PERHAPS no other public policy debate in post-independence India has seen as much of an “inversion of reason” on the part of the government as the demonetisation debate. When critics were pointing, on the basis of government statistics themselves, to the palpable failure of the demonetisation measure to achieve its purported objective, which was to cripple the black economy, the government kept harping, in its justification, on the extraordinary“boldness” of the move.
POLIT Bureau member of the CPI(M), BV Raghavulu warned that the threats coming from the leaders of the RSS and the BJP pose a danger to the democratic rights, constitutional and secular values and communal harmony in the entire country. He made it clear that it was not an issue confined to the CPI(M) alone and appealed to all democratic, progressive and social forces to oppose with one voice such threats coming from the leaders and activities of the RSS and BJP.
The ABVP-RSS goons have been targeting SFI activists in Kerala. In the past few weeks, there were several attacks on SFI leaders in various parts of Kerala. December 16, 2016: KS Akhil, SFI unit president of Kerala Varma College in Thrissur was attacked on his way to the college by two ABVP-RSS men on a bike. He suffered injuries to his right hand and had to be admitted to hospital.January 18, 2017: Rathin Raj, joint secretary of Konni area committee of SFI in Pathanamthitta district was attacked by about 20 RSS goondas. He was attacked with a sword and
On November 23, the Kerala State Planning Board appointed a Committee to study the impact of demonetisation on the economy of Kerala. The committee has come out with a report, the excerpts of which were published in the issue dated. Below are the recommendations of the committee.117. Despite the damage it has done, the central government is politically unwilling to reverse its demonetisation decision. On the other hand, full “remonetisation” of the economy is unlikely before the third quarter of 2017. As of now ceilings on withdrawals remain in place.
The Polit Bureau of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) has issued the following statement on March 2.THE Polit Bureau of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) strongly condemns the threats being issued by RSS leaders against the Kerala chief minister, Pinarayi Vijayan.
THERE are a lot of people who need to be thanked for their wishes on the Women's Day. Indeed the list is quite long, but taking into consideration the constraints of time and space here are a few that should not be missed at any cost.Let's start with the pradhan mantri, err, pradhan sewak. Not the one to shy away from showing his strength in using the 140-character handle, he 'twished' (this is a tweet+wish) saluting the 'indomitable spirit, determination & dedication of Nari Shakti on International Women's Day'.
THE unexpected pardon that the former American president, Barack Obama, has given to the whistle blower, Chelsea Manning, has come as a welcome surprise for human rights activists and millions of ordinary Americans, who had demanded his release. Obama has not extended the same gesture to Edward Snowden, the other famous whistle blower, who exposed the widespread State surveillance by US intelligence agencies. The Obama administration has arrested more whistle blowers on charges of espionage than any previous administration.
HUNDREDS of activists of the Left and Democratic Front in Mumbai belonging to various parties, viz CPI(M), CPI, Lal Nishan Party, CPI(ML) Liberation and Bharip-Bahujan Mahasangh participated in a militant demonstration on March 6 at Dadar Railway Station in Mumbai.
Students and teachers from different universities marched from Mandi House to Parliament Street in New Delhi on March 4, against ABVP'S gundaraj and their assault on students and teachers outside Ramjas college.Addressing the gathering, Sitaram Yechury said that the ABVP's goondaraj will not be tolerated and united resistance will be waged against anti-people, anti-student government. He extended support to their struggle, on behalf of the Party.
KERALA finance minister Thomas Isaac presented the budget for 2017-18 in the Assembly on March 5. The budget was a bold attempt to save the state’s economy and to provide maximum relief to the common people facing a crisis created by the central government’s demonetisation move and neo-liberal economic policies. The budget attracted a wide applause from every section of society. The opposition parties have not raised any objection to the budget provisions.The second budget of the LDF government led by Pinarayi Vijayan draws a road map for comprehensive changes in infrastructure.