CPIM Central Committee Communique

The Central Committee of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) met in Kolkata on August 6 & 7, 2011. It has issued the following statement:

The Central Committee discussed the international and national political situation.

Global Economic Crisis

The Central Committee noted that the global economy is yet to recover from the economic crisis which started in 2008. The recent debt ceiling crisis in the US and the continuing sovereign debt problem in some of the European Union countries show how the neo-liberal policies have reached a dead end. After bailing out the bankers and private financial institutions, the governments in Europe and the United States are imposing austerity measures which have to be borne by the people. The spending cuts imposed in the United States will weaken the welfare programmes and worsen the economic slowdown. High unemployment and cuts in pensions and welfare benefits are leading to widespread protests by the workers, students and youth in different countries of Europe.

The UPA government in India is not learning any lessons from this financial and economic crisis and continues to adhere to neo-liberal policies which are worsening the conditions of the people with relentless prices rise, lack of employment opportunities and rampant corruption.

Engulfed by Corruption

The UPA government has become synonymous with high level corruption. Fresh corruption scandals involving the higher echelons of the government are coming out every day. Apart from the 2G spectrum case there has been massive corruption involved in the KG Basin gas contract, as per the draft report submitted by the CAG. In the Commonwealth Games corruption, the involvement of the Delhi government and other Central Government agencies in corrupt practices has been uncovered in the CAG report submitted to parliament.

Whether it be the 2G Spectrum affair or the KG Basic gas contract issue or the appointment of Suresh Kalmadi as the Chairman of the CWG Organising Committee, the role of the Prime Minister is questionable. In both the 2G and KG basinmatters, the Prime Minister was fully aware of the developments but did not stop the wrong doings. The Prime Minister has to own up responsibility for presiding over this corrupt regime.

The Central Committees wishes to underline that it is the neo-liberal policies pursued which has made the UPA government act as the facilitator and handmaiden of the loot of public resources by big business and corporates. High level corruption stems directly from this economic regime.

The loot of natural resources is graphically illustrated by the rampant illegal mining which is taking place. The Lokayukta report in Karnataka has documented how largescale iron ore mining was taking place illegally with the connivance of the BJP state government. Acting on the Lokayukta’s report, prosecution must be launched against the corrupt practices of the former Chief Minister Yedyurappa, the others named in the report and the companies involved in this loot.

Lokpal Bill

The CPI(M) has already spelt out what type of legislation is required in order to constitute an effective Lokpal. The government’s draft of the Lokpal Bill is weak and ineffective. It does not bring the Prime Minister under the purview of the Lokpal. Nor does it arm the Lokpal with effective powers to take action against high level corruption by making it an independent body. In this connection, the Central Committee decided to conduct a campaign for an effective Lokpal and to mobilize public opinion for it. The CPI(M) has also demanded a set of measures to curb high-level corruption which includes the setting up of a national judicial commission to check corruption in the higher judiciary, electoral reforms to curb use of money power in elections and steps to unearth black money and bring back the illegal money stashed abroad.

Price Rise & Inflation

The Central Committee condemned the government’s successive increase in the prices of petroleum products including the latest increase in the prices of diesel, kerosene and cooking gas. The inflation rate is ranging between 9 to 10 per cent and the food inflation rate continues to be high. The recent debate in the Lok Sabha on price rise shows the unwillingness of the government to take effective and necessary measures to curb price rise.

The Central Committee noted that the Central Government and the BJP came to an agreed text and voted for the resolution which does not ascribe the responsibility on the government for its failure to check price rise nor does it demand withdrawal of the increase in the prices of the petroleum products. The Left parties and some of the secular opposition parties pressed for an amendment on the resolution and walked out in protest. The Central Committee called upon all the Party units to continue the struggle against price rise and to demand changes in the tax structure of petroleum products.

Food Security Bill

The Government has finalized the Food Security Bill. It has rejected the demand for a universal public distribution system and continued the targeted system with only a change in the nomenclature of BPL and APL. The Bill legalizes the present objectionable linkages between the Planning Commission’s poverty estimates with the Statewise caps on those who may be officially recognized as poor. This is capped at 46 per cent of the population in rural areas and 28 per cent in urban areas. Thus a vast section of the poor will continue to be excluded. At present the national average of those benefiting from BPL schemes through State Government subsidies is over 56 per cent. Secondly the price of rice, which is two rupees in many States, has been kept at three rupees. Thirdly the BPL allocation amount is 7 kg per individual while for APL it will be only 3 kg. The number of APL card holders may also be cut since 25 per cent of the rural population and 50 per cent of the urban population are to be excluded by law. APL sections have been discriminated against also on the question of prices, as the price of APL rice will not be a fixed price but 50 per cent of the minimum support price for foodgrains. Thus the seeds of a conflict of interest have been sown between the farmer and the consumer.

In a objectionable move, the Bill makes it mandatory for State Governments to accept a central scheme for introduction of cash transfers instead of foodgrains. This will adversely impact on food security and also impact on procurement and on protection for farmers.

The CPI(M) demands a comprehensive Food Security law which provides for a universal public distribution system.

Land Acquisition

The Central Committee discussed the Party’s approach to land acquisition. It reiterated the need for a composite Land Acquisition and Rehabilitation & Resettlement Act to replace the existing 1894 Land Acquisition Act.

FDI In Retail

The Central Committee strongly opposed the proposed move to open retail further to FDI by allowing it in the multi-brand sector. The UPA government is serving the interests of the big US multinationals like Walmart and giving the specious plea that bringing foreign investment in retail trade will help check price rise.

The Central Committee warned the government not to proceed with the FDI in retail. It called upon all forces who want to protect the interests of the lakhs of shopkeepers and traders to unitedly build a movement against the entry of multinationals in retail.

Terrorist Violence

The Central Committee noted with concern that terrorist violence continues to occur. The three blasts in Mumbai city in July is the latest instance. It is a matter of concern that those responsible for the Mumbai blasts and other recent blasts like the German Bakery in Pune have not been identified or apprehended. This shows the continuing failure of the intelligence set up and the lack of coordination among various security agencies.

Telengana Agitation

Though seven months have passed since the submission of the Sri Krishna Committee report, the Central Government has not taken any decision on the issue of Telengana and the future of Andhra Pradesh. The delay in taking a decision is aggravating the situation in the state. Divisons among the people on regional lines are growing. The Central Committee demanded that the Central Government take a decision without any more delay.

West Bengal Situation

The Central Committee condemned the continuous attacks and violence directed against the CPI(M) and the Left Front in West Bengal. Since the election results 30 members and supporters of the CPI(M) have been killed, hundreds of Party offices have been attacked or occupied, panchayat members are being intimidated and prevented from doing their work, there are still thousands of people who have left their homes and are not able to return.

Under the new regime, attacks are taking place on the rights of bargadars, pattadars and agricultural workers in many places. An effort is being made to do away with the gains made by the peasantry and the rural poor in the past three decades. The TMC led government has not taken any steps to stop these attacks and to take action against those responsible.

The CPI(M) and the Left has been conducting a campaign all over the country against the violence in West Bengal and for the defence of democracy. The persisting attacks and violence in West Bengal is an assault on the democratic rights and will be harmful for democracy in the country.

Sri Lanka Tamils Issue

The Central Committee noted that though two years have passed since the end of the armed conflict in Sri Lanka, the Sri Lankan government has not taken any worthwhile steps to reach a political settlement on the Tamil question. Though President Rajapakse had promised that after the war a political settlement would be found, no progress has been made. It is essential that specific measures are taken for the devolution of autonomy to the Tamil-speaking areas of the Northern and Eastern regions so that the Tamil people can live a life of dignity and as equal citizens within a united Sri Lanka.

Along with this the Sri Lankan government should step up efforts to rehabilitate all the displaced persons affected due to the conflict. The serious allegations of atrocities and human rights violation by the armed forces should be enquired into by a high level independent enquiry. The government of India should make all necessary efforts to ensure that a political settlement is arrived at without any further delay.

Party Congress

The Central Committee decided to hold the 20^th Congress of the Party at Kozhikode in Kerala. The Congress will be held from 4 to 9 April, 2012. The Central Committee decided on the state-wise number of delegates to be elected to attend the Congress.

Future Programmes

The Central Committee decided to conduct the following actions and programmes in the coming days:

(i) The Party and the Left demands an effective Lokpal law and other anti-corruption measures. For this, the Left parties will hold a demonstration outside parliament on September 2.

(ii) The Party will continue the campaign to stop the violence against the CPI(M) and the Left in West Bengal, all over the country. The Left Front of West Bengal will hold a protest dharna in Delhi on August 25. On that day, in all the state capitals, protest meetings will be held and memorandums handed over to the Governors.

(iii) The Party will conduct a campaign for an effective food security law which includes a universal public distribution system. The Party will work to see that the enrolment of the people under the BPL category is done by including all sections of the poor.

(iv) The Party will mobilize people to oppose FDI in retail along with the trade unions and traders organizations.

(v) The Party will extend its full support to the untied trade union actions and the strike struggles of workers belonging to various sectors. The Party will conduct movements against price rise and join the struggle against land grab by corporates and in defence of farmers rights.

“Left cannot be suppressed by violence”

The Left Front movement in West Bengal cannot be suppressed by force, coercion and violence, asserted Communist Party of India (Marxist) general secretary Prakash Karat at Kolkata on Friday.

Speaking at a function to observe the birth anniversary of one of the pioneers of the Left movement in the country, Muzaffar Ahmed, Mr. Karat said the CPI(M) and the Left Front were facing severe attacks in West Bengal.

“We are confident that with the support of the people, with the public opinion that will be developed in West Bengal and the country, we will be able to withstand these attacks and once more take up the cause of the people,” Mr. Karat said.

Questioning the killings, attacks on party workers and offices, and intimidation of elected panchayat representatives, Mr. Karat said the Trinamool Congress had derided the CPI(M) for being an ‘authoritarian' regime, but was putting such a regime into practice now.

He called upon those holding public office to “respect the wishes of those who have pledged their allegiance to a different ideology and politics.”

(Source : The Hindu)

14th Party Congress of Communist Party of Venezuela Begins

The Fourteenth Congress of the Communist Party of Venezuela began on August 04th in Havana's Central Park complex. A total of 526 national delegates and 43 representatives from 31 organizations from 28 countries on five continents participate in this Congress.

 

The inauguration ceremony was attended by Executive Vice President of the Republic, Elias Jaua Milano, the president of the National Assembly (AN), Fernando Soto Rojas, Foreign Minister Nicolas Maduro and Deputy Cilia Flores, the directors of the PCV and other personalities of national and international political arena.

During the meeting, attendees received a phone call from President Hugo Chavez, who greeted and acknowledged the work and career that has had the PCV at different stages of the political history of this nation. President of the Republic, Hugo Chávez Frías, said that the alliance of the revolutionary process with the Communist Party of Venezuela (PCV), rather than temporary, is a historical necessity. "Our partnership is more than circumstantial, is a historical necessity that we must continue building", said the President. In his speech, the Head of State thanked the militancy of PCV "for the support as always" and reaffirmed his support for the political group.

United States reiterated that there is a crisis of capitalism, time of offense in his view should be used to build alternative models. "The way (towards socialism) is full of contradictions and dilemmas, but that's the way we are heading to a new hegemony," stressed the Head of State.

He recalled that 2011 marks the seventh year of the declaration of socialist and anti-imperialist character of the Bolivarian Revolution, which was born as a result of a chain of events that have gone by the way "is still full of contradictions, doubts and dilemmas, but continues to run. "

The Congress of the CPV is on the agenda the discussion of three core documents proposed by the Party Central Committee and has been part of the discussion of all Party members since March in all organs of the Party, either the Cells, Local Committees and Regional Committees. These are: PCV Update Program, an instrument that defines the strategy of the Communists to advance to socialism, the political line, which is the definition of tactical measures to be implemented in the next 4 years (until the next Congress) and Reform of the Statutes of the organization.

Com. Oscal Figuera

"It's the democratic discussion and application of the collective leadership of the Party in the most important decisions of the political life of the Venezuelan people, from our perspective, a Marxist Leninist and the application of scientific socialism," said Oscar Figuera, general secretary of the PCV.

Meeting in working groups, representatives of the Communist Party of Venezuela (PCV) today discussed the three core documents of the XIV Congress of that organization, held in this capital. The program of action, the political and reform of the statutes are the texts to be analyzed in the commissions, which will meet in the Bolivarian University of Venezuela. The results of the discussions at this conference were subjected to analysis of the morning plenary at the very center of higher education.

 

At the closing, which will take place in the theater of the party headquarters, will be presented the conclusions of the discussions and the new Central Committee members, who shall be elected at the forum.

Left parties to hold State Level SC ST convention in Andhra Pradesh

A meeting of the Left parties in Andhra Pradesh was held the office Communist Party of India on Thursday decided to hold a State-level meet on the diversion of SC, ST Sub-Plan funds. Leaders of the Left parties felt that democratic rights of the employees would be violated if the ESMA was invoked. The Left parties in the State have condemned the State Government opting to invoke the Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA) against the employees planning to go on strike. They urged the Government to rethink its decision. They also discussed the problems being faced by farmers including the crop holiday announced by the farmers of several villages in East and West Godavari districts. They would soon meet the Chief Minister on the issues. K. Narayana (Sate secretary of CPI), B.V. Raghavulu (State secretary of CPI-M), Y. Vekateswara Rao (CPI-M), K. Ramakrishna and Chada Venkat Reddy (CPI), Jhansi (CPI-ML New Democracy), M. Venkat Reddy (MCPI-U), G. Vijaykumar and Veeranna (CPI-ML), N. Murthy (CPI-ML Liberation), Muralidhar Deshpande (Forward Bloc), Janaki Ramulu and Govind (RSP), Murahari (SUCI), and K. Venkateswara Rao (ML Committee) participated in the meeting.

CPI(M) Wants YSR Govt Land Deals to be Probed by CBI

The ongoing probe by CBI into corporate investments in Y S Jaganmohan Reddy's companies must be extended to cover all the land deals made during the tenure of late Y S Rajashekar Reddy in order to understand the quid pro quo of such investments, demanded the CPI(M) Andhra state secretary B V Raghavulu today. Addressing a media conference at M B Bhavan to brief about the deliberations of the state secretariat meeting that began today morning, Raghavulu found fault with cabinet ministers now blaming the then chief minister Y S Rajashekar Reddy for the illegal allotments of land. “Would these Congress ministers then accept, by the same yardstick, that it is the prime minister Manmohan Singh who must be held responsible for the 2G scam and not A Raja?” The CPI(M) leader reminded the media how the CPI(M) had from the beginning demanded thorough inquiry into crony allotments of land by the then YSR government. It had even sought a House Committee to go into this issue.

It may be noted that responding to High Court order the state government has ordered recently a CBI inquiry into the investments made in Jaganmohan Reddy's companies that icluded the media group Sakshi and a cement company. The CBI interviewed representatives of corporate groups that bought shares of Jagan companies at huge premium even before they began operations. It submitted an interim report to the High Court and sought further time to thoroughly probe into these investments.

In this context the CPI(M) has demanded today that the state government must bring out a white paper on all land deals during YSR regime and CBI to probe these also as they were interlinked to the channeling of funds into Jagan's companies. Raghavulu asserted that the entire cabinet is responsible for the illegal deeds done during the tenure of YSR headed government.

On the controversy regarding conducting of examination for recruitment to Sub Inspector posts on August 13, Raghavulu demanded that the exam be postponed till the clause 14 (f) is removed from the Presidential Order. This clause makes Hyderabad a free zone in recruitment to police posts while in all other recruitments Hyderabad is treated as a separate zone with people from this region getting preference in appointments. The state assembly had passed a unanimous resolution in March 2010 requesting the central government to get the 14 (f) clause removed. Now union minister Chidambaram has asked for another resolution to be passed by the state assembly given the 'changed situation' in the state. Raghavulu decried this stand and charged that the central government is trying to create rupture in the state on this issue. He said both state and central governments must clarify who is responsible for the delay in acting on state assembly resolution. At least now the clause must be deleted and only then examination must be held, said Raghavulu. The Telangana Joint Action Committee and TRS have announced that they would obstruct the holding of the exam by any means.

Raghavulu also announced that the state secretariat discussed about the serious problems facing the people of the state and expressed concern at total apathy of the state government in dealing with these problems. The health situation in many areas of the state is grim with people falling prey to diarrhea, fevers etc. The CPI(M) is conducting health camps in many districts and the gravity is such that in one of the camps in the agency areas of Vishakapatnam district nearly 800 people attended. The government's apathy is such that when the CPI(M) approached it to provide medicines for the camps it is conducting, it declined. Raghavulu demanded that the health minister must resign if he cant deliver. The issues of hike in property taxes in cities and towns, the problems of sharecroppers etc were also discussed in the meeting. A programme of action on these demands is being chalked out.

CPI veteran comrade K. Koyakunhi Naha dead

Freedom fighter and Communist Party of India (CPI) doyen K. Koyakunhi Naha, 102, died at his house at Parappanangadi in the district on Wednesday. He will be buried at the Hydros Masjid graveyard at Kodappali, near Chettippadi, at 9 a.m. on Thursday.

His birth centenary was celebrated on October 11, 2009, in which CPI national secretary A.B. Bardhan was the chief guest. Mr. Bardhan had described him as a living example of “a true communist who upheld Islamic faith”.

Naha, who was suffering from old age ailments, breathed his last around 12.30 p.m. on Wednesday. People from different walks of life, including leaders of all parties, paid him homage at his Malayambattu House.

Entering public life in 1930 on seeing the attack on freedom fighter Mohammed Abdurahman during the Salt Satyagraha on the Kozhikode beach, Naha held several political positions including the chairmanship of the 11th Congress conference held at Parappur.

He joined the CPI in 1941 in protest against the Congress's neglect of the problems of the farmers. He was incarcerated in Vellore Central Jail for 11 months in 1946-47 and in Kannur Jail in 1960. He took part in several agrarian struggles of Malabar, including the ones at Karuvallur, Kavumbai and Onjiyam.

He had gone underground along with such leaders as A.K. Gopalan, E.M.S. Namboodiripad, E.K. Nayanar, Moidu Moulavi, N. Kelu, M. Kumaran, and K.P. Gopalan. He had provided shelter to several of them.

Naha had contested to the Madras Assembly in 1952 and to the Kerala Assembly in 1960 and 1980. But he never won. He was defeated by his cousin and Indian Union Muslim League leader Avukkadar Kutty Naha two times at Tirurangadi. He is survived by five daughters and six sons.

(Courtesy : The Hindu)

Poor farmers up in arms against eviction, rallying under red flags

After Bhangar in South 24-parganas now at Galsi in Burdwan. Everywhere in rural Bengal farmers, poor and marginal, are up in arms against land grabbers. Emboldened by the victory of the Trinamool Congress-Congress combine in the recently-held Assembly elections landlords had raised an “army of Trinamool gangsters“ to evict peasants from land they have been cultivating as sharecroppers or bargadars and pattadars. It was the Left Front government that had given them the right to cultivation immediately after coming to power in West Bengal 34

years ago.

What the evicted peasants of Bhangar did in the name of resistance against eviction at Bhangar was an eye-opener for the poor farmers across rural Bengal. Led by Basudeb Sardar , Golak Munda an Bharat Munda hundreds of farmers who were evicted by landlord and jotedars put an organized resistance and finally took possession of their captured land. After holding back of their land they took out a procession of which the peasant women carrying red flags were front-liners.According to the CPI(M) leaders and local MLA Abdur Rezzak Mollah, more than 400 bighas of cultivable khas ( government land ) land which was distributed among poor pattadars had been forcibly occupied by Trinamool gangsters. Because of strong resistance movement the entire plot of land was recaptured by poor farmers under the leadership of the CPI (M). In the morning of July 25, Galsi witnessed a similar form of resistance that took place at Bhangar a day before with hundreds of slogan raising peasants carrying red flags to take possession of their land from where they had been forcibly ousted by landlords with help of Trinamool gangsters and police. They were able to recapture about 15 bighas of land under Paraj Jotekolkol mouza at Galsi. After taking possession of the land from where they were evicted the poor farmers undertook necessary work for cultivation. They planted red flags in the field.Before eviction some of the farmers like Seikh Asnar, Seikh Askari, Seikh Aed Nabi, Seikh Denwara , despite repeated warning by elderly peasants like Sheikhlal Mahammed and Sattar Mullick, joined the local Trinamool camp. But soon they realized the mistake they had committed when their land was also forcibly captured by the jotedars. Leaving Trinamool camp they have again come back to rally under the banner of Krishak Sabha and fight against eviction.After taking possession of their land the poor farmers took out a procession covering a wide area in Galsi to send a message of resistance against eviction.

AIDWA seeks a better deal for women

Better transport and health facilities for women workers in Tirupur knitwear cluster, a skill development centre for women, and social security for the poor were the put forward at the All India Democratic Women's Association (AIDWA) 13th Tiruppur district conference held on Sunday.

CPI (M) central committee member and AIDWA state general secretary U. Vasuki said the district administration should take immediate steps to run more public transport buses exclusively for women during peak hours, as feedback obtained from the public indicated that women workers were subjected to sexual harassment in overcrowded buses on many occasions.

She went on to stress the need for better infrastructure in the District Headquarters hospital here, especially in the maternity and neo natal wards, as staff shortage had been preventing people from getting speedy and quality treatment.

“The pharmacy at the institution does not have adequate medicine, forcing the women coming from economically weaker section of the society, to purchase costly drugs from outside,” she said.

The meeting also passed a resolution condemning alleged wide-scale corruption in the District Headquarters hospital. “Though it has been widely claimed that the medical care at the said hospital is free, many patients end up spending from their pockets, as staff demand money from patients for various services,” Ms. Vasuki said.

The conference asked the district administration to set up an exclusive skill development centre for women to help them hone their entrepreneurial talents.

Another issue raised by the AIDWA was the need to set up more government high schools in Tirupur city.

Ms.Vasuki criticised the methodology of the Union Planning Commission that sets a ceiling for allocation of funds to the states for below poverty line (BPL) people.

“We are of the opinion that all BPL people should get the social security benefits without any discrimination,” she said, adding that there should a fresh enumeration of BPL people carried out in a transparent manner.

The AIDWA state president N. Amritham, state secretary P. Suganthi and district secretary G. Savithri, spoke.

Left Parties organize dhrana in Delhi against price rice and corruption

The four Left Parties organized a dharna against corruption and price rise at Jantar Mantar, New Delhi on July 21. The dharna was organized as the culmination of the week long campaign by the left parties from 15-21 July against corruption and price rise. Hundreds of activists participated in the dharna. Leaders from Delhi and the national leadership of the left parties were present in the dharna and addressed the gathering.

CPI(M) Polit Bureau member Sitaram Yechcury pointed out that the corruption we are seeing today is not some simple corruption due to deterioration of moral values. Corruption today is linked with the neo-liberal economic policies being pursued by the ruling classes today. Without fighting corruption it is not possible to build a new India for which we have the potential, he said. The money lost in 2G spectrum scam alone is sufficient to provide food to all people at Rs 3 per kg for two years, or finance the expenditure on the Right to Education for five years. He emphasized on the need for electoral reforms to strengthen the fight against corruption and demanded that corporate funding of political parties be banned. He appealed to the people to strengthen the fight against corruption and price rise.

CPI General Secretary A B Bardhan said the UPA government was completely sunk in corruption and it has lost all credibility. The Left Parties want a comprehensive and effective Lokpal bill and not a toothless legislation. He appealed to the participants to be ready for bigger struggles in the future.

Abani Roy from the RSP called on the people to mobilize against corruption and price rise in greater numbers. He said that those who cannot provide relief to the common people have no right to remain in government.

Debbrata Biswas from the AIFB attacked the government for fueling price rise. He also said sustained struggles need to be built and anger of the people must be channelized into militant struggles.

CPI (M) Delhi State Secretary P M S Grewal, Dinesh Varshney from the CPI, Asit Ganguly from RSP, and Dharmendra Kumar from AIFB also addressed the gathering.

CPI(M) urges Tamil Nadu government to evolve ‘land use policy'

The State unit of the CPI(M) on Friday urged the State government to evolve a “land use policy” to prevent indiscriminate acquisition of agriculture lands for other purposes.

Talking to reporters here, State secretary G. Ramakrishnan said in many places lands had been acquired in the name of industrialisation but never utilised for the purpose.

“Let the State government evolve a policy for acquiring agriculture lands. This is very important since the agricultural production in the State has come down from Rs.22,022 crore in 2005-06 to Rs.20,876 crore in 2009-10,” he said.

The party on Thursday met Chief Minister Jayalalithaa and submitted a memorandum drawing her attention to various issues, including agricultural reforms, land distribution to poor, uniform education, industrial policy and empowerment of women and minorities.

Mr. Ramakrishnan said the State government should table in the Assembly the privileges extended to industrial and corporate houses while signing a memorandum of understanding for setting up industries in the State.

“The report should tell the investment brought into the State by these companies and the employment generation by them. We also need the details about the loss caused to the exchequer because of the privileges offered to these companies,” he said.

Asked about the allegations of the DMK leadership that their party functionaries had been targeted by the State government on land grabbing cases, Mr. Ramakrishnan said many of the incidents took place during the DMK regime and no action was taken against the culprits. “There was a direction from the Madras High Court against former Minister Veerapandi S. Arumugam in connection with land grabbing. But the police did not take any action at that time,” he added.

As regards uniform syllabus, he said the government should immediately distribute textbooks to students.

“We should keep in mind that uniform syllabus is only one of the many recommendations of the Muthukumaran committee constituted by the previous government. There are other aspects such as education through mother tongue, quality education in government schools and infrastructure development,” he further said. Besides demanding a university for the development of folk arts, the CPI(M) also wanted allocation of adequate land for the sports university.

(Source : The Hindu)