Accomplish unfinished NCMP agenda: CPI(M)

New Delhi, May 16 (UNI) Ahead of the third anniversary of the UPA government, the CPI(M) today stepped up pressure asking the Centre to accomplish the ''unfinished agenda'' of the National Common Minimum Programme(NCMP), including far-reaching measures to arrest agrarian crisis and provision of health care and education to all.

''The pending legislative measures, including the provision of social security to over 370 million workers in the unorganised sector as recently promised by the Labour Minister on the floor of the House, should be completed,'' CPI(M) Polit Bureau member Sitaram Yechury told a news conference.

However, Mr Yechury's observation is in sharp contrast to that of CPI Floor leader in the Lok SABHA Gurudas Dasgupta's remark yesterday that he never came across such a ''nikkami sarkar''(inefficient government) during his 20 years in Parliament.

Mr Yechury, flanked by party floor leader in the Lok Sabha Basudev Acharia, said the Common Minimum Programme(CMP) pleaded for more government investment in agriculture. ''It is unfortunate that the farmers in the rural sector still don't get credit from nationalised banks.'' The CPI(M) leader also took great exception to the government's decision to import five million tonnes of wheat and chose to pay Rs 1200 per quintal to overseas farmers and only Rs 850 to domestic peasantry.

Mr Yechury, a party Rajya Sabha member, also reminded the government of the pending assurance of providing a primary health centre and a primary school in each village of the country.

On the positive achievements of the Manmohan Singh government, he cited the national Rural Guarantee Job Scheme, the Right to information Act, Land rights to the tribals and stoppage of privatisation of profit-making PSUs.

He also took strong exception to ''divisive issues'' dominating the proceedings of Parliament, leading to abrupt adjournments and urged the government and the Business Advisory Council to take immediate steps to contain the trend.

''The manner in which the conflicting issues having taken over the parliament business does not augur well for the health of our parliamentary system of governance,'' he added Mr Yechury hoped during the remaining four days of this session, the issues of SEZ, agriculture and the Sachar committee report would be seriously discussed.

He also reminded the government about its assurance that the Prime Minister would make a statement on the floor of the House on the Indo-US nuclear deal.

He also expressed dismay over the adjournment of the Lok Sabha over the Sethusamundaram issue, saying there was no case to bring an emotional overtone in dealing with such problems.

UNI