The Hindu : National : CPI(M): make rural job scheme flexible

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CPI(M): make rural job scheme flexible

K.V. Prasad

Policy to protect interests of slum dwellers needed
Arms purchases from Israel disapproved

COIMBATORE: The Communist Party India(Marxist) on Wednesday demanded removal of restrictions on the type of work that could be given to the poor under the National Rural Employment Guarantee Programme.

A resolution on the fifth day of the party’s 19th Congress here called for amendments to the NREG Act to enable flexibility in the programmes so that the beneficiaries would not remain jobless during some seasons. For instance, those doing earth work could not do it during monsoon, when unemployment was high.

The resolution regretted the delay in allocation of Central funds. Instead of making allocations linked to the projected requirement of the States, the Centre arbitrarily decided an amount, which was sent directly to the district concerned. The conclave urged the Centre to reverse the policy of exclusion and neglect in addressing the challenges of livelihood and survival the urban poor were facing.

Urbanisation could not be restricted to a profit-driven pattern forced by real estate players. A policy to protect slum dwellers was needed. Efforts such as low-cost housing must be made for development in slums. Municipal policies and laws should be oriented to ensure basic civic amenities, healthcare and education.

The Congress said the Centre’s infrastructure development scheme — Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission — was against the interests of the poor and the middle class. The government was trying to impose retrograde conditions — such as levy of user charges for water and sanitation — on the States for providing funds.

Palestine issue

The conclave disapproved of arms purchases from and missiles research with Israel, which had resorted to “brutal occupation” of Gaza. India had always supported Palestine and was against the occupation of West Bank and Gaza by Israel.

“India’s joint research with Israel on missiles and drones must be seen against the background of the targeted assassinations that Israel routinely carries out using such drones,” a resolution said. This also damaged India’s relations with other countries in the region.

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