A three-day sit-in by leaders of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] began here on Friday morning.
Inaugurating the fast, party’s Kerala unit secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan alleged that the Congress and the Kerala Congress parties which had came to power with the backing of rubber farmers had betrayed the trust reposed in them.
Rubber procurement operations declared by the United Democratic Front (UDF) government had been a big hoax, with little procurement taking place on ground.
Tax cut offer
“Instead, the Chief Minister called a meeting of rubber goods manufacturers and offered them a tax cut,” he said. The government had extended 5 per cent in tax which amounted to Rs.100-crore tax deduction altogether for the manufacturers.
However, in spite of such actions, the manufacturers failed to procure from the internal market,” he said.
He alleged that the UDF government had been working hand in glove with the big manufacturers on the pretext of helping the farmers.
The CPI(M) State secretary took exception to what he termed the newfound love of Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi for the farming community.
Blames UPA policy
“It was the policy initiatives of the UPA government at the Centre which pushed the rubber farmers into the present crisis,” he said. The 2009 regional trade agreement with ASEAN was at the core of the present crisis, he said.
Mr. Balakrishnan wanted the State government to take the initiative to pull up the benchmark price of natural rubber to Rs.200 a kg in the internal market.
“The Chief Minister who is a constant visitor to New Delhi should get in touch with the Prime Minister and take necessary steps,” Mr. Balakrishnan said.
CPI(M) district secretary V.N. Vasavan presided over the event.
Left Democratic Front convener Vaikom Viswan; K. Suresh Kurup, MLA; K.J. Thomas; V.R. Bhaskaran; and others spo.
The sit-in by the members will continue on Saturday.
