New Delhi: The CPI(M) Sunday attacked the
government for its "stubborn refusal" to ban futures trading
in essential items and take other steps to control rising
prices, saying it would organise a massive all-India rally
on the issue during the Budget Session of Parliament.
"The stubborn refusal of the Central government to change
its food policies has been highlighted by the refusal to ban
future trading in wheat. It will be recalled that the earlier
ban on futures in wheat was stealthily removed just before the
new government was sworn in," the party Politburo said in a
statement here.
The issue came up for discussion at the two-day meet of
the Politburo, which is to be followed by a Central Committee
meeting in Kolkata late January.
The party also criticised the government for its
"refusal" to increase the number of families under BPL (Below
Poverty Line) category.
On the foreign policy front, the CPI(M) asked the
government to demand withdrawal of US-NATO forces from
Afghanistan and become part of a "regional initiative"
comprising Russia, Iran, China, Pakistan, Uzbekistan and
Tajikistan to address the Afghan problem.
"It is deplorable that the UPA government supports the
continuance of the US-NATO occupation of Afghanistan. By the
Af-Pak strategy, the US is attempting to draw India into its
Afghanistan strategy for serving its geo-political interests,"
it said.
PTI
