Homage to Comrade Samar Mukherjee

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

The Polit Bureau of the CPI(M) expresses its deep sorrow at the death of Comrade Samar Mukherjee, a most exceptional, outstanding and dedicated leader of the communist movement in India. A valiant freedom fighter, able parliamentarian and leader of the trade union movement, Samarda passed away at the age of 100 in Kolkata today. He was the oldest living member of the CPI(M), having joined the Party in 1940. He dedicated his entire life as a communist to the cause of the working class and to the exploited people of India. He was a member of the Central Committee of the Party from 1966 and was elected to the Polit Bureau in 1978 and continued in that capacity till he was elected as the Chairman of the Party’s Central Control Commission at the 14^th Congress of the Party in 1992. At the time of his death he was a Special Invitee to the Central Committee.

Samar Mukherjee began his political activities as a young student and joined the freedom struggle. He was deeply inspired by Marxist ideology and the work of the Party. Immediately after he got his membership in 1940, he became a fulltime worker of the Party. He was one of the founders of the communist movement in Howrah district. In 1942 he became the organizing secretary of Howrah district of the undivided Communist Party. He became a member of the West Bengal State Council of the party in 1953. It was under his leadership that the movement for the rights of refugees from the erstwhile East Bengal was built up in Bengal which played a significant role in expanding the influence of the communist party.

Com. Samar Mukherjee played an outstanding role as a leading communist parliamentarian. In 1957 he was elected as an MLA from the North Howrah constituency. He was elected to the Lok Sabha from Howrah constituency for three consecutive terms from 1971 onwards. He also elected to the Rajya Sabha for two terms. As the leader of the CPI(M) group in Parliament he most effectively put across the Party”s line on all major issues, raising the voice of the working people and their struggles. He won the admiration of leaders cutting across party lines because of his unambiguous commitment to the cause of the exploited masses.

Com. Samar Mukherjee led the CITU as its General Secretary from 1983 to 1991, having earlier served as its working committee member from the inception of the CITU. He had played a leading role in the historic railway workers strike in 1974. Following the emergency he fought against the attacks on workers.

He made a multidimensional contribution as Party organizer, as writer, as trade unionist and as a Parliamentarian.

Rarely have we seen such an individual who sacrificed all personal interests, living a spartan life in a Party commune in the service of the Party. He was affable, easily accessible and loved by the people.

The Polit Bureau pays its respectful homage to his memory.

Stop Mortgaging the Economy

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

The UPA government is out to mortgage the economy to foreign capital. The raising of the FDI cap in certain sectors and allowing FDI through the automatic route in some others are desperate measures being adopted by the government faced with mounting economic difficulties.

The CPI(M) is opposed to the 100 per cent FDI in the basic and cellular services in the telecom sector. The decision to allow foreign capital beyond 26 per cent in defence production is fraught with serious implications. This will open the way for foreign control of the vital defence production sector.

This bankrupt policy of the government is motivated by the need to attract more foreign capital flows to meet the widening current account deficit. But the supine attitude of the government to foreign capital is only going to lead to further flow of profits and resources out of the country. Already the government has given up the claim on the capital gains tax which the Vodafone has to pay. The government is proposing to dilute the norms for investment in multi-brand retail which is going to adversely affect domestic industry.

The proposal to increase FDI in the insurance sector has to be adopted through a legislation in parliament. The CPI(M) and other opposition parties should thwart this move in parliament.

The Polit Bureau demands that the government not proceed with these FDI proposals.

Prakash Karat demands release of innocent Muslims implicated in false terror charges

Communist Party of India (Marxist) general secretary Prakash Karat, on Tuesday, criticized the role of security agencies in investigating terror cases and claimed that innocent people across the country are being booked on false terror charges.

"There is no body to monitor security agencies, which are free to do whatever they want. In many cases, innocent youths are being implicated in false terror cases," Karat said, while addressing a demonstration organized by the RihaiManch in Lucknow demanding the release of innocent Muslims in UP booked under terror cases which were later found be false.

The Rihai Manch is an outfit formed by social activists to fight for the release of innocent Muslims and to press demand for a thorough probe into the role of security agencies, as well to punish police officers involved in implicating innocents in false terror charges. The indefinite demonstration of the Manch completed 55 days on Tuesday.

"There are lot of cases in which security agencies imposed false charges on youths. Innocent persons were arrested after Malegaon and Mecca Masjid blasts. Later, some people belonging to a Hindu extremist outfit were arrested. It revealed that those booked earlier were innocent. However, the innocent have not been acquitted. They are out on bail, but, cases against them are still going on in the courts," said Karat.

Regarding innocent Muslims booked under false terror cases in UP, Karat said that he had met Uttar Pradesh chief minister Akhilesh Yadav a few months back and requested him to provide compensation and ensure rehabilitation of six Muslim youths, who were arrested on terror charges but later acquitted by various courts in the state. "However, state government has not done anything till now. Also, no action was taken against the investigating officers who imposed false charges against the innocent people," he said.

Karat said that the RD Nimesh Commission report had found discrepancies in the arrest of Khalid Mujahid and Tariq Qasmi, accused in 2007 serial blasts. Later, he said, Khalid died in police custody. He demanded CBI inquiry into Mujahid's death.

The Rihai Manch had also demanded CBI inquiry into the death of Mujahid. The Manch had alleged that Mujahid was killed to protect police officers who were involved in falsely implicating Mujahid because his release would have spilled their beans. The state government has agreed for CBI inquiry into Mujahid's death but the Union government has not yet taken any decision on it.

Karat also demanded review of 2011 amendments in Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. "Some provisions of the Prevention of Terrorism Act (POTA) enacted in 2002 by the NDA government but repealed later, have been brought back in the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act after amendment, which have made Muslim youth vulnerable targets of security agencies," he said. He added after the 26/11 attack, the government passed the amendments in a hurry. He said that the CPM had met and raised the issue thrice with then home minister P Chidambaram.(Source : Times Of India)

Party Account is Fully Transparent : Biman Basu Dares Any Probe in Baseless Insinuation

Biman Basu, Secretary, West Bengal State Committee of CPI(M) has strongly refuted any wrongdoing in the affairs of collection and maintaining the Party fund and condemned the baseless and wild insinuation by a section of media and Trinamool Congress. A report in Ananda Bazar Patrika suggested that the CPI(M) state committee’s bank account is run by individual leaders. They also mentioned some figures in this account. They tried to collect ‘comments’ from Trinamool leaders and tried to construct a story that all is not well with CPI(M)’s account.

Biman Basu, in a press conference, categorically refuted any misconduct and detailed the sources of income and how it was maintained.

Biman Basu said, in our Party Constitution’s Article no 1o, it is clearly written that every Party member must pay a monthly levy as laid down by the Central Committee. Those whose incomes are of annual or of seasonal character have to pay their levy at the beginning of the season or at the beginning of every quarter on the same percentage basis. If a member fails to deposit his levy within three months after it is due, then his name is to be liable to be even removed from the Party rolls. Like any Communist Party, main source of CPI(M)’s income is the levy collected from the Party members. There are fixed rates of levies according to income level. For example, the lowest rate is 25 paisa per month upto an income of Rs 300. And the highest is 5 per cent of his income per month if it is above Rs. 8000. CPI(M) has 3,14, 457 Party members in West Bengal. The levies are distributed among different levels of committees. Those Party members who are directly attached to the units under State Committee give their levies to State centre. Their levy amount turns to be nearly 45 lakhs.

Basu said, apart from the normal levies, Party members, who are elected as Members of Parliament, State Assembly or any other elected post deposit their salary to Party. Even the large portions of pension of retired elected representatives are deposited in Party fund. This can only be possible in a Left party. No other parties can even imagine this practice. Apart from all these, Party calls for special funds from time to time, in which one-day or half-day wages are collected. This is the principal method of Party’s income. The whole process is crystal clear, transparent and meticulously maintained.

About the insinuation, perpetrated by a section of media and ruling party in West Bengal about the “Bank Account”, Biman Basu said, this account was opened by resolution of Party’s state committee and was given to the bank in the pad of state committee. It was first decided that the account would be run in the name of Sailen Dasgupta, the then Party state secretary and Biman Basu. After the expiry of Sailen Dasgupta in 2010, the name of Nirupam Sen was added. This decision was also communicated to the bank in formal letterhead of the Party. All formalities have been maintained during the transactions. However, we did not know that the bank was treating it as ‘personal account.’ As soon as we were informed, we requested the bank to transfer it as a state committee account. There was no secrecy, nothing under the table. It was an open transaction with the said bank.

Basu said, the details of this account are audited. According to rules, we send annual audit report to Part central committee and through them the Income Tax authorities and the Election Commission get those reports. The Election Commission has praised us many times for maintaining accounts in a correct manner.

Basu said, there is nothing in our Party account and this bank account which are shrouded in secrecy. We are ready for investigation by any agencies, brought from any part of the world. There was absolutely no reason to raise this issue except trying to mislead a section of people during Panchayat elections. Trinamool Congress and its Chief Minister had failed to run an administration in the state. They are just trying to divert attention from this.

To another question, Basu said, the amount of money is perfectly consistent with the levies and special funds that we had mentioned.

Interestingly, Ananda Bazar Patrika shied to publish the details of Biman Basu’s arguments and downplayed the whole thing after two days

DYFI All India President Com. M B Rajesh vists Dharmapuri

Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) on Thursday urged the Union Government to enact a separate law to prevent the increasing incidents of honour killings in the country. M.P. Rajesh, all India president of DYFI said on Thursday after visiting the parents of E. Ilavarasan at the Dharmpuri Government Medical College Hospital that caste-based political parties were responsible for the honour killings.

DYFI was of the opinion that the death of Ilavarasan was shrouded in mystery, and hence, the government should order a CBI inquiry to unravel the truth, he said. Those responsible for the death of Ilavarasan should be brought before law as it was another incident of honour killing. DYFI would extend all help to his family members.

Khap panchayats in the north and katta panchayats in the south were causing honour killings. Last year 330 cases relating to killing of youngsters were registered. This year during the first five months 13 honour killings have been reported. Honour killings were a shame on society.

Mr. Rajesh said that Dravidian parties were contributing least to end honour killings as they were afraid of losing caste-based vote banks. With a view to encourage casteless marriages, the DYFI had launched a website for inter-caste marriages.

Senior leader of Communist Party of India (CPI) R. Nallakannu said that a fair investigation would be carried out by the Justice Singaravelu Commission of Inquiry appointed by the State Government.The commission should recommend the government measures to stop recurrence of such incidents in future. Earlier, the police prevented Mr. Nallakannu from visiting the mortuary to see the body of Ilavarasan.

(Courtesy : The hindu)

SFI All India Girls Students Convention Begins

 All India Girls Convention on the central theme "Fight Patriarchy," organised  Students Federation of India (SFI) began on 10th July in the hill city of Shimla. The Convention began with a huge students rally which was inaugurated by CPIM PB member Com. Brinda Karat. SFI activists took out rally from the old railway building to Sabzi Mandi (Vegitable market) ground.    Com. Brinda Karat has said that she will raise the issue of introduction of semester system and choice based credit system (CBCS) under the RashtriyaUchchtarShikhsaAbhiyan (RUSA) during the next parliamentary session. The new academic process has been introduced by Himachal Pradesh University (HPU) for its campus courses and affiliated colleges across the state, which has met with vociferous protests from different student organisations. 


Brinda said, "HP government and HPU have forced the new system of RUSA on students without holding prior discussions with them and other stakeholders. It is an outcome of the neo-liberal polices of the respective governments in the state as well as the Centre. The governments are bent on replicating systems, which are prevalent in America, including the four-year degree programme." 

She added that other parliamentarians too would raise voice against RUSA as it is aimed at uprooting the Indian education system. Karat said, "HPU has set a precedent in Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) in ensuring equality and a liberal atmosphere to girls as their enrolment rate is nearly 67% here, which is commendable." 
       Expressing concern over the increasing crimes against women, she said it is the need of the hour to ensure autonomy for women, treat them as equal individuals and provide a secure and safe atmosphere. "Keeping in view the increasing assaults, it is necessary to ensure certainty of punishment and see that offenders complete their term of punishment," she remarked. 

SFI Himachal Pradesh state secretary Khushi Verma said, "SFI has organised the convention to discuss issues like condition of girl students and increasing need of security for college and university girls in HP and other states. Safety of women in society at large and stringent steps to curb sexual crimes are also on the agenda."
   

Huge Response to LDFHartal in Kerala a clear sign of Peoples anger towards Congress Government

The dawn-to-dusk hartal called by Left Democratic Front in Kerala was total as government offices, educational institutions and commercial establishments remained closedacross the state. Barring some two-wheelers and private vehicles, the roads here were largely deserted. Supporters of the hartal staged marches in different parts state.The hartal called by the Left Democratic Front was in protest against the police attack on MLAs and to demand the resignation of the Chief Minister. 

The people of Kerala who whole heartedly received the call of dawn to hartal by Left Democratic Front has given a staunch warning to the most corrupt Chief Minister’s brutal action to the protestors including the opposition leader and MLA’s. Normal life was totally disrupted in the state due to the 12 hour hartal in Solar Scam.

Except for a few private vehicles and two wheelers, other modes of transport were off the roads. Shops and hotels remained closed. All educational institutions and government offices including courts were also remained closed. State transport corporation’s buses were also remained stand still. In some centers including Alappuzha, and Kottayam the police force has made provocation which led to some untoward incidents.

In every district and local centers, thousands of LDF activists hold huge demonstrations braving the torrential rain across the state. Response of the people to the protest was overwhelming. The LDF has been on the agitation path for the past two weeks seeking to corner the government over the multi-crore solar panel scam which has brought the Chief Minister’s Office under a cloud.

Security had been tightened all over the state in view of the hartal. The LDF has been on the agitation path for the past two weeks seeking resignation of Chief Minister over the multi-crore solar panel scam which has brought the Chief Minister’s Office under a cloud.
LDF decided to launch a continuous struggle till the victory. LDF convener Vaikom Vishwan informed that Left Trade Unions, Kisan and Agriculture workers organizations will hold march to secretariat on 12th and 15th. Left students and youth organizations’ march will be on 16th and 19th. On 22nd   and 23rd peoples’ representatives of LDF will hold 48 hour sit in in Thiruvananthapuram.

At the same time, Chandy, who firmly rejected the demand for his resignation, has dismissed the charges against him as “a political conspiracy”.

Karanataka Beedi workers protest against UPA governments policies

Karnataka State Beedi Workers Federation affiliated to CITU lead protest against the Union government’s decision to withdraw the scholarship given to children of beedi workers.

Scores of beedi workers from 12 districts across the State staged a protest in Bangalore on Tuesday under the banner of the Karnataka State Beedi Workers Federation opposing the Union government’s decision to withdraw the scholarship given to children of beedi workers studying between classes 1 and 8. 

The Centre last year decided to remove beedi workers from the list of beneficiaries of the scholarships in the light of the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act 2009. 

Syed Mujeeb, State general secretary of the federation, pointed out that the scholarship had made it possible for lakhs of beedi workers to send their children to school. “The scholarship is extremely essential for us and was used as a medium to uplift the families of beedi workers. Most beedi workers come from low economic backgrounds and are unable to bear the cost of education. Children of beedi workers will be unable to go to school as the workers will be unable to bear the cost.” 

Criticising the government’s decision to withdraw the scholarships, Mr. Mujeeb emphasised that the fund for the scholarships was raised by the beedi manufacturers. “The government is not spending a single amount on this scholarship. The entire amount is paid as welfare cess by the beedi producers. The government is only acting as an intermediary.”

Apart from this, the federation has demanded strict enforcement of labour laws and has demanded that a minimum of Rs. 200 be provided for rolling 1,000 beedis. They have also demanded a minimum pension of Rs. 3,000 besides insisting that all beedi workers be given identity cards and BPL cards.

CPI(M) protest against ‘pankti bheda’ in Karnataka

Demanding the State government to ban Made Snana and ‘Pankthi bedha’ (discrimination in serving food) practiced in Udupi Krishna Mutt and other temples, and fulfilment of various other demands, CPIM  staged a protest across Karnataka.

 

Members of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) staged a demonstration in front of the Mini-Vidhana Soudha in Hubli. The protest was in response to the call given by the CPI(M) for a State-wide protest against caste discrimination. ‘Pankti bheda’ refers to the discrimination between castes during meals.

The protestors raised slogans against ‘pankti bheda’ and ‘made snana’, which involves devotees rolling over plantain leaves containing leftovers of the lunch served to Brahmins. CPI(M) district secretary B.S. Soppin urged the government to abolish such practices.

Mr. Soppin stressed the need for providing reservation for Dalits in the private sector and urged Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to allocate funds for Dalits based on population.

Dalit Hakkugala Horata Samiti convener Durgappa Chikkatumbala, members Gurusiddappa Ambiger, Hanumanthapap Jalagar and Nagamma Hiremani took part and handed over a memorandum addressed to the Chief Minister to the additional tahsildar.

The memorandum sought increased scholarships for Dalit students and food allowances for SC/ST hostels, reservation in outsourcing works, provision of two acres of land to landless Dalits, increase in the compensation package to devadasis from Rs. 25,000 to Rs. 1 lakh, and the withdrawal of cases against activists who protested at Udupi.

Mangalore

Addressing the protesters, CPM leader Vasanth Achary said that Pejawar seer holds padayatra with Dalits in Dalit colonies. However, discrimination is practiced in Udupi Krishna Mutt while serving meals.

About 168 temples coming under the jurisdiction of Endowment Department have been practicing inhuman practices across the State. The government should initiate measures to stop these practices and withdraw cases filed against all those protesters who had protested against discrimination, in Udupi.

He said the State government should chalk out a law on the model of Andhra Pradesh to implement SC/ST Component Plan and Tribes Sub Plan. The funds earmarked for the welfare of SC/ST should not be lapsed and the budget should set aside funds on the basis of population of SC/STs in the State.

Dalits constitute about 23.65 per cent of the population in the State. Hence, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah should set aside 23.65 per cent of funds under component plan for the welfare of the SC/STs.

The government should release funds for the development of Dalit colonies in the State and civic workers should not be forced to get into manhole to take up cleaning work. The minimum salary of civic workers should be increased to Rs 12,000 per month, to improve their standard of living.

CPIM City Secretary Sunil Kumar Bajal said that there was a need to strengthen social welfare department to check injustice on Dalits.

Reservation in government sector should be extended to private sector as well.

All those poor Dalits who do not have a roof over their head should be given sites and houses under various housing schemes of the government. Dalit families who do not possess land should be given minimum two acre land, to eke out their living. The scholarship amount given for SC/ST students should be hiked and food allowance for hostel students should be increased in the wake of rise in price of essential commodities.

The protesters urged Chief Minister to include their demands in the budget which will be presented by him on July 12. A memorandum was submitted to the Chief Minister through Deputy Commissioner on the occasion.

DYFI District President Muneer Katipalla, Dalit Rights Committee secretary Lingappa Nanthoor and others were present.

 

Gulbarga

Activists of the CPI (M) staged a demonstration outside the Deputy Commissioner’s office in Gulbarga criticising the maths for practising untouchability in the name of religion. The State government should intervene and put an end to these practices.

Coming down heavily on the Pejawar Math Swami, the party leaders said that while the seer had gone on padayatras in the Dalit colonies purportedly to end untouchability, he had done little to stop the practice of ‘made snana’ and ‘pankti bheda’ in maths.

Demanding the State government to ban Made Snana and ‘Pankthi bedha’ (discrimination in serving food) practiced in Udupi Krishna Mutt and other temples, and fulfilment of various other demands, CPM and Dalit Rights Committee staged a protest in front of Deputy Commissioner’s office on Tuesday.
(Source : The Hindu)

ALL INDIA FEDERATION OF ANGANWADI WORKERS AND HELPERS(AIFAWH) observes Black Day

Tamil Nadu

 

Karnataka

Delhi

6 lakh anganwadi workers and helpers observe “Black Day” against Privatisation of ICDS and recognition as workers, minimum wage and pension on 10 July 2013

All India federation of Anganwadi Workers and Helpers (AIFAWH) congratulates anganwadi workers and helpers all over the country for the magnificent success of the observance of “black day” on 10th July 2013.

Nearly six lakh anganwadi workers from states – Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Delhi, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Punjab, Rajasthan, Tripura, Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal - observed “black day” on 10 July 2013 at the call of AIFAWH. In Kerala, due to the hartal in the state today against the state government the protest will be held on 19th July 2013. In Uttarakhand due to the involvement of the union in the relief works, only a memorandum was submitted. In Andhra Pradesh the state anganwadi union is also on three days strike on 8,9 and 10 July. Hundreds and thousands of anganwadi workers and helpers wearing black dress, holding black banners, flags etc hold demonstrations, dharnas, rallies etc at project, district and state head quarters in different states. In various states the government had tried to prevent the anganwadi workers and helpers from participating in the struggle, by issuing notices, denying police permissions etc.

In Delhi more anganwadi workers and helpers held a dharna near ITO, New Delhi. Tapan Sen MP, General Secretary CITU inaugurated. A R Sindhu, Secretary CITU and General Secretary AIFAWH, K Hemalata, Secretary CITU, Ranjana Nirula treasurer CITU and convenor ASHA workers co ordination committee, Kamala, General Secretary Delhi State Anganwadi Workers and helpers Union, M L Malkotia General Secretary State CITU addressed the gathering.

AIFAWH has given a call to observe 10 July, the anganwadi demands day as “black day” against the government’s proposals for move to dismantle the ICDS through privatisation of pre-school education and compulsory handing over to NGOs and corporates, opposition of the Ministry of women and Child Development to the recommendations of the 45th Indian Labour Conference, recognizing the scheme workers (including the anganwadi workers and helpers) as workers, paying them minimum wages and pension and freedom of association.

The Ministry of WCD, whose Minister Smt. Krishna Tirath, who recently appeared in News Headlines for declaring a proposal for “recognizing the women’s house work by paying salary to housewives”, when it came to their turn of recognizing the women’s unpaid labour in these government schemes, in a most shameful manner opposed the ILC recommendations.

AIFAWH demands that the government must stop any move to privatise the ICDS and immediately implement the recommendations of the 45th ILC on scheme workers and must come forward and talk to the trade union federations of anganwadi employees on their demands and issues as in a democracy.