Ancient DNA, History and Science: Need to Step Out of the Nationalist Framework

AMIT Sengupta was one of the pioneers of the people’s health movement in the country and worldwide. His life is an example of unwavering commitment to the global struggle for health rights and equity. In addition to the Jan Swasthya Abhiyan, Amit was also a key figure in the All India People’s Science Network, committed to bringing science and reason into the daily lives of people.

CAB: A Nefarious Design

THE Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2019 (CAB) has been passed by parliament despite strong opposition to it both within and outside parliament. The CAB is a dangerous legislation which runs contrary to the basic principles of the constitution. The provisions of the bill undermine the secular concept of citizenship enshrined in the constitution. Article 14 states that the State shall not deny to any person equality before the law or equal protection of the law within the territory of India.

Roaring Long March in Bengal

THOUSANDS of people, in a determined show of resistance, are marching through towns and villages in West Bengal protesting against disinvestment of public sector units and demanding jobs. A ‘long march’, the mainstay in South Bengal, started from the gate of Chittaranjan Locomotive Workshop on November 30 which would traverse 283 kilometres and would culminate in a massive public rally in Kolkata on December 11. This march, at the time of the writing has already crossed 130 kilometres. In Northern Bengal, a march started from Maldaha and is progressing towards Siliguri.

Water Nexus and its testing

RECENT revelations made by Ram Vilas Paswan, union minister of consumer affairs that the water quality in Delhi and in other 20 cities is not fit for drinking, made everyone apprehensive of the systems that are responsible for providing water, and as normal reaction were curious to find out what is in depth.According to the press conference held by Paswan, the samples from different locations were lifted and sent for testing as per Indian Standard 10500-2012(specification for drinking water) as set by the BIS(Bureau of Indian Standards).

Tripura: No to Citizenship Amendment Bill

MANIK Sarkar, former chief minister of Tripura wrote to the union home minister regarding the invitation extended to him to attend a proposed meeting on November 29. While thanking the minister for the invite, Sarkar showed his inability to attend the meeting owing to pre scheduled programmes.However, he placed the view points of the Party through the letter. He strongly opposed the amendments proposed by the union home ministry to the Citizenship Act.

The Perversity of the Neo-Liberal Fiscal Regime-I

WHEN income growth slows down in an economy, so does the growth of tax revenue within the given tax regime. Since the government has certain expenditure obligations, to meet these obligations it has to either impose additional taxes or expand its fiscal deficit.

Telecom: From License-Permit Raj to License-to-Loot Raj

THE major private operators, along with the State run operators in the telecom sector, are currently reeling under a three year price war with Reliance Jio. This has hit their profitability, with Jio buying its entry into the market with very low call and data charges. This has been compounded – in the case of the private operators – by not honouring the obligations of paying their license fees as a percentage of their revenue. After the Supreme Court order to pay Rs 92,000 crore as license fees, it has created a crisis for these companies.

TAMIL NADU: People’s Struggle Compels Govt to Revoke Property Tax Hike

A YEAR-long, statewide struggle has compelled the Tamil Nadu government to revoke a steep hike in property tax implemented last year. The minister for municipal administration, S P Velumani, has announced that the existing property tax collection will be discontinued and the old rates levied before April 2018 will continue.Since the tax hike was announced last year, a series of protests have taken place across Tamil Nadu. The CPI(M) vehemently opposed the announcement. The Party insisted that the steep hike should be withdrawn.

CPI(M) Releases Booklet on 100 Years of Formation of communist Party in India

“THERE is a commonality between the British rulers and the present Sangh Parivar ruling dispensation; both were/are inherently anti-communists and cannot digest their(communist’s) presence,” thus spoke Sitaram Yechury, while placing the first booklet on the hundred years of the formation of the Communist Party in India. Brinda Karat, Polit Bureau member of the CPI(M) was also present in the press conference, which was held on December 4 at Delhi.

The Week in Parliament

THE winter session of Parliament started on November 18, 2019. On the first day of the new session, CPI(M) and other opposition parties raised the issue of MP’s not being allowed to visit J&K after the removal of its special status under Article 370, while a delegation of European Union (EU) was allowed; and Farooq’s detention and the JNU’s students issues etc.T K Rangarajan spoke on the 250th session of the Rajya sabha in a special discussion on ”The role of Rajya Sabha in Indian Polity and the way forward”.

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