OFFICERS' CAUSE SEPTEMBER - 2015aisbof.org/rece/OC-SEPTEMBER(F).pdf · Officers' Cause, September - 2015 3 posing a challenge to the existence of the banking industry in India. The

OFFICERS' CA USESEPTEM BER - 2015

Vol. 35 No.9 BANGALORE Single Copy : RS. 4/- SEPTEMBER - 2015

2N A T IO N F IRST, O RGA N ISA T IO N N EX T, IN D IV ID U A L LA ST

Editorial

he Banking Industry has become so sensitivethat it has to face challenges from many

areas on a day to day basis. The Industry hada traditional path till the nationalization whenmore than 90% of the banking industry wasbrought under the ownership of the Government,who had been a deciding authority in all spheresof the banking industry. The capital, depositmobilization,its utilization in various sectors ofthe economy, including in the priority sector inthe form of loans and advances, overseasfunctioning of the banking industry were allregulated by the Government as well as theregulatory authority established by theGovernment to ensure that the interest of thestake holders mainly the depositors areprotected.

The Government was also the main beneficiaryof the resources mobilized in the form of depositsutilized for various developmental activities whichincluded building of a strong infrastructure forthe growth of the economy and for the socio-economic schemes for the welfare of the people.For more than two decades after thenationalization, the Government had its policiescut out. The Banking Industry can proudly claimthat they were responsible for the green andwhite revolution in the country, responsible in

GROWING CHALLENGES

ensuring the credit facilities reaching to thenook and corner of the country and to thebackward areas since the people of these placeswere under the clutches of the local moneylenders. The Banks provided cheap money andlent a supporting hand in the area of technologicalinnovation in the agricultural sector, and forfinancing the small and medium scale industrieswhich provided ample employment opportunitiesto the people of the country. Thus the initiativeof the Government to bring the people abovethe poverty line through the banking arms wassuccessful to a large extent. There was noconfusion at all as to the ownership and its rolein ensuring implimentation of various socio-economic policies of the Govt successfully.However, with the invasion of the westerncountries to the market of the third worldcountries in order to capture the market fortheir products, they used the InternationalMonitory Fund and World Bank who were havingtotal control over the third world countries whilegranting them finance. Thus a series of agenciessuch as GATT, Dankal Draft and finally WTOhave decided the terms and conditions forinternational trade and commerce between thecountries through their various conditions/reforms. The control and supervision of thebanks were guided by these reforms, thereby

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SU CCESS A W A IT S A T T H E D O O R W H ERE D IL IGEN CE IS

Officers' Cause, September - 2015 3

posing a challenge to the existence of the bankingindustry in India. The ultimate objective ofthese conditions/reforms were to ensure theprivate participation and force the Governmentto dilute their ownership in the industry.

Consequently the year 1990’s saw a series ofattempts made by the Government to bring aboutchanges in the structure of the balance sheet inthe name of capital adequacy as prescribed bythe Basel Commission. They insisted for thecleaning up of the Balance Sheet thereby forcingthe Banks to wipe out over ` 1,50,000 croresof NPA’s thereby setting free a large number ofcorporates who had become wilful defaulters.The next move of the Government was to allowthe private participation in the banking industry,either permitting them to open new banks or toencourage them to take over the existing privatebanks initially as a prelude to capture the PublicSector Banks.

The Unions have been espousing the cause of thePublic Sector Banks, the Regional Rural Banks,Co-operative banks and also the old generationPrivate Sector Banks who had contributed theirmite to the economic prosperity of this country.Hence, they were stoutly opposing any attemptto hand over the present public sector banks tothe private sector since the resources are boundto go to the elite sectors of the economy andthe priority sector is bound to suffer heavily.The unions united under the banner of UnitedForum of Bank Unions in the Banking Industryand had to resort to a series of agitation againstthe ill-advised moves of the Government. Thestruggle launched by over one million work forcehas effectively blunted the speed in which theGovernment wanted to proceed with the so calledreforms with an intention to hand over thefinancial sector to the corporate entities. TheGovernment still owns control stakes in all thepublic sector banks. It is now aiming to reduceit to less than 50% so that the control is passedon the private sector. The Government isintending to bring certain amendments to theBanking Regulation Act to allow the privateparticipation in the equity for more than 50%thus paving way for the handing over of the

control to the private sector. Yet again theGovernment is armed with the recommendationsof so many committees and all of them wantthat the Private Sector should control thefinancial sector. This is a great challenge tothe unions as well as to the people of thiscountry as they would lose the advantage ofgetting the financial support from the financialsector.

There are multiple attempts made by theGovernment to achieve these objectives. Theyhave decided to open up yet another new avenuefor the private sector to open new banks in thename of Payment Bank which would be eventuallyconverted into universal bank taking away thecreamy business of the Public Sector as well asthe old generation Private Sector Banks. Whatis surprising is that they would even attempt tocapture the resources that would be availablefrom the interior parts of the countrythreatening the present structure of theRegional Rural Banks as well as the Co-operativeSector Banks who have been rendering a yeomenservice to the rural population in eking out theirlivelihood. The priority sector which is alreadyaffected due to the mushrooming of the PrivateSector banks is bound to suffer further in theprocess.

The Government has not learned lessons fromits past failures. Our members are aware thatseries of banks that had come up with a bigbang had to close down their shutters thusplacing the depositors under the mercy of thegovernment. Some of the Banks vanishedovernight when their equity is completely wipedout, when the Public Sector Banks had to stepin for revival of those banks in the publicinterest.The present attempt of theGovernment and RBI to go for issue of licenseto the Payment Banks and regular banks couldsee the same fate and the Public Sector Bankswould be forced to take them over and provideoxygen when they are not able to withstandthe fierce competition that is prevailing in theindustry. The Unions in the Banking Industryhas to take up seriously against these moves

A RISE, A W A KE, ST O P N O T T ILL T H E GO A L IS REA CH ED

4 Officers' Cause, September - 2015

thwart the ill-advised moves of the ReserveBank of India and the Government in providinglicense to the new banks in the interest of thepublic sector banks, so that their services areavailable to the common man of this country.

The resources mobilized from the people shouldbe utilized for the welfare of the people. Thiscan be achieved only by the Public Sector andold generation private sector banks and not bythe private sector banks.

nd f inally it is there… … the two Saturdaysoff. This is the first step, but a large one. This

should be a stepping stone towards achievementof the cherished goal of all the Bank employeesand off icers – the ‘5 day week’… . the conceptwhich is accepted worldwide, in all the countriesas a necessity towards maintenance of healthyand st ress-free life. The concept of work-lifebalance is what every individual yearns for, sothat he is available to his family, to the societyand a lit t le bit to oneself. So that he can comeback to work the next day rejuvenated and bemore creat ive and product ive.

2. It was a dream of t he all t he State BankOfficers’ to achieve 5 days banking in the industrywhen it was already available in the GovernmentOffices and as well as the Reserve Bank of Indiaand took up the issue with the Management ofState Bank of India and st ruggled relent lessly inconvincing the legit imacy of this demand.

3. A t remendous sacrif ice has been made by theleaders in the Federat ion as well it s aff iliates.Members may recollect the Federat ions call fordemonstrat ions and in pursuance of this demandthe Presidents and the General Secretaries of allthe aff iliates of the Federat ion were served withcharge sheets and a series at tacks perpetratedon them which included t ransferring of the off icebearers indiscriminately. The Federat ion and theConfederat ion did not deter in its determinat ionto achieve 5 days week in the banking industryand cont inued t o r aise t he issue in t henegot iat ions with the Management , with the IBAand with the Government .

4. Finally, 23rd May, 2015 become the ‘Dday’… ..

a historic day when the demand of 2nd and 4thSaturday off was accepted and the joint note ofthe 10th Bipart ite signed. Truly a Historic Day.During the 10th Bipart ite, the IBA had to concedethis demand and accordingly incorporated theprovisions of the 2nd and 4th Saturday’s holidayalong with the other understandings in the 10thBipart ite Set t lement .

5. Kudos to the ent ire membership and to themilitant comrades who stood like a rock, with theFederat ion and the Confederat ion. Thanks to allthe circle Presidents, General Secretaries and theOf f ice bearers f or t he f ai t h and f or t heinnumerable suggest ions in clinching the issue.Thanks to the IBA and the Minist ry. A very bigt hanks t o our own Chairman M rs.Arundhat iBhat tacharya, but for whose intervent ion andt imely talk with the Finance Secretary this wouldhave been impossible. Her role in convincing theM anagement Commit t ee of IBA and t heGovernment has been stellar.

6. Towards achieving this goal our members needto ensure that when a review of the working ofthe 2nd and 4th Saturday’s off takes place it hasto be borne in mind that the customers do not feelthe absence of banking facility on account of the2 holidays. Therefore it is necessary to ensure thatthe customers are shift ed to all t he availablealt ernat e channels and hence we need t opopularize the same. Once the customers and thepublic are comfort able, t hen the aut hor it iesconcerned would also move towards the largergoal. Therefore we appeal to all our comrades toensure availability of ATM’s, KIOSKS etc., and allthe alternate Banking Channels on the holidays.

OrganisatinalI ssues

A HISTORIC MOMENT –2ND AND 4TH SATURDAY HOLIDAY

MARCHING TOWARDS 5 DAYS WEEK IN BANKING INDUSTRYGOVERNMENT ISSUES NOTIFICATION AS PER 10TH BIPARTITE SETTLEMENT

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Officers' Cause, September - 2015 5W O RK IS W O RSH IP , D O YO U R D U T Y

Text of AIBOC Circular No.2015/56 dated 18thAugust, 2015

We hope that the arrears of 10th BipartiteSettlement have been paid to all our members inall Affiliates. We are aware that the payment of thesearrears has enhanced our tax liability in this financialyear. Many of our members may have to pay highertax due to the inclusion of entire arrears in thisfinancial year due to application of higher taxproducts applicable to the total income (includingarrears). There is a provision contained in Section89 of Income Tax Act 1961 which provides for incomeapportionment which can provide a tax relief to manyof our members. We quote below the news itempublished in a newspapers “Mint” which explainsthe modality of the Section.

DE-JARGONED: SECTION 89 OF THE INCOME-TAX ACT

An employee’s tax liability can increase when shereceives arrears. However, one can get some amountof relief under section 89 of the Income-tax Act, 1961.Here is a look at what is covered under this section,and how one can avail of the relief.

WHAT IS SECTION 89?

The receipt of arrears can lead to a higher taxincidence in the hands of the employee as theamount gets taxed in the year of receipt. Had theemployee received this amount in the year(s) that itpertained to, the additional tax would have beenstaggered over the years, instead of being paid asa lump sum. This is where section 89 comes in.

This section, titled “relief when salary, etc., is paidin arrears or in advance”, comes under chapter VIII(Rebates and Reliefs) of the income-tax Act.According to it, if you get salary in arrears or advancein a financial year due to which your total incomefor the year increases, which in turn increases yourtaxable income, you can claim for relief under section89. According to this section, arrears includes salary/family pension paid in arrears/advance (additionalsalary), certain part of gratuity, compensationreceived on termination of employment, and

10TH BIPARTITE SETTLEM ENT – PAYM ENT OF ARREARSAPPORTIONING INCOM E TO SAVE TAX

commuted pension. The rules apply to bothgovernment and private sector employees.

HOW TO CLAIM RELIEF?

Firstly, you should calculate tax for the current yearon income including the arrears or compensation.Then calculate the tax for the current year on theincome excluding the arrears. After that, subtractthese two figures; let us call this figure A. The nextstep is to calculate tax for the year in which thearrears should have been received—once with thearrears, and then without. Again subtract these twofigures; let us call this figure B.

To get the amount of relief that you can receiveunder section 89, subtract figure A from figure B.

Here’s an example. Say, you earn ` 10 lakh a yearin financial year (FY) 2014, and receive an arrearof ` 4 lakh for FY13. Your total salary in FY13 was ` 8 lakh. For FY14, without the arrears, your taxliability will be ` 1.34 lakh, and with arrears (totalsalary of `14 lakh), it will become ` 2.57 lakh. Thisis a difference of ` 1.23 lakh. Now, we have tocalculate the tax incidence for FY13, on your salaryof ` 8 lakh. Without the arrears, you paid a taxof ` 92,700, and with the arrears (total salaryof `12 lakh) you would have paid ` 1.95 lakh astax. This is a difference of `1.03 lakh. So, the reliefthat you can get under section 89 is ` 20,600(`1.23 lakh - `1.03 lakh).

You will have to fill up Form10E with these detailsand then submit it to your current employer to claimthe relief. Keep your salary slips handy to provideas proof of receipt of the arrears. But do keep inmind that only if the tax paid is higher will you beable to claim this relief. If you do not have to payexcess tax due to the arrears, then you do not getthe relief.”

Our members may carefully go through theprovisions of Section 89 of Indian Income Tax Actand take the full advantage of the same byapportioning their arrears of the previous years toavoid the higher tax liability, if applicable.

LET CUSTOM ER SERVICE BE OUR M OTTO

5 Officers' Cause, September - 2015

anagement had convened a meeting of theCentral Negotiating Council at Kochi on 8th

August 2015. The General Council had also providedan opportunity for the leadership of the Federationto discuss all the issues confronting the bankingindustry as well as the State Bank of India. The seniorexecutives of the Bank led by the Chairman hadparticipated in the General Council meeting andexpressed their desire to maintain cordial industrialrelations so that both the Officers as well as theManagement can together strive for the overalldevelopment of the Bank. It is in this backgroundthat we had requested the Management to fix upthe Central Negotiating Council meeting so as toresolve many of the issues that are pending at theCentral Office.

2. Shri.Aswhini Mehra, the Dy.Managing Director andthe CDO led the Management team. He wasaccompanied by Sarvashri. Shailesh Verma, CGM(HR), J.Raghava, DGM (IR), M.K.Prasad, GM, CadreManagement, A.K.Tripati, DGM, Mondal, DGM,Thorat, DGM (Law) etc., and Shri. Badal ChandraDas the CGM of the host circle. On behalf of theFederation Com.D.Thomas Franco Rajendra Dev, thePresident accompanied by Com.Y.Sudarshan, theGeneral Secretary of t he Federat ion led therepresentatives of the Federation during the meeting.

3. The Dy.Managing Director and CorporateDevelopment Off icer in his opening Corporateremarks made reference to the cordial industrialrelations that are prevailing between the Federationand the Management . Further, they had alsoexplained the various corporate challenges that thebank is facing and requested the leaders of theFederation to extend their support for facing all thosechallenges so that the bank can scale greater heightsin the days to come. The other representatives ofthe Management echoed the same feelings.

4.Com.D.Thomas Franco Rajendra Dev, the Presidentof the Federation in his opening remarks thankedthe Management for holding the Central NegotiatingCouncil meeting in the beautiful city of Kochi andappreciated the efforts of the representatives of theManagement in organizing the meet ing in anexcellent manner. He referred to the issue of staffshortage at all circles and the various issues that areheld up at the follow-up level and was of the view

CENTRAL NEGOTIATING COUNCIL MEET AT KOCHI ON 8TH AUGUST, 2015RESOLUTION OF LONG PENDING ISSUES

POSITIVE APPROACH OF THE MANAGEMENTthat some of the long pending issues should beresolved so that we should be able to move forwardtogether and continue to strengthen our cordialindust r ial relat ions. He also assured theManagement that the Federation will continue toextend total support t o t he Management inaddressing the corporate challenges that are beforethe bank. Com.Y.Sudarshan, the General Secretaryof the Federation endorsing the views expressed bythe President referred to some of the major issuesthat require urgent resolution and sought the supportof the Management in finding amicable solution tothose issues. He also expressed his happiness overthe initiat ive that the Management has taken toorganize the Central Negotiating Council Meeting inKerala and this was demonstrative action on the partof the Management for improving our industrialrelations. He assured that the Federation wouldalways be in readiness to support all the initiatives ofthe Management and requested the Managementto have a positive approach in resolving many issuesthat are under discussions at the IR department level.

5. Thereafter the Management took up the long listof agenda for discussions. The discussions on all theissues was cordial and the Management indicated aposit ive approach in addressing several of thoseissues.The Management in course of discussionsagreed to consider some of the issues that wereraised by the Federation and take suitable steps forissuing appropriate instructions.

6. The meeting concluded in a cordial atmosphereand it was decided to take up the unfinished issuesin the follow-up meeting and the subsequent CNCmeeting by both the parties.

7. The Management representatives also utilized theopportunity to felicitate later in the evening, three ofour senior comrades, who were laying down theiroffice on their superannuation i.e., Com.Sreenath,the former President of the Federation, Com.ShankarN.Naik, the Vice President and General Secretary ofBangalore Circle, Com.Shivaji Singh Vice Presidentand General Secretary of Patna Circle. It was verytouching moment for all the representatives of theFederation and they paid rich compliments to allthese three stalwarts for their excellent contributionfor the success of their respective Circles Associationand also the Federation over the last several years.

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BE TRUTHFUL, BE FEA RLESS

Officers' Cause, September - 2015 7

he 14th General Body Meeting of the StateBank of India Officers’ Association(K) was held

at Hubballi on 22nd August 2015. The venue wasaptly named after late Com.R.N.Godbole andCom.P.M.Mandanna.

2. Com.Nanda Kishore Malkhedkar, the RegionalSecretary, Hubballi Module was elected asGeneral Secretary for the next term. He in hiswelcome address gave a historical picture ofHubbali and its glorious contribution to the Stateof Karnataka. He thereafter extended a warmwelcome to all the dignitaries which included theCMC member’s Smt.Rajani Mishra, the ChiefGeneral Manager, Sarvashri. Y.Vijayakumar,General Manager, Network-II, R.K. Agarwal, DGM(B&O) SBI, Hubballi Module, Madhukar Anand,DGM (B&O), Bangalore Module, Network-I and theleaders of the Federation consisting ofCom.D.Thomas Franco Rajendra Dev, thePresident of the Federation, Com.Y.Sudarshan, theGeneral Secretary of the Federation RamkumarSabapathy, Jt. General Secretary, AISBOF andGeneral Secretary of SBIOA, Mumbai Circle andother delegates from various circles. Com.NandaKishore Malkhedkar also welcomed all the leadersof yester years Com.Shanthraju,Com.G.D.Nadaf,Com.G.Muthuswamy, Com.B.S.Ravindra andCom.Nagaraj Shastry and Com.M.G.VenkateshMurthy etc., and other pensioner comrades whohad come in large numbers.

3. On behalf of the Circle Association,Com.D.Shyam Sundar Rao, the President of theCircle Association who presided over the meetingand Com.Shankar.N.Naik, the General Secretaryalong with the other comrades of SBIOA(K)welcomed all the dignitaries.

4. Smt.Rajani Mishra, the Chief General Managerafter lighting the lamp along with other dignitarieson the dais, in her inaugural addresscomplimented the Officers of the Circle for such alarge participation in the meeting andcomplimented the Circle Association for theexcellent conduct of the meeting. She thereafterdetailed the performance of the Circle and its

14TH GENERAL BODY MEETING OF SBIOA(K) A GRAND SUCCESSMASSIVE PARTICIPATION OF MEMBERS FROM ALL PARTS OF CIRCLE

excellence in various parameters due to the activesupport and co-operation of the officers workingin the bank. She extended a warm felicitation toCom.D.Shamsunder & Com.Shankar.N.Naik, whowill be laying down their office and retiring fromthe bank and she wished the new team members,under the leadership of Com.S.K.Srinivas andCom.Nandakishore.N. Malkhedkar who willresume the office for the triennial period 2015 –2018, all the very best in all their endeavor withoutcompromising the Bank’s interest and goal.

5. Shri.Vijaya Kumar, the General ManagerNetwork- II extended his warm felicitation to thefunction. He also referred to the excellent qualitiesof the officers working in the bank and wasconfident that the circle would be able reachhigher levels as desired the Chief GeneralManager.

6. Com.Shankar.N.Naik, the General Secretary ofthe Circle Association in his introductory speech,covered the historical background of the Circleand how it has succeeded in the formation of theseparate circle and the growth of the circle, whichhas witnessed over the last several years. He alsocovered extensively the contribution of the leadersof the SBIOA(K) in building a strong and vibranttrade union movement referring to thecontributions of Com.R.N.Godbole, Com.ShanthaRaju, Com.G.D.Nadaf, former GeneralSecretaries of the Federation from KarnatakaCircle and also the senior stalwarts from the CircleAssociation such as Com.P.M.Mandanna, thefounder General Secretary of the Association,Com.G.Muthuswamy, Com.B.S.Ravindra, theearlier General Secretaries who were also presentin the meeting. He also referred to the growth ofthe circle ever since the formation of the Circleand the contribution it has made for the overalldevelopment of the economy of the State.

7. He also referred to the various activities thathave been conducted by the Circle associationand the co-operation it has been extending to theCircle Management.

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OUR LIFE IS WHAT OUR THOUGHTS M A KE IT 7 Officers' Cause, September - 2015

8. Com.D.Thomas Franco Rajender Dev, thePresident of the Federation in his address saidthat a series of attacks are taking place on thebanking sector with the sole objective of handingover the same to the private sector. He was highlycritical of the efforts of the Government in choosingthe executives from the private sector and postingthem to the Public Sector Banks withoutunderstanding its implication.

9. Com.Y.Sudarshan, the General Secretary of theFederation when rose for his address there wasthundering applause by the audience and hispresence was electrifying in the auditorium. Hecomplimented the Circle Association for anexcellent conduct of the meeting where a largenumber of officers had gathered from all parts ofthe Circle. He recollected as to how the CircleAssociation launched struggles to ensure theformation of the Circle and its birth even beforethe formation of the Circle and that the CircleAssociation is 3 years older than the Circle, amidstloud applause from the members present in theauditorium.

10. He declared that, it is celebration moment forall of us as the Government has issued necessarynotification for the declaration of 2nd and 4thSaturday as the holidays as a part of the 10thBipartite Agreement providing for holidays of 2Saturdays in the current settlement. He stated thatthe 12th September of this year is a historic moment

for all of us when the concept would be launchedand that it is a beginning to move towards the 5days week in the banking industry.

11.There was an emotional fare well to both thePresident and the General Secretary of theCom.D.Shamsuder Rao & Com.Shankar.N.Naik,Association who were laying down the Office ontheir superannuation as per the rich tradition thatthe Federation has been following in handing overthe leadership to the serving members.Com.Shankar.N.Naik, was honored along with hiswife Smt.Mohini Naik, on the occasion by thedignitaries on the dais. Com.D.Shyam SundarRao, the outgoing President was also honored bythe dignitaries on the dais as token of love andaffection of the entire membership of the CircleAssociation as well as the leaders of the CircleAssociation for their valuable contribution to theCircle Association for over 2 decades inconsolidation of the Circle Association as well asthe Federation.

12. Com.D.Shyam Sundar Rao, in his presidentialaddress acknowledged the efforts of the membersin building a strong association and a hugenumber of volunteers who had worked day andnight to make the 14th General Council a grandsuccess.

13. Com.N.M.Girishankar, the Regional Secretaryof Bangalore Module extended a vote of thanks.

SBIOA Bhubaneshwar Circle had celebrated the 37thFoundation Day on 19th August, 2015 with all pomp andshow. The programme started with lighting of the lampby Shri. Venugopala Reddy, CGM, SBI, BhubaneshwarCircle, along with Com.D.Thomas Franco Rajendra Devand Y.Sudarshan, President and General Secretary ofAISBOF respectively, Shri.P.K.Sinha, GM-NW-I,Shri.A.K.Chaudhury, GM-NW-II of Bhubaneshwar Circle,Com.J.P.Mohapatra , General Secretary, SBISA,Bhubaneshwar Circle, Com.S.P.Behera, President, SBISA,Bhubhaneshwar Circle. Com.S.L.Kulkarni, Treasurer,AISBOF, AIBOC leaders of Odisha State Unit, Leadersof yesteryears Com. Ganesh Mishra, Com.L.K.Mishra andother office bearers of SBIOA, Bhubaneshwar Circle. Thelighting of the lamp was followed by reciting of Bande

Utkala Janani and a stellar Odishi Dance performanceby inmates of “Adruta” a children’s home managed byProf. Adwaita Mohanty. All the invitees, guests anddignitaries were invited to the dais and felicitatedindividually.

2. Com.Sambit Mishra, General Secretary, SBIOABhubaneshwar Circle, in his welcome addressremembered the formation of circle Association on 19thAugust, 1978 which was born prior to formation of theCircle on 18th June, 1979. He called upon the membersto take inspiration from the uncompromisingcommitment of the founder leaders Com.P.V.S.Murthyand Com.N.N.Das the founder President and GeneralSecretary of the Circle Association in taking forward

SBIOA BHUBANESHWAR CIRCLE CELEBRATED 37TH FOUNDATION DAYOF ASSOCIATION IN A GRAND MANNER

LET US BUILD A STRONG A ND SELF RELIA NT INDIA

Officers' Cause, September - 2015 9

the demands of the people of the State. Com.Mishrarededicated the Association for the cause of themembers and for serving their cause in times to come.He emphasized for investment in human capital whichis the best form of investment. He also felicitated Prof.Adwaita Mohanty for the yeomen job done by him inpromoting and nurturing “Adruta”, the home fordestitute girls.

3. Shri.B.V.Reddy, CGM Bhubaneshwar Circle in hisinaugural address congratulated the Association fororganizing foundation day every year.

4. Com. Sudarshan, General Secretary- AISBOF andPresident - AIBOC in his keynote address said theoccasion is a joyous and auspicious and appreciated thewonderful performance by the inmates of Adruta. Hecalled Odisha the land of art, craft, artists and culturepar-excellence. He narrated the history behindformation of Bhubaneswar Circle, which was earlierbeing managed in parts by Bengal and Patna Circle. Hecongratulated the circle leadership for creating theConfluence/Triveni Sangam of Association, Union &Management, which will go a long way in scaling greaterheights for the circle in days to come. Then he narratedthe process of wage negotiation leading to the 10thbipartite wage settlement and major achievements madetherein. Other issues covered during the deliberationsincluded BCG report on manpower planning, capitalinfusion for the Bank, Dr.P.J.Nayak Committee reporton dilution of Govt. Share in the Bank and the IndustrialBill.

5.The General Managers of NW-I and NW-II thanked

SBI leadership for the invitation and congratulated themembership for the celebration. They wished that theManagement and the Association should move togetherand the celebration to continue in future also.

6.Com.D.T.Franco Rajender Dev, President, AISBOF,General Secretary, SBIOA, Chennai Circle informed thehouse that the day is being celebrated as “WorldHumanitarian Day”. He congratulated Prof. Mohanty ofAdruta. He mentioned the new CGM with his caringattitude for the members as father of the family and theassociation is the mother of the family.

7.Com.J.P.Mahopatra, General Secretary, SBISA,Bhubaneshwar Circle expressed that SBI should not becompared with other Private Sector Banks as the basicideologies and motives are different. He congratulatedthe leadership and the members of SBIOA for thefoundation day celebration.

8.Com.S.P.Behera, President, SBISA, Bhubaneshwar Circlethanked the members for being present despite the latehours and the rainy evening and requested all to movetogether for welfare of the members and to take theBank to greater height of success in years to come.

9.During the programme, Shri. B. Venugopal Reddy, CGM,Bhubaneshwar Circle arranged a cake and requested thedignitaries to cut the cake on account of Birthday of CircleAssociation as a good gesture.

10. The entire programme was very well compered by Mrs.Archana Tripati and Com. Sabyasachi Swain, DGS, and ECMember of the Federation proposed the vote of thanks.

TRADE UNION INITIATIVES OF AISBOF2 DAYS SEM INAR ON “NEOLIBERAL ECONOM IC REGIM E AND

TRADE UNIONS, RELEVANCE, STRATEGIES AND CHALLENGES ATCURRENT JUNCTURE – A COLLABORATIVE NATIONAL CONFERENCE

ORGANIZED BY AISBOF COLLECTIVELY BY CENTRE FOR INFORM AL SECTORAND PLANNING, CENTRE FOR ECONOM IC STUDIES AND PLANNING

AT JNUhe Federation leadership decided to organizea National Conference on the current subject

of Neo Liberal economic Regime and its impacton the common man and the role of the TradeUnions in defending the common man against theonslaught of the MNC’s etc. on 6th and 7th August2015 at New Delhi in collaboration with thelikeminded organizations and choose for thispurpose JNU, New Delhi which is a well-known

institution in pursuing such objectives.

DAY ONE-

2. First Day of the Conference was to concentrate onthe Neo Liberal Economic Regimes and its impact onthe Public Sector and its Services with a analyticalstudy of its influence in the policy decision of theGovernment from time to time and to present a over

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DUTY FIRST, RIGHT NEX T

9 Officers' Cause, September- 2015

view of the entire aspect. The first session asChaired by Amiya Kumar Bagchi of IDSK and thespeakers on the subject were as follows:-

3. Dr.Jayati Gosh, from Centre for Economic Studiesand Planning, JNU as well an eminent columniston economic issue.Dr.Biswajit Dhar, CESP, JNU(TNB)Dr.D.N.Reddy, NIRDShri.Ashoka Rao, leader of NCOA and formerPresident of PWTUCShri. Surajit Mazumdar, CESP, JNU

4. Shri.Amiya Kumar Bagchi, outlining the objectiveof the Seminar wanted that there has to be a freeand frank views on the impact of the neo-liberaleconomy on the various institutions. He alsoreferred to the deterioration of the job opportunitiesand systematic destruction of the security of jobthrough the outsourcing etc. He was of the viewthat there has to be a collective efforts on the partof all of us to defend the Public Sector.

5. Thereafter he invited the speakers to present theirviews and sought the participation of the memberswho were present in the meeting. The speakersspoke about their experience and analysed theimpact of the new economic policy on the varioussectors of the economy with particular reference tothe Public Sector and its services. They quotedextensively on the various ill-advised moves of theGovernment, in the name of inviting foreigninvestment to attract the capital and also so calledtechnology when our country was capable ofproducing several capital goods intensive units. Theexamples are BHEL, HAL, HMT etc., who are makingtremendous contribution to the core sector of theeconomy by providing necessary infrastructure tothe Manufacturing units including the Defense. Thethird world countries have been richly benefitedby the Indian initiative and a number of trunk keyprojects have been handled by these units.Unfortunately, the Government has killed the PublicSector by holding the flow of funds insisting thatthese institutions including the Scientific, Researchand Development institutions who were requiredto conduct a number of research activities shouldraise internal resources through their own activities.The Government refused to fully fund suchinstitutions.

6. The great economic recession of the United Statesand its lessons should be properly understood byour policy makers. The speakers also exhaustivelycovered the contribution of the Public Sector units inthe area of defense, heavy industry, etc.

7. The speakers were unanimous that the neo-liberaleconomic regimes have miserably failed to protectthe common man of our country and the growingunemployment, the poverty etc., are to be addressedthrough the ownership of the Government of all theindustries so that the resources of the country isproperly harnessed for the benefit of the commonman.

8. In conclusion it was the unanimous view that weexpect that the Government should take cognizanceof the contribution of the Public Sector units to theoverall economic development of the country, inparticular the recent debacle of the westerneconomies who were pursuing the capitalist regime.

9. There is a need for all the institutions and thetrade unions who are of the similar view andperception to come together and fight against theill-advised moves of the Government in the nameof Liberalization, Privatisation and globalization etc.,

10. The second session was chaired by Biswajit Dharon the Subject Neo-liberal Regimes and the BankingSector.

The speakers on the subject were as follows:-

a) Com.D.Thomas Franco Rajender Dev, thePresident of AISBOF

b) Com.Soumya Datta, Vice-President ofAISBOF

c) Dr.C.P.Chandrashekar

11. The session was predominantly about theBanking Sector which has been under constant attackby the Government in the name reforms in thefinancial sector. Aptly, the leaders of the Federationwere requested to speak on the subject. Our seniorleaders led by Com.D.Thomas Franco Rajender Dev,the President of the Federation presented their viewson the subjects in a very convincing manner to theaugust body.

NEVER BEND BEFORE THE INSOLENT M IGHT

Officers' Cause, September-2015 10

12. Com.Franco, speaking about the need to defendthe Public Sector Banks anlysed as to how theGovernment has been attempting to create anenvironment for the complete pritivatization of theBanks through systematic campaign about the capitalrequirement, the need to make the Public SectorBanks global competitive etc., He also traced theevolution of banking industry since a lost couple ofyears and the stellar performance it has put up toward off the criticism of the champions of theglobalization. The recent developments inorganizing of Gyan Sangam with a view to pushforward of the agenda of reforms in the country andalso to bring down the Government participation inthe industrial growth through the Public Sector Units.

13. He also made reference to the initiatives at theBank level to bring certain changes as per theGovernment initiatives. The role of the BostonConsultant Group and earlier the recommendationsof M/s. Meckensy and company in regard to thestructure of the bank etc., were explained byCom.Franco.

14. Com.Soumya Datta, the Vice President of theFederation spoke about the changing workingenvironment in the bank and the technologyinitiatives in which the Officers played a major rolein the initiation new technology which wasresponsible for absorbing a huge work load and alsoproviding scope for the better customer service etc.He also touched upon the present productivity of theworkforce and its improved efficiency which enabledthe banking sector to tackle the larger issue ofcompetition, customer service etc. He was of theview that the Public Sector Banks have been able toovercome the impact of the economic recessionworldwide through its efficiency and productivity inmanaging the banking function.

15. Dr.C.P.Chandrashekar, has been helping thetrade union movement throughout the countrythrough his thought provoking articles in all the majorpublications with particular reference to poverty, debttrap etc., to which the country was led by the IMF. Hewas also sympathizer to the Public Sector Banks andtheir contribution to the priority sector lending. Hereferred to the role of the Bank Officers in particularthe Federation and Confederation in continuouslycampaigning for the retention of the public sectorcharacter of the banking industry.

16. There was lively open house discussions afterthe main speakers addressed the gathering.Com.Ashoka Rao made reference to the initiativeof the Central Government in regard to the financialinclusion and the real contribution that was beingmade by the Public Sector banks for the last severaldecades in this direction.

17. A number of participants contributed to the opendiscussions in the seminar. The conclusion of thesession was the efforts of the trade unions and otheragencies in defending the Public Sector Banks andretaining the ownership of the banks by theGovernment should continue and the attempts ofthe Government and others to hand over the Banksto the private sector should fought tooth and nail

18. The third session was devoted to subject of“ Informalization and the Organized Sector – PolicyChallenges” was chaired by Dr.C.P.Chandrashekarand the speakers were Shri.Vijaya Bhaskar of MIDS,C.P.Krishnan, and Shri.A.R.Sindhu. It was very livelysubject since the unorganized sector workers formmore than 93% of the total workforce of our countryand are being deprived the minimum statutoryprotection and the social security measures due tothe exploitation by the capitalist in the country.

19. The address by each and every speaker wasbased on their actual work experience andknowledge in their respective areas with particularreference to the unorganized sector. The core issuesof organizing them and the challenges that arebeing faced by the people who are leading theunorganized sector came into a sharp focus in thedeliberations of each and every speaker. Theproblems the workers in the unorganized sector inparticular the job security, the minimum wages etc.,were the real challenges to the trade unions in thecountry.

20. The difficulties of the rural population inobtaining the bank credit and the role of the moneylenders were highlighted by the speakers and thereis a lot to be done to meet the credit requirementof the rural population and free them from theclutches of the private money lenders etc.,

21. There was an open discussion on the problemsof the unorganized sector and the Informal Sectorwhich includes the agricultural laborers in urban

TIM E A ND TIDE WA IT FOR NONE

11 Officers' Cause, September - 2015

area etc., with particular reference to theAnganawadi workers and their problems all overthe country whose number exceeds one crore andneed to organize them.

DAY TWO-

Session on “Legal Regulation and Reforms –Challenges Ahead:

The session was chaired by Dr. D.N.Reddy, fromNIRD. Speakers were sarvashri.Sataki Roy, of ISID,Ramapriya Gopalakrishnan, Advocate fromChennai, D.Thomas Franco Rajender Dev, Presidentof AISBOF, Rajkumar, General Secretary AILICOA.

1. The speakers covered extensively the series ofthe changes that are being brought about in thelegislations affecting the ownership of theinstitutions, the labor laws, the company laws, theinitiative through the Financial Reforms asrecommended by the various bodies in particularthe Narasimham Committee one and two whichhas prescribed certain measures in order toderegulate the financial institutions and hand it overto the private players in the country. The impactand implications of the Industrial Relations bill wasvery clearly explained by Mrs. RamapriyaGopalakrishnan.

2. There was a lively debate and discussions onthe various points that emerged during thedeliberations of the speakers and appropriateresponse from the speakers concerned.

Second Session – Chairman Dr. Thomas Isaac,former Finance Minister, Kerala State:

Subject - Trade Union Movement and itsChallenges - Speakers – Sarvashri. Amitava Guha,CITU, Mahadevan Hariharan, AITUC, ThampanThomas – HMS, Pratip Biswas

3. The speakers were renowned personalities inthe trade unions that they have been leading overthe last several decades. The representatives of theCentral Trade Unions spoke eloquently about thechallenges that the unorganized sector is facing to-day in the backdrop of a series of measures whichwere aimed at providing a free hand to thecorporate units to hire and fire. The job security istotally absent in the several sectors of the economy.

The main challenge of the workforce to-day is tounionize them. The unorganized sector which is morethan 93% of the total labor forces in our country andare at the mercy of the owners of the industry. Thefarm sector is worst affected.

4. The theme of the discussions was a larger unityand coming together of the entire workforce to ensurethat our struggle is successful.

The Third Session - Chairman Shri. Prabhat Patnaik- Speakers were Sarvashri. Dr. T.M.Thomas Isaac –Former Finance Minister, Kerala, Dinesh Abrol–ISID,Dhannu Roy –Hazard Centre, Vivek Monteiro – CITU.

5. The Chairman introduced the subject drawing theattention of the speakers as to the contemporaryissues that are confronting the labor class and asalso the people who are living below the povertyline. He also referred to the question of movementof capital from one country to another and also as tohow the movement of labor affects the wagestructure.

6. The speakers on the subject traced the trade unionmovement history and the struggles that have takenplace to highlight the exploitation of the workingclass by the capitalists and also the responsibility ofthe Government in ensuring a living wages to allthe workers with reference to the ILO resolutions.

7. The interactions between the participants andspeakers was highly informative and provided a lotof inputs to our participants in the seminar.

INAUGURATION OF COM.R.N.GODBOLE –MEMORIAL LECTURES

1. The leadership of the Federation also decided toutilise the opportunity of the presence of severalprominent trade union leaders to participate in our2 days programme and organised the First GodboleMemorial Lecture.

2. The venue of the Lecture was JNU. The Chairmanof the meeting was Dr. Thomas Issac, the formerFinance Minister, Govt. of Kerala, who has a richexperience on financial issues, especially in respectof the onslaught of capitalist Governments throughthe International Financial Institutions. With his vastexperience in various assignments related to theeconomic development of the under developed and

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developing countries and a series of researches hehad done, he was a right person on the occasion todeliver the key note address.

3. His lecture was highly illuminating and when hecompleted there was a thunderous round ofapplause in appreciation.

4. Com.Sukomal Sen, is a veteran Trade Unionleader and a close associate of the leadership ofthe All India State Bank Officers’ Federation sincethe time of Com.R.N.Godbole. He was theappropriate person to speak on the occasion onCom.R.N.Godbole.

5. His lecture was a great lesson about the evolutionof the trade union movement in the country withparticular reference to the consolidation of theworkers in the country. He gave a detailed pictureof the contribution that was made byCom.R.N.Godbole for over 50 years since his joiningthe State Bank of India and his continuous effortstowards the consolidation of the supervisory cadrein all sectors of the economy. He recollected hisclose association in ensuring the larger platform at

the national level to bring all the trade unions underone umbrella to face the challenge of the ill-advisedinitiatives of the Government in the name of reforms.He also recollected the initiative that was taken byCom.R.N.Godbole in bringing the officers and theworkers of the entire public sector units throughcontinuous efforts and the formation of the PWTUC.He paid rich tributes to the initiative that was takenby Com.R.N.Godbole in fighting the so-calledreforms in the financial sector and in moulding thepublic opinion about the need to continue theownership of the Public Sector Units under theGovernment.

6. The First Lecture of Com.R.N.Godbole, ourveteran leader and great personality in the bankingindustry, was a grand success. The Memorial Lecturewas attended not only by the leadership of theFederation but also the students, the members offaculty of JNU and all those who had been inassociation with the activities of Com.R.N.Godbolein his trade union endeavors. The Federation’sdecision to conduct the Com.R.N.Godbole MemorialLecture was thus evoked good response.