Articles by Timir Basu

pendence on the international trading system through a policy of maintaining an overvalued exchange rate for the rouble.
The exchange rate between rupee and the rouble, really speaking, does not directly influence the volume of current trade under the rupee trade and payments agreement. Under the system both the countries quote he prices of their commodities in rupees and so long as the prices quoted are attractive or competitive, trade would continue to take place. All along prices normally quoted by the USSR supliers are such that they are comparable with those that are quoed by other suppliers to India or what the USSR suppliers would earn by directing their exports to he rest of the world. Similarly, Indian exports to the USSR are at the same prices as applicable to India's exports to the rest of the world. Under such an arrangement the exchange rate is of no direct relevance so long as the prices quoted for Indian and Russian goods continue to be in Indian rupees and payments are settled on a current basis. The exchange rate matter has relevance only for two types of transations, viz, goods supplied by the USSR on long- term credit basis and the settlement of invisible transactions. Since transactions relating to invisibles are relatively small, the main relevance of the exchange rate is in regard to goods obtained by India on credit. In fact the dispute between India and the USSR exclusively centered on the repayment obligations of India to the USSR in respect of the long-term credits.

Operation Santaldih Timir Basu "IN exercise of powers conferred by Board's Resolution No 16 dated 5-8- 1963, sanction is hereby accorded for creation of posts ... for a period of six months from the date of joining of the employee concerned in the new posts simultaneously keeping in abeyance the existing posts." This is part of an office order dated June 5, 1978, issued by the West Bengal State Electricity Board (WBSEB). The order was issued to enable the sudden, punitive transfer of 16 workmen of the Santaldih power plant.

soon found" that they were not making much progress in their bid to make their lobbies strong and effective at the government and administrative level through these tactics.

strike in the face of government suppression and formed a Joint Action Council along with the other pro-DMK union and several other category-wise organisations.

Marwari Relief Society at 227, Rabin- dra Sarani, Calcutta, has been closed 'indefinitely' since October 29, 1977. The closure of the hospital has been in response to the strike by its 400 poorly paid staff that had begun on October 10, and for which due notice had been served on September 15. Apart from wages and working conditions, a major demand of the striking workers has been the reinstatement of the dismissed union secretary. The: victimisation of the union secretary was clearly aimed at breaking the union. In fact, the issue has been ranging fire for nearly two years and the workers would have gone on strike much earlier but for hopes of the issue being resolved through government's interference. But even the minister's interference has had no effect on the management and the workers had to finally resort to strike from October 10; the management replied by closing down the hospital.