P.B. Communique

October 2, 2017

 

Press Communique

 

 

The Polit Bureau of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) met on October 2, 2017. It has issued the following statement:

 

P.B. Hails Struggle of Various Sections of People

 

The Polit Bureau hails the struggles of the kisans in Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Chattisgarh which is now spreading to various other parts of the country. The Modi government must immediately implement its election promise of announcing a Minimum Support Price of one and a half times the production cost as also a loan waiver. The CPI(M) also demands that a special Central legislation be enacted where the government shall compulsorily buy the produce of the kisans at the minimum support price.

 

Various sections of the people are preparing for big struggles against the disastrous economic policies and fast deteriorating livelihood conditions of our people. The trade unions and the kisan sabhas and the youth have independently given calls for struggles and big mobilisations. A joint platform Jan Ekta Jan Adhikar Aandolan has been formed of various Left mass organisations and people’s movements. The Polit Bureau of the CPI(M) calls upon the people who are suffering due to the devastating effects of the economic policies of this Modi government to join these protests in a big way.

 

Withdraw Fuel Price Hike

 

This Modi government has yet again hiked fuel prices when the international oil prices are showing a remarkable decline. The international prices fell to the tune of 85 per cent during the last year. But instead of passing the benefits of lower prices to the Indian people, this Modi government has hiked excise duty to the tune of 125 per cent, thereby making a bonanza in terms of revenue collection. This is happening at the expense of the vast majority of the Indian people who will suffer from the cascading inflationary impact of rise in fuel prices.

 

RSS Targetting Left

 

The Vijayadashami speech of RSS Sarsanghchalak, Mohan Bhagwat, had directly attacked the Left strongholds of Kerala and Bengal and has gone to the extent of accusing the Kerala LDF government of allowing the jihadi activities in the state to grow. Apart from being a sheer fabrication, this is meant to target the CPI(M) and the Left.

 

Attacks on Media Personnel

 

The Polit Bureau strongly condemns the continued attacks on progressive intellectuals and journalists. Following the brutal murder of Gauri Lankesh, a young TV journalist in Tripura, Shantanu Bhowmick was murdered by the BJP-backed IPFT. The PB of the CPI(M) strongly deplores the threats being given to journalists by various RSS affiliated Hindutva outfits and calls upon the concerned governments to ensure that freedom of expression and the rights of the media are not curtailed. Popular protests against such intimidation and murderous attacks must intensify.

 

Attack on BHU Girl Students

 

The Polit Bureau strongly condemns the unprovoked police attack on girl students of Benaras Hindu University who were protesting against sexual harassment. Instead of redressing their grievances, the Vice Chancellor ordered the police to act against the students. Men police personnel beat up girl students. This is part of the attacks on institutions of higher learning all over the country by the RSS/BJP governments.

 

The Polit Bureau demands the immediate removal of the Vice Chancellor. The complaints of the protesting students must be addressed forthwith.

 

Party Congress Preparations

 

The Polit Bureau discussed the Outline of the Draft Political Resolution for the 22nd Party Congress. This will now be taken to the Central Committee at its meeting from October 14 to 16, 2017.

 

P.B. Communique

August 8, 2009

Press Communique

The Polit Bureau of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) met in New Delhi on July 11, 2004. It has issued the following statement:

On Budget Proposals

The Polit Bureau had already given its reaction to the budget speech of the Finance Minister. It had appreciated the emphasis given to agriculture, education, employment, conserving water resources and giving relief to the people by raising the income tax exemption upto Rs. 1 lakh. There is also an increase of rupees ten thousand crore of gross budgetary support to the plan. However, the allocations in various sectors are meagre and if the CMP proposals in these areas are to be implemented seriously, much more resources will have to be mobilised and allocated.

The Polit Bureau reiterated its opposition to the raising of the Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) cap in the telecommunications, insurance and airlines sectors. It is surprising that the Manmohan Singh government has thought it fit to make such major policy changes which are not strictly within the budget purview. For instance, the raising of the cap in the telecom sector from 49 to 74 per cent would mean that some of the existing Indian telecom companies would become foreign owned and controlled. As pointed out earlier, telecom is a sector which has security implications. Even the United States of America has a 25 per cent FDI cap and any investment above that requires specific approval. Among the OECD countries which have such restrictions are France, Canada, Japan and many other countries.

The CPI(M) has consistently opposed the opening up and entry of foreign capital in the insurance sector. It may be recalled that when the first Insurance Regulatory Authority Bill was introduced in 1997, the CPI(M) had opposed it in Parliament at the time of the United Front government. It had also opposed the introduction of the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority Bill in the Lok Sabha and subsequently voted against it. While in 1997, the FDI cap proposed was 20 per cent, in 2001, the Vajpayee government raised the cap to 26 per cent. Now the Manmohan Singh government wishes to allow 49 per cent for foreign capital.

The argument that more foreign capital is required for expansion in this sector does not wash. There are big Indian companies which have access to bank funds for their expansion needs. Further, the state insurance sector is the biggest contributor to Plan funds since independence. Privatisation of half the sector would adversely affect the country’s overall economic development. The CPI(M), therefore, will oppose the move to amend the IRDA, if it comes up in Parliament.

In addition to the Polit Bureau’s response to the Finance Minister’s speech, the Polit Bureau also took note of the proposal in the Finance Bill to amend the law which grants the right to issue small savings instruments to the postal department. At present, the whole range of small saving schemes like the National Saving Certificate, Kisan Vikas Patra, post office deposit schemes etc are run by the postal department. The amendment would allow banks and other approved institutions to conduct the same service as the post offices. This would lead to a big loss for the postal services and cripple them financially. The government should, therefore, consider the adverse impact on the postal department before going ahead with this move.

The CPI(M) is conscious of the fact that the UPA government is interested in honouring the verdict of the people in the recent Lok Sabha elections and fulfilling its commitment to the Common Minimum Programme. The CPI(M) will discuss with the Left parties on taking up these issues with the government and for mobilising the people in support of the positions taken by the Left.

Election Review

The Polit Bureau discussed a draft review report of the elections with particular focus on the Party’s performance. The review report will be placed before the forthcoming Central Committee meeting for adoption and to take the necessary steps to streamline and expand the organisation.