CITU Kerala State conference concludes

The three day Kerala state conference of CITU concluded at Kasargod.  Among the various resolutions adopted at the conference, the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) has urged the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) government to refrain from moves to privatise the drinking water distribution system. CITU alleged moves by the UDF government to start drinking water bottling units in the private sector.The State government was trying to dismantle the Kerala Water Authority, it alleged. 

The CITU also called for linking rivers to help neighbouring States get adequate drinking water. The Pampa-Achencoil-Vaipar link project had been conceived as part of the project, the resolution said. Accusing the government of making renewed efforts to privatise water distribution from the Periyar and the Malampuzha dam, the CITU alleged that efforts were under way to float a new company under Cochin International Airport Ltd. (CIAL) and distribute drinking water at a price of 25 paise a litre. 

The meeting expressed concern over the crisis being faced by the construction sector owing to a steep hike in prices of cement and other raw materials. 

The CITU planned to take up the cause of new generation employees working in the information technology sector. 

The state conference also elected Com. Anathalavattom Anandan as the new president of CITU state committee. Com. Elamaram Kareem was elected as the General secretary of the new state committee.  K M Sudhakaran will continue to be the treasurer. The conference also elected 13 vice president and 14 vice president, and 157 member state committee and a 430 member General Council

13 വൈസ് പ്രസിഡന്റുമാരെയും 14 സെക്രട്ടറിമാരെയും സമ്മേളനം തെരഞ്ഞെടുത്തു. സംസ്ഥാന കമ്മറ്റിയില്‍ 157 പേരും സംസ്ഥാന കൗണ്‍സിലില്‍ 430 പേരുമാണുള്ളത് - See more at: http://citukerala.org/index.php?operator=public&main=NewsView&do=view&id=6#news6

Later, inaugurating a huge public function to mark the culmination of the meet, CITU national president A.K. Padmanabhan blamed the United Progressive Alliance government for pursuing neo-liberal economic policies which, he said, had made life of the common man miserable. The two-day nationwide strike planned from February 20 should be a warning to the Union government to refrain from pursuing such ‘anti-people’ policies, he said.

CPI(M) starts pain and palliative care units in Kerala

Showing a new way to the politics,  CPI(M) on Tuesday, Palliative care day, formally entered a new area of social life: pain and palliative care. The party will take the initiative in registering charitable societies at the District level and raising an army of about 500 volunteers in each area committe, who will look after the functioning of the palliative care units.

CPIM Thiruvananthapuram District Committee has formed Com. E K Nayanar Memorial charitable trust as part of this unit. The inauguration of the programme was done by CPIM leaders in various area committees in the district. Com. Pinarayi Vijayan attended a function in Chalai, Com. V S Achuthanandan inaugurated the function in Mannathala.

In Kottayam, two area committees Puthuppally and Changanassery formally inaugurated the operation of their palliative care units.Inaugurating the Capt. Lakshmi Charitable Society at Pampady, Bishop Geevarghese Mar Coorilos of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian church said the emergence of an individual-centred society due to globalisation was the greatest threat faced today. Scores of people, many of them retired hands, attended the function chaired by CPI(M) leader V.N. Vasavan.

All the other district committees are also in the process of forming such pain and palliative units. The state conference of CPIM held in 2012 february took a decision in this regard to take up activities in social arena.