CPM meet supports net neutrality, MGNREGA

The 21st Congress of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) here today passed seven resolutions which favoured net neutrality and proper implementation of MGNREGA among other things, said senior party leader and politburo member Sitaram Yechury.
He said that his party was the first to react and pass a resolution on the issue of net neutrality.
"We are the first party to take a position on net neutrality. Our stand is clear. There cannot be controlled access of information," he said while briefing the reporters about today's proceedings at the congress.
The congress also passed a resolution 'On Culture and Scientific Outlook', seeking to protect, nurture and promote the art and culture of India in all their plurality and syncretism, he said.

Another resolution expressed concern over the "continuing state of underdevelopment and backwardness" in the North-Eastern region of the country, Yechury said.
A resolution on crime against women condemned the "utter failure" of the government and law enforcement agencies for not implementing fully the recommendations of the Justice J S Verma Commission (formed in the aftermath of Delhi gangrape case), Yechury said.

On the contrary, moves were afoot to dilute the existing laws such as Section 498 A (Husband or relative of husband of a woman subjecting her to cruelty) of IPC, he added.
On MGNREGA, Yechury said his party would call upon all its units to mobilise the rural poor to ensure implementation of the UPA's flagship scheme, introduced during its first term, when CPI (M) had supported it from outside.

The party has also demanded removal of restrictions on the number of days that a person can work and adults per family who can be beneficiaries and increase wages for the women under the scheme.
The two other resolutions dealt with "Demand to make the Right of Work a Fundamental Right" and "Rights of Persons with Disabilities", he said.