THE country is in the grips of a severe economic crisis. Economic growth has slumped to just 5 per cent in the April-June quarter of this year, with growth in agriculture, the biggest employer, has been even less, at just 2 per cent while manufacturing sector has grown by a mere 0.6 per cent.

CPI(M) Polit Bureau has issued the following statement on October 6

THE Polit Bureau of the CPI(M) strongly condemns the decision to slap sedition cases against forty-nine prominent Indians who have great accomplishments in their respective fields for having written a letter to the prime minister opposing the rising campaigns of hate and violence leading to mass lynching.

THE Himachal Kissan  Sabha an affiliate of the AIKS has decided to hold a strong protest demonstration on October 16 at Narkanda in Shimla district. The reasons for the protest are; (a) against the loot of the fruit commission agents who have not paid money to the apple growers of the region and (b) against the inept government of the state for not intervening in the market because of which the apple producers are forced for distress sale. People from adjoining places like Rampur, Nankhari, Kotgarh, Kumarsain, Nirmand, Ani, Karsog etc., shall participate in this demonstration.

THE Central Committee of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) met in New Delhi from October 2 to 4, 2019. It has issued the following statement:

LDF VICTORY IN KERALA

The Central Committee congratulated the people of Pala assembly for electing the candidate of the Left Democratic Front. This is an unprecedented victory. Considered a UDF stronghold, the LDF snatched this sitting UDF seat in the face of a big campaign mounted against the LDF and its government in Kerala.

THE Tamil Nadu Progressive Writers and Artists Association (TNPWAA), along with Madras Kerala Samajam, had organised a five-day South Indian People’s Theatre Festival from October 2, in Chennai. The festival showcased 32 plays in five languages involving more than 500 artists.