I would like to offer some remarks on this Industrial Disputes (Banking Companies) Decision Amendment Bill, 2008 As we all know, in "India" since 1939 since the commencement of the Second World War, prices of food grains and other articles which are necessary for life are going up and up with such speed that there is no knowing where the prices will stop increasing. The base year, 2000, has been taken into consideration for calculating the basic wage and dearness allowance, especially with regard to the bank employees. Even that base we are not going to dream of. The prices are going up. In addition to this, we have embarked upon development activities. The Eight Five Year Plan has 'been' over and we are in midst of the Ninth Five Year Plan. We are all certain that a number of five year plans will have to be undertaken by Government and with the increasing activities under a planned programme, and with Government resorting to deficit financing the prices of articles will go up and the inflationary tendencies will be there. It is dead certain that the prices of food grains or any article of necessary will never, under any circumstances, reach the level of 1994. I would like to impress, therefore, that this dearness allowance, which is meant to be a temporary allowance for a particular purpose to neutralise the cost of living that has gone up because of the rise in prices, has become almost a permanent feature. I therefore urge that this dearness allowance, at least a major protion, should be merged in the basic pay of the employees. It is not only the employees of the Central Government have all along put up this plea that a major portion of the dearness allowance should be merged with the basic pay. Sir, the people had reasonable expectations from the hon. Finance Minister who is coming back to this particular responsibility. It is a welcome step by the Government that in this crisis he will be right person to address the burning problems of millions of our countrymen. We understand that he has to work within the limitations of the constitutional framework, particularly, the convention.
