The Hindu Business Line : Left parties warn against fuel price hike

What they say
All parties except the Congress and the BJP would be contacted to participate in the nationwide protest.
Mr Karat said that the Left parties suggested a review of the levies on petroleum products such as reducing Customs and excise duties.

New Delhi , June 1

Just a few days ahead of a likely Government announcement on petro products price revision, the four Leftist parties today warned that any such move would lead to nationwide protests and even a general strike.

The leaders of the four parties - the CPI (M), the CPI, Forward Bloc and the RSP — met here on Thursday to discuss various issues ahead of the Left-UPA coordination committee later this month.

Speaking to presspersons after the meeting, the CPI (M) General-Secretary, Mr Prakash Karat, said that, "if the Government announces a hike in the prices of petrol and diesel, which is likely next week, then the Left parties and other organisations will come out spontaneously to oppose the move."

"We will contact other political parties and give a joint call for a nationwide protest action, including a general strike," he said.

Apart from the CPI (M) leaders, the meeting was attended by Mr A.B. Bardhan and Mr D. Raja of the CPI, Mr Debabrata Biswas and Mr G. Devarajan of the Forward Bloc, and the RSP chief, Mr Abani Roy.

Mr Biswas and Mr Roy said that all parties except the Congress and the BJP would be contacted to participate in the nationwide protest that would be launched if prices were increased.

Mr Karat said that the Left parties had made out "a strong and effective case" against such increases and suggested a review of levies on petroleum products such as reducing Customs and excise duties.

The Left parties have also decided to prepare a comprehensive note on the two-year performance of the UPA Government.

Apart from economic issues such as rise in prices of essential commodities, disinvestment and airport privatisation, the note would also deal with foreign policy issues and other areas of concerns, Mr Devarajan said.

Office of profit

The four parties demanded the setting up of a special parliamentary committee to look into the issue of office of profit and evolve a definition for the term since there is no definition of the term in either the Constitution or in any law.

The President has returned the Bill that was passed by both the Houses at the fag end of the Budget session. While returning the Bill, he has asked the Government to "consider the Bill in both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha," which means that the Bill would have to be passed in both Houses again.