The Hindu Business Line : Left protests against Ordinance to amend Patents Act

THE Left parties on Monday reacted strongly against the Government's decision of promulgating an Ordinance to amend the Patents Act barely days after winter session of Parliament ended.

In a statement, the CPI (M) said, "The Polit Bureau disapproves of the resort to Ordinance to pass such an important legislation." The party had advised the Government against the hasty passage of the Bill as many measures needs to be taken to protect the interests of the country. It also added, "There are a whole range of issues connected with the Trade-Related Intellectual Property Rights agreement and safeguarding of national interest. The Bill, which has been passed as an Ordinance does not serve the purpose."

Speaking to Business Line, senior CPI leader, Mr D. Raja, said, "As a matter of principle we are against Ordinances. There should have been a debate on the Patents Bill." He added that the Left had made several reasonable suggestions to the Government to ensure that the interests of the domestic companies are protected and the multinationals do not have an edge.

The Left parties said that before the Ordinance becomes a law, it is necessary to subject the legislation to further scrutiny and discussion so that the country's interest and affordability of drugs for the people are ensured.

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Left protests against Ordinance to amend Patents Act

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