Author: Santanu Banerjee
Publication: The Pioneer
Date: November 21, 2006
Bengal record dismal on Muslim welfare
Even as the Left parties have decided to ask the UPA Government to come up with a definite action plan to address the findings and recommendations of the Sachar Committee report on the backwardness of the Muslim community, Big Brother CPI(M) is concerned about the skeleton in its own cupboard that the committee has exposed.
During the meeting of four Left parties on Monday at CPI headquarters Ajoy Bhawan, Left partners pointed out that the CPI(M)-led West Bengal Government's track record was hardly flattering on Muslim welfare.
The report has disclosed that nearly 24 per cent Muslim population of the State has not benefited over the decades from both Central and State Governments schemes and their socio-economic situation is 'worse' as compared to other States.
Sources said that leaders of the CPI and Revolutionary Socialist party (RSP) pointed out t hat a discussion in Parliament on the Sachar Committee report could turn out to be Bengal-centric and the Left leaders may find it difficult to explain the backwardness of the community in a State ruled by it for nearly three decades.
Sources said that the Left leaders were also concerned that the Trinamool Congress and the Opposition could use the Sachar Committee report to expose the Left's commitment to Muslim welfare.
Sources said that CPI(M) has advised the West Bengal Government to take swift measures to reach out to the Muslim community.
CPI(M) general secretary Prakash Karat has assured the Left Front partners that West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee would take immediate steps to compensate 'excluded' and neglected Muslims.
However, briefing newspersons after the meeting, Karat said that the Left parties have decided to ask the UPA Government to place the report in the Winter Session of Parliament and demanded that the Government should come up with a comprehensive action plan to take care of the neglected Muslim communities.
CPI general secretary AB Bardhan said Left parties also decided to press the UPA Government to amend the SEZ laws and see to it that no agricultural land should be taken for development of either new industries or SEZs. Bardhan added that the Left would take a strong stand on any changes in the Pension Bill.
On the SEZ issue, the consensus within the CPI(M) suffered a setback with Polit Bureau member Sitaram Yechury reporting to the party after his China visit that even in China no agricultural land is used for SEZ. This goes against acquisition of agricultural land by the West Bengal Government for setting up SEZs.
What has added to the CPI(M) problem is that on Monday, the All India Kisan Sabha, a CPI(M) farmers' front, in its rally warned the Governments against taking over agricultural land for either SEZ or industrial projects. The rally was also addressed by Prakash Karat and Sitaram Yechury.