CPM to hold nationwide protest on Tuesday to demand Rs 7,500 cash transfer for migrants

NEW DELHI: To reiterate its demand to provide succour to the poor and migrants who are the worst affected by the coronavirus pandemic, the CPM will hold a countrywide protest on Tuesday, following a call given by the CPM polit bureau last week.

Since the lockdown was imposed in the country in March, while the CPM was among the political parties to transition to meetings through video conferencing, the party is all set to return to the traditional way of protesting, in person, with general secretary Sitaram Yechury leading the charge in New Delhi.

Last week, Yechury had announced during a press conference that countrywide protests will be held at 12 noon, and will adhere to the norms of physical distancing and wearing masks.

CPM has persistently demanded from the government that it make cash transfers of Rs 7500 per month, for six months, to all families who do not fall within the income tax bracket and make for the poorest in the country. This, they have argued, will mitigate people’s economic woes caused by the loss of livelihoods during the prolonged lockdown to combat the coronavirus pandemic.

The CPM will reiterate its demand for free distribution of 10 kilos of food grains to every individual, every month for six months, while emphasising that the government’s dole of one kilo pulses and five kilos of rice per family will not suffice for families to remain afloat.

Echoing the sentiments of most political parties, which have emphasised the need to create jobs for the workers who have lost their regular sources of income, the CPM will also demand that the rural employment guarantee scheme — MGNREGS — be expanded in scope and should also, if only temporarily, grant at least 200 days of employment at increased wages to all those who seek work under the employment guarantee law.

They plan to demand also that the employment guarantee scheme be extended to the urban poor, and that the Centre announce an unemployment allowance to out-of-job persons.

The Left party will also raise the issue of dilution of labour laws by some state governments, and will demand that the government roll back any changes that are detrimental to the interests of the working class people of the country.