NEW AGE

June 10—16, 2012

Weekly

Central Organ of the Communist Party of India

Vol. 60

No.24

June 10—16, 2012

New Delhi

Price: ``5

1 On Other Pages „ CPI Protest Against Liquor Mafia in AP…...........3 „ Countrywide Bandh on May..............8-9

MNREGA and Its Lost Goals Is MNREGA a relief work meant for those who have been excluded from the national economy in the era of neo-liberalism? Or is it a part of the stimuli package aiming to ease out the capitalist system from the bouts of recession? Certainly putting some money into the pocket of poor will have two fold impact. Firstly it will enable them to meet the basics, and thus help to accelerate the .economy on the one hand and contain growing mass discontents on the other. The MNREGA fulfils both the objectives. But this is one side of the picture. Soon after the enactment of NREGA, the feudal rural kulaks and the urban business magnates, who create the labour market to keep alive competition and hunt for cheap labour, started finding road blocks. Obviously to serve their own vested interest, maintaining certain level of unemployment gets imperative. Keeping this in view, the Planning Commission of India helps create conducive condition for employers to discipline

the workers and compel them to dance to their tune. Therefore, it is not without reason that the bureaucrats, who come from land owning class, are, too apathetic to implement the scheme. It may be noted here that the government too has utterly failed to create an efficient and separate implementing mechanism for the scheme. Resultantly nowhere the fixed target was achieved. According to the 35th report of Parliamentary Standing Committee, only 50 per cent of the target ‘was fulfilled and the money allocated for the scheme was not fully spent. The Committee noted that only 68 per cent of the allocation was spent on wages.. It means administrative expenditure went on the higher side proportionately.

On Curbing of Petrol Price Hike The Central Secretariat of the Communist Party of India has issued on June 3, 2012, the following statement on reduction of the petrol prices after nationwide protest by the Left: The reduction of the petrol price at Rs. 2 per litre by the oil companies is a partial victory after a nationwide protest by the Left and other opposition parties and Bharat Bandh by the people. The crude oil prices in the international market shall come down shortly. In this background the reduction of Rs. 2 per litre is an eye-wash. CPI proposes that excise and customs duties should be reduced by the Centre, sales taxes should be reduced by the states and roll back the entire hike in petrol prices. The CPI demands the clarification from the petroleum minister about the claim of huge losses made by the oil companies, since even Vayalar Ravi, a senior member of the Union cabinet expressed doubt on the claim of ‘losses’.

Satya Narayan Thakur Here it is difficult to ascertain as to how much money reached to the real beneficiaries from aforementioned expenditure. There are public statements coming out from minister of rural development Jairam Ramesh that huge amount of fund meant for MNREGA schemes has been siphoned in the states of UP, Bihar, Andhra, Madhya Pradesh and others by the state government authorities themselves. Jairam Ramesh is on record to say that persons who were riding bicycle now travel in motor car amassing huge illegal money from MNREGA fund. The employers association like FICCI, Assocham, CII never hide their reservation regarding MNREGA. Same is the attitude of the Planning Commission. It is high time that concrete ways and means are found for its proper implementation. Primarily, the scheme needs a separate personnel system. Section 13, 14 and 15 of National Rural Employment Guarantee Act 2005 authorises state governments to appoint separate personnel for planning and implementation of the scheme such as appointment of district programme coordinator, (DPC), programme officer (PO) and additional programme officer (APO) etc. Section 18 of the Act clearly mandates the state government as under: “The state government shall make available to district programme coordinator and programme officers necessary staff and New Age Weekly

technical support as may be necessary for effective implementation of the scheme.” But the state governments did not appoint additional personnel and depended on their existing administrative machinery which is already overburdened under their routine works. The operational guidelines 2008 under the Act prepared by ministry of rural development suggests the state government for setting up administrative pattern as under: * The Act makes it mandatory for the state government to make available to the district programme coordinator and the programme officer, necessary staff and technical support as may be necessary for the ‘effective implementation of the scheme. * There shall be full funding by government of India for management support at the district, block and gram panchayat level. * The implementation of NREGA involves considerable organizational responsibilities at the level of the gram panchayat. To ensure that these are effectively discharged by the gram panchayat, the appointment of an ‘Employment Guarantee Assistant’, in each gram panchayat is suggested. * GRS is a dedicated staff under NREGA. The cost of GRS is the first charge on the administrative expenses under NREGA. To start with, there should be one GRS in each gram panchayat. * The Employment Guarantee Assistant’ could be called ‘gram rozgar

sahayak’ (GRS), or an equivalent term in the local language. * The function of gram rozgar sahayak (GRS) and the panchayat secretary should be clearly distinguished. * Annual review of the performance of GRS should be undertaken by the programme officers and district programme coordinators and follow up, action taken accordingly. * A programme officer should be appointed at the Block level. The programme officer will not be below the rank of the block development officer. The programme officer will be a full-time dedicated officer, and may be selected from among departmental personnel and may be taken on deputation. Fresh recruitment may also be made on contract. * The responsibility of the programme officer may be discharged by the BDO. In such circumstances, another person may be appointed as the additional programme officer. *To facilitate programme functioning at the block level, supportive staff should be deployed. The staff that should be put at the block and GP level on priority include, engineers, data entry operators, and accountants. * The DPC should’ also be assisted through supportive staff in key functional areas like IT and accounts. * The state government will designate an officer, not below the rank of a commissioner, as the state rural employment guarantee commissioner On Page 4

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June 10—16, 2012

Evading the Real Issues Within two weeks both the major bourgeois political parties, BJP and the Congress, held their conclaves and made every effort to sidetrack the real issues faced by the people. The BJP national executive meeting at Mumbai was marred by the growing dissension within the party. BJP president Nitin Gadkari who got the party constitution amended to retain the presidential post for a second term had to sacrifice his close associate Sanjay Joshi to reach a compromise with Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi. Despite that the infighting in BJP is escalating and acquiring new dimension. BJP that is the political wing of RSS has put the mother organization too in a fix. Modi, Gadkari and Joshi, all products of the Shakhas, are at loggerheads. The real issue is neither policies nor the organizational transparency. All are after money and power. One former party president has been jailed for taking bribe whereas most of the top leaders of the party including present president Gadkari have been named in different scams and scandals. Apart from Adarsh society, Gadkari had to explain a lot in the Jharkhand Rajya Sabha scam as well as allotment of coal blocks. Karnataka BJP government and Yeddurappa have become synonymous to corruption. In such a situation, BJP is really groping in the dark for an issue that can unite the party leadership before the crucial battle for central power in 2014. In all probability, the RSS will help them out by refurbishing the Hindutva plank and raising much more

poisonous communal slogans. The secular forces in the country need to be on alert and should not fall prey to such moves by communal forces by unnecessarily joining the futile debate. Secular polity is our basic principle and none should be allowed to destroy it. Like BJP, Congress too failed to attend the issues created by shameless pursuance of the policies of economic neo-liberalism. The extended meeting of the Congress working committee in Delhi miserably failed to review the disaster caused by its policies. In place of suggesting corrective measures to control price rise, growing unemployment, continuous deterioration of economy in all sectors, all

Editorial the time was wasted on futile exercise of defending the 15 ministers including the prime minister who had been charge-sheeted by team Anna for corruption. Whether the charges have any basis or not can only be determined by impartial enquiry and it will be the responsibility of those who are leveling charges to provide the evidence, if any, they have. Corruption is a bye-product of economic policies pursued by governments and cannot be eradicated by just demanding one probe here and another there or by enacting a law. This needs to be realized by Team Anna as well. It cannot be allowed to help side tracking of real socio-economic issues by bourgeois political formations who are committed to pursuance of disastrous course of neoliberalism.

After the Congress conclave, the prime minister has announced number of measures that he thinks can arrest the slide down of economy. But all that he wants for the revival of the economy is carrying forward the course of neo-liberalism. He wants to open crucial infrastructure sector to private capitalists including foreign ones. His minions are openly pleading for allowing FDI in multibrand retail trade and opening our finance sector, particularly the banks, insurance and pension funds for FDI. This amounts to handing over our vast financial resources to looters from abroad and lose the base that saved us to an extent when the world recession started in May 2008. Congress is not ready to learn any lesson and has lost all concerns for the Aam Aadmi reeling under the burden of ever growing economic miseries. Incidentally, the PM’s announcement of economic measures resulted in upward trend in the share market that recorded the highest jump in a day in the current fiscal. With this, FIIs have gained Rs. 1.30 lakh crore in a single day. The moment, these foreigners will start sending these gains to their own countries, not only dollar prices will go up but also the share market will crash and all hopes of recovery will also be dashed. Fact of life is that economic neo-liberalism based on privatization, liberalization and globalization has caused the present crisis and cannot be resolved within its framework.

Com B.V.Kakkilaya is No More message, said, ’Com B V Kakkilaya remained engaged in revolutionary activities till the end. He had organised a powerful movement of tenant farmers and successfully fought for the implementation of land reforms in the coastal region of the state. He was one of the important leaders for linguistic state formation of Karnataka.

The National Council of the Communist Party of India has expressed its deep anguish over the demise of veteran CPI leader, former Rajya Sabha Member, former MLA and freedom fighter B V Kakkilaya who passed away in the night of June 4, 2012 in a private hospital at Mangalore. He was 94 years old. Com B V Kakkilaya was one of the most respected senior leaders of the CPI in Southern India. He was one of the early communists who organised the party in Malabar area and was one of the founders of the party in Karnataka. He was elected to Rajya Sabha once and twice to the state legislature on behalf of the party. He also worked as state secretary of CPI and as editor of party journal Aruna and Kembavuta weekly. He was a prolific writer and was awarded by Sahitya Academy for his literary contributions in Kannada. He had also participated in Goa Liberation Movement and led the Karnataka team in that struggle. Paying tributes to the departed leader, Communist Party of India general secretary S Sudhakar Reddy, in his condolence

‘Even after retirement from active political movement, he kept himself engaged in writing and brought out many articles on contemporary political themes. He remained a devoted communist throughout his life. ‘I had the opportunity to discuss with him about the future of the left movement and other contemporary problems in Karnataka. He expressed his strong confidence and desire that communist movement will get further strengthened to fight back the onslaught of capitalism.’ National Council of the Communist Party of India conveys heartfelt condolences to B.V.Kakkilaya’s bereaved family members, large number of party members, sympathizers and admirers.

New Age Weekly

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CPI Protest Against Liquor Mafia in AP The Andhra Pradesh state council of the Communist Party of India had issued a call to gherao the excise offices to protest against liquor mafias and to demand a new liquor policy. In response, in almost all the districts of the state, the excise offices were gheraoed and rallies were organized. In several towns, there was a conspicuous absence in the office of excise officials. At some places, CPI workers forced out the excise staff and locked the offices in protest. At some centers, the offices were vandalized, the window panes were smashed and furniture burnt down. Andhra Pradesh state unit secretary of the CPI Dr K Narayana stated in a press conference that the government is conspiring to evolve a new policy with lottery system to hand over the liquor business to big liquor contractors. The initiative was unwarranted, he said and added that the policy appears to be old wine in a new bottle. Liquor syndicates in AP are getting profits worth 80,000 crores per year though the government gets only 14,000 crores per year. Liquor mafia is running several benami unlicensed shops. In these shops, adulterated liquor is supplied to hundreds of innocent customers and as a result many of them have been even killed. In many shops, liquor is sold over and above MRP rates. Excise police and officials allow the shopkeepers to sell liquor at any rate they wish till they keep getting their bribe. Recently ACB has raided several shops and offices of liquor syndicates. Liquor shops in every district have formed syndicates and established well knitted offices maintaining registers entering the particulars

about how much has been paid to which official as bribe. Registers have revealed that excise minister Mopidevi Venkat Ramana has taken a bribe of Rs.10 lacs. Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh has to expose the list of persons who have taken such bribes. But in contrast to all this, one of the honest ACB official, Srinivas Reddy, is being transferred. If this list is publicized, several names

Ram Narasimha Rao which can be used for welfare schemes in general and health of affected people in particular. *State government should hand over these shops to unemployed graduates whose names are being registered in employment exchange. These shops should run after Delhi model. Liquor

with another comrade under U/S IPC 353, 147, PDPP Act. Boina Ashok, district secretariat member, leaders of AIYF Srujan Kumar, town secretary, Kedari, Kuna Ravi were sent to jail on 14 days remand. CPI leaders were demonstrating peacefully in front of deputy commissioner, excise office and made no violation of law and order, but police, without any provocation, manhandled the women

AP Mahila Samakhya (NFIW) being restrained by woman constables from entering the Collectorate after staging a demonstration demanding the Government to regulate sale of liquor and cancel auctin of wine shops. of ministers, senior political personalities, officials occupying high positions will come into picture. CPI is demanding to bring this list which is with chief minister to broad daylight. Units of National Federation of Indian Women is also playing an active role in this campaign. Many of them even got arrested in many centers. CPI has asked for dismissal of the excise minister from the cabinet. The same minister got arrested in mining mafia case which is under CBI investigation. *State government should takeover the liquor trade and state exchequer should get the income,

should be sold only at scheduled timings and scheduled places, that is away from educational institutions and places of worship. Liquor should not be sold at any cost at nearby highways in order to avert road accidents. *All parties meeting be convened immediately to evolve a new excise policy. In this agitation, criminal cases were instituted on 75 comrades, among them 22 are women. From Vaizag district, 53 comrades and four from Karimnagar district have been sent to jail. They have been remanded for 14 days in custody. There are cases registered against CPI state secretariat member Chada Venkat Reddy along New Age Weekly

agitators, which provoked the demonstrators and resulted in the ransacking of the office. The comrades sent to jail include JVV Satyanarayana Murthy, district party secretary and national council member, Paidi Raju, town secretary, A J Stalin, Ex CPI floor leader Greater Vizag municipal corporation,and NFIW leader Vimala.

PF Offices Gheraoed in AP In response to the call given by Andhra Pradesh state council of the All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC), state wide demonstrations was organised demanding

Provident Fund to all toiling sections as a social security measure in the retirement period. Demand of pension at least at the rate of Rs 2,000 per month was raised with full strength in the near by areas of Barkatpura locality where regional provident fund office is located in Hyderabad. Gherao was organised by Greater Hyderabad council of AITUC. The protest was unleashed with gheraos, dharnas, organised near local provident fund offices and district collectorates. According to latest reports received so far, programmes were organized at Vijayawada, Vishakhapattanam, Tirupathi, Nalgonda, Guntur, Nizamabad, Sangareddy, Kadapa, Rajahmundry, Eluru, Vijayanagaram. Significant factor which is to be noted is that women workers were also taking part in large numbers in the agitation. P J Chandrashekara Rao, MLC, president, Obulesu, general secretary, state council and V. Chandraiah, Mohd Yousuf, president and general secretary of Greater Hyderabad council, AITUC led the demonstration at regional office at Hyderabad. Demonstrators demanded provident fund commissioner to come out of the office otherwise protesters were willing to enter forcibly into office. Commissioner Narayanappa himself came out of the office and assured that he would take all necessary steps to see that provident fund slips will be issued to all with in short time. He has also promised that inspections will be made in all the industries and vigilance cell will be made active. Provident fund scheme will be implemented to all workers including contract and out sourcing workers etc. On Page 4

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MNREGA and Its Lost... From Front Page ‘(SREGC) responsible for ensuring that all activities required to fulfill the objectives of the Act are carried out, The commissioner may also function as the member secretary of the SEGC, and be authorized to hear appeals against the decisions or actions of the DPC. He may also be directed to ensure that the system of grievance redressal, social audit, applications for right to information, and other measures of public accountability, and transparency are effective as well as responsive to the demands of NREGS workers and the community. Thus the Act and the Guidelines fully assures the ‘full funding by central government for management support at district, block and gram panchayat level. Under the circumstances there is no valid reason as to why the state governments do not come out to create separate mechanism and appoint additional personnel for effective

implementation of the scheme. GRS is an important staff under MNREGA in implementing the scheme. The wages for the GRS is the first charge on the administrative expenses under MNREGA. The GRS is a live link between rural Job Card Holder (JCH) and the administration. The paragraph 3 (1) of the operational guidelines underlines necessity of appointment of GRS in each panchayat as implementation of MNREGA involves considerable o r g a n i s a t i o n a l responsibility, at gram panchayat level. Though the Central Employment Guarantee council (CEGC) at national level and State Employment Guarantee Council (SEGC) at state level are constituted for evaluation and monitoring the system, yet suggestions made by these committees do not get any attention.

Gram Rozgar Sahayak It is needless to mention that the proper implementation of

MNEREGA involves enormous organisational efforts and practical measures to be taken at gram panchayat level. The appointment of gram rozgar sahayaks or employment guarantee assistants is crucial and instrumental to ensure the proper planning, preparing the project and also the effective implementation thereof in each gram panchayat. The creation of a dedicated team in each panchayat is the primary condition for actual delivery of benefits to the Job Card Holders (JCH). With a view to ensuring proper planning and timely delivery to JCH, permanent appointment of GRS with defined service condition is a must. But contrary to this, the appointment of GRS have been made just on temporary and casual basis. No appointment letters are issued to them. No fixed remuneration is given to them. A lump sum of Rs.1500 to Rs.5,500 are paid to GRS without any security of their job in different states. In some states like Gujarat and

CPI Protest Against Liquor Mafia... From Page 3 P J Chandrashekar Rao, while addressing has pointed out that despite the fact that Provident Fund Act came into existence 60 years back, it has yet to be properly implemented. Surprisingly, only five percent workers are benefited from the scheme. Hotel workers, building and construction workers, auto drivers and several other units in the unorganised sector are being omitted on flimsy pretexts. P J Chandrashekar Rao has urged upon the PF authorities to pay minimum pension of Rs.2,000 per month to those who have been contributing to PF since over and above ten years. He has also reminded that a memorandum was submitted mentioning

several demands including several irregularities being printed in PF slips .No action was taken so far. He has warned that in case no action is taken within a month, AITUC will intensify its agitation and for the consequences, it would be authorities only to be responsible. Obulesu, while addressing the gathering, stated that some employers are deducting contributions from employees wages, yet have failed to pay their share in the PF office. Such employers must be taken to task mercilessly. No body can imagine that only three cement industries, out of 59 cement industries, are implementing PF scheme and 56 of them are not at all contributing their share of matching

contribution of 12 percent to provident fund office. Obulesu also has clarified that certain industrialists, contractors, inspectors of PF office have collaborated to exploit the workers. In the rallies organized in course of agitation at various district centres, the office bearers and leaders were among those who addressed the gathering and that included secretaries and vice presidents of the concerned unions like Narasimhan, working president, Y Balraj deputy general secretary, Harinath Reddy, Ratnakar Rao, G V Krishna Rao, Kirla Krishna Rao, Adinarayana, Karuna Kumari, Padmavathi and others. Among the participants was popular writer and revolutionary singer Gaddar. „ New Age Weekly

Maharastra the remuneration of GRS are paid on commission basis. The monthly remuneration of Rs.1500 includes 2.25 per cent of the wages paid to job card holders. It means there is no certainty of their salary. The payment of salaries to GRS is not made on time. Thousands of GRS are deprived of their salaries in many states. In the circumstances, the conference of GRS held at Nanded (Maharastra) on February 19, 2012 has made the following demands: * The entire staff (personnel) such as GRS, Technical Assistant at Panchayat level and additional programme officer at Block level be appointed on permanent basis with full scale of salaries and other facilities as per government rules in their respective states. The appointment letters should be issued to them stating their terms and condition of services. * The salary of GRS should be equal to the salary being paid for similar work, to the state government employees in respective states. * There should be a Gram Rozgar Kaksha (Office of employment guarantee) in every panchayat with full fledged basic furniture, telephone, computer with internet connection etc. * The time frame registration of Job Card Holders, issuing job cards, providing work, payment of wages/compensation should be maintained strictly. * Every GRS, TA, BC & APO should be provided specific training for acquiring comprehensive knowledge of MNREGA and the schemes therein.

Administrative Structure MNREGA is a Central Act, but implementation lies within the purview of state governments. There are three layers of administrative set up for its implementation in the state. 1. GRS and TA at panchayat level, that is. the benefit delivery point of the scheme.

2. BC and APO at block level that is. intermediary supervisory personnel to ensure proper implementation 3. Both DPC (District Pogramme Coordinator) and SREGC (State Rural Employment Guarantee Commissioner) represent the government authority responsible on behalf of state government. In addition to this there are two statutory monitoring bodies, one at state level the State Employment Guarantee Council and other at national level the central employment guarantee council. These two statutory bodies are responsible to discharge the function and perform the duties assigned under the MNREGA). The CEGC and SEGC make regular evaluation, keep constant monitoring and review the implementation of scheme and also redressing the grievances/difficulties/ complainants arising out of in the process.

Role of trade Union The trade unions play an important role in organising the JCH and also the GRS to move forward and see to it that MNREGA is enacted. In fact the role of trade unions is two-fold, one is to fight against the government’s policy deviations, administrative inaction and rampant corruption on one hand and to awaken the people in general and mobilise job card holders in particular. The trade unions should move ahead and fight for enlarging the benefits and enhancing the fund allocation under MNREGA. The Nanded Convention of Gram Rojgar Sewaks (GRS) has correctly decided two fold approach to the problem, Firstly to fight against the lop-sided approach of the central ‘government. Planning commission deputy chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia has come out to lop off the very aims and objects of INREGA. Also the government is not keen enough to allocate adequate money for the scheme. „

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BRICS: Non-Western Alternative? The world is currently witnessing a new power reshuffle, unfolding in the global power structure. In this new geo-political climate, the BRICS summit provides the foundation for a new global power structure. The power center of international economics is steadily shifting away from the Western bloc to Asia, Africa and Latin America. The larger question that needs to be addressed is whether the BRICS initiative will translate into a larger global alliance or will it remain simply yet another photo opportunity. In the aftermath of the global economic crisis the world community, especially the BRICS countries, have been waking up to the realisation that old international structures such as the Bretton Wood Institutions have been exhausted and there is an inevitable need for new institutional structures. Further, a series of asymmetrical events such as the world food crisis, the global recession, the geo-political volatility in the Middle East prove that the rhetoric of ‘Uni-polarity” and the valour of the world’s superpower has been broken in the global setting. An important factor that invigorates the BRICS discourse is the significance of multi-polarity in the c o n t e m p o r a r y interdependent world. Therefore, the BRICS groupings is an exemplary combination of five countries representing four continents, which could play a constructive role in reshaping the world order and help muster greater negotiating power in the international scenario. Western analysts and media have been propagating about the unwieldiness of BRICS largely due to its internal contradictions, especially the differences between India and China. It has also been creating a hype about the confrontational nature of the BRICS with the West. An important

question that presents itself is whether BRICS can offer a non-western alternative? Can the BRICS plug the political vacuum at the international level wrestled by the Western nations and can it resolve the present economic crisis? In an interview with NDTV (on March 29) India’s former ambassador to USA Ronen Sen commented that “Though it has not yet become an influential grouping, it is a group of influential countries”. In terms of global GDP, BRICS accounts for 40 per cent and in terms of world’s land mass, 26 per cent and also 42 percent of the globe’s population. Interestingly, it is the largest manufacturing hub in the world, with India being the strongest provider of IT and other services. The BRICS nations also serve as fertile ground for FDI from across the globe. However, it is not necessary that BRICS nations should converge at all levels. One should be very critical and analytical in measuring the standing of the BRICS as a concept and a gathering. The objective of the BRICS for a cross-currency denominated trade and the interest it has shown in moving away from the dollar dependency are both welcome and encouraging signs. However the question remains whether China, with trillions of dollars deposited in the USA, would be able to afford an alternative path? Or can India, with its recent geo-political equations with USA, will be able to counter the Americans. Nevertheless, the basic objective of the BRICS 2012 Summit in Delhi was to work closely on various common issues ranging from food security to urbanisation without compromising each other’s national interests. The BRICS summit also vociferously conveyed the message that international institutions, such as the IMF and WB, have outlived

Dr. Ginu Zacharia Oommen their utility and thus requires a well-balanced restructuring. There is a wide range of common interests among the BRICS nations which invariably paved way for common actions. India is a growing economy with strong democratic traditions, population, respect for diversity, high stake in information Technology and with a vast mass of human resources. The presence of India in BRICS nations reflects the

understanding of Indian policy makers about an interdependent, multi-polar world, without being too dependent on any particular grouping in international politics. In his opening speech in the fourth BRICS summit in Delhi the Prime Minister of India Dr Manmohan Singh advocated speedy reforms in global international financial and political institutions and urged the BRICS grouping to work together to overcome the challenges posed by the global economic downturn. He also stressed on the reform of the United Nations Security Council. Two groupings in which India played a major role, NAM and SAARC, are today virtually defunct and insignificant in the international arena. Therefore the important New Age Weekly

objectives for India is to attain its membership at the UNSC, shed the impression that it is fully dependent on USA accelerate trade between BRICS nations and have a pragmatic and contented position in the Middle East crisis. Since the 1990s there is an explicit tilt in India’s foreign policy towards the USA which deepened further during the UPA-II government. However, the present geopolitical and economic crisis has motivated the Indian government to have multi-layered linkages in the global politics and also for its perceptible presence

in the regional groupings such as ASEAN, G20 and BRICS. The international community time and again has been reassured that India will seek a multilateral order based on the equality of sovereign nations, large and small, rather than a future hierarchical order based on size and power. Since the Sanya BRICS Summit in 2011 India has pushed for improving the political content of the BRICS rather than confining it to a mere trade forum. The Delhi Summit has enlarged the scope and prominence of BRICS because it does not stick to economic issues but addresses geo-political crisis such as the crisis in Syria, advocates rights, like the right to have peaceful nuclear energy (as in Iran), reconstruction of Afghanistan and an

amicable solution for the Palestinian issue. In these issues the final declaration of the Delhi summit is positions fairly contrary to the Western countries which can be quite an irritant for Washington. Interestingly, both India and China are highly dependent on the Middle East for their energy security and 90 percent of India’s oil and gas is imported from the Persian Gulf. The volatility and instability in the Middle East region cause fluctuation in oil prices, which adversely affects the Indian economy. Moreover the Middle East has a large Indian community of nearly six million and India receives nearly 58 billion dollar as remittances from the Gulf expatriates. The BRICS countries also realise that the regime change in Iraq, Libya and disturbances in the Middle East region has directly benefited the Anglo-Saxon oil tycoons, especially the oil companies in USA. Hence India played a very buoyant role in articulating the opinion of BRICS on the on-going crisis in Syria and Iran. In addition to this, the support of BRICS for Iran’s right to have peaceful nuclear energy while adhering to international law is quite an impressive and a pragmatic move to secure its energy requirements as India imports 12 percent of its oil from Iran. The unrelenting support for the creation of an independent Palestine state was once again articulated through the BRICS forum though Israel is India’s second largest arms supplier. Through these political statements India has tried to playa balancing act and conveyed an impression that it is not complying fully with the decrees of Washington. Ironically, the support for the BRICS initiative had an unenthusiastic response from some sections of the On Page 6

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BRICS: Non-Western Alternative? From Page 5 Indian media (especially the English broadcasting media) and from foreign policy analysts. The think tanks and foreign policy experts who are very vociferous in articulating and competing with each other to script India’s relations with USA were consciously silent on this matter. The uninteresting posture of Indian Foreign Policy experts, such as C Raja Mohan and G Parthsarathy was very evident in the debate aired by NDTV on March 29, 2012. Interestingly in the midst of the current Eurozone crisis the eminent strategic analyst C Raja Mohan commented that “you can’t go against the biggest economic grouping that is the West and G Parthsarathy was more vocal at pointing out the internal contradictions of India, China and the impracticality of BRICS in the NDTV debates. The director of International Institute of Strategic Analysis and the former Press advisor to Prime Minister Sanjay Baru sarcastically wrote that ‘BRICS are in search of cement’ and another prominent foreign policy analyst Kanti Bajpai commented that “unfortunately, India is the weakest link in BRICS (Times of India, 31 March). Its chaotic politics, abysmal human development record, low per capita income (the lowest in the group) and uncivil civil society make it an unreliable partner. New Delhi should keep this in mind as it beats the drum over the future of BRICS”. Internal sources say that a section of the Congress leaders, mainly Nehruvites, like Pranab Mukherjee, A K Antony, Vayalar Ravi, Jayaram Ramesh, had pushed hard for India’s proactive role and participation in the multilateral, non-American regional groupings like BRICS. These Congress

leaders are of the opinion that in the contemporary geo-political context India should engage with as many countries and regional organizations as possible while maintaining its relations with the USA. Their stance received support from the Left as well. Interestingly, Congress sources noted that the pro-USA lobby within the Congress namely P Chidambaram is not very enthusiastic with this initiative. India is seeking renewed cooperation with its traditional friends like South Africa and Russia with great hopes and aspirations. Both South Africa and Russia would help India consolidate its positions in both Africa and Central Asian regions. In particular they would help India’s efforts to explore new sources of energy in Central Asia and African region. The director general of the Chamber of Indian Industry (CII), Chandrajit Banerjee in his communiqué (March 28) noted that “India Industry attaches great importance to its economic and trade engagements with BRICS nations. The Indian Industry sees significant potential of cooperation among BRICS nation in the field of services; particularly in clean and renewable energy technologies’. Energy security is vital for its future growth and development”. The prime target of India along with its energy needs is to make a speedy entry in the UNSC. India hopes the BRICS nations barring China would support its cause, while India’s proactive role in BRICS would strengthen their cause. The cooperation with BRICS provides an exceptional occasion for India to share its developmental experiences such as MNREGA and learn from the experiences from the other countries as well. The main weakness of

the BRICS, as has been pointed out by western analysts is the internal contradictions and unequal relationships between its members, especially India and China. Member-states also do not seem to have much in common. The US foreign policy analyst Joseph S Nye Jr wrote that “although a meeting of BRICS may be convenient for short term political gains, it lumps together countries that have deep divisions, and including Russia, a former super power, three developing economies makes little sense”. Both India and China are fully aware of the significance of cooperating with each other in the present interdependent world

without compromising their respective national interests. The members are fully convinced that the significance and the potential of the BRICS grouping is well beyond bilateral ties and internal skirmishes. BRICS also offers opportunity to strengthen the bilateral discussions, particularly those between India and China. Thus BRICS provides back channel prospects to these countries to strengthen their bilateral ties as well. At the same time the strategic reconciliation and understanding between the two Asian powers -India and China -would be the cornerstone towards accomplishing the enthusiastic mission of BRICS. Nevertheless, India or the BRICS members are not expecting complete unanimity in all the issues. As the official of Indian New Age Weekly

foreign Ministry in his interview to Hindustan Times pointed that “efforts are on to list out the ‘minimum common positions on the issue’ in the joint communiqué to be adopted at the summit’ (March 25). The BRICS grouping could pursue an approach of ‘exclusivity’ rather than the western oriented ‘exclusivity’ in their future actions. In the present unsettled world the leaders would “strive to make the grouping as open and inclusive as possible and would try to cooperate and coordinate with both the OECD and developing nations. The main criticism slapped on BRICS is its nonwestern alternative posture and the so-called attempts to weaken the

dollar. The fact of the matter is that China with its trillions of dollars FDI in USA or the UPA government with its strong American tilt in the foreign policy definitely do not pursue a confrontational policy with the USA. Interestingly, the long term vision of the BRICS is to pursue a nonconfrontational path with the west while simultaneously bridge the gap between OECD and developing nations and present their independent positions in the international arena. In the new international context the BRICS grouping would embolden the voices of its members and also help it emerge as a powerful pressure group in G20. The Delhi Declaration on Iran is an ample example towards this path. In comparing the BRICS with recent Summit of the

Americas the Professor of Balsillie School of International Affairs, Ontario and the Former Canadian High Commissioner to India, Jorge Hein wrote that “paradox is only too apparent. The BRICS summit, dismissed by some as mere talk-shop with no basis in common interests, is going from strength to strength. The Summit of the Americas, representing the largest gathering of market democracies anywhere, led by the world’s leading power, is on its last throes and may not reconvene again’ (The Hindu, April 24). BRICS may not at the moment be looking forward to creating a ‘new world order’ but it will definitely fight for restructuring and for reforms of the present international apparatus monopolized by USA and EU and it has already called for the selection of the heads of IMF and WB through ‘an open and meritbased process’. The BRICS Summit 2012 is a turning point in the history of South-South cooperation and it further emphasized the potential and significance of an alternative approach in the international order. The profound call for the establishment of a SouthSouth bank and to expand it to use national currencies in bilateral transactions has inspired confidence among the developing countries. The Delhi BRICS summit has underscored the role of non-western emerging economies in the international economic and political hierarchy. Unlike previous summits the Delhi enabled BRICS to emerge as a powerful economic and political grouping with its assertive deliberations and audacious positions on strategic issues. With the increasing diffusion of global power and power shifts taking place across the globe, the BRICS Powers do have the potential of playing a greater role in the global power calculus. „

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June 10—16, 2012

Modi Tries to Reap Fruits of Mass Murder The Mumbai session of the national executive of the Bharatiya Janata Party will go down as a Hindutva watershed for anointing Narendra Modi as its supremely i m p o r t a n t , indispensable leader and its likeliest prime ministerial candidate in the next Lok Sabha elections. Mumbai thus takes forward a process begun at the April 2002 national executive in Goa, which killed all hope that the party, then in power at the Centre, would dismiss Modi for the carnage in Gujarat and bring a modicum of justice to its victims. In Goa, Atal Behari Vajpayee had cast off his moderate mask once and for all. He made a disgraceful 180-degree turn from condemning the anti-Muslim pogrom as a blot (kalank) on India’s face. Instead, he equated Islam with aggression and terror in his infamous Lekin aag lagayi kisne? (Who started the fire?) speech. He thus sanctified Modi’s a c t i o n - r e a c t i o n rationalisation of the massacre following the Godhra train-burning incident, which was caused by an accidental fire, but was falsely attributed to an organised Muslim conspiracy. In Mumbai, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, the BJP’s progenitor, ideological mentor, political master and organisational gatekeeper, caved in to Modi’s demand to drop bete noire, RSS pracharak Sanjay Joshi, as an invitee to the executive. The RSS’s abject capitulation led LK Advani and Sushma Swaraj to keep away from the concluding public meeting, a symbolic, but futile, gesture. Equally futile was Advani’s anti-Gadkari criticism in his blog. Earlier, Modi refused to campaign for the BJP in five recent state Assembly elections in protest against Joshi’s induction as election organiser in Uttar Pradesh by BJP president Nitin Gadkari. Gadkari was himself handpicked by the RSS, which also backed Joshi’s induction. Modi defied the

Sangh, something not done generally if one wants to get ahead in the BJP. The RSS, rather u n c h a r a c t e r i s t i c a l l y, swallowed the insult meekly and gave in to Modi. It extracted only one concession: Gadkari would get a second term as president beyond 2012 through an amendment to the party constitution. Joshi was humiliated and barred from the meeting. Worse, he was forced to cancel a railway journey to Gujarat, and fly to Lucknow. Gadkari’s second term slightly complicates, but it doesn’t undermine Modi’s plan to make a bid for the prime ministerial nomination in the 2014 national elections: he would become the BJP president following the Gujarat Assembly elections this year, which he hopes to win. Modi will now have to look for another route to the nomination. Modi showed himself to be too self-serving to be a national-stature leader. Joshi is no rival to him. He is little known outside the Sangh parivar and holds no public office. He cannot threaten Modi’s career prospects seriously. Joshi suffered a setback in 2006 when a CD showing him in a sexual escapade was released to the media and he resigned as the BJP’s general secretary. It’s not clear that he has overcome this and other disadvantages rooted in his fraught relations with parivar bigwigs However, it’s plain that the RSS decided to sacrifice Joshi, a Sangh full-timer and fierce loyalist, and to indulge Modi despite his terrible angularities and extreme individualism, and his role as a sharply polarising figure who cannot shake off the stigma of 2002. It calculates that these disadvantages are outweighed by Modi’s ability to inspire the party cadre through his demagogy, martial image, and vicious war-mongering. Nothing captures this better than the rousing reception that Modi got from party followers at the concluding public meeting amidst slogans. The RSS is

By Praful Bidwai looking for a quasi-fuhrer, the Supreme Leader, behind whom BJP cadres can rally in a warlike formation, no matter how incompatible such bellicosity is with democratic processes, and how it vitiates India’s social and political climate. The RSS gambles that many potential allies who are supposedly allergic to Modi could be made to fall in line with his leadership depending on how many seats the BJP wins in the next elections. (It’s widely expected to fall well short of the 200 mark in the 545strong Lok Sabha.) In the past, numerous secular parties, barring the Left, Mulayam Singh’s Samajwadi Party and Laloo Prasad’s Rashtriya Janata Dal, joined the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance and tolerated affronts to secularism and the rule of law. That long list includes the Bahujan Samaj Party, Trinamool Congress, Telugu Desam, Biju Janata Dal, Asom Gana Parishad, National Conference, Janata Dal (Secular), Janata Dal (United), DMK, AIADMK, Rashtriya Lok Dal, Lok Jana Shakti Party, etc, besides NDA core allies such as the Shiv Sena and the Akali Dal, with whom the BJP has run state governments. Here, the BJP’s weaknesses in relation to the Congress, like lack of inclusive political appeal and voter support (which has never exceeded a fourth of the national total), uppercaste bias, and poor attraction for Muslims and most Dalits, become its strengths vis-à-vis the regional parties. Because the Congress is present almost everywhere as these parties’ main rival, they find it expedient to ally with the BJP, which is openly opportunistic about joining hands with anyone while promising to keep aside its own trade-mark, sectarian Hindutva agenda. However, the BJP has over the years succeeded in advancing its programme, making Hindu communalism appear

New Age Weekly

“moderate” and acceptable to the upper-caste upperclass elite, and imposing its will upon the allies. This last happened in respect with the RSS-BJP’s unilateral, secret decision to conduct the Pokharan-II nuclear tests in May 1998, about which the allies were not informed, let alone consulted. For instance, defence minister George Fernandes was not told about the tests till the morning they took place. The BJP’s refusal to act against Modi for Independent India’s worst state-sponsored pogrom, when barbarism ruled Gujarat, provoked some protests from the allies, but only the Lok Jana Shakti Party walked out of the NDA. Trinamool Congress and National Conference did so much later, without effect. Even the JD (U)’s Nitish Kumar, who has kept Modi at a distance in his native Bihar, failed to speak out against the pogrom, or order an inquiry into the Godhra incident as railway minister. Modi escaped political punishment for the massacre, and was reelected. The repeated failure of India’s justice delivery system to bring the culprits of the Gujarat pogrom to book has cost this society dearly. The latest setback is the effort by the Special Investigation Team appointed by the Supreme Court under former CBI director RK Raghavan to let Modi off the hook for the massacre of 69 people, including former MP Ahsan Jafri, in the gruesome Gulberg Society case. The SIT’s final report concludes that Modi had no role in it. This defies credibility and insults intelligence. The Hindutva mobs could not have killed without the complicity, if not collusion, of the state police, which in turn would not have played the role it did without encouragement or at least a nod from the top. This was documented and confirmed by more than 30 citizens’ inquiry committees, including some comprising eminent jurists and international academics.

Several police officers and bureaucrats have corroborated the account, which says that Modi deliberately transported the bodies of the Godhra victims to Ahmedabad to provoke Hindu-communal violence. Even more pernicious, Modi told senior officials late on February 27, the day of the Godhra incident, to allow the Hindus to “vent their anger”. Thus followed the orgy of killing, arson and rape. In most cases, the police did nothing to restrain the murderous mobs. In some, they participated in the violence and especially the looting. The SIT strenuously tries to falsify this account by deviously introducing new ambiguities while relying solely on those who collaborated with Modi or were complicit in the coverup. It discredits the testimony of police officer Sanjeev Bhatt on the February 27 meeting. The SIT contradicts its own preliminary report, which maintained that Modi adopted “a discriminatory attitude” towards the victims, and “watered down” the gravity of the situation; two of his ministers turned up at the police control room to direct operations. The final report also ignores the logical analysis and further investigation suggested by Raju Ramachandran, the Supreme Court-appointed amicus curiae. It rejects the eminently sensible suggestion that Bhatt be put in the witness box to determine the veracity of his account. Worse, it says Jafri “provoked” the mob that dismembered and burnt him alive. Such fraudulent reasoning and viciously prejudiced reports are unbecoming of a half-way civilised society. Yet, India’s top industrialists have rallied behind Modi as an “efficient” “development-minded” leader. This combination of Big Capital and Hindutva could prove the undoing of the rule of law and Indian democracy. Narendra Modi must be stopped in his tracks, to start with, in Gujarat. „

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June 10—16, 2012

Countrywide Bandh

The CPI along with the four left parties had issued a call for country wide bandh on May 31, 2012 against the hike in the prices of petrol that has its consecutive adverse affects on the life of common masses. The response was overwhelming and almost in all parts of the country, the bandh was observed with fervour. Reports from states are as follows: Andhra PradeshHyderabad: Statewide bandh was observed successfully through out Andhra Pradesh protesting hike in the prices of petrol and electricity charges. The protest action was in

response to the call issued by the left parties. The Telugu Desham and Bharatiya Janata Party also took part in the protest

in bandh call. Prime leaders leading the bandh were CPI, CPI(M), FB, RSP, CPI(ML)New Democracy, CPI (ML-Veeranna), SUCIC,

Road transport buses were stopped at bus depots by the cadres of the left parties in the early hours of May 31. Road transport

Petrol stations were fenced with barricades in apprehension of attacks by angered people. In several cinema theatres morning and matinee shows were cancelled. Roads that used to be blocked with heavy traffic and jams looked desolate. Thousands were arrested and released after several hours. Huge procession was organised by the participant left parties with their respective flags and common banner from Narayanguda center of Greater Hyderabad state capital of Andhra Pradesh. Police arrested leaders and activists. Among the arrested were CPI state secretary Dr. K.Narayana, BV Raghavulu (CPM), B Surender Reddy (Forward Block), Janaki Ramulu (RSP), D V Krishna (CPIML New Democracy), Gurram Vijay Kumar (CPI-

Against Petrol Price Hike

and joined bandh with their cadres and flags separately. In some centers, Loksatta, and YSR Congress also participated

MCPI (U), M L Committee, CPI(ML)Liberation.Banks remained completely paralysed. Insurance offices were also closed.

New Age Weekly

authorities had withdrawn number of buses. Commercial complexes and traders had voluntarily closed down their shops.

ML), Sridhar (SUCIC), B.Veeranna CPI (ML), Kollipara Venkateshwara Rao (ML Committee), Murthy(ML-Liberation),V S Bose, (CPI), Y V Rao (CPIM), Obulesu (AITUC), Chaaya Devi (NFIW), Sandhya (POW) etc.Dr K Narayana, in his address, urged upon the state government to reduce sales tax on petrol from 33 percent to 22 percent in order to reduce burden on common man, already reeling under hike in electrical charges. Narayana warned that UPA-II would be set afire by the petrol flames of popular anger. B V Raghavulu pointed out that the hike was simply to pacify the monopolies.Police arrested hundreds of activists of the left parties in Nizamabad, Sangareddy, Anantapur, Tirupathi, Nellore, Kadapa, Rajamundry, Kakinada, Vizag, Srikakulam, Hyderabad and Rangareddy

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June 10—16, 2012

on May 31 festoons flags and posters along with slogans against the hike and the other policies adopted by the state and central governments that have made the life of common people miserable.

districts. In Khammam, 640 buses were stopped. In Vijayawada and Guntur, activists and supporters reached the bus depots as early as 5 am, and stopped buses. Bandh was totally successful.

Tripura Agartala: In response to the call for countrywide bandh to protest against the price hike of petrol, the CPI workers and cadres took out a protest rally here on May 31. The rally started from the state CPI Office (Jhunu Das Bhawan) at 6:30 pm in the evening and passed through RMS road, Post Office road, Melarmath, Battala shouting slogans against the anti-people measures of the UPA-II government at the centre and demanding to rollback the petrol price hike. The rally also made an appeal to people to join the all India hartal called by the left parties. The left-front committee in the state had also issued a call for 12hour strike in the state against petrol price hike. The participation of the

masses in both the actions was massive.

Gujarat Vadodara: After the UPA-II introduced a hike of Rs 7.50 in the prices of petrol, the communist Party of India had declared to launch a country wide dharna and agitation on

May 24 and later again on May 31 along with other four left parties. The district unit of the CPI and activists as well as supporters staged a massive dharna in front of the district collectoriate in the evening of May 24, 2012. There were banners,

New Age Weekly

Later a delegation of senior leaders of the party, including CPI state secretary of Gujarat Rajkumar Singh, Ashok Kahar, G S Pillai, A N Sheikh, Vasant Sheth, Atul Trivedi and Amit Soni met the district collector Vinod Rao and handed over a memorandum to him addressed to prime minister Manmohan Singh demanding to take back the hike of Rs 7.5 in petrol prices, to restrain the companies that sell oil as well as on price control committee and lastly to take back vat imposed on petrol by the Gujarat state.

Assam Guwahati: In response to the call given by the Left parties of a countrywide Bandh to protest against petrol price hike, there was a general strike all over the state organized by CPI, CPI(M), and CPI(ML) Liberation. In a joint meeting, the AGP, CPI, CPI(M), NCP, SP, AIUDF, BPPF responded collectively and supported the call for Assam Bundh and general strike along with the nationwide general strike. CPI state secretary Bhogeswar Dutta, CPI(M) state secretary Udhab Barman, CPI(ML) state secretary Rubul Sarma were arrested here along with other leading activist of left parties. In Karimganj and Nagaon, there were also arrests of Left activists, though only to be let out after a few hours. „

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June 10—16, 2012

A Few Questions to Naxalites Meaningless violence can never be a solution to any problem. Is it possible to finish the government army or reduce considerably the number of rifles if some CRPF Jawans are killed or AK -47 are snatched and handed over to their own so called efficient army? Are we meeting our revolutionary responsibilities by staying away from the common masses and living in the jungles of the Bihad among a few thousands of people? Till recently, Naxalism was considered part of an ideological debate in the process of mainstream struggle despite its violent ways. The consideration is still there but shrouded in controversies. The naxalites have their strong hold in states like Orissa, Chhattisgarh, West Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand and Andhra Pradesh and they are engaged in planning a few bloody actions in other states too. After the recent kidnappings and release of Italian tourists and a legislator in Orrisa, of the district collector of Sukma in Chhattisgarh, it has become somehow difficult to believe that the state has any concrete policy to meet such challenges to the internal security. The experience of dropping platoons of army to tackle the naxal issue has not proved very fruitful, instead the government had to pay a huge price for such initiatives. It is a fact that the home ministry of the central government has realised in last few years that the Maoist problem can be tackled only through resolving the issues of lack of administration as well as of development. Such steps have either not been taken at the country level, or has been defeated by the Maoist challenges. On the other hand, the hope and demand for ownership of water, forest and land

made by the struggling Adivasis has been crushed by meaningless violence. The concerns for toilers and peasants as well as Adivasis cannot get an edge by spilling the blood of innocents, nor can any mass struggle be launched. There are questions Maoists must answer. When our constitution provides peaceful methods of struggle to improve the government policies, why it becomes imperative to destroy village schools and hospitals? Could such steps help weaken the so called ‘atrocious’ rule of the administration? We already suffer from inadequate number of hospitals and schools. The remote areas suffer even more. In such a situation of scarce facilities, how the Maoists can even dream of attaining their revolutionary goal? In the police force and the central

Atul Kumar Anjaan opted to face the hardships of a jungle life? It is true that committing such violence, one can get mention in the national and international headlines, but the purpose of getting popular support gets destroyed totally. I would like that in the light of these questions and issues, Maoists must have introspection. There are also reports that instead of fighting for the popular ownership of water, land and forest, the naxalites have compromised at a major scale as they have started taking money from the contractors and owners. Such acts have stained their revolutionary fervour. The naxalites/Maoists have accumulated huge stocks of modern weapons and have created liberated

According to the reports of the home ministry, at least 3240 people have lost lives in naxal violence in the period between 2008 and 2011. This horrible data of violent killings belongs to the most naxal affected nine states of Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, Orissa, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh. reserve forces, the Jawans are the sons of the same poor peasants and toilers. Could the exploitative system brought to an end by killing these innocents? Even if it is accepted that there are lots of expectations from the Maoists, yet the question remains that if the government officials are trying in their own limited, lackluster way to improve the plight of the deprived, why that process has to be interrupted by kidnapping them? Does it not destroy the very purpose for which the Maoists themselves have

zones where they have to continuously fight the armed forces. It is true that among the naxalites there are highly educated men and women who have opted for a armed struggle to change the exploitative system. But then there is another truth too that the romanticism of an armed struggle has attracted many youth to the Maoist path. All this is happening in the name of changing the system. But the fact remains that country is suffering from poverty, unequal distribution of resources, communalism, New Age Weekly

casteism, corruption and lack of education, among many other. The goal of revolution can be achieved only if at least sixty percent of the population is convinced and stands in support. Then only it can herald a new era. The popular support would lead the struggle towards scientific socialism, and the naxalites would have to recognise the fact. The Maoists, busy in their armed attacks, would have to realize that to fight the state’s oppressive measures in a democracy, dialogue has always been a logical weapon through which the masses are organized. People in our country want positive revolutionary change and that can be achieved only through propagating scientific socialism and for the implementation of the same, a democratic government has to be established. It could be difficult task but can be attained with a proper understanding and placing of space, time and circumstances. There is no example of any corporate martyred in the name of popular revolt. Those who get killed are always the children of poor farmers and workers who join the ranks of army in search of food and employment. The Maoists label them as reactionary forces and consider it their sacred duty to annihilate them. They have been paying the price too for such understanding. They are not assimilated by the masses, they have to stand apart. The need of the time is to have unity of democratic, left forces among the masses for popular dialogue and popular movement. According to the reports of the home ministry, at least 3240 people have lost lives in naxal violence in the period between 2008 and 2011. This horrible data of violent killings belongs to the most naxal affected nine states of Andhra

Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, Orissa, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh. The centre has decided to allocate a sum of 415 crore rupees for the nine states to meet the security expenses. In this project, the government has added 20 more naxal affected districts and among them are Muzaffarpur, Sheohar, Vaishali, Banka, Lakhisarai, Begusarai and Khagaria in Bihar, Dhamtiri, Gariaband, Balod, and Mahasamund in Chhattisgarh, Dumka, Deoghar and Pakur in Jharkhand and Aheri in M a h a r a s h t r a , Kalahandi,Naupada, Barhgarh and Bolangeer in Orissa, and Virbhoom in West Bengal, The Naxals had been targeting the innocent, poor sections earlier, now are included among them collectors and the legislators. The process of handling the Naxals/ Maoists has turned into a bloody battle. In Chhattisgarh, there are 17 regular battalions of the CRPF and two battalions of COBRA, (Commando Battalion for Resolute Action). These forces are equipped with the most modern weaponry. Since it has been taken as a war, the security forces have night vision spinner rifles (X-95), under barrel grenade launcher (UBGL) and other weapons. There are also attempts towards militarization of the security forces. Despite all these initiatives, ground reality is somehow different. No policeman can be seen between Raipur and Sukma, though there are police stations with high walls and fort like camps of CRPF. The significant part is that local people cannot enter either the police stations or CRPF camps for any help. „

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June 10—16, 2012

Bury the Neo-Liberal Policies Apprehending rapid deceleration in our economy and warning the government on its neo-liberal economic policies which have already turned counter-productive, the Communist Party of India (CPI) in its political resolution for the 21st Party Congress has said: “The shameless pursuance of economic neo-liberalism by bourgeois governments of UPA or other parties have dipped the country in the mire of ever-deepening economic crisis. The global meltdown has further aggravated the crisis. India needs to reverse the present strategy of economic growth per se. India needs a new strategy which is both employment-friendly and people-friendly as well as bases itself on a fuller use of the capital — both public and private — and on the available human resources. Such a strategy should undertake steps and policies for poverty reduction as a matter of priority. This is the real strategy of inclusive growth.” It further said: “The industrial growth should base itself on available financial and natural resources and must be employmentoriented. Due consideration be given to protection and development of handicraft and cottage industries that provide jobs to a big segment of our population. FDI should be restricted to the extent developed technology is required. Domestic market should be reserved for the locally produced industrial products to the extent possible.” The Party Congress was held in March last week at Patna and within a couple of months the party’s fears on the economy have been proved totally correct. It is for the Indian ruling elites to accept failure and go in for a total burial of the over twodecade long neo-liberal economic policies and save the nation. The government has been ignoring the danger signs that were on the radar. Nine-year low growth: The result is, as the reports published on June 1, 2012 say the economic growth rate has slowed down to a nine-year low of 5.3 per cent in the first three months of 2012 sending shockwaves to a government that was making tall claims on its growth strategies. The government has also been drawing solace saying that the country’s economic growth rate is higher than that of the western countries. However, the weakening of rupee setting fresh lows every day only reflects the weak fundamentals of the economy. Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee, however, as usual laid the blame for the current economic slowdown at the doors of the central bank for its tight monetary policy and on weak global sentiments. Describing the 2011-12 fourth quarter GDP growth of 5.3 per cent and the downward revised GDP growth estimate of 6.5 per cent for 2011-12 as ‘disappointing figures’, he said these, however, have to be seen in the light of overall global developments. It may be recalled that the central statistics office had in its advance estimate in February, pegged GDP growth for 2011-12 at 6.9 per cent. This now stands lowered to 6.5 per cent at the revised estimate stage.

The worst is that the revised estimates of national income for 2011-12 released by the Central Statistics Office (CSO) on May 31 had revealed that GFCF has fallen to 29.5 per cent of GDP at current prices for that year. This is the first time that GFCF has gone below 30 per cent since 2004-05. All these only confirm that slowdown in Asia’s third largest economy is deepening. In the same quarter last year, the economy had clocked 9.2 per cent growth. The disappointing news on GDP growth numbers came out on a day the rupee hit a new low of Rs 56.50 against the dollar. Also it came on a day when it was revealed that the growth rate of eight infrastructure sectors’ output slowed to 2.2 per cent from 4.2 per cent in the same month last year. There is no way that the government can convince the public of the correctness of its neoliberal policies, which have pushed the country into a growth stagflation from which it will be hard to recover. Bjørn Lomborg is an adjunct professor at the Copenhagen Business School, where he founded and directs its Copenhagen Consensus Center, which seeks to study environmental problems and solutions.

Comments of the Week Chidambaram N

Danish political scientist Bjorn Lomborg heads the Copenhagen Consensus, which has prioritized the world’s greatest problems — global warming, world poverty, disease — based on how effective our solutions might be. It’s a thought-provoking, even provocative list.

The Smartest Ways to Save the World In the last issue of New Age, we blamed the neo-colonial mindset for the mounting miseries of India and its vast majority of people. We are reproducing in this issue a published report by Danish political scientist Bjorn Lomborg that speaks of a different mindset —advancing human welfare. The report is based on a question posed to a panel of five top economists, including four Nobel laureates, in the Copenhagen Consensus 2012 project by Lomborg. The question was: “If you had $75 billion to spend over the next four years and your goal was to advance human welfare, especially in the developing world, how could you get the most value for your money?” The panel’s findings reveal that, if spent smartly, $75 billion — just a 15 per cent increase in current aid spending — could go a long way to solving many of the world’s challenges. The single most important investment, according to the panel, would step up the fight against malnutrition. New research for the project by John Hoddinott of the International Food Policy Research Institute and Peter Orazem of Iowa State University focuses on an investment of $3 New Age Weekly

billion annually. This would purchase a bundle of interventions, including micronutrient provision, complementary foods, treatment for worms and diarrheal diseases, and behavior-change programs, all of which could reduce chronic under-nutrition by 36 per cent in developing countries. In total, such an investment would help more than 100 million children to start their lives without stunted growth or malnourishment. And comprehensive research now shows that such interventions would stay with them for life: their bodies and muscles would grow faster, their cognitive abilities would improve, and they would pay more attention in school (and stay there longer). Studies show that, decades down the line, these children would be more productive, make more money, have fewer kids, and begin a virtuous circle of dramatic development. Likewise, just $300 million would prevent 300,000 child deaths if it were used to strengthen the Global Fund’s Affordable Medicines Facility —malaria financing mechanism— which makes combination therapies cheaper for poor countries. Put in economic terms, the benefits are 35 times higher than the costs — even without taking into account that it safeguards our mosteffective malaria drug from future drug resistance. For a similar amount, 300 million children could be dewormed in schools. By not sharing their food with intestinal parasites, they, too, would become more alert, stay longer in school, and grow up to be more productive adults — another cause that needs much more public attention. Expanding tuberculosis treatment and childhood immunization coverage are two other health investments that the expert panel endorses. As people in the developing world live longer, they are increasingly experiencing chronic disease; indeed, half of all deaths this year will be from chronic diseases in Third World countries. Here, the panel finds that spending just $122 million could achieve complete Hepatitis B vaccine coverage and avert about 150,000 annual deaths from the disease. Getting low-cost drugs for acute heart attacks to developing countries would cost just $200 million, and prevent 300,000 deaths. The expert panel’s findings point to a compelling need to invest roughly $2 billion annually in research and development to increase agricultural output. Not only would this reduce hunger by increasing food production and lowering food prices; it would also protect biodiversity, because higher crop productivity would mean less deforestation. That, in turn, would help in the fight against climate change, because forests store carbon. Another priority for investment is the establishment of effective early-warning systems for natural disasters in developing countries. For less than $1 billion a year, this would alleviate both direct and longterm economic damage, possibly securing some $35 billion in benefits.

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June 10—16, 2012

Scavengers Still Among Lowliest of Toilers NEW DELHI: The scavengers or sanitary workers are still among the lowliest of the toilers that form country’s 450 million workforce. Their working and living conditions which are worse than any other segment of the working class, have remained unchanged over centuries. With stick-broom and a tinplate these scavengers, men as well as women, clear faeces from public and private latrines, put it in baskets or containers and then carry these containers on their heads to dumping ground or disposal sites. This despicable practice is followed no where in the world except India, Pakistan and a few other South-East Asian countries. Who, when and how forced a section of the poorest countrymen to do this dirty job and later called it their profession and also declared them and their profession as untouchable? It seems, at this point of time, it is difficult to trace its origin in a society bedeviled by unfathomable variety of castes, sub-castes and creeds. Even our working class continues to be a part of the caste-ridden society. It was in 1993 that the Government seemed to have woken up and taken serious note of this degrading social practice; and the Parliament adopted the Employment of Manual Scavengers and Construction of Dry Latrines (Prohibition) Act, 1993 (SCDL). The law remained on the Statute Book but nothing was done to curb this practice. Lately, even the Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Mukul Wasnik was reported to have acknowledged that though the Employment of Manual Scavengers and Construction of Dry Latrines (Prohibition) Act was there but so far there has not been a single

p r o s e c u t i o n , notwithstanding continuance of scavenging. And now there is a talk of even amending the SCDL Act, so as to ensure that manual scavenging is eliminated. The matter is now before the Supreme Court and the Centre has assured that the necessary amendment would be introduced in the Monsoon Session of the Parliament. Not only that. The Government also proposed to bring forward a new comprehensive law which would ensure “total emancipation” of sanitary workers involved in all forms of scavenging including sewerage cleaning and septic tank cleaning. Sewer manhole and septic tank cleaning, which is most hazardous to human life, is still prevalent under the official patronage at all levels. The so-called comprehensive law, if and when it is enacted, would seek to emancipate sanitary workers working in these septic tanks etc. The scavengers issue was raised also in the Rajya Sabha by CPI MP, D. Raja during the debate on motion of thanks to the President’s Address. He even suggested that government should call a meeting of chief ministers, especially of states where manual scavenging was prevalent. He pointedly reminded the Government of its January 2011 announcement that a survey would be conducted afresh to

identify in the country locations of dry latrines and the number of manual scavengers. He said “it was a shame to note that even after 13 months the process has not begun.” More importantly, since the law was adopted, the

Government of various parties have been found failed, the present debate started with public interest litigation (PIL) filed by A. Narayanan in Madras high court on which the court passed order in June 2011. It said that if the centre failed to amend the law to prevent manual scavenging in two months,

country had five prime ministers, each of whom promised to eradicate this inhuman and illegal practice of scavenging. But scavenging continued.

the court would be constrained to direct the personal appearance of any of the high dignitaries from the PMO secretariat or any other department.

By Narendra Sharma

More recently, CPI leader said, prime minister Manmohan Singh too announced in June 2011 that “within six months, by the end of year 2011,” manual scavenging would be eradicated from the country. CPI leader wanted the government to answer what happened. He underlined that the railways were the worst culprit in this matter, since it was the biggest employer of manual scavengers. Though the debate on ending scavenging system is of longstanding on which one after the other

The urgency to amend the law was further highlighted when as per the direction of the high court, the Tamil Nadu Assembly unanimously adopted a resolution on September 10, 2011, demanding that the Central government should enact an amendment to the 1993 Act so as to modify certain clauses including those pertaining to the scope of definition of manual scavenger, power to exempt, appointment of implementing authorities, power of executing authority to prevent environment pollution etc. On appeal of the Union government, the Supreme Court Bench stayed the Madras high court order but it also issued notice to the respondent A. Narayanan who had filed the PIL. Narayanan pleaded for vacating the stay and he had his own reasons. He said the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had

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promised only in 2011 to eliminate manual scavenging by the year end but the year passed and no action had been taken. Narayanan pointed out that apart from the social atrocities that these workers face, they were exposed to serious health hazards as they are made to literally go down the drain everyday “without safety precaution and supervision and without any emergency medical support.” They are exposed to harmful gases such as methane, hydrogen sulphide which can lead to instant death. It can also lead to infections like h e p a t i t i s , leptospirosis, skin and respiratory system problems. The Bench has yet to give its verdict on stay. But at stake is much more – human lives. Apart from culpable Railways, there are thousands scavengers working in big and small urban centres who go down drains and sewers to clean these. One survey also says that there are over eight (8) lakh homes in the country where dry latrines are in use, needing scavengers, men or women, to clear those. This age-old heinous practice in Indian Society has so far proved impervious. In modern times, during the freedom struggle, Mahatma Gandhi did make a strenuous effort to uplift scavengers in his own way but he succeeded only to a limited extent by focusing the national attention on this issue. At the same time, Dr. Ambedkar too had made Herculean effort to raise the scheduled caste consciousness. His exercise could not go beyond Maharashtra and there it seemed to have not enough deep impact either.„

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June 10—16, 2012

Party School in Jharkhand A three-day state level party school was held in Jhumari Tilaiya (Kodarma) from May 19-21, 2012. It was four-hour journey from Ranchi, more famous for its demands for film songs on radio! But there is no doubt that the young party members are quite active in the area so far as party work is concerned. The school was meant mainly for young cadres. The place is tucked away in the foothills of DVC Tilaiya dam, one of the oldest in the state of Bihar, of which Jharkhand was a part earlier. The school was inaugurated by Bhuvaneshwar Mehta, the state party secretary and a famous mass leader and former member of Parliament. He explained that the school was being held after a long duration and as such was long overdue. He asked

everybody to be attentive and try to gain as much as possible. The party education incharge of the state and party assistant secretary Prof Khagendra Thakur introduced the subjects of the school, and stressed the importance of ideological and political training of cadres. Anil Rajimwale addressed the participants on behalf of the Central Party Education Department. From six districts, 70 participants took part in the school. Among them were women comrades too. The first lecture was delivered by Anil Rajimwale on What is Marxism. The basics of Marxism in the fields of both nature and society were explained in a simple way. Besides, the life and works of Marx, Engels and Lenin were told.

From Our Special Corespondent He explained the origin of the Red Flag and traced the history of the international working class movement. Lot of misconceptions about the origins and development of the Red Flag were clarified. Anil also explained the present situation in the world anti-imperialist movement. Anil Rajimwale also spoke on the history and program of the CPI and its contributions. He also dealt with the divisions within the Indian Communist movement. U.N. Mishra, the assistant secretary of Bihar party delivered lecture on Political Economy and World Economic Crisis. He traced the reasons of the crisis

and machinations of imperialism, finance capital, corporate sector and the MNCs. He said that capitalism would inevitably be replaced by socialism. Prof Khagendra Thakur spoke on Caste and Class in Indian Society. He explained what is caste and its relationship with class. Indian traditions were a rich source for people’s struggle, and rightwing reactionaries and communalists should not be allowed to get away with distortions of Indian history, philosophy and traditions. He warned the comrades against the threat of communalism. Secretary of the Bihar state unit of CPI Badri Narayan Lal delivered lecture on Party organization. He explained point-wise the main principles of organization and the Party Constitution

in a systematic manner. He concentrated on the principle of democratic centralism and on the proper functioning of the branches. The branch is the basic unit of the party in direct contact with the masses. He also explained the dialectical relationship of the party and the mass organizations. Badri Narayan Lal told the gathering that Patna party congress had given a call to build a strong CPI with an independent image. Party organization has to be geared to that end. The brief concluding session was attended by Anil Rajimwale, Khagendra Thakur and Badri Narayan Lal. Khagendra Thakur congratulated everybody for their active participation despite severe heat-wave conditions. He pointed out that more such schools needed to be held at district and regional levels.

‘Ask Not for Whom the Bell Tolls’ The draconian Essential Services Maintenance Act is being increasingly used against mass protests. The Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA), which has gone through a number of amendments since 1952, is meant for “maintenance of certain essential services and normal life of the community” and thus forbids strikes by workers in the essential services. Despite protests about its antidemocratic nature – that it violates the right of mass action for collective bargaining by workers – almost all state governments have enacted their own versions of this central draconian law with slight variations. In the past few years, the law (it overrides the Code of Criminal Procedure – the CRPC – allowing for arrest without warrant and a summary trial while also overruling the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947) is being invoked as a political tool of convenience by the various state governments to deal with imbroglios created by their own corrupt and inept handling of issues. Over the years, the number of essential services brought

under the state Acts have also increased in an atmosphere where the cry on all sides is for “reform” of labour laws (in essence, withdrawal of the protective provisions given to “pampered” workers) to find our place in the global market. Recently, the Maharashtra Essential Services Maintenance Act, 2011 (the earlier one had expired in 2010) was passed in the state’s upper house with a wider ambit. The government can prohibit strikes, lay-offs and lockouts in any services for which the state has the power to make laws and which it considers essential to the community. A six-month jail term and Rs 2,000 awaits striking employees from these services while a one-year jail term and a similar fine will be imposed on persons instigating or funding such strikes. The government can also widen the ambit of the Act to include other services. A look at how the different states have used it is illustrative. In February, the Delhi government invoked it on all power companies in view of the

nationwide strike by central unions against price rise, disinvestment of public sector units and anti-labour policies. Late last year, 1,000 schoolteachers were herded into jail by the Chhattisgarh government which invoked the law against 2,00,000 contract teachers demanding regularisation and better pay. In Andhra Pradesh, truck and lorry owners supplying petrol, diesel and LPG were brought under the Act when they threatened to strike against imposition of value added tax (VAT), earlier this year. In Maharashtra, the director of secondary and higher education threatened to invoke it against 21,000 teachers from “permanently unaided” schools who, finding themselves in an official limbo, threatened to boycott exam assessment work. The point to be noted in all these cases is that those going on strike had threatened to do so after they found that their long pending demands and protests were being ignored. It is almost an axiom t hat unless some sort of strong or dramatic public protest is resorted to,

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neither the administration nor the mainstream media will pay attention to genuine grievances and injustice. Generally, the mainstream media too tends to focus on legitimate demands only when a large number of protesters stage some form of mass action or individuals resort to extreme acts like attempts at self-immolation to draw public attention. In the recent ongoing agitation by Mumbai’s auto rickshaw drivers for increase in fares, the media tended to focus more on the inconvenience to passengers, the bogus tariff cards carried by the drivers and the “fixing” of meters to show higher rates. There was no coverage of the “other side” in this sorry mess – the corrupt regional transport office (RTO) personnel who are as much part of the rackets and extort their “share”, the ignoring of passenger complaints in lieu of a bribe, the state government’s skewed transport policy and turning a blind eye to the city’s nightmarish traffic situation. In 2003, following the Tamil Nadu government’s

dismissal of 3,50,000 striking government employees, the Supreme Court ruled that the latter had no right to strike. It went on to say that when there is so much unemployment and qualified people are eagerly waiting for government employment, “strikes cannot be justified on any equitable ground”. Whether it is the garment industry, the automobile factories, the call centres or shopping malls, young employees on contract are working long hours for miserable wages and without any of the protective provisions of the labour laws. Unionisation is difficult due to the peculiar work conditions and any attempt is met with summary dismissal in a situation where informalisation of labour is growing rapidly. The curbing of the democratic rights of one section of society is hardly ever an isolated act. It is symptomatic of how the ruling class views the right to protest and how it deals with dissension. It is a warning that we ignore at our own peril. „

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June 10—16, 2012

First Krisan Mohila Convention... From Last Page neo-liberal economic policies of the UPA government at the centre. Explaining the main issues of Krisan Mohilas of the state he said that there is no other alternative except mobilising mass movement under the banner of Krisan Sava against corruption, pricerise, gender discrimination, atrocities on women and other grievances of the deprived people, in the coming days. The other speakers who addressed the gathering in the open meeting were state assistant secretary of AIKS Bulu Bora, eminent litterateur and educationist of Assam Chitralata Phukan, Kanak Gogoi and Dharma Boruah, secretary and former secretary of Sivasagar District Council of CPI respectively and Com. Rilla Chetia and Prova Devi,

President and ex-president of Sivasagar Zila Mohila Sangha respectively. All the speakers made their valuable suggestions and called for organising mass movement on common issues of Krisan Mohilas in the days ahead. In the open rally, cultural programme was also presented in which specific cultural items including famous traditional Missing Bihu dance of Disangmukh area, habitat of an important tribe of Assam, were performed by known artists of the state enhancing the beauty of the convention. On the same night, delegate session was held chaired by Amulya Gohain and attended by nearly 60 delegates. Addressing the delegates, Drupad Gohain explained the political and organisational issues involved, followed by a discussion on the same.

The convention adopted some important decisions and concretized flowing demands on which mobilization would be initiated for future movement: * Proper implementation of government schemes without any bias * Wages to Krisan Mohilas at par with men *Provision of agricultural loan to Krisan Mohilas for their independent economic development. *. Provide economic assistance and other facilities to widows and unmarried women. *. Increase wages to Asha workers, Anganwadi workers and helpers. * Ensure equal rights for women in all respects with men. * Increase remuneration for the cooks of the Midday meal in schools. „

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Tukroo as New State Secretary From Page 15 SRINAGAR: The state conference of the CPI unit of Jammu and Kashmir which concluded here on June 3, 2012, has strongly criticized the failure of the Union and state governments to control the price-rise. It also expressed concern on rampart corruption and growing unemployment in the state The conference termed the Interlocutors report on J&K as a mixed bag, but said that it can be used as basis to resolve the Kashmir question. The day long state conference was: presided over by a presidium consisting of A.R. Tukroo, Naresh Munshi and Ghulam Nabi Yetoo. The conference was inaugurated by CPI national council secretary Shameem Faizee who presented in detail the decisions of the 21st Party Congress held at Patna in March. He called for building a strong CPI by activating the party branches to pave way for a left and democratic alternative. He said this alternative would be based on the opposition to economic neo-liberalism to which both UPA-II and NDA are committed.. Syed Azeez Pasha, former MP and member of CPI national executive spoke on national and international developments as well as organizational tasks. The State conference elected a three-member control commission and 17- member state council. The newly elected state council elected former MLC Abdur Rehman Tukroo as state council secretary.„

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June 10—16, 2012

Jammu Regional Conference of CPI JAMMU:While inaugurating the Jammu regional Conference of the Communist Party of India here on June 1, 2012, CPI national council secretary Shameem Faizee congratulated the people of the country for their response to the call for country-wide protest against the recent petrol price hike and asserted that the Left will continue its struggle for a zero tax policy of fuel prices as well as for food security for all in the coming days. The Regional Conference held in Dhanwantari Hall was preceded by a rally from Press Club. Naresh Munshi hoisted the flag and the inauguaral session was presided over by N K Dogra. Shameem Faizee spoke in detail on the political resolution adopted by the 21st CPI Congress held at Patna in March that calls for building a strong CPI to pave way for a more comprehensive Left Front that should be basis for a Left and Democratic Alternative. He said that

most of the bourgeois political parties in the country are committed to the implementation of the disastrous course of economic neo-liberalism that results in maximization of profit for corporate sector, loot of national and natural resources leading to wide spread corruption on one hand and exorbitant price rise, inflation, unemployment and widening gap between the rich and poor on the other. He cited the example of petrol price hike. While BJP and others are just demanding roll back of the current hike, the CPI and other Left parties want that government should follow the policy of zero tax on fuels like petrol, diesel and LPG. Forty per cent of the petrol price charged is due to excise and VAT levied by state and central governments. BJP does not demand this as its own governments in states have to give up income from VAT and other taxes. Similarly, on corruption, both the

On Record... The faltering US job market has prompted economists to take a much dimmer view of the country’s growth prospects. That’s a shift from just a few weeks ago, when many were upgrading their forecasts. Friday’s surprisingly bleak jobs report for May followed a spate of disappointing data. Manufacturing activity slowed, an index of home sales fell and consumer confidence tumbled. Mounting troubles in Europe and elsewhere have heightened economists’ concerns. – The Hindu, June 5.

Congress and BJP are the same and one. While number of MPs and ministers of UPA-II have been sent to jail, the BJP had to remove two chief ministers and all the ministers in Punjab due to corruption charges. They all are drowned in the mire of corruption as it is one of the bye-products of the policies of neo-liberalism to which they are committed.

employment and allocation of funds for development.

Faizee also explained the party’s stand on the report of three interlocutors on Kashmir and asserted that CPI has been pleading from the beginning for regional autonomy to the three regions of the state within the framework of greater autonomy to Jammu and Kashmir. He said concrete measures and packages need to be implemented honestly for the development of all the three regions and there should be no discrimination in the matter of

Syed Azeez Pasha, former member of Rajya Sabha and member of National executive of the CPI, speaking as chief guest to the session surveyed the national and international situation. He particularly referred to his recent visit to Syria and observed that the imperialists are out to throttle the Arab spring. They intervened in Libya to install a puppet regime and control petrol fields, they are out to do the same in Syria. Reactionary Arab regimes, particularly

He congratulated the organizing committee of Jammu region for taking concrete initiatives to reorganize the CPI branches in the region. He said that without launching the result-oriented struggles at grass-root level, the pledge of building a strong CPI that would play its due role in national politics could not be fulfilled.

take his blessings. I feel proud that I took Ramdev Baba’s blessings. It is our culture. Those who don’t follow this culture may behave differently,” Gadkari said. – The Indian Express, June 5. *** The J&K State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) has received a petition asking it to

*** Nitin Gadkari bent to touch the Baba’s feet as he arrived to meet the BJP chief. “Our culture tells us that when a man wearing saffron clothes visits you, you

Pasha also referred to his efforts to materialize the government programme for development of minorities. The delegate session held in the afternoon was presided over by a presidium consisting of N.K. Dogra, Amarjeet Singh and Om Parkash. This session was addressed by state council Secretary Kanwal Dev. On the report presented by the convener of organizing committee, Dr. G.S. Charak, about a dozen delegates took part in the discussion. The conference passed several resolutions including one supporting the struggle of state government employees as well as demand of social security to unorganized workers. Later the conference elected a 19 member Regional Council that later elected a five members executive committee. On Page 14

Kupwara and Bandipora districts of North Kashmir. The APDP claims over 8,000 people have been subjected to ‘enforced disappearance’ - when a person is secretly imprisoned or killed by the state or an organisation but the organisation does not admit to the act, thereby denying the victim the protection of law - in J&K.– Mail Today, June 4. ***

*** Differences have cropped up once again in the BJP with posters supporting Sanjay Joshi displayed across some parts of Ahmedabad, against whom Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi has expressed his displeasure. The hoardings do not name the chief minister but mention Joshi’s detractors. – The Times of India, June 5.

the monarchs are playing the role of stooges of imperialism.

reinvestigate 2,683 FIRs regarding unmarked graves. The Association of Parents of Disappeared Peoples (APDP), a human rights group which filed the petition, said in a statement: ‘We have received 2,683 FIRs from the Baramulla, New Age Weekly

Union Rural Development Minister Jairam Ramesh has pointed out inherent flaws in the UPA’s flagship National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (NREGS) and hinted at a re-look. He said: “Kitna mazdoori aap karoge? Kitna gaddha khodoge? Kitne talaab ka punarnirman karoge? Kitna vriksharopan karoge? To ek seema bhi hoti hai na (How much work will you do? How many ditches will you dig? How many ponds will you rebuild? How much forestation will you do? There has to be a limit). We will have to see in one-two years whether 100 days (of work) will continue.” Ramesh conceded that merely 8 per cent of the households in the country got 100 days of employment or more. – The Indian Express, June 4. Compiled By— C. Adhikesavan

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Delhi Postal Regd. No.DL(C)-01/1274/2012-14 June 10—16, 2012 Licenced to Post without Pre-payment No.U-(C)/47/2012-14 (R.N.I.No.539/57)Posted in NDPSO, Friday&Saturday Published on Every Friday

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June 10—16, 2012

First Krisan Mohila Convention in Assam

AIKS state secretary Drupad Borgohain addressing the gathering SIVASAGAR: For the first time Krisan Mohila convention was held on May 27, 2012 at Sivasagar in Upper Assam under Assam state council of All India Kisan Sabha. In the inaugural meeting, chaired by president of Sivasagar district council of the AIKS Amulya Buragohain and held at Milan Mandir, Sivasagar, thousands of Kisan Mohilas took part. Before the session started, the AIKS red flag of the AIKS was hoisted by secretary of Assam state

From Dharma Boruah council of the AIKS Drupad Borgohain, and Amulya Buragohain offered floral tributes in memories of the departed workers. Secretary of Sivasagar district council of AIKS Modan Boruah explained the objectives of the Krisan Mohila convention. Explaining the main issues of the convention, he said that the need of the hour of Krisan Mohila

are to organise militant mass struggles basing on genuine demands and other grievances faced by them. Drupad Borgohain, while addressing the gathering, said that people in the state are getting deprived of the benefits from all government schemes due to narrow partisan policy of the ruling party at the time of the implemention of the schemes, which is condemnable. Borgohain also criticised the On Page 14

An Opportunity Lost

T

he much touted CWC meet on June 4, 2012 turned a ‘tame affair’ as it could not provide an answer to the party’s leadership or the workers- how to challenge the onslaught of the opposition, when in some states assembly elections are due within months and the parliamentary polls are not far off, which are due in 2014. The chairperson of the UPA hardly provide the ruling party, the much needed oxygen for the survival of the grand old party, under tremendous pressure of a falling economy, an unending spate of scandals, uncontrolled rising prices, unemployment, farmers suicides, tons of rotting food grains and increasing poverty amongst half of the nation. This harsh reality could not be wished away. However the adopted policy is still to ignore and ask the followers to fight the adverse public perception. To sooth the feelings of the party leaders complaining against the ministers and other high ranking functionaries, the Congress

S. K. Mittal chairperson defended the prime minister against the charges and canards spread by the team Anna. However, she miserably failed to chalk out a road map to boost the image of the government and Congress party for the hard and turbulent days ahead. Attended by 98 senior party functionaries and chaired by Sonia herself, the day-long meet ended without giving a sound warning to the trouble making allies, knowing well that the ever demanding allies need the UPA flagship for their survival more than the Congress. The NCP is in deep trouble over the purchase of 111 aircrafts by the then aviation minister Prafull Patel, who treated the Air India as his fiefdom and much of the troubles of the airline is his creation, charges are being made that crores were swindeled. Sharad Pawar has suddenly found virtues in

Baba Ramdev, who is all out to humiliate the rulers and has been openly aligning himself with the BJP. Nitin Gadkari touched the feet of Ramdev in an open show of a shameless behaviour , forgetting that he was the president of the main opposition party of the country. There was wide criticism within the party over his move. The Baba who boasts of an empire, with no source of income is still a secret. The BJP talks of corruption, but its president has no shame in touching the feet of a man who talks of fighting against the black money, and yet has failed to reveal his own source of income to date. There is no one in the principal opposition party, who can challenge the rulers of the day. Anna Hazare should ponder whether his war against corruption is gradually going into wrong hands destroying the very secular fabric of Indian society.

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