The Hindu : Kerala News : Chandy regime busy with group politics: RSP

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Thursday, Mar 03, 2005

Kerala

Kerala

Chandy regime busy with group politics: RSP

By Our Staff Reporter

PATHANAMTHITTA, MARCH 2. The Revolutionary Socialist Party (RSP) State secretary, T.J. Chandrachoodan, has alleged that the United Democratic Front-led State Government has miserably failed to address the basic needs of the common man.

Addressing a press conference here today, the RSP leader said the Oommen Chandy regime was only keen on how to torpedo the zonal rallies being planned by the `I' group in the Congress.

On tsunami relief

He said the Government was least bothered about the rehabilitation of the victims of the December 26 tsunami. Their life in tin-roofed temporary shelters has become miserable with the onset of summer. The much-publicised project to provide permanent houses for the affected is yet to be launched. The failure of the Government to disburse even the Rs.1 lakh cash relief from the Prime Minister's Relief Fund to the victims is a testimony to its scant neglect of the common man's problems.

Asked whether the CPI(M)-led Left Democratic Front (LDF) had failed to project itself as an alternative to the ruling UDF, Prof. Chandrachoodan said it would be self-deceit on his part to say `no' to the question.

He demanded that the Union Government withdraw the Ordinance promulgated to amend the Patent Act with immediate effect as it was grossly anti-people. The Ordinance will shatter the Indian pharmaceutical industry. The price of life-saving drugs will shoot up like anything now. The three RSP members will abstain from voting on the Patent Bill. The RSP will severe links with the Left parties which vote for the Bill.

Budget criticised

The RSP leader said the Union Budget presented by the Union Finance Minister, P. Chidambaram, was ``pro-capitalist and anti-people.'' The United Progressive Alliance Government at the Centre has ignored the Left parties' demand for a cut down on defence expenditure and an increase in the allocation for the services sector. Though the Budget projects Bharat Nirman as its core subject, it is ironical that the Minister has not provided any allocation for it. Mr. Chidambaram was silent on the non-performing assets of various business houses in the country.

The RSP district secretary, V.S. Madhavan Nair, was present.

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