Left, Trade Unions' resist Banking Bills

New Delhi, Aug 6: Three banking reforms Bills and amendments to the Right to Information (RTI) Act have become a bone of contention between the government and the Left parties.

The Left and central trade unions, including the RSS-affiliated BMS, have outrightly rejected the government's assertion that an agreement has been reached over the banking Bills and the amendments to the RTI Act.

Differences with the government still exist on these legislations, leaders of Left parties and trade unions told UNI.

The leaders of the CPI (M), CPI, RSP and trade unions CITU, AITUC and BMS said they also oppose the government's attempts to privatise the banking and pension sectors and violate the ILO Convention on labours laws ratified by India.

According to reports, the Banking Companies (Acquisition) and Transfer of Undertakings), Financial Institutions Laws (Amendment) Bill 2005 and Factories (Amendment) Bill, 2005 are set to see the light of the day with the government agreeing to the Left-backed trade unions' suggestions for changes in these Bills.

Union Information and Broadcasting and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Priya Ranjan Dasmunsi had also made a statement recently to this effect.

Senior CPI (M) leader and polit bureau member M K Pandhe said the government should make it public whether it had accepted the trade unions' demand for ''total withdrawal'' of the banking reforms Bills, which were only aimed at increasing foreign equity in private banks and giving them voting rights in proportion to shares held.

''What we demand is there should be no removal of ten per cent cap on voting rights as we apprehend that any change in this will lead to change in the pattern of ownership,'' said Dr Pandhe.

Dr Pandhe, who is also the CITU president, said discussions were still going on the labour reforms Bill. ''The Planning Commission has set up a Working Group on amendments to basic laws. The Group in which I am also member will meet here tomorrow to discuss the Industrial Disputes Act, Bonus Act and Minimum Wages Act among other labour issues,'' he said.

CITU Secretary Tapan Sen met Finance Minister P Chidambaram and Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee on Friday on the issue but ''no concrete results'' emerged from the meeting.

Trade unions had observed an All-India Protest Day on July 28 against the government's proposal to hand over the Pension Fund to private companies and also against other ''anti-worker'' financial proposals.

CPI floor leader in the Lok Sabha Gurudas Dasgupta said: ''We have given some suggestions to the government. If the government accepts these, we will support the Banking Acquisition and Institutions Laws Bill. But as far as the three other banking Bills are concerend, we have not agreed to them.'' On the RTI (Amendment) Bill also there had been no agreement, Mr Dasgupta added.

The trade unions had given suggesitons the RBI should continue to have Directors on boards of public sector banks whereas the Bill proposes their discontinuation,'' said AITUC Secretary D L Sachdev. The other issue involved giving powers to the government to supersede the Board of Governors of Reserve Bank of India in appointing the Restructuring Authority. Instead of three-four years' tenure, the Authority should be given just six months, say the trade unions. The government appears to have agreed to consider these suggestions.

''As regards the three other Bills, there is no unanimity between the government and the trade unions,'' said Mr Sachdev. The Bills relate to outsourcing by way of changing the existing system of payment and settlement. Secondly, the Banking Regulatory Amendment Bill seeks removal of 10 per cent cap on voting rights in proportion to shares held. The third Bill is the State Bank of India Subsidiary Amendment Bill.

He said regarding amendment to the Factories Act, which would bring night shifts for women, the trade unions want the government to ensure safety and security and transport facilities.

It should be based on individual worker's consent and there should be a Committee with trade union representation to oversee its implementation, Mr Sachdev added.

Reacting to Mr Dasmunsi's assertion on agreement, BMS National Secretary Brij Nath Rai said:''Where is the question of agreeing when the government has not talked to the trade unions?'' On amendment to the Factories Act, BMS alleged the government, in the name of increasing exports in the textiles sector, wanted to alter service conditions by introducing a 12-hour day and contract system and declare textiles as a seasonal industry.

India has ratified the ILO Conventions on workers and thus cannot violate the labour laws, Mr Rai said adding the trade unions have in one voice rejected the government's suggestions.

The opposition to the Pensions Bill and labour reforms was still there, the BMS leader added.

CPI(M) deputy floor leader in the Lok Sabha Mohammad Salim, said the party had asked the government to discuss these issues with the trade unions.

RSP leader and Rajya Sabha member Abani Roy said the discussions were going on with the government, but nothing had been finalised as yet.

UNI

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