The Polit Bureau of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) met in
New Delhi on October 13 & 14, 2014. It has issued the following
statement:
Jammu & Kashmir Floods
The
floods in Jammu & Kashmir have created unprecedented devastation.
Even five weeks after the disaster people in many areas have not
received any relief. The compensation announced by the state government
of Rs. 70,000 for a completely destroyed pucca house and Rs. 15,000 for
partially damaged houses is too inadequate. It is essential that the J
& K floods be declared a national calamity and the relief and
rehabilitation package be decided accordingly. The CPI(M) decided to
complete its fund collection for the relief and rehabilitation work. Rs.
50 lakhs have been raised so far.
Cyclone Hudhud
The
Polit Bureau called for effective relief and rehabilitation measures
for all those affected by the Hudhud cyclone which has struck three
districts of Andhra Pradesh – Vishakhapatnam, Vijayanagaram and
Srikakulam – along with Ganjam district in Odisha. The Central
government must assist in all possible ways to see that communication
and infrastructure are restored and for a complete return to normal
life.
Outcome of PM Visit to US
The
Polit Bureau took serious note of the fact that the United States has
sought to pressurize India on the Indian Patent law and Intellectual
Property Rights policy. It also sought the dilution of the civil nuclear
liability law of the country. Both these are reflected in the joint
statement issued by Prime Minister Modi and President Obama. The joint
statement announced the decision to set up an Intellectual Property
Working Group. The US pharmaceutical companies have been demanding that
India dilute its present patent regime which has utilised the
flexibilities provided in the TRIPS agreement. It is this which helps to
keep drug prices low for the people in India.
The
Polit Bureau demanded that the Modi Government not resile from the
existing patent law and IPR regime. No changes should be brought without
public discussion and being debated in parliament.
The
joint statement also provides for setting up Contact Groups to discuss
liability issues in the nuclear reactors sales. The Polit Bureau
reiterated that the provisions of the civil nuclear liability law are in
the interests of the safety and security of the people of India and
should not be diluted in any way.
The Polit Bureau
strongly opposed the decision to go in for renewal of the Indo-US
Defence Framework Agreement for another 10 years. Such a long term
defence collaboration agreement with the United States is uncalled for
and is not in the interests of India’s strategic autonomy and
independent foreign policy.
Reduce Oil Prices
There
has been a sharp fall in the international prices of oil. At present,
crude oil price has gone below $ 90 per barrel. Despite this, the Modi
government has not reduced the prices of diesel at any stage. The retail
price of petrol also needs to be reduced further.
The Polit Bureau demands an immediate cut in the petroleum prices.
Curtailment of MNREGA
The
Modi government has taken steps to curtail and restrict the rural
employment guarantee Act. The government move is to restrict the
employment guarantee scheme to selected districts and blocks. This will
go against the Act which provides for universal coverage in the rural
areas. Secondly, the move is to change the ratio between material and
wages. This will bring down the wage component and reduce the
availability of the scheme and open the way for contractors.
The
Polit Bureau reiterated the call to conduct a countrywide campaign
against the moves to curtail the employment guarantee Act and calls upon
the Party and various mass organisations to conduct struggles to see
that the scheme is implemented in full in the rural areas.
Review Report
The
Polit Bureau finalised the draft Review Report on the
Political-tactical line. This will be placed for discussion in the next
meeting of the Central Committee to be held from October 26 to 29,
2014.
