NEW DELHI: The Communist Party of India (Marxist) on Wednesday expressed concern over the continuing high prices of essential commodities, and charged the United Progressive Alliance Government with not having taken follow-up action on Left parties' suggestions.

The CPI (M) Polit Bureau wanted prices of petrol and diesel reduced, as the international oil prices had declined to $57-58 a barrel.

Briefing correspondents at the end of a two-day Polit Bureau meeting, party general secretary Prakash Karat said the losses shown by oil companies was ``only notional, as we have shown the Government by evidence that their profits had continued to increase during this period.''

Mr. Karat said: "In the context of inflation and price rise [of essential commodities], reduction in petrol and diesel prices will bring relief to people. We will launch a campaign against price rise."

On the decision to open "franchise postal outlets throughout the country," the Polit Bureau wanted an immediate end to the privatisation move.

It said the decision to initially open 100 franchisees in the urban areas, covering 19 postal circles, and assigning the entire post office functions to them was "nothing but privatisation of postal service." The move was against the letter and spirit of the National Common Minimum Programme.

The Polit Bureau discussed the situation in Uttar Pradesh and would communicate its view to the State Committee for a final decision on the electoral line to be pursued.

It is understood that the CPI (M) is not in a hurry to announce its stand on the coming Assembly polls. The party has decided to contest a limited number of seats and work to defeat the Bharatiya Janata Party.

The Polit Bureau strongly condemned the twin blasts in Guwahati. It said the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) must realise that violence, targeting innocent people, would only isolate it further and erode its political credibility.

Arunachal issue

Mr. Karat said Arunachal Pradesh is part of India and the India-China Joint Working Group is dealing with the boundary dispute.

"We have been having boundary disputes and discussions are on in the Joint Working Group and it should be solved. We [India] have our understanding of the border and they [China] have their understanding. So there is a problem and the two sides are trying to settle... '' Mr. Karat said

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