Left Parties Stage Protests Over Fuel, LPG Price Hikes

Kakinada:Activists of Left parties staged protests in Rajamahendravaram and Kakinada on Tuesday, demanding an immediate reduction in the prices of LPG, petrol and diesel.

In Rajamahendravaram, CPM activists led by senior leader T. Arun formed a human chain at Syamala Centre and raised slogans against the Centre while displaying placards.

In Kakinada, activists belonging to the CPM, CPI, CPI (ML) New Democracy and other Left organisations staged a rasta roko near the Dr B.R. Ambedkar statue at Indrapalem Junction.

Addressing the protesters, CPM district secretary Karanam Prasada Rao alleged that the NDA government had increased petrol, diesel and LPG prices four times in recent months. He said the increase in the price of commercial LPG cylinders to Rs 3,250 was affecting small traders and adding to the burden on consumers.

He rejected claims that the price increases were linked to international tensions involving the United States, Israel and Iran, and alleged that recent shortages of petrol and diesel were artificially created to benefit private oil companies.

Prasada Rao further alleged that natural gas and oil produced in the Krishna-Godavari Basin were not being supplied to Maharashtra and Gujarat but were being exported to other countries.

CPI district secretary Thokala Prasad said state governments should receive a 50 per cent share in oil production revenues, citing recommendations of the 12th Finance Commission.

He urged Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu and Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan to take up the issue with the Centre and secure the state's share.