Oppose Hike in Petrol and Diesel PricesThe hike of petrol and diesel prices of one and two rupees respectively per litre is yet another attack an the common people is it is going to fall over them a indirect attack through further increase in prices of all essential commodities and in charges of transport and other vital services. As usual the central government has justified the hike in the name of hike in prices of crude oil in international market. But the government could avoid it by cutting down the hefty taxes charged on petroleum products, as a result of which their prices in India is highest compared to other South Asian countries. The earning from these taxes is about one lakh crores of rupees which the centre is not ready to cut down. Similar is the approach of state governments also.Secondly, even when prices of petroleum products are going up and Indian deficiency in this sector is increasing continuously, there are no efforts on the port of the governments and ruling as well as opposition parties to promote public transport and railways. On the contrary private vehicles are promoted and automobile lobby is allowed to increase its hegemony.Thirdly, under imperialist globalization the oil sector is also increasingly privatized. Not only refining and distribution, search for oil, exploration and oil wells are privatized. Neither the government is promoting and expanding the public sector ventures in the field of oil exploration, drilling, refining and distribution. The above explanation shows how the government is playing to the tune of imperialist powers. The hike in petrol – diesel prices has given rise to all round price rise of all essential commodities. It has made people’s life more miserable. A protracted campaign and struggle should be launched to expose the anti-people character of the Congress-led and CPI(M) supported government which has hiked the prices repeatedly.We appeal to the people to expose the anti-people character of this government and to launch vigorous campaign for reversing of the price-rise.
