Cong workers protest against fuel price hike
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 15: The Congress party today held a protest demonstration at Talab Tillo here against the Government for the continuing incessant hike in fuel prices all over India.
The protest was organized and led by Sanjeev Sharma, secretary PCC in-charge Block No. 4, and Corporator Ward No. 30, Sonika Sharma.
Prominent senior Congress leaders who participated in the protest were former minister Raman Bhalla (Vice president JKPCC), former minister Yogesh Sawhney, general secretary JKPCC & Incharge District president Jammu (U), Th Manmohan Singh, general secretary PCC, Rajnish Sharma, Co-Treasurer JKPCC, Rajvir Singh and Dr Ramakant Khajuria.
The protesters were moving towards the DC office in order to submit an official memorandum detailing their issues and demands pertaining to the rise in petrol, diesel and gas prices. However, they were not allowed to do so as their march was stopped by the Police. The protest concluded, therefore, at Talab Tillo Chowk.
The people held placards and raised slogans against the Government in a bid to raise their voice against the day by day increasing petrol and diesel prices. The relentless price hike was criticized by the leaders who demanded an immediate cut in taxes to ease the burden on the common man. Central and State taxes make up for over 61 per cent of the retail selling price of petrol and about 56 per cent of diesel. The Union Government levies Rs 32.9 per litre of Excise duty on petrol and Rs 31.80 a litre on diesel.
Speaking on the occasion, Bhalla attacked the Centre over rise in fuel prices, saying people are suffering due to inflation, while the Modi Government is busy in tax collection. The former minister’s attack came a day after petrol and diesel prices in the country touched new all-time highs after rates were increased for the fourth time in the week. He accused the BJP regime of virtually “extorting money from people” and sought an immediate rollback of the increase in prices of petroleum products. Leading the ‘Speak Up Against Fuel Hike’ campaign of the party, he said that people were battling coronavirus pandemic and the Government has increased price of diesel and petrol.
Yogesh Sawhney said that petrol and diesel prices are hitting record highs every day and the Government is not taking any steps to relieve the people from this stress. They are showing their hypocrisy by not taking any action while they were the same people who had pointed fingers at the Congress Government for the same reason, but prices were much lower then. For them, fuel is a cash machine they’re not ready to give up as it brings them high revenues.
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