Opposition takes govt to task on Indo-US nuclear deal

New Delhi, Mar 11: The Left parties today (Mar 11, 2006) demanded setting up of a Special Parliamentary Committee to study the Indo-US civilian nuclear energy agreement as the Government came under fire in the Rajya Sabha for ''having compromised'' the country's food and energy security.

The CPI(M), an important ally of the UPA Government, demanded constitution of a Special Parliamentary Committee for obtaining a ''structured'' opinion from all sections including political leaders and technical experts, on the deal saying such matters could not be taken lightly.

Mr Nilotpal Basu (CPI-M), delivering his last address in the House as his term is about to expire, said, ''If the United States is taking its own time in finalising the deal, we can't take these things lightly. It is far more serious. There has to be a structured engagement across the political and public opinion and that of technical experts.''

UNI