CPI protests diesel price rise and FDI in retail trade

"The UPA government is striking one cruel blow after another. It raised the price of diesel by Rs 5 per litre and restricted subsidised gas cylinder per family to six, meaning the rest would have to be bought at the market price, which is more than double.

"The decision to open multi-brand retail trade to foreign supermarket chains will endanger the livelihood of more than four crore people in retail trade," the CPI said, while staging a protest at the Jantar Mantar here.

Demanding rollback of hike in diesel prices, cap on cylinder refill and introduction of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in retail.

The protest comes in the wake of Union government's last week decision to raise price of diesel by Rs 5, withdraw subsidy on more than six cylinders a year and allow 51 per cent FDI in multi-brand retail.

Holding placards and shouting slogans, the party members alleged that the government's decision has badly hit people.

Led by CPI general secretary S Sudhakar Reddy and MP D Raja, other party leaders appealed people and farmers, workers, women and youth to protest against Centre's anti-people policies.

They also asked transporters, shopkeepers and traders' organisations to hold hartals, picket, demonstrate and court arrest in the forthcoming all India protest day announced by eight parties on September 20.