Delivering the valedictory address at an international seminar on "Insurance in India: prospects & perspectives" in Mumbai on Tuesday, IRA chairman R Rangachary that the non-professional approach by the present intermediaries will have to come to an end as soon as possible.

"I want them to practise procedures befitting the international standards,'' he said. The Indian Institute of Insurance (III) should prepare the course work for the training the brokers and agents, he added. Both in the General Insurance Corporation as well as the Life Insurance Corporation, the intermediaries so far do not have any kind of qualifications to act as agents. ``The agents in the industry are the nominee of the develoment officer,'' he said.

Taking a pick at the Life Insurance Corporation and General Insurance Corporation, Rangachary said the organisation shouldlearn to meet the rising demands of the customer in the changing situation. Despite that, there has been a tremendous premia growth at a rate of 17-18 per cent accompanied by the technical and manegerial growth in the industry.

Referring to the unfinished task of the enactment of the IRA bill, Rangachary said that it is a sensitive area. ``I hope things happen in an anticipated way,'' he said.

He suggested that professional bodies like III should break away from the cocoon and give a touch of transparency to its activities. The domestic insurance industry is poised for growth with new challenges and promises, he said.