गुरुवार, 9 जून 2016

Our grievances and Action Plan

FORSE/Ch/SAIL-0516
26th May 2016
Sri P.K.Singh,
Chairman,
Steel Authority of India Ltd.
Ispat Bhawan, Lodhi Road,
New Delhi-110003.
    Sub: Request for granting an urgent meeting with you to resolve our long standing issues/ grievances.
Ref: Our various letters on the subject and e-mail message to you dated April 10/11, 2016  
Dear Sir,
I would like to draw your kind attention to the various letters including the one on 19th Jan 2016 with a ‘Request to fix a meeting with our Apex Council’ (copy attached below). Sri Shitanshu Prasad, ED (P&A) Corporate Office visited Ranchi just 12 days later and met us informally on 1st Feb 2016 and his assurance that the grievances will be discussed with SAIL Chairman and Director (P) and necessary communication made ignited some hope amongst the Retirees. However, non-fulfillment of his words brought us down from a high pedestal of illusionary hope and I conveyed the following to the Council in its meeting on April 09-10, 2016.
4. He (Chairman, FORSE) also mentioned his informal but scheduled meeting with Sri Shitanshu Prasad, ED (P&A, Corp Office) on 1st Feb at MTI, Ranchi. He further informed the house that in spite of the assurances given by Sri Prasad to revert back to us within a month or so no progress was made even after a lapse of over two months. It was natural to interpret this as an indicator of lack of sensitivity of the Company towards its retired employees.
We are left uncared for by SAIL, as a group of untouchables, stands true even today almost 4 months later. In the meantime the Apex Council decided to go for an Agitational Action Plan which I communicated to you by e-mail on April 10/11, 2016 (a copy of the same is given just after this letter).
Sir, with a view to save SAIL from uncalled for ignonimity and to save SAIL’s Retirees’ Collective from some undesired happenings, due to their age and physical condition, during agitation I request you to kindly invite us for a meeting with you and others in Delhi or any of the Plant/ Unit location so that we are in a position to convey our feelings and grievances for your consideration and favourable action. 
With thanks and kind regards,



                                                                             Yours sincerely,
                   (V.N.Sharma)

Chairman

Federation of Retired SAIL Employees (FORSE)
Regd Office: ABASAR BHAWAN, Koel Nagar, Rourkela-769014
Relevant Extract from the Minutes Of The 5th Apex Council Meeting Held at Ramgarh on 09th and 10th April 2016.
9.    Discussion on Issues before SAIL Retirees: 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 as per Annexure I of the Agenda in the link http://tinyurl.com/FORSE-Agenda and the final outcome are summarized as follows.                                                                                                                                  
(i)   General and direct financial benefit issues:
 (a)   To formulate schemes for monetary help in any form to those retired on or before 31st December, 2006 (Pre-2007 Retirees) in form of monthly payment 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.
(b)  To finalise and implement Pension Scheme for those retired on or after 1st January, 2007 (post-2006 Retirees) as early as possible (particularly in view of the fact the the RINL has aalready implimentated).
(c)   To recognize FORSE as the representative body of SAIL Retirees and organize SAIL-FORSE Apex Council meetings at least twice in a year or more if the situation so warrants.  (ONGC follows this practice of regular meetings with their retirees’ representatives).
(d) FORSE representatives to be formally involved in all stages of negotiations/discussions with the Insurance Co./TPA etc. during finalization of SAIL Mediclaim Policy/Guidbood.
(e)   To create a Nodal Office for SAIL Retriees at SAIL Corp.Office and Plant Unit levels to assist Retirees.
(f)      SAIL to discuss the issues related to Retirees only with FORSE representatives (not with any other organisations).
(g)     SAIL to provide office space in Kolkata.
(h)     Leasing of Houses in Steel Plant/Unit Township to ex-employees and their family members.
(h)  Withdrawal of all decisions discriminating between executives and non-executives
(ii)   Improvement in Healthcare facilities like better Healthcare system, automatic renewal, increased coverage of Hospitalization and outdoor treatment etc. as  detailed in Annexure II of the Agenda in the link http://tinyurl.com/FORSE-Agenda The Council expressed strong resentment over present mediclaim scheme of SAIL which is drawn every year with substantial contribution by SAIL retirees towards overall premium which have failed to meet the basic medical needs to large extent of ageing members due to various restrictive and exclusion clauses with ceiling in reimbursement and maladministration of the TPA, the facilities available being much better in other similar PSUs.
(iii)  Release of payment of arrears to retired employees of IISCO and SRU and mediclaim facility coverage to the retirees of VISL (upto 2004) to be done on urgent basis.
10.  Drastic cut by the Govt of India in the interest on deposits for Sr. Citizens like Sr. Citizens Savings Scheme, MIS and PPF etc. and reduction in the rates of interests on deposits in banks are also identified as some of the causes of poor quality of life of the SAIL Retirees in the absence of pension or any other regular income. Such a pitiable situation led to popping off of a few under tragic circumstances at the fag end of their life. It was seriously discussed and debated and the Council observed this to be a retrograde step by the Govt. against its Senior Citizens incl. SAIL Retirees.It was observed to be all against the ideals of the Govt as spelt out in the Govt portals for Senior Citizen which also appears to have been scrapped without really doing itanything positive formally. The Council demanded from the Govt. 11% interest on deposits, esp. meant for Sr. Citizens who are without pension, with provision for tax free exemption for income up to Rs. 6 lakhs, regular revision against the price rise of essential commodities as done for Govt pensioners. 

11.  ACTION PLAN : During the discussion it was concluded that the hopes of the SAIL Retirees, banking on the new SAIL Management, was totally belied as SAIL did not show any interest in resolving the long pending issues detailed above. In view of the financially distressed condition of SAIL Retirees leading to a life in privation and the agony and with ignominy they have to live with, the Apex Council chalked out a detailed plan of action due to lack of interest and initiative by SAIL to resolve the standing issues to meet the SAIL Retirees expectations. In view of this it was decided to implement the following Action Plan in all Units with all seriousness.
  1. Pasting posters and banners in the Steel Townships on weekly and fortnightly basis.
  2. 20th June, 2016 : Rally to be organized in each Plant/Unit  
  3. 21st June, 2016: Dharna in front of or near the main building of the Plant/Office.
  4. 4th August, 2016: Human chain formation will be organized in each Plant/Unit Township between 12.00 noon & 2.00 PM .
  5. 5th August, 2016: Dharna/Demonstration will be organized in front of the main building of the Plant/Unit.
  6. November, 2016 after Puja & Chhath festival: In case the above fails to get a positive response from SAIL a massive Dharna and Demonstration will be organized in front of SAIL office, New Delhi. 
(V.N.Sharma)
Chairman

&&&&&&&&&&&&

By e-mail
April 10/11, 2016
Chairman, 
SAIL, New Delhi.

Dear Sir, 

This is to bring to your kind notice that the Apex Concil of FORSE held a two day meeting at Ramgarh on April 09-10, 2016. Minutes of the Meeting is enclosed herewith. The following Action Plan forms part of the MOM which is reproduced below for your kind attention and necessary action. It may be considered as a Notice.  I am also endorsing a copy of the same to CEOs and and ED I/c of Plants & Units of SAIL for information and necessary action at their end.
           
 ACTION PLAN :
  1.  Pasting posters and banners in the Steel Townships on weekly and fortnightly basis.
  2. 20th June, 2016 : Rally to be organized in each Plant/Unit  
  3. 21st June, 2016: Dharna in front of or near the main building of the Plant/Office .
  4. 4th August, 2016: Human chain formation will be organized in each Plant/Unit Township between 12.00 noon & 2.00 PM .
  5. 5th August, 2016: Dharna/Demonstration will be organized in front of the main building of the Plant/Unit.
  6. November, 2016 after Puja & Chhath festival: In case the above fails to get a positive response from SAIL a massive Dharna and Demonstration will be organized in front of SAIL office, New Delhi. 


Other attachments include the list of newly elected Office bearers and Press clippings of the event. 

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