The CPI(M) on Monday reiterated its opposition to “any hike in prices of petroleum products that will add to the burden” of people while the CPI said the Government should reduce taxes and curb the consumption of petroleum products in the country “particularly by private car owners and airline services”.The CPI(M) also denied reports in a section of the media that it had given consent for a hike in the prices. “The Politburo of the CPI(M) denies any such consultation having taken place or giving its consent for such a hike,” the party said in a statement. The Politburo said on the contrary, the CPI(M) had been consistently opposing any hike in the prices of petroleum products. “It is estimated that the Central Government has collected Rs 40,000 crore more than the budget estimates through ad valorem taxes. If this amount were returned to oil companies, the necessity of increasing the prices of petroleum products would not arise,” the party said. “The Government should take care of international price hike by reducing taxes and curbing the consumption of petroleum products in the country particularly by private car owners and airline services,” CPI leader Gurudas Dasgupta said. “If the petroleum prices are increased, it would further escalate inflation,” the CPI leader said.
