PM's indication of hike in kerosene, LPG irks Left

New Delhi, Aug 15: Disappointed by the contents of the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's Independence Day address and calling it a ''routine speech'', the Left parties today took strong exception to his indication of ''increase'' in the kerosene and LPG prices and the absence of any ''concrete'' strategy to contain spiralling price rise, threat to internal security and farmers' suicides.

The leaders of the CPI(M), CPI and Forward Bloc, however, appreciated the PM's ''good intentions'' to tackle the problems of Naxalism, increase employment opportunites and empower women and rural development, but the lack of ways and means ''irritated'' them.

In his speech at the Red Fort here this morning, Mr Singh said there was a limit to which the government could go on subsidising the consumption of petroleum products in face of rising import costs.

In separate interviews to UNI, the Left leaders - M K Pandhe and Gurudas Dasgupta - said Mr Singh's speech was not only ''directionless'' but also did not match his assurances at the ground level. They also regretted that none of their concerns for the masses were reflected in his speech ''that did not inspire any hope and confidence''.

They made a strong case for not ''considering'' the price hike of kerosene and LPG and referred to their suggestions to find out means to reduce the taxes on oil products.

Mr Pandhe and Mr Dasgupta said if the taxes could be reduced, there was no need for further increasing their prices. ''In what way the PM is talking of protecting the consumer interests?'' While Mr Pandhe, the CPI(M) veteran and Polit Bureau member, said the rate of petroleum products was the higest in Asia with Rs 20 per litre on petroleum and Rs 10 on diesel in China, Mr Dasgupta, CPI Floor leader in the Lok Sabha, said the reduction of taxes could be made up by taxing those who could pay.

Mr Pandhe said since its inception, the government has increased the taxes to the tune of Rs 24,000 crore on oil products. On the farmers suicide, the CPI(M) said even after the Prime Minister's visit to Vidarbha in Maharashtra more than 100 farmers committed suicide. ''What kind of relief is he talking about to the farmers there? Unless the government waives off the principal amount, suicides will not discontinue. The waiving off the interest rate is not enough.''

Mr Dasgupta, the CPI Floor leader in the Lok Sabha, said Mr Singh should have announced an effective scheme to address the grievances of the farming community. ''Agrarian crisis and decreasing employment opportunties in the rural pockets can lead to social unrest.''

The CPI leader reiterated that the twin problems were the direct off-shoot of the ''devastating'' economic policies that this government was continuing. ''We will have to take a re-look at these anti-people economic policies, but for this government this is not the priority area.'' However, he complimented the Prime Minister for speaking about the ''duality'' of globalisation, but hastened to add that he had not spelt out how the government proposed to check its negative impact as witnessed all over the world.

On Mr Singh's announcements on launching Mission on vocational education and comprehensive Rehabilitation policy, they said, ''these are just paper programmes.'' CPI(M) Floor leader in the Lok Sabha Basudev Acharia and CPI national Secretary D Raja said the Prime Minister's address did not touch up on the increasing rural-urban divide, empowering of the SC/STs and women. ''There is not a reference to the Women's Reservation Bill or the Tribal Bill.'' Mr Acharia said the Left would oppose any move to increase the prices of kerosene and LPG, saying it would further increase the burden on the lower middle class due to spiralling prices of essential commodities.

''The Prime Minister has also not come out with any concrete proposal to contain the run away inflation.'' He also regretted that Dr Singh's speech was also devoid of the measures to strengthen internal security.

On Dr Singh's claim on improving relations with the US, Japan, China and European Union( EU), the CPI(M) leader said it was undoubtedly welcome. ''But the UPA government must remember that the so-called strengthening of the relations with the US benefits the latter only in spheres of commerce, trade and strategic ties.'' Mr Raja said unfortunately the PM's speech did not mention the apprehensions of the Left on the Indo-US deal.

The Prime Minister also did not come out with any suggestion on tackling growing naxalism. ''The government also must remember that naxalism is not a mere law and order problem. The experiment of the Salwa Judum (self-help) group to confront the Naxals in Chhattisgarh is also no solution.'' Forward Bloc national Secretary G Devrajan said the problems of Naxalism and terrorism were the direct result of frustration among the youth. ''The PM's address does not inspire or bring hope on this issue.''

UNI

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