Thinking Together

The Union Cabinet has passed what is being called the ‘Surrogacy Bill’ to regulate the practice of surrogacy in India. There have been many conflicting opinions expressed on the Bill. What is our Party’s stand on the provisions of the Bill?Vijay Sinha, MumbaiTHE union cabinet passed the Surrogacy (Regulation) Bill, 2016 on August 25. The government has said that the Bill will be sent to a select committee before it is placed for a vote in parliament. This is a very essential move. All sections of society and various organisations should be given the opportunity to submit their suggesti

A Much Delayed Bill on Surrogacy

The All India Democratic Women’s Association has issued the following statement on August 26A much delayed Bill to address the issues surrounding surrogacy has been reportedly cleared in a cabinet meeting of the present NDA government on August 24, 2016. There has been a long standing demand from many organisations and groups for a separate law to ensure that women, especially from the poorer sections are not exploited by the increasing pulls and pressures of this multi-million dollar medical industry.

Historic Convention at Dharwad Government Given Two Weeks Deadline

DHARWAD, a peaceful education centre of northern Karnataka was witness to a historic march and convention on August 30. Thousands of writers, artists, intellectuals, teachers, students, concerned citizens from all corners of state and the country marched through the city streets in a silent procession and held a massive convention amidst incessant rains. It was organised by Committee against Murder of Dabholkar, Pansare, Kalburgi – a coalition of over hundred organisations from Karnataka and other states. The occasion was the first death anniversary of writer researcher Dr Kalburgi.

Oppose Niti Ayog's Proposal for Corporate Takeover of Medical Education

What is important to note here that almost all the complaints of violations of norms and of recommendations for closure of colleges pertain to those in the private sector.In a move that is fraught with far reaching and extremely adverse consequences for medical education in India, the Niti Ayog has recently (on August 7, 2016) published a report titled "A Preliminary Report of the Committee on the Reform of the Indian Medical Council Act, 1956". The report is designed to reform the entire system of medical education in India.

The Subversion of Concepts

Consider two statements: “Petty production is being squeezed out by the encroachment of capital”, and “Petty production is being squeezed out by the encroachment of multinational corporations”. Many would consider the two statements to be more or less identical, the second being only a more specific form of expressing the first.

Hundred Days of the People's Alternative

Constructing a house for Perumbavoor murder victim Jisha’s mother and making it available a day before the promised date, the decision to increase the rate of welfare pensions, reopening of cashew factories on Chingam 1 as declared earlier, disbursing the pensions of more than 37 lakh people at their homes within 100 days, and the fact that we were able to start the comprehensive loan waiver scheme as planned all reflect our care for and commitment to the weaker sections of our society.

On the Singur Judgment

The Polit Bureau of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) has issued the following statement on September 2, 2016.The Supreme Court has struck down the 997 acres of land acquired in Singur meant for the Tata car project.The then Left Front government had intended through this project to develop industry and thereby create jobs in the state. However, the acquisition process had to be undertaken under the 1894 Land Acquisition Act, which was the only legal instrument available at that time. This was an Act which did not protect the interests of the farmers adequately.

September 2 Strike Reflects the Anger of Workers across the Country

The country wide general strike on September 2 this year was even bigger and more widespread than that held on the same day last year, as initial reports from all over the country suggest. The country wide general strike this year too was held on the same 12 point charter of demands. The central trade unions claimed a participation of 15 crore workers in the strike last year.

A Dangerous Precedent

The opening day of the monsoon session of Haryana legislative assembly saw a Jain muni addressing the legislators. This was an unprecedented violation of constitutional and parliamentary norms.By inviting the Jain muni, Ratan Sagarji, to address the legislature, the BJP chief minister M L Khattar has struck at the root of the secular character of the State which ordains separation of religion from politics.The Jain priest had a chair above the podium where the governor and the chief minister sat.

Another Step in Military Alliance with US

The Logistics Agreement signed with the United States during the visit of Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar, is a first of its kind for India. By this agreement, a foreign military force, that too, the armed force of the most powerful imperialist country, will now be able to access India’s naval and air bases to service the needs of their armed forces.The Logistics Support Agreement (LSA) is a treaty which the Untied States enters into with countries with who it has established military alliances or close military cooperation.

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