Why the Left had not openly demanded Railway Minister Mamata Banerjees resignation so far is quite inexplicable. Whether it was about her links with the Maoists. or the series of train accidents,the CPM,which leads the Left bloc,has so far maintained that the prime minister should take a call on her.
Now the CPI has taken a view that in view of the series of accidents and Banerjees non-interest in the affairs of the ministry,she must go. If she refuses to resign,the monsoon session must be used to pressurise the PM drop her from the Union cabinet, it says through the lead editorial in New Age. It is necessary not only to maintain the concept of collective responsibility of the cabinet but also to rescue a few more hundreds who may become victims of her negligence,irresponsibility and absurdity, it says.
ULFA,unconditionally
Also in New Age,an article takes the view that talks with ULFA must be unconditional. It feels that the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty that New Delhi is planning to sign with Myanmar which will allow both countries to access to one anothers detained persons and examine witnesses was welcome. Once the treaty is signed and comes into force,conducting joint operations against the rebels will be easy: the rebels will find it more difficult to operate from Myanmar territory with impunity as they have been doing all these years. A peace settlement with ULFA leaders now will further isolate and weaken Paresh Barua. After reaching a settlement,the ULFA leaders should be encouraged to join the democratic mainstream and participate in elections.
For this to happen,both sides will have to show maturity,imagination and flexibility in approach. Talks must begin with the aim of working out a solution within a specific time frame and not allowed to drag on for years,as has been happening to the Centres peace talks with the NSCN(IM), it says.
Universal defence
In an article in CPM organ Peoples Democracy,Brinda Karat talks about the proposed Food Security Act and questions the governments arguments that universal PDS would be impractical because of fund crunch and non-availability of adequate amount of foodgrains. She rejects the argument that univeral PDS would be impractical given the fact that resources required would be approximately double the present food subsidy. The bill,she says,would amount to around one-fourth the amount the government itself has given as concessions to corporations and the rich.
A universalised system would still be less than two per cent of GDP. The other argument of the government is that universalisation is not possible due to the problems related to availability of adequate foodgrain. On the one hand,to push its export oriented agricultural policy,the government continues to promote the production of commercial crops in place of foodgrains; it refuses to accept the Swaminathan commissions recommendations for measures to increase food production; and it continues to permit the export of foodgrains over 14 million tonnes last year. On the other hand,it uses what it claims is inadequate food production as an excuse to reject universalisation! she says.
The NAC has compromised on the basic issue of universalisation. What they have produced is a differently targeted scheme. This compromise also shows up the circumscribed role of the NAC… Today,the political dispensation marginalises the views of individual members of the NAC,however good their intentions are, she says.
Nationalise the Reddys
CPM-affiliated trade union organisation CITU is of the view that iron ore exports should be banned,a demand made by Karnataka Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa as well. It says mines run by the likes of the Reddy brothers,which are flouting all norms and regulations,should be nationalised. State governments should be asked to prepare lists of private mines which are carrying out illegal mining and exports. The National Mineral Development Corporation Ltd (NMDC) should take over those mines,curb illegalities and run them in a manner suitable for national development, it says.
Compiled by Manoj C.G.
