Reconsider Decision on Life Saving Drugs

The Polit Bureau of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) has issued the following statement on March 3, 2016.THE Polit Bureau of the CPI(M) expresses its deep concern that 76 life saving drugs have been taken off the customs duties exemption list. This gazette notification by the government has made these drugs more expensive. These drugs include anti-cancer, anti-AIDS and drugs for haemophilia patients.The government’s reasoning is that this would protect the domestic drug companies.

Union Budget 2016-17

The Polit Bureau of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) has issued the following statement on February 29, 2016.

IN the backdrop of global economic slowdown, the budget should have increased measures that enhance domestic demand. Instead it chose to continue with the same regressive policies that are contractionary. This would aggravate inequality, unemployment and further contract exports. It would lead to increasing distress in agriculture and the countryside, the collapse of industrial production, the slowdown in construction activities and many services.

Do Not Snatch Away the Workers Savings

THE CITU has registered strongest protest over the NDA government’s budget proposal to tax workers’ accumulations in the Employees Provident Fund (EPF) and demanded its complete withdrawal immediately.

Hate Speech of Minister

THE spectacle of a minister in the Modi government making a speech of communal incitement and violating his or her oath of office has become a regular feature. Even so, the latest instance of Ram Shankar Katheria, the minister of state in the human resource development ministry making a hate speech against Muslims in Agra has to be taken with the utmost seriousness.

What is at Stake in JNU?

THE issues thrown up by the BJP-RSS attack on JNU have acquired a national dimension. The JNU struggle has become the focus of a wider struggle in the country. The Modi government is aiding and abetting the BJP-RSS drive to impose the Hindutva ideology in all spheres of society. This drive is specially concentrated on the universities and institutions of higher education which are under the purview of the central government. It is here that the central government sponsored Hindutva experiment is sought to be undertaken.

Left Parties Submit Memo to President over JNU Episode

Leaders of Left parties – Sitaram Yechury, CPI(M) general secretary and MP, S Sudhakar Reddy, CPI general secretary, Pawan Verma, MP, Janata Dal (United), Premchand Gupta, MP, Rashtriya Janata Dal, D P Tripathi, MP, Nationalist Congress Party, D Raja, MP, CPI and Mohd Salim, MP, CPI(M) – met president of India on February 19 and handed over the following memorandum.

Working Group of the IMCWP Holds its Meeting in Istanbul

A MEETING of the Working Group of the International Meeting of the Communist and Workers' Parties (IMCWP) was held on February 20-21, 2016 in Istanbul, Turkey. Communist Party, Turkey which had hosted the last IMCWP took the initiative in organising this meeting.The meeting was attended by 13 Communist and Workers' parties.

India-Pakistan Relations: Impact of the Pathankot Terror Attack

THE failed terror attack on the strategically located Indian Air Force base in Pathankot on January 2 was an obvious attempt to derail the dialogue process between India and Pakistan. Around the same time, there was an attempt to storm the Indian consulate in the Afghan city of Mazhar-i-Sharif. Prompt action by Afghan security forces foiled that attempt. Afghan security officials have said that the militants who tried to storm the consulate were well trained and highly motivated.

The Social Counter Revolution and JNU Crackdown

THE ‘undeclared emergency’ by the Modi government and the onslaught of Hindu Right against Jawaharlal Nehru University have brought into focus the challenge of how to intensify the ideological campaign that is being waged against a democratic and progressive idea of India. Liberal and democratic public opinion has correctly highlighted the authoritarian nature of the fascistic government and the attack by the BJP on the character and autonomy of central university.

Massive Rally Calls for Defeat of Cong & BJP, Strengthening of Left

GUWAHATI, the capital city of poll-bound Assam, witnessed a massive and inspiring rally on February 21 on the call of CPI(M) Assam State Committee. The sprawling and picturesque bank of the mighty Brahmaputra River, where the rally was held, turned red and was crowded by about fifteen thousand people who came from different corners of the state. It was an inspiring spectacle of the fighting unity of the toiling and democratic people irrespective of language, religion and caste in a state which is otherwise plagued by activities of divisive and communal forces.

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