Mazdoor-Kisan Sangharsh Rally, 5 April 2023

Mazdoor-Kisan Sangharsh Rally, 5 April 2023

CITU   AIKS   AIUWU

PRESS CONFERENCE 21 March 2023

Information Brief   

Preparations for massive rally by workers-farmers-agri labourers in Delhi on 5 April 2023

• Three of India’s biggest organisations representing workers, farmers and agricultural labourers have jointly called for a massive rally on 5 April 2023 in Delhi. The rally is to express the distress and anger of India’s working people with the disastrous economic and social policies being followed by the Modi government. (Demand Charter annexed)
• The three organisations are: CITU (Centre of Indian Trade Unions); AIKS (All India Kisan Sabha); and AIAWU (All India Agricultural Workers’ Union).
• In Delhi, a Reception Committee has been formed chaired by eminent economist Prabhat Patnaik, former professor at JNU. It includes academics, artists, professionals and activists from all walks of life. (Summary of Prof. Patnaik’s remarks annexed)
• An extensive campaignon the demands of the people has been going on across the country. After holding joint state level conventions in January, district level joint conventions were held in over 400 districts to plan the campaign and mobilise for the rally.
• Subsequently, a massive campaign was launched with jathas, processions, dharnas, performances by cultural troupes, and through social media.
• Currently, this campaign is reaching its climax with a target of reaching 1 crore householdsthrough door to door outreach.
• The campaign has been met with unprecedented enthusiasm and support from common people. Stagnant wages/earnings, price rise, unemployment, job insecurity, low returns for farm produce are some of the key issues causing deep discontent and disillusionment with the Modi government. Growing inequality and the government’s bias towards the rich is being condemned. Toxic policies of communal hate and bigotry are also being criticised by common people. Reports from various states indicate that there is a surge of support for the issues, which will reflect in massive participation in the rally in Delhi.

DEMANDS:

»     Ensure Minimum wages @Rs.26,000 pm and Pension @Rs.10,000 to all workers including the scheme workers; No contractorisation of work; Scrap Agnipath Scheme

»     Legally ensure MSP @ C2+50%for all farm produce with guaranteed procurement

»     One time loan waiver by the central government to all poor and middle peasants and agricultural workers; pension to all of them above 60 years

»     Scrap the four Labour Codes and Electricity Amendment Bill 2022

»     Job security and guarantee for all; Expand MGNREGA and increase workdays to 200 with minimum wages @Rs.600 per day; Pay all pending wages; Enact a National Urban Employment Guarantee Act

»     Stop Privatisation of PSUs and Public Services; Scrap National Monetisation Pipeline (NMP)

»     Arrest Price Rise, Withdraw GST on food items and essentials; Reduce the central excise duty on petrol/diesel/kerosene/cooking gas substantially; Withdraw the increase in price of cooking gas forthwith

»     Universalise the Public Distribution System (PDS) and expand its scope to include 14 essential items; Ensure food and income support to all Non-taxpayer families

»     Stringent implementation of the Forest Rights Act (FRA); withdraw the amendments to Forest (Conservation) Act and Rules that allow the union government to permit clearance of a forest without even informing the residents.

»     Stop repression of the marginalised sections and ensure social justice

»     Ensure universal and quality Health and Education for all; Scrap New Education Policy (NEP) 2020

»     Ensure Housing to all

»     Tax the Super Rich; Enhance Corporate Tax; Introduce Wealth Tax