Mumbai: The NCP, which shares power with Shiv Sena and Congress in the Maha Vikas Aghadi government in Maharashtra, on Tuesday, slammed the Centre for amendments to the Banking Regulation (Amendment) Act 2020, saying that it will end the existence of the cooperative banking sector. The issue was discussed at the meeting chaired by NCP chief Sharad Pawar with party ministers and office-bearers. It was Pawar’s first meeting after he recovered from three surgeries.
The state government has formed a task force chaired by the cooperation minister Balasaheb Patil and comprising ministers from three parties and banking experts.
As reported by Free Press Journal, Pawar in August last year had targeted the Centre saying that RBI's 'untouchable' approach towards the cooperative banking sector was based purely on financial and commercial considerations. Pawar claimed that the RBI, since 1993, has been trying to convert urban cooperative banks (UCBs) into private banks by setting up various panels and issuing circulars from time to time to implement their recommendations but could not succeed.
NCP chief spokesman and Minority Affair minister Nawab Malik alleged that the Centre has devised a plan to demolish the cooperative banking sector by giving more powers to the private banks. ‘’The Maha Vikas Aghadi government will foil Centre’s attempt to finish the existence of district and urban cooperative banks,’’ he noted.
Malik said Pawar reviewed the present pandemic situation and spread of black fungus in the state and the measures undertaken by the state govt.
Pawar in a bid to give impetus to the vaccination drive will speak to Serum India Institute to get an additional supply of vaccine doses.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray chaired meeting of MVA ministers to discuss the cancellation of Maratha quota and scrapping of political reservation for OBCs in local bodies. Senior counsel Kapil Sibal made a presentation explaining the ramifications due to the cancellation of 27% quota of OBCs in local bodies. The state government will soon send a detailed memorandum on this issue to the Centre.
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