Left parties observe fast condemning governments' policies

PUDUCHERRY: Leaders and volunteers of Puducherry state CPI and CPI(M) observed a joint dawn to dusk fast at the Head Post office here today criticising the "anti people and anti labour" policies of the BJP government at the Centre. The Narendra Modi headed government had failed to bring out steps to control inflation, a release issued jointly by the left parties said.

The Centre should drop its policies encouraging higher Foreign Direct Investment in insurance, railways and defence sectors, the release said, adding, there should be no cut in the subsidies for fertilisers and food products and edible oil. They also called upon the Rangasamy led Puducherry government to initiate speedy steps for getting full statehood for Puducherry, to take steps to ensure release of six tmc feet of water for Karaikal region in the Cauvery system.

There should be no slackening of the steps to bring to book those committing crimes against minor girls, the release said. Secretary of Puducherry State unit of the CPI, R Viswanathan and his CPI (M) counterpart, V Perumal were among those who participated in the fast.