Rise in petroleum prices to affect consumers badly: Patnaik

Bhubaneswar, Jun 4 (UNI) Orissa Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today criticised the Centre for raising the prices of petrol, diesel and cooking gas sying the rise in prices of petroleum goods would affect the consumers harshly as the inflation rate was very high.

Mr Patnaik said his government would demand the Centre to waive the taxes on petroleum products.

The Union government today raised the prices of diesel by Rs three, petrol by Rs five and LPG by Rs 50 per cylinder.

BJP legislature party leader and Rural Development Minister Biswa Bhushan Harichandan said the prices of essential commodities had risen unprecedently during the UPA rule adding that it would push up the prices further.

He demanded immediate withdrawal of the hike failing which, his party would intensify agitation throughout the state.

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