Newz Desk, Durgapur 4th December 25: Raising the slogan “Save Industry”, the CPM is set to launch an extensive march across West Burdwan as part of a statewide campaign to highlight the crisis in Bengal’s industrial sector. The party’s trade union wing, CITU, will hold a series of padayatras from 7 to 15 December, pressing for urgent revival measures.
According to CITU leaders, the key demands of the campaign include:
• Restoration of the 100-day rural employment scheme and expansion to 200 days;
• Revival and expansion of major industrial units such as Durgapur Steel Plant, Chittaranjan Locomotive Works, Damodar Valley Corporation, and Durgapur Projects Limited;
• Reopening of shut public-sector factories;
• Job creation for unemployed youth across the state.
CITU has planned four simultaneous marches across the district:
- Kanksa to Chandidas (Durgapur Steel Township)
- Jamuria to Andal
- Burnpur to Asansol
- Sanktorai to Chittaranjan
Senior leaders including CPM state secretary Md. Salim, DYFI state secretary Minakshi Mukherjee, and CPM leader Partha Mukherjee will lead the marches.
The programme was announced on Thursday at a press conference held at the CITU office in Durgapur. Among those present were CITU leaders Bishwarup Bandyopadhyay, Prabir Mondal and Bireswar Mondal.
“Our message is simple — Bengal needs industries, and existing industries must be saved,” said Bishwarup Bandyopadhyay. “The Centre and the State, acting hand-in-glove, are shutting down one factory after another. We demand new industries and employment opportunities for Bengal’s unemployed youth.”
