Left seeks review of fuel price hike, to launch protests from Thu

[K.Karthik Raja]

Left seeks review of fuel price hike, to launch protests from Thu
Wednesday, Jun 4

NEW DELHI - The Left Front today sought a review of the fuel price
hike
and said it will launch countrywide protests from Thursday against the
government's decision to do so.
In a statement issued soon after government's announcement of hike
in fuel
prices, the Left parties--key allies of the ruling coalition--said the
decision will aggravate inflationary pressure.
"In the background of the failure of the government to tackle the
rising
rate of inflation, the hike in petroleum prices will further aggravate
the
inflationary situation," it said.
The government today raised petrol prices by 5 rupees per 1 L,
diesel by 3
rupees per 1 L, and cooking gas by 50 rupees per cylinder, effective
midnight.
The four-party Left Front said the increase in prices of diesel
will have
a "cascading" effect on all-round prices, as transportation costs
would rise
sharply.