South Zone Conference - LIC Agents Organisation LICAOI, Alappuzha

The Life Insurance Corporation Agents Organisation of India(LICAOI) has resolved to oppose the proposed legislation( amending the Insurance Act) of the United Progressive Alliance government during its two-day, 3rd South Zone Conference which was held at Municipal Town Hall, Alappuzha, recently. LICAOI which is affiliated to the Cente for Indian Trade Union(CITU) in its resolution passed at the conference has strongly opposed the policies of the Union Government which posed a grave threat to the LIC.

Com.A.V.Bellarmin, former member of Parliament and president of LICAOI, South Zone in his presidential address demanded scrapping the D.Swarup Committee recommendations, which would finish off the 54-year-old Rs.9 lakh-crore public sector behemoth. He said the central government and LIC management were trying to deny and destroy the interest of the LIC agents by amending the Insurance Act and changing the FDI norms.

Com.M.Kunjikrishnan, Vice President All India Insurance Employees Association(AIIEA) in his inaugural address said the government policy to enhance FDI and increase the working capital of LIC from Rs.5 crore to Rs.100 crore would facilitate backdoor privatization. He said the findings and recommendations of the Committee on Investor Protection and Financial Literacy headed by D.Swaroop are baseless, imaginary, arbitrary and against public interest and would hamper the livelihood of 30 lakh LIC agents in the country.

Com.S.S.Potty, All India Working President, who inaugurated the delegates session pointed out that the strength of LIC of India really rested in the hard works of agents, but they were not properly rewarded and given step motherly treatment. Raising concerns over the alleged "capitulation" of the central Government to multi-national insurance lobbies, he said there was a "conspiracy to destroy LIC" so as to prepare a ground for the foreign players to have total dominance in the insurance sector.

Com.P.G.Dileep, All India General Secretary, in his address observed that the LIC management has already started the preparatory works for Direct Selling by way of advertisement, which would adversely affect the carrier of LIC agents. The conference called upon the Central Committee to take necessary steps to check the direct selling concept at the initial stage itself.

LIC Agents Organization has decided to hold a Dharna in from of the Parliament during the budget session and participate in the Parliament march, organized by various trade unions to protest against amendments in the Insurance Act.

In the delegate session Com.P.G.Dileep All India General Secretary presented the organizational report. While working report was presented by South Zone General Secretary Com.M.Selvaraj and accounts statement was given by treasurer Com.G.Karuppayya. Com.P.P.Chitharanjan welcomed the gathering and Com.V.Sajimon proposed vote of thank. Two hundred and fifty delegates from Tamil Nadu and Kerala attended the conference.

Conference elected Com.A.V.Bellarmin as president ,Com.M.Selvaraj as general secretary and Com.E.Balakrishnan as treasurer of LICAOI, South Zone.