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Centre must change tax structure: Karat

Staff Correspondent

`Deviations from path of independent policy'

BHOPAL: Communist Party of India (Marxist) General Secretary Prakash Karat on Sunday criticised the Union Government for the rise in prices. It had also deviated from the path of "independent foreign policy" that was part of the United Progressive Alliance's Common Minimum Programme, he said.

Mr. Karat was addressing a press conference at the party's State headquarters before addressing a public rally here as part of the party's nationwide "political campaign" launched on August 1 to raise issues confronting the people.

A major problem

Mr. Karat said the rise in prices of essential commodities was a major problem. Petrol and diesel prices had been increased five times after the UPA Government came to power. The problem could not be solved unless the Government decided to change the tax structure.

He alleged that big companies and traders were cornering stocks of food grains and essential commodities.

`Drop in procurement'

The CPI (M) leader said there were several lacunae in the UPA Government's policies on agriculture and food. There had been a drop in agriculture production and procurement. He criticised the Centre for importing 55 lakh tonnes of wheat and adopting policies that were threatening to dismantle the public distribution system (PDS). The wheat quota allotted to the States should be increased and the PDS strengthened.

Mr. Karat said his party was not against the setting up of special economic zones if it promoted industry.

Calling for an independent foreign policy, he said that over the past two years the UPA Government had been under pressure from the U.S. as Washington did not want India to pursue an independent policy.

The CPI (M) was in favour of one-third reservation for women in Parliament and legislatures and it also supported the Tribal Bill.

He said Madhya Pradesh had been badly hit by floods and the State Government would have to make more concrete efforts on the relief front. The Centre would also have to extend extra relief and prepare a comprehensive plan for helping the flood-affected States.

Sabharwal issue

Mr. Karat said the Madhya Pradesh Government had taken a wrong stand on the students' assault, leading to the death of Professor H.S. Sabharwal at Ujjain on August 26.

He said Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan had prejudged the incident when the police were busy with investigations.

It was due to this reason there was a demand for a Central Bureau of Investigation probe, he said.

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