Southern States - Pondicherry   

Call for fight against liberalisation policies

By Our Staff Reporter

Pondicherry Dec. 22. The general secretary of the Bank Employees Federation of India, S. Bardhan, today called upon workers and employees to launch a war against globalisation and liberalisation policies of the Centre.

Inaugurating a two-day, seventh conference of the BEFI-Tamil Nadu here, Mr. Bardhan said globalisation policies had affected all sections of people, especially the poor. The concept only made developed countries stronger and developing countries such as India weaker.

The last 10 years or so had seen no development in the country and the Gross Domestic Product growth rate had not been achieved to the expected level in the Ninth Plan. Though ambitious target had been set at the recent National Development Council meeting to achieve eight per cent GDP rate in the Tenth Plan, it would be elusive because of `misconceived policies of the Government'. Working women and bank employees were facing the ill-effects of globalisation. Though a move to denationalise banks through legislative measure could not succeed, an attempt might be made to clamp an ordinance to achieve it, Mr. Bardhan feared. Hence, bank employees should be vigilant. He took exception to the Government's downsizing policy and said the voluntary retirement scheme introduced in the banks had resulted in reduction of 1.02 lakh employees. He objected to the single window system and computerisation. All sections of employees should be brought under a common platform to resist the threat of globalisation or privatisation, Mr. Bardhan said.

The vice-president of the All-India Democratic Women's Association, Mythili Sivaraman, referred to the `ulcerous growth of casteism and untouchability in Tamil Nadu' and stressed the need to promote spiritual consciousness and humane outlook towards the poor.

The CITU general secretary, T. K. Rangarajan, said the evil of globalisation or privatisation had its origin during the regime of Indira Gandhi. It was the democratic duty of trade unions to prevent exploitation. Women, Dalits and Adivasis were being victimised because of globalisation, he alleged.

He said the Tamil Nadu Government's move to privatise 50 per cent of transport routes was a threat to the educational prospects of students, economic strength of the poor and weaker sections. A sustained campaign should be carried out by trade unions against the proposal. The plight of unemployed youth should also draw the attention of trade union activists.

M. S. N. Rao, president, BEFI (Tamil Nadu), presided.

The CPI (M) secretary and chairman of the reception committee, T. Murugan, and the BEFI (Tamil Nadu) general secretary, A. Rangarajan, were among those spoke. More than 400 delegates from different parts of Tamil Nadu participated in the deliberations.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Southern States

News: Front Page | National | Southern States | Other States | International | Opinion | Business | Sport | Miscellaneous |
Advts: Classifieds | Employment | Obituary |

Stories in this Section

• Call for fight against liberalisation policies
• `Take criminal action against wilful defaulters'

Copyright © 2002, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu