Badal terms reduction in petrol price as "interim relief"

Terming the slashing of petrol prices by the UPA government as an "interim relief", Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today said the Centre was preparing ground for an "exorbitant hike" in the near future.
Talking to reporters on the sidelines of the concluding leg of his two-day Sangat Darshan programme in Fatehgarh Churian Assembly segment here, Badal claimed the reduction of petrol prices was a strategy of the UPA government to garner support in view of the upcoming elections in four states.
"The situation will further worsen in future as the Centre will go for a steep hike in petrol prices in the coming days," he said.

Badal alleged the Union government was hand-in-glove with big oil companies and was leaving no stone unturned to extend largesses to them at the cost of the common man.
On the hike in prices of diesel, the Chief Minister said, it would prove fatal for the farming community "which is already reeling under a whopping debt due to anti-farmer policies of the UPA government".
"The Centre's move (to increase diesel prices) will further accentuate the woes of the common man, who cannot even manage two square meals a day due to the spiralling prices," Badal added.

The Chief Minister said sudden surge in the cases of disrespect to people from the Sikh community in foreign countries was an unfortunate development and added that the Ministry of External Affairs must use all diplomatic channels to register their protest.

"It is obligatory on the part of the Centre to safeguard the interests of minority communities," he said.
Blaming the Union government for failing to check cross border smuggling of drugs in the state, Badal said the central agencies have been unable to discharge their duties.
When asked to comment on the arrangements made by the state government for procurement of paddy, the Chief Minister said it was the foremost duty of the government to ensure hassle-free procurement of the produce and added that all arrangements have been made for smooth procurement also to facilitate the farmers.