PM Re-writes History on Defence Self Reliance

IN his latest Mann-ki-baat address on June 28, 2020, the prime minister expressed some extraordinary views on defence manufacturing and self-reliance before independence, since then, and he took office in 2014. His own words, as per the official transcript in English, were: “Before independence, in the realm of the defence sector, our country was ahead of many countries in the world. There used to be a multitude of ordnance factories. Many countries that lagged behind us then, are ahead of us now.

Subject PM Cares Fund to Public Scrutiny

CPI(M) Polit Bureau has issued the following statement on July 6THE Polit Bureau of the CPI(M) is deeply disturbed at the stubborn refusal of the Prime Minister’s Office to disclose the details of the PM Cares Fund. It has been declared that this is a fund set-up by a private trust with prime minister as the chair and ministers of defence, home affairs and finance as trustees. It is claimed that since it is a private trust, it is not subject to RTI questioning and audit by any government auditor. It is clear that there is no transparency or accountability of thi

Remdesivir: Break Patent Monopoly - Issue Compulsory License

CPI(M) Polit Bureau has issued the following statement on July 5, 2020GILEAD Sciences’ anti-viral drug Remdesivir has shown efficacy in treating Covid-19 patients. Media reports indicate that the US, which is hoarding all drugs found to be useful in combatting the Covid pandemic, has bought the entire stock of Remdesivir from Gilead for the next three months. It will therefore not be available for the rest of the world.The price of Remdesivir in the US is $3,000 or Rs 2.25 lakhs, for a five-day course.

Oppose Amendments to RPD Act

CPI(M) Polit Bureau has issued the following statement on July 6THE Polit Bureau of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) condemns the attempts being made to dilute the provisions of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016. The amendments proposed by the government to “decriminalise” offences and designate some as “minor” and clubbing of some offences and diluting them would radically alter the very nature of the Act.

Third Party Congress – An Attempt towards Course Correction

THE first general elections, with universal adult franchise, were held in 1952. Immediately after the conclusion of its all India conference, though hampered by severe limitations, the Communist Party went into preparations for these elections. Most of the members of the Central Committee of the Party could not campaign in these elections as the widespread terror perpetuated by the military and police forces in the strongholds of the Communist Party, continued. Thousands of Party leaders and members were in prison and the Congress government refused to release them.

Govt to Withdraw Amendments to RPD Act

THE National Platform for the Rights of the Disabled (NPRD) has, in a statement issued on July 8, congratulated the disabled community of India for standing together to defeat the conspiracies to amend the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act and defang it of its penal provisions.The NPRD also expressed its gratitude to all those people’s movements and political parties and personalities who expressed solidarity and stood with one of the most marginalised sections of society.The government in response to the united opposition displayed by the disabled community has thought it prudent to

KERALA: Fraudulent Media Exposed Again

AS Indian Customs officials widened the net of inquiry a woman named Soumya confessed that her husband Sandip who is currently absconding was connected with the gold smuggling mafia. Soumya, who was taken into custody from Kochi said that Sandip smuggled gold from Dubai and he keeps close contact with Sarith and Swapna Suresh former UAE consulate employees and that both of them are involved in the case.Meanwhile, mainstream media tried a futile attempt to name Sandip Nair as a CPI(M) activist.

Working Class Comes Out to Confront Challenges

Workers were asked to step out of their houses to step up the struggle. They not only stepped out, but started marching on the streets.THE joint platform of central trade unions and independent industrial federations gave the call for an all India protest day to be observed on July 3. This followed the joint protests held all over the country on May 22, which were held when the lockdown was still on.

Palestine Betrayed

THE Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, had announced that the formal annexation of 30 per cent of the West Bank by Israel would take place on July 1. However, this did not happen on that date though Netanyahu maintained the preparations for the annexation are on. The illegal annexation move emanated from the notorious “Peace to Prosperity” plan announced by President Trump on January 28 this year, with the Israeli prime minister beside him. This atrocious plan amounts to the Jordan Valley of the West Bank and the lands on which the illegal Jewish settlements exist being annexed

This Challenge If Ignored Can Imperil Indian Democracy

IN the run up to the US presidential election in November 2020, the Democratic nominee Joe Biden is building up a lead over President Donald Trump seeking re-election for the Republicans. Not only is Biden gaining traditional Democratic votes, but he is cutting into those sections who usually support the Republicans. This is on account of the raw deal meted out to large sections of the US society, particularly the homeless, unemployed and other economically vulnerable sections. They are at the receiving end of growing inequality and poverty.

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