The Congress on Wednesday called for a State-wide protest against the hike in prices of petroleum products and other essential commodities from July 7 to 17. The agitation in the forms of meetings, demonstrations and cycle procession would be organised in all blocks, towns, districts and at the State level.In a statement PCC president Niranjan Patnaik said that because of the lack of farsighted view of the Modi Government, the Covid-19 situation is not improving.
The Central Government has raised the petroleum prices 29 times during the last two months.Because there has been a sharp rise in prices of all essential commodities like gas, edible oils and pulses, the All India Congress Committee (AICC) has called for a nationwide agitation. Patnaik stated that on July 7, Congress workers would demonstrate in all block headquarters from 10 am to 1 pm demanding an increase in paddy per-quintal MSP to Rs 2930, to extend validation of tokens for paddy procurement up to July 25 and compensation for farmers whose paddy was not sold and protesting against the hike in prices of essential commodities.
On July 9, Congress workers would demonstrate in all district headquarters. On July 14, a cycle jatha would start from the Congress Bhawan in Bhubaneswar and move around the capital city. On July 17, party cadres starting from grassroots workers to State and national office-bearers would demonstrate before petrol pumps and collect signatures from consumers.