tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35700583062850336182024-03-14T00:30:55.482-07:00News from the CPI(M)Unofficial collection of the latest news and statements from the Communist Party of India (Marxist)marxistindiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01206310563518657771noreply@blogger.comBlogger447125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3570058306285033618.post-35280860728066912452010-11-09T02:44:00.000-08:002010-11-09T02:49:06.896-08:00[Marxistindia] On the outcome of the Obama visitmarxistindia<br>news from the cpi(m)<br>November 09, 2010<p> <p>Press Statement<p> <p>The Polit Bureau of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) has issued the following statement:<p> <p>On The Outcome of the Obama Visit<p> <p>The outcome of the visit of President Obama of the United States is to further strengthen the strategic alliance with the United States. The Joint Statement issued after the visit indicates that the main agenda was to prise open the Indian market for the business and commercial interests of the United States and its efforts to draw India into a closer security and military relationship.<p> <p>In the backdrop of the deep recession and high unemployment afflicting its economy, the US is desperately trying to reduce imports and increase its exports worldwide. The framework for economic cooperation contained in the joint statement reflects this agenda.<p> <p>In the name of promoting food security and raising agricultural productivity, what is being pushed is the agenda of opening up Indian agriculture and retail trade for the profiteering of American MNCs like Wal-Mart and Monsanto. This will be detrimental to the interests of the crores of small and marginal farmers and unorganised retailers in India. The passage of the Seed Bill, which promotes the interests of the multinational seed companies and compromises the seed rights of Indian farmers, is high on the Indian government's agenda. The way is being paved for the opening up of India's financial and higher education sector for American companies. All this is being pursued at the behest of the U.S.-India CEO Forum.<p> <p>The approach of the UPA government is also evident. Instead of emphasizing that India's priority is for lifting the vast mass of people out of poverty, hunger and disease and in that context framing India's relations with the United States, the Congress-led government has catered to the US business and strategic interests, by accepting the self-congratulatory approach that Obama recognizes India as a world power.<p> <p>What this means is spelt out in the joint statement -- a close defence and security relationship which will involve also buying US weaponary on a large scale; falling in step with the United States' deceptive and self-serving talk of human rights, democracy and on nuclear non-proliferation. All these are a continuation and reiteration of the Manmohan Singh-Bush joint statement of 2005 and 2006. India agrees to comply with the sanctions on Iran but will keep silent on Israel and its nuclear arsenal. India is told to behave "responsibly" with regard to exporting democracy and human rights interventions by the United States. Given this one-sided interpretation, there can be no mention of the human rights of the Palestinians in Gaza, or the illegal embargo on Cuba, or the slaughter of Iraqi civilians under the military occupation for the past seven years. <p> <p>India can become a permanent member of the Security Council when the United Nations structure is democratized on the basis of its independent role and influence in world affairs. Endorsement by the United States should not amount to toeing its strategic interests. The joint statement implies that India's two year term in the Council will be a probationary period as far as the United States is concerned.<p> <p>The commitment to buy weapons from the United States comes after the End Use Agreement was signed in 2009. India will not benefit from such arms purchases. By the agreement we cannot modify the weapons systems nor produce spare parts and will have to allow annual inspections.<p> <p>The UPA government has to explain whether the lifting of restrictions on access to dual use technology for certain Indian entities comes alongwith new conditions such as the purchase of arms and steps for tying closer the armed forces of the two countries through agreements on the anvil. <p> <p>The "Afpak" policy of the US which has been endorsed in the joint statement will not resolve the problem in Afghanistan. That requires a multilateral approach. While talk of cooperation in fighting terrorism is there, the Indian side has obviously not insisted on bringing Headley to book.<p> <p>The reference to the WTO's Doha round conceals the incompatible agenda of the United States which wants to open up the markets of the developing countries while continuing to massively subsidise its own agriculture. <p> <p>The Joint statement refers to India signing and ratifying the Convention on Supplementary Compensation. This is with regard to the issue of civil nuclear liability. The Indian parliament has enacted a law in which foreign suppliers can be made liable for damages in the case of a nuclear accident. The UPA government's decision to join the Convention on Supplementary Compensation cannot circumvent the national law. <p> <p>On the global climate negotiations, the US clearly has nothing to offer and the joint statement is therefore unsurprisingly confined to general remarks and platitudes. The reference to the Copenhagen Accord is misleading, when the entire world is aware that President Obama is no position to guarantee even the minimal voluntary commitment that the US has made under the Accord. <p> <p>It is unfortunate that the Mahmohan Singh government has not even raised the issue of justice for the victims of the Bhopal Gas leak which is an important matter in India-US relations.<p> <p>Notwithstanding the fulsome praise for the one-sided and unequal relations with the United States in the corporate media, the real interests of the people of India are not served by such a relationship. What is required is a Indo-US relationship which is based on equality and mutual interest.<p> <p> <p> <br>_______________________________________________<br>Marxistindia mailing list<br><a href="mailto:Marxistindia@cpim.org">Marxistindia@cpim.org</a><br><a href="http://cpim.org/mailman/listinfo/marxistindia_cpim.org">http://cpim.org/mailman/listinfo/marxistindia_cpim.org</a><br><a href="http://wwww.cpim.org">http://wwww.cpim.org</a>marxistindiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01206310563518657771noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3570058306285033618.post-10768665161394958652010-10-29T01:03:00.000-07:002010-10-29T01:16:43.842-07:00[Marxistindia] Obama visit -- countrywide protests on November 8marxistindia<br>news from the cpi(m)<br>October 29, 2010<p> <p>Press Statement<p> <p>The Left parties - the CPI(M), CPI, AIFB and RSP -- have issued the following statement:<p> <p>The President of the United States, Barack Obama is visiting India. Being the first Afro-American President and coming after the neo-conservative Bush regime, there were expectations of positive changes. These, however, have not materialized. <p> <p>On this occasion, the Left parties have decided to organise a countrywide day of protest on November 8, 2010. The United States, as part of its global hegemonic designs, is pursuing policies which are inimical to the national sovereignty and the people's interests of many countries. As far as India is concerned, the United States is aggressively pressurising the government to adopt economic policies which are detrimental to the people in the name of a strategic alliance.<p> <p>Contrary to the official view of the ruling establishment regarding the role being played by the United States, both globally and vis a vis India, the Left parties would like to convey the views of the vast mass of the people of India.<p> <p>The Left parties will highlight the following issues on the protest day being organised on November 8:<p> <p>1. Justice for the victims of the Bhopal Gas accident; to make Dow Chemicals pay for the damages and for the clean up of the factory site; US should extradite Warren Anderson to India to stand trial.<p>2. The United States should stop pressurizing India on foreign policy and to open up agriculture, retail trade, education and other services for American capital and multinational companies.<p>3. Scrap the Indo-US Defence Framework Agreement which seeks to convert India into a military ally of the United States. Stop pressurizing India to give up liability claims on US nuclear suppliers. <p>4. Withdraw the remaining 50,000 US troops in Iraq forthwith; have a political settlement in Afghanistan to establish an independent and neutral state and withdraw US-Nato forces immediately.<p>5. End the US embargo on Cuba; stop all assistance to Israel till it vacates the occupied Palestinian and Arab territories. <p> <p>The Left parties call upon all its units to organise demonstrations and rallies on the above demands on November 8.<p> <p>Sd/-<p> <p> Prakash Karat [CPI(M)] <br> A.B. Bardhan [CPI]<br> <br> <br> <br> <p> <p> <p> Debabrata Biswas [AIFB]<br> Abani Roy [RSP]<br> <p> <br>_______________________________________________<br>Marxistindia mailing list<br><a href="mailto:Marxistindia@cpim.org">Marxistindia@cpim.org</a><br><a href="http://cpim.org/mailman/listinfo/marxistindia_cpim.org">http://cpim.org/mailman/listinfo/marxistindia_cpim.org</a><br><a href="http://wwww.cpim.org">http://wwww.cpim.org</a>marxistindiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01206310563518657771noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3570058306285033618.post-89255621383169118902010-10-26T04:05:00.000-07:002010-10-26T04:09:57.165-07:00[Marxistindia] Rejoinder to Certain Press Reports -- Prakash Karatmarxistindia<br>news from the cpi(m)<br>October 26, 2010<p>Press Statement<p> <p>Prakash Karat, General Secretary of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) has issued the following statement:<p> <p>Rejoinder to certain Press reports on Cambridge speech<p> <p>There have been certain reports of my speech at the Memorial Conference for Victor Kiernan in Cambridge that are inaccurate in parts and misleading. Some agencies have attributed to me that I stated that we committed "a historical blunder" in not recognising the role played by caste in politics and society. It is also alleged that I said that Communists are "stuck in the forties" as far as their theory and practice is concerned.<p> <p>I wish to make it clear that these remarks attributed to me are neither correct nor accurate. As far as caste is concerned what I said is as follows: "We should understand both in theory and practice how class structure in India is influenced by and integrated with structures of hierarchy, discrimination and oppression that are particular to Indian society reflected for instance in caste system." Stating that Communists recognise the role of caste in the socio-economic formations in India is far from saying what has been attributed to me.<p> <p>Secondly, contrary to saying that Communists are stuck in the forties, what I pointed out was and I quote from my written notes:<p> <p> "The bulk of the support for the Communist Parety even today comes from the movement areas and outlying region, where mainly in the 1941 to 1948 period the Communists succeeded in bringing together and leading the two main historical currents of people's struggles -- the struggle against the colonial power and the struggle of the rural masses for freedom from exploitation. Thus where the Communists brought the anti-imperialist and anti-landlord movements together and gave leadership to this united struggle, they gained mass support. Tebhaga (Bengal), North Malabar (Kerala), the tribal struggle (Tripura) the Telengana struggle are some instances."<p> <p>I had concluded by saying that the agenda of the forties such as land reforms and struggle for land is still being pursued by the Communists. <br>_______________________________________________<br>Marxistindia mailing list<br><a href="mailto:Marxistindia@cpim.org">Marxistindia@cpim.org</a><br><a href="http://cpim.org/mailman/listinfo/marxistindia_cpim.org">http://cpim.org/mailman/listinfo/marxistindia_cpim.org</a><br><a href="http://wwww.cpim.org">http://wwww.cpim.org</a>marxistindiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01206310563518657771noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3570058306285033618.post-34459869216479904512010-10-17T23:32:00.000-07:002010-10-17T23:35:34.597-07:00[Marxistindia] On Petrol Price Hikemarxistindia<br>news from the cpi(m)<br>October 18, 2010<p>Press Statement<p> <p>The Polit Bureau of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) has issued the following statement:<p> <p>On Petrol Price Hike<p> <p>The public sector oil companies have increased the price of petrol by 70 to 72 paise per litre. This follows an increase in September of 27 paise per litre. The price of petrol has already been increased by Re. 1 per litre in the space of three weeks. <p> <p>The CPI(M) strongly opposes this recurrent increase in the prices of petrol. By deregulating the petrol pricing, the government has opened the way for successive hikes in petrol prices. <p> <p>The rise in petrol prices will further fuel inflation. The people who are suffering from continuous food inflation will be more burdened. There is no transparency in the pricing decision making.<p> <p>The Polit Bureau calls upon the government to scrap the deregulation in petrol pricing. <br>_______________________________________________<br>Marxistindia mailing list<br><a href="mailto:Marxistindia@cpim.org">Marxistindia@cpim.org</a><br><a href="http://cpim.org/mailman/listinfo/marxistindia_cpim.org">http://cpim.org/mailman/listinfo/marxistindia_cpim.org</a><br><a href="http://wwww.cpim.org">http://wwww.cpim.org</a>marxistindiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01206310563518657771noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3570058306285033618.post-77258871494538014172010-10-12T01:22:00.000-07:002010-10-12T01:30:26.608-07:00[Marxistindia] Prakash Karat on vote of confidence in Karnataka Assemblymarxistindia<br>news from the cpi(m)<br>October 12, 2010<p> <p> <p>Press Statement<p> <p>Prakash Karat, General Secretary of Communist Party of India (Marxist), has issued the following statement:<p> <p>The vote of confidence conducted in the Karnataka Assembly was farcical and a gross violation of democratic norms. The CPI(M) reiterate that a proper vote of confidence must be taken in the Assembly in which all MLAs are allowed to participate and the vote recorded.<p> <p>Without doing so, the Yeddyurappa government cannot be treated as having acquired a vote of confidence. <p><p>eom<br>_______________________________________________<br>Marxistindia mailing list<br><a href="mailto:Marxistindia@cpim.org">Marxistindia@cpim.org</a><br><a href="http://cpim.org/mailman/listinfo/marxistindia_cpim.org">http://cpim.org/mailman/listinfo/marxistindia_cpim.org</a><br><a href="http://wwww.cpim.org">http://wwww.cpim.org</a>marxistindiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01206310563518657771noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3570058306285033618.post-45840544349445203692010-10-11T02:11:00.000-07:002010-10-11T02:15:38.976-07:00[Marxistindia] Brazen Constitutional Impropriety in Karnatakamarxistindia<br>news from the cpi(m)<br>The Polit Bureau of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) has issued the following statement:<p> <p>The Polit Bureau of the CPI(M) strongly condemns the unconstitutional and undemocratic manner in which the BJP state government in Karnataka has sought to continue to remain in office. Sixteen MLAs (eleven BJP and 5 independents) were disqualified and not allowed to enter the Assembly premises. As per the Supreme Court ruling in the Bommai judgement, a government has to prove its majority on the Floor of the House to continue in office. Any disqualification of an MLA can occur only after the vote when the party whip has been violated. Further, this cannot apply to independent MLAs. The Yeddyurappa government refused to have a division of votes in the House and relied on a voice vote to claim majority. <p> <p>All this constitutes a brazen Constitutional impropriety and cannot be allowed. The Yeddyurappa government cannot remain in office unless it establishes its majority through a division of votes on the Floor of the Assembly. <p><p>eom<br>_______________________________________________<br>Marxistindia mailing list<br><a href="mailto:Marxistindia@cpim.org">Marxistindia@cpim.org</a><br><a href="http://cpim.org/mailman/listinfo/marxistindia_cpim.org">http://cpim.org/mailman/listinfo/marxistindia_cpim.org</a><br><a href="http://wwww.cpim.org">http://wwww.cpim.org</a>marxistindiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01206310563518657771noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3570058306285033618.post-50150455304206018812010-10-05T04:30:00.000-07:002010-10-11T02:15:38.256-07:00[Marxistindia] CPI(M) Candidates for Bihar Assembly electionsmarxistindia<br>news from the cpi(m)<br> S. No<br> Constituency <br> Candidate<br> <br> 01 (Phase 1)<br> Phulparas (Madhubani)<br> Vikramsila Devi(F)<br> <br> 02<br> Loukaha (Madhubani)<br> Satyanarayan Yadav<br> <br> 03<br> Chhatapur(Supoal<br> Balram Singh Yadav<br> <br> 04<br> Kishanganj<br> Abdulkalam Ajad<br> <br> 05<br> Dhamdaha (Purnea)<br> Omprakash Mehta<br> <br> 06<br> Purnea<br> Amit Kumar Sarkar<br> <br> 07<br> Saharsa<br> Vinod Kumar<br> <br> 08 (Phase 2)<br> Pipra (East Champaran)<br> Rammangal Prasad<br> <br> 09<br> Kusheshwar Sthan (Darbhanga)<br> Sangita Bharti (F)<br> <br> 10<br> Bahadurpur (Darbhanga)<br> Shyam Bharti<br> <br> 11<br> Kurhani (Muzffarpur)<br> Rampukar Sahni<br> <br> 12<br> Ujiyarpur (Samastipur)<br> Ajay Kumar<br> <br> 13<br> Vibhutipur (Samastipur)<br> Ramdev Varma (MLA)<br> <br> 14<br> Hasanpur (Samastipur)<br> Raghubansh Mukhiya<br> <br> 15(Phase 3)<br> Motihari (East Champaran)<br> Arbind Kumar<br> <br> 16<br> Hatua (Gopalganj)<br> Dudhnath Singh<br> <br> 17<br> Manjhi(Saran)<br> Satyendra Yadav<br> <br> 18<br> Taraiya (Saran)<br> Ahamad Ali<br> <br> 19(Phase 4)<br> Sahebpur Kamal (Begusarai)<br> Vidyanand Yadav<br> <br> 20<br> Begusarai<br> Mohammad Usman<br> <br> 21<br> Khagaria<br> Dange Singh<br> <br> 22<br> Kahalgaon (Bhagalpur)<br> Shriniwas Mandal<br> <br> 23<br> Lakhisarai<br> Ravi Vilochan Varma<br> <br> 24<br> Kumharar (Patna)<br> B Prasad<br> <br> 25(Phase 5)<br> Wazirganj(Gaya)<br> Shambhu Sharan Sharma<br> <br> 26<br> Rajauli (Nawada)<br> Premchandra Ram (Ex-MP)<br> <br> 27 (Phase 2)<br> Runni Saidpur(Sitamarhi)<br> Candidate to be decided<br> <br> 28 (Phase 3)<br> Louriya (West Champaran)<br> To be decided<br> <br> 29(Phase 6)<br> Buxer<br> To be decided<br> <br> 30 (Phase 6)<br> Sasaram (Rohtas)<br> To be decided<br> <br>_______________________________________________<br>Marxistindia mailing list<br><a href="mailto:Marxistindia@cpim.org">Marxistindia@cpim.org</a><br><a href="http://cpim.org/mailman/listinfo/marxistindia_cpim.org">http://cpim.org/mailman/listinfo/marxistindia_cpim.org</a><br><a href="http://wwww.cpim.org">http://wwww.cpim.org</a>marxistindiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01206310563518657771noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3570058306285033618.post-4241976774435005732010-10-05T03:52:00.000-07:002010-10-05T03:55:34.157-07:00[Marxistindia] PB communiquemarxistindia<br>news from the cpi(m)<br>October 5, 2010<p> <p>Press Communiqué <p> <p>The Polit Bureau of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) met at New Delhi on October 4 and 5, 2010. It has issued the following statement:<p> <p>On Ayodhya Judgement<p> <p>The response of the people to the verdict of the Lucknow Bench of the Allahabad High Court has shown that the people find a settlement of the dispute by the judicial process acceptable. The general reaction of the people has been that the matter should not be once again used in a divisive manner. <p> <p>The verdict for a three way division of the land is, however, based on "faith and belief". This aspect of the set of judgements is disturbing as it accords primacy to religious belief and faith over and above the facts and the record of evidence. It will set a dangerous precedent for the future. When the matter goes to the Supreme Court on appeal, it is to be hoped that this issue will be addressed. <p> <p>The demolition of the Babri Masjid in December 1992 was a criminal offence and an assault on the secular principle. It is true that this was not a matter being considered by the Special Bench. However, there are apprehensions that the reasoning set out in the judgements may be taken as a post-facto justification for the demolition. The cases pertaining to the demolition which are being heard by other courts have to be seriously pursued.<p> <p>The Polit Bureau of the CPI(M) reiterates that in the secular democratic set-up ordained in the Constitution, the way to resolve the matter is through the judicial process and the decision of the Supreme Court would be final. The CPI(M) is confident that all sections of the people will uphold and support this course of action. <p> <p>On Jammu & Kashmir<p> <p>The Polit Bureau discussed the situation in the Kashmir Valley in the context of the all-party delegation to Jammu & Kashmir and the announcement by the Central government of its eight point plan. <p> <p>The Polit Bureau reiterated that it is necessary to change the overall security strategy and the manner in which civil protests are being tackled. The eight point plan does not adequately reflect this change. The state government should expedite the release of all arrested persons during the four month-long agitation. Further, compensation should be paid not only to the families of those killed in police firings and also to the large number who have been injured. The rehabilitation package for the Kashmiri pandits who have been displaced should be implemented. <p> <p>As for the appointment of interlocutors for initiating a dialogue with all sections in the state, it will be better if there is a parliamentary or political committee to conduct talks. Only a political committee can seriously conduct exercise of initiating dialogue. <p> <p>West Bengal<p> <p>The Polit Bureau heard a report on the political situation in West Bengal. The people of the Maoist-affected Jangalmahal have been resisting and protesting against the Maoist violence and intimidation. The people have mobilized in a big way to rebuff the Maoists in West Midnapore district. Upset at this development, the Trinamul leader Ms. Mamata Banerjee is demanding the withdrawal of the joint forces operating in the area and making wild allegations against the CPI(M).<p> <p>Not only is the Trinamul Congress collaborating with the Maoists, recently the Railway Minister visited Darjeeling and is forging ties with the GJM who are bent upon dividing the state of West Bengal.<p> <p>The CPI(M) and the Left Front will continue to expose these unprincipled alliances and fight such disruptive politics. <p> <p>Kerala<p> <p>The Polit Bureau heard a report on the preparations of the Party and the LDF for the forthcoming panchayat and local bodies elections to be held in Kerala on October 23 and 25. The election campaign of the LDF has begun and is receiving a positive response from the people.<p> <p>Bihar Assembly Elections<p> <p>The Polit Bureau discussed the Bihar Legislative Assembly elections. It approved a list of 30 seats and candidates to be put up by the Bihar state committee.<p> <p>Food Inflation and Food Security<p> <p>The food inflation rate has again started rising and it touched 16.44 per cent in the week ending September 18. While the people are suffering from the price rise, the government is finding excuses such as floods and rains for the destruction of supplies. At this time of the season normally prices decline, this has highlighted the failure of the government to check price rise. <p> <p>The Central government has ignored the directive of the Supreme Court to distribute the huge stocks of foodgrains free of cost to the poor rather than letting it drought. On the contrary, it is pursuing the anti-people policy of pressurizing the states, to lift "additional allotment" at a price that is even higher than the present issue price of APL foodgrains. At the same time, the objectionable new scheme of further targeting being proposed by the National Advisory Council as well as the proposal to cut all subsidies to APL show the mockery that is being made of the concept of food security. <p> <p>The Polit Bureau reiterates its demand for a universal public distribution system with a minimum allocation of 35 kgs of foodgrains at Rs. 2 per kg. The expenditure on this will still be less than 2 per cent of the GDP. <p> <p>Land Acquisition Bill<p> <p>In the recent period, the issue of forcible land acquisition for various projects in different states against the consent of a majority of landholders and the highly inadequate compensation offered to the farmers has come to the fore. This has highlighted the necessity for the new Land Acquisition Act alongwith the legislation for resettlement and rehabilitation.<p> <p>The Polit Bureau demands that the 1894 Land Acquisition Act be scrapped and the government bring forth legislations for land acquisition and for resettlement and rehabilitation in the forthcoming session of Parliament.<p> <p>Central Committee Meeting<p> <p>The Polit Bureau decided to convene a meeting of the Central Committee of the Party on November 19-21, 2010 at New Delhi. <p> <br>_______________________________________________<br>Marxistindia mailing list<br><a href="mailto:Marxistindia@cpim.org">Marxistindia@cpim.org</a><br><a href="http://cpim.org/mailman/listinfo/marxistindia_cpim.org">http://cpim.org/mailman/listinfo/marxistindia_cpim.org</a><br><a href="http://wwww.cpim.org">http://wwww.cpim.org</a>marxistindiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01206310563518657771noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3570058306285033618.post-35004234553451177902010-09-30T05:40:00.000-07:002010-09-30T05:48:40.324-07:00[Marxistindia] On the verdict of the Lucknow Bench of the Allahabad High Courtmarxistindia<br>news from the cpi(m)<br>September 30, 2010<p> <p>Press Statement<p> <p>The Polit Bureau of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) has issued the following statement:<p> <p>On The Verdict of the Lucknow Bench<p> <p>The Lucknow Bench of the Allahabad High Court has given its decision on the title deeds suits and related issues on the Babri Masjid/Ramjanmabhoomi temple dispute.<p> <p>This judgement requires to be fully studied. There may be questions on the nature of the verdict.<p> <p>The CPI(M) maintains that in our constitutional secular democratic system the judicial process which includes recourse to the Supreme Court should be the only way to resolve the issue.<p> <p> <p>The Polit Bureau of the CPI(M) appeals to the people of the country to maintain peace and communal harmony and not fall prey to any provocations.<p> <br>_______________________________________________<br>Marxistindia mailing list<br><a href="mailto:Marxistindia@cpim.org">Marxistindia@cpim.org</a><br><a href="http://cpim.org/mailman/listinfo/marxistindia_cpim.org">http://cpim.org/mailman/listinfo/marxistindia_cpim.org</a><br><a href="http://wwww.cpim.org">http://wwww.cpim.org</a>marxistindiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01206310563518657771noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3570058306285033618.post-74255180889359090442010-09-25T22:29:00.000-07:002010-09-25T22:35:11.057-07:00[Marxistindia] on the J&K Proposalsmarxistindia<br>news from the cpi(m)<br>Press Statement<p> <p>The Polit Bureau of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) has issued the following statement:<p> <p>On The J&K Proposals<p> <p>The eight-point proposal announced by the Central Government for Jammu & Kashmir is a step in the right direction. However, it is insufficient. More needs to be done to instill confidence among the people and to help restore peace and normalcy.<p> <p>While the announcement of the release of young men in jail for stone-pelting, review of detention under the Public Safety Act and compensation for the families of those killed are welcome, it is necessary to provide for compensation for those injured in police firings and for the rehabilitation of those permanently incapacitated. <p> <p>There has to be a change in the police methods of tackling protesters indulging in stone-throwing. The promise to review the location of bunkers in Srinagar city and the proclamation of Disturbed Areas should be done expeditiously. It should not remain only a promise. Finally, the group of interlocutors for initiating a dialogue should be primarily political in nature. It is only a political exercise which can help initiate a dialogue and sustain it.<br>_______________________________________________<br>Marxistindia mailing list<br><a href="mailto:Marxistindia@cpim.org">Marxistindia@cpim.org</a><br><a href="http://cpim.org/mailman/listinfo/marxistindia_cpim.org">http://cpim.org/mailman/listinfo/marxistindia_cpim.org</a><br><a href="http://wwww.cpim.org">http://wwww.cpim.org</a>marxistindiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01206310563518657771noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3570058306285033618.post-16086394076649988632010-09-15T23:58:00.000-07:002010-09-16T00:01:33.762-07:00[Marxistindia] Prakash Karat's Speech at the All Parties Meeting on Kashmirmarxistindia<br>news from the cpi(m)<br>Speech of Prakash Karat at the All-Party Meeting on Kashmir held on September 15, 2010<p> <p>Hon'ble Prime Minister, leaders of political parties and friends,<p> <p>It is a good thing that this all-parties meeting has been called to discuss the Kashmir situation, though it is a belated one. <p> <p>For three months the Kashmir valley has been in turmoil. There have been continuous curfews and hartals and life is at a standstill. More than 80 people have been killed in firings by the CRPF and the police. Most of them are young men ranging from the age of 9 to 25. We express our sorrow and anguish at the loss of so many young lives. <p> <p>The people of Kashmir had risen up to fight back the raiders from Pakistan in 1947. They had chosen to accede to the Indian Union. Today they are deeply alienated and angry with the Indian State. We have to introspect as to why this has happened. But that exercise cannot be conducted in this meeting. It needs to be done separately.<p> <p>The first issue is how to characterize these mass protests. These protests involving stone-pelting youth against the police force should not be equated with the hardcore militant violence and terrorist acts.<p> <p>If this is so, then the distinction should have been made on how to handle such protests and tackle stone-throwing. Unfortunately, the response of the security forces has been to resort to firings which have led to the loss of so many young lives.<p> <p>The Home Minister mentioned that the security forces had exercised utmost restraint. But what we have seen is repeated police firings and every death has further aggravated the situation. I would like to state categorically that there was no justification whatsoever for this brutal policing methods.<p> <p>It will be wrong to characterize these protests as engineered by extremists and pro-Pakistani elements. By and large, these protests are by young people in the valley who have only seen two decades of insurgency and counter-insurgency measures. No doubt there are forces trying to utilize the mass anger and mood.<p> <p>Given this assessment, the primary issue is how to address the deep seated alienation and the grievances of the people. This requires primarily a political approach and not a law and order stance. There can be no solution by just deploying the security forces to suppress such protests. <p> <p>In order to bring about a semblance of peace and normalcy, it is incumbent upon the state and the Central government to take the following steps:<p> <p>(i) Many of the young boys who are in jail should be released if they are not facing any serious charges. Juveniles should not be kept in prisons as it is happening.<p>(ii) There are a large number of injured. Some of them have been permanently incapacitated. The government should announce a specific package for relief for these people and also for the sustenance and livelihood of their families.<p>(iii) Both the victims of the militants and those who are former militants need assistance to have their livelihood and maintenance.<p>(iv) Given the sharp decrease in the levels of militant violence, there should be a reduction in the deployment of the army and the security forces proportionately. Here the question of the continuance of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act in the state arises. The army is not deployed or in use in Srinagar and other cities. Pending the question of amending the AFSPA or the future of this Act, what we suggest is that the Disturbed Areas proclamation be revoked from Srinagar and other urban centres. This will make the AFSPA redundant in these areas. I am sure the assessment of the security situation is that the army need not be deployed in the civilian areas where there is no serious militant activity. The armed forces are conducting an arduous and difficult task and their work has to be concentrated on the Line of Control and on checking infiltration from across the border.<p>(v) The real issue is about the accountability of the security forces. There have been excesses and violations of human rights. We should remember that the current outburst was sparked off after the exposure of the Machil encounter in which three innocent villagers were killed. Without firm action, we cannot instill any faith in the people. <p> <p>What is required is the beginning of a political process in which a dialogue can be initiated with all sections in the state. We have our views on what should be the framework for a political settlement. But that is not what needs to be spelt out here.<p> <p>The first step towards initiating a dialogue with all sections and political forces in the state can be the sending of an all Party delegation to the state to hear the views of the different sections of the people.<p> <p>The Centre should spell out that there can be a dialogue process without any side setting pre-conditions. It would be better if the Prime Minister appoints a senior political figure who can monitor this process.<p> <p>I had been to Srinagar in August. I met a number of people. They told me that the political parties in India do not seem concerned at the killings of so many people in the valley. In Parliament, there was an uproar when three people died in police firing near Aligarh. They asked, why is Parliament quiet about the happenings in the valley? We have to understand that there can be no solution to the Kashmir problem without taking into account the feelings and aspirations of the people of Kashmir. <p> <p>Thank you.<p> <br>_______________________________________________<br>Marxistindia mailing list<br><a href="mailto:Marxistindia@cpim.org">Marxistindia@cpim.org</a><br><a href="http://cpim.org/mailman/listinfo/marxistindia_cpim.org">http://cpim.org/mailman/listinfo/marxistindia_cpim.org</a><br><a href="http://wwww.cpim.org">http://wwww.cpim.org</a>marxistindiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01206310563518657771noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3570058306285033618.post-37473235782374725382010-09-15T21:47:00.000-07:002010-09-15T21:57:30.666-07:00[Marxistindia] Sitaram Yechury's Letter to Rajya Sabha Chairman: Breach of Privilege by Mamata Banerjeemarxistindia<br>news from the cpi(m)<br>Text of the Letter Addressed by Sitaram Yechury, CPI(M) Leader in the Rajya Sabha dated September 15, 2010 <p> Breach of Privilege by M/s. Mamata Banerjee<p> <p> <p> <p>The Chairman<p>Rajya Sabha<p> <p>Hon'ble Chairman Sir,<p> <p>I wish to raise a question involving a breach of privilege of the Council. <p> <p>On the last day of the Monsoon Session, August 31, 2010, in response to questions raised by some honourable members, Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Shri Pawan Kumar Bansal made a statement just before the House was declared adjourned sine die by you. <p> <p>The statement is recorded in the proceedings as "Re. clarification on speech of Km. Mamata Banerjee at a political rally at Lalgarh".<p> <p>There are two assertions in this statement which constitute a gross misrepresentation of facts. This is tantamount to misleading the House.<p> <p>The statement asserts : "Sir, that rally was organized by a forum called Forum of Citizens against Violence". The permission for the said rally was sought by one Shri Pranab Basu, President, Paschim Mednipur District Trinamul Congress Committee through a letter addressed to the District Magistratte on July 23, 2010. The said permission was granted by Shri Narayan Swaroop Nigam, IAS on August 3, 2010, through a letter, No. 773-DM, addressed to Shri Pranab Basu, President, Paschim Mednipur District Trinamul Congress Committee. Copies of both the letters are enclosed for your kind perusal. <p> <p>Given these facts, the statement made by the Minister in the House is patently false and hence misleading. <p> <p>Secondly, the statement asserts that, "Kumari Mamata Banerjee has clarified that she addressed that rally in her capacity as the leader of the Trinamul Congress." The formal letter seeking permission for holding the said rally states as its subject: "Permission for holding a public meeting at Lalgarh High School ground on 9th August '10 from 12 noon by honourable Railway Minister, Government of India, Smt. Mamata Banerjee". The enclosed copy of the letter confirms this. <p> <p>Given this fact, the Minister's statement to the House, once again, is both false and misleading. <p> <p>Further, the national media has reported that the Railway Ministry had ordered the deployment of the Railways Protection Force at the venue. A copy of a report that appeared in a prominent national daily is enclosed. The Railway Ministry has not contradicted the information given in this report. <p> <p>Surely, a Minister of the Union Cabinet, addressing a political meeting in her personal capacity as the leader of a political party, cannot order the deployment of the RPF. <p> <p>I am seeking your intervention in the matter to protect the dignity of the Council and the rights of its members. Surely, such a gross misrepresentation of facts tantamount to misleading the House should attract the attention of Rule 187 raising a question involving a breach of privilege of the Council and its members. <p> <p>Surely, you would agree that the dignity and sanctity of the Council cannot be allowed to be so severely breached by statements by the members of the Union Council of Ministers which misrepresent facts and mislead the Council. <p> <p>I, once again, request you to pay heed to this matter and protect the dignity of the Council and the rights of its members. <p> <p> <p>Yours sincerely<p>Sd/-<p>(Sitaram Yechury)<p>Encl: <p>1) Letter seeking permission for the rally<p>2) Letter granting permission for the rally<p>3) A photocopy of a report appearing on page 1 of `The Indian Express' (New Delhi), September 1, 2010<p>4) Text of the Minister's statement from the record of proceedings, 31 August 2010. <br>_______________________________________________<br>Marxistindia mailing list<br><a href="mailto:Marxistindia@cpim.org">Marxistindia@cpim.org</a><br><a href="http://cpim.org/mailman/listinfo/marxistindia_cpim.org">http://cpim.org/mailman/listinfo/marxistindia_cpim.org</a><br><a href="http://wwww.cpim.org">http://wwww.cpim.org</a>marxistindiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01206310563518657771noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3570058306285033618.post-59185837745778547942010-09-15T05:10:00.000-07:002010-09-15T05:16:27.564-07:00[Marxistindia] Left Parties -- Press Release on Kashmirmarxistindia<br>news from the cpi(m)<br>September 15, 2010<p>Press Release<p> <p>The representatives of the Left Parties - Prakash Karat (CPI-M), A. B. Bardhan (CPI), Debabrata Biswas (AIFB) and Prasanta Mazumdar (RSP) - who spoke at the all parties meeting on Kashmir made the following points:<p> <p>1. They expressed their sorrow and anguish at the death of more than 80 people in the police firings in the valley in the past three months. They called for a halt to the method of policing which had led to the deaths of large number of people due to firing. There should be a distinction made in handling stone pelting crowds and tackling violence by the militants and terrorist activities. <p> <p>2. Many of the young men in jail arrested during this period should be released if they are not facing any serious charges. Steps should be taken to provide relief for the large number of people injured and those permanently incapacitated. <p> <p>3. Measures should be taken for providing economic relief for the continuous disruption of business and economic activities in the valley with special emphasis on providing employment.<p> <p>4. There should be accountability for the security forces. Action should be taken on excesses and human rights violations. The army is not deployed or in use in various areas. Pending the question of amending the Armed Forces Special Powers Act, the Disturbed Areas proclamation be revoked from Srinagar and other centres which will make the AFSPA redundant in these areas. <p> <p>5. The political process should begin and dialogue should be initiated with all sections in the state. For this, an all party delegation should be sent to Kashmir to hear the views of different sections of the people. <p><p>eom<br>_______________________________________________<br>Marxistindia mailing list<br><a href="mailto:Marxistindia@cpim.org">Marxistindia@cpim.org</a><br><a href="http://cpim.org/mailman/listinfo/marxistindia_cpim.org">http://cpim.org/mailman/listinfo/marxistindia_cpim.org</a><br><a href="http://wwww.cpim.org">http://wwww.cpim.org</a>marxistindiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01206310563518657771noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3570058306285033618.post-33331734759525276432010-09-11T22:56:00.000-07:002010-09-12T00:18:09.705-07:00[Marxistindia] Reflections from Fidel Castromarxistindia<br>news from the cpi(m)<br>Fidel Castro During a Book Launch in Havana<p>We are living through an exceptional moment in human history.<p>The deadlines established by the United Nations Security Council for Iran to yield to the demands imposed by the United States regarding nuclear research and uranium enrichment for medical purposes and to generate electricity will be expiring in these days.<p>This is the only nuclear use that has been documented in Iran.<p>The fear that Iran is looking forward to producing nuclear weapons is only based on an assumption.<p>With regard to this delicate issue, the United States and its western allies, among them two of the five nuclear powers with veto power -France and the United Kingdom- supported by the richest and most developed capitalist powers of the world, have promoted an increasing number of sanctions against Iran, a rich, oil-producing Muslim country. Today, the measures adopted include the inspection of Iran's merchant vessels and severe economic sanctions aimed at suffocating its economy.<p>I have been following very closely the grave dangers that may result from that situation, because if a war breaks out in that region, it could very quickly go nuclear, and this will have lethal consequences for the rest of the planet.<p>In referring to such danger I was not looking for publicity or sensationalism. I just wanted to warn the world public opinion hoping that, being advised of such grave danger it could contribute to avoid it.<p>At least we have managed to draw attention to a problem that was hardly mentioned by the big world media.<p>This has made me use part of the time scheduled for the launching of this book, on which we worked diligently. I did not want this to coincide with the dates of September 7 and 9. September 7 marks the end of the 90 days term established by the Security Council to know whether Iran complied or not with the requirement of authorizing the inspection of its merchant vessels. September 9 marks the expiration of the three months term fixed by the Resolution adopted on June 9. Quite possibly the establishment of this last term was what the Security Council intended to do originally.<p>So far we have only had the weird statement made by the Director General of the IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency), the Japanese Yukiya Amano, a man who serves the interests of the Yankees. He added all the fuel to the flames and then, like Pontius Pilate, he washed his hands of the issue.<p>A spokesperson from the Foreign Ministry of Iran commented his statements with a well earned contempt. According to a news report published by EFE, Amano's assertion that "'our friends should not worry, because we don't believe our region is in the position to engage in new military adventures' and that 'Iran was fully prepared to respond to any military invasion' was an obvious reference to the Cuban leader Fidel Castro, 'who warned about a possible Israeli nuclear attack against Iran with the support of the United States'".<p>News on this topic are pouring and get mixed with others of remarkable repercussion.<p>The journalist Jeffrey Goldberg of The Atlantic magazine, already known by our people, has been publishing some excerpts of the long interview he made me. He has been discussing some interesting aspects of it before he finally writes a future and long article.<p>"There were many odd things about my recent Havana stopover, [...]", he wrote, but one of the most unusual was Fidel Castro's level of self-reflection [...] but it seemed truly striking that Castro was willing to admit that he misplayed his hand at a crucial moment in the Cuban Missile Crisis [...] that he regrets asking Khrushchev to nuke the U.S." It is true that he addressed the topic and he asked me that question. Literally, as he wrote in the first part of his report, his words were the following: "I asked him: At a certain point it seemed logical for you to recommend that the Soviets bomb the U.S. Does what you recommended still seem logical now?" He answered: "After I've seen what I've seen, and knowing what I know now, it wasn't worth it all."<p>I had thoroughly explained to him -and there is written evidence of that- the content of that message: ".if the United States invades Cuba, a country with Russian nuclear weapons, under such circumstances Russia should not allow to be dealt the first strike, as the one dealt against the USSR on June 22, 1941, when the German army and all European forces attacked the USSR."<p>As can be observed from that brief reference to the issue, from the second part of his report to the audience on that news, readers could not realize that "if the United States invaded Cuba, a country with Russian nuclear weapons", under such circumstances, my recommendation was to prevent the enemy from launching the first strike; nor the profound irony embedded in my response - ".and knowing what I know now.", which was an obvious reference to the betrayal by one Russian President who saturated himself with some ethylic substance and revealed to the United States the most important military secrets of that country.<p>Further on Goldberg wrote about another moment of our conversation: "I asked him if he believed the Cuban model was still something worth exporting." Obviously, that question implicitly suggested the theory that Cuba exported the Revolution. So I responded: "The Cuban model doesn't even work for us anymore". I said this to him without any bitterness or concern. And now I laugh at the way he literally interpreted what I said and how, according to him, he consulted it with Julia Sweig, a CFR analyst who accompanied him and worked out the theory he described. But the truth is that the meaning of my response was exactly the opposite of the interpretation made by both American journalists of the Cuban model.<p>My idea, as everybody knows, is that the capitalist system does not work anymore either for the United States or the world, which jumps from one crisis into the next, and these are ever more serious, global and frequent and there is no way the world could escape from them. How could such a system work for a socialist country like Cuba?<p>Many Arab friends worried when they knew I had met with Goldberg, and sent some messages describing him as "the staunchest advocate of Zionism."<p>From all of these we can infer the big confusion that exists in the world. Therefore I hope that what I am telling you about my thoughts could be useful.<p>The ideas I expressed are contained in 333 Reflections -see what a coincidence. The last 26 refer exclusively to the problems affecting the environment and the imminent danger of a nuclear war.<p>And now I should very briefly add something.<p>I have always condemned the Holocaust. I my Reflections entitled "Obama's Speech in Cairo", "A Swipe Waiting to Happen", and "The Opinion of an Expert" I expressed this very clearly.<p>I have never been an enemy of the Jewish people, which I admire for having resisted dispersion and persecution during two thousand years. Many of the most brilliant talents, such as Karl Marx and Albert Einstein, were Jews, because that was a nation where the most intelligent managed to survive by virtue of a natural law. In our country and in the whole world they were persecuted and slandered. But this is just pat of the ideas I defend.<p>They were not the only one who were persecuted and slandered for their beliefs. Muslims were attacked and persecuted for their beliefs by the European Christians for much more than 12 centuries, just as the first Christians were in ancient Rome before Christianity became an official religion of that empire. History should be accepted and remembered just the way it happened, with all its tragic realities and its fierce wars. I have spoken about that and that is why I have all the more reason to explain the dangers jeopardizing humankind today, when wars have become the biggest suicide risk for our fragile species.<p>If we add to this a war against Iran, even if it were of a conventional nature, the United States would rather turn off the light and say goodbye. How could the US put up with a war against 1.5 million Muslims?<p>For any true revolutionary, defending peace does not mean to renounce to the principles of justice, without which human life and society would be meaningless.<p>I still believe that Goldberg is an excellent journalist who is able to set out, in an enjoyable way and masterly way, his views, which promotes debate. He does not invent phrases; he transfers them and interprets them.<p>I will not refer to the content of many others aspects of our conversation. I will respect the secrecy of the issues we discussed and I eagerly await his future long article.<p>The current news that have started to pour from all sources make me to complement his presentation with these words whose essence is contained in the book "La contraofensiva estratégica" (The Strategic Counteroffensive), which I have just presented.<p>I believe that all peoples have the right to peace and enjoy all the goods and natural resources of the planet. What is currently going on with peoples in many countries of Africa, where there are millions of emaciated children, women and men out of lack of food, water and medicines is a shame. We feel astonished by the images we see from the Middle East, where Palestinians are deprived from their lands, their homes are demolished by gigantic equipment, and men, women and children are bombed with white phosphorus and other extermination means; the Dantesque scenes of families exterminated by the bombs dropped over Afghan and Pakistani towns by drones; the Iraqis who are dying after years of war; and the more than one million lives lost in that conflict imposed by a US President.<p>The last we could expect to see were the news about the expulsion of the French gypsies, who are victims of a new sort of racial Holocaust. The strong protest by the French is only logical. At the same time, the millionaires restrict French citizens' rights to retirement while reducing the possibilities to get a job.<p>From the US we have heard the news of a pastor in Florida that intends to burn the Holy Book of the Quran in its own church. Even the Yankee and military chiefs engaged in punitive war missions were disturbed by the news which they believed would put their soldiers in jeopardy.<p>Walter Martínez, the prestigious journalist who conducts the Venezuelan TV program Dossier, was amazed at such madness.<p>Yesterday, Thursday 9th in the evening, some news asserted that the pastor had relinquished his idea. It might be necessary to know what the FBI agents who visited him told him to "persuade him". That was a colossal media show, a chaos. Those are things proper of an empire that is sinking.<p>I thank all of you for your attention.<br>_______________________________________________<br>Marxistindia mailing list<br><a href="mailto:Marxistindia@cpim.org">Marxistindia@cpim.org</a><br><a href="http://cpim.org/mailman/listinfo/marxistindia_cpim.org">http://cpim.org/mailman/listinfo/marxistindia_cpim.org</a><br><a href="http://wwww.cpim.org">http://wwww.cpim.org</a>marxistindiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01206310563518657771noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3570058306285033618.post-10531561205046017252010-09-04T02:36:00.000-07:002010-09-04T02:40:05.630-07:00[Marxistindia] Prakash Karat Meets PM On Kashmirmarxistindia<br>news from the cpi(m)<br>September 4, 2010<p> <p>Press Release<p> <p>Prakash Karat, General Secretary of Communist Party of India (Marxist), had a meeting with the Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, today to appraise him of the serious situation prevailing in Kashmir and what needs to be done immediately.<p> <p>On the basis of a visit to Srinagar and discussions with a wide section of the people, Prakash Karat in the letter submitted to the Prime Minister has made the following points:<p> <p>1. Given the fact that 66 young men and women have lost their lives due to the police firing from June 11, it is imperative that the approach of resorting to police firing to control the stone pelting crowds should be stopped forthwith. There has to be a distinction between dealing with stone pelting youth and tackling militants resorting to terrorist violence. <p> <p>2. There are a large number of injured in hospitals. They should be adequately compensated and rehabilitation measures should be taken for those with permanent disabilities. <p> <p>3. Juvenile prisoners should not be kept in jail and all those youth who have no serious charges against them should be released.<p> <p>4. Srinagar and other urban centres should be taken out of the Disturbed Areas Act purview which will make the enforcement of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act redundant. There should be a reduction in the security forces deployed in the areas which have seen a drastic reduction in militancy. Many of the bunkers in Srinagar localities manned by the paramilitary forces should be removed.<p> <p>5. Given the major economic losses suffered due to the continued curfews and hartals for the past two and a half months, the government has to compensate and revive trade and other economic activities of different sections of the people. <p> <p>6. The Prime Minister should take a bold initiative for a political dialogue with all sections of the state. Dialogue should be held with all sections without preconditions. <p> <p>The CPI(M) is of the opinion that only by recognizing the special status of the state and assuring the Kashmiri people of their identity that a solution can be found. This requires a new political framework in which the bedrock is maximum autonomy.<br>_______________________________________________<br>Marxistindia mailing list<br><a href="mailto:Marxistindia@cpim.org">Marxistindia@cpim.org</a><br><a href="http://cpim.org/mailman/listinfo/marxistindia_cpim.org">http://cpim.org/mailman/listinfo/marxistindia_cpim.org</a><br><a href="http://wwww.cpim.org">http://wwww.cpim.org</a>marxistindiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01206310563518657771noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3570058306285033618.post-90330538249428717242010-09-01T00:01:00.000-07:002010-09-01T00:05:49.943-07:00[Marxistindia] Explusion of Subodh Roy, CC Membermarxistindia<br>news from the cpi(m)<br>September 1, 2010<p> <p> <p> <p>Press Statement<p> <p> <p>The Polit Bureau of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) has issued the following statement:<p> <p> <p>The Polit Bureau of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) invoking Article XIX, Clause 13 of the Party Constitution has summarily expelled Central Committee member, Subodh Roy, from the primary membership of the Party for "grave anti-party activities" with immediate effect. <p> <br>_______________________________________________<br>Marxistindia mailing list<br><a href="mailto:Marxistindia@cpim.org">Marxistindia@cpim.org</a><br><a href="http://cpim.org/mailman/listinfo/marxistindia_cpim.org">http://cpim.org/mailman/listinfo/marxistindia_cpim.org</a><br><a href="http://wwww.cpim.org">http://wwww.cpim.org</a>marxistindiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01206310563518657771noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3570058306285033618.post-25116521874529839212010-08-30T22:58:00.000-07:002010-08-30T23:03:03.808-07:00[Marxistindia] Find solution to Kashmir Issuemarxistindia<br>news from the cpi(m)<br>August 31, 2010<p> <p>Press Statement<p> <p>The Polit Bureau of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) has issued the following statement:<p> <p>The Polit Bureau of the CPI(M) expresses its grave concern at the continued police firings in Kashmir adding to the loss of lives of young persons. The police firing on August 30 has killed one youth in Anantnag and injured five in Lal Chowk area of Srinagar. 15 persons are also reported to have been injured in Kulgam and Bandipore where police resorted to tear gasing and lathi-charge.<p> <p>This continued resort to lathi-charges, firing and tear gas shells have only delayed the task of finding a settlement to the Kashmir issue.<p> <p>The CPI(M) had already demanded that an all party delegation visit Kashmir without any delay and commence dialogue with all sections of people without any pre-conditions to find a solution to the problem. <p> <p>The CPI(M) hopes that the government of India as well as government of Jammu & Kashmir will immediately take initiative in starting the process of dialogue with a view to find a just solution to the Kashmir issue. More delay will only aggravate the situation in the state and add to the difficulties. <p> <p> <br>_______________________________________________<br>Marxistindia mailing list<br><a href="mailto:Marxistindia@cpim.org">Marxistindia@cpim.org</a><br><a href="http://cpim.org/mailman/listinfo/marxistindia_cpim.org">http://cpim.org/mailman/listinfo/marxistindia_cpim.org</a><br><a href="http://wwww.cpim.org">http://wwww.cpim.org</a>marxistindiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01206310563518657771noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3570058306285033618.post-25187638363056022552010-08-27T03:48:00.000-07:002010-08-27T03:53:15.815-07:00[Marxistindia] Left parties memorandum to ECmarxistindia<br>news from the cpi(m)<br>August 27, 2010<p> <p>Press Release<p> <p>A delegation of Left parties MPs met the Chief Election Commissioner and submitted the following memorandum today. The delegation consisted of Sitaram Yechury (leader, CPI(M) in Rajya Sabha), Basudev Acharia (leader, CPI(M), Lok Sabha), Nilotpal Basu (Member, Central Secretariat, CPI(M)), Prabodh Panda (Communist Party of India), Narahari Mahato (All India Forward Bloc) and Prasanta Majumdar (Revolutionary Socialist Party). <p> <p> <p>(Hari Singh Kang)<p>For CPI(M) Central Committee office<p><p><p><p>Dear Sir, <p> <p>We are constrained to bring to your notice on behalf of the four Left parties - CPI(M), CPI, AIFB and RSP - the very disturbing attempts in West Bengal in the run-up to the process of Summary Revision of Electoral Rolls (SRER). While forwarding the memorandum addressed to you on behalf of the Left Front Committee, West Bengal, we would like to draw your focused attention on specific facts which will bring out the humongous magnitude of these attempts which unless defeated will lead to large-scale falsification of the electoral rolls and distort the ensuing Assembly elections as a whole. <p> <p>In this context, we would like to draw your attention to the fact that we had already met you on August 3, 2010 to initially acquaint you with the problem. Certain major facts have now come to our notice which further reinforces our apprehension. <p> <p>The total number of Form-6 applications for addition of new names to be included in the draft electoral rolls as part of the SRER is given to be 56,19,057 (Annexure - I). The districtwise break-up of the total number of Form-6 applications shows the unusually inflated total number of applications. This is available in Annexure - II for your ready reference and perusal. <p> <p>That the number of Form-6 application is unusually high can be made out from Annexure-III. The following table will give a complete picture.<p> <p> <p> Summary of last three revisions<br> 2006<br> 2007<br> 2008<br> 2009<br> <br> a) No of electors in Draft Rolls<br> 4,80,95,009<br> 4,78,39,290<br> 5,04,11,682<br> 5,16,12,655<br> <br> b) Total Additions<br> 25,80,001<br> 20,75,343<br> 14,00,601<br> 13,81,575<br> <br> c) Total Deletions<br> 28,35,726<br> 11,98,568<br> 2,00,719<br> 6,31,555<br> <br> d) Net Addition<br> -2,55,725<br> 8,76,775<br> 11,99,882<br> 7,50,020<br> <br> e) Percentage of Net Addition<br> -0.5<br> 1.83<br> 2.38<br> 1.45<br> <p> <p>Roughly 56 lakh proposed additions over the total number of electors amounting to 5,24,21,616 works out to a more than 10 per cent increase. Given the fact that the net addition in the preceding four years - 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009 - are -0.5 per cent, 1.83 per cent, 2.38 per cent and 1.45 per cent respectively, clearly show abnormality of an unusual magnitude. <p> <p>Together with this, the Left Front memorandum will show that there are gross attempts to bypass the well-established ECI stipulations for additions of names. The submission of affidavits, patently false methods of certification like school certificates, birth certificates from health centres etc instead of standard procedures indicate an organized effort to falsify the rolls. To be fair, we must also bring out that the Chief Electoral Officer has given a firm commitment in an all-party meeting on August 5, 2010 - "submission of bulk applications as well as affidavits and other documents inconsistent with the norms and rules of the Election Commission shall not be accepted or rejected if received anywhere, prior to enquiry."<p> <p>We have been given to understand that the commitment so given is not being strictly implemented. There have been instances of questionable role of certain observers to bring pressure on the block level election officials to turn a blind eye to these obnoxious attempts and legitimize the applications without due consideration as per the directions of the Election Commission. <p> <p>The magnitude of the problem and the attempted deceit like filing of affidavits which is born - not out of ignorance - but to sidestep the due and impeccable procedures cannot be defeated without your urgent intervention. <p> <p>We, therefore, forward the Left Front memorandum and the voluminous Annexures to substantiate the contentions contained therein. <p> <p>We sincerely expect that with the active intervention of the EC, the sanctity and the integrity of the election process in West Bengal will be safeguarded and this will add up to the otherwise fine record of your achievements of the past. <p> <p>With regards,<p> <p>Yours sincerely<p> <p> Sd/-<p><p>(Sitaram Yechury) (Basudev Acharia)<p>Leader, CPI(M), Rajya Sabha Leader, CPI(M), Lok Sabha<p> <p> <p> <p>(Nilotpal Basu) (Prabodh Panda)<p>Member, Central Secretariat, CPI(M) MP, Communist Party of India<p> <p> <p> <p>(Narahari Mahato) (Prasanta Majumdar)<p>MP, All India Forward Bloc MP, Revolutionary Socialist Party<br>_______________________________________________<br>Marxistindia mailing list<br><a href="mailto:Marxistindia@cpim.org">Marxistindia@cpim.org</a><br><a href="http://cpim.org/mailman/listinfo/marxistindia_cpim.org">http://cpim.org/mailman/listinfo/marxistindia_cpim.org</a><br><a href="http://wwww.cpim.org">http://wwww.cpim.org</a>marxistindiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01206310563518657771noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3570058306285033618.post-36679033995656751872010-08-21T22:50:00.000-07:002010-08-21T22:55:49.870-07:00[Marxistindia] Nuclear Liability Bill:Govt Protects Foreign Suppliersmarxistindia<br>news from the cpi(m)<br>August 22, 2010<p> <p>Left Parties Statement<p> <p>Nuclear Liability Bill : Government Protects Foreign Suppliers<p> <p>The amendments to the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Bill, 2010 proposed by the Government not only goes against the grain of the crucial recommendations of the Standing Committee, but also seeks to further dilute the provisions of the original bill to protect the interests of the foreign suppliers of nuclear equipment and domestic private players. <p> <p>The new formulation of Clause 17 (b) suggested by the Government reads as follows:<p> <p>"(b) the nuclear incident has resulted as a consequence of an act of supplier or his employees, done with the intent to cause nuclear damage, and such act includes supply of equipment or material with patent or latent defects or sub-standard services;"<p> <p>This makes any liability on the part of the suppliers, for supplying defective or sub-standard equipment or material, contingent upon proof that it was "consequence of an act.done with the intent to cause nuclear damage.". With this amendment, it will become impossible to ascribe liability to the supplier. <p> <p>This goes against the Standing Committee formulation of 17 (b), which does not require any such proof: <p> <p>"(b) the nuclear incident has resulted as a consequence of latent or patent defect, supply of sub-standard material, defective equipment or services or from the gross negligence on the part of the supplier of the material, equipment or services."<p> <p>Thus, in the name of removing the "and" in 17 (a), as suggested by the Standing Committee, the Government has rewritten 17 (b), effectively throwing the baby out with the bathwater. The formulation of 17 (b) proposed in the amendment is in fact worse than the provision contained in the original bill. <p> <p>The dubious intent of the Government is further exposed by the addition of Clause 7 (1) proposed as an amendment, through which it seeks to "assume full liability for a nuclear installation not operated by it" (i.e. private nuclear installations) even as the Standing Committee had categorically recommended "that there will be no private operator of nuclear installation". This paves the way for a massive subsidization of the private players in nuclear power by the Government, as and when they are allowed to operate. <p> <p>All this is clearly being done under pressure from the foreign nuclear suppliers and domestic corporate lobbies. The Left Parties call upon all political parties to unitedly oppose these amendments proposed by the Government to protect the interests of the people and the country. <p> <p> <p>Sd/-<p> <p>Prakash Karat A. B. Bardhan<p>Communist Party of India (Marxist) Communist Party of India<p> <p> <p>Debabrata Biswas Abani Roy<p>All India Forward Bloc Revolutionary Socialist Party<p> <p> <br>_______________________________________________<br>Marxistindia mailing list<br><a href="mailto:Marxistindia@cpim.org">Marxistindia@cpim.org</a><br><a href="http://cpim.org/mailman/listinfo/marxistindia_cpim.org">http://cpim.org/mailman/listinfo/marxistindia_cpim.org</a><br><a href="http://wwww.cpim.org">http://wwww.cpim.org</a>marxistindiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01206310563518657771noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3570058306285033618.post-67947055033905820362010-08-21T22:45:00.000-07:002010-08-21T22:54:18.215-07:00[Marxistindia] Nuclear Liability Billmarxistindia<br>news from the cpi(m)<br>August 22, 2010<p> <p>Left Parties Statement<p> <p>Nuclear Liability Bill : Government Protects Foreign Suppliers<p> <p>The amendments to the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Bill, 2010 proposed by the Government not only goes against the grain of the crucial recommendations of the Standing Committee, but also seeks to further dilute the provisions of the original bill to protect the interests of the foreign suppliers of nuclear equipment and domestic private players. <p> <p>The new formulation of Clause 17 (b) suggested by the Government reads as follows:<p> <p>"(b) the nuclear incident has resulted as a consequence of an act of supplier or his employees, done with the intent to cause nuclear damage, and such act includes supply of equipment or material with patent or latent defects or sub-standard services;"<p> <p>This makes any liability on the part of the suppliers, for supplying defective or sub-standard equipment or material, contingent upon proof that it was "consequence of an act.done with the intent to cause nuclear damage.". With this amendment, it will become impossible to ascribe liability to the supplier. <p> <p>This goes against the Standing Committee formulation of 17 (b), which does not require any such proof: <p> <p>"(b) the nuclear incident has resulted as a consequence of latent or patent defect, supply of sub-standard material, defective equipment, design or services or from the gross negligence on the part of the supplier of the material, equipment, design or services."<p> <p>Thus, in the name of removing the "and" in 17 (a), as suggested by the Standing Committee, the Government has rewritten 17 (b), effectively throwing the baby out with the bathwater. The formulation of 17 (b) proposed in the amendment is in fact worse than the provision contained in the original bill. <p> <p>The dubious intent of the Government is further exposed by the addition of Clause 7 (1) proposed as an amendment, through which it seeks to "assume full liability for a nuclear installation not operated by it" (i.e. private nuclear installations) even as the Standing Committee had categorically recommended "that there will be no private operator of nuclear installation". This paves the way for a massive subsidization of the private players in nuclear power by the Government, as and when they are allowed to operate. <p> <p>All this is clearly being done under pressure from the nuclear suppliers and domestic corporate lobbies. The Left Parties call upon all political parties to unitedly oppose these amendments proposed by the Government to protect the interests of the people and the country. <p> <p> <p>Sd/-<p> <p>Prakash Karat A. B. Bardhan<p>Communist Party of India (Marxist) Communist Party of India<p> <p> <p>Debabrata Biswas Abani Roy<p>All India Forward Bloc Revolutionary Socialist Party<p> <p> <br>_______________________________________________<br>Marxistindia mailing list<br><a href="mailto:Marxistindia@cpim.org">Marxistindia@cpim.org</a><br><a href="http://cpim.org/mailman/listinfo/marxistindia_cpim.org">http://cpim.org/mailman/listinfo/marxistindia_cpim.org</a><br><a href="http://wwww.cpim.org">http://wwww.cpim.org</a>marxistindiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01206310563518657771noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3570058306285033618.post-65358013749270391312010-08-19T04:38:00.000-07:002010-08-19T04:43:22.770-07:00[Marxistindia] Standing Committee Report on Civil Nuclear Liability Billmarxistindia<br>news from the cpi(m)<br>August 19, 2010<p>Left Parties Statement<p> <p>On Standing Committee Report on Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Bill<p> <p>The Left parties had, at the very outset, opposed the draft legislation on Civil Nuclear Liability when it was sought to be introduced in Parliament. A reading of the Bill made it clear that the purpose of the legislation is directed more towards protecting the US nuclear reactor suppliers from claims of liability and compensation and less about providing effective and speedy compensation to the people affected by a nuclear accident. The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Science and Technology has now submitted its report in which it has made certain recommendations. The members of the Left Parties in the Standing Committee have registered their dissent to the report and recommendations. The Left Parties wish to explain to the people the objectionable features that would still exist in the legislation if the recommendations of the Standing Committee are accepted. <p> <p>Protecting Foreign Suppliers<p> <p>Clause 17 of the Bill currently reads as follows:<p> <p>17. The operator of a nuclear installation shall have a right of recourse where -<p>(a) such right is expressly provided for in a contract in writing;<p> (b) the nuclear incident has resulted from the wilful act or gross negligence on<p>the part of the supplier of the material, equipment or services, or of his employee;<p>(c) the nuclear incident has resulted from the act of commission or omission of<p>a person done with the intent to cause nuclear damage.<p>The Standing Committee has recommended that Clause 17 should now be amended as follows (changes in bold): <p>17. The operator of a nuclear installation shall have a right of recourse where -<p>(a) such right is expressly provided for in a contract in writing; and <p>(b) the nuclear incident has resulted as a consequence of latent or patent defect, supply of sub-standard material, defective equipment or services or from the gross negligence on the part of the supplier of the material, equipment or services.<p>(c) the nuclear incident has resulted from the act of commission or omission of<p>a person done with the intent to cause nuclear damage.<p>By adding "and" in sub-clause 17 (a), the right of the operator to claim damages from the supplier of nuclear equipment and material (right of recourse) has now been made entirely contingent on whether such right is explicitly provided in the private contract between the operator and supplier. In the likely scenario of the foreign suppliers not agreeing to provide for right of recourse in the contract, they cannot be held liable for any nuclear damage, even if they have supplied defective equipment. What is more dubious is that this significant weakening of Clause 17 has been done under the guise of strengthening the right of recourse against the foreign suppliers.<p>The US administration and the American nuclear industry lobby have objected to sub-clause 17 (b). They are not prepared to accept the right of recourse for the Indian operator vis-à-vis American suppliers. The Standing Committee recommendation is fully in line with the demand of the American lobbies. This amendment linking 17 (a) and 17 (b) will make it worse than what is there in the original Bill. <p>Liability Cap Unacceptable<p>The recommendation to enhance the operator's liability cap from Rs. 500 crore to Rs. 1500 crore is hardly significant, since total liability for each nuclear incident remains capped at 300 million SDRs (Rs. 2122.40 crore or $ 455 million) as per Clause 6 (1). This amount is less than even the Bhopal settlement of $ 470 million, which has been acknowledged as grossly inadequate by the Government itself. <p> <p>It is noteworthy that none of the international nuclear liability conventions set any cap on total liability, but only set a floor. Countries like South Korea and Sweden have set operator's liability at 300 million SDRs, not total liability. The operator's liability in the US is $ 11.9 billion. Countries like Japan, Russia and Germany do not have any cap on total liability. In contrast, the Indian bill seeks to cap total liability to 300 million SDRs, displaying scant regard for the lives and security of the Indian people. <p>Further Objections<p>The Standing Committee report has failed to take on board several more objections to the Bill, especially regarding the extant provisions protecting the operator and suppliers from facing litigation and the ambiguities regarding nuclear accidents in defence installations and the jurisdiction of the AERB. It has also made an objectionable suggestion to create a liability fund to reduce government liability by levying additional charges on electricity. <p>The recommendations of the Standing Committee does not alter the fact that the intent behind the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Bill, as well as its provisions, are meant to facilitate India's joining the Convention on Supplementary Compensation (CSC), which was explicitly committed by the UPA-I Government to the US in 2008, during the nuclear deal negotiations. Other than the US, no other country having a substantial number of nuclear plants have signed or ratified the CSC. None of India's neighbours who could be affected by a trans-boundary impact of a nuclear accident are signatories to CSC and its funds cannot be used for augmenting trans-border compensation for settlements. India gains nothing from joining the CSC.<p>Sd/-<p> <p> Prakash Karat<br> A.B. Bardhan<br> <br> Communist Party of India (Marxist)<br> Communist Party of India<br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> Debabrata Biswas<br> Abani Roy<br> <br> All India Forward Bloc<br> Revolutionary Socialist Party<br> <p> <p> <p> <br>_______________________________________________<br>Marxistindia mailing list<br><a href="mailto:Marxistindia@cpim.org">Marxistindia@cpim.org</a><br><a href="http://cpim.org/mailman/listinfo/marxistindia_cpim.org">http://cpim.org/mailman/listinfo/marxistindia_cpim.org</a><br><a href="http://wwww.cpim.org">http://wwww.cpim.org</a>marxistindiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01206310563518657771noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3570058306285033618.post-80122905565953906512010-08-09T02:34:00.000-07:002010-08-09T02:36:23.139-07:00[Marxistindia] Resolution on West Bengal & Kerala Assembly Electionsmarxistindia<br>news from the cpi(m)<br>Resolution<p><br>On Forthcoming West Bengal and Kerala Assembly Elections<br>(Adopted at the Extended Meeting of the Central Committee on August 9,<br>2010 at Vijayawada)<p>The states of West Bengal and Kerala alongwith Tripura are the outposts of<br>the Left and democratic movement in the country. Prolonged political<br>struggles and people's movements in West Bengal and Kerala led by the<br>Communists, going back to the pre-independence period and during India's<br>struggle for freedom, have laid strong foundations for the growth and<br>consolidation of the Communist-led Left movements in these states.<p>The strong Communist movements in West Bengal and Kerala alongwith Andhra<br>Pradesh and others during the course of the freedom movement itself, had<br>brought on to the agenda of the people's struggle important issues like<br>land reforms, linguistic reorganization of states, reforms against various<br>expressions of social oppression, the defence of the rights of the working<br>class and the people at large including their civil liberties etc.<p>It was on the strength of such powerful movements that the Communist Party<br>won a majority in the Kerala Assembly elections in 1957. This was the<br>first instance of Communists winning the elections to head a state<br>government in a bourgeois parliamentary system anywhere in the world. The<br>pioneering steps of this government for land reforms; minimum wages and<br>welfare measures for the working people; democratization of the education<br>system; decentralisation of powers etc was naturally not palatable for the<br>ruling classes which led to its dismissal under Article 356 of the<br>Constitution. Again, when the CPI(M)-led front won the elections in 1967,<br>this government was topped in 1969.<p>In West Bengal, the strength of powerful popular movements led to the<br>formation of United Front governments in 1967 and 1969. On both<br>occasions, though the CPI(M) was the larger partner of the coalition,<br>CPI(M) had allowed others to head the government in order to maintain and<br>strengthen the United Front. The fillip these governments gave to the<br>democratic movement and to the land struggles was, again, intolerable for<br>the ruling classes, that saw their dismissal under Article 356. The<br>semi-fascist terror unleashed against the Party, with the massive rigging<br>of the 1972 Assembly elections, that lasted till the defeat of Emergency<br>in 1977, was aimed at seeking to decimate the Communist-led popular<br>movements in the state. Over 1,400 comrades were martyred and 22,000 Party<br>families had to be relocated during the successful resistance defeating<br>this semi-fascist terror. Contrary to the hopes and machinations of the<br>ruling classes, the people of West Bengal had not only reposed faith in<br>the CPI(M)-led Left Front in the 1977 elections but continued to repose,<br>in an unprecedented manner not found elsewhere in the country, such faith<br>in the seven consecutive elections that followed till date.<p>This had been possible because of the unparalleled manner in which the<br>Left Front government tackled the people's issues. The implementation of<br>land reforms is one of its most important achievements. Nearly 1.3<br>million acres of illegally held land was acquired and distributed among<br>over 3 million landless and marginal cultivator households. The<br>registration of over 1.5 million bargadars (share croppers) brought 1.1<br>million acres of land under their control through operation barga. As of<br>2007, West Bengal whose population is 8 per cent of the country's, having<br>only 3.5 per cent of our country's agricultural land, accounted for 22 per<br>cent of the total ceiling surplus land distributed in the country. <br>Contrary to all adverse and hostile propaganda that the CPI(M) is against<br>the peasantry, a further 16,700 acres of land were distributed to<br>landless families between 2007 and 2010. Agricultural productivity and<br>output have made remarkable strides. From a chronic rice deficit state,<br>West Bengal today produces the largest quantity of rice. The Left Front<br>government today supplies rice at Rs. 2 per kilo to 2.64 crore BPL<br>population.<p>The financial assistance provided by the Left Front government in West<br>Bengal to the workers of closed factories and tea gardens has now been<br>enhanced to Rs. 1,500. Likewise, pension for widows, the disabled,<br>old-age, artisans, handloom weavers, farmers and fishermen have now been<br>increased to Rs. 1,000. 17 lakh unorganized sector workers have enrolled<br>in the Provident Fund Scheme. West Bengal encourages the growth of labour<br>intensive micro, small and medium industries. The state has the country's<br>largest number of functioning small-scale units (27 lakhs) and largest<br>number of employment (58 lakhs).<p>In spite of functioning under the limitations of the Constitution, the<br>Left-led state governments in West Bengal and Kerala have taken measures<br>to reduce poverty, create new welfare measures and improve living<br>conditions. Even the World Bank admits that the record of West Bengal in<br>terms of poverty reduction is the best amongst all states in India. The<br>infant mortality rate measured per 1,000 live births in 2006 was 38 in<br>West Bengal and 15 in Kerala which has the best record in the country. The<br>all India rate is 57. As far as life expectancy is concerned, it has<br>improved considerably in West Bengal to 64.5 years for males and 67.2 for<br>females. Kerala has life expectancy of 70.7 for males and 75 for females.<br>The all India average is 61 for males and 62.5 for females. As against the<br>all India average (7.4), the death rate in Kerala is 6.3 and West Bengal<br>is 6.2. West Bengal has a literacy rate of 72 per cent and Kerala 90.09<br>per cent. The all-India average is 63.4. In West Bengal, nearly 100 per<br>cent of all girls and boys of age six are enrolled in schools. In Kerala, <br>98 per cent of eligible boys and girls are in class X, indicating nil or<br>very low dropouts. It is noteworthy that such achievements are recorded<br>at a time when, due to the pursuit of neo-liberal policies by the ruling<br>classes, the livelihood conditions of the people have deteriorated in<br>large parts of the country.<p>The LDF government in Kerala has taken forward its welfare legacy<br>currently having the largest number of welfare schemes amongst all states<br>of India. The pensions to the workers in the unorganized workers have been<br>raised from Rs. 100 to Rs. 300. The women workers of the unorganised<br>sector are being offered four month's maternity leave. Half the population<br>of the state are being covered by Rs. 2 per kg rice scheme and free health<br>insurance, including for chronic diseases. Besides the PDS, a wide network<br>of fair price shops are set-up where the prices of 13 essential<br>commodities have been maintained at the same level for the last four<br>years. When the half a million houses proposed under the EMS housing<br>scheme are completed, there would be no family in Kerala without a house.<br>In stark contrast to the Central government's privatization offensive, the<br>rehabilitation of the sick Public Sector Units has resulted in reversal of<br>annual loss of Rs. 96 crores in 2005-06 to annual profit of 240 crores of<br>rupees in 2009-10. This surplus is being reinvested in the expansion of<br>the existing public sector and the establishment of eight new ones. In the<br>agriculture sector the measures adopted by the state government has been<br>successful in putting an end to the suicides of farmers.<p>Another major initiative taken by the Left-led governments in both the<br>states has been on the question of decentralization of power and deepening<br>of democracy to the grassroots through the establishment and efficient<br>functioning of democratic institutions of local self governments. The<br>three tier system of democratically elected bodies established by the Left<br>Front in West Bengal has achieved successes in a manner that is<br>unprecedented elsewhere in the country. It was a full seventeen years<br>after this initiative by the Left Front in West Bengal that the panchayati<br>raj system was adopted for the country through the 73rd and 74th<br>Constitutional amendments. The system of decentralization in Kerala<br>initiated by the 1957 government was further developed into the People's<br>Plan that delivered far-reaching benefits to the people. Both West Bengal<br>and Kerala are in the process of implementing 50 per cent reservation for<br>women. Both the governments of West Bengal and Kerala have extended the<br>central scheme of Rural Employment Guarantee to the urban poor while the<br>Central government refuses to do so.<p>The hallmark of the Left-led democratic movements and the governments in<br>both West Bengal and Kerala have been their steadfast defence of<br>secularism and communal harmony. It is often perceived that the<br>protection of the interests of the minorities is the litmus test of<br>democracy which, otherwise, is de facto majority rule. The Left Front<br>government in West Bengal has recently decided to implement the<br>recommendations of the Ranganath Mishra Commission Report to grant 10 per<br>cent reservations in jobs for Muslims belonging to OBCs.<p>The Left-led governments in West Bengal and Kerala backed by the powerful<br>Communist-led popular movements have been in the forefront of championing<br>the rights of the people and their livelihood standards from being gravely<br>eroded by the pursuit of neo-liberal economic policies by the Central<br>government. The consistent anti-imperialist positions and the interests<br>of the Indian people and the country taken by the CPI(M) continues to<br>expose the Indian ruling classes who seek a strategic partnership with<br>imperialism. Further, the pro-people measures undertaken by the Left-led <br> governments, as listed above, also expose the exploitative character of<br>the Indian ruling classes by demonstrating that even within the existing<br>system, greater relief can be provided to the people. For a combination<br>of all these factors, the Indian ruling classes have mounted a concerted<br>offensive against the CPI(M), in its strongest bastions, in order to<br>weaken the resistance to their unbridled loot through the neo-liberal<br>economic trajectory.<p>In West Bengal, an alliance of all reactionary forces led by the Trinamul<br>Congress is sought to be forged to defeat the Left Front in the coming<br>Assembly elections in May 2011. All rightwing forces, including the<br>communal and fundamentalist elements, foreign funded NGOs and corporate<br>media have joined the Maoist-backed TMC in this effort. Since the 15th Lok<br>Sabha election, 247 members of the CPI(M) and eight members of other Left<br>parties have been killed by the TMC-Maoist gangs. The Maoists primarily<br>target the poorest of the poor amongst the peasantry and the tribals. Yet,<br>sections of so-called intelligentsia continue to express sympathy. The<br>unleashing of such large-scale violence, killings and arson by this<br>reactionary combination is to seek the defeat of the Left Front through<br>the most anti-democratic fascistic methods. The success of these forces<br>seeks to completely negate the advances made by the democratic movement<br>that we have noted above and pave the way for the restoration of the<br>earlier forms of exploitative order. Already there are reports of former<br>landlords attempting, in some areas, to recapture their formerly illegally<br>held land that was acquired and distributed to the landless. In the name<br>of `change', what is being offered is patently anti-democratic and<br>anti-development. Communalism that has been kept at bay by the Left<br>movement will be enabled to stage a come back harming the interests of the<br>minorities. The TMC had, on earlier occasions, openly aligned and shared<br>power with BJP at the Centre.<p>In Kerala, the Congress-led UDF is trying to consolidate all the communal<br>and caste forces around it. Sections of the Church are openly interfering<br>in political affairs by conducting an anti-Communist campaign. Muslim and<br>Hindu extremist forces are bracing themselves to disturb communal harmony<br>in order to create political polarization. The campaigns launched by the<br>CPI(M) and the LDF against such activities are being met by a vilification<br>campaign launched by a section of the media. Despite the nefarious<br>activities of the extremists and communal forces, the state continues to<br>maintain its excellent record of communal harmony.<p>These reactionary offensives against the CPI(M) and the powerful Left and<br>democratic movements in West Bengal and Kerala will have to be met<br>squarely in order to defend the rights of the people and to improve their<br>livelihood. There have been occasions in the past when semi-fascist<br>terror was unleashed against the CPI(M) in West Bengal. That challenge<br>was met and won. In the following seven consecutive elections, no effort<br>was spared by the reactionary forces to defeat the Left Front. The<br>present challenge will also be met like the earlier ones have been. The<br>Left Front is determined to reforge links with the people who have moved<br>away due to certain shortcomings that have been identified and are in the<br>process of being corrected.<p>The CPI(M) as a whole, across the country, will redouble its efforts to<br>fight back this concerted anti-Communist and anti-Left offensive. Today<br>the Indian people need deliverance from the groaning burdens being mounted<br>by the neo-liberal economic policies. The Indian people today need to<br>strengthen our secular democratic foundations to ensure that the energies<br>of our country are not wasted in communal and fratricidal conflicts. The<br>Indian people require an alternative policy trajectory that can allow<br>India to realize its potential which it is being denied by neo-liberalism<br>and communalism. All efforts of spreading violence and anarchy against<br>the Left movement like the Maoists are today indulging in, essentially<br>only strengthens the reactionary forces in their efforts to prevent the<br>Indian people from being liberated from their growing miseries.<p>The assembly elections in May 2011 in West Bengal and Kerala will be a<br>major battle between the forces representing the interests of the working<br>people, social justice, secularism and our country's sovereignty and the<br>forces which are representing the interest of the big capitalists,<br>landlords, the rich and the vested interests that seek a strategic<br>alliance with imperialism and who use communalism, ultra-Left anarchy and<br>divisive politics to achieve their objectives.<p>The CPI(M) calls upon all progressive sections of the people to join this<br>battle and ensure the success of the Left Front in West Bengal and the LDF<br>in Kerala and, thus, advance further the efforts to create a better India<br>for its people.<p><p><p>_______________________________________________<br>Marxistindia mailing list<br><a href="mailto:Marxistindia@cpim.org">Marxistindia@cpim.org</a><br><a href="http://cpim.org/mailman/listinfo/marxistindia_cpim.org">http://cpim.org/mailman/listinfo/marxistindia_cpim.org</a><br><a href="http://wwww.cpim.org">http://wwww.cpim.org</a>marxistindiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01206310563518657771noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3570058306285033618.post-17166853532735533932010-08-06T22:44:00.000-07:002010-08-06T22:46:25.429-07:00[Marxistindia] Inaugural speech of Prakash Karatmarxistindia<br>news from the cpi(m)<br>Speech of CPI(M) General Secretary, Prakash Karat<br>At the Inaugural Session<br>Of the Extended Meeting of the Central Committee<br>August 07, 2010<p><br>We have gathered here in the city of Vijayawada for the extended meeting<br>of the Central Committee of Communist Party of India (Marxist). <br>Vijayawada has a special place in the history of the Communist movement of<br>our country. The city has hosted two Party Congresses – the 6th Congress<br>in 1961 which was the last Party Congress of the united party and the 11th<br>Congress of the CPI (M) in 1982.<p>These were in recognition of the city and the region, which became a<br>centre of the Communist movement which had its origin in the late 1930s. <br>Vijayawada was the focal centre of an area which covered the old Krishna, <br>Guntur and Nellore districts of the Madras province which saw the birth of<br>the Communist movement in Andhra Pradesh. Various struggles against <br>zamindari landlordism took place here in the 1936-38 period such as the<br>struggles against the Challapalli, Munagala and Kalipatnam zamindars. <br>`Bezwada', as Vijayawada was known in the pre-independence days, was also<br>saw the fledgling working class movement with railway workers, press<br>workers and others forming trade unions. The earliest agricultural<br>workers organizations were also formed in this region. P. Sundarayya<br>set-up the first Agricultural Workers Association in 1934 in Alaganipadu<br>village in Nellore district.<p>During the Telangana struggle and the repression launched on the Communist<br>Party in the 1948-50 period, scores of Communist leaders and cadres were<br>shot down by the police in this region. Some of the topmost national<br>leaders of the Communist movement and the CPI(M) hailed from this region –<br>P. Sundarayya, M. Basavapunnaiah, C. Rajeswara Rao, N. Prasada Rao, M.<br>Hanumantha Rao, L. B. Gangadhara Rao, Koratala Satyanarayana and many<br>others.<p>The Central Committee of the CPI(M) has convened this extended meeting to<br>take stock of the political situation in the country and to chalk out a<br>political line which can help us to tackle the current situation and meet<br>the various challenges that we are facing.<p>Ever rising prices of food and essential commodities burden the people;<br>millions of people go hungry everyday. The inequalities in income and<br>wealth grow sharper and India has the dubious distinction of having some<br>of richest people in the world along with a substantial number of the<br>poorest people in the world.<p>The Congress-led UPA government boasts about the high growth rate<br>achieved. The GDP growth rate is taken as the reliable index of progress<br>and development for the people. But this is not true. What the<br>neo-liberal policies have led to is the primitive accumulation of<br>capital, the enormous growth of the capital and assets in the hands of a<br>narrow strata. The number of dollar billionaires in India has grown from<br>9 in 2004 to 49 this year. There has been growth, certainly – for the<br>super-rich.<p>The government's policies are designed to help big business make super<br>profits and to enable the transfer of resources to the rich and powerful. <br>The fiscal and taxation policies of the Congress-led government illustrate<br>this fact starkly.<p>The UPA-II government in the past one and a quarter years since coming to<br>office is pushing for more neo-liberal policies. The government wants to <br>disinvest shares in all profitable public sector units. Earlier, the<br>Left parties had ensured that shares would not be sold of the `navaratna'<br>companies. Now everything is up for sale.<p>Agriculture, which employs half the workforce in the country, is in<br>crisis. Agriculture grew by only 0.2 per cent in 2009-10. Foodgrains'<br>production fell by 7.5 per cent the same year. Suicides by farmers have<br>not abated. Land reforms are being reversed. In agriculture,<br>corporatisation is being promoted alongside the withdrawal of State<br>support for the peasantry.<p>The government proposes to bring in multinational companies into retail<br>trade. The government seeks to push through legislation to FDI in<br>banking and insurance sectors. The working class is under increased<br>attack with labour laws not being implemented and more and more sections<br>being pushed into contract, casual work and into jobs in the informal<br>sector.<p>The agenda for all these anti-people policies is being propelled by the<br>Indo-US CEO Forum. What the chieftains of big business in US and India<br>proposes, the Manmohan Singh government accepts and implements.<p>How the government policy is injurious for the people's interests is<br>glaringly illustrated by the relentless price rise of food and other<br>essential commodities. Government policies are directly responsible for<br>the ever-rising prices. Repeated increases in the prices of petroleum<br>products is one major reason. Forward trading in foodgrains and other<br>essential commodities is another major factor. The government has<br>weakened and curtailed the Public Distribution System through a targeted<br>system which excludes much of the poor. Yet, the government callously<br>and arrogantly refuses to take responsibility.<p>The Congress leadership and the government speak hypocritically about <br>"inclusive growth" when the policies they pursue are designed to exclude<br>the vast majority of the people from access to food, education, jobs and<br>social security. India presents the shameful spectatcle of having the<br>world's largest number of hungry and malnutritioned people. The FCI<br>godowns have 60 million tonnes of foodgrains. Stocks are overflowing and<br>allowed to rot. This government no more talks about provision of 6 per<br>cent of the GDP for education and 3 per cent for health. This goal cited<br>in the erstwhile Common Minimum Programme seems more distant than ever.<p>The forces of majority communalism work on the basis of the Hindutva<br>ideology and outlook which is injurious for the country and people's<br>unity. The BJP-run state governments – whether it be in Gujarat,<br>Karnataka or Madhya Pradesh – are targeting the minorities, both Muslims<br>and Christians, and seek to deprive them of their rights as citizens. The<br>recent exposures of how the police and State machinery in Gujarat have<br>been used to cover-up the pogroms and stage encounter killings are a<br>chilling reminder of what is in store for the country if such forces come<br>to power.<p>We are meeting at a time when some parts of the country are in great<br>turmoil. For the past two months, the Kashmir valley has been convulsed<br>by protests and violence. Distressingly, scores of young men and women<br>have died due to police firing and actions. This has brought out the<br>intensity of alienation among the young people against the Indian State in<br>the valley. There has to be a stop to this endless cycle of<br>confrontations and killings. The Central government has to immediately<br>initiate the process of dialogue with all sections in the valley. A<br>solution can be found only if there is recognition that the problem of<br>Kashmir cannot be resolved through conventional means. The people of<br>Kashmir have to be assured that their identity and special status is<br>expressed through a new political framework in which maximum autonomy is<br>the bedrock.<p>At the other end of the country, in the North East, we have seen the<br>ill-effects of the continuous blockade of the highways to Manipur. Even<br>now essential drugs and commodities are not available for the people who<br>are suffering great hardships. The problems of national unity cannot be<br>solved by the overcentralised approach of the ruling class parties. What<br>is required is the creation of a federal system which accommodates the <br>diverse aspirations of the people of the various regions and<br>nationalities.<p>The neo-liberal policies are not only affecting the economic sphere. This<br>is an outlook and philosophy which worships the market and promotes greed<br>and rapacity. Every institution of the State and every pore of our<br>society is getting polluted and corrupted. The nexus between big<br>business and politics is now out in the open. Public policy making is<br>suborned to serve the interests of a rich and powerful strata. The mining<br>mafia of the Bellary brothers dictates politics in the BJP-ruled<br>Karnataka and also commands influence in the politics of our host state,<br>Andhra Pradesh. Whether it is the IPL or the telecom scam, there is no<br>line demarcating public policy and personal enrichment. Corruption,<br>through the siphoning off of the public funds, preys on the common people<br>who find their rations and other entitlements vanishing into the pockets<br>of a corrupt and greedy nexus of bureaucrats-politicians-contractors. <br>The corporate media has become the cheer leader for neo-liberal policies.<p>Such an atmosphere has begun to corrode the parliamentary democratic<br>system itself. The people's right to assemble, to organize and to<br>protest is being severely restricted by administrative and judicial<br>actions. Trade unions are not allowed to function in Special Economic<br>Zones and many other enterprises; peasants face police repression if they<br>protests against the lands being taken away; and student unions and<br>organizations are banned in many educational institutions.<p>This is the path the ruling classes have adopted which is in alignment<br>with their alliance with the United States of America. For the Manmohan<br>Singh government (and earlier, the BJP-led government too), there are two<br>essential friends for India – the USA and Israel. There are no second<br>thoughts on compromising national sovereignty and even the lives and<br>safety of the people in order to fructify this alliance. As part of the<br>commitment made in the Indo-US nuclear deal, the government has brought<br>a legislation in Parliament which embodies this subservience. After the<br>worst industrial accident in the history of the world in Bhopal, in which<br>the victims got no justice and the perpetrator of the crime – the American<br>multinational – was let off, the government now proposes a law which will<br>make any American company which supplies nuclear reactors to India not<br>liable for even one rupee if there is a nuclear accident.<p>The firm stand adopted by the CPI(M) and its consistent opposition to the<br>neo-liberal policies and the strategic tie-up with US imperialism have <br>drawn the ire of the ruling classes and imperialism. That attack is<br>concentrated on the CPI(M) and the Left Front government of West Bengal. <br>For the rightwing forces, for those who draw their sustenance from<br>imperialism and for the corporate media, the bloody violence against the<br>CPI(M) and the Left Front in West Bengal is of no concern. More than 250<br>members and the supporters of the CPI(M) have been killed by the<br>TMC-Maoist gangs. The TMC is part of the Central government. Such<br>violence and attacks on democratic rights in West Bengal presage an<br>authoritarian trend which bodes ill for the whole country.<p>The Maoists have exposed their vicious and anti-democratic character <br>through their murderous spree targeting the CPI(M). They do not stop at<br>this but attack innocent people, as seen in the dastardly Gnaneswari<br>Express sabotage. Such actions should dispel the illusion some sections<br>of the intelligentsia have about the Maoists.<p>The three Left-led governments of West Bengal, Kerala and Tripura have<br>always striven to put in place pro-people policies. It is these three<br>governments which have implemented land reform to the maximum in the<br>country. It is these three governments which have sought to expand the<br>areas of relief and welfare for the unemployed and the poor. All three<br>governments have introduced urban employment guarantee schemes within the<br>constraints of resources. It is these three governments which have<br>adhered firmly to the secular principle and given no quarter to the<br>communal forces. The defence of the Left-led governments is an important<br>task for all the Left and democratic forces in the country.<p>In the last Lok Sabha elections, the CPI(M) suffered reverses in both West<br>Bengal and Kerala. Our Party has carefully looked into why this has<br>happened and identified the steps to be taken to remedy the situation. <br>We should do our utmost so that the people of West Bengal and Kerala<br>renew their faith in the Party and the Left-led alliances there.<p>In the present dismal scene in the country, only the CPI(M) and the Left<br>present a real alternative – an alternative in terms of the path of<br>development and in terms of policies.<p>On the economic front, the first and foremost task is to tackle the<br>agrarian crisis. Instead of moving towards corporatisation of<br>agriculture, the farmers are to be assured of inputs at reasonable prices,<br>so that agriculture can be sustainable. The goal of ensuring food<br>security requires that farmers be given sufficient incentives to produce<br>more.<p>There has to be a universal Public Distribution System with adequate<br>procurement to ensure that hunger and malnutrition are eliminated. The<br>public sector should play a key role in the strategic sectors of the<br>economy including the financial sector. Labour intensive industries<br>should be encouraged, so that more employment is created.<p>Speculative capital flows must be regulated and profits from such foreign<br>institutional investment taxed. Steps should be taken to recover the<br>illegal money kept in tax havens and secret bank accounts. The corporates<br>and the affluent should pay more taxes.<p>It is with the increased tax revenues that there can be increased public<br>expenditure on education, health and social welfare.<p>The Left stands for firm adherence to secularism. This requires that the<br>governments, both at the Central and state level, make no concessions to<br>the communal forces. Terrorist violence emanating from whichever source<br>should be put down firmly.<p>The Left stands for an end to caste and gender oppression. At present,<br>the priority should be for the passing of the Bill for women's<br>reservation in the Lok Sabha; the implementation of the Ranganath Mishra<br>Commission report for reservation for the minorities in education and<br>jobs and stringent steps to end all forms of caste discrimination<br>particularly untouchability. The rights of the tribal people over their<br>own lands must be ensured by the implementation of the Forest Rights Act<br>and protection of their rights by stopping large-scale, indiscriminate and<br>illegal mining. The scourge of corruption in public life and in State<br>institutions must be tackled by starting at the top.<p>India, as a major developing country, has to play an important role in<br>countering hegemonic designs and promoting multipolarity in the world. <br>This would be possible only if there is a genuinely independent foreign<br>policy. India should not have military alliances with powers which are<br>responsible for aggression and occupation around the world. On global<br>warming and the steps to protect the world environment, India has to take<br>a firm stand to ensure that the advanced countries discharge their<br>responsibilities to cut emissions and to help the developing countries<br>adopt environmental friendly technologies.<p>This is the charter for political and social change in India which the<br>CPI(M) and the Left advocates. The extended meeting of the Central<br>Committee being held in Vijayawada will discuss how to carry forward such<br>a programme strengthening Left unity and widening the support for the Left<br>and democratic alternative.<p><p>_______________________________________________<br>Marxistindia mailing list<br><a href="mailto:Marxistindia@cpim.org">Marxistindia@cpim.org</a><br><a href="http://cpim.org/mailman/listinfo/marxistindia_cpim.org">http://cpim.org/mailman/listinfo/marxistindia_cpim.org</a><br><a href="http://wwww.cpim.org">http://wwww.cpim.org</a>marxistindiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01206310563518657771noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3570058306285033618.post-86307618100888986572010-08-05T17:45:00.000-07:002010-08-05T21:15:14.876-07:00[Marxistindia] (no subject)marxistindia<br>news from the cpi(m)<br>SITARAM YECHURI HAD RAISED VALID QUESTIONS AND OUR PRESENCE IS FELT IN RAJYA SABHAMADHU<br>_______________________________________________<br>Marxistindia mailing list<br><a href="mailto:Marxistindia@cpim.org">Marxistindia@cpim.org</a><br><a href="http://cpim.org/mailman/listinfo/marxistindia_cpim.org">http://cpim.org/mailman/listinfo/marxistindia_cpim.org</a><br><a href="http://wwww.cpim.org">http://wwww.cpim.org</a>marxistindiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01206310563518657771noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3570058306285033618.post-49642212889836645192010-08-05T06:20:00.000-07:002010-08-05T06:22:32.360-07:00[Marxistindia] Webcast of Extended Meeting of Central Committeemarxistindia<br>news from the cpi(m)<br>Live Webcast of events during CPI(M) extended CC Meetings<p>A Live Webcast of the events, inaugural session, public meeting of the<br>extended meeting of the central committee of the CPI(M) being held at<br>Vijayawada from August 7 to 10 is being arranged. There will also be<br>special<br>stories and exclusive interviews relating to the event to be telecast<br>over the web from 06/08/2010.<p>The live and recorded webcast can be viewed at :<p><a href="http://www.ustream.tv/channel/starconf">http://www.ustream.tv/channel/starconf</a><p>It is similar to television telecast over the internet. We appeal to all<br>the people, netizens, sympathisers and progressive sections to use this<br>opportunity of viewing it online. The webstreaming can be effectively<br>viewed over a broadband connection.<p><br>_______________________________________________<br>Marxistindia mailing list<br><a href="mailto:Marxistindia@cpim.org">Marxistindia@cpim.org</a><br><a href="http://cpim.org/mailman/listinfo/marxistindia_cpim.org">http://cpim.org/mailman/listinfo/marxistindia_cpim.org</a><br><a href="http://wwww.cpim.org">http://wwww.cpim.org</a>marxistindiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01206310563518657771noreply@blogger.com0