People's Democracy
(Weekly
Organ of the Communist Party of India (Marxist)
No. 03
January 16, 2005
(Weekly
Organ of the Communist Party of India (Marxist)
|
Vol.
XXIX
No. 03 January 16, 2005 |
CENTRAL COMMITTEE COMMUNIQUÉ
'Adopt Pro-People Measures'
The central committee of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) met in Kolkata from January 8 to 10, 2005. It has issued the following statement on January 10, 2005.
The
central committee got reports of the ongoing relief work in the Tsunami affected
areas, particularly in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands and Tamil Nadu.
The Party has set up a relief fund and money is being collected by Party
units all over the country which will be utilised for relief and rehabilitation
work by the Party in all the affected areas. The CPI(M) has already contributed
Rs 10 lakh to the prime minister’s relief fund and donated one month’s
salary of its members of parliament to the fund.
The
central committee decided to co-operate fully in the national effort for the
relief work which was discussed in the all parties’ meeting convened by the
prime minister. It also decided to organise its own relief and rehabilitation
activities.
The
central committee discussed and adopted the Draft Political Resolution for the
18th Congress to be held in New Delhi in the first week of April. After the finalisation of the draft resolution, it will be
released for discussion in the Party after January 15. The draft resolution
takes stock of the national and international situation and sets out the
direction for the Party for the coming period.
The
Draft Political Resolution will be discussed by the Party at all levels and
after receiving the amendments and suggestions from the Party members and units,
the draft will be placed before the Party Congress for adoption.
The
central committee finalised the
Party’s stand for the forthcoming assembly elections in Bihar, Jharkhand and
Haryana. The Party will work for the defeat of the BJP and its allies in these
three states. The Party is of the view that the secular parties should avoid
division of votes which can be pooled for defeat of the BJP alliance. The CPI(M)
will strive for an understanding with the Left parties, the RJD and other
secular forces in Bihar and Jharkhand.
In
Jharkhand the Party has decided to contest in 11 constituencies. In the first
phase the 2 seats to be contested
are Chatra (SC) and Bhavnathpur.
In
Haryana the Party will be contesting five constituencies, the list of which will
be announced after the Haryana state secretariat meeting on January 12.
In
Bihar, the Party is discussing with RJD for a seat adjustment. It has
shortlisted 14 seats to contest. In
the first phase of polling on February 3, the Party will be contesting in 3
seats - Hisua, Buxar and
Kahalgaon.
The
central committee expressed its serious concern at the rise in the prices of
certain essential commodities. In
recent period the price of sugar has shot up and kerosene oil has become too
expensive for the common people. The rate of inflation is worrying. The UPA
government should take immediate steps to check the price rise and ensure that
the public distribution system which is virtually dismantled by the previous
regime is strengthened.
The
central committee strongly criticised the central government’s decision to go
in for an ordinance to amend the Patent Act. The government has acted in haste
and provisions in the ordinance do not sufficiently protect domestic interests.
The flexibilities in the TRIPS system have not been utilised. The result of
doing away with some key provisions will lead to an increase in the price of
medicines which will become unaffordable for the common people.
The
central committee decided that the Party will seek to bring necessary changes in
the legislation which has to be brought before parliament.
The
central committee expressed unhappiness at the manner in which the UPA
government is pushing forward with measures which are in the interests of big
business and foreign finance capital while delaying and refusing to take
measures which concern the interests of the working class and the working
people. Despite promising active
consideration to restore the rate of interest of the Employees Provident Fund to
9.5 per cent nothing has been done in this regard.
At the same time the government is going ahead with the privatisation of
Pension Funds of govt employees as seen in the setting up of the Pension
Regulatory and Development Authority. In
such matters the government resorts to the ordinance route which is inherently
undemocratic. The government is also eager to facilitate the takeover of Indian
private banks by foreign banks by allowing them to buy upto
74 per cent of the shares.
The
central committee urged the central government to amend the Rural Employment Guarantee Bill to remove the dilution of some of
its essential provisions so that it can be adopted in the next session of
parliament.
The
central committee called upon the UPA government to start implementing many of
the assurances made in the Common Minimum Programme aimed at improving
peoples’ welfare especially in the rural areas.
Issues such as central legislation for agricultural labour, investments
for rural infrastructure, credit etc. must be taken up in right earnest.
Given the continued rural distress these issues must be urgently
addressed.
The
provision in the Common Minimum Programme for one-third reservation for women in
parliament and state legislatures should be introduced in parliament.
The
central committee requested the union government to adopt a central legislation
which will enable the state governments to regulate admissions and fee structure
in private professional educational institutions.
The
central committee further wanted the UPA government to ensure the protection of
the right to strike by adopting suitable measures. (INN)
