People's Democracy

POLIT BUREAU TELLS UPA GOVT 

Reduce Petro Prices And Help Curb Price Rise

The Polit Bureau of the CPI(M) has demanded the UPA government to immediately reduce the prices of petrol and diesel to the pre-June 2006 levels so that the galloping prices of essential commodities could be curbed. It called upon all its units to carry on the ongoing campaign against the continuing trend of high prices of essential commodities, which was making the life of aam aadmi miserable.

The Polit Bureau met in New Delhi on November 14 – 15, 2006 and took stock of developments in the recent weeks. Addressing a press meet after the conclusion of the meeting on November 15, CPI(M) general secretary, Prakash Karat announced that all units of the Party would take up the issue of reduction of petro prices as part of the campaign against price rise. He said since every time the government cited rise in international crude oil prices as the reason for hiking the prices, it follows that now that there has been a significant reduction in the international prices, the government should reduce the prices, at least to the pre-June hike levels. He felt this would help in curbing the prices of essential commodities.

Prakash Karat briefed the media about the other issues taken up for discussion in the PB meeting: worsening situation in Bangladesh, Khairlanji atrocity, creamy layer in SC/ST reservation, Rajasthan farmers movement, Postal privatisation efforts, Assam situation, UP elections etc. 

Asked to comment on the remarks made by China’s ambassador to India regarding border dispute, Karat said both countries have different understanding of what constitutes their border and therefore there has been a long pending dispute on this. Talks have been going on through the mechanism of Joint Working Group to resolve this issue and these must be pursued, said Karat. He said the solution would not be found overnight or during the coming visit of Chinese president Hu Jintao to India. He called for making progress in other aspects of bilateral relations even as the JWG continues its efforts for arriving at a mutually acceptable solution to the border dispute. 

Karat stated that the Nepal situation was also discussed in detail in the PB. He expressed the hope that the scheduled agreement to be signed between the SPA and the Maoists would happen on November 16. He informed that Polit Bureau member Sitaram Yechury left for Nepal immediately after the PB meeting at the invitation of the concerned parties.

The following is the full text of the Polit Bureau communiqué issued on November 15, 2006:

Bangladesh: Worsening Situation

THE Polit Bureau discussed the deteriorating situation in Bangladesh in the light of the forthcoming parliament elections. The steps taken by the outgoing Khaleda Zia government have cast doubts whether a free and fair election will be held. The appointment of the president as the chief adviser to the caretaker government, the composition of the Election Commission and its controversial role in finalising the voters list have led to large-scale protests by the opposition parties. The confrontation paralysed normal life and there were apprehensions about the intervention of the armed forces. It is essential that steps are taken which will assure the people that a fair election is possible.

The Polit Bureau strongly disapproves the US intervention in the internal affairs of Bangladesh as seen in the manner in which the US assistant secretary of state Richard Boucher expressed his views regarding the conduct of elections during his visit there.

Reduce Prices of Petrol & Diesel

The Polit Bureau expressed concern at the continuing trend of high prices of essential commodities. Prices of foodgrains, sugar, pulses and edible oil continue to remain at a high level with no sign of their coming down impacting on the lives of the people.

In this connection, the Party had demanded that the government reduce the prices of petrol and diesel as the international oil prices have declined to $57-58 a barrel. The last increase in petrol and diesel prices was effected by the government in June 2006, at a time when the international prices were around $70 a barrel. In the five rounds of increase of petrol and diesel prices after the UPA government came to power, the reason cited was the increase in international oil prices. Now with a substantial reduction in the international prices there is no excuse whatsoever for the petrol and diesel prices not being reduced. For the people who are suffering from price rise, the government should provide relief by at least reducing the June 2006 increase of Rs 4 for petrol and Rs 2 for diesel.

Assam: Initiate Talks

The Polit Bureau strongly condemned the twin bomb blasts in Guwahati, which led to the deaths of 12 persons. The ULFA must realise that violence targeting innocent people will only isolate it further from the people and lead to its loss of credibility as a political force. The people of Assam yearn for peace and an end to the cycle of violence. The central government should continue its efforts to start talks with the ULFA while taking all necessary security measures against terrorist violence. 

Oppose Postal Privatisation

The government has decided to open franchise postal outlets throughout the country. A hundred such franchise outlets will be initially launched in the urban areas covering 19 postal circles in the country. The entire post office functions would be assigned to these franchise. This is nothing but privatisation of postal services. The Polit Bureau of the CPI(M) strongly opposes this decision. It is surprising that the UPA government is proceeding with this move to privatise the postal services, which is against the letter and spirit of the National Common Minimum Programme.

The Polit Bureau demands that the government intervene immediately and stop the franchise/privatisation move of the postal department.

Uttar Pradesh Elections

The Polit Bureau discussed the report of the Uttar Pradesh state committee on the stand to be taken in the forthcoming assembly elections. It was decided that the opinion of the PB will be reported to the UP state committee so that it can take a final decision on the electoral line to be pursued.

Rajasthan Farmers Movement

The Polit Bureau extended its full support to the movement of the farmers of Sri Ganganagar and Bikaner districts for a fair supply of waters from the Indira Gandhi canal. The state government has gone back on the agreement earlier arrived at with the farmers’ representatives. The Polit Bureau condemned the brutal police repression on the agitating farmers. The Police have not spared women too. It is shocking that two people have died due to head injuries suffered in the lathi charges, one of whom is a woman.

The Polit Bureau urges the state government to stop this repressive approach and settle the genuine demands of the farmers through negotiations.

Khairlanji Atrocity

The brutal rape and murder of four persons of a dalit family in Khairlanji village in Bhandara district of Maharashtra is the most recent and savage instance of the atrocities perpetrated on dalits. A shocking aspect of the incident is the way the police not only delayed but also deliberately weakened the investigation and registration of the crime. . Now that the state government has acceded to the demand to entrust the case to the CBI, there should be a time-bound investigation so that a speedy trial can be conducted.

The build-up of the chain of events leading to this atrocity underlines the necessity for timely intervention to prevent such atrocities in future. The central government must convene a meeting of the home secretaries of the states in order to ensure that there is prompt intervention. Tensions build up and incidents occur without timely intervention which result in such atrocities. 

Creamy Layer in SC/ST Reservation

The Polit Bureau reiterated that the exclusion of the creamy layer cannot be applicable to the SC/ST categories in reservation. The Supreme Court judgment in this regard is misplaced. Unlike the OBC category, there is no great differentiation in the SC/ST categories in terms of socio-economic status. The social reality is that there is widespread caste oppression against the dalits. The central government should take necessary steps to see that the status of SC/ST reservations are not affected. 

Next CC Meeting

The next meeting of the central committee will be held from January 2 to 4, 2007 at Kolkata.