CPI(M) releases election manifesto for Puducherry

CPI(M) central commitee member Sudha Sundararaman
recieving a copy of the party' s manifesto from secretary of
CPIM Puducherry unit Perumal (second from left), in Puducherry on Monday.

The Puducherry unit of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) released its manifesto for the Assembly elections. The party has fielded its candidates in two constituencies—Mahe and Lawspet—and would support the AIADMK-N.R Congress alliance in the other 28 seats.

Releasing the manifesto, Secretary of the Puducherry unit of the CPI (M) V. Perumal said that the “corrupt” Congress-DMK governments at the Centre and Union Territory were trying to hoodwink the electorate by offering freebies though they had failed to improve the socio-economic condition of the people.

Finances in shambles

Pointing out that many of the promises made in the last assembly elections by the Congress, including distribution of TV sets, 15 kg rice for differebtly-abled persons, groceries and LPG cylinders at subsidised rates and Rs 1000 fund for unemployed youth have not been kept, he said the financial position of Puducherry was in shambles.

The manifesto of the party stressed on formulating policies that were an alternative to the “neo-liberal” policies followed by the Congress-DMK government. If voted to power, the party said it would seek funds from the Textile Development Corporation and resurrect the ailing weaving industry by modernising the major mills.

Agricultural land

In the last 15 years, huge amount of agricultural land had been diverted for other uses. This had resulted in a shortfall in food production and increase in rural poverty. The manifesto said that the party would ensure that institutions such as PASIC and PAPSCO fulfil their primary duties of helping farmers. The party would also seek distribution of fertilizers and seeds at subsidised rates.

Fee structure

The manifesto said that the party would streamline the fee structure for private schools and colleges and ensure implementation of 50 per cent government quota in private professional colleges. On the issue of power demand, the party said it would ensure more allocation from the central feed and develop alternate energy sources. Party Central Committee member Sudha Sundararaman and Tamil Nadu State Council member T. Murugan were present.

(Courtesy The Hindu)

CPI (M) leaders court arrest in Orissa

Several leaders of the State unit of Communist Party of India (Marxist) courted arrest while staging a demonstration here on Monday.

Putting forth a 10-point-charter demand, these leaders took out a rally from Bhubaneswar Railway Station to PMG Square.

“When the State government raised salary of legislators by three folds, it is a matter of great concern that the minimum wage of daily labourers remained unchanged. The wage should be increased to at least Rs. 200 per day,” said CPI (M) Secretary Janardhan Pati.

Mr. Pati said the State government should immediately provide homestead and agricultural land to landless, tribal people and dalit families by necessary amendments in the existing law.

CPI (M) leaders demanded patches of land which were fraudulently taken away by non-tribal people should be restored in favour of tribal people. District magistrate, Deputy Collector and tehsildars should be asked to expedite the processes, they said.

Manik Sarkar slams Congress government in Assam

CPIM PB member and Chief Minister of Tripura Manik Sarkar alleged that the Tarun Gogoi-led Congress Government in the State has miserably failed to take any measures to contain the price rise of essential commodities.

Addressing an election rally at Nalbari College Chawk to campaign for the CPI(M) candidate of Nalbari LAC, Sarkar said that as a wave of change is blowing in the State, the people should cast their votes very carefully. He said the Assembly election gives a chance to the people to unseat a government which works against the people.

Sarkar also criticised the State Government for indulging in massive corruption in Public Distribution System (PDS) and Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Generation Scheme (MGNREGS) implementation in the State.

He, however admitted that his party has no ambition to form government in the state but is simply trying to unite the people against the corruption and misrule of the Tarun Gogoi government.

(Courtesy : Assam Tribune)