THE National Platform of Mass Organisations (NPMO), consisting of a large number of trade unions and the organisations of other sections of the people, has decided to launch a countrywide action programme against the ongoing "reforms" being pursued by the BJP-led NDA government. The NPMO decided upon its course at its meeting held at New Delhi on January 15.

The meeting was presided over by D D Shastri, president of the TUCC, and attended by representatives of the constituent central trade unions, national federations, organisations of the kisans, agricultural workers, students, youth and women, etc.

The meeting seriously resented against the "reforms" being pursued by the BJP government in a blitzkrieg manner, despite growing opposition from all sections of the working people. It condemned the government for allowing the multinational corporations in all sectors of the Indian economy, while professing by swadeshi, creating a multi-dimensional crisis in all the sectors.

Public sector is being dismantled, undermining the very foundations of the country’s self-reliant economy. All vital sectors including power, telecom, banks and financial institutions are being privatised and their disinvestment is going on in a fast track manner. Sick public sector undertakings (PSUs) are being closed down instead of being revived. Salaries have been withheld in the sick PSUs. Peasants and agricultural workers are among the worst hit. The government refuses to carry forward any land reforms and to enact a central legislation for agricultural workers. There is galloping rise in unemployment, along with a steep rise in the prices of all commodities with the virtual dismantling of the public distribution system.

Students and youth are facing a bleak future because of a decline in jobs, while the education system is being systematically saffronised involving a distortion of history. For women, the much-awaited reservation bill has not even been introduced.

The NPMO congratulated the workers in different sectors --- like the P&T, bank and electricity employees, pharmaceutical employees, state government employees, etc --- for their struggles in the recent past. Through a statement, the NPMO extended support to the three- day picketing programme declared by organisations of the kisans and agricultural workers from February 5-7.

The NPMO meeting also discussed the fall-out of the pre-budget meeting held by the union finance minister, which gave indications about the forthcoming budget including the railway budget. It appears that the coming budget is going to heap further miseries on all sections of the people. The NPMO unanimously decided to hold a national convention of mass organisations at Delhi on February 19. (INN)