The CPI(M) will move a cut motion on the Finance Bill if the government does not rescind the hike in customs and excise duties for petrol and diesel.

This was decided at the day-long Politburo meeting here on Thursday, in which the party top brass also demanded bringing of the Women's Reservation Bill, passed by the Rajya Sabha, to the Lok Sabha in this session itself.

Demanding a rollback in customs and excise duties on petrol and diesel, the party said if this was not done, then it would move a cut motion on the Finance Bill.

The CPI(M) would hold consultations with all secular opposition parties to coordinate the opposition to the Budget provisions, a party statement said.

Terming the budget as "pro-big business" and having a "pro-rich orientation", it said this was evident from the fact that Rs 80,000 crore worth of tax concessions were given to corporates, while there was a Rs 3,000 crore cut in fertiliser subsidy and Rs 400 crore cut in food subsidy.

While direct taxes were reduced, there has been an across the board increase in indirect taxes which burden the common man, it said, adding that "a particularly objectionable feature" was a hike in excise and customs duties for petrol and diesel which alone amounted to Rs. 26,000 crore.

"Instead of taking steps to curb price rise, these measures are going to fuel inflation," the party said.

Reiterating its "firm and total" opposition to the Civil Nuclear Liability Bill, the CPI(M) alleged that it was devised in the interests of American companies which wanted to sell nuclear reactors to India.

"Neither the exemption of liability for the foreign suppliers of nuclear equipment nor the cap on the liability for the operator can be supported," it said, maintaining that a large number of parties cutting across political spectrum have come out against the Bill "which does not safeguard the lives and the interests of the people".

The Politburo also strongly opposed the Food Security Bill in its present form as well as the Foreign Education Providers Bill proposed to be introduced in Parliament.

The party demanded withdrawal of the Food Security Bill, describing it as "anti-poor", and sought a legislation to universalise PDS with the entitlement of 35 kgs of foodgrains at Rs two a kg.

"This will be below two per cent of the GDP, much less than the amount of tax foregone in each of the last few budgets," the CPI(M) said.

On the organisational front, the Politburo decided to place a draft of the inner-party rectification report at a meeting of its Central Committee on May 5-7.