Date:26/02/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/02/26/stories/2008022659771000.htm

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Missed out on crucial issues: Left

Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI: The Left parties on Monday described President Pratibha Patil’s address to the joint sitting of Parliament as “routine” which missed out on crucial issues such as price rise of essential commodities, women’s reservation, rich and poor divide, agrarian crisis and the unorganised sector.

Senior Communist Party of India (Marxist) leader Sitaram Yechury told reporters that the UPA government policies seemed to be giving rise to “two types of Indias, one is ‘India Shining’ and the other ‘India Suffering’.” He said the government’s policies have only widened the disparity between the rich and the poor.

“It is the suffering India that resides in rural areas, that continues to suffer and farmers continue to commit suicide in the country,” Mr. Yechury, said.

Rural banking

Demanding the expansion of rural banking system in villages, he said interest rate for farmers should be fixed at 4 per cent.

The CPI national secretary and MP, D. Raja, said the President’s address was “routine” and attempted to compile what the UPA government considered its “achievements” and gave details of various schemes.

“Even vital issues of national security and integrity, threats posed to it by parochial and communal elements have not been touched in the President’s address,” he said.