UNION BANK RETIRED EMPLOYEES’ ASSOCIATION(Established in year 2001)

(Registered under Trade Union Act, 1926 : Registration No.G-6201)(Affiliated to All India Bank Retirees’ Federation through

All India Union Bank Retirees’ Federation)

-: Registered Office :-403-A, ‘Sadhna Down Town’,

Near Punjab National Bank, Opp. Alfred High School,Jubilee Chowk, Jawahar Road,Rajkot – 360 001 (Gujarat).

E’mail < ubiretirees@gmail.com >(Cell No.0-94272-07021)

GENERAL SECRETARY’S REPORT TO BE PLACED BEFORE THE MEETING OF THE

MEMBERS SETTLED IN CENTRAL GUJARAT, AHMEDABAD &

GANDHINAGAR -: Venue of the Meeting :-

Shree Khadayta Bhavan, College Road, Near Canal, Near Royal Care Hospital, Uttarsanda Road, Nadiad – 387 001 (Gujarat)

-: Date :-7th May, 2017 (Sunday)

-:Our Motto: - “In service to those who are not in service now”

UNION BANK RETIRED EMPLOYEES’ ASSOCIATION

OFFICE BEARERS & CENTRAL COMMITTEE MEMBERS

Sr.No.

Post Name Stationed at

Cell Phone No.

1

1 Chairman Shri B.S.Nandvana Vapi 97274-058002 President “ K.T.Desai Surat 98252-172593 Vice President “ P.F.Shah Rajkot 98790-772984 -do- “ P.C.Desai Vadodara 87350-196615 -do- “ B.P.Trivedi Surat 98251-618416 Gen. Secretary “ B.G.Raithatha Rajkot 94272-070217 Dy. Gen.

Secretary “ P.B.Vachhrajani -do- 98246-33030

8 -do- “ A.C.Thakkar Vadodara 94288-807009 -do- “ R.H.Surti Surat 99789-23344

10 Secretary(A/cs.) “ N.K.Jodhani Rajkot 94092-5939711 Secretary “ S.L.Joshi -do- 98242-0201712 -do- “ V.G.Rajdev -do- 98981-0338213 -do- “ S.M.Selarka -do- 98253-8743314 -do- “ R.M.Parikh Nadiad 94273-8208515 -do- “ N.A.Bhaya Surat 93270-5288516 Internal Auditor “ A.P.Ashar Rajkot 93741-1376217 -do- “ D.D.Rathod -do- 94274-3442918 Central

Committee Members

“ B.B.Shah -do- 98242-06105

19 -do- “ A.G.Gohel -do- 99981-8101820 -do- “ P.A.Baxi -do- 94265-2967321 -do- “ H.V.Madhak -do- 99250-1753922 -do- “ R.H.Rajani Jamnagar 94292-7317023 -do- “ B.V.Jani Bhavnagar 94272-3374824 -do- “ V.R.Vora Junagadh 94284-4055625 -do- “ A.H.Bhat Porbandar 98245-2709926 -do- “ D.D.Dholakia Bhuj 98257-6828727 -do- “ H.N.Purohit Vadodara 90996-6787428 -do- “ Vacant -do-29 -do- “ Girish Patel Vidyanaga

r94284-37112

30 -do- “ Daniel Makwana

Vadodara 75750-61625

31 -do- “ C.S.Patel Nadiad 99245-2732232 -do- “ J.B.Shukla Karamsad 99099-6319333 -do- “ R.M.Chauhan Surat 93742-4147934 -do- “ S.C.Gandhi -do- 99257-1485635 -do- “ A.J.Sheth -do- 94281-4616436 -do- “ B.G.Desai -do- 81411-9910237 -do- “ G.I.Chaudhry Navsari 98259-0736438 -do- “ R.R.Solanki Bharuch 99130-70180

UNION BANK RETIRED EMPLOYEES’ ASSOCIATIONRef:Reports:3/2017 Date : 22nd April,’17

ToMembers of our Association settled in Central Gujarat,

2

Ahmedabad & Gandhinagar,

Friends,

Meeting of our Members settled in Central Gujarat, Ahmedabad & Gandhinagar

1. Membership of our Association consists from three geographical areas popularly known as (i) Saurashtra (ii) Central Gujarat and (iii) South Gujarat. We have some membership in Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar Cities also, which are treated as a part of Central Gujarat area. We have developed a tradition to hold members’ meetings in each area atleast once in three years. Accordingly the next meeting of our members settled in Central Gujarat, Gandhinagar and Ahmedabad will be held on the date, timings and at the venue shown hereunder.

-: Date :

7th May, ’17 (Sunday)

-: Timings :-

Tea & Breakfast : 8.45 a.m. to 9.45 a.m.

Meeting : 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Lunch : 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.

-: Venue :-

Shree Khadayta Bhutan Mandal, College Road,

Near Canal, Near Royal Care Hospital, Uttarsanda Road,

Nadiad – 387 001 (Gujarat)

2. All the expenses of the Meeting will be born by our Association. Participants will not have to pay any expenses or delegate fee. However, with a view to make necessary arrangement of the meeting and lunch, members of Central Gujarat, Ahmedabad & Gandhinagar are requested to intimate to any one of the following Office Bearers / Activists of our Association by telephone latest by 30 th April,’17 about their intention to be present in the meeting.

(i) Shri Prakash C. Desai (Baroda) (Cell No. 87350-19661)(ii) Shri Rohit M. Parikh (Nadiad) (Cell No. 94273-82085)(iii) Shri Girish Patel (Vidyanagar) (Cell No. 94284-37112)(iV) Shri Jaykant R. Gohil (Ahmedabad) (Cell No. 95861-41850)

3. This time, distinguished speakers will be very few. Our meeting will be mainly confined to inter actions with our members and to understand their problems / grievances.

3

4. Felicitation function will be held to greet our Association’s members (settled anywhere in the state) who have completed their 75 years’ age on or before 30th April,’17 and will be able to attend the meeting.

5. We forward herewith a precise report containing activities of our Association after our Conference held at Rajkot in March, 2016 and also the present situation of the retirees at our Bank level as well as at the Industry level. Those present in the meeting may deliberate / express their views on these and any other relevant matters concerning to us.

6. It is expected that our members settled in Central Gujarat, Ahmedabad & Gandhinagar will participate in the meeting in maximum numbers.

7. The attached report is being forwarded at present to our members of Central Gujarat, Ahmedabad & Gandhinagar. It will be dispatched to the members of Saurashtra and South Gujarat lateron.

8. Those coming to attend the meeting are requested to bring copies of this Report with them, as no report will be distributed in the meeting.

Yours sincerely,

(B.G.Raithatha),General Secretary

UNION BANK RETIRED EMPLOYEES’ ASSOCIATIONReport to be presented by the General Secretary before the meeting of the

members settled in Central Gujarat, Ahmedabad & Gandhinagar Nadiad (Gujarat)7th May,’17

ToAll the members of our Association settled in Central Gujarat, Ahmedabad & Gandhinagar,

4

Friends, I : MEMBERSHIP STRENGTH OF OUR ASSOCIATION

1. Membership Strength and its break-up We furnish hereunder number of pensioners and our Association’s membership in the three areas of our operation at present.

Sr.No.

Name of Area Number of pensioners

drawing pension from branches of the region

Membership of our

Association in this Area /

Region

Percentage of membership to number of pensioners

1 Saurashtra (Rajkot Region) 416 367 88.22%

3 Central Gujarat(Baroda Region) 320 267 83.43%

2 South Gujarat(Surat Region) 313 255 81.47%

TOTAL 1,049 889 84.74%

2. Category-wise classification of this membership is as under.Sr.No.

Category Numbers

1 Officers 2942 Clerical 3803 Subordinate Staff 1144 Family Pensioners 101

TOTAL 8893. There are three organizations of our Bank’s retirees operating in Gujarat

State.a. Our Association’s membership is mainly confined to the Officers /

Employees retired from Surat, Rajkot and Baroda Regions + few from Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar Cities.

b. The Officers / Employees retired from Ahmedabad and North Gujarat

Regions have formed their own Association.

c. Moreover, there is also a very old established organization of Officers retired from AIBOC.

4. All the above three organizations are coordinating with each other. Few retired Officers have voluntarily taken membership of more than one Association. Our perception is that the Retirees’ Associations are the social organizations and hence there should be no feeling of animosity among them.

5. Percentage wise the membership of our Association is highest among all the Associations of our Bank’s Retirees functioning through out the country.

II : FUNCTIONING OF OUR ASSOCIATION6. Main function of the state / regional level Associations like us are as under.

5

a. To guide and help the members for getting their various post retirement benefits and any issue arising thereafter on those regards.

b. To pass on the reliable information concerning bank retirees to the members.

7. It is the endeavor of our Association to perform these tasks as mentioned hereunder.

a. Grievances referred to the Association by the members are first taken up with the management of our Bank. Inspite of the fact that attitude of some of those sitting on the managerial chairs at present are not much conducive, we are able to resolve many grievances of our members at the bank level. Several matters are resolved by the management of our Bank after we escalate our complaints to the Chairman & Managing Director or when we resort to RTI (Right to Information) route. Few such illustrations of our general and members’ individual issues settled during last one year are shown in Annexure ‘A’ (Page 12 & 13 of this Report) .

b. To admit frankly, inspite of making all possible efforts, grievances of some of our members are still unresolved. The list of un-resolved individual issues is given in Annexure ‘B’ (Page No.14 of this Report).

c. Reliable and latest information concerning bank retirees are communicated to the members through quarterly bulletins and e-mails. Those members who have e-mail facility, but not getting our our e-mails may inform the Association by e-mail to add their e-mail IDs.

d. Our members of South Gujarat and Saurashtra, who are on the Whats App Groups administered by (1) Shri Suresh Gandhi and (2) Shri V.S.Velani respectively are getting regular messages on their cell phones. The Office Bearer / Central Committee Members / Activists of Central Gujarat are requested to entrust the task to somebody to create and organize such a group for our members of Central Gujarat also.

e. The Office Bearers, Central Committee Members as well as several Activist Members of our Association are regularly coming to our Office at Rajkot for the Association’s work. Some of them are visiting the Bank’s Regional Office as and when necessary.

f. Office Bearers / Central Committee Members of our Association at Surat are available for the members at Nanpura Branch premises almost every day in the evening and they are taking up the members’ grievances with the Bank’s Regional Office and also going to the office of the Paramount TPA as and when necessary.

g. Regular monthly meetings of our members are held at Surat and Vadodara facilitating inter actions among the members. Members at settled at Bhavnagar are meeting once in two months. Members at Junagadh had hold such a meeting on 16th April,’17 and decided to

6

meet at regular intervals. Possibility may be examined to convene such regular meetings for our members at other centers.

III : CO-OPERATION / SUPPORT FROM THE ORGANIZATIONS OF THE EMPLOYEES / OFFICERS IN SERVICE

8. As and when necessary, the Award Staff Unions of Saurashtra, Baroda and

Surat and Officers’ Association of the State are extending their due support / help to us in taking up and resolving our members’ grievances. Specific thanks in this regards are to be conveyed to Shri W.I.Ambrose, General Secretary, Union Bank Officers’ Association (Gujarat) and Shri Sanjiv Dalal, General Secretary, Union Bank Employees’ Union (Surat), who are often helping and guiding our members in resolving their grievances.

IV : FINANCIAL POSITION OF OUR ASSOCIATION

9. According to provision in the constitution of our Association, the entire amount of Life Membership Subscription received from the members is to be kept in our Bank’s Fixed Deposits and only interest earned thereon is utilized for the expenses. Besides this, our Association is getting handsome donations from the members on their joining the Association and thereafter on their birth days and happy occasions in their families. We are, therefore, able to meet with all the expenses to run the organization besides holding yearly meetings and triennial conference of our members exclusively at the Association’s cost – without asking for any delegate fees from the members.

10.Owing to such a generosity of our members, we have been able to purchase a new convenient office at Rajkot against sale of the old inconvenient office. The shortfall of Rs.5,00,000/- was contributed by the members. It is understood that in all over India, ours is the only Association of the Retirees of Union Bank, which has its own office premises.

V : GROUP MEDICAL INSURANCE SCHEME11.Our Bank had made many mistakes in debiting premiums of several retired

employees for the second year of medical insurance commencing from 1st

November,’16. Savings Accounts of several retired clerical and subordinate staff were debited with the premium payable by Officers. In few cases, premiums were debited to the Savings Accounts of the retired employees who had given in writing to the Bank that they did not want to continue in the scheme. Our Association had sent drafts of representations to the concerned members and / or had written to the Bank directly. Consequently, in the matters which were taken up in the first phase i.e. prior to 31st December,’16, the Bank has refunded the wrongly debited / excess premium. Few cases, which were brought to our notice after 1st

January,’17 are taken up thereafter. Our All India Union Bank Retirees’ Federation is also pursuing these cases with the Bank’s Central Office and it is hoped that now the Bank will correct those mistakes also.

7

12.Immediately on introduction of the Medical Insurance Scheme for retired Bank Employees with effect from 1st November,’15, a Booklet containing the Master Insurance Policy and other relevant matters on the subject was published by our Association and provided to all the members of our Association free of cost. It is being dispatched to the new members also.

13.The Medical Insurance Scheme of the second year commencing from 1st

November,’16 is almost identical to the first year except that the amounts of premium are revised and provision of reimbursement of domiciliary medical treatment is introduced for those who opt for the same. Two separate policies are issued – (i) without domiciliary treatment and (ii) with domiciliary treatment. Our Association has not printed any Booklet on the subject for the second year, as it is a costly affair. However, two Circulars dated 12th October,’16 and 14th October, ’16 were issued by us on the subject and sent to all the members. Moreover, soft copies of the Master Insurance Policies were sent to all the members of our Association whose e-mail IDs. are available with us. Those who want it again, may e-mail their request to us. However, since this is an important matter for our members at present, the main features of the new Master Policy on the subject are narrated in English as well as in Gujarati in Annexure ‘C’ (i) & (ii) to this Report.

14.Please see the Annexure ‘D’ to this Report. It is a ‘Snap Shot’ showing contact persons of the TPA for Employees and Retirees of our Bank. You may inquire with them any matter pertaining to your insurance claim. This precise compilation is done by Shri V.S.Velani, retired Senior Manager of our Bank.

15.Several members are complaining that inspite of heavy rise in premium this year, there are undue queries, abnormal delays and unjustified rejections of their medi-claims. Some of them are showing inclination to proceed legally against the Insurance Company and seeking our guidance / help for that purpose. Therefore, an elaborate ‘Note’ on the subject and relevant formats are attached to this Report as Annexure ‘E’.

16.Ofcourse, please peruse the Annexure ‘F’ to this Circular also. It gives statistical data of the insurance claims during first 4 months of the second year of our insurance policy.

VI : OUR BANK LEVEL GENERAL ISSUES17. We must appreciate that our Bank is very prompt and regular in payment

of post retirement dues viz. Provident Fund, Gratuity, Leave Encashment, Commuted Pension, monthly Pension, etc.

18. However, we have several discontentments also. Ours is a profit making Bank and hence is able to allocate maximum permissible amount of Rs.25 crores for the Staff Welfare Fund every year. According to guidelines from the Government and the Indian Banks’ Association based on the recommendations of the Khandelwal Committee, 25% of the welfare fund i.e. Rs.6.25 crores is to be utilized for welfare of the retirees. ‘Union Bank Retired Employees’ Medical Assistance Scheme’ (UBIREMAS) is probably the only scheme for which the Bank’s welfare fund is utilized for retirees. The life time limit of UBIREMAS is recently increased from Rs.1,25,000/- to Rs. 1,50,000/-. But after introduction of the Group Medical Insurance Scheme, now most of us prefer to claim from the Insurance Company and

8

hence utilization from UBIREMAS must have been substantially reduced. Our All India Union Bank Retirees’ Federation had, therefore, requested the management to grant subsidy in insurance premium paid by the retirees. Recently the Bank has agreed to grant 50% subsidy to the retirees’ widows getting monthly pension of less than Rs.10,000/-. However, this is much less than our expectation. Several Banks, even if running in loss, have granted subsidy to all their retired employees.

19.While an application was filed with our Bank under RTI as to how much amount was utilized from Welfare Fund for payment of medical scheme under UBIREMAS for the period from 1st March,’16 to December,’16, the Bank had avoided giving the specific details on the plea that the information can not be parted with as the Welfare Fund Account is not yet audited !!!

20.The retired employees of our Bank are eligible for availing the facility of Holiday Homes. The applications for this purpose are to be filed ‘on line’ through ‘Union Parivar’ software by visiting any branch of the Bank. However, names of the employees retired prior to 2005 are not there in the ‘Union Parivar’ software and hence those retirees are unable to get the benefit of booking Holiday Homes in their names.

21.Of late, complaints are received for non receipt of Pension Payment Orders even after very long time of retirement.

22.It will be better if the Bank will evolve a system to get Pension Payment Orders, Monthly Pension Slips, Yearly Pension Income Certificates, etc. from the Bank’s web site, as it is already being done by several Banks in our country.

23.Several Banks have implemented guidelines from the Government and the Indian Banks’ Association to pay Leave Encashment and Pension Option to compulsory retired employees. But our Bank has not yet implemented those guidelines. Similarly in several cases of Compulsory Retirement, Gratuity is illegally withheld / forfeited by the Bank compelling us to resort to legal remedies.

24.For the purpose of getting higher interest, the Savings Accounts of the retired employees are to be opened with No. ‘207’ in between. However, wrongly interpreting certain contents of the Information Circular No.11815 dated 31st May, ’13, some of the branches – particularly in Surat Region are opening Savings Accounts of our Bank’s retired employees with ‘203’ number in-between. Consequently if specific command of ‘retired employee of our bank’ is not given by the officer concerned, the account holders do not get 1% higher interest on their Savings and Fixed Deposit Accounts not they get other benefits / facilities available to the retired employees of our Bank.

25.Our All India Union Bank Retirees’ Federation is striving to resolve our above referred issues of general nature.

26.As we know, All India Organizations of the serving employees / officers are functioning under the banner of ‘United Forum of Bank Unions’ (UFBU) irrespective of membership strength of those organizations. Similarly, we are of the firm opinion that co-ordination among the bank retirees’ organizations is must at the bank as well as national level.

VII : INDUSTRY LEVEL PROBLEMS OF THE BANK RETIREES

9

19. Bank Employees of the country are striving since long to redress their following important general issues.

a. Up-dation of Pension commensurate to salary revision with each Bipartite Settlement, as it is being done for the Central Government Employees

b. Remove the anomaly of tapering Dearness Relief paid to the employees retired prior to 1st November, 2002. It should be @ 100% as it is being paid to the employees retired after 1st

November, 2002. All the Pensioners of Central Government and Reserve Bank of India are already getting 100% dearness relief irrespective of their dates of retirement. Recently the Supreme Court has decided this matter in favor of (i) Bank of Baroda (ii) Indian Overseas Bank and (iii) Canara Bank. (These three Banks had won the matter in Madras High Court and the Supreme Court has up-held the decision of the High Court). Ofcourse, for the same matter - but on different grounds, an appeal filed by United Bank of India is pending in the Supreme Court. (This Bank, after defeat in Calcutta High Court has filed the appeal in the Supreme Court).

c. Enhancement of Family Pension @ 30% flat instead of at the reducing rates being paid to us at present. The family pensioners of Central Government and Reserve Bank of India are already getting their family pension @ 30%.

20.Our All India Bank Retirees’ Federation is making all out efforts to resolve these important issues. This apex level organization has approached the various constituents of United Forum of Bank Unions, Indian Banks’ Association as well as many Members of Parliament and the Government directly to resolve these issues. Recently ‘Dharna’ program was held at Delhi on 23rd March, ’17 by our Apex Organization, which was attended to by the following four Office Bearers / Central Committee Members of our Association.

a. Shri Rohit Parikh (Nadiad)b. Shri Girish Patel (Vidyanagar)c. Shri J.B.Shukla (Vidyanagar)d. Shri R.M.Chauhan (Surat)

21. Let us be optimist to resolve our these prime issues in the 11th BP Settlement, negotiations for which are commenced recently.

VIII : ACKNOWLEDGMENTS22. I convey my sincere thanks to the following in helping for efficient

functioning of our Association.

a. Shri B.S.Nandvana, Chairman and Shri K.T.Desai, President of our Association for their valuable guidance and suggestions from time to time.

b. Other Office Bearers, Central Committee Members and Activist Members of our Association stationed at Rajkot for regularly coming to our Association’s office and attending to various kinds of work allotted to them and that too even without claiming any reimbursement of their local traveling / conveyance or telephone expenses.

10

c. Office Bearers and Central Committee Members of North Gujarat, South Gujarat and other Districts of Saurashtra for attending to various types of work of our members in their areas of operation.

d. Shri J.P.Shah, RTI & Consumer Activist Member of our Association for providing his immense guidance to us in filing and pursing our RTI applications

e. The Executives / Officers in service of the Bank at the Regional Offices, Rajkot, Baroda and Surat for whatever help they are extending to us in resolving our members’ issues referred to them

f. And last, but not least, all the members of our Association who have bestowed and sustained their faith in our Office Bearers and also for extending their immense financial support to the Association from time to time.

IX : WELCOME YOUR OPINIONS / CONSTRUCTIVE SUGGESTIONS

2. Our Association’s Members of Central Gujarat, Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar who are able to remain present in this meeting are requested to express their views about this Report and also regarding the functioning of our Association. Those who are unable to attend the meeting may please send their views by e-mails / letters.

With greetings, Yours sincerely,

(B.G.Raithatha),General Secretary

Annexure ‘A’

UNION BANK RETIRED EMPLOYEES’ ASSOCIATION

Few illustrations of our vital general issues and individual grievances of our members settled by the Association’s efforts during last one year

i.e. 1 st April,’16 to 31 st March,’17

(A) GENERAL ISSUES SETTLED

(1) Earlier our Bank was denying information sought for about the Pension

Fund Trust. But, after filing our Complaint under RTI in that regards and

escalating it to the level of the second appeal, the Central Information

Commissioner, New Delhi had passed the following order on 30th June, 2016.

“We direct Union Bank of India to indicate, on their web site that they would

also entertain and respond to the RTI queries concerning the Pension Fund”.

11

(2) A copy of the Board’s resolution required by us for the legal dispute of

pension option to resigned employees was denied by the Bank. However,

after we had proceeded on RTI route, according to directive from the

Central Information Commissioner, the Bank had provided the information

to us.

(3) During demonetization of currency notes, the Bank had issued Show Cause

Notices to several retired employees of our Bank, who had deposited more

than Rs.50,000/- demonetized currency notes in their Savings Accounts.

Drafting of appropriate reply addressed to the Bank’s Chairman &

Managing Director was provided to the members who had approached our

Association. The content of our reply was that the retired employees were

not at all answerable to the Bank in that regards. And thereafter the Field

General Manager, Ahmedabad had issued a circular to the branches not to

pursue the Show Cause Notices.

(B) INDIVIDUAL ISSUES SETTLED

(4) Shri S.H.Upadhyay, retired as a Manager from our Bank’s Service Branch,

Baroda had complained to us after joining our Association that the Bank had

not paid to him 15 increments during his service !!! The Association had

drafted a representation for him to be submitted directly to the Chairman &

Managing Director of the Bank. We had also got support from Shri

W.I.Ambrose, General Secretary, Union Bank Officers’ Association

(Gujarat). Consequently, Shri Upadhyay had got an arrears of Rs.12,00,000/-

immediately after the representation. For interest on delayed payment as

well as for deduction of heavy income tax from his arrears, we have advised

Shri Upadhyay that he may initiate legal steps against the Bank.

12

(5) Shri N.K.Jodhani, had retired as a Senior Manager from Service Branch,

Rajkot. The leave encashment paid to him was less than his entitlement.

After he had pursued the matter with the Chairman & Managing Director of

our Bank as advised by our Association, the difference of leave encashment

was paid to him in two phases.

(6) Shri Vishnuswamy, retired as a Clerk, had got his Gratuity and Pension, as if

he was sub staff till retirement. After our taking up the matter with the

management, the Bank had rectified the mistakes by increasing his

retirement dues.

(7) Interest Rate on Overdraft against Fixed Deposits was charged more than

permissible as per rules in case of Shri A.H.Bhat, retired Officer of our Bank

settled at Porbandar. After taking up the matter by our Association with the

Regional Office, Rajkot, the matter was set right and excess interest sum of

about Rs.18,000/- was refunded to Shri Bhat.

(The above cited examples of resolving general and individual issues are just illustrative and not exhaustive)

Annexure ‘B’

Un-settled / Pending Individual Grievances of our Members

Inspite of our sincere efforts, following individual issues of our members are

still un-settled.

1. Shri V.V.Rabari, Retired as a Clerk from Petlad Branch

Though he was promoted from sub staff to Clerical Cadre prior to his

retirement, the Bank had paid his Gratuity and fixed his Pension, as if he

was a sub staff. Even a representation to the Chairman & Managing

Director has also not yield any result. An Application under RTI is,

13

therefore, filed. If the Bank will not correct its mistake, we shall have to

advise the member to proceed legally.

2. Shri J.R.Gohil, retired Senior Manager, Keshod

The Bank had illegally forfeited his legitimate Gratuity and that too without

following due procedure of law. The matter is, therefore, taken up with the

Assistant Labor Commissioner (Central), Rajkot, final outcome of which is

still awaited.

3. Mrs. Dudhiben D. Ambalia, family Pensioner, Rajkot Main Branch

Her request for writing his physically retarded son’s name in the Pension

Payment Order is not yet acceded to by the Bank.

Please draw attention of the Office Bearers / Central Committee Members / Activists of our Association in your area for any more individual pending issue of our members.

ANNEXURE : ‘C’ (i)

Silent features of Tailor-made Group Mediclaim Policy (Retirees)

POLICY NO. WITH DOMICILIARY 5001002816P112529368POLICY NO WITHOUT DOMICILIARY 5001002816P112530030

Name of the Insured : Indian Banks’ Association – A/c Union Bank of India 

Period of insurance : From 06.11.2016 to 31.10.2017.

Policy servicing TPA : Paramount Health Services (TPA) Pvt. Ltd. 

Highlights of the policy:

1) For critical illness, Hospitalization medical expenses alone is payable. No lump sum fixed benefit is payable. 

14

3) No expenses related to maternity is payable. No day one cover available for new born child. 

4) No corporate buffer is available. 

5) Only employee & spouse are covered. Dependents are excluded from  the scope of the policy. 

6) Existing retirees are allowed to join the scheme only up to 31st  March,  2016 on payment of full premium through their respective  banks. Thereafter only regular retirees are allowed to join the scheme immediately after the retirement on payment of pro-rata premium.  

7) After commencement of the policy if any retiree who opts out of the scheme cannot re-join the scheme. 8) At the time of renewal - in case any insured person under this policy  opts not to be included for the renewal, then he/she will not be  allowed to join the scheme on subsequent renewals. 9) Room and Boarding expenses as provided by the Hospital / Nursing  Home not exceeding Rs. 5000 per day or the actual amount whichever is  less. (1.2A) 

10) Intensive Care Unit (ICU) expenses not exceeding Rs. 7500 per day or actual amount whichever is less. (1.2B)

11) Pre and Post Hospitalization expenses payable in respect of each  hospitalization shall be the actual expenses incurred subject to 30  days prior to hospitalization and 90 days after discharge.(1.3)12) Any one illness will be deemed to mean continuous period of  illness and it includes relapse within 45 days from the date of last  consultation with the Hospital / Nursing Home where treatment has been  taken. Occurrence of the same illness after a lapse of 45 days as stated above will be considered as fresh illness for the purpose of this policy. (2.4) 

13) Ambulance charges are payable up to Rs 2500/- per trip to hospital and / or transfer to another hospital or transfer from hospital to  home if medically advised. Taxi and Auto expenses in actual maximum up  to Rs750/- per Hospitalization. Ambulance charges actually incurred on transfer from one center to another center due to Non availability of medical services/ medical complication shall be payable in full. (3.5)  

14) Pre-existing diseases are covered under the scheme. (3.6)

15) Expenses for Treatment of Congenital Internal / External diseases, defects anomalies are covered under the policy (3.7)  

15

16) Expenses for treatment of psychiatric and psychosomatic diseases be payable with or without hospitalization. (3.8)  

17) Treatment taken for Accidents can be payable even on OPD basis in Hospital up to Sum Insured.  (3.10) 

18) All Taxes, Surcharges, Service Charges, Registration charges, Admission Charges, Nursing , and Administration charges to be  payable. (3.11)

19) Reimbursement of Expenses due to hospitalization under the recognized system of medicines , viz    Unani, Sidha, Homeopathy , Naturopathy , if such treatment is taken in a clinic / hospital registered, by the  central / state government . (3.4)

20) You have to intimate to Paramount TPA before 48 hours of planned Hospitalisation, and within 24 hours of emergency Hospitalization.

21) You can give intimation of hospitalization by any one of the following ways

A) By phone to 24 Hour Helpline of Paramount Health Services (TPA) Pvt. Ltd : (1) Mumbai - 022-66629814 (2) Toll Free – 18002667008

(They will give intimation registration number. Please note it for further reference) B) By Fax: 022-66444781/82/83/84 C) By Email to: claim.intimation@paramounttpa.com

                         OR contact.phs@paramounttpa.com

          (Please note down the Intimation registration number)

D) By online visiting site : www.Paramounttpa.com/iba>Online Claim Intimation

E) By visiting local office of Paramount Health Service Pvt. Ltd.  (They will give receipt of intimation.)

22) You have to submit duly filled-in Claim form within 30 days of relieving from the hospital. The expenses for remaining period can be submitted subsequently by second claim.

23) List of hospitals with cashless facility is available on:www.paramounttpa.com/iba> Hospital Network List.

24) You can download claim form from :www.paramounttpa.com/iba> download> GMC Claim Form.It is also available from local offices of Paramount Health Services (P) Ltd.

25) You can first claim from any other insurance company, if you are covered,

16

and then submit claim under new MIS for remaining amount by submitting sanction letter of the earlier company (or vis-a-versa).

26) You can save / print the policy throughwww.unionbankofindia.co.in /information  for Retired staff / Group Mediclaim Policy for Retirees.

27) You can check status of your claim online by visiting :https://www.paramounttpa.com/policyclaim/PolyClaimStatus.aspx and know query, if any and sanctioned amount as well as reason for less sanction.

28) You can download the App. "Paramount Health Services" on your mobile from Play Store and can perform various activities as above.

29) Those who have opted for the insurance policy with domiciliary medical expenses can avail reimbursement of domiciliary experience for maximum 10% of sum assured, within which the amount of sum assured. Please note that the reimbursement of domiciliary expenses will be limited for 59 ailments specified by the UIIC in its Insurance Policy and circulated by Union Bank of India vide its Staff Circular No. 6533 dated 16.01.2017.----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

-: Compiled by :- Shri P.G.Brahmbhatt, retired Senior Manager,

Union Bank of India (settled at Ahmedabad – Gujarat)

ANNEXURE ‘C’ (ii)

GUJARATI TRANSLATION OF ANNEXURE ‘C’ (i)

17

3 PAGES

18

19

ANNEXURE “D”

Medical Insurance Scheme for Retired Employee-Snap Shot

Sl. No.

Particulars Remarks

1 Scheme Conveyed vide Bank’s Staff Circular No: 6533 Dated: 16.01.20172 Period of the Scheme 01.11.2016 to 31.10.20173 Policy Number- without

Domiciliary500100281 P 112530030

4 Policy Number- with Domiciliary

500100281 P 112529368

5 TPA Name & Addressed Paramount Health Services And Insurance TPA Pvt. Ltd,Plot No: A-442, Road No: 28, Wagale Estate, Ramnagar,Vitthal Rulhamani Mandir, Thane (W)-Mumbai-400 604Web Site Address: www.paramounttpa.com/iba

6 Contact Persons dedicated to Union Bank Retirees

1. Ms. Sneha Soman (Help Desk Central Office)Cell No: 077100 67734,Phone No: (022) 66620855Mail: sneha.soman@paramounttpa.com

2. Shri Siddharth Thorat, (Help Desk BS Marg)Cell No: 077770 40946,Phone No: (022) 22629478Mail: siddharth.thorat@paramounttpa.com

3. Shri Rajesh Thakare, (Back Office)

20

Cell No: 074985 63115,Phone No: (022) 66620855Mail: rajesh.thakare@paramounttpa.com

Escalation:1. Shri Suresh Ghadi

Cell No: 093201 67512,Phone No: (022) 66620855Mail: suresh.ghadi@paramounttpa.com

7 Union Bank Help Desk Asst. General Manager,HR Department, Employee Benefit Division, Medical Insurance,8th floor, Union Bank Bhavan, 239, Vidhan Bhavan Marg, Nariman Point-Mumbai-400 021Email: staffmediclaim@uninbankofindia.com

8 IBA Health Insurance CellNote:IBA cell can be contacted, if TPA is not responding

Address: United India Insurance Co., IBA Health Insurance Cell, Veer Nariman Road, Churchgate, Mumbai-400 020.Phone: (022) 22822564/22822565Contact Persons:1. Shri Vikrant Khairmode- vikrant

khairmode@uiic.co.in2. Shri Ashish Deval-ashish@uiic.co.in3. Shri Pushkaraj S. Baadal-

pushkarajbaadal@uiic.co.in4. Shri Srikanth Hazari- srikanthhazari@uiic.co.in

Compiled by Shri V.S.Velani, retired Senior Manager, Union Bank of India, settled at Rajkot

ANNEXURE ‘E’

LEGAL ACTIONS AGAINST THE INSURANCE COMPANY

I : INSURANCE OMBUDSMAN1. Complaints are pouring to our Association from our members for

unjustified repudiation / rejection of entire or partial medical insurance claims or for (ii) abnormal delay in sanction of the insurance claims.

2. From legal angle, Paramount Health Services Ltd. (Third Party Administrator) is merely processing agent. As mentioned in Clause No.7 of our Master Insurance Policy, if an insured person has any grievance, he has to lodge a complaint to the Grievances Redressal Cell of the United India Insurance Company Ltd. And if no reply is received from the Insurance Company within 30 days or negative reply is received or your grievance is not resolved to your satisfaction, you may initiate legal actions by approaching (i) the Insurance Ombudsman or (ii) the Consumer Forum or (iii) the Civil Court

3. The complaint to the Ombudsman must be made not later than 1 year after the insurance company has rejected the complaint or sent its final reply which is not acceptable to you.

4. The Ombudsman will not entertain your request if you have already approached a Consumer Forum or a Civil Court for the same matter.

21

5. There is no need to approach the Ombudsman through a lawyer

6. There is no fee for complaining to the Ombudsman

7. Based on the facts of the case, the Ombudsman may arrive at a fair recommendation or may reject your Complaint.

8. If you accept the recommendation as full and final settlement, the Ombudsman will inform the Insurance Company.

9. The Insurance Company shall comply with the recommendation within 15 days.

10.If the Settlement does not work (you refuse to accept the settlement), the Ombudsman will pass an Award within 3 months of receiving the Complaint.

11.You have to accept the award in writing.

12.The Award is binding on the Insurance Company

13.But the Award is NOT binding on the insured person. If you are not satisfied with the decision of the Ombudsman, you can approach the Consumer Forum or the Civil Court.

14.Complaint to the Ombudsman is to be made in the prescribed Form (ANNEX-VI-A) attached herewith. The Office of the Insurance Ombudsman at Ahmedabad (Gujarat) is shifted to a new premises with effect from 15 th

April,’17 and hence the new address is printed on the Format of the Complaint.

15.The Complaint may be sent by Registered Post or by E-mail. In case you have lodged complaint by e-mail, you must send the hard copy subsequently by Registered Post.

16.After a complaint is filed to the Ombudsman, it will send a Format of Unconditional and Irrevocable undertaking for your signature. You have also option to submit this Format to the Ombudsman along with Complaint keeping the columns of Reference No. and date blank. This Format No. ANNEX-VIII(A) is also attached herewith.

17.If necessary, the Ombudsman will conduct hearing of both the parties.

18.While you receive a Notice of hearing, if the claim amount is small or if you are unable / unwilling to attend the hearing, you may intimate to the Ombudsman in writing to decide your complaint on the basis of material and arguments submitted earlier. There is no prescribed format for this purpose and hence you may write an appropriate letter in your own way.

19.If it is deemed necessary to attend the hearing, the insured person / complainant may authorize another person to represent his / her case before the ombudsman and in such circumstances the authorized person alone or the insured person and the authorized person both may attend the hearing. There is no prescribed form for this purpose also. While

22

preparing an authorization letter, signature of the authorized person should be authenticated by the insured person.

II : CONSUMER FORUM20.If the Ombudsman does not decide the matter in favor of the insured

person, the complaint may be filed to a Consumer Court. You may also approach the Consumer Forum without approaching the Ombudsman. Time limit for filing a complaint with the Consumer Forum is within 2 years after repudiation of your claim by the Insurance Company. If no complaint was filed to the Ombudsman, the case with the Consumer Forum must be filed within 2 years of the rejection of your insurance claim.

III : CIVIL COURT

20.Civil Courts have also jurisdiction to hear the complaints against the Insurance Companies. However, since it is a costly and time consuming remedy, not much preferable.

ANNEX-VI-A Complaint No.

Date :

ToThe Insurance Ombudsman,6th Floor, “Jivan Prakash” Building,Tilak Marg, Relief Road,Ahmedabad – 380 001 (Gujarat).E-mail ID < bimalokpal.ahmedabad@gbic.co.in >(Phone Nos. 079-25501201 / 1202

Sir,

Complaint against the United India Insurance Co. Ltd.

Branch / Division United India Insurance Co. Ltd.,IBA Cell, Vulcan Insurance Building,Ground Floor, 77, V.N.Road, Churchgate, Mumbai – 400 020.Phone Nos.022-2282 2551-52-53-54-55 Fax : 022-2282 0521

Policy No.

Name of Complainant

Being aggrieved, I am lodging complaint against the above referred Insurance Company. Details are given as under.

Particulars of the Complainant

23

1 Name

Address

Telephone Nos.

Land Line No.

Mobile No.

Relationship to the Insured Person

2 Name of the Insurance Company

United India Insurance Co. Ltd.

Office Address IBA Cell, Vulcan Insurance Building,Ground Floor, 77, V.N.Road, Churchgate, Mumbai – 400 020.Phone Nos.022-2282 2551-52-53-54-55 Fax : 022-2282 0521

3 Policy No.

4. Subject Matter of the Complaint and brief facts of the case

5. Date of preferring your Claim / Complaint to the Insurance Company (Please enclose copy of the letter)

24

. .

6. Date of Reply of Insurance Company (Please enclose a copy of the letter)

. .

7. Are any proceedings before any Court / Consumer Forum / Arbitrator on the same subject matter pending or where so earlier.

.

8. Nature and extent of monetary loss, if any

.

9. Quantum of relief sought :

. .

10(a) Particulars of representation made against repudiation of claim to DO/RO/Grievances Cell and outcome thereof.

(b) If not made representation, give reasons, if any:

10. I hereby declare and solemnly affirm that:

25

a) The information given above is true to the best of my knowledge and belief

b) The complaint was lodged with the Insurance Company on

(Complaint date) as per copy enclosed and the

company has rejected my claim/ complaint / not replied even after a month / replied on (replied on date) but the

same is not acceptable to me.

c) The period of one year has not elapsed from the date of rejection letter or final reply from the Insurance Company

d) The Complaint is not on the same subject matter for which any proceedings before any court or consumer forum or arbitrator are pending / settled or were so earlier

e) The subject matter is not decided earlier by your office or any office of the Insurance Ombudsman

11. I / We enclose copies of the following documents:

1) Copy of complaint letter written to the Insurance Company

2) Copy of reply received from the said Insurance Company (if received)

3) Copy of reminder, if any

Yours faithfully,

X

(Signature of the Complainant)

. . (Name of the Complainant)

26

Date:

ToThe Insurance Ombudsman,6th Floor, “Jivan Prakash” Building,Tilak Marg, Relief Road,Ahmedabad – 380 001.

Sir,

Complaint against the United India Insurance Co. Ltd.

Branch / Division United India Insurance Co. Ltd.,IBA Cell, Vulcan Insurance Building,Ground Floor, 77, V.N.Road, Churchgate, Mumbai – 400 020.Phone Nos.022-2282 2551-52-53-54-55 Fax : 022-2282 0521

Policy No.

Name of Complainant

Your Reference No.

With reference to your Letter dated on the above subject, I / we hereby give my / our unconditional and irrevocable consent for the Insurance Ombudsman to act as a mediator between the Insurance Company and myself and give his recommendation for the resolution of complaint.

Kindly give your recommendation at the earliest.

Yours faithfully,

27

X

(Signature of the Complainant)

. . (Name of the Complainant)

28

Annexure : ‘F’ I nformation gathered from the Circular No.155 dated 27th March,’17

issued by Union Bank Retired Staff Association (Tamilnadu) As we know, Head Office of the United India Insurance Co. Ltd. is situated at Chennai (Tamilnadu). While the General Body Meeting of the Union Bank Retired Staff Association (Tamilnadu) was held at Chennai on 12th March,’17, Mr. Hariharan, Dy. General Manager of the Insurance Company was invited by the Association to address the members. Besides clarifying various matters and giving guidance on the several points regarding our medical insurance, Mr. Hariharan had also given the following statistics relating to the implementation of IBA Mediclaim Insurance Policy.

No. of banks covered in respect of IBA Medical policy for serving employees

33

Premium paid by the Banks for serving employees Rs. 753 Crores

No. of banks who opted for retirees’ policy 39 Premium paid by retirees with domiciliary cover Rs. 133

Crores Premium paid by retirees without domiciliary cover Rs. 154

Crores Claim ratio on pro rata basis – Serving employees (1.10.16 to 5.3.17)

82%

Claim ratio on pro rata basis – retired employees with domiciliary cover (1.11.16 to 5.3.17)

177%

Claim ratio on pro rata basis – retired employees without domiciliary cover (1.11.16 to 5.3.17)

110%

==============================================================================

Considering this statistical data of the claims settled by the Insurance Company during first about 4 months, it is probable that the premium will be increased further next year.

29

-: NOTE :-

30