'Left Parties not agreed for hike in petrol price': Yechury

Kolar (Karnataka), May 25 (UNI) The Left Parties have not agreed for the proposed hike in the price of petrol and diesel, but urged the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government to 'rationalise' the tax system to reduce loss of the Oil Companies in the country, Communist Party of India (Marxist) Politburo Member Sitaram Yechuri said today.

Addressing a Convention of All India Kisan Sabha here, he said that the Union Government should find a way out to reduce the loss of Oil companies instead of burdening the public frequently.

Mr Yachuri also urged the Centre to come to the rescue of the farmers, who due to unremunerative prices, resorting to suicide.

"The UPA government should immediately intervene and ensure remunerative prices for the Agriculture Produces and extend financial assistance through Nationalised Banks." Extending support to proposed Reservation to OBC in Higher Education Institutions, he said the Supreme Court verdict on creamy layer issue should be adhered to. However, the interests of general category students should also be safeguarded, he stated.

About his recent visit to Nepal, he said that the reinstallation of democracy was a welcome step and Maoists extending their support to the democrataic government was a good development.

He said without the support of the Left parties, which were becoming stronger in the country, no single party would be able to form a covernment at the Centre. Though CPM was opposed to reform process in principle it would not try to topple the UPA government but ensure that people's interest was safeguarded, he added.

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