NEW DELHI, March 19: The Swadeshi Jagran Manch (SJM) feels the country will have to opt out of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) regime unless important amendments are made to the charter of agreements. SJM national organiser Murlidhar Rao said: "It is a regime designed to ensure the dominance of the US over India." A national debate on the issue is needed, he added.Rao maintains the recent patenting of basmati has shown that domestic interests cannot be protected under the WTO regime. "The government will have to fight for amending the charter. Otherwise, national interests would be harmed beyond recovery," Rao said. The second round of talks on WTO are scheduled for June 98 at Geneva.
In a recent directive, WTO has asked the government to amend patent laws within 15 months after India lost a case on the issue. The new government will have to take corrective steps immediately as the previous ones did not consult parliament or political parties before commiting India to the agreement.
The Manch hasfinalised an agenda, asking for disclosure of details about agreements between the previous government and multinational corporations (MNCs). Most MNCs have failed to honour commitments in vital areas including investment and employment generation. "There is a need to publicise the agreements' details and SJM will press for their strict implementation," said Rao.SJM has put forth a set of demands to be implemented in the short term by the Bharatiya Janata Party government.
It wants the creation of a special department for tackling the WTO issue. The Manch favours increase in customs tariff to 40 per cent from 30 per cent. Under the WTO charter, India is expected to maintain a 40 per cent tariff till 2004.IJM has asked for a major rethink on the WTO regime even as the current piecemeal strategy has failed to saferguard the national interest.The new government should review and spell out its perceptions on the role of foreign-institutional investors (FIIs), especially in light of thesoutheast Asian meltdown.
A comprehensive act should be framed for safeguarding India's bio-diversity and sustaining agrilcultural produce.
SJM wants a ban on cattle export and closure of abattoirs all over the country.Devise a mechanism to protect and promote the domestic industry's interests, especially in the small and tiny sectors and focus on Indian entrepreneurs, it says. n The Manch also wants the BJP-led government to take immediate steps to restore rupee stability.Copyright © 1998 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.
