New Delhi, November 13
The impasse over the reduction of petrol prices continues with the UPA-Left coordination committee tonight failing to reach an agreement, even as the international crude oil prices was quoted around $58 per barrel.

“No agreement has been reached on oil prices,” said Mr Prakash Karat, CPM general secretary, after a three-hour-long meeting. The CPM leader had last week written a letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, arguing for reduction in the petrol prices. He stated that the consumers should get the benefit when the oil prices in the international market fall.

On the controversial issue of special economic zones (SEZs) the UPA leadership refused to accede to the demands of the Communists of complete review of the SEZ Act. However, the only consolation for the Left leaders was that the Manmohan Singh government agreed that the GoM, which is looking after the issue, would consider the concerns of the Left leaders before taking any decision.The Left parties felt the government should not acquire land from farmers directly for SEZs and instead left the job to the companies.

The Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) Bill was discussed at length in the meeting, but no conclusive decision was reached. The negotiations with the government on the issue would continue. During the meeting, the Left parties asked the UPA government not to allow private parties to manage pension funds.

The government agreed to table the original Womens’ Reservation Bill and the Tribal Forest Rights Bill in the forthcoming session.