Ensure Free & Fair Poll in West Bengal in Last Two Phases

CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury met the chief election commissioner on April 27 to relate some experiences of polling in West Bengal assembly elections so far and to underline certain urgent measures to be initiated to improve the quality of free and fair polls in the remaining two phases.

CITU Condemns Reduction In EPF Interest Rate

THE Centre of Indian Trade Unions, in a statement issued on April 25, has condemned the unilateral decision of the finance ministry to reduce the interest rate on EPF to 8.7 percent from the unanimous recommendation of the tripartite Central Board of Trustees of the EPFO. This was revealed from the reply to the unstarred question no 96 dated April 25, 2016 in Lok Sabha. The CBT on February 16 had decided the rate as 8.8 percent. This decision of 8.8 percent was an interim one and some increase was expected when final decision was to be taken, as funds are available with the EPFO for this.

CTUs Call for Protest on April 29 Denouncing Reduction in EPF Interest Rate

THE Central Trade Unions, in a statement issued on April 26, have strongly denounced the unilateral reduction in interest rate on Employees Provident Fund from 8.8 percent to 8.7 percent, ignoring the unanimous decision of the tripartite Central Board of Trustees of EPFO. On February 16, 2016, the CBT of EPFO, in its meeting chaired by union labour minister unanimously decided the interest rate on EPF at 8.8 percent as an interim measure with an indication of increasing it further in view of availability of funds generated by the EPF.

CPI(M) Greets Communist Party of Cuba on its Seventh Congress

The following is the text of the message of greetings sent by the Central Committee of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) to the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba on the occasion of its Seventh Congress held from April 16-19 in Havana.Dear Comrades,The Central Committee of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) conveys its warm fraternal greetings to the Seventh Congress of the Communist Party of Cuba (PCC) and wishes it all success.We have been following with immense interest the restoration of diplomatic relations between Cuba and the US.

CPI(M) Welcomes Judicial Verdict Setting Aside President’s Rule in Uttarakhand

The Polit Bureau of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) has issued the following statement on April 21, 2016.

IN a landmark judgement, the Uttarakhand High Court has set aside the President’s rule imposed on March 27, 2016 and directed the holding of a Floor test on April 29.

It is very significant that the Court underlined that Article 356 of the constitution must be used as the last resort. Further, it ruled that the imposition of President’s rule was contrary to the norms laid down by the Supreme Court.

Handwara Killings Condemned

The Polit Bureau of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) has issued the following statement on April 15.

THE Polit Bureau of the CPI(M) strongly condemns the firing by security forces in Handwara town in North Kashmir which led to the deaths of three innocent young men and an elderly woman. Among those killed was a 19-year old promising cricketer. These killings have led to widespread unrest all over the valley.

Gurugram Unacceptable

THE Haryana state secretariat of CPI(M) in a statement issued on April 13, has strongly objected to the names of Gurgaon and Mewat being changed. Gurgaon being named as Gurugram is absolutely unacceptable.

AIKS Foundation Day Observed

THE 80th Foundation Day of the All India Kisan Sabha was observed on April 11 throughout the country. AIKS flags were hoisted, mass meetings and seminars were held on this occasion. In the central office of AIKS, flag hoisting was done by NK Shukla, joint secretary of All India Kisan Sabha.

Afterwards the meeting was also addressed by Dr Hemalata, national secretary of CITU, Asha Sharma, working president of Delhi state committee of AIDWA and Babu Mohan from the AIAWU.

Proposed Changes in Contract Labour Rules Bypass Major Issues: CITU

CITU has opposed the proposed changes in the Contract Labour (Regulation and Abolition) Central Rules, saying the move bypass the major issues raised by central trade unions. In a letter to the Director General of Labour Welfare on April 11, CITU general secretary Tapan Sen said the move is not at all welcomed as it seeks to confuse as well as permanently sideline the major issues pertaining to contract labourers that are being raised by the entire trade union movement.

Kollam Tragedy

The Polit Bureau of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) has issued the following statement on April 10, 2016.

THE Polit Bureau of the CPI(M) expresses its deep shock and grief over the tragedy that occurred in a temple at Paravoor in Kollam district, Kerala. More than 100 people have died in the fire leaving behind a trail of injury and misery. All efforts must be made to mount rescue operations and provide proper medical relief, attention and rehabilitation to the victims.

The Polit Bureau conveys its deep condolences to the families of the victims.

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