Disinvestment Is Plunder - Stop It!

Defying Corporate India's boastful claims of a national consensus over the economic policies of liberalisation, privatisation and globalisation, economic reforms have once again come back on top of the political agenda of the day. Vajpayee's September mission to the UN General Assembly was preceded by an 'innocent' letter from George Fernandes seeking a mid-course review of the NDA government's disinvestment strategy. The government responded by deferring the petroleum sector disinvestment programme for three months. Interestingly, the NK Singh Committee's report recommending a host of measures to attract greater FDI inflow was also released at the same time.

Now on the eve of Vajpayee's forthcoming visit to Europe and China, three ministers of his cabinet held a 'casual' meeting to discuss disinvestment. This was followed by the RSS chief's October 2 address to the intelligentsia in Delhi in which he repeated the standard Sangh shibboleths against the so-called Western model of development. This time around, Vajpayee has promptly responded by reaffirming his government's 'commitment' to the reform process with specific reference to the two areas of disinvestment and foreign investment. To drive the point home he has also asked Mr. Shourie, the 'disinvestment dynamo', to accompany him on his European trip!

Meanwhile, Orissa is witnessing powerful protests against the proposed disinvestment of government holdings in the National Aluminium Company. With its annual production of 2,30,000 tonnes, Nalco is a close second to the A.V. Birla group's Hindalco (2,42,000 tonnes). Sterlite, the group which picked up 51% stake in Balco by paying a pittance of Rs. 550 crore (the CAG has now confirmed that the firm was undervalued by the global advisor, Jardine Flemming, to the tune of at least Rs. 302 crore!), now stands third with a capacity of 1,30,000 tonnes. Nalco, it must be noted, not only has a soaring graph in terms of export, domestic sales and profit - between 1998-99 and 2000-01, exports rose from Rs. 632.17 crore to Rs. 1,314.20 crore, domestic sales from Rs. 874.48 crore to Rs. 1,094.40 crore and gross profit from Rs. 621.35 crore to Rs. 1,137.78 crore -- it also has the best quality ore, its bauxite reserves are the largest in Asia, and its production cost of $ 94.50 a tonne is considerably cheaper than the global average of over $ 100. No wonder, the disinvestment offer of 29.15% stake in such a company -- the government actually plans to bring down its holding from the current level of 87.15% to 26% over a few rounds of disinvestment -- holds great attraction for all aluminium majors including Alcoa of the US and Alcan of Canada. If Nalco is also allowed to be sacrificed like Balco, the entire aluminium industry in India will virtually be privatised.

Disinvestment, however, is just one form of the ongoing economic plunder. Shourie's disinvestment target of Rs. 50,000 crore is comparable in size to the staggering amount of Rs. 58,000 crore that the banks have declared as Non-Performing Assets, loans gobbled up mostly by corporate houses and fly-by-night money-merchants and share-market operators. There is also a third component of loot which is equally glaring: the so-called bailout packages. Since the days of the early 1990s securities scam to the recent UTI crash, successive central governments have diverted public money worth Rs. 30,994 crore to revitalise financial institutions. And now packages worth another Rs. 35,561 crore have been announced to rescue UTI, IFCI and IDBI, which almost equals the amount the Government has earmarked for food, fertiliser and petroleum subsidies.

These are indeed too serious questions to be left to be exploited as fuel and fodder for the internal 'power play' of the NDA government and the Sangh Parivar. The fact that various lobbies within the ruling establishment have chosen disinvestment as the arena for their shadow-boxing clearly demonstrates the potential of the issue to agitate the popular opinion. We must not let the Shouries and Sudarshans hijack this agenda. This is the time when not only trade unions but all Left and democratic forces must step up the campaign against the ongoing neo-liberal offensive. The plunderers must not be allowed to go unpunished.

Countdown to CPI(ML)'s 7th All-India Congress

The seventh all-India congress of the Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) is slated to be held at Vinod Mishra Nagar (Patna) from 25 to 29 November, 2002. This is the first congress of CPI(ML) to be held after the untimely demise of our beloved leader Comrade Vinod Mishra who steered the Party for tough 23 years (1975-98) of its journey, and holding this congress in his honour at the place where he was cremated would be a befitting tribute to him. The preparatory work for this congress had started as early January 2001 when the Central Committee sent a detailed questionnaire to the district committees. On the basis of the inputs from the districts the CC has prepared key chapters of the draft report to be tabled before the congress. Three chapters, viz. 'International Situation and Our Tasks', 'The Developing National Situation and Our basic Orientation and Tasks', and 'Agrarian Crisis and Agrarian Struggles' have already appeared in Liberation (English) and Lokyudh (Hindi). Other eight chapters have also been circulated in Hindi and English, and soon the states will bring them out in vernaculars. These documents are to be discussed by all Party members, sympathisers and even friends who want to make any suggestions for the advancement of Indian revolution. They must send their opinions by 25 October to Party Central Office.

Preparations in Patna to host the congress are in full swing. Not only the venue but the whole Vinod Mishra Nagar is to be decorated. A number of observers and guests including representatives of fraternal parties and organisations from abroad will also participate in the congress.

Murderous Attack on Party Leader in East Champaran

The CPI(ML) East Champaran district committee member and state executive member of Bihar Pradesh Kisan Sabha, Prabhudev Yadav was shot at on 3 Oct. at Kohbarba village in Ramgarhwa block of the district by the criminals hired by the feudals of the area against whom the Party and BPKS have launched struggle raising many issues related to the rural poor. After the incident, local people tried to take the seriously injured Prabhudev to the hospital but police from Sugauli PS stopped them on the way and took him to Motihari Govt. Hospital, where he was referred for Patna Medical College Hospital by the doctors. Police instead sent him to jail without providing any treatment.

This incident evoked widespread protests against the attack and the role of the police and hundreds of people took to the streets. On October 4, torchlight processions were organised at many places in the district. One such procession was attacked by feudals and criminals at Sugauli. These criminals enjoy open backing of the MLA from Sugauli. The Party, while demanding immediate release of Prabhudev Yadav and arrest of the criminals, has announced to further intensify the struggle against the feudal politician-police nexus.

Party Leader's Murder by PWG Condemned

The CPI(ML) organised a massive gathering at Bahadurganj in Paliganj on October 5 to protest the killing of its leader Virendra Goswami by the People's War Group goons on Sept. 17. More than 10.000 people participated in the meeting which was addressed by CPI(ML) Polit Bureau member and leader of the Party's legislative group in Bihar Ram Naresh Ram. He called upon the people to rise in self-defence and give a decisive blow to the forces like PWG which are acting at the behest of the ruling RJD and working hand-in-glove with other criminal gangs like Ranvir Sena and the Bhumi Sena. This protest meeting was also addressed by Bihar Predesh Khet Mazdoor Sabha leader Rameshwar Prasad, Bihar Pradesh Kisan Sabha leader Shiv Pujan Yadav and CPI(ML) leaders N. K. Nanda and Shivdani Yadav.

Party Conferences in Bhagalpur and Saharsa

The second conference of Bhagalpur district unit of Party was held on 28-29 Sept. which resolved to intensify the struggle on basic issues of the rural poor. It was inaugurated by Party state secy. Ramjatan Sharma. Other Party leaders who addressed the conference included Saroj Chaube, CCM, Prabhat Chaudhary, standing committee member, Mazdoor Ekta Manch leader SK Sharma, Purnea district committee secy. Pankaj Singh and veteran CPI leader Bhuvaneshwar Singh. A 13-member district committee was elected with Bindeshwari Mandal as secretary. An impressive rally was also taken out on this occasion.

The first district conference of Saharsa Party unit was held on 30 Sep.-1 Oct. which was addressed, among others, by Prabhat Chaudhary, state standing committee member and Kumar Anil, BPKS secy. CPI leader Chandra Shekhar also addressed the inaugural session. The conference was also attended by Party leaders from Supaul and Madhepura districts. It elected a 7-member district committee with Bibhuti Kumar Singh as its secretary.

Dharna in Uttarakhand

AIPWA staged a dharna on 2 October at Lalkuan in Nainital district, demanding punishment to the culprits of Muzaffarnagar rape case and high-handedness of concerned authorities during Uttarakhand movement days.

District Conference in Raipur, Chhattisgarh

Raipur district CPI(ML) unit in Chhattisgarh held its first ever conference on 5-6 October at Darasram Sahu Hall. It was inaugurated by Rajaram, Party incharge of Chhattisgarh. Swadesh Bhattacharya, Polit Bureau member, was the chief guest. Other speakers included SK Sinha, Dr. BS Jadu, Udaibhan Singh Chauhan, apart from local party leaders. Narottam Sharma placed the work report and after the discussion the conference elected a 9-member committee with Narottam Sharma as secretary. The conference resolved to stage a massive dharna at Raipur on 1 November protesting against the 2-year misrule of Jogi government.

Dharna in Gorakhpur, U.P.

In protest to the Katra episode of killing of extremely backward people by upper caste feudal forces in Gorakhpur, hundreds of Party supporters took out a demonstration and staged a dharna at divisional headquarters on 16 Sep. It was led by CPI(ML) state secy. Akhilendra Pratap Singh.

Protest Held on Ration Card, Land Issues in U.P.

To protest starvation death of a person displaced due to change in the course of river near Sampoornanagar, and to demand BPL cards, proper rehabilitation and employment guarantee, CPI(ML) staged a dharna at Pilibhit district headquarter on 24 Sept. Similar demonstration was also held at Palia tehsil of Lakhimpur Kheri district, which resulted in administration agreeing to take prompt action.

Peasant Conference at Chandrapur, Assam

The first Chandrapur conference of Sadou Asom Krishak Parishad was held on 29 Sep. 2002 at Bonda ME School near Guwahati City. Chandrapur block is one of the most backward areas where majority of peasant till date have no patta for the land they cultivate. On the other hand, a sizable number of peasants settled on the so-called forest land are facing eviction drive launched by the Forest Deptt. Here CPI(ML)-led Sadou Asom Krishak Parishad is leading a movement on patta and development issues - communication, drinking water, electricity, hospital, educational institution etc. It is in this process that the peasant organization has been built up. More than 100 delegates from various corners of entire block area participated in the conference. Kamal Ch. Boro placed the report of work and Monteswar Rahang delivered welcome speech. Rubul Sarma, Secy of Assam State Committee of CPI(ML) was the chief guest, who in his speech criticized the land and agrarian policy of the Govt. and called upon the people to carry forward the movement. Pankaj Kr Das, Party Secy of Guwahati City Committee, Janik Barman, Secy of Guwahati City AICCTU unit, Geetanjali Sonowal, Publicity Secy of State Unit of AIPWA also participated in the conference. The Noonmati Branch of Sadou Asom Jansankritik Parishad performed street play "Gatt". Loknath Goswami, eminent singer and Gen. Secy. of Sadou Asom Jansankritik Parishad presented people's songs.

The conference elected Chandrapur block committee of Krishak Parishad with Monteswar Rohang and Kamal Ch. Boro as President and Secy. respectively. Conference adopted resolutions including condemnation of recent communal violence by saffron brigade, pledge to resist anti-peasant policy of the central and State governments, building up peasant movement on patta and development issues.

Film Screened in Memory of Chandra Shekhar

In the memory of Com. Chandra Shekhar, the JNU unit of AISA in Delhi, organised the screening of Ek Minute Ka Maun -- a film on the life of Chandra Sekhar and the movement that followed his brutal assassination -- on the occasion of his birth anniversary on 19 Sept. A large audience attended the screening.

Mass Meeting against State Terror in North Bengal

Following the attack on the CPI(M)'s Dhoopgudi office in Jalpaiguri district by suspected KLO (Kamtapur Liberation Organisation) militants on 17 August, around 1,500 indigenous rajbanshi people have been detained on the charges of sedition, and night raids are being conducted by the police as a daily routine on villages inhabited by these people. All this is being done in the name of flushing out KLO militants. A CPI(ML) delegation led by Com. Kartick Pal met the DM, Jalpaiguri, on 17 September and called for immediate halt to police high-handedness. On 21 Sep., a 5-member investigation team led by Com. Pal visited the villages which witnessed the worst repression. On October 4, a mass meeting was held in Jalpaiguri town. Addressing the meeting speakers citing the recent attack by CPI(M) on the SUCI's Kultali office and pointedly held the CPI(M) guilty for reintroducing 'politics of murder' in the 1980s and continuing the same since then.

Thana Gherao in Raiganj

A militant gherao of the Raiganj police station in North Dinajpur district was organised on 26 September. A delegation led by Party Distt. Secretary Ajit Das met the officials and thereafter addressed hundreds of people who were assembled before the police station defying torrential rains. The leaders condemned the police repression - including firing - on the ongoing peasant struggle and demanded immediate release of Party state committee member Ganesh Chetri and other leaders of the movement.

Bankura Party Conference

Party's Bankura district conference was held in Bankura town on 29 September which vowed to carry forward the peasant movement defying police repression. The conference elected an 11-member district committee with Com. Sudarshan Bose as secretary.

AIPWA Conference in W.B.

The 6th West Bengal state conference of AIPWA was held at Moulali Yuba Kendra, Kolkata, on 30 September. AIPWA national secretary Saroj Chaube attended the conference as central observer and addressed it, besides AIPWA leaders and CPI(ML) state secy. Kartick Pal. The draft report was placed by Chaitali Sen. A 23-member state council and a 13-member state executive were elected, with Geeta Das and Chaitali Sen reelected as president and secretary respectively. A seminar on "Communal Fascism and Women's Movement in West Bengal" was also held.

Initiatives in Chattisgarh

Activists and supporters of CPI(ML), CPI and CPI(M) held a dharna at Durg in Chattisgarh on 23 September in protest to the closure of the State Transport Corporation. They also protested non-payment of salaries to the employees.

On 25 Sept, a large number of workers belonging to AICCTU, AITUC, CITU and HMS held a general meeting at Bhilai Steel Plant in protest to the government's anti-working class policies. They held a dharna at District Collector's office on 27 Sept. which was also joined in by RMS workers.

Protest Dharna at Jhunjhunu

A large number of peasants and workers held a protest dharna at the office of the District Collector in Jhunjhunu in Rajasthan on 19 Sept. demanding speedier relief work in the drought affected areas, ten hours free electricity supply to the peasants and employment to the workers. Agitators also held a meeting which was addressed, among others, by Phoolchand Dhewa, district Party secy, Ramchandra Kulhari, Secy. of Rajasthan Kisan Sangathan and Mahesh of Inquilabi Mazdoor Union. A memorandum was also submitted to the district administration with above demands.

Workers' Workshop in Delhi

All India General Kamgar Union (AIGKU), Delhi held a conference-cum-workshop on 29 Sept. A good number of workers from unorganised sector in Delhi and NOIDA (U.P.) participated in the conference. AICCTU Delhi president NM Thomas, secretary Santosh Roy, Party CCM Kumudini Pati, Delhi state secy. Rajendra Pratholi and Ardhendu participated in the conference. Later a 19-member state council was elected with Himmat Singh as president and BKS Gautam as secretary.

Anti-War Protests Around the World

Thousands of Americans rallied across the United States on 6 October against war with Iraq. Anti-war protesters jammed San Francisco's Union Square, beating drums, hoisting signs and proclaiming their opposition to war with Iraq. It was one of dozens of anti-war rallies across the country organised by the "Not in Our Name" Project, a grassroots group opposing a range of Bush administration actions. Demonstrations were also held in New York, Chicago, Portland, Oregon, and some smaller communities. Marchers called President George W. Bush a "warmonger," "racist" and "irresponsible."

In New York, around 20,000 people showed up. In Portland, Ore, USA, around 5,000 people rallied in the city's downtown against possible U.S. military attacks on Iraq, chanting "no more war." Here, first-time protesters joined veteran pacifists for the march. In Texas, the chant by hundreds was "No more blood for oil." Protesters carried signs saying "Free the Press" and "Stop the Bombs."

More than 1.5 million Italians took to the streets of dozens of cities on 5 October to protest possible U.S. military action against Iraq - a surprise show of discord that could be fervent enough for the Italian government to rethink its support for Washington. Most of the anti-war demonstrations took place on 5 Oct morning, with the biggest of those in Milan, drawing a crowd that police estimated at between 60,000 to 100,000 people. Signs in the crowd showed Bush's head on the body of a hawk - a reference to the President's hawkish stance toward Iraq's Saddam Hussein - and others that showed Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi and British leader Tony Blair as Bush's pets. Other large morning rallies took place in Bologna, Florence, Naples and Palermo. But the day's biggest march was held in the evening in Rome, where as many as 200,000 people gathered in protest. Demonstrators made it clear that they opposed U.S. action against Baghdad. The stance is significant because up to this point, Rome and London have been President George W. Bush's strongest allies in Europe.

Hundreds of Australians gathered at a U.S. intelligence base near Alice Springs on 5 October to protest against any war with Iraq and Australia's alliance with the United States. The demonstration by some 300 people outside the joint U.S.-Australian Pine Gap base was mostly peaceful, although four were arrested after a scuffle with police. Groups including the Anti-Bases Campaign Coalition, Medical Association for Prevention of War, and Friends of the Earth, Australia, were the organisers of this protest.

Obituary

CPI(ML) expresses deep sorrow over the demise of veteran socialist leader Kapildev Singh. Party remembered him as a socialist who never compromised his secular-democratic credentials and always cherished the idea of left-socialist unity.

Party also mourns the death of Devendra Prasad Sinha, a close associate of Jay Prakash Narain and former vice chancellor of Bhagalpur and Patna universities.