Coming down heavily on the industrial policies of the Congress, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Biju Janata Dal (BJD), the Communist Party of India (Marxist) State Committee on Saturday promised an alternative industrial policy for sustainable growth of the State.
In its manifesto released here, the CPI(M) came out with a bagful of promises for the people of the State including effective implementation of land reforms, decentralisation of power to the panchayati raj institutions, expansion of the public distribution system, protecting the livelihoods of farmers and workers and maintenance of communal harmony and secularism.“The policies of the three major political parties, which promote minerals-based industries in the State, are only expediting export of minerals. The mineral resources will vanish if these policies continue. We will provide an alternative policy which will not promote displacement and affect livelihoods,” said the manifesto.
Highlighting the farmers’ issues, it said farmers in the State cannot be assured of a decent livelihood and a secure future without a clean break from the neoliberal policies followed so far.The party would work for economic policies that integrate growth with employment generation towards creating full employment and money in the hands of the people.
It also promised land to landless farmers, Government assistance to share croppers, loans at cheap interest and proper compensation during natural calamity.CPI(M) State secretary Janardan Pati, among many other senior party leaders, was present during the release of the manifesto.