Insurance Scheme For Railway Passengers

Insurance Scheme For Railway Passengers

An Optional Travel Insurance Scheme on a pilot basis for one year has been launched w.e.f 01.09.2016 for the Railway passengers who book e-ticket through official website of Indian Railway Catering & Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) at the premium of Rs. 0.92 per passenger.

This insurance scheme provides financial support to the family/legal heir in case of death/injury of reserved passengers due to train accident/untoward incidents as defined under section 123 read with Sections 124 and 124A of the Railways Act, 1989, subject to the qualification that the coverage will be valid from the actual departure of train from the originating station to actual arrival of train at the destination station including 'process of entraining' and 'process of detraining' the train.
The Sums Insured to be given to passengers are as follows: (i) In case of Death- Rs. 10 lakh, (ii) Permanent Total Disability - Rs. 10 Lakh, (iii) Permanent Partial Disability upto- Rs. 7.5 Lakh, (iv) Hospitalization Expenses for Injury -Rs. 2 Lakh, (v) Transportation of mortal remains - Rs. 10 Thousand.

IRCTC which is a wholly owned undertaking of Ministry of Railways has entered into an agreement with three Insurance Companies through Limited Tender, namely (i) Shriram General Insurance Company Ltd., (ii) ICICI Lombard General Insurance Company Ltd., and (iii) Royal Sundaram General Insurance Co. Ltd.

(a) Ex-gratia is paid to the victims of train accidents and untoward incidents at the following scales:

	Train Accident (Sec.124)	Untoward Incident (Sec. 124- A)
In case of death	Rs. 50,000/-	Rs. 15000/-
In case of grievous injury	Rs. 25,000/- lump sum for hospitalisation upto 30 days. Rs. 300 per day at the end of every 10 day period or discharge, whichever is earlier.	Rs.5000/- lump sum for hospitalisation upto 30 days.Rs. 1000/- per week or part thereof the period for indoor treatment upto further six months of hospitalisation. Rs. 500/- per week or part thereof the period for indoor treatment upto further five months of hospitalisation.
	The maximum period for which ex-gratia is payable to the grievously injured passenger will be 12 months.
In case of simple injury	Rs 5000/-		Rs. 500/-

The insurance scheme is available on optional basis to passengers of all reserved classes (SL, 1AC, 2AC, 3AC etc.) of all trains except passenger trains and sub-urban trains for tickets booked online on the IRCTC websites.

This Press Release is based on the information given by the Minister of State for Railways Shri Rajen Gohain in a written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha on 09.12.2016 (Friday).

PIB

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Demand of staff side to increase the subscription and the insurance coverage – NC JCM

Demand of staff side to increase the subscription and the insurance coverage – NC JCM

“The Staff Side recalled the assurance held out by the Commission earlier to have the actuarial assessed by an expert agency to accede to the demand of the staff side to increase the subscription and the insurance coverage. The Staff Side was of the opinion that their suggestion to share the subscription in the ratio of 3:7 was reasonable but in the absence of an expert study, the Government might not accept the same. The commission said that they would explore the possibility of such an assessment by the LIC before finalization of the report.”

Feedback of NC JCM meeting with 7th Pay Commission

Shiva Gopal Mishra
Secretary

Ph: 23382286
National Council (Staff Side)
Joint Consultative Machinery
13-C, Ferozshah Road, New Delhi – 110001
E-Mail: nc.jcm.ni@gmail.com

No.NC/JCM/2015

Dated: June 15, 2015

All Constituent Organisations of National Council(JCM)

Dear Comrades,
As indicated in our last circular letter, the final meeting with the 7th CPC was hled on 9.6.2015. Earlier on 8th afternoon, the Staff side had met separately to chalk out the course of negotiations. The National JCA also met on the same day. The National Anomaly Committee met on 9th June, 2015 at 3.00 pm under the Chairmanship of Joint Secretary (E) Department of Personnel at Room No. 72 North Block, New Delhi. We give hereunder a brief synopsis of the discussions at all the meetings.

1. Meeting with 7thCPC
The following Staff Side members were present at the Meeting:- Com. M. Raghavaiah(Leader Staff Side – NFIR), Com. Shiva Gopal Mishra(Secretary, Staff Side-AIRF), Com. Guman Singh, Com. R.P. Bhatnagar and Com. B.C. Sharma(all from NFIR), Com. Rakhal Dasgupta, Com. J.R. Bhosale (AIRF), Com. KKN Kutty, Com. M.S. Raja and Com. M. Krishnan (from Confederation and NFPE), Com. Srikumar and Com. R.N. Pathak(from AIDEF) Com. Srinivasan and Com. Surjeet Singh( From INDWF).

(a) Date of Effect – The Chairman has made it clear that the Commission would recommend 1.1.2016 as the date of effect of their recommendations. The Commission would finalise its report by end of August and would submit the same to the Government thereafter. They would adopt Dr. Aykroyd formula for the computation of the Minmum wage. To the specific query made by the Staff Side, the Commission said that they would factor the probable increase In the rate of retail prices of the commodities and would arrive at the minimum wage as on 1.1.2016. There had been no reply to the loss of wages to the employees due to the erosion of the real value of wages as there was no interim relief or benefit accrued from the merger of DA. These demands, therefore, stand rejected.

(b) Increase in the insurance coverage in cases of death in harness – The Staff Side recalled the assurance held out by the Commission earlier to have the actuarial assessed by an expert agency to accede to the demand of the staff side to increase the subscription and the insurance coverage. The Staff Side was of the opinion that their suggestion to share the subscription in the ratio of 3:7 was reasonable but in the absence of an expert study, the Government might not accept the same. The commission said that they would explore the possibility of such an assessment by the LIC before finalization of the report.

(c) Fitment Formula – The Commission might accept the suggestion made by the Staff Side in respect of fitment formula with requisite change in the ratio on the basis of the quantum of minimum wage determined.

(d) In the matters of rate of increment, quantum of allowances etc. – The Commission did not come out clearly of their thinking in the matter.

(e) Parity in Pension entitlement of the past and present pensioners – The Commission is yet to make up its mind on the suggestion made by the staff side in the matter. They however said that almost all the Pensioners organizations which met the Commission had pleaded for this and the same is linked with the one rank one pension demand of the Armed forces personnel.

(f) MACP Scheme – The difficulties and anomalies pointed out by the Staff Side and various other organizations have been taken note of by the Commission. The Commission assured to evolve a methodology to resolve the problem.

(g) Opposition to the induction of casual/daily rated workers and contractorisation – The Commission said that they were opposed to the unfair practice of exploitation of labour. For jobs which are of perennial and permanent character, regular workers must be recruited, the Commission added and that would obviate the need for outsourcing and contractorisation. Since most of the outsourced jobs do not require any academic qualification, the Commission was of the opinion that the revival of Group D cadre would help to address the issue. However, the Commission stated that if only the staff side sends in a communication in writing, the Commission would be able to make any recommendation in the matter. The Staff Side reiterated that they are totally opposed to outsourcing, induction of casual workers and contractorisation and the same has been made explicit in their memorandum.

(h) Parity in the pay scales between the personnel in the Central Sectt and those in the subordinate establishments – The Commission stated that they have appreciated the stand taken by the Staff Side in the matter. The Commission was non committal on other issues raised by the Staff Side members.

2. National Anomaly Committee meeting
The meeting was held at Room No. 72 North Block, under the Chairmanship of J.S(E) Department of Personnel and Training. In the initial remarks, the Staff side raised the following issues.

(a) Though the official side had promised to provide an action taken statement on all issues in the National Council, the same has not been supplied;

(b) No date for the National Council is indicated.

(c) No indication of the steps taken to convene the Departmental Councils. The official side had assured of the convening of the Departmental Council of the Ministry of Finance in the last meeting. However, the staff side has not been apprised of any date so far.

(d) Abnormal delay in replying to the references made to the Ministry of Finance, Department of Personnel from the Railways and other Ministries.

(e) The necessity to increase the ceiling limit of the rebate in Incometax for the allowances given to the Loco Pilots.

(f) Non-adherence to the GOI instructions by the Defence Ministry in certain matters.

The Official Side stated that the Action taken Statement was almost ready but for certain comments from Certain departments. The same would be sent to the staff Side and another meeting held to discuss the course of action required on items where no agreement could be reached. The JS (per) stated that some of the references received from the Railways had been sent back to them for clarification before a final decision is taken. Regarding increase in the rebate ceiling under the Income tax Act, the matter would be referred to the revenue department and requested the staff side to appreciate that the same has to be considered in a wider perspective. Thereafter the agenda items, which had not been discussed even once were taken up.

(i) Anomaly in the Pay Band and Grade Pay assigned to the Group B Officers of the Audit, Income Tax, Accounts, Central Excise and Customs and Postal Departments. (Agenda Item No. 1 and 8 taken together.) Despite agreeing that there existed an anomaly in the matter, the official side expressed their inability to proceed further in the matter as the Group B Officers were beyond the ambit of the JCM scheme. However, they agreed that the Govt. would submit take up the issue specifically with the 7th CPC. Com. Shiva Gopal Mishra said that the Govt. must consider a JCM set up for the promote officers as their cases are not heard or discussed at any other forum. Com. Kutty said that the items were introduced as early as in 2009 and it was not correct on the part of the official side to state that the same would be referred to the 7th CPC. Normally the Pay Commission would not entertain to consider the anomalies of the earlier Commissions. However, after some discussions, it was concluded that the Govt. must take up the issue with the 7th CPC, in spite of the fact that the Commission has almost reached its concluding stage.

(ii) Anomaly in the pay and Grade Pay of Data Processing Assistants Grade A.. The official side did not agree with the contention that the assigning of higher grade pay to certain categories of officers (7450-11500 and Grade Pay4600) was arbitrary. The Government, they added, had acted upon the recommendation of the 6th CPC. They also said that only in those cases where the pre-revised pay scales were in 6500-10500 such up-gradation had been made. In the case of DPA Grade A, they were in the pre revised scale of pay of Rs. 5500-9000.

(iii) Item No.3. Grant of Grade pay of Rs. 4200 to Lab Technicians. The official side said that the orders have been issued in the matter.

(iv) Item No.4. Up-gradation of Pay Band and Grade pay of LDCs and UDCs.

The Staff Side made the following points in support of the item:-

(a) The Grade pay of Rs. 1900 assigned to LDCs by the 6th CPC was without any logic and without appreciating the existing vertical relativity between Group D and LDCs and LDCs and UDCs.

(b) While creating the non functional grade in the grade pay of Rs. 4200 in the Central Secretariat, the Department of Personnel, which is the nodal department for all matters concerning the common categories, did not extend the benefit to the UDCs in the Subordinate offices.

(c) The Staff side also pointed out the Department while restructuring the cadre of stenographers in the Central Sectt. earlier, had extended the benefit to all Stenographers in the subordinate offices.

The official side stated that it was not possible for them to address the issue, whatever may be its justification in the background of the setting up of the 7th CPC. They however, assured to make a reference specifically to the Commission.

(v) Item No.5. Senior Clerks in DMS to be assigned grade pay of Rs. 4200. The matter was stated to be sub-judice. Staff Side, however, stated that, with the change in Recruitment Rules, they should brought at par with the Railways.

(vi) Item No. 6 and 12. The two agenda items being identical were take up together. The Staff side pointed out the glaring discrimination in the matter. They also stated that the number of employees involved is very small. On behalf of the Postal Department it was stated that the recruitment qualification in the
Postal Department was VIII Standard and ITI whereas in other establishment, the academic qualification stipulated was X Standard. The Staff side contested the same pointing out that no person is entitled to be admitted to ITI without having X standard qualification. They pointed out that the merger of Artisan Grade I and Charge hand was the root cause of the problem. The official side took the stand that in any case the anomaly cannot be removed at this stage and have to wait till the 7th CPC recommendations are made.

(vii) Item No. 7. Parity in pay scales between the Central Sectt. and subordinate offices. The official side said that the up-gradation of the pay scale of Central Sectt. Assistants were on well found grounds. The Government had considered the repercussion of the said decision and therefore, the decision is not possible to be either reversed or extended to any other category of employees. They added that perhaps the 7th CPC before whom the matter is already agitated by the employees organizations of the subordinate offices might take a decision in the matter.

(viii) Item No. 9 and 10. Higher grade pay for Medical Assistants and Store keepers. The Defence Ministry was asked to submit a detailed note to the Ministry of Finance indicating the duties and responsibilities assigned as also the recruitment qualifications stipulated in the RR to enable them to reconsider the issue.

(ix) Children Educational Allowance for any two children. The official side stated that the deviation made in identifying the eldest two children was consciously done taking into account the National Population policy and various other factors and is not likely to be changed. Regarding the claim for reimbursement of expenses incurred in the nursery class, as such institutions or classes are not linked to any Educational Boards, the official side said that they would look into the matter with a view to find a solution thereof.

Comradely yours,
sd/-
(Shiva Gopal Mishra)
Secretary (Staff Side) NC/JCM & Convener

Source: NC JCM Staff Side

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National Mediclaim Plus Policy

National Mediclaim Plus Policy

STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (a) to (e) OF RAJYA SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. *199 FOR 17TH MARCH, 2015 REGARDING “NATIONAL MEDICLAIM PLUS POLICY” TABLED BY SHRI VIVEK GUPTA , M.P.

(a): “National Mediclaim Plus” Policy is a new Health product of National Insurance Co. Ltd. launched on 15th August, 2014 as per the File and Use guidelines of Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI). This is not pre-existing product and thus the question of increase in premium does not arise. Under the approved product there are 13 covers, Medical Second Opinion and 2 optional covers, namely Critical illnesses (8 Nos.) and Outpatient Treatment. The Sum Insured under the product varies from Rs.2 Lakh to Rs.50 Lakh. The premium amount chargeable under the policy would depend on the options chosen. Premium rates are fixed based on the loss ratio and various other factors and are filed with the Authority as part of the File and Use procedure. The National Insurance Co. Ltd.’s other products like National Mediclaim Policy, Parivar Mediclaim for Family, Varistha Mediclaim for Senior citizens, Baroda Health Policy, BOI National Swasthya Bima Policy and Universal Health Insurance Scheme address the requirements of all strata of society. The Insurer has not replaced the “National Mediclaim Policy” with this policy. They are still selling, the “National Mediclaim Policy”. Thus the “National Mediclaim Plus Policy” is a completely different and new product with altogether new features, options etc.

(b): “National Mediclaim plus Policy” is a recently approved one and the review of premium rates is envisaged to be done by the Appointed Actuary of the National Insurance Co. Ltd. as deemed necessary as per Regulation No.7, related to Principles of Pricing of Health Insurance Products under the IRDA (Health Insurance) Regulations, 2013.

(c ):There are several other health Insurance products of this Company as well as other Insurance Companies to meet the needs of different sections of people at appropriate premium rates. The Policyholders may also migrate to other policies of the same Company or other Company’s under portability enabled by IRDAI regulations without losing the accrued benefits in terms of waiting period for the purpose of pre exiting disease. There are several products meant for poor people, where the Sum Insured and the premium are lower; i.e., Micro Insurance Products, Universal Health Insurance Policy etc. Further, Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana (RSBY) is a Government run scheme which provides health insurance to unorganized Workers belonging to BPL category and their families. During the course of its implementation, apart from BPL families, RSBY coverage has been extended to other categories of Unorganized workers viz. Building & Other Construction Workers, Licensed Railway Porters, Street Vendors, MGNREGA workers (who have worked for more than fifteen days during preceding financial year), Beedi workers, Domestic workers, Sanitation Workers, Mine Workers, Rickshaw pullers, Rag pickers and Auto/Taxi drivers. Under the scheme, the eligible families in the unorganized sector are provided smart card based cashless health insurance cover of Rs.30,000/- per annum.

(d): Any product sold in the market has to be filed with the IRDAI by the Insurance Company under File & Use Procedures complying with the Health Insurance Regulations 2013. As far as the premium is concerned, the Insurer takes various factors such as loss ratio, claims experience, inflation rate, further assumptions and other actuarial parameters into account while finalizing the premium rates. It is required that the Appointed Actuary of the Company examines and certifies the premium rates. Further, the pricing is also examined by the Actuarial Department of IRDAI and on confirmation by the Actuarial Department the final premium is approved by IRDAI.

(e):The question of increase or revisions in the rates of National Mediclaim Plus Policy at the moment does not arise because it is a new product. However, the review of the product “National Mediclaim Plus Policy” may be done in the future as per the relevant provision of the Health Insurance Regulations 2013 by the Appointed Actuary keeping in view financial sustainability and viability of the product with respect to the premium rates. Changes in rates, if any, are applicable from the date of approval by the IRDAI and are applied prospectively.

The above statement was submitted in reply of undermentioned Rajya Sabha Question:-

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF FINANCE
RAJYA SABHA

QUESTION NO 199

ANSWERED ON 17.03.2015

National Mediclaim Plus Policy

199 Shri Vivek Gupta
Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to satate :-

(a) whether Government is aware that the increase in premium payable in the National Mediclaim Plus Policy is very high and causing distress to the many, especially, for lower income groups, economically weaker sections and to the senior citizens alike;
(b) if so, whether Government proposes to review the recently revised premium;
(c) if not, the manner in which Government plans on providing similar medical facilities and insurance cover to these sections of the society;
(d) whether there is an existing mechanism that caps the amount increased in the premium; and
(e) the rationale behind such an increment in the revised rates of the Mediclaim Plus Policy?

ANSWER

THE FINANCE MINISTER
(SHRI ARUN JAITLEY)
(a) to (e): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

*****

Source: RajyaSabha.nic.in

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