The Hindu : Kerala / Kochi News : All-round protest against hike in diesel, LPG prices

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Sunday, Jun 26, 2011
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All-round protest against hike in diesel, LPG prices

Staff Reporter

‘Higher fuel charges will cause price spiral'

— Photo: Vipin Chandran

BURNING ISSUE: Activists of Kerala Mahila Sanghom protesting against fuel price hike in

KOCHI: Trade bodies, residents' organisations and political parties have slammed the latest hike in the price of diesel, kerosene and cooking gas, calling it a challenge thrown at the ordinary people, who were already protesting against the hike in the price of petrol earlier this year.

A statement issued by Ernakulam Merchants' Union said the price hike came at a time when crude was ruling low and called for bringing back government control over the price of petroleum products.

The statement, issued by general secretary Leo Paul, said that peoples' representatives were not elected to hound the voters. The statement also pointed to the recent protests against corruption in public offices as an example of how the government would have to fear the wrath of the common people on the issue of fuel price rise.

All India Centre of Trade Unions called for the withdrawal of the price hike, and called it unjustified as it came at a time when the crude oil price was low.

A statement issued by president Alupuram Zakkeer demanded that the Petroleum Minister should be ousted from his post. Secretary of the CPI (ML) Red Flag P. J. Johnson said in a statement that the Union government had once again conceded the demand by petroleum monopolies. The latest hike in the price of petroleum products would cause a price spiral, the statement said.

The Residents' Apex Council Ernakulam (RACe) issued a statement through its general secretary Kuruvilla Mathews demanding that the price hike should be withdrawn as it was unbearable for the ordinary people.

Secretary of the Ernakulam District Residents' Associations Apex Council D.G. Suresh demanded the withdrawal of the price hike and called for a comprehensive enquiry into the losses made by the oil companies.

General secretary of the Ernakulam District Consumer Protection Council Roy Thekkan said in a statement that the latest hike in the price of diesel, kerosene and cooking gas would result in a 40 per cent rise in the cost of living for the people and called on the government to withdraw the order.

Kerala Latin Catholic Association general secretary Shaji George said in a statement that the Union government was working in such a fashion that it was doubtful whether it was mindful of the problems facing the ordinary people of the country.

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