1. As a concession, the government suspended a planned hike in the price of gasoline and tolls. 2. But the leftist-dominated parliament passed a law banning the planned hike. 3. He said under such circumstances, the government should implement a planned hike in the consumption tax as scheduled. 4. The government has justified its planned hike in corporate taxes by saying that businesses will be the first to benefit from a single European currency. 5. The planned hike was sharply criticized at home and abroad as a move by the government to muzzle the press. 6. Trucker union leaders agreed to unblock roads after the government pledged to suspend a planned hike in the price of road tolls, said a Transportation Ministry statement. 7. But the planned hike in the consumption tax next April to five percent from three percent and an eventual rise in interest rates may dampen near-term residential demand. 8. The communists in the multi-party government and the Hindu nationalist opposition have opposed the planned hike. |