Fuel price hike leaves India fuming

Various political parties, including the BJP and Left, slammed the central government on Saturday for the latest hike in the prices of petroleum products.

The central government had increased the prices of diesel, kerosene and cooking gas respectively by Rs 3 per litre, Rs 2 per litre and Rs 50 per cylinder with effect from Friday midnight.

Slamming the government for the hike, the Left parties asked all their units to immediately conduct hartals, demonstrations and protests.

The CPI(M), CPI, RSP and Forward Bloc said it was "another cruel blow" to the common man as the rise in diesel price would raise transportation cost and affect farmers, while the kerosene and LPG cylinder price rise would burden the poor.

In Delhi, BJP activists marched towards Parliament but were prevented by police who resorted to use of water canons to disperse the protesters.

Chanting slogans against Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, UPA president Sonia Gandhi and Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit, they alleged that the price rise had broken the back of common man.The activists also courted arrest.

Image: Residents hold placards and shout slogans during a demonstration against fuel price hike by the government, in Ahmadabad

Text: Agencies

Images courtesy: AP