Congress to hold nationwide agitation protesting against fuel price hike on Monday

Following the resounding success of the ‘Shaheedon ko Salaam’ campaign held on Friday, the Congress has announced holding a nationwide agitation on Monday, June 29, against the “unmindful, insensitive and unprecedented hike in the prices of petrol and diesel”, a statement issued by KC Venugopal,MP and AICC General Secretary, In-charge for Organization, said on Saturday.

“The agitation will underline the government's extortionist looting of the common Indian during the COVID-19 crisis,” it said, adding, “Through the protest programs, the party will highlight the heavy burden imposed upon the common people by the anti-people policies of the Central government.”

“In the coming week, between June 30 and July 4, the party will also conduct massive protests at the Taluk/Teshil and block levels,” Venugopal said.

“For the last twenty one consecutive days, the government has been increasing the price of petrol and diesel, in the process putting undue extra burden on the shoulders of the common people,” he pointed out, adding, “The Central Government had amassed huge profits on account of exorbitantly increased central excise duties on petrol and diesel, even as prices of international crude have been at a record low. Rather than passing on the benefits of the low cost of procurement to the people, the government had deliberately kept the price high by increasing the excise duty.”

“The protests by the party against this public looting will include dharnas on June 29 from 11 am to 12 noon in front of Central government offices across the country, following social distancing protocols, under the auspices of PCCs and DCCs,” Venugopal said.

“Apart from this, party MPs, MLA, office bearers, leaders and workers will submit memorandums to the President of India demanding the withdrawal of hikes in the prices of petrol and diesel. On the same day, the party will also hold a social media campaign called ‘Speak up on Petrol and Diesel Price Hike’ to highlight the plights of farmers, taxi and bus owners, transporters, Ola/Uber drivers, labourers and the common people who are suffering from acascading effect of such hikes,” he said.