New Delhi: In a strongly worded letter addressed to Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor Urjit Patel, the United Forum of Reserve Bank Officers and Employees has alleged that post the government’s demonetisation move, the image of the Central bank has been dented beyond repair.

“Commenting on the “mismanagement” since November 8 when demonetisation was announced and the criticism from different quarters followed, the letter said, “Its (RBI’s) autonomy and image have been dented beyond repair,” an official of the All India Reserve Bank officers Association told ANI here.

“We request the Governor of the RBI, its highest functionary and protector of its autonomy and prestige, to do the needful urgently to do away with this unwarranted interference from the Finance Ministry and assure the staff accordingly as the staff feels humiliated,” the letter added.

Various employee unions of the central bank have objected to the government “impinging on RBI autonomy” and have written to Patel to take action against the “unwarranted interference”.

In a letter, they said the autonomy and image of the RBI has been “dented beyond repair” due to mismanagement and termed the appointment of a senior Finance Ministry official as a “blatant encroachment” of its exclusive turf of currency management.

“If true, this is most unfortunate and we take strong exception to this measure of the government as impinging on the RBI autonomy and its statutory as well as operational jurisdiction,” the letter said.

The Association asserts that the RBI is fully capable to co-ordinate the central bank’s currency chest operations which it has been performing over decades, and they do not need “any assistance” from anywhere.

The letter suggests that the union may assume that the RBI did not ask for deployment of a joint secretary of the Finance Ministry in its functions, rather it’s the latter which has imposed itself on the central bank, which is absolutely unacceptable and deplorable.

The official of RBI officers association stated that there have been no review in pension issue for last 16 years has displayed hostilities on the employees.

The letter sought to draw attention to the RBI Act 1934, which stipulates that the central bank was constituted lo “regulate the issue of notes and keeping of reserves with a view to secure monetary stability in India” and generally to operate the currency and credit system of the country.

The association also urged the media to voice grievances associated with the RBI.

The letter comes days after concerns about RBI’s functioning being raised by at least three former governors — Manmohan Singh (former prime minister), Y. V. Reddy and Bimal Jalan. Former deputy governors including Usha Thorat and K. C. Chakrabarty have also voiced their concerns in this regard.

(Agencies)

Hyderabad: Former India captain Mohammad Azharuddin’s nomination paper for the post of Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA) president was Saturday rejected by the returning officer.

A source in the HCA said that Azharuddin’s application was rejected by returning officer K Rajiv Reddy who was not sure whether the BCCI has lifted the ban on him for alleged match-fixing and whether he is a HCA voter or not.

“His (Azharuddin’s) nomination paper was rejected by the returning officer on scrutiny. The returning officer wrote to the BCCI whether his ban for match fixing has been lifted or not. The BCCI did not reply,” a source in the HCA said.

Another source, however, said that the returning officer should have written to the Lodha Committee instead of the BCCI.

There was also the issue of whether Azharuddin is enrolled as a HCA voter or not.

“I am sad and disappointed. I have been cleared by the court from all charges,” Azharuddin said when asked about the rejection of his nomination.

Azharuddin had filed his nomination for the top post in HCA earlier this week.

Azharuddin, who led India in three successive World Cups (1992, 1996, 1999), has been banned for life by the BCCI for his alleged involvement in the match-fixing scandal that rocked Indian cricket in 2000.

After a long legal battle, Azharuddin received a favourable order from the Andhra High Court in 2011, but the BCCI is yet to officially lift his ban.

(Agencies)

Bengaluru: French DJ David Guetta’s concert, scheduled in Bengaluru for Thursday night, has been scrapped with the organisers citing “law and order situation” following the molestation incident during New Year’s Eve as the reason.

The DJ, 49, is on a four-city tour which was expected to begin from Bangalore and then move to Mumbai, Hyderabad and New Delhi.

“Due to the present law & order situation in Bengaluru following the events that transpired around New Year’s Eve, the authorities have recommended against holding the David Guetta concert scheduled today in the city.

“We at Sunburn tried our very best to make it happen but the authorities understandably are not prepared to take any chances. Hence today’s concert unfortunately stands cancelled,” Karan Singh, CEO, Sunburn, said in a statement.

The organisers said they hope to “reschedule” the concert if they get permission from the authorities and the artiste but there is no clarity at the moment.

“Other shows in Mumbai, New Delhi and Hyderabad are on as per schedule,” Singh said.

(Agencies)

Patna: A CISF jawan allegedly opened fire on his colleagues, killing four of them at their unit at a thermal power station in Aurangabad district of Bihar on Thursday.

Officials said the incident was reported at about 12:30 AM at the Nabinagar Power Generation Company Ltd (NPGCL) unit in the said district where the force is deployed for security duties to guard the facility.

The accused jawan has been identified as constable Balveer Singh who hails from Aligarh in Uttar Pradesh, while the deceased personnel have been reported to be three personnel in the ranks of Head Constable (HC), and an Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI).

The CISF jawan lost his cool following a dispute over leave and fired from his rifle, Superintendent of Police Dr Satyaprakash said.
Balveer has been arrested, they said.

“Preliminary information states that Balveer opened fire on his other colleagues, using a service rifle, in an alleged fratricide incident. While three were killed in the firing, one another succumbed at a nearby hospital later,” they said.

A Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) unit is deployed in the NPGCL unit as part of its mandate to secure the facility.

They said the incident took place when Balveer allegedly used his INSAS rifle to shoot his colleagues who had assembled to leave for the shift change and after the first hit, he was overpowered by others present around.

It is understood that Balveer had come back after a two-month yoga course and had some issues related to leave, they said.

(Agencies)

Mumbai: In a surprise development, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has ‘ejected Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi in the 2017 wall calendar and table diary published by the Khadi Village Industries Commission (KVIC), official sources said here on Thursday.

Most employees and officials were taken aback to see the cover photo of the calendar and diary showing Modi weaving khadi on a large ‘charkha’, in the same classic pose as Gandhiji.

While Gandhi’s historic picture weaving khadi on a simple charkha, wearing his trademark loin cloth, is legendary and imprinted in the minds of the masses since generations, Modi comes across in his signature attire of kurta-pyjama-waistcoat, weaving khadi on a slightly modern charkha.

Virtually rendered speechless, employees of KVIC at its Vile Parle headquarters plan to stage “a silent, soul-cleansing” protest wearing black bands on their mouths, during lunch hour on Thursday.

When contacted KVIC Chairman Vinai Kumar Saxena said this was “not unusual” and there have been deviations in the past.

“The entire khadi industry (udyog) is based on Gandhiji’s philosophy, ideas and ideals, he is the soul of KVIC, so there is no question of ignoring him,” Saxena told IANS.

He added that Modi has been wearing khadi since long, and has popularised it among the masses and even among foreign dignitaries, while developing his own styles around khadi.

“In fact, he is khadi’s biggest brand ambassador, and his vision matches KVIC’s, of ‘Make In India’ by making villages self-sufficient, ‘skill development’ by generating employment among the rural masses, infuse modern technology for khadi weaving, innovations and marketing. Plus, the PM is a youth icon,” Saxena explained.

“We are pained at this systematic easing out of Mahatma Gandhi’s ideas, philosophy and ideals by the government. Last year, the first attempt was made by including the PM’s photos in the calendar,” said a senior KVIC staffer, requesting anonymity amid fear of official reprisals.

In fact, in 2016 the staff unions in KVIC had raised the calendar matter strongly with the management and were assured that it would not be repeated in future.

“However, this year it’s a total washout. The pictures and teaching of Gandhiji – who created khadi for the poor masses and made it a symbol of the ‘swadeshi’ self-reliance during the struggle for Independence – are completely left out in the calendar and diary,” the staffer rued.

Incidentally, Modi already has a khadi garment unofficially named after him – the casual and comfy, half-sleeved ‘Modi Kurta’ – since the days he was Gujarat Chief Minister and sported it regularly in public in various shades and styles.

During the four-month period between Gandhi’s birthday on October 2 and his martyrdom on January 30, the KVIC launches special promotions and offers special rebates to boost khadi sales across India.

(IANS)