SDPI opposes field trial of GM seeds; party elections from December

Mangalore, Aug 7: The Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) in its National Working Committee (NWC) meeting held at Bangalore recent has opposed the field trials of genetically modified (GM) seeds and demanded that till a well enquired report of experts of the subject is not procured and considered by the Parliament, the Government must stop every move regarding its field trials in India in any manner. The meeting was presided over by party's national president A Sayeed.

A number of resolutions were passed at the NWC meeting wherein a resolution on GM seeds was part of it. The resolution on this further said that despite the hype some GM crops have been a failure in various ways. Argentina planted GM soybean en masse and saw huge jumps in yields. But the farmers also saw emergence of super-weeds that required even more spraying than before GM introduction. The impact was that more pesticide cost, pollution, and dead soils. Another disadvantage is that the genetic engineering has a risk of contamination of other crops by gene release and transfer. It may make super-bugs, and could affect people theoretically. A genetic engineered crop or animal for that matter could wipe out the planet.

Meanwhile, a day prior to the NWC meeting, the SDPI's National Secretariat meeting was held at Bangalore wherein decision about the party's internal elections was taken. The elections from the branch level would commence from this December and culminate with the election of the party's national president in the National Representative Council, (NRC), meeting to be held on March 28th & 29th, 2015 in Kerala. The venue of the NRC meeting has not been decided and would be done later on.

Earlier, A. Sayeed, SDPI national president, in his presidential address exhorted the delegates to work for the uplift of the party. He congratulated them for the hard work put in the recently concluded Lok Sabha elections. Though the party was unable to win any seat but in many constituencies it finished fourth and Sharfuddin Ahmad, national general secretary of SDPI, in his concluding remarks called upon the delegates to fulfill their responsibilities and take the country forward.

At the, outset of the NWC meeting Prof. Naznin Begum, vice president of SDPI, welcomed the delegates. Abdul Majeed Kodlipet, president of Karnataka SDPI, proposed vote of thanks. A book of the party titled “Issues and Views” was released on the occasion.

Meanwhile, the resolutions passed at the NWC meeting were as under: Resolution 1 - FDI: The NDA Government has not only continued the policy and programmes of ousted UPA Government but has also increased the quantum of FDI expanding the sphere of FDI n India particularly in Defence, Insurance, Railways, etc. The government has been following the bids and mandate of corporate world causing insurmountable difficulties to the common public. FDI in defence will convert India as an arms hub of world powers and our own non-alignment policy will further be damaged. By increasing FDI in defense it would be like compromising safety and security of the nation. It is a myth that FDI hike will bring transfer of technology to Indian companies, as there is a 'Technology Denial' regime which does not permit developed world to transfer defense technology. The NDA Government's decision will have serious consequences as defense production will come under the control of foreigners. Defense requires special handling and clearly this policy doesn't reflect that. The Union Government must have second thoughts over 100 per cent FDI in defense and thereby not compromise with the security of the nation.

Resolution 2 - COMMUNALISM: SDPI cautions all Indians not to fall prey to the communally inspired policies and programmes of the government and appeals to public to keep away from state hatred inclination. The institutions are being saffronised and communalised as well as casteism is being institutionalized which is very injurious to the health of our secular polity.

Resolution 3 - NUCLEAR POWER PLANT: SDPI strongly demands the government decision to establish new 22 Nuclear Power Plants through out India be withdrawn in view of the world opinion and the opposition of pubic in face of unrepairable damages apprehended by experts. The government must explore the eco-friendly alternative to increase the production of power.

Resolution 4 - GAZA: SDPI resents the stony silence of the Central government in full view of genocide of Palestinians by the Israelis. India with a well established policy had always supported the cause of Palestine against the illegal acts and use of brute force by Israel under the dictum of Mahatma Gandhi “Palestine for Palestinians”. The silence of the international community is shocking and exposes the duality and hypocrisy in today's world order in its inequitable approach towards human rights in the world. SDPI demands immediate action from the Central Government by termination of all the diplomatic and trade relations with Israel. It also demands that India must lead the UNO move to prosecute Israel's authority for war crimes and crimes against humanity. Israel's aggression on a territory which is under its occupation since June 1967, is a simple war crime. It is the duty of the Arab countries and human rights organisations to take Israel to the World Court of Justice and to impose strict boycott of Israel until it is forced to see reason, stops aggression and withdraws from occupied territories.

Resolution 5 - CONTRACT LABOUR:

(i) SDPI demands limitation of contract labourers in any organisation be limited to 10 per cent of

(ii) Such contract labourers may also be appointed with due implementation of Reservation

(iii) Whenever any government services are outsourced the agency should also adhere to the above the labour force; Policies; demands.