E
circular DK/1 – 2019-21
10-12-2019
Friends,
Reg:
The 10th Biennial General Council Meeting of the Federation
FEDERATION
OF RETIRED LIC CLASS I OFFICERS' ASSOCIATIONS
E
circular DK/1 – 2019-21
10-12-2019
Friends,
Reg:
The 10th Biennial General Council Meeting of the Federation
Most
of you , receiving this Report of the proceedings of the
General Council Meeting at Kolkata, would have been personal
witnesses to the Meeting, as Delegates. Even so , to the
others who were not in our midst, we owe it to them, to inform
them , as to how it all went through. Also, such a Report,
constitutes an official Record, for matters transacted and
Decided, in the General Council Meeting.
PREFACE
Though
the General Council Meeting itself was only for one day on the
8th of Dec 2019, at Kolkata, there was, this time, a
positive deviation from the GCs of the last few years, in that
a very short and formal meeting of the Executive Committee
members, was also held, on the evening of 7th of Dec, so
that , the Report of the General Secretary and the Accounts of
the Treasurer , would be first accepted by the EC, and then
placed before the highest body of the Federation viz., the
General Body of members , the next day, as the Report and
Accounts statement of the Executive Committee.
Since
the Report of Activities of the two years was first discussed
in the EC meeting on the 7th , it could be placed before the
general members for their observations, with speakers
representing every Association under the Federation, making
their own observations on the Report. Since the EC
members had passed it the previous day, and it now was their
Report, the speakers, for the most part, were only general
members other than the Office Bearers and the EC members. The
Time factor was under check, and the Agenda for the GC meeting
moved on Time-lines expected.
THE
G C MEETING
The
General Council Meeting on the 8th of Dec. 2019, was presided
over by Sri Prem Dhamija, Vice President from Delhi, in the
absence, for Health reasons, of the President Sri N P Bali. The
President of the Kolkata Association, and the Chairman of the
Reception Co., Sri T Chatopadhyaya, first, welcomed the
delegates in attendance, and pointed to the importance of this
Meeting in terms of the stakes that were there, for the Retired
community of Officers of LIC, in the Court case on SLP, and
also the other matters in discussion with the LIC Management.
Sri Dhamija, President for the day, in his Presidential
Address, made out the significance of the issues at hand for
this Meeting. The veteran Leader, Sri G N Sridharan ,
then Launched the Compendium of the Reports and Accounts of all
the past GC and EC meetings, over the period of 20 years
(the current GC meeting included) since inception of the
Federation in the year 2000, which he had himself put together,
to serve as a Record for Archives of the Federation. The first
copy of the Compendium was formally received by Sri Ajoy Kumar
Sengupta, a veteran of the same vintage as Sri G N Sridharan.
Sri Ajoy Kumar Sengupta, the founding member of the Kolkata
Association, then reminisced on the days past, where he had
worked in tandem with the veterans Sri Arabinda Ghose and Sri G
N Sridharan.
MESSAGE
FROM PRESIDENT
The
General Secretary, before taking up the Report for the 2 year
period, read out a Message from the President Sri Bali, wherein
he requested the delegates to move towards consensus on
important issues so that the Federation could move in a focused
manner, to work for their achievement.
GENERAL
SECRETARY'S REPORT
The
Report presentation then followed, highlighting the important
areas the Report covered, viz., Expansion in Units, Expansion
in membership in existing Units, Unity move between
Associations of the Retired, the 1992-93 Retirees' matter in
Kerala HC, Talks with LIC management, Off-line attempts on
Pension Revision, improvement in Family Pension, and periodical
rise in pension for the super-seniors of age 80 and over, and
the change in methodology of Communications. While on
Communications , a copy of printed book of all 92 Circulars
issued in the 2 year period, was formally presented to Sri G N
Sridharan, the veteran Leader, whose name was proposed for
being elevated formally as PATRON of the Federation.
MEMBERS'
RESPONSE
While
generally approving the Report, the points made out by
the delegates broadly, were on the lines indicated here:
1. Expansion
in the number of Units and enlistment of newly Retiring
members, should be done in a methodical manner, by obtaining
lists of Retirees from the Zonal or Divisional Offices as the
case may be; As for numbers of new Units, there was an
interesting suggestion to all settled Associations, that 'Each
one Bring One' principle, should be adopted. Later on, as part
of Resolutions proposed and adopted, one Suitable Senior
member, could be assigned as 'Coordinator' for taking
initiative for bringing in more Units into the Federation fold.
2.
While
generally welcoming the Federation's initiative for forging a
unified front of all the other Petitioner Associations, in
trying to make the thrust in the SC more effective, it was also
suggested that , since Courts generally went by violations in
Rules, Law or Constitution, and were more concerned with
administering Law, than necessarily Justice, our
offline-efforts through contacts at Political and
Bureaucratic levels were to be continued with greater vigour.
3. A
number of delegates spoke of the difficulties faced by members,
and family, for getting proper reimbursement of Claims on the
Health Insurance Scheme we now have. A consolidated list of
problems to be made out and Discussion at the CO level( if
possible with the presence of the Insurer as well) to be
organized at the earliest. One moot aspect in the scheme,
relating to passing on the membership in the Insurance
Scheme, to the surviving partner, was also suggested to be
taken up, with the CO.
4.
Our SLPs coming up for Hearing on the 5th of Feb 2020, and our
approach to it, were discussed. The delay, from the last
Hearing on 26th Nov 2018, to the current date offered, of 26th
Nov 2019, and how since clear advance information was not
there, all the parties concerned were only thinking of an
Adjournment, was explained. The interim waiting period of
one year, it was explained, was in our overall interest, as the
Bank Negotiations are moving towards a finality now, and since
generally our improvement structure, is traditionally linked to
the Banks Revision parameters, the result of the Banks'
struggle, would enable us to steer our future course of
action on more appropriate lines.
TREASURER
PRESENTS ACCOUNTS
Sri
Dalal, Treasurer presented the Accounts, not only of the year
2018-19 but also for the earlier period covering 2017-18, which
generally gets missed out as far as the General Council is
concerned. There were discussions regarding Tax payments out of
our interest earnings, which in normal course could be got
refunded, provided we have a PAN number and Card.
There was problem about getting a PAN no allotted, as we were
not a Registered entity. Sri Dalal did mention that this
difficulty seemed particular to Mumbai, whereas at other
centres like Bengaluru and Delhi, similar difficulties had not
been experienced.
The
continuing picture of Expenses of Federation exceeding income
from annual subscriptions was also discussed. Suggestions were
made to merge the Legal Fund collections with the general
Account of the Federation. The Treasurer's own view was that
once the purpose of collection, viz., the Court Case was over,
this measure could be thought of. There were suggestions that
the annual subscriptions from member units could be increased
by raising the per member rate from the present Rs25 to 50.
That would only pass on the shortage, to the member
Associations, as they were also not having any regular sources
of income.
RESOLUTIONS
It
was then the turn to move 'Resolutions' which had been
received. There were 3 Resolutions sent in by Sri G N Sridharan
, and two from Bengaluru, apart from one Official Resolution
moved by the Federation itself. The first one was regarding an
Appeal to the Hyderabad Association, which had broken away from
the Federation, years ago, to return to our fold. The second
one was by way of certain directions to the General Secretary,
in making focused efforts in the same direction, These were
clubbed into one Resolution and adopted after discussions.
The
third one was on bringing about greater control over the time
factor in conducting the Gen Council meeting within the time
limit of one day, by proposing Guidelines for the Elections, to
the Federation leadership team, which otherwise tended to eat
into the Discussion- time of important matters on the Agenda.
While
discussing this, there was a suggestion, to also add numbers,
to the full Benches now, of Joint Secretaries by 3 more,
bringing the total numbers to 8 from the present 5, and raising
the numbers of Executive Committee members from the present 15
to 17. These measures would balance the picture of appropriate
representation, and also acknowledge good work now being done
in certain quarters. This Resolution would involve, also,
making suitable Amendments to the Bye-Laws of the Federation.
The General Council Approved this Resolution after discussions,
with the approval too, for the consequent Amendment to the
Bye-laws.
The
Fourth Resolution concerned efforts to be made to bring about
parity with the Central Govt Retirees in the matter of the
increased maximum Gratuity amount of 20 lakhs , by giving
retrospective effect to the change from 2016 as against only
2018 , as it now obtained. This Resolution too was passed
by the Gen. Council.
The
fifth Resolution was regarding appropriate representation,
area-wise, in the Federation's structure of elected
representatives, and also placing the interim year's Accounts
before the General Council Meeting. Since these were already
taken care of , this one, was just taken on record, as
moved.
The
6th Resolution was regarding three Special Positions,(to be
Designated as 'Co-ordinators') based on functionality, at level
equivalent to say, Vice President, in the current structure,
being created, to take care of:
1.
Expansion activity which was very critical to the future of the
Federation;
2.
Legal Activities relating to SC and HC at Delhi;
3.
For Liaison with LIC , on matters raised with them, at Mumbai.
While
approving this Resolution, the General council also approved
that the 'Co-ordinator ' designated persons, could be chosen by
the President and General Secretary, later, based on
special interests or Experience or Talents, after
scouting for the right persons. However, for the Legal
'Co-Ordinator' Position at Delhi, the recognition should be
given to Sri V K Jain, who was already doing this work. As for
the first 'Co-ordinator' position on Expansions , Sri O P
Vasisht, who was eminently suited for this activity, though not
present in the Meeting, and in bed after an accident, could be
the right person, as and when he is fit again. Meanwhile Capt.
K C Mehrothra of Kanpur, graciously, volunteered to do his bit,
in this role, on his own.
These
Special positions were not permanent additions, but only till
such time these areas of activity needed such thrust from
special sources, and where their functions needed expenses to
be incurred , these would become the responsibility of the
Federation to take care of .
ADIEU
RAJAGOPALAN - SHALL WE FIND ONE LIKE YOU AGAIN ..?
The
General Council also passed a Resolution condoling the passing
away Of Sri R Rajagopalan of Bengaluru in the month of
September, whose immense contributions to the financial and
intellectual capital of the Federation cannot be measured.
HATS
OFF KOLKATA .... WHAT A SHOW .....!
The
General Council also passed a Resolution appreciating the
tremendous efforts of the Kolkata Association in conducting the
General Council meeting in a memorable way, both in terms of
the stay and food arrangements.
ELECTIONS
The
Last item on the Agenda was Elections to the posts of
President, General Secretary, Vice Presidents , Joint
Secretaries, and Executive Committee members..
On
the discussions towards finalizing the list of elected
representatives, there was a point made by sri Dalal,
Treasurer, saying ,all the leaders at Mumbai now, were quite
worn down, with age-related issues, including himself, and that
the Federation should give relief to these aged leaders by
appointing newer members in their position. Since Mumbai was
our biggest Centre and since these leaders were now taking care
of very important areas of functions of the Federation, it was
suggested that we could think of changes , if still needed
then, with a time notice of one year from now.
After
discussions, a consensus was arrived at and the
Elections, to positions , on the expanded numbers, approved
earlier by the GC, was announced by the Presiding Officer Sri
Tapas Chattopadhyaya.
SRI
GNS CONFERRED THE HONOUR OF 'PATRON'
The
List announced, included the Special Decoration of
'PATRON' conferred by this General Council, on the
stalwart leader Sri G N Sridharan, , in honour of all the
seminal contributions made by him in the birth and growth of
this Federation of the Retired LIC Officers.
The
Gen Council approved the suggestion to appoint Sri P S
Seshadri of Mumbai, as the honorary Auditor for the Federation.
In the unlikely event of his non-availability, Sri R B L Vaish
could be drafted in as the Auditor.
The
two prominent features of the 10h General council are a) the
active participation of two lady delegates from Mumbai, and one
from Kolkata, paving the way for more of them in the future
sessions, and b) one third of the delegates
were new faces, giving the
Federation a confidence that there will not be any dearth of
hands in carrying forward the activities in future.
The
Meeting came to a close with Sri V R Krishnan, newly elected
Joint Secretary from Chennai, proposing a Vote of Thanks.
The
list of Elected Members is attached.
Chennai.
D.KRISHNAN
General
Secretary
Official
List Of Office Bearers Of The
10th Biennial
General
Council Meeting (Kolkata 8-12-2019)
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Appeal by Sridharan G.N 6:02 PM (13 minutes ago) FAITH AND PRAYER deserve to be considered as one of the weapons to fight the virus menace. It is not without purpose that even the Westerners believe in the old dictum - 'many things are wrought by prayers'. Gandhiji said that the tenets of Hindu religion and faith has universal application .Our ancient texts do prescribe prayers as a panacea for all human ailments. For instance in Mahabharata - vide Dwadasa nama pancharam an appendix to Vishnu Sahasranamam - a sloka in the words of Bishma pitamah runs as follows: "Achyutha,Anantha,Govinda namocharana beshajath nasyanti sakala rohath ,Satyam satyam vadhamyaham" That is, he swears that uttering the various names of the Lord will cure a person of ALL his diseases.In another sloka it is said that even water from holy Ganga can be good enough a medicine (oushadam) if only we believe the Lord (sriman Narayana) as the doctor.(vaidy
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