24.12.2001 Cir. No:AI/03/2001-2004 to ALL MEMBERS PLEASE
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24.12.2001 Cir. No:AI/03/2001-2004 TO ALL MEMBERS PLEASE CIRCULATE Dear Comrades, 6TH TRIENNIAL CONFERENCE OF AIBOC – A HISTORIC EVENT The 6th triennial conference of AIBOC, a milestone in the Bank Officers movement, was held in the city of Cochin on 15th, 16th and 17th of this month. A massive rally was organized on 15th in which more than 5000 comrades participated. The procession took off under the leadership of Com.Shantha Raju, President and Com.S.R.Sengupta, General Secretary of the Confederation. The rally drew the attention of public as well as the media for its discipline, colourful banners and inspiring slogans. Many felt that for a long time they have never witnessed such a mammoth gathering. In the open session held at Rajendra Maidan, the august presence of Shri.V.R.Krishna Iyer as a Guest of Honour with Hon ‘ble Speaker of Kerala Assembly Sri.Vakkom Purushothaman, inaugurator of the function, Dr.Dalbir Singh, Chairman, Indian Banks’ Association – Chief Guest, Dr.Cyriac Thomas Vice-Chancellor, Mahatma Gandhi University and Shri.Francis George, M.P. as Guests of Honour was a source of inspiration to the jam- packed gathering of our comrades from all over the country. Every speaker gave the message in his own way but Shri.V.R.Krishna Iyer sent electrifying waves throughout the gathering. He said “We have given to ourselves a Constitution which promises a Social Welfare State as dreamt by the Father of our Nation Shri.Mahatma Gandhi;” “Glogalisation will not be allowed” “No free Market” – “Let us not surrender to Corporate Powers”. “It is the patriotic duty of every citizen to fight the menace of privatization, globalisation and liberalization”, he declared amidst all round applause. He cautioned the champions of “Free market Economy” that the masses of the country will not tolerate any change. The teeming millions need Clothing, Housing, Employment etc. and any efforts to hand over the control of this country to corporate powers will be strongly opposed. He appreciated the role of AIBOC in fighting the reforms. He advised the unions to unite, consolidate and fight against the anti-people policies of the Government. In his presidential address Com.Shantha Raju stated that industrial harmony in the Banking Industry is in dire straits due to planned attacks on the trade unions and victimization of office-bearers of majority organizations. Of late, the managements are acting in an arbitrary manner and are withdrawing several facilities available to the officers’ organizations. If the trend is not arrested, there will be a threat to harmony in the industry, declared Com.Shantha Raju. The business session was held on 16.12.2001 and 17.12.2001. Shri.S.R.Sen Gupta, General Secretary presented his report covering the International, National, Industry Level developments and on the labour scenario with particular reference to the banking industry. The report evoked lively debate in which more than 40 comrades participated. The General Council adopted the following resolutions. Sl.No. Subject 1. On Terrorism and War 2. On Globalisation 3. On National Integration and Communal Harmony 4. On Privatisation of Public Sector Banks 5. Legal Reforms in Banking Industry 6. Downsizing of Workforce–VRS and Reduction in Age of Retirement. 7. Closure of Branches/Offices – Anti-People Move 8. Labour Laws Reforms 9. Attack on Trade Unions and Victimisation of Office-bearers 10. On Corruption in Public Life 11. United Movement of Working Class 12. Empowerment of Women 13. Vigilance in Banks-Need for Relook 14. Discipline & Appeal Regulations-Need for Relook 15. Salary Revision 16. Salary Revision for RRB Officers; Parity to be maintained. 17. Merger of RRBs with Sponsor Banks-Need of the hour. 18. Tax on Perquisites-An Anti-Employee Measure. 2 19. Compassionate Appointment 20. Pension:One More Option. 21. Bonus for All. 22. RBI’s Unilateral directive to Keep Banks open on Holidays and Requiring Officers to Work Without Adequate Compensation. 23. Curtailment of Funds for Welfare Schemes in Banks. 24. On Reduction of Interest Rate. 25. Enron Episode – Fall out on Banking/Industry. 26. Future of Associate Banks. 27. Increase in Workload – Post VRS Scenario. 28. Participative Management: Rights & Responsibilities of Directors. 29. Co-operative Banks-Duel Control. 30. Central Administrative Tribunal The new team of Office Bearers was elected unanimously. Com.K.D.Khera (PNB) and Com.Shantha Raju (SBI) were elected as President and General Secretary respectively. Com.A.K.Jana, our President and Com.T.T.Natarajan, Secretary General were elected as Vice President and Deputy General Secretary respectively. On this great occasion, a befitting felicitation function was organized in honour of Com.S.R.Sen Gupta, Doyen of Bank Officers’ Movement who laid down his office as General Secretary. Floral offerings were presented to the leader of leaders, popularly known as “Shanti da”. He belongs to the first generation of trade union leaders in the Officers’ movement. His contribution to the Bank Officers’ movement is now a part of history. He is confident that the movement would scale greater heights in the coming years and it is for all of us to live up to his expectations. Comrades, the triennial conference is a historic event. The conference message is loud and clear. Unity is the need of the hour, save Public Sector, fight against Privatisation of Banks, oppose Reforms - preserve the Financial Sector. We are in the midst of several challenges. Let us not allow the current forces to destroy our movement. Forget the differences, Strengthen the bonds, Unite and stand by your Organisation to strengthen the Trade Union Movement further, in the years to come. WISH YOU A VERY HAPPY AND PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR. With greetings, Comradely yours, T T NATARAJAN Secretary General 09.01.2002 Cir. No:AI/05/2001-2004 TO ALL MEMBERS PLEASE CIRCULATE Dear Comrades, PERQUISITES AND ALLOWANCES – INCOME TAX NOTIFICATION The Income Tax Notification recently issued by the Government of India covering the levy of Income Tax on the value of perquisites and allowances payable has become a nightmare to the Managerial cadre, particularly the Bank Officers Community. Though it is said that the objective of the notification is to ensure that the corporate sector is brought under strict regulation in the matter of deduction of tax at source, as the system of payment on the basis of vouchers for various facilities extended is very much prevalent in corporate sector, it is feared that the intended objective will not be achieved as the corporate sector always find a way to escape the tax burden. Hence, the worst affected group on account of this development is the Bank Officers Community who are paying income tax through their nose. The Triennial General Council of AIBOC which concluded its session on 17th December, 2001 had debated the issue at length. Most of the delegates observed that the new Notification has only affected the Bank Officers, whereas all other organizations have worked out their own method to escape the tax burden. It was felt by the General Council that the issue will have to be taken up with IBA for seeking relief in the matter. Accordingly, 3 the President and General Secretary of AIBOC called on the Chairman of IBA and the issue was brought to his notice. AIBOC has sent a detailed communication to IBA with a request for their intervention and for providing necessary relief to our members. The text of the AIBOC Letter No.3480/12/02 dated 03.01.2002 is reproduced for the information of our members. We shall keep our members informed of further developments. With greetings, Yours Comradely, T T NATARAJAN Secretary General Cir. No: AI/06/2001-2004 25.01.2002 TO ALL MEMBERS PLEASE CIRCULATE Dear Comrades, INCOME TAX NOTIFICATION ON PERQUISITS AND ALLOWANCES The attention of our members is drawn to our Circular No.AI/05/2001-2004 dated 09.01.2002 wherein we have reproduced the detailed communication sent by the AIBOC to IBA seeking their intervention for providing relief to the bank officers. As bank officers from all over the country are anxiously awaiting the developments and in the absence of any response from IBA so far, AIBOC has addressed communication to Shri.Yeshwant Sinha, Hon ‘ble Finance Minister, Government of India for his immediate intervention. The text of the communication is reproduced for the information of our members. With a view to further focus the issue and communicate the grass root level concern, it was decided to advise the branches/offices to send a telegram to the Finance Minister for his intervention. The text of the telegram is furnished below. Shri.Yeshwant Sinha, Hon ‘ble Finance Minister Govt. of India New Delhi. INCOME TAX NOTIFICATION “We seek your immediate intervention in the matter of income Tax Notification issued recently. The Bank Officers are put to lot of hardship due to the recent Notification, which covers all the allowances and perquisites which are purely functional and not sources of income. We request you to kindly withdraw the notification and exempt the Bank employees from the purview of the Notification as requested by AIBOC”. Please treat the matter as urgent. Officers - Indian Bank …………………..Branch The copies of the telegram may also be forwarded to: 1. The Chairman 3. The General Secretary Indian Banks Association All India Bank Officers’ Confederation Stadium House, Block 3, 6the Floor SBI Buildings. St.Marks Road 81-83, Veer Nariman Road Bangalore – 560 001 Mumbai – 400 020. 4 2. The Governor 4. The Secretary General Reserve Bank of India All India Indian Bank Officers’ Association Mumbai 400 023. New No.22 (Old No.19) Mooker Nallamuthu Street Chennai – 600 001.