Chandigarh, March 31
The central leadership of the Communist Party of India (CPI) today came under sharp attack from delegates representing different state units for supporting the controversial Patents (Amendment) Bill in Parliament.
Although the Central leadership on the second day of the 19th party congress, tried to sell the decision to support the controversial Bill on the grounds that if the party had voted against the government, it would have provided an opportunity for the BJP to return to power.
However, this argument of the central leadership found no takers, with delegates arguing that the party could have adopted a different strategy than being seen as a party to the controversial Bill, which is expected to result in the skyrocketing of prices of essential drugs in the country.
In the heated debate on the patents issue, several delegates expressed their dismay at the manner in which the CPM was acting as “big brother” and forcing the CPI to toe its line.
Under pressure from delegates, the party congress urged the government to re-examine the provisions of the Patents Law, and need be further amend the Act, as adequate mechanism to prevent the spiralling of prices of medicines have not been provided in the Bill.
CPI National Secretary Shameem
Faizee, talking to newspersons, said the party would wait and watch the situation and if the drug prices rise, press for further amendment to the Patents Act.
He said the issue of “reasonable royalty” opens the door for manipulation and charging high royalty would result in exorbitant rise in the prices of medicines.
The delegates expressed their unhappiness over the functioning of the UPA government and the pursuance of economic liberalisation policy. Some of the delegates suggested that the party should launch a countrywide campaign “Implement CMP or go.”
In a resolution, the party called upon the UPA government to enact a comprehensive legislation for the workers of the unorganised sector and for agricultural
labour, ensuring them statutory minimum wage, social security, medical care, maternity benefits, employment, welfare fund, fixed working hours and other welfare measures.
The party also passed a resolution calling for the restoration of democracy in Nepal, urged the Indian government to outrightly reject the US offer of sale of F18s aircraft, as it would result in arms race in the country. It also urged New Delhi and Islamabad to continue the composite dialogue process and strengthen peace and friendship between the two South Asian nuclear
neighbours.
While it called for the outright rejection of the Greater Nagaland as demanded by NSCN (M) faction as it would disturb peace in the region, the party congress called upon UPA government and the ULFA to have a ceasefire and hold unconditional negotiation in order to bring peace in Assam.
In the same vein, the party asked the government to bring other militant groups of Assam, Manipur and Nagaland to have political dialogue in the interest of peace in the region.
Meanwhile, the party’s Jammu and Kashmir unit demanded a probe into the reported leak of the confidential list of passengers cleared for the inaugural run of the
Srinagar-Muzaffarabad bus.
“It is a serious issue and the government must order a probe into it. The militants are flaunting the list to intimidate the passengers and asking them to boycott it,” CPI Jammu Regional Council secretary Kanwal Dev said.
