Akali Dal to support Bharat bandh on Thursday

The ruling Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) in Punjab on Wednesday extended support to the Bharat bandh call given by the National Democratic Alliance  (NDA) and other parties on September 20 against  diesel price hike, reduction in subsidy on LPG cylinders and foreign direct investment  in retail sector by the Congress led UPA government.

Party spokesperson Dr. Daljit Singh Cheema said that the Akali Dal has instructed all the district units,  party office bearers, MPs, MLAs and other senior leaders to ensure that all shops, bazaars, shopping malls and other commercial establishments remain closed on  September 20. Only emergency services will be exempted from the bandh.

Cheema also said memorandums would be submitted to the President of India highlighting the consequences of the extreme decisions by UPA government. SAD also demanded immediate rollback of decisions.
 
He said that the party appeals to all trade and industrial organizations and people of the state  to fully support the bandh by voluntarily closing their commercial establishments on Thursday.

The Centre on Sep 14 hiked the price of heavily subsidised diesel by Rs 5/per litre to rein in its fiscal deficit. The government has been facing the heat from the Opposition for immediate rollback in the price of diesel.

The government also cut down the quantity of LPG cylinders to six a year prompting angry reactions across the country.

Related Stories

Mamata toughens stand, rules out compromise

DMK to join nation-wide bandh against Centre