Federation of
Retired SAIL Employees (FORSE)
ABASAR BHAWAN, Koel Nagar, Rourkela-769014
MINUTES OF THE 4TH APEX COUNCIL
MEETING HELD AT BHADRAVATI ON 26TH and 27TH SEPTEMBER
2015.
1.
As
decided in the 3rd Apex Council meeting of FORSE held at Ranchi on 12th
and 13th April 2015, the 4th Apex Council meeting was
convened at Bhadravati on 26th and 27th September 2015.
Delegates from respective unit associations of retirees of SAIL located in
different parts of the country participated in the meeting as per the list
attached (Annexure-I).
2.
Shri
Saroj Ranjan Das, the President, BSP Ex-Officers’ Association, Bhilai and Vice
Chairman, FORSE, could not attend the meeting due to his sudden illness as per
his mail dated 22nd Sept’2015.
3.
The
meeting started with paying tributes to Bharat Ratna Dr.M. Visvesvaraya, the
legendary technocrat and founder of Visvesvaraya Iron and Steel Plant (VISL),
Bhadravati. The inaugural session started after lighting the Lamp by Shri V K
Sangameswaran, Ex-MLA, Bhadravati who graced the occasion as the Chief Guest.
Shri J.S.Nagabhushan, Vice-Chairman, FORSE, in his welcome speech, explained in
brief the aims and objectives of FORSE. He sought the support and help of the
Chief Guest to pursue the issues of retired SAIL employees including the
grievances of his Association (VREWC) with the Hon’ble Minister Of Steel, Govt.
Of India and Hon’ble Prime Minister of India.
4.
Dr.
V.N.Sharma, Chairman, FORSE, presided over the business session. In his opening
remark while welcoming the delegates, he thanked the VISL RETIRED EMPLOYEES’
WELFARE CENTRE for hosting the Apex Council Meeting of FORSE (VREWC) in a
befitting manner and dealt with the aims and objectives of FORSE vis-à-vis the
role played by FORSE in ventilating the acute and outrageous problems of the
retirees of SAIL, exhorted to fight all such issues in consolidated and uniform
manner.
5.
The
MOM of the 3rd Apex Council Meeting held at Ranchi was presented to
the Council members by the Gen. Secretary Shri Abhay Kumar Das and the same was
passed unanimously. He also dealt in detail the position regarding action taken
so far by FORSE on the resolution taken in the Ranchi convention. He further
briefed the members about the status of the Registration including various
problems posed by concerned departments and the way he has tackled them. He
hoped that the Registration will be done within next 6-8 weeks’ time.
6.
A provisional statement of accounts showing Income
and Expenditure as on 25-09-2015, (Annexure – II) was presented by the
Treasurer Shri Mohan Dakua. He briefly mentioned the names of respective unit associations as detailed below, who have
subscribed one time membership/affiliation fee of Rs.5000/- and Annual
subscription of Rs.5000/-respectively.
List of Member Associations who have paid the Affiliation Fee
S.No.
|
Name
of the Unit
|
Paid, Rs.
|
1
|
Association of SAIL Calcutta Superannuated
Employees, Kolkata
|
5000.00
|
2
|
SAIL Ex-Employees Association, Ranchi
|
5000.00
|
3
|
RSP Retired Employees Association, Rourkela
|
5000.00
|
4
|
BSP Ex-Officers’ Association, Bhilai
|
5000.00
|
List of Member Associations
who have paid Annual Fee
(2014-15)
|
||
1
|
Association of SAIL Calcutta Superannuated
Employees, Kolkata
|
5000.00
|
2
|
SAIL Ex-Employees Association, Ranchi
|
5000.00
|
In his concluding remarks he mentioned that the
expenses incurred for registration and establishment requirements etc. have not
been taken into account.
7.
Chairman
requested all the Member Associations to clear the pending subscriptions
immediately.
8.
The
Apex Council deliberated at length the need of modernization of the VISL plant
and allotment of iron ore mines to make it profitable. In this connection a resolution
was passed for submission to the Hon’ble Union Minister of Steel, Govt. of
India and to SAIL Chairman to provide adequate budget and raw material linkage
by allotting captive mines to make the plant viable and profitable.
9. Respective Member Associations gave a feedback about their activities
and put forth their proposals for discussion. The viewpoints of all the Associations
were deliberated in detail and the final outcome are summarized as follows.
A. General and direct
financial benefit issues
Apex Council decided to request SAIL and the Union Ministry of Steel and
other Govt departments, wherever necessary, on the following issues
I.
In view of the information
obtained from the ‘Annual report of SAIL for the year 2013-14 (page 57)’ referred
to in the link http://sailex.blogspot.in/2015/10/extract-of-annual-report-2013-14-of.html Apex Council decided to request SAIL and the Union Ministry of Steel to recognize
FORSE as the sole representative Body of Retirees of SAIL and formally involve
FORSE representatives for swift and appropriate policy making decisions
including pension, gratuity, mediclaim, etc.
II.
In view of the
above it was also decided to request the concerned authorities to withdraw the MOUs or any other decision
arrived at with any other organization/ body, on matters related to SAIL
Retirees, and make appropriate changes wherever necessary in discussion with
FORSE on the lines similar to ‘One Rank One Pension’ for the Armed Forces.
III.
To organize SAIL-
FORSE meetings at least twice in a year or earlier if the situation so
warrants. (ONGC follows this practice of regular meetings with their retirees’
representatives.)
IV.
Apex Council noted
with anger and dismay the Amendments made in 2008 in EPS-95, that is, ‘withdrawing the provision to opt for Return of Capital’ under which the spouse was getting 100 times the
Pension as Return of Capital apart from widow pension under this clause (http://admis.hp.nic.in/himpol/Citizen/LawLib/C095.HTM) This led to curtailing a major benefit
accruing to the Retirees’ spouse under ‘now deleted para 12A & 13’ (p19 http://www.epfindia.com/site_docs/PDFs/Downloads_PDFs/EPS95_update102008.pdf) and put them to further disadvantage. The Apex Council resolved to request the concerned Ministries
of the Govt of India to make amends in EPS 95 by restoring section 12A & 13
in the Act for giving better financial treatment to the Retirees/ spouse/
Senior Citizens.
V.
To formulate
schemes for monetary help to those retired
on or before 31st December 2006 (Pre-2007 Retirees) 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.
VI.
To finalise and
implement Pension Scheme for those
retired on or after 1st January 2007 (post-2006 Retirees) as
early as possible.
VII.
To request SAIL Management to start the deposit scheme for the SAIL
retired employees with interest rate at par with that paid to the bankers/
financiers on borrowing money from the market for its Modernisation / Expansion
programmes.
VIII.
To release payment
of arrears to employees of IISCO retired between 01.01.1997 and 31.01.2006 to
be done on urgent basis.
IX.
To release payment
of arrears to employees of SAIL Refractory Unit (erstwhile Bharat Refractories
Ltd) on urgent basis.
X.
To restore the benefit of leave encashment (beyond
300 days) to those who retired
between period 29.07.2013 to 28.12.2013 by withdrawing the OO dated 24th April
2014 issued by Corporate Office.
XI.
To develop real
concern for the retired employees and to look after their welfare as part of corporate social responsibility.
XII.
To strengthen
channels of communication for ventilating grievances
XIII.
To introduce
a clause on satisfaction/ views of "Retd. PSU Employees in the PM's Trophy
assessment criteria & Best Employer award by SCOPE.
XIV.
To create a
separate section/ department in SAIL Corporate Office and also the Units to
help the Retirees as and when needed.
XV.
To provide some
space at centrally located place in the SAIL Plants/ Units to FORSE/ Local
affiliated Associations for their operation and for day to day interaction,
counseling and servicing to their members and to attend to their call in
emergent needs (Request has already been made earlier).
XVI.
To provide/ extend
infrastructural facilities like SAIL Guest House
accommodation, Hall booking for Social functions etc., to retirees for social function like marriage etc. on the financial
terms and conditions less than those applicable to the current employees.
XVII.
To facilitate participation
of Retirees’ family in SAIL sponsored/ financed social programmes at par with
Regular employees in the SAIL Plant/ Unit
Townships.
XVIII.
To deploy retired SAIL employees
by SAIL in various jobs/ activities as consultants, advisors etc.-utilization
of in house talents (as suggested by MoS)
XIX.
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.
XX.
All
SAIL Plants/ Units to allot vacant houses on long term lease basis to Retirees
or their successors.
XXI.
All
SAIL Plants/ Units to stop withdrawal of short term leasing of houses after 22/
33 months or 2 or 3 terms.
(Note for paras XX & XXI: It is required also
because vacant houses are normally occupied by anti-social elements and
ruffians which increases the uncalled for expenses on the Plants/ Units in
vacating the house.)
B.
Healthcare Issues – Suggestion for Improvement
1. 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.”
2. To consider the Healthcare of the retirees for self and spouse to be at
par with those for the current employees.
3. To rationalize the modalities of treatment and charging uniform rates
for consultation for retiree employees (and spouse) in plant hospitals and
apportionment of all charges for treatment in SAIL hospitals against the
medical entitlements under the scheme. SAIL Hospitals should also ensure
availability of medicines prescribed for OPD patients in the Hospital itself.
4. Since financial ceiling for OPD treatment is fixed and very low,
treatment and re-imbursement should be allowed by registered medical
practitioners as per SAIL existing rules as many of the retirees are staying in
far flung areas of the town / city and it is difficult for them to visit
designated centres thereby incurring high travelling expenses besides hassle
and even paying higher consultation fees.
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.
i.
To increase OPD coverage of Rs.20,000/-per annum
jointly in respect of retired employee and spouse on floater basis.
ii.
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.
iii.
To pay total
subscription for renewal of mediclaim membership, to make permanent I-card by
SAIL, to complete negotiations and settling of terms and conditions with
Insurance Co. & the TPA by March-end every year and to issue Guidebook to
reach members by mid-April. (May be noted that the Guidebook and I-cards are still streaming to the members in the
7th month)
iv.
Renewal
of lapsed mediclaim: Anytime and every time
with a nominal charge.
v.
Upgradation of the present Medical facilities with
review of present Healthcare 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.
vi.
Settlement of Mediclaim
related Grievances - Role of Ombudsman.
vii.
In case of widows/
widowers of the member total coverage should be allowed in case he/she agrees
to make full premium.
viii.
The procedure for
filing claim in case of deceased person should be formulated and incorporated
in the booklet.
ix.
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
x.
Registered
Association/ Society should be authorized to deal on behalf of mediclaim
members.
xi.
Inclusion of
various tests like MRI etc. and therapy (like "CYTOTRON Therapy"),
Accentrix injection for Macular Eye disease and gadgets required for absolute
fitness of the Retirees and their spouse should be listed under
IPD/ cashless treatment.
xii.
The Apex Council decided to request SAIL to extend without further delay
the benefit of SAIL Mediclaim Scheme/ Policy to those retired employees of
VISL who retired before 01.01.2004.
10.
Role of OMBUDSMAN :
Shri
Debashis Chaudhury, Member, ASCSE, Kolkata and Jt. Treasurer, FORSE, explained
in detail the role of Ombudsman for settlement of Mediclaim related grievances.
He outlined the procedure to Ombudsman court for accepting the grievance for
hearing. He further explained that it is a little lengthy process but people
have got the benefits. He urged the members to clearly understand and follow
the steps for going to Ombudsman for an impartial judgement and the Insurance
Company has to honour the verdict as per the IRDA.
11.
Shri S K Ghosh,
Vice-Chairman, FORSE, requested all the Member Associations who are yet to pay
the affiliation fee and the annual fee, to expedite their payments. He also
urged the delegates to invite more Unit Associations of SAIL retirees to join
FORSE to show their solidarity in fighting for the issues as discussed in this
convention. In order to highlight the issues at MOS and SAIL Corporate level he
suggested an Action Plan to be drawn up.
12.
ACTION PLAN :
FORSE had been trying to get an appointment with
the SAIL Chairman and Hon’ble Union Minister of Steel through a number of
memoranda but without any fruitful result. However, the new Chairman, SAIL and
Director, Personnel, SAIL are due to join very soon. The Apex Committee is very
hopeful and optimistic that the incumbents will be sympathetic towards the
plight of SAIL retirees. Therefore, it was unanimously decided that a fresh
attempt shall be made by FORSE to seek their help in solving our issues and thereafter
if necessary, a peaceful twelve hour ‘Dharna’ shall be organized, on a suitable
date, by the Member Associations in front of respective plant/unit offices.
13.
NEXT MEETING:
Venue for the next meeting of the Apex Council, which
is scheduled to be held in March 2016, is tentatively decided to be organized
at Bokaro or Ramgarh, Jharkhand.
14.
VOTE OF THANKS :
(I) On behalf of all the delegates of the Apex Council meeting Sri Ram Agar
Singh of Bokaro Steel Retired Employees Association thanked Sri Nagabhushan and
his team for the flawless arrangement made by them for the excellent
arrangement for boarding, lodging and transportation of the delegates.
(II)
The meeting ended
with vote of thanks proposed by Shri S K Ghosh, Vice-Chairman, FORSE, to the Chair
and the members and office bearers of VISL Retired Employees’ Welfare Centre(R)
for their wonderful hospitality to the delegates and hosting the complete
programme in a grand manner. Shri Ghosh also expressed his gratitude to the
CEO, VISL for giving an opportunity to the delegates of FORSE to interact with
him and for extending necessary support such as guest house accommodation and
transport etc. to the delegates. Lastly, he thanked the delegates for their
deliberations, suggestions and active participation in the discussion.
ADDITIONAL PROGRAMMES:
25th Sept 2015
a) Members of the Apex Council from Chennai, Kerala, Bangluru and
Bhadravati, who arrived at Bhadravati on 25th Sept 2015 had meetings
with FORSE Chairman, Dr.V.N.Sharma, and Vice Chairmen Sri S.K. Ghosh and Sri
J.S. Nagabhushan on the subjects of local issues related to organizational
matters as also their grievances with SAIL and the Mediclaim policy
implementation.
b) Representatives of the various Unions and Bhadravati Retirees also met
FORSE Chairman with a view to save VISL.
c) Apex Council members made a pleasure trip, courtesy VISL Retired
Employees’ Welfare Centre (R), to Bhadra River and Dam and visited the Boating
club etc.
26th Sept. 2015
a) Apex Council Members attended a courtesy meeting with Shri M. Ravi, ED
& CEO, VISP, other senior officers, the representatives of Workers’ Union
and Executives’ Association at the Metallurgical Block auditorium. FORSE
Chairman, Dr.V.N.Sharma, informed those present that he and FORSE Vice Chairman
Sri S.K. Ghosh attended a crucial SEFI meeting in 1986 at Bhadravati which took up the cause of
‘takeover of VISL by SAIL’ and expressed happiness over VISL becoming a
full-fledged SAIL Plant. He further conveyed the feelings of the Apex Body of
FORSE over the present financial situation of VISP and promised all the
required support for the modernisation and expansion of VISL. The committee was
happy to learn that Hon’ble Steel Minister, Govt. Of India, during his last
visit to VISL, had declared to provide Rs.1000 crore for the proposed
modernization of the plant. A copy of the Resolution
adopted in the Apex Council meeting was handed over to the CEO for his kind perusal.
The Apex Body also expressed its appreciation over the improved performance of
the plant during the year 2014-15 under the able leadership of Shri Ravi and
his team which included the entire workforce and executives of VISL.
b) On the occasion of completion of 30 years of existence of the VISL
Retired Employees’ Welfare Centre (R), Apex Council members visited their newly
expanded and renovated Office premises. An important part of the evening
programme was release of a ‘A Report on 30 Years of Selfless Service by VISL
Retired Employees’ Welfare Centre (R)’ by FORSE Chairman Dr. V.N. Sharma. In
addition to Dr. Sharma, FORSE Vice Chairman Sri S.K. Ghosh and General
Secretary Sri Abhay Kumar Das also spoke highly of the contribution made by VISL
Retired Employees’ Welfare Centre (R) in its longest tenure.
27th Sept 2015
a) As a part of the Celebration on completion of 30 successful useful years
of VISL Retired Employees’ Welfare Centre (R) Members of the FORSE Apex Council
were given a warm welcome by the city Seniors led by Bhadravati MLA, Hon’ble
Sri M.J. Appaji in a public function held in Sri Manjunatha Swamy Kalyana
Mantapa. FORSE Chairman Dr.V.N.Sharma,
Vice Chairman Sri S.K. Ghosh and General Secretary Sri Abhay Kumar Das were
honoured by Hon’ble Sri M.J. Appaji. The public function was addressed by Sri
Appaji and Office bearers of FORSE. A cultural programmes of music, song and
mono Acts were also held on the occasion.
b) As part of the programme Apex Council Members visited the Museum located
in the VISL Township. Members observed the museum to be lively by the write-ups
and statue of Great Dr. M. Viswaswaraiyya and the VISL Plant models.
P.S.: May pl.
click on the link to see the photographs of the Additional programmes http://sailex.blogspot.in/2015/10/apex-council-meeting-at-bhadravathi-on.html
(Abhay Kumar Das)
General Secretary
Annexure-I
List
of Participants to the Apex Council Meeting
Assn. of SAIL Calcutta Superannuated
Employees
·
Sri S.K. Ghosh
·
Sri Debasish Chaudhuri
·
Sri Jayanta Kr. Kundu
·
Sri Dipak Brajabasi
·
Sri Madan Mohan Sarkar
Bokaro Steel Retired Employees Assn
·
Sri R.A.Singh
·
Sri M.P. Singh
RSP Retired Employee Assn, Rourkela
·
Sri Abhay Kumar Das
·
Sri Mohan Dakua
SAIL Ex-Employees
Assn., Kerala
·
Sri
K.K. Pandarthil
·
Sri
George Oommen
SAIL Ex-Employees
Assn., Ranchi
·
Dr.V.N.Sharma
SAIL-Salem Steel
Plant Ex-Employees Welfare Assn
·
Sri
C.K. Thanggavel
·
Sri A. Rajrathinam
VISL Retired Employees Welfare Centre
·
Sri J.S.Nagabhushan
·
Sri B.Yallappa
·
Sri Mariyappa
·
Sri Veerabhadrappa HN
·
Sri Ravindra Reddy BK
·
Sri Mukundaiah
·
BT Srinivasa Gowda (All India
Pensioners Samaj)
Chennai & Bengaluru Retirees Association
- · Sampoornam Jekke
- · K Sivakumaran
- · A Rafick
- · B Krishnamurthy
Note: In addition to the above 14 Invitees also
attended the Apex Council meeting
