The following is the statement issued by the CITU on October 31
THE Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) is deeply grieved on the passing away of Comrade Gurudas Dasgupta, veteran trade union leader of the country and eminent parliamentarian for decades, this morning in Kolkata after prolonged illness. He was 84 years of age.
A NATIONAL Convention of Oil & Petroleum workers organised by the trade unions of Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC), Indian Oil Corporation (IOC), Oil India Limited (OIL), Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) was held in Mumbai on October 26. Around 350 union workers from these oil public sector undertakings (PSUs), from all over the country, participated in the convention and resolved to protest against the move to privatise oil PSUs in the country. They called for an all India strike on November 28.
IT has been proved by the works of many scientists that the changing dynamics of increased urbanisation has resulted in the change in energy balance, especially in the metropolitan cities like Mumbai. This has led to the creation of urban heat islands.
THE CPI(M) Delhi state committee, in a statement issued on October 30, has welcomed the announcement of the AAP government fixing monthly minimum wage of unskilled workers at Rs 14,842. It also welcomed enhancement in wages of semi-skilled and skilled workers. This is the result of prolonged struggles by the Left trade unions and workers of Delhi as well as the successful legal fight waged by them in the Delhi High Court and Supreme Court. The CPI(M) heartily congratulates the workers of Delhi for this victory.
THE Minimum Support Price (MSP) of winter crops for the forthcoming Rabi Marketing Season (RMS) (2020-21) announced by the Narendra Modi led BJP government is insensitive, anti-peasant and a betrayal of its own promises. In times of an economic recession, increased costs of cultivation and falling incomes, the MSP announced is a mockery of farmers’ plight. Pliant sections of the corporate media are only adding insult to injury by terming it a festival gift to farmers.
THE issue of employment has taken a serious turn in our society with unemployment rising to its highest in 50 years. Therefore the primary consideration should be to maximise work opportunities for the unemployed and underemployed.
ON October 24-25, there were widespread peasant protests all over the country against the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) involving sixteen nations which India is currently negotiating. As negotiations near completion, such protests are escalating, with the All India Kisan Sabha planning to organise a nation-wide protest on November 4, just before the RCEP agreement is due to be signed. And the Kerala government too is organising a protest.
THE Modi government has taken the outrageous step of sending a group of Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) to visit Kashmir on the eve of its being formally reconstituted as two centrally-administered union territories.
A COMPLETE bandh was observed in Telangana at the call given by the Joint Action Committee (JAC) of the Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TSRTC). This call was supported by all the opposition parties.
A SEMINAR on the draft New Education Policy(DNEP) was held on September 21, 2019 at the Ferozeshah Mehta Bhavan Auditorium, University of Mumbai; jointly organized by the School of Social Sciences (SSS) Mumbai, Bombay University and College Teachers’ Union (BUCTU) and University of Mumbai Academic Staff Association (UMASA). Kapil Patil, Member of Legislative Council(MLC)- Teachers’ constituency was chief guest and keynote address was delivered by Aniket Sule, of Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education (HBCSE – TIFR).