Chandigarh, May 15
Haryana Pradesh Congress Committee President Rao Narendra Singh strongly criticized the BJP government over the continuous increase in petrol and diesel prices, stating that the anti-people policies of the Central Government have forced citizens to bear the double burden of inflation. He said that the constant rise in fuel prices is pushing the common man’s life into crisis and severely disturbing household budgets across the country.
Singh said that on May 15, the Central Government increased fuel prices by more than ₹3 per litre, thereby imposing an unnecessary burden on the public. He stated that the increase in diesel prices has the greatest impact on transportation and the prices of essential commodities. Rising costs of trucks and goods carriers make fruits, vegetables, milk, grains, and daily necessities more expensive, directly affecting the pockets of the poor and middle-class families.
The State Congress President further said that higher petrol and diesel prices are also increasing fares of auto-rickshaws, buses, and taxis, making travel difficult and costly for ordinary citizens. Operating private vehicles is also gradually going beyond the reach of common families. He added that the agricultural sector is also facing serious consequences. The rising cost of diesel-operated tractors, tube wells, and irrigation pumps is continuously increasing farming expenses, pushing farmers deeper into financial distress. He remarked that while the BJP government talks about doubling farmers’ income, in reality it is increasing their expenditure and debt burden.
Singh said that the industrial and business sectors are also suffering due to rising fuel prices. Increased transportation costs for raw materials and finished products are making production more expensive, the burden of which is ultimately falling on consumers. He said that every family in the country today is troubled by inflation. Household kitchen expenses have increased, spending on children’s education and healthcare has gone up, while incomes remain stagnant. As a result, people are being forced to cut down on essential expenditures.
Singh demanded that the Central Government immediately reduce the heavy taxes imposed on petrol and diesel so that relief can be provided to the common people and inflation can be brought under control. The Haryana Congress President also informed that instructions have been issued to all District Congress Committee Presidents to organize protest demonstrations at their respective district headquarters on any one day between May 18 and 20 against the increased petrol and diesel prices, and to submit memorandums addressed to the President of India in order to build pressure on the Central Government to roll back the price hike.
