Increase in fuel price a cruel joke on common man: Cong

Ludhiana: A unit of district Congress on Friday protested the Aam Aadmi Party government’s decision to hike prices of petrol, diesel, and electricity in Punjab.
The state government hiked the prices of petrol and diesel by 61 paise and 92 paise per litre, respectively. The government also withdrew power subsidy of Rs 3 per unit given to domestic consumers.
The decisions were taken in a meeting of cabinet ministers, chaired by chief minister Bhagwant Mann, in Chandigarh.The government said the prices were increased to address the state’s financial conditions.
Senior Congress leaders, including former MLAs, led by district president Sanjay Talwar raised slogans against the state government at Tibba Road.
The protest was part of Congress’s state-wide protests.
They also handed over a memorandum demanding the immediate reversal of these price increases to the district administration.
“The AAP government is playing a cruel joke on the people of Punjab. By raising the prices of essential commodities like petrol, diesel, and electricity, they are pushing the middle class and the poor into deeper financial distress. We are here to make it clear that we will not stand by and watch as this government robs from the pockets of Punjabis. This is the state government’s way to fund their self-advertisement budget,” said Sanjay Talwar.
He said that the hike in essential commodities has put a huge financial burden on the common man, who is already struggling with inflation.
“These decisions of the AAP government are a clear betrayal of their election promises and a proof of their agenda for the people of Punjab,” said Ishwarjot Cheema.
He said the people of Punjab, especially who belong to middle- and lower-income groups, will facing financial pressure due to the hike.
“The hike in fuel price will affect the prices of all essential goods and services at all levels and it will further reduce the purchasing power of the common man. Similarly, increase in electricity prices will not only affect households, but will also half the growth of small businesses and industrial units, which are the backbone of our state’s economy,” said Cheema.
“We demand that the AAP government immediately roll back the hike in petrol and diesel prices and also reduce electricity rates,” said Rakesh Pandey, former Congress MLA.