Observe Black Diwali

Dear Friends,

Planning Commission has not yet withdrawn the affidavit in which it has given ridiculous definition of poverty. The government has adopted an economic policy which is clearly benefitting the already well off sections of society at the cost of the poor. It has no idea how to deal with poverty and price rise making the survival of poor very difficult. It has not been able to check farmer suicides, hunger deaths, malnourishment of children or mother mortality rate. While the ministers have made crores in corruption the government has chosen to remain insensitive to the issues of poor.

Our demands:
(1) Withdrawl of BPL norms of expenditure of Rs. 32 per person in urban areas and Rs. 26 per person in rural areas.

(2) Universalisation of Public Distribution System. Every poor should get subsidized food as they can demand work under NREGS.

(3) BPL lists to be decided by Gram Sabha/Ward Sabhas.

(4) Withdrawl of the cash transfer scheme as a substitute for PDS.

(5) Rs. 250 as minimum wages under NREGS with scope for upgradation with price rise and with every hike in salaries of government employees. All agricultural wages to be paid through NREGS.

(6) Inclusion of the concept of Common School System under Right to Education Act.

It is high time issues of poor are raised as the poor are being taken for a ride by the ruling elites with the middle class keeping silent. The increasing gap between rich and poor and different quality of services like education, health care, etc., for different classes of people cannot be allowed in a democracy. This time we propose to observe a black Diwali (no crackers, no lighting). The poor anyway cannot afford to celebrate Diwali given the price rise.
This protest is on the issues of discrimination against poor and rural areas and hence a five day fast is also being undertaken in a poor village consisting of SC-OBC population from 22nd October to the morning after Diwali.

FIVE DAY FAST
22nd October to 26th October, 2011
At Asha Ashram, Village Lalpur, Post Atrauli, District Hardoi, U.P.
Please support this campaign by observing black Diwali (no lighting and no crackers) this year in solidarity with the poor. You are encouraged to undertake such protests in other areas too.

Thanking you,

Asha Parivar, NAPM and Lok Rajniti Manch
Contacts: Bhagwandeen 9919823845 (Hardoi)
Anil Misra 9956501581 (Unnao)
Rajesh Maurya 9807289239 (Barabanki)
Jayashankar 9918640500 (Chandauli)
Nandlal 9415300520 (Varanasi)
Keshav Chand 9453460274 (Deoria)
Arvind Murti 9839835032 (Mau)
Mahendra Yadav 9973936658 (Patna)
Ram Sewak 9936876475 (Sitapur)
Shankar Singh 9956576907 (Kanpur)
Prem Kumar 9412839020 (Muradabad)
S.R. Darapuri 9415164845
Bobby Ramakant 9839073355
Arundhati Dhuru & Sandeep Pandey 9415022772 (all Lucknow)
Monica Yadav 8905363149 (Ahmedabad)