Peoples Democracy newsletter

Peoples Democracy newsletter

Tripura and Gujarat: A Comparison of Health Coverage

IN remote Tripura, coverage under health schemes extends to an incredible 57-58 per cent of the state’s population, according to the latest National Family and Health Survey (NFHS) 4, reporting for 2015-16. This is over three and a half times more than health coverage provided in Gujarat, a much richer state, often portrayed as a model of development.Coverage under a scheme/insurance means that out of pocket expenses on health are significantly reduced.

Mass Organisations React on Union Budget 2018-19

ALL INDIA FEDERATION OF ANGANWADI WORKERS AND HELPERSThe election manifesto of the BJP for the 2014 parliament elections says that if voted to power it will “Review the working conditions and enhance the remuneration of Anganwadi worker's”. The last full budget of the NDA government is the proof of not only the breaking of its promise but also of the criminal neglect of India’s eight crore malnourished children and two crore pregnant mothers. Since 2011, the remuneration of the anganwadi employees had not been increased whereas the working hours had been in

The Myth of Bitcoin as Money

THE cryptocurrency Bitcoin has seen its price see-sawing wildly over the last 12 months, making it one of the most volatile of assets. Whether it can be considered at all a currency – a token of money which can be exchanged for other goods – is another question. At its current price in dollars – 1 bitcoin is trading for $9,120, down by about half from its highest price of $19,206 a month back. It is still nine times what it was trading only 12 months ago. Among all cryptocurrencies, and there are more of them, Bitcoin is by far the biggest.

WEST BENGAL: Tea Workers’ Historic March

THOUSANDS of tea workers marched to ‘Uttarkanya’, the state government office in North Bengal on January 24, in a historic show of unity. Tea workers in northern Bengal are suffering from severe distress. Many tea gardens are closed since long, triggering starvation deaths and large scale migration. In other gardens, workers are being paid paltry wages, their ration and health facilities have gradually declined. The state government has remained criminally callous to the widespread crisis in tea gardens.

Students’ Struggle against Communal Violence & Politics of Hate

INCIDENTS of communal violence and hatred have increased manifolds in India in recent times. The idea of a secular, democratic republic is under attack by the very forces ruling at the Centre. The idea of those who are leading the regime in this country is an idea which wages war against the constitutional values itself. The brutal murder of Mohammad Afrajul and the circulation of a video of his killing is one of the most horrifying experiences in the recent past.

Minimum Budgetary Demands of AIAWU

THE All India Agricultural Workers Union, in a statement issued on January 30, has called on the finance minister to ensure that at least 5 per cent of the GDP is spent on agriculture, which has gone down sharply in growth since last year. Also there is a situation where farmers are ploughing back potatoes into their fields, throwing tomatoes on to the roads and in general failing to get the prices demanded under the Swaminathan formula for minimum support price which the present government had promised to implement in its election manifesto.

Pakoda Jobs

PRIME Minister Narendra Modi has, in an interview last week with a private television channel, claimed that someone who opens a pakoda shop in the street is to be considered as employed.  Further, his earning of Rs 200 per day is not reflected in any book of accounts. He said, “The truth is massive number of people are being employed”. So, now we have it from the prime minister himself that massive employment has been created by people selling goods on streets.

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