Lok Sangharsh Morcha is holding a massive rally at Sagbara (Gujarat) on 1 september,08, opposing the nuclear deal, price hike in essential commodities, deteriorating system of basic amenities like education, employment and health facilities  in rural areas as well as for the rapid implementation of forest act, 2006, providing legal rights to tribal over forest land.

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More than 10 thousand participants including tribal, marginal formers, women and youths are expected to come. Rally will take in account the local issues too, like implementation of NRGEA, PDS, BPL and other developmental issues. The implementation of Schedule v of Indian constitution in tribal areas would be raised by rally. A memorandum addressed to the Prime minister of India would also be submitted by participants. Leaders of Left and democratic forces will address the rally. 

The demands are, as fallows;

1.       Scrap the nuke deal held between India and America. This deal is embarrassing to India’s sovereignty and autonomy. As we know, the share of nuclear energy is only 2.85% of India’s total electricity- generating capacity, at present, while rest of 97.15% energy is brought by coal, gas, water, wind and other natural recourses. We have enough resource till today, which has to utilize in the full strength. Even according to the target decided by India government, nuclear energy even after the deal will only account for 7% of India’s total installed capacity by 2020. According to the fact, nuclear energy cannot substantially reduce our dependence on oil, gas or coal. The cost of electricity from imported nuclear plant will also be more than Rs.5.00 per unit as against about Rs. 2.00to 2.50 per unit from coal- fired plant. The 123 agreement would make undue pressure on India’s non-aligned foreign policy changing it according to American interests. Threat for environment and insecurity to nuclear energy stores will create hazardous situation for us, while agreement has kept silence on the issue.

2.       Stop price hike and make some necessary provisions to bring it down, so that lives of downtrodden could be saved. As you are aware sir, the recent Price hike in essential commodities is crossing 10-12% of inflation rate, which is beyond the people’s tolerance. The nexuses of forward traders, corrupt politicians and whole-sale businessman are exploiting to common man and providing them opportunity to make huge profit. Instead to controlling them, they have now become free to exploit poorer section and middle class of society.

3.       We oppose the conspiracy to eliminate the continuing support price system available for the agrarian food products and public distribution system. We demand 35kg food grains for poor as per the order of Supreme Court. Corporate forming and contract forming should be banned.

4.       Looking at the price-hike and deteriorating income of rural household, the rate for daily wages should be reviewed as Rs.150 per day instead of Rs.60 under NREGA (national rural employment guarantee act).      

5.       Scrap the “India- America knowledge initiative” treaty, so that Indian formers and agriculture sector could be protracted from the exploitation of foreign seed companies like Monsanto, Cargill and other multinational companies. GMO seeds should be banned and bring agriculture out from WTO agreements.

6.       Adopt the pending bill for “Social Security Act”, during the coming session of Parliament with the pro-people amendments, soon. Make central legislation for landless laborer guaranteeing the pension plan for them.

7.       Stop the system of outsourcing and increasing contract system in industrial sector. Withdraw the efforts of government to handing over the provident fund (PF) of workers to the corporate houses.

8.       Scrap the ‘special economic zone act’ (SEZ) and stop the land grabbing campaign in the name of industrialization and modernization.

9.       Stop the allowing FDI in small stock market, so that the livelihood of about 5 million people could be saved who are involved into it.

10.   Bring ‘Right to Education Bill’ based on the principle of ‘Common School System’ (which is pending since 6 years), in the parliament during its coming session, so that equitable quality education for all children of 6-14 years of age group could be ensured as their fundamental right enshrined in the Indian constitution. Indian state should take care of all facilities providing to children of 0-6 and 14-18 years of age group with same rights.

11.   5% GDP should be ensured for health facilities and also made some necessary provisions to prevent children’s death due to Mal nutrition in Tribal and Dalit areas.

12.   Provide legal rights to the tribal over the forest land as soon as possible, while ‘Forest Rights Act, 2006’ has been enacted by the parliament.

13.   Implement schedule (v) of Indian constitution in tribal areas of Gujarat, so that Tribal can make developmental plans for their areas. The democratic rights of tribal could also be preserved.

Massive rally was held in Nandurbar

On 20^th August, a massive rally was also held at Nandurbar, district headquarter of Maharashtra with the same demand. Five thousand participants were participated and memorandum was submitted to district collector. Lok sangharsh morcha is planning to hold a chain of rallies for the political consolidation of masses in other areas also belonging to Gujarat and Maharashtra.