SEVERAL thousands of workers, peasants and agricultural workers staged protest demonstrations at the block level on July 23, demanding ration, jobs/unemployment allowances and healthcare facilities.

PROTEST actions were conducted in Andhra Pradesh opposing the privatisation of Indian Railways. The protests were organised by CPI(M), CITU at some places and various unions of railway workers and employees at different levels. Protest demonstrations at some railway stations, holding placards and shouting slogans against government’s decision of privatisation and demanding a roll back, were held. Covid protocols were observed in these protests.Prajasakti Telugu daily published an eight page tabloid special supplement on railways.

SHIMLA Nagrik Sabha(SNS) held a strong protest demonstration outside the office of the municipal commissioner on July 16 against the exorbitant bills of water, garbage, electricity and property tax. Later a delegation met the commissioner and submitted a memorandum.The SNS argued that during the Corona period the state government has provided no financial assistance to the people and industry of the city. Nearly 70 per cent of the people have lost full or partial employment during this period. The hotel and restaurant industry in Shimla city has come to a complete standstill.

THE CPI(M), on July 16, organised a state-wide satyagraha in front of government hospitals in Telangana to highlight and protest the state and central governments’ failure in containing the spread of Covid-19 in the state. Over 47,000 Covid-19 positive cases have been reported across the state and more than 400 people have succumbed to the infection so far.The protests were held in 196 centres across Telangana wherein nearly 4,700 people participated.

CPI(M) Polit Bureau member Brinda Karat, in a letter to union minister for environment, forests and climate change, Prakash Javadekar on July 17, has conveyed the Party’s objection to the Draft Notification for Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) 2020.Below we publish the full text of the letter.IT is clear enough that India’s environment regulation structure is not robust and needs correction. EIA is part of this structure.