Friday, May 20, 2011

AIIEA SECRETARIAT DECISIONS

ALL INDIA INSURANCE EMPLOYEES’ ASSOCIATION
LIC BUILDING SECRETARIAT ROAD HYDERABAD
500063
                                                                               
Cir. No.07/2011                                                                                      19th May 2011

To all the Zonal/Divisional/State/Regional Units:

Dear Comrades,

AIIEA SECRETARIAT DECIDES TO CONTINUE THE CAMPAIGN FOR PROTECTION OF PUBLIC SECTOR INSURANCE INDUSTRY

CALLS UPON THE UNITS TO BE IN READINESS TO PREPARE THE TEMPORARY EMPLOYEES FOR THE PROCESS OF RECRUITMENT

DEMANDS THE MANAGEMENTS OF LIC AND PUBLIC SECTOR GENERAL INSURANCE COMPANIES TO RESOLVE THE PENDING ISSUES INCLUDING ONE MORE OPTION FOR PENSION

CALLS UPON THE UNITS TO CELEBRATE THE DIAMOND JUBILEE OF AIIEA ON 1ST JULY 2011

The Secretariat of AIIEA met at Hyderabad on the 15th and 16th May 2011 as scheduled.

The Secretariat reviewed the decisions of the AIIEA Conference on the Campaign to protect the Public Sector insurance industry and congratulated the units for the consistent campaign programmes taken up during 1st December 2010 to 13th May 2011. The intense campaign of our General Sector Units from South and East came in for appreciation during the meeting. Secretariat took notice of the UPA Government’s steadfast adherence to the neoliberal policies and their commitment to further the financial sector reforms as reflected in the introduction of the PFRDA Bill 2011 and the Banking Regulations (Amendment) Bill in the last session of the Parliament.  The Secretariat also noted that BJP helped the UPA in pushing through the introduction of PFRDA Bill. It is in this context that the campaign on the two Insurance Bills pending before the Parliament should continue.  This time the campaign should be focused among the People’s Representatives and the leaders of the political parties.  In this context it was also decided that on the first day of the monsoon session of the Parliament all our units should hold lunch hour rallies demanding the government to control price rise, stop public sector disinvestment, generate employment, stop the reforms in the financial sector, and withdraw the two insurance bills.

The Secretariat also took note that the government may be emboldened to push its reforms agenda further in the background of the electoral set back to the Left in the recent Assembly elections.  But the Secretariat came to a firm conclusion after discussion that the relevance of the Left in this country would be very much valid as long as exploitation continues in the society and the people rise up to fight this exploitation.

During the recent Assembly elections, the two states where Left led governments were in power had been mostly in the focus of the media.  It was for two reasons. One was because of the continued resistance of Left to the policies of liberalization. The other was because the Left Front government in Bengal had won a record seven consecutive elections, and dethroning Left in Bengal would be a booster for the forces of liberalization.

In Bengal in spite of the electoral reverses the Left still garnered 41.2% of the votes but ended up with little more than 21% of seats.  Of course, this is what happens when the principle is first-past-the post. This 41.2% vote share
(1 crore 96 lakhs of votes) of the Left should be seen in the background where in  states like Bihar, Andhra Pradesh, and Maharashtra the ruling parties/coalitions have been in power with around 40% of the vote share. In Assam too, where Congress retained power with larger number of seats, the  vote share of Congress was around 41%. In Kerala, where incumbent governments have been replaced by voters every five years for nearly thirty five years, the vote was extremely close and the Left Democratic Front almost made it back to power. In Tamil Nadu the Left parties contested 22 seats and won 19 out of these seats.

While the ruling classes are crying from roof tops that the Left has become irrelevant, a dispassionate observer would be worried about the loss of moderating power of the Left in preventing a rightward path in economic policies.

The Secretariat felt that while it would be for the Left political parties to review these results, and make conclusions, the capacity of the Left has not diminished to carry on the struggles on the people’s issues including the issues of insurance employees. The struggles on class issues which are to be fought with the people’s participation would continue as long as the people suffer from the rulers’ policies. When the Planning Commission can submit before the Supreme Court that those with monthly income of more than Rs.578 are above poverty line, one can imagine what sort of cuts are going to be there in the subsidies.  On the other hand when Indian industrialists want to go Global, government is helping them with all concessions. One need not wonder why the income foregone on taxes is more than Rs.5 lakh crores, apart from the direct concessions given to the tune of Rs.85,000 crores.   Immediately after the election results were announced the Petrol prices were hiked by Rs.5 per litre.  This hike is apart from the taxes levied by various state governments. It is this policy of the government which would create further problems for the people. Insurance employees would remain an integral part of the movement on all these issues of the people.

The Secretariat of AIIEA also discussed the communication of the UFBU inviting AIIEA for a National Convention at New Delhi on the issues confronting the banking industry and decided that AIIEA will attend the convention. Secretariat also decided that solidarity action will be taken up on the day when the Bank employees go on strike to protest against the policies of the liberalisation of banking sector.




Supreme Court Judgment on temporary employees:

The Secretariat appreciated the efforts of AIIEA in clinching a solution to the long pending problem of temporary employees who had been working for very long durations.  While the Secretariat was in session, information came that the Central Office of LIC is likely to come out with instructions for implementation of the judgment in the next few days.  The Secretariat meeting urged all the units of AIIEA in the Life Sector to provide necessary support to these eligible temporary employees right from filing the applications to train them to prepare for the simple test in the regional language.  As we write this circular we are informed that the Central Office would come out with advertisements in news papers on 20th May 2011 and also that the offices of LIC would be receiving the instructions immediately thereafter.  The test is likely to take place on the last Sunday of June 2011. 

Secretariat also decided to press for solution of the demand for one more option for pension, if necessary through a programme of action. Secretariat also noted that the other demands on modification of PL encashment rules, fixation in the stagnation stage, improvements in LTC and encashment and other issues relating to employees shall be followed up with the LIC management.

Issues relating to Housing Loans:

The Secretariat noted that some of the issues like clarification on the rate of interest, purchase of private plots, take over of loans sanctioned by LIC where the title is not as per the LIC HFL norms, bifurcation of loan where the employee and the spouse are employees of LIC etc. were resolved through the circulars issued by LIC HFL.  But the major issue relating to calculation of EMI as per the MoU and the calculation of net EMI less the subsidy from LIC are to be implemented in a proper way.  The Secretariat of AIIEA decided that Coms. V. Ramesh, H.I. Bhat and K. Swaminathan will be part of the team to take up the issues relating to LIC HFL on a regular basis till the process stabilizes. 

Insurance Worker: 

As per the decision of the 22nd Conference of AIIEA, the publication of Insurance Worker is being shifted to Bengaluru effective from the July 2011 issue.  Com. Amanulla Khan will be the Editor and Com.N.K. Vedraj will be the Publisher. The Conference felt that the name of Manager may be finalized in consultation with the Bengaluru comrades.  The comrades of Bengaluru units of AIIEA suggested the name of Com.M. Chandan (former General Secretary of Bangalore I Divisional Unit) as Manager of Insurance Worker.  Secretariat meeting approved this suggestion of the Bengaluru comrades.

Secretariat Meeting placed on record the total appreciation of the Organisation to all the comrades who were responsible for bringing out the Insurance Worker for all these years from Chennai uninterruptedly.


 Organisation:

Secretariat noted that as per the decision of the 22nd Conference of AIIEA, Trade Union Classes/work-shops/Shibirs are being organized by the units across the country to equip our cadres and members with the necessary information for the conduct of the activities. This activity shall continue till the comrades at the Branch level are covered under this process.

The Secretariat noted that there was a healthy response to the call for levy on the wage revision arrears from all the 110 divisional units (General Sector Units sent the levy share of AIIEA to the Standing Committee at Chennai). Secretariat congratulated all the units and members for their response reflecting the faith and commitment in the Organisation.

AIIEA will complete 60 years of its successful existence on 1st July 2011.  The day shall be observed with flag hoisting in all the units across the country.  Programmes involving the employees and their families shall be conducted culminating in a valedictory function in the first week of July 2011. Efforts may be made to involve Agents, Development Officers, and Officers in this activity.

Conference of AIIPA to be held at New Delhi in October 2011

The Secretariat discussed about the issues of the Pensioners in the insurance industry.  It also noted that the 5th Conference of the All India Insurance Pensioners’ Association is going to be held at New Delhi during 16-19 October 2011. President and the General Secretary of NZIEA informed the Secretariat that all possible help and cooperation will be extended to the AIIPA in conduct of the Conference at New Delhi.

After the conclusion of the Secretariat meeting, an employees’ meeting was held before the Hyderabad Zonal Office where large number of employees attended.  The decisions of the Secretariat were informed to the employees through this meeting and the employees responded enthusiastically to the decisions and calls of the Secretariat.
Comradely yours,
Sd..K.Venugopal
General Secretary.

Sunday, May 15, 2011

வாழ்த்துகின்றோம்

நமது  வேலூர் கோட்டப் பகுதியிலிருந்து  இரண்டு  மார்க்சிஸ்ட் கட்சித்
தோழர்கள்  தமிழக சட்டமன்றத்திற்கு  தேர்ந்தெடுக்கப்பட்டுள்ளனர்.

சிதம்பரம்  தொகுதியில்  தமிழ்நாடு விவசாயிகள்  சங்கத்தின் மாநிலத் தலைவர்  தோழர் கே.பாலகிருஷ்ணன்  வெற்றி பெற்றுள்ளார்.  கடலூர் மாவட்டத்தில்  பல இயக்கங்களில்  நமக்கு உறுதுணையாக இருந்துள்ளார்.  2001 ம்  ஆண்டு  கடலூரில்  நடைபெற்ற  கோட்ட மாநாட்டில் சிறப்புரையாற்றியுள்ளார். வேலூர் கோட்ட  அலுவலகத்தில்  நடைபெற்ற  ஒரு சிறப்புக்கூட்டத்திலும்  பேசியுள்ளார்.


அகில இந்திய வழக்கறிஞர்கள் சங்கத்தின் தமிழ் மாநில செயல் தலைவரான  தோழர் ஆர். ராமமூர்த்தி  விக்கிரவாண்டி தொகுதியில்
வெற்றி பெற்றுள்ளார். 2008 ம் ஆண்டு விழுப்புரத்தில்  நடைபெற்ற
கோட்ட மாநாட்டின் வரவேற்புக்குழுத் தலைவராக  மாநாட்டை
வெற்றிகரமாக நடத்த வழிகாட்டியவர்.  கடந்தாண்டு வேலூரில்
நடைபெற்ற  மகளிர் தின சிறப்புக் கருத்தரங்கில்  பெண்களுக்கான
சட்ட உரிமைகள் என்ற தலைப்பில் உரையாற்றினார். 

உழைக்கும் மக்களின் குரலை இவ்விரு தோழர்களும் தமிழக
சட்டப்பேரவையில்  உறுதியாக ஒலிப்பார்கள்!

தோழர்கள் கேபி மற்றும் ஆர்ஆர் பணி சிறக்க வாழ்த்துகின்றோம்

Saturday, May 14, 2011

Hike in Petro Prices Further Burdens The People



This cruel blow on petro price hike makes a mockery of all the assurances of the government to take steps to curb price rise. The people of this country will not take such burdens on them quietly.
By deregulating the petrol price, the oil companies have been given a free hand to increase the prices, on the plea of higher international crude price.


The United Front government took the decision to dismantle the APM and simultaneously reduced the tax structure of duties on import of petroleum products to zero. However, this decision was implemented by the Vajpayee-led NDA government partially by dismantling APM but not reducing the taxes on petroleum products. The UPA-II government is carrying forward this legacy. In the event, it is the aam admi that suffers.


The aam admi already hit by the continuous food inflation is being now subjected to the further inflationary effects of high oil pricing. If the market determines the prices of petroleum products, the extreme volatility in the price of crude oil in international market would be transferred to the domestic market and would affect the common man in different segments in different ways. Today if it is petrol, affecting millions of two-wheeler users, tomorrow it will be the turn of diesel and then LPG & Kerosene. The government has tasted blood in petrol pricing to cover up its own contribution to the hike in the pricing of petroleum products through disproportionate and irrational taxation. The government imposes high ad valorem taxes on imported crude oil which is refined domestically to produce various petroleum products like petrol, diesel etc. When international prices rise, so do government’s revenues proportionately. While its revenues increase, the government hikes the prices in the name of international price rise. Thus, rather than return the increased revenues in the form of price reduction for the people, the government reaps a bonanza and imposes this burden on the people through higher  prices. It is now on course to expand the area of deregulation further to increase its revenues even more. In the process it also helps the private oil corporates to rake in super profits by following the policy of import parity pricing, despite the fact that the domestic refining costs are much lower than the international costs.


The fallacy spread by the government that the petroleum sector is subsidised is therefore, totally wrong because there is no net subsidy in the sector if a comprehensive view of cash flow from and to the sector is taken. Inflow in the form of tax revenue from the petroleum sector is approximately three times the outflow in the form of so called subsidies. The debate on taxation and subsidies on petroleum products in the mainstream media is misleading as it is couched in words like ‘under-recovery’ which does not imply loss or profit in the traditional sense. This is so because under-recoveries are calculated on the basis of import parity pricing and not on the basis of actual cost of production.


The heavy taxes imposed on the retail price of petroleum products in India make them far more expensive than that in most other countries in the world. If taxes and levies imposed on petroleum products are valued in purchasing power parity terms, retail petroleum product prices in India would be among the highest in the world. Between products, the level of taxation is completely disproportionate to end-use of the product. For petrol the level of taxation is extremely high whereas for Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF), used in aircrafts, the excise duty is less than one-third of the same. This is lower even than diesel, a product of mass consumption. This anomaly illustrates the class bias in pricing petroleum products. Low taxes on ATF are nothing more than a subsidy to the affluent segments of the society.


The deceptive tactics of the government are clear. While justifying price hike and deregulation, the prime minister and petroleum minister were shedding tears on the poor financial health of public sector Oil Marketing Companies (OMC). Now the same government has chosen one of these ‘poor’ OMCs viz IOC for disinvesting government shares worth a massive Rs 9000 crore to cover-up its revenue deficit. Similarly, the government collects Rs 8,500 crore approximately as cess from public sector oil producing companies like ONGC and Oil India. The government has ignored repeated recommendations of the parliamentary committee to form a price stabilisation fund with this cess to protect the aam admi from the vagaries of volatile international crude price rather than using this to bolster government revenues.


The government’s game of deception must be exposed. The price and tax anarchy through deregulation of petroleum pricing must end.

Thanks  to  www,indiacurrentaffairs.org

Thursday, May 5, 2011

இவனன்றி வேறு யார் அவதார புருஷன்?





இன்று  அவன் பிறந்த நாள்.
கொண்டாட்டங்கள்  இல்லை,
கோயில்களில்  அபிஷேகங்கள்  இல்லை,
கடவுளாய் தன்னை சொன்னவனும்  இல்லை,
மனிதனாய்  வாழ வழி காட்டியவன்  அவன்.

எல்லாம் அவன்  செயல்   என்று 
விதி மீது பழி போட்டு 
உபதேசங்களை  வாரி வாரி 
அள்ளி இறைத்த  தத்துவ 
வள்ளல்கள்  மத்தியில் 
ஏன், எதற்கு, எப்படி  என
தத்துவ ஆராய்ச்சி செய்தவன். 
எல்லோரும்  எல்லாமும் பெற வேண்டும்,
சாதரணமாய் சொல்லி விடவில்லை. 
முதலாளித்துவ வெறியின் 
கோர முகத்தை  வெளிச்சத்தில்
விலக்கிக்  காட்டியவன்,
ரத்தம் ஒழுகும் வாயோடு
மூலதனம்  சுற்றி வரும் 
பேயென்று  உரைத்தான்.

இனி இவன் படிக்க 
புத்தகங்கள்  இல்லை என்று 
வெட்கப்பட்டது லண்டன்  நூலகம்.

எதிரியின்  கருவிதான். 
வேறு வழியின்றி 
சொன்னது 
ஆயிரம்  ஆண்டுகளின் 
அற்புத மனிதன் 
இவன்தான்  என்று.

நிதி மூலதனம் பேராசைப்பட 
உலகப் பொருளாதாரம் 
சூறாவளியில், சுழலில், 
சிக்கித் தவிக்க 
வேக, வேகமாய் 
புரட்டியது  இவனது 
புத்தகத்தைத்தான். 
பைபிளை ஓதும் 
போப்பாண்டவர் கூட 
உபதேசித்தார், 
இவனின் மூலதனத்தை  
படிக்கச்சொல்லி. 

அறிவும், உழைப்பும், 
அடித்தட்டு மக்களை 
உய்த்திட கொண்ட 
வேட்கையும்தானே
மூலதனத்தின் 
மூலதனம்

உலகத் தொழிலாளரே, 
ஒன்று படுங்கள், 
அடிமை விலங்கை உடைத்தால்
பொன்னுலகம்  உங்கள் கைகளில்
என்று  பொதுவுடமைத் 
தத்துவம் தந்து 
சிந்தனைகளை  சிவப்பாக்கிய 
மார்க்ஸ் அன்றி 
வேறு யார் இங்கே 
அவதார புருஷன்?

    - சுரா, வேலூர்