Expressing solidarity with the people of the rain-ravaged state, CPI(ML) Politburo member Swapan Mukherjee said here that this was more of a disaster due to systemic failure and acts of omissions and commissions of the government.
The callous attitude and criminal negligence of the successive governments, which had allegedly allowed indiscriminate and illegal sand mining, and allowing the real estate mafia to encroach, had led to this huge human tragedy, he said at a press conference.
He said that the Centre should declare Tamil Nadu a national disaster and calamity-hit state and announce a relief package of Rs 10,000 crore immediately.
With a can of water sold at Rs 200 and milk packet for Rs 150, the government should wake up from its "slumber" and launch relief, rehabilitation and infrastructure building on a war footing, Mukherjee said.
Pricol workers, in the wake of judgement, have decided to seek justice not only in the Courts of law, but also in the peoples' court, pointing out the facts that the judgement was completely against the evidence on record and that it was based on assumptions and conjectures, he said.
Considering the Pricol and Maruti struggles and criminal cases, there was the need for a law for recognition of majority trade unions to uphold the collective bargaining rights of the workers, Mukherjee said.