No file notings with L.I.C of India regarding wage revision recommendations

 The following document shows how L.I.C of India, a premier, government run enterprise takes important decisions such as wage revision and repudiation of the resigning ex-employees hard-earned wages which are their constitutional right.

It has submitted the following document in response to my R.T.I query which reveals that it has NO FILE NOTINGS REGARDING WAGE REVISION RECOMMENDATIONS! 

 Note the point in the document that says "File notings regarding wage revision recommendations of LIC do not exist. Hence cannot be provided."

Isn't it absolutely shocking that this insurance behemoth doesn't even consider it necessary to mention/approve/ratify any of its wage revision decisions including the ones that cruelly/ illegally/unjustly deprive its resigning, ex-employees of their due, enhanced, back-wages and ensuing difference in Statutory Retirement Benefits?

Since this repudiation goes way back to 25 years, the Corporation, out of sheer herd mentality and an absolute and pathetic lack of application of mind; keeps on committing the same blunder ad nauseum and to the utter financial loss of its hapless resigning, ex-employees.

Interestingly, even the Finance Ministry, that ratifies the Wage Revision Charter doesn't deem it fit to ask for the same! So the cavalier attitude and approach is replicated at all levels. 

Besides, we wonder with amazement and dismay about what is the criteria for ratification then? If there are no criteria, doesn't the whole exercise become arbitrary, that is unbecoming and just not acceptable for an institution of L.I.C's caliber!

If there are no reasons for repudiation of arrears, how can they even be repudiated, that too since 1997? L.I.C could not give me any reason to repudiate the arrears. 

Surely the Corporation understands that sound reasoning, honesty, transparency, ethics and empathy are required to run the affairs of such a large, public sector enterprise? It can't act like a petulant, recalcitrant kid that makes off with someone's belongings (read - our wages) and doesn't return them at all!

We can only hope and pray that it is better governed and administered in the  days to come or it will not take long for it to plunge into an ABYSS OF NO RETURN OR REDEMPTION.

L.I.C of India admits to "No reason to repudiate arrears".

          In response to my R.T.I Application's Second Appeal, the Chief Information Officer of the Western Zonal Office of L.I.C of India admitted in writing, that there is no reason on record to repudiate the arrears to the resigning ex-employees. That being the case, how can the Corporation repudiate the arrears so blithely? 

          Now, given the fact that L.I.C's I.P.O will be announced soon, it is even more shocking. Imagine an organization of L.I.C of India's stature, taking decisions arbitrarily; that too affecting thousands of ex-employees who have slogged to fill its coffers, enhance its reputation and profitability; and been literally left with a begging bowl! 

          The Corporation refuses to give answers to valid and pertinent queries put forth by the resigning ex-employees, hides/fudges statistics on flimsy, illegal and untenable pretexts, urges the ex-employees to approach courts of law for justice despite clear rulings by the Supreme Court in this regard and keeps adding insult to injury by including the same clause that has been declared as "ultra vires" by the Supreme Court, in every wage revision charter till date.

          This prompts us to believe that L.I.C of India has become too big for its boots as it flouts the Constitution, the Supreme Court's binding orders and thus, the laws of the nation. Now, only the prospective investors, auditors, vigilance agencies, the Supreme Court and our government can cut it to size by demanding the same answers that we have been demanding, to be made public.

          A word of caution to the prospective investors - BEWARE! 

          If L.I.C of India can rob us in broad daylight by depriving us of our legally rightful dues, can't it do the same to you in future?

          For the record, as per the Corporation's response to my R.T.I queries, the wage revision arrears' payments are being willfully repudiated since 1st August, 1997, that is nearly 25 years!

Interestingly, there is no grievance redressal mechanism for ex-employees in the Corporation. 

My emails regarding representation of my case, were ignored 22 times. Later, My R.T.I appeals were shunted from pillar to post. I was intimidated and threatened.  

I PUT IT ON RECORD IN MY R.T.I APPEAL. 

I EVEN CALLED L.I.C'S BLUFF DURING THE VIDEOCONFERENCING SESSION WITH THE C.P.A.I.O AND I.C. THE I.C ADMONISHED THE CONCERNED OFFICIAL.

L.I.C of India believes in insulting our hard work and dedication and is interested only in passing the buck! 

How will this attitude of the Corporation work in light of the proposed I.P.O? 

                                                         Only God can help us now!

L.I.C, remember, I am made of sterner stuff. I will never say die. 

                                                           SATYAMEVA JAYATE!