Cpm Seeks Action On Orissa Drought

A CPI(M) delegation asked the Planning Commission to take urgent steps to ameliorate the situation in drought-hit Orissa before it turned from bad to worse.

The delegation comprising CPI(M) MPs E Balanandan and Nilotpal Basu and leaders of the partys state handed over a charter of 34 demands.

The demands include a time bound plan to reverse regional disparity, sufficient central grant for the state considering its low per capita income, transfer of centrally sponsored schemes along with resources, a comprehensive package aimed at reducing the states debt burden, decentralisation of planning at the district and block level and revision of coal mine royalty under plan reforms.

Other demands include opening of small and medium industries with special emphasis on agro-based industries, stopping privatisation of public sector units, completion of several infrastructural projects, formation of autonomous councils in scheduled tribe dominated districts and giving responsibility to local self governments to monitor poverty alleviation programmes.

The Delhi march to end Orissas backwardness organised by the CPI(M) coincided with the 62nd foundation day of the state.