Overthrow SAD-BJP govt, stop Cong from regaining power: Sanjha Morcha

The newly formed Sanjha Morcha in Punjab, which has PPP (Peoples Party of Punjab), CPI, CPI (M) and SAD (Longowal) as partners, termed the SAD and Congress as "equally corrupt" and stressed on the need for a third front and a new beginning.The morcha released its common minimum programme (CMP) for the Punjab Assembly elections scheduled in February 2012, promising 5 lakh jobs for youths, a powerful Lokayukta to check corruption, providing “atta”, “dal” to the poor at nominal rates besides many other social welfare schemes. CPI M leaders Prakash Karat and Nilotpal Basu, CPI leader AB Bardhan, president of the Akali Dal (Longowal) Surjit Singh Barnala and president of the Peoples’ Party of Punjab Manpreet Singh Badal attended the rally.

Giving a call to overthrow SAD-BJP government and stop Congress from regaining power, the newly-formed Sanjha Morcha on Sunday kick started its election campaign in Dhudike in Moga in the presence of top national leaders of CPI and CPI(M).

The Morcha leaders also launched "Izzat bachao yatra" at martyr Lala Lajpat Rai's birthplace Dhudike on the occasion.

To tackle the problem of unemployment, the morcha promised to bring the Shaheed Bhagat Singh Rozgar Yojana for providing employment to 5 lakh youths. It also assured tax concessions for 15-20 years to encourage setting up of agro-based industries in the state. Filling vacant posts on a regular basis, providing loans on low interest rates to youths to start their own businesses and strengthening the MNREGA scheme would also be on the agenda, the leaders declared.

They said Baba Saheb Bhim Rao Ambedhkar Awaas Yojana would be set up for providing shelter to the weaker sections of society.

A six-member Lokayukta would be set up. The Vigilance Bureau would report to it and not to the Chief Minister, they stated. It would assure complete transparency and accountability of the civil and the police administration.

Bibi Nanki Girl Child Welfare Scheme would also be launched. Under the scheme, Rs 5,000 would be deposited in the account of each girl child for 20 years. The morcha leaders also announced that 25 government colleges, 25 hospitals and 200 schools would be opened during the first year of the morcha coming to power.

The morcha announced a populist measure to provide “atta” and “dal” at the rate of Rs 2 and Rs 3 per kilogram, respectively. They also promised to make Punjab a debt-free state, take scientific steps for sustainable agricultural growth, lower the rates of interest rates on loans for agriculture and allied practices, effectively control smuggling of drugs and bring in a new industrial policy.

CPI (M) general secretary Prakash Karat said: " What UPA is doing in the Centre, SAD is doing in Punjab, promoting corruption. This government, though never shies away in claiming farmer-friendly, but here in last four and half years 500 farmers have committed suicide and 45 lakh people are unemployed." Karat asked the people to give Sanjha Morcha a chance in the elections.

CPI general secretary AB Bardhan said: " Punjab always had shown the way to the nation and now again opportunity has come with Manpreet Badal for a change."

Bardhan said, if Congress is corrupt from head to toe, BJP is one step ahead and people now has started rising against it as Anna struggle has shown.

Peoples' party of Punjab chief and former Punjab finance minister Manpreet Badal in his address said: " It is the duty of everyone to uproot corruption and the corrupt regimes and for that we must take vow at this sacred place."

"Manpreet may not live forever but the path shown by martyrs should remain alive. I will keep fighting till my last breath and will never betray people," he said.

Earlier, former Punjab chief minister Surjit Singh Barnala too stressed the need to change the "anti-people SAD government."

6th State Conference of Jammu & Kashmir Kisan Tahreek

The two day state conference of J&K Kisan Tahreek was held at Khanabal (Ang) Kashmir on 29th and 30th of October 2011. The venue was chosen, keeping in view the historical importance of south Kashmir in relation to the struggle of peasantry during and immediately  after the autocratic rule of the Maharajas and their feudal chiefs. 

  The conference began with a huge public rally in the morning of 29th October at Dakbanglo Khanabal. The rally was addressed  by a number of prominent Kissan leaders, including the  state president and the general secretary . The lecture session was opened by com.M. Afzal,  the regional secretary Kashmir province. He underscored the importance of the kisan movement in J & K and highlighted the role of small and marginal farmers in the overall transformation of the society under the changed socio-economic scenario. Com. Abdul Hamid Wani, senior leader of the organization in his lecture described the kisan movement, a struggle which goes beyond the political borders and boundaries. Wani asserted that despite some set backs the ongoing struggle of the working class alone can help in uplifting the farmer community and enable them to live a dignified life.
 
The state general secretary, Malik Ghulam Nabi in his address underlined the challenges before the farmer community in the country, especially in J & K. He alleged that solutions and remedies proposed by the government for the problems faced by farmers, are practically proving counterproductive and against the interests of the poor and the marginal farmers.
 
The well known national level kisan leader, Com. Noorul Huda severally criticized the neo liberal economic policies of the UPA government and said that their policies, in essence however favour the corporate sector and the big business at the cost of a common farmer and other toiling masses. He further stressed, that small and marginal farmers cannot hope to gain anything substantial from the policies of the present  Central government.
 
Com. Sham Prassad, a senior working class leader from Jammu region, who greeted the participants highlighted some specific problems faced by the poor kisans.
  

Com. M.Y. Tarigami the well known working class leader of the state and MLA, while addressing the kisan rally deplored the attitude of the government vis-a-vis farmers and the other working masses. He said, even the farmer friendly schemes by the central government have failed and could not benefit the farmers who are facing great odds. This he said is mainly due to poor implementation of the said schemes. When the farmers make a demand for meager subsidies, the governemnt says, it has no money to support the kisans. The same government however never rethinks when it comes to increasing the salaries and perks of the ministers creating huge and unproductive expenditure.  Tarigami strongly advocated the withdrawal of AFSPA and said that various political parties and the govt. are enacting an unnecessary drama and are politicizing and issue which is essentially humanistic.
 
Com. Kishore Kumar, president of J & K Kissan Tehrik concluded the open session of the conference by thanking the participants for attending the rally during a very busy harvest season and some trying circumstances. He hoped that the Kisan movement will strengthen its roots in J & K and will launch an organized result oriented struggle in the coming days.
 
 

The delegate session of the conference started in the afternoon, wherein 210 delegates and observers hailing from 14 out of 22 districts of the State participated. Com Noorul Huda inaugurated the session while Malik Ghulam Nabi presented the  general secretary’s report. The presidential  address was read by the senior leader Com Abdul Hamid Wani. Twenty delegates took part in the discussion on the general secretary’s report. In all ten resolutions on different subjects, including resolutions on  Universalisation of PDS, Human rights violations, Strengthening of Panchyati  Raj Institutions, Land Acquisitions and the Redressal of problems of Gujjars and Bakarwals .

 
On 30th October after the reply of general secretary, the report was unanimously adopted. A 45 member State Working committee was elected with Com. Kishore Kumar as President, Malik Ghulam Nabi as General Secretary and Ghulam Rassol Ghanai as its treasurer.
 
In his concluding address Com M.Y.Tarigani emphasized the importance of building a strong Kisan movement in J & K. He stressed that the Kisan Movement alone can create a favourable atmosphere for the genuine democratic movement in the state.
          
Earlier on the eve of the conference a major rally was organized in which thousands of kisans coming from length and breadth of the State participated. The rally was addressed by AIKS leader Noorul -Huda, General Secretary Kisan Tehreek G. N. Malik, President Kisan Tehreek Kishore Kumar and veteran Kisan leader Abdul hamid Wani. Besides M Y Tarigami, State Secretary CPI(M) also addressed the rally.  Accusing the successive governments of disappointing the peasant community in J&K, they cautioned that the state could witness a strong protests if the farmers are deprived of their rights. They deplored that despite much publicized economic growth in the country, the poor, especially the small farmers have become poorer and their condition is getting miserable”. “If the situation continues to be like that, the day is not far when the farmers will come on streets to fight for their rights and we will witness serious protests,” they emphasized.

 
In his address State Secretary CPI (M) M Y Tarigami said that only a strong and organized Kisan movement can force the government to settle the issues of the peasantry.  Expressing disappointment over the rampant corruption in the state, Tarigami said, “The corruption is at its peak in the state. It is irony that the government has no money when it comes to subsidy and other benefits to farmers but for the salary hike of ministers and MLAs it has always enough funds in the Sate exchequer”. He said the corruption is so rampant that a common man cannot get ration card without giving bribe. “The schemes are formulated but are never implemented on ground. Even in the case of centrally sponsored schemes like NREGA, a villager has to pay a bribe and then get a job card,” he added.

Victory Rally By Anganwadi Mulazam Union Punjab

Victory rally was held at Mukatsar at the call of Anganwadi Mulazam Union Punjab CITU after 57 days long militant struggle. It is worth noting that the militant agitation of Aganwadi Workers Union Punjab compelled the Punjab government to double the state share of honorarium of Anganwadi workers and helpers. The government had to issue notification in this effect and enhanced honorarium of Anganwadi workers from 400 to 800 and honorarium of helpers from 200 to 400. From every corner of Punjab Anganwadi workers and helpers reached Mukatsar and marched to the venue of the rally in processions with the banners of their respective districts and red flags of CITU.

Over 1000 Anganwadi workers and helpers from districts Fatehgarh Sahib, Mohali, and Hoshiarpur reached Mukatsar at night on 29th October and camped in historical gurudwara at Mukatsar. It is at first time such a big rally of working women in Mukatsar. The rally presided over by state president of Anganwadi Mulazam Union Com. Usha Rani.

Addressing the rally Dr. Hemlata General Secretary of all India Federation of Anganwadi workers and helpers congratulated the Anganwadi workers and helpers of Punjab who forced the state government of Punjab to accept their just and genuine demands. During this militant relay hunger strike of 57 days the Anganwadi workers and helpers boldly braved police repression, inhuman torture in police custody and false police cases registered in various police stations under different sections. It goes to the credit of 27 days long militant struggle of Anganwadi workers and helpers under the guidance of Anganwadi Mulazam Union and CITU Punjab.

Dr. Hemlata further said that this struggle is neither first nor last one. For the remaining demands such as getting status and pay scales of government employees for Anganwadi workers and helpers; to get the ICDS regularized to get pension and all other benefits of social security and to get arears of the enhancement of monthly honorarium since April 2010.

Addressing the rally State General Secretary of CITU Com. Raghunath Singh congratulated the remarkable victory of Anganwadi Mulazam union Punjab. Condemning the Punjab government and Chandigarh Administration for registering false police cases against the leaders and active workers of Anganwadi Mulazam Union Punjab to suppress their peaceful agitation Com. Raghunath Singh warned that CITU would give befitting reply to the Ministers of Punjab government including the Chief Minister by launching mass campaign all over the state to expose the anti people and repressive policies of Akali-BJP Government.

He assured all kinds of cooperation to the agitations of the Anganwadi Mulazam Union Punjab. On this occasion Manpreet Singh Badal Chairman of newly formed United front of PPP, CPI(M), CPI, SAD(L) while congratulating the Anganwadi workers and helpers Punjab announced that when the united front comes to power it will immediately give honorarium to the Anganwadi workers and helpers on Haryana patern and also punish those police officials who lathi charged on the peaceful agitation of Anganwadi workers and helpers and curved democratic rights of the people. Anganwadi workers and helpers warmly welcomed this announcement made by Sardar Manpreet Singh Badal.

The rally was also addressed by Com. Vijay Mishra(President Punjab CITU), Com. Usha Rani President, Harjeet Kaur General Secretary, Subhash Rani cashier and Krishna Kumari vice president Anganwadi Mulazam Union Punjab, Com. Chander Shekhar Vice president CITU Punjab.

COUNTRYWIDE PREPARATIONS FOR “JAIL BHARO” ON 8TH NOVEMBER

Hectic preparations are going on in every industrial centre and other workplaces in the country to make the “Jail Bharo” agitation on 8th November, a great success with massive participation.

The call for the countrywide programme was given by the national convention organized by all the Central Trade Unions and National Federations of employees in various sectors, held in New Delhi on 7th September. The Central TUs involved in the campaign are BMS, INTUC, AITUC, HMS, CITU, AIUTUC, AICCTU, UTUC, TUCC, LPF and SEWA.

The present phase of agitation will see massive participation in all centres as preparatory campaigns have been conducted during the last few weeks.

State level conventions have been held in all the major states. Leadership level meetings at state and district level have been held to coordinate the preparations. Hand bills and posters have been published jointly by unions. Many of the unions have conducted campaign among workers in their area.

Though the Central Trade Unions have been agitating for the last two years, Govt of India has not done anything on these important demands. On the other hand, prices of petrol have been raised many times. Even now, in addition to further increase in prices of petrol, Govt of India wants to increase prices of diesel, LPG and kerosene. With prices of all essential items shooting up, the lives of working people have been put to peril.

With the UPA govt, going ahead with their neo liberal agenda, workers all over the country are agitated. Already Coal workers have gone on a countrywide strike. BSNL employees have declared a one-day strike against so called voluntary retirement scheme to send out nearly a lakh of workers. Bank employees are agitating over retrograde amendments on banking regulations. Countrywide agitations are being conducted by state and central Govt employees against denial of pension benefits. There have been struggles in different parts of the country against denial of trade union rights and against large scale vitimisations. It is in these circumstances, the joint movement is being organized.

The demands are not that of the workers and employees alone. These include the demands of all sections of ‘Aam Admi’ in the country. The demands for the court arrest programme are the following

• Concrete measures to contain price rise,

• Concrete measures for linkage of employment protection with the concession/incentive package offered to the entrepreneurs,

• Strict enforcement of all basic labour laws without any exception or exemption and stringent punitive measures for violation of labour laws,

• Universal social security cover for the unorganized sector workers without any restriction and creation of a National Social Security Fund with adequate resources in line with the recommendation of NCEUS and Parliamentary Standing Committee on Labour,

• Stoppage of disinvestment in central and state PSUs,

• No contractorization of permanent/ perennial nature and till then payment of wages and benefits to the contract workers at the same rate as available to regular workers of the industry/ establishment,

• Amendment of Minimum Wages Act to ensure universal coverage irrespective of the schedules and fixation of statutory minimum wage at not less than Rs 10,000/- per month with indexation,

• Remove all ceilings on payment and eligibility of Bonus, Provident Fund; Increase the quantum of gratuity,

• Assured Pension for all,

• Compulsory registration of trade unions within a period of 45 days and immediate ratification of the ILO Conventions nos 87 and 98

The convention on 7th September has also called upon the workers to be prepared for a countrywide general strike after the “Jail Bharo” agitation.

Unitedly Protest Petrol Price Hike

The Polit Bureau of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) has issued the following statement:

By announcing yet another price hike of petrol by Rs. 1.80 per litre, the UPA government has once again displayed its shocking callousness at the plight of the people. On the same day the price hike was announced the food inflation rate touched 12.21 per cent.

The government’s deregulation of petrol pricing is responsible for the fuelling of the price hike of essential commodities and inflation. The hoax of the pricing according to the market has been exposed as the international oil prices have fallen considerably in the recent period.

The Polit Bureau calls upon all its Party units to protest against this intolerable burden being imposed on the people. United protests should be launched including mass pickettting.

SFI general secretary to contest LS seat from Bengal

CPI(M) today nominated Ritabrata Banerjee as the Left Front candidate in the November 30 by-election to the South Kolkata Lok Sabha constituency. The nomination of Ritabratha SFI all India general secretary, was announced by Left Front chairman Biman Bose. Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee had yesterday announced the name of party's state president and Transport and PWD minister Subrata Bakshi as the candidate from the prestigious constituency. The seat had been retained by Mamata Banerjee since 1991. She resigned from the seat after becoming Chief Minister in May and successfully contested from the Bhowanipore Assembly constituency vacated by Bakshi in September.

PTI

Party and the left will be able to recover the lost ground and move forward : Prakash Karat

CPI(M) has called for a nationwide campaign in the first week of November against spiraling price rise, rising price of fertilizer, unemployment, against allowing FDI in retail and demanding strong action to curb corruption at highest level. In an interview to Ganashakti, Prakash Karat, CPI(M) General Secretary, has emphasized the that the policies of UPA government are the root cause of these problems.

Food prices are increasing continuously. But virtually no steps have been taken by the Centre to control it. What do you think is the reason behind this inaction?

Karat: The food inflation rate has shot upto 11.43 per cent last week. This is intolerable. The high prices of vegetables are making it a luxury item for the people. The reason the Central Government is failing to tackle price rise is because its own policies are responsible for fuelling price rise. Last month the government allowed oil companies to increase the prices of petrol by over Rs. 3 per litre. After deregulation of petroleum prices, the prices of petrol and diesel are going up every few weeks. That is why the seasonal fall in prices of vegetables that should take place in October, normally, is not happening this time. The rise in transportation costs has neutralized the seasonal fall in prices. Similarly, the futures trading in foodgrains, pulses and other food items is also stoking price increase. It has no relation to demand and supply. It is all speculative trading for profits. Even worse, in the name of curbing price-rise, they want to open retail trade fully to foreign multi-national companies. So, unless the government changes its policies, price rise cannot be checked.

The issue of corruption at highest level has created anguish among the people. But the fight against it seems to be somewhat confused with various streams like Anna Hazare, inner conflict within them, BJP raising the issue etc. What should be Left’s clear position?

Karat: High-level corruption has evoked anger and disgust among the people. That is why the Anna Hazare movement got popular support, especially among the middle-classes. But this movement has a limited perspective. It does not see how the fountainhead of corruption is big business and the neo-liberal policies. The government is also active to discredit the persons who are leading the movement for an effective Lok Pal Bill. The BJP is hoping to cash in on the anti-corruption feelings of the people. That is why L K Advani began his rath yatra. But unfortunately for him and the BJP, the focus went to Yeddyurappa, the BJP’s former Chief Minister in Karnataka, who was arrested on corruption charges. The BJP has been tarnished by its links with the mining mafia in Karnataka. Whether it is the Congress or the BJP, there is nothing to choose as far as corruption is concerned. The left has spelt out that high-level corruption is an outcome of the neo-liberal regime which has produced a big business-politician-bureaucrat nexus. You can see the role of all three sectors in the 2-G spectrum scandal. In order to fight high-level corruption it is necessary to have: (i) An effective Lok Pal authority; (ii) A separate mechanism to oversee the judiciary and check corruption within its ranks (iii) Electoral reforms to curb money power in elections (iv) Unearthing of black money and change in tax laws. But these are legal measures. Above all the neo-liberal policies which facilitate the loot of public assets and natural resources by the corporates should be changed.

Central government and the votaries of neo liberal policies are claiming that despite global economic stress, the “Fundamentals” of Indian economy is strong. That proves that we are on right track. What will be your comment on this?

Karat: First of all, the impact of the global financial crisis is being felt in India too. The industrial growth has been slowed down. The GDP growth is also slowing. Inflation is taking its toll. Unemployment is increasing. If we have not suffered a worse fate, it is because our financial sector is insulated to some extent from the vagaries of international finance. This is not due to the UPA government’s approach. They wanted our banks and financial sector to be fully open to foreign finance capital. They were prevented to do so, by the opposition of the Left.

Nearly six months have passed since Left’s setback in West Bengal and Kerala. Are there signs of resurgence? Do you think the Lefts will be able to regain strength?

Karat: In Kerala, the electoral defeat was so narrow, only 3 seats difference, that it has had no adverse impact on the Party and the LDF. In the last five months, there have been struggles and movements of different sections of the people, particularly the students. The UDF government is already on the defensive. We will recover ground very quickly. In West Bengal, it will take more time as we have to face severe attacks on the Party and mass organisations. There is also the fact that after 34 years of Left Front government, the slogan of change found support among sections of the people. People have to learn from the experience of the new government. In the meantime, our party will face and overcome the attacks. We will regroup and reorient the Party organisation so that it can take up the people’s issues and launch struggles. Given the history of the way the Communist movement was built in West Bengal, we are confident that the Party and the left will be able to recover the lost ground and move forward.
(Interview on 31 October, 2011)

Jammu Kashmir Peasantry cheated by successive governments: CPIM

Accusing the successive governments of disappointing the peasant community in J&K, State Secretary CPI (M) and legislature M.Y Tarigami cautioned that the state could witness a Middle East type revolution if the farmers are deprived of their rights.

Addressing a Kissan Conference organized by J&K Kissan Tehreek at Dak Bungalow, in Anatnag District on October 30, Tarigami said, “Despite much publicized economic growth in the country, the poor, especially the small farmers have become poorer and their condition is getting miserable.” “If the situation continues to be like that, the day is not far when the farmers will come on streets to fight for their rights and we will witness a Middle East type revolution,” he emphasized.

Tarigami said only a strong and organized Kissan movement can force the government to settle the issues of the peasantry. Expressing disappointment over the rampant corruption in the state, Tarigami said, “The corruption was at its peak in the state. It is irony that the government has no money when it comes to subsidy and other benefits to farmers but for the salary hike of ministers and MLAs it has always enough funds in the state exchequer.” He said the corruption is so rampant that a common man cannot get ration card without giving bribe.
“The schemes are formulated but are never implemented on ground. Even in the case of centrally sponsored schemes like NREGA, a villager has to pay a bribe and then get a job card,” said Tarigami. .

Later, a working committee of Kissan Tehreek elected Com Kishore Kumar as president and Com. Ghulam Nabi Malik as General Secretary.

The conference adopted several resolutions including one on Panchayati Raj/Decentralization of Powers. The other resolutions adopted on the occasion included Amendment in Land Acquisition Bill, proper implementation of NREGA, proper implementation of Horticulture and Agriculture schemes, Zero tolerance to Human Rights Violation, etc.

TMC Government Undermining Democracy

Interview of Surjya Kanta Mishra, the Leader of Opposition, West Bengal State Legislative Assembly.

On the gross performance of the TMC-Congress Government…

I have said it several times that 'morning shows the day'. There is really not much to expect from this Government for several grounds. The steps, the Government has taken so far on various crucial issues of the state like, the Maoist activities in the Jangal Mahal areas and some other districts; problems in the hills and the adjoining areas, the deteriorating general law and order situation is full of contradictions. All-out attack on the Left Front leaders and activists' cadres has crated a 'reign of terror' in many areas. These attacks have already taken of more than 40 comrades so far. Among those who were brutally killed included women, tribal people, and other poor innocent minorities etc. 700 hundred Party Offices have either been closed or ransacked; more than 40,000 people have been evicted from their place of residence; and around 50 crores of rupees have been collected in the form of extortions. Thousands of people are injured and disabled to the rest of their lives. Hundreds including Left Front leaders and supporters, even former Ministers have been taken in custody using false allegations like 'recovery of arms' and 'skeleton cases'. All democratic institutions are being left defunct starting from the panchayat bodies, cooperatives, school managing committees and university councils and students unions and so on so forth. Now they are going to promulgate brutal ordinance not only to undermine but ban the democratic participation of students in university bodies. All these are just uncalled for and unprecedented in our state.

On Jangal Mahal and GTA Controversy…

Everybody knows that they formed a grand alliance of reactionary forces with Congress, SUCI, Maoists, Gorkha Janmukti Morcha and all other separatist forces; which we called a rainbow alliance that included extreme right to extreme left wing and it is further a grand coalition of anti left forces that has enabled her to come to power. The commitments that Mamata Banerjee made to these forces before election are now found to be quite unrealizable for the State Government to accomplish and contradictions are now gradually propping up.

On the one hand, TMC is trying to build up a criminal gang in Jangal Mahal; the Maoists on the other hand continue to perpetrate the atrocities. TMC earlier demanded withdrawal of joint forces but now it is TMC Government has urged for more forces from the center. However, they dithered on using joint forces for months, which has helped Maoists to reconsolidate.

The State Government practically is directionless. It is not comprehensible whether the Government wants peace and surrender of arms; and seven days time that the Chief Minister has given to Maoists has not been accepted by the Maoists and interlocutors. They have already called bandh in the Jangal Mahal areas; it is also not clear whether the interlocutors are working for the Government or as Maoists' spokespersons. The Maoists and TMC are blaming each other for breach of trust; that very obnoxious understanding they have arrived at before the elections to destabilise the Left Front Government.

So also, in the Hills where the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha has reiterated their demand for the separate Gorkhaland even during the current visit of the CM in North Bengal; Chief Minister wants to make the hills Switzerland, but they otherwise want only Gorkhaland and not Switzerland at all.

Adibasi Bikas Parishad, on the contrary, has strongly opposed any inclusion of the Terai and Dooars in the proposed GTA area; the Kamtapuri leaders who have been released recently from prison, as per the commitment made by her, have reiterated the demand for a separate 'Kamtapuri' state; and all these show that the problems have propped up further; and there is no hope for any early solutions.

On Various Departments: Industrialization, Agriculture…

Those who once were interested in the industrialization process of the state, have been getting a negative portrayal of the whole system mechanism decided by the Government so far; at least nothing inspiring. The stand that the Government has taken on the acquisition of the land and the way the Government introduced a bill on Singur and got it passed in the Assembly, created a severe stagnation and jolt without any hope of immediate resolutions. The performance of the new Government specially in the power and infrastructure sectors creates a very negative portrayal of the state that provides a negative message to every industrialist. The utterances of the Chief Minister in the meeting of the chambers of commerce have provided no concrete hope so far about the industrialization process in the state including the IT sector.

Agriculture…

The hike in the fertilizer prices, and all input costs; the gradually declining prices in the agricultural commodities in the market are making the whole state agriculture system unviable for the farmers; particularly the producers of jute, paddy, potato etc. The gross failure of the Jute Corporation of India, Food Corporation of India and State Government to ensure minimum price to the farmer has crossed all limits of tolerance. The situation has not only decelerated the agricultural growth in the state; but generates no further employment for the agricultural labourers also. In the terms of man-days generated for NREGA, this state was graded one of the first four states in the during the previous Government and it reached now to the last four states. Millions of rural poor are now under severe inflationary pressure; i.e. high inflation rate, facing no food security from the State Government The totally unscientific criteria set up by the Planning Commission; to define poor and the BPL line together have a very adverse impact on the rural economy and agriculture in particular.

On Partisanship and Ordinance…

We represent the interests of the working people; the working class, peasantry and other toiling people. We always pursue a class partisanship; but the new Government represents whole hog partisanship based on their party affiliation, directed against economically and socially marginalized people in particular. Over 20000 sharecroppers, patta holders, and even riots have been evicted from their land by TMC led evictors along with the local administration. The democratic institutions, local administrative bodies have been made defunct. Elected bodies have been replaced by TMC's instruments in different types of educational institutions, cultural bodies, development authorities etc. The latest development shows that they are going to promulgate a brutal ordinance to ban non-teaching employees and students' democratic participation in University Councils. This is a severe blow on the democratic functioning of educational institutions that would definitely create a massive anarchy in the state.

Letters to the Chief Minister…

We reported details of these to CM through many letters. We have provided details of the atrocious acts committed on the people; with evidences of administration being used by the perpetrators of the crimes and not received any reply from her except one asking for more details. I provided all details possible, names, particulars of the residences of the evicted people; the persons who have been killed or missing; injured with their medical certificates; sometimes copies of the complaints lodged; most of the cases they were not allowed to lodge complaints; I wonder what more particulars she expects; what for the administration of the Government are there? It is their responsibility to get the particulars or the details.

Courtesy : CPIM Westbengal Website

Working group meeting of communist parties in Beirut

Part of the preparations to the 13th meeting of the communist parties and workers'  to be held in Athens - Greece between November 9 to 11, 2011, at the invitation of the Lebanese Communist Party, held a working group meeting in Beirut between 22-23 October  

  Work Group opened its meeting with the political leadership of the Communist Party of Lebanon, represented by the Secretary General of the Party. Khaled blacksmith, and the Deputy Secretary General of the Party d. Marie Nassif - molasses, and the President of the Constitutional Committee, and members of the Political Bureau and the Committee on Foreign Relations in the party. Participated in this meeting, representatives from Greek Communist Party and the Communist Party of the Russian Federation and the Communist Party in Brazil and the Portuguese Communist Party and the Communist Party of India (Marxist) and the Communist Party in South Africa, as well as the first Secretary General of the Syrian Communist Party consolidated.

 

Meeting was opened by Secretary General of the Lebanese Communist Party, The members visited the "working group to meet with communist parties and unions", accompanied by Secretary General of the Lebanese Communist Party and the Deputy Secretary General of the Party President of the Republic of Lebanon General Michel Suleiman, who presented on how to take advantage of the globalization of human and social aspects and the importance of developing the foundations of democracy. He also welcomed the proposal to host the President of Lebanon to meet with communist parties and unions.

 

The delegation also visited Shatila camp and look closely at the conditions of Palestinian refugees. Comrade Sitharam Yechury, CPIM PB member participated in the meeting on behalf of CPIM.