Left parties picket Government Offices in Andhra Pradesh against power tariff hike

Activists of the Left parties, CPIM, CPI, CPI ML, CPI ML New Democracy laid a siege to the government offices in every mandals of Andhra Pradesh against the electricity tarrif hike. Activists protest against imposition of additional Rs 720 crore Fuel Surcharge Adjustment Charges (FSAC) for second quarter of this fiscal. The leaders said the people would teach a lesson to Congress party for its anti-people policies, alleging that the Congress government had failed in all sectors.

The government was increasing power tariff and imposing surcharge at will to cover up its failure to secure adequate gas and coal to generate sufficient power, they alleged. The Congress government would incur people’s wrath in the next general elections as it was throwing a heavy burden on the people, without exploring avenues to generate power using thermal, solar, wind, hydel or gas resources, they warned. The people, farmers and industries were hard hit by the prolonged power cuts in the State, they said.

Protest Against Wal-Mart in Haryana

Even a suspicion of Wal-mart trying to gain a backdoor entry into retail trade was enough for people here to come out in protest against US multinational retail giant. Hundreds of workers of CPI(M) and mass organisations such as AIDWA, CITU, SFI and DYFI demonstrated in front of Kisan Mart being inaugurated by Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda raising slogans "No To Wal-Mart". Only after police arrested around 75 protesters led by AIDWA Vice-President Jagmati Sangwan, did the chief minister able to hastily inaugurate the same mall. It is reported that Hooda government has already committed to give an entire floor in the sprawling Mall to Bharati-Walmart.

Later, addressing a public meeting here at Sriram Rangshala, in connection with the Northern Jatha of CPI(M)'s Sangharsh Sandesh Brinda Karat, Member CPI(M) Polit Bureau congratulated the anti-Wal-Mart protesters. She also warned the UPA government that it may have succeeded in manipulating a majority for it's resolution on FDI in retail, it should not be under illusion that now Wal-Mart can enter India. “People of India won't allow that and the Left along with other trade organisations will resist any such attempts on the streets.

Eastern Jatha Reaches Delhi

After traversing nearly 2650 kilometers, Eastern Jatha of the Sangharsh Sandesh, completed its journey when it reached Delhi on Thursday evening. This jatha, led by CPI(M) General Secretary Prakash Karat started from Kolkata on 1st March. On its way, the Jatha crossed West Bengal, Jharkhand, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, through numerous towns and villages, addressing thousands of people, calling upon them to unite for the fight for alternative policies.

The Jatha spent 2 days in West Bengal, 2 days in Jharkhand, 5 days in Bihar and 4 days in UP. On its way, 33 public meetings were held – 8 in West Bengal, 5 in Jharkhand, 14 in Bihar, 6 in UP. Many roadside smaller meetings too were held. In more than 125 places jatha was received by people, raising slogans and garlanding leaders. One of the most important feature was many organisations submitted memorandums and people brought their problems to the notice of the leaders.

People from all walks of the society were present in the meetings. While steel and coal workers received Jatha in Raniganj and Durgpur in West Bengal, the last point of such felicitation was Ferozabad in UP, where glass workers, bangle makers were present. Peasants and agricultural workers were of course the majority in these gatherings. ASHA and scheme workers in their uniforms were enthusiastic in almost every area, as they have found in CPI(M) their only friend among all political parties.
 

Etawah

On Thursday, there was one public meeting in Etawah. The peasants of Etawah are fighting a grim battle against forcible land acquisition for a dedicated freight corridor of railways. Nearly 500 acres of land will be acquired, the notification for which has been issued. Peasants are offered very low compensation. CPI(M) is in the forefront demanding justice for the peasants. Already many forms of resistance movements have been organised. Peasants from this area came to attend the meeting in Kachari – the district court area. Lawyers gathered in good numbers in the meeting and welcomed the leaders. It was also reported to CPI(M) leaders that despite being the home district of Mulayam singh Yadav and his chief minister son, in Etawah hundreds of people, particularly from minorities do not have even a ration card. Many muslim women came to the meeting and submitted their grievances in writing.

Prakash Karat, while addressing the rally, said until and unless a powerful movement for alternative policies could be built, there would be no change in the lives of the poor and dispossessed.

Jatha in Delhi
The Jatha was received in Mayur Vihar by the Delhi state committee of the CPI (M). Prakash Karat addressed the gathering. After that, a convoy of vehicles accompanied the Jatha to the party Central Committee headquarters, AKG Bhavan. AK Padmanabhan, Polit Bureau member, Basudeb Acharia, Tapan Sen and Hari Singh Kang, members of the central committee led the members of the CC units in welcoming the leaders at the AKG Bhavan.