Ranchi:: Communist Party of India (Marxist) has strongly condemned the Central Government’s decision to increase the prices of petrol, diesel and CNG, terming it anti-people and burdensome for the common masses. The party said that the hike of ₹3 per litre in petrol and diesel and ₹2 per kilogram in CNG will further increase the hardship of working people already struggling with inflation, unemployment, pending wages and economic distress.
The party stated that the claim made by Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) regarding “under-recovery” due to rising global crude oil prices is misleading and unacceptable. According to CPI(M), despite lower international crude prices in recent years, oil companies earned huge profits. The statement added that
“under-recovery” does not indicate actual losses, but rather the gap between current earnings and the larger profits companies could have earned with higher fuel prices.
CPI(M) alleged that the Modi government has also earned excessive revenue through heavy taxation on petroleum products instead of providing relief to the public. The party said that whenever international fuel prices fluctuate, the burden is directly shifted onto common people.
The party further said that the fuel price hike will not only affect transportation costs but will also lead to an increase in the prices of essential commodities, agricultural inputs and basic services. The rise in CNG prices, it added, will directly impact auto drivers, transport workers and millions dependent on affordable public and shared transport services.
Demanding immediate withdrawal of the increased fuel prices, CPI(M) appealed to all its units across Jharkhand to organise protest demonstrations against the decision.
The statement was issued by state secretary Prakash Viplav.
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