State level joint convention of farmers at Ldh

Thu, Jan 17, 2013 at 4:09 PM
Convention criticized anti farmer Govt.Policies
Ludhiana: January 17,2013: With a demand for increase in the minimum support price (MSP) the state level joint convention of Kissan Sabhas held here at Ludhiana today decided to launch movement for their demands. The joint convention was organized by the Punjab Kissan Sabhas affiliated to CPI and CPI(M) , Bharti Kissan Union Ekta (Sidhupur) and All India Democratic Party.  The convention was addressed by Comrades Kulwant Singh (Ex MLA) President and Bhupinder Sambar General Secretary Punjab Kissan Sabha, Comrades Gurchetan Singh-President and Sukhminder Sekhon –General Secretary Kissan Sabha Punjab,  Kartar Singh Bowani, Giani Gurdev Singh Nihal Singhwala, Com Kamiker Singh Sekhon.                            

Various speakers at the convention criticized the anti farmer policies of the government at the centre and state for ignoring their demands which has led large number of suicides by the farmers throughout India,  including Punjab.  Kissans have to face huge losses every year due to natural calamities that affect their production which are many a time destroyed. But governments  do not have any policy for them in this regard to meet the loss.  They demanded that all loans given to small and medium farmers be waived off.  They further demanded that the MSP for wheat be fixed at Rs.1800 per quintal and an additional bonus of Rs. 150 be given to the farmers by the state govt. This has become essential due to increase in the input costs like, Diesel, electricity and fertilizers. More over there has been exorbitant rise in prices of essential commodities which the kissans have to use too.  They also demanded increase in the MSP of sugar cane which is higher in Haryana by 45 rupees. They also demanded that milk rate should be bought at the previous rates and not at the present reduced rates.   

The farmer organizations also warned of introduction of GM crops without safety audit. Such a move may lead to several problems for our food security and health in future. The farmer orgnaisations also supported the ongoing struggle of the Punjab Agricultural University Employee’s Union for release of arears. They further said that the Punjab government should increase the grant to PAU for the further research.Kartar Singh Bowani (94175 38005)

Sex Workers’ Rights Day

Sex Workers’ Pride March to be held in Sangli

We are delighted to invite you to join us at the Sex Workers’ Pride March to be held in Sangli on the eve of the International Sex Workers’ Rights Day, the 3rd of March. Every year for the past five years we have held our heads high and joyously marched together to declare to the world that we not only exist but do so with pride claiming our right to self worth, dignity and livelihood, a right that no agency can confer or deny.

Come all:

Pride March: Gather at the Collector office, Sangli rally to the banks of the River Krishna.
Date : 2 March 2012
Time : 5pm – 7pm

In Solidarity,
Veshya Anyay Mukti Parishad
contact- meenaseshu@yahoo.com                    Courtesy:kractivist

MSEU leaders arrested

PUDR,PUCR,Citizens'front condemned

New Delhi, 19 September. People's Union for Democratic Rights (PUDR), Delhi, People's Union for Civil Rights, Haryana and Citizens' Front in Support of Maruti Suzuki Workers' Struggle condemn the arrest of leaders of the Maruti Suzuki Employees Union last night even while the negotiations were going on.
MSEU President Sonu Kumar, General Secretary Shiv Kumar and Ravinder were arrested by the Gurgaon police around 10.30 PM on 18 September, as soon as they came out of the meeting with Maruti Suzuki officials. Talks were on since 16 September between the union, management of Maruti Suzuki and the labour department to end the lockout forced by the company since 29 August. Talks broke down late last night when the management refused to take back the dismissed and suspended workers. Apparently, the police were prepared for this and the union leaders were arrested immediately after that.
The police had filed an FIR against Ravinder alleging his involvement in a case of scuffle with some supervisors. But there was no case against Sonu Kumar and Shiv Kumar and they were leading the negotiations with the management. It is clear that the Gurgaon police and the Haryana government are acting at the behest of the company to crush the workers' struggle for fully justified demands.
We demand that the arrested leaders be released immediately and talks should be restarted. The state government must stop acting as an agent of the company and intervene to ensure that workers get justice. 

People's Union for Democratic Rights, DELHI
People's Union for Civil Rights, HARYANA
Citizens' Front in Support of Maruti Suzuki Workers' Struggle