CPI(M) thinking about introducing retirement policy in party

The CPI(M) leadership discussed the idea of introducing a retirement policy for the aged whole timers of the party and also how to increase women membership.
"We are discussing on the aspects of retirement policy for the old and aged whole-timers who are not able to work due to age and ill health. We have near about 10,000 whole-timers. They are full time dedicated to the party. We have also discussed about selection, training and the retirement policy for whole-timers," CPI(M) Politburo member Prakash Karat said at a press conference today.
"We have said we must have a scientific policy and when they retire, the party has to provide for them. There is no such age bar. They won't retire from the party, but from party work. Somebody can work till 70 or 80, so if they are not able to work after that, we will provide them a retirement policy," Karat said.

The former party general secretary also said the party has discussed to lay emphasis on the quality of membership.
"We need to give emphasis on the quality of party membership, both ideologically and politically," he said.
"We are also discussing the aspect to increase women membership in the party. Women membership is near about 15.5 per cent, which is not satisfactory and in the next three years we are planning to increase it to 25 per cent," he said.

While answering a query on the issue of democratic centralism in the party, Karat said there was need to improve inner party democracy in the CPI(M).

"As far as democratic centralism is concerned, we have reviewed it and we feel the key link today is to strengthen the inner party democracy," he said.
Karat's comments come at a time when questions have been raised in the closed door meet of the party on lack of sufficient democratic atmosphere within the CPI(M).
(REOPENS CAL3)
The CPI(M) today in its Plenum session adopted resolutions on the centenary year of October Revolution, situation in West Bengal and on the achievements of the Left Front government in Tripura.
The party in its resolution on achievements in Tripura said "The Left Front government has not only developed the quality of life of the people of the state, but also showed that alternative policies can be pursued even with limited sources."

In the resolution on the situation in West Bengal, CPI(M) termed it as "grave."
"The last four and a half year misrule has totally discredited both the Trinamool Congress and the government headed by it. Large scale resort to terror tactics, attacks on all sections of people including atrocities on Dalits and tribals, alarming increase in sexual assaults on women, monumental corruption including the chit fund scams, rampant misuse of government machinery for partisan ends, abject failure to deliver on promises made during the elections, etc have utterly exposed the real face of the ruling party leading to a strong discontent against it," it stated.