[Marxistindia] polit bureau communique

[news from the cpi(m)]

                                                       December 26, 2009


Press Communique



The Polit Bureau of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) met in New
Delhi on December 26 and 27, 2009. It has issued the following
statement:


Copenhagen Climate Talks


The Copenhagen climate conference failed to reach the required agreement
on reducing carbon emissions due to the unreasonable stand of the United
States and other developed countries which worked to bypass the Kyoto
Protocol and undermine the United Nations Climate Change Framework. No
legally binding agreement was arrived at and the industrialised
countries refused to commit to deep emission cuts. Instead, by negating
the principle of differentiation between the industrialised and
developing countries, they sought to pressurise the developing countries
to take on the major burden of reducing global emissions. The United
States which is historically the main culprit for carbon emissions
sought to impose monitoring and verification of voluntary emission
reductions by the developing countries.


The lesson to be learnt from the Copenhagen summit is that the Indian
government which sought to adjust to the policies of the United States
and make unilateral concessions could not prevent the maneouvres of the
developed countries. It is only the unity of the BASIC bloc comprising
China, India, Brazil and South Africa which to some extent prevented an
outright capitulation.


It is imperative that India work in concert with the BASIC and G77
countries and evolve a strategy to ensure that the United States and the
developed countries accept their historical responsibility and commit to
affect deep emission cuts and provide the finances for appropriate
technology for the developing countries to mitigate carbon emissions. 


US Troops to Afghanistan


The Polit Bureau strongly opposed the decision of the United States
President to send 30,000 more troops to Afghanistan. With this increase,
the total number of US troops will reach nearly 100,000 apart from the
troops from the Nato allies. It is eight years since the United States
launched its war in Afghanistan. The intensification of the war will
only lead to more civilian casualties. The people of Afghanistan will
never accept foreign occupation by the US-Nato troops and this will only
provide sustenance to the Taliban. 


It is deplorable that the UPA government supports the continuance of the
US-Nato occupation of Afghanistan. By the Af-Pak strategy the United
States is attempting to draw India into its Afghanistan strategy for
serving its geo-political interests. India should demand the withdrawal
of the US-Nato troops. India should be part of a regional initiative
comprising countries like Russia, Iran, China, Pakistan, Uzbekistan and
Tajikistan to address the Afghan problem.


Mobilisation Against Price Rise


The Polit Bureau reviewed the rallies against price rise and for a
strengthened public distribution system in the different states. Price
rise is a major issue for the people and the campaign has had a positive
response with large mobilisations. The stubborn refusal of the Central
Government to change its food policies has been highlighted by the
refusal to ban future trading in wheat. It will be recalled that the
earlier ban on futures in wheat was stealthily removed just before the
new government was sworn in. The refusal to increase the number of
families under BPL in spite of the recommendations of various official
committees to increase the number of BPL families in the rural areas to
between 41 and 50 per cent is another example of the wrong policies. The
Party will intensify the struggles to bring relief to the people on the
basis of the demand for alternative policies.


All India Rally


The Polit Bureau decided to make the all India rally call by the Left
parties during the Budget Session of parliament a big success. The
issues of price rise, land, employment and other immediate problems of
the people will be highlighted in this rally.


No Civil Nuclear Liability Bill


The Polit Bureau reiterated its opposition to the proposed Civil Nuclear
Liability Bill. This legislation demanded by the US as part of the
operationalisation of the 123 agreement, absolves suppliers of nuclear
reactors of liability in the case of nuclear accidents. Further, it has
set the liability limit for the operator at a meagre Rs. 300 crores,
when a nuclear accident can affect the lives of lakhs of people. 


The Polit Bureau demanded that the Government abandon such a nuclear
liability law. It called upon all political parties to oppose the Bill,
if it is brought to parliament.


Kota Bridge Collapse


The Polit Bureau expressed deep sorrow at the deaths of many workers
late on December 24th in the collapse of the bridge being constructed
over the Chambal river near Kota, Rajasthan. 28 bodies have been
recovered so far. The actual number of workers who died cannot be
confirmed as it is the practice of companies not to register the workers
who are usually on contract to deprive them of their legal rights. One
of the companies responsible for the Kota accident is Gammon India. This
is the same company responsible for three accidents in the Delhi Metro
project, caused by gross and criminal negligence in which several
workers lost their lives. It was reported at the time that the company
has been banned for two years from construction by the Delhi Metro Rail
Corporation. Gammon India should be banned from all Government projects
throughout India. The Central Government has to ensure that all private
companies/contractors which are given projects by the Government
guarantee the workers their full legal rights which is not the case at
present.


Rectification Campaign


The rectification report of the Polit Bureau was discussed. This will be
finalised and placed before the meeting of the Central Committee.


eom