Kathmandu. Chairman of Nepal Insurance Authority Sharad Ojha has said that the insurance sector has not yet become reliable for the general public.
Chairman Ojha said this while addressing a corner meeting organized at Bhrikutimandap after prabhat pheri this morning on the occasion of the 57th anniversary of insurance authority. He said all stakeholders should work to make the insurance sector credible.
Chairman Ojha said that the credibility of the insurance sector should be increased by creating awareness among the general public and submitting it. “The government has taken a policy to open insurance information centres for the expansion of the insurance sector,” he said, adding, “Insurers should also run programs to raise insurance awareness through the fund allocated under their social responsibility.” ’
Stating that there are complaints in the AUTHORITY, Chairman Ojha said that this also indicates that the general public’s perception about insurance is not positive. “Everything cannot be zeroed in, but a lot is possible with effort,” he said.
Chairman Ojha directed the insurers to move ahead in a way to arouse enthusiasm as the general perception about insurance has also become positive while celebrating the upcoming 58th anniversary.
On the occasion, President of Life Insurance Association and CEO of Citizen Life Insurance, Mr. Poshan Raj Poudel wished that the scope of insurance should be increased. Birendra Baidwar Chhetri, president of Nepal Insurance Association and CEO of Siddhartha Premier Insurance, complained that although the government has given priority to health insurance in its policies and programmes, it has not included any program that encourages life and non-life insurance companies. “We believe that the NRA will take initiative to bring this issue in the government’s budget,” he said.
Responding to Chhetri’s complaint, CHAIRMAN Ojha said that the insurance companies should consider how much the insurance companies have completed the programs brought by the government earlier. “We should first consider how much we have implemented in the programmes and policies brought by the government earlier,” he said, adding, “But I have found that the present government is positive towards the insurance sector.” ’
On the occasion, President of Nepal Small Insurance Association and CEO of Guardian Micro Life Chirayu Bhandari pointed out the weakness of the insurers for not paying much attention to the general public even though insurance is essential. “Insurance is essential but people do not come to insure themselves,” he said. I think we have weaknesses. Therefore, everyone should work to increase insurance awareness. ’
Om Bahadur KC, central general secretary of the Federation of Professional Insurance Agents, stressed the need to move ahead with all cooperation for the expansion of insurance. “As of today, representatives of regulatory bodies and insurance companies, employees and agents have been working for the development of the insurance sector,” he said, adding, “I am confident that this collaboration will continue in the days to come.” ’
On the occasion, President of Nepal Surveyor’s Association Mohan Purush Dhakal wished for further expansion of the insurance sector. “Insurance has now expanded to 40-43 per cent of the population,” he said. ’
Executive Director of Insurance Authority Sushil Dev Subedi delivered the welcome speech on the occasion. He said that today’s prabhat pheri has highlighted the enthusiasm of the insurance sector. “This shows the necessity and justification of insurance,” he said.
