Ranchi: JMM leaders and workers staged a protest on Thursday against the price increase of 5-kg free trade LPG (FTL) and commercial LPG cylinders, threatening to further escalate their agitation in the coming days.
Protest Details
Carrying empty cylinders and posters criticizing the Union government, over 200 party workers gathered at Subhas Chandra Bose Park in Ranchi's Kutchery area, raising slogans against the BJP-led government.
JMM's Ranchi unit convener Mushtaq Alam stated, "Like demonetization, people in the country are again forced to stand in queues, but this time for cylinders. Hotels are incurring heavy financial losses due to the rise in commercial cylinder prices coupled with short supply. We demand a rollback of price hikes."
Impact of West Asia Tensions
Due to tensions in West Asia since last month, fuel supplies have been affected across the country. Although the situation has moderately improved compared to a few weeks ago, many still complain of delayed cylinder deliveries. Alam added, "The Union government's policy paralysis has forced people to go hungry as many still find it hard to get cylinders."
BJP's Response
The opposition BJP hit back at JMM's protest, calling it political drama. BJP state president Aditya Sahu said, "JMM's agitation is nothing but a failed attempt to hide its party's failures on every issue and divert attention from burning issues in the state. Amid global turmoil, when the entire world was worried, the Union government reduced excise duty on petrol and diesel by Rs 10 per litre, providing major relief to citizens."
Sahu further questioned, "If JMM is so concerned about the welfare of common people, why doesn't it reduce VAT on petrol and diesel? In Jharkhand, industries are on the verge of closure due to a hike in electricity tariffs by the state. Common people are troubled by expensive electricity bills."
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About the Author: ASRP Mukesh holds over 15 years of journalistic experience. He covers government, politics, and human interest stories from Jharkhand.
