IMPHAL, June 13: CPI general secretary S Sudhakar Reddy on Wednesday said the crises in Europe affect the whole economic system of the country to a great extend, and that the value of rupee has declined as compared to dollar, thereby the cost of imports has increased.
However, the Prime Minister and Finance Minister are trying hard to find a solution to the problem but this is only from the angle of corporate houses and not for the poor, Reddy told reporters during a press meet at the Hotel Imphal Hall here.
Reddy also announced that the Left party will launch a campaign on the financial security bill on July 30 by staging a dharna in front of Parliament where thousands of party workers and supporters will participate. This will be followed up by another bigger campaign on the issue, he added.
Flanked by Reddy and other leaders of Manipur Pradesh CPI including its president Sh Shantikumar, senior CPI leader AB Bardhan, who was also addressing the media, asked if three states in the country can provide free rice as well as at the minimal rate, why cannot the Central government give the facility to other states?
He also noted that the Jayalalitha government in Tamil Nadu provides 20 kg of rice free of cost along with kits while in Andhra Pradesh and Kerala, people are given rice at Rs 1 per kg.
These states have further demanded distribution of 35 kg of rice per head every month at only Rs 2, Bardhan added.
The senior CPI leader also assured that the party will fight and stand for the territorial integrity of Manipur. On the issue of AFSPA, Bardhan said CPI has been strongly opposing against the barbaric Act and its stance on the issue has not altered.
While referring to the sensitive issue of the alleged murder case of Loitam Richard, the CPI leader said the CPI state unit secretary has met with Karnataka Chief Minister over the issue and it has been urging the Chief Minister to hand over the case to the CBI for probe.
On June 15, the CPI general secretary will visit Bangalore and hold talks with Karnataka Chief Minister on the latest development as well as the situation with regard to Richard case, Bardhan said.
He said the party general secretary will also discuss with Karnataka Chief Minister on the security of about 30,000 Manipur students studying in various institutions in that state.