Hemanath Padubidri
Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (RD)

Udupi, Aug 9: LIC Agents Organization of India (LICAOI), affiliated to AFFI-CITU, Udupi division staged a protest in front of LIC Udupi division office, on Wednesday August 8 in order to oppose the service tax imposed on LIC policies by the union government. 

Addressing the protesters, LICAOI state chief secretary Ramesh Kumar said that the imposing of service tax on policies has been a serious issue, since the LIC representatives are facing difficulty in marketing policies that are based on ULIP.

He alleged that the management of LIC has disregarded its representatives who are the backbone of the organization by generating premium income since the past 56 years. The protest has not only been staged to urge the union government to fulfill their demands, but also to safeguard the interest of 33 crore LIC policyholders in the country, added Ramesh Kumar.

LICAOI Udupi division vice president Derick A Rebello, after inaugurating the protest, said that it is difficult for an LIC representative to get premium income of Rs 1 lac from a rural village, as 70 percent of people there are daily wage earners ranging from Rs 30 to Rs 40.

LIC Employees Union Udupi division chief secretary U Gurudutt, LICAOI Udupi division chief secretary Lazarus D’costa, treasurer Suman Rao, president Gangadhar Poojary, executive president Rajan M D Costa were present among the others.