CPI(ML) Liberation launched the ‘Haq Do, Vaada Nibhaao’ (Give us Our Rights, Fulfil Your Promises) campaign at a convention in Patna on July 16th, 2024. The campaign seeks a grant of Rs. 2 lakh to every poor family, land for the landless, pucca houses for all, 200 units of free electricity, MSP for farmers, demands of scheme workers, employment for youth, concerns of migrant workers, rural development, to uphold Indian Constitution and democracy, among other demands that affects the working class people in Bihar.
CPI(ML) General Secretary Comrade Dipankar, who addressed the convention, said that development without employment for all is no development at all. He said, “After the socio-economic survey, the Bihar government announced a financial assistance of Rs. 2 lakh for 95 lakh poor families. There has been no initiative by the government to fulfil this promise. The local administration is not issuing income certificates to those below Rs. 72,000 per annum. This has resulted in a lot of families to be deprived of the benefits of this promise. In August, a movement will be organized all over Bihar in regard to seeking income certificates.”
The convention adopted following political resolutions –
After the caste-based survey, about 95 lakh poor families in Bihar was to derive benefits of Rs. 2 lakh under the ‘Laghu Udyam Yojana’. However, the government’s move to reduce the amount to Rs. 72,000, non-issuance of the income certificates of below Rs. 72,000 income and seeking applications online has become a cruel joke. Moreover, important livelihood activities like animal husbandry is not included in the list of small enterprises issued by the government. Therefore, the convention calls for a state-wide movement on unconditional issuance of income certificates for less than Rs. 72,000 to poor families, collecting applications offline, inclusion of animal husbandry in the list of small enterprises, housing, land and pucca houses for the poor.
According to the Niti Ayog reprt, Bihar is among the last few states in sustainable development. The report has only re-affirmed the socio-economic survey, which exposed the truth of poverty, migration and homelessness, as also the vicious cycle of under-development in Bihar. This is despite Bihar being ruled by the ‘double engine’ government for a long time. Therefore, a comprehensive policy and special status for Bihar is essential. The convention calls upon the people to demand a special status for Bihar from the Central and State Governments.
The collapse of more than 19 bridges in the span of one month amidst the deafening noise of “development” has exposed the criminal negligence and institutional corruption of the government. The State Government cannot escape liability by taking action against a few officials. The convention calls for a high-level probe into the institutionalized corruption.
The convention appeals for larger support in the protests being organized between July 22nd and 26th, during which time Bihar Legislative Assembly elections will take place. On July 23rd, AISA will be holding a demonstration against the NEET scam, on July 24th, the Bihar Rajya Vidyalay Rasoiya Sangh will organize a protest and on July 25th, AIARLA will be holding a protest against the bulldozer raj. The convention calls for support to the movement against privatization of railways, for recruitment to vacant posts, increasing number of passenger trains and coaches, etc., being organized by RYA. The convention also expressed its support to the strike called by nursing staff, ambulance workers and sanitation workers.
The convention demanded that an SIT be constituted in the Muzaffarpur DBR case in regard to fraud and sexual harassment, arrest of main accused Manish Sinha, high-level judicial probe into the political and administrative protection being extended, refund of money to the youth, and compensation to the victims.
The murder of VIP chief Mukesh Sahni’s father was condemned. Post the election results, attacks on Dalits and the poor have only increased in Gaya, Nawada, Siwan, Muzaffarpur and other districts.
The New Criminal Laws erode civil liberties and were introduced without any debate and at a time when 146 opposition MPs were suspended in the Parliament. This convention calls for the repeal of the draconian laws like UAPA and the provisions in the new laws that equip police with arbitrary powers.
The 2024 elections has shown that the Constitution has been upheld by the people of India. The convention is committed to a sovereign, socialist, secular and democratic India.
The convention was also addressed by Bihar State Secretary Comrade Kunal, Karakat MP Comrade Rajaram Singh, Ara MP Comrade Sudama Prasad, politburo member Comrade Dhirendra Jha, AIPWA General Secretary Comrade Meena Tiwari, MLC and Scheme Workers leader Comrade Shashi Yadav, Paliganj MLA Comrade Sandeep Saurabh, Dumraon MLA Comrade Ajit Kumar Singh and Agiaon MLA Comrade Shivprakash Ranjan.
