The Hindu : Front Page : Centre precipitating matters, says CPI

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Monday, Oct 01, 2007
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Centre precipitating matters, says CPI

Special Correspondent

It will be an “epic mistake” to go ahead with the deal: Raja

“Why not explore hydel and thermal options
of energy?”
CPI planning 10-day campaign against
rising prices

NEW DELHI: “It is the government which is precipitating matters and not the Left parties which have been reasonable, patient and engaging with the government. Left parties have been urging the government not to take the next step towards operationalising the nuclear deal,” Communist Party of India MP and national secretary D. Raja said on Sunday.

The UPA-Left committee, which is looking into the objections raised by the Left parties, is scheduled to meet here for the third round of discussions on October 5.

The Left has made it clear that the findings of the committee would have to be considered before taking the “next step” on the deal.

Taking strong objection to the remarks reportedly made by Union Finance Minister P. Chidambaram during his U.S. visit when he described the opposition to the deal as an “epic waste,” Mr. Raja said it would be an “epic mistake” to go ahead with it in its present form.

He said that it was not the question of nuclear energy but a “plain business call” for the private sector of the U.S. which was manufacturing nuclear reactors.

Major risk

“Public safety will be a major risk if such reactors were to be installed in India. Why not explore hydel and thermal options of energy?” Mr. Raja said the CPI would launch a 10-day nation-wide campaign from Monday against rising prices and demanding remunerative prices to farmers for their produce and strengthening of the Public Distribution System.

Vehemently opposing Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in retail trade, he said it would ruin millions of traders and small-time businessmen and benefit only big corporate houses. “It will be a disaster, it is totally unacceptable to us.”

U.S. pressure

He claimed that U.S. pressure on the government was increasing on economic as well as foreign policy matters.

Ahead of the October 5 meeting, the government in its reply to the Left rejoinder has only reiterated its position on a number of issues, including implications of the Hyde Act, leaving the Left parties “unsatisfied.”

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