CPI(M) holds 'Jan Akrosh Rally' against India-US trade deal, price rise at Ramlila Maidan
New Delhi (PTI): A 'Jan Akrosh Rally' by the Communist Party of India (Marxist) began on Tuesday at the Ramlila Maidan here to protest against the India-US trade deal and various government policies.
Hundreds of people were in attendance, with participants holding placards against the rising prices of essential commodities, the shortage of cooking gas and fuel, among other issues.
The rally will be addressed by CPI(M) general secretary MA Baby and several politbureau members, including Lok Sabha MP Amra Ram, Tapan Sen, Ashok Dhawale and other party leaders.
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They also questioned the impact of geopolitical tensions due to the war in West Asia on domestic economic conditions.
The protesters also raised concerns over increasing food prices, saying they are affecting livelihoods across the country.
The CPI(M) has also demanded withdrawal of the notification of the four labour codes and the scrapping of the newly enacted Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-GRAMG) Act, among others.
The Left party has also demanded that the Electricity Act should not be amended, and there should be no privatisation of discoms. It has also opposed amending the Seed Act.
The rally marks the culmination of 33 'Jan Akrosh Jathas' conducted between February 27 and March 20 across multiple states, including Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Bihar, and Jharkhand.
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Liquor manufactures can sell liquor on tetra packs in Odisha: Minister
Bhubaneswar (PTI): Odisha Excise Minister Prithviraj Harichandan on Friday said the government has allowed the sale of liquor on tetra packets with certain criteria in its new Excise Policy for 2026-29.
Speaking to media persons here, Harichandan said selling liquor in tetra packs was there in the state's excise policy since 2014. However, it is not yet made available in the Odisha market, he said.
"If any licensed liquor manufacturer or vendor wants to produce or sell the liquor on tetra pack, they can do it. The government will not restrict them," he clarified.
The state government is giving priority for proper regulation of manufacturing and selling of liquor in the state, the minister added.
"We just ensure that there is no illegal sale of liquor in the state," he stated.
As per the new Excise Policy, which came into force from April 1, India-made foreign liquor (IMFL) manufacturers can supply their products in tetra packaging and in glass bottles in specified sizes. Only 180 ml can be supplied in tetra packs.
The tetra packs must have six protective layers and must have the shelf life or the date fit for consumption clearly mentioned on the packaging, the policy guidelines said.
Before using the tetra packs for packaging of liquor, the manufacturing units must take certification from the Central Food Technology Research Institute or Indian Institute of Packaging, or any such institute as notified by the excise commissioner, it said.
Earlier, opposition leaders had demanded the rollback of the government's decision to introduce the sale of liquor in tetra packs, calling the move "unethical" and "anti-youth".
