Monday, March 7, 2011

Despite Obstacles, We Have Marched Forward : Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee

 
Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee Talks to Peoples’ Democracy
 
Peoples’ Democracy: The entire period of 7th. LF Government has seen turmoil in the state. In this backdrop, what are the most important achievements of your Government?
 
Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee : It is afactthatthe Seventh Left Front Government had to work overcoming unprecedented difficulties, particularly in the form of political obstacles to development programmes. Then there was concerted effort of creating anarchy in different parts of the state. However, we achieved considerable success in both economic and social spheres in continuation of earlier records. West Bengal has now become self sufficient in rice and many other agricultural crops. Agricultural production has retained its growth trajectory despite a general crisis in the whole country. We emphasized on extension of food processing and could successfully spread food processing industries in districts.
 
Despite obstacles and patently misleading campaign against us, the industrial development of the state has marched forward. In fact, in 2009 and 2010, the amount of investment in the state was highest ever. In spite of global recession, entrepreneurs have come forward to set up new industries in the state. This is evident from the number of IEMs filed by the entrepreneurs with the Government of India for setting up of new industries in West Bengal. During the calendar year 2009, West Bengal received 206 IEMs with a proposed investment of Rs. 44,390 crore . During last few years West Bengal received 1362 IEMs involving investment proposal of Rs.2, 37,000 crore which accounted for 5.47% of the total investment for the country as a whole. The total investment during the calendar year 2009 was as high as Rs. 8493.43 crore. These facts prove that Singur or Nandigram were exceptions, not the rule.
 
In the industrial development in West Bengal, we gave a policy thrust in the development of Small Scale Industries. According to the last NSS data, there are 27.5 lakh unorganized industrial units in West Bengal generating employment for 55 lakh people which is highest in the country. During the period 2006-2010, 45,495 Micro and Small Scale Units have started operation with employment for more than 4, 65,000 persons.
Along with that, West Bengal achieved great strides in IT and all major concerns have established their centers in the state.
 
In the social development sector, we have achieved more than 99.06 per cent enrollment in primary education. The number of Self Help groups, particularly consisting rural women has crossed 14lakhs. The state government has firmly stood beside those in the unorganized sector, ranging from transport workers to Biri workers through social security schemes in large scale. For last few years, in particular, the state government has initiated a gamut of programmes for the social, educational upliftment of the minorities.
 
Peoples’ Democracy: This period also witnessed erosion of support for the Left in elections. Do you think this trend can be reversed?
 
Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee : Yes, of course. In 2009 parliamentary elections and in the 2010 municipal elections, Left Front suffered setbacks. We have thoroughly analysed and identified the problems. We identified shortcomings and deficiencies in political activities, government functioning and organizational problems of our Party. We have initiated process of corrections in all these aspects. We have reinforced our dedicated interaction with the people, speeded up government’s activities in the social sector and rejuvenated Party work. We have begun to get positive results also. In last few months, massive popular mobilisation has taken place in our political programmes. Huge rallies have taken place in districts. In fact, I, myself, am witness to unprecedented gathering in many districts. The people have begun to realize the true face of the opposition. The mass base and support for the Left in West Bengal is deep and wide.
 
Peoples’ Democracy: There is a spectrum of anti-Left alliance: TMC to Maoists, along with a considerable section of media, different secessionist and communal groups, forces based on identity politics. Why the Left has become the so-called “Common Enemy” of these forces?
 
Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee: The Left Front and its government has pursued an alternative path, steadfastly and successfully defended the interests of the toiling people, and expanded democracy. Peasants, workers, different sections of toiling people have been empowered not only economically but with self respect also. West Bengal is the advanced outpost of secularism in the country. The Left in India has opposed the new liberal trajectory and growing intervention of the imperialist forces. West Bengal, as the strong base of the Left movement has helped to build up struggle against these policies. There have been continuous efforts to destabilize this government which have failed so far. Therefore these forces have come together and are trying to dislodge us by hook or crook. They have thrown away moral, political justifications just to oppose the Left. Degenerated ultra left Maoists have come together with parties like Trinamool Congress. Congress has also joined in the fray as a junior partner. Their coming together is a clear demarcation of the politics of the Left Front.
 
Peoples’ Democracy: What is your assessment about about TMC?
 
Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee : This is worst type of Right wing political force. TMC was formed and continued with one and only aim of unseating Left Front government. The only political, ideological essence of that party is Anti-Communism. They have no political agenda except for that. They have no other economic, social programme . Naturally, they do not have any political morality as well. We have seen them in company of the BJP, a partner in NDA government, and now with Congress and UPA. They are raising some slogans recently with ‘leftist’ fervor. This is a ploy to hoodwink people. Their entire politics is destructive also. They have created anarchy in the state; their activities and their alliance with Maoists are main sources of increased violence in the state.
 
Peoples’ Democracy: You have told many times in recent period that “Left path is the only way for West Bengal”. Why do you say so?
 
Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee : The world has seen the negative consequences of unbridled capitalism. International finance capital-led globalization has caused havoc in USA, Europe too. This has increased inequality in unprecedented scale. The life and livelihood of overwhelming majority of people have been negatively affected. In many parts of the world, particularly in Latin American countries, peoples’ protests have taken definite left-oriented political shape too. Even the recent turmoil in Arabian world contains an element of discontent against these same policies.
In our country, neo liberal policies are badly affecting the poorer section. There are two India now, the shining and suffering. In such a situation, the only desirable way is the Left way. In West Bengal, as I have said before, the Leftist understanding is deeply rooted in society, in politics, in cultural ethos too.
 
Peoples’ Democracy: What will be the main slogans of Left Front in coming elections? What will be the main issues of campaign?
 
Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee: We will go forward with our developmental programme. That will be our major plank. We will consolidate our success in agriculture. We will accelerate industrialisation to make state economy stronger. The main thrust will be on employment. We will continue in our effort for income generation for the poorest of the poor. Land reforms will continue. Expansion and raising the quality of education is an area of priority. We will continue to expand programmes for SC-ST and minorities.
In the election campaign, we will strongly approach the people to defend democratic rights and the achievements recorded by the toiling people. One of the major planks will be to defeat the forces of anarchy.
 
Peoples’ Democracy: What will be priority areas, new areas of venture for next LF government?
 
Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee: Our priority is clear. Our class orientation is clear. We will definitely take more measures for the working class, particularly the workers in the unorganized sector. We will stand by the side of construction workers, handloom workers, ICDS workers, Mid-day meal helpers. We will try to put more life into self help groups. The priority of next Left Front Government will of course be the younger generation. The students and youth are very talented with great potentials. We have to fulfill their aspirations, utilize their capacities. We will strengthen our efforts in their education, their employment.

CPIM Central Committee Communique


The Central Committee of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) met in New Delhi on March 4 & 5, 2011. It has issued the following statement:
Assembly Elections
The Central Committee heard reports about the preparations being made for the elections in West Bengal, Kerala, Tamilnadu, Assam and Puducherry. The Central Committee called upon the people of West Bengal and Kerala to ensure the victory of the Left Front and the Left Democratic Front. The Congress and its TMC and UDF allies should be defeated as they are responsible for the acute price rise, massive corruption and attacks on the livelihood of the people. The Left Front of West Bengal and the LDF government of Kerala have stood out for the implementation of pro-people policies and safeguarding the interests of the working people.
The Central Committee approved the electoral tactics worked out for fighting the elections in Tamilnadu, Puducherry and Assam.
Union Budget
The Union Budget manifests all the negative features of the neo-liberal policies being pursued by the UPA government. It has totally failed to address the serious problems of high inflation and the relentless rise of food and fuel prices. The refusal to reduce excise and customs duties on petroleum products that were increased in the last budget signals the government’s intention to allow fuel prices to increase at a time when the international oil prices are going up. The budget has failed to come out with any measures to curb price rise at a time when the people are suffering from the relentless rise of food and fuel prices. The massive Rs. 20,000 crore cut in subsidies of fuel, fertiliser and food will add to the burdens on the people.
The Direct Cash Transfer programme in lieu of subsidies will only lead to further price rise. It will lead to the exclusion of large sections of the country’s poor from subsidised food and fuel. It will open the way for dismantling the public distribution system and push the people to the market and the private sector where prices will increase and the cash subsidy will remain fixed. Further, cash transfer for fertilisers to the BPL category alone will mean excluding most farmers who are landholders and do not come under the BPL category.
The budget while cutting subsidies has given further concessions to the corporate sector with the cut in surcharge. The corporate tax exemption for 2010-11 totalled over Rs. 88,000 crore. Rs. 40,000 crores is targeted for realization through disinvestment of PSU shares. The allocations for the welfare of women, minorities, dalits and tribals are thoroughly inadequate. The service tax of five percent on diagnostic tests and for hospitals will make access to health care more difficult for people.
The Central Committee opposes the retrograde provisions in the budget and calls upon the Party to mobilize people against the new burdens imposed on them.
Price Rise
The food inflation rate stood at 15.67 per cent in January 2011. This shows that the food prices index has risen by a further 15 per cent from January 2010 to January 2011. The Congress-led government stands indicted for its failure to curb food inflation. The UPA government pursuing the neo-liberal agenda, wants to allow FDI in retail trade and the replacement of the system of subsidised food through PDS with direct cash transfers. The CPI(M) opposes these steps. It demands enhancing the State support for agriculture and a universal PDS.
Fight Corruption
The Central Committee noted that the government was compelled to constitute the Joint Parliamentary Committee to enquire into the 2G Spectrum scam after a prolonged struggle by the opposition. It is also necessary that the investigative agencies take action against those companies which illegally got licences. The Government should cancel these licences and auction the spectrum so that the lost revenue can be recovered.
The Central Committee wanted an independent enquiry into the Antrix-Devas contract (which has now been annulled), which involved the launching of two satellites and allocation of 70 MHz S band spectrum.
The Supreme Court has indicted the UPA government for appointing P J Thomas as the Central Vigilance Commissioner and set aside the appointment. The Prime Minister was directly involved in the selection process. He has yet to explain how the former telecom secretary under A Raja and who had a case pending against him earlier was made the CVC.
The way the UPA government has handled the 2G spectrum affair and the manner in which the CVC was appointed, have all raised questions about the role of the Prime Minister in this affair and the cover-up that was attempted.
Black Money
The measures announced in the Budget 2011 on tackling black money and illicit fund flows are grossly inadequate. The Government must launch a drive to unearth black money, especially those stashed in Swiss Banks and other offshore tax havens. The Mauritius route must be plugged by scrapping the Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement with Mauritius. Participatory Notes used by the Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) must be prohibited.
Extremist Hindutva Terror
The confession by Aseemanand before a magistrate has confirmed the links of certain extremist Hindutva groups with the Malegaon, Ajmer Sharief, Mecca Masjid and Samjhautha Express blasts. The RSS cannot deny that some of its ranks have joined in these terrorist activities.
The investigative agencies should uncover the full network and bring all those guilty to book. At the same time innocent Muslim youth who have been falsely implicated in such cases as in the Malegaon blast should be released forthwith and they should be compensated for their illegal detention.
ULFA Talks
The Central Committee welcomed the talks being held between the ULFA and the Assam State Government. The Central Government should initiate talks with other extremist groups who are operating in Assam and Manipur.
Violence Against Women
The Central Committee expressed its concern at the increasing violence against women. It demanded that the long pending legislations on violence against women should be passed. It demanded that the Women’s Reservation Bill be passed without further delay.
Workers March To Parliament
The Central Committee congratulated the central trade unions which had organized the massive workers March to Parliament on February 23. The lakhs of men and women workers who participated in the March was a manifestation of the anger and discontent among the working class against the anti-working class policies of the UPA government. The Central Committee fully supports the five-point charter of demands set out for the March.
Middle East
The Central Committee greeted the people’s uprising in Egypt which has led to the ouster of the Mubarak regime. It extended its full support for the popular movement in Egypt for ushering in of a democratic set up.
The Central Committee expressed its opposition to the moves of the United States and Nato to militarily intervene in Libya. The people of Libya should decide how to resolve their problems and the type of political system that they should have. The Central Committee wanted the speedy evacuation of all Indian nationals from Libya and steps taken to rehabilitate the large number of returning workers who have become jobless.
Review Reports
The Central Committee reviewed the work done on the rectification campaign conducted so far. The CC also adopted a review of the work on the trade union front.
Call For Movement
The Central Committee called upon all its Party units to continue the agitation against price rise, mobilize the people against high level corruption and take up the issues of the peasantry and the rural poor. The Party should step up the struggle for a universal public distribution system and food security; for proper implementation of the MNREGA and the Forest Rights Act; against disinvestment in public sector enterprises and opposition to FDI in retail. The State Committees will take up demands related to these issues for launching movements in their respective states.