The Himachal Lok Morcha, comprising half a dozen outfits including the CPI(M), today held a rally against price rise, unemployment and privatisation and blamed the neo-liberal economic policies of the central government for the present situation.
The conglomeration threatened to intensify its agitation if the government failed to revert to people-friendly policies.
Addressing the rally, CPI(M) central committee member and general secretary of Bhartiya Khet Mozdoor Union Vijay Raghwan lashed out at the central government for "complete surrender" before big companies, corporate houses and commission agents.
"The common man has no place in the policies of the government," he alleged.
Urging the people to oust the UPA from power, he said, "The prices are sky-rocketing due to faulty policies of the government and there was no check on prices of food grains, oil and fertilisers."
Kashmir Singh, general secretary of state unit of CITU, alleged that the workers were being exploited and not getting even the minimum wages fixed by the government. He demanded minimum wage of Rs 10,000 per month.
Claiming that there was no difference between the policies of the Congress and BJP, Singh said, "We need to have an alternate policy at the Centre and not a new leader. But the BJP is misleading the people by projecting Narendra Modi as prime ministerial candidate."
The Left would emerge as a strong political force after the 2014 Lok Sabha polls as great resentment prevails among people who are fed up with both the Congress and BJP, he said.
Leaders of various mass organisations, including state unit secretary of Himachal Kisan Sabha Onkar Shad, CITU state president Jagat Ram, DYFI state secretary Balbir Prasher, Apple Growers Association president Rakesh Singha, Shimla mayor Sanjay Chauhan, also addressed the gathering.
A resolution opposing the policy of privatisation of the Himachal government under which the health services were being outsourced to private firms was adopted at the meeting.
The Himachal Apple growers Association demanded hike in import duty on apples and the DYFI state secretary demanded unemployment allowance to the youth, 70 per cent employment to local youths in the industries/hydro projects and filling of all vacant post in government departments.
