SAUBHADRC CHATTERJI New Delhi, 6 March With job losses in the wake W of economic downturn emerging as the biggest socio economic crisis ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, the CPI(M) in its manifesto will highlight the need for employment guarantee scheme for the urban poor; among other things "Job losses are expected to hit the urban sector more than the rural sector. There is an urgent need for a programme on the lines of the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA) in the urban areas, said a central committee member of the CPI(M). The committee, which starts its two-day meeting on Wednesday, is expected to give a final shape to the manifesto. In the NREGA and other centrally-sponsored schemes; the CPI(M) seeks structural changes to give more powers to states to decide the schedule of work. "Currently, the centre is formulating the guide lines and the states have to blindly follow them. But we want more power to the states so that they can formulate then own schedule of works, particularly in areas pertaining to state list items. This will enable the state governments to cater to their regional or local requirements I said another central committee member In the social sector while advocating Higher government spending, the CPI(M) will also lay more emphasis on the regulatory authorities as well as more effective measures in higher education. The party also feels the time has come for a change in the definition oi Below Poverty Line (BPL)". "The Planning Commission recently came out with an estimate saying people earning below Rs 600 per month in our ban areas and Rs 400 in rural areas should be considered as BPL. But this is not a practical estimate." said a top leader of the party. The CPI(M) manifesto will also envisage a shift in the national policies. "In 2004, our focus was to check the right-wing shift of the politics which started with the rise of the BJR The most important aspect then was to form a secular government. But now, a reorientation of economic policies is required to consolidate this stand against communalism," added a prominent central committee member. The Left party plans to infuse new dimensions as it feels that the impact of the economic recession will "disproportionately affect" the working people leading to the rise of "authoritarian tendencies as well as identity politics".