Petrol price hike criticised all over

The recent hike in petrol prices has elicited sharp reaction and strong oppositions from all parts of the country. Political parties, allies ans opposition alike, have slammed the government for the hike.

The Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal) in Punjab reacted strongly, with party President Sukhbir Badal seeking a transparent formula to fix fuel price. Badal said that the argument for increasing the prices despite the crude oil prices going down as the rupee had weakened did not hold water. He demanded an all party committee to determine the rate of petroleum products in order to bring transparency in its price fixation. "...but Congress led UPA government in order to help the oil companies, was scuttling all such proposals," he alleged.

In Uttar Pradesh, the BJP has decided to stage demonstrations across the state, calling the rise as a
major blow to the people already reeling under high inflation. "The party will hold demonstrations at all district headquarters in the state tomorrow to protest against hike in petrol prices," BJP state unit chief Surya Pratap Shahi said.

RLD state president Ashok Singh also demanded roll back hike in price of petrol. "Hike in petrol price will directly affect the common man and it should be rolled back immediately," he said.

The UPA's second largest constituent, Trinamool of West Bengal also reacted strongly, saying they were not consulted before the price hike. "Trinamool Congress, despite being a partner of the UPA government, was not consulted at all before such a decision was taken. I have expressed our party's unhappiness to Pranab Mukherjee," Trinamool Congress' general secretary Mukul Roy said.

This is the second hike in four months. Oil companies had last hiked petrol price by Rs. 5 per litre on May 15.