Proposed Indo-EU FTA opposed
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, April 15 2013:
Secretary of Social Action Committee, Borayangbi, L Nando; Secretary of Youth Organisation for Upliftment of Rural and Sports, Kumbi N Imocha and General Secretary of United Community Development Platform, Moirang P Inao have observed that the proposed Free Trade Union Agreement (FTA) between India and European Union would give a severe blow to the indigenous people of Manipur and their economy as well as local-made products would be affected.
With commissioning of Loktak Hydro Electric Power Project around 40 hectares of agricultural land have been submerged under water and around 30,000 people have been displaced.
Even many houses/huts belonging to fishermen of Loktak Lake have been evicted and the government and other responsible authorities have not taken up any rehabilitation programmes for the affected the people.
In such a situation, if the trade agreement is effected again it would spell doom for the poor people of Manipur and their economy, they said while opposing to the proposed Indo-EU FTA.
If the trade agreement comes into effect, market for indigenous products would be marginalized and imported goods would flood the market.
Considering such negative impacts, various social organisations have submitted memorandum to Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh urging him not to sign the free trade agreement, they said.
They also demanded to minutely discuss the agreement in the Parliament and State Assemblies to bring about a consensus before going ahead with the agreement.