Communist Party of India (Marxist) - P.B. Communique https://elections2014.cpim.org/tags/pb-communique-0 en P.B. Communiqué https://elections2014.cpim.org/content/pb-communiqu%C3%A9-25 <div class="field field-name-field-social field-type-addthis field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><div class="addthis_toolbox addthis_default_style addthis_32x32_style " addthis:title="P.B. Communiqu&amp;eacute; - Communist Party of India (Marxist)" addthis:url="https://elections2014.cpim.org/content/pb-communiqu%C3%A9-25"><a href="http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php?v=300" class="addthis_button_facebook_like" fb:like:layout="button_count"></a> <a href="http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php?v=300" class="addthis_button_google_plusone" g:plusone:size="standard"></a> <a href="http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php?v=300" class="addthis_button_facebook"></a> <a href="http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php?v=300" class="addthis_button_twitter"></a> <a href="http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php?v=300" class="addthis_button_email"></a> <a href="http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php?v=300" class="addthis_button_"></a> </div> </div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://elections2014.cpim.org/sites/default/files/20141221-pb-meeting_0.JPG" width="500" height="300" alt="" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-date field-type-date field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2014-12-23T00:00:00+05:30">Tuesday, December 23, 2014</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><div align="right">&nbsp;</div><div><strong>Press Communiqué</strong></div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>The Polit Bureau of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) which met in New Delhi from December 21 to 23, 2014 has issued the following statement:</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div><strong>Stop RSS Gameplan</strong></div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>With the Narendra Modi government in office, the Hindutva agenda is being implemented in various spheres. One of them is the reconversion drive aimed at bringing Muslims and Christians ‘back’ to the Hindu fold. The communal aim of this so-called <em>“ghar vapsi”</em> has been spelt out by the RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat himself. Plans for such reconversion events have been announced for Christmas day.</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>Despite repeated demands in parliament, the Prime Minister has refused to spell out the stand of the government on this issue. Further, it is clear that the BJP state governments such as in Gujarat are backing these activities.</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>The CPI(M) demands that such reconversion based on false assurances and inducements and with State patronage be prohibited with immediate effect. Action should be taken under the relevant provisions of the law against those who are organizing such activities which are disruptive of communal harmony and creating communal tensions. The U.P. government has already registered cases and taken action against the organisers of the Agra “reconversion”.&nbsp; This must be done by other state governments too.</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div><strong>Protest Against Privatisation of Coal Mines</strong></div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>The Polit Bureau strongly opposed the Coal Mines (Special Provisions) Bill which has been passed by the Lok Sabha and awaits clearance by the Rajya Sabha. The Bill will pave the way for private commercial mining in the coal sector apart from spelling out the method of allocation of coal blocks with captive mining.</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>The provisions in the Bill if adopted will reverse the nationalization of the coal industry in 1971. The Modi government is taking this step to facilitate the profiteering and the loot of this precious national resource by the big capital.</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>The Polit Bureau calls for a strong resistance to this measure. The CPI(M) extends its full support to the five day strike call given by all the coal workers’ unions from January 6 to 10, 2015.</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div><strong>Saradha Scam</strong></div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>The Polit Bureau noted that the involvement of the Trinamul Congress leadership and ministers in the Saradha chit fund scandal has been emerging in the course of the investigations being conducted by the CBI. The Polit Bureau condemned the efforts of the Chief Minister and the Trinamul Congress ministry to scuttle the investigation.</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>It is essential that the CBI make a full and comprehensive investigation. There should be coordination between the various investigation agencies under the central government like the SEBI, SFIO, CBI and ED. All the evidence points to the involvement of the highest level in the state government in West Bengal which should lead to the interrogation of the Chief Minister herself by the CBI.</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div><strong>Kerala Bribery Case</strong></div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>An FIR has been lodged against Finance Minister, K.M. Mani by the vigilance department in the bar bribery case. Yet the minister has not resigned and the Chief Minister and the UDF are sheltering him. The Polit Bureau reiterated the demand that KM Mani should resign forthwith from the state cabinet. The charges leveled on some other ministers and leaders for taking bribes from the bar owners should also be fully probed and action taken.</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div><strong>Party Congress Documents</strong></div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>The Polit Bureau finalised the draft Review Report on the Political-tactical Line and the Draft Political Resolution for the 21<sup>st</sup> Congress. These will be presented to the Central Committee in January for discussion and adoption.</div><p>&nbsp;</p></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-tags field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/pb-communique-0" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">P.B. Communique</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/december-21-23-2014" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">December 21-23 2014</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/kerala" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Kerala</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/bar-bribery" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Bar Bribery</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/km-mani" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">K.M. Mani</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/reconversion" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">reconversion</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/narendra-modi" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Narendra Modi</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/saradha" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Saradha</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/rss" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">RSS</a></div></div></div> Tue, 23 Dec 2014 09:57:33 +0000 murali 3842 at https://elections2014.cpim.org https://elections2014.cpim.org/content/pb-communiqu%C3%A9-25#comments P.B. Communiqué https://elections2014.cpim.org/content/pb-communiqu%C3%A9-23 <div class="field field-name-field-social field-type-addthis field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><div class="addthis_toolbox addthis_default_style addthis_32x32_style " addthis:title="P.B. Communiqu&amp;eacute; - Communist Party of India (Marxist)" addthis:url="https://elections2014.cpim.org/content/pb-communiqu%C3%A9-23"><a href="http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php?v=300" class="addthis_button_facebook_like" fb:like:layout="button_count"></a> <a href="http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php?v=300" class="addthis_button_google_plusone" g:plusone:size="standard"></a> <a href="http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php?v=300" class="addthis_button_facebook"></a> <a href="http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php?v=300" class="addthis_button_twitter"></a> <a href="http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php?v=300" class="addthis_button_email"></a> <a href="http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php?v=300" class="addthis_button_"></a> </div> </div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://elections2014.cpim.org/sites/default/files/redflag_11.jpg" width="268" height="188" alt="" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-date field-type-date field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2014-07-20T00:00:00+05:30">Sunday, July 20, 2014</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><div align="right">&nbsp;</div><div><strong>Press Communiqué</strong></div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>The Polit Bureau of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) met in New Delhi on July 19 &amp; 20, 2014. It has issued the following statement:</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div><strong>Attack on Gaza</strong></div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>The Polit Bureau strongly condemned the Israeli military attack on Gaza. The aerial bombardment followed by the ground invasion of Gaza for the past nearly two weeks has led to the death of 386 Palestinians. The brutal and indiscriminate violence has killed more than 60 children. Israel has been subjecting the occupied territories and the people of Palestine to continuous violence and this is the third attack on Gaza in the last six years. The United States of America has supported the military action taken by Israel.</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>The Polit Bureau strongly criticized the BJP government for refusing to condemn the Israeli aggression. Earlier the Ministry of External Affairs had issued a statement equating both sides as responsible for the violence. The government’s attempt to avoid a discussion in the Rajya Sabha is most objectionable.</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>The Polit Bureau demanded an immediate halt to the Israeli attack and the withdrawal of all its forces from the territory of Gaza.</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div><strong>Modi Government’s Economic Policies</strong></div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>During the nearly two months of the Narendra Modi government, it has become clear that the government will adopt policies for the benefit of big business and international finance capital. The direction of the Union Budget for 2014-15 is to provide concessions to the corporates and the upper classes at the expense of the poorer sections. It is a trajectory for significant privatization of the economy through large-scale sale of public sector shares and greater reliance on public-private partnership. The fiscal deficit will be reined in only by expenditure cuts and squeezing the people further.</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>The railway budget has proposed FDI in the railway sector and reliance on the PPP model for its future development. Prior to the budget passenger fares were hiked by 14.2 per cent and freight charges by 6.5 per cent. Periodic passenger and freight charges will be determined by the fuel price index as decided earlier by the UPA government.</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>The CPI(M) is opposed to the increase of FDI in defence production to 49 per cent. Foreign arms companies getting a controlling stake in the defence production enterprises will be detrimental to national sovereignty. Entry of US arms companies into this sector will only lead to further dependence on the United States for India’s strategic interests. The CPI(M) is strongly opposed to the proposals for further disinvestment of shares in nationalised banks and the proposed massive disinvestment in the shares of public sector enterprises. All these steps are being taken to appease Indian big business and international finance capital.</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div><strong>Price Rise and Inflation</strong></div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>The Modi government’s failure to curb price rise has been exposed within a short time. The government is pursuing the same policy of deregulation of petroleum prices. Petrol prices were increased by Rs. 1.69 per litre and diesel had been raised by Rs. 0.50 in May and June. Railway freight fares have been hiked steeply. All this has contributed to the price rise of essential commodities and there is no let up in the food inflation.</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div><strong>Dilution of Labour Laws</strong></div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>The government has announced its intention to bring in labour law reforms. Already the BJP government in Rajasthan has proposed amendments to the Industrial Disputes Act, Contract Labour Act and Factories Act. The changes proposed do away with existing safeguards for workers in the case of retrenchment, rights of contract workers and so on.</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>The CPI(M) is totally opposed to any dilution or doing away with the rights and safeguards provided to workers which are in the existing labour laws. Many of the provisions in these laws are not being implemented. The CPI(M) will mobilize the working class to oppose all such changes which are detrimental to the rights of workers.</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div><strong>Appointment of Governors</strong></div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>The Polit Bureau cricitised the manner in which Governors are being changed and new ones appointed. The BJP is misusing the office of Governors for its narrow partisan ends just as the Congress has been doing in the past.</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>It is wrong on the part of the Central government to appoint a Governor in a state without consulting the Chief Minister. The Polit Bureau reiterated that the Central Government should adhere to the principle that a Governor should be appointed after consultation with the Chief Minister of the state concerned.</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div><strong>Tripura Panchayat Elections</strong></div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>The Polit Bureau congratulated the CPI(M) and the Left Front in Tripura for the sweeping victory in the three tier panchayat election. The Left Front has gained a majority in more than 95 per cent of the gram panchayats; 97.6 per cent of the panchayat samitis and 99 per cent of the zilla parishad seats. The Polit Bureau greeted the people of Tripura who have reposed their faith in the CPI(M) and the Left Front in such a spectacular fashion.</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div><strong>Party Conferences</strong></div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>The Polit Bureau discussed the time table of holding the Party conferences in the run-up to the Party Congress. These will be placed before the next Central Committee meeting for finalization.</div></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-tags field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/pb-communique-0" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">P.B. Communique</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/party-congress" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Party Congress</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/tripura-panchayat-elections" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Tripura Panchayat Elections</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/fdi" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">FDI</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/defence" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">defence</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/governors" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Governors</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/labour-laws" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Labour Laws</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/price-rise" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Price Rise</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/inflation" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">inflation</a></div></div></div> Sun, 20 Jul 2014 11:15:07 +0000 murali 3707 at https://elections2014.cpim.org https://elections2014.cpim.org/content/pb-communiqu%C3%A9-23#comments P.B. Communiqué https://elections2014.cpim.org/content/pb-communiqu%C3%A9-21 <div class="field field-name-field-social field-type-addthis field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><div class="addthis_toolbox addthis_default_style addthis_32x32_style " addthis:title="P.B. Communiqu&amp;eacute; - Communist Party of India (Marxist)" addthis:url="https://elections2014.cpim.org/content/pb-communiqu%C3%A9-21"><a href="http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php?v=300" class="addthis_button_facebook_like" fb:like:layout="button_count"></a> <a href="http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php?v=300" class="addthis_button_google_plusone" g:plusone:size="standard"></a> <a href="http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php?v=300" class="addthis_button_facebook"></a> <a href="http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php?v=300" class="addthis_button_twitter"></a> <a href="http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php?v=300" class="addthis_button_email"></a> <a href="http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php?v=300" class="addthis_button_"></a> </div> </div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://elections2014.cpim.org/sites/default/files/price%20rise_0.jpg" width="280" height="180" alt="" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-date field-type-date field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2014-01-22T00:00:00+05:30">Wednesday, January 22, 2014</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><div align="right">January 22, 2014</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div><strong>Press Communiqué</strong></div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>The Polit Bureau of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) met in New Delhi on January 21 and 22, 2014. It has issued the following statement:</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div><strong>Curb Price Rise:</strong></div><div><strong>LPG Cylinders</strong></div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>The CPI(M) and the Left parties have been protesting against the exorbitant rise in the price of unsubsidized gas cylinders and the ceiling on subsidized gas cylinders of nine per year. Protests against this price rise were held in various parts of the country. In Kerala alone in 1400 places CPI(M) leaders began indefinite hunger strike from January 15.</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>As a result, the UPA government has now increased the number of subsidized cylinders per household to twelve per year.</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>However, the oil companies continue to insist on Aadhar linkage for the supply of subsidized gas cylinders and payment of the full market price for the cylinder on delivery and reimbursement later.</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>The Polit Bureau demands the scrapping of the Aadhar linkage and the delivery of the twelve cylinders at subsidized rates, as earlier. Aadhar linkage is also illegal in the light of the fact that there is no legal basis for Aadhar identification.</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div><strong>West Bengal</strong></div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>The Polit Bureau expresses serious concern at the number of gang-rapes and crimes against women in West Bengal. This has been exemplified by the horrific double gang rape of a sixteen year old girl at Madhyagram and her subsequent murder. West Bengal has registered the highest number of crimes against women in the country in the years 2011-12.</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>The Polit Bureau condemned the callous attitude and the failure of the Trinamul Congress government to take swift action against the culprits and effective steps to curb such crimes against women.</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>The ruling TMC continues with its rampage against democratic rights. All elected bodies and institutions are being subverted. Currently elections are being held to the college unions. Out of the 222 college union elections held so far, in most of them students of organisations opposed to the ruling party’s student organisation were not allowed to file nominations. Only in 36 colleges were they able to do so partially.</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>The Polit Bureau strongly condemned the murder of Saifuddin Mollah, a 25 year old SFI leader who was brutally beaten to death by TMC goons in Baruipur in South 24 Parganas.</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>Given the notorious record of the ruling party in rigging elections and preventing voters from casting their votes, the Election Commission should take special measures to ensure a fair and peaceful election.</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div><strong>Kerala</strong></div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>The Special Additional Sessions Court has given its verdict in the T.P. Chandrasekharan murder case. Originally 76 persons were accused in the case. Of these many were discharged in the course of the trial.</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>Now in the verdict announced, out of the 36 accused, 24 have been acquitted and 12 have been found guilty. Among those acquitted are Party leaders like P. Mohanan, a district Secretariat member of Kozhikode and another area committee secretary. This shows that the charge leveled of conspiracy by Party leaders has been proven to be false.</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>The Kerala State Committee will take appropriate decision after going through the judgment.</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div><strong>Lok Sabha Election</strong></div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>The Polit Bureau discussed the preparations for the Lok Sabha election. It approved the seats to be contested in a number of states. The PB also heard the report about the talks for electoral understanding with the non-Congress secular parties in certain states.</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div><strong>Central Committee Meeting</strong></div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>The Polit Bureau decided to hold the next meeting of the Central Committee on March 1 &amp; 2, 2014. The election manifesto of the Party will also be finalized in this meeting.</div></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-tags field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/pb-communique-0" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">P.B. Communique</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/january-21" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">January 21</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/price-rise" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Price Rise</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/lpg" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">LPG</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/aadhar" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Aadhar</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/lok-sabha-elections" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Lok Sabha elections</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/west-bengal" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">West Bengal</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/kerala" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Kerala</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/madhyagram" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Madhyagram</a></div></div></div> Wed, 22 Jan 2014 11:42:53 +0000 murali 2657 at https://elections2014.cpim.org https://elections2014.cpim.org/content/pb-communiqu%C3%A9-21#comments Polit Bureau Communique https://elections2014.cpim.org/content/polit-bureau-communique-18 <div class="field field-name-field-social field-type-addthis field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><div class="addthis_toolbox addthis_default_style addthis_32x32_style " addthis:title="Polit Bureau Communique - Communist Party of India (Marxist)" addthis:url="https://elections2014.cpim.org/content/polit-bureau-communique-18"><a href="http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php?v=300" class="addthis_button_facebook_like" fb:like:layout="button_count"></a> <a href="http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php?v=300" class="addthis_button_google_plusone" g:plusone:size="standard"></a> <a href="http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php?v=300" class="addthis_button_facebook"></a> <a href="http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php?v=300" class="addthis_button_twitter"></a> <a href="http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php?v=300" class="addthis_button_email"></a> <a href="http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php?v=300" class="addthis_button_"></a> </div> </div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-date field-type-date field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2012-12-07T00:00:00+05:30">Friday, December 7, 2012</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><!--break--> <p>The Polit Bureau of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) met in New Delhi on December 6 and 7, 2012. It has issued the following statement:</p> <p>FDI in Retail Trade</p> <p>The decision of the UPA government to allow foreign supermarket chains in the multi-brand retail trade has met with widespread opposition from all sections of the people throughout the country. In Parliament, after refusing to accept a debate and vote on the issue, the government had to finally accede to the demand. The debate in both Houses of Parliament revealed that an overwhelming number of political parties representing a clear majority of the MPs are not in favour of allowing FDI in retail trade. This reflects the views of the majority of the people of the country.</p> <p>However, despite this opposition, the government was able to maneouvre to get the motion against FDI in retail trade defeated. This was possible due to the opportunism of the Samajwadi Party and the dubious position adopted by the Bahujan Samaj Party. Both these parties spoke out against FDI in retail trade but acted in a manner to help the government succeed.</p> <p>The strong opposition registered in Parliament and the actual minority status of the government on the issue should be utilized to intensify the struggle against the entry of Walmart and other supermarket chains into India. The Polit Bureau resolved to continue the campaign to mobilize public opinion to prevent the entry of the foreign supermarket chains.</p> <p>Cash Transfer Scheme</p> <p>The Polit Bureau reiterates its strong opposition to the move to implement the cash transfer scheme to replace the public goods like foodgrains through public distribution system and fertilizers. In a period of high inflation, cash transfers to replace subsidized goods is meant to actually cut subsidies since the cash to be transferred will not cover the increased costs of the same amount of subsidized foodgrains or fertilizers. Cash, instead of foodgrains, can also be end up for other consumption needs and result in increasing malnutrition and hunger. Having cash transfers in place of foodgrains will end up dismantling the public distribution system and procurement from farmers.</p> <p>Regarding the linking of MNREGA wages to the Aadhar card, bio-metric identification for manual workers has a high 20 per cent margin of error as fingerprints of such workers change. The linking of MNREGA enrollment to Aadhar card holders will restrict the universality of the scheme. Moreover, the Bill proposed for the Unique Identification Number (UID) has not yet been passed by Parliament, but the government is going ahead with such far-reaching measures.</p> <p>As far as scholarship, pensions etc are concerned, most of these schemes are already cash transfer schemes through bank accounts. The amount and also the coverage of these schemes should be increased and linked to the price index.</p> <p>Communal Violence</p> <p>The Polit Bureau noted with concern the outbreak of communal violence in Faizabad in Uttar Pradesh on October 24. The trouble started during the procession of the Durga puja idols for immersion. In a pre-planned manner, the minority community came under attack. 42 shops belonging to Muslims were burnt down. Attacks took place in two other sub-divisions of the district the same evening. This was not a communal riot but a planned attack on the Muslim community. The role of the Hindutva outfits has emerged. Faizabad is the twin town of Ayodhya which saw no communal violence even at the height of the Ram temple movement and the demolition of the Babri Masjid.</p> <p>There have been a number of communal incidents in Uttar Pradesh in the recent months. The Samajwadi Party government has to take these communal incidents seriously. The Polit Bureau wants the state government to take firm measures to curb the activities of the communal forces.</p> <p>In Hyderabad, the issue of extending the construction around the temple illegally constructed adjacent to the Charminar has led to communal tensions. The Muslim community and the secular forces have opposed the efforts to build up the temple which did not exist there till the 1960s. The state government should intervene firmly to check the communal forces from utilizing the “temple” issue.</p> <p>Five Crore Signatures</p> <p>The Polit Bureau called upon all its Party units to undertake the mass signature campaign on food security and for a universal public distribution system. The Left parties have given a call for the collection of five crore signatures by the end of January 2013. The Party units should organize a door to door campaign to collect these signatures.</p> <p>All India Jathas</p> <p>The Polit Bureau decided that the Party would organize all India jathas to project a national alternative. The Left platform on food, land and house sites, employment, education, health and the fight against corruption will be propagated. Jathas led by all-India leaders will cover the whole country in March 2013 and they will culminate in a mass rally at Delhi. The details of these jathas will be finalized at the Central Committee meeting to be held in Kolkata in January 2013.</p> </div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-tags field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/pb-communique-0" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">P.B. Communique</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/fdi-retail" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">FDI in Retail</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/cash-transfer-scheme" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Cash transfer scheme</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/jatha" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Jatha</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/communal-violence" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">communal violence</a></div></div></div> Fri, 07 Dec 2012 12:05:21 +0000 murali 1529 at https://elections2014.cpim.org https://elections2014.cpim.org/content/polit-bureau-communique-18#comments