BJP demands reduction of oil prices

Bangalore, Aug 17: Senior BJP Vice president and Rajya Sabha member Venkaiah Naidu has demanded the Union government to reduce prices of petroleum products in the country, following sharp decline of oil prices at the International market on Sunday Aug 17.

Addressing newspersons here Mr Naidu said the Union government effected oil price hike when petroleum product prices touched 150 dollars per barrel which came down to 115 dollars per barrel now.

Charging that the Union government has become insensitive to the plight of the commoners suffering heavily due to steep rise in the prices of essential commodities, the BJP leader said despite easing of oil prices at international market, the inflation rate in India has reached mindboggling 13 per cent now.

Stating that the GDP growth rate has come down to 5.2 per cent from 10.5 per cent during the UPA rule, despite the record production of food grains, oilseeds and cereals.

''The growth rate under the present region has taken a beating as RBI was on the spree of increasing interest rate which is 13 per cent now from 7 percent five years back'' he said.

Mr Naidu said the BJP office bearers will meet tomorrow at New Delhi and discuss about the Jammu and Kashmir situation, price rise and the sufferings of people of the country due to mishandling of the economic situation by the government.

Replying to questions Mr Naidu said the BJP prefers dissolution of Jharkhand assembly and face fresh elections. The Congress seems to have back-tracked its promise made to Jharkhand Mukti Morcha leader Shibu Soren in exchange of support to trust vote in Lok Sabha.

''The BJP in Jharkhand will not try to form government in the event of the collapse of the Madhu Khoda government which was threatened by withdrawal of support of JMM'' he said.

UNI