Balbir Singh Sidhu launches a sharp attack on the BJP government over the hike in commercial gas cylinder prices The Congress will strongly oppose every anti-people policy that affects people's kitchens S.A.S.Nagar 2 May ( Ranjeet Singh Dhaliwal ) : Senior Congress leader and former Health Minister Balbir Singh Sidhu has termed the steep increase in commercial gas cylinder prices by the BJP-led central government as a well-planned conspiracy against small traders and common people, who are considered the backbone of the country's economy. Sidhu said that the significant hike in gas cylinder prices in a single day proves that the BJP government neither cares about small businesses nor about the kitchens of ordinary households. People who are already burdened by inflation, unemployment, and taxes are now being further oppressed by rising gas prices. He stated that this decision is a direct economic blow to thousands of families associated with tea vendors, dhaba owners, hotel ope...
FDI in insurance not acceptable; Form a Govt-Owned Mega Insurance Company : GIEAIA
Chandigarh 18 February ( Ranjeet Singh Dhaliwal ) : The General Insurance Employees’ All India Association (GIEAIA) on Wednesday raised serious concerns about the future of public sector general insurance companies during a press conference. Addressing the media, National Secretary Trilok Singh said that allowing 100% Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and pursuing privatisation policies are against public interest. He emphasized that insurance is not merely a commercial activity but a crucial social security service. According to him, foreign companies enter markets primarily to earn profits and repatriate them abroad, which could weaken India’s economic sovereignty.
The union urged the government to merge the four public sector general insurers — National Insurance Company Limited, United India Insurance Company Limited, The Oriental Insurance Company Limited, and The New India Assurance Company Limited — into a single strong, government-owned “mega insurance company” instead of moving towards privatisation. The union believes such a merger would improve operational efficiency, ensure financial stability, protect jobs, and better serve the country’s social insurance needs.
Trilok Singh highlighted that after 45 months of sustained struggle by employees, officers, and pensioners, key achievements were secured, including wage revision, 14% government contribution under the National Pension System (NPS), and a 30% increase in family pension benefits. The union also expressed concern over proposed labour law changes and the move to increase FDI in the insurance sector, stating that these measures could weaken the public sector structure and shift profits into foreign hands.
GIEAIA demanded the withdrawal of provisions in the new labour codes that are detrimental to employees, reversal of the 100% FDI decision in insurance, and a halt to the privatisation of public sector undertakings. Additional demands include adequate recruitment across all cadres, extension of the 1995 pension scheme, improvements in the staff group mediclaim policy, settlement of pending non-core benefits, and removal of GST on group medical insurance. During a recent regional conference, the union passed seven resolutions, including the merger of the four companies, regularisation of contract employees, direct recruitment, and wage increases in line with inflation. The union called upon employees across the country to unite and intensify the struggle to safeguard the public sector insurance industry.
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