Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS) has demanded encouragement of small-scale industries in the country. In its pre-budget suggestions sent to the Finance Minister P. Chidambaram, BMS president Girish Awasthi demanded to infuse necessary funds and make provisions for rapid development of labour intensive cottage, small-scale and medium industries, extend liberal tax concessions, subsidies, incentives, concessional credit facilities, marketing assistance and restoration of all the items de-reserved earlier in the reserved list. He also demanded immediate measures to tackle the problems of sickness and crisis in traditional industries such as jute, textile, plantations, handloom, coir, beedi, khadi & village industries, etc. He said the MSE Act, 2005 should be revived for promotion of small-scale industries.
In his letter sent to the Finance Minister, Shri Awasthi said: ?We are seriously concerned about the present situation of the country'seconomy, after the 15 years long pursuit of the policies of economic liberalisation. The crisis has become more profound, impacting adversely the livelihoods of vast sections of the Indian society. This economic policy regime has only created a few highlands of prosperity, while plunging the people at large into the quagmire of impoverishment and unmitigated sufferings. We strongly urge that the coming budget should be people-oriented addressing the issues of poverty, unemployment and social infrastructure.?
About the price rise, he said sky rocketed prices of essential commodities have created enormous difficulties to the poor and common people. It has failed to speed up the procurement programme in time and has allowed the private traders and MNCs to buy and hoard foodgrains. Despite Government having huge stock of foodgrains the market retail prices of the essential commodities are maintaining at high level. This should be checked immediately.
About the Social Security Bill, Shri Awasthi said the government has introduced the Bill for unorganised sector workers and agriculture workers in the Rajya Sabha by ignoring the unanimous suggestions of all central labour organisations. This is nothing but an eye wash containing nothing substantive to ensure a time bound social security cover for the entire work force.
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