For the fishermen living in remote hamlets along the coast at Ramanathapuram and Vedaranyam in Pudukottai district, renewing LIC policies no longer means loss of one day's earnings by standing in long queues.
They are now paying premiums and submitting applications for new policies right from their homes, thanks to the hi-tech initiative of a 47-year-old LIC agent, C.T. Balakrishnan.
Having converted his Mahindra Scorpio into a mobile collection unit by fixing a laptop equipped with wireless internet connection to access the LIC network, he travels right up to the customers' homes.
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Drawing power from the SUV's battery, he has also attached a printer to issue receipts on the spot. Says Mr. Balakrishnan, “By taking this service to their very doorsteps, the fisher folk feel the LIC office itself has come to their area. Now, LIC service is available for them 24X7, 365 days a year as I work even on public holidays and am just one phone call away.”
J. Chakrapani, Senior Divisional Manager, LIC Madurai Division, told The Hindu in Madurai on Friday that 143 agents had been empowered to collect premium from their policyholders as well from the public and issue receipts on behalf of LIC.