New Delhi (PTI): The Left parties on Friday demanded a white paper on the impact of the free trade pact India signed yesterday with the 10-member bloc of Southeast Asian nations, saying the agreement will adversely affect the farmers and economy of the states.

Maintaining that the Indo-ASEAN Free Trade Agreement (FTA) was signed "without any discussion on its impact" in Parliament, the CPI(M) said the move "reflects the misplaced priorities of the Congress-led government at a time of global recession and worsening agrarian situation".

In a statement, the politburo said the gradual elimination of tariff on 80 per cent goods traded between India and the Association of Southeast Asian Nation (ASEAN) would be "harmful" for the domestic industry, agriculture and fisheries and also have an "adverse impact" on states, particularly Kerala.

Demanding immediate measures to protect the interest of those affected by the pact, the CPI(M)also called for a white paper on the impact and a discussion in Parliament.

The CPI too agreed that the agreement was going to have an adverse impact on the economy, particularly in states like Kerala where rubber, tea and coconut are produced.

The CPI accused the UPA government of not maintaining transparency and "democratic process" while negotiating on the FTA and sought a white paper as well as a debate in Parliament on the issue.

India on Thursday signed an agreement with 10 south east Asian nations for duty free import and export of 4,000 products ranging from steel to apparels to sugar and tobacco over a period of eight years.