By IANS,
New Delhi : Terming the 2010-11 budget presented by Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee as of a “pro-big business” and a “pro-rich” orientation, the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) Friday said it would move a cut motion in parliament on the Finance Bill, if the government did not withdraw the increased excise duties for petrol and diesel.
The party politburo said it would hold discussions with all the secular opposition parties to coordinate the opposition to the budget provisions.
In a statement issued here a day after the meeting Thursday of the party politburo, the CPI-M said: “The politburo was of the opinion that the union budget of 2010 is of a pro-big business, pro-rich orientation. This is evident from fact that Rs.80,000 crore tax concessions have been given to the corporates, and on the other hand, there is a Rs.3,000 crore cut in fertiliser subsidy and Rs.400 crore cut in food subsidy”.”
Though direct taxes have been reduced, there is an across the board increase in indirect taxes which burden the common man, it said.
“A particularly objectionable feature is the increase in the excise and customs duties for petrol and diesel which alone amounts to Rs.26,000 crore. Instead of taking steps to curb price rise, these measures are going to fuel inflation,” said the statement.
The party demanded that the government rescind the increase in customs and excise duties for petrol and diesel, otherwise it will move a cut motion.