19th Congress of Communist Party of Sri Lanka begins

The 19th Congress of the Communist Party of Sri Lanka began on August 27th at Shalika Hall, Narahenpita. The congress will conclude on 29th August. 

Changes in the global context have influenced both political and economic situation in Sri Lanka. These positive changes have made opportunities for left parties and progressive people in Sri Lanka said Communist Party of Sri Lanka (CPSL) General Secretary DEW Gunasekara addressing the opening ceremony of the 19th National Congress of CPS. 

Within last ten years there were four major changes in the global set up.Poverty is increasing, Neo liberalism is in danger,West front is in trouble and Asian Economy is booming.Left front and Socialist forces should be alert for above changes and should be united, he further said. 

Since 1943 CPSL all previous conferences have made positive influence to the political and economic development in the country. In this conference CPSL were able to discuss the constitutional changes and the electoral system. 

Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena, Disaster Management Minister A H M Fowzie, Finance and Planning Deputy Minister Chandrasiri Gajadeera, Western Province Governor Alavi Mowlana, Vasudeva Nanayakkara,W H Piyadasa,Raja Kollure,China Ambassador Yang Xiuping, Cuban Ambassador Nirsia Guevara and several foreign delegates were also present.
 
Recognising the need for a political settlement of the Tamil question in Sri Lanka, Communist Party of India (Marxist) Central Committee member T.K. Rangarajan, MP, on Friday said the immediate priority should be to address the concerns of relief, resettlement and rehabilitation of the Tamil civilian population. 

Addressing the 19th National Congress of the Sri Lankan Communist Party (SLCP) in Colombo, Mr. Rangarajan said the expeditious settlement of the Tamil question should involve the devolution of powers and autonomy for the Tamil-speaking areas within the framework of a united Sri Lanka. 

“We feel that such a political solution will strengthen the unity and integrity of Sri Lanka,” he said. With the end of the prolonged war, the rehabilitation of the displaced Tamils was a major concern as reports indicate that thousands of people were still living in relief camps.

Financial crisis

The ‘Great Recession' was a systemic crisis with its impact felt across the world. Contrary to the claims by many countries, the current crisis of international financial capital was far graver than any other crisis in the history of capitalism. The social impact too was being felt everywhere with rising discontent and increasing protests. 

In India, the impact was only to a limited extent because of the role played by the CPI(M) and other Left parties. Unfortunately, the Congress-led UPA government, buoyed by the fact that it no longer depended on the Left for its survival, was implementing the very same neo-liberal policies that in the first place, had led to this crisis, Mr. Rangarajan said. 

The ruling classes were trying their best to isolate the CPI(M) by attacking it from all directions. In West Bengal, one of the strongest bastions of the CPI(M) in the country, there was a broad ranging coalition forged by all political forces from the extreme right to the extreme left, including Maoists. More than 300 CPI(M) men have been killed by the Maoists in this province emboldened by this broad alliance. “Our party is thick in the fight not only resisting all these efforts intended to isolate the party but also in defence of the rights of the toiling people,” he said.

Prakash Karat releases book on Karl Marx in Orissa

The Oriya translated book  of ‘Das capital’  by Karl Marx has been released by CPIM General Secretary  Prakash Karat at Jayaden Bhawan in Bhuwaneswar on 17th August 2010. The book contained 1293 pages. The oriya translated book has been published by Lokasikhya Pratisthan after 143 years. The book has been translated by Lambodar Naik.

Communist Party of India(Marxist) general secretary Prakash Karat expressed concern over the open loot of minerals in the country. The Centre's faulty mining policy was helping companies accumulate huge capital. Citing the case of an Andhra Pradesh-based company which had since announced plans to establish a steel plant, Mr. Karat said growth of capitalism through mindless exploitation of the mineral wealth had been rampant during the past six decades.

The CPI(M) leader was releasing the Oriya translation of Karl Marx's Das Kapital Volume-I at a function organised by the Lokshikshya Pratisthan here. Karl Marx had written about the exploitation of mineral resources and growth of capitalism way back in 1867. The book had given a new direction to the labour movement across the world, Mr. Karat said. 

He thanked Lambodar Nayak, who translated Das Kapital into Oriya. He expressed satisfaction that the Oriya translation of the second volume of the three-part book was already in progress.

Economist Prabhat Patnaik said the growth of capitalism resulted in an increase in the number of the poor and in inequality, while a few were accumulating wealth by the day.

CPI(M) Orissa secretary Janardan Pati and senior party leader and former MP Sivaji Patnaik spoke.

Left Parties memorandum to the EC

We are constrained to bring to your notice on behalf of the four Left parties – CPI(M), CPI, AIFB and RSP – the very disturbing attempts in West Bengal in the run-up to the process of Summary Revision of Electoral Rolls (SRER). While forwarding the memorandum addressed to you on behalf of the Left Front Committee, West Bengal, we would like to draw your focused attention on specific facts which will bring out the humongous magnitude of these attempts which unless defeated will lead to large-scale falsification of the electoral rolls and distort the ensuing Assembly elections as a whole.

In this context, we would like to draw your attention to the fact that we had already met you on August 3, 2010 to initially acquaint you with the problem. Certain major facts have now come to our notice which further reinforces our apprehension.

The total number of Form-6 applications for addition of new names to be included in the draft electoral rolls as part of the SRER is given to be 56,19,057 (Annexure – I). The districtwise break-up of the total number of Form-6 applications shows the unusually inflated total number of applications. This is available in Annexure – II for your ready reference and perusal.

That the number of Form-6 application is unusually high can be made out from Annexure-III. The following table will give a complete picture.

Summary of last three revisions 2006 2007 2008 2009

a) No of electors in Draft Rolls 4,80,95,009 4,78,39,290 5,04,11,682 5,16,12,655

b) Total Additions 25,80,001 20,75,343 14,00,601 13,81,575

c) Total Deletions 28,35,726 11,98,568 2,00,719 6,31,555

d) Net Addition -2,55,725 8,76,775 11,99,882 7,50,020

e) Percentage of Net Addition -0.5 1.83 2.38 1.45

Roughly 56 lakh proposed additions over the total number of electors amounting to 5,24,21,616 works out to a more than 10 per cent increase. Given the fact that the net addition in the preceding four years – 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009 – are -0.5 per cent, 1.83 per cent, 2.38 per cent and 1.45 per cent respectively, clearly show abnormality of an unusual magnitude.

Together with this, the Left Front memorandum will show that there are gross attempts to bypass the well-established ECI stipulations for additions of names. The submission of affidavits, patently false methods of certification like school certificates, birth certificates from health centres etc instead of standard procedures indicate an organized effort to falsify the rolls. To be fair, we must also bring out that the Chief Electoral Officer has given a firm commitment in an all-party meeting on August 5, 2010 – “submission of bulk applications as well as affidavits and other documents inconsistent with the norms and rules of the Election Commission shall not be accepted or rejected if received anywhere, prior to enquiry.”

We have been given to understand that the commitment so given is not being strictly implemented. There have been instances of questionable role of certain observers to bring pressure on the block level election officials to turn a blind eye to these obnoxious attempts and legitimize the applications without due consideration as per the directions of the Election Commission.

The magnitude of the problem and the attempted deceit like filing of affidavits which is born – not out of ignorance – but to sidestep the due and impeccable procedures cannot be defeated without your urgent intervention.

We, therefore, forward the Left Front memorandum and the voluminous Annexures to substantiate the contentions contained therein.

We sincerely expect that with the active intervention of the EC, the sanctity and the integrity of the election process in West Bengal will be safeguarded and this will add up to the otherwise fine record of your achievements of the past.

Hindi book on Comrade P Sundarayya released

Leaders across the political spectrum on Wednesday recalled the immense contribution of veteran Marxist leader P. Sundarayya to building the Communist movement in Andhra Pradesh and the country.

Recounting the spartan life led by the Marxist leader, CPI (M) Polit Bureau member Sitaram Yechury said Sundarayya contributed to ushering in democratic practices in the party structure and worked towards the development of linguistics in the State.

Releasing a book in Hindi on the life of Pucchalapalli Sundarayya, Union Minister for Urban Development S. Jaipal Reddy shared his relationship with the late leader and spoke of the immense knowledge that he brought to debates.

On his part, Bharatiya Janata Party leader M. Venkaiah Naidu lamented the changing attitude in politics and the drifting personal relations among politicians from different parties. He said that while parties had different ideologies earlier, its members used to interact on a social plane, a tradition now on the decline.

Lakshmi Prasad, a former Telugu Desam Party MP, who heads the Andhra Pradesh Hindi Academy, said that in order to highlight the contribution of leaders such as Alluri Seetaramaraju, Tanguturi Prakasam, and P.V. Narasimha Rao in national politics, the Academy would publish their translated biographies for the benefit of Hindi-speaking people.

Veteran journalist Kuldip Nayar presided over the function held here at the Andhra Pradesh Bhavan.

Centre should probe mining in Andhra Pradesh: CPI (M)

The Communist Party of India (Marxist) has demanded that the Centre constitute a high-level committee to inquire into the mining activities in the State and put exploitation work on hold till the panel submits its report.

CPI (M) State secretary B.V. Raghavulu charged the Congress with adopting “double standards” on mining activities. While the party was supporting mining in the States where it was in power, it was opposing it in States where it was in the Opposition. Denial of mining permission to Vedanta in Orissa on environmental grounds while allowing bauxite mining in Visakhapatnam in spite of the pollution it was causing was ample proof of the ruling party's approach.

The Government which denied permission to set up the thermal power plant at Sompeta in Srikakulam district as it had no environmental clearances, however, ignored “violation of tribal laws like 1/70 Act” in case of mining in Bayyaram in Khammam district.

“Why is the Centre particular about enforcement of legislations in States where the Congress is not in power while it is setting aside the same in Congress-ruled States” he wondered.

(Courtesy : The Hindu)

Deshabhimani signature song released

Deshabhimani', the official organ of the CPI-M in Malayalam, released its signature song, penned by eminent poet and lyricist O N V Kurup. The song was released by CPI-M state secretary Pinarayi Vijayan at a function at Thiruvananthapuram. A musical rendering of the values for which the newspaper stood over decades as the voice of the toiling masses, was sung by noted playback singers K S Chitra and Madhu Balakrishnan. The tune was rendered by top-notch film and stage music director M K Arjunan.

DMK wavering in its stand on major issues: CPI(M)

Accusing the DMK of wavering in its position on all major issues such as Nuclear Deal, trade union rights and state autonomy, the CPI(M) on Thursday said the Dravidian party, once a champion of state autonomy, had been reduced to the level of pleading the Centre with petitions.

“The Congress-led UPA government is taking away the rights of the state government and the DMK is pleading with petitions,” CPI(M) state secretary G. Ramakrishnan said, reacting to Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi’s remarks that the communist parties had no policy other than changing their stand frequently.

“The communists have never compromised their stand on issues such as anti-imperialism, secularism, rights of the state governments and protection of poor in the urban and rural areas,” he added.

Mr Ramakrishnan said the though the DMK had expressed concern over the hike in the price of petroleum products, the fact remained that the DMK was also a party to the cabinet decision to hike the price.

“The price of agriculture inputs has become beyond the reach of farmers. But the DMK extended its support to hike the price of fertilisers,” he said, alleging that the DMK was wavering because it had embraced liberalisation policy.

As regards the Chief Minister’s another remark that the CPI(M) was trying to suppress the achievements of the DMK government, Mr Ramakrishnan quipped, “no one can suppress achievements such as power cut, spiralling of prices of essential commodities, deterioration of law and order and denial of trade union rights in multi-national companies.”

He said though the DMK was claiming that it was the champion of social justice, suspension of IAS officer C. Umashankar and the wall to prevent the entry of Dalits in Uthapuram “tell different story.”

Mr Ramakrishnan said only a few CPI(M) men attended the meeting to admit former CPI(M) MLA C. Govindasamy into the DMK.

“Others belonged to the DMK. What is the need to organise such a big function to admit the DMK men into the DMK,” he said.

Rejecting the Chief Minister’s comments, CPI state secretary D. Pandian said, “time has come for the Chief Minister to retire from politics.”

(Courtesy : The Hindu)

No justification for innocent killings in Jammu Kashmir : CPIM

Terming the situation in Kashmir as ‘extremely serious,’ General Secretary, Communist Party of India (Marxist), Prakash Karat on Monday said there can be no justification for use of bullets by government forces against stone throwing youth in the Valley which has resulted in killing of 63 Kashmiris.

Karat asked Government of India to recognize the special status of the state and treat it as “special case” to seek its political solution by resuming dialogue, without any pre-condition, with all shades of opinion. Favoring “greater autonomy” to the state, Karat who along with senior member of the Central Committee, Muhammad Salim, arrived here on Sunday, said the Congress led UPA was clueless on how to take the dialogue process forward on Kashmir.

ON KILLINGS:
“We are appalled and shocked at such a large death toll in the Valley. Sixty-two people including young boys have died in few weeks due to firing by paramilitary CRPF troops and police forces. There can be no justification whatsoever for these deaths. We know that they (youth) are out on streets protesting in form of stone pelting but to meet this with police firing is something that should not be condoned in a democratic county like India,” Karat told a press conference here.

“There has to be an immediate end to these brutal and inhuman firing. There has to be a strict no firing policy while dealing with stone throwing crowds. Other measures have to be resorted to in such confrontations,” said Karat, flanked by state secretary, MY Targami and Muhammad Salim. “Kashmir is burning, there is crisis in Manipur but Government of India’s priority is nuclear liability bill which will serve interests of America.”

ON DIALOGUE:
Karat said his party does not share the views of Government of India or major political establishments which have been in succession whether ruling India or managing affairs in JK.

“Government of India is trying to deal with Kashmir as law and order problem and administrative issue. The question of Jammu and Kashmir has to be treated as special case and the way forward is to recognize its special status and need to assure Kashmiri people of their identity and these requires a new political framework in which the bedrock is maximum autonomy,” he said. “We urge Centre to initiate political dialogue in Jammu and Kashmir. Avoiding the issue will not resolve the problem. The dialogue should be held without pre-conditions and it should be an open dialogue.”

About the preconditions by separatists that GoI should admit Kashmir as dispute for talks and the repeated statements of the New Delhi regarding settlement within the Constitution, he said, “The question of Kashmir concerns Kashmiris, India and Pakistan and the issue has other international and geo-political factors which have to be taken into consideration.”

Karat said his party would urge upon the Center to come up with a roadmap on how to go for political dialogue on Kashmir. At the same time, Karat said the dialogue with Pakistan has to be resumed and it should cover all issues. “There should be resumption and continuation of CBMs to help strengthen ties and relation.”

ON ARRESTS:
Condemning the arrest of teenagers in the Valley, Karat said “I am not able to understand how this is happening. I saw newspapers and read about cases of children less than 18 years put to jail. You cannot jail a teenager. These young people must not be kept in jail,” he said.

In order to help restore normalcy, the government should release all juveniles who have been detained and lodged in prisons, Karat suggested. I don’t subscribe to the statement made by the Home Minister earlier that protests in Kashmir are engineered. They are spontaneous,” Karat responded to a query. “We have come to convey our deep sympathy to the bereaved families and tell them that there are forces in India who condemn such action.”

ON AFSPA:
Karat said the law in its present form has “draconian” provisions. “It should be amended to remove these draconian provisions. Till then the Disturbed Area Act should be removed from certain parts of JK like Srinagar and other urban and populated areas given the significant decrease in militant activities. It can work as an interim solution.”

He urged upon government for implementation of the Prime Minister’s assurance on “zero tolerance to human rights abuses” saying that action should be taken in Pathribal and the recent Machil fake encounter cases.

Karat said his party has been consistently advocating need for a sustained political dialogue with all sections in the state to eventually reach a political settlement. On many occasion in the past, he said, they had raised with successive regimes in New Delhi the issue of greater autonomy to all three regions of the state. “Congress is hostile to autonomy and more rights to states. All it wants to do is centralize more and more powers.”

During the CPI-M’s next Central Committee meeting, Karat said they would take Kashmir as a special case, discuss it in depth and come up with its clear stand on a way forward to solve it.

Karat said there was urgent need to generate employment for youth in Kashmir and it must be accompanied by rehabilitation of former militants who need jobs and other assistance. He said given the major economic losses suffered due to the continued curfews and hartals for the past two months, the government must compensate and revive trade and other economic activities. Similarly, he said, the disruption of education of the children due to closure of schools and other institutions should be addressed.

He said government should bear the treatment cost of those injured in police and CRPF firing and it should announce rehabilitation measures for those who have been left permanently disabled. He announced that his party’s central committee would donate Rs five lakhs for the treatment of the injured.

(courtesy : www.greaterkashmir.com)

SFI sweeps Kerala University Union office bearers election

Students Federation of India (SFI) swept the Kerala University Union office bearers elections by bagging 23 seats out of the total 27 seats.

Lenin R of Navjeevan Bethany College of Physiotherapy here was elected chairman of the University Union. Ramya Remanan of TKMM College, Nangiarkulangara, was elected general secretary.

In the 15-member executive committee, 12 candidates are from SFI. The remaining seats were won by AISF, SIO and KSU. SFI also won four seats in the five-member Accounts Committee.

In the Kerala University Senate elections, SFI won 5 seats and KSU won 4 seats. The remaining one seat was won by AISF.

FDI in retail market will affect livelihood of 8 crore traders: CPI(M)

If foreign direct investment (FDI) is allowed in retail market, it will swallow up the livelihood of 8 crore people involved in the trade, said CPI(M) State secretary G. Ramakrishnan on Saturday.

Addressing a protest organised by Chennai Maangar Siru Viyapari Sangangalin Kootamaippu, he said the previous UPA regime could not go ahead with its proposal to allow FDI in retail because the Left had a strong presence in the Parliament. Mr. Ramakrishnan said American public corporations like Walmart were keen on entering the Indian retail market because it was vast and offered great space for profit making.

“The turnover in retail trade in 2004-05 was Rs 12 lakh crore and the amount has gone up to Rs 19 lakh crore now. That is why these multi-nationals are eyeing the Indian market,” he said, rejecting the Centre's argument that retail trade had not achieved growth. “The argument is one of the many points in the note sent to political parties by the Centre to discuss the issue,” he said.

As for another argument that these companies would set up cold storage facilities in rural areas, he wanted to know why the government depended on multi-nationals instead of creating infrastructure for the farmers. He also rejected the argument that FDI in retail trade would eradicate the middleman in procuring agriculture products.

CPI(M) Polit Bureau member Sitaram Yechury in his message said FDI in retail affected all sections of the society. President of the Kootamaippu T.N. Nambirajan and general secretary P. Karunanidhi participated.

(Courtesy : The Hindu)