Left parties extend solidarity to the working class
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, May 02 2021:
The Left parties in Manipur - CPI (M) , CPI , Revolutionary Socialist Party (RSP) and All India Forward Bloc (AIFB) have extended their solidarity to the international working class on the occasion of May Day.
A joint statement issued by CPI (M), CPI, RSP and AIFB said that India today , particularly Manipur, is in the grip of the worst humanitarian health crisis since independence.
It continued that immediate measures to combat the pandemic, protect people's lives and livelihoods are needed to be undertaken by the Central Government on a war footing.
Saying that provision of oxygen to all hospitals and people needing it must be ensured, the Left parties also urged the Centre to launch a free universal vaccination programme across the country.
The statement also asked the Centre to spend the budgetary allocation of Rs 35,000 crore; release the fund collected in PM Cares Fund and stop construction of the Rs 20,000 crore Central Vista ( New Parliament at Delhi ) and use the money for procuring vaccines.
The Union Government must invoke compulsory licensing to produce both vaccines and life-saving drugs by all competent facilities, said the Left parties and appealed to all concerned to strictly control prices of essential drugs and oxygen.
The Left parties also urged the Centre to transfer Rs 7500 to all families in the non-income tax paying bracket directly and distribute foodgrains to all needy at free of cost.
The Union and State Governments must immediately ensure the availability of hospital beds, ventilators, ICU beds, particularly in the rural areas where the pandemic is spreading rapidly, it added.
Claiming that one whole year has been wasted by the Government, the Left parties continued that the country cannot afford to lose any more time.