Left to raise heat on fuel again

Karat was talking to reporters after a meeting of the four Left parties here. On petroleum prices, Karat said they had given the government detailed proposals, which if implemented, would obviate the need for a hike. “We want the government to start the process of revision of petroleum prices,” Karat said.

Karat and CPI general secretary A.B. Bardhan had met the Prime Minister on September 5 just ahead of the hike. While Karat had suggested suspension of road cess till international oil prices came down and foregoing of the increased customs and excise duties, Bardhan had suggested reduction in excise duty.

Besides Karat and Bardhan, today’s meeting was attended by Forward Bloc leader Debabrata Biswas and RSP’s Abani Roy. During the meeting, the parties also decided to take up with the government their opposition to FDI in retail and privatisation of airports and the Delhi Jal Board.

The Left is, meanwhile, awaiting a formal communication from the UPA on disinvestment of BHEL and Navratnas before deciding to again attend the UPA-Left coordination committee meetings. “They have indicated they do not plan to proceed with the disinvestment of BHEL and the Navratnas. They have told us they will inform us,” Karat said.

CPM workers arrested

Chennai: Thousands of CPM workers were taken into custody on Tuesday when they tried to picket roads in various parts of Tamil Nadu in protest against the Centre’s economic policies.

They were also demanding strict implementation of

the Common Minimum Programme.

CPM state secretary N Vardharajan was among those taken into custody. The police said over 2,000 workers were arrested in Chennai, over 5,000 in Coimbatore and more than 4,250 in Madurai. —PTI