ALTERNATIVE PATH OF DEVELOPMENT

* ALTERNATIVE PATH OF DEVELOPMENT

Even while extending outside support to the UPA government, the CPI joined forces with working class, peasants, agricultural workers, employees of PSUs and other units, government employees, youth and students and women who fought glorious battles against disastrous effects of the policies of liberalization, privatization and imperialist globalization. It was the first to warn against the effects of the global recession that has engulfed the entire world economy based on bogus concept of developing finance capital and Free Market economy. It is nothing but casino capitalism.
CPI pledges to continue this struggle and proposes an alternative path of development.
CPI, trade unions and other mass organisations have been putting forward alternate economic policies which are based on agricultural development, employment-oriented industrial growth, on building our social and physical infrastructure such as schools, hospitals, roads and communication, which will ensure access to education and health for all our poor people. We have been fighting against price rise and for food to the poor. This will create millions of jobs.
CPI will strive for the development of our domestic market by putting money in the pockets of our workers and peasants and our youths looking for jobs. This will stimulate the economy, rather than all the bail-outs to the Corporates. The CPI will struggle for these policies, both outside and inside Parliament.
In struggling for an alternative path of development we do not suggest that India must shut itself from the rest of the world in matters of trade, technology and flow of capital. We mean adopting a set of priority policy measures which would pave the way for the country’s all-round development based firstly and primarily on mobilizing the internal resources of our great country. Development should mean economic justice to all. The impact of economic recession can not be fought with bail-out packages for corporate sector but by enhancing investment in infrastructure and social sector to expand and strengthen the internal market.
CPI is totally opposed to acquisition of land by government for so-called SPECIAL ECONOMIC ZONE (SEZ). SEZs are not inevitable for economic development.
Our Agricultural sector is perpetually in crisis. Public investment in this sector is continuously declining further compounding the agrarian crisis. KISANS CONTINUE TO COMMIT SUICIDE. Land Reforms, which would distribute surplus and waste land to the landless, thus reverse the trend of growing landlessness and the attempts to do away the ceiling laws through lease and contract corporatisation, acquisition of huge quantum of land for “real estate business” under the garb of establishing the SEZ etc. It should ensure minimum wages and social security to agricultural labours and poor peasants and free them from usury and indebtedness, through comprehensive legislation. It would rouse the potential of the basic rural mass and revitalize our rural scene, and strike a blow at the social, economic and ideological base of landlordism. It would create a basis for greater employment in rural areas.
Suitable steps for boosting our Agrarian production and productivity through application of our research and experience in use of seeds, bio-fertilisers, consolidation of holdings, giving preference to small and marginal farmers; increased investment and more budgetary provision for agriculture , greater irrigation facilities by utilising of water resources.
Development of agriculture has to be basis of general development of our national economy.
The objective should be to increase the purchasing power of our toiling peasantry, so as to reverse the trend of demand fall, which is affecting our industries and other sectors as well, and affecting their growth.
Urgent steps for universal elementary education as also scientific and technological education, secular in content and form without which it is foolish to think of a modern, developed India competing with other developed countries.
A comprehensive health and education programme, mobilizing tens of thousand of health workers and teachers for the job; measures to ensure potable drinking water facilities in every locality. No to privatization of health facilities.
Implementing a massive water management system, including linking of rivers, flood prevention cum irrigation cum hydel generation schemes, digging and disilting of ponds, harvesting of rain water, provision of drinking water in all villages etc. The facilities and permission given to MNCs to take hold of our water resources and drinking water, which are commercializing for profits, should be forthwith terminated. NO TO PRIVATISATION AND COMMERCIALISATION OF WATER RESOURCES IN ANY FORM.
Introducing a system of subsidies where they are needed for encouraging production, reducing cost to the producers, and protecting the livelihood of the poor, especially those below the poverty line. We will vigorously oppose all attempts to cut such subsidies.
Providing protection to our Agriculture and Small scale sector by re-imposing Quantitative Restrictions on vital items connected with our people’s livelihood; judicious import restrictions and duties, imposing countervailing duties against dumping of foreign goods in our markets, where they ease out our production.
Qualitative and quantitative expansion of cooperatives in various fields.
Revival, consolidation modernization and reform of PSUs; professionalizing management and freeing them from bureaucratic control and political interference so as to improve performance and profitability. End to disinvestment in profit making PSUs.
No to handing over EPF to private managers.
Further development of IT sector.
Seek help of Private sector for real industrialization and development. Utilize all our unused capacities both in public and private sectors for job-oriented growth. Mobilise our own domestic resources, including black money, so-called non-performing assets of banks, Income Tax defaults and arrears.
State intervention in developing infrastructure including power, communication, people’s plan for development through panchayat raj, which would contribute substantially to development of infrastructure and also improve the quality of life at the grass-root level. End corruption and malpractice in implementation of NREGA and other schemes.
Inviting foreign capital and necessary high tech in spheres of our choice and need on mutually beneficial terms, and generally for fresh investments and not for acquiring control over existing undertakings; foreign capital should supplement our attempts to increase domestic savings and mobilization of our rich internal resources. NO to dubious FII investment in share market.
Foreign policy should oppose all bids for imposing unipolar world order; join forces that are committed to multipolar world order, regional cooperation, reform and strengthening of UNO, unified stand in WTO fora on vital issues for developing countries, strengthening SAARC.
THE INDO-US NUCLEAR DEAL not only entails heavy financial loss but is against national interest, both political and economic.
In pursuing such an alternative path, the CPI will specifically advocate and fight for the following issues and urgent demands of our working people in addition to what has already been outlined: (TAKE FROM D.RAJA)
INDUSTRY: SMALL SCALE SECTOR:
Strengthen and expand the public sector undertakings; no liquidation of government equities in public sector banking industry; no to further enhancement of FDI in insurance sector.
Special package for protection and development of Small Scale industries, cottage industries and craft of artisans.
To fight back the impact of world-wide recession, particularly on export base SSIs, defer recovery of loans for at least till recession ends, grant subsidy on already produced goods to help their marketing in internal market.
AGRICULTURE:
Implement the land reforms comprehensively.
Implement the recommendation of the National Commission of Farmers
Double public investment in Agriculture
Provide agriculture credit at the rate 0f 4 per cent simple interest. Provide kisan card to all
Introduce Crop Insurance, treat village as unit for calculating crop loss
Package for development of live stock, fisheries and horticulture
Promote agro-industries and bio-technology
Kisan Vigyan Kendra in every block
No to acquisition of farmers’ land for non- farming purposes particularly real estate business.
Amend the SEZ Act and rules.
Ensure remunerative prices to farmers by fixing MRP and arranging timely procurement
Comprehensive legislation for Agricultural workers
Oppose FDI and big business houses entering into retail trades.
Organic farming which makes Indian farmers self-reliant, their farming viable and would sustain their productive resources will be given priority and will be actively promoted by CPI.
Review the Patents Act on urgent basis.
With regard to GM crops/foods, since there are many pending concerns with regard to health and environmental safety, IPRs, consumer choices etc., and given the pending need for a democratic, scientific, independent and transparent regulatory regime, CPI will take a precautionary approach and will demand a moratorium until all pending issues are resolved satisfactorily. Further, CPI will demand a review of the Indo-US Knowledge Initiative on Agriculture (KIA).
ON WTO AND RELATED ISSUES
India should not agree to any further curtsy import tariff in ongoing WTO level talks. Government should do everything possible to protect our agriculture.
When the government has been pursuing Free Trade Agreements (FTA), party will demand complete transparency and democratic process in the negotiations, consultations with state governments and also consultations with all stake holders.
CPI will demand a white paper on this question and discussion in parliament.
EMPLOYMENT
1. Expansion of the scope of the Employment Guarantee Act (EGA): This includes
· Individual entitlements: Expansion of the work guarantee from “100 days per household per year” to “at least 100 days per adult per year”.
· Enactment of an Urban Employment Guarantee Act.
2. Expansion of the list of permissible works to include rural public services as well as construction and maintenance of rural infrastructure (within the mandatory 60:40 ratio).
3. Reverse the recent freeze on NREGA wages by the Central Government and ensure linking of minimum wages to the Consumer Price Index.
4. Protection of all organizers and activists involved in the implementation of NREGA, including social audits, and investigation of recent incidents of violence against them.
5. Putting in place effective grievance redressal mechanisms.
6. Strengthening of the operational framework for NREGA, including:
·Conversion of the Operational Guidelines into mandatory Rules.
·Establishment of PRIs where none exist (e.g. Jharkhand).
7. Increase in financial outlays to 2% of GDP, and raising of the allocation for administrative expenses from 4% to 6% of NREGA expenditure. This would help in ensuring “guaranteed minimum standards” for all mandatory worksite facilities (including crèche and drinking water and minimum transparency measures.
8. Reservation of 50% of all posts in the NREGA machinery (Pos, GRSs etc.) for women. Separate Job Cards for widows, separated women and other single women irrespective of their living arrangements.
SOCIAL SECTOR:
CPI will continue to demand 6 per cent of GDP to be spent on education and 3 per cent of GDP on health. Party will continue to strive for common school system and to ensure right to education. It will oppose increasing privatisation, commercialisation of education and healthcare in the country. It will strive to include children from the 0-6 age group in the right to education Bill.
SOCIAL SECURITY :
Party will demand universal Public Distribution System (PDS) to ensure food security.
It will also demand housing to all by making right to housing as a fundamental rights.
Comprehensive coverage of Old Age pension scheme.
CPI supports the demand for same pension for same rank.
Party will also strive to universalise with quality Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS).
ISSUES OF WORKERS:
An ‘immediate package’ to be worked out to protect the workers who lost the jobs due to lay-offs, closures, retrenchments and other forms of suspension of operation’ due to the ‘meltdown’/financial crisis, in several sectors such as textiles/garments, construction and retail, tourism, gems & jewelleries, automobiles, manufacturing, etc.
The Unorganised Sector Workers Act to be reviewed amended and made more effective based on the recommendations of the Parliamentary Standing committee on Labour as well as the unanimous recommendations of the trade unions providing funding by the Government.
Need Based Minimum Wage, as was recommended by the 15th Indian Labour Conference, with Supreme Court decision on Reptocos Case.
There must be a National Minimum Wage below which nobody in any employment, organised or unorganised sector, shall be paid.
Child labour shall be abolished and all children must be given compulsory, quality free education besides nutritious food.
Equal wage for Equal work shall be the cardinal principle to be followed, which is flagrantly violated.
No contract or casual labour to be employed in any permanent and perennial nature of jobs and to that extent to the Contract Labour Abolition and Augmentation Act to be amended ensuring regulation. Anganwadi should be Institutionalized.
Bonded labour in any form shall not be allowed and all of those freed from bondage must be provided with alternative employment.
Strict implementation of all labour laws including social welfare legislations must be enforced.
Ban on recruitment in Central and State Governments as well in State and Central PSUs.
IT/BPO services employees, SEZs workers to be covered by all labour legislations and their working conditions regulated. Unfettered trade union rights to be ensured to all of them.
WOMEN AND GENDER JUSTICE
CPI will continue to fight for the enactment of women’s reservation Bill, law against sexual harassment, eradication of dowry and female foeticide and infanticide effective implementation of Domestic Violence (Prevention) Act and suitable amendments to the Criminal Procedure Code. For stringent implementation of PC – PNDT Act to ensure healthy sex ratio.
All development budgets must have a focus on the direct benefit for women in a specified manner.
Crèche services must be mandatory for every institution that has a minimum specified number of employees.
DALITS & ADIVASIS:
The Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Reservation in Posts and Services) Bill, 2008 which is an anti-reservation bill passed by Congress-lead UPA, will be scrapped and a new bill with provisions for reservations in all educational institutions and in all classes of posts will be introduced.
Affirmative action in private sector will be introduced and all such private sector industry which does not adhere to affirmative action will be made ineligible for incentives, exemptions and tax concessions given by the government. All MNCs will have to fall in line with the affirmative action programme of the country.
Extend the policy of reservation to all Dalits irrespective of their religious obligations.
Ensure programs for social & economic development of Dalit which include their education, health, livelihood, poverty alleviation, housing and other basic amenities by implementing sub-plans for SC-ST in the planning process
MUSLIM MINORITY:
Comprehensive plan for Implementation of recommendation of Sachar Committee and Ranganath Commission report;
Legal Mechanism to end discrimination in the matter of job recruitment and disbursement of various economic schemes; Special consideration in granting bank loans.
Special plan to end educational backwardness of the Minority community, allocate 20 per cent SSA funds for opening schools in minority dominated blocks.
Provide all educational and other benefits to all Muslim professional communities that are available to their professional counterparts in majority community. Accordingly rectify OBC lists, both state-wise and central.
End discrimination on the basis of religion in recognizing SCs. Recognise Muslim and Christian Dalits for all benefits.
RIGHTS OF PEOPLE WITH SPECIAL NEEDS
Implement the Persons with Disabilities Act 1995 effectively giving adequate opportunities to build their capacities and also makes schools and other premises accessible to all.
There is an emerging need to combat HIV/AIDS/STD etc. and ensure medical care, human treatment and security to the victims.
JUDICIAL REFORMS:
CPI will continue to demand constitution of National Judicial Commission and also accountability of the judiciary. Party will demand that the process of appointment and transfer of Judges in the High Courts and the Supreme Court should be made more transparent and also that all Judges should be required by law to declare their assets at the time of joining and thereafter regularly every year.
Party will also demand the implementation of police reforms.
CENTRE-STATE RELATIONS
CPI will continue to strive for upholding the federal structure of our governance and polity. States must have adequate political and financial powers. States should get reasonable share from the Central funds.
No efforts will allowed which undermines the powers of the state governments. Party will demand the review of the Federal Investigation Act and the functions of the Federal Investigation Agency.
CULTURE
CPI will defend the composite culture of India. Right wing extremist organisations which try to impose a monolithic and medieval culture and disrupt the social harmony will not be tolerated.
All languages will have the equal recognisation and equal treatment. Urdu & Sindhi will be accorded for the official use under article 345 or 347 of the Constitution in states and areas where there is considerable population of the linguistic minorities.
CPI will work for the reservation heritage sites and monuments.
GLOBAL WARMING AND CLIMATE CHANGE:
While reducing emission in our own and global interest, India must not succumb to pressures to compensate for historical damages caused by others. CPI will resist schemes to escape responsibilities through monetary payoffs or speculative exercises like carbon trading. India should insists on global emissions cuts on the basis of equitable per-capita entitlements.
CPI will demand strengthening of Forest Conservation Act. It will also demand the withdrawal of costal management zone notification which fails to take in to account the interests and the concerns of the fishing community.
TERRORISM:
India has been facing the menace of terrorism including religion based extremism for decades. Extremism and terrorism in different parts of the country has various dimensions and reasons. It is futile to link challenges faced by our country with the imperialist concept of World war against terrorism or the bogus theory of clash of civilization.
While fighting against terrorism, politically, administratively and ideologically, CPI is committed to oppose all such oppressive laws that curb human and democratic rights.
DEFENCE OF SECULARISM AND OPPOSITION TO COMMUNALISM. RELGIOUS FUNDAMENTALISM:
CPI will continue to its vigorous campaign against communalism of all shades, religious fundamentalism, linguistic and ethnic chauvinism.
CPI will leave no stone unturned to protect and strengthen secular democratic set-up of the country and champion the cause of religious and linguistic minorities.
JAMMU AND KASHMIR:
CPI stands full restoration of provisions of article 370 of the Constitution. It supports maximum autonomy for Jammu Kashmir and with it the autonomy for various regions.
CPI wants more and people to people contact between the divided Kashmir and more confidence building measures between India and Pakistan.
DEFENCE OF PARLIAMENTARY DEMOCRACY:
CPI will continue to campaign to strengthen the parliamentary democracy and the functioning of parliament has a vibrant institutions which represents the will of the people. CPI will demand that Indian Parliament has minimum 100 day sittings in a year.
ELECTORAL REFORMS
CPI will continue to demand comprehensive electoral reforms to curb money power and muscle power. Party will also campaign for proportional representations system and state funding.