Don’t sign free-trade agreement, Swadeshi Jagran Manch tells Centre

Mysuru: Activists of the

Swadeshi Jagran Manch

on Friday urged the central government not to take the proposed free-trade agreement, the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) forward. The organisation’s members opined that such a move could severely dent the prospects of the Indian economy.

Swadeshi Jagran Manch member Sathish said that all sectors including agriculture would be badly affected if India inked the proposed agreement with countries in the Asia-Pacific region. “Those involved in the dairy sector will be among those who will be adversely impacted. The price of milk will plummet once the agreement, which involves 19 countries, is finalised. One litre of milk is now sold for Rs 30, while it will drop to Rs 22 in the aftermath of the agreement. A kilogram of sugar, which costs around Rs 25 to Rs 40 now, will be sold for Rs 24. The Centre must take cognisance of the impact that such an agreement will have on the fortunes of

sugarcane

and

dairy farmers

,” he said.

Against the backdrop of an economic slowdown in the country, Sathish warned that inking such a deal might lead to a rise in unemployment. “India is in enough trouble as it is, owing to the implementation of WTO. India is under pressure to sign this new agreement. We will write to the Centre asking it to refrain from signing the RCEP,” he added.