The Congress Jharkhand unit staged protests at petrol pumps across the state on Friday against steep rise in prices of petrol, diesel and domestic gas, accusing the BJP of creating another disaster in the form of rising inflation to hurt common people in the country.
State party president Rameshwar Oraon took part in the agitation at Bariatu fuel station for two hours while other workers, MPs and MLAs did so in different places holding banners and posters criticising the Narendra Modi government.
Oraon said that the steep rise in fuel prices is directly proportional to inflation in other sectors, mainly essential items.
“When was the last time one heard about the fall in prices of petrol and LPG gas? Rise in fuel prices lead to increase in transportation cost, which further ups the prices of all commodities. At a time when people are battling job losses, salary cuts due to the covid-19 pandemic, prices of all items are only going upward. The BJP government in the Centre is responsible for this price mayhem. The party demands rollback of the price hikes,” said Oraon.
The protests were held for over two hours from noon. Party spokesperson Alok Dubey accused BJP of creating one after another disaster in the country. “Price hikes are a disaster. The Modi government hasn’t just proved to be a disaster in tackling covid-19 pandemic owing to its shoddy policies, but it has also succeeded in creating another disaster named inflation. Days are not far when aam-admi will hit the streets against the price hikes,” he said.
At present, petrol and diesel prices in Ranchi are Rs 92.08 and 91.58 respectively.
Citing the intensity of fuel price hikes, Lal Kishorenath Shahdeo, another senior party worker, added, “Between May 4 to June 9, fuel prices have been increased 21 times. Since January 2021 so far, prices have been hiked 47 times. Ironically, all the hikes are taking place when global crude oil prices have fallen. This clearly indicates the poor economic management of the Modi government, whose only agenda is to loot commoners through various taxes and inflation to fill coffers of their corporate friends,” he alleged.
