People's Democracy

 DYFI Membership Reaches 1.41 Crore

The membership of the Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) for the year 2004 was finalised at 1,41,81,531 by its central executive committee at its meeting in New Delhi on January 31-February 1. A significant 7 lakh new members joined the organisation in 2004.

The CEC meeting was chaired by president K N Balagopal, while general secretary Tapas Sinha reported on the activities carried out by the organisation since the last meeting. The CEC strongly condemned the UPA government for bringing in an ordinance amending the Patents Act saying this shall doom millions of Indians, particularly those related to agricultural sector. Medicines would become out of reach for millions. The DYFI has decided to hold state level conventions highlighting the dangers of this amendment. Charging the UPA government of acting under the dictates of imperialist powers, the DYFI called upon the people to strongly rebuff this move of the central government and build popular people’s pressure so that the proposed bill to enact this amendment is defeated in parliament.

TSUNAMI RELIEF

The CEC has urged the central government to speed up the relief operations in the tsunami affected areas of the country. The DYFI on its part has already collected relief materials, medicines and more than Rs 50 lakh towards this end. Thousands of DYFI volunteers also engaged themselves in relief operation. It has decided to continue this relief work by holding special tuition classes for school children, health camps etc in affected areas. The DYFI has decided to build at least one school each in Andaman & Nicobar Islands and Tamilnadu. The entire cost of construction shall be borne by the DYFI.  The CEC has warned the government to desist from uprooting the fishermen folk from the shores on the pretext of saving their lives from future disasters at sea. This shall mean nothing but corporatisation of beaches and eviction of genuine fishermen from the shores, stated the DYFI.

The DYFI strongly condemned the action of King Gyanendra of Nepal who has assumed all powers and dismissed the elected government. The DYFI with other democratic forces will extend all support and solidarity to the democratic forces fighting for restoration of democracy in Nepal.

(INN)