LS likely to discuss 11th plan approach paper on Aug 24: Left

New Delhi, Aug 20 (UNI) Following a demand made by the Left parties, the government is likely to discuss the Approach Paper to the Eleventh Five Year Plan in the Lok Sabha on August 24.

The 93-page document reportedly recommends among other things corporate farming, more MNCs investment in the agriculture sector and FDI in retail, Left leaders told UNI.

CPI(M) Floor leader in the Lok Sabha Basudeb Acharia said, ''We are demanding a full-fledged discussion on the Approach Paper as it is very crucial and will have an impact on millions of people in the agriculture and the retail sectors.'' The veteran communist said it was very likely that discussion could be held on it on August 24 in the Lok Sabha as the Left had demanded it much before the National Development Council meeting in October.

CPI veteran and party Parliamentary Group leader Gurudas Dasgupta said the issue was very crucial in the backdrop of prevailing grave agrarian crisis, spiralling price rise and the burgeoning unemployment.

The leaders of CPI(M), CPI and Forward Bloc, however, expressed satisfaction that the UPA government had acceded to their demand for not bringing the Amendment to the RTI act and the Banking Authority Bill because of their opposition.

Mr Acharia said, ''We want the discussion on the page Document under Rule 193. We hope that the government will agree. Maybe the discussion would take place on August 24, a day before the end of the session.'' The CPI(M) leader said the document on the 10th Plan was not discussed during the previous NDA regime.

The Left wanted the discussion before October when the meeting of the National Development Council was likely to be held.

Mr Dasgupta said the discussion on the document would give an opportunity to all those MPs who wanted to air their viewpoints on these important socio-economic issues.

CPI National Secretary D Raja stressed that the government should bring in legislation to fulfill the CMP commitments on 27 per cent reservation to OBCs in higher institutions of learning, the Tribal Rights Bill, Unorganised Sector Bill, 2004, Women's Reservation and the Right to Education Bills.

''The Congress-led government must show the political will, firmness and sincerity of the purpose on all these pending legislations,'' Mr Dasgupta and Mr Raja said, adding that the UPA should not dither from it.

Forward Bloc National Secretary G Devrajan said thorough discussion on the Approach Paper was all the more crucial in the backdrop of it also making a case for withdrawal of subsidy for the agricultural produce.

The Forward Bloc leader said that unfortunately, there was no proposal to eliminate growing poverty, deprivation and unemployment.

The leaders made it clear they were opposed to the amendment to the RTI act, which evoked strong opposition from eminent public figures like Anna Hazare, Magsasay award winners Aruna Roy and Arvind Kejriwal among others.

''However, there is no possibility of it coming to Parliament.

Even if it comes at all, it would be sent to the Standing Committee,'' the Left leaders said.

Mr Acharia and Mr Dasgupta claimed that the Factories Act could be brought to Parliament as the government had acceded to their suggestions on the issue. ''But as far as the Banking Regulator is concerned...there is no question of the government bringing it in.'' UNI KSA PK HT1400