For the year 2010-2011 the EPF organisation had declared 9.5% interest which was the long pending demands of the Central Trade Unions. While the Labour Ministry agreed for 9.5% the Finance Ministry objected the same. However it was finally decided for 9.5%. The Finance Ministry was opposing that there is no sufficient surplus with the EPFO for giving 9-5% and an audit was conducted to find out the real position. It has turned out from the audit now that there are more surplus than anticipated when the 9.5% interest was declared.
As such, the EPFO and the Government should decide and declare 9.5% interest for 2011-2012 also without any further delay.

The people in the Jagatsighpur District observed ” Black Day” today protesting against the forceful land acquistion by the state government for the MNC POSCO STEEL PLANT. The people has been continuously organising demonstrations, rasto roko, rallies etc. as also bandh.It was on 22nd June 2005 that the Orissa Government signed the Memorandum of Understanding with the POSCO for the steel project. Left parties strobgly supported the agitation and addressed the meetings arranged by the agitators.

The Left parties have announced that they will organise meetings throughout the country on 24th June in support of the agitation.

At least for the present, the people of Odisha has been able to stop the land acquisition by the state government for the steel project of the Multi National Company, POSCO. After the central government gave eco clearance, the state government has been in a hurry to acquire the agricultural and forest land on which the local people depend for their existence. The people has been organising sustained struggle and blockading the police and other authorities from entering the area for acquisition. Police lathi charged and used force, but the people were determined to save their land.
As a result, the state government has for the present, postponed the acquisition. But unless there is continued vigilance and struggle, the government which is waiting for a reprieve will restart again.

The decision of the TRAI to ban pesky calls and SMSs from 15th August 2011 will be a great relief for the harassed subscribers. At present the subscribers are imposed on by the unwanted calls and SMSs to such an extend that they are afraid of what will the SMS and who will be calling. And many of the SMSs are vulgar and completely unacceptable. Further, in many cases they are being charged also.
Four times the TRAI has postponed the decisions earlier due to pressure from the telecom and advertising companies who get the maximum benefits from the same. There should be severe punishment for violating these orders.
Let us hope this decision will be implemented from the Independence day itself – an independence from harassment.

As usual the longest day of the year, June 21, has arrived. For all the countries which are lying north of the equator, June 21st is the longest day and to those which are lying south of the equator, this will be the shortest day. In New Delhi the sun will rise at 05.24 hours and will set at 07.22 hours as per concerned authorities.

In the same way, December 21st is usually the shortest day for the the countries north of equator. Let us enjoy the longest day today.

The agitation against land acquisition for the multi-national company POSCO for the steel project in Odisha is strengthening every day. The project is cleared by the Central Government and State Government despite strong opposition from the farmers whose land are being confiscated. Environmental clearance also has been given by the Central Government.
The people, including children and women have been continuing their protest against the project. The people of Odisha has stopped the privatisation of Nalco earlier. I hope that this time also, they will put a stop to the governments’ anti-people move.

The situation in W.Bengal, after the victory of the Trinamool Congress, has drastically changed. From the moment the results have been announced, the Trinamool goondas have started brutal attack of the CPI(M) leaders, workers and sympathisers, attacking and ransacking the party and union offices, forcibly taking money from the people, harassing and raping women and so on.In short, the democratic rights are being attacked in a systematic way.
Since the Lok Sabha elections in 2009, in which the Trinamool got the upper hand a good majority of seats, till the assemble elections, 388 men and women, most of them belonging to the poorer and socially oppressed sections have been brutally killed by the Trinamool-Maoist combine. In some places congress also was part of the combine.
After the assembly elections announcement on 13th May 2011, in which Trinamool won, the attacks have increased. 12 CPI(M) leaders and 1 RSP leader have been killed in the first week after elections.Terror has been let loos.
Hundreds of CPI(M) offices have been attacked and ransacked and Trinamool flags put there. Trade Union and mass organisation offices are also attacked. Many people have been evicted from their homes. Women have been raped.Extortion is going on a large scale.The attack is mainly in those places where the Left have won.
The entire democratic movement in the country have to protest against these brutal attacks and killings. Democratic rights of the people have to be protected.

Rs. 11.65 crores, 98 kg gold and 307 kg silver was found in Yajur Mandir, the personal room of Satya Sai Baba who died recently. It was found when the room, which was closed after his death, was opened two days back. It may be that more money, gold etc. might be stashed in other places also.
Recently it has come out that yoga guru Ram Dev is having a financial empire of about Rs. 1,100 crore with so many companies in his and his disciples’ name as also a separate island somewhere in Europe. What was the assets of Chandraswami who was very powerful during the Indira Gandhi regime?

How so much wealth is accumulated with the god men? Is there any connection with black money? Or what else?