[Reader-list] Statement of CPI(M) PB

[prakash ray]

*Dear all, This is the statement issued by CPI(M) on 12 Nov,2007.

Regards,
Prakash

* *The Polit Bureau of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) met in New
Delhi on November 11 & 12, 2007. It has issued the following
statement:* *Nandigram
Situation*

*The Polit Bureau heard a report on the developments in Nandigram in the
recent period. Since January 2007, an abnormal situation had developed with
an alliance of forces led by the Trinamul Congress driving out workers and
supporters of the Left Front including elected panchayat members. Since then
the police and the administration have not been allowed to function in the
area.*

*Even after the state government announced that there is no question of land
acquisition for a chemical hub, for the past nine months the people evicted
from the area were not able to go back to their homes or cultivate their
fields.*

*The Polit Bureau firmly rebuffs all the mischievous attempts to portray the
developments in Nandigram as an outcome of "red terror". There has been no
issue of land acquisition whatsoever in Nandigram since February 2007, yet
the whole area was under siege on the spurious pretext of protection of
land. The reality in Nandigram was a violent and undemocratic offensive to
displace those who were the legitimate representatives of the people.*

*The gang up of political forces against the CPI(M) and the Left operating
in the guise of a Bhumi Ucchhed Pratirodh Samity virtually set up a parallel
raj in the area. A dangerous phenomenon was their utilising the assistance
of Maoist armed squads who came into the area from outside. The situation of
utter lawlessness prevailed and bunkers were built and landmines laid. In
this entire period 27 CPI(M) workers and supporters were killed. Such a
situation cannot be tolerated by any state government or administration.
After the March 14 police firing, repeated efforts were made for political
negotiations and peace talks for the restoration of normalcy and the return
of all the affected people.*

*After a prolonged struggle, the determined efforts made by the people to
return to their homes have succeeded and this should pave the way for
normalcy to return. The CPI(M) and the Left Front have declared that they
want peace to be restored and all sections of the people irrespective of
political affiliations to be allowed to return to their family life in
pursuit of their livelihood.*

*With the deployment of central para military forces, the Left Front
government should make all efforts for rehabilitation and resumption of
development work in the area.*
*Indo-US Nuclear Deal*

*The Polit Bureau discussed the developments regarding the Indo-US nuclear
deal since the last Central Committee meeting of the Party. It reiterated
the stand of the Left parties that the government should not proceed further
to operationalise the deal. There has to be a discussion on the deal in the
coming session of parliament.*
*Support Price for Paddy*

*The Polit Bureau demanded that the minimum support price for paddy be
increased to Rs. 1,000 per quintal. This is necessary keeping in mind the
cost of production that the farmers are incurring in paddy cultivation.*
*Price Rise* *The Polit Bureau expressed concern at the continuing price
rise of essential commodities. The urgent need is to expand the PDS to reach
a large section of people and also to include more essential commodities at
controlled prices. * *Oil Price Rise* *The Polit Bureau urged the UPA
government to undertake a review of the ad valorem tax structure and the
scale of central excise duties on petroleum products in order to tackle the
situation arising from the rise in oil prices at the international level. *
*Notify Tribal Forest Act*

*The Polit Bureau expressed its deep concern at the continuing delay in the
notification of the Scheduled Tribes & Other Traditional Forest Dwellers.
(Recognition of Forest Rights) Act 2006. There is no reason whatsoever to
delay the notification after the rules have been framed. The implementation
of the Critical Wildlife Habitat provision can be done only after the Act as
a whole is notified and rights vested. Reports from various places show that
the tribal people are being evicted from their lands in the forest to
preempt the Act coming into force.*
*Women's Reservation*

*The Polit Bureau urged the UPA government to introduce the women's
reservation bill in the forthcoming session of parliament. This is a
commitment made in the Common Minimum Programme. The failure to move to
fulfill this commitment is glaring and cannot be justified.*
*Emergency in Pakistan*

*The Polit Bureau demanded an end to the state of emergency in Pakistan and
the release of all those arrested for protesting against this authoritarian
step. The Polit Bureau reaffirmed its solidarity and support to the people
of Pakistan who are struggling for the restoration of democracy.*
*Party Congress*

*The Polit Bureau decided to hold the 19th Congress of the Party in
Coimbatore from March 29 to April 2, 2008. The PB discussed the preparations
for the Party Congress. An outline of the Draft Political Resolution was
discussed on which basis the draft will be prepared to be placed in the next
meeting of the Central Committee to be held in December.*