Left parties protest sixth petrol price hike this year

Hyderabad: Protesting against petrol and diesel prices hike, the CPM has burnt the effigy of the UPA government at RTC cross roads on Sunday. Expressing its anguish over the price rise, declining rupee value, falling GDP and growing unemployment, the party has demanded the government to change its policies, lest the nation would pay heavy price in coming years.

Speaking to media, BV Raghavulu, state secretary said that this was the sixth time that the government hiked petrol price in three months and diesel price for eighth time in eight months. Expressed anxiety he said that kerosene and gas would also become much dearer within a week. “If America attacks Syria, the prices will shoot up further,” he pointed out.

He called upon people to join protests by the party in districts, divisions and mandals all the over the State on September 5 and 6.

CPI state secretary Dr K Narayana, in a press statement demanded government to bear the burden by providing subsidy to the oil companies, rather pushing the common man to the brink. He held that establishing a Price Control Bank (Nidhi) would solve the problem. According to him, it was the continued instability in the Middle East which is affecting the oil prices. CPI will also hold protests in all its units in the State, stated the release.