Congress protests against rise in LPG, petrol prices

New Delhi: The Delhi Congress workers held demonstrations in 280 blocks across the national capital, on Sund-ay, to lodge their protest against the rising prices of petrol, diesel, kerosene, LPG, and other essential commodities. The protestors squarely blamed the BJP-run government at the Centre and AAP administration in Delhi for the steep price hike.

Addressing his workers, Delhi Congress president Ajay Maken said people have understood the fact that Congress is the only party that can rule the country under the leadership of Congress chief Rahul Gandhi. Holding both the BJP and AAP responsible for the rising prices, Mr Maken said that the BJP-led government at the Centre had increased the excise duty 11 times on petrol and diesel whereas AAP government in Delhi had increased VAT thrice on these products.

He said that in 2013-14, the rates of crude oil in the international market was $105.52 per barrel, whereas in 2016-17 these rates came down to $47.56 per barrel. However, he said, the prices of petrol and diesel are increasing continuously and diesel is Rs 62.88 per litre, while petrol is Rs 72.26 in Delhi.

According to Mr Maken, if excise and VAT are removed from petrol and diesel, the rates of these products would drastically come down. He further said that the poor people were still striving to have two meals a day. In 2014, rice was sold at Rs 21 per kg whereas it is being sold at Rs 40 per kg as of now, he added.

Listing the rates of various products, Mr Maken said that kerosene oil was available at Rs 14.96 per litre in 2014 but it has shot to Rs 22.65 per litre this year. Whereas one LPG cylinder was available for Rs 414 in 2014, the same is now being sold at Rs 736.

Mr Maken said that though Prime Minister Narendra Modi had promised to provide employment to 2 crore people in a year and CM Arvind Kej-riwal had assured employment to 10 lakh people in Delhi, both have failed in fulfilling their promises.