[Marxistindia] Central Committee communique

[news from the cpi(m)]

October 29, 2014

 

Press Communique

 

The Central Committee of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) met in New
Delhi from October 26 to 29, 2014. It has issued the following statement:

 

Resist  Attack on MGNREGA

 

The Modi government is taking steps to curtail and restrict the Rural
Employment Guarantee Act.  There is a proposal to restrict the
implementation of the Act to 200 most backward districts in the country.  

 

Another adverse change being proposed is the decision to alter the
material-labour ratio from the current 60:40 to 51:49, increasing the
proportional expenditure on materials.  This has serious implications for
the very character of the programme.  Firstly there will be a drastic
cutting down of days of work which are already low.  Second, the increase in
the ratio of material will automatically mean the entry of contractors and
machines in much larger numbers.  This will signify the conversion of
MGNREGA from a work guarantee Act into a contractors commission guarantee
Act. 

 

Already there is a sharp cut in the labour budget allocation to the states.
This is the allocation for payment of wages to those employed under the
scheme. For instance, Tripura, which is the best performing state in the
country in the implementation of the Rural Employment scheme, has already
suffered a drastic cut.  The agreed labour budget for Tripura was 5.15 crore
person days, which amounted to a central allocation of 1,406.96 crores
rupees for the year.  However, this amount was arbitrarily slashed by over
47 per cent to 660 crore by the Centre.

 

Instead of serious improvements in the implementation of MGNREGA to increase
the number of workdays from the current dismal national average of 45 days
to  its full potential of 100 days, the BJP government is seeking to subvert
the character of the employment guarantee scheme.  

 

The Central Committee considers the moves to curtail MGNREGA as a serious
onslaught on the rights and livelihood of the rural poor.  It calls upon all
the democratic forces  and mass organisations to unitedly oppose these
changes.

 

The Central Committee decided to conduct a countrywide campaign on the
issue. On December 2, a protest day will be observed.  In Delhi, a mass
dharna will be conducted and the Chief Minister of Tripura, Manik Sarkar,
will lead the dharna.  

 

Unearthing Black Money

 

The Modi government's commitment to unearth black money and take firm action
against those who have illegally stashed away money abroad has come under
serious question.  The BJP's stand on this issue during the election
campaign has proved to be hollow rhetoric. Just as the UPA government, the
Modi government too has been unwilling to come out with the information
which the government had received about those holding foreign bank accounts.

 

In this connection, the Party welcomes the decision of the Supreme Court
asking the government to supply the list forthwith to the Court.  It is
pertinent to note that the Court has expressed doubt about government's
sincerity and resolve  in the matter.  

 

Labour Laws Dilution

 

The Central Committee extended full support to the struggle of the Central
trade unions against the amendments to the labour laws.  These proposed
changes will take the majority of workers out of the purview of the labour
laws.

 

 

 

 

December 6 Anniversary

 

The Central Committee called upon all its units to observe December 6, the
anniversary of the demolition of the Babri Masjid, as a day against
communalism and for communal amity along with other Left and secular forces.

 

Party Congress

 

Draft Review Report: The Central Committee discussed the Draft Review Report
of the Political-Tactical Line of the Party.  This review was undertaken in
order to identify any weaknesses or shortcomings which need to be corrected
to ensure the growth of the independent strength of the Party and to be able
to advance the struggle for a Left and democratic front.  

 

After the discussions, the Central Committee authorized the Polit Bureau to
present a revised draft on the lines suggested by the PB for approval in the
next meeting of the Central Committee. 

 

The next Central Committee meeting in January will also adopt the Draft
Political resolution and both these documents will be released for
discussions within the Party in the run-up to the 21st Congress.

 

The Central Committee decided that there will be 749 elected delegates to
the 21st Party Congress.  The state-wise quota of delegates to be elected
was finalised.

 

The Central Committee decided to hold a Plenum on Organisation after the
Congress on the basis of the guidelines to be decided by the Congress.  

 

 

 

 

 

Central Committee

Communist Party of India (Marxist)

A.K. Gopalan Bhawan

27-29, Bhai Vir Singh Marg, Gole Market

New Delhi 110 001

 

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