CPI(M) union to spend Rs 1 crore on conference

Accommodation for the foreign delegates has been arranged at ITC Sonar Bangla, the city’s five-star hotel.

Justifying the expenses, Jyoti Prasad Basu, general secretary of the co-ordination committee, said: ‘‘This money has been collected from our supporters. We have 2.5 lakh members among 3 lakh state government employees in West Bengal.

Ironically, the coordination committee had earlier proposed that the government should curtail expenditure incurred by ministers and bureaucrats to overcome the State’s financial crisis.

CM Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee had ordered that a survey be conducted in all government offices to check for excess staff. But the Coordination Committee had opposed these plans. ‘‘We are absolutely against the fact that the surveys were conducted with the help of firms like McKinsey and Tata Consultancy Services. We demand to scrap those surveys because it means subjecting oneself to the whims and fancies of the rich,’’ said Basu. The committee is also opposed to the CM’s robust reformist agenda. Taking into consideration that much of the budgetary allocation is used in paying employees’ salaries, Bhattacharjee had planned to reduce the allocation for salaries and use it for development instead. But for that, he needed to implement contractual appointment in government offices, a move which was opposed by the Coordination Committee.

When asked why the committee was spending so much, Basu retorted: ‘‘Where else do we house foreign delegates? ITC Sonar Bangla is the apt place for the purpose.’’ He added: ‘‘With over 2,500 delegates coming, most of the money is being used to pay for their accommodation, food and conveyance.’’ The conference will be inaugurated by former Chief Minister Jyoti Basu at a rally at the Brigade Parade Grounds on December 28. ‘‘One lakh State Government employees will take leave on that day to participate in the meeting,’’ said committee general secretary.