CPM says fuel price hike ''callous'',asks party units to protest

Kolkata, Jan 15 (PTI) CPI(M) today described as"callous" the Centre''s decision to raise petrol prices andcalled upon its various units to launch immediate protestagainst the hike.

"The Politburo calls upon all its party units toimmediately protest the callous hike," CPI(M)''s highestpolicy-making body, on a two-day meeting here, said in astatement.

It said the decision to increase the price of petrol byRs. 2.52 per litre showed how the UPA government was ridingroughshod over the interests of the people.

Pointing out that just a few weeks ago the price ofpetrol was hiked by Rs 2.96 per litre, it said the furtherhike which would come into effect from this midnight wouldshoot up the petrol prices by over Rs 5.50 per litre.

"This cruel blow makes a mockery of all the assurancesof the government to take steps to curb price rise. The peopleof this country will not take such burdens on them quietly,"the statement said.