People's Democracy

'Anti-People Compromise'

All India Kisan Sabha expresses concern at the way, the government of India has made compromises at the Hong Kong meeting of WTO, endangering the interest of the Indian agriculture and that of Indian peasantry at large.

Developed countries like USA and European countries have not given any notable concession, particularly on the huge subsidies being given to their agricultural sector. Promise to end subsidy on exports is an eyewash because it is less than 3.5 per cent in European countries, while overall average are not more than one per cent. In return, they have got commitment from India and other developing countries for reduction in tariff rates for import of agricultural produces from developed countries. The so- called concession for protection of selected crops is vague and unexplained. Ending of procurement on minimum support price is also contemplated.

The Indian representative even did not ask for the right of re-imposing QRs on imports by developing countries like India. Opening of service sector has also been promised which will naturally engulf agricultural sector also.

Thus, in the view of AIKS, Indian people in general and peasantry in particular has got nothing to celebrate about Hong Kong agreement, rather, we have been let down and will have to face more price-crashes for our produce, costly inputs and penetration of foreign produces and their giant agri-business companies. Our food security may face more danger; farmers more suicides; and the poor more starvation deaths.

In this situation, the Indian peasantry has no other option but to fight back this anti-people compromise at Hong Kong. (INN)