Reduce the Sufferings of Kashmiri Masses: CPI(M)

In the backdrop of Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh’s present visit to Jammu and Kashmir, J&K State Committee of  CPI(M) has expressed its dissatisfaction over the current scenario of the state. In a statement issued here today, the party unit alleged
that:
The disillusionment of people has steadily increased and the  expectations regarding improvement in the overall socio-economic  situation and progress of peace process have decreased. The hanging of Afzal Guru and some other unfortunate incidents have resulted in serious setback to the political process and reconciliation. In order to set things right and instill confidence, the political leaders, both at national and state level should introspect and take quick and adequate corrective measures. Till now, the valuable opportunities for peace and reconciliation in the state have not been fully availed. This has resulted in untold sufferings of the common masses. In order to reduce the sufferings of the people and usher an era of peace and prosperity in the region, the stalled Indo-Pak dialogue and the talks between Government of India and the various political sections of the state including the voices of dissent need to be given priority. The confidence building measures which had generated hope among the people on both sides of the LoC, like people to people contact and cross LOC trade need to be strengthened and followed with vigour and utmost seriousness. Relaxation in the regulations regarding travel papers,
replacement of barter system by the use of currency and banking facilities in cross LOC trade and provision of speedy communication facilities will make these CBMs meaningful and effective.

A shadow of fear still hovers certain sections of the younger generation as harsh and draconian laws like AFSPA and PSA continue to haunt them. This needs to be cleared and corrected. The cases of those languishing in jails outside the state should be taken on fast tract so that speedy justice is done. There should be an amount of tolerance towards the voices of protest and dissent. Violence in any form as a means of solution to our problems needs to be rejected out rightly. Apart from other aspirations of the youth, growing unemployment has resulted in frustration and alienation. This is proving harmful for peace and development in the state. Since there are no employment opportunities in private sector within the state, the Government of India should make result oriented efforts to get the educated and professionally trained youth of J&K absorbed in public and private sectors of the country.

The recommendations of different working groups and interlocutors aimed at providing relief to the people need to be reviewed and implemented. PM’s reconstruction programme regarding the return and rehabilitation of Kashmiri migrants deserves serious attention. Adequate relief to earth quake sufferers in the erstwhile Doda district must be ensured.

Corruption free good governance with accountability has been a long cherished dream of our people and could have proved an effective facilitator in seeking solutions to our current problems. Unfortunately this has not been achieved and we have miles to go for reaching this goal. In the same way, the institutionalization, decentralization and democratization of the administration continues to be a distant dream.

Left Parties on Move to Increase Prices of Natural Gas

Joint statement issued by the Left Parties in view of the move of the government to increase the prices of Natural Gas from the KG-D6 Basin.

1.     The government is going to increase the prices of natural gas, which is a major input for the production of fertilizers and power, in the country. The present price of natural gas in $4.2 per mmbtu. The government appointed Rangarajan Committee has suggested a price of $8.4 per mmbtu from April 2014. While the power and fertilizer ministries are opposed to the recommendations of the Rangarajan committee and are pitching for a lower price, the Petroleum Ministry, Finance Ministry and Planning Commission are insisting on a price even greater than the Rangarajan formula. Though the increase in prices would be applicable to all producers, both PSUs and private companies, the super high profits of private companies will be retained by them, whereas, government can mop up the increased revenues of PSUs (and in theory at least, be used to offset the increase in subsidy).

2.     Petroleum Ministry has agreed to the Rangarajan prices for three years and has recommended a price of $14 per mmbtu (open market prices) for the last two years. Finance ministry has recommended a price of $11 per mmbtu and Planning Commission has recommended a price of $9.2 per mmbtu (on average) for three years and $14 per mmbtu (open market prices) for the last two years.

3.     Considering a production of 50 mmscmd from KG-D6 block, even with the Rangarajan formula, the subsidy implications are gigantic on account of natural gas produced from KG-D6 block. It would imply an additional subsidy of Rs.90,000 crore in the five year period (2014-15 to 2018-19) over the current levels of fertilizer and power subsidy. With the Petroleum, Finance or Planning Commission formula the figure would increase further to Rs.1,38,000 crore, Rs.1,46,000 crore, Rs.1,48,000 crore respectively.

4.     With its stretched finances, the government will not able to meet these subsidy requirements and will perforce raise the prices of fertilizers  and power. Even with the Rangarajan formula the unit cost of power will rise by Rs. 2 per unit. If the recommendations of Petroleum, Finance, Planning Commission were accepted, this would imply an average increase by Rs.3, Rs.3.2, R.3 .3 per unit respectively.

5.     Similarly with fertilizers the increase in prices with the Rangarajan formula would be Rs.6000 per metric tonne. If the recommendations of Petroleum, Finance, Planning Commission were accepted, this would imply an increase Rs. 9200, Rs.9700, Rs.9900 per tonne respectively.

6.     In the backdrop of the slowdown in the economy and persistent inflation this magnitude of price increase would deal a death blow to the Indian economy and cause untold hardship to the people of the country and its farmers. We demand that any price increase should  be kept in abeyance and the government should come out with full facts and figures and have debate with all stakeholders before it pushes ahead with this move,

7.     It should also be noted that the entire price increase/enhanced subsidy will be passed on to just a single corporate house as super normal profits, since the profit share of the private operator is 90%. Natural gas belongs to the people of the country and the government is holding it in trust for the people. They cannot be plundered by the corporates and actively be supported by the very arms of the government that are supposed regulate them.

SFI's call for uttrakhand relief fund collection

A colossal tragedy has struck Uttarakhand in recent days, with hundreds of lives lost (the death toll is rising everyday) and whole villages, roads and communication links wiped out. Rescue and evacuation operations are still going on in the worst-affected regions of the state, and need to be continued on a war-footing. SFI demands that the Central Government extend every help needed to the State government in relief operations.

The State Government, apart from making full use of its own machinery to provide relief to those affected, must also strive to harness and channelise the collective energy of various organisations for the purpose. It must also investigate the role that the indiscriminate tunnelling of hills by power projects and the uncleared dumps of silt had to play in this calamity. As the unfolding disaster shows, the result of a development strategy feeding upon untrammelled deforestation and unchecked construction activities has turned out to be catastrophic.

The CEC of SFI extends its deep condolences to the families of those who have lost their lives, and stands in solidarity with the lakhs of people affected. It calls upon its units all over the country to collect funds and materials urgently for relief to the affected people.

Yechury's Letter to PM

The following letter to the Prime Minister on the issue of Sri Lankan Tamils has been sent by Sitaram Yechury, member, Polit Bureau and leader, CPI(M) Group in the Rajya Sabha.  We are releasing the text of the letter to the press for publication.

Dear Dr. Manmohan Singhji,

It was a relief to hear your comments expressing dismay, as reported by the media, at the suggestion that the Government of Sri Lanka planned to dilute certain key provisions of the 13^th Amendment to the Sri Lankan Constitution ahead of elections to the Northern Provincial Council. 

It was noted that the proposed changes raised doubts about the commitments made by the Sri Lankan Government to India and the international community, including the United Nations, on a political settlement in Sri Lanka that would go beyond the 13^th Amendment.  The changes would also be incompatible with the recommendation of the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC), set up by the Government of Sri Lanka, calling for a political settlement based on the devolution of power to the provinces. 

There is deep concern in India about the welfare and well being of the Tamil community in Sri Lanka and hoping that the Sri Lankan Tamil community would lead a life of dignity, as equal citizens, in Sri Lanka. 

I would urge you to ensure that the Government of India plays a proactive diplomatic role in discharging its commitment for a future for the Sri Lankan Tamil community marked by equality, justice and self-respect. Needless to add, this 13^th Amendment was the consequence of the historic Rajiv-Jayawardene Accord.  It is, thus, expected that India plays a role in the implementation of the provisions of the Accord, while strengthening the best of relations between our two sovereign countries.

Fire Storm on Solar Scam; Congress Govt in Kerala on Verge of Collapse!

N S Sajith

Peoples Democracy

DARK clouds of a political turmoil are hovering over Oommen Chandy’s future as the chief minister, as the kingpin of a solar plan scam involving several crores of rupees has revealed about her nexus with the chief minister and his colleagues. Sarita Nair, who runs this under-controversy solar plant and windmill firm, is said to have perpetrated frauds amounting to crores of rupees, and she has now revealed to the police that the chief minister and his ministers had helped her run the business (!) it has been leant that Sarita Nair, who is now in judicial custody, was called by and met the chief minister many a time. When the call records were made public, the chief minister removed his private secretary Tenny Joppen and gunman Salim Raj on June 14.

In the Kerala legislative assembly, home minister Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan informed that an Additional DGP was deputed to investigate the issue. The opposition has demanded that the chief minister should resign and that a judicial inquiry must be ordered.

Sarita Nair was arrested in the second week of June in a fraud case and remanded. The interrogation revealed that various big shots in the Congress party and the cabinet had been helping her from the very inception of her firm. Sarita, while in police custody, confessed that the chief minister had issued a letter to her firm and that this letter was used to woo the investors.

In the meanwhile, her husband and director of the Team Solar company, Biju Radhakrishnan, whom the police was searching, revealed that Sarita had indeed met the chief minister and some of the ministers including the former minister K B Ganesh Kumar. He said he too, along with his wife, had met the chief minister and that she had had illicit relations with Ganesh Kumar. He also added that Sarita and Ganesh spent much time in a hotel in Coimbatore.

Soon after it, central minister K C Venugopal confessed that he had met Sarita.

The revelations pouring out in the media regarding this scam tell us about the gigantic fraud committed by Sarita’s firm in the name of installing solar power plants. Previously, it was daily Deshabhimani and TV channel Kairali which had made the call records public. Other media organisations, which were reluctant to carry the stories initially, later felt compelled to carry the news.

CPI(M) state secretary Pinarayi Vijayan has demanded immediate resignation of the chief minister. In a statement he said that a judicial probe must also be ordered.

Opposition leader in Kerala assembly, V S Achuthandan, has also demanded the chief minister’s resignation and a judicial enquiry.

Over the preceding four days, when revelations about the links between the chief minister and the directors of this notorious and fraudulent solar plant firm --- Team Solar --- heaped up and when the mobile phone call records were made public, various individuals came forward with complaints against Sarita S Nair and her husband, Biju Radhakrishnan. Surprisingly, even though Biju Radhakrishnan is a proclaimed criminal and an absconder, he has frequently been giving telephonic interviews to news channels.

After the shocking revelations came out, the chief minister sought to outrightly deny his involvement; this he did in the assembly as well as in media. But when more revelations came up, he began to show reluctance to interact with the media.

Various organisations including the DYFI have organised black flag demonstrations in front of the chief minister at various places. Fearing a heightening of the protest, Oommen Chandy cancelled all his public functions in Puthuppali, his own constituency. In the meanwhile, KPCC spokesperson M M Hassan reacted that the chief minister would quit if the allegations were proved. Chandy’s arch rival and KPCC president, Ramesh Chennithala, took a clever position, saying that the opposition is in the habit of unnecessarily raking up issues.

After Biju Radhakrishanan asserted that he indeed had had one hour chat with the chief minister. This too put the chief minister in a quandary of new problems. While the opposition has decided to take up this issue in the assembly, youth organisations have planned protest marches to demand the chief minister’s resignation.

On Uttarakhand Tragedy

The horror and immense tragedy of the loss of human lives and unprecedented destruction of homes and livelihoods in the Kedarnath, Chamoli and other regions of Uttarakhand is still unfolding.  The numbers of those killed is rising every day.  The urgency of immediate rescue and evacuation operations for the thousands who are stranded cannot be emphasized enough.  The Central Government must extend its full support to the State Government including for funds and materials.

It is essential for the State Government to harness the energy of all political parties and citizens organisations to devote their entire united energy into providing relief and succour to those affected. It must also enquire into the role that the indiscriminate tunneling of the hills by power projects and the huge dumps of silt which were never cleared, had to play in this terrible tragedy.

The Polit Bureau of the CPI(M) extends its deep condolences to the families of those who have lost their lives.  It expresses its sympathy and solidarity to the lakhs of people affected. It calls upon its units all over the country to collect funds and materials urgently for relief to those affected. 

Oommen Chandy Should Resign

In view of the serious allegations raised against Shri Oommen Chandy, Chief Minister of Kerala, about his alleged links with the perpetrators of the multi-crore solar power scam, the LDF in Kerala has asked for his resignation and a judicial probe into the matter.  The Polit Bureau of the CPI(M) demands that  the Chief Minister should immediately step down from his post pending a judicial probe into the matter. 

The Polit Bureau of the CPI(M) strongly condemns the  brutal police attacks on the people who were protesting against the inaction of the government. 

CPIM General Secretary Prakash Karat meets Senior Chinese communist party leaders

Liu Yunshan (R), a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, meets with Prakash Karat, general secretary of Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI-M)

A senior leader of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Liu Yunshan on Thursday (20th June) met with a delegation of the Communist Party of India (Marxist).

Liu, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, reviewed this year's meetings between leaders of China and India, saying they reached important consensus on consolidating the bilateral strategic partnership.

China and India are developing countries each with more than 1 billion population and the most important task for both countries is development, Liu said.

The Chinese people are committed to realizing the "Chinese dream" of national rejuvenation, which means state wealth and people's happiness, Liu said, adding it is also the dream of peace, development, cooperation and common prosperity.

The CPC would like to work with the Communist Party of India (Marxist) to promote the development of the two countries and enhance the people's welfare, Liu said.

Prakash Karat, general secretary of the CPIM, said India and China are the world's two biggest developing economies.

There is huge potential for China and India to work together in both bilateral sphere and the international field, Karat said.

The Communist Party of India (Marxist) would like to work more closely with the CPC on sharing experiences on state governance and promoting the growth of party-to-party and country-to-country relations, Karat said. Prakash Karat is leading the delegation for a week-long visit in China.  The other members of the delegation are: A K Padmanabhan (Polit Bureau member), Jogendra Sharma (Central Secretariat member), P Madhu and Rama Das (Central Committee members).

On Wednesday the delegation led by Prakash Karat met with  Vice President Li Yuanchao
Li, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, said during the meeting that China and India are close neighbors and their relationship has made new progress since the beginning of this year.

He said the two sides need to work hard to push their strategic cooperative partnership for peace and prosperity to a higher level.

Noting that left wing parties like the Communist Party of India (Marxist) play an important role in safeguarding China-India friendship, Li said he hopes the party can strengthen contact with the CPC to promote stable and healthy development of the two countries' relationship.

Karat stressed the significance of developing the relationship and said his party will make unremitting efforts in this regard.

(Source : Peoples Daily)

CPI (M) Calls to Observe Birth Centenary of Jyoti Basu

 July 8, 2013 marks the beginning of the birth centenary of Comrade Jyoti Basu, an outstanding leader of the Communist Party and the Left movement in India. Jyoti Basu, in his nearly seven decades of work as a Communist, left an indelible imprint on the political map of the country.  He joined the Communist Party in 1940 and began his work in the railway trade union movement. In 1946, he was elected to the Bengal Legislative Assembly from the Railway constituency.  Since then, in his long parliamentary career, he became the role model for all Communists and progressives on how to work in parliamentary institutions and serve the people.

Jyoti Basu played a key role in the development of the Communist Party in West Bengal and at the all-India level. He was the Secretary of the Provincial Committee of the CPI from 1954 to 1960. He became a member of the Central Committee of the CPI in 1951. When the CPI(M) was formed, he became one of the founder Polit Bureau and Central Committee members. 

Jyoti Basu became Chief Minister of the Left Front government of West Bengal in 1977 – a position he occupied continuously till 2000.  Before that, he was twice Deputy Chief Minister in the UF governments between 1967 and 1970.  Under his leadership, the government undertook the implementation of land reforms and the establishment of the panchayati raj system.

Under Jyoti Basu’s Chief Ministership, West Bengal became a bastion of communal harmony and secular values.  He played a leading role in advocating the restructuring of Centre-State relations and for establishing a federal system. 

Jyoti Basu was a leader who creatively applied Marxism to the concrete Indian conditions and made an immense contribution in charting out the course for the Party.

Jyoti Basu, in his lifetime, became a symbol for the Left, democratic and secular forces in the country.

The Polit Bureau of the CPI(M) calls for a year-long celebration of the birth centenary of Jyoti Basu beginning from July 8, 2013.  The centenary will be observed by holding meetings, seminars and a special campaign to propagate the life and contributions of this invaluable leader.

Introspection needed to find reasons behind educated youth joining militancy: M Y Tarigami

Denial to a free political space, failure to administer justice to the families of victims of violence and complacency about the fleeting calm are a few important aspects which seriously demand an introspection at all levels in the country before finding out reasons behind the emerging tendency of educated youth joining militant ranks in Jammu and Kashmir.

This was observed by the CPI (M) State Secretary Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami while addressing a Round Table meeting organized by the Centre for Policy Analysis in Srinagar. Referring to over 110 killings that took place during 2010 summer unrest, the CPI (M) leader said question can be posed that why the criminal investigations in these mostly unprovoked incidents of violence have not been concluded and culprits brought to justice even in a single case during the last three years.

“Three years have passed and justice still eludes the families who have lost their near and dear ones during 2010. What happened to the Commission of Inquiry which was mandated to probe 17 killings only? And why was this commission given only 17 killings to probe when we lost over a 110 youth? Has a single case been solved sofar?

The CPI (M) leader observed that initiatives taken after 2010 civilian unrest that include eight-point recommendations announced by central government also proved to be a half-hearted exercise. A lot of lip service was paid to heal the wounds, but precious little was practically done to honour the commitment. Pathetic plight and callous neglect of a plethora of recommendations made by interlocutors have been gathering dust.

One can ask the political leadership of the country that what happened to decisions taken by the Cabinet Committee of Security that recommended to the state government to convene a meeting of the Unified Command to review the notification of disturbed areas. This serious confidence building measure which was supposed to heal the scars of people has been reduced to mere sloganeering. Otherwise, law and order being the state subject, the state cabinet can meet and assess the situation. Also if there is a political will, the state government could de-notify areas as ‘not disturbed’ and thereby making application of AFSPA redundant.

Similarly, Tarigami lamented that the misuse of Public Safety Act in Kashmir. “In its eight point recommendations, the Cabinet Committee on Security had also advised the state government to immediately review the cases of all PSA detenues and withdraw the detention orders in appropriate cases. Here, I would like to quote a similar case of my own constituency Kulgam. Sabzar Ahmad Bhat a resident of Sofipora Daderkoot district Kulgam is a surrendered militant who has been booked in some criminal cases. He has been in jail for the last over six and half years now. Bhat has been acquitted by the honorable court and granted bail in all 8 FIRs registered against him. But when he was to be released, he has again been booked under PSA on June 12, 2013. What to do in such kind of a situation? This young man has not been released once to meet his hapless old aged parents who have not left any stone unturned to get their bread earner out from jail,” he informed.

The eight point announcement was followed by appointment of interlocutors who made some recommendations but till date no action has been taken either by the state or the central government and the report prepared by the group is gathering dust.

“People in Kashmir are living in a suffocating atmosphere. Even peaceful dissent is not tolerated and gross injustices go unpunished. Almost all channels of communication have been blocked and means of protest is being suppressed ruthlessly. What is more worrying is that the youth is being targeted mercilessly. And yet if someone, does not understand or willfully chooses to ignore the real cause and shuts one’s eyes to its inevitable consequences the overall situation is bound to deteriorate rather than coming to normal. Whichever, political party comes in power in Delhi hardly matters for the people of Kashmir. What the people of Kashmir hope is that the political and democratic opinion across the country is mobilized for providing justice to the people. The democratic forces of the country need to come out of slumber before it is too late.

Instead of Healing Wounds, the CM Mamata Shouts at Villagers at Kamduni

It took ten days for the woman Chief Minister of the state to visit the family and village of the girl who was brutally raped and murdered at Kamduni, Barasat. Ever since the incident of rape happened, the people of the village have been demanding that the Chief Minister visit their village and redress their grievances. Barasat has emerged as a notorious place for criminals and rapists who have been harassing the women of the area for a long period of time. Illegal liquor dens and misbehavior, abuse and sexual harassment are flourishing in the area with impunity while the local administration is turning a blind eye. The latest incident of rape of a college student was the last straw in the camel’s back for the people of the area. It is in this context that the people of Kamduni expected that their grievances be heard by the Chief Minister herself.

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee hardly spent 5 minutes with the family of the girl and hurried out of the house. By then a large number of people had gathered, particularly women, who were raising slogans demanding punishment for the culprits and asking the CM to listen to their grievances. The spontaneous outpouring of emotions and anger of the people of that area however made the Chief Minister angry. When a woman asked the CM to speak to them she was shouted down and told to keep quiet by the CM herself. The CM also alleged that the woman was doing politics to which the lady responded that it was the CM who was doing politics. In the most shameless manner, the CM instead of trying to calm down the villagers, alleged that those who were protesting are CPI(M) activists. It needs to be noted that all the panchayat seats in the area has been won uncontested by the TMC in the ensuing Panchayat elections.

It has become a habit of the CM to blame everything on the CPI(M) and the Left whenever uncomfortable questions are asked to her. Moreover, she also has the habit of targeting individuals for raising questions about her Government. The plight of Prof. Ambikesh Mahapatra, Shiladitya Chowdhury and Tania Bharadwaj has not been forgotten by the people of the state. Such undemocratic behavior does not befit the elected head of the state of West Bengal. The people of Kamduni and other places are living a life of constant terror, sexual harassment and the threat of rape. In such circumstances, the minimum that a head of the Government must do is to guarantee them safety and security. However, the TMC Government hardly believes in such civilized and democratic responses to the demands of the people.

:: Current Affairs

Instead of Healing Wounds, the Chief Minister Shouts at Villagers at Kamduni It took ten days for the woman Chief Minister of the state to visit the family and village of the girl who was brutally raped and murdered at Kamduni, Barasat. Ever since the incident of rape happened, the people of the village have been demanding that the Chief Minister visit their village and redress their grievances. Barasat has emerged as a notorious place for criminals and rapists who have been harassing the women of the area for a long period of time. Illegal liquor dens and misbehavior, abuse and sexual harassment are flourishing in the area with impunity while the local administration is turning a blind eye. The latest incident of rape of a college student was the last straw in the camel’s back for the people of the area. It is in this context that the people of Kamduni expected that their grievances be heard by the Chief Minister herself. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee hardly spent 5 minutes with the family of the girl and hurried out of the house. By then a large number of people had gathered, particularly women, who were raising slogans demanding punishment for the culprits and asking the CM to listen to their grievances. The spontaneous outpouring of emotions and anger of the people of that area however made the Chief Minister angry. When a woman asked the CM to speak to them she was shouted down and told to keep quiet by the CM herself. The CM also alleged that the woman was doing politics to which the lady responded that it was the CM who was doing politics. In the most shameless manner, the CM instead of trying to calm down the villagers, alleged that those who were protesting are CPI(M) activists. It needs to be noted that all the panchayat seats in the area has been won uncontested by the TMC in the ensuing Panchayat elections. It has become a habit of the CM to blame everything on the CPI(M) and the Left whenever uncomfortable questions are asked to her. Moreover, she also has the habit of targeting individuals for raising questions about her Government. The plight of Prof. Ambikesh Mahapatra, Shiladitya Chowdhury and Tania Bharadwaj has not been forgotten by the people of the state. Such undemocratic behavior does not befit the elected head of the state of West Bengal. The people of Kamduni and other places are living a life of constant terror, sexual harassment and the threat of rape. In such circumstances, the minimum that a head of the Government must do is to guarantee them safety and security. However, the TMC Government hardly believes in such civilized and democratic responses to the demands of the people.

- See more at: http://www.cpimwb.org.in/current_topic_details.php?topic_id=405#sthash.ZcbU7Cfs.dpuf

:: Current Affairs

Instead of Healing Wounds, the Chief Minister Shouts at Villagers at Kamduni It took ten days for the woman Chief Minister of the state to visit the family and village of the girl who was brutally raped and murdered at Kamduni, Barasat. Ever since the incident of rape happened, the people of the village have been demanding that the Chief Minister visit their village and redress their grievances. Barasat has emerged as a notorious place for criminals and rapists who have been harassing the women of the area for a long period of time. Illegal liquor dens and misbehavior, abuse and sexual harassment are flourishing in the area with impunity while the local administration is turning a blind eye. The latest incident of rape of a college student was the last straw in the camel’s back for the people of the area. It is in this context that the people of Kamduni expected that their grievances be heard by the Chief Minister herself. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee hardly spent 5 minutes with the family of the girl and hurried out of the house. By then a large number of people had gathered, particularly women, who were raising slogans demanding punishment for the culprits and asking the CM to listen to their grievances. The spontaneous outpouring of emotions and anger of the people of that area however made the Chief Minister angry. When a woman asked the CM to speak to them she was shouted down and told to keep quiet by the CM herself. The CM also alleged that the woman was doing politics to which the lady responded that it was the CM who was doing politics. In the most shameless manner, the CM instead of trying to calm down the villagers, alleged that those who were protesting are CPI(M) activists. It needs to be noted that all the panchayat seats in the area has been won uncontested by the TMC in the ensuing Panchayat elections. It has become a habit of the CM to blame everything on the CPI(M) and the Left whenever uncomfortable questions are asked to her. Moreover, she also has the habit of targeting individuals for raising questions about her Government. The plight of Prof. Ambikesh Mahapatra, Shiladitya Chowdhury and Tania Bharadwaj has not been forgotten by the people of the state. Such undemocratic behavior does not befit the elected head of the state of West Bengal. The people of Kamduni and other places are living a life of constant terror, sexual harassment and the threat of rape. In such circumstances, the minimum that a head of the Government must do is to guarantee them safety and security. However, the TMC Government hardly believes in such civilized and democratic responses to the demands of the people.

- See more at: http://www.cpimwb.org.in/current_topic_details.php?topic_id=405#sthash.ZcbU7Cfs.dpuf

Brinda Karat decries pendency of dalit atrocity cases

CPIM politburo member Brinda Karat said that about 1.1 lakh cases of atrocities against dalits have been pending in various courts across the country.

Speaking at meeting in Madurai on Saturday to felicitate advocates who fought in the courts for rights of dalits of Uthapuram village, Karat said that according to the National Crime Records Bureau some of the cases have been pending for several years. Reeling out statistics, Karat said that on an average 32,600 odd cases of atrocities against dalits are booked across the country which means every day roughly 93 dalits are affected. "In 2012 alone, more than 45,000 cases of atrocities against dalits have been booked across the country. However, most of these cases remain pending without any progress. Only 23 people who were accused in these cases were convicted in the whole year,'' she said. At thes national level, only a meagre 3.6% of the cases against dalits see their logical end and the perpetrators are punished, she said.

She lauded the advocates for their role in Uthapuram incident and said that without the advocates, the atrocities against dalits of the Uthapuram could have continued. Karat pointed out that the court has ordered distribution of relief to affected dalits of Uthapuram, but the distribution is yet to be completed.

Advocates U Nirmalarani, R Rajkumar, D JAyakumar, P Selvaraj and P Rajan were felicitated at the event. Villagers of Uthapuram who were present at the function said that when they were harassed by the non- dalits of the village, several advocates they had approached refused to appear for them in the court. But the five took up the case and won it. They also refused to take their fee from the villagers in a goodwill gesture.

(Courtesy : Times of India)

Kerala CM Chandy should quit: V S Achuthanandan

Leader of the Opposition, Kerala and CPIM CC member V.S. Achuthanandan has said that Chief Minister Oommen Chandy is accountable for the involvement of his office in the solar panel scandal. Reiterating the demand for the resignation of the Chief Minister and a judicial inquiry into the scandal on Sunday, Mr. Achuthanandan said that evidence pointed to the involvement of Mr. Chandy also in the scandal.

Saritha S. Nair, accused of swindling people by promising solar power units, had told the police that the Chief Minister had given her a recommendatory letter asking various government departments to help her with the projects. Mr. Achuthandnan said the UDF government, which was involved in corruption and sex rackets, had now emerged as organisers and aides of swindlers. Besides the personal staff of Mr. Chandy, Ministers were also allegedly involved in con operations by Saritha and her live-in partner Biju Radhakrishnan.

The Chief Minister should disclose the connection of his personal staff and Ministers with the accused and how they came to misuse their powers and influence when the Chief Minister’s office was claimed to be transparent in its dealings.

Biju Radhakrishnan was absconding in the case related to the murder of his first wife, according to the police. However, the Chief Minister had held closed door conversations with him for an hour in Ernakulam Government Guest House, according to M.I. Shanavas, MP, who had arranged the meeting. An explanation was also due from Mr. Chandy as to how Saritha could meet him at Vignan Bhavan in Delhi despite high security at the buildings. Mr. Achuthanandan demanded that the source of income of Thomas Kuruvila, aide of the Chief Minister in Delhi, should also be probed. He had stayed at Kerala House in Delhi on seven occasions when the Chief Minister was there. He alleged that Ministers Arayadan Mohammed, K.C. Joseph, K.P. Mohahan, and M.K. Muneer and former Minister K.B. Ganesh Kumar had links with Saritha and her company besides Union Minister of State K.C. Venugopal.

(courtesy : The Hindu)

Stop US Surveillance : CPIM

The recent exposure in the media of the US National  Security Agency (NSA) mining  internet and telephone data for intelligence purposes violates the sovereignty of nations and the privacy of individuals who use such internet services.  The media revelations indicate that major telecom companies such as Verizon, AT&T and internet companies such as Google, Microsoft, Yahoo, Apple and Facebook have, in effect,  become tools of the US government under the PRISM project.  They also intercept cable lines for this purpose.

It is significant that India is a major target of such intelligence gathering. It is the fifth largest target of such snooping, even ahead of countries such as China and Russia.  The US official defense, including President Obama’s own response, is that the NSA was spying only on “foreigners”; no US citizens’s privacy was violated and no US laws were broken; and this was being done in the US national interest.

It is now clear that the current control of internet and its global governance under a US Department of Commerce contract means that the US government controls the internet.  With the increase of internet’s importance to global communications, the dangers of such untrammeled  control for other countries and the rights of its citizens are now  clear.  India must immediately protest on such violation of its citizen’s rights and violation of its sovereignty.

Not only should the government of India protest against the intrusive  intelligence gathering by the US with the help of companies such as Microsoft, Google, Yahoo and Facebook etc, but India should also join hands with other countries to make these companies accountable to people who  use their services across the globe.  India must also press for an immediate initiative to democratize internet governance and ensure that the US intelligence agencies do not override the sovereignty  of countries and the rights of individuals.