Byelaws governing KSSIA SOCIAL SECURITY FUND:

1) Membership:

1. The membership in KSSF is strictly restricted and confined to members of the Kerala State Small Industries Association, whose units are operational.
2. Membership is open only for individuals i.e. the proprietor of a Proprietorship concern & in case of partnership/limited company partners/directors (individually) as authorized by other partners / proposed by the company board resolution is eligible to become members
3. A person who obtains a membership in KSSF is deemed to have been covered under the social welfare scheme provided therein.

 Procedure for obtaining Membership:

4. KSSIA members desiring to join the social security scheme are to apply in the application form (obtained on payment of Rs.300), which is to be duly filled up, and self attested copies of the MSME /SSI permanent certificate, latest KSEB bill/ VAT returns/ service tax returns, Partnership deed (for partnership firm)/ MOU of company, SSLC book/passport/Pan card/ driving license & 2 nos. of Passport size photograph  is to be provided.

Membership fees:

5. The admission fee for membership is Rs.10,000/- (Rupees Ten Thousand Only) . Mode of payment should be by way of Demand draft/ cheque drawn in favour of “KSSIA Social Security Fund” payable at Ernakulam for an amount of Rs.10,300/-.
6. The membership fees mentioned above is subject to vary from time to time as determined by the General Body of KSSF.
7. An amount of Rs.200 & Rs.100 will be given as an incentive to the Kerala State Small Industries association concerned District &State Unit respectively for each membership received therein. The amount which may be used for promotion of membership campaign of the KSSF 

2) Age Limit:

The maximum age for obtaining full membership is 55 years, under no circumstances persons above the stipulated age limit shall be admitted as members. The age of the applicant shall be calculated on the basis of the age attained, (ie, age at last birthday) as on the date of commencement of the KSSF Fund. 

Exclusions:

1. However, an applicant who is presently an active member in KSSIA will be given an age relaxation up to 65 years to become a full member provided he/she joins the KSSF by 1/5/2008.
2. Members above the age of 65 years can become Honorary Members upto 1/5/2008

Retirement:

3. Age of Retirement of members shall be 70 years. Under no circumstances the retirement age be relaxed and further the retiring member can nominate the new member in case of a proprietorship concern and in case of a Partnership or Company with the concurrence of the other Partners or by resolutions in the case of a Company. A new member will have to pay the full membership fee prevalent at the time

3) Termination of Membership from KSSF:

Membership will terminate in the following events:-

1. Cessation of  membership  of KSSIA
2. In the event of winding up of the industry or unit
3. Member exiting from the industry
4. Non-Payment of dues within 45 days of intimation by registered post/speed post.
5. In the case of a Partnership the concerned Partner will cease to be a member on his ceasing to be a Partner.
6. In the case of a Company the concerned director will cease to be members on their removal from the board.  

In the above events the concerned member shall be given a show-cause notice giving fifteen day’s time for reply therein, the same shall be considered by the Governing body, which will have powers to take appropriate action thereon including termination of the concerned member from the primary membership of the KSSF. 

4) Composition of the General Body:

The General body shall consist of all members of the KSSF who are not disqualified under clause 3. 

5) Constitution of the Governing Body:

The governing body of the KSSF shall consist of fourteen members, one member each from one district who will be elected by the members belonging to the KSSF at the District level by secret ballot. The President, Secretary & Treasurer of the KSSIA-State unit shall be ex-officio members of the governing body provided they are members of the KSSF.

6) Term of office of the Governing Body:

The term of the members shall be for a period of 2 years. 50% of governing body shall retire every year. ( In the first year the 50% to retire shall be decided by  consensus or by lot.) 

Members who are not disqualified under Clause 3 and who do not have arrears will be eligible to contest election to the Governing Body.

7) Constitution, Powers and duties of the Executive Council:

1. The executive council shall comprise of the Chairman, Convener & Treasurer and they shall be elected every year from amongst the members of the governing body through a secret ballot, they are disqualified from holding the post of President, Secretary & Treasurer of KSSIA at the state level.
2. The Chairman, Convener & Treasurer shall operate the bank accounts and other funds of the KSSF jointly wherein any negotiable instruments including cheque shall be signed by at least two of them.
3. The Executive Council shall manage the day to day affairs of the KSSF.
4. In emergency matters the Executive Council will have the powers to take immediate decisions and the same shall be ratified in the next meeting of the Governing Body.
5. The Executive Council will be responsible for considering the claims made by the members under the Social Welfare Scheme.
6. The Executive Council shall be responsible for the implementation of the decisions taken by the Governing Body in its meetings.
7. The Executive Council shall have powers to appoint the panel of Medical Practitioners who shall determine the claims of the Members made under the Social Welfare scheme.

8) Meetings of the Governing body and the Executive Council.

1. The governing body shall meet at least once in three months. A sitting fee will be paid subject to a maximum of three meetings in a quarter.

2. The Executive Council of the fund must meet at least once in every month to review the activities. The sitting fees will be reimbursed subject to a maximum of three meetings in a month.
   

Travel Allowance and other Privileges.

A sitting fee of Rs.500/- may be paid . First class / second A/C train fare / Rs.4/km by road will be reimbursed as traveling allowances subject to a maximum of three meetings in a month. Only one TA reimbursement will be made for a day. Additional reimbursements in this regard can be made only with the approval of the general body.

9) Quorum.

1. The Quorum required for an ordinary meeting of the Governing Body shall be one half of the elected members of the Governing body. However, in case of meetings to transact Special business the Quorum required shall be 2/3rd of the elected members.
2. In case of capital investments the approval of the general body will have to be obtained. The quorum for such a general body will be 40% of the total membership and an approval of 2/3rd members of the quorum should be obtained.
3. When major policy decisions are to be taken the quorum will be 60% of the total membership and an approval of 2/3rd members of the quorum should be obtained.
4. In case of non- availability of quorums, the meeting will be held in the next week on the same day at the same time & venue with no intimation to members . Here no quorum is required.  
   

10) Impeachment of the Executive Counsel and Governing Body:

1. The Chairman, Convener & Treasurer can be impeached by a special resolution backed by 2/3rd majority of the members of the governing body  and by vote. However, the Ex-officio members of the Governing Body cannot participate in the voting in this regard.
2. The Governing Body as such can be impeached by a special resolution backed by 2/3rd majority of the members of the General Body present and vote. Here the Quorum required for such meeting shall be one half of the total strength of the General Body. If necessary a secret ballot will have to be carried out for this purpose.
3. Once the Governing body is impeached the President of KSSIA- state unit shall step in and take charge of the affairs of the KSSF and make alternate arrangements of electing a new Governing Body within 60 days. The President of the KSSIA State Unit will only act as an interim Chairman of the KSSF during which no major investment or decisions on policy matters can be taken.
   

11) Utilisation of Funds:

1. A maximum of 40% of the funds collected can be utilized for the welfare of the members for asset creation. Invested funds should preferably be able to generate sufficient returns.
2. 15% of the funds should be deposited in banks (multiples of Rs.15,00,000) and should be redeemable in case of any eventuality.
3. 25% of the funds can be invested in different mutual funds (minimum of three)
4. 10% of the funds should be held in banks in a savings account/ floating account etc.

12) Payouts from the Fund

        Pattern of payment to be made by members in the event of payouts:

1. In the event of death of a member , all  members  will have to pay an amount for each death as stated below depending on the membership strength :

   No. of members    Amount in Rs.

   <1,500                     1,000
   >1,500                      X 
   

2. (X = 16,50,000/No. of members. The amount will be rounded off to the higher multiple of 50).The maximum payout by a member during a financial year shall be Rs.5,000/- and if there are more number of cases for claims/refunds then the fund in the common pool will be utilized. In extreme cases when payments from the common pool exceed than usual & the cash balance ( inclusive of all deposits) falls below 50% of the total funds then the members will be required to make additional sufficient payments to bridge the shortfall .

13) Benefits Payable to the members under different circumstances is as follows :

1. A member on his death, his/her nominee will receive Rs.15,00,000/- when membership is >1,500 or Rs.1,000/- x no. of members (when membership is less than 1,500) within one month of expiry.
2. A member can retire from the membership if he has completed 20 years of membership or attains the age of 70 years. In such cases Rs.1,00,000/- ( 12% C.I. of Rs.10,000) will be reimbursed. Full/ honorary Members whose membership period is less than 20 years will receive an amount depending on the period completed. The amount will be reimbursed at the rate of 12% C.I. of Rs.10,000 for the completed period of membership. Honorary members are entitled to this facility of reimbursement only. 
3. In  case of a member  becoming critically ill ( transplant of organs, cardiac problems like angioplasty/ bye-pass, liver problems, dialysis, major accident, hemorrhage, paralysis, alzimers, Parkinson disease, cancer etc. as determined by a panel of doctors appointed by the Governing Body) a maximum of Rs.2,00,000 or the hospital bill whichever is less will be paid. Under such circumstances the amount payable divided by the total number of members will be collected from the remaining members for each case. This facility can be availed only once.

2. Members who claim under the above head shall produce necessary documents including hospital records and other documents required by the Executive Council/ General Body for technical perusal by the Panel of doctors.
3. In the event of death the payment shall be made only to the nominee of the deceased member as mentioned in the application form.
4. All decisions regarding claims made by the Executive Council on the recommendations of the Panel of Medical Practitioners  shall be final and binding on all concerned parties

14) Exclusions:

In the following cases the benefits under the KSSF Social welfare Scheme shall not be paid to its members.

1. Disability or death as a result of the member committing any breach of law
2. Disability or death  as a result of rebellion, riot, Civil war or Invasion
3. Disability or death of a member under the influence of alcohol or drugs other than in accordance with the directions of a registered medical practitioner.
   

15) Audit Of Accounts:

The annual accounts will have to be audited by a chartered accountant and sent to members. The accounts should be presented during the annual general body meeting in June/July, failing which the governing body will be dispersed.

Government Aid & Grants:

In case of the Central/ State government backing up this scheme by additional grants/ scheme, members will obtain this additional benefit at the time of retirement by way of bonus as decided. 

COMMENCEMENT OF THE SCHEME:
THIS SCHEME WILL COMMENSE FROM 1/05/08. IN CASE WE ARE NOT ABLE TO START THE AMOUNT COLLECTED FROM EACH PERSON IN THIS REGARD SHALL BE RETURNED FREE OF INTEREST AND FURTHER NO CLAIMS WHATSOEVER SHALL BE ENTERTAINED UNDER ANY OF THE PROVISIONS OF THIS SCHEME. 
 

Disputes:
ALL DISPUTES RELATING TO MEMBERSHIP, CLAIMS OR REGARDING ANY OTHER MATTER THAT COME WITHIN THE AMBIT OF KSSF SHALL BE REFERRED TO A SOLE ARBITRATOR APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNING BODY AND HIS DECISION IN THIS REGARD SHALL BE FINAL AND BINDING ON ALL CONCERNED PARTIES.