Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Stop Jaitapur Project


The Polit Bureau calls for an immediate halt to the Jaitapur nuclear power project in Maharashtra. The local people have been totally opposed to the location of the plant in their area and refused to accept the forcible acquisition of their lands. A CPI(M) delegation which recently visited the area has confirmed this fact.
Given the crisis which has developed in some of the nuclear power reactors in Japan after the tsunami and the threat of a meltdown, it is imperative that the environmental clearance given to the project be withdrawn. The issue should be reexamined.
The Jaitapur power project is to be set-up with imported nuclear plants from the French company, Areva. These reactors based on the European Pressurised Reactor (EPR) technology have not been commissioned for operation anywhere in the world yet. There are questions about the reliability and safety of these new reactors which are also much more expensive. Both in France and Finland, the construction of these reactors have run into various difficulties.
The justifications being given about the EPR project at Jaitapur by the concerned authorities cannot be accepted. The safety and interests of the people of Jaitapur and the country should be paramount.

LDF Kerala releases Poll Manifesto 2011





The CPI(M)-led LDF in Kerala today promised to bring in a legislation to unearth the wealth hidden or stashed away by corrupt politicians and public figures, if voted to power again.

A Rs two per kg rice scheme for all, enhancement and expansion of welfare pensions, creation of 25 lakh jobs in non-farm sectors and increasing the state spending on infrastructure projects were some highlights of the LDF election manifesto released by Chief Minister Com. V S Achuthanandan today.

"The thrust of the manifesto is Kerala's development while ensuring justice and peace for all," LDF convener Vaikom Viswan said.

If voted to power, the LDF Government would amend the Lok Ayukta rules to provide information to public regarding the assets owned by public figures within and outside the country and to ensure transparent and corruption-free administration, he said.

Apart from the extension of Rs two per kg rice scheme to all sections, the manifesto promised to increase old age pension from Rs 400 to Rs 1000.

A populist promise in the manifesto is offer of a subsidy of Rs 20 per litre for kerosene for the weaker sections.

It also contained several schemes for women and children with the professed aim of making Kerala a "woman friendly" state by implementation of various empowerment schemes totaling Rs 7,500 crore.

The maternity leave with wage for women workers in unorganised sector would be increased to three months from the present one month.

All school children would be given free meals, uniforms and textbooks, it said. A welfare-cum-pension scheme for employees of places of worship of all religions will be introduced.

It said the operations of other-state lotteries would be contained while protecting Kerala state lottery.

On getting a fresh mandate, the LDF would achieve total electrification of the state in six months and 100 per cent per cent drinking water supply in five years.

(Courtesy : The New indian Express)

Left parties to contest 22 seats in Tamil Nadu


CPI(M) State secretary G. Ramakrishnan with AIADMK general Secretary J. Jayalalithaa signing the seat-sharing agreement Com.T.K. Rangarajan and Com Balakrishnan are also in the picture

Left parties and the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) arrived at seat-sharing agreements on Monday. The Communist Party of India (Marxist) will contest from 12 constituencies and the Communist Party of India (CPI), 10 seats.
CPI(M) state Secretary G Ramakrishnan and his CPI counterpart D Pandian had separate meetings with AIADMK General Secretary J Jayalalithaa at her Poes Garden residence and signed the agreements.

After firming up the agreement with AIADMK general secretary Jayalalithaa at her Poes Garden residence, CPI (M) State secretary G. Ramakrishnan said: “We will contest from 12 seats. We will work for the victory of the AIADMK alliance.” Both the leaders said that the list of the constituencies would be disclosed by Tuesday evening.