Red storm rising: Probe 'sweetheart' deals

NEW DELHI: While welcoming Prime Minister-designate Manmohan Singh''s pronouncements on economic policies, Left parties on Thursday sought a Left-ward shift in the economic agenda with CPM politburo member Sitaram Yechury even demanding a probe into the ''sweetheart deals'' in privatisation.
Simultaneously, CPI general secretary A B Bardhan announced an ambitious wishlist for the United Progressive Alliance''s common minimum programme, which includes Central guidance for land reforms.
Left has no quarrel with the expansion of the private sector. But Bardhan said this expansion "shouldn''t be at the cost of the public sector. In private sector, small scale units cannot be gobbled up by multi-nationals because they provide jobs."
Manmohan Singh''s acceptance of the Left stand against privatisation of profit making PSUs is seen as a indication by CPM and CPI that their concerns related to the rural sector and workers would be addressed in the draft CMP.
Left would decide to sign the CMP only if their policy initiatives are included in the CMP.
Land and agriculture are state subjects and the Centre has no direct control over states'' jurisdiction.
Bardhan said, just as the Centre used to hold back funds if the states failed to implement certain policies, now the Centre should insist on the states'' implementing land ceiling as a condition for receiving Central funds. The Left may also propose a legislation for agriculture workers in the CMP.
It also wants increased subsidies for the rural sector: fertiliser subsidy, cheap supply of power, subsidised rural credit, lower interest rate for farmers and remunerative prices for farm produce.