 Early Times Report
Jammu, Aug 30: Employees of LIC (Life Insurance Corporation of India) in Jammu & Kashmir, including Class-1 officers, Development officers, and Class-3&4 employees, conducted widespread demonstrations across LIC offices in support of their long-standing demands.
Led by their respective associations, Federation of LIC CLASS-1 OFFICERS’ Association, NFIFWI (National Federation of Insurance Field Workers of India), and Northern Zone Insurance Employees’ Association, the employees voiced their demands for several key issues. Com. Vijay Khajuria and Com. Jatinder Bhat led the Class-1 officers, Sh. Rakesh Magotra headed the Development officers, and Comrade Pawan Gupta and Com. Fayaz Ah Gul represented the Class-3&4 employees.
Addressing a large gathering at D.O.Cell Jammu, the leaders criticized the central government for its failure to increase the family pension to 30% of Basic pay. Despite the LIC Board’s recommendation for this increase for nearly four years, the demand has been ignored. They highlighted that while other institutions like banks and government employees already receive a family pension at a rate of 30% of basic pay, LIC widows receive only 15% of Basic pay, which they deemed grossly unjust.
The employees also stressed the need to raise the employers’ contribution for those appointed under NPS (New Pension Scheme) from the current 10% to 14%. This demand, pending with the central government, aims to improve the retirement benefits for these employees. The wage revision of LIC employees, pending since August 1, 2022, was also a point of contention. The demonstration called for negotiations on the wage revision to commence immediately.
The participants strongly urged for recruitment in all cadres to infuse young talent into the organization. The management’s unilateral approach was condemned by the leaders, who warned of escalating agitation in response.
Several individuals including Raj Kumar Sharma, Shreshtha Sharma, Priya Sharma, Dinesh Kumar Sharma, Jasbir Singh, Rajesh Kumar, Raj Kumar, Shunali Gupta, Neeraj Bhagat, and others also expressed their viewpoints during the event. |
