[Marxistindia] PB on Violence in Kashmir

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news from the cpi(m)
June 30, 2010

Press Statement

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

End Violence in Kashmir

The Polit Bureau expresses its serious concern about the situation in Kashmir. In the past few weeks, there have been the deaths of a number of young men and teenagers due to police firing at a number of places in the valley. Beginning with the death of a teenage student, there has been an escalation of protest and confrontation which has led to the loss of eight young lives till June 29. The CPI(M) conveys its heartfelt sympathy to those families who have lost their young ones.

The anger of the people erupted after the first incident. Firm action should be taken by the state government and the Central authorities to curb excessive use of force. Subsequently, deliberate attempts have been made to pit young men against the paramilitary forces and the police. It is essential that the police forces exercise restraint and the youth do not fall prey to the instigation to go in for confrontations with the security forces.

What is evident from these widespread protests across the valley is the deep alienation affecting the people. The UPA government has not taken any step to further the political dialogue towards a settlement of the outstanding issues. It is incumbent upon the UPA government to take immediate steps in this direction.

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[Marxistindia] Countrywide Hartal on July 5

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news from the cpi(m)
June 29, 2010

Left Parties Statement

All India Hartal on July 5

The Congress-led government has delivered another cruel blow to the people by increasing the price of petrol, diesel, kerosene oil and cooking gas steeply and by deregulating the prices and leaving it to the market.

This comes after its refusal to take any effective step to curb price rise of food items and essential commodities which is causing acute suffering to the people.

On top of the food inflation at nearly 17 per cent and the general inflation rate in double digits, the Congress-led government has callously raised the fuel prices making the burden on the people unbearable.

The government is putting forth deceptive arguments to justify the hike and refuses to listen to the protests of the people.

The only way for the people is to launch a powerful collective protest to compel the government to heed their voice to withdraw the hikes.

The Left parties have consulted other secular opposition parties. Along with the Left parties, the AIADMK, Telugu Desam Party, Samajwadi Party, Biju Janata Dal, Janata Dal (S) Indian National Lok Dal have decided to call for a countrywide hartal on July 5. Discussions with some other secular opposition parties to join the hartal is also on.

We appeal to all sections of the people to register their protest by joining the hartal.

The hartal will be from 6.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m.

All essential services like supply of water, milk, electricity, hospital and emergency services will be exempt from the hartal.

Sd/-

Prakash Karat
A.B. Bardhan

General Secretary, CPI(M)
General Secretary, CPI




Debabrata Biswas
T.J. Chandrachoodan

General Secretary, AIFB
General Secretary, RSP

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[Marxistindia] Left parties on Price Increase

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news from the cpi(m)
June 25, 2010

Press Statement

The four Left parties - Communist Party of India (Marxist), Communist Party of India, All India Forward Bloc and Revolutionary Socialist Party - have issued the following statement:

Strongly Oppose This Cruel Blow

The decision of the UPA government to inflict a steep rise in the prices of petrol, diesel, kerosene oil and cooking gas is a cruel blow against the people who are already suffering due to the runaway increase in the prices of food and essential commodities. The price of petrol has gone up by Rs. 3.50 per litre, diesel by Rs. 2 per litre, kerosene oil by Rs. 3 per litre and cooking gas by Rs. 35 per cylinder.

This callous decision of the government has come at a time when the food inflation rate is around 17 per cent and the general inflation rate has reached double digits. India has the dubious distinction of having the highest rate of consumer price inflation in the world.

The UPA government has decided to deregulate the price of petrol and leave it to the market to determine. Going by the Kirit Parikh Report, the government is going to decontrol prices of all petroleum products, including diesel. This is going to prove disastrous for the economy and the country.

The government is giving false arguments to justify these measures. The prices of petrol and diesel were increased by Rs. 3 per litre only three months ago at the time of the Union Budget. International oil prices have not risen substantially in this period. Neither is the government prepared to rationalize the taxation structure on petroleum products which is adding to a price of petrol and diesel in a large measure.

It is a myth that such a step is being taken to protect the public sector companies from under-recoveries. The so-called under-recoveries are entirely based on notional prices calculated without any reference to the actual cost of production. In fact, the deregulation is only to help private companies who withdrew from the market because of the government price controls. Now they will be free to enter the market to make profits.

By deregulating petrol prices, the government has opened the way for continuous increases in the prices of petrol. By increasing the price of diesel and kerosene oil, the farmers and the poorer sections are going to be badly hit. The LPG increase will further burden the middle classes.

The Congress-led government has shown its callous and anti-people character by these measures.

The Left parties demand the immediate scrapping of the price increases. They call upon all their units to jointly launch protests against these hikes.

Sd/-

Prakash Karat A. B. Bardhan

General Secretary, CPI(M) General Secretary, CPI

Debabrata Biswas T. J. Chandrachoodan

General Secretary, AIFB General Secretary, RSP
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[Marxistindia] PB on GoM recommendations

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news from the cpi(m)
June 22, 2010

Press Statement

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

GoM Recommendations: Not Good Enough

The Group of Ministers constituted to look into the measures to be taken on the Bhopal gas leak accident has finalized its recommendations. Some of the steps suggested such as the curative petition against the order of the Supreme Court of March 1997, the restarting of the unit of the Indian Council of Medical Research and the takeover of the Bhopal Memorial Hospital Trust are welcome.

However, there are two serious problems regarding the recommendations. Firstly, the compensation package offered is based on flawed estimation of deaths and injuries and the amount of compensation offered remains meager. Secondly, there is no serious effort to make the Dow Chemical Company, which took over the Union Carbide, liable for the damages and compensation. The entire expenses for the remediation and environmental clean up at the Bhopal factory site should be borne by the Dow Chemical Company.

The Dow Chemical has invested and set-up a number of enterprises in India. It is on record that the Indian government has promoted such investments. Surely, the government can take a firm stand asking the Dow Chemical to pay up, failing which the company can be blacklisted and measures taken against it. It is not enough to pursue the long pending case in a court in Madhya Pradesh.

In view of the vital issues of providing justice and adequate compensation to the victims of the Bhopal gas tragedy and the implementation of the "polluter pays principle" in full, the government should call a meeting of all political parties and representatives of the gas victims to discuss the recommendations of the GoM before the Union Cabinet takes a decision.

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[Marxistindia] Prakash Karat to PM on GoM recommendations

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

Press Release

Shri Prakash Karat, General Secretary of CPI(M) has written to Dr. Manmohan Singh, Prime Minister on the recommendations of the GoM on the Bhopal gas accident. We are herewith releasing the text of the letter.

(Hari Singh Kang)

For CPI(M) Central Committee office

________________________________________________________________

Dear Dr. Manmohan Singhji,

It has been reported that the Group of Ministers set-up on the Bhopal gas accident has finalized a set of recommendations. It has also been reported that you have called a Cabinet meeting on June 25 to discuss the report of the GoM.

While appreciating your intention to take a speedy decision on the various matters concerning payment of enhanced compensation, medical treatment and the clean up measures to be taken at the site of the plant, I would request you to consider the following.

Since providing justice and adequate compensation for the victims of the gas tragedy has dragged on for 26 years, it is important that the views of the large number of people affected should be taken into account. Further, there are questions about who is liable for the damages and the remediation measures to be undertaken.

In view of this, I would request you to call a meeting of all political parties along with the representatives of the organizations of gas victims where the recommendations made by the GoM can be discussed.

It would be better if the Union Cabinet takes a final decision on the recommendations of the GoM after such a meeting.

With warm regards,

Yours sincerely

Sd/-

(Prakash Karat)

General Secretary
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[Marxistindia] Prakash Karat to PM on GoM recommendations

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

Press Release

Shri Prakash Karat, General Secretary of CPI(M) has written to Dr. Manmohan Singh, Prime Minister on the recommendations of the GoM on the Bhopal gas accident. We are herewith releasing the text of the letter.

(Hari Singh Kang)

For CPI(M) Central Committee office

Dear Dr. Manmohan Singhji,

It has been reported that the Group of Ministers set-up on the Bhopal gas accident has finalized a set of recommendations. It has also been reported that you have called a Cabinet meeting on June 25 to discuss the report of the GoM.

While appreciating your intention to take a speedy decision on the various matters concerning payment of enhanced compensation, medical treatment and the clean up measures to be taken at the site of the plant, I would request you to consider the following.

Since providing justice and adequate compensation for the victims of the gas tragedy has dragged on for 26 years, it is important that the views of the large number of people affected should be taken into account. Further, there are questions about who is liable for the damages and the remediation measures to be undertaken.

In view of this, I would request you to call a meeting of all political parties along with the representatives of the organizations of gas victims where the recommendations made by the GoM can be discussed.

It would be better if the Union Cabinet takes a final decision on the recommendations of the GoM after such a meeting.

With warm regards,

Yours sincerely

Sd/-

(Prakash Karat)

General Secretary
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[Marxistindia] PB on GoM recommendations

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

Press Statement

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

GoM Recommendations: Not Good Enough

The Group of Ministers constituted to look into the measures to be taken on the Bhopal gas leak accident has finalized its recommendations. Some of the steps suggested such as the curative petition against the order of the Supreme Court of March 1997, the restarting of the unit of the Indian Council of Medical Research and the takeover of the Bhopal Memorial Hospital Trust are welcome.

However, there are two serious problems regarding the recommendations. Firstly, the compensation package offered is based on flawed estimation of deaths and injuries and the amount of compensation offered remains meager. Secondly, there is no serious effort to make the Dow Chemical Company, which took over the Union Carbide, liable for the damages and compensation. The entire expenses for the remediation and environmental clean up at the Bhopal factory site should be borne by the Dow Chemical Company.

The Dow Chemical has invested and set-up a number of enterprises in India. It is on record that the Indian government has promoted such investments. Surely, the government can take a firm stand asking the Dow Chemical to pay up, failing which the company can be blacklisted and measures taken against it. It is not enough to pursue the long pending case in a court in Madhya Pradesh.

In view of the vital issues of providing justice and adequate compensation to the victims of the Bhopal gas tragedy and the implementation of the "polluter pays principle" in full, the government should call a meeting of all political parties and representatives of the gas victims to discuss the recommendations of the GoM before the Union Cabinet takes a decision.

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[Marxistindia] PB demands withdrawal of higher licence fee for BSNL

marxistindia
news from the cpi(m)
June 16, 2010

Press Statement

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

CPI(M) Demands Withdrawal of Higher Licence Fee for BSNL

The Polit Bureau of the CPI(M) strongly disapproves the discriminatory order of the Department of Telecommunications to BSNL directing it to pay higher licence fee for 3 G spectrum than the private operators.

While the private operators have been asked to pay the licence fee on their income, the BSNL has been asked to pay on its revenue. This will put additional burden on the premier public sector undertaking amounting several thousand crores of rupees.

The Polit Bureau demands withdrawal of this unjust order of the DoT and allow BSNL to pay licence fee at par with private sector operators.

This development once again underlines the pro-private sector stance of the UPA government, in general, and Telecommunication Minister A. Raja, in particular, which should be resolutely opposed by all those who want to defend the public sector.

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[Marxistindia] PB on Bhopal gas case verdict

marxistindia
news from the cpi(m)
June 8, 2010

Press Statement

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

The Bhopal Gas case verdict, which after twenty-five years awards a sentence of just two years to the culprits, is a travesty of justice that shames India and insults the memory of the thousands killed. The verdict is the culmination of a deeply flawed process involving the culpability of Governments, investigative agencies and even the highest court of the land. These institutions compromised the interests of the country and the victims, diluting the charges, enabling the American CEO Warren Anderson to escape, and limiting liability to a paltry compensation of only 470 million dollars. These are acts of connivance to help the powerful US company and its Indian entity.

The culprits are now all out on bail and will use the judicial process further to avoid serving even this inadequate sentence. The Government must immediately appeal against the verdict, press for enhancement of sentences and create a process by which justice can be speedily ensured.

The Bhopal disaster and the utterly flawed legal framework shows how the American suppliers and owners have escaped any criminal liability. In this context the Civil Nuclear Liability Bill which excludes foreign suppliers from any liability may help more Warren Andersons. The Bill limits compensation to even less than the paltry Bhopal settlement. Pushing ahead with the Nuclear Liability Bill means playing with the safety and interests of the Indian people.

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[Marxistindia] On the visit of Sri Lankan President to India

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

The visit of Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa to India beginning on June 8 will be an occasion for the reaffirmation of the close and friendly ties between India and Sri Lanka. The visit should contribute towards strengthening these relations further.

On the occasion of the President's visit, the Indian government should impress upon the Sri Lankan President the need for an expeditious political settlement of the Tamil question which would involve the devolution of powers and autonomy for the Tamil-speaking areas. Such a political solution will strengthen the unity and integrity of Sri Lanka.

With the end of the prolonged war, the rehabilitation of the displaced Tamil people is the other major concern. Out of the 3 lakh displaced people who were in relief camps, still around 80,000 have not returned to their homes. A speedy rehabilitation of the displaced people, ensuring their means of livelihood and their security should be a major priority. India, which is also providing assistance to this process, can discuss ways to speed up the rehabilitation.

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[Marxistindia] On Sri Lankan President's visit to India

marxistindia
news from the cpi(m)
June 7, 2010

Press Statement

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

The visit of Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa to India beginning on June 8 will be an occasion for the reaffirmation of the close and friendly ties between India and Sri Lanka. The visit should contribute towards strengthening these relations further.

On the occasion of the President's visit, the Indian government should impress upon the Sri Lankan President the need for an expeditious political settlement of the Tamil question which would involve the devolution of powers and autonomy for the Tamil-speaking areas. Such a political solution will strengthen the unity and integrity of Sri Lanka.

With the end of the prolonged war, the rehabilitation of the displaced Tamil people is the other major concern. Out of the 3 lakh displaced people who were in relief camps, still around 80,000 have not returned to their homes. A speedy rehabilitation of the displaced people, ensuring their means of livelihood and their security should be a major priority. India, which is also providing assistance to this process, can discuss ways to speed up the rehabilitation.

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[Marxistindia] PB communique

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news from the cpi(m)
June 6, 2010

Press Communique

The Polit Bureau of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) met in New Delhi on June 5 and 6, 2010. It has issued the following statement:

Lift Blockade of Gaza

The Polit Bureau expressed its strong condemnation and outrage at the attack by Israeli armed forces on the flotilla of ships carrying humanitarian aid for the people of Gaza. Nine people were killed and many others injured in this attack on international waters. Israel behaves like a rogue State in enforcing the blockade of Gaza.

It is highly regrettable that the UPA government has not even condemned Israel by name for this attack in the statement issued by the Ministry of External Affairs and confines itself to regretting the loss of lives and the use of force. The Polit Bureau demands that the Government of India work actively with other countries to get the blockade of Gaza lifted. The Polit Bureau reiterates that India should stop all military and security collaboration with Israel as long as it remains in illegal occupation of Palestinian and Arab territories.

West Bengal Municipal Polls

The Polit Bureau heard a preliminary report on the elections to 81 municipal bodies in West Bengal in which the CPI(M) and the Left have suffered losses. The West Bengal State Committee will conduct a review of the elections on the basis of which necessary political and organizational steps can be taken to win back the confidence of those sections of the people who have moved away from the Party.

Kerala Situation

The Polit Bureau noted that various communal and caste forces are being mobilized against the CPI(M) and the LDF government. These forces are sought to be consolidated behind the Congress-led UDF. The increasing intervention of religious and communal bodies in politics does not augur well for the secular polity in Kerala.

The CPI(M) will conduct a vigorous campaign against the interference of sectarian and communal forces in the political affairs of the state.

Prices of Petroleum Products

There are reports that the government is considering a further increase in the prices of petrol, diesel and other petroleum products. This will be totally unwarranted and impose a crushing burden on the people in view of the continuing increase in food prices and inflation. The Polit Bureau warns the government not to increase the prices of petroleum products.

Food Security Legislation

Despite the declaration of the Prime Minister a few months ago that the "worst of food inflation is over", the food inflation rate continues to remain extremely high at over 16.5 per cent. This signifies the utter failure of the UPA in checking price rise. The Government is stubbornly refusing to reverse the neoliberal policies causing price rise. Even today, the buffer stocks of over 4 crore tonnes of foodgrains are rotting in Government godowns. Yet these stocks are not being used to restore the huge cut in foodgrains allocations to the States for APL sections who have been wrongly excluded from the public distribution system.

In this context, the CPI(M) opposes the present approach of the UPA Government on the Food Security Bill, which seeks to provide legal sanction to the exclusion of vast sections of the people from the PDS based on the flawed poverty estimates. This will be even worse than the current situation where the States can move towards a universal PDS combining their own schemes with central allocations. The Government is not interested in expanding the right to food for the food insecure population. It is calculating the numbers of poor to restrict the beneficiaries in order to save resources and restrict food subsidy. The Polit Bureau of the CPI(M) reiterates its demands for a universalized system of PDS with at least 35 kg of foodgrains allocation per family at a maximum rate of two rupees a kilo.

The Left parties are holding a Convention on July 1 in New Delhi to take up this issue.

Ranganath Mishra Commission Report

The Polit Bureau demanded that the UPA government table the Action Taken Report on the recommendations of the Ranganath Mishra Commission. The recommendations pertain to reservation in jobs and education for minorities on the basis of their social and educational backward status. There has been undue delay in acting upon the report and this should be taken up in the monsoon session of Parliament.

Maoist Violence

The Polit Bureau condemned in the strongest terms the derailment of the Gyaneshwari Express in West Midnapore district of West Bengal which resulted in the deaths of 149 passengers and injuries to many more. The sabotage of a passenger train indulged in by elements of the Maoist-PCAPA combine is a terrorist act directed against innocent people. This exposes the true face of the Maoists. Firm action should be taken against such elements to deter such violent attacks in the future.

IPL Affairs

The CPI(M) had earlier pointed out the wide ramifications of the IPL affairs which involve large-scale money transactions and illegal activities in the name of a cricket. The manner in which the BCCI and the IPL body have conducted the bids and the franchising have raised a host of issues. The matter cannot be disposed off with some routine enquiries conducted by the agencies under the Finance Ministry. What is required is a full-fledged probe. This should be done by a Joint Parliamentary Committee.

Extended Meeting of the CC

The Polit Bureau discussed the outline of a draft document for the extended meeting of the Central Committee to be held in August. The PB will meet again on July 3 and 4 to finalise the draft to be presented to the Central Committee.

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