The Communist Party of India (CPI) has assured to work for the implementation of recommendations made by the Swaminathan Committee if its candidates are elected in the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections.
The party would work for the implementation of 33% quota for women in addition to mounting pressure on the government to implement the Minimum Wages Act in letter and spirit.
CPI general secretary Suravaram Sudhakar Reddy demanded that the Central government take steps to ensure that the rules making Aadhaar mandatory for availing the benefits of government schemes were scrapped, besides stringently enforcing laws pertaining to SCs and STs.
Mr. Sudhakar Reddy accompanied by party’s State secretary Chada Venkat Reddy was speaking to reporters in connection with the release of party’s manifesto for the forthcoming elections. The party assured that it would work for ensuring timely release of funds for scholarships to students, one-rank-one-pension scheme for retired Army personnel and the implementation of recommendations made by the Justice Rajender Sachar and Ranganath Mishra Committees pertaining to the welfare of minorities and underprivileged sections.
The party was committed to protecting the freedom of expression, while it was firm that the vexatious Kashmir issue could be resolved only through negotiations. The party would work for allocation of six per cent of the GSDP to the health sector as also for the schemes for welfare and development of single women, he said.
Mr. Venkat Reddy said senior Congress leader R.C. Khuntia sought the support of the CPI for the Congress nominees and the party would take a decision on the issue of extending its support to other parties in constituencies where it has not fielded its candidates. The CPI has planned to hold meetings in Bhongir and Mahabubabad LS constituencies on April 1 and 2 respectively where leaders of CPI and CPI (M) would address the gathering.