The Himachal Pradesh Congress party held a protest in Shimla on Wednesday against the recent increase in fuel prices. Party workers gathered at the Ridge, carrying placards and raising slogans against the state and central governments. They accused the BJP-led administration of burdening the common man with rising fuel costs.
Protest Details
The demonstration was led by Himachal Congress president Pratibha Singh and other senior leaders. Addressing the crowd, Singh criticized the government for its failure to control inflation and provide relief to the people. She stated that the fuel price hike would lead to a cascading effect on essential commodities, making life difficult for the poor and middle class.
Key Demands
- Immediate rollback of the fuel price hike
- Reduction in excise duty on petrol and diesel
- Implementation of a special package to ease the burden on consumers
The protesters marched from the Ridge to the Deputy Commissioner's office, where they submitted a memorandum to the district administration. The memorandum demanded that the state government intervene and reduce taxes on fuel. Congress leaders warned of intensified agitation if their demands were not met.
Political Reactions
Reacting to the protest, BJP spokesperson said that the Congress was playing politics over the issue. He argued that the fuel price hike was necessitated by global factors and that the state government was providing subsidies to cushion the impact. The Congress, however, dismissed these claims, stating that the government's policies were pro-corporate and anti-people.
The protest comes amid a nationwide surge in fuel prices, with petrol and diesel rates reaching record highs in many states. In Himachal Pradesh, petrol is currently priced at over Rs 100 per liter, causing widespread concern among the public.
