Land Rights
On 28 February, CPIML held a demonstration in front of the Bissam Cuttack tehsil in Rayagada district with a thirteen point charter of demands. The protest called for immediate action in long-pending demand of tribal, dalits and landless communities for land pattas [land deed]. The protesters asked the BJD government to redistribute the ceiling surplus lands to the landless, and provide land rights as per the provisions of the Forest Rights Act to the forest dwelling communities. The other demands included ration cards, quality education, healthcare at local PHCs, provisions for drinking water and homestead land for the slum dwellers. The protest was addressed by CPI(ML) Central Committee Members Tripati Gomango and Radhakant Sethi, and other leaders including Mahendra Parida, Brindaban Bedika and Sarat Tripathy.
AICCTU State Conference Calls for Workers to Vote-out the Anti-People Regime
The Odisha state unit of All India Central Council of Trade Unions held its state conference on 22 February. A 41-member State Committee and 19-member Office Bearers’ team were elected in this conference. AICCTU National General Secretary Rajiv Dimri inaugurated the conference, while Brijendra Tiwari was its central observer.
Widespread Protests in Odisha on Feb 16
Farmers and workers' strike in Odisha on 16th February as part of the Rural Bandh and Industrial Strike call of SKM and Central Trade Unions witnessed immense public support. All India Kisan Mahasabha, AICCTU and AIARLA participated in organised strike actions in various distrcits, including Puri, Rayagada, Kendrapara, Bhadrak, Koraput, Khurda, Nygarh, Balangir, Sonepur and Sundargarh.
Workers from sanitation, transport, construction and domestic sectors, contract labourers employed in railways and workers in Khurda and Mancheswar industrial areas participated in picketing at government offices. A rally was held from Rajmahal Square to Odisha Bidhan Sabha where leaders from SKM and central trade unions called for a defeat of BJP in the 2024 general elections.
Mahendra Parida, National secretary and Radhakant Sethi Working President of AICCTU condemned BJP’s hate politics while addressing the rally, they demanded withdrawal of four labour codes and called for implementation of farmer's demand of legal guarantee for MSP.
