People's Democracy

BENGAL LEFT FRONT GOVT STEPS INTO 28TH YEAR

More Needs To Be Done For Poverty Alleviation: Buddhadev

TO ensure some sort of guaranteed income to the poorest 50 lakh people of the state is the biggest challenge before the 6th Left Front government.  In the next two years, it is possible to elevate these people to above poverty line and we want to fulfill this task.  This has been asserted by the Chief Minister of West Bengal, Buddhadev Bhattacharjee in an exclusive interview to ‘Ganashakti’ on the occasion of the completion of 27 years rule of the Left Front government in the state. The chief minister said that the state government is taking initiative in all respects for achieving these demands that apart from administrative efforts, the attention of the Left Front, particularly all workers of the CPI(M) must be focussed on the improvement of living conditions of the poor people. Only then, success in this job will come.

It may be noted, the first Left government in the state took oath on June 21, 1977.  In six consecutive elections people have voted Left Front to power each time with thumping majority. The government has passed over 27 years of continuous existence. In an interview on this occasion the chief minister has pointed out the issues viz. the priority before the government, the hurdles and relation with the new government at the Centre. A brief resume of the interview is given below:

Q: On June 21, 1977 the first Left Front government in this state was installed. You were also one of these ministers in that government. This government has been running for continuous 27 years. In retrospect, which incident at the starting comes to your mind?

B.B.: After coming to power in the state, the first decision taken by us was to release all the political prisoners. During the semi-fascist terror let loose during the Congress regime, many leaders and workers of the opposition parties were detained without any trial. We decided to set them free. I remember, Naxalite leader, Kanu Sanyal was then detained in a jail in Andhra Pradesh. To arrange the release of Kanu Sanyal I visited Hyderabad with a letter from Jyotibabu. In the letter Jyoti Basu requested the Andhra government to release Kanu Sannyal.

Q:  Which step taken by the first Left Front government do you feel most important?

B.B.: Obviously, the decision of introducing the three tier Panchayat System. In reality, this decision has led the principal base for the success of our government. The theoretical concept for installation of this system was given by Comrade Satyabrata Sen which was translated into political agenda by Promodda, Comrade Promode Dasgupta. I still remember one point which Satyabratada used to hammer again and again. He used to say that Panchayat system was a sharp two faced weapon. If you can use it properly it will turn into a sharp weapon for political mass movement. And if you cannot use it properly, you yourselves will bleed. Today, the success of the Panchayat system is recognised all over the country. 

Q: You have said about the recognition of the whole country. What, in your opinion are the contributions of the 27 years of the Left Front government in the national politics?

B.B.:  During the last 27years, on more than one issue Left Front government has got recognition of the country. Take for example, the question of the Centre-State relation. It is the Left Front government for the first time brought to the fore the demand of more financial and administrative power in the hands of the state governments. On this subject we have organised many conferences and conclaves many of the important issues we raised, were later accepted after constitution of the Sarkaria Commission. Particularly, the issue of dismissing state government by applying section 356 of the constitution. On this issue the Centre has accepted the views of our government. To contain secessionist forces, to face danger of communalism, to maintain national unity and integrity, it was the Left Front government which gave the proposal for establishing National Integration Council. That proposal has been accepted. The most remarkable matter was that through amendments of sections 73 and 74 of the constitution decision was taken for introduction of Panchayati Raj and Nagarpalika system in the whole country. Left Front government was the pathfinder in this respect.  At that time, Rajiv Gandhi’s government was at the Centre. The success achieved in our state through decentralisation of power to panchayats and municipalities was taken as a model by him for amendments of the above two sections of the constitution. Besides, there are many more achievements which have also impact in the national politics.

Q:  The economic policies of the neo-liberal globalisation which at present is the running creed all over the globe, has been in-force in India of the last one and half decade. In such a situation, what role is being played by the state government?

B.B.:  On the national plain, we have demanded that against the one sided politics of the World Trade Organisation efforts must be made in alliance with the third world countries so that developed and the developing countries can enjoy same status. Beside this, there is another side of the issue. We must develop ourselves quickly so that we can attain bargaining strength as has been done by China.  Discriminating policies have been imposed on us because we are weak. We shall not accept globalisation at the cost of third world countries and at the cost of our sovereignty and self-reliance. 

Q:  But, in the background of the neo-liberal globalisation, how far it is possible for a regional state to implement alternative policies?

B.B.:  Yes, it is possible. In this state, we are very much alert that we are not building up socialism.  We do never agree that capitalism is last phase of the civilization. What we are doing here is the implementation of an alternative programme within this structure. The main features of this programme are

1.      To give land to the poor.

2.      Development of Agriculture

3.      Protection of workers interest and

4.      To strike at the root of the poverty and unemployment. 

At the same time, we emphasize for industrialisation as far as possible, particularly the setting up of small and cottage industries. To ensure universal education and health service for all. Care must be taken to see that such services reach the backward and people below poverty line. On the other side the democratic and secular heritage of the state must be preserved and strengthened. This is an alternative left programme at the state level. This is no socialist programme but a minimum programme. We must make continuous efforts towards this goal.

Q: But to accomplish this task are you not facing obstacles?

B.B: Basically financial problem, which is the main problem of a poor country, is the main obstacle. To tackle the financial crunch and the poverty is the main problem. Problem of poverty and unemployment are there. Had we had financial resources, we could have more resolutely hit the problem of poverty and unemployment. This is the problem of the whole country and our state too. But, our policies are correct. Our Left Front government is the government of the workers, peasants and the lower middle class. We must keep up this position. 

Q : A new government has come at the Centre with support from the Left. What will be the relation with the Left Front government with the government at the Centre? What is your       expectations from the new government?

B.B.:  We want to support and co-operate with the new UPA government. On their part, they should also maintain co-operation and friendly relation with us. We do not make any unjustified and exaggerated demands. Also we do not suffer from any regionalism. This is not the political culture of West Bengal.

Q : What is the progress of the talks with the new government at the Centre on state issues?

B.B. : The first phase of our job has started.  The pressing issues of the state have been identified and our ministers of various departments have started communnication with the related ministers.

Q : Which of the state problems you have given top priority?

B.B.: The terrible problems arising out of the erosion of the Ganga-Padma and rivers of the North Bengal are in the priority.  As a result a vast section of the people of the state has suffered immensely. Meanwhile, I  had a talk with the central water resource development minister. On the other side, we have demanded  scrapping of the instructions given by the NDA government for introduction of synthetic bags for packaging of food articles and cements in lieu of compulsory packaging of these items in jute bags. If  this is not done, disaster will be befall the 40 lakh jute farmers. We have also urged the government to withdraw the scheme of previous NDA government to wind up the Jute Corporation of India.  To equip the JCI to procure the raw jute before the ensuing monsoon has also been in our demand list. I have written a letter to the central textile minister informing him about the entire gamut of the issue. We have also urged on the Central government to activise the Food Corporation of  India for procurement and distribution of paddy. Moreover, strengthening of public distribution system, ensuring remunerative prices to the farmers for these products have found place in the common minimum program. Already, I have written to Shri Sharad Pawar and central rural development minister on this matter. We are of the opinion that about 12 lakh tonnes of rice which is necessary for catering to the people in the state,  particularly those living below the poverty line and for meeting the requirement for running the schemes of 'Antodaya' and 'Annapurna Yojana ' and mid-day meal, should be procured from the farmers of the  state.

Q :  Has anything been said about the pending railway projects of this state?

B.B. : I have written a letter to Shri Laloo Prasad Yadav, the railway minister for granting money for  completion of the incomplete projects.  I could not talk to him as he had to leave Kolkata cancelling his  programmes in the city due to accident of Matsyagandha Express. Also, we have requested for increasing the number of flights both national as well as international, from Dum Dum airport.

Q : Is there any development about the public sector units in the state?

B.B. : The government of NDA had closed down 27 PSUs in the state. We feel that rejuvenation of a few of these units is possible. We have made demand for opening of these units.

Q : Coming back to the state, recently, incidents of starvation death in the state have been focussed in the media.  Facts remain that even now a large number of people of the state are living below poverty line. What is your opinion about this?

B.B. :  Yes.  In our state a large number of people are still below the poverty line.  In the year 1977 when the Left Front government was installed, 56.3 per cent of the people were below the poverty line.  It came down to 26.9 per cent in 1997. This is the estimate of  National Sample Survey.  Now, the number of people living below poverty line has further come down to approximately 15 per cent The success achieved by us in alleviating poverty has been admitted by the World Bank in their report, " Reducing Poverty Exilerating  Development" 2000.  In the matter of poverty alleviation, West Bengal has been sited as a model.

Q :  What steps are you contemplating to take for those who are still below the poverty line?

B.B. :  Of the eight crore population of the state about 50 lakh are the poorest amongst the poor still now. They have no guaranteed income. I find this from the Block Human Development Reports. Most of the backward blocks of the total 345 blocks of the state are in West Midnapore district. In parts of Bankura, Purulia, North Bengal, particularly in two districts of Dinajpur, there are some backward areas. About 50 lakh people of these blocks suffer from uncertain income. Say for Amlasol, I have critically analysed the data about the people there. However, the panchayat in Amlasol is run by the Jharkhand Party. As such, there has not been any developmental work.  Money is being granted to a 'special fund' by the Planning Commission for the development of two backward districts. For the first year we selected Jalpaiguri and Purulia. In the second year funds have been allocated to West Midnapore and South 24 parganas. This time, funds have been given to Bankura and North Dinajpur. For three years, Rs 15 crore every year will be available. We have asked the district administrations to identify the backward blocks and chalk out plans for their development. 

Q : What is the plan for West Midnapore ?

B.B. :  The issues which have been emphasised in all the districts are to convert waste-land into agricultural land and to ensure supply of water so that scope for farming is boosted. For example, in West Midnapore, the Mundas have land, small holdings producing food articles for their sustenance.  They have also their own cows and cattle. But, the conditions of the Sabars are extremely bad. They have no land, nothing else. They work in others' land and forest resource is so unorganised that it can't ensure guaranteed income to them. There is no infrastructure-no system to fix prices. If we can fix the price of Saal leaves and Kendu leaves, then half of the 50 lakh people will come above poverty line.  Rs  45 crore we are getting in three years should be utilised looking to this aspect. Not only the administration, but also the Left Front and CPI(M) workers must concentrate attention on this aspect. In the next two years this is the biggest challenge before us. (INN)