Geospatial Bill or the Monumental Stupidity of the Home Ministry?

THE Geospatial Bill, May 2016 has been released by the ministry of home for public discussions before being placed in the parliament. The bill is not about geospatial data or applications of geospatial data for development and better governance, but only about how to “protect” India's borders on various maps, and “hide” sensitive information from its enemies. In the process, we have a throwback to the 19th century mindset, when Survey of India was the sole map making entity, maps were confidential and only paper maps existed.

The Perversity of Market Signals

IF we leave aside the problem of deficiency of aggregate demand, ie, of generalised over-production, then the only demand-supply mismatch that can arise in an economy is when too much of some commodity is produced relative to demand, and correspondingly too little of some other commodity is produced relative to demand. When such a mismatch arises, the market gives a clear signal about it through the actual level of inventories of commodities being either too much or too little relative to the “normal” level.

Thinking Together

What is the CPI(M) stand on GM crops? Why can it be not utilised?Padmakumar, CochinTHE CPI(M) is all for scientific innovation which protects the best interests of people and farmers. However, the Party is firmly of the opinion that there should not be any commercial release of GM crops without ensuring safety for humans, animals and the environment. Stringent long-term bio-safety tests by a competent regulatory mechanism must establish safety for humans, animals, environment and bio-diversity of the country.

Jharkhand Bandh on May 14

A MEETING of Left Parties of Jharkhand held on May 7, decided to observe a statewide bandh on May 14, to protest against series of communal incidents throughout the state, anti-workers amendments to the labour laws, amendment to the Chota Nagpur Tenancy Act and Santhal Pargana Tenancy Act, anti-people local residential policies, forcible acquisition of land, attack on trade union and democratic rights and deteriorating law and order situation in the state.The meeting was presided by GK Bakshi, state secretary of CPI(M) and attended by K D Singh, state secretary of CPI, Prakash Viplav, stat

KERALA: Elections in the Offing; It seems to be LDF All the Way

EVEN at the fag end of the electioneering, the UDF is far behind the LDF in public and door-to-door campaigning. The BJP has also lost its confidence to get a threshold in Kerala legislature.

The Energetic Campaign by the CPI(M)

THE elections for Tamilnadu Assembly are scheduled on May 16 along with Kerala. In Tamilnadu for the first time an alternative front has been formed against both DMK and AIADMK. This front consists of CPI(M), CPI, MDMDK (headed by Vaiko), VCK (a strong dalit party) which together had formed Peoples Welfare Front. Later on, DMDK of Vijaykanth and TMC of GK Vasan (son of Karuppiaih Moopanar and former central minister) also joined and a six party alliance emerged. This six party alliance has been giving many sleepless nights to both the dominant parties of the state.

TAMILNADU: CPI(M) Election Campaign Calls for Electing PWF

THE people of Tamilnadu have always shown a new way during times of crisis, and continuing the tradition; the time has come to elect a people-centric government led by the People’s Welfare Front, Sitaram Yechury, general secretary of CPI (M), said in the election campaign.CPI(M) leaders Sitaram Yechury and Brinda Karat started campaign in various parts of Tamilnadu from May 4.

Welcome Verdict

The Polit Bureau of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) has issued the following statement on May 11, 2016THE Polit Bureau of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) welcomes the judicial verdict on the floor test held in the Uttarkhand assembly, upholding the constitution and the Bommai judgement that lays down that the majority has to be proved on the floor of the assembly and Article 356 should be used only as a last resort.This is a big setback to the anti-constitutional conspiracy hatched by the BJP of trying to topple the government in the state and impose its rule there.

JAMMU AND KASHMIR: CPI(M) Condoles the Demise of Com Bishan Dass

THE Jammu and Kashmir state committee of the CPI(M) has expressed grief over the sad demise of Comrade Bishan Dass, who was a veteran kisan and senior CPI(M) leader.

Uttarakhand: Verdict for Democracy

THE Modi government's sordid attempt to topple the Harish Rawat government in Uttarakhand and install a BJP government with the help of defectors has been thwarted by a vigilant judiciary. Harish Rawat has won the floor test in the Uttarakhand assembly in an unprecedented Court monitored vote by the legislators.

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