We reproduce below the letter written by Shri S. Ramchandran to MD and CEO of Bank of Baroda
Quote
S. Ramachandran Kunal Icon, Building no.A8,
Former General Manager Bank of Baroda. Flat no. 104, Pimple Saudagar,
Former Chairman & CEO - The Sangli Bank Ltd . Aundh Camp, Pune 411027
(Now merged with ICICI Bank Ltd.) Tel: 020 27201012.
Former Administrator Madhavpura Mercantile E-mail id-
ramans1938@gmail.com
Co-op Bank Ltd (Ahmedabad)
Former Director General Maratha Chamber of Commerc
e Industries & Agriculture, Pune.
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Dear Shri
P.S.Jayakumar, 28TH July,2016
MD &CEO,BANK
OF BARODA, MOST URGENT
BARODA
CORPORATE CENTRE,
C-26,G-BLOCK,BABDRA
KURLA COMPLEX,
BANDRA
EAST,MUMBAI-400051
RE:-
REMEDICAL INSURANCE SCHEME FOR RETIRED OFFICERS/EMPLOYEES;PROCEDURE FOR
HOSPITALIZATION –DOMICILIARY TREATMENT-MY PENDING CLAIMS OVER RS 93000/- SUBMITTED TO THE BANK
Thanks
for Mr Jani, DGM HR OPERATION e mail of 18th July 2016 on the issue
of reimbursement of my various bills relating to domiciliary treatment.
At the
outset, I am amazed at the similarity in the reply sent by him now with that of
the reply received from the Executive Director Mr. Joshi, vide his letter NO
BCC/HRM/108/i-21/2058 sent way back on 25th February 2016.Both have
emphasized that the issue regarding reimbursement of claims under domiciliary
treatment is “under discussion between
IBA and Insurance Company”. I am unable to understand the rationale for the
inordinate and inexplicable delay in
settling an important matter concerning the retirees especially when everything
is in black and white. In fact the Executive Director has in unequivocal
terms admitted that “the medical
insurance policy for retired employees circulated
by the Bank is arrived at by IBA with United India Insurance co. Ltd. In the policy which the bank is referring
for, the aspect of coverage of domiciliary treatments even for retired
employees were crystal clear. Even in the
presentation made to the IBA and the UFBU, the domiciliary treatment was
covered for retirees. It is only after an after-thought, the insurance
company has reneged from their contractual obligation. It is because of this,
the UFBU who are one of the signatory to the insurance contract has been
racking up this issue time and again. Since, the domiciliary treatment was
covered in the MOU the Bank has issued the circular and is now taking up with
the IBA.
Even during my meeting with you on 14th
march,2016 at Pune you promised me that on going back to Mumbai, you would take up the matter
with Mr. TANKASALE - CEO OF IBA AND THE CHAIRMAN OF UNITED INSURANCE CO in the
matter and resolve the matter with in a period of one month and in the worst scenario you would pay the
bills to the debit of the banks profit
and loss account.This assurance given by
you was confirmed by me to you vide my email dated 15th april,2016.
Apart from the above it may be noted that I
had sent several emails to you such as dated 18-11-2015,7-1-2016,27-1-2016,6-2-2016,7-3-2016
and 14-7-2016 on the above subject but regret to state that you preferred to
remain silent in spite of the fact that bank was deficient in services as
assumed in the banks circular dated 10th November,2015.
By end of October, the one year term
of the policy is coming to an end and hence it is necessary that the issue is
sorted out without further procrastination. Banks’ reply sounds as if it is Indo- Pak dialogue which is lingering
for ages.
To
recapitulate, I have to state that the Bank has issued the circular No.
BCC/BR/107.555 dated 10th November, 2015 which was published on its
website wherein it is categorically stated that domiciliary treatment is
covered. The bank has issued this circular based on a copy of the memorandum of
understanding of IBA and the Insurers. Hence, everything is in black and white.
We therefore do not see any rationale in prolonging the discussion. The contract of Health Insurance cannot be
rescinded arbitrarily. If the insurance company has reneged on its earlier
contract, it is for the IBA to sort out the issue but without putting the
retirees to difficulty. The IBA was in the forefront while dealing with the
Insurance Company and therefore, they should take up the responsibility. It is
for this reason, we have been shouting from the roof top to stop accepting the
advice of IBA which is a un-registered and non – professional body without any
responsibility and accountability.
The
presentation made by the insurers clearly and categorically showed that
domiciliary treatment is covered both for the serving and retired employees.
The same was incorporated in the MOU. It is ironical that the coverage for
retirees have been stealthily deleted which is against all cannons of justice
and fair play. The Bank should have
immediately taken up the issue in the IBA Managing committee meetings and
forced for a immediate resolution of the issue.
Strong arm tactics of the insurers should have been highlighted to the
top management of the insurers including
their Board which would have given
positive results.
Since in
the circular issued by the Bank, there is no ambiguity as far as coverage of
domiciliary treatment is concerned, it is necessary that the bank should
reimburse the amount and claim the same from the insurance company or the IBA.
In this context ,I REQUEST YOUR ATTENTION TO
THE PROVISIONS OF “CONSUMER PROTECTION ACT 1986. ACCORDINGLY I AM CONSUMER OF
THE BANK FOR WHICH I HAVE PAID THE PREMIUM/FEES IN PURSUANCE OF BANKS CIRCULAR
NO BCC:BR:107:555 DATED 10TH NOVEMBER,2015 FOR AVAILING THE SERVICES
OF HEALTH INSURANCE POLICY.
IT is crystal clear in spite of compliances
of all the formalities by the undersigned as a consumer ,by not sanctioning my
claims bank is deficient in services as assumed in the above banks circular no
BCC:BR:107:555 DATED 10TH NOVEMBER,2015.
In view
of the above I request you to sanction and release ally my claims within 30
days from the receipt of my this
communication and also order the head office to pay my future bills that I will
be submitting for treatment of self and my wife till the expiry of policy on
31-10-2016.
Thanking you.
With best regards,
YOURS SINCERELY,
S.RAMACHANDRAN
FORMER GM
& PENSIONER
EMPLOYEE
NO 14378
C.C. TO
SHRI RAVI VENKATESAN - for information and necessary action please.
CHAIRMAN,
BANK OF BARODA,
BARODA
CORPORATE CENTRE,
BANDRA,MUMBAI
400051
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