THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Congress state unit is giving the lead to come out strong against the alleged anti-people policies of the Narendra Modi Government.
Statewide protest marches and dharnas will be launched by the party on Wednesday against the alleged saffronisation policies as well other policies ‘’detrimental’’ to the whole of the country.
Marches are proposed to be held in front of the Raj Bhavan and select Central Government offices in various districts on Wednesday, from 11 am. In an article brought out by KPCC president V M Sudheeran on the eve of the launch of the stir, it was pointed out that Congressmen are resorting to agitation in the state not only against the ‘’concerted attempts’’ of the saffron brigade to ‘’communalise’’ the Indian society through venomous statements and drive like ‘Ghar Wapsi’, but also due to the ‘’failure’’ of the Union Government to address issues like the heavy fall in prices of natural rubber and soaring prices of essential commodities, despite persistent pleas.
‘’Bringing down the domestic price of petroleum products commensurate with the international fall in crude oil prices, scrapping amendments mooted in Land Acquisition laws and labour laws, reinstatement of drugs price control mechanism and rejecting the Dr Meenakumari report whose provisions are highly detrimental to the interests of traditional fishermen in the state, will also be in the charter of demands put forward to the Centre,’’ Sudheeran said. The stir would also highlight the demand to end the neglect shown towards Kerala on the issue of development of airports in the state despite the heavy passenger traffic here.
“The price rise of essential commodities to a level as felt now has no parallel in the history of the country. Forgetting the promises given to the people during the Lok Sabha elections, the Modi Government after coming to power has resorted to measures like increasing the rail freight and jacking up excise duties on petroleum products. This has resulted in a sharp price rise,’’ he said. ‘’As long as the Modi Government does not end its policy of appeasing corporates and monopoly tyre companies, the crisis which has affected lakhs of rubber growers would continue,’’ Sudheeran said, calling for a complete ban on natural rubber imports into the country or demand monitored restricted imports.
“The ordinance pushed through to dilute land acquisition laws, which aims to appease corporate houses and land mafia at the cost of farmers and the poor, will have far-reaching consequences,’’ he said.
‘’The compromises introduced in the Indian Patents Act after the recent Modi-Obama summit has been solely intended to give a free run for multinational drug manufacturers and native monopoly business houses. The prices of life-saving drugs have soared like anything and many have also gone out of stock,’’ he said.
‘’The anti-people drug policy, as it affects the masses in the country, should be rolled back,’’ Sudheeran demanded.