Monday, December 19 2005 18:54 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Ranchi: Despite the pronouncements of Union Commerce Minister that the WTO agreement addressed the concerns of both agriculture and industrial sectors, CPI today claimed developing nations have lost out to the developed countries in the Hong Kong talks.

"It is wrong to think that ladoos would shower following the talks," CPI's National General Secretary A B Bardhan said sarcastically referring to Nath's claim that the draft declaration had some positive elements, "We don't think there was any achievement. Even the farm export subsidies will take another eight years," the senior left leader told a press conference here.

He said the left front would make its official stand clear after studying the communique at a meeting in New Delhi shortly.

The Commerce minister had said on his arrival here from Hong Kong, "the agreement fully secures the concerns of our farmers. It ensures that no subsidy-ridden farm products are exported to India, the phase out of export subsidies by developed countries would also give Indian farmers a chance to compete in the world market."

According to the declaration, developed countries will have to eliminate their export subsidies by 2013 while reducing them substantially by 2010.

To specific questions as to why the left parties often criticise the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) Government for its economic policies and still continue to support it, Bardhan said the left was extending support to the UPA Government because there was no other secular alternative.

The left was determined to root out politics based on communalism, he asserted.

Bardhan claimed to people before the press conference that had it not for the left parties, the UPA Government would have embarked on more disinvestment plans.

"The left parties can play and are playing constructive roles by checking the Government where ever necessary," he added.