[Marxistindia] corrected version of Press Statement

[news from the cpi(m)]

September 7, 2017

Press Communique

The Polit Bureau of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) met in New
Delhi on September 6 & 7, 2017. It has issued the following statement:

Dismal Economic Scene

All the latest data coming in shows that the economic slowdown has
accelerated after demonetisation and the threat of recession is looming
ahead. The estimated GDP growth in the quarter of the current financial
year i.e. April to June is 5.7 per cent. The GDP growth rate has fallen
four quarters in a row. The index of industrial production for this
quarter shows a growth rate of only 1.8 per cent. Exports are stagnant;
and the non-performing assets of nationalised banks has increased to Rs.
8.26 lakh crores at the end of June 2017 (without adding interest).

The agrarian distress continues to deepen. Unemployment is soaring across
all sectors of the economy and the latest data in the services sector show
a contraction of economic activity.

The Modi government’s economic policies are proving to be disastrous for
the country.


Growing Resistance & Struggles

The Polit Bureau noted with appreciation reports about the growing
resistance to the neo-liberal economic policies and to the danger from the
communal forces to democracy and polity of the country. It heard reports
about the mounting struggles by various sections of the people.

The Polit Bureau decided to lend its support and solidarity with the
September 18 all India convention being held by mass and class
organisations Jan Ekta Jan Adhikar Andolan, the mobilisation by the youth
against unemployment on September 28 and the three-day massive sit in
before parliament by central trade unions and federations from November 9
to 11, 2017.

Rohingya Issue: Humanitarian Crisis

The expectations that Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit to the
Myanmar capital would take up the issue of Rohingyas was belied.
Unfortunately, the issue affecting lakhs of people in Myanmar who in the
face of widespread attacks in their country have fled to neighbouring
Bangladesh and India in their thousands did not find place in the talks
between the Indian Prime Minister and the Myanmar leaders.

The Government of India must treat this as a humanitarian issue and
immediately take this up with the governments of Burma and Bangladesh to
resolve this issue. Those Rohingyas who have crossed over to India should
be treated as refugees and not pushed back or deported. The matter should
be taken up with the United Nations Human Rights Commission and the
International Red Cross and the issue should be raised in other
international fora as well.

NEET

There have been widespread protests in Tamilnadu and elsewhere against the
NEET examinations. Following the unfortunate death of an aspiring student,
Anitha in Tamilnadu, protests have escalated in the state.

Given the opposition to this mode of entrance tests from some states,
especially from Tamilnadu which is seeking exemption, the central
government should consider the opinion of the Tamilnadu people.

22nd Party Congress

The Polit Bureau would propose to the next Central Committee to hold the
22nd Party Congress at Hyderabad from April 18-22, 2018. The preparation
of the documents and the agenda to be considered at the Congress has
begun.







(Hari Singh Kang)
For Central Committee Office