Bhubaneswar: Terming ruling BJD in Odisha as well as opposition Congress and BJP as pro-capitalist parties, CPI(M) today favoured increase of minimum monthly wages of labourers to Rs 10,000 and various social security allowances to Rs 1,000.
"We are opposed to the existing economic policy adopted by both the UPA government and previous NDA regime and the BJD government in Odisha. We are for scrapping of economic reforms and power-sector reform," said CPI(M) state unit secretary Janardan Pati while releasing his party's manifesto for the Odisha Assembly elections.
Stating that the amount of pension and allowances given to elderly persons, widows and the disabled should be hiked from Rs 300 a month to Rs 1,000, the CPI(M) also demanded immediate revision of the minimum wages for workers. It should be at least Rs 10,000 per month, Pati said.
CPI(M), which has fielded candidates in one Lok Sabha seat and 12 Assembly segments this time, became the first political party in Odisha to release its manifesto.
In its state-specific manifesto, the party said: "The policies of the three major political parties, which promote mineral-based industries in the state, are only expediting export of minerals. The mineral resources will vanish if these policies continue. We will provide an alternative policy which will not promote displacement and affect livelihood."
Highlighting farmers' issues, CPI(M) stressed that land reforms, government assistance to share-croppers, extension of irrigation facilities, setting up of cold storages, guarantee on production of vegetables and marketing links.
The Left party also advocated for agriculture loan on low interest rate and adequate compensation for loss of crop due to natural calamities.
On the education front, the CPI(M) said it would favour filling of all vacant teachers posts and grant-in-aid mode of payment for teachers of all categories.
The party strongly criticised BJD, Congress and BJP for the rise in prices of commodities and rise in atrocities against women.
The party also accused both the UPA government and the previous NDA government of neglecting Odisha during cyclone Phailin in 2013 and super cyclone in 1999.
CPI(M) appealed to the people of Odisha to vote for its candidates in the ensuing elections.