CPI to press for unemployment allowance, scrap FDI in retail

CPI would pitch for unemployment allowance, work for a complete review of neo-liberal economic policies and oppose FDI in retail trade and public-private partnership (PPP) model which "legalises private appropriation and institutionalising losses."
The party manifesto, released today by General Secretary S Sudhakar Reddy, veteran leader A B Bardhan and other senior leaders, speaks of bringing back black money deposited in foreign banks, stringent legal measures to recover corporate bank loans which have non-performing assets and confiscation of assets of defaulters.
Besides steps to strengthen the public sector, it also seeks stoppage of privatisation of profit-making PSUs, a law for auditing big private companies and making the Comptroller and Auditor General a constitutional authority.

CPI opposes handing over of natural resources like gas, petrol, coal and minerals to the private sector and a moratorium on recovery of loans and reservation of products for small, medium and cottage industries.
In its promise to redefine the path of development in a way that leads to economic development with equitable distribution and social justice, CPI promises housing, food security, education, employment and healthcare for all, with emphasis on ending malnutrition among women and children.
It seeks substantial hike in public investment in agriculture sector for irrigation, seeds and fertilisers at reasonable or subsidised prices, besides carrying out radical land reforms and distribution of land to the landless.

Besides ensuring the right to work for the urban unemployed like MNREGA scheme, CPI wants guaranteeing of right to work as a fundamental right and unemployment allowance to all unemployed and scrapping of the freeze on recruitment.
A specific reference has been made in the manifesto on terrorism, with CPI seeking a revision of the anti-terror policy and giving up of the American concept based on 'clash of civilisations' theory.