Congress protests on hike in fuel prices; Bharat Bandh

Last updated Sep 9, 2018

NP NEWS NETWORK

Pune

Increase in prices of diesel and petrol was witnessed by the nation on Friday. According to the past records, prices of fuel have increased rapidly with time. And, this decision by government is a new opportunity for the opposition parties to target Modi government.

To support the agitation, Congress will hold a nationwide protest against increase in prices on 10 September, Monday. In the protest, whole nation will be shut down for a day from 9 am to 3 pm.

[amazon_link asins=’B07D9G1GHB’ template=’ProductCarousel’ store=’policenama100-21′ marketplace=’IN’ link_id=’a21f5c16-b380-11e8-83ce-3bb9bec5b04b’]

Congress party senior leaders met in Delhi on Thursday where it was decided that apart from the protest of hike in fuel price, the party will also protest against Rafale issue.

Sharad Yadav, a political leader of Loktantric Janta Dal Party, said, “Opposition parties, including the Samajwadi Party, JVM, JMM, DMK and the NCP, will also be supporting Congress in their protest. The ‘bandh’ is being called by almost all the opposition.”

He added, “The BJP governments at the Centre and in states have failed to discharge duties. The prices of petrol and diesel have touched a high record; their attacks on the Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and OBCs have increased sharply.”

[amazon_link asins=’B0756Z43QS’ template=’ProductCarousel’ store=’policenama100-21′ marketplace=’IN’ link_id=’c3826b1a-b380-11e8-990c-138220a5274a’]

“The BJP government is fleecing the common man by increasing excise duties on petrol and diesel”, said Congress communication department head Randeep Surjewala.

“In the last four-and-a-half years, the government has earned Rs 11 lakh crore from taxes on fuels, puncturing the common man’s household budget”, he said.

Adding to that Surjewala mentioned that the prices of petrol and diesel have gone up by around 50 per cent while the excise duties on petrol and diesel have risen by 211 and 443 per cent, respectively, since 2014.

“Diesel and petrol should’ve been brought under GST, but Modi government has refused to do so. RTI has revealed that Modi government is selling diesel for Rs 34/litre and petrol for Rs 37/litre to other countries, whereas in India the price is too high. LPG has increased from Rs 400 to Rs 800. Prices of things that are used daily are inflated under Modi government”, he added.

The Congress has also asked civil society groups and NGOs to join the protest with them.