JD-U protests hike in fuel prices, says government has failed miserably

New Delhi, Jun 25 (ANI): Protesting against the UPA Government's decision to increase price of petroleum products, the Janata Dal (United) said on Friday that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Government has miserably failed in keeping a check on the price rise.

The government today freed petrol from all pricing controls and hiked diesel prices by Rs 2 a litre. Petrol's cost will go up to Rs 3.73 per litre more, and households will have to pay an additional Rs 35 per cylinder. Kerosene will be dearer by Rs 3 a litre.

Delhi JD-U General Secretary and spokesperson, Prabhat Ranjan, said: "The Congress-led United Progressive Alliance Government's decision is anti-poor and has hurt the sentiments of the common man."

The government instead of curtailing high inflation has increased the prices of diesel and petrol, thereby targeting the common man, he said.

"This will make life very difficult for the common man. The prices are already very high. Inflation has sky rocketed, water prices have gone three folds, electricity prices have gone more than three times along with the public transport fares," Ranjan said.

He added that farmers will be badly hit by the increase in prices as the prices of fertilizers will sky rocket with hike in diesel prices.

The decision was taken by the government after a ministerial panel meeting on freeing up petrol prices and cutting subsidies on diesel, kerosene and cooking gas to help rein in the fiscal deficit. (ANI)