Wednesday, December 21 2005 18:58 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Communist Party of India Marxist (CPI-M) today (Dec 21, 2005) demanded bringing of the Women's Reservation Bill in its present form and a legislation for providing social security to workers in the unorganised sector.

"The Women's Reservation Bill should be brought to the House in its present form," CPI(M) leader Nilotpal Basu told reporters here.

Basu hoped that with an overwhelming number of members from several political parties supporting the bill, there would not be a problem in getting it approved.

He said since unorganised sector workers were working under most difficult circumstances, their problems should be ameliorated by enacting an umbrella legislation providing them and agricultural workers adequate social security.

On the issue of privatisation of airports, he charged the Government with being 'most opaque' on steps being taken by it "as certain parties are being shown special favours". He said CPI(M) leaders would meet Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to discuss the issue.

Asked about his party's views on MPLAD scheme, Basu said CPI(M) is opposed to it right from the beginning because the legislative does not have executive powers which the scheme gives to MPs.