LIC Agents Hold Sixth National Conference
P G Dileep
THE sixth All India Conference of LIC Agents’ Organisation of India (LICAOI-CITU) was held at Alluri Seetharamaraju Vignana Kendram in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh from May 22 to 23.
A massive rally was held with thousands of agents, which culminated at the public grounds opposite the LIC Divisional Office on the first day of the conference. A public meeting was organised after the rally, and it was chaired by L Manjunath, vice president of LICAOI. KN Umesh, national secretary, CITU, inaugurated the meeting.
Narasimha Rao, CITU, AP state secretary, welcomed the gathering and highlighted the issues faced by LIC agents, apart from seeking public support for CITU’s agitation against the privatisation of the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant.
The delegate conference was inaugurated by CITU all India president K Hemalata who elaborated on the world economic crisis with a special mention of the Indian economy.
Hemalatha raised concerns over the attack on the working class through the new labour codes and warned that the workers might lose benefits such as ESI and EPF with the new laws. She spoke at length in detail on the issues faced by LIC agents and called upon the members to stand united and confront the attacks against them. She also stressed the need to empower women in every field.
The women’s sub-committee meeting held on May 22 evening was inaugurated by J Mercy Kutty Amma, CITU national vice president. She said that the purpose of this committee is to bring the women agents to the forefront of the organisation and utilise their services for the organisation and the progressive movement in a better way, apart from bringing up the problems faced by women. AP Savithri and Gouri Nadi were elected as convenors of the women’s sub-committee.
About 381 delegates representing lakhs of agents from various states participated in the conference. As many as 42 members participated in the discussion on the report and 18 resolutions were passed.
The conference unanimously elected ex-MP Basudeb Acharia and SS Potti as permanent invitees to the office bearers committee.
Surajit Kumar Bose was elected the president and L Manjunath, the working president. PG Dileep was elected the general secretary and T John William is made the treasurer of the organisation.
The conference resolved to work for and support candidates from secular and democratic forces in the coming elections in order to rebuff the communal forces and to preserve communal amity, defend India’s composite culture and strengthen the unity of the people.
It resolved not to continue the sale of shares of LIC and to purchase the shares sold through the subsidiaries of LIC.
The agents opposed FDI and disinvestment in public sector undertakings and demanded the government reduce the prices of essential commodities and petroleum products.
They also demanded a stop to the merger and privatisation of banks and opposed the amendments made to the labour laws.
They also sought job security for LIC agents through legislation.
They demanded not to start Bima Sugam Exchange, which affects agents and in the long run, policyholders, LIC staff and management, which will create confusion among the public and can lead to a loss of credibility for LIC.
They sought the government to put a stop to direct marketing by LIC and to withdraw GST levied on LIC policies, premiums and interest.
The agents resolved to take up agitations by associating policyholders, sister organisations in LIC and other trade unions in India.
They decided to hold a nationwide dharna in front of the parliament ahead of the parliament elections.
