The CPI(M) on Wednesday said that said it would stick to its stand of opposing the Nuclear Liability Bill, which if passed by the Parliament, will compromise on the citizens' right to life and health.
CPI(M) General Secretary Prakash Karat told reporters here today that earlier too his party had opposed the introduction of the Nuclear Liability Bill. "But in case the government tries to bring it again, we would oppose it both in the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha as it compromises on the citizens' right to life and health".
Karat said the bill favoured American nuclear companies as it fixes no responsibility on the foreign suppliers who would be providing the reactors.
"In case of any untoward incident because of manufacturing defect, there would be no onus on the supplier to provide compensation," he said, pointing out that a nuclear disaster would be of a much greater magnitude than the Bhopal gas tragedy.
On food security, he said a law in this regard would be good for the people though his party wanted certain changes in the Food Security Bill draft.
CPI(M) also supports the UPA's efforts towards making education a fundamental right of every child, though it puts all the burden on the states, he added.
Karat said the Left parties would bring a cut motion on the Finance Bill in Parliament in protest against additional tax on petrol and diesel.
"Opposition had demanded rollback of the taxes but the UPA is not ready for it. We would now hold consultations with opposition parties on the issue," he said.
Karat said if the government did not heed to the roll back demand till the recommencement of the budget session of the Parliament on April 15, his party plans to hold consultation with other secular opposition parties for holding a nation wide protest on the issue.
To a question, Karat said despite opposition on other issues, the UPA had the "unwavering support" of his party on the women reservation bill and he wanted that it would be brought in the Lok Sabha in the current session itself. PTI
