Apart from providing succour to distressed, running community kitchens, providing relief to Amphan victims, the Left parties in West Bengal have organised protest movements highlighting peoples’ demands. On the one hand, the central government is sharpening its attack on peoples’ livelihood; on the other the state government has shown a paralysed reaction to both Covid-19 and recent cyclone. The Left parties have raised peoples’ issues through demonstrations and symbolic protests.16 Left and allied parties organised a protest movement on May 28.

THE National Coordination Committee of Electricity Employees and Engineers (NCCOEEE) has given the call for a National Protest Day on June 1 against the Electricity (Amendment) Bill, 2020. The organisation demanded its withdrawal.NCCOEEE, the broad-based united platform of almost all the national federations of electricity employees and engineers, seeks attention of the countrymen to the alarming step the ministry of power is exploring to adopt through a proposed legislation.

THE Electricity Amendment Bill introduced by the central government should be withdrawn forthwith, the CPI(M) demanded. Statewide protests with placards were held. On May 24, decrying the Modi government’s actions, a protest was held at the RTC cross roads with placards. CPI(M) state secretary, Tammineni Veerabhadram expressed anxiety  that this bill violates the rights of the states and is against the interests of the states. Encroaching into the subjects within the state jurisdiction seems to be the main objective of the centre, he warned.

THE epidemic of Covid-19 pandemic has exposed the already putrefying socio-economic system in India. There has been heart rendering stories of pain, apathy of workers walking back to their homes immediately after the first lockdown was announced in the country. The massive unemployment with over 120 million job loss during the period of the lockdown has further accentuated the misery of the people.

THE rising spread of COVID – 19, has led to extremely critical and challenging time the world over. In India, the confirmed cases have crossed 100,000. In Maharashtra this figure is more than 30,706, with 18,555 in Mumbai alone. Central and state governments have announced various steps to arrest the spread of this pandemic, including a nation-wide lockdown of all activities except essential services. During this crisis, the Bombay University and College Teachers’ Union (BUCTU) is responding to appeals for relief.