Terming the nation-wide Bharat bandh called by the Congress party a major success, Chief Minister V. Narayanasamy on Monday said the steep hike in petrol and diesel prices has affected the life of the common man.
Talking to reporters at the assembly, he said the Congress had taken the right step in calling for a bandh against the record hike in price of petroleum products as the Union Government had become insensitive to the plight of common man.
When the United Progressive Alliance was in power the government kept the price of petrol at ₹60 even though crude oil price was $116 per barrel. Now, the crude oil price was only $93 per barrel but the price of petrol in Puducherry itself was ₹80 per litre.
In the last four years, the crude oil price was at its lowest but the NDA government failed to pass the benefits to consumers, the Chief Minister said.
Ms. Bedi had given instructions to the Education Department to ensure that schools remained functional on Monday.
‘Against business rules’
Also, she directed the police department to be stern on those disturbing peace and damaging public property. Mr Narayanasamy said as per business rules, the Lt. Governor can give instructions to the concerned Minister.
“The way she conducted was against business rules. As we are a ruling party, the government had given clear instructions to the police to be stern with those disturbing peace. We have not issued any order to close schools. Then what was the necessity for her to give such instructions,” he said.
The party had also instructed the workers to organise the bandh in a peaceful manner, he said, he said. “Ms. Bedi cannot override the powers of the Cabinet. The Lt. Governor’s conduct was unfortunate and unacceptable,” the Chief Minister said.
Secretary of the Communist Party of India, Salim also slammed Ms. Bedi’s actions. “She was working to defeat the bandh. Her actions gives an impression that she is in support of petrol and diesel price hike,” he added.
