Opposition parties in the State — the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and the Pattali Makkal Katchi — have slammed the Central government for increasing the prices of petrol, diesel, LPG and kerosene.
In a release, AIADMK general secretary Jayalalithaa said the price rise was coming at a time when people were already reeling under the impact of inflation.
Generally, even when the government raised the prices of petrol and diesel, kerosene would be spared as it is the only fuel of people below the poverty line. However, this time, even that consideration had not been made, she charged.
Further, she took objection to the fact that the Centre had removed the ceiling on petrol price hike.
This would imply that the oil companies could raise the prices citing fluctuations in the global market with an end to making profit.
She also faulted the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, which was part of the Central government, for participating in acts that were inimical to the welfare of the people.
PMK founder S. Ramadoss also stressed the significance of raising kerosene prices. People living below the poverty line and the middle class would be affected because of the hike in prices of kerosene and LPG. Giving oil companies the freedom to fix prices of such essential commodities would mean that the prices would keep rising. He called upon the Centre to reverse this decision.
Dr. Ramadoss also urged the State government to consider the suggestion of the Union government to reduce the sales tax on petroleum products at the State level. If the Tamil Nadu government came forward to do so, the burden on the people would come down substantially, he added.
