Lucknow: Demanding a roll back in the hike in FDI (Foreign Direct Investment) cap in the telecommunication sector, the CPI (Communist Party of India) today (July 11, 2004) said it would pressurise and even agitate on the issue to force the Government to reconsider the decision.

While many of the budget proposals of the UPA (United Progressive Alliance) Government were welcome, the Left parties have reservation on certain aspects of the budget, CPI National General Secretary A B Bardhan told.

Maintaining that the hike in FDI cap in telecommunication sector from the current 49 per cent to 74 per cent would in effect mean handing over control to the big multinationals, which could threaten our security, he said in no country was the telecommunication sector under the control of foreigners.

"We want it reconsidered. We will persuade, pressurise and even agitate on this issue," he said.

Bardhan also criticised the Government for not declaring the minimum support price for farmers, saying his party would raise the issue during discussions on the budget proposals in Parliament.

He also demanded provisions for revival of traditional industries such as power loom, weaving, which were employment oriented.

However, the CPI leader said the budget proposals had several positive features like the emphasis on primary education and said the two per cent education cess would go a long way in eradicating illiteracy in the country.

Attacking the BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) for criticising the levying of education cess, he said they did not want to remove illiteracy from the country.