Addressing a public meeting here on Sunday organised to mark the three-day 12th AP State conference of CITU, he assailed corruption stating that around Rs.20,000 crore was involved in the 2G spectrum deal that was concluded by Union Minister A. Raja and this was only the tip of the iceberg. The Kerala Chief Minister who delivered his speech in Malayalam, which was translated into Telugu by a CPI(M) leader, said Prime Minister Manmohan Singh could not do anything as the UPA government was at the mercy of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi.
LDF implementing pro-poor programmes
Comparing the performance of the Congress and the BJP governments in various States with that of the LDF Government in Kerala, its Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan gave a detailed account of the welfare measures being implemented there highlighting the difference in policies.He said 1,500 farmers who committed suicide had been given Rs.50,000 as ex gratia, loans taken from co-operatives were waived and interest-free advanced provided.
An impressive rally was taken out from the Railway Grounds to the old Jail Road, the venue of the public meeting. The paddy support price was increased from Rs.7 a kg to Rs.12. While other government were closing down PSUs, in Kerala PSUs were run and brought into the green.
In the power deficient State, MPs, MLAs and sarpanches parted with a part of their allowance and with contribution from the electricity board energised the entire Palakkad district, Mr.Achuthanandan said. By the time the government completed its term, the entire State would get electricity.
Also land was distributed among 4.3 lakh persons during the last four years under a scheme named after stalwart EMS Namboodiripad. Land at the Munnar tourist centre was recovered from corporates.
House-sites were given and two lakh houses constructed for the poor and another three lakh would be constructed. As many as 38 lakh families were being provided rice at Rs.2 a kg. Also treatment up to a cost of Rs.75,000 was being provided free in hospitals.
Motive force
Stating that the experiences of Telangana struggle were a motive force in organising the peasants and workers in Kerala, Mr. Achuthanandan said at the same time he had participated in the legendary Punnapra-Vayalar resistance in Kerala.
CITU all-India President A.K. Padmanabhan said when CITU began fighting the liberalisation policies two decades ago few were with it. After 12 national strikes, others joined it and since September last nine central trade unions came together to fight on major issues like price rise, unemployment, protection of trade union rights and social security of unorganised sector.
CITU State president S.Veeraiah said irrespective of who the Chief Minister was the pro-rich and anti-people and anti-labour policies of the Congress were continuing in the State.
Vice-President S.Punyavathi said the CITU had gained strength over the last few decades with significant presence in all sectors. CITU all-India general secretary Tapan Sen, secretary K. Hemalatha, MLC M.V.S. Sarma, Reception Committee Chairman Ch.Narsinga Rao, CITU vice-presidents P. Roja and A. Ajay Sarma, general secretary R.Sudhabhaskar and former MLA Paturu Ramaiah participated.
(Courtesy : The Hindu)
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