The abrupt decision of state government for mandatory implementation of
Mediclaim Insurance Policy, for all state government (Gazetted)
employees has been widely criticised by the employees. Questions on
dubious objectives of the government behind its implementation that too
through a private insurance provider have been raised.
Sources told
Early Times that Finance Department had directed all its Administrative
Secretaries and Drawing and Disbursing Officers (DDOs) to submit the
name of the Gazetted Employees along with full particulars
and those of his or her dependent family members on a prescribed format
to the ICICI Lombard General Insurance Company Ltd at Jammu as well as
Srinagar offices up to January 27, 2014 for processing insurance. "The
policy had been decided to be launched on February 10, 2014 vide
Government Order No 07-FD of 2014 Dated 09-01-20-14," they said further
adding that the direction of government evoked strong resentment against
the policy among the Gazetted employees of different departments due to
many loopholes in it.
"It is beyond understanding that why
government is making it mandatory for each and every official for taking
insurance policy when many of them already have such policies policy
putting extra burden on the employees," said an employee on the
condition of anonymity. He further said that the policy issued by ICICI
Lombard General Insurance Company Ltd's is valid for only three years
with the payment of Rs 6,000 per annum as premium which means Rs 18,000
in three years and Rs 500 per month.
He further said that first
instalment has been deducted from our salary for the month of
January.Sources further said that choosing a private company for medical
insurance also creates suspicion about the government as there might be
some hidden interest of the government.
Why government chose only
ICICI Lombard General Insurance Company Ltd's when we have Life
Insurance Corp (LIC) which is also a government undertaking company.
Even this order of the government has been denied by some sections of
government employees and they took recourse to the judiciary.
JAMMU KASHMIR PSC +2 LECTURERS' ORGANIZATION.