Ranchi, May 15: The Congress and the RJD, partners in the JMM-led ruling alliance in Jharkhand, on Friday criticised the fuel price hike, saying it would further fuel inflation and hit common people, while the BJP defended the decision, calling it necessary for the survival of oil companies.
Petrol and diesel prices were increased by Rs 3 per litre each, marking the first hike in over four years, as state-run fuel retailers passed on part of the impact of rising global crude oil prices triggered by the West Asia conflict.
The Congress announced statewide protests on Saturday, demanding withdrawal of the hike.
“The hike will impact common people. The prices of all essential commodities, which are already skyrocketing, will rise further. It will be difficult for the poor and marginalised to survive,” Jharkhand Congress media in-charge Rakesh Sinha said.
He said the party would stage demonstrations at district headquarters and burn effigies of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Jharkhand RJD spokesperson Kailash Yadav said, “After the hike, milk, vegetables, grains, and other essential commodities will become costlier, and the financial condition of the majority of daily wage workers will deteriorate. There will also be an adverse impact on buses, autos, small vehicles, cabs, and tour travel services.”
He alleged that the common people are in deep distress due to the wrong policies of the Centre.
“The Union government is failing on every front due to unclear foreign, agriculture, industrial, and education policies,” he alleged.
Jharkhand BJP defended the hike, saying oil companies were under huge pressure.
“They were suffering daily losses of Rs 1,200 to Rs 1,300 crore. Had the oil companies collapsed, it would have been a terrible signal for the economy. Therefore, it was a difficult decision for the oil companies, but required for their survival,” BJP spokesperson Pratul Shahdeo said.
He claimed that petrol and diesel prices increased by 210 per cent and 220 per cent respectively between 2004 and 2014 during the UPA regime, while the increase was 60 per cent and 70 per cent respectively between 2014 and 2026 during the NDA regime.
Meanwhile, people crowded fuel stations across Jharkhand on Friday amid rumours of shortage in petrol and diesel, prompting the local administrations to urge the public to refrain from panic buying and not pay heed to any misinformation.
Serpentine queues of two-wheelers and cars were seen at almost all fuel stations, even as representatives of oil companies asserted that there was no shortage.
