New Delhi, Sept 20 : The Communist Party of India (Marxist) on Saturday charged the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government with striking "underhand deals" with US nuclear firms to buy reactors even before the 123 agreement has been clinched.

The CPM alleged that India had put in about Rs three lakh crore to "bail out" the ailing American nuclear industry.

The CPM politburo, in a statement, expressed its opposition to "these underhand deals struck by the UPA government" and demanded a cost-benefit analysis by an independent body before key decisions are taken regarding energy policy in the country.

While quoting US Under Secretary of State William Burns as saying that India had stated its intention to purchase 10,000 mega watts worth of reactors from American firms, the CPM said this implied that India had put in around Rs 280,000 crore to bail out the US nuclear industry that has failed to secure any domestic order for the last 30 years.

According to reports, the CPM politburo said, "If one misguided Enron project could sink Maharashtra State Electricity Board owing to exorbitant costs, such expensive imports of nuclear reactors can sink the entire power sector of the country."

It stated that the energy policy of the country should not be held hostage to the demands of the Indo-US nuclear deal.

The CPM further accused that the nuclear deal had been shrouded in secrecy, lies and half lies, which they said have been unraveled by the presidential determination submitted to the US Congress. (ANI)