Lok Sabha Debates
Need To Address The Demands Of Insurance Field Workers Of Lic. on 5 March, 2008
> Title: Need to address the demands of insurance field workers of LIC.
SHRI K.S. MANOJ : Today, the Development Officers of LIC have staged a dharna near Parliament under the aegis of the National Federation of Insurance Field Workers of India demanding for safe and protect LIC. Because of the new economic policies, the stand taken by the IRDA and the Government of India is leading to destabilisation of LIC. LIC is a major public sector undertaking in the country. It not only insures crores of people in our country but it also gives funds for various developmental activities. Hence, it is one of the major public sector undertaking. It should be maintained as a national public sector company. But steps are being taken by the Government to destabilise it. In order to bring private companies, not only domestic but also foreign companies into this field and in order to bring level playing field, certain steps have taken. … (Interruptions)
MR. CHAIRMAN : It is very unfortunate. I am sitting here for hours.
… (Interruptions)
SHRI K.S. MANOJ : I would then limit to the demands. The demands are that LIC should be retained as a public sector undertaking; stop FDI hike in insurance sector; protect sovereign guarantee for LIC policies; and also to restore the withdrawn benefits and incentives given to the Development Officers, who have been given more workload. These are the major issues. So, they staged a dharna. Previously, they were holding discussion with the Finance Ministry when certain assurances were given to them but the same were not fulfilled. Hence, I urge upon the Government to look into the demands of these Development Officers and LIC Agents and retain LIC as a public sector company.
MR. CHAIRMAN : Shri Abu Ayes Mondal. You want to raise the issue of LIC. You can associate with them.
SHRI ABU AYES MONDAL (KATWA): While associating with them, I want to say a few words.
While associating with the issue, I want to raise a burning problem which Shri Virendra Kumar and some other hon. Members have already raised. [r64] I may recall that the issue was also discussed in the House as ‘Calling Attention’ on 10.12.2004, but despite the assurance of the Finance Minister to review the scheme of incentives, nothing has been done so far.
So, I urge upon the Finance Minister to take the issue on a war-footing and ask the LIC management to settle this crisis of work norms and refrain from the incentive policies for the welfare of the agents and development officers to correct the stand to save and protect LIC without any delay.