[Marxistindia] On Israeli attack

marxistindia
news from the cpi(m)
May 31, 2010

Press Statement

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

Israeli Attack Condemned

On the night of May 30, the Israeli armed forces illegally attacked a flotilla of six ships carrying humanitarian aid to Gaza in international waters. At least 15 international activists have been killed and many injured. The Polit Bureau of the CPI(M) strongly condemns this unprovoked and criminal attack.

About 700 activists from a number of countries are on the six ships. They were aiming to take 10,000 tonnes of humanitarian aid to Gaza, which has been under relentless siege for almost three years now.

The attack on the flotilla in international waters, 65 km off the Gaza coast again shows the complete contempt that Israel has for international law or international opinion. Attacking ships in international waters and killing its passengers is a brazen act of piracy and must be treated as such by the international community.

The CPI(M) calls upon the Government of India to condemn this dastardly attack. India must also work actively with other countries from the non-aligned nations in the UN and other bodies to force Israel to lift the illegal siege of Gaza.

eom
_______________________________________________
Marxistindia mailing list
Marxistindia@cpim.org
http://cpim.org/mailman/listinfo/marxistindia_cpim.org
http://wwww.cpim.org

[Marxistindia] Sitaram Yechury on charges against the CPI(M) and LF government in West Bengal

marxistindia
news from the cpi(m)
May 29, 2010

Press Statement

Sitaram Yechury, Member, Polit Bureau of CPI(M) has issued the following statement from New Delhi:

Instead of joining the collective efforts to provide relief and assistance to the victims of the recent ghastly rail accident in West Midnapore, sections of the pro-Trinamul Congress intellectuals in West Bengal have mounted an absurd and insidious charge against the CPI (M) and the Left Front Government that they conspired to cause this accident. This is reminiscent of Hitler and Nazi fascists setting the German Reichstag on fire and arresting Dimitrov, General Secretary of the Communist International on that charge. This was followed by a general witch-hunt against the Communists in Germany.

What is more surprising is that the Union Railway Minister has virtually echoed similar charges against the CPI (M) and the Left Front Government in West Bengal. As the Railway Minister it is her basic duty, to be discharged under the oath of our Constitution that she took while assuming office, to inform the country about the Ministry's preliminary observations on the cause of the accident. She has rather chosen to shield the actual culprits by suggesting that the Maoists may not be behind the sabotage. This is indeed strange that she is saying all this while continuing to demand a CBI enquiry when the State Government has already initiated a CID enquiry.

The Union Railway Minister continues to maintain that there was a blast that led to the accident, while the Union Home Minister has denied that possibility. It is clear that the Union Railway Minister is seeking to cover up for the serious lapses of her leadership in the Railway Ministry and its failings in this tragic episode. During the five months of this year the number of major Railway accidents has been more than in any calendar year since 1980.

It is indeed tragic that instead of joining the country in the wake of a national tragedy these elements are cynically using the situation to further their petty partisan interests. All this is being done in order to influence public opinion on the eve of the municipality elections in West Bengal. The politically conscious people of West Bengal will surely see through this conspiracy and give a fitting rebuff to these diabolical designs.

eom
_______________________________________________
Marxistindia mailing list
Marxistindia@cpim.org
http://cpim.org/mailman/listinfo/marxistindia_cpim.org
http://wwww.cpim.org

[Marxistindia] On J & K Incident

marxistindia
news from the cpi(m)
May 29, 2010

Press Statement

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

The Polit Bureau of the CPI(M) expresses its grave concern on the shocking incident of the killing of three Kashmiri youths by an army unit in Jammu & Kashmir in an alleged encounter. The Jammu & Kashmir police has registered a murder case against the concerned army unit. Appropriate legal action should be taken against all the perpetrators who were involved in this serious crime and violation of human rights.

The Polit Bureau of the CPI(M) expresses its heartfelt condolences to the bereaved members of the families of the three Kashmiri youth who lost their precious life.

The government of India should take all necessary steps to stop the recurrence of such incidents.

eom
_______________________________________________
Marxistindia mailing list
Marxistindia@cpim.org
http://cpim.org/mailman/listinfo/marxistindia_cpim.org
http://wwww.cpim.org

[Marxistindia] On train accident in West Bengal

marxistindia
news from the cpi(m)
May 28, 2010

Press Statement

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

The Polit Bureau of the CPI(M) expresses its shock and grief at the tragic loss of precious lives in the terrible train accident caused by sabotage by Maoists in the Jhargram area of West Midnapore district of West Bengal close to the Jharkhand border. It extends its deep condolences to the bereaved families and sympathy and concern for those who have suffered injuries. It strongly condemns this dastardly act by Maoists who have once again demonstrated their utter contempt for human lives.

This terrible tragedy has been compounded by the irresponsible absence of due diligence on the part of the railway authorities. In violation of their own declared policy to ensure specific safety measures in Maoist affected areas, in this case the pilot train which should have preceded the passenger train to check the safety of the track was not done. This perhaps could have averted this tragedy and saved the lives of passengers. Further, a goods train that collided with the derailed passenger train on the parallel track, resulting in graver damage of death and injury, could have been prevented. The persistent denial of the existence of Maoist activities in West Bengal by the Railway Minister may have led to the lack of preparedness of the authorities.

The Polit Bureau of the CPI(M) demands that a thorough enquiry be conducted into this horrendous incident. The Prime Minister should personally intervene to ensure that the railways, in coordination with security agencies, fulfill their responsibility by stepping up precautionary safety measures to protect passengers and railway property in all Maoist affected areas.

eom
_______________________________________________
Marxistindia mailing list
Marxistindia@cpim.org
http://cpim.org/mailman/listinfo/marxistindia_cpim.org
http://wwww.cpim.org

[Marxistindia] On the attitude of Air India management

marxistindia
news from the cpi(m)
May 27, 2010

Press Statement

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

The Polit Bureau of the CPI(M) expresses its grave concern at the vindictive attitude of the Air India management to terminate the services of 17 leading union activists and to suspend 15 more leading workers inspite of the withdrawal of strike after discussion with Chief Labour Commissioner (Central).

The Air India management has arbitrarily withdrawn recognition of Air Corporation Employees Union without assigning any reason.

The Air India Chairman for the last several months is refusing to have any dialogue with employees and the gag order issued against the employees provoked spontaneous strike action by the employees. The great inconvenience caused to thousands of passengers was due to the policies adopted by the management. The Air India management is solely responsible for the inconvenience of the passengers. The role of the Civil Aviation Minister Shri Praful Patel is also responsible for the present state of affairs in Air India.

The Polit Bureau of the CPI(M) demands immediate revocation of the termination and suspension orders against the union activists and demand the restoration of recognition of the Air Corporation Employees Union. The management should immediately start negotiations with the unions to improve the services of Air India and addressing the legitimate grievances of the employees.

eom
_______________________________________________
Marxistindia mailing list
Marxistindia@cpim.org
http://cpim.org/mailman/listinfo/marxistindia_cpim.org
http://wwww.cpim.org

[Marxistindia] No FDI In Retail Trade

marxistindia
news from the cpi(m)

May 25, 2010

Press Statement

The Communist Party of India (Marxist) and the Communist Party of India
have issued the following statement:

No FDI In Retail Trade

The Central Government is once again considering the opening up of
multi-brand retail trade to Foreign Direct Investment. The Department of
Industrial Policy & Promotion is pushing for such a move.

Retail trade in the country employees lakhs of people, whose livelihood
will be jeopardized if big foreign companies like Walmart and Tesco are
allowed into the retail trade.

It is strange that the UPA government is contemplating this step when the
Congress Party itself has taken a stand against the entry of foreign
companies in retail trade as stated in its resolution in the AICC session
held in Hyderabad in 2006.

The Left parties have consistently opposed the entry of foreign companies
into retail trade. A wide spectrum of political parties, retail trade
associations and public opinion is against such a move.

The UPA government should desist from allowing FDI in multi-brand retail
trade.

_______________________________________________
Marxistindia mailing list
Marxistindia@cpim.org
http://cpim.org/mailman/listinfo/marxistindia_cpim.org
http://wwww.cpim.org

[Marxistindia] On FTA With European Union

marxistindia
news from the cpi(m)
May 23, 2010

Press Statement

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

On FTA with European Union

The UPA Government is set to conclude negotiations on the India-EU Free Trade Agreement by October 2010. Despite this having far reaching consequences, the negotiations are being conducted with extreme secrecy and keeping the Indian Parliament and the State Governments in the dark.

The FTA with EU seeks to lower Indian tariffs to zero or near zero levels for 90% of agricultural products, while leaving untouched the huge subsidies EU agriculture enjoys. This will allow EU to dump subsidized European farm products in the Indian market. We have already seen the impact of such FTAs on Indian agriculture with cheap palm oil imports destroying domestic production.

On Intellectual Property, the EU is asking for TRIPS plus provisions and re-writing of Indian patent and copyright laws. That the Government is even discussing the re-writing of such laws with the EU shows that the scant respect the current UPA Government has for the Parliament. Accepting product patents for drugs and pharmaceuticals under TRIPS has already restricted the access to cheap medicines for the Indian people. A further set of pro-monopoly and pro-corporate measures being demanded by EU - extension of patent life by five years, reduction of farmers rights in favour of agri-business, data exclusivity, etc., are all geared to harm the interests of the people further and their access to medicines, seeds and food.

The EU is also asking India to brand as "counterfeit" all pharmaceutical products that are not in conformity with EU's patent laws that India exports to other countries through EU territory. This is a crude attempt to justify the illegal seizures that it has carried out recently on which India and Brazil is are planning to invoke WTO dispute settlement provisions. It is surprising that India is even consenting to discuss such issues with EU.

The India EU FTA also proposes massive cuts in import duties on industrial goods, which will greatly impact India's manufacturing sector that is already facing job losses and shrinking markets. The investment and services provisions are asking for financial liberalisation that the UPA Government wanted to carry out and the Left opposed.

While India largely uses tariff barriers to protect its industry and agriculture, EU uses non-tariff barriers such as engineering and phyto-sanitary standards and also heavy subsidies, particularly in agriculture. In these discussions, the focus is almost entirely on tariffs and creating TRIPS Plus provisions - it is completely skewed for opening the Indian market to EU and not India gaining market access. While India is discussing amending its laws, such a discussion on EU's laws and non-trade barriers are not even on the agenda.

CPI (M) demands that the UPA Government should not proceed any further on the India-EU FTA unless all current proposals, negotiating drafts are debated and discussed in Parliament and with State Governments.

_______________________________________________
Marxistindia mailing list
Marxistindia@cpim.org
http://cpim.org/mailman/listinfo/marxistindia_cpim.org
http://wwww.cpim.org

[Marxistindia] Air India Express Crash

marxistindia
news from the cpi(m)
May 22, 2010

Press Statement

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

The Polit Bureau of the CPI(M) is shocked at the crash of the Air India Express plane at Mangalore Airport. It is deeply grieved at the loss of lives of around 160 passengers and crew.

The Polit Bureau extends its heartfelt sympathy to all those who have lost their family members in the crash.

A proper enquiry must be expeditiously conducted to ascertain the cause for the crash and to take remedial measures if necessary.

_______________________________________________
Marxistindia mailing list
Marxistindia@cpim.org
http://cpim.org/mailman/listinfo/marxistindia_cpim.org
http://wwww.cpim.org

[Marxistindia] Oppose Increase in the Price of Gas

marxistindia
news from the cpi(m)
May 21, 2010

Press Statement

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

The Communist Party of India (Marxist) strongly opposes the decision of the government to increase the price of gas produced by the public sector companies from $ 1.8 per unit to $ 4.2 per unit. This doubling of the price in the Administered Price Mechanism (APM) has been done to bring it in line with the price approved by the government for the gas produced by the Reliance India Ltd (RIL).

The government decision seems motivated to ensure the market for RIL's gas since the lower priced gas of the public sector enterprises would have been more attractive for the power and fertilizer producers.

By this step the additional burden of Rs. 8000 crore will be passed on to the consumers of power and fertilizers. The transport industry using CNG will also be affected.

The doubling of the APM gas price comes at a time when the country is witnessing high inflation and price rise. The benefits accruing to one corporate group seems more important for the government than public interest.
_______________________________________________
Marxistindia mailing list
Marxistindia@cpim.org
http://cpim.org/mailman/listinfo/marxistindia_cpim.org
http://wwww.cpim.org

[Marxistindia] wild allegations made by the Trinamul Congress

marxistindia
news from the cpi(m)
May 20, 2010

Press Release

Sitaram Yechury and Basudev Acharia met the Home Minister today evening and handed over a letter on the unsubstantiated and wild allegations leveled by the TMC. We are releasing the text of the letter:

*************

Dear Home Minister,

We seek to draw your attention and intervention in a serious situation that is developing in the course of the current election campaign to municipal corporations in the state of West Bengal.

The enclosed letter from the Chairman of the Left Front, Shri Biman Basu, explains how the Trinamul Congress leader and Union Railway Minister is deliberately stoking panic and terror amongst the Muslim minority population claiming that she has secret information that a section of the police will help the Left Front in unleashing communal violence in the state.

You are surely aware that during the last thirty three years of the Left Front Government in West Bengal, the state and its people have seen unprecedented communal harmony and fraternity. This record makes all of us proud in India and is often portrayed as the symbol of India's strength in secular democracy. You will surely agree that any effort to blemish this record are not in the interests of our country's unity and integrity. Further, casting such wild and unsubstantiated allegations, especially by a Union Cabinet Minister, also violates the provisions of the Representation of People Act, 1951.

If indeed the TMC leader and Union Minister does possess some secret information we request you as the Union Home Minister to obtain such information and act on it in consultation with the state government. If on the contrary, there is no such information, as surely is the case, then may we request you to set at rest the apprehensions and tensions that have resulted from the Union Minister's utterances.

(Basudev Acharia) (Sitaram Yechury)

Leader, CPI(M) Group Leader, CPI(M) Group

Lok Sabha Rajya Sabha
_______________________________________________
Marxistindia mailing list
Marxistindia@cpim.org
http://cpim.org/mailman/listinfo/marxistindia_cpim.org
http://wwww.cpim.org

[Marxistindia] 3G Spectrum allocation

marxistindia
news from the cpi(m)
May 20, 2010

Press Statement

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

The outcome of the 3G spectrum auction convincingly proves that Union Communication Minister, Shri A. Raja, was clearly involved in corrupt practices by selling 2G spectrum to some industrialists by manipulating TRAI recommendations. Whereas 3G spectrum could fetch Rs. 70,000 crores, 2G spectrum was sold at a paltry sum of Rs. 2000 crores only. Shri Raja had done so by blatantly violating the law causing a huge loss to the public exchequer.

Despite repeated demands made in parliament and outside, Shri A. Raja is nonchalantly continuing to stick to his position. Such a situation cannot be allowed to be continued.

The CPI(M) demands that Shri A. Raja should immediately resign from his post pending a high power enquiry into the entire 2G spectrum scam.

If the minister refuses to resign, the Prime Minister should sack him to maintain the dignity of the high post Shri A. Raja is holding in the Government.
_______________________________________________
Marxistindia mailing list
Marxistindia@cpim.org
http://cpim.org/mailman/listinfo/marxistindia_cpim.org
http://wwww.cpim.org

[Marxistindia] Dissolution of MCI -- undemocratic step

marxistindia
news from the cpi(m)
May 19, 2010

Press Statement

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

The removal of Ketan Desai from the post of Director of MCI is a much belated and required step. The prima facie evidence of corruption at the top levels of MCI required firm Government intervention. The CPI(M) had urged the Government in Parliament to take action to remove Desai, ensure accountability and Parliamentary oversight on such bodies like the MCI through required amendments to the MCI Act, while protecting the autonomy of the MCI.

However utilizing the need for removal of Desai, the Government has brought an ordinance to dissolve the entire council shortly after the Parliament session. This shows the absence of minimum democratic norms. The Government should have taken Parliament into confidence before dissolving an autonomous body set up by an Act of Parliament.

Secondly, since health is a state subject and medical education is on the concurrent list it was mandatory for the Central Government to have consulted State Governments by calling an emergency meeting of the Central Council of Health and Family Welfare. In the dissolved Medical Council, State Governments had their representatives. The seven member Board of Governors now appointed through the ordinance consists entirely of centrally nominated persons. This is a violation of federal principles and is an injustice to the States.

The ordinance reflects a policy of overcentralisation of powers in the hands of the Central Government which does damage to the federal character of the Constitution. The CPI(M) calls upon the Central Government to immediately call a meeting of the Central Council and ensure that the rights of the States are not bypassed.
_______________________________________________
Marxistindia mailing list
Marxistindia@cpim.org
http://cpim.org/mailman/listinfo/marxistindia_cpim.org
http://wwww.cpim.org

[Marxistindia] Prakash Karat on One Year of UPA-II Government

marxistindia
news from the cpi(m)
Article Appearing in People's Democracy of May 23, 2010

One Year of the UPA-II Government

Prakash Karat

The UPA government is completing one year of its tenure on May 22. Unlike the first UPA government, its second edition did not spell out a common minimum programme. Instead, the Congress-led government began by reiterating its commitment to pursue the neo-liberal agenda. It announced that it would take up those policy measures which it could not push through in its first term in office. The government also promised to bring in some welfare measures for the aam aadmi. On foreign policy, the government stated that it would adhere to the path taken by the first UPA government of aligning India's foreign policy in tune with the strategic alliance with the United States of America.

The one-year of the UPA government has been notable for the following:

Firstly, it has totally failed to tackle the relentless price rise of essential commodities particularly food items. This has been the biggest cause for people's suffering in the past year; for the poor it has meant less food and more hunger and malnutrition.

This is not a "failure" as such but an outcome of the determination to pursue neo-liberal policies. Food items and other essential commodities are traded and speculated in the market in a big way. The forward trading system is the playground for big trading companies and corporates. The government is in the least interested in curbing these interests who are making huge profits.

Secondly, the Congress led government is in the grip of finance capital and the sway of big business. It believes in cutting taxes for the rich; providing a tax bonanza for big business and maintaining favourable terms for foreign finance speculators. The Direct Taxes Code which the government proposes to usher in will make India one of the least taxed countries as far as the rich are concerned. In the last financial year, the government provided Rs. 80,000 crores of tax concessions to the corporates. The disinvestment of shares in the profitable public sector units is the favoured agenda of both Indian big business and the US corporate interests.

Every sphere of policy making, whether it concerns the pricing of gas, the allocation of telecom spectrum, opening up of mining and minerals, the financial sector, retail trade or allowing foreign educational institutions into the country - bears the imprint of a government pandering to big business and their foreign finance collaborators.

Thirdly, this type of growth under the neo-liberal regime has spawned crony capitalism. The nexus between big business and politics has become the hallmark of the Congress regime. The legitimacy provided to foreign capital flows from dubious sources through the Mauritius route and other tax havens; the huge illegal mining business flourishing under political protection; the refusal to discipline and penalize law breaking and tax evasions on a large scale on the part of the super rich - all this has promoted a unhealthy and perverted capitalism which is celebrated as India's growth story.

What this has produced is corruption and illegality on a large scale which affects every sphere of society. The first year of the government has seen the IPL affair, the 2G spectrum allocation scam and the mining scandal of the Reddy brothers. All this can be directly sourced to the nexus between big business and ruling politicians.

Fourthly, the UPA government's concern for the aam aadmi has proved to be shallow. The Congress and the UPA government are conscious that some relief has to be provided to the people who are the worst victims of the neo-liberal policies. During the UPA I tenure, the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, the farm loan waiver and the Forest Rights Act were some such measures. These were part of the Common Minimum Programme and came into being mainly due to the consistent pressure and struggles waged by the Left parties.

However, under the UPA II, the government has failed to legislate even one substantial measure for relief. The proposed Food Security Bill would have in no way enhanced food security for the people. After one year, the government is still debating how to bring about such a measure. The Public Distribution System has been further weakened and curtailed. The plight of the farmers does not seem to concern the government which has cut the fertilizer subsidy by Rs. 3000 crore in the current Union budget.

The Common Minimum Programme of the first UPA government had promised to increase public expenditure in education to 6 per cent of the GDP and in the sphere of health to 2 to 3 per cent of the GDP. As far as education is concerned the combined central and state expenditure is still below 4 per cent. In the case of health the combined budgetary allocation of the Union and state budgets was a meager 1.06 per cent of the GDP in 2009-10, far below the target of 2-3 per cent.

Fifthly, the UPA government has failed to utilize the favourable political atmosphere and the strength of the secular forces in parliament to push for firm anti-communal measures. It seems visibly reluctant to come to terms with the Ranganath Mishra Commission report recommending reservation for the minorities on the basis of their socio-economic backwardness. There has been a noticeable lack of political initiative in dealing with the simmering problem of Kashmir.

As far as tackling the Maoist violence is concerned, the UPA government tends to treat it solely as a law and order problem without realizing that some of its own policies like the licence for indiscriminate mining in the forest areas is alienating the tribal people. Moreover, it finds itself hampered by its own partner in government, the TMC. Mamata Banerjee has declared that there are no Maoists in West Bengal and therefore there is no need for joint operations against them.

Sixthly, foreign policy under the Manmohan Singh Government has remained steadfast in its fealty to the United States. As a quid pro quo for the nuclear deal, India has agreed to buy billions of dollars of US arms and equipment. The End Use Monitoring Agreement which would allow American inspections on Indian soil was signed. The Civil Nuclear Liability Bill which has been introduced in parliament to meet the demand of the United States is patently against the interests of the Indian people. The growing military and security collaboration with the US and Israel affects the pursuit of an independent policy.

India has gone along with the United States which is targeting Iran on the nuclear issue. It once more voted against Iran in the IAEA, unlike other non-aligned countries. India is not playing the role of a leading non-aligned country. In contrast, President Lula De Silva of Brazil has stood up to the United States and refused to go along with the campaign for further sanctions on Iran. President Lula has visited Tehran for talks with the Iranian leadership to find a way out of the impasse and to come to some agreement with the help of Turkey.

One of the few positive aspects in foreign policy is the Prime Minister's refusal to adopt a confrontationist stance towards Pakistan despite what sections in his government and party wish.

The great potential of shaping an independent foreign policy and strengthening of multipolarity by India's vigorous diplomacy and energising forums like the Bric, Ibsa and the trilateral meetings of the foreign ministers of Russia, China and India is being underplayed.

Politically, the striking outcome of the first year of the UPA government is its increasing vulnerability. In May 2009, the UPA won the elections but failed to get a majority. The Congress leadership ignored this reality and became complacent with the unilateral declaration of support by parties like the BSP, SP, RJD and the JD(S). By the end of the first year that complacency has been shattered. During the last budget session, the Congress had to adopt the tactic of bargain and striking deals to garner support from amongst these parties. The last three weeks of the budget session have witnessed the manouevres to prop up the government's majority against the cut motions and the struggle to ensure the passage of legislations. The cynical use of the CBI for political purposes is undermining the credibility of the agency. The wheeling and dealing that saw the postponement of the Women's Reservation Bill in the Lok Sabha and the introduction of the Civil Nuclear Liability Bill - all portend a tortuous path for the future.

If there is an impression of drift and being directionless, the Congress government has only itself to blame for this plight. After thinking it can go ahead with its own policy prescriptions, it now finds itself in a position where its partners in Government often look at things differently and assert themselves. There is growing opposition within parliament. As far as the people are concerned, their experience is of a government increasingly callous to their sufferings due to price rise, while it showed great solicitude for big business and the corporates when it felt the impact of the global recession. After the first six months of the government, there has been the rising tempo of popular struggles and movements. A peak in this struggle was reached with the April 27 hartal called by the 13 opposition parties. A spate of struggles of different sections of the working people have taken place. The struggle is on against the harmful policies of the government and to defend the livelihood and the rights of the working people. The question is whether the UPA government has learnt any lessons from its first year in office.

May 19, 2010
_______________________________________________
Marxistindia mailing list
Marxistindia@cpim.org
http://cpim.org/mailman/listinfo/marxistindia_cpim.org
http://wwww.cpim.org

[Marxistindia] Maoist Killings in Dantewada

marxistindia
news from the cpi(m)
May 18, 2010

Press Statement

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

The Polit Bureau of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) condemns the ghastly killing of 35 persons including 24 civilians in Dantewada in Bastar by Maoists in a landmine blast yesterday.

The attack on the private passenger bus by the Maoists only highlights their bankrupt policies of attacking ordinary citizens in various parts of the country including tribals who refuse to accept their dictates.

The CPI(M) appeals to the people to raise their voice against the murderous attacks on people and their livelihood and resist their depredations against peaceful citizens.

_______________________________________________
Marxistindia mailing list
Marxistindia@cpim.org
http://cpim.org/mailman/listinfo/marxistindia_cpim.org
http://wwww.cpim.org

[Marxistindia] Left parties statement

marxistindia
news from the cpi(m)
May 15, 2010

Press Release

The Left parties, the CPI(M), CPI, RSP and AIFB met today and issued the following statement:

Food Security

Anti-Price Rise Movement

The Left parties took stock of the ongoing movement against price rise and related issues. It decided to hold a national convention on price rise, food security and connected issues in the beginning of July, from where the future course of action will be announced.

Posco Struggle: Stop Use of Force

The Left parties condemn the firing and the resort to force by the armed police against thousands of men and women who were resisting and blocking the predatory moves of Posco to take over large tracts of fertile land in Jagatsingpur-Paradeep area of Orissa.

Today more that 40 platoons of armed forces were mobilised. They moved down to the Posco site and confronted the thousands of men and women who have been sitting on dharna for the last several months. The armed police resorted to tear gas, lathi charge and fired with rubber bullets in order to disperse the protesters who have now retreated to the villages. This has caused injuries to more than a hundred, including 60 women. The CPI MP of Jagatsingpur was taken into custody the previous night. State CPI and CPI(M) leaders were present on the spot when the firing took place. Canards are being spread by the government that some of the protesters threw bombs. This is a total falsehood.

The people were also protesting against the Posco's move to have a captive port alongside the existing Paradeep port, which will have an adverse impact on the Paradeep port. Posco is also proposing to have captive iron ore mines instead of purchasing ore from the Orissa Mining Corporation. The proposal of Posco to draw water from the Mahanadi Barrage will seriously affect the irrigation system and also damage the ecological balance in the region. Ignoring all these concerns the Centre and the state governments have been backing Posco in their efforts.

The Left parties demand that the state government stop the use of force against the agitators.

Maoist Killings in West Bengal Condemned

The Left parties strongly condemn the killing of four CPI(M) workers, all of them agricultural labourers, in the West Midnapore district and one activist in Purulia district of West Bengal by the Maoists. It calls upon all democratic forces to condemn such violence.
_______________________________________________
Marxistindia mailing list
Marxistindia@cpim.org
http://cpim.org/mailman/listinfo/marxistindia_cpim.org
http://wwww.cpim.org

[Marxistindia] End Communal Profiling

marxistindia
news from the cpi(m)
May 15, 2010

Press Statement

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

End Communal Profiling

The illegal detention and arrest of Maulana Nurul Huda is a reminder of the deep-tooted prejudice that exists in sections of the law enforcement agencies against Muslims. It was bad enough that he was off loaded from the Emirates flight on the basis of a trivial complaint but for the Delhi Police to register a case against him and to have sent him to Tihar Jail is condemnable and unacceptable. Clearly while caution and alertness is required from all official agencies against any terrorist threats, the kind of community profiling which is reflected in this case puts a question mark on the credibility of law enforcement agencies.

It is necessary for the Home Ministry to send a stern message against such community profiling.

The case against Nurul Huda must be withdrawn forthwith. The CPI(M) also demands that he be fully compensated for the losses he suffered as a result of wrongful detainment.

_______________________________________________
Marxistindia mailing list
Marxistindia@cpim.org
http://cpim.org/mailman/listinfo/marxistindia_cpim.org
http://wwww.cpim.org

[Marxistindia] Maoist Killings condemned

marxistindia
news from the cpi(m)
May 15, 2010

Press Statement

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

Maoist Killings Condemned

The brutal killings of the five CPI (M) members and supporters in West Midinapore and Purulia districts in West Bengal on a single day, May 14, by Maoist gangs is yet another instance of the true nature of the Maoists. It gives the lie to the manufactured campaign that the Maoists are engaged in a struggle to defend the cause of the tribal people and other oppressed sections.

The Maoists killed four CPI(M) supporters Nazrul Mir, Sanatan Ahir, Swapan Ahir and Ashok Ahir in Chandavilla village in Binpur-2 Block of West Midnapore by taking them out of their homes in the middle of the night. Their bodies were found near the Highway, bearing marks of torture. All the killed were agricultural labourers.

Another CPI (M) activist, Srikanata Mahato, was picked up from his house in Pathardi village in Arsha Police station area in Purulia district and shot death after his family members were beaten up.

With these murders, the number of CPI (M) members and supporters killed by the Maoists since the Lok Sabha elections in the three districts of West Midnapore, Purulia and Bankura is now 121. They all mostly came from tribal and poor backgrounds.

The civil rights groups and intellectuals who support the Maoists by speaking out only against the police and paramilitary operations must answer the question - are they defending the Maoists so that they carry on such killings of political opponents with impunity?

The CPI (M) will continue to fight the Maoists politically and organizationally with all the resources at its command. It will expose the game of the Maoists who are out to help the anti-Communist forces like the Trinamul Congress in West Bengal.

The Polit Bureau expresses its deepest sympathy and condolences to the families of the martyred comrades.
_______________________________________________
Marxistindia mailing list
Marxistindia@cpim.org
http://cpim.org/mailman/listinfo/marxistindia_cpim.org
http://wwww.cpim.org

[Marxistindia] CPI(M) Committee Communique

marxistindia
news from the cpi(m)

May 07, 2010

Press Communiqué

The Central Committee of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) met in New Delhi from May 5 to 7, 2010. It has issued the following statement:

On Price Rise

The Central Committee reviewed the movement against the price rise of food items and essential commodities. There was an impressive mobilization for the March 12 rally by the Left parties which gave a call for the April 8 picketting and court arrest programme against price rise, for land, employment and against the attacks on the CPI(M) and the Left in West Bengal. According to the reports, 20 lakh people participated in these programmes.

The thirteen parties call for a countrywide hartal against price rise was a big success with a total shut down in many states.

The cut motions moved in the Lok Sabha by the opposition parties on the day of the hartal was to protest against the budget provisions which fuel price rise. The Central Committee condemned the UPA government for refusing to reverse the increase in customs duty on crude oil and excise duty of petrol and diesel announced in the Union Budget.

The Central Committee decided that the movement against price rise should continue. For this, the Left parties should meet and chalk out the next course of action.

Corruption Scandals

The Central Committee noted that the Budget session of parliament was marked by the outbreak of large scale corruption cases and scandals which are the outcome of the big business-politics nexus. The IPL affair has led to the first resignation of a minister from the UPA government, accused of malpractice; the IPL involves illegal money flowing in through the Mauritius route and other tax havens, the use of benami companies and large scale evasion of taxes. The Central Government has refused to institute a Joint Parliamentary Committee to enquire into the whole matter.

The 2G Spectrum contracts given out in 2008 saw the involvement of the Telecom minister, A Raja in large scale corruption. The CBI investigation which included telephone tapping has confirmed the wrong doing of the minister. The Central Committee demanded the removal of A Raja from the ministership and a thorough probe into the telecom scam. The illegal mining activities of the Reddy brothers of Bellary such as the Obulapuram mining project has had the protection of both the Congress government in Andhra Pradesh and the BJP government in Karnataka. Thousands of crores of rupees are being made though such illegal mining activities.

The arrest of the chief of the Medical Council of India, Dr. Ketan Desai, for accepting a bribe of Rs. 2 crores shows the rot which exists in such regulatory bodies. Earlier, similar corruption was unearthed in the AICTE. The corrupt practices in the MCI have polluted the medical, educational and health system. Firm steps must be taken to clean up these institutions. There are allegations of corruption and misuse of funds allocated for disability sports. The Paralympics Committee has been charged with mismanagement of funds.

The Central Committee called for firm and sustained steps against all forms of corruption in public life and those which are the outcome of the big business-politics nexus.

Misuse of CBI

Instead of using agencies such as the CBI to investigate economic crimes and cases of corruption, the ruling party is unscrupulously utilizing the CBI for its narrow political purposes. The brazen manner in which the CBI investigations have been used to muster support for the cut motion is bringing the agency into disrepute. The ruling party cannot be allowed to bring the CBI into disrepute.

The revelation of phone tapping of four political leaders further reinforces the charge that the Congress party is utilizing security and intelligence agencies such as the IB for its political interests. Using these agencies for such purposes should be made illegal and liable for criminal prosecution.

Extremist Hindutva Exposed

The arrest of three persons in the Ajmer Sharief Dargah blasts of 2007 have revealed the role of Hindutva extremist elements in this terrorist attack. One of those arrested is reported to be a member of the RSS. These elements are linked to the group which conducted the Malegaon blasts in Maharashtra. The enquiries point to the involvement of the same elements in the Mecca Masjid blast in Hyderabad.

The Central Government should ensure a coordinated investigation of all these terrorist attacks linked to Hindutva extremists.

In the Mecca Masjid bomb blast a number of Muslim youth were rounded up and kept in detention and tortured for weeks. 26 of them were also charge-sheeted and kept in prison for seven months. The bias in police investigation of terrorist incidents against Muslims in general is disturbing.

The Government of Andhra Pradesh and the CBI must take remedial measures. All those arrested and detained in the Hyderabad case must be suitably compensated.

Mumbai Trial Verdict

With regard to the biggest terrorist violence in India, the Mumbai attack, the Central Committee expressed satisfaction that through the judicial process the accused Ajmal Kasab has been convicted. The Central Government should make all efforts to bring the other accused persons to book to face trial.

Struggle Against Disinvestment

The Central Committee extended its full support to the public sector employees who are struggling against disinvestment of shares in enterprises such as the BSNL, Coal India etc. The CPI(M) calls upon all sections of the people to oppose the government's shortsighted policy of disinvestment and privatization of the public sector.

Against Retrograde Legislations

The Central Committee reiterated its strong opposition to the Civil Nuclear Liability Bill introduced in the Lok Sabha disregarding the opposition at the introductory stage. The Left parties have already spelt out the totally one-sided nature of the Bill which constitutes a serious violation of India's sovereignty and which compromises the rights of citizens regarding their safety and health in the eventuality of a nuclear accident.

The Central Committee is strongly opposed to the Foreign Education Providers Bill introduced in parliament. The Bill does not serve the interests of higher education in the country but will only facilitate commercial and private teaching shops in the name of foreign educational providers.

Tripura Autonomous District Council Elections

The Central Committee warmly congratulated the CPI(M) and the Left Front of Tripura for their sweeping victory in the Tripura Tribal Autonomous District Council elections. Of the 27 seats which went to the polls, the Left Front has won all the 22 seats declared so far.

Organisational Decisions

The Central Committee conducted a mid-term review of the implementation of the organisational tasks decided at the 19th Congress of the Party in April 2008. An indepth examination of the work for implementing the tasks was undertaken and the immediate tasks for the future were worked out.

The meeting constituted a four-member Central Disciplinary Commission of the Central Committee. The Commission will consist of S Ramachandran Pillai (Chairman) and Madan Ghosh, V Srinivasa Rao and U. Vasuki as members.

Extended Meeting: The extended meeting of the Central Committee will be held from August 7 to 10, 2010 at Vijayawada in Andhra Pradesh. The Central Committee worked out the schedule for the preparations for the extended meeting.

Political Campaign

The Central Committee called upon the Party to undertake a political campaign on the following issues:

1. On restructuring Centre-State relations in view of the Centre's inequitable policies and encroachment on state's powers.

2. Scrapping the present Civil Nuclear Liability Bill and bringing in legislation which will protect the interests of the Indian people.

3. Oppose the setting up of foreign educational institutions in the country.

4. Against high level corruption and demanding action against those involved.

5. Take firm action against extremist Hindutva organisations involved in terrorist violence and action against those fomenting communal violence.

6. For bringing the women's reservation Bill in the Lok Sabha and its adoption.

end
_______________________________________________
Marxistindia mailing list
Marxistindia@cpim.org
http://cpim.org/mailman/listinfo/marxistindia_cpim.org
http://wwww.cpim.org

[Marxistindia] Brinda Karat on Investigations in the bomb blasts in Ajmer Sharif and Mecca Masjid

marxistindia
news from the cpi(m)

ZERO HOUR MENTION BY BRINDA KARAT ON INVESTIGATIONS IN BOMB BLASTS IN AJMER SHARIF AND MECCA MASJID RAISED IN RAJYA SABHA ON MAY 6, 2010

I draw attention to the recent serious developments in the investigations into the cases of the bomb blasts in Ajmer Sharif and the linkages with the mecca masjid bomb blasts both of which had taken place in 2007. It is true that terror has no religion and it is equally true that terrorists taking the name of any particular religion defame the very religion in whose name they act. In the current investigations these highly condemnable anti-national acts of terror and bomb blasts in places of worship like the sufi shrine in Ajmer or the masjid in Hyderabad were committed by groups acting in the name of Hindutva. In these two blasts several innocent people were killed and hundreds injured. Earlier in the Malegaon bomb blasts in 2006 and again in 2008 in Malegaon and Modasa groups again acting in the name of Hindutva have been implicated. Recently it was reported that the RSS has expelled one of its pracharaks for his involvement following the investigations.

Sir several questions arise; (1) How is it that immediately after the bomb blasts the top Government Ministers and officials immediately linked the blasts to members of the Muslim community alleging links with Huji and Lashkar. We know the culpability of Huji and Lashkar in many acts of terror in this country but when it becomes an automatic reaction to blame Muslims with links to these terror outfits for the blasts it is the gravest injustice to the community and in fact it helps terror groups operating across the border as the credibility of our own investigation gets compromised. In this connection the arrest, torture and incarceration of 75 Muslim youth in Hyderabad in 2007 and 2008 is a shameful symbol of prejudice and community profiling. I hope this House will join me in demanding compensation for them. I also demand a fresh probe into the mecca masjid blasts in the light of new evidence of links with the Ajmer sharif blasts.

(2) It seems that there is a network of groups operating in different parts of the country who are committed to acts of terror in the name of Hindutva. The Government should institute an enquiry into this.

(3) we also have to strongly condemn that politics which produces persons who commit such acts, the politics of communal hatred, the targeting of Muslims, the false propaganda and the distortions of history. We can expel such people once they are caught but if we continue such sectarian and communal politics then such organizations will be seen as political factories producing anti-patriotic monsters who do not hesitate to kill and maim innocent people. I hope the House will strongly condemn these forces.

_______________________________________________
Marxistindia mailing list
Marxistindia@cpim.org
http://cpim.org/mailman/listinfo/marxistindia_cpim.org
http://wwww.cpim.org