Left against rise in fuel price

New Delhi, May 30 (UNI) Opposing the impending hike in fuel price, the Left today ruled out negotiations on the issue with the Congress-led UPA government.

While the CPI(M) even ruled out parleys even with Congress president Sonia Gandhi, CPI warned the Centre against the contemplated hike in fuel price, saying its cascading effect will nullify all efforts to contain inflation.

Asked if the government has contacted the CPI(M) seeking its views on raising the fuel prices, party General Secretary Prakash Karat replied in the negative.

"There is no question any negotation with the Congress-led coalition government or with Mrs Sonia Gandhi or anyone else because we do not agree with the government's approach in tackling the issue," he said after the conclusion of two-day meeting of the Central Committee.

On under-recoveries by oil marketing companies in view of the spurt in oil prices in the international market, he said both the Centre and States should bear the burden instead of punishing the consumer. He reiterated the party's demand for cut in custom and excise duties by the Centre and reduction in sales tax and other levies by States to cushion losses by the oil companies.

"We have already asked our governments in West Bengal and Kerala to share the burden by lessening ST and other levies,"he added.

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