Nagaland Imbroglio

WOMEN’S groups have been leading a struggle for 33 percent reservation in the local bodies in Nagaland for the past many years. Elections for 32 urban local bodies (ULBs) notified on December 21, 2016 were to be held after a gap of 16 years. Unfortunately some tribal groups opposed reservation for women under the garb of protecting customary laws. Women who filed their nominations were forced to withdraw and a call was given to boycott the elections.

THE WEEK IN PARLIAMENT

THE Budget Session began as usual with the President’s Address to the Joint Session of Parliament on January 31. After this, the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha met and made obituary references. Finance Minister Arun Jaitley laid the copy of the Economic Survey 2016-17 in both the Houses.The next day, after former Union Minister and Lok Sabha MP from Indian Union Muslim League E Ahamed, who collapsed during President Pranab Mukherjee's address and died in hospital, there was a long suspense over whether the government would adjourn the House or the Finance Minister would present the budget.

Union Budget: Deadly Push to Privatisation

A NATIONAL convention of central public sector workers was organised in Bengaluru on January 29, jointly by CITU, AITUC, HMS, INTUC, LPF, Joint Action Front (JAF), Bengaluru, and the Coordination Committee of CPSU Unions of Hyderabad. It was attended by more than four hundred leading representatives of trade unions from all the major central public sector undertakings (CPSU) in the country.

Who Benefits from a Compromised World Health Organisation?

THE World Health Organisation is set to elect a new director general at the World Health Assembly in May 2017, marking the completion of two four-year terms of the current director general, Margaret Chan.

Women Workers and the Union Government’s Economic Vision, 2020

THE Union Budget 2017-18 was preceded by the Economic Survey, 2017-18 which comprehensively outlines the long term economic strategy of the government. Though the survey is rigorously researched and referenced by the chief economist, it displays a strong ideological commitment and focus to pushing India into the next phase of neo-liberal reforms, both in terms of policy and societal changes.

TELANGANA: CPI(M) will act as a rankling sting, if Govt fails to fulfill promises

THE Mahajana Padayatra being conducted by the CPI(M) in Telangana has crossed the milestone of 3000 kilometres at Thallada in Khammam district on February 5. A pylon constructed there was inaugurated by V Srinivasa Rao, CPI(M) central secretariat member, to mark the occasion. The team of padayatra led by the Party’s state secretary Tammineni Veerabhadram was given a rousing reception by different sections of the people.

Jallikattu and Beyond

TAMIL NADU witnessed the mammoth struggle for Jallikattu which was not only spontaneous but also attracted each and every section of the people of the state. Never before in the recent memory there was such a massive struggle. The depth of the struggle can be gauged from some interesting manifestations. The Muslims and Christians also took part in large number giving the clear message that Jallikattu and Pongal festival belongs to all irrespective of religions.

The 2017-18 Budget: Aggravating Recession

THE annual budget has an impact on the economy over the year it covers; additionally it is also an indicator of the direction of policy of the government for the future years. Any budget has to be judged on both these counts. And on both counts, the Modi government’s 2017-18 budget is ominous for the people.

All India Girls’ Convention of SFI Held in Vijayawada

THE fifth All India Girls’ Convention of SFI was held successfully in Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh from January 27-29, 2017. This convention was happening in a context which is remarkably different from the previous girls convention held in Shimla in 2013. Today we have a government in centre, which is using the State power to further its destructive agenda of Hindutva. The impact can be felt in all spheres of life.

IMCWP Condemns Attempts to Ban Communist Party of Ukraine

THE Parties of the Working Group of the International Meeting of Communist and Workers Parties denounce once again in the strongest possible terms the attempts to ban the Communist Party of Ukraine in view of the relevant trial due to take place tomorrow (08.02.17) in Kiev.

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