Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Mar 24: The Jammu and Kashmir National Conference today said that hike in the petrol and diesel prices will stock inflationary pressure and hit the common man the most.
While addressing party workers at NC office here today additional general secretary Dr Sheikh Mustafa Kamal expressing concern over the sudden hike in petrol, diesel, LPG prices. He said, petrol prices have gone up to Rs 97.01 per litre as against Rs 96.21. Diesel prices have increased from Rs 87.47 per litre to Rs 88.27. LPG price levels are also at record levels. This monster of fossil fuel hike has again been let loose to haunt the poor and middle class families after the elections. Prior to the elections in Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Manipur, Goa and Punjab, the Centre had decided to defer any hikes in prices of fuel or cooking gas, but after the polls, the BJP has revealed its true colours, he added.
Kamaal said the ruling dispensation has uncorked the demons of fuel price hikes on the unsuspecting masses. “Our apprehensions on this account proved right. We had already said that the ruling dispensation has no concern for artisans, tourism players, manufacturers, transporters, hawkers, BPL, salaried and middle class income groups. People have been taken for a ride. Inflation is already skyrocketing,” he said.
“The question that arises here is how was the government then able to put a thaw on price hike despite fluctuations in prices of crude fossil fuels for all these months. Why is it that undue measure has been undertaken eleven days after the election results of five States. If the government was able to put hold on price hike for 137 days why can’t they do it now?” he said.
The measure, he said, will push the already battered economy of Jammu and Kashmir to the point of no return. “People who live by hand to mouth and eke out their living from humble vocations will take a major brunt. The move is highly condemnable, I hope the J&K government comes forward to guard our people from the ill effects of this drastic fuel price hike,” he added.
Senior leaders Showkat Mir, Syed Tauqeer Ahmed, Ahsan Pardesi, Salman Ali Sagar,JS Azad and GN Bhat were also present on the occasion.
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