> ---------- From: "cpimllib" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Date: Wed, 27 Jun 2001 09:13:49 +0530 To: <Undisclosed-Recipient:;@tonto.eunet.fi> Subject: ML Update, Vol-4; No.-26; 27- 6- 2001. ML Update : A CPI(ML) Weekly News Magazine Vol.-4; No.-26; 27-6-2001 Beyond Sonia's Visit to the US and VP's 'Return' to Politics While all eyes are set on General-turned-President Musharraf's forthcoming visit to India, here is another visit that should merit some attention. Sonia Gandhi accompanied by Congress leaders Manmohan Singh, Natwar Singh, Murli Deora and Jairam Ramesh visited the US from June 24 to 27. The main official event in this mission is the UN General Assembly's special session on HIV/AIDS on June 26, but she is also meeting the US National Security Adviser Condoleeza Rice and Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage and several other officials and investors apart from influential members of the Indian community the US. Even the official purpose of the visit should raise some eyebrows. Nominating Sonia Gandhi, the leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, to head the Indian delegation to a special session of the UN General Assembly is a rare and striking gesture on the part of the NDA government. At a time when the Congress had done so well in the Assembly elections and the BJP finds itself in all sorts of trouble, the natural expectation would have been a sharpening of confrontation between the two main parties of the Indian ruling classes. Instead, cooperation seems to be blossoming as foreign policy initiatives take the centre-stage. While Vajpayee seeks to steal the show at home with yet another 'diplomatic coup' with Pakistan, Sonia has been despatched to the US to convey the message that in matters of crucial domestic and foreign policies the Indian ruling classes stand firmly united. Sonia's own calculations are also quite clear. President of the Indian National Overseas Congress Dr Surinder Malhotra has claimed that the Sonia visit would reiterate India's firm commitment to accelerate economic reforms and strengthen strategic ties with Washington. Malhotra told the media that the visit would help counter the 'misinformation' being spread by some that the Congress is now dragging its feet on economic reforms. In other words, Sonia and her colleagues would assure corporate America that nothing should be read into the Congress noise over Balco and Enron, which has been entirely for domestic political consumption and that the second generation reforms would be pursued with still greater vigour if the Congress were to be back in power in the next hustings. Interestingly, VP Singh has also chosen this juncture to announce his return to active politics! Over the last fifteen years he has developed his own discourse of what may be called the politics of renunciation. For all his periods of relative withdrawal from the political limelight, he has all along remained an active political figure and all these periodic pronouncement regarding 'sanyas' and all that have now been established as hallmarks of his political style as he goes on playing a protracted innings. What is really significant about his latest announcement is however his choice of political symbols. He has called for observing August 9 as 'Mandal Divas' to mark the anniversary of adoption of the Mandal Commission report by his government in 1990. In recent months, Singh has been vocal on issues like eviction of slumdwellers in Delhi and the agrarian crisis. Equally eloquent has been his silence on issues like Enron and Balco, or for that matter even Tehelka. He has always shied away from opposing the new economic policies of liberalisation, privatisation and globalisation and now by choosing Mandal as the main plank for his return to 'active politics', he has once again revealed his political preferences. This poses a clear question to all who swear by the urgent need for a third front. The politics of the third front over the last ten years has been limited to a very diluted version of secularism and social justice devoid of any major pro-people socio-economic content. While the third front has remained busy scratching the surface, the ruling classes have been relentlessly reshaping the Indian economy and polity in a rightward direction. Yet basic issues like land and liberty, wages and employment continue to remain relegated to the background of any third front programme. This in turn has weakened the opposition to fascist and imperialist forces and the fascist-imperialist clique has been successful in imposing its agenda on the country and the people. Today as the ruling classes once again assert their class unity and bourgeois politicians reiterate their political preferences, the fighting forces of the people will have to force their way forward to offer an active resistance based on a firm and committed vision of a people's democratic India. Ambiguity in programme and half-heartedness in action can only prove disastrous. Indo-Pak Summit Must Pave the Way for Improving Situation in Kashmir-CPI(ML) CPI(ML) in a press statement on 24 June said that Indo-Pak Summit should pave the way for making some concrete progress in improving the situation in Kashmir. The Party however cautioned that "Both sides should resist the temptation of extracting unilateral advantages and scoring propaganda points." However, the Party also criticised Prime Minister Vajpayee for his unwarranted and immature diplomatic move in congratulating Pervez Musharraf in advance for his becoming the president of Pakistan at a time when there is much resentment and protest against his autocratic move within the country and condemnation outside. Area Extension Must be Revoked-CPI(ML) Party said on 25 June that instead of reviewing the extension of ceasefire with NSCN(I-M), the Govt. must withdraw the decision and fulfil the aspirations of democracy and development of the Northeast. The Party also condemned the arrest of agitating students in Manipur and demanded their unconditional release. On Disinvestment Deals Commenting on the recent CAG report concerning the sale of Modern Food to Hindustan Lever, the Party said that after the SEBI indictment of Sterlite, the buyer of Balco, now the CAG report has hinted at another scam concerning the Modern Food deal. Such deals have only institutionalised scam and corruption, the Party said, while demanding the winding up of the Disinvestment Ministry. Bandh in Karbi Anglong and N.C. Hill in Assam Opposing the ceasefire agreement between Union Govt. and NSCN(I-M) to extend ceasefire to all the Naga inhabited areas, a 48-hour NC Hills bandh was observed by ASDC(P), DSU, DWS & NCHSF from the morning of 20 June, 2001. The bandh was total. On the same day, a 10-hour bandh was observed in Karbi Anglong on the same issue under the call of ASDC(P)-CPI(ML) and other organisations like KSA, KNCA. The ceasefire extention agreement was opposed by almost all political parties and organisations of the boardering states of Manipur and Assam. Assam State Committee of CPI(ML) has condemn this agreement and demanded immediate withdrawal of the same. A propaganda campaign against this vested move is going on in Karbi Anglong and N C Hills. Everywhere slogans like "Scrap the Extension of Area", "Down with the conspiracy of BJP and ASDC(U)", "People will not allow the conspiracy of merging the territory of Karbi Anglong & N C Hill to Greater Nagaland" are written on walls. Assam State Committee has decided to participate in Panchayat election in Assam that are proposed to be held in the coming December. The Committee is making preparations for a vigorous participation in it and planning to contest all possible seats. Party is gearing up to launch a movement on the demand of implementation of all panchayat and rural developmental schemes. Seminar by Defence Employees in Tamil Nadu Opposing privatisation of production in defence sector, a seminar was organised by the Co-ordination Committee of AIDEF Unions, Tiruchirapalli, in the Community Hall of the residential estate of Ordnance Factory, Tiruchirapalli. The district leaders of AICCTU, CITU, AITUC, BMS, LPF(DMK) & ATP(AIADMK) addressed the seminar. Com. KG Desigan, AICCTU district incharge addressed the seminar. While highlighting the dangers of allowing private/foreign investment in the production of defence material, speakers expressed their concern over the continuing trend of isolated struggles by different industries/sectors against privatisation and emphasised the necessity for joint struggle by unions of different sectors in the public/Govt. sectors to defeat the anti-worker policies. Criticising the defensive approach in the TU movement, Com. K.G. Desigan cited the struggle by the UP Electricity Board employees against privatisation to highlight the necessity of offensive approch by activists in TU movements. The seminar was organised in preparation of the forthcoming 48 hrs strike on 23 & 24 July called by three major federations in defence sector-- AIDEF, INDWF and BPMS -- against all forms of privatisation in defence sector as well as for lifting ban on recruitment and for full capacity utilisation in defence industries. Resolution on Separate Statehood for Telengana The resolution recently adopted by Party's Andhra Pradesh State Leading Team on separate statehood for Telengana says: "Though the demand has caused concern among those who cherish the unity of 'Telugu-speaking nationality', persistent feelings of neglect, deprivation and backwardness among the people of Telengana have made this a popular demand. The World Bank dictated policies of Mr. Chandrababu Naidu govt. ... have only fuelled this demand. In this sense, Mr. Naidu is squarely responsible for the sense of alienation among the people of Telengana and the revival of this demand at this juncture." The CPI(ML) considers this a democratic demand of the people of Telengana and demands that the Centre should constitute a second States Reorgansiation Commission to consider this and certain other similar demands like that of Vidarbha. At the same time, the CPI(ML) notes with concern that reactionary forces have come to the fore today to champion the demand, whose role in various other democratic struggles of the people of Telengana have hitherto been nil. CPI(ML) appeals to the people of Telengana to be vigilant against such right-wing forces and against any possible attempt to steer the movement along sectarian and chauvinistic lines, which could only weaken the united left-led movement of the people of all regions of A.P. against World Bank dictated policies of the TDP Govt. Statewide Protest Day in U.P. Against Dalit Killings CPI(ML) U.P. State Committee observed statewide protest day on 21 June against the recent killing of dalits in Fatehpur and Aligarh districts. On that day, effigies of Chief Minister Rajnath Singh were burnt in various districts and in Lucknow the district unit staged a dharna before the state Legislative Assembly. Prior to this, a 5-member investigation team led by Com. Lal Bahadur Singh visited Hasanpur village of Hussainganj PS in Fathehpur district, where 5 dalits were killed on 17 June. The team said that the recent spate of killing of dalits and adivasis is the result of protection given by Rajnath Singh to the upper caste feudal goons as well as the blanket powers given to the police to kill dalits and adivasis in the name of boosting the morale of police. The democratic people have no other way but to overthrow this government. The team demanded immediate sacking of the OC of Hussainganj, who played a criminal role in abetting the killers, supported by both BJP and Congress leaders, the report said. GBM Held in East Delhi The Mandawali CPI(ML) unit in East Delhi held its general body meeting on 24 June which was addressed by Com. Swadesh Bhattacharya, PB member and incharge of North Zone. The meeting was held to ensure maximum possible participation from Mandawali in the coming 9 August "Jail Bharo" programme. An intensive mass contact programme fom 1 to 14 July culminating in a march was also taken. Com. Suneeta, incharge of Mandawali, State Committee member Com. Gautam, Distt. Committee member Com. Shashibhushan and several other comrades addressed the meeting. Kerala Rail Accident Shows Govt. Callousness Party expressed deep concern on the disastrous train accident on 22 June near Kozhikode when Mangalore Mail derailed and plunged into the swollen Kadalundi river while passing over the bridge. While expressing profound grief over the death of passengers and injury to them, the Party said that such major accidents are on increase because of the callousness shown by the government in observing safety norms and undertaking upgradation of tracks and bridges as well as in neglecting the task of modernisation of railway traffic system. It is for this reason that train accidents have increased from 397 in 98-99 to 463 in 1999-2000. Can there be a harsher comment on the worthlessness of the Railway Ministry than the report submitted by HR Khanna Committee which explicitly says that "there is nothing resembling a railway safety policy document" with the Ministry? The bridge near Kozhikode in Kerala, on which the latest accident took place, was more than a century old. The Railway Ministry has itself admitted that there are 51,000 bridges more than 100 years old out of the total 1,20,000. As far as 12 years back, the Bridge Rehabilitation Committee observed that this bridge, as well as several others, should have been scrapped long ago, while identifying 262 bridges as needing "immediate rehabilitation". The report submitted by Justice GN Ray Commission of Inquiry into ghastly Gaisal train accident of 1999 had also underlined the "pressing need to maintain railway track and rolling stock". Despite changes of guards in the railway ministry over several decades, however, allocation for safety and upgradation has remained the lowest priority. The most handy rule is to pass the buck on extranuous casuses like sabotage. Behind the recent accident, for instance, Minister of State for Railways Mr. Rajgopal has discovered some "geological" causes. Mostly low-level employees get suspended as an eyewash after each incident. In exceptional cases, if high level officers are touched, they are ultimately exonerated and rehabilitated, as happened after the Gaisal railway mishap. How long people like Nitish and Mamata would be allowed commit the crime of befooling the public? Police Firing on Agitated Workers in Bengal Millowners in West Bengal have become more aggressive since the "reformed" Left Front Government with a pronounced pro-capitalist tilt has been sworn in. As a result, several jute mills have been closed and police opened fire in Hooghly and Jalpaigudi and brutally lathicharged in North 24-Parganas. Casual workers in Ganges Jute Mill in Bansberia, Hooghly had launched a movement against huge wage-cut by the management. On 20 June, police opened fire on agitating workers at the factory gate killing Someshwar Rao, a worker, and injuring several others. Police took recourse to indiscriminate arrests to create an atmosphere of terror. While the left and democratic organisations condemned the police firing and unlawful acts of the mangement, CPI(M) leadership only blamed the agitating workers. Leaders of Bengal Chatkal Mazdoor Federation (BCMF), affiliated to AICCTU, rushed to the spot and met the workers. BCMF observed protest on 23 June when in many jute mills workers organised gate meetings, wore black badges and paid tributes to the fallen worker. They demanded arrest of guilty police officials and the Jute Mill owners, steps against their illegal activities and compensation to the deceased and injured workers. On 22 June, 150 workers took out at DM office at Chuchura in Hooghly and courted arrest there. BCMP has decided to stage Mahakaran march on 25 June to protest police firing. Movement Against Eviction Residents in the vicinity of Tolly Nullah are under the threat of eviction by Kolkata Corporation in the name of city development. A number of mass organisations including ours formed an joint body and launched a movement against eviction, demanding proper rehabilitaion. On 22 June, around 1200 residents staged a demonstration before the Corporation and handed over a memorandum to the Mayor. The joint body has decided to hold Mahakaran March before end of this month. CPI(ML) has decided to observe 29 June as anti-eviction day which includes the problems of hawkers as well. CAG Detects Bungling in Sale of Modern Foods A recent report by Comptroller and Auditor Genral (CAG) published in Janasatta, which has not been made public yet, says that the logic put up by the Ministry of Disinvestment for the sale of Modern Food Industries to the multinational Hindustan Lever for a mere Rs. 104.45 cr. is not above suspicion. It also questioned the motive behind appointing ANZ Grindlays as its global advisor in the deal, which assessed the value of Modern Food too low at Rs. 78 cr., even though Hindustan Lever itself was bidding double that amount. According to CAG, ANZ Grindlays took into account the book value of plant and eqipment in place of its market value in contravention to the recommendations of disinvestment commission. Moreover, land & buildings at the disposal of Modern Food at Delhi and Silchar were not taken into account; hidden values like brand value and franchise network were also overlooked. On the other hand, in order to lower the sale price, the burden that Hindustan Lever would have to undertake in the form of capital gains tax and VRS was overvalued, exprenditure on maintenance and repair was also inflated. Summing up the approach, the CAG has observed that both Disinvestment Ministry and the ANZ were overzealous in providing all the logic in favour of Hindustan Lever, not for the government. The fact that the other buyers, e.g. Britannia, were not given even one fortnight's time for staking bidding the aucion further points to the shady nature of the deal. Then, at the time of obtaining the permission from the Cabinet for its sale, the provisions of closing adjustment were not informed, according to which Rs. 10.94 cr. was to be returned to Hindustan Lever, lowering the actual sale price to Rs. 93.51 cr. According to these provisions, even 70% of Rs.104.45 cr. can be returned to the buyer! For all this exercise in cheating the Indian people, CAG observed, ANZ was paid Rs.36 lakh in excess, because the Ministry paid the commission on Rs. 124.45 cr., (including Rs. 20 cr. that was invested by Hindustan Lever in Modern Food after its acquistion), in place of Rs. 93.51 cr. Obviously, one cannot be blamed for finding out not only BJP's zeal for privatisation but material gain of kickbacks to it also working behind such deals, something that was clear in a similar Balco deal signed at a later date. Left Opposition in Nepal Demands Prime Minister Koirala's Ouster After the ghastly massacre of the royal family on June 1, the parliament in Nepal has been convened for the first time on 25 June. This is an already delayed budget session which has to pass a state budget before 16 July, the day the fiscal year begins in Nepal. But on the very first day, the 9-party left opposition led by CPN(UML) called for Prime Minister Koirala to resign over the killings. Outside the parliament, CPN(UML) brought out a huge procession in Kathmandu demanding the resignation of a corrupt prime minister and withdrawal of the new public security rules introduced recently. According to these rules, district authorities have been given arbitrary powers to detain people and ban public meetings in the name of curbing the Maoists. As Madhav Nepal, General Secretary of CPN(UML) says, these rules sought "to revive the ghost of the autocratic regime that ruled Nepal before 1990". These rules are being seen as an attempt to suppress popular resentment against Koirala regime. Earlier, Democratic Youth Forum staged a demonstration at Central Secretariat in Kathmandu on 20 June protesting against this a violation of human rights. The shift towards autocracy in Nepal after the palace coup and installation of King Gyanendra is also marked by a significant increase in the activitiy of NCP(Maoists) on the one hand and intensification of police operations on the other. The outlived monarchy and consequent fragility of democracy is at the heart of the present instability in Nepal and only a united left assertion can ascertain a bright future to this one of the most backward countries in the world. CPI (ML) Protest to Milosevic's Extradition On June 23, Govt. of Yugoslavia, in blatant violation of the country's constitution, decided to extradite former president Milosevic to the International War Crime Tribunal in Hague. Expressing its protest, Party's international wing sent a letter to Yugoslavia Govt. The letter says that it tantamount to transferring the monstrous war crimes of imperialist NATO on the Yugoslav nation, which itself was devastated by the war. Appealing to reject the extradition, the letter says that the government has succumbed to the conditional offer of billions of aid money from the imperialist countries, which is damage to glorious anti-imperialist legacy of a nation preserved with blood of generations of her people. The letter warns that the cause of other Balkan people as well as the people of the world fighting against imperialism will be greatly harmed as a result of the extradition. _________________________________________________ Mail to ML Update:[EMAIL PROTECTED] ----------Liberation :[EMAIL PROTECTED] -------------Web site: http://www.cpiml.org ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
