Creation of financial institutions to end the monopoly of World Bank and IMF

The sixth annual summit of the five-member grouping consisting of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (BRICS) took place in Fortazela, Brazil, during 13^th-15^th July, 2014.

July 31st is the deadline for signing of the Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) by all 160 member countries of the WTO. The TFA will bind member countries to lower all borders to international trade including tariffs, procedures, etc. The Indian government is opposed to signing the Agreement unless its concerns over WTO Rules regarding agricultural subsidies are addressed.

Rail Minister Sings the Mantra of Privatisation of Railways

The Budget for 2014-2015 of the Indian railways, presented by the Railway Minister Shri Sadanand Gowda represents the continuation of the course of privatization of the railways reflected in the budgets presented by the railway ministers of the UPA government.

Sir,

I read with great alarm the article in the July 15-31, 2014 of MEL entitled `Land Acquisition Law 2013 to be amended: Halt the capitalist offensive to forcibly acquire lands of peasants and tribal people’.

Sir,

Several workers, women, children, youth and veterans gathered outside the Israeli embassy in Delhi  on 18th July to express their protests against Israel’s barbaric attack on Palestine.

Sir,

A section of the monopoly news media has been carrying reports about how ‘jihadis’ from India and other countries have been going to Iraq in large numbers, to fight against the authorities and imperialists in that country.

The Union Labour Minister, Shri R.S. Tomar, has advised the workers’ unions not to act in a way that blocks industrial growth in our country. He says that his Ministry’s role is to “harmonise the interests of industry and labour”.