The rectification document of the Polit Bureau of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) is being discussed at the meeting of the party’s Central Committee, which entered its second day here on Friday.
Discussions are mid-way on the document, CPI(M) Polit Bureau member Sitaram Yechury told journalists at the State headquarters of the party.
On the issue of price rise that has figured prominently in the discussions, Mr. Yechury said the Chief Ministers of the States that have a Left Front government will present the party’s view at the Prime Minister’s conference on Saturday.
State-specific issues will also be presented by each Chief Minister at the meeting, he said.
On whether the CPI(M) Party Congress due to be held next year would be rescheduled, Mr. Yechury said that while the matter was on the agenda of the meeting, a decision will only be taken on Saturday.
‘Strengthen PDS’
Earlier in the day, party Polit Bureau member and Tripura Chief Minister Manik Sarkar said that the public distribution system (PDS) must be strengthened and forward trading immediately stopped to counter rising prices.
“If prices are to be brought under control, the public distribution system must be strengthened and extended to another 12-14 essential commodities, which must be made available all over the country at uniform prices,” Mr. Sarkar said.
He added that forward trading must be stopped immediately as it denied farmers the rightful prices for their produce.
Mr. Sarkar also elaborated on his party’s reservations about the proposed Food Security Bill.
“On the issue of food security there should be no distinction between BPL [Below Poverty Line] and APL [Above Poverty Line]. Even 62 years after Independence, why can’t provision for food security be made available to all?” Mr. Sarkar said.
The bill also proposes to reduce the foodgrain allotment per family from 35 to 25 kg and raise the prices of grains and domestic fuel, he pointed out.
“We are opposed to this. The Centre is willing to sell foodgrains and domestic fuel to the States at market prices, but it will be out of sync with the prices at which they are sold to BPL beneficiaries,” Mr. Sarkar said.
