The Hindu : National : White paper sought on talks with WTO

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Tuesday, Jul 12, 2005

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National

White paper sought on talks with WTO

Special Correspondent

Charges the Government with engaging in secret talks

NEW DELHI: The All India Forward Bloc on Monday demanded that the Centre publish a white paper on the current negotiations with the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and that issues concerning agriculture, service and related matters be discussed with trade unions.

At the conclusion of its three-day central committee meeting at Kolkata, the party charged the Government with engaging in secret talks with the WTO on serious issues that affect a vast majority of the people. "The Government should discuss with all trade unions, farmers organisations and political parties and also keep Parliament informed about the next ministerial round of talks to be held at Hong Kong," the party general secretary, Debabrata Biswas said in a press release.

The party also asked the Government to withdraw the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority Bill, currently being considered by the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Finance. It said the proposed Authority would do away with the minimum social security currently available to retired employees. "The sole aim of the Bill is to channelise pension funds to stock or speculative market," he said. The party said the move would not allow any retired person to expect a minimum amount of pension every month and destabilise family budget of the poor employees.

The AIFB reiterated that the Government should not go ahead with its plan to offload equity in the BHEL.

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