We demand return of Singur farmland to the peasants
The West Bengal government, CPM and a section of media have been engaged in campaign that if Tata has to quit from Singur, then it will be a great loss for West Bengal as already chief ministers of five different states invited Tata to shift the nano project in their states.
It is now important to remember that Tata had to quite from Kalinganag (Orissa) and Dhaka (Bangladesh) because of strong public protest. There is no point to believe that in other states Tata will not face any resistance from the people as the government has to acquire land for the proposed project; none of the chief ministers will donate their paternal property to Tata. These chief ministers and the state machinery are the agents of multinationals and comprador big capitalists. They have engaged themselves in a race to prove their loyalty to their masters.
The CPM says and a section of Bengalee middle class believe that the Singur nano project along with ancillary units will generate a huge job market that could help relieve the problem of unemployment in the state. It is better to remember that having engaged somewhere with a salary not sufficient to meet the ends should be termed as severe exploitation rather than employment. All over the country and in the West Bengal people have to work mostly in contractual basis more than eight hours a day for mere Rs 60 to 80. In Singur project the scenario will not be the different. The project is not to solve the problem of poverty and unemployment, but to maximize the exploitation.
Our critics, at this point will say, if there will be no investment by the multinational or comprador giants, then whatever people can earn now will be stopped. Therefore, for the interest of people we need their investment although the working condition may not be ideal. To improve the condition, we should negotiate with them, but must not oppose.
With due respect to our critics we would like to mention that people simply cannot negotiate with these sharks. They are motivated by maximization of their profit; and it means maximization of exploitation of people. Here negotiation means acceptance of the terms and conditions which favours the interest of the multinationals and comprador capitalists. And we already showed why we should not call the engagement of the people in their projects as employment.
Our intellectual critics sometimes remind us the huge value addition that takes place in a factory. From the same land the annual income must be far less if it is engaged in agriculture. Here we need to mention that we do not consider the issue as a simple matter of industry versus agriculture. In contrast, we see what fraction of the income will be for the people from a given land. In case a factory is built by a corporate giant on a land, the fraction of the income retained with the people is far les than that retained if it were engaged in self-farming. We do not blindly oppose building a factory on a land, but do oppose maximization of the extraction of profit for the interest of corporate sectors.
We have no doubt over the dwindling situation of agriculture. But, it is because of the severe semi-feudal (for example in the form of usury) and imperialist exploitation. Peasants do not have any control over the seeds, fertilizers and pesticides. Introduction of the 'hi-fi' technology actually devastated our crop diversity and organic basis of the farming. Pesticides and chemical fertilizers are being used indiscriminately and unscientifically, which is just to promote their sale (and essentially magnifying the profit). There is no way under the circumstances peasantry can survive. The only way out from this situation is to demolish the semi-feudal basis of the Indian socio-economic foundation which is the support of the imperialist plunder.
Looking for an alternative outside the agriculture only helps strengthening the imperialist clutch over the people.
In order to strengthen the unity against multinational corporations, comprador big capitalists, we support the resistance against any attempt for the maximization of their profit. We therefore demand unconditional return of farmland to the peasantry of Singur.
It is now important to remember that Tata had to quite from Kalinganag (Orissa) and Dhaka (Bangladesh) because of strong public protest. There is no point to believe that in other states Tata will not face any resistance from the people as the government has to acquire land for the proposed project; none of the chief ministers will donate their paternal property to Tata. These chief ministers and the state machinery are the agents of multinationals and comprador big capitalists. They have engaged themselves in a race to prove their loyalty to their masters.
The CPM says and a section of Bengalee middle class believe that the Singur nano project along with ancillary units will generate a huge job market that could help relieve the problem of unemployment in the state. It is better to remember that having engaged somewhere with a salary not sufficient to meet the ends should be termed as severe exploitation rather than employment. All over the country and in the West Bengal people have to work mostly in contractual basis more than eight hours a day for mere Rs 60 to 80. In Singur project the scenario will not be the different. The project is not to solve the problem of poverty and unemployment, but to maximize the exploitation.
Our critics, at this point will say, if there will be no investment by the multinational or comprador giants, then whatever people can earn now will be stopped. Therefore, for the interest of people we need their investment although the working condition may not be ideal. To improve the condition, we should negotiate with them, but must not oppose.
With due respect to our critics we would like to mention that people simply cannot negotiate with these sharks. They are motivated by maximization of their profit; and it means maximization of exploitation of people. Here negotiation means acceptance of the terms and conditions which favours the interest of the multinationals and comprador capitalists. And we already showed why we should not call the engagement of the people in their projects as employment.
Our intellectual critics sometimes remind us the huge value addition that takes place in a factory. From the same land the annual income must be far less if it is engaged in agriculture. Here we need to mention that we do not consider the issue as a simple matter of industry versus agriculture. In contrast, we see what fraction of the income will be for the people from a given land. In case a factory is built by a corporate giant on a land, the fraction of the income retained with the people is far les than that retained if it were engaged in self-farming. We do not blindly oppose building a factory on a land, but do oppose maximization of the extraction of profit for the interest of corporate sectors.
We have no doubt over the dwindling situation of agriculture. But, it is because of the severe semi-feudal (for example in the form of usury) and imperialist exploitation. Peasants do not have any control over the seeds, fertilizers and pesticides. Introduction of the 'hi-fi' technology actually devastated our crop diversity and organic basis of the farming. Pesticides and chemical fertilizers are being used indiscriminately and unscientifically, which is just to promote their sale (and essentially magnifying the profit). There is no way under the circumstances peasantry can survive. The only way out from this situation is to demolish the semi-feudal basis of the Indian socio-economic foundation which is the support of the imperialist plunder.
Looking for an alternative outside the agriculture only helps strengthening the imperialist clutch over the people.
In order to strengthen the unity against multinational corporations, comprador big capitalists, we support the resistance against any attempt for the maximization of their profit. We therefore demand unconditional return of farmland to the peasantry of Singur.
20 comments:
I dont know what was the basis of the comments on this literature that is been placed here. But let me tell you from a very practical viewpoint. Lets say there are 4 factories and each can employ 100 people. There are 400 manpower that the company can pick. When the available number is 400 and you need 400 a company cannot exploit because he knows the other company is waiting to increase the number and the person can quit anytime. When the number is 600 the company is still cautious and donot employ anti-employee policies. When the available number of employment goes to 4000 then starts the anti-employee policy because the companies know that there are plenty to choose from. There starts exploitation. To decrease that you need industry. Defination of class struggle has changed. Please let us look at china and look how they have changed for the better. For everyone it is important to find out the solution than look to maximise the problem. If we fail the future will hold us responsible for what we could have done and what we did.
Thanks for spending time to read and for your valuable comment.
Let us clarify our opinion.
In the recent years, it has been observed that in the industries very limited number of people is employed directly. Most of the workers are recruited in contractual basis. They do not have any professional security. They are recruited by "hire and fire basis".
Even, workers have to work more than eight hours a day. Without providing any professional security, making the labour laws more and more liberal, how is it possible to believe that this so called industrialization drive can generate more prosperity of the people?
If, we consider the cases of sponge iron factories developed in last decades in WB, we see, people have to work with very low wages (daily Rs 70-80). Moreover, the pollution they generate is really alarming now. Doesn't it prove that this industrialization actually brings more misery than prosperity to the people? In the Haldia petrochemicals, the same thing happened. Only ~650 people got direct employment. Others have been working under contractual basis. You can imagine know how much actually they earn.
Our point is very simple. Withdrawing the security (whatever little people managed to secure with time by struggle) and giving advantage to the Companies, who does not have any social or moral responsibility this industrialization drive cannot make anything better for us.
No doubt, industrialization is important. But, not in this model, which does not recognize the need of the people. In this model, people have to work and that section of population only has the say which can buy the commodities made the giant companies in significant amount.
We oppose that.
You wrote about the condition of China. But, what is the working condition prevailing there? How have people been working in the special economic zones? Do you think that condition is healthy? Do you think that that is the condition where human beings should spend more than eight hours a day?
why dont you tell the tatas to pay more like in gurgaon or noide?afterall the income from these lands hardly exceeded Rs4000($100) a year
Tatas even enjoy this land in Singur with subsidies. Their aim is to market nano at rs 1,00,000.00. For that they have to minimize the cost. Then how can they pay more?
And for, Gurgaon, please visit gurgaonworkers news at http://gurgaonworkersnews.wordpress.com
In india and other third world countries, there is very limited scope for the people to negotiate for better wages. govt works to protect the interest of the big companies not of the people.
What is the social justification of giving huge subsidy to sale nano at rs 1,00,000. Why should people subsidy to tata?
Why the hell do u ask people to put comments on our articles if you delete it and want to keep those which suits your motive. This shows how fair you are in your intentions.
You all are scumbags on earth how does not want west bengal to succeed.
One comment was deleted by author.
I deleted only one comment because it was full of slang.
According to the above comment, the comments which fit with my notion are kept. I don't know whether he/she really has read the comments. Comments 1 and 3 do not support the view expressed in the article.
It is easy to slander rather than carry on debate.
Mine was also removed
All comments not to the liking of the Administrator is removed.
It seems we have to write what confirms to his/her notion about the world and the state of affairs.
Either a false allegation or you made the comment with slang. The comment 2 and 3 were deleted. Just check them. Comment 2 was deleted by the Administrator; comment 3 was deleted by the person who wrote it. May be he/she posted his/her comment in 5 or 6.
If you have any comment then why didn't you put that along with your allegation?
We have already carried out debate on land acquisition. If you like check: http://singur-singur.blogspot.com/2007/01/debate.html
We like debate and hate slander. We welcome different opinion.
You are welcome to post your comment. It doesn't need to follow the line of our thinking.
But, it is not the place to put slang.
these were VIEWS and not alligation crack head. When someone does not believe in a notion it looks alligation to him / her.
Hope you are satisfied with what happened today. But one thing, our and as a matter of fact your child too will suffer in decades to come. Dont just get swept by ideology. Try to reason everything. But i think ur brain will fit on the tip of a pin. So should not argue more.
"ur brain will fit on the tip of a pin" - Please dear.. that is not an view neither an alligation but a fact..
I'm amazed of the patience shown by the blog administrator. What is the point to respond someone who even doesn’t bother to read or follow the someone else comment?
Last two comments were wrote by individuals(s) who just ignored the above comments and don't know the context. He even dared to explain what is allegation and what is VIEW. With enough modesty blog administrator correctly responded someone's allegation. It seems that these anonymous guys, who are proponents of nano-development do not only bother to listening others, but also have no idea how to participate in a discussion/debate. Personal attack is their only weapon.
What else should be called as fascism then?
Rabi
Dear Rabi
Tata has gone now. Your mission has been accompliced. Now buy some land in Singur and start tilling. Like our great didi don't think of the plight of people who whose life will be virtually destroyed.
Regards
Hi
I am watching this conversation for some time now and has been amazed by the response and counter response on the topic. It is indeed a shame to wite slangs and accuse anyone but i would like to point out the following points :
1) Not every industry or industrialist are 'Sharks' which seems to be a very strong and imprudent opinion by the writer. Tata is a group with good corporate and social responsibility . This has been proved time and again over the past100 years. I have woked for tata's during the 1st few years of my career and even though i have worked across the world in different companies, i find them to be one of the best employers (ofcourse personally)
2) Industry are agriculture can co-exist. The writer only expressed his personal views and showed that industry is exploiting the poor. This is frankly rubbish.
3)The writer did not even spare the farmers. Using fertilizers etc by farmers for personal greed i.e. to maximize production is a baseless accusition. It is not their fault to make the most of the little land they have.
4) Indeed the WB govt has made a blunder to trying to acquire the land at peanuts and give it to Tata. Tata's should have bought the land themselves which might have eliviated the problem.
5) An agrigian society cannot survive with such a populus country like ours . Unfortunately most of the land in WB is fertile and you have to take the poison pill sometimes. With the ruling party virtually destroying the once flourishing industy in the last 30 years , WB do have the right to go back to it past days of glory as a industralised state.
6)The taxes that govt gets comes mostly from the industry (and NOT agriculture)and is used for the betterment of common people mostly poor and NOT just middle class society. It is rather high headed to accuse middle class too.
7) We should take examples from our own upbringing . People do make mistakes but as a family we forgive them. Since this project would have showcased Bengal as a developing state it was imperative to forgive the govt this time AND making sure that those farmers gets the best of deals in terms of education, moneytory benifits and jobs. Let us be practical. The flyash and all industrial activities has made 75% of the land barren and even though the farmers get their land back they will not be able to farm on it again. Its common sense that the best thing possible is that senerio would have been to EXTRACT as much compensation as possible rather than being stubbon to get the land back. The leaders has done their agitation , will get political milage and will go, but unfortunately the farmers will suffer for years to come.
8) It is a farce that the oposition in the name of 'Satyagraha' has manhandled the engineers and workers comming to the factory and then accused eith the Naksals or the NGO's for the same. Are we blind.
9)It is not true that big Industries exploits people. It happens mostly with the SME's and seldom with large comporates. Tata would have generated about 10000 jobs (through their plant and the ancilliary units) and about 10K more through the value chain. Atleast 75% of it would have come from the state. Who would have reaped the benifits of these 15K jobs- Tata's .. yes.. People of the WB... yes definitely... A state in dire needs of jobs for the poor...One thing we have to keep in mind is this industry was a heavy industry , hence there was an enormous potential to employ uneducated youths through training, which seldom happens in knowledge based industry.
By reading the article i wonder whom the writer is supporting.. industries.. no.. as they are sharks.. farmes .. no.. as they exploit they lands..middle class.. no.. as they are with the CPM and trying to grab land.. Poor... definitely not..as they would have got jobs..
To me the writer seems to be very biased in his opinion..
Barvo.. don't say that the writer has a biased opinion mate. These guys has not seen the world and has limited knowledge to provide an opinion.... Hope they have gone to Mumbai, Bangalore, Delhi , Channai , Hydrabad , Pune, Chandigarh and as a matter of fact any developing state, leave aside outside india, and seen what you need to do for development. It pains me a lot to think that due to unavailability of good jobs and unavailability of manufacturing industries people like us has to spend years outside bengal against our will. If we leave our jobs and come to WB what will we do. Will these people give us and our family food .. no.. they know politics and know how to destroy industry but dont know how difficult it is to build one..These chickenheads do not understand that middle class actually comes poor background and not vise versa and it is their hard work and risk taking capacities which make them better off...
Unfortunately these idiots call themselves intellectuals and go on a debats with issues like these and mislead the poor and innocent farmers...
DO YOU , THE WRITER, HAS THE GUTS TO GO BACK TO FARMING. IF YES , DO IT INSTEAD OF BLOGGING.. IF NO SHUT THE F... UP.. U DO NOT HAVE ANY MORAL RIGHT...
Interesting.
People spend time to read the comments, but not the articles; and analyze the view.
There are people who neither support forceful land acquisition in Singur nor the politics of 'Didi'. I think it is very important to keep in mind to begin with. They might have totally different views on the Singur issue. To me the whole issue is related to LPG--- liberalization-privatization-globalization.
With one hand providing subsidies through flexible conditions to big companies (e.g, the lease agreement in Singur) and in other hand taking the rights of workers in the name of liberal labour laws, the "Development" flows. The essence of opposition (who are not inspired by Didi) lies here.
It is controversial whether Tata is great or notorious. I would request to go through http://www.bhopal.net/tata_rapsheet.html
This article was republished in this blog as well just above this article.
As a piece of information, Tata had to leave from Kalinganagar, and we know what happened there.
If somebody carefully reads the article under criticism will find that it only disagreed to call "eight hours a day for mere Rs 60 to 80" as employment and did not show faith over popular myth that Singur plant could improve the condition. It is difficult to understand what's wrong in that. If it is a misconception, then better to present some figure rather than calling the writer 'crack-head" or "ur brain will fit on the tip of a pin".
"The writer did not even spare the farmers."----I didn't find anything in the article in support of that statement. In contrast it pointed out how peasantry gradually lost control over agriculture and has become dependent on big companies for pesticides, seeds and fertilizers ("Hi-Fi" technology). These big companies with the help of semi-feudal exploitation have devastated agriculture in India. It is not something that this writer first pointed out. The concept of "Organic Farming" in West is actually based on that and who have the experience of staying abroad are aware of "organic" concept. The article never alleged farmers for their "personal greed". It demands return of their land.
More information:
Govt. would not get any VAT for 5 years and it actually subsidizes Tata. And it is the major argument against Singur land acquisition. You people did not spend a single word on that. So, question of getting revenues does not sustain.
In WB there are 40,000 (yes, forty thousand) acres of land under the possession of the factories that have either been closed or locked out. Govt. showed no intention to use that land for industrialization rather allow it to use for real-estate business.
There is no assurance that nano-plant would generate 10000 jobs. The trouble is if a person spends 10 hours a day and gets Rs 14000 you will call it as employment. I strongly support the writer as he/she opposed that. Unless the professional security (including descent wages) is preserved this industrialization drive would be of no help for the common people. With more and more liberal labour laws it can only bring misery.
I was in US for 3 years and I was surprised when I came to know that minimum wage for a lobour is $8 a hour. And it takes only $100-150 per month for food for a person. Surely, social and professional security is far better in US than in India. The people, who think to convert India into US should think that as well. Without providing enough security to the labourers it is not possible to uplift a society. I think it was the essence of the article.
After re-reading the article along with the criticism, I am pretty sure that the critics didn't pay much attention to read the article. They missed couple of points. Agriculture and industry are not two opposite poles, but with a strong base of agriculture industry can only sustain. For the improvement of agriculture, the semi-feudal basis has to be demolished and industry can flourish and serve the people if the security of the workers is assured.
Regards,
Saroj
"I was in US for 3 years and I was surprised when I came to know that minimum wage for a lobour is $8 a hour. And it takes only $100-150 per month for food for a person. Surely, social and professional security is far better in US than in India. " - Atleast you understand that industralised country has more social and professional security.
"In contrast it pointed out how peasantry gradually lost control over agriculture and has become dependent on big companies for pesticides, seeds and fertilizers"
80% of seeds and fertilizers are subsidised by Govt of India and less that 20% of this is controlled by private sectors as subsidies given by govt makes private ventures unprofitable. That is why you will not see Chevron , BP , Texaco , Shell(which has downstream fertilizer plants) venture into the indian market...just for your info...
"Govt. would not get any VAT for 5 years and it actually subsidizes Tata. And it is the major argument against Singur land acquisition. You people did not spend a single word on that. So, question of getting revenues does not sustain. "
Any industry need 5 years jestation period to be fully functional. Even for Nano it will need to manufacture atleast 2.5 lakh car a year to beark even (your may challenge this statement but i dont bother to explain) hence 5 years VAT exemption is justified.
"In WB there are 40,000 (yes, forty thousand) acres of land under the possession of the factories that have either been closed or locked out. "
Feel pity about this.. If you see the the total land to industry ratio it is one of the lowest in India...
"There is no assurance that nano-plant would generate 10000 jobs. "
Do not want to argue on this either.. There will be a mother plant and 65 ancilliary units + all downstream business it will generate..
"The trouble is if a person spends 10 hours a day and gets Rs 14000 you will call it as employment."
- Do you know what is the AVERAGE daily wage for India ..It is less than $2 a day .I.e. Rs60 i.e. 1200 rs a month. almost 10 times worst than Rs14000 a month...After working in US you might see this as exploitation but believe me India wants crores jobs which pays Rs14000 a month...As a matter of fact if all people in India gets Rs1400 a month the GDP will be almost 1.5 times than its existing state...Which ofcourse impact the overall improvement in a positive way...
"If somebody carefully reads the article under criticism will find that it only disagreed to call "eight hours a day for mere Rs 60 to 80" as employment and did not show faith over popular myth that Singur plant could improve the condition. It is difficult to understand what's wrong in that."
- Let me give you some figures from Times of India (Not from a partisian paper like telegraph): One family lost 1 bigha and got 3 lakh. The son got a job as an junior accountant at 3000 a month, the father 2200 as a security guard..The daughter of the house got a interview... Henace there is a brighter side too.. As multiple jobs are generated per family...Unfortynately the minimum basic pay in India is 70 Rs . Hence fight for that cause and not why these guys are paying that sum. If the Govt increases the minimum basic pay to 100 Rs it will be illigal to pay below that and majority of the contactor will dare pay less.... Have you seen anyone in the industry working at 30 rs a day now ...(apart from contract labourers in farm)..If you know about the great depression of US of 1929 , which i am sure you will know, crores of people worked insane hrs a day getting almost next to nothing...Hoover Dam if an ideal example of sacrifice by people...Every country needs to sacrifice...and that is why US is where they are now...(and i have to say they take advantage of others sometimes) I aspire that my country will be there one day... and for that we need to sacrifice..
Dear Saroj . Get your basics right. I have worked in US , Japan , Malaysia, Thailand and is currently in UK for the last 7 years but unfortunaltely never found a luxary of working 7-8 hrs a day (may be i would have understood that had i worked in Kol). And you know that better than me as you have worked in US.
Saroj .. i understand you socialitic views..and appreciate the fact that you DO CARE for the poor.. But let them grow to a certain level.. Dont nip them off that bud on the pretext of exploistation...Let them face it and conquer it... And guide them positively..Help them where it is required ... And not misled them like our leaders...
"80% of seeds and fertilizers are subsidised by Govt of India and less that 20% of this is controlled by private sectors as subsidies given by govt makes private ventures unprofitable."
When we say the farmers losing control in agriculture, it includes the dependence on pesticides, seeds and fertilizers, which farmers have to buy. Traditionally, Indian farmers used to preserve their own seeds and mostly used organic manure. Chemical pesticides were unheard off. With initial moderate to high increase in yield, after four decades of so called green revolution now it shows its un-sustainable character and farmers have to pay huge for seeds, fertilizers and pesticides. According to a report of Deptt. of Fertilizer, Govt. of India, in 1998 production from public and cooperative sector together shared 62.62% of Nitrogen and 35.84% of Phosphorous; rest came from corporate sector. I don't think the share of corporate sector has been reduced now. The price of urea was doubled from Rs 2,350 per tonne in 1992 to Rs 4,830 in 2002 and currently it is Rs 6,000. Again, we are aware how Monsanto's seed made the disaster in India in last couple of years. Apart from semi-feudal exploitation, the dependence on corporate sector for fertilizers, pesticides and seed is the major cause of the poor condition of the farmers.
Therefore, not solving the problems of agriculture and providing agricultural land to the industrial use will neither help farmers nor the workers.
"Any industry need 5 years jestation period to be fully functional. Even for Nano it will need to manufacture atleast 2.5 lakh car a year to beark even (your may challenge this statement but i dont bother to explain) hence 5 years VAT exemption is justified"
For the sake of argument I accept this tax holiday, but, unable to accept the land lease agreement. Please at least explain the justification of subsidizing to Tata.
In WB there are 40,000 (yes, forty thousand) acres of land under the possession of the factories that have either been closed or locked out.
You felt "pity about this.. If you see the the total land to industry ratio it is one of the lowest in India..."
Again don't understand how can govt. acquire farmland in Singur, but cannot take any initiative to provide the land of closed or locked out factories to new industries. Rather provides it for real estate business.
I am sorry for a typo. I intended to write "The trouble is if a person spends 10 hours a day and gets Rs 1400 (fourteen hundred, not thousand) you will call it as employment." I apologize for one more zero, which made the confusion.
It is important to mention that the minimum wage is not being followed most of the time, especially in unorganized sector and most of the Indian workforce is working there. Nowadays, the trend is to hire labourers through contractors and get the work done even in a big company. If you ask the principal employer about the wage he will give you a figure which is for sure higher than the minimum wage. But, he does not directly pay the labourers, rather to the contractors. So, you can imagine the situation.
You asked for sacrifice. I agree. We have to sacrifice. But, it should be applicable to all Indian citizens. MLA, MP, Ministers, bureaucrats, Tata and other companies will enjoy the cream while the farmers sacrifice their land---- if it is the prescription in essence, then it will be difficult to swallow.
Regards,
Saroj
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http://sanhati.com/front-page/1001/
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