Left up in arms over hike in FDI limits
New Delhi: The Left parties have demanded a rollback in the hike in Foreign Direct Investment limits in insurance, telecom and aviation announced in the 2004-05 Union Budget. The CPI (M) has said that since they were not consulted on the FDI hike they intend to oppose passage of the Finance Bill in Parliament.

According to the politburo members of the party, the hike in FDI limit in the insurance sector requires amendments in the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority (IRDA) Act, and if the bill to amend the IRDA Act comes up, then they will oppose it.
The National General Secretary of the Communist Party of India (CPI), A.B. Bardhan, has said that his party would "persuade, pressurise and even agitate" on the issue of raising FDI limits.
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UPA to meet over threat by the Left
New Delhi: The UPA government will meet today to discuss its strategy, in the face of the threat by its largest ally, the Left, to oppose the decision to allow higher Foreign Direct Investment in insurance, telecom and aviation.
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Trade unions to discuss Budget
New Delhi: Central trade unions will meet on July 12 to assess the Union Budget and might take up FDI related issues with Finance Minister P Chidambaram and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh thereafter. CPI (M)-supported CITU president M K Pandhe said issues like FDI hike, 5 per cent stake sale in NTPC and interest rate to be offered to 3 crore EPF subscribers will be taken up at the meeting. Congress-affiliated INTUC and the Sangh-backed BMA are also expected to participate.
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