्मियों को जिम्मेदारियों के आधार पर सरकारी कर्मियों की श्रेणी में रखा जाता है बल्कि कुछ मामलों में उपक्रम के कर्मियों की जिम्मेद्दारी ज्यादा होती है क्यूंकि वे देश में सम्पति के निर्माता (creator of wealth) होते हैं. लेकिन पेंशन और अन्य सेवानिवृति लाभ के प्रश्न पर उन्हें गैरबराबर और असमान की केटेगरी में रखकर नए नए तर्क गढ़े जाते हैं. कभी कभी ऐसा महसूस होता है कि सरकार नाम की व्यवस्था ठहर सी गयी है या फिर गूंगी-बहरी हो चुकी है। चिंता की बात यह भी है कि अगर हमारे जैसे शिक्षित मध्यमवर्गी अपनी बात को एक तरफा ही सही सरकार तक पहुंचा तो लेते हैं हालांकि सरकार की संवेदनहीनता को झकझोर नहीं पाते लेकिन उनका वर्तमान और भविष्य क्या है जो आर्थिक और सामाजिक रूप से समाज की निचली पायदानों पर ठहरे हुए ही गुजर बसर कर रहे हैं

2014 के संसदीय चुनाव के बाद देश की नयी सरकार के सत्ताशीन होने पर हमने नई उम्मीदों के साथ पुनः सरकार के मंत्री एवं सेल के अधिकारियों के साथ पत्राचार की शुरुआत की जिन्हे आप

sailex@blogspot.in में देख सकते हैं। पर परिणाम वही ढाक के तीन पात। छह माह बीत जाने पर भी न सेल, न किसी मंत्रालय ने पत्र प्राप्ति सन्देश भेजे। अंततः 20 -21 सितम्बर 2014 को भिलाई में हुई हमारी सर्वोच्च परिषद की पिछली बैठक में इसे गंभीरता से लिया गया और कुछ संकल्प / प्रस्ताव अनुमोदित हुए जिसे हमने सेल में उच्च पदों पर स्थापित लोगों और सम्बंधित विभाग के मंत्रियों को भेजा जिन्हे आप http://saileea.blogspot.in/2014/09/a-report-on-forse-apex-council-meeting html

में देख सकते हैं। फिर भी उनके कानो पर जूं नहीं रेंग रहे। अभी तक न तो उन्होंने कोई सार्थक फैसले लिए न हमें मिलने और समस्याओं पर गंभीर संवाद करने का मौक़ा ही दिया। वरीय नागरिक होने के कारण भारत सरकार से मदद और समर्थन की जो अपेक्षा थी वह भी अभी तक पूरी नहीं हुई है। संसद के हालिया बजट सत्र में भारत सरकार ने वरिष्ठ नागरिकों के लिए जो स्कीम पेश की है और प्रधान मंत्री जी ने वरिष्ठ नागरिकों के नाम से जो खत लिखा है (http://www.narendramodi.in/pms-letter-to-senior-citizen/) उसमे सेल के अवकशप्राप्त कर्मियों के लिए कुछ भी नहीं है. ऐसी योजना पहले से उपलब्ध है. इसमें सेल के उनलोगों के खून पसीने को कही भी ध्यान में नहीं रखा गया, न किसी तरह से राष्ट्र निर्माण के उनके योगदान के लिए पेंशन या कोई अन्य वित्तीय राहत योजना चलायी गयी जो सरकारी कर्मियों को अवकाशप्राप्त करने पर दिया जाता है. मतलब यह कि सेल के हम रिटायर्ड कर्मचारी कंपनी और सरकार दोनों की उपेक्षा से काफी दुखी हैं

स्टील अथॉरिटी ऑफ़ इंडिया से सम्बंधित factsheet यह कहता है कि उसके पास वित्तीय वर्ष 2013-14 की 31 मार्च को 38536 करोड़ रूपये का संचयी रिज़र्व है तथा सेल विगत १० वर्षो से लाभ अर्जित कर रहा है । अतः पेंशन के लिए धनराशि स्वीकृत करने में कोई समस्या नहीं आएगी। भारत सरकार के द्वारा 01. 01.2007 के बाद पेंशन देना सिद्धांत के रूप में स्वीकार कर लिया गया है। अतः अब संसद से अनुमोदन की आवश्यकता नहीं है केवल समयबद्ध कार्यान्वयन के लिए प्रशासनिक निर्णय की आवश्यकता है। साथ साथ रेखांकित करनेवाली बात बताता चलूँ कि 70 -80 वर्ष की उम्र में हम पके आम की तरह हैं और जीवन की इस संध्या बेला में हमारे सदस्यों के लिए अनंतकाल तक सेल या सरकार के कल्याणकारी फैसलों का इंतज़ार स्वाभाविक रूप में असंभव है। दिनांक 31/01/2006 से IISCO का विलय सेल के एक इकाई के रूप में कर दिया गया. किन्तु 01/01/1997 से लागू किये गए वेतन समझौते में सम्बंधित वेतन के बकाया का भुगतान निवर्त्तमान कर्मियों को नहीं किया गया अपितु कार्यरत कर्मियों को 10 % का भुगतान एक किश्त के रूप में कर दिया गया. यह कदम निवर्तमान कर्मियों के साथ सरासर अन्याय है. इसी तरह BRL का विलय भी सेल के एक इकाई के रूप में कर दिया गया लेकिन वेतन के बकाया का भुगतान निवर्त्तमान कर्मियों को नहीं किया गया. सेल इस मसले पर भी चुप्पी मारे बैठा है.

हम अपनी वेदना आप मीडिया के साथियों के माध्यम से समाज, सरकार और सेल के उचपदस्थ प्रबंधकों तक पहुचाने का प्रयास कर रहे हैं। आशा ही नहीं पूर्ण विश्वास है कि इस कल्याणकारी राष्ट्र - राज्य भारत में आप हमारे साथ हो रहे अनर्थों को उचित स्थानो तक पहुंचाएंगे। आप के माध्यम से सरकार तक जिसके लिए हम वरीय नागरिक हैं, और सेल के उच्च पदस्थ प्रबंधकों तक जिसके लिए कुछ वर्षों पूर्व तक हम सहकर्मी थे, हमारी बात पहुचाने में हमारी मदद तथा समस्याओं का समाधान पाने में हमारे सदस्यों की सहायता करेंगे।

अध्यक्ष ने स्पष्ट किया कि सांसदों और मंत्रियों आदि को भी इस तथ्य के बारे में पता नहीं हैं कि असंगठित एवं निजी क्षेत्र के कर्मियों की तरह सार्वजनिक क्षेत्र के उपक्रमों के प्रारम्भ के कर्मियों के सेवानिवृत्त्ति लाभ में कोई भी पेंशन योजना नहीं है। अतः FORSE के सदस्यों से अनुरोध किया गया कि अपने क्षेत्र के सांसदों को सार्वजनिक क्षेत्र के उपक्रमों के सेवानिवृत्त लोगों की दुर्दशा के बारे में अवगत कराएं और वे पेंशन भोगी नहीं होने का दंश जीवन भर झेल रहे है माननीय सांसदों की जानकारी में लाए ।

आंदोलनकारी कदम

सर्वोच्च परिषद ने फैसला कि सेल और सरकार द्वारा सेल के सेवानिवृत्त लोगों के जीवन में स्थापित कष्टदायक परिस्थिति को कम करने के लिए तय समय सीमा के अंदर उचित कदम नहीं उठाये गए तो सर्वप्रथम पत्र लेखन, प्रेस के माध्यम, प्रेस सम्मेलन / प्रेस विज्ञप्ति आदि से अवकाशप्राप्त कर्मियों के प्रति सेल और सरकार के उदासीन रवैये को आमजन के बीच उजागर किया जाएगा। फिर शांतिपूर्ण अहिंसक आंदोलनकारी कदम उठाये जाएंगे जिसमे विभिन्न शहरों / स्थानों के स्टील टाउनशिप या सेल कार्यालय में रैलियां की जाएंगी और सेल और सरकार के उच्च पदस्थ अधिकारियों को ज्ञापन दिए जाएंगे। सेल और सरकार अगर हमारे वित्तीय और स्वास्थ्य के मुद्दों को हल करने की इच्छा शक्ति नहीं दिखाती है तो हम भूख हड़ताल और कठिन आंदोलन की राह पर आगे बढ़ेंगे।

अध्यक्ष ने सेल (SAIL) के सेवानिवृत्त एक लाख से अधिक अवकाशप्राप्त कर्मी सदस्यों और वरिष्ठ नागरिकों के इस मुद्दे पर जागरूकता लाने एवं उचित कार्रवाई करने के लिए मीडिया से अपील की।

(V. N. Sharma)

Chairman

M:9431102680, Ph:0651-3255795

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हिंदुस्तान

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सन्मार्ग

Pic: Apex Council in session in Ranchi on April 13, 2015

PRESS CLIPPING (Kolkata Press)

PRESS RELEASE (English)

13.04.2015

The Apex Council of the Federation of Retired SAIL Employees (FORSE) had a two-day meeting on April 12-13, 2015 in Manoranjan Bhawan at SAIL Satellite Township, Ranchi. The meeting was presided over by Dr. V. N. Sharma, the Chairman of the Federation. Sri B.N.Chaudhary, of the SAIL Ex-Employees’ Association, Ranchi and principal organizer of the event welcomed the Council members representing various Member Associations from the far and wide of the country. Sri Abhay Kumar Das, the General Secretary presented an Action Taken Report (ATR) on organizational matters after the last meeting held on Sept.21-22, 2014 at Bhilai.

The Chairman began with the thanks giving to the organisers of the meeting and support given individually and collectively by the employees and personnel belonging to SAIL Units at Ranchi viz, RDCIS, CET, MTI and SAIL Safety Organisation. He expressed his deep gratitude to the Heads of the SAIL Units at Ranchi and other senior officers and employees for sparing their valuable time to meet the members of the Apex Council.

It was followed by briefing the Council on developments in last 6 months (ref. http://sailex.blogspot.in), as a result of our correspondence with SAIL, number of departments and officials of the Govt of India, on the issues related to the post - retirement benefits to the pre-2007 numbering, as of now, about 35000 and post-01.01.2007 retirees numbering just above 70000. The emphasis of the approach was to request SAIL to formulate and implement schemes for various types of relief to the pre-2007 Retirees and their spouse in line with the Govt. advice given through DPE OMs for ‘creation of a corpus for retired employees of SAIL with 1.5% of the PBT’ which is already lagging behind by 6 years and to implement the scheme for pension for post-2006 retirees which already delayed by 8 years. It is interesting to note that SAIL never responded to our direct communication, except through RTI. The two responses received recently from SAIL came only through the office of the President of India. It is demeaning for a Maharatna like SAIL to treat the retirees in this manner. But even in these responses SAIL continued to ignore the advice and, in turn, dumped the idea of welfare of the early retirees. Since the corpus is to be created from SAIL’s Profit, no budgetary support is required. Also as these pioneer retirees are 70 and 80 years old, the corpus will not be required perennially. It must not be forgotten that the strong foundation laid by these pioneers in the formative years (1950s/60s) and the commitment, hard work and contributions made by these retirees under very hard times contributed to make SAIL the pride of the nation as Maharatna today. Also that SAIL has attained this height only by virtue of its consistent financial strength and its contribution to development of the country in various aspects.

Action taken on Pension and mediclaim matters with SAIL, National Insurance Company and the TPA E-meditek all through these 9 months were also talked about. In the post-general election days more than a dozen letters sent to number of Union Ministers incl. those to the Prime Minister and Steel Minister as also to Chairman SAIL and similar letters to a dozen of Members of Parliament, in addition to numerous telephone calls, for help in this regard did not have encouraging results. In summing up of the issues before the Federation the history of the organized sector like SAIL does not warrant appreciation as it did not implement any pension scheme for those retired before 2007 and SAIL has not been impressed upon so far by the political masters to change their stance in favour of the retirees.

The Chairman reasoned out that the pre - 2007 retirees who are in their 70s and 80s had retired at a time when inflation was not a big menace and most of the banks paid a handsome rate of interest which were in the range of 12% to 14%, some investments also brought 17-18% return. But times have changed. Now the rate of interest ranges around 9%. They are put to lot of hardship at twilight of their life due to lowering of income from investments on one side and astronomical increase in cost of living since they retired with meager sums and the increased expenditure on health care (beyond reimbursed amounts) due to old age ailments on the other side. SAIL should also get the blame for not providing Health care of any standard. In spite of the exponential price rise in medicines SAIL is sticking to the same Rs. 4000/- per member per year for 60-70 year old which was fixed 19 years ago in 1995 and Rs. 8000/- for 70+ year old members done recently.

Having regard to the facts explained in above paras the basic approach of FORSE is to appeal to the conscience of SAIL and the Govt. of India (i) to permit SAIL to transfer unclaimed money available with the PF Trusts of SAIL Plants and Units to the proposed corpus, (ii) transfer back by Govt 1 % of the dividend of SAIL to the corpus and (iii) to advise SAIL to raise the limit in the OMs of DPE from 1.5% to 3% and (iv) formulate better schemes for the pre-2007 retirees with a mission & empathy which should include a Healthcare programme for treating all the retirees at par with the working employees and 100 % coverage like Oil sector companies do for their Retired employees or a Mediclaim policy fully subscribed by SAIL (without sharing of the subscription by the Retired Employees). On the Govt.side FORSE demanded increase in the interest rate on Fixed Bank deposits for the retirees and action to enhance the facilities for Senior Citizens in Hospitals, transport, public utility services by incorporating newer policies. During the recent budget session of Parliament the Govt. came up with a scheme for the Senior Citizens which has been summarised in a Letter from PM to Senior Citizens in http://www.narendramodi.in/pms-letter-to-senior-citizen/ There is nothing new in this as similar policy existed for long and this new Govt initiative, in no way, takes care of the Nation Building work done by the Pioneer employees of HSL/ SAIL/ other PSUs. So this policy wrt Senior Citizens is no good and it helps none in the PSU.

In view of the fact that SAIL has cumulative Reserve/Cash Surplus of Rs.38536 crores as on 31^st March 2014, the total contribution to exchequer till 2013-14 must be more than Rs. 120, 000 crores and the total of PBT from 1.1.2007 till 2013-14 is Rs. 52272 crores (including 1/4^th of 2006-07) creation of a good scheme is quite a feasible proposition. As it stands Finance is not a problem for SAIL as it has been earning profit for more than 10 years. Since the principle of the creation of corpus for pre-2007 retirees is accepted by the Government, no further approval of Parliament is required and it requires only an Administrative decision for time-bound implementation. In the light of such a strong financial position there is no visible and comprehendible reason for the overall out and out negative attitude and approach of SAIL with respect to the retirees and we strongly desire that the Government must advise SAIL suitably to act in favour of the retirees.

FORSE also strongly recommended to advise SAIL to utilise the services of the physically fit retirees as much as possible by giving them specific assignments on contractual basis. This can be done with the active help of the Federation (FORSE) or its Member Associations. In the light of the recent statement of the Union Minister of DoPT re-employing the retirees, with years of experience behind each one of them, becomes more relevant.

We would also like to put on record the contradiction that except the early retirees of industrial CPSEs, retirees of all other CPSEs such as LIC, Nationalised Banks, Government Insurance companies, BSNL, Railways etc are getting substantial pension besides benefits such as additional interests for bank retirees, free phone calls for BSNL retirees, free travel concessions for Railway retirees etc. The paradox is that these retirees of CPSEs were government controlled employees but not government employees for pension. They are public servants for all purposes except for Pension and post-retirement benefits. It is expected that the Govt would view the cause of these Very Senior Citizen Retirees (those retired before 2007) who are now 70 + with compassion and not by the rule-book alone which itself is doubtfully incorrect at many places. Since Govt is keenly taking action for improved production, it is hoped this prejuduced treatment to pioneer retirees of industrial PSUs will be removed to improve morale of industrial workers. Chairman also pointed out the discrimination that whereas the Govt has accepted in principle provision of 30% of salary over & above it towards retirement benefit of PSU retirees but they have been contributing only around 16% to pre-2007 retirees of PSUs, which includes obligatory payments as gratuity, PF contribution etc..

He narrated in brief how the story related to the indoor treatment is much worse as the mediiclaim policy taken through an insurance company and operated through a Third Party Administrator (TPA) is extremely inefficient, yearly renewal of membership for the same members, without a standard procedure for settling the grievances. upto 6-8 months’ time taken for issuance of Mediclaim I-card and the information brochure, almost 6 months to a year for settlement of paid hospital Bills, patient being held by the hospital as a prisoner because of delayed payment clearance by the TPA, overruling of the specialist doctors of the hospital by the distant sitting doctors employed by the TPA. TPA withdrawing recognition of the Hospitals for cashless treatment at its own will without any information to the members has ended up with at least one suicide to our information by our member Asit Nandi (IISCO). He committed suicide on account of sheer financial inability to meet his medical expenses. The Federation intervened to help him but before he received the payment he died. Thousands of such of our colleagues- in- arms of yesteryears- must be silently suffering and finally vanishing. The Chairman further said that we are not begging but it should be obligatory on SAIL authorities to take care of the retirees on whose hard work the Company is a Maharatna today.

Chairman also showed his disgust with SAIL management for not initiating, preparing and implementing Pension schemes for the post-01.01.2007 retirees whereas its sister PSU-RINL-has got approved a scheme (with 10% of total salary of each employee as company contribution by it) by its Board. This is lying in the Ministry since July 2011 without any action; perhaps waiting for SAIL to clear a scheme. It may please be noted that most of other PSUs – BHEL, NTPC, NLC, Oil PSUs. etc. - have already implemented. Out of sheer inefficiency and absence of strong will SAIL has shifted the date of implementing the pension scheme for this category of employees from 1^st January 2007 to 2012.

Chairman stated that the MPs and Ministers etc are also not aware of the fact that even the organised sector of the Government do not have any pension scheme for pioneer retirees of the organized sector like PSUs. He requested FORSE members to bring to the kind notice of the Honorable MPs of their area as it appears that MPs are aware of the plight of retirees of unorganized sector only but not aware of the same for pioneer retirees of PSUs which is owned by Government itself.

Agitational Approach

Having regard to the miserable condition building up around the lives of the SAIL Retirees by the day the Apex Council decided to take to peaceful non-violent agitational path by (i) first publicizing the indifferent attitude of SAIL and the Government through letter writings and Press Conferences/ Press Release etc, (ii) taking rallies and presenting Memorandums to (a) Heads of SAIL Offices in different cities/ locations and (b) Senior most Government authorities in the Steel Townships or Office locations. It was decided to continue with hunger strike and enlarged methods of agitation if SAIL and Govt. do not resolve our financial and healthcare issues.

He further made a fervent appeal to the Media to take action on the same lines to bring awareness on this issue of Senior citizens of the pioneering batches of SAIL employees.

(V. N. Sharma)

Chairman

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Ex-SAIL staff in pension cry

OUR CORRESPONDENT (The Telegraph)

Ranchi, April 14: Former employees of Steel Authority of India (SAIL) have appealed to the government to increase their retirement benefits as rising costs, especially of medical treatment, were making it extremely difficult for them to maintain living standards.

At a two-day meeting of the apex council of Federation of Retired SAIL Employees (FORSE), an umbrella organisation of various ex-employee associations of the Maharatna company, its chairman V.N. Sharma appealed to the PSU to set up a corpus for retired employees as advised by the Centre.

The Union government, he explained, had advised SAIL to create the corpus with 1.5 per cent of its profit before tax six years ago, but so far, nothing had been done.

At the Ranchi meeting that concluded on Tuesday, the apex council demanded creation of the corpus without further delay, adding that SAIL could do so by transferring unclaimed money available with various provident fund trusts of the company.

"There are over 1 lakh retired employees of SAIL in the country. These can be divided into two groups - those who retired before December 31, 2006 and those who retired after that," Sharma said.

Retired SAIL employees receive Rs 4,000 per annum for medical expenses, while those above 70 years get Rs 8,000. "The financial condition of those who retired within 2006 is particularly bad," he pointed out, explaining that most got less than Rs 1,000 monthly.

http://www.telegraphindia.com/1150415/jsp/jharkhand/story_14616.jsp#.VTJWUPmUd0h

Individual Premium Amounts
Age of Mediclaim Member as on 31.03.2015	Renewal Premium Amount per Member, Rs.
Below 70 Years	3281.00
Between 70-80 Years	2378.00
80 Years & Above	1586.00

Federation of Retired SAIL Employees

सोमवार, 27 अप्रैल 2015

Anger and anguish against unilateral enhancement of Retirees renewal premium in Mediclaim Policy

शुक्रवार, 24 अप्रैल 2015

Letter to SAIL Chairman Against implementing an irrational Mediclaim Policy on 16th April 2015 for SAIL Retirees

गुरुवार, 16 अप्रैल 2015

SAIL Mediclem Policy 1st April 2015 -31st March 2016

सोमवार, 13 अप्रैल 2015

Apex Council Meeting @ Ranchi -Minutes, Resolution and Press Matters

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Ex-SAIL staff in pension cry

Federation of Ex-Employees of SAIL comprises of all the Unit Associations of Ex-Employees of SAIL