In this Issue
The UPA Budgets: Public Funding of Private Investment
All through the capitalist world, state intervention in economic affairs is back in a big way in the wake of the global economic meltdown. Almost all developed capitalist countries have gone in for major increases in public expenditure, stricter regulation of the market economy, the financial sector in particular, and preferential measures for the domestic industry and work force. The budgets presented by the UPA government, neither the interim February version nor the fuller July edition, do not reflect any such shift in the economic thinking or practice of the ruling establishment. Attracting more and more FDI and promoting PPP (public-private partnership, the emerging pattern of privatization) remain the exclusive mantras for the Manmohan Singh government.
Predictably enough, the government has tried its level best to hide the real thrust of its policies behind the rhetorical mask of ‘inclusive growth’ and ‘aam aadmi’. But the hypocrisy is quite obvious. The budget promises a National Food Security Act under which BPL families will be entitled every month to 25 kg rice or wheat at Rs. 3 per kg. This is way short of the rural poor’s demand for a monthly provision of 50 kg rice or wheat at Rs. 2 per kg. In fact, even the existing Antyodaya scheme provides 35 kg per family at Rs. 2 a kg. On the NREGA front, the Finance Minister claims that the present allocation of Rs. 39,100 crore marks an increase of 144% over the 2008-09 budget estimates. But compared to the revised estimates of 2008-09, the increase is only of the order of Rs. 2350 crore (an increase of only 6.5%) and will hardly be enough to ensure the promised minimum wage of Rs. 100 per day to all rural job seekers! And of course, there is still no word about any employment guarantee act for the urban unemployed.
Indeed, the actual increase in allocation in several widely publicized schemes is absolutely negligible when compared to the revised estimates of 2008-09. Sectors like elementary education, ICDS, Rural Health Mission have got only about Rs. 2300 crore more than what was spent last year. Remarkably enough, the combined increase in all the afore-mentioned sectors is less than the incremental rise in police budget (Rs. 4679 crore). Indeed, the increase in non-plan expenditure is almost exclusively propelled by increases in the three items of debt servicing, defence and police budget. The increase in latter items is approximately of the order of Rs. 64,500 crore, nearly 85% of the total increase (Rs. 77,693 crore) in non-plan expenditure.
Talking of the rapid changes in the structure of India’s economy, the Finance Minister has highlighted the role of external trade and capital flows and the burgeoning service sector. This GDP-centric view of the Indian economy always ignores the actual social or human profile of the economy where 92 per cent of the work force remains engaged in the unorganized sector, agriculture in particular. These are the sectors and people who have been bearing the brunt of the economic crisis, but the stimulus packages of the government have scrupulously bypassed these sectors focusing all attention on private investment and high-income consumers.
The Finance Minister has proposed to introduce generous public funding of private investment in infrastructure sector (called ‘takeout financing’, such funding by the India Infrastructure Finance Company Limited (IIFCL) will support PPPs in projects worth Rs. 100,000 crore) while handing out significant tax rebates to the high-income group (through measures like abolition of 10% surcharge on income tax and the doubling of wealth tax threshold level from Rs. 15,00,000 to Rs. 30,00,000). The total estimate of tax revenue forgone in 2008-09 is a whopping Rs. 4.18 lakh crore, and now corporate political funding has also been made tax-free!
Aware of the overwhelming opposition to privatization in key sectors like banking and railways, the UPA government is increasingly exploring the PPP route to promote backdoor privatization. This year’s railway budget is a clear case in point. The real highlight of Mamata Banerjee’s railway budget is not so much her refutation of her predecessor’s pompous claims regarding the financial situation of the railways (contrary to Lalu Prasad’s loud claim of the railways sitting on a massive surplus of Rs. 100,000 crore, Mamata Banerjee actually put the surplus at a mere Rs. 8700 crore) as her open invitation to private capital to explore the Indian Railways whether by way of building the so-called ‘world class stations’ or managing freight terminals or making commercial use of the lucrative real estate held by the ministry of railways!
The corporate sector of course claims to be disappointed. The Bombay Share Index that had greeted the poll outcome with a stunning single-day rise of nearly 2000 points responded to the budget with a steep fall of more than 800 points. This feigning of corporate displeasure in fact helps the UPA play up its aam aadmi image even as the government silently enforces the whole gamut of pro-corporate policies. For example, while the pre-budget Economic Survey recommended an annual sale of PSU shares worth Rs. 25,000 crore, the Finance Minister has not made any explicit projection in this regard even though 49% of all PSU shares are now up for grabs as a matter of policy. This is the crucial lesson the Congress seems to have learned from the BJP – while the latter had started getting soaked in the wild exuberance of the share market, the Congress administers its business in measured doses and often in deliberate deceptive silence.
Tailpiece: In its second innings, the UPA has ruled out the need for another common minimum programme. Well, Mr. Chidmabaram and Mr. Mukherjee have made it clear why the UPA does not need another CMP. It already has one in action – UAPA to discipline the people and PPP to manage the recession-hit economy!
TN : Protest Against Petrol Price Hike
In Chennai, a demonstration was held against petrol price hike on 2nd July, the day it was announced. On short notice, dozens of workers participated in the demonstration. Com Devaki, Area Committee Member led the demonstration. Comrades Palanivel, Munusami and Mohan, all City Committee Members, addressed the gathering.
In Kanyakumari also a demonstration was held on July 3rd. The demonstrators pulled a car in a bullock cart and raised slogans against the price hike. Com. Anthony Muthu, SCM of the Party led the demonstration.
AIPWA Demands statutory wages for NREGA work
In Villupuram in Tamil Nadu, AIPWA held a demonstration on 6 July, against denial of statutory wages of Rs.80 for NREGA work. Dozens of women gathered before the Collector’s office and demanded Rs.80 in wages with retrospective effect, i.e. for the work already done by them under NREGA. Com. Anjugam, AIPWA Dist President led the demonstration. Com. Venkatesan, Party’s Dist Secretary, Com. Thenmozhi, State organizer of AIPWA, addressed the gathering. After the demonstration, a memorandum was submitted to the Collector who promised to look into the issue immediately and also ordered an investigation in to the malpractices in NREGA and other welfare schemes of the TN govt.
5 Cent Land for the
Unorganized Workers
In Kanyakumari, Party organized a demonstration on 6th July, in which over 300 women and 50 men participated. The demonstration demanded 5-cent house site patta for the unorganized workers, 2-acre land for the rural poor and basic amenities in Kallukootam panchayat. Com. Anthony Muthu, SCM of the Party led the demonstration.
AIPWA’s Dharna in Lucknow
On the opening day of the Parliament's budget session (July 2), the UP unit of AIPWA staged a day long dharna in front of the State Assembly in Lucknow and demanded the long pending women's reservation bill be passed immediately and in its original form. The dharna was led by Com. Vidya Rajwar, President, UP unit. Com. Krishna Adhikari, Central Committee member of CPI(ML), also spoke on the occasion. About a hundred AIPWA activists hailing from various districts of UP took part in the agitation.
Agitation and Movement in Chakradharpur
Dumkada village in West Singhbhum district in Jharkhand is situated on a hill 20-25 km from Chakradharpur. It is inhabited mostly by tribal people who have been facing severe problems of drinking water, roads and tree plantation on arable land. The villagers approached CPI(ML) leader Com. Bahadur Oraon – though they had supported Madhu Koda in the last election - and expressed their readiness for agitation under our Party’s guidance for resolution of their troubles.
On 26 and 27 June, a two-day dharna was held at Chakradharpur and the national highway was blocked for half an hour at the end of the dharna. All this compelled the Police officials to announce their visit of the village on 28 June to assess the issues. However, when no-one turned up some of the villagers led by Com. Bahadur Oraon went to meet the Dist. Magistrate at Chaibasa and upon his unavailability left a message for him that the NH-75 connecting Ranchi to Chakradharpur will be blocked on 2nd July if the issues are not looked into immediately.
There was no official urgency shown in solving these issues and hence the NH was blocked on 2nd July since morning. There were lots of women in the 500 strong blockade who confronted the officials with their arguments when they finally arrived. At last the officials ordered for water tankers, surveyed the jungle and agreed for providing two hand pumps and laying of roads, the tree plantation on arable land was ordered stop immediately. The blockade was lifted only when a written agreement was made and warning was given that agitation would be relaunched if the agreements were not implemented and respected. Comrades Bahadur Oraon, Wahlen Mundu, Shanti Purti, Jena Mundu, Andaresh Mundu, Michael Munda, Jena Hansa, Om Prakash, Dibru Dongo Lakhan Ho and others were important in the success of this movement which has generated enthusiasm and confidence among the tribal villagers.
AIPWA NEC Meeting Held at Vijaywada
A meeting of the National Executive (NEC) of the All India Progressive Women’s Association (AIPWA) was held on July 5-6 at Vijaywada, presided over by AIPWA National President Srilata Swaminathan, and conducted by its General Secretary Meena Tiwary. The meeting deliberated on the situation facing women after the recent Lok Sabha elections. The meeting took strong note of the hike in prices of fuel, which will increase the already heavy burden of prices of essential commodities and will hit women hardest. The AIPWA NEC also observed that the Budget fails to include any concrete allocations for women. The NEC has called for a nation-wide protest against price rise on 8, 9 and 10 July. The NEC also condemned the state repression in Lalgarh, unleashed jointly by the West Bengal and the Central Government. It observed that the people’s movement in Lalgarh began with police atrocities against 11 adivasi women – and the West Bengal Govt., instead of meeting the democratic demand of punishing the guilty police officials and making an apology, has unleashed a brutal crackdown. Women and children are the worst sufferers of disease and hunger in the refugee camps. The NEC demanded that the repression be stopped, the dignified return of villagers to their villages be ensured and the demands of the People’s Committee against Police Atrocities be met.
The AIPWA NEC expressed deep concern on the situation of Tamils in Sri Lanka and especially the condition of women and children living in the refugee camps which continues to be highly vulnerable. It has expressed serious concern on the Indian Govt’s intent of sending the refugees - mostly women - back to Sri Lanka where the situation continues to be hostile for the Tamils and more for the women and their children. It is well known that the women subjected to displaced life in a war-torn zone are routinely victimized, there is hardly any justice for them and escape from victimization is achieved at the cost of their life.
Hailing the courageous struggle of the poor women alongside poor rural men in Punjab to get their fundamental right to housing, AIPWA condemned the Badal Govt of Punjab for mindlessly jailing the women, children and men along with AIPWA leader Comrade Jasbir Nat, and demanded justice and fulfillment of the demands of the rural poor.
The AIPWA also expressed support for the ongoing struggle of the Kashmiri people for justice in the Shopian rape and murder case, and against the army presence and AFSPA in Kashmir.
The AIPWA observed that after President Pratibha Patil’s speech promising the passing of 33% women’s reservation bill within the Govt.’s first 100 days, followed by shrill cries by the anti-reservationists, the Congress has clearly retreated, saying the Bill will not be tabled in the Budget session. In protest against this delay, yet again, of the Women’s Bill, the AIPWA will hold a March to Parliament on August 3 demanding the Bill be tabled and put to vote without further delay.
The AIPWA noted that while many governments are making tall claims of welfare schemes for women, there is a glaring neglect of basic rights of women. For instance, while many state governments promote liquor out of revenue considerations, and liquor flows freely in rural India, the same cannot be said of drinking water. And basic healthcare – especially for women – is completely lacking in rural India; most panchayats may not even have any health centre, and those that exist have no amenities for women. As a result, maternal mortalities are high, and women suffer from chronic illnesses. Further, women are denied the right to work and equal wages at work. The NEC called for nation-wide protests at Block HQs on September 2, demanding a health-centre equipped with women doctors and facilities for women’s healthcare in every panchayat; against the liquor-promotion policies of the govts., work and equal wages for women and housing for rural and urban poor women.
The NEC also welcomed the Delhi HC verdict deeming the criminalization of homosexuals under Section 377 to be a violation of fundamental rights enshrined in the Constitution, and supported the demand that the UPA Govt take speedy steps to amend Section 377 to bring it in line with the verdict.
AIPWA Convention against Violence on Women in Vijaywada
The AIPWA’s Andhra Pradesh unit held a Convention against Increasing Violence on Women at Vijaywada on July 7. The Convention, attended by women from many districts of AP, was held in the backdrop of a disturbing increase in incidents of rape, murder, acid-throwing, etc in AP, and specifically in Vijaywada.
The Convention was presided over and conducted by AIPWA State Secretary R Nagamani. At the outset, Comrade Nagamani from East Godavari along with Ratnakumari, Amala and others, sang rousing songs calling for women to revolt for freedom.
AIPWA National President Srilata Swaminathan, addressing the Convention, noted that the National Crime records Bureau (NCRB) report of 2007-2008, found AP to have the worst record of violence of women in the whole of India. Further, Hyderabad, the AP state capital, was the second among cities (following the national capital of Delhi) in crimes against women. This state of affairs in a Congress-ruled state exposes the Congress’ tall claims of empowering women. Even worse, the YSR Govt of AP has been protecting a Congress Minister’s grandson accused in a rape and murder case, and the AP Women’s Commission has no Chairperson since 2007, when the then Chairperson was caught on camera asking a bribe from a woman victim.
The Convention was also addressed by AIPWA National Secretary Kavita Krishnan, who stressed that the struggle against violence on women is not simply a matter of increased ‘security’ and more policing, it is inseparable from the struggle for equality and freedom for women. She noted that while the Sangh Parivar in BJP-ruled states has run amok attacking women’s freedoms in the name of ‘culture,’ the Congress too has often taken a leaf out of the Sangh book on gender. The latest shocking instance is the Congress-NCP Maharashtra Government’s decision to institute a high-level ‘enquiry’ into marriages of Hindu women with Muslim boys – a move that is not only communal but also deeply anti-women.
The meeting was also addressed by AIPWA State VPs Gayathri and Ratnakumari, as well as State Committee member Parvati. CPI(ML)’s Krishna District Secretary Comrade Harinath and State Secretary Comrade N Murthy also expressed solidarity with the women’s movement for justice and equality.
The meeting was concluded by AIPWA State President T Aruna, who called for AP AIPWA to observe the National Protest Day called on September 2 by the AIPWA NEC, with a special focus on demanding action on violence against women.
Mazdoor Adhikar Sammelan at Bhilai
AICCTU held a Workers’ Rights Conference at Bhilai on July 2. The Convention began by paying homage to the martyrs of the workers’ movement, especially the 17 workers of the Chhattisgarh Mukti morcha (CMM) who were killed in police firing on 1 July 1992 at Power House Station.
The Conference was inaugurated by Comrade Rajaram, in-charge of CPI(ML) in Chhattisgarh, who commented on the flagrant violation of labour laws in Chhattisgarh, the assault on workers’ rights and the state repression and corporate land grab in the name of Salwa Judum and the state’s draconian anti-terror law.
Comrade Brijendra Tiwari placed the position paper of the Conference. The Conference was addressed by Comrade Shyamlal Sahu, AICCTU leader of Bhilai, Comrade AG Qureshi, Deputy Secretary of the CMM, Gopaldhar Yaday, CPI(ML) leader from Bastar, JP Nayar, organizer of safai-workers’ movement in Bhilai, Savitri, herself a cleaning-worker and activist, and Kavita Krishnan, National Secretary, AIPWA. Comrade Bhimrao Bagade, President of the CMM, addressed the Conference, calling for a revival of workers’ movement in the state. AICCTU General Secretary Comrade Swapan Mukherjee, who was the chief guest, recalled that when unorganized mine workers were martyred on 1 July 1992, the Bhilai Steel Plant had failed historically to strike in solidarity with workers against the massacre, because the Union leadership of the Plant had seen the interests of secure public sector workers as divorced from those of the unorganized contract workers in the private sector. Today, he said, 40% of workers in BSP are contract workers. He called to make Durg the centre of a united movement of organised and unorganized-sector workers in the state. He exhorted AICCTU to raise the demand for Power House Station to be called Shahid Shankar Guha Niyogi Station and for a memorial to be constructed in memory of the 17 martyred workers. It was also decided to organise a massive workers rally in Raipur on 28th September – Shahadat (martyrdom) day of Shankar Guha Niyogi. In the end the Conference elected a 23-member committee with Comrades Bhimrao Bagade and Brijendra Tiwari as President and General Secretary respectively. About 300 workers and leaders participated and in the conference.
Earlier, on July 1, the day when 17 workers were killed in police firing in 1992, a rally cum mass meeting attended by 500 people was held at ACC Chowk in Bhilai. The event was organised by CMM and it was addressed by Comrades Swapan Mukherjee, Brijendra Tiwari among others. A mass meeting was also held at the Bhoriya Gate on the morning of July 2.
AICCTU’s Dharna in Bhilai
300 workers of the AICCTU affiliated Centre of Steel Workers (CSW) held a day-long dharna on 10th June demanding resolution of various problems being faced by steel plant workers and contract labourers. CSW also handed over memorandums to the Managing Director of the Plant and ED Works of HSCL.
The wage agreement in SAIL is pending since January 2007 leading to deep wrath and dissatisfaction among workers. Most of the housing and roads are in dilapidated condition forcing a climate of fear among worker families. Tattered sewerage lines is damaging the health of workers. The workers are losing 2-2.5 thousand rupees per month due to halting of the practice of daily rewards for qualitative and quantitative work. Over and above the workers have been burdened with extra work-load through multi-grading and in the name of multi-skill.
The memorandum highlights the painful condition of contract workers mentioning the fact that despite their equal participation in the production of steel plant they are not even getting the statutory minimum wage fixed by the Chhatishgarh Govt, whereas they should be getting the minimum wage stipulated by SAIL. The senseless contractors expel workers on slightest of dissent regarding wages. Essential safety tools are also not provided to these workers by their contractors. The CSW has demanded immediate resolution of all the above mentioned issues and termination of the contractual system.
The dharna was addressed by AICCTU’s national secretary Brijendra Tiwari, State VP Jay Prakash Nayar, Secretary Shyam Lal Sahu among other TU leaders.
Successful 15th Conference of CGHS Employees, Will Sharpen their Struggle
The 15th national conference of the All India CGHS Employees Association was held successfully on 24-27 June, 2009, at Nagpur. The Conference was inaugurated by AICCTU’s GS Com. Swapan Mukherjee. The open session was addressed by AIPWA’s Secretary Com. Kavita Krishnan, Com. Das–Secretary of Coordination Committee, Nagpur– and the Association’s National President Com. Ram Kishan.
Delegates from 20 branches across India participated in the Conference. Main issues discussed were the deteriorating health and medical services due to the Government’s policies and the State repression on the movement of health workers in January-February. The Conference declared that expulsion of four employees and invoking of ESMA on its two leaders and jailing them is an attack on the Organisation and helath workers will not take it lying down.
The Conference resolved to launch a movement and various decision were taken including a nation-wide mobilization culminating in a huge demonstration in front of the Parliament on 7th August if the Govt. does not roll back its offensive on health and health employees. In the end a nine-member committee was elected unanimously for next two years. Comrades Jaydev and VN Mishra were elected President and General Secretary respectively.
Money spent on social welfare by some prominent countries (figures in percentage of their GDP). Note that India is bottommost in the list (source: UNRISD, OECD; CAG 2005 report for India) –
Sweden (28.9), Germany (27.4), Britain (21.8), Japan (18.6), USA (14.8), Brazil (12.2), Russia (10.4), Senegal (4.3), Bangladesh (3.8), China (3.6) and India (1.1)
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