Farmers to be protected, govt tells Left parties

Ahead of the WTO Ministerial in Hong Kong in December, the government today assured the Left parties that farmers' interests would not be compromised.

Commerce Minister Kamal Nath held discussions with Communist Party of India (Marxist) and Communist Party of India leaders to take them on board regarding India's stand at the ministerial. Nath said the Left allies gave good inputs and suggestions. However, he said, "No conclusion was reached." The two sides would meet again on November 17, he added.

Nath said concerns were expressed on developed countries increasing subsidies to their farmers.

The Left had, earlier in a paper on WTO, suggested a comprehensive review of trade-related aspects of the Intellectual Property Rights and a detailed sheet on agreement on agriculture.