India US Trade Deal: The Joint Platform of Central Trade Unions (CTUs) along with sectoral associations and federations in India has called for a general strike on February 12 against the India US Trade Deal and imposition of the labour codes.
The Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM), SKM (Non-Political) and All India Kisan Sabha have called for nationwide protests, saying the trade deal is a complete surrender of agriculture and farmers of India to American multinational corporations. Calls for the resignation of Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal were also made, accusing him of misleading the nation on the scope of trade negotiations.
What Did Congress Commented?
Pawan Khera, the media and publicity department head of the Indian National Congress (INC), claimed that the nation would become America’s dumping ground by the US India trade deal.
India US Trade Deal-Reaction Of Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan
Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has rejected the criticism of the trade deal by Congress and others. Chouhan commented that the India US trade deal fully safeguards the interests of Indian farmers and agriculture sector.
The Agriculture Minister remarked that key farm products have been kept out of the trade deal. He went on to comment that India would never allow genetically modified products to enter the Indian market. He also said that tariff concessions of any kind whatsoever have NOT been allowed on farm goods such as dairy, spices, vegetables, meat, grains, fruits and processed foods.
Chouhan remarked the India US trade deal was unique example of the country’s development, dignity and diplomacy. The Union Agriculture Minister commented that development is India’s foundation, diplomacy means nation first and dignity means the garima (dignity) of Indian farmers.
Chouhan also remarked the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi would never let India down and harm the interests of the country’s farmers.
, SKM (Non-Political) and All India Kisan Sabha have called for nationwide protests.){kind=link}