Pakistan: Gen. Sharif's New Job

THE former Pakistan army chief, Gen. Raheel Sharif did not have to wait long for his next job. The Saudi Arabian government selected him as the head of a so-called Islamic army that has been in the works for some time now. It is a proposed “counter terrorism” alliance of around 39 Sunni states funded mainly by the Saudi monarchy and the rich Gulf emirates. The headquarters of the proposed military alliance will be based in the Saudi capital, Riyadh. The Saudi government had announced plans for its creation in December 2015 as it embarked on a fratricidal war against neighbouring Yemen.

EEFI Holds National Convention on Equal Wage for Equal Work

THE Electricity Employees’ Federation of India (EEFI) has organised a national convention on ‘Equal Wage for Equal Work’ at Mavalankar Auditorium in New Delhi on April 27, 2017.

Party Media Editors Meet in Hyderabad

EDITORS and in-charges of the CPI(M) guided dailies, weeklies and other publications met at Hyderabad for a two day brain storming session last week.

MAHARASHTRA: DYFI Holds Three Day State-Level Study Camp

THE Maharashtra state committee of the Democratic Youth Federation of India organised a three-day study camp for its leading cadre from April 22-24 in Mumbai. Kumar Shiralkar, well-known writer and activist, inaugurated the camp which was attended by 160 delegates. Inaugurating the camp, he exhorted the youth to rally against the communal forces and also come out in struggle against the ill effects of neoliberal policies.

A&N: Kisan Sabha Holds Fourth State Conference

THE fourth state conference of All India Kisan Sabha, Andaman and Nicobar unit was held in North and Middle Andaman district’s sub-divisional town at Diglipur, on March 17, 2017. The Diglipur town has been dressed up with red banners, red hoardings and Kisan Sabha red flags to welcome the delegates to the conference, who had come from all over Andamans.

MAHARASHTRA: AARM Holds Second State Conference

“There are 12 crore tribals in the country. There is a large tribal population in 170-175 districts in the country. The SECC survey of 2011 has shown that tribals are the most backward sections of society. 65 percent of tribals are landless. The income of 90 percent of tribals is less than Rs 5000 per month. Why has such a situation arisen even after 70 years of independence? This is because of the disastrous policies of successive governments, and the current BJP regime is the worst in this regard.“Tribals have lived in the jungles and mountains since generations.

Thinking Together

These days, when I view the electronic media and when I come across many of my fellow comrades, I get the impression that we have failed to impress the common people and raise their basic problems. Have we become merely a force which reacts to developments?S BaruahThe issue you have raised has many aspects.Firstly, when it comes to the electronic media, which is mainly owned by corporates and business interests, the views and the activities of the Party are rarely covered.

Strategic Failure in Pakistan Policy

THE beheading of two soldiers, one from the army and the other from the Border Security Force, within the Line of Control in the Poonch sector, is a brutal provocation. Whether the killing and mutilation of the two soldiers was done by the Pakistani army, or by extremists who crossed over with their assistance, it is a barbaric act which goes against all military norms and the Geneva Convention.There has to be a measured response from the Indian army.

THE WEEK IN PARLIAMENT

IN the concluding week of the Budget Session, Parliament passed some important bills. The Lok Sabha passed the National Commission for Backward Classes (Repeal) Bill and the Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-Third Amendment) Bill. Speaking on this, P Karunakaran said certain communities in the country have been suffering from extreme social, educational and economic backwardness. Giving the OBC Commission the constitutional status is a welcome step. The government should ensure that posts of the Chairman, Vice-Chairman and Members of such commissions do not remain vacant.

TAMIL NADU: Huge Rally of CITU Demands Minimum Wage, Abolition of Contract System

THOUSANDS of workers from across Tamil Nadu took part in a rally in Chennai on April 4, demanding a curb on price rise, check on rising unemployment, abolition of the contract system and equal pay for equal work, an end to violence against women at work place, and a minimum wage of Rs 18,000, among others.

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