The Hindu : CPI's turn to promise free power supply

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Mar 31, 2004

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

CPI's turn to promise free power supply

By Our Staff Reporter

HYDERABAD, MARCH 30. The Communist Party of India released its manifesto here on Tuesday for the Assembly election with promises to reverse the power sector reforms, protect public sector units from privatisation, supply free electricity for small farmers and recommend the formation of the second States Reorganisation Commission.

Speaking to presspersons here, its State secretary, Suravaram Sudhakar Reddy, said party representatives would defend the rights of workers and farmers in the Assembly and strive to make policies to eliminate poverty, unemployment and regional imbalances. He criticised the TDP Government in the State and the BJP-led Government at the Centre for pursuing `anti-people' policies and appealed to voters to put an end to their rule.

Among the other promises listed in the manifesto are crop insurance at village level, implementation of land reforms and completion of pending irrigation projects, especially in the dryland regions. Calling for setting up a committee of workers and experts to revitalise the public sector undertakings in the State, the CPI said it would stoutly oppose any moves to privatise them.

Mr. Reddy said the CPI would not let discoms and the A.P. Transco to be privatised and added that existing private producers' power purchase agreements would be reviewed.

The manifesto said the Wakf Board should be converted into a Commissionerate with powers to evict encroachers. Reservations in education and jobs for professional classes like barbers and washermen should be given irrespective of religious affiliation.

Mr. Reddy clarified that the CPI would not join any Government at the State level but added that they would provide outside support to Congress-led Government. Mr. Reddy would be going to Nalgonda on Wednesday to file nomination papers for the Parliamentary seat.

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