Poll panel questions PF rate hike

The Election Commission today sought a report from the Centre on the poll-eve increase in the Employees' Provident Fund (EPF) interest.

"We have sought facts from the government. Once we receive the details, the commission then will take a view," poll panel spokes-man AN Jha told reporters. He said the commission was writing to the Cabinet secretary.

The Left parties today vented their anger at the impact of the rise in the foreign direct investment (FDI) limit in the telecom sector, rather than focusing on the cause of it.

They also criticised the government for the Electricity Act, which, they said was against the promises made in the national common minimum programme.

The Left parties have also decided to organise a nationwide protest on February 7 against the recent decisions of the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government and raise the issue at the coordination committee meeting between the Left and the government, likely before February 7.

"The Left parties treat with disdain the mischievous reports emanating in sections of the media that the hike in the EPF rate is linked to the decision on the hike in the FDI in the telecom sector as a quid pro quo deal," said a statement released by the Left parties after today's meeting.

Reacting to the manner in which the two decisions had been announced on the same day, CPI(M) leader Sitaram Yechury said an "unethical sort of impression was being created" regarding a "deal" between the government and the Left.

He said "whoever" was leaking such stories was in the wrong.

Yechury said the hike in the EPF rate was "long overdue and it was good that it had come now."

"What the finance minister has said is neither here nor there," CPI General Secretary AB Bardhan said reacting to P Chidambaram's statement that the Left's only objection to the decision had to do with the security considerations involved.

The Left parties will agitate against the government decision regarding the telecom FDI limit hike, the amendment to the Patents Act, allowing foreign banks to acquire a 74 per cent stake in private Indian banks and the disinvestment of the profit-making PSUs.

Public sector undertakings through nation-wide protests on February 7.

"We will be writing to UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi and letting her know about our objection to the way the government is taking its decisions," CPI leader D Raja said.

On the Electricity Bill, the Left said their demand for the review of the Electricity Act 2003 had not been met and hence it was right no the government's part to frame any new policy measures.