In this Issue
UPA’s Last Budget –
No Relief for Indian Poor Ravaged by Economic Crisis,
Bailout for Global Arms Industry
The interim budget presented by the Finance Minister – the last in the tenure of the UPA Government – displays a total unconcern for those ravaged by the global economic crisis. There is no indication of any measures to bring relief to those lakhs of people who have lost and are fast losing their jobs in various sectors – like textiles, garments, gemstones, jewellery etc... No announcement of an effective and adequate stimulus package was made. No concrete promise was made of increased public spending in various crisis-ridden sectors of the Indian economy and society.
Even the much-touted increase in allocation for “flagship” schemes like NREGA is also an eyewash. Actually, the Plan allocation for the current fiscal is Rs. 30,000 crore – revised from the previously declared allocation of Rs. 16,000 crore. This reflects only what the Government has already spent on NREGA: which is far below the actual needs of the scheme. The Plan allocation for the next fiscal year 2009-10 is just Rs. 30,100 crore, a tiny and far from adequate increase indeed. Further, while the total revised allocation for the Rural Development Ministry for the current fiscal is Rs. 64,854 crore, for the year 2009-10 the allocation has actually been slashed by 14.93%.
Pranab Mukherjee’s excuse is that the Government has “no mandate,” in its fag end, to introduce any far-reaching measures. This fact, however, did not stop the UPA Government just prior to the Budget session from bypassing Parliament to introduce new investment norms that virtually throw open the entire economy to FDI. According to these changed norms, FDI caps stand nullified, since investments by companies “owned or controlled” by Indians having substantial foreign capital are excluded. Even as legislation is pending in Parliament to raise the FDI cap in insurance, and working-class protests have prevented caps from being raised further in various other sectors, this piece of subterfuge allows FDI and foreign players to take control of sensitive sectors of the Indian economy via the backdoor. The very same forces responsible for the global economic crisis are being allowed to rampage into India unchecked.
The pretext of “no mandate” has not caused the UPA Government to have any hesitation in introducing a massive hike in defence allocations – a whopping Rs 1,41,703 crore, representing a 34% increase from last year. This, when the Government was unable to utilise Rs. 7000 crore from last year’s allocation. Last year itself, the country’s defence budget shot past Rs 1 lakh crore for the first time, three times more than the expenditure on health and education. This time, the Mumbai terror attacks have provided the pretext for yet another steep hike in defence spending.
The Defence Ministry has “assured” the arms industry at the recently held arms expo near Bangalore that defence spending is “recession proof.” At the expo, it was Israeli and US arms manufacturers who dominated the show. In the past decade, India has emerged as Israel’s largest client and also the largest arms importer among the developing countries. In effect, at a time of recession, the UPA Government with its hiked defence budget has chosen to bailout the global arms industry rather than the Indian poor.
The Interim Rail Budget too is nothing but populist eyewash. The Rail Minister claims to have reduced fares – but was silent on the pre-budget hike in freight charges on agricultural commodities, iron ore and steel. This measure will inevitably further hike the price of essential commodities and is yet another burden on the shoulders of the recession-hit aam aadmi. Also, the very day the Interim Rail Budget was presented, there was a major accident on the Coromandel Express in Orissa, followed by another in Bihar the very next day. These accidents point to the total neglect of public spending on rail safety, something the Rail Minister’s boasts cannot explain away.
In a budget speech that shamelessly doubled as election propaganda for the Congress party, Pranab Mukherjee ended with the claim that “our people will surely recognise the hand… that alone can help our nation on the road to peace and prosperity”. We can well say that the people of India in the impending elections will surely recognise the hand that gave succour to the imperialist US when its credibility was lowest and dragged the Indian people deeper into the abyss of the global recession.
Stop the War in Sri Lanka : CPI(ML) Protests outside Parliament
Protests in Tamil Nadu & Puducherry asking Indian Govt to Pressurize the Rajapakse Govt. to stop anti-Tamil war and to start political process for a democratic resolution
The Delhi State Committee of the Party held a demonstration outside the Parliament in New Delhi on 16 February in protest against the ongoing war on the Tamils in Sri Lanka. Protestors raised slogans and displayed placards - "Stop the War! Demand a Political Solution to the Tamil National Question in Sri Lanka," "Sri Lankan Govt. Stop Killing Civilians!", and "Indian Government, Act to Stop the War". Protestors included workers from Delhi, students from the capital’s universities and professionals.
Addressing the protest meeting following the demonstration, CPI(ML) Delhi State Secretary Com. Sanjay Sharma said that the war in Sri Lanka and the massacre of civilians must end and Sri Lankan Government must understand that there can be no military solution to the Tamil national question. The question of national self-determination of the Sri Lankan Tamils is a political question and demands a political solution. Even a military victory against the LTTE can never successfully resolve this question. Com. Kavita Krishnan, Central Committee member of the CPI(ML), said that the Sri Lankan government’s ongoing military campaign has resulted in a humanitarian crisis in the country by claiming the lives of thousands of civilians and some 500,000 people are estimated to have been displaced and rendered homeless in their own land. In this ‘war without witnesses,’ the Sri Lankan Government is blocking any scrutiny of conditions in the refugee camps by media and impartial observers, and appears to be preparing to keep the war refugees in virtual detention centres. She demanded that the Indian Government take urgent bilateral and multilateral initiative to stop the ongoing civil war in Sri Lanka, bring about an immediate cease-fire and ensure relief and rehabilitation measures for the displaced Tamil people in the battle zones. Other comrades from the Party and mass organisations addressed the protest meeting as well. Tamil students from Jawaharlal Nehru University and Delhi University also participated in the demonstration and addressed the gathering.
Co- inciding with the Delhi demonstration, all over Tamil Nadu & Puduchery the CPI(ML) activists came out on streets demanding the Manmohan-led UPA Govt. to stop all military aids to Srilanka and pressurize the Rajapakse Govt. to stop the war massacring the Tamil minorities in Srilanka immediately and start a political process for a democratic resolution. Condemning the Congress led UPA govt for its lack of political will to prevail over the chauvinistic Sri Lankan govt and exposing the DMK Govt's Tamil’s saviour garb Party activists held a day-long protest demonstration through out the state. Starting from Kanyakumari to Chennai, Sirkazhi (Nagappattinam dist.) to Coimbatore, Party and mass organizations leaders & activists assembled on the streets. Polit Bureau member Com. S. Kumarasamy participated in Pudukottai demonstration. Com. Balasundaram, State Secretary of the party took part in Ulundurpet (Villupuram Dist.). Apart from these, demonstrations were held in Salem, Kumarapalayam, Kattu Mannar Koil (Cuddalore dist.) and Tirunelveli. In Puduchery Balasubrmanian, State secretary of Puduchery and Balasundaram, State secretary of Tamil Nadu, led the demonstration. Also on February 4th, CPI(ML) State units of Tamil Nadu and Puduchery observed state-wide general strike on the same issue. Party cadres were arrested in Villupuram Dist. for enforcing the strike call.
AIPWA Dharna in Hyderabad
On the eve of its foundation anniversary, the All India Progressive Women’s Association (AIPWA) held a dharna on 12th February at Indira Park in Hyderabad. The four hundred women participating in the dharna shouted slogans against the Rajasekhar Reddy Govt. during whose regime the incidents of violence against women has seen new highs and all this has largely gone unpunished. They also condemned his Govt.’s failure in sticking to its own promises of phasewise prohibition of liquor and non-introduction of women’s reservation bill. AIPWA State President and Secretary Comrades T. Aruna and R. Nagmani resepectively addressed the dharna and later led the rally.
Red Flag Hoisted on Satyam's Lands
Prapurna Estate, an agricultural firm, is a benami company of Satyam computers located in Kondaparva village of Vissannapeta mandal in Krishna dist. Prapurna Estate holds about 375 acres of land out which 232 acres was purchased from small peasants. 44 acres was purchased illegally from poor Dalits who were assigned their piece of land by the State govt. Moreover hundred acres of revenue bungar lands has been illegally captured by this firm and applied to the government for leasing of the same to develop medicinal plants farm which however was rejected by the Dist. Collector a year back.
As soon as Satyam’s scandal and thousands of acres of land grab by its sister concern Maytas Infra was uncovered our Party in Krishna dist. responded timely to bring the scamster and its fraudulent practices to justice. After having conducted our own investigation with regard to the above mentioned land, CPI(ML) Liberation and All India Agricultural Labourers’ Association (AIALA) unit of Andhra Pradesh decided to mobilised masses of six villages to seize the lands in control of Satyam. On February 13th hundreds of people from Vissannapeta, Kondaparva, Jannardhanavaram and Chatrai village marched to the lands held by Satyam carrying red flags and entered into the Parpurna Estates. Intially the employees of Prapurna Estate tried to put up resistance but were soon overwhelmed by the militant mood of the masses entering with slogan shouting. Police was called in by them and even though police came to chase away the people it could do nothing but only said that these lands are legally purchased by some person of west Godavari dist. to develop as agricultural farm. Revenue officials also said to the press that these lands are legally purchased lands but not owned in anyway by Satyam. Even though no arrests have taken place so far but the police is supporting the Prapurna Eestate. This land struggle has brought in focus in Andhra Pradesh the gradual concentration of land in the hands of corporates even by fraudulent means and the people’s struggle to free the land from their clutches. This struggle has also attracted state-wide media attention which covered this struggle with due importance.
Rally and Dharna at HPHalli, Davanagere
CPIML and AIALA organized a Warning rally and dharna on 16 Feb. at Harapanahalli, Davanagere district, demanding allotment of work to rural agricultural labourers, allotment of houses under Ashraya Mane and to get rid of nepotism in favour of ruling Partymen and the compulsory recommendation of MLA for allotment of houses. The rally started from taluk office and culminated at taluk panchayat office. The activists erected tent for dharna until the demands are fulfilled. On the first day, the rally was attended by hundreds of people and the second day also considerable number of people participated in the Dharna. Significantly, women participated in large numbers on the second day. The rally was led by com. Parasuram, taluk secretary and the Dharna was addressed by E.Ramappa, State secretary of the Party in Karnataka, O.Kotresh, GS of AIALA, Basavaraj and Chowrappa, members of DLT of Davanagere, Hampakka, VP of AIPWA, Devekka, JS of AIPWA, KMPrasad, secretary of AISA among others. Com. Ramappa condemned the anti-poor budget presented by the BJP government and also demanded ban on Sanghi terrorist outfits like Sri Rama Sene and Bajrang Dal. The protestors forced the taluk administration to come to the dharna spot and the EO of the administration assured activists of allotting work within few days. Protestors warned the administration of re-launching the struggle, if demands are not fulfilled within stipulated time frame. Our protest followed the visit of the CM Yeddyurappa to the town and a delegation led by E. Ramappa submitted a memorandum.
AIPWA’s 1st Rajasthan State Conference
The All India Progressive Women’s Association (AIPWA) successfully held its first State Conference in Rajasthan. It was held on its foundation day 12th February in Udaipur in which 350 delegates from ten districts of the State were present. Com. Meena Tiwari, AIPWA’s General Secretary was the main speaker at the Conference. Pointing to the persistent anti-women crime in Rajasthan and elsewhere like killing women by accusing them as witch, sati, aborting the girl child etc. she said that the feudal-patriarchal forces are deep rooted and very much entrenched in society. Despite Govt’s boasts of women’s empowerment truth is that women continue to face all types of gender, religious, casteist, cultural and social discrimination. Com. Srilata Swaminathan, President of AIPWA also addressed the Conference. Both the leaders stressed the need for united struggle of all women against the feudal-patriarchal forces for a democratic society. Veteran women’s leader from Udaipur Razia Tehsin was felicitated by wrapping around of a shawl. Other speakers included CPI(ML) dist. secretary Com. Chandradeo Ola, Prof. Jainab Bano, Prof. R.N. Vyas, Bhanwari Bai, Amri Bai, Tezki and Karuna. Later as the concluding session a rally was taken out which went to the collectorate and the rallyists submitted a memorandum to the State Govt.
AISA-AIPWA Rebuff Saffron Threat on Valentine’s Day
The Sangh Parivar's Valentine's Day threats received a major blow when hundreds of students of Delhi University, together with teachers from DU and JNU, writers and literary figures, including Rajendra Yadav (editor, Hans), Arundhati Roy (writer) and Rameshwar Rai (Reader, Hindu College) gathered at the DU Arts Faculty on 13th February to celebrate 'Love in our Times.' The event was organized by the All India Students' Association (AISA) and the All India Progressive Women's Association (AIPWA). A small group of saffron goons did come to raise slogans but did not succeed in disrupting the defiant gathering. A two week long campaign in DU colleges had preceded the meet on 13th. Kavita Krishnan, National Secretary, AIPWA, welcomed the huge gathering, saying, "The suicide of a young schoolgirl in Mangalore after humiliation by the saffron terrorists makes us all very angry. We're holding this event because we want to tell every woman, every man – please refuse to be humiliated, take strength from collective protest, and resist the fascists. We will not allow the 'morality police' – be they of the Sri Ram Sene, Bajrang Dal, BJP – or Ashok Gehlot of the Congress, to dictate our morals. We are outraged that the Sene goons who beat up the women in Mangalore are openly issuing threats to couples on Valentine's Day – why has the Yeddyurappa Government taken no action against them? Why is Ashok Gehlot so worried about pubs: why not instead take some action against the rapes and sati-glorification rampant in Rajasthan?"
Following day, 14 February, students of DU, Jamia Millia Islamia, IIMC and JNU under the banner of the All India Students' Association (AISA) and the All India Progressive Women's Association (AIPWA) defied the diktats of the Sangh Parivar moral police and celebrated freedom of expression and women's rights with a march in and around the DU North Campus. Cultural teams of Sangwari and Awaam comprising of Jamia Millia Islamia students sang creative and defiant songs celebrating the "right to live and love in freedom" and performed street plays on this theme.
The students marched to various colleges in the DU campus and also to the Kamla Nagar market area where, in the past, the Sangh Parivar has indulged in vandalism on Valentine's Day. In the crowded Kamla Nagar market they raised slogans, "Love is not a crime, so why fear the Sanghi terrorists?" They demanded a ban on the Sri Ram Sene, Bajrang Dal and all other outfits that attack the freedom of expression and women's choices.
UP Weavers Win Battle for Hike in Wages After 20 Years
Tanda in Ambedkar Nagar in UP is a big centre for weaving work. About 20 thousand weavers operate looms in Tanda but their economic condition is pathetic. Weaving rates have not increased for last 20 years. In the past their have been struggles for hike in rates and wages but each time the capitalists with the help of police and administration suppressed their demands. Recently some courageous youth among them voiced the demand for hike in rates. Initially when CPI(ML) leaders went to extend support for the struggle some agents of capitalists within the front of weavers opposed us saying no political interference was required. Later the weavers seeing no positive outcome coming their way after 4-5 days of strike, invited CPI(ML) leaders to their meeting. A previous struggle of weavers in a different block had already been won in the leadership of our Party which made them to have faith in us and invite us. The demand of the weavers was to increase the old rate one rupee per metre to one rupee fifty paisa per metre. On 10th February a huge meeting participated by 2500 weavers was held and next day about five thousand people in our Party’s leadership and carrying red flags marched to Tehsil and gheraoed it. The Administration and the capitalists were taken by surprise and when the talks began initially they proposed to hike only ten paisa per metre. But ultimately people’s pressure made them to relent further and the new weaving rate was hiked by twenty-five paisa per metre. Though the desired target wa not met, however it is important that such a battle has been waged and won after two decades. The general feeling among the local people in Tanda is that the struggle has been won due to CPI(ML)’s participation. However, without the unity and militancy of the weavers it would not have been possible.
Lay-offs & Low-wages for Others are Necessary During Recession to Maintain Their Deep Pockets
In our country, 77% of the people are living on less than Rs. 20 a day. Contrast this with this list of the 20 highest paid CEOs in India. Yet, it is these corporate fat-cats who get bailouts and subsidies and SEZs from the Govt! Note that this list, apart from the Ambanis and Birlas, includes the likes of the Jindals and AK Agarwal (Vedanta) who are involved in corporate land grab facilitated by govts., at many places in Orissa, Jharkhand and other states. (The name of the CEO and Company is followed by their Salary figure and this in turn is followed by the market cap (MC) of the company.)
(Note: Market capitalisation of the company as on February 16, 2009)
- Mukesh D Ambani, Reliance Industries Ltd., Compensation: Rs.44.02 crore, Reliance market cap: Rs.193076.66 crore (Ranks No 3 in Forbes' list of world's wealthiest CEOs.)
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Kalanithi Maran, Sun TV Network Limited, Rs.32.41 crore, MC: Rs.6914.48 crore
- P R Ramasubrahmaneya Rajha, Madras Cements Limited, Rs.32.40 crore, MC: Rs.774.10 crore
- Anil D Ambani, Reliance Communications, Rs.30.03 crore, MC: Rs.35449.20 crore
- Malvinder Mohan Singh, Ranbaxy Laboratories Limited, Rs.19.58 crore, MC: Rs.8536.22 crore
- Sunil Bharti Mittal, Bharti Airtel Limited, Rs.19.55 crore, MC: Rs.120725.42 crore
- Naveen Jindal , Jindal Steel & Power Limited, Rs.16.93 crore, MC: Rs.15,754.20 crore
- Vivek Kumar Jain, Gujarat Fluorochemicals Limited, Rs.16.87 crore, MC: Rs.708.12 crore
- Sajjan Jindal, JSW Steel Limited, Rs.16.73 crore, MC: Rs.4111.20 crore
- Pawan Kant Munjal, Hero Honda Motors Ltd., Rs.15.73 crore, MC: Rs.18772.80 crore
- Onkar S Kanwar, Apollo Tyres Limited, Rs.15.53 crore, MC: Rs.837.61 crore
- Pankaj Ramanbhai Patel, Cadila Healthcare Limited, Rs.14.43 crore, MC: Rs.3331.54 crore
- Rohtas Goel, Omaxe Limited, Rs.13.43 crore, MC: Rs.821.13 crore
- Murali K Divi, Divis Laboratories Limited, Rs.13.25 crore, MC: Rs.6,104.70 crore
- Ratan Jindal, Jindal Stainless, Rs.12.42 crore, MC: Rs.602.38 crore
- N Srinivasan, India Cements Limited, Rs.12.13 crore
- Kumar Mangalam Birla, Grasim Industries Limited, Rs.11.25 crore, MC: Rs.12411.60 crore
- Kamal K Singh, Rotla India Limited, Rs.10.92 crore, MC: Rs.1493.45 crore
- Mohan Lal Bhartia, Former chairman and managing director, India Glycols Limited, Rs.10.81 crore, MC: Rs.150.52 crore
- A K Agarwal, Vedanta Resources, Rs.10.60 crore, MC: Pound 1874.58 million (not listed in India)
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