With Covid pandemic at its peak now in India, it has given rise to many problems other then the health issues. Most of these problems are linked with lock down. During lock down most of the people were sitting idle, and many were working from home, these were the people whose jobs could be done on computer /laptop. With the relaxations in lockdown, people related to some fields have started working with certain conditions. But still total work force of India has not started working in full swing, what was before lockdown.
You all are aware that shooting of Films & TV contents were suspended one week before the start of even lockdown. Last month Maharashtra govt based on guidelines issued by central govt, issued a circular that the shooting can be resumed with so many restrictions, like maximum number of crew members on the set, maintain social distancing while shooting, and while shooting of reality show restriction on the presence of live audience and lastly which was most disturbing to the fraternity was that no person above the age of 65, whether actor or technician, will not be permitted on the set. Now there are many actors and technicians who are in 65+ age group. The fraternity protested on this and said that how this can be made possible, saying if an actor who is 65+ has already shot for some film or TV serial, he/she can not be replaced looking into the continuity. They cited the example of Amitabh Bachchan (77+), Naseeruddin Shah (70+), Shabana Azmi ( 70+) and many more, who have shot for the films, and those films can not resume shootings because of this conditions. There are many directors and technician who are also in 65+ age bracket, who are also needed for shooting. One small time actor who is in 65+ age bracket appealed in the Bombay High Court (HC) pleading that this condition is going to affect earnings of mine and other actors/technicians, which will make to the conditions where they may not even survive. In no other profession this condition has been placed, people in the private offices can work, professionals like doctors/lawyers/architects/engineers can work, even politicians can work; then why actors/technicians involved with entertainment industry can not work. Now HC has asked Maharashtra govt to explain the reason why this is being done only for this industry.
Let us wait and watch for the next date of hearing. In my opinion this action of stopping actor/technicians of 65+ age group in very unfair and discriminatory.
In the 2nd news item of interest is related to Punjab & Maharashtra Co Op (PMC) bank. Friends you might be aware that PMC bank is multistate Co bank, the operation was this bank was stopped by Reserve Bank Of India (RBI) in 3rd week of Sept 2019, as the bank have given unsecured loans to HDIL group to tune Rs 6500+ Cr. The promoters of HDIL and many official of PMC bank have been arrested and are behind bars. Yesterday in Delhi High Court a petition filed by PMC account holders was heard. The application has said that despite making lots of representations to RBI, no action has been taken till date to help the account holders to withdraw money from the bank as per their requirement. In last 10 months the depositors have been allowed to withdraw upto Rs 1 lakh from their account. Now the moratorium on withdrawls has been extended upto 22nd Dec 2020, till date more than35 depositors have lost their life due to financial constraints. The application has further added that it seems that there is no lack of funds in the bank, as bank is monthly spending Rs 8 Cr for upkeep of branches and on staff salary. Now HC has asked the Centre govt and RBI to respond to this plea seeking release of atleast Rs 5 Lakh to the depositors of PMC Bank. The court has asked them to file reply before 18th Aug 2020, the date of next hearing. It has been claimed that the senior citizen depositors are completely crippled in terms of their of their financial liquidity to purchase essential utilities and medicines. It has been contended that PMC bank was not even releasing money equivalent to insured amount of Rs 5 lakh to help out depositors.
I fail to understand, when the promoters of HDIL have given their consent to RBI to sell their assets and repay the amount to the PMC bank, why no action has been taken by RBI on this account. I know that umpteen number of representations have been made to RBI by the depositors in this matter but nothing has happened. Regarding liquidation of assets, no news have been heard for almost 8 months. Earlier there was news that RBI has appointed liquidator to look into this matter, but no news after that. Friends, I am also affected party in this matter.
So let us wait and watch what happens on the next date in Delhi HC.
Awaiting your views/comments/feed backs.
Anil Malik
Mumbai, India
22nd July 2020.