The Debate on GST

THE debate so far on the Goods and Services Tax (GST) has been largely concerned with the question of compensation to the states for the losses they may suffer owing to the transition to a GST regime.

Shut the Liquor Shops: Widespread Struggle in Tamil Nadu

FOR the past one week, the people of Tamil Nadu raised their voice against TASMAC liqour shops, which have become a huge threat to the entire society. A shut down was observed, demonstrations and picketing were held, and people laid siege to liquor shops in many places. Left and democratic forces are leading the protest. The Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation (TASMAC), owned by the Government of Tamil Nadu, has monopoly over wholesale and retail vending of alcoholic beverages in the state.

Thinking Together

Ø DURING our 34 years of rule, Bengal was in the forefront of rice production. There were no communal riots. There were regular local body elections and we were the model for all other states in the field of land reforms.

Farmers Echo “No to Suicides; Onwards to United Struggles”

IT undoubtedly was the most difficult task for the All India Kisan Sabha-challenging emotionally as well as organisationally. It required the Kisan Sabha activists to go down to the families in extreme distress, understand their suffering, stand in solidarity with them and mobilise them to be a part of the struggle against the neo-liberal economic policies and the insensitive state as well as central governments that had snatched their loved ones from them.

Foxconn in India

FOXCONN, the world’s largest contract manufacturing company for consumer electronics, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding to set-up a factory in Maharashtra with an investment of $ 5 billion (Rs 32,000 crores). The Taiwan based Hon Hai Precision Industry Company, whose trade name is Foxconn, has become a giant manufacturing company which, on contract, supplies all the leading electronic companies like Apple, Hewlett Packard, IBM, Samsung and others. That such a company is setting up hardware manufacturing facilities in India is noteworthy. But Foxconn has another reputation that one

Stop Repressive Measures

The Polit Bureau of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) has issued the following statement on August 12, 2015.THE Polit Bureau of the CPI(M) condemns the arrest of P Madhu, secretary of the Andhra Pradesh state committee of the Party and Central Committee member. Madhu was arrested at the Amudalavalasa railway station, in Srikakulam district in the early morning of August 12. The police have arrested him to prevent him from visiting the area where forcible land acquisition is taking place for the Polaki Power Plant.

Historic Dharna by Families of Farmers who Committed Suicide

THE two day sit-in dharna on August 10-11, by families of farmers who committed suicide culminated with a resolution to intensify united struggles against the neo-liberal economic policies and the insensitive approach of the Narendra Modi led BJP government as well as different state governments. Over 500 peasants and agricultural workers attended in solidarity with the 103 family members from 12 states.Family members from different states narrated the extreme nature of the agrarian crisis and the reasons that led to the farmers committing suicide.

Kerala Writes a New History of Struggle: Millions Line Up for 1000-km Human Chain

THE people of Kerala wrote a new history in the struggle against pro-rich and pro-communal policies of the state and central governments on August 11 by making a 1,000-kilometre long human chain from Manjeshwaram to Thiruvananthapuram. Thousands of people from all walks of life lined up along national and state highways across the state to protest against the policies that are making the lives of people, particularly the poor and the downtrodden, miserable.It is estimated that around 25 lakh people participated in the struggle organised on the call of CPI(M) Central Committee.

TRIPURA: Pension Schemes for Informal Sector Workers Launched

THE Left Front government of Tripura took another path breaking step by introducing pension scheme for anganwadi workers and helpers at their attaining the age of 60 years and also social pension schemes for female domestic workers, transgender persons, leprosy patients and AIDS patients. The decision to this effect was taken in the meeting of the council of ministers.

Centennial Commemoration of Armenian Genocide:

THE centennial commemoration to mark the mass killings of Armenians was observed in many parts of the world on April 24. In Yerevan, the capital of Armenia, there was a solemn ceremony attended by world leaders, including the Russian and French presidents. Armenians all over the world remember the killings and mass deportations of Armenians from Turkey a hundred years ago as “the great calamity”. The Armenian government as well as the Armenian diaspora have been working tirelessly to make the international community recognise the terrible fate that had befallen their people.

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