CPI’s wishlist for draft CMP

Within two or three days, the Congress is likely to circulate the CMP draft among the allies and the Left parties to respond. ‘‘It is a coalition led by the Congress. We don’t expect them to adopt all our policies,’’ Karat said.

The CPI has forwarded a list of suggestions. ‘‘They will have a clear idea of what our policies are. And then, we will give our inputs to the drafts,’’ party general secretary A.B. Bardhan said.

Following are some of the suggestions forwarded by CPI as announced by Bardhan:

•Privatisation and Disinvestment: Ministry of disinvestment is an ‘‘anachronism’’ and it should go, privatisation of profit-making public companies be halted and for other public companies, efforts to be made for turnaround.

•POTA: Should be repealed and those held under it and against whom no chargesheets have been filed for over six months be released after review of their cases.

•Foreign policy: Friendship with all countries, including the US. But India cannot be subservient to US ‘‘imperialist machinations’’.

• Improve and strengthen relations with neighbouring countries, including Pakistan • Support the cause of Palestine, bring back Indian mercenaries sent to Iraq on contractual jobs.

•Agriculture: Implement land reform laws, redistribute excess land.

•Subsidies: No question on reducing it…wherever possible, it should be increased.

•Petroleum: No increase in price of kerosene, if possible, bring down prices.

•Education: Set up review committee to correct all distortions in text books.

•No unscientific River linking but work for more river water sharing among states.

•Labour: Right to strike should be ensured.