RAJASTHAN 

An Important Victory

 AN HISTORIC agreement was signed in Jaipur on September 25 between the state AIAWU, state AIKS and the Chief Minister of Rajasthan, Ashok Gehlot, accepting the right to compensation to agricultural labour for jobs  lost because of the army takeover of the border. So far compensation against involuntary unemployment had been recognised as a right only by the LDF government in Kerala.

 According to the agreement, the Rajasthan government will give 50 kgs of grain to every family affected by the army takeover, one job per affected family, supply of grain at Rs.2 per kilo under the Antodaya scheme upto Rs.25 kg per family, and compensation for accidents caused by land mines.

 This agreement came after and was a result of the agitation in which over one lakh participated, led by the two organisations in the  Ganganagar district of Rajasthan from September 16 to 25.  The blockade of all administrative work during the last three days of the agitation was then called off. 

 The mass meeting held on September 25, was addressed by the AIAWU joint secretary, Suneet Chopra, AIDWA president, Subhashini Ali, AIDWA state secretary, Durga Swami and AIAWU district president, Sohan Singh Mandee.

 All speakers pledged continuing struggle if the demands were not implemented, as the starving agricultural workers were in immediate need of help.