THE fact that the socio-economic effects of technological change depend upon the property relations within which such change occurs is obvious but often not appreciated.Consider a simple example. Suppose on a certain area, 100 labourers were engaged for harvesting the crop at a total cost of Rs 5000; but the capitalist-landlord decides to use a harvester combine instead. Then the labourers’ income goes down by Rs 5000. The capitalist-landlord’s wage-cost goes down by Rs 5000, which accrues therefore as an addition to his profits.

THE International Solar Alliance (ISA) that met in Delhi recently, is envisaged as a grand inter-governmental coalition of sun-rich nations, i.e., countries that lie fully or partially between the Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn. The objective of the ISA is to facilitate members to ‘collectively address key challenges to scaling up solar energy’. These ‘key challenges’, as understood by the ISA Framework Agreement, include solar finance, solar technologies, innovation, research and development, and capacity building.

ELECTIONS held to the Italian parliament on March 4, had followed the recent electoral trends of the European continent. One, these elections, by Italian standards, witnessed large scale voter abstention. Two, election results show that the ‘establishment parties’ lost badly, while those challenging these parties have won by significantly increasing their vote share.

Election to the 19-Charilam Assembly Constituency in Tripura Postpone the Election, Demands CPI(M)  M A Baby, Polit Bureau member of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) met Om Prakash Rawat (chief election commissioner), Sunil Arora and Ashok Lavasa (election commissioners) on March 9 and requested for postponement of election to the 19-Charilam assembly constituency in Tripura till peace and normalcy is restored in the state.  The CEC assured that after having ascertained all facts, a decision will be taken.  The memorandum submitted to the CEC

A Young Workers Convention was organised by the IT branch of the CPI(M) in Bangalore on March 4. The convention discussed various problems facing the young workers in India’s IT capital and raised concern over their safety and security, especially of women and those working on night shifts. Over 700 young workers from Bangalore, mainly from IT/ITES industry, attended the convention.Prof. C P Chandrashekhar of Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) addressed the gathering at Jain University Auditorium.