Saturday, July 31, 2010

CPI (M) plea to preserve Bharathiyar's school

 The CPI (M) State committee has urged Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi to take steps to prevent any attempt to sell the building and playground of Ettayapuram Raja Primary and Higher Secondary School where national poet Bharathiyar and Tamil scholar Somasundara Bharathiyar studied.
In his letter to the Chief Minister, CPI (M) State secretary G. Ramakrishnan said the government should take over the school.
This aided school is managed by the descendents of Ettaypuram Jameen.

Corruption in Commonwealth Games Organisation



The Polit Bureau of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) has issued the following statement:
 
The reported payment of big sums of money by the Commonwealth Games Organising Committee to an obscure British based company seems to be a case of high level corruption. The Organising Committee is reported to have paid around Rs. 1.68 crore (2,47,467 pound) to a company, A. M. Films. It is further alleged that this company is receiving 25,000 pounds every month.   More than Rs. 3 crore  has so far been paid to this company. The British government has already pointed out various irregularities in the contract with the company. 
 
It is imperative that the Central Government immediately order a high level investigation into this   contract and the transactions undertaken. It is shocking that such large-scale misuse of public funds has taken place in the name of the Commonwealth Games. The government must act expeditiously and those found guilty must be brought to book.

Friday, July 30, 2010

SFI sweeps college union elections in Calicut University

Candidates of the Students Federation of India (SFI) made a sweeping victory in the elections held in various colleges in the district under the Calicut University.

The SFI had an overwhelming majority in 13 out of 16 colleges, where the students union election were held on the basis of students organisations.

The SFI scored emphatic victories in St. Thomas College, Thrissur; Sree Kerala Varma College , Thrissur; I.E.S., Chittilappilly; Government College, Kuttanellur; Christ College, Irinjalakuda; S.N. College, Nattika; Sri Vyasa College, Wadakkanchery; Sreekrishna College, Guruvayur; Panampilly College, Chalakudy; and M.D. College, Pazhanji. KSU and ABVP could win only in one college each where they were having understanding among themselves.

SFI State committee has thanked and congratulated all students for once again selecting SFI as the numero uno of the campus and rejecting all fundamentalist forces.

Left parties seek resignation of three Bellary Ministers

The Communist Party of India Marxist (CPI-M) and the Communist Party of India (CPI) have accused the three Ministers from Bellary, G. Janardhan Reddy, G. Karunakara Reddy and B. Sriramulu, of defaming Bellary and also the State and have sought their resignation.

Addressing a joint press conference here on Thursday, U. Basavaraj and K. Nagabhushan Rao, secretaries of the district committees of CPI(M) and CPI respectively, alleged that though the three Ministers claimed that there was no illegal mining activities in the district, mineral wealth had been looted which only spoke of either their incapability to prevent the loot of mineral resources or their involvement in illegal mining activities.

They wanted the three Ministers to own responsibility and tender their resignation to their posts.

“The statement of Mr. Sriramulu that the Opposition parties were unnecessarily defaming Bellary, its people and culture, is wrong. The name of Bellary and also the State was getting defamed by these three Ministers insofar as illegal mining is concerned,” Mr. Basavaraj said.

Rally

He said that to protest against the “failure” of the Congress and the BJP in curbing illegal mining and also to create awareness among the public about the need to rise to the occasion in protecting natural mineral wealth, the Left parties have organised a rally in Bellary on August 3.

According to Mr. Basavaraj, large-scale illegal mining was the result of the failure of the Congress and the BJP leading to the growth of a “mafia” there.

Mr. Nagabhushan said that a procession would be taken out from Durgamma temple to Gandhi Bhavan by Left activists.

This will be followed by a public meeting.

Sitaram Yechury, Polit Bureau member of the CPI(M), and Narayan of the CPI are among senior leaders of the parties to take part in the rally.

In addition, Secretary of the State unit of CPI(M) V.J.K. Nair, Siddanagouda Patil, S. Prasanna Kumar, G.N. Nagaraj, and Ramakrishna, CPI and All India Kisan Sabha leader in Andhra Pradesh, would address the rally, he said.

The Left parties, during the rally, would urge both the Governments to initiate immediate action against all those involved in illegal mining and nationalise mining, ban exports of iron ore until a new mineral/mining policy was brought out and order a Central Bureau of Investigation inquiry into illegal mining activities, they said.

Courtesy : The Hindu

Thursday, July 29, 2010

Photo exhibhition as part of CPIM Pleenum inaugurated

A photo exhibition, organized in connection with CPIM extended central committee meeting opposite the GVMC office, was formally inaugurated by CPI(M) State executive member Ch. Narasinga Rao on Wednesday.

Speaking on the occasion, he said that the party was conducting a publicity campaign in this regard. A ‘Chalo Vijayawada' will be held in which thousands of people from Visakhapatnam district were expected to participate.

He said that flags would be hoisted at all municipal wards and mandals in the district, jeep jathas would be held in the district from August 1 to 5 and teams would undertake door-to-door campaign from August 6 to 9 to create awareness among the people on the lopsided policies of the UPA Government and the Congress Government in the State.

CPI(M) district executive members A. Ajay Sarma and B. Ganga Rao, city committee secretary K. Lokanadham, executive members R. Bhagyalakshmi and RKSV Kumar were among those who were present.
(Courtesy : The Hindu)

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

CPI (M) gearing up for Extended Central Committee Meeting

The parties that have come to power at the Centre and in the states mainly because of the votes of the poor have forgotten them and were favouring the land mafia, Communist Party of India (Marxist) central committee member P. Madhu alleged here on Tuesday.

Flagging off a bicycle rally taken out from Kaleswara Rao market centre to publicise the party's national meeting to be held in the city from August 7, Mr. Madhu said that the Central and State governments had become mere puppets in the hands of the ‘mining mafia'. Several mining scams were brought to light recently and the important among them was the one in which son-in-law of former Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy allegedly occupied lakhs of acres of land for mining purpose.

As this was confirmed by none other than Chief Minister K. Rosaiah, “what stronger evidence is needed?” Mr. Madhu asked.

He alleged that the leaders in the State were too busy making money and had totally forgotten the needs of the people.

Hundreds of party activists and sympathisers participated in the rally that passed below One Town low bridge and reached Durgapuram, touching Police Control Room, Krishnalanka police station, Satyam hotel, Krishnalanka feeder road, Nallagate centre, Ranigarithota, Labbipet and Nimmathota centre.

Political solution

Mr. Madhu said all the problems the people were facing and an alternative political solution would be discussed at the party's national conference.

Over 400 delegates from all over the country will come to the city to attend the conference.

Senior leaders of the party and chief ministers of West Bengal, Kerala and Tripura would attend a public meeting that would be held at Swaraj Maidan on August 10, he said.

SFI south Indian Study camp at Mysore from July 31

To come up with effective strategies given the changing socio-economic and political scenario, the Students Federation of India (SFI) has organised a four-day study camp for SFI activists from four Southern States in the city, said H.R. Naveen Kumar, SFI Karnataka State President, at a press conference .

Around 400 SFI activists are expected to attend the camp which will commence on July 31 and conclude on Aug 3.

Naveen Kumar said that CPI(M) politburo member Sitaram Yechury will deliver the inaugural address of the ‘Open Session’ of the camp at Dasara Exhibition Grounds at 12 noon on July 31. Before the Open Session, SFI activists will take out a procession near the Town Hall at 11 am.

Naveen Kumar said that the formal study camp which will commence on the morning of August 1 at Nanjaraja Bahadur Choultry will be inaugurated by former SFI National Secretary, Nilotpal Basu, in the presence of former SFI President and Member of Parliament P.K. Biju. The open discussion on “State of the present education system” on the evening of Aug. 1 will be inaugurated by Mayor Sandesh Swamy. Thomas Joseph, Principal Secretary, Kerala’s Department of Higher Education, will deliver the keynote address, followed by a talk by Nilotpal Basu on “Emerging challenges before the students movement.” Kerala Finance Minister T.M Thomas Isaac will speak on “Reforms in Higher Education under the United Progressive Alliance II.”

Noted historian K.N. Panikkar will speak on “Capitalism, culture and media” in the morning session on Aug. 2 and in the evening session, Ritabrato Banerjee, SFI, All India Sectretary will speak on “SFI programme and organisation.”

Cultural programmes will be presented by the representatives of the four States along with a special programme by noted theatre activist H.Janardhan (Janni). The valedictory address will be delivered by T M Thomas Isaac, focussing on “The politics of globalization.” L. Jagannath, District Secretary, CPI (M), will be the chief guest and Shivadasan, National Secretary, SFI, will preside.

According to Naveen Kumar, theatre personality C. Basavalingaiah, journalist Rajashekara Koti, writer Prof. Shivaramu Kadanakuppe, former MLA Sriram Reddy, SFI State Secretary N. Anantha Nayak will be attending the study camp.

Monday, July 26, 2010

Sitaram Yechury to flag off CPI(M) campaign on August 22


A State-level campaign by the Communist Party of India (Marxist)  Tamil Nadu State Committee to press for a 12-point charter of demands will be flagged off from here by Sitaram Yechury, Polit Bureau member, on August 22.

Unveiling the programme-of-action on the proposed campaign, K. Balakrishnan, president, Tamizhaga Vivasayigal Sangam, told reporters here on Sunday that over 500 committees would be formed across district. The week-long campaign up to August 30 would be marked primarily by padayatras and public meetings.

He criticised the State government for its ‘passive' stand on the Cauvery issue. “The Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal award remained unenforceable in view of the Karnataka government approaching the Supreme Court.”

Moving the Supreme Court to override the Tribunal award was the ultra-vires of the constitution, Mr. Balakrishnan said and added that pliancy of the State had only emboldened the Karnataka government. The party also called upon the Chief Minister to provide pattas for those residing on and cultivating temple lands as the vast majority lived on temple lands without pattas.

Reiterating the party's opposition to setting up of thermal power plants on cultivable lands in the district, Mr. Balakrishnan also called for compensation for Kuruvai loss.
According to him, a compensation of Rs.10,000 per acre for a farmer and Rs.5000 per family engaged in agricultural labour should be provided.
(Courtesy : The Hindu)

Somnath Chatterjee's False Assertions

The Polit Bureau of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) has issued the following statement:
 
Shri Somnath Chatterjee has made a number of false assertions in his forthcoming book, excerpts of which have been published in the media. It is totally wrong to say that five members of the Polit Bureau decided to expel him the day after the trust vote session of the Lok Sabha was held.
 
The decision to take disciplinary action against Somnath Chatterjee was taken at a full Polit Bureau meeting held on July 19, 2008. The Polit Bureau decided to convey to Somnath Chatterjee once more, the decision that he should forthwith resign from the Speakership and not preside over the Lok Sabha session on the trust vote. The Polit Bureau concluded that if he refused to do so he should be expelled from the Party as it would amount to helping the Congress-led government. The Central Committee of the Party which met on July 20 was apprised of the situation and it authorized the Polit Bureau to take disciplinary action against Somnath Chatterjee if he violated the decision.
 
Somnath Chatterjee had earlier in a letter to the Party dated July  9, 2008 agreed to abide by the decision of the Party and resign from the post of Speakership. He later backed out from this commitment to abide by the Party decision.
 
It is unfortunate that Chatterjee has sought to draw Comrade Jyoti Basu’s name into this matter when he is no more.
 
All the other views expressed by him are just post-facto justifications of a person who defected to the ruling establishment.

Sunday, July 25, 2010

CPI (M) dares Anam brothers for open debate on ‘Indiramma'

NELLORE: CPI (M) State secretary B.V. Raghavulu on Saturday visited the camp at Gandhi statue in the city, where CPI (M) leaders are on an indefinite fast on various people's problems.

Former Minister and TDP district president Somireddy Chandramohan Reddy, CPI (M) State secretariat member Jakka Venkaiah, district leader T.P. Bhanu Raju and others also visited the camp.

Addressing the gathering later, Mr. Raghavulu blamed the ruling party representatives and the officials for not responding to the relay hunger strikes, which made the leaders to begin fast unto death.

Reacting to the comments allegedly made by local MLA Anam Vivekananda Reddy that the CPI (M) leaders were doing fasts by eating biryanis and dosas, the CPI (M) State secretary said criticising the huger strikes is nothing but insulting Mahatma Gandhi and Congress party.

“Instead of solving the problems amicably, Minister Anam Ramnarayana Reddy and his brother and MLA Mr.Vivekananda Reddy are giving unnecessary statements,” he alleged and dared them to come for an open discussion on the irregularities in Indiramma Housing Scheme and on poor sanitation, unsafe drinking water, bad roads, street lights and removal of ration cards for genuine persons in the district.

Alleging that nearly Rs.1,300 crore was misused in Indiramma housing scheme in the State, Mr. Raghavulu demanded that the government put the details of the three phases of Indiramma Houses sanctioned, allotted, status of under construction houses, list of beneficiaries in each district, material distributed, loans disbursed and other details in the Internet.

(Courtesy : The Hindu)

Primary School Headmaster Butchered by Maoists in front of Students

A day after a group of villagers refused to join an anti-government rally and chased away Maoists, Maoists on Saturday killed a headmaster of a school in Jhagram for not allowing his students to take part in another rally in West Midnapore district.

Comrade Rabindranath Mahto (45) was about to leave Indrabani Primary School at about 3 pm after the school hours when six Maoists came in three motorbikes and dragged him in front of the school building.

Maoists butchers then hacked him with an axe before shooting him from close range, killing him on the spot. Another teacher Shyamlal Mandi was also present there but he was spared. Maoists and People's Committee against Police Atrocities used to force men, women and students to take part in their rallies.

Maoists on Friday told Mahto to send the students to the rally, but he refused. Mahto, a former panchayat pradhan, was the Manikpara circle president of All Bengal Primary Teachers Association and a follower of CPIM

In a show of dissent, some villagers of Radhanagar, five km from Jhargram, refused to take part in a rally held by the Maoists on Friday.

Villagers in the adjacent area of Radhanagar earlier took out rallies to protest the high-handedness of the PCPA and had even drove the Committee members out of the village when they went to Radhanagar to organise them for an anti-joint forces programme, a phenomenon that has heartened the security forces on the dwindling support base of the Maoists in the Jungalmahal area of Bengal.

Maoists also shot dead another local CPM leader in the Balarampur area of the adjacent Purulia district on Friday.

CPIM has asked all peace loving people of the state of protest against the atrocities committed by Maoists with the backing of Mamtha Banarjee.

Saturday, July 24, 2010

International and Local Support as Venezuela Severes Diplomatic Relations with Colombia

Following Colombian accusations before the Organisation of American States (OAS) yesterday that Venezuela is “protecting” its guerrillas, Chavez announced that Venezuela would break off diplomatic relations with Colombia and withdraw its ambassador. Venezuelan institutions and international social organisations have expressed their support for Venezuela, while the U.S has supported Colombia’s proposal to the OAS.

President Hugo Chavez and various other government leaders have justified the move as defending Venezuela’s “dignity” in the face of “constant aggressions and false accusations” by Colombia against Venezuela.

“This government of Mr [Alvaro] Uribe has spent eight years attacking and lying and creating ‘false positives’ against Venezuela in order to justify the unjustifiable,” Foreign Minister Nicolas Maduro said. Uribe will be replaced by President-elect Juan Manuel Santos on 7 August.

Yesterday afternoon the Venezuelan executive gave its ambassador in Colombia, Gustavo Marquez, and his staff 72 hours to return to Caracas.

Chavez also requested an extraordinary meeting of the political council of the Union of South American Nations (UNASUR) in order to denounce the Colombian government’s “aggression”.

Maduro supported the call, saying a “South American response to the aggression” was necessary.

In response to Venezuela’s request, early this morning Ecuadorian president Rafael Correa who is also provisional president of UNASUR, announced he would call a meeting of the regional organisation in order to mediate the Venezuelan-Colombian conflict.

“The Venezuelan government is concentrating its efforts in the union of South America, in creating ...trade, social, economic and defence based unity of South America,” Vice president Elias Jaua said to the press this morning.

Jaua called on the Venezuelan people to “strengthen the union with the Colombian people in order to keep struggling for peace and unity of the continent.”

The freezing of relations wouldn’t affect food supply in Venezuela, said Jorge Perez, professor of political economy at the Central University of Venezuela (UCV), He said that food to be imported for the state food markets of Mercal and Pdval is already being processed to come from other Latin American countries.

Perez explained that ever since the freezing of commercial relations between Venezuela and Colombia last year following Colombia’s agreement to install seven U.S bases in its territory, the government has been progressively substituting its imports from Colombian transnationals by signing agreements with countries such as Argentina, Brazil, Ecuador, Bolivia, Nicaragua, and China, to import products like meat, milk, cheese, and rice.

Also, both Reuters and the Venezuelan government owned AVN, reported that the situation on the main Venezuela/Colombia border crossings was “normal”, with the crossings remaining open and vehicles and people passing through as usual.

Support for the Venezuelan government’s actions

YVKE Mundial and AVN report that some Petroleos de Venezuela (PDVSA) workers protested this morning in Caracas in order to show their support for the decision of the government to break diplomatic relations with Colombia.

One of the protestors, Karina Soler, told press, “We’re not enemies of the Colombian people, but we declare ourselves fierce enemies of the narco-government of Uribe.”

Jaua said the governing United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV) was organising a series of mobilisations along the border with Colombia for this weekend. On Saturday afternoon it is planning a mobilisation in Apure, towards the centre of the border, then in Tachira, where the main border crossing is, on Sunday, and on 31 July, heading towards the south, in Amazonas.

Also yesterday a coalition of U.S based human rights, social justice, civil society organisations and the TransAfrica Forum published two letters criticising the outgoing government of Colombia for “continuing a pattern of falsely accusing Venezuela of having links to the insurgent groups FARC and ELN”.

The letters were addressed to Jose Miguel Insulza, Secretary General of the OAS and the coalition said it will continue collecting signatures and will also submit the letter to UNASUR and to incoming president-elect Santos on the day of his inauguration, 7 August.

Various other Venezuelan public institutions and organisations have also expressed their support for the measures taking by the Venezuelan executive, including the heads of; the National Assembly, the Supreme Court, the National Bolivarian Armed Forces, the Attorney General, the National Electoral Council, the PSUV youth, the National Union of Workers (Unete), the Socialist Front of Petroleum Workers (FSTP), the Electoral Movement of the People (MEP), and the Unionists of Latin American and the Caribbean, who are currently in Venezuela for a continent wide union conference.

Marcela Maspero, national coordinator of Unete, said, “In the face of any attempt by Colombia or any other country, to obstruct the revolution [in Venezuela], the working class will come out bravely to defend the process and the country.”

Likewise, Victor Mendibil, from the Unionists of Latin America and the Caribbean and also the Workers Central of Argentina (CTA), said, “Once again the Colombian government is attacking the progressive government of Venezuela and accusing it internationally of having and protecting...Colombian guerrillas. That’s not possible, because the government here is a proper one that always acts according to the law.”

Further, according to Alfonso Velasquez of the Unified Central of Workers of Colombia (CUT), the Colombian government needs to leave the Venezuelan government alone and “dedicate” itself to providing security for Colombians. “Just last year, over 2,940 union and social leaders in Colombia were killed due to the inefficiency of the government in relation to security,” he said.

U.S support for Colombia

Meanwhile, El Universal reports that the U.S has announced that it would support the creation of an international mission to verify if the FARC do have camps in Venezuelan territory, something Colombia requested when it went to the OAS yesterday.

US State department spokesperson Phillip Crowley said he supported Colombia’s proposal and such a mission should visit and examine the supposed camps within a month.

"There should be an investigation. We think Venezuela has the responsibility to respond swiftly to the important information presented yesterday by Colombia,” he said.

OAS norms state that such a commission can only be formed with the permission of the country involved.

Maduro concluded that the only way diplomatic relations between Venezuela and Colombia could be restored was with “absolute respect and when they cease the political and media aggressions against [Venezuela].”

Venezuela had already suspended bilateral trade ties mid last year to protest the agreement between the U.S and Colombia to install seven U.S military bases in Colombian territory.

Then last week the outgoing Colombian government accused Venezuela of purposefully tolerating the presence of Colombian guerrilla “terrorists” in its territory. Venezuela’s initial response was that such accusations were part of a media “defamation” campaign

CITU Demands Auto fare revision

MANGALORE : The Federation of the Karnataka Autorickshaw Drivers Unions, affiliated to the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU), staged a demonstration here on Friday demanding an increase in the minimum fare in the wake of rising fuel prices.
L.T. Suvarna, general secretary of the CITU Autorickshaw Chalakara Sangha, said that the union had demanded the minimum fare for the first 1.5 km to be increased to Rs. 16 from Rs. 13. The charge for every subsequent kilometre should be increased to Rs. 11 from Rs. 9

District president of the sangha Sunil Kumar Bajal said that over 10,000 autorickshaw drivers were being squeezed between the soaring prices of essential commodities and the hike in fuel prices. Over the years, the costs of spare parts, oil and repairs had risen substantially. The additional burden, without increasing the fares,makes it very difficult for autorickshaw drivers to support their families, Mr. Bajal said.

Criticism

Vasanth Achari, district general secretary of the CITU, criticised the Union Government for increasing fuel prices at a time when the people were already reeling under the rising prices of essential commodities.

Harish Gowda, an autorickshaw driver from Bantwal, said that the increases in fuel prices had hit them hard. The poor condition of roads had only added to their problems, he said.

(Courtesy : Hindu)


Friday, July 23, 2010

BJP, UPA responsible for illegal mining: CPI(M)

CPI(M) to hold rally in Bellary on August 3 against illegal mining

The Communist Party of India (Marxist) has held the Bharatiya Janata Party Government in the State, as well as the Congress-led UPA Government at the Centre responsible for the illegal mining in Karnataka.

Speaking to presspersons here on Thursday, G.N. Nagaraj and S. Prasannakumar, members of the State Secretariat of the party, said that both governments had shirked their responsibility to curb illegal mining and protect non-renewable mineral resources.

It was an “unpardonable crime” for the State Government to be involved in the mining scam, while claiming to be “clean” and pointing fingers at others to cover up its lapses, they said.

Mr. Nagaraj said: “Despite having power in its command, it is ridiculous that the Yeddyurappa Government exhibited its helplessness by not taking stringent action to prevent illegal mining.”

Mr. Prasannakumar blamed the UPA Government for not initiating steps to curb illegal mining.

According to him, the ports were under the control of the Union Government. There were several Acts that could have been invoked to prevent the problem, he added.

They expressed concern over the law and order situation in Bellary district.

In the war of words between the ruling and the Opposition, the issue of protecting the non-renewable mineral wealth of the State was getting sidelined, they pointed out. In order to voice their protest in this regard, the CPI(M) had planned to organise a rally in Bellary on August 3, they said. State-level leaders of the party and some Polit Bureau members were expected to attend.

(Courtesy : The Hindu)

CPI(M) condemns passage of Anti Cow Slaughter Bill without debate

The Kodagu unit of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) has criticised the BJP Government over the passage of the anti-cow slaughter Bill in the Legislative Council, recently, without any debate.

The party would appeal to the Governor not to give assent to the Bill, secretary of the Kodagu CPI (M) I.R. Durgaprasad said in a statement here on Thursday.

Farmers in the State disposed of aged and weak cattle, and, in turn, bought productive cattle for utility. More than 1.25 crore people belonging to the Dalit, minority and tribal communities consumed beef and more than 20 lakh people were involved in the meat trade, Dr. Durgaprasad said. The Bill would come as a blow to these communities. When the Bill becomes a Act it would have deleterious effects on the livelihood of these people and adversely impact the economy of the State, he said. In this kind of a situation, passing the Bill without debate was unfortunate, Dr. Durgaprasad noted.

State Executive Committee member of the CPI (M) S.Y. Gurushant too had condemned the passing of the Bill, Dr. Durgaprasad added.

Protests and demonstrations against the passage of the Bill were held throughout the State since July 12, but the Government chose to ignore them, he alleged.

All citizens should come together to prevent the Bill from becoming an Act, Dr. Durgaprasad said, adding that the CPI (M) would support all parties and progressive organisations to carry on a movement against it.

CPIM Central Committee Communiqué

The Central Committee of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) met in New Delhi from July 21 to 23, 2010. It has issued the following statement:
Homage
The Central Committee paid homage to the forty four members and supporters of the Party who were killed by the Maoists and the TMC led combine in West Bengal since the last Central Committee meeting held in May this year. The Central Committee conveys its heartfelt condolences to the families of all the comrades who were killed.
The Central Committee expressed its deep grief at the death of sixty passengers who died in the collision between two trains at Sainthia railway station in West Bengal. The Central Committee conveys its heartfelt sympathy to the families of all those who were killed and injured.
Petroleum Price Hike
The Central Committee hailed the success of the July 5 countrywide hartal against the steep rise in prices of petrol, diesel, kerosene and cooking gas. The Central Committee demanded that the UPA government rescind these increases and call off the deregulation of petrol pricing.
In the forthcoming parliament session, the Left parties will strongly raise this demand.
Kashmir Situation
The Central Committee heard a report on the serious situation prevailing in the Kashmir valley. Since June there have been a number of incidents involving clashes between stone throwing young men and the police forces. Seventeen young men have lost their lives in this period.
The Central Committee noted that the all-Party meeting had called for a credible enquiry into the circumstances which had led to the death of civilians in the recent period. But the process for such an enquiry has still not started. The security forces have to exercise restraint in the face of the protests. The Central Committee appealed to the young people not to go in for a confrontation with the security forces.
It is highly unfortunate that the Central Government has not taken any worthwhile step to initiate a political dialogue with all sections in the valley.
The Central Committee wants a parliamentary delegation to visit Kashmir immediately and hear the views of all concerned.
Terrorist Activities
Consequent to the arrest of three persons for the Ajmer Sharief dargah blast in 2007, it has been established that there are extremist Hindutva elements involved in terror activities. The Malegaon, the Ajmer Sharief and Mecca Masjid blasts have been traced to these elements. The interrogation of certain RSS functionaries by the CBI points to a wider network. It is imperative that all the links of such a network be uncovered and firm action taken against them.
The Central Committee expressed its serious concern at the activities of the extremist organisation, the Popular Front of India in Kerala and other southern states. The incident of the chopping off of the hand of a lecturer in Ernakulam district and the subsequent searches have unearthed the storage of bomb making material and other weapons.
There is an interconnection between communalism and the spawning of such terrorist activities. The CPI(M) will conduct a campaign against both Hindu and Muslim extremism and all forms of terrorism.
Gujarat Investigations
On the directions of the Supreme Court the CBI has been enquiring into the police killing of Sohrabuddin Sheikh and his wife in a false encounter in Gujarat. The investigation has led to evidence involving the role of the Minister of State for Home, Amit Shah. Given the history of connivance of the Gujarat state government in the communal pogroms, this investigation should be pursued seriously.
FDI In Retail
The Ministry of Commerce has issued a discussion paper proposing the opening of multi-brand retail trade to FDI without any limit. This is the first step towards allowing multinational companies into the general retail trade in India. The earlier UPA government had allowed FDI in single brand retail.
The CPI(M) had brought out a comprehensive policy document on the implications of the entry of FDI in retail trade and the necessity for strict regulation of organised retail trade by Indian corporates.
The Central Committee decided to mobilise public opinion against the entry of FDI in retail trade.
Parliament Session
  • The Central Committee demanded that the Civil Nuclear Liability Bill be not proceeded with in parliament. The Bill does not protect the interests of the Indian people nor assure their lives and safety.
  • The Central Committee called upon the Government to bring Women’s reservation Bill in the Lok Sabha for adoption.
  • The Central Committee wanted the government to place its response to the recommendations of the Ranganath Mishra Commission Report on reservation for minorities in education and jobs.
September 7 Strike
The Central Committee extended its full support to the call of the nine central trade unions for an industrial strike on September 7 on a five point charter of demands. These include steps to curb price rise, end to disinvestment in public sector and implementation of labour laws.
Extended Central Committee Meeting
The Central Committee discussed and adopted the Draft Political Resolution and Review Report which will be placed before the Extended Meeting of the Central Committee to be held in Vijayawada from August 7 to 10, 2010. The Extended Meeting will adopt the political tactical line of the Party for the current situation.
Some of the current tasks set out in the Draft Political Resolution are:
Ø The key task is to fight against the whole gamut of neo-liberal policies which are affecting the lives of the people in all spheres. These policies fuelled by imperialist globalisation are enriching the rich further and transferring resources to the corporates and big business. They are detrimental to interests of the working people. The Congress-led UPA government has pursued these policies for the past six years since coming into office in 2004.
Ø The fight against the neo-liberal policies means taking up the struggle at two levels. One at the level of policies of the Central and concerned state governments and second by taking up the various issues of the people who are affected by these policies concerning their livelihood, public distribution system, land, job security, fair wages, access to health care, education and basic services. The Party and the mass organizations have to conduct sustained struggles on local issues and also launch state-wide movements on people’s issues. At the all India level and states level movements against the neo-liberal policies should be launched.
Ø Communal politics continues to pose a danger as it is seeking an opportunity to push forward the communal agenda. The RSS and its political wing, the BJP, represent the main vehicle for majority communalism and the Hindutva ideology. Though the BJP suffered electoral setbacks, there is no let up on communal activities. In the coming days the struggle against communalism and the Hindutva based activities needs to be carried on. At the same time, the Party should be vigilant to counter minority communalism and extremism.
Ø The UPA government is working to strengthen the strategic alliance with the USA at all levels including military collaboration. This alliance influences domestic policies and is the main detriment to an independent foreign policy. The Party has to step up the opposition to the Indo-US strategic alliance and its various manifestations. It should rally all the patriotic, democratic sections against this tie-up with the US and mobilize people for the pursuit of an independent foreign policy and against imperialist intervention around the world.
Ø The Party should oppose the Congress, the prime mover of the neo-liberal policies of the UPA government, which represents the interests of the big bourgeoisie and favours a pro-US foreign policy.
Ø The BJP does not only practice communal politics, it is a rightwing party which advocates neo-liberal policies. The Party will politically fight the BJP and adopt tactics to rally the secular forces to isolate it.
Ø The CPI(M) will seek the cooperation of those non-Congress secular parties who are willing to come together to take up peoples issues, defend secularism and oppose erosion of national sovereignty both within parliament and outside. Wherever needed, there may be electoral understanding with such parties.
Ø The Party will lay stress on its independent role and activities. The Party will put forward before the people the alternative policies of the Left. The Party will work to strengthen Left unity and to consolidate the forces of the Left while waging a determined struggle against the disruptive activities of the Maoists.
Ø The entire Party will work to rally the people and the democratic forces to defend the CPI(M) and the Left in West Bengal, to help fight back the violent attacks and to overcome the adverse situation.

Thursday, July 22, 2010

CPI(M) intensifies the Dalit Struggle in Karnataka


A translation of  Janashakti report on the Dalit agitations lead by CPI(M) in Karnataka.

Anguished and devastated, a huge number of the exploited people from the Dalit Community from different parts of Karnataka gathered in Bengaluru. They raised their voice against the malpractices in the name of casteism. They also voiced their opinions asking for their right for adequate food. Last June, Thousands of people from dalit community led by CPI(M) conducted a dharna infront of Chief Minister’s house demanding the government to fulfill their basic demands.

It is a matter of great concern that no perceptible change in the living conditions of the people belonging to the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, who constitute a considerably big section of our society, could be achieved, even after six decades of Independence. Several studies have shown that the Constitutional provisions of reservations in employment and education have not properly reached them yet. Even the figures given by the Karnataka Human Development Report, 2005 corroborate this. The atrocities and social boycotts inflicted on Dalits by caste-Hindus in the State, almost on daily basis, highlight their weaker status, helplessness and Govt.’s apathy. The increasing number incidents of dishonouring statues of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar occurring in various parts of the State, only further prove this fact.

The downtrodden in Karnataka form about 26.5 % of the population, and without improving their conditions, there can be no meaningful development of Karnataka. From centuries, this community has been exploited incessantly, and without empowering them economically, socially and educationally, it makes little or no sense when we boast about the development India is undergoing. 

Since the BJP governance has begun in Karnataka, there has been increasing oppression of the Dalits by the upper castes of the society. BJP government has acquired an image of being pro-upper castes, and this has turned to be the magic wand for the Upper castes to continue with their oppression against the Dalits.

The property-less people
These people, who were denied of properties under the Varnashrama system, are still dependent on upper caste landlords. Economically, these communities are worse-off. On several occasions, the forces of lanlordism extract unpaid labour from them. The lands got by Dalit beneficiaries under Land Reforms are still in the possession of the landlords. Lakhs of Dalit families have been pushed out of their lands due to loopholes in the Land Reforms Act, and reduced to the status of agricultural labourers. Bulk of this section has to depend on the low-income agricultural sector. To this day, the Upper caste land owners get these people to do menial jobs, without paying them any wages. About 75 % of the scheduled caste and scheduled tribe from the rural population are still surviving on daily wage labour. Their average income per day has not increased beyond Rs.25. Daily wage labour opportunities have reduced to only 70 days per year.

The annual income of a typical Dalit family has not increased beyond Rs.4000. As a consequence, child labour, and the unfortunate Devadaasi system have perpetuated.
Literacy rate has not been able to reach 50%. The proportion of children remaining out of primary schools is 5%, while that of high schools is 18%. They are unable to purchase healthcare. Undernourishment is so grim that 70% of infants die at that stage itself, and of the remaining. 38% die before reaching the age of 5 years. About 30 % of the pregnant Dalit women do not get adequate care during pregnancy. About 80% of the Dalits do not own a house to live in. Even now, 30% have to live under kerosene light. There are no cemeteries with adequate space for burial of the dead.
                                                                                                                    
Devadasi : Remnants of feudal system
The Devadasi Abolition Act of Bombay State and a similar Act of Madras Government are in force in the Bombay Karnataka Area and in Bellary District respectively. But the Devadasi System is still in force in some parts of Karnataka and the women who are inducted to this system are in a pitiable condition and end up in prostitution for a living. The women are all devadasis, literally slaves of the goddess. As children their parents gave them to serve Yellama - the goddess of fertility. Her cult is thousands of years old, her followers spread across southern India. At the temple to Yellama in Saundatti women dance and praise the goddess. The practice of dedicating young girls as devadasis has been outlawed for over 50 years, but still it happens. Being devadasis means they are slaves of the goddess. When girls dedicated to Yellama reach puberty they are forced to sacrifice their virginity to an older man. What follows is a life of sexual slavery, they become sanctified prostitutes.

With such a reality infront of us, the liberalization policies being followed by the Government and the recurring droughts have further worsened the situation. The portion of funds allocated for the Dalits from the state budget is not in proportion with their population, it is minuscule. But, the funds allocated to other departments of the Government are either never used or misused, the latter being the case, most of the times. Under circumstances such as these, CPI(M) had organized protests in front of the Chief Minister's residence in Bengaluru, pressurizing the fulfillment of these demands.

Sugar that can't be savored
CPI(M) Polit Bureau member K.Varadarajan, who participated in the protest, during his speech said that even after more than 60 years of Independence the existence of practices like untouchability, emanating from casteism is a matter of shame and disgrace. Instances of social segregation and abolishment occur even today as we speak. He expressed his discontent by saying that the existence of laws against untouchability is just like sugar on paper, which cannot be savored. The social,economic and political conditions of the Dalits are worrisome, he said. Land is being snatched away from them as a common occurrence. He also added that daily wage workers are migrating into cities aspiring for better wages.

Types of Untouchability
He said that Untouchability had become a common occurrence, observable  ubiquitously. According to a survey conducted, in Andhra Pradesh there are 148 different practices pertaining to Untouchability, likewise 92 in Tamil Nadu. In this regard, CPI(M) has been consolidating numerous protests. He said that apart from pursuing struggles on the economic front, CPI(M) was also active in the social front, trying to tackle issues of prime concern. Casteism was being maneuvered by religion and an urgent need had arisen to fight against blind religious beliefs. He reached out to everyone saying that, each had a role to play in annihilating this inhumane peril called casteism. In this regard, he said, CPI(M) had taken up numerous struggles all across India.
Inhumane exploitation

The campaign leader for the day, Maruti Manpade, CPI(M) State Leader directly blamed BJP for all the increasing atrocities against the Dalits. Caste instigated crime, social segregation, have been increasing profusely all across the state and the Government was giving no heed to address this issue, he said. In the Siddhaganga and the Pejawar Mutts in Karnataka, the devotees are discriminated into two different streams for the food served, and none of the Mutt Leaders have taken a stand against this double standard. He also said that the government was being negligent with respect to the Devdaasi women. These women are in a pitiful state, surviving by begging. In Bagalkote district alone there about 50,000 orphans, born to the Devadaasis. But the Government was being inhumane and ignoring them, was his accusation. There is a State committee for Dalit rights headed by the Chief Minister, but has failed to meet even once. Not even 30% of the allocated special funds has been spent on them. He accused Yediyurappa to have nullified all the constitutional provisions for the Dalits.
CPI(M) leader, P.Neela, said that, Dalits instead of asking for their rights need to snatch it back. Being comical she said that, Karnataka was built by Dalits, and not by the ones who drink milk, eat curds and ring bells. She complained about the lack of facilities to mill workers and farming wage labourers by the state Government. And by this she concluded that BJP has proven it's anti-Dalit nature.

Former parliamentarian and CPI(M) State Secretary, G.V.Sriraamareddy said that, the Communists in India have been fighting for the cause of Dalits even before Independence, and History is the witness for it. The campaign for Dalits, land for sowers, were started by the CPI(M). The Communist Governments in West Bengal, Kerala, and Tripura have successfully implemented stringent laws against casteism and have been able to provide land to the people from backward classes. He also added that, just by making a Dalit minister, the Dalits cannot be redeemed. Be it Mr. Kharge who has been a minister for three decades, or the Chief Minister Mayawati cannot solve the problems Dalits are facing. The session was presided over by State Secretary, Com.V.J.K.Nair. Social Welfare Minister D.Sudhakar, accepted the pleas and committed to discuss with the Chief Minister. The session was also presided over by State committee members, Com. Nityanandhaswami and G.C.Bayya Reddy.

DEMANDS OF THE RALLY
Following demands were submitted to Minister of Social Welfare, D. Sudhakar and the government was demanded to initiate a discussion on these demands, take suitable action for arranging a joint meeting of representatives of our Party and concerned Ministers/ senior officials:
1. The State Budget should provide for 23.65% of its outlay for the SC/ST population, in proportion to their population in the State. And STs should be provided reservation of 7% as provided by the Central Govt., instead of the current provision of 3%.

2. The un-utilisation of outlays during the prescribed period provided for various Departments under the Govt. should be considered as ‘dereliction of duty’. Those misusing funds provided for Dalits should be proceeded against under Atrocities Act.

3.  All the laws against atrocities on Dalits, untouchability and caste discrimination should be strictly implemented. The complaints should be addressed to speedily and the culprits punished. Witnesses should be provided with protection and financial assistance. The crimes like boycott and blackmail should be added to the purview of Prevention of Atrocities on SCs and STs Act, 1989.

4. Complete economic rehabilitation should be immediately provided to the Dalit victims of atrocities. To prevent delays in provision of justice, Special Courts should be provided with Judges and Public Prosecutors. SC/ST Commission should be strengthened with appointments of Judges and Social Scientists.

5. Re-investigation of the burning alive of Dalits of Kambalapally in Chinthamani district should be ordered. Rigorous punishment should be handed out to the culprits and maximum relief should be provided to the victims. Lands should be allotted to the Dalit villagers of Chitta, Kadakola, and Marakambi. Similarly, the victimised Dalit families in Danapur, Gabbur, Hunasawadi, Halakere, Lakkasandra and Lakshmisagar should be provided with relief.

6. Refusal of temple entry, two tumblers system in the hotels, refusal of entry into public lakes, wells and taps and also hair-cutting saloons, forced unpaid labour and such other practices of untouchability should be strictly halted. And continuous campaigns of enlightening people on these practices should be carried out. The system of separate provision for meals based on castes in vogue in Udupi Sri Krishna Mutt and in other Mutts should be banned.

7. Reservation facility in Private Sector should be immediately implemented. All backlog posts should be filled up. Discrimination in promotion to Dalit employees, delaying or avoiding promotions and such other misdeeds should be stopped. Sewerage workers and sweepers should be released from contract labour and regularized as permanent employees. The systems of child-labour and bonded labour should be eliminated and rehabilitation should be provided to them.

8. Hostels for Dalit students at hobli, taluk and district levels should be opened in adequate numbers. All Dalit students applying for hostels should get admission. Buildings and other infrastructural facilities should be provided for all Dalit Hostels. The monthly food stipend for students in Dalit Hostels should be increased from Rs.1000 to Rs.2000. Scholarships for Dalit students should be increased to the maximum extent. Priority should be given for education of children of Devadasi women.

9. The opportunities for self-employment of Dalit youth should be increased. The Loan facilities with lower interest and 50% subsidy should be increased. One-time writing-off of loans obtained from SC/ST Corporation. Minimum individual loan of Rs. 4 lakhs for SHGs of Dalit women. Restraints on political influences and corruption in the selection of Dalit beneficieries.

10.Universalisation of Public Distribution System and all Dalit households should be enabled to get the benefit without any condition. The minimum daily wage of agricultural labour should be increased to Rs,200.

11.Housing facility for Dalit families should be provided. Comprehensive Land Reforms should be carried out and minimum 2 acres should be distributed to landless Dalit households.

12.Steps to be taken for implementation of Tribal & Other Traditional Forest Dwellers( Forest Rights) Act, 2006 in the State. One more opportunity for applying for regularization should be given to those cultivating Govt. lands. The applications submitted earlier and not settled yet, should be speedily settled and rejected applications should be reconsidered.

13.The fresh enumeration list of Devadasi women should be accepted and all Devadasi women should be provided with pension and rehabilitation. The Govt. should provide incentive of Rs. 1 lakh for inter-caste and Devadasi remarriage programmes.

14.Dalit households should be enabled to get continuous work by be proper implementation of the NREGA. The Scheme should be extended to urban areas. Daily wage should be enhanced to Rs. 200.

15.Allottment of preparation of the mid-day meal to private agencies should be withdrawn and rural dalit, backward women should be enabled to get employment. They should be given decent wages.

16. The legislation banning beef should be withdrawn and the food right of the Dalits should be restored.