Author Archives: VAN NAMBOODIRI

Do Not Stop MGNREGA – CPI(M)

04 Friday Jul 2014

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July 4, 2014
Press Statement

The Polit Bureau of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) has issued the following statement:

On Moves to Scrap MGNREGA

The Polit Bureau of the CPI(M) strongly protests against any move to scrap or weaken the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA). It is reported in the press that the Rajasthan Chief Minister has made a proposal to extinguish the legal guarantee under the Act and convert it into a scheme. A party which promised job creation during its election campaign is now suggesting the elimination of the only legal guarantee for creation of jobs, namely MGNREGA. The last years of the UPA government had also seen MGNREGA become a hostage to fiscal considerations and funds were severely cut.

The Polit Bureau demands strengthening of the Act, measures to ensure a minimum of hundred days work and to protect the rights of the intended beneficiaries by ensuring implementation of all the clauses pertaining to wage payment, compensation for delayed payment and also unemployment allowance and to make available funds to pay the arrears with immediate effect.

Introduction of RuPay Debit Cards

04 Friday Jul 2014

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The Government has decided to introduce RuPay Debit Cards and instructed the Public Sector Banks to issue the same to their Account holders. Extract of a report from the Economic Times is given below in this connection.
“For the first time in their 30-year existence, Visa and MasterCard, the world’s largest payment companies, are facing the heat in India. Lending its weight behind the local card scheme, RuPay, the government has asked state-owned banks to issue RuPay debit cards to customers.”

(Courtesy: ET)

Tata Motors post loss for FY 2014, Shareholders oppose increased compensation to Directors

04 Friday Jul 2014

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It seems that for the first time the share-holders of the Tata Motors have put their foot on the management. The Management had decided high compensation for its Directors coming to crores. As per Companies Act, if a company is in loss, the compensation to its Director is limited to 48 lakhs.
Now the Tata Motors for Financial Year 2014 has posted loss. If the compensation is to be more than 48 lakhs, the approval of the share holders is necessary. This time when the loss has taken place, 75% of the shareholders have rejected the proposal for higher compensation for its Directors. Now, if the Management acts according to the opinion of the shareholders, some of the directors will have to return Rs. 3 crores to 14 crores.
But it is certain that the management / Directors will find out some plea/reason to keep up their high compensation. It will only be the workers who will have to face the result of the loss, not the Directors who are fully responsible for the loss.

Take Stringent Action Against the Hoarders and Black-Marketeers

04 Friday Jul 2014

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The Central Government has stated that one of the major reasons for the high increase of food and vegetable prices is hoarding and black-marketeering. It is not a new information and is known to all.
What is required is action. The Government should take stringent action against the hoarders and black-marketeers with out any delay. Then only the sincerity of the government to control the prices can be shown. But it is to be seen whether the NDA Government with its main support from the traders and business groups will take action against the hoarders and black-marketeers? Let us wait and see.

WFTU Supports Abolition of Monarchy in Spain

04 Friday Jul 2014

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The WFTU supports the call for the abolition of Monarchy
27 Jun 2014
MONARCHY, SPAIN

With the abdication of Juan Carlos de Borbón who served as King of Spain since his appointment by fascist Franco, the World Federation of Trade Unions wishes to express its clear rejection for the parasitic institution of Monarchy.

The WFTU believing and fighting for equality is sickened by the thought that in the 21st Century, the birthright in superiority and governance over people has not yet extinct.

Within the framework of capitalism, elements of oligarchy remain unattached continuing to plunder riches that belong to the people and not to the nepotistic, corrupt, useless and reactionary institution of monarchy.

On top of that, the “blue-blooded” families remain unpunished for having supported all reactionary, murderous, fascist and undemocratic motions against the people either in national or in international level.

Such institutions which continue to exist in Europe expose the reality behind the “democratic” and “modern” face of the European Union which is merciless with the poor and the working people when it comes to policies of taxation, salary and pension cuts and destruction of the public sector, while on the other hand it utters no word against the corrupt, parasitic institution of monarchy.

The World Federation of Trade Unions having supported successful movements against undemocratic and oligarchic regimes stands for the abolition of the institution of Monarchy.

Amaravati capital of A.P.?

03 Thursday Jul 2014

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It is reported that Amravati may be selected to be the capital of Andhra Pradesh. It was a former Budhist centre and  is having land available at low cost compared to other cities which were considered earlier.

$ 300,000 ( Rs.1.8 Crore ) for a speech by Hillary Clinton!

03 Thursday Jul 2014

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It is reported by “The Washington Post” that Ms. Hillary Clinton was paid $ 300,000 ( Approximately Rs. 1.8 crore ) for making a speech at University of California,Los Angeles (UCLA) in March this year. She has been making speeches for similar fees in many Universities.

One Bucket of Water to Bathe and 31 ACs !

03 Thursday Jul 2014

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A report in the Times of India indicates about the high living of some of the politicians and how much expenditure they incur from the government funds. The example is that of Smt. Sheila Dixit, Chief Minister of Delhi for a long period of 15 years, till she was defeated in the last Delhi Assembly Elections.

TOI reports that as per the reply received for an RTI, 31 Air Conditioners, 15 desert coolers, 25 heaters, 16 air purifiers, 12 geysers were among the various fittings in the 3-Motilal Nehru Marg, which was occupied by Smt. Sheila Dixit, till she vacated the same. It was also stated as per the reply to RTI that Rs 16.81 lakh was spent for the electrical fittings alone. After her shifting these are being utilised for government offices.
This bungalow is now allotted to former Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh.It is a four bed-room bungalow spread over 3.5 acres.
It is to be noted here that when there was water shortage in Delhi, the then Chief minister, Smt. Dixit, had stated that one bucket of water is sufficient for a person to take bath and that she takes only one bucket of water for her bath! One bucket of water for her bath and 31 ACs for the house!

Corporate Heads have no limit for Salaries

03 Thursday Jul 2014

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While the toiling masses are fighting to have at least the barest minimum wages for a living and to maintain their families, the salaries of CEOs and Heads of corporates are rising high in to the skies. There seems to be no limit.
The latest in this series is the salary fixed for Vishal Sikka, the newly appointed CEO of Infosys. It is $ 7.2 million or about Rs. 30 crore. In addition, he will also get Rs. 12 crore in stocks, which he can dispose after a certain period. It is stated that this is the biggest salary paid to any CEO in India.
But there are others who are getting more than this, since they are owners or promoters of their companies.Naveen Jindal was being paid Rs. 87 crores, Kalanithi Maran Rs. 68 crore and Bhattacharya Chairman Hindalco Rs. 20.6 crores. These are only a few, but many more are there in the similar lines.
The inequalities are increasing day by day. In a few years, the slogan of the US youth that 1% owns 99% of wealth and 99% owns 1% will come true in India also. The neo-liberal policies being implemented by the government of India (both earlier by UPA and now by NDA) is heading towards this dangerous situation.

Govt. should implement Rs.10,000 as Minimum Wage

03 Thursday Jul 2014

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The BJP Government is committed to improve the condition of the contract workers as per the statements of the leaders of the ruling party. The Central trade Unions have been continuously demanding that the minimum wage of the contract workers should be increased to at least to Rs. 10,000 in order to maintain the family. The UPA government assured that it will consider the demand. Even the Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh had stated to the CTU leaders that their demands are unexceptionable. But no orders were issued.
Now it is for the NDA government to implement the assurances. While the corporates are being paid in crores, the contract workers should at least get Rs. 10,000 as demanded by the trade unions.