CPI National Executive Committee Member T. Pandian on Sunday resented involvement of foreign companies in the execution of ‘Smart City’ projects, apprehending financial burden on the people in the form of levies for provision of basic amenities.
The projects must be executed by the respective local bodies, Mr. Pandian told mediapersons here. The Centre must abandon its plan to entrust foreign companies with garbage removal, solid waste management and drinking water supply, he said.
Both the BJP government and the previous Congress regime were acting against the interests of Sri Lankan Tamils. There must be a neutral international investigation into alleged war crimes in Sri Lanka, he said.
Drought relief
The government must ensure drought relief to farmers who are facing a crisis caused by water shortage. The kuruvai crop was failing due to erratic monsoon, and there were fears of the Samba crop would also wilt, he said.
Mr. Pandian wanted the Central government to release data on job generation in the backdrop of thousands of employees being sent out of employment by large corporates and multi-national companies. He sought an explanation from the State government for not having tie-up with public sector giant BHEL for supply of boilers for thermal stations.
Lorry strike
On the lorry strike, Mr. Pandian said it was justified, observing that the system of collecting tolls at various places must be curbed, and sought Central government's intervention for an early solution.
The Centre must abandon its plan to entrust foreign companies with garbage removal, solid waste management and drinking water supply
