THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The state government on Thursday apprised the RBI and other banks regarding its concerns related to demonetisation decision and demanded immediate remedial measures to ease the problems of people. The meeting chaired by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan discussed various issues confronting the state including crisis in cooperative sector, problems faced by customers due to shortage of currency, migrant workers woes and facilities for Sabarimala pilgrims.
At the Cabinet briefing, the Chief Minister said the government told the banks that the cooperative sector and treasury savings bank could play a key role in resolve people’s problems and hence the curbs on such agencies should be relaxed. The peculiar situation prevailing in the state need to be brought to the notice of RBI bosses and Union finance ministry officials, he said. The Chief Minister discussed the problems being faced by daily wage labourers in cashew, plantation and coir sectors besides other marginalised workers.
Though the bank officials suggested jan dhan accounts for disbursement of wages to the workers, the government said it was not practical considering the huge number of workers in these sectors and there would be operational problems.The government cited the problems being faced by migrant workers. “The banks are insisting on identity proof of relatives to whom they are depositing the money. How can they produce their identity here? Moreover, these are the regular accounts of relatives back home,” the Chief Minister said.
Mr Pinarayi said the bank representatives have assured that they would accept money from migrants without imposing restrictions of ID proof of their kin back home. The government urged the bank representatives to keep all ATMs en route Sabarimala temple and those located in Pampa and Sannidhanam flush with funds. More currency exchange counters should be opened at Pampa and Sannidhanam. The Chief Minister urged the Centre to provide all facilities to Sabarimla pilgrims during the pilgrimage season.
GCDA, TRIDA to be reconstituted
The Greater Cochin Development Authority (GCDA) and Trivandrum Development Authority (TRIDA) will be reconstituted soon. Similar development authorities that are functioning under the local bodies department will be abolished. This was decided at the Cabinet briefing by the Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. The GCDA was constituted in the mid-seventies for the integrated development of Cochin and its surrounding areas.
