A Report on FORSE Agitation at Delhi on Feb 07-09, 2017

Following the decision of FORSE Apex Council in Sept 2016 meeting at Bokaro it was decided to conduct an Agitational programme running for 4 months and culminating at Ispat Bhawan, Lodhi Road, New Delhi, on 9th Feb 2017 after 3-day Dharna, Demonstration and Relay Hunger Strike from Feb 07 to 09, 2017 on the pavements in front of Ispat Bhawan. 

SAIL was given a Notice on 14th October 2016 followed by letters from Sri Ananth Kumar, Hon'ble Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs and 4 MPs 
- Sri PN Singh, Dhanbad;

- Sri CH Malla Reddy,Malkajgiri; 
- Sri Kesineni Srinivas (Vijayawada) and 
- Sri Tapan Sen, Rajya Sabha (WB) 
to Hon'ble Steel Minister and SAIL Chairman which ended in a visit of GM(P) from Corp Office to Ranchi on 1st Feb 2017 to informally communicate to FORSE Chairman not to proceed with the programme in Delhi. 

The representatives from various Associations landed in Delhi in time and executed the programme as planned with over 250 participants including 22 women. FORSE representatives also met Sri Ananth Kumar, Hon'ble Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs on Feb 08-09 who discussed the matter with Steel Minister and advised us to meet Dr. Aruna Sharma, the Steel Secretary. Meeting with Dr Aruna Sharma was quite in + ve direction. Aide Memoire is here:

1.    She agreed to ask SAIL Chairman to recognise FORSE and hold meetings with FORSE. She assured that she would meet SAIL Chairman next week and take up this issue. 

2.    She accepted that pension will be worked out soon and implemented. 

3.    She was not favourable to pre- 2007 financial benefiits but after persuasion she agreed to discuss it later after pension is finalised. 

4.    She also suggested that problems of mediclaim should be looked into with WHO guidelines and if a difference is found between SAIL and Insurance co. it should be removed as per WHO guidelines. 

5.    She agreed to implement mediclaim scheme for VISL retirees between 1998 and 2004 

6.    Leasing of unpopular houses if they are suitable for living: She agreed to look into. 

7.    She suggested appointment of more than one TPAs for different regions of the country and appointment of Nodal Officer incl in SAIL Corp Office.
8. Contracting Insurance Co. and TPAs for 3 years or more.

9.    On our plea she also agreed that privatisation of SAIL plants should be avoided by help from all incl State Govt.. 

10. She asked the FORSE delegates to be in touch with her if and when required

11.She talked of heavy losses by SAIL. FORSE Chairman offered services of SAIL retirees in saving SAIL from derailment and privatisation so that their knowledge and long experience can be used. Steel Secretary commented that private companies are using  all SAIL retirees and making profits. Why SAIL should not do that?         

Follow-up letter to Steel Secretary can be seen at the end of this Report.

Even without meeting SAIL Chairman the Agitational programme created sufficient pressure on the SAIL BOD, meeting on 9th Feb to approve the Pension scheme for those retired on or after 01/01/2007 (Ex) and 01/01/2012 (NE) as per NJCS Agreement. 

May pl click on http://tinyurl.com/FORSE2SAIL to see the update to SAIL Chairman   

Some of the photographs and press coverage of the programme are placed below.

e-mail: secy-steel@nic.in

FORSE/ SS/0117

Feb 13, 2017

To

Dr. Aruna Sharma, IAS

Secretary, Ministry of Steel,

291, Udyog Bhawan,

New Delhi-110011.

Sub: Request to help SAIL retirees

Ref: Our meeting with you in your chamber on 09^th Feb 2017

Madam,

We express our deep gratitude and thanks for sparing your valuable time for us on 09^th February (A.N.) 2017 to find solution to our long overdue grievances/ issues like recognition to FORSE, pension/financial assistance and improved Healthcare services for SAIL Retirees.

In conclusion a major issue – an urgent meeting with SAIL Chairman to discuss and resolve the grievances/ demands of the SAIL retirees- was felt necessary as the need of the hour. As it stands Retirees / Senior Citizens do not have much time to live on and wait for implementation of Government OMs or internal policy formulation and implementation by SAIL with respect to the issues mentioned above in an open ended manner.

In view of your assurance this is to request you to kindly help us get recognition and invitation for an urgent meeting with SAIL Chairman followed by regular six-monthly meetings with him to resolve the issues. It may please be noted that we have already requested SAIL Chairman this morning to arrange for a meeting with us at an early date as per his convenience. We expect that your efforts will bear fruit for the benefit of SAIL retirees.

We hope and believe that your help and support will be available to us in future also especially when some complex issue requires clarification/ intervention of the Government.

With warm regards,

Yours faithfully,

For & on behalf of Federation of Retired SAIL Employees

(V.N.Sharma) 

Chairman

With warm regards,

--

For & on behalf of Federation of Retired SAIL Employees (Regd)

Dr.V.N.Sharma, Chairman 

Ph: 9431102680; 9470117056; 9831322560, 

http://tinyurl.com/sail-retirees