CM Writes to Centre for LIC Zonal Office in State - Bhubaneshwar

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Tuesday demanded opening of the Life Insurance Corporation's (LIC's) zonal office (tier-II) here.

"I request you to consider establishment of an LIC zonal office at Bhubaneswar at the earliest to meet the long cherished aspirations of LIC customers in Odisha," Naveen said in a letter to Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley.

Stating that the State Government is making all out efforts to ensure 100 financial inclusion in Odisha in a time bound manner, Naveen said one of the most important aspect is easy availability of insurance products to the vulnerable sections of the society.

The Chief Minister said though LIC, because of its brand equity, has tremendous potential to spread insurance and micro-insurance products at the grassroots level in Odisha, it does not have a zonal office in the State.

Ever since bifurcation of LIC's Zonal Office in Kolkata in 2006, the State is being served by its Eastern Central zonal office headquartered in Patna.

Naveen said as there are no direct flights or convenient daily train services from Bhubaneswar to Patna, policy holders from Odisha particularly senior citizens, women, the physically challenged and those belonging to the BPL category are facing a lot of difficulties in communicating with Patna Zonal Office for redressal of their grievances.

"Hence, I feel, taking into account the business potential in Odisha, LIC should set up a separate zonal office at Bhubaneswar to cater to the needs of its expanding customer base in the State. To start with, a tire-II zonal office can be opened immediately which can be upgraded to a regular office later," Naveen said in the letter.

The State Government has already allotted five acres to LIC HFL Care Homes at nominal rates in addition to one acre for the establishment of a new office.



Source: The New Indian Express, 14th Jan 2015