Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal criticized Centre Govt decision of increasing the prices of petrol and urged UPA Govt to immediately withdraw the hike in petrol price which had badly crushed common-man because of increase in price of petrol. In a reaction to the price hike made by Government of India in patrol retail sale, he said that since the time UPA was heading Government at the Centre, people of the country were repeatedly being burdened with price hike of essential commodities and services one after the other.
He said that the petrol hike was bound to increase the prices of essential commodities consumed by poor and under privileged, who already were finding it hard to make both ends meet conveniently. He said that the Centre waited till the ongoing Budget Session was over and immediately thereafter announced the hike which was a stab on the back of the people of the country and disgrace to the Parliament as well.
Chief Minister said that while the prices of oil were lowering in the International market, UPA Government was increasing the same to widen the gap between rich and poor. He said that such a big hike would disturb family budget not only of the poor but middle class as well and demanded immediate withdrawal of the same in the interest of general public of the country.
He said that price rise was Central subject and the State Government had been making all-out efforts to provide relief to the consumers. He said that Himachal Pradesh had already decreased VAT on diesel and petrol besides increasing purchasing power of the people by providing them better economic packages and incentives under different schemes to withstand price rise in the open markets.
