CPM terms petrol, diesel price hike unreasonable

Jaipur, Jun 6: Terming the hike in fuel prices 'unreasonable,'' the Communist Party of India (Marxist) has warned of demonstrations at various places in the state.

The CPM feels the hike will hit the labours, workers, farmers and middle class the most. The party will participate in the maha rally on June 13, CPM leader Ravindra Shukla said here today.

The party has asked workers to hold protests outside the factories and it would telegram Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to have a relook into the issue.

''It seems the Prime Minister is more concerned about the benefits of the petrol companies than the common man. The protest cannot be one day demonstration. It will have to be continuous and prolonged,'' Mr Shukla said.

The CPM has urged all Left parties to join in the agitation.

Meanwhile, state Congress chief B D Kalla said the price hike is in accordance with the rise in international crude prices. He, however, urged the state government to reduce the sales tax on petrol and diesel, which will automatically bring down the prices.

''The sales tax on petrol and diesel is highest in Rajasthan. It is as high as 28 per cent, when compared to other states. If the BJP government reduces the sales tax, the prices will come down naturally,'' Dr Kalla said.

The Nationalist Congress Party says the hike is against the common man's interests and demanded ''discount'' in the prices.

State NCP chief Shriram Gotewala said the sales tax on petroleum products should be reduced, the petrol companies should control their expenditure and demanded transparency in the rises in petrol prices.

Rajasthan Pradesh Bank Employees Union and All India Bank Officers Association today held a demonstration before the State Bank of Bikaner and Jaipur branch in Chaura rasta during their lunch break.

Union's general secretary Mahesh Mishra said there has been a 20 per cent hike in prices in the last two years which will have a cascading effect on prices of all other commodities.

UNI

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