CPI demands re-examination of Indo-US nuclear deal

New Delhi, Mar 18 (UNI) Making a strong case for ''re-examination'' of the Indo-US nuclear deal, the CPI today said even junior officials in Washington were charging New Delhi with violating the provisions of the agreement only to ''browbeat India''.

Raising the issue during Zero hour, CPI parliamentary group leader in the Lok Sabha Gurudas Dasgupta said even junior US officials have remarked that India could not enter into any nuclear deal with Russia without fulfilling its obligations.

''The Indian government has given a mild rejoinder, it should take the issue more seriously as the new situation is emerging wherein I as a member of the Lok Sabha feel humiliated,'' the CPI leader said.

Intervening briefly, Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee said, ''Why should you feel ashamed...India is second to none.'' But Mr Dasgupta emphasised that something like this never happened before.

Accusing the US of ''politicising the power generation'', the CPI leader asked the UPA government to emulate France which he said had the capability to generate power through nuclear process but still did not do so.

''Why doesn't India rely on developing hydro-power, which is comparatively cheaper and which we have in abundance,'' he said.

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