All-party rally against petrol hike

Telugu Desam Party activists burning effigy as a protest against fuel price hike in Hyderabad on Wednesday.

All major political parties took out rallies protesting the increase in prices of petroleum products in the district headquarters across the State and also in the twin cities.

Activists of the Telugu Desam, the BJP and the CPI(M) participated in the processions and burnt effigies representing the Centre. Telugu Desam MP M.V. Mysoora Reddy at a press conference here criticised the UPA government on the hike, the eighth one since 2004.

He said, while there was nothing that could be done on the fluctuations in the international market, the government could consider reduction in taxation on petroleum products , he said. Reduction in the levies apart, there was a need for cost-cutting especially on the infrastructure and network expansion by oil companies. If these were taken up, the government could straightaway reduce petrol prices by Rs. 8 a litre, he said.

The ‘Vyavasaya Karmika Sangham, Progressive Women’s Organisation, All-India Kisan Mazdoor Sabha, Progressive Youth League and Gummadi Narsaiah, MLA of CPI (ML-New Democrary)demanded immediate withdrawal of new pricing.