Friday, October 7 2005 19:06 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Mumbai: Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) General Secretary Prakash Karat today (Oct 7, 2005) said his party would press for the passage of Women's Reservation Bill in the Winter Session of Parliament.

"The Women's Reservation Bill was a component of United Progressive Alliance (UPA) Common Minimum Programme and not passing the same by stating that there was no consensus on the issue was just an excuse of not getting it passed," Karat told reporters here.

All the major parties have expressed support for the Bill and there was no need for a rethink on the same, Karat said.

The Bill should be introduced in the Winter Session in its original format, which seeks to reserve one third seats for the women in Parliament.

CPI(M) would also press for introduction of the Bill aimed at alleviating the miseries of the 8.5 crore Adivasis in the country, particularly those who have been living in the forest for ages and face displacement.

"Our party also has an opinion about this Bill regarding improving the provisions concerning environmental issues and their impact on Adivasis. But we feel that the passage of this Bill was absolutely necessary for the welfare of forest dwellers," Karat said.

He said, the CPI(M) was also opposed to the introduction of the Seeds Bill in the present format as the party feels the bill in the present format was not in the interest of the farmers, he said.

Karat said, CPM was against FDI in retail sector. "We are not for opening up retail trade to FDI, he said. We have sought clarification from the Government on 12 different issues under the WTO argument," Karat said, adding, "Our policy is that we should not surrender our interest as far as WTO is concerned."