The State’s ruling BJD on Friday kicked off its three-day State-wide agitation protesting against the skyrocketing fuel prices by holding peaceful dharnas before the filling stations.
Party members demonstrated before petrol pumps in their respective areas from 10 am to 12 noon and sensitised the people about the rising fuel prices, for which the Central Government is responsible.
In Bhubaneswar, party activists including members of the youth and students’ wing and Mahila Morcha distributed leaflets and staged demonstrations at all petrol pumps. BJD leaders, including MLAs also joined the protest by taking out a rally from the State Assembly to the petrol pump near the Ram Mandir.
BJD general secretary Sanjay Dasburma said, “The BJP-led Central Government had come to power with promises of ‘Acche din’, but the increasing petrol and diesel rates have overburdened the common man. We will continue the protest till the prices fall.”
“We will intensify the protest if the prices of petroleum products are not brought under control,” Dasburma added.
MLA Arun Sahu said, “The oil prices in India have spiralled. Earlier, when the rate of oil per barrel was 135 dollars in global market, the petrol prices in India was Rs 54 per litre. Now when the global rates have fallen to 78 dollars, why have the rates in India gone up to Rs 80,” questioned Sahu.
In reaction, Union Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas Dharmendra said, “The BJD is suffering from mental bankruptcy. Odisha has collected the maximum revenue in petroleum products during the period 2014-18.” He urged the State Government to reduce VAT on petrol and diesel to give relief to the people.