Parties oppose hike in fuel prices

The BJP demands a rollback in the prices of petrol and diesel

Opposition parties, including the BJP and the Left, on Wednesday opposed the hike in fuel prices in the Lok Sabha.

Raising the issue during zero hour, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Ananth Kumar said: "It is unfortunate that petrol and diesel prices were being increased regularly."

He said the reason behind the regular increase in fuel prices was the economic mismanagement of the United Progressive Alliance government.

"We want a clear assurance from the finance minister and petroleum minister that there would be no curfew on petrol pumps," he said in an apparent reference to the recent controversy over a reported statement by oil minister Veerappa Moily on closing petrol pumps from 8 pm to 8 am daily.

The BJP leader also demanded a rollback in the prices of petrol and diesel.

Communist Party of India-Marxist MP Basudeb Acharia said deregulation of petrol and diesel prices has resulted in oil companies increasing fuel prices almost every month. "There should be a rollback immediately".

He demanded a restructuring of the tax on fuel products.

Prabhunath Singh of the Rashtriya Janata Dal said the hike in fuel prices was putting unnecessary pressure on the common man, especially the farmers.

"The tax should be reduced. At least for farmers, diesel should be given at subsidised rates," he said.

Trinamool Congress member Saugata Roy said the economy continues to be in a mess despite the prime minister's assurances.

"The government has been a total failure in managing the economy," he said adding no drastic steps have been taken to prevent the fall of the rupee.

Petrol and diesel prices were hiked by Rs.2.35 and Rs.0.50 per litre, excluding state taxes, from midnight Aug 31.

This was the sixth increase in rates since June and, in all, petrol prices since then have gone up by a whopping Rs.9.17 per litre, excluding VAT.