CPI(ML) HOME Vol.9, No.35 29 AUGUST - 4 SEPTEMBER, 2006

The Weekly News Bulletin of the Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist)(Liberation)

U-90, Shakarpur, Delhi 110092. Tel: (91)11-22521067. Fax(91)11-22518248

 
In this Issue

Let the Working Class Rally Against The SEZ Subterfuge

When Kamal Nath walked out of the sixth ministerial conference of WTO in Hong Kong a few months back creating a lot of media hype, we saw in it nothing but cheap theatrics. The individual as well as the class and the power structure he represented were absolutely subservient to the global rich and powerful, we pointed out, and the walkout was only an exercise in making the best of a lost bargaining. The UPA government's recent decision to lift the cap on the permissible number of SEZs in the country, a decision attributed largely to vigorous lobbying by the commerce minister, vindicates our position.

The meeting of the empowered group of ministers (EGoM), which actually took the decision on behalf of the government, was marked by intense debates between the finance minister and the commerce minister. P Chidambaram circulated a note quantifying the revenue losses arising out of the tax giveaways for SEZs — a staggering Rs 70,000 – 100,000 crore. The finance ministry felt that big malls, golf courses and entertainment zones will be set up in these areas as crafty developers would take unfair advantage of the SEZ rules to make a quick buck from the real estate by using duty free raw material. Kamal Nath on the contrary opined that the zones would instead lead to revenue gains of around Rs 44,000 crore over the next 5-10 years, besides creating lakhs of jobs. He was strongly supported by communications and IT minister Dayanidhi Maran, agriculture minister Sharad Pawar and defence minister Pranab Mukherjee. The liberalisation fanatics naturally won the day. It was declared that any review of the rules will only take place after 75 SEZs are operational, or in six months from now, whichever was earlier. Even the impact on government's revenue will only be gauged after these SEZs are functional.

The finance minister's loan opposition is understandable. Not that he is having second thoughts on liberalisation. He has to present the budget every year, and the reduced revenues will further tie up his hands. Moreover, his ministry cannot fully disregard the responsibility of maintaining a minimum balance among the different sectors of the economy. On the other hand, ministers, bureaucrats and politicians who have developed a direct vested interest in further opening up of the economy are dying for the SEZs. The latter group, being in the dominance not only in the EGoM but also in the corridors of power as a whole, won as a matter of course.

The decision to go on a mad overdrive for the SEZs, considered to be a major pillar of the Chinese economic success, comes at a time when the Chinese themselves are finding it necessary to make a fresh cost-benefit analysis and readjust their policies. Moreover, what may be at least partially beneficial for the Chinese economy with its strong fundamentals, independent base and firm social security system, may well be suicidal for a crisis-ridden economy like ours, which is already over-dependent on foreign capital. Incidentally, of the 150 zones approved since the SEZ Act came into effect this February, not one has become fully operational till date. Chances are that more than drawing fresh investments, these tax heavens will in the main attract existing units from other parts of the country. There will be hardly any net addition in terms of production and employment, but the national exchequer will suffer badly.

Curiously enough, on this issue the self-styled Left watchdog failed even to bark properly. Referring to the feeble demand of the parliamentary Left for a review of the SEZ scheme, Kamal Nath reported that the West Bengal chief minister had written to the Centre complementing the government on SEZs. Whether the commerce minister was speaking the truth or not (he was not contradicted), Shri Bhattacharya's love for SEZs has been made amply clear in numerous televised statements. Of course, he never forgets to add a rider: no anti-labour practices will be allowed in these zones in West Bengal . But this sugar-coating intended for the CITU lobby and the party's shifting worker base will not make the pill less bitter for those in the know. Under the SEZ Act, every such zone is considered a public utility service where strikes are practically forbidden. This makes hire and fire and suchlike practices a matter of routine. Moreover, the writ of the state labour commissioner does not run in these zones, all relevant powers being vested in the specially appointed development commissioner. In fact, a labour force robbed of the rights achieved through more than a century of struggle and sacrifice — this constitutes probably the foremost special attraction of these zones to the lords of capital, Indian and foreign.

And this, therefore, also constitutes a special challenge to the representatives of labour, organised and unorganised. For the former the threat is that many of their workplaces will be relocated to the upcoming SEZs and they will forfeit the rights and benefits they currently enjoy. And many of the unorganised/part-time/casual workers, who at the moment eke out a precarious existence, will find a worse hell awaiting them in these enclaves. These are very real threats. To launch a “pre-emptive strike” against these has become an urgent political task of the TUs in India . And once they take the lead in this regard, there will be no dearth of support from other sections of the working people, whose interests are going to be severely jeopardised by massive curtailment in social sector spending consequent upon reduced revenue of the state.

CPI(ML) Condemns UPA Government's Move to Remove the Cap on SEZs and Demands Immediate Moratorium

New Delhi , 24 August, 2006.

The CPI(ML) strongly opposes the UPA government's decision to uncap the number of SEZs in utter disregard of the serious public debate over the issue. Super Exemption Zones for the corporate sector, SEZs have turned into Super Eviction Zones for adivasis and other sections of the agricultural population. In view of the massive resultant loss of revenue for the government treasury and that of land and livelihood for the rural poor, there has been a growing demand for a moratorium on the construction of any more SEZs pending a resolution of all contentious issues.

Instead of showing any sensitivity to this public debate and protests by adivasis and farmers to save their land, governments have only sought to bulldoze the people with lathis and bullets as witnessed so glaringly in Kalingnagar in Orissa and Dadri in Uttar Pradesh. The UPA government's move to uncap the number of SEZs and raise it beyond an already absurd level of 150 smacks of the same kind of autocratic arrogance and disdain for public opinion and people's livelihood. The CPI(ML) condemns such attitude of the UPA government with the contempt it deserves.

It is instructive to note that while the government has decided to go ahead with any number of SEZs, thereby giving a permanently green signal to eviction of more and more people from their land and livelihood, it continues to put the long awaited and much promised tribal land rights bill into cold storage.

We call upon the government to put an immediate halt to its disastrous policy of indiscriminately increasing the number of SEZs and impose a moratorium on the construction of SEZs and instead address and resolve the issues raised by the ongoing land acquisition drive. We also demand enactment of the tribal land rights bill without any further delay.

CPI(ML) Condemns Assault on Migrant Workers in Ludhiana and Demands Legislative and Institutional Protection for Migrant Workers

(press handout issued by CPI(ML) General Secretary Dipankar Bhattacharya at Patna on 29 August, 2006)

The brutal assault on migrant workers in Ludhiana , mostly from Bihar , by the Punjab Police and private goons has been of a piece with similar assaults in recent past on workers in Haryana – Honda workers at Gurgaon and workers of Liberty Shoes at Karnal. Brutal attacks on workers are clearly becoming the order of the day and migrant workers are thought to be particularly soft targets.

The local unit of CPI(ML) led by ex-MLA Tarsem Jodhan who is a popular leader of brick kiln workers in the region has stood by the workers since the atrocity took place on 25 August. The media coverage of the incident and prompt and sustained intervention on behalf of the workers by the CPI(ML) and other forces has forced the administration to release many of the workers who were initially taken into police custody. Six workers are however still in jail and have been implicated under Section 307 of IPC. The local unit of the Shiv Sena tried to give the whole thing a communal twist while some others wanted to drive a wedge between the local population and outsiders, but Ludhiana has so far not allowed them to have any success.

The Punjab government has shown a highly arrogant and anti-worker attitude to the present incident of atrocity on migrant workers in Ludhiana . Neither the Chief Minister nor any senior colleague from his cabinet has considered it necessary to visit Ludhiana . The UPA government at the Centre has also exhibited similar unconcern. As a mark of solidarity with the migrant workers of Ludhiana and their just demands and struggles, a six-member CPI(ML) delegation comprising Party Central Committee member Prabhat Kumar, Bihar MLAs Arun Singh and Amarnath Yadav, AICCTU leaders Shyamlal Prasad and Santosh Roy and Party activist Anil Tewari will be visiting Ludhiana on 30-31 August.

The CPI(ML) demands immediate release of all arrested workers and punitive action against guilty police officials who connived with private goons to unleash such brutal attacks on innocent workers. The arbitrary practice of registration of migrant workers has been temporarily halted. The CPI(ML) wants this discrimination to end for ever. The latest incident in Ludhiana has highlighted the need for protective legislation and institutional measures to defend the rights of migrant workers. The UPA government must form a National Commission for Migrant Workers and bring about legislation, on the lines of the act forbidding atrocities on scheduled castes and tribes, to protect the democratic rights and basic dignity and interests of migrant workers.

Party Begins Gearing up for Koderma By-poll

The Giridih and Koderma District Committees of the Party held two general body meetings on August 27 and 28 to begin preparations for the forthcoming by-election for Koderma Lok Sabha constituency. The by-election has been caused by the resignation of the sitting BJP MP and former Jharkhand CM Babulal Marandi from the Lok Sabha as well as the BJP. Meanwhile, the JMM candidate who had finished second in the last general election has crossed over to the BJP. The UPA position is still not clear– in the last election the Congress and JMM had both fielded candidates. CPI(ML) had finished third in the last Lok Sabha elections, polling more than 1,35,000 votes. Addressing the Giridih GB meeting, Comrade Dipankar said that while the power-struggle between Babulal Marandi and Arjun Munda had invited this by-election, the electorate of Koderma must be mobilized to use this opportunity to teach a lesson to both of them and avenge the assassination of Comrade Mahendra Singh by sending the CPI(ML) nominee to Parliament. The by-election would provide an opportunity to the electorate to reject the anti-people policies and misrule of the rulers in both Ranchi and New Delhi and strengthen the platform of people's resistance – to reject the opportunist politics of defection and deception and uphold Comrade Mahendra Singh's glorious legacy of struggle and sacrifice. The Giridih meeting was also addressed among others by Comardes Subhendu Sen, Ibnul Hasan Basru, Manoj Bhakt, Raj Kumar Yadav and Vinod Singh. The two meetings resolved to hold a massive rally at Koderma on 9 September.

Construction Workers Demonstrate in Ranchi

Jharkhand General Majdoor Union staged a protest in Ranchi on August 24 to press for the demand of implementation of the 1996 central legislation for the construction sector workers in Jharkhand alongwith other demands. The march was held in front of the Deputy Commissioner's office and demand letters were sent to the Governor as well as the Chief Minister and speaker of the Assembly. Protesters blocked the front gates of the DM office. This was addressed by JGMU President Shashikant, Bhim Sao and others. The speakers said that the number of construction workers is considered to be around 5 crores in the country which makes them the second largest working contingent after the agricultural labourers. This sector also employs a large number of women. The construction business is one of the most profitable sector in the country today and contributes at least 5% to the GDP. The annual turnover of the construction business is 25,000 crores and its annual growth is around 4%. Now the central govt. has also given the go-ahead for 100% foreign investment in this sector. Despite of being one of the highest profit earning industry, the plight of workers in this sector is remains pitiable and they are forced to lead a hellish life. Nearly 30,000 construction workers in Ranchi are forced to live in immense poverty. The central govt. enacted two legislations in 1996 for the welfare and to provide basic facilities for the construction sector workers viz. ‘Building and other construction labour act 1996' and ‘Building and other construction labour welfare act'. These Acts have not been implemented in Jharkhand even after 10 years of its drafting. This is despite the fact that the labour ministry is itself under the Chief Minister.

The JGMU has been regularly carrying on agitation on this demand. The concerned officials and the Labour Secretary have been reluctant in this regard and the state govt. hasn't taken up any step for the implementation of this law. The CPI(ML) and the AICCTU has demanded from the Jharkhand Govt. to declare in the State Assembly that these Acts will be implemented. Singo Khalkho, Satyaprakash, Mohammed Rashid, Pratap Chaudhary, Sanjay Gupta, Harihar Pandit, Ashish Bhowmick, Chando Tirkey, Baban Pandit, Jailal Pandit also addressed the demonstrators.

Protesting Arrest of CPI(ML) Leaders

On 11 August, in district Ambedkarnagar, CPI(ML) and AIALA leaders were arrested and jailed under serious criminal charges for their continued resistance against growing number of starvation deaths and peasants suicides, and for demanding BPL cards and jobs to every poor. The leaders were picked up when they were sitting on a hunger strike at Akbarpur. The party has strongly criticised this draconian act of the UP Govt. and demanded unconditional and immediate release of all the leaders. The agitation was further intensified and August 14 was observed as ‘protest day' throughout the state.

CPI(ML) had undertaken a protest-hunger strike in Akbarpur which continued for two days, instead of seriously listening to the demands, the administration not only misbehaved with the leaders sitting at dharna but also imposed false cases on them. Comrade Rambharose, District in-charge of the Party, Balmukund Dhuria, District Secretary of RYA alongwith three others were sent to jail under fabricated charges. The arrested leaders have now been released on bail but the charges against them continue. The Party and AIALA has been leading the movement in the district for two and a half months on various people's issues in Akbarpur. Despite of assurances by the administration on many occasions, no actions were undertaken. The UP Administration's real intent of continuing repressive tactics on movemental forces have again manifested in this incident. The party has reiterated its resolve to widen the movement against starvation and suicides, and for BPL cards, food security, employment, etc.

CPI(ML) and AIALA held a protest in front of DM office on 21 August against this repression. Hundreds of cadres took part in the protest which was led by Comrades Rambharose, Dinesh Singh and Balmukund Dhuria.

Debt Ridden Peasant Commits Suicide

A poor peasant, Chotelal Yadav of Chhahi village, near Sarnath in Varanasi district, unable to pay the bank's debt, consumed poison on 9 August, alongwith his three small children, between ages 4 to 12. He and the two kids died on the spot.

Three years ago, one poor weaver, Jaychand Maurya (32), was also forced to commit suicide as he was unable to pay off bank's debt and the electricity bill. Later on, his wife and children followed in his footsteps. Bank debt on Maurya was only Rs. 28,000 besides an electricity bill of 3600 units. The government's attitude towards the starving rural poor can be understood in the fact that in spite of such a horrific incident the state electricity department continues to send a bill of Rs. 2 lakhs even after the death of Jaichand Maurya. Had the UP Govt. shown any sensitivity against that incident, the life of Chhotelal would have been saved.

A CPI(ML) team visited Chhotelal's remaining family next day and consoled them. The party organized a mass meeting in the village. On 13 August, the party undertook a campaign against starvation and suicide deaths in the village and nearby area.

BRIEFS

Lathicharge on Agitating Teachers

CPI(ML)'s Ranchi city committee held out a demonstration on August 24 and burnt the effigy of Jharkhand Chief Minister in protest of the brutal lathicharge on agitating para-teachers in Ranchi .

Kashipur Barahnagar Genocide Day Remembered

CPI(ML) paid homage to the martyrs of the 70's at Kashipur and Barahnagar in Kolkata on 13 August. It should be recalled that on 13 August, 1971, local hoodlums belonging to the Yuba Congress and CPI(M) in connivance with the trigger happy state police of the notorious Sidhartha Shankar Roy led Congress Govt. let loose reign of terror and massacred hundreds of CPI(ML) cadres, supporters and sympathisers and drowned the bodies in the river Ganges. To commemorate those great heroes of the 70's party leaders paid homage by offering flowers to the monumental column at Barahnagar. CPI(ML) WB State Secretary and Polit Bureau member Kartick Pal, along with Kalyan Goswami, Partha Ghosh, Subrata Sengupta, Dilip Banerjee and many others offered flowers and paid homage to the great martyrs.

Convention against Anti-Peasant Policy

A joint convention was held at Student's Hall in Kolkata against state Govt.'s anti-peasant policy on 18 August. The convention was called by CPI(ML), CPI(ML)ND and Kanu Sanyal-led faction of CPI(ML). The convention was addressed by CPI(ML) State Secretary Kartick Pal and Sajal Adhikary, State Committee Member and incharge of Party's ongoing agitation against the WB Govt.'s land acquisition bid in Singur, and the leaders of other participating organisations. The speakers unequivocally denounced the State Govt.'s policy and its surrender before the imperialist forces operating in the state at the cost of peasant's interest. The convention was presided over by Kalyan Goswami, Swadesh Banerjee, both from CPI(ML) and Dilip Chakraborty of CPI(ML)-ND. Kalyan Goswami placed the draft proposals and delivered the concluding speech.

AIPWA's Protest at Singur

AIPWA conducted a mass awakening programme and protest demonstration on 17 August at Singur in Hooghly District against the state govt.'s decision to take possession over the lands of peasants for giving it to the TATAs. The protest demonstration was led by Meena Pal, Chaitali Sen, AIPWA State Secretary and Sova Banerjee, Hooghly District Secretary of AIPWA. Nitish Roy and Babuni Mazumder of Paschimbanga Gana Sanskriti Parishad presented mass songs during the protest.

Declare N. Dinajpur Drought Prone

CPI(ML) in North Dinajpur district organised a mass deputation on 23 August before the DM to declare the whole district as drought prone. This was participated by hundred of peasants. The demonstrators submitted a charter of demands to the DM which included; to declare the entire district as drought prone; to increase the Remunerative prices of Jute to Rs. 2000 per quintal; and to take proper steps to stop starvation deaths in the district. The deputation was led by Ajit Das, CPI(ML) District Secretary of North Dinajpur, Dhaneswar Barman, Taslim Ali, Subba Chhetri and others.

Edited, published and printed by S. Bhattacharya for CPI(ML) Liberation from U-90, Shakarpur, Delhi-92; printed at Bol Publication, R-18/2, Ramesh Park, Laxmi Nagar, Delhi-92; Phone:22521067; fax: 22518248, e-mail: mlupdate@cpiml.org, website: www.cpiml.org

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