Press Statement
The Polit Bureau of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) has issued the following statement:
The CPI(M) strongly opposes the hike in the price of petrol by four rupees and diesel by two rupees a litre respectively. The Government has shown its contempt for Parliament by taking such a decision on the very eve of the budget session. The hikes are unjustified and unwarranted because the international prices of crude oil are still much lower than at their peak last year. These price hikes will have a cascading impact leading to all round price rise. At a time when there is a relentless increase in prices of essential commodities including foodgrains, sugar, edible oil, pulses, vegetables this is a cruel first gift from the Government to the aam aadmi. The CPI(M) demands withdrawal of these hikes.
The CPI(M) calls upon its units to mobilize the people to protest against these hikes.