AS Tripura goes into a crucial assembly election, there is a red alert for the people of the state as well as around the country. An unscrupulous party ruling at the centre hell-bent on grabbing power in Tripura by hook or by crook, an alliance between this party and a tribal separatist outfit known for its violent deeds, a stream of central ministers and other bigwigs visiting the state and denouncing the Left Front, enormous inflow of money to run the election campaign, use of central powers to tilt the local bureaucracy and security forces – and a steady increase in killings and violenc
LIKE the person on the proverbial tiger, the Indian economy is currently riding a precarious course. The Government of India’s Economic Survey for 2017-18 recognises this frankly, but its panacea is to keep one’s fingers crossed and hope that the ride continues.The macroeconomic data it presents are closer to those of the IMF’s World Economic Outlook Update prepared for the Davos meet than to the figures of the Indian government’s own Central Statistical Office.
THE vehicle strike in Kerala on January 24, 2018 from dawn to desk organised by Kerala Transport Industry Protection Council comprising CITU, AITUC, INTUC, HMS, STU, Janata Dal Trade Union Centre, TUCI, KTUC and owners associations against abnormal increase in prices of petrol and diesel due to the wrong policies of the Modi government, was total and successful. The workers of auto, taxi, private bus, KSRTC bus, lorry, driving school, automobile workshops, spare parts distributors, etc along with the owners of vehicles participated in the strike.
THE 22nd Uttar Pradesh state conference of CPI(M) was held in the historic city of Varanasi from January 28-30 which concluded with the resolve of defeating communal and casteist forces, establishing live links with toiling masses, and strengthening Party and mass organisations in the state. A massive public rally was held on the first day of the conference at the Benia bagh grounds of Varanasi. It was attended by thousands of Party workers and common masses from the city and surrounding areas. The ground was filled with scores of red flags, and slogans ranted the air.
THE central executive committee of the Students’ Federation of India (SFI), in a statement issued on January 26, has denounced the attack on a school bus by the Karni Sena on January 24, while they were protesting against the release of Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s ‘Padmaavat’. They hurled stones at the bus, creating panic among the young students. This act is against the law and order. SFI demands immediate strict action against the culprits of this attack.It was quite shocking to see terrorised children ducking in the bus in the video clip released by various media houses.
Workers, belonging to ten different trade unions, demanded the implementation of the 12-point charter they had given to the union government last year.AFTER the historic three-day Mahapadav in November 2017, the joint platform of trade unions continues to fight against the anti-worker policies of the government. The joint platform had decided that in the last week of January they will hold a Jail Bharo satyagraha across the country. On January 30, workers across India have gone on a jail bharo (fill jails) Satyagraha.
CPI(M) Polit Bureau has issued the following statement on February 1, 2018THIS last full budget of the Modi government before the next general elections reflects, once again, its clear commitment to serve the interests of foreign and domestic big corporates while mounting further assaults on the vast majority of the working people of our country. This assault is, however, sought to be window-dressed to appear as its opposite.The budget does not seek to mobilise revenues by increasing direct taxes applicable to the rich, in spite of the fact that the top one per c
THE activists attending a workshop on urban issues organised in Visakhapatnam, repeatedly stated that dogs and mosquitoes are a major menace in their city. In fact, some of them stated that this menace is THE problem faced by people residing in their respective localities. More or less at a similar time, the Kerala government had approached the Supreme Court stating that the compensation for dog bite victims, decided by the committee appointed by the Court (which in some cases is as high as Rs 20 lakhs) ‘as extremely high’ and needs to be revisited.
ON this January 30, Mahatma Gandhi’s Martyrdom day, Karnataka witnessed a historic event. Over two lakh people in over 160 district and taluk centres all over Karnataka formed human chain between 4.00 to 4.10 PM to defend “Karnataka for Harmony”. People from all walks of life - writers, artists, intellectuals, religious leaders, secular political leaders, lawyers, workers, peasants, students, youth, women participated in the human chain enthusiastically. People belonging to minority communities participated in big numbers.
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.