Left not to allow further hike in petro products

Bangalore, July 20: The Communist Party of India (CPI) today said the Left parties would not allow further hike in prices of petroleum products and would continue its struggle both outside and inside Parliament to make the Union Government roll back the hike effected last month.

Talking to newspersons here, CPI National Council Secretary Suravaram Sudhakar Reddy said the price hike had led to skyrocketing of prices of essential commodities. The Centre was left with no other option, but to reduce taxes to arrest the hike in prices of essential commodities.

He said the CPI National Council, which had met in Hyderabad on July six and seven, had given a call to fight against the price hike.

Condemning the recent serial bomb blasts in Mumbai and Srinagar, he accused the Centre of showing lukewarm response to terrorism.

Mr Reddy called upon the international community to pressurise Pakistan to take severe steps to control terrorism and said ''The Centre should send a strong messege to Pakistan in this regard.

Pakistan cannot shirk its responsibility...It has to control terror groups operating from across the border.'' Referring to the Centre's disinvestment move in Public Sector Units (PSUs), Mr Reddy said his party hailed the postponement of disinvestment plan in Neyveli Lignite Corporation, Nalco and NMDC.

''The Left parties, extending outside support to the United Progressive Alliance government at the Centre, will fight tooth and nail any disinvestment in profit-making PSUs.'' ''We want the UPA government to implement the Common Minimum Programme (CMP) in letter and spirit. The CMP clearly states that there should not be disinvestment in the profit-making PSUs,'' he added.

Condemning the recent naxalite attack on tribals in Chattisgarh in which over 40 tribals were killed, Mr Reddy said ''It is nothing but sheer brutality. The State government is forcefully using innocent tribals against naxalites...it is unethical,'' he added.

UNI