UPA more inclined to respond to demands of MNCs: CPI

"The Government is more inclined to respond to the demands of the international finance capital and MNCs", CPI national Secretary Amarjeet Kaur alleged here.

"BJP is no different in its approach on the economic policies," she accused.

She said the rising prices of essential commodities was further making the life of the common person miserable, while farmers suicides continue unabated in the wake of persistent agrarian crises and indebtedness of farmers.

The country's natural resources were being put on sale to private companies -- Indian as well as international -- at throw away prices, Kaur alleged.

Bringing in FDI in retail trade will be a big blow to more than four crore small traders, shopkeepers, marginal and poor farmers, other small producers of goods in home-based and small scale industries, the party said.

She deplored accumulation of wealth in the hands of a few, whereas the vast majority was suffering under acute poverty and unemployment.

"The latest reports have indicated that 100 top rich families own assets to the tune of Rs 16 lakh crore whereas 70 per cent of Indians are forced to live on a meagre spending of Rs 16.60 per day", Kaur observed.

On the Union Cabinet reshuffle, she claimed it was "another futile exercise as there is a clear indication to continue with anti-people policies and corrupt practices in governance".

She said trade unions have decided to intensify their joint agitation on the charter of demands which includes seeking a check on price rise of essential commodities, end to labour law violations, abolition of any ceiling on Provident Fund, gratuity and bonus and abolition of contract labour.

They have decided to observe December 18 and 19 as "All India Law Violation Day" and on December 20 there would be a "March to Parliament". The trade unions would organise a two-day "national general strike" from February 20.