The Economy on the Eve of the Budget

THE Indian economy is currently caught in a vicious spiral of inflation, stagnation, and a widening of the fiscal deficit. And this spiral is set to become even more vicious because inter alia of developments in the world economy.Even before the current omicron wave, the rate of GDP growth projected by official estimates for 2021-22 over the previous year was 9.2 per cent; but the previous year itself had witnessed a 7.3 per cent contraction because of the pandemic.

Why a Statue of Netaji Now?

THE India Gate in Delhi is an imperial monument constructed by the British government to commemorate Indian soldiers of the British Indian army who died in battlefields far from home, in Flanders, Gallipoli, Iran and elsewhere during the First World War (1914-18). Other Indian soldiers who died during Britain’s Afghan wars also had their names recorded on the monument. Later, a statue of King George V was installed under a canopy in the centre of the war memorial.Some years after independence, the king’s statue was unceremoniously removed and, since there were many suggestions as to whose

Affirmative Action Providing Level Playing Field

ON January 7th this year, the Supreme Court ruled that reservation of 27 per cent of seats in the all-India quota (AIQ) in medical colleges is not unconstitutional thereby enabling such reservation to be introduced from the 2021-22 academic session. Nearly two weeks later, on January 20, the court spelt out its reasoning in arriving at this ruling.

UP: SFI State Conference Resolves to Fight NEP

16TH UTTAR PRADESH state conference of the Students' Federation of India (SFI) was held successfully on January 22-23, 2022 in Sultanpur.The two-day state conference was inaugurated by SFI all India president, V P Sanu.

Pinarayi writes to Modi: IAS Cadre Rules Amendments would Weaken Cooperative Federalism

KERALA chief minister, Pinarayi Vijayan has requested the prime minister to drop the proposed amendments to the Indian administrative service(IAS) cadre rules. In a letter written to prime minister Narendra Modi, Pinarayi wrote that these amendments would ‘weaken cooperative federalism'. He opined that "the present deputation rules are already heavily loaded in favour of the union government and bringing in further changes will weaken the very root of cooperative federalism.

Imperialist Designs in Ukraine

TENSIONS are building around Ukraine due to the US imperialism’s hegemonic attitude. The moves to expand NATO and enroll Ukraine as a member of that military grouping is resented by Russia, which considers it a threat. US and its allies are alleging that Russia is about to ‘invade’ Ukraine and has moved thousands of troops to the border. In the name of looming ‘war clouds’, US and UK withdrew some of their embassy staff in Ukraine and issued advisories to their citizens residing/touring that country.

Struggle for the Republic; History is the Principal Site of Struggle

THIS was about five decades back in the mid-seventies. I was then a student at Jadavpur University. It was a time of internal emergency in the country. We on our campus had quite a few students from Palestine. They were not just progressive, but also active participants in the Palestine liberation struggle. One day some of them informed us that an important leader of the PLO was in Kolkata. The PLO operatives urged that progressive student activists meet him to discuss and exchange views and experiences.Naturally, we were excited. On a specific day, some of us went to the meeting.

Repression on Anganwadi Workers & Helpers Continues

THE strike of Anganwadi workers and helpers has been going on for the last 50 days in Haryana even as the BJP government in the state intensified measures of a crackdown on them. Despite all the tactics of repression, the movement has only strengthened and the strike is expanding.TERMINATION OF SERVICESInstead of resolving the demands, the BJP government has adopted the path of suppression towards the movement. In the last 10 days, termination letters have been issued to more than 50 workers and helpers, who are leading the movement.

Statehood of Tripura: A Product of Prolonged People’s Struggle

THERE is no instance in the world history of any monarchy being transformed into a democratic state without people’s struggles. But, in the observance of 50 years of attainment of statehood of Tripura, the way the prime minister and the union home minister glorified the last monarch of Tripura suggests as if the present statehood of Tripura was a mercy of the royal family.

Telangana: 3rd State Conference held Successfully

THIRD state conference of the CPI(M) Telangana committee was held successfully from January 22-25, 2022 in Turkyamjal, Rangareddy district. A total of 455 delegates, 95 observers and 15 veterans attended the conference. Among them were 82 women. 302 delegates attending the conference were below 50 years of age; 386 delegates came from socially oppressed sections and 316 delegates belonged to the basic classes – working class, agricultural workers and poor peasants. 401 delegates joined the Party in the last 30 years.

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