New Delhi, Aug 14 - The Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) Friday demanded that the central government bring out a white paper explaining the impact of the India-ASEAN Free Trade Agreement (FTA) on the Indian economy.

The CPI-M also criticised the government for signing the agreement without any discussion in parliament.

'The FTA in Goods with the ASEAN signed by the Indian Commerce Minister in Thailand reflects the misplaced priorities of the Congress-led government at a time of global recession and a worsening agrarian situation,' the CPI-M politburo said in a statement here.

It added: 'The FTA has been signed without any discussion in the Indian parliament about its possible impact.'

The CPI-M demanded that the government should immediately take appropriate measures to protect the interests of those sections, who would be affected by this agreement.

'It (the government) should bring out a white paper explaining the impact of this agreement on the Indian economy and discuss the issue in parliament,' the CPI-M said.