CPI extends full support to trade unions' strike

Chennai, Dec 3: The Communist Party of India (CPI) today expressed its full support to the nation-wide general strike called by various trade unions on December 14.

Talking to reporters after the party's two-day general council meeting here, CPI National Secretary D Raja said the call for strike was given by AITUC, CITU and other trade unions to protest against the anti-people policies of the UPA government at the Centre.

The CPI would extend support by all possible means to the strike, which should convey a message to the UPA government that it should not pursue anti-people and anti-labour polices.

The Centre should opt for a mid-course correction as the working class was very much agitated, he said.

Accusing the Centre of delaying and dithering on the passage of Tribals and Forest Rights Bill, Mr Raja urged the Centre to introduce the Bill and ensure its passage in the current Winter session of the Parliament itself.

''The Bill should contain all the historic recommendations made by the Parliamentary Joint Select committee'', he said and added that introduction of the the Bill should not be delayed.

''The farmers are hitting the streets. The UPA government cannot remain insensitive to the sentiments of dalits and tribals'', he added.

Mr Raja said the CPI had also urged the Centre to pass the Women's Reservation Bill in the current session to provide them with 33 per cent reservation in Parliament and State legislatures. He also wanted the Centre to implement the recommendations of the Rajinder Sachar Committee which evaluated the social, economic and educational status of Muslims in the country.

Earlier, CPI State Secretary D Pandian urged the Kerala government to honour the Supreme Court directive, allowing Tamil Nadu to raise the storage level in Mullaperiyar Dam to 142 ft from 136 ft.

On the proposed Chennai airport expansion project, he said the CPI welcomed it but the expansion and modernisation works should be taken up without displacing the people.

He said the general-council meeting als discussed the present political situation in the country and in the state, and had passed several resolutions.

UNI