The Indian National Congress will hold symbolic protests at petrol pumps all over the country today against the rise in the fuel prices.
Congress general secretary KC Venugopal, said during these symbolic protests, issues of public interest like the problems being faced by the public due to the soaring prices of petrol, diesel and cooking gas, the unparalled economic slowdown, the increasing unemployment and escalating prices of all basic commodities will be emphasized.
“Aggrieved by this antipathy and exploitation of the citizens of the country, the Congress party has decided to hold symbolic protests in front of petrol pumps across the country on Friday, June 11, 2021, against the rising prices of petrol and diesel, demanding withdrawal of the hike in fuel prices,” he said.
The Congress leader said due BJP government’s wrong policies, the people have been fighting against the impact of Covid-19 for the last 15 months.
“On one hand they could not get medicines and health facilities at the right time, on the other, they have been suffering because of the failing economy and widespread unemployment.
He added instead of sympathising with the problems of the commoners, the BJP government has decided to neglect the sufferings of the people and continue to inflict pain by increasing the petrol and diesel prices every other day.
The BJP government has increased excise duty by Rs 23.87 per litre on petrol and Rs 28.37 on diesel when compared to the earlier UPA regime, Venugopal said.
He added due to the wrong policies and hefty taxes, petrol prices in several parts of the country have crossed Rs 100 per litre these days, while diesel prices are on the verge of reaching Rs 100 per litre.
“The wrong priorities and anti-people policies of the BJP government can also be gauged from the fact that in the last 13 months of the corona epidemic, the prices of petrol and diesel have been increased by an unprecedented Rs 25.97 and Rs 24.18 respectively. In the last five months alone, the prices of petrol and diesel have been increased 44 times, which is a living example of loot from the public by the BJP government at the Centre,” he alleged.
Mr. Venugopal said that the symbolic protests will be organised by the local units of the Congress, following the Covid-19 protocols directed by the local, district and state administrations of the particular localities. He added there will be no public gatherings in the process of the protests.
