MAM
IRS 2013 fate to be decided on Monday
MUMBAI: Early this week, when Indian Readership Survey (IRS), which was published after a year, the Indian print media waited with bated breath to see how has it done – good, bad or ugly?
Since the survey conducted by Media Research Users Council (MRUC) and its new vendor Nielsen has been made public, things have turned ugly.
A lot of publishers are not happy with the data and the new methodology used this time. Many of them have openly voiced their dismay with it. For instance, the Hindu carried a piece from its editor-in-chief saying, “IRS, in relation to The Hindu, is riddled with inconsistencies and with findings that defy common sense and reach the level of absurdity that its credibility has been totally damaged.”
Across the country, leading newspapers have said the new methodology used in the IRS has a lot of glitches and contradicts the figures of the Audit Bureau of Circulation (ABC), which shows the number of copies printed.
The issue has taken a serious turn. A group of 18 leading newspaper groups, including the Times of India, Jagran, Bhaskar, Outlook, Lokmat and The Hindu, on Jan 30 issued a joint statement rubbishing the findings of the 2013 IRS survey.
The group of publishers has called upon MRUC to immediately withdraw the latest IRS results and put a stop to all future editions of the survey based on the new methodology.
The Indian Newspaper Society (INS) will meet with the MRUC on Monday (3 January) to discuss the issues in the IRS survey.
The chairman of MRUC, Ravi Rao, was unavailable for comment.
Paritosh Joshi, the Chairman of IRS’ Technical Committee, didn’t hide his disappointment and said if data is recalled or any other similar step is taken, it will be “shattering” for him. “All I want to say is that technology-wise we have used the best methodology. We also checked upon it routinely. What is surprising is that publishers were aware of the process used and it wasn’t a bolt from the blue. It was all out in the open and we delivered best to our capabilities.”
The fate of the survey would be decided on Monday, till then we can only wait to see what happens next.
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How a Critical Illness Rider Works
When you opt for this rider, you choose a predefined sum assured. If you are diagnosed with a covered illness, the insurer pays the full amount in one lump sum. The payout can be used for treatment, recovery, income replacement, debt repayment, or even lifestyle adjustments.
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Key Features of a Critical Illness Rider
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Lump Sum Benefit
The most important feature is the lump sum payout. You are not restricted to medical usage. This flexibility allows you to handle non-medical costs that often arise during long-term illness.
Coverage for Major Illnesses
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One-Time Claim Structure
In most cases, once a claim is paid, the rider terminates. This is because it is designed to address high-impact illnesses rather than recurring medical needs.
Affordable Premium
Since it is an add-on, the premium is lower than that of standalone critical health insurance plans. This makes it a cost-effective way to enhance your existing health insurance policy.
No Hospitalisation Requirement
You don’t need to be hospitalised to receive the benefit. Diagnosis alone is enough to avail the benefits. But ensure that all the policy conditions are met.
Income Protection Support
During critical illness, loss of income can be more damaging than medical bills. The rider helps bridge this gap by offering financial stability when you need it most.
Who Should Consider a Critical Illness Rider
If you have dependents, loans or limited savings, this rider adds meaningful protection. It is also relevant if your employer-provided health insurance policy focuses mainly on hospitalisation and lacks income replacement support.
Conclusion
A Critical Illness rider strengthens your health insurance policy by covering financial gaps that regular medical coverage often ignores. It gives you control, flexibility and immediate support during serious health events. Before choosing one, review the list of covered illnesses, waiting periods and claim conditions carefully. When structured correctly, this rider can protect not just your health expenses but also your financial stability during challenging times.
