New Delhi: Ahead of the forthcoming budget session of Parliament, an all-party meeting chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh was held on Tuesday. Representing the Communist Party of India (CPI), Rajya Sabha MP P. Santosh Kumar raised several critical political, economic, and democratic issues to draw the government’s attention.
The CPI demanded a special financial package for Kerala. The party highlighted that due to the borrowing restrictions imposed by the Centre, Kerala is facing a resource deficit exceeding ₹21,000 crore in the current financial year. They urged the central government to intervene immediately to alleviate the severe financial crisis confronting states like Kerala.
Expressing deep concern over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process, P. Santosh Kumar warned that it is turning into a “special intensive exclusion.” He cautioned that while in a democracy voters choose their rulers, the situation is reversing, with rulers selecting voters. He further criticised the Election Commission for increasingly becoming an elimination commission.
On internal security, the CPI criticised Operation Kagar, accusing it of targeting innocent tribal communities under the guise of security measures. The party demanded that the government present a full report on the operation’s details and current status to Parliament and the public, ensuring transparency and accountability.
Regarding foreign policy, the CPI stated that India’s stance has weakened considerably. They pointed out the lack of a strong response to issues such as Donald Trump’s threatening behaviour, the situation in Venezuela, and matters related to Greenland. This, they argued, undermines India’s tradition of an independent foreign policy.
The party reiterated its demand for an immediate increase in wages for ASHA workers, as previously assured by the Union Health Minister. It also called for the prompt restoration of the MNREGA scheme, highlighting that delays in wage payments, reduced allocations, and fewer working days are severely affecting rural livelihoods. The CPI stressed that MNREGA is a crucial employment programme during times of agricultural distress and unemployment and must receive full funding and expansion.
Additionally, the CPI called for the repeal of labour codes they described as anti-worker, opposition to the farmer-unfriendly seed bill, and restructuring centre-sponsored schemes to a 75:25 funding ratio, enabling states to better implement welfare programmes. The party emphasised the need for serious attention to these issues in the budget session to protect democracy, federalism, and people’s livelihoods.
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