Left parties meets Badal

A joint deputation of state leaders of four left parties - CPI, CPI(M), CPM Punjab, CPI (M-L) Liberation met Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal here.
Last evening, the left parties held a one-hour long meeting with Badal at his residence in a "coordial atmosphere", a left party spokesman said here today.
The deputation presented a 15 point 'Demands Charter' consisting of various demands of the people, including the withdrawal of draconian Black Bill 'Punjab Prevention Of Damage To Public And Private Property Bill- 2014'.
The deputation consisted of Joginder Dayal, Bant Brar, Jagroop Singh and Hardev Arshi from CPI, Charan Singh Virdi, Raghunath Singh and Vijay Misra from CPI(M), Mangat Ram Pasla, Harkanwal Singh and Inderjit Singh Grewal from CPM Punjab, Rajwant Rana, Rulda Singh and Bhagwant Singh Samao from CPI (M-L) Liberation.

"The Chief Minister was responsive and heard the demands with sympathy. He also agreed to look in depth the demands like plot to rural landless people, property tax, drug addiction and filling up of vacant posts in government departments," Virdi said.
Badal was in agreement with the left parties over the issue of implementation of Dr Swaminathan Committee recommendations for fixing procurement prices for agricultural produce and assured to pursue it strongly with the Centre, he said.

He also concurred with the demand regarding transfer of Chandigarh to Punjab, settlement of rivers water dispute and settlement of claims and counter-claims regarding the transfer of Punjabi speaking areas to the state.

He agreed to put pressure on the centre for resolving the issue.
"On the issue of restructuring of centre state relations to give more powers to states adhereing to principle of genuine federalism. Badal expressed his commitment to pursue this issue more vigorously," Virdi said.
Evaluating the results of negotiations upon the Demand Charter, the left leaders have concluded that though the discussions were held in a very cordial atmosphere but it is necessary to go to the people and mobilize them.
The leaders have called upon their respective party units and the people to make the Tehsil-level political conferences a success and also intensify preparations for 'March to Assembly' during the Budget Session, Virdi said.