NEW DELHI, August 13: The United Front yet again deferred a decision on oil price hike and resolved to improve ``floor coordination in Parliament'' to avoid any embarrassment to the Gujral government.

The United Front partners also resolved to ensure the presence of their MPs on August 16 to vote for Vice-Presidential candidate Krishan Kant. In return, Prime Minister Gujral promised to consult all floor leaders of the ruling parties before introducing any new bill in Parliament.

These decisions were taken at the Front's standing and steering committees tonight after prolonged discussions. It was felt that the UF should present a picture of unity.

Front's spokesman and Information and Broadcasting Minister S Jaipal Reddy said a decision of the oil price hike would be taken at the next meeting for which no date had been fixed. However, sources in the UF said the standing committee would meet on August 21 as deficit in the oil pool account had risen to Rs 24,500 crore and if the public distribution system is to be implemented effectively, the government should be allowed to raise the oil prices.

Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.