By e-mail: chairman.sail@sail.in
FORSE/SAIL-C/1525
May 05, 2025
To
Sri Amarendu Prakash,
Chairman,
Steel Authority of India Ltd,
Ispat Bhavan, Lodhi Road,
New Delhi – 110 003.
Sub: Request for a SAIL-FORSE meeting to discuss revised and updated comprehensive Charter of Grievances & Demands to improve quality of life of SAIL Retired Employees.
Dear Sir,
The outcome and experience of last one year of our letter dated 27/04/2024 on the subject ‘A comprehensive demand for Healthcare of SAIL Retirees’ in the link https://sailex.blogspot.com/2024/04/a-comprehensive-demand-for-healthcare.html submitted to you for your favourable policy making consideration and implementation, was discussed threadbare in the XVth FORSE Apex Council meeting held at Ranchi on April 09-10, 2025. Apex Council members expressed the view that SAIL brought about some improvements here and there but much was desired to be done to help the poor retirees. Members held the view that SAIL could not do much to act favorably for Retirees because of lack of knowledge and experience of the concerned personnel dealing with the formulation of policies and schemes. Such lack of clarity could also be observed while talking to them on phone. Old age problems like physical/ medical/ financial etc are exclusive to old aged people. It is quite natural that concerned personnel, being relatively younger in age, fail to grasp the seriousness as they had no opportunity to discuss the issues systematically with the FORSE representatives face to face to understand the issues.
Getting along with the issues, members spoke for improvements and betterment in the quality of life of the SAIL Retirees and the ways to achieve them. For this a consensus decision was a face to face meeting with the concerned personnel of SAIL with the FORSE representatives.
In view of the above, we request you to kindly fix a SAIL-FORSE meeting in Delhi as per your convenience with about 10 FORSE members to discuss the issues annexed as paras A. B. & C. and sub-paras preferably before the SAIL Mediclaim tender is released.
With kind regards,
Yours faithfully,
For and on behalf of Federation of Retired SAIL Employees
Dr V N Sharma Chairman
Ram Agar Singh General Secretary
Annexure
A. General
i. House leasing to Retirees: For a very long time FORSE has been appealing SAIL to allot vacant/ unutilised Houses in the SAIL Townships to the Serving and Retired employees on Long lease basis- for 33 years in first go and two extensions of same duration without payment of additional money. SAIL has not paid heed to it. Therefore, the issue was discussed in detail and it was decided to request SAIL Chairman to allot Houses in the SAIL Townships on long lease basis as quickly as possible. It was also decided that a FORSE delegation may see SAIL Chairman and follow it up to expedite the issue.
II. Allotment of Office space to all FORSE-affiliated Associations: A good number of communications was sent to SAIL with a request to allot a proper size office space in one of the strategically located vacant / unutilised Houses, office space in cities, to the FORSE affiliated Unit Associations for serving the normal and emergency needs of the Retirees with some comfort. SAIL did not pay heed to this even when a large number of vacant Houses/ office space in SAIL Townships/ Offices in the cities are available and some of them getting misused. The issue was discussed in detail and it was decided to request SAIL Chairman to allot such vacant houses/ vacant office space to FORSE affiliated Associations against nominal charges for their use. It was also decided to follow it up by a FORSE delegation meeting SAIL Chairman to plead this issue.
III. Recognition of FORSE by SAIL Management (Ref : letters in https://sailex.blogspot.com/2024/02/blog-post_9.html
IV. Periodic meeting with FORSE representatives to be convened by SAIL for bridging Communication gap between SAIL & FORSE to help resolve ever cropping up issues regarding well-being of Retirees:
V. It was reported that Licensing of quarters on Auction basis has again been initiated in RSP. It was considered a serious issue and it was decided to protest this act as violation of the SAIL set practice which is being followed in all units. It was also decided to request SAIL Chairman to stop the practice in RSP immediately.
VI. Ranchi Leased House renewal issue: Apex Council Members from Ranchi raised the issue of delay of 9 years’ in renewal of the long leased Houses which is due from 25th November 2016 for two like periods of 30 (thirty) years each without payment of any further premium subject to satisfactory fulfilment of the terms and conditions of this lease agreement on the part of the Lessee. RDCIS has failed to do it even after several oral and written reminders from time to time by SAIL Ex-Employees’ Association Ranchi. Members of the Apex council expressed anger for such a long delay in execution of Lease renewal by SAIL Ranchi and it was decided that FORSE Chairman may take it up with SAIL Ranchi unit. If they fail to resolve the issue within a month FORSE Chairman will be free to ask SAIL to issue necessary advisory to SAIL Ranchi to complete the process of renewal of House leasing within a given time-frame.
VII. Quarterly meeting of Unit Associations with Heads of the Plants/ units and Bi-monthly meeting by Heads of Personnel and Nodal Officer/ Medical Nodal Officer and Retired Employees represented by FORSE and FORSE -affiliated Associations
VIII. HRA benefit/ arrears to all retirees irrespective of date of retirement.
IX. Issuing I-Card by SAIL to all Retirees in line with corporate office and other Units.
X. Opening/ Running of Senior Citizens (Retirees) old age home at all plants/ units locations by SAIL as started at Durgapur and Bhilai recently.
B. Financial benefits
i. Payment of Ex-gratia of Rs 5000/- to pre-2007(Exe) and pre-2012 (N.E.) Retirees: Immediate grant of Ex gratia payment on monthly basis to the retirees uncovered under any pension scheme by SAIL https://sailex.blogspot.com/2022/02/request-to-pay-pensionof-rs5000-to-all.html (especially in view of spectacular improvements in financial position of SAIL and much avowed policy of the Government to bring the Have nots under assured social security umbrella)
ii. To expedite the payment of 11 months perks was raised by members and it was decided to take up the issue with SAIL. The interest which was to be paid @18% was raised to SAIL Chairman as directed by court. It was decided that after completing the ongoing payment is completed it will be raised accordingly at appropriate time.
iii. Expedite payment of Higher Pension under EPS 95: FORSE to continue with sufficient pressure on CPFC, concerned RPFCs, the SAIL and SAIL Unit PF Trust managements and Nodal Officers to ensure payment of Higher Pension to all eligible for the same at the earliest.
Iv Gratuity payment wef 01st January 2017 to Executives-both serving and retired: It was discussed and decided to remind SAIL of our request as in the https://sailex.blogspot.com/2025/04/payment-of-gratuity-on-revised-ceiling.html to revert back wef 01st January 2017 instead of 29th March 2018 as has been done to Executives in other PSUs like ONGC, IOC, NTPC, BHEL, GAIL etc and for Non-Executives in SAIL.
v. VISL members informed the House that they have already submitted letters to Steel Minister who has positively assured that plant would be revived & adequate financial support would be given. The Hon'ble Steel Minister has already assured that SAIL will invest required amount for the upgradation & revival of VISL. Our MP is also telling that process is going on & within 3 or 4 months fund would be released. FORSE may take it up with the Steel minister at appropriate time
C. Healthcare Issues:
a) Association of FORSE: At the time of formulation of the new scheme for 2025-26, SAIL should associate FORSE representatives as per repeated demand placed with SAIL every year.
b) SAIL must make desired effort to reduce Premium Rates from the Existing ones.
c) Free Medical Check Up Periodically
d) SAIL must ensure inclusion of all IRDAI circulars/guidelines/ Rules for Sr Citizens in the SAIL Mediclaim Scheme for 2024-25.
e) SAIL must ensure 'Cashless Everywhere' initiative of the General Insurance Council (GIC) to extend the cashless treatment at all hospitals.
f) To enhance OPD/IPD coverage in SMSRE 25-26: After a long deliberation members opined that due to all round increase in the cost of Healthcare like cost of medicines, hospitalization charges, doctors charges etc IPD coverage to be enhanced to at least Rs 6 lakhs each with clubbing facility and the OPD limit should be increased to Rs 25000 for each with clubbing facility,
g) To allow transfer of some unspent amount from IPD to OPD: Retirees are finding it difficult to cope up with the current limit of Rs 4000/ 8000 in OPD treatment due to high rise in Doctors’ fees and cost of medicines etc. SAIL must consider and permit to add some portion of unspent money on account of IPD to OPD coverage as cushion for OPD expenditure in SMSRE 2025-26.
h) Removal/ deletion of First incidence clause 9.1: Insertion of this clause is misnomer and prima facie mockery. Cancer is a long drawn treatment and in fact final detection is confirmed at 3rd or 4th stage. If the intention is to really help the ailing patients there cannot be any cut off line and eventually deprive the needy patients heading for the end. If required SAIL should defray all cost from Corporate Buffer or from CSR allocated fund. It is strongly felt that SAIL has some basic responsibility to protect the life of dying ex-employee coming to an end for want of money. The demand is to provide free treatment to all retirees suffering from all terminal diseases
i) Extension of SMSRE to VISL employees retired between 1989 and 1998: During the discussion it was felt that it was grave injustice to those VISL retirees between 1989 and 1998. It is more perplexing to know that it is not approved yet even after SAIL Chairman’s assurance twice last year. FORSE demand to extend the SAIL Mediclaim facility to about 200 ex-employees of VISL retired between 1989 and 1998, so that they can join the Scheme wef 11th July 2025
j) SAIL Mediclaim & Healthcare schemes to follow uniformity: The issue of different OPD coverage in Delhi, Kolkata and other cities/ towns or those living in rural locations are Heart burning issue as every retiree has contributed similarly. So SMSRE must follow as far as practicable the principle of uniform application, for all retirees irrespective of location etc
k) Healthcare issues at Ranchi: FAC members from Ranchi raised the issue of healthcare at the Ispat Hospital, Ranchi to which both serving and retired employees of SAIL are attached for healthcare purposes including for SAIL Mediclaim Scheme. Since Ispat hospital is under the control of MECON the facilities provided are not as per SAIL Rules. It was decided that FORSE may take it up with SAIL unit Ranchi with a suggestion to formulate a scheme which is currently implemented at SAIL Plant Hospitals and to get it implemented in Ispat Hospital with the help of Mecon. If it is not possible SAIL Ranchi should initiate necessary changes in consultation with SAIL C.O. and adopt the Healthcare policy/ scheme as formulated for SAIL C.O. Dispensary.
l) Improvements in present SAIL Medical scheme for the retirees at par with serving employees as envisaged in SAIL-NJCS Agreement 1978 and as exists in other Maharatna companies like ONGC, IOC, NTPC, BHEL etc without bringing major changes in the policy. (the points already forwarded earlier)
m) Allowing diagnostics tests etc free at SAIL referral hospitals as advised by SAIL medical units. In fact the retirees located near the plants can undergo such tests in plant hospitals free. The city-based retirees have now to incur very high expenditure on this account even for regular tests.
n) Removal of cappings on certain IPD treatment involving surgical procedures. In some hospitals as reported for surgery there is no choice of doctors. The hospitals select the surgeons from the panel. In some capping cases final bills to be cleared come much higher where the additional amount needs to be paid by the members. The reasons being shown are on account of additional fees charged by attending surgeons, extra /special gadgets used by surgeons at the time of operation etc. So, there is no ipso facto meaning in imposing capping. The members have to clear the additional bills charged by the hospitals. The capping clause should henceforth be abrogated.
o) Approve payment on actual basis for Rehab/ Physiotherapy treatment by qualified Therapist: Cost of rehab/physiotherapy should be reimbursed on actual basis if done by qualified Therapist duly recommended by attending surgeon in hospital who carried/attended cerebral vascular accidents/ limb replacements patients.
p) It was stressed by the representatives from Metro cities that treatment by RMP (minimum MBBS) should be allowed at par with serving employees as consultation charges at nominated OPD centers / hospitals are very high and there is also logistic / movement problem in cities. For the diseases of less serious nature, one can always go to a local doctor in the vicinity and avail the consultation at lower cost.
q) OPD facilities with ensured supply of all medicines to Retirees by creating Pharmacy at all places at par with corporate office and CMO Kolkata for all retirees.
r) Mediclaim/ Healthcare related issues of SAIL Retirees raised through letter in https://sailex.blogspot.com/2022/02/forse-to-sail-for-improving-mediclaim.html
s) Extending the SAIL Mediclaim Scheme to all Retirees of all Units without a cut-off date.
t) SAIL must honour the terms and conditions as given in para 14 of the Appointment Order to its employees for post-retirement free medicare to the Employees and the spouse.
u) ICCU / ICU / ITU / Ventilator charges are to be paid on actual basis. But the diagnostic / pathological charges while the patient is in such critical beds, should not be raised high and are to be paid at normal rate as in entitled beds.
v) All pathological/diagnostics tests recommended by SAIL doctors/medical units may be undertaken in SAIL nominated hospitals/centers free at par with serving employees and bills to be paid by SAIL
w) For treatment of terminal diseases like Cancer, Neuro, major heart disease e.g., vulvectomy, Kidney transplant if permitted in case of complete failure etc SAIL to come forward with financial help beyond IPD limit.
x) For Top up/ Super top up provision in the present Medical scheme, premium rates which are very high should be reduced drastically and made affordable.
y) SAIL may please set up a 24-hour working Help center for Retirees Healthcare purposes like hospitalization etc in odd hours and depute personnel in Corp Office as well as Plants/ Units to man this in all three shifts.
z) SAIL should take care of all treatment fully free in case of all terminal diseases eg Carcinoma, CKD, limb/ organ replacement if needed as life saving measure.
aa) In cases, where the patient is hospitalised before expiry of the policy period, but continues treatment after expiry of the policy, provision may be made to reimburse total expenses incurred from the new policy if the balance in the expired policy is not adequate to meet the total bill.
bb) Capping for Room rent should be enhanced to cope up with the hiked Room rent in the Hospitals. There is need to increase the entitlement limit of room rent further from 1%, 1.25%, 1.5% to 2% and 3% of individual sum insured value, depending upon the category of the respective city, as such charges in specialty hospitals have enormously increased or actual of entitled / available rooms is to be allowed.
cc) In case one of the couple-Retiree or the spouse- is dead, SAIL in SMSRE 25-26 should make a provision that the other one, who is alive, should be allowed to pay the premium for the two and get total coverage.
dd) More procedures e.g. Cystoscopy, Colonoscopy, Endoscopy, Bronchoscopy, ERCP/ MRCP and all types of MRI should be brought under Day Care treatment.
ee) If a member has not claimed IPD/ OPD in the current year of mediclaim coverage SAIL-Insurer should give some rebate for this in the amount of premium in the next renewal.
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