BJP slams PM's pay cut advice

New Delhi: The BJP on Monday flayed Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for his advice to corporate heads to resist excessive remuneration.

The BJP suggested that Prime Minister rather review his Government's economic policies, which it said have failed to tackle poverty.

"It's not the corporate world that has betrayed the poor, but it's the UPA that has failed in fighting poverty," PTI quoted BJP spokesman Prakash Javadekar as saying.

The BJP leader's comments came in the wake of Singh's address to captains of the Indian industry last week in which he had cautioned that wealth inequalities could lead to social unrest if not matched by corresponding rise of income across.

"It's time for introspection for the Prime Minister over his government's policies for the common man," Javadekar added.

He also demanded setting up of an anti-terror operative unit, saying reports suggested Pakistan's ISI was operating from Bangladesh and Nepal to foment trouble through a trans-national terror network.

Javadekar accused the government of delaying a decision on EPF interest rates, which he said should be fixed at 9.5 per cent per annum.

"An interest rate of 9.5 per cent on EPF can be maintained easily for at least two years, given the financial gains from those deposits over the past few years," he said.

The BJP leader also opposed the ban on next month's exams in India by US-based Chartered Financial Analyst. "This move will affect numerous students adversely. We request the Prime Minister to lift this ban immediately," he added.