Government should rethink on divesting PSU Banks and Insurance Companies- BMS
सरकारी कर्मचारी राष्ट्रीय परिसंघ
Govt. Employees National Confederation
No. BMS/D-20 /35/2021
Date:01-02-2021
Press release
Government should rethink on divesting PSU Banks and Insurance Companies- BMS
BMS congratulates the Government for Its current efforts on massive vaccination, special scheme for tea workers In West Bengal and Assam, labour oriented push on Infrastructure projects in construction sector and development of five major fishing harbours viz. Kochi, Chennai, Visakhapatnam, Paradip, and Petuaghat as hubs for economic activities etc.
But mixing the beautiful concept of Atmanirbhar Bharath with FDI and disinvestment in the Union budget is disappointing for the employees. Government’s proposals to amend insurance Act to Increase FDI in insurance sector from 49% to 74% as well as relaxation of foreign Investments in Infrastructure sector will increase foreign dependence and should be reconsidered.
Aggressive disinvestment programs like divesting two Public Sector Banks (PSBs) and one general Insurance company, bringing public offer (IPO) of LIC, asking NITI Ayog to list out new companies for disinvestment, approving disinvestment in non-strategic and strategic Sectors , railway scheme for corporatisation, monetising for 12 lac crores the Government assets like land to address fiscal deficit, public private partnerships etc. will reduce the charm of Atmanirbhar Bharath and benefits of some good proposals in the budget.
New efforts on mega textile parks, major fishing harbours etc., are welcome moves, but there is no support to crores of existing workers and fishers in such sectors.
None of the demands raised by BMS and other trade unions has been incorporated in the Budget except a special scheme for tea workers in West Bengal and Assam, thus making the consultation process a mockery.
There is no increase in the much expected EPS 95 pension amount or medical scheme for pensioners as demanded by BMS. BMS has demanded Rs.5000 as minimum EPS pension and link it with inflation. BMS demands more support to MGNREGA and Urban employment guarantee scheme also are not included.
Women workers are being compelled to do night shift. There are no Income tax reliefs inspite of the adverse effect of the pandemic situation whereas corporate tax is reduced.
There is no concrete proposal to boost up the demand side like Increasing wages or basic income of workers. Thus the ‘economic vaccine’ claimed is more harmful than the disease. Such proposals will not be able to increase the growth trajectory or reduce the fiscal deficit in the fiscal year.
The action plans on Budget 2021 will be decided after a detail discussion at the National Executive Council Meetings of BMS to be held at Chennai from 12 to 14 February 2021.
(Binoy Kumar Sinha)
General Secretary
Source: [http://bpms.org.in/documents/b1-converted-mheo.pdf]
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