People's Democracy

(Weekly Organ of the Communist Party of India (Marxist)

Vol. XXIX

No. 31

July 31, 2005

  Demands For The Countrywide Movement

Called By The CC In Aug-Sept 2005

 

Following are the demands relating to food, land and employment issues on which the central committee of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) has given a call for waging of a countrywide movement in the months of August and September of this year.

 

I.             FOOD

 

            Ration System

  1. Universalisation of PDS

  2. In the interim, issue BPL cards to all those denied cards.  Change  criteria for identifying BPL beneficiaries.

  3. Antyodaya to be expanded.

  4. Sugar to be included at subsidised price.  Expansion of commodities in the rationing system.

            Food for Work Programme

 

  1. End dual system in prices – all foodgrains to be calculated on BPL prices by Centre and allocation increased.

  2. Permit state governments to extend programme to other priority areas outside identified backward districts.

  3. Decentralise schemes and assist projects according to local requirements. No involvement of contractors.

  4. Minimum wages notified at the state level to be ensured.  All workers to be time-rated as opposed to piece-rated.

  5. Immediately revise food for work programme guidelines and ensure decentralisation, people’s participation, inclusion of other areas, 30% for women.

II.             LAND

 

  1. Stop reversal of land reforms in various states and enact radical land reform acts as in West Bengal and Kerala.  Joint pattas for women.

  2. Distribute the government wasteland and excess land to landless, with priority to scheduled castes. Not to big business and MNCs.

  3. Stop eviction of tribals from the lands in their occupation. Right of tribals to forest lands.

  4. Eviction of tenants should be stopped.  Register tenancy.

  5. Homestead land for landless agricultural workers.

  6. Land and all the  mineral resources is a sovereign national right. It should not be exploited by foreign companies.

III.            EMPLOYMENT

  1. Promote industrialisation and provide jobs in primary education and services sector by reversing the policies of liberalisation.

  2. Lift ban on recruitment in Central Government and state government posts.

  3. Implement the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act when adopted and extend to urban areas.

  4. Enhance allocations for employment generation for educated unemployed.